Guyana Times International

Gov't shakes up State Boards

-more employees to be sent packing

Next in line to be removed from State Boards appear to be Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Chairman Winston Brassington; Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Jagnarine Singh and Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) Managing Director Badrie Persaud.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, speaking to media operatives on Wednesday at the post-Cabinet press briefing, indicated that the abovementioned individuals will soon be sent packing given their inadequacy to effectively manage their respective agency. Since the new Administration took office, there have been massive changes in the vari-

ous State Boards aimed at what the Government said was bringing back confidence over the operations of the various agencies.

Harmon noted that the Boards were currently being reviewed and that the Government should arrive at a preliminary position by the end of this week as it related to the changes required on the various Boards.

More pointedly, he noted that Brassington can never enjoy the confidence of the new Government and he was just in a “holding pattern” during this transitioning period. Harmon hinted that there were several other individuals who still hold their positions because of the mere fact that the Government

continued on page 5

Gun battle continues: One dead, another hospitalized during brawl at pool hall …Police say shooting drug related

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

One man is dead and another hospitalised following a raging gun battle on Tuesday evening at Butcher’s Pool Hall, Lot 25 Middleton Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. And a top Police source said the incident was not an attempted robbery as was earlier reported but rather a drug-related incident. The dead man in the shootout is yet to be identified while the injured man has been identified as Paul Chow, age 31, a father of one of Lot 10 Railway Line, Kitty, Georgetown. Guyana Times International understands that Chow is a security officer who has alleged criminal ties.

According to information received, the now dead man who sported dreadlocks and who has “Spine Doctor” tattooed on his back is known to Chow, since prior to the shooting incident, the two men were seen engaged in a heated argument in the pool hall. This publication understands that the argument stemmed from

a deal that went sour resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.

After the argument, the “Rasta man” left the shop while Chow continued drinking with his Army and Police friends. After sometime had elapsed, this publication was told that the pool hall closed its doors for business but Chow and his friends remained outside the business place taking their drinks. It was during this time the “Rasta man” returned with two other men.

“Two came from the direction of Hilton Restaurant and de Rasta Man came from the direction of the water place… as they two men open fire on Chow, chow pulled out a gun and shoot back at the men hitting one of them”, an eyewitness told this newspaper.

While Chow was reportedly concentrating on the two men, it is alleged that the dreadlocked man approached from the other direction and discharged two rounds at him. It was at this time that a Police rank attached to the Criminal Investigation Department

pulled out his firearm and shot the man to his chest. “Rasta Man fall down right there and dead and the other two escaped,” the source stated.

Both Chow and the dreadlocked man were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where the unidentified man was pronounced dead on arrival and Chow was admitted.

This newspaper understands too that the gun that Chow had in his possession might have been illegal since upon leaving his work place, it is a requirement that his firearm is lodged. It is also believed that the Police rank and the soldier who were with Chow are not telling the truth about what really transpired.

Police in a statement said based on investigations, at about 23:20h on Tuesday evening, a group of men, including a Policeman and a member of the Guyana Defence Force, were at the Butcher Pool Hall at Middleton Street, Georgetown, when two men approached and discharged rounds in their direction.

As a result, Paul Chow who was in the grouping

was hit to his chest and jaw. Police further stated that both the Policeman and the soldier returned fire and one of the armed men was hit about his body, while his accomplice managed to escape. The dead man, the Police disclosed, is of African descent with dreadlocked hair. He appears to be in his 40’s, fair in complexion, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, medium build and has a tattoo on his back with the words “Spine Doctor”. In addition, the Police confirmed that the Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation into the shooting incident that left one dead; presumably shot by a service weapon belonging to the CID rank.

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EDITORIAL

Silence, crime and criminality

The deafening silence of the new administration, which rose to power on May 16, on the spiraling levels of crime and criminality in our society wreaks hypocrisy, and is totally unacceptable given some of the commitments they made while in opposition not so long ago.

Over the last few weeks, the situation has worsened with reports of sometimes two to three murders, robberies, road accidents and serious instances of crime daily.

The Police reported a 12 per cent increase in serious crimes for the period January to May, with some 66 murders being recorded, when compared to 59 for the same period last year. The Force said it has seized 50 illegal guns, despite the fact that there was an overall decrease in robbery under arms during the related period.

It is interesting to note that the new Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has not said what policy changes would be made to ensure that the Police are both better equipped and operationally ready to respond to the albatross of crime and criminality.

While the Minister has found time to comment on several other matters with respect to the coalition’s breach of the Cummingsburg Accord, interfere and meddle in some operational aspects of the Police with regard to appointments, dismissals and transfers, and host several courtesy calls, he appears too busy to speak directly to the Guyanese populace about his policies for fighting crime and making Guyana a safer place.

It is unfortunate neither the President nor the new Minister have spoken directly or even visited the homes as well as business places of some of the victims of recent criminal activity.

The Government continues to use the excuse that it is “settling in” office and getting familiarized with portfolios.

While in opposition, and during the 2015 elections campaign, both President David Granger and Minister Ramjattan heavily criticized the PPPC for the manner in which they handled the security sector.

These two politicians, along with now Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, did everything in their power to expose the weaknesses in policies and operational responses of the Police as far as fighting crime was concerned.

They appeared to be very knowledgeable then as to what short term and long term measures must be taken to dent the criminal enterprise. Has their knowledge base now disappeared? What is the reason for their inaction and failure to issue strong condemnations to the perpetrators of these acts?

The government has said in the next few days what will become of the sweeping changes proposed in the reforms by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee for the Armed Forces that would see the further professionalism of the security forces and laudable results in the fight against crime.

The President, who has been touted as a security expert, must now announce a detailed short-term plan to reduce the alarming levels of insecurity prevailing in this country. He must understand that for each day that goes by, Guyana is bleeding, the tears of families continue to fall, and criminals are becoming empowered.

Both the President and Public Security Minister must place pressure publicly on the Police to deliver.

The media too must do more than just report on the crime situation. It must press government to explain the reasons for the increase and the poor track record of the Police in reducing crime.

Now is not the time for inquires into past episodes of crimes and unrests. It is the time for action to save Guyana from going under. It is the time for the government to at least appear concerned about the wanton loss of lives and invasion of property.

The popular saying “too late, too late shall be the cry” should serve as inspiration for government to get off of their laurels and effect positive change to the situation, as Guyanese deserve better and much more respect.

Cheering the Warriors on

PAHO, OAS launch task force to tackle NCDs

Agroup of agencies concerned about the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on human and economic development in the Americas has launched a new task force to accelerate multi-sectoral action for prevention and control of NCDs in the Region.

“Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases are the leading killers in the Americas and around the world, and tackling them requires collective efforts and multi-sectoral approaches, such as the alliance we are launching today,” said Dr Carissa F Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

The new alliance will help the countries of the Region mount a comprehensive response to NCDs, one of the major challenges for development in the 21st Century. PAHO/WHO will chair the new Inter-American Task Force on NCDs, working collaboratively with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and other partners including the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the World Bank.

The task force will support countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with policy advice, technical assistance, resource mobilisation and capacity-building, while also facilitating a common and harmonised approach, optimal use of resources, and networking and information exchange among agencies of the InterAmerican system and partner institutions to ensure maximum impact.

NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression. In the Americas,

some 4.5 million die each year from NCDs, representing more than 80 per cent of all deaths, of which 36 per cent are premature, that is, occurring in people under age 70. If no action is taken, deaths and disabilities from this silent epidemic are expected to increase, along with the burden they place on health systems and national economies.

“We must act now. NCDs are a burden not only on patients, their families and the health sector, but on societies and economies as a whole. Fighting them requires creating health-supporting environments through partnerships with other sectors such as agriculture, education and trade. These are the types of action we will promote jointly with other agencies of the Inter-American system as we work together to save lives,” Dr Etienne said.

Multi-sectoral policies

Most deaths from NCDs are related to common risk factors, principally tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Exposure to these risk factors can be modified through multisectoral policies and actions. These include policies for universal health coverage and universal social protection, incentives to increase production and availability of healthy foods, educating children about healthy eating and physical activity, and urban planning that promotes public spaces for recreation and physical activity. They also include legislation and regulations intended to reduce consumption of tobacco, alcohol, salt, sugar and trans fats – measures that are considered NCD “best buys” due to their cost-effectiveness.

The global cost of implementing these best buys is estimated at US$11.2 billion, representing an annual investment of only US$1-$3 per person.

“Our citizens’ health and

well-being are at the centre of the OAS’s rights and equity agenda. Non-Communicable Diseases need to be addressed comprehensively. That’s why collaboration across Government, institutions and sectors is key to reducing these diseases,” said OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, during the task force’s launch, which took place one day after the close of the 2015 OAS General Assembly.

Representatives of Brazil, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago also participated in the meeting to launch the new task force and presented successful experiences of multi-sectoral work in their countries.

In 2011, Heads of State from around the world recognised the role and responsibility of Governments in reducing NCDs through the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs.

In 2013, the World Health Assembly endorsed WHO’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, which seeks, among other things, a 25 per cent reduction in premature mortality from NCDs between 2013 and 2025.

These global commitments were affirmed the same year in the Regional Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of NCDs approved by the 52nd Directing Council of PAHO/ WHO.

The new alliance will help the countries of the Region mount a comprehensive response to NCDs, one of the major challenges for development in the 21st Century. PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organisation in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.

Gov't shakes up...

was not quite settled in.

He noted also that Guyoil’s General Manager “does not enjoy the confidence of the Government” and as such, he too will have to go. Further, Harmon said the Board of Directors of Guyoil was definitely up for review.

Former President Donald Ramotar’s son Alexi Ramotar, who is the head of the E-Governance Project, is also in the lineup to be removed from his position, Harmon noted.

In relation to the GRDB General Manager, Harmon disclosed that Singh indicated his desire to demit office and this was fully welcomed by the new administration. In addition, the entire Rice Board is also up for review and will be replaced. Other Boards up for review include the Board of Directors for the National Procurement and Tender Administration

Board (NPTAB) and the Board of Directors of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). Already, Government has shaken up the entire Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and has replaced it with an interim management committee. GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Raj Singh was fired and the other Board Members were forced to resign.

However, to date, Government is yet to install a new Board. When asked, Harmon disclosed that the Government was still in the process of reviewing proposals for the new Board Members.

“The GuySuCo Board is being restructured; we have proposals, we will be looking at this on Saturday and by the end of the following week, a Board should be available,” he said.

Airport expansion project to go ahead …but Gov't plans to review project design to suit budget

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project is now up for review and Government is moving with redesigning the original model to suit a cheaper budget.

Under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, the project amounted to some US$150 million. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during a postCabinet press briefing on Wednesday announced that the US$150 million identified for the project was far below what was required to complete it. Since the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration came into office, one of the first tasks undertaken was an extensive investigation into the project.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had requested from CJIA management a comprehensive report of the project. At the post-Cabinet press briefing, Harmon disclosed that Patterson reported to Cabinet that there were several areas of expenditure that were not included in the US$150

million. These include: a car park estimated at US$2.7 million, equipment for the terminal at US$16 million, navigational aids that needed to be changed and upgraded at a cost of US$1.3 million, generator building and pump house valued at US$60,000, perimeter fence and security lights at US$565,000, relocation of electrical and mechanical engineer department at US$250,000 and relocation of airport operators at US$510,000. There were other areas of expenditure that were not accounted for. Generally, Harmon disclosed that an estimated US$65 million was needed to complete the CJIA Expansion Project in the form it was initially pre-

sented.

Further, Harmon reported that some 32 per cent of the money was already utilised, but only six per cent of the work was done. As a result, Cabinet took a decision to review the project and have a different model designed which will see the project being completed with the funds that were left.

Key components of the initial project included: the extension of the runway from 7500 to 10,800 feet – to accommodate the Boeing 747400 aircraft; doubling of aircraft positions from four to eight; installation of eight passenger boarding bridges; and the fortification of the CCTV system with approximately

cameras. Harmon said with the new model, there will still be the expansion of the runway and a modified airport terminal. He assured that the new project will still aim to make the CJIA up to par with international standards. The existing runway currently creates many limitations in safety owing to the absence of the Runway Extension Safety Area (RESA) and its inability to accommodate larger wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft. The congested terminal and parking space constraints for aircraft were among other issues laid on the table when the meeting was convened.

Guyanese in the Diaspora are concerned about the high crime rate

Dear Editor, Guyanese in the diaspora have expressed deep anguish about the sudden spike in crime (robberies, murders) since the change in government last month. Criminals are preying on visitors. Too many visiting Guyanese (from North America) and locals have become victims of crime over the last month and the new government has not mounted an effective response.

In fact, it is not even addressing the issue – business as usual. Instead of concentrating on fighting crime, the new political dispensation is going after supporters of the previous regime removing many from their jobs.

In conversations on the phone and in person, many in the diaspora have been querying me whether they will be safe if they visit Guyana, especially during the summer break when thousands from North America visit their

former homeland to see relatives during their vacation. They worry they will be targeted by criminals who have been preying on visitors mostly in rural communities where government provides limited security.

Many overseas-based Guyanese are putting travel plans on hold and others are considering cancellation of travel fearing for the safety of their families and themselves. Some told me “bai, meh nah go back deh; the place nah good”. Instead of spending precious time, resources and energy on settling scores and on political and ethnic cleansing at various government agencies, the government should focus on an effective anti-crime response.

Visits from the diaspora are critical for the growth in the economy during the summer break as members of the diaspora spend tens of millions of American dollars in the country during

this period. The country cannot afford a reduction in visitors. It behooves the government, therefore, to go after the criminals and have a more active patrol of the security forces from the airport and high crime areas. Visitors are urged to be vigilant when arriving at their abode and in their movements.

Overseas Guyanese are also concerned about the firing of supporters of the former government. They worry how these fired workers would be able to obtain a job to provide for their families.

Now is not the time for political and ethnic victimization as all hands are needed in battling the scourge in crime that threatens the development of the country. The country also needs Guyanese to unite against threats from neighbouring countries. Thus, firing and victimizing supporters of other political parties will not bring about unity.

Vishnu Bisram

Scrapping the Specialty Hospital is not a wise move

Dear Editor, I think scrapping the Specialty Hospital is a disaster for Guyanese.

Guyanese need the best health hospital we can

have. This regime, with the political nursing of outsiders, is not listening to Guyanese. Give Guyanese a fair chance to express their

views about the Specialty Hospital instead of suppressing them politically and democratically.

Thank you, democracy.

V Persaud

Stepping into humble buildings

Dear Editor,

During the campaign we heard a lot about the humble nature of Moses Nagamootoo. It was no other, but he himself that spoke of his “humility”.

The man said that he never flew first class whilst in the PPP/C government and never stayed in fancy hotels.

He said he never accepted any wage increase because he cared about public servants and wanted to see them get wage increase first.

This man is a saint! What a humble man! Or so said Nagamootoo about himself and want voters to believe. This was pre-elections. Let us look at Nagamootoo post-elections. He said:

“The Prime Minister’s residence is in a deplorable state. It is not fit to be a living quarters. Roofs are leaking, rats are in the ovens, granny sugar is present.” (The building is too humble it seems).

The Prime Minister’s office is not fit for an animal much less a human being. He can’t occupy it because its condition is so terrible. Nagamootoo insists on a significant renovation before he moves into either.

The road to Nagamootoo’s private residence was paved upon him becoming PM, while sections of the road in front of other folks were left out. Strange. I thought he was so humble that back in the days he won’t even take a wage increase unless the other people got theirs first.

Charge D’ Hunt’s comment on the Specialty Hospital

Dear Editor:

I read a report in a section of the press that the US Government through its Charge D' Bryan Hunt, had declared that the aid allocated by the government of India for the Specialty Hospital would be better deployed elsewhere, as the present administration wishes.

The tone of the report was that the American Charge D’ was positively supported of the government’s position and was advising what is to done with funds still in the pipeline from anoth-

er sovereign country.

If that were so, it would quite rightly make the donor, the Indian Government; hesitate to use its funds at the behest of another government. Charge D’ Hunt however, is a very capable and professional diplomat and would never make such a faux pas. The media which carried the report obvious thought that they would be supportive of the government if they could surreptitiously and unfairly draw Hunt of a position of apparently supporting the government

even though the man was being objective and had no intention of taking sides or violating diplomatic protocol.

Very positively, Charge D’ Hunt offered his government’s support for the health services, and among his suggestions was the establishment of another ‘GPHC’. The government must immediately open discussions with the US Government about the financing of another ‘GHPC’ in Berbice or Essequibo. Yours sincerely, T. Drakes

The fight against hunger and malnutrition

Dear Editor, Recently, the new Minister of Agriculture represented Guyana in Rome as Guyana was awarded a special recognition price for our country’s success in fighting against hunger and malnutrition.

In terms of halving the proportion of people who live in poverty and who go hungry on a daily basis, Guyana was one of the countries that achieved this MDG.

So why didn’t he see to it that the other people got their road fixed first before his was fixed?

Moses Nagamootoo portrayed himself to be someone he is not. Self-praise is no praise.

He pronounced himself a humble man, but the real Nagamootoo came out after the elections. The country is not seeing a humble man; the country is seeing his true colours.

He was exposed by the PPP/C as being a beneficiary of first class seating when travelling abroad, of staying in the finest of hotels when overseas and as the first one to pick up his cheque when the raise of pay was given.

So who told the truth and who told the lies? Time is a great revealer of truth.

Meanwhile, dear Samuel Hinds and his lovely wife made do with the PM’s office and residence with all its faults. He did have the way available to him to call for massive renovation, but he chose the least expensive option.

Who is the truly humble man, I ask? It is Sam Hinds. God bless this dear man and his wife.

Moses Nagamootoo is nothing what he made himself to be. As time goes by, the country will see and hear more of this “humble” man as he sheds the humble persona he donned for the sake of deceiving voters.

Sandra Looknath

But Guyana also achieved a more ambitious goal of ensuring that our children have good nutrition and that less than 10 per cent of our children suffer from under-nutrition, a goal established by the World Food Programme in 1996, Guyana was only one of a handful of countries that achieved this target.

In 1990, depending on whose statistics you want to accept, Guyana’s poverty rates were estimated to be at the low end 67 per cent and at the high end 88 per cent. People genuinely starved in our country then. At the time, more than 20 per cent of our children suffered from under-nutrition with almost 15 per cent suffering from severe malnutrition.

Today, poverty rates are below 20 per cent, hunger has been almost ended and severe undernutrition is under five per cent. These are major success stories since 1990. The acknowledgement by the FAO and the award that Guyana re-

ceived are strong indicators of the social development that Guyana has experienced since 1990.

We are proud of this achievement. It resulted from hard work by many people. Clearly, the PPP/C government must be commended for the difficult task, but the successful guiding of Guyana in its economic and social development.

The country had its economy grown by more than 1,000 per cent, from a GDP of less than US$300M in 1992 to more than $3.2B by the end of 2014. The GDP of Guyana grew in 19 of the 23 years the PPP/C was in Government.

The superb management of Guyana’s ugly debt situation in 1992 when the country’s debt was over 900 per cent of its GDP, one of the worst in the world to a situation where the debt ratio at the end of 2014 stood at less than 60 per cent is part of the success story that has enabled Guyana to achieve these remarkable progress in addressing poverty, hunger and malnutrition.

Moving from utilizing 94 per cent of revenues to service debt in 1992 to now using less than six per cent, allows Guyana to utilize its revenues for real social and economic progress of our people.

The APNU+AFC did not hesitate in going to Rome to receive the prestigious award. They did the right thing because all of Guyana should be proud of this achieve-

ment. We have overcome much to get to this stage. From an almost impossible situation in 1990, Guyana climbed out of the misery to reach a stage of one of not so many developing countries that have succeeded in reducing hunger and poverty and improving the nutritional status of our people.

The international award from FAO testifies to a country that has made considerable progress in the last twenty years. The challenge is now for the new government to sustain this trajectory of progress.

There are other food and nutrition security challenges that are emerging. We hope that the APNU+AFC government will pay attention. They seem more comfortable making awkward charges and allegations. They seem more inclined to look for ghosts, rather than trying to keep Guyana firmly on the trajectory of development that has seen our country moved from a bankrupt, least developing, highly indebted country to now a middle income country.

The PPP/C stands proud of these achievements. In spite of the shameless posture of APNU+AFC that the PPP/C has done nothing for Guyana, the evidence speaks louder and the evidence says that APNU+AFC is guilty of shamelessly lying to the people of Guyana.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Construction of deepwater harbour underway

…US$10M spent so far on Berbice project

The prospect of having a deepwater harbour in the Berbice River is finally materialising.

Canadian Oil Company

CGX Energy Inc, which had planned to embark on this initiative since 2011, is now in the process of constructing the port, with in excess of US$10 million already invested in the project.

Throughout the years, there have been talks about the vast economic potential and opportunities that would be made available with a deepwater port in operation.

Already, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the idea, saying that the Berbice county, though not as developed as Demerara, is ready for the significant transformation that would accompany a deepwater harbour.

Deepwater harbours are essential points of

transit for incoming people and goods. Primarily, deepwater harbours are fundamental to the movement of exports and imports from and to a country.

The Port of Shanghai, located in China, which started off as a small port of transit, is now the highest volume port in the world and receives approximately 30 million 20-foot equivalent units per year.

In the Caribbean, the Port of Bridgetown in Barbados has immensely increased trade activities in the island and drastically boosted the tourism sector.

Barbados’ deepwater harbour now acts as a home port for many of the British-based Cruise ship lines operating in the Caribbean region, directly impacting the tourism sector and ultimately the economy, owing to the revenue generated from tourists who

PPP/C renews

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is now calling for a complete overhaul of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) before the body moves ahead with the holding of the long overdue local government elections.

President David Granger had recently announced that Guyanese will once again go to the polls sometime later this year to elect leaders of their respective communities. But the People’s Progressive Party recently disclosed that it may not participate in the electoral process, particularly if the Chairman of the governing body responsible for the rolling out of the elections – Steve Surujbally – remains at the helm.

On Monday, the party added that there must be a complete overhaul of the agency before this important election is held.

“It is precisely for

are almost always willing to spend.

In putting things into perspective, CGX Energy Inc CoChairman, Professor Suresh Narine explained that a deepwater harbour in Guyana can actually take the strain off oil exploration companies which depend on the Port of Chaguaramas as the primary source of raw materials for their operations. The Port of Chaguaramas is some 450 miles away from Guyana.

If this economic activity is transferred to a closer port – in Berbice, it can significantly cut the expenses endured by these oil giants.

Also, with the availability of a cheaper option, it may likely attract more exploration companies to search for the oil in Guyana’s waters, which can further contribute to the economic development of

call for

these reasons that the PPP recognises and urges the public to support the party’s call for local government elections to be held only after a complete overhaul of GECOM’s machinery including its staff compliment, its modus operandi, the law governing the conduct of local government election as well as the responsibilities of the returning and deputy returning officers and above all, GECOM’s top

the country.

Former President Donald Ramotar had repeatedly spoken about the expansion of the Panama Canal and how this project will soon start to impact the economic activities in Guyana.

The Panama Canal Expansion Project is intended to double the capacity of the Panama Canal by creating a new lane of traffic and allowing more and larger ships to transit.

Industry experts believe that the expansion of the Panama Canal will open a new phase for the transshipment in the Caribbean.

If Guyana is not up to par with the rest of the countries in the Caribbean, it is possible that the international economic activities will dwindle due to the fact that the country does not have the port to facilitate the new phase

for transshipment of more and larger ships.

Meanwhile, CGX Energy Inc through its subsidiary Grand Canal Industrial Estates (GCIE) and a Dutch firm called Ballast Needam, completed the first phase of construction on the project.

Currently, CGX Energy Inc is engaging oil and gas exploration companies, among other “venture partners” in

pursuit of completing the deepwater harbour.

The area is located North of the Berbice River Bridge at Palymra Village and it has some 600 meters of frontage at the mouth of the Berbice River.

It is also estimated that the port will be some 10 kilometers from the open Atlantic Ocean, making it easier to facilitate international trade.

complete revamping of GECOM

brass must experience fundamental personnel changes before local government elections are held”, General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee said.

He noted that the call by the party for Surujbally to demit office before local government elections are held is “no flash in the pants” reaction to the cheating it suffered at the May 2015 elections.

“The party is convinced that had it not been for GECOM’s cheating machine, the PPP would have romped home successfully. However, due to the accumulative impact of the many irregularities that transpired on election day, victory for the party at the poll was thwarted.

He said there are those who believe that because the international observers had made a declaration of free and fair election that that was the end of the matter.

Pregnant teen attempts suicide to kill unborn child

A15-year-old of Onderneeming Housing Scheme, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was hospitalised and later discharged from the Suddie Public Hospital after she attempted to end her life. The teenager is said to be five months pregnant. According to re-

ports, she was rushed on Saturday to the Public Hospital after she stabbed herself in the stomach with a knife, trying to kill the unborn. The knife was then taken away by relatives. She was said to be under pressure to reveal how she got pregnant. The teen had dropped out of secondary school some

months ago after she reportedly got pregnant.

Residents have called on counsellors to visit the teen and offer words of advice. Several pastors have visited the teen.

Senior School Welfare Officer for Region Two, Haimraj Hamandeo said that an investigation will be launched into the matter.

Since the announcement of the results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections, the party has been calling for the immediate resig-

nation of Surujbally. The call was mounted particularly because of his failure to acquiesce to the party’s request for a total recount of the ballots,

as it contended that the election was rigged. Dr Surujbally had maintained that he will resign his post when he feels it is necessary.

PPP/C files elections petition in High Court

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Wednesday filed an election petition with the High Court, questioning the validity of the May 11 General and Regional Elections, while asking the court to grant a number of orders including the nullification of the May 11, 2015 Election, as well as an order for new elections to be held, among several others.

The petition was filed by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the applicant, PPP/C Executive Member Ganga Persaud, under the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act Chapter 1:04, and names as the defendants on the petition – Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Keith Lowenfield, and the representatives of the List of Candidates for all eight parties that contested the recently concluded election.

These are; Donald Ramotar for the PPP/C, Harold Lutchman for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), Candidates Marissa Nadir for the United Force (TUF), Mark Benschop for the Independent Party (IP), Saphier Hussain-Subedar for

the National Independent Party (NIP), Vishnu Bandhu for the United Republican Party (URP), Gerald Perreira for the Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP), and Leon Saul of the Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP).

In the petition, Persaud asks the court to “determine and declare that the whole of the electoral process was so flawed, contained so many procedural errors and so many instances of fraudulent and/or suspicious actions that the results that have been derived from the process cannot be credibly deemed to represent accurately the will of the electorate”.

Additionally, a request was made for the court to “determine and declare that the number of valid votes cast differs from the number of votes upon which seats in the National Assembly were allocated to that list, and further that the Guyana Elections Commission be directed to review the said lists and to accordingly reallocate such seat in accordance with Section 97 of the Representation of the People Act”.

The party is also asking the court to find that the refusal of the Returning Officers (ROs) to grant a final general count,

as requested by the Counting Agents of the PPP/C is unlawful, null and void.

Furthermore, a request was made also for the recount of all ballots cast in the May 11 Election and for the court to grant such redress in conformity with the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act, Chapter 1:04, as may be just, appropriate and necessary, including, but not limited to, ordering fresh election to be held in the whole or part, for the purpose of rectifying the said results; and that the court give such incidental, ancillary and supplementary direction as the court may deem fit, includ-

ing, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the reallocation of the seats in the National Assembly.

Some of the grounds laid out in the election petition include valid ballots being wrongly deemed rejected; Statements of Poll (SOP) used to ascertain the results contain arithmetic errors; multiple voting by persons and impersonation of persons; PPP/C ballot attendants and polling agents being prevented from accompanying the ballot boxes; and the fact that there were fraudulently concocted SOPs.

Another ground highlighted in the court document

states that many of the SOPs used by GECOM and the CEO to ascertain the results were not the Statements of Poll which emanated from the polling stations but were fraudulently concocted and inserted into GECOM’s machinery.

Prior to the filing of the petition, the party was required to file an ex-parte application, seeking permission from the court to file the actual election petition. The matter was heard before Chief Justice Ian Chang, who granted leave for the petition to be filed.

Now that the petition is filed, copies have to be served to the parties involved. A date will then have to be fixed by the court for hearing of the petition. The election results disclosed by GECOM shows that the PPP/C gained 202,694 votes while the APNU/AFC gained 207,200.

Since before the election results were officially declared and gazetted, the PPP/C made several requests to the election body for a total recount of the ballots but to no avail. In the application submitted to the court, the party identified a long list of particulars which led to the conclusion that the May 11 General and Regional Elections were massively rigged in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition.

Women producers being trained to better promote their businesses

The Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers (CANROP) conducted a three-day training workshop for Caribbean women rural producers in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

With the main agenda of teaching rural women about building and managing a communication platform, with the aim of promoting their businesses,

the workshop started on Monday and ended on Tuesday. The group consisted of about 20 women from several Caribbean countries; Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad and The Bahamas.

The event’s facilitator David Thomas, is the Director of DANAQA; a UK-based company that is described as a consultancy and social enterprise, where the company works with women in small businesses all over the world, improving

market access and communication skills.

Thomas stated that the objective of this workshop is to carry on a process of improving overall communications of CANROP members.

He added that the workshop’s main focus was for rural producers to develop an online communication platform using CANROP to improve the group’s external and internal communication skills, to improve their access to resources, and to improve their awareness of CANROP activities.

The workshop discussed communication strategies that the group could use to present their work to the international community. Many of the members reside in rural communities, and as such, are not knowledgeable of all things comput-

er related or the operations of the Internet.

The groups learn how to create and post blogs, feature stories, news and other small basic steps of introducing their businesses and products to the international community on the CANROP platform. The group will also learn how to handle social media platforms and ways to take advantage of the services to promote and market their products.

Participants of the workshop told this newspaper that the workshop has been beneficial to them in many ways as one of the biggest hindrances of being a rural producer is marketing, and that this platform has assisted greatly.

Local producer Gail Gouveia, of Region One (Barima-Waini), stated

CPL seen as major economic driver of region's economies

- US$24.5M injected into Guyana's economy from 2013 tourney

Amid a slowdown following the long election campaign season and its aftermath, the recently launched third edition of the Caribbean Premier League is seen as a the right fillip to help jumpstart the economy.

According to an independent Economic Impact study on the tournament last year, Guyana’s economy cashed in on some US$24.5 million from the overall US$166 million that was injected into the Region’s economy during the 2014 tournament – a significant increase of 58 per cent on 2013.

Only last week, business Executive and former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Clinton Urling, told Guyana Times International that he was searching for answers as to why the economy remains stagnant, even with the end to the election period.

Meanwhile, asked for a comment on the reported slowing down of the economy, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin said: “I don’t have the data to support the notion that the busi-

Asked whether CPL is just the right fillip at this time to help jumpstart the economy, Gaskin said “generally, any major sporting event that excites Guyanese and brings people to Guyana

tivities,” he offered. According to the study conducted by SMG-Insight/YouGov, one of the world’s leading sports measurement, research and analysis companies, showed

ness is on a downhill” although saying that there is “some indication, however, that this is the case.”

has the potential to positively impact the economy… I do believe that the CPL games may increase the economic ac-

IDB sets July deadline for Gov't to decide on Amaila Falls Project

Government has disclosed that the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) has wrapped up an economic feasibility study on the Amaila Fall Hydropower Project and was slated to make its presentation to Head of State David Granger on Wednesday afternoon.

This was announced by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency. Harmon said the IDB Vice President, its General Manager of the Caribbean Department and their teams were in Guyana conducting the study regarding the economic viability of the hydropower project.

He said once the Government is presented with the information,

it will then hold discussions to decide on a way forward for Amaila. The new Government has an early July deadline in which it has to respond to the IDB about the future of the project. “We have to say something to them about whether we will continue with Amaila. We need to take a decision on that very quickly,” Harmon said.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower project has sparked much controversy since it was presented in Parliament. The project had hit a snag when the then Opposition derailed the passage of a critical piece of legislation back in 2012 causing a major investor to walk away.

The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was bent on forging ahead with the project if it had

regained executive power.

The plant, with the proposed location at the confluence of the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers, was expected to deliver electricity to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden, by a transmission line.

The project, when completed, will immediately provide local communities with employment as well as the opportunity for expanded sales of goods and services. The plant was expected to lower average wholesale energy costs while spurring additional economic investment, resulting in more jobs and stronger infrastructure. After 20 years of operation, the ownership of the project would have been transferred to Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Women producers being...

that she was never clear in the operations of computers or the Internet, and her experience on the device has been very interesting as she’s learning to understand it all for the sake of the betterment of her business.

Others also stated that the workshop has been very beneficial to them, as social media is the main communication

platform of this century and makes the world a global village.

A Jamaican participant stated that what she learnt will be taken back to her “rural women” so that they can share their stories and hard work, while at the same time, sharing their products to not only persons in their home country but also to others

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around the Caribbean and possibly, the world.

The Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers is a network of women processors/producers working together to improve the economic, social and environmental standing of themselves, their families their communities and the Caribbean as a whole.

a breakout across each of the eight markets as follows: Antigua and Barbuda – US$13.8 million; Barbados – US$28.7 million; Grenada – US$13.3 million; Guyana – US$24.5 million; Jamaica – US$25.1 million; St Kitts and Nevis – US$26.3 million; St Lucia – US$13.9 million and Trinidad and

Tobago – US$21.1 million. With an investment of over US$25 million to date, the CPL is the world’s second biggest T20 cricket tournament – behind the Indian Premier League – and is set to continue growing in 2015 and beyond. The study also revealed that last year host country for the finals, St Kitts and Nevis, reaped significant benefits with a whopping US$25.1 million invested in the local economy –second only to Barbados with US$28.7 million. Key findings in the report show: incremental spending by regional and international fans totalled US$47.4 million (excluding accommodation and airfares); an estimated 217,176 regional and international spectators watched CPL 2014 live; the international TV audience increased to 65 million in 2014 from 36 million in 2013, with 29 broadcasters from around the world airing the games live; over 21,500 international visitors (approximately 10 per cent of total spectators), attended CPL 2014, spending US$7.9 million; thousands of new jobs were created in tourism and

travel across the Region by CPL and more than 156,000 jobs positively impacted and the tournament’s high profile international broadcast media campaign (which encouraged tourism in the Region) generated US$4.47 million in advertising value.

CPL’s CEO, Damien O’Donohoe had said that “These results are fantastic and are a testament to CPL’s significance as an economic driver in the Region. While we have always said that the Caribbean is without doubt the natural home of T20 cricket, we are very proud to say that CPL is now a truly international event – appealing to fans and players from around the world – and one that the people of the Caribbean should be very proud of.”

Guyana has highest migration rate of University graduates worldwide – Dr Roopnaraine

“Graduations are events for celebration, the recognition of dreams fulfilled and hopes renewed. Graduations are milestones of achievement and markers of growth, not just in the lives of the individual graduates, but of the institutions through which they graduate.”

These were the words of Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, as he addressed the third batch of Master of Business Administration (MBA) students to graduate from Nations University. The event was held at the Pegasus Hotel last Saturday evening.

Dr Roopnaraine in his remarks pointed to a World Bank report, which stated that Guyana has the highest rate of migration of tertiary or university graduates in the world, adding that “like other countries in the Caribbean, we are at the bottom of the hemispherical pile in terms of the number of citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 who are enrolled in higher education”.

The Minister said that there is no area of our economic and social

development in which a functioning, innovative education system is not simply just necessary but absolutely critical.

“Our national development is underpinned by our education system. Our cohesiveness as a society is underpinned by our education system. Our ability to truly become ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ is underpinned by our education system,” he said. Policy decisions would have to be taken to facilitate the transformation of the education sector and improve facilities for both teachers and students.

The Minister said

that he has taken office for about one month and he is still in the process of both reviewing existing systems to get a sense of a credible baseline from which to launch our policy, as well as incorporating the functions formerly executed under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

On that note he used the opportunity to state his ambition for the sector, which is that students have a more rounded educational experience that includes better counseling and extracurricular programmes in schools; better monitoring and eval-

uation of programmes to ensure that they achieve their objectives; and the introduction of civics perhaps as part of the formal education curriculum. This, he said, calls for a more systematic approach.

The Minister said that in the current global environment, there must be a transition from ‘ad hoc programmes’ to a ‘policy environment’ that systematically links public sector initiatives to private sector programmes and international accreditation.

He challenged the graduates to see beyond the obligations to their

places of employment and commit to continue working towards building this country together.

“Work with us so this nation can grow and benefit you as well. Whether you’re in the public sector or the private sector, you function within the same particular ecosystem,” he said.

“I can think of few things more illustrative of exemplary character than using your education for the greater good of your community and country.

“And, from the perspective of a society, of this country, every graduation ceremony is a sign

that we are strengthening our people for the many challenges and the opportunities that the future will be sure to present us, that we are gathering momentum to leap ahead and leave the menace of catastrophe far behind us,” added the Minister.

The Minister assured the University that the Ministry of Education considers the School a strong partner in the delivery of education in Guyana.

The MBA programme is offered by Australian Institute of Business in collaboration with Nations University, Guyana.

Corruption highlighted as 2 Police Officers get bail

Two Police Officers were granted bail on Monday when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on charges of corruption.

The officers –Detective Constable Ruel Paddy and Sergeant Colin Bailey – of the Vigilance Police Station, on the East Coast of Demerara, are both being challenged by a civilian for receiving bribes.

Paddy and Bailey appeared in Court One where Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry presided. The

Magistrate made it known to the court that the men are charged for corruptly obtaining Gy$300,000 on May 7, as inducement from Kissoondat Preimsook, also known as “Dave”; a licensed firearm holder, for his release.

Sergeant Paddy is also charged with fraudulently obtaining Gy$50,000 from Preimsook as an inducement so that charges would not be laid against him on June 15.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and their

Attorney Jerome Khan explained to the court his account of what lead to the charges against his clients. He stated that the accused have been employed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for over a decade and there has never been a complaint against their integrity as officers until this point.

The lawyer explained that both Paddy and Bailey were stationed at the Vigilance Police Station in June when a complainant, Arvin Narine, went to the station to report that Preimsook had threatened him. The officers went to the village of Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara where they were informed he resided. However, they were unable to locate him.

Even so, the lawyer continued that Bailey and Paddy apprehended Preimsook when he went to the Vigilance Police Station to lodge a complaint for another matter. Khan told Guyana Times International that Preimsook “freaked out”

US, Guyana discuss enhancing extradition laws

The Governments of the United States and Guyana are in discussions to have the existing extradition laws between the two countries enhanced.

During a courtesy call on newly appointed Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams last Friday, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt, disclosed that the matter was discussed as they are always looking at ways to collaborate on enhancing the effectiveness of the agreement between the two countries that was established in 1931.

“The AG and I talked about a wide range of ways in which we can collaborate on improving criminal justice and bringing to account, those who are guilty of crimes and part of that of course could potentially be enhanced extradition arrangements between the United States and Guyana,” he told reporters after the meeting.

According to Hunt,

there is a long way to go before any amendments can be made. He explained that lawyers of the new Government will have to look at what’s feasible under Guyana’s law and the US lawyers will have to look at what’s feasible under the US law. “So I won’t expect this is something that would happen instantaneously but it is something that we want to ensure that the existing agreements are able to work and we are going to continue to explore ways to ensure that pro-

cedures are in place to do that,” Chargé d’Affaires outlined.

Asked if there is any specific changes that he would like to see made to the agreement, the Embassy official stated that they have just began discussions and are not at the stage as yet where either side is able to table specific amendments or changes. He further remarked that changes may not be made to the existing agreement between the two countries but merely to the procedures relating to how they handle requests from the two sides.

Back in October 2009, the Ninth Parliament passed an amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Act 1988, correcting a lacuna in the local extradition laws, inserting a clause that empowers the Home Affairs Minister to have the final decision on whether to extradite or not. The Bill, Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2009, was presented by then Attorney General and

Corruption highlighted...

when his licensed firearm was removed from his person. He supposedly launched out in a rant that he cannot be arrested as he knew several persons in high positions. These persons were named in court by the Attorney.

The Attorney continued that Sergeant Bailey and Detective Paddy took Preimsook’s statements regarding the complaint that was made against him by Narine. During this process, however, Preimsook used his cellphone to call someone. The Attorney said that the call indicated that it was someone who can have the charges dropped against him.

Thus, it was no surprise that soon after, Narine showed up at the Police Station to retract his complaint against Preimsook. Narine said he wished for no further action and his statement was taken.

According to the lawyer, this should have been the end of the matter but Preimsook showed up in June at the Vigilance Police Station. Attorney Khan was not clear why he was there but stated that Sergeant Bailey confronted him in the presence of several other officers about an allegation he had been making against Baily and Paddy. In the presence of the officers, the lawyer stated that Preimsook denied the allegation against him.

Again the lawyer said this should have been the end of that matter. However, Preimsook went to the Vigilance Police Station on June 15, straight to the office of Sergeant Bailey where he allegedly apologised for the accusations he had been making, stating that he wished for no trouble from the Police.

However, Khan said this was not the case as Preimsook left a wad of cash on the chair he was sitting in. It was at this moment that two officers came in and arrested Bailey for accepting a bribe.

Khan told this newspaper that his client tried to explain what transpired to the officers but they would not listen. The officers then arrested Bailey and Paddy and charged them at the station. Preimsook reportedly admitted to giving the two accused more money in May to secure his release.

In his bail application, Attorney Khan told the court that the matter is summary and asked that his clients be released on their own recognisance. To convince the court of this, he said that apart from being officers of the law, Bailey and Paddy are fathers with minor children; a factor which prevents them from being flight risks. Also he stated that they have fixed places of abode in Vryheid’s Lust and Cane Grove respec-

Legal Affairs Minister Charles Ramson.

This move by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was made just a year after there was major controversy surrounding a request from the United States to have Guyanese Barry Dataram extradited for cocaine trafficking offences. The US was unable to secure custody of Dataram since there was a conflict in the extradition treaty between the two countries.

The US law allowed the extradition of a person, who was extradited to the US to another country. However, this clashed with the provisions of Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act. The Act states “no one shall be extradited or kept in custody for the purpose of extradition

from Guyana to another country unless provision has been made by that Commonwealth or treaty country for ensuring that they would not be extradited to a third country for trial of any offence without the consent of the Minister.”

Only recently in April, Dataram along with four others were arrested in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, with 129,230 kilograms of cocaine hidden in frozen seafood. He was also found to be in possession of a quantity of firearms and ammunition.

Last week he was granted Gy$4 million bail by the High Court and another Gy$400,000 for the weapons.

Speaking on this matter at a briefing with the media earlier this month, new National Security

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan pointed out that he would like to see the ministerial grip on the discretion of whether to extradite or not be minimised.

“We would like whatever powers the Minister has to be in the treaty or in the Fugitives Amendment Act and not at the hands of the Minister,” he declared. Ramjattan underscored that if according to the law a person committed a crime of a certain gravity in another jurisdiction and a request is made, then that persons must be extradited. The National Security Minister noted that he will have to discuss such amendments at the level of Cabinet with his Minister colleagues before presenting such a Bill in Parliament.

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tively.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru indicated his willingness to acquiesce with bail but only monetary bail.

With these proposals, Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry granted the defendants Gy$100,000 bail for each of the charges against the duo and ordered that their passports be lodged with the Prosecution.

She also ordered them to return to the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on July 10 where their case will be tried.

Berbice man goes berserk

By Andre CArmiChAel

An East Bank

Berbice man on Sunday night killed himself shortly after he attempted to kill his former reputed wife, her brother and a friend, and burnt down her mother’s home at Number Seven Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Dead is Nandlall Ragnauth of Krotheraadt Village, East Bank Berbice. Police in a statement said that about 20:50h Sunday, Ragnauth, 48, went to the home of his former reputed wife’s mother at Number Seven Village, broke into the home and attacked his reputed wife, Hushmanie Rasheed, 28, with a knife.

Police said Rasheed; her brother, Devanand

Tuldas, 21, and a friend, Bharat Narine, 34, of Number Two Village, WCB, were stabbed to their bodies during the incident. Ragnauth then set the house on fire, destroying it, and hanged himself from a tree in the yard. The body is at the Fort Wellington Hospital Mortuary.

Rasheed and Narine were treated at the Fort Wellington Hospital, while Tuldas has been admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Investigations are in progress, Police said.

Reports reaching this newspaper state that Rasheed and Ragnauth ended a seven-month relationship, two months ago. According to Rasheed, Nandlall was very abusive and threatened to kill her on several occasions, forcing her to walk away from the

relationship. She said on Saturday he showed up at her Number Seven home, but was not welcomed. “I chase he and tell he that I ain’t want he.”

That was about 21:30h. Rasheed said he later returned with a bottle of rum and consumed some of it. According to the mother of two, on Sunday, Ragnauth was

put into a bus by her two children to go home. He returned a few minutes later saying that he was given some food by a friend and needed a spoon to eat it. “I did just finish bathing and went in the bedroom fo change my clothes and he go in the kitchen for the spoon, but instead he pick up a knife and push open the bedroom door and come an start juk me up.”

Rasheed was able to escape without many injuries as her attacker turned his attention to her brother. Later, Narine who was on the road two villages away was stabbed three times by Ragnauth.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Narine told this publication that he had left the house along with his son and had gone to Number Five Village to purchase food

… hacks 3, burns house, commits suicide

when he was attacked. According to him, his son noticed that Ragnauth was following them and was carrying a knife. “When I turn back he just come up to me and start stabbing me and I start fight with he to get the knife and I take way the knife and thrown way the knife.”

Narine said he has known Ragnauth for about 15 years, but they were not close, although

he and “the man never get no talking or anything…” The fisherman denied allegations that there was a relationship between them. This publication was told that while the injured were being taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital, Ragnauth reportedly returned to the house and set it on fire before hanging himself. The body is at the Fort Wellington Hospital Mortuary.

Cops hunt 3 for Nandy Park shooting

By BhiShAm mOhAmed

As Police continue their investigations into the slaying of murder accused Travis Rudder, whose body was riddled with bullets on Sunday morning at his Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home, the search is on for three known characters to the Police.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times International on Monday that investigators visited the homes of the three men but none of them was in sight. Searches were also conducted at several other locations but the Police came up empty handed.

The Police will continue to hunt for the three men who cold-bloodedly murdered Rudder, while severely injuring the mother of his child and his 18-monthold baby. Guyana Times International understands that two of three men who are wanted by the Police were acquitted of murder a few years ago while the third is also a shady character and was charged several times for armed robberies. The names of the three men are withheld as Police continue the manhunt for the suspects.

Recuperating

Hospital officials have confirmed that Travic Rudder was shot five times and underwent successful emergency surgery. The official stated that the toddler is in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public

Hospital. His mother, Mawanza Gill, age 33, is also said to be recuperating at a fast rate. She reportedly told investigators that she and Rudder, along with their baby boy were sleeping and suddenly she heard a crashing sound which was followed by a hail of gunfire.

Most of the bullets, she added, were discharged in the direction of Travis Rudder who received 18 gunshot wounds. She also recalled that Rudder pushed her aside and threw himself over his son to save his life.

Murder accused Travis Rudder, age 26, of Lot 130 Lindley’s Avenue, Nandy Park, EBD, was gunned down on Sunday morning after several gunmen opened fire on him and his family while they were asleep.

The perpetrators reportedly used a wheel barrow as a mean of elevation as they pushed the 9mm pistols with extended magazines through a bedroom window and pulled the triggers. In the process, the mother of his child and baby was shot and injured.

After the shooting, the men drove off in a white car after which Gill started to shout for help. After a few minutes, a neighbour ran to her rescue but due to her injuries, he was unable to move her but took the baby and sped off to the Georgetown Public Hospital where the baby underwent emergen-

US-based couple robbed on arrival home

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

Two men are now in Police custo-

dy after they were nabbed by Police ranks in D Division (West Bank Demerara/East Bank Essequibo) moments after robbing an overseasbased Guyanese and his family at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD) in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Alex Roberts, 35, of Lot 324 Goed Fortuin, Squatting Area, WBD and his wife arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at about 00:30h and after clearing immigration, the couple left the airport and arrived home at about 02:00h. Reports reaching Guyana Times International indicate that Roberts and his wife, were collected at the airport by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, had and upon their arrival home, he exited the car to open the gate. It was here that he was confronted by three men armed with handguns. The men relived

the family of US$140, G$55,000, jewellery, four mobile phones and travel document, along with two bags.

From all indications, it appears that the perpetrators trailed the family from the CJIA, since records at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) proved that Roberts’ vehicle crossed the bridge at 01:47h and the vehicle the perpetrators was travelling in, bearing registration number PSS 9566 crossed at 01:48h. When this newspaper contacted Roberts on Sunday afternoon, he was on his way to the Leonora Police Station to meet with the Commander. He explained that earlier in the day he was asked to report to the Wales Police Station where he positively identified two of the bandits during an identification parade. The other two – the getaway driver and another bandit – are still at large. Roberts told this publication that upon reaching home on Sunday morning, he exited the

cy surgery. Gill was later collected by an ambulance and taken to the medical facility where she was admitted. In November 2007, the now dead man and his close associate Sivon Warner were accused of murdering Demerara Oxygen Company Limited (DOCOL) employee Ivor Cordis. Rudder was also accused of attempting to murder ex-Policeman Toney Williams on November 19, 2007. It was also al-

car to open the gate when he was held at gunpoint by three men with guns. They were not wearing masks but had topes over their heads. As they demanded the money and valuables, they gun butted him twice thus causing injuries to his head.

One of them then turned his attention to the occupants of the car and upon seeing his wife, they threatened to shoot her if she did not hand over the jewellery she was wearing. She also received some injuries during a scuffle with the bandit.

During the ordeal, he pleaded with them not to hurt anyone and agreed to cooperate. The men took away the money, jewellery, cellphones and two bags containing travel documents and clothing. Soon after, they jumped into the getaway car and drove off the scene. The traumatised family immediately contacted the Police but they took some time to arrive on the scene. Nevertheless, they managed to activate the

emergency response unit and the car was intercepted in Georgetown but with only two occupants. The car was brought to the Wales Police Station where the two occupants, as well as the car were positively identified by Roberts.

He thanked the Police for their quick response. However, he claimed that as they travelled from Timehri to the West Bank of Demerara, he did not observe anyone following him and it was quite strange that bandits pulled up seconds after the family arrived home.

A Police source told this publication that the men might have been working in collusion with others who might have contacted them with the vehicle’s number while they waited at the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Investigators are expected to review the surveillance footage from the DHB as they continue their investigations.

Only Wednesday last, a US-based Guyanese woman who returned to Guyana to visit her family in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara was attacked and robbed at gun point, hours after landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. Seerajie Shivram, 56 years old of Florida, was attacked and robbed by two gunmen as she was making her way into her house at Lot 2 Mon Repos.

The woman was relieved of over US$3000, her asthmatic medication, her United States (US) passport, and US identification card and driver’s licence, among other important doc-

uments. In addition, Shivram’s sister and brother-in-law who were with her at the time; were also robbed of their valuables, including Gy$25,000.

In light of the increasing number of robberies perpetuated on visiting overseas-based Guyanese, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum explained that there are normally Police roadblocks along the East Bank Corridor from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri to Georgetown, and Police Officers would usually stop suspicious vehicles, make inquiries and take the necessary action if something seems amiss.

However, considering the progressive increase of these attacks on travellers, not only on USbased Guyanese en route from the airport to their destinations, Blanhum said the Police will definitely have to intensify their work to ensure the country is safer for tourists and returning Guyanese.

Cops hunt 3 for Nandy Park...

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leged that on May 15 in the same year, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Nicola Barkley of one Motorola cellphone valued Gy$32,000 and Gy$17,000 in cash.

Earlier, in March of that year, Rudder allegedly shot his then girlfriend, Donnis King at her parents’ home at Bagotstown, EBD, during an argument. It was reported that the couple had an altercation, during which she expressed a desire to end the relationship. She was shot in the abdomen.

After two months in the hospital, King succumbed to her injuries in the High Dependency

Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital. Only recently, he was implicated in the attempted rob-

Triangular love affair lands jilted woman in court – allegedly assaults ex-lover in hotel

A22-year-old woman was read charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday that suggests she dragged her ex-lover through a hotel on Leopold Street, Georgetown, after he ended their relationship and married someone else.

The accused, Angelina Straughn from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in handcuffs to answer two charges that were levied against her.

The first charge read that she unlawfully assaulted her ex, Joel Davidson on June 22 while he was at the hotel in Leopold Street, while the second charge stated that she used threatening language against him.

Police Prosecutor Gillian Simmons elaborated on these charges for the court’s understanding. She stated that the defendant and the Virtual Complainant

(VC) are known to each other as they have been in a relationship for the last eight months.

However, the couple was experiencing some problems for which the VC left the defendant and married the mother of his child.

On the day in question, the defendant, the VC and his wife went to the Welfare Department to sort out what had become a triangular affair as the defendant had refused to be left out. The Welfare Officer that attended to the trio counselled the defendant, encouraging her to move on with her life since the VC had already moved on with his.

However, when the VC and his wife left one of the counselling sessions, finished Straughn became annoyed.

According to the Prosecution, the accused went to the hotel where the couple had booked a room, knocked on their door and when her ex answered she choked him

and proceeded to drag him around the hotel. Prosecutor Simmons told the court that the accused also threatened to kill him. The matter was reported to the Police and Straughn was arrested and charged.

Straughn, on the other hand pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Singh, who presided in Court 11, placed her on self bail and ordered both the defendant and the VC to return to court on June 30 for report.

Guyana Times International understands that the VC had taken the accused to Bartica where they lived. However, he left her there and returned to live with the mother of his child. They were only recently married. The defendant apparently traced the whereabouts of the VC and has been showing up at certain locations to make him take her back, hence, the visit to the welfare department was deemed necessary.

Final sitting of Rodney CoI set for July 27 to 31

The final session of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Guyanese Historian and political leader, Dr Walter Rodney, is expected to be held from July 27-31, according to information reaching Guyana Times International

A source close to the Secretariat of the Walter Rodney CoI confirmed this. However, efforts to contact the Chairman of the Secretariat on Wednesday proved futile. Nevertheless, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams on Friday last told reporters that the last sitting of the enquiry will most likely be held at the ending of July. He noted that the session will not run for more than five days – two days will be for hearing of submissions by the parties involved and the remaining three days will be used to do administrative works; that is, for the Commissioners to review the submissions as well as all the evidence taken and

statements of persons.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, this final session is expected to rake up approximately Gy$17 million. Earlier this month, the Attorney General disclosed that the CoI has so far exhausted some Gy$325 million. That sum includes Gy$16.8 million (US$80,300) that was paid to a journalist attached to a state-owned print media entity, who received a monthly fee of US$7300 to write on the proceed-

ings of the Commission. The multimillion-dollar paid journalist had subsequently issued a statement saying that he was contracted by the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government to write a book on the proceedings of the inquiry.

In addition, the Minister also disclosed that thus far, the salaries for the three-man Commission that is carrying out the investigation amounted to Gy$150 million. The Commission, including its Chairman, Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Sir Richard Cheltenham; Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, was set up in February of 2014, by then Head of State, Donald Ramotar to investigate who or what was responsible for the massive bomb blast that caused the instant death of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Co-founder on the evening of June 13, 1980.

Union wants fired Nursing Director reinstated

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Colleen Hicks, the Director of Nursing of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, who was sacked due to alleged insubordination and other infractions.

The GPSU deemed the act a “breach” of Hicks’ constitutional rights.

Hicks, an executive member of the Union herself, was terminated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Michael Khan last Wednesday because, according to him, she was not performing “on par” and was insubordinate.

Hicks had spent a mere three months of her three-year contract at the medical facility.

The Union on Friday met with media operatives, expressing its dissatisfaction over the manner in which the senior nurse was relieved of her duties. Hicks received a letter from Khan, inform-

ing her that her service was no longer needed.

Principal Industrial Relations Officer Patricia Vent said the Union is suspicious of the action and it stands resolutely behind the staff, who it said had served with distinction over the years.

“The Union notes with great concern the actions of the Chief Executive Officer on the matter which is in breach of the contract, fundamental rights and not consistent with Industrial Relations Principles and Practices.

In addition, the union charged that management failed to follow due process and therefore deems the actions of the CEO null and void”.

On Wednesday, nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital had protested the dismissal of Hicks. Reports suggest that the decision had angered many of the nurses in the compound and they decided to take a stand.

When contacted, the CEO explained that Hicks’ services were terminated at the end of

her probation. She had only started working at the hospital in April and Wednesday was to be the last day of her probationary period.

Khan stated that when called to accept the letter of termination, Hicks refused, saying that she could not be fired. Khan maintained that the decision was well within law and within her contract.

The Union said Hicks was issued with a letter by the Director of Human Resources informing her that her contract of employment in the position of Director, Nursing Services with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation concluded on June 15, 2015. The letter also conveyed the terminal benefits consequent to the decision. It said Hicks had entered into a contract on April 7, with the Georgetown Hospital, which is governed by the Corporation’s Board and among the Terms of Engagement approved by the Corporation, Hicks was engaged for employment for three

years continuous resident service commencing from March 16, 2015. The GPSU said

“Fear

nothing” – Granger tells ExxonMobil officials

…says Govt fully supports company’s operations

President David Granger has assured United States oil company, ExxonMobil that it has nothing to fear in terms of its current operations in Guyana’s waters as the company has the backing of the Guyana Government and international law, as it continues exploration in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, in a recent interview, the Head of State said that he met with officials from the exploration company and assured them that ExxonMobil has nothing to fear in terms of the present operations in Guyana’s waters. In the interim, the Head of State said the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has been notified, and he is confident that Secretary General Irwin LaRocque has provided some information to the Heads of Government.

However, the President noted that Caricom Heads would be formally briefed on the situation at the upcoming 36th Heads of Government meeting, which is slated for July 1-5 in Barbados. The

President will be heading a delegation for that meeting. In addition, already all the countries of the Organisation of America States (OAS) and Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have been notified of Venezuela’s claim.

Meanwhile, the President, in response to Venezuela’s claim, described it as a “legal absurdity,” stating that it is the worst intrusion on Guyana’s sovereignty.

“It is an affront to the nation and it collides with internal maritime law; it is completely in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

Venezuela’s President Nicholás Maduro issued a decree on May 25, claiming sovereignty over Guyana’s territorial waters in the Essequibo region of the Atlantic Ocean. Maps created after the decree by Venezuela’s National Organisation for Rescue and Maritime Safety (ONSA) indicate that the claim would include a large part of the Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil discovered oil recently. ExxonMobil, on May 20 disclosed that it found a deposit of a

President David Granger

‘significant’ amount of oil in the Stabroek Block, about 120 nautical miles offshore Guyana. The company said this discovery was made in one of the two wells it dug, in the Liza-1 drill site, which realised more than 295 feet of highquality oil-bearing sandstone.

ExxonMobil, the largest public trading international company in the world, is an industry that is the leading inventory of oil and gas projects, and the world’s largest refiner of petroleum products. The total area allotted to Exxon for exploration (the Liza Area or the Stabroek Block) covers 26, 806 square kilometers. It has a long history of using science and innovation to find safer and cleaner ways of bringing energy to the world.

Business community alarmed at spike in crime … Gov't says working to address situation

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

The rapid increase in the number of criminal activities over the last few weeks is not only worrying to the ordinary man but the Private Sector community in Guyana is also deeply concerned about the upsurge and the impact it is having on business activities.

The situation appears to be worsening progressively with reports of two to three murders, robberies and road accidents on a daily basis.

Some of the most glaring reports of crime within the last few weeks include that of the Berbice man who went berserk, attempted to kill his former reputed wife, her brother and a friend, burnt down her mother’s home and then killed himself; another Berbice man had hacked his ex-wife and her new lover to death; an infant was shot five times; and a man was shot dead in a daring minibus robbery.

Speaking on behalf of the Private Sector was Captain Gerald Gouveia, who in an invited comment, admitted that the sudden upsurge in crime definitely took the business community by surprise.

“It is surprising that

we have seen this spike in murder and criminal activities,” he registered, noting that this situation is engaging the attention of Private Sector stakeholders. Gouveia explained that there were always incidents of crime, but this sudden increase is extremely worrying.

He disclosed that the Private Sector is currently trying to meet with Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and the National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to have a serious discussion about this disturbing situation.

At the moment, Gouveia said the Private Sector is engaging its members and advising them of ways to heighten security to protect their businesses from criminal attacks.

Head of the Guyana Manufacturing and

Services Association (GMSA) Norman McLean also registered his concerns over the spate of crime in Guyana.

McLean acknowledged that this rise has certainly impacted every businessman in a negative way, as both consumers and entrepreneurs are in a state of apprehension as this crime wave continues to take over the country.

He too recognised the suddenness in the upsurge, noting that the Police Force had a handle on the situation and that only recently, the incidents of crime appeared to be on the rise.

While he placed his faith in the Force to tackle the situation, McLean sought to urge Guyanese to be extra cautious when conducting their business.

Amid these concerns, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has given his word that he will do everything in his power to address the situation.

At a post-Cabinet press conference, Minister of State Joseph Harmon reported that the National Security Minister has acknowledged the rapid rate of crime in the country and has assured Cabinet that “immediate steps” will be taken to ensure everything is done to gradually reduce the occurrences.

Brahma Kumaris on journey to promote ancient art of Raja Yoga

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Brahma Kumaris in Guyana has embarked on a nationwide initiative, “Awakening Inner Peace”, to promote the ancient art of Raja Yoga meditation.

Raja Yoga, sometimes called the “Royal Yoga” is inclusive of all yogas, and its philosophy goes beyond the boundaries of the many styles of yoga today. Raja Yoga emphasises the benefits of meditation for spiritual self-realisation and the purposeful evolution of consciousness.

The Brahma Kumaris emphasises that Raja Yoga can be performed by anyone, young or old, rich or poor, of any race, religion or culture.

Since the beginning of the year, the Brahma Kumaris has hosted several outreach programmes throughout the country. Members have visited a number of areas across Guyana to promote the art , which originated in India, and the campaign will continue all year long, leading up to the organisation’s 40th birthday in

December.

Sister Jean of the Brahma Kumaris acknowledged that people face many challenges, including emotional, personal and even political and that these situations can put severe pressure on one’s mind which can result in extreme fear and stress.

“The aim is to expose people to the technique of Raja Yoga which addresses these issues and brings relief to the mind and it empowers the mind to be strong and stable amid these challenges,” she stated.

Sister Jean noted that Raja Yoga seeks to bring an inner harmony with positive thoughts and to ultimately empower practitioners with a positive focus in life.

She explained that those who are unable to attend these sessions can go through this spiritual process right in the comfort of their homes with the necessary guidance being provided via phone.

Persons are encouraged to sit in a quiet space in a comfortable position in their home

and to simply relax. They are then encouraged to be aware of their thoughts and observe everything that is happening in their mind – the positive thoughts, the negative thoughts, everything.

They will then be guided on the spiritual process to release the negative thoughts.

Sister Jean assured that once the process has begun, the burden of the mind will be lifted and one will begin to feel a new energy around them.

Mohan Singhal, a special guest from the spiritual headquarters in India, is visiting Guyana as part of the celebrations. Singhal has been an active member of the Brahma Kumaris since 1961. When he retired in 1996 from the Public Sector in India, he was a Superintending Geophysicist for a prominent organisation engaged in exploration and production of oil and gas. Since 1988, he has been the National Coordinator of the Scientists and Engineers Wing of the Rajyoga Education and

Research Foundation of India. He now participates in international conferences, delivers lectures and conducts workshops on a variety of topics, including spirituality.

Singhal is currently

on a Caribbean tour and visited Guyana to participate in the International Day of Yoga and will be participating in the launch of “Awakening Inner Peace”.

According to Singhal, the work of the Brahma Kumaris worldwide is inspired by the vision of a world where every individual can develop to his or her full potential as a spiritual being and live in peace and harmony with each other and with the natural world.

Prisoner escapes from Number 51 lock-ups

– 2 officers in trouble

Two Police Officers attached to the Number 51 Police Station, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are in hot water after a prisoner, Jonathan Etwaroo, walked out of his unlocked cell and escaped.

The prisoner, who was arrested on Friday in the Black Bush Polder, was taken to the Number 51 Police Station before being sent to the New Amsterdam Prison to be remanded until a date

when he was to be taken before a judge for failing to attend court.

However, on Monday morning, it was reported that the prisoner had escaped. Details of what transpired are sketchy. However, this newspaper has been informed that Etwaroo escaped from lawful custody.

Newly-appointed B Division (Berbice) Commander, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith told this publication that it was as a result of negligence on the part of the

Police at the Number 51 Station that Etwaroo was able to walk out of the lock-ups and subsequently out of the station. “I say negligence because nowhere was broken so the man had to just walk out of the station so the Police are guilty of negligence.”

The new Divisional Commander said he would not allow any lapses on the part of Police Officers to go down lightly. “This is a time where Police Officers must be vigilant,” Griffith said.

The Commander had

launched an investigation into the incident, which has already been concluded. He says he is to be advised on the way forward.

This publication understands that at the time of the escape the two officers were on duty. According to Commander Griffith, they are likely to be placed before the court as he will not tolerate such lapses on the part of ranks.

Etwaroo was before the High Court in Berbice to respond to an allegation that he prom-

ised on April 24, 2014 to pay Gy$300,000 in three weeks to plaintiff Navindra Persaud, whose car he rented and damaged on the same day. Etwaroo had promised to pay Gy$2 million in total, with the first instalment being Gy$300,000, and reneged on his pledge. Etwaroo after being charged never showed up for court despite being summonsed. On June 12, Justice Franklyn Holder issued an arrest warrant for Etwaroo, of Number 47 Village, Corentyne.

Woman killed, cop critical after Nismes crash

By Bhisham mohamed

APolice rank at-

tached to the Sport Department of the Guyana Police Force is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital following a vehicular accident at Nismes Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Sunday evening which resulted in the death of his wife.

The dead woman has been identified as 35-year-old Odessa Howard of Lot 56 Inner Bagotville, WBD while her husband is Peter Howard, 55. According to infor-

mation reaching Guyana Times International, the Policeman and his wife were travelling on a motorcycle along the Nismes Public Road when they were struck from behind by a car.

The Howards were rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where the woman was pronounced dead on arrival and her husband referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remains in an unconscious state.

GTI understands that the driver of the motor car was taken into Police custody. He reportedly

claimed that he was driving along the public road and as he slammed on his brakes, the car spun around and hit Howard

and his wife off the bike.

Quamie Chandler, the brother of the dead woman, told this newspaper that he received a

phone call about 21:30h from someone enquiring if he were the brother of Odessa. Upon giving an affirmative response, he was told that his sister and her husband were involved in an accident and he was summoned to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Upon his arrival at the medical facility, he saw his sister’s lifeless body on a stretcher while his brother-in-law was receiving medical treatment. At that time, his brother-in-law, he recalled, was not responding to treatment hence a decision was taken to transfer him to

the Georgetown Public Hospital. He last saw his sister alive about 18:30h on Sunday when she and the now injured man left on the motorcycle to take a ride. He explained that prior to the accident, a few relatives had gathered in celebration of Father’s Day. The couple was together for several years and tied the knot about five years ago. Their union brought forth three children. At the home of the couple on Monday afternoon, persons gathered to offer their condolences to the bereaved family.

Father accused of hiding cocaine in crotch remanded

Afather of one was remanded to prison on Monday after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts faced with a charge of narcotics trafficking.

Twenty-eight-yearold Lennox Smith, a Miner from Albouystown, Georgetown, was refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry when his Defence Attorney Jerome Khan was unable to produce a special reason why bail should be granted to the defendant.

Smith stands charged of being in possession of four grams of cocaine with the purposes of trafficking while in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) on June 15.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Bharat Mangru told the court that the accused was walking when

he was stopped by patrolling ranks on the day in question after it was suspected that he had committed an offence. A search was carried out and transparent plastic bags were found in his red trunks as well as hidden in his crotch.

Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail, stating that there is no special reason available as to why the accused may not be guilty of the offence.

However, Attorney Khan stated that the Police Officers searched the accused and did not state anything about drugs until they had taken him to the nearest Police station. Smith said no cocaine was shown to him. The Attorney also argued that a date for the court in the jurisdiction where the offence was committed – the Lethem Magistrate’s Court – is not until September, stating that if his client is remanded he will have to remain in jail until that time.

The Chief Magistrate listened to the arguments of both parties and ruled that the defence’s application was indeed not sufficient for bail. Hence, she ordered the accused to be present at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on September 7.

East Coast Demerara man beaten to death during robbery

By Bhisham mohamed

Ayoung construction worker was on Sunday evening beaten to death by a bandit, who along with an accomplice, relieved him and a cousin of a quantity of cash and other items a short distance from his Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara home.

Ragunandaan Persaud, also called Ryan, 27, of Lot 464 Section B, Nonpareil, sustained head injuries which were inflicted by a “road apple” (a piece of wood used on a horse cart), wielded by one of the perpetrators during the attack. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital late Sunday evening.

Information reaching Guyana Times International revealed that Persaud and a cousin, Navin (only name given) were heading home from a Chinese restaurant in the village when they were confronted by the two men who were earlier seen at the restaurant. During the attack, one of the men picked up the “road apple” which he swung at Persaud, who managed to fend it off with his hands.

The second swing was the fatal blow. The wood

reportedly struck Persaud to his temple resulting in him falling to the roadway. The two men then accosted the cousin who they relieved of the money he had in his pocket after which they dived into Persaud’s pocket and collected the money he was carrying that he had won from a cockfight earlier in the night. They also took away a blue pedal cycle belonging to Navin.

Scuffle Navin told GTI that he had left home around 22:30h and headed to the Chinese restaurant to purchase a soft drink. As he entered, he saw his cousin in the shop arguing with a man. The argument turned into a scuffle. During the scuffle, he recalled seeing the two men standing outside, but ignored them and attempted to persuade his cousin to go home.

Eventually, he stated that Persaud agreed to go home with him, but a short distance from the restaurant, the two men approached them and claimed to be relatives of the man with whom Persaud had the scuffle.

“They said that the man is them family and come to take revenge … that is when one of them pick up a road apple and swing it at Ryan but he bar and the second lash catch he to he head and he fall on the ground,” Navin stated.

The distraught young man then ran in the direction of Persaud’s home and alerted his family. He said that he has never seen the two men before that night.

Melissa Persaud, sister of the dead man, related that they were about to lock up the house and retire to bed when they heard her cousin shouting and saw him running towards the house. The woman stated that while standing at the gate he related what occurred and they immediately rushed to the scene.

There, they saw her brother lying on the ground with blood oozing from his temple. As she held his hands, she recalled, she did not feel a

pulse and at that moment knew that her brother was dead. Nevertheless, they took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where doctors claimed he died while taking saline.

“I knew he was dead, but due to the emotional state that the family members were in, I presumed that the doctors thought it would be comforting to tell us that he was taking saline,” she stated with tears in her eyes.

The sister stated that upon finding out about the two men, they learnt that they were not related to the man with whom her brother had the argument but rather were thieves.

GTI understands that the two men might have been monitoring Persaud’s movements since they were seen at the cockfight and again in the street where the now dead man resided. They would have also seen him collecting his winnings at the illegal event.

The Police have since arrested Clayman (only name given) who had the scuffle with Persaud in the Chinese restaurant as they continue their investigation. The young man leaves to mourn his parents and two siblings.

Gov't names Clive Thomas as adviser on economic matters Prisoner serving 76-year sentence hangs self in cell

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive and renowned economist, Professor Clive Thomas has been appointed Presidential Adviser on sustainable development.

Professor Thomas will assume responsibility for economic matters and the State Asset Recovery Programme, a statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) has said. Professor Thomas joins former Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best, who was appointed as Adviser on the Environment; Brigadier Edward Collins as Adviser on National Security, and former People’s National Congress (PNC) General Secretary Aubrey Norton as Adviser on Youth Empowerment who were recently appointed by President David Granger. Thomas is a distinguished Professor of Economics and Director of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Guyana. He has held Visiting Professorships in Africa (University of Dar-es Salaam); Canada (Visiting Distinguished

Professor at the Norman Patterson School of International Relations); United States (Leonard O’Connor Professor, Colgate University); and the West Indies (George Beckford Professor in Political Economy). He has authored/co-authored 30 books/research monographs/papers (including: “Guyana: Countering the Risks of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Arms Proliferation” (With Addendum) IDS Working Paper 12/13, December 2013. He has also published over 154 academic articles and contributions to books/research monographs, and presented invited papers to a similar number of academic conferences, symposia, and seminars. His ma-

jor fields of research interests and publications include: Development Economics, with special emphasis on the following areas: growth; trade; finance; agriculture (sugar); environment; natural resources (gold, bauxite, forestry); institutional development and political economy.

Earlier this month, Government had indicated that it would set up a unit to go after missing state assets. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had said that Government was planning to set up a State Asset Recovery Unit that would look into the issue of State assets that have been siphoned off, both locally and abroad, by various people and bodies. He stated that the plan was to link with international agencies in order to establish international best practices, and help for this seems certain in the offing.

Work in progress

Minister Harmon noted that the Unit would be a multi-agency one, independent and free from political intervention. He had alluded to Professor Thomas’ rough calculation that some Gy$300 billion were siphoned off per year, a figure that

was upped to Gy$500 billion by a major external financial body.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had poured cold water on this assertion, saying that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government could provide no sensible explanation of where this money was being sourced from, and how it was siphoned off, by whom and to whom.

The PPP/C maintained that the simple fact of the matter was that the APNU+AFC was now caught with a serious problem on its hands. Since it never intended to deliver on any of the promises in its manifesto, it now needed to concoct an explanation as to why it would not be fulfilling those promises.

The PPP/C also explained that the plain truth was that the political dishonesty of the APNU+AFC Government was about to be disclosed by its failure to deliver on any of its first 100day promises. “And the stage is being carefully set for this great betrayal to be perpetrated on the Guyanese people,” the PPP/C noted.

Convicted prisoner Ramseh Muniram was on Sunday afternoon found hanging by the neck by a rope in a cell at the New Amsterdam Prison. The 27-year-old was serving a 76-year sentence for the murder of his wife.

Reports indicate that Muniram was released from his cell at about 15:30h to go the recreational area to have dinner, but was returned to his cell at 15:35h.

However, when prisons officials checked at 15:45h, he was discovered hanging from a window to the back of the cell. His motionless body was cut down and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was

pronounced dead.

Muniram was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh on October 18, 2013, for the murder of his wife Sunita August and was admitted to the New Amsterdam Prison in March of this year.

On January 14, 2010, in the koker at Nismes, on the West Bank of Demerara, Muniram killed his wife after she left her home at Vauxhall, Canal Number One Polder, to meet with him to collect money for the two children Muniram had fathered with her. She was a mother of three. The two had separated after a dispute.

Muniram had given August a Pepsi bottle with a poisonous substance to drink and after she started fighting, she fell into the canal. Muniram then jumped in and choked her to death after which he hid the body in the canal. He subsequently reported his actions to her sister and subsequently his mother.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the body soon.

Westford, others return transferred PSM vehicles

Former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford and several others on Tuesday returned collectively seven vehicles belonging to the Ministry which were sold and transferred in the dying days of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

A senior Police Officer confirmed to Guyana Times International that all the vehicles were handed over to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Sharief. However, a Police investigation that had commenced will be widened, the Police Officer told this newspaper. “The investigation will continue even though the vehicles have been returned. We will actually widen the probe,” the officer said.

On Monday, the PPP/C disclosed that it had met with Westford, and advised her on

the course of action to be taken regarding allegations of fraud levelled against her. “I met with the comrade and we had some discussions and she was advised on a course of actions to take and I believe that she is taking those courses of actions,” PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee said.

Reports indicate that Dr Westford, her spouse and two senior officials from the Ministry had state assets transferred to their names. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Saturday confirmed that the Guyana Police Force has initiated an investigation into reports of fraud at the Public Service Ministry, which was headed by Dr Westford.

President David Granger had disclosed that Government was in possession of evidence that shows several state vehicles being transferred to the former Minister and her spouse, who is a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force. The evidence also points to two senior officials within the Ministry who are connected with the transfer of state assets.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had noted that irregularities were recognised on documents from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) which indicated that vehicles were being transferred to the four persons. The vehicles include seven high-end brands.

Permanent Secretary Hydar Ally brought the issue to the attention of the Minister of State who launched an immediate investigation.

Ram vs Jagdeo court case: Ram rebuked for contacting Magistrate … escapes censure after apologizing

Magistrate Charlyn Artiga on Monday rebuked Attorneyat-Law Christopher Ram for making contact with her via telephone in relation to the issues arising from the private politically motivated criminal charge he made against former President Bharrat Jagdeo for remarks made at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant earlier this year.

One respected Attorney told Guyana Times International that Ram was lucky to escape with just a warning for initiating an exparte communication with the Magistrate. The prohibition against ex-parte communications with the court is designed to protect the opposing party’s right to a fair hearing and, ultimately, the impartiality and integrity of the courts.

Communications are commonly understood to be exparte if made by one party outside the record without giving the other party notice or an opportunity to respond. Besides in-person contact, the rule covers communication by telephone, letter, e-mail and any other modes.

The case was called again at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday, but was adjourned until July 13 owing

99-year-old man beaten,

robbed in Litchfield

James Layne, 99 years old of Lot 9

Litchfield Village, West Coast Berbice was, on Friday, evening terrorised and robbed of an undisclosed sum of cash by a known character in the village.

The elderly man is currently nursing several bodily injuries which were inflicted by the bandit who gained entry into his house through a window on the upper flat.

According to information received, the alleged bandit has been arrested and is at the Fort Wellington Police Station, where he is expected to be charged.

Layne, who was in pain on Saturday, told the Guyana Times International during a telephone conversation that on the night of the incident, he was listening to the 20:00h newscast but nature called. He got up and went to the washroom. As he was heading back to his room, he was confronted by the bandit, who he claims was not wearing

a mask.

The bandit, he noted had already ransacked another room and was probably leaving the house when they met eye to eye. The elderly man stated that the burglar demanded that he hand over his money, however after he told him that he did not have any, he received several blows to his body including his head. Layne was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was treated and sent away.

The 99-year-old man stated that the ordeal lasted for several minutes and, due to his fear, he was unable to alert his neighbours. During the incident, he was pushed to the floor and ordered not to move or he would be killed. The bandit then went into the man’s room where he searched and found several sets of monies stashed in various places.

The man recalled that after collecting his pension and the monies his daughter sends from overseas, he would hide them in familiar places

to Jagdeo’s ill health. Jagdeo was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Mursaline Bacchus, Adrian Anamayah and Perry Gossai who submitted a medical report explaining his absence. The medical report was accepted and the presiding Magistrate adjourned the matter until July 13. Bacchus explained to the court that a letter was submitted a few days back stating that Jagdeo was unwell. Further, the Attorneys made an application for statements and a transcript from the recording to be made available.

Apology Magistrate Artiga made it clear that she would not permit anyone (Complainant or Defendant) to contact her per-

sonally on matters regarding the case. She made this statement after Ram had sought to contact her via the telephone regarding issues he had.

She said any contact should be made through the court, either through the clerk or the office and both parties should be present.

Ram, through his lawyer, Charrandass Persaud, apologised to the Magistrate for making contact with her, the apology was accepted.

Monday’s hearing was relatively quiet with no protesters.

The private politically motivated charge was filed under Section 139 D1A of the Representation of the People Act by Ram regarding remarks made by Jagdeo on March 8 at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant.

Ram contended that the statements made can result in racial or ethnic hatred among the people. Under the said act, if found guilty, a person can face a fine of $100,000 together with two years’ imprisonment.

Jagdeo had made his first appearance in the case on May 25 amid protesting supporters who said that the charge was politically motivated.

so that he could remember. In a feeble voice, the man stated, “Is till when I went and check for the money under my pillow, I know that it missing… I normally hide one set in a shirt which I keep under my pillow.”

As the bandit left, Layne raised an alarm which saw neighbours running to assist. This was not the first time the man’s house has been burglarised. He recalled that every month, whenever he collects his pension and NIS (National Insurance Scheme) benefits, his house would be invaded. “If they do not get money, they pick up what they can and leave,” he stated.

The house has electricity and the windows are barred leaving investigators and members of the community puzzled as to how the man gained entry into the house, where Layne alone lives since the passing of his wife eight years ago. The Police have since dusted the man’s home for finger prints as they continue their investigations.

Alleged abuse of ‘free gas’: Guyoil says unaware of breaches

The new Government said it has uncovered rampant abuse of the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) credit facility extended to state agencies, disclosing that former officials and their relatives have abused the arrangement. It added that stringent rules are in place to stop this.

Government also said that it has demanded a report from Guyoil regarding the state of affairs and those who abused the facility would have to pay for the gas they used.

Addressing reporters at his post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told reporters on Wednesday that he was in receipt of information pointing to several individuals of the previous Administration “abusing authority” and

gaining access to free fuel from Guyoil.

“We are investigating it; I do have in my possession some evidence that Government personnel in the previous Administration were abusing that facility. We have asked Guyoil to present us with these accounts and these statements and those persons that were drawing fuel and not paying for it will have to pay for it,” Harmon said.

In a subsequent in-

terview with Guyana Times International, Guyoil General Manager Badrie Persaud said this was the first time he was hearing of this. He referred this publication to Guyoil Finance Controller Rosalyn Franklin who explained that the allegations were not true. “They are not true, we do not give free fuel to anyone,” she said.

Franklin explained that the relevant agencies seeking fuel would

have to send a purchase order to the gas station and would also have to inform the Guyoil officials of who the authorised signatories were. However, she said in rare circumstances, the former Ministers would turn up at the gas stations and they would sign the purchase order. But she explained that the purchase order would have had to come directly from the relevant agency, indicating the amount of fuel required for the respective vehicle. Therefore, she explained, a former Government Minister cannot access free fuel from Guyoil unless they have in their possession a purchase order which would have had to come directly from the Ministry.

Broomes’ ban on PSC unconstitutional – Chief Justice

Chief Justice Ian Chang on Wednesday ruled that Junior Minister of the Social Protection Ministry Simona Broomes, violated the Constitution of Guyana when she issued a ban on the Public Service Commission (PSC) ordering the body to cease all interviews for vacant positions in various public offices until further directed by President David Granger.

Earlier this month, Attorney Euclin Gomes moved to the courts to have the decision by Broomes reversed, saying that it is his “national duty” to ensure that those entrusted with the sovereignty of Guyana act in due compliance with the Constitution when discharging their public functions and constitutional duties.

On May 28, Broomes issued a letter to the Secretary of the Public Service Commission, advising that all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to be ceased forthwith until instructed by President David Granger.

The letter stated “It has been brought to my attention that there are alleged clandestine efforts to fill vacancies within the Public Service and more particularly within the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security (now Ministry of Social Protection) and these interviews are to be conducted tomorrow. Please be advised that all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to cease forthwith until further as instructed by his Excellency, the President, David Arthur Granger’s notice.”

According to Gomes in the court documents, this action is a violation of the Constitution, hence it is null and void. Therefore, Gomes asked the court to issue a declaration that “… in the exercise of its functions, that Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.

In addition, the Attorney had requested the court to declare that the letter issued by Broomes to the PSC Secretary is “clearly in violation of the letter and spirit of Article 38(G), 201 and 226 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”.

According to the Attorney in the court documents, Article 201 states: “subject to the provision of this Constitution, the power to make appointments to public offices and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices shall vest in the Public Service Commission”.

He further pointed out that Article 226 (1) says “save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, in the exercise of its functions under this Constitution a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority” while adding that Article 38(G) of the Constitution guarantees the integrity of the Public Service and further insulates it from political influence.

Gomes underscore that the abovementioned letter is in flagrant violation of those three Constitutional Articles. The matter was first heard on June 17 where a representative from the Attorney General Chambers’ requested time to file a response on behalf of Government. The court document named new Attorney General Basil Williams the defendant in the matter.

Justice Chang then granted the Government time and adjourned the matter to Wednesday’s date, where he ruled that Broomes’ action is in contradiction with the Constitution. According to the Chief Justice, the Public Service Commission is an independent body and such interferences, prevents it from acting within its jurisdiction.

“Nobody can do that,” he concluded.

Republic Bank to open branches at Triumph, Rose Hall …as Alves gives way to Sammy

Republic Bank Guyana Limited has appointed Richard Sammy as its new Managing Director, replacing John Alves who officially retires from the institution next Tuesday. The Bank has also signalled its intention to open up branches at Triumph, East Coast Demerara and Rose Hall in the Corentyne.

This was announced at a formal ceremony to bid farewell to Alves and welcome Sammy. Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nigel Baptiste, in an address at the ceremony, described the incoming Managing Director as forwardthinking, solution-seeking and someone who identifies and addresses challenges. Baptiste added that Sammy joined the Republic Bank family six years ago, and brought to the Group his significant experience and expertise in finance, risk, leadership and customer relations.

His record of performance earned him the appointment; he is seen to possess the strongest potential to build on what his predecessors started at Republic

managing Director Designate richard Sammy

Bank Guyana Limited. The Chairman expressed every confidence that Sammy would build solid partnerships in Guyana and take customers’ business to another level.

Sammy, in his remarks, shared that he welcomed the opportunity, and expressed how humbled he was to have been afforded such. He affirmed that he looked forward to rising to the challenge of continuing the duty of care for staff, customers, shareholders and the communities served by Republic Bank Guyana Limited.

The Managing Director Designate also took the opportuni-

ty to express thanks to his family, colleagues, mentors and in particular, outgoing Managing Director Alves, for generously sharing his time, knowledge and expertise during the period of transition.

Alves, for his part, in reflecting on his time at the Bank, said: “It has been quite a journey … starting on September 16, 1974 with the Royal Bank of Canada.”

He said he developed a love for banking and felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to work in the field for so long. “I am filled with immense gratitude for my time with the Bank, for the friendships made; bonds forged; personal growth realised and milestones achieved. One reason why I am grateful for my career at the Bank is because the Bank’s values of integrity, honesty, respect for the individual and professionalism were so aligned with mine. I never had to do anything that remotely compromised my values. Indeed I hope I supported and strengthened the organisation values,” Alves said.

UG boss defiant against petition to oust him

…seeking legal advice on possible character defamation

Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Guyana (UG), Jacob Opadeyi said he, along with his lawyer, is currently studying the documents sent out by members of the workers’ union calling for his immediate resignation, to ascertain what legal course of action could be taken against them for the defamation of his character.

In essence, the VC maintains that he will not buckle under the pressure being driven by “the community of workers” who serve a population of more than 8000 students.

The two Unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) – have signed a petition signalling a vote of NoConfidence in the Professor in his capacity as Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Guyana.

The Unions said they “have no confidence in his ability to administer the affairs of the University of Guyana, the premier educational institution of the country”.

In a statement to the press, the Unions said the Professor, who has the responsibility for the day to day management of the institution is responsible for infractions which they said are either illegal, based on the laws of Guyana and Statutes of the University of Guyana and unethical as they are opposed to the best interest of the Institution.

The Unions said Opadeyi has been blatant in his disregard for the Terms of Resumption Agreement signed March 2, earlier this year between them and the

University’s administration. Added to that they say is the “eroding the powers of the Academic Board as prescribed in the statutes of the University of Guyana; compromising academic quality and integrity for the sake of cutting costs; a dictatorial, vindictive, micromanagement leadership style that is characterised by dishonest and deliberately misleading communications; altering terms and condition of work without consultation with employees; failure to honour contracts with employees including Illegally withholding legitimate payments due to staff; circumvention and breach of university financial systems, practices and procedures; financial mismanagement and impropriety including but not limited to system override at the bursary; repeated failure to meet legal obligations to transfer deductions from workers’ salaries to various bodies and the failure to provide a safe and healthy working environment.”

With consideration for the aforementioned infractions and in the interest of the University of Guyana and the nation it serves, we petition the Council of the University of Guyana to remove Professor Opadeyi as a matter of urgency. We further petition the Minister of Education, The Honourable Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; and His Excellency David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, acting through appropriate parliamentary and consultative mechanisms, to ensure that the Council of the University of Guyana acts in the interest of the University and the nation of Guyana”, the Unions said.

Dynamic celebrates first anniversary of NY-GT service

Despite initial setbacks, US-based carrier Dynamic Airways has been able to accomplish its goal in establishing itself as the preferred carrier of Guyanese.

According to the company, “we have proven sustainability of air service between the United States and Guyana, as well as progressively increased our customer service levels.”

Since its inauguration, Dynamic International Airways has been able to expand its non-stop service between New York and Georgetown, Guyana.

Service started initially two times per week and have expanded to five

times per week this coming high season, while still keeping its pricing low and affordable for Guyanese and members of Guyanese Diaspora in New York.

“Our goal in the first year of service was to establish ourselves as the preferred carrier of Guyanese. We achieved this by maintaining the highest safety records, delivering the most desirable schedule, and reached highest on time performance standards as well as exemplary customer service. Our goal for the immediate future is to build upon that momentum and expand our non-stop JFK to GEO service by operating daily frequency. Most im-

US-based C’bean families

portantly, continue raising the bar in our safety, reliability, and customer service standards,” said Bill Grey, CSO of the company.

“We believe that our coming daily service from Georgetown to New York combined with non-stop service from Georgetown to Toronto, which we intend to start in October of this year,

torn

apart by drug deportations – report

Amajor human rights group says thousands of Caribbean families in the United States have been torn apart in recent years by detention and deportation for drug offences.

In its latest report, Human Rights Watch said that disproportionately harsh laws and policies relating to drug offences can lead to deportation for lawful permanent Caribbean and other residents and unauthorised immigrants alike.

The 93-page report, “A Price Too high: US Families torn apart by deportations for drug offences,” documents how the US regularly places legal residents and other immigrants with strong ties to US families into deportation proceedings for drug offences. Often, those offences are decades old or so minor they resulted in little or no prison time, the report says. Deportations after convictions for drug possession in particular have spiked, increasing 43 per cent from 2007 to 2012, according to US Government data obtained by Human Rights Watch through a Freedom of Information

Act request.

The report is based on more than 130 interviews with affected immigrants, families, Attorneys, and law enforcement officials, as well as new data obtained from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

43 per cent increase Deportations of noncitizens with drug convictions, and especially with drug possession convictions, increased significantly from 2007 to 2012, the report says.

In addition to the 43 per cent increase in deportations after convictions for drug possession during that period, the report says deportations after convictions for sales, smuggling, manufacture, or trafficking increased 23 per cent. For more than 34,000 deported non-citizens, the most serious conviction was for marijuana possession, according to the report.

Human Rights Watch said it requested information on the immigration status of deported non-citizens in its Freedom of Information Act request, but said ICE, in its response, claimed not to keep such

records. Human Rights Watch said an appeal was pending.

Under US immigration law, expunged or pardoned drug convictions can still result in deportation, according to Human Rights Watch.

It said drug offences also bar non-citizens from gaining lawful resident status, even if they have close family relationships with US citizens that would otherwise qualify them for green cards.

Although it is possible for a non-citizen to apply for a waiver for offences such as assault or fraud if they can show a US citizen family member would suffer extreme hardship if the non-citizen could not gain legal resident status.

The only waiver possible for drug offences is for a single conviction for possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana, Human Rights Watch said.

The human rights organisation has urged states to ensure that reforms to reduce criminal penalties for drug offences and facilitate rehabilitation for those with drug dependency are designed to allow non-citizens to benefit as well. (CMC)

will allow us to provide Guyanese with safe, reliable and affordable service into two of their favourite international destinations. As you probably already know we have directly and indirectly created over 150 new jobs in Guyana with our service to New York by hiring Guyanese based Flight Attendants, local ground handlers,

catering providers and we expect a similar positive impact with the launch of our new service to Toronto. Dynamic has proven its intent and dedication to stay, improve and grow international travel to and from Guyana. Expect some amazing surprises for loyal passengers and exciting announcements from Dynamic in coming

days.”

Dynamic International Airways is a US Certificated FAR PART 121 AIR CARRIER. The Airline changed ownership and management in 2013 with the goal of providing high quality, affordable, long haul, point-topoint air service.

Dynamic Airways, which is headquartered in Greensboro, NC, offers service from airports in New York, Guyana, Florida, Hong Kong, Palau with its fleet of B767 wide body aircrafts. Recently the company has added International in its official name as reflection of its transition into long haul carrier.

State audit exercise: PPP/C calls for GECOM to be added to list

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is contending that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government should first conduct a “forensic audit” of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) before it continues with those of the 30-odd state agencies.

The call comes in the wake of GECOM’s failure to until now, heed the Party’s request to provide information that it believes could prove that the governing APNU+AFC coalition had rigged its way into office.

At a press conference at the Party’s headquarters last Thursday, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall told a group of journalists that Government was focusing on the wrong state agency at this time.

“There is no more mammoth act of corruption and allegation of corruption which has taken place in recent times than the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Over 200,000 persons have said so. One would have expected that that would have been one of the places that would have had a forensic audit first if you are interested in corruption,” Nandlall related.

GECOM, since its declaration last month that the APNU+AFC coalition had won the 2015 General and Regional Elections, has become a target of criticism and the venue for daily protest actions by the PPP/C.

The focus is particularly on the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, who

the Party said needed to immediately demit office.

Dr Surujbally, while maintaining that he was not resigning his post, defended that his job was just to overlook the affairs of the Commission and chair the Board.

“Polluted”

Turning his attention to the audits, Nandlall said his Party remains cognisant of the undermining of the integrity of the forensic investigations with the retention of the two known supporters. Nandlall said the personnel chosen to do the audits are members of the party.

This act, he stressed, will dwindle the objectivity of the audits. “An audit as I understand is an objective forensic analysis of the financial system, and how that system works and how monies are being spent”.

He said he did not think that any reasonable mind could be persuaded that the auditors, Christopher Ram of Ram and McRae and former Auditor General Anand Goolsaran could bring an “objective mind to bear on the process”.

“We were led to believe that there was

this mammoth mountain of corruption in the Government. One would have expected that as soon as the joint opposition took Government, they would have been “walking” on this corruption in these various ministries. That is the impression they created that this thing is overflowing, overwhelming.”

He said they have to now appoint auditors to carry out these audits to find the massive corruption that they were talking about. He added that they now have to look with a “magnifying glass” to look for this “huge mountain of corruption that they led the Guyanese public to believe had existed”.

Nandlall said the PPP/C has taken a position that the forensic audits are processes that are “polluted” with bias. He said the auditors have made their conclusions known “ad nauseam” that there was corruption under the PPP/C Administration. Putting them at the helm of the audits, he said, was like a judge making a pronouncement before the commencement of a trial.

APNU+AFC Gov't still to deliver on key promises in 100-day plan

By Michael younge

The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition is still to deliver on key aspects of its 100-day plan which was unveiled in the lead-up to the 2015 General and Regional Elections, even though it has been occupying Government for over 40 days now.

In the 100 day plan, which was used to score political points before the elections, the new Government said it would reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll, significantly increase the salaries of Government and Public Sector employees, return the television station to Linden and set a date for Local Government Elections.

The coalition Government also promised that it would significantly increase old age pension and the establishment of a long term

economic plan to realise the vast potential of the country.

The plan, which the now opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) dubbed “unrealistic”, “fanciful” and “rooted in deceit”, also promises a reduction to the benefits and pension of Heads of States and former Presidents, wavering of taxes on duties and fuel for small scale miners and the liberalisation of the telecommunications and information communication technology sector.

Also, among things that have still not been implemented or appear to be at a standstill, are plans to establish a passport and birth certificate licensing office in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden.

The promised establishment of an investigative commission on corruption also appears to be in limbo, despite countless pronouncements

from Minister of State Joseph Harmon that there have been various audits and investigations ongoing into the alleged or perceived wrongdoings by the PPP/C while in office.

When contacted, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan would only say that progress is being made. “Write that Khremraj Ramjattan says plans are progressing very well,” the Vice President said before immediately hanging up his mobile phone on

Saturday.

But another Vice President, Sydney Allicock, told this newspaper that the new Government is still “organising itself” to address the promises outlined in the 100-day plan.

When asked if the new coalition Government will still have enough time to deliver on some of the huge and key promises contained in the 21 point plan, Allicock responded, “It is a challenge but

nothing is impossible as long as we work together.” He then said he was busy and could not answer any more questions on this matter.

Efforts to contact Minister of State Harmon and President Granger on Saturday proved futile as calls to their mobile phone went unanswered.

A source close to the ruling APNU/AFC Government told this publication that most of the Ministers have been busy getting up to scratch

with their new portfolios and understanding how Government works. “I do not think they recognised that it is a ball game when you are in Government as opposed to being in Opposition. I think they now realise that with the limitations that exist in the Government and the economic impact, some of the things they want to do will have…to take some time and analyse on how to move forward,” the source said.

The source also confirmed that no real meeting that has taken place to focus specifically on the implementation of the 100-day plan or some of the core promises in the coalition’s 2015 manifesto, but decisions are being made at the Cabinet whenever the opportunity arises on others. “They need more time…100 days is not enough…,” the source said while insisting that he preferred not be identified.

Iwokrama River Lodge earns Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor

Popular American travel website TripAdvisor has conferred on the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development the prestigious Certificate of Excellence, an award which is earned by the consistently great reviews of a destination published on the world’s largest travel site.

The Iwokrama Centre in a release to the media said it was extremely elated to have received such an accolade which it said was testament to the sterling service delivered by its hard work-

ing and professional staff to guests who visit the Iwokrama River Lodge at Kurupukari, Essequibo River.

The statement said that in 2014, the Centre had hosted some 1130 guests at the River Lodge and had offered a variety of tours including the famous Iwokrama canopy walkway, caiman spotting, trail walks, boat rides, petroglyphs, Turtle Mountain, among others.

The Centre is also working on developing other tours including a day trip to Iwokrama and a day trip to both the Iwokrama River

Lodge and the Kaieteur Falls.

“Iwokrama believes in using innovative governance systems which include the Private and Public Sectors and local communities to manage its forest based businesses and relies heavily on the traditional knowledge of the local communities in its conservation and sustainable development efforts”, the statement said.

Like in all of its businesses, Iwokrama’s tourism operation invests heavily in building the capacity of the local communities to deliver tourism services at the River Lodge and in tourism initiatives in their own communities.

Approximately 98 per cent of its field based staffers are from the surrounding local communities and are trained guides, drivers, boat captains, rangers, chefs and maintenance personnel.

The Iwokrama International Centre will continue to employ protocols and practices that demonstrate how a tropical forest can be conserved and used sustainably for ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities. In other words, the Centre’s work demonstrates that you can use a forest without losing it and that forests are worth more alive than dead.

The Iwokrama International Centre

(IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth

Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”.

‘Appreciate all that Guyana has to offer’ - Granger encourages young scouts

By AhreefA BAcchus

“When we speak of a leader, we speak of a long, lonely road. A leader must make decisions; a leader must accept criticism and a leader must learn from their mistakes”.

These were sentiments uttered by His Excellency President David Granger on Saturday evening while delivering the feature address at the Scout Association of Guyana’s Annual Award Ceremony.

The President was at the time addressing the gathering of 54 awardees who were rewarded for their service to the Association. The ceremony was also held in light of the 106th anniversary of the establishment of the Scout Association of Guyana (SAG).

President Granger spoke to the gathering urging the younger awardees to better appreciate their country and all that it has to offer. He stated that while a large percentage of Guyanese reside overseas, they never truly give Guyana its due credit when viewed compar-

atively on a continental scale.

“We are the envy of the Caribbean” Granger stated while highlighting the features that Guyana boasts about in terms of tourism attractions.

“Look at our fauna; we have the biggest eagle in the world, the harpy eagle… larger than the American bald eagle. We have the biggest fresh water fish in the world, we have the biggest anteater in the world… the giant anteater” he reflected.

He went on to speak about Guyana’s education sector. He reflected that a large amount of the young people in Guyana do not have equal access to a proper education due to poverty.

“Poverty is not a lifestyle choice” Granger reiterated, “Seventy-five per cent of prison inmates are young people, people whose lives could have been changed by organisations such the scouting association if they had that opportunity. But they bent their

whole life into the penal system. I took the decision to release five dozen young men and young women from prison within my first fortnight in office… they don’t belong in prison, they belong in colleges. Sometimes when I see young children in drop-in’s I think… we don’t need drop- ins, we need technical institutes.”

Reformation

The Head of State further said that under his Administration the education system will

be properly reformed.

“Every day we have about five hundred boys and girls dropping out of school, many of them are illiterate and many of them are innumerate. If you do not complete your education it will impede your chances at earning employment,” the President stated.

In his closing remarks, he urged the younger persons to stay focused on developing themselves as well as developing the country, while at the same time

pledging to provide financial support to the scouts’ association.

The event which saw in excess of 60 scouts in attendance was chaired by the Vice President of the Scout’s Association Ron Robinson. Also present at the event was Ron Richardson who is the Operations Executive of the Scouts Association of the Caribbean and InterAmerican Region who made the presentation of the Gidwell Beads and charge to the four awardees.

Supporting the development of local medical facilities

In 26 years of effortless service and dedication, the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals (AGNAP), was formed with the main purpose to support medical professionals (mainly nurses) and assist in the development of medical facilities and institutions in Guyana.

Today, although the focus remains the same, “providing aid and support to Guyana’s health care institutions and professionals”, AGNAP has grown in their efforts, encompassing everything from award ceremonies and professional development of loyal nurses, which comprises mainly women, to donating medical equipment and providing counselling for person’s directly and

indirectly affected by a number of diseases.

‘Promote, Support, Develop’, is a fitting motto as it really catches the essence of what AGNAP does for the Guyanese society. The association works in several areas and in collaboration with numerous organisations and unions in Guyana to promote the good health of its citizens.

“When AGNAP was established in the 1980s, our main purpose was support. We were largely giving support to nurses and sending medical supplies to Guyana,”

Beryl Curtis, the association’s treasurer told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

AGNAP was founded in 1987, however, its inaugural meeting was not held until 1988 at the

the

the UK, brought together several other retired Guyanese nurses to form the group,” Curtis explained.

AGNAP was formed by a group of Guyanese nurses, namely: Tryphæna Todd, Lynette Richards-Murray (Lorde), Sybil ForresterGibson (Inverary), Elaine Williams, Lileth Warford, Betty Why, and an adviser, Marva Williams.

The association’s first fundraiser was a dance, which helped to develop programmes of support for health care institutions in Guyana. From that first fundraiser in 1989, AGNAP has been a frequent donor and support to various local organisations. This is accomplished

continued on page 34

US-based Guyanese philanthropist is on a mission to eradicate poverty

Caring for Others, Inc. (CFO) is a human services organisation, established in November 2001, which provides meaningful improvement in quality of life and economic opportunity for low-income individuals and families.

Founded by Eslene Richmond-Shockley, from Nabaclis on the East Coast of Demerara, the organisation is on a mission to help eradicate poverty around the world by feeding, educating, clothing and housing one family at a time.

Richmond-Shockley was motivated to start such an organisation to help those in need because of her personal experiences growing up in poverty as a child. As a result, she wanted to give back and restore hope to others.

Through the organisation, the philanthropist has mobilised prominent individuals and leading American corporations to assist the needy in many countries – including Guyana. CFO has also provided distributions in Belize, Antigua, the Philippines and Nigeria, and small gifts to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, as well as throughout the United States.

Last year in Guyana, Caring for Others completed a large distribution with the United Nations Association of Guyana

and with former Chief Justice Donald Trotman at Enmore, Haslington, Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Coven John. This was the first large distribution CFO has done in Guyana. The organisation aims to carry out more projects like these in Guyana.

CFO seeks progressive solutions across the entirety of its platform, including developing a unique and more sustainable business model with ‘Care Mart’ – a store that generates income through the sale of discounted items such as furniture, clothing and other household goods.

Offering an advanced model for human services, CFO strives to prevent the familiar cycle of poverty many people face today. The organisation helps stabilise lives

by meeting immediate basic needs of food and clothing, and then provide support to help clients become more selfsufficient. Additionally, it provides personal and financial support during turbulent times including individual counselling, money management training, job retention and job placement services.

Initially focusing on communities within Atlanta, US, in recent years, Caring for Others has expanded its reach of hope and dignity by developing partnerships with over 110 agencies in the US. With their assistance, CFO provides services to the economically disadvantaged in rural communities.

Caring for Others maintains: “We do not work for ourselves or

In the year 1891, the infant village Plaisance was declared attainable by several missionaries who described it as “a prosperous village borne from a mixture of blood of all quarters”.

Although Plaisance, a striving East Coast village, remains a quaint and close-knit society, it has changed over the years. Located six miles (nine km) from the capital, Georgetown, Plaisance comprises 505

til 1892 when it finally met the criteria of a local village in that time.

In the early years, Plaisance was just a simple settlement of those 65 emancipated slaves, made up 24 families in 15 thatched cottages. It was not until 1880 that the population increased to more than 3,700 persons including Creole blacks, Portuguese, East Indians and Chinese.

The village always had a rich culture. The name Plaisance, for in-

acres.

It is flanked by the seawall in the north, the water conservancy in the south, the village of Better Hope in the East and Goedverwagting in the west. Bought in 1842 by a group of newly emancipated Africans for 39,000 guilders, Plaisance did not receive official village status un-

stance, is a French word meaning ‘pleasure’ or ‘delight’, despite settlements by both the British and the Dutch during the colonial period.

The 505 acres were well utilised, first by the French as a cotton plantation, then by A. J. Watershodt, who ran a cattle farm, and lat-

er by the emancipated Africans who made it into the multicultural village it is today.

Immediately upon purchase, those early years in the 1840s, the land was divided into two sections: the northern half was utilised for residential living and the southern half was for agricultural purposes. By the late 1840s, 102 acres of that land were settled with wooden structures, while 403 acres were cultivated plots.

“In those days the seawall wasn’t there, so Plaisance stretched a mile out into the north. That was where our coffee logie was; later it was relocated and became the St Paul’s Congregational Church,” recalled Beryl Adam-Haynes in her book “Plaisance from Emancipation to Independence and Beyond”.

Adams-Haynes noted the hardship of the settlers who cultivated 403 acres of land. “They planted ground provision, fruit trees and so forth…coconut was also a key part of their agriculture for as they used it to make mattress, coals, oil and so many other things.”

Although, the early settlers found prosperity with their Creole farming, they were nonetheless persuaded to replace their striving plots with sugar cane, a more lucrative business investment for the colonialist.

“Of course this didn’t work out, so although the sugar cane productions dominated the crops by 1880, the village still engaged in rice farming, pig rearing and ground provisions,” Adams-Haynes explained in an inter-

view with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine

Plaisance also had several cottage industries as well, all of which provided the youths of the village with jobs. “The village had coconut factories, clothing factories, cassava, fibre…and today there is only one to my knowledge - a garment shop,” she pointed out.

As time passed, Plaisance proved resilient in producing the first newspaper, The Echo; provided the first terminus for the Demerara Railway Company, it was the first village to be connected to the electricity grid, and was the first to witness the first set of surviving quadruplets in British Guiana.

“Always a dynamic

people, the villagers never accepted what they were told, they would question and fight for what they felt was right,” Adams-Haynes noted.

This was exemplified in 1849 when the villagers was fined for flooding the village after a front dam broke and 53 villagers petitioned the then Governor Barclay and successfully got him to rescind the penalty.

Moreover, the resilience of the villagers was also evident when Plaisance-born, Aaron Britton, in those early years, successfully took a white governor to court for contravening the public by-laws. Britton later became the third chairman of the Union of Local Authorities (a society that held its first

meeting in the village).

Today, Plaisance remains a peaceful and friendly society, with almost all its villagers acquainted with each other. Generations later, the descendants of those early villagers remain present in the village.

“Strangely enough, Plaisance was required to have a school to gain village status and all the schools are currently located in Sparendaam,” Adams-Haynes mentioned.

Sparendaam is a tiny village next to Plaisance; it is such an integral part of the Plaisance community that it was from the very beginning associated as one, resulting in the term the “twin villages of Plaisance/ Sparendaam”.

Hamburg Beach

A fun family trip

Hamburg Beach is located along the private island of Tiger Island, Region 3 (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands).

The beach is popularly known as the location where on every first Monday in August, thousands unite for a grand fete in celebration of Emancipation Day.

Families and friends gather on this fun-filled day to enjoy good music, games, and even a refreshing dip in the cool water. It is the ultimate destination for a fun family trip.

Fathers What will they come with next?

By Anu Dev

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me” – Jim Valvano

Last Sunday was Fathers’ Day, the day set aside to celebrate all of the fatherly figures in our lives. To observer the occasion kids all over the world try to do whatever they can to make their fathers feel special.

Our Dads play a huge part in shaping the type of persons we eventually become. Apparently my brother and I used to want to drink tea just like our Dad and read the newspapers.

Never mind we were so little, we’d hold the papers upside down. We were still ‘reading’.

Dad used to read stories to us every night before bed, even “doing” all of the funny voices for the different characters. So it’s no wonder that my brother and I grew up with a love of reading.

Throughout my school-life whenever I had questions I’d ask Dad and invariably he’d have the answer and was able to explain the concept to me in a way that I’d be able to understand. Even now in Med School I still ask Dad my questions whether over Skype or during the holidays.

For kids, our Dad become a Supermantype figure who works, knows everything about anything, can fix our toys when they’re broken, fetch us off to bed when as toddlers we’d fall asleep on the couch and give us advice from experience at every step of our life.

But it shouldn’t take Father’s Day to remind you of how important your father is. Showing your dad that you care should be something that you do every day. It should come to you as naturally as breathing or as eating (after all, in many families, the father is the sole breadwinner of the family and is the reason that you actually have something to eat in the first place).

So yes, many of us would do something special for our dad on Fathers’ Day. But please don’t just post your gift in the mail, or make a quick phone call or send an e-mail to your father – that’s downright lazy! Take the gift in person, say “Happy Father’s Day” in person.

Or better yet, cook a special meal for your dad or just spend some quality time catching up with him.

– Sharma Solomon asks

Former Region 10

(Upper DemeraraBerbice) Chairman

Sharma Solomon has issued a statement in light of persistent reports that he will not be returning as Chairman.

Below is the full text:

With dedicated service to the PNC/APNU and the people of Region 10, with commitment to build a strong and united party and Region, and to restore a level of accountability, inclusion and good governance, it is sad to see attempts being made to destroy and even deny our many contributions to party and Region even in this dawn of change.

Another hard worker Ms Vanessa Kissoon is similarly attacked. Unlike her term as Member of Parliament which came to an automatic end, the yet unannounced replacement of the regional leadership is allowing our worth to be targeted by those who are seeking to replace us. In their efforts to do so, a number of fanciful, unsubstantiated claims continue to surface from the same sources.

I assume these are to show our ineligibility for our holding of public office and to justify the appointment of those from the same quarters who seek public office, not through quality performance and the will of the people, but through back stabbing, continuous denigration, misinformation and feeding of fears. Their previous allegations stating corruption was swiftly put to rest. Claims that as Regional Chairman I did not perform, were shown to be patently false and groundless. When challenged to deal with evidence contrary to the claims made, the perpetrators of this hate went silent on their allegations.

They have now diverted to new claims that I am not a team player. Anything goes to justify and support denying us our rightful position and due recognition that we worked and went overboard for. I dare to say politics of envy and greed instead of politics for progress can make for desperation. Many young politicians when faced with what myself and Ms Kissoon faced with would not have continued the pursuit of winning an elections for our party and the people of Guyana.

Pride and ego were sacrificed and the party, region, coalition and na-

tional good above personal political ambition prevailed. Hard and smart work, day and night, long hours and seven days a week not only to deliver Region 10 but to increase its voting numbers for the coalition (a campaign which did not start three months ago but three years). Ms Kissoon worked to the end and beyond for a party that she is suspended from. Under constant attacks and efforts to sabotage our success, we encouraged party loyalty in the midst of internal turmoil and rallied for the Granger/Nagamootoo ticket. What more testimony of team player do the detractors need?

Many faced with less than we have had to endure have sought to destroy instead of build and deliver. Many faced with trials within the party have sought to break away and join other parties. Others have called for support of other parties. Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon stood resolute. It is one thing to deny us office but quite another to tarnish our names, our reputation and our commitment to purpose.

An objective look at the response of people in general and not the detractors to my stewardship speaks to the level of commitment, respect and togetherness which was fostered through team-play.

Our efforts and dedication were not in the name of competition as our commitment to the people we faithfully serve requires no competing for recognition. However, as to those who have been competing, if they achieve their ultimate goal of catapulting themselves into public office they will be judged by their performance and measured against the benchmarks which were set and attained during my stewardship. In July 2014, the first ever in the history of Guyana, State of the Region Conference was presented. This was a united conference involving stakeholders and equal participation of PPP and AFC councillors reporting on the region’s affairs and planning a way forward. That is team play of the ultimate political level, when one is able to rally opposing political forces to work together for our region

and common good. They would like to ignore this.

The 2012 Region 10 uprising and mobilising of a regional response with extra-regional support from various quarters in response to the Government electricity effort preceded this. Also, our involvement of the AFC in the 2012 struggle and the involvement of the AFC’s Nigel Hughes in our sojourn to North America where engagements with the Diaspora and US Government representatives were had, and his participation as a member of the Region 10 negotiation team which helped to construct the August 21 Agreement (long before the talks of Coalition, the Region 10 Administration had achieved the idea of coalition). Sadly, however, this too is clearly ignored. The people now wait to see what they will come with next.

Nicholson: Jamaica will not support Dom Rep Caricom bid

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica seems set to withhold any support of the Dominican Republic joining the Caribbean Community (Caricom) if that country fails to appropriately resolve attempts to denationalise hundreds of thousands of its own people who are of Haitian descent.

The Government's position was articulated by Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator AJ Nicholson during his Senate address Friday.

"For some time there has been discussion as to whether the DR should become a part of Caricom," he said. "[But], let Jamaica say at this stage, that if this Dominican Republic/Haiti matter is not resolved in the spirit of full adherence to human rights, and adherence to acknowledged international norms, Jamaica will not support the Dominican Republic."

Despite Caricom's strong condemnation of the denationalisation and deportation plans, the regional body has not been able to sway the Dominican Republic on the matter, as, according to international reports, these activities could begin as early as this week.

In a statement on Jamaica's participation in the recently concluded summit of the EU/Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Nicholson said that after lengthy discussions at a CARIFORUM-European Union high-level meeting, "both sides agreed on the importance of the principles of the status of citizenship and the presumption that persons shall not be rendered stateless".

He said too that the meeting also agreed that "consideration would be given to proposals for appropriate benchmarks and monitoring mechanisms" to be presented by CARIFORUM.

Jamaica’s Foreign affairs and Foreign trade minister Senator aJ Nicholson

The Dominican Republic is the only non-Caricom member of CARIFORUM, which comprises African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

For decades, Haitians in search of a better life have gone to the Dominican Republic, with which their country share the island of Hispaniola, many of them remaining and expanding, or starting families. But after a series of legislative changes to immigration policies, the Dominican Republic has revoked the citizenship of over 200,000 persons with Haitian roots, and in September 2013 denationalised this group of Dominicans.

Following international pressure, the Government established a mechanism to allow denationalised Dominicans to register as foreigners for two years, after which they could reapply for citizenship. Haitian migrants living there were also allowed to apply for legal residency.

With the mid-June deadline now passed, Dominican authorities seem set on expelling hundreds of thousands of those people who have not registered, irrespective of their nationality.

(Jamaica Observer)

Caricom appeals to Dominican Republic to halt expulsion of Haitians

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has called on the Government of the Dominican Republic not to expel tens of thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent.

This follows statements by the Dominican Ministry of Interior and the Police which indicate their intention to expel Dominicans of Haitian descent whose citizenship status has not been regularised, Caricom said in a statement. In reiterating its human rights concerns, Caricom emphasised that these Dominicans had been made stateless by a ruling of the Dominican Constitutional Court of 2013, which had been made retroactive to 1929, revoking their nationality. The very real possibility that they could be expelled to Haiti, a country of which they are not citizens and with which many have neither family nor language links, was an additional cause for concern.

Extremely concerned by the looming threat of the expulsion of these Dominicans, Caricom initiated a discussion on this issue during the recent European UnionCARIFORUM High-Level Meeting in Brussels on June 11. The CARIFORUM side consisted of Heads of State and Government and Ministers of Caricom

In the united States and canada, activists have demonstrated at both Haitian and Dominican republic consulates and embassies and have urged world leaders and the united Nations to get involved.

Member States and the Dominican Republic with the EU being represented by the President of the EU Council and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The meeting was informed of the plight of the Dominicans of Haitian descent rendered stateless, both those who were documented and those who were not.

As highlighted in the Joint Communiqué of the High-Level Meeting, there was commitment to adhere to a number of principles including “protection of the status of citizenship and the presumption that persons shall not be rendered

stateless”. In this regard, it was agreed that “proposals to set up appropriate benchmarks and monitoring mechanisms, to be presented by CARIFORUM, will be considered”. Efforts to this end are currently underway.

The Community calls on the Dominican Republic authorities to adhere to the above principles and confirm the citizenship status of Dominicans of Haitian descent. The Community also calls on the Dominican Republic not to engage in the expulsion of Dominicans of Haitian descent and avoid creating a humanitarian crisis in our Region.

from

Association of Guyanese...

welfare of the local people.

It has championed various causes including audiology through the Lyn Richards-Lorde Audiology Project in 2000; physiotherapy; all forms of cancer, specifically cancer/palliative care, and more recently, Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.

29 through their numerous monetary donations and facilitated training of local medical and nurse staff (flown to the UK), provision of bursaries to support nursing education, establishment of various awards to honour members of the medical field, spearheaded renovations, built libraries, donated medical supplies and other forms of support, whether through tangible or intangible means.

AGNAP aims to alleviate sickness in Guyana, particularly among the poor, advance health education in Guyana and the UK, preserve and protect public health by providing information and advice, and facilitate institutions and charitable bodies in Guyana and the UK that promote health education and the

Ann Read, AGNAP’s envoy who visited Guyana, recounted her experience, “As a proxy Guyanese nurse I was lucky enough once to work with two Guyanese nurses who, after exciting me with stories of their home country, introduced me to AGNAP. It then facilitated an amazing period of volunteering for me, based in Georgetown, where I repeatedly discovered the impact of its work, which

included the Beacon Foundation palliative care team; the Periwinkle Club; Georgetown Public Hospital; St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital; the Guyana Nurses Association; the Palms Care Home; and then out to Linden Hospital and along the coast east and west of Georgetown.” With more than 100 members accumulated during their 26 years of existence, AGNAP currently has six active patrons, a president and two vice-presidents. It is managed by an executive committee comprising a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, fund-raising secretary, publicity officer, two elected members and a number of co-opted members.

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature Book Review: ‘Doing Nothing is not an Option: The Radical Lives of Eric & Jessica Huntley’ by Margaret Andrews

By PetamBer Persaud

“Doing Nothing is not an Option” is the story of two ordinary African Guyanese who have done extraordinary things together as man and wife, and separately as individuals, for the benefit of people in Guyana, the land of their birth, and to the UK, their adopted home.

They did it with

shirt factory, propelling her into trade unionism. This chapter was titled ‘No Ordinary Woman’.

In the following chapter, ‘A man for all Seasons’, we meet Eric Lindbergh Huntley, born in Kitty Village in 1929 when the world and his little corner of the world was feeling the horror of the stock market crash. This economic crisis fashioned Eric into an industrious youth, while the

an almost imperceptible influence reaching far flung corners of the earth, bringing light, elucidation, encouragement and inspiration.

The book is designed like a novel and reads like a literary novel with much navel gazing; stimulating the mind to action; leaving the reader energized, motivated, propelled to rise up with a purpose to act against discrimination and injustice.

“Doing Nothing is not an Option” begins with the story of Jessica, born Jessica Elleisse Carroll, in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, in the year 1927, to James Carroll, a diamond speculator, who died when she was an infant, and Hectorine, a housewife who, as a single-parent, instilled in her children the "values of independence, discipline, justice and loyalty". Jessica grew up in Howes Street, Charlestown, where cleanliness, godliness, industry were her watchwords. She grew up within the tenement yard culture but she was never part of those mores.

During her formative days, especially at school and extra curricular activities, Jessica showed a propensity to public speaking and event coordinating. These qualities were developed along with her sense of human rights during her first job in a

While in Guyana, Eric became a founding member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Jessica co-founded the Women’s Progressive Organization “in the struggle against colonialism and the movement towards nationalism.”

In the late 1950s, they migrated to the UK where injustices of another nature greeted them.

Nevertheless, they were prepared to meet the challenges of minorities seeking housing, employment, education and recreation. The greatest weapon in their armoury was the power of the written word.

Christian culture of the day fashioned him into god-fearing man. At age 19, he delivered his first sermon. With this moral sense, he moved into the world of work, starting at the post office where he joined the worker’s union, later becoming assistant secretary.

Both Jessica and Eric were now separately involved in trade unionism. In 1950, they formed their own union: they were married. The issue of that union is a legacy that will live long in the hearts of our consciences, and fill us with remorse if we fail to do nothing to right wrongs.

They duly founded the Bogle L’Ouverture Publications, one of the first black publishing houses in the UK; named in honour of two freedom fighters - Paul Bogle of Jamaica and Toussaint L’Ouverture of Haiti, both sons of slaves who struggled for the liberation of Africans.

The press was founded in support of Walter Rodney’s ordeal at the time, and its first publication was “The Groundings with my Brothers” written by Walter Rodney. The Huntleys founded other organizations, including a bookstore that was later renamed in honour of the historian; this bookstore became a meeting place for radical thinkers.

The crowning glory of the press (and the Huntleys) were the occasion when the Bogle L’Ouverture archives

was accepted by and housed at the London Metropolitan Archives.

“Doing Nothing is not an Option” is more than the story of Jessica and Eric Huntley. It is about the basic rights of a people, it is about the humanity of people and about the inhumanity of man to man.

The book is a good source document, which is fortified with the first chapter labelled

‘Awakening in the Land of Many Waters: A Brief History of British Guiana’, a chronology of the life and times of the Huntleys, a preface, an introduction, and an afterword.

Included also are supporting sections like an appendix: ‘Sugar Estates in British Guiana’, abbreviations, further reading, selected Bogle-L’Ouverture publications and an in-

dex of names.

The book is written by Margaret Andrews, edited by Margaret Busby, with the preface by Ewart Thomas. The closing chapter is titled ‘The Legacy Continues’… (Photos from huntleysonline. com)

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

This week's Crossword

On Ministers, Advisers…

…and costs

We’ve got to cut to the chase on this “Minister” and “Adviser” business. We’re a country with just above three-quarters of a million in population and a budget of just above US$2 billion to oversee, right?

So do we need 27 Ministers, three Vice-Presidents and over a dozen high-powered “Advisers” who rake in at least twice the salary of Ministers – advising the President on how to run this country!! Obama governs America, with its US$17trillion economy with 15 Cabinet Secretaries!!

And it looks like “we’ve only just begun” to hire the help!! The “ministerial” distinction between “senior” and “junior” Ministers doesn’t cut any ice with this Eyewitness. For instance, what’s the point to dubbing the person in charge of “culture, sports and youth”, the “Junior Minister of Education”?

She’s the Minister of Culture, Education and Youth”, with all the salary and perks! These 27 Ministers will each be drawing some Gy$579,000 monthly plus another Gy$100,000 in benefits – not to mention the duty free car.

Now while we heard quite a bit of kvetching about the Attorney General’s salary – weighing in at Gy$1.6 million plus the aforementioned perks and allowances, there’s now a deafening silence.

We won’t even mention the Gy$420,000 vacation allowance!! So is Basil going to return a portion to the Treasury, or is this one of the matters on the agenda after the first 100 days??

But we have the same contradiction with the “Advisers” and the line Ministers as that between “junior and senior” Ministers. Let’s take the Adviser on Governance – Raphael Trotman – and the fella who was supposed to be the top honcho in this area – the Prime Minister.

This

week's Puzzle

The Prime Minister draws down a cool Gy$1.5 million monthly plus all the perks of the AG, including salaried chauffeur, but plus gardeners, etc.

Now while Trotman will be handling all the burdens of natural resources – gold, diamonds, bauxite and now oil – is it fair for him to survive on a measly Gy$579,000 per month – plus the perks – while Nagamootoo hauls in Gy$1.5 million for just overseeing “information”??

It’s a matter of justice – including distributive justice, restorative justice, and whatever other justice you can think about. It just ain’t fair. And so we arrive at the “Advisers” to the President.

For instance, Winston Jordan will be doing all the grunge work of the Finance Ministry for that measly Gy$579,000 monthly (OK…plus perks), while the new “Adviser on Economics” Clive Thomas will be drawing much more than that – Gy$800,000? – as a “contract” worker.

Ain’t fair. Especially when it ain’t “lean” and certainly not “mean”, like we were promised. …and presidential pensions

Now while there’s been no review – much less reduction – in the salaries of Ministers, (junior or senior) and Advisers, the new government will be bringing up –as the first order of business this Thursday – the matter of the “benefits of the President” once he retires.

So while the government’s salary expenses have been bloated by some Gy$25 million per month… they’re going after the benefits of retired Presidents that cost at most Gy$1 million monthly, tops!

While Sam Hinds and Donald Ramotar will be affected, all Guyanese know that this is a “get Jagdeo” move. Jagdeo just sticks in their craw. Some souls who spent the last decade in hibernation on a Mars mission might believe that it has to do with the money.

But as we’ve shown above, cutting costs is the last thing on the minds of this administration. They just want to embarrass the man who repelled the best they could muster – the armed challenge after 2002. But half of Guyana hasn’t forgotten his service above and beyond. Can’t touch that!!

…and forensic auditors

The doubts of this Eyewitness about the probity of PPPC-government critics becoming auditors have now been assuaged. In his SN column, one of those criticsnow-auditors, Goolsarran, assured us “not to worry”.

Govt to work closely with Iwokrama towards strengthening its agenda

President David Granger has given a commitment to working closely with Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, with the aim of restructuring the agenda, following a meeting with the Agency’s Head, Dane Gobin.

Gobin, along with Conservationist, Retired Major General Joe Singh, and Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman were a part of the discussions with the President on Wednesday.

According to Minister

Trotman, the discussion was centred on how Government could sustain the Centre as it has had some challenges within recent times. “We are looking to see how we can actually reshape the agenda for its work, how we can make it more a place of excellence, and of education for not just Guyanese, but for the Region, and students coming to Guyana to study and most importantly how do we preserve this for Guyana.”

Minister Trotman said he is of the belief that Guyanese are not fully

aware of Iwokrama and have never fully bought into it and embraced it, “So the new thrust would be making it part of our patrimony that we can be proud of it, that we would want to visit it, to support if financially, protect and preserve it, so we are excited about the discussions and hopefully a paper will be presented to Cabinet shortly on the way forward.”

Iwokrama was given as a gift to the Commonwealth by then President Desmond Hoyte which was endorsed by President

Nomination Day in TT likely for August 17

PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Nomination Day for all candidates seeking to contest the September 7 general elections is August 17. However the announcement of this date on Monday was not contained in a statement issued by the Office of the President. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in response to a question from the media as to when Nomination Day is.

According to the statement, Acting President Raziah Ahmed issued the proclamation to dissolve Parliament at 1 pm on June 17 which took effect at midnight that day.

Parliament was dissolved five years from the date of the first parliamentary sitting on June 18, 2010, following the People’s Partnership coalition’s victory in the May 24, 2010 general election.

The Office of the President indicated that the proclamation states in part, “I Raziah Ahmed, Acting President as aforesaid, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 68 of the said Constitution, do hereby dissolve Parliament with effect from midnight on Wednesday the 17th day of June 2015.”

Indicating the proclamation was issued following receipt of official correspondence that Parliament had been dissolved, the Office of the President said the proclamation was accordingly gazetted.

The statement indicated that Ahmed was acting for President Anthony Carmona who left the country on June 12 to address the 2015 Summit of 54 African leaders in Johannesburg, South

Africa. Carmona, the statement concluded, returned home on June 17 at approximately 4.30 pm.

However the statement did not indicate when Nomination Day is. Responding to a question from the media at 6.14 pm on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said, “In accordance with law. Nomination Day is August 17.” When she announced September 7 as election day at the final sitting of the House of Representatives on June 12, PersadBissessar did not name a date for Nomination Day.

Prior to the Prime Minister’s response, TT media also contacted Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal who replied at 6.04 pm, “I thought it (Nomination Day) was August 17.”

Constitutional expert Kenneth Lalla SC said while Persad-Bissessar has operated within the parameters set by the Constitution and the Representation of the People’s Act regarding the calling of general elections, “the Prime Minister ought not to hold the country in such suspense.”

Lalla believed it was in the public’s interest that the quicker the relevant dates pertaining to the election are known, the better.

To date, the PNM has chosen all 41 of its candidates. The United National Congress (UNC), which is led by Persad-Bissessar, closes nominations for candidates on Friday. The Congress of the People (COP), closes its nominations for candidates on July 3. The ruling coalition comprises the UNC, COP, Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) and the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC). (TT Newsday)

Jagan when he came into power. Dedicated as a place for research “to develop, demonstrate, and make available to Guyana and the international community systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable management and utilisation of the multiple resources of the tropical forest and the conservation of biological diversity”, the Iwokrama rainforest is located in the geographical heart of Guyana.

Comprised of 371,000

hectares of forest – 1.6 per cent of Guyana’s landmass and two per cent of Guyana’s forests –Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development was established in 1996 to manage the forest area, following the signing the year before of an international agreement between the Guyana Government and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Enshrined in an Act of the Guyana Parliament, the agreement gave the

Centre the mandate to “promote the conservation and the sustainable and equitable use of tropical rainforests in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”. The Centre has the task to test the proposition that conservation, environmental balance and sustainable economic activity are mutually reinforcing, that it is possible to use a forest without losing it. (GINA)

Kindred SpiritS

Ipaint, I sing, I dance, I love, I laugh (a lot), I cry (sometimes), I am an artist. Everything I do is a creation process. It allows me to be present in everything so I can fully enjoy the experience. We miss out on so much because we are anticipating what is to come or we think we will forget so we are trying to remember or document the experience.

When I create, I am fully present in the process because I want this energy to transcend into the piece I am constructing. One of my patrons said when she needs a hug she puts on one of my de-

signs.

I have been an artist my whole life. I didn’t wait for anyone to tell me or endorse me, that didn’t make sense to me, I just started to create, and the universe made a way for me to receive income from my work.

Recently I was honoured at the United Nations with nine other women as outstanding entrepreneurs and humbled to be recognized by the Guyanese Girls Rock Association. Our business (my husband Warren and myself) is grounded in co-creation.

This means that in ev-

erything we do, we co-create with God. This also means that there is no room for fear. When you embrace the knowing that God (or however you choose to refer to your higher power) and you are making all the decisions, how can you be stagnant in any wayyou must move forward and be successful.

I make everything, so you really are receiving my energy from start to finish. I love to sit down and sew a variety of shapes that transform into wearable shapes and then add layers of texture and colour creating wearable art.

My artistic expression ex-

pands to many different mediums including, but not limited, to sculpture, painting, jewellery making, culinary and body care products (Black Water soaps, repellents and sugar scrubs).

I live and create in the forest with my husband Warren at Pandama Retreat, Winery and Centre for the Creative Arts. We have created a simple life where we get to create wine, art, food and a safe, sacred space for souls to reconnect with nature.

Two souls, Sigrid Sandker and Nicholas Young, came to the forest to meet with me, and we created a special

bond…Kindred Spirits. June 25 through July 2, 2015, we will be exhibiting at Moray House Trust at the corner of Camp and Quamina Streets.

In addition to exhibiting, we have added Art Talk, June 26, 2 and 30th from 121pm, when each of us will share our process. We invite the public, especially students, to bring lunch and come with lots of questions. Saturday June 27, 2015 from 12-2pm we would like to encourage all artists to come out, bring lunch, for an informal conversation focusing on “The Way Forward, An Artist’s Perspective”.

New Indian Ambassador meets diaspora in New York

By Vishnu Bisram

The new Indian Ambassador to the United States, Arun Kumar Singh, met with leaders of Indian diaspora in New York last week at a special reception held in his honour. This is the first time the Ambassador is meeting members of the public in the greater New York area since he arrived on April 30 as the Ambassador to Washington. Several prominent Guyanese were invited for the special reception held at a

posh hotel in Manhattan.

Ambassador Singh hails from Uttar Pradesh where most Guyanese Indians trace their roots; his wife, Dr. Maina Chawla, a Punjabi, is a residence scholar at the American University in Washington D.C. Singh was trained as a foreign officer in 1979. He is familiar with the Indo-Caribbean diaspora having served in New York as Counselor from 1993 to 1997. He also served as a diplomat in Israel, Moscow, Ethiopia and Tokyo. He visited NY last

week to meet with leaders of the Indian diaspora communities. Berbician Ashook Ramsaran, head of GOPIO, was given the privilege to welcome Ambassador Singh on behalf of the Indian American and IndoCaribbean communities of the region and on behalf of GOPIO. He presented a suitable memento to Ambassador Singh. Mr Mridul Pathak, GOPIO Life Member and Director of Diaspora Development, presented a welcome gift to Dr (Mrs) Maina Chawla Singh.

Sandra Brewster is an artist of contemporary life; her visual practice exemplifies a commitment to be socially and politically involved, as well as exploratory, pushing to experiment within the genres of portraiture and pictorial conventions related to the figure.

Comprising drawings, paintings and mixed-media montages, her imagery is inspired by overlooked narratives (both individual and societal) related to the diasporic experience of African/Caribbean populations and their migration to metropolitan centres.

Brewster’s immedi-

ate family migrated from Guyana to Canada in the 1960s, settling in Toronto, where she currently lives and works.

A multi-media artist, Brewster enjoys creating work that engages issues of race, identity, representation and memory. She is particularly interested in the generation of folk of the African descent who arrived from the Caribbean during the migration influx of the 1960s and 70s.

The artist holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from York University and is a recipient of grants from the Toronto, Ontario and Canada art councils. Her work has been published in Of Note Magazine, The Walrus, Small Axe, Chimurenga Magazine, Mix Magazine and NKA Journal of Contemporary African Art.

Brewster's practice also includes work as an arts educator/community arts practitioner. For the past three years, she hosted Open House, an exhibition and gathering place making event, held in her home, offering a space where culturally diverse communities of the contemporary arts may en-

gage.

In September 2015,Brewster will be attending the University of Toronto to pursue a Masters of Visual Studies in Studio Art.

Her current exhibition, aptly titled From Life, is being hosted in the Onyx building's distinctive downtown gallery/events space, Toronto, Canada. The display will feature a new series of works in the artist's continuing series called Smith. The Smith series interrogates and reviews the notion of a monolithic Black community, while deftly affirming the every-day lives and unique characteristics of the subjects encountered in various locales within Toronto and beyond.

Of this work, she ex-

plains: “The gestures and people depicted allude to the influences of, sources of inspirations for, general perceptions of, and feelings toward the environments in which I live and have lived... [A] fondness for the past instils a sense of urgency within me to depict moments, especially the people in them, before their memory or their

impression disappears.”

Dynamic and celebratory, these evocative images bring to light complex notions of representation and identity made evident though Brewster's clever formal experiments and handling which includes erasure, cropping and abstracted realism. (Photos credit: http://sandrabrewster.com)

Jamaican Gov’t ministries sign MOU to enhance trade environment

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: The Government has signaled its commitment to further enhance the trade environment in Jamaica with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by eight ministries on Monday at the Cabinet Office.

The Trade Facilitation (TF) MoU was signed by Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other representatives of the Ministries of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Health; Agriculture and Fisheries; Science, Technology, Energy and Mining; National Security; Transport, Works and Housing; Finance and Planning; and the Cabinet Office.

In his remarks, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator AJ Nicholson said the MoU will ensure the implementation of transparent, consistent and predictable procedures at Jamaica’s borders, aimed at reducing transaction costs and improving the national trading environment.

“Given the current

thrust towards establishing Jamaica as a global logistics hub, trade facilitation, will of course, play a key transformative role in improving Jamaica’s trading environment and international competitiveness. This is primarily through the establishment of improved and more efficient processes at the borders to facilitate international trade in goods that are entering Jamaica,” he said.

In addition, he noted

that the MoU represents another step in Jamaica’s preparatory work to implement the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TF), when it comes into effect.

The TF Agreement was adopted by WTO members in December 2013, at the 9th Session of the Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia. The Agreement will enter into force, once two-

thirds of members have completed their domestic ratification process.

It contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues. It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity

building in this area.

For Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton, the MoU signifies the Government’s continued work to deepen the business environment reform process to ensure measureable achievements in trade facilitation and performance.

“It signifies the next stage of reforms… and is not just a formality to satisfy treaty obligations, but to address the root causes of impediments to trade,” he noted.

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson for his part, said the MoU “represents best practice in relation to joined-up government and whole of Government approach to developing our country and more so, in looking at what is needed most at this time for economic growth”.

The MoU is expected to remove obstacles in order to facilitate ease of movement of goods and services through the ports for the benefit of business persons, in particular importers and exporters, and Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

It identifies the roles and responsibilities of the parties toward improving the environment for trade facilitation in Jamaica, which is expected to result in greater accountability, reduce the cost and complexity of doing business and improve access to statistical data.

The agreement also seeks to adopt internationally accepted norms, standards and best practices for the import, export, transit and transshipment of goods while taking into account Jamaica’s development objectives.

In addition, it will ensure that trade is facilitated and conducted in a safe and secure environment utilising Information and Communications Technology (ICT), modern institutional structures and adequate resources with ISO 9001 Quality Management System Standards.

The MoU came to fruition through the work of the Trade Facilitation Task Force, the body responsible for promoting and coordinating trade facilitation measures in Jamaica. It is housed at the Trade Board.(JIS)

Fruit of the poisoned tree…

…in govt audits

In prosecuting criminal cases, evidence collected through suspect means is brusquely rejected via the “fruit of the poisoned tree” doctrine.

Very simply, this asserts that if a tree’s poisoned then it doesn’t take a genius to figure out the fruit it produces would also be poisoned. And so for evidence from compromised sources.

The law is eminently sensible. Even if the evidence collected is solid, there will always be doubts that since the investigator played fast and loose in the evaluation, his conclusion might be suspect. And you can’t convict folks on evidence creating “reasonable doubt” in the minds of the “reasonable man” out there.

And this flew immediately into the mind of your humble Eyewitness when he heard that the Government had hired Christopher Lallbachan Ram and Anand Goolsaran to audit the very Government agencies they’d been accusing for years of being “corrupt”.

And these accusations weren’t just the usual “ole talk” that gets flung around in rum-shops, these were newspaper columns replete with supposed “facts, figures and dates”. Supposedly “authoritative”! These fellas had put their professional reputations on the line in making those allegations.

Does anyone believe they’ll now destroy those reputations by admitting they were wrong? Well, Minister Jaipaul Sharma says he believes them. Why? Well…their “professional ethics” of course!!

Like George Washington, they can’t tell a lie –much less cherry-pick the findings they’ll present. So for instance, we can expect that Goolsarran, in investigating NICIL – which he’s dragged over the coals like he was on his way to Newcastle – will report impartially as to exactly what Moses Nagamootoo did to collect the Gy$7 million on the Berbice Bridge!!

Then Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI) – now the guardians of public morality in Guyana – also says they believe Ram and Goolsarran can be Paragons of Platonic Purity.

And like any good rugby player – knowing that offense if the best defense – TIGI admitted that the two auditors were respectively a founding member and immediate past player. But demanded, “So what?”

But hey!! What can you expect from a group who no one knows how they select their office bearers or members? And it’s OK for one Executive to actually stage a picket of members of the previous government who were demanding transparency in the counting of the ballots!

Evidently, like the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland” – which is where Guyana’s at with these audits – only TIGI can pronounce on what’s “transparent”! So if they say the audits are transparent and 202,000 Guyanese say they aren’t, THEY have to be right!

on AML/CFT Bill

For over three years, when in Opposition, APNU and AFC killed the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill and exposed Guyana to international financial blacklisting.

This slowed down financial transactions with foreign banking institutions – making some of them break relations with local correspondent banks because they didn’t need the hassle.

Everyone and their (rich) uncle – from Caricom to the US and Britain – begged the Opposition to relent but to no avail. They wanted to prove to the PPPC “they were MAN”!

Never mind the fate of poor Guyana. So now that they’re in office, guess what’s on their legislative agenda for this week? Take a bow dear reader: of course, it’s the AML/CFT Bill!!

And though the PPPC had begged them to place their concerns to the House – and they’d blithely refused – they’re now saying that it was the PPPC’s fault for their obduracy.

Talk about taking your doo-doo and rubbing it on someone else’s bamsie!!

Big potential for Jamaican mangoes and patties in US market - Moreno

KINGSTON,

JAMAICA:

Jamaica's potential to increase exports to the United States is getting serious attention from the American Embassy in Kingston, according to Ambassador Luis Moreno.

The US ambassador, who started his tour of duty in Jamaica only six months ago, said he and his team are actively pushing Jamaican exports as the volume, he believes, can be "much more" than the approximately 40 per cent at which it now stands.

"We think that there's [US]$5 billion worth of money that comes to Jamaica from the US from remittances, from the toursts who come here, from trade, but that could be much more," Ambassador Moreno told the Jamaican media in a recent interview.

Moreno pointed to man-

goes and beef patties as two items from Jamaica that could do well in the US market.

"Mangoes grow everywhere in Jamaica," he noted, adding that exports of the fruit would need an irradiation treatment that would meet United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) requirements.

"We've brought ex-

perts here to explain to the Ministry of Agriculture what needs to be done, and if they can follow those simple steps you can be exporting a tremendous amount of mangoes to the US," Moreno told the media.

He said his embassy has also been making efforts to get Jamaican beef patties to meet US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) standards, as the product, along with others, would get into that market dutyfree.

On Tuesday, Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) President Brian Pengelley pointed out that the effort to get patties exported to the US has been ongoing for some time.

"We don't have a USFDA-approved lab in Jamaica... so certainly we would very much support any help that they can give to that [effort]," said

Pengelley, whose four-year term as JMA persident ends today.

"I know that mango export has great potential in the United States," he added.

He agreed with Ambassador Moreno that Jamaica could increase exports and pointed to the JMA's linkages programme as an avenue to get local products into overseas markets.

Under the programme, the association's members' products are promoted to the tourism industry and meetings are organised between buyers and suppliers.

According to the Economic and Social Survey. Jamaica's total exports for the year 2014 were valued at US$1.4 billion, compared to US$1.5 billion in 2013 and US$1.7 billion in 2012. (Jamaica Observer)

PM launches system to detect anti-social behaviour in Jamaican students

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Friday urged parents with children attending the Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High School to have the youngsters participate in the institution's behaviour-modification programme which is aimed at addressing anti-social tendencies in students.

The prime minister made the call while

launching the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) Behaviour Modification Programme at the Hagley Park Road St Andrew institution last Friday.

"The success of the ASEBA will require the involvement of everyone," she said. "I am urging parents to co-operate with the school and to express an interest in having their child analysed. In this way, parents

can bring about a positive change. It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men and women."

The prime minister said the programme will have far-reaching impact in improving the well-being of students.

Simpson Miller, citing statistics from the Ministry of National Security, noted that 3,671 students were recorded to have displayed anti-social behaviour of

varying degrees during the 2012/13 academic year.

In light of this, she said, the Government through the Education Ministry was moved to develop a behaviour modification programme to address disruptive behaviour. She said ASEBA was supportive of the Government's own behaviour modification programme that is aimed at addressing the

Spiting faces…

…to play politics

Remember the old folk wisdom about people “cutting their noses to spite their faces”? In Guyana, it doesn’t just happen at the personal level. Politics is so deeply imbedded in our peoples’ psyche that it happens at every social level – street, village, city and nation. Take the case of our once fair, “Garden City”.

With the installation of the new government –riding into power on the strength of its support in Region Four, especially the city – Georgetown was spontaneously given a makeover.

It might even be an “extreme makeover”. Hamilton Greene had been Mayor of Georgetown for over 20 years during which he allowed the capital city to fall into an extreme state of decrepitude.

The excuse offered by the Mayor was that the City was being starved of funds by the Central Government. In addition to the Town Clerk, the de facto “REO” of the city, “persecuting” the Chief Citizen for absolutely no reason!

Not a “man Jack” questioned this claim – never mind taxes were being collected (even as some were given free passes) and blatant acts of corruption and squander mania by City Hall were legion.

The Mayor was surprisingly awarded the second highest award in the land – the Order of Roraima (OR) by the new President. It wasn’t mentioned whether the honour was meant to reward his stewardship of the City or his sterling contribution to the politics of Guyana.

Then the President announced he was moving the traditional raising of the Golden Arrowhead from the National Park to the Independence Arch, a stone’s throw from the Monument to the 1763 Rebellion. Pure

serendipity.

There was a “spontaneous” outpouring of goodwill by the residents and businesses of the city to spruce up the Independence Arch and this spilled over to sprucing the entire city. All done by the same good burghers who were willing to live in the filth for the past two decades!

There were smiles on everyone’s face as they wallowed in the muck. The activity even appeared to create in the two constituencies a competitive spirit as to which group could do more to bring back the city to its old glory.

It all came to naught, of course, as Mother Nature decided to expose the hypocrisy of folks who’d put politics over their own health – not to mention aesthetics.

The June rains came with a vengeance again and again – as the city was flooded, bringing to the surface all the flotsam and jetsam that might have been secreted in blocked culverts and drains. But the bile of political bitterness remains.

Let’s see who they’ll elect as Mayor at the LGE.

…on hospitals

There can be no other reason for torpedoing the Specialty Hospital than spiting Guyana’s face by cutting what could’ve been the “face” of our health care system.

And the spite’s generated from an unwillingness to admit that the PPPC might’ve had some good ideas for developing the country. In the narrative of the present government, no good thought, much less idea, can originate from Freedom House.

But what caught this Eyewitness by surprise, was the intervention of the US local country representative into what’s essentially a local version of the “Hatfields versus the Mc Coys” saga. A blood feud.

And what was even more startling was that the hospital was being funded by another government – in this case the Indian Government.

Isn’t there more than a bit of chutzpah in the US telling Guyana how to spend money being given on preferential terms by India?

Then again, it might just be another signal of the new prevailing winds, no?

...on the Pres new clothes

Seems there a news blackout over the President’s US trip. He’s sick? No! He had problems about who purchased his tickets? No! He might’ve gone to buy some clothes. Really? Brooks Bros now makes black shirtjacks?

'Dudus'

was

a

threat to national security – JDF ex-boss

KINGSTON, JAMAICA:

Major General Stewart Saunders, former chief of defence staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), on Tuesday testified that Christopher 'Dudus' Coke was a threat to national security and that he had been under surveillance since 2009.

Saunders said that Coke was involved in local and trans-national illicit activities, and that it was public knowledge.

"Did you on August 24, 2009 make the assessment that Coke is a threat to national security in 2009?" attorneyat-law Michael Williams, who is representing the Tivoli Committee, asked.

"Based upon his antecedent, yes," Saunders replied.

Meanwhile, the former head of the JDF tes-

tified that the May 2010 operation was a success.

"Despite the massive loss of life, you would say the operation was successful?" Williams asked.

"Yes it was a successful operation," Saunders maintained.

Commission

Chairman David Simmons uttered that the operation was successful, but the patient died. The former JDF chief also testified that the JDF, through its resources and information being received, along with the police, apprehended Coke on his way to the United States Embassy on June 22, 2010.

Approximately 74 civilians and one member of the Jamaica Defence Force were killed in the operations that were aimed at arresting Coke. (Jamaica Observer)

John Gladstone played a major role in the colonial history of Guyana and the West Indies. His name is particularly forever linked with indentureship, especially in Guyana, then British Guiana.

Gladstone was born John Gladstones on Dec. 11, 1764 in Leith, Scotland, to a merchant father and a mother who was the daughter of a merchant.

At 13, he left school

work as clerk with Edgar Corrie, a British brewer and grain merchant.

In Liverpool, he dropped the last ‘s’ of his surname to become John Gladstone, and after remarrying in 1800, had six children with his second wife. His first wife died childless.

Corrie and Gladstone had set up a partnership in 1787 that lasted until 1801 when things went sour between them and the partnership was dissolved.

ed in shipping insurance, ship-owning and real estate – both residential and commercial.

Gladstone entered the business of owning coffee and sugar plantations, along with their slaves and later indentured labourers in Jamaica and British Guiana, when he began his sugar and cotton trading with the region in 1803.

He became involved in four Jamaican estates, and plantations Success, Wales, Vreed-en hoop,

to serve a 10-year apprenticeship in a “rope and sailcloth” business. Gladstone later worked in his father’s grain and its associated products’ shop, before moving to Liverpool in 1786 to

Gladstone had already made a fortune from his partnership with Corrie, but later increased his wealth trading corn with the U.S.A and cotton in Brazil. Additionally, he invest-

Met-en-Meerzorg and Vreedenstein in British Guiana. It is said he also owned Hampton Court, Waller’s Delight and Covenden. The latter two were coffee estates.

Gladstone had ac-

quired half-share in Success plantation in 1812 through mortgage default and acquired the remaining half four years later.

When the slave trade was abolished in 1807, he would convert the coffee plantations to sugar, and, according to the book “Mrs Catherine Gladstone: 'A Woman Not Quite of Her Time'” by Janet Hilderley, “breed his slaves in-house”.

Gladstone, she writes, once explained in a pamphlet to Sir Robert Peel, (who twice served as UK prime minister) his belief that “divine Providence” had placed Africans “under the dominance of the white man” : “…who was he [Gladstone] to “question the will …”?”

Despite increasing anti-slavery sentiment, by the 1820s, Gladstone continued his plantation empire in the West Indies. As such, he was a vociferous defender of West Indian planter interests so that after slavery was abolished, he was chiefly involved in ensuring planters were handsomely compensated, and in introducing indentured labour in the region.

The Gladstone family received one of the biggest slave compensation awards from Britain to the modern equivalent of £83m (close to GYD27 billion) for the 2,508 slaves owned across the nine West Indian plantations. His sons received the compensation for his Jamaica estates, according to “Legacies of British Slave-ownership” by Catherine Hall, Keith McClelland et al.

After slavery was abolished, Gladstone looked to indentured labour to ensure his plantations remain viable. He had already experienced India, and had good contacts there and in Malta. He lobbied the British government and was very bitter to those who opposed his idea, calling them “anti-slavery fools” and “Quaker scourges”.

After 100 indentured Maltese adults and children arrived to settle on Vreedenstein and Vreeden-hoop estates, his was the first ship to sail to Calcutta to collect Indian indentured labourers.

Forever looking to make a profit, he also cast his eyes toward Chinese indentured labour.

John Gladstone never visited the West Indies, according to S. G. Checkland’s “The Gladstones: a Family Biography, 1764-1851”. Nevertheless, because he financed planters in the region, which led to their coffee, sugar, and rum industries pledged as security for mortgages, he would often become plantation owner and use his attorney in the colony to hire managers and generally supervise his estates.

By the 1830s, Gladstone moved back to Scotland and began philanthropic work in his hometown of Leith; in 1846, outgoing Prime Minister Robert Peel made him ‘Sir John Gladstone 1st Baronet’. By 1849, he had sold off his British Guiana estates due to their labour problems, neglect and unprofitability.

According to histo-

rians and biographers, Gladstone was especially conscious of his own lack of education and class. He was particularly despondent of his daughter Helen who suffered from depression and became an opium addict.

However, while John Gladstone’s most famous legacy is his son William Gladstone, who four times became UK prime minister, and two other sons who became British MPs, today his most infamous are his racist sentiments and willing participation and profit in the notorious West Indian slavery system and indentureship scheme. He is also vilified for his slave compensation award. Gladstone died in Scotland Dec 7, 1851 aged 86, at Fasque House, on which he had purchased the Fasque Estate, and was buried at St Andrew's Episcopal Church at Fasque, Kincardineshire.

In 1909, a plaque was erected at Leith commemorating the site of his birthplace.

Information man

Satiricus knew he might not be the brightest bulb in the world. But precisely because he didn’t cast a bright light, he told himself, he could always tell who were the bright lights.

And one of the brightest lights, Satiricus always thought was the Nagga Man. What else could he be, if the great Dreddi Hagan had chosen him as his anointed successor? It was just that those jealous pretenders in Dreddi’s party had cheated him of his inheritance.

“But didn’t someone say ‘you can’t keep a good man down’?” wondered Satiricus. And so it was with the Naga Man. Here he was – a heartbeat away from the Presidency. And yet handling it so modestly.

How many men would not insist that a signed agreement which gave him power and dominion over “all domestic affairs” was “no big thing”. This paragon of virtue didn’t want what sounded suspiciously like “dominion over all men”.

Dominion over all animals was one thing, but over men? “Naaah!” said Naga Man.

“And chairing over meetings,” thought Satiricus. “What could be more boring than that?” Satiricus was happy that Naga Man had cleverly sloughed off that to the Commander in Chief.

But what made Satiricus happiest – because he knew it made his hero Naga Man happy – was the announcement that Naga Man was now in charge of “information”.

Back in the day when his dear leader Comrade Dreddi had won the elections against the dastardly Pee an’ See, the great man had called Nagga Man into his study. Alone.

“Comrade Naga,” intoned Dreddi, as he waved his hand to encompass his office. “You know that you will one day inherit all that is mine. But today let me ask you: what is it you want?”

“Most respected Comrade Dreddi,” replied Nagga Man with tears in his eyes. “You know I want nothing but to serve you and sit at your feet.”

“OK…OK…that you can do any time,” replied Dreddi Hagan somewhat sharply. “But what you want now?”

“I’ll take ‘information’ if you don’t mind, Comrade Dreddi,” replied with downcast eyes. “You know how I’m full of information.”

“You’re full of something, all right,” said Dreddi. “But ‘information’ it is.”

“And here it is,” thought Satiricus in amazement, “23 years later, Nagga Man manoeuvred to get the very job he wanted all along. To talk all day long.”

Those who said he was full of hot air or worse were just jealous.

Shake-up in TT Sports Ministry

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

Cabinet has given approval for major changes at the Ministry of Sport, including replacing Permanent Secretary Richard Oliver with Gillian Mc Intyre and transferring some departments to the Ministry of Education. The Physical Education and Sport Division, with all its all coaches and sport officers has been transferred to the Ministry of Education, while facilities, indoor arenas, pools and district offices will now be under the purview of the Sport Company of TT (SporTT).

Staff at the ministry told the TT media they are baffled at the changes. “The entire ministry is in a mess because staff from the other sections have no idea as to what they are supposed to do. The major department that they support is no longer a part of the ministry,” a member of staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. Cabinet subsequently agreed to the transfer with immediate effect of a director of

Physical Education and Sport, an assistant director, a physical education and sport officer II; seven physical education and sport officers I, two games coaches and several other members of staff.

Cabinet also agreed that the Ministry of Sport be the sole source for disbursement of grant funds to national sporting organisations, sport serving bodies and individuals. All requests for financial assistance for overseas travel in respect to sporting events

must be submitted for the approval of Cabinet.

The Ministry of Sport will be responsible for payment of salaries and related costs for permanent, temporary, and contract staff transferred to the Ministry of Education and the SporTT for the remainder of the 2014/2015 financial year. A framework of rules to guide the decision making of the Grant Fund Committee is being finalised and will be presented to Cabinet in the revised National Sports

Policy

Contacted on Sunday for comment, Minister of Sport Brent Sancho said the changes, although approved by Cabinet, are currently on hold.

“We are going to head there but we will need to have proper dialogue because we are looking to revamp and relook at sport policies and structure. We are still sculpting what the ministry will look like. We have to find a way to generate an income through sports as well,” he said. (TT Guardian)

PM launches system to detect...

performance and development of well-rounded students island wide so that they will be able to adhere to wholesome values and attitudes.

The ASEBA is an intervention programme designed to proactively identify students with behaviour problems and recommend intervention to effectively deal with the respective issues. ASEBA is being undertaken by a UKbased social work company, ONE Step Forward Consultancy, to implement projects to enhance the lives of Jamaican children through its Every Child Matters project.

Meanwhile, Patricia Findley, acting principal of the Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High School, expressed appreciation for the partnership with ASEBA, saying: "Educating young minds is our business. We accept the challenges that are present and move forward accepting any resources that are available to allow us to ensure mastery of these tasks."

The one-year programme is slated to begin in September with the training of the staff to guarantee smooth implementation and longterm success. (Jamaica Observer)

Ryan Gosling pens letter to stop selling eggs from caged chickens

ASctors Bradley Cooper, Kevin Hart, Michael Keaton and director Quentin Tarantino are

among the inductees that will receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next year.

Patrick Schwarzenegger is following in his father Arnold's footsteps, as he has landed his first film role.

LL Cool J and Adam Levine will also be feted in the recording category along with fellow musicians Cyndi Lauper and Bruno Mars, reported Variety.

The list also includes Steve Carell and Kurt

Russell in the motion pictures category, while Kathy Bates, Tracy Morgan and Rob Lowe will be honored for their accomplishments in TV.

Musician and Walk of Famer

Dave Koz announced the new honorees alongside Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and Maureen Schultz, chair of the Walk of Fame selection committee for 2014-2015 at a press conference on Monday. (TOI)

uperstar Ryan Gosling has called upon the bosses at American wholesale store Costco to stop selling eggs from caged chickens.

The 34-year-old penned a strongly worded letter to Craig Jelinek, CEO of the retail giant, after an undercover investigation by the Humane Society revealed extreme animal mistreatment at one of Costco's major egg suppliers, reported the New York Post.

The Notebook actor did little to hide his disgust, citing video footage of "rows upon rows

of birds confined in filthladen cages with the mummified corpses of their cage-mates ? eat-

ing, sleeping, defecating, and laying eggs on top of dead birds."

Gosling went on to write about potentially misleading packaging from the nation's fifth-largest retailer.

"It is appalling that Costco has been selling these eggs with deceptive labeling on cartons featuring graphics of birds living out in a green pasture," wrote Gosling.

"You've already eliminated cages for veal calves and pigs ? don't you feel that chickens also deserve the same mercy?" (TOI)

Directing bug not bitten me yet, says Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron has no desire to step behind the camera — at least not any time soon. She claimed she enjoys not having to take on the full responsibility of directing.

Patrick, 21, will be seen as actress Bella Thorne's love interest in the upcoming movie 'Midnight Sun', which was based on a Japanese film of the same name.

Actor Hugh Jackman may be seen essaying his memorable character Wolverine one last time in 'X-Men: Apocalypse'.

Ever since Jackman announced that he will play Wolverine one last time, speculations started swirling around the movie in which he will been seen playing the clawed mutant. However, a custom leather goods company KikaNY, has confirmed news about his presence in X-Men: Apocalypse. Production on the fol-

Bella and Patrick were linked romantically earlier this year. ( TOI)

low up of X-Men: Days of Future Past started last April. However, there is no official confirmation yet that Wolverine will make an appearance in the movie.

KikaNY posted on its Instagram a photograph of a design for a leather backpack. They have been asked to make a custom duffel bag for Jackman which he may use on the Apocalypse set. Another thing that can be inferred from the caption is that Jackman is currently in Montreal for the movie filming, re-

ports aceshowbiz.com.

"We were just asked to make a special duffle backpack for Hugh Jackman who is filming the new X MEN movie in Montreal," the company captioned the image.

"We started sketching - The bag will be ready next week- we will keep you posted! #hughjackman #Xmen #movie #backpack #special," they continued. However, it is unclear if the backpack is for Jackman's personal use or will be used as the property in the movie. (TOI)

Marc Forster to direct film on Stanley Kubrick's screenplay

Stanley Kubrick's 1956 screenplay

The Downslope is all set to become a trilogy with World War Z director Marc Forster attached to direct and produced the first movie.

Forster will produce the trilogy along with Lauren Selig, Barry Levine and Renee Wolfe. Selig initiated the project with producers/rights holders Phil Hobbs and Steve Lanning, who are also serving as producers. The Kubrick family is supporting the project.

The succeeding stories will expand upon

Kubrick's original Civil War story, reported Variety.

Kubrick wrote the script following the release of his anti-war film 'Fear' and 'Desire' and before directing 'World War I drama Paths of Glory'.

The Downslope revolves around a series of Civil War battles in the Shenandoah Valley between Union General George Armstrong Custer and Confederate Colonel John Singleton Mosby, known as the Gray Ghost for his stealth and elusiveness.

His cavalrymen, known as Mosby's Rangers, continually outsmarted the much larger enemy forces in a sequence of raids, which enraged Custer and created a cycle of revenge between the two men.

(TOI)

"I have no interest in doing that [directing]," Theron told a US news channel, adding, "That bug has not bitten me yet." The actress further explained that she is interested in any role, including producing and developing, but that directing is not for her. Theron produced the 2008 film Sleepwalking, in which she also starred. "I love producing. I love developing. But I like having a director around so I have somebody to blame. If I'm the boss than I'd have to blame myself." If

Theron does decide to turn her attention to directing, she will be in good company. Actresses such as

Richard Gere to get Lifetime honour at Karlovy Vary Festival

Veteran actor Richard Gere will be conferred with the lifetime honour next month at the 50th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic.

Gere, 65, will present the festival's opening film, Oren Moverman's Time Out of Mind, a psychological drama that sees him play a homeless man seeking to reach his estranged daughter, played by The Hunger Games actor Jenna Malone.

The Runaway Bride star will receive the festival's Crystal Globe for 'Outstanding Contribution to World

AThe festival will also screen Andrew Renzi's drama Franny, in which Gere stars as a philanthropist whose troubled past pushes him to get involved in helping a young married couple.

Gere, who is known for films like 'Looking for Mr Goodbar', 'Days of Heaven', 'American Gigolo' and 'An Officer and a Gentleman' has also been involved with wide range of social issues, including human rights in Tibet and AIDS.

(TOI)

ction star Arnold Schwarzenegger has lent his voice to a satellite navigation app Waze. "From the first time I used Waze, I have wanted to lend my voice to it. The Terminator is the perfect machine to guide Wazers (users) to their destinations. Every single day on social media fans ask me to record my movie lines, so now I get to bring this classic role and my charming Austrian accent into their cars," he said.

Users of the app can be guided by The Terminator for free and the system will also provide directions to cinemas showing Schwarzenegger's new movie. (TOI)

Actors Arshad Warsi and Amit Sadh spent two months together to build chemistry for their forthcoming film 'Guddu Rangeela'. The duo was made to rehearse together, spend as much time together for a period of two months by director

'Dilwale':

Subhash Kapoor to build a chemistry like that of brothers for their roles.

'Guddu Rangeela' is all about sticking together. It was crucial for Guddu and Rangeela to have chemistry and bonding. I asked both of them to spend time together, they partied to-

gether, spent a lot of time and even went on a bike ride in Himachal Pradesh," Kapoor said in a statement.

The 'Jolly LLB' director told his team that in case one person was unavailable for rehearsal, then the session was to be cancelled. The film is about two criminals who run an orchestra party. They take on a villain, who is way stronger than themselves which lands them in a soup.

The film, releasing on July 3, also features Aditi Rao Hydari and Ronit Roy.(TOI)

Look who is posing with SRK in Bulgaria

Director Rohit Shetty and his Dilwale team are busy shooting for the film in Bulgaria. Starring SRK, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon, the film has already generated a lot of curiosity. Recently, pictures of the King Khan sporting a moustache for the film, were circulating on social networking sites. Adding to the excitement, SRK has shared another picture from the sets of the film.

From accompanying mother

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Cannes Film Festival to being an apple of father, Abhishek's eye, Aaradhya seems to have her parents captivated by her charm. In an interview with DNAindia.com, Abhishek Bachchan has revealed that he now selects his films keeping his daughter Aaradhya in mind. The actor was quoted in the report as saying that he would not like to be a part of a film which his daughter won't be comfortable watching or would question him as to why had he done something like that. His opinion might change in the future but at the moment he prefers choosing films taking Aaradhya into consideration. Abhishek further added that he is not talking about sex comedies in particular, but insists that when he chooses a film, it should be something that even his

John Abraham has packed up a busy schedule as he will start shooting for two of his upcoming films soon. The actor-producer will begin shooting for 'Dishoom' in July and then immerse himself in the world of 'Force 2' in August.

"My next film is Welcome Back and after that I've got Rocky

Handsome, which releases sometime in October. I start shooting for Dishoom with Varun Dhawan around July and Force 2 around August with Abhinay Deo," John told IANS.

Force 2 is a sequel to the 2011 movie Force and will have an original script and will be directed by Deo.

The actor shared

his work schedule at JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL #DATEWITHDAD campaign event last week.

John, who was the face of the campaign, said that he has always followed his father's word of advice - stay true to your roots.

"He always said 'Son, always keep your feet on the ground and remember where you come from' and that is exactly what I have always done," said the 42-year-old.

The Madras Cafe star noted that his father Abraham John has always remained his icon and he wants to spend more time with him.

"I admire my father for who he is - I am proud to say he has shaped me into the man I am today. Time is a rare gift that I'd like to give him and my family," he said.

(TOI)

Madhuri Dixit, Aamir Khan starrer 'Dil' turns 25

IThe baadshah of Bollywood is posing with none other than yesteryear heartthrob, Vinod Khanna, in the picture. Vinod is looking dapper in a jacket. He, too, sports a stubble. In fact, King Khan had recently tweeted, "The 'Man' is in da Dilwale house. Welcome Khanna Sahib." [sic]

'Dilwale' has generated a lot of buzz even before the film releases in December this year.(TOI)

daughter can watch. However, at the moment, Aaradhya isn't into films and is busy reading fairytale books and nursery rhymes, adds Abhishek. (TOI)

ndra Kumar's directorial 'Dil' has completed 25 years and its actors Madhuri Dixit and Anupam Kher are cherishing the moments they had while filming the romantic drama, which also starred Aamir Khan. The film, which released on June 22, 1990, revolves around a man who wants his son to marry the daughter of a millionaire.

The 48-year-old actress took to micro-blogging website Twitter to share her excitement. "Hum pyaar karne waale... Can't believe it's #25yearsofDil. Feels like yesterday! Loved working on this movie," Madhuri tweeted on

Monday night. She also thanked the film's director and Aamir. She wrote: "Got me my first Filmfare award... Thanks to @ aamir_khan, Indra Kumar and Baba Aazmi & Ashok Thakeria."

Anupam, who played the role of Aamir's character's father in the film,

Ssaid the film is one of his favourites. "'Dil' will always remain one of my favourote films. I loved doing the role of Hazari Prasad," he tweeted. 'Dil' was remade in Telugu in 1993 under the title 'Tholi Muddhu', starring Divya Bharti and Prashanth in leading roles. (TOI)

hahid Kapoor's big, fat Indian wedding is round the corner and invitations are being sent out. What is rather amusing is that the first invitation was for Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, if a report on Bollywoodlife.com is to be believed. Given the fact that Shahid and Saif are working together on 'Rangoon', it is only natural that Saif was the first one to be invited to the wedding. Shahid-Mira's wedding guest list will feature the who's who of the film industry. However, Shahid is lucky enough to be blessed by his three mothers. (TOI)

US, Canadian starlets among

new additions to CPL squads

– Windies u-19s join Taylor, Dutta at “Biggest Party in Sport”

GEORGETOWN,

GUYANA: Six up-and-coming young cricketers, including USA international, Steven Taylor, and Canadian, Nikhil Dutta, will have the chance to play with and against some of the biggest names in world cricket after being added to the Hero CPL squads after impressing in training camp.

Each franchise welcomed four local under-19 players, and one young player from ICC Americas Associate nations, for training camp, with the incentive of a full CPL contract for

one lucky player from each team. Amongst the players joining wicketkeeper-batsman, Taylor (Barbados Tridents), and off-spinner, Dutta (Zouks) are West Indies Under-19 player of the year, Shimron Hetmeyer (Guyana Amazon Warriors), and former West Indies Under-19 captain, Ramaal Lewis (Jamaica Tallawahs).

The six players that have been selected are: Barbados Tridents: Steven Taylor – USA Guyana Amazon Warriors: Shimron Hetmeyer, Guyana Jamaica Tallawahs:

Ramaal Lewis, Jamaica

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Nikhil Dutta, Canada

St Lucia Zouks: Gidron Pope, St Vincent Trinidad & Tobago

Red Steel: Mark Deyal, Trinidad

Tom Moody, CPL Director of Cricket, said: “Competition for a place in the CPL squads has been fierce. The coaches have been very impressed with the quality of young players on show, so it was hard to narrow it down to one player per squad. These six guys have a fantastic opportunity to make a name for them-

selves on the big stage, and we wish them all the best for CPL 2015.”

The Biggest Party in Sport kicked off on Saturday with defending champions, Barbados Tridents, defeating Guyana Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval in a repeat of last year’s final. At the Hero CPL, global superstars including Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi will join the Caribbean’s finest cricketers, like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, and exciting up-and-coming local talent.

Fans have been given an even greater reason to be at the games this year with the CPL’s recently announced ‘Catch a Million’ competition, the biggest ever sports promotion in the Caribbean. The first fan at every match who catches a six, one-handed, will earn US $1000 on the spot, as well as the chance to go to Trinidad for the final. If they catch another six, one-handed, in the final, they will be presented with US$1 million!

CPL 2015 runs from 20th June to 26th July.

Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it. (CPL Release)

Softball, soccer players star at Guyana Festival Day

By RavendRa Madholall

TORONTO, CANADA:

Several softball and soccer players produced outstanding performances to highlight the annual Guyana Festival Day’s event last Saturday at Littles ground in Scarborough as part of the country’s 49th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

In attendance was Guyana’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Harrynarine Nawbatt and who started off the action by bowling the first ball and encouraged the players to be good and disciplined athletes.

Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) team Kaieteur XI emerged as the top side beating their own counterpart Jaguars in the final while Ghetto Youth

United (GYU) defeated GT All-stars 4-3 to lift the soccer match trophy.

“I (am) delighted to be part of the opening proceedings here and wished all the participating teams in both the cricket and soccer matches good luck; I am confident you guys will have a wonderful tournament,” Nawbatt declared.

At the presentation ceremony that took place the following day at Raddison Suite Hotel Park also in Scarborough, Nawbatt congratulated the winner and thanked the sides for their participation.

In the softball matches that took place on Saturday, Kaieteur XI beat a Canadian Softball Cricket Association XI while Jaguars got the better of an Ontario Round Aram Cricket League XI.

On Sunday’s final, Kaieteur XI beat Jaguars by five wickets in a tight 10-over contest. Jaguars scored 67-6 from the allotment of 10-overs while the victorious side, in response, surpassed the target with five balls to

spare with a healthy 36 extras.

Richard Mahase of Kaieteur XI hit blistering 64 to come out as the Most Valubale Player of the two-day tournament while Mark Mooosai and Orin O’Neal of Jaguars were named MVP for various performances throughout the two-day tournament.

At the opening and closing ceremony, president of the OSCL, Albert Ramcharran mentioned that his League was more than happy to run off another Guyana Festival Day event with the softball matches.

He said that last year’s event was called off but this year the cricketers were extremely pleased to come out and showcase their talent. Over the years, teams from his League have been participating on a regular basis and the players will be rewarded for their display this year.

In the soccer fixture, Randy Washington won the MVP prize having scored two goals for the

winner while Guyaneseborn Mark Fanfair, who organised the soccer game, stated that the players were excited to take part in the tournament and promised a bigger showdown in 2016.

Meanwhile, during the day’s activities on Sunday at Raddison Suite, fans won prizes to Guyana. Shiv Persaud, former Guyana fastbowler Trevon Garraway and Hemraj Heralall won return trips to Guyana, compliments of Caribbean Airlines who were also sponsors of the jerseys for the teams.

Fazil Rasool won a weekend stay at the recently-opened at Guyana’s Marriot Hotel to be among the winners too.

Notably, Sawh disclosed that plans are in place to host the Guyana Pan Am Games contingent prior to the commencement of next month’s Games in Toronto. She however, pointed out that the date for the function is still in limbo but it is likely to be July 9.

Jamaican Boyz take heart from defeat to 'tough' Argentina

VINA DEL MAR, CHILE:

Jamaica's combatants in the 0-1 loss to Argentina inside Estadio Sausalito on Saturday night were emphatic in their post-mortem that it was very difficult to contain the two-time World Cup champions.

Such was the dominance of the South Americans that they repeatedly forced Jamaican goalkeeper Dwayne Miller into action in the first half, particularly through Manchester United winger Angel di Maria and the incomparable Lionel Messi.

"It was a difficult game coming up against players like Messi, di Maria, Tevez (Carlos). We all realised that the game would be difficult, but we had a plan and we stuck to it. Unfortunately

things didn't go totally our way, but it is something we can grow on," explained Miller, who was easily Jamaica's man of the match.

Adrian Mariappa, the right back who had the job of containing di Maria, expressed similar sentiments.

"Definitely, we are playing against some of the best players and the best player in the world, so it was always going to be tough, but to come away (only 0-1)... I thought we put them under a lot of pressure as well, had some opportunities and on another day we might have scored a goal," he said.

Veteran 33-year-old Jobi McAnuff simply paid tribute to the 14-time champion, whose pressure on the ball forced the Reggae Boyz deep

into their half in the first period, though they gave a much better account of themselves in the second half.

"I'm not going to say we are slow out the blocks, we were playing tonight (Saturday) against a quality team, and from our point of view we needed to make

it as difficult as we could. You are not going to open up the game too much and concede too early 'cause then it becomes a real difficult night, and it was a tough night, but everybody worked hard for each other and at 1-0 you are always in the game and you can go for it a little bit more in the

second half.

For Je-Vaughn Watson, who played in the key midfield area, the Boyz might have been timid and overwhelmed with the high-quality they were up against.

Still, he believes that the Caribbean champions performed very well under the circumstances, to put pressure on their opponents, especially in the last 20 minutes.

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain scored the all-important goal in minute 11 to condemn the Boyz to their third consecutive 0-1 loss, following their result against Uruguay and Paraguay inside Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascunan on June 13 and 16.

But McAnuff was particularly pleased with the defensive scheme set up to deny Messi and com-

pany many goal-scoring chances.

And when the partisan Argentine crowd showed its appreciation for the effort of the Boyz late in the game, McAnuff said it lifted their collective spirits.

"Definitely man, I think it was a bit different in the other two games where it wasn't so overwhelming in terms of the fan base. But it's predominantly Argentineans in here tonight, and to get that support for us is just an indication that they appreciated the effort that we put in, which was a massive one from everybody, and that we were having a go at the end of the game even against their own team. So, yeah that gives you a lot of heart and we will take a lot of positives from this."

(Jamaica Observer)

ready, set go... all roads lead to tt Stadium

PORT-OFSPAIN, TRINIDAD:

The National Championships will occur this weekend with a lot at stake, not least of which will be selection for the World Championships in Beijing.

Also there will be the small matter of bragging rights for yet another year for these very competitive athletes.

These are the best athletes in the country, some of whom have been training for a long time, showing their ability and most importantly proving themselves.

For all the months of training, everything will need to be in place, including the need for positive energy. Therefore it is not surprising that some of the top athletes use their experience to ensure that they have a noisy support cast in the crowd, which can not only give them momentum, but also mentally upset their opponents.

It is the equivalent of home crowd advantage in football. I am hoping that everyone can travel to the Stadium this weekend from 2pm, each day to enjoy tons of excitement and loads of peace of mind, at a time when such relaxation is difficult to find anywhere else.

As we look towards Brazil Olympics, the World Championships will be the greatest form guide, and for the majority of athletes it is critical that a message be sent to competitors and sponsors about

their respective fitness and ability.

Lest all of us forget the obvious, a lot of sports are played in the mind and so for all of the natural talent that TT citizens suggest we have, the need to strengthen our resolve by pushing our mind is important.

“Bad Mind” is not a joke, but should be compulsory thinking for anyone involved in sports.

Among the incentives to attend this weekend’s events, will be the opportunity to watch Olympic gold medalist Keshorn Walcott in the javelin, where in the last few months he has on two separate occasions not only exceeded his Olympic winning distance but also set national distance records.

The women’s 100 metres appears to also be a two-person contest with injury prone Michele Lee-Ahye throwing down the gauntlet to the wily and experienced Kelly Ann Baptiste. It is a test of the old master against the young challenger, which, even if neither admits, is a battle for more than just a title but really to be the number one female 100 metre runner in TT.

However, the main attraction has to be the men’s 400 metres, where the men with the second and third best times in the world are expected to clash in Machel Cedeno and Deon Lendore respectively.

However, both have struggled of late through a combination

of injury and form and Olympic bronze medalist La Londe Gordon will have other ideas.

Given that defending champion Renny Quow will be out to surprise with his late run and the consistent Jarrin Solomon, who runs with his heart on the sleeve at every juncture. This is an event that should not be missed, as the tactics and strategy will be important in setting the tone for the final result. (TT Guardian)

Guyana Amazon Warriors fall to Barbados Tridents in opening match

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: The Hero Caribbean Premier League 2015 got under way with a rematch of last year’s final as the current champions Barbados Tridents took on the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Tridents ran out winners thanks primarily to a brilliant all round performance from their captain, Kieron Pollard. His innings of 48 and two wickets were the difference between the sides and even a stunning spell of bowling from Sunil Narine was not enough to stop the current holders of the CPL title getting off to a winning start.

The Amazon Warriors began the game brilliantly. Having lost the toss and being asked to field Marchant De Lange got the game underway with a maiden. This was followed by another tight over from Veerasammy Permaul who conceded just three runs off the second over.

The big hitting began at the start of the third over when Dwayne Smith pulled a glorious six off a short ball from de Lange. Dilshan Munaweera also went aerial off de Lange, hitting a lofted drive for four. The Sri Lankan opener did not last much longer, bowled by Permaul for just six when he tried to cut a ball that was too close to his body for the shot.

Smith looked to be well set and looking to accelerate when he edged the ball to fine leg and set off for a single that was always risky. It looked an even worse decision to set off for the run when Smith slipped and fell in the middle of the pitch and Shivnarine Chanderpaul threw down the stumps to run him out.

Those two early wickets really slowed the Tridents down as they made it to just 30 off the six over Powerplay.

Jonathan Carter got the innings moving again with two sixes in the seventh over which was bowled by Tillakaratne Dilshan. Carter could have been caught off the first of those Hero maximums, de Lange making a valiant effort to take a diving catch at long off.

Carter’s aggressive innings got him to 25 off 20 balls before he attempted to hit Narine straight down the ground only to be well caught at long off by Christopher Barnwell. While the wicket was cause for celebration it brought Kieron Pollard to the crease.

Pollard was brutal against every Guyana bowler apart from Narine who once again put together a parsimonious spell, conceding 22 runs off his four overs. While Pollard was drawing all the attention with his aggression at the other end Shoaib Malik carried on where he had left off last season for the Tridents. His 39 off 35 balls held this Barbados batting performance together after the early wickets.

Pollard was going brilliantly until he was

run out attempting a second run that always looked optimistic. His 48 runs came in just 26 balls and was full of the powerful strokes that we have come to expect from the Tridents captain.

The Tridents could have had the best possible start to their defence of 158 when Lendl Simmons skied a ball from Jason Holder but was dropped by Robin Peterson. Simmons had yet to get off the mark at that point and as the leading run scoring in last year’s event his dismissal could have been vital. As it was it did not prove too costly because he was brilliantly run out in the second over thanks to a direct hit from Holder.

Holder could not be kept out of the game as he played a part

in the dismissals of both Chanderpaul and Denesh Ramdin, picking up the wicket of the former and catching the latter. At the end of the Amazon Warriors Powerplay they were 29-3 but the hugely experienced pair of Dilshan and Brad Hodge were at the crease but neither man could get going. The required rate had reached 10 an over at the half way stage of

When Hodge was dismissed LBW by Peterson it was the beginning of the end for the visitors. At 61-5 with just over 10 overs left it was always going to be hard to keep the rate under control. When Peterson went on to pick up the wickets of Barnwell and Narine in the same over the Amazon Warriors were left needing 74 runs to win off 30 balls with only tail end batsmen left. Some decent late

the Guyana innings and eventually the pressure told when Dilshan pulled a Pollard slower ball to Akeal Hosein at deep midwicket.

order hitting from de Lange and Permaul got the Amazon Warriors past 100 but the Tridents were worthy winners. (CPL Release)

Keith Semple throws support behind Guyana Amazon Warriors to come good this time

By RavendRa Madholall

TORONTO, CANADA :

Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Keith Semple has thrown his support behind the Guyana Amazon Warriors to emerge as champion this time as the 2015 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 bowled off last Saturday at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Since the inauguration of the tournament in 2013, the Warriors featured in both finals but failed to cross the finishing line having begun their quest for supremacy against defending champion Barbados Tridents.

“Even though I have not followed the buildup to this year’s CPL T20 tournament very closely, I think Guyana can win it.

I think it’s a great

move to have Carl Hooper involved as coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors. He has been involved with the West Indies Academy for a few years now so isn’t new to coaching.

Having played for Guyana and West Indies for a number of years, Carl is very experienced, understands the conditions very well and knows what is required to win games around the region. Also, having lived, played and coached a bit in Australia I’m sure he would be able to instill some of that mental toughness the Australians are known for, to the young players,” Semple stated.

The other teams participating are: Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steels, St. Lucia Zouks and new-comer St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots. As usual many international stars

will be on show including South African Jacques Kallis, New Zealander Daniel Vettori, Martin Guptill, Pakistani Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Englishman Kevin Pietersen, Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan, Australian Brad Hodge and the local boys Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Lendl

Simmons, Andre Russel, Shivnarine Chanderpaul among others.

With ex-West Indies skipper Carl Hooper being the new coach, Semple believes his vast experience to inspire the side on this occasion.

Despite losing their opening encounter against Barbados, Semple still feels

the guys will bounce back. Guyana Amazon Warriors will be up against St. Lucia Zouks at Beausejour cricket stadium in St. Lucia on Friday under lights again.

Semple, who now resides permanently in Canada, also reasons that the foreign players are important for the general development of West Indies’ cricket.

“Yes, I think they will continue to make an impact. The players I mentioned before, Dilshan and Hodge, plus Thisara Perera, are all proven T20 players who have been plying their trade in T20 competitions around the world so I expect them to continue making an impact both on and off the field.

There has been a lot of debate recently about the impact of T20 and what role it has played in the decline of West

Indies cricket,” Semple related.

“In my opinion the CPL T20 can have more of a positive than negative impact on West Indian cricket. It provides an excellent opportunity to rekindle the passion for the game in the region by creating excitement and attracting more young players and spectators while bringing in revenue for the development of the game.”

He continued: “Our young players can benefit a great deal from being in a professional environment - training, playing and interacting with the foreign players, most of whom are very experienced and knowledgeable in the game. One specific area in which they can benefit is learning how to handle high pressure situations especially when playing in front of large crowds.”

Zouks tame patriots

The St. Lucia Zouks delivered a nearperfect performance against CPL debutants the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots to register their first win of the season.

Two early wickets each for Fidel Edwards and Shannon Gabriel reduced the Patriots to 21-4 inside the Powerplay and despite a fifty from Marlon Samuels that elevated the Patriots to 149-6, a brutal innings from Johnson Charles

saw the Zouks cruise to victory with more than four overs remaining.

After losing their top four early, having won the toss and elected to bat, Samuels, who scored 52, in partnership with Devon Thomas, who scored 34, helped haul the Patriots to a more respectable score. Sohail Tanvir also chipped in with 26.

The pick of the bowlers for the Zouks was Gabriel who finished with 3-19, but Edwards

also took 2-29 while leg-spinner Eddie Leie bowled four economical overs, conceding just 16 runs.

Samuels’ fifty will have given the Patriots hope that they could challenge the Zouks, however that hope wasn’t accounting for the batting of Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles.

Just as the pair did against the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel they came out all guns blazing, and after four

boundary filled overs had carried the Zouks to 47-0 and then by the end of the Powerplay 61-0.

Fletcher fell in the ninth over for 48 and Kyle Mayers departed shortly after, however Charles continued his onslaught and with Kevin Pietersen alongside him continued to surge the Zouks onwards.

Even when Pietersen fell that didn’t stop Charles who moved beyond fifty and the

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Patriots were powerless to stop him and with Ross Taylor at the crease the Zouks completed victory with 26 balls to spare and seven wickets in hand. Charles finished 69 not out, smiting five sixes and three fours in a remarkable innings.

There was little to be said of the Patriots bowling which was helpless in the fact of the onslaught but Canadian Nikhil Dutta did bowl

nicely, taking 2-32 from his four overs. The Zouks had chased what was not an easy score with loads of time to spare and in doing so have sent out a message to the other teams that this year they are serious contenders. The Zouks play the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Friday next while the Patriots play top of the table Barbados Tridents on Saturday.

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