Guyana Times International

KN story on Pharma supplies riddled with lies, misinformation

…NEW GPC

The principals of the NEW GPC

INC have strongly refuted the publication of a Kaieteur News article in its Wednesday edition which they say are riddled with “lies, misinformation and half-truths” about the shipment, procurement and guarantee of pharmaceuticals and supplies.

The Kaieteur News article claimed that the “NEW GPC and others must deliver over Gy$600M owed for drugs or else,” purporting to summarise the views of Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton on the subject of “undelivered drugs”.

The newspaper claimed that the Minister “has already alerted the Chambers of

maintains performance exemplary versus other suppliers’

Attorney General Basil Williams on the need to take this matter before the court and to send a strong message to “appalling” defaulters like NEW GPC”.

In view of the importance of pharma supply to the well-being of the nation, and the 180 persons the corporation employs, the Guyana Times International called the New GPC for a comment and it refuted in total, the claims of the Kaieteur News.

A senior official there pointed out that the Kaieteur News was basing its sensationalisation of the issue by referring to the Auditor General Report of 2014.

“At the moment NGPC is only servicing contracts for [Georgetown Public

Hospital Corporation/ Ministry of Health] GPHC/MOH for 2015. Contracts for 2014 and all earlier years have been duly completed. There is no truth to this KN report,” the official said exasperatedly.

He continued, “Both MOH and GPHC owe NGPC monies. MOH has debts going back as far as 2008 for items delivered….”

On the specifics of the article in reference to banking guarantees and deliveries, the official referred the newspaper to its press release of June, pertinent portions of which are excerpted below.

“The NEW GPC has never defaulted on any of its contracts to the MoH and GPHC”.

In reference, to pur-

chases by the GPHC, the report itself stated that there were Banking Guarantees to the tune of Gy$500 million against the major contract for Gy$871.169 million of which Gy$716.290 million was paid.

The Gy$500 million was thus obviously more than adequate to protect the contract since at the end, according to the Auditor General Report, there is only Gy$2.982 million (0.003% of the contract) of supplies to be delivered. It meant that at no time there was need for the full amount of the contract to be guaranteed.

What is interesting, however, is that of the nine other suppliers includ-

ing the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) and PAHO, (which the KN studiously avoided mentioning) responsible for 423 purchases, there was only a SINGLE Banking Guarantee of Gy$71 million. Deliveries

More alarmingly, Gy$192 million (or 45 per cent) of the items ordered from the nine other suppliers, including IPA, was not delivered. For NEW GPC the figures are 13 per cent which can be explained by the AGR’s reference to the New GPC warehouse as the “Ruimveldt offsite” and insists on storing its stocks there although MOH/GPHC are constantly reminded to remove.

This is ironic since

the year before the Government at great expense had constructed a warehouse at Diamond and no pharmaceuticals were to be left at NEW GPC’s warehouse.

At that time, the NEW GPC had called for all of the Government’s pharmaceuticals to be removed from its facilities, since THESE WERE BEING STORED AT ABSOLUTELY NO COST.

Against the foregoing, Guyana Times International called on Minister Norton to ascertain whether he had in fact described NEW GPC’s performance as “appalling” when it appeared to be exemplary as compared to the other suppliers. Dr Norton, unfortunately was said to be out of the country.

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EDITORIAL

“Waiting

to exhale”, on unity

One may choose to question, or not question, President Granger’s noble proposal to engage in “unity” talks with the Opposition. Any such sincere intention can only benefit Guyanese. The Granger-led Government however, sends mixed signals which for some alludes to the contrary, that this Government has absolutely no intention of fostering any type of “unity” whether in ruling the country or among its citizens.

But before one could even speculate on this Government’s sincerity, and the possibility of uniting Guyanese, focus should be placed on the crumbling foundation of this “unity” pyramid.

National unity entails that a people rally in support of their country’s sovereignty, under one flag, in acknowledging a structure of governance that is cognizant of the will of all citizens while it acts in their best interest. But before national unity can ensue, there must be a nation, and not just a State, which in turn suggests that all Guyanese must share a common sentiment of national belonging, identifying to a common purpose, and gratified through their representation by the Government.

In Guyana, it is not yet quite the case as our society has suffered the vicissitudes of fissures which run deep in the psyches of the people and the successive Governments. We are still a nation-State in its embryonic phase.

Perhaps the primary reason for this comes from the socioeconomic classification of Guyanese based on ethnicity, practiced by colonial empire, which has transcended every generation, contributing to the accumulation of societal woes over the past forty nine years.

The fission of the PPP back in 1957 was the stamp that sealed the fate of Guyanese ethnic politics in the following years, which destroyed any possibility of each segment of the Guyanese population of enjoying the privileges of independence for more than two decades.

The ethnically discriminating policies practiced by the first PNC regime to rule the Independent Guyanese State did not cater for the needs and wellbeing of all Guyanese, and those who were excluded from the benefits of scope of preferential national policies did not identify to the nation, whether they chose to seek betterment in other lands or were constrained to remain in a land where the Government was not representative of its people.

Perhaps, if these wrongs were pardoned by the people, the fissures of ethnic divide would have had less impact on Guyanese today, and the process of “healing” as was so often mentioned during the coalition’s campaign trail, might have commenced. But forgiveness was never sought.

Then comes the plight of so many, if not all, emerging and developing country which, if we believe Wallerstein’s world systems theory, are still found on the periphery or are slowly gravitating towards newly emerging centres: the issue of foreign interference. The trouble here almost always consists in Governments pursuing national and international interests all in respect for the people they serve, which implies a great deal of resistance and seduction from foreign pressure.

But a Government has to consecrate its energies to fostering a healthy nation first if it should chose to pursue goals which would fail in a divided and misrepresented society. Insofar as the aforementioned three inconsistencies explain, talks on “national unity” for now are synonymous only of hopefulness.

Modern day Guyanese politics, though not as physically abrasive as what transpired between 1966 and 1992, are just as prejudicial to the notion of national unity. The process of “healing” if it ever began after 1992, was interrupted with the contradictory actions of this Government through a discriminatory employment policy in the public sector, the poor national security measures, the tightening of belts on social welfare benefits, the unfriendly private sector policies and the misrepresentation of race and gender in the public sphere. Guyanese from all socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities are affected. This would only worsen the societal divide, as social and economic frustration erupts. Indeed, Guyana awaits true national unity.

In support of our home Country

Granger calls on UN to help protect interests of small states

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

President David Granger on Tuesday took to the podium of the 70th United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, engaging diplomats and more specifically the United Nation (UN) on its responsibility to defend the rights and sovereignty of small states.

Addressing the United Nation’s meeting, President Granger called on the international organisation to fully protect the interests of these micro states that are especially intimidated by much larger territories. His presentation was more inclined to the situation in which Guyana has found itself, where its oil rich neighbour Venezuela has become increasingly aggressive with claims that it owns a significant portion of Guyana’s territory.

“For 50 years Venezuela has promulgated spurious decrees claiming our territory, the most recent being on May 26, 2015, our Independence anniversary, when it issued Decree No 1.787 with specified coordinates purporting to annex almost our entire maritime zone. That decree constituted a reassertion of its claim to five of Guyana’s 10 regions,” President Granger told the auditorium of world leaders.

According to Granger, small states are now questioning its ability to protect their peoples from foreign aggression, their ability to safeguard their territory from invasion, their ability to preserve peace and the sustenance of independence of new states.

He said the Charter of the United Nations enjoins the responsibility to “bring about, by peaceful means and in conformity, the settlement of international dispute.” According to him, this responsibility is essential to the existence and survival of small states that are threatened by powerful states. Small states, he said risk being subjugated unless the international community can demon-

strate the capability and commitment to provide an effective deterrent against domination by larger, stronger states.

Granger’s appeal to the UN comes some two days after meeting with Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon to hold conversations on the border controversy which is being agitated by the Spanish speaking Nation. Both sides had agreed to renew diplomatic ties.

Maduro however, is yet to produce evidence that the decision made by the International Arbitral Panel back in 1899 in favor of Guyana was null and void.

“Guyana resists Venezuela’s acts of aggression in defiance of the Charter of the United Nations, which prescribes the peaceful settlement of disputes and prescribes the use of armed force.” He maintained that Guyana’s border with Venezuela was settled 116 years ago, a fact that the whole world, except the Bolivarian Republic, accepts”, he said.

He said mindful of its superior wealth and military strength, and unmindful of its obligation as a member state of the United Nations, of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Venezuela has pursued a path of intimidation and aggression. “Venezuela is unsettling a settled border. It is destabilising a stable region of the globe by the use of armed force against a peaceful, small state.”

“Guyana does not wish that this obnoxious territorial claim should obscure the prospects of peace and obstruct the possibility of growth for the next 50 years. We need a permanent solution in order to avoid the fate of perpetual peril and penury. Guyana seeks a juridical settlement to this controversy,” Granger maintained.

According to Granger, the UN itself had some 21 years ago approved the resolution

which stated that it recognised that small states may be particularly vulnerable to external threats and acts of interference in their internal affairs, and stressed the vital importance of all states to the unconditional respect of all other states, that were signatories to the charter of the United Nations including and strengthening the regional support to interaction and consultation.

Granger later called for the issue to be taken to the International Court of Justice and expressed confidence that the UN’s involvement would bring a favourable resolution to the issue. Since the recurring ‘Good Officer’s process which existed for some 23 years, has yield very little success in this regard. “Venezuela has retarded Guyana’s development by threats that are intended to force a small state to yield its birthright,” he said.

He continued that Guyana for 50 years, has been prevented from fully exploiting its rich natural resources as Venezuela has been threatening and deterring investors; frustrating the country’s economic development.

Protests

Meanwhile, although the two countries have agreed to restore diplomatic ties during their meeting with Ban Kimoon, close to 100 Guyanese, during the time President Granger was addressing the assembly, picketed the UN office demanding the Maduro “back off” and allow Guyana and its citizens enjoy the bounties ebbing from the natural resources.

“I’ve been working this thing for 20 years, we thought this thing was settled 119 years ago. This is settled, we cannot change international law. We have to go to the UN and settle it. For US, Guyana is ours,” one man said. Another protester Charles Sugrim said “I hope that Venezuela respects because this is our land and it belongs to all Guyana and we need to bring this to an end immediately.”

Conflict of interest!

- Mayor Green wants wife’s Gy$10.2M tax payment reimbursed

– Glenn Lall, Chris Ram continue to owe millions

Sparking chaos and controversy at the level of the City Council, Mayor Hamilton Green appears to be abusing his power in a clear “conflict of interest” manner to influence the Council to reimburse the Gy$10 million in backdated taxes his wife Jennifer BasdeoGreen was mandated by law to pay for her property Jelante Pharmacy on Mandela Avenue and Jamoon Drive.

According to the minutes of the Statutory Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, which was held on Monday, Mayor Green insisted that the owner of the property must be “compensated” for monies which the previous Town Clerk Carol Sooba “extracted in violation of a Council’s decision”. According to Green, the “injustice” must be corrected.

Observers contended that not only is his directive a reflection of a conflict of interest, it represents a serious case of abuse of power and it is outright ultra vires and illegal.

If this motion is approved by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan,

a series of unfortunate events could ensue where the Rule of Law will ultimately be undermined and the image will be portrayed that any government official can be exempt from facing the full force of the law.

An approval of this motion could also set the tone for the outcome of the pending tax evasion cases of Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram and Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall where they too could be exempt from the penalties of the law for the millions of dollars they owe altogether to the City Council.

Last year, when reports surfaced that the Mayor’s wife had owed the munic-

ipality millions of dollars in taxes, Green had initially denied this allegation.

Continuously, the Mayor

had bitterly complained that Town Clerk Sooba was deliberately attacking him and his family.

Thereafter, reports surfaced that Mayor Green was seeking to write-off the debt which he finally

admitted was owed by his wife. Based on reports, after Sooba refused to write off the debt, it was then the Mayor increased his calls for her to demit office. Then, finally in November, his wife paid off the full Gy$10.2 million she owed the City Council in rates and taxes.

At the time, Sooba had noted that the Mayor’s wife had set the pace for the other alleged tax evaders including Lall and Ram to follow. One of the first acts of the new Government was to boot Sooba from office. Reports suggest that Ram is indebted to the Council for Gy$11.3 million for properties on Waterloo Street, Georgetown, while Lall and his wife owe millions in taxes for a Lot 24 Saffon Street, Georgetown property.

Govt should encourage bilateral talks with Venezuela

Dear Editor, If you want to fight fire with fire, then you better have a bigger flame. In recent days we have seen the Venezuela border controversy slowly beginning to morph into a potential crisis. We all know how it began and we also watched closely how the Government dealt with the issue step by step. I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but since military activities have become part of the issue, it is safe to say anything is possible. We are currently in a “battle ready” situation.

It could be noted that presently in another part of the world, NATO has almost tripled their forces on the

Russian border with Europe, and Russia is doing the same. Many already believe that that situation will lead to the next Great War. We are now sucked into an international trend that has already claimed countless lives in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Ukraine and others. It is the new strategy for a form of global dominance that seeks to remove and take over countries who either are not in line with the “world order” or to simply take natural resources. The powers that be, have everything to gain from our border controversy with Venezuela and we have nothing to gain but disaster. So why exactly are we so eager to

match Venezuela with force or a show of force, when anyone who have read “the art of war” or understand any military strategy whatsoever, would know that you never aggravate the greater force with a show of “head on collision” when you very well know it would be a suicide mission?

We do not have anything close to match or restrain Venezuela militarily unless we are either secretly being backed by a greater power. And who would that be? Why are we not being more willing to have bilateral talks with Maduro ? It this the only sensible way forward for Guyana. What other outcome do we expect from this situation?

Guyana is threading on

thin ice here, we are being baited into a situation that we will have no control over and it’s either that our current Government is in over its head or it knows exactly what it’s doing.

It is also concerning to see our military marching through the street beating the “war drum” in some kind of effort to stir a patriotic stance that will only bring carnage to our citizens.

We have seen this played out before, the history books are filled with examples and there is always one thing that’s constant and that is help will not come until there is enough bloodshed to warrant support from the higher powers.

We must defend our borders but we must do so wisely but I am not confident that this Government is taking the right approach. International Relations dictates that bilateral talks is always the better option and it is up to the President to be creative enough to make good use of those talks and not simply say that “Venezuela already knows where we stand”.

The feeling of sudden and unpredictable changes is in the air for Guyana and it is not bringing happiness. Greedy eyes are looking at our country and our Government is shaping up to be the perfect puppet.

Malcolm Watkins

Government’s approach is contradictory to achieving SDGs

Dear Editor,

President Granger is back on the podium soliciting help for this and that, border here, political cooperation there. For once it’s not Nagamootoo; the last time he begged it was for Chinese help in resolving the Venezuela border controversy. But when Nagamootoo begs, it leaves many indifferent, for how can such a man even presume to be taken seriously given his repeated betrayals and sneakiness committed throughout his political career, to his fellow partisans and now his electorate?

When President Granger begs however, one’s ears perk up, due to his prolonged ab-

sence from the political scene since he was elected to presidency. This time, he speaks of high levels of political commitment needed in attaining Sustainable Development Goals, another invention of the (not so united) United Nations to keep the developing world busy as it is being toyed with by the West.

What is rather amusing, is the conviction with which President Granger spoke, again alluding to this PNC and coalition catch word “unity”. Does President Granger and this PNCled Government actually think that Guyanese do not know that “unity” cannot be material-

ized overnight or in five years? Do they not know that there is no “unity” in geopolitics, there is only national interest? If they don’t, then at least a good number of Guyanese who are still alive to tell the tale know it. They also know that a President who speaks of national unity while he conducted one of the greatest witch hunts witnessed in Guyana, and which targeted a grand majority of Amerindians and East Indians, cannot possibly be taken seriously. They know that a President who allows his Government to ruin the rice market because of exaggerated and misplaced pride cannot be taken seriously.

Nurses’ attitude at GPHC leaves much to be desired

Dear Editor,

I would like to expose the behaviour of some nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and how some people, especially women, are being treated.

On Monday, August 31, I went to the hospital to see a patient who had just given birth. On my way to the maternity ward, I came across a woman who was experiencing labour pain and was looking for the labour ward. It seems as though she had come the wrong way and when she encountered a nurse who upon listening to the woman, asked her the following: Nurse: “How much children you have?”

Patient: “12”

Nurse: “Do you have any boys?”

Patient: “Yes”

Nurse: “Do you have any girls?”

Patient: “Yes”

Nurse: “Oh so now you come fuh mek the antiman”.

The woman who was a poor soul considering how she was dressed and her physical condition, was

speechless.

The Minister of Health should look into this matter. If this is how patients in labour are treated, then the nurses have no place in that hospital. Too many women who give birth in that hospital are being treated like dogs even though nurses are there to provide care and not to judge or insult us.

These nurses seem only to be doing their jobs for money with little care for the humane requirements of their profession. Today, most of the care administered to patients is taken in charge by families and friends and not by the nurses, such as bathing and changing bed pans. This used to be the nurses’ responsibility.

The Health Minister needs to intervene, as we are all fed up of the attitude and quality of service provided by these nurses who are more of a health hazard than help to citizens.

Sincerely,

Sandy Baldwin

What the President and the Government seem not to know, is that this false and arrogant pride which has cost us the rice market, is not “national” pride, because the people do not share this peacock pompous attitude. Rice farmers have not sacrificed their lands and families’ wellbeing for “national” pride. There is no “unity” when the people do not have their say in how this country is run. There is no “unity” when people are fired without prior notice, when boards are dismissed even in a struggling rice industry. There is no “social cohesion” no “national unity” if the five and more people who compose Guyana’s rich

cultural and ethnic diversity aren’t heard and respected. Absolutely not.

So as President Granger stands in front of his international counterparts, he should revise the fundamentals of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, where one of the founding principles require people to rally in support of the decisions made by the Government. Has President Granger been among the Essequibians recently, a county which gave significant support to the AFC, to listen to what they have to say?

For the sake of his enlightenment as he is busy traveling the world while rice farmers are on the verge of starving, many

are half seriously joking about how welcomed the Venezuelan ID would be. Has President Granger heard this yet?

Sustainable Development Goals would never be attained without the support and cooperation of every single segment of the Guyanese population. They would never be achieved if the right economic policies are not implemented. Yet, President Granger instead of looking inward, is calling on the international actors to help Guyana in this challenge. Surely, he must have very little confidence in the competency of his administration.

Sincerely, Stacy Cheong

Non-cooperation of political parties unfavourable to development

Dear Editor,

It is most distressing to anyone who is sincere about the balanced development of our nation that those on both sides of the political spectrum continue to carry on the affairs of our country with the misguided approach that they are right in whatever they are engaged in and the other side is wrong. This means that they try their utmost in word and action to discredit all that the other side is proposing or has implemented and as a result working without the benefit of their contribution.

It is must be clear from this that the effect is that at any one time we are actually benefiting from only about 50% of the mental and other resources available whenever we have to implement any project. Is this what the authors of our Constitution intended when they crafted the rules by which we should be governed, i.e. by the cooperative system?

The present administration is hell-bent on proving that the actions and nature of the past one are, and have

been totally out of order, while the opposition is resisting any efforts at coming together to utilise our full potential in our affairs.

I expect that their reason for this obduracy is that those presently in power vetoed all they had proposed during their time holding the reins.

I strongly believe that this inflexible approach to our political affairs will keep us mired in under-development until those we have elected to serve us consider first the greater good of our people rather than the narrow-

minded and self-serving policy of this self-righteousness and wielding of their authority as if Guyana was their property, and without any apparent consideration for those who are represented by the other side of the house.

I dream of the time when statesmanship will become the prevailing feature of our succeeding administrations, and our politicians will truly work towards gleaning the full potential of our people in their efforts at development.

Sincerely, Roy Paul

Diversion of Specialty Hospital funds

Indian High Commissioner still awaiting new project proposal

Some two months after the Government of Guyana was told by the Indian Government that they would have to submit a new proposal for the primary health care improvement project, which will use the funds from the Specialty Hospital Project, the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Venkatachalam Mahalingham has said he is yet to receive the proposal from Government.

Speaking to Guyana Times International on Wednesday, the Indian High Commissioner stated that he has had previous talks with the Government on the matter but there has been no update as of lately.

Meanwhile, in an interview about two weeks ago, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton told this newspaper that Government was able to acquire the approval of the Indian Government to divert some US$14 million from the Specialty Hospital Project into primary health care. This will see modernisation and rehabilitation works being done at three major secondary hospitals in the sector – the Bartica Hosptial, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Suddie Public Hospital.

However, before the work can commence, Government was informed that they need to design a project proposal to be sub-

mitted to the Indian Exim (Export-Import) Bank for the funds to be redirected into this new project. According Dr Norton, Government has since appointed consultants to conduct a study and an evaluation of the three projects.

“We have started this and as soon as this process is completed, we will present the information to the Indian Government,” Minster Norton stated. The Public Health Minister pointed out that he cannot say when this process is expected to be completed but noted that the proposal will be presented to the Indian Government early next year.

Back in June, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had announced that it will be scrapping the Specialty Hospital project initiated by the previous Administration and divert the remaining

US$14 million into the primary healthcare sector.

However, the Indian Government had objected to the redirection of the funds approved for the construction of a Specialty Hospital, insisting that the new Administration would have to request a new line of credit to carry out those plans.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan had previously explained to this newspaper that they were informed by Indian High Commissioner that the approach the Government of Guyana had taken was against the rules and procedures of the Exim Bank of India.

“He (Mahalingham) said that we cannot use the funds from the Specialty Hospital Project for any other projects than what it was intended for, even if the project is in the same health sector. So now we have to close that line of credit and make a request for a new one to fund the primary health care improvements, which is of priority for us,” the Finance Minister had stated.

The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had entered into an agreement with the Indian Government to construct the Specialty Hospital, with a line of credit granted by India to the tune of US$18 million. Some US$4 million has been already expended on certain preliminary works.

Govt mum on PPP/C’s proposal to assist with tax evasion cases

Even with a whopping Gy$20 billion of taxpayers’ monies on the line, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government is yet to accept the offer made by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Opposition to help Attorney General Basil Williams in several pending tax evasion cases.

During a recent interview with the Attorney General, he declined to comment on the matter.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a media conference last week Friday expressed some concerns over the apparent non-acceptance of the offer, urging the Administration to swiftly make contact with former Attorney General Anil Nandlall for assistance.

“I hope the Government does not lose those cases based on bad representa-

tion,” Jagdeo posited. The new Government is currently faced with about 10 tax evasion cases which could rake in some Gy$20 billion, if government is successful in winning them.

Williams had previously accused the previous People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration of being responsible for several missing files relating to the cases.

However, the PPP/C

Nagamootoo jets off to Texas on sudden “leave”

… public not informed; speculation rife

After only four months since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government acceded to office, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has reportedly proceeded on “leave.” Information received by this publication indicated he has left for Texas, USA.

The public was not officially informed of this decision however; Guyana Times International understands that the discussion about the Prime Minister’s leave occurred before President David Granger left for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a week ago.

Upon President Granger’s return to Guyana on Wednesday, Nagamootoo immediately left the country for Texas, where he is not known to have relatives. Details surrounding the reason for Nagamootoo’s leave were unable to be confirmed up to press time.

This newspaper was also unable to confirm whether the duration of the leave granted to the Prime Minister is indeed

two weeks or whether it could be longer. Guyana Times International understand that several engagements during the next two weeks which the Prime Minister had confirmed attendance are being cancelled. This would lead to the presumption that it was something unexpected and urgent that necessitated the Prime Minister’s rushed exit from the country. Speculation is rife in the country as to these reasons.

The recent return of Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green, from Texas following medical treatments for his eyes

had led to some to segue from correlation to causation.

Concerns have also been raised time and time again about the manner in which public officials, and moreso Ministers of the new Government, are travelling overseas under the claim that they are travelling on “official” business. There has been talk by the Government of the country re-acquiring its own airline, which would facilitate such travel, as was frequent during the People’s National Congress regime (1964-1985) of Forbes Burnham.

maintains it did not take away any documents. It also offered to assist the Government in winning the cases by offering the services of the country’s former Attorney General who has a wealth of knowledge about these cases.

“We will share all of the institutional memory that we have about those tax cases, because we don’t want the Government to lose those tax cases based on bad legal representation, because it will cause the treasury billions of dollars and us as taxpayers – people of this country. We want to share things with them; we want to work with them on this,” Jagdeo had previously outlined.

Jagdeo had noted that if Government is successful in winning these cases, then the billions of dollars could be directed towards developing the country.

APNU/AFC scaring away investors

… President and Ministers ‘singing from a different hymn book’ – PPP

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration was lambasted on Monday for sending mixed signals to the public with respect to its position on PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPPs or P3).

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee, on Monday at a press conference, stated that such signals emanating from the David Granger-led Administration were casting a negative impression on local and

foreign investors, causing most to be reluctant towards investing in Guyana.

Rohee stated that for the sake of the development of the country, the PPP/C was asking that Government officials stop “singing from different hymn books” and

declare the official posture towards PPPs.

The Opposition party noted that Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson publicly stated that the PublicPrivate Partnership model would not be used by the Government to construct the new Demerara River Bridge

to be singing from a different hymn book,’ Rohee added.

Further, he stated that it exposed the “trial and error” approach of the Granger Administration to the management of the affairs of the country.

In underscoring the importance of

the construction of this bridge significantly reduced the time it takes to travel to and from east Berbice. The Party noted that it cost farmers less to move their perishables and other produce and commuters can move about freely at their convenience.

Since its accession

–- a proclamation that painted a negative image about the coalition’s position on such financial partnerships.

The General Secretary noted that on the contrary, President David Granger had earlier stated that the Government welcomes Public-Private Partnerships.

“The PPP believes this is another manifestation of the level of confusion in the APNU/ AFC Government camp, where everyone seems

Government’s attitude towards investments of this nature, Rohee made reference to World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jorge Familiar’s statement at the High Level Caribbean Forum 2014, where he stated, “The Private Sector can play an important role in financing infrastructure through Public-Private Partnership.”

He also referred to the Caribbean Development Bank, which declared that PPPs were an effective tool for national development. On that note, the Party posited that it agreed with these international financial institutions, calling on the coalition administration to realise the importance of such partnerships.

“Therefore, the Party calls on the Granger Administration to state clearly its position on Public-Private Partnerships and the reasons why it intends to abandon this extremely critical model of investment,” Rohee said.

One of Guyana’s major PPPs, the Berbice River Bridge is a typical example of the present Government’s negative outlook on investments of this nature, the PPP/C argued.

The PPP/C, in highlighting the benefits of such partnerships, said

to office, the APNU/ AFC Government has been trying to reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll so as to fulfil the very first of 21 of its 100-day plan promises. The Government has offered to subsidise the proposed reduction of the fares to cross the bridge, without meaningful consultations that would have incorporated the rise in the tolls proposed since last year to make the Bridge financially viable.

In an attempt to put pressure on the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI), the Government has reintroduced water taxis across the Berbice River, after it was unsuccessful in getting the Company to reduce the toll by Gy$300 for cars.

President Granger had previously assured the nation during a televised interview that Government’s posture towards this particular investment should not be considered as a fixed attitude towards all such partnerships.

The Marriott Hotel is another prime example of PPPs in Guyana, creating hundreds of jobs for many young Guyanese as well as opportunities for taxi drivers, cash crop farmers and livestock farmers, among others. The Government is yet to determine the role it will play with respect to the hotel.

Sod turned for reconstruction of Umana Yana – to be completed in six months

The reconstruction of the Umana Yana is expected to be completed within the next six months. This is according to Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

On Wednesday, the Minister made the announcement at the sodturning ceremony for the reconstruction of the heritage site. The sod was turned by Toshaos Lennox Shuman and John Derrick at the High Street, Kingston location.

Speaking at the event, Minister Garrido-Lowe said that it was a signif-

icant occasion to mark the ending of Indigenous Heritage Month.

“It was historic in 1972 when the Umana Yana, 55 feet in height, was built for a visiting foreign delegation as a conference centre and it was a total disaster and a sad day in 2014 Heritage Month, the ninth of September, that this building was burnt down…due to electrical problems,” Garrido-Lowe said. She added that the rebuilding of the Umana Yana was a reminder that the nine indigenous nations were the first peoples of Guyana.

She added that the

first Umana Yana was built without nails by the Wai-Wai nation, adding that “once again the WaiWais will be constructing the new Umana Yana, supported by the village of Moraikobai and the people of St Cuthbert’s who will be providing the materials.”

She expressed her appreciation for Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine whom she revealed designed the new building.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson also made some brief remarks, emphasising how pleased he was that the

Berbice woman dies following motorcycle collision – rider apprehended after fleeing scene

One person is now dead and another hospitalised after a motorcyclist collided with two pedestrians on Sunday in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Dead is Shalini Jewlall, who succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday. She suffered broken limbs and massive head injuries. Reports are that the 32-year-old woman and her daughter, Marleina DeSilva, were on their way to a shop and were attempting to cross Main Street, New Amsterdam, when a car which was approaching stopped to allow them to cross the road. However, the motorcyclist undertook the car and collided with both Jewlall and DeSilva.

Jewlall was picked up by her husband, Vidian DeSilva who was watching them cross the road.

She was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention but subsequently succumbed to her injuries.

Following the accident, the motorcyclist fled the scene but was seen by public spirited citizens attempting to escape in a nearby empty plot of land.

He was pursued and found lying face down

under a clump of bushes bleeding profusely.

He was picked up and handed over to the Police, who took him to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted. Police have since confirmed that the 32-yearold motorcyclist of Fort Ordanance is hospitalised. His condition is listed as stable.

Jewlall was a charwoman attached to Distribution Serviced Ltd (DSL) and mother of one. Speaking with the media, the dead woman’s motherin-law, Lelia DeSlva, said that Jewlall grew up as an orphan.

She said that for the past two years, her daughter-in-law’s focus has been on building her own house, which she had intended to move into within the next two weeks.

Police are investigating the accident.

Ministry would be playing a part in the reconstruction of one of Guyana’s most revered monuments. He revealed that the reconstruction project was budgeted to cost Gy$60.7 million and would be a joint initiative between the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the indigenous people.

He also revealed that the Public Infrastructure Ministry would be involved in the construction of the building’s foundation, stating “we are expecting to raise the foundation by 12 inches above the existing one so that it can withstand all the elements. Gy$9.2 million of the Gy$60 million will be tendered, and that will start very shortly, for the foundation”.

He added that the villages of Moraikobai and St Cuthbert’s Mission would be providing the

leaves for the construction of the roof, revealing that Gy$16 million was budgeted for the installation of solar panels to provide the structure with power. He further revealed that the master builder would be Collin Andrews, of the Wai-Wai people, who he called on to ensure that the Umana Yana was completed in a timely manner. “We expect it to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2016, in six months’ time…well in time for our independence anniversary,” he said in closing his presentation.

Also present at the event was Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, who stated that the Umana Yana played an important role in Guyana’s history and heritage. “Myself, along with most Guyanese, felt the tremendous loss when this historic building went

up in flames. A lot of visitors to Guyana that I had the pleasure of showing around, for them…this was a regular path,” she reflected. “Today is really a celebration; it is a celebration that we are going to put back that very, very important landmark in our city. It is important that it is rebuilt in the same manner, by the same experts,” she stated. The iconic benab was completely destroyed on September 9, 2014 when a fire of unknown origin swept through the structure, reducing one of Georgetown’s most prestigious landmarks to mere ashes. The Umana Yana was erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Georgetown. Thereafter, it served as a VIP Lounge and recreation centre, and was in constant use as an exhibition and conference centre.

GPSU warns Govt not to repeat same mistakes PPP made

Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) President Patrick Yarde has taken the new Government to task, stating that it was time that public servants begin receiving compensation for their contribution, thereby bringing an end to their impoverished lifestyles.

Yarde was at the time speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st Biennial Delegates’ Conference of the GPSU held under the theme, “Enhancing the process of the restoration of dignity and professionalism in the public service” at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre on Wednesday.

The Union President lamented what he described as the extreme difficult circumstances employees of the Public Sector continue to endure year after year, with little or no support from Government.

“We expect that the employers of our members understand that what we seek is an end to the days of the impoverished public servant,” Yarde told the auditorium of Government officials and representatives of the various public ser-

vice entities.

He said it was time that public servants be afforded the opportunity of earning an income that could allow them long holidays overseas and lifestyles that would be comfortable for themselves and families. He said the GPSU was, however, thankful for the support already shown by the new Administration and promised to take the new Administration to task, engaging Government at every level, to see a complete restoration of the Public Service Union and its service to the employ-

ees.

Meanwhile, Yarde bashed the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, which, he said, had turned a blind eye to the plight of the working class.

This included the overall “politicisation of the Public Service Commission (PSC), the effect of the non-functioning Public Service Appellate Tribunal, the erosion of formal employment and blatant discrimination and victimisation”. He said he hoped the new Government did not follow the same pat-

tern.

Double standards

“This Union will not embrace double standards. We call for an end to lip service… we not only desire better emoluments but a restoration of dignity to the public service,” he added.

The GPSU President also pressed Government to return the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. This will give workers in the Public Sector the freedom to appeal decisions. Its call for the Tribunal to be resuscitated, he said, had fallen on deaf ears. The Tribunal was squashed some 20 years ago.

Yarde said the Union had put forward several proposals to the previous Administration for the 2015 national budget. According to him, some had to do with Government funding for various projects; however, the Union was most disappointed when it was found that every proposal had been put on the back burner.

“We are seeking to engage the Government on those matters,” he assured the public service representatives.

But the newly-elected Government had announced a five per cent increase in salaries for public servants without even consulting the GPSU which said nothing about the continued breach of the collective bargaining agreement.

The Union was silent on the action of the Government although it had argued that any five per cent increase could be deemed “starvation wages” and had unsuccessfully fought the previous Government tooth and nail for all workers to earn at least Gy$100, 000.

Keynote address

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who delivered the keynote address declaring the three-day conference open, said Government remained committed to the overall well-being of every public servant in Guyana, noting that Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the collective bargaining process.

“I just want you to know that on this side you have a caring Government. The Government cannot function without the public servant. You are involved in one of the most important tasks of public life: the delivery of public service. Services such as education, health and public security all depend on you,” Harmon said.

Pradoville 2 land sale:

Moves to repossess lands deemed as highly political

The move by Desmond Trotman and a group identifying itself as the “Committee for the Defence of the Constitution Inc” to go to the court to have lands repossessed in the areas commonly known as “Pradoville 1” and “Pradoville 2” has been deemed as an action that is sponsored and driven by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government.

Allegations are that these lands located at Plantations Goedverwagting and Sparendaam, on the East Coast of Demerara, were fraudulently developed under the previous Administration and awarded to persons in support of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

However, the latest action by Trotman who is employed at the Asset Recovery Unity by the APNU+AFC coalition, which is to have ‘compulsory acquisition of private property’ without compensation is nothing short of unconstitutional, unlawful and oppressive.

This is according to a legal expert who requested anonymity when speaking with the Guyana Times International on Tuesday evening. The lawyer stated that such actions are reflective of autocrats and political dictators as he referred to cases where dozens of properties were ‘taken away’ during the 1970’s and 1980’s era when the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) was in power.

It was also stated that the lands in question at “Pradoville 1” and “Pradoville 2” were sold at a value which was fixed by the then Housing Ministry in relation to housing development throughout the country.

He posited, however,

on the assumption that these persons obtained the houselots ‘cheaply’, it is not a basis to cease and confiscate people’s properties.

“There is nothing unlawful for getting anything, providing anything at a cheaper price. That is not a crime; it is not a legal wrong. No Judge can lawfully and competently make any order(s) adverse to the propriety’s interest of anyone without hearing them,” the legal expert explained.

This publication was further told by the lawyer that the current Attorney General Basil Williams, who happens to be the only respondent in this matter “will not defend” the interest of the property owners in question.

“Indeed he is complicit in this action because as I said, this is a Government driven proceeding. Therefore a judge would be obliged to order service of these proceedings on all persons who would have acquired property in this neighbourhood. The Judge must afford them an opportunity to be part of the proceedings and defend this action,” he maintained. It was recently reported that Trotman and the other applicants believe that the holders of each parcel “have been accorded privileges or advantages by Cabinet Ministers and administrative actions of the titles for state lands” located at the abovementioned locations.

They are also contesting that the court sets aside the purported sale and transfer to the “putative owners” of the identified lands.

This publication understands that their declaration also requests that the court rule that the said properties be vested forthwith in the Finance Minister on behalf of the State.

Corneal Transplant Team on 23rd medical mission to Guyana

The Subraj Foundation Transplantation Team will be visiting Guyana on its 23rd medical mission. Members of the team are expected to arrive in Guyana during the first part of October; from 8th to 11th 2015. The team will be assessing patients to perform a series of Corneal Transplant Surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The team headed by Dr. Rahul Jindal has been going to Guyana with a record of already performing 26 kidney transplants and 17 corneal transplants. The first set of 6 corneal transplants were done in August 2014. The second set of 11 corneal transplants were done at the Georgetown Public Hospital in July 2015.

Similar to its last mission (just about 3 months ago) the team from the USA will comprise three physicians – Dr. Rahul Jindal along with two Corneal Tranplant Surgeons – Dr. Stephen Waller and Dr.

Joseph Pasternak. The group will be accompanied by members of the Subraj Foundation Transplantation Team and Mr George Subraj. Doctors hope to complete another 10 corneal transplant surgeries during this visit.

According to Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, Head of Department of Ophthalmology, over the past two months, the Department of Ophthalmology has been following up with the patients from the team’s last visit and

all the patients are reported to have been doing very well. He said, the team has been generating a new list of patients that will be seen by the doctors for the next set of corneal transplants.

The team usually brings

the donor corneas with them along with special microsurgical ophthalmic instruments to perform these surgeries. The visiting corneal specialists will work along with local ophthalmologists to perform the surgeries.

The cornea – the clear “glass -window” of the eye - refracts light and allows the entrance of light into the eye and this enables us to see. Any disorder that makes the cornea cloudy or opacified can cause severe visual impairment. Many patients who become blinded by corneal opacities or disorders can regain their sight via corneal transplants.

The GPHC Department of Ophthalmology is also encouraging any patient who has been previously recommended for corneal transplants by ophthalmologists to come to the GPHC Eye Clinic with a letter of recommendation from their ophthalmologist along with all investigations that have been previously done.

Canada ready to lend assistance to Guyana

…to hold long overdue Local

Govt Elections

Canada says it is willing to support Government as it prepares to hold the long overdue Local Government Elections (LGE), as well as establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday said that the commitment was communicated to Minister of the Presidency Joseph Harmon by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux, at a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Canada is also interested in providing assistance with the training and development of public servants.

“Noting that the two countries share a good relationship, the High Commissioner told Minister Harmon that the Government and the people of Canada stand ready to assist in the holding of the much anticipated LGEs. This assistance, he said, will be provided through the delivery of machines for the electronic counting of votes to ensure an efficient delivery of the results”, the release stated.

Minister Harmon has already welcomed the move by Canada to assist with the holding of LGEs which he said is a priority of the new Administration.

“The Government of Canada has always been helpful to us. We have fortified the belief that we really need Local Government Elections so that the Neighbourhood

Democratic Councils and the Regional Democratic Councils can function properly,” Minister Harmon said.

Efficient delivery of results

The Minister of the Presidency added that Government recognises that there is a need for more efficient delivery of results from the Guyana Elections Commission. “There is a need for us to have a more responsive system. We’ve always had problems in the past because of delayed results. This is something we would like to aggressively pursue. It is the view of the President that whatever we can do to reduce the time taken to release election results, we need to do it. We are happy for the support Canada has given in this regard,” Minister Harmon told the Canadian High Commissioner.

On the same note, Minister Harmon

took the opportunity to also brief the High Commissioner on a meeting held on Tuesday

with the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Dr Steve Surujbally, where he said information on the preparation process was shared.

In the meantime, the Diplomat related that the University of Calgary, based in Canada, will soon dispatch a team to Guyana to meet with the Government for discussions on the setting up of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) for the natural resources and the oil and gas sector.

High Commissioner Giroux also disclosed that the team will undertake a study of the legislative policies in place to see how best they can be

improved to suit the oil and natural resources sectors.

Further, the Government of Canada, through the High Commissioner has offered a training programme, which would benefit Permanent Secretaries and Heads of State agencies in areas such as department management, best practices and accountability.

Minister Harmon expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Government for this gesture, noting that the programme will go hand in hand with the mandate of the Public Service Staff College, slated to be opened later this year.

Tain Community Org. holds Cultural Sangam and Recognition Dinner in The Bronx

The scenic and icon-

ic Vishnu Mandir located in The Bronx, was the venue for the Tain Clifton & Johns (TCJ) SEVA Foundation’s 3rd Annual Reunion and Dinner. The event entailed a congregational Hawan and Cultural Sangam.

The TCJ Seva Foundation (a social outreach organization) comprises of former members of the Tain Hindu Mandir and the Tain Hindu Youth Organization located in Berbice, Guyana, currently residing in the U.S.

This three-year old organization is committed to providing children and families with much needed assistance in areas of religious, social, educational, and recreational activities. It also provides targeted support to enhance social mobility for deserving peoples of all races and

class. And it is committed to partnering with other similar groups to achieve its objectives.

The feature address was delivered by Chief Guest Dr. Vishnu Bisram who was delighted to be present at the mandir for the first time and applauded the group for its impressive achievements in such a relatively short period of its existence.

Dr. Bisram committed his support for the group and spoke generously of the SEVA activities he himself has been engaged in selflessly over many years, both in the US, Caribbean and elsewhere.

A special guest in the dignified presence of Sri Gopichand Sanduja of New Delhi graced the event and delivered a short message in classical Hindi that was translated by Pandit Beesram. Gopichand remarked how impressed he was with the cultur-

al and religious retention of Indo-Caribbean people. He was particularly impressed with the singing of classical religious and Bollywood songs, noting they were sung just like Rafi, Kishore, Lata and other singing icons of India.

A special feature of the Reunion was the presentation of a long service Award of Recognition and Appreciation to Pandit Jagat Persaud, a well known and loved indefatigable SEVAK who hails from Ankerville, Port Mourant.

The TCJ Seva Foundation, according to its current chairman Bhai Devendra Nauth Sewdat (Krisho), has a group of very committed and professional volunteers. The Foundation takes pride in its transparency and accountability. The organization can be contacted at tcjseva@yahoo.com or on facebook TCJ Seva Foundation.

Guyanese teen who went missing in NY found alive

According to reports coming out of New York, the 16-year-old Guyanese boy who went missing from his Brooklyn, New York home on August 28 has been found alive and well.

Relatives are breathing a sigh of relief after Ryan Matthews was found earlier this week in New York. Matthews who moved to New York from Guyana just a year ago, went missing after heading out of his home for his usual afternoon jog.

The New York Police Department and several relatives started a massive search for the

young man and that search stretched on for over a month

There are reports that he was found wearing the same Nike sneakers and clothes that he left home with on August 28. After he was found, he was questioned by police investigators before being handed over to his relieved family members. Details are very sketchy about his whereabouts over the past four weeks.

Although family members said that he has no history of running away from home, investigators believe he may have ran away from home this time.

Introduction of Berbice River taxis was meant to cripple bridge company

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is standing in solidarity with the distressed Berbice minibus operators who are opposed to the reintroduction of the Berbice River taxis.

Several minibus operators who ply the New Amsterdam to Rosignol route claim to be losing significant revenue as a result of the stiff competition against the heavily subsidised Governmentoperated ferry system, which sees pensioners, schoolchildren, nurses and teachers travelling for free.

The PPP/C is contending that the reintroduction of the water taxis service is merely a ploy to undermine the revenue stream of the Berbice River Bridge since the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) refused to lower its tolls in accordance to the proposal submitted by the Government.

“The river taxis were introduced in the Berbice River by

the [A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/ AFC Administration as a transportation service to “get back” at the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) because the Company has not agreed with the APNU/AFC political demand to reduce the toll for crossing the bridge. The introduction of the river taxis is to bring the Company to its knees through economic pressure and political blackmail and to undermine the revenue stream of the Company,” the Party stated on Monday. It added that no proper consultations were held with the relevant stakeholders to take into consideration the negative impact it would have on both the Bridge and the minibus operators.

“No special measures”?

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson had told Guyana Times International that the operators had indeed approached the Ministry, expressing concerns over

the reintroduction of the service; however she assured that measures would be put into place to ensure the livelihood of the bus operators was sustained. She disclosed that moves were afoot to ensure there was a level playing field between the two services which would now be made available to the people of Berbice, but she declined to disclose any more information on the matter.

“The Government has no clearly thought out public transportation policy which takes into consideration the interest of all interested stakeholders,” the PPP/C asserted as it threw its support behind the minibus operators who are now suffering.

Compounding the situation, even amid the continuous protests by these operators, government has announced that it will be extending the free service longer than the initial onemonth period.

As a result of this situation, the minibus as-

sociation agreed to have all of the 49 buses registered to ply that route operate on a shift system to enable all of the drivers to earn a full day’s pay when they are working.

The river taxis commenced operation on September 21 last with two ferries, the MV Nicholas and the MV Shanit transporting passengers all day long between New Amsterdam and Rosignol.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Government will be paying boat operators Gy$1500 for each trip they make. The daily costs of this new subsidy have not been reported to the public.

In the meantime, commuters from the Essequibo Coast and the North West District (NWD) are up in arms over what they claim to be discriminatory treatment since their fares are much higher than Berbice commuters, but the Government has turned a Nelson’s eye to their plight.

Caribbean Labour Solidarity demands continuance of Dr Rodney’s CoI

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s decision to abruptly end the life of the Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) a short while ago, is still coming under scrutiny, this time by the Caribbean Labour Solidarity (CLS).

This newspaper understands that the group, which sets itself the task of informing the concerned about labour issues in the Caribbean Region, strongly believes that the abovementioned CoI should have been continued.

In a statement on Monday, the CLS explained that Dr Rodney’s assassination in 1980 remains a most traumatising political murder in Guyana’s history. It was noted that a proper investigation into the death of the preeminent scholar, historian and activist had been evaded for many years until the Commission was established by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) under the Presidency of Donald Ramotar in 2014.

tion for the Commission could resolve previous abuses. All Guyanese need and deserve a completed inquiry into this atrocity, both to unearth the truth and to promote healing and reconciliation…,” the CLS added.

In August of this year, the Justice for Walter Rodney Committee in a statement to the local, regional and international media, said it was disturbed by the posture of the new Government.

“Commissions of Inquiries are established to find the truth, and

Dr Walter Rodney

“Rodney’s political teaching exposed the exploitative nature of Guyana’s ethnic Indian/ African conflict. His renowned work and legacy in Guyana endured sufficiently to curb racial voting for the first time in 50 years thus enabling the win of the new David Granger cross-racial coalition government. Yet Guyana’s new Government has refused to allow the Commission a final two weeks to complete the investigation for transparently political reasons,” the CLS emphasised.

This publication was told that the CLS is demanding that the CoI be allowed to finish its ‘long awaited task’ and particularly, to hear from the remaining key witnesses.

According to the labour group, its plea is supported by all three commissioners, the lawyers representing Dr Rodney and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), his brother Donald Rodney and the rest of the Rodney family.

“A new dispensa-

this inquiry was no different. The world is waiting on the findings of this Commission. Rather than allow the continuation of the hearings for two weeks upon the request of the commissioners, and other interested parties, the Cabinet voted against due process,” the committee had argued.

Also, former President Donald Ramotar, who established the Inquiry, had already condemned the actions of the APNU/ AFC Administration explaining that “it simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testimony.

He had also noted that Ramotar expressed satisfaction that “history will record that a PPP/C Government established a credible Commission of Inquiry into the death of Dr Walter Rodney and that it was a PNCR + AFC + WPA that killed that inquiry.”

Miss Indigenous Heritage 2015 aims to be role model for young people

– commits to assisting her community resolve pertinent issues

Sherica Ambrose, the twenty-one-year beauty of Region Nine 9 (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), was crowned Miss Indigenous Heritage Queen 2015 last Saturday night at the National Cultural Centre. She emerged winner after competing against nine other young women from the hinterland regions of Guyana.

herself, her Region, and all others who supported her, proud.

Ambrose, who holds a Diploma in Accountancy from the University of Guyana, stated that she was very overwhelmed but at the same time felt extremely happy for making

On Saturday night the young woman awed the audience with an interpretive dance and musical rendition as her contribution to the Pageant’s talent segment, in which she played

a pan flute made of bamboo. Her performance depicted an indigenous woman’s ability to charm the animals before hunting them, and highlighted the strong survival skills needed in the jungle.

Ambrose stated that it is the greatest feeling, knowing that her hard work has paid off. She added that it was not easy leaving home to come to Georgetown, wanting to emerge victori-

ous but still feeling intimidated by the other beautiful and intelligent delegates.

She explained that training for the big night was intense but added that the girls all worked hard to perfect their individual roles. This, she added, was despite the fact that their schedules were filled with various activities, including travelling to Santa Aratak in Region Three, spending a day at the palms making

the elderly feel special by providing manicures and pedicures, and various television and radio appearances. She said the group had also made a trip to the Walter Rodney Museum.

The former Central High School student said that now she has won, she is excited about being a role model for other young women. She added that she has founded a fitness group in Lethem and plans to build on that.

She also noted that she has always been interested in the idea of hosting an indigenous fashion show in her Region and plans to accomplish that dream soon.

Other than activities she considers fun, Ambrose implied that she plans to visit villages within her community to speak about any issue they may be facing and find ways to assist them. Ambrose said she plans to engage in discussions with the relevant authorities on matters affecting her community and plans to do her best to help benefit her indigenous siblings.

She said that the other delegates are willing to work alongside her, and for that, she is very grateful. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy. com)

APNU/AFC Govt obligated to find jobs for laid off workers in Linden - Rohee

It has been weeks since scores of Lindeners who were employed at the Toucan Communications Inc Call Centre have been ‘laid off’ and Government has yet to find a solution to the plight that those affected have been facing.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is of the view that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition needs to address this problem urgently and that the solution must be to the satisfaction of the workers.

According to the Opposition, any action taken by the Administration to resolve the issue(s) stemming from the workers losing their jobs should be consistent with the manifesto promise of the APNU/ AFC to provide a ‘good life’ for all Guyanese.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee, during a media

briefing on Monday, stated that the Government appeared to have “abandoned” the almost 90 Lindeners who were “laid off”.

“Thus far, all that the workers have heard from Government officials is platitudes to the effect that the off-shore company ‘must pay’, ‘the Government is trying its best’ and ‘we are deeply concerned’,” Rohee said.

For approximately two months, he added, these empty exhortations have meant nothing to the workers, “who Government appears to have abandoned”, stating “it is a private enterprise matter” and as a pretext for dragging its feet on the matter,” he added. The PPP/C understands, he pointed out, that the matter was already “dropped like a hot potato by several Government Ministers since it proved to be an insurmountable challenge for them and was

shunted off to the Office of the President.”

Rohee added that the Party was reliably informed that the issue was to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting, but “nothing was heard of since”.

Lowenfield continues arguments to quash PPP/C’s Elections Petition

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Monday heard arguments on the summons filed by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, challenging the elections petition that was filed by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Executive Member Ganga Persaud.

Lowenfield had stated in the summons that the petition does not have sufficient facts to support the claims made.

During Monday’s session, the Chief Justice heard Attorney Roysdale Forde, representing Lowenfield, continuing his arguments on the summons filed by his client and cited authorities to support his contention. The matter was heard in Chambers.

Following the session, Forde briefly told reporters that he continued arguments on behalf of the CEO and the matter was adjourned until October 6, when he will continue his submissions.

Meanwhile, Attorneyat-Law Anil Nandlall, representing the petitioner Ganga Persaud, subsequently informed reporters that after Forde completes his submission, the court will call upon him to respond. Nandlall had previously presented all the necessary information required in the petition.

These include facts on the rejected ballots and refusal of the Returning

Officer to grant a final general count. “The Petition itself is 13 pages long, it details some 28-odd grounds and the reliefs, which it seeks, are the Statutory Reliefs which are to be sought in any Elections Petition based upon any given facts. So we could not have pleaded anymore than what we have pleaded… Each one of the grounds that were alleged, there are sufficient facts pleaded in support,” the Attorney had outlined.

Asked on Monday about an anticipated timeframe for conclusion of the matter, Attorney Nandlall explained that the matter has a while more before it can be completed. He noted that in addition to the summons filed by the CEO, another was filed by the representative of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) List of Candidates, Professor

Harold Lutchman, who is also asking for additional information.

However, Nandlall pointed out that most of the information requested was in the possession of the CEO and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and as such he has recently filed a summons asking for the release of this information.

“A lot of the information that they are asking for is in the custody of the Chief Elections Officer. Therefore, that summons that I have filed for the production of those documents is very, very essential before the petition can even begin… We will have to dispose of all these interlocutory applications before we can get into the substantive matter, which is the petition,” he explained to reporters.

While Justice Chang continues to hear the summonses, this will impact the substantive elections petition case by delaying it. However, should Justice Chang uphold any of the summonses on the grounds proffered, he can strike out the petition.

In the petition, which was filed on June 24, 2015, the PPP/C member is asking the court to grant a number of orders including the nullification of the May 11th elections as well as an order for new elections to be held.

effort(s) to find a solution to the plight of these workers.

Guyana Times International was further told that with the absence of a Labour Ministry in Guyana, this and other industrial matters were bound to surface and remain unresolved “by a Government, who from all appearances, have placed labour/industrial relations at the lowest rung of the social ladder”.

harm than good to the economy, which, incidentally, is already experiencing serious problems at the commercial and manufacturing levels with hundreds of workers in both sectors being laid off. One of the several reasons being because of Government’s scarecrow policy towards foreign and local investors,” Rohee said.

“Wits’ end”

In the meantime, he added, the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, of the mining town appeared to be at his “wits’ end” to put a spin on the

Rohee contended that the same manner in which the APNU/AFC Government has established Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of the public service and education sectors to correct perceived deficiencies, in the same way, the Administration must revisit its decision to “do away” with the Labour Ministry.

“The callous attitude towards workers’ compensation and industrial relations will do more

Further, he noted that the PPP/C demanded that the Granger-led coalition heed the call of Guyanese workers and farmers, who are the producers of wealth in which all Guyanese share.

He added that Lincoln Lewis, David Hinds, Ministers Simona Broomes and Volda Lawrence who all “pretend to be friends of the working people” while promising them a ‘good life’ must speak out on this matter and have it settled in favour of the workers. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyanese to enjoy

‘Share a Coke’ campaign – bottles to be personalized with names

Anumber of countries have recently participated in the ‘Share a Coke’ campaign where consumers can ‘get on a first-name basis’ with their personal bottles of Coca-Cola.

As such the CocaCola Company is inviting everyone to share moments of happiness with a campaign that uses the power of names to inspire people to enjoy together.

Guyana Times International understands that Coca-Cola is swapping out its iconic logo on 20-oz bottles for the 170 most popular first names among Guyanese.

According to a press release from BANKS DIH Limited, the ‘Share a Coke’ idea, was first launched in Australia

and has since rolled out in more than 50 countries.

“It invites fans to find their names and the names of family members, friends, co-workers and people they’d like to get to know a little better,” the beverage company’s CocaCola Brand Manager, Jennifer Khan stated. It added that through this proposal, the company is inviting everyone to rediscover the meaning of connecting and sharing.

Khan noted that she is excited at having this new promotional campaign introduced in Guyana so that all Guyanese will be able to join the world in sharing this experience.

She further stated that the ‘Share a Coke’

packaging will roll out nationwide and will be brought to life online, outdoors, on television and radio. Fans can also visit facebook.com/cocacola to personalize virtual bottles and share them with friends, she added. Also, Coca-Cola will amplify and curate the #ShareaCoke conversation via its social channels.

This publication was further told that this campaign will put a ‘modern, youthful twist’ on the brand’s 128-year legacy of bringing people together and making them feel special. It should be reminded that Coca-Cola is bottled in Guyana under the license by Banks DIH Limited at Thirst Park.

GuySuCo in massive debt crisis

…Uitvlugt, LBI and one Berbice Estate face possible closure – CoI leak

The future of the sugar industry in Guyana and more so that of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) remains murky as the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) inexorably moves to its conclusion.

However, it is no secret that the sugar industry is long past its “splendour and glory” as the Sugar Corporation continues to encounter major financial difficulties and remains mired in seemingly insurmountable debt.

Reports are that GuySuCo is effectively ‘bankrupt’ with its total debt amounting to billions of dollars to date.

For a number of years, it has been operating at a loss and has only survived because of the previous Administration’s massive subventions.

Only recently, Chairman of the Board at GuySuCo, Dr Clive Thomas, had proposed to the Administration that the interim management should remain in place until sometime in 2017.

This proposal was as a result of the Chairman’s view that the management should be in place

until the end of the sugar markets agreement between Guyana and the European Union and Tate and Lyle.

When the CoI is concluded, its recommendations and findings as it relates to the future of the sugar industry in the country would result in the industry being ‘extremely different’ than it is presently.

From all indications it appears unlikely that the present status quo in GuySuCo or the industry can continue. The only question is how radical the recommendations for restricting the industry will be. It is understood from sources close to the CoI that Uitvlugt

Estate on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and one unnamed estate in Berbice will be closed.

The reason for the massive closure is the inability of the management to bring down the costs to a level where a profit can be made. In fact, the present cost of production means that GuySuCo – meaning Guyana – loses more money the more sugar is shipped.

Guyana Times International understands that at present the Sugar Corporation is being smothered under its current debt and

that the current cost of production is over 40 US cents per pound while world market prices are one third of that.

This means that the revenue that GuySuCo receives is not enough to cover its operating costs thus resulting in the Corporation suffer-

able’ situation and the company can be declared “technically” bankrupt.

The Chairman, Dr Thomas has added his voice to concerns over the level of wages, which amounts to two-thirds of the operating costs, claiming that the company cannot afford to cov-

been reduced. According to reports, Dr Thomas explained that with GuySuCo being technically bankrupt, the only way it can receive loans from institutions would be if the Government guarantees to repay such loans. However, it is unclear

ing huge losses annually. It was also recently disclosed that the company is running on debt financing.

In this regard, there are also overdrafts from institutions which GuySuCo borrows from, but has not been able to repay; hence, it is not considered a ‘sustain-

er its wages and salaries while servicing any of its debts. However, historically, this has always been the percentage of wages to overall costs in the industry which is extremely labour intensive. Mechanisation of operations has been mooted and implemented but the labour costs have not

at this time what the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government will do in relation to the future of GuySuCo especially if after the CoI concludes, the estates are closed and the losses still continue to mount. (kristenm@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Much more needed to improve Guyana’s education system …First Lady tells Guyanese Diaspora in Brooklyn

As the month of events commemorating Education Month 2015 draws to a close, First Lady Sandra Granger has stated that much more needed to be done in the country to improve the education system. She made this declaration while addressing a gathering at a Guyanese Diaspora Women’s Forum in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday evening.

In relation to education, the First Lady deemed this as the key to the development and success of a nation. She quoted Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani activist for female education who addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, stating “Education is hope, Education is development.”

According to reports, the First Lady committed to having her Office assist as much as possible in the drive to better the education system in Guyana.

Quite recently, a pilot project in this regard commenced in the village of Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

It was noted that the Office of the First Lady

Public Service Ministry fraud case files still at DPP – Police

More than three weeks after the Guyana Police Force closed the probe into the alleged multimillion-dollar fraud at the Public Service Ministry and sent the files to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, those files are yet to be returned.

After months of intense investigation, the Police wrapped up the probe on September 7 and in excess of 20 files were sent to the DPP’s Chamber the same day for advice on the way forward.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times International on Sunday that the Police have not received the files from the DPP Chambers as yet. However, he noted that there were many files to be examined; hence, it will take some time for the DPP to review them.

Communications Officer at the DPP Chambers, Liz Rahaman, had confirmed at the time that “several” files were received from the Police Force, adding that they were immediately given attention by DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack.

Rahaman had explained that she could not say how long it would take to review the files, noting that the DPP usually would go through all the documents submitted before proffering legal advice to the Police on the evidence provided.

Back in July, the Fraud Branch was called in to investigate allegations of a multimillion-dollar fraud at the Ministry. This was done after the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration had discovered more than Gy$120 million missing from the Public Service Ministry’s bank account.

However, reports indicate that during the probe, which focused on records dating back two years, investigators found in excess of Gy$400 million missing.

Sources told this newspaper that funds were requested from the then Office of the President for various services and programmes at the Ministry, but no records were found to show that the monies were spent on such.

This newspaper was told that former subject Minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her then personal assistant Margaret Cummings, were said to be at the centre of the probe. Both women were questioned by investigators on the missing funds.

On July 29, the day before the probe commenced, both Westford and Cummings appeared before the courts on fraud charges in relation to the alleged illegal transfer of several State-owned vehicles to private ownership. The former Minister and her personal assistant were granted bail in the sums of Gy$800,000 and Gy$1.2 million respectively.

The transfer of the Ministry vehicles was uncovered following a request from Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, who had written the Public Service Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Hydar Ally, requesting that he re-issue a letter, dated April 14, 2015, requesting the transfer of registration for eight vehicles into the names of Westford, Wayne Walker, Delroy Lewis, Gary Beaton (Westford’s spouse) and Osbert McPherson.

A change of registration for two vehicles for Walker was sought; one for Lewis; one for Westford; three for Beaton and one for McPherson.

future plans and some of the work that she has already begun, underscored the importance of raising awareness on adolescent sexual health and the effects of teenage pregnancy.

She explained that in terms of adolescent sexual health, there should be more done with regard to legislation as well as ensuring that more was done to highlight the negative effects this issue has on an individual, family members and the country as a whole.

will be looking at the possibility of implementing this project in other communities as well.

Guyana Times International understands that Granger, while highlighting her

Reminding the gathering that she herself was a mother and a grandmother, the First Lady stated that issues of this nature and others which were closely related, inclusive of statutory rape and the trafficking

of girls and young women, bother her “deeply”. As such, she has promised to use her Office effectively to deal with these matters.

Guyana Times International understands that following the First Lady’s address to the Diaspora, support was garnered from those in attendance with regard to projects which she has already commenced.

The Diaspora, with the aim of ensuring that development and success take place in Guyana, offered assistance to expand some of the First Lady’s ongoing projects inclusive of the recently launched ICT project in Buxton and the remedial classes. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Poisoning of NA Hospital nurse’s drink: Family complains of sloth in investigation

Family members of Tameca Carter, the nurse attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital who was poisoned after drinking a spiked drink two months ago, have expressed concerns over the “slothfulness” of the investigation.

They said since the incident happened not much was done by the hospital authorities to help the situation and the Police have not placed anyone before the courts.

Carter, of Fort Ordinance, East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on July 29, left work to attend the funeral service of another nurse, but not before she placed some homemade passion fruit drink in the refrigerator at the Hospital. Upon her return, Carter consumed some of the drink and soon after collapsed and was rushed to the emergency unit where she started to vomit blood. The bottle of juice was impounded as evidence and the initial investigation revealed that someone may have laced it with pills.

Police had arrested one of her colleagues who was the prime suspect. The nurse upon her arrest allegedly claimed that she had direct contact with a prominent member of society and could not be prosecuted. The suspect was placed on station bail.

In an invited comment, a senior Police Officer told this publication after the probe

that all the necessary statements have already been obtained and the Police were currently awaiting a report from the analyst on what was found in the nurse’s drink. The source could not say whether the beverage was being analysed in Guyana.

Carter was eventually discharged from the hospital although she was still bleeding. She was subsequently taken to a private hospital where she was attended to by a team of doctors and given a different diagnosis and treatment. She continues to experience discomfort and swollen legs.

Men remanded for robbing pastor

Two men were on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they appeared before her charged with armed robbery.

Jamal Thomas, 23, and Kenrick Cosia ,23, both pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on September 25 at Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, while being armed with a sharp object they robbed Pastor Sydney George of an iPhone4 valued at Gy$140,000, a Samsung cellular phone valued at

Gy$4,000 and Gy$3,000 cash, all to a total value of Gy$147,000, property of the Virtual Complainant (VC), Sydney George.

The Court heard from Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones that the VC is a Pastor who works as a taxi-driver. He revealed that on the day in question, the two men entered the VC’s taxi as passengers and hired him to take them to a destination which was not revealed in Court.

The men, however, denied the allegation saying, “The items weren’t found on us”.

The Magistrate, after reviewing the facts of the charge, remanded the men to prison and adjourned the matter until October 16.

During the course of the journey, the two accused placed a cold object to the VC’s neck while demanding that he hand over his valuables. They subsequently snatched the items and escaped but were soon after apprehended and charged. Jones informed the Court that the phones as well as the Gy$3,000 were recovered on the two accused. He objected to bail, citing the gravity of the offence.

Guyanese manufacturers could benefit from use of Florida’s “Free Zone”

Manufacturers in Guyana, along with those from other Caribbean countries, may soon be able to use the Free Zone in Miramar, Florida in order to reduce production costs, allowing products to be more competitive on the international market.

This is in light of a recent discussion between Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Miramar’s Mayor Wayne Messam on developing trade ties, which was facilitated by Honorary Consul Roshan Ramzan Ali.

Guyana Times International understands that sometime next year Mayor Messam is expected to visit Guyana to follow up on the talks which occurred during Minister Greenidge’s visit to South Florida recently.

It was reported that the two conversed about the possibility of manufacturers from Guyana shipping products such as jams, jellies, pepper sauces, condiments and fruit drinks in stainless steel containers to the Miramar Free Zone.

When these items ar-

rive there they can then be bottled, thus reducing the cost Guyanese manufacturers would incur should they have to import glass or approved plastic containers for the same purpose.

Guyana Times International was told that in some cases the cost of purchasing containers in the United States of America and having them shipped to Guyana results in the price thus offered to the final consumer being “quite uncompetitive”.

Free Trade Zone

Mayor Messam, while addressing a gathering at the recent Florida Conference on Current Caribbean Issues held at the Miramar Civic Centre Complex, stated that it was his city’s intent to “strengthen business ties with the Caribbean Region”.

He reportedly cited the municipality’s Free Trade Zone as a facility which could serve as a catalyst for promoting mutually beneficial trade links.

During discussions with Minister Greenidge, the Mayor briefed Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister

on the functions and operations of the Free Zone while identifying some of the business activities that could be of benefit from the use of the Zone.

It was then that the Guyanese Government official suggested that the Mayor and his team visit Guyana to meet with the private sector, including the Guyana Manufacturing Association and the Private Sector Commission to inform Guyanese businesspeople about the Free Zone.

Mayor Messam would also be able to meet with trade officials of the Georgetown headquartered Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat.

It must be noted that almost 33 per cent of the estimated 125,000 population of the City of Miramar are CaribbeanAmericans. This is reflected in the composition of the City’s leadership with the Mayor and all the City commissioners being of Caribbean descent.

According to Mayor Messam, the City and its Free Zone are in close proximity to major ports

and airports, making it attractive for trade and other business links with the Caribbean.

He stated that Miramar’s Free Zone could serve as a convenient point for the distribution of Caribbean products to other parts of the USA, and for export to international markets.

For a number of years, Florida has offered a number of incentives to Guyana and other Caribbean countries in order to attract investment in its cities. As such, this creates more opportunities for employment for those residing in Florida and ensures that they receive revenue for the roles they play in the manufacturing process.

If Guyana were to take a page out of this book, the Government could use inducements to bring in revenue while creating a larger employment field for locals. This would ensure that a number of persons who complain about lack of job opportunities could benefit as well as the country as a whole. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyana’s Tourism Ministry preparing to launch new marketing strategy

In observance of World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27 under the international theme “One Billion Tourists – One Billion Opportunities”, the Tourism Ministry, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has announced its intention to launch a new marketing strategy to increase Guyana’s global visibility under the brand, “Guyana – South America Undiscovered” .

The theme for this year’s observances, developed by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), is premised on the undeniable fact that billions of people cross borders in search of new experiences and new exotic sights, for rest and relaxation, and often in search of ingredients to boost their business ventures.

The Tourism Ministry said that its development strategy included intensive citizen education, which would take place simultaneously with the upgrading of Guyana’s physical infrastructure, including all runways and community airstrips.

In a release, the Ministry stated: “Rebranding and marketing Guyana throughout the broad international tourist market can only bring us

great benefits. Guyana is now set firmly on a path to development in which tourism is projected to be a major earner.”

The Tourism Ministry invites every citizen to join in this endeavour to make Guyana beautiful again and to share it with the world.

The Ministry stated that the ultimate objective is remarkably in consonance with the bedrock of the WTO’s global objective, to create opportunities for people to learn and earn, and noted that the tourism industry has a dual responsibility to contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation’s people while driving the renewal of the nation’s aesthetics.

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes stated that on the socio-economic front, the tourism industry presented numerous opportunities for citizens to create income generating tourism-

related businesses with the added incentive of creating jobs. She related that Guyana’s success with community tourism initiatives at Surama and Rockstone was testimony to the national potential for economic growth.

Minister Hughes stated that tourism in Guyana when compared to other Caribbean countries was still in its infancy. “Our product is uniquely different and as attractive to the potential One Billion tourists in search of a great vacation experience. While Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent, The Bahamas and islands in the Eastern Caribbean offer white sandy beaches, sun and Caribbean-flavoured hotels, Guyana appeals to adventurers, to lovers of nature, to birding and wildlife aficionados.”

Hughes further stated that unlike its Caribbean neighbours, Guyana was lush with thousands of varieties of colourful vegetation, some of the largest living wild creatures, and hundreds of species of winged beings, which themselves add a different kaleidoscope of colour to the forests, some of which were still pristine and carefully preserved.

She stressed that eco-

Govt remains committed to Sovereign Wealth Fund

Guyana has been receiving much attention since the discovery of oil by US oil giant ExxonMobil earlier this year and while this is good for the country, Government will not budge from its plan to have the proceeds placed into a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), according to Minister of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon.

tourism was Guyana’s product and that it attracted adventure seekers to the dense jungles, who revel in the numerous meandering rivers, tributaries and creeks and were awestruck by the rolling savannahs and the tiered and thundering waterfalls that dot the hinterland. She stated that many of the country’s visionary entrepreneurs were successfully operating innovative nature resorts that provide a constantly changing repertoire of nature tours.

The Tourism Minister noted that Guyana’s brand of tourism has already attracted television documentary producers of the ilk of National Geographic. Over the past year, Destination Guyana was featured in the television hit series “Naked and Afraid”; in the BBC television film “Britain’s Secret Slave Owners”; and in the Blue Paw documentary “The Source of the Essequibo”. The world’s leading news producer, CNN, featured Guyana in its production of “Big Earth – 101 Amazing Adventures of the World”. In addition, Guyana was featured in National Geographic’s “Best Trips 2014” and named in the American TV Special “Animal Planet”. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy. com)

Harmon was at the time speaking to Journalists last Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency, where he reported on an engagement last week between the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and several companies from the oil rich Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting was held under the theme, “Economic opportunities and threats to expediting oil and gas; it’s a new green carbon environment”.

During that forum, he said there was a presentation made by University of the West Indies Professor Dr Roger Hoosein who said the development of the oil and gas sector could also have detrimental impact on production and manufacturing. He cautioned that every government needed to be careful with the proceeds of the industry.

President David Granger had already indicated that it was his hope to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund, a pool of revenues derived from a country’s reserves that are set aside for investment purposes that will benefit the country’s economy and citizens. At least 16 companies from Trinidad interacted with the local GMSA looking at issues of how the oil and gas could be dealt with, and the fact that one should not wait until production starts before putting infrastructure in place.

The funding for the SWFs come from Central Bank reserves that accumulate as a result of

budget and trade surpluses, and even from revenue generated from the exports of natural resources. The types of acceptable investments included in each SWF vary from country to country; countries with liquidity concerns limit investments to only very liquid public debt instruments. Some countries have created SWFs in diversifying their revenue streams. For example, the United Arab Emirates relies on oil exports for its wealth. Therefore, it devotes a portion of its reserves to an SWF that invests in other types of assets that can act as a shield against oil-related risk.

In this regard, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman had been meeting with representatives from the Commonwealth Secretariat who have lent their assistance to the establishment of the Fund.

The push for development of oil and gas in Guyana has intensified after the major oil find. Since then, downstream and upstream interests have visited Guyana to look at how the sector could be developed. “It is generating a great deal of excitement in the business sector,” Harmon said. Government is already pursuing the commitment made by former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to assist Guyana in the oil and gas sector.

The former Trinidad leader had made the offer to President Granger in June, which was to be explored at two levels, One was the supply of oil and lubricants to Guyana to see if there could be favourable terms and concessions from the twin-island Republic for the supply, and the other is for actual assistance in the development of the Oil Sector itself, in terms of exploration, agreements, and interfacing with investors.

Granger calls on UN to...

“I had to come out here to make a statement and let Maduro know that we will not stand by and just let all of this happen,” another protester said swaying to the tune of “not a blade of grass”.

“This thing has been settled since 1899 and I grew up hearing the song not a blade of grass and it is time for us to put something into that. What we need to do is rally as Guyanese and support Government on this, no matter what side of the fence you are. Just come together as Guyanese and stop sabotaging the initiative”, another protester said.

During the meeting with the two sides, a decision was taken for UN officials to be deployed to both Guyana and Venezuela. It is unclear however, what exactly that deployment will seek to do particularly in Guyana.

Maudro denies

But Venezuela’s President Nicholás Maduro in his address to the UN denied engaging in acts of aggression towards Guyana as the controversy continues.

Threading carefully, Maduro said that the recent troop deployment along the common border

from page 12

shared with Guyana was as a result of an anti-narcotics and drug exercise.

“With all due respect in this General Assembly of the United Nations, we had to carry out an operation along our borders with Colombia and Guyana”, President Maduro said.

“… There was the problem of drug traffickers and now today I can say that we really have positive hopes that the situation resolved and we would be able to resume normal working relations with the Government of Colombia and the same applies to our sister Republic of Guyana”, he claimed.

Throughout his presentation, he barely referred directly to the border controversy with Guyana even as he pressed the UN to work in order to maintain world peace and in the interest of safeguarding the integrity of states and their occupants.

Before his address on Sunday, the Venezuelan President had ordered that the increase military presence at the country’s southern border with Guyana be reduced ahead of the UN meeting in light of protestations by the Guyana Government.

“National Unity Government or National Unity Committee?”

– Opposition Leader seeks clarity on “national unity talks”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo pointed out that it remains uncertain exactly what the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government is offering when it refers to the “national unity talks” and as such, called on President David Granger to proffer an explanation.

Jagdeo pointed out that there is great ambiguity in what is being proposed and is therefore requesting that Government define clearly their proposition before both sides move forward with these “talks”.

In explaining the lack of clarity on the issue, Jagdeo stated that President Granger first requested that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition participate in a “National Unity Committee”, then Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during his recent outreach in Whim, Berbice, extended an arm to the PPP/C for a “National Unity Government”.

“They are two different things… There needs to be clarity around the concept,” Jagdeo stated. Therefore, Jagdeo posited that unless a proper explanation is formally offered from the Ministry of the Presidency, then neither party can move forward on the issue.

National Unity Government

The hullabaloo surrounding the matter of “national unity talks” actually stems from Nagamootoo’s “National Unity Government” offer to the PPP/C, since Jagdeo contended that the PM has no authority to

invite the Opposition to form such an alliance.

“I do not know whether this is the intention of the President… apart from the fact that he spoke to me frivolously, he does not have the authority to make that offer because he is not Head of State nor Head of Government,” Jagdeo insisted, noting that however, if the proposal for a national unity government came from the President, then he would take the matter seriously.

When Jagdeo raised his objections about Nagamootoo leading the “National Unity” talks, a public outcry erupted from the Government benches.

Nagamootoo even took to the social media to post a statement, attacking the Opposition Leader for expressing his views on the situation. From Jagdeo’s perspective,

Nagamootoo behaved like a “tyrant” and called him a “loser” who cannot be a “chooser”.

But Jagdeo clearly reminded that the Opposition never approached the Government for national unity talks. “We never went over and begged Nagamootoo or the Government to get into the executive,” he highlighted, noting that Nagamootoo’s rant was purely nonsensical.

Jagdeo maintained that the PPP/C will always keep an open mind on the issue of national unity but whether it will participate in the committee or an inclusionary government is another matter.

Jagdeo said the details of the proposal still need to be examined and whether the conditions exist for this kind of cohesion between the two sides.

49-year-old Berbician raped

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

A49-year-old wom-

an is now battling to erase from her memory the mental scars and trauma which constantly haunt her after she was allegedly brutally raped by a 21-year-old male at Kingsley Village, West Coast Berbice recently.

The woman, who is a domestic worker, was allegedly attacked by the male whose name was given as Ryan Gouveia in the village after he invaded her premises. On Saturday, residents of the community told Guyana Times International that Gouveia is a known character and a young man who is usually involved in criminal activity.

“He was caught attempting to rape two other girls and was sent to Boys’ School. The boy then while at Boys’ School raped another boy and was sent to jail. All of this happening since he was “lil”…like 15 year old we hear”, one resident told this newspaper.

Another resident from the village alleged that the boy was recently released from prison after being pardoned by President David Granger.

This newspaper was told that the matter was transferred to Georgetown but on Saturday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, when telephoned for a comment, could not give any details about this particular case. He advised that the B Division (Berbice) Commander would be the best person to contact for information.

When this publication contacted the Police authorities in Berbice, they were tight-lipped about the matter involving Gouveia. B Division Commander Errol Watts explained that the Police are investigating the matter and have already arrested the young man at the centre of the incident.

He declined to speculate or confirm whether Gouveia was indeed one of the persons recently pardoned by President Granger.

“I cannot speculate. I do not have that information at hand. I am unable to say whether he was pardoned from looking at his file. You will have to call the Head of the Guyana Prison Service, Mr Trotz because the President released the names to them and not the Police”, the Commander said.

Trotz, speaking with this newspaper via telephone, said that he could not confirm nor deny that the young man’s name was on the list because he did not have the requisite information at hand.

SDGs mandate indigenous peoples’ development … but Government

“just paying lip service” – Fmr Amerindian Min PS

In light of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted on September 25, one of which (#2) makes provisions for indigenous peoples’ development, the Tasserene land titling fiasco has raised questions regarding issues affecting Amerindian development in Guyana. While significant progress was made in addressing Amerindian development, there are

pending issues that demand particular attention from Government without which they could rapidly deteriorate.

Some of these issues that are being raised vehemently by villagers derive from mining on Amerindian territories or within the vicinity of Amerindian communities where the increase of alcohol and drug abuse is highly linked to the augmentation of mining. The mining environment is also believed to be favourable to the scourge of prostitution and trafficking in persons which directly affect and stymie Amerindian development.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times International, former Toshao Alvin Joseph of Tasserene indicated that the growing number of “bush shops” about “20 minutes away” from his community encourages “school aged girls to get away from home” and go where the miners are. He insisted that the Village Council wanted these shops off of their ancestral land.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Norman Whittaker,

during an invited comment to this newspaper, confirmed this by stating: “During a visit to Tasserene I did receive complaints about social problems which had to do with excessive alcohol consumption and use of marijuana and other drugs, as well as young ladies being encouraged to prostitute.”

The SDG 2.3 aims to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and nonfarm employment”.

In Guyana, however, untitled Amerindian communities situated on prime mining land have difficulties benefiting from these fundamental rights as they are unable to use, cultivate and exploit the lands to sustain their needs. Additionally, mining operations that use of heavy machinery such as excavators, dredges and bulldozers damage the infrastructure and the already fragile ecosystem on which Amerindians deeply depend.

With regard to Trafficking in Persons and forced prostitution which are on the rise in places like Bartica, Imbaimadai, Tasserene and Mahdia, Amerindians, in particular women and girls, have become increasingly vulnerable to the deprivation of their social and economic rights. There have been reports of a rise in teenage pregnancy and school dropout directly linked to mining, where young women prefer to work in mining areas to earn “quick money”.

In an invited comment, PPP/C Member of Parliament and former Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Nigel Dharamlall stated: “I think we did well with the eight MDGs [Millennium Development Goals]. However, I think now with the 17 SDGs, the current Government

is just paying lip service and it is evident that their interpretation and policy directions will make these goals elusive, especially on eradicating poverty and eliminating hunger, fostering inclusivity and creating equal opportunities for women.” He went on to say that “the economic programmes of the regime are dismissive of the challenges of our farmers and of our Amerindian people and women in Guyana”.

He further posited that “the mass termination of jobs based on ethnicity, loss of the rice market and the hesitancy to frontally address the concerns of our Amerindian people with regards to their land and the constraints of mining on their ancestral lands are also expressive of this Government’s imminent failure at attaining SDGs. The management style of the Government seems very ad hoc and does not bode of any levels of consistency and continuity in dealing with Amerindian affairs”.

The Tasserene land titling process is reported to have made significant progress under the Amerindian Land Titling project, which received funding from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). However, the project was abruptly halted by the Indigenous Affairs Ministry in June and to date it remains uncertain whether the project resumed. The villagers of Tasserene and Kangaruma are afraid that as they continue to wait for their lands to be titled, their means of subsistence and their future livelihood would be snatched from them.

2000+ mining permits relinquished … Govt must release land to small miners –

An excess of 2000 medium scale permits have been relinquished within the last year alone due to the progressive fall of gold prices compounded with the high cost of holding lands, which ultimately forced many miners to abandon their holdings, however the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) noted that these lands can now be released to small scale miners, who are often confronted with the unavailability of lucrative mining lands- a move which can sustain the industry during these worrying times.

In a media release, the Association highlighted that the availably of land with known presence of minerals and accessibility has always been a concern expressed by the small scale miners in the industry, but now with over 2000 permits being returned (equivalent to over two million acres of land), small miners now have an opportunity to benefit- without the need for the Government to dig into the public coffers.

“The GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) has more than enough land locked off which can be distributed to small scale miners, this must be urgently addressed. The more than two million acres

of returned land is more than adequate to satisfy this need, and one does not even need to dip into the state reserves at this time,” the body stated.

The Association noted that many persons can acquire lands that are without any minerals or with occurrences too low to ensure viability, and that this has in fact been the case with a majority of the small scale miners throughout the years. As such, the GGDMA is calling on the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to direct this now available land to the smaller miners.

Questioned Government

Meanwhile, the Association questioned the Government’s intentions for the mining industry, particularly in light of reports emanating from the press relating to their plans to “revamp” the sector.

“The GGDMA notes

with great fear the recent messages in the press which seem to indicate that some are bent on ‘reorganising’ the sector to benefit those who now wish to make a quick fortune rather than mine,” the release read.

The Association also expressed some concerns over the talk of the redistribution of lands, which it noted would be at the expense of the private sector investment. “The days of nationalisation should be well behind us and support for keen and genuine national investors should be embraced and supported, not questioned and threatened. The setting of such a dangerous precedent would not only be deleterious to the local private sector, but would hurt prospects of foreign investments; such developments would no doubt give such investors reason for pause and hinder monetary flows into our

country,” the release stated. Professional mining companies, small operators

Moreover, the Association lauded the growing relationship between professional mining companies and the small operators, which has proven to be significantly impactful to the overall strength of the sector

and beneficial to the small miners. These relationships see small miners benefiting from assistance through the provision of infrastructure, capital, spares, fuel and credit facilities which will allow them to continue plying the trade.

In fact, moves are afoot to ensure these relationships

become more structured where both parties can be protected. Moreover, the GGDMA vowed to continue to work with the new Administration to address the issues that face the mining sector and to continue to strengthen the capacity of all legitimate miners.

Jagdeo calls for int’l probe into recent elections …slams GECOM Chairman for being “biased”

Amid the uncertainty regarding the entrance of fraudulent Statements of Poll (SOPs) into the Guyana Election’s Commission (GECOM) machinery on Elections Day and GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally’s refusal to look into the matter, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is pressing for clarity through a thorough investigation conducted by professional international auditors.

Jagdeo’s renewed calls for answers on the issue came in light of statements made by Dr Surujbally who obdurately maintained that there is no need for an investigation, claiming conclusively that even if a probe is conducted, nothing of substance would be discovered.

His statements, however, did not settle well with the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). In a media release, the Party highlighted that such a position clearly demonstrates the “gross incompetence and an indictment of the organisation’s inability to conduct free and fair elections”, slamming the GECOM Chairman in

the process for his evident biasness in his line of duty.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo, speaking during a press conference at Freedom House on Friday, emphasised that the public deserves to know how fake SOPs entered GECOM and who was responsible for putting them there – a grave act which saw the integrity of the constituency’s votes being compromised.

The former President pointed out the slightest attempt to interfere with the will of the people of

Guyana is a criminal matter and therefore requires an investigation by the Guyana Police Force – an act which should have been undertaken since the fake SOPs were discovered.

However, Jagdeo argued that having Police investigate the matter now could compromise the truth since he alleged that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan might influence the outcome, given his track record of interfering into operational matters of the Police Force.

“An investigation (by local Police) will not be transparent and above board,” Jagdeo firmly posited.

Therefore, Jagdeo reasoned that the best way to shed some light on the issue would be through an investigation conducted by international experts.

Impossible to prove

On the other hand, Dr Surujbally declared that it would be impossible to prove who was responsible for introducing the fake documents, concluding that the investigations would be useless.

But Jagdeo contended that such a conclusion ought to be done by professionals and not the GECOM Chairman, especially since the Opposition Party and a significant portion of the population distrust him.

The PPP/C Opposition in a press statement noted that the Chairman’s position confirms suspicions that his judgment is subjective. Moreover,

the Party renewed calls for Surujbally to resign from his post.

“The newly constituted GECOM should meet and must not allow Mr Surujbally to get away with his shenanigans,” it stated.

The PPP/C noted that the greatest and most valuable asset in any country is its human resources and therefore

demands that GECOM be equipped with staff complement that can deliver free and fair elections.

“If Mr Surujablly does not value the vote by each elector then this is most unfortunate and reaffirms the loss of confidence the PPP has publicly expressed in him as Head of GECOM,” the Party stated.

Visa-free travel to Russia for Guyanese

Guyanese can now enjoy a visa free visit to Russia after Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov signed an agreement to facilitate travel for citizens between the two countries.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the United Nations’ 70th General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York. This new agreement will now afford citizens from these two countries the opportunity to travel without

a visa for a maximum stay of six months.

Minister Greenidge said it was a process that was aimed at encouraging movement between the two countries. This new development will also see a major boost for the local tourism and business industries as it affords citizens the opportunity to travel between the two countries without a visa and stay for a maximum of six months.

In addition, the Minister said he views this move as one that will also remove a major barrier and one

that will enhance business relations between the two countries. Guyana already has a long list of countries where its citizens can travel without visas. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Guyanese do not require visas for entry into Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; The Bahamas; Bangladesh; Barbados; Montserrat; Panama; Peru; South Africa; St Kitts & Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent & The Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago and several other countries.

No firm decision yet on ownership of Guyana’s Marriott Hotel …Govt should not run hotels – Min of Tourism

By Kristen MacKlingaM

The future of the ownership structure of the multimillion-dollar Marriott Hotel in Guyana is uncertain as the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is yet to determine the role it will play in the days ahead.

This publication understands that a review is to be conducted by the Administration on the financial stability and operations of Marriott Hotel.

According to reports, Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes had recently stated that at present her Government is in the process of having a few individuals ‘look at the Marriott,’ its financial performance and operations. This is to allow the Administration to determine what it will ‘want to do eventually’ with the hotel.

During an interview at the National Communications Network (NCN Channel 11), Hughes mentioned that the concern of the Government, while it was in opposition, was that it

was best to leave certain projects to private investors.

Minister Hughes further stated that the APNU+AFC coalition was not of the view that the cost for the construction of a hotel should be paid with taxpayers’ money since this is the job of the private sector. She told the media that Government is of the opinion that hotels are ventures which the private sector is involved in and this was the APNU/ AFC’s main concern with regards to the construction of the Marriott Hotel.

“I don’t want people to think that we (the Government) didn’t think that it was important to have a hotel that raised the bar and standards in the industry.”

This publication also understands that the Tourism Minister deems this venture as one that will be a boost to Guyana’s hotel and accommodation sector. She reportedly stated that the Marriott Hotel (Guyana) is a “beautiful hotel, with high standards, a model for other hotels to strive to achieve”.

It should be noted that

Guyana’s rice farmers losing hope

…say low prices do not justify investment

By Kristen MacKlingaM and indrawattie natraM

Frustrated rice farmers in the two major rice producing regions, with no hope of relief in sight from the Government, have signalled their intentions to ‘rest’ their lands come the next crop, given the low prices and lack of government intervention.

Minister Hughes participated in conversations with the Manager of the Marriott during which she was assured that the hotel is attracting “a lot of business”. It has done so also by hosting a number of functions and other events.

She pointed out that whether the Government will make a final decision on whether the Marriott Hotel is something it would want to sell to a potential investor, albeit a local or an international, or whether the Administration would want to “hold on to the Marriott”, the Government is not sure as yet.

On April 17, 2015 the Guyana Marriott Hotel, costing US$58 million, was officially commissioned.

This massive and grand hotel saw an investment from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which totalled US$36 million, and Republic Bank Ltd of Trinidad investing US$15.25 million out of its US$27 million total financing. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Teachers not blamed for troubles in education system – CEO

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam is seeking to bring some clarity to his statements made at a seminar at the Authur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, which has been interpreted to mean that he attempted to blame teachers for the ills of the education system.

Sam explained that the occasion was a gathering of primary school heads, to discuss the importance of leadership in improving the country’s output in the education system. He added that he highlighted areas that he was convinced officers and heads could collectively address to arrive at their stated objectives.

At the seminar, Sam said “many of the weaknesses our pupils possess are mere reflections of their teachers’ failings.” It is for this statement that Sam came in for much criticism recently from sections of the media, which accused him of blaming teachers for the troubles in the education system.

“I prefaced my statements by highlighting the fact that we have conducted investigations into the elements that contribute to the underachievement of

our primary pupils and we have uncovered what I termed a “staggering mosaic of contributory factors. At no point did I attempt to, overtly or implicitly, place the blame at the feet of the nation’s teachers,” the Chief Education Officer stressed.

In seeking to clarify his statements made on September 15, at the Convention Center, Sam stated that he merely listed some factors which he believed could have been addressed collectively.

Sam added that at no time was there any attempt to “blame” teachers for the ills of the education system and close examination of his full presentation would support this.

“It is my position that, notwithstanding the other elements needing attention in the education system, tremendous emphasis must be placed on the professional development of our teachers if we are to see greater output; and I stand firmly by this,” the Chief Education Officer explained as he expressed hope that his position is clarified. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

In Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), farmers have finally given up hope that the Government would be coming to their rescue in light of the crisis the rice industry has been facing over the past months due to the Venezuelan market for 200,000 tonnes of rice/paddy being lost.

The lack of action and unfavourable responses from the relevant authorities to inject funds into the industry have only made matters worse for those affected.

Some Essequibo farmers are contending that they may not be able to plant rice anytime in the near future. The poor prices they are being offered cannot offset their costs of production that they would have to

outlay to and without intervention from the Administration, their future appears to be nothing short of ‘bleak’.

Guyana Times International was able to speak with some of these rice farmers who are lamenting that the rice industry seemed to be in an unstoppable freefall.

One common cry from a majority of the affected rice farmers is that “rice is dead” as they continue to air their disappointment with regard to the treatment received from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

This publication understands that farmers are of the opinion that

the only way they will be able to venture into the next crop is if the Government offers its immediate assistance and/or they receive subsidies on every bag produced.

A female rice farmer from Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast, told this publication that she will definitely be “putting my land to rest”.

The reason for this drastic decision is that usually she would generate an average of Gy$1.3 million in revenues from her three acres.

However, this crop only brought her Gy$500,000 in total as a result of being offered Gy$1500 per bag of paddy.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

New US Ambassador to Guyana ready for official duties

After being confirmed by the US Senate in August and was sworn in as Ambassador to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on September 18, Perry Holloway arrived in Guyana last week Thursday to commence official duties.

A release from the US Embassy said Ambassador Holloway most recently served as PoliticalMilitary Counsellor at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan (2013 – July 2014). Known as a talented leader, consensus builder and manager, with broad, high-level policy experience in Latin America and in managing the interagency process, Ambassador Holloway will bring essential skills to the task of furthering bilateral relations with the Government of Guyana, an important US partner in Latin America and within the Organization of American States.

Previously, Ambassador Holloway served in the Department of State as Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (2010 – 2013), Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Asuncion, Paraguay (2009 – 2010), Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Bogota,

Columbia (2007 –2009), Deputy Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (2005 – 2007), Andean Counterdrug Initiative Coordinator, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Washington, DC (2004 –2005), Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, US Embassy Guatemala City, Guatemala (2000 – 2003), General Services Officer, US Embassy Quito, Ecuador (1997 – 2000), Administrative Officer, US Consulate Tijuana, Mexico (1994 – 1997), General Services Officer, US Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador (1992 –1994), Ambassador’s Staff Assistant, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (1990 – 1991) and Consular

Officer, US Embassy Bogota, Colombia (1989 –1990). Before joining the Foreign Service, he was a manager of Radio Shack stores in Georgia and South Carolina.

Ambassador Holloway earned a BA in foreign languages from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a MA in International Business Sciences from the University of South Carolina, and a MA in National Resources Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, DC. He is the recipient of three Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards, eight Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Awards from the Department of State.

Colombian jailed for stealing money from GBTI’s ATMs

– found in possession of 92 fake blank visa cards

AColombian national was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded guilty to seven counts of larceny.

Freddy Rivera Vargas, 42, of Bogota, Colombia, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on Monday, July 20 at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), he stole Gy$20,000, property of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). He accepted the charge which read that on the said day at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he stole Gy$100,000, property of GBTI. He also accepted the charges which read that on July 19 at Providence, EBD he stole Gy$160,000 property of GBTI, and Gy$60,000 from the Vreed-enHoop, branch. Finally, the defendant pleaded guilty to charges which read that on July 17 and July 18 at Lethem, Central Rupununi, he stole Gy$120,000 and Gy$230,000, property of GBTI.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Corporal

Deniro Jones, the defendant is a retired Army Major who entered Guyana legally via Brazil and was granted two weeks’ stay in the country. It was revealed that the man was staying at the Princess Hotel, Providence, EBD and on one occasion went to the GBTI Vreed-en-Hoop branch where he used a fake visa card to withdraw Gy$20,000. The fake card was detected and a sting operation launched. After a review of camera footage from various branches, it was discovered that the defendant had used the fake visa cards to withdraw cash at several other branches.

He was arrested at the Princess Hotel and a subsequent search of his room revealed he had 92 additional blank visa cards in his possession.

When asked if he had anything to say in relation to the charges, the defendant claimed that a man paid him Gy$500,000 and had given him the fake visa cards to make the withdrawals for him.

After reviewing the charges, the Magistrate sentenced the defendant to a total of five years in prison.

The defendant had earlier received a 7 month

Guyana’s rice...

The woman declared that this is ‘unprofitable’ and would not offset her cost of production. She strongly believes that the Government should intervene in the issue of low paddy prices.

“We are producing, but there is no money, no market. We lost almost Gy$600 per bag for our harvest. What will happen to our family? Who really standing up for us?” she questioned.

Another farmer from Cullen, Essequibo confirmed that he will not be going back to the rice fields since this has proven to be unprofitable during the past months.

He told this newspaper that the present prices being offered to rice farmers were the lowest that he has ever received.

According to the man, this is ‘unfair’ and a ‘rip off.’ “Where is the representation from the Government or the RPA or the Rice Action Committee?” he asked.

He further explained that he received 350 bags from his field and obtained Gy$700,000 for this. However, in the past for the same crop period

he would usually receive around Gy$2 million.

Many rice farmers have voiced similar concerns about the industry since a number of them have outstanding loans which they took from the banks.

They noted that the Gy$2000 and less for a bag of Grade A paddy which they have obtained would definitely not give them a profit after their expenses are taken care of.

With this being the case, it is highly unlikely that a majority of rice farmers, especially in Essequibo, would return to their lands for the next crop, even if they wanted to.

Hundreds of rice farmers in Region Two last week staged a protest demanding assistance from the Agriculture Ministry and the Government of Guyana.

sentence in Court 11 by Magistrate Annet Singh and is expected to receive an additional sentence from Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three. The additional charges he will be facing in Court Three state that he stole Gy$210,000 from GBTI’s Water Street branch in Georgetown on July 18. The same branch purportedly became his victim the following day when Gy$80,000 was found missing. This spree of bank robbery continued on July 20 and 21 when Gy$250,000 and Gy$330,000 respectively were taken from the GBTI branch in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

Calls were made for better paddy prices as well as concessions on fuel and vehicles, but to date no word has come from the APNU/AFC Administration with regards to any of these demands.

Berbice

Meanwhile, in the Ancient County of Berbice, rice farmers are plagued with similar burdens and share the same views as those in Essequibo.

In Berbice, a notable number of rice farmers do not even own their own lands. They rent the lands from landlords who commonly reside outside of Guyana.

In addition to production costs, personal expenses and loans from the banks, these distraught farmers have to ensure they pay their rental fees for the lands on which they farm.

Many in Berbice are also contemplating ending their “rice farming days” as they are operating at major losses with the current situation in the industry.

It must be reminded that if the majority of rice farmers throughout the country cease to cultivate rice, which is a major revenue earner for Guyana, the economy would be adversely affected. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyana’s six 'tigers'

None of which are actually tigers

By Matt Hallett

Guyana is home to six species of wild cat – each with unique natural histories, beautiful physical attributes, and interesting behaviours. Each of the six species plays an important role in the vast forests and savannas of Guyana, a niche that evolved over millions of years.

Whether it is as the top predator or feeding on rodents in the tree tops, the astonishing diversity of the landscape allows for all six

ered ‘Near Threatened’ or ‘Vulnerable,’ which is like knocking on the door to ‘Endangered’ species status.

What’s in a name?

The presence of cats that roam wild and free across vast areas of plentiful habitat is something that all Guyanese can be proud of, yet it seems that few know their names.

Most people probably know of the large wild cats of Guyana simply as ‘tigers’. Many times I’ve been provided detailed explanations of the different types of tigers (deer tiger, tapir tiger

of these species to share space, find enough food, and pass their genes on to the next generation, while each role plays an important part in the functioning of the landscape itself.

While other countries have more wild cats (India is home to 15 species of wild cat), Guyana supports relatively healthy populations of all six species – part of the country’s enduring national heritage.

All of the wild cats found in Guyana are experiencing population decreases in other parts of their range and some are already consid-

and labba tiger), their habits and behaviours.

There are many in Guyana who have spent their lives farming, hunting, and fishing the land and thus are very knowledgeable about local wildlife, including Guyana’s wild cats.

While calling Guyana’s wild cats ‘tigers’ is largely believed to be an interesting artefact of Creole culture, the so-called tigers of the Western Hemisphere actually have an interesting history that originates outside of the Caribbean.

The ‘tigers’ of the

Neotropics actually comes from the Spanish word for the Asian tiger, El tigre. Upon arriving in the new world in the 16th century, Spanish explorers had no native word in their language for the cats that they encountered. These early explorers described the wild cats of this new world as smaller than a lion but bigger than a leopard.

None had ever encountered such creatures in the Old World, and so they named the largest after the Asian tiger, whose ferocity was known to them through Roman writings, popular literature during the Renaissance.

Despite its inaccuracy, the name El tigre stuck, was picked up by the Portuguese who colonized Brazil, and was adopted and passed on by the Spanish, French, Dutch, and British, who all played roles in Guyana’s colonial history.

So what’s in a name?

Many may think that calling Guyana’s wild cats is a charming historical relic that is commonly used and doesn’t seem to be hurting anyone. But understanding species is a critical first step to appreciating them.

Guyana is truly a rare place in this world. You can search the globe, but very rarely will you find another place with the amount of relatively pristine, intact, standing forests as Guyana currently maintains. Even fewer places support relatively healthy populations of all their native wild cat species.

This should be source of national pride that can be shared by all Guyanese. In a world where forests are being cut and overturned for short-term economic gain and species are being hunted to the brink of extinction, Guyana has managed its resources

The jaguar (Panthera onca), also known as tiger or el tigre, is the largest cat in the Americas, the only ‘big cat’ in the New World, and the third largest cat in the world. The common name, “jaguar” comes from the Tupi–Guarani (western Amazon) word yaguareté, which roughly translated means “true beast.”

Jaguars are known for their spotted coats – a tawny-yellow base layer that is covered in black rosettes that provide camouflage in the dappled light of the rainforest, but melanistic jaguars that are all black in coloration due to the expression of a recessive gene also make up a small percentage of the population.

with a global perspective and an eye for the future.

And while wild cats have been vilified as dangerous nuisances that are a threat to public health recently in the press, maybe getting to know your wild neighbours might help all Guyanese realize what how special it is to share space with these unique creatures before it is too late.

Jaguar

Let me introduce to you, over the course of three weeks, the six tigers of Guyana – none of which are actually tigers at all.

Jaguars are the true ‘king of the jungle’ as the top predator of the Amazon and Guiana Shield forests, but jaguars are actually found in a wide variety of habitats, including grassland, scrub, and desert.

Jaguars have the largest and most intact range of any of the world’s big cats, from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina.

Jaguars are considered ‘Near Threatened,’ as their population trend across their range is generally decreasing due to habitat loss, depletion of natural prey, and retaliatory killing as a result

of conflict with livestock. Jaguars once roamed across the southern U.S., but their range there is now limited to a few individuals who venture across the Mexican border, and they have actually gone extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay. Solitary animals that are highly territorial, jaguars come together only to mate or as mother/cub groups and maintain large home ranges that they actively monitor, mark and defend. Jaguars have the highest jaw strength to body size ratio of any cat and their mouth can open extremely wide, giving them access to a wide variety of prey.

Jaguars are opportunistic hunters who have been recorded to prey on as many as 87 species, including livestock. Preying on livestock causes conflict between pumas and ranchers and many pumas are killed each year in retaliation for predation on livestock.

As top predator, jaguars play a key role by keeping prey and competitors’ populations in check, thus maintaining balanced ecosystems, but the continued killing of jaguars in retaliation for preying on livestock threatens to disrupt this balance across their range. (TO BE CONTINUED) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

By IndrawattIe natram

What may seem as a very tedious task for many is actually a very enjoyable pastime for several women of a Dartmouth community in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The women in Dartmouth, located in the centre of the Essequibo Coast, confirmed that beans cultivation is the best hobby they could ever adopt; one that makes them self-sufficient and meaningfully occupied.

They are actively in-

volved in the cultivation of red beans and the manual packaging of the beans that are later sold on the local market.

The project was conceptualized and assisted by READ and the National Agriculture Research Institute and Extension, (NARIE) through the Ministry of Agriculture some two years ago.

On a regular basis, farmers in the area benefit from the distribution of new bean seeds from NAREI. The organisation usually work along

with the farmers, providing technical advice so that farmers can improve their crop husbandry practices through extension education, demonstration plots and farmers’ field schools.

Approximately 70 acres of red beans are currently under cultivation in the sandy area. The farmers have two crops of beans cultivation in the area. They are often affected by dry weather, which sometimes hampers the amount of yield.

Love your work

Sunday Magazine recently caught up with a few bean-farmers who shared their stories. Having braved the midday sun, and walking among acres of bean plants, Sunday Magazine was able to meet with a few farmers who shared their success stories. Most of the farmers were females, who were very enthusiastic about speaking of their work.

As they plucked their bean pods, throwing them in their bags, they related that being independent is the best thing that a woman can achieve.

Explaining further, the women said that in the past, when the proj-

ect wasn't introduced in the community, they would spend most of their time in front of the television. The mothers also related that most times they wanted many things in their home but couldn't afford anything.

“Beans Cultivation" is we living – makes us self-sufficient”

The farmers related that now they are happy for the project since it was one that has led the way to their independence.

Melinda Joseph, one such bean farmer, said that she finds love in farming and loves what she is doing. She added that her farm provides employment as well as money for her children and home circle.

“I don't know… but I don't see this job as painful. I love to be close with nature and pick my pods; this is what every woman should see too – that being in the garden is a wonderful job: it makes you earn, and you can provide for your family," Joseph declared.

The mother said that she would usually venture out as early as 5:00

a.m. in the morning to her farm and start harvesting. When the crop is in its green stage, she said, she would periodically visit to ensure that no pests or diseases were affecting it.

Another farmer, Bella John, said that she loves farming, and encourages other women to get aboard. She said that despite the challenges during the crop, there is an assurance of money at the end.

She explained that she would usually hand pick the red beans, pack in a bag and later transport via a bicycle to the drying floor for drying. After the drying process the beans are then separated and go through a packaging process.

Farmers in the area pointed out that the drying floor is assisting them but have requested a packaging facility to further assist in the process.

Although these farming residents do not have a packaging plant, they find pleasure in going through the process manually. The beans, after being processed, are later sold locally to supermarkets and indigenous communities within the Region.

John said that like Dartmouth, other communities can adopt similar ideas, and women can be actively involved. She said she has not regretted getting into farming, and is in fact thinking of putting more lands under cultivation.

The farmers are encouraging other females who are looking to adopt a profitable hobby, to get involve in farming plants. They confessed that farming has a positive effect on an individual’s life and also can help to enrich their standard of living. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, overseas-based Guyanese chef Shaunna Marto, who stated she is from Georgetown, but migrated to the US in 1986 and currently resides in Toronto, Canada, said that she never thought she could have a career doing what she loves. Inspired

by life, the chef is now assiduously pursuing her dreams

“Back in 1990, after working and getting used to the culture, I went to University of Toronto and completed a degree in Business Administration as many people do when they’re not completely sure of what they want to do –but business is always a ‘safe’ career,” she recalled.

After years of working in the finance field, including 12 years in Municipal Government as a finance analyst, Marto decided she wanted to attend culinary school. With her love for the culinary arts and encouragement from family and friends, Marto thought culinary school would be a good place to start.

“I wanted to see if I could do it. I totally fell in love! I started cooking when I was 11, much to the horror of my parents who were concerned I would hurt myself or burn the house down. But they soon realised I was not to be stopped. Coming from the Caribbean, I never

thought I could have a career doing what I love; now I know differently. I encourage my son to do just that. He’s 18 years old. I raised him as a single mom since he was three and he has been my inspiration for following what I love to do,” Marto expressed.

In 2006, the chef started her company, Party’s By Shaunna, while still working at a fulltime job. She was compelled to do so because of responsibilities to care for her son, pay a mortgage, and other financial obligations. In 2011, she left her government job to pursue her business full-time.

“I knew if I wanted to have a successful career doing what I love, I had to dedicate myself completely to my business. I have also found the time to give back to my community. I have been involved with various charities such as United Way, Canadian Mental Health Association, mentoring at-risk youths, food banks and much more. I have been doing so for over 10 years and continue to do so. I dedicated part of my busi-

ness for fundraising in helping charities by donating dinners as prizes for auctions and so on. I am also involved in community events such as Caribana, Carabraman annual 3-day multicultural festival run by volunteers in promoting various cultures,” she outlined.

Marto is a Frenchtrained chef, but also cooks Indian, Asian, Italian, Thai, and

Caribbean cuisines. The “Guyanese girl” comes out in every dish she makes, which she believes gets her great feedback about her food.

“There is a challenge for women in the culinary field, but it’s certainly getting better. It is a very tough field; hard to have a proper family life. Working in restaurants is very hard work and everyone has

Guyana’s mining industry hazardous – Health Minister

Guyana has soaring numbers of occupational hazards in its mining sector and as such, there is need for more training and education to be done in this area. This is according to Health Minister, Dr George Norton, who was at the time addressing the 54th Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Directing Council in Washington DC.

Dr Norton on Wednesday told the gathering of health professionals that the issue of workers’ health was another great area of concern for

the Guyana Government.

“Like a number of other member states in the Region, we also have a

high proportion of people employed in the informal sector; those who are exposed to hazardous work-

ing conditions and those who suffer from occupational related injuries and disease,” he stated.

Directing his focus towards mining, Dr Norton pointed out that those employed in the bauxite mining sector are exposed to high levels of air pollution which ultimately result in a high prevalence of chronic respiratory illness.

In relation to the gold mining sector, he highlighted that countless accidental deaths were being recorded, ranging from drowning following accidents involving vessels piloted by unlicensed captains to persons being buried under loose earth as walls of excavated pits collapse.

He noted that malaria was endemic in the sec-

tor and hence considered an occupational hazard. Further, Dr Norton noted that the malaria disease also affected those residing in the rainforest areas, where a majority of the population was of indigenous heritage.

Recognising these challenges, the Minister committed that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) would continue to work with the relevant agencies to ensure the various mining laws were enforced and everything was done to reduce the rates of occupational hazards in the sector.

Argentina to assist Guyana with preserving DNA samples, computer forensics

The Government of Argentina has offered to provide training to Guyanese professionals in the area of DNA preservation practices as well as computer forensics.

This was the outcome of a meeting between Argentine Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Martino, and Public Security Minister, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday at the Public Security Ministry’s Brickdam office. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the de-

velopment of a cooperation project between the Governments of Guyana and Argentina relating to security issues. During the meeting, the Public Security Minister indicated to the Argentine Ambassador that Guyana would welcome training assistance for the staff at the Guyana National Forensic Laboratory (GNFL) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the areas of the preservation of biological samples for DNA study and computer forensics.

In response, Ambassador Martino informed the Minister that Argentina was willing to assist Guyana in the two areas.

Furthermore, Ramjattan also underscored that piracy has been affecting Guyana’s fishermen and he intended to strengthen the Maritime Wing of the Police Force to combat the problem. He asked the Argentine Ambassador to share with Guyana Argentina’s experience and expertise in combating piracy.

Ambassador Martino acknowledged that Argentina had much experience in the area of piracy and as such, agreed to the Vice President’s request in this area as well. In addition, the two dignitaries further discussed Argentina’s House of Justice (HOJ) initiatives which provide vital social services to citizens in need of such services, and the possibility of Guyana benefiting from Argentina’s assistance in the areas of best practices among others.

T&T could reap massive benefits from Guyana’s oil find – lawyer

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Hugh Howard, attorneyat-law and former executive at Shell and Trintoc, believes the discovery of large oil reserves in Guyana earlier this year

could be a positive development for T&T’s industry.

“T&T has had experience in the energy industry that spans over 100 years. Guyana, a country without that kind of back-

ground, will be looking for assistance like technical expertise from other countries. What better place than from the sister Caricom country of T&T?

“In addition, T&T cannot remain dependent on

a one crop industry which is oil and gas. Therefore, services in that energy industry are an avenue to earn foreign exchange,” he said.

Howard’s comments were made in the context

of increased border tensions between Guyana and Venezuela. In June, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro demanded that Guyana stop oil exploration in disputed offshore territory by United States energy company, Exxon Mobil. A recent Exxon Mobil discovery in the Atlantic Ocean off Guyana suggests that the country may hold oil and natural gas riches 12 times more valuable than its entire economic output.

Raphael Trotman, Guyana’s Minister of Governance, said The Liza-1 well, which probably holds the equivalent of more than 700 million barrels of oil, may begin producing crude by the end of the decade.

The prospect would be on par with a recent Exxon find at the Hadrian formation in the Gulf of Mexico and could be worth about US$40 billion at today’s international crude price.

Howard said there was no need for T&T to see Guyana as a competitor in the future.

“There could be a lot of synergies for T&T and Guyana in terms of our assistance in developing the oil and gas industry there.

“If your refinery is operating at 60 per cent capacity and you can get oil from Guyana that takes that to 80 per cent or 90 per cent then that means there are more opportunities for T&T’s professionals.

“With the vast lands that Guyana possesses which T&T does not have, if we work closely with that country, we can feed the people of Caricom,” he said. (Trinidad Guardian)

“Guyana does not have a refinery, nor the kind of infrastructure like pipelines which T&T has. The question would arise, where would they refine their crude? Would they build a refinery, or would they sell their crude to T&T? A number of permutations can be worked out that would benefit both countries,” he said. He said he was a strong advocate of Caricom countries working together, not only in the area of energy, but other areas as well.

From its constitution as a colony in 1745, Demerara was ruled by the Courts of Policy and Justice of Essequibo. In 1773, the settlement of Demerara had become so considerable that the latter was given a Court of Policy and a Court of Justice of its own.

On January 25, 1773, the States’ General granted the Courts power to exercise certain rights over the colonies of Essequibo and Demerara.

The Combined Court of Policy held at Fort Zeelandia on January 10, 1774 and June 23, 1775, laid down that the Jurisdiction of Essequibo commenced at the Boerasirie Creek.

Governor Bentinck proclaimed, on November 22 that from the January 1, 1807, the boundary of Demerara should extend beyond the Boerasirie Creek to the Bonasique Creek.

of Stabroek and the adjoining districts under the name of Georgetown, was resolved by Governor Carmichael and the Court of Policy on the April, 29, of 1812.

Before then, no real town existed in either colony. There were some houses near Fort Nassau, in Berbice, and Fort Zeelandia, in Essequibo, while in Demerara the Government officers were on a small island called Borsselen, about 15 miles up the river.

A Resolution of the same body, on the 14th of the same month, had ordered that “the 'City of Demerara" should be called Stabroek.”

According to “The records of British Guiana” by Davis, N. Darnell (Nicholas

By a Resolution of the Council of Ten, of September 30, 1784, it was ordered that the headquarters of both colonies were to be in Demerara, and that the Director General was to reside there.

Darnell), 1846-1915 (published 1888) the name of Stabroek was given by the Council, out of compliment to one of their own number, as, on the 14th August 1 780, the Court of Policy had received notification from the Council of the death of one of this body, and of the appointment in his stead of Mynheer Geel- Vinck, Lord of

Stabroek. The publication of the name thus given appears to have not been made until February, 1785.

On February 2, 1785, the Directors of the West India Company appointed Jan L'Espinasse to be Governor of Essequibo and Demerara, and on June 8 following, the Governor and Court of Policy enacted the Union of the Courts of Policy of Demerara and Essequibo.

The Union of the Courts of Justice of the two colonies did not, however, take place until April 1, 1812, during the British occupation.

On January 7, 1792, the King of Holland assumed the direct control over Demerara and Essequibo, on the expiration of the Charter of the West India Company.

On January 29, 1799, Werk-en-Rust was incorporated with Stabroek. The union

In 1781 the colonies were captured by the British, who occupied them for ten months, and chose a site for a new town near the mouth of the Demerara.

The French, acting as allies of the Netherlands, then ousted the English, and in 1784 the Dutch resumed possession, and called the new town Stabroek. It became Georgetown in 1812. New Amsterdam, in Berbice, was laid out about ten years later. Until 1831 Berbice was administered quite separately from Essequibo and Demerara.

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Story of the heroes

Part V

By PetamBer Persaud

In previous ar-

ticles we examined the following books: “Stories of the Heroes”, by P. H. Daly, “Dictionary of Guyanese Biography”(DGB) compiled by Arthur and Elma Seymour, “Grass Roots of Guyana” compiled by Lewiz Alyan and “The Excellent Decade 2005-2015”, produced by the ANSA McAl Foundation.

During that fourpart expedition, we were treated to varied perceptions of a hero/ heroine, different views on excellence, and we were given various reasons for the compilation of those publications.

In part four, we paused at a new publication featuring contemporary heroes of Guyana and the Caribbean. Now, it is back to ‘old’ books.

This book, “Personalities

Caribbean: the International Guide to Who’s Who in the West Indies, Bahamas and Barbados” is in its seventh edition, first pub -

lished in 1967 featuring under 300 men and women, a large percentage making up the government of a country. This massive book features 40 Guyanese, some of whom are still alive.

As was done in previous articles, we would take another look at living personalities, ladies first.

Joycelynne Eleanor Loncke “She was a winner of the Guyana Scholarship in 1960, which took her to the University College of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica. While there she was awarded a French Government

Scholarship for study in France which she completed at the Sorbonne in the University of Paris. With the offer of a UCWI Post-graduate Scholarship she proceeded to Somerville College, Oxford. But that was not all. Dr Loncke received a French Government Fellowship in 1971, followed by a Ford Foundation Grant for Research in France in 1974. … By 1960 she was already a Licentiate of the Royal School of Music, London, and became a Fellow of the Trinity College of Music at London in 1971…. one of Guyana's leading concert pianists,

and the foremost performing artist in classical music resident in Guyana. … She was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1974, awarded the Arrow of Achievement (AA) in 1980, and the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 1987.” (University of Guyana Website) she was conferred with the title Professor Emeritus by the University of Guyana.

Sister Mary Noel Menezes a historian and author, born 1930 in Kingston, Georgetown, completed her secondary education at St. Joseph High School. She grew up with her mother and extended family in a happy home. So they could not understand her decision to leave such a life of ease for a life of sacrifice. Her books include “Goodall's Sketches of Amerindian Tribes 1841 – 1843” (Macmillan Caribbean Publishers, 2002); “British Policy towards the Amerindians in British Guiana, 1803-1873” (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977); “The Amerindians in Guyana 1803-1873”. “A Documentary History” (London:

Frank Cass and Co. Ltd., 1979); “Scenes from the History of the Portuguese in Guyana” (London: The Author, 1986); “The Portuguese of Guyana: A Study in Culture and Conflict” (Gujurat: The Anand Press, 1992); “Guide to Historical Research, and How to Do Better Research”. In 1982, she was honoured by the Government of Guyana with the Golden Arrow of Achievement. In 1983, she was endowed with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from College Misericordia followed decades later, 2005, by an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from The University of the West Indies and recently in 2008, she was endowed with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount Aloysius College. To crown her long association with the University of Guyana, she was conferred with the title Professor Emeritus.

Carmen E. Jarvis “is the first woman to be appointed Chairman of the National Library Committee…she has held the post of Secretary-General, Guyana National Commission for

UNESCO and wrote the History of Bishops’ High School.” She is an outstanding educator and was awarded the Cacique’s Crown of Honour and Golden Arrow of Achievement for her outstanding service in Education and Social Work.

Desiree Patricia Bernard is “the first Guyanese woman to have been appointed Judge of the High Court…the first Secretary of Caribbean Women’s Association… first woman President of the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Association…Chairman of the United Nations Committee on the elimination of discrimination against women’ among other things.”

Male personalities include Dr. Frederick Sukdeo, Professor Clive Thomas, Philip A. O. Allsopp, Rashleigh Jackson, Samuel R. Insanally, Mohamed Shahabudeen, Roy Errol Cheong, Aston Chase, Donald A. B. Trotman, Hamilton Green, Christopher A. Nascimento, Haslyn Parris, S. S. Ramphal, among others.

The copy in the National Library of “Personalities Caribbean: the International Guide to Who’s Who in the West Indies, Bahamas and Barbados” is well-used, mostly by students.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo. com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

A culinary ...

to pay their dues. It’s certainly not what you see on cooking shows. One should not choose this career based on the chefs that they see on TV,” the chef urged.

The culinary expert enjoys creating new dishes or elevating an old dish by changing a spice or ingredient, which gives her a sense of accomplishment. Marto is always trying to cook something with a “wow” factor and expresses her love via her dishes.

In outlining her plans, the chef said she would like to help her business grow. She

plans on purchasing a food truck, with a mission to introduce delicious, fresh, affordable gourmet food to the Toronto area. Her concept involves curries inspired by her country of birth. Marto also plans on teaching her culinary arts on a wider field. Currently, she provides private cooking classes for people in their homes.

“My advice for anyone pursuing food as a business is that it has to be a passion! No one goes into the food business to become rich. It’s hard, backbreaking, but

for me it’s not a job, it’s what I absolutely love to do! Get some kind of training and learn the basics, even if it’s just a few weeks. Always practice, practice, practice. Let your family and friends give you feedback on your cooking. My son was always my taster since he was 6 years old and has a great palette,” the culinary connoisseur revealed.

For more information on the Guyanese chef, visit Party's By Shaunna on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Call for end to secondary screening at Caribbean airports

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados –Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Hugh Riley has urged regional authorities to institute an Open Skies policy and, wherever possible, eliminate secondary screening at Caribbean airports.

He argues that an Open Skies policy would allow regional carriers to take unlimited flights to all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and encourage the growth of competition among carriers, while elimination of secondary screening would encourage greater demand for intra-regional travel.

Riley has also called for improved interline arrangements for a “vastly enhanced” baggage transfer and improved passenger experience and collaboration

in a number of areas, including intelligence sharing with the use of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), and security processing.

“Cooperation in these areas will encourage and facilitate greater investment by airlines into and across the Caribbean region. Better connectivity means greater economic benefits,” the secretary general said in an address at the recent airline route development forum, World Routes 2015 in Durban, South Africa.

Citing the post-September 11 television campaign in the United States, ‘Life Needs the Caribbean’, and the 2007 Cricket Work Cup as examples, Riley said the Caribbean has shown its ability to put effective regional strategies in place and can do the same to grow travel

into and throughout the region.

“This type of cooperation and collaboration needs to be the standard practice in serving the region’s various tourism needs,” he said.

Riley added that it was important to finalize and implement the amended Multilateral Air Services Agreement; facilitate unlimited third, fourth, and fifth freedom of traffic rights for scheduled passenger services from and between international airports and sub-regions within CARICOM and establish a CARICOM Single Domestic Air Space to help generate additional international traveller demand which, in turn, will encourage airlines to establish routes to the region.

The CTO boss contended that unnecessarily lengthy policy development and slow implementation processes in these areas, hinder progress.

Riley attended the World Route Development Forum –which attracts senior representatives from airlines, airports and tourism authorities who meet to plan and discuss new and existing global air services – to elevate the Caribbean brand, explore opportunities for the Caribbean, present the prospects for expansion and improvement of connectivity within the Caribbean, and discuss challenges facing regional and global aviation and offering solutions. (Caribbean News)

Jack Warner not bothered by football life ban

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad –Football’s world governing body has banned its allegedly corrupt former vice president Jack Warner from taking part of any national or international activity in the sport. But the former football executive has indicated he is not the least bit bothered.

Although Warner is yet to face the 29 counts of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, bribery lodged against him in the United States court, FIFA said it had taken the decision to ban the Trinidadian on the basis of investigations carried out by the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee following its report on the inquiry into the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process.

“Mr Warner was found to have committed many and various acts of misconduct continuously and repeatedly during his time as an official in different high-ranking and influential positions at FIFA and CONCACAF,” FIFA

said in a statement on its website yesterday.

“In his positions as a football official, he was a key player in schemes involving the offer, acceptance, and receipt of undisclosed and illegal payments, as well as other money-making schemes. He was found guilty of violations of art. 13 (General rules of conduct), art. 15 (Loyalty), art. 18 (Duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting), art. 19 (Conflicts of interest), art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) and art. 41 (Obligation of the par-

ties to collaborate) of the FIFA Code of Ethics.”

However, in a brief statement released after the FIFA announced its decision which it said took effect from September 25, the 72-year-old Warner was dismissive.

“I left the FIFA in April 2011 and if in September 2015 the FIFA wants to ban me for life without even a hearing, then so be it,” he said, adding that the latest development would not distract from the problems the football body is currently facing. (Caribbean News)

This week's Crossword

Back to first base…

…on Venezuelan controversy?

So President Granger met President Maduro in New York, with the UN Secretary General acting as referee. Each side trotted out their well-rehearsed spiels that’s been regurgitated with great regularity over the past 49 years. That’s right! The Geneva Agreement – supposed to lead to a resolution to Venezuela’s outrageous claim that the 1899 Arbitral Award is “null and void” – was hashed out the same year we “got” our independence.

Some say it was just another ploy to have the US (via Britain), maintain a legal basis for intervening into Guyana’s affairs. In case Burnham fumbled the ball they’d handed him. The not-so-well-publicisedfact is that Britain’s a legal party to the Geneva Agreement. If Cameron can extricate himself (or his protuberance) from “pig-gate”, maybe our old “motherland” can rattle a few Sabres for us. After all, we did do our bit for them in WWI and WWII, not to mention manning their buses afterwards.

Anyhow, what’re we to expect now that the UN will “intervene”? Well as President Granger pointed out, Guyana doesn’t have to do anything. On the “exchange” of Ambassadors, we had nothing to do with the Venezuelan Ambassador leaving our fair land. Or sending gunboats to drive off oil rigs, or massing troops on our borders and last but not least, not renewing our rice/paddy contract.

In fact, this Eyewitness thinks that the President should’ve asked Maduro to renew the rice contract as a gesture to show he’s willing to put his money where his mouth is as far as being friendly to Guyana. Now we’re not sure exactly what the UN can do that’s different from what we have asked – take the controversy to the World Court. Why in goodness name Venezuela should refuse that? The court isn’t packed with “friends of Guyana” now that Shahabudeen’s gone to the great beyond, right?

This

week's Puzzle

The Geneva Agreement spells out the avenues open to the UN Secretary General in the matter –which were spelled out in the UN Charter to begin with: inquiry, Sect Gen. Good Offices, mediation, conciliation, negotiation but just as relevant the adjudicative choices of arbitration and judicial settlement. Looks like the agreement just reached in NY is for the UN to send an “investigative team” which sounds like an “inquiry”. This isn’t a good sign- it’s a return to first base.

We’ve been there; done that. It’s time to move on to Judicial Settlement which – unlike the diplomatic options – will produce a binding result. The Venezuelans aren’t going to get a more impartial and informed hearing than from the World Court.

If their cause is just – what do they have to fear? …for Canada?

What’s really going on up in Canada? They stuck with the Brits when the US decided George III was batty and became a senior avuncular figure in the Commonwealth as we all joined her as “free States”. We looked up to them since they didn’t throw their weight around like the “ugly” Americans – and didn’t demand a pound of flesh for their assistance. Didn’t even bat an eye when we nationalised their Aluminium Company ALCAN. Kept taking in our poor, huddled masses who claim “refugee status” in the post Burnham era.

So lots of folks were befuddled when the Canadian Government issued a directive that foreign Governments weren’t supposed to interfere in their elections. This was the kind of language that would come out of places like Congo and Guyana. But Canada??! And now there are blaring headlines that the predicted close elections could lead to “instability”!! Holy Cow!!

What next? That the elections were rigged? O tempora!! O mores!! …on chain of command

We thought that with Pressie in NY, PM Nagamootoo becomes President – and “Commander in Chief”. But Stabber announced Harmon as “Defense Minister”.

Is Nagamootoo getting Larwah once again?

UK to send Jamaican prisoners back home and build new jail on Island

KINGSTON, Jamaica –

More than 300 Jamaican prisoners serving time in jails in the United Kingdom (UK) will be sent back to their homeland in another five years to continue serving their sentences, under a new deal between the two countries.

The Prisoner Transfer Agreement was concluded after years of negotiations as Prime Minister David Cameron made the first visit by a UK Prime Minister to Jamaica in 14 years.

The agreement provides for the transfer of prisoners who have received sentences of four

years or more and who have 18 months or more left to serve in custody. As of June 30, 2015, there were 619 Jamaican nationals in prisons in England and Wales, approximately 60 per cent of them serving sentences of four years or more, including indeterminate sentences.

The UK will also provide £25 million (US$37.8 million) from its existing aid budget to help fund the construction of a new 1,500-bed prison in Jamaica, overcoming one of the sticking points in the negotiations which had been the conditions in existing prisons in Jamaica.

The jail is expected to be built by 2020, at which time the return of Jamaican inmates will begin.

Welcoming the agreement, Cameron said: “It is absolutely right that foreign criminals who break our laws are prop-

erly punished but this shouldn’t be at the expense of the hardworking British taxpayer.”

“That’s why this agreement is so important. It will mean Jamaican criminals are sent back home to serve their sentences, saving the British taxpayer millions of pounds but still ensuring justice is done. And it will help Jamaica, by helping to provide a new prison – strengthening their criminal justice system,” he added.

The move is expected to save British taxpayers around £10 million (US$15 million) a year,

as the average annual cost of a prison place in the UK is £25,900 (US$39,246).

While the UK has Prisoner Transfer Agreements with a number of countries, the new deal with Jamaica is an important step forward as Jamaicans account for the third largest group of foreign national offenders in jail in the UK.

The majority of them – 69 per cent – are serving sentences for violence and drug offences. Cameron arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday on a two-day official visit. (Caribbean News)

Beauty of Guyana’s remote terrain

Professional photographer Michael C Lam shares with Guyana Times International breathtakingly remarkable photos of scenic landscapes in far-flung areas of Guyana.

The photos were taken during a Pakaraima Mountain Safari adventure. The Pakaraima Mountain Safari, dubbed an “adventure of a lifetime”, entails travelling via 4×4 vehicles across Regions Four, Eight, Nine and Ten, starting below sea level and reaching approximately 3,800 ft. above sea level.

These photos are evidence of Guyana’s grandeur, and should motivate us to want to explore the corners of our beloved country. (Photos copyright to Michael C Lam. TheMichaelLamCollection.com)

GOVERNMENT IS SERVICE

By Ryhaan Shah

The underlying idea of democratic Government is that of stewardship, of service. Government controls the public purse and provides vital services but only at the behest of the people. And all of it comes under the umbrella of the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution. But more than the legalities and correct procedures are the issues of integrity and ethics as it pertains to public servants.

Since our independence in 1966, Guyana has hardly had a spell of public administration that can be deemed free of corruption. The PNC dictatorship was followed by PPP Governments that furthered the political decay. With no sustained period of governance that has not fallen prey to partisanship, corruption and sycophancy, our public servants can hardly be blamed for their unprofessionalism. Given no model of leadership to emulate or which insisted on ethical standards, there is currently no culture of work.

Everywhere, the public service is run through with graft and bribery and it is not only at the highest official levels. At every stratum ordinary people give “raises” to get birth certificates, passports, driver’s licences, etc. That the police are

viewed as corrupt, as shown in a recent allegation of bribery, makes the issue more problematic.

However, we expect to see real change from our public servants who will now be held to higher standards and will be expected to perform with a newfound professionalism.

A Commission of Inquiry is meeting to propose the way forward for our public servants and we all expect that its deliberations will result in Government services that will be based on ethical principles which the public must be able to view as fair, just and correct. It is the highest of the servant leaders, President Granger himself, who will need to set the standard of attitudes and behavior which must be based on a moral disposition.

While the coalition promised increased wages for public servants, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has since tempered that campaign promise, stating that pay hikes will be premised on increased productivity thus providing further incentive for greater professionalism and efficiency.

The idea that Government is about power and control directly conflicts with the underlying principle that public service is about the proper stewardship

of the country’s affairs. This includes managing the country’s resources, practicing fairness and equality, maintaining transparency, and simply conducting the people’s business in what would be seen as a right and just manner.

In a multi-racial and multi-cultural society such as ours which has a history of racial discord and division, Government would also have to protect the rights of every group. Respect for human rights is interrelated to the public good and in the stewardship of public revenues. The distribution of the country’s wealth must be fair and equitable to ensure the security and development of every citizen no matter race, creed, gender, etc.

As it stands, the public service does not reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of our country, a vital component of a just and ethical service. Government’s much criticized witch hunt resulting in dismissals that are seen as ethno/political has not been a good start for any valuable reform. Perhaps, the COI will be able to reverse this by recommending that hiring and firing practices must always be fair and must always adhere to the rules of due process.

Our political history gives us a healthy distrust for public officials

and in the face of the administration’s witch hunt, corruptions, hypocrisy and arrogance, the commission’s well intentioned recommendations might well prove to be an exercise in futility.

There is a direct correlation between good governance and better economic performance but democratic elections and a majority Government do not in themselves guard against tyranny and autocracy. We know enough to recognize the early signs of a creeping dictatorship and we must all do our part to make sure that the country is not taken down that path again.

In closing, perhaps, the COI will recommend the long-overdue removal of those infernal dress codes for the public who need to transact business at public offices. We live in the tropics where slippers, sandals, short pants and sleeveless frocks are de rigueur and most comfortable especially when waiting in long queues in hot, airless offices.

We are all adults who can dress ourselves to conduct our business at our public buildings. This “nanny state” situation of forcing the public to conform to someone else’s idea of “proper” attire and giving security guards the power to hassle the public over such an inconsequential matter is plain eye-pass.

Powering up…

…power sharing

Lincoln Lewis doesn’t do much trade unionising these days – at his age, he mostly reminisces about the “good old days”. While warning about some of the pitfalls of “executive power sharing”, he meandered off to remind us of his great strike of ’99. That was when the TUC’s urban unions attempted to replicate the 1963 strikes against the PPP government – which eventually led to the latter’s ouster. The unions once again coordinated their street action with the PNC and literally shut down governmental operations from the hospital to the airport.

To keep the peace against the rambunctious marchers, the police on one occasion (when the strikers were obstructing a private wharf) were forced to fire pellets into the ground – the standard operating procedure. Reports showed that some pellets ricocheted into the nether flanks of 17 persons. Lewis now inflates this to 19…but then this can happen when we wax nostalgic, can’t it?

Anyhow back to Lewis’ main thesis, that if by some historical fluke – one that would be equivalent to Putin becoming President of the USA! – there were to be Executive power sharing in Guyana, wouldn’t that be a recipe for collusion and worse? Now this is a very interesting philosophical posture: it’s premised on a view of human nature that seems to accept the thesis that the lion can lie down with the lamb – but they’ll all become wolves. And devour us poor lambs. Most folks are very cynical that the PPP and the PNC (with one partner or other) can ever share Executive power with each other – and the results of the last elections reinforce their view. With just a bit more push (and getting Nagamootoo to accept his eunuching in the case of the PNC) from their ground troops and rational choice theory suggests they’ll each keep pushing to be Numerous Uno!

Oh sure they’ll keep making the politically correct sounds about getting together under a big tent in a rainbow coalition – or whatever other buzzword is current. Fact of the matter is the PNC has shown that even when the demography don’t favour them, they’re not interested in any REAL divvying up of power. They come from the realist school of politics (Burnham insisted it was “Machiavellian”) that insist power must reside “somewhere” – and not dispersed. And that “somewhere” is best in the bosom of the PNC.

So if Lewis worries that Granger may be straying from the Founder Leader’s line – he needn’t worry. Just as Burnham did unto D’Aguiar, so has Granger done unto Nagamootoo.

But in one month rather than the 3 years it took Burnham. Progress!

…divisions

If “hindsight is 20/20” then David Hinds seems to be suffering from a severe case of myopia. Accepting the present ethnic nature of Guyanese political mobilization and voting, he insists that David Granger must visit African-Guyanese communities and Nagamootoo and Ramjattan (henceforth, N&R) must likewise tool down in their new (combined $44M) SUV’s to Indian Guyanese enclaves.

He was alluding to Granger zipping down to Linden after his Interim Chairman interpreted “inattention” as “neglect”. But this Eyewitness believes that Hinds’ suggestion will tend to reify existing divisions and actually even deepen them. We can’t have this. Since the PNC’s supporters believe they’ve made a genuine alliance with the AFC – based on their ontological world view on race relations and not just a tactical mamaguying maneuver, right? – Granger can prove this by sending fellas like N&R to African -Guyanese areas.

While he moseys over to Black Bush Polder and such other benighted places.

In the APNU/AFC coalition, all awe ah waan, no? …the return

Sase Singh has also been rewarded with a column (well, actually a whole page) in the Kronic. This week he enthused about how to motivate “foreign” Guyanese to return home.

If he returns from his basement in the Bronx wouldn’t that unleash a demonstrator effect and a deluge of “returnees”?

Moving Circle comprises a group of indigenous artists who first used the name in 2002. These artists had introduced themselves in February 1991 with a groundbreaking exhibition, entitled “Contemporary Amerindian Art”, at the Hadfield Foundation. Since then, the group has held an exhibition almost every year, underlining the strength of creativity they possess.

This year, they have dedicated their exhibition, currently being held at Castellani House on Vlissengen Road, to Canon John Peter Bennett, an indigenous linguist, writer and priest.

This is a totally fitting tribute, since Fr. Bennett and the indigenous artists, in their own and separate ways, in different times, places, arts and pursuits, are all vitally involved in preserving, protecting and sharing the unique culture of our first peoples.

Together and individually, they have created, and continue to create, cultural artefacts of immeasurable value to the indigenous peoples, and a treasure for the nation.

Prior to 1991, earlier artists of indigenous heritage had made themselves known within the world of Guyana's art. These in-

clude, most notably, the ceramist and painter Stephanie Correia who in the 1960's was one of the first artists to use indigenous motifs in her work. Correia also designed her ceramics around the shapes of traditional pots and containers. Later in her career, she created a series of paintings reflecting her heritage.

In 1982, George Simon began exhibiting paintings that showed a fusion of European technique and indigenous subject matter in a style heavily influenced by printmaking, which he had been studying in England. Simon exhibited again in 1989, under the theme "Contemporary Amerindian Art".

These exhibitions showed Simon's search for a sense of self and a painterly language with which to express this sense. In subsequent exhibitions, he gradually developed a more individual style and a deeper insight into his native culture, and eventually became one of the major indigenous and national artists.

But it was the stunningly original work of Oswald Hussein, Simon's brother that definitively announced a live, vibrant and unique artistic imagination among our indigenous peoples. Hussein won the National Exhibition for

the Visual Arts prize for sculpture in 1989, and repeated the feat in 1993. Hussein's work was markedly different from that of the previous indigenous artists, and in addition to this, he worked in sculpture, unlike the previous artists.

The “Contemporary Amerindian Art” exhibi-

cally changed the perception of what “Amerindian Art” is.

George Simon had been the person who organized, inspired and trained these artists who included such names as Hussein, Telford Taylor, Lynus Clenkien and Roland Taylor and others. The group began mounting an annual show thereafter, in honour of Amerindian Heritage Month each year. In 1998, they began using the Arawak word "Lokono" (the People) to describe themselves.

There are also other artists of indigenous heritage who have exhibited sometimes separately, and sometimes together with the Lokono artists. These include Winslow Craig and Desmond Ali, who, in individual exhibitions starting in the 1990's and 1980's, had made solid reputations for themselves in their own right as sculptors.

tion in 1991 at the Hadfield confirmed that Hussein was no flash in the pan. Along with him, eight other artists displayed a large collection of work in sculpture, of fresh imagination and the highest quality of conception and execution.

This exhibition broke all kinds of ground in Guyanese art, and radi-

Other indigenous artists who have produced a range of work over the years include Basil Rodrigues, Eon Joseph, Abiola Francis, Trevor Alfred, Valentine Stoll, George Tancredo, and Basil Joseph.

The indigenous artists have indeed made a tangible contribution to Guyana's art. Indeed, they dominated the decades

of the 1990's and early 2000's, and almost single-handedly kept our art fresh and creative. In a similar manner, Fr. Bennett had for many decades until his death in 2011, been working to concretise indigenous language, myths and history by writing, collecting, documenting and researching. Given the extent of cultural erosion of Amerindian life, the work of these men and women constitute a massive statement of self-worth. They help to bring to the fore a concrete life - its environment, activities, people, motifs, language, myths and even its spirit.

This is important not only for the indigenous peoples, but for all Guyanese.

Held by the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House, in collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, the exhibition continues until Wednesday, September 30, 2015.

Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10am to 5pm on MondaysFriday and 2pm to 6pm on Saturdays; the gallery is closed Sundays and holidays. (Text by Alim Hosein) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Dunamis is a gospel band with immense talent. Their goal is to share messages of love, faith and truth through their music. Incredibly creative, the band has been producing original gospel songs, both lyrics and instrumental, for nine years now. These songs, both written and produced by members of the band, are “unrestricted in its musical diversity” as Dunamis “draws influence and inspiration from all genres of music”, which creates the band distinct sound. Dunamis has played in Suriname, Trinidad, and Barbados. Dunamis was formed in 2006 at the Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre (Assembly of God) Church. The Dunamis Band was originally “just the musicians of the church”; however, under the encouragement of the senior pastor, Reverend Simon Harris, it later became a formal band. The band is headed by Jeduthun Harris (who plays all instruments but is a keyboard specialist), John-Mark Hannibal on the drums, Jason Lawrence on the bass and Keoma Griffith on the keyboard. There are five vocalists: Jermaine Dewsbury, Rashlie Joseph, Trevor Smith, Jasmin Harris and Tiffany Vasquez. For more info, visit Dunamis Band on Facebook.

Obama, Castro meet as they work on thawing US-Cuba ties

UNITED

NATIONS – US

President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro at the United Nations on Tuesday in a rare one-on-one meeting between the former Cold War foes as they work toward improving relations after decades of animosity.

Castro, in the first speech at the UN by a Cuban president since his older brother Fidel addressed the Millennium Summit in 2000, said on Monday the two countries can normalize ties only after Washington ends its trade embargo and returns the Guantanamo US naval base to Cuban control.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Castro emphasized both points in the meeting with Obama, which he called “respectful and construc-

Trinis

Ptive.” The two presidents first shook hands at Nelson Mandela’s funeral in December 2013. They stunned the world late last year by announcing detente, and in July, the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations after a 54-year break.

Obama told the UN on Monday he was confident the US Congress would eventually lift the US embargo on Cuba. His administration has said it does not intend to return the naval base, though it is working hard to close the controversial prison there.

The White House said the two men discussed regulatory changes announced this month and human rights issues.

“The president, as he always does, sort of reaffirmed our commitment to seeing the Cuban government do a better job of not just respecting,

but actually proactively protecting the basic human rights of the Cuban people,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.

“We continue to believe that deeper engagement and deeper peopleto-people ties, deeper economic engagement between the United States and Cuba will have the effect of moving the government and the nation in a positive direction.”

The two men and their delegations met on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly. They showed an easy rapport, rising out of their seats to shake hands while Obama paused to button his suit coat. The meeting lasted roughly half an hour.

Obama and Castro have interacted a handful of times before, including a meeting at the Summit of the Americas

in Panama earlier this year, a phone call last year when they first agreed to jumpstart the US-Cuba relationship, and a phone call last week.

“The pace of the process toward normalization of relations between the Cuba and the United States will depend on the lifting of the blockade,” Cuba’s Rodriguez said.

US officials have said on condition of anonymity they might consider abstaining during an annual UN General Assembly vote next month to condemn Washington’s embargo on Cuba, provided the resolution’s language is toned down.

On October 27 Cuba will present the anti-blockade resolution, Rodriguez said.

“For as long as the blockade persists we will continue to present these draft resolutions,” he said.

urged to be on lookout for human trafficking, Guyanese in custody

ORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad:

The Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) is calling on citizens of T&T to be observant for possible indicators of human trafficking.

This call was made in light on last week’s incident where police officers may have been able to crackdown on an alleged human trafficking ring in Arouca. A businessman was subsequently arrested after two Venezuelan women were rescued.

One Guyanese national was taken into

custody while the CTU is partnering with key law enforcement agencies on the investigation.

“The more citizens become aware of human trafficking, the greater the potential of this heinous crime being addressed within our shores.

“Crime in this country cannot be tackled solely by law enforcement but is dependent on the co-operation and active concern of the general public,” the CTU said in a release.

Persons are asked to

look for:

• Homes or buildings which appear overly secured with frequent presence of vehicles at odd hours.

• Presence of foreign nationals, particularly young women, going to and from the premises.

• Residents of such homes typically keeping to themselves with the young women almost always escorted in and out by someone.

• Persons may live and work in the same premises with working conditions below minimum labour standards.

The CTU of the Ministry of National Security is the mandated agency responsible for addressing human trafficking in T&T.

It was established and is governed by the T&T Trafficking in Persons Act 14 of 2011.

If you know of or suspect any human trafficking activities, persons are asked to contact the CTU at 8004CTU/4288. All calls are anonymous. ( Trinidad Guardian)

Brutal Honesty

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom” – Thomas Jefferson

I’ve noticed that there are some people who seem to think that the only way to be honest to someone is to be brutal about it. And that’s quite confusing for me. But I’ve realised that those people just use ‘brutal honesty’ as an excuse to say something mean and take someone down a few pegs.

And those people seem to really pride themselves on their brutal honesty. They think it’s a virtue! They’re like, “Oh that’s who I am, I tell it straight. I’m brutally honest. If people don’t like it then that’s their problem.”

But there’s a difference between speaking honestly to someone and being a jerk about it.

There’s nothing dishonest about delivering a truth in a kind manner, taking the person’s feelings into consideration. Even when you’re being firm – you should respect the person you’re being honest to. I’ve written before of the philosopher Immanuel Kant’s exhortation that we must not treat people as

By Anu Dev

means but rather as ends. Each person is an autonomous being… not there for you to spew your frustrations or insecurities on. That old nursery rhyme “Sticks and stones will break my bones; But words will never harm me” is

waaaaay off base, in my opinion. Words are capable of quite a lot of damage. The most damaging since they can harm the psyche and corrode the soul. Why do we teach kids that rhyme? Especially at that age when they have no filter, kids can

say some of the cruelest things to each other. So why’re we telling them it’s okay to say whatever they like to each other but just don’t have a go at each other with sticks?

People also quite like to begin their sentences with “No offense, but…” and then continue on to utter some incredibly offensive language. Sure, ordinarily I would’ve gotten offended by that, but since you said that you didn’t mean to offend, I guess it’s a-okay!

I think there’s a difference between being blunt and being brutal that some people seem to miss. It’s the difference in treating the “other” as an object or a subject. You can be blunt or straightforward without it having that sort or sharpedged meanness of being brutal. There is the quality of empathy that each one of us should cultivate: just put yourself in that person’s shoes and ask whether you would want to be spoken to like that. And if you do, then you are a certified masochist… and you need help!!

The truth can be a difficult thing to hear and even more difficult to accept, so why make it even harder for that person by being mean about it? Man is a social being – we have to live with each other. There’s no need to be like porcupines with their needles always raised when someone gets close.

Arms Race

Satiricus was awestruck at the display our men in olive were putting on in Georgetown. Satiricus knew that the entire city had been on tenterhooks when they saw pictures of all those Venezuelan missiles poised on our border. While Satiricus wasn’t any kind of military maven, he was pretty sure those missiles weren’t meant to be dropped on Bai Shan Lin’s stands of greenheart.

In fact, since Maduro had issued “identity cards” to all the folks in Essequibo, THEY had nothing to worry about. Maduro wouldn’t be killing off his own newly anointed “citizens” would he? “No sir! It was we folks in Georgetown that would suffer from the Venezuelan Blitz,” moaned Satiricus. And he was grateful for the soldiers in the city.

Satiricus wasn’t worried hadn’t been equipped them with SAM’s (that’s Surface to air missiles) to take out the oncoming SRBM (that’s Short Range Ballistic Missiles). “It’s not what equipment you have… it’s how you use it,” thought Satiricus, as he clenched his jaw. The Commandant of the army had already looked over our airborne resources. While the Bell 412 Helicopter was “unserviceable” and the Chinese made Y-12 plane was “under repairs”, the 2 seven-seater Bell 206’s could easily ferry the squad that would take on the Venezuelans.

And the commandant was already placing an order for weapons to match the Venezuelan arsenal. Satiricus was worried that we might be plunging into an arms race with the Venezuelans. While he knew he would enjoy strutting past our own missiles and Mirage Fighters and all that on Independence Day, Satiricus was worried. He’d read that if a country buys gums, they can’t buy butter. Satiricus wasn’t sure as to why this was so but he did love his bread buttered.

But more to the point, Satiricus thought the Commandant was ignoring the lesson of our own history – and we would be doomed to repeat it. Back in 1966 he’d read that that Great Leader Burnt Ham had repealed the Venezuelans by making “every citizen soldier”. Burnt Ham quadrupled the size of the army, formed a National Service, a People’s Militia, a Women’s Auxillary, and armed his Youth group and had schoolchildren doing the lizard crawl in their school uniforms.

“Did a number on our elbows and uniforms” Satiricus reminisced, “But it scared away those nasty Venezuelans!”

What’s more, the unemployment problem would be solved, the economy would get the stimulus with all that military spending and our people would finally see why our Pressie hired all those military brass.

The man was a prophet!

Setting goals…

…for development

The distinction between “growth” and “development” had been made so many times since the 70’s that your Eyewitness won’t burden you, dear reader, with another disquisition of the subject. Save to say that while you can have growth without development, in the US, for instance, where the top 1% hogs 90% of the wealth. Did you see “8 Mile” with Eminem?

Living in a trailer park in the city that makes Cadillacs isn’t development!

Anyhow the UN just came up with some new 17 “sustainable development goals” (SDG’s) – as opposed to the 8 Millennial ones (MDG’s). Your Eyewitness has no problems with goals per se. Hey! – If you don’t set goals, you’re just drifting where ever the tide takes you, OK? And you’ll inevitably end up on the shoals one day. What he’s concerned about is that the lessons why so many of the first 8 goals weren’t achieved were ignored in the new and more ambitions SDG’s.

Let’s take this “ending poverty” goal. In the MDG it was to halve “extreme” poverty …now it’s ending ALL poverty. But they ignore that half of the folks removed from poverty in the MDG’s were from China – where it was done all by themselves. And China didn’t futz around with giving handouts – like so many of the other “antipoverty” programmes did. Even though it maintained it was “communist” the ruling party went full steam ahead with the profit motive to push growth. Which then led to “development” because they invested into the real economy – where people had to be employed. So even though China now has scores of billionaires, it also has a new 600 million middle class.

And where, even though there were all kinds of handwringing about working conditions, the Chinese ordinary citizens put their shoulders to the wheel and bootstrapped themselves out of poverty. As opposed to Guyana, where though businesses are crumbling all around, the Government ministers have refused to offer them incentives – while demanding higher salaries and “better working conditions” for the employees. Evidently it doesn’t strike them to ask where the money will come from.

But back to this “ending of poverty”. That’s good… that’s noble but to address the “relative” nature of the concept, the UN has continued to insist that an income of US$1.25 gives you a “get out of poverty” card.

And this is what the Eyewitness has a problem with. Surely there isn’t a place on planet earth that US$1.25 will take care of even the “bare necessities” for a day.

So is the bar set deliberately touching the ground so that “success” can be claimed in 2030?

…on the border controversy

Your Eyewitness was pretty upset when some folks snickered at our boys from the GDF jumping into action with heavy camouflaged outfits in the middle of the city. Presumably to “send a signal” to Maduro. Hey…your Eyewitness is very proud that these fellas are prepared to do what they gotta do. Back in 1969, some of their intrepid predecessors did expel some Surinamese invaders in the New River Triangle…OK?

Your Eyewitness just wants to reiterate the point the Opposition Leader just made: why reject diplomacy totally even when you have to counter your opponent’s posture? In our case Maduro needs rice and paddy to feed his restive supporters as much as we need his country to take our rice and paddy off our farmers’ hands.

If Venezuela hasn’t stopped shipping oil to us because of the economic fact that when oil is below $40…we have to pay upfront – why can’t we also see the economic necessity of shipping rice and paddy to them?

Are our rice farmers to be sacrificed on the altar of machismo?

…on growth

The Government’s accepted the SDG of at least 7% annually that’s set for Low income countries.

Now could they let us in on the plan to achieve this?

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

New York man admits involvement in Jamaican lottery scam

NEW YORK, United States – A 46-yearold man has admitted that he was involved in a Jamaican lottery scam that defrauded elderly victims of about US$300,000.

Charles Hanks, of Rochester, New York,

KINGSTON,

Jamaica – The Government says it will have to cut at least $8.6 billion from its recurrent budget for 2015/16 due to a projected shortfall in revenue and the "higher than planned" cost of its compensation packages.

Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips made the announcement after tabling the Fiscal Policy Paper interim report in the House of Representatives, Tuesday.

"The projected shortfall... will necessitate cuts in gross recurrent programmes of about $8.6 billion," Dr Phillips stated. He explained that the details will be presented when he tables the supplementary estimates by the end of the calendar year.

Opposition spokesman on finance and planning, Audley Shaw, meanwhile, noted that issues raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its most recent review of the Government's performance under their Extended Fund Facility agreement, included the possibility of cutting public sector staff and increases in taxes.

He questioned whether the cuts in housekeeping expenditure would be enough to avoid any drastic action, in relation to jobs of the public sector workers, or the possibility of tax increases this and next year.

In response, Phillips said that there was no secret that the Government of Jamaica and the IMF, as well as international partners and the private sector and the public sector unions, had agreed that faster rates of growth must be the priority going forward.

However, he insisted that the Government intended to stick with its policy of using attrition and voluntary redundancies as the main source of public sector staff reduction.

pleaded guilty to mail fraud before a federal judge on Tuesday. He will be sentenced on January 5 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a US$250,000 fine.

Prosecutors say that Hanks worked with a Jamaican group that operated a fraudulent

sweepstakes telemarketing scheme. The scam targeted the elderly, some of whom lost their life savings when they fell for the trick.

The scammers had called their intended targets, telling them they had won a lottery

and other prizes, and that they needed to send thousands of dollars in fees in order to collect the winnings. Hanks received money from the victims which he then forwarded to Jamaica after taking a cut. (Caribbean News)

"... And, of course, we have agreed with the unions that public sector transformation, resulting in improved efficiencies, are matters to be consid-

ered in the effort to reach that point," he said. Phillips said that there was no plan to change the basic trajectory of the public sector

programme, as it is now. However, he admitted that meeting the commitments, which include the four per cent and the three per cent (pay increases), as well as the cost of allowances including those which extend beyond four per cent, will require compensatory adjustments to the budget for this fiscal year.

He assured the public sector workers that the ministry intends to pay all the arrears in the course of the current fiscal year, but cautioned that the Government will have to undertake adjustments in order to achieve the targets for next year.

(Jamaica Observer)

Veteran actress Meryl Streep says she is inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.

The multiple Oscarwinner will be seen playing the role of Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of British suffragette movement in “Suffragette”.

When asked what inspired her, Streep told Time Out, “Malala Yousafzai and her classmates in Pakistan.”

In reply to a question whether she was a feminist, the 66-yearold actress said, “I am a humanist, I am for nice easy balance.”

Streep, however, feels men should find it abnormal if there is not enough women representation.

“Men should look at

the world as if something is wrong when their voices predominate. They should feel it. People at agencies and studios, including the parent boards, might look around the table at the decision-making level and feel something is wrong if half their participants are not women.

Because our tastes are different, what we value is different. Not

“Ted 2” beauty Amanda Seyfried and “New Girl” actor Justin Long have reportedly

Hollywood star George Clooney and wife Amal reportedly celebrated their first wedding anniversary with a quiet romantic meal at the Sunset Tower Hotel’s Tower Bar.

The 54-year-old actor tied the knot with the British lawyer in a starstudded ceremony in Venice, Italy, last September but marked a year of marriage in a more low-key way on Sunday, September 27, reported Us magazine.

split after more than two years of dating.

“It happened a few weeks ago. He’s really heartbroken,” a source

better, different,” she said.

The actress, considered one of the most formidable stars in Hollywood, however, had an interesting answer when asked whether she felt angry to know that she gets paid less than male colleagues.

“Oh darlin’, why ever would you imagine that?,” Streep said. (Indian Express)

Actress Emma Watson feels the disparity between the number of female directors she has worked with and her male helmers is a proof of the inequalities that exist for

Hailed as one of the greatest Christmas family comedies, “Home Alone” will return to theatres to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

close to the couple said.

Seyfried, 29, fell for 37-year-old Long on Instagram in the summer of 2013.

“I thought something he said was really funny,” she had said.

The couple shared a USD 1.9 million apartment in New York City.

Prior to her relationship with Long, Seyfried was linked to “Dexter” actor Desmond Harrington, and before that dated Dominic Cooper for three years before splitting in 2010.

Long previously dated Drew Barrymore and Kate Mara. (Indian Express)

“It was a lovely, quiet romantic meal, just the two of them,” a source said. “They stayed a few hours. They celebrated with champagne and both of them were all dressed up for the occasion. She had on a fancy dress and gorgeous jewellery,” another insider said.

The couple arrived at the restaurant at 10pm and it is likely they cel-

ebrated late in the evening as George had previously revealed he was committed to paying tribute to ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ producer Jerry Weintraub, who died in July, earlier in the day. (Indian Express)

Fathom Events and 20th Century Fox have announced that they will celebrate the 1990 holiday classic’s anniversary by screening the movie for two nights only in select theatres across US, reported Entertainment Weekly.

The special presentation, airing on November 8 and 11, will also feature an exclusive introduction.

Written by John

“Wolverine 3” will see Hugh Jackman portraying the famed clawed mutant for the last time and the star wants the film’s script to be perfect.

Jackman, 46, said he will not start shooting the third film until the script is great, reported Aceshowbiz.

“I’m sounding a little cagey because this is the last time I’m playing him, and I have just made the commitment to myself, really, and told everyone that until that script is perfect, until it is that perfect way to sign out. I’m not gonna start shooting.

women working in movies.

Watson, 25, has never been shy about expressing her distaste for the unequal treatment of women in Hollywood. “I have experienced sex-

ism in that I have been directed by male directors 17 times and only twice by women. Of the producers I’ve worked with 13 have been male and only one has been a woman,” the actress said.

Watson, however, admitted she has been lucky as compared to other women who have been turned away simply because of their gender, whether as an actress or director “I have always insisted on being treated equally and have generally won that equality,” she explained.

(Indian Express)

Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus, “Home Alone” introduced the world to Macaulay Culkin as Kevin, the 8-year-old boy who, after being left behind by his family, has to defend his home against two blundering burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).

“The ultimate plan is let’s start shooting next year… I’m starting the training, I’m starting the eating and mentally really preparing for it,” he shared.

“Home Alone” earned more than USD 285.7 million, and is still considered the highest grossing live-action comedy of all time in the US. (Indian Express)

a long time how I want to finish this sort of odyssey that I’ve been on, this amazing journey. And I won’t let it fall anywhere in between. I won’t fall short of it,” he

“So that’s why I don’t wanna say ‘Yes’ for sure, because until Page 115, 120, whatever it is…,” he said.

Jackman, however, added the studio already planned to start the principal photography next year.

The actor said that he prepared something special for the movie.

“I’m trying to do something with this that’s a little special, a little different. I’ve got a very, very strong idea of what that is. I really have known for quite

said.

“Wolverine 3” will be directed by James Mangold, with Lauren Shuler Donner tapped as producer. The movie is scheduled for a release in the US on March 3, 2017. (Indian Express)

Actress-producer Malaika Arora Khan, who is renowned in the Hindi film industry for her impeccable fashion sense, says that style is a part of one’s personality.

“I think stylish is something either you have it or you don’t, no mat-

ter what you do or try,” Malaika said at the Femina Style Diva West 2015 awards here on Monday.

Malaika was also a part of the awards gala’s jury panel along with Sussanne Khan, Vikas Bahl and Rocky S.

At the end of the event Sonal Rihaani was unanimously announced as the winner, while Ayesha Ghosh and Shreya Choudhary were the first and second runners-up.

Hosted at The Lalit here, the show was meant to reveal the young and aspiring fashionistas, and support them to take their stylish avatars to the next level.

The event was hosted by Rochelle Maria Rao and witnessed some stellar performances by Ali Quli Mirza, Fictitious Dance Group and a stand-up act by Aditi Mittal. (Indian Express)

After winning Grolsch People’s Choice Award at Toronto film festival,” Angry Indian Goddesses” will be screened at the 11th edition of Zurich film festival.

Directed by Pan Nalin and starring Tannishtha Chatterjee, SarahJane Dias, Sandhya Mridul, Anushka Manchanda, Amrit Maghera, Rajshri Deshpande and Pavleen Gujral, the movie will be a part of special screen-

Actress Kajol, who has been advocating the importance of hygienic environment, thinks government’s support is needed for passing on the message of maintaining sanitation standards in the society.

“You do require the help of the government. NGOs alone can’t do it. The entire country needs to talk about it. We have spoken to the government and they are helping us. We are grateful to the government for coming up with Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” Kajol said.

As the HelpAChildReach5 and Handwashing Ambassador, Kajol is in New York attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as the handwashing brand ambassador.

The 41-year-old “Dilwale” star thinks the message should be passed through children not by just telling

Sussanne Khan, the estranged wife of Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan, on Wednesday (September 30) denied reports that she is set to wed again. A successful entrepreneur, she says the gossip “hurts” as “families and human feelings” are involved.

Sussanne, an interior designer by profession, decided to issue a statement in the light of the media reports

Actress Shilpa Shetty says that she has started reading scripts to feature in films, but wouldn’t term as it as a “comeback” like how people generally term it.

around her rumoured wedding to “one of Hrithik’s close friends”. Several reports pointed at actor Arjun Rampal, who was reportedly a key reason behind the Hrithik-Sussanne split.

Just earlier this week, it was reported that Sussanne and Arjun were spotted at a coffee shop here.

In her clarification, Sussannne said: “Persistent speculation in the media has made me realise that idle Bollywood gossip mongers, who are influential, are insistent on spreading rumours and lies about me.”

“Stories are fabricated on upcoming weddings and meetings in coffee shops. It is irresponsible press if incorrect stories are published. There are families and human feelings involved and it hurts people when false gossip is passed off as true. I am a single working mother and take tremendous pride in the way I live.”

A mother of two — Hrehaan and Hridhaan — Sussanne is the daughter of veteran actor Sanjay Khan and Zarine Khan. (Indian Express)

ings at the festival.

The movie follows the stories of seven girls and is a fun film about Frieda (Sarah-Jane Dias) inviting her closest girlfriends to Goa to announce her wedding- catapulting into a wild bachelorette party. The emotional roller coaster ride unfolds characters amidst fun, chaos and a series of complications that follow – driving the seven girls to the edge. (Indian Express)

them to follow basic hygiene, but also practising it ourselves.

“As far as kids are concerned it is important to do things ourselves first. I have learnt from my children that practise what you preach. They follow it religiously and so do I. We show to kids on the UV light how one can see germs, so they understand why we ask them to wash hands,” Kajol said.

“My husband Ajay (Devgn) knows about this campaign as I do discuss things with him. He is not creatively involved with it,” she said.

The couple’s daughter Nysa was born in 2003 and their son, Yug, in 2010.

She feels that the star power gives a momentum to the social causes. “We don’t have to explain things in details to people they understand the importance of hand washing. It has become easier to make them understand about basic sanitation. I play to my strength while doing this campaign, I talk and try to reach to maximum people,” Kajol said.

“The campaign is growing. It is a global campaign. We are propagating it everywhere. Now people understand the importance of hand washing. We have adopted the entire state of Bihar,” Kajol said.

She has been a handwashing ambassador and advocate of Lifebuoy’s “Help A Child Reach 5” campaign since 2013. (Indian Express)

“Everyday I end up coming on the screen for some reason, at least on the small screen. I wasn’t even considering it (films) but now (son) Viaan will soon turn three-and-a-half years. He’s spending more time at school, so I’ve started to read scripts. And the 2-3 scripts that I read were not up to the mark.

“It really has to be a riveting film for me to do, something that I haven’t done before. And I’m not going to make a comeback or something similar, like how people term it. I just want to do something that would interest me as an actor,” said Shilpa to queries if she would be seen in films again.

Asked about the genre with which she would like to make a comeback, she said that the script hasn’t come till now, so she couldn’t say anything.

Shilpa was present along with her husband Raj Kundra to promote Saffola Life’s initiative ‘Walk together to #protectherheart’ on Tuesday and stressed the benefits of walking 30 minutes with one’s husband for the health of the heart and bonding.

“I’ve always believed that health is

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan says that marriage is not for a lifetime. During the press conference of the show ‘Bigg Boss’, the most eligible bachelor of Bollywood was asked when shall he get ‘double’, to which he said, “I have got double since ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ and now I would turn triple for ‘Sultan’. Marriage is not for the lifetime, in which generation are you living in…not happening.”

Later he asked the re-

wealth. And if ever there is an opportunity where I can play a catalyst in telling people the same and making a difference to their lives, I would most happily do so. I’m very happy that today Saffola Life has taken this initiative and it’s a great endeavour to protect women’s hearts,” she said.

Shilpa was last seen in an item number for her own production, “Dishkiyaoon” which starred Harman Baweja. Her last substantial performance was in “Apne” in 2007 and it’s been more of special appearances post that.

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is making her comeback with “Jazbaa” while other actresses Karisma Kapoor, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit have all made their “comebacks” in the last few years. (Indian Express)

porter, “You want me to get married temporary or permanent?” When a reporter told Salman Khan not to get married, he said, “Nice debate… some saying get married, some saying don’t get married. Are you all trying to convince me or demoralise me?”

The format of ‘Bigg Boss’ this season is ‘Double Trouble’. The show will go on air from October 11 on Colors Channel.

On the work front, Salman Khan is looking forward to his next release Sooraj

Atwell in New York for training

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Determined to leave no stone unturned in his desire to cop an impending title, Dominicabased Guyanese Clive

“The Punisher” Atwell is reportedly off to the United States of America (USA) to whip himself into peak shape for the main fight on the upcoming “Brawl at the Mall” boxing card.

Atwell was last week named as replacement for the injured Trinidad and Tobago-based Iwan “Pure Gold” Azore, who was down to face local boy Dexter Gonsalves, in the feature contest at the Giftland Mall at Pattenson, Greater Georgetown.

Azore, who was down to defend his na-

tional welterweight belt against Gonsalves, claimed he had injured his ankle and would be out of action for two weeks, forcing the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) to seek an alternative opponent.

The GBBC and Atwell were able to strike a deal last Friday, and the boxer and Gonsalves will enter the ring at the 140-pound limit, to compete for the FECABOX Super Lightweight belt.

According to GBBC President Peter Abdool, the winner of the bout is guaranteed a spot in the WBC Top 20.

If the information reaching Guyana Times International Sport is true, then it is clear the serious-

ness with which Atwell is treating the October 24 bout.

A usually reliable source close to the hierarchy of boxing in Guyana told this publication on Tuesday that the pugilist is en route to New York where he will undergo possibly two weeks on intense training at the world famous Gleason’s Gym in Queens.

Meanwhile, apart from the main fight, Imran “Magic” Khan, a highly successful amateur boxer, will make the move up the professional ranks and will face David Thomas in a four-round lightweight contest, while Terrence Adams and Keeve Allicock will open the professional segment with a fourround featherweight showdown.

In bout number three, Anson Green and Quincy Gomes will trade punches in a sixround junior welterweight clash.

On the amateur side, Orin Bancroft of Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gym will take on Travis Hubbard of Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym in a Youth Lightweight fight; Tefon Green of Guyana Defence Force will trade punches with Dexter Wray of Republican in an Elite Flyweight showdown; Glenroy Smith of Essequibo Boxing Gym will confront Clifton Grayham of Republican in a Welterweight bout; and Nandkumar Singh of Republican will battle with Kelon King of Forgotten Youth Foundation in a Lightweight fight.

Contrite Simmons says outburst was a 'moment of madness'

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Head coach Phil Simmons has apologised to his fellow selectors and to the West

Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for his outburst last Friday, calling his actions "a schoolboy error in a moment of madness".

The 52-year-old Trinidadian wrote to express his "sincere apologies" for his comments which sent shockwaves through the West Indies

cricket fraternity and led to his subsequent suspension for the Sri Lanka tour.

Simmons took the bizarre step of publicly castigating the selection process regarding the one-day team for the tour of Sri Lanka, saying team selection had been influenced by "interference from outside".

"In no way did I intend to even mention the issues of selection. It was not in any way intentional and so therefore I needed to express my deepest regret to you and my fellow selectors," Simmons wrote.

"I can only describe it as a schoolboy error in a moment of madness. This was not within my character."

He added: "I need to apologise as I am genuinely sorry."

Despite the apology, Simmons is now set to face a WICB panel to answer for the outburst, with WICB chief executive Michael Muirhead

saying Tuesday a decision would be reached within the next seven days.

Muirhead said Simmons would be given "a fair hearing" with the investigation conducted "within the boundaries of our own internal human resources policy".

"During the process, he will continue to enjoy the benefits of his full remuneration," Muirhead outlined.

"The matter will be dealt with in an expeditious manner and it is our intention to have a decision within the next seven working days."

In a media conference last Friday in Barbados, at the end of a week-long training camp for the Test squad, Simmons expressed his frustration with the continued non-selection of the Trinidadian duo of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard.

He said he and chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, had voted for

their re-inclusion but the three other selectorsCourtney Walsh, Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Browne - had voted against the move.

"The disappointing fact is that you can lose 3-2 in a vote-off but there is too much interference from outside in the selection of the ODI squad and it's disappointing for me to know that in any aspect of life ... [people would use] their position to get people into a squad or in this case, get people left out of a squad," Simmons charged.

"It is wrong and I don't like it and that is my beef with the selection of the ODI team."

Baptiste, who was set to be the 'selector-ontour' will now take over duties as head coach in Simmons' absence.

The West Indies squad for the two-Test series left Barbados in two groups on Monday and Tuesday, with the first group arriving in Sri Lanka on Wednesday morning.

Urling to address symposium in Colorado

Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling will be presenting on Good Governance and Administration at the “Best Practices Symposium” being hosted by the U.S. Soccer Federation in Denver, Colorado from October 4-6.

All CONCACAF members are expected to attend the symposium, which aims to provide members with information on effective football administration and governance processes.

11 Guyanese golfers for Suriname tourney

By raJiv BisnauTh

Eleven of Guyana’s leading golfers will compete in this weekend’s Golf Club Paramaribo’s Republic Bank Invitational 2015 tournament in Suriname.

Guyana has always had a presence at the tournament, which will be staged on October 3 and 4.

A total of ten males and one female will play under the colours of the Golden Arrowhead in the tournament, which will use the Stableford format.

There will be a total of four categories for the male players and one for those on the distaff side.

Diedre Davis, General Secretary of the GFF, will be accompanying Urling to the symposium.

Urling’s presentation will focus on the GFF as a case study and will chronicle the experiences of the Normalisation Committee since being appointed by FIFA in October 2014. It will give participants insights into what the GFF situation was a year ago that necessitated FIFA’s intervention with the imposition of a Normalisation Committee and it will provide a window into the management principles and measures implemented by the Normalisation Committee in executing its mandate of bringing stability to football governance in Guyana.

BCB/TeleneC 50-over CriCkeT… Hetmyer

leads Young Warriors into playoff

National senior and West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer scored a magnificent century to lead his team, Young Warriors, to a convincing six-wicket victory with 17.4 overs to spare in their crucial final preliminary round match against Tucber Park in the Bobby Deonarine/Tom Gruntzel sponsored Tenelec Inc. round-robin, 50-over, first division cricket competition.

In a must-win match for the victors, played at the picturesque Cumberland cricket ground, Tucber Park won the toss and took first strike. Their openers, former national youth batsmen Anthony D’Andrade and Joemal LaFleur, took off like bullets from a gun, racing to 63 in eight overs when they lost LaFleur for 40 (4x4s, 1×6).

Berbice senior all-rounder Devon Clements joined D’Andrade and continued in the same vain, adding a further 55 before the former went leg before to Seon Hetmyer for 30. After that, the run rate slowed as Young Warriors spinners took control.

Hakeem Hinds went run out for three, followed by Eugene LaFleur (13), caught off former West Indies Under-19 and senior national player Gajanand Singh, who is back in the country. Wickets continued to fall as the run rate slowed further with Tucber Park losing top scorer D’Andrade for 65, Keon DeJesus (11), Niall Smith (0) and Romario Shepherd (20), ending on 194 all out in 47.5 of their allotted 50 overs.

Former national youth all-rounder Linden Austin took 3-43, current national Under-19 all-rounder Kassim Khan 2-23 and Seon Hetmyer 2-46, with one wicket apiece for Singh and Kevin Ramdeen.

Young Warriors began their chase carefully with Shimron Hetmyer and former Berbice Inter-county centurion Maxie Dejonge. The run rate picked up gradually with the host reaching their hundred in the 22 overs without losing a wicket.

Young Warriors lost their first wicket at 122 with DeJonge going for 31. In the meantime, the young Hetmyer, who is preparing for the upcoming regional Four-day tournament, started to dominate the bowling.

Former Berbice youth batsman Waheid Edwards joined the prolific Hetmyer and took the score 170 when Edwards went for 16. Young Warriors then suffered a slight hiccup when they lost Gajanand Singh without and Hetmyer for 118 (9x4s, 6x6s) in quick succession.

However, former national youth batsmen Kevin Ramdeen and Seon Hetmyer saw them home, scoring 12 and six not out respectively.

Former national youth pacer Niall Smith took 3-55. Young Warriors will play their playoff game at the Cumberland ground next Sunday. Tucber Park ended as runner-up of the group and have also qualified for the next round.

Lusignan Golf Club President Oncar Ramroop said he is confident the local golfers will do well during the twoday event.

Ramroop disclosed that the players are all in top form and should be among the winners in all categories they will compete in.

“I am extremely optimistic that the Guyanese players will perform very well and should be among the winners in all the division they participate in. All of the players are in top form so they are expected to give stiff competition to the other competitors,” Ramroop remarked.

The Guyana team is: Troy Cadogan, Mike Gayadin, Brian Hackett,

Dr Philbert London, Parmanand Persaud, Patanjalee Persaud, Lakeram Ramsundar, Patrick Prashad, John Tracy, Kalyan Tiwari and Shanella Webster. On their return the local golfers are expected to up their preparations for the annual Guyana Open – the premier golf tournament on the local calendar. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

Hinds shares vision to improve basketball in Guyana

By TreisTon Joseph

President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds during an extensive interview with Guyana Times International Sport relayed his vision on the way forward to develop basketball.

“There is space for us to develop these players locally but we will have to have well funded, well organised and competitive club basketball, whether it’s Linden, Georgetown or Berbice,” Hinds noted.

However, owing to the fact that the players locally are unable to put in the hours required to really hone their craft such as the players in the National Basketball League (NBA), Hinds pointed out as part of the problem holding the sport from progressing.

“When you look at the corporate sector and the different industries we have in businesses and what they are willing to do and how it is structured, I think they are taking what I would consider a very short term approach to funding sports versus a long term approach ,” Hinds opined.

Hinds pointed to Antigua’s Business

League that has an overall sponsor for the tournament while every team in the league is sponsored by a business as a long term approach that can help develop the sport.

According to Hinds, a set-up such as this would allow the team’s being sponsored by the businesses to be taken care of with various amenities while the players are give a stipend to help offset expenses.

“it’s not just playing as a pure amateur, it’s in some ways as getting a benefit, instead of these companies whether it be ANSA McAL, Digicel, GT&T and some of the other mid-tier companies… we would like them to adopt a club and when they adopt a club then we can work together to get a kind of a prize money per game or

stipend for each player and that to me can build a semi-pro professional type league where we might even have players coming in from the other islands to participate.

“So that is the change really that we need and that would also create more competitiveness in our first division tournament, so this is something we are looking at,” Hinds highlighted.

Meanwhile Hinds noted that part of his future plans is to really shed the Burnham Court, in order for the facility to be an all weather facility.

With the National Sport Commission expected to do renovations to the facility, Hinds noted that he hopes to shed the facility after the NSC’s work on the court is done. (josepht@guyanatimesgy.com)

West Indies fail to qualify for 2017 Champions Trophy

The declining fortunes of West Indies cricket hit a new low on Tuesday when the Caribbean team failed to qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy in England.

Restricted to the world’s top eight-ranked sides, the West Indies missed out on the lucrative event after slumping to ninth place on Tuesday’s cut-off date.

Their failure to qualify marks the first time the West Indies will be missing from any of cricket’s three big limited-overs events — the 50-overs World Cup, the Champions Trophy and the Twenty20 World Cup.

West Indies are one of

just three teams to have captured all three titles, winning the 50-over World Cup in 1975 and 1979, the Champions Trophy in 2004 and the Twenty20 World Cup in 2012, but have fallen on hard times.

Once the most dominant force in world cricket, West Indies have struggled in recent years, plagued by chaotic mismanagement and rows over player contracts.

Last year, West Indies abandoned their planned tour of India and just two days ago, they suspended coach Phil Simmons after he criticised the selection policy for next month’s tour to Sri Lanka.

Their spot in the 2017 Champions Trophy was effectively taken by Bangladesh, whose last appearance at the tournament was in 2006, although they finished seventh in the rankings, just ahead of Pakistan.

Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan also qualified, along with the host-nation England, who were automatically granted a place.

The 2017 Champions Trophy will take place from June 1-18, with the eight qualified teams separated into two pools of four, and the top two from each group advancing to the knock-out phase. (Reuters)

India, South Africa brace for battle of equals

Snow-capped peaks, gorgeous cedar trees, fresh air and a lack of stifling traffic all contribute towards making Dharamsala one of the more beautiful cricket venues in the world, and reiterates that there is more to life than just work.

While that may be true, 22 professional cricketers will need to ignore scenic beauty for three hours and focus on the job at hand when they step on to the HPCA Cricket Stadium on Friday (October 2) evening for the first Twenty20 International between India and South Africa. Each time they look

skywards, they will be faced with the magnificent sight of the Dhauladhar mountain range, but the players will strive their utmost to keep their attention away from nature and on the game. Not only because the first tie is crucial to how the threematch T20I series pans out, but also because it gives the sides a chance to weigh each other in the lead-up to five One-Day Internationals and four Test matches. Further, with the ICC World Twenty20 2016 less than six months away, this is also the beginning of the final phase of identifying

South american 10K set to be bigger and better

By TreisTon Joseph

The 13th edi-

tion of the South American 10K is set to have a massive improvement in participation and prestige, as was disclosed at the launch on Wednesday at its Secretariat on Light Street.

At the press conference where Banks DIH Limited was introduced as the first major sponsor of the event set for November 8, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, noted that all 12 of the South American countries have given their commitment to participate in the event.

“We expect greater participation…we have received commitments from all 12 of the South American countries, as well as calls from the United Arab Emirates,

as well as an increase in the number of Caribbean countries,” Hutson revealed.

Hutson also disclosed that the event has been revamped, with the overall winner now being crowned at the conclusion of the three legs, thus creating more participation.

There will also be no categories at the event, while 16 and under athletes have been debarred from participating.

A points system will be introduced where the athlete accumulating the most points will receive the overall crown as well as an extra US$1500.

Hutson in his remarks also thanked Banks DIH Limited for the support. “We are appreciative and grateful to Banks for answering the call as our first sponsor,” Huston mentioned.

Meanwhile, with the event being sponsored

under the Rainforest Waters and Powerade brands, Banks DIH Water Brand Manager Errol Nelson stressed the beverage company’s commitment to sport.

“Our sponsorship of this South American 10K race demonstrates our steadfast involvement in the development of sport in Guyana and in particular athletics. Our involvement in the event will be in the form of creating the awareness of the brand along with providing refreshments for the athletes and ground staff,” Nelson noted, as he wished the event success.

The South American 10K will have three legs, with the first beginning on October 31 in Suriname before coming to Guyana on November 8. The final leg will be held on November 16 in Panama.

Over 100 athletes registered for Guyana marathon

Over 100 local and foreign athletes have already finalised their registration for the first staging of Guyana Marathon, set for November 14 at Santa Mission.

personnel going into that competition.

By the looks of it, India will stick to its first-choice T20 side with Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the helm. Barring the exclusion of Ravindra Jadeja and the inclusions of S Arvind, the Karnataka medium pacer, Amit Mishra and Harbhajan Singh, there are no major changes made to the squad which featured in the ICC World Twenty20 2014 in Sri Lanka. In that tournament, India beat South Africa by six wickets in the semifinal, driven by Virat Kohli’s 72 not out off 44 balls in a chase of 173. (ICC)

That’s the word coming from one of the chief organisers, Leslie Blacks, who informed this publication of Wednesday that plans for the event are coming along fine, with over 65 foreign athletes already confirmed to participate.

Blacks, one of the most successful local coaches, pointed out that participants are expected from Canada, United States of America, England and several territories in the Caribbean.

He further stated that funds garnered from the one day event will go directly towards the Santa Mission Elementary School.

Corporate support

has also been streaming in for the event, with GTT “Do More” recently injecting Gy$1 million to join with entities such as Banks DIH Limited, Marriott Hotel and Impressions as partners in the initiative.

The event, which will comprise a Marathon, Half Marathon and a 10K, will be the first of its kind in the Santa Mission area.

The Marathon will

commence at 08:00h, which will be followed by the Half Marathon starting at 09:00h and the 10K at 10:00h. Among the local athletes that will be on show are Kelvin Johnson, Alika Morgan and Cleveland Forde.

Interested athletes can register at www.guyanamarathon.com, and queries can be forwarded to guyanamarathon@ gmail.com.

Crandon aims to produce more international players

Guyana Jaguars players during Wednesday’s net session at the Georgetown Cricket Club

By Rajiv Bisnauth

With one eye on defend-

ing his team’s Regional First-class title, Head Coach of the Guyana Jaguars franchise, Esaun Crandon, says his main aim during the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket league (PCL) Four-Day tournament is to produce more international cricketers for the West Indies team.

From a personal perspective, Crandon said his desire this season is to ensure each player realises his full potential, with the aim of ultimately wearing the maroon West Indies uniform in the near future.

“Yea definitely, while our first goal is to defend

the title, obviously one of the goals set out is to produce players to play at the highest level, but having said that it’s a process, and we are willing to go through that process,” Crandon said.

He added, “It will not be that easy, it will talk a lot of hard work from the players individually as well as the support staff, but we are prepared for the hard work.”

Under Crandon’s watch, Guyana has produced three new West Indies players, namely batsmen Assad Fudadin and Rajendra Chandrika, and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul.

It was also under Crandon’s tenure that leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine and middle-order batsman

Leon Johnson earned recalls to the senior West Indies team.

“We did well last year and we are trying to continue this year because we are not only looking to win, but to produce players for the West Indies so people can judge us not only for winning, but for producing West Indian players,” Crandon pointed out.

He continued, “One thing I want this year from my players is for them to get out of the 400/500 runs [aggregate]. I want them to aim higher to get 800 or 1000 runs. I also want them to come out of 20 and 30 averages and go for 40 or 50. I think for our fast bowlers this year, I really want to see them dominate. I know the wickets are not conducive, but that’s where the

Richardson inspires Pele to 3-1

win

over Buxton united

Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson continued his dominating performance in the Stag Elite League as the forward inspired Pele FC to a 3 –1 over Buxton United on Wednesday evening at the Tucville ground.

Playing in the opening game of the night’s double header, Richardson opened Pele’s account just seven minutes into the game when he sweetly timed a Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant pass and hammered it with a left footed volley that easily beat Jason Cromwell in goal.

Richardson continued to haunt Buxton United’s defence but was unsuccessful in his attempt for another strike.

Meanwhile, Clive Andries made Pele pay for their defensive breakdown when he stoked in from point blank range.

Despite their (Buxton United) goal, Pele still had the upper hand

standing firm behind Richardson as they continued to torment their opponents.

Just before the close of the half, Richardson set up Julian Joseph for his thunderous right foot shot from just outside the 18 yards area.

Heading into the second stanza with a 2 – 1 advantage Richardson on several occasions troubled Cromwell in goal but the lanky Buxton United custodian kept the feared forward off the sheets.

Rawle Gordon put the icing on the cake for Pele FC in the 55th minute with his goal.

Omallo Williams picked up a red card in the 78th minute to leave Pele with 10 but the handicap did not shift the weight of the match.

The win now sees Pele moving to the top of the points table with seven points and their second win of the League. It was also Richarson’s

skills as a bowler come in for the different surfaces where they will have to know how to adjust, bowl in the right areas and be patient.”

Meanwhile, Crandon is confident that the discipline displayed by the cricketers during the re-

cent training sessions is a positive sign.

According to Crandon, the players have shown vast improvement over the few weeks in perfecting their game in time for the tournament, which is set to bowl off on November 6.

Two four-day practice games are planned before the final squad is selected. The Guyana Jaguars will begin the defense of the title against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the National Stadium. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

third goal; the most by any player in the Stag Elite League.