Guyana Times International

US Gov’t steps up fight against Guyanese money launderers

Caribbean Diaspora, US officials to address Guyana/ Venezuela border issue at Florida Conference

The Venezuela/Guyana border controversy is one of three issues up for discussion at a forum in Miami, Florida titled “Florida Conference on Current Caribbean Issues: The Diaspora Discussion” where the Caribbean Diaspora community, business executives, the academic community and US elected officials will participate.

Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge will be the guest of honour at the event and is slated to deliver the keynote address. He is also tasked with the responsibility of leading the discussions on the panel that will focus on the discussions surrounding the

participants

Nagamootoo’s indulgences up to Gy$50M and counting

In excess of Gy$50 million of taxpayers’ money has already been expended on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo after only four months in Executive Office and this is in spite of having heavily criticised those desirous of leading a “Cadillac and exorbitant lifestyle” in a “donkey-cart economy”.

Ironically, it was Nagamootoo who best exemplified the previous scorn for “squandermania” and vowed to cut excess spending of public funds and lead a lean and clean lifestyle.

It was also Nagamootoo, during his tenure as an Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), who introduced the term “fat cats” in the National Assembly which he used to describe those public employees and political appointees benefiting from super salaries that were allegedly “bleeding” the treasury.

But the stark reality is that upon ascending to office, the first demand made by the Prime Minister was to have the Prime Minister’s Residence and the Office of the Prime Minister rehabilitated – a task which will cost the Government tens of millions of dollars. The two buildings, which were humbly occupied by former Prime Minister

Samuel Hinds, were deemed unsatisfactory by the man who professed deep concerns about the poor and ordinary citizens of the country.

“It was deplorable…I probably wouldn’t put my dogs there, I think they would die,” he had told media operatives.

“Deplorable”

Secondly, Nagamootoo exclaimed that the Office of the Prime Minister was inadequate and he refused to work out of the building which was, again, humbly occupied by the former Prime Minister for a number of years. Consequently, additional millions of dollars will be expended to ensure the Office is up to par with Nagamootoo’s demands.

The Prime Minister also wasted no time in

having the road to his private residence repaired, declaring that the street was in a deplorable state. Indeed so, the road was in dreadful condition, but the other roads in the same community which were equally appalling went unattended. Therefore, the cost associated with the road works which were done to this one stretch of road was purely for the PM’s convenience. Of course, this cost millions of dollars. It was also reported that Nagamootoo had another hefty sum of money expended to repair a bridge and the roadway embankment leading to his private abode.

But the Prime Minister did not stop there. It was he who made the Cabinet proposal to have a whopping salary increase for all

Government Ministers.

“All I asked for was $100 [USD] increase more on the Prime Minister’s salary,” Nagamootoo admitted to the National Assembly on August 22. He is already earning a monthly salary of some Gy$1 million. In addition to that figure, some Gy$500,000 is set aside for benefits on a monthly basis.

Even in light of all that spending, Nagamootoo did not seem to think that he alone was “bleeding” the treasury.

The Prime Minister will also now benefit from the purchase of a Gy$22 million luxury Land Cruiser which is to be added to his existing fleet of 22 vehicles. Certainly, Nagamootoo is ensuring that for the next five years he will be enjoying quite a

sybaritic lifestyle.

Nagamootoo defended this ostentatious purchase by declaring that the luxury vehicle will be used to “reach out to those who voted for the Prime Minister”. It is presumed that Nagamootoo was referring to the need to show up to the rice farmers and cane cutters who supported the AFC during the last elections.

The spending did not stop there. An additional Gy$10 million is set aside for the purchase of furniture and equipment, while another Gy$4 million is allocated for the refurbishing of furniture and equipment.

Also, some Gy$10 million was budgeted under the Office of the Prime Minister for “minor works”, which Nagamootoo said will be

distributed to assist in various projects undertaken by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Salvation Army and the Diocese of Guyana, among others.

Additionally, a whopping Gy$15.7 million is set aside for “other expenses”.

Apart from that, reports indicate that Nagamootoo has increased the number of security guards assigned to him- another burden on the treasury.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration’s Cabinet of 26 members has already been deemed a “monstrosity and financial burden” by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition. Therefore, with double the number of Ministers, there will most naturally be a significant increase in the amount of taxpayers’ monies spent on salaries, benefits and other entitlements.

Each of the 26 Ministers appointed thus far is entitled to vehicles, free gas/diesel, free telephone, free electricity and free Internet service, free housing or housing allowance, water, domestic staff and additional office staff, among other benefits and privileges.

Budget passed

The inaugural APNU+AFC Budget was passed in the National Assembly in the wee hours of Thursday morning after more than twelve hours of consideration for several high-profile government Ministries.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan moved Appropriation Bill 2015 in the National Assembly which reflected the removal of several constitutional offices which then brought the total sum of monies down to Gy$181.7B – on mutual agreement of both sides of the House.

This was done to reflect changes in Guyana’s laws which were overlooked in the preparation of the Budget. The budget, which was presented as the largest one, boasted an initial sum of Gy$221B.

US Gov’t steps up fight against Guyanese money launderers

…Visas

Guyanese and United States (US) authorities have uncovered a money laundering and gold smuggling racket that has so far fleeced the country of more than US$200 million (Gy$42 billion) worth of the precious metal over a four-month period.

Top officials of the Guyana government said a number of Guyanese gold exporters have been smuggling out huge quantities of gold from Guyana and on arriving in the US have been declaring them as “scrap gold” which do not attract duties in that country.

The failure to declare gold exports at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport also means that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has not been unable to tax the exports in Guyana.

The calculation of US$200 million was made for gold arrivals from Guyana over

for gold smugglers revoked

the period November, 2014 to March, 2015.

The officials have confirmed that the smuggling and sale of “scrap gold” in the US is part of a massive money laundering operation.

The American visas of several gold

on specific cases or ongoing investigations, anyone who is found to have committed a felony would be ineligible to be the holder of a US Visa.

“Under U.S law, anyone who has committed a crime of moral turpitude, which is essentially a felony under your system, would be ineligible for a United States visa. So to the extent that we have individuals who have also committed felony offenses in the money laundering realm, they too would be ineligible for US visas just like any other felon”, Hunt said.

miners and traders have since been revoked, even as several more are the subject of an intensive investigation.

In an invited comment, the US Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires, Bryan Hunt said while he could not comment

When asked directly whether visas would have already been revoked, Hunt reminded that he could not comment on specific cases but “what I can say is that if we have evidence that someone has committed a crime of moral turpitude, therefore that visa would be invalid for travel to the United States”.

The senior US Embassy official said the US government has been partnering with the security agencies in Guyana to tackle the problems of money laundering and narcotics smuggling.

While some of the gold is being funneled through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, authorities say other quantities are being placed on Suriname-bound planes at the Ogle International Airport. Apart from attracting lower taxes in Suriname, the yellow metal is sold to the Middle East.

The sources said security is relaxed to allow the smugglers to pass through both airports without checks and declarations. Minister with responsibilities for mining and the environment, Raphael Trotman has said the Government is taking stronger action against smugglers.

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EDITORIAL

Beyond the Promises

The newly-elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government’s deadline for the implementation of its laudable 100-day plan expired at the break of dawn today (Wednesday).

Many of the promises contained within that plan, which was used to muster up political support ahead of the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, remain unfulfilled.

Regardless of the “A” Grade that the new Government has given itself, it has failed miserably in the eyes of the populace as far as honouring these simple yet complex election goodies promises to the masses.

On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreedupon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

At the moment of the expiration of the 100 days, the Value Added Tax nor Berbice River Bridge tolls have not been reduced. The new Government while in Opposition campaigned heavily on these issues and they should have been effected within the first 100 days without any excuses.

There were no “significant” increases for public servants on the traditional payroll. What workers got, in fact, was a five per cent increase, while those below the minimum wage which account for less than 15 per cent of the entire public sector benefited from “moderate increases” as a result of the hike in the minimum wage. While Government gave Old Age Pensioners a meagre Gy$4000 more, it removed their ability to benefit from millions of dollars in subsidies for water and electricity.

Linden still does not have its television station and there is no establishment of “passport and birth certificate licensing offices in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden”. A makeshift facility was put in place so persons could receive their documents but not process them.

No date for Local Government Elections has been set and the new Government seems confused as to when these elections could be practically held. This is the most criminal breach of the plan given the positions adopted by the Government when it was in Opposition. There is no procurement Commission nor was constitutional reform delivered. No conference for women was held in reality nor was there a national youth council meeting. There has been no liberalisation of the Telecommunications and Information Communication Technology Sectors. There is no long-term economic development plan put forward by the new Government for the full realisation of the country’s vast potential.

The Government has failed the people and must be held accountable for the non-implementation of this plan and the Cummingsburg Accord regardless of the recent publicity stunt pulled and led by Messrs Harmon and Nagamootoo.

While the Government has not managed to completely accomplish its 100-day plan, it has managed to fire thousands of workers from the public service and within Government’s employ. Many of them coincidentally or not have been East Indians and Amerindians who supported the PPP/C.

The Government over the first 100 days managed to pull out a birthday bash and inauguration for the new President which amounted to millions of dollars as well. Over this same period, it managed to purchase a Gy$22 million vehicle for the new Prime Minister and pay for partially or entirely the trips of several of its Ministers abroad for political and other forms of business.

It has also failed to address the crime and security needs of the masses, as scores were murdered, robbed or died as a result of road accidents during its first 100 days. Ironically, the President’s, PM’s, and Vice Presidents’ security details were enhanced and extensive repairs were made to their roads and residence within that time frame.

Perhaps even more criminal was the Government’s hypocrisy in delivering a PPP-derived budget to the populace which featured butchered, cut and pasted policies within a questionable legislative and economic framework to the Parliament.

The next 100 days await the public and given the trend, no one should hold their breath hoping for a fresh approach or paradigm shift.

Ending African Cultural Marginalisation

By Ravi Dev

Iwish to continue a discussion that was initiated earlier with Mr Eric Philips of ACDA. What follows was offered in 2008, as I watched the chickens coming home to roost from the heady days of the Buxton Resistance. I mentioned, inter alia, the seduction of young Africans by “political sophisticates” (Mr Kwayana’s phrase) for the fast life of nihilistic violence.

“And it is to this destruction of African social capital that I wish to comment today: why is it that we have this pool of young Africans who can so easily be seduced by the “dark side” of violence and nihilism. And let us not kid ourselves – they are not confined to Buxton. We have seen reverberations in Agricola and we will see more all across Guyana once we do not get to the root of the malaise. Once this pool is in the society, we will see politicians, who are either opportunistic or who have genuinely given up on the present system to deliver justice, dipping into it.”

During slavery, a hierarchical, pyramidical society was created in which class and race were coincident: Europeans/ Whites at the top, followed by Coloureds/mulatto – all perched on top of the African slaves, who were chattel owned even by some Coloureds, and defined the condition of “marginalisation”. With the abolition of slavery, not much changed – excepting that very quickly, the Portuguese and Chinese were inserted even ahead of the Coloureds, to the latter’s great chagrin. The masses of indentured Indians were initially seen as sojourners and outside the grand order. They retorted by utilising their own criteria for assigning status and became a selfcontained community up to the end of indentureship.

Upward mobility was defined for the African masses as

“joining the coloured stratum” through the prescribed routes of education, “marrying up (lighter complexion) and “proper behavior”. Most of the rest internalised the racist premises of the society remained culturally as well as economically marginalized.

This was a very rigid system that lasted well into the independence era – by which time the Indians had largely accepted many of the premises of the society and had begun to enter its bastions, setting off the fears in the Coloured elite that has survived into the present.

The agitation by the League of Coloured People in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s that Indians were invading the Civil Service, was symbolic of this fear.

For the longest while, the African lower classes could maintain some self-respect by looking down at the heathen, miserly, uncouth “coolie” as he was called. But with the evident success of the latter group – by the criteria of the evolving economy – a great questioning of African group worth was precipitated. Comparative studies have shown that when exhortations to compete are made to the lagging group, they exacerbate the humiliation of the colonial experience (much less the slave experience) of the backward group by signalling that the group they had despised had now actually mastered the modern skills necessary for success more completely than they.

The Coloured middle class, like most classes, has historically been consumed with its own preservation and has historically undermined the lower class African community by co-opting those individuals from the lower classes who demonstrated initiative and drive. While the middle class has been severely decimated from the seventies, their orientation towards the lower class Africans have remained almost unchanged. They are expend-

able cannon fodder.

And we arrive at the child-soldiers of Buxton and Agricola, and potentially in other African communities in Guyana. Their experience of being marginalized, which has historical antecedents– and possibly present triggers – can easily be pandered to by “political masterminds” who are mostly from the comfortable middle class. Any program to address the results and consequences of the marginalisation of the ordinary African must deal with their cultural dislocations as well as their economic marginalisation– they are dialectically related. Elder Eusi Kwayana’s ASCRIA was a valiant effort to deal with the former problematic but the Co-operative approach to deal with economic empowerment, echoing Ujaama socialism, foundered in its own contradictions. The African lower class and all Guyana, lost “corn and husk”.

We welcomed the formation of the African Renaissance and we believe that the Government has to work with such groups –making sure they are “grounded” in the African Community, if progress is to be made. The work of rebuilding psyches will not be accomplished with proclamations. On possible (and charged) present economic discrimination, we suggested last week the introduction of the “disparate impact” test that deals with institutional biases and require no proof of intent. India is in the midst of introducing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in the wake of a study that demonstrated the “disparate impact” of discrimination on the Muslim community there. Activists in Guyana should also devote some energy to the related policy of Affirmative Action in areas where a historic pattern and practice against a particular group can be demonstrated, and for which we called since 1990.

Regions reject Govt’s regional flag imposition …secessionist implications and no consultations cited

The move by the government to assign flags to every administrative region across the country has not settled well with the district leaders as a majority of them have already rejected the plan; declaring that there were no consultations and that the move will only promote more division in a land that is already severely divided.

According to information received, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, during a recent forum at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, imposed upon the Regional Heads the respective designs of the flags assigned for each region and instructed them to approve or make suggestions for alterca-

tions on the designs. The premise of having regional flags was never mooted for discussion but was taken for granted by the administration.

The Guyana Times International spoke to several of the Regional Chairmen about the issue, most of whom were quite upset over the lack of consultation in the process- ridiculing the entire strategy, noting that it was more cosmetic and will not aid in making each region selfsufficient.

Region One Regional Chairman Brentol Ashley, when contacted by this newspaper, made it clear that the Regional Democratic Council of Region One will not be

supporting this initiative.

“The RDC is not going to adopt any flag to show any form of regional independence because we want to remain one sovereign state as a Corporative Republic of Guyana…we are not in support of it… Guyana needs healing in all ten regions and an adaptation of this initiative will not help to foster the unity that is expected…,” Ashley posited.

Government’s argument is that the assigning of these flags will be part of an effort to implement a decentralised governing system where each region will be selfsufficient.

However, many regional heads have rid-

iculed this strategy, contending that a flag simply cannot aid in this process.

“While for them they believe that the flag is a sign of independence and a sign of identity for a region…there are much more important elements needed to be introduced to decentralise authority rather than a flag,” Region One Chairman asserted.

Region Two Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt also objected to this move. “I don’t know

if a flag can bring any degree of independence for a region. I think what needs to be done to bring independence would required a lot of strategic thinking so this can be streamlined properly…

we are speaking about certain ministries which may need to be decentralised and certain key operations need to be decentralised. It is much more complex and it would require great consultations,” Ramdatt asserted, noting that flags will not help the government achieve its goal.

On the issue of flags, Ramdatt chided the government for not consulting with the relevant bodies before moving ahead with this decision.

“We were not consulted, we were given a draft and we were told that we must look at it. Maybe for them, that is consultation,” he said.

Ramdatt also highlighted that “most of the flags have green on it

and green, as we know, is associated with a particular political party.”

The Regional Chairman also questioned the legitimacy of this venture, “I don’t know if that is constitutional and I will not act until there is proper guidance provided on this because whatever happens must happen in confines of the law.”

Region Five Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal also voiced his agreement with the other regional chairmen,

exclaiming that Region Five will not support this move.

“”We will not acknowledge this. We should have one national flag. We should not continued on page 8

Jagdeo exposedstunningly the fluff of the 2015 budget

Dear Editor,

On Friday August 21, Bharrat Jagdeo made a stunning presentation in Parliament. It was much anticipated. He is a brilliant man, an expert in leadership, development, finance and economics. It is this brilliance of his and his penchant for speaking truth fearlessly that frightens the Government. Why else would they move to muzzle him from speaking?

I listened to the impressive presentation of this man as he schooled the Government and the APNU/AFC strong heckling throughout the presentation reflected their fear. Prime Minister Nagamootoo must have been relieved after the Opposition left the House.

Editor, the smart Guyanese will see that 2015 budget was nothing but fluff and a bungle. It is not a pro-development budget. It is not a pro-people bud-

get. It is not a pro-unity budget. It is divisive and doesn’t benefit the small man. When it gives with one hand it takes away with the other. The budget is visionless, lacking in direction and the few projects contained therein are a copycat of the projects of the previous PPP/C.

This is why demolishing the budget was easy for Jagdeo. Hopefully, Guyanese would realise that the APNU/AFC Government has hoodwinked them on promises for the future development of this country. Guyanese will soon begin to feel the impact of such a poor budget that promises no cohesion for the people and no development. And as the months dragged on, Guyanese people will begin to feel the squeeze far more than they are feeling right now.

I wish to publicly praise Jagdeo for a job well done in his presen-

tation. He has helped to put the budget in perspective, pointing out that it will not benefit the development of Guyana, its economy and its people. He exposed the fluffed budget of the APNU-led coalition Government.

Finally, I wish to call on the media, the private sector, the business community, social groups and transparency groups to demand that the Government provide a valid explanation for the reduction of the days allotted for scrutinizing the budget estimates. These were the same people who harped in the past about corruption and lack of transparency and accountability. Yet a mere three months into government has revealed attempts at corruption with a view to avoid transparency and accountability. Yet, none of these groups are saying anything.

Respectfully,

K Matthews

Government should pursue private sector friendly policies

Dear Editor,

In the course of conducting an opinion poll last week, almost every business person I spoke with is of the view that the new coalition Government should pay all of the outstanding debts of and honor every contract signed by the predecessor regime.

According to them, money owed to BK Tiwari, New GPC and other businesses for contracts completed should be paid forthwith in order to boost circulation of money necessary to kick start the stalled economy. They note that BK Tiwari employs hundreds and is forced to lay off workers because of Government’s policy of withholding payment for contracts that were executed months ago. They believe that the Government should honor all contracts signed by the previous administration as is the internationally recognised norm when Governments change.

The business community notes that the economy is on a slide as a result of tight money cir-

culation, the coalition’s cancellation of contracts signed by the previous Government, and the reluctance of the new Government to honor commitments made by the preceding regime as well as to pay outstanding debts to business.

They say that the coalition’s policy to withhold payments on outstanding debts and cancelled contracts have resulted in businesses retrenching workers and lack of new investment that have resulted in a slowdown in growth. They feel that the new Government is sending the wrong signal to the private sector which does business with the State; that it will not honor future contracts and will not make payments for work done. They say the coalition is discriminating and vicitimising companies that conducted business with the PPP administration.The business community feels that the Government should not discriminate against any business on account of political affiliation or ethnicity of owners.

Regional flags will increase Guyana’s territorial vulnerability

Dear Editor, One notes with interest the Government’s move to create a flag for each administrative Region. However, it has again excluded the people from the decision-making process, on a matter which engages their identity.

In a country where progress is undermined by ethnic tensions resulting in a divided electorate, the Government should be promoting this “unity” which it promised and for which so many voted, instead of indulging in such contradictory acts.

Guyana is still in the process of developing a nation-State, one where there is a shared common sentiment of belonging to a national identity, but which is presently undermined by socioeconomic and ethnic factors.

In Guyana, where most regions can be distinguished by ethnicity, promoting regional flags increases the country’s vulnerability to ethnic divisiveness. For instance, in Regions Four and Ten, flags will represent a dominating Afro-Guyanese population, in Regions 2 and 3, a majority of Indo-Guyanese and in Regions 7, 8 and 9, a majority of Amerindians. The question is, what are the flags’ intended purpose in a country of “six peoples”? Economic development and competitiveness?

Besides putting the country at risk of sinking further into ethic divide, the Government omits that the creation of regional flags will forge regional identities. But, how can the Government forge identities independently from the will of the people?

In Regions 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, inhabited by Amerindians, has the Government thought of conducting national consultations to ensure that regional identities are not invented at the detriment of the cultural identities of Guyana’s first peoples?

It was reported that in Region One, the proposed flag was predominantly green and yellow, rejected by many Amerindians who saw a political ploy by the Government, and

who identify more to red and black, their main ancestral and spiritual indigenous colours. In addition, for regions inhabited principally by Amerindians, imposing regional flags without their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) would be a violation of internationally upheld norms and practices guaranteed by the UNDRIP.

To complement the issue of cultural identity, there’s the question of national territorial integrity. Essequibo is already the epicenter of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy, in which the Venezuelans illegally consider the “Venezuela Essequibia” as part of their national territory. Granting regional flags to Essequibo, and by extent a certain level of decentralized administrative autonomy, will increase Guyana’s vulnerability to separationist movements, especially if inhabitants of those regions do not feel represented by or do not identify to the Government of Guyana and a national Guyanese identity.

In short, creating regional flags to promote economic development and competition among regions is bereft of substance pending the adverse repercussions which would ensue. Guyana is still emerging from underdevelopment incurred not only because of its divisiveness as a people, but also from want of a sustainable economy and industry which to date, is hindered by high energy costs among others. Consequently, the APNU/AFC attempt to further decentralise governance is neither an immediate nor long term solution to Guyana’s developmental issues but instead augments the country’s vulnerability.

Again, this Government has failed at contextualizing the situation of Guyana, and as such, in its aspirations to imitate the models of Western developed countries, has overlooked the causalities which molded these economies.

Sincerely, De Sa

What “Good Life” is the Government talking about?

The business community is also critical of the Government’s policy of terminating employment contracts or the firing of State employees on account of race or political affiliation. They claim to abhor political vendetta and witch hunting and call for an end to racial victimisation.

Many among those in the business community who voted for a change in Government claim to oppose the replacement of PPP rule with what is perceived as a policy of political victimisation by the coalition and are disappointed that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is silent on discrimination against Indians and Amerindians. They do not approve of the new government’s discriminatory policy of getting rid of workers based on ethnicity (Indians and Amerindians) and party (PPP) affiliation. They urge the new government to pursue a policy of racial equity.

Yours truly, Vishnu

Bisram

Dear Editor,

Having listened to the 2015 Budget debate I am satisfied that the PPP/C is in the good hands of Bharrat Jagdeo. Guyanese are quite fortunate to have a Statesman of such high calibre representing their interests.

It is criminal and deceptive to talk about a green economy while terminating the Amaila Hydro Electric Project but what is more criminal is the blow to old age pensioners and school children.

The Government’s argument for getting rid of the old age pensioners’ GPL and GWI subsidies is that only around 7,200 old age pensioners were benefiting from such subsidies. It is therefore concluded that in order to benefit the majority, the minority must suffer. The Government also argued that the sum total allocated to such subsidies was not fully utilised, therefore, since approximately Gy$500 million was used then the whole sum should be taken out of the Budget.

How could a Finance Minister who claims to prepare a budget to enable all Guyanese to live a ‘better and good life’ treat our senior citizens with such disregard and disdain? Is the Finance Minister Jordan telling our old age pensioners that it is a crime to own your own house?

This conclusion is supported by the fact that Old Age Pensioners actually paid their rates and taxes and repaired their homes from the savings garnered from the GPL and GWI subsidies. The APNU/AFC manifesto spoke of “significant increase in Old Age pensions” within the first 100 days of leadership, but the Government deceptively failed to mention that the GPL and

GWI subsidies would be taken away with a sleight of hand.

With regards to our school children, the Government is again murdering a great initiative which is aimed at assisting our parents to send their children to school. Does this Government feel that a paltry increase of Gy$500 in uniform subsidy is enough to send children to school? The main reason why some parents don’t send their children to school on a regular basis is because of money. The Gy$10,000 “Because We Care” voucher went a far way in assisting them, especially large families. If the initiative was indeed a “political gimmick” by the PPP then shouldn’t the APNU/AFC try to outdo the PPP?

Moreover, Jagdeo pointed out that the Gy$12 billion increase in revenue is more than enough to provide for the old age pensioners, school children and pay a decent wage increase to everyone! Then in the APNU/AFC manifesto they claimed that ‘they will reduce ‘procurement fraud’ and this will bring in an additional Gy$28 billion. The Vice-President, Khemraj Ramjattan, is on record telling Berbicians that this money will be used to pay sugar workers and public servants 20 percent wages and salaries increase. Is the APNU/ AFC Government now stealing this sum?

In conclusion, the 2015 Budget, as Jagdeo brilliantly pointed out is about “digging holes to fill holes”. This is not skilful and intelligent budgeting.

Finally, how could Minister Jordan present a bigger budget with fewer benefits for our people to live a “good life”?

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Social Protection Ministry focuses on training school dropouts, single parents

more than 30 persons were short-listed for several on-the-job training programmes

School dropouts and single parents will now be getting a second chance to qualify themselves in the field of work through the Board of Industrial Training (Social Protection Ministry) in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The Board on Wednesday oriented more than 30 persons who were short-listed for several on-the-job training programmes. According to Technical Officer for BIT, Mohammed Shaheed, persons who applied were interviewed and short-listed for the training. He said the orientation served to inform the applicants who would be placed at various offices how to behave at the workplace.

Shaheed said persons would be placed at several offices at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC); public hospitals; health centres; mechanic shops and the Essequibo Technical Institute.

The fields of work in which they will be trained include clerical office practice; medical trade (patient care

assistant, community health worker, nurse aide, medical records clerk, medical laboratory technician); welding fabrication and heavy-duty equipment operation.

Applicants were drawn from as far as Pomeroon. The persons are expected to be on the job for the next six months starting from September 1. While on the job, persons will be monitored and assessed based on their performance. A stipend will be given to participants to

offset their travelling expenses.

At the end of the six months, a certificate of competency will be presented to the successful persons.

BIT was established under the Industrial Training Act, Chapter 39:04 of the laws of Guyana. As part of its mandate, the Board is committed to providing training opportunities for youths, thereby equipping them with marketable skills in a variety of occupations.

PM Simpson-Miller congratulates Shelly-Ann; Jamaicans celebrate in HWT

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on Tuesday congratulated Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on her gold medal win in the finals of the 100 metres at the IAAF World Athletics Championships now underway in Beijing.

"I am very pleased that Shelly-Ann and Usain have successfully defended their 100-metre titles in Beijing," Simpson Miller said in a statement.

"This win by ShellyAnn is very special to me, as I know it is to all Jamaicans at home and abroad. Shelly-Ann symbolises the hopes and aspirations of the Jamaican people, and she is consistent in her representation of personal and national excellence," the prime minister said.

Fraser-Pryce took the race in 10.76 seconds, successfully defending her title and becoming the first woman to capture three 100m World Championships titles.

Simpson Miller said that the stellar achievements of the world champion represent a clear reminder of the outcome and benefit of hard work,

discipline, dedication, ambition, faith, and focus.

"I congratulate ShellyAnn wholeheartedly for continuing to inspire the Jamaican nation and people, and for always reminding us that we are all capable of achieving greatness if we dream big and apply ourselves steadfastly to the accomplishment of our ambitions," Simpson Miller said.

She also extended her best wishes to other Jamaican athletes yet to compete in Beijing, and reiterated how pleased she is with the performance of all those who have already participat-

ed.

Early Tuesday morning, Jamaicans crowded Half-Way-Tree square in St Andrew, as has become customary, to watch the race on large screens normally used to display electronic advertisements.

The crowd erupted into celebration as the 'Pocket Rocket', as the diminutive Fraser-Pryce is known, pulled away from the field and held off a late challenge by Dutch sprinter Dafne Schipper, who placed second in 10.81 seconds. American Tori Bowie finished in third spot with 10.86 seconds.

Hindu College excels at CSEC once again

The Hindu College located at Cove and John on the East Coast of Demerara has once again recorded a high pass rate at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination. In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times International on Wednesday, the headteacher of the institution, Rajkumarie Singh,

said that the school recorded a 95 per cent pass rate overall this year and this is a mild improvement from last year’s 92 per cent. She said that the school had one student who managed to secure a spot in the top 50 (45th) and four other students were able to place in the top 172. She went on to give a brief analysis of the students’ performance in

the 13 subjects written. One hundred per cent passes were obtained in the following eight: Agricultural Science; Chemistry; Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM); English B; Principles of Accounts (POA); Principles of Business (POB); Religious Education and Social Studies. The other subjects saw pass

rates as follow: 89 per cent in English A; 81 per cent in Mathematics; 95 per cent in Office Administration (OA); 92 per cent in Human and Social Biology (HSB) and 91 per cent in Integrated Science.

The top five students were Christine Singh, Lilotie Jagroop, Mintranie Singh, Bena Williams and the lone male Surinder Motilalall. When this publication visited the school, we caught up with three of the top five students since Christine is currently on holiday in the United States of America and Mintranie Singh was not present at that point in time.

However, Liloutie

Jagroop expressed how happy she was as a result of her success at CSEC. She said, “I am very proud of my teachers and everybody else, especially my colleagues. I would like to thank all those persons who helped, supported and encouraged me.” The young lady would like to become a lawyer since she wants to see justice given to those who deserve it.

Her classmate, Bena Williams would like to one day become a medical practitioner since her passion lies in helping people. She added that she was very delighted with the results she received a few weeks ago, saying “I would like to

thank my teachers at the Hindu College, especially my hardworking headteacher, Miss Rajkumarie Singh, and I would also like to thank my parents for the financial support throughout this journey.

The headteacher explained that the school did not only focus on academics since its main goal is to create rounded individuals who will meaningfully contribute to Guyanese society. The students are also taught discipline, respect, good morals and religious education. She went on to add that although the school was a religious institution, persons from any religious and ethnic group can enroll.

Regions reject Govt’s...

have any division when it comes to regions and symbols of identification…also, there were no consultations. They just give us these copies of the flags and said that our regions should use this as a symbol,” he asserted.

Region Nine Regional Chairman Brian Allicock also rejected government’s plan to impose flags on each region.

“Why should we have another flag? We are not going with it. They put a Harpy Eagle on our flag to say it is our National Bird, but that is not our National Bird. The Canje Pheasant is our National Bird. We are not going to accept another flag,” he insisted. Allicock also blasted the government for not consulting with the necessary authorities before making a decision like this which will impact the lives of all Guyanese.

“The thing is now, why have different flag. How do we fit in? Let’s say we go to Linden now, we will be treated as foreigners in our own country because of that distinction. Why do we need that? Why try to have a different identification for each region. Aren’t they promoting unity and that all Guyanese should be recognised as Guyanese. Why must we be recognised as a Region Nine person or a Region One person,” he reasoned.

Region Ten Regional Chairman Renis Morian also underscored the insignificance of having flags in each region.

“We are dealing with so many proposals for Region Ten. We haven’t given it priority. We are focusing on regional development and we are

putting that as priority…,” Morian stated. He admitted too that there were no consultations held regarding this initiative.

The only Regional Chairman contacted who was in support of this venture was Region Seven Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford. But even so, he indicated that some persons in the district have not welcomed the idea.

“It is still under consultation. We have to consult members of the community…So far, some persons welcome the idea,” he said.

Former President and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo already pointed out that this move could be dangerous for Guyana as it could put the country’s sovereignty at risk and reinforce Venezuela’s attempts to win over the Essequibo through encouraging secessionist tendencies.

“Please do not allow them to introduce a flag for Essequibo or Region Two… That is where they will start undermining the unity of a symbol we all respect… one flag, one anthem,” the former President urged the Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge to urge his government to reconsider the venture.

Guyana attends British Birdwatching Fair

Guyana was again represented at the British Birdwatching Fair in the county of Rutland. The annual event is described as the Birdwatchers “Glastonbury” and attracts over 20,000 visitors over three days.

The British Birdwatching Fair is jointly organised by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. The fair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. A wide range of fantastic conservation projects have been supported by Birdfair. There are hundreds of stands selling the latest products for wildlife enthusiasts, everything; from scopes to sculptures, binoculars to bird food, eGuides to eco-holidays!

This year was perhaps one of the best in supplying contrasting and interesting views on Guyana. As has become tradition for the Guyana contingent the Guyana Summer’s Evening was held on the Wednesday prior to the

British Birdwatching Fair. The event has become a popular fixture for the UK travel trade and press.

Marion Herbert, Acting High Commissioner for Guyana, welcomed the audience with a short address. Tony Thorne of Wilderness Explorers followed giving an overview of developments in Guyana which included a message from the Minister of Tourism, the Guyana Marriott, Guyana’s new branding and update on airlines and airports.

Wally Prince, a freelance guide from the Rupununi, then made an interesting and passionate presentation on Guyana and the experience that a visitor can expect when travelling in Guyana.

Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe provided a short musical interpretation of the rainforest which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Barrister and author John Gimlette then spoke on his recollections of his time in Guyana whilst researching his book “Wild Coast: Travels on South America’s Untamed

Edge”.

The final presentation was by Pat Morris, who delivered an unexpected angle on Guyana as he presented on his own visit to Guyana in 1969 and the journey and connection of Charles Waterton to Guyana, which the audience found fascinating.

Some of the feedback from participants: It was excellent turnout for the evening with 61 tour operators, press and friends of Guyana attending and the event received very positive feed-back from the participants. The evening as organised and hosted by Wilderness

T&T police investigating incidents linked to general election

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: The Trinidad and Tobago police say they have launched investigations into a number of election-related incidents including a report of bullets being left in an envelope for a candidate of the minority opposition Independent Liberal Party (ILP).

ILP chairman Rekha Ramjit told reporters that the bullets had been left for the party's Fyzbad candidate Fabien Assie and was now appealing for security for all politicians contesting the September 7 poll.

"The police ought to provide security for all candidates, not only in the ILP in the upcoming election. That was a call that was made by former (national security) minister Gary Griffith sometime ago.

"So that is our position. We cannot afford to hire personal security for all our candidates. We are not one of those parties with a lot of resources," she said.

Police said they are also probing reports that the businessplace of a candidate for the People's National Movement (PNM) had been robbed.

Neil Mohammed, the PNM's candidate for Pointe-a-Pierre, who is also the managing director of Fens of Marabella, said "this is the second time this office was broken into in less than one week, don't know what to think about this".

He said he could not say whether the matter was politically motivated.

"I have no hard evidence to suggest that but what I am saying, it raises my suspicion that a few days before the election that all these things seem to be happening one after another."

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said while he has not received any request from any candidate for extra security at this time, he would not comment on whether po-

litical candidates should use private security and that both incidents are being investigated.

"What I can speak on is the individual incident where the ammunition was found in the envelope, that is being investigated and the other matter is being investigated. Both are treated as crimes, ammunition, and break-in."

PNM candidates in Mayaro and Toco/Sangre Grande also complained that their party billboards were completely destroyed.

But Williams said to date, the police have not received any reports of direct physical attacks on any candidate but assured that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service will continue to provide heightened police presence at all election activities. (CMC)

Explorers and the major sponsor was the Guyana Tourism Authority. The evening was also co-sponsored by Karanambu Lodge, Caiman House, Atta Rainforest Lodge, Rock View Lodge, Surama Eco-lodge, Iwokrama and Cara Lodge.

The Guyana team then headed north to England’s smallest county, Rutland to prepare for the three-day British Birdwatching Fair. The Fair, for Destination Guyana, has become one of the most important trade and consumer events that it attends. As the name implies it is a niche show catering to birdwatchers but it has developed to encompass natural history in gen-

eral. The show is an obvious marketplace for Guyana as it allows the country to leverage marketing advantages as an excellent birding and wildlife destination.

The booth itself is funded by the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana and attendance supported and funded by the Guyana Tourism Authority. The fair ran from August 21 to 23.

Friday is always the busiest day and the booth was busy with many interested people. Guyana has become reasonably well known in birding circles now and we don’t need to explain where it is and what is on offer as much as in the past. A

number of visitors came to the booth as they had already booked tours and were looking for additional information on the destination. This year the booth was manned by Carl Browne from the Guyana High Commission in London, Wally Prince a freelance guide (supported by GTA) and Tony Thorne and Claire Antell from Wilderness Explorers.

In all, it was an excellent week in marketing Destination Guyana. The Guyana Summer’s Evening was a big success with interesting and varied presentations at a good venue.

The British Birdwatching Show was extremely positive with serious enquiries and leads from consumers and positive outlooks from tour operators and Guyana can expect good bookings.

The Guyana Hours and Tour Operator dinner strengthened and built on the existing relationship we have with the travel trade. As a small destination, we were innovative and progressive and as such punched above our weight in a heavily competitive market. (Tony Thorne, Wilderness Explorers/GINA)

T&T minister jumps ship; launches scathing attack on PM

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Community Development Minister Winston 'Gypsy' Peters on Tuesday announced his resignation as a government minister and launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is seeking re-election at the head of the coalition People's Partnership Government.

Peters, who described the prime minister as being "deceitful", said he could not in "good conscience tell anyone to vote for Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the September 7 General Election".

she was certain "thousands" would not share Peters' views.

UNC campaign manager Rodney Charles told the State-owned Caribbean New Media Group (CNMG) that Peters was still a valued member of the coalition Government.

test the Mayaro constituency which he has won four times in the last five elections.

But Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar told reporters that she wished her former minister all the best in his future endeavours and denied treating Peters, a former calypsonian, badly.

She told reporters it is a "democratic country" and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but

"As of today, I have tendered my resignation from the United National Congress (UNC) and I have also tendered my resignation as a government minister, from Kamla PersadBissessar's Cabinet. I have divorced myself from the UNC."

"The prime minister, in her wisdom, would be looking at different candidates, different people, to carry out her vision in the 21st century and, while she did not choose Winston 'Gypsy' Peters, he is still a member of our party who we prize, and we will not in any way say anything that is negative about him," he added.

Peters told a news conference that he had been very supportive of the prime minister over the years and felt hurt after the party had agreed to another person to con-

He described the prime minister as the "most ungrateful, ingrate, if there was ever one, that I have ever met", adding that his first inclination that he would not have been selected came when, during the screening process, Prime Minister Persad- Bissessar asked him whether or not he would be angry if he was not selected.

Peters said he responded by saying, "I'd be very angry, as I am today."

He told reporters that over the past year Persad-Bissessar had been undermining him and that his efforts to meet with her to discuss the situation were not successful.

"The very last act that

I committed was to hold her hands (at opening of Carenage Health Centre this week) ...to make sure that she didn't fall when she was going in the car.

"After the event... she still did not speak a word to me about what went on, and when that happened I told myself that I have had enough. In all that has happened I have put Kamla PersadBissessar where she is today. I have helped in no small way, whether she wants to acknowledge it or not, and I have helped her all the years that I have been there.

Peters, who was first elected to Parliament in 2000, recalled the role he, along with former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and then former UNC chairman and National Security Minister Austin Jack Warner played in en-

suring that PersadBissessar was elected leader of the UNC and ultimately prime minister.

In 2009, the three had formed the group "Ramjack" within the UNC, opposing its founder and then leader Basdeo Panday, paving the way for PersadBissessar's eventual election as UNC leader and later as prime minister in 2010.

Warner, who now heads the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), was present during Peters news conference Tuesday, but the former minister said he has had a long friendship with both Warner and PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley.

"The last person I thought was my friend was Kamla PersadBissessar, and she is not," he told reporters. (CMC)

CARICOM wants more international support to end forced deportation of Haitians

ORT-AU-

PPRINCE, Haiti: The international community is being urged to have a greater involvement in the matter involving the repatriation and deportation of Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent from the Dominican Republic.

A Caribbean Community (CARICOM) statement noted that the issue was discussed earlier this week between Haiti’s Foreign Minister Lener Renaud and CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRocque who is in the Frenchspeaking CARICOM country attending the region’s premier arts and cultural festival, CARIFESTA.

The statement also quoted LaRocque as informing Renaud that CARICOM “was actively urging the United Nations to establish an on the ground monitoring system at the borders to ensure, among other things, that the process of repatriation does not infringe the human rights of the migrants”.

Haiti has been calling on the Dominican Republic to end its forced deportation of people of Haitian decent and return to the negotiation table in a bid to find a “more humane treatment” in dealing with the migration crisis affecting both countries.

The Dominican Republic had given a June 17 deadline for peo-

ple of Haitian descent to apply for legal residency. The country has also said migrants who can prove they entered the country before October 2011 can qualify for legal residency. Otherwise they could face deportation.

Last July, CARICOM leaders issued a statement following their summit in Barbados in which they expressed “their abhorrence and outrage with respect to the treatment of Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic.

“This human rights situation is exacerbated as the tempo of so-called voluntary repatriation gathers pace in unregulated conditions resulting from pressures and the threat of violence as well as the absence of a revised bilateral framework between Haiti and the Dominican Republic that the latter has been unwilling to conclude,” the regional leaders said. (CMC)

PM confesses

Constitutional

Reform Steering Committee

members were handpicked by Govt

The process undertaken to select the members of the constitutional reform steering committee was done without proper consultations, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo admitted.

Nagamootoo explained that several Cabinet Members, including Governance and Patrimony Minister Raphael Trotman, Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, were the ones who selected the persons to serve on the Committee responsible for making recommendations for changes in the Constitution of Guyana.

Nagamootoo only made these disclosures after being drilled by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall during the consideration of the Budget Estimates in Parliament on Monday evening.

“The Prime Minister consulted with his Cabinet colleagues. He did not consult with the Guyana Bar Association; he did not consult with the Guyana Women Lawyers Association (GWLA); he did not consult with the Berbice Bar Association; he did not consult with any other civil society member,” Nandlall declared, exposing the Government for its lack of transparency in this process.

In an effort to save face, Nagamootoo sprouted from his seat and stated that the Steering Committee will consult with these bodies when the time comes to establish the Constitutional Reform Committee. He added that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition would also be consulted.

Meanwhile, the Steering Committee comprises former Director of Transparency International and Attorney-at-Law Gino Persaud, Professor Harold Lutchman, former Magistrate Geeta Chandan, former Chief Economist at the Central Bank Haslyn Parris, and will be chaired by Attorney-atLaw and Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Nigel Hughes. Most if not all of these individuals are in some way or the other related to or connected to the new Government.

The Chairman of the Reform Committee is also the husband of Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, while Lutchman was the head of the APNU/AFC list submitted at the elections.

The former Magistrate Chandan was a candidate on the new Government’s list and campaigned heavily for that grouping at the last elections.

The entire undertaking will cost the Government some Gy$5 million and each member will be receiving a monthly stipend of Gy$100,000.

Other expenses include payment to administration staff, retention of a vehicle and driver, employment of a researcher and the location of an office – all of which will be covered under the Gy$5M. The Steering Committee is mandated to draft a work programme and make recommendations for constitutional reforms.

The Committee has until December to compile and submit its preliminary report to the Prime Minister for review.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Affairs Subcommittee, will then report to that committee which will then report to Cabinet.

Thereafter, a constitutional reform commission will come on-stream and it is this commission that will effect the changes to the Constitution.

In a previous interview, Nagamootoo had emphasised that the Steering Committee would not be responsible for implementing the reforms but would only be making recommendations to the relevant authorities who would then move to implement the respective reforms.

Corentyne cash crop farmer’s murder: Two deportees from US among eight in custody

Police have detained eight persons as they probe for clues into the fatal shooting of a Corentyne cash crop farmer on Thursday while the canine branch has been brought into operation as the investigation intensifies.

On Tuesday morning, Police invited the husband of the dead woman, Deoram Soohand to Central Police Station for further questioning after he had initially given a statement to Police moments after the fatal shooting of the 57-year-old farmer, Pamela Kendall, of Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Residents of the community told this publication that they were shocked on Tuesday afternoon when Soohand returned home in handcuffs escorted by Police. They say that the investigators went into the house with Soohand. “After a while the Police came back out of the house and still had him in handcuff and they carry him away,” one resident said.

Soohand was deported from the USA for possession of illegal drugs and then met Kendall.

Meanwhile, another deportee was also arrested as Police followed a lead that a resident of the very village has an illegal firearm. The man in custody is a livestock farmer and, according to relatives, on the night of the shooting he returned home about 19:30h after taking care of his sheep.

The 22-year-old suspect was deported to Guyana two years ago.

Police had issued a statement saying that the incident occurred about 18:30h and at the time of the incident there was a blackout in the community. Another man who returned from the USA two weeks ago has also been taken into custody as the investigation continues. That man is a cattle farmer and lives at Number 48 Village. Reports are

that the 42-year-old suspect was not at home until 01:30h the following morning.

As Police follow several leads, six males from the Black Bush Polder were also taken into custody and were now assisting with the investigation.

Reports are that the prime suspect Soohand was moved to Police Headquarters at Eve Leary on Wednesday morning. Also on Wednesday, a dog was taken to the Number 45 Village home which Soohand and Kendall shared, as the canine unit joined the investigation.

On Wednesday afternoon, the animal was seen sniffing at objects in the yard. The dog spent more than an hour at the house.

Meanwhile, some residents say that about 14:00h on Wednesday, three gun shots were heard coming from the bushes surrounding the community. However, according to them, they were not reported to the Police. “You scared to go to the Police … Because we had to answer plenty question. The Police tell we that we phone call ‘Aunty Pam’ phone the same night that she get shoot. So like you can’t call yo neighbour?” one resident questioned.

On Friday, residents of Number 45 Village and surrounding villages had staged a protest over the lack of Police patrols in the community. The residents used an old tree and several old tyres to block a section of the road, allowing only one lane traffic. Police continue to investigate.

Residents of the community continue to live in fear and on Tuesday evening were sent scampering to their homes after heavily armed Police Officers rushed to the village. At the time (20:00h), residents were keeping a wake for the late Kendall. The officers went into the bushes where it is believed criminals were hiding out. Residents were advised to quickly get to their homes and secure themselves.

Govt’s refusal to support LCDS could result in Gy$18B being returned to Norway

Gy$18 billion in revenues (US$90M) earned through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is at risk to be returned to the Government of Norway should the projects to which they were allocated be cancelled because of the new government’s refusal to commit to their execution.

The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) signed between the Governments of Guyana and Norway in 2009 saw US$250 million provisionally transferred to Guyana for promoting the development of a sustainable, green economy through the preservation of our rainforest.

To date, Guyana has earned US$190 million releases in sever-

al tranches in the World Bank, designated trustee. An additional US$40 million was slated to be released some five days before the May 11 2015 regional and national Elections, but were withheld by Norway pending the election results.

However, although

the previous administration had signaled its interest in pursuing an extension of the Agreement beyond its contractual end date of June 2015, the current Government is yet to pronounce on this decision.

This newspaper was informed that during the visit to Guyana on August 17, of a Norwegian delegation comprising of Ms Marianne Johansen and Per Fredrik Pharo, at the Ministry of State, the status of the Guyana Norway Agreement was raised. The meeting included Government Ministers such as Hon. Ministers Joseph Harmon, Winston Jordan, Raphael Trotman and Sydney Allicock, as well as officials from several Government agencies and stakeholders from the civil society.

Members of civil society present at the meeting informed this newspaper that the Norwegian representatives expressed their interest in extending the partnership, but were not yet engaged on the matter by the Government of Guyana. They also indicated the possibility of unused LCDS revenues returning to Norway since funds cannot be deflected from the green, sustainable projects to which they were allocated.

The two largest projects in terms of funding are the Amaila Hydro Electric Project (AHEP) which was allotted US$80 million under the LCDS and the Amerindian Land Titling Project (ALT) which received US$10.8 million. However, while the

Amaila Hydro Electric Project has been abandoned by the Granger administration, the Amerindian Land Titling Project has been halted since June 2015. Together alone, these projects represent almost half of the US$190 million earned to date.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his budget presentation, related the Government’s commitment to the promotion of a “green and sustainable economy.” However, no reference was made to the LCDS initiative.

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock on Monday told the Guyana Times International that Government is currently engaged in discussions regarding the future of the LCDS and the projects initiated under it.

With respect to the Amaila Project, Allicock said that Government is exploring other options for renewable energy.

“I think the plan needs to be revised so that we can come up with a better use for the money for the same power for the nation. It will affect all of us. Pollution doesn’t only cater for a few, if it is polluting, it is polluting. All of us will be affected, so all of us have to stay on board of it,” the minister told this newspaper. He informed too that Government was also seeking to engage former President

Bharrat Jagdeo under whose tenure, the project was crafted.

In November 2009, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and the former Minister of the Environment and International Development of Norway, Hon. Erik Solheim, signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This agreement represents the first international commitment of financial support to the LCDS and was the first partnership of its kind between a developed and developing country. The Guyanese LCDS was vaunted as a model for countries seeking to balance their thrust for growth in a world of fast depleting hydrocarbon fuels and global warming.

The payments by Norway are made based on performance reported by Guyana in the Annual Progress Reports.

Due to several constraints, one being the previous Opposition’s continuous efforts to block development, Guyana did not meet all the targets and as such, did not qualify to receive the full US$250M. Jagdeo, during his presentation at the Budget Debates on Friday, underscored the importance of the LCDS and the impact on the country’s economy as he urged the new Government to keep the initiative alive.

St Lucian PM critical of magistracy

CASTRIES, St Lucia: Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony has criticised the operations of the magistracy saying what is taking place there is a disservice to the population.

“Do they work eight hours a day? How many cases have they heard? How many cases have they disposed of? What is the situation with the performance of these functions?” Anthony asked as he wrapped up debate on the report of the Constitutional

Commission Tuesday. According to the prime minister, people judge “our” legal system on what is taking place in the Magistracy and as a result, he wants the magistrates to be made more accountable.

Anthony, while acknowledging that there were problems with infrastructure in the court system, said that in the case of the magistracy, the problem can be resolved because the solution lies in the power of the appointing agency which is the regional Judicial and Legal Services commission.

He felt that the Commissioners, who framed the report of the Constitutional Review Commission, should have examined the issue of strengthening the accountability requirements of “these officers”, without interfering with their independent judicial powers. (CMC)

Caribbean Diaspora, US officials to address Guyana/ Venezuela border issue at Florida Conference

The Venezuela/ Guyana border controversy is one of three issues up for discussion at a forum in Miami, Florida titled “Florida Conference on Current Caribbean Issues: The Diaspora Discussion” where the Caribbean Diaspora community, business executives, the academic community and US elected officials will participate.

Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge will be the guest of honour at the event and is slated to deliver the keynote address. He is also tasked with the responsibility of leading the discussions on the panel that will focus on the discussions surrounding the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

The Conference is a follow-up to the issues identified earlier this year during Legislative Week in Washington DC and will focus on current issues of concern to the Caribbean Region and its Diaspora.

The Venezuela/ Guyana boundary controversy has been a pressing topic of concern since May when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a decree purporting to claim much of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The situation escalated as Venezuela continued to press its claim in light of Guyana’s rightful defence of its sovereignty. Both countries have embarked on individual missions, seeking support from as many nations as possible.

Caricom, the Commonwealth, the United States and the United Kingdom have indicated their support

Jamaica’s Professor Morrison to be honoured by England's IBC

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Jamaica’s science and technology czar, Professor Errol Morrison, is to receive a Honorary Doctorate in science from the International Biographical Centre (IBC) based in Cambridge, England.

of Guyana’s sovereignty.

Members of the diplomatic community have already urged both nations to resort to a peaceful settlement of the issue, while encouraging constructive dialogue regarding the claim. Guyana wants the matter to be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) where the controversy will be settled once and for all.

Meanwhile, the Florida Conference will address other issues such as the challenges and opportunities for the Caribbean and its Diaspora in the context of normalisation of US-Cuba relations and Dominicans of Haitian descent and the Dominican Republic’s expulsion plan.

Those expected to be present at the event and lead discussions on various topics include former Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud; Ambassador Richard Bernal of the Inter-American Development (IDB); Ambassador Matthew William, former Grenada Ambassador to Venezuela; Dr Mark Kirton, International Relations Institute, University of the West Indies; Mayor of Miramar Wayne Messam and Florida District Court Judge Ali B Majeed.

The Conference, hosted by the Washington DC based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Harlem company, will take place on September 10 at the Miramar Cultural Centre, City Hall Complex, South Florida.

Professor Morrison, a renowned educator, biomedical scientist and diabetologist, is a former president of the University of Technology (UTech). He is also advisor to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller on science, and was named the first director-general of the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST) in 2014.

The NCST was established in 1993 and is a broad-based, cross-sectoral national advisory body to the government on policies and strategies relating to science and technology.

The IBC honour is only conferred after a thorough evaluation of each candidate's qualifications by the members of the IBC Research and Advisory Board, and is made to selected noteworthy individuals across the globe in recognition of their lifetime accomplishments.

Professor Morrison co-founded the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, a private, voluntary, non-profit, nongovernmental organisation which has been responsible for developing and implementing a plan for the treatment and education of Jamaican diabetics, and for providing education on diabetes prevention and care to the public.

Professor Morris described the recognition from the IBC as a "crowning glory for a life's dedication to the sciences".

"(It is) also kudos to the scientific

community here in Jamaica, for note that all my work was done here and in the Caribbean and had worldwide repercussions," he added.

In addition to being holder of the Order of Jamaica (OJ) and recently appointed honorary consul to Namibia, Professor Morrison is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, all UK-based institutions.

He is also a fellow of the International College of Dentistry; the Institute of Management, Jamaica; and, the American College of Physicians.

He has served on several international boards and has authored more than 200 peer reviewed scholarly articles, written numerous monographs and 20 books.

Despite being criticised by some sectors for its selection process, the International Biographical Centre, of Cambridge is regarded as a leader in biographical publishing. (Jamaica Observer)

Pensioners “duped” by new Govt

…$US1.50 per month

equals real increase in Old Age Pension – PPP/C

The Opposition and the Government on Wednesday clashed over the funds estimated for the Old Age Pension and Public Assistance with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) contending through figures proffered that there was a major shortfall in the funds allocated for pensioners and the vulnerable population of Guyana.

During the consideration of the Budget Estimates, former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill contended that while the David Granger Administration would have announced an increase in Old Age Pension from Gy$13,125 to Gy$17,000, sufficient provision has not been made for such disbursement. In effect, the announced increase was not actually funded and was, therefore, not real.

In 2015, Gy$8.085 billion was allocated for the provision of Old Age Pension and Social Assistance when compared to Gy$7.895 billion, a mere increase of Gy$189.8 million. Edghill, in addressing the matter in the Committee of Supply, demanded an explanation for the major shortfall, noting that if a mistake was made, the Government must admit and make the relevant corrections to the Budget Estimates.

Minutes after the matter was raised by Edghill in the Committee of Supply, the PPP/C issued a statement calling on the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration to provide a prop-

er explanation on the inadequate budgetary allocation for the proposed increase in Old Age Pension.

The PPP/C pointed out that “in 2014, the PPP/C Administration spent Gy$7,895,554,000 to benefit approximately 43,500 pensioners and almost 10,000 persons on Public Assistance. However, in 2015 the Granger Administration, with its announced increases in Old Age Pension to Gy$17,000, has only allocated Gy$8,085,442,000, approximately Gy$190 million increase over 2014, to finance this increase for the period September to December 2015.”

The Opposition is maintaining that approximately Gy$675 million would be required: some Gy$485 million more than what was budgeted for in 2015. “A simple crunching of the numbers will show that based on the increased sums allocated in the 2015 Budget, Old Age Pensioners in real terms will only benefit from a Gy$300 increase monthly. This most recent act of deception by the Granger Administration is a flagrant betrayal of Guyana, more particularly our senior citizens,” the political Opposition added, noting too that the APNU/AFC promises on the campaign trail were purely to hoodwink Guyanese into voting for the coalition.

In supporting the statement of the PPP/C, Edghill told the press that the 2015 Budget presented by the Finance Minister Winston Jordan is riddled with flaws, an issue the Opposition has point-

ed out since the commencement of the consideration of the Budget Estimates on Monday.

In responding to the concerns raised by the former Junior Finance Minister and by extension the PPP/C, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence said the increases in Old Age Pension would be catered for under the Finance Ministry where some Gy$2.7 billion was allocated for “Pension Increases”.

However, this was refuted by Edghill who explained to the Committee of Supply and the press that the money allotted for “Pension Increases” will cater for the pension of Government Workers and not Old Age Pensioners.

But after seeking further clarification, Lawrence explained to the Committee of Supply, that approximately Gy$2.8 billion has been budgeted for 42,397 Old Age Pensioners for the period of four months from September to December.

An additional Gy$243 million was set aside for Public Assistance of which some 9361 persons were expected to benefit, while some Gy$30 million was budgeted for single parents. It was also pointed out that some Gy$4.8 billion was used from the period January to August 2015 for the disbursement of Old Age Pension.

He made it clear that the Government’s decision to remove the subsidies for water and electricity for the pensioners also impacted the final Gy$300 figure.

Opposition calls for independent audit of public health system

KINGSTON, Jamaica –Opposition spokesperson for Health, Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte is calling on the auditor general to conduct an audit of the Island’s public health system. She is also calling on Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson to update the country on those audits of the Regional Health Authorities, which he reportedly ordered many months ago.

In a press release Wednesday, Malahoo Forte said the calls have come amid numerous complaints about hospital mismanagement, severe shortage of supplies, broken equipment, and dispensing of outdated dugs by many

Drug Serv pharmacies.

Malahoo Forte also added that the Princess Margaret Hospital located in the St Thomas Eastern Constituency represented by Minister Ferguson, is of particular concern.

“The independent audit is needed to assess what internal controls, financial and reporting systems are in place at Princess Margaret Hospital and other hospitals, whether they are adequate, how waste and inefficient use of taxpayers’ monies can be eliminated, and whether announced programmes are achieving their objectives at lower costs,” Malahoo Forte said.

“We also need to know why expired drugs are being dispensed to patients and those patients are mandated to sign liability releases.”

“A government formed by the Jamaica Labour Party will work assiduously to ensure that Jamaica’s public health system is properly led, managed and appropriately resourced to deliver safe and effective health services,” she said.

Another Ramjattan neighbour is latest victim

– mother bound, beaten, robbed and threatened

Another family residing only a short distance away from the home of the Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was on Sunday evening viciously attacked, threatened to be shot and robbed by armed bandits.

Single parent Geetanjalie Ramotar and her nine-year-old daughter, of 11 Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, were well snuggled in their beds when the two bandits broke into their home, demanding cash and jewellery.

After a disappointing find of only Gy$55,000, the perpetrators bound the woman’s arms and legs with scotch tape before fleeing the yard.

During the entire ordeal, Ramotar’s daughter was still asleep in the bedroom.

“Earlier in the day, I took her to the doctor because she was not feeling good. So anyways, in the night we were sleeping and I heard a noise, so when I come out of the bedroom to check, I saw that the back door was wide open. When I came out, one of the guys

came with a gun and put it to my head and start saying ‘where is the money, give me the jewellery’,” Ramotar explained to Guyana Times International.

“These guys don’t even look like they are in their 20’s, they look like teens and they were very skinny,” the woman described. But despite their youthfulness, the woman was terrified for her life and that of her daughters because the men were armed.

“My daughter was asleep and I don’t think they knew she was in there so I told them ‘look my purse, it got money’ and they took it. They gone with my ID card and everything. Then they started to ask for more but I told them I don’t have any more. The man with the gun led me upstairs and they tumbled the other rooms but they didn’t find anything,” Ramotar explained.

She related that the bandits then began to

get frustrated and began to argue among themselves. “One of them was arguing “shoot she, shoot she” and the other one with the gun was saying ‘no’… they looked to me like they didn’t know what they were doing,” she explained.

According to Ramotar, the bandits then decided to make their escape but before doing so, they bound her hands, legs and mouth with tape.

“I waited for some 15 minutes, thinking they would have left and then I dragged myself downstairs,” she explained, noting that it was quite a challenge.

Subsequently, Ramotar began to throw down items to make noises with the hopes her daughter would wake up. After several failed attempts, the child woke up but she was in complete shock at the sight before her.

“I dragged myself into the room and used my foot to start knocking at the bed and eventually she woke up but like she was shocked and she keep asking ‘mommy who do this’… she didn’t know what to do

so I used my foot and I dial, dial until I get to call my neighbour and she come over and they help we out,” the woman explained.

Ramjattan intervenes

After alerting her nearby neighbours, the Minister’s security guards were alerted and they came to render assistance. According to Ramotar, Ramjattan also intervened and assisted by ensuring Police ranks arrived at the scene.

“Ramjattan came over and he called up the Police and the CID (Criminal Investigation Department). I swear, this house was packed with Police, I wouldn’t lie. He stayed for a while and he helped. The Police took the information and said they will investigate the matter,” Ramotar

stated.

Only last month, another couple who live only a few houses away from Ramjattan was attacked and robbed by two bandits.

Fifty-year-old Nandkishore Lulla, who is the owner of the Price Rite Store on Regent Street, and his wife, had just arrived in front of their Lot 14 Delph Street, Campbellville when two bandits approached and opened fire on them. No one was harmed but the perpetrators succeeded in escaping with some Gy$100,000.

In that instance, however, when the couple approached the Minister’s security guard for assistance, he advised them to make a report at the Kitty Police Station.

Amerindians want Gov't to pay attention to their social issues

Amerindian leaders have called upon the Government to address issues that have been significantly affecting their communities, with some saying that they felt deprived of their rights.

Toshao Elvis Williams of Riverview, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) told the Indigenous People’s Rights and Resources Conference, which saw the leaders interfacing with representatives of State agencies, including the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

He explained that one of the issues that affect Amerindians in his community is land titling. He shared that many had applied for their lands to be titled and most of them are still waiting. The Toshao

added that those whose land was titled was not titled to its full capacity.

Williams further said that the river’s water can no longer be as freely used as they were accustomed to, since the mining companies have greatly contaminated the water source, and now all they are left to do is to wait and hope for the rains. He noted that during dry seasons, villagers would have to travel miles to another creek just to have clean water.

Toshao Williams stated that he was hoping that the relevant authorities would step in and handle the situation quickly. He asked that pipes and pumps be installed in the communities so persons can have access to clean water without hassle.

Another leader, Devery Thomas of Arrow Village also shared concerns about concession of land titles. Thomas said parts of the community have been sold

off to mining companies without the knowledge of the village residents. He begged the question, “Who gave the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) permission to sell our land?”

Thomas added that the community is growing and it has been seeking an extension of its lands to no avail.

Expressing similar sentiments, Toshao Jaden Jacadus of Aranaputa village stated that lands have also been taken away without permission.

Toshao Rudolph Simon of Rockstone Village, Region 10 told the conference that his community has been applying for communal land titling for some “18 years now”. He

added that as an indigenous person, he feels as if his rights are being deprived.

Toshao Daniel Auguilar of South Rupununi informed that illegal mining was a great issue in his community. He added that there were about some 30 excavators present in and around his community, and villagers

did not know what to do about the situation.

Auguilar said that an issue that upset him greatly was the influx of foreigners, mostly Brazilians, bearing Guyanese identification cards and licensed firearms when there were persons in his community who were yet to receive birth certificates.

Several other members of the National Toshaos Council shared similar views and more, such as one plot of land being sold to several persons, and the very serious issue of water pollution caused by mining companies.

The Amerindians leaders are pleading with the Government of Guyana for assistance in these matters. Although the various agencies’ representatives stated that they would look into the matters, the Amerindian leaders stated that they have been complaining to these organisations for years, but no change has occurred.

Colin Welch appointed interim GPL CEO

Amid much controversy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Colin Welch has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc following the dismissal of Bharat Dindyal some few weeks ago.

Renford Homer, Senior Divisional Director of the Commercial Services and Information Technology, has been designated interim Deputy CEO (DCEO). These appointments will remain in place until the new Board of Directors of the GPL is announced and installed by the Government.

Meanwhile, Welch’s appointment comes in light of accusations that he abused his power as DCEO when he instructed two Senior Managers to go on leave. This act by the then DCEO had sparked anger among staff in the entity, as unease and discomfort continued to escalate at the utility company, and with Welch being appointed as CEO, this development does not sit well with staffers.

According to the then CEO Dindyal, the regulations of GPL clearly state that it is the Human Resources Director or the CEO who are authorised to send staffers off.

Earlier this month, Welch, accompanied by Police ranks, had visited the company’s Loss Reduction offices located

on Sheriff Street where he instructed Senior Loss Reduction Manager Loaknauth Singh and Senior Investigator David Kaladin to go home, stating that there was an investigation ongoing involving “wrongdoings”.

Guyana Times International understands that upon receiving the letters, the Managers contacted Dindyal, who arrived at the office shortly after. After being briefed on what transpired, Dindyal ordered that the two senior officers remain on duty, citing that the letters had no evidence or rational reasons supporting the dismissal.

“When you accuse people of wrongdoings and take a decision to send them off, evidence needs to be produced to justify this,” Dindyal had explained. To date, no evidence has been provided.

In the meantime, ad-

vertisements to fill existing vacancies in the GPL’s executive management structure will be published.

Dindyal’s dismissal Government on August 14 took a unilateral decision to end its engagement with Dindyal who served as the CEO of GPL for a number of years. Dindyal had explained that his contract had officially ended on December 31 last year, but he continued to serve in the post of CEO as part of an ‘understanding’ between the then Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and himself.

He explained that he had relayed information to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson that he still intended to part ways with GPL, but was prepared to remain as CEO for an interim transition period.

However, calls and even emails went unanswered when Dindyal sought the direction

and advice of Minister Patterson as to the way forward, the former CEO told this publication.

Therefore, a letter with such short notice that he was being relieved of his duties without any direct dialogue between himself and the subject minister was nothing short of a surprise, he noted.

“A lot left hanging” Dindyal also explained that there was “quite a lot left hanging” at GPL as there are a number of major projects/ programmes ongoing at the power company.

“There was no termination of my contract, if the Government didn’t change and it was still the PPP [People’s Progressive Party] Administration, I would have already left in June. I had wanted to leave in June, but nobody told me anything,” the former CEO said.

He further explained that after serving at GPL for more than half his life since it was called the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC), he did not want to see the company in turmoil.

Hence, he stayed on

as CEO for the interim transition until a suitable person could be found to head the power company.

In a press release from the Ministry of the Presidency, it was stated that Minister Patterson thoroughly examined these “pertinent facts” along with Dindyal’s intervention in matters relating to staff and his performance appraisal and other relevant information. On the basis of his assessment, he advised Cabinet of the decision to conclude Dindyal’s engagement with GPL.

Jagdeo confident PPP/C will return to power

Opposition

Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo demonstrated his lack of faith in the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration to succeed in governing the nation, expressing great optimism that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will victoriously return to

Government following the next General and Regional Elections.

“We will be back on the campaign trail soon. We are coming back for power because we know that you are going to fail. We know that with this sort of budget, you cannot succeed; you will flat-line the economy,” Jagdeo’s words echoed throughout the Parliamentary Chambers on Friday as he delivered his budget

debate speech ahead of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Jagdeo briefly reflected on the series of events surrounding the May 11 Elections, expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome but nonetheless committed his Party to work with the Government for the betterment of the country.

However, he sternly continued on page 21

Teachers to receive laptops from Gov't within weeks

Selected teachers can expect to benefit within a few weeks from the provision of laptops promised under the Government’s One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT) Project. This is according to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who, during last week’s budget debate, told this publication that the Administration was hoping to begin the distribution process “quite soon”.

He explained that while not all of the laptops have yet arrived and were in Government’s possession, some of these educational tools were already in the country.

It is expected that these laptops would be given to the teachers before the commencement of the next school term.

Earlier this month, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman had announced that these computers which were ordered by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative would be given to teachers instead.

According to Minister Trotman, such a move would be tied to a programme which ensured that the selected teachers utilise the learning tools for training in improving their methodology or delivering their curriculum in a faster, electronic manner.

He had also disclosed that teachers from the

Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) would be the first beneficiaries. Emphasis would be placed on those teachers who were still being trained or those who have recently concluded training.

“I believe in the first instance we would like to target teachers that are currently in the Cyril Potter College of Education. Those that are perhaps pursuing degrees or diplomas at the University of Guyana… Then we will roll it out from there,” Minister Trotman had stated at that time.

Lamentable

When this decision was made public, a number of families lamented the new Administration’s position on this matter, as they believed that the children should have been the beneficiaries as was the case under the PPP/C Government.

Many parents who could not afford to supply their child/children

with such modern learning equipment were gravely disappointed by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) move.

The PPP/C, in response to this move, had explained that the OLPF was conceptualised and implemented with the visionary aim of bridging the information and telecommunication gap, not only between those on the coastland and interior of Guyana but also between Guyana and the rest of the rapidly developing technological world.

It had stated that an enabling environment would be created for parents, guardians and other family members to become more involved in children’s academics if they were given the opportunity of having one laptop in their home.

It was also hoped that under the OLPF project the possession of a laptop would enhance and encourage research and learning approaches in academia and general social studies.

The achievement gaps between children of poor or working class families and those from high-income families would be narrowed.

The OLPF Project was launched in Guyana in January 2011. The Government at the time had planned a distribution of about 90,000 computers to poor families across the country over a three-year period.

400 Cubans repatriated by US Coast Guard this year

MIAMI, USA: The US Coast Guard has, since the start of this year, repatriated more than 400 Cuban migrants who attempted to enter the US illegally. The latest batch of 65 was repatriated to Bahia de Cabanas on August 20.

"The Coast Guard continues to strongly discourage attempts to illegally enter the country by taking to the sea," said Captain Mark Fedor of the US Coast Guard.

"These trips are extremely dangerous and could lead to loss of life.

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, we will seek to quickly repatriate illegal migrants to their respective countries," he added.

According to news reports out of Cuba, several people are trying to enter the US as they fear that the controversial "wet foot, dry foot" policy will soon end.

The policy allows Cubans who evade the Coast Guard and touch US soil to get green cards after one year, sponsor their relatives back home to join them and eventually become US citizens. (CMC)

Stranded former CSO rebuffed by Govt

By Jillicia Pinder

Former Community Support

Officer (CSO) Ray Edmond, of South Rupununi is now left at a loss about his next move after he became stranded in Georgetown following a sudden departure from his community when his two-year-old got bitten by a snake.

Edmond told Guyana Times International that on Friday his daughter was bitten by a “bush master” snake in his community. He shared that he was tending to his farm when he heard his daughter cry out. After seeing the cause of her distress, he quickly rushed to her aid.

Edmond added that luckily, a “tour helicopter” was in the village nearby. He pleaded with the persons on board for assistance, and they granted him a ride to Georgetown with his daughter and assisted them to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

The man stated that he had left his community with only the clothes on his back and was now at a loss about his next move. Feeling dejected, he shared that he went to the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry to see if he could receive payments as he was a member of the CSO programme, only to learn that the programme was terminated.

Edmonds added that for the six months he has been in the programme, he had only received Gy$20,000. While explaining his plight to the Indigenous Affairs Ministry personnel, he was told to “go to the PPP fuh that money”, or

ray Edmond

to the Labour Ministry , before he was removed from the premises. Edmonds said that he has no idea where the Labour Ministry was or what he should do to return to his community.

He added that he had even visited the Amerindian Hostel in Princes Street, Georgetown, but they turned him away as he could not afford the Gy$500 per night fee.

He said he has three other older children at home who were not even aware that he was leaving the community. He stated that he has not eaten a meal since he landed in Georgetown and is pleading for assistance from any avenue to return home.

The government has since refuted these allegations made by Edmond.

Guyana recognised as leader in chemicals management within Caribbean

By Kristen MacKlingaM

Guyana has once again been put in the spotlight, this time being recognised as the leader in chemicals management within the Caribbean as was revealed at the Regional Pesticides Board Meeting this year. This is according to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, who on Friday stated that this feat was made possible through support from the Government and the allocation of financial resources towards protecting human health and the environment while ensuring sound chemicals management.

He stated that the Board was presently developing a comprehensive “Pesticides Manual” which will be used in conjunction with importers and distributors to educate this very important group.

Guyana Times International was told that Guyana was currently one of only three countries with an effective certification programme for pest control operators, and it was now certifying these professionals at the basic

and intermediate levels.

More training

He emphasised that Government’s 2015 budget catered for further training in three specific areas for technical expertise development – residual analysis, methodology development and validation, and postgraduate pesticide risk management for inspectors.

This publication was further told that the staff component of the Board would expand, especially in the area of inspectors, to better manage use of toxic chemicals since the use of these has grown tremendously over the years.

“Initiatives have already commenced to reg-

T&T gov’t to build science city

TT’s Science and Technology

Minister Dr Rupert Griffith

PORT OF SPAIN: TT’s Science and Technology Minister Dr Rupert Griffith says a permanent home for showcasing local innovation will be established in the country.

Griffith was addressing the Prime Minister’s Awards for Scientific Ingenuity 2015 at Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain, on Monday night.

Griffith said the Science City would be similar to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States.

The minister said the project was being undertaken by Niherst and would be located close to the recently opened Children’s Hospital in Couva.

He said it was envisioned to be “a high-tech hub with advanced stateof-the-art R&D (research and development) facilities for product development and commercialisation and a centre for technology.” He said Arquitonicia GEO was partnering with Niherst in the venture as design con-

sultant, landscape architect and design architect.

Griffith said his ministry had engaged in the right partnerships to facilitate the adoption of new technology through technology transfer.

He said a key component of that was T&T’s involvement in a European Union-Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-CELAC) Bilateral Arrangement.

He said T&T was also coordinating inter-ministerial collaboration in policy development, planning and implementation. The winner in the junior category in the Scientific Creative Solutions Competition was Shamiya Charles with her entries titled The Ultimate Fruit and Vegetable Vendor Stand and The Ultimate Portion Controller.

The winner in the senior category of the Scientific Creative Solutions Competition was Dr Natasha Ramroop Singh with her entry Novel Biosensor for Thyroid Disorders.

The winner of the Scientific Innovation and Invention Award was Dr Eesa Wahid with his presentation Constant Voltage High Rate Lithium Battery.

That innovation was “a battery with specialised circuitry that has been adapted to a lithium battery to create a power supply that does not experience voltage drops typical of car batteries.”

The competition was aimed at “stroking the innovative spirit and capacity of our people to advance government’s goal of a highly-diversified, sustainable and globally-competitive economy,” Niherst said. (Trinidad Guardian)

ister all toxic chemicals and to educate the general public on regulation requirements…All chemicals that are imported for uses in Guyana are then distributed through a monitored network of licensed vendors countrywide. In 2014, these vendors were trained through the Board’s education programme, so as to ensure that they possess the relevant knowledge to work with chemicals and are licensed on an annual basis,”

Minister Holder noted.

It was also explained that in 2014, the Board continued its pesticides awareness programme in secondary schools. This programme allowed for the establishment of Pesticide Awareness Corners in more than 40 schools in various regions nationwide.

The Agriculture Minister said the Board has continued its training and awareness programme which targeted pesticide users throughout Guyana, training them on the safe handling, use, storage and disposal of these chemicals through the use of World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Gov't assigns separate flags for each region …plan undermines national sovereignty – Opposition Leader Jagdeo

Giving each of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions its own flag to represent independence could very well put the country’s sovereignty at risk and reinforce Venezuela’s attempts to win its claims over the Essequibo. This was the view advanced by former President and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo during his Budget debate on Friday last.

Jagdeo urged Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge to raise these concerns in Cabinet and advise his Government against pursuing this decision, as it could very well spell doom for Guyana’s future, especially in light of Venezuela’s aggression to win over the Essequibo and its recent pronouncement to commence the issuance of Venezuelan identification cards (ID) to the people of that section of the country.

The Spanish-speaking country even went to the extreme of having eight of its Members of Parliament (MPs) present a special bill in the Venezuelan National Assembly and for the creation of a new Essequibo state called “Esequivo”.

Jagdeo explained that that move could send the wrong impression to the Venezuelan authorities.

“Please do not allow them to introduce a flag for Essequibo or Region Two… That is where

they will start undermining the unity of a symbol we all respect… one flag, one anthem,” the former President advised.

Regional independence

Recently, Government announced its intention to assign each administrative region with its very own flag as a representation of independence. This move complements the Administration’s effort to implement a decentralised governing system in the country.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration’s vision is to have each region dictating to Central Government where their de-

velopmental priorities lie and thereafter, Central Government would provide the capacity and ability needed to achieve those goals.

This is to allow each village and community to be empowered and be self-sustainable and self-sufficient, and capable of efficiently and effectively utilising its resources to develop its district.

And to give the feeling of independence, the Government believes assigning each administrative region with its own flag would be a step in that direction.

However, Jagdeo emphasised that this would only put Guyana in a vulnerable position and would seek to empow-

er Venezuela to take control of that area.

Designs drafted

Meanwhile, Government has already drafted the designs for each of the region’s emblem.

Region One’s (BarimaWaini) emblem is a turtle against a green and gold background. The turtle represents the leatherback turtle found on Shell Beach and the colours represent the two main economic activities in the region: forestry and mining.

Region Two’s (PomeroonSupenaam) emblem is a rice stalk against a white and green background. The rice stalk represents the main economic produce of the region while the colours represent the many waterways and the farming activities respectively.

Region Three’s (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) emblem is a ferry against a white, black and green background. The ferry represents the Ferry MV Sabanto and the colours represent the water resources, endurance of the people and the rich agricultural activities.

Region Four’s (DemeraraMahaica) emblem is the Stabroek Market against a red and black background. The Stabroek Market is a representation of the region’s economic activity and the colours represent the zeal, strength and endurance of the people.

Region Five’s (MahaiceBerbice) emblem is a rice farmer planting rice. The colours are black and green which represents strength and agriculture.

Region Six’s (East BerbiceCorentyne) emblem is a rice stalk. The colours are red and green and it represents the zeal of the people and the rich agricultural heritage.

Region Seven’s (CuyuniMazaruni) emblem is a porkknocker and the colours are yellow, white and green. They represent the mineral wealth, the water resources and the vast forest.

Region Eight’s (PotaroSiparuni) emblem is the Majestic Kaieteur Fall. The background colours are green, black and gold and they represent the abundant forest, the resilience of the people and the mineral resources.

Region Nine’s (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) emblem is the harpy eagle and the background colours are red, green and white. They represent the zeal of the people, the forests and the waters.

Region 10’s (Upper Demerara-Berbice) emblem is bauxite against a gold and black background. This represents the regions mining activities. The gold represents mining while the black represents strength and the ability to overcome challenges.

6 presidential advisors to pocket over Gy$36M yearly

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

Consideration of the Gy$221 billion Budget commenced on Monday in the Parliament Chambers with many questions left unanswered by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government, much to the dissatisfaction of the Opposition; the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Though unable to answer many of the questions during that sitting of the Committee of Supply, promises were made by the responding Ministers to have the information made available to the Opposition at a later date in the name of transparency.

Nevertheless, in responding to Bishop Juan Edghill, who now sits on the opposing side of the House, with reference to the six new employees contracted by the Government, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed that Political Affairs Head in the Ministry of the Presidency Fredrick McWilfred; Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr Clive Thomas; Presidential

Advisor on National Security, Brigadier Edward Collins; Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Aubrey Norton; Director of Public Communications Mark Archer; and Presidential Advisor on the Environment, Rear Admiral Gary Best are all being paid a basic salary of Gy$500,000 each. According to Minister Harmon, the benefits and allowances that are received by the Government officials are not “significant”.

With Bishop Edghill pressing for comprehen-

sive information on the benefits and allowances being provided to these senior officials, Harmon made it clear that the incentives form part of a standard contractual arrangement for advisors that was in existence under the former Government.

However, based on the information provided by the Minister, the contracted employees will each be receiving in excess of Gy$6 million annually.

Meanwhile, former Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali questioned the increase in

Miss Guyana India Worldwide 2015 plans to work with orphans

Newly-crowned Miss Guyana India Worldwide 2015 Lieve Blanckeart is quite passionate about children and so she will be taking on improving the lives of orphans as her platform for the international pageant to be held in India in a few months.

In an exclusive interview with TVG’s Morning Times, the 17-year-old says she loves children and as a result of this, her platform deals extensively with education and orphans.

The School of the Nations student, who describes herself as down-to-earth and kind, says that many are privileged to have that one-on-one relationship with their parents when they get home from school, but when orphans return to their homes, there is just one or two adults who would have to manage many of them, so the entire one-onone concept is lost.

She said she has been planning to set up a mentorship programme where young people can volunteer their time to sit and teach these students, so that they can boost their grades. She believes that with the new title, she would now be able to push her dream a bit further.

Although Blanckeart is just 17 and about to tackle the Miss India Worldwide 2015 Pageant with over 40 beauties of Indian descent from around the world competing for the crown, she is confident that she will do well. Blanckeart believes that age is not the only determining factor of one’s capa-

bilities as it also has a lot to do with experience.

She noted that she has been receiving overwhelming support from family, friends and well-wishers over the past few months.

Blanckeart will begin her preparations for her talent piece soon. She will be performing a dance number choreographed by Apsara’s Chandini Rambalack, featuring a blend of flamenco and belly dancing.

tion to the Opposition, he further explained that the Presidential Complex experienced flooding on two occasions since the David Granger Administration was sworn into Office.

According to him, it was important for the Ministry of the Presidency to take the requisite steps that would ensure the “complex represents the highest office of the land.”

tion, many of them never fulfilled their promises.

funds allocated for the maintenance of buildings under the Office of the President. It was pointed out that there was a significant increase when compared to the previous year, with that line item being allocated approximately Gy$22.4 million in this year’s budget compared to Gy$9.9 million in 2014.

Harmon, in responding, explained the Castellani House and the Presidential Complex are among buildings that were rehabilitated or identified for rehabilitation. In justifying this alloca-

Questions were raised regarding the contractual arrangements that have been put in place for the maintenance of these buildings but Harmon requested the committee’s permission for the information to be provided at a later date.

With the Opposition left searching for answers and a promise of a later date, PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira expressed her dissatisfaction, noting that when the PPP/C was in office, information was willingly provided by the then Government when a request was made. But in rebutting Teixeira, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman said while the PPP/C members had promised to provide critical informa-

The National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA) were also placed into the spot during the consideration of the 2015 Budget when the matter regarding subsidies and contributions to local organisation was raised under the Office of the President (Administrative Services) to which a total of Gy$563.6 million was set aside in the recurrent budget.

The Opposition Chief Whip and her other supporting members sought clarification on the Gy$80.4 million and Gy$69.5 million allocated to GINA and NCN respectively under the Office of the President (current budget) and the Gy$63.9 million and Gy$27.2 million allocated to those same agencies under the Office of the Prime Minister to which they now fall.

The Gy$221 billion Budget was presented to the National Assembly on August 10, by Finance Minister Winston Jordan under the theme “A fresh start: The Good Life in the Green Economy.”

Jagdeo confident PPP/C...

noted that the PPP/C will not sit back and allow the Government to push them over.

“We are watching the members on the other side carefully… I will never, and the people on this side will never allow the members on the Government side to make us victims. We are never going to allow you to take away from us, rights that would have been earned through sweat and blood in this country,” Jagdeo posited.

He made reference to the lawless and ruthless behaviour of the People’s National Congress Reform component of the APNU/ AFC party following a lost the General and Regional Elections in the past, and exemplified the unmistakable contrast with the PPP/C, noting that his Party surely demonstrated a fresh approach to maturity.

“We filed our petition and we will fight them,” he stated.

Jagdeo committed the PPP/C to defend the interest of all

Guyanese, be it sugar workers or bauxite workers; he said the Party will represent everyone.

He promised too, that the PPP/C, now that they are the Opposition, will not oppose for opposition’s sake – like the APNU/ AFC was guilty of doing.

“If an initiative is good, we will support it. If it brings benefit to our people, we will support it. But we are going to hold you accountable,” Jagdeo warned.

Further, Jagdeo frankly stated that Budget 2015 cannot benefit the country or its economy.

“This budget cannot move the Private Sector forward, it does not change the circumstances in the country and it will never deliver the good life that the minister spoke about,” he stated flatly.

On that note, he pleaded with the Government to keep its promises to the Guyanese people particularly, the

18

Amerindian people. Additionally, he underscored the importance of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, urging the government to keep the initiative alive.

Jagdeo stated that the monies received would have gone towards development projects that can help Guyana. These include projects that can transform some 100 village economies, computerising villages in the interior and the establishment of a diversity centre of international studies which can generate a new type of export to create jobs. He also urged the Government to stay committed to the Information and Communication Technology projects, that is, the laying of the fibre optic cables which will support the E-governance initiative which would allow internet connectivity for all government networks. Also, this project was aiming to make available free public wifi.

Gov't “satisfied” with partial fulfilment of 100-day promises

…civil

society cites “challenge”

It is now just over

100 days since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government was elected, and so it comes under scrutiny regarding the fulfilment of its 21-point promise, which was supposed to be delivered within its first 100 days in office.

With only approximately 15 of those promises partially accomplished, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said the Administration would give itself an “A” grade for the success achieved so far. “We have considered it and based on our own checklist, we are extremely comfortable with the work we have done and the accomplishments we have made under that plan,” he told Journalists on Friday.

Several key promises such as an overall “phased” reduction of VAT, the Berbice Bridge tolls, and “significant” increases of the salaries of Public Servants, teachers, Police ranks and nurses, have had to be radically modified downwards. The liberalisation of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector was also not addressed. The inability of the Government to adopt

“a long-term sustainable economic development plan to realise the vast potential of this country” was evident in the ad hoc budget just presented.

However, the coalition Government did come in for much commendation from various sections of Guyanese society on the efforts it has put into fulfilling the promises made on the elections campaign trail. These were the sentiments related to Guyana Times International by civil society organisations and individuals when contacted. They also expressed the view that the Government was distracted by other pressing matters upon assumption to office; hence, it could not have focused entirely on the promises.

Head of the Indian Action Committee (formerly Indian Arrival Committee – IAC), Neaz Subhan, pointed out that the APNU/ AFC Administration has achieved at least twothirds of its promises, and this was commendable in light of the challenges it has encountered.

Subhan stated that despite the expectations for the Administration to fulfil all of its promises, it was not a “bad achievement”. “People had ex-

pectations of a 100 per cent delivery, but obviously Government would have had challenges in delivering … [the citizenry] is still expecting that the rest of the promises to be delivered at the soonest,” he related.

For his part, Head of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), Dr Eric Phillips, said the APNU/AFC coalition inherited something entirely different than what it was expecting; hence, it was preoccupied dealing with those matters and had less time to focus on the 100-day plan promises.

Nevertheless, he said, the Government did manage to implement some of the easier pledg-

Irfaan Ali refutes Kaieteur News car-taxes claims

Former Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali has debunked the Kaieteur News that he acquired several motor vehicles while he was a sitting Member of the 10th Parliament without paying relevant taxes.

Ali had taken to his Facebook page on Sunday to highlight that he has the documentation to prove that his acquisition was legally garnered.

“It was brought to my attention by a senior GRA official that instructions have been given to institute taxes on motor vehicle I acquired through legal means as a Member of Parliament in the 10th Parliament. This concession was recommended and approved by all the relevant authority. I was shocked when this officer approached me on Friday night after the Parliament to inform me that I will be receiving a letter from GRA on Monday asking me to pay taxes on this vehicle,” Ali wrote on his Facebook page.

He said his actions have been consistent within the laws of Guyana and as such he was “putting the country on notice that these targeted actions to silence” him would not succeed. “I am prepared to deal with and have all the documents to

justify the stated facts. I anxiously await the purported letter. I have nothing to hide or fear so would never succumb to any threats,” Ali declared.

He posted a copy of the letter dated March 3, 2014 and signed by GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur, which states in no uncertain terms that “Members of Parliament are granted tax exemptions from the payment of Customs duty under Section 23 of the Customs Act Chapter 82: 01, the zero rating of Value Added Tax under Sub section (1) … it further stated that a Member of Parliament may be entitled to one or two motor vehicles for every sitting of Parliament, that if a motor vehicle is older than four years and is acquired during the first year of the new sitting, then the MP is eligible for another on the second motor vehicle”.

Further, the letter states that “in this regard, your [Ali’s] request to acquire a tax exemption in the 10th Parliament can be accommodated since according to our records, you were last granted tax exemptions on a motor vehicle on March 4, 2011, during the ninth Parliament”.

per that the APNU/AFC coalition was “severely hamstrung” by financial issues; hence, it could not have adequately pursued its 100-day plan. He noted that one could not simply implement plans for the future unless one cleared the rubble in one’s path.

“They have financial constraints and had to clean up the mess that existed when they took office. Those are severe constraints,” he declared. However, Samad said Government was working assiduously to fulfil its other promises although it would take some time.

es as it worked on paving the path to complete the others. “They did not meet all the promises made and it’s understandable why they haven’t delivered, but they are doing things to make sure that they will be able to fulfil commitments without any hindrance,” he opined.

According to Phillips, one of the major hindrances in the Administration not being able to fulfil its promises was the uncertainty surrounding the election which went on for about a month after Poling Day on May 11.

Professor Daizal Samad, in assessing the Government’s performance, told this newspa-

On this note, he underscored that the coalition needed to put the “right people in the right places” and hold them accountable in order to achieve what it desired, noting that this mistake had cost the previous Administration.

Among some of the promises fulfilled by the APNU/AFC Administration were: The reduction of the Berbice River Bridge toll, which was slashed from Gy$2200 to Gy$1900 for minibuses and passenger cars, along with a 10 per cent reduction in the toll for all other types of vehicles. The revised tolls will take effect from September

1. Additionally, the Administration increased the Old Age Pension by some Gy$4000; however the increase has taken the place of the Gy$15,000 subsidy for electricity and water.

As promised, a task force on crime and security were established, while a Code of Conduct for all parliamentarians and officials holding public office was introduced. The Government also sought to host the Indigenous People’s Rights and Resources Conference, the National Rice Farmers Conference and the Cane Farmers Conference.

Government has also announced increases in salaries for public servants; the reduction of the presidential pension and other benefits; waiving of duties on equipment for small-scale miners; passing of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act; the return of a television station licence to Linden and the establishment of investigative commissions on corruption among others.

However, fixing a date for the early holding of Local Government Elections (LGE) is among the other promises yet to be fulfilled.

US Embassy welcomes first Fulbright Scholar to Guyana in 20 years

The United States Embassy in Georgetown has welcomed Fulbright US Scholar Jennifer Hoyte to Guyana.

According to a release, US Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt met with Hoyte on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, and expressed his appreciation to the Fulbright Programme for the reactivation of the programme in Guyana after a 20-year hiatus.

Hoyte holds a Master of Science in Computer and Information Science from Ohio State University. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education at Florida International University. As part of the Fulbright US Scholar Programme, Hoyte will be teaching Philosophy and Issues in the Teaching of Mathematics at the University of Guyana for the first semester of the 20152016 academic years. The course will focus on how teachers can be more reflective and will cover topics such as Classroom Management, Pedagogy, and Enrichment

activities for the secondary school mathematics classroom.

The Fulbright US Scholar Programme sends US scholars and professionals abroad to lecture or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.

The Fulbright Programme is the flagship international educational exchange programme sponsored by the US Government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries”.

With this goal as a start-

ing point, the Fulbright Programme has provided almost 300,000 participants – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

The Fulbright Programme was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by late Senator J William Fulbright of Arkansas and is sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Visiting Guyanese collapses after remanded for weed possession

ACanada-based Guyanese on holiday could not control herself further after learning on Monday that she will not be allowed to go home to her son after being remanded to jail.

Rushelle Gittens, 45, who was residing at Charlestown since July 3 when she arrived from Canada for a month of holidaying with her son, collapsed in Court

Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when Magistrate Ann McLennan refused her bail.

The woman had relatives and friends rushing to her assistance as they condemned the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for not doing their work and arresting an innocent woman. Her supporters told all who were willing to listen that Gittens could not be guilty of being in possession of 1.550 kilograms of cannabis sativa (marijuana) with the purposes of trafficking the narcotic, since she is a “sweet girl.”

NGOs, religious groups drafting Action Plan to combat suicide in Guyana

Following the successful oneday stakeholders’ conference on suicide prevention, which was hosted by The Caribbean Voice (TCV), local Non-Governmental Organisations and religious groups have pledged their commitment to shy away from the individualistic approach and to address the issue of suicide as a collective.

The couple pleaded not guilty and was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh who stated that Police had brutalised the couple physically and emotionally. The Attorney said that money, jewellery and other items were also stolen from the defendants when the Police conducted their search.

Even so, Magistrate Ann McLennan refused bail to the couple. She ordered that they return to court on September 14. Other matters against the couple, such as disorderly behavior and resisting arrest were transferred to Court 10, for Magistrate Alex Moore to oversee.

Gittens was charged for the offence with her boyfriend, 45-yearold Hubert Nathaniel Bartholomew. However, Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the illegal drug was found on August 22 at Howes Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. He stated that the Police were acting on information when they busted the couple. He objected to bail profusely, stating that Bartholomew was caught throwing the illicit substance over a wall.

The Conference, which was held on Friday at the Cara Lodge, saw representatives from Red Thread; The Indian Action Committee (IAC); the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) and Help and Shelter among others in attendance. Each organisation made valuable contributions through suggestions and recommendations to aid in the reduction of the high suicide rate in the country.

TCV Vice President Bibi Ahamad told the Guyana Times International on Monday during a phone interview that members were currently analysing the data that came out of the Conference and were in the process of drafting an Action Plan to combat suicide.

“Presently, we are putting together a report about the proceedings of the Conference. We have decided to form a working group to take suicide prevention awareness forward. Everyone who was there have agreed to be a part of this group and we will work together to develop initiatives and conduct outreaches in communities to address the issue and educate people,” she explained.

Ahamad noted that there were numerous recommendations coming out of the forum and these would all be included in the Action Plan. She

noted also that the groups were trying to get the Government more involved in the process.

“We are hoping that the Ministry of Social Protection – we will talk to Minister [Volda] Lawrence on this –for her Ministry to be actively involved in this group so that Government has a big input,” Ahamad stated.

Also, she said the group would reach out to the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board inviting it to join the collective, given the fact that the majority of suicide cases in Guyana were as a result of individuals ingesting agriculture-based poisons like gramoxone.

Disquieting

Guyana’s suicide rate has evolved into a disquieting epidemic in the country, affecting almost every single person regardless of age, religion or ethnic composition.

Often, articles are reported about various groups conducting various sessions on suicide, in a commendable effort to combat the problem,

but, arguably, the effect they have does little to reduce the high rate of suicide in the country.

TCV is of the view that Guyana needs to take a more hands-on and proactive approach to address the issue, noting that this will require the collaboration and involvement of all NGOs to deliver a more lasting impact. Guyana is ranked first in suicides per capita worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2014 report, Guyana suffers 44.2 suicides per 100,000 persons per year. In effect, there are about 333 suicides per year in a population of about three quarters of a million. It is also estimated that at least 25 per cent of suicides go unreported. This would mean that there are at least 425 suicides per year in Guyana. However, empirical evidence reveals that unreported suicides are higher than 25 per cent, thus actual suicides could well be higher than 425 annually.

“Bonus” remanded for killing Montrose granny

The family of the late Danrasie

Ganesh, also known as “Carmen”, who was killed three Saturdays ago, says justice has been done after Colin Allin, also known as “Bonus” was arraigned for her murder on Tuesday.

Allin, a 23-yearold Welder from Lot 7 Cemetery Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, is accused of murdering the 77-year-old grandmother.

Ganesh was murdered on August 1 while she was at Lot 121 Montrose, East Coast Demerara; a house she was the caretaker for over the last 40 years. Her body was found in a pool of blood with a gash to her head and a cloth tied around her neck. A knife was also found close to the elderly woman’s body.

Information reaching Guyana Times International revealed that Ganesh’s daughters

did not see her for the entire Saturday morning and became concerned. Hence, they went to the house and called out to her. However, their calls went unanswered and the gates were locked, so they could not get into the yard. One of Ganesh’s grandsons was the first to find the dead woman lying on the kitchen flood covered in blood.

Police launched a full-fledged investigation, even staking out the house where the elderly woman was murdered. Soon after, Allin was apprehended by the Police and questioned about the murder.

The young man confessed to the killing when questioned by Police. However, he said that he was contracted to kill the elderly woman by a close relative. Police are still investigating these statements but Guyana Times International learnt that Allin has named one of

the deceased’s sons as the one who gave him the contract to end her life. The family, however, denied this.

This publication spoke to Ganesh’s sons and daughters on Tuesday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court after Allin was arraigned before Magistrate Zameena Ali. Ganesh’s children stated that the accused is not known to the family and the named brother further explained that he only saw Allin one time; the day after the murder when he came back to the house.

Nevertheless, the family expressed relief that their mother’s murderer has been caught and hopes justice will be served in the long run. Even so, the family expressed that they were fearful that Allin’s colleagues may try to harm them as he has been quite abusive in his statements whenever he sees the family.

APNU, AFC still discussing way forward in contesting LGE

– Govt insists ball in “GECOM’s court” on date

While A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are yet to make a decision on whether they will be contesting the local polls as a coalition or independent of each other, Government continues to insist that the ball was “in GECOM’s court” in terms of determining a date for hosting the Local Government Elections (LGE) this year.

AFC General Secretary David Patterson, who is also the Public Infrastructure Minister, told this newspaper that this was still being discussed at the level of the respective parties. “We are still discussing it. As soon as we have made a decision, we will inform the public but as of now that matter is still being discussed,” he indicated.

While the two parties are yet to make a formal decision, political commentators have stated that any decision by the AFC, which has married the APNU, to contest the elections independently would result in the exposure of the extent to which its constituency has declined since the May 11 elections.

In fact, Dr Henry Jeffrey told this newspaper that this decision would depend on how

the two political parties see their long-term future as a coalition. “If they see themselves as a group together in the long term, then they will go to these elections and contest together. However, if they do not, then they would be contesting the upcoming elections in the regions separately. It all depends on how both parties see themselves together in the future,” Dr Jeffrey explained.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the setting of a date for the hosting of Local Government Elections, the Government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are yet to decide on how soon Guyanese can go to polls.

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, told this publication follow-

ing a statutory meeting on Tuesday last that no “decisions” were made in relation to the holding of the LGE. He said while he read and saw reports attributed to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, he was not aware that the issue of setting the date or time frame for the elections was one that was scheduled to be discussed in a formal way by GECOM at its planned statutory meeting.

Dr Surujbally advised that the Commission did discuss the legal lacunae that stand in the way of the successful holding of the elections, but these issues were known to all the stakeholders who had interest in the holding of local polls. He explained further that the Commission continued to do what it could at this time to prepare for the elections whenever they are held.

Meanwhile, when contacted subsequently, Minister Bulkan maintained that Government was awaiting advice from the elections body on how soon the elections can be held. We want to hold it as soon as possible. We are waiting on GECOM to tell us how soon we can hold it. Once we get that word, we are prepared to name a date… the ball is in GECOM’s court,” he stated.

ExxonMobil second-quarter earnings plunge by half

United States-based oil and gas Exploration Company ExxonMobil has announced a 2015 second-quarter earnings of some US$4.2 billion, or US$1 per diluted share, compared with US$8.8 billion a year earlier.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rex W Tillerson said the company was delivering on its investment and operating commitments across its integrated portfolio.

“Our quarterly results reflect the disparate impacts of the current commodity price environment, but also demonstrate the strength of our sound operations, superior project execution capabilities, as well as continued discipline in capital and expense management,” the CEO said recently.

ExxonMobil, which recently left Guyana’s waters after discovering oil off the Essequibo, over the period had produced some four million oil-equivalent barrels per day, an increase of 139,000 barrels per day, or 3.6 per cent.

Liquids volumes of 2.3 million barrels per day increased

11.9 per cent, benefiting from new developments in Angola, Canada, Indonesia and the United States.

During the quarter, the corporation distributed US$4.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding. Dividends per share of US$0.73 increased 5.8 per cent compared with the second quarter of 2014.

Higher downstream and chemical earnings were more

than offset by the impact of weaker upstream realisations and lower asset management gains. Earnings decreased by US$4.6 billion or 52 per cent to US$4.2 billion from the second quarter of 2014.

Earnings per share, assuming dilution, were US$1, a decrease of 51 per cent.

Capital and exploration expenditures were US$8.3 billion, down 16 per cent from the second quarter of 2014.

Oil-equivalent production

increased 3.6 per cent from the second quarter of 2014, with liquids up 11.9 per cent and natural gas down 5.8 per cent.

Cash flow from operations and asset sales was US$9.4 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of US$629 million.

Production at the company’s Kearl oil sands expansion project in Alberta, Canada, started ahead of schedule, doubling gross capacity to 220,000 barrels of bitumen per day.

Bitumen production began on schedule at the Cold Lake Nabiye project expansion in north-eastern Alberta, Canada. The expansion is producing about 20,000 barrels per day and volumes are expected to reach peak daily production of 40,000 barrels later this year.

A significant oil discovery was made in Guyana on the 6.6-million acre Stabroek Block that is located 120 miles offshore. The well was safely drilled to 17,825 feet in 5719 feet of water and encountered 295 feet of high-quality oilbearing sandstone reservoirs.

After exploring for some

three months, ExxonMobil withdrew its “Deepwater Champion” oil rig from the coastal waters of the Essequibo region, currently a subject of controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, but continues to analyse the data collected after discovering a major oilfield, the company has said.

The vessel left the area in June, but is still evaluating additional potential on the Stabroek block.

The company began exploring the Stabroek block in March, the start of a US$200 million initiative expected to be executed over a 10-year period.

The century-old boundary controversy between Guyana and Venezuela took on new urgency on May 20, when the ExxonMobil subsidiary announced the major oil find.

A week later, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a decree purporting to assert his country’s sovereignty over Guyana’s waters off the coast of Essequibo, a resourcerich area of 167,839 sq kilometres or some 64,800 square miles, the largest county in Guyana.

Critchlow Labour College failed to account for previous subventions – PPP/C

While pointing out that the return of the subventions for the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress is a “good gesture” by Government, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Member of Parliament Gillian Burton-Persaud, stated that if the intended goals were to be realised then some grey areas must be addressed by Parliament.

During her Budget debate presentation last week, the Opposition member posited that although the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)

Administration highlighted that these subventions were withheld by the PPP/C when it was in power, the present Government failed to mention the reasons why this occurred.

“It must be clarified that the withholding of the subvention was not done by mere whims and fancies, but rather that this was as a result of the inability of the said institution to provide accountability for

the subventions allocated for many years. This issue to which I speak is also known by some Honourable Members on the Government’s side of the House. I was dismayed at the comments of the Honourable Member Basil Williams on this issue of which he is very much aware of,” Burton-Persaud expounded.

She went on to say that Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine who was at that time the Principal had to endure “nightmares” and more while trying to resolve this issue owing to the “stubborn and obnoxious” attitudes of some of the officials at the institutions.

According to the PPP/C parliamentarian, it is very important that upon returning the subvention for the CLC that there must be the insistence for the provision of accountability of expenditure and scrutiny of the Board of Trustees, its composition and accuracy.

Burton-Persaud further stated that there must also be the scrutiny of the policy as it relates

to composition of the Board of Governors as it relates to Trade Unions’ composition.

“So irrational, unprofessional and disrespectful were their (officials at the institutions) attitude that anyone who did not support their position was in the most demeaning way dismissed from the College. They were exempted from Board meetings or forced to resign as in the case of the Honourable Member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine…

The allocation of a subvention to registered trade unions to assist with local training is complimentary; however, it must not be overlooked that the issue of accountability rears its head once more this time in the sense that Unions must be sensitised that the submission of their accounts for auditing is the number one criteria in this instance so as to qualify,” Burton-Persaud emphasised.

According to the PPP/C parliamentarian, the implementation of the granting of a subvention to the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and to other registered Trade Unions will go a long way into ensuring that there was enhancement in the work of these Unions.

She is hopeful that the APNU/AFC coalition Government will find it possible to offer assistance by utilising its team of Audit specialists since such an exercise is very costly and many Unions have not had their accounts audited for many years.

Nagamootoo berates reporter for criticising Gov't

…says Chronicle is “Government’s paper not State’s”

The “very disappointed” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo heavily criticised a reporter attached to the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper over an article published in the newspaper’s August 25 edition under the headline “Gov’t blunders on Budget Estimates … violates laws assented to by President Granger”, citing that the caption was non-objective.

In the process, Nagamootoo took a drastic turn from his initial position where he would excessively declare that the Guyana Chronicle should reflect nonpartisan views so as to objectively inform the public to make “wise decisions”. The Prime Minister, who is charged with responsibility for the Information Sector, declared on Tuesday in Parliament that “the Chronicle is a Government paper”, giving the impres-

sion that all the reports must be subjective to the Government.

Nagamootoo was at the time being interviewed by members of the media who had observed that he confronted the reporter who had written the article.

However, Nagamootoo denied attempting to interfere with the work of the media house, but he stated that he was “very disappointed” over the headline.

“I was disappointed, very disappointed. I didn’t think it was an objective headline on the sum total of what transpired in Parliament,” he stated.

In a statement issued shortly after his confrontation by the media, Nagamootoo admitted that he was displeased with the article’s headline, noting that he “expected better from a Governmentowned newspaper”.

“I had expected that

greater care ought to have been exercised by the Guyana Chronicle before coming to the erroneous conclusion that the Government had blundered on either the presentation or compilation of the estimates of expenditures,” Nagamootoo posited, noting that the headline did not “do justice”.

There is a perception that Nagamootoo’s position over the headline is already sending signals that there is a creeping party paramountcy.

The Chronicle reporter, Derwayne Wills, told reporters that the story is a true representation of what took place on the day in question, noting that the Government did blunder and as such, it was reported.

However, when prompted by Wills, Nagamootoo said his headline would have been along the lines of “Government, Opposition compromise on Estimates”.

Gov't to announce new Ambassador to Venezuela soon

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change Government (APNU/AFC) is still to announce the name of its Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, some three months after indicating that it would be removing former head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Geoffrey Da Silva from the post.

Da Silva, who was appointed as Guyana’s envoy to the Spanishspeaking nation back in 2011, was relieved of his duties following the new Government’s ascension to office. He had succeeded Dr Odeen Ishmael.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said Government has not yet heard from its Venezuelan counterpart on the way forward regarding its Ambassador in Guyana.

Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz early last month, had travelled to her home country to hold consultations with President Nicolás Maduro.

While sources at the

Embassy in Guyana could not say when and if the Ambassador, who had been in Guyana for just a few years, would be returning, they confirmed that her departure was to meet with the President to have discussions over the territorial controversy brewing between the two countries.

Minister Greenidge confirmed that the move by Venezuela is not an anomaly; it was however important that the embassy remain up and running with the responsible resources at its helm. In the absence of the Venezuela Ambassador, the embassy is reportedly being overlooked by Minister Consular Alonso Herrera.

When contacted on Tuesday, Embassy staff said they were unaware of the next move of the President regarding the presence of an Ambassador. Early last month, President Maduro said he was calling in his country’s Ambassador for consultations amid an escalating squabble over oil exploration in Guyana’s waters.

Venezuela in June demanded that Guyana halt exploration activities being carried out by United States-based ExxonMobil off the coast of Essequibo, weeks after the company said it had discovered oil.

Guyana has pointed out that Venezuela had agreed to accept as a final declaration on the border the ruling of an international tribunal, which in 1899 unanimously decided the border as it currently stands.

Venezuela says the 1899 ruling was unfair and insists the territory belongs to Venezuela, going as far as including it on its maps as the “reclamation zone”. The Essequibo functions as part of Guyana and shows no discernible trace of Venezuelan influence.

Indian High Commissioner urges Guyanese youths to preserve their culture

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam on Sunday urged youths at the Guyana Sevashram Sangha (Cove and John Ashram) to preserve the Indian culture and not to forget the many struggles their ancestors went through.

Mahalingam was at the time visiting the Ashram (located some 15 miles from Georgetown) for the first time. In his address, he said that he was impressed with the pristine and clean environment of the Ashram. Speaking directly to the youths, he urged them to read more and enhance their knowledge about their ancestors, cultures and traditions.

The Ambassador also donated 240 books which will be placed at the Ashram’s Library and used by students of the Hindu College. During the presentation, he expressed that he was blessed to make the donation, and asked youths to read the Hindu epics (Ramayan) and learn the Hindi Language.

Swami Shivashankarananda, Administrator of

the Cove and John Ashram, welcomed the Commissioner and urged him to make more visits to the institution.

Meanwhile, Principal of the Hindu College, which is located in the Ashram’s compound, Rajkumarie Singh, thanked the High Commissioner for the donation which she said came at an opportune time. Singh said the books will benefit the school and further enhance research in the Hindi lan-

guage, noting that the College’s students write Religious Education as a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination subject. At the end of the usual morning service\hawan, the India High Commissioner was given a tour by Swami Shivashankarananda. He was garlanded and honoured with a shawl by members of the Ashram. He also took the opportunity to sign the Ashram’s visitor book.

Memories of a bygone era

Memories of British Guiana, specifically from 1959 to 1961, are forever cherished in timeless photos by Philip Llyn-Jones, a contactor from England who came to work here in Guyana. The photos tell of a time when Georgetown was a “Garden City” and people enjoyed the simplicity of life.

Llyn-Jones’s daughter Pauline Grimshaw generously shares his photos with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine In an interview with Sunday Magazine, Grimshaw recalled that her father worked for

a small British construction company near London; he was a quantity surveyor. The company he worked for in London was contracted by Sprostons Ltd of Georgetown (she presumes) to help with the aluminium smelter construction, which may have been completed in March 1961.

“We would have arrived approximately two years before that, in 1959. On completion of the work we went back to England where my father spent the rest of his working life. My mum, dad, my younger brother and I came to British

Guiana. My father enjoyed the experience of living and working in another country. He had been overseas during World War 2 and he worked in the merchant navy immediately after the war for about two years. He loved the bush and borrowing a Land Rover sometimes at weekends to explore. He also liked the river and the RH Carr,” Grimshaw recollected.

Grimshaw and her family lived at Watooka. She had her first trip on the RH Carr (a Britishbuilt steamboat) when she was eight years old. Her father had taken several photos of the steamboat as it worked on the river.

“I was eight years old when we arrived and ten years old when we returned to England. I went to a Canadian school in Watooka, now part of Linden. We travelled on the RH Carr from Georgetown down to Linden (which we called Mackenzie) as there was no road then,” Grimshaw reminisced.

While in British Guiana, Grimshaw enjoyed travelling on the RH Carr. Although she cannot remember much about the steamboat, she relies on her father’s photos to help jog her memory.

Reminiscing on life in British Guiana, Grimshaw said she remembers the “tropical flowers, swimming, kiskadee birds, the sun, blue sky, fabulous clouds, the bauxite trains behind our house and the Cannonball trees”.

Grimshaw returned to Guyana with her husband, John, and took many photos of the now derelict RH Carr on the Demerara River in Linden, which have

sparked interest overseas to “save and preserve” the vessel.

Philip Llyn-Jones died in 2005 at the age of 85. Grimshaw remembers her father to be a

“keen photographer” who even developed and printed his own photographs (though not while he was in

The collection of rainfall data was the only hydrometeorological information that began in the late 19th century. This was done under the auspices of Crown Agents. Beginning in the 20th century, other parameters were recorded and these were collected by a number of ministries, sugar estates and private citizens.

It was then recognised that a more holistic and coordinated approach would be most beneficial to the country and the international community. A proposal was made by ECLAC for an expert, William Peterson, from the World Meteorological Organization, to coordinate activities and to develop a proposal for the creation of a new entity.

Peterson worked with a committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Forest, Lands and Mines, Ministry of Works and Hydraulics, Booker Tate Estates, Demerara Bauxite Ltd and other stakeholders.

The committee recommended that portfolios of meteorology and hydrology, held by the Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Works and Hydraulicsrespectively, be cancelled, and that a portfolio of hydrometeorology be established as a department in the Ministry of Works and Hydraulics.

On October 5, 1965, at the 50th Meeting of Cabinet, approval was given to establish a central hydrometeorologi-

cal service within the government structure of the then British Guiana. It was envisaged that the department’s general responsibilities were to monitor and evaluate weather and water resources in Guyana.

These responsibilities grew in the early 70s to include aeronautical forecasting and later included agriculture meteorology, hydrological engineering and other aspects related to sustainable economic development of the country.

The office was housed at Fort Street Kingston from 1965 until 1991 when it was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture after an evaluation of its relevance. Ken Potter was appointed the first Chief Hydrometeorological

Officer.

Under his direction, the Hydromet Service developed rapidly into a well coordinated and dynamic entity with a solid core of professional personnel. Since the service formation there have been six confirmed Heads of Department (Potter, John Bassier, Chander Persaud, Sheik Khan and Dilip Jaigopaul) and quite a number of supporting staff.

The Hydrometeorological Service is a department attached to Ministry of Agriculture. This department’s general responsibility is to monitor and evaluate the weather and water resources in Guyana and to actively support the government in disaster risk management and aeronautical, water, agriculture, engineering and other agencies for the socio-economic development of the country. It is the official provider of weather, water and climate information, and related products and services for Guyana.

The department’s activities include observation and data collection to meet the needs of future generations for reliable, homogeneous national climatological, hydrological and oceanographic data; provision of hydrological, meteorological, oceanographic and related data, information, forecasts, warnings, investigation and advisory services on a national, as well as international basis; and coordination of Guyana's involvement in

regional and international hydrology, meteorology, oceanography and related conventions.

Significant milestones since 1965 include the establishment of the Aeronautical Meteorology Section in 1971 (Weather Forecasting Office as it commonly referred to) at Timehri.

R. Lalbeharry, Specialist Meteorologist, and Frassinetti, who was a UNDP-sponsored expert, were instrumental in its formation. This section operates 24 hours daily and provides local and international aviation forecasts and daily forecasts for the Guyanese public.

Today, this section has been expanded to the National Weather Watch Centre located at Hyde Park.

Then there is the installation of the first weather radar at Timehri in 1971. This radar well functioned until the late 1980s (until replacements parts become a challenge to find in the international market).

The Hydromet Service then competed with Caribbean neighbours for this Doppler radar was not easy task.

The service retired heads of department (Khan and Jaigopaul) and few colleagues at Caribbean Meteorological Council lobbied and diligently worked to ensure Guyana benefited from one of the four radars. Their persistence finally bore fruit in December 2003 when an MOU was signed between Guyana and CARIFOURM resulting in the installation of the current S band Doppler Weather Radar, which was commissioned on October 5, 2009.

It was funded by the European Union,

implemented by Caribbean Meteorological Organization in Trinidad, and supported by the then Government of Guyana (PPP/C). The PPP/C government contributed approximately $100 million dollars to this project.

With the expansion of the monitoring network, there is a need to ensure that there is adequate and proper storage of one of the Hydromet Service’s most valuable resources, which is hydrometeorological data.

OnAugust 5, 2011, the Hydrometeorological Service launched the NWIS, which is a composite web database that allowed for the integration of the service’s existing climatological and hydrological databases. Combining these two databases has allowed for the easy comparison of data and trends that can facilitate enhanced decision making and planning for stakeholders of the department.

To date, the Hydrometeorological Service produces a Farmer’s Weather Bulletin, which is disseminated on a monthly basis. The yearly hydromet calendar also consists of monthly forecast for each administrative region of the country, which aid in assisting farmers in their decision making.

Hydrometeorology is a branch of meteorology (the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather)and hydrology (study of the properties of the earth's water, and especially its movement in relation to land) that studies the transfer of water and energy between the land surface and the lower atmosphere. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

U.S.-based Guyanese sets her sights on becoming mayor of U.S. city

In 1993, US-based Guyanese Maureen

Walker was elected comptroller of the City of Mount Vernon, New York. She became the first woman, the first African American and the first person of Caribbean descent to hold such a position. Notably, for her achievements and contributions to the Guyanese community abroad, Walker has received several prestigious awards.

As city comptroller, Walker is responsible for the Finance and Payroll Departments of the city. She manages the city’s

objective of maintaining the City of Mount Vernon as a financially stable and viable municipality. This financial stability has resulted in ongoing budget surpluses which have enabled the city to keep city property tax increases to a minimum level.

As a result of this, Mount Vernon remains an affordable city for residents and businesses. Under her leadership, the Department of Finance on behalf of the City of Mount Vernon has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for

Accountants and the Westchester Municipal Finance Association.

In recognition of her community work, Walker has received the Community Service Medal from the Guyanese Community Council, the Distinguished Zenith Award from the West Indian American Chamber of Commerce, the 105th Congressional Record Commemoration, the Mount Vernon Housing Authority Dedicated Service Award, the Martin Weichselbaum Award from the Jewish War Veterans,

budget, oversees insurance coverage, and negotiates union contracts, tax collection, management of city owned real estate, risk management, general accounting and record keeping, in addition to overseeing investments and financing of capital projects.

She recently announced that she is seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party in the upcoming primary elections to be held Sept. 10, 2015, for the Office of Mayor of Mount Vernon.

Walker is a New York State certified public accountant. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of New Haven and a B.Sc. in Accounting (magna cum laude) from Brooklyn College. Prior to being elected to the office of comptroller, Walker was employed as an auditor with Arthur Anderson, & Company and as a senior financial analyst with The Equitable Life Assurance Company.

During her tenure, Walker has achieved her

Excellence in Financial Reporting for many years.

Walker was re-elected comptroller of Mount Vernon in 1997, 2001 and 2005, 2009 and 2013. She is currently serving her sixth consecutive term as comptroller-elect.

Walker serves on the Board of Estimate (which approves city contracts), the Real Estate Committee, the Mount Vernon Renewal Agency (which plans for the revitalization of the city), the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency, and the Capital Projects Board. She is an adjunct professor of Finance and Accounting at Iona College, and is a frequent speaker on various accounting and finance issues as they relate to her job as city comptroller. In addition, she is a member of the New York State Government Finance Officers’ Association, Inc. and the American Institute of Certified Public

nity from the Guyanese Cultural Association, Outstanding Community Service from The Caribbean Club of First Presbyterian Church, Outstanding Professional Excellence from the Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church, Immigrant Achievement and Community Service Award from Westchester Hispanic Coalition Inc., and Support of Academic Achievements award from the M.V.H.S andUNA/USA Westchester, Mount Vernon Seventh Day Adventist Church Award, First Presbyterian Church Award, Friendship Worship Center Community Service Award, Young at Arts Service Award, Martin Luther King Service Award and the AARP Hutchinson #2619 award for dedicated service and the improvement of our community.

She is married to Robert Walker and they have two children: Collis and Collette. Maureen and Robert reside in

Vernon.

In her announcement, posted to the Mount Vernon Inquirer website, Maureen outlined her plans for the City of Mount Vernon should she win the elections.

“As Mayor, I will change things for the better in Mount Vernon. My vision for our city is to transfer Mount Vernon into a modern

‘mini’ metropolis by aggressively marketing our city as a convenient, accessible and affordable alternative to uptown Manhattan in New York City with easy access to the ‘Big City’ by rail, subway and several major highways. Two major airports (La Guardia and Westchester County) are twenty minutes from Mount Vernon.”(http:// guyanesegirlsrock.com)

the Mount Vernon Hospital Outstanding and Distinguished Community Service Award, the Spirit of Achievement Award from Junior Achievement of Hudson Valley Inc., the All Islands Association Community Service Award, the Guyana Tri State Alliance Service Award, Alpha Chapter 1 P.H.O.E.S. Award for outstanding contributions in the Field of Finance and Business and Professional Women, the USA “Woman of Distinction Award”, the Mount Vernon Heights Congregational Church Outstanding Service Award, the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award, the Community Service Award from First Reformed Church, Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry and Parent against Teen Violence certificate from Parents against Teen Violence Organization.

Walker was also awarded for relentless service to commu-

Suriname-based Guyanese Kodzo Wilkinson, popularly known as an established artist, has expanded his portfolio to include the title of designer.

His debut collection NEWED, playing on the words nude and new/rebirth, is “inspired by the human body and comfort”.

“This is a stylish, not too edgy, collection that contours the body. It consists of 12 pieces and caters for men and women who don’t want to show off too much skin,” the designer described.

Wilkinson will be

“I was asked by the event’s committee to represent Guyana at the event. They got in contact with me after a mutual friend, who showcases my artwork in Suriname, told them about my accomplishments. I had only about two months to prepare, but with determination I was able to complete my pieces. I’m happy to represent Guyana and to showcase my pieces on the catwalk in Suriname,” Wilkinson declared.

The designer said that the transition from art to designing was easy as both fall under the art category. Wilkinson disclosed he already has ideas for his next collection, which he hopes to launch later this year.

For more information on Wilkinson’s collection, visit NEWED on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

First-ever trail marathon set for November

Dubbed “the most unique running race of your life”, the Guyana Trail Marathon & 10K event offers not only excitement, but a chance to give back to society.

One of the organisers, Sevak Tsaturyan told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that while he and another or-

have. Given that this is our first time ever hosting it, we want to make it a quality event so we want to control the numbers in order to assure that each participant receives proper attention. All three races, the full marathon, half marathon and 10K, start and finish at the Santa Mission village centre,”

birds, having awesome local food, receiving genuine finisher medals, ecofriendly and high quality t-shirts for each participant are some of the features of the marathon. Also we will have Clif Energy gels and other energy snacks throughout the aid stations within the trail run. Our objective is to have an

ganiser, Kelly, were running in Santa Mission, they were inspired by the nature scenes and the people to host a joint marathon to help the indigenous community.

“The inspiration behind the trail marathon, which will happen on November 14, 2015, came from running behind the hunting trails of the Santa Aratack community and the desire to help the Amerindian village. All proceeds of the race will be donated to the Santa Mission Elementary School,” he pointed out.

Sevak said that this is the first ever trail marathon in Guyana. He recalled there was a marathon years ago that ran from the Timehri airport to Georgetown; however, this is the first trail race.

“It is very unique, especially given that we are utilising hunting trails rather than traditionally used roads. The current participation is around 100 individuals. We can take some more, but not too much more than what we currently

he outlined. Registration includes transportation to and from Georgetown (or the airport), a light meal after the race, official T-shirt, finisher medal, and water/snacks at the aid stations.

The marathon will have a 7-hour time limit, while the half marathon a 5-hour time limit, and the 10K a 4-hour limit.

There are no mandatory pre-requisites. However, the event’s organisers recommend that each participant be properly trained and be willing to withstand high humidity, lots of trail ruggedness and mental toughness.

According to Sevak, the full marathon portion is not an easy race: it includes going through jungle-like narrow trails and encountering possible wildlife such as wild turkeys, birds, and much more.

“A picturesque boat ride to the Mission, running through the jungles of Guyana, seeing beautiful blue Morpha butterflies and possibly other

ing to offer genuine gold, silver, bronze medals for the full marathon winners only.

Additionally, there will be an award ceremony around 3pm at the marathon finish day where everyone, including spectators and tourists, are welcome to attend. The village is planning to perform traditional dances and provide food for purchase by spectators. Participants will receive a packaged lunch.

awesome time while helping to raise money for the Santa Mission Elementary School,” Sevak noted.

A finisher medal will be given to each participant who completes the race. The finisher medals, made from Guyana’s purpleheart, are handmade by the indigenous community. The winners will receive some prizes, and the organisers are currently look-

Currently, the organisers are working with the community to provide tent pitching and hammock hanging areas for those who want to spend the night in a true adventurer’s style; bathrooms and showers will be available for campers at a minimal cost.

Volunteers are also invited to join in the event to pass water/ snacks at aid stations to surveying the trail.

“Come run the race of your lifetime! Or just come watch the amazing athletes and be inspired.

Everyone is invited to attend and watch whether or not they are participating,” Sevak urged. Registration closes September 14, 2015. There are two ways to register, go to www.guyanamarathon.com and pay online to register via credit card or walk into Fitness Express on Sheriff Street and pay by cash with a form or call Fitness Express on 2258044. Email guyanamarathon@gmail.com for more information. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

It is generally believed that Guyana's first inhabitants, the indigenous peoples, originally entered the territory of what is now known as Guyana about 11,000 years ago. Initially they lived on the low, swampy coastland region.

Research by the Guyanese anthropologist, Dennis Williams, shows that while the earliest Guyanese were hunters, about 7,000 years ago they became hunter-gatherers. Archaeological studies reveal that a group of these people occupied Barabina Hill near to Mabaruma around that period.

In the North-West District and the Pomeroon, where they were firmly established as fish, turtle, snail and crab catchers, their settlements were more permanent, but in the interior areas, they moved their campsites from time to time. Some of these settlements were in the Mazaruni basin, the Pakaraima highlands, the Rupununi and the Berbice River.

The earliest of such settlements in the North West District were established around Hosororo and later in the Aruka River (in the North West District) about 3,000 years ago. But archaeological research has shown that indigenous groups actually began living in those areas, though not on a permanent basis, from about 3,400 years ago.

About 2,000 years ago, the first farming community appeared on the Corentyne River near to Wonotobo Falls. Later, other communities developed on both banks. The district around Orealla began to be settled about 1,000 years ago. From this area there was a western expansion across the intermediate savannahs up to the Demerara River.

Archaeologists have investigated a number of these settlement sites at Hitia (Berbice River), Tiger Island, Taurakuli

and Doctor Ho Landing (Abary River); Idaballi, Karabu, Kibileri, Yamora, Barabara-Shanale, St. Francis and St Cuthbert's mission (Mahaicony and Mahaica Rivers); and Seba (Demerara River).

Most of the people living in these areas were Arawaks but some were Warraus. The largest Arawak settlement was Abary village in the upper Abary River, which unfortunately now lies under the reservoir created by the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary (MMA) project in the 1970s.

When the Dutch came to Guyana, they established plantations, forts and trading posts along the coastal rivers. Two well-known settlements at that time were Nibbi and Ouden Amen on the Abary River. Because of the swampy nature of the land, some indigenous communities constructed huge earth mounds.

Dennis Williams' studies, based on the evidence of ceramic patterns, indicate that an early form of this settlement was at Joanna, (in the Black Bush Polder area on the Corentyne), going back to about 1,500 years ago.

Settlements later graduated to the sand reefs, which were themselves somewhat elevated over the swampy areas. A series of settlements sprang up along these reefs from the Corentyne to the North West District.

Interior settlements began about 1,000 years ago with movements from the coastal areas, even though some other groups arrived from the Amazon region in the south.

The Rupununi Savannahs began to be permanently peopled only from the early eighteenth century, even though huntergatherers had lived in that region a few thousand years earlier. (Excerpted from guyana.org. Chapter 1, 2)

Time-Turner

By Anu Dev

“Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” ―

J.K. Rowling

My brother and I have been re-viewing (literally – both watching them again and dissecting) the Harry Potter movies. We’ve gone through 7 of them and we’re poised for the 8th one. It’s like we’ve turned the clock waaayyyy back. Looking at the movies is a bit of an event- we have a running commentary full of reminiscences and the occasional fact-checking of something with the other. It’s good fun and here at the tail-end of the holiday I’m wishing I had one of their magical time-turners to take me back to the beginning of the holiday.

But I suppose at some point everyone wishes they could turn back the clock and go to a simpler time. If not a simpler time, I think most of us would like to at least travel back in time to see what the dinosaurs really looked like. And not in any gene-replicated and tweaked Jurassic World!

In retrospect, the movies themselves are a time-turner in their own right. They’ve thrown me back to when I was reading the books for the very first time. It was like remembering memories of old friends. There was that familiar feeling of longing to go to Hogwarts and getting way too emotionally invested in the lives of the characters.

Of course, I had to re-read all of the books for what must be the millionth time. I was in Primary School the first time around and while I was sure I “got” everything then, I must say that age does add perspective and depth! And while the purists might not place Rowling in the “canonical” western texts…we have to give her credit for bring back so many millions of young people to the excitement of reading.

So this time around I’m savoring every page. Now if only I could muster up the interest to read my textbooks with such reverence…I remember my first time viewing the Harry Potter movies and by the time they made the 4th one, there were so many deviations from the book and omissions that I had whipped myself into a frenzy of angst and frustration by the end of it. And the following movies did nothing to ease my anguish. But this time around, I can appreciate the movies for what they are – another way of conveying a narrative, with its own traditions and gestures – and thoroughly enjoy them. Could it be that I’m gaining some of that maturity that is promised with advancing age?

If it is, I suppose it’ll come in handy for the upcoming school year. There’s always this mixed feeling at the end of the holidays and the beginning of a new school year. One phase has ended but the new has not yet emerged. On the one hand it’s the end of the long, carefree summer days that you want to go back to. And on the other, there’s that feeling of excitement of what the new school year will bring.

If last year was a very good year, you’ll want to keep that momentum going. Or if the year didn’t go quite as well as you’d hoped, perhaps this year you’ll make some changes.

So here’s to all of the new things the new year will bring!

By Ryhaan Shah

And now there is yet another Commission of Inquiry and this one will investigate TIP (Trafficking in Persons). There is a COI for the sugar industry and another that will look into the public service. There may be others that I am missing, but taken together with the countless advisers, consultants and ongoing audits it is clear that President Granger has ushered in a style of government that is new to Guyana: government by committee.

Commissions or committees comprising our best minds can play a major role in the making of public policy and their investigations and reports can help avoid the pitfalls of previous policy failures and recommend the best future options.

At first glance, commissions appear to be a good democratic practice. After all, soliciting advice and having people meet around a table do have the appearance of engaging stakeholders and ensuring that the best decisions are taken.

And it is good management practice for the president and his many ministers to seek advice before taking key decisions. However, the decisions, regardless of consultations, must be theirs because an elected government is expected to be strong, capable and able to take responsibility for its actions and decisions.

The administration is already being criticised for its corruptions, its cronyism and burgeoning bureaucracy, and its moves to subvert parliamentary democracy as evidenced by its behaviour in the national assembly. Even those who voted for the Coalition in good faith now feel that they had been badly misled by its campaign promises.

Because of this sense of betrayal, government’s every move has become suspect and there are many raised eyebrows at the number of commissions that are being established.

To the public, it appears that government is clueless. The common remark everywhere is: “They don’t know what they’re doing.” Because of the numerous advisers, consultants, and commissions, the ministers and junior ministers appear as incompetents

who are incapable of making decisions without advice and guidance.

There is also the suspicion that government will use its many consultants and commissions to leverage its prejudices and biases into new directives and policies.

With a government by committee, the decisions arrived at will always be a consensus position and there is a perception that these decisions will invariably favour government’s agenda. The commissions will be used as convenient rubber stamps rather than as any real investigative devices to help create better policies.

The consultations will thus be reduced to being mere fig-leaf democratic processes that are meant to deceive and they will defeat the very purpose for which they were intended.

Management by committee is an organizational response to the fear of making decisions and the fear with this government seems to stem from its acceptance that it is incapable and incompetent. With commissions and advisers

at hand, any blame for missteps will be shared making no one inherently responsible.

The chairman of a commission will ensure that he or she has on board friendly faces who will not object too strenuously to government’s agenda. The commission’s work will take weeks, even months, because the objective of committees is to arrive at a consensus on all the key matters being considered.

After endless meetings and deliberations, the commission will present its report. There will be few surprises since government would have made its agenda clear, and the commission will support government’s policy directives and give them authenticity. It is always more difficult for the public or even the parliamentary opposition to object to committee findings than to a lone minister of government pronouncing new policies. Besides the time involved, which results in a sluggish pace of government, the commissions, advisers and consultants

all cost money. No one doubts that the country faces serious problems, all of which demand good policies and strategies, but a government is expected to position competent and knowledgeable ministers to lead the way on the changes and reforms needed.

The administration’s overly consultative style of governance acknowledges a high level of incompetence and, as if to prove the point, there are already calls for the removal of National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder for being ineffective in their respective portfolios.

In the private sector, management by committee is viewed as a weakness. A vital and prosperous business has strong leadership who will consult and exchange ideas but whose final decision will not reflect a consensus position. In fact, management by committee is viewed as a symptom of a business that is on its last legs. Is the Granger government already faltering?

This week's Crossword

Nagamootoo’s self hate…

…and the Indian “N” word

Your Eyewitness was shocked – but not surprised – that Moses Nagamootoo, Vice President and Prime Minister of Guyana used the racially offensive term “Coolie” to describe former President Bharrat Jagdeo. And of all places – the National Assembly of Guyana. But US President Barrack Obama did say, “you can put lipstick on a pig…but it’s still a pig”, no?

Nagamootoo always presented an image of crassness and crudeness and even as he hurled accusations of the same at Jagdeo, his Neanderthal intonations and hate-contorted face made it clear he was projecting his tortured inner demons. Here in the 21st century, with the charges of ethnic and racial discriminations flying furiously in our country – and the same beamed in from the U.S. daily, – what kind of man would descend into such despicable gutter language?

A man who could boast in the same hallowed halls of Parliament, that he yelled at his grandson, “shut yuh so-and-so mouth!!”. That’s who. A man who could gratuitously inform a New York audience that, honoured by the Global Organisation of People’s of Indian Origin, he told them, “I am not an Indian”. That’s who. A man who is so lacking in self esteem that he projects his self hate on the group he came out of. That’s who.

Nagamootoo tried to share blame for the use of the odious term “Coolie” by noting that it had been used by Joey Jagan, who was in the visitor’s gallery as he spewed his hatred at Jagdeo. It was true that Dr Jagan’s prodigal son had uttered the words “Coolie Bully” to Jagdeo during the last elections. But most folks dismiss Joey Jagan with a rueful shake of the head and a muttered “Da chap head na good”! What’s Nagamootoo’s excuse?

This week's Puzzle

Well, he could always say he was singing for his supper! Guyanese know that with even neutral observers like Clairmont Lye condemning the ethnic discriminatory actions of the APNU/AFC government, it’s two Indians -Nagamootoo and Ramjattan who’ve been tasked to rebut. But it’s more than that. Nagamootoo (and Ramjattan) are so filled with self-hate that they hope their Uncle Tom’s behaviour will redeem their lost psyches.

Then there’s what Nietzsche described with the French term, “ressentiment”. “The man of ressentiment is neither upright nor naive nor honest and straightforward with himself. His soul squints; his spirit loves hiding places, secret paths and back doors…he understands how to keep silent, how not to forget, how to wait.”

The “Coolie” slur is only the beginning: the ressentiment of Nagamootoo will continue to boil over. Beware!!

…and obsessive comparison with others

For the man of low self-esteem and self hate like Nagamootoo, he’ll constantly be comparing himself with those around him…as he constantly looks for “slights and put downs” – which sadly are all mostly in his own fevered mind. Take his “explanation” as to why he insisted that he get a raise – which is not ACTUALLY a 100% raise so it’s OK!!

The man (OK…your Eyewitness knows he’s taking liberties with the term!!) actually had the temerity to announce that he just wanted $100 (doesn’t matter if its U.S. or GY) more than the AG!!!

Can you believe it? This is straight from the psychiatrist’s couch! Why does his salary have to be greater than the AG’s. Why does this irk him so? HE IS PM and VP!!

And for a man with no self esteem, the salary discrepancy eats away at his mental equilibrium like a canker.

Nagamootoo’s one sick dude!

…and pitiful self denial

And why was Nagamootoo so pi55ed at Jagdeo? Well that’s his default state since Jagdeo accepted to return to Parliament as Opposition Leader. How’s you feel, dear reader, to see the fella who bitched slapped you senseless for a decade right in front of you!!

OUCH!

Region commits to 75 per cent reduction in new HIV infections in adults and young people by 2020

RIO DE JANEIRO,

Brazil – Latin America and the Caribbean countries have set new regional targets for 2020, aiming to reduce new HIV infections, guarantee a coordinated and comprehensive approach to HIV prevention, and achieve an environment of zero stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and the populations most affect-

ed by the epidemic.

These targets include a 75 per cent reduction in new HIV infections in adults and young people in the next five years, as well as access to combination HIV prevention packages for 90 per cent of transsexuals, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and sex workers by 2020. Another goal is to remove legislation that can be used to discrimi-

nate against people living with or affected by HIV. The most vulnerable populations in the region include gay men and other men who have sex with men, transsexual women, sex workers and their clients, drug users, young adults and adolescents, women and children, incarcerated people, transient populations, indigenous and Afro-descendant populations, homeless people, and female victims of violence.

The targets were agreed to during the second Latin American and Caribbean Forum on the HIV Continuum of Care, “Improving combination HIV prevention to strengthen the continuum of prevention and care”, held last week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Ending the AIDS epidemic involves ending the epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.

“Despite the expan-

sion of integrated and decentralized care and treatment services in the region, this progress must be balanced with a renewed emphasis on effective and innovative interventions and strategies, based on an approach involving combination HIV prevention and human rights,” added César A. Núñez, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Latin America.

“New infections and mortality are not de-

clining as quickly as we would wish. The HIV epidemic continues to be concentrated in specific population groups that find it difficult to access and receive services,” said Marcos Espinal, Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

It is estimated that around two million people are living with HIV in Latin America and the

Caribbean and that in 2014 there were approximately 100,000 new HIV infections in the region.

The new targets for HIV prevention and zero discrimination, together with the 90-9090 targets for HIV care approved last year in Mexico, constitute a set of objectives reached by consensus among national HIV/AIDS programs, civil society, international cooperation agencies, and people living with and affected by HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

In the Forum, countries agreed to take action to reduce new HIV infections by 75 per cent by 2020 (baseline 2010) in adults and young people 15-24 years of age, including the populations most affected by HIV. Between 2010 and 2014 the number of new HIV infections in Latin America and the Caribbean decreased by only 3 per cent. The representatives of the countries agreed on the need

Works from a gifted second generation of Guyanese artistsform a significant part of the National Collection at Castellani House, located on Vlissengen Road. These include, in particular, paint-

ings from an influential group that included Donald Locke, Stanley Greaves, Ronald Savory and Michael Leila, all born in the 1930s, and others older, such as Philip Moore and Cletus Henriques, and younger, such as Dudley Charles.

These artists, in their individual searches for style and technique and a personal idiom of expression, seemed to mirror the questioning of the wider society as the new era of an independent Guyana began.

Primarily paintings are exhibited, in an era dominated by two-dimensional works, though sculpture from Philip Moore and Stanley Greaves from the period are included. Most of the works displayed were executed in the decade of the 1960s, with additional works from the 50s and 70s.

Notable also are the two works of collaboration between Philip Moore and Donald Locke, which are mixed

media, painted relief works interpreting the Pakaraima mountain ranges, produced the year after Guyana’s independence.

The National Collection also has works by the late master painter and sculptor, Philip Moore, CCH. These showcase range of imagination, themes and execution that characterized the 60 years of Moore’s productivity as an artist.

For more informa -

Story of the Heroes

By PetamBer Persaud

As indicated in part two of this series, this third instalment will focus on a female writer who published a three-volume set of biographies. It would be useful to recall that both biographical studies we have encountered so far were written by men, and the study by Daly did not include any woman while the work of the Seymours included only 24 women of the 500 characters cited. This third work by a woman writer included 22 women of worth out of 81 cases mentioned.

“Grass Roots of Guyana” was compiled by Lewiz Alyan over a number of years, and this set of three books

was published between 1985 and 1994. It was a monumental undertaking in many ways.

First and foremost is the fact the research and publication were done while the “grass roots” –totalling 81 – were still alive because the author “feels that these persons should be rewarded by seeing the record of their own contribution while they are still in this world, and that the public may read and appreciate their efforts, however small,” and that the youths should “glean some knowledge from their lives.”

Another special reason for labelling this work monumental can be found in the fact that “all data supplied by individuals” – that took some doing to interview 81 persons who, from

their stories, were very busy people. There were other demanding criteria.

For instance, those included had to be Guyanese to the bone“who have their roots buried long and deep into this soil of their own dear land of Guyana” and “preferred to stick it out and contribute to home and heritage and in so doing they have identified themselves and indented their footprints deep down into the land that they love.”

Further those selected must be role models and mentors whose work must include the “Restoration of Peace, Culture, Courtesy and Integrity.”

Some of those “Grass Roots” are still with us, including Philip Allsopp,

Desiree Bernard, Francis Q. Farrier, Carmen E. Jarvis, Toolsie Persaud, Yesu Persaud, Magda L. M. Pollard, Sr. Mary Noel Menezes, Gwyneth Browman, Stanley Ming and Komal Samaroo. Again, apologizing before continuing, I would highlight a few women (please note this series would refer to these three sets of biographies, time and again, in order to seemingly do justice to all).

Desire 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 others.

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.”

Magda L. M.

Pollard“has co-authored a text for Home Economics teaching as well as the well-known publication ‘What’s Cooking in Guyana’”. She has served as principal of Carnegie School of Home Economicsand as “chairman and executive member of the Woodside Choir.”

Sr. Mary Noel Menezes “… entered the Community of Sisters of Mercy at an early age.” She has numerous publications to her credit; in addition, she has done biographical data entries in publications as “Personalities Caribbean”, “Dictionary of International Biography” and“Who’s who in the World”.

Gwyneth Browman “In 1966… joined the staff of the Public Free Library and moved through the ranks, holding various posts and then ultimately that of chief librarian. She has served on the committees of the Guyana National Archives and the Guyana Library Association.”

What are the keys for success underpinning all these lives?The keys to success were constancy, determination and an“ambition to push them on, not crushing

or uncaring, but thriving through hard work, friendship, to go forward; taking the curse with the praise or the blows with the cheers, but nonetheless, climbing towards success, determined to better life’s condition for themselves and those around them.”

Quite a tall order for the “Grass Roots” but the author excelled at her work of presenting each person as a memorable character; in that regard,“Grass Roots of Guyana”differs significantly from the verbose biographies of Daly and from the brief biographical sketches of the Seymours.

Crowning this impressive work of the author Lewiz Alyan, was the inclusion of excellent photographs of each hero.

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

What’s happening: The Guyana Annual Magazine 2014-2015 issue in now available at Guyenterprise Ltd., Lance Gibbs and Irving Streets, Tel # 226-9874 and from yours truly. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Pamela Landing is a river port near the town of Mahdia, on the Potaro River (Region Seven). The landing is essentially a few small shops near a boat landing, one of which is perched on a bluff overlooking the river. On a journey to the Kaieteur Falls, Pamela Landing is one of the exciting stops. From the landing, the view of the Potaro River is breathtaking. A boat ride from the landing along the Potaro River, paved by the Ayanganna Mountains, takes tourists to the scenic Amatuk Falls. Pamela Landing is a pathway to outback Guyana, where adventures await. (Photos by https://lteem. files.wordpress.com)

Parliamentary wit

Satiricus just loved the Budget Debates. As a newspaper hack, this was an annual ritual that he always looked forward to with bated breath. Satiricus couldn’t give a hoot about the numbers that were bandied about during these encounters. Satiricus became giddy with anything that had to do with math. Satiricus readily conceded that he suffered from Maths-o-Phobia.

What Satiricus went for was the rapier-like wit that was displayed by some of the more seasoned veterans of the House. Like Rum Jhaat. In the House and out of the House, you could count on Rum Jhaat to keep you gasping in amazement. Satiricus remembered fondly the times he would call Rum Jhaat for a comment on this or that matter, and Rum Jhaat would give him his patented legal answer: “Haul yuh Ass!”

“So Mr Jhaat, what do you say about Dr Rum Aya complaining you drawing a million dollar salary, while he getting Larwah?” Satiricus had asked the other day.

And quick as lightning came Rum Jhaat’s answer, “Haul yuh ass!”

“He say that you gon become dead meat.”

“Haul yuh ass!”

As a highly trained legal mind, Rum Jhaat couldn’t help spouting these Latin turn of phrases like “sine qua non”, “habeas corpus” and its related term “haul yuh ass”.

Fellas who didn’t know better might think Rum Jhaat was saying the same thing over and over again…but those people didn’t know Latin. Latin was all about inflexion…which part of the phrase you stressed. Like if Rum Jhaat said “Haul yuh ASS!” with his voice rising into a scream, this meant he was getting to the BOTTOM of the matter.

So here was Satiricus in the Parliament Buildings ready to be entertained.

One young fella named Rum Son from the Opposition benches said, “We think young schoolchildren should get bigger school vouchers.”

And just like that Rum Jhaat, came back, “Haul yuh ass! Alyuh teef!!”

Wow! Satiricus was amazed. A new Latin phrase! What a legal mind! What training! This man was a living testament to the imperative of supporting the Hugh Wooding Law School. He’d combined that Medieval Latin phrase with a Late Classical one!! A legal first!

“We think Feel Ix harassing Brazilians!” Piped up another backbencher.

“Haul yuh ass! Alyuh teef!!”

“We think there should be a stimulus to the economy”

“Haul yuh ass! Alyuh teef!!” Rum Jhaat was on a roll.

“Why are you giving Public Servants 5% and yourself 100% raise?”

“Haul yuh ass!! Ah gun jail yuh!!”

Another Latin phrase! Satiricus couldn’t take this rapier-like wit any more. He was overwhelmed. He walked out of Parliament shaking his head at the wit and wisdom of Rum Jhaat.

Two UWI students killed in St Ann crash

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two students of the University of the West Indies, Mona died in a motor vehicle collision on the Draux Hall main road in St Ann on Wednesday night.

They have been identified as Shanice Simmonds and Oshane Reid, both 22 years old.

Reports are that Simmonds was driving a Suzuki Swift motorcar along the roadway when the vehicle collided with an oncoming Toyota Coaster bus.

The two received injuries and were taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead. (Jamaica Observer)

Region commits to 75 per cent...

to advance more quickly in reducing new infections and taking effective prevention programs to the populations and places most affected by the epidemic.

Combination prevention, the integration of prevention and treatment services, community involvement, and innovation will help maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of HIV service delivery.

It was also agreed that 90 per cent of the most vulnerable populations (gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, and sex workers) should have access to prevention services by 2020, and that the same percentage of those populations should be reporting condom use in most recent sexual intercourse.

Another goal is that within five years 90 per cent of young people aged 15-24 can correctly

identify the ways of preventing HIV infection.

Subregional targets were also established. In South America, for example, 90 per cent of drug users should be using condoms in their sexual relations within the next five years; and in the Caribbean, 90 per cent of young people aged 15-24 who have had more than one sex partner in a year should be reporting condom use by 2020.

Recognizing that prejudice, stigma and discrimination associ-

ated with HIV/AIDS aggravate the epidemic and are significant barriers to accessing services, participants in the Forum reached a consensus on zero discrimination targets, including the following: no new legislation, regulations, or policies should be approved that could be used to discriminate against people with HIV or key populations; all countries should have a funded monitoring system to address discrimination by health workers

against people with HIV and key populations; the number of violent acts and hate crimes against people living with or affected by HIV, including LGBTI people and sex workers, should be reduced in 75 per cent of the countries; and 90 per cent of the countries should have protective systems, policies, and/or legislation with mechanisms to report and deal with human rights violations, including those involving HIV and key populations.

Dr Clive Jagan’s maiden speech at the National Assembly

Dr Clive Jagan, nephew of the late founder of the PPP, Dr Cheddi Jagan, expressed heartfelt sentiments on the selflessness of his uncle helping Guyana to become a great nation, and the monumental achievements of the PPP/C.

During the National Assembly, at the 2015 Budget Debate on August 18, 2015, Dr Jagan made his debut speech. He was following in the footsteps of his legendary uncle who made his maiden speech in the Assembly in 1947.

Dr Clive Jagan’s passion during his presentation in the Assembly is synonymous with his uncle’s when highlighting the numerous milestones overcome by the PPP/C to build a great Guyana.

The following is an excerpt of Dr Clive Jagan’s speech in the National Assembly on August 18:

“Mister Speaker, the opportunity to serve in this assembly that represents the pinnacle of decision making for the governance of Guyana is a great honour and privilege for me. While I have been engaged with politics for a long time and have especially been engaged with the PPP in the 80s in its struggle for the return to freedom and democracy from the PNC dictatorship, I have

never sought or been interested in political office. However, I do see portents and the danger of us falling back into dark times, and having considered, believe that I can make a contribution

for us to stay on course and advance the freedom and democracy that was restored and nurtured by the PPP/Civic in the last two decades.

Mister Speaker, it is my conviction that like myself, the purpose and desire of every member sitting in this August Assembly is to work for and to contribute selflessly and honourablyfor the creation of a highly developed, peaceful and safe Guyana. A Guyana where every citizen is valued and can enjoy his or her life in peace, in comfort and in dignity. A Guyana where opportunity is equal and access is unrestricted and where everyone, irrespective of race, religion or gender, has the opportunity and the best chance to fulfil his or her potential…

However, with due regard to the fact that we all want the same thing, it is perhaps unfortunate that we are organized on two sides in essential opposition to

each other and are too often trapped into opposing for opposing sake. While this arrangement of government and opposition may be the highest form for democratic governance, the eye on the vote to win elections can too often lead to battles to obstruct the one or the other side to the detriment of the national interest. Our progress since independence – or lack thereof – perhaps belie my conviction that all are united and agreed in wanting a better Guyana over and above everything else.

At the outset therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to exhort that we always refer, in all our deliberations and decision making, to that vision for a better Guyana which we all share; that commitment to service to which we all subscribe. Let it at all times inform our deliberations and prevent us from being diverted or be seduced by “oppositionism”, preju-

dice and petty zero sum games of ethnic advantage.

It is perhaps apposite for those members who were on this side in the last parliament and who are now sitting on that side to reflect and determine, if it was in good conscience that they served Guyana, when they blocked or refused to support any number of important legislations from the then minority government.

For example, since I was born and all through my life I have heard it said that Guyana needs cheap, clean energy if it were going to be able to take advantage of our natural resources of our development. And we heard that we had great potential for hydropower. How much was done to actualize these words?

The last government advanced the process for hydropower, had the project for execution, and had arrangements for financing. You blocked it. The time, effort and money expended have been reduced to naught. Was it opposition for opposition sake? We all know how much harm can accrue to Guyana if we did not comply with the anti-money laundering legislation but you refused to cooperate. Mr. Speaker, was it opposition for opposition sake?

Again I call on all, let us not oppose for opposition sake; let us work for Guyana. Here, allow me to quote Dr Cheddi Jagan from his speech in this assembly in May 1996 when the instruments of our sovereignty were being passed to us: “Parliamentary democracy has an important place in this country, and a heavy onus lies on all of us, but more particularly on the government to see that it works.”

Mr Speaker, our history and our development in the period before independence and since

Times Notebook

Ominous signs we are veering towards dictatorship and backwardness

The new Government has made a discouraging start and after three months, the citizens lack confidence that the new administration can maintain the almost twenty years of steady economic and social growth. The PPP/C will also argue that the foundation on which the social and economic development was built was the formidable adherence to democracy.

The new administration is already steering Guyana away from democracy, quite like the PNC which firmly entrenched our country within the bosom of dictatorship. The APNU/ AFC style points to an administration that has a strong propensity towards limiting freedom.

The behaviour of APNU/AFC in Parliament last week, leaves a sour taste in the mouths of the thousands who remember how hard it was to fight the Burnham and the PNC dictatorship. For those who believed that the

APNU/AFC might have rejected the PNC’s past, their behaviour this past week has been a disappointment.

Other than the stark reminder of a fearful past before 1992, the administration has exposed that it is too comfortable with lies, total fabrications and misrepresentations. They discontinued the Because We care Program which provided parents with Gy$10,000 per child in school. In their 2015 budget, APNU+AFC told the Guyanese people that the program would be replaced by an increase in the uniform voucher that each child has been getting for more than a decade under the PPP/C. They claimed that the lumping of the grant within the uniform voucher program would be a more efficient way of helping people. But the thousands of Guyanese who were, therefore, looking forward to an almost Gy$10,000 increase in the uniform voucher were deceived. The in-

crease in the uniform voucher program was Gy$500. This government is guilty of voodoo economics, just as it practiced when APNU/AFC was in Opposition. How can Gy$500 be equated to Gy$10,000?

Also, pensioners were made to believe that they would give a significant increase in the old age pension. Pensioners knew that the PPP/C always increased the old age pension with each budget. This time, because of the promise made by the APNU/ AFC, they thought it would be an unprecedented increase. What they weren’t told is that they have actually cut the benefits of pensioners. While they received a slight increase in the pension, their water and electricity subsidies were removed. They gave a much smaller increase than they promised, but took it back from the subsidies.

The people of Berbice and the Berbice River Bridge users also were

also lied to. Before the elections many of the Ministers and MPs frequently promised Berbicians that they had the power to reduce the tolls to equal the Demerara River Bridge tolls. Now they say that the Berbice River Bridge is a private sector economic venture and that they can only recommend that the Bridge Authority reduce the toll, exactly what the PPP/C had said from the beginning. But in a cruel misrepresentation they said that the Authority agreed to lower the toll.

With regards to the Amaila Hydro Project, the Government claimed it ended the project because it would have cost Guyana about $US150 million over a twenty year period. Yet they refused to give us details on who did that study and when. The truth is there is no such study and, in fact, Guyana was set to save about Gy$5B to Gy$9B per year in subsidies to GPL once Amaila came on board. More important Guyanese citizens and businesses would have paid less for electricity.

Rice farmers were promised Gy$9,000 per bag of paddy and told farmers they would expand the market for rice into more high priced areas. Now the Government claims that finding new markets isn’t its responsibility but that of millers. They lied that they budgeted Gy$23B for the rice industry when in fact the Gy$23 billion was the value of the rice market in Venezuela and it would have been money that Guyana owed Venezuela for oil that would have been utilized. We lost the rice market and we aren’t buying oil from Venezuela. There is no Gy$23 billion in the budget for distribution to the rice industry.

Finally, the ethnic cleansing being implemented is a matter of grave concern. The security issue is killing our country. The Government is too comfortable with trampling on people’s freedom and rights. We are sounding the warning and we hope people are looking on with the keenness necessary at this time.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail. com.

Zero…

…as “Prime” Minister Is a lamp a lamp if it can’t give light? In life one has to distinguish between an object and its function. If the lamp can’t give light, as far as the fella who is in darkness and spent a fortune for it, it just ain’t a “lamp”. It is no different from the lump of rusted iron in his garbage pail that also can’t give light.

After quivering behind his desk as Bharrat Jagdeo delivered his masterful riposte to Winston Jordan’s Budget speech – and after Jagdeo and the other PPP MP’s had walked out – all Moses Nagamootoo could bluster was, “He is Opposition Leader and I am Prime Minister”. And there in a nutshell, is what Moses Nagamootoo’s all about – kidding himself that having a title means that he’s finally become “somebody”.

So the question arises: “Is a “Prime” Minister a Prime Minister if he isn’t “Prime” in any of what’re supposed to be the functions of the Prime Minister? In Nagamootoo’s case we don’t even have to seek precedence in what transpired with other Prime Ministers – here or elsewhere.

There was a document negotiated between Nagamootoo’s party, the AFC, and the party of President Granger as what was to be the meaning of “Prime Minister”. Since it’s possible that Nagamootoo has forgotten about this agreement (he is getting on in years, poor chap, and senility does creep up!) it’s called the “Cummingsburg Accord”.

By this document, the Prime Minister was supposed to chair the Cabinet. Has Nagamootoo been “chairing” any “Cabinet” – save for the one in which he found some dead rats at the Prime Minister’s residence? It was reported by his bodyguards that he jumped on a chair when he spied the dead rats! By the much touted Accord – which was to usher in APNU’s regime of “power sharing” – Nagamootoo was also supposed to be in charge of “governance”.

Whatever else he may be “governing” he sure ain’t governing this country or Cabinet! In fact, the governance portfolio was subsequently given to Raphael Trotman – the same fella who’d been made Speaker by Granger over Nagamootoo in 2011. This has to be the unkindest cut of all: not only to be eunuched but by the same man who’d done it before. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Nagamootoo should hang his head in shame.

Now you’d think that the Prime Minister could surround himself with a couple of trusted advisers, no? After all, look who the President’s surrounds himself with. But “Prime Minister” Nagamootoo couldn’t even appoint his fellow villager, and AFC’s live wire, Ramayyah, as dogcatcher!

Nagamootoo’s not even a “Prime Number” –he’s just a big, fat “zero”…. …reality checks

This Eyewitness gave new Finance Minister Winston Jordan the benefit of the doubt. He thought Jordan, as an old backroom numbers-cruncher in the Finance Ministry, would stick to the numbers. But it’s become obvious that Jordan is having to sing for his supper – albeit, very, very off key.

Imagine he claimed that the budget was “propeople” and people were impressed “not only by the length and lucidity of (his) delivery”! And where and who were these “people”? As the old spiritual advised: “Oh, brothers you oughter been dere/ A-sittin’ in the Kingdom/To hear ol’ Jordan roll.”

“Roll Jordan Roll”, and sing some mo’ for your supper! …shame

The PPP leased Red House to a Special Purpose entity to ensure Cheddi Jagan’s papers are preserved. Kinda like the US’s Presidential Libraries. But seeking to score cheap political points, the Government claimed the PPP “stole” the building. Screamed Amna Ali, “thief, shame, barefaced thieves and bam bam.”

The only problem, as was pointed out by the PPP, the PPP man who did the deed (literally) was Moses Nagamootoo, her PRIME Minister!!!

He didn’t even have the grace to hide under his desk!!

The Closer

Satiricus admired professionals. They made whatever they did so effortless. Satiricus knew he could never be a professional. At best he’d become a journeyman hack. All this was brought to the fore as Satiricus watched the Naga Man in action in Parliament during the Budget Debate. Satiricus was speechless in admiration. Naga Man was a professional.

The Government had moved mountains –and broken all sense of propriety, not to mention decency – to have Naga Man speak AFTER Jag Desh, the new Opposition Leader. Even though Jag Desh was a trained economist and had been Finance Minister, and Naga Man’s closest encounter with economics was when he tried to “economise” on his drinking before coming to Parliament – he insisted he could take on Jag Desh.

And as the words flowed from Naga Man’s mouth, Satiricus knew why Naga Man had insisted on following Jag Desh. He was a “closer” – the bowler who could mow down the tail end; the businessman who could “seal the deal” and the speaker who could break down whatever came before to its bare essentials and throw light on it. He would show that Jag Desh!!

Naga Man didn’t refer to a single item, number or quantity from the Budget. As a closer, Naga Man knew that the Budget numbers were all “fluff and stuff” – pulled out from a hat to make it seem the Government look like they knew what it was doing. Naga Man went into his professional role: to shut up his old nemesis Jag Desh, by “throwing talk”.

He revealed that back when he was in the PPP, he was literally Jag Desh’s water boy. Jag Desh, being busy with matters of State, would have Naga Man type up his speeches. Not knowing a single thing about economics, Naga Man would invariably mix up the numbers. He couldn’t understand why Jag Desh yelled at him about numbers. “Numbers were numbers,” reasoned Naga Man, “once you seen one, you’ve seen them all.”

Satiricus gasped when Naga Man revealed why Jag Desh now had to shut up. He explained that the APANU/KFC MP’s all had “fertile ears” that Jag Desh couldn’t “penetrate”.

“That’ll throw Jag Desh for a loop!!” thought Satiricus. “Knowing only about numbers, Jag Desh never realised Naga Man knew the fertility of his people’s ears would produce so much wax, they wouldn’t even hear Jag Desh!”

“Was Naga Man a closer, or what?” chortled Satiricus. “That’ll show Jag!Desh!”

French national pleads guilty to ‘alien smuggling’ in Caribbean

ST THOMAS -- A French national will be sentenced on December 4 after he pleaded guilty to "alien smuggling".

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said that Alain Rene Leichtnam, 71, was arrested April 29 when US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Coast Guard assets intercepted a sailing vessel heading toward Coral Bay in St John, Virgin Islands.

The ICE said CBP agents observed Leichtnam operating the vessel and identified 38 Cuban nationals and one St Lucian national onboard the vessel.

It said Leichtnam admitted that he transported the Cuban nationals to the United States for financial gain, knowing that such conduct was illegal.

"The HSI continues to be committed to putting an end to the practice of profiting from the illegal transportation of aliens across our borders and throughout our country," said Angel M Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

independence have been a roller coaster ride, with peaks and troughs. And the peaks have been under the watch of the PPP and the trough has been under the other group. Mr. Speaker, we cannot go on like this, we must move up and up and up… Who will dispute the autonomy and freedom of GECOM from interference from the previous government? Say what you will, the PPP never compromised in its commitment to freedom and democracy. It has had its quarrels with these institutions, but it did not ban them or stifle them.

Mr. Speaker, by any parameter, the country which has been handed over to the APNUAFC coalition is a better country than the PPP inherited in 1992. All the important indices have become better than they were in 1992. In short we were better off on May 11, 2015 than we were on October 5, 1992. From a least developing country it has become a middle developing country with a GDP that has grown from US$250 in 1992 to more than US$ 3,700 today.

Mr. Speaker, I am an optimist, and I believe in a greater Guyana; but unfortunately I am already seeing the portents of a return to the dark days of economic woes and dictatorship. Mr.Speaker, all across the world, as countries grapple with their economic problems, the mantra is jobs creation, jobs creation. But in the first hundred days of this government, what do we see? We see jobs destruction. Already this gov-

"We will continue to vigorously enforce the federal laws which punish the many manifestations of the complex problem of smuggling, trafficking and harbouring illegal aliens. Tragically, many have lost their lives while attempting this illegal and treacherous trip."

ernment has fired more than 3 or 4 thousand persons and the private sector has probably had to lay off another 3 to 4 thousand. And what is worse, they have assaulted one of the most vulnerable communities in the country, the Amerindian people.

Mr. Speaker on August 9. Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating International day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the Secretary General of the United Nations called on all to ensure that our indigenous peoples are not left behind. But what had this government done? It had fired nearly two thousand Amerindians workers and immediately threw them and their

Leichtnam has been remanded to the custody of the US Marshals Service to await sentencing. (CMC)

families into penury and hardship without a second thought.

We see that dark dictatorial attitude reminiscent of that period we want to never happen again when a deputy CEO, in the company of police officers, marches into a work place and puts two staff out of their jobs. And Mr. Speaker, in all these firings, are we seeing the first intimations of ethnic cleansing? Mr. Speaker, what good life is in store for these people who are out of jobs?

We also see duplicity and deceit. This budget might have raised the old age pension but it removed the subsidy for water and electricity for these pensioners. The net effect is that they

would be worse off. What good life?

Mr. Speaker, judging the performance of this new regime, even in these early days, does not inspire confidence. The portents are not good for a good life for Guyanese. The signs of regression are already there. I wish to take this opportunity to call on my colleagues across the floor to clear your heads, to rise above pettiness, to free yourselves from obsolete ideas and pig-headedness in wanting to prove those ideas right, and to reboot yourselves to selfless, unambiguous and intelligent service to our country. I challenge you to show us that you too can be inclusive and that you too can move Guyana forward.”

Eva Mendes sparks engagement rumors

Actress Eva Mendes, who has been dating actor Ryan Gosling for four years, has been photographed wearing a giant emerald ring on her right hand, sparking rumours the couple have gotten engaged.

She was first spotted wearing the bling on July 25 while promoting Estee Lauder’s new Dimensions Skincare line at Nordstrom’s Aventura Mall in Florida, reported Aceshowbiz.

Mendes, 41, has been flashing the alleged engagement ring in photos she shared on her Instagram.

Neither the actress nor Gosling, 34, has addressed the rumours. Her representative also has not yet made any comment on the matter.

Mendes and Gosling first met in the fall of 2011 on the set of their drama flick “The Place Beyond the Pines”.

Despite their headline making romance, the couple have been acting very private about their personal life. They welcomed their first child together, daughter Esmeralda Amada, in September 2014. (Indian Express)

Naomi Watts likes no make-up look

Supermodel-actress Naomi Watts said she hardly ever wears makeup when she is not working because she struggles to apply it. When asked if she is comfortable without make-up, the 46-year-old “Insurgent”

Actress Amanda Seyfried feels the “pressure” to have children “every day”. The “Les Miserables” actress – who is dating Justin Long –said she does not want to start a family now, reported Contactmusic.

“Society keeps reminding us that our eggs are dying off, which I’m sick of. I’m like, ‘I get it!’ Technology these days man, I mean you can have babies up until you’re 50 apparently. But I feel the pressure every day,” she said.

The 29-year-old actress thinks parenthood would be a “wonderful adventure” but she isn’t ready to start a family of her own just yet.

“Right now, I’m being careful. But it does seem like a wonderful adventure. My three best friends have kids and it

star said, “I rarely wear any in my dayto-day life, mostly because I’m horrible at applying it.”

Watts, however, said there are times when she has to wear heavy make-up ten hours a day for three months whilst she works on films, reported Hello! magazine.

Asked about her favourite skincare product, she shared, “Cleanser is really important to me, especially as I wear too much make-up most of the time when filming. “I do shoots that are ten or 12 weeks long, wearing make-up for ten hours a day under lights that pushes it into your skin. It’s then reapplied and layered on. So to cleanse well and take care of my skin is important.”

(Indian Express)

looks like they’ve figured out the secret of life because of it. They are very happy.” (Indian Express)

Lea Seydoux to star opposite Channing Tatum in ‘Gambit’

Bond girl Lea Seydoux has been offered the lead role in X-Men movie “Gambit” opposite Channing Tatum.

The 30-year-old “Saint Laurent” star is being considered for the role of Belladonna Boudreaux aka Bella, Gambit’s love since childhood, but eventually gains powers of her own and becomes the head of the Assassins Guild, reported Deadline.

To be directed by “Rise of the Planet of the

Tatum along with Reid

Lauren Shuler

Not enough female driven stories in Hollywood: Diablo Cody

Oscar-winning scriptwriter Diablo Cody feels it is hard to push for female-driven stories in Hollywood where the lead is not “necessarily sympathetic or bubbly”.

“Obviously there’s a situation in Hollywood, where there is not enough recognition for female writers, female directors or female-driven stories. It’s nice to be well known and to have people recognize what I’ve worked on, but what’s still hard for me, every time, is convincing people to make a film with a female lead who isn’t necessarily sympathetic or bubbly. And that’s hard,” Cody said at the recent Summer of Sony event in Cancun, Mexico.

The scriptwriter-producer, 37, said while there are popular actors who can play grey parts and be still loved by the audience, it is not the same for female stars.

While Cody’s award-winning script “Juno” revolved around a teenager tackling her unplanned pregnancy, “Ricky And The Flash” is about a rockstar mother trying to reconnect with her resentful children.

Directed by Academy award-winner Jonathan Demme, the film throws up interesting questions about the conflict women face in juggling their career

and family.

In the movie, Streep’s children resent the fact that their mother left them to pursue a career in music but there is a line in the film which says “No one asks that question of Mick Jagger.”

“Part of the reason I wrote this movie was because I was interested in the idea of when you’re following a dream, when do you cross the line to selfishness? At what point is your family going to resent you for pursuing something that you love? And it’s a question that haunts me as an artist.”

Streep has teamed up with daughter Mammie Gummer in the movie.

Other cast members include Oscarwinner Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Audra McDonald, Sebastian Stan and Rick Springfield. (Indian Express)

Vin Diesel announces “XXX” sequel

Actor Vin Diesel has announced that he is set to return to the action franchise “XXX” with a sequel.

The 48-year-old “Fast and Furious” star, who played Xander Cage in the 2002 film but was not part of its second installment, “State of the Union”, took to Instagram and said a new film is in the pipeline, reported Female First.

“While I was filming ‘XXX’, guys on set called me Air Diesel… The time to return has come. Filming starts December

in the Philippines.”

There is, however, still no word on a director for the film.

Directed by Rob Cohen, “XXX” chronicled the life of Xander Cage, a stuntman and rebellious athlete-turned- reluctant spy for the National Security Agency who is sent on a dangerous mission to infiltrate a group of potential Russian terrorists in Central Europe. The film also starred Asia Argento, Samuel L Jackson, and Marton Csokas. (Indian Express)

Very happy with Jennifer: Justin Theroux

Actor Justin Theroux, opening up about his marriage to Jennifer Aniston, said he feels nice to be able to look down and see a new piece of jewellery on his finger.

Theroux, 44, and the 45-year-old “Friends” star tied the knot earlier this month in a secret ceremony.

The actor of “The Leftovers” said he felt

like a brand-new person after the wedding.

“It does feel different. I’m very happy. It’s nice to be able to look down and see a new piece of jewellery on my finger,” he said.

When Theroux returned to the set of “The Leftovers” in Austin after his honeymoon in Bora Bora, the cast and crew congratulated him on his wedding. They

“gave me a big cheer so it was wonderful,” he said. Theroux arrived in Los Angeles on Monday, August 17. He was spotted without his wife who was thought to have arrived separately.

While passing through LAX Airport to catch a flight to Austin, the actor was spotted for the first time wearing his golden wedding ring. (Indian Express)

Anil Kapoor wants John Abraham’s physique

Veteran actor Anil Kapoor, who will be seen in Anees Bazmee’s forthcoming masala entertainer “Welcome Back”, says he wishes to have a physique like his co-star John Abraham.

Anil visited the set of dance reality show “Dance +” along with John and Shruti Haasan to promote the film.

He liked the performances put up by the

contestants on the show and spoke about his fitness mantras.

“For someone to do such great dancing and feel young, one needs to be fit and eat right. I would love to have a body like my ‘Welcome Back’ co-star John, who is so fit and fine,” Anil said in a statement.

“Dance +”, which airs on Star Plus, features dancers Dharmesh Yelande, Shakti Mohan

and Sumeet Nagdev as three judges.

Ace choreographer and director Remo D’Souza is seen as a ‘Superjudge’ on the show.

Meanwhile, “Welcome Back”, which is a sequel of 2007 film “Welcome”, marks the return of Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal to their respective roles.

The film will hit the screens on September 4. (Indian Express)

Film with Katrina a unique love story: Sidharth Malhotra

Actor Sidharth

Malhotra cannot wait to start shooting with actress Katrina Kaif for his next film, which he says is a light-hearted, unique love story.

The film, apparently titled “Kal Jisne Dekha”, will go on floors this week and will be shot mainly in the UK.

The 30-year-old actor, who is sharing screen space with Katrina, 32, for the first time, said the movie will have them play different ages.

“I am going to start shooting with Katrina for a love story next week. We will be shooting this film in the UK. It is a unique love sto-

ry of these two people who span over a period of time. It gives us a chance to play different ages, there is an X-factor in it,” Sidharth told PTI.

Riding high on the success of his action-drama “Brothers”, Sidharth is happy his next project is a love story.

“We both are preparing for the role, we have been doing rehearsals. We are really excited to start shooting. I am quite excited to share screen space with Katrina. It will be a lot of fun, it is a lighter love story. It is not on a serious note,” he said. (Indian Express)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Irrfan Khan makes work atmosphere very relaxed

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is going to make her comeback on the big screen with Sanjay Gupta’s directorial “Jazbaa”, says working with her co-star Irrfan Khan made “working days very natural”.

“Working with an actor like Irrfan made every working day very

natural as I never felt I’m at work. Irrfan makes the working atmosphere very relaxed. Talking about our director Sanjay, it was wonderful that he always brought and evoked the energy in us during the shoot, even during intense and emotional moments, which just makes working together effort-

If not cinema, I would have been a painter: Sharmila Tagore

If not in the field of cinema veteran actress Sharmila Tagore would have turned a painter.

“I wanted to go to Shantiniketan. I wanted to be a painter,” she said, speaking at an interactive session organised by the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) with her and her daughter, Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan.

The 70-year-old actress, who began her acting career with Satyajit Ray’s film “Apur Sansar” in 1959 at the age of 14, however, said acting is a wonderful profession that lets the actors be

Actors Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut, who will be sharing screen space in the forthcoming romantic comedy film ‘Katti Batti’, have kissed for over 24 hours while shooting for the song “Lip to lip kissiyan”.

The duo kissed in the song for eight hours across three days. The makers are said to have

less, added the diva.”

Talking about the team from the movie, the “Guru” actress has called it a “dream cast”.

“The people with whom I have worked with in ‘Jazbaa’, is no doubt a dream cast for me,” she added.

In the film, Aishwarya is seen essaying the role of a lawyer named Anuradha Verma and Irrfan will be seen playing the role of a suspended cop.

Produced by Essel Vision, White Feather Films and Viking Entertainment, the film also has established actors Atul Kulkarni, Jackie Shroff, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Shabana Azmi along with Aishwarya.

“Jazbaa” is slated to release on October 9.

close to the people.

Recalling her career, Sharmila said she did roles like playing mother to Rajesh Khanna as she wanted to essay performances that are remembered for long.

“I wanted to change my image. That’s why I did ‘Aradhana’. If you get into their (audience’s) hearts, you live longer,” she added.

Talking about her late husband and former Indian Cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, she said he taught her punctuality and composure.

Asked if she would have liked to be an actor today than in the 1960s and 1970s, Sharmila said she had no regrets. “We had our time. No regrets,” she said.

Replying to a query, Soha said she and her siblings, including Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, had a “quite normal, non-starry” upbringing which kept them level-headed. (Indian Express)

used stop motion technology for the first time in India. The technology which has been used internationally, has been used in the song ‘Lip to lip kissiyan’, read a statement.

“It’s a new technology in India. It was very exciting. The song has shaped up very well.

Imran and Kangana both are thorough pro-

fessionals,” the spokesperson of the film said in a statement.

Directed by Nikhil Advani, ‘Katti Batti’ — on new age relationships — starts like a romantic comedy but turns into a thriller with a mystery element and a mature love story. The film will release on September 18. (Indian Express)

Shahid Kapoor’s upcoming film, ‘Shaandaar’ helped him in organising his own wedding

Since Shahid Kapoor’s next film, ‘Shaandaar’ revolves around a destination wedding, the actor reveals that his real character definitely helped him in organising his own wedding to Mira Rajput.

Shahid Kapoor, who plays a wedding planner in Vikas Bahl’s ‘Shaandaar’ opposite Alia Bhatt, apparently had already learnt about what goes into organising a wedding with regards to the guest list and designing wedding

cards etc, when the time came for his own nuptials.

It is said that Shahid personally looked into the details that made

his own special day absolutely beautiful.

Shahid Kapoor tied the knot with Mira Rajput in July this year. (Indian Express)

People rip you apart because you are a star kid: Athiya Shetty

Newcomer Athiya Shetty, who is making her Bollywood debut with ‘Hero’ opposite another star kid Sooraj Pancholi, told Indian Express.com in an exclusive interview about how difficult it is being the daughter of Suniel Shetty.

“Being a star kid is tough. You get the platform and the visibility but you also get criticised for the littlest of things. People pinpoint these things, criticise it deeply and rip you apart because you are a star kid. They feel you should know everything before coming into the industry,” said Athiya Shetty.

Refuting popular notion that star kids have it easy, Athiya said: “That is not the case. We have to work equally hard. We have to work harder at times

because you have a father and mother at home who are actors and are very successful and you want to match up to their expectations and what people expect you to be.”

While Salman Khan has taken Athiya and Sooraj Pancholi under his wings, father Suniel Shetty has just one advice for his daughter. “My father is not preachy and never gives me any acting tips. The only thing he wants me to follow is punctuality. He once told me, ‘you reach the sets at 8 but there are other people who have been there since 6 in the morning setting up things. They are the real heroes and you have to respect their time,'” shared Athiya. (Indian Express)

Players adapting well to training, says Crandon

– heartened by work ethic

By Rajiv Bisnauth

As intense training continues for the Guyana Jaguars, Head Coach Esaun Crandon has expressed satisfaction at the attitude of the players. In fact, Crandon said the attitude has been positive from players. The squad is preparing for the second edition of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Regional Four-day franchise tournament which starts in

November.

“I think we are heading in the right direction,” Crandon said. “The work ethic is definitely there, the guys are putting in the hard work, gelling together as a group, the energy is there throughout the fitness sessions and the intensity is always there. I think it is just a matter of the guys continuing in that vein, giving the effort, showing enthusiasm and hopefully, we can move forward from here,” said Crandon.

Further, the 33-yearold Crandon, who took 98 wickets from his 38 First-Class matches, says he is impressed with his squad’s fitness level and is pleased with the general condition of the players.

He further stated that some players “still have a little way to go, but some of them are at a level where they just need to maintain it.”

Confirmation

Meanwhile, Crandon confirmed that opening batsman Kandasammy Surujnarine has replaced Barbadian Ryan

Hinds.

The 34-year-old Hinds withdrew from the squad owing to previous commitments elsewhere.

Hinds and fellow Barbadian Javon Searles were snapped up by the Jaguars on behalf of Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) during the players’ draft in June, in keeping with the WICB’s regulation, which stipulated that regional territories acquire a maximum of two foreign players.

The new franchise system allows each of the six franchises to have 15 contracted players.

However, apart from those contracted players, other players who have been awarded an Academy Contract from Cricket Guy Inc for the year 2015-2016 are also eligible for selection under the ‘Pay for Play’ criteria.

The Guyana Jaguars contracted players for the 2015-2016 season are: Christopher Barnwell,

Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Raymon Reifer, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetymer, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph, Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Vishual Singh, Javon Searles and Kandasammy Surujnarine.

Further, it must be noted that batsmen Leon Johnson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are part of the Jaguars’ set-up, but were not considered

for contracts since both batsmen have WICB retainer contracts.

The players on Academy Contracts are: Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Adams, Raun Johnson, Keemo Paul, Raj Nannan, Steven Sankar, Robin Bacchus, Kemol Savory, Kevon Boodie, Dexter Solomon, Steven Jacobs, Tevin Imlach and Akshaya Persaud.

The Guyana Jaguars are defending champions of the PCL Four-day competition.

GFF’s Providence facility soil tested by FIFA inspector

Guyana’s first Goal Project is one step closer to realisation with FIFA contracted inspector Dr Stephen Baker conducting soil testing at the facility recently acquired by the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Normalisation Committee at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

With FIFA stating its intention of installing an artificial turf at the location, Dr Baker carried out inspections on the sub-base, and the entire typography and will now report back to FIFA on what’s needed in order to have the turf installed.

In May this year, the GFF signed a 30year lease with the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council for use of the Providence Community Centre ground, where a High

Performance Technical Centre will be erected on the 8.5 acres on land.

Chairman of the GFF Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling, said that the Englishman’s visit is his first of many to come since, along with the local architect, the FIFA inspector will work along to ensure that all systems are put in place for the foundation of the turf, which the GFF head said should be completed within a year.

The GFF, in 2007 under former president Colin Klass, began work at Orangestein, on the East Bank of Essequibo, for what was supposed to be the location for Guyana first Goal Project.

When Klass had found himself in ‘hot water’, Franklin Wilson, his vice-president at the time (2013), had assumed the

post of president (ag) and travelled to Zurich where negotiations with FIFA’s Development Committee brokered US$500,000 to be allocated to Guyana to help get the Goal Project off the ground.

Former President Christopher Matthias, upon taking office, then started negotiations with the Ministry of Sport for land behind the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora. Things again didn’t materialise, since the government had only offered a little over three acres of land which FIFA said was a ‘no-no’.

Guyana was actually earmarked by FIFA to pioneer its Goal Project with president Sepp Blatter making his maiden voyage in 1999 for the turning of the sod at the University of Guyana, but that also fell through after negotiations with the Guyana government.

George shares World Championship experience

– says AAG needs to do better

By TreisTon Joseph

Guyanese Olympian

Winston George, currently still in Beijing, China at the 15th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships has shared his views on his performance as well as the circumstances surrounding his national record run at the Bird’s Nest.

George, who lowered Guyana’s national record for the second time this year at the event to 45.25s, but was still unable to move on to the semi-finals, believed that he could have gone faster.

“To be here is great and it was a great run for me, but I think I could have done way better than I did,” George told Guyana Times International Sport exclusively.

In addition, George shared his reason for not doing better and also highlighted that the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) needed to do better if it wanted podium finishes.

“I came out here three days before my actual competition and I was sick for two of those days… Guyana wants medals, they want good performances yet they are sending you to compete at a major competition, such as the World Championships couple days before.

“Your competitors are here weeks ahead of you and their bodies adjust to the climate and more so the atmosphere… You simply can’t send athletes on a 22-plus-hour flight to compete three days after, athletes are not robots… It’s a different time zone to ours, 12 hours apart and ad-

Lady Jags advance to final four of CFU Olympic Qualifier

Guyana’s national women’s football team have advanced to the final four of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Olympic Qualifiers.

With the Lady Jags, as they are more commonly called, needing Cuba to either lose or defeat St Kitts and Nevis by less than eight goals to advance to the final four of the tournament, Cuba only managed to defeat St Kitts and Nevis by a 6–0 score line on Tuesday.

The Lady Jags in their first game routed St Kitts and Nevis 8–0 and drew their game with Cuba 1–1.

Guyana will now be involved in a single elimination final four tournament which is scheduled for October 2-4.

justment takes time,” George noted.

Further, George, who has Guyana’s top three fastest 400 metres times, pointed out the big picture in the scheme of things for Guyana’s athletics.

“The athletic federation needs to do better and if they don’t, Guyana will not go anywhere when it comes to seeing local athletes moving from one stage to the other,” George pinpointed.

Nevertheless, George was pleased with his national record run, “Well, my aim this year was to leave Guyana to train in the US and make the time for Worlds and the Olympics, I did that and I knew the record was going to be broken, I accomplished my goals and my training was going well and I knew I had what it takes to lower my time,” George stated.

However, George was a bit disappointed that he only ran one round.

“It’s always great to be at these games, the experience is surreal, but we just need to get out here early in order for good things to happen, but, to be honest, it is no fun coming and running one round and watch people after… it’s better to be a part of the action,” George highlighted.

So what will the talented athlete, who is aiming to have his name called among the Guyanese greats of sport, work on next?

“My Coach, Joe Ryan told me that I have low 44s in me before Rio (2016 Olympics) so we will be working on that come next season,” George revealed.

Definitely seems like it is back to work on becoming one of Guyana’s greatest.

The two finalists and the winner of the third-place match will qualify for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship as CFU representatives.

Once the Lady Jags finish in the top three, they will face the likes of USA, Canada, Mexico and two representative countries from the Central America region.

Head Coach Mark Rodrigues noted the achievement by the team could possibly drive the enhanced development of football in Guyana.

“With the launch of the women’s league just around the corner, the advancement of the Lady Jags to the Caribbean Championships can be viewed as a huge catalyst to motivate female players in Guyana to start or continue playing.

“With the limited preparation time afford-

ed the team, it’s a very pleasant surprise to already experience success. The next round will be even more challenging and the coaching staff will have to find a way to have another minicamp prior to competition,” Rodrigues stated.

Reflecting on the tournament, the Floridabased Head Coach pointed out that his team’s biggest shortfall in the Dominican Republic was simply fitness.

Meanwhile, accord-

ing to the Florida-based Head Coach, who shared his joy over the achievement, a couple of other high-level players could be added to the squad for the next round.

“Happy to see my country achieve success on the international stage once again, and I hope that we (the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)) use and cultivate that success even more for the amazing kids of our country and keep it sustained in the future.”

Dant CC ups preparations for Toronto Cup

– former Guyana skipper Daesrath scores century

By ravendra Madholall in ToronTo

Dant Cricket Club is upping the tempo on preparations ahead of the inaugural Toronto Cup, which is set to take place on Labour Day weekend (September 4-6).

The tournament will be hosted by Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC) and some 15 teams are expected to compete for top honour in both the Masters and Open Categories (20-overs).

Speaking with former skipper and retiree, Aftab Shamsudeen, who may return to the game for this showpiece event, the team is “gearing up” nicely so far and his expectations of them doing well are relatively high.

“Traditionally, we would continue to play a very aggressive brand of cricket despite lately we have been lacking some intensity; we are hoping to regain some of that aggressiveness though,” the former Canadian cricketer stated.

He continued: “We had started training rig-

orously over the last three weeks and happily seen some good results already, especially with one of our seasoned players Damador Daesrath scoring a hundred last weekend.”

Dant created an incredible reputation in 2014 at the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) tournament, emerging champions in the 10, 15 and 20-over categories. It was their debut season and their sterling performances left a legacy, having become the very first team to have a clean sweep in the history of the League.

However, this year was a change in fortune for the West End side, who has already relinquished the 10 and 15-over trophies to Caribbean Sensation and Cricketers Cove respectively. The other competition (20-over) is still in progress.

Dant was the only Canadian team that participated in the 2014 Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association Guyana Cup 111 under the umbrella of the OSCL.

They were humbled by eventual winner Wolf’s Warriors, but the experience with the white-ball could be a great asset for them on this occasion, according to long-standing player/member of the club, Shamsudeen.

“Most definitely, we lost to Wolf’s Warriors in the final over, which would have sent us to the semis in Guyana; playing in Guyana against some of the best players around the softball fraternity can only make us better; we learned a lot and it was our second trip to GT, which earned us some invaluable experience,” the versatile right-handed all-rounder, commented.

Teams coming from New York, Florida and Guyana will compete in the Toronto Cup and an enthusiastic Shamsudeen stated that competition is expected to be stiff; given the fact a large number of highprofile softball players will be showcasing their talents.

“We are hoping that the underdog tag will propel us; New York always fields a good team

so yes we are expecting keen competition. There is no team in these tournaments you can take on lightly. We haven’t paid attention to anyone’s team like we did in the past. We are very focused on our goal, as ready to play hard cricket,” Shamsudeen, who has been with the club since its formation almost two decades ago, related. Some established players set to represent Dant again are: Daesrath, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Farook Hussain, Yadram Bogh, Shamsudeen, skipper Looknaught Ramsuchit, Shaun Deonandan, Riaz Kadir, Avi Singh and Satrohan Balkarran. Shamsudeen feels that team members are very united and they will continue to play with the same degree of harmony as well.

BCB cricket season resumes Saturday

After a long break due the prolonged inclement weather, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) 2015 cricket season is set to resume on Saturday with the Berbice River Bridge Company’s 50-over firstdivision competition.

Twelve teams will feature in six games at separate venues from 09:30h.

The top players in Berbice will be on show with Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Jonathan Foo and Kandasammy Surujnarine turning out for Albion, while Rose Hall Town Gizmos and

Gadgets will have Assad Fudadin, Delbert Hicks and Eon Hooper in their line-up.

West Berbice will have pacers Keon Joseph and Raun Joseph, with the Hetmyer brothers, Shimron and Seon, playing for Young Warriors.

Port Mourant will be led by Rajiv Ivan, and the fast rising Tucber Park, formerly Bermine, will have a star-studded line-up with pacers Niall Smith and Romario Shepherd and the inform all-rounder, brothers Eugene and Joemal LaFleur.

The other clubs have good players and if they

hold their own can create major upsets.

The fixture was released on Wednesday with Albion Community Center playing host to Edinburgh; Blairmont Community Centre having home advantage against Bush Lot Rising Star; Police tackling West Berbice at Edinburgh; Young Warriors enjoying home turf against Tucber Park; Port Mourant opposing Skeldon at home and Rose Hall Gizmos and Gadgets taking on Upper Corentyne in round one.

Round two is scheduled for September 5. Meanwhile, the board’s annual cricket academy will be held in December.

GSSF launches Archery Guyana

– Guyana becomes permanent member of World Archery Federation

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Since ancient times, Guyanese have been known to be proficient users of the arrow and bow, with the indigenous Amerindian population in particular using this age-old practice as a means of survival in the hinterland communities.

Now, with the establishment of Archery Guyana, a sub-group of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF), Guyana stands on the cusp of making major steps in the Olympic sport of Archery, which employs the use of customised arrows and bows to hit stationary targets.

Archery Guyana was officially launched on Monday with much fanfare; with the GSSF using the opportunity to showcase what it has achieved, following a foundation course conducted by international archer/coach, Diego Torres, of Colombia.

Baveghems cops 1st place at NAFMA World Championship

Professor Quacy Baveghems led the Best of the Best Martial Arts School’s efforts on Sunday at the NAFMA World Martial Arts Championship at the Hyatt Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago.

Contesting the annual championship for the first time, the club’s four-member team captured a first-place finish and three third-place medals.

Baveghems, competing in the Masters Division (30-40 years), emerged the top athlete in the category of Weapons. For his performance, he was rewarded with a specially crafted gold ring and a medal.

Baveghems placed third in Freestyle. Baveghems, who heads the Houston, Greater Georgetown-based club, also took three of his athletes on the trip, two of whom were able to medal.

Miguel Hunte, in the 7-8 category, copped third in Freestyle, while Antwone Allen also claimed third in Sparring. The other member of the team, Haroon Safiallah Best, who competed in the 9-12 category, failed to capture a medal.

According to

Baveghems, close to 200 participants from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America competed in the one-day event.

Baveghems said he was pleased with the efforts of the club’s members in Trinidad, noting that the support received by various persons and organisations would have inspired the club’s members to perform to

their full potential.

The club’s participation was made possible through backing from the National Sports Commission, Shamdas Kirplani, Toucan Industries and Chief Constable of the City Constabulary, Andrew Foo.

Currently, the club is preparing to send a team to an international competition on October 10 in New Jersey, USA.

“In keeping with the objectives of establishing sports shooting and solid foundations and promoting the growth of the sport, the GSSF on July 31 was accepted as a permanent member of the World Archery Federation,” she announced to the gathering at the launch at the Carifesta Sports Complex.

Persaud added, “The 51st World Archery Congress was opened on that same day in Copenhagen where Guyana was among a handful of nations unanimously accepted to permanent membership, and this is all due and thanks to the representation and efforts put forward by the GSSF, thus ensuring the expansion of the various disciplines of sport shooting for our country.”

GSSF President Vidushi Persaud, who has been instrumental in the establishment of Archery Guyana, said the move to have a system in place to allow for structural growth and development of the sport here has been recognised by the world governing body.

Persaud, an Attorney-at-Law, said the GSSF was delighted at the prospects of introducing an Olympic sport to Guyana and thereby setting the stage for the country’s second Olympic medal.

“I am further enthused at the total commitment to the promotion and development of sport and recreation amongst the respective ministries and Guyanese as a whole. That commitment draws its strength from our knowledge that sport and recreation are indispensable ingredients for nation building. They are an essential part of our efforts to raise the quality of life of all Guyanese citizens, whether they were victims of deprivation, physically challenged, residing in remote areas or whatever,” she explained.

Torres onboard

During the past week, Torres was hosted in Guyana by the GSSF to conduct various seminars for members of the Federation, the focus of which has been Archery

safety, the fabrication of PVC bows and teaching the correct form for target Archery.

The seminars were geared to give participants the knowledge as to how to further develop this longstanding Olympic sport by making low-cost bows, which would then be used for training and local competitions. Shooting practice sessions were also scheduled to ensure that members practise the fundamentals of the sport of Archery from the beginning.

Natural fit

Sport Permanent Secretary Alfred King,

congratulated the GSSF for the bold initiative, noting that the sport was a natural fit for Guyana, given the vast use of the equipment used for Archery by the Amerindians.

He urged the GSSF to spread the sport throughout the 10 administrative regions, thereby widening the pool of archers who would be available to the national grid.

With the ultimate aim being to have representation at the Olympic Games, King pointed out that the GSSF could run the risk of not having the best persons rep-

resent the country if the sport is restricted to Georgetown.

Torres, who also spoke at the launch, said he was impressed with how receptive the Guyanese were to the sport, noting that participants over the past week were able to make significant progress. Archery Guyana has already been embraced by the Department of Sport of the Education Ministry and the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, with the latter being instrumental in having scores of Amerindians attend Monday’s launch.

GFF not ruling out CAS in case against FIFA

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is not ruling out the use of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to further pursue its case against the world body for football, FIFA, over its handling of the illegitimate St Vincent and the Grenadines player issue, according to Chairman of the Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling.

Urling’s comments came during a live interview on Digicel SportsMax Zone earlier this week.

St Vincent and Grenadines had fielded a player who was not the holder of a passport from

the Island during the side’s 2018 World Cup Qualifier tournament in June of this year, and days after Guyana was knocked out of the tournament, the GFF had lodged a protest with FIFA over the matter.

However, the GFF was told that after investigation, no further intervention was needed in the context of the matter.

After another appeal by the GFF, FIFA responded by saying that Guyana was not “a party to the relevant proceedings before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and would therefore not

#BEIJING2015: Bronze for Jamaica in Women’s 400m

KINGSTON, Jamaica –Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson claimed bronze in the 400 metres at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.

She ran a time of 49.99 seconds behind American Allyson Felix, who ran an impressive 49.26 to take the gold, and Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas who took silver in 49.67s.

Christine Day, Stephanie Ann McPherson and Novlene Williams-Mills came in fourth (50.14s), fifth (50.42s) and sixth (50.47s) respectively. (Jamaica Observer)

Foster unable to make World Championships semi

Guyana’s Andrea Foster finished eighth in the preliminary round of the Women’s 800m on Wednesday when the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships continued in Beijing, China.

Foster, up against a tall task against some of the world’s best, was unable to keep up with the pace of the women, clocking 2:17.39s to finish the race.

The time was three seconds off of Foster’s season’s best as well as her personal best, a sign that the athlete, just like compatriot Winston George, was unable to adjust to the climate in time for her event.

Foster, via her Facebook page, thanked those associated with her success, including Coach Julian Edmonds and her mom Alisha Fortune, who is a World Masters sprint gold medallist.

The 19-year-old also noted via her Facebook account, “I gave it my best; I know I can do much, much better and I will do better.”

be eligible to appeal”.

Urling told Sportsmaxx Zone that the GFF is currently seeking legal advice on the matter, but was quick to point out that they had not ruled out the CAS.

FIFA regulations for the 2018 programme say that only passports are “valid proof of a player’s identity and nationality.” Each player’s pass-

port must be shown to FIFA’s match delegate the day before kickoff.

The new rule states: “Identity cards or other supporting official documents shall not be accepted” and history has shown that seven different African teams fielded ineligible players in qualifying group matches for the 2014 World Cup, forcing FIFA to award 3-0 wins to their

opponents.

Urling has however, added that at this point, even if they do go to the CAS, they will not get a judgment in time to return to the tournament’s next round in September, but stated that Guyana’s persistence is about justice and ensuring that FIFA abides by its rules in an “equitable manner.” (www.gffonline. com)

ICC hails retiring Sangakkara as “a legend of the game”

The Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) David Richardson has paid tribute to former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who has retired from international cricket this week.

Sangakkara was one of the leading cricketers in world cricket for the last 15 years during which he played in 134 Tests (scoring 12,400 runs, 182 catches (131 catches as a wicket-keeper) as well as 20 stumpings), 404 ODIs (14,234 runs, 402 catches (383 as wicket-keeper) and 99 stumpings) and 56 T20Is (1,382 runs, 26 catches as wicket-keeper and 20 stumpings). He also led Sri Lanka in 15 Tests, 45 ODIs and 22 ODIs. One of his finest hours came when he inspired Sri Lanka to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.

Sangakkara was selected in the ICC Test Team of the year on seven occasions – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 and was won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Cricketer of the Year, as well as the Test Player of the Year, in Colombo in 2012. He was also named ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2011 and 2013.

In 2007, he became the first player to make scores of 150 or more in four successive

Test matches, and in February 2014, he became just the second player (after Graham Gooch) to score a triple century and a century in the same Test.

Congratulating Sangakkara on a highly successful career, Mr Richardson said: “Kumar Sangakkara will rightly go down as one of cricket’s greatest-ever players and

ambassadors. Across an illustrious career, he maintained levels of excellence whether batting, keeping wickets or leading by example.

“By scoring a total of 28,016 runs across all three formats, he puts himself in the higher echelons of players to ever grace the game. But he also made a considerable contribu-

tion off the field and carried the weight of expectation of a passionate Sri Lanka supporting public, as he did his batting, with great class.

“The high esteem in which he is also held by his peers is emphasised by the fact that he was invited to deliver the prestigious 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at

Lord’s, becoming the first active player to do so. Kumar was also a valued member of the ICC Cricket Committee from 2007 to 2015.

“In stepping off the field of play for the last time we wish Kumar and his family well and thank him for his enormous contribution to the game.” (ICC)