Guyana Times International

- Jagdeo says “will not rest” until party regains power

Guyana deploys additional troops to border regions

…in response to Venezuela’s armed forces buildup

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has deployed additional troops and equipment to the border region Guyana shares with Venezuela in light of a display of force by the Venezuelan armed forces.

Speaking to media operatives at the President’s Office on Wednesday, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips said the deployment is geared towards defining acts of aggression and incursion at the border.

Troops and equipment have been sent to key locations, including Eteringbang and Kaikan and along the Cuyuni River to monitor activities on Guyana’s frontiers.

Brigadier Phillips said the build-up of troops in Eastern Venezuela commenced over a week ago and was intensified at the weekend.

He said some 200 ground troops have been deployed in an “unusual” manner along with mis-

siles close to the border that the two countries share.

The Chief of Staff said some of the troops and missiles were spotted some 57km from the border while there was a direct deployment of marine troops with machine guns, by Venezuela, in the Cuyuni River, which is inclusive of Guyana’s border.

“We consider this an affront to our sovereignty,” Phillips said as he made it clear that the GDF was alert and ready to deploy additional troops and equipment if necessary.

Meanwhile, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman has urged Guyanese not to panic and said there is no reason at this point to believe that there will be an invasion by the Venezuelan army.

“Venezuela is well aware that the world is watching… we don’t anticipate any use of force… so far it is a display of force,” Trotman explained.

He said the show of force by Venezuela appears to be more political than military and clarified that neither was Guyana preparing to

stage any act of aggression but was taking the necessary precautions.

Mr. Trotman said Venezuela’s actions amounts to grand standing but posited that it will not be ignored.

Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joe Harmon told the media conference that Guyana has activated all mechanisms at the United Nations, CARICOM, UNASUR and OAS to address the development.

He said Guyanese will continue to be updated since “the best form of defence is a mobilized people.”

Guyana is preparing to send a formal correspondence to the Venezuelan authorities on the military build –up and the perceived threat.

The Venezuelan authorities have since said that the activity in the Eastern part of the country was an operational exercise.

Guyana and Venezuela have been embroiled in a border controversy in recent months after the Nicolas Muduro government reignited a decade’s old illegal claim to Guyana’s Essequibo Region and its oil rich maritime space.

Guyana continues to reject Venezuela’s claims and has called for a judicial settlement of the matter. It will form part of Guyana’s considerations at the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

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EDITORIAL

Unity Talks

In recent weeks, there has been much rhetoric about the need for the newly elected Government and official Opposition in Guyana to engage in talks for ‘national unity’ and a ‘national unity Government’ and concomitantly, about creating the atmosphere of the said outcome.

Some of the more seasoned political commentators have already added their voices to the discourse. A majority of them have been critical of the opposition Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) for its negative position on the purported invitation issued to the party to start discussions by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who was reportedly selected to chair a “national unity committee”.

Others like Ralph Ramkarran, a sympathetic supporter of the new coalition Government, in attempting to push the PPP into the “talks” have muddied the waters of Guyana’s political history especially with respect to the role played by the PPP in attempting to find a permanent solution to the governance and political problem facing the country since before it gained independence back in 1966.

But what is studiously ignored is that the Government is obviously confused as to what it really wants to engage the PPP on. Some of its officials and spokespersons have floated the notion of “shared Governance” while the Prime Minister is talking about creating ‘national unity’, and the President, ‘inclusive democracy’.

Others depending on the hat they are wearing and the audience they are addressing are pushing the goal of creating a “Government of National Unity that includes the PPP as a member of that Government.

While all of these concepts may appear similar, in reality, given the evolution of political philosophy, ideologies and the inevitable dynamic nature of political science, they are distinct in their form, function and political outcomes. In fact, depending on what is being pursued, there could be massive impacts on the way future Governments are elected while requiring massive constitutional, ordinary legislative and electoral reforms.

The PPP/C has adopted the pragmatic and realistic posture from the outset given its own historical experiences. PPP’s founding father and former President Cheddi Jagan fought tirelessly through the 1960’s until the 1990’s to create national unity amongst the masses by pursuing various political, social and economic proposals which all had a nationalistic and genuine undertone. The PPP always insisted on a programmatic rather than a contrived personal approach.

Those proposals failed because of lack of genuine support and commitment from the Peoples National Congress which frustrated the process by consistently rigging elections, engaging in acts of political and ethnic manipulation during its tenure in office which deepened the racial divide in the country.

In 2003, the party finally outlined the most sensible approach to talks about national unity, shared governance and inclusive democracy. It said that parties must embark upon a process of building trust and confidence among their ranks and members.

If there is any truth that there are still high levels of racial intolerance and divisiveness then the political parties hold the answer in their blossoms if they agree on a series of non-political measures to create unity and then work their way to addressing some of the most noncontroversial issues related to women, children and human rights.

But the actions of the new Government have jeopardized all future relations with the PPP which is now in opposition. There are the firings (which were occurred too under the PPP/C’s tenure to a far lesser extent), the ongoing fishing expedition for acts of corruption as a means of quarantining PPP officials and settling old scores, the exclusion of the PPP in basic governance events and trips, and the continued antiPPP posture of the new Government which are major obstacles to commencement of genuine and franks talks.

There is no formal invitation from the Offices of the Prime Minister and President for discourse and this is deliberate. The Government cannot seriously field the most objectionable candidates in the persons of Vice Presidents Nagamootoo and Ramjattan to the PPP as suggestions to lead these talks and expect the PPP/C to accept these are genuine talks on national unity. The medium can be the message.

The posture adopted by this new Government is no different from those adopted by the Governments of Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte, which were all aborted.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee know this and will not take the bait to be part of another political farce and a fatally flawed process that is bound to fail because of the animosities, lack of trust and resentment that exist amongst the political parties. Never again “national unity” be used as a means of ‘window dressing’ for the sponsors of the government. If we genuinely want real talks about unity, let us take time to craft a real agenda, outline a process and conduct discourse in the public space and for the world to see. No more closed door talks.

Wrong HIV results are dangerous, traumatic and scandalous, but who’s accountable?

By Dr LesLie ramsammy

The Health Ministry and its subject Minister have confirmed that at least eight women were incorrectly diagnosed with HIV. This is a dangerous development and can negatively impact on the fight against HIV and AIDS in our country. The muddling of test results must have been traumatic for families. Given Guyana’s very robust and successful fight against HIV, this scandal weakens our ability to fight the disease and brings disrepute to Guyana’s leadership role in the fight against HIV.

Dr George Norton was very supportive during my tenure as Health Minister. In turn, I wish him well in the onerous responsibilities he has been given. I have noticed much that troubles me in the health sector since the new Government took over. Yet, I have remained quiet, and I have given Dr Norton the space he needs to make sure health continues to improve in our country. As much as I wish him well, I want to see good for all Guyanese and this Ministry is one that could ensure better lives for all.

I stand ready to be of help to Dr Norton and his Ministry. To serve the people, the Health Ministry must not become a political football, but should remain an area where we should be able to work together in solidarity. If we cannot work together in health, how can we work for national unity? It is in this spirit that I am not using the scandal of wrong HIV test results to attack the Minister or the Government.

The HIV test results fiasco is an example, however, of how we must demand better answers and ensure mechanisms are in place to prevent this kind of scandal from ever happening. Reading Dr Norton’s explanation is enough to tell me that he is being badly advised and even misled. For the Minister to find out from the media that eight women were wrongly given HIV positive test results is unforgiveable. Even more troubling is that his junior minis-

ter and senior managers knew about the fiasco and didn’t inform him, assuming that Dr Norton, indeed, found out from the media.

According to Dr Norton, the wrong test results are not because of inaccurate testing, but are due to a mix-up of result reports. He has been advised that the HIV results for a number of persons were batched and the reports were then given out to the wrong women.

The problem is, if eight women who were negative received HIV positive results because of mixing up of results, then another eight who are positive would have also wrongfully received negative test results. Thus, there are probably sixteen and not eight wrong results handed out, if in fact testing was accurate, but wrongly distributed. If the testing was accurate and the problem was a mixing up of results, then the number of test results should not change, but just that persons would have received wrong results.

The Minister has been made a fool of. In his place I would have been livid and would have seriously reprimanded my officers. Such scandals impact on how confident people are in the system. If the media hadn’t questioned the Minister, would this scandal have simply been swept under the mat?

Those who were in charge should be made accountable. The protocols that are in place for testing, particularly HIV testing, should have prevented this kind of mix-up. Dr Norton explained that the protocol was changed. If that is so, then who changed the protocol and who authorised it?

Technicians and technical officers in their quest for improved performances and for better systems do introduce changes in protocols from time to time. However, these must be approved by the Minister, but was he ever asked to do so?

These processes are well established at the Ministry and I had hands-on knowledge of them, as I played a leading role in developing many of them.

Guyana’s testing and re-

porting protocols were developed and approved by international organisations like the US CDC, PAHO/WHO and UNAIDS. They were designed to prevent wrong results and distribution of wrong results.

Observing and examining what were told by the Ministry tells me that there’s a coverup and the Minister is being made to look foolish and incompetent. I, therefore, urge the Minister to get down to the truth and hold the people accountable, lest this is repeated and worsened.

Indeed, this isn’t the first instance in the last several months of wrong results being given to persons, which means that something is actually wrong with the testing itself or the competency of those who are conducting the tests. But it reveals that a porous system that allows wrong results to reach all the way to consumers has become a part of the system. It demonstrates that the protocols have been weakened because the established protocol would have prevented such wrong results.

Guyana has a successful HIV Program. We are leaders in the fight against HIV. Many of the global objectives were articulated in Guyana’s strategy since 2001. It was Guyana that boldly came forward in 2001 and announced universal access to Anti-retroviral treatment when globally it was thought impossible. It was Guyana which announced in 2001 the end of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV by 2015 and Guyana has reached this stage. It was Guyana that insisted on early treatment for HIV positive people, from diagnosis, rather than waiting on reduction of CD4. Today these are global targets.

With our proven leadership in the fight against HIV, the scandal of wrong HIV test results, given the careful and vigilant system we developed in the past, can only hurt us as a country. It weakens our overall programme and it hurts our leadership role in the regional and global fight against HIV.

PPP/C commences extensive community outreaches - Jagdeo says “will not rest” until party regains power

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has vowed not to sleep nor slumber until it wins the next Regional and General Elections slated for 2020 but will work extensively to consolidate its ranks and expose the double standards and mounting acts of discrimination by the current A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

This is the position of former President and current Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who joined a high-level team of PPP/C leaders who on Monday fanned out on a three-day long extensive outreach exercise in Regions Five and Six.

Over 47 planned meetings will be held to discuss a myriad of political and party matters, along with governance issues. Those meetings will specifically focus on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), how the Opposition will be approaching Government on major issues in Guyana and Local Government Elections

(LGE).

Jagdeo started off his tour with meetings at Canfield and Adelphi in East Canje, Berbice, and then closed the first day with a meeting with residents of Chesney village, Corentyne.

Jagdeo, addressing several traditional ‘bottom house’ community meetings, explained that the Party would also be using its “stint” in Opposition to plan and execute a comprehensive strategy for regaining executive power following its recent loss at the May 11 Regional and General Elections.

The Opposition Leader emphasised that the PPP and its leaders has had to console hundreds of party members who became worried following the election results, as well as many who wanted to give up hope, given their experiences in the past.

Jagdeo remarked that the period for weeping is over and it was time to put “backs to wheels” and join the Party in the struggle to regain power. “We are going to use this period to consolidate and assess what went wrong and figure out what needs to be changed so

as to strengthen the party to reconnect with grass root supporters”, he vowed.

Residents rally around Jagdeo

As the meetings commenced, there was ex-

power, they felt discriminated against given the statements made by Ministers, regional party executives and supporters of the APNU/AFC fold.

Others expressed

citement and heightened expectations in Region Six as Jagdeo and others addressed packed bottom houses and meeting centres as residents rallied around them.

Some residents said that since the new Government came to

feelings of insecurity as they are being judged on race or party affiliation as Government embarks on a programme to cleanse the Public Service of people it does not believe support it.

Many have also expressed concern over Government’s ap-

proach towards issues of benefit to the citizens. Pensioners have expressed concern that after three months in office, the new Administration has removed their electricity and water subsidies and is only offering them a Gy$3000 increase in pension despite promising to double it as soon as the party entered office if they were to win the election.

Residents said that the uniform allowance for school children has been increased by Gy$500 but Government has taken away the Gy$10,000 allowance which was issued last year for transportation.

Jagdeo addressing that issue specifically said that the previous Administration took a decision to give parents Gy$10,000 per child in the first year. “Each year we will add Gy$10,000 so in year five you will end up with Gy$50,000 per child attending school in a household. So every child would get Gy$50,000 per year, they did not increase it but instead they took it away.”

One of the major concerns was the slow-

ing pace of the economy which has almost ground at a standstill. Jagdeo explained that the current state of the economy is because of the Gy$19 billion which was cut from the National Budget between 2012 and 2014.

“That is money that could have entered into circulation and created tons of jobs that would have had a multiplying effect on economic activates; they do not understand the concept of flow of money.”

He said that a call centre which was built by the PPP/C Administration and established in Linden – which is a stronghold of the current Administration – was recently closed, laying off 90 persons.

“Now the bauxite industry has started laying off, and if we are not careful in the Berbice River; because they have threatened the bauxite people… the companies could pull out and 750 families will be on the breadline.”

As it relates to GECOM, the Opposition Leader said the party will continue to push to have its Chairman resign.

Our best days are ahead of us

Dear Editor,

Our best days are ahead of us. The changing of Government, accompanied by the level of activism and involvement that brought about this change, bear testimony to this. Guyanese, whether living at home or abroad, want better for themselves and country. This desire for betterment is often seen in criticisms of things that appear contrary to aspirations. Such criticisms bode well for this country’s body politic because they come from a healthy desire of what we are capable of being and achieving.

As heated conversations take place in the communities among citizens and on social media, a common trend is noted in few threads. One, the people want the Government to succeed and do better. Two, the people, having lived through the years of bad governance, and are leery of this ever happening again as well as any sign that indicates the possibility of such, voices of condemnation will be heard.

Three, whether persons are living in Guyana or abroad, the positives they see happening in other countries

are what they want to happen here. And four, the people want a responsive and caring Government.

Some recent happenings are bringing this clearly home. With much admiration, awe and identity Guyanese celebrated the athletic prowess and successes of our CARICOM brothers and sisters in Jamaica in the just concluded World Athletics Championships. As this created conversations about the Jamaican Government’s investment in its people and once glory days when Guyana too shined on

the international sporting arena, many are asking, ‘Why not us,’ or are clamouring to unleash Guyanese’s potentials.

Trinidad and Tobago recently came out of an election and while the People’s Partnership has lost the confidence of the people and the PNM has been returned to office, Guyanese expressed their admiration for the quality of the electoral process, swift announcement of results and swearing in of the diverse new Cabinet.

When Caricom was formed, those consid-

ered More Developed Countries (MDCs) were Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. Guyana can still retain its place among this group, doing the right thing.

In the USA where African-Americans are carrying out activism under the banner that ‘Black Lives Matter’ in reaction to indiscriminate police racial profiling, this is used as lesson that race matters and remains of political significance and only the law can end racism. Guyanese, at home and abroad, joining the conversation and in sup-

port of their fellow men are too drawing nexus and feel the same must happen here if we are to make real our motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny. And as conversations continue on our admirations for the positives in other societies, which are influenced by the desire to improve our lives, I am convinced that our best days are ahead of us, as words will lead to actions and bring about desired results. Yes, we can.

Sincerely, Sharma Solomon

1000 days remain until the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Dear Editor,

The Countdown Clock was launched on Manezhnaya Square in Moscow marking a 1000 day countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Russia promises to make a planetary scale event, the most spectacular in its history. The whole country will be the territory of football. The world championship will be held at 12 stadiums in 11 Russian cities: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny, Novgorod, Saransk, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Ekaterinburg, Samara, Sochi and Rostov-on-Don.

Hundreds of fans and professional players from different countries came to watch the ceremony of the countdown start.

“I believe that the forthcoming championship will be just fine. I am sure that

Russia will have a warm and familiar welcome for participants and guests of the championship. And the remaining thousand days will be enough for the Russian national team to prepare and adequately address the domestic championship,” – said Lottar Matthaus, FIFA World Player of the Year 1991.

Russia has won the right to host the FIFA World Cup 2018 in fair competition, by offering the preferred modalities of world sports forums, both technical and organizational, defending the idea of de-politicization of sports in the international arena.

12 modern stadiums will be reconstructed, 110 training fields will be built. We have proposed a framework for the accommodation of 64 teams.

For the World Cup the country will upgrade 13 airports.

Russia for the first time in

history has made a commitment to provide foreign fans not only the right to visa-free entry into the country, but also free rail travel between cities that will host matches of the tournament, subject to the availability of tickets for the respective competitions. Our country, in respect of which unsuccessful attempts of political pressure were made to cancel the decision to host the FIFA World Cup 2018, pays constant attention to depoliticize the topic of sport, support sport for sustainable development and peace.

At the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly the Russian delegation has initiated the adoption of the corresponding amendments to the resolution on “Sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace” including the word-

ing “support the independence and autonomy of sport.” Russian diplomacy has supported the inclusion of sports among the priorities of the global development agenda beyond 2015, the adoption of which should take place on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly. Leaders of major international sports organizations, sports functionaries and foreign athletes overwhelmingly appreciate Russia’s contribution to the development of the Olympic movement and international sports cooperation in general. XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi have been recognized as the best in the history of the Olympics, not only in terms of the hospitality of the host country, but also in terms of organization, safety, quality of sports facilities, creating a

barrier-free environment and compliance with environmental standards.

World Swimming Championships FINA held in Kazan on July 24 – August 9, 2015, which was attended by sportsmen from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries, has received coverage in the Guyanese media.

In the coming years Russia will have more than two dozen large-scale sporting events, world-level championships and World Cup events, including circuit racing “Formula 1” and the World Winter Universiade Games.

We are waiting for the Guyanese guests at the 2018 World Cup and other sporting events in Russia.

Aleksei Illiuviev, Press Attaché, Embassy of Russia

Curtailing heckling in Parliament is another ominous sign

Dear Editor,

Since the beginning of the 11th Parliament, Head of State, David Granger, made a statement about the need for a Code of Conduct for members of the National Assembly. His intuition seems to be to curtail and stop heckling in the Chambers.

After this was said, other Government officials also joined in supporting this call. Part of the media, too, seems to be in support of curbing heckling in the Chambers.

Last Monday, the main mouthpiece of the regime, the Kaieteur News, editorialized on this subject, supporting the regime’s view. This is a signal that the regime is building support to halt heckling.

On the surface, this seems much ado about nothing because in every democratic society, Parliament is known for heckling during the ‘cut and thrust’ of debates. This is not just confined to the Westminster system, but to democratic Parliaments

throughout the world.

If per chance, the behavior is being overdone, the Speaker has the power and authority to bring order to the debate. We don’t need a Code of Conduct to deal with that, the Standing Orders are sufficient.

What should be noted is that Parliaments and National Assemblies that do not have heckling are all some form of dictatorship. Dissent is not allowed and the Parliament becomes a rubber stamp. Order and/or the other military type disciplines are imposed.

The point to note in our country is that we have a high amount of former military people in top positions in our Government, similar to Egypt. The demand for ‘order, no heckling’ comes from a military mentality that demands all to fall in line and obey orders. This is a dangerous and ominous sign.

Note, while the talk of establishing a Code of Conduct

to stop heckling is being pushed, at the same time, areas where a Code of Conduct is needed is being ignored. And we see measures being put in place to make the National Assembly a rubber stamp.

The need for all MPs to declare their assets on entering Parliament, including overseas assets, if applicable, should be one of the rules. Periodic reporting on assets, once a year at the least would be a step in the right direction. This is a serious measure and can be described as an anti-corruption stance.

The concern should also be more about how the business of the Assembly is conducted and to inquire if it is filling the role envisaged for oversight, transparency and proper legislation.

Even though this Parliament is still relatively new, we have seen on several occasions the governing APNU/AFC’s intention to make it ineffective. The regular feature of suspending the

Standing Orders and passing pieces of legislation without giving the Opposition time to prepare for a debate is very troubling. So, too, the many unanswered questions by ministers are all signs we should not miss.

These are not the only indications that the regime does not want to have debates.

During the last budget, the days for considering the estimates were drastically cut from seven to three days. Why is it that the regime does not want to be scrutinized even though it is so early in its life?

The changing of centuriesold Parliamentary traditions and practices is also serious.

Moreover, Opposition MPs were held on a tight leash as far as speaking time was concerned. Many were thrown off their speeches by being told by the Speaker that time was running out. This is reminiscent of the Sase Narine/ Burnham days. On the other hand, the Speaker seems not to be keeping track of time

when Government MPs were on the floor.

Yes, a lot is wrong with how Parliament is being run. However, the least of those problems is heckling. This was clearly noticeable.

The demand for military type discipline and order are features of totalitarian regimes worldwide. So, too, is the curtailing of debates. This is another sign of a creeping dictatorship. In the closing of the debate, the Government side wanted to have four other speakers taking the floor after the Leader of the Opposition closed the debate for the Opposition side. Eventually, they put two others.

This has never happened before. It is to try to answer before without a chance to reply, a ‘banking’ as we would say. That is undemocratic and not in keeping with Parliamentary democracy.

Donald Ramotar

Former President of Guyana

Prisoners deliberately start blaze in Camp Street jail – to attract media attention to vent about ‘poor treatment’

The Camp Street

Prison erupted in pandemonium on Tuesday evening when irritated prisoners set ablaze several newspapers in one of the cells to draw the media’s attention to the prison so they can vent their frustrations over the maltreatment they have been enduring over the years at the penitentiary.

When the Guyana Times International arrived on the scene around 20:00h, a single fire truck was parked by the prison, while Guyana Fire Service officers were examining the compound.

The small fire was already extinguished at that time.

However, at the John Street side of the jailhouse, prisoners were scrambling for a place at the cell window to relate to the media operatives on the scene the numerous issues affecting them. The prisoners’ cries were initially incoherent as they instantaneously erupted into a loud outburst when media workers approached the cor-

ner.

The aggravated prisoners were at their wits’ end with the alleged abuse being administered by the Prison Officers, and were demanding their voices be heard and that they be allowed to go to trial.

“Just now we light fire at the back deh to try to get the media to come… we frustrated budday; we want go to court,” the prisoners pleaded. According to one of them, persons have been in jail for over seven years

on remand, but never have they heard a single word regarding any court appearance.

Jermaine Otto of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was charged for the murder of 43-yearold businessman Ashook Ragghu, who was gunned down on August 18 outside the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown, complained of people “passing money” to constantly assault him.

He alleged too that one Constable was part of a scheme to attack him.

Even behind the bars, Otto demanded that the prisoners be treated with respect as the other prisoners in the background chanted “innocent until proven guilty”.

Another prisoner expressed his deepest annoyance over the slothfulness and apparent biasness of the system. “It’s court we want go in! Over six- seven years we deh in here on remand… on f***ing remand… we want go court…wam to innocent until proven guilty…how is it

when high level people get charged, they documents go up to the f***ing DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) but when a poor man get charged, he got to be in here for so much years and he got to wait for months for the trial start,” the anonymous convict exploded, claiming that he has been remanded for some five years.

The prisoners also alleged that their colleague Mark Major was badly beaten by Prison Officers.

“The Police them chop he up, the man family ain’t even know what going on, because the man family ain’t even allowed to go and visit, the man head bust up…we don’t know where he deh now…the Police come move he out…they isolate the man…,” a prisoner alleged.

Major was remanded to prison for a re-trial of the murder of his cousin Orin Forde in 2012. Based on the media reports, the pair were arguing at the Mahaica slaughterhouse when an argument ensued result-

ing in a physical altercation. The accused stated that the deceased was attacking him with a piece of wood and he stabbed him to defend himself.

The mixed jury, after three hours’ deliberation, returned to the courtroom relating that they could not reach a verdict. As a result, the judge remanded the accused to prison until re-trial.

Additionally, according to reports from inside the jailhouse, the prisoner who was chopped about his body during a reported gang fight in the prison just a few nights ago on September 19 was actually attempting to steal from another cellmate when the fight broke out.

“The boy who get chop, is not no riot or gang war, he tried to rob the man and the man deal with he…he tried to rob the man the stuff he family bring for he, the man soap and all these kind of things…it’s not no gang war, the man had to deal with he case cause he go to thief,” the prisoners claimed. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

Hinterland Employment and Youth Service Programme all ready for Oct 1

The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry has announced that the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service Programme, announced by the Government of Guyana in August to replace the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprentice Programme, will be officially launched on October 1.

This was according to Ministerial Advisor on Indigenous Affairs, Mervyn Williams in a telephone interview with this publication.

Williams shared that the final documents to solidify the programme were in their advanced stages and everything seemed to be on track.

As for consultations, the Ministerial Advisor stated that they had begun talks with indigenous persons in their villages as soon as the new Government had come into office making them fully aware of areas that needed assistance.

Williams stated that recently, they had held several public meetings to listen to issues that affect the villagers of indigenous communities and what could be done to rectify their situation. He noted that all of the Ministry’s actions in these villages were a reflection of what the Government felt was necessary.

In Region Nine

(Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Williams explained, the Ministry held about 10 major public meetings where it had made contact with members of about 35-40 villages. The Ministry also spoke to several villages in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

To provide more helpful information as to what would be needed in the villages and would in turn make this new programme successful, Williams stated that the Ministry has been in constant contact with the Executive Committee of the National Toshaos Council (NTC).

He added that the aim of this programme was to provide training

to persons where they live, in specific fields to suit the specific needs of the communities, and he was certain that the programme would accomplish just so.

An estimated 2000 plus hinterland youths are expected to benefit from this programme after the Government terminated YEAP, an initiative of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), because its operations were found to be “political”.

Under the YEAP initiative, indigenous youths, aged 18-40 in the various hinterland villages and communities, were supposed to benefit from technical and governance training, to support their performance as Community Support Officers (CSOs) in village development.

The YEAP aimed at professionalising young people, while promoting personal and educational development and creating employment opportunities, regardless of the political persuasion of CSOs. The programme also provided stipends to the CSOs thereby helping to increase village income while boosting the local economy.

“Our observation was that the young people were doing more political work (rather) than giving support to

their councils and communities,” Indigenous

Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock had explained. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

“I need justice for my son” - Mother of Jaden Mars

Almost two years after the death of her four-yearold son Jaden Mars, his mother Natalie Casey is still seeking justice and trying to put the pieces of her life back together. The broken-hearted mother said that she was now forced to be in the eyes of the media once again as she was still

waiting on answers. Mars succumbed on December 10, 2013 while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital for an injured tongue. A post-mortem performed on the body of the four-year-old proved that he died from a blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by a substance

that had travelled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (pulmonary embolism). It has since been alleged that malpractice on the part of the medical workers who attended to the child at the time was the sole cause of his death.

The mother shared that when the post-mortem examination was be-

ing done, she had asked someone to bear witness to the process. She identified that person as current Public Health Minister George Norton, who she claimed told her that her son’s death was due to negligence and advised her to immediately take up legal action, which she went ahead with.

Casey noted that the case has since been concluded on the part of the Georgetown Public Hospital and was handed over to the Health Ministry. It is now before the Nursing and Medical Council. She further mentioned that the Council had indicated that persons were found to be negligent and responsible for her son’s death and disciplinary action would be taken against the said individuals.

The bereaved mother stated that there was still no word from the Council about the completion of its part. “I need the nurses and Medical Council to do their job and discipline the persons responsible and to be professional and call me or my lawyer and let us know that this is the

action that was taken against the persons that were responsible for the death of my son.”

She added that if the Council could not do its job, the health system would never improve as no one was being punished for acts of negligence that endangered people’s lives.

Casey shared that she is still living in torment, as she cannot enjoy her life; she is waiting on persons to do their job so her son can receive justice.

Additionally, Casey shared that when the current Government was in Opposition, it had shared that her son’s case would be one of the

first that it would look into if it got elected and would attempt to reach a monetary settlement with her.

She noted that the Government did make contact with her through Attorney Jaya Manickchand, and presented her with a settlement. However, Casey stated that the conditions of the settlement, which she did not disclose, were too much for her to agree to, although she responded positively to the settlement offer.

She had inquired if the conditions could be negotiated or removed. Casey noted that it has been about three months since, and she has received no word from the Ministry. Also while waiting on word from the Ministry, the mother shared that she had relaxed on her son’s case, and added that it was infuriating that these institutions were yet to do their part in this matter.

“If they are waiting on me to give up, I never gave up on my child when he was alive and I won’t give up on seeking justice for him now,” Casey declared. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

Chicken outlet robbed at

Rosignol

Two armed robbers attacked a chicken outlet at Rosignol and carted off an undisclosed amount of cash, in the process firing a shot at one of the employees. The incident occurred at Arjune Chicken Depot along Stelling Road Rosignol, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Sunday.

According to the cashier of the business,

Sonita Chisholm, at the time of the robbery she and six workers were in the building when two masked men came in.” They had kerchief over their face and one come straight to me with a knife and the other one go the back and take out a gun and tell the workers to turn their face to the wall.”

The knife-wielding bandit then took the cashier, who had been weighting chicken, into the booth.

“He just pull me and come inside the cashier booth and then collect all the money and then take out the memory from the camera and they go away,” the woman, who has been working with the company for four years, said. She explained that there were

two cameras situated in the building, but with the memory taken, the surveillance footage was inaccessible.

She added that her cellular phone was also taken by the thieves who removed a gold chain from another employee’s neck.

“I can’t say how much money it is because when I sell I just throw the money in there and is till when we finish that’s when I check up I would know how much is the sales. But on Sundays we does got plenty money because most of the business we do is credit and on Sundays people does come and pay.” The men are said to have left on a bicycle. Police are investigating. No arrests have been made.

State forensic audits: 5 down, 16 more to go – Sharma reports

Several of the series of forensic audits launched into the various State agencies across Guyana are on the verge of wrapping up, according to Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma.

During a telephone interview with the Guyana Times International on Tuesday, Sharma disclosed that the Ministry was in receipt of preliminary reports from five agencies and that the draft reports from 16 agencies were still to be submitted.

“Some are completed, some are in the stage of completion,” the Minister stated, however, he declined to comment on which entities’ probes have been completed and which still had audits ongoing.

Some of the agencies in the auditing lineup are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

(GGMC); the Guyana Gold Board (GGB); the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil).

Meanwhile, the Minister explained that the preliminary reports will have to be reviewed but if glitches were still discovered, then the probe may have to be reopened.

“They are still under review and additional works may arise,” Sharma said, referring to the five reports that were submitted.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, upon ascension to office, had launched in-depth forensic audits into several State agencies across the

country for the purpose of “understanding” how the agencies work and to detect the existing malpractices and develop initiatives that can address them.

Asked about the discoveries made thus far, Sharma said he was not at liberty to discuss that information. Previously, Sharma had told this publication that the findings were not for public disclosure but were for “internal purposes”.

However, he explained that once Finance Minister Winston Jordan reviews the reports, they would then be distributed to the relevant Ministries who can then decide if they want to reveal the reports to the public.

Moreover, during the

Kamla defends elections petition

Trinidad and Tobago: What if the Elections and Boundaries Commission was wrong in its decision to extend polling by one hour in Trinidad during the September 7 general elections. That is the question the court must decide before any other national election is held in this country, new Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said after receiving her instruments of appointment from President Anthony Carmona at his office in St Ann’s.

Several former ministers, including Roodal Moonilal, Surujrattan Rambachan, Tim Gopeesingh, Christine Hosein and Fazal Karim were present for the ceremony. Notable absent were COP leader Prakash Ramadhar and TOP leader Ashworth Jack but NJAC leader Kwasi Mutema was present.

Persad-Bissessar was

forced to tell those present before the event began that its late start was due to no fault of her own.

She said the delay was due to a request from President Carmona to meet with her before the event got underway.

Persad-Bissessar said tweets about her being late for the event were false as she was there on time. She then left the room for the meeting with the President, minutes later she arrived for the ceremony to begin.

Persad-Bissessar said the legal challenge to the EBC decision was in the interest of all citizens.

“It is in the national interest to have a determinative ruling from the courts as to the parameters of the EBC’s powers under section 71 of the Constitution and under the Representation of the Peoples Act,” she insisted.

In response to criticism of the UNC move,

Persad-Bissessar said:

“We should not be criticised for doing what is right and lawful under our democracy.” The Opposition Leader said: “The decision of the court in these matters will provide certainty and clarity for future elections.”

The Opposition is seeking to have the court declare the results in six marginal constituencies San Fernando West, La Horquetta/Talparo, Toco/Sangre Grande, Tunapuna, St Joseph and Moruga/Tableland declared null and void. If successful, the court may order that by-elections be held or may possibly rule that a declaration that the EBC breached its powers be granted.

Yesterday, the former prime minister said based on the Constitution, all arms of the State must operate within their provisions. “One of the pillars of our Constitution is therefore the rule of

recent interview, he made it clear that the audits were not intended to go after the former Ministers of Government, but were to understand the workings of the relevant agencies since the coalition hardly had any knowledge of the financial and operational status of the various agencies.

In fact, he posited that the Asset Recovery Unit would be the entity that will “go after” the former Ministers and “to find out how much the Ministers thief”.

Challenges

Sharma explained that there were many challenges that he encountered on daily basis – which is contributing to the holdup of the outstanding audit reports.

law—governance and State activity according to law—not according to the “Divine right of Kings” or the arbitrary dictates of some self-proclaimed elitist group, masquerading as “independent,” she added.

He vented that the management of some of the various agencies were not cooperating with the auditors in the sharing of the necessary information.

Sharma explained that every time a problem arises where management engages in delay tactics to hand over the required information, he would then have to write to the respective Ministers for them to intervene and ensure the documents are provided so the auditors can continue their work.

“That’s why we have to send some of them on leave, so we can facilitate the investigations because even if they are here, they are going to give the auditors a hard time,” Sharma stated.

She quickly added however that the rule of law “does not and cannot mean that our independent institutions must operate outside of their constitutional remit, or that their constitutional independence is a justification for what may be arbitrary or biased actions.”

PPP willing to participate in Public Service CoI

The People’s Progressive Party on Monday said that it was interested in participating in the Government-sponsored Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service, however, there were systems that must be put in place.

The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee said that while it has an interest in participating, it is of the strong belief that the CoI was an unsuitable tool by which the terms of reference that were published can be achieved. He said the Party has recommended the recruitment of a suitable and qualified consultant to prepare a report on the matters identified in the terms of reference. When that is done, Rohee said, the PPP would be in a better position to provide its views on matters.

He said the Party has received an invitation to participate in the hearing, but the modus operandi which government has chosen differs from the Party’s understanding of how it should

be done. The CoI, which commenced on Tuesday, has been established to inquire into, report on, and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration and conditions of service for public servants.

It is also expected to determine measures to improve the efficiency of the public service. Also, there is to be a detailed examination of how salaries and wages are determined and allocated.

The Commission is expected to have a life of three to five months with the possibility of a renewal should the Commissioners feel the need for more time. The public hearings, which are open to the general public for oral presentations, will be conducted at the Secretariat Building of the Public Service Ministry on Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

The Commissioners include Professor Harold Lutchman, Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsaran.

Retiree charged with illegal possession of shotgun and ammo, trafficking in narcotics

Aretired GuySuCo employee was on Monday remanded to prison after he appeared before

Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court

Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with illegal possession of a shotgun and ammunition as well as trafficking in narcotics.

Seekumar Rambarran, 56, of 805 Crabwood Creek, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on Friday 18 September at Crabwood Creek he was found in possession of one 12 gauge shotgun without being the holder of a firearm license.

He also denied the charge which stated that on the said occasion he was found in possession of 51 live rounds of matching ammunition.

Additionally, the man pleaded not guilty to a charge which read that on the same occasion he was found in possession of 26 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Finally, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on the same day, he was found in possession of 36 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones told the Court that ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) received information that the

accused was involved in the sale of narcotics and as such engaged in a two- week sting operation, whereby the accused was placed under surveillance. On the day in question, the ranks entered the home of the accused to conduct a search and observed him throwing several small packets of the suspected drugs into an adjacent empty lot. He was taken to the spot and the drugs were recovered in his presence where he admitted ownership of the narcotics. A subsequent search of his garden resulted in the discovery of the shotgun and ammunition. The accused then allegedly offered the ranks a bribe of Gy$1 million.

The man’s Attorney James Bond related to the Court that his client does not have any knowledge of the items and did not admit ownership of any of the narcotics or guns. He explained that the accused is a shopkeeper and is sickly as a result of years of exposure to pesticides while working at GuySuco as a pest controller.

He stated that the drugs were found over 200 feet from his client’s residence and as such his client was neither in custody nor control of the illicit substance. He further revealed that on the day in question, both his client and his client’s reputed wife were taken into custody but by some “special logic”, the wife was released and all charges dropped.

He stated that the prosecution cannot impute knowledge and custody of the items on the accused and not his wife, given the logic being used for the arrest of the accused. He challenged the Prosecutor’s allegation of his client’s attempt to bribe ranks, stating that he visited the Police Station and spoke to the ranks and no such report was given. He therefore made an application for bail citing his argument as a special reason.

The Magistrate refused bail and remanded the accused to prison. The matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for October 5.

Cattle farmer charged with trafficking in narcotics

Acattle farmer was on Monday remanded to prison after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with trafficking in narcotics.

Kenneth Hazel, 45, of 10 Crabwood Creek, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on Friday, September 18 at Crabwood Creek, he was found in possession of 1.6 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) were engaged in a two-week sting operation, whereby a well-known “drug

Kenneth Hazel was on monday remanded to prison after he was charged with trafficking in narcotics

house” placed under surveillance. On the day in question, the ranks approached the defendant, who was seen leaving the house, to conduct a search and observed him throwing a small packet of the suspected drug on the ground. He was taken to the spot and the substance was recovered

in his presence.

The man denied the allegation telling the court that he was a single parent to a six-yearold girl. He claimed that on the day in question he had just taken his child to school and was on his way to sell milk when the Police approached him and picked up a packet of drugs from the ground and tried to get him to accept ownership of it.

He broke into tears as he begged the Magistrate to locate his young daughter who was left in the care of teachers as he explained that he has no next of kin to care for her. “See what yuh could do fuh me, Ma’am…ah beggin yuh,” he pleaded. Bail was denied and the matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for September 29.

Guyana’s economic slowdown evident in Capital city

…several store owners report significant decreases in

sales

Businesses in Georgetown are facing the harsh realities of the economic slowdown for the past few months and the owners are calling on Government to tend to the situation urgently as they grapple with a decrease in sales as well as the increase in the prices of goods. A trip to the usual bustling Regent Street on Saturday revealed that business is not only slow for the large scale businesses, but also for the small businesses.

Dave Lall, a large scale fisherman expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the new Government is handling the situation as he stated that they are not putting enough effort into reviving the economy. “For the past two years business in the entirety has been on a constant slope, as of mid

Fleet of business on regent Street

May, 2015, that slope escalated into a downward spiral with no visible intentions of a parachute upwards. One has to wonder why the sudden drop just as we welcomed a new Government after 23 years? Is it because the majority of people who spend money and keep the economy afloat are awaiting the decisions and actions of the new Government before they start spending again? Is it because people naturally don’t have money to spend? Surely it cannot be because of a new Government.

As of now, the new Government has not instituted any new policies or regulations that would cause such a drastic change towards the spending pattern of the Guyanese people. Now the important and rational question is…what will the new dispensation do to build consum-

er confidence and get the Guyanese people spending again?” he stated.

Lance McPherson, a handicraft vendor explained that he is facing the negative impacts of the slowdown as it is throwing him on the breadline. “For the past three months business has being slow…money circulation was here when they were school shopping but not as normal, certain bills are challenging to meet,” the man related.

Some persons expressed the view that the chances of the economy improving are low if the Government does not find ways of assuring and coercing investors’ confidence. “Surely the Minister of Business needs to step in here as he is yet to do anything of substance. Why do we even have a Minister of Business if after five months he still cannot continued on page 26

Coast Guard sends 121 more Cubans packing after failed attempts to enter US

Washington:

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has sent 121 Cuban migrants back home in the past week, after they were caught trying to enter the US illegally.

They were held in nine separate interdictions at sea in the south Florida Straits and, according to the Coast Guard, in each case the Cubans were travelling on unseaworthy vessels commonly referred to as “rustics” or “chugs.”

The USCG said it had therefore not only helped secure the US border, but also prevented these perilous sea voyages from ending in tragedy, adding that the migrants all received food, water, shelter and basic medical attention once they boarded the Coast Guard vessels.

“Despite the recent

steps to begin normalizing ties with Cuba, the Coast Guard’s missions and operations in the southeast remain unchanged,” said Captain Mark Fedor, Coast Guard 7th District chief of response.

“Our immigration policies remain the same, and we continue to strongly discourage those attempting to illegally enter the country by taking to the sea. There are legal ways to enter this country and this is not it.”

Since October 1 last year, 4,308 Cubans have attempted to illegally migrate via the sea, according to the USCG. These numbers represent the total amount of atsea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic. (Caribbean 360)

Two new GECOM Commissioners sworn in

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is now ‘back up to strength’ with the appointment of former Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn and former Human Services and Social Security Minister Bibi Shaddick as Commissioners.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioners were sworn in on Tuesday by President David Granger in the presence of GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally; Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; GECOM Commissioner, Attorney Sase Gunraj and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Benn and Shaddick have now replaced Mohamood Shaw and Athmaram Mangar who had penned their resignations recently, joining Attorney Gunraj, who was sworn in as a PPP/C Commissioner in February.

President Granger, in his address, said he was confident that

the newly appointed Commissioners will discharge their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will. He also used the opportunity to applaud the Commission

and Tobago. “Of course, we are all impressed with the fact that in our sister Caricom countries – Jamaica and Trinidad – the results were announced even before

on its ability to maintain stability in the electoral process. “Elections in Guyana are now on stable footing and I would like to congratulate the Chairman, the Chief Elections Officer and the members of the Commission.”

However, he said that there were some obstacles that must be overcome such as the timely delivery of election results, as he pointed to the examples set by Jamaica and Trinidad

midnight. I am sure it’s a challenge that we will eventually be able to meet.”

The untimely delivery of the May 11 General and Regional Elections results was of major concern not only to local stakeholders but international organisations such as the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (EOM/ OAS) who had observed the electoral process.

Berbice woman in custody after allegedly stabbing abusive husband

After enduring years of abuse, an East Canje, Berbice woman decided to put an end to it, a decision which landed her in Police custody and left her husband hospitalised in a critical condition. The incident occurred something around 20:00h last Saturday.

Daniel Persaud, 35, a fisherman of Lot 99

Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, is currently a patient in the Intensive Care Unit of the New Amsterdam Hospital nursing a stab wound to his chest. He is said to be in a stable but critical condition. Meanwhile, his 31-year-old wife Dianne Mc Calmon has been arrested and is assisting Police with their investigations.

that night an argument ensued over a man called “Pumpkin”.

The neighbours pointed out that they heard screaming and when they ran over to the house, they saw the man with a knife in his chest and his wife over him about to pull it out. However, they stopped her in order to prevent further injuries.

about “Pumpkin”. He noted that Saturday was not different. According to the teenager, his mother was in the kitchen breaking ice when his father went and began choking her.

According to information reaching Guyana Times International, the couple have been married for 14 years and shared an abusive relationship. They have four children ages: 13, 10, nine and six. On the day in question, Persaud allegedly attacked his wife causing her to retaliate by stabbing him.

This publication was informed that about five inches of the knife had penetrated the man’s body.

The neighbours attempted to apprehend the woman but she manage to escape. She was captured by Police on Sunday at a relative’s home a few houses away.

Neighbours told this newspaper that on Saturday, the couple were drinking all day and later

The couple’s 13-yearold son related to this newspaper that whenever his parents drank, they would often fight mostly

The young man recalled that his mother’s tongue was out of her mouth and it appeared as though she was about to faint, when she took the knife that was in her hand and stabbed the father in his chest. He said he and his siblings were pleading with their father to let go of their mother but he did not adhere.

This publication was made to understand that the abuse was to such an extent that one of the woman’s fingers is paralysed. Additionally, her thumb was strained earlier this month after Persaud reportedly kicked her down the

stairs.

Moreover, Mc Calmon lost three babies after receiving severe beatings at the hands of her husband, a recent one being in July. This newspaper was told that after receiving a bout of beating, the woman went to the hospital, where for the third time she delivered a still born baby. She was seven months pregnant at the time.

Speaking to this publication, relatives indicated that Persaud would go out to sea and when he returns, he would give his wife just Gy$2000 and would use the rest of the money to consume alco-

hol. The family noted that the situation forced the woman to do domestic work around the community. They further claimed she started having a relationship with “Pumpkin”.

Furthermore, the relatives related that whenever the woman reported the abuse to Police, she would later go and withdraw her complaint. They further noted this was the case back in July when she reported the beating that caused her to lose the baby.

The 31-year-old woman is expected to be charged and placed before the courts.

Ex-GDF Officer tipped to head Govt’s Public Service College

One of the many military colleagues of the top tier of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government is likely to be chosen to manage the soon-to-be established Public Service Training College – a move that will increase already existing suspicions and fears that Guyana will soon return to the authoritarian People’s National Congress (PNC)-type rule known to be practised by the militarised administration.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had sounded its alarm bells prior to the elections that should the coalition win, it would commit to ensuring military or former military personnel would occupy most of the key and strategic positions in the hierarchy of the governing system.

State Minister Joseph Harmon confirmed to the Guyana Times International that one Colonel Paul was currently overseeing the paperwork concerning the establishment and management system of the college, but no decision has been taken on

whether or not he would be appointed manager of the college.

Meanwhile, the fear of being once again governed by a militarised Government has its origins in the long days of the PNC tenure. Leader of the PNC, Forbes Burnham had made the officer corps of the Disciplined Forces swear personal loyalty to him. His successor Desmond Hoyte had once spoken of his party’s “kith and kin” in the Disciplined Forces. During that period also, serving members of the Disciplined Forces actively engaged in politics such as seizing ballot boxes and sequestering them at Camp Ayanganna.

These concerns were repeatedly raised by PPP/C Executive Member Dr Roger Luncheon on many occasions in the lead-up to the recently concluded elections. In fact, Dr Luncheon had reminded that those same military personnel who had violated their oaths as officers and the Constitution of Guyana to politically serve their President of the day are the same men who were contesting to be leaders of Guyana.

Region 2 farmers reject low price for rice

Even as rice harvesting commenced in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), rice farmers are not receiving the right price for paddy and several millers along the Essequibo Coast are rejecting farmers’ Grade C paddy.

Farmers with much dissatisfaction said the price for rice is not right and they are facing serious “blows” this autumn

crop. One disappointed rice farmer said he took his harvest to a mill at Vilvorden and his paddy was rejected because it was C grade. The farmer who is living at Reliance Village on the Coast said that although he travelled some 10 miles he had to journey to another mill at another location that is purchasing Grade C.

Like that farmer, oth-

er farmers are very disappointed as most of the paddy harvested after often not of Grade A. This newspaper understands that a miller in Vilvorden Village is paying Gy$1,900 for Extra A, Gy$1,700 for A and Gy$1,600 for Grade B paddy. That miller is not accepting Grade C which is of a lesser quality.

At Paradise Village, a miller is paying Gy$1,820

for a bag of Extra A, Gy$1,620 for Grade A and Gy$1,520 for Grade B. That miller too is not accepting Grade C paddy.

At Affiance, the miller there is paying Gy$1,800, Gy$1,700 and Gy$1,600 respectively. That miller is however accepting Grade C but is not buying in large quantity. That miller is only buying for the purpose of consumption and not for export due to the lack of markets.

Another miller at Anna Regina is paying Gy$2,200 for a bag of Grade A. Many rice farmers are seen in front of that mill since it has the best price offered.

Many rice farmers have taken their paddy to millers without even knowing what price will be offered to them. This is mainly because of the lack of storage bonds within the Region.

Bumper harvest

Farmers further explained that although they have harvested more paddy as compared to last crop, the price still can-

not compensate. The cost for producing a bag of paddy is approximately Gy$2,700. Currently rice farmers can be seen using the dry weather condition to harvest their fields.

Harvesting has commenced in villages in the South, namely, Golden Fleece, Hibernia, Riverstown, Coffee Grove and Windsor Castle. Over 38,283 acres are under rice cultivation within the Region.

According to information from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) at Anna Regina, some 1,464 acres are already harvested and production per acre is averaged at 35.4 bags.

In relation to access dams, Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah said the Regional Administration is currently assisting in chipping and levelling those dams in rice growing areas.

Coonjah, who has responsibility for drainage and irrigation, said the Regional Administration along with assistance

from the two Water Users Associations (WUA) are working together to get the dams done thus providing better access from farm to market.

Rice farmers during a recent protest at Anna Regina have voiced their concerns, questioning the new Granger-led Administration about the lack of representation and markets. They have also questioned where is the Gy$23 billion that was allocated to the rice industry. Recently also the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) Councillor Samad Baksh at the Regional Democratic Council meeting said that the rice industry in Guyana is a difficult one, suggesting that farmers need better prices.

Rice farmers are calling on Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder for answers as to what is really going on in the rice industry and specifically what is his Ministry doing to assist them.

Decomposed bodies of Brazilians found in swamp

The Guyana Police Force on Monday reported that investigations have been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of two miners whose bodies were discovered in a swamp.

The bodies were discovered around 14:30h on Sunday at Aramau Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The miners have been identified as Brazilian nationals Jose Carlos Barbosa Araujo, 45, and Adonias Ferreira, 37. The bodies are at the Bartica Hospital Mortuary. The Police are awaiting the results of the autopsy as the investigations continue.

The dead man had been identified as 40-year-old Domingo Rodgrigues Santos of Quamina Street, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Over the past few months, there has been an increase in the number of Brazilian nationals – mostly miners –who are being violently attacked and robbed. In most cases, these incidents resulted in fatalities.

Last month, another Brazilian national, 57-year-old Antonio Rodriguez Da Silva of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, was chopped to death during an argument with another man. The incident occurred at Chinese Creek, Puruni, Region Seven.

The incident occurred even as investigators are still probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a Brazilian national, whose body was discovered back in August in Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

Guyana’s upstream Oil and Gas Policy to be upgraded – Minister Trotman

By Kristen MacKlingaM

Work is expected to begin soon on the upgrading of the Upstream Gas and Oil Policy which was developed two years ago following discussions between Governance Minister Raphael Trotman and members of the Oceans and Natural Resources Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Guyana Times International understands that the Commonwealth representatives, Dr Daniel Wilde and Dr Ekpen Omonbude on Monday met with Minister Trotman who is responsible for the Natural Resources and Environment Sector in Guyana.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Administration earlier this month had announced that an invitation was extended to Commonwealth to return to Guyana to assist in updating and upgrading the old document. This is in light of the recent discovery of oil by the US oil giant ExxonMobil.

It should be noted that the Commonwealth team was expected to visit Guyana in November so that the new document could be drafted, however, given to the fact that Minister Trotman would be unavailable during that time the visit was brought forward.

It was reported that Dr Omonbude explained that the upgrade to the policy would involve an analysis of the legislative, contractual and regulatory frameworks presently in place in order to determine how best they can be improved. This is essential in benefitting Guyana.

He stated that the team will be reviewing the fiscal arrangements

for upstream petroleum activities for two purposes: to assess its strengths and weaknesses, and to strike the balance to obtain revenue.

In cases where weaknesses are found, recommendations would be made as to what should be done so as to move forward. It is expected that there will also be the examination of the existing petroleum legislation and contracts as well as comments and recommendations will be made by Commonwealth.

Meanwhile, Dr Wilde divulged that the team will also examine the resource management plan of Guyana as well as offer advice and make suggestions relating to the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

According to the Commonwealth representative, the setting up of the SWF is very crucial and presently a number of countries are now pursuing this in the initial stages. He noted that as such it is commendable to see that Guyana was interested in pursuing this; hence the Commonwealth was ready to offer its assistance in this area.

Shocking!

“Gy$23B for oil not rice” - Finance Minister finally confesses

In finally coming clean about Government’s real intentions for the Gy$23 billion which was initially promised for rice farmers, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in a startling disclosure, clarified once and for all that the money was utilised to settle Guyana’s outstanding oil debt to Venezuela and ultimately was never really going towards the rice industry and the desperate farmers.

In debatably its biggest act of subterfuge since ascension to Executive Office, the Government misled and manipulated the entire population into believing that the money would have been utilised to bring some form of relief to the more than 7000 rice farmers who are currently crying out over late payments from millers and other issues plaguing this critical industry.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Jordan, in providing a long overdue explanation, stated that

Guyana was indebted to Venezuela for oil it had previously purchased under the PetroCaribe arrangement. Under the rice-foroil deal, Guyana was required to pay upfront a percentage of the cost of fuel acquired from Venezuela, with the balance, which was being placed in the PetroCaribe Fund at the Bank of Guyana, being treated as a loan repayable over 23 years, with a two-year grace period and two per cent interest. Each deposit into the Fund was treated as a loan to the country on

the same concessionary terms. This resulted in Guyana being able to defer its payments, which were at concessionary rates, over a longer period of time.

Therefore, some of the money in the Fund was utilised to facilitate payment to farmers, via millers, for rice purchased by Government for shipment to Venezuela. In simpler terms, this arrangement saw payments for the rice shipments being used to write off Guyana’s debts to Venezuela. Since the new Government declared that the Fund became depleted owing to alleged mismanagement of the money by the previous Administration, it announced that it was forced to find an alternative source of money to pay the rice millers (for rice to be shipped to Venezuela as the outstanding payment for the fuel acquired).

According to Minister Jordan, upon recognising the “gravity of the situation” of an empty PetroCaribe Fund, the continued

Family members storm school, assault headteacher

…following teen’s suicide

The Department of Education in Region

Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) has expressed concern over the verbal abuse being meted out to the headteacher and other staff members of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School.

Speaking at a media conference on the issue, Regional Chairman David Armogan said relatives of the student who recently took his own life, went to the school last Friday and issued threatening remarks to the staff. “A few carloads of them went to the school to intimidate the headteacher and other teachers and used foul language.”

The headteacher was also assaulted.

On September 10, 14-year-old Joshua Beepat of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, was found hanging by a rope from the neck in the garage at his home. His father Ramnauth Beepat later accused the class teacher of causing the teenager to harm himself.

Young Beepat was accused of touching a female student in an inappropriate manner and was disciplined by his class teacher. The incident was

mentioned to the class and also at a Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting. The boy’s father is of the view that the way the matter was treated resulted in Joshua turning to suicide.

Armogan said that after the incident the teacher met with both students and asked Joshua if he liked the girl and he said yes but when she asked the girl the same question, the girl said no. “So the teacher told him not to trouble the girl anymore, because she does not like you.”

However, the Beepats are holding the teacher accountable and have vented their outrage publicly.

“We understand how difficult it is to cope with the loss of their child, but

some level of responsibility must be shown. We cannot allow them to come into the school and make threats. We will have to take appropriate action if this continues. We cannot allow parents and other relatives to go into the school and take action against these teachers as a result of this incident,” the Chairman said.

According to him, the teacher cannot be blamed for the boy committing suicide. He said a thorough investigation was done by the Department of Education.”There is a law to deal with that and the penalty is very severe if you go into school and try to fight with teachers. In this instance, we will want to call in the Police and let good sense prevail, because if the Police intervenes into the matter, it can become worse.”

Armogan said the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has promised to take the necessary action if the situation was allowed to continue. Action, he explained, could result in several schools closing in solidarity with the Lower Corentyne Secondary School teachers.

Rohee to APNU/AFC: “Put your house in order first before engaging the

The

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said while it has not received any formal invitation by government to participate in its proposed unity talks, such an invitation might be premature since the APNU/AFC alliance must first settle its own obvious internal differences.

The Party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee on Monday said that Government, which is ostensibly seeking to hold talks on inclusionary government with the Opposition, has its own internal issues to deal with. He however did not say what those issues are, but noted that they needed to be trashed out before any talks on unity could be had.

He said too that Government is making the assertion that “things are in the pipeline,” when they actually are not. He said his Party has not received any formal invitation for this and is not looking forward to any.

“Mr Harmon spoke as though there is already agreement between the two sides to engage formally and that the process should begin with an exchange of correspondence on the modalities for talks when there is none. For Mr Harmon’s information and guidance there is no such agreement. The PPP has not received any formal communication on the matter nor are we requesting any”, he told journalists.

Rohee said there is actually much confusion in the APNU+AFC

camp on this matter and it seems best that the alliance settle their internal differences and put their house in order before any attempt is made to engage the PPP.

The PPP had earlier shot down the move by Government to have its Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo lead the talks, when it was first announced by the latter in a meeting at Whim in Berbice. Opposition leader Bharat Jagdeo had said that if it were to be, the PPP would rather have President Granger in such talks than Nagamootoo.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday however told Journalists that if the PPP has an issue with Nagamootoo, they should express this through a formal written statement rather than playing it down through the press.

This however did not sit well with the PPP.

Rohee said the Granger Administration has persistently sought

PPP”

to frame the political agenda for the PPP. He referred to the recently held General and Regional Elections, the PPP’s re-entry to the 11th Parliament and its current attempt to adopt what he described as a twin track approach by creating and fostering the extant psychological environment by racial and political intimidation and victimization.

He said the APNU+AFC scarecrow politics will “get us nowhere” save to return us to the days prior to the 1992 period when the lack of democracy at the political and social levels and the ruination of the economy was the “order of the day”.

He said the call for “unity talks” therefore has to be contextualized and framed within this backdrop.

He noted too that history is replete with examples attesting to the contrary and on every occasion there was a context in which such talks took place.

Reducing Essequibo ferry fares: Govt wants consumers to make

“official” complaint

Amid the media highlighted hue and cry from residents of Essequibo and the North West district who have been bitterly complaining of the blatant neglect from the Government regarding the onerous transportation costs they too pay to journey from their hometown to Georgetown, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson indicated that his Ministry would only look into those concerns if those residents make a formal complaint to the relevant authorities.

He added too that the Ministry was not in receipt of any formal complaints from residents concerning these transportation woes and gave the impression that Government would not address the matter unless it was “formally” reported at the level of the Ministry. Residents, when contacted however, said that Berbicians had not been asked to make such calls.

Following the immense attention being paid to the people of Berbice and their burdensome transportation expenses, residents of other far-flung regions like the Essequibo Coast and those from the Mabaruma area decided it best they publicly raise their concerns over the pricey fee structure they are confronted with.

Regional authorities, including Region One (Barima-Waini) Regional Chairman Brentol Ashley and Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah, have also voiced their support for the calls being sounded by disgruntled residents. Even Berbice officials including President of the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Abraham Sooknauth and the President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Rajnauth Ramroop admitted that the fees the other citizens have to endure were extremely costly and urged the Government to address the matter with an equal approach.

In relation to the Berbicians, Government already introduced a heavily subsidised state operated river taxi service which sees pensioners, schoolchildren and nurses travelling for free, while others pay a low price of Gy$120 to get from New Amsterdam to Rosignol. In addition, Government is still pushing the Berbice River Bridge Company to reduce its tolls to bring further relief to the residents there.

Those residing in the

Essequibo region have to pay Gy$380 per person and Gy$1140 for a person with an empty vehicle (one-way) to reach Georgetown via the ferry service. Therefore, a journey back and forth for a vehicle owner would amount to Gy$2280 plus an additional Gy$1900 for five passengers – a total of Gy$4180 to travel from and to Region Two. A minibus with 15 passengers would have to pay the Gy$2280 plus Gy$5400 for the passengers for a total of Gy$7680 for a trip to Parika. Businesses pay twice that amount when their vehicles are weighed.

In the North West, residents of Port Kaituma have to pay a total of Gy$17,800 to get to Georgetown if they utilise the North West-CharitySupenaam-ParikaGeorgetown route (from Port Kaituma to Charity Gy$15,000; from Charity to Supenaam Gy$1000; from Supenaam to Parika Gy$1300 and from Parika to Georgetown Gy$500). A return trip would, therefore, cost one person Gy$35,600. Residents from Moruca, which is closer to Charity, have to pay Gy$6300 to get to Georgetown (Gy$12,600 return) since the cost from Moruca to Charity is Gy$3500.

However, one alternative is the ferry system which takes residents directly from Port Kaituma to Georgetown at a cost of Gy$2000. But this mode takes about 34 hours whereas the other route takes just about five hours. The other alternative is travelling via aeroplane which costs about Gy$15,000 per person from Port Kaituma to Ogle.

The residents are contending that the fees they pay drastically exceed the cost being endured by the people of Berbice and they, therefore, cannot understand the preferential treatment being given to that region. The residents are demanding that Government administer equal treatment to citizens all across Guyana and insisted that their regions also get some form of relief in relation to the transportation expenses.

After the Minister’s comment, residents bemoaned that once again they were being treated like Cinderella and asked to do more than Berbice. “This is not fair,” said a passenger on the ParikaSupenaam ferry, “Berbice was not forced to jump through such hurdles. We are still being treated like Cinderella.”

President hands over laptop to visually impaired UG student

President David Granger on Monday handed over a laptop complete with a printer, headphones, a DVD writer and a flash drive to Ceion Rollox, an 18-year old, visually-impaired first-year student of the University of Guyana.

Rollox, who resides at Sophia, lost his sight at the age of 14. However, this did not prevent him from achieving academic success at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, through the Guyana Institute for the Blind.

He wrote to President Granger seeking assistance to acquire a laptop, which would enable him to use special software with speech synthesisers as he

pursues a Degree in Communications.

The President, while handing over the items, said that as a matter

of policy, he was committed to supporting all forms of education.

He said, “We do not regard the loss of sight as

an impediment but as an opportunity for you to fulfil your educational objectives by different means.”

Heritage Exhibition on at Mahaicony

Vocational Training Centre

The National Trust of Guyana on Monday launched its annual Heritage Exhibition, under the theme, “Promoting Heritage, Fostering National Pride.”

The event is taking place at the Technical and Vocational Training Centre, Mahaicony, Region 5.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry, declared open the exhibition. In her address, Henry thanked the National Trust of Guyana for preserving and promoting national heritage and once again hosting the Exhibition.

Minster Henry noted that heritage is the business of everyone. “This year’s theme of Promoting Heritage, Fostering National Pride, is indeed a fitting one at this time, as it not only encapsulates the diversity in our heritage and showcases what we ought to be proud of today, but it encourages us to respect and appreciate this rich national legacy, so that our present and future generations can learn from it, and sustain it with pride,” the minister said.

Henry also emphasised that all

tangible and non-tangible aspects of Guyanese heritage are aimed at encouraging national pride. She pointed out that the national monuments play a big role in recognizing Guyana’s history, as they highlight the achievements of the Guyanese people. To this end, the minister called on Guyanese to contribute to the preservation of their heritage in whatever way they can, while at the same time encouraging others to do the same. She asked Guyanese to join in the celebration of the country’s 50th Independence anniversary, which comes up next year.

Minister Henry explained that the celebration is expected to last throughout the year 2016, and would be used to sensitise Guyanese about their rich and diverse heritage.

Also speaking at the opening of the exhibition was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Trust Guyana, Nirvana Persaud. Persaud pointed out that the exhibition is aimed at increasing heritage awareness in Guyana. She stated that, “No society could survive without the culture that defines its identity.” (GINA)

Guyana’s Health Ministry to crack down on poorly packaged foods

The Ministry of Health in Guyana is preparing to launch an aggressive “reinforcement” campaign to seize and remove food items, which have been illegally packaged, by businesses that have not been certified to package foods.

This was disclosed by Director of the Health Ministry’s Food and Drug Unit, Marlan Cole, in an interview with this publication on Tuesday.

The department’s view is that: “It is distressing when you spend monies in a ‘goods not returnable’ shop and buy contaminated grocery which, if consumed, can cause

you to become infected with something dangerous to health, even deadly”.

Credible online health journals reveal that certain proteins (called allergens) which are found in cockroach faeces, saliva and body parts cause allergic reactions and trigger asthmatic symptoms, especially in children. Asthma is a serious chronic respiratory disease which is sometimes life-threatening.

“Cockroaches can also passively transport microbes on their body surfaces, including pathogens that are potentially dangerous to humans,” one health source said.

“Cockroaches have been impli-

cated in the spread of 33 kinds of bacteria, including the E. coli and Salmonella species, six parasitic worms, and more than seven other types of human pathogens”, another health source said.

Cole said that, in the upcoming campaign, his department will seriously investigate sanitation of industrial as well as small-business premises. He further stated that, in order to repackage, grocery shop owners must have a permit document from the Ministry of Health, a food handlers’ licence, and a food handlers’ certificate, which will be issued only after a 16-hour training programme.

No float parades for Mashramani 2016 – Minister Henry

Mashramani celebrations 2016 will be without the grand and spectacular float parades – as was done all the years since Guyana gained Republican status in 1970.

According to Junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry, who has responsibility for the department of culture, the annual Mashramani

float parade will be a no-show in 2016 – to make way for the country’s historical 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.

During an interview with Guyana Times International Henry explained the float parade will be moved to May 27 to coincide with the Independence Day on

May 26.

However, she assured that Mashramani 2016 celebrations will still entail the usual school competitions and cultural activities.

But in essence, Government’s plan is to “tone down Mashramani 2016” in order to “hype up” Independence Day 2016.

Asked whether the float parade will return for Mashramani 2017, Minister Henry indicated she is unsure but noted it is her expectation that it will.

Meanwhile, the Minister said the ostentatious costume design and float parades shifted for May is expected

to have 50 floats to symbolize Guyana’s celebration of 50 years as an Independent nation.

Asked about other activities in the lineup for the magnificent Independence Day celebrations, Minister Henry said events will commence as early as January and will include symposiums, cultural events and school competitions in every administrative region. On Independence Day, she said, there will be a two-hour cultural programme which will coincide with the flag-raising ceremony.

Moreover, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For

Shocking! ...

Government agreed to meet future payments to the farmers for rice shipped to Venezuela under the existing agreement through the Consolidated Fund rather than the PetroCaribe Fund which was deemed empty.

The Minister added that since the Gy$23 billion was set aside under “Statutory Expenditure”, it did not need the approval of the National Assembly.

Betrayal

Change (APNU+AFC)

Government aims to have these celebrations big and grand.

In fact, a commemorative committee was established to oversee the mass planning for the celebrations.

Some Gy$65 million was allocated in Budget 2015 for the Independence Day celebrations however, Minister Henry indicated that that amount is not enough. She explained that Gy$65 million is merely for the preparatory works and that a larger figure will be budgeted in 2016 to ensure the celebrations are a memorable success.

During his budget presentation, Minister Jordan gave the impression that the Gy$23 billion would be allocated to support payments to the rice farmers who were owed billions of dollars altogether for the supplies made to the millers or would go towards addressing some of the issues like drainage or irrigation affecting the rice industry.

Even amid numerous calls by those in the rice industry, including a desperate plea by over 400 rice farmers who travelled from afar to stage a protest in front of the Ministry of the Presidency demanding the release of the money, Government did not find the need to provide any clarity on the issue of the Gy$23 billion.

Subsequently,

in an invited comment to Guyana Times International, Jordan admitted that the money was never intended for the farmers but for “rice shipment”. This clarified that the monies had no connection to rice but rather to oil, which Guyana continues to receive under the PetroCaribe facility.

Following this revelation, stakeholders have argued that the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government blatantly betrayed the rice farmers.

Former President Donald Ramotar, in an invited comment, lashed out at the Administration for being short-sighted and not taking the issues of this vital industry seriously.

“The rice industry is extremely important to the economy of the country and it is very clear that they tried to mislead the rice farmers… the government seems to want his hands off the problems of rice industry and this is extremely unfortunate, because the rice industry is vital to the economy and it needs the support of the Government so it can continue to make a significant contribution to this country,” he stated.

Economic collapse feared in Bartica

…several businesses closing down

The evolving uncertainty surrounding the future of the country, combined with the progressive slump in gold prices, has created an economic breakdown in the once bustling community of Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Residents are crying as businesses continue to cut back on spending, while others plunge into bankruptcy or are forced to shut down. The drawback in economic spending power is taking a toll on all residents as they continue to hold onto their monies.

“This place up here different bad. Before, the entire First Ave would be crowded with people selling stuff, but now hardly anybody deh out,” said Molly, a resident from Second Avenue, Bartica.

First Avenue is typically where all the business activities would take place, and under normal circumstances a foreigner would be amazed by the level of activities occurring in such a small space.

“Normally, you know when them people does come out the bush; they gonna be spending nonstop, but not now. Them complaining how gold prices gone down bad and so they holding on

to the money,” a market vendor related.

According to residents, the situation is becoming worrying as businesses, one by one, continue to close their doors. Based on reports, a popular restaurant called “Boulevard” was forced to end operations due to the steep decline in sales.

Also, a Brazilian butcher who operates from a rented building complained of the minimal sales coming in and the high cost of operations, noting that it is significantly impacting his business.

“Normally I would kill like about eight cows a day, now it’s down to two or three cows. People ain’t buying, so I have to cut down,” he stated.

Residents are also fearful that the Church’s Chicken Restaurant in

Bartica will soon close its doors due to the decline in sales. In fact, residents explained that Church’s Chicken had been temporarily closed a while ago, but later reopened. Now, they presume the restaurant is heading for another closure.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association had previously reported that indeed the economy in Bartica is on a downhill. Signs of economic decline had actually begun since during the elections campaigning period, where residents were uncertain of the future of the country. From all indications, this uncertainty remains and arguably, has been growing since the instalment of the new Government. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

Granger pushes youth, women empowerment… at PNCR Council Meeting

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) held its third General Council Meeting for 2015 last Saturday where leader of the Party, President David Granger urged party members to focus on youth and women empowerment.

The meeting was held at the Party’s Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown. The General Council Meeting was held under the theme “PNCR – Facing the Future United and Resolved to Achieve National Consensus”.

During his feature address, President Granger said he was thankful for the hard work that was put in by Party members all across the country.

“I thank you, I want to thank you for all your hard work over the last 23 years to make this opportunity possible. I see this as an opportunity, not a victory,” he said. The President noted that the coalition’s victory was an opportunity to implement the promises the PNCR have been making to the people of Guyana. “It is an opportunity to serve,” he added.

The Leader urged the General Council to work to achieve several goals, including equality for women. “Over the next

children access to education,” he said.

Moreover, the Party Leader renewed his promise of one laptop per teacher, and called for more emphasis on Information Technology. He noted “… we have to train a generation that is committed to innovation… a generation of entrepreneurs and manufacturers.”

five years we must work to make women equality a reality,” Granger stated, while adding that the country could not move forward unless social cohesion is achieved.

“This country must be one nation, one people. If we are to achieve our full potential we have to become more socially cohesive,” the President noted.

Addressing youth unemployment, President Granger outlined that “jobs for our young men and women must be our top priority over the next five years.” He further noted that the high school drop-out rate is a major problem in the country. “A big problem in Guyana is keeping children in school; we must do everything possible to give all of our

To loud applause, the PNCR Leader told the General Council that APNU/AFC Administration will deliver a good life to all Guyanese. “We will deliver that good life for all Guyanese… it will not be done with hand-out, but with a helping hand.”

Saturday’s Council Meeting was chaired by the Party’s Chairman, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams. In his welcome and introductory remarks Williams pointed out that, “After 23 years, there is a new President – a PNCR President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.” Williams thanked Party Members for their hard work, steadfastness, sacrifice and for staying the course and working in partnership (APNU/AFC) to secure a victory for the people of Guyana at the May 2015 polls.

Major reforms coming for Guyana’s mining industry

Major reforms are underway for Guyana’s mining industry as Government plans to embark on several initiatives aimed at improving the overall operations of the sector to reduce mining deaths, eradicate illegal mining, and enhance law enforcement in the sector.

A recent meeting between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Minister of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and Environment Raphael Trotman, a decision was taken to immediately implement four key strategies which can form the basis of a total reform of the sector.

The initiatives to be immediately implemented include the sensitisation of miners and stakeholders with respect to mining deep deposits while taking the soil type, ground water level

working in one of the mining pits in the interior

and other geotechnical parameters into consideration. This programme would aid in raising awareness and educating stakeholders on the proper procedures to be followed to avoid incidents that could lead to fatal accidents.

In fact, the other initiative includes the development of a system of reporting mining accidents and mining-related deaths by GGMC operators. These systems will also record

“near misses” or slumping of pit walls/faces. Collection and evaluation of this information would prove useful in monitoring the practices implemented by miners so the authorities can consequently best determine how to intervene to address the respective issues.

Additionally, GGMC is mandated to conduct more regular sweeps in all the mining districts to ensure compliance with the established mining

and safety guidelines. However, Government did not elaborate on how they intend to do this.

Recently, the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into mining deaths revealed that GGMC did not have focus, capacity or strategy to ensure compliance with the established regulations. The report indicated that GGMC officials would perform its usual functions of monitoring and flagging noncompliant operators however,

these operators tend not the take the matter seriously. As a result, the operators would continue along the incorrect path while the GGMC officers look the other way.

The fourth step agreed upon by the team is the development of a comprehensive set of guidelines to deal with the stripping of overburden with or without excavators, clearing trees and debris from the rim of the pit, prohibiting the undercutting of working face, avoidance of high pit faces/walls, and establishing stable slopes, among other issues.

Revamping GGMC

Furthermore, President David Granger during the television programme “Public Interest” where he was being interviewed by a Government Information Agency (GINA) Editor and a Guyana Times/ Evening News Reporter, also rolled out some of his ideas for the revamping of the sector.

He stated Government will embark on removing all levels of

corruption from GGMC thus ensuring the “right people” are employed.

“We are looking at the quality of human resources, of management, and supervision,” he said, noting that the Commission will soon comprise of un-bribable civil servants.

President Granger also alluded to the lack of law enforcement in this sector and pledged to ensure this issue is immediately addressed.

He said steps are being taken to ensure stronger enforcement of the already existing laws through dispatching more officers into the regions to conduct regular checkups to ensure miners have the relevant documentation for mining and that they adhere to the laws.

Additionally, Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud disclosed that new checkpoints will be established and stronger intelligence gathering techniques will be employed to allow officers to better execute their mandate.

Why no forensic audit into Georgetown’s City Hall?

…several calls made for Govt to include City Hall on list of agencies to be audited

Controversy has arisen over Government’s decision to launch forensic audits into almost every State agency in the country, but bypass the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) –an agency plagued by repeated accusations of financial impropriety, which had been backed by several investigations.

However, Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma asserted that the City Council was a part of the local Government system and was, therefore, beyond the control of Central Government.

“City Hall is not part of Central Government… City Hall is local Government…It is independent,” Sharma said, claiming that the executive arm of Central Government has no direct authority to launch an audit into City Hall’s operations without its consent.

“City Hall has a council and the council has to determine if they want an audit,” the Minister claimed.

Asked whether Government ought not to think it necessary to launch a probe into the

M&CC operations, given the number of allegations of financial misappropriation and the fact the Central Government offers the city hundreds of millions in subventions, Sharma indicated that he was not in a position to respond. Instead, he referred Guyana Times International to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan; however, efforts to contact him proved futile.

Nonetheless, Sharma did explain that if Government wanted to launch an investigation into the operations of City Hall, then the respective Minister would have to make a proposal to Cabinet. If Cabinet has no objections, the

Minister can proceed to hold discussions with the City Council concerning the forensic audit. Therefore, the question still remains, why no forensic audit into City Hall?

This question has been in the public domain for quite some time, with observers wondering if the M&CC was overlooked for fiscal inspection, or if it was a deliberate decision taken by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government.

The City Council, for years, has failed to address the many issues facing the capital city of Georgetown. While the Council continuously

blamed its inability to deal with the problems confronting the capital on the lack of financial resources, the then Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker contended otherwise.

Whittaker had previously declared that the Council lacked the political will under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to actually

commit to responding to the changing dynamics of the city and to provide improved services to residents.

More specifically, Whittaker had pointed out that the Council has no serious debt recovery programme to capture the billions of dollars owed in taxes by businesses and residents. Instead, he explained, the Council con-

tinuously cried out that the Central Government did not provide adequate funds for it to effectively conduct its operations.

“How can the Georgetown Council now bombard Central Government for more resources when it is not taking steps to secure and utilise what it already has at its disposal?” Whittaker had questioned.

Govt to relaunch Agri and Industrial Development Bank – PM

In pointing that Government must play a key role in ensuring that local investors enjoy favourable benefits and concessions and there was “ample opportunity” for investment in both agriculture and aquaculture, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced the reestablishment of an Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank. With Guyana having a comparative advantage over many countries in agriculture, funding has proven to be a major constraint in the sector not moving towards diversification and vertical integration.

The Prime Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of the Berbice Expo on Friday at the Albion Community Centre Ground, Corentyne, Berbice.

The Prime Minister highlighted the bounty of nature that Guyana was blessed with, saying that he was proud that Berbice in particular produced some of the finest agricultural produce. He noted that Guyana had a high rate of unemployment and the Development Bank would provide seed capital and financing to the Agricultural Sector, which would boost entrepreneurship.

“Our Government recognises that entrepreneurship is necessary in getting young

people into small businesses as self-employers and as creators of wealth. We recognise also that Government must play a key role in ensuring that local investors enjoy the same benefits and concessions as foreign investors,” the Prime Minister stated. He said Government

hoped that the Berbice Expo would “inspire new entrepreneurs to come forward and occupy the space for more investment”, as he reaffirmed its commitment to the development of micro enterprises in Guyana which are critical to strengthening and sustaining the country’s economy, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that serious challenges were being experienced in the traditional export sectors – rice, sugar and gold, with the loss of the Venezuelan market and low paddy prices, continued problems in the sugar industry and the plummeting world gold price.

Nagamootoo told the gathering at the Berbice Expo, “…the answer lies in diversification…You have signalled that we must not depend only on rice and sugar to create or maintain employment. We need to get into other types of business to create wealth, to promote jobs and offer a better life in our various communities.”

The announcement of an Agri Bank was applauded by the hilt to the Private Sector Commission (PSC), who was present at the Berbice Expo. While the Private Sector banks have been very forthcoming in supporting the Agricultural Sector, the risks involved have evidently proved to be too great for a more expansive lending policy that could be undertaken by a development bank. Such institutions normally charge lower interest rates than the commercial banks. While this initiative is much welcomed by the Private Sector, it is not a new idea, the Guyana Agricultural and Industrial Development Bank (GAIBANK) was established many years ago, but was closed down over a decade ago. One of the problems was in collecting outstanding debt that was extended. In the present climate of higher liquidity in the banking community, however, the Agri Bank would be able to intermediate funds to the sector in a more focused manner because of its specialisation.

Health workers sanctioned for misdiagnosing women with HIV

By Kristen MacKlingaM

The employees in the State-run laboratory attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital, who mistakenly declared eight pregnant women HIV positive recently, have been sanctioned.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Friday stated that when an investigation into the matter was carried out, it was revealed that the workers at the laboratory did not follow protocol.

It should be noted that both the testing for HIV and its results are confidential and the deliverance of these results are supposed to be done on an individual basis, not collectively.

According to the Public Health Minister, persons who were directly involved in the matter inside of the laboratory have been “removed” as they were found to have executed their duties in a manner “against the rules.”

This publication was also told that only one test should be conducted at a time, but in this instance, the testing was done in batches and this should have never occurred.

Meanwhile, Dr Norton maintained that neither he nor his Ministry had ever tried to ‘cover up’ the situation when it was first brought to light and secured the attention of media operatives and the general public.

“The first article that came out says we were covering it up. That is not true. When we found out about this, we informed all the clinics (countrywide) and workers about the situation so we were in no way trying to cover up anything,” he told this newspaper.

However, Minister Norton emphasised that the matter has been dealt with and investigations have officially closed.

Recently, eight women were told that they were HIV positive when tests were conducted during their pregnancies, causing a number

of persons to become anguished and emotionally distressed.

It remains uncertain how long ago this incident occurred or the duration of time in which these women were left to believe they were HIV positive. Moreover, it remains unclear how these women eventually found out that the results were incorrect.

Nonetheless, the errors were subsequently corrected and the women were given their correct results.

Guyana Times International understands that the women and their families were completely traumatised by the disclosures and as a result, attended counselling sessions to help them recover from the shock.

Reports also indicate that several relationships were initially ruined after it was believed that the women were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Some of these women blamed their partners for contracting the disease and passing it on to them while some partners blamed the pregnant female for being unfaithful. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy. com)

Evening outing turns deadly

…infant killed, driver hospitalized after vehicle suffers blowout on Linden Highway

ASunday afternoon drive ended tragically with a 10-month-old infant losing his life, while another relative is in the hospital after the vehicle they were travelling in suffered a blow-out before turning turtle on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The dead infant was identified as Aiden Anderson of Lot 612 Section A Block Y, Golden Grove New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, while the injured driver is 26-year-old Mohamed Awaaz Ali, called “Boy” of Bush Lot, Berbice. At the time of the accident, there were four occupants in the vehicle including the infant’s mother Allana Hackett, 27, and her nephew Ameer Mohamed, 22, also of Golden Grove. These two sustained minor injuries.

Hackett told Guyana Times International she and her son, along with her nephew and cousin, were on their way to Long Creek on the Highway to visit her sister, when the vehicle started to pull on one side and then toppled. “He wasn’t driving that speed, like about 70, and then I feel the vehicle make a lil’ slant and then it topple over,” she recalled.

The distraught woman noted that she and her son were in the back seat at the time; however, after the vehicle came to a halt and she got out, she could not find the infant.

“When I come out the vehicle, I see the wheels in the air. Then I screamed for my baby because when the vehicle toppled, I didn’t know where he went,” the grieving mother recounted, adding “then my nephew come and give me my baby”.

Hackett recalled that her son was unconscious when she collected him but there were no injuries visible. She went on to say that she started screaming for help and a Tundra passing at the time

stopped to render assistance. The woman stated they were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she confronted her worst fears.

On Monday Guyana Times International visited the infant’s home where his mother was inconsolable. Aiden was Hackett’s and her husband’s only child. The woman wept as she looked at her son’s toys and other belongings, while her mother and sister could not hold back their tears. The grieving mother said that Aiden was very playful, friendly and loved smiling.

Meanwhile, the injured Ali remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital, to where he was transferred. The man’s father, Nazir Ali, told this newspaper that he was informed about the accident by his 22-year-old relative who was also in the vehicle. The man noted that he was a short distance away and rushed to the scene.

Ali said that his son was conscious but was experiencing pain about his body, including to his head. Furthermore, he said the young man is having severe back pain and his left hand cramps up frequently.

China Harbour stops work at CJIA after employee’s death

Following the death of one of its engineers and another being injured, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has stopped works on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

On Thursday afternoon, the two Chinese Nationals were working on the airport expansion project at Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD). They were testing the soil when the land caved in and trapped them beneath, killing one and injuring the other.

The dead man was identified as Lui Li while the injured man is Zhang Yixun. In a release, CHEC said it is deeply saddened by the unfortunate accident. The company noted that in light of the engineer’s tragic death, they are continuing to monitor the health and safety of its workers very carefully and is taking all the necessary measures to safeguard its staff.

“At the occurrence of this unfortunate event, CHEC immediately launched its emergency plan, and deployed its emergency team to address this issue. Since that time, the site has been closed until there is some resolution of the matter,” the Company outlined in the statement.

Furthermore, CHEC noted that it will continue to work with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances which led to the tragedy in order to ensure the continued safety of its employees.

According to information, Li was conducting a soil test in the Timehri area when the soil collapsed. He was pulled from beneath the soil several minutes later and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry had stated that rescue efforts were immediately activated but unfortunately, Li died while

receiving medical attention. Yixun was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment.

In light of the tragedy, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had requested that an investigation be launched into the incident immediately. A release from the Ministry stated the Chinese company is responsible for the health and safety of its employees on the work site.

China Harbour Engineering is a largescale construction, full service provider in nearly 90 countries around the world. CHEC has maintained a continuous presence in the Caribbean Region, with

Integrated approach needed to advance Hinterland development – Minister Allicock

There is need for a more strategic and integrated approach as it relates to the development of indigenous communities, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock told indigenous leaders of North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The Minister noted that the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) would now have the opportunity to truly fulfil its mandate, as it was given the responsibility to assist in overseeing community development projects in the North Rupununi, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The Board will be working closely with the communities to implement sustainable, income generating projects, and also provide technical support.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry is prepared to support any viable community projects, he said, noting that indigenous people need to move away from collecting handouts.

“We must have a district that we could manage effectively, have economic strength for our community. All projects we will be looking at should have an economic slant to it and we will support you with your ideas,” Minister Allicock told the leaders. He further noted that the Ministry, along with the NRDDB, would be closely monitoring the projects to ensure they are sustained. “Over the years, too many projects have been failing,” Allicock said.

The Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the fiveyear strategic plan for

indigenous development. This plan encapsulates a Hinterland Education Support Programme; Hinterland Poverty Reduction Programme; Hinterland Employment and Youth Service; Hinterland Infrastructure Extension; Hinterland Happy Household and Energy Development Programme; Hinterland and Indigenous Land Commission; Hinterland Language, Culture and Sports Commission; Hinterland Tourism Development Service, and Hinterland Public Service Provision Scheme.

Minister Allicock urged the leaders to put aside their political differences, and examine those programmes and support them so that there can be development in the hinterland.

To further boost community projects, the

World Bank wants new social contract to promote opportunities for all Haitians

Washington:

A new World Bank Group report is cautioning that faster economic growth alone will not be enough to improve the living standards of most Haitians, and proposes key priorities for rebuilding the social contract between the state and citizens.

developmental infrastructure projects, including major airports, highways, marine ports and dredging services.

Only recently, the report of the Commission of Inquiry into mining deaths proved that over the last 15 months, 28 persons had lost their lives; most coming from pit cave-ins. In addition, from 2012 to 2015, 62 miners, particularly young men, lost their lives on the job in pursuit of a livelihood in the mining sector.

The CoI into mining accidents was ordered by President David Granger after the death toll in the industry spiked in May when a Potaro Mining pit collapsed and killed 10 miners.

The document, ‘Haiti: Towards a New Narrative’, notes the progress made in reducing extreme poverty and maintaining macroeconomic stability.

“Following the earthquake, Haiti experienced its best performance in decades with a real growth rate averaging 3.3 per cent from 2011 to 2014, partly spurred by high levels of reconstruction aid. However, this growth is faltering and will not be sufficient for Haiti to achieve its vision of becoming an emerging economy by 2030 and improve life for its poorest citizens,” said Mary Barton-Dock, World Bank Special Envoy in Haiti.

“Haiti is at a cross road and this diagnos -

tic identifies key priority areas for action to generate opportunities for all Haitians.”

The authors highlight that, on one hand, the state struggles to provide adequate services for its citizens or a favourable climate for business and, on the other hand, few pay taxes.

In the absence of the state, non-state actors have stepped in: In health, about 50 per cent of health expenditures are provided by NGOs and 80 per cent of primary and secondary schools are run by private institutions or NGOs.

As Haiti is in the midst of legislative, presidential and municipal elections five years after the 2010 earthquake, the report aims to promote a debate around the social contract.

Additional priorities include: maintaining the stability of the macroeconomic environment; supporting the creation of more and better jobs; and reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience. (Caribbean 360)

Ministry will be launching a Youth Skills Training programme on October 1. This initiative will replace the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), and will allow indigenous youths to become certified in areas such as tourism, agriculture, and mechanical engineering.

In her address to the leaders, Minister within the Ministry of

Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams spoke of the need to link the hinterland to the coastland, not only through road networks and airstrips but also through communication and education. Hastings-Williams reminded the leaders that the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the information sector, has announced the expansion of the Paiwomak Radio

Station. “Gone are the days when Amerindians will be left in the dark. They have their radio station that will allow them to keep up with what is happening nationally, and even internationally,” she said. She also noted that most of the Budget 2015 projects have been advertised, and urged the leaders, through their Village Councils, to get involved, by bidding for some of these projects.

Govt to give “fresh mandate” to Integrity Commission

Minister of State Joseph Harmon has stated that Government will have to return to the National Assembly to have the names of persons approved as Commissioners of the Integrity Commission.

Giving an update on the Commission which has been dormant for some time now, Harmon told journalists on Friday that, “as of now, the Integrity Commission is a Commission without Commissioners and it is functioning under a CEO and a very small staff and a very limited budget”.

The Commission which is responsible for accountability of persons holding public office has been without a Chairman for some time and has reportedly been functioning with a skeletal staff.

Based on the Commission’s Act, the Commission’s staff should comprise a Chairman, three Commissioners, a Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, an Accounts Clerk, a Clerical Officer, a Receptionist, an Office Assistant and a Cleaner. However, this publication understands that almost half of these positions are vacant.

From the beginning of the Integrity Commission’s mission, the PNC has stymied its effectiveness when it refused to accept Bishop Randolph George as Chairman. They refused to submit information on assets and other personal financial transactions. The AFC followed their lead after it was formed. In the meantime, the PPP and other smaller parties made submissions.

Harmon said there are still some work that have to be done on the commission. He noted that while he recently held talks with staff members, which include a Chief Executive Officer, the question is the appointment of Commissioners.

Harmon said he assured the staff that as soon as work of the National Assembly allows for the appointment of the commissioners, “they will be there”.

The Minister of State also relayed that Government will also be giving a fresh look at the mandate of the Commission; since it felt the Commission did not have enough power to enforce any decision.

“The fact that these officials would submit to the commission and there was no clear procedure as to what happened after that, that there was some mechanism within the law to ensure that there is a follow-up to these claims”

He said it would be a waste of time if the Commission did not have the capacity to investigate those claims.

Just last week, former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

renewed a call for all Members of Parliament (MPs) to declare all their assets, to both the Integrity Commission and the general public.

“I said to the President (David Granger) that since there have been lots of charges about people stashing money abroad … and since we are in this transparency mode, some of the things we can work on are, first of all, why don’t we get all of our Members of Parliament to make public, not just to the Integrity Commission, but to make public, their assets held outside of Guyana because there are claims that it is difficult to access that because they say you can find things in Guyana, but they have a hard time tracking things around the world,” Jagdeo had said

He explained a law can be passed to allow parliamentarians to deposit affidavits in the National Assembly so any member of the public can visit and check to see the assets each MP has abroad, noting that similar provision can be made for the public availability of the taxes paid by each MP.

Police still to crack ‘Black Chiney’ murder case

It has been almost a month since the brutal murder of wellknown Chinese restaurateur Zhenju Su, called “Black Chiney”, occurred at his home on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, and the police have not yet been able to arrest anyone for this crime, although detectives are pressing on assiduously to solve the case.

Several persons had been detained and questioned, but there wasn’t enough evidence for the police to further detain them.

Detectives have said they are working on some leads and eventually they will be successful. As such, they are asking persons to volunteer information in relation to the homicide.

Su’s Jade Stone Chinese Restaurant on Mandela Avenue in Ruimveldt, Georgetown was broken into at about 03:00hrs on August 7, 2015, when armed bandits descended on Su and his wife and demanded money. They then hacked Su to death in the kitchen of his eating house, and severely beat his wife, Fei Su, 32.

The bandits also took away an undisclosed amount of cash from the residence.

After the robbers had left, Fei Su went in search of her husband, whose lifeless body she found on the kitchen floor, bound, gagged, and bearing multiple chop wounds to his head. His feet were also tied.

Initially, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had told this newspaper that another suspect had been arrested, but that suspect was later released, while two others who were detained were also released.

After the homicide, several members of the business community, outraged by the brutality of the crime which had claimed the life of their friend, put up a Gy$2M reward for information leading to the capture of the perpetrators.

Detectives have said that, even with the reward being offered, the police have received very few calls, but their behind-the-scenes work had led to three persons being arrested separately.

Democracy under attack – PPP

…says Govt using “political” REO’s to subvert RDC’s Chairmen

The David Grangerled Administration

is being accused of violating the constitution by usurping powers bestowed on Regional Chairmen across the country, through their appointed Regional Executive Officers (REOs), particularly in the seven regions dominated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

The PPP/C won Regions One, Two, Three, Five, Six, Eight and Nine at the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, while the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition only managed to secure Regions Four, Seven and Ten.

In a media statement Saturday, the PPP/C said it has been notified of flagrant breaches of democracy by senior functionaries of the Granger-led Administration in the PPP/C controlled Regional Democratic Councils.

“Parks, the Regional Executive Officer in Region Five is leading the Council in an independent initiative into Regional actions on topical issues. Ramayya,

Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, is independently using regional resources to implement actions not sanctioned by the Council,” the party complained.

It was further pointed out that the, “Regional Executive Officer at Region Two is now being urged to coordinate activities in Region Two in preparation for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Independence. Ministers are reportedly visiting the Administrative Regions without observing the customary protocols and subverting the authority of the Council.”

Amid these breaches, the PPP/C made it clear the Regional Chairpersons have collectively agreed to maintain a solid line by insisting the resources to be spent in the Regions must be authorized by the respective Councils.

“Only then, the Chairpersons assert, would democracy at the lowest level be promoted and protected and the subversion of the authority of the elected Councils by the Granger Administration be averted,” the PPP/C said.

This is just one of

the many allegations against transgressions the PPP/C has laid against the APNU/AFC Government since it was narrowly defeated at the May 2015 Elections. The government has been accused of “witch-hunting”, “ethnic cleansing” and politicising bureaucratic offices.

According to the Opposition, since the APNU/AFC coalition gained executive power, there was no hesitation in their decision to sack Permanent Secretaries, Presidential Guards, Contract Workers, Media Workers, Chairmen and Members of State

Boards, Diplomats and REOs.

Earlier this month, the PPP/C complained bitterly over a decision by Government to terminate the services of a number of REOs.

Nigel Fisher –Region One (BarimaWaini); Ashford Ambedkar – Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Paul Ramrattan – Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Yolanda Hiliman – Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were served with letters of termination with effect from September 7 –having only being given less than one week’s notice. They were the second batch to be fired, although their contracts were set to expire in January, 2016.

Prior to the dismissal of this batch, the Communities Ministry was already advertising for persons desirous of filling the posts of REOs. Their applications were to be submitted no later than July 31.

Government had already dismissed the REOs for Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) Donald Gagraj; Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Deolall Rooplall; Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) Ronald Harsaywack and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Claire Singh.

Government had sought to defend its action by claiming it needed more qualified persons to fill the posts, “given the complexity of managing five sectors within the region”.

In addition to the REOs, the Government has fired former Permanent Secretary Colin Croal of the Local Government Ministry; former Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Nigel Dharamlall; Guyana Power and Light Inc Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharat Dindyal; Guyana Water Inc CEO Shaik Baksh; Guyana Sugar Corporation CEO, Dr Raj Singh and all its Directors Geeta SinghKnight, Shaik Baksh, Badrie Persaud, Keith Burrowes and Dindyal Permaul; former Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore; Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency Anne Green; acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba; Information Liaison Officers Kwame McCoy and Zulfikar Mustapha; among many others. (smarshall@guyanatimesgy.com)

Suddie, Charity hospitals falling apart

– Neglect, lack of equipment, poor working conditions cited

In Essequibo, the Suddie Public and Charity Oscar Joseph Hospitals are in a deplorable state and residents are calling for the newly elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Government to take remedial actions to return the health care facilities to an acceptable state.

Health Minister Dr George Norton had visited the entities several weeks ago where he too complained about the sordid state of affairs of the hospitals which were in a poor state.

He had promised residents and the hospital staff immediate relief as he explained that urgent reforms were necessary to lift the standards of the entities which were at best described as “appalling”.

Weeks after the Minister’s visit and commitments and residents are now complaining that nothing has been done to improve the hospital surroundings, health environment or service. They are upset that all they received were “words”.

Essequibo residents on Thursday pressed Government to immediately commence the necessary reforms with the aim of delivering the services at the standards promised by the new Health Minister.

They want the hospitals to operate on par with the other

health care facilities at Linden, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, West Demerara and Bartica.

“We want the Minister to address the lack of equipment, key medical services and lack of adequate medical supplies”, a 34-year old resident said briefly to the Guyana Times International.

Suddie

Another resident who travelled a far distance to access Ultra Sound services was turned away by hospital staff after allegedly being told to “keep checking” to see when the hospital could deliver the service.

The patient said that usually pregnant mothers are given priority but there is no system in place for other persons.

“I need an ultra sound when I asked they said I must check back and they will tell me, like the machine is not working but I don’t know how long I have to keep checking” the patient said.

Another patient who was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital for an emergency surgery said that she was told that her surgery could not be done at Suddie due to the lack of equipment.

“They said they have competent doctors to do the surgery but no equipment, I had to go GT to get it done and every continued on page 27

Guyana’s economic ...

come up with solutions or ideas to fix the problem? At one point in time he even denied the economic slowdown, how can you address a problem that you do not see? In terms of how is it affecting the business community, well the data is there for everyone to see. The markets are empty, workers are being laid off by the hundreds, businesses are closing down et al. I personally have made zero profits this year as people just refuse to spend. It has come to the point where my business is on hold pending the outcome of our spending powers and if any improvements

would be made. People are crying daily and we are headed to an indefinite recession if something isn’t done now to curb this issue,” one frustrated businessman vented.

Even the Chinese investors are facing the brunt of the situation as they fight to keep their businesses alive. Ann Beryl, a Chinese store owner stated that she has faced much difficulty in selling off inventory. “Business is very slow, people aren’t spending. Persons would come in, watch and walk out back. No sale in the longest while,” she stated.

Ramjattan says “public is more interested in wealth of the PPP”

…but PPP maintains all MPs should declare their assets

In an article published in another section of the media, Public Security Minister and Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan threatened to put former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo “in his place”. He exclaimed: “He (Jagdeo) must be put to his place in that regard. I, Khemraj Ramjattan, will certainly put him to his place.”

Ramjattan was alleging the Opposition Leader is obsessed with “being in charge” and refuses to accept the reality the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition is now ruling the country.

“But he must know that he is not in charge, he is no longer running things, and this country is now in better hands,” Ramjattan is quoted as saying.

When contacted for a comment, a senior PPP/C official simply stated that Ramjattan is clearly a very “bitter” individual who is using every opportunity to baselessly attack the Opposition Leader.

Ramjattan was at the time stubbornly refusing to address the issue of an across-the-board public declaration of assets. He insisted Guyanese should not be interested in the wealth of the governing APNU+AFC parliamentarians but should rather focus on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members.

According to the article, Ramjattan argued that the idea of having

an across-the-board public declaration of assets is “wholly outrageous”. He contended that APNU+AFC parliamentarians are not wealthy and the public should not focus on their assets.

“So it is not about us, the public has no reason to be interested in our wealth …,” Ramjattan continued to insist.

In response, the PPP/C official pointed out it is not up to Ramjattan to decide what the public

from page 26

Suddie, Charity hospitals...

day my family have to spend money to come see me whereas if I was in Essequibo things would have been cheaper”, the patient related.

Professionals complain

Guyana Times International also interviewed some of the medical professionals who said they are forced to work in inhumane conditions at the Suddie Hospital pointing out that using the operating theatre is “risky”.

The operating theatre is not functioning to its capacity due to faulty works being done by a contractor. Even the tiled walls are hallowed and electrical works are being exposed. This, staff said, poses a major occu-

pational safety risk at the workplace.

It was also noted by staff that parts of the hospital’s roof are leaking and there is an inadequate supply of water.

The hospital has a portable x-ray machine which is presently nonfunctional. Other issues noted were the nonavailability of important medical equipment, lack of adequate ventilators, insufficient number of monitors and reagents.

Doctors also complained of having to work under unsuitable conditions, being forced to work in, “choked up” areas while on call with no bathroom facility, television or microwave. This, they said, is having a

should be interested in nor is it up to his judgment or concern whether a parliamentarian is wealthy. “It seems as though Ramjattan has something to hide … why does he not come clean and have everyone declare their assets?” the official questioned.

The PPP/C maintains its position that all parliamentarians should publicly declare their assets and leave it up to the public to judge based on their wealth. In fact, Opposition Leader Jagdeo has been calling on the Government to act upon this initiative but the Administration is yet to make a move.

Instead, Ramjattan was adamant that only Jagdeo and PPP/C officials should be the ones to declare their assets.

Ramjattan seemed not to understand why APNU+AFC parliamentarians as well should declare their assets.

But Jagdeo time and time again explained that in keeping with the interest of transparency and accountability, all Members of Parliament should declare their assets to the public.

This proposal came in light of the many accusations against him and other PPP/C officials about having large sums of monies hidden away in private accounts.

Additionally, Jagdeo had pledged his support for all MPs to make public their payment of taxes during the last 10 years.

He explained that a law can be passed to allow the parliamentarians to deposit affi-

davits in the National Assembly so any member of the public can visit and check to see the assets each MP has abroad, noting that similar provision can be made for the public availability of the taxes paid by each MP.

Previously, Jagdeo explained that if such information was made public, then the “wild charges” could then be investigated.

negative effect on them at work.

Charity

Meanwhile, health professionals at the Charity Hospital are of the view that the hospital should be made into a main health facility and not just “cottage” hospital.

According to one of the medical officers there, the hospital is not properly equipped with necessary equipment, blood tests and theatre facilities.

In cases of emergency, the Pomeroon River patients have to be rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital and sometimes nurses have to wait hours for the ambulance to arrive.

Diversity of Guyana’s indigenous culture displayed at Rupununi Music and Arts Festival

The grand display of indigenous culture amidst the splendour of the Rupununi savannahs created the perfect ambiance at the three-day Rupununi Music and Arts Festival which was hosted once again at the Rock View Lodge, Annai, North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo).

Various indigenous groups were excited to

showcase to the world their unique way of life through music, dance, poetry and storytelling. Also on display were local craft, paintings, and delicious delicacies. The event had an auspicious start on September 18 with hundreds of Guyanese and foreigners enjoying the variety of exotic sights and sounds, and simply being captivated by the Amerindian way of life. The festival experience was accompanied by exhilarating performances by performers from all across the world including JJ Kent from the United States, Samba Group from Brazil, Maya

As LocAL Govt ELEctions Looms…

Over 50 % of PPP/C list represent non-party members

In preparation for the much anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition has assigned more than 50 per cent of its List Representatives as non-party members, including common individuals of communities with recognised skills and who already enjoys the confidence of residents.

The Party made it clear that it is in full support of LGE and will participate whenever the Government decides to name a date. “The PPP/C intends to obtain clear and majority support as it did when it won seven of the 10 administrative regions,” the Party stated. Since the passage of the Local Government Bill 2015, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has been mum on a date for these elections. Prior to the passage of the Bill, the Minister touted December 7 as the date for the LGE.

When contacted recently by Guyana Times International, Bulkan

stated that Government is simply waiting on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to give the go ahead to announce a date. However, GECOM, in a press statement, explained that it is unlikely that LGE will be held before the end of 2015.

“Consequent upon the passage of the Bill by Parliament, the preparations for, and the prerequisite conduct of Claims and Objections leading the finalisation of the Official Register of Voters would take GECOM at least to the end of 2015,” GECOM stated.

Against this backdrop, the PPP/C noted the evolving uncertain-

ty surrounding the situation with the date and management of the next LGE in Guyana.

The Opposition Party had previously highlighted that most of the amendments made to the Bill did not originate from GECOM. GECOM had requested that Government make 19 legislative amendments to the Bill, which they claimed were hindering their agenda in preparing for these elections.

Following the passage of the Bill, GECOM issued a release explaining that there are still outstanding legislations that need to be addressed, including the movement of Nomination Day from 21 days to 50 days before Election Day, among other aspects that can pave the way for the extraction of the Preliminary List of Voters from the National Register of Registrants (NRR), instead of from the 1992 Official List of Electors as is currently provided for in law.

Meanwhile, the PPP/C remains committed to its calls for electoral reform.

from Suriname, and local musicians. Throughout the festival, workshops on craft and paintings were also ongoing.

Delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes announced the Ministry is on its way to adding the Rupununi Festival on its calendar of activities as an eco-festival. She underscored the importance of music in the development of the local tourism sector. The Minister said it is the diversity of Guyanese culture that provides the blueprint for music as a drive for tourism and as

such, intends to direct more focus on this aspect.

“When visitors hear our music, they would want to see who created it, where it was created and what was the spectacular forces that contributed to such creation. Music sells our image and make people want to see more of our products,” Hughes said. She also spoke about creating a conducive environment in which the talents of Guyanese involved in the creative industries can grow.

Meanwhile, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney

Allicock, who entered the festival in grand style on a horse, stated the festival allows for all Guyanese, particularly the indigenous population, to showcase their way of life and simultaneously provide the opportunity for the exchange of culture both locally and overseas. Also present at the event were Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, Junior Communities Minister Dawn Hastings and members of the Diplomatic Community. The curtains closed on that event on Sunday evening.

PAHO/WHO promotes safe, green and ‘smart’ hospitals in the Caribbean

Nearly 7 in 10 hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean are located in disaster-prone areas, putting them at risk of becoming casualties themselves during hurricanes, earthquakes or flooding. To ensure that hospitals can continue functioning during disasters and to reduce their environmental footprint, the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) is promoting safe, green and “smart” hospitals in the Caribbean.

struck Dominica in late August, causing death and destruction, three hospitals on the island were in the process of being evaluated as part of the programme.

“Natural disasters can have a major impact on the health sector and on people’s lives, and

and energy costs decline, and people’s working conditions improve. These improvements also affect users’ decisions to visit health facilities: in hospitals that have adopted the SMART Hospitals program, the number of users seeking care has increased by 40%.

PAHO/WHO’s SMART Hospitals programme, a multiyear initiative financed by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), this past June launched a new phase that targets a dozen hospitals in Dominica, Granada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. When Tropical Storm Erika

we need to ensure that health facilities are built to resist disasters while also being environmentally friendly,” said Dana Van Alphen, coordinator of the programme. “A bonus is that hospitals that participate in this programme also see their operating costs decline and produce less pollution.”

A hospital is considered “smart” when it links structural and operational safety with green interventions, at a reasonable cost-benefit ratio.

In “green” hospitals, air quality improves, water

Participating hospitals have instituted measures including reinforcing their roofs and windows to resist hurricane-force winds, and installing new rainwater-collection tanks and solar panels to supplement their traditional sources of water and energy. Other measures include improvements in accessibility for people with disabilities, use of energy-efficient LED light bulbs, and replacing air conditioners with newer, more energy-efficient models.

A preliminary chronicle of Georgetown’s Umana Yanas

By Lennox J Hernandez

The Umana Yana,

once an icon-

ic and popular structure in Kingston, Georgetown, its Wai Wai name translated into English as “meeting place of the people”, was gutted by fire on Sept. 9, 2014.

community.

In Guyana the major vegetation used by the indigenous peoples for thatched roofing includes the troolie palm, the cokerite palm and the dhalebanna leaf.

under Chief Elka, were brought to Georgetown for the purpose of building a benab similar to, but larger than that then existing in their village of Konashen, in the deep south of Guyana.

The original Umana Yana was destroyed in 1993 as a result of little attention being paid to the building (this writer remembers seeing images of the deteriorating structure in the newspapers of the day).

Though the thatchedroof building was always

The enormous task was completed in time for the opening of the conference on August 8, 1972. This first Umana Yana became quite popular and remained part of the cityscape until its collapse in 1993.

Details of the second Umana Yana are

This article is a preliminary chronicle of the factual history of the Umana Yana, and at this stage there is still much to learn of Guyana’s most famous indigenous attraction.

According to William McDowell, who has published possibly the most detailed story of the original Umana Yana, (Guyana Review, April 1995) “it reminded the world that it is natural for people to build with materials at hand, and that Amerindian culture is still vibrant.” Indigenous build-

seen as a fire risk, fire did not destroy the first Umana Yana: it was perhaps a combination of the North-East trade winds and the building’s weakened, neglected structure.

This original Umana Yana was constructed to house the meetings of the first conference of Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement

that very likely the image seen in that article is that of the then newly built benab and the one that existed until September 2014.

This second Umana Yana, from newspaper reports over the years, seems to have gone through a number of repairs, the latest being in August 2010, when it was rehabilitated by the Captain of Gunns Strip (a Wai Wai village) Paul Chekema and his team.

At this stage then, what can be surmised and questioned about our famous Umana Yana?

Firstly, we have had two Umana Yanas: the

sketchy to the writer at the moment, but can be developed with research. From McDowell’s article for instance, we see a photograph of a benab strikingly similar to that which was destroyed by fire last year, though there was no caption to indicate this (or otherwise).

McDowell concluded his article with a tribute

ings are known for their coolness in our tropical heat because of the natural materials used, especially the thatch roof. Here I deliberately say “thatch,” the generic term for a roof of dry vegetation such as leaves, reeds, etc., which are plaited, as there are different forms of thatching depending on the materials available and the tradition of the

of Third World Nations scheduled for August 1972.

As is well known, the Guyana government, not having a suitable building for the occasion, came up with the idea of building a large version of an indigenous building (a benab), probably because of the short span of time available.

Sixty members of the Wai Wai community,

to the first building and its builders, ending with the words “its replacement, a smaller structure, should bear that torch proudly.” This last statement perhaps implies that by April 1995 (the date of the publication) a new Umana Yana (the second one) was already built and that it was smaller than the original.

We can also infer

first from 1972 to 1993 (about 21 years) and the second from about 1994/1995 to 2014 (about 20/21 years).

Secondly, that the first Umana Yana was larger than the second.

Thirdly, in my opinion, from a study of the photographs available, the first was more inkeeping with the Wai Wai building tradition than the second.

Fourthly, the Wai Wai did build the first Umana Yana, but who built the second? Paul Chekema and his team only rehabilitated the building in 2010.

Fifthly, as stated by McDowell, troolie was

used as roofing finish in 1972, but there seems to be some difficulty in identifying the specific roofing material of the structure that was burnt in 2014; some reports mention troolie, at least one other mention “allibanna” (more correctly, dhalibanna or dhalebanna).

Available photographs of the interior seem to indicate a dhalibanna thatched roof. Let us strive to have a proper chronicle of this once famous landmark, and importantly, more accurately document its future replacement. (Photo courtesy of National Trust)

“Where there is no education we live in a house without a light: we are in darkness,” says Pandit Suresh Sugrim, chief executive officer of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc. Humanitarian Mission and founder of the New Jersey Aryan Samaj Mandir Inc., who, on August 9, 2015, officially opened a $38M (US$400,000) skills training centre and counselling facility in Guyana.

The Seva Sadna Home of Service at Area Q, Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne in Berbice was made possible by the generous contributions of donors who saw the need for education to break the cycle of poverty that has engulfed communities in the region.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Pandit Sugrim shared his concerns for the region and the need for the facility.

Sugrim stated that the cycle of poverty can only be broken by educating and empowering persons, and by creating jobs for the less fortunate in the region.

“Education,” he stated, “is the key to unlock the door of poverty.”

He expressed his concern that people in Region Six, as well as other areas in Guyana, no longer seem to value education as a top priority. Instead parents appear to have let go of their responsibility toward their children in this regard.

Sugrim noted that

there is a need to understand the value of education and what education can do for persons. “The only way to get out of the poverty cycle is to get ourselves and children educated,” he added.

He implored parents to look at their children’s future. “As parents we all have goals and ideas of what we would like our children’s future to be like. Education is how we take that step to ensuring they come out of poverty,” he insisted.

Berbice, he said, is a rural community with few jobs; those who have finished school are unemployed; young girls

suicide and lawlessness are invading the communities, and the question is how we take back our communities as NGOs, government agencies and other such organizations.

Programmes

Among the programmes that are free of cost the centre will offer are English and Maths for those who failed these subjects at CSEC as well as those who are about to write CSEC. There are also extra lessons for those writing the National Grade Six exams as well as others in the primary and secondary levels.

of effective communication because of illiteracy. One of the more significant programmes therefore is teaching literacy.

Communication, résumé, letter writing and public speaking – some of the resources lacking in Berbice – are also being taught at the facility.

He called on other faith-based organisations to make an impact in the community by working together as a team because there are so many problems that one organization cannot handle everything by itself.

“As faith based organizations we all have

is not looking for money but to touch lives and change lives in a very meaningful way,” Sugrim declared.

There are plans for cottage industries: teaching women to sew

have turned to prostitution while young boys and teenagers turn to drugs and alcohol, which are ills constantly plaguing the community.

In addition, he said that domestic violence,

Sugrim said that the organization has discovered that many adults and youths never had the opportunity to go to school so don’t know how to read and how to write. As such, there is a lack

a vision for our communities; it is important then that we join hands and shoulders together to take our community back,” Sugrim said.

Jobs and sustainability

“The organization

uniforms, bedsheets and pillowcases as well as mosquito nets to earn an income, for example.

Sugrim pointed out that there is no debt for the building, and very light maintenance –mainly water and electricity bills. Through the cottage industries, the bulk of money would go toward its recipients and the remaining for building maintenance.

He admitted that there has not been much help from local businesses, and the organization is still “struggling” to find local donors for furniture and computer items since American and Canadian donor funds went into the construction of the building.

Breakdown in society

According to Sugrim there is a “massive breakdown in society right now in the sense that there is no relationship or communication”: no dialog between husbands and wives, and children and parents –the reason for the many ills of society today.

He also blamed the “many social ills” found in Guyana and around

the world, which have destroyed “the foundations of families at a national level”, for the current crisis that also includes domestic violence, abuse, rape, suicide, HIV, drugs, teenage pregnancy, high school dropout rates and lawlessness.

All these societal breakdowns, he stated, come as a result of the lack of education.

“I strongly believe that if you educate a man you educate an individual; if you educate a woman you educate a nation. As long as a woman is educated she will pass on those values to her children. Our mothers and our daughters and our sisters need to get themselves educated,” Sugrim stated.

Instead, he lamented, we are investing in the material things: the house; the cars – while moral values drift away and our children “fall through the crack.”

Making the change

“More than 100 students are already enlisted for the programmes and more keep coming in, looking for a way out of their poverty,” he revealed.

But, Sugrim noted, there are still many more persons willing to make a change but many experience hopelessness.

“Hopeless in the sense that we as Guyanese have become very selfish individuals and have surrounded only ourselves and our immediate surroundings,” he explained.

“Until we become the victim, only then do we understand somebody else’s pain. We no longer are our brothers' and our sisters’ keepers; our neighbours’ keepers.”

He recalled the old African proverb: “It takes a whole village to raise a child” and implored residents of Berbice to utilise the facility as it is theirs. He also assured that no-one who is willing to make a change in their life would ever be turned away from the centre, regardless of their circumstances. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

UK PM to visit Jamaica next week

Kingston, Jamaica: British

Prime Minister

David Cameron is expected to visit Jamaica

next week where he will address members of the legislature.

Cameron whose Conservative party

romped to victory in the May national polls in the United Kingdom will make a presentation to local lawmakers on Wednesday.

In early April, president of the United States Barack Obama visited Jamaica where he met with Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and members of her Cabinet.

The US president also met with CARICOM heads of state during his brief visit to the island.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Russian spy ship docks in the Caribbean

ARussian military vessel, which has been tracked by US intelligence over the past two months as it sailed the western Atlantic, docked at a Caribbean port at the weekend, where it was expected to take on supplies.

The Washington Free Beacon reports that the

research ship Yantar on Sunday sailed into the port of Willemstad, Curacao, after transiting international waters off the south-eastern United States.

The vessel was tracked from the north Atlantic on August 24 as it sailed south through international waters along the east coast of

the United States, according to officials at the Pentagon.

The Yantar is a newly commissioned Russian military research vessel that is believed to be conducting surveillance operations against US ballistic missile submarines based at Kings Bay, Georgia. (Caribbean 360)

T&T couple gunned down in car

…Opposition blames Govt for crime spike

Trinidad and Tobago: Another double murder and another young couple killed by the gun.

This time in crime hotspot of Enterprise, Chaguanas taking the murder toll, since the September 7 elections, to 23 in 13 days.

Police are yet to make any arrests in any of the murders. The murder toll now stands at 311, surpassing the comparable figure for last year by 11 killings. The majority of the murders remain unsolved and more than 80 per cent were committed with the use of an illegal gun, police said.

Already Opposition politicians are criticising National Security Minister Edmund Dillon and the People’s National Movement (PNM) for the increase in murders and its inability to deal with crime.

Last week, a young couple were shot dead while walking along the Eastern Main Road, in Tacarigua and last weekend, eight people were shot, two killed, in a drug-related hit in Icacos, Cedros.

Police intend to respond with a series of raids aimed at getting the illegal guns off the streets and increase their presence in known crime hotspots, a senior officer said in an interview on Tuesday.

So far, police have been able to recover more than 460 illegal firearms and more than 6,291 rounds of ammunition were seized. Among the guns seized were 25 assault rifles and 18 sub-machine guns, according to the Police Service.

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said on Saturday that the Police Service was almost overwhelmed by the amount of illegal firearms coming into the country.

National Security sources said that maritime patrols have also been ramped up to stem the flow of illegal guns and drugs coming into the country.

ASSUALT RIFLE USED IN ATTACK, MORE THAN 30 SHOTS FIRED

In the latest incident, police said around 10.50 pm, the couple, Shastri La Vende, 27, and his girlfriend Kim Kelly Rattansingh, 36, were found shot dead in Rattansingh’s car on Enterprise Street, Enterprise.

La Vende was the cousin of T&T Guardian crime reporter Jensen La Vende. Police responding to a report of gunshots found the bodies slumped in a white Mazda 323 motorcar.

Both victims were shot multiple times and Crime Scene Investigators found more than 30 spent shells on the scene. Investigators said a high-powered assault rifle was used in the attack. (Trinidad Guardian)

While many of us know of Miss Guyana World and Miss Guyana Universe, there are a “world” of other pageants in which Guyanese women by birth or descent are involved, some of which are not so well-known; we shall look at their reigning queens.

Miss Guyana UK

Zena Sherlock Bland was recently crowned Miss Guyana UK 2015 at the Guyana High Commission in Bayswater, London.

British by birth,she came to Guyana at age threesince her father, then a single father to herself and brother, believed a Guyanese education was best for his children.The family lived in Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara for 12 years.

In Guyana during her younger years, Bland grew up a tomboy. She loves sports, and is said to have been very active in community development activities. She is also said to be inspired especially by her late father, whose guidance and advice she said has helped her achieve her life goals.

Bland, 25, a former student of President’s College, now resides in South London and recently gradu-

ated in journalism from Middlesex University. She had earlier participated in the Miss Guyana UK 2012 pageant, earning first runner-up spot.

She hopes to become a qualified teacher (her father was a headmaster) as well as to launch her own charity.

Miss Earth Guyana

Still awaiting the 2015 Miss Earth Guyana means 24-year-old Stacey Ramcharan is the reigning Miss Earth Guyana. Crowned in April 2014, Ramcharan is an aspiring accountant who was born on Christmas day and grew up in LBI, East Coast Demerara before the family moved to the city.

The second of three children, she is the only girl and was an adventurous tomboy among her older and younger brothers, enjoying cricket, football and other sports related activities.

A former student of Mae’s, she later began studying accountancy, and also works as an accountant with her father’s automotive accessories business.

One of her special memories of the family is the many travels they have taken that have taught her about other cultures around the world. She also enjoys modelling and listening to music.

As the reigning Miss Earth Guyana, Ramcharan is bringing awareness to recycling.

Reesa Sooklal is the current Miss Guyana Talented queen, upon the postponement of the 2015 pageant to a date to be officially announced.

The Queen’s College student, who took the title in July 2014 at 14 years old, was born Oct. 8, 1999 in the city and grew up in Ogle before moving to Mon Repos, an East Coast Demerara community.

She was a student of Starter’s Nursery school and Graham’s Hall primary before earning a spot at QC, and enjoys playing cricket as well as other outdoor sports activities. Her other pursuits include photography, playing the guitar and drawing and painting.

Sooklal hopes to become an obstetrician/gynaecologist and while studying for this also finds time for modelling, guitar and dance lessons, among other pursuits.

Miss United Continents Guyana

Cherese Latoya James is the current and first Miss United Continents Guyana and no stranger to pageants, having been a contestant at the Miss World Guyana competition and Miss Caribbean United States pageant.

She was born in the city but grew up in Region Three before migrating to the USA when she was 15 years old. In the rural region she enjoyed outdoor activities including climbing trees and playing cricket.

Her hobbies include reading and meeting new and interesting people and learning about their cultures.

The eldest of four children and a medical assistant by profes-

sion, Cherese successfully completed her certificate program at the Allen Nursing School. She is currently employed by the New York Vein Centre assisting doctors during surgery.

The 25-year-old would like to further her career with the aim of completing her studies in the medical field and becoming a doctor.

Miss Global International

Twenty-five-year-old Alicia Bess was crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2015 and is off to Trinidad and Tobago to represent Guyana at the international pageant being hosted there.

Bess has participated in several pageants before copping Miss Global International Guyana and the Miss PJD2 Caribbean Queen 2014 crown. Previously she had won the 2013 Miss Guyana Jamzone pageant, and earned first runner-up at Miss Jamzone International.

She was also first runner up at the 2013 Miss Guyana Universe pageant, as well as first runner-up in the Miss Bartica Regatta 2013. Earlier she had won the Miss East Bank Supermodel pageant and was first runner up at the Miss Republic Bank CARICOM pageant, both held in 2010.

A former student of St Joseph’s High School where she earned her CXC subjects, Bess moved on to St Roses High to earn her “A” Levels, becoming valedictorian for that year.

Bess, who is the youngest in her family and the only girl, hopes to earn her Masters in Business Administration and is currently executive aide to the Australian Honorary Consulate and president of her charity group, Expressions – Beacon of Hope. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

The ex-slave who influenced Darwin

John Edmonstone was a freed Guyanese slave who taught taxidermy to famed naturalist Charles Darwin at Edinburgh University in Scotland.

Edmonstone is said to have been born in Demerara, Guyana and while still a slave,he learned taxidermy from British naturalist Charles Waterton (1782 -1865). His 'master', Charles Edmonstone, had a daughter who married Waterton in 1829, and Waterton was a regular visitor at his father-in-law’s Mibiri Creek, Demerara estate.

John Edmonstone, writes Melissa Pandika, author of OZY maga-

zine online, accompanied Waterton on bird collecting expeditions, entrusted with the crucial task of stuffing captured birds on the spot, before they rotted.

According to Professor Janet Brown in the BBC programme “Making History: John Edmonstone”, in 1807, Charles Edmonstone brought John to Glasgow to his estate north of the city then later freed him.

When Edmonstone was freed he moved to Edinburgh and settled in a house a few doors down from Darwin and his brother, Erasmus, where he became selfemployed, earning his living stuffing birds at the Natural History

Museum and teaching taxidermy to Edinburgh University students.

Seventeen-year-old Darwin had arrived in Edinburgh in 1825 to study medicine but he was more of an outdoorsman and discovered a diversion during his first winter at Edinburgh when he hired Edmonstone to teach him taxidermy for one guinea a week.

It has also been suggested that Edmonstone also influenced Darwin’s outlook on the institution of slavery and racism, of which Edmonstone was a victim.

According to authors Adrian Desmond and James Moore in “Darwin's Sacred Cause:

How a Hatred of Slavery Shaped Darwin's Views on Human Evolution” (2009), Darwin was one of those “genteel shooters” whom John taught to stuff their hunting trophies.

Darwin came to consider his teacher “an intimate”, and testified in his autobiography that when he was a student at Edinburgh (1825 Oct – 1827 Apr), “a negro lived in Edinburgh, who had travelled with Warton, and gained his livelihood by stuffing birds, which he did excellently; he gave me lessons for payment and I often used to sit with

him for he was a pleasant and intelligent man.”

As Darwin perfected his taxidermy skills, Edmonstone narrated his accounts of plantation life and lush rainforests teeming with wildlife.

According to Scientific American blogger and biologist DN Lee, Edmonstone is believed to have tutored the young Darwin on the natural history of the fauna and flora of South America prior to Darwin’s historic voyage on the SS Beagle.

At the time, Waterton’s then new book about his expeditions to

Guyana, “Wanderings in South America”, was hugely popular, and Edmonstone’s stories probably whetted Darwin’s appetite for exploration and discovery. Hooked on natural history, Darwin dropped out of medical school and signed up for travel aboard the H.M.S. Beagle. The taxidermy skills Darwin learned from Edmonstone were indispensable during his voyage aboard H.M.S. Beagle in 1831. Little is known of John Edmonstone’s death or where he was buried. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Guyanese street food: the salty snacks

Apacket of “Salt Siew” on my kitchen table began a lively discussion among the family about the origin of the salty snack as well as its name, which got me even more curious when no one could satisfactorily answer those questions.

Some pronounce it as salt “SO” and write it as “sew”, while I have seen some spell it as “salseo” (pronounced SAL-SO or SAL-SAY-O). Looking at the packets sold in stores, the preferred spelling seems to be “salt siew”.

Further probing discovered that for some

persons, salt siew and chicken foot are one and the same thing while others feel salt siew is a type of chicken foot and others insist that salt siew is the fatter of the two thin crispy strips.

Generally made into thin crispy strips of flour, salt, pepper, seasoning, spilt peas, spices, veg-

etable oil and yeast (at least those are the in gredients of one store-bought “Salt Siew” packet),there seems to be many variations of the snack’s ingredi ents, whether it’s called salt siew or chicken foot.

That still doesn’t answer the questions however. But it made me recall that salt siew, chicken foot, cassava chips, plantain chips, nuts and channa (the hard, fried type of channa peas and split peas) are all traditional Guyanese salty snacks that some would refer to as “street snacks” as they are traditionally homemade snacks sold on the streets from vendors at stalls or walking while hawking their snacks.

It is only within recent times that some have begun to be sold in supermarkets and some, like plantain and cassava chips, are now being imported.

No one has any idea of the history of chicken foot (not to be confused with the real chicken’s foot) – neither its name nor cooking past. Most just confess to knowing how to make it by watching their mother or grandmother making it or being taught by such elders to make it to sell.

Like learning to cook curry, cook up, pepper pot and getting round roti, it seems a basic Guyanese rite of passage to know to make plantain/cassava chips, channa, and, for many, chicken foot as well.

Some persons look to the ingredients to provide an idea of the original creators of the snack, but to me that is an un-

clear research area since the ingredients I read on the packet could be from anywhere.

In addition, some look at the name, in the case of “salt siew”, for clues. The tenuous (at best) link I found were the Cantonese dishes char siew (char siu) and siew yuk where the meats (traditionally the pork skin) are roasted crisp and cut/chopped into (long) thin strips.

With the many ethnic food cultures in Guyana, there are untold ways the term could have gotten round to the “salt siew” as we know it.

The Guyanese “chicken foot” snack also could do with some explaining – but again the origin of its name is seemingly so obscure as to be long lost over time.

While most ethnic groups have a love for the actual chicken foot that has led to many recipes that include frying the chicken foot, (deepfried chicken foot is a well-liked street food in many other parts of the world) that analogy is again at best tenuous despite the similar looks.

It could simply be a result of this similarity in looks to the thin chicken’s foot rather than its ethnic origins. Or not. Besides, Guyanese also have a chicken foot souse recipe made with true chicken’s feet, but

er story.

There is as yet no serious work done on traditional Guyanese gastronomy (study of our local foods) so there is much to be done by the intrepid researcher or historian here.

Our traditional salty street snacks (often served with a spicy but sour “dip” that Guyanese call “sour”) have been a common part of our street food offerings for so long that few think about their origins from a rich and diverse collection of ethnic foods brought here by our various ancestors as a result of our history.

Vending food that is known as street food is a worldwide tradition that also includes Guyanese traditional cuisine; it is not hard to envision the mix of ethnic recipes being handed down over generations that may never be fully explained or documented.

Most, if not all street vendors don’t label their packets, and the traditional ones bought off the streets remain sold in a plain, clear and sealed plastic bag (unless you ask for sour) filled with chips, chicken foot or channa etc. doused with the splash of sour requested. After all, how else would they be considered traditional Guyanese street snacks?

(A. Ally)

Govt to fix rundown Bartica ferry stelling

Afresh approach is being taken as the government looks at the rehabilitation of ferry stellings across the country, starting with the Bartica ferry stelling.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, in a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), indicated that in the 21st century, the country cannot just “have a stelling for a ferry.”

He explained that in every community, the waterfront is the prime spot; therefore, more emphasis should be placed on ensuring that the stelling will be transformed, in keeping with the soonto-be-conferred status of township for Bartica.

“You can have commercial and social areas in it; a restaurant and other attractions. We are not just fixing a few boards; we are actual-

ly working to a plan. So when Bartica becomes a town, you can step off the ferry or a speedboat into a town; into a commercial zone; a social zone,” Minister Patterson said.

To make this a reality, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), the agency with responsibility for stellings, was asked to be innovative when doing the rehabilitative works on the stelling.

The rehabilitation of the Bartica Stelling is seen by Minister Patterson as the perfect opportunity to redesign the future of Guyana, bringing it in tandem with the development that is likely to be seen over the coming years.

The 2015 National Budget has allocated Gy$50M for the rehabilitation of stellings, and Bartica, Parika and Leguan among others will soon benefit.

60,000 new airline seats secured for Jamaica for winter season

Kingston, Jamaica:

More than 60,000 new airline seats have already been secured for Jamaica, ahead of the 2015/16 winter tourist season which begins in December.

The disclosure was made by Tourism Director Paul Pennicook, as he addressed a media breakfast, as part of the 25th staging of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) Tourism Trade Show.

He said over 50,000 of the seats are coming out of the United States, and that a number of new flights will also be coming to Jamaica.

“Some of those will be new to Jamaica and we are very excited about them. Come December 18, American Airlines introduces a non-stop service from Los Angeles into Montego Bay on weekends. Come November 1, South West Airlines introduces daily service from Houston into Montego Bay and come December 1, Frontier Airlines comes into Montego Bay for days per week from Philadelphia,” Pennicook said.

The tourism official said that Delta Airlines will also be increasing its service out

of Minneapolis in the United States, while flights will also be arriving from Gothenburg, Sweden, and Olso, Norway, and for next summer, there could be a flight from Dublin, Ireland.

“We are very excited about the future, because we are having new rooms built, we are having rooms refurbished, products are being upgraded, there are attractions . . . and we have the airline seats to go with it, so we are looking forward to a wonderful 2016,” he said.

Pennicook added that there are also some marketing partnership op-

portunities for the tourism sector in Jamaica with the opening up of Cuba as a tourist destination.

“We will be able to work closely with Cuba and literally sell two wonderful products to the tourism industry worldwide. We happen to be two tourism destinations with a very strong cultural heritage. We have our own strengths in other areas and the fact is when we can market the destinations as one . . . it’s twice the fun,” he said.

Dispelling the notion that Cuba poses a direct threat to the viability of Jamaica’s tourist indus-

try, Pennicook said there has always been competition between the countries, but Jamaica plans to work harder to ensure that the source markets are protected.

“We intend to step up our marketing in those markets where we are already competing to ensure that we not only continue to get business, but increase our share from those markets,” he said.

As it relates to air links between Jamaica and Cuba, Pennicook said discussions are taking place with a number of airlines with a view to getting more flights between the two countries.

This week's Crossword

Haircut…

…for Bridge Investors?

The saga of the Berbice Bridge continues… all brought about, let us not forget because some politicians (the AFC to be precise) wanted to scrape up some votes from Berbice. This is a point that everyone conveniently overlooks nowadays. They look at the nominal charge on the Demerara Harbour Bridge…and exclaim – “Hey!! The folks in Berbice deserve a break!”

But the Demerara Bridge – even though it has twice the traffic of the Berbice Bridge at least – is tremendously subsidised to the tune of at least Gy$150M annually. Back in 2013, Moses Nagamootoo pleaded for this subsidy to be removed (implying that the tolls should be increased) and transferred to the Berbice Bridge. But as the elections rolled by in 2015, they all became mum on the Demerara Bridge and jumped on the Berbice Bridge toll reduction gambit.

But they never figured other citizens would see through their scheme. The folks in Essequibo pay more than double what the Berbicians pay…don’t they need a break, they’ve asked? And what about the people of the North West District? Do they not also bleed like other Guyanese? So when does it stop? The folks in Linden are being subsidised to the tune of Gy$3B annually on their electricity – even as the subsidy to PENSIONERS was removed. And not a dog barked!!

As the economy continues to implode, expect to hear some hounds howling. Things are getting brown and since this Government is hellbent on spending and not worrying where the money’ll come from, when that brown stuff hits the fan, it’ll get real messy. But what is terrifying is that the Government hasn’t stopped at just going on a spending binge to reward its “constituents – by unilaterally and impetuously handled the Berbice Toll reduction as a populist fait accompli, it has set into motion actions that will kill investment in this country for decades.

This week's Puzzle

Word is that in attempting to sleep on the Procustean Bed laid by the Government (OK..OK… the fella Procrustes cut the legs of his guests to fit his bed!) the BBCI has evidently asked the investors in the Bridge – starting with the NIS – to take what is known in financial circles as a “haircut”. That is they’ve been asked to reduce the interest rate on their loans or bonds they negotiated back in 2007.

Now we know that haircuts are taken by investors when Governments go bankrupt like in Greece right now. But such decisions aren’t taken just to squeeze out a few more votes at elections.

Once a Government gets a reputation for using populist rhetoric to force financial haircuts, that country becomes an outcast in the financial community – domestic and foreign.

This Government’s playing with fire!

…for Ramaya?

One thing about this Ghoulsarran fella is he literally regurgitates – wholesale! – the “book” on whatever topic he covers in his Stabber pieces. And since his “books” invariably have to do with the staid and proper world of accountancy and its allied bureaucratic fields, hole you’re not titillated, at least you’re informed!! So this week he offered us all you (might’ve) wanted to know about REO’s – but were afraid to ask.

Now we really hope that the newly-appointed “quasi-political” REO of Reg 6 Ramaya – and his sponsor pm Nagamootoo – reads Ghoulsarran’s piece. This Eyewitness will just mention a sample from the reams of requirements REO’s – the “head of a budget agancy” – are supposed to comply with: Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) and Public Procurement Act and report to the Public Accounts Committee.

Last but not least, Ramaya will have to “implement appropriate processes and procedures to prevent the incidence of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation of public moneys.”

What was that Haseef Yussuf said about millions spent on Baigan during the campaign?

How close will be the haircut for Ramaya?

…for Agri Bank

We hope – without much hope – the proposed Agri Bank won’t go the way of the first.

Just doling out money for the boys.

The Shaping of guyaneSe LiTeraTure

A review By PetAmBer PersAud

The book, “Taxes”, by Peter Fraser is an eye-opener to the uninitiated; a prompt to those conversant with the subject, and a tax relief to those who find the subject perplexing.

As an eye-opener, the book states the premise that “[w]hen tax rates increase, so does the incentive to evade the taxes, when the rates are high, the cost of honesty also becomes high and many taxpayers who, under lower tax burdens would have been honest with their tax matters, may be inclined to evade taxes…” That’s just one example; there are many more.

As a prompt, the book declares, “the state in never a neutral agent in economic life” for the “huge volume of expenditure enables the State to exercise a great influence on the economy of the country, since recently, taxes are no longer paid merely to cover the unavoidable cost of services provided by the State, but it has become an important instrument of economic policy.”

There are many other examples.

As a tax relief, the book shows the importance and benefits of paying taxes. For instance, Fraser tabulated five theories of taxation: the “Benefit Theory”, the “Sumptuary Theory”, the “Social Theory”, the “Faculty Theory” and the “Compensatory Theory”; all bring elucidation to the issue of paying taxes.

This volume is designed to be user friendly. It is divided into three parts that are further subdivided into chapters which, step by step, brings elucidation on particular subjects. The headings are self-explanatory, acting both as introduction and summary of particular subjects and, as such, a verbatim reproduction is in order.

Part one, titled “Brief Review to the Introduction of Taxes in Guyana 1929-1998” deals with the introduction of taxation in Guyana via organizational structure of the unit, its decentralization, its relocation, change of title, and appointments of Guyanese commissioners.

This first part also gives a history of taxa-

tion, income tax in the context of Guyana, theories and canons of taxation relevant to Guyana where it is stated that taxation started as a money-raising mechanism, a regulator of the country’s economy and as an instrument for redistribution the national income.

Obviously during the focal period of examination there were many changes, revisions, amendments.

Fittingly closing out part one is an examination of the efficiency of the Inland Revenue Department.

Part two, titled “Tax reform and structural

changes, a new perspective to the informal economy in Guyana, 20022012” deals with the definition of the informal economy in Guyana and other countries; the difficulties in measuring something that is making a huge impact on the country’s economy mainly because all transactions are done in cash.

But there is hope since more focus is been placed on this “phenomenon” by economists.

Part two also deals with the role of lending agencies and their influences on the local economy. Both lending agencies and the informal economy have significant impact on the country’s economy.

Part three, titled “Inter-Agencies fight against drug use and abuse in the Caribbean region” defines drug use and drug abuse and states the differences between addiction and dependence.

This section offers some solutions in “preventative education and public information programmes” and “early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation programme.”

This book came out a burning desire of the author wanting to share information on the subject in order to shape a better Guyana. It is also the outcome of over twenty years’ experience in the field by the author who served in various capacities including Inspector of Taxes in the field audit section, secretary to the Board of Review, Public Relations Officer and Assistant Commissioner-Regional Debt Management of the Inland Revenue Department.

The word “tax” is still being treated as a perplexing subject, sometimes bordering on the taboo and falling into the category of four letter words. This could be all round taxing - on the authorities who are informed and in the act of carrying out their mandate, on the beneficiaries/taxpayers who are less

informed and can’t reconcile a situation of paying tax and on the tax evaders who are insensitive that they are biting the hands that feed them.

But the book, “Taxes”, by Peter Fraser comes like a welcome tax-relief, filling a lacuna. However, all this good work is slight marred by poorly laid out inter-textual references and citations where authorship of some concepts is seemingly blurred.

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

The indigenous village of Akawini in the Lower Pomeroon derives its name from an Arawak work meaning “Many turns”.

About 50 miles from Charity, the community is accessible mainly by boat through the creek.

The community is managed by a Toshao (captain) and a village council.

There are 25 small islands where people live, work, and farm to sustain their livelihood.

In School Islands there is a primary school, a teachers’ quarters and a health centre.

A nursery school along with a health post is also located at another island, Baracara.

The children in Akawini also have ac-

cess to computer facilities, and areprovided with hot meals daily to encourage them to attend school in the area.

The community has a farming project where persons in the community cultivate different crops for the schools so that the children can have a variety of vegetables in their meals.

Adel’s Resort, which is 25 miles from the creek area, is a nearby tourist attraction.

(Indrawattie Natram) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

All unity…

…no struggle?

Ralph Ramkarran loves to buttress his arguments – any argument – by quoting Cheddi Jagan. This is the default setting for ideologues, whether of the right or the left. And in the PPP where – even though Ramkarran mightn’t have clocked in as many years as his erstwhile comrade Nagamootoo – he was always the senior card-carrying Marxist ideologue in the party. So rather than thinking things through when confronted with reality, he regurgitates what Cheddi might’ve said.

All of this, of course, assumes that Cheddi was in possession of all knowledge, not only of his present and past –but of the future. But then, with Marxists like Ramkarran, once you’ve mastered the “laws of history” and “dialectical materialism”, that’s no sweat. And so we arrive at his thread-worn “shared governance” spiel which, he insists, Jagan’d been working towards ever since when. Never mind

that before he’d been thrown out of power by JFK and his successors, he’d never shown the slightest inclination to “share”.

And if he’d just zipped his lips about his ideological leanings when visiting JFK stateside, he’d never have had to get to “share”. But they do say that necessity is the mother of invention, no.? So, yes… Cheddi tried to get another shot at power…again and again. But Burnham was never serious, was he? He just used Jagan to threaten the Americans as to who they’d end up with if they bounced him out. And Jagan went along. But ineffectual as he was, even HE knew he couldn’t just roll over and play dead. While he mightn’t have necessarily practiced it because of his own inner demons, Jagan did preach something that Ramkarran studiously, if not disingenuously, ignores. You just can’t talk of “unity” there must always also be STRUGGLE!

For example in the instance Ramkarran rhapsodises about in 1976 when the PPP gave “critical support” to the PNC and then went on to propose a National Front Government, Jagan wrote this about GAWU – which was busy burning canes in its STRUGGLE for recognition: “In the complex Guyana situation, the trade union movement must operate on the basis of unity and struggle or alliance and struggle. It must unite or allay itself with all those who are fighting for progressive and revolutionary positions, and at the same time struggle against all backward, reactionary, racist and anti-working class positions.”

Right now, the

APNU/AFC government is taking “backward, reactionary, racist and anti-working class positions” against which the PPP must STRUGGLE, even while it may listen to what they have to say about “unity”.

“All unity and no struggle” is the road to serfdom!!

…and jobs for the boys (and girls) They say, “to the victors go the spoils”, and after the victory of the APNU/AFC coalition, so said, so done. But since they’d lambasted the PPP for being doggedly partisan in their hiring practices, you’d think the new government would’ve been a bit circumspect about doling out “jobs for the boys and girls”, wouldn’t you? Not this lot, mate! And for a while they didn’t even think about the “girls” until Andaie and the sisters straightened them out.

What makes things even more sticky for the new incumbents, is because they’re such a motley coalition of the detritus of the political fragmentation of the last two decades, there’s a whole lotta boys and girls from outside the PNC, which is really the heart, soul and body of the group that won this election. So a struggle’s brewing in the heartland that the party leadership will have to head off.

And you have the recent meeting at Congress Place –where the President actually had to promise “jobs for the boys and girls”!!

…at Linden Linden sometimes marches to its own drummer. And that’s why Pressie had to make his abrupt “rock star” visit. He was asked what’d he bring. How quickly the billions in electricity’s forgotten!!

Determination carries multi-talented Shanice Jones into new horizons

While attending a summer sewing program in 2006, Guyanese Shanice Jones discovered her exceptional talent for fashion and design.

“As a young child I always made dresses for my dolls, and dreamt of wearing my own designs, Jones recalled in

an earlier interview with Sunday Magazine, but after creating a stunning gown for herself, Jones knew that she had found her purpose.

Since then the designer has made a name for herself on international catwalksas model and fashion designer, and has launched her

own shopping website.

Describing herself as a designer, model, aspiring actress and investor, Jones in 2010 launched her designs out of her Brooklyn apartment after migrating to the USA. The Shanice Jones Collection was born and has received rave reviews.

One of Jones’ goals is to showcase her designs in a fashion show in her hometown Berbice, and also to feature the Shanice Jones Collection during Guyana Fashion Week.

“I left Guyana for a better life with more opportunities,” Jones said. “I love my country Guyana but I knew I would have more exposure in the U.S. for my line of work and to be able to represent my country on a larger scale.”

Known for her women’s collections, she has also turned her focus on men’s shirts, exploring

Star of the week

Born Sept. 3, 1992 in a village near the Guyana-Venezuela border, Analisa Andrews, who grew up to become Miss Amerindian Heritage 2013-2015, moved at age three with her family to the Arawak village of Moraikobai, two-and-a-half miles up the Mahaicony Creek. She attended the Moraikobai Primary school then went on to Mahaicony Secondary where she stayed in the dormitory during her time there. After passing her school leaving exams she arrived in Georgetown to study accountancy, earning five courses at CAT Level. More of a tomboy who enjoyed climbing trees and playing marbles when she was young, Analisa loves swimming as well as playing cricket, and enjoys music. For Analisa, the pageant has helped her learn new ideas and about different cultures. For a person who confesses to like learning new things, the unique experience has been an extraordinary one for her. She encourages as many young persons as possible to become involved in the pageant to learn new experiences, and believes passionately in youth leadership. Her goal is to inspire youths to aim for greatness in their lives and advises them to “lead by example.”

her graphic art talents in this fashion arena. Branching into accessories, Jones was scheduled to launch her Tie collection on Sept. 15, 2015 and Scarf collection on September 30.

For more information, visit "The Shanice Jones Collection" on Facebook and theshanicejonescollection.com. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

LIAT employee suspended after allegedly beating customer

LIAT has confirmed it has suspended one of its employees and launched an investigation into an alleged fight between the female worker and a customer in Tortola last week.

The Antigua-based carrier said it began the probe immediately after being informed about the incident at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on

September 18. “The employee in question has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

LIAT is committed to clearly, openly, and completely establishing all of the facts surrounding the incident and to a fair resolution of the matter,” it said in a brief statement issued on Tuesday.

The press release

gave no details about the incident.

However, media reports out of the British

Virgin Islands, where police are also carrying out investigations, stated that the female cus-

tomer went to the airport after 8:30 p.m. for a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico and after

waiting for two hours asked the LIAT agent for information.

According to the reports, when the airline worker told the passenger that the flight had already left, a heated argument ensued and the confrontation subsequently got physical.

The customer was treated at the hospital for injuries sustained during the altercation, and then released.

Berbice Expo scenes

The premier exhibition in the Ancient County, the Berbice Exposition and Trade Fair, has seen a good turnout and more than 60 exhibitors in its 11th edition. The four-day exhibition, was held under the theme “Fostering National Pride, Advancing Economic Progress”, ended last Monday.

THE EXPENDABLE PAWN

By Ryhaan Shah

The Canadian government recently warned its diplomatic missions to stay away from meddling in its federal elections. In its warning note, the government reminded them that the terms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations state that diplomatic heads have a duty to “not interfere in the internal affairs of the receiving state”.

As a receiving State, Guyana was meddled with rather famously in the 1960s when the country became a pawn for Cold War politics. The US, in collusion with the British, funded race riots and rocked Premier Cheddi Jagan from office and placed their favoured man, the PNC’s Burnham, in power. The rest, as they say, is history.

For over two decades,

the Western powers and the entire Caribbean region all looked the other way as Burnham proceeded to wreck the country with his antiIndian racism, his brutality, media repression, and his ill-conceived economic policies. But none of that mattered.

What mattered was that American interests were protected from a Jagan Government because he was perceived as a Communist threat who might prove to be another Castro in their “backyard”, that term that relegates the Caribbean and Latin America to a much diminished status in their eyes.

As a developing country with the need for aid and loans, Guyana is hardly independent. We are vulnerable to external manipulation, and when there are political parties and leaders willing to trade the country’s sovereignty for public office, as happened before

with Burnham, the results can only be detrimental since the tradeoff never gives primary importance to the country’s interests.

The US protected its own interests at the expense of Guyana’s development once and many are feeling a dreaded sense of déjà vu as the economy falters and the signs of PNC power emerge once again. That power is bold and unapologetic and can quickly become absolute if it is not going to be reined in by local and international criticism.

Prior to the May 11th general elections, the ABC countries were highly critical of the previous administration especially over its failure to hold local government elections. Government fired back with claims that the diplomatic heads were meddling in the country’s internal affairs, and with its infamous “feral blast”.

At the time, the gov-

ernment was also being accused of corruption by the opposition and the widespread public perception that the ABC countries wanted the PPP government gone has led many to believe that there might have been more than a little meddling to lever the Coalition into office even if by a mere whisker.

But was it the PPP government’s administrative arrogance and alleged corruption that irked the US and its allies especially since the Granger government is proceeding, and unchecked by any criticism from the diplomatic community, with its own corruptions and high-handed manner?

As we know from firsthand experience, US foreign relations hardly ever hold up to any ethical and moral scrutiny so the more relevant question might be whether the PPP government was too independent for America’s

liking with its investment deals and friendly relations with countries like Russia, China and Venezuela.

Perhaps, the government was not always playing to what might be viewed as American interests especially since the PPP party is still seen as holding to the socialist ideals of its founder Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy asked in a recent letter to the press whether government’s stand-off over helping the rice industry might have racist connotations. Added to that query could be a question about the collapse of the Petro Caribe deal: Was that partnership not viewed favourably by the US given their unfriendly relations with Venezuela’s Maduro?

International relations require a fine balance between the host country and the diplomatic community that respects the country’s

sovereignty and the conventions that govern relationships and alliances.

Tipping that balance results in meddling and, as much as that is frowned on by international conventions, it is power and control for your side at all costs that matters in global politics. Sometimes, that cost can be small, developing and vulnerable countries such as ours where personal ambitions and political interests can override good governance and determine the outcome of deals and partnerships.

One side gains political power and the other, the control of large oil reserves and a “backyard” country which, with a new Cold War possibly in the offing, could become a strategic pawn yet again.

And the pawn, as Guyana has experienced before, is the most expendable piece on the board.

International Literacy Day!

September 8th was International Literacy Day! It’s always such a thrill when there is an effort to get more people to read.

Reading has always played an enormous role in my life. I think it’s because growing up there were always books around because both of my parents love to read. Some of my favourite memories growing up are of my Dad reading to my brother and me before bed.

Not too long ago, we stumbled upon an electronic version of one of our favourite books from the earliest days, ‘The Monster at the End of the Book”. Much reminiscing about Grover –and the buildup of tension – was done that day!

There really isn’t anything quite like getting caught up in a really good book. Some books really manage to pull you into their narrative and you begin to feel like you actually know the characters. And then there’s that acute sense of longing when you’re done the book and your journey with those characters has come to an end.

Reading compels you to use your imagination to engage the world

By Anu Dev

the writer has conjured. And your apprehension through the written word makes that world yours as much as hers. It’s actually a mystery to me as to why persons deny themselves the opportunity to get lost in this act of co-creation that, (in the words of Rafiki, the resident philosopher from The Lion King), makes us “look beyond what you see”.

The ability to read isn’t the main hurdle in Guyana- we supposedly have a literacy rate of over 99% -an extraordinarily high figure. It is the DESIRE to read that’s the problem and one which won’t be over-

come unless the act of reading becomes enjoyable.

But that won’t happen if reading is something you’re forced to do for English B or if you believe that “The Chrysalids” – which I did for my CSEC – is as good as it’s going to get. There are some really amazing books out there: books that make you cry, smile or even actually laugh.

The examiners of CSEC are heading in the right direction with their new guidelines for literature appreciation and apprehension. Maybe they will now do something about the selec-

tion of texts: “The World of Prose” is as morbid as it gets.

Some of the greatest achievements of humanity are in the forms of great works of Literature. And narratives, over the centuries are insightful chronicles of history in their own right: Plato said it was even superior. The author’s elaboration of a particular concept or her choice of a writing style is inevitably products of her time. In a reversal, we now even speak of the “poetics of history”.

If I were to recommend some books, I would probably recommend, in no particular order:

• The Ender Saga by Orson Scott Card

• Rosie Dunne by Cecilia Ahern

• The Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman

• Dune by Frank Herbert

• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

• A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin

• Private by Kate Brian

• Bossypants by Tina Fey

• Foundation by Isaac Asimov

• The Monster at the End of the Book

These happen to be the books that popped into my head, probably because I’ve been thinking about them recently, I’m sure I’ve missed some of my favourites. But you know…have at them!

Go forth and recommend your favourite books to your friends and read some of their favourites. Happy (late) Literacy Day!

Rock Star

Satiricus was agog. And he hadn’t even had a tipple of grog. There in the staid, old, State newspaper, the Kronic, was the blaring headline – “Pressie – Rock Star in Lindon”!!! This was not the old suck-up rag that it used to be when the PPEE were running the show. So the new Editor couldn’t possibly be trying to score brownie points with the Big Enchilada.

“No Siree!!” thought Satiricus. “Hadn’t Naga Man, who’d willingly given up all the paraphernalia of High Office as “Prime Moocher” to become the Poomba of the Press, the Mogul of the Media, gathered all the staff around him and assured all and sundry they were free to write whatever they wanted to?

“This was a new dispensation,” the Whimsical Man had announced in his dulcet voice, while wearing his battle olive fatigues. “You can even say we “blundered”, any time you want!” So Satiricus knew this new headline was on the money. But he’s already suspected Pressie was a man with the moves of a Rock Star. Wasn’t there that famous pic with him doing that slick move like a young Rod Stewart with Naga Man gazing adoringly at him like Elton John?

Well…Elton will be Elton…and Naga will be Naga.

But it all now made sense to Satiricus, since that this senior reporter at the Kronic had outed Pressie as a Rock Star. Satiricus had wondered where Pressie kept jetting off to – without a word from his press people. “No… not the WICB water boy,” thought Satiricus, “He services Naga Man, even when he wasn’t doing his Elyon John routine!”

Pressie was jetting off to perform at his gigs abroad. Obviously his performances on stage during the campaign, which had been put on YouTube, had first “trended” then gone “viral”!! Satiricus remembered when an obscure Korean pop-aspirant had received millions of hits with his “Gangam Style”!! Pressie, being even more personable, must’ve made an even bigger impact. Soon Satiricus knew Gayle and Bravo would be breaking out on the cricket field with their “Pressie Style”!!

Gayle would be perfect with the new dance style leaning back with out-turned palms, and swaying to “Bring it on Jaggy Boy!!”

But Satiricus became sad when he realised how Guyanese were narrow minded and bigoted. Just because Pressie was a leader, why couldn’t he do what his inclinations made him do? Why did he have to be all uptight and dour just because he was Pressie.

Haiti’s Pressie was a Rock Star, wasn’t he? And look how well he was performing – both as Pressie and Rock Star.

Satiricus just loved the new team at the Kronic who’s forced Pressie to let down his hair. Even if he couldn’t toss a blonde mane like Rod Stewart, he could always growl, “Tonight’s the night”, baby!!”

Why hide…

…if you’re above board

When in Opposition, APNU/AFC talked fat about politically correct buzzwords like “transparency”. But even though they promised to have a “code of conduct” for their officials before 100 days in office…Raphael Trotman just sent out a teaser “draft” – and said they’re waiting for comments from the citizenry.

Trouble is, no one’s seen neither head nor hair of the “Code of Conduct” draft or otherwise. And for sure National Security Minister and Vice President of the Republic Khemraj Ramjattan hasn’t seen it. There’s no way he could have. Why? Well, in one of his patented outburst (No! Not “haul yuh ass!!” one!!!) he posited that because he and his colleagues “aren’t rich like Jagdeo” they don’t have to be transparent about their financial status.!! Now there isn’t a “Code of Conduct” for Government officials in the entire democratic world that doesn’t call for those worthies to declare their assets!!

As Transparency International (TI) points out, Government officials are paid from the taxes of citizens and the latter have a right to ensure that the assets that the former are in charge of, don’t end up their pockets. TI assures us that “Research shows that an asset declaration open to public scrutiny is a way for citizens to ensure leaders do not abuse their power for personal gain (our definition of corruption).” Now even though the local branch of TI had been singing from that hymn book before the elections, they seem to have lost the page -if not their way, nowadays!

The matter came to a head when ex-President Jagdeo called the bluff of the administration on transparency. He’d declare his assets if they did the same for theirs. And this is where Ramjattan brought in the doltishness of Jagdeo’s assets being the yardstick for declaration of wealth by him and his Governmental posse.

But as has become customary with Ramjattan whenever he spontaneously opens his mouth, he makes some interesting revelations. First of all, he claimed to know the value of Jagdeo’s personal wealth. Now we know all PPP Governmental members have been declaring their assets to the Integrity Commission for two decades. It seems that Ramjattan has used his office to peruse those records.

Jagdeo’s assets are in the public domain…if he was doing something surreptitiously he’d be hiding his wealth, no?

It’s the sly ones like Ramjattan, like all sly farts, who’re seemingly innocuous but deadly! …when it’ll come out anyway

It’s becoming clearer every day that this administration is challenged when it comes to creating wealth but very enthusiastic in spreading it. Problem is, if you don’t have it, you can’t spread it… but that hasn’t fazed them yet. Even though economic woes are piling higher every day, no one’s willing to turn off the spending spigot.

Seems we’re now going to have a country-wide breakfast programme in schools. Has anyone thought through the logistical and financial demands to be satisfied? That’s right after we’ll raise everyone salary in the Governmental service. On top of that heap, of course, are the Ministers and Vice Presidents whose salaries must be “rationalized” just so the pecking order is financially correlated.

And let’s not mention grand cleanup of the City that’s going to cost us another cool billion.

Someone’s cleaning up, all right.

But it’s not those who create wealth. …crime fighting credentials

With the change to an administration practically bent over with the weight of security and come fighting at the top, it’s amazing how many others of the same species have surfaced in the letters column of the papers.

Is it because Ramjattan’s so obviously out of his depth and so desperately needs help?

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Viola Davis becomes first black woman to win an Emmy for Best Drama Series actress

Viola Davis made history on Sunday (September 20) by becoming the first black woman to win an Emmy for best drama series actress, but said there is still work that needs to be done in getting more diverse stories on screen.

She won for her role as the professor and defense attorney Annalise Keating in ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder,” which is just beginning its second season.

In her acceptance speech, Davis quoted Harriet Tubman. “I can seem to get over that line,” said Davis, who will be playing Tubman in an upcoming HBO movie.

“The only thing that separates women of color from anybody else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there,” she said.

Backstage, Viola Davis expanded on the line that exists in the industry, saying “there is a difference when it comes to actors of color in this business. If it’s been 67 years since an actress of color has won an Emmy then there is certainly a line.”

She and her husband,

Julius Tennon, have started a production company to try to continue erasing that line.

“My story doesn’t end here,” she said. “There is so much work that needs to be done in so many areas in the business with actors of color, so many narratives that need to be seen by people, so many stories that need to be seen and felt.”

Viola Davis’s friend and peer Taraji P.

Henson was also nominated in the same category for her performance in ‘Empire’. The competition between the two was only on paper, though. As Davis walked up to accept the award, she and Henson hugged and exchanged words of support.

“We whispered to each other: `Whoever gets it, it’s great, it’s wonderful and I love you.” (Indian Express)

David Beckham laughs at James Bond rumour

Former soccer star David Beckham, while denying he would be the next James Bond, said he could not stop laughing at the reports.

Beckham, 40, said he found the rumour funny, setting the record straight that he was “definitely” not planning to be an 007 agent, reported Aceshowbiz.

“I saw that the other day and I laughed many times about it. Definitely won’t be in the next James Bond,” he said.

It was fans’ effort that pushed Beckham’s name to be considered as the next James Bond as Daniel Craig’s contract approached its expiration date.

Last week, his representative quickly said Beckham “was not planning to step into the action heroes shoes any time soon, despite recently expressing his interest in acting.” (Indian Express)

Robert De Niro feels closer to younger people

Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro enjoys hanging out with younger actors more than people of his own age.

The 72-year-old “Goodfellas” star feels closer to younger people such as Bradley Cooper, reported Contactmusic.

“I have young actor friends like Bradley Cooper. I feel closer to younger people than I do people my own age, except for some of my dear old friends,” he said. But, the only thing that makes the veteran actor feel old is social media.

“I have a computer, but I don’t do Facebook, don’t do Twitter or, what’s the other one?”

(Indian Express)

Comedian Tracy Morgan is in negotiations to star in “Fist Fight”, joining Ice Cube and Charlie Day.

The 46-year-old star, who remained absent from the film industry after being injured in a fatal car crash in June 2014, is eyeing the upcoming school-themed comedy by New Line for a return to the big screen, reported TheWrap.

The story follows two teachers (Cube and Day) who work in a brokendown school system and wind up in an epic fist fight. If Morgan signs the deal, he will play the school’s coach.

“Breaking Bad” alum Dean Norris is also in the cast, playing the school’s principal, while “22 Jump Street” star Jillian Bell will play a guidance counsellor.

Richie Keen is directing “Fist Fight” with a script written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux. The film is being produced by Shawn Levy, Max Greenfield and John Rickard.

Morgan’s last film credit was Chris Rock’s “Top Five”, which he filmed prior to the accident.

He previously collaborated with Cube in 2008’s comedy “First Sunday” and 2005’s “Are We There Yet?”. Morgan was recently announced as the host of the October 17 episode of “Saturday Night Live”. (Indian Express)

Ruby Rose joins ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’

Actress Ruby Rose has landed a role in the upcoming “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter”.

The 29-year-old “Orange is the New Black” star is currently filming her role in the sixth and final instalment of the franchise in South Africa.

Her character is called Abigail, but no other information about her role has been released yet.

She joins Milla Jovovich, who is once again back as Alice.

Ali Larter is returning as Claire Redfield

and Wentworth Miller will be reprising his role as her on-screen brother, Chris.

Jovovich’s husband Paul WS Anderson is also back in the director’s chair using his own movie script, which picks up from where the events

of 2012’s “Resident Evil: Retribution” left off. The Resident Evil franchise has been one of the most successful game-to-movie adaptations ever, grossing more than USD 915 million worldwide. (Indian Express)

Next ‘Fifty Shades’ film to start shooting in 2016: Dakota Johnson

Actress Dakota Johnson has revealed the production of the second instalment of the popular “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy will begin sometime in 2016.

The 25-year-old actress, who played Anastasia Steele in the first part, revealed the filming date of “Fifty Shades

Darker” on the Ellen DeGeneres show, reported Us magazine.

She said the shooting for the second film will begin “sometime in the new year.”

The franchise is the adaptation of author EL James’ best-seller series of the same name. James’ husband, Niall Leonard, writes the script with Michael De Luca, Dana Brunetti and James tapped as producers.

James Foley has replaced director Sam Taylor-Johnson, who helmed the first part.

The second instalment is slated for a US release on February 10, 2017. The first part starred Jamie Dornan opposite Dakota. (Indian Express)

I’m not intimidating: Kristen Stewart

“Twlight” actress Kristen Stewart says she hates being called “intimidating” because she can have a conversation with anyone. The 25-year-old star admitted she finds it frustrating that people consider her to be “unapproachable,” reported Female First.

“When I hear that people are intimated by me or think I’m reposed or unapproachable, I hate it. I’m always like, ‘Dude, come up, say anything to me, I would love to engage with you.'”

Thinking more philosophically, she added, “Most people find emotion or overwhelming feeling to be a weakness

I’ve had a lot of family dinners with Katrina Kaif and her family, says Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor may not have made his relationship with Katrina Kaif public yet but he did admit to have been a part of dinner meets at Katrina’s family based in London.

At the trailer launch of Tamasha in Mumbai on Tuesday (September 22) when we asked him about any plans of having dinner with Katrina Kaif’s family on his birthday on September 28, Ranbir said: “I have been having a lot of family dinners and not just on my birthday.”

Talking about his birthday plans, Ranbir Kapoor, who will be in London on 28th, said, “It’s great to be working on your birthday. I don’t believe too much

in birthdays. I think it’s a day which makes me very sad. Because I feel you have to feel the most special on that day and it has never met my expectations.”

Interestingly, on hearing Ranbir lamenting about feeling special, Deepika pitched in asking, “Tell me, what should we do to make you feel special.” A happy looking Ranbir said,

“Well if everyone wishes me a happy birthday I will be happy.”

To this Deepika replied, “We will sing for you at the end of the event.” While Imtiaz suggested to Deepika to give Ranbir a cheque. To which Ranbir jokingly said, “I would prefer cash.”

“Tamasha” hits the screens on November 27. (Indian Express)

Alia Bhatt keen to learn from Shah

Rukh Khan

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who would be seen alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Johar’s upcoming film, says working with the superstar would be a great learning opportunity for her.

Johar has announced his next home production with Alia and SRK to be helmed by Gauri Shinde of “English Vinglish” fame.

It is not clear yet if SRK and Alia would be romantically paired opposite each other in the film.

The 22-year-old actress is very excited to

Events

share space with the “Om Shanti Om” star. “I am very excited to be working with him (Shah Rukh Khan). He is the biggest superstar. It is a dream come true moment,” Alia told PTI.

“He is one of the best and respectable actors in the industry. I would get so much to learn from him. It is a great learning opportunity for me,” she said.

“The pressure comes with every film. As actors we need to do our best… impress the audience as they are the king. We need to justify their faith and give our best,” the “Highway” ac-

tress said.

Apparently the film narrates journey of a young girl played by Alia, who falls in love thrice and walking out of every relation with a new life lesson.

“It is too early to talk about the concept of the film,” she added.

Reportedly, the “Student of the Year” actress has begun shooting for Gauri Khan’s film while Shah Rukh is busy with “Dilwale”.

On this Alia says, “The details would be given out soon.”

Alia is also looking forward to the release of “Shaandaar” in which she is paired opposite Shahid Kapoor.

“I am excited as well as nervous for the film as after long time my film is coming up. It’s a fun, family film,” Alia said.

“Shaandaar”, directed by Vikas Bahl, will hit the screens on October 22. (Indian Express)

in India are larger than life: Lauren Gottlieb

Dancer-actress Lauren Gottlieb believes that events in India have much bigger turnout than anywhere else in the world.

“I think events here in India are larger than life. The people who come to the events, the way events are glamorized is much bigger than abroad. I think we get a much bigger turnout here than anywhere else,” Lauren said at the EEMAX awards here.

“I have been doing many wonderful events since I landed in India. I am a performer and an artist, so I love doing events,” the American dancer added.

Lauren, who made her presence felt with her beauty and dancing prowess in Remo D’Souza’s “ABCD” franchise, says “it’s too cool” to see her fans at events.

Celebrities don’t lead a fake life: Deepika Padukone

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has rejected suggestions that celebrities, including those from the world of cinema, lead a “fake” life. She made the remark in the context of her upcoming film ‘Tamasha’, where she is paired opposite actor Ranbir Kapoor. The trailer of the Imtiaz Ali-directed film, which was released on Tuesday, shows Ranbir depicting a fake side of his character.

Asked if celebrities’ life is all sham, Deepika said, “I don’t think it is fake. We have certain responsibilities towards the youth as role models so we have to be careful with what we say or do. We can live the life the way we want but with the right balance towards fulfilling our responsibility.”

The 29-year-old actress said the credit for her on-screen chemistry with actors Ranbir and Ranveer Singh goes to her directors and the roles written for them.

“It depends on the kind of film and role we do. Also, it is in the hands of the director to extract performance from us.

“There is a difference between the chemistry of Ranbir and me in `Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ to that between me and

Ranveer Singh in `Ram Leela’,” she maintained. The ‘Cocktail’ actress insisted she doesn’t want to do films with ex-boyfriend Ranbir just for the heck of it.

“We just don’t want to come together for the heck of it. We have done films before and they have done well because they were good films. We want the (prospective) film to be special for us to come together,” Deepika said. (Indian Express)

Women should take care of finances to tackle cancer: Lisa Ray

Encouraging women to invest in their health, actress Lisa Ray, who won a battle against cancer, says women should take care of their finances to face tough situations, including cancer treatment.

“You should live your life. Let’s face it: everyone should have a cushion for anything, not just cancer, and I encourage every family and all women.

“We have to become empowered and also take care of ourselves and taking these very empowered moves as well, like taking care of your own finances,” Lisa told media persons here on Tuesday when quizzed on the financially draining aspect of cancer treatment.

The “Water” actress was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009 and became cancer-free a year later after receiving a stem-cell transplant.

Lisa prefers to spread a positive message on cancer survival.

“It is not necessarily a death sen-

tence. You must get preventative check-ups and you must not be in denial and if you catch cancer at the right stage it is completely curable,” she observed.

But the 43-year-old cautioned against ignoring one’s health.

“I learnt the hard way that it is not the right way to live so it’s very important to invest in yourself, in your health,” she added. (Indian Express)

Kunal Kemmu wants to do romantic, negative roles

Actor Kunal Kemmu says he is eager to do romantic-comedy films and play a “hardcore negative character”.

“There are two kinds of characters that I’m eager to do. I haven’t done any rom-com or romantic film and I haven’t done any hardcore negative character. So, these are the two characters that haven’t explored yet so I am hoping to get a suitable script and do such roles as early as possible,” said Kunal.

“It’s too cool to see your fans when you’re out. When you are on set, there are only 200 people but once you step out you get to see so many fans you have. So many people are watching you. There is nothing like it,” she added.

Lauren, who is one of the judges on “Jhalak Dikhla Jaa Reloaded”, will next be seen acting in Punjabi film “Ambarsariya” opposite Diljit Dosanjh. (Indian Express)

Kunal, who is promoting his forthcoming thriller “Bhaag Johnny” with actress Zoa Morani, says his wish to portray a negative character has somewhat got fulfilled with this film.

He said: “In one of the

tracks, I’ve got the opportunity to portray a negative shade which is for the first time. It’s not absolutely a negative character, but it is the darkest that I’ve played. As an actor, it is extremely interesting for me and so I’m very excited for it to see how the audience reacts to the film.”

Kunal’s ‘Kalyug’ was also an emotional thriller, but he dismisses any similarities between

“Bhaag Johnny” and the 2005 film. He said: “The characters and the stories are completely different. There is a good amount of freshness in the film. Perhaps you’ll see some similarities in the first track, but the circumstances are different. So, if you compare ‘Bhaag Johnny’ with ‘Kalyug’, then there are hardly any similarities.” (Indian Express)

Four teams repeat as category champions

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Four teams displayed dominance by retaining their titles when action concluded in the three-day Amerindian Heritage Month sport activities on Sunday at Everest Cricket Club Ground, Camp Road, Georgetown.

Central Rupununi of Region Nine maintained their hold on the male football title; Georgetown of Region Four retained the female football trophy; Orealla/ Siparuta of Region Six

successfully defended the male volleyball competition; and Laluni of Region Four extended their dominance in tapeball cricket by lifting the title for the second successive year.

New champions were crowned in female volleyball, which was won by Region One, while Region Two United emerged as new winners of female cricket.

In male football, Central Rupununi retained their title with a 4-1 whipping of Port Kaituma of Region One in the final. Emrick

Williams of Central Rupununi was named Most Valuable Player of the final.

In the semi-finals, Central Rupununi beat Georgetown 3-0, while Port Kaituma and North Rupununi played to a stalemate at the end of regulation time. Crowd favourite Port Kaituma emerged victors with a 4-3 scoreline after kicks from the penalty spot.

Since the boys from Central Rupununi have won the title for three consecutive years, they have taken home the lien trophy. The lien trophy was introduced in 2013 and since then the Ballweavers from the south of Guyana have been in the winner’s row.

In female football, the Georgetown lasses re-

tained their title as well with victory over Parima of Region Seven in an exciting game of skill and class. After full time, both teams failed to find the back of the net.

However, at the penalty spot the defending champions showed their superior ability and power with three consecutive successful attempts, while the Parima ladies missed three successive attempts, which made the final two kicks more of academic interest and were not taken.

Earlier, in the semifinals, Region Four beat Annai of North Rupununi, while Parima defeated Central Rupununi. Ruth George of Georgetown was adjudged Most Valuable Player of the final.

Defending male volleyball champions Orella/Siparuta retained their title when they beat off eight other teams on their way to championship glory.

In the final, they

were pushed by Central Rupununi, but showed resilience, winning 2-1. Damien Daw of Orella/ Siparuta was named Most Valuable Player.

After dominating the preliminaries, Region One made light work of St Cuthbert’s Mission in the female volleyball final to pocket Gy$50,000 and a beautiful trophy. Annalisa Vincente of Region One was this year’s Most Valuable Player.

Laluni continued their dominance in male tapeball cricket at heritage sport with an easy demolition of Region Two United from Mainstay/ Whyaka.

The six-time champions won by 29 runs with Sunil Sarjoo making 46 not out and taking home the Man-ofthe-Match prize. Laluni had defeated Madhia of Region Eight in the semi-final, while Region Two United overcame a good challenge from Campbelltown, also of

Region Eight, at the semi-final stage. In female cricket, new champions were crowned when Region Two United beat Wiruni of Region 10 by eight wickets in the final. The Wiruni players were restricted to 40 from their six overs and in reply Cassie James, Player-ofthe-Match, took the attack to the Wiruni bowlers and belted the soft ball to all parts of the ground in taking her team to 41-2 in the fifth over.

The victory meant that Region Two United walked away with the first place trophy and Gy$50,000.

At the presentation ceremony that followed, all teams that made it to the final of their respective sport were handsomely rewarded with cash and trophies, compliments of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and main sponsor Digicel. (aramzan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Dalmiya a true friend of West Indies cricket - says Dave Cameron

KINGSTON, Jamaica - West Indies Cricket Board president, Dave Cameron, has described late Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya as “a true friend of West Indies cricket” who made a huge contribution to developing the game globally.

Dalmiya died in Kolkata, India on Sunday night after being admitted to hospital last Thursday with chest pains. Media reports said he subsequently suffered massive gastrointestinal bleeding.

He was age 75.

“We have lost a friend, a gentle-

man and one of cricket’s favorite sons. Jagmohan Dalmiya was a true friend of West Indies cricket and we always enjoyed his company and all that he brought to the game,” said Cameron.

“He was not just a friend of West Indies cricket, but World cricket. He loved the game and gave his all for the good of the sport.”

Dalmiya first became BCCI president in 2001 and was elected for the second time last March when he replaced current ICC president N. Srinivasan. He acted as interim BCCI president in 2013 during the spot-fixing controversy involving the Indian Premier League.

Dalmiya also served as ICC president after being elected in 1997.

Cameron said the veteran administrator had proven himself as a “visionary” and had managed to establish himself as a leader.

“Mr. Dalmiya was a visionary and had a huge impact on the game as one of the most respected and admired administrators in its history,” he said.

“He led world cricket with distinction and everyone respected his opinions on the game and how it should be run and managed.

“We offer our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, colleagues and the entire BCCI family.” (CMC)

Ramroop wins Demerara Mutual Life golf tournament

Twelve-yearold Laksmana Ramroop stunned Guyana’s golfing world on Saturday to win the Demerara Mutual Life golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

The talented Ramroop ended with Net 63 and Gross 91 to win ahead of Patanjalee “Pur” Persaud and Parmanand Persaud.

Patanjalee “Pur” Persaud in second

place chalked up Net 67 and Gross 85, while Parmanand Persaud finished third with Net 67 and Gross 87.

Nearest-to-the-Pin was Gavin Todd, while Best Gross of the day was won by Patrick Prashad.

Leslie Kellman was adjudged the most honest golfer.

At the presentation ceremony Marketing Manager Clarence Perry expressed delight at the company’s partnership

with the Lusignan Golf Club.

Director of Sports Christopher Jones who visited the Club for the first time, assured that the Club can look forward to support from the Department of Sports.

Club President Oncar Ramroop conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the Insurance Company, Director of Sports and all competitors and spectators.

Ramroop indicated

that for its 50 years of operation, the Golf Club has received no material support for maintenance from Government. However, he hoped the presence of the Director of Sports would establish some kind of material assistance – whether financial, machinery or otherwise – that would contribute some relief to the club in the significant burden of maintaining the sport and especially the grounds.

ASK-G sweep Kata and Kumite divisions at senior championships

the participants of the 2015 Senior National Karate championships display their awards at the conclusion of the event.

The Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) hosted its annual Senior National Karate Championships this past Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. President of the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) David Clarke, 6th degree Black Belt was present to deliver the opening remarks at the event and remained until the end when he helped to present the medals.

Kicking things off were the male and female 14-17 years, followed by the Adults (18+). Wrapping up the day was the Men’s Division.

In the Men’s Kata

the three-member team of Roger Peroune, Shaquille Sobers and Anthony Rambarran finished first ahead of the GKC team of Aubrey Bettencourt, Navindra Soodoo and Kenrick Cheeks while the NMAA team copped third.

The ASK-G team returned to wipe the plate in the Team Kumite. However, Sobers was substituted by Keith Beaton but the result remained the same.

Rodwell and Ryan Alleyne along with Kwesi Patrick who comprised the NMAA team got the better of GKC to take second in the Kumite.

Guyana’s budding

karatekas gave exceptional performances, as Brittany Bettencourt was first in the female 14-17 Kata followed by Tashana Wong and Kelly-Ann Fortune in second and third. Fortune bounced back to win the Kumite ahead of Wong and Atashieha Bovell.

Yannick Rameshwar was the top 14-17 male Kata performer while Jonathan Connelly was second and Mark Wong third. Tulsiedas Kira won the Kumite 55kg and lower, ahead of Abdullah Ariff and Avinash Ramgolam.

Wong stepped up to the 55kg+ and won ahead on Connelly and

Ramdin says he’s feeling no pressure

Port of Spain, Trinidad – As the West Indies players assembled on Monday morning in Barbados for a pre-tour camp, former Test captain Denesh Ramdin says that he is not under any pressure.

Ramdin, the solid wicketkeeper/batsman said: “I am looking forward to the camp and getting in some work before the tough Sri Lankan series comes up. It is going to be a very tough tour because the conditions are tough and we have to do as much work going into the series, if we stand a chance of doing well.”

Antuan Headley. Nicole Hohenkirk topped Ayodeli Bovell in the female Adult 18+ Kata but Bovell bounced back to defeat Hohenkirk in the Kumite.

In other results: Male 18+ Kata, 67kg – Roger Peroune first, Rodwell Alleyne second, Shaquille Sobers third. Male 18+ Kumite 67kg – Navindra Soodoo first, Shaquille Sobers second, Ryan Alleyne third.

Male 18+ Kata 75kg -: Rodwell Alleyne 1st, Anthony Rambarran 2nd, Roger Peroune 3rd

Male 18+ Kumite 84kg+ – Keith Beaton 1st, Stowell Barry 2nd, Kenrick Cheeks 3rd.

Ramdin was removed as West Indies Test captain after 14 matches and 15 months in charge and has been replaced by Jason Holder, who is also ODI captain. The West Indies will play two Test matches, three ODIs and two T20s on the tour which officially opens with the first Test match on October 14 at the Galle International Stadium.

Ramdin was told by the West Indies selectors that they wanted him to concentrate on his batting. Ramdin believes he can deliver with the willow in Sri Lanka. “I feel good at the moment, looking to hit some balls and get my game going. It will be important to spend time at the crease and forge partnerships with whoever is batting with

me.”

Asked whether he is feeling pressured by the presence of two other wicketkeeper/batsmen in the form of Shane Dowrich and Shai Hope in the squad, Ramdin responded: “I am not feeling any pressure at all. They might be under more pressure than me because they have less experience and they will be batting higher up the order.”

He added that he will extend his fullest support to Holder and looks forward to the challenge ahead. “Jason is a good guy, I advised him on many things during the World Cup and I intend to do my part in this series. He is a young captain and needs all the support he can get in order to make a difference.

“The senior men on the team have to make their experience count for him and people like Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Kraigg Brathwaite and myself have to make sure we have good totals. Then the bowlers like Devendra Bishoo must lead the charge.

“Bishoo is a key man in those conditions for us and he has been bowling very well, so we need to back him up and look to take the fight to the home team.

“I think we have the all-round strength to beat this team and we are going to give it our best efforts.” (Trinidad Guardian.)

FIFA’s Warner extradition papers signed, case adjourned

PORT OF SPAIN

–

According to a Reuters report, the Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General has signed Authority to Proceed (ATP) documents, clearing the way for extradition proceedings against ex-FI-

FA Vice-President Jack Warner, who is wanted in the United States on corruption charges, a court heard on Monday.

The case was then adjourned until Friday after lawyers asked for time to review the documents. Warner is among nine officials of world football’s governing body, along with five sports marketing executives indicted by U.S. prosecutors. He faces 12 charges related to racketeering and bribery.

U.S. authorities have asked for him to be extradited in order to face the charges. Warner was arrested on a provisional warrant in May.

Warner, the former president of CONCACAF, the con-

federation for North and Central America and the Caribbean and an ex-FIFA vice-president, has denied all wrongdoing.

The 72-year-old is also at the center of one of the key elements in the indictment – a $10 million payment from South African football officials to CONCACAF, which U.S prosecutors allege was linked to Warner’s support for South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

Lawyers for Warner asked Deputy Chief

Magistrate Mark Wellington to discharge their client because Attorney General Faris Al Rawi missed a Sept. 16 deadline for signing the ATP.

Queens Counsel James Lewis, representing the state, however, said that there was no reason to discharge Warner since the documents were now signed.

Wellington asked for time to review the documents and the arguments from lawyers representing the state.

Al Rawi was sworn into office on Sept. 9, two days after the People’s National Movement (PNM) won the general elections. On Sept. 16, he communicated with the Chief Magistrate’s office that he needed additional time to make a final decision on the ATP documents.

Warner, a former government minister, lost his seat in Trinidad and Tobago Parliament in elections earlier this month.

Sir Richie appointed ICC match referee

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

– Former West Indies captain and current team manager, Sir Richie Richardson has been appointed to sit on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Elite Panel of Match Referees.

The 53-year-old, who played 86 Tests and scored 5 949 runs in an illustrious career for West Indies, is set to take up the appointment once his stint as team manager ends next January, following the regional side’s tour of Australia.

He replaces Sri Lankan Roshan Mahanama who stepped down last week.

“I am excited and honoured to have been selected for one of the most important jobs in cricket,” Sir Richie said.

“Having been on either side of the fence, first as a player and then as an administrator, I

think I have the experience and insight to help me contribute positively alongside some of the finest and most experienced match officials.

“Obviously, I look forward to working and learning from my colleagues as we all continue to strive for excellence.”

Sir Richie took over as team manager in 2011 and has played a key role in helping to galvanise a slumping West Indies team. He, along with another great former player, Sir Curtly Ambrose, currently forms part of the management team along with head coach Phil Simmons.

Sir Richie, who leaves with the Windies for the tour of Sri Lanka at month-end and then Down Under for a Test series against the Aussies, said he would remain “fully committed” to his present role.

“Until the end of the

Holder wants to be the best all-rounder in the world

Bridgetown, Barbados –Current West Indies’ captain Jason Holder wants to be the best all-rounder in the world.

Speaking at a presentation and interactive session at Cooperators General Insurance for the St. Catherine’s Junior cricket team, Holder said that “I would like to be the number one all-rounder in the world in the next two years.”

He said that he has been critiqued and he has a plan in order to get where he wants to be. “I have a process how to get there. I set goals, how many runs and how many wickets.”

Newly appointed to the post of Test captain, Holder said that when he looks back on his career he has always performed better as a leader.

But his goals are not only personal as he hopes to make a difference in the West Indies team.

“I would say I am mature enough to handle this post and I have a vision where I want to take cricket, but more than personally, it is about getting everyone togeth-

Australia tour, I will remain fully committed and focused on my current assignment as the West Indies cricket team manager and I would like to thank the West Indies Cricket Board for its support over years as well as the encouragement it provided to me in taking up this new role,” he said.

ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, hailed Sir Richie’s appointment, pointing out he would bring exceptional qualities to his new role.

“Richie is one of the greats of the game, who is admired for not only his accomplishments as a batsman but also the way he captained the West Indies when he embodied traits such as integrity, leadership and sportsmanship in his dealings both on and off the field,” Allardice said.

“He is very familiar with the demands of international cricket through his experiences as a player, captain and now team manager; and he will bring a fresh perspective to the role.”

Sir Richie also played 224 One-Day Internationals from 1983 to 1996, amassing 6 248 runs.

He led West Indies in 24 Tests, winning 11, losing six and drawing seven.

er.”

“When one looks at the past teams, they looked like a family and this modern cricket team doesn’t look like a family.”

He wants to build a relationship with the players, one with respect and trust. However, he knows that bringing everyone together and getting everyone ‘singing from the same page’ will be his biggest challenge.

Holder who said his love for the game started when he was watching the Ashes in 2005 as well as seeing players such as Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Brian Lara playing, said that one thing that he has learnt is to never give up.

Holder mentioned that preparation is key and often times while many cricketers, after maintaining their fitness and preparation at home, when they travel on tours is when they tend to neglect it as they are often tired from games. However, he believes that this is when it is most important to maintain the training regime as players often breakdown on tour because their fitness level falls when one is away from home.

Holder said to the young cricketers that the harder you work outside [the field] then the easier it is on the field. (The Barbados Advocate).

Sir Hilary says region’s support critical in Dominica's re-building

BRIDGETOWN, BarbadosUniversity of the West Indies (UWI) Vice Chancellor, Sir Hilary Beckles, believes it was critical for key institutions like UWI and the West Indies Cricket Board, to respond quickly to the ongoing crisis in Dominica.

The two institutions have collaborated to stage the Dominica Relief celebrity charity game at Kensington Oval here next Saturday, and Sir Hilary said both he and WICB president, Dave Cameron, thought the fund-raising fixture was the right thing to do under the circumstances.

Dominica was last month devastated by the passage of Tropical Storm Erika which killed over 30 people and left over US$200 million

infrastructural damage.

“We sat over dinner and we worked through the details and these two institutions – 1928, the WICB and 1948, UWI –came together to do the right thing which is to assist our people in their hour of need,” Sir Hilary told a media conference here Sunday.

“You would have heard from the Prime Minister of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerritt and he argued that in his judgement, the development agenda of his country has been set back 20 years. This is a very serious realisation.

“The people of Dominica since their independence have worked very hard and diligently to build a nation. Nation building in the Caribbean is always a fragile process

and Dominica have done well.”

The game will be played between the WICB President’s XI and the UWI ViceChancellor’s Celebrity XI, and will feature the likes of legendary former batsman, Brian Lara, ex-Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke who is Trinidadian, and newly appointed Test captain Jason Holder.

Sir Hilary urged the Caribbean to give their moral and financial support to the embattled nation as it seeks to recover from the tragedy.

“The devastation to the infrastructure of the country, the devastation to family, homes, communities, places of business, schools – all the institutions that constitute a nation – have been severely damaged and have crippled the normal operations of the nation of Dominica,” he said.

“This requires a concerted effort and all of us in the world, who envision to see Dominica back on its feet again, functioning with the normal resilience the people of Dominica displayed over the decades [would support this initiative].” Proceeds from the game will go towards the Dominica Relief fund.

(CMC)

Formula 4 demonstration set for CMRC Guyana leg

Guyanese racing fans will be in for a treat when current Formula 4 driver Calvin Ming brings one of his newly acquired machines for a demonstration run during the final leg of the 2015 Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) later this year.

Ming, through his father Stanley, a former president of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) and racer, confirmed that he is looking to bring one of his Formula 4 machines back to Guyana to show exactly what he does in

“Elite

North America. Reports indicate that he will be looking to do several demonstration laps around the small South Dakota Circuit with the GMR&SC announcing their approval to the request. The car will be shipped to Guyana in an enclosed trailer and should arrive in Guyana around mid-October ahead of the November 14-15 demonstration.

Meanwhile, Stanley Jr is currently preparing to compete in the Formula 4 NACAM (North American Central American Motor-racing)

Championships’ inaugural race as a precursor to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Mexico.

He is in Palmetto, Florida at the Team Pelfrey workshop getting ready to test an F1600 at Sebring next weekend.

The F1600, the first Formula-type car he was evaluated in at the Gingerman Raceway in Michigan, was geared for another track, but on the second day of testing he equalled the lap record for the F1600 category.

If Ming’s schedule permits he may race this car in the final 3 races of the F1600 Championship

League could be turning point for Guyana’s football” -

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Newly appointed Head Coach of Monedderlust FC, Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Brathwaite, believes the Guyana Football Federation’s Stag Elite League could be a stimulus for Guyana’s football, noting that the League is “a gift from FIFA to Guyana.”

Speaking to this publication on Tuesday, Brathwaite, a former national player, said during his playing days he craved for such opportunities. He is now urging the current crop of players to grab the moment to not only improve themselves, but Guyana’s football status.

“It [the Elite League] is something good for Guyana. It could make a big difference to our foot-

Monedderlust coach optimistic about football prospects

ball. As a matter of fact, the Elite League could be the turning point for Guyana’s football,” the experienced coach stated.

Brathwaite, who is in charge of Monedderlust, the Ancient County’s top side, said football stands to benefit from the introduction of a professional League in Guyana, noting that only growth and development can be derived going forward. On his team’s chances in the eight-team tournament, Brathwaite said while his boys have a good chance of winning, they are a young bunch still on the learning curve.

“You know sometimes they can be over enthusiastic and that sometimes does not translate into positive vibes, but at the end of the day we’re looking to play good football, and show the rest of the country that football is not centralised,” the coach explained.

Monedderlust started their campaign in the League with a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Guyana Defence Force on Saturday evening at the Number Five

Series in Pittsburgh, mid-October.

He is also making final adjustments to the red F4 car before loading and shipping same to Mexico next week where testing for that will commence shortly.

An email from NACAM said after a long negotiation between Formula One management and the organising committee of the Formula One Grand Prix

in Mexico, the official announcement of the championship being the support race of the Mexican Grand Prix, October 30 –31 and November 1, was made.

Ming started racing in the shifter kart division in Guyana and is currently attending the Florida International University pursuing an engineering degree.

In July of this year, the junior Ming did some

testing in a F4 car belonging to Team Pelfrey, a top team in the United States and after evaluation had been invited to drive for the team.

Ming also attended the Skip Barber Racing School Programme where he emerged top of 21 students and is currently involved in extensive testing sessions of his two Mygale F4 Cars at various venues across the U.S.

Ground in West Berbice.

They currently sit atop of the points table after wiping out a 2-0 deficit to beat the Army men 3-2.

(aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

Forde optimistic of Guyana’s 10k future

By TReisTon Joseph

Guyana’s distance megastar Cleveland Forde is optimistic about the future of Guyana’s 10k running after his Courts 10k win on Sunday.

Forde, who broke away from his biggest rival in Cleveland Thomas later than he usually would, stated that he can see the level of competition rising.

“I can see the level improving but to get to another level, maybe if we are talking sub 30’s (below 30 minutes) you will have to go out of here and train with altitude conditions but with the way the guys are going now you can expect closer competition,” Forde noted.

Forde has been Guyana’s most dominant distance athlete especially at the 10k level and has not lost to any local competitors at least in the last five years.

In addition, Forde is also the national record holder of both the men’s 1500 and 5000 metres events.

With Forde undefeated for this year over the 10k distance, whether he will remain undefeat-

ed on home soil for the South American 10k is left to be seen, since an influx of regional and international athletes will be on deck for the competition.

Forde did confirm with Guyana Times International Sport that he will be putting his best foot forward for the event while hinting what his training will be like for the event.

“My preparation will be what I usually do; I’m not going to say exactly but my normal stuff… I think I will focus more on intervals, more track intervals,” Forde noted.

The first leg of the South American 10k will be held in Suriname on October 31 while the second leg will be in Guyana on November 8 and the third leg in Panama on November 15.

“Las Vegas” style boxing to hit Giftland Mall in Guyana

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Boxing fans will be in for a huge treat on Saturday night if the plans of the management of Giftland Mall come to fruition at the first-ever “Brawl at the Mall” boxing card.

Staged under the theme “Next Generation Boxing”, the organisers are hoping to transform the spanking new department store into the glitz and glamour associated with fights staged in the boxing capital of the world, Las Vegas.

Guyana Boxing Board of Control member, Trevor Arno, during in an interview with this publication on Tuesday, indicated that an evening of grandeur is eagerly anticipated, as the ultimate aim is to take local boxing to the next level.

“Preparations are coming along good,” Arno said. “What the Giftland Mall is trying to do is create the Las Vegas outlook or appearance, as we want to move boxing to a higher level.”

Arno added that the “last ends are being tied up” with regards general preparations, while the boxers are hard at training at their respec-

tive gyms. “We can expect very keen competition,” Arno promised.

The card, which will comprise eight professional and a similar number of amateur fights, will be headlined by a title fight featuring Trinidad and Tobago-based Guyanese Iwan Azore against compatriot Dexter Gonsalves.

The 12-round contest will see Azore putting his national welterweight belt on the line against Gonsalves, the reigning national lightweight champion of Guyana.

Terrence Adams and Keeve Allicock will open the profesional segment with a four-round featherweight showdown, while Anson Green and Quincy Gomes will trade punches in a six-round junior welterweight clash. Also slated to appear

On the amateur side, Orin Bancroft of Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gym will take on Travis Hubbard of Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym in a Youth Lightweight fight; Tefon Green of Guyana Defense Force will trade punches with Dexter Wray of Republican in an Elite Flyweight showdown; Glenroy Smith of Essequibo Boxing Gym will confront Clifton Grayham of Republican in a Welterweight bout; and Nandkumar Singh of Republican will battle with Kelon King of Forgotten Youth Foundation in a Lightweight fight. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)