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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 193

week ending May 25, 2014

Australian mining company optimistic about Guyana operations See story on page 19

Page 12 US Ambassador says talks on Governance project productive

US Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt

Page 3 Guyana market will Search on for Limacol be profitable - Copa Airlines CPL cheerleaders Page 53

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Motion passed for inquiry into torture allegations A

Partnership for National Unity (APNU) gained the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) support in passing a motion for the appointment a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the alleged torture of persons by the Guyana Police Force between 2006 and 2013. In rejecting the motion, the Government said the period of investigation should have been expanded to include incidents that occurred from the time of Independence in 1966 to present. In presenting the motion, Opposition Leader David Granger said despite a

series of reforms between the periods 1999-2013, the Guyana Police Force continues to face serious challenges due to the abuse of power by ranks, resulting in serious assaults on Guyanese, in particular young men. “Over the last 15 years, this nation has been looking forward to serious Police reform… I bring this motion today because the Police Force has not been reformed and we still face the torture of persons,” Granger told the House on Wednesday under the stewardship of the Deputy Speaker Basil Williams.

Opposition Leader David Granger

Alluding to Article 141 of the Constitution of Guyana, the Opposition Leader pointed out that no person should be subjected to degrad-

ing punishment or torture. Guyana also signed onto the United Nation’s Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 1988. As Guyana approaches its 48th Independence anniversary, the National Assembly must stand against torture and more particularly the excessive use of force by some ranks in the Police Force. “Torture is inhumane, torture is cruel, torture is degrading but most of all, torture is illegal,” he said, noting that perpetrators within the Force

must be penalised for the inhumane acts committed against persons, some of whom have never been found guilty of an offence. “I therefore call on this House to investigate every single crime of torture, to bring this outrage to an end and to guarantee that our citizens live a good life to which they are entitled, without this cruel and degrading form of punishment.” In October 2009, the genitals of 14-year-old Twyon Thomas were burnt while he was in Police custody at the Leonora Police Station during the probe into

the killing of former Region Three official Raminauth Bisram. The shocking discovery had sparked a series of debates on Police brutality. The Supreme Court of Guyana had awarded the teen Gy$6.5 million. Last November, 23-yearold Colwyn Harding had accused ranks that were stationed at the Timehri Police Station of raping him with a baton. This too has resulted in widespread outrage, with civil society calling for serious reformation of the Guyana Police Force. Today, the matter is still engaging the attention of the Guyana Police Force.

Guyana market will be profitable - Copa Airlines

opa Airlines Vice President of Sales Guillermo Gomez Wilches on Wednesday said that research conducted by the airline revealed that Guyana would be a profitable country for them to set up shop and offer flights to non-traditional destinations. Addressing a group of journalists at a brief meeting at the Pegasus Hotel, Gomez maintained that once Copa enters a market, it does

so on an informed basis and has rarely made any hasty decisions in that regard. “We have those numbers, but unfortunately, I can’t share it with you because I don’t want to open the appetite for other carriers,” he said. The Vice President of Sales was adamant that with the exception of the peak seasons, it is expected that there will be a large influx of passengers going to destinations around the Caribbean,

adding that it is taxing on persons to have to fly to several different destinations before they arrive at a destination that is three hours away via a direct flight.

Service

“There are so much other places to fly within Latin America,” said Wilches as he explained that Copa will be providing premium service, affording Guyanese to visit parts of Latin America at competitive prices and at the same time offering

Copa Airlines Vice President of Sales Guillermo Gomez Wilches

the Latin American diaspora the opportunity to visit Guyana. “We are going to save you money, we are going to save you time,” said Wilches. When questioned about the possibility of drug mules using the airline as a possible cost effective way to ship cocaine and other contraband to Guyana, Wilches responded in the negative, opining that “we have one of the most advanced security models”.

He explained that potential traffickers would find it very hard to pass Copa screening undetected with controlled substances. Noting that over the past four years Copa has embarked on approximately 20 new destinations and those routes are still being plied by the airline, Wilches said: “Once we open a destination, we are not just testing to see how we go. We are sure that we are continued on page 7

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709. Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Sober reflections R

ecently, Guyana observed Arrival Day, celebrating the significant contributions of East Indians to the development of the country since their fore-parents arrived on these shores from Bharat Mata (Mother India) some 176 years ago. From then to now, despite the suppression of their culture, religion and political bullyism, first by their colonial masters, followed by the Government during the post-Independence era up to 1992, they have prevailed, contributing to practically every aspect of development in Guyana. Today, many businessmen in Guyana are Indians, many of whom would have started from humble beginnings, building their enterprises through dedication, hard work, thrift and strategic planning. Not only have they made a name for themselves in the field of entrepreneurship, but they have also distinguished themselves in law, politics and sport. The names are too numerous to mention, but in law, names like former International Court of Justice, Judge, politician and diplomat Mohamed Shahabuddeen and former Attorney General, Commonwealth Secretary General, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies and regional and international public servant, Sir Shridath Ramphal come to mind; and in politics, the Father of the modern and democratic Guyana and former President, Dr Cheddi Jagan and former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now a global voice on climate change, stand out. Who does not know the symbol of endurance, the immovable and sometimes unpredictable Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul and the mercurial genius Rohan Babulall Kanhai? So Indian Arrival Day indeed presented an opportunity for Indians throughout Guyana to celebrate the contributions of their descendants who crossed the “kala pani” (black water) in the perilous journey to escape the grinding poverty in their homeland to settle in their new “Bharata” (Guyana). And indeed, their contributions in transforming the economic landscape of Guyana is no folklore; Guyana in the past 22 years has moved from a country of hopelessness to a nation on the rise, boosting robust economic growth in the past few years, and presenting opportunities for all Guyanese. But amid the celebrations, there is need for some sober reflections. There are still many Guyanese in poverty, including Indians, who need urgent attention; domestic violence and suicide still remain prevalent; the chutney culture continues to erode established Indian cultural values and norms; and there appears to be a disconnect between leaders at the highest level and their constituents. The poverty is not only the lack of means to sustain themselves, but is it rooted in the poverty of ignorance (lack of education), which if not addressed in a forceful manner can become cyclical, resulting in “volcanic” effects. Education is the solution to the problem and every Guyanese parent must ensure that their children receive a sound education and become meaningful contributors to society. The early indentured servants recognised the importance of unity and thrift and this enabled them to make progress one step at a time; this trait must not be forgotten. More young Indians need to get into business and view the persistence of their forefathers as a source of motivation and inspiration for success. It is disturbing that even in this modern day and age, some Indian men, more particularly those in the sugar cane belt, still “bulawah” (spend wastefully) their money and beat their wives. Here is where Indian leaders need to have closer relations with their communities, speaking to their members, advising them of solutions to their problems to prevent issues such as alcohol abuse and suicide, and converting “lagoo bagoos” (the injudicious) to respectable men. For a people who face indignity with dignity for a better generation, this disconnect, coupled with the decadent chutney culture is besmirching the progressive image East Indians have earned through hard work and sacrifices. As Guyana celebrated another Arrival Day, Indians must take stock of their actions, strive to improve their lives and play their part in making Guyana a more harmonious, peaceful and prosperous land for all Guyanese.

Miss New York hopefuls meeting with Mayor Bill de Blasio ahead of the pageant scheduled for this weekend at St George’s Theatre

Caribbean needs new strategy to influence debate on food security

n international conference ended earlier this week in Ethiopia, with Caribbean delegates indicating that the region needs to do more to influence the discussion on food security, nutrition and making a case for increased economic assistance. More than 700 policymakers, development practitioners, donors, and others met to evaluate emerging shocks that pose significant threats to food and nutrition security among Small Island Development States (SIDS), especially in the Caribbean. The three-day meeting was tasked with identifying the key agricultural and nutritional needs for the wellbeing, livelihood and economies of SIDS. The conference highlighted presentations from experts from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Caribbean delegates had a hard time putting across their concerns to the conference with regional economist and former diplomat, Edwin Laurent, telling Caribbean media: "It is clear that the Caribbean needs to do more; we need to be more focused on getting our message across about what our needs are and more strategic in having them met".

where thousands die each year, and where the problems of food and security are much more severe than they are anywhere else in the world, so it is quite appropriate that there be this great attention to the problems of Africa," Laurent stated. He said, too, that from reports presented, it was clear that the attention to African issues was bearing fruit, as in the case of Ethiopia where a few years ago thousands died from famine, more recently with greater attention being paid to the requirements of the country, only a few died when inflicted by a major drought. "So there has been change and progress in some areas, but unfortunately where the Caribbean is concerned we have not been seeing much positive and rapid change as we have seen in Africa," he noted. The 2020 vision conference was about food security and ensuring that countries and people have access to food, but Caribbean delegates expressed the view that the region has a different interest in the subject, with the focus not on what can be grown locally, but having enough money to be able to purchase what people need.

But he contended that the principal focus of the conference was the needs to be on Africa, given its size and the number of people who live there and by comparison, the scope of the problem in the Caribbean. "In the Caribbean you don't have people dying from hunger as opposed to Africa,

Caribbean farmer groups attending the conference also spoke of the need for a greater coordinating mechanism on the issues of food security, nutrition and climate change both at the regional and international level. They called for greater focus not just on academic institutions, but the process of

Food security

Coordination

incorporating local knowledge in an effort to enrich the whole dialogue. But the farmer groups were ecstatic about achieving what they described as their primary objective at the three-day conference, that of furthering the process of bringing the Caribbean and the Pacific together as a bloc. "This would enable us to negotiate a better quota of aid packages and programmes, because in the ACP regime it is all about Africa, it being a large continent, and a major frontier for growth. As a result the Caribbean and the Pacific have been sidelined," said Jethora Greene, Coordinator of the Caribbean Farmers Network. He said that the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation had facilitated the presence of a reasonably strong Pacific and Caribbean delegation at the conference, "as a result we have agreed to a collaborative effort building on what we had previously initiated". He stated also that he was certain the initiative will see the emergence of an EU Caribbean/Pacific summit with a number of partners already expressing an interest. "So from a Caribbean perspective our goal has been achieved. Essentially what we are saying is that if we have a summit for the Caribbean and Pacific with the EU, we will be able to focus on some of the real needs that we have, as opposed to getting lost in the wider ACP group, especially when it comes to dealing with the several issues of Africa," Greene indicated. (Caribbean News)

news

5 Youths charged to take firm stand on climate change S

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

everal young persons were charged to take the issue of climate change seriously as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Vybzing 2014 commenced in Guyana on Wednesday. Vybzing is a youth workshop hosted annually by the bank and covers various topical issues. This year’s theme for Vybzing Guyana 2014 is “Youth Voices for Climate Change”. The forum is being held at the Grand Coastal Inn and will last for three days. Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said climate change is real and persons, particularly young people, should have a vested interest in it since their future will be adversely affected. The Minister urged youths to educate themselves on carbon management so as to become more climate conscious. He noted that the CDB has recognised the importance of climate change; hence, their decision to make it the topic of this year’s outreach. “I am very happy that this programme has been specially tailored

CDB Manager Angela Parris, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, CDB Vice President Yvette Lemonias-Seale and Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh at the headtable of the opening of Vybzing 2014

not just to bring knowledge, but also to have a practical side of it, where you would be coming up with a project and the bank would be helping you to fund that project in a very practical way so that we would be able to do in our little part to mitigate the changes in the climate,” Dr Anthony stated. He noted that Guyana has been very proactive in climate change regionally and internationally, pointing to the country’s vision as outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Dr Anthony stressed that climate change should not be underestimated, pointing to the increase in storms and natural disasters in the Atlantic region, which have claimed the lives

of a number of persons while causing severe damage. He noted that in 2012, there were 19 storms and 10 hurricanes in the region, causing over 200 deaths and US$70.8 billion in damage.

Commendation

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh commended the bank for choosing climate change as this year’s Vybzing topic, noting that it is a very important issue, not only in Guyana, but the Caribbean. He said climate change is the “gravest challenge” for humans. Dr Singh told the participants that Guyana has the strongest vested interest in climate change. “You are the policymakers, the legislators, the entrepreneurs, the

farmers and the householders, whose lives would be more severely affected than anybody else’s by the onset and consequences of climate change,” Dr Singh stated. He pointed out that most Caribbean coun-

tries are low-lying and would disappear with a mere two inch rise of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea. “You and I are meeting today below the level of the Atlantic Ocean… and we are protected by a physical wall constructed by man and maintained by man, maintained by your Government at a considerable cost, but maintained because so much of our economic activities, so much of our administrative capacity, so much of our human population resides on and depend on this coastal plane,” the Minister noted. Dr Singh added that

Guyana is among the countries vulnerable to climate change, and is at the forefront of the global fight as he pointed to the visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy. CDB Corporate Service Vice President and Bank Secretary Yvette Lemonias-Seale said Vybzing is an outreach programme designed to inspire, inform and engage youths on developmental issues. According to Lemonias-Seale, in 2009, Caricom had approved a regional framework for a resilient response to climate change and the outreach is part of the strategy.

Some of the participants in CDB’s Vybzing 2014 held at the Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Cheap counterfeit body products on local market Essequibo - causing headache for Guyanese authorities farmers need more market for T pineapples

he Government Analyst- Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is alerting consumers that counterfeit body products (Head and Shoulders, Pantene Pro V, and Olay Total Effect 7 in 1) are being sold locally. The authorised distributor of this line of Procter and Gamble products, ANSA McAL Trading, lodged a complaint with the Department and an investigation was subsequently launched. In a release, the GA- FDD said it has made direct contact with the manufacturer through its local distributor and has been furnished with specific security and quality specifications that differentiate the original products from the counterfeit. Food and Drug Director Marlan Cole told GTI that the Department has been investigating the influx of these counterfeit products since March, and has since sent some samples directly to overseas labs to ascertain the products’ authenticity. As the Department started a mission to remove the counterfeit

The original product is on the right in the photographs

products from the local market, it was met with some resistance from some persons who were not willing to part with the products without gain. This state of affairs left the Department with no other alternative but to make the issue of the counterfeit goods public and take legal action to get them off of the market. As it relates to the products out on the local market, there is a vast difference between the counterfeit and the original versions. The most noticeable is the price difference. The counterfeit products are 70 per cent less than the price of the original. The approximate cost of the counterfeit Head and Shoulders is Gy$320 while that of the original is Gy$1400. The

batch number/production number and expiry date of the counterfeit are on the bottom of the bottle whereas the original carries this information on the back of the bottle. The appearance of the counterfeit Head and Shoulders is diluted, light green in colour and has a faint odour, while the original is a thick creamy mixture and with a “strong characteristic colour”. The GA-FDD is asking all consumers to pay close attention to the details of these products in order to differentiate the products before purchasing. Also make sure that the words on the labels are in English and be very sceptical when there is vast price difference for the same product. The Department advises that the public

be more vigilant about the products they buy. There are other counterfeit products on the market that they may not be aware of. The Department is currently in the process of initiating legal proceedings against defaulters (importers who deliberately release counterfeit products on the local market). Steps are also being taken to strengthen the licensing process to ensure that only importers that are in complete compliance with the guidelines and requirements are issued with Importing Licences. GA-FDD will continue to seize and remove counterfeit items and work with importers to ensure that only legitimate and original products are released for sale in Guyana.

armers in the Amerindian community of Mainstay/Whyaka on the Essequibo Coast have complained over the lack of markets for pineapples as harvesting commenced. Harvesting commenced mid-April and is expected to end in June. The lack of market for pineapples has forced farmers to occupy new locations at various villages to sell their pineapples. One such farmer, Rayane Edwards, a mother of three, said the pineapple factory in Mainstay is presently down and farmers are forced to seek outside markets. She said the factory is down because the overseas markets have stopped purchasing their pineapples. “We farmers were told that the European market is buying organic pineapples from another country because they are sourcing it cheaper.” According to

Edwards, on a daily basis, she sells approximately 200 pineapples at Capoey village, at three for a Gy$1000. Her parents Leo and Donna Gomes cultivate approximately 10 acres of pineapple. The mother of three told Guyana Times International that since childhood, she knew about pineapple cultivation, noting that the income from the trade has enabled her to send her children to school. For many farmers at Mainstay/Whyaka, pineapple cultivation is a main source of their livelihood. Edwards begins vending at 07:00h every day, retiring at 14:00h. Farmers from other villages who sell the commodity at the Anna Regina and Bush Lot Markets, say sales are slow. Pineapple cultivation in the village has enhanced the livelihood of residents, promoting tourism and facilitating community development projects.

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WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GTM continues to record strong growth figures T

he Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Life Insurance Company (GTM) reported a 10.38 per cent growth in total revenue and a 12.5 per cent increase in insurance premiums in 2013, as the company continues to record strong growth figures. Chairman of the insurance company in Guyana, Harold Singh, in delivering the director’s report at the company’s 89th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Georgetown Club on Tuesday, revealed that total revenue amounted to Gy$1.45

Members of the Board of Directors at the AGM on Tuesday

asset base increased from Gy$7.45 billion at the end of 2012 to some Gy$8.16 billion at the end of 2013. Singh, who was reelected to the post for

Rookie of the Year Wazir Khan receives his award from Director RL Jordon

billion, with a profit of Gy$187 million, Gy$83 million more than the Gy$104 million recorded in 2012. There was an increase of Gy$156 million in policyholders’ revenue, with a net profit after tax of Gy$31.4 million. The company’s total

the New Year, said the insurance sector across the region continues to come under increased and stringent regulatory requirements, despite its annual financial reporting. These requirements include increased emphasis on corporate gov-

Guyana market...

from page 3

going to do well and, of course, our intention is that we are going to be for a long, long time in Guyana.”

Announcement

Copa Airlines had announced in January its intention to begin operating two weekly flights out of Guyana in July. The flights will link Guyana to Copa’s hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport in Panama, thus increasing travel options and improving connections throughout Copa Airlines’ extensive route network. Additionally, the airline expects that this will allow Guyanese passengers easier access to 69 destinations in 30 countries, while opening up the country’s tourism products to more markets. According to the airline, in January, acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali said “we will be working closely with

Copa and the travel trade to maximise the opportunity this partnership offers”. The airlines currently offer service to 69 destinations in 30 countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean. During Copa Airlines’ more than 65 years of uninterrupted operations, it has transformed the hub of the Americas in Panama into the leading hub on the continent. Copa operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 90 aircraft: 64 Boeing 737 Next-Generation planes and 26 Embraer-190s. It has an on-time performance of almost 90 per cent, on par with the major airlines worldwide. Copa is a member of the Star Alliance, the leading global airline network, offering passengers 1328 destinations in 195 countries, with more than 21,900 daily flights and 900 VIP lounges.

ernance and a risk-based approach to conducting business for all insurance companies operating in the Caribbean region. He pointed out that the ultimate goal of the regulators is to have harmonised and unified insurance legislation across the region.

Move ahead

The GTM Chairman, speaking to the company’s performance in Guyana, revealed that GTM, in spite of raging competition, has been able to move ahead with the sale of 811 of 1460 new individual policies, sold with annualised pre-

miums of Gy$61.33 million. According to the report, at the commencement of the 2013 fiscal year, and after an adjustment for the change in currency exchange rates, there were 10,864 policies in force insuring Gy$48,206,807,328 with annual premiums of

Gy$644,944,131. The company’s advisory team was lauded for its dedicated work toward the industry. According to Singh, its consistency and performance over the years has become the cornerstone on which the company’s success continues to thrive.

news

week ending May 25, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

ILO teams up with Guyana’s antichild labour programme

team from the International L a b o u r Organisation has hailed the Guyana Government’s antichild labour programme TACKLE, which it said has had tremendous success in the fight against the scourge. This was revealed when the high-level team from the ILO and the local Tripartite Committee talks at the Labour Department’s Brickdam Office met last week. The meeting was hosted by Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul, Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster and members of the Tripartite body which comprises repre-

sentatives of the trade unions, employers, and other social partners. Leading the ILO team was Dr Giovanni di Cola, Director, Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean. He was accompanied by Rainer Pritzer, Senior Specialist, Social Dialogue and Labour Administration; Reynold Simons, Senior Specialist, Employment and Labour Market Policies; Paula Robinson, Senior Specialist, Workers Activities; and Anne Knowles, Senior Specialist, Employers Activities. According to a release by the Labour Ministry, Dr di Cola commended Guyana for the suc-

The high-level ILO team meeting with Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul and other officials

cessful implementation of the School Retention ILO/TACKLE Project which targeted school children for increased attendance and performance at school, thereby eliminating child labour. “Thanks to Guyana, the project was particularly successful in the

Caribbean… the collaboration was even good during the challenges.” While the ILO funding for the project has come to an end, the project is now being integrated into the national system, through the Education Ministry. Minister Gopaul advised that vehicles have been purchased to continue the transportation component of the project, and the provision of hot meals to students will also continue.

Training programmes

The Minister also told the team of the successful training programmes being executed through the Board of Industrial Training to provide additional opportunities to young people who dropped out of school and, address unemployment, as well as financial support for students in public schools, and the provision of meals, transportation and school uniforms for them.

The more than threehour long meeting saw discussions on social dialogue, workers’ migration and social and health benefits, as well as the work of the Tripartite Committee. Through the National Tripartite Committee, and the support of the ILO, the Ministry was able to implement and go beyond the parameters of the Decent Work Country Programme; table HIV/ AIDS regulations in the National Assembly, and craft regulations to address mining, manufacturing, chemicals, and noise, all of which are being finalised. Noris Whitter of the Trades Union Congress, commended the Tripartite body for its work, adding that the support of the ILO has been instrumental to its success. Appreciation was also expressed to the ILO by Kenneth Joseph of the Federation of Independent Trade

Unions of Guyana and Dale Beresford of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (TUC). Beresford and Jerry Goolsarran of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries also noted the strong leadership provided by Minister Gopaul that has seen successes, such as the implementation of the National Minimum Wage and the 40-hour work week. Guyana was also praised for being one of 13 countries to sign the ILO Convention Number 189, which offers specific protection to domestic workers. This makes Guyana the only country in the Caribbean to do so and one of few in Latin America according to the ILO. Following the discussions, the grouping agreed that the ILO would support Guyana with technical expertise in various areas discussed to boost local capacity.

Domestic workers are most exploited in the Caribbean

round 650,000 domestic workers are being

forced into labour – the most exploited category of workers in the Caribbean, a new report by the International Labour Oganisation (ILO) has said. The report, which was launched on Tuesday, also highlighted that globally, forced labour in the private economy generates US$150 billion in illegal profits per year, about three times more than previously estimated, according to the new report. The ILO report, ‘Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour’, said two thirds of the estimated total of US$150 billion, or US$99 billion, came from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$51 billion resulted from forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities. “This new report

ILO Director General Guy Ryder

takes our understanding of trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery to a new level,” said ILO Director General Guy Ryder. “Forced labour is bad for business and development and especially for its victims. Our new report adds new urgency to our efforts to eradicate this fundamentally evil, but hugely profitable, praccontinued on page 10

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

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The ‘Get Modi’ brigade

Dear Editor, For over a decade, Congress and the western media have conducted a well-orchestrated “Get Modi” campaign, that evokes all the lessons of the Goebbelsian propaganda principles: create the big lie and tell it so often and so widely, it gradually bludgeons the minds of the unwary into accepting it as “truth”. Saraswati Ali’s, “The Modi disaster for ordinary Indians” (In the Diaspora – Stabroek News, May 19) is almost a caricature of the tactic and regurgitates most of the old fabrications with some new ones following the general elections. Ms Ali starts off by raising the bogeyman of Modi’s “putative role in the 2002 state-sanctioned massacre of close to 2000 Muslims in the state of Gujarat where he was Chief Minister”. But why does Ms Ali cite this “2000 figure” when as the BBC reported on May 11, 2005, “India has for the first time published detailed

figures on the number of people killed in the religious riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002. The government told parliament that 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed, 223 more people reported missing and another 2,500 injured”. As Modi said, “The death of a single innocent person, whether Hindu or Muslim or belonging to any other religion, is highly unfortunate and cannot be justified. That more than 1,000 people were killed is highly unfortunate and reprehensible. But that cannot be a justification to exaggerate and inflate the number of people killed to 2,000 or any higher figure”. But Ms Ali not only repeats the sin of commission through inflation, but that of omission by not mentioning, as all her cohorts do, that the carnage in Gujarat was sparked by claims that a trainload of Hindu pilgrims that had been burnt alive (59 died) was the work of Muslims.

One of the accused leaders is now a wanted fugitive in Pakistan. Ms Ali then says, “In 2012, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the courts cleared him (Modi). It wasn’t any “court” but the universally respected Supreme Court of India that later reviewed the evidence and concurred with the clean chit given to Modi. Not satisfied on the prompting of the Public Prosecutor Office, on December 26, 2013, an Ahmedabad court which was asked by the Supreme Court to handle the case, cleared Modi of any responsibility for the riots. But to his avowed enemies like Ms Ali, the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” shouldn’t apply to Modi. Ms Ali then maligns the Indian Judiciary by implying that they are “unable to handle massacres in India”, and mentions the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 following the assassination of Congress Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi.

Narendra Modi

But Ms Ali again hides more than she reveals. The courts do not initiate charges in India – it is initiated by the State via the Public Prosecutor’s Office – and this institution faces very heavy political pressures – from the State controlled by the Congress Party. So while all sorts of charges and Inquiries were filed against Modi and his aides (one of whom was convicted and imprisoned) none have been made in the 1984 Delhi killings that were in retaliation for the Killing of the Congress PM. What was most disturbing was Ms Ali blaming Modi from the Indian Stock Market ris-

The President is exercising the constitutional power he enjoys Dear Editor, I refer to a letter written by Mr Vincent Alexander published in the letter columns of the daily newspapers. In that letter, Mr Alexander referred to statements which I made in my 2014 Budget presentation in the National Assembly, regarding the reasons advanced by His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, for his withholding assent from the Local Government Amendment Bill. In my presentation, I adumbrated a number of reasons, including, but not limited to the following: 1. The deletion from the Bill, of several clauses by the Opposition with no corresponding amendments inserted to fill the deficiencies created by those deletions; in the consequence, there are several structural and institutional deficiencies in the architecture of the local government structure which the Bill purports to create; 2. The conferment by the Bill upon the Local Government Commission, created by Article 78 (A) of the Constitution, with more functional responsibilities than the

President Donald Ramotar

Constitution itself confers upon this Commission, thereby making those provisions of the Bill ultra-vires the Constitution. Mr Alexander, however, omits to make reference to the aforementioned reasons and indeed, cites another ground advanced by me which I will address hereunder, unfortunately, conveying the impression that it is the singular reason proffered by me for the President’s withholding of his assent. Mr Alexander next seeks to justify the conferment upon the Local Government Commission of functional responsibilities, which are executive in nature. To buttress his contention, he invokes article 99 (1) of the Constitution.

Herein lies the gravamen of Mr Alexander’s faux pas. He commits the most elementary blunder by confusing “Parliament” with “National Assembly”, thereby, completely ignoring Article 55 of the Constitution which provides that “there shall be a Parliament of Guyana, which shall consist of the President and the National Assembly.” It is the National Assembly (not Parliament but a constituent part thereof) by a majority vote, that is desirous of transferring executive power from the fountain-head of all executive power, the Executive President and residing same in another agency. The constitutional truth, however, is that same can only be done if the President (the other constituent part of Parliament) is ready and willing to cede his executive powers to that agency, by affixing to the Bill his imprimatur, that is, his assent thereof. By exercising his constitutional powers of withholding assent, the President has, in essence, signalled his refusal to cede his executive powers

to the agency in question. Article 99(2) therefore, is wholly inapplicable in this polemical matrix. There is yet another dimension. Even if the President was prepared to cede executive power, the next issue to consider is, what impact, if any, such cessation will have on the doctrine of separation of powers, a concept to which Mr Alexander makes reference in his missive and with which, I presume, he is familiar. The anxieties expressed by Mr Alexander, therefore, that he may naively conclude that I misled the President and that the President has overruled the National Assembly, are indeed well-founded. Lastly, I wish to assure Mr Alexander that whenever the President withholds his assent from a Bill, His Excellency is not “overruling” the National Assembly – but is merely exercising a constitutional power which he enjoys and which must necessarily be invoked in appropriate circumstances. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs

ing at the news that he would be the next PM, and Mukesh Ambani’s fortune consequently rising!!! Any other commentator would have been encouraged by the vote of confidence in the new PM but not to the enemies of Modi. Modi’s election spending was also criticised because India still has a high percentage of poverty. One would have hoped Ms Ali would have criticised Congress, which was in office for the past ten years, for not introducing legislation to cap campaign spending. For good measure Ms Ali introduced the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as “ousting the BJP” in the Delhi City elections last year. Since a Congress party member was the incumbent, we don’t understand how AAP could have “ousted” BJP. A better test of AAP’s present acceptability, after they abdicated their responsibilities, was the result at the general elections: AAP lost all seven seats to the BJP –

including even Muslim dominated constituencies like Chandni Chowk. Like the Englishspeaking elite that Ms Ali echoes, she presumes to speak for the “ordinary Indian” and portentously predicts that Modi will be a “disaster” for them. We guess in their book, the fact that the subalterns spoke at the ballot box and installed Modi by the largest majority in 30 years, doesn’t mean anything. While Ms Ali’s favoured AAP candidates had banked heavily on a secure Muslim vote bank in Delhi, this reversal in trend across all constituencies in Delhi and elsewhere is emblematic of the fact that the community have moved beyond the past references to Modi’s alleged involvement in the Gujarat riots. It also shows that the minority community is ready to give the BJP a chance at governance too. But not Ms Ali and her ilk. Sincerely, Ravi Dev

Some people have reasons to fear police Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force should be able to carry out their duties in a free environment. I make this statement in light of the results of a number of matters involving the Force. The central theme in all these acquittals tells the same story – that lawmen should be allowed to carry out their work unimpeded, free from political interference. When external forces infiltrate the lawman’s job, lawful activity is inhibited, law and order is undermined, chaos and confusion reign. There is no orderliness to civil society as criminals and would-be criminals hold sway – a total erosion of things civil or civilisation – certainly no soundness or anything that has to do with justice. Sadly, this is the Guyana those persons who are opposed to decency, law and order would like to see. But I have news for them: this is not going to happen. So the next question that would automatically flow from the Opposition is; are we simply going to accept all forms of brutality unquestioningly? And my answer, absolutely

not! There is no way a society should put up with any form of brutal behaviour from a fellow citizen much more from those who were put there to uphold the law. However, you would agree with me when blatant lies and ludicrous lawsuits are constantly made out against the Police, it tells you that a sinister motive is behind such moves. Then, in the same token the Opposition turns and blames the Government, accusing them of being insensitive to its cry for help, callous to its call for protection. You hear this kind of double talking all around Georgetown. So what are we to do? Government must protect and serve its citizens – whichever the sequential order of the foregoing – and one such department mandated to carry out that task is the Police Force. Some methods used to deter crime would turn out to be distasteful (as if any method to curb crime would be accepted by criminals) by lawbreakers. Nevertheless, the law must be respected and by extension, lawmen too. Sincerely, Neil Adams

NEWS

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana police fortify Court lock-ups after breakout G

uyanese law enforcement authorities have strengthened the grillework at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts lockup following Monday’s breakout of four prisoners – one of whom was shot dead and two others recaptured. The fourth escapee, Keron

Cummings, is still on the run. Prisoners have routinely escaped from the holding facility at courts countrywide and also stake frequent breakouts at local prison facilities. Divisional Commander responsible for Georgetown, Clifton Hicken, told Guyana

Times International that the ventilation grille that the prisoners had ripped open to escape has been replaced with “materials that would make it harder for another breakout.” He said too that there has been an increase in the security presence and that an investiga-

tion into the incident is ongoing, while several officers have been questioned. The A Division Commander explained that if any officers are to be found culpable, then they would be dealt with in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Keron Cummings, 26, of Sophia, Georgetown has been charged with several armed robbery offences. The four high-profile prisoners had escaped from the court’s lock-up around 12:45h after removing the ventilation grillework in the holding area of the facility. Steven Bacchus, who was charged with the murder of Constable Quincy Wright in January, was recaptured on Hadfield Street shortly after the break-out. Another escapee, Vickram “Lil John” Persaud, who was charged with the murder of Constable Cumberbatch in September 2013, was shot and killed in a confrontation with the Police at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice. According to a Police press release, at about 19:20h on Monday, Persaud, 28, of Doctor Dam, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, was shot twice, once to his face. He was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival around 21:00h. Persaud was reportedly in possession of an unlicensed .38 revolver. His body is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile the third

Recaptured: Randolph Marks

Recaptured: Steven Bacchus

Wanted: Keron Cummings

Dead: Vickram Persaud

escapee, 20-year-old Randolph Marks, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was found around 01:20h on Tuesday morning. Crime Chief Lesile James disclosed that the Police, acting on information received, went to a house in Freeman Street, East La Penitence, where he was found hiding under a bed. Marks was charged with armed robbery and the murder of Patsan’s Trading Sales representative Bharrat Ramcharan last month. The Crime Chief had disclosed that Police ranks were alerted to the holding area after they heard a strange sound emanating from the area, and as they arrived, they saw Bacchus making his way through the hole. Quick action by the Police resulted in the re-arrest of Bacchus, however, there was no sign of the others. Following the breakout, several officers were questioned since the Police outpost is located

near the holding area. According to information received, the men were brought from the Camp Street Penitentiary to appear in various courts for their offences. The men had already made their appearances and were supposed to be taken back to the correctional facility, but there was a delay. A Police source explained that on a normal day, after the prisoners would have made their appearance before the Magistrate, they are kept in the holding area as they wait on others, so that the vehicle can make one trip to the facility. He could not say what went wrong on Monday, noting that no one heard a sound until the last person was making his way through the vent. On any day that court is in session, there are at least one dozen Police ranks providing protection at the facility and he was not sure how the men were not spotted.

Domestic workers...

from page 8

tice as soon as possible.” The new figure is based on ILO data published in 2012 that estimated the number of people in forced labour, trafficking and modern slavery at 21 million. Significantly, the new estimate indicates that more than half of the people in forced labour are women and girls, primarily in commercial sexual exploitation and domestic work, while men and boys were primarily in forced economic exploitation in agriculture, construction, and mining. The breakdown of profits generated by forced economic ex-

ploitation is as follows: US$34 billion in construction, manufacturing, mining and utilities; US$9 billion in agriculture, including forestry and fishing; and US$8 billion saved by private households by not paying or underpaying domestic workers held in forced labour.

Economic factors

The report highlights income shocks and poverty as the main economic factors that push individuals into forced labour. Other factors contributing to risk and vulnerability include lack of education, illiteracy, gender and migration.

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WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Teen mom slain by 48-year-old lover - after being told 'relationship is over'

teenage girl of Caracas Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, died early Tuesday morning after being viciously stabbed by her 48-year-old former reputed husband Monday night. The death of 18-yearold Onicia Greaves adds to the staggering statistics of women who have been killed by their male partners. The man – Robert Sandy – later attempted suicide by drinking a poisonous substance. He was listed as critical up to press time at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Greaves was the mother of a four-monthold daughter. The incident occurred at approximately 19:30h on Monday at the home of the deceased's mother in Angoy’s Avenue. When Guyana Times International visited the home of the dead teen, her relatives were wailing. The elder sister of the teen, Nicola, told this publication that on the night in question Onicia had gone out into the

Daughter of the late teen and Sandy, fourmonth-old Rihanna Dead: Onicia Greaves

yard to wash her daughter’s nursing bottle when suddenly a piercing scream erupted into the stillness. “We heard she screamed and like me heart stop beat… then we hear ‘Abi! Abi’ and when we go out, we see she lying on the ground with blood all over her… and she said Sandy, who is her child father, bore she up,” Nicola recalled. She said they immediately rushed her bleeding sister to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was given the necessary medical attention. She was then taken to the main Operating Theatre at the institu-

Accused murderer: Robert Sandy

tion where doctors and nurses worked assiduously to save her life. However, because of the injuries, which included a punctured lung and kidney, the teen succumbed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Refused to accept breakup

According to Nicola, the tragic incident stemmed from a dispute between her late sister and her child father. She explained that her sister, who had been living with the man for three years, had left him and went to reside with her mother a couple of months ago. The young

woman told this newspaper that her sister went to Georgetown about a week ago; however, it was only Monday that she returned after being told by the attacker via telephone that their child was sick and needed her. “She come home and the two of them been talking, because he come over to see baby and he telling she whenever she decide to come back to he, he go wait… she tell he she ain’t want him no more, let he move on.” Nicola Graves said after the breakup, Sandy threatened to kill her sister and commit suicide – a threat Onicia

ignored, Nicola said. Reports are that the teenager suffered nine stab wounds, six to her back, one to the right side of her abdomen and two near her chest. According to information received, after committing the act, Sandy made good his escape and then allegedly consumed pesticide. The teen leaves to mourn her daughter, Rihanna; her mother; three sisters; and four brothers.

White Rum

GTI managed to speak to Sandy from his hospital bed and he gave conflicting statements regarding the tragic stabbing to death of his

reputed wife. Sandy, a carpenter who resides at Angoy’s Avenue, said he had no recollection of what transpired and it was only when he became conscious in the hospital that he was informed by an aunt of the late Onicia that he committed the act. He said the last memory he could recall is that of him drinking White Rum. However, he later contradicted his statement and told media operatives another version of what occurred. “When dem shout out, look wha happen to Onicia me nah know what happen, like me blank out… one of me friends collect me and carry me to the station and then dem bring me to hospital.” He said he also consumed about a quarter litre of gramoxone. Hospital sources have confirmed that the man is in critical condition. It was alleged by several outraged and shocked residents in the community that Sandy had murdered his first wife who bore him five sons.

12 news US Ambassador says talks on Governance project productive U WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

S Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt on Friday last said that re-engagements with the Guyana Government on the design of the US$1.2 million Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project have been indepth and very productive so far. Hardt was at the time responding to questions from reporters at the opening of a media workshop recently hosted by the Embassy. He disclosed that so far there have been three meetings in the first week of the engagement. “I think we are getting to understand the different perspectives

that had been separating us on this and I think we are making excellent progress,” he said, while adding that a lot of efforts are made to understand each other. The Ambassador stated that both sides still maintain their positions; however, they are trying to understand the goal and purpose of the project. He added that while it will be an intensive engagement, they are committed to finding a way forward that would benefit both sides and make everyone happy.

Will be resolved

Questioned about the issue of the Project Head Glenn Bradbury’s work permit being revoked

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

US Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt

by the Government after the US failed to halt the project while discussion were ongoing, Hardt pointed out that the issue will be resolved during the engagements.

The controversy surrounding the US Agency for International Development (USAID) LEAD Project began in late 2013 when Government rejected

the project, stating that it was not consulted when it was being drafted and further when the Washington DCbased International Republican Institute (IRI) began implementing the project. Government had subsequently made several calls for the project to be halted; however, that was not done until they revoked the work permit of the project head. Recently, at a joint press conference held by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon and Ambassador Hardt, it was announced that the project will be on hold while re-engagements

are ongoing. The US Ambassador explained that both governments had drafted a framework during their 2009 meeting for assistance in governance and democracy, and as such, USAID was under the impression that the programmes being developed were in accordance with the drafted 2009 framework that was agreed upon. The USAID LEAD Project seeks to provide opportunities for dialogue and consensus building, facilitating seminars on public events of global and regional interests, and supporting local and national elections.

Woman, 24, succumbs after childbirth

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24-year-old woman died at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Monday after she delivered a seven-month-old baby on Friday. Marissa LaGourdoue, who was attending the high-risk clinic at the New Amsterdam Hospital was admitted to that institution on Friday morning, and gave birth to a boy shortly after. However, by the evening, two units of blood were administered to her and her blood pressure was reported to be too high. LaGourdoue had a scheduled clinic visit on Friday and went to the hospital for the visit, but was subsequently admitted. According to her aunt Candace Stewart, she received a telephone call stating that her niece was going to deliver the baby. She said shortly after she got to the hospital, the baby was born by normal means and they both seemed to be healthy. “She would experience swelling to the foot so they enrolled her at the high-risk clinic at the New Amsterdam Hospital.” Stewart said that there was no swelling on Friday, but by that evening, there was swelling to LaGourdoue’s foot. After spending Saturday and Sunday morning in hospital, during which time doctors tried to bring her blood pressure down, the mother of two was discharged on Sunday afternoon. According to Stewart, one doctor questioned

Dead: Marissa LaGourdoue

the discharge on Sunday when LaGourdoue’s blood pressure was considered high on Sunday morning. According to the aunt, on Monday at their 41 Stanleytown home in New Amsterdam about 01:30h, LaGourdoue stated that she was feeling unwell and wanted to go to the hospital. “We take her to the hospital right away because she was not sounding too nice.” Leaving the baby behind, LaGourdoue was in the Accident and Emergency Unit when she took her last breath. “When they were looking at her, she didn’t want me to leave and go outside, then she hold on to me tight tight an say, ‘Take care of me two children… life left me, ah gon dead’.” According to Stewart, it was shortly after those words that LaGourdoue was pronounced dead. Meanwhile, Berbice Regional Health Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo said a preliminary investigation has commenced and is expected to be completed on Tuesday. LaGourdoue leaves to mourn her four-day-old baby, four-year-old son, parents and six siblings.

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Harding sues Govt for Gy$80.4M

lleged baton-raped victim Colwyn Harding has sued the Guyana Government for in excess of Gy$80 million in damages for torture and breach of his constitutional rights. Harding had claimed that in November last, officers from the Timehri Police Station, East Bank Demerara, had inserted a condom-covered baton in his behind after they reportedly beat him unconscious while investigating an allegation of theft. The 23-year-old Harding, through his Attorney, had filed the court action two months ago, in which he named the Attorney General and two officers of the Guyana Police Force as defendants. In the writ, he is demanding from the State Gy$80 million in damages caused after his fundamental right to protection from torture and/or inhumane and degrading treatment, as guaranteed by the Constitution, was breached. The young man is further claiming more than Gy$100,000 each for breach of his fundamental rights to protec-

Colwyn Harding

tion from inhuman treatment, arbitrary search of his person and personal liberty. Another Gy$100,000 in damages is being claimed for torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in violation of Guyana’s Constitution and the Convention Against Torture. He is also asking for Gy$100,000 for alleged assault and battery committed on him by two Police Constables, whom he named in his court document, between November 14 and 22 at Timehri. Harding was charged with assaulting a Police officer and was remanded to prison after he could not raise his bail money; however, he took

ill while at the penitentiary. It was when he was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital in January that the 23-year-old disclosed what had happened to him. He said that he was ashamed to talk about it. However, doctors at the GPH had diagnosed Harding with a severe case of hernia and after separate tests were done by private doctors, he was flown to Jamaica for treatment. Doctors there reportedly confirmed that a foreign object was inserted into Harding’s anus. Harding’s girlfriend, Teneisha Evans, and another woman were also charged with Harding but they managed to pay their bail. Evans was then recharged after she stole a relative’s television to sell in order to raise money to post Harding’s bail. She was subsequently sentenced to two years imprisonment but that sentence was appealed and the 19-year-old will be released from the New Amsterdam Women’s Prison on June 3 after serving a truncated sentence.

Minister Manickchand gets Honorary Doctorate from Lesley University

Education Minister Priya Manickchand addresses the gathering

d u c a t i o n Minister Priya Manickchand was conferred an Honorary Doctoral Degree by Lesley University for her outstanding work in advocating for social justice and gender equality. Manickchand was honoured before by the university alongside South African Jazz Musician and Social Activist Hugh Masekela in 2010, for their demonstrated commitment and leadership to advancing gender and racial equality around the world.

A citation from Lesley University stated that: “Priya Manickchand, your life has been dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, and families within your country. You have been a tireless advocate for the victims of violence and a spokesperson addressing the cultural and human conditions that give rise to the pervasive problem of gender-based violence…” It further read: “As Guyana’s Minister of Human Services and Social Security, you

were devoted to ending the scourge of violence against women and children. Toward this end, you published a National Policy on Domestic Violence, presented to Parliament for passage into law a series of bills relating to the care, development and protection of children, and initiated a countrywide campaign to stamp out sexual violence”. After being conferred with the Doctoral Degree, Minister Manickchand addressed the graduates to a standing ovation. She stressed the importance of education in the development of the world. She said: “Education is universally recognised as being one sure way to catalyse change: to improve individual circumstances, to uplift families, to transform communities, to develop countries, to change the human condition for the better.” Also receiving an honorary degree was world renowned American author of children’s books, Loris Lowry.

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WPA foresees no rift with PNCR …even after Rodney CoI testimony

eader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said contrary to popular belief the evidence he will be giving to the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry will by no means create a rift between his party and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which is the major partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition. In fact, the political stalwart claims that both the WPA and the PNC had come together, putting aside all their differences for a common goal. He said there is absolutely nothing that will come out in the Inquiry that is not already known to the two parties. “There is nothing that will emerge from this inquiry that will in fact astonish us,” Roopnaraine told Guyana Times International exclusively on Monday. The WPA Leader stressed that the two political organisations “knew what we knew” and had at the point of coming together, made a “giant leap in terms of

Roopnaraine pointed out that his testimony will provide a broad context of the 1975-1980 period, noting that there will not be any new information, since he has written extensively on the matter, which has been in the public domain over the years. “What I wrote then I believed to be true and I continue to believe it to be true.”

Political context

Leader of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

reconciliation by entering into a political partnership. “We knew what we were doing, and, as I said, there is nothing that would come out of the Commission of Inquiry that will cause us to change our minds,” Dr Roopnaraine, who is also Vice Chairman of APNU, said.

No change in views

The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry will recommence next Tuesday at the Supreme Court Library building in Georgetown. Dr Roopnaraine, along with a few other renowned individuals, has been named to give evidence

in the investigation, which seeks to ascertain who or what was responsible for the death of the WPA founding leader, Dr Walter Anthony Rodney, on June 30, 1980. The WPA has categorically blamed the PNC Government, led by the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, for Rodney’s death. According to the WPA, Rodney was very much outspoken on the undemocratic practices of the Government. “I have had a conversation with Mr Glenn Hanoman, lawyer for the Commission and I told him, yes, I will be coming to testify.” Dr

He said the political environment of that time will be examined. This includes the civil rebellion period, which culminated in June 1980 with the assassination of Dr Rodney. Dr Roopnaraine said he believes that it is very critical that an accurate picture be painted about the political context at the time and the struggles experienced by everyone concerned to build a united front. But while the WPA Leader remains poised to participate, his political partner and leader of the PNCR, retired Brigadier David Granger has opted not to provide evidence at the Inquiry, despite calls from Government officials for him to do so.

Guyana establishes national committee to tackle interpersonal violence

N a t i o n a l Committee has been established by the Home Affairs Ministry to tackle issues relating to interpersonal violence. The Committee will be reviewing recommendations that were made following a conference hosted by the Ministry on interpersonal violence last November, with a view of implementing them. According to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, some 58 recommendations were made. He pointed out that when violence-related crimes such as domestic violence, interpersonal violence, gang-related violence and violence at schools occurs, then persons look to the Guyana Police Force and the Home Affairs Ministry as regulatory bodies for help, hence the need for such a committee. Rohee disclosed that he had approached Cabinet with the recommendations and proposed that a committee be set up to oversee these recommendations. He noted that Cabinet

subsequently approved the establishment of the Committee, which would be spearheaded by his Ministry. The Committee includes representatives from various agencies. These are: the Ministries of Home Affairs; Labour, Human Services and Social Security; Education; Youth, Culture, and Sport; Health; Amerindian Affairs; Legal Affairs; and Finance along with faith-based organisations, youth organisations, women organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Strategic plan

At the opening of the National Conference for Prevention of Interpersonal Violence, President Donald Ramotar said that there is no fixed approach to addressing the issue of interpersonal violence. However, he had urged the participants of the Conference to work as a cohesive unit and come up with strategic plans to tackle violence in all its manifestations from a national standpoint.

news

week ending May 25, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“PPP wants local gov’t elections, but outstanding issues must be fixed” – Rohee

“A

number of legislative and regulatory issues need to be addressed before Local Government Elections can be held in Guyana,” People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee said on Monday. He was at the time speaking at his party’s weekly news conference at Freedom House, Robb Street. Rohee noted that if the legislative issues were not put to rest, the elections could start off on the “wrong foot”. He stated that Guyana has not had a very comfortable and happy past with regard to elections, “so the worst thing that can happen with this new dispensa-

tion with respect to Local Government Election is for it to start off on the wrong footing”. He said a number of things were still not in place and issues were still to be settled at the level of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and Parliament. Rohee said it was not that the party did not want Local Government Elections, “we are supporting the calls, but certain criteria have to be in place before it is held”. He also noted that he has had meetings with the new Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield; but would not disclose the details of the meeting. “I hear people talking about putting in

Guyanese among three elected in Schenectady

registered mortgage broker from Guyana who mounted a successful school board write-in campaign said he wants to focus on improving the education the district's youngest students receive and reducing Schenectady's dropout rate. "There is a ton of after-school program that parents don't know about," Dharam "Junior" Hitlall said Wednesday while discussing possible solutions to the dropout problem. In the Tuesday election in which only two candidates filed petitions to run with three seats up for grabs, Hitlall, 35, garnered the most votes among write-in hopefuls with 142 to win a board seat. He's also believed to be the first Guyanese elected to the Schenectady panel. Hitlall, the married father of a 5-month-old son, said he plans to work aggressively with fellow board members to secure more state funding for a district that school leaders contend is being grossly shortchanged by the state in the aid it receives. In addition to his many duties, Hitlall is also a member of the city Board of Assessment Review, the Guyanese American Association of Schenectady and the Democratic Committee of Schenectady. He will take the oath of office along with incumbent Cheryl Nechamen, the top votegetter at 981, in July, board President Cathy Lewis said. He will suc-

Dharam Hitlall

ceed board member Ronald Lindsay, who is not seeking re-election. Meanwhile, school board candidate Tanya Hull, also a newcomer who tallied the second highest total of votes at 934, was sworn in during Wednesday's board meeting. Hull will serve out the month left on the seat vacated by Ed Kosiur, who resigned in March to take a seat on the City Council. Then she'll begin serving a full three-year term. Six potential candidates, including Hull and Nechamen, picked up petitions, and the board met with them all, said Lewis. Lewis said petitions were available in late February and must be signed by at least 100 residents by April 30. The district's $164.3 million budget for 20142015 passed by a vote of 1,066 to 494 or 68 percent of those who went to the polls Tuesday. The plan would raise school taxes by 2.75 percent, about $60 annually for a home assessed at $100,000.

last year. However, the President has not given his assent to the Local Government Amendment Bill, saying that it was unconstitutional. The Opposition has since indicated that the elections could be held without this Bill and GECOM has since indicated its readiness to hold the elections.

Political crisis? What political crisis?

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

place the Commission. The Commission is not the only issue in relation to holding Local Government Elections.” He reiterated that the PPP is committed to holding the elections,

but could not give a timeframe as to when. President Donald Ramotar has assented to three of the four Local Government Bills, which were passed in the National Assembly

Meanwhile, the PPP said it was amused by recent pronouncements made by the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that the country is faced with a political ‘crisis’. “It is clear that the main Opposition party is either suffering from a severe bout of political

amnesia or is being deliberately dishonest in seeking to invoke a situation of ‘crisis’ when the facts suggest otherwise,” Rohee said. He noted that APNU’s Leader, David Granger may wish to spell out in precise language what in his view constitutes a political ‘crisis’, especially since his statements defy any rational or logical explanation of the term. Rohee said an objective analysis of the current situation reveals that Guyana’s economic and political bill of health has never been better and that the country is currently experiencing a period of economic and social progress that has never before been experienced.

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Female MPs to work closer together process, creating awareness campaigns and encouraging lobby as well as advocacy, networking, resource mobilisation and information dissemination. This Steering Committee will also provide a forum for women MPs to discuss shared

The female parliamentarians during the discussion

uyana’s female Members of Parliament (MPs), at a special meeting convened by Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman on Monday, discussed the possibility of establishing a local arm of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

(CWP). After much discussion, the meeting which was well attended by the female MPs saw them agreeing to form a Steering Committee. This Committee will run for one year and will have one person from each party acting as coordinators.

These coordinators will be tasked with ascertaining issues for the Committee to focus on, in keeping with their respective party’s view. It was also agreed that these issues will not be limited to those affecting women and children, but will also focus on engendering the legislative

43-year old Berbician hangs self recording the most cases in recent times. Several social organisations have launched various projects in different communities to tackle this social ill, and while there has been some level of success in reducing the incidence, there is still a lot more to be done. This begs the question as to what more can be done, to address the problem.

Mahesh Ramkhelawan

erbice continues to be plagued by suicide as a father of three and a former Operator at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Sunday committed suicide by hanging himself at his home located at 103 Chesney, Corentyne, Berbice. Around 16:00h on Sunday, Mahesh Ramkhelawan, 43, was discovered hanging from the roof of his home. The discovery was made by the man’s nephew who went to check on him. He quickly alerted family member s who converged at the scene. Speaking with this publication, Jenny, Ramkhelawan’s 20-yearold daughter, said when she received the call about the incident, she refused to believe her father killed himself.

She stated she did not know what triggered him to do that, as he did not have any problems. She speculated that recently he was not well and maybe frustration led him to the act. “He was sick and did a surgery [to remove a cyst in his foot] in March, he was still on sick leave; he used to love working. He always use to be out; he didn’t like to be at one place.” Ramkhelawan was described as a very quiet and friendly man. According to reports, he was recovering well from the surgery; family members said he used to live on the Public Road, but he moved to the inner environs of Chesney for quietude. The incidence of suicide across the country has continued to spiral alarmingly, with Berbice

experiences and support activities that would enhance women’s participation and effective leadership in all dimensions of politics. Government MP Indranie Chandarpal and AFC member Catherine Hughes have left Guyana on May 20 to attend a

two-day CWP conclave in Nassau, Bahamas. It is expected that these women and others attending future conferences will have a forum where they can return to share their experiences and issues which emanate from the conferences.

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Caricom Bottling Company plugs Gy$3M into Guyana Festival

he Tourism, Industry and C o m m e r c e Ministry along with the Guyana Festival Committee on Monday received Gy$3 million from Caricom Bottling Company to help offset expenses that the festival will incur as the event is being held. Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali stated that the festival carries a lot of expenses, but he is happy with the sponsorship thus far. “Over the next couple of weeks you will see more private and corporate businesses coming on board for the Guyana Festival, the expenses for the festival is very high so any sponsorship is welcome,” Ali stated. Meanwhile, Caricom Bottling Marketing Representative Mondale Smith stated that the company, after much deliberations decided to donate to the Guyana Festival because it is an event that promotes Guyana and they are all for such an event. The Guyana Festival

Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali and Marketing Representative of Caricom Bottling Company, Mondale Smith brief media representatives in the presence of other officials at the handing over ceremony on Monday

will be held August 8-10 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara under the theme ‘“Sound, Soul and Taste”.

Extravaganza

Minister Ali said the Guyana Festival is the biggest event planned for the year 2014 and it seeks to bring many tourists to the country in hope of boosting the Tourism Sector. The much-anticipated event was launched on April 2 at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Organisers said the three-day event will see exciting activities that will celebrate sport legends, culture,

art, entertainment, food, music and much more. On day one, there will be an air show, followed by an international concert with drumming and lots of food. Day two will commence with the Festival Games – where the Master XI will take on the President’s XI in football and cricket. Famous names on the rosters include Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Lennox Cush, Mahendra Nagamotoo, Clive Lloyd, Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, and Trevon Griffith. An unforgettable night of legends on stage, such as Dave Martins, follows this day of activities.

Day three will see the electrifying National Cook-off with food from every corner and every culture of Guyana rep-

resented at the Guyana National Stadium. There will also be a Generation Next concert with local artistes

such as Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo, and Vanilla. On every evening of the Festival there will be Coney Island rides for the entire family, an arts and craft exhibition and sale, and a wide variety of food and drinks on sale. Festival passports will be available to commemorate the event, and will contain discount coupons from the sponsors; autographs from Clive Lloyd, Dave Martin and other stars as well as President Donald Ramotar.

No trace of suspect in cocaine-in-tonic saga

he Police are still to apprehend the suspect they believe is responsible for the death of four persons who drank a quantity of cocaine-laced SSS Tonic that was intended to be sent overseas. The suspect whose name was given as “Barney”, once caught, is expected to be charged for the murder of Simone “Ngina” Price, 36, of Lot 22 Cookrite Street, East La Penitence; her husband, Alex Blair, 42; her son Jahaquel Blair, seven; and her best friend, Natasha George, 36, and the attempted murder of Price’s elder son, Jamal Waterman. The perpetrator, a relative of Price is still on the lam, but Police are making every effort to get additional information about his whereabouts. This was according to Crime Chief Leslie James during a telephone interview on Monday. He said the Police are working with the leads at their disposal with the intention of capturing the person who is suspected to have replaced the tonic with liquidised cocaine. James said that while issuing an arrest warrant is not an option at this time, the GPF will some time or the other issue one. However, following the post-mortem examination which was inconclusive, a few body samples were taken for further analysis, but the results were not returned. It was reported that a bottle of multivitamin tonic was given to the family by a relative to be sent overseas, but the niece who was supposed to take the tonic

Dead: Simone “Ngina” Price

Dead: Jahaquel Blair

Dead: Natasha George

Dead: Alex Blair

refused. She reportedly did not take the tonic, because she was heading to Pennsylvania and it had to be dropped off at a relative in Queens, New York. Three Sundays ago, the family returned from church and decided to open the bottle and take the specified dosage. George also took some after it was offered to her by her best friend. Immediately after taking a teaspoon of the liquid, Jahaquel cried out for abdominal pain. After a few minutes, the pain worsened, so his mother attempted to take him to the hospital, but she collapsed. After a few more minutes, George started to froth and also fell to the ground. During the commotion, Alex also collapsed. They were all picked up, along with

Waterman and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were immediately attended to by doctors. After a few minutes, Price and George succumbed. Alex took a turn for the worst and died almost an hour later. Jahaquel, despite being hooked up to a life support machine, took his last breath around 16:50h. Police in a release stated that the family ingested the SSS Tonic into which a quantity of cocaine was dissolved. Police investigations revealed that the bottle of SSS Tonic, along with cassareep and chicken foot, had been left at the house by a man known to them, for an overseasbased female relative to take with her on her return flight.

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Australian mining company optimistic about Guyana operations - 600 Guyanese to be employed in initial phase

ome 600 Guyanese are guaranteed jobs during the construction phase of the multibillion gold project being initiated by Australian mining company Troy Resources Guyana Inc. On Monday, a US$5 million ball mill arrived at the OMAI Wharf, Linden, as the company advances with its US$86.8 million gold project at Karouni, Cuyuni-Mazaruni. A ball mill is a type of grinder used to grind materials into extremely fine powder for use in mineral dressing processes, paints, pyrotechnics, ceramics and selective laser sintering. The Australian exploration and mining company will be developing an area west of Omai with the anticipation of raking in an annual production of 90,000 ounces of gold over a seven-year period. Production, however, in the first 12 months is projected at 102,000 ounces of gold with production commencing between December 2014 to February 2015.

During a simple ceremony at the Omai Wharf, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Project Director for Troy Guyana Inc Ken Nilsson disclosed that during the construction phase of the project, close to 600 persons will be employed, but said once operations commence, approximately 300 persons will gain permanent employment. This figure is expected to grow over the seven-year period. Troy Resources has already committed US$25 million to the project. In December 2012, an initial site due diligence visit was conducted, and by March 2013, “off market takeover offer of Azimuth was announced. In April that year, Troy secured a US$40 million funding from Investec, resulting in complete acquisition by July. Now with the Australian company moving to develop the Karouni Project, the Project Director said major emphasis is being placed on building good relationships with citi-

Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud shakes hands with the Karouni Project Director Ken Nilssonn in the presence of GGDMA President Patrick Harding (left) and GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams (right) at the Omai Wharf

zens of Guyana, the business community and the Government of Guyana. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Chairman Clinton Williams, Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding and the Chairman of the Linden

Interim Management Committee Orrin Gordon were among officials present. Williams in brief address disclosed that the Karouni Project is in its final developmental stage. “GGMC has been facilitating this project over the years and only recently we have ventured into the final stage of the mining agreement,” he explained, noting that very soon the

agreement will be signed off.

Permission granted

The GGMC Chairman further disclosed that permission was recently granted for Troy Resources Guyana to commence preparatory work for the Karouni Project. “This project signals well for us in terms of foreign exchange earnings, our GDP, our employment generation capabilities,” said an op-

timistic Williams. Minister Persaud said despite the challenges faced by the initial investor, the Natural Resources Ministry is pleased that the project is now moving apace. While the small and medium scale miners have played an important role over the years in the gold mining industry, Persaud said it is of similar importance to facilitate large-scale mining operations such as the Karouni Project. He said too that the offloading of the 3.2MW unused grinding mill for the gold project, along with its electrics, ancillary equipment and peripheral parts is an indication of the seriousness of the company in operating in Guyana. But while the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has acknowledged the company’s determination to pursue the project, emphasis has been placed on the due diligence and promotion of sustainable development through the protection of the environment.

NEWS

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt tightening Pharma procurement procedures - but sniping at process continues

uring the last decade, the Government of Guyana has been streamlining and tightening up its procurement procedure for pharmaceuticals and medicines, but its critics continue to snipe at it. Much of the criticism centres on the bidding process. But each time the Government addresses the criticism, the goalposts are invariably moved and the sniping continues unabated. The critics have conceded that most of the companies bidding on the Pharma contracts aside from NEW GPC are not capable of supplying the more than 2000 separate items required by the Health Ministry.

Bulk purchases

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, disagreed vehemently with the notion that greater efficiency, expedience or benefits could be derived from procuring supplies through an item-by-item tender arrangement or process when compared with the well-recommended pre-qualification

The NEW GPC facility at Farm, East Bank Demerara

system. “We would have to do thousands of tenders on an annual basis,” he advised, explaining that this would be “cumbersome” and “impossible”. It would most likely return Guyana to the situation bemoaned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which estimates that one third of the world population does not have access to modern drugs, vaccines and medicines that are at the frontline in combating diseases

and illnesses.

Objectives

Today, while there are challenges − as identified recently by this newspaper, for instance, in matching supplies to needs − by and large, the Government deserves kudos for turning the situation around. What they have done is to look holistically at the problem and addressed the several components of the solution. The Health Minister has outlined the main objectives in the procure-

ment of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies as follows: to secure the most competitive prices; to secure the best quality and drug efficacy, including maximum shelf life; to ensure deliveries are done in a reliable manner and stock-outs are minimal; to ensure that payment transactions are secure by dealing with reputable companies; and to ensure that the supplier(s) engaged provide(s) support systems to manage a product recall or respond to emergencies as they arise. To ensure all the above, they have most pertinently supported the financing of the inputs consistently within the budget. In the area of procurement, during the People’s National Congress (PNC) days of massive shortages, the then Government sourced all of its needs through the nationalised Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation.

This corporation, in turn, procured the pharmaceuticals from one of several specialised “multilateral” agencies such as PAHO/WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, and IDA. When the PPP took office, they continued with this system for many years. But shortages of pharmaceuticals continued to plague the system.

Improvements: Selective tendering

Moving to improve the procurement process, the Government introduced selective tendering as authorised by Cabinet from 2004. This was in addition to procuring certain specialised medicines, laboratory supplies and medical supplies, which are procured through regular, open tender as the need arises. In the selective tendering process, firms were evaluated by specific criteria and then were asked to bid competitively. The firms ad-

judged as best filling the mandate by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) were granted the contract vial the selective tendering. The GPC had been privatised in 1999 and after selective tendering had been introduced, its successor NEW GPC continued to win most contracts. The critics, however, cried that this was “sole sourcing” and one, Anand Goolsaran claimed the prices were not “competitive” and that the NPTAB was not involved. But as Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon explained, all drugs procured by the Government were and continue to be subject to a competitive pricing process with international suppliers. Whenever a local provider is selected, that provider’s submission has to be competitive vis-à-vis international providers. Moreover, the NPTAB never ceased to be involved in the evaluation of bids. The international provider that Guyana has used is IDA, which is the same organisation that actually provides drugs to the rest of the developing world. In order for a company to be awarded a contract to provide drugs, it has to offer a more competitive price than IDA. However, if IDA offers better prices than the other bids submitted, then Government is obligated on the basis of the country’s pricing policy, to go with the lowest bid. continued on page 22

NEWS

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Utility companies stalling East Bank Four-lane project

K International, the contracting company undertaking Lot 3 of the East Bank Four-lane Highway Project, is very concerned about the slothfulness by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and to a lesser extent, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), in removing their cables from the roadways, noting that it is holding up critical work. The project, which stretches from Providence to Diamond, East Bank Demerara and covers a distance of 1.2 kilometres, was expected to be completed close to two years ago. In addition to the stalling of road works, the holding up of the project has been a major bugbear to traffic on the East Bank Demerara. Commuters using that critical artery on a daily basis have routinely complained of the length of time it takes to get to their destination. The main objectives of this project are to enhance urban and suburban mobility and safety, through lowered transport costs and reduced accident rates by expanding the East Bank Demerara Main Road between Providence and Diamond from two lanes to four lanes and improving road safety of the EBD north of Providence. Specific objectives of the project will be the improvement of: the road carrying capacity, reliability, safety, driving, and vehicle and pedestrian access conditions through the expansion of the road corridor. However, according to the contractor’s repre-

Road works stalled

sentative, Julian Archer, the failure of GT&T to act speedily, is causing the company close to US$10,000 per day. The company on Monday transported members of the media to the site at DSL, with an aim of making public the challenges it faces. Archer explained that BK International has been working with the telecommunication company, seeking its cooperation on the issue. He said, despite the countless efforts, little has been accomplished. “We have two problems basically. First, it’s the issue with GT&T and its cables and then the removal of the GWI lines has been slowing up construction.” The contractor’s representative said the company was afforded some level of relief from the water company when it decided to remove some of its lines. However, it is still awaiting action from the telecommunication company. Asked what is the next move by the contracting company, Archer said: “Well we have to wait until GT&T removes its ca-

ble.” He said that if the telephone company does not remove the cables on time, the project will have to once again be extended.

In the right

Usually, when contractors fail to meet the agreed deadline, a late fee is usually borne by the company; however, in this case, Archer said his company is in the right. “Well, if we have a justification with the cables, then we do not have to pay any late fees,” Archer said. He said too that the company is unable to carry out work on the bridge which it intends to expand. Asked if the company will be seeking legal intervention on the issue, Archer said Government is handling the matter. He said based on information received, the telephone company is awaiting a negotiation with the Government. Government, through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had received US$20 million for the East Bank Demerara Four-Lane Extension Project. The project is partly financed by the Government.

Economist warns of more job losses, business closures in Barbados

ARBADOS: More private sector job losses and business closures are in the offing, says Barbadian economist Ryan Straughn. He said this was a distinct possibility given that the economic environment in Barbados today was not conducive to doing business. This, he explained, could be seen in how established businesses had been struggling to remain viable, far less achieving profitability. Straughn addressed the issue Monday in the face of persistent statements from government ministers, in particular, that the private sector was not doing enough to

“Police excesses must be stopped” – APNU MP

Barbadian economist Ryan Straughn (Nations file photo)

help the country out of the prolonged economic slump. The business consultant and past president of the Barbados Economic Society said the clearest indication of

the trading environment businesses had been operating under was the decline in corporate taxes collected over the past six consecutive years. “What is particularly alarming is that the absolute level for the fiscal year 2013/2014 is approximately 60 percent less than in 2006/2007. Therefore, unless one is enticed by significant concessions and other tax incentives, it would be difficult for any new entrant to enter the Barbados market space and invest significant capital when existing businesses are experiencing significantly less profits than in previous periods,” he noted. (Nation News)

Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) James Bond is calling for the establishment of a special court to handle misconduct by law enforcement officers. He made the call while lamenting that many Police Officers lack the mental capacity to effectively carry out their mandate and often resort to violence against civilians. “One thing for sure is that the Police Force lacks the confidence, they lack the self-esteem necessary, to protect and serve the people of this country,” Bond told reporters during the coalition’s press briefing on Friday. The Police have been heavily criticised for using excessive force against unarmed citizens. Bond explained that the lack of confidence he referred to does not mean “bravado or macho”. “The Police are not

APNU MP James Bond

equipped with the mental and physical tools to properly execute their duties, hence, their resort to barbaric, unconstitutional and downright wicked methods of harming people left, right and centre”. He pointed out that some amount of reform must be undertaken to rectify the worrying state of the Police Force, which has been of concern for some time now. The APNU PM said the excesses of the Force must be stopped and efforts be made to restore public confidence.

According to him, this can be done though the establishment of a court that deals only with Police misconduct. Some years ago, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was established to investigate alleged misconduct by Police Officers and make recommendations for charges to the Director of Public Prosecution. Errant lawmen are charged through the court system. The PCA is currently headed by retired Justice Cecil Kennard. Former Police Commissioner Winston Felix also weighed in on the issue, noting that although several reforms have been touted and implemented, the results from them have not been steller. He is also of the view that even though the Government has been partnering with several foreign governments to facilitate meaningful changes in the Police Force, things have not changed much.

Teixeira, Ali feels threatened by Opposition MPs comments

overnment legislators have accused the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament (MPs) of issuing death threats. Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira is among MPs who have said they were threatened by the actions of the Opposition. The incident occurred while People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) MP Jafar Ally was making his presentation on the controversial Berbice River Bridge Toll Reduction Motion in the National Assembly last Thursday. The majority Opposition was seen waving portraits of the slain Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, who was brutally murdered along with his siblings and a security guard on April 22, 2006. Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali sternly objected, interjecting on a point of order, stating that the waving of Sawh’s picture was insensitive and a threat to him as a Minister of Government. “It conveyed to me a threat as a Minister,” Ali said as he complained to the Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman. The Government’s Chief Whip then sprang to her feet, saying di-

Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali

rect threats were made to her but this allegation was later denied by the Opposition members. “They kept pointing the picture and pointing to me, so I said ‘Do you want to kill me’ and they kept laughing and saying ‘yes’,” Teixeira said. The Speaker of the House on his intervention, said 10 minutes before the matter was raised by the Housing and Water Minister, the Government’s Chief Whip was seen waving a portrait of murdered Guyanese historian and political activist, Dr Walter Rodney. Dr Rodney was assassinated in 1980 outside the Georgetown Prison. A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is being conducted into the death of Dr Rodney. The PNC Government is being accused of assassinating Dr Rodney, an accusation it has denied, but

persons who have testified thus far before the commission, have implicated the PNC in the killing. Nevertheless, the Speaker warned that MPs to desist from such behaviour in the House. A motion has been tabled in the National Assembly for the establishment of a CoI to investigate the incidence of criminal violence that occurred in Guyana from 2004 to 2010. The motion sought to address the murders of Minister Sawh, Buxtonians, and the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica. The motion addresses the “unlawful killing of undetermined numbers of persons – including assassinations, executions, murders, extra-judicial killings by members of the Guyana Police Force Target Special Squad and other forms of criminal violence in Guyana.

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Crunch time again: Maastricht University Ramotar appeals for researcher in Guyana to passage of AML Bill investigate suicide epidemic

President Donald Ramotar toasting with GCCI President Lance Hinds and Junior Vice President Padma Prashad of ANSA McAI Trading Limited (Guyana) in the presence of Senior Vice President Vishnu Deorga

ith just days before the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) meets, President Donald Ramotar underscored the importance of passing the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) (AML/ CFT) Bill 2013. Guyana is mandated to pass the AML/CFT Bill by May, 29; however, to date, the parliamentary Special Select Committee headed by Government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has not completed its work due to a political stalemate. In his address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) Cocktail Social at the Princess International Hotel, President Ramotar said the passage of the AML/CFT Bill in the National Assembly is of critical importance if Guyana is to maintain a healthy relationship with its

being blacklisted,” the President explained. While amendments to the AML/CFT Bill have been approved by the Special Select Committee, amendments made to the Principal Act by the A Partnership

GCCI President Lance Hinds presenting a certificate to Honorary Member, the Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin

for National Unity (APNU) are still being considered. Counter proposals tabled by the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall are awaiting consideration. The XXXIX CFATF Plenary Meeting is set

GCCI President Lance Hinds presenting a certificate to Honorary Member, GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

trading partners in the Caribbean and farther afield. “As a small country, with a small population, foreign trade is extremely important to our welfare in this country and it is therefore vital that this piece of legislation should be passed and not any piece of legislation, but a piece of legislation that would satisfy CFATF and FATF requirements to prevent our country from

fice after serving two full terms. Hinds used the opportunity to introduce the new Management Committee which was elected in April. In addition to the BrainStreet Group CEO, the new

for Miami from May 2529.

Bonding

Meanwhile, GCCI President Lance Hinds said the Cocktail Social was held to create a greater bond among GCCI members and the wider business community. Hinds, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BrainStreet, takes up the mantle from his predecessor Clinton Urling, who demitted of-

Executive Management Committee for the fiscal year 2014/2015 comprised Senior VicePresident Vishnu Deorga of Doerga Business Limited (Guyana); Junior Vice-President Padma Prashad of ANSA McAI Trading Limited (Guyana); Secretary Nicholas Boyer of National Hardware (Guyana) Limited; and the Treasurer Eon Grant of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited. The executive body was elected by a 21-member Council and they too were officially introduced to officials present. While emphasising the importance of building partnership, Hinds aided in presenting certificates to some of the eight honorary members of the Georgetown Chamber that were present, including Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, and Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin. Other honorary members include Opposition Leader David Granger and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

s part of its mental health programme launched earlier this year, the Guyana Foundation is hosting Serena Coultress, a researcher from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Coultress arrived in Guyana last Sunday, and will be conducting research into the local suicide epidemic, which has reached crisis-proportions. According to a release, her findings will be used for a Master’s in Global Health at Maastricht University, and will shape and inform upcoming mental health projects conducted by the Guyana Foundation. Additionally, it will be made available to local stakeholders in the mental health sector. Over the upcoming weeks, Coultress will be meeting with, and conducting interviews with mental health professionals, social workers, representatives of local non-governmental organisations, religious leaders, and members of the community who have been affected by suicide. Coultress commented that “mental health is a

Serena Coultress

topic I feel passionately about, so when I became aware of the high levels of suicide in Guyana, I was compelled to travel here. I was fortunate to make contact with the Guyana Foundation who are not only hosting me, but will no doubt make good use of the findings. Ultimately, I hope my research will help the community to understand the underlying factors behind the high suicide prevalence in Guyana”. Meanwhile, Guyana Foundation Managing Director Anthony Autar expressed delight about the work that Coultress has embarked upon. “This research will help to fill an existing information gap in Guyana

about suicide. Although we know that the suicide rate in Guyana is among the highest in the world, there is little to no up-todate research, conducted in accordance with internationally-accepted research standards, about the underlying factors driving so many of our people – young and old – to end their lives in such great numbers. So interventions to tackle the suicide epidemic in Guyana have not been as effective as they can be. “We hope that the information gathered from this study will give us insight that will shape and inform initiatives to stop the senseless loss of lives due to suicide,” he said.

Govt tightening Pharma...

from page 20

This, Dr Luncheon, affirmed, is a competitive component of procurement and not sole-sourcing.

Improvements: Pre-qualification

But the critics did not let up and in 2010, the Auditor General recommended a formal prequalification process to deal with that component of the Government’s pharmaceutical purchase that were handled through selective tendering. From 2011- 2013, the old procedure was refined and the Cabinet now had no role. Objective criteria were now applied for Carioca and Guyanese firms to be pre-qualified while the old international suppliers were automatically pre-qualified. It is noteworthy to point out that the Government’s pre-qualification process adheres to guidelines of the WHO/World Bank. The WHO stresses the prequalification process to ensure that reputable, safe and reliable suppliers would address the quality problems that

Workers busy inside the NEW GPC Bond at Farm, East Bank Demerara

bedevil most third world counties. The NEW GPC and another Guyanese company passed the criteria and once again the NEW GPC secured most of the contracts competitively.

Improvements: Pre-qualifications II

The criticisms continued, mainly from the Opposition politicians and the Kaieteur News. Finally, it was made even more transparent this year, 2014, through an objective point system that was allocated to five different criteria out of a total point system of 200. Again Cabinet is not involved and in fact, three independent individuals were selected to evaluate the seven companies

that applied. As usual as with all previous pre-qualification exercises, the four international specialised agencies were automatically given pre-qualification status. However, with two of the seven companies having registration problems, and several of the other locals not being able to comply, once again, there are howls that the NEW GPC will once again emerge as the largest supplier. It would appear that these critics would have Guyana’s pharmaceutical supply chain snapped on the altar of expedience just for suppliers close to the Opposition parties to obtain contracts.

news WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sir Shridath Ramphal to Gov’t not in favour of launch new book unilaterally reducing – publication covers role as diplomat Berbice River Bridge toll

Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal

e n o w n e d Guyanese-born international diplomat Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal will soon launch Glimpses of a Global Life, a book outlining the central role he played in several significant events during his time as Commonwealth Secretary General. Ramphal rose from humble origins to become a key adviser to Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth of Nations. Leaders from every continent engaged with him as the longest serving Secretary-General of the Commonwealth (1975-1990) and as the only person who served

on all the Independent I n t e r n a t i o n a l Commissions that grappled with the world’s major issues. Glimpses of a Global Life involves a cast of the world’s leading characters and the central role Ramphal played alongside them in issues such as ending apartheid in South Africa; laying the foundations for global concerns about the environment; the reform of global governance; and the resolution of conflicts. The core of the book is concerned with the 15 years he served as Commonwealth Secretary General; for 11 of which Margaret

Thatcher was Britain’s Prime Minister. Ramphal tells the story of the Commonwealth’s role in ending the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Southern Rhodesia by a minority white regime and bringing Zimbabwe to independence; of aiding the struggle against apartheid and securing its end, and the release of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s freedom; of Thatcher’s obduracy against sanctions and the heroic stand against her by other Commonwealth leaders – from Africa, India and, particularly, in terms of effectiveness, Canada and Australia. Ramphal replaces conjecture over these dark episodes in human history with fact. In these ‘glimpses’, the shadows of characters such as Uganda’s tyrant, Idi Amin, are recalled, as are the enlightened spirits of others like Germany’s Willy Brandt and Nelson Mandela – all of whom Ramphal encountered in his global life. Glimpses of a Global Life is as well an analysis of major problems and challenges that dominated the 20th century which continue to shape the contours of the 21st.

Man, 75, marries woman, 95 – couple say love breaks down all barriers

adonna, also known as “Donna”, 95, and Ridley Henry, 75, have proven to many “doubting Thomases” that age is just a number. The couple, driven by the belief that “True love sets no boundaries”, last week tied the knot at a lively ceremony at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Darthmouth Village, Essequibo Coast. They both told Guyana Times International that they are committed to the end. Addressing the gathering, Madonna, a mother of eight and grandmother of more than 15, said she was drawn by the magnetic personality of Ridley, a father of 10 children. Both Ridley and Madonna became single at an early age through the death of their spouses, and had to raise their children, ensuring that they receive an educa-

Ridley Henry, 75, with his wife Madonna, 95, on their wedding day

tion. Both were in need of a companion, and when they met, they knew from the onset that their stars were aligned. They were living in a common-in- law relationship until recently when they decided that their union is no ordinary relationship; it should be sanctified in holy matrimony. However, their children and relatives were against the marriage, but this did not deter them. They planned and executed the wedding by themselves.

Their relatives are now beginning to accept them, as after all, genuine love prevails. Madonna, decked out in a beautiful wedding dress, passionately recited her wedding vows, declaring that she will love Ridley until her last breath. When the 95-oldold returned home in Moruka, there was a wonderful celebration, with cake cutting, toasting and of course, the speeches. The couple are now honeymooning in the North West District.

“This move by the Opposition will undermine investor confidence”

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) said the Opposition’s vote to unilaterally impose a toll reduction on the Berbice Bridge River Bridge (BBCI) will erode investors’ confidence in future Public Private Partnerships. The Opposition last Thursday passed a motion in the National Assembly to lower the toll of the bridge. The PSC in a release said while the BBCI provides a public good, it must be noted that capital and management have been mobilised from both private and public stakeholders that were guaranteed certain terms and conditions prior to investments that are expected to prevail after these investments were made. “Any breach of such terms and conditions will result in a loss of confidence by private investors in the Government and more so the State of Guyana. If this decision is implemented, future development projects that are expected to follow the model of Public Private Partnerships will be significantly undermined. “The PSC is of the

The Berbice River Bridge

view that any reduction in toll must be based on the results of a thorough socio-economic analysis and by mutual consent of the management, Board, investors and the Government on behalf of the People and State of Guyana,” the release noted. The motion to reduce the tolls at the Berbice River Bridge was passed in the National Assembly by the Opposition on Thursday despite Government’s objection. Through the motion, the National Assembly is calling on the Government to instruct its representative on the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) to demand immediate reduction in tolls charged. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon in his motion pointed out that the Government through the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) is a preferential shareholder and a member of BBCI’s Board of Directors. But from the onset, the Government made it clear that it will not sup-

port the motion, contending that the APNU supported by the Alliance For Change (AFC) is using it to garner political mileage. Government will not buckle under pressure from the Opposition, its Members of Parliament (MPs) told the House. Public Works Minister Robeson Benn emphasised that the Donald Ramotar Administration will not heed the demands made by the Opposition. “I will not reduce the toll. I will not reduce the toll to any person in Guyana until by economic modelling and defining we can determine that it would be of benefit to the bridge company and the shareholders and the people of Guyana,” Minister Benn told the House. He argued that BBCI is privately owned and any attempt to demand a reduction would be an infringement on its rights as a private entity. “This is a shot fired across the bowels of all those persons who want to continue to invest in our country. This is an attempt to make a de facto expropriation or nationalisation of a private investment. This is what the motion is!”

Climate Change to dominate CDB meeting in Guyana

he 44th Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Annual Board of Governors’ meeting slated to be held on May 28 and 29 will among other matters, focus on climate change, financial sector issues, debt and indebtedness of the region. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh made the comment during a recent interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) regarding Guyana’s preparedness for the hosting of the meeting.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

During the meeting, Guyana will take centre stage with regards to the

issue of agriculture and climate change. Guyana has been on the forefront of the global advocacy effort on the issue of climate and in particular on the peculiar threat faced by the small states of the Caribbean and the role of forest in contributing to the global fight against climate change. Guyana is the only net exporter of food in the Caribbean and continues to see itself as potentially the food basket of the region. Agriculture is not continued on page 24

News

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Labourer allegedly killed Govt to retable environmental tax bill by speeding policeman the Opposition’s approval in the 10th Parliament, legislation to remedy the offending provision in the Guyanese tax legislation, which was inconsistent with Guyana’s treaty obligation under RTC, but these proposed amendments, were rejected by the Opposition.

Sad

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

ead of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said the Government will retable the Customs Amendment Bill, which will see both local and foreign companies paying taxes on non-returnable containers of alcoholic or non-alcoholic items. Previously, the tax only applied to imported items, but this was found to be discriminatory by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) when Surinamese Firm Rudisa Beverages, manufacturer of Thrill soft drink, initiated court action against Guyana for levying the tax on them. The tax was a breach of Guyana’s obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). The CCJ has since or-

dered Guyana to refund US$6 million ($1.2 billion) to the Surinamese company. Dr Luncheon told a news conference last week that the Opposition’s rejection of responsibility for the situation will be tested as Cabinet has decided, with the leave of the Speaker of the National Assembly, to have the legislation return to the 10th Parliament for reconsideration. He said that the Opposition this time around, fully aware of its denial of being responsible, can indeed continue in this reign of denial or act sensibly; however, belatedly towards having the legislation approved. The Cabinet Secretary told media operatives that Government had proposed and presented for

“Sadly, today, Guyana has to face a CCJ ruling on this matter,” Dr Luncheon said. “Now we have to deal with the tendency of the Opposition parties, both APNU and AFC to decline to accept responsibility for this situation. They would have us believe, (one) do not blame us and even more absurdly, blame the Government,” Dr Luncheon contended. The Government spokesperson noted that the CCJ and Rudisa Beverages were supportive of the Government of Guyana’s effort to comply with its treaty obligation, and in so doing, would have given time to Government to rectify the tax in Parliament by way of the Environmental Bill. “The material factors were known, were brought to the attention of the 10th Parliament specifically to the members of the Opposition, and they still elected to vote against the Bill.”

Walter Rodney Foundation Essay Competition winners awarded

he prize giving ceremony for the inaugural Walter Rodney Foundation Essay Competition was held last Wednesday at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) at the University of Guyana (UG). The competition was spearheaded by the Walter Rodney Foundation located in Atlanta, Georgia, and Dr Mark Tumbridge who is attached to the Faculty of Humanities, UG. The Walter Rodney Foundation is committed to promoting and propagating Walter Rodney’s ideas. The preparation for the competition started in September 2013, and thereafter students from the university were asked to participate in either the poetry or short story categories. The students were not limited to any particular topic and this gave them the opportunity to explore the

The late Dr Walter Rodney

vast teachings of Walter Rodney. The outstanding students in the competition were presented with certificates of participation and monetary prizes. The winners Sara Bharrat (poem – “Without You”) and Subjraj Singh (short story – “Rebelle”) were given the opportunity to recite their winning pieces. The competition was funded by the Walter Rodney Foundation. In his remarks, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony thanked the university for read-

ily accepting to organise and implement the competition. He explained that the Walter Rodney Foundation hosts several activities aimed at sharing Dr Rodney’s teachings. This is done through the Foundation’s annual symposium, and other projects, such as the Oral History and Walter Rodney Memorial Project. Additionally, the Foundation is working towards recording conversations with elders who were close to Dr Rodney and they are also digitising audio tapes of speeches Dr Rodney made. In Guyana, the Ministry through the National Trust has partnered with the Rodney Foundation to enhance and maintain Walter Rodney’s gravesite and memorial park. Another project is the Walter Rodney and Youth Legacy Project which is continued on page 26

he life of a labourer was on Friday morning snuffed out after he was struck down by a policeman attached to the Mahaica Police Station along the Bee Hive Public Road, East Coast Demerara. Sixty-two-year-old Sookdai Chandropaul, also called “Baba”, of Lot 25 Bee Hive took his last breath at the Georgetown Public Hospital about 08:00h Friday. According to information received, the elderly man was on his way to work when he was reportedly struck down by a gold-coloured Toyota Alex motor car bearing registration number PPP 7920, driven by a Police Corporal in uniform. The officer is under close arrest assisting with the investigation. Chandropaul sustained severe injuries, and was picked up by a Police vehicle and taken to the medical facility where he succumbed. At the home of the dead man, his wife, who was being consoled by neighbours and relatives, told Guyana Times International that her husband left home about 06:00h for work on his pedal cycle after she prepared his meals. She said as she sat to have her breakfast, her nephew visited her home

Dead: Sookdai Chandropaul

and informed her that her husband met with an accident. “Meh ask he if meh husband dead and he tell me he nah know, so meh call meh daughter, but, by de time I left to go to the public road, meh get one message that he dead.” She explained that her husband would usually leave home around the same time to go to work, but on Friday morning, he did not meet up with his colleagues, so he decided to return home. It was as he was turning around on his bicycle that he was struck by the speeding car.

Not breathing

The dead man’s nephew, Mohan Ramlagan, recounted that after he received the news that his uncle was struck

down, he rushed to the scene where he saw him lying on the roadway. His leg, he said, was broken, his head had a gash, and he sustained several other injuries about his body. Ramlagan explained that the people who had gathered were advising him to pick up his injured uncle and take him to the hospital, but, by this time, a Police vehicle arrived on the scene and took him to the hospital, accompanied by a few relatives. “When they reach at the hospital, they call back to say that he dead when he went in the room… but from what I see and know, he dead on the spot… I didn’t see he de breathing,” the distraught nephew said. He added that the Police rank who was driving the car at the time of the accident said: “I couldn’t do anything else.” In a statement, Police said they are investigating the fatal accident. Investigations thus far revealed that the now dead man was riding a bicycle along the roadway when he was struck down by a private motor car driven by a Police rank, the Police said. The man leaves to mourn his wife and eight children, along with 19 grandchildren.

Climate Change to... only viewed as an important opportunity for growth and investment in Guyana, but very importantly, as an important strategy for addressing some of the macro-economic challenges faced by the region. Minister Singh recognised CDB’s support to Guyana and the institution’s optimism about the country’s outlook. Earlier this year, the institution’s President William Warren Smith made several pronouncements about the country, including the fact that Guyana, along with Haiti and Suriname are expected to lead the region’s growth in 2014. He also praised the vibrancy of the Guyanese economy. CDB funding in Guyana has been used for financing social and economic infrastructure such as schools, road and water projects, building more disaster-resistant structures, community skills training and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Guyana has benefitted from the special de-

velopment fund and as well from loans totalling almost US$28 million to strengthen sea and river defence systems.

Preparations on track

Meanwhile, Dr Singh said planning and preparation for the meeting which started some time ago, have intensified over the recent days and weeks. “It is an extremely important event in the annual calendar of events for the Caribbean, and Guyana considers itself privileged to host this meeting,” Minister Singh said. Minister Singh noted that the meeting is happening at an important time for the region and institution, itself has an important mandate. He pointed out that the region is facing an extremely severe economic challenge that requires hard decisions, firm resolve and strong will to confront and overcome them. He noted that since its establishment, the CDB has grown in strength and size and has discharged in a most admirable fashion its

from page 23

mandate of supporting such economic and social challenges across the Caribbean. The Minister said the meeting will serve to focus on the institution with regards to the role it can play in consolidating on the support to the region. Dr Singh explained that the meeting, which will comprise several components, in addition to being a meeting of the shareholders of the CDB for the annual reports, performance over the past year, audited financial statement and so forth, importantly brings together the economic leadership of the region to reflect and deliberate on the challenges of the region and to chart a course forward for confronting those challenges. The Minister noted that more significantly, the economic leadership together, will seek to define or help to influence the role that the CDB will play in helping the region and the individual member states to confront those challenges.

News

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

PNC Govt paid House of Israel members – Nadir - even though they never worked

ormer The United Force (UF) leader Manzoor Nadir has said that members of the House of Israel, the religious organisation fingered in the 1970s thrashing of political rallies, were on the payroll of many Government agencies and institutions, although they were never present on the job. Nadir is among a number of others who are accusing the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham regime of oppression during that “dark” period. He maintained that the House of Israel group was undoubtedly aided by the PNC. The politician, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Friday, said he has lived through a period in Guyana’s history that would cause any sober, right-thinking Guyanese to be fearful. Nadir said while he was aware of many other Government agencies where the House of Israel members received salaries, he is confident of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), since he had worked at

the establishment as a Supervisor. According to Nadir, these persons never reported for work. In fact, the only time he would see strange persons, was when issues arose with their paycheque. “Those people were the enforcement arm of the People’s National Congress,” Nadir said. He cited an incident involving a man named Michael Dhorne, who was the brother of one of Rabbi Washington’s women. He said, although he did not work, he was paid

for services of a foreman. Nadir recalled an incident a few days before the 1980 General Elections. He said Dhorne was in the habit of gathering up persons to break up Opposition rallies, while setting up campaigns of their own. “Dhorne would pull the staff that were under him and take them out to hold these campaigns.” He said an incident occurred where a staff member of the GPC was informed by Dhorne that he needed to participate in a political campaign. He said Dhorne’s

temper flared when he (Nadir) told the staff that he could not leave to attend the campaign. “So he flew into my office in a rage and hit his hand on the desk and said. Do you know who I am?” Nadir reported. He recalled being severely beaten by House of Israel members on the polling day of 1980, simply because he spoke out against the illegal activities. He said all these infractions took place a few months after Dr Rodney was assassinated.

The House of Israel buiding, Alberttown, Georgetown

Beaten

Former TUF Leader Manzoor Nadir

Nadir stressed that injustices were not only limited to the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), but all other political parties that were against the ruling Government. He said too that he eventually lost his job at the GPC, because of his political affiliation. Last week, Rabbi Adom, a leader of the House of Israel in Georgetown, who was 28 years old at the time of Dr Rodney’s death, told this publication in an interview, that he wished not to say anything on the allegation, lest he say the wrong thing. He said, while he was aware of the allegations back then, he could not say much, since he was travelling the country during that time. He told this publica-

tion that he heard about the alleged involvement of his fellow members, but had never attended any meetings held by Dr Rodney. Asked about the church’s political affiliation during the time, Rabbi Adom said that the church had only offered its assistance to the Government in the canefield when it was burnt in 1977. The church had also donated blood to the Georgetown Public Hospital, and had offered its services to Guyana Stores. The House of Israel and its domineering practices during the 1970s and 1980s formed the thrust of the first session of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which was opened on Monday, April 28.

26 NEWS Businesswoman survives execution attempt A WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

businesswoman was in the wee hours of Friday morning shot twice after four men attacked her in what appeared to be a planned execution along Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Malika Susan Da Silva, 26, of Lot 75 David Street, Subryanville, Georgetown, had gone to a relative’s home at Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown to collect three persons to take them to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) when her car came under fire by four armed men. In an attempt to escape after being shot, she crashed through a fence and into the wall of house a short distance away. Fazeela, a relative of the injured woman, ex-

plained that Da Silva left her home about 02:00h on Friday morning in her Toyota Hilux vehicle and upon arriving at Garnett Street to collect her sister and brother-in-law, they heard gunshots. One of the men reportedly exited the car and discharged two rounds at the woman, hitting her to her shoulder and back. The relative recalled that after the shooting, the woman drove off the scene, but due to the gunshot injuries, she lost control and crashed into a fence and subsequently into the wall of a house on the other side of the road. After crashing into the house, the men again discharged four more bullets in their direction and sped away from the scene. Those who rushed out to offer assistance

The house which the car crashed into

did not get a glimpse of the registration number, or the driver of the car.

Allegedly trailed

From all indications,

the Toyota Fielder car was following the woman since she left home. The headlamps of the car were not on and the car

did not have registration plates. The relative further stated that the injured woman assist her father with his business in Stabroek Market, noting that this was not the first time the family was attacked. She added that the men did not go towards the car to retrieve anything from within, which is a clear indication that the shooter wanted her dead. The woman, she added, was picked up and taken to the hospital where she was admitted. Fazeela explained that a bullet was lodged close to the woman’s spine and there is a high possibility that it might have serious implications. The doctors, she added are monitoring the woman’s condition. An occupant of the house that the woman

Walter Rodney Foundation Essay Competition winners... an essay competition in primary and secondary schools.

Achievements

Minister Anthony spoke about Dr Rodney’s achievements which began with him receiving a scholarship to Queen’s College. Thereafter, he

went on to the University of the West Indies and the School of Oriental and African Studies in London where at age 24, he was awarded a PhD with Honours. “Today students of our university will do well in emulating him, by striving relentlessly for academ-

ic excellence,” he emphasised. Dr Rodney’s teaching career took him to the Darasalem University in Tanzania. After travelling to Jamaica in 1968, Rodney was expelled from that country for his activism. In 1974, he accepted a position

of Professor of History at the University of Guyana; however, when he arrived, his offer was rescinded by the PNC Government. Dr Rodney was not discouraged; instead, he used his knowledge and teaching skills to reach out to the working class around the

country. When Dr Rodney joined the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), he became one of the vocal critics of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and because of criticism, there were constant efforts to intimidate and harass their

crashed into said she was asleep when they heard the sounds of gunshots, followed by a crashing sound, then a sudden impact. She added that when they rushed out of the house, they saw the car and two women were inside. One of them, she added, was shot and panting for breath, but was eventually pulled from the wreckage and whisked away to the hospital. The other occupant of the car was not shot, but sustained a few bruises and was treated and sent away. The woman further related that they also did not get a glimpse of the vehicle which sped away from the scene. Police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a statement said they are investigating the incident. from page 24

critics. On June 13, 1980, Dr Rodney was brutally murdered not far from Bent Street where he grew up. Today, many questions still linger; it is for this reason that a Commission of Inquiry has been established by President Donald Ramotar.

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Brazilian Ambassador completes tour of duty

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett presents a gift to outgoing Brazilian Ambassador Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade

oreign Affairs Minister Carolyn R o d r i g u e s Birkett on Friday hosted a farewell reception to honour Ambassador Luiz Gilberto Seixas de Andrade, who has completed his tour of duty as Ambassador of Brazil to Guyana. Ambassador Seixas de Andrade was accredited on September 9, 2009. The Minister in her remarks thanked the Ambassador for the significant role he played during his tenure in further advancing the

Guyana/Brazil bilateral cooperation programme. These, the Minister said, included several high-level exchange visits; the establishment of the Joint Commission for the Development of Infrastructure Projects in Guyana; the establishment of a Guyana/Brazil Frontier Committee; and collaboration in key areas such as health, agriculture development, security and consular matters. She extended best wishes to him and his wife in their new post-

ing to Barbados. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1968, Guyana and Brazil have enjoyed very friendly relations not only at the bilateral level, but also within the framework of several regional and sub-regional mechanisms such as the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation and the Union of South American Nations where they share common membership. Guyana and Brazil also work closely on issues of mutual interest on the international agenda.

feature

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese students first to graduate from Lesley’s anti-abuse programme in the U.S.

ver a dozen Guyanese social workers and schoolteachers graduated Saturday in the United States at Lesley University in Cambridge, with master’s degrees in trauma, sensitive assessment, intervention, and consultation. According to a news report in the Boston Globe, the programme was tai-

ment’s social service agencies, began designing the specialised counseling curriculum,” the Globe reported. It added that a year later the programme was launched and 13 Guyanese teachers and social workers enrolled. “They have spent a grueling three years in the Interdisciplinary Studies Programme of Lesley’s

Specially-designed

“We spent a long time planning and designing this programme,” the paper quoted Guyana’s Education Minister Priya Manickchand as saying. The minister, who was in Cambridge to attend the graduation ceremony, added that “what was especially important to us was to make sure that the curriculum factored in cultur-

Child Protection Officer with Guyana’s Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Stephen Bactawar, 43, who teaches high school social studies in Georgetown said some Guyanese parents value hunting or fishing more than education, according to the Globe report. “As a teacher I observed lots of domestic situations and wanted to intervene in the children’s lives, and work along with the parents, especially when I learned the parents were not playing a great role in their childrens’ educations,” Bactawar is quoted as saying in the newspaper report. “But it was extremely difficult to get disengaged parents involved.”

Better understanding

The programme was launched in 2011 and 13 Guyanese teachers and social workers enrolled (FB photos)

lored specifically for Guyanese social workers who are believed to largely lack specialised training to address domestic violence and child abuse. “In fall 2010, Catherine Koverola, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Lesley University, along with officials from UNICEF and the Guyanese govern-

Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences: maintaining their full-time jobs while taking classes in Georgetown from local and visiting Lesley instructors, as well as from instructors in Cambridge via Skype. They also traveled to Cambridge periodically to study for two-week stints at Lesley,” the paper stated.

al nuance and respected that fact that while domestic violence is universal and is rightfully condemned everywhere, the path to correcting it and ending it may differ in different cultures.” The paper featured several of the students including Priscilla Gonsalves, a Probation Officer/

Bactawar explained that his studies at Lesley helped him better understand the parents’ mental health and emotional issues, so he has had a greater chance of convincing them to get involved. Over the past year or so, Bactawar said he has begun helping teachers recognise signs of abuse and create strategies to work with parents. He is making progress, but not

Priscilla Gonsalves, one of the Guyanese students that graduated Saturday from Lesley University in Cambridge

all child abuse manifests in physical injuries, he said, and that can make problems harder to detect, the paper reported too. Kaycina Jardine, Guyana’s 33-year-old manager of government adoption programmes and a Lesley classmate of Bactawar, cited a 2012 UNICEF report that found the most common form of abuse in Guyana was neglect, not physical assault. “My thesis focused on child victims of sexual abuse, but the even larger problem was children abandoned, not fed, not clothed, not taught, not treated properly,” Jardine

told the Globe. Fine arts therapy, long a staple at Lesley, has been part of the program for the Guyanese students. Jardine said that coaching caregivers at orphanages in how to teach dance and music to their young charges gave her insight into what they needed to care for the children. “It’s interesting that some of what is making the biggest difference isn’t complicated,” Jardine said. “Music and dance, for example, are two things people in our country love.” The dancing helps the children feel more comfortable.

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

health corner

LEGAL corner

How Ultra Violet Rays affect the eyes By Tisha Boston

t’s getting sunnier and it’s time to protect your eyes and vision from ultra violet (UV) rays. Our primary natural source of UV rays is the sun. This is not to say that people are not at risk of the harmful effects of UV rays on cloudy days, for some medications do increase sensitivity to sunlight. Also, other means of exposure to UV rays include tanning booths, black lights, curing lamps, etc. However, exposure to UV light is highest during the summer, especially between 10am and 4pm where sunlight is at its peak. UV rays can penetrate the skin and cause damage to skin cells. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UV radiation is the most common form of skin cancer in the United States. However, what some of you may be unaware of is the direct connection between UV radiation and eye damage. The damage brought on by exposure to UV rays includes the eyes as well. Excessive exposure to UV rays affects surface tissues and internal structures of the eyes, such as the cornea and lens. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer to affect the eyelids. It often occurs on the lower lid, but it can occur anywhere on the eyelids, in the corners of the eyes, and under the eyebrows. In addition, other eye disorders associated with excessive exposure to UV radiation, without wearing ad-

Pets and Bankruptcy By Richard Kistnen, Esq.

equate eye protective gear include cataract, macular degeneration, photokeratitis, and pterygium. • Cataract is the clouding of the part of the eye that focuses the light we see i.e., the lens. This can lead to blurred or lost vision. • Macular degeneration occurs when the retina becomes damaged, leading to blurred vision and trouble discerning colors. According to Prevent Blindness, this is the leading cause of vision loss for older Americans. • Photokeratitis, also known as corneal sunburn or snow blindness results from high short term exposure to UV-B rays (a specific type of ultra violet rays). This causes temporary, but painful burn to the cornea and can also cause temporary vision loss. Long hours at the beach, skiing, and using tanning beds without eye protection can lead to this eye problem. • Pterygium is an abnormal, but

usually non-cancerous growth that occurs in the corner of the eye. The growth begins on the sclera (the white part of the eye) and sometimes it may grow over the cornea, partially blocking vision. This eye disorder is more common among people who work or spend long hours in the sun and wind. Exposure to UV rays can be very dangerous for the eyes. And, in order to protect oneself from the harmful effects of UV light, EPA recommend using a combination of wrap-around sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV rays, widebrimmed hats, and UV-blocking contacts for those who wear contact lenses. This way, one can still enjoy outdoor, daytime activities, such as going to the beach, and keep the eyes safe. The image below shows how far different types of ultra violets rays are able to penetrate the eye without adequate eye protection.

any of us own pets. Cats, dogs, birds, snakes. Some of us own even more exotic pets. Although many of us associate a pet as one of the family, laws in most places around the country do not reflect the value we place on pets. (I am speaking as an owner of a dog.) Pets are largely and widely still treated as items of personal property, no different from your clothing, a car or a watch. What results for a pet when that pet owner files for bankruptcy? The laws that govern bankruptcy here in New York address the issue. Under state law, a person who files for bankruptcy may exempt “domestic animals with the necessary food for those animals for one hundred twenty days, provided that the total value of such animals and food does not exceed one thousand dollars.” Under federal law, no specific exemption is provided for animals. Rather, animals may be exempted if the debtor can fit it in: “[t]he debtor’s interest, not to exceed $550 in value in any particular item or $11,525 in aggregate value, in household furnishings, household goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, ANIMALS . . .” What does this mean

for someone filing for bankruptcy? It means that a trustee may inquire as to any pets owned and, if so, what kind of pets. Under the New York law, if those pets are more exotic and can command some money on the market (such as over one thousand dollars), if not properly exempted, a trustee can sell that animal. (For instance, I own a pitbull. The market value for a neutered pitbull is likely zero. If, however, I owned a Pomeranian or an English Bulldog, which often cost over one thousand dollars to purchase, a trustee may want to take the dog and sell it.) Things get much more complicated for people who own other kinds of animals, such as horses, which often serve both as pets and for commercial gain. Until the laws catch up with the values we place on our pets, they remain personal property. In a bankruptcy case, be sure to disclose that you own a pet because if it is a pet that can be sold for a profit (and not appropriately exempted), a trustee may seek turnover of the pet to sell. To speak with a lawyer, contact the Law Office of Richard Kistnen, (718) 7382324, www.kistnenlaw.com (now with office hours in both Queens and Manhattan - call or check the website for details).

feature

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Basil Cuthbert Rodrigues (1932 – 2014) By Petamber Persaud

lthough he came from a nation facing extinction, born in a poor, desolate settlement in the jungle of Guyana, Basil Rodrigues was thrust onto the world stage to present at an international writers’ conference in the frenzied city of Miami, Florida. That was not his only moment on the world stage: Rodrigues was honoured by Pope John Paul II and he was also the recipient of an award from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York. In 1991, he was awarded a Medal of Service (MS) by his country for “exceptional dedication in the fields of education, culture and community work in the Rupununi”. In 1998, he was again honoured by his country with an Arrow of Achievement (AA) for his ability to utilise poetry and music as teaching aids. Rodrigues was proponent of the bancikili (Spanish Arawaks) music. Educator, folklorist, musician, cultural activist, Basil Cuthbert Rodrigues was born on

June 1932 in Waini, Bullet Tree, North West District, and is the tenth of 13 children. His father, Stanislaus, was a carpenter and his mother, Ignacia, an organiser of cooperative projects among a people who perfected the art of cooperation long before the word came to prominence in our quasi-socialist society. Both parents were of mixed Scottish, Portuguese, and Arawak blood. He grew up in a highly religious society, steeped in Catholicism with a strong Spanish influence. Despite that religious intrusion, his people, the Arawaks, were able to hold onto some of their customs and beliefs. Quite early in his life he took to cricket and boxing. His progress with cricket was so inspiring that he was able to field his team in uniform, a team that went on to become regional champion for 11 years. Newspapers accounts of Joe Lewis and Billy Kohn propelled him into boxing. He erected his own ring by clearing a patch of sand and roping it off, fists were padded

Basil Cuthbert Rodrigues (1932 – 2014)

in grass or rags; everything was makeshift but the exchange of blows. But for all those action-filled undertakings, Rodrigues was very lonely at times, crying to himself – perhaps, searching for his true calling in life. That calling was writing poetry, putting music to those words and singing his compo-

sition. His writing redefined the Amerindians who were denigrated and maligned for centuries. In a poem, he said, “Sons of Moruka/we’re proud of you/…you’ve made this place show/ what potential it has/for producing such a class/of workers and craftsmen/ professionals too.” Perhaps in reference to international-

ly known poet and singer, David Campbell, potter and ceramicist Stephanie Correia, the first female Amerindian doctor since the coming of Columbus to this part of the world, Dr Desrey Fox, and the first Amerindian to be elected to the British Guiana Legislative Council, Stephen Campbell. The songs of Rodrigues were designed for children, entertaining and instructive. His singing was influenced by Los Indios Tabajaras, Hank Williams and Nat King Cole. And it was this singing that led him into a higher calling, to become a teacher for over forty years. Undoubtedly, he was an enterprising young man, investing his talents and his money wisely. In 1958, he bought a motorcycle for $900.00 and would traverse 77 miles of rough terrain to visit Dolores (Doli), who became his wife in 1959. That was a great union for it was his wife who convinced him despite all the hardship it would entail - separation of family and alienation in the mainstream of Guyanese soci-

ety - to formalise his education which he did at the Teachers Training College, Georgetown, during 1972 – 1974. However, he opted to retire from teaching in 1987, relinquishing his post of headmaster and all its privileges. This was also the end of his sojourn in the Rupununi. His contribution in education will be written in the history book and perhaps hidden away but his songs and poems will live on in the hearts of men and women he touched and moved to action. Basil Rodrigues performed several times at the annual Guyana Festival of Arts (GuyFesta), winning many commendations. He was on show at the first Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) held in Guyana, 1972. On my television programme, Oral Tradition, he performed ‘Merry Indian No More’, the lament of a continuous battle of the Amerindians against misconceptions and encroachment. Responses to this author: call (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Feature

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese-born Jill Gomez

ill Gomez, Countess of Northesk, was born

in Guyana to a HispanoTrinidadian father and British mother and was

raised in Trinidad and Tobago. After studying briefly at St Joseph’s Convent (Port of Spain) in Trinidad and dominating at the islands’ biennial Music Festival, she moved to England at 13, where she studied at London’s Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has made her career primarily in the United Kingdom. She made her stage debut as Adina in Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore” with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 1968. She then created the role of Flora in “The Knot Garden”

at the Royal Opera, London in 1970 and that of the Countess in Thea Musgrave’s “The Voice of Ariadne” at the Aldeburgh Festival in 1973. She also appeared in productions by the English National Opera (Governess), Scottish Opera (Elisabeth, Pamina, Anne Truelove, Leïla), Oper Frankfurt (Cleopatra), Kent Opera (Tatyana, Violetta, Aminta, Donna Anna), Glyndebourne (Mélisande, La Calisto), Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux (Fiordiligi), Wexford (Thaïs and Rosaura) and Teresa at the Berlioz Festival in Lyon. She worked closely

with Jonathan Miller in La traviata for Kent Opera (Edinburgh Festival and UK tour), and Eugene Onegin and The Turn of the Screw (with ENO). She also played the governess with the English Opera Group with the composer, Benjamin Britten, present. Gomez was outspoken about the “international opera circus” and had no ambition to sing at the largest houses, preferring smaller venues such as Zürich where there is sufficient rehearsal time. She appeared in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s production of Lucio Silla there, conducted by Nikolaus

of Ariadne”, she was also in the premieres of “Miss Julie” (William Alwyn, 1979) and “Maddalena” (Prokofiev, radio, 1980). Her TV debut was in the series ‘Music Now’, produced by John Drummond in 196869, and other TV and film credits include the French film “Une Femme française” and television programmes ‘A Ladies Knight!’ (1987), ‘Rattle on Britten’ (1985) and a ‘BBC programme Opera in Rehearsal: The Marriage of Figaro Act 2’ with Anthony Besch (1973). In an interview with caribbeanbeat.com, Jill shared, “When people see my passport, they

Jill Gomez in 'La Calisto', Glyndenbourne 1970

Harnoncourt. She also sang Arne cantatas with Jaap Schröder Concerto Amsterdam. She took part in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Israel Philharmonic under Solti. As well as recording of Ravel, with Boulez she performed the Webern Opp. 13 and 14 song cycles. In 1995, Gomez created the lead role of the Duchess of Argyll in “Powder Her Face”. Her recording of the latter role was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000, and in Allmusic Erik Eriksson wrote: “Gomez’s portrayal is a tour de force, alternately opulent and unhinged. She achieves the difficult task of making a figure of ridicule into a person who evokes sympathy from the listener.” Alongside “The Knot Garden” and “The Voice

give me very odd looks because it says Guyana – New Amsterdam – British. I was virtually born in the bush, on a sugar estate in what was then called British Guiana, where my father was working. After three weeks my parents and I flew to Trinidad in a tiny rackety plane. Apparently I screamed in agony the whole way because of the noise and the air pressure, but when we landed and everyone was enjoying the silence, I suddenly broke into a huge belly-laugh. That may have something to do with the way my lungs developed later!” Gomez lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her husband and music critic Patrick Carnegy, 15th Earl of Northesk. (www. guyanesegirlrock.com)

FEATURE

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

My 1st year college “Diary”

By Anu Dev

ell, I‘ve been back home for just about a week. The euphoria still hasn’t worn off, but I can finally reflect on what my first year at Med School has been like. And that’s a whole lot to reflect on! So much has happened, so much has changed and yet, it feels like it’s all been only a few weeks rather than several months. Time doesn’t fly only when you’re having fun! Did I miss home? Of course! Especially in my last month in Trinidad I missed home so badly, I started to pack away all of my things weeks in advance in anticipation of being back. But do I regret opting to study away from home in a different country? No, I most certainly don’t. Before going off to UWI, I tried to do some reading to get a feel for what the whole “collegeexperience” might be like. Most of the pieces seemed to focus on giving age-old advice about the importance of making friends and having fun. But what I was looking for was more along the lines of a more personal account. Like I’ll be attempting to give now, I guess. My first week on campus was interesting to say the least. As I think back on my first week, even my friends are like different people. I guess because by the time the year ended, I got to know some of them so well they ended up being so different from that first week. While we have our individual rooms, I was lucky that I got two absolutely incredible flatmates: Shereece from Trinidad and Christyn from The Bahamas. I’m not sure how I would’ve gotten through all of the trials and travails of my first year if I couldn’t crack jokes and laugh with them. I’m sure we’ll all remember our lengthy talks in our common kitchen for years to come. That first month or so was such a transition. Here at home, my mom takes care of everything. She keeps me fed, clothed, makes sure I take my vitamins — she goes above and beyond as a mother. But in Trinidad, I had to do all of those things on my own. My clothes no longer miraculously appeared freshly-laundered and folded in my drawers. I had to lug my overflowing laundry-basket down to the laundry area and decide whether that bright pink shirt might “run” and stain my lighter-coloured clothes and whether I just might be better off washing it with my dark clothes. Decisions! Decisions! Now, I’m not complaining about those things. In fact, doing domestic chores was sometimes a welcome change from the grind of imbibing every fact about, say, the stomach. It was actually quite pleasant to just let my mind wander as I folded clothes or swept my room. Domestic bliss? Hardly. But I leant so much from having to juggle domestic chores and schoolwork. I had to manage my time better to make sure I could do it all. I had to learn to wake up insanely early to try to get to a washing machine before they all got occupied. I learnt that I really despise washing dishes. I learnt that spaghetti sauce really splatters everywhere and that I probably shouldn’t heat it up in a pan whilst wearing a pristine white shirt. Life lessons, you know.

An invaluable heritage F

or some, material inheritance is the most cherished, but for Dax Kissoon, entrepreneur and grandson of Lyla Kissoon – a local business magnate who has received countless awards and plaques in recognition of her sterling contribution to the sector and to the nation at large – the invaluable heritage he received from his ancestors on how to be a great entrepreneur is what he values the most. Dax completed his Bachelors of Business Administrations at Temple University in Philadelphia with a dual major in Risk Management and Insurance, Marketing. He also minored in Management Information Systems. Dax has done his fair share of professional courses in relation to technology, risk management, wood/lumber grading, wood and kiln drying, and decorative concrete installation, just to name a few. He has become particularly fond of learning new things and is constantly reading and researching. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Dax spoke about his beloved grandmother, Lyla Kissoon, and how she helped him to become an exemplary businessman. “My grandmother has provided me with much wisdom, not only through words but also through her actions and her experiences in life. I'd like to think I've inherited some of her and my grandfather's business savvy - but that is probably wishful thinking. Her accomplishments, especially during the era of an independent, young Guyana exemplifies a charismatic, determined woman who undoubtedly broke barriers and glass ceilings to achieve so much. “To this day she advises me, questions me on the simplest of business activities and basically keeps me on my toes. I appreciate and admire her work ethic and strength, she successfully manages walking the line between being a strict businesswoman, and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother - she is without a doubt, the greatest,” expressed Dax. Dax is especially grateful to his grandmother on always helping him to understand that he needs to “creep before he walks” and “he should always do every-

Dax and his grandmother, Lyla

thing to the best of his ability”. This may sound like simple words of advice, but for Dax, learning from his experiences, it was immeasurably sound advice. “I remember while attending university, I felt pressured to succeed and pushed myself well beyond what I perceived to be my limits. I know my grandmother was part of the driving force behind that. Even in her golden years, she still managed to find the time to send an email (yes an email) with well wishes and support. She would say to me, ‘Work hard sonmake the best of your opportunity’,” Dax recalled. The entrepreneur disclosed that Risk Management and Insurance (RM&I) was the number one ranked major in the Fox School of Business, and at the time ranked #7 in the United States. He added that students were advised not to take more classes outside the RM&I major during a single semester because of the excessive workload and how difficult the major was. However, wanting to still graduate within four years, Dax stated he had no choice but to disregard his grandmother’s advice and juggle courses from his other marketing and MIS disciplines. It was extremely difficult, but Dax felt that was the motivation he needed to prove to himself and find out the extent of his own capability. In fact, he was one course away from also attaining a minor in Economics, but felt he had done enough. “I did exactly what my grandmother told me to do - I made the most of my opportunity. There is no greater feeling than surpassing expectations, not anyone else's expectations, I might add, but your own,” Dax declared. Branching out from the traditional Kissoon family business, Dax formed DKG Inc. (Dax Kissoon Group of Companies Inc.) He described it as a “small company that is dedicated and focused on niche

markets with new high quality products in various industries”. “Initially, we went into the off-road trucking business to move lumber/ logs for my father’s logging company. However, the lack of infrastructure in the interior, rough terrain and unscrupulous people made it a challenging and demanding trade. However, with determination and perseverance we continue to prosper in this venture. Since then we have also entered the construction finishes industry. I am proud to say we are the first to introduce decorative concrete finishes to Guyana through our supplier, Elite Crete Systems Inc,” Dax pointed out. A humble businessman, Dax said he would not necessarily consider himself “successful” - as he has set the bar very high for himself and is trying to evolve with the changing business environment. Dax believes

different walks of life, class and creed. I learn from them and I hope they may sometime learn from me - I believe that to be part of my success. I find satisfaction in acquiring knowledge - I read, read and read some more. I am always on the computer researching, investigating and analysing different ventures. I accredit this to the Fox School of Business and my grandmother and the discipline they instilled within me,” noted Dax. In dealing with challenges, Dax mentioned he keeps a positive frame of mind - even in the worst of situations. A challenge, Dax believes, gives an experience that should not be forgotten – “something that cannot be studied, bought or read in a book”. In his share of unfair situations, Dax is overjoyed he emerged wiser and did not waste the lesson he learnt. Notably, he takes “great pride in earning an honest living and providing opportunities for honest, hardworking Guyanese people”. “Family is still very important to me. After all from its beginning, Kissoon's was always a family company. My mother and father have provided me with a firm foundation, which I try to build upon. I am also the youngest of four children - so from a very young age my siblings have always set the bar very

Lyla, second from left, meeting Queen Elizabeth II during the queen's visit to Guyana in 1966

his wealth has been acquired through those who are close to him, those who care for his well-being and happiness. “Too often we are caught up in attaining success solely through material items, when success is often right at home with our friends and family. I may not be old and wise, but I like to listen, learn, and debate. One might say I have the gift of gab - I have acquired friendships from all backgrounds, from

high back then and they still continue to raise the bar. My family is large and they are scattered all over the world, some of them I have never met before, but I’ve heard amazing things. We may not see each other often, but when we do, it’s always a good time,” Dax said contemplatively. Dax’s plans are to continue to grow and tap into unique, profitable and developing markets, which he is currently assiduously pursuing.

Arts & Culture

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Baskets made from Tibisiri

upukari village, situated in Rupununi, is home for the Yupukari Crafters, a group of quintessential weavers who have created a new age in perfecting the art form to support their community’s sustainability. The first Yupukari Crafters piece came about because seating was needed for the village library. The village woodworkers who built the Caiman House Field Station (CHFS) were drafted as furniture makers. Many prototypes, later a dining set, went on display at a local crafts fair. Orders began to come in from local eco-tourist guesthouses and visitors. Pieces placed in a local shop sold out in two weeks. Using local ‘moonwood’ (saplings harvest-

formed Yupukari Crafters, a for-profit project to provide jobs in the village and to create an income stream for literacy in an underresourced community. Both salaried positions and a steady market for piecework have been created, with profits directed toward the building of classroom and public libraries, instruction in the teaching of reading, and librarian training. Currently, the crafters are displaying and selling their craft in the CHFS guest house, and are looking to approach other interested sites to display and sell the functional pieces. The sale of craft creates local income, honours traditional skills, and supports conservation of natural habitats. The crafters are pursuing indigenous knowledge programmes, where elders

Techniques and tools used for making traditional cotton hammocks were applied to make these cotton woven chairs

practice their art, a developing ‘craft tourism’ is creeping up behind. Current forms of ecotourism looking to complement what is on the ground, are seen as a way to help support and guide this initiative.

Practical artist Combrencent Ernest

Artist Combrencent Ernest carved out a name for himself a couple years ago. Literally in a block of rubber stamp he carves “Made in Yupukari by Combrencent Ernest Practical Artist”. The

Village artists Combrencent Ernest (stripe shirt) and Matthew Dorrick's new sign for Yupukari village

ed only during periods of full moon when insects depart); cowhide, wild-picked, homespun, hand-woven cotton, and a variety of reeds and woody plants, the pieces are joined without glue, screws or nails. Precise tenons yield a rustic, handmade chair that nonetheless packs flat and assembles with simplicity. With the mentorship of Jocelyn Dow at Liana Cane in Georgetown, the original group of woodworkers, along with interested ‘termites’ (members of the youth woodworking group),

pass on their knowledge and links to interested university programmes also, as youths tend to become interested in the available local lessons when outsiders take an interest in them as this would provide needed exposure of their creativity. The challenge in each community remains reaching available and interested markets. The costs associated with transporting goods, coupled with assigning true value to the crafts, create a challenge also. In each community where individuals strive to

essence of his self-assumed title and his variety of works is mirrored by other crafters in the Rupununi as one of applied art. Pieces are pulled, cut, formed and woven from within the environment that everyone naturally negotiates, relates, and survives on. Combrencent feverishly pursues works through wood, paint and clay, as well as experimenting in other local materials. His most notable work, a collaborative effort with Yupukari artist Matthew Dorrick, is a three dimension-

al mural of the Kanuku Mountains serving as a gateway into Caiman House Field Station. The other entry into Caiman House is another product of Combrencent’s hands: a pair of wood carved black caimans. Much like this acclaimed artist, many of the crafters in the Rupununi move comfortably between many different materials. That comfort perhaps developed through a trial of familial apprenticeship or self-interest. Cotton hammocks for rest, clay bricks for security, and a variety of tools borne from leaves serve as an introduction for a lengthy list of needs for life in that region. This effortlessly transitions to be artefacts of culture, local ingenuity and creativity. Markets emerging from tourism and Lethem as the burgeoning gateway to Brazil, create new opportunities to sell these functional “canvases”, allowing today’s entrepreneurial artisans to continue the traditions passed through generations while pursuing novel forms of presentation. When considering his next idea of artistic pieces and that people are demanding them, Combrencent usually contemplates what resources are available to make something new, and that is similar to his process for creation. So what inspires him? “When I get it I just do it. I start on the page with the pencil then I move to wood carving and rubber. Now I’ve been carving in small bone and wood,” he says. Ernest hopes to carve larger pieces of wood

Cowhide chairs made for the British High Commission

and continues working on pendants, making leaves and fish bone carvings. Combrencent and the Yupukari Crafters are but some examples of the range of loosely organised “guilds” seeking new markets, partners, and opportunities. Formed through a disparate set of talent in Yupukari and its satellite communities, the

“crafters” create baskets. Guests to Yupukari can now visit to witness the ladies spinning organically grown cotton, weaving a hammock, or take part in the magical technique of making a “fish basket” out of a single leaf. For more information visit Rupununi Learners on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Every ting used to be short

uring de old Pee-N-C days, it always used to have a shortage fuh some ting. In some cases and at some times, it was a lotta tings that was in short supply all at the same time. People used to have to run helter skelter to get whah dem want. Nuff people had to join line to get whah dem want. No body coulda ever leff de country wid any kinda foreign currency. Some had to wuk hard at de Hopeless Estate fuh de man who thought he was a king who used to behave like he own Guyana. At one time, people coulda never get gas to drive dem car. Then when dem get de gas, dem coulda never get spare parts whenever de car bruk down. One man had seh at de time that he even had a hard time gettin air fuh he car wheel when ever he had to fix a flat. And that ain’t no joke. That was a true story, although no body had wanna believe him at de time. De man was damn right if yuh know exactly whah he mean. In dem days was nuff gas shortage and even more nuff blackout. That simply mean de people who own tyre shops coulda never get de shop to wuk wid all dem blackouts. And wid de gas shortage dem coulda never use a generator. So air was plenty in de air, but yuh coulda never get air to put in de tyre. Another time, people coulda never get flour. And when any body had a lil bit dem had to run and hide. Eventually, people coulda never get any ting whah come from overseas. Thank de Almighty, people can now get any ting dem want from any where dem want. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, since de country gettin all these overseas tings, dem might as well look fuh a overseas mayor, a overseas PRO and a overseas town clerk fuh de s*ity council! Because de ones dem got hey ain’t no good.

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Simply the Truth

Good examples By Professor Daizal Samad

Gypsies… …in law he gypsies – now insisting they be called “Roma” – wandered all over Europe after leaving India many centuries ago. “Wandering Gypsies”… became a tautological expression. They also developed a reputation for being “light-fingered”… so when a group would enter a village or town, they had to pitch their tent way outside the boundaries. They were considered quite disreputable and not to be trusted. Well, looks like the graduates of the UG Law Programme are about to become the gypsies of the West Indian legal higher education. Back in the 70s and the 80s, ordinary Guyanese already were so designated in every West Indian island as they traded and higgled their way up and down the archipelago. And our gypsies didn’t “trade and higgle” only their goods in suitcases. They were placed so low on the totem pole that “Guyanese” became a curse word in the islands. Remnants of this attitude can still be discerned in the treatment of Guyanese – of whatever social background – at West Indian airports. So what’s the story on our Law graduates? Very simply, our LLB grads have to complete two years at one or the other UWI Law Schools before admission to practice. That is – to become a “lawyer”. Now our UG – meaning all its “schools” – is independent of UWI and we (through our Government) don’t pay a cent for the latter’s upkeep. But the St Augustine Campus in TT gave us a “squeeze” and accepted the top 25 of the LLB graduating class. They said they’ll do it for 10 years. You’d think those responsible for education in this country would’ve made preparations for that expiry date, wouldn’t you? Well, you’d have wasted a thought. When the 10 years were up, and UWI explained they weren’t giving UG grads free passes and would first take care of their grads, the powers-that-be over here (in Guyana) huffed and puffed. And ran to Caricom to bail them out!!! That was like asking the dead to bury the dead. Who’re surprised that Caricom said they’re helpless??? Not this Eyewitness. This newspaper has already said most pellucidly that the Government should resuscitate the plan from the 1990s for our own, complete law school. We have a Medical School at UG and a couple of private ones, and you mean to tell this Eyewitness that we can’t have our own law school? Poppycock! And bullocks!!! …while we’re at it. …and veiled threats Gypsies don’t like to confront authority directly – but they’d do so surreptitiously. After casting veiled threats even at those whose property they might’ve just filched. The folks in APNU – especially their Leader Granger, are much like gypsies in this regard. With their Muckraker bed-mate’s help – this is their riposte to the rejection of their suicidal motion for the Government to reduce the Berbice Bridge’s tolls: Government will “pay for it”! Sure, reducing tolls sounds nice. Hell!!! Let’s abolish tolls. The point, however, which most of us learn as children, is you can’t do whatever just pops into your mind. You can’t chop mommy because she didn’t give you both thighs from the chicken, and your brother none. There are consequences. With the bridge, which part of “you can’t expropriate private property” the APNU doesn’t get? So forget the APNU’s weak allusion to “local government results” with their threat – this veil is so gossamer thin, the threat is practically naked. This is the kind of signals Burnham used to give to his troops when he wanted them to raise hell. “Hell”, to Burnham, meant burning a dozen or so businesses in Georgetown and raising the temperature. In more ways than one. So will its AFC partner do the burning in Berbice on the tolls? …returning home As the race most discriminated against in Europe today, the Roma people might consider returning to India. The fella who just became Prime Minister is from their original homeland.

e should all be delighted by the examples set at City Hall in Georgetown. At the very best, those city hall folks provide cheap and vulgar entertainment. At worse, they show that there is not one shred of dignity in the whole pack of grab baggers. When adults behave worse than the most ill-disciplined preadolescents, we know that the future is bleak. But when our leaders do so, we know that there is no future at all. Imagine we have the “leaders” of the capital city screaming, shouting, and grappling over microphones! “I wanna taak!” screams leader number one. “No! Me want taak!” screeches leader number two. Then there is the other leader who sits in another leader’s chair. “Get up! Is me chair!” The response: “Is me own now! Find yuh own chair!” Where, we wonder, is the kindergarten teacher??? Thing is, the teacher may be worse, and children learn bad things well and they learn fast! This kind of childish tantrum is everywhere. When we bother to watch, we see it in parliament all too frequently, as you all know. The same shrillness, pettiness, vulgarity, and gross stupidity. I think Dr Ashni Singh stands out there in good ways: the man makes sense and conveys that sense in ways that makes us want to hear. There is a certain dignity that sets him apart from many others. I hope and pray that he stands his ground and refuse to go wading in the pit. Soon after I returned to Guyana in 2008, I was asked to take over the running of University of Guyana Berbice Campus. From mid-January to the end of February of

Professor Daizal Samad

2009, I visited every single secondary school from Moleson Creek to Abary. It was difficult, since I went to several schools on the same day and spoke with fourth and fifth form students as well as head teachers and teachers. The idea was to spread the word that tertiary education was no longer a luxury; it was a necessity! The message got through clearly without microphones! I remember being quite embarrassed because I started bleeding through the mouth from the bruises in my throat. Having done this, I took the good news of these visits to Turkeyen. The reaction of some of the people there to my statement that “I am told by reliable sources that this was the first time ever that someone has visited all the secondary schools in Berbice”. My source was very reliable indeed. But what struck me was the reaction, one of which went like this: “Eh, eh! Whah ah hearin hey!? Waz dis!? Well watch me crasses!” This was from the public relations person too. Last time I checked, the PR people are those front peo-

ple when facing the public. I must confess to being astonished at this reaction to carefully chosen words and good work – not because I had not heard this stuff before but because I had never heard it in an academic environment. I soon discovered that this was the norm at UG. Screaming, violent language, general undignified behaviour, very little sense, and no sense whatsoever of the general good of Guyanese children are quite normal. But all of these people (City Hall, parliament, “university” and such) are the places that we look to for examples of dignified language and behaviour, solid “common sense,” lofty thought, and selfless service. When we look to them and see the exact opposite to what we ought to be seeing, we begin to think that obscenity is good, fashionable, and acceptable. Our kids tend to believe that if they behave in awful ways, they will get into these high positions. Like all children everywhere, they learn from the examples set by adults. And they learn even more quickly from those people they think are educated. The next time you adults out there complain about the way our young children behave, go into your bathrooms and take a good look in the mirror! You will see why they behave in the way they do. Then exit the bathroom and turn on the TV to some political thing and you will see why we have the behaviour that we have from our kids. To blame them is to blame the victims of our own grossness. For some reason, all these “educated” people have a strong sense of entitlement. But I say onto them this: “When our sense of entitlement overwhelms our sense of duty, everyone around us suffers”.

Let there be light

atiricus never ceased to be amazed at the ability of the APANU and KFC parties to seek out injustice in Guyana and to rectify them. And they seemed to hone in whenever the injustice involved “light” or “electricity”, which to Satiricus and most other Guyanese, were one and the same, no? Satiricus remembered with delight (and awe) the battles they’d fought to prevent the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Power plant from being constructed. The Government claimed the Hydro Plant would provide cheap electricity to everyone in the country. So what??? They were so short-sighted and callous. It took APANU-KFC to expose their depravity: more than six camoudis would’ve been killed if the project went ahead. “What good does it serve Guyana to get cheap light when six camoudis will be killed!?” asked APANU’s boss man Grain-Ja. The most dramatic action was when KFC chief cook (and bottle washer) Rum Jhaat threatened to jump off the Falls if the camoudis were killed. As his sidekick Naga Man had attempted to dissuade him, the Jhaat had burst out, dramatically: “Doah hold me baaaack! Doah hold me baaaaack!.” Naga Man had let go and Rum Jhaat had screamed, “Is what de arse you doing? Yuh want me dead, or wha?” The foreign funders who were just as civilised as APANU-KFC and saw value of lizards over people, pulled out. And the Hydro got “hydro”. They didn’t know the camoudi was sacred to the APANU-

KFC because it was the symbol of Burnt-Ham, their Founder Leader. But the quest for Justice still drove APANU. Even though there would be no Hydro Power, they gave unto the people of LimDem free light and electricity. It amounted to Gy$3 billion every year. But Rum Jhaat had exclaimed, “Are we not our brothers’ keepers? So what if each LimDemIte used Gy$30,000 of electricity and light every month? We have to bear strain and pay our bills, Comrades!!” Satiricus wiped a tear discreetly from his cheek: such fighters for Justice were never seen before. They put Mandela and Gandhi to shame. But these efforts paled in comparison to their latest battle for light and Justice. They moved a motion in Parliament to limit the Former President Jagdesh to get only Gy$5000 dollars a year to pay for light. This would let him use one whole 40-watt bulb every other week. Surely a man who had saved Guyana US$2 billion in debt – GY$400,000,000,000 – could save on light? “And now look how Just Rum Jhaat and Grain-Ja are,” thought Satiricus. “After pleading by the PPPCEE, they increased the light allowance to Gy$4000 a month. “Now Jagdesh could light up one small room every night!!” thought Satiricus “Surely GrainJa and Rum Jhaat don’t have more than one 40-watt bulb at their houses, do they?”

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Amish humour

Sign behind an Amish carriage: "Energy efficient vehicle. Runs on grass and oats. CAUTION: Avoid exhaust!"

Court humour

These are actual quotes of what people said in court, word for word: Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse? A: No. Q: Did you check for blood pressure? A: No. Q: Did you check for breathing? A: No. Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy? A: No. Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor? A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. Q: But could the patient have still been alive nevertheless? A: It is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.

Accuracy!

There was a knock at the door. It was a small boy, about six years old. Something of his had found its way into my garage, he said, and he wanted it back. Upon opening the garage door, I noticed two additions: a baseball and a broken window sporting a baseball-sized hole. "How do you suppose this ball got in here?" I asked the boy. Taking one look at the ball, one look at the window, and one look at me, the boy exclaimed, "Wow! I must have thrown it right through that hole!"

Car rental

This week's Puzzle

On duty as a customer-service rep for a carrental company, I took a call from a driver who needed a tow. He was stranded on a busy highway, but he didn't know the make of the car he was driving. I asked again for a more detailed description beyond "a blue four-door." After a pause, the driver replied, "It's the one on fire."

Lawn mower

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the truck, the car, fishing...always something more important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a few minutes. When I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. "When you finish cutting the grass," I said, "you might as well sweep the sidewalk." The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.

Learning to cook

We are fortunate our grand-children live close by and visit us often. When our sevenyear-old granddaughter comes over, she loves to watch her grandmother when she is baking. "Grandma," she asked one day, "where did you learn how to cook?" Grandma told her that she learned from her mother and passed on this knowledge to her daughter. "Someday," she continued, "your mother will pass this knowledge along to you." There was a short silence. "No, I don't think so," she said. "Mom puts everything in the microwave." see solution on page 46

fashion

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘F

irst Resort’ by Guyanese Sonia Noel was recently showcased at the ‘St Lucia Hot Couture’, held in St Lucia, and received accolades for its artistry and bespoke designs. The fashion event was part of the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, which was held on 7 May. Elite Caribbean designers featured their best; from beach to party, the collections were all outstanding. “The collections were from some of the leading designers in St Lucia and the Caribbean. First Resort and Mariska's were presented and received fantastic reviews. I must thank the St Lucia Tourist Board for investing heavily in local fashion and inviting me to be a part of such a prestigious event,” expressed Noel in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. For more information on this collection, call 226-3099.

Designer Sonia Noel (right) with a model on the catwalk in St Lucia

Travel & Tourism

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Scenic Burro-Burro River T

he picturesque Burro-Burro river, Region Nine, lies minutes away from the popular rainforest resort Surama and Iwokrama International Centre for Conservation and Development. At Burro-Burro, the surrounding community established Carahaa Landing Camp, a hammock camp on the river edge and also the starting point for many river trips. This camp offers a base for night walks and day break canoe floats on the river, which allows the opportunity to observe giant river otters, tapir, spider monkeys and many more species. A trip on the river reveals rich biodiversity and picturesque nature scenes. It is an adventure on Burro-Burro!

Trees hanging over the river

Emerald Tree Boa lurks in the trees on the river (Photo by Jay Seedy)

Journeying to Surama via BurroBurro (Photo by Jay Seedy)

feature

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Merritone family aims to share their passion for their cultural heritage through music at his ability. She said that her grandson is “blessed with music in his hands” as he plays the instruments boldly. Lachmin’s other grandchildren, Mohini and Kaywattie Nateram, are singers, and Ravindra Nateram is a dholak player. Having a love and passion for music pro-

By Indrawattie Natram

f one is visiting the Essequibo Coast for the first time and is inquiring about a group or a family that promotes Hindu religion through music, one would undoubtedly be introduced to the Merritone family at Reliance Village on the Essequibo Coast. ‘Merritone’ has become a household name on the Essequibo Coast. The family, popularly known as the Nateram's from Reliance, is a fiveperson, family-oriented band that plays for religious functions and satsangs. Founder of the group, Lachmin Nateram, 66, of Reliance told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that because of the family’s love for music and encouraging words from their Indian ancestors, they are proud today to offer their time and works throughout the Essequibo Coast. Lachmin Nateram, who is proudly married to Nateram, said that she enjoys the bond her family shares. She said that

to the expansion of their schedule, they purchased a bus to assist in moving around. The grandmother said it is her fervent wish for her grandchildren to also carry on the family’s musical heritage. “Music was inherited from generation to generation. The playing of music is a tradition practiced

The members of the Merritone group playing at a religious function

the group was inherited by her brothers, the late Seepersaud, Vishnu Persaud and small sister Tajwattie Persaud, and parents. She noted her father was a pandit, the late Chandricka Persaud of Land of Plenty. After she tied the knot with her husband in 1964, her journey in singing and playing musical instrument began. Lachmin mentioned that her grandfather inherited the knowledge of playing musical instrument from his parents, indentured servants who came

from India to Guyana on the ships. In 2000, Lachmin had to take over the mantle of “spreading God's name” through the Kirtan group. According to Lachmin, every member of her extended family partakes in singing, playing the keyboard, harmonium, and electric drumming. When asked if anyone was formally trained in the field, Lachmin disclosed that their talents were inherited. However, her grandson did attend a few music classes, but it is his

One of Lachmin's granddaughters, Mohini, singing at a function

inherent talent that helped him to succeed in the field. Her youngest grandson, Ravin Nateram, started playing the keyboard at a tender age. When he played, Lachmin noted, he attracted the attention of many who were amazed

pelled Lachmin to continue to carry on her father’s legacy. The group has played not only on the Essequibo Coast, Wakenaam, but had the opportunity to play for persons on East Bank and East Coast. Lachmin revealed due

by the Nateram family for many years. Although we have our own trucking business, the family commits their time in preserving as well as promoting the Indian culture via our music,” Lachmin declared. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

News

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

CCJ delegation holds constitutional reform talks in Grenada

RENADA: A delegation from the Trinidadbased Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was scheduled to visit Grenada Wednesday as the island pushes ahead with plans for constitutional reform. One of the issues being debated is having the CCJ, established in 2001, replace the London-based Privy Council as the region's final court. A CCJ delegation, including retired judge Madam Justice Bernard, Queen's Counsel Martin Daly, Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commissioner and Queen's Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, representative of the Barbadian Bar

A government-appointed committee has been holding discussions nationwide in Grenada on the CCJ issue

Association, was expected to meet with various stakeholders, including Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell as well as officials from the public and private sectors. They were also slated to participate in a series of public education fora leading up to the referendum on Grenada's accession to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ. A government-ap-

pointed committee has been holding discussions nationwide on the CCJ issue and a special town hall meeting was planned to take place on Wednesday. A statement quoted Legal Affairs Minister Elvin Nimrod as telling a recent forum in Bequia that the CCJ has been designed to be more than a court of last resort for the Caribbean Community. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica tragedy: MoBay twins washed away by flood waters

Sue-Ann Lawrence, aunt of Brandon and Brayden Jones is comforted by relatives (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

AMAICA: Tears flowed freely in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Tuesday as the bodies of twin brothers, Brandon and Brayden Jones, were fished from the harbour near the Dump Up Beach in this resort city by the Marine Police. Students of Green Pond Primary School, the boys were still clad in their khaki uniforms when the bodies were found. The siblings, who resided at St Georges Drive, Cornwall Courts in the parish, were Monday afternoon swept away by angry flood waters in the North Gully. It was a sombre atmosphere at the waterfront Tuesday morning as a large crowd gathered after news spread throughout the city that the bodies of the twin brothers were found. Relatives of the de-

ceased who were early on the scene broke down when they saw the bodies of their loved ones on the ground. Teary-eyed onlookers openly expressed their sympathies with the family and friends of the deceased. According to Sergeant Peter Salkey, communications liaison officer for the St James Division Police Division, a search was launched for the boys immediately after the police received a report that the two children were washed away by flood waters in Cornwall Court about 5:30 Monday afternoon. According to reports, the boys were walking home from school when one jumped in the drain to play in the water and was swept away. His twin brother, in a bid to save him, jumped in the rushing water and was also washed away. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Canadian appointed new CEO of Caribbean Airlines

R I N I D A D : Michael DiLollo, a 47-year-old Canadian, is the new CEO of Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL). The appointment, officially announced Tuesday, comes several months after the sudden resignation of acting CEO Robert Corbie in September 2013. DiLollo, who was introduced at a news conference at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, took up duties at the state-owned carrier on Monday. DiLollo has already met with CAL’s board and middle management and is due to meet with other employees later this week. The new CEO is taking up his appointment at a time when the airline is facing competition from JetBlue which entered the market offering lower fares on the New York and Fort Lauderdale routes. He hinted that CAL’s revenue may have dropped since the U.S. carrier entered the market in late February. He noted that apart from the threats CAL faces externally, the airline also faces internal

CAL chairman Phillip Marshal, left, shakes hands with the airline’s new CEO Michael DiLollo at Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port-ofSpain, Trinidad, on Tuesday (TT Guardian photo)

threats such as costs which “could perhaps be reconsidered.” CAL chairman Philip Marshall said DiLollo was chosen after an “extensive search” and was “the outstanding choice in terms of his combination of leadership, governance, technical, and communication skills.” Commenting briefly on the financial state of the airline, Marshall said the 2010 and 2011 audits have been completed and have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance. He said the overall finances of the airline had substantially improved over 2012. DiLollo served as president of Transat Tours Canada, the business unit of Transat AT, Inc, from November 2009

to September 2011. He had been with Transat since 1991 and served as an executive vice president of TTC, Transat AT Inc, at Air Transat AT Inc from November 2008. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of Technical Operations and Customer Service for Air Transat. He is an Airbus A330 captain and has considerable and diverse experience in the aviation industry. He also served as vice president of Airline Operations at Medatlantica Group and was a director of Nav Canada from April 24, 2013. DiLollo is a graduate of Queen’s University in Business Administration. (Excerpted from TT Guardian)

Feature

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Booths almost sold out for TT’s trade show T

RINIDAD: Most of the 220 booths for the 2014 Trade and Investment

Convention (TIC) have already been sold, Ramesh Ramdeen, CEO of the TT Manufacturers’

Association (TTMA) said. “At this point in time 175 booths have gone, so we just have 40 to 45

booths left. All the 11 pavilions would have gone at this point time. We have the space for 45 more booths. For those people who want to advertise in the show, we have an opportunity. We have limited space for banners to be hung. We have a live television system so everything that happens will be beamed live throughout the show,” he told TT media. TIC 2014 takes place from July 2 to 5, at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The event is returning to that venue for the first time since 2009 because it is more accessible and booths have almost doubled, Ramdeen said. “Previously it was at the Hyatt in Port-ofSpain, but this year we decided it would be best to take the show back to the Centre of Excellence. We polled our manufacturers and we were told the logistics at the Hyatt Hotel was difficult,” he added. Ramdeen stated too that the TTMA wants to

Ramesh Ramdeen, CEO of the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TT Guardian file photo)

take things to a different level this year. “We are trying to create new opportunities to take it to another level. The world has gone in particular direction of globalisation and free trade. It is for this reason we are different from trade shows in the region. We want to see the competition and what they have. We want to see what the international exhibitors have to offer,” he indicated.

He explained that products from manufacturers in TT are as competitive as anywhere in the world. “We can go out there and beat the competition and embrace it. We have an open policy. We feel the Caribbean market has allowed us to go to where we are but we need to go beyond that. We are bringing international buyers from North America, Europe and other areas in the world,” he noted. TTMA president Nicholas Lok Jack said TIC is just one way the association assists local manufacturers. “We also do capacity building. We are taking trade missions overseas. It is just one of the many products that exposes our manufacturers to internationalisation. That is really the view of this board. It is not about protectionism but internationalisation. How do we create opportunity? We have to look for niche markets,” he stated. (TT Guardian)

feature

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s first planned residential community Part 1

By Justice Prem Persaud

n the 1950’s the city of Georgetown encompassed areas bounded on the east by Irving Street and Cemetery Road and on the south by La Penitence. Further on the east were Newtown and, what is now, Bel Air Park. To the north and west were and still are the Atlantic Ocean and the Demerara River respectively. Sheriff Street was a mud dam and areas to the east were Campbelville, Blygezight, Bel Air, Sophia, Liliendaal, Pattensen, Turkeyen, Cummings Lodge, Industry, Ogle, and others. The Bel Air area was predominantly rice lands owned by Bel Air Estates Ltd. In 1957, Hari Prashad purchased a portion of the Bel Air estate, which was referred to and called area “H”. But who is/was Hari Prashad? Of very humble beginning in the Mahaica Creek area where he was born and grew up, Prashad joined the local/labouring community in hard work in the fields. He cut logs, which he parcelled and sold, but still had the time in the evenings to read and study the Ramayana with his family, the Gossai family, and involved himself in religious, social and cultural activities. He later migrated to Georgetown where the call of the land still echoed. He bought lands and built houses, which he sold. But his was a restless soul and in the early 50s he went with his entire family to India where he spent some time. He later returned and devoted his time and energy to the real estate business. In the late 1950s when Bookers was offering lands in Bel Air for sale, he grasped the opportunity and invested his all in the purchase. The plot of land he purchased comprised 76.847 acres and it is bounded on the north by Bel Voir Court, on the west by a reserve between the plot and Campbelville, on the east by Sophia and on the south by the Cummings Canal. Land now south of the Cummings Canal is Lamaha Gardens. The reserve to the west

was a canal that ran from the then East Coast Railway line south to the Cummings Canal. In or about 1965, that canal was filled up with garbage and became a landfilled area which is still a Government reserve. As hinted earlier, west of this reserve is the Campbelville/Blygezight area. The plot of land purchased by Prashad, area “H”, was a flat abandoned rice field. He decided to create a housing estate thereon, and had it surveyed and palled in accordance with the layout shown on a drawing dated May 1957, designed by Aubrey Barker, Town Planner. He named the area Prashad Nagar. ‘Nagar’ is a Hindi word meaning a city or town or a divi-

Amla Devi Prashad

contributed three dollars per month. Later the purchasers formed themselves into community groups and rebuilt the roads by self-help efforts. The original title was obtained from Bookers in the names of

Hari Prashad

The original transports were passed by them to the several purchasers of lots. Prashad Nagar is one of, if not the best, housing schemes within the Greater Georgetown area. There are six pri-

Original house today

sion or district. There are 404 house lots, with varying sizes. The bigger lots were offered for sale at between GYD$3500.00 and GYD$4000.00 each. The smaller lots were offered for sale from between GYD$1800.00 andGYD$2600.00. Many persons who purchased were farmers who could not pay off immediately and they were allowed to pay GYD$100.00 per month until final payment. They planted their holdings and sold the produce to meet up with their instalments of one hundred dollars per month. Those who purchased and could not complete were refunded their total deposits/payments when the respective lots were resold. And they were resold for the original price. Electricity and water were provided. The roads were originally built with burnt-earth. Prashad kept maintaining the infrastructure and the plot holders

Harriprashad, his wife Amla Devi Prashad and a respected physician, Dr Jairam Bissessar.

mary streets namely, Chandranagar Street, which is on the north and runs from east to

west: Delhi Street on the west, which runs from north to south, and forms the western boundary of the area: Ganges Street on the east, which runs from north to south and forms the eastern boundary of Nagar: Kaka Street, which is the southernmost street and abuts the Cummings Canal. This street runs east to west. Kaka is a very dignified and respectful term for a paternal uncle or “ChaCha”. This street was named after Dr Kaka Kalilkar, an Indian philosopher who was visiting Guyana at the time and was a houseguest of the Prashads. Some people refer to Kaka Street as Omai Street. The significance of this defies understanding. Similarly, some people refer to Ganges Street as the “Eastern Highway”. By no stretch of imagination or otherwise is this street a highway, but had probably been so conceptualised by the early town planners. There are a number of lots north of Chandranagar Street, which backed lands on the north and are south of Bel Air Promenade. There are, however, some other major streets, namely Bissessar Avenue that runs from east to west, and named after that very good friend of the Prashads, Dr Jairam Bissessar, medical practitioner and famous and caring Gynaecologist

who held the first transport with them. Another is Sachibazaar Street, which also runs from east to west, south of Bissessar Avenue. This street was named after one of the daughters of the Prashads. Chandranagar Street was named after he eldest child and daughter of the Prashads. Other streets in the district are Shribasant, Deobirana, Munipur and Purshottam, all named after the four sons of the Prashads. Two other streets, Shantiniketan and Rohinital, were named after two other daughters of Mr and Mrs Prashad. Other streets named after relatives are Nanhooji Terrace, Jasmatbina Terrace and Damanbeer Terrace named after the father, mother and elder brother respectively of the writer of this article. Santram Street was named after the father of Prashad, and Amla Avenue East and Amla Avenue West were named after the wife of Prashad - Amla Devi Prashad. There are some other streets, Agra Street, Bombay Terrace and Cheddi Street, which do not need any explanation. Lest I be accused of shy modesty or concealing the facts, the street, Premniranjan Place, which runs off Chandranagar Street to the north in a crescent, was named after me the writer hereof. (TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Bleak outlook for lost British sailors

- were heading back from Antigua regatta

Pictured are Steve Warren (left), Paul Goslin (second from left), Andrew Bridge (fifth from left) and James Male (sixth from left)

NTIGUA: The search for four British sailors missing in the Atlantic has resumed after it was called off on Sunday. Antiguan media reported Wednesday that the U.S. Coast Guard had agreed to continue searching after a request from the UK government. The 40ft Cheeki Rafiki was sailing back to the UK from a regatta in Antigua when it got into difficulties.

The wife of one of the men said it had been an “emotional rollercoaster” since all contact with the crew was lost last Friday. Cressida Goslin–wife of Paul–and other members of the men’s families met with Foreign Office Minister Hugh Robertson on Tuesday afternoon before leaving for the U.S. Embassy. The four missing crew members are Mr Goslin, 56, from West Camel, Somerset;

Andrew Bridge, 22, from Farnham, Surrey, the yacht’s skipper; Steve Warren, 52, also from Somerset, and 23-yearold James Male, from Southampton. The U.S. Coast Guard, which on Monday said the search would only be resumed if “new developments about the case” emerged, said it had agreed to deploy rescuers at the request of the UK Foreign Office. (Antigua Observer)

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘K

ingston Paradise’, a new Jamaican feature film by Mary Wells, has been nominated for the Best Diaspora Feature award (along with three other films from the Americas), for the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards. It also debuts at the famous Cannes Film Market 2014, (Marche du Cannes) where it will be presented by the Los Angeles-based film company, California Pictures. The AMAA award announcement will be on May 24 in Nigeria while it debut at the Cannes Film Market on May 19 in France. The African Movie Academy Awards is a celebration of African heritage and culture. In 2014 it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Hundreds of films were entered for the award across the continent of Africa and globally. The award has been described by the international media, particularly CNN, as 'Africa's Oscars'. At the Cannes Film Market, held during the Cannes Film Festival, the film would have been

screened for potential international distributors and buyers. ‘Kingston Paradise’ is an offbeat urban thriller that follows Rocksy, a smalltime hustler who journeys to steal a car. Rocksy's lady friend, Rosie, dreams for peace depicted in a painting that, ironically, leads to a crime of desperation that changes their lives forever. The two end up in a fight to survive the chaos of broken dreams and aspirations. The film stars Christopher 'Johnny' Daley, Munair Zacca, Camille Small, Gregory Nelson, and Paul Shoucair. It is also produced by Mary Wells and Frances-Anne Solomon and its original music score is by acclaimed Canadian composer, John Welsman. The film has already been awarded Festival Programmers Award--Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles in February and the Audience Award & Special Mention for Best Feature Narrative at the 2013 CaribbeanTales Film Festival in Toronto. (Jamaica Gleaner)

RINIDAD: For Lisa Browne (not her real name) conception has been an uphill battle. Following a series of failed in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, her life’s savings almost completely depleted and the chance of bringing a new life into this world seemingly impossible, her story is a lesson in perseverance. In 2010, Browne sought treatment after several medical issues, including diagnosis of severe endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and low ovarian reserve which reduced her chances of a natural conception. Several series of invitro fertility procedures have cost Browne and her husband upwards of TT$120,000. Browne’s experience is a reality faced by countless women in the Caribbean, and millions more worldwide.

High costs

Many regard the high cost of fertility treatment, though, as beyond their means, and give up on their dream of becoming parents before they even try. A round of IVF treatment in places like the U.S. and UK can cost upwards of US$12,000. Even in the Caribbean, where these costs are typically halved, it can still be enough to discourage hopeful parents from exploring the possibilities. With her husband at her side, Browne made up her mind that she would exhaust every avenue available to her. Despite their determination, the couple planned for the possibility of needing at least three rounds of IVF treatment, and budgeted accordingly. “Once we spoke to the bank and they were willing to lend us the money to do it,” Browne related. The first three outcomes at a local clinic were not what they had hoped for with three failed tries, and funds were quickly being depleted. Browne, who opted to do her fourth round of IVF at the Barbados Fertility Centre (BFC), which also has a team in Trinidad, described the pro-

Many regard the high cost of fertility treatment, though, as beyond their means

cess as “a breath of fresh air”. “The first time I tried IVF it didn’t work out but I still wanted to give it another try. We took a loan and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since. We did four to five years of treatments and I finally got pregnant at the end of 2011. It was a an overwhelming experience…,” Browne said.

Success

Browne’s persistence was rewarded when she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. “My daughter is 21 months. She is perfect for me. I definitely look forward to having another child, I will have to repeat the treatments but it’s worth it,” Browne said. Financial planner Aliyah Jaggessar said couples seeking IVF treatment typically have three options for funding. These are savings—whether using existing savings or creating a longer-term savings plan or assets (such as an inheritance) securing a loan, or going the mortgage route. (Excerpted from TT Express)

history

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church I

n September 1872 Bishop James Etheridge, SJ, together with Fr Aloysius Casati, SJ, journeyed to Beterverwagting to inspect a plot of land proposed for a church and cemetery. Five years later, on June 29, 1875, the church was blessed and dedicated to St Peter. The corner stone is still in place. The first confirmation ceremony, over which the Bishop officiated the same year, accepted 120 supplicants to the Blessed Sacrament. The parish and church has since changed hands over the years. They were under the charge of Plaisance from 1877-1905, Buxton from 1919-1929, and then back to Plaisance from April 1929 - January 1930; back to Buxton from 1930-1935, and returned to Plaisance from 1935 to the present.

Around 37 priests have served the parish over the past 130 odd years. A school called St Peter’s RC Primary was built next to the church and opened sometime before 1892. The church bell was a gift from parishioner Mr Francis Faria in 1904 and is still in use today. Around 1920 the church was repaired, painted, and extended to include an apse, an aisle with Gothic arches between the nave and the aisle, and a new altar. Subsequent modifications occurred in 1948 with the building of the Lady altar and the altar of St Teresa. The church hosted a Scouts’ Jamboree in 1995. The parish community has celebrated the 50th, 75th, and centenary anniversaries of the church. (National Trust of Guyana)

Rear view of the church

Aerial view of Linden circa 1923

Front view of St Peter’s RC Church, which was refurbished in 2008

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

The commercial centre of Georgetown, British Guiana (1956)

news

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Jamaica Police report 13 percent drop in murders

AMAICA: The Jamaica Constabulary Force last Friday reported a 13 percent drop in the number of murders committed between January and March 2014, when compared to the same period last year. According to a news release issued by the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), there were 36 fewer murders, moving from 269 last year to 233 this year. The police also reported a reduction in rapes, aggravated assaults as well as “acquisitory crimes”. According to the CCU, there were 34 fewer rapes, down from 287 in 2013 to 154 in 2014. Aggravated assaults dropped from 160 to 108 this year, a 33 percent reduction, according to the CCU. There were 257 fewer acquisitory crimes, down from 1,462 for the period last year to 1205 this year. Acquisitory crimes include robbery, break-ins and larceny. "Performance for the last fiscal quarter/first quarter January to March 2014 has shown that the strategies employed by the organisation have been bearing fruit," the CCU release said. The communication arm of the force also reported seizing 160 firearms and 2,757 rounds of ammunition during the period. The release also boasted a 17 percent increase in drug seizures and a total 8,231 arrests and charges made.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force says the achievement was due to better planning and execution of operations (Jamaica Observe file photo)

"All sworn and unsworn members must be commended for their contribution in whatever way, as without teamwork, commitment and resilience the organisation would not have accomplished so much, given the challenging environment in which they work," the CCU said. "It is important that as we move forward in furtherance of achieving the security sector’s goals as outlined in the Vision 2030 strategic plan, we remain focused and resolute in our quest to make Jamaica a safe and secure place for both residents and visitors. "The level of professionalism displayed during the period under

review has not gone unnoticed," the CCU release added. Complaints of unprofessional conduct have also declined, the CCU said, so too police fatal shootings, which have declined by 51.4 percent--from 72 in 2013 to 35 in the first quarter of 2014. "This achievement was due to better planning and execution of operations as well as improvement in confidence of members in their ability to disarm suspects through continuous training," the CCU said. "It is also testament to the fact that the police are not inclined to harm suspects if they surrender peacefully when accosted by the police." (Jamaica Observer)

Barbados, China to sign visa abolition agreement

ARBADOS: The governments of Barbados and China will sign a mutual visa abolition agreement to pave the way for smooth entry of Chinese nationals who are holders of diplomatic and service (official) passports. Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, announced the signing date for the agreement as Tuesday, May 27, while addressing stakeholders attending the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation’s Doing Business with China half-day seminar last Friday. She told her audience that this agreement abolishes the requirements of visas for holders of these passports and will “make it easier for a substantial number of persons to enter Barbados easily”. Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with China, McClean said Barbados and China have built a solid relationship that was based on mutual respect and cooperation. She said evidence of

Barbados’ Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Maxine McClean

this strengthened relationship was through increased commercial and business activities as well as reciprocal visits of high-level dignitaries. These include an official visit to several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in June 2013, a visit from a team from China Central Television hosted by the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation in September and in November 2013, a delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Tianjin Sub-Council met with several government and private sector stakeholders to get a better

understanding of the investment and trading climate in the region. In August 2013, McClean said there was the visit of the Henan Performing Cultural Arts Group, which staged a hugely successful exhibition at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex and a performance by the Nanijing Orchestra in March this year. The foreign minister mentioned that Culture Minister Stephen Lashley headed a Barbados delegation in April, and signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Cai Wu, aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation between Barbados and China. McClean said the relationship was “anchored” by a double taxation agreement that was signed in 2000. “In addition, the numerous Barbadians that have benefitted from scholarships in China may be looked upon as an untapped pool on which we may draw as we seek to increase our engagement with China,” she stated. (BGIS)

When people bad talk good thing they need help Some people just got bad talk whenever dem open dem mouth. Any where dem go, is bad talk. Any ting dem do is bad talk. Any ting dem write is bad talk. Dem talk bout de country, is more bad talk. Dem talk bout people, is even more bad talk. In some case, dem just can’t get some people outta dem mind. Dem tinkin bout certain people more than dem tinkin bout dem woman, if dem still got. Some a dem dreamin and some a dem schemin. Is only leff to wonder if dem does get wet in dem behind when dem tink bout certain people. De Bell Crier just got to seh ‘bad talk’ and right away some people name does come to mind. When yuh listen to dem yuh would tink that Guyana ain’t got no good ting. De guvament no good. De roads no good. And business no good. And talkin bout business, wid all de bad talk, dem is de people along wid plenty other people who openin business. And some a dem already got business. But dem still openin more business. So it look like most people who got one business wanna open another business. And that is good business. Indeed, that is dem own business, but when dem mek it dem business to bad talk business in Guyana, that is a real business problem, which de other business people should open dem mouth and talk back bout how good is Guyana business. Well, fuh de people who wanna know what good ting certain people do fuh de country, that is just one a dem. And one good ting does bring another good ting just like how one business does bring another business. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But when good ting bring bad talk, that is when yuh know some people blind or deliberately shut dem eyes. Or as old people seh, dem eyes open but dem still can’t see a ting. Or de more dem look, de less dem see!

Bollywood

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Ranbir opens up about RishiNeetu’s troubled marriage

anbir Kapoor, who comes from a noted and rich Bollywood family, recently opened up about his painful childhood because of the fight between his parents, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. "Sometimes the fights would get re-

ally bad. I would be sitting on the steps, my head between my knees, till five or six in the morning, waiting for them to stop," the actor told a tabloid. "My parents had a very troubled marriage for a long time, and I was caught in the middle because I was there. But let’s just say I didn’t grow up with any rose-tinted illusions about love. I learned the hard way how complicated a relationship between a man and woman could be." The actor even credited the turmoil for his success. The trouble in Rishi and Neetu’s paradise hit the headlines then and they were almost on the verge of separation, but things were put under control and they have had a long married life despite troubles. (TOI)

Huma Qureshi tests her interior designing skills

ctress Huma Qureshi, who recently bought a new house, is trying her hand at being an interior designer for her place. She wants to give it a "personal touch" of her distinct taste. The ‘Gangs Of Wasseypur’ actress wants to lend an eclectic style to her new residence and so is outsourcing a variety of styles from different places and is combining them to make her house look unusual and beautiful. “I have been going through architectural magazines and visiting some home decor stores, as and when time permits. I want to give the house a very personal touch," the actress said in a statement.

ews linking Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh seems never ending. In fact, even their close friends like Karan Johar and Arjun Kapoor have openly talked about the same in ‘Koffee With Karan’, but both actors are not willing to come out in the open and keep denying any kind of romantic alli-

ances between them. "Come out in the open about what?" said Ranveer a bit impatiently. Denying their relationship, Ranveer stated that he is too busy with his professional life and has no time for love. Ranveer, who has given two backto-back hits and has left for the shoot of Zoya Akhtar-directed ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ to Barcelona on a cruise with Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, said, "We aren't dating. She is a very close friend of mine. We go out. She is one of the most wonderful people I know. I have a great amount of respect for her. I think people jump to conclusion when they see us together. My professional life is taking all my time and energy. Unfortunately, I don't have much time for romantic relationship. There is no love in my life at the moment." (TOI)

Waiter identifies Salman in court, says he served drinks to his group

A Huma, who is currently busy with a workshop for her upcoming film with Varun Dhawan, will also be taking time out between work to design her place. (TOI)

Katrina furious over buffalo app

ollywood diva Katrina Kaif is furious that an advertisement for a mobile app company has a buffalo called Katrina. While it does not come as a surprise that a buffalo has been named after her, she feels that she is being made the butt of a joke as she endorses a rival brand. A Mid-Day report said the app that makes fun of Katrina is endorsed by Parineeti Chopra and Varun Dhawan. In fact, Katrina's fans have also criticised the ad in social media. The report added that the advertisement has been pulled off the air. (TOI)

Karisma Kapoor's husband files petition for kids’ custody

arisma Kapoor's estranged husband has filed a petition for the custody of their two children, Samaira and Kiaan; but the actress is ready to fight it out. Over the last few weeks, the grape vine has been buzzing with rumours about how Delhi businessman Sunjay Kapur has moved to court against his estranged wife Karisma Kapoor for the custody of their nine-year-old daughter Samaira. But Mirror has now learnt that Sanjay is also fighting for the custody of their four-year-old son

Ranveer Singh denies dating Deepika

bar waiter Tuesday identified actor Salman Khan in a court, saying he had come along with his friends in a group to have drinks in a five-star hotel on the same night, hours before Khan ran his car over people sleeping on footpath in suburban Bandra, 12 years ago. The waiter, Molay Baug, told Judge D W Deshpande he had served cocktails and Bacardi (White Rum) to the group who had come along with Salman to 'Zen Bar' in J W Marriot hotel, but could not remember whether the actor had consumed drinks. Public prosecutor Jagannath Kenjralkar examined the witness to

show the court that the actor had consumed drinks before meeting with an accident on the ill-fated day. One person was killed and four others were injured when Salman had rammed his car into a bakery shop on September 28, 2002. (TOI)

‘Film industry was not my choice’-Rekha

ollywood's eternally inimitable diva Rekha, who has impressed with her performances in films

like ‘Mr. Natwarlal’, ‘Umrao Jaan’ and ‘Silsila’, says she never wanted to become an actress. But now when she looks back, she is glad she took this career path. "Coming to this industry was not my choice but I am glad it happened...I think it was well worth it," the 59-yearold said. "It was during ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ that I realised that I can only become an actor and nothing else," she added. Rekha was present at filmmaker Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International Institute to attend its 'Celebrate Cinema' festival when she shared her thoughts on her life and career. The National award winning actress started her career as a child artist in 1966. (TOI)

John Abraham to promote 2014 FIFA World Cup in India

A Kiaan Raj Kapoor. A custody petition has been filed at the Bandra Family Court by his lawyers Jalaja Nambiar, Narayan Suvarna and Radhika Mehta who are tightlipped about the details of the case. A copy

of the same has been sent to Karisma as well. A source close to Sunjay told Indian media from Delhi that he was forced to take this step as Karisma has not been allowing him access to the kids. (TOI)

ctor-producer John Abraham, also a self-confessed football enthusiast, will promote 2014 FIFA World Cup in India. With the world's greatest football tournament just around the corner, sports and entertainment channel Sony Six is set to launch their 2014 FIFA World Cup marketing campaign and they have roped in John Abraham for the same, said a statement Wednesday. John will be seen donning the persona of Brazil's striker for the campaign that promises to bring alive the zeal and excitement of the football tournament in India. (TOI)

Hollywood

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Pamela Anderson reveals ‘Was arrested because of fame’-Alec Baldwin being raped as a child

n what seems like a shocking revelation, Baywatch star Pamela Anderson admitted that she was molested at the age of six, raped when she was 12-yearsold and gang-raped just years later. An ANI report says that the 46-year-old actress made the revelation at the launch of her charity, The Pamela Anderson Foundation, at the Cannes Film Festival. She said that she was molested at the age of six by a female babysitter. Quoting News.com. au, the report added that her friend's 25-year-old brother raped her when

she was just 12. If that was not enough of trauma for the pretty actress, she further went on record to say that her boyfriend gang-raped her with six friends when she was just in High School. From that childhood, Anderson would go on to grace the cover of Playboy magazine for the first time when she was 22. She gained mainstream fame a couple of years later via ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Baywatch’, then found her "overexposure" upped in 1995 when a sex tape she made with first husband Tommy Lee of Motley Crue went public. (TOI)

Ryan Reynolds' tryst with cold after sunny honeymoon

ctor Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively had to move into a tiny "roadside hotel" in Canada and deal with a cold wave after a honeymoon in Africa in 2012. This was because Reynolds had to film his new movie ‘The Captive’ in the cold region. It was challenging for the actor, who married Lively in September 2012, to shoot the film in freezing temperatures in Ontario, Canada immediately after soaking up the sun in Africa, reported femalefirst.co.uk. Speaking at a press

conference for the movie at the Cannes International Film Festival, Reynolds said: "I dragged my wife from our honeymoon in Africa and landed her in Ontario, Canada, when it was minus-40 degrees." The actor, who was previously married to actress Scarlett Johansson for three years until 2011, revealed that they moved into "this little roadside hotel where we stayed for a month. That was the biggest challenge". But he admitted that Lively was a good sport, adding: "Ironically, she

coped with it far better than I did." (TOI)

George Clooney to marry fiancée Amal Alamuddin this autumn

eorge Clooney and his fiancée Amal Alamuddin are set to marry this autumn, a source

has revealed. The insider told US magazine that Clooney would marry her today if he could, but he wants to give her a dream wedding. The source said that it is her first, and he wants it to be his last. Clooney, 53, was previously married to actress Talia Balsam back in 1989, but the couple divorced in 1993. As for the actual location of the ceremony, the London-based attorney and L.A. resident are considering his beloved Lake Como, Italy, or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which are both owned by Clooney. (TOI)

ctor Alec Baldwin believes he was arrested recently for riding his bicycle the wrong way down a street because of his star status. However, he was released shortly afterwards. Baldwin was handcuffed and taken away in a police car on May 13 after he was caught riding his bicycle the wrong way down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, reported femalefirst.co.uk. He denied claims he shouted at the two female officers. "They recognised me immediately. I saw the white female cop whisper to the Hispanic cop about who I was, and then they handcuffed me," the actor stated. The former ‘30 Rock’ star told New York Post newspaper's Page Six column that he felt he was targeted because of his fame and vowed to put up

Arnold Schwarzenegger sues nutritional supplements company for 'exploiting' name

r n o l d Schwarzenegger has filed a 10-million-dollar lawsuit against bosses of a Nevada-based nutritional supplements company, amid allegations that they have been exploiting his name and image to illegally promote their products. The actor's lawyer, Marty Singer, has accused executives at AN USA Management Group and Arnold Nutrition Group of "shameful conduct", insisting the actor

and former Mr. Universe "would never endorse or affiliate himself with any fitness or nutritional product without first undertaking rigorous research, testing and due diligence to ensure that the product is healthy and helpful to athletes".

The legal papers, filed in a Santa Monica, California court earlier this week, suggested that the defendants have "brazenly stolen and exploited Schwarzenegger's name, image, likeness and reputation to promote Arnold Nutrition and Arnold Nutrition products without ever having contacted him," Contactmusic reported. Schwarzenegger is demanding damages for violation of publicity rights and unfair competition. (TOI)

Martin Kirsten dumped Heidi Klum because of her 'love for money'

eidi Klum's bodyguard boyfriend Martin Kirsten had reportedly dumped the super model because "she put money ahead of her boyfriend and kids". A friend of the 41-year-old told Radar Online that Martin called it quits with the 40-year-old supermodel as he was sick being a house-husband and taking care of her four kids

with former husband Seal. Though it was hard, Kirsten knows he did the right thing as Germany's Next Top Model host put work before everything and was never around, the pal added. Meanwhile, it seems like Klum has moved on, as she was recently spotted getting cozy with 27-year-old art dealer Vito Schnabel. (TOI)

Jennifer Lawrence asked JLo to dance for charity

Brooke Shields didn’t want anything from MJ rooke Shields has said that she didn't want a thing from Michael Jackson. The 48-year-old actor who was interviewed by fashion stylist Phillip Bloch of Untitled Magazine asserted that she did not want a thing and Jackson wanted her to have things, the New York Post reported. According to Shields, it was hard for the King of Pop to deal with, because he didn't know what to give as she wasn't asking for anything.

a legal fight. He added: "There's a process hearing July 24, when all of this will come out." The actor---who has eight-monthold daughter Carmen with wife Hilaria, and 18-year-old daughter Ireland with ex-wife Kim Basinger---also joked New York police take cycling offences as seriously as terrorism. (TOI)

ctress Jennifer Lawrence says TV host Jimmy Fallon abandoned her when they decided to ask singer Jennifer Lopez, to dance with them at a charity event. The forthcoming movie ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ actress was dancing with Fallon at a recent charity par-

ty, when they spotted Lopez and decided to ask her to join in, reported contactmusic.com. Lawrence said that she was left looking like a freak when the TV host left her alone to handle their plan, and so she had to muster the courage to speak to the 44-year-old singer. "We came up with this plan together. We're dancing, we see JLo and we're like, 'We've got to ask JLo to dance!' And I was like, we'll do a spin and then we'll go, 'Dance with us'," said Lawrence. "Basically, I do it, and then I look and Jimmy's gone! It's just me looking at JLo going, 'Dance with...me?' And she was just looking at me. You (Fallon) made me look like a freak in front of JLO," she added. (TOI)

Sport

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s basketball needs a united front By Treiston Joseph

n ancient Greek history, the battle of Thermopylae, simultaneous with the naval battle of Artemisium where a united front of Greek city states combated the invasion of Greece by the Persian Empire led by king Xerxes, demonstrated that even the most disjointed peoples can work together for a common goal. However, it seems as though various organisations cannot do the same to lead basketball out of the doldrums. The election of Nigel Hinds as president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) in January of 2014, was set to be the genesis of a new day for basketball in Guyana and for a brief moment all seemed perfect. The “Road to Mecca” was a huge success for Hinds and his administration; a tournament that filled the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) to its capacity,

Nigel Hinds

Chris Bowman

Neil Kumar

the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) organisation seemed willing to be affiliated after “informal” discussions with the GABF; Hinds seemed to be in the good books of the Ministry of Sport/National Sports Commission (NSC). However, before moving forward, four things must be made clear: one, the YBG for the past eight years has been in charge of selecting national teams for the Inter- Guiana Games (IGG) through their school programmes and National Schools Basketball Festival

(NSBF). Two, the YBG and the NSC have worked together from the inception of the NSBF tournament; three, the GABF is the sole authority for basketball in Guyana, as constituted by the Federation International of Basketball Associations (FIBA); and the YBG up to this point since its existence was never affiliated to the GABF. With that being said, the GABF’s position that they are the sole authority of basketball which would mean control over selecting the IGG basketball team and all other

aspects associated with the team, has caused a major breakdown in the relationship between GABF and the partnership of the NSC/YBG. As such, the situation has caused both Hinds and Director of Sports Neil Kumar to go public about their opinions of the situation, with both men laying down the gauntlet as to who should run the show. The breakdown was so contentious that it caused national basketball players to be locked out of the CASH for 45 minutes, an act that can be seen as utterly repug-

nant by whoever gave the orders to lock the gates of the CASH, especially since the date of use -May 15- was already booked by an affiliate of the GABF. Hence, the situation has caused the YBG to seemingly pull away from being affiliated to the GABF, in view of Hinds indicating that the GABF will not approve future YBG events, due to the issue with the IGG. What this means is that officials, players and members participating in YBG tournaments or programmes will put themselves in line to be sanctioned as well, especially since Hinds has already indicated that players involved in training sessions not approved by the GABF will not be eligible to play for clubs affiliated to the GABF. However, the irony of the situation is that both the NSC and the GABF have indicated their willingness to work together; yet here is a situation that can cause basket-

ball to plummet further into the doldrums, due to the rift that has been caused, instead of resuscitating the sport. One would have thought that men of the caliber of Hinds, Kumar and Director of YBG Chris Bowman, could put their differences aside and work together for the betterment of a sport that is viewed by many as one of the more entertaining sports today. Nevertheless, truth is fact; the GABF is the authority for basketball in Guyana and that’s the bottom line; but to threaten the future of potential talent through an issue that lends itself to such easy resolution, speaks volumes about the level of maturity of those involved. It leaves one to question the sincerity of those who claim to be putting the sport first; their actual willingness to work together and their ability to stand together for a common purpose, which is the forward thrust of the sport.

Hundreds participate in Rotary PWD day of sport

undreds of Persons with Disabilities

(PWD) last Sunday transformed the Banks DIH ground, Thirst

Park, competing in several events as part of the Rotary Club of

The event was well attended with 21 organisations participating

Georgetown’s biennial Day of Sports. The event attracted over 1000 persons drawn from 21 disability groups from the 10 regions of Guyana. They participated in friendly rivalry at walks, athletic events, a wheelchair race, tyre race, musical chair, bag race, egg and spoon race, wheel barrow race, bun-eating competition, and late for school. President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Harry Parmesar, said the top three finishers of each of the 26 events were recognised for their efforts, but insisted that all the participants left the venue with a prize. He also highlighted that the Rotary Club of Georgetown has been working along with the relevant organisations, including the Guyana Olympic Association, to identify talent that could possibly represent Guyana at the

Paralympics. Parmesar pointed out that there is a high level of talent in the various organisations, judging from the competitive nature of the participants on Sunday. The head of the Rotary Club of Georgetown also recognised the contributions of two local companies, Banks DIH Limited and Rent-ATent, for their involvement in Sunday’s event. According to Parmesar, Banks DIH Limited agreed to the use of the Thirst Park ground and also provided beverages all day, while RentA-Tent ensured the gathering was well accommodated with the provision of tents and chairs. Past president of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Affeeze Khan, highlighted that the event has grown tremendously since its inception, noting the activity during the first

couple of years had attracted below 100 persons from just a handful of organisations. Khan, a former president of the Guyana Boxing Association, said the Rotary Club of Georgetown is committed to ensuring PWDs are catered for in their programme of activities, adding that they are forever grateful to donors- both individuals and businesses- for their support in helping to host the activity. Meanwhile, Digicel joined the list of sponsors for the first time this year, and according to Sponsorship and Events Manager, Gavin Hope, the company has already offered a commitment to be on board for the next activity. Hope, who was on hand to witness the day’s activities, said he was surprised at the level of competitiveness among the participants and the enthusiasm continued on page 51

SPort

51 Legend-less Sri Lanka too good for England S

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

ri Lanka had too much power with the bat and too much nous with the ball, as they overcame a newlook England with a comfort that wasn’t reflected on the scorecard. Alex Hales stood tall amid top-order ruins while making 66, but despite cameos from Jos Buttler and Ravi Bopara, Sri Lanka eased home by nine runs. K i t h u r u w a n Vithanage’s five sixes against Sussex on Sunday were not enough to retain the opener’s slot, an indication of the world champions’ strength in depth. No matter, he was soon smashing it again after Tillakaratne Dilshan’s frenetic innings was halted by Harry Gurney’s first international wicket. Kusal Perera, the other opener, went cheaply too, but Sri Lanka believe that power play overs are for powerfully played shots, so they kept swinging, hitting Eoin Morgan’s wellplaced fielders more often than not. But when leading edges fly for six, runs will come. England’s inexperienced bowlers kept their heads well in the first six overs restricting Sri Lanka to 43 for 2. Gurney and Chris Jordan, with a mere eight T20Is between them, yielded just 23 runs from their four power play overs, each picking up a wicket – encouraging signs as England seek to rebuild

Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga celebrates bowling England's Chris Jordan

after the disastrous winter. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's new pair at Nos. 3 and 4 looked wholly undaunted by the prospect of replacing the irreplaceable, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Both fared well. Vithanage steered Chris Woakes to deep point after an aggressive 38 off 26 balls and Lahiru Thirimanne showed the benefit of nearly 100 international appearances, maintaining a strike rate of well over 100 without the recklessness displayed by his teammates. That was best illustrated by Dinesh Chandimal, who had hit a six off the first

ball of the eleventh over but perished trying to repeat the shot off the third. Woakes soon worked out that the best option for batsmen setting themselves to get under the ball and slog was the yorker, showing admirable accuracy in aiming for the toes. Nobody thinks it’s easy to get the ball in the blockhole consistently, but it can be practised in the endless net sessions today’s contracted cricketers are obliged to play. Though never really shackled, Sri Lanka clearly felt that they had the batting to get up about the 170 mark, so they kept attack-

Hundreds participate...

from page 50

The musical chair was a hit among the crowd (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

they displayed during the various races. He pointed out that Digicel was happy to partner with the Rotary Club of Georgetown, promising a bigger involvement by the company the next time. The participating organisations were Lion’s School for Children with

Special Needs, East Bank Special Needs School, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Guyana Society for the Blind, Linden Centre for the Handicapped, the Guyana Association for the Visually Impaired, Open Door Centre, Differently Abled Athletics Club, Region

Two CBR, East Bank CBR, East Coast CBR, West Coast Berbice CBR, East Berbice CBR, Ruimveldt Parent Support Group, Kuru Kuru CBR, New Amsterdam Special School, Cheshire Home, Linden Unit for the Blind and St Barnabas Special School.

ing. Angelo Mathews fell victim to that strategy, repeating Dinesh Chandimal’s suckerpunch dismissal, caught in the 15th over attempting a second successive straight six off James Tredwell. Thirimanne had impressed with a well-constructed 40 off 32 balls, playing what passes for an anchor role in T20 cricket, but the impetus was provided by Thisara Perera, who slashed and smote his way to an ugly, but highly effective, 49 off 20, before Gurney smartly ran him out off the last ball of the innings. Sri Lanka's 183 for 7 was probably over par, but England would

have taken heart from the five overs that went for four runs or fewer. England started their innings knowing that 184 was a stiff ask, but exactly the kind of score that the best T20 sides chase down more often than not. New cap, but resplendent under his streamlined helmet, Michael Carberry had his favourite square cut surprisingly fed in Nuwan Kulasekara’s first over, but it was not a mistake the wily Mathews made, inducing a slog across the line that was caught off a leading edge at third man. Ian Bell’s return to T20Is after a three-year absence brought a crazy mix of classical stroke play and horrible reverse paddles that concluded with a hideous slog off Lasith Malinga. Alex Hales’s beautiful cover drive concluded the power play with England six runs ahead of Sri Lanka's effort for the same two wickets down. Yet again, the question for England’s batsmen was whether they had the weight of stroke and self-belief to go at about ten an over for a prolonged period. Joe Root did not last, strangled down the leg side off Suranga Lakmal as Chandimal showed quick feet to make the catch look easy. By the time Morgan arrived at the crease, England had scored just 15 from the first three post-power play overs, compared to Sri Lanka's 33.

Lakmal’s totally committed run and jump forward at long-off to catch a low Morgan drive illustrated the self-belief that coursed through the visitors’ veins. One England player who always projects that kind of confidence is Buttler, the wicketkeeper-batsman, who showed some of MS Dhoni’s prowess at hitting the fullest of balls to the boundary in a quickfire 26. Meanwhile, Hales progressed to another T20I fifty off 33 balls, the strike eluding him rather more often than he would have liked. But he swung once too often at Malinga, who was at the stumps as usual, to be dismissed for a fine 66 off 41 balls. England needed an unlikely 13 an over with Nos. 7 and 8 at the crease, but the No. 7 was Bopara, a man who infuriates and delights in roughly equal measure, so there was still a sliver of hope for the majority of a good-natured, vocal crowd. The predictably straight and full Malinga soon cleaned up Jordan, so Bopara needed 24 off the last over, bowled by Lakmal. Despite an extraordinarily unorthodox stance and big hits, that was too much. Sri Lanka’s most experienced bowlers, Malinga and Mathews, combined for figures of 6-0-35-4 and there was never much chance of England scoring at nearly 11 per over off the other bowlers.

Sport

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sammy helps Hyderabad Narine's KKR whips CSK by 8 wickets seal crucial win

Darren Sammy

acked West Indies Captain Darren Sammy conjured up a late innings salvo to ensure Sunrisers Hyderabad complete a seven wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday. With two runs required off three balls, Sammy took a double of the fourth to seal the match for Hyderabad and upset Bangalore's plans of making the playoffs. Sammy, who hit a

six, was not out on ten as Hyderabad chased down the target to reach 162 for three after Bangalore had posted 160 for six at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. West Indies opening batsman Chris Gayle failed again with the bat, caught at short third man for 14 while attempting to hit over the leg side. "We needed a win, last game in front of these beautiful fans,” declared Sammy who was recently replaced as West Indies test captain

by Trinidadian wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. “Those last two overs from Bhuvi and Dale kept us in the game. Credit to our openers. We'll go to Ranchi, try for a clinical performance, hope other results go our way." Sammy hit his first ball flat over the straight boundary, bringing the equation down to less than a run a ball. He then sealed the win by chipping a slower ball from Mitchell Starc over cover, giving Sunrisers a foot in the door amidst a scramble for fourth place. Hyderabad appeared to be coasting towards their target of 161 after a strong opening stand produced one hundred runs on the strength of half centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner. However they slipped a bit as the chase was dragged into the last over making way for Sammy’s heroics. Despite the victory, Sunrisers still need other results to go their way, as do Royal Challengers both have ten points with two remaining games.

unil Narine’s Kolkata Knight Riders powered to an eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings with two overs to spare in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday. Narine picked up an important wicket at a crucial stage as KKK restricted MS Dhoni’s men to 154 for four before overhauling the target and losing just two wickets in the process. The Trinidadian destroyed a bold effort to consolidate by removing Brendon McCullum who had joined forces with Suresh Raina. McCullum was gone for 28 after a terrific catch by Suryakumar Yadav Narine’s West Indies team mate, opener Dwayne Smith experienced rare failure when he was bowled in the second over of the day for five runs, a setback for Super kings. Smith, caught on the crease playing down the wrong line, had his off stump knocked over by Pat Cummins playing in his first game in IPL 7 But McCullum (28

Sunil Narine

off 22 balls) smashed 16 runs off Cummins' next over and teamed up with Raina (25 0ff 32 balls) in a solid second wicket stand that yielded 54 runs. Robin Uthappa made his fourth half-century of the season and teamed up with Gautam

Gambhir to put on 64 runs for the opening partnership in seven overs for KKK. The win took Knight Riders level on Rajasthan Royals with 14 points from 12 games, helping them break further away from the crowded middle of the table.

Guyana's top cyclist begins training TT’s Warriors get ready for Argentina friendly in U.S. for Commonwealth Games R I N I D A D :

Guyanese Alanzo Greaves (right) during his stint in the USA last year (file photo) By Avenash Ramzan

U Y A N A : Roraima Bikers Club cyclist Alanzo Greaves, departed Guyana Monday to compete and train in the United States of America (USA) as he intensifies preparation for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The 24-year-old rider, who finished fourth overall at the 32nd annual Independence ThreeStage cycle race last weekend, said that the trip will be quite different from the one month stint he had in the USA in May/June last year. Unlike 2013, when he was involved in pure-

ly competitive races, this time around Greaves will spend seven weeks competing against top riders around the globe, as well as train for the upcoming Games. The talented rider is part of the squad shortlisted by the Guyana Cycling Federation to prepare for participation at the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 3. “I’m looking to once again do well and improve my overall game, as well as get into top shape for the Commonwealth Games later this year,” Greaves said as he embarked on his fourth such visit to the USA. In 2013, the former

Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club rider chalked up three impressive victories from eight races. He won the Floyd Bennett Category 1-3 race, the Historic Riverton Criterium (Pro 1-3) event and the W.S. United Category One race. Greaves also finished as runner-up in the Connecticut Criterium (Pro 1-3) race. Apart from the three top podium spots, he also copped fourth in the CRCA Open Category 1-3; 12th in the Floyd Bennett Category 1-3; 18th in the Bound Brook Criterium Pro-1 and 52nd in the Tour of Somerville Category Pro-1. (Guyana Times)

England-based duo Andre Boucaud and Justin Hoyte were among the first players to join Trinidad and Tobago’s national team camp Tuesday as head coach Stephen Hart began training at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Portof-Spain, ahead of the upcoming friendly international against Argentina. Also joining were captain Kenwyne Jones and former England U-20 player Gavin Hoyte, who arrived from London Monday evening. Europe-based trio Radanfah Abu Bakr, Khaleem Hyland and Lester Peltier along with North America-based Carlyle Mitchell and Kevan George are all scheduled in later this week while Orlando City midfielder Kevin Molino will join the team in Buenos Aires. The other players present from the start of the training camp were goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and his Central FC teammates Willis Plaza, Yohance Marshall, Ataullah Guerra and Rundell Winchester; Defence Force’s Curtis Gonzales, and W Connection mid-

TT captain Kenwyne Jones, second right, gives some advice during Tuesday’s training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad as the national team began preparations for the upcoming games against Argentina and Iran (TT Guardian photo)

fielder Joevin Jones. The likes of Marvin Phillip, Marcus Joseph, Trevin Caesar and Densill Theobald were all missing due to the schedule of Pro League matches on Tuesday. Boucaud, coming off the English season with Notts County, said he was focused on the task ahead. “It’s obviously two huge matches for us,” Boucaud said, adding, “it’s important for us to come together at least a week before. We haven’t been together as a team since last November when we played Jamaica, but I’m pretty sure all the boys are eager to give their best and to get everything in place for the game.”

“We as players always live for occasions like this. It’s going to be a mighty challenge because Argentina is Argentina so there’s no other incentive needed for you to be ready for this kind of game, and then we have the second game against Iran which is also a quality side,” said the 29-year-old who has 15 appearances for TT. “I’ve had a good season. I have a couple options with clubs that are interested in me but right now the focus is on international football and putting my best foot forward for Trinidad and Tobago. All the boys are set on that at the moment,” he added. (TT Guardian)

Sport

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Blake plans career change, eyes 100 world record

ONDON, ENGLAND: Yohan Blake said he plans to make a career change when he retires from the track in another six years. The former world 100 metres champion from Jamaica said English county side Yorkshire has offered him a chance to fulfil a childhood dream of playing cricket at a high level. “Cricket is my first love,” said Blake in an interview with the BBC. “I’ve wanted to play for Yorkshire or in England for a long time.” Blake said he wants to follow in the footsteps of legendary West Indies captain and current manager Richie Richardson and play for the club in the north of England. The 24-year-old Blake is a decent fast-medium bowler and decent middle to lower order batsman and has turned out regularly for Kingston Cricket Club in Jamaican club championship. Getting down to business, Blake said he has overcome the hamstring injury that prevented him from defending his world 100m crown at last year’s World Championships in Russia. He said his eyes are also firmly set on establishing a new mark for the 100 and toppling compatriot Usain Bolt from the top of the pedestal.

Yohan Blake

“This is a good year to return to top form,” he said. “When I came on the scene in 2009, I’ve been leaving personal bests every end of the year, so you might see one this year. “If I break the world record, it’s my time. Usain’s had his time, and is still having it. Whatever I do this season I just want to give a surprise to the world. My potential is far greater than what I’m running now.” Compatriot Bolt established the world record of 9.58 seconds five years ago at the World Championships in Berlin—but Blake is unfazed by challenging his Racers Track Club teammate. “I wouldn’t say Usain’s record is untouchable,” said Blake. “Scientists have proven

that the human body couldn’t go faster than 9.7 secs, but we have raised the bar. I think it’s touchable.” In recent weeks, the sport has been rocked by a number of leading athletes from Jamaica including former world 100 record holder Asafa Powell, as well as American star Tyson Gay being suspended for the use of banned substances. Blake, who served a threemonth ban five years ago after testing positive for methylxanthine, a substance that was not initially on the World AntiDoping Agency’s banned list, brushed aside concerns about the impact the use of performance-enhancing drugs could have on the sport. “It’s bad, but I close my mind from it because I don’t want to hear nothing about it,” he said. “There’s always a little bit of concern in your mind (what people think about all sprinters), but you know what you can do and how strong and positive you are on the track, so you don’t worry about it. Of course you can believe what you’re seeing on the track.” Blake could run at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, although he remains undecided as to whether he will take part in the event for the first time. (CMC)

Search on for Limacol CPL cheerleaders

Limacol Caribbean Premier L e a g u e (CPL) has issued a rallying cry to budding cheerleaders across the region to form a twelvestrong Cheerleading Team for this year’s tournament in five of the franchise countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and St. Lucia. Cheerleaders will be selected locally from five of the host islands, where a specialist selection panel will be looking out for characteristics such as style, confidence, and a warm, positive personality. Applicants will need to submit a set of photos and videos, demonstrating their good looks, flair, dancing ability and desire to earn a prestigious place on the Limacol CPL Cheerleading Team. A three-person judging panel, including a beauty specialist, choreographer and Limacol CPL representative, will select a shortlist of 20 girls to participate in a three-day bootcamp with the FANA talent agency. During the three days, those taking part will develop their camaraderie,

whilst learning skills key to cheerleading, such as d a n c e r o u tines, hair and makeup, attitude, presentation and fitness training. Following the bootcamp, twelve girls will be selected to form this year’s Limacol CPL Cheerleading Team. They will demonstrate the flair and energy of the tournament, and be responsible for bringing the Biggest Party in Sport to life beyond the boundary ropes. James Wynne, Head of Marketing for Limacol CPL, comments; “The Limacol CPL is about so much more than just cricket – it delivers a complete Caribbean entertainment package to excited fans across the globe. As such, we are on a star search across the Caribbean for the right girls to be the faces of Limacol CPL.” The tournament returns in July and August 2014 when Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors St. Lucia Zouks, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com