Dynamic Airways back in the skies
INTERNATIONAL
- Guyana to New York flights set to commence November 22 Page 14
THE BEACON OF TRUTH
for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com
You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 217
week ending November 16, 2014
General Elections certain if dialogue fails See story on page 19
- Govt reaches out to Opposition and civil society to help resolve impasse
- Opposition set to commence street protests
Man accused of killing USbased Guyanese covered up murder to look like accident
UG graduates urged to “stay and help develop Guyana”
Page 13
– Prosecutors say
Page 23
Khemraj Singh was found dead in his bath
Valedictorian and recipient of the President’s Medal for Best Undergraduate Student Joel Samuel Joseph receiving his award from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the graduation ceremony
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NEWS
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Opposition to hit the streets on Friday By Jomo Paul
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lliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan on Monday, instigated that the Government should not be surprised if Guyanese respond violently to President Donald Ramotar’s decision to prorogue sittings of the National Assembly. In fact, Ramjattan had warned that people who were frustrated were likely to be part of demonstrations with that course of action. He was also quoted in one section of the media as saying that he would not be surprised if “all hell does not break loose in the streets before that time by the frustrat-
ed masses, spontaneously reacting to the PPP/ C’s [People's Progressive Party/Civic] lawlessness. The PPP/C is provoking protests…” Despite this, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Wednesday announced its intention to host a mass “rally” to protest the President’s decision to suspend the legislature. The rally is also being planned in light of the Opposition declaring that it does not intend to engage the President in any form of dialogue until the prorogation of Parliament is rescinded. APNU General Secretary and Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon explained that
APNU Member of Parliament, Dr Rupert Roopnarine talking to supporters on Monday
the rally is planned for the Sqaure of the Revolution on Friday afternoon at 17:00h. The coalition’s General Secretary also
AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo gestures to supporters gathered outside Parliament on Monday
told Guyana Times International that permission has been sought and given from the Guyana Police Force for a “loud instrument” to be used during the rally. When asked what that instrument was he indicated that it would most likely be a microphone and speaker, that is, a sound system. When asked why this is being done despite the public voicing its reluctance to protest, Harmon affirmed that it was not a protest, but rather a rally. He said, “We will see what happens, if they are not interested they won’t
turn up.” Meanwhile, APNU MP James Bond via his Facebook appeared to be calling Guyanese to “act”. He also disarmed arguments that protest actions could lead to the loss of jobs and instability. “Whilst some are focused on protest and protest action and the loss of jobs as a result of protests, I woke up thinking that given the history of the PPP/C, their history of unbrazen and unabashed thirst for absolute control (and) absolute power, we are in the darkest days of our Republic, and my brothers and sisters it is yet to hit midnight.”
He continued to say, “It’s time to act. Square of the Revolution, Friday 5:30 pm.” Since Monday, Opposition MPs have been calling on Guyanese to take action against the government. Interestingly, they have not specified what type of action they endorse but have been using the words “mass protests”, “resistance” and “fighting for democratic rights”. One Opposition parliamentarian went as far as to call on Guyanese to give an “aggressive rejection” to the President’s decision.
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
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
President Donald Ramotar hosted a high-level meeting with civil society representatives to discuss the way forward following his decision to prorogue sittings of the National Assembly on Monday (GINA photo)
EDITORIAL
Prorogation Tumbling gold price O squeezing small miners in Guyana n Monday (November 10), for the first time since Independence, Guyana’s Parliament was “prorogued”. Since June of this year, the populace has been educated to the nuances of the Parliamentary “No-Confidence” Motion through its introduction by the AFC and supported by APNU. It is clear that Guyanese, both at home and abroad, will have to become familiar with this other, somewhat arcane, practice of Parliament, and this editorial is a preliminary to contribute to this objective. Very simply, the prorogation of a Parliament results in the termination of a session of that Parliament and its principal effect is to put an end to all its unfinished business. The latter “dies” on the Order Paper, while none of the Committees that might be considering other business can sit during the period of the prorogation. All business will have to be reintroduced as if they never existed during the next session. In Canada, however, where there have been several recent instances of prorogation, their legislature has given unanimous consent to a motion to reinstate a bill in a new session at the same stage it had reached before prorogation. The President may consider offering this option to the Opposition. As can be inferred from the above, the severe repercussions of a prorogation should force all concerned that it should be exercised lightly. In the Westminster Parliamentary system that we have inherited from the British, the powers of Parliament gradually expanded by assuming prerogatives that were once solely at the discretion of the Monarch. However three have remained with the Head of State in most Commonwealth jurisdictions – “prorogation”; “dissolution”, which ends the Parliament altogether, thus requiring an election; and summoning a new “Parliament” or session. These prerogatives were retained in our Constitution when it was drastically revised in 1999-2000 after nationwide consultations and recommendations and then unanimously approved by the PPP/C, PNC and other smaller parties such as the WPA during that Parliament. The power to prorogue must have been retained for a purpose: the very purpose, in fact, which President Ramotar is seeking to achieve. Faced with the Opposition totally unwilling to consider passing even Bills such as the AML/CFT, or the Telecommunications Bill to deregulate the vitally important ICT area, while insisting on their No-Confidence Bill that would dissolve Parliament and plunge the country into immediate elections, the President has provided a breathing space in which hopefully saner, more patriotic voices may prevail. Voices that would speak up on behalf of Guyana’s development, rather than for narrow partisan political interests. Our maximum period of prorogation is six months and while technically the President can summon Parliament at the end of that period to prorogue it again, this we believe would go against the spirit of why the prerogative was retained. We are heartened by the President’s announcement that he would be willing to summon Parliament even before the six months if the Opposition would work together with him on some concrete objectives for the development of the country. We would like to suggest to the President that he announces the objectives he is seeking to achieve in six months very clearly and challenge the Opposition to cooperate on this minimum programme. We would also suggest that the President commits to elections, latest at the end of the six month period, whether or not the Opposition cooperates. This certitude of plans for the next half year is imperative to instill confidence in the minds of the citizenry that will most likely be bombarded by all sorts of Opposition scare tactics. The leader of APNU said he is “enraged” at the President’s use of his prerogative: yet he was totally sanguine about the AFC’s NoConfidence Motion, which in fact he promised to support. While the latter’s motion would have totally dissolved the Parliamentary process and plunged the country into new elections, the President’s path at least offers an opportunity for completing the present parliamentary agenda.
By Jomo Paul
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s the price for gold, one of Guyana’s most precious metals, continues on its unsteady path of sharp declines on the international market, Guyana is now left in a quandary as miners are now worried about their livelihoods. According to Goldprice. org, the price for gold as of Tuesday, November 11, stood at US$1154.89, which represents a decline of 9.48 per cent over the past year and 5.24 per cent in the last five years. This fluctuation in gold prices has left miners scared and contemplating the way forward, since they are of the opinion that the industry will be unable to survive, given all that is happening. Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding told Guyana Times International on Monday that the incessant decreases do not augur well for the development of Guyana’s economy and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Harding, in a telephone interview, related that miners were now contemplating abandoning shop and venturing into other sectors. He explained that this move was not limited to small miners since some medium-scale miners were also doing the same. According to the GGDMA President, the gold prices have not hit rock bottom and can drop even further if investors’ confidence continue to drop given recent activity on the international market. He predicted that from the current state of affairs, Guyana’s gold production may drop some 10-15 per cent. In 2013, the gold industry declared a total of 481,087 ounces of gold which represents a 9.7 per cent increase
GGDMA President Patrick Harding
over the previous year’s figure. This, according to the Guyana Gold Board, was a historic performance – the highest level of production, exceeding the production levels of when Omai Gold Mines was at its peak. Meanwhile, gold exports for the 2013 fiscal year amounted to US$648.5 million, a 9.5 per cent decline compared to 2012. The sharp decline was linked to the average price of US$1344 per ounce compared to US$1575 in 2012, negating the six per cent increase in export volume, which amounted to 482,527 ounces.
Vigilant
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, along with the Guyana Gold Board, has said that it was closely monitoring the trade of gold and the movements in price over the last few weeks. Gold held near its lowest price since 2010 on expectations that the Federal Reserve was preparing to raise interest rates while other central banks added stimulus, boosting the dollar
and hurting bullion demand. Gold is heading for the first back-to-back annual retreat since 2000. The European Central Bank set policy on October 6 after the Bank of Japan unexpectedly added to stimulus last week. The Fed is moving closer to its first rate increase in eight years after ending a bondbuying programme on schedule last month. Gold futures were little changed in New York as a decline in US equities boosted demand for the precious metal as an alternative investment. Gold tumbled almost five per cent last week, dropping to the lowest since 2010 on October 31. The weakness in the equity market is providing some support to gold. Also, the dollar is taking a breather, and that is helping gold. The metal swung between gains and losses, dropping as much as 0.5 per cent and climbing 0.4 per cent earlier on the European Commission’s cut to euro-area growth forecasts. Gold just holds above US$1158, the 61.8 per cent retracement level of the move from the October 2008 low to the September 2011 high. The gold bears remain in firm technical control as prices trade not far above the recent four-year low. The key “outside markets” remain in overall bearish postures for the precious metals — a stronger US dollar and slumping crude oil prices. The “outside market” feature was the drop in crude oil prices to a three-year low of US$75.84. Combined with the appreciating value of the US dollar, these two outside markets have been a major influence on other markets in the past few weeks — and especially, as a negative force for the raw commodity sector, including gold and silver.
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French historians talk about Great War
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Diplomats offer ‘no comment’ on Guyana’s political situation BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND
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EU Delegation Ambassador Robert Kopecký and other officials at the viewing of the World War One documentary
s part of the commemoration activities for the 100th Anniversary of World War One, three French historians made presentations on the impact of the War on the French Colonies. The event, held on November 11 at the University of Guyana’s Education Lecture Theatre, was organised by the European Union (EU) Delegation to Guyana in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Suriname. The historians, with the aid of a translator, discussed the experiences of French Guiana and
Guadeloupe during and after the War. Jacqueline Zon-Zon, from French Guiana, talked about the willingness of the soldiers to fight in the war, noting that only a few were reluctant to do so. She said young people from French Guiana even organised a petition to go to war. “The soldiers from French Guiana were very enthusiastic to go… there were only a few people who didn’t want to go into fight”, the translator related. Zon-Zon also spoke about the challenges soldiers encountered after
the war when they returned to their homeland. Zon-Zon noted that the soldiers had a long wait before they returned to French Guiana. When they finally did, there were no jobs and hardly any medical care for the veterans, particularly those who were injured. “In facing the enemy, we are all equal, but after the war there was no equality.” Zon-Zon quoted the words of a soldier from the war. Another historian, Anne Lebel from Guadeloupe, spoke about the cause of death continued on page 7
ince the prorogation of Guyana’s Parliament, the local diplomatic community has opted not to comment on the decision taken by President Donald Ramotar, explaining that they do not want to interfere in Guyana’s domestic affairs. The Guyana Times International made contact with some of the major embassies that share a strong relationship with the country on Wednesday. The United States Embassy, the Canadian High Commission, the British High Commission, and the Chinese Embassy were contacted, among others. However, this newspaper was told by the respective foreign missions that they will be commenting on the issue only after much consideration has been given to the entire situation and all stakeholders are engaged in dialogue. They refuse to interfere now or at any point until considered advice is sought on the matters engaging the Guyanese pub-
President Donald Ramotar
lic.
It is likely that they will respond in a joint statement as they have done several times before on a number of other national issues. By refusing to comment, the diplomats have in fact rejected the lures and provocations from the combined parliamentary Opposition parties for a condemnation by the diplomatic community of President Ramotar’s decision to prorogue sittings of the National Assembly. Hours after President Ramotar prorogued Parliament, he met with the Diplomatic Corp on Monday evening, when he enlightened them on the
reasons behind this drastic but necessary decision. During the meeting attended by senior Members of Cabinet, the President briefed the foreign representatives and presented them with copies of his address to the nation in which he made the announcement, along with the Official Gazette in which the Proclamation One of 2014 to prorogue was published. The President had also forwarded copies of the Proclamation to other international and regional bodies that Guyana is a member of, informing them of his decision. continued on page 10
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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Politicians should go the way of dialogue rather than street protests Dear Editor, We need to be very alert to the extreme possibilities of the joint Opposition, particularly the APNU faction. APNU is a farce in name and nature; it has always been hell-bent on resorting to violence and abandoning reason and calm. It knows nothing about partnership or unity. Let us recall the December 2011 clarion call by APNU’s American based Afro-centric advocate Dr David Hinds: “We are not going to take this lying down, because this is a declaration of war on people who have a right to protest.” Hinds believed (and maybe still believes)
that that Granger had to be President of Guyana even when the losing party got fewer votes and seats than the winning PPP/C; he was actually demanding that Mr Granger be Guyana’s President, when in fact, PPP/C won the Presidency. I am reading how Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira is condemning the statements made by some Opposition Members in Parliament, after President Ramotar made public his decision to prorogue the 10th Parliament. Well, if there were protests after the 2011 General Elections, I can expect some of the same
here again. What boggles the mind is the utter insanity of some members of the two Opposition parties, namely APNU and AFC. From a legal stand point, any form of protest is an attack on the Constitution of Guyana. Some simple facts need to be comprehended at this time. Proroguing (or suspending) of Parliament is provided for in the Constitution of Guyana. President Ramotar acted in accordance with Guyana’s laws. Proroguing (or suspending) is a feature of the Westminster constitutional model, which Guyana inherited from Britain.
Proroguing (or suspending) of the 10th Parliament was done according to section 21 of the “General Clauses and Interpretation Act” in the Laws of Guyana. So I ask: “What is there to dispute?” The Carl Greenidge’s reference to King Charles must be taken seriously. King Charles was beheaded (January 30, 1649) for trumped up charges following his proroguing of Parliament and what Carl Greenidge is really saying is that President Ramotar had better watch out. In simple language, Carl Greenidge is threatening the President. Is this not a crime?
Not too long ago, many were seeking to protect Kaieteur News against possible attacks, couched in supposed threats uttered by the Attorney General. Here, Mr Greenidge is hostile, blatant, brazen and most direct. I ask those protectors of Lall and Kaieteur News to come out and condemn Greenidge. Greenidge also warned “that investors should not look forward to his party’s support for any agreement made during the period of prorogation”. The man is livid and his words are symptomatic of a man possessed with an evil spirit. Gail Teixeira diplo-
matically calls his behaviour irresponsible, but for me, it is most sinister, with a promise of not just non-cooperation, but violence. I remind readers that some of the protestors, dressed in green, stormed the Parliament Buildings, pushing away several metal barricades that were set up by the Police. This behaviour must now be noted and be used to gauge how the law will be enforced. This kind of response was evident post 2011 General Elections when APNU was not happy with the legal, fair and free General Elections. Yours truly, Rebecca James
Everyone should be encouraged to repay UG student loans Dear Editor, I am very appalled at the behaviour of many Guyanese. There are many who are living in Guyana and overseas who have not yet repaid their University of Guyana loans, yet they are attacking the Government on a daily basis. I am grateful for the opportunity afforded by
the PPP/C Government under the then President Bharrat Jagdeo to pursue higher studies at the University of Guyana. In fact I know many colleagues who are yet to start the process of repayment. I have since moved on to post-graduate studies and have repaid my loan. I know that it is a revolving loan, so when I re-
pay my loan many others will have an opportunity to pursue their education the way I did. Freddie Kissoon seems to be obsessed with the former President, whom he maligns in his feature column on an almost daily basis. He attacks Jagdeo, but does not seem to notice any positives that Jagdeo has put in place
for Guyanese. This is the same Kissoon who once travelled to Berbice and collected big perks to lecture at the Berbice
Campus. Kissoon does not see any positives at the University yet he does not remind the thousands who have taken their loans and have
escaped to other parts of the world, like teaching in the Bahamas, to repay their loans. Yours truly, Mahindra Persaud
Education grant will provide a great relief to parents Dear Editor, Over the last few weeks, I’m constantly reminded of the relevance of a once famous calypso by the legendary Lord Canary, “De people will talk”. Fortunately, most of the people I’ve heard, have nothing but praise and gratitude for the Gy$10,000 per child ‘Because We Care’ grant they received from the PPP/C Administration through the Education Ministry. Only a few misguided fools that choose to see this programme as a gimmick to boost the PPP/C popularity as Guyana edges closer to new elections, have had the courage to shamelessly add their names to the few letters and articles of criticisms published in the local press. From the time this brilliant initiative was made public by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and long before the AFC signaled its intention to table a vote of NoConfidence against the PPP/C Administration, I followed the process very closely. It was clear to me that the Education Ministry had meticulously planned and implemented a strategy to withstand the most rigorous form of scrutiny that they knew would come from the joint
Opposition in Parliament. Every conceivable precaution was taken by Education Minister Priya Manickchand to avoid criticisms and to promote full transparency. Consultations were held with parents and guardians in 55 locations throughout the country to inform them of this muchneeded initiative and to hear from them, specifically: 1. How they wish to receive this money: In the form of a voucher that they can cash? Or a voucher similar to the Uniform Vouchers that can only be exchanged for school supplies. 2. Where do they wish to encash their vouchers, at a bank, the post office, MoneyGram, Mobile Money, or Western Union? As the Minister said repeatedly, the disbursement of the grant could not have commenced before the first week of October to allow the registration of thousands of new nursery students that would have been disenfranchised had the money been paid out earlier. I read Lurlene Nestor’s lengthy missive recently with some amusement, as she called the initiative “a big political gimmick”. This PNC sycophant appeared more concerned with the promotion of this programme, as it demon-
strates yet another commitment to education by a caring Government that she opposes. Not once did she have the courage to admit that mothers throughout Guyana, especially single parents, and perhaps even members of her own family, have benefitted from this money she referred to as “hand-outs”. The PPP/C Administration did not discriminate either. Parents that voted for PNC/APNU and those who voted for AFC received the same amount as those who support the PPP/C. Former Finance Minister and former President Bharrat Jagdeo started the recovery, and the challenge to continue the reform was surpassed by the brilliance of the Finance Minister, who along with Jagdeo, deserves all the credit for transforming the Guyana economy from a bankrupt state under the PNC (now calling themselves APNU), to what it is today. As the economy continues to grow, I feel sure that Guyanese of every race, religion or political affiliation can look forward to bigger “handouts” from a Government that truly cares! Sincerely, Harry Gill
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French historians General Elections could break the talk about Great ... deadlock - Georgetown Chamber from page 5
of the Guadeloupian soldiers. Contrary to the belief that many soldiers died because of untreated diseases, Lebel highlighted quite the opposite. She stated that, based on scientific research only14 per cent of the people died from diseases while the majority died on the battlefield. Most of the Guadeloupian soldiers died during the battle in the Dardanelles. Additionally, Gerald Lafleur, also from Guadeloupe, spoke about the critical role of the press during these troubling times. The screening of a World War One documentary entitled “Apocalypse” was also a part of the commemoration. The documentary vividly explained in details how the war began. The film also provided a brief history of those who were the drivers behind the battles and how their daily struggles ignited the war. In his remarks, Ambassador Robert Kopecký, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, talked about
the impact the war had in Europe. “One hundred years ago, in the course of 1914, my continent, Europe, took a terrible path. The escalation that led to the First World War set our countries on the way to unprecedented and incomprehensible destruction. That war, and the next one, would change the world view of generations of Europeans – slowly but irreversibly – so that they would take the first steps towards mending their fractured continent, to take it forward to a better future. In a different way, they too wanted and needed to be united and indivisible.” Also speaking at the event was Carolle Lucas from the French Embassy in Suriname and Guyana who paid tribute to the brave Guyanese soldiers who fought in the war. History professor of the University of Guyana, Dr Melissa Ifill and Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities, Alim Hosein also paid tribute to the courageous soldiers.
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he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday expressed the view that only General and Regional Elections could break the ongoing deadlock and grandstanding that has characterised the state of affairs of the legislature. The Chamber expressed its disappointment with the ongoing crises that resulted in President Donald Ramotar proroguing Parliament and ending all sittings in this session. The GCCI in a release to the media said “in view of the level of stalemate, gridlock and failure to compromise over the past three years, the Chamber is hard pressed to believe that any positive dialogue will be conducted during this period. It is clear that only national elections will resolve this issue.” It said that if there is an election and Parliament returns with a minority Government, this implies that the electorate is demanding that the political parties put aside their differences and work together for the betterment of Guyana and Guyanese. The Chamber noted that it has been almost half a century since Guyana’s independence but yet still “the various factions within the political establishment still do not have the maturity to find common ground in the interest of good governance and national development.”
PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud
In the release, the GCCI also contended “that once again the Constitution has failed to provide definitive guidance in matters critical to the stewardship of this nation.” But, when contacted, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud said that elections should only be resorted to if talks failed between the political factions. Persaud told Guyana Times International that the PSC “would like to see attempts to engage the Opposition made as early as possible…If that doesn’t work (then) elections”. This comes amidst an absolute rejection by the Opposition
to engage the President under the current suspended status of the National Assembly. A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger said that as long as the prorogation of the National Assembly is in place, the coalition will not be engaging the President nor any member of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in any discussions. Even before the President announced his decision to prorogue the National Assembly, Granger had told reporters that “we can’t engage with a gun at our heads”, adding that “this National Assembly is a forum for national debate. It’s the voice of the people. I can’t see how he can prorogue the Parliament and expect us to have any discussions under duress”. He did not comment on the fact the Opposition’s option of insisting on a No-Confidence Motion absolutely precluded any possibility of any dialogue while prorogation gave the Opposition the option of further dialogue. Granger contended that previous discussions held with the President have not left room for further discussions, pointing out that “I have exhausted my discussions with the President”. This follows the position previously adopted by the Alliance For Change (AFC), which had said it is unwilling to hold any discussions with the President “with a dagger aimed at Parliament’s throat”.
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Rubis commissions US$5M fuel facility in Guyana
Jamaica's craft trade seeing a revival
BY ALEXIS RODNEY
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ubis Guyana Inc in its continued quest to ensure commitment to the energy sector in Guyana on Wednesday commissioned a 30,000 barrel diesel and four 60,000 gallon LPG tanks at its Ramsburg, Providence East Bank Demerara terminal. The US$5 million investment by the French company expands the capacity for fuel storage at the facility. The company’s chief executive officer (CEO) Mauricio Nicholls said the investment could not have come at a better time in Guyana. He said that although the company has some concerns about the energy sector in Guyana, it has still embraced this opportunity which opens the door for continued growth. “It is a very significant investment. It is over 30,000 barrels of diesel. These represent more than double of our storage capacity. I hope that you would agree with me that they represent a very significant commitment that we have made to our business here in Guyana and very significant commitment to a topic that is
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds flanked by employees of Rubis Guyana Inc at the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday
very current; reliability of supply”, the CEO told the gathering of stakeholders including suppliers and customers. He said the company remains very much committed to improving its storage capacity relating that supply remains a challenge. The CEO noted that amidst all the existing issues, the company is still interested in the Guyana Market. “We have done so because we believe we see Guyana as an important business prospect for us because we know that we can generate our return on our investment. We are also committed to the reliability of supply.” Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in his key-
note address said that government has always had an open door policy to any sort of investment in Guyana. “Whoever is prepared to come into Guyana and fit into our system and be lawful corporate citizen in Guyana, we welcome them”. He said companies have always been taking up the challenge to invest in Guyana, primarily because of the available benefits and opportunities which present themselves. Government he explained has also been maintaining its standard pact of incentives with these investors These packages he said are used to attract investments for both local
Storage barrels for diesel commissioned on Wednesday
and foreign companies. He told the gathering that he was extremely pleased with the company’s investment since it demonstrates the fact that “things are happening in Guyana and Rubis is making investments and putting their money in place”. Rubis Guyana Inc has been operating in Guyana since 2011. Since then the company has invested over US$8 million in the country. The company has also been in active discussion with government and the Guyana energy agency in continued efforts to improve the sector The French based company was formed in 1990. In 2012, a year after its establishment in Guyana, it expanded its services to several other Caribbean countries including the Bahamas and Jamaica. It has over 200 service stations and operates within 14 countries within the Caribbean. The company also has 11 storage terminals including the one in Guyana and operates in 16 Caribbean airports
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Violet Crutchley
INGSTON, JAMAICA: The Tourism Product Development Company's (TPDCo)'s Violet Crutchley says a number of craft producers are disillusioned with the trade because they are unaware of the economic value to be achieved if done the right way. "... Persons do not recognise the viability of it and so they don't want to enter into that kind of venture because looking on the outside and seeing all of this it is not encouraging, so you have to be naturally artistic and wanting to do that to make money," she said. "We do have Jamaican artisans who are exporting and making good money," said Crutchley, a craft development specialist at the TPDCo. The reluctance of persons to enter the trade is one of the reasons for the TPDCo's coordination of a number of craft workshops, under the OAS development project, in several parishes across the island. Noting that the OAS intervention has been well- received and appreciated, Crutchley said 37 individuals, mainly young people, have since been trained. The selection of places for the training, she explained, was done based on availability of raw materials in that area, as the aim is to have sustainability at the end of the training. Among the materials used are bamboo, fibre or straws, textiles, and recycled material. "... So far it is going very well. We are bringing out new designs and persons are being asked to create something very unusual and they have come up with some very interesting things," she
said. A major advantage of the programme, she said, is the marketing component. "What is impressive is that after all this training you don't just sit there and make products but there is a marketing element to it on the web. Therefore, when you are finished with the training you are able to be marketed as a producer," she explained. According to Crutchley, a number of people have also become disillusioned in the craft for a number of reasons. Among them, she said, is the fact that the trade has not attracted many young people, while a number of the older folks have migrated. Another challenge, she said, is that a lot of the craft traders are not themselves producers of the items. "The producers sell to the traders and sometimes the producers will say that finding the raw material is not so easy any more because of urbanisation," she said. Crutchley explained that sourcing material has also become gender specific as it needs male help to reach where it can be found. "Some of these materials have gone so far inland and so it is no longer near to the home environment and most of it [is] in challenging areas like woodland and swampy areas," she said. Added to those challenges is the fact that artisans have not been going for variety in the items they produce. "Persons have always been saying there is a lack of variety and poor quality of craft in the whole sector and without doubt it is true," Crutchley said.(Jamaica Observer)
9 Canadian resident killed in East Coast accident news
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
- relatives believe it was a ‘hit and run’
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Canadian citizen met his demise on Wednesday morning after he allegedly lost control of his motorcycle and fell onto the roadway at Montrose, East Coast Demerara. He sustained injuries and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Jonathan Validen, 43 of Lot 3738Q Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara was reportedly on his way home after partying at a bar. According to information received, the now dead man had attended the opening of a friend’s bar on Sherriff Street, Georgetown and subsequently went home with his wife after some convincing. While at home, he reportedly told her that he could not sleep and went back to the bar claiming that he had owed his friends some money. He left home at about 3:00h and the accident occurred at about 4:30h. His wife, Jennifer
Melissa Validen told the Guyana Times International that she became aware of the accident about 6:00h after her sister-in-law went to her home at Pigeon Island. She said that she rushed to the hospital where she saw his lifeless body with several injuries to his head. She recalled pleading with him not to go back out since she was cognizant that he was under the influence of alcohol. After finding out what had transpired, she has reasons to believe that her husband did not fall off the motor cycle as the police reported. She explained that after she went to the scene, she collected a portion of his registration plate and a piece belonging to another vehicle thus suggesting that he might have been stuck him from behind. More so, she would have examined that motor cycle, and realized that the exhaust was severely damaged which meant that had to be struck
Dead: Jonathan Validen
from behind. After indicating her suspicions to the police, they have since revisited the scene with the intention of conducting a thorough investigation. The distraught woman stated that she has been married to her husband for over a year noting that he does not have any other relatives here in Guyana. However, her brother, Charles Kippings admitted that after his brother-in-law left home, his sister telephoned him requesting that he collect her and take her to the bar. He
The motor cycle he was riding at the time of his death
said that he left East Ruimveldt and as was on his way to the East Coast when he saw a crowd at Montrose and stopped to enquire. As he stopped, he saw a man lying on the roadway but as he looked closer, he realized that it was his brother in law. He rushed to render assistance but was advised to contact the police before he moved the injured man. He immediately went to the Beterverwagting Police Station where he related what he saw but
was advised that two police ranks were already deployed to the scene. As he returned, he noted he informed that police that the man was his relative. They then agreed for him to pick up Validen who was still breathing and take him to the hospital but unfortunately, he died on his way. Kippings said that the man sustained some serious injuries to his head which might have contributed to his demise. He went on to say that out of frustration,
he forgot to contact his sister but later sent over his wife to relate the devastating news. He too feels that his brother-in-law was killed in a hit and run accident. Validen migrated to Guyana after his dad passed a few years ago. His body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post mortem on Friday. In Guyana he leaves to mourn his wife and one-year-old daughter. Police are continuing their investigations.
Govt mulls covering of City canals to facilitate parking
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s the number of vehicles continues to rapidly increase on Guyana’s limited road network, Government has disclosed its intention to cover some of the main canals in Georgetown in order to create parking space in the congested city. This disclosure was made by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday, at the post-Cabinet media briefing. The Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) said it seemed to be a “reasonable” intervention to address traffic congestion and parking. Dr Luncheon went on to explain that the coverings will not be permanent, but will be in the form of bridges that can be removed to allow cleaning of the canals. He further announced that the project
Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon
will commence at the canal along the Avenue of the Republic and the one located between South Road and Croal Street. According to Dr Luncheon, the initiative was developed by Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, who will be undertaking a public consultation process, which will commence soon.
“On the assumption that the public consultations do indeed support the initiative, then it’s a matter of the physics, that is how to construct non-permanent, loadbearing support for those vehicles and trucks, and I must admit, how to prevent abuses ‘cause I could very well imagine those trucks and lorries that litter these small
The canal along the Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown
community roads might somehow find their way to the Avenue of the Republic covered drain and to be called parking instead of vehicular squatting,” the Cabinet Secretary highlighted. Dr Luncheon expressed confidence that this initiative will alleviate the massive congestion problem citizens face on a daily basis in
the country’s capital city. Drivers and vehicle owners have long been complaining bitterly about the lack of parking facilities in the city. The Cabinet Secretary assured that this method has been adopted by other states, although at the time, he was unable to name any. The details of the design are not yet available.
Highlighting the staggering number of vehicles being imported, Dr Luncheon disclosed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has recorded some 9999 new vehicles that have been registered under the PSS licence registration number series. As such, the PTT registration number series will soon commence.
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Important appointment for Jamaican Permanent Rep. to UN
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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Courtenay Rattray, has been appointed as Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform. His appointment was announced on Monday, by H.E. Sam Kutesa, President of the 69th Session of the General
Assembly, in a letter to all Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York. Reform of the fifteenmember Security Council has been high on the agenda of the wider UN membership for over 20 years. The impetus behind the reform process gained added political momentum at the 2005 World Summit when world leaders unanimously called for “early
The Foreign Ministry is proud to announce the appointment of the Jamaican Permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Courtenay Rattray, as Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform.
reforms” of the Security Council. An aspect of reform that has received much attention surrounds the question of the size of the permanent membership of the Council, which currently stands at five (US, UK, Russian Federation, France and China). Also on the reform agenda are issues relating to the categories of membership and the question of the veto power accorded to the perma-
nent members. The Security has only been reformed once since 1945, when it expanded the number of non-permanent members from six to ten. Jamaica has been actively engaged in efforts in the reform process and the appointment of its Permanent Representative will give greater prominence to Jamaica’s role and contribution at the United Nations.(JIS)
TT Govt, World Bank in US$2.4M ICT programme
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EORGETOWN, G U Y A N A : Government and the World Bank will embark on a US$2.4 million programme featuring “high impact” programmes to fulfil the country’s national aspiration of a digital and e-ready Trinidad and Tobago. The plan was announced on Monday by Ingrid Seerattan, Permanent Seretary in the Ministry of Science and Technology as she delivered an address on behalf of the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Rupert Griffith. She was speaking on the first day of the Trinidad and
Tobago ICT Business and Innovation Symposium 2014 held at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad. She said the Ministry of Science and Technology is also developing the appropriate e-legislation and regulatory framework to facilitate the programmes. According to Seerattan, the plan will be implemented by a Smartt Secretariat which will be run by senior public and private sector business executives. She said, “It is our hope that with the effective roll-out of our smart plan, challenges traditionally identified in the administration and de-
Ingrid Seerattan, Permanent Seretary in the Ministry of Science and Technology (TT Newsday file photo)
livery of services of government to government, citizen, businesses and the public associated
with internal and external communication with government machinery will soon be a thing of the past. Inefficiency and high expenses relative to processing of paper documents, difficulties associated with paper document search, location, retrieval, sharing and management is expected to be minimised.” Delivering the keynote address was Futurist Gerd Leonhard, who said that while Trinidad and Tobago is an oil and gas resource economy it will eventually have to look to new products because it will
lose those resources or see diminished revenue streams from them. In his address, “Looking to the Future: Opportunities and Challenges of a Networked Society,” Leonhard told participants that there are companies which are making 50 percent of their money from things that didn’t even exist seven years ago, adding that this is going to happen to more and more companies. He said that in the future natural resources will be available through water, wind and solar, renewable energies, because technology will have invented ways of using them. He said right now one can use solar energy from Mexico but it cannot be transported to England. However, he said that in the future technology will have solved all these problems so there will be a lot more supply of energy and it will not be an issue of struggling with price per barrel. “That’s still going to be good for maybe 10 or fifteen years but eventually you are
going to have to look for a new revenue stream. In the symposium brochure, Leonhard is described as “a leading voice in next-generation digital business models.” He is also described as a writer and the host of two television programmes TheFutureShow and MeetingOfTheMinds.tv, as well as the founder of Green Futurists, a high level group of futurists with a focus on developing sustainable business models. In his keynote address, he said the world is at a pivot point in technology and in the next five years most people will use voice commands to turn on their computers. He said this is already happening but these developments take time to catch on globally. The symposium continues with a keynote address by Dr Simone Ahuja, founder of Blood Red Orange, Digital Media Strategist and Jugaad Innovator and Anil Sadhoeram, managing director, Divitel Americas and chief philosophy officer at 100WATT. (TT Newsday)
from page 5
Diplomats offer ‘no comment’...
President Ramotar updated the officials on the current state of Parliamentary affairs while clarifying Government’s position and the way forward, within Guyana’s constitutional framework. Then on Tuesday, the President held another high-level meeting, this time engaging the civil society. At this week’s post Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Head of Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, disclosed that during those meetings, the parties exchanged mutual concerns over the prorogation. He noted that all the parties, though minimally, have conceded the constitutionality of the President’s de-
cision. However, Dr Luncheon went on to explain that the muted concern which was shared by the parties had to deal with what the Government would do if there is no consensus between them and the political Opposition. “A lot of them dealt with statements that are being made, that have been made in the height of immediacy of Opposition responses. The threats, what happens to the security, what happens to the investments, what would the Government be doing, and that may or may not be judged properly during the non-existent Parliament,” he noted. According to Dr Luncheon, the dia-
logue with the diplomats basically dealt with Government’s intention and course of action at the outcome of the prorogation period. On November 4 during a previous telecast address to the nation, President Ramotar highlighted the importance of deliberating and priority being given to the several matters before the National Assembly, as preparations were being made for the first post recess sitting, at the same time warning that he will dissolve or prorogue Parliament if the House steers away from Government’s business and pushes the debate on opposition tabled NoConfidence Motion.
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OAS urges Guyana Govt, Jamaican Govt allocates Ja$70m to put e-books on tablets Opposition parties to work in best interest of country
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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Government is to spend Ja$70 million on e-books for tablet computers currently being issued to several schools island wide. Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell, said the initiative forms part of efforts to reduce the amount of money spent by parents on textbooks for children. The distribution of computer tablets comes under the government’s Ja$1.4 billion Tablets in Schools pilot programme. “What we have done in this phase is to purchase a lot of the content and a lot of it is externally driven and on Wednesday morning, we are going to be signing contracts for Ja$70 million for e-books that will be placed on the tablets so that very soon, the youngsters won’t need to purchase textbooks at all; they will all be loaded on the tablets,” he said. The minister noted as well that agreements would also be signed with several local content providers, pointing out that they have approached the ministry with useful and dynamic applications that will also be placed on the tablets. He added that this will enable the government to create a diverse learning environment for youngsters. “We really want to get out of spending so much money on foreign content. We really want to see
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Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Phillip Paulwell (JIS photo)
how we can provoke Jamaicans to look at the school curricula and to see how we can creatively transform the written curriculum into ICTs (information communication technologies) using video, word, pictures and so on, to transmit learning in a different way,” he said. The one-year pilot is being carried out in 38 educational institutions to benefit 24,000 students and 1, 200 teachers in six pre-primary, 13 primary, five all age and junior high, and 12 high schools; one teacher’s college; and one special education institution. Following a review of the pilot, the programme will be fully implemented across the island, to benefit 600,000 students and teachers. (Jamaica Observer)
rganisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza has called for the resumption of the 10th Parliament at the earliest, urging the Government and the Opposition to work at reaching a consensus on issues affecting Guyana’s future. Insulza, in a statement on Tuesday, recognised that President Donald Ramotar had acted within the framework of Guyana’s Constitution when he opted to prorogue the 10th Parliament for a maximum of six months, with immediate effect. The Secretary General’s comments came after Government forwarded correspondence of the Proclamation Number 1 of 2014 to various international and regional bodies, informing them of the decision. According to Insulza, any democratic society allows Parliament to make checks and balances and let the voices of the people be heard; however, he
OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza
noted that since the 2011 Elections, Guyana has had a split governance system and this situation presents both challenges and opportunities for all parties in Guyana to work together for the greater good of the country. On this note, the OAS Secretary General urged both the Government and the Opposition parties to intensify their efforts so that they can arrive at a compromise or understanding on major political and socio-economic issues facing the country. President Ramotar on
Monday followed through with his warning to suspend Parliament if the Opposition sought to disrupt Government’s business and push for the debate on the No-Confidence Motion tabled against the ruling party. During his address to the nation on Monday ahead of the first post-recess sitting of the National Assembly, President Ramotar said he resolved to exercise his constitutional options to either prorogue or dissolve Parliament, paving the way for the hosting of a General Election. “Consistent with my earlier position and in accordance with powers conferred on me by Article 70 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana, I earlier today issued a Proclamation proroguing the 10th Parliament,” the President stated. Ramotar explained that his decision was not taken lightly, noting that it was the only option he had to ensure that the life of the 10th Parliament was preserved.
Surujbally lashes out at PPP/C for “continuous criticisms” - says Rohee “making a mountain out of a molehill” said, explaining that he was out of the jurisdiction for a period of time. He added that “if he hasn’t done it, he will be doing it shortly”. The GECOM Chairman went on to say that he believes the PPP/C General Secretary is making mountains out of molehills, and blowing up issues that could have
BY JOMO PAUL
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uyana Elections Commission ( G E C O M ) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally has lashed out at People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee for his continuous criticism of the work of the Commission. Over the past weeks, the PPP/C has raised several concerns with respect to GECOM’s preparations for elections and the training and hiring of staff. Only recently, Rohee had said the Commission had given October 30 for the date when the Original List of Electors (OLE) would have been published. But on Monday, November 3, he told reporters at a press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown that the management of GECOM is yet to inform the party of any developments or setbacks as it relates to the publication of the list. “The PPP/C is still awaiting their copy or a definitive word from GECOM” as relates to the list being released, Rohee said. But GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Surujbally told Guyana Times International on Tuesday
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally
that as far as he is aware, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield was supposed to have commenced circulation of the OLE. “There is nothing that prevents the Chief Elections Officer from sharing the OLE with political parties. GECOM has already given the greenlight on the OLE.” He contended too that as far as he is aware, the list should have already been circulated to the political parties, namely the PPP/C, the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the other stakeholders in Guyana's political sphere. “I think we have circulated it,” Dr Surujbally
been resolved by the way of correspondence. According to Dr Surujbally, Rohee has been raising several concerns through the media, but has not officially written to GECOM to seek clarity on any of those issues. Dr Surujbally said he would “not be responding to any media arti-
cle” pointing out that “if Rohee has questions, he can write me, I will not respond until he writes me”. He contended that he has adopted this position because he will not be able to verify without a shadow of doubt what is reported in the media. Dr Surujbally also reaffirmed that “if he
(Rohee) wants to engage me, he has to write.” At a recent press conference, the PPP/C General Secretary had called on GECOM to immediately make public the list of persons selected for elections training, the general areas of training undergone and the selection criteria that were used to hire the staff.
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Man accused of killing US-based Guyanese covered up – Prosecutors say murder to look like accident
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ccording to the New York Daily News, an ex-con accused of fatally stabbing a Hell’s Kitchen community activist claimed to cops that his victim died from falling on a knife as they struggled, authorities said. But prosecutors weren’t buying Jeffrey Wong’s story, charging him with murder and saying victim Khemraj Singh, 46, originally from Guyana, was knifed at least six times. Wong, 41, joined Singh, 46, at a bar Tuesday night before returning to Singh’s apartment on W. 48th St. near Ninth Ave. to do cocaine, officials said. The two men, who live near each other, knew each other before meeting Tuesday, police said. “[Wong] claimed the victim put on a porno film, came out of the bathroom naked, and when he tried to leave
the victim took out a knife and prevented him from leaving,” Assistant District Attorney Lisa Franchini said during Wong’s arraignment Friday. “He pushed the victim back and punched the victim repeatedly.” Wong then stabbed Singh more than six times in the upper body, face, back, neck and hands, choked him and bludgeoned him, according to prosecutors. Singh died from a stab wound to the left side of his neck, according to the city medical examiner. “When he was told the victim had been stabbed, the defendant said the victim must have fallen onto the knife,” Franchini said in court. After Singh, a member of Community Board 4, failed to attend the organization’s meeting Tuesday night, worried friends went to
Jeffrey Wong, 41, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court
check on him the next day around 12:40 p.m., sources said. They found his apartment unlocked with Singh dead in the bathtub, the walls spattered with blood. Wong, a deliveryman for a Chinese restaurant, staged the murder scene to make it appear Singh was the victim of an accidental fall, police sources said. He tried to clean up
Khemraj Singh, inset, was found dead in his bath
the blood and placed a clear shower curtain over Singh’s body in the bathtub. Cops found a steak knife under Singh’s body and recovered a pair of scissors Wong may have used to cut down the shower curtain from the bathroom sink, which still had water running. Detectives found surveillance video
showing Singh and his alleged killer walking to the victim’s apartment and identified Wong by showing the images around the neighborhood, sources said. They also found a note with Wong’s phone number inside his victim’s apartment, the sources said. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer released a statement
praising Singh, calling him “a friend who loved political and civic issues.” “He focused on helping neighbors and on larger policy agendas,” she added. “His warmth and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.” The NYD news reported that Judge Robert Mandelbaum ordered Wong held without bail after his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court. Wong was previously arrested in 1996 for assault and menacing after he and two relatives punched and stabbed a drunk man in the head without provocation, officials said. He served four years in prison. A year after his release, he was busted for smoking pot in public and criminal possession of a controlled substance. In 2010, he was arrested for selling pot and cocaine possession.
Still no monitoring for Ebola at Berbice backtrack route By Alexis Rodney
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h i l e Government continues efforts to beef up surveillance activities at ports of entry across the country, mechanisms are still to be put in place at the backtrack route at Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Both Guyanese and citizens of Suriname have been utilising that port, when leaving their respective countries to carry out various activities. In a recent interview with Guyana Times International, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud related that the Ministry does not have the capacity to monitor the situa-
Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud
tion at Corriverton. At the Moleson Creek Stelling, he explained that there was only one Port Health Officer assisted by an Environmental Health Assistant. He said that while the Ministry was aware of the schedule of the boats at Moleson
Creek, the port at Corriverton posed a challenge. He said he hoped all parties and stakeholders involved could work to address the issue. Dr Persaud explained that as far as he was aware, neighbouring Suriname had already put mechanisms in place preparations in the event of Ebola cases occurring close by. According to the CMO, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran is currently in discussions, seeking to strengthen surveillance and regularise travel at the Moleson Creek Stelling. The Lethem Port is also under stringent surveillance, Dr Persaud related, pointing out that while it is usually used by Guyanese and
Brazilian travellers, there have been reports that foreign nationals would occasionally pass through as well. “We have surveillance in place. We have the Port Health Officer assisted by the Regional Environment Officer. And they are screening the passengers, especially those who may be travelling from any West African territories,” Dr Persaud told GTI. Asked about the capacity of the Port Health Officers at the various locations, Dr Persaud said they have all been adequately trained. He explained that since the entrance of SARS and other communicable diseases, the Ministry had begun an active training programme. “The persons are com-
petent enough to carry out their work. And we are guiding them as we go along.” And as the Ministry ups public awareness about the deadly Ebola virus, Dr Persaud said a commitment has been made to provide “as much information as possible to passengers, both incoming and outgoing on Ebola. We have also been able to get some work done with PAHO for support to print some flyers to distribute and to put up alert notices at all the airports: both Ogle and Cheddi Jagan International Airports, where international flights arrive”. Explaining the steps in carrying out surveillance at the airport, Dr Persaud related that
all flights destined for Georgetown, are required to prepare a flight declaration, which would include information on the health of the passengers. At arrival at the airport, that declaration is handed to a Port Health Officer, who goes through it thoroughly. If the airline indicates that there is a sick passenger, he explained that the individual would be removed to the temporary quarantine area where all procedures, including the use of Personal Protective Gear, will be adhered to. He said the Ministry has already identified an ambulance to transport any such person to the isolation unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Group medical insurance in the offing for police ranks
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HE Guyana Police Force is working on several measures that will bring group medical insurance on stream for serving members. This was announced by Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud while addressing senior and junior officers of the Force last week at the annual First Aid Competition. Efforts to get the Commissioner of Police to comment further on this initiative were futile, but this newspaper has been reliably informed that
the group medical insurance under consideration would also include the immediate family of ranks.
MEDICAL CLINIC
Another step forward, according to Commissioner Persaud, is that very soon police ranks would have access to a medical clinic which would be operated out of the Force Training Complex at Young and Camp streets in Georgetown. The clinic would be for junior ranks but a special day would be set aside for senior officers also.
However, it is not clear if the clinic would also be providing a service to the immediate relatives of serving members but the discussions on the mater are still engaging the management of the force. Meanwhile, the police management is working with its medical partners to have an annual medical check-up of each rank and when the medical insurance scheme comes on stream that annual check-up would be complemented. According to the Top Cop
the annual medical check-ups would be covered by the Force Group Insurance which would be covering the associated costs and medications as well as other medical needs.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Still to be finalized, however, is the contribution to the scheme which ranks would be asked to make in order to cover their level of medical access. It was also not yet determined if signing up for the Force Medical Insurance Scheme would be compulsory.
ANNUAL PHYSICAL
Moreover, the Police Commissioner said that each rank, regardless of their position, would be subjected to an annual physical and those who fall short of the expectations would be given time to reach the requirements. He said that these are all moves being adopted by the administration of the Guyana Police Force to ensure that police ranks are more fit and healthy and capable of providing a better service to the communities in which they serve.
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Dynamic Airways Maria van Beek shooting still back in the skies a cold case after four years
- Guyana to New York flights set to commence November 22
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uyana’s representative of Dynamic Airlines, Captain Gerry Gouveia on Tuesday confirmed that the American-owned airline has received the necessary approval from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to recommence operations in Guyana. Approval has been granted for the airline to commence operations from Guyana to the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, in New York, US beginning on November 22. In a telephone interview with this newspaper, Gouveia was elated to disclose that the aviation authorities had given the greenlight on Monday after the airline would have provided some additional documents requested. The local representative further stated that with the airline recommencing operations, customers can expect the best service possible. However, the approval granted by the GCAA will come to an end on June 9, 2015, but once all goes
Local representative of Dynamic Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia
well, Gouveia explained, the airline will make additional applications to continue its service to the Guyanese market. Also, as part of the approval package, the airline and its travel agencies are allowed to sell tickets for the approved period (November 22June 9). The airline will be plying the route on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Almost three months ago, Dynamic Airways suspended flights from Georgetown to the JFK Airport, owing to a num-
ber of issues, including problematic ground handling personnel. The airline entered the Guyanese market in June, but after a few flights, suspended services after it was unable to operate out of the JFK. The service was expected to resume on August 18, but more challenges surfaced. According to the airline, this suspension would have allowed it to secure time slots at the JFK, organise better ground handling and check-in processes, as well as secure schedule integrity.
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he shooting of the then CLICO Judicial Manager/Commissioner of Insurance, Maria van Beek has remained a cold case even after four years. Police on Wednesday reported that since the prime suspect in the crime was shot and killed in Robb Street some time ago, nothing new has come up. Sleuths said after that person of interest was identified, they had been hunting him but never got to question him due to his death so the case came to a standstill. Van Beek was driving along Lombard Street in Georgetown on her way to work on April 16, 2009 and had slowed down, owing to the traffic congestion, when a lone gunman came up and shot her through the driver’s side of her vehicle, a police release had stated. According to information, the bullet struck van Beek to her chest and then the shooter escaped on a waiting ‘CG’ motorcycle ridden by an accomplice. The police said they were alerted and patrols dispatched to the scene while roadblocks were set up and several searches carried out in efforts to locate the two suspects but to no avail. Police then reported that they were treating the shooting as attempted murder, because no attempt was made to rob van Beek. The attacker just walked up to van Beek’s car and fired once before escaping.
HEAVY DOWNPOUR
At the time, there was a heavy downpour at about 08:15 hrs but later a truck driver, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that van Beek’s car had slammed into the back of his vehicle after she was injured.
Maria van Beek
The man said the traffic was moving at a snail’s pace when he saw two men cut across in front of his truck and head south on Lombard Street. It was shortly after that he heard what sounded like a gunshot. He said he heard the sound and concluded it could not be a tyre blowout. When he looked in his rearview mirror, he saw the woman clutching her chest and then he felt an impact as her car collided with the rear of his truck. Meanwhile someone close to the family, who declined to be named, told this publication that since the incident van Beek fled Guyana in fear for her life. She is trying now to get along with life. When asked whether she would return to Guyana the relative said, “Maybe if they tell her who did it and who paid.” The source criticised the police for appearing to show little interest in further investigations.
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Guyana Govt slams Opposition parties for “threatening” investors P residential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira has described statements made by senior political opposition members as dangerous and counterproductive, particularly with regards to potential future investors. The statements originating from APNU executive, Carl Greenidge following a meeting, on November 10 in Parliament Building saw in part, the former PNC Finance Minister issuing what government views as a veiled threat to potential investors in the local economy. Greenidge said, “The individuals and businesses, Chinese nationals, Indian nationals, PPP associates who they will give, whether it is broadcasting licences, gold mining licences, land grants and the like, we will not honour any of those obligations”. The aforementioned statements by Greenidge are very dangerous,
particularly to two nationalities, according to Presidential Adviser on Governance Gail Teixeira. “Why did he do that when, it is very clear that in certain sectors they are not there at all?” She added that it is racial, and the constitution prohibits discrimination. It was important to note that a threat was deliberately made against foreign investors, especially any potential investment that may arise during the period of prorogation, she also emphasised. “How can one be saying that one is for Guyana and for national development, and at the same time undermining what are possibilities for development of our country?” Speaking on the National Communications Network’s programme, “The 10th Parliament, the way forward”, the Presidential Adviser said that such statements are irresponsible
A section of the protesters in front of Parliament Building on Monday
particularly since the decision by the president is constitutional and totally in keeping with the laws of Guyana. Using the parliamentary forum in an “abusive way” was the description given by Teixeira, to the combined opposition’s holding of the controversial meeting in
the National Assembly’s Chambers after the proclamation was made. She opined that the combined political opposition may have been “caught unprepared” when President Ramotar took the decision to prorogue parliament. She explained that even though there may have
been the attention to bring down the government…government is ready for dialogue and as such, with regards to opposition MPs, “the ball is their court”. President Ramotar’s move to prorogue the National Assembly effectively means that Guyana’s Parliament
has been suspended and not ended. This also means that bills and motions to be tabled are still in effect and can be heard whenever the next sitting is held. It also means that members of parliament and parliamentary staffers will continue to be paid. (GINA extract)
Guyana participating in “MenEngage Global Symposium”
Men’s Affairs Bureau Administrator Diego Alphonso
G
uyana is participating in the “MenEngage Global Symposium” themed “Men and Boys for Gender Justice” currently underway in India. Guyana is being represented by the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry Men’s Affairs Bureau Administrator, Diego Alphonso. The Guyanese delegate joins about 900 others from 70 countries at the symposium which began on Monday and will end on Thursday, geared at raising consciousness about male responsibility and accountability. The symposium seeks to devise better and more fruitful methods to engage men and boys on the subject of gender equality. All of this is being done to pursue a more caring and non-violent society as the issue of gender equality continues to
take centre stage. According to the Ministry, the forum brings together academics and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines and civil society organisations working with men and boys and grassroots organisations to discuss a broad range of issues pertaining to gender equality. At the launch, Centre for Health and Social Justice (CHSJ) Director, Dr Abhijit Das stated that the symposium, organised by the MenEngage Global Alliance– comprising over 400 partners including CHSJ; United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); UN Women; and Beijing + 20 – is expanding to become a movement for involving men and boys in gender equality. “I agree that today more than ever before there is both an urgency as well as an imperative for men to not just engage quietly, in small ways as and when a crisis occurs, but, all the time, as publicly and as collectively as possible to bring a critical shift in the public perception of men, particularly to change the view that the archetypal Delhi male not only revels in machismo but is often its face. Time has come for a more caring male persona to assert itself,” he said. He further added that the intention now was to mainstream men’s role in gender issues through specific planning and policy initiatives. Taking the appeal forward more frankly, Kamla Bhasin, the pioneer of the women’s movement, urged the boys and men to understand how the antiquated and more so obsolete morals and core values associated with patriarchy were self-destructive. “Like girls and women, you too are being stereotyped, and your choices are being restricted. And since you are not expected to cry or be emotional, it is not surprising that men and boys erupt into violence for any and every small reason,” said Bhasin.
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Cabinet approves National Drug Plan – to be launched soon
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ith Guyana holding a troubling record on drug trafficking, the long-anticipated National Drug Strategic Master Plan has been approved by the Cabinet and is currently being printed. This was confirmed by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who told Guyana Times International that the plan was approved in full without any amendments by Cabinet. The Minister further disclosed that the document is expected to be launched sometime in mid-November. Previously, Rohee has stated that financial resources will have to be made available to the various Government agencies and departments that will be playing an active role in the implementation of the National Drug Strategic Master Plan. The National Drug Strategic Master Plan comes at a time when calls are being made from all stakeholders for Government to implement measures to curb the increasing narcotic trafficking activities in
Guyana.
Heavier penalties
The final draft of the master plan was completed by the taskforce. This document will empower the necessary agencies to tackle the drug trade head-on, and, more so, stipulate heavier penalties for those who are found culpable of trafficking narcotics. Since the previous National Drug Strategic Master Plan expired in 2009, there has been talk about crafting a new plan. The last master plan was unveiled in 2005 and lasted for five years. The Gy$650 million plan comprises extensive measures to eliminate the scourge of narco-trafficking and its spin-off effects. The Home Affairs Minister and, to a greater extent, the Government, came under fire after it was revealed that Guyana has links to the Mexican and Italian mafias. In August last, during a search of one of the creeks branching off from the Waini River, a self-propelling semisubmersible (SPSS) vessel was discovered about two miles in, along with
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
a camp consisting of three structures: the accommodation, workshop and generator areas.
Transporting narcotics
Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh had told the media that their intelligence is confident that the 65-foot long submersible vessel was constructed in Guyana since there were materials and information gathered at the camp that suggested same. Additionally, Singh stated that it has been built for the sole purpose of transporting narcotics from Guyana across the Atlantic Ocean, most likely heading to Europe or Africa.
Over the years, concerns have been expressed by the Opposition political parties as they continuously reiterated calls for the National Drug Strategic Master Plan to be reinstated. Opposition Leader David Granger, as recently as last Friday, highlighted the importance of such a plan to curb the illicit activity. In the recent National Drug Report for 2012, compiled by the Taskforce on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, it was stated that CANU had intercepted 103.66 kilograms of cocaine valued some Gy$93 million and 111.564kg of cannabis (ganja) valued in excess of Gy$20 million. During this period, 33 cases were made out and 36 persons charged. Further, the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Enforcement Unit seized 561.78kg of cocaine, valued Gy$504.9 million, for which two cases were made out and two persons were charged. In total, 151 people were charged for cocaine trafficking and/or consumption, in a total of 139 cases.
Exxon Mobil to search for oil in Guyana’s deep waters
Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Vice President of the Americas Erik Oswald, and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud sharing a light moment after the ceremony
U
S giant oil company Exxon Mobil will once again venture into the waters of Guyana under the subsidiary ‘Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’ (EEPGL) in search for oil. On Wednesday evening at the Savannah Suite of Pegasus Hotel, the EEPGL held the official opening of the Venture Office in Guyana. The office is located on 99 New Market Street North Cummingsburg and will
create jobs for many with staff occupying two floors in the building and contractors in one. A 118 ft wide vessel, with over 200 people onboard, will depart from the Gulf of Mexico to the designated area over 100 miles offshore Guyana to dredge the unexplored sometime next year. The area, known as the Stabroek Block Area is 26,806 sq.km and the company intends to drill 1750 meters in the 200continued on page 22
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Historian sheds new light on Jonestown Massacre
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he 1970s are known for quite a number of tragedies and successes that persons can highlight but when asked about that era in relation to Guyana, the Jonestown Massacre comes to the tongue of many persons, foreigners and Guyanese alike. This look into what is still one of the world’s greatest massacres is timely, as Guyana is currently hosting Historian Jim Guinn and photographer Ralph Lauer, who have joined hands to resurrect and re-evaluate the story of what exactly happened in Jonestown on November 18, 1978. Lauer is a renowned photographer who will be assisting Guinn in his study with pictures of the persons they would be meeting and the places that Jim Jones would have been influenced by. Lauer says that of course the massacre would have occurred ages ago, but the people they have met and will meet will carry much significance as the story is told with the pictures alongside it. To assist with this will be the pictures of the area, different now but it can still tell a story of what happened when people
Award-winning investigative journalist and historian Jim Guinn
are able to give that landscape its story. Guinn, a best-selling author and publisher of history books, has written 17 books thus far and wants to make the Life and Times of Jim Jones his 18th. He shares with Guyana Times International that he was once an awardwinning investigative journalist, so it should be no surprise that most of his books seem centred on infamous outlaws or persons known for their notorious acts. Guinn said he has read a total of 83 books on the Jonestown Massacre, noting that he believes it still needs to be looked into. He said he has not come to Guyana to simply gloss over the tragedy and highlight a horrific time in
Go Down Together, one of Jim Guinn’s first historical book, on the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde
Guyana’s history, but also to shed light on what truly happened, in the context that it happened in. The bestselling author said too that many writers and Historians simply write on what they know: there is no true study of History and the times or era in which that piece of History may have oc-
curred. Writers simply try to show “how smart they are”.
Challenge
However, Guinn said he likes to pick things that are a challenge, and “going all over the world to put history together” is definitely challenging. “One of my first books was about Bonnie and
Clyde,” Guinn shared. Persons had viewed them as outlaws; however, when one looks at the decade they were born into and grown up in, with the Depression in America in the 1920s-1930s, one can understand more of what drove their actions and why they got famous, “even for things they didn’t do”, remarked Guinn. The Historian said that it was due to the lack of true investigation or thoroughness that the information portrayed in books is not holistic. “People all over the world remember (the Jonestown story) though they don’t know the real story.” The Historian said he wanted persons to truly know what the history is, the real history of what happened. “I feel that if I find the things that happened during the 1970s, I can make persons remember and understand what happened then.” Guinn said he consciously chose the Jim Jones story to study as he wanted a tragic event that persons still think about and was not thoroughly looked into. He said it was “not fair” to the Guyanese people,
the country, or the people who followed Jim Jones that they are thought of as foolish or crazy or classified from that one incident that happened ages ago. The award-winning investigative journalist recognises that persons are influenced by their environment, their society, and their way of life; the geopolitical climate also plays a role in what one thinks and does. The Historian started his research in the fall of 2013 and has travelled to the home of Jim Jones in the United States, or what was Jones’ home in 1931 when he was born.
Poor family
Guinn said he has found that Jim Jones was brought up in a poor area within Indiana in a lot of snow and with not much going for him as his family was poor, so it was interesting to trace his life from that boy during that hard era and place to the charismatic, extremely persuasive and suave man that mingled with persons of affluence such as Governors, presidential candidates, not to mention Roslyn Carter, the First Lady of the United States of America. In the novel on Jim Jones, Guinn said much continued on page 26
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General Elections certain if dialogue fails
- Govt reaches out to Opposition and civil society to help resolve impasse - Opposition set to commence street protests
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uyana’s President Donald Ramotar has no intention to prorogue Parliament a second time, after having done so on Monday, but will move straight into “snap” elections if another genuine attempt by his Administration at dialogue with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) fails. This was according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who made it clear that the reason for the prorogation was to attempt dialogue in the interest of the Guyanese people. “Elections, the President is absolutely categorical. He has absolutely no intention of proroguing and re-re-proroguing. He has said that on umpteen occasions and he has said this to the Opposition,” the HPS said, at his weekly press conference, held at the Office of the President on Wednesday. As a result of prorogation, the first session of the 10th Parliament, is
while keeping the 10th Parliament alive.
OPTIMISTIC OF CHANGE OF HEARTS
Opposition Leader David Granger
suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution.
FEELING THWARTED
Dr. Luncheon acknowledged that the leaders of APNU and AFC have made clear that there will be no dialogue without the reconvening of Parliament. However, he contends the combined Opposition clearly feels “thwarted” in moving to the dissolution of Parliament, via the passage of the AFC- sponsored no-confidence motion against the
Government. He said, “I think the Opposition feels thwarted in that their option, the one to which their language and their public exhortations suggested that they would have engaged, this is the involuntary dissolution of the 10th Parliament after the passage of the no-confidence motion, was thwarted by the President’s constitutional intervention.” The effect of ending a session by prorogation is to terminate business. Members are released from their parliamentary
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan
duties until Parliament is next summoned. All unfinished business is dropped from or “dies” on the Order Paper, the National Assembly’s agenda, and all committees lose their power to transact business, providing a fresh start for the next session. No committee can sit during a prorogation. Bills which have not received Royal Assent before prorogation are “entirely terminated” and, in order to be proceeded with in the new session, must be reintroduced as if they had never existed.
As a result, the AFC’s no-confidence motion was not considered. The main Opposition, APNU had, prior to Monday, signalled its intent to support the motion. Had it not been for the proclamation to prorogue Parliament, and had the no-confidence motion been passed, Guyana would have been headed to early general elections within three months. According to President Ramotar, the move to prorogation was intended to pave the way for greater dialogue among political parties,
The HPS, regardless, expressed optimism that there could be a change of heart in the Opposition camps. He added that the initial, negative reactions were expected, but urged that they “should not be taken to the bank.” “I don’t believe (however) that the initial and immediate reactions should be assumed to constitute the more permanent and more mature positions….unless time proved otherwise, I do not believe that these initial reactions should be taken to the bank. I would hesitate,” Dr. Luncheon said. The HPS stressed that the “big picture” is the fact that the President has made another genuine attempt at dialogue with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in the interest of the Guyanese people.
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Govt determined to TT's National Security minister continue development urges businesses to support over Prorogation period crackdown on illegal immigrants
P
BY MICHAEL YOUNGE
H
ousing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said the Donald Ramotar Administration will continue to work over the next six months to ensure that development continues throughout the country following a decision by the Executive to suspend sittings of the Parliament. Speaking during Television Guyana’s flagship Current Issues and Analysis Show on Monday, Minister Ali said President Ramotar acted in the interest of Guyanese when he blocked attempts by the Opposition-controlled Parliament to stymie development and jeopardise several critical pieces of legislation that could transform the country’s development. He said the Government over the coming months would ensure that there is no stoppage in the goods and services provided to the Guyanese populace. “Our development trajectory outlined in the 2014 budget and our
Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali
manifesto will continue to form the basis through which developmental works will continue now and in the future. We cannot afford to standstill nor can we allow a stop to the economic growth and development of our country,” Minister Ali insisted during the interview. He rejected notions that during the period of prorogation that the Executive would seek to seal and undertake deals through the signing of contracts or other programmes which are not aboveboard or in the interest of the people. Ali maintained that Government was committed towards working to fast-track projects
and other developmental incentives that the Guyanese people expect. He argued strongly that it will be business as usual for the Government which has an obligation to fuel economic growth, expansion of the private sector, improvements in the standard of living of citizens and the strengthening of programmes aimed at deepening the democratisation of the state, even in these perilous times. “No effort will be spared in ensuring our national interest to safeguard our public investment, expand social services, and deliver to the people of Guyana, imcontinued on page 23
ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: National Security Minister Gary Griffith is encouraging business owners to do the right thing and support the planned crackdown on illegal immigrants in Trinidad. In a statement, Griffith reiterated that immigrants who are currently in the country without legal status were breaking the law. The minister was responding to statements made by chairman of the Emancipation Support Group, Khafra Kambon and some San Juan businessmen. They claimed the move to be unjustified and the public needed to be told exactly how it would benefit the country. Griffith said that supporting the contravention of any of the country’s laws undermined the overall effort at bringing crime and lawlessness under control. The minister said the rise in illegal immigrants has contributed significantly to an increase in criminal activity involving gangs, drugs and murders. Responding to claims that there was profiling behind the initiative, the minister pointed out that of 131 detainees, currently housed at the Immigration Detention Centre, only 23 detainees were African nationals. Fourteen from Nigeria, seven from Ghana, one from Senegal and one from South Africa. Data from the Immigration Division shows some of these detainees have applications pending for Presidential Pardons before the Ministry of Justice, stemming from their engagement in criminal activities. Griffith noted that the country had more than 110,000 ille-
TT National Security Minister Gary Griffith (TT Govt file photo)
gal immigrants and it cannot be allowed to continue. “This matter cannot be allowed to continue, as it can affect national growth because employers do not contribute on behalf of their employees to the mandatory National Insurance and corporate taxes,” he said. The Minister reiterated that the three-month period which gives the illegal immigrants the opportunity to justify that they should be regularised should not be treated as a witch-hunt targeting migrants from any particular nation, He said persons who are in the country illegally should take advantage of the opportunity to have their status regularised. (TT Newsday)
NEWS
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Guyana’s Opposition promises NoConfidence Motion will return to the House - once Parliament reconvenes BY SVETLANA MARSHALL
T
he No-Confidence Motion against the Donald Ramotar Administration has been halted with the President proroguing Parliament. But the Opposition said the battle has just begun; promising that the No-Confidence Motion will return to the House. As rage filled the air, the Opposition in the absence of the Government mourned the decision on the No-Confidence Motion as Speaker Raphael Trotman confirmed their worse fear. Trotman reported that the Proclamation for the Prorogation of Parliament was submitted to the House at approximately 08:45h on Monday. Describing the suspension of Parliament as “most unfortunate”, the Speaker said the elective House of the People’s Representatives has been muted; dubbing it an undemocratic move. He disclosed the situation has been further compounded by the fact that no date has been given for the restoration of normality. Swarmed by the press in the Parliament Chamber, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) under the stewardship of the Speaker condemned the Government, declaring
Opposition MPs met in Parliament Chambers on Monday to discuss the current political crises
November 10, 2014 as a “Dark day for Democracy in Guyana”. Left with no other choice, AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo spoke of what could have and should have happened. According to him, had the President allowed democracy to prevail, the No-Confidence Motion would have been approved by the National Assembly, allowing for snap elections within 90 days following the resignation of the Government. He argued that constant breach of the Constitution by the Donald Ramotar Administration had triggered the No-Confidence Motion, explaining that billions of dollars have been withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund
although the National Assembly had signalled its objection. Due to these illegalities, Nagamootoo said APNU’s Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge had moved a motion to have Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh face the Privileges Committee for the unlawful spending of Gy$4.5 billion. The AFC had also filed a complaint to the Guyana Police Force, contending that the Finance Minister had committed a criminal act. Compounding the situation, he said is the President’s refusal to assent to crucial bills that have been passed by the National Assembly, in addition to his continuous failure to operationalise
the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).
An indictment
Nagamootoo said failure by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to face the consequences of their action, is an indictment on their part. By proroguing Parliament, he said November 10, 2014 should be remembered as “The Day of Infamy and Shame (DIS)”. He said Guyanese must take note and respond appropriately. Nevertheless, with the prorogation of Parliament, all matters on the Order Paper are now dead. Referencing directly to the NoConfidence Motion, Nagamootoo said it will be reintroduced whenever the President recon-
venes Parliament for a second session. “We will hope Sir as much as this Parliament will be prorogued and the slate is wiped clean, of this motion, I ought to have moved today, that will not deter us from coming back again to bring this motion whenever Parliament reconvenes.” APNU Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge echoed similar sentiments as he ranted and raved over the prorogation of Parliament. “All of the motions, including the motion of Privilege will be brought back to this Assembly as soon as the President exercises the options which are available to him in the Constitution and that is to recall the House.”
Greenidge in his lengthy remark accused the Government of proroguing Parliament to buy time. “One has to ask what they are going to do with this time. The individuals and businesses, Chinese nationals, Indian nationals, PPP/C associates who will give whether it is broadcasting licenses, gold mining licenses, land grants and the like.” But Greenidge warned that the Opposition will not honour any such agreement signed under duress. He added: “The international agencies and the foreigners and responsible corporate entities based in Guyana know that they are in the presence of a pariah of a Government and for as long as the Government has that status, any agreement that the Government signs with them will be reopened.” Opposition Leader David Granger said the proclamation has effectively paralysed the parliamentary process and muted the voices of the people’s legitimate representatives in the National Assembly. Though the people of Guyana spoke in November 2011, which resulted in a majority Opposition, Granger said President Ramotar has clearly turned a blind eye to their request.
Road carnage continues: 6-year-old killed by speeding pick-up
A
pupil of the Parika/Salem Primary School was on Sunday killed by a speeding Toyota pickup at Farm Village, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). Saieed Mohamed Yusuf, six, of Lot 21 Hyde Park, EBE, and his father were attempting to cross the Public Road after purchasing ice cream when he was struck down by the motor vehicle which overtook another. Due to the impact, the lad was stuck to the crash bar of the vehicle, but fell to the ground after it came to a halt some distance from the accident. He was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on his way there. The child’s father, Mohamed Sherriff Yusuf, told Guyana Times International
that his son lived with his mother in Hyde Park, but on weekends, he stayed with him. He collected the child on Friday and was due to take him back on Sunday, but told the mother that he will keep him for an extra day since he wanted his son to spend time with him for his (Mohamed’s) birthday, on Monday.
In a flash
The father, in tears, explained that it was habitual for him to purchase ice cream on Sunday afternoon for his son from a mobile unit that passes around the area. He said he had just finished purchasing the ice cream (and they were attempting to cross the road) when he saw the black 4-Runner speeding towards them. He recalled holding his son’s hand when the accident occurred.
Saieed Mohamed Yusuf and his sister last Christmas
“The accident happen in a flash… me and me son bin a cross the road and the vehicle just pick up meh son and carry he way,” Yusuf cried. He said when he looked further up the road, he did not see his son and only saw him after the vehicle stopped. The child, he said, had fallen from the crash bar. His said that his son’s right foot was broken and he was bleeding profusely from the head. The driver reportedly panicked and screamed as he exited his vehicle. He was nearly struck down as well. The child was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital. An eyewitness told this publication that she was standing on the road when she heard a screeching sound as
if a vehicle was trying to stop. As she looked around, she saw smoke and then heard “Bam!” “I start praying that wasn’t someone but after I heard ‘Pop Eye’ (the lad’s father) start screaming, I know it had to be Saieed,” the woman disclosed. She added that she saw the child on the crash bar of the vehicle and he fell to the ground after the vehicle stopped. The woman said the driver was the lone occupant of the vehicle, but subsequently, his wife arrived on the scene. He is in Police custody assisting with investigations. The child leaves to mourn his parents and two other siblings. His body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police are continuing their investigations.
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Hope Canal project on track for year-end completion – NDIA CEO
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ational Drainage and Irrigation A u t h o r i t y (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lionel Wordsworth is confident that with works moving apace, the completion of the Hope Canal Conservancy Project is on track to meet its yearend deadline. In an interview with Guyana Times International, Wordsworth disclosed that the overall construction of the channel and embankment is about 93 per cent complete. He noted that the remaining seven per cent mostly has to do with the connection of the channel to the head regulator. “Work has started on that already and con-
necting the channel to the high-level discharge sluice, but we cannot make that connection to the high-level discharge sluice, because work is still ongoing on that structure,” he stated. Additionally, access routes were created to allow for the transportation of workers and materials to the site; however, the removal of these for the operation of the canal has been catered for in the remaining works to be done. According to the NDIA head, 70 per cent of the embankment has been completed to design elevation of 18.29 metres GD, about 8.5 kilometres from the seawall to the conservancy. He explained that be-
cause the embankment was earthen, it had to be constructed in stages in order to achieve the full height that was desired. The remaining section of the embankment that has to be constructed is currently at an elevation of 17.4 metres GD and works have already begun and are expected to be completed. The NDIA chief disclosed that the mud used to construct the embankment had to be acquired off site and transported by pontoons. He added that materials used for the embankment were stockpiled since late last year to early this year and were allowed to drain and dry.
Moving apace
Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth is confident that the Hope Canal Conservancy Project will meet its year-end deadline
This, he said, is speeding up the process as the remaining works on the channel is moving apace, making the yearend deadline a possibility. H o w e v e r , Wordsworth outlined that the completion of the project is highly dependent on the completion of the eight-gate
high-level discharge sluice at the northern end of the conservancy that will release water into the Atlantic Ocean. He noted that there are various construction works ongoing at that sluice. The NDIA head explained that he visited the site during the past week and is pleased that work on the outer sluice is moving apace. He noted too that the contractor has put in place systems for night work to be done, which he fully supports since it will ensure that the construction works are completed by the scheduled time. Following the 2005 floods, excessive rainfall resulted in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (MahaicaBerbice) experiencing massive floods. As such, the then Robert Persaud-led Ministry of Agriculture, through the NDIA, commenced exploration of the Northern Relief Channel with the intention of improving the standards to withstand the intensity of hydrological disasters. The contract for the construction of the Hope Canal Project was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services, DIPCON Engineering and BK International. The first mentioned con-
tractor was tasked with the construction of the eight-door sluice, while BK International was assigned the construction of the three-gate head regulator. DIPCON was awarded the contract of the overhead bridge, while the Agriculture Ministry took the responsibility of the excavation of the 10.3km long earthen channel. The construction began in February 2011 and was estimated to last for 18 months; however, the contractors could not meet the June 2013 deadline. Since then, there have been numerous deadlines set but not met, mostly as a result of the slow pace of contractors. Some setbacks were also experienced with the lengthy time it took to acquire equipment. The Hope Canal Project will allow excess water from the conservancy to be drained into the canal through a three-door sluice, through the excavated channel into the Atlantic Ocean via the eight-door, high-discharge sluice structure. The completion of the project will see the channel joining the conservancy on its north-eastern embankment and then cut across 10.3km of the coast.
from page 17
Exxon Mobil to search... 3000 meters deep water. Officials from the company explained that they are not yet sure if prospect will be successful. In fact, Jeff Simons, Country Manager of EEPGL stated that it may take them 7 or more years to find oil. He explained that the specialists just know the layout of the underwater area, such as where rocks and various obstacles are located, based on the seismic data gathered. The project is expected to be a 10 year exploration with 3 periods including 2 phases in each period while each period lasts for 1-2 years. Patrons were guar-
anteed the strictest safety procedures throughout the project. Erik Oswalk, Vice President of the Americas mentioned that they already trained a fleet of drivers they will be using for the venture. Additionally every staff was trained with basic first aid procedure and contractors were encouraged to wear appropriate attire on the job. Exxon Mobil is the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and gas company that has existed for 130 years. President Donald Ramotar and several other high-level officials were present at the event.
23 UG graduates urged to “stay and help develop Guyana” W news
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014
ith Guyana experiencing a high level of brain drain with its skilled workers leaving for greener pastures, the newest batch of University of Guyana (UG) graduates was on Saturday urged to remain in Guyana and work to develop their country. In a long but lively ceremony, some 1605 students graduated from the Turkeyen Campus before a massive gathering. It was the institution’s 48th convocation ceremony. The patriotic call was made by recipient of the President’s Medal for Best Undergraduate Student and Valedictorian Joel Samuel Joseph. He said notwithstanding the abundance of resources Guyana possesses and irrespective of their value, the country’s human resources is paramount. Wise exploitation of the former, he said, was dependent on the skill of the latter for Guyana to move leaps and bounds. On this note, he said members of the 2014 graduating class have an important role to play, and this requires them staying and serving their country. “The realisation of a crucial decrease in graduate migration requires the adopting of a more patriotic and naturalistic approach by our graduates. If we all desert our homeland in pursuit of personal advancement, then where does that leave Guyana as a nation? Who will be here to motive and inspire youths to
A section of the massive gathering at the University of Guyana’s 48th Convocation ceremony held last Saturday
work hard? Who will be here to intelligently articulate, agitate and advocate for the positive societal change we desire? Who will conceptualise and enforce more better and efficient means of functioning within our manufacturing and service industries, our academic arena, our political landscape?” International Migration Institute (IMI) Research Officer Simona Vezzoli had said Guyana loses more than 80 per cent of its tertiary graduates and skilled personnel to brain drain.
Collective effort
Joseph said in order to change this reality, there needs to be a collective effort by stakeholders, including the graduates, policy-makers and corporate Guyana, to ensure that opportunities are available to keep trained personnel in Guyana. He noted that initiatives such as easy non-concession-
Govt determined to continue... from page 20
proved living conditions,” the Minister said. He said that the Government’s work over the period of prorogation will continue to focus on opening up new opportunities while improving the prospects for working people. “Investment in Government services critical in the achievement of various policy imperatives such as universal secondary education, improved and expanded housing, developing a safe and secure environment and accessing better health-care are not subject to political rhetoric and thug-and-wars of our times,” Minister asserted. He said the services outlined fall “above the political fray and are in the people’s interest”. Minister Ali said the rhetoric that seeks to divide, threaten, and desta-
| guyanatimeSinternational.com
bilise cannot be in our national interest. He advised that the services offered by State agencies, Government ministries and all other branches of the State would continue unabated. Earlier on Monday, in a statement to the media, President Donald Ramotar committed towards abiding by the laws and continuing his spate of reforms and Government services during the period. “Your Government will continue to attend to the provision of basic goods and services. Your Government intends to abide strictly to the Constitutional provisions relating to this period. I will not allow any interruption of the stability and progress of our nation. Further, we will be keeping all stakeholders abreast of developments,” he said.
ary access to house lots for graduates and internships are all incentives to get students to stay and serve. The Best Graduating Student commended corporate giants such as Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) that have in place ‘graduates training programmes’ as he called on other companies to follow suit. Joseph said the graduates cannot do it alone and require the fullest support and cooperation of those who hold the necessary influence to make the change everyone foresees for Guyana. The Lindener, who attended President’s College, secured a Grade Point average of 4.0 in securing his Bachelor’s in Business Management.
Stay and serve
UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi echoed Joseph’s call for the graduates to stay and serve,
pointing out that Government has invested in them, and they should invest in their country. “It is my hope that you will express your gratification by contributing to the development of Guyana through effective use of your newly-acquired knowledge. I challenge you to get involved in social development activities that will uplift underprivileged children and persons who are differently-abled. Be a mentor to somebody. Ensure that you contribute to the development of those around you so that together we can build a better and prosperous nation,” he told the graduates. Professor Opadeyi informed the graduates that while they have graduated, it should not be the end of the learning process. He encouraged them to continue improving their skills as he extended an invitation for them to further their studies
at the institution. “If not a higher degree, you can benefit from a second degree that enhances your ability to create employment for others.” Meanwhile, the recipients of the Vice Chancellor Special Awards were Roseena Persaud from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry; Nedera George from the School of Education and Humanities for the Humanities Programme and Bibi Azaad for the Education Programme; Kezia Bess from the Faculty of Natural Sciences; Stephen Shane Veerasammy from the Faculty of Health Sciences; Luanna Hardowar of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Uwe Best from the Faculty of Technology; and Soyini McPherson of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. They were all Best Graduating Students for their respective faculties.
No definite word Scotiabank retrenchment will affect Guyana operations
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bout one week after Scotiabank Toronto, Canada issued a press release announcing changes to be made to the structure of the Bank, the local operations said it was unable to predict if these changes would impact Guyana. Scotiabank Guyana said: “Over the coming months, as we move forward, we will continue to provide our employees and customers with more information. This will take some time and, therefore, we do not have detailed information on local impact at this time,” the statement read. It continued: “In recent years, our International Banking Division has worked to build our market position, both through organic growth and selective acquisitions.” The Bank said the
growth has served Scotiabank well, but has also created “some overlap and duplication of services throughout our footprint”. “As a result, we undertook a review of our operating model and international distribution network and found opportunities to strengthen our retail presence by investing in areas that are going to improve the speed and quality of service for our customers.” On Tuesday last, the
Bank of Nova Scotia set aside nearly half a billion Canadian dollars to cover the cost of shutting down overseas branches and terminating 1500 jobs, two-thirds of them in Canada. Scotiabank will close or downsize approximately 120 branches in its International Banking Division. The Bank said it would book a restructuring provision of approximately Cd$148 million in the fourth quarter, mainly
to cover employee severance costs. The Bank expects to save Cd$120 million annually as a result of the restructuring, but the full benefits would not be seen until 2016. As of the end of the Bank’s third quarter, it had almost 87,000 employees worldwide, including more than 36,700 in Canada. Scotiabank has a long history in the Caribbean and remains the pre-eminent bank throughout the Region. This year, the Bank celebrates 125 years of operations in the Region and 46 years in Guyana. It has been implementing a number of operational efficiency initiatives for some time in the Caribbean Region and will continue to do so to ensure that it can provide customers with better service in the most efficient way.
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LEAD Project head engages Guyanese youth on governance issues By Anastasia Clementson
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nited States Agency for International Development (USAID)/ the International Republican Institute (IRI) LEAD Project Chief of Party Glenn Bradbury said politicians work for the people, and only when the latter makes this happen, there will be genuine change. He expressed these sentiments at a recent workshop at the National Library in Georgetown attended by scores of youth from various organisations. The workshop organised by the interim Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) aims to educate young people about the importance of civil society to Guyana and the local Government system. The GNYC is of the belief that young people generally are not aware of their rights and how they can effect change. Bradbury said politicians like anyone else are liable to make mistakes; hence, there is nothing wrong in the people providing guidance to them. The Chief of Party told the youths that he was once part of a political party in Canada, and policies were implemented based on consultation with the masses and media reports. He said cohesion is important in effecting change and politicians have to adopt an approach where they see things broadly. Generally, he said, politicians see division and they are unable to decide what is needed, and thus may implement policies that benefit one section of society. Bradbury acknowledged that it was not easy to “break through the walls” that politicians are known to erect when something new is tried, but history has shown that persistence is a great tool in breaking new ground.
Disconnect
The Chief of Party said young people in Guyana were given a variety of options to be part of the decision process of the nation’s leaders, such opportunities “most
USAID/IRI Chief of Party Glenn Bradbury speaking to the youth at the National Library
non-democratic countries do not permit”. On this note, he said, it would be a greatly missed opportunity not to take advantage of a democratic Guyana. Bradbury also highlighted the disconnect that sometimes occur between the people and politicians. He said due to this disconnect, politicians may not inject funds where they were much needed to the great benefit of the people. He explained that persons put an unnecessary amount of dependence on the Opposition to air their views or ensure that the Government was fulfilling its duty to the people. However, Bradbury explained that the Opposition was usually misinformed as well about their role as leaders. They believe they are there to criticise the Government, thus, even if the Government puts forward “the greatest idea since slice bread”, it will be shut down simply because they (the Opposition) did not think of it first. Consequently, Bradbury stressed the importance of civil society and youth participation in ensuring leaders keep the people in mind when implementing policies, as politicians just do not “get it” sometimes.
Shah’s third novel released in London R yhaan Shah’s third novel A Death in the Family, was recently released in London, UK, by British publishing house Cutting Edge Press. In this novel, Shah moves away from the broad sweep of Guyana’s history and politics that informed her second, Weaving Water and returns to a more intimate family setting. The idea for the story derives from that situation common to many families where hurts and misunderstandings lie just below the surface of their relationships. These can often erupt when families gather for occasions like weddings and funerals when emotions run high and in A Death in the Family this is what happens when the head of a family, Ahmad Ally, dies. For his daughters Maryam and Dee, and his son, Khalil, the finality of the funeral brings to the fore the pain of their difficult relationship with a father who was a strong and domineering figure in their life. The mysterious death of their mother at a young age is also cause for deep hurt within her family, and the suspicion that the late Ally’s bigotry about a brother-in-law who is gay could have caused her untimely death creates tension that culminates in an explosive family quarrel. The family’s relationship settles into new patterns when calm is restored and they move forward and fill the void left by the deceased father with a new outlook and a better under-
standing. As with her previous novels, the cover art was done by local artist Bernadette Persaud. The design features a detail from Persaud’s 1995 painting The Architecture of Time, Man and God. There will be a Guyana launch of both novels Weaving Water and A Death in the Family soon. Both books are available at Alim Shah on Regent Street and in print and e-book formats from Amazon.com. Shah’s first novel A Silent Life, won the Guyana Prize for the Best First Book of Fiction in 2007.
Guyana Govt, Broward College sign research, exchange grant
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Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford
he Public Service Ministry and Broward College in Florida, USA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out a framework for collaboration between the college and educational, research and other institutions in Guyana. The MoU was signed during the formal opening ceremony of the first Guyana Trade, Tourism and Investment Expo held in Florida, October 30 to November 1. Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford signed on behalf of her Ministry while the college’s Provost and Senior Vice President, Dr Linda Howdyshell signed on its behalf. The MoU said “The parties recognise the value of linkages across na-
tional boundaries to further the goal of creating responsible citizens in an increasingly interdependent world and desire to strengthen and expand the mutual contacts, and also to improve the effectiveness of cooperation, according to international understandings and the laws of Guyana and the USA.” The agreement also states that as the purposes, goals and missions of the parties are common and compatible in many areas, their institutions, students and related specialised agencies and departments will derive significant benefits through activities of mutual cooperation and the sharing of information and experience. “The parties will realise educational, research and development cooperation in several ways including exchange of educational programme materials; development of educational projects of mutual interest; mutual participation in conferences and forums; engagement in projects of common interest in collaboration with international organisations, NGOs, and Governmental institutions in Guyana,” Minister Westford explained. Dr Howdyshell said that collaboration under the MoU would seek to enable students from Guyana, including the University of Guyana to enrol in specialised seminar courses offered at Broward College; create educational exchange opportunities for faculty and students from each institution; and explore the development of Broward College courses leading to Associate degrees on the campus of the University of Guyana.
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TT’s Education President Ramotar hails sacrifices minister says no to of fallen World War soldiers return of corporal punishment
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TT’s Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh
O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh on Tuesday vowed there will never be a return to corporal punishment (licks) in the nation’s schools. He made the vow while speaking at a media conference on measures to address school indiscipline and violence on Tuesday at the Education Ministry’s offices in St Clair. Gopeesingh was asked by reporters about a possible return to corporal punishment in some form.
He responded, “There is no ambiguity as far as the answer is concerned. There is never going to be ever introduced corporal punishment in our school population ever again.” He explained that this country signed the United Nations International Convention on the Rights of the Child which indicates there should be no corporal punishment. “And therefore it is out of the question. There is no debate on it and we are not going to reintroduce that whatsoever,” he stressed. (TT Newsday)
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uyana observed Remembrance Day/Armistice Day, also known as Poppy Day, on Sunday with two minutes of silence dedicated to victims of the First and Second World Wars, and other fallen soldiers during major conflicts. In keeping with tradition, President Donald Ramotar led the country’s Remembrance Day tributes, by laying a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph Monument, the national memorial to Guyanese soldiers who lost their lives, in Georgetown, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The Head of State
Dignitaries at the Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony
was followed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Mark Phillips; Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud; Leader of the Opposition, David Granger; Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; President of the Guyana Legion, Heads of Mission of the Diplomatic Corps, and a representative each of the Guyana Ex-Soldiers’ Benevolent Association and an ExGDF Association of Guyana. In brief remarks, the President said that it was with gratitude the lives of the fallen heroes are remembered and will forever be remembered. “We meet again to
remember all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars. We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom.” Guyanese soldiers served and fought in far off places such as Egypt, France, Belgium, and East Africa. The Head of State added that Guyana also recalls, with gratitude those, who through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression wherever these exist. “Their example strengthens our resolve
to maintain our efforts for a world at peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples.” He added that together the citizens of the Republic of Guyana rededicate themselves to the search for peace everywhere and “renew our commitment to the development and wellbeing of our beloved country”. Following the President’s remarks, there were prayers by the three main religious groups. The auspicious ceremony was marked with a March Past at the corner of Main and New Market streets, where the President was given a military salute.
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Youth Challenge Guyana stimulating Guyana Foundation continues grassroots interest in the Sciences projects countrywide Y
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The Guyana Foundation recently facilitated the donation of six barrels of stationery and school supplies to students attending both the Primary and Secondary schools in Santa Rosa
ver the past few weeks, the Guyana Foundation continued its grassroots projects in different communities across the country. These projects targeted vulnerable groups that are often overlooked, and whose pressing needs have been ignored for too long. In the remote community of Santa Rosa in Region One, the Foundation recently handed over a quantity of blankets and curtains to students living at the
secondary school dormitory. These items were generously donated by the Thompson family from the Cayman Islands, in response to a Guyana Foundation assessment reporting on the dilapidated state of the dormitory. The students living there, who are from farflung, isolated areas in Region One were very thankful for the items donated, and stated that it will help improve their living conditions. The Foundation also
facilitated the donation of six barrels of stationery and school supplies to students attending both the Primary and Secondary schools in Santa Rosa. These items were donated by Gary Wills from Canada, with assistance from his friends, family members, and work colleagues. Meanwhile, the Foundation continued its mental health programme with a care programme for individuals living on the streets of Georgetown.
outh Challenge Guyana (YCG) E d u c a t i o n Programme Manager Nandinie Sanchara said educating a new generation in natural sciences and Mathematics is a long process which should begin at an early age. The YCG Programme Manager made the comment as the group pushes its Inquiry-Based Science Project, which seeks to get students more interested in Science and Mathematics. Sanchara said reports have showed that the number of students who write the science subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations
YCG Education Programme Manager Nandinie Sanchara
(CAPE) have been declining every year. Also in primary schools, though students may not indicate much interest through their grades or class-oriented assignments, they have generally been quite enthused and curious about how things
are put together, created or work. Sanchara said more needs to be done to encourage the blossoming of children’s interests in the sciences in Guyana. Such classes have become too routine, and there is not enough practical experiments and research being done in the schools to show students there is more to the subject than what they see, and thus drive their interest. The Inquiry-Based Science Project aims to change that. This Project involves the establishment of a science centre which will host equipment to practise experiments and texts that are student-oriented and fun to read.
Historian sheds new light ... FROM PAGE 18
emphasis will be placed on Guyana and what Guyana was like during that time, being where the incident occurred and because the happenings then (internationally and locally) were push and pull factors in what developed into the massacre. Jim Jones had developed a rapport with the ruling administration in the late 1970s which had worked to both their advantages in gaining the support of the people and in Jones’ case, the support of the Government. Guinn said the Government was overwhelmed with the promises Jones had made regarding the people in the hinterland and the development of the area into an actual settlement. Jones’ many connections within America’s Administration
would have been an added attraction that he could have sold his project on. The historical writer shares that there is still a few persons from that time who either knew of Jones or dealt with him. Guinn said the few officials were particularly helpful, highlighting certain aspects of that time. One critical feature in the Jonestown Massacre, Guinn mentioned, was the July referendum of 1978. This referendum allowed the Government perpetual governance of Guyana for a time as there was a mass breakdown in society and Jones was worried about the Government’s continued support as he would not exactly be needed, particularly with the Government getting direct assistance from the
USA as well. Guinn tells Guyana Times International that The Life and Times of Jim Jones is proving one of the hardest books he has ever written as every other book had central characters, but Jones had so many different personalities, he has had to backtrack a number of times to be sure of the factors that may have influenced Jones’ actions. He shared that he has met persons who insisted that Jones was a great man as he helped them one way or the other. However, Guinn said that it was still quite difficult to make the connection between the massacre and the man who people say helped them tremendously and still think highly of after the massacre.
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UK-based Guyanese Professor Jaipaul Singh
Award-winning investigative sciences expert conducts vital research to benefit homeland, wider world
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ecognised for his lifetime contribution to his work on diabetes by the University of Central Lancashire, UK, Professor Jaipaul Singh, or Prof Jai as he is known by his students and colleagues, is a champion of healthy living.
Academic life
Born at Uitvlugt Estate, West Coast of Demerara on 28 November 1946, Prof Jai came from a family of eight children. In January 1956, they moved from Uitvlugt Estate to live at La Jalousie, a village next to Windsor Forest where his father was born and his indentured great grandparents settled when they arrived in the then British Guiana. Prof Jai went to Uitvlugt Church of Scotland Primary School and St Anthony’s Anglican School at Windsor Forest. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the professor stated that in 1958 his mother died from child birth and he had to help out with
Conducting research at the University of Central Lancashire, UK
the rice land and farming, resulting in him dropping out of school. However, in 1960, he went back to school and in 1961 he was one of five pupils who passed the then School Leaving Examination. He said that he told his father that it was time for him to concentrate on his education, since his mother
always told that education was the best investment any parents could give to their children. Following primary school, he went to College of Arts and Sciences (1961-1963) and then to Indian Trust College (1963-1965). By August 1965, he obtained nine subjects at G C E ‘O’ Level. In November
1965, he was appointed as a junior teacher at St Jude’s Anglican School at Blankenburg on the West Coast of Demerara. While working as a teacher, he attended the University of Guyana in September 1966 during the evening studying for his Degree in Biology and Chemistry. In those days all class-
es were held at Queen’s College and University of Guyana (UG), which was called Jagan’s Night School. During the six years when he was attending the University of Guyana, he also worked as a teacher at Maha Sabha Secondary School at Leonora and at Zeeburg Secondary School until August 1974. Prof Jai said that he is very proud to be a graduate of the University of Guyana and he felt that the university has helped to make him what he is today. More importantly, he is very grateful to Dr Cheddi Jagan, our late beloved leader and founder of the University of Guyana. Prof Jai and other UG graduates are deeply indebted to Dr Jagan because Guyanese students back then could not afford to go to a university abroad. They had to wait until a university came to them in Guyana. “Dr Jagan was a visionary and we owe every-thing to him in establishing a university in Guyana,” Prof Jai declared.
In September 1971 and 1972, Prof Jai gained his BSc (Major Biology and Minor Chemistry) the Postgraduate Diploma in Science Education and Management respectively from the University of Guyana. Because of the lack of postgraduate research training at UG, in September 1974, he joined the University of St Andrews in Scotland, United Kingdom, where he did his PhD for a thesis entitled ‘Evidence for the involvement of intracellular cyclic nucleotides in the control of myocardial contractility’. Following the PhD in 1978, he worked as a Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews (1978-1980), University of Dundee (1980-1981) and the Liverpool (1981-984). In October 1984, he joined Preston Polytechnic (now University of Central Lancashire or UCLAN). Throughout the years he was promoted to Senior Lecturer (1986), Principal Lecturer (1988), Reader continued on page 35
Travel & Tourism
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isiting an Amerindian village in Mabaruma is a wonderful and interesting experience. Many people living in the villages still make their living off of the land which is rich in natural resources by hunting, farming, fishing, and much more. One such village that holds fast to its indigenous culture is Arukamai. The village, which is located in Region One, is a river community in the Mabaruma sub-district. Residents of Arukamai live along the
river. The children take canoes or boat to school. The health post and the school are next to each other, but the homes are spread out along the river. The boat journey to Arukamai is an adventure in and of itself. The river can be rather shallow. It depends on the tides. The river eventually leads out to the Atlantic, so it has a double-tide in a 24hour period. (Photos and info from http:// harmonyandtravis.com)
A view of the village from the river. The health post is on the left and the school on the right
A home tucked away along the river on the way to Arukamai
The village's health post (small white building) seen from the mountain top
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The Shaping of Guyanese Literature Dead Poet Society One
A tribute to Mahadai Das By Petamber Persaud
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uring rehearsals for ‘Expressions 3’ – a new forum for poetry, produced by Gem Madoo-Nascimento – a number of poems written by writers who have passed, came alive in the performances. One such poet was Mahadai Das, a promising writer cut down in the prime of her life. Death could not silence her, a voice exploring debilitating ethnic and gender issues, a voice coming to grips with identities – Guyanese consciousness and Indian sensibility, but more importantly, a voice of anticipation and hope. A Leaf in his Ear: Selected Poems was published posthumously to celebrate a remarkable life, a project started with the poetess, before her death, discussing same with the Jeremy Poynting of Peepal Tree Press and in cooperation of one of the writer’s sisters. A Leaf in his Ear: Selected Poems remains effectively Mahadai Das for she left instructions on what the book must
portray, a map of her struggles, her shortcomings and her triumphs, of her use of literature to lobby the cause of the marginalised, the subjugated and the disempowered. Das’ life was one of crises. Crises she transformed into challenges. Challenges of which some were pyrrhic victories.
Poet Mahadai Das
Born in Eccles, East Bank of Demerara, Guyana, in 1954, Mahadai Das left her footprints in Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, lived for a number of years in the USA and died on 3 April 2003 in Barbados, where her mortal remains were laid to rest.
In 1972, she became part of the Messenger Group with Janet Naidu, Rooplall Monar and others. Later that same year, Das took part in the Caribbean Festival of Arts, Carifesta, held in Guyana. In October of 1973, she was crowned queen of Maha Sabha Dewali Jalsa. During that same period, Das performed her poem in vernacular ‘Chile is who yuh foolin’ at the Theatre Guild as the Messenger Group staged a threeday celebration of the Coolie Art Forms. Between 1973 and 1975, she was a significant part of the Guyana National Service, serving in its Cultural Division, burning with patriotic fervour and idealistic revolutionary imagination. This showed up in her first collection of poems, I Want to be a Poetess of my People (1976). This collection also traced her roots from indenture to independence and included her most performed poem ‘They Came In Ships’. Das’ second book of poems, My Finer Steal Will Grow (1982), is a better
crafted work than her first. In 1988, she published her most accomplished collection, Bones, confirming her individuality and her place as a top crafter of verse. Her poems could be found in local journals like Kykoveral, and Kaie. While at Columbia University, she published in student magazines like Common Ground and Black Heights. Of great significance also is that her poems have found their way onto the syllabi of Caribbean, North American and European universities. That alone speaks volumes of the quality, content and import of her writing. Mahadai Das was educated at Bishops’ High School in Georgetown before moving on to the University of Guyana and then the University of the West Indies. She gained a BA in Philosophy at Columbia University and a MA in the same subject at the University of Chicago. While awaiting her PhD candidature, she underwent open-heart surgery from which she
Das's book of poetry
never fully recovered, truncating her academic career in 1987. A career that was fraught with so many obstacles, battles that she overcame only to lose the war. Undaunted, still resolute, she cried out for attention, “I mourn unflowered words, unborn children, inside me…absent water can has never lent itself to flowers.” So when ‘Millicent’ (so fondly called by her relatives and friends)
became unwell, many of her colleagues rallied to her assistance. Mahadai Das dyed her name in the country’s literary heritage because she was in that first ripple of women writers of Indian ancestry staking a claim to the word ‘Guyanese’. Responses to this author: telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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Lung cancer
A ‘go green’ advocate transforms everyday items into beautiful art
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By Anu Dev
ovember is “Lung Cancer Awareness Month”! This semester we covered the Respiratory System and everything that could go wrong with it. And whenever we cover an organ system, I’m always blown away by how intricately organized the undergirding system is. Everything in the body is arranged so perfectly so that everything is in balanceour homeostatic mechanisms keep everything in check! Talk about “clockwork”! But even with all of its feedback mechanisms there to keep things running smoothly, we still need to take care of our bodies. We need to eat right, drink enough water, exercise and generally use a bit of common sense. For example, with ALL of the information around about how bad smoking is for our OVERALL health, people still START smoking. Why? This isn’t way back in the days when there was no research done about the effects of cigarette smoking on the body- we know that it completely messes up your organs- inside and out. But while the smokers might be quite happy to do whatever it takes to die of lung cancer, they’re actually harming non-smokers as well. Me and you. Second-hand smoke – smoke inhaled by nonsmokers from smokers around them – contains over 4,000 carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals. So when you light up a cigarette, you’re not just taking risks with your health, you’re playing games with the health of everyone around you. You’re putting your spouse, your children and your friends – even neighbours, at risk. And even if you choose to go and smoke in another room or before everyone gets home, smoke lingers. Smoke can stay in the air for up to 2 ½ hours- just because you can’t see it or smell it anymore doesn’t mean it’s not there still. Once smoking becomes a habit, it can be really difficult to stop. Cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive substance. But you can still ‘kick the habit’. There are nicotine patches, nicotine gum, different alternatives designed to help people give up smoking. Seeing the amount of information out there about the dangers of smoking and to consider the type of treatment you’ll have to undergo to get a handful of extra years if you get lung cancer, it really is mindboggling that anyone would choose to start smoking. I mean sure, in movies they make the heroes and heroines who smoke look like they’re so cool, taking a drag on their cigarette and casually punctuating the ends of their sentences with a puff of smoke. But movies also make their action heroes look incredibly cool while they’re shooting and killing and stabbing. Car chases in movies look super cool, but normal people are just collateral damage as the hero slams into their vehicle while chasing down the bad guy. Just because something is portrayed in a positive light in movies doesn’t mean you should go ahead and try it out for yourself. Like everything else when we’re persuaded “we have to do something”…scratch it and you’ll find there’s a business angle that’s pushing the “something” on us. In this case, cigarette companies. The largest cigarette companies that make billions with their “killing sticks” are generally from the US or Britain. But when their own governments pointed out the dangers of smoking and insisted on warning labels, they simply switched to pushing their “goods” – actually “bads” to the third world – and women. Meaning us. Watch out for those ads!! So do the right thing, don’t start smoking. Your life’s worth much more than a couple packs of cigarettes. Smoking isn’t the only cause of lung cancer but it sure is the biggest one out there.
verything makes Craft’ is not just a reference on the adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, but a ‘green’ movement and a need to help save the world through ecofriendly activities. A trendy shop, Everything makes Craft is operated by Christine De Cambra-Forrester a young mother of two, an aunt of 13, and the sixth of eight siblings. De Cambra-Forrester gives a new purpose to everything she gets her hands on, rather than letting it go to waste - that is in the waste bin. “Everything makes Craft is about ‘upcycling’ - when you take what you have and give it a new purpose by adding embellishment or designs. On the other hand, recycling is destroying something and putting it through a process to make it into a new product,” De CambraForrester, proprietor of the craft shop, explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. An environmentalist from a young age, De Cambra-Forrester abhors littering and seeing others doing so. “I have always had a problem with littering and seeing others litter. Now that I have my own family, I use a lot more items and so I decided to reuse some of these things instead of throwing them out.” Family-oriented, coming from a big family background, De CambraForrester views her craft as another way to engage family and friends. But even more noteworthy is her altruistic nature, as her new business ven-
Christine De Cambra-Forrester
ture was initially an advocacy campaign. “This ‘upcycling’ venture [Everything makes Craft] was not meant to be commercial, rather its aim was to show the
throwing them out and adding to the garbage build up in Georgetown,” expressed De CambraForrester. Developing her talents since childhood,
disclosed. What began as a hobby soon became a business venture, as requests for craft items flowed in. This served as a motivation for De Cambra-Forrester, who was propelled into taking her craft to a higher level. From elegant picture frames to trendy lanterns, glass bottle figurines to wall hangings, De Cambra-Forrester solidifies her motto that everything can be made into amazing craft. She does this by using whatever she can get her hands on, including glass bottles, buttons, cans, newspaper, pieces of cloth and plastic. “I buy things like paint, glue, staples and the like, but everything else is obtained through my own use or through family and friends. Sometimes, I post a note
Festive lamp shades made of plastic bottles and wrapped with wool
public what can be done with what is considered ‘trash’ in order to promote an anti-littering environment - especially at home where you can reuse things instead of
'Upcycled' bottles
most of De CambraForrester’s craft skills are self-taught. “We didn’t have much money, so I would just gather stuff and make gifts for family and friends,” she
on Facebook asking persons to send items they would normally dispose of to me, so I am used to people showing up with all kinds of things like cloth and ribbon and candles,” she mentioned. Describing her craft of transforming the old into the new, De Cambra-Forrester stated, “Upcycling is a simple and inexpensive way to do things with the family, spending quality time while making little gifts and impacting the future generation.” Everything makes Craft offers classes to those who wish to learn about ‘upcycling’. For more information, call 696-3036 or visit Everything makes Craft on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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l t h o u g h Plaisance, a thriving East Coast village, remains a quaint and close knitted society, it has changed drastically over the years. Located six miles (nine kilometres) from the capital, Georgetown, Plaisance is comprised of 505 acres of land. It is flanked by the Seawall in the north, the water conservancy in the south, the village of Better Hope in the East and Goedverwagting in the west. Bought in 1842 by a
In the early years, Plaisance was just a simple settlement of those 65 emancipated slaves, who made up 24 families and dwelled in 15 thatched cottages. It was not until 1880 that the population increased to over 3,700 persons including Creole Blacks, Portuguese, East Indians and Chinese. The village always had a rich culture. The name Plaisance, for instance, is a French word meaning ‘pleasure’ or ‘delight’, despite settlements by both the British and the Dutch
A monument with the names of the 65 freed Africans who purchased the village located at the Zoar Congregational Church
group of newly emancipated Africans for 39,000 guilders, Plaisance did not receive official village status until 1892 when it finally met the criteria of a local village in that time.
during the colonial period. The 505 acres were well utilised: first by the French as a cotton plantation; then by A J Watershodt, who ran a cattle farm; and lat-
Beryl Adams-Haynes
er by the emancipated Africans who made it into the multicultural village it is today. Immediately upon purchase, those early years in the 1840s, the land was divided into two sections: the northern half was utilised for residential living and the southern half was utilised for agricultural purposes. By the late 1840s, 102 acres of that land were settled with wooden structures, while 403 acres were cultivated plots. “In those days the Seawall wasn’t there, so Plaisance stretched a mile out into the north. That was where our coffee Logie was, later it was relocated and became the St Paul’s Congregational Church,” recalled Beryl Adam-Haynes in her book, Plaisance from Emancipation to Independence and Beyond. Adams-Haynes noted the hardship of the settlers who cultivated 403 acres of land in her book. “They planted ground provision, fruit trees and so forth…coconut was also a key part of their agriculture for as they used it to make mattress, coals, oil and
so many other things.” Although, the early settlers found prosperity with their Creole farming, they were nonetheless persuaded to replace their thriving plots with sugar cane, a more lucrative business investment for the colonialist. “Of course this didn’t work out, so although the sugar cane productions dominated the crops by 1880, the village still engaged in rice farming, pig rearing and ground provisions,” AdamsHaynes explained to the Guyana Times Sunday Magazine. Plaisance also had several cottage industries as well, all of which provided the youths of the village with jobs. “The village had coconut factories, clothing fac-
Documenting the history of Plaisance in Plaisance - From Emancipation to Independence and Beyond by Adams-Haynes
Guiana. “Always a dynamic people, the villagers never accepted what they were told, they would question and fight for what they felt was
Plaisance Community Centre
tories, cassava, fibre… and today there is only one to my knowledge - a garment shop,” AdamsHaynes posited. As time passed, Plaisance proved resilient in producing the first newspaper, The Echo, provided the first terminus for the Demerara Railway Company, the first village to be connected to the electricity grid; and was the first to witness the first set of surviving quadruplets in British
right,” Adams-Haynes declared. This was exemplified in 1849 when the villagers was fined for the flooding of the village after a front dam broke and 53 villagers petitioned the then Governor Barclay and successfully got him to rescind the penalty. Moreover, the resilience of the villagers was also evident when a Plaisancian, Aaron Britton, in those early years, successfully
took a white Governor to court for contravening the public by-laws. That Plaisancian later became the third Chairman of the Union of Local Authorities (a society that held its first meeting in the village). Today, Plaisance remains a peaceful and friendly society, with almost all its villagers acquainted with each other. Generations later, the descendants of those early villagers remain present in the village. “Strangely enough, Plaisance was required to have a school to gain village status and all the schools are currently located in Sparendaam,” Adams-Haynes mentioned. Sparendaam is a tiny village next to Plaisance; it is such an integral part of the Plaisance community that it was from the very beginning associated as one, resulting in the term the “twin villages of Plaisance/Sparendaam”. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
Simply the Truth
I
By: Professor Daizal Samad
t is not that someone like me can lay claim to Berbice and Guyana. It is that Berbice and Guyana can lay claim to me. I do not go to “help” or “rescue” Berbice and our nation. It is that the nation and this Ancient County rescue me from a long wandering around the world. They save me from an almost nomadic restlessness across five continents. There are the fools who boast that they have never left Guyana, but only the lost can know truly what it is like to return home. Back home in Berbice a few weeks or so ago, I knew again where I belonged. It is not as if I needed to be reminded, but just the air refreshed me, like reading a book once read and the book is read again with
new insights since the reader has grown. And new wonders are found in the new reading. It is like being in the arms of one’s beloved, arms that held you before, but hold you again, and each embrace is as something new and pure and fresh, something empty of lust and vulgarity, empty of pretence and public display. And each good person met is like breathing new air: the Wilsons, Mr Edmunds, the Latchas, Mr Maraj, Imam Moses, Mr Scott, Miss Odessa, Mr Jagroop, Mr Thomas, Mr Armogan, Mr Poonai, Mr Fazil, Mr London, Mr Rampersaud, Miss Shazeena, Mr Mohabir, the Londons, just to name a few. Such blessing fell upon me with each one met that my
Professor Daizal Samad
heart grew new sinew, as if it were never damaged. With each courtesy they paid to me, I was honoured. Having returned to St Lucia, I was asked, “How was the trip back home, Professor?” It was bruising, because so
much had to be done. It was wonderful, because so many good people were met again. And it was heart-breaking to leave again. There are things about which we can complain about Berbice and Guyana, but when we complain, we need to know that with thought and vision and the will to act, we can solve the things about which we readily complain. Social, political and economic ills are not remedied simply by shrill complaints. Neither are they solved by soppy sentimentality and gossip. The remedy lies in thought, analysis, and action based on thought and analysis. Those who feel deeply need not wail and whine and be falsely philosophical. Philosophy takes serious
work, a lifetime of work. It is very difficult to be dispassionate when one is so emotionally involved. Very few of us are capable of that. It is rather like writing – true writing. It is lonely, disciplined, simple. There are people who have written about Berbice, but Berbice becomes simply a stage upon which they strut and prance. The ego. For me, Guyana and Berbice are primary. And people like me are secondary. I breathe because I am given life by the air that covers Berbice and Guyana. I stand up because my feet are planted upon our soil. I have stood upon the soil of some 64 countries, but I remain rooted to Berbice and Guyana and shall be so until the end of days. My beloved knows.
feature
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Award-winning investigative sciences expert conducts...
from page 30
S
Hunky
atiricus was both pleased and taken aback. In the “correction” of his comments on Burnham’s Police enforcement squad, the former Attorney General explained he’d called them “hunky” and not “monkey”. Now Satiricus’ blood had boiled in righteous indignation when he’d first read the report in the Stabber News. He’s rushed over to his own Editor and demanded an explanation as to why he hadn’t reported this slight on our nation’s guardians of the peace and defenders of justice?? The Editor said he’d look into it. That was his standard response. But before Satiricus could say “Monkey Mountain”, there it was – the G-TUCE had penned a missive to the self-same Stabber News to protest the denigration of our men in Khaki and Black. Satiricus could see the pen of Lincoln the Loud in the letter – and no wonder. The TUC unions existed only on paper – and Lincoln had lots of time on his hands. But he didn’t put his name. Such a modest fella. Lincoln the Loud admitted he hadn’t listened to the testimony, but by golly he didn’t need to!! Just by looking at the former AG, he knew that man was a racist! Lincoln had a ra-dar for ra-cists! And that’s why he was always writing this interminable letters to the press. Satiricus had become quite agitated. He could just see pickets in the streets – well “one-man pickets such as were “supporting” Mook Lall’s quest for justice. He prayed that race riots wouldn’t break out in the City!! And so it was the AG when made his “hunky” comment and the Stabber had apologised. (Not as abjectly as Satiricus thought necessary – since they’d brought Guyana to the edge of a race war – and more importantly had upset Lincoln the Loud.) Satiricus was pleased. But also taken aback since, he wouldn’t have associated Burnham’s goon squad with the word “hunky”. So were they like, say, Kayne West or P Diddy?? His Editor, who was around the same age as the former AG told Satiricus that back in those days, “hunky” meant “hulking”. Like “hulking big brutes”. Ah!!
Prezzie show dem he can do it
A
lotta people used to run dem mouth and seh de Prezzi is a weak man. Dem seh de Prezzi can’t mek decisions. Dem even seh de Prezzi doin whah other people seh and that he ain’t strong enuff to be a Prezzi. Rum Jhaat, who can’t even run he own party, was one of dem who seh so. Green Jah, who can’t even control Oscar de bite man and Vanessa de kiss woman, seh de same ting. Stoopert had side wid Green Jah. But since he turn to Poopert, not even Green Jah want he. Plus Nagga Man went along wid de flow, as he accustom to doin all he life. De only flow whah Nagga Man used to control by he self is de flow from a flattie. But nowadays de flow is from a large because Nagga Man believe in de more de merryer. Just that wid Nagga Man, is de more he get de stupider he get. Well, de Prezzi do it on Monday even though dem seh he can’t do it. If any ting, is Rum Jhaat, Green Jah and de rest of dem who can’t do it. If any of these men still had any doubt, de Prezzi show dem how he can do it. And if dem still doubt, de Prezzi might just decide to do it again fuh dem. In fact, if any ting, is Rum Jhaat, Green Jah and de rest of dem who can’t do it. One time de Prezzi had dare dem straight to dem face to do it. That was when de Prezzi had tell dem to do it when dem threaten de Prezzi wid No-Confidence Motion. De Prezzi simply tell dem “do it”. Up to now, not Rummie, not Greenie and not Nagga ever stand up to do it. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! No body ain’t sure if de problem is de ‘standin up’ or de ‘doin’. Or it could be both, because none of dem never stand up to do it!
(1991) and subsequently to Professor (1993).
Achievements
In July, 2011, Prof Jai was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) from the University of Central Lancashire for a thesis entitled ‘Mechanism of secretory and contractile responses in tissues and cells of the body in health and disease’. He noted that this is the highest degree a professor could obtain from any university. Only himself and another Guyanese were awarded this prestigious degree. The other Guyanese is former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who was awarded for his work on climate change and being a champion of the environment. Apart from being a very good teacher and research supervisor, Prof Jai has published 25 reviews, 20 book chapters, over 200 original manuscripts and 280 refereed abstracts in highly respected scientific and medical journals. Moreover, he has successfully supervised over 60 postgraduate research students for PhD (46), MD (1), MPhil (3) and MSc by Research (12). Currently, he is supervising six PhD students and one MD medical doctor. He has also examined over 50 postgraduate research students for the MSc by research, MPhil, MD and PhD. He is also the field editor for three scientific journals and a member of several professional scientific societies. For his exceptional work as a Guyanese who has excelled in the UK, Prof Jai was given a Guyana High Commission Award in 2008 with other Guyanese such as Professor Cynthia Pine, David Lammy, MP, and former Minister for Science and Universities in the UK, Lord Ali and Dame Amos.
Research
Prof Jai’s main research interest is on diabetes mellitus in both the heart and exocrine glands. He also has some interests on plant-based medicine to treat diabetes and cancers. He is particularly interested in the use of the green vegetable karela for the treatment of both diabetes and cancer. He currently holds a research grant with Dr Emanuel Cummings, from the
University of Guyana, to find out what is the active ingredient(s) in karela which can kill different cancer cells, including those from the brain, breast, skin, lungs and several others. Prof Jai is a strong believer in herbal remedy/medicine that can be easily grown in the backyard. Concerning his research on karela (bitter gourd/melon), commonly called “carilla” in Guyana, Prof Jai stated that if there is a potential agent found in the green vegetable to treat cancer it would be a momentous medical breakthrough. He pointed out that the research is currently ongoing at his university in the UK, which has the necessary equipment. Since 2002, the professor revealed that he
Spain, Portugal, Greece, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where he recruited most of his students.
Giving back
Since 1994, Prof Jai has been visiting Guyana regularly in his capacity to give back something to his beloved Guyana. From 1996 to 2003, he and his Guyanese colleagues obtained over $200,000 USAD from the British Council to help young staff members of the University of Guyana and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation to study at the University of Central Lancashire and to get specialist training at Royal Preston Hospital, respectively. Additionally, Prof Jai
Prof Jai was also a candidate for the Vice Chancellor post at the University of Guyana two years ago. He revealed that he was not disappointed not getting the position, but he felt that he could have done a fairly good job to internationalise the university, get more internal and external financial supports, run cuttingedge courses, which can create jobs and emphasise more on research and research training leading to the awards of MSc by research, MPhil, PhD, MD, DSc and DLit by the University of Guyana. “The time has now come for the Government of Guyana to establish a Graduate Research School at the University of Guyana. I firmly believe that the
Prof Singh (left) pays a visit to President Donald Ramotar to discuss his research
has been involved mainly with research and training of postgraduate research students in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and the School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire. His duty as a Research Degree Tutor (RDT) involves recruitment, admission, and guiding the postgraduate students throughout their research degree career with the help of their specific supervisors. He is also responsible for all governance issues involve in research training, supervision, examination and successful completion. Prof Jai also collaborates with several research laboratories nationally and internationally, especially in the USA, Canada,
was appointed external examiner for the MBBS and BDs programmes at the University of Guyana. He has examined medical and dental students for over six years. He was also the examiner for the Medical and Dental Schools at Mount Hope Campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. Prof Jai, via his university and local hospital, donated books, computers and a CT scanner to UG and Georgetown Public Hospital. Several of his senior colleagues, including his Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Deans and other staff, visited the University of Guyana with the purpose of finding out what they can do to help improve UG’s programmes.
current Vice Chancellor of the university is doing an excellent job to build a very good institution, but he needs the full support from staff, students, the government and also the public,” the professor mentioned. Aiming to develop his country of birth, Prof Jai is involved in bringing foreign investors to Guyana so that they can create jobs and help to improve the economy, health and education. Prof Jai is married and has two adult children who are working and living in London. He and his wife, Aileen, also have a little granddaughter by the name of Evie. Further information on his research, email Prof Jai at jsingh3@ uclan.ac.uk or Google his name. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
This week's Crossword
J k es
The haircut
One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you; I'm doing community service this week.' The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door. Then a congressman came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.' The congressman was very happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut. And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
Team work
This week's Puzzle
At a recent software engineering management course in the US, the participants were given an awkward question to answer. "If you had just boarded an airliner and discovered that your team of programmers had been responsible for the flight control software how many of you would disembark immediately?" Among the ensuing forest of raised hands, only one man sat motionless. When asked what he would do, he replied that he would be quite content to stay onboard. With his team's software, he said, the plane was unlikely to even taxi as far as the runway, let alone take off.
For the money
A couple was having a discussion about what to see and do now that they were safely in Florida on their honeymoon. Trying to assert himself right off the bat, he exploded, "If it weren't for my money, we wouldn't be here at all!" The wife replied, "My dear, if it weren't for your money, not only would we not be in Florida, we wouldn't on a honeymoon, nor would there be any "we" in the first place."
Actual radio conversation
see solution on page 47
This is the actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. Radio conversation released by the chief of naval operations, 10-10-95. CANADIANS: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision. AMERICANS: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision. CANADIANS: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision. AMERICANS: This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course. CANADIANS: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course. AMERICANS: This is the Aircraft Carrier US LINCOLN, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that's one-five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship. CANADIANS: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
arts & culture
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
'Rhythm of the Soul' 2014
T
Untitled 2014
'Closed Session' 2014
hrough her artistic paintings, Myrna Bernard captures the essence of life and passionately exhibits them for the world to see. Bernard works in Caribbean regional administration in Georgetown and has had no formal art training beyond her years at the Bishops’ High School, Georgetown. She has, in recent years, pursued her interest in digital photography and digital art through the use of manuals and books and also online tutorials. The artist has exhibited at the CARICOM S e c r e t a r i a t ’ s Annual Staff Talent Celebrations from 2006 to 2012; at the Guyana Women
Artists’ Association’s Annual Exhibitions from 2008 to 2012 and their exhibitions in Guyana at Carifesta X in 2008 at the International Conference Centre, Turkeyen, for International Women’s Day at the Brazilian Cultural Centre in 2011, for the Year of
People of African Descent at the National Museum, Georgetown in 2012, and at the IGCF in Cayenne in 2013. (Artist profile from the 26th Annual Exhibition of the Guyana Women Artists’ Association brochure done by the National Gallery) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
W
ith the Mash 2015 festivities launched recently in Georgetown, folks at the Mash Secretariat are already plugging several initiatives in keeping with plans for the occasion. In a brief interview on Wednesday with Mash Coordinator, Lennox Canterbury, this publication was informed that on November 22, 2014, the secretariat would be staging auditions for the Calypso and Chutney Competitions. Auditions
are expected to commence from 09:00hrs. Winfield James raves that his entry this year in the Calypso genre will demolish the competition. While auditions for the Calypso will be staged at the Mash Secretariat Office, Middle Street, Georgetown, the Chutney segment will be hosted at the Music School on Brickdam.
CALYPSO AND CHUTNEY WORKSHOPS
In addition, the Mash Secretariat will be host-
ing two separate workshops for the Calypso and Chutney contestants on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Music School and all potential participants are urged to attend. Both workshops will commence from 09:00 hrs. Meanwhile the secretariat was unable to shed light on whether the much anticipated HIV/ AIDS Song Competition will be staged this year since they have not yet received word from the authorities tasked with
spearheading this competition. Last year several persons who were keen about this leg of the competition were angry when authorities at the last moment informed the Mash Secretariat that they would be unable to stage the forum because of lack of sponsorship. Persons are hoping that this year around, plans will be put in place to ensure that the competition is hosted so persons will have an opportunity to participate.
Edward ‘Young Fyah’ Perez vows to take the Calypso stage by storm this year
Cruise arrivals up 10 per cent in Jamaica
K
INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica welcomed 916,300 cruise passengers between January and September, a 10 per cent increase over the same period last year, a result of Disney and MSC cruise lines diverting from storm-affected islands. "Both Disney and MSC came to Jamaica in summer, which did not happen last year," William Tatham, head of cruises at the Port
Authority of Jamaica, told the Jamaican media in a phone interview on Monday. "We got an additional 12,000 passengers based on the diversion from other Caribbean islands. We missed the storms this time, but others did not. We are very lucky this year to experience no disruptions. It resulted in four additional calls that we didn't anticipate." Between May and
Cruise visitors about to leave the Falmouth pier to experience an attraction
continued on page 43
news
39 More measures to protect Jamaica from cyber crimes K
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
INGSTON, JAMAICA: The government is putting in place more measures to protect the country from cyber criminal activities, with one set to come on stream by mid December, and the launch of the Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) by next year. Technical and other support for the cyber defence mechanisms have been provided by the Organization of American States (OAS), and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). “The government has developed a strategy… the document is pretty much complete, and we anticipate launching in the first or second week of December,” said Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson. He was delivering the opening address at the start of a threeday workshop on Cyber
Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson (right), in discussion with (from left): Senior Superintendent of Police, Clifford Chambers; British High Commissioner to Jamaica, His Excellency David Fitton, and Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jeanelle van Glaanenweygel. Occasion was the start of a three-day workshop on Cyber Incident Investigation and Analysis, held on November 10, at the National Intelligence Bureau, in downtown Kingston.
Incident Investigation and Analysis, held on Monday, at the National Intelligence Bureau, in downtown Kingston. “We are also quite advanced with the implementation of our cyber emergency response
Kaye Chong, Paul Brock to receive 2014 leadership awards
Caribbean travel industry veteran Kaye Chong and African American communications legend Paul Brock
B
ROOKLYN, U N I T E D STATES: – Caribbean travel industry veteran Kaye Chong and African American communications legend Paul Brock will receive the 2014 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards next week in New York City. Chong and Brock will receive their honors at an awards presentation during the second annual Evenings of Excellence series, sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn (12020 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, New York). Originally from Jamaica, the South Florida-based Chong is
currently an account executive with Caribbean Airlines, while Brock, the founding executive director of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), credits his lifelong development to early beginnings in the US Virgin Islands where he started his broadcast career. Chong, who has amassed awards, recognition and respect across the Caribbean Diaspora in the United States, serves as the U.S. focal point for special markets with Caribbean Airlines and has helped the airline cement solid relations with the Diaspora, multicultural as well as the faith travel markets. Also the first president of the Black Public Relations Society, Brock continued on page 42
team. We are in the process of procuring the equipment, and I anticipate, sometime next year we will be able to launch the CERT, even at a basic level,” the state minister noted. Mr. Robinson pointed out that the government is investing heavily in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and with that, the country also has to beef up its capability to respond to cyber criminal activities, by putting in the necessary infrastructure, as criminals focus on countries with weak cyber crime detection. “We have a responsibility to ensure that all citizens are aware of the cyber threats out there. We are investing a lot in technology, we are doing
our tablets in school project, we are moving transaction online, and there is an increased danger of cyber criminal activities with those activities going online,” he said. The state minister informed that intensified public education will be ongoing, so that the public can protect themselves from criminal activities on the Internet, and pointed out that amending the Cybercrimes Act will close existing “loopholes” for criminals. “This is to ensure that it represents best practices internationally, so that we can empower our prosecutors and our law enforcement officials to successfully go after cyber criminals,” Mr. Robinson emphasized.(JIS)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Jamaican in Lion King musical
Jamaican dancer Benton Morris (centre) with castmates in the London production of hit musical The Lion King.
K
INGSTON, JAMAICA: The third time proved to be the charm for Jamaican dancer Benton Morris, who is part of the London cast of hit musical The Lion King. It was audition number three for the show which debuted in 1997, that proved the clincher for the St Catherine-born Morris. He had first auditioned in 2010, then two years later in 2012. On both occasions, he made it to the final round, ending up in the top four male dancers each time. But he failed to make it to the cast of the stage as he was told he did not fit the specific role the producers were looking for. The Lion King team returned to Jamaica in 2013 and Morris was less than enthusiastic about trying out for a third time, but he did after encouragement from peers. "The 2013 audition wasn't as exciting as the previous two I attempted. I was not nervous and I wasn't expecting anything; I was going to just dance and have fun with it," Morris told the Jamaican media. The audition is divided into two parts -- dancing and singing. The dance portion was divided into three parts: a modern combination, after which the dancers with the best technique are chosen; following that, a rou-
tine from the show is taught to see which of the dancers have the ability to work with strict choreography. After the second cut, The Lion King's dance supervisor teaches a ballet sequence. The wait would be over on All Fool's Day -- April 1. Morris received an e-mail advising him that he had been cast in the London production. He would then be flung headlong into a rehearsal schedule unlike anything he knew as a student at the Edna Manley College's School of Dance or as a dancer with the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC). For six weeks -six days a week, nine hours a day -- Morris and his castmates refined their technique and were taught the entire show from scratch in preparation for opening night on July 19. "I'll never forget, that special, touching, and indescribable feeling of being a part of the opening, starting with the famous Circle of Life. I was shaking from all the adrenaline rushing through my body, and the excitement stayed with me for several weeks." Morris follows in the footsteps of a number of other NDTC members who have performed in this iconic production including Tovah Bembrigde, Kerry Ann Henry and Candice Morris. (Jamaica Observer)
news
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
TT’s Cabinet weighs $$ for Ebola medics
P
TT’s Health Minister Fuad Khan
O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Cabinet is giving consideration to the remuneration of health care workers who may have to treat Ebola cases, Health Minister Fuad Khan says. He said so in Parliament on Monday as he addressed the current worldwide concerns and TT’s readiness for the deadly virus. Public Services Association president Watson Duke had called for extra remuneration and an insurance of at least TT$10 million for health care workers who
will be asked to work in the special Ebola unit government proposes to set up to deal with any suspected cases of the virus. On Friday, Khan said while some may have attempted to profit from the matter and peddle fear and hysteria, he was presenting the facts on it. “Significant progress has been made in making TT ready to control any possible outbreak of Ebola through good preparation, proactive public education, early detection and rapid response, isolation and treatment, contact tracing, co-ordi-
nation between agencies and investment in emergency response,” he said. Recounting government’s action in the issue so far, including spearheading a Caricom meeting on this, Khan said the training of staff at health facilities and ports of entry to detect and isolate suspected cases was ongoing Cabinet had also approved importation of an Odulair Unit two-bed Ebola treatment unit. Upgrades to allow for handling of any Ebola cases have begun at the Caura Ebola Treatment Centre and Piarco International Airport, he added. Khan noted 20 handheld thermal scanners for ports of entry have been ordered and are expected in two weeks. Thirty Hazmat (Hazardous Material) Level A suits are also expected in four weeks. Specifications for two mass screening thermal scanners are being evaluated and are expected to be ordered within the next week, with delivery in three weeks. Personal protective
Irish firm Tullow chosen for oil exploration in Jamaica
K
INGSTON, JAMAICA: Irish firm Tullow Oil plc is expected to be announced as the company selected by the Jamaican Government to engage in oil and gas exploration. Tullow, which operates in 21 countries, is expected to conduct three-dimensional exploration which, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) sources said, will provide better information regarding the existence of oil in Jamaican waters. On Monday, Tullow Oil's Head of Media Relations George Cazenove was non-committal in response to the Jamaican media query on Sunday seeking confirmation of his firm's involvement in Jamaica. "Thank you for your query," he responded via e-mail. "Alas, I am not able to comment on your story." For some years now Jamaica has been trying to find out whether fossils detected offshore are enough for commercial extraction. Of the previous exploration ventures, the most promising was from Canadian firm Sagres Energy, which said it detected possible reserves of some three billion bar-
Executive Officer Aidan Heavey says he started the company "in a small town called Tullow, about 35 miles south of Dublin, Ireland". (Jamaica Observer)
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Aidan Heavey
rels off Pedro Cay. The PCJ, in its media advisory on Tuesday's announcement, pointed out that it has been aggressively pursuing proven explorers to undertake oil and gas exploration and that these efforts have borne fruit. On the weekend, government sources said Tullow was a reputable company with a track record of success in a number of African countries. On its website, Tullow says it holds 147 licences, 66 producing fields, and has a workforce in excess of 2,000 worldwide. "In 2013, 37 of the 57 exploration and appraisal wells drilled, discovered hydrocarbons," says the company, which was founded in 1985 and signed its first licence in Senegal in 1986. Founder and Chief
equipment has been purchased, including category three coveralls (Hazmat suit type), N95 masks, overhoods, over-
boots, rubber boots and face shields. Standard protective equipment was distributed to all health facilities be-
tween October 3 and 19 and Category 3 coveralls will be delivered by November 19, he added. (TT Guardian)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Reintroducing TT’s Devon Seale - nine-time Calypso Monarch finalist
P
O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Last week Friday, as names were being called out of graduands at the University of the West Indies (UWI) graduation ceremony, there was one in particular that stood out – Devon Seale. The name of the ninetime Calypso Monarch finalist rang a bell with some in the audience and as he strode up to collect his certificate he received special applause. His masters degree, with distinction I thank you, was not in the arts or culture as one may assume but a Masters in Business Administration
(MBA) and International Finance specialisation. And that’s just one thing you don’t know about 37-year-old Seale who is a bit of a renaissance man among calysponians with competency in business, languages and computer science. He shared his story during a recent telephone interview with TT media. Firstly his last name is Seale and not “Seales” with an “s”. He joked that his name has been misspelled for so many years in the calypso fraternity that he treats “Devon Seales” as his sobriquet. He was born in Tunapuna, grew up in Bon Air Gardens and
has been singing calypso since the age of 11. Also at that age he performed on Twelve and Under and was interviewed by television personality Hazel WardRedman, who died last Monday. During that interview he told the media that he learned to sing through his teacher Esther Batson, to whom he attributes all of his musical skills. Seale then got a nine to five at TSTT as a clerical officer doing cashing functions. While working there he received a scholarship to study in the land of Samba – Brazil – and spent four years completing his Bachelor of Science (Bsc)
in Computer Science. While there he learned the native language of Portugese. After Brazil he did a semester in Colombia and learned Spanish. Inclusive of English Seale habla tres idiomas (speaks three languages) fluently. After those educational pursuits he returned to TSTT and worked at a managerial level as a research officer looking at network fraud. Being a manager Seale decided to pursue his MBA so he would be “well equipped”. While pursuing the degree part time at Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business Seale and his
Devon Seale during one of his performances (TT Newsday file photo)
“good friend and study partner” Maritza De Silva worked together on a praticom which was to bring to market a mobile application. The two are planning to launch the app but he is holding the details to his chest. A calypsonian launching a mobile app has a nice ring to it. Seale noted it was not easy doing a masters degree, having a full time a job and being a calpysponian. He found the degree itself “very challenging” having been out of study mode for three years since completing his Bsc. It was also a change of pace for him being a person “always into figures” and having to do a lot of reading and looking at economics and HR. He noted that graduate school takes up lot
of time, including family time, and there is a lot of group work. He also asked to give a shout to his fellow group work members “Team Footprints”: Wendy Cazabon, Nichollette Imam and Chanelle Diaz. Asked whether he expected to receive a distinction Seale noted that he went in just to achieve a masters degree but by the second trimester he realised his grades were “looking good”. By the end of the course he knew he would receive the honour. In the audience on graduation day were his aunt and uncle but his mother was absent and she had a previously booked vacation abroad. “She was there in spirit,” he noted. (TT Newsday)
Kaye Chong, Paul Brock to receive... from page 39
began his journalism career in 1962 as a news reporter with WSTA radio, and then later at the CBS affiliate TV station WBNB, both in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. He has received many accolades and awards, including Man of the Year by Jet and Ebony Magazine in 1975, and Who’s Who in Black America from 1976 to 1992. They will receive the award in recognition of their sterling commitment to the development and promotion of tourism in the Caribbean region. In South Florida, last month, Caribbean television industry producer Lukkee Chong, and travel industry veteran Horace Hord received
the first two of the four awards this year. The event will feature a presentation by Caribbean author, economist and motivational speaker Zhivargo Laing, who will address attendees under the theme: “Discovering the Power to Rise”. Evenings of Excellence is sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and supported by Anse Chastanet, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), Christian Cultural Center, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Finn Partners, Marketplace Excellence, SENA Sales and Marketing, and the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. (Caribbean News)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Cruise arrivals up 10 per cent in... from page 38
September, however, the growth jumped to 20 per cent year-on-year. The bulk of the growth came from the Falmouth Cruise Pier, Ochi Rios grew slightly, and Montego Bay remained flat year-on-year. Tatham said that the island remains on the "border" of achieving record arrivals this year. Just this week, large attraction Dolphin Cove stated that the new calls resulted in increased profitability at the listed company. "[The profit] reflected the continued growth in revenue as the group sought to maximise on the revenue to be derived from the additional cruise ships which arrived at Jamaica's ports during the period," said a just-released statement prefacing the financials signed by Stafford Burrowes, chairman and chief executive, and director William McConnell. Dolphin Cove's September quarterly profit jumped to Ja$109 million or 14 per cent higher than a year earlier. The company's yearto-date profit totalled Ja$369 million, or onequarter higher than a
year earlier. Dolphin Cove also indicated that it benefited from currency movements during the first half of its financial year as it receives most of its income in US dollars. Depreciation of the Jamaican dollar was most rapid during the first six months of the year. Another attraction, Chukka Adventures, indicated that it was "a top adventure choice" for Disney passengers with their newly expanded park at Chukka Good Hope in Falmouth. "Falmouth was the perfect choice as Disney's port with its long heritage, historic town and proximity to Good Hope Estate. Being chosen by Disney as their provider at the port is an indication of Chukka's ability to deliver to discerning guests with an expectation of a high level of customer experience," Chukka stated in a release last October. MSC Cruise Line entered the island on and off for a decade, but it's the first time it sailed during summer to Jamaica, while Disney entered the island last October for the first time. (Jamaica Observer)
Death of a Comrade – a tribute to Navin Chandarpal I t is with deep sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Cde. Navin Chandarpal, a great son of Guyana: a patriot, leading and longstanding stalwart of the People’s Progressive Party(PPP), an educator, a family man and a dear friend of the diaspora. The Guyana Solidarity Movement (GSM) joins with other individuals and organizations in expressing our heartfelt condolences to his widow, Cde. Indra Chandarpal, their children, relatives and friends and the entire family tree of the PPP. His passing is a great loss to the family, his colleagues and to the struggle for a better Guyana. The GSM has lost a dear friend. Cde. Navin will go down in history books as a dedicated fighter, someone who took great pride in his membership in the PPP and ardently believed in the cause of the Party. Cde. Navin displayed qualities of bravery at an early age. He was catapulted into high school politics when schools in
The late Navin Chandarpal
those days were teeming with problems under the PNC dictatorship. After graduating high school he attended the University of Guyana where, because of his bravery and outstanding leadership he rose in the ranks of the Students Council to become the President of that body. He joined the political struggles in Guyana in his youthful days when he was still in high school, gravitating to the position as leader of the PYO and later as a distinguished leader of the PPP. He emerged as an outstanding revolutionary, loved and respected
by his followers and the Party he served. A grassroots politician and intellectual, he was the pride of the PPP, whose struggles endeared him to the Guyanese masses. As a talented teacher he went beyond the call of duty, sometimes giving free tuition to students. As a leader of the PPP he is associated with Cde. Cheddi’s New Global Human Order and Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. On these issues and on sustainable development he was a champion at the United Nation and elsewhere.
He is very much remembered in his role as 1st Secretary, leader, of the PYO. Under his stewardship the PYO became one of the best youth organizations in Guyana and was recognized regionally and internationally for its militancy. A true people’s person Cde. Navin, will be remembered for his commitment and jovial disposition, for his amazing ability to fondly recall and remind friends of issues and events which will bring a pleasant smile to them. He made you feel good. He was very modest and unassuming, and never allowed the glare of office to interfere with his grassroots touch. We in the GSM will remember Cde. Navin as a man of integrity. He was a man of principles and he had the courage to standup and defend them. The Navin spirit will live on. Farewell dear Comrade. Rest in peace knowing that your struggles will not go in vain. Rueben Khusial for Guyana Solidarity Movement
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NEWS
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
TT govt promises to protect taxpayers’ interest P
ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Government is assuring the population that the interests of taxpayers’ will be protected as it carefully analyses the implications that a proposed US$3.025 billion acquisition of Columbus by Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) could have on them. CWC owns 49 percent of the shares
in the State-owned Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT). The other 51 percent is owned by government through the National Enterprises Limited (NEL) which reports to Finance and Economy Minister Larry Howai. Responding to ongoing questions from the media about the approach government is taking to deal with this issue, Finance
and Economy Ministry officials said since learning of the proposed merger last Thursday, Howai “has met with TSTT, as well as the Ministers of Public Utilities (Nizam Baksh) and Science and Technology (Dr Rupert Griffith) to get their take on the matter.” They added that since the proposed acquisition was announced last week, “There have been no direct discussions” be-
tween the ministry and CWC. Speaking with TT media on Monday while he was attending the ICT Business and Innovation Symposium 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain, TATT CEO Cris Seecharan said the Authority intends to undertake a full assessment of the conditional agreement between CWC and Columbus, , the parent company of the local
cable television provider, FLOW. Last Friday, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) called on Howai to “immediately investigate how this development has occurred right under the noses of the government and TATT.” CWU secretary-general Joseph Remy claimed this was “a clear slap in the face and an attempt at vengeance against the gov-
ernment and people of Trinidad and Tobago for their rejection of Cable and Wireless’ attempt to gain controlling interest in TSTT.” Saying this development raises serious questions about government’s policy direction where the telecommunications sector is concerned, Remy said the CWU is calling for “governmental intervention in this situation.” (TT Newsday)
45 TT’s Memorial Park – Monument to the brave P feature
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: One of the most solemn reminders of the role TT played in the horrors of two World Wars is the cenotaph at Memorial Park. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War in Europe which grew to engulf the British Empire as well. As a loyal colony, TT saw many of its young men enlisting in various corps to fight for their monarch. They came from all backgrounds, ranging from poor black men merely looking for an opportunity to the sons of rich planters who felt that they would return covered in glory. A large number left their bones in lonely war graves in Europe. Given the terrible casualties that were reported (in all over 200 men from TT lost their lives), a public meeting chaired by the Mayor of Portof-Spain, Dr Enrique Prada, was held at the Princes Building on August 4, 1916, to discuss a permanent memorial to the deceased. This consultation was attended by Governor Sir John Chancellor and though the idea was ap-
Commissioning of Memorial Park, June 28, 1924.
proved, it was decided to wait until the war ended to implement it. Thus, it was not until 1918 that the project was revived, and at a public conference in 1919 the suggestion was made that the monument should be erected on Marine (Independence) Square in the area now occupied by the Cipriani statue. Strenuous objections to this site led to another location being earmarked, this being the “Little Savannah,” which was then an open
pasture opposite the Royal Victoria Institute (National Museum). Sir John Chancellor’s successor as governor, Sir Samuel Wilson, approved the transfer of the Little Savannah to the Port-of-Spain City Council to initiate the memorial. It was Sir John, however, who whilst visiting England in 1919 had contacted sculptor LF Roslyn who conceived a design of an arch (much like Paris’s Arc de Triomphe) and produced drawings
which were displayed for public viewing at the Royal Victoria Institute. During the war, a stamp tax had been implemented to raise revenue and this was now debited for the immense sum of TT$32,000 for the cenotaph, with an additional TT$5,000 being raised by public contributions. The foundation stone of the cenotaph was laid on May 1, 1924, by Sir Samuel Wilson, with a time capsule containing the history of the project as well as newspa-
per clippings and coins being inserted. The side groups are the prows of ships emblematic of the part taken in the war by the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine, and on each is seated a female figure–the one on the South in a pensive attitude reading the scroll of Fame, the other on the North, bearing a laurel wreath, emblematic of the tender care of the sick and fallen.” On June 28 of the same year, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of
the Treaty of Versailles, the cenotaph was unveiled by the mayor and other dignitaries with marines from the warship HMS Ormonde providing the Guard of Honour. The inscription read: “1914-1918. In Honour of All who Served, In Memory of All who fell.” The names of 180 war dead were engraved thereupon with a re-dedication in 1945 for an addition to the memory of the fallen of World War II. The names of these brave men of the second conflict are on a separate monument in the Military Cemetery in St James. Every year, a dwindling number of WWII veterans and numerous public officials gather at Memorial Park on the Sunday closest to Armistice Day, November 11, to commemorate the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers with a wreath-laying ceremony. T Though there will soon be no more of those who gave their service in the war effort, the cenotaph will long stand to remind us of the people who dared risk and lose their lives so that others could live in freedom. (TT Guardian)
46 feature The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
gan in earnest to rebuild the church. Bearing in mind the complete destruction of the wooden building, Reverend Compton Theodore S.J. Titular Bishop (19011913) insisted the new building be made of concrete. English architect Leonard Stokes was chosen to design the new church, and granite, obtained from a local Essequibo quarry, became the principal ma-
terial of construction. It would be ten years later that the building would be completed, and a further two more before its scaffolding and galvanized sheeting were removed to reveal an immense Romanesque structure. In 1930, a marble high altar, a gift from Pope Pius XI to Bishop Galton, was built, followed in 1938 by three more altars. In 1939, a
marble pulpit, a memorial to the Fogarty family, was donated. The church was consecrated October 10, 1960 by first Bishop of Georgetown, Reverend Richard Lester Guilly S.J. OBE. The only surviving structure from the 1913 fire, the iron statue of Our Lady, is mounted on the upper section of the western facade. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
While the addition is a fountain on the northern facade, the top of the church contains a base for the steeple that was never built
T
he foundation stone of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, generally known as Brickdam Cathedral, located as it is in Brickdam, Georgetown, was laid almost 100 years ago on August 15 1915, two years after a March 7 fire destroyed the first Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception, St Mary’s Cathedral, built by Cesar Castellani. The crabwood and greenheart construction, which was built in 1872 and described as “the finest ecclesiastical building in the West Indies”, was razed by the 1913 conflagration. Immediately after the inferno, fundraising be-
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Photo by Amanda Richards)
Peter had better watch he back
L
Palmyra, Berbice, circa 1903
yin is a terrible ting, but lyin got money. And that is why poor people does find it hard to get rich. Dem dont learn to lie fast enuff. De Prezzi could mek this country get sheer rich people if he only tell every body to start lyin bout every ting under de sun. Well, talkin bout under de sun, a big lie man who done mek big money from a lotta big lies set up a big protest and only one man turn up. That was a big flop, but de big lie man turn it around and seh it was a one-man protest. Yuh hear lie? That is lie. And that is one example of how that big lie man turn filthy more rich. Is because he filthy. And that mek he rich. De other day de lie man lie to de Pullice, lie in he own paper, lie to he staff, lie to de nation, and lie to he lawyer. And talkin bout lawyers, de fact that it ain’t got no poor lawyer should mek every body know that lyin got money. Plenty money. When yuh could tell a good lie as a lawyer, rest assured that yuh gon be rich. Super rich. De same reason it ain’t got no deh bad lawyer is de same reason that it ain’t got no deh bad politician. Especially dem politicians who mek it to Parliament. Yuh only have to tink bout Uncle Rafeel and yuh would understand why. That is why he is both a lawyer and politician. Yuh know for sure he ain’t deh bad, he just plain bad! And that is because he does lie both ways, and this ain’t even got any ting to do wid Lil Johnny. Is just that any ting Uncle Rafeel do he does do it two times. That is why he gag Lil Johnny and now he wanna gag Guyana Times. He got to be a gag man. And de way it look, it got more gaggin to come. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Peter had better watch he back.
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Karela
A safe plant–based natural medicine to treat different cancers L
ike diabetes, heart diseases and many others, cancer is also a major global health problem affecting several million people in the world including those in Guyana. The disease has no respect for any age group, creed, colour, religious faith, ethnicity and others. It can develop in any one of us and at any time in life. Cancer is caused by several insults to our body including smoking, preservatives in food, chemicals, gases, some drugs, radiation, sun light, working environment and many others. Most cancers in our body are named af-
in the body. Some people also lose weight. If diagnosed early, the disease is treatable and the patient can live a normal life for several years. The major problem is when the disease is left untreated and it spreads to the different organs and tissues of the body. At this stage it is called a metastasis. Cancers are treated in several ways using surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and others either alone or in combination. Once the cancer is removed by surgery, the doctors still have to treat any remnant cancer cells around the area or those which have in-
Karela juice
ter our different organs and tissues including the brain, skin, lung, cervix, breast, oesophagus, bowel and several others. A cancer is really a growth of cells and tissues in the different organs of our body. This is due to constant insults by many factors mentioned above. It can be both external, like skin cancer, and internal, like the brain and other internal organs of the body. An external cancer is noticeable, but the internal cancer is not, unless it is a massive growth. In most cases, the patient will experience constant pain due to the production of numerous inflammatory mediators and markers
vaded other organs and tissues of the body. In order to do this, the doctors normally prescribe an anti-cancer drug or a combination of drugs. This is called chemotherapy. These anti-cancer drugs are used in high doses and they not only kill the cancer cells, but also the healthy cells of the body. Most patients get weekly or biweekly treatment depending on the dose and his or her doctor. Many patients die from the cancer or the side effects of these drugs which act like poisons to the body. An alternative form of treatment is to look around us in nature for any natural remedy. One such remedy is the use of a plant–
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
based medicine. A multitude of plants have been identified and used for the treatment of different diseases throughout the world, especially in poor countries. Much research has been focused on the scientific evaluation of traditional drugs from the tropical plant, Momordica charantia (M. charantia). The whole plant, its green fruits or extracts from both the plant and its fruits have been commonly or frequently used as an anticancer and anti-diabetic agents and each is often described as food of medicine. M. charantia is commonly known as bitter melon, bitter gourd or corilla/karela. Bitter gourd grows in all tropical parts of the world and it is cultivated throughout South America (including Guyana), Asia and Africa. The plant is a slender climbing annual vine with long-stalked leaves and yellow, solitary male and female flowers borne in the leaf axils. It is related to squash and cucumber plants. The fruit looks like a warty gourd. The young fruit is emerald green, turning to orangeyellow when ripe. The Latin name Momordica means “tobite” referring to the jagged edges of the leaves, which appear as if they have been bitten. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, the stem and seed taste very bitter due to an endogenous compound within the fruit called momordicine. In the Amazon, local people grow bitter melon in their gardens for food and medicines. They add the fruit for bitter or sour flavour by parboiling it first with a dash of salt to remove some of the bitter taste. It is used as leaf tea for the treatment of diabetes, to expel intestinal gas, to promote menstruation and as an antiviral treatment for measles, hepatitis and feverish conditions. It is also used typically for sores, wounds, infections and also internally and externally to treat for worms and parasites. M. charantia is also used for the treatment of cancer tumours. In the last few decades, several hundreds of studies that have been carried with M. charantia using modern tools and they have credited M. charantia with antidiabetic, anti-viral, antitumour, anti-leukemic,
Karela, also known popularly as bitter gourd/melon
anti-bacterial, anti-helmintics, anti-mutagenic, anti-mycobacterial, anti-oxidant, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory and hypo-chlolestrolemic, hypoglyceridemic, hypotensive, immune-stimulant and insecticidal properties . M. charantia seems to have universal medicinal properties for the treatment of different diseases. Professor Jaipaul Singh, a Guyanese professor at the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom, and Dr Emanuel Cummings, from the University of Guyana, have shown that a water soluble extract of corilla/karela can kill different can-
cer cells including those from the brain, skin, lungs and others. They both have received a research grant from the University of Guyana to find out what is the active ingredient(s) in corilla/karela and to test it on different cancer cells. This is currently an ongoing research project. There is no harm in eating the uncooked or raw corilla/karela daily either as a salad, a pickle, or drink it as a green juice in small amount, although it is bitter. It is advisable not to cook the corilla/karela or heat it because you will destroy its potential medicinal values; it seems to be sensitive
to heat. It is also advisable to use it like a medicine in a small amount. If you make the green juice (see recipe below), then drink about half of a whisky glass daily either morning, evening or any time. Leave the rest in the fridge for the next day. Two to three green corilla/karela fruits can give you enough juice for a week. If you are taking any prescribed medication, please consult your doctor first and ask if there may be any interaction with the karela juice and your medicine.
Recipe for karela juice
Wash and cut long way two to three coirilla/ karela (6-8 inches long). Remove seeds and white flesh using a spoon, leaving only the green flesh. Cut into small pieces and liquidise in water (enough to turn blender). Add some tropical juice - to neutralise the bitter taste (optional). Store in fridge and drink 30-50 ml daily before meals. You can also eat the fruit like a corn or as a pickle.
48
hollywood
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play Edward Jennifer Aniston loved playing Snowden in Oliver Stone flick dentist in 'Horrible Bosses 2'
J
oseph Gordon-Levitt will be portraying Edward Snowden in the upcoming Oliver Stone project. According to Variety magazine, reports regarding the 33-year-old 'Don Jon' star had come even before the actor was in negotiations had formally begun, and his confirmation to star in
the film comes in the wake of the recent documentary on Snowden titled 'CitizenFour.' The movie, which is based on the two books documenting Snowden's well-known release of NSA documents, is anticipated to start production in Munich in January 2015. (TOI)
Jennifer Lawrence calls co-stars Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson her 'kittens'
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ennifer Lawrence praised her 'Hunger Games' costars Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson calling them her "angels" and "kittens." During the premiere of 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One' in London recently, the 24-year-old Oscar winning star gushed about Hemsworth and Hutcherson, and even joked saying it was hard to act with her best mates pretending to be somebody else, Us magazine reported. Lawrence added that she and Hutcherson could hardly complete their scenes, since it was tough to keep eye contact, and they couldn't even watch the movie together. Hemsworth too had credited the star of being a good friend, saying that her honest and
A
ctress Jennifer Aniston says she loved getting down and dirty in her forthcoming film 'Horrible Bosses 2'. The 45-year-old will reprise her role as Julia, naughty-mouthed dentist who finds herself in a sexual addiction
support group in the film. "She's a hard one to let go of. I didn't get enough of her! It was too quick. It was just like a little in-n-out burger," people.com quoted Aniston as saying. The actress will reunite with costars Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis and Jamie Foxx for the sequel. She said she even found a certain comfort zone with her character's salty language and love of the double entendre. "I find it extremely entertaining the way she speaks. I don't really think that to her she's saying anything inappropriate. For her it's describing the ingredients to a wonderful souffle (lightly baked cake made with egg yolks), or 'What are we going to be doing this weekend?'," she added. Directed by Sean Anders, the comedy film will release on Nov 26. (TOI)
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humorous nature had helped him break out of his shell post split from
A
ctress Keira Knightley says she likes to wear a hat to disguise herself when she goes out. The 29-year-old confessed on ITV's show "Lorraine" that she enjoys sporting some headgear while stepping out
Miley Cyrus in 2013, and he felt much happier. (TOI)
with husband James Righton, reports femalefirst.co.uk. When asked if she puts a hat on to disguise herself when she goes out, she replied: "Yep. That is exactly it, you can hide in a crowd quite easily. It's lovely. I love it. (We) can argue about who is doing the shopping. It's great." Talking about her latest film "The Imitation Game", Knightley admitted that she wasn't as endeared to the cardigan and shoes that she had to wear for the film. "It's all in the cardy (cardigan) and the shoes. The shoes were uncomfortable, that helped, and the cardy ... there's something about that really heavy, itchy knit." "It was so thoroughly itchy. I suffered for my art, I suffered for my cardigan," she said. (TOI)
olores O'Riordan, lead singer of Irish rock band The Cranberries, was arrested in Dublin for allegedly attacking an air hostess during a transAtlantic flight from New York, the public RTE channel reported. O'Riordan, 43, was detained at Dublin's Shannon airport at 5.30 a.m. on Monday after she landed on an Aer Lingus flight coming from New York. The Garda (Irish police) confirmed that a woman in her forties had been detained on the plane and was taken to a nearby police station, where she would remain in custody for a maximum of 24 hours under Irish law.
came famous as The Cranberries' lead singer in the nineties with numbers like 'Zombie', "Dreams or Linger", and has sold more than 40 million records worldwide. The Irish band dissolved in 2002, but got back together in 2012 to go on a world tour and release their last album, 'Roses'. (TOI)
Justin Bieber shells out over USD$80K to neighbour in egg attack case
J
ustin Bieber has paid more than 80,000 dollars to his neighbour whose house he egged, progress on the terms of his sentence in the vandalism case. However, the singer is yet to begin his community service or complete the majority of the anger management sessions ordered by a court, Gulf News reported. Bieber, who was sentenced to perform five days of community service, complete 12 anger management sessions, and pay the hefty amount to repair damage to his neighbour's home in the egg-tossing incident, had paid the restitution in August, a month after he pleaded no contest to vandalism and was placed on two years of probation.(TOI)
S
inger Christina Aguilera made her first red carpet appearance three months after giving birth to daughter at the 2014 Breakthrough Prize Awards. The 'Let There Be Love' songstress was accompanied by her fiance Matt Rutler and wore a red figure-hugging dress, reported Ace showbiz. She completed her looks by arranging her blonde hair in curls and donning a red lip colour. The event, which was held at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, was hosted by Seth MacFarlane. Other celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jon Hamm and Kate Beckinsale also attended the event. (TOI)
A police spokesman said a Garda agent had also been assaulted during the arrest. Media said the air hostess was wounded in a foot and was taken to hospital to receive treatment and be examined, while the police agent did not require hospital care. O'Riordan, who has three children, be-
M
argot Robbie is reportedly going to play the role of Joker's girlfriend, Harley Quinn, in the upcoming film 'Suicide Squad.' The rumours of the 24-year-old 'Wolf Of The Wall Street' star playing the sidekick to the supervillain, come after the reports that Jared Leto was to play the Joker in the film, the
Hollywood Reporter reported. The character was introduced in 1992 TV cartoon 'Batman: The Animated Series,' and has been portrayed as a super-villain in her own right, who suffers countless abuses at the hands of her vicious beau. The Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment project has been slated to for a 2016 release.(TOI)
bollywood
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Bipasha Basu: Proud to be a part of Vikram's debut film
B
ollywood actress Bipasha Basu is proud to star in fashion designer friend Vikram Phadnis' debut film 'Nia', also starring Telugu star Rana Daggubati. Bipasha, 35, who was last seen in Vikram Bhatt's 'Creature 3D', said she was overwhelmed to hear the new film's first narration. "It's a proud moment for me to be a part of this film, which Vikram (Phadnis) has written, lived and now he will direct too. I must say the narration which he gave me is one of the beautiful narration I ever heard. It was an overwhelming experience just to hear the first narration," Bipasha told reporters. The 'Raaz' actress also feels that her character Samaira in the film will be one of her best role of her career. "It's been 14 years but I have never heard a film like this. The role of Samaira will be one of my best role in my career. I am confident that this film will touch every single person," she said. Bipasha is eager to star the project helmed by her designer friend as their working sensibilities match. "He has a great mind who thinks
I from his heart. He is also someone who thinks from the heart. I could see the reflection of a fabulous director in him. He is a very real person," she said. Her last film did not do well at the box-office and the actress said that she was completely unperturbed by the number game. "With every passing year I realise I am happy and independent and I have money so I want to do things at my pace. I was never into the hard race of the industry. I love the selfless love which I got from the people," she said. (TOI)
f you walk into Aditya Roy Kapur's Bandra home, a canvas and a portfolio poster of Katrina Kaif will catch your attention almost immediately. Quite naturally, you will be curious to know why ARK has a poster of Kat as opposed to one of Shraddha Kapoor, who is his rumoured girlfriend. On checking whether it was a case of mistaken identity as far as the poster goes or whether Aditya had suddenly become a diehard Katrina fan, we found out that in his next film 'Fitoor' (based on Charles Dickens' Great Expectations), the 'Aashiqui 2' actor is playing an artist and Kat, his muse. So, whenever he gets time, he practises sketching the actress' face. Incidentally, ARK is close friends with Ranbir Kapoor and his live-in partner Katrina. Over the weekend, he was spotted bonding with them at their new sea-facing residence on Carter Road. And earlier this year, during the football World Cup, RK Jr and his 'Yeh
Jawaani Hai Deewani' co-star Aditya even made it to Brazil for one of the preliminary matches.(TOI)
Shah Rukh Khan urges international Mannara: Haven't bagged 'Zid' filmmakers to experience Kolkata for being Priyanka's cousin
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ll keyed up for being present at the opening of the 20th Kolkata International film festival, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Monday urged Australian filmmaker Paul Cox and other international dignitaries to relish the experiences that Kolkata has to offer, including the variety of sweets. Addressing a star-studded audience at the Netaji Indoor Stadium , SRK spoke in a decent smattering of Bengali, in keeping with his promise last year. SRK, the brand ambassador of
Bengal and one of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's key goto-guy for inaugurating mega-scale events, regaled the audiences in his usual suave and sleek style. This was his fourth opening ceremony of the KIFF which was graced by Australian filmmaker Cox and a host of foreign delegates. Acknowledging Kolkata's joie-devivre as the "greatest celebration of life", he egged on Cox and others to try out the sweets like rosogolla, and chomchom before they leave the city. "I request Paul Cox and the others... don't leave Kolkata without trying the rosogolla, chomchom etc.," he said, leaving the spectators delirious. He reiterated the same in Bengali as a seemingly awestruck Cox looked on. Shah Rukh also stressed the importance of cinema in bringing people together in a fast-changing world. "Social networking, for example, allows you to interact with others without really interacting with others. This is why cinema matters, because it brings people together in a single experience of life to which they relate collectively," he said. And dedicating the KIFF to the "honest efforts of all involved", the actor said " there ought to be a feeling of celebration and happiness, a sharing of India, of life and its experiences" at the film fest. (TOI)
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ollywood's new Chopra sister Mannara says she bagged the opportunity to star in upcoming film 'Zid' because of her own talent and not for her superstar cousin Priyanka. Mannara, who was earlier known as Barbie Handa, said she did discuss about the project with Priyanka before taking the final call. "I don't think anyone will give me a film just because I am Priyanka's sister. Till the time one goes for an audition, you cannot say anything. Last year I completed my Telegu film and during that time my mama (Priyanka's dad) was not well. I was auditioning for Hindi films. "During that point of time while going to her house one day I told her about 'Zid' and mentioned that I am in the third stage of auditioning. She (Priyanka) asked me to go ahead," Mannara told reporters.
'Zid' is an upcoming erotic thriller film directed by 'Hate Story' helmer Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Anubhav Sinha. The film stars newbie actor Karanvir Sharma opposite Mannara. "I was adamant to do a Hindi film and thus went on giving auditions. Finally, through a casting director Nalini Ratnam, I got the film 'Zid'. After that I met the director Vivek Agnihotri who gave me few tips about preparing for the role. To get this role I had to wait long," she said. The actress said she is also close to her another actress cousin Parineeti. "During vacations when we used to visit my nani's house in Ambala, I used to meet Parineeti there. It was a typical Punjabi family bonding. It was like a movie scene. A house inside the farm where we used to have so much fun. All of us used to sing together. We are 14 cousins and very closely knitted," she said. Mannara, however, is not wary of the comparisons she will have to face with her actress cousins. "There is so much competition in the industry, why should one take it inside the family. I am tense for my film's fate but not for the comparison with my sisters. I always have my own zone. Right now I am only worried about 'Zid'. The trailer has got a good feedback. It has crossed 2 million viewership," she said. (TOI)
No one in B-town can match Pataudi's look – Saif Ali Khan
Veteran actress Tanuja discharged from hospital
ctor-producer Saif Ali Khan, who once showed his interest of making a biopic on his late father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, says the cricket star was so handsome that nobody can play his role. "It's such a good story as he used to tell me such intersting things. But, we can't make a
eteran actress Tanuja who was hospitalised Monday night after she complained of breathlessness, has been discharged, a doctor said. "She complained of breathlessness. She has been discharged... she is fine now," Subir Mondal of Belle Vue Hospital told IANS Tuesday. Tanuja attended the inaugural of the 20th Kolkata International Film Fest Monday. During her speech she chose to sit down as she felt pain in her limbs. (TOI)
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Bollywood film because if we put a song in this, he would curse me for this. Nobody can do his acting and he was so handsome that nobody can play his role," Saif told reporters in a group interview. "...I don't have too many footage. I have pictures and if you look at his black and white footage, you will know
why we are not making his film because he was so handsome," he added. The 44-year-old is currently busy promoting his forthcoming film 'Happy Ending'. Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, the film also features Govinda, Kalki Koechlin and Ranvir Shorey. It is slated for Nov 21 release. (TOI)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Guyanese, Trinidadian cop awards at Hawaiian Arctic presentation By Ravendra Madholall
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awaiian Arctic Cricket Club is the undisputed king of Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premier 50-over championship and celebrated their fifth consecutive trophy with a presentation, Dinner and Dance held on Saturday evening at Forum Banquet Hall Conference Centre, Toronto. Their participation for the past 19 years is also a testimony to the continued dedication and commitment as founder and current president Mohan Archie who was understandably jubilant having showered praises on his fellow colleagues. His special guests Consul Generals of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana in Toronto, Dr. Vidhya Tota-Maharaj and Sattie Sawh respectively also applauded the 5-peat and shared similar sentiments of Archie. Archie was visibly overjoyed in his feature address as his team dominated proceedings from the commencement of this year’s edition winning 17 matches in succession
Team Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club celebrates with the trophy (Photo: Courtesy of Azad Khan)
and stated that the victory was “sweet!” “A very pleasant evening to our distinguished guests, fellow executives, players, the victory is sweet! and welcome to another historic celebration of Hawaiian Arctic; first and foremost I must express my gratitude to our captain Hemnarine Chattergoon and his dedicated and disciplined league of players for ensuring an unprecedented five successive premier league titles, an accomplishment that will forever be cherished by many and serve as aspiration for the future generation of cricketers,” Archie explained.
He further mentioned that the team is proud of the achievement and thanked two other founding members, Iqbal Rahaman and Eon Gunraj for their unwavering devotion since the existence of the club and all those who played a pivotal role in sustaining this great reputation of Hawaiian. He believed the aim was to create history and they did it with great distinction once again. All-rounder Zaheer Allard was voted as the Most Valuable Player for the club after he accumulated over 450 runs and took 26 wickets with his left-arm swing. Harrienarine
Chattergoon, the younger brother of Hemnarine, was given great recognition for his prolific run this year tallying up 568 runs including a magnificent double-century (268). Left-arm spinner and Trinidadian Mahadeo Moonasar was rewarded for his outstanding season with the ball to be among the top three players having grabbed two six-wicket hauls. They received special trophies and prizes, compliments of Axion Millwrighting and Fabrication. Hemnarine and former Guyana first-class opening batsman Krishna Arjune, batted his way to 169 in the preliminary round match, and also copped a trophy for the input. Each player collected a Championship ruby ring for their performance in 2014. They had done the same in 2013, and Archie noted the guys certainly deserved the tangible souvenir as it will continue
to motivate them. Other players who were awarded prizes included Reyad Sattaur, Azib Alli Haniff, Ravi Bodo, Shiv Shivram among others. M e a n w h i l e , Hemnarine spoke about the team’s unity and success pointing out that everyone played tremendous cricket and the occasion is organised to celebrate their efforts. He expressed thorough excitement to lead the team from the front. “It was an honour to lead Hawaiian Arctic to their fifth championship in 5 years; firstly, I must say thanks to the every player from this amazing team and without the support this would not have been possible and secondly, it was very true that we stick together as a family and get the job done given the fact it was not an easy season,” the former Guyana and West Indies under-19 opening batsman declared. Tota-Maharaj was very vocal by expressing
her congratulations to the entire team and stated she was delighted to be a part of the celebration. “It is my pleasure to bring greetings to the Hawaiian Arctic Club on behalf of the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and to congratulate you on your championship; your organisation has persevered in promoting cricket which is a sport that is near and dear to the hearts of all West Indians and continues to be a unifying force in our region,” Tota-Maharaj related. Sawh in her message also extended hearty congratulations to the club for another phenomenal outing and more so triumphing with the trophy for five consecutive years. “The hard work and dedication of the players makes you excel year after year and is testimony to the good leadership and sportsmanship of the club; this year seems very exceptional as I read the 17 successive victories a feat never accomplished in the 34 years history of SCA so on behalf of the Consulate and the wider Guyanese community we wish you best of look in the future too,” lauded Sawh. President of SCA Deo Samaroo made his presence felt by capitalising on the opportunity to congratulate Hawaiian while his fellow executive and Treasurer Vish Jadunauth presented the winner’s trophy to the team.
Guyana fall to Suriname in final volleyball game
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Some of the action during the game between Guyana (black) and Suriname
oung Achievers playing as Guyana male A team fell in to Suriname in the final match of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Tradewind Tankers International Club Festival on Sunday at the National Gymnasium. Suriname attacked relentlessly during the game, giving the Guyanese men no easy points while scoring at
will for a 3-0 win to dominate the match 25-13, 25-12 and 25-11. Meanwhile in the final female game of the tournament, Suriname pulled off a thriller against French Guiana to win the event 3-2. Both teams played masterfully trading shots and points while showcasing excellent blocking during the game that enticed the crowd to cheer with every point scored.
Suriname took the first set at 28-26 while French Guiana took the second set 25-22. The Dutch speaking nation then answered with a 25-23 set win to go ahead 2-1 in the game. However, the French did not quit as fatigue started to creep in on both sides with French Guiana prevailing 2522. Suriname was able to claim victory with a 2518 final set.
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51 ‘Big Ride’ set for November 23
WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Emrit replaces sacked Ramdin as TT captain
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O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Rayad Emrit has been officially named as captain of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team, also known as the “Red Force” for the 20142015 Regional Four Day Tournament. The 32-year-old Emrit replaced current West Indies Test team skipper Denesh Ramdin, while veteran middleorder batsman Jason Mohammed is fancied to be his deputy. The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) held a weekend retreat at the Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s and, on Saturday night, officially accepted the recommendation of the local selection panel to ratify the appointment of Emrit as the captain. The decision ended a week of controversy with the TTCB confirming, then denying, Ramdin’s declaration on Monday evening that he was stripped of the captain, on the basis of his perspective duties with the regional team for tours of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand between the months of December and March. The “Red Force” will begin their Four Day campaign against Barbados at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair on Friday. In related news, the Ramdin XI and the Mohammed XI battled to a draw in the fourth and final trial match on Sunday, at the Oval. The Ramdin XI closed Saturday’s first day on 311 runs for five wickets
Rayad Emrit (Espn file photo)
with Yannic Cariah unbeaten on 94, while fellow left-handers Justin Guillen (88), Nicholas Pooran (61) and Evin Lewis (22) all contributing. Ramdin could only muster 15 while drafted player and ex-Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan was dismissed for seven. On Sunday, the Ramdin XI declared on 396/6 with Cariah unbeaten on 116 (248 minutes, seven fours, three sixes) while Bryan Charles was at the other end on 24. Daron Cruickshank was dismissed for 51 (123 balls, five fours, one six). For the Mohammed XI, left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein copped two wickets for 61 runs. The Mohammed XI, at their turn at the crease, reached 159/5 when the game was called off, with Kjorn Ottley scoring 47, Vikash Mohan 35, Mohammed 34 and Mark Deyal 21. Hosein (14) and Imran Khan (nought) were the not out batsmen, while Charles, Cruickshank, Daniel St Clair, Strassark Sankar and Ricky Jaipaul got one wicket apiece. (TT Newsday)
TT send 200 athletes for CAC games
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ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Trinidad and Tobago would be represented by 200 athletes and this month’s Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) 2014 which will be held in Vera Cruz, Mexico from Friday to November 30. At the 2010 CAC Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, TT was represented by 235 athletes in 24 sports and returned with a medal haul of 34 medals, nine gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze. George Bovell III, Cleopatra Borel, Roger Daniel and the women’s hockey team would return to the games as gold medal winners and defending champions along with the 19 sporting disciplines and 9 team sports to qualified for the
games. Among the team, Olympic medallists Emmanuel Callender is expected to be a strong contender to win CAC gold in the 100 and 200 metres, while sailor Andrew Lewis is keen to make a good showing in his quest to qualify for the Rio Olympics. A team of female footballers would also travel to the games. These games will be used as a qualifier for some sports for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, and the Rio Janeiro 2016 Olympics. For the first time at the CAC Games TT will be represented in Open Water swimming, a women’s basketball team and men and women rug by teams. (TT Newsday)
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The organisers are hoping to attract another large turnout this year
ersons actively involved in a healthy lifestyle and those wishing to pursue such a course are being encouraged to join the ‘Big Ride’, set for November 23. The event, in its fifth year, is once again a collaborative effort of the Ministries and Sport and Health and the National Sports Commission. The race will commence at the University of Guyana access road and proceed to the Carifesta Sports
Complex on Carifesta Avenue, covering an approximate distance of three and a half miles. National cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, who is the chief organiser of the activity, said it is geared at giving health conscious persons an opportunity to use cycling as a means of exercise. Mohamed said over 50 schools and organisations have been invited to participate in the ride. “We have invited several entities to partici-
pate in this event and we want to make it bigger and better than last year,” Mohamed said. According to Mohamed, the outstanding groups, schools, organisations and individuals will be rewarded with trophies at the conclusion. Prizes will be given to the Village with most riders, Organisation with the most riders, Best uniformed group, Government ministry with the most rid-
ers, School with the largest group of participants, Largest youth group, Largest female group, Youngest rider, Oldest rider, Most innovative and creative rider, Oldest cycle in terms of manufacturing date and Youngest female. Persons interested in participating in the ‘Big Ride’ are asked to report to the start point at 15:00 hours. They will need to be in possession of a bicycle and protective gear.
Big splash in sight - Jamaican diver Knight-Wisdom eyes Rio Olympics 2016
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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Following his historic fifth-place finish as the first Jamaican diver to compete at a Commonwealth Games, Yona Knight-Wisdom now has his sights set on making an even bigger splash as the first Jamaican diver to compete at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016. However, with the Olympic Games being some way off, KnightWisdom's current focus is on the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, next year as a development and preparation phase leading up to the World Championships which serves as an Olympic qualifier. With a personal best of 423 points from six dives, the talented diver is already up among some of the best divers in the world, which places him in the hunt to secure one of the 34 diving spots for the big games. Coached by Dutch World Champion, Edwin Jongejans, the 19-yearold diver, who is currently enrolled at Leeds Beckett University where he studies Sports Science, told the Jamaican media that he
KNIGHT-WISDOM... I am just looking forward to put myself in the best situation that I can qualify for the Olympics. Jamaican diver Yona Knight- Wisdom gives an exhibition at the National Stadium pool on Wednesday.
enjoys balancing training with his school assignments. Born and raised in Leeds, England, KnightWisdom whose mother is a Barbadian and father Jamaican, had the choice of representing Barbados, England or Jamaica internationally. However, he opted to represent the latter as it gave him more funding and meant that he had a better chance of competing internationally because he didn't have to battle strong competition for a place in the Great Britain team. Knight-Wisdom describes the feeling of being Jamaica's only representative as surreal. "To be the one and
only person representing the whole country, I haven't really got to grips with that yet. But definitely coming out here has made me appreciate that a little bit more and it will give me even more motivation to work hard and improve. "It's great to go to events and wear a completely different kit to what everyone else is wearing. Jamaican kits are the best there so they are looking at my kit and always asking me to swap kits.” The six-foot threeinch tall athlete has been on the international scene ever since. He made his debut for Jamaica in 2012 when he competed at an internation-
al meeting in Dresden, Germany, where he made the finals in the three-metre event. He also made an appearance at the 19th FINA World Junior Championships in Adelaide, Australia in that same year, before becoming the first Jamaican diver to compete at a World Championship in 2013 when he participated in the one-metre springboard in Barcelona, Spain. He then took part in the World Cup in Shanghai, China earlier this year. But nothing made him feel more accomplished than his participation at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland back in July which was one of his life's ambitions. "I really enjoy competing. We (competitors) all like to stay friends in diving, we support each other and that's one of the best parts of diving, the kind of family environment. Being among some of the best divers in the world was quite exciting for me and I want to improve year by year, and improve my score bit by bit leading up to 2016", he concluded. (Jamaica Observer)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Urling, CONCACAF Bernard faults Jamaica’s team as poor shooting officials meet to discuss way forward P
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he interim head of Guyana’s football, Clinton Urling, met with CONCACAF officials last week, to begin charting the way forward for the sport in the country. Urling was recently named to lead the Normalisation Committee, appointed by football’s world governing body, FIFA, in the wake of the recent bitter dispute among the Guyana Football Federation. “The objective of this courtesy visit by Committee Chairman Urling was to determine the next steps in the progression of football in Guyana and to keep it on solid and stable footing,”
Clinton Urling
said CONCACAF president Jeff Webb. The committee will run the day-to-day affairs of Guyana’s football and has been given full executive powers by
FIFA in decision making. More importantly, the committee has been mandated the constitution and organise fresh elections by September next year, when their tenure ends. Urling, a Guyana businessman, said it was important that all key sectors in the country worked together to rebuild the sport. “Faith in Guyana football must be restored,” said Urling. “However, the cooperation and involvement of all football stakeholders and the country as a whole is required. Guyana is a country with amazing football potential.”
JC lift inaugural LIME Super Cup with 2-0 win over 'Trinity'
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INGSTON, JAMAICA: Jamaica College (JC) defeated Holy Trinity High 2-0 to lift the inaugural all-island LIME Super Cup trophy and pocketed a cool Ja$1 million at Sabina Park, on Saturday. Donovan Degree rammed home in the 26th minute from just inside the box before Raffique Bryan tapped home from close range in the 44th minute. JC, the defending allisland schoolboy champions, turned in a workman-like performance, defied the partisan crowd rooting for the underdogs and remained on course for the unprecedented four titles in one season. The Miguel Coleycoached boys from Old Hope Road are also into the urban Walker Cup Knockout final against St George's College and the semi-finals of the Manning Cup. With both finalists guaranteed Ja$200,000, JC collected a further Ja$625,000 for winning the Super Cup final. They had in the bank Ja$100,000 from their semi-final victory over St Elizabeth Technical High School and Ja$50,000 for their quarter-final win over Cornwall College. With all 16 teams that qualified for the LIME Super Cup receiving Ja$25,000, JC tallied a whopping $1 million, and deservedly so. Holy Trinity for the losing effort collected Ja$375,000 overall. In front of a packed Sabina Park venue, JC
LIME’s Carlo Redwood (fourth left) poses with the winning Jamaica College team after presenting them with their symbolic Ja$1-million cheque.
went on the offensive quite early and never looked back. The giant-killing act that many of the approximately 15,000 spectators were hoping to see, didn't materialise, as Holy Trinity's Cinderella run came to an end. Last season's Manning Cup MVP Junior Flemmings, again led from in front although he failed to score. The skipper slipped by his marker on the touchline and his cross into the box was not dealt with properly by the Holy Trinity defenders, allowing Segree to fire home from 15 metres. Flemmings, the former National Under-17 captain, turned provider once again, outpacing a defender and crossing for the arriving Bryan to send the JC supporters in a frenzy. With time running out, Joel Sterling pounced on a long ball and rattled the crossbar in the 90th minute, the closest Holy Trinity came to scoring. But JC, like true champions, easily sub-
dued the few Holy Trinity attacks late on for a facile victory. Winning coach Coley was clearly a happy man. "They rested some of their players, so we knew we were not as strong as they were so we wanted to get the job done from the first half, and we did that," he added. "The experience and the character really showed. Defensively we were stout. Holy Trinity did a lot of things, especially in the middle, which was good for us as long as they weren't penetrating," he noted. The entire JC squad collected their medals before LIME's Carlo Redwood presented the attractive-looking trophy to captain Flemmings, who lifted it above his head to loud cheers from his teammates and the JC supporters who stayed back for the presentation. It was a well-deserved victory and could be the first of four titles for JC as they continue their onslaught on schoolboy football.(Jamaica Observer)
O R T - O F S P A I N , TRINIDAD: Netball Jamaica president Marva Bernard was left disappointed with the performance of the Sunshine Girls in the sixth Fast5 Netball Tournament held in Auckland, New Zealand, which ended on Sunday. "The girls were very inconsistent throughout the championship," Bernard told the Jamaican media shortly after the team's arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday. "I don't think that they played as they wanted against Australia and New Zealand. The wins against Malawi and South Africa were expected, along with England, who came back and defeated us for third place," added Bernard, who headed the delegation Down Under. Jamaica finished the tournament with three victories and as many losses from their six games played over the two days to finish fourth, after being edged 3130 in the bronze-medal play-off by England. The Sunshine Girls started with a 13-34 loss to Australia before recording 29-28 and 4520 victories over Malawi and South Africa, respectively, on day one. Day two saw the Jamaicans losing 10-35
Members of the Sunshine Girls netball team upon their return at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday
to New Zealand before clipping England 27-26 in a nail-biting finish to set up a third-place play-off against their arch-rivals. New Zealand got the better of Australia 3531 in the final, setting a record of three consecutive holds on the title, while South Africa finished in fifth place after beating Malawi 30-22. All matches were played at the Vector Arena. The Netball Jamaica boss also faulted the team's shooting in the tournament, though she hailed the girls for their fortitude. But like Bernard, Reynolds also identified the team's shooting inaccuracy as an area of concern. "It was our execution that was letting us down, as we were falling short in scoring the goals we needed. On most occasions we were playing catch-up and if we want to win games
we need to score the goals and I thought that was the main reason for us placing fourth." Romelda Aiken was the tournament's leading shooter, while New Zealand's Laura Langman was named player of the tournament. An unhappy Bernard declared that a lack of funds is what is keeping the sport from reaching its true potential. "We all believed that the girls can beat both Australia and New Zealand, but we only get the chance to play them at major championships," she argued. The top six netball nations — Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Malawi -- contested this short version of the sport. The team now looks forward to the three-test series against England on January 10, 11 and 13. (Jamaica Observer)
World Cup-chasing
- TT women steal draw in Quito
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U I T O , ECUADOR: Trinidad and Tobago Women kept their hopes alive of reaching next year's FIFA Women's World Cup when they frustrated hosts Ecuador in a goalless draw, in the first leg of the play-off tie on Saturday. Neither team could find a way through over 90 minutes at the Atahualpa Stadium, leaving both sides with all to play for in the second leg in Port of Spain on December 2nd. Head coach Randy Waldrum said he was pleased with his side's efforts. "They were all just warriors out there today (Saturday). We came into this game wanting a positive result, to stay in the game as long as we could and we did everything for that to happen today(Saturday).
I'm extremely pleased with the way we kept it together out there," Waldrum said. TT started the game strongly, dominating possession and using their pace to get beyond the Ecuadorian defenders. Despite this, they failed to get on the scoresheet as the hosts dropped deep and got bodies behind the ball. Goalless at halftime, both teams continued their battle afterward with the hosts having the better of the exchanges. Andrea Pesantes fired wide in the 49thminute and Erika Vásquez, a 56th-minute substitute, twice nearly punished TT after breaking down their backline. With TT forced to defend, Pesantes fired over the crossbar in the 73rd minute and the pace picked up as the
game neared an end, as TT fought back gallantly. Waldrum said with TT heading back home for the second leg, the support of the home crowd would be crucial. "We've got to now ensure that the focus remains and I'm sure it will because these girls are keeping their eyes firmly on the prize which is qualification for Canada," he pointed out. "But we'll also ensure that we do things right because playing at home now is different to what we 've had in the recent part. "I hope the supporters come out and back this team right down to the end. It's a great opportunity now for the folks back in Trinidad to really show their love and support for this team."(Jamaica Observer)
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com
Guyana Jaguars prepare for clash against Leewards – Crandon calls for consistency, patience Thomas (Captain), Jahmar Hamilton (Vice-captain), Quinton Boatswain, Yannick
The experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul is expected to play a key role for Guyana Jaguars By Rajiv Bisnauth
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uyana Jaguars team got down to serious business with their first net session at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The team, under captain and West Indies batsman Leon Johnson, will play their first game of the inaugural West
Esaun Crandon
Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Regional Four-day Franchise tournament against the Leeward Islands, beginning Friday at the Guyana National Stadium. The tournament will be played on a home and away basis over 10 rounds from November 14, 2014 to March 23, 2015. Each team will play 10 matches, five at home and five away. The WICB Professional Cricket League comprises the Regional Fourday tournament and the NAGICO Super50 tournament, which will be played in January 2015. Meanwhile, in an invited comment at the conclusion of the net ses-
sion, Head Coach, Esaun Crandon, urged his players to opt for consistency and patience, adding that batsmen will need to graft for runs on pitches that are on the slower side and bowlers have to show patience on flat tracks. Crandon also disclosed that the watch word for his side will be “execution.” The 32-year-old former Guyana fast bowler said in order for a winning start, they would need to stick to game plan and execute it clinically. “Once we stick to our game plans and execute them the way we should, then I am positive of a victory,” Crandon disclosed. “I think that we need a lot more consistency in terms of our batting and bowling this time around.” It was argued that the Guyanese batsmen spent too little time at the crease and the lack of concentration also caused them their demise during the last Regional Four-day tournament. Further, Crandon said home turf advantage would play a crucial role. “We will be looking to exploit the home conditions to our advantage, something which we have failed to do in the recent past. We have a pretty good balance for the first few matches- with at least five Test players available to us and with this new franchise system in place and a longer season ahead, the players are all eager to go,” Crandon said. Guyana Jaguars will play their first three games at home against the Leeward
Islands Franchise from November 1417, the Windward Islands Volcanoes from November 21-24 and Barbados Franchise from November 28. All three matches will be played at the National Stadium, Providence. Guyana full squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Assad Fudadin (ViceCaptain), Rajendra Chandrika, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Raymond Reifer, Anthony Bramble (wk), Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Vishaul Singh and Trevon Griffith. Leeward Islands full squad reads: Devon
Leonard, Jeremiah Louis, Anthony Martin, Orlando Peters, Austin Richards, Lyndell
Richardson, Akeem Saunders, Jacques Taylor, Gavin Tonge and Kelbert Walters.
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WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com