Guyana Times International by Gytimes

‘Timelessness and Open Possibilities’

INTERNATIONAL

Guyanese-American artist presents U.S. solo exhibition Page 42

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com week ending october 27, 2013

ISSUE NO. 165

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING BILL…

Bill to be read for third time in parliament next week - Govt completes committee’s work without opposition Page 8 - Country granted new deadline, November 18 GUYANA-VENEZUELA MARITIME DISPUTE

UN to suggest steps to help resolve border issue Page 23

Page 12

Miss Guyana Universe 2013 off to Moscow

Flashback: Foreign Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela signing the Joint Statement in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad on October 17, 2013

Amerindian communities to benefit from UNDP US$10M land titling pact Page 13

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NEWS

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Trinidadian Jeff Benjamin vying for mayoral position in Miami By Victoria Gordon

son of the soil of the Caribbean Dr. Jeff Benjamin is well positioned to be the next mayor of the City of Miami, Florida when citizens go to the polls on November 5. Miami is considered the U.S. gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America and it is key to Caribbean trade, travel and tourism. Dr. Benjamin's election would not only be seen as a victory for the city’s underprivileged and minority population but an opportunity to strengthen relations between the city and countries of the Caribbean which enjoy a critical trade relationship with the State of Florida, said former Guyanese diplomat Wesley Kirton at a dinner he hosted last Friday. Speaking at the dinner, the mayoral candidate stressed that with his election, the governance of the City of Miami would take place in an ethical, transparent and effective man-

ner. Dr. Benjamin pointed out that if elected, he would place special emphasis on dealing with homelessness, improving mental healthcare and ensuring an efficient and affordable public transportation system. "I am not running for mayor because I just want to be mayor. I want to make a difference in this great city with the help of its citizens and other well intentioned people," he said. The dinner was hosted in honour of Dr. Benjamin, as well as the visit to Florida of Equality News Publisher Dr. Bashkar Sharma of Toronto, Canada and Dr. Mark Kirton of the International Relations Institute at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. Dr. Benjamin also pointed out that under his leadership he would seek to strengthen the commercial relations including trade with key markets such as the Caribbean and Latin America as well as China and India. "Key to my adminis-

Dr. Mark Kirton handing over a signed copy of his book to Dr. Benjamin

tration if I win this election will be the conduct of the city's business in an honest, ethical and transparent manner. For too long the citizens of Miami have had to put up with corruption and incompetence and I intend to bring an end to this," Benjamin, a medical doctor told the gathering of business execu-

tives, media personnel and community leaders. In his remarks Dr. Kirton said it was good that West Indians in the Diaspora "are seeking to expand their involvement and influence in a wider geographic space” and wished Dr. Benjamin every success at next month's election. He noted that Florida

was a top trading partner of the CARICOM region and having a West Indian as Mayor of Miami should open new opportunities for greater collaboration for mutual benefit. Dr. Sharma in his remarks pointed to the importance of Caribbean nationals becoming a part of the political pro-

cess in the Diaspora and commended Dr. Benjamin for “the bold step you have taken” to demonstrate that Caribbean Americans “are prepared to undertake leadership roles in their communities and to be serious about advancing the wellbeing of their communities”. Benjamin has not been involved in politics prior to his current bid for mayor and is considered a fresh face who could bring a much desired new leadership and management style to a city that has grown tired of mismanagement and allegations of nepotism and corruption among its leadership. He has gotten the endorsement of some key organisations, individuals and media houses but a victory for him, according to analysts, would depend on how much support he gets from the Cuban American community, or alternatively, how much this section of the community is disenchanted with the incumbent that they stay away from the polls on November 5.

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INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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

EDITORIAL

The anti-money laundering bill T

he recent call by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) for support of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill echoes the concerns raised by all stakeholders, including this publication, regarding the impact on Guyana’s economy should these vital pieces of legislation be delayed further. Guyana’s political stakeholders cannot afford at this time to play politics with this important legislation and it is incumbent upon civil society to continue to put pressure on our leaders to rise above partisan interests and pass the legislation as soon as possible. It could be recalled that Guyana had missed the August 26 deadline that was set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force for the enactment of the bill, as the government and the opposition were unable to reach consensus on the bill. However, an extension was granted until November and it is still not clear as to whether the country will meet that new deadline. On its part, the government had accused the opposition of dragging its feet on the legislation at the level of the Special Parliamentary Select Committee and believes that the opposition might be plotting their next move on how to blame the administration for the country’s failure to enact the bill. On the other hand, Opposition Leader David Granger says that his party would not be rushed into passing legislation just to satisfy the government’s desire. He was quoted as saying that the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) is in the process of taking evidence from stakeholders, noting that the Financial Intelligence Unit, which will be responsible for implementing the bill, once passed, has received severe criticisms since its establishment some four years ago. Whatever the case is, the political players must do all that is necessary and have the legislation passed in order to escape sanctions. Experts have warned that the consequences of such a delay will transfer to the common man. One example of these consequences will be felt by recipients of remittances because financial institutions will be subjected to intensified scrutiny and increased penalty fees for operating in a non-compliant country. Those increased fees will be incurred by the consumer. From all indications, some countries have already begun to beef up sanctions as a result of Guyana’s failure to pass the AMLCFT bill. For example, the Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank has issued a letter to the commercial banks in Trinidad and Tobago regarding doing business with Guyana and engaging in foreign currency transactions. According to the PSC, the cautionary letter has caused TT companies to increase scrutiny of Guyanese companies with which they do business. Further, many questions will be raised about the legitimacy of Guyanese companies and their transactions, which were previously routine and normal. This will result in a burdensome process for transactions such as purchasing a foreign currency draft, which now requires the completion of lengthy forms and the carrying out of a due diligence procedure for each transaction. With the slow progress on addressing the deficiencies in the antimoney laundering act, the PSC believes that correspondent banks will further increase their queries regarding customer transactions. As a result, the cost of doing business will rise as companies attempt to offset losses due to increased restrictions and delay. That being said, we believe that the administration has made exhaustive efforts to involve and accommodate the opposition via a number of attempts to meet as frequently as possible in the Select Committee of the National Assembly to discuss the bill. Government has also offered to meet with the opposition in the committee on two occasions thus far but those efforts have been futile. We join with local stakeholders and the international community in calling for both the government and the opposition parties to stop the blame game and work together in the nation’s interest to have the AMLCFT bill passed, taking into considering the November deadline. As stated by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, this is necessary as it will demonstrate to international banks and lending agencies that Guyana’s financial system is credible, stable and accountable.

Amerindian dancers perform to the delight of attendees at the opening of the National Toshaos Council conference on Monday at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal ECD

United Nations Day 2013 Water and agriculture

In 1945, with the ratification of the UN Charter by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. However, since 1948, October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations (UN) Day. The purpose of the United Nations is to bring all nations of the world together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people. It affords the opportunity for countries to balance global interdependence and national interests when addressing international problems. This has been achieved by setting up various organisations such as UN-Water, UNESCO, UNICEF, and UNAIDS.

lifeblood of agriculture. Since the majority of the world’s freshwater is used to irrigate crops, the two are intertwined, hence, the management of the resource and the sector should be interconnected. Agricultural water use will be a key element for increasing food production, especially in many developing countries, where water is often scarce. Currently around 800 million people in developing countries are chronically undernour-

Additionally, agriculture is also one of the largest contributors to water pollution, whether from chemicals or poor farming practices. Did you know that? FAO estimates that the world uses 70 percent of its fresh water for agriculture alone. Agriculture contributes significantly to water pollution through the release of organic matter such as animal waste, and run off of excessive nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

The FAO

Commonly known as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), this arm of the UN came into existence in 1945 to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations, and contribute to global economic growth. The goals of the FAO are as follows: • Help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; • Make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; • Reduce rural poverty; • Enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems; and • Increase the resilience of livelihoods from disasters. According to the UN, the vast majority of population growth takes place in developing countries. FAO projects that world food production needs to increase by approximately 60 percent to feed a growing world population.

Water and agriculture

Freshwater is literally the

A high-tech irrigation system

ished. While there is no global water crisis, the serious water and food security problems in some developing countries and regions need to be urgently addressed. One in five developing countries will face water shortages by 2030. According to trends, the world’s population will grow from around seven billion people today to more than eight billion by 2030, an additional two billion people need to be fed within the next 30 years. This will significantly increase the pressure on our water resources.

This often results in fish kills, contamination of drinking water supply, creation of dead zones in water bodies, and poisoning of humans (cancer and blue baby syndrome). A call is therefore made to all persons involved in agriculture, whether on a small, medium or large scale, to be mindful of how you use our precious water resources. Employing simple measures such as; harvesting of rainwater and watering your plants in the cool of the day can go a far way. The onus is on us to strike the balance between water use and food production.

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ECLAC hosts regional workshop on energy in Guyana

ey stakeholders have benefitted from a three-day workshop held last week at Cara Lodge in Georgetown titled “Innovative and Regulatory Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives”. The workshop was conducted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). With representatives from Curacao, Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago in attendance, the work-

shop was part of an overarching sustainable energy project in the Caribbean under the theme ‘Reducing the carbon footprint in the Caribbean through the promotion of energy efficiency and the use of renewable technologies’. “The initiative was implemented in recognition of the central issue of energy and the need for renewed energy strategies in response to climate change,” said Williard Phillips, economic affairs officer of ECLAC sub-regional headquarters for the Caribbean and Trinidad and Tobago. The workshop served as a spring board for the launching of a training manual which was developed to apprise

Some of the participants at the workshop

stakeholders of the methodologies that may be employed in removing fiscal and regulatory barriers to implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies. “The aim behind the creation of the training manual is to seek to complement nation-

al initiatives in raising awareness of the barriers as well as build the capacity of energy experts in techniques that may be used in the removal of said barriers, thereby prompting greater energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy technologies…” said Facilitator

Elizabeth Emanuel, ECLAC consultant and managing director, Jamaica Sustainability Managers, Jamaica. Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Dr Mahender Sharma, in his remarks, thanked ECLAC for being a supportive partner of the

energy sector and expressed the view that the “… workshop presented the opportunity to equip participants with the skill set to effectively tackle very difficult and challenging topics relating to energy issues not only within their respective countries but from a regional perspective as well…” The training manual, which was piloted in Guyana prior to its launch, is the product of consultations with the Guyana Energy Agency, representatives of the private sector and other agencies (in Guyana), where barriers that impede the implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies were identified.

Toshaos rap govt, police on ammo, passports

merindian leaders on Tuesday flayed the government and the Guyana Police Force for delays in gun licences issuance and ammunition acquisition, the handling of domestic violence and having to travel to Georgetown to obtain a passport. These issues were raised dur-

ing the ongoing National Toshaos Council conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), during a meeting with Home Affairs Ministry officials and police top brass, toshaos

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud speaking at the meeting

An Amerindian leader seeking clarification on an issue from the police top brass

lamented that they often experience difficulties in accessing ammunition. In response, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell informed that licensed firearm holders can place their orders at the nearest police station and the police officers will take on the responsibility of acquiring it. The police commissioner urged the Amerindian leaders to work closely with ranks of the force, particularly with divisional commanders. The toshaos also spoke of the need for public education on social ills such as drug use. Crime Chief Seelall Persaud assured that the force is prepared to deal with this issue, from an awareness standpoint, as well as from an enforcement perspective. With regard to the processing and issuance of passports, toshaos were told that if they have in their possession, the relevant documentation and can submit their applications early, the passport office will fast-track their applications

speaks to role of RCs. These constables essentially support the efforts of police by executing police-related duties in their respective communities, to ensure the maintenance of law and order. However, the RCs were reminded that their presence should, in no way, hamper regular policing. If confronted with serious situations, they are mandated to request backup and notify police ranks, who are trained to handle such matters. Superintendent Ramsey said RCs must function as peace officers, mediators, negotiators, and mentors. Crime Chief Persaud explained that as long as there is cause for suspicion, toshaos who are sworn RCs have the authority to conduct stop and search activities on vehicles and boats and make arrests once those suspicions have been confirmed. Toshaos requested more equipment such as batons, handcuffs and land and water transport, which Commissioner Brumell said are issues that can be worked out at the level of the Home Affairs and Amerindian Affairs ministries. Amerindian leaders of Region Nine were informed that the Force will be working to resuscitate dormant policing groups in their communities. Brumell assured the leaders that the Guyana Police is willing to do all that is necessary to address most, if not all of their issues, to ensure the maintenance of their rights to live in safe communities.

Rural constables

In an effort to boost law enforcement efforts in the hinterland, more than 100 toshaos and senior councillors took the oath of office as rural constables (RCs) on Wednesday. Senior Superintendent Courtney Ramsey, who currently heads the ‘F’ Division, spoke at length of the force’s responsibilities as defined in the Police Act. He explained in great detail the provisions of the Disciplined Act Chapter 17:01, which

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Portuguese added to high school curriculum G uyanese students will now learn to speak Portuguese at the secondary level, as the Education Ministry last Thursday officially added the language to the curriculum, with five pilot schools kicking off the initiative. The five schools which will commence Portuguese language training are: Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High School, St Stanislaus College, St Roses High School and St Joseph High School. Speaking at the launch at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said since Brazil and Guyana enjoy close relations, persons learning Portuguese will boost these relations further and in turn, benefit both nations. “While language will never stop Guyana from enjoying relations with anyone, surely familiarity with people of Brazil will help to bolster our friendship.”

Share experiences

She noted too that the countries will be able to share experiences to further develop, pointing out that Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world. Manickchand stated that though Spanish and French are taught in schools, the country needs to examine if they are as relevant as they used to be.

sics.” She also told the students that the subject is similar to Spanish. She disclosed that putting together the curriculum was not an easy task, noting that the major problem was getting materials. “I searched as far as North America, the Caribbean, and South America, since I was in Chile looking for materials. We were able to source one text along with some others we received from the Brazilian embassy.”

Curriculum guide

Education Minister Priya Manickchand (right) with developers of the Portuguese curriculum

She disclosed that the programme is commencing with five schools instead of six like she initially announced in May, since there are not enough teachers to teach the language. She added that the ministry will have to introduce the language in the Cyril Potter College of Education curriculum. The education minister said the launch of the programme is simple but significant, as students can interact with Portuguese-speaking persons, hence making them more rounded.

CXC exam

She disclosed that Guyana

is in preliminary talks with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for Portuguese to be an examinable subject. She expressed hope this could occur within the next two or three years. “Don’t treat this as another course; treat it as if you will be first set of students in Caribbean that will write Portuguese at CXC and get distinctions.” She added that the CXC registrar has already indicated its willingness to examine how it can get Portuguese on the CXC curriculum. QC language department head Candida Williams, who

assisted in formulating the Portuguese curriculum, acknowledged that the students might think that they are already having difficulties with Spanish and French and question why they have to learn Portuguese. In seeking to convince students of the worthiness of the programme, she pointed out: “There is a large influx of Brazilians into this country and they are opening a lot of businesses here and many of you come into contact with them… some of you hang out with them, so you want to be able to communicate with them even if it’s just the ba-

Students will be given two work books: one for in class and one for homework along with a CD to will aid in pronunciation, while teachers will have a curriculum guide for Grade 7 broken down into three-term scheme and weekly plan of work. They will also be given a handbook on basic Portuguese, a copy of a textbook “Everything Learning Brazilian Portuguese” with a CD. The developers will visit the schools on a fortnightly basis to observe teachers teaching the language and make the necessary modifications. The curriculum developers will also prepare a common test to be administered in all five of the schools. The ministry is hoping to extend the programme to other schools within the next year.

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ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING BILL…

Bill to be read for third time in parliament next week

Scholarships Part 1: Why CAPE is important

- Govt completes committee’s work without opposition - Country granted new deadline, November 18 By Svetlana Marshall

overnment next week will be making its submission to the National Assembly on the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill despite the lack of support by the opposition. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said owing to the delaying tactics employed by the opposition, the governing side moved to complete the work of the parliamentary special select committee reviewing the bill Tuesday night.

Opposition support

According to Dr Luncheon, within days, the report will be presented to the National Assembly and the amended bill will be read in the House for a third time. But the lingering question is; will the opposition support the bill’s passage? “I don’t know if God will descend and put sanity in the heads of our parliamentary colleagues. But we have an obligation to this nation to pursue an enactment to avert those dire consequences,” the Head of the Presidential Secretariat said. The amended bill

was read in the National Assembly for the first time on April 22, and subsequently on May 7 when the opposition voted for it to be sent to a special select committee. Dr Luncheon said although Guyana has already been blacklisted in the draft Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) report and faces the risk of a financial crisis, if the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) continues to delay the process of considering the amended clauses of the bill. He cited Tuesday as an example, when the opposition failed to show up for a scheduled meeting. But according to Dr Luncheon, APNU’s delaying tactics started before the Parliament went into recess. “The parliamentary opposition conspired at the end of the session, just before the beginning of the parliamentary recess 2013, to delay the conclusion of the parliamentary special select committee on its consideration of the bill. It was clearly at that stage, ripe for its final consideration …,” Dr Luncheon explained. Turning his attention to the Alliance For Change (AFC), he said the party’s decision to support the

amended bill only if the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is established is unacceptable. “The AFC, they are even more ridiculous, this linkage between the enactment of the anti-money laundering amendment bill and the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission is touted as the AFC’s ultimate position. “Heaven forbids in consideration of the nonenactment of the amended anti-money laundering bill, one would have to ask, what has adversely affected us by the non-establishment of the Public Procurement Commission,” Dr Luncheon said. In May, the AFC withdrew its support for the bill, noting that the PPC must be established first.

Anti-money laundering

Dr Luncheon said the parties are operating as though the (amendment) bill is not a product of Guyana’s obligation to the CFATF. He explained that the amendment to the original bill came about as a consequence of the multilateral evaluation report filed by CFATF. The Cabinet secretary said the opposition should not hold the country at ransom.

While the ruling party is contending that the work of the committee has been completed, Opposition Leader David Granger said this was not the case, noting that the opposition has not received a formal notification that the work of the select committee was completed. He said committee chairperson Gail Teixeira was advised that the opposition would not have been able to attend the meeting owing to the staging of its statutory shadow cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Stakeholders

Granger maintains that the opposition is still conducting interviews with stakeholders on the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). According to the APNU, the unit has received major criticism since its establishment approximately four years ago. On May 27, Guyana missed the CFATF’s deadline and if blacklisted by FATF countries as a result of its failure to meet the new November 18 deadline, financial transactions involving Guyanese companies will be intensely scrutinised, creating significant delays in the financial and banking systems.

Businesses invited to “Ad-A-Bench” in the National Park

isitors to the National Park in Georgetown may have noticed the recent appearance of benches around the jogging trail. These seats are part of the “Ad-A-Bench” drive being spearheaded by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s Protected Areas Commission and Guyenterprise, with the aim of restoring public seating in the park. The new benches are designed to facilitate the placement of advertisements by sponsors, as well as provide muchneeded public seating around the park. The drive is part of the Three Parks Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate and upgrade the National Park, the Botanical Gardens

One of the new benches in the National Park

and the Zoological Park. The commission is inviting businesses, individuals and other interested groups to sponsor these benches as

a means of advertising their companies or causes, while enhancing the facilities at the park. For further infor-

mation, please contact the commission on telephone numbers 2267974, 225-8016, or the Guyenterprise office on 226-9874.

By Anu Dev

t’s always disappointing when things aren’t allowed to reach their full potential. Like how we have all of those rivers in our interior flowing down precipices just looking pretty, when they could be used to generate hydroelectricity, providing our nation with a valuable renewable energy source. We spend our time squabbling about present cost instead of looking at opportunity cost. But even more disappointing, is when our most valuable resource – our human resource – isn’t allowed to reach its full potential. In Guyana, over the years we’ve produced some of the brightest minds around. Remember our ‘Guyana Scholars’? It’s been so long since they abolished that scholarship, but yet persons like my dad still talk about the Guyana scholars with awe. Persons like Walter Rodney are still revered to this day – and he wasn’t even one of THE Guyana Scholars. And of course, if you’ve ever stepped into QC’s auditorium, you’d see the boards up with the names of all of the Guyana scholars. Going to QC for the past seven years, suffering through enjoying the experience of our biweekly assemblies, I’ve become well acquainted with those boards and I used to wish that we still had the Guyana Scholarships available, desultorily wondering if my name could be up there with the greats. We need to bring back the Guyana Scholarship that was awarded to the best GCE A-level student which has now been supplanted by CAPE. And also offer more national scholarships to our students overall. President Ramotar made a good start last year but we need to award more to students who’ve battled through CAPE. Maybe not 412 like Trinidad dished out this year but we need significantly more than we have at present. Going through the CAPE experience I can say that it was a quantum leap from CSEC. Going into Lower Six we were informed upfront that we’d be expected to cover 80 percent of the work on our own, with our teachers there to cover the remaining 20 percent. Compared to CAPE, we were practically spoon-fed at CSEC. And the level of the work at CAPE compared with CSEC is so much in depth. I never thought I would reach a point in my life when CSEC would seem as simple as Common Entrance, but then I did CAPE and well, I found myself wishing I was still back in 5th form. But in terms of preparing me for university, CAPE did a much better job than CSEC ever could – I learnt a lot about how to use the resources around me to learn things on my own. So do I regret doing CAPE? Not in the least! In fact I would recommend that all students writing CSEC wishing to proceed on to university or any tertiary institution continue on to write CAPE. To be continued…

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

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Alarm at Kaieteur News editorial South Georgetown

Dear Editor, I read, with much alarm, the editorial in the Sunday edition of the Kaieteur News dated October 20 headlined “Kill them all?” I would like to think that it would be standard that a person writing an editorial would have researched the topic on which he chose to write and report accurately, with full unbiased, disclosure. Firstly, I am not a commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). I resigned. Secondly, I never held a position of the quasi head of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic. After volunteering for one and a half years there, I was employed, on a part-time contract as a children’s legal aid lawyer. I served there for about four years until last year.

I still provide pro bono services for many persons who are underprivileged and have no access to the justice system, although I do not do it from the legal aid clinic. Thirdly, and most importantly, this editorial deliberately chose to leave out the parts of the conversation where I expressly stated that I was against extra- judicial killings and that I do not condone all actions of the police, that this was nothing but my view and that, in this instance, I believed the police’s version on the account of what transpired that night. That editorial may call me “cold”, “insensitive”, “draconian”, or whatever it chooses to call me, as in relation to my opinion on persons who use force against

the police and innocent citizens. However, the editorial of a newspaper, in my view, ought to be balanced, well researched and of full disclosure, presenting all the facts known to it or that ought to be known to it, thereby leaving its readers to form a view. I urge the owner and publisher of the Kaieteur News to ponder whether the writer of the editorial can hereafter be trusted to present the truth of what transpired on any matter that he reports. I wish to note with some alarm that there are many views very similar to mine on Facebook and in the public domain. I am concerned that this editorial addressed my views in isolation from other similar views. With regards, Jaya Manickchand

Guyana should promote safe gold-mining practices Dear Editor, It is important to promote public awareness as it relates to the use of mercury and its effects on human beings and the environment. Mercury emissions can result directly from natural activities, such as volcanic eruptions and the erosion of rocks. Humans also use mercury for mining activities, coal fired power plants and for manufacturing and processing needs such as thermometers. The consumption of mercury-laden fish is also an indirect exposure to the substance which has been linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental anomalies. The government recently signed the Minamata Convention

on Mercury – an international pact that aims to control mercury emissions. This was done during an international conference that was organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) held just recently in Minamata, Japan. Due to the environmental and health risks of mercury, the government of Guyana was prompted to support the implementation of this legally-binding global instrument on mercury. Guyana’s main aim is to assist in the control of mercury usage. Mercury is a neurotoxin, which basically means that it has detrimental effects on the nervous system. It can damage the brain and lead to permanent

physical and emotional disorders. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include social withdrawal, self-injurious behaviour, lack of eye contact, blank facial expression, repetitive behaviour and hypersensitivity to noises and touching. Medical science has proven over the years that mercury toxicity, when caused directly or indirectly, can be quite devastating. Guyana should immediately readdress matters as it relates to mining techniques currently used. Strong educational campaigns and anti-mercury measures should be implemented to create awareness and minimise the effects of mercury. Sincerely, Kenrick Jodhan

The pre-1992 Guyana was indeed a dismal one

Dear Editor, It is evident that members of the opposition and even a few members of the media become exceedingly annoyed when reference is made to the conditions that Guyana, as a nation, endured prior to 1992. It was indeed a dismal era. Estate workers were subjected to harsh and extreme living and working conditions. Pillaging and intimidation drove many people away from Guyana. Eventually,

Guyana managed to overcome this epoch of agonising way of life and the callous conditions that accompanied it. Though the memory of that particular era still haunts many, they are indeed grateful for what Guyana has revolutionised into. Guyana has without a doubt over the years climaxed to exceptional heights. Prior to 1992, there was no tolerance for freedom of speech. Thoughts against the regime of the People’s

National Congress (PNC) were not accepted. People were forced to join the party and attend marches and rallies. Voting had no significance, since elections were nothing remotely close to being fair and free. As we speak, Guyana may not be a paradise to some, but we cannot deny the fact that we have significantly progressed over the years in many areas. Yours truly, Goldine Semple

CPG cluster maintains high performance

Dear Editor, The community policing group (CPG) members of the South Georgetown cluster continue to lift their operational standards of performance in an exemplified manner tremendously. On October 11 at around 04:40h, another car hijacking was averted when a mobile vehicle patrol CPG team, comprising rural constables (RC) Dhillon DeMendonca, Donald Joseph and Selwyn Forde, along with CPG members Ezekiel Mandesir, Keenan Abrams and Edward Adams, were approached by a male, who informed them of the hijacking incident. They responded promptly, and managed to intercept the said car on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, where the occupants had fled and managed to make good on their escape, abandoning the car. Only recently

also, RCs Forde, De Mendonca and Renville Griffith, on October15, received certificates of commendations and awards for the rescue of a female taxi driver from a hijacked taxi. This act was committed on September 11 at around 13:30h on Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens. The CPG team members were then on mobile vehicle patrol duties when they observed the said taxi suddenly, in a suspicious manner, stopping on the said street. As the patrol was approaching the vehicle, two men then exited and ran away into the direction of Sophia, making good their escape. The patrol team members, however, on approaching the vehicle closer, then heard the sounds of a female voice emanating from within the vehicle, pleading for help. On closer observation, the patrol then saw the said female lying on the back seat of the car

with her hands and feet tied up. They then rendered assistance and untied her, after which she then informed them that the said two men had hired her to drop them off at Stevedore Housing Scheme, where on arrival they placed a gun to her head and robbed her of Gy$260,000 in cash and her cellphone. They then drove her to Jamoon Drive. The matter was then reported to the East La Penitence Police Station. The members of the National Community Policing Executive (NCPE) take this opportunity to commend this cluster group on the sterling performance level that they are maintaining and wish to encourage them to continue giving of their best in this community service. Yours respectfully, Edward A Persaud Public Relations Officer NCPE

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana opens high New GECOM commissioner sworn in commission in South Africa By Michael Younge

Newly-appointed GECOM Commissioner Athmaram Mangal receives his instrument of appointment from President Donald Ramotar

resident Donald Ramotar on Monday swore in Athmaram Mangal as the new commissioner to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), to replace Jaya Manickchand, who resigned a few weeks ago. Ramotar congratulated the new member of the GECOM team and took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of the commission. He also said there was need for it to function at its maximum. Ramotar said he hopes that the new commissioner will serve the commission

with pride and professionalism, maintaining its standards. The president noted that the new GECOM commissioner is capable of carrying out the function of commissioner and is a suitable replacement for Manickchand. In his remarks, Mangal said he was prepared to execute his duties with the highest level of professionalism and noted that his area of expertise in management will aid the commission. Mangal added that he has much to offer and will work towards ensuring GECOM continues to offer effective and reli-

able guidance of the voting process in Guyana. Manickchand, a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)appointed commissioner, submitted her resignation a few weeks ago. Manickchand did not state a reason for her resignation, according to reports. She took up office at the commission during March 2012, replacing former Commissioner Moen Mc Doom, who resigned in February 2011. Manickchand is the sister of Education Minister Priya Manickchand, and a PPP/C member and an attorney by profession.

ilateral relations between Guyana and South Africa are expected to be improved significantly, as the government of Guyana has officially established a new high commission in one of that country’s three capitals, Pretoria, following the appointment of Barbara Halley as the new chargé d’affaires. Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said Halley was appointed over a month ago and was in South Africa, assisting with the completion of the premises where the commission will be housed. She explained that President Donald Ramotar approved the establishment of the high commission and supported the process to ensure that it became a reality. “The reason we have not yet made an announcement on this matter is, because we are just completing the premises of the high commission in South Africa,” she reiterated during an exclusive interview with this newspaper. Rodrigues-Birkett said the Foreign Affairs Ministry will soon move to make pertinent details known about the commission. She underscored the importance of improving the relations between the countries, given their collective histories and diplomatic friendship which dates back centuries. The foreign affairs minister said she was confident that Halley would perform and do her best in the new portfolio. “Ms Halley is a career diplomat and had worked to establish the mission in Delhi,” she informed.

New Guyana High Commission in South Africa Chargé d’affaires Barbara Halley

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett confirmed that the establishment of the commission also forms part of the ministry’s efforts to fully implement all aspects of its five-year strategic plan. Asked to comment on the status of that plan, which was expected to be redrafted, she informed that most of the plans contained in the document have been accomplished or implemented. Rodrigues-Birkett also stated that the ministry continues to reform aspects of the plan based upon current development and its outlook on the future as far as advance appropriate foreign policy is concerned. “We have actually completed quite a lot of things complied in the plan, but as it is with any organisation, one must be futuristic.”

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana Chronicle regrets buying Guyana blacklisted in draft printing press from Glenn Lall ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING BILL…

CFATF report – Nandlall

egal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said unless Guyana attends the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) November meeting with the enacted Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill in hand, it will not be able to prevent the adoption of the draft report in which the county is blacklisted. During an interview on the National Communications Network (NCN), on Monday, Nandlall, who is also the attorney general, noted that this was not even guaranteed.

Review

He reminded that Dominica was in a similar position in May, when the Dominican AG presented the bill passed into law, and he was able to put the adverse statement on hold until the review of that law by the CFATF. The parliamentary special select committee dealing with the bill reconvened its first meeting after the two-month recess on October 14. Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member Debra Backer were absent. The issue became heated when the time came to fix a date for the next meeting as the opposition members insisted on Monday, October 21, rejecting all earlier dates suggested by the government side. C o m m i t t e e Chairperson Gail Teixeira was informed on October 21 that it was not convenient for the APNU members to meet, although this was the date that they chose. The next meeting was fixed for October 22 and once again the opposition staged a “no show”. The bill was transmitted to the select committee for certain aspects to be reviewed, by the combined opposition which used their one-seat majority. Six months after the select committee was established, its task is not completed. Guyana was supposed to submit a report to the CFATF on August 26, and this was done. However, the report did not include that the bill had been passed into law, a requirement which was expected to be satisfied.

Stakeholders ignored

The Guyana delega-

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

tion, headed by Minister Nandlall, which attended the CFATF meeting in May, had promised that the bill would be passed by the November meeting. Unfortunately, all government’s work in the select committee was thwarted by the opposition members. Minister Nandlall has observed that both the AFC and the APNU have demonstrated that they are not interested in passing the bill. He noted that the Private Sector Commission, Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the trade union movement, Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, and the Insurance Association have all issued statements about the urgent necessity for the passage of the anti-money laundering bill.

Draft report

He explained that the CFATF has already prepared a draft report, which will constitute the evaluation report of Guyana. In the conclusion of that report, “Guyana is scheduled to be declared a non-compliant jurisdiction and member states worldwide are invited to implement against Guyana such countermeasures that they deem necessary to protect themselves and their business entities within their respective jurisdictions from the money laundering and terrorism risks which Guyana will pose.” The rationale being used by the opposition to justify the inexplicable position is unknown, the minister declared. Pointing out the AFC’s position that unless the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is established, it will not support the bill, Nandlall emphasised that there is no link between the bill and the PPC. While APNU’s position seems to be that its priority is a “good bill”,

he said this can only be produced through work on the legislation, which is not being done, “They are not submitting any proposal so the committee can consider its implementation.” Guyana has already briefly experienced how sanctions could impact business, after the Trinidad Central Bank issued a cautionary statement to its business community. “Immediately, Guyanese businesses… were subjected to a whole host of scrutiny and problems were encountered, bringing transactions between the two territories almost to a complete halt,” Minister Nandlall said.

Blacklisted

Banks, insurance companies, wire transfer agencies, importers and exporters suffered. Fortunately, the matter was brought to Guyana’s attention and a letter dispatched by Guyana’s finance minister quickly dispelled the notion held by Trinidad that Guyana had been blacklisted by the CFATF. If sanctioned, Guyana will face such a scenario with every country it does business with. While extra-parliamentary engagements to address this issue would be a remit of the president, Minister Nandlall delclared that parliamentarians should strive to always “advance a position which is in the best interest, and is best for the Guyanese people. This is our only mandate”. (GINA)

– tens of millions paid to Lall without public tender

he tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money that have been paid by the management of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) for the purchase of what has turned out to be a scrapmetal printing press from Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, owner and publisher of the muckraking Kaieteur News, to improve the print quality of the Sunday and Guyana Chronicle newspapers appear to have gone down the drain. According to sources inside the Chronicle, the press sold to the GNNL was expected to enable the newspapers to have a qual-

Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

ity print that could stand out among the best newspapers in the Caribbean. But several years later, the operations of the press leave much to be desired and management sources say a new press will soon have to be sourced. Sources further revealed that the inferior press was sold without a

public tender, and reported that Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, made a “killing” from the sale of the second-hand equipment. Information received by this newspaper revealed that a quality black and white press can be purchased for half of the millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money that was paid to Lall, who apparently duped the GNNL in the deal. Sources are calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the alleged shady transaction, from which the owner of the muckraking Kaieteur News newspaper, Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall, is said to have profitted hugely.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Defaulting taxpayers make their first court appearance - as GRA introduces stricter penalties for tax cheats

everal persons sued by the City Council for nonpayment of rates and taxes made their first court appearance on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith McGusty. Dr Jennifer Basdeo- Green, wife of Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green is being sued for Gy$10,145,631 for nonpayment of rates and taxes for the period of 1997-2013. Green was represented in court by Attorney Robert Corbin who wrote the court asking to be excused. Her matter is adjourned to November 18. R a j p a t i Latchmansingh also known as Sandra Singh owes the City Council Gy$9,244,124 and was

ordered by the court to pay the sum. Former Deputy Mayor George Sebastian was represented in court by greatgranddaughter Mary Hernandez who asked the court for some time to secure representation, while the matter of Garland Lodge who owes the City Council Gy$2,491,217 was transferred to today where it will be heard in Court Eight at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The matters were filed by former GGG City Councillor and Executive Member, Attorney Euclin Gomes.

Penalties

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur said that the organisation will be taking stronger

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

action over the next few weeks against tax evaders and defaulters. Sattaur told Guyana Times International recently that this will ensure that the GRA retrieves the millions of dollars owed in taxes.

The revenue boss lamented that these tax defaulters have access to prominent lawyers and they are challenging the judgments, despite owing government millions of dollars in taxes. The revenue body has been battling to get taxes owed by many companies, particularly Value Added Tax (VAT) and Pay as You Earn (PAYE). “We have, therefore, taken a position on some of these companies, to go after the taxes by way of levy proceedings and if we cannot get it by levy proceedings, we will move to close these companies down. To avoid them having further liability for the taxes,” Sattaur added. He, however, noted that there were some cases where the tax de-

faulters would agree to make payment by instalments, following a court ruling.

Stern stance

He said, “There are other cases we are still pursing and are collecting taxes in ways of instalment having had a pronouncement. But this is not the same for the companies I have mentioned which owe Gy$7 million and more to the state.” According to him, one business in particular has formed another company to carry out similar business and has moved to the extent of engaging its clients. He finds the situation “ridiculous”, stressing that it must come to an end soon. The GRA recently obtained several judgments against defaulting

taxpayers for outstanding taxes. The debtors include: COPS Guyana Limited, Guyana Stores Limited, and Didco Trading Co. These companies owe millions of dollars in taxes. Already, the GRA has instituted winding-up proceedings against COPS Guyana Ltd, Didco Trading Co, and Friendship Hotel and Restaurant Holdings Inc. Sattaur reiterated that non-compliance with court orders will not be tolerated and all outstanding judgments will be vigorously pursued by way of levy. The GRA, he said, remains committed to collecting the state’s revenue and will take all necessary steps to ensure that defaulting taxpayers comply with orders of the court.

Miss Guyana Universe 2013 off to Moscow M iss Guyana Universe 2013 Katherina Roshana has departed for Moscow, Russia, empowered by her love for Guyana and the support of thousands of fans in

Guyana, and around the world. The beauty queen is bubbling with energy and excitement, as she prepares to represent her country at the international pageant, whose

activities start on Friday evening. Her heart is empowered with one desire of making Guyana proud and enabling Guyanese to taste victory. Roshana, who is

also Miss Guyana India Worldwide and the Miss India Worldwide – Most Beautiful Skin Awardee 2013, is sponsored by the NEW GPC INC/Limacol. She promises to be extremely disciplined and to fulfil all commitments as required by the Miss Universe Organisation, and to make a name for Guyana that the world will remember for a long time. Being an ardent Muslim, she believes anything is possible with the blessings of God, the Creator, The Sustainer and Nourisher of all peoples and the universe. An international peace ambassador, Roshana is also known for her humanitarian work. Her pet projects are to assist and motivate the disabled children of the world, especially

Katherina Roshana has departed for Russia where she will represent Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant. Roshana, who is being sponsored by NEW GPC INC/ Limacol, has promised to do all she can to expand the Limacol brand worldwide. The beauty queen is pictured here at the JFK Airport in New York enroute to Moscow

those suffering from autism. She asks for the con-

tinued support, love and prayers of her fans, her friends and family.

16th CPA confab to be held in Guyana

he Guyana branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) will be hosting the 16th biennial conference of presiding officers and clerks of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic region of the group from October 26 to 31. The conference aims to explore the key features of an effective parliament in order to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the presiding officers and clerks; maintain, foster and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of the presid-

ing officers and clerks of various parliaments; promote professional development, knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms; and strengthen the independence of parliaments. The meetings are expected to be attended by delegates from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, and the host country. In addition to the two days of plenary sessions, the delegates will be

treated to a luncheon to be hosted jointly by the Speaker and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs and Raphael Trotman; a dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Opposition Leader David Granger, and a cocktail reception to be hosted by President Donald Ramotar. The conference, which was first held in 1969, operates on a two-year cycle. The opening ceremony will be held on Monday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown at 09:00h.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Amerindian communities to benefit from UNDP US$10M land titling pact By Sabatini Daniels

he government of Guyana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a US$10.7 million Amerindian Land Titling agreement, which will pave the way for more villages to be titled and demarcated. The agreement will see funds being released from the Guyana/ Norway forestry partnership through its Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). Speaking at the signing, which was done at the opening of the annual National Toshaos Council meeting on Monday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh disclosed that under this project, it is expected that the funds will be utilised to issue absolute grants to 13 communities, demarcate 33, and another 32 will be given their applications for extensions. He said the government sees this project as a very significant initiative since it places control over the land in the villagers’ hands, noting that as far as these communities are concerned, these

From left to right: National Toshaos Council Chairman Derrick John looks on as Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa sign the Amerindian land titling agreement

lands belong to them. “The project funded by GRIF represents a significant advancement of this initiative… the government remains firmly committed… to demonstrate to the world, Guyana’s commitment to the principles outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy,” Dr Singh said. He urged all the relevant heads who will oversee this project to ensure it is done in a timely and efficient manner.

Manifesto promise

President Donald Ramotar said once the project was completed, government would fulfil its manifesto promise to Amerindian people and people of the interior. “Despite all the efforts to get all the stakeholders’ support, some forces were writing to Norway to stop this project,” the head of state declared. “That is the depth that some have descended to, they obviously want to feather their own nest instead of promoting Amerindian de-

velopment.” He noted that additional land titling should have started a year ago, but as a consequence of the opposition cutting several projects, including the one under which land titling falls, the process was delayed. To date, some 97 villages have been titled, while 77 villages have been demarcated. Fourteen percent of Guyana’s land mass has been granted to indigenous communities. The administration has set

the policy objective of addressing all land titling issues for Amerindian villages by 2015. In the past, high costs were a barrier to achieving this policy objective; however, it is envisioned that with the allocation of funds from the GRIF, this objective can finally be realised. Demarcation and titling of communities aim to strengthen land tenure security, expand the asset base of Amerindian villages, and allow for long-term planning for

their future development. It is a crucial step for villages to opt-in to the REDD+ agreement with Norway to securing tenure and clearly quantified forested areas; however, they are not forced to do so. The land titling project is being executed by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and implemented by Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, with institutional support provided by the partner agency, the UNDP.

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese youth ambassadors participate in U.S. exchange programme

ive students and one mentor representing several regions of Guyana have embarked on a three week exchange programme to the United States as part of the Youth Ambassadors Programme (YAP). The YAP group arrived in Denver, Colorado on Sunday and will travel to Washington, DC before the programme concludes October 29, the U.S. embassy here said in a statement. Representing Guyana are Kadeem Gordon, Kaya Dover, Larrex McAllister, Blossom Dublin, Kayshell Jennings, and Ryan Hoppie as their mentor. This is the second group of youth ambassadors representing Guyana for the 2013-2014 Youth Ambassadors Programme for the Caribbean.

Areas of focus

The programme, which includes participants from The Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, focuses on civic education, youth empowerment, environmental issues, so-

address issues and concerns affecting youth ranging from health and fitness, to education and social behaviour.

American institutions

U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt poses with the youth ambassadors before their departure

cial entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and food security. Through experiential activities, discussions, site visits, training modules, and home stays, participants will have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, attitudes, intellectual skills, and practical competencies to effectively lead efforts for positive social change in their home countries. The Youth A m b a s s a d o r s Programme gives students and adult leaders an opportunity to develop leadership and prob-

lem-solving skills that enable them to act as community leaders. The project aims to hone participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sense of civic responsibility and foster civic activism. Prior to their departure, U.S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt met with the ambassadors and mentor to congratulate them on their selection and to discuss their visit. The participants shared their backgrounds and personal interests as well as their expectations of the programme.

Unique opportunity

Ambassador

Hardt

noted that the programme provides a unique opportunity to see how young people in the United States are using creative ways to effect change. The ambassador told the participants that he looks forward to seeing how they seek to become engaged in their communities upon their return in order to foster positive change in Guyana. He gave the students a preview of what to expect during their visit and emphasised the value for both countries of their participation in this cultural exchange

programme. Prior to their departure, the group also met with Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony. During the meeting, the group assured the minister of their commitment to represent Guyana well and discussed how they hoped to continue to develop their leadership skills and boost their civic participation upon their return to Guyana. Minister Anthony congratulated the participants and encouraged them to work on specific programmes to

While in the United States, participants will increase their understanding of American institutions, while engaging in civic life in the United States. Participants will explore facets unique to each countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and identity, and engage in discussions and educational activities that promote learning on an academic and a personal level. Youth ambassadors are required to implement follow-on activities upon their return home that will help the participants stay in touch with each other, reflect on their experiences, and integrate that learning into their lives. A core goal of the programme is for the student leaders, once empowered, to bring their experience to bear in helping encourage and guide other student leaders through community-oriented service projects.

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

Volunteer Youth Corps head returns from U.S. training

nited States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt recently met with Volunteer Youth Corps Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Goldie Scott upon her return from the United States after participating in the prestigious embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP). Scott, who is chief executive officer of the Volunteer Youth Corps Inc, shared her IVLP programme experience with the ambassador, and discussed how she intends to apply the insights gained from her experience to the benefit of her organisation and to Guyana, the U.S. embassy in Guyana said in a release. She participated in the IVLP programme on the “Caribbean Basin Security Initiative – Engaging Underserved and At-Risk Youth,” from September 7 to September 28. Under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), the U.S., CARICOM member nations, and The Dominican Republic are working together to help reduce the number of young people imprisoned in the juvenile justice system. The CBSI

United States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt and Volunteer Youth Corps CEO Goldie Scott

is also working with youth already being held in juvenile facilities by supporting their transition back into communities and toward the establishment of a productive life. As the CEO of a local non-governmental organisation, which addresses the social and economic needs of children and youth, Scott was able to gain perspectives on methodologies used by community-based organisations and faith-based groups to intervene early before problem behaviours turn into delinquency and gang involvement. She is presently coordinating a sub-agreement between the Volunteer Youth Corps Inc. and the Education Development Centre under the USAID/ Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) project to deliver “Work Ready Now” training to at-risk youth in

Region Four. The IVLP is the flagship professional exchange programme of the Department of State, which annually brings to the U.S. approximately 5000 foreign nationals from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience America firsthand. The visitors are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, the arts, business, and other fields. Among the thousands of distinguished individuals who have participated in the IVLP since its inception almost seven decades ago, are more than 290 current and former chiefs of state and heads of government; 2000 Cabinet-level ministers, and many, many other distinguished leaders from the public and private sectors.

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

OAS anti-corruption body reports on visit to Guyana - full report to be adopted by committee in March 2014

he anti-corruption mechanism of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has reported on its recent visit to Guyana, as part of the analysis that the mechanism carries out in accordance with the methodology adopted by consensus among its member countries. The Commission of the Mechanism for Follow-Up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC) was made up of Haitiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unit for Combating Corruption (ULCC) Director General, Colonel Antoine Atouriste; ULCC Operations Director Joseph Jean Figaro; and ULCC Legal Department head Yvlore Pigeot; as well as the legal adviser to the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, Joan Ramnarine-Furlonge. They were supported by the OAS in the visit, through its Department of Legal Cooperation, in its capacity as the technical secretariat to the MESICIC. During the three days of work, the commission said in a release that it met with the top authorities and other representatives of the Audit Office, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Public Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Integrity Commission, the Office of the Commissioner on Information, and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, among others, in order to obtain objective and complete information and reveal potential difficulties in the implementation of the Inter-American Convention. It also provided an opportunity to facilitate the obtaining of information related to best practices, and provided Guyana with the opportunity to benefit from or

to request technical assistance. The commission also had the opportunity to meet with organisations from civil society and the private sector and professional associations, in order to address issues related to the challenges facing the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of acts of corruption in Guyana; civil societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views on the role of oversight bodies in Guyana; conflicts of interest; systems for registering income, assets and liabilities; access to public information; and mechanisms to encourage participation of civil society in efforts to prevent corruption. The results of this visit form part of the review process that is currently being carried out by the Committee of Experts of the MESICIC, which will conclude with the adoption of the Guyana country report by the committee at its next plenary meeting to be held in March 2014, at OAS headquarters in Washington, DC. The MESICIC is a cooperation mechanism between states, with the participation of civil society organisations, established within the framework of the OAS, in which the legal/ institutional framework of each country is reviewed for suitability with the Inter-American Convention against Corruption as well as the objective results achieved therein. The incorporation of on-site visits as a stage and integral part of the MESICIC review process represents an innovative and pioneering initiative in the context of the OAS, especially for a peer review mechanism and the importance of the issues it addresses. To date, the following countries

have agreed to receive visits from MESICIC: Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Costa Rica, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago,

Honduras, Panama, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, The Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Canada.

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

No fraud at NDIA – Dr Ramsammy BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r Dr Leslie Ramsammy said there is no fraud at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), as he dismissed as false, the allegations levelled against the entity’s Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth and junior Agriculture Minister Ali Baksh. Speaking with this publication on Friday, Dr Ramsammy said Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma was tasked with doing a special audit of the entity following some allegations that surfaced about the misappropriation and misuse of funds. He said the AG’s report is not yet completed, but it is surprising that Kaieteur News would seek to repeat the allegations as opposed to following the established protocol in terms of awaiting the findings of the official audit.

Personal expenses

Dr Ramsammy said while it is true that two trucks were paid to

GPL to subsidise electricity for pensioners

transport some items from Food For The Poor to Minister Baksh’s residence in Campbellville, Georgetown, they were not for the minister. He stated the items were merely housed at Baksh’s home for a short while before they were donated and distributed to poor people residing at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara. Minister Ramsammy argued too that the ministry was asked to cover the transportation expenses and to lend assistance because it was a worthy cause. Asked to respond to the allegations that the NDIA head misappropriated funds when the body bought office furniture totalling Gy$402,000 from Starcomm using funds from the Community Drainage and Irrigation Programme (CDIP), Minister Ramsammy said the entity was merely replacing the furniture which it was utilising that belonged to the ministry. He said the ministry currently houses several entities and semi-

he burden of paying electricity bills will be significantly reduced for 5610 pensioners with the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) announcing the disbursement of electricity subsidy. All registered pensioners with active GPL accounts will benefit from a subsidy of Gy$20,000 each. The subsidy will be applied to the accounts of pensioners who completed the GPL verification process during the period July 22 to August 13. However, electricity accounts for pensioners who have completed the verification exercise after August 13 will be credited subsequently. Pensioners in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven are the beneficiaries. The amount will be credited to their account until it is utilised based on their use of electricity. GPL will use the list of names provided by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and match it with its own database in order to compile a database of the persons to benefit from the subsidy. In this year’s budget, Gy$590 million was allocated for pensioners; this is in addition to the waiver of pensioners’ water bills to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Junior Agriculture Minister Ali Baksh

NDIA CEO Lionel Wordsworth

autonomous agencies, but does not charge rent or restrict them from utilising its resources and furniture. Dr Ramsammy reported that when he took office, he was operating out of a cubicle, since there was no suitable office space available for him.

which the ministry was hosting a technical team from Colombia. The agriculture minister said the ministry would host meetings that run through lunch and sometimes late into the evenings, and it was normal for it to cover such expenses for overseas delegations that were engaged in work meetings with their local counterparts. He said there was no merit to the claim that Wordsworth caused a breach to occur when the NDIA sourced a Phoenix payroll application. The minister reminded that

it was the Field Auditor Pablo Singh, who had approved the purchase by not objecting to it, or raising concern. The payroll application was bought from Phoenix Software for Gy$799,000 on January 19, 2012, at a reduced price after some negotiation between the NDIA and the company.

Farewell

Dr Ramsammy is refuting allegations that the NDIA also misused CDIP funds to host a farewell party for a particular staff member and instead argued that the money was used to cover expenses relating to a period of time over

No basis

The agriculture minister also noted that there was no basis or truth in other allegations that the NDIA approved a Gy$2 million request for payments to the

Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Region Five, without any documented reason, appropriation or a request from the region. Dr Ramsammy reported that the CDIP programme is managed by the MMA/ADA, while explaining that the NDIA has an arrangement to overlook the programme there. Minister Ramsammy said the audit being conducted by the auditor general will vindicate the NDIA, and all who were unjustly accused of wrong doing by Field Auditor Singh, who is no longer employed by the ministry. Dr Ramsammy said the auditor leaked findings in his preliminary report and did not follow established protocols to have the issues raised in his report addressed. Further, it was found that there was another brewing conflict of interest involving Singh, and the board met and recommended that his contract not be renewed.

“Grow More Food” campaign to expand export base

he Agriculture Ministry is in consultation with the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) and the European Union (EU), with the primary objective of expanding Guyana’s export base. Guyana is seeking to strike a deal to secure a market for the exportation of sweet potatoes, and the ministry is in the process of transforming the agriculture sector to meet the demands of the global market.

of fruits and vegetables, large-scale farmers are not consistent in their production and in other cases, various types of food produced are not in demand regionally and internationally.

education programme, the Agriculture Ministry is equipping farmers with the requisite knowledge and skills and even the materials needed to be consistent in their production.

designed to increase exports of tilapia from 1000 kilograms (kgs) to 1200kg a week and non-traditional produce, such as sweet bell pepper, hot pepper and butternut squash from

Kitchen gardens

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said when the “Grow More Food” campaign was launched in 2008 by former Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, major emphasis was placed on the promotion of kitchen gardens to cushion the impact of high food prices. Now, some five years after, the country is analysing the prospects of increasing its export base. However, this move, which is deemed “a step in the right direction”, comes with many challenges, Minister Ramsammy said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International. He explained that while Guyana has the ability to grow a wide variety

A black pepper vine, one of the non-traditional crops being grown, laden with fruit in Region One

“Our culture is that we believe that we grow good food and other people should want to eat it, the truth is that the squash we grow in Guyana, only Guyanese like it, other people don’t want to eat our squash,” Minister Ramsammy said, as he illustrated the situation on the ground.

Consistent production

Through an ongoing

In June, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) announced its intention to financially support Guyana’s agricultural diversification and export drive to the tune of £1.3 million (approximately Gy$400 million).

Diversification

Guyana’s Agriculture Diversification Programme (GADP) is

1000kg to 1600kg weekly. Additionally, the Agriculture Ministry is working closely with the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) to produce the “Rain Forest Line of Agricultural Products”. GSA is also in the process of compiling production guides to assist the local farming community, as it turns to non-traditional crops

such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, scotch bonnet pepper, and butternut squash. The “Grow More Food” campaign was launched on March 20, 2008 through the implementation of a five-step plan, which included the implementation of a US$21.9 million Agricultural Export Diversification Programme, the implementation of a US$6 million Rural Enterprise and Agricultural D e v e l o p m e n t Programme, increased investment in drainage and irrigation by restoring drainage to areas abandoned by farmers, and training farmers to manage the maintenance of rehabilitated structures at a cost of Gy$12 billion. Rural farmers, agro investors, processors, exporters, and all those involved in the value chain have benefitted from the investments made by the government over the past five years to boost food production and attain a lucrative means of earning a livelihood. Guyana is the only country in the southern hemisphere that is a net exporter of food, and has achieved the United Nations first Millennium Development Goal of eradicating hunger.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana’s financial services sector hailed… ...as Republic Bank opens Gy$185M branch in Lethem

epublic Bank Limited on Saturday opened a branch in Lethem, with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh saying that government has long recognised that a strong, well-managed, well-regulated, vibrant financial services sector is critical to the economic health of Guyana. He said as such, the administration has sought to ensure the establishment of a strong legislative and regulatory framework. Dr Singh said the administration is happy that the sector has responded very positively. The new branch located at Manari Road, Lethem is customerfriendly and spacious with a modern environment, which will provide all the basic banking services, including an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) facility. “Today, we see a financial services sector that has proven that it

is well-managed with sound, stable and strong institutions, and it is no accident that at a time when the global and regional economy have been put to the most severe test in living memory, financial institutions operating in Guyana have withstood the regional and external developments, have remained strong, and have been an outstanding example,” the finance minister stated, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release.

Confidence in economy

He said Republic Bank was a regional leader in financial services across the Caribbean, and since its entry into the Guyana market, it has contributed in a very significant way to raising the standards in the country’s financial services sector, introducing new products, improving service, and improving access to services across the 10

Republic Bank’s new branch at Manari Road, Lethem

administrative regions. “The bank is a valued and respective member of the corporate community; it is an important member of the financial services sector, an important employer and provider of services,” Minister Singh posited. He explained that the fact that the bank has been expanding in the manner in which it has in Guyana, speaks volumes about its confidence in the country’s economic future. Construction of the Gy$185 million edifice

commenced in November 2012, and it opened for business from Monday with a staff complement of eight highly-skilled professionals. Officials from the bank, as well as the minister, spoke of Guyana’s bright economic prospects, which the banking sector and other investors have recognised and are responding to favourably. The financial services sector by itself can contribute significantly to the growth and development in the economy

by improving access to financial services. Republic Bank Managing Director John Alves said the decision to extend the bank’s services to the Region Nine community was guided by its strategic plan for continued expansion. Bank chairman Nigel Baptiste spoke of the promise fulfilled and vision realised. He said the opening of the Lethem branch is a clear demonstration of the bank’s continuing commitment as a partner in the economic and finan-

cial development of all corners of Guyana. Lethem residents will have access to a wide range of financial products and services including: deposit and checking accounts, electronic banking, various forms of lending, and foreign exchange and money transfer facilities. “Our vision for expansion and accompanying strategies are strongly aligned with the trends shaping the local, regional, and global economies. Among local developments are increased opportunities for homeownership and expanding small and medium businesses…,” Baptiste pointed out. Republic Bank’s ties with Guyana date back to 1836; it was the first commercial bank to start business in the colony of British Guiana, the first indigenous commercial bank, and the first bank owned by the indigenous private sector.

Companies flouting new minimum wage rule By Samuel Sukhnandan

abour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul said his ministry was preparing charges against a large security firm, having found that it was in breach of the new minimum wage order. Dr Gopaul told this newspaper during an exclusive interview on Tuesday that his ministry believed that wages owed to workers at that particular firm could run into millions of dollars. He said the firm had not been paying staff according to the previous minimum wage order, much less the new one. While the minis-

ter did not disclose the name of the security firm, he noted that strict measures will be taken against the owners. He also disclosed that the firm has, for a number of years, been awarded several government contracts. “We believe that the company has violated not only the minimum wage now, but the previous order and we cannot tolerate that, if it means taking the toughest action against the company we will do so,” the minister asserted. Dr Gopaul also stated that it was found that some private sector companies had not implemented the new mini-

plying and have started paying salaries retroactive to July 1, the date the national minimum wage order came into effect.

Inspection

Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul

mum wage order. However, after inspectors working with the ministry would have discovered that, the businesses were instructed to comply with the order or face prosecution. Many of these said companies are now com-

He said, “I want to say clearly that we have given enough time, and we will charge and prosecute persons once they fail to implement. We will continue doing inspection works in and around Georgetown in particular and move into the other communities.” Regions Six and Nine will also be targeted, particularly as the ministry has been getting reports that employers there are not paying overtime, which is mandatory in

the new order. The ministry will ensure strict compliance in this regard and plans to carry out several other exercises, to ensure that employees are given what they deserve by their employers, Dr Gopaul said. In January, government established a ministerial team to fine-tune the necessary procedures that would facilitate the establishment of a national minimum wage. This effort was led by the labour minister. This initiative was strongly supported at the level of the tripartite committee, which consisted of government officials, representa-

tives from the various labour organisations and the private sector. The new minimum wages agreed to are: Gy$35,000 monthly, Gy$8000 weekly and Gy$200 hourly. This new national minimum wage affects all business sectors in Guyana, replacing the existing one that covered only specific sectors. Government had said that the new national minimum wage is an improvement that will bind employers across the board to subscribe to a standard amount to be earned by any employee. It could also put an end to underpayment and reduce workers’ exploitation by employers.

Passengers’ comfort to be given priority – New LIAT head

he acting head of the Caribbean airline, LIAT, in a message to staff, declared the comfort and well-being of passengers will be her overriding priority. “At the new LIAT, we are working to build an airline which places the customer, our loyal passengers, at the centre of our focus,” stated Julie Reifer-Jones, who was appointed acting chief executive officer by the airline’s board of directors this month. Reifer-Jones underscored the importance

of the airline’s focus on the security of its passengers: “Today marks another significant milestone for LIAT – 57 years of continuous service to the peoples and countries of the region. We can also proudly say that these have been 57 years of safely serving the Caribbean.” Pointing out that for many destinations, LIAT remains the major carrier, transporting more passengers than any other airline, she added: “LIAT continues to contribute to the economic and social

Recalling LIAT has evolved from a single Piper Apache to its present fleet of 14 aircraft, she asked for patience: “As we go through change once again, we promise to serve our region better and in more efficient ways.”

Major investment

Acting LIAT CEO Julie Reifer-Jones

development of our region, providing important linkages for interregional travel as well as for connections to international, particularly trans-Atlantic, travel.”

She thanked customers and stakeholders for their patience and support as LIAT transitions from its Dash-8 fleet to new ATR aircraft: “This change of fleet is a major investment for the company with a cost of US$107 million.”

She was pleased to note, however, that on several routes, “our passengers are already experiencing the comfort of our new ATR 72s”. In addition to the introduction of new aircraft into the fleet, the airline has been able to stabilise its flight schedules throughout the Caribbean: “By the end of this year, we will have six new aircraft and this should improve our operational performance considerably,” she reported. The LIAT acting CEO proclaimed the fleet

modernisation, which continues into 2014 will improve schedules. “By the end of next year we expect to have a completely new fleet. In addition, we are actively working to improve ontime-performance and our customer service.” On its 57th year of service to the Caribbean, Reifer-Jones saluted all LIAT employees “who throughout the years have helped to build this outstanding Caribbean institution. As we move forward, we encourage everyone to keep the LIAT flag flying high”.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GUYANA-VENEZUELA MARITIME DISPUTE

UN to suggest steps to help resolve border issue - Minister Rodrigues-Birkett maintains vessel was in Guyana’s waters

nited Nations Good Officer mediating talks between Guyana and Venezuela, Norman Girvan is to suggest a series of steps the two countries can take to help resolve their long-standing border issue. In a statement on Monday, the UN said that on October 17, the personal representative of the United Nations secretary general on the border issue between Guyana and Venezuela had very productive separate meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and Elías Jaua respectively. The ministers, according to the UN, emphasised the excellent bilateral relations that currently exist between the two states. In recalling the progress made under the Good Offices process in the recent past, the ministers welcomed Girvan’s initiative to suggest a series of further steps to address the border issue, the UN statement said, adding that these steps

could include a schedule of meetings to move the process forward over the coming months. Guyana did not back down from its position that the recent seizure of the U.S. vessel, which was conducting seismic surveys, occurred well within its territorial waters, when it met with Venezuela in Portof-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the matter last Thursday. Guyana has strongly maintained that the action by the Bolivarian Republic was a breach of international law. Speaking with Guyana Times International during an exclusive interview following her return from the twin island republic on Friday afternoon, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett said she was very frank throughout the seven-hour meeting as she recorded Guyana’s condemnation and concern about the action of the Venezuelan Navy.

Strong evidence

Birkett disclosed that her delegation also made

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

it clear that the seizure took place within this country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and presented strong evidence and coordinates to depict the exact location of the Teknik Perdana when it was intercepted by the Venezuelan authorities. “The discussion was very frank as you would expect it to be on a matter like this. It was made easier though because we have good relations with Venezuela and we were able to outline each other’s position in a cordial manner,” she reported. “I maintained our

position because we (Guyana) subscribe to the international laws and jurisprudence as far as maritime delimitation is concerned. And using equidistance, we have drawn a line as to where this maritime border should be,” Birkett emphasised. The foreign affairs minister also explained that both Venezuela and Guyana started their determination of the maritime border or demarcation from the correct point, but both lines ended in a different direction, and that is where

the challenge in resolving the matter definitively begun. Birkett confirmed that her Venezuelan counterpart also maintained his country’s position at the Trinidad meeting and justified its action. She admitted that it was recognised that since both parties held firm to their respective positions, there was need for a third party to explore mechanisms to solve the rift in accordance with international law. Minister RodriguesBirkett told Guyana Times International that it was recognised that the meetings between Guyana and Venezuela over the past decade or more have resulted in better relations between the two countries. “The good thing in this entire matter is that we have both sat down and agreed to look at mechanisms to deal with the maritime delimitation,” she said, adding that border issues are “complex” and “never easy matters” to resolve.

Mandate

The minister said the mandate of the current UN good officer would have to be redefined and further expanded, and appeared open to exploring all mechanisms that would result in a speedy resolution on this issue. She expressed satisfaction with the manner in which Guyana responded to the seizure of the U.S. vessel as she noted that the ministry and government officially registered its protest via the established international and diplomatic processes with Venezuela, after which a release was issued the next morning following the incident.

Standing firm

Guyana Times International was also able to confirm that the ministry is already in the processing of appointing members of a technical team to meet with Venezuela within the next four months to reexamine the issue and possible solutions. The ministry, according to sources will not be negotiating or changing its position.

Need for partnership to improve the education sector highlighted - as Region Five honours educators, top performers

eaching is considered one of the noblest occupations in the world over, due to the role teachers play in the creation of a country’s manpower. In recognition of the efforts made by educators, the regional administration of Region Five under the theme “Promoting Excellence” recognised those who have served the region for 30 years and more. Some of the teachers have remained at the same school for their entire career, an indication that in some instances they have taught and positively impacted the lives of hundreds of families. The activity which was held at the Regional Democratic Council office at Fort Wellington also saw the top performers of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) being awarded. Apart from those, special awards were also presented to teachers and students who participated in other activities such as debating competitions, a recipe competi-

The Region Five teachers who were rewarded for their services to the education sector

tion for the nursery level, spelling bee, Information Communication Technologies (ICT) quiz and painting. Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that it is easy for people to criticise the education system, but solutions have not been forthcoming. “This is one of the… most talked about sectors in the country, in any country the education sector attracts a lot of conversation, a lot of talk, a lot of criticism, a lot of praise, a lot of attention, and the reason

for that is because this is perhaps the one single sector that is the most important that could make or break a country,” the minister said.

Partnership

She further stated that no person, factor or group of persons could make sure that the education sector is right; it depends on a partnership among the government, Education Ministry, school administration/teachers, parents and students. The minister stressed that there are a lot of good teachers, but they

are not always seen. “We don’t have space for lazy teachers, but programmes like this today could help teachers emulate the people we are celebrating,” she said. Based on the impact of teachers on the children they teach, the minister emphasised that teachers are the backbone of the education sector, and they inevitably have to decide what the education sector and Guyana would look like in 20 years, and that is a huge burden and responsibility. Minister

Manickchand stressed that teachers will get the support and resources they need for this endeavour, and called on parents to be more involved in the education of their children. Students were urged to be disciplined, conscious of their role and give assistance to their peers.

Take-off

The minister highlighted that Region Five is poised for take-off educationally; this is much more evident with the upgrade of Rosignol and Bygeval secondary schools to A-List schools.

Minister Manickchand explained that A-List schools speak to the quality of the education delivered, quality of teachers and the resources as against Grade A, which speaks to the number of children attending a particular school. In this regard, the two schools received improvement in staffing, environment and infrastructure, at a cost of over Gy$24 million. Regional Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the teachers in the region, noting that they have made the region proud. The regional chairman also indicated that he expects the retired teachers to continue to contribute to the education system, and called on the students to keep up their good work. Regional Education Officer Owen Pollard noted that with the two A-List schools, Bygeval and Rosignol secondary schools, the region would be able to shine, as previously the top performers were absorbed into schools in Regions Four and Six.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Finance minister outlines Guyana’s challenges to lending institutions during visit to U.S. capital

inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh met recently with several key international financial institutions in Washington DC in the United States to discuss ways in which these institutions can better serve the needs of Guyana and its regional neighbours. Dr Singh returned last week after representing Guyana at the 2013 annual meetings of the Boards of Governors of International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the 2013 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, and the fifth Meeting of Finance Ministers of the Americas and the Caribbean, according to a release from his office. The meeting served as a platform for Minister Singh to draw attention to a number of critical issues that affect Guyana

From left to right: Bahamian Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis, Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell, St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, Trinidad and Tobago’s Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran, Guyanese Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Jamaican Finance Minister Michael Phillips and IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu

and the region. Among the issues raised were the special circumstances of the small states of the Caribbean and in particular, the peculiar development challenges faced

by the region. He called on the international community, especially development partners like the international financial institutions, to take account of these circumstances in

New Amsterdam hosts Town Week

ew Amsterdam Town Week 2013 was officially launched on Sunday under the theme “Embracing Our Diversity, Uplifting our Community”. The week of activities is being promoted by staff of the New Amsterdam Municipality. The day’s activity commenced with a parade from Marks Bridge to State House, where the official ceremony was held. At Main and New streets, Mayor Claude Henry took the salute and congratulated the COFONA Junior Band for their involvement in the parade. Speaking of the oldest town in Guyana, Mayor Henry said after 122 years, the town had 63 mayors, all with a common dream. “We dreamt that the town would continue to be beautiful, well zoned, free of crime and such like. We dreamt that our waterways are free from garbage. We all had a dream that our road shoulders will be free from garbage. We had a dream that persons will pay their rates and taxes on time so that we can provide the necessary services that we need to provide to you.”

Behave responsibly

Meanwhile, Mayor Henry called on citizens to behave responsibly at the street fair on Saturday, which will be the highlight of the week of activities. Among the activities planned were floodlight

football on Tuesday, a concert on Wednesday, flood light cricket on Thursday and a domino competition billed for Friday. Berbice Chamber of Commerce and D e v e l o p m e n t Association (BCCDA) Public Relations Officer Imran Sacoor said the chamber wants to see business improve during the celebration.

Lots to celebrate

“Whenever we have

same time to be able to sell the town to the wide community.” Region Six Chairman David Armogan said while there is need for a lot more development, there is a lot to celebrate. There is an increase in economic activity during the town week. “The other good thing is that it helps you people to come together as a unified body. When we go out to celebrate Town Day on Saturday or when

devising strategies to support the region in achieving sustainable growth and development. The minister called for the use of more innovative instruments to be

town week in New Amsterdam, we see an influx of business coming from regions as far as Region 10. We see people from Linden coming. We see people from Georgetown coming and when they come, they don’t just come for a oneday vacation, they spend money within the town. It is very important because events like these allow people to come together and to showcase the various businesses that they offer and at the

we take part in whatever activities that have been arranged, we go there as New Amsterdamers, not as members of political parties, social organisations, religious organisations, we go there as a people, as a people of New Amsterdam.” He said the town week provides a common ground for celebration and called on all to do some introspection and “ask where we were, where we are and where we are going”.

American Development Bank President the Luis Alberto Moreno and other prominent members of the international financial institutions based in that city.

TVG, RGI among broadcasting entities issued with licences

Representatives of various broadcasting entities pose with their certificates after the presentation by Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Chairperson Bibi Shaddick last Friday at the entity's office

A group of marchers that formed part of the parade

designed and applied in support of the region’s development efforts. During Minister Singh’s visit to the U.S. capital, he met with several other key partners, including Inter-

ine broadcasting entities that have submitted their relevant documentation for licences to continue to operate were on Friday presented with their licence certificates by Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Chairperson Bibi Shaddick. She stated that the licences for television and radio are issued under the Post and Telegraph Act and assign the frequency and the specifications of transmission. Five television stations were presented with their licences at the small handing over ceremony at the GNBA office, Hadfield Street. These are Television Guyana Incorporated, GWTV Channel 2, Pinnacle Communication Incorporated, Multi Technology Vision (MTV) Incorporated, and CNS Incorporated. Those receiving radio licences were Radio

Guyana Incorporated and Telecor, Cultural and Broadcasting Incorporated. Cable licences were given to Atlantic Cable Networking and E-Networks. Shaddick explained, “These licences were ready before today, but the law said that we have to advertise them in the Official Gazette, so we wanted to have a number ready before we advertise.” She also highlighted that the law requires the licences to be exhibited in the place of business like TIN certificates are exhibited. Shaddick added, “This is just to publish that licences have been granted for 2013, we have a list of people who are calling in trying to make last-minute negotiation, which we really cannot make”. The GNBA chairperson believes that all other stations that have not yet submitted their full documentation to re-

ceive licences to continue broadcasting “will get themselves in order” by the October 31 deadline. Earlier this month, the GNBA had disclosed that a number of broadcasting entities are yet to submit all outstanding documents to the board and failure to do so would result in them being deemed illegal broadcasters. As such, she disclosed that these entities have until the end of this month to submit the relevant documents. Eight radio and television station operators, including the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), are yet to submit all outstanding documents to the GNBA board. The other stations are STVS Channel 4, The Guyana Learning Channel, National Television Network (NTN), Rambarran, WRHM, Tarzie in Bartica, and the New Guyana Company.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Family Court to boost social services â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CC&PA

CC&PA Director Ann Greene

hild Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) Director Ann Greene said she is looking forward for the speedy orders that will follow the commencement of operations of the Guyana Family Court. Greene believes that with a system solely dedicated to the family and other related social services, Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children will be able to benefit from the speedy delivery of orders that will see them being placed

into care and the work and services provided by the CC&PA would be boosted as family matters would also be resolved in a timely manner. She made the comment during a telephone interview with this news publication on Saturday. Greene said the CC&PA is geared towards providing social services for the family unit, and as such, the services of the court would be a plus for the execution of its duties. The new body will also allow adults and children to seek redress and for family law issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic disputes, adoption, guardianship and custody to be discussed in a specialised and legal manner. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had previously expressed optimism that having a specialised court to deal exclusively with family and child-related matters would relieve some amount of pressure on the justice system. He said the establishment of the court

was decided upon following the recognition of the importance of having a speedy resolution of family-related cases. Former Human Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand had said the initiative of a Family

Court was prompted by the awareness that the family unit is severely affected by societal demoralisation. As such, in early 2009, Cabinet granted a two-fold approval to establish the court and erect a structure

in the compound of the Supreme Court, where the entity is housed. In the Ninth Parliament, the administration passed legislation to modernise the statutory landscape in Guyana with regards to children. These include

the new Adoption Act, the Custody Act and the Guardianship Act. Meanwhile, the rules governing the operation of the court were finalised and passed in the National Assembly during the latter part of 2012.

NEWS

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt's ONE STOP SHOP

844 get house lots at Zeelugt

Part of the large gathering at the Uitvlugt Community Centre

pproximately 844 house lots were distributed to Guyanese for phase three of the Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo when the Housing Ministry staged

its fifth 'One Stop Shop' exercise for the year on Friday. The lots, which ranged from low income to middle income, cost Gy$92,000 to Gy$300,000. Speaking at the event hosted at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali said the government will invest Gy$700 million in phase three of the housing scheme for infrastructural development. He stated that this was in addition to the Gy$20 million it has already spent on land clearing, adding that Gy$54.7 million was invested in the provision of electricity for the community. “For every single family that have benefitted from a house lot today, the government has invested on your behalf almost 830,000,” he underscored. He said taking into consideration all the payments, there is a difference of Gy$537 million, hence the administration will actually make a loss. However, Ali stated that to the government, this was not a loss, since it is investing in its people, their lives and their future. “We consider this to be the subsidy that the government pays on behalf of you, so for every single lot, there is an average subsidy of 76.7 percent into that phase three… whatever is the value of the land, you are only paying 24 percent of the value of the land,” he pointed out.

More lots

The housing minister also mentioned that the ministry is working on developing 300 more lots at a cost of Gy$240 million at Zeeburg, while it is working on developing 1270 house lots at a cost of Gy$800 million in Lust En Rust, West Coast Demerara. This means by the end of the year, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will distribute more than 2400 house lots in Region Three at a cost of Gy$2.9 billion. He added that government remained com-

mitted to ensuring that every single Guyanese owns a home, emphasising that this dedication needs to be shared among all stakeholders and political parties. “Because more and more in society, we are seeing a lot of petty politics and politics that can derail the development process…, but I want to assure you that this government will stay committed to a politics that brings great improvement in the living conditions and livelihoods of people all across this country.”

Security of homeownership

President Donald Ramotar, who was also present at the One Stop Shop, acknowledged knowing what it felt like to live in a rented house and what it felt like to finally own one’s home. “When you finally get your own home and you get your roof over your head, you get that secure feeling that no one can put you out and you are the king of our own home… we believe that when you have that security of your own home, that you have greater peace of mind.” He noted that government has also put systems in place to aid low and middle income homeowners in accessing affordable concessionary interest rates instead of commercial interest rates. Ramotar highlighted that these rates are possible, because the government does not tax the interest earned by the banks on loans. He explained that the government sees Region Three as a significant area where a housing boom is developing, thus it realises the need to provide more jobs in this region, so persons can work close to home. He revealed that the state is aggressively working to address this area, making reference to the fibreoptic cable, which is being laid, as a means of creating these job opportunities once completed.

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Feature

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

2012 Guyana Prize for Literature IV By Petamber Persaud (Continued from last week)

he 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature was awarded in September 2013. Extract of an interview with Brendan de Caires in Georgetown, Guyana, August 16, 2013. de Caires is a literary critic and reviewer, working in Canada. He has worked in Trinidad as editor and book reviewer for the “Caribbean Review of Books”, (CRB) and for the review section of “Caribbean Beat”. He has also published other literary articles and reviews, and is a co-founder of Moray House Trust in Georgetown. De Caries is a native of Guyana who has lived in Britain, Trinidad, Barbados, Mexico, and New York, working as editor, human rights activist, and English literature and ESL teacher. He is currently program and communications coordinator for PEN Canada. This is the second time he has sat on the panel of judges for The Guyana

Prize for Literature. PP So the writers and artists have abandoned their role? BdC No, not at all, I don’t think that is the case... PP Then why it is not coming out in our writing? BdC That’s a structural problem. I sure there are writers right now composing the very book that I’d like to read. But where would they publish and who would read it? These are the obstacles. I mean nobody can live in a society with serious problems without wishing to respond to them. But why would you respond to it in a novel when novels are not read in your society? It’s a chicken and egg thing. PP Am I beating a dead horse with my projects – two columns and two TV programmes on Guyanese literature … trying to show how our writers deal with these issues? BdC No. What you’re doing sounds very honourable. I think that how you come to love literature is irrelevant, getting there is the thing. Good writers are people who

have something worth saying about their reality. They put this down on paper as intelligently and as honestly as they can. That is the hallmark of any writer who becomes a classic. Somehow we don’t have that idea of writers anymore; we have a nonsense notion of writers. PP So they are not given the regard and respect they deserve. Earlier you suggest we may have a structural problem with our literature. BdC Yes, but I think the problem of the structure is larger than you’re suggesting. In this case the structure is the entire society. PP Expand BdC You can’t fix one aspect of this situation – you just can’t drop a million dollars on the problem and create a publishing house in a vacuum. People need good bookstores, and a culture of reading. There have to be book clubs, and that means children have to be reading from an early age. That, in turn, means that writers have to visit those children and talk

tucked away in Canada, but I will do whatever I can from afar. PP Your book reviews will be helpful – we cannot diminish the support of critical writing to creative work. We’d be happy for whatever help you can offer. Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

Brendan de Caires (R) in conversation at Moray House Trust with Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

to them so that they can start thinking that instead of aspiring to business school, they might eventually consider becoming writers. I grew up in awe of Martin Carter and I can think of nothing finer than to be a writer, precisely because he was my idea of what it would mean to be a writer. PP So all is not lost? BdC I’ve never felt that all is lost. What has been lost is the culture of reading. But cultures return, they don’t just disappear. PP As we see in fashion...I started this conversation by talk-

ing about reading and it seems we have come full circle now focusing on a reading culture. I hope this trend of a reading culture returns and I hope...I know – I feel you’re also thinking along this same line. BdC Intelligence never disappears from a culture altogether, it goes elsewhere, and all I am hoping is that it returns to books and words and the pursuit of explanation of your own society in more conventional forms. PP And you could help in this respect. BdC I am part of the disaspora, I am safely

What’s happening: • The Guyana Annual 2012-2013 magazine is now available at Guyenterprise Ltd, at Austin’s bookstore and from the editor at the above contacts. This issue of the magazine is dedicated to E. R. Braithwaite. The magazine also features articles on copyright, law of intellectual property, creative industries, oral traditions of Guyana, the future of West Indian cricket and the future of books. • Coming soon: “An Introduction to Guyanese Literature” by Petamber Persaud. This 150-page-book is a rich collection of Guyanese pride and joy, containing more than 100 photographs.

Feature

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A Guyanese tradition Workers at Limacol’s manufacturing site undergo thorough measures to ensure strict quality control

he Limacol brand name has been a tradition in Guyana and around the world since its Guyanese developer, J. A. Adamson (later nicknamed Johnny “Limacol” Adamson) was employed as chief pharmacist, chemist, general manager and managing director at what was then known as Bookers Drug Store in British Guiana in the early 1900s. According to Alvin O. Thompson writing in “Colonialism and Underdevelopment in Guyana 1580 – 1803” (1987) Adamson developed Limacol “after some months of experimenting”, when he needed to find a substitute for bay rum, which was expensive, and was asked to develop a less expensive lotion that could be used instead of eau de cologne. The result was the “creation and introduction of the lotion ‘lime rum’ ”, which would become so popular that Bookers, who named it Limacol, registered it as a trademark to protect the creator, the product and its market, as cheap imitations started appearing. The result of Adamson’s experiments is, according to its current manufacturer, a “unique combination of alcohol and blended aromatic oils, with a lime fragrance” whose “proprietary formula [is] sourced from the Amazon and beyond”. Adamson’s Limacol formula began selling across the Caribbean, and, by the 1930s was on sale in Britain. Close to a century later, Limacol remains a household name throughout Guyana, the Caribbean, and the West Indian diaspora. By the late 1930s, with the introduction of Limacol and Ferrol, the latter also a well-known cough and cold elixir in which JA Adamson was also involved, Bookers Drug Store was on its way to becoming the Caribbean region’s oldest and largest pharmaceutical company, and its Limacol brand a Guyanese tradition.

The Limacol tradition continues

But it almost never happened. Events affecting its company would place the Limacol brand into hard times before it would survive to continue its tradition in Guyana and the Caribbean. Under the umbrella of the Bookers Group of Companies, a firm with interests in the colony’s sugar, rum, shipping and many other industries at the time, Bookers Drug Store had opened in the 1920s at the corner of Church and Main streets, Georgetown, with the aim of manufacturing and distributing pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Within a decade of their Limacol introduction, Bookers Drug Store’s manufacturing and retail site was razed in the 1945 “Great Fire of Georgetown”, and much activity reduced or suspended for a period. After a spate of temporary locations and – according to an autobiography of Wilfred A. Gilkes, who was hired by Adamson in the 1930s and managed the company’s Bourda branch – a period of hardship for employees, Bookers eventually rebuilt on its original site as Bookers Universal Store, and relocated the manufacturing section to La Penitence, then considered just outside the city, where it continued producing the Limacol brand as Bookers Manufacturing Drug Company Limited (BMDCL). When the Limacol manufacturing company was nationalised in the 1970s, it was renamed, and fell behind in its services. It would take privatisation of the Limacol company to put the brand on more solid ground, when a new company was formed to ensure its continued production. Today, Limacol has added to its international recognition after being awarded the Caribbean Premier League cricket competition franchise under its wellestablished flagship brand.

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Agriculture Month 2013

Women turn subsistence farming into business By Indrawattie Natram

omen have traditionally lived as subsistence farmers, eking out a meagre living off a few crops, just to maintain their family, with or without male assistance. Today, while many women dominate in offices, some women from the Upper Pomeroon choose to remain in farming – but not to exist in poverty. They have adopted farming because they have seen the satisfying advantages of farming as a business. Four women from Kabakaburi, a village in the Upper Pomeroon, located 40 miles from Charity on the Essequibo Coast, told Guyana Times Sunday Magazine that farming is beneficial and it helps them to earn. Three of the hardworking women in the community, Nicola Williams, Judith Lyte and Beverley Lyte, revealed how farming has changed their lives, and how they entered the profession. Beverley Lyte, a mother, housewife and a farmer, related that cassava cultivation has changed her family’s life. The 33- year- old said that cultivating cassava, a crop traditionally grown in the Kabakaburi area, has made her into someone she is truly proud of. The mother, who takes care of her home before she ventures into the fields, said that as a small child growing up, her eyes were always on her father, who was a farmer, "I grow up in farming, it’s like a tradition: it pass on," she mused.

Shedding traditional roles

Beverly noted that

before she began her business, she would realize that sometimes, providing all the necessary amenities for the home was difficult with her husband’s earnings alone. She said her home needed many things, and many wants were left unsatisfied. One day she was making cassava pone and realized that cassava as a plant has much potential in local markets. She said that she spoke later to the two other women, who also faced similar challenges in their homes, and asked them to join her on the farm. She knew about farming, she stated, but she never knew she was so good at it. Lyte said she met with Nicola Williams and Judith Lyte, and the idea of cultivating 10 acres with cassava emerged. She recalled that they were all excited, and their journey into business began. Today, the three women are thrilled to be earning profits from their 10 acres of land under cultivation.

help them when they were not busy, but most of the work is done by the women themselves: the clearing, land preparation, sowing and harvesting. Harvesting, she disclosed, is difficult for them since their land is located far back of the landing, and the harvesting is done manually then transported to their boats. The distance is a challenge, however it is a challenge endured by the strong women. After harvesting, they would sell the raw materials to other women in the village who in turn bake cassava bread

Crucial Support

Beverly Lyte among her eddo plants

ing full support from their toshao, and they are thankful. Apart from bitter cassava cultivation, the women also cultivate eddoes. They said eddo as a cash crop, helps them earn as well, and added that vine crops are sometimes planted between the main crops.

A ‘Normal’ Day

Beverly said that also being a housewife makes farming a great challenge. She related that a normal day for the three of them is going to work on the plot of land, located not far from the community. She said after breakfast is prepared for the children and they are sent off to school, the three women go into the fields. She noted that clearing the lands is most tedious, and requires many laborious hours. In achieving a smooth and level plot of land, the farmer said they would clear and clean the plot with axes and cutlasses. She said that their husbands would sometimes

Extra earnings

Daniels, who cultivates two acres, with her children who help on weekends

and sell at the Charity Market.

‘God bless’ opportunity

Lyte, who spoke on behalf of the other women, said that farming has opened many opportunities for them, and described the profession as “God bless”. She declared that she

is earning, and enjoying her life because of farming. She said farming is a great profession where one can see tangible results within weeks, and she remains humbled by the experience. " It is amazing,” she confessed, “to just put a stick in the earth and next day it blossoms into a fruit then food for persons." The farmer advised those who love farming to take it up. She maintained that anyone can become a farmer, however great commitment and dedication is needed. She said it’s a wonderful profession and can provide good earnings. She said too that she would sometimes even "Google" new farming techniques so as to keep up with technology.

Another female from the village who finds love in farming is Hazel Daniels, who operates her farm separately. Daniels cultivates two acres of cassava and said that she enjoys farming because she earns extra. She said that she enjoys the company of her children on the farm at weekends, and it is her fervent wish for them to become farmers also one day.

Cleveland Simon, toshao of the village, was on the farms with the women while they were harvesting the cassava. Simon said that when he took office in the village, his main aim was to get persons involved in agriculture. He said today he is very proud of the achievements, and thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for providing proper drainage and irrigation network system in his area. He pointed out that millions of dollars was spent to allow the smooth flow of water to farmlands. Lands, the toshao also disclosed, are easily available to persons who want to pursue farming. He also thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for providing staff from the National Agriculture Research Institute to give farmers technical advice, and noted that field officers attached to the ministry are always prompt and offer the necessary advice for the proper growth of the crops. He also said that many youths from the area are attending the Guyana School of Agriculture. As Guyana observes Agriculture Month, the work of these women in the community highlights the need for others to get involved to help satisfactorily feed themselves, their families and ultimately the nation, and avoid food shortages, prevalent in many other countries today. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Plans for the future

Toshao Cleveland Simon on the farm with Lyte and Williams

Due to the profit gains , the three farmers are hoping to extend their lands and plant more cassava. They noted that they are receiv-

Farmers Beverly Lyte and Nicola Williams in their fields

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

‘Together We Fight’

he Cancer Institute of Guyana was officially opened June 1, 2006, and, the month of October, was designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time for enforcing awareness campaigns on educating Guyanese about the disease. Breast cancer a common cause of cancer deaths, where it has been reported that some 70 percent of women, diagnosed with breast cancer are over 55 years. The CIG has continuously partnered with NGOs such as the Periwinkle Club, an organization that is involved in helping persons prevent, cope with and rehabilitate from cancer, including breast cancer; the Avon Community Help Fund (ACHF), which annually donates to organisations, or sponsors related events; and the Guyana Cancer Association which, among other things, along with the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre’s orthotic and prosthetic department, manufactures low-cost breast prostheses for women who have had a mastectomy. This year, the CIG is offering free mammograms for women over 40 during the months of October into

Some Periwinkle Club members who are breast cancer survivors, along with those who provide support

A previous year’s breast cancer awareness walk through the city

to convey breast cancer awareness, as part of their November, to ensure as many women as possible benefit from the medical technology and expertise of the CIG. The offer especially targets, but is not limited to, uninsured and low-income women, who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of screening. The CIG and ACHF are unanimous in their concern that women take advantage of the occasion to get tested as early as possible so as to begin treatment, if needed, to ensure a better survival rate. Radiation Oncologist at the Institute, Dr Narendra Bhalla, especially appealed to women in remote, rural areas to make the effort to be tested since they are usually low-income earners who, either from lack of awareness or finances, generally arrive at the institute when the cancer is tragically at a too advanced state. This year, Bhalla made a public presentation on the disease as part of the month’s breast cancer awareness activities. Other activities earlier included a “wear pink” day in support of breast cancer awareness, while some breast cancer survivors are to be treated to spas and makeovers by private business entities. The annual breast cancer walk, sponsored by beauty conglomerate Avon (Guyana), was scheduled for Saturday, Oct 19. In addition, a candle light vigil at the CIG clinic is expected to be held this Friday, Oct 25 as the month draws to a close. This year also, entertainment group Hits and Jams has come onboard the fight against breast cancer, with the organization of a walk to be held Sunday, Oct 27. The group also pledges to educate with its infomercial on breast cancer awareness. Mobile phone giant Digicel (Guyana) is also contributing to activities during the month with a cycling race in collaboration with the Guyana Cycle Federation and the Roraima Bikers Club, sponsored

contribution to the fight against breast cancer in Guyana. Breast cancer survivors share common stories of courage and determination in the face of hardships and challenges in coping with the disease, which often include the physical side effects of chemotherapy such as rapid weight loss, hair loss and, in some cases, damage to other organs; surgery, and the emotional effects on themselves and family. Many find solace in their spirituality; others find lifestyle changes and attitudes essential to surviving the disease and preventing recurrence. Sadly, yet others find themselves alone as spouses or family abandon them during this difficult period, while some women refuse treatment, preferring to face and accept their death from the disease. In 2012, well-known Guyanese singer Pamela Maynard lost her battle with breast cancer, and died in Canada in November at the age of 58. Guyana Times Sunday Magazine urges all Guyanese women to get tested. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Myths and Facts about Breast Cancer Myth 1: A breast lump is probably cancer Most breast lumps women feel (8 out of 10) aren't cancer. It's more common for them to be a cyst (a sac) or a fibroadenoma (an abnormal growth that's not cancer). Some lumps come and go during a woman's menstrual cycle. You can't tell what it is by how it feels. But never ignore the possibility. Ensure you get tested. Myth 2: If you have a lump but your mammogram is normal, you’re done You may need more tests, such as an MRI, ultrasound, or follow-up mammogram, to take another look at the lump. You may also need to get a biopsy, which is when a doctor takes a small sample of the lump to test it. In addition, it may mean you need to be tested more often. Myth 3: Cancerous breast lumps are always painless Not necessarily. Although breast cancers aren't always painful, having breast pain doesn't rule out cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer, which has early symptoms such as redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth in the breast, can be painful when there is a lump. Myth 4: If you find a lump while breastfeeding, it can't be cancer Though breastfeeding does make you less likely to get breast cancer, it can still happen. If you notice a lump while you're breastfeeding, don't ignore it. Get an ultrasound.

Myth 5: If you’re young, a breast lump can't be cancer Even though most women who get breast cancer are past menopause or older than 50, a lump can be cancer, even in a younger woman. At any age, you should get breast lumps checked. Myth 6: A small lump is less likely to be cancer than a large lump Whenever you feel a lump that's new or unusual, even if it's tiny, see your doctor. Even small lumps can be aggressive cancers. Size does not dictate if you are cancer free. Myth 7: If you feel a lump soon after a mammogram, it's ok to wait another year Mammograms can miss some cancers, especially if you have dense breast tissue or if the lump is in an awkward location (such as near your armpit). Call your doctor if you notice a lump soon after your latest mammogram, even if the results were normal. Myth 8: A lump is probably harmless if there's no breast cancer in your family Get all lumps checked by a doctor, whether or not breast cancer runs in your family. Less than 15 percent of women with breast cancer have a relative who's had the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. (Source: WebMD)

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Indo-Caribbean Federation - Part 2 By Sam Sooppersaud

Continued from last week

ith Ray Sundar gone, discord once again revisited the ranks of the ICF. Over-zealous and over-ambitious persons within the membership attempted to "hijack" the elected offices within the organisation. They called an election which was rigged to ensure their election into office. However, the Board of Directors saw through their deviousness and declared the election null and void. The BOD called new elections and Isardat Ramdehal was elected the next president of the ICF. He was a dedicated official and with the cooperation of the other elected officials and the membership; he set about doing the tasks of the ICF. He reintroduced the various activities that the Federation had staged prior to 1992 but had gone a begging during the power-grabbing attempt. The cricket match was restored, the Talent Show and Beauty Pageant was once again featured at Smokey Park. More interest was placed on children's education. The Ramdehal's presidency could be categorised as a "fruitful

period" for the organisation. Next, it was Jagdesh Mohunlall's time at the head of the ICF. He continued the programmes and projects of the Federation. Things went on relatively smoothly. He was a voice of conscience to the ICF and was a stabilising force within the organisation. He demitted office in 2002. A most progressive period for the ICF commenced for the ICF when Ralph Tamesh was elected its president in 2002. Due to his hard work and his intermediating skills, the power struggle which plagued the ICF in the past seemed to have been abated. Ralph is a hands-on president. He just does not sit back and have others do his work and then take full credit, he being the president. Through his hard work, the membership of the Federation has increased appreciably. The finances looked better than in past years. He is able to get sponsorship for the Federation's various endeavors. Ralph follows up his phone calls by more phone calls. If he cannot reach a prospective sponsor, it is not uncommon for Ralph to show up at his door steps. Once President Tamesh was asked what

Current President of the ICF Ralph Tamesh (FB photo)

new programmes the Federation has introduced. He was quick to reply: “The organisation serves as a conduit to help people secure health benefits and with immigration paperwork". People within the organisation are clear on the pathways which the organisation must tread. They are aware that much has to be done and that the President is leading the charge to get things done. Stability has returned to the ICF. Have you ever attended an ICF-sponsored cricket match? If you have then you would have seen Ralph Tamesh was "here, there and everywhere". He is always on the move seeing to it that everything works out according to plans and making sure the spectators have an enjoyable time. He does make

certain refreshments and food is available for the fans. As for the Talent Show and Beauty Pageant, Ralph works tirelessly to procure the most entertaining performers for his audiences. In preparation of the yearly ICF Magazine, Ralph is always there seeking contributors; money people and writers alike. He is surely a blessing to the ICF. The Indo-Caribbean Federation is always ready and willing to give whatever assistance it is called upon to render – in bereavement, in giving advice, in helping out with needed financial obligations and numerous other charitable causes. The work of the Federation is not only done in North America, but also abroad. President Tamesh and a team of ICF members and supporters visited an orphanage at Enmore, Guyana, The Hope Children's Home. It was founded by the Church of Christ in the USA. The Home is a bastion for neglected and abused children in Guyana. It offers them comfort and hope. During the visit the ICF donated much-needed items to the Home: food, clothing, bedding, etc. On the lighter side, the ICF threw a party a few years ago, for renowned Taan Singer

Evelyn Morgan who celebrated her eightieth birthday in New York The ICF does not allow accomplishments by individuals who have exemplified themselves as role models to go unnoticed. In the past, the Federation has honoured many such persons: Sham Razack, for his over fifty years in Journalism, former cricketers, Sew Shivnarain, Leonard Baichan, Romain Etwaroo, Bernard Julien, Kamal Singh, Vibert Darjun. In an era when people of Indian origin hardly entered Track and Field, Seu Etwaroo was a champion Marathon Runner. The ICF noted this and honoured the ageing athlete at one of its cricket matches at Whitestone Park. This year the Federation honouree was the legendary Caribbean cricket broadcaster from Guyana, Reds Perreira, at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn during the half time at its twenty-third annual cricket match. In the field of entertainment, the ICF has lent its assistance to many. At the Dinner on September 26, numerous persons gave testimony as to their relationship with the ICF. Lisa Ali told of performing on the ICF stage for many years during

its Pageant and Talent Shows. This gave her the stage presence and exposure to start her dancing career. Today she is a teacher of Indian Dance at Queens College. A young man, by the name of Kris Budhram, told of how he was encouraged to sing at an ICF Talent Show. He said he never sang on stage before. In fact, he admitted that he was a "bathroom" singer. The standing ovation he received that day encouraged him to practice his singing more. Today, he performs regularly before audiences. The dancers of the David Ali Dance School are given the opportunity each year to show their dancing skills before large crowds at the ICF Talent Show. This year the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation performed an extraordinary skit at Smokey Park about our fore fathers coming to Guyana and their experience living and working on the sugar estates. What more could be said of the IndoCaribbean Federation but that it has its presence in the West Indian community and it is making a difference. We are so thankful to President Ralph Tamesh and his executives for providing this invaluable service to the Indo Caribbean community.

health corner

lames on the roof, the scintillating smells of premium meats on open grills, and an array of mood lighting set the tone for what was to be an evening to remember at the Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) opening night at Rahaman’s Park on Sunday night. The capacity crowd was treated to music, eye-catching and mouth-watering delicacies on tastefully decorated tables in bold colours covered by creative works of art, and were even surprised with a fashion show featuring the creations of designers from six countries including The Bahamas, United States, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Fashion models became waiters and waitresses, hosts and hostesses quite in keeping with the evening’s fashionable theme. GFW Chief Executive Officer Sonia Noel was the official “grande dame” for the ball, which was hosted by GFW directors Ronnie Morris (Barbados) and Richard Young (Trinidad). In the end, the true focus of the evening was the culinary competition, where there was fierce competition between six teams, each representing a fruit or vegetable grown in abundance in Guyana. After tasting starters, a main course and dessert, the judges decided that the winners were Natasha David and Denzil Doom, who represented the coconut. Their area was well decorated with the leaves of the beautiful coconut tree, and their choice of gold metallic seating complemented their eye-catching table pieces, made of young coconuts which were painted and sprayed with gold glitter. Second place was awarded to Team Tomato, who boasted a mannequin be-

By Tisha Boston

Designer Nelsion Nurse and a participant during the culinary competition

decked in red fabric, with a headpiece curiously made of lettuce and an attractive arrangement of tomatoes which resembled a floral arrangement. Third place went to Team Watermelon, who had the audience buzzing with their fantastic pork main course and their watermelon and ice cream deserts. The chief judge for the evening was Carnegie School of Home Economics Principal Penelope Harris, while special guests in attendance included the wife of the British High Commissioner, former Miss Guyana World Arti Cameron (the face of GFW 2013), and many other luminaries of fashion, music, dance, and the corporate world.

edbugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of sleeping humans and animals. They are small, flat, reddishbrown, wingless creatures that tend to live within eight feet of where people sleep. Bedbugs are not known to spread diseases; however, they can cause other health problems so it is important to prevent and control the spread of these insects. Sometimes bedbug bites can cause an allergic reaction and one may need to seek medical attention. Also, the itching sensation brought forth from the bites can lead to excessive scratching that increases the risk of a secondary skin infection. Bedbugs are mainly a problem in developing countries such as those in South America, Africa and Asia, but recently they have been spreading rapidly in parts of the United States, Canada and Europe. Anyone can get bedbugs when visiting an infested area. Those people who travel frequently have a higher risk of getting bedbugs and spreading them to various locations. These parasitic insects can travel in the seams and folds of luggage and overnight bags. It is important to remember that the presence of bedbugs is not determined by the cleanliness of one’s living conditions; five star hotels can have them too. Bedbugs can live several months without feeding. When they are not feeding, which is mostly during the day, they hide in places such as seams and tags of mattresses, box springs, and in cracks on bed frames and head boards. These parasites have been known to travel over a 100 feet in the night so if the area is heavily infested, they can be found in

the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains, under loose wallpaper, and in electrical receptacles. Examining the body for bites is commonly used to detect a bedbug infestation; however, this is a poor indicator. Sometimes the bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop, which gives the bedbugs time to spread to other areas of the house. Also, the bites can be misidentified because bedbug bites can look like bites from other insects such as spiders a n d mosquitoes. In order to identify bedbug infestations, some more accurate cues to look for when cleaning or changing beddings are: • Bedbugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets, and other hiding places discussed earlier • Tiny white eggs and eggshells about 1mm in size • A sweet musty odor • Rusty or reddish stains on mattresses and sheets due to bedbugs being crushed • Bedbugs’ exoskeletons after molting. These are the skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger • Dark spots caused by the fecal material bedbugs excrete on mattresses and nearby furniture Even though bedbugs do not pose a serious medical threat, it is very unlikely that anyone wants to share their living quarters or sleep with insects feeding on his or her body. The best way to prevent bedbugs is to have regular inspection and if you suspect an infestation, get professional help.

fun time

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es

Shirt size

While I was working in the men's section of a department store, a woman asked me to help her choose a white dress shirt for her husband. When I asked about his size, the woman looked stumped at first, and then her face brightened. She held up her hands, forming a circle with her forefingers and thumbs. "I don't know his size," she said, "but my hands fit perfectly around his neck."

Sick aunt

Finally, the good-natured boss was compelled to call Smith into his office. "It has not escaped my attention," he pointed out, "that every time there's a home game at the stadium, you have to take your aunt to the doctor." "You know you're right, sir," exclaimed Smith. "I didn't realize it. You don't suppose she's faking, do you?"

Telephone call

A teenage girl had been talking on the phone for about half an hour, and then she hung up. "Wow!" said her father, "That was short. You usually talk for two hours. What happened?" "Wrong number..." replied the girl.

New glasses

This week's Puzzle

A woman walks into the optometry store to return a pair of eyeglasses she had purchased the week before. "What seems to be the problem, ma'am?" the optometrist inquired. "Well, I bought these glasses for my husband last week and they're just not working," the woman complained. "Perhaps the lab made an error in filling the prescription." "I'm sure they must have," the woman confirmed. "My husband's still not seeing things my way."

Learning to cook

When our seven-year-old granddaughter comes over, she loves to watch her grandmother when she is baking. "Grandma," she asked one day, "where did you learn how to cook?" Grandma told her that she learned from her mother and passed on this knowledge to her daughter. "Someday," she continued, "your mother will pass this knowledge along to you." There was a short silence. "No, I don't think so," she said. "Mom puts everything in the microwave."

Making babies

A 3rd-grade girl came home from school. She was very happy, and her Mom noticed this. Mom asked, "What makes you so happy today?" The girl said, "Mom, we learned how to make babies in school today!" Shocked, and thinking that 3rd grade was a bit early for that, she asked her daughter to tell her how. "It's easy, Mom -- you just drop the “y”, and add “i-e-s”," the daughter said.

Old photos

see solution on page 46

Curious when I found two black-and-white negatives in a drawer, I had them made into prints. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were of a younger, slimmer me, taken on one of my first dates with my husband. When I showed him the photos, his face lit up. "Wow, look at that!" he said with appreciation. "It's my old Plymouth!"

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

FASHION

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

he 34-24-36 fashion label, by US-based Guyanese Sarah A. Bacchus, has recently launched its newest clothing line, Aurora Collection. In a press release, Sarah mentioned that since launching in 2010, her brand has become very successful. She noted that all aspects of her business are done within the New York State. The fabric qualities utilized by her label are only natural fibres: silks, cottons, blends of silk and cotton, rayon and rarely novelty manmade textures. The Aurora Collection was created to give women options and is deal for the upcoming Christmas holiday celebrations. The colourful statement pieces offer a stunning fit that are guaranteed to turn heads. “Now, the appeal factor for 34-2436 as per the various fans, whether it is Facebook friends and acquaintances,

Designer Sarah A. Bacchus

our foreign clientele, local boutiques, and our roster of clients, it’s just

a small fraction of where we see ourselves in the coming years. While the brand has been attracting the likes of many, even those far and wide, with its avant-garde aesthetics, there’s more that the brand has in store, if given the right exposure. This year, we plan on meeting with many boutiques and organizations to take a look at our brand, with the hopes of becoming a part of their roster of designers. 3424-36 plans on giving exclusive rights when requested to the various stores and boutiques, as we are flexible on that thought process,” she stated. The designer’s mission is to continue customizing features of her collections to achieve the “perfect fit” for her clientele, as well as expanding her current market. For more information on this collection, go to 34-24-36.com/Sarah Bacchus on Facebook.(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

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week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

“C

A book review by Albert Baldeo

an a batsman be dismissed by one ball bowled? Who is the only West Indian (WI) batsman to have made a century on test debut, but was dropped immediately-never to have played another test? Who is the only bowler to take 9 test wickets in an innings, but never played for the WI again? Where and when did the legendary Rohan Kanhai make his epic 256, and when did he become an immortal (scoring 2 hundreds in a test)? Which innings are rated as Alvin Kallicharran’s and Roy Fredericks’ greatest feats? In what match winning partnership did Chanderpaul and Sarwan script their record breaking run chase against Australia? Was Clive Lloyd WI’s most successful captain? For how long did Lance Gibbs’ and Courtney Walsh’s world record for the most test wickets stand? How long did Sir Garfield Sobers’ record highest test score of 365* not out stand, and how many times did Brian Lara accomplish this feat?” For cricket lovers, players, and officials-indeed, the global cricket fraternity, the answers to these and other questions will amaze your cricket instincts. Noteworthy records and cricket feats of West Indians are repletely memorialised in this cricket lovers’ compendium. In forwarding what can only be described as a painstaking labor of love by the author, Lance Gibbs, the greatest off spinner the West Indies has produced, captured the essence of Mr. Sambhudat’s collection of facts and feats relating to West Indies Test matches when he said of this masterpiece, “In this pioneering reference book, the author has drawn all the strands together to produce descriptive and statistical sections, which in my opinion has made this book a must for all those interested in WI cricket.” Indeed, cricket lovers and statisticians all over the world will welcome this enduring work as a worthy collection to their libraries. It will be hard to find another work on West Indies test cricket that chronicles such complete and in-depth factual data. Highlights of West Indies’ first test series in 1928

Cover of “WI in Test Matches - Facts and Feats”

to their last test match against Zimbabwe in 2013 are well researched and documented. No cricket facthowever small or trivial-is omitted. The hard facts are all there, including the indelible contributions of the great players of the game, who have all enriched the tapestry of cricket. There are also chap-

ters on “West Indians sent home for disciplinary reasons, the great cricket grounds of the West Indies, Do you know, cricket jokes and funnies.” There is even a trivia section. Crabwood Creek, and all Guyana, and indeed, the Caribbean, would be proud to acknowledge the work of one of its sons. WI records from 1928 to 2013 in batting, bowling, wicket keeping, fielding, partnership, all-round, individual, records in the WI, records against the WI, WI records against all Test playing countries, WI players who have played over 100 test, WI best opening batsmen, Guyanese contributions to WI cricket, all East Indians who represented the WI, all WI cricketers from 1928 to 2013 with their statistics, WI captains, all centuries scored by WI batsmen and foreign batsmen in and against WI and all centuries scored on all WI cricket grounds-424 pages of wide ranging research are captured. 62 nostalgic black and white photos-some very rare, abound plentifully, as are a host of other topics of interest a true cricket fan would love. Photos of the inimitable triumphant falling hook of Kanhai, WI’s first ever test team, the famous run out by Joe Solomon that sparked the 1960-61 tied test, “Supercat” Clive Lloyd, Basil Butcher, the feats of Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul, Ronnie Sarwan, Carl Hooper, and the great legends-IVA Richards, Sobers, Lara, Headley, Learie Constantine, the 3 W’s-Worrell, Weekes and Walcott, Hall and Griffith, Ramadhin and Valentine, the feared quartet of Roberts, Holding, Croft and Garner, followed by Malcolm Marshall, Ambrose, Walsh and other WI greats are all reproduced in photographs-in addition to their iconic cricket feats. This is certainly a work I would recommend to all cricket connoisseurs and fans. Priced at US$24.95, it is a small price to pay in appreciation of the author’s sleepless nights of research. The author can be contacted on email at: vadrinarayan@cfl.rr.com or by phone at 863-852-8678 (H), 407-218-0867 (C).

Art & CULTURE

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese-American artist presents U.S. solo exhibition

arl E. Hazlewood is a Guyanese-American multimedia artist, writer, and curator. His solo exhibition, “Temporality and Objects”, is currently ongoing at Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, 591 Broad Street, Newark, U.S. The exhibition opened on September 26 and will be on view until December 21, 2013. Following close upon this event, Hazlewood will also be part of a two-person exhibition with the brilliant African-born poet/scholar and artist, Olu Oguibe, at FiveMyles Gallery, in Brooklyn, opening November 2 and continuing through December 16, 2013. In 1983, Guyanese artists Victor L. Davson and Carl E. Hazlewood envisioned Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, as a place which would embody the essence of its etymological roots. By select-

"Untitled (Provisional Black Presence)"

by the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company (CDDC). “All the world’s a stage” as choreographer Carolyn Dorfman and Carl E. Hazlewood join forces for a unique gallery experience. As Dorfman’s dancers join the viewers, their internal and external experiences will take physical form. As Hazlewood’s art dances on and off the walls, the dancers both observe and become the art. These artists celebrate what Hazlewood describes “the concrete poetry of seeing”, creating a personal and collective experience. For more information on Hazlewood’s work and Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, visit www.aljira.org (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine) Hazlewood relaxes next to his self-portrait on exhibition at Aljira (Photo by Arlington Weithers)

ing the name Aljira, the Australian Aboriginal word for “dreamtime”, the founders defined the heart of Aljira’s mission, a mission that embraces the concepts of timelessness and open possibilities –ideas inherent in the creative process. Aljira continues to be open to possibilities and plays an integral role in the professional life of many artists. Notably, Hazlewood’s solo exhibition is his first at Aljira. On view is a gallery of five large wall-works made onsite within three days preceding the opening reception. The hybrid installations use mixed techniques and materials including painting and drawing. Also on view in a second space, are Hazlewood’s photographic works, focusing on the visual quotidian. The artist’s exhibition was recently featured in the 2013 issue of BOMB magazine as an “Editor's Choice”, with an article written by poet, Patricia Spears Jones. Part of the public programming for his solo exhibition there will be a feature presentation

"Untitled (Letters from Pythagoras)"

feature

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

23-year-old news editor admitted to Guyana Bar

aomi Christie, the editor-in-chief of “News Watch”, which is aired on Little Rock Television Station, Berbice was admitted to the Guyana Bar on Friday. In a packed courtroom at the Berbice High Court, Attorney General Anil Nandlall presented a petition to Justice Brassington Reynolds to have Christie accepted to the Bar. The 23-year-old Christie attended St Therese Primary before attending the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary from 2001 to 2008. She gained passes in 14 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, and was among the top ten performers in the country at the 2006-2007 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). Nandlall, in presenting her credentials, said Christie entered into the

law programme at the University of Guyana in 2008 and graduated in 2011. “While there she participated in two mooting competitions at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Trinidad. In 2010, she was awarded the Anne Blue Award for best performance in Part II of the law programme. Upon completion of the programme, she was awarded a Bachelor’s of Law degree with distinction and presented with the Pro-Chancellor’s Award for best graduating student.” Christie completed her legal studies at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad (20112013). The attorney general, who is also the legal affairs minister, said in her first year, Christie was awarded the Justice Jessi Haynes Memorial Prize for best performance in the law of remedies. “She also participated in the Hamel-Smith

Mooting Competition 2012. At the completion of her studies, she was awarded the Legal Education Certificate and placed on the honours roll.” Justice Reynolds welcomed Christie, telling her that he was impressed and not to forget the standards that she was trained to uphold. “The climb to the summit of your career has now begun. No position is right in law. It is your interpretation of the law…. Judges and magistrates are human, so you have to try to convince them…” Upholding ideals Christie, who made a vow to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and to adhere to its ethical standards, told the media during an interview that she was relieved to have completed her studies. “I am ready again to hit the highest point of the ladder.” Currently, Christie

is working at the attorney general’s office where she is hoping to gain experience before branching out. “I am going to help everybody that is in need and I want to be a voice for persons who don’t have a voice and especially for the poor people.” She said she will press forward to make Guyana proud. Christie, who is engaged only with civil matters at the attorney general’s office, said she sees herself as a criminal lawyer. “I want to make a difference. As the AG said, the judiciary is crumbling, it needs a lot of work, it needs somebody to pick it up and dust it off, but I can’t do it by myself. I am hoping to get the support of all the other attorneys, persons in the community, and we are going to make a difference. The support that I saw today was overwhelming, and if I can

New lawyer Naomi Christie

get the support of persons around me, I think I can make a difference worldwide.” Christie said becoming a lawyer was never her ambition, but her mother wanted her to be-

come a lawyer. She, however, has no regrets. Naomi is the daughter of Rockcliff and Pearl Christie, the proprietors of Little Rock Television Station and Little Rock Suites.

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

feature

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

BY BHISHAM MOHAMED

uyanese were blown away on Sunday morning by the melodious and powerful voice of international R&B singing sensation, R Kelly, during his spectacular 90-minute performance at the Redemption Concert at the Guyana National Stadium. In dim lights, he made his grand stage appearance about 01:45h, opening with “Your Body Is Calling Me” to the delight of thousands of fans who flocked the venue to witness one of the greatest concerts ever held at the venue. While the superstar dished out several of his hits, he stole the show with his penultimate tune “I Believe I Can Fly” and the last, “Step In The Name Of Love”. There was not a single person sitting in the arena as he performed the last two songs. As he started to sing “I Believe I Can Fly”, the crowd sang along, forcing Kelly to stop and allowed the crowd to continue singing. He held his head in amusement as tears trickled down his cheeks. He then applauded his fans for their overwhelming support and continued the song intermittently.

Decked in all black, the artiste sang with a lot of emotion as he reminisced from where he came; hence, the reason for him writing the song, “I Believe I Can Fly” and encouraging his fans to “believe it can happen”. After performing that rendition, he was evidently in tears and so were some of his fans in the audience. As he took some time to compose himself, the fans started to chant “Kelly! Kelly! Kelly!” Next, the lyrics of Kelly’s hit song, “Step In The Name of

Love” boomed through the powerful speakers of Fusion International. The fans went hysterical and started to sing before the entertainer opened his mouth. As he started to sing, again, the crowd sang and danced along. By this time, it was time to say goodbye to his fans, and he did, promising to return to Guyana, noting that it was his first and he will obviously take back great memories. He said prior to being contacted to perform in Guyana, he did not know where the coun-

Fans at the Redemption Concert

try was, and more so anything about it, but after spending two days, he realised how much Guyanese love him and more so, his music. During his 90-minute performance, he was extremely thankful to be in Guyana for the first time. Apart from “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Step In The Name Of Love”, Kelly dished out a few others, including; “Bump and Grind”, “The World’s Greatest”, “When A Woman Loves”, “Fiesta”, “I Wish”, “Happy People”, “Real Talk” and “Slow Wine”.

Other performers

Hours before the main attraction, R. Kelly, came on stage, the energetic crowd was entertained by ‘Kes and Band’ whose hit song “Wotless” sent the crowd wild. Kes was followed by Guyana’s own, Jumo Primo, who performed to the pleasure of his Guyanese fans. As usual, he brought energy to

the already hyped crowd, coupled with some laughter by his gestures which caused his pants to rip on stage. The man called “Rubber Waist” belted out a few of ‘X2’ hits, but mostly concentrated on his new singles, including “Nosey People”. Also performing were ‘Morgan Heritage’, well known for their reggae rhythms. Living up to their reputation, the group performed to perfection as they dished out several hits loved by Guyanese. The crowd went berserk when he dished out “Tell Me How Come”, “She’s Still Loving Me”, “Don’t Haffi Dread”, “Down By The River” and “A Man Is Still A Man”. Next on stage was the Karma Band, featuring Ravi B and Nesha B. As they appeared on stage, the crowd was not that responsive, but after a few minutes into their continued on page 46

Act Now weekly rates are at their lowest

feature

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INVESTMENTS MADE BY QAII

Global Printing and Graphics Inc. – Taking innovative graphic design and printing to the next level

ith vision, determination, and entrepreneurial savvy, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) has made significant investments in the acquisition of state-ofthe art machinery and equipment for the printing industry. Printing in Guyana had seen a drastic decline for a number of years, and the sector left much to be desired as printing establishments offered either poor quality print and/or sub-standard finish at inflated prices. The management of Global Printing and Graphics Inc (GP&GI) saw the shortcomings of the existing industry as an opportunity to introduce to the local market, a much improved quality of print and finish comparable to what was available outside of Guyana at competitive prices. GP&GI was incorporated in June 2007 to establish a state-of-the-art printery that would provide conventional offset printing jobs, which include labels, inserts, cartons, posters, brochures, annual reports, banners, calendars, books, mag-

Man Roland 300 Offset Press

azines, complimentary slips, business cards, and letterheads. In keeping with the company’s mission statement to become the one-stop expert printing solution, GP&GI has invested significantly in machinery to ensure that customers receive high-quality prints. The company has since made a name for itself, becoming increasingly popular in the business sector for its impressive print quality and consistent addition of technologically advanced print options, guided by high intervention of “flexible customisation”.

State-of-the-art equipment

To augment the printing needs and enhance the quality of graphics and print, the company acquired several presses including a state-of-the-art Man Roland 5-colour offset sheet fed press; a Naph Graphics Web press, and an Aquaflex flexographic press. These three modern presses totalling in excess of US$3 million have significantly enhanced the company’s ability to deliver print jobs faster due to superior equipment capabili-

AquaFlex Flexographic Machine - Multi Substrate Printing Press

material such as calendars, brochures, flyers, magazines, catalogues and posters in com-

Die cut menus

ties. There are several advantages of offset printing compared to other printing methods. They include: Consistent high image quality; offset printing produces sharp and clean images; quick and easy production of printing plates.

Cost

Offset printing is the cheapest method for producing high-quality prints in commercial printing quantities. This fully functional machine has the ability to produce superior print quality on both gloss and non-gloss paper. This allows for the printing of high-end promotional

mercial quantities. In 2011, the company further invested in a digital offset sheet fed press, capable of printing on a wider variety of print material (substrates). This digital press was introduced to cater for clients who required smaller quantities of prints as well as a quicker turnaround service. Digital printing uses plate-less technology, and needs no make-ready and virtually no run ups. This results in the use of less time and material during the production period. Digitising the con-

R Kelly touches hearts of Guyanese... from page 45

International R&B singing sensation R Kelly performing at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday morning

performance, the crowd lightened up. During their performance, the only chutney music performed

was “Prescription”. They dished out several soca, reggae and dancehall music. As usual, they ended their performance with “Palace”. It was indeed a fabulous night of high quality entertainment to the fullest. Patrons left the arena with smiling faces which indicated their satisfaction. Among the patrons were President Donald Ramotar, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Alli, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and other government officials, along with members of the diplomatic corps.

Kees entertain fans at the Guyana National Stadium

ventional offset printing techniques has seen added sharp quality indices in our printing business. The high technological mix of print press acquisition for GP&GI has enabled the company to deliver unmatched quality and reach higher levels of productivity as it is capable of printing over two million coloured pages or more than five million monochrome pages per month. Our digital technology offers the look and feel of traditional offset with genuine photo-quality prints.

Printing support services – finishing flow

To enable the provision of quality service, GP&GI also invested in several pieces of finishing equipment that allows for the following finishes: Spiral and wire binding; Saddle stitching; Perfect binding; Folding; UV coating; Embossing and debossing; Cutting and trimming; Drilling and punching; Packing. The investment in state-of-the-art equipment has not only placed the company ahead of its competitors, but has ensured that it maintains the edge in the printing industry by being able

to offer its products and services at competitive prices. With prudent technological advances in the printing stream, GP&GI, through innovation, induced the customisation model thus enabling customers with value addition preferences in their print options. The investment made by GP&GI also saw the employment of a number of skilled individuals who have today become a dynamic and experienced workforce. Training in the use of the equipment is conducted by both local and overseas experts at the introduction of new equipment and at regular intervals. This has contributed to the efficiency of the individual staff members and the company as a whole, resulting in a value added service to customers. It has been almost five years since GP&GI opened its doors and it continues to fulfil its objectives by offering high quality and value at competitive rates in the designing, printing, and finishing of posters, books, brochures, booklets, magazines, calendars, catalogues among others.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

feature

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Canada-based Guyanese singer/songwriter Terry B. talks about his experiences in the entertainment industry

erry B. was born Terry Bacchus in Georgetown Guyana in 1959 and attended the Dolphin Government School until his family migrated to Canada in 1971. For him, singing is a gift from God; a gift he accepts wholeheartedly, and which, he said in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, chose him rather than he chose it. Terry got his first gig just five years after arriving in a completely new world when he performed in 1976 at a Country and Western club in downtown Toronto, which was arranged by one of his teachers. “The response from the large, all-Caucasian audience was tremendous – and this was in a time of high racism. So for me to get this kind of response showed that my talent was such that the audience forgot that I was not one of them,” he recalled. While working as a fitter/welder, he would perform as lead singer in bands such as Electric Vision, Sage and Sapphire during the 80s, but left the music scene when his daughter Amanda was born in 1991. Following her father into the music industry, Amanda is now also a singer/songwriter and goes by the name Manda B. His wife Rena, whom he met in 1977 at a party at a mutual friend’s home, works in the insurance industry and is also his writing partner and public relations liaison for him as well as their daughter Amanda. After Amanda was born, his love for singing and performing still strong, he returned full-

time to the music business in 1999; and to solo performances. “Bands were being phased out and the singers were going solo. But instead of joining this scene, I decided to re-enter with a CD, “If Everyday was Like Christmas,” he revealed. “If Everyday was like Christmas”, according to his website, www.terryb.ca, is a collection of Christmas classics done in Terry B's style: a little R&B, Soca, Reggae

and had taken the one from the musical director for his home in L.A. He said that Engelbert always has my CD in his carousel and plays it every Christmas.” His other CD albums include “These Moments Last Forever” (2002) under Spotlight Records and “A Jackpot of Golden Hits Volume I”; while by request of many disc jockeys, his dance remix recording of The Temptations’ hit “My Girl” has been released on vinyl (45

Singer/songwriter Terry B. performing at a West Indian event

Patrons dance to the soulful music of Terry B

and the old classics, he is satisfied with his successes in life. “I am realistic enough to know that at my age and the type of music I sing, it is unlikely that I will ever make it big – I am comfortable where I am, getting paid for what I love doing best,” he stated. That’s the best part of his work; the worst part, he revealed, is and Salsa. The Christmas CD, released under the Spotlight Records label in 1999, “was well received back when it was released, and today it is still one of the top selling CD's of its kind,” he recalled. “As a matter of fact, my family and I went to an Engelbert Humperdinck concert and were lucky enough to meet him after his show; we gave him one of these CD's and another to his musical director. At his next concert in Toronto, the musical director contacted me and asked for another. He said that Engelbert had taken the one I gave him to his home in England

His first CD album, recorded when he returned to the music scene

RPM). Recalling his early years trying to make it in an industry that is fraught with more failures than successes, he said that he was never discouraged, only frustrated. “The music business,” he pointed out, “is a very, very competitive field, and your competition did not want you to get ahead of them, so there was a lot of “backstabbing” – no different from today.” That is something he is obviously concerned about for his daughter. “[I am] trying to be a good role model for my daughter as she discovers the pitfalls of this business,” he revealed. And he knows a thing or two about facing discrimination, despite his talent. “In the early days, there was discrimination, and my performances were restricted to “West Indian” clubs and events. But this is now reversed, as most of my paying gigs are outside the West Indian community and the discrimination I face is from the West Indian community,” he noted. But it has not dampened his enthusiasm for performing in any community, so far in both the U.S and Canada. And, with his first love singing ballads he wrote

that he feels his fellow Guyanese don’t support him. But he plans to continue recording and performing until, as he put it, “...it is time for me to ride off into the sunset.” Terry B has just completed what he described as a “lover’s rock CD”, and would love to be back home for a performance someday. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Bollywood

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

It is easy to make Salman Khan dance, says Mudassar Khan

udassar Khan, who choreographed superstar Salman Khan's dance moves in songs like 'Humka Peeni Hai' and 'Dhinka

Chika', says it is relatively easy to make the actor learn the dance steps. Salman, during a recent event, was impressed with Mudassar's dance moves and had asked him to choreograph his dance on an awards night. Later, Mudassar was asked to design the moves of 'Humka Peeni Hai' from 'Dabangg', which marked his first break in Bollywood. "He is a godfather and will remain that for me. Salman Khan is so far the best dancer I know as we have done several songs with him, be it films or at stage shows. We made him do different moves and he did it all properly. I don't think he leaves any beat, he is one of the best dancers. He has good knowledge about dance," Mudassar said in an interview. (TOI)

Pooja Bedi asks dad Kabir to vacate mother's house

ll is not well between Kabir Bedi and his 43-year-old daughter Pooja. The fallout had been brewing for some time; with Pooja sharing an uneasy equation with her father's partner Parveen Dusanj, who is younger than her. The conflict has now taken a turn for the worse with Pooja asking Kabir to vacate his late wife Protima Bedis’ 2 BHK apartment in Juhu.

According to Indian media, the father and the daughter recently had a showdown, which led to Kabir being asked to move out from the flat. The Bedi family was a united one, not so long ago. Known to be outspoken and liberal, Pooja was also known to be close to her stepsiblings, including Adam Bedi. Kabir who has been a long time resident of the flat was shocked when his daughter told him in no uncertain terms to find another accommodation. Kabir then walked out with Parveen. Sources close to Pooja say that she could not get along with Parveen and often referred to Parveen as ‘evil personified’. When contacted, Pooja said, “Relationships go through highs and lows. That is all I want to say at this point of time.” (TOI)

‘My room is like college dormroom’ - Priyanka Chopra

ctress Priyanka Chopra recently compared her bedroom to a college dormitory and says it has everything--from glow-in-the darkstars to a mood board. "My room is like a college dorm (dormitory)-room. I've like glowing stars on the roof, mood board, whatever my moods are I write on the mood board because I am very creative. I like writing," said the 31-year-old actress while doing a photo shoot for a realty brand. "I have a tack board. I cut things that I like and I put that in the board. I have a vision board, lots of photograph

of friends and family. I have books, a library in my room because I like seeing my books in my room...it's like cluttered. "It has everything that I would ever need from the reach of my bed," she added. (TOI)

‘Sonam used to make me her elder brother when in trouble’ - Arjun Kapoor

rjun Kapoor recently spoke to Indian media about growing up, losing weight and women. The following is an excerpt. You are constantly bombarded with questions about how you lost weight. Does this annoy you? No, it does not. Why should it? Losing weight was one of the most difficult battles I have fought. If my story inspires even one person to shed some extra pounds, I would be more than happy.

Your school memories? I remember my school days quite vividly. I spent most of my schooldays outside the class. Although I had

‘I shop more online’- Kareena Kapoor

‘I saw death staring in my face’- Fardeen Khan’s sister

f the fire brigade had come five minutes later than they did, I wouldn't have been speaking to you," says Fardeen Khan's sister Laila Furniturewala, who was in the ill-fated Bandra building on Waterfield Road that was gutted on Sunday night. Laila had gone to Faks salon on the first floor of Silver Pearl building when the fire broke out."I had just settled down for my treatment. Suddenly, the lights went off and the acrid smell of burning wires began to fill the place. Within moments, we heard a blast." Laila, who is married to Farhan Fruniturewala, Pooja Bedi's ex-husband, said she and the salon staff tried to run out, but huge flames had already reached the first floor. "We knew we were trapped. I called up Farhan and

areena Kapoor ends up splurging more than required whenever she shops online from the

Fardeen. I saw death staring in my face." The members of the salon and Laila then tried to break the glass facade with chairs, but in vain as the glass was very thick. They were eventually rescued by firefighters. (TOI)

Vidya doesn't like to cut on 'me time'

ctress Vidya Balan, who is generally tied up with film shootings and promotions or brand endorsements, admits that she is selfish about "me time". "When I am working, I am selfish about my 'me time' every night, before going to bed. Just some time to unwind. Whether it's talking to family or writing my diary or listening to music or doing nothing, it's something that helps to relax me," Vidya told the media. The 35-year-old will be seen on the

big screen next year with actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar in ‘Shaadi ke Side Effects’. She also recently lent her voice for the character of Draupadi in the animation film ‘Mahabharat.’ (TOI)

a fondness for History and Literature, I was never much into studies. Sonam and I went to the same school, and although we hardly used to hang out together, she would conveniently make me her protective, elder brother whenever she was in trouble. What is the best way to sweep a woman off her feet? I don't think there can be any trick to it. But, I think it always helps if you are honest. Don’t be pretentious. (TOI)

comfort of her home. "I am a voracious online shopper. I buy a lot of stuff via the internet because I don't get a lot

of time to go to the stores and try on things. I have a wonderful experience," the actress said at an event. "It seems I end up buying more while shopping from the comfort of my home. So, sometimes you tend to buy a little extra, which is good, I think," she added. On the movie front, the actress will soon be seen in Punit Malhotra's 'Gori Tere Pyaar Mein' with Imran Khan. The film will release on Nov 22. (TOI)

‘I don't do films to make records’ - Shahrukh

ollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan feels that box office records are meant to be broken. "I don't do films to make records. Every film will make some record...It's stupid to think records will not be broken." "Any good film will do well and it feels fantastic when such film does well. It's important to make better films. The film (‘Chennai Express’) had the finest commercial director...great actress Deepika...It feels heartening to see this kind of response," SRK said. Shahrukh and Deepika-starrer 'Chennai Express', directed by Rohit Shetty and released in August, has earned Rs 220 crore at the box office. "There are so many platforms to release a film today. It's natural there won't be a golden or a silver jubilee today. There's speed today in terms of theatrical release and enjoyment of a

hit film is amazing," he said at a recent event. (TOI)

Hollywood week ending october 27, 2013

ritney Spears has revealed that she recently had a dream about Ryan Gosling. During a chat with British radio show KIISFM UK, the 31-year-old American singer-songwriter admitted that she had a dream about her former 'Mickey Mouse

Club' co-star where they were "just having a conversation", the Daily Star reported. Gosling has previously revealed to 'The Sunday Times' magazine that he and the 'Toxic' singer had a little bit of a history growing up sideby-side on the Disney show. (TOI)

amela Anderson has revealed that she is "best friends with benefits" with her former husband Rick Salomon. During an appearance on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show', the 46-year old Canadian-American actress also said that the 45-year-old film producer is "a great guy" and admitted that they both are happy, People Magazine reported. The couple got married in 2007, but split a year later. (TOI)

Glee's finale to be rewritten to honour Cory Monteith

yan Murphy, the creator of hit series 'Glee' has revealed that the show would be ending after its 6th season with a tribute to Cory Monteith. Murphy said that that the final scene of the show was originally meant to be between Rachel (Lea Michele) and Finn (Monteith), Metro.co.uk reported. The 47-year-old screenwriter said that he always knew how the show was going to end, and what the last shot would be. (TOI)

not my natural body, and I get a hard time for it," Cosmopolitan magazine quoted Jackman as saying. The actor says his wife Deborra-Lee Furness expects him to be fat, reports femalefirst.co.uk. (TOI) "Deb tells me 'Your job as my husband is to be fat and schlubby', so no matter what's going on with me, I look great," he said. (TOI)

United States, including residences in Chicago, California, Indiana and Hawaii. Among the items up for auction are poster prints from her hit 1985 film 'The Color Purple', which the 59-year-old star

'Love Me Tender' at their wedding. The source added that the 33-year-old reality TV star and her fiancé know that it's cheesy, but feels that it is kind of sexy and cool at the same time. The 36-year-old rap-

per had proposed the 'Keeping Up With The Kardashian' star on her 33rd birthday at the AT and T Park basketball stadium in San Francisco, while the words "pleeese marry meee!!!" appeared on the giant scoreboard. (TOI)

‘Action is fun’-Jason Statham

ctor Jason Statham thinks action scenes are "a lot of fun" despite injuries. The ‘Hummingbird’ actor does his own stunts and admits while he often gets hurt, it's more enjoyable than relying on a stuntman, re-

ports contactmusic.com. "I'm always getting banged about. I just expect it now---it's part of the job. Coalminers get dirty, I get hurt! It looks serious, but it's actually a lot of fun; although it can get pretty ridiculous at times," he said. (TOI)

ctress Natalie Portman has to travel from one place to another for her work commitments, but if she had her way, she would love to live and work in one place. The ‘Black Swan’ actress, who lives in Los Angeles and often shoots in London, does not like so much travel. She is envious of her British costars who can live and work in the

Oprah Winfrey auctions personal items for charity prah Winfrey is auctioning off a slew of personal items for charity. The legendary talk show host is hoping to raise funds for her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation College Fund----which benefits graduates of her school for girls in Africa, as they try to get into universities around the world-----by selling collectables from her homes from all over the

anye West and his fiancée Kim Kardashian have decided to tie the knot in Las Vegas, it has been revealed. A source has revealed that West is a big Elvis fan and thinks it would be fun to get married in a chapel, the Daily Star reported. The insider said that it was the 'Black Skinhead' hitmaker's suggestion and Kardashian had agreed that it was indeed a great idea. The source said that the couple had earlier checked out the Graceland Wedding Chapel, the same place where Jon Bon Jovi and Miley Cyrus' parents got married and wants an Elvis impersonator sing

Portman hates travelling for work

Jackman sees himself as skinny long-legged guy

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Kimye planning to have Vegas wedding

Pamela Anderson and ex-hubby Rick Salomon 'still best friends with benefits'

ctor Hugh Jackman says he doesn't see himself as a well built hunk the way he appears in movies. Jackman, 44, has flaunted his perfect abs in ‘The X-Men’ franchise as Wolverine. "I still see myself as this skinny long-legged person. That body I have is for 'The Wolverine.' I did work on it but it's

has autographed, electric bikes, several paintings, a children's doll and even a British-inspired post box. Oprah is also auctioning off numerous home furnishings such as glamorous chandeliers, a marble bathtub, and a side table, which is thought to be from the late 18th Century or early 19th Century. The items will be sold by Karminski auction house on November 2. (TOI)

same city, as most of the Hollywood productions are now making use of London's production studios, femalefirst.co.uk reports. "I love working here in London and I'm envious of British actors and British crews because American actors, we end up like gypsies---movie to movie, moving cities every time," BANG Showbiz quoted Portman as saying. She feels being based in the same city as her work will help her career too. "You can have such a fulfilling, wonderful, rich career here (in London) between the theatre, the TV, and the film all in one place. It's pretty cool to get to live and work in the same place," the 32-year-old added. (TOI)

Jennifer Garner wanted to feed co-stars pasta

ennifer Garner wanted to feed Matthew McConaughey pasta on the set of 'The Dallas Buyers Club'. The 43-year-old actor lost 50 pounds for his role as an AIDS victim campaigning for proper healthcare in the new drama, and his co-star admits it was upsetting to see him and fellow actor Jared Leto---who also lost weight for his role in the film----in such frail conditions. She told Access Hollywood: ''It was shocking and upsetting and really hard to see...I wanted to feed them a bowl of pasta!'' Jennifer is overjoyed to see her two co-stars back at a healthy weight now, however. She added: ''It's such a relief. The big mama in me was so happy.''

The 41-year-old beauty recalls Matthew and Jared's commitment to losing weight for their roles and says she was completely awed by their hard work. She gushed: ''They never complained, neither one of them. They were completely focused and ready to go and their performances are just remarkable, really unbelievable.'' (TOI)

Sport

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GT&T Indoor Hockey Championships…

Hikers Cadets topple Old Fort 8-4 T

he Hikers Cadets stamped their authority on the Men’s first division competition on Tuesday night in the GT&T National Indoor Hockey championships as they demolished last year’s finalists, Old Fort by an 8-4 margin. While both teams were held scoreless in the opening ten minutes, Cadets’ Aroydy Branford continued his goal scoring form of the previous evening with a penalty corner flick in the 11th minute to put his team ahead. Old Fort then wrested the lead briefly as Dwight McCalman and Aderemi “Dove” Simon rattled in a field goal each to make it 2-1 for Old Fort. Cadets’ Leon Bacchus, lurking in the Old Fort scoring circle, found his form at the right moment as he registered a personal hat-trick in the following ten minutes with teammate Michael Harding adding one more. A tired Old Fort managed two more goals in their attempted comeback before full time through Ascofu Simon and Dwight Sullivan, but a single strike by young Cadet Seon Sookhai and a double by Cadets’ captain Jamarj Assanah kept the result beyond doubt at 8-4.

Philip Fernandes

Aliyah Gordon

Eric Hing

The mighty GCC Tigers seemed on course to retain the trophy for a fifth straight year when they defeated the Hikers Divas 3-1 in their Ladies tie. The two top seeds played their usual exciting game to the melody of an excited crowd cheering on every play. Kerensa Fernandes opened the GCC account in the third minute when she was first onto a loose rebound to take the score to 1-0. Trisha Woodroffe then completed a penalty corner that comprised of a plethora of passes that put the Hikers’ defense in disarray and captain Sonia Jardine got a well-deserved field goal in the second half to complete the

Tigers tally of three. The Hikers seemed intent to make a challenge when national striker Cora Towler made a brilliant solo run eleven minutes to give her team its first goal of the match, but the game would remain at 3-1 for the remainder of time giving the Tigers an easy victory. Teenage star Aliyah Gordon rained in six of the 15 goals that the GCC Spartans would score as they crushed newcomers Old Fort Heats by 15-0 in the other Ladies match-up of the evening. Samantha Fernandes added four goals for the Spartans and Carol Caine three, while Ashley DeGroot and Gabriella

Xavier scored one each. The GCC second division side finally found their form when they upstaged Saints 6-4. Saints however, with improved performances in every tournament, kept the game competitive to the very end. GCC seemed in for an easy night when Steven Xavier and Eric Hing, with a field goal each, put them up by two in the first eight minutes of the match. Diminutive striker Hilton Chester and teammate Kwesi Lewis however, each found the back of the GCC net to even the score within the next four minutes. The game then shifted back and forth as the two

young energetic teams went head to head in an effort to secure the victory. GCC managed four more through Andrew Xavier, Mark Sargeant and a double by Hing to complete his hat-trick, while Chester added a second for Saints and captain Joel Hunte completed their four-goal haul with a single. In the lone veterans’ clash, a GCC side littered with former national players, outclassed Old Fort 6-3. Guyana Hockey Board president, Philip Fernandes, was in fine form as he slammed home a bevy of four goals for GCC, while Damon Woodroffe and Alan Fernandes added one each. Old Fort seemed to be making a comeback shortly after the resumption of the second half as they scored all three of their goals shortly after resumption but failed to continue the trend as the game progressed. Dwayne Allen, Ivor Thompson and John Abrams each scored one for Old Fort. Matches will continue every evening at the National Gymnasium until Sunday when the finals for all four divisions will be contested from 16:00 hours.

CMRC final showdown set for November 24 at South Dakota Circuit – Doug Gore set to sizzle fans with Audi TT

Peter Rae

he curtains will come down on the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) on November 24 when motor-racing fans would have the chance to witness the fastest car in the Caribbean at the South Dakota Circuit. According to information emanating from the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club

(GMR&SC), Jamaica’s Doug “Hollywood” Gore has confirmed participation in the season ending meet and word is that the lanky motor racer has promised to give the local fans a real treat when he competes against the best drivers in the rest of the Caribbean, including Guyana’s own Kevin Jeffrey, Andrew King, Paul and Mark Vieira, Irfaan Kalamadeen and Vishok Persaud. The GMR&SC also revealed that Barbados will be sending a strong group of drivers, led by the Maloney clan – father Doug and son Mark. The experienced Peter Rae, powering his Mazda RX7, will be part of the Jamaica contingent, which also includes Chris Campbell, George Bailey and Gary

Williams. However, the highlight of the day could be the showdown between Gore and his Audi TT against the likes of Jeffrey, King, the Vieiras and others in the main race. The other categories are expected to be equally exciting and Guyana’s Afraz Allie, Shairaz Roshandin and Syed Hassan are all eager to show the Guyanese fans what they are capable of doing. Stephen Vieira, though not at his best in the last meet, is definitely a ‘big’ day performer and while there are quite a few contenders ready to ascend to the throne, they will have to demonstrate the kind of daredevilry that he consistently exudes, to dethrone him.

Doug Gore’s Audi TT is set to thrill fans at South Dakota next month

SPort

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTER GUIANA GAMES…

Guyana’s ladies’ basketball and athletics teams perform well

uyana’s female basketball team took the gold medal on the second leg of the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) on Sunday in Suriname, crowning a creditable performance at the games. The Guyanese women dominated their Dutch counterparts 45-23 after defeating them a day earlier in another blowout win that ended 47-29. Tamara Hunter led the way for the national female side with a gamehigh 17 points and six assists. Ginelle Ifill was critical in the win also; the lanky 6’ 3” centre dominated the glass with game-high 18 rebounds to go along with her 10

Ginelle Ifill

Jevina Straker

Alita Moore

Tamara Hunter

Kevin Abbensetts

points. Kristy Roberts also had 10 points. Longfur Chenelien was the highest scorer for the Surinamese with eight points. Meanwhile, in a strange turn of events, after dominating Suriname on the track on the first day and returning the sec-

ond day with more wins, Guyana lost their athletics crown to the hosts. Kevin Abbensetts and Alita Moore completed sprint doubles, winning the male and female 200m respectively after winning the 100m a day earlier. Jason Yaw and Jevina Sampson who won

their respective 400m for Guyana finished second to Abbensetts and Moore respectively in 200m. Ornesto Thomas and Quacey Blair finished one-two in the boys’ 800m for Guyana while respective three and one time Carifta gold medallists Jevina Straker and

Cassey George mirrored their male compatriots by finishing one-two in the women’s 800m. Cassie Kirton won the girls 3000m while Claudice Mckoy finished second. The Guyanese, after dominating both male and female 4x100m re-

lays on Saturday mirrored the results in the male and female 4x400m relay. On the other hand, reports reaching this publication indicate that Guyana lost most of the field events but did well enough on the track to win the overall title.

GOLF

Digicel Guyana Open set for November 2-3 - U.S. and Canadian golfers to participate By Avenash Ramzan

he Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) is hoping to attract 6075 golfers from Guyana, North America and the Caribbean for its premier golf tournamentthe Guyana Open- billed for November 2-3 at the country’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. Unlike previous years, when it was exclusively sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, the upcoming two-day tournament will now be sponsored by cell phone service provider Digicel. Giving an update to this publication regarding plans for the event, president of the LGC, attorney Jerome Khan, said preparations are moving apace with some overseas competitors already here getting acclimatised. Khan revealed that golfers from the United States of America are already in the country, while several others from Canada are expected in the coming days. “We are also expecting competitors from Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and French Guiana, but as you would know, everyone is just waiting on the last moment to indicate their interest in participating,” Khan said. The LGC head said the organisers are anticipating a large turnout of competitors on the nine-hole course, with heated rivalry in the Championship Flight (0-9 handicap), B Flight (10-18), C Flight (19-28) and Ladies Flight. Khan said that from all indications, the

Avinash Persaud (left) and Christine Sukhram are the defending champions of the Men’s and Ladies titles respectively

Championship Flight will be a hotly contested category with defending champion Avinash Persaud throwing down the gauntlet to local rivals Mohanlall Dinanauth, Alfred Mentore, William Walker, Patrick Prashad, Imran Khan and Munaff Arjune; the Canada trio Roger Rajkumar, Jaipaul Suknanan and Seupaul Suknanan, and Anwar Shafi of New York. The LGC president also used the opportunity to salute Digicel as the new sponsor of the Guyana Open, a partnership that gained roots a few years ago when the company first sponsored the Digicel Golf Classic. Khan added that the LGC is using the tournament to once again aid in the sports tourism drive, as the event will draw a wide cross-section of golfers and supporters from various countries. “We’re very encouraged by the commitment made by Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony [at the opening of the President’s Cup], who has pledged

to ensure that the access road is properly maintained because golf is a major tourist attraction, and we want to use it to our advantage to help the tourism drive, as is being done by the other Caribbean countries.” Defending champions When the competition gets underway, four-time winner Avinash Persaud and multiple-champion Christine Sukhram, will be looking to keep a hold on the titles they won in 2012. In a thrilling finish last year, Persaud defeated Canadabased Guyanese Roger Rajkumar on the final hole to lift the title, while on the distaff side, Sukhram duly retained her 2011 title, returning from a first day deficit to beat Suriname’s Nom Sook Choi, who had assumed pole position at the end of the opening day. Following the Digicel Guyana Open, local golfers will engage in battle in the MACORP, Wartsila ECI and King’s Jewellery World Open tournaments.

Special committee currently reviewing... from back page

properly regularised. He said the lack of adequate legislation remains the main reason for the sport still not being properly administered. “Things are not to the level as it ought to be and people are still doing what they feel like, and we cannot nail them because there is no legislation,” according to Kennard. The retired Chancellor of the Judiciary expressed that unless there is legislation in place, various forms of indiscretions by many unscrupulous horse and stable owners will continue to plague the sport. The former judge noted that many owners and trainers apply questionable practices to win, which significantly shortens the life span of a race horse.

He also indicated that the other problem is the encroachment of the track by bettors and spectators. Kennard noted that should legislation be passed into law, the GHRA will impose the necessary penalties on horse owners, trainers, jockeys and even bettors and spectators. Meanwhile, a few horse owners have expressed the need for proper legislation in order to raise the standard of the sport. Guyana’s last legitimate racing authority was the Demerara Racing Authority that was located in Durban Backlands. The body once regularised horse racing and outlined parameters for trainers and owners of horses in Guyana, but it became

defunct in 1972. Dubbed the “Sport of Kings”, horse racing, since its resuscitation some six years ago, has been operating under a legal document that was registered under the Miscellaneous Deeds Act. Mid last year, affiliated clubs to the GHRA decided to set up the Interim Management Committee (IMC) until January last when new elections were held. Last January, the AGM and elections were attended by the seven race clubs, along with horse owners, trainers and other stakeholders. The clubs present were allowed to engage in the voting process to reinstate the GHRA in full after a prolonged lapse in the sport’s governing body.

Sport

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Young Windies slump to 67-run defeat …Bangladesh win series 4-3 By Rajiv Bisnauth

est Indies Under-19 imploded under a barrage of spin and were sent crashing to a 67-run defeat in the final youth One-Day International against Bangladesh at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Monday. Chasing a moderate 169 for victory on a ‘slowish’ track, West Indies capitulated to 101 all out off 33.5 overs. By virtue of the victory, Bangladesh won the seven-match series 4-3. West Indies were left scrambling after a horrendous batting collapse triggered by leftarm spinner Uzzaman Nehad and off-spinner Mehedi Miraj. Nehad took 5 for 12 and Miraj, who was later adjudged Man-of-the-Match and Series, finished with four for 25. Although Jeremy Solozano put up a valiant fight with an unbeaten 35, which prolonged the West Indies innings, he could not find enough support at the other end to carry the team through to a possible victory. Rammal Lewis (19) and Nicholas Pooran (10) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Earlier, the West Indies had a decent bowling effort on the

sluggish pitch to restrict Bangladesh to 168 in 44 overs. The West Indies exploited conditions ideally with left-arm fast bowler Jerome Jones being the main destructive force, claiming 5-23, including a hat-trick in the 44th over. Jones received valuable support from Alazarri Joseph with 2 for 48, Fabian Allen, 2 for 27, and Lewis, 1 for 3. Sadman Anik, in rich form at the top of the order top-scored with 48, while his teammates Jashim Uddin (33), captain Mehedi Miraj (28), Joyraj Emon (26) and Yasir Rabbi (20), added some resistance for the visitors.

After deciding to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a decent start. Openers Anik and Emon put on 43 runs for the first wicket in the first 10 overs. However, Alzarri Joseph spoiled the Bangladeshis’ start when he dismissed Emon. Anik was joined by Jashim Uddin and the pair added 56 runs for the second wicket. They scored mainly ones and twos, although the occasional boundary came. The hosts then reduced Bangladesh to 100 for 4 in the 27th over, with Lewis dismissing the in-form Uddin and Fabin Allen removing Mossadek Saikat and Nazmul

Members of the victorious Bangladesh under-19 team posing with the winner's trophy after defeating the West Indies under-19 Monday at the Everest Cricket Club ground

Shanto from successive deliveries. Anik, who was dropped on 35, got brief support from captain Miraj, but was the lone fighter. His innings of 48 took them close to the 150-run mark. However, a cluster of wicket at the back end of the innings saw Jones snaring four wickets in an over, including Yasir Rabbi (20) and his hattrick victims, Javed Rahuttul (7), Uzzaman

Nehad (0) and Zubair Likhon (0). At the start of the chase, West Indies were in dire straits when they lost openers Shimron Hetmyer and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, as well as, Tristan Coleman, Taryck Gabriel, Pooran and Fabian Allen within the first 18 overs, leaving the hosts 51 for 6. Miraj and Nehad did the early damage, claiming three wickets

apiece, before a defiant 33-run, seventh wicket stand between Jeremy Solozano and Lewis, offered the hosts temporary solace. But after Lewis was dismissed, the last three batsmen were also dismissed quickly. Bangladesh will host the West Indies for a return series in December before the Youth World Cup, scheduled for Dubai, is held in February next year.

Berbice chamber softball tournament billed for November 9

Captains of the confirmed teams and other officials from the Berbice Chamber of Commerce

he Berbice Chamber of Commerce InterAgency Softball cricket tournament and fun day are billed for November 9 at the Albion Community Centre ground. This year’s tournament will see 15 teams participating in 10/10 cricket, domino and other exciting games, aimed at building unity, and exchanging opinions among corporate officials. There will also be a feature 20/20 hardball exhibition match featuring two teams from the

county. The event, which started in 2010 as a friendly game among business entities, has now grown to become an agenda item on the calendars of the corporate community. Entertainment will also come from Paragon music system while there will be giveaways to patrons. The confirmed teams for the event so far: Oldendorfff Carriers, Republic Bank, New Building Society, Demerara Bank, Banks DIH, Neal and Massey,

Universal DVD, Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Regional Chairman Eleven, Karibee Rice Boyz, Guyana Power and Light, Hand in Hand Insurance, Berbice Bridge Company, ANSA Mc Al Trading, Global Printing and Metro Office and Computer Supplies Meanwhile, any company or individual wishing to offer any form of sponsorship, advertising or promotion can contact the chamber’s office on 333-3324 to enquire about details.

Sport

week ending october 27, 2013| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese in Canada’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers team

Damodar Daesrath By Ravendra Madholall in Toronto

hree players from the Caribbean have been selected in Canada’s team for the 2013 International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup Qualifiers set to commence mid-next month in Dubai. Guyanese all-rounder Damodar Daesrath, fast bowler Jeremy Gordon and Trinidadian off-spinner Abzal Dean are the members to represent the country. Coach of the team, former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies batsman Gus Logie, also stated the players are ready to make a huge impression, and subsequently gained a spot in next year’s T20 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh from March 16 to April 6. Daesrath, a former Guyana First Class skipper, represented Canada at the recently-concluded Intercontinental Cup four-day match against the Netherlands, while Gordon also featured in the game that was played at King City, Toronto.

Eager

Both players had impressive performances and are eager to resume with the same degree of confidence and optimism. They are also teammates of Brampton Masters Cricket Club. They played in the Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite Division final two weeks ago against victors Centurions Cricket Club. Dean last played for Canada in 2010 in a limited overs game against Ireland and is anxious to return to action for his new homeland in this exciting version. Over the weekend, the team, under the guidance of fitness trainer and strength and conditioning athletic therapist, Scott Stanger, and

Jeremy Gordon

Gus Logie

performance analyst, Keith Deonaraine, finetuned the players’ preparations with a number of physical activities. According to the 53-year-old Logie, the team has worked on every aspect of their game since the selection and commencement of the training sessions at the Scarborough Cricket Centre.

opponents’ skills in the qualifiers. The Canadian team is placed in Group A, alongside Ireland, USA, Uganda, Hong Kong, Italy, Namibia and UAE. With six teams advancing to the next stage, Canada is confident they will be in the lineup. Canada has never featured in the T20 World Cup since its inauguration in 2006; they had placed fifth and eighth in the two outings at the Qualifiers in 2008 and 2010 respectively. Meanwhile, this publication also caught up with the Caribbean players and they spoke confidently of doing well for Canada on the tour, which will last from November 1530. The side will return home and immediately start their preparations for the ICC 50 overs Qualifiers early in January in New Zealand. Canada will begin that campaign against old nemesis USA.

Technique

He also mentioned they have gone through work on the technical aspect of their game since that will help enhance their performance and morale simultaneously. Having played in 52 Test matches and 158 ODIs for West Indies, Logie believes that practice will improve their skills. “The players are responding well and I think that is noticeably important; they seemed to be in good shape because they take extra care of their diet too on a daily basis, so I think we are mentally prepared given the fact we [are] only limited to the indoor facility owing to the inclement weather,” Logie, who took over the coaching position in 2012, emphasised. Several players left on Monday while the remainder of the side will depart on October 31 for Sri Lanka, where they will engage in a few warm-up games before heading across to Dubai. Logie, who led West Indies senior team as a coach to the Champions Trophy against hosts England in 2004, is optimistic that they will learn a lot during their stay in Sri Lanka.

Auty Cup

Earlier, this year Canada also participated in the Auty Cup limited overs competition against neighbouring USA and a number of players emerged with outstanding performances, raising the side’s confidence of matching their

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sport

Powell says he is more experienced now

Kieran Powell

lorida, United States - Kieran Powell believes that his experience and maturity as a batsman will be a key factor in the upcoming tour of India, as he looks to bolster West Indies’ batting ranks. Powell, who made 61 from three innings during West Indies A’s recent tour of India, said that despite the difficult conditions in the subcontinent, West Indies had the adaptability within the team to succeed. “India is a difficult place to bat but it’s good once you can utilise the conditions there. It’s about adapting quickly. The upcoming tour is much different to the first time I toured India because now I have more experience,” Powell said. “I also had more responsibility playing and leading the ‘A’ team here last month (in the limited- overs games) and seeing that the pitches had more grass, I think I know what to expect. “I made 80 [the] last time I was on

the Mumbai pitch and it’s a lot of good memories. It’s a wonderful place to bat and it’s extra special with Sachin’s (Tendulkar) farewell. The pitch can be a bit flat but mostly, it’s batsman friendly.” Powell admitted that his development from a middleorder batsman to an opener was going according to plan, but that he needed a bit more consistency. “It should be interesting to look to the matches ahead with more games now under my belt,” he said. “But also, I can’t wait to bat with Shiv [Chanderpaul] and I hope we both have wonderful tours and rack up a few centuries.” Chanderpaul will be playing his 150th Test in Mumbai and Powell said that the Guyana batsman would be the crucial element in gluing the batsmen together. “It’s always a pleasure to bat with and learn from Shiv. His 150th match is a great achievement and as a batsman, he’s one of the best to take notes from. He is critical to our motives in India.” Powell said that batting first and putting India under pressure would be crucial to their chances in the series, and he placed full faith in his bowlers to do the job. “Getting big scores and pegging India on the back foot is ideal. I know (Shane) Shillingford is going to be a big player with his spin and I’m always at short-leg for him and busy. “He keeps batters so aware and he’s a great find for us. He’s moving from strength to strength also and will be troubling. The pitches are tailored for him I think.” (Cricinfo)

week ending october 27, 2013 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Windies start Elite Team tour in Florida

Players show their enjoyment during the first session of the West Indies players Elite Team Tour in Florida on Monday (WICB Media photo)

RLANDO, Florida – Members of the West Indies cricket team assembled in Florida on Monday for a one-week Elite Team tour. The group of players and team management have been joined by WICB President Dave Cameron as they prepare for the upcoming tours of India and New Zealand. During the week, the team will be involved in several team building exercises – indoors and outdoors – as well as interaction with Dr Jason Scott Hamilton, the Jamaican Elite Sports Psychologist, who has worked with the team for the last six months. In welcoming the group, Cameron outlined the WICB’s vision.

“When we play, we represent all the people of the region and all the people around the world who support West Indies cricket. We are looking for a partnership that says ‘West Indian people and what we do is vitally important’ and we represent them with pride and passion. This is part of the vision we have to reposition West Indies Cricket as a global brand,” Cameron said. “We want to create a culture of unity, winning and overall success. We are not saying you’re not going to lose games – every sports team will lose games – but it is how we lose. We should always go down to the end in every game. We are for partnerships which will see

the brand West Indies Cricket continue to grow. We want to see our players develop on and off the field and see our cricket reach the top again.” Speaking after the first session on Monday, fast bowler Tino Best said he was happy to be involved. “As a team we are working towards bigger and better things so I’m really happy to be here at the camp for this week. We have the motto ‘One Team One Goal’ and as players we can always get more information and form a closer bond. We have two tough tours of India and New Zealand coming up, so this will form the beginning of what we believe is something special.” (WICB)

guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

week ending october 27, 2013

Kashif and Shanghai Kings retain Trophy Stall title

BASKETBALL

he Kashif and Shanghai Kings successfully defended their Trophy Stall Regulation Open basketball title by defeating Ameila Ward Jets 66-60 in the final of the tournament on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. After looking wobbly in the group stage of the tournament, and scraping their way to the final four, the Kings overcame yet another hurdle in their quest to keep their title although they were out-rebounded 20-38 by the Jets. However, the Kings shooting from downtown eradicated their inability to clean the glass during the game. The inside-out game of the Kings allowed them to dominate the game from beyond the arc while the Jets played horrible perimeter defense on the guards of the Kings. After the first half ended 38-33 in favour of the Kings, it was much of the same story for the Kings as they ended the third quarter ahead 56-49. The final period had a bit of drama as the Jets held the Kings to three points for most of the period as they went on an 11-3 run. However, they had some turnovers that got the Kings to the stripe and that eventually se-

Omally Sampson (left) receives his MVP award from Ashton Angel at the presentation ceremony held after the finals

cured them the win. Steve Neils Jr was an artist with his three-point shooting and play-making ability, dropping a game-high 21

points and nine assists. Omally Sampson, who was named Most Valuable Player, grabbed 11 boards for the Kings and scored 13

Young Windies slump to 67-run defeat

Special committee currently reviewing horse racing legislation By Rajiv Bisnauth

National Sport Commission (NSC) fivemember special committee has begun reviewing the draft horse racing legislation, and according to Director of Sport Neil Kumar, the process is expected to be completed in a timely manner. It is unclear how long the process will take but Kumar said the committee, which is headed by a prominent lawyer, was specifically set up to deal with this specific piece of legislation. “The National Sport Commission set up a special committee to look at the legislation and currently the committee is in the process of doing that. The committee is headed by a lawyer and they are making a special effort to review the document in a timely manner,” Kumar told this newspaper on Wednesday via telephone. Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony in a recent interview had said that every step is being

points in the win. Orin Rose had 15 points, while Marvin Hartman had 12 to contribute to the title defense. Kevin Joseph was the sharp shooter for the Jets with 18 points, while Shane Webster, who was named the defensive player of the tournament, had 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks. Allister Webster also picked up a double-double in the loss with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, Bankers Trust Falcons finished third in the tournament due to the Retrieve Raiders forfeiting the game because of the suspension of Dwayne “Brown Sugar” Roberts, who was banned for six years due to an altercation with a referee and alleged threats issued towards a Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) official. However, the Falcons featured in an earlier game against the Half Mile Bulls, which they lost 64-51. At the presentation ceremony held immediately after the tournament, the three top teams received their prizes from the Organising Secretary of the LABA Ashton Angel Jr. The Most Disciplined team award went to the Block 22 Flames.

…Bangladesh win series 4-3

Cecil Kennard

Dr Frank Anthony

looked at to facilitate the likelihood of the passage of the horse racing legislation. The minister had also indicated that the document has to be keenly examined and therefore will take time. “When we do legislations and take legislations to parliament, there are [a] number of steps. Apart from the ministry agreeing it would then have to go to cabinet, would have to go to a discus-

sion on our parliamentary agenda, will have to find a place there then we have to work to getting it tabled and things like that. “So there is still a little bit more time and work to be done; we also have to look at what is being submitted to see whether it is capturing what we think needs to be done in terms of horse racing,” the minister has said. Meanwhile, Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) president Cecil Kennard expressed satisfaction that some progress is being made to have the sport continued on page 51

Jerome Jones completes his hat-trick with the wicket of Zubair Likhon (WICB photo)

PAGE 51

Guyana Times International - (Guyana Office) email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com, Tel: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709, Fax: (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 (NY Office) email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com, Tel: 718-658-6804 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INTERNATIONAL INC.; AVAILABLE AT ALL MAJOR WEST INDIAN STORES.