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You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 334

WEEK ENDING February 26, 2017

Court of Appeal upholds Justice Changâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling Sovereignty of the people case

See story on page 8

Attorney General Basil Williams

High drama in city streets as officials continue clamping vehicles Page 5

â&#x20AC;Śdespite court order placing a hold on paid parking

President Trump congratulates Guyana on 47th Republic Day Anniversary Page 9

Caribbean/ American legislator dispels rumours about immigration Page 40 sweep

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyana inks US$40m loan agreement with IDB

inister of F i n a n c e , W i n s t o n Jordan, on Tuesday, signed four loan agreements with the InterAmerican Development Bank to secure US$40 million in developmental resources to finance key initiatives within the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Agriculture, Business and Public Health. The monies will be used to finance key initiatives within the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Agriculture, Business and Public Health. According to the Ministry of Finance, these loan resources will support Government’s developmental agenda of promoting investment; improving connectivity throughout Guyana; diversifying the economy; and providing citizens with quality healthcare and social services. The US$15m

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno signing one of the agreements at the hemispheric bank’s Washington DC headquarters.

Sustainable Agricultural Development Program will aid in the country’s focus on diversifying the agricultural sector and improving its competitiveness and viability. The loan seeks to increase productivity of the agricultural sector while maintaining sustainable and climate resilient use of natural resources in Guyana. Specifically,

this program is aimed at (a) producing high quality data for the agricultural sector; (b) increasing productivity, especially for medium and small farmers; and (c) increasing sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) standards and access to meat processing facilities. It is expected that higher productivity will also contribute to reduced pres-

sure on forest and fragile ecosystems, and at the same time, increase incomes for small and medium-sized farmers. To augment the government’s diversification and enhanced competitiveness thrust, the US$9m loan is programmed for the Ministry of Business to support economic diversification and exports

through the enhancement of the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) and through a National Export and Investment Promotion Strategy. Specifically, the project will seek to enhance the capacity of the NQI, improve facilities for the NQI and enhance the capability of GOINVEST for export and investment promotion. Importantly, this project will seek to enhance the ability of Guyana to connect with regional and global value chains through the promotion of exports and foreign direct investment, particularly agri-business. The Ministry of Health will benefit from the US$8m loan, which will provide support to improve maternal and child health. Specifically, this project will contribute to the reduction of maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths in Guyana. This project will

not only seek to increase access to and use of reproductive, maternal and neonatal health services, but, importantly, it will seek to improve the quality of those services. The Ministry of Legal Affairs will benefit from the US$8m loan, which will provide support for the Criminal Justice System. It is anticipated that through this project, there will be a significant reduction of high concentrations of prison population in Guyana. The intent is to reduce the use of pre-trial detention of persons accused of minor, non-violent offences by aggressively promoting the use of alternative sentencing options such as probation, community service, restitution and fines. This intervention will also seek to ensure that our public institutions responsible for the administration of justice are effective, transparent and accountable.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

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EDITORIAL

The Yankee dollar

s the dispute continues as to whether or not there is actually a shortage of US currency available In Guyana, the Economist ran a very interesting article one week ago that reminds us of the critical role the American currency plays in anchoring the economy of the world, including ours. As the title, “Donald Trump and the dollar standard” suggests, the volatile United States (US) President may also affect the volatility of that standard and consequently the world’s economy. Directly after World War II, when the World Bank and IMF were founded to coordinate the world economy, the US dollar, which was pegged to the price of gold, became the reserve currency, even as the US had to keep the requisite quantity of gold to “back” its currency. But in 1970, when the US, under pressure, unhitched the dollar from gold, countries increasingly began to keep their reserves in dollars – which are never kept in the banks of the individual countries, but in the US Federal and “correspondent” US banks. This is done as a hedge against volatility swings on the premise that with the US being the dominant economy in the world, it would be least affected by uncertainties. Presently, almost US$10 trillion of debt is also denominated in dollars – rising exponentially from the US$1 trillion in 1980. The use of the dollar as a reserve currency and to denominate debt gives the US not only great power over the world’s economy, in that its fiscal and monetary policies ripple through almost every other economy, but also it can finance almost any amount of fiscal deficits since the paper it prints and calls “dollars” are automatically accepted for goods and services by the rest of the world. The latter, from this perspective, is financing America’s debts. The Economist’s article offers a perspective on another topic that has surfaced recently in the ‘foreign currency shortage row’: exchange rate controls. At the time of the establishment of the Breton Woods financial institutions, about 40 per cent of countries had capital controls, but this grew to over 50 per cent by the 1980’s, which is remarkable when one considers that the number of countries had doubled through decolonisation in the same period. But from the 1980’s when the Washington Consensus insisted on liberalisation of financial markets, countries with capital controls plummeted down to about 12 per cent. This was accompanied by the comparable exponential increase of foreign reserves – especially denominated in United States Dollars – held by the “liberalised” economies. But in the last two years, there has been a mirror image increase in countries with exchange controls and decrease in the volume of foreign reserves. Guyana should take notice of this move to stabilise exchange rates via controls, rather than reserves. The Economist highlighted that in light of Donald Trump’s declaration, his administration intends to “put America first”, especially in returning “production” to US shores. While on one hand some may feel that the US is getting a free ride to import foreign goods with the pieces of paper it prints, this – as we have seen – is not viewed kindly by domestic manufacturers and their work force. They point out that it is not “the US” that is gaining, but the one per cent. It is feared that if Trump goes ahead with his promise to cut taxes and increase domestic spending massively, this may lead to inflation that would make the US reserves and dollardenominated foreign debt less attractive and lead to an exodus that can threaten the entire global economy. Alternately, or in tandem, countries may decide to abandon the dollar as their hedge against volatility and impose tariffs and capital controls to perform that function as in the past. In either scenario, small countries like Guyana, which depend of global free trade, could be crushed. Another more benign scenario could be the role of a reserve currency becoming shared by other currencies such as the Chinese Yuan. China had already declared it is willing to step in.

Several students flocked the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, last Friday to get a sneak peek into the career they hope to venture into. The University was at the time hosting its Annual Career Day.

Govt moving ahead with housing project at Perseverance

overnment’s ‘Housing Solutions for 2017 and Beyond’ initiative is moving full steam ahead and contractors have already been hired to build low-income, moderate-income and middle-income homes at the Perseverance Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Tuesday signed agreements with 14 contractors for the construction of houses which will develop a model village exhibition to be hosted from May 1–5. The signing of the contracts took place at the Housing Ministry on Brickdam. Junior Communities Minister with responsibility for housing, Valarie AdamsPatterson explained that the project will have on display life-sized houses for members of the public to view and which will be up for sale after the exhibition. Interested persons would have to make two payments, one to the CH&PA for the land and another to the contractor for the house. Purchasers would have to have an application in the authority’s system or would have to meet the criteria to qualify for an allocation. The Minister explained that the dual payment formula is to guarantee persons in the system are allotted homes. “That is to ensure, our objective as I said is to reduce the number of applicants that we have in the system and so we cannot afford to have persons who had a previous allocation coming again and being able to purchase that house,” she explained. Currently, there are approximately 25,000 applicants in the CH&PA system awaiting allocations. Additionally, with the minimum age being changed from 21 years to 18 years, more and more applications are being received on a daily basis. The low-income land will cost G$300,000, the moder-

Junior Communities Minister Valarie Adams-Patterson during a press briefing on Tuesday

ate-income G$500,000 and the middle-income G$700,000. The contractors will have to construct 10 low-income, five moderate-income, and eight middle-income houses. Contractors were given an 80×45 feet low-income land to construct a 600 square foot house and an 80 x 62 feet moderate-income land to construct a 900 square foot moderate-income house. Those contractors opting to construct middle-income houses were given 80×85 feet land to build 1100-square foot houses. The cost of the houses will be determined by the contractors and there will be no policy by the agency to control those prices. “We’ve had meetings with the exhibitors and we shared our expectations but we cannot control their price. We expect that they will keep it within current market price because they have to sell it and if they price is high, they would not be able to and there is a clause in the agreement that will take care of that,” she explained. However, the Minister assured that contractors will be penalised for failure to sell off the houses within six months after the closing of the exhibition. She emphasised that there will be a penalty enforced if the contractors fail to sell the houses within the stipulated six months; however, she could not remember what the nature

of the consequences will entail. Furthermore, the Minister explained that the CH&PA will be constructing six duplexes for the model village and that one developer committed to constructing a townhouse. She noted that one of the aims is to conduct a survey which will inform the Government of the public’s preferences before it goes ahead to develop duplexes and townhouses across the country. “If and when the CH&PA decides that we are going to continue to build low-income, moderate-income, middle-income, whatever, we want to understand. Rather than us giving what models we think the Guyanese people want to have, we (would) now understand what they need,” she stated. Moreover, the Authority conducted diligence background on the developers to ensure that they have the human resource and financial capability to complete the houses. Their agreement stipulates that they must submit weekly progress reports to the authority. Each contractor has been given a construction milestone that would also guide their construction and has also provided for on-site monitoring. The contractor is also responsible for any defects to the building during the period up to when the house is sold. They shall be responsible for the maintenance of all drain reserves and parapets. Also, the purchaser is prohibited from making any modifications or extensions to the building purchased for a period of five years, except with the consent of the CH&PA. The purchaser may make modifications thereafter with the permission of the Eccles/ RamsburgNeighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). The land and both the house cannot be sold until 10 years after the date of passing of the respective certificate.

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

High drama in city streets as officials continue clamping vehicles …despite court order placing a hold on paid parking the respondents do fail to show cause, then the order nisi is upheld and made absolute, thus quashing the decision. “What that means, therefore, is that until the case is concluded, the decision (in this case) the parking meter contract and its implementation has been put on hold by the order nisi.”

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

fficials from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Smart City Solutions (SCS) strutted through the capital city on Tuesday, booting vehicles despite a court order which placed a hold on the paid parking project. However, this is not the first time the M&CC has flouted a court order; back in May 2006, Town Clerk Royston King spearheaded the destruction the famous ‘Dread Shop’, located at Russell Square in Stabroek, Georgetown – a business which has been in existence for some 48 years, despite an injunction in the courts. It was high drama on Water Street on Tuesday when SCS officials attempted to clamp the vehicles of persons who parked in the area without paying. But in some cases, the citizens put up a fight and resisted the clamping of their vehicles. In one instance, a female driver argued with the SCS official and refused to allow him to clamp her car, which resulted in a heated exchange of words. The High Court on February 16 granted an order which legal luminaries interpreted to mean that the paid parking project is suspended until the legal pro-

A vehicle clamped on Tuesday despite the court order

ceedings are resolved. The writ had stated, among other things, that, “an order nisi of certiorari be and is hereby granted to quash the decision of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown to enter into an agreement on or around 13 May, 2016”. The respondents also have to show cause against all the orders made by the Chief Justice to quash their decision to enter into the contract, which has already caused weekly mass protests in front of City Hall. Their day in court is set for February 27, before Justice Brassington Reynolds. Should they fail to comply, the document noted, they will be held in contempt of court. However, Mayor Patricia Chase Green and the Town Clerk had already signalled their intention to breach the court order.During a pre-recorded press conference at the

Impact on business

National Communications Network (NCN), the Mayor announced that the parking meter project would continue as normal. Their intentions have been heavily criticised by lawyers from the lobby group Movement Against Parking Meters as well as former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. Nandlall had argued that if the city were to continue implementing the project or force anyone to pay for parking before the hearing, this would be tantamount to violating a court order. He explained that when that “order nisi” is issued, it puts the particular decision, which it imputes, upon hold until the respondents show or does not show cause. If the other side succeeds in showing cause why the order should not be made absolute, then the order nisi is discharged. However, he noted that if

Meanwhile, the calls for the termination of the Parking Meter Project continue to escalate and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is the latest entity to reiterate those demands. In a statement on Tuesday, the GCCI said it is irresponsible for the M&CC to continue with the metered system due to a lack of transparency during the implementation process, a lack of adherence to public procurement procedures, and the absence of feasibility studies and citizen consultations. “The M&CC should remember that one of the most important qualities that citizens seek in elected officials is transparency and any attempts to bulldoze the populace with opaque contracts will not garner support, especially not from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce,” the body noted. The Chamber said it re-

ceived numerous complaints from its membership regarding the metered system and its negative effect on customer traffic and sales. “We are concerned that conditions will worsen if the metered system remains in operation,” GCCI said. Nonetheless, the Chamber said it supports the efforts to engage in public-private partnerships for the purpose of raising revenue for the city, but emphasised that it does not support the flawed and in some cases, potentially illegal methods that the M&CC has employed in doing so. But time and again, the M&CC gang assured that the project is above board and that there is nothing secretive or illegal about the deal. Following a few days of protest against the Parking Meter Project and protracted intervention from the central government, the authorities at City Hall decided to review the rate structure. A new rate structure was announced but citizens continue to reject the initiative. Stakeholders are arguing that the reduced fees do not address the problems of lack of inclusivity and the rampant corruption believed to be involved in the arrangement.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Reports of US immigration Has the President just raids in Queens for illegals awoken from his slumber?

Dear Editor, Newspapers are reporting that Federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Agents of Homeland Security raided restaurants, stores and other job sites in Elmhurst and other parts of Queens. There are also rumours that ICE agents raided Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill (dubbed Little Guyana) last week though this has not been confirmed. The reports from raids in Queens say hundreds were picked up. And it is not clear if any out of status Guyanese immigrants were picked up and in custody and the nature of their violations. Trinis and Jamaicans were arrested. Rumours of the raids swept through the tight IndoGuyanese and Indo-Trini communities of Queens where tens of thousands of Indian Guyanese and Trinis are settled. Queens is home to tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America, including thousands of Indo-Caribbeans. These immigrants contribute billions of US dollars in productivity; they engage in low level and low paying jobs (like picking fruits and vegetables, staffing restaurants, stacking shelves of groceries or vegetable stands, and factory work) that “regular or native” Americans refuse. The illegals live among their ethnic communities to blend in and avoid attention. Because of their physical appearance and generally thought to be non-Americans, minority communities like Indians, Hispanics and Arabs are targeted for ICE raids. As community leaders and immigration advocates note, Indo-Caribbeans and South Asians are easily distinguishable from other groups and are often mistaken for

Middle Eastern Arabs or Hispanics; their communities are targeted for ICE raids to check on immigration status. ICE agents have been raiding immigrant communities all across the US since Donald Trump was sworn in as President a month ago. The new President issued an executive order for the arrest and deportation of illegal (undocumented) immigrants. In addition, the President issued a travel ban on immigrants (including those with green cards and visas) from seven Islamic countries. Already the Caribbean immigrant community is on edge in the wake of Trump’s travel ban. The raids, travel ban, detention, and denial of boarding of aircrafts bound for the US have left Guyanese and other immigrant communities worried and confused about Trump’s immigration policy. Elected officials and community leaders say the raids in New York, and particularly so in Richmond Hill, have created tremendous amount of fear among immigrants regardless of status. Officials note that immigrants who committed minor offences including evading transportation fears run the risk of being arrested and their record made available to ICE for pick up and deportation. However, the city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, said the city will not turn over illegal immigrants to ICE and that anyone arrested or in public schools will not be asked about their status. Community leaders from Richmond Hill were interviewed on NY TV 1 about recent raids. The raids in various parts of Queens were condemned by all community leaders, immigration lawyers and politicians. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, What happened? Did President David Granger suddenly wake up and become Columbus number two, that he and his administration now discover that he “…believed the rates are high and that there should have been certain parking exemptions from the inception…” Also, he said, “We do feel that the contract is burdensome…” Why only now? What did he do with the reports from his two Ministers – Finance and Legal Affairs? He received those reports several months ago. Did he read them at all and note their recommendations? Anyway, I’m positive that those reports and the recommendations were discussed at Cabinet, but they took a gamble, relying on the loyalty of their own supporters, ie, the kit and kin, for them to remain quiet by all means possible with the rest of the population. Note that the President said, “…pay your taxes and let the city run properly and WE won’t have to resort to these measures…” Now, where did the ‘WE’ come from, especially if he and his Cabinet were not part of the entire process? Anyone who believes that Minister Ronald Bulkan signed on for the parking meters to become operational on his own, needs his/her head examined. How can any Minister sign on to something on behalf of the government

without the blessings of the President and his Cabinet? Just like the Drug Bond, which Minister George Norton eventually confessed, was a Cabinet’s decision. I do congratulate everyone who has and will continue to protest. The effectiveness of those demonstrations are the real reasons for the Government and the Mayor and City Council waking up and trying to cover up their blunders, with the Government mouth-pieces claiming they are now looking into the wellbeing of the citizens of this dear land. What really jolted them into action is not just the size of the demonstrations, but the unity of all the demonstrators. This is their real headache and President now telling us about the ‘Terror Clause.’ The parking meters have to be scrapped. We have to remain united, for in unity lies strength. This ‘Terror Clause’ has nothing to do with us. As citizens we were never informed or consulted. Therefore, let those who were involved and signed on to it, let them pay, be it the Government of the ‘Gang of Four’. Those ‘green monsters’ have to go; we are already under too much financial burdens. Let them go after those who are not paying taxes to raise revenues. Yours sincerely, Chandra Shekar Azad

Mr Bulkan is uttering untruths CCJ vigilant on appointment in foolishly denying what he said

of Judges, independence of the Judiciary

Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is vigilant as regards the method of the appointment of judges and the independence of the Judiciary in the Region. Last Tuesday, the regional court criticised the system how appellate court judges are appointed in Belize. Although the CCJ judges did not entertain the appeal filed by the Bar Association against the Attorney General of Belize, but expressed displeasure with the present arrangement for the appointment of Justice of Appeal. At present, under section 94 of the Constitution of Belize Chapter 4, Appellant Court “Judges are appointed by the Governor General acting on advice of the Prime Minister given after consultation with the leader of the Opposition… is for such period as may be specified in the instrument of appointment.” I should state that since there is no fixed time in the appointment, the judges’ tenure is at the whim and fancy of the Executive. This does not find favour with the CCJ which stated in its judgment that Justices of Appeal should be appointed in a similar position as Supreme Court Judges (first instant judges) with an independent appointing body and tenure until retirement age. The CCJ also recommended that shorter periods of tenure should be offered to appointees over the age of 75. In Belize, Judges, Magistrates and legal officers are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC). The composition of the JLSC – Chief Justice (Chairman), Solicitor General, President of the Public Service Commission and a representative from the Bar Association. Perhaps I should add that Belize is the only jurisdiction in the Region in which lawyers have a say in the

appointment of Judges and legal officers. The Guyana Government is expected to appoint a new Chancellor who will replace Carl Singh who has been acting as Chancellor for the past 13 years, but his appointment was not confirmed since the Leader of the Opposition did not agree to his confirmation. Ian Chang who acted as Chief Justice for more than 11 years was not confirmed either because there was also no agreement. In fact, Chang went into retirement a year ago without being confirmed and Yonette CummingsEdwards has been appointed as acting Chief Justice. Guyana is the only country in the region where there must be an agreement between the President and Leader of the Opposition. This was only changed in 2002. Previously it was merely consultation like other jurisdictions in the Region. It seems as if the Cooperative Republic has to be different from other countries. Guyana is the only country in the Commonwealth where the Judiciary is headed by a Chancellor and not the Chief Justice. In July 1966 when the Court of Appeal of Guyana was established, Forbes Burnham who was Prime Minister and Head of Government was not happy for the then Chief Justice, Sir Joseph “Bonnie” Luckhoo to continue to head the Judiciary. He then appointed Guyanese Sir Kenneth Stoby who was Chief Justice of Barbados to the top job and renaming the position as Chancellor of the Judiciary and President of the Court of Appeal. However, Judges – except the Chancellor and the Chief Justice – in Guyana are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission which is headed by the Chancellor. Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Dear Editor, I wish to respond to a letter by Mr Ronald Bulkan, Communities Minister, in which he accused me of making baseless statements in relation to the Government’s payment to BK International of more than G$1 billion on a mere letter threatening litigation. Let me say that my statement was based on an article published in the media on August 23, 2016. The front page headline read “Government pays BK US$5.7M on a simple threat”. The article quotes Mr Bulkan as the source for the headline. It was an interview done with Mr Bulkan by the reporter. The article also carried MrBulkan’s photograph. Mr Bulkan never denied the story, nor ever asked for it to be retracted. Naturally, one must presume that the article was accurate. After MrBulkan’s letter, I raised the matter with the editor of Kaieteur News and he assured me that the newspaper will hold steadfast to their story. It is, therefore, clear that it is the Minister who is uttering untruths in foolishly denying what he said, when the same can be so easily confirmed or proven. I hope that the new Code of Conduct, which was promised for Ministers, will address the issue of Ministers, publically, peddling halftruths and even downright lies. Mr Bulkan went on to point out what was the basis for the huge payment to BK International.That is not the issue at hand Mr Bulkan is attempting to obfuscate. While in Government, I was aware of those figures. The issue is that BK International breached the agreement several times. The PPP/C terminated the contract and requested BK International to vacate the site. The PPP/C Government felt that it was BK International that was liable and should pay the Government instead. We were ready to sue BK for compensation.

It was this APNU regime that quickly rolled over and gave BK International a huge payment. This settlement and many others which this Government has concluded are believed by many to be tainted with rampant corruption. Mr Bulkan took the opportunity to castigate me about GuySuCo’s difficulties. Here again, he is displaying a huge gap in his knowledge of what is happening at GuySuCo, or if he knows, he has chosen to be dishonest on the issue. I mentioned before that GuySuCo’s problems began when the price of sugar received from the EU fell by 36 per cent in 2010. The PPP/C government was investing in the industry to deal with the new reality. Our plan was working as could be seen in the 2015 production. Had the PPP/C not been cheated out of Office, Wales would not have been closed and Rose Hall would not be threatened with closure.The industry has huge potentials in value added products. This regime refuses to go in that direction and is closing the industry instead. This is a decision that will haunt this country for generations to come. Mr Bulkan should be one of the last persons to speak or refer to anyone’s ability to manage. After all, he ran his own business into bankruptcy. His pique with the PPP/C administration was because the government did not accede to their request for a bail out of some G$300 million. The PPP/C government felt it could not use taxpayers’ money in that fashion. He is with the APNU now maybe because they don’t care how taxpayers’ dollars are squandered and used to give the elite huge salaries and allowances. As a gentleman, I expect MrBulkan to own up to his words and not seek to hide from them. Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

news 7

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

More protests in Georgetown …this time to challenge Govt’s imposition of 14% VAT on private education

arents, students and other concerned stakeholders will take to the streets on February 28 to protest Government’s imposition of 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education – a decision which many are urging to be repealed. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in a statement to the media on Tuesday, called on the Government to reverse the imposition of VAT on private education. “We say to the Government that if they so badly need revenue, then cut Ministerial salaries, overseas trips by Ministers and per diem allowances of Ministers by 50 per cent. Our children’s education is a more worthwhile investment,” the statement from the Office of the Opposition Leader read. The missive outlined that education has long proven itself to be the surest and safest vehicle to exit the vicious cycle of poverty and that taxing such a service is callous and cruel. “We again express our strong dissent to the imposition of VAT on private schools and private educational systems. We regard this imposition as an expression of cal-

lousness and cruelty to the children and the parents of those children who are attending these private educational institutions,” the statement said. Jagdeo’s office contended that the imposition of VAT on private educational institutions would certainly amount to discrimination since, students and parents attending public schools do not bear this burden. The Office of the Leader of the Opposition reminded that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration, it encouraged the growth and proliferation of private schools throughout the country out of a firm belief that parents and children alike should have the freedom and option to access education from private as well as public schools and institutions. It pointed out that as a result, a very strong and viable private education industry has developed across the country.

Protest

Meanwhile, civil society has responded vigorously against the brain tax. Students, parents, teachers, members of the business community and other disgruntled stakeholders will be holding

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

a silent protest outside of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on February 28. Persons from the Nations School of Business, Marian Academy, New Guyana School and other private educational institutions across the country have been invited to join the activity – which is expected to be a weekly exercise to voice the nation’s frustrations. Persons desirous of supporting the cause are encouraged to show up at the assembly point in front of the GRA

on Camp Street with their own placards; the protest will commence from 12:00h. The protest action is just another in a list of activities being taken by civil society in expressing its disapproval of Government’s move to tax education. Already, a mass online movement is gaining momentum where hundreds of persons have signed a petition against Government’s decision to charge 14 per cent on private educational services.

The organised campaign argued that the imposition of the 14 per cent VAT on private schools will impact very heavily on the children and youth attending those schools. “For some, the perception is that anyone who attends a private school must be wealthy. That perception may be true for a certain percentage but, for the majority, attendance at such schools often represents a real sacrifice by a family member,” the body explained. Director of the School of the Nations, Dr Brian O’Toole, highlighted that one of the most popular courses in Guyana, with more than 1000 students, is the ABE programme with courses for school leavers, in business, management, travel and tourism and computer technology. He said this imposition may force many students to abandon their pursuance of a sound education altogether. According to the educator, “the only hope for Guyana moving forward is an educated, motivated pool of youth who see Guyana as theirs. This new tax does nothing to further that vision, that sense of optimism, the idea that they can rise out of poverty.”

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Presidential term limits unconstitutional …Guyana’s Court of Appeal rules in split decision

he Guyana Court of Appeal on Wednesday, by a 2 to 1 majority, ruled that presidential term limits is unconstitutional. Handing down separate decisions were Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh; Chief Justice, Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and Justice B.S. Roy. Justice B.S. Roy and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh turned down an appeal by Attorney General Basil Williams and the Speaker of the National Assembly.Chief Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards differed and allowed the appeal. In her dissenting decision, she said the amendment to limit presidential terms to two is “not unconstitutional.” “The people of Guyana in whom sovereignty lies exercise their sovereignty through representatives of Parliament and Local Democratic organs,” she said. Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh said any law that would have the effect of suppressing the right to freely elect someone of their choice would be unconstitutional. “The people are entitled, in keeping with democratic principles to freely elect their representatives,” Singh

said. The appeal had been filed against a ruling by then Chief Justice, Ian Chang in July 2015 that the constitutional amendment, Act No. 17 of 2001, which limits presidencies to two terms is invalid because such a decision requires a referendum. The State is expected to appeal the decision to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Justice Chang’s ruling was appealed by then Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman and current Attorney General Basil Williams. The constitutional challenge case was led by Georgetown resident Cedric Richardson in February 2015, and sought the court’s interpretation on the National Assembly’s changes to Article 90 as it related

to four restraints on the freedom of choice by citizens at national elections. As adumbrated by Justice Chang, “The purported alteration of Article 90 by Act No. 17 of 2001, in substance and effect, undoubtedly diminishes the democratic rights of the electorate in electing a person of their own choice as President, by excluding from Presidential candidature: (1) Citizens of Guyana not resident in Guyana on Nomination Day (2) Citizens of Guyana resident in Guyana on Nomination Day but who have not been continuously resident in Guyana for seven years prior to that date (3) Citizens of Guyana by registration (4) Citizens of Guyana who have served for two terms as President.

Double standards?

ormer People’s National Congress Chief Whip, 74-year-old Lance Carberry, was recently reappointed Chairman of the Guyana Oil

Company (Guyoil). Carberry was reappointed despite President David Granger’s announcement that Government is reviewing its policy on age and re-

As such, the purported alteration by Act No 17 of 2001 purports to curtail the people’s electoral democratic choices and to offend the declaration in Article 1 that Guyana is a democratic state (in which the sovereignty resides in the people Article 9). This is precisely why, for the purpose of any alteration of Articles 1 and 9, the voice of two-thirds of the elected members of the National Assembly is not the voice of the people.” The case, which was /led by Attorneys Emily Dodson and Shawn Allicock, on behalf of Richardson, argued that Act 17 of 2001, which was passed by a twothird majority in the National Assembly, unconstitutionally curtails and restricts his sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a

qualified elector to elect specific persons of their choice as President of Guyana. Richardson had contended that the limit was unconstitutional and illegal. He sought the court’s interpretation to determine whether the amendment with referendum should not have been held, instead of the two-third majority in the National Assembly having the powers to decide to limit the number of terms. As such, while the Constitution provides for representative democracy, such representative democracy cannot encroach on popular sovereignty from which it derives and which is entrenched by the requirement of the referendum. Justice Chang’s interpretation of the constitutional provision rested on a “normative” substantive republican values rather than the older, procedurally-driven Liberal view of constitutions as merely “descriptive”. While he cited two cases – the Belize case Bowen vs The Attorney General BZ 2001 SC 2, and the Indian case Kesavananda Bharativs the State of Kerala (1974) 1 SCC (Jour) 3 to support his ruling, it appears there was a refusal by his critics to

deconstruct the difference between the two approaches and to accept as the Indian Supreme Court did, “while there was no implied limit to constitutional amendment, the very nature of the word “amend” meant that Parliament could not abrogate or destroy the foundation or the basic structure of the Constitution.” In the Liberal procedurally driven perspective on constitutions, the protection of the negative freedom of the citizens, adumbrated as “fundamental rights”, against the Leviathan state, is paramount, but as stated by the theorist Jurgen Habermas, in the substantive republican view, “…the State’s raison d’etre does not lie primarily in the protection of equal private rights but in the guarantee of an inclusive opinion- and will-formation in which free and equal citizens reach an understanding on which goals and norms lie in the equal interest of all.” It is this insistence that it is the will of the people must be untrammelled in the exercise of their positive freedom, that Justice Chang’s ruling rests.

…Govt reappoints 74 yearold as Guyoil Chairman

tirement for State agencies, boards and commissions with a view of building a pool of expertise among theyounger generation. President Granger

Reappointed Guyoil Chairman, Lance Carberry

had made the disclosures on the heels of a major outcry over his administration’s decision to terminate the services of Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority Justice Cecil Kennard who is also over 70 years old. Granger had argued that Justice Kennard is too old to be functioning and that his Government wants younger professionals to take over these key leadership positions. “We are simply trying to give other persons the opportunity to serve,” the President provided as his justification. He also indicated that former Mayor Hamilton Green, who current-

ly heads the Central Housing and Planning Authority and is around the same age as Justice Kennard would also have to step down, in keeping with Government’s new age policy. Carberry, an economist by profession, had served in the bauxite industry and had played a role in the establishment and development of the Iwokrama Rainforest Project. He is also wellversed in matters affecting the energy and environmental sectors of the economy. Political commentator Dr David Hinds had argued that Government needs to be clear on its age policy, if it has one. Hinds said that if Government has a policy on age, then it needs to make it known, while explaining the reasoning behind it. The political analyst said if the Government really does have a policy where persons who are past a certain age should not occupy some posts, then it should formally announce it and explain to the public the reason-

ing behind it. Failure to do so, he said, would open Government to the charge of selective targeting of officials, as appears to be the case with Justice Kennard. “If there is a policy to remove people from some positions because they are too old, I would have a serious problem with it. Since when age determines competence? When I read the news story about Justice Kennard’s removal because of old age, I thought he was 100 years old and physically and mentally challenged. But, from all indications, despite his so-called old age, the man has been quite competent at what he does,” Hinds said, noting that if indeed he is being removed because of his age, then it is a clear case of age discrimination. He said if Government is removing Kennard for some other reason, as could well be the case, then it should be honest enough and say so, rather than hiding behind age.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

President Trump congratulates Controversial Region Guyana on 47th Republic 9 REO interdicted Day Anniversary from duty – Bulkan

leged assault, the Virtual Complainant maintained a friendly relationship with Parker, and even visited his home on many occasions. Khan had told media operatives previously that the accused was a victim and his situation was a “perfect political storm”, intended to remove Parker from his position.

Govt failed to act

he following letter was sent to President David Granger on behalf of the people of the United States: Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate you and the citizens of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of your Republic Day.

As you mark 47 years as a republic, know that the United States remains as committed as ever to our close friendship and partnership on common interests such as economic development, good governance, and environmental protection. I would also like to acknowledge Guyana’s role as a regional lead-

er, which has been clearly on display since you assumed the rotating chair of the Caribbean Community on January 1. I offer my sincere wishes to you, your family, and the Guyanese people for a beautiful Mashramani and Republic Day. Sincerely, Donald J. Trump

Chetwynd Learning Centre opens

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger unveiling the plaque on Monday

n honour of the 94th Birth Anniversary of former Guyanese leader, Forbes Burnham, the current Head of State, David Granger, opened the Chetwynd Learning Centre on Monday. The new centre, located at Lot 5 Thorn Drive, D’Urban Backlands, already accommodates three other institutes also established in Burnham’s name; these include the Burnham Educational Scholarship Trust, the Forbes Burnham Research Institute and the Burnham Book Trust. The Centre is aimed at providing equal access to educational tools to all Guyanese, which will make learning easier. Chetwynd was the idea of President

Granger who “reiterated the call of Burnham to make education a central plan.” According to the Head of State, he is breathing life into the ideas of the former leader, who believed that education should be provided to everyone. Granger reiterated that education is not an option but should be an entitlement for all. He expressed the hope that similar centres like Chetwynd, would be built in each town, in the near future. The President emphasised that the centre is being opened for the public good and not for political purposes. Following his remarks, the President and First Lady Sandra Granger cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque, declaring the centre offi-

cially opened. They were then joined by other Government Ministers on a tour of the institution. Chetwynd is equipped with educational tools such as books and computers. A total of 20 computers are currently at the Centre and more are to be added. Photos depicting various points in Guyana’s history decorate the walls of the centre.

ommunities Minister Ronald Bulkan has announced that Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), Carl Parker has been off the job for over one week and that a replacement REO has since been installed. During an interview with the Government Information Agency, the Minister disputed reports in some sections of the media that Parker was still on the job. According to Bulkan, Kerwin Ward, formerly of the Region Three administration has assumed the responsibility of acting REO of Region Nine. Ward has been with the Region Three administration for over 20 years and his last substantial position within the Region Three office was Field Auditor. Parker was on Thursday, February 9, charged for allegedly sexually assaulting one of the region’s elected officials. The sexual assault charge was read to him as he appeared before a Magistrate at the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Following this, Minister Bulkan had informed the media that following the institution of the charge against Parker, he would be interdicted from duty with immediate effect. It is alleged that Parker, 53, of Cenotaph Boulevard, Lethem, Region Nine, had sexually assaulted a young lady on June 13, 2016 at Yupukari, Central Rupununi, during a village outreach he had hosted. The REO pleaded not guilty. He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman, who read the charge in-camera before granting him bail in the sum of G$200,000. Speaking with reporters outside the courtroom, Parker’s lawyer, Attorney-at-Law Jerome Khan sought to poke holes in the allegation made against his client, questioning the fact that the incident was only reported in December of 2016 and not when it had reportedly occurred in June. The defence attorney also pointed out that following this al-

During a press conference held earlier this month, Opposition Leader BharratJagdeo accused Government of failing to discipline Parker against whom several similar allegations have been made. “This Government has serious problems with professionals, particularly young professionals and particularly women. So in (Region Nine, an education official) complained about the (alleged) predatory behaviour of the (official). And it was swept under the carpet,” Jagdeo had stated. He continued, “Then the (municipal official) complained that she was sexually molested by the same person. It was reported to everyone, including the Minister. The President is aware of it. They try to sweep it under the carpet again.” At least two arms of the People’s Progressive Party have since come out in solidarity with the alleged victim. These groups – the Women’s Progressive Organisation and Progressive Youth Organisation of Region Nine – expressed admiration for the boldness of the Virtual Complainant in coming forward.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26 , 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Trio accused of murdering Rubis accountant for High Court trial

Luncheon accuses APNU/AFC Govt of “drifting away” from commitments made during elections campaign

T T

The three accused Stancy Rodney, David Eastman and Clifton Gibson

he three men who were detained for the murder of Jason Cort were on Tuesday arraigned before City Magistrate Judy Latchman and sentenced to stand trial at the High Court for the unlawful killing of the Rubis Gas Station accountant. The Magistrate ruled that a prima facie case was established against Stancy Rodney, 28; David Eastman, 25; and Clifton Gibson, 32, for the murder of Jason Cort, and they will stand trial at the next sitting at the High Court. Rodney, when given a chance to speak declined the opportunity; his Attorney, George Thomas, said that one witness will be called at the High Court trial. The second accused, Eastman, told the court that he was beaten by Police Officers in an attempt to force him to give a statement. Attorney-atLaw Paul Fung-A-Fat stated that his client wishes to reserve witnesses for the High Court and will not disclose

the names of same, owing to his fear of members of the Police Force. Represented by Defence Attorney Melville Duke, Gibson opted to remain silent, declining the chance to present witnesses. Jason Cort, a senior employee attached to Rubis Guyana Inc was gunned down in July of last year, at his Lot 262 Jamoon Drive, Meadowbrook home. Cort was fatally shot to the chest shortly after entering his premises with fiancé, Shauna Garraway. He was rushed to Balwant Singh Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival. Several persons had related that upon hearing the loud explosion and looking outside, they observed persons scaling the fence of Cort’s home and making good their escape up the road. Following the shooting, the three men were arrested and charged with the offence.

PM Stuart promises rounded cultural experience for CARIFESTA 2017

ith the 2017 Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) set to be held later this year in Barbados, the nation’s Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, has hinted at a rounded cultural experience for the hundreds of regional and international patrons expected for the Region’s premier festival. CARIFESTA XIII will be held from August 17 to 27 under the theme “Asserting Our Culture Celebrating Ourselves”. Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the recently concluded Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Barbadian leader outlined that his Culture, Sports and Youth Ministry which is leading the charge on the preparations for the festival, has been very active and timely in its planning.

“We’re getting all of our infrastructure ready and significant numbers of countries have already indicated that they are coming to Barbados and that they are going to be participating in CARIFESTA. So we are, on present indications, on score to be ready for the day on which the festival is supposed to begin and we’re optimistic that we are going to have a very successful CARIFESTA.” Alluding to what visitors can expect from Barbados at this year’s festival, the Head of State explained that all CARIFESTAs have their own unique characters because they take place in different countries. He noted that since the first CARIFESTA held in Guyana, the festival has since changed its character to reflect the nation where it is being held. “Each host country tries to put its own cultural stamp on the fes-

tival and therefore, we expect that Barbados, while we’re having visiting artistes from other parts of the hemisphere, there will be a peculiar Barbadian stamp on CARIFESTA 2017.” Additionally, the Barbadian Leader sought to remind that his home country had hosted CARIFESTA back in 1981 and so this is not virgin territory for them. “So we know the course. CARIFESTA 81 was, from every report that I can remember, was a successful and we intend CARIFESTA 2017 to a resounding success as well.” Local media has reported Barbados’ big plans for the usual spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, the super concerts featuring some of the Region’s top artistes, and sultry country nights. During the recent Caricom Inter-Sessional Meeting, the regional Heads of Government acknowledged the importance of the festival to the Caribbean identity and urged full participation in the event. In fact, they accepted the offers of Trinidad and Tobago to host CARIFESTA XIV in 2019 and Antigua and Barbuda to host CARIFESTA XV in 2021.

he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) is seemingly drifting away from the commitments made on the campaign trail, and its promise of a revitalisation of local democracy. This is according to former Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, who was speaking to journalists at his party’s weekly media briefing, at Freedom House on Monday. Dr Luncheon said the current Administration is moving away from its promise of local democracy and social cohesion; critical issues it promised before taking the helm of Government. “Speaking about local government and the Granger Government and its emphasis publicly and repetitively on things like local democracy and social cohesion… there are a couple of instances that begs the question, how sincere is the Granger Government in its talk of local democracy and social cohesion and to remind you that for a political party, trust is fundamental; if it behooves the [People’s Progressive Party] PPP to view the Granger Government with the greatest distrust and to concede that nothing the Granger Government says publicly cannot be accepted as a fact until it is carried out, then we are in dire circumstances,” Luncheon said. He pointed to a meeting between Government and the Mayors of three local authority areas that have controlling PPP presence, held at the Marriott Hotel. The issue dis-

Former Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

cussed was the National Regional Development Committee. Luncheon said due process was not followed as the invitation to meet came a mere 24 hours before the actual appointment. “This Administration speaks to social cohesion and local democracy and time after time examples are on the table to walk the walk and you all know what the stance of this Administration is,” he added. Luncheon also addressed the issue of the tied Councils of the local Authority area, and reminded that Government wanted to resolve the issue, contrary to what the PPP had insisted was lawful. That bickering had caused the matter to be taken to the court, now months later, there still has not been a resolution. The PPP/Civic had moved to the courts to stop Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan from illegally appointing a Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mabaruma in Region One (BarimaWaini), as well as the

Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons in five other local authority areas in which the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC had the same number of seats, after the LGE. Bulkan had appointed officials of the Gibraltar-Fyrish, Industry-Plaisance NDC; Malgre Tout-Meer Zorgen and WoodlandsBel Air NDCs; and a Mayor of the municipality of Mabaruma. However, the court quashed those appointments and ruled in favour of the PPP/C on the grounds that they were contrary to, and in violation of, Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 and the Local Government Act Chapter 28:02. Justice Diana Insanally said the decision “is in excess of and without jurisdiction, made in bad faith, is unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious, based upon irrelevant and improper considerations, mala fide, malicious, vindictive, unlawful, ultravires, null, void and of no legal effect”.

Trump invites Trinidad PM to Washington

rinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley got a surprise call from American President Donald Trump during which the leader of the twin-island republic was invited to Washington DC. Although not much was disclosed about the conversation, the US Embassy in Trinidad said that in the call from Trump, which came around 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, the leaders “spoke about a number of issues of mutual interest to Trinidad and Tobago and the United States”. It said the two agreed that both administrations would continue to

strengthen the relationship which exists between the two countries. The Embassy also mentioned Trump’s invitation to Rowley on its social media pages. “The two leaders reaffirmed the strong security partnership and agreed to continue close coordination in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime. President Trump invited Prime Minister Rowley to visit Washington, D.C., in the coming months,” it added. Meantime, the Embassy announced earlier that the US is working with the twin-island republic to fight money

laundering and terrorism financing. It said that John Murphy, an economic crime advisor from US Treasury, is currently working with the T&T government regulatory, intelligence, investigative and prosecutorial entities to enhance capabilities and respond to concerns raised in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Mutual Evaluation Report. The technical assistance is based on an agreement signed between theUnited States and Trinidad and Tobago in August 2016. (Caribbean360.com)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26 , 2016| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Mayor’s move to have city businesses closed by 16:30h will further cripple private sector – business owners BY DEVINA SAMAROO

n an announcement that sent shockwaves through the city, Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green declared that city businesses have been operating beyond hours prescribed by the law and the practice must be immediately stopped. However, the Shops Consolidation (Amendment) Act 2009 states otherwise. Chase Green told a public meeting on Friday that businesses are forbidden from opening on public holidays, on Sundays and beyond 16:30h (4:30pm) daily; warning that efforts will be made to ensure law and order is restored. The announcement startled many business operators in Georgetown, some of whom contended that any such move will only further cripple the economy. One business owner argued that the policy is anti-business and

The Shops Consolidation Act (Amendment) 2009

does not cater for working-class persons who usually do their shopping after working hours. During an interview with Guyana Times Internationalon Monday, the Mayor maintained her position, emphasising that the law is clear. “They (businesses) open at 07:30h and at seven in the night (19:00h), they are still opened while the law says it’s from 7:00am to 4:30pm (16:30h), and Saturdays are supposed to be half day and there are supposed to be no openings

on Sundays; but they are in violation and nobody is saying anything about it,” she argued. Chase Green said the concerns were brought to her attention by concerned citizens and therefore she decided to take action to put an end to the violation. The Mayor said she will be writing to the Labour Department about the violation and that it will be up to those in charge to take the necessary actions to correct the breach. “What you have exist-

More needs to be done to tackle suicide scourge in Essequibo …as county records 56 deaths in 24 months

ver a two-year period, some 56 Essequibians have committed suicide, signalling the need for more mental health workshops, counselling centres and the active involvement of the Private Sector in curbing the worrying issue of suicide in Essequibo. This is according to statistics provided by the Suddie Public Hospital statistical department in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). According to records from the statistical department, the practice claimed 27 lives in 2015 and 29 in 2016, with 143 attempted cases in 2015 and 130 cases in 2016. Hospital records show that the most prevalent method used was the consumption of poisonous substances and most cases were as a result of domestic and/or abusive relationships. In the past, key stakeholders and several religious organisations joined the fight against the social ill; however, there is still need for the continuation of these programmes and workshops. People’s Progressive Party, Region Two Councillor, Arnold Adams, Head of the Regional Health and Sanitation Committee said he is appalled by the number of suicide cases within the region. Adams, who presented a report from the last meeting of the Sanitation Committee said a report was submitted to him by a statistical officer on the figures. Based on reports, the majority of the victims were of East Indian descent, with domestic violence playing a major part in their decisions to take their lives. Persons with chronic diseases were also among the victims. Statistics indicate that most of the victims consumed poisonous substances but others also drank kerosene and

overdosed on medications. Adams said that many organisations tried counselling, but that has proven ineffective to some extent in slowing the rate of suicide. The Councillor said their needs to be an in-depth analysis of the scourge and called on religious leaders from various faith-based organisations to advise young people as well as give guidance and support where needed. Adams said suicide is not the way out and persons should confide in someone or ‘always keep God close’. The regional Councillor is also urging victims of domestic violence to seek help from counselling centres and mental health clinics, insisting that they report domestic violence matters to the Police. He also strongly urged those abused not to drop the cases against their abusers when it reaches the court. Records indicate the region’s suicide victims were both males and females, ranging in ages from 14 years to 66; with the majority being female. Two persons along the Essequibo Coast have so far taken their lives in 2017. Meanwhile, Government has received heavy criticism from several stakeholders including The Caribbean Voice which has always called for the reimplementation of the Gatekeepers Programme. The organisation in a recent statement pointed out that of the programmes introduced to deal with suicide, in its estimation, the initiative that holds the greatest potential for reducing the incidence of suicide is the Gatekeepers Programme. Here, individuals from communities concerned about the scourge are trained by professionals so that suicidal persons will have culturally compatible persons to whom they can turn.

ing right now is that majority of businesses open after 12 on Saturdays until four or five in the afternoons or until seven in the night. And on Sundays they are also open and on public holidays; and they are in violation… So it is left for them (Labour Ministry) to take that information and do what is necessary,” she stressed. Chase Green posited, “It is the Ministry’s responsibility, not mine. I am responsible for the market and I make sure that the market is opened and closed on time.” However, the Chief

Labour Officer (CLO) Charles Ogle said the Mayor is erroneous in her claims. He pointed to the Shops Consolidation (Amendment) Act 2009 which extends the operating hours for regular shops from 07:30h to 22:00h; restaurants and cook shops for 24 hours per day; and parlour, barber and hairdresser establishments from 06:00h to midnight every day. Ogle presumed that the Mayor is referring to the old Act, which indeed stipulated an early closure time for businesses.

Moreover, he posited that it is the responsibility of the Police Commissioner and not the Labour Department to ensure that the businesses are operating in accordance with the law. He posited that the Mayor may have blundered once again in this regard. The Shops Act stipulates that “it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Police to enforce or cause to be enforced the provisions of this Act relating to the hours of opening and closing of shops and prohibited sales.”

250 nursing students resit examination

At last: Some 250 nursing students retook the examinations after being in limbo since last year. The students from four nursing establishments representing the counties of Demerara and Berbice were forced to retake the exams following the discovery of a breach after the two-day Clinical and Functional tests in October 2016

he 250 nursing students who wrote the 2016 nursing exams, which was allegedly compromised, took the test for a second time on Tuesday. Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence along with her Junior Minster, Dr Karen Cummings, paid a visit to the students just before they wrote the examination at the Critchlow Labour College. In a statement released by the Health Ministry, the Minister said to a group of students “We are here to give you moral and spiritual support; we have full confidence in you”. Minister Cummings also spoke to the students and said “We know you will have good success. Believe in yourselves”. Those who re-wrote the nursing exams were students from the Georgetown School of Nursing, the Charles Roza School of Nursing located in Linden, the New Amsterdam School of Nursing and the privately-operated St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown. The students from the four nursing institutions were all forced to retake the exams after it was discovered that there was a breach following the two-day Clinical and

Functional tests in October 2016. The nurses were outraged at having to retake the examination, staging multiple protest actions and calling for an alternative decision. However, after lengthy debates and discussions within the Public Health Ministry, it was determined that having the nurses rewrite the examination would be the best option. Investigations into the leaking of the professional examinations papers which were reportedly sold to students to the tune of some G$180,000 are currently ongoing. The authorities are confident that the breach originated from the Nursing Council. However, they are awaiting an unknown person who is currently abroad to assist with the investigations. On Tuesday, Ministers Lawrence and Cummings said their presence at the College was to reaffirm their confidence in the integrity of the tests and the intelligence of the students. The Education Ministry was tasked with preparing and executing the exams and will also be responsible for marking the papers. The results of the examination are to be known on February 28.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Sustained modernisation Trial date set for Omar Shariff, wife for breaching programme must be formulated to save sugar industry High Court order

mar Shariff, former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Presidency, along with his reputed wife SavitriHardeo are set to go to trial on March 6, 2017 for non-compliance of a production order issued by the High Court. The court had issued an order in 2016, which required Shariff to provide certain documents to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) which he had violated, and the couple was separately charged with the said offence earlier this year. The duo was released on self-bail after pleading not guilty to the charge, along with the condition that they report every other Monday

Omar Shariff

to SOCU. Special Prosecutor, Patrice Henry, on Monday filed statements and will present seven witnesses at the next hearing. An application for a joint charge was made by Shariff’s attorney, who requested that the couple be tried jointly as opposed to separately; this application

will be ruled on come March 6, 2017. The accused, between 2005 and 2015, had allegedly amassed some G$20 billion in business funds and were arrested in July 2016 in connection with allegations relating to one of the largest money laundering and tax evasion schemes in the history of Guyana. Shariff was sent on annual leave on July 1, 2016 by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, following investigations launched by SOCU and his services were terminated with effect from December 31, 2016. The trial date was set by Magistrate FabayoAzore and the couple will appear before the courts on March 6, 2017.

Rupununi Music and Arts Festival presents “Georgetown Connection”

he Rupununi Music and Arts Festival will be coming to Georgetown and according to Festival Director, Dr Bob Ramdhanie, including Georgetown in the programming has been integral to the Festival’s strategic plan since its inception. He said too that this will be the first of many events to be staged annually in Georgetown. The event, which promises to be exciting, entertaining, funfilled and affordable, will be staged at Thirst Park, (Banks DIH) in Georgetown on Saturday, March 4. According to a release from Banks DIH, artistes from Barbados, St Vincent and the United Kingdom will join forces with artistes from Guyana to share some ‘festival slices’ and celebrate life. The “Georgetown Connection” promises to

be an exciting entertainment event with food and fun for the whole family. The Mighty Gabby, the youngest ever and nine-time Calypso Monarch of Barbados will headline the weekend. His international hits include “The List”, “Jack”, “Boots”, “West Indian Politician”, “Emmerton” and many more. Dave Martins and Friends will spearhead the local team and will be amply supported by the popular, vibrant, rock band, Feed the Flames plus Collage, Nachgana Academy of Dance, “Chuckie& Gavin Mendonca”, Surama Cultural Group and many others. Additionally, international Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe will make a special appearance at the event. The organisers have assured that “Georgetown Connection” will provide a slice of what patrons can expect in August, at

the Rupununi Music and Arts Festival. The Rupununi Music and Arts Festival which is a world-music, camping-based festival began in 2013 at Rock View, Annai and will be moving this year to a new location – Manari Ranch, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) for this year’s festival from August 1820. The Festival, including the Georgetown Connection event, is supported by the Government, Private Sector and NGO partnership, including Banks DIH Ltd, Renta-Tent, Giftland Mall, Republic Bank, Cara Lodge, Silverbait Design Inc, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), THAG, Air Services Ltd, NAMILCO Inc, Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) and others.

…GAWU tells Govt

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said for the sugar industry to prosper in the future, it is readily apparent that other income earning streams have to be added. “Our Union strongly subscribes to the position that the industry needs to transform itself from being a ‘sugar’ to ‘sugar cane’ industry,” GAWU stated during its recent presentation on the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to the Government of Guyana. According to the Union, the entire sugar cane plant will be utilised to widen the range of the industry’s products, thus adding a number of profitable revenue streams. Apart from transitioning the industry from a “sugar” industry to a “sugar cane” industry, a sustained modernisation programme, taking into account the adoption of realistic ventures, using sugar products, must be formulated. GAWU said the main contributor to value-added to sustain the sugar industry in the long-term will be co-generation, noting that the lone co-generation plant at Skeldon, in spite of its short-comings, has great value. “The CoI (Commission of Inquiry) recommended that the Skeldon CoGeneration unit be returned to GuySuCo and a reasonable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) be negotiated with GPL, a view we also subscribe to,” the Union stated. In addition to cogeneration, GAWU said there exists a ready market in Caricom for a total of 200,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar. The Union posited that the higher prices, in contemporary times, only serve to add to the project’s feasibility. It added that the recent indication by an Indian investor to take over Skeldon’s operations with a view, among other things, to establish a refinery, serves to remind of the significant sums that can be earned in this venture. GAWU also strongly supports the maximisation of GuySuCo’s existing capacity, along with further expansion in this

regard given the profitability of product lines. “The opportunities for new product brands are numerous. Critical to this venture is the need for a robust product development and a marketing programme with clear vision and focus. North American and European markets ought to be pursued with energy. Efforts on the Geographical Indicator will boost marketing of branded products,” the body noted. The production of bulk alcohol is also an-

ed that any closure and sell out of the estates can very well see many ordinary working Guyanese being pushed on to the breadline with little hope for the future and increasing desperation to survive. The Workers Union posited that such a situation can become troubling for the National Insurance Scheme as many of the redundant workers would have already qualified for pensions when the contributor base would be

other viable business venture and another distillery in the country could be established next to a sugar factory, GAWU stated. The Union also pointed out that fuel alcohol production from molasses is also another opportunity to enhance revenues and reduce imports. The Union further proposed that the Corporation should examine the sale and production of a darker form of brown sugar. “In North America, similar sugar is being marketed as a form of health food. Marketing is once more a critical factor to success,” GAWU stressed.

shrinking. Moreover, it said the contagion in the banking sector is another serious consequence that must be borne in mind as many workers have been able to secure mortgages and other loans and maybe unable to service those debts. Additionally, the reduction in income also has deleterious effects for the commercial sector and all in all Government’s revenues and employment in our country would be reduced. Another more significant effect, GAWU noted, is the societal issues that would emerge in the form of criminality, destitution, suicides, divorces and other such ills. GAWU said the education of workers’ children can also be affected and this does not augur well for future development. GAWU outlined that given its wide scope, decisions cannot be made in a slipshod manner as the consequences and repercussions can be serious, if not disastrous, for the nation. “In view of the obvious, the necessity for a socio-economic study cannot be overemphasised. Such studies are an indispensable tool to policymakers in arriving at sound and well-thought out decisions which are in the interest of the people,” GAWU stressed.

Reducing cost

GAWU also recognised that GuySuCo is confronted by high operating costs and reduction is imperative to ensure competitiveness. GAWU noted too that the Sugar CoI report also affirmed the view that GuySuCo was not adhering to known and best agricultural practices. GAWU added that research is also a critical element in the cost reduction drive, as well as the adoption of best practices.

Perilous path

To assess the sugar industry solely on the basis of finance can lead the country down a perilous path, GAWU explained. GAWU further stat-

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Govt will decide what happens with controversial State Assets Recovery Bill – Harmon

he barrage of concerns about the violations of constitutional rights and the dangerous implications of the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA) Bill has been rejected by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who contended that Government is entitled to do whatever it wants. “It’s a Government Bill and the Government will determine what happens to its Bill,” Harmon said in response to the latest cries of concerns expressed by the Private Sector Commission (PSC). The PSC, in a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly dated February 6, expressed its observation that no

meaningful changes have been made to the provisions of the legislation, despite concerns from civil society. The SARA Bill was tabled in the National Assembly by Attorney General Basil Williams last month and will come up for debate on March 9. Harmon argued that unless the Government feels inclined to take the SARA Bill to a Parliamentary select committee after the debates, its Parliamentarians will vote in favour of its passage. However, he assured that Government consists of “consensus people”, and therefore, if at the end of the debate its

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

PSC Chairman, Eddie Boyer

members “recognise that there are issues in the Bill”, then that will be a “motivator” to entertain more consultations. “When the matter goes to select committee, it is really giving the public and several organ-

isations another opportunity to comment on it and we have already given them that opportunity,” he explained. Concerns The PSC, in its letter to the Speaker, maintained that the

provisions of the Bill are in conflict with the rights enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana and constitute a threat to democracy and good governance. The PSC had previously expressed that the SARA Bill is not only dangerous and disingenuous in its current construct, but it has been found to be in violation of numerous sections of Guyana’s supreme law – the Constitution. During the consultation phase of the draft legislation, many stakeholders objected to the Bill in its current form, particularly to the fact that the entity’s Director would be vested with “virtually unlimited authority, making him the most powerful man in the country, second to the President.” Former Attorney General and Member of Parliament (MP), Anil Nandlall had expressed concerns about this legislation setting the stage

for the creation of a parallel justice system. He noted too that the Bill would create an environment that encourages the violation of individuals’ constitutional rights and undermine the rule of law, since it conferred powers ten times greater than those of the Guyana Police Force on a sole individual – the Director of SARA – who currently is Professor Clive Thomas. He observed too that the Bill would create a series of new offences, the SARA Director was vested with unparalleled powers to investigate the newly-created offences and persons could be rid of their properties without ever being charged with a crime. He explained that the Bill redefined the term “unlawful”, diluting the seriousness of a “wrong” which could now warrant the seizure of one’s property. The Guyana Human Rights Association had also raised concerns over the political imbalance of the Parliamentary A p p o i n t m e n t s Committee, which would be tasked with selecting the Director of SARA. Concerns were also voiced by the President of the Guyana Bar Association, Gem Sandford-Johnson over the amount of power instilled in the Director and she recommended that a Board of Directors be installed to govern the agency.

Several held over stoning death at Lethem

everal persons were detained following the stoning to death of a man at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Dead is 21-year-old Lee Antone, formerly of Kaicumby Village, Region Nine and of Bonfim, Brazil. Reports are the now dead man and his brother were at a drinking spot in Lethem and after sometime they left for their home in Bonfim. However, as they were heading towards to the Takatu Bridge, the duo was attacked by several men who threw pieces of stones at them. The now dead man reportedly sustained severe injuries to his face

and started to bleed profusely. It is believed that he might have bled to death since his brother who was highly intoxicated was unable to get him to the hospital on time. The two men were picked up by passersby and taken to the Lethem Hospital where Antone was pronounced dead on arrival and his injured brother was admitted. C o m m a n d e r of F Division (Interior locations), RabindranauthBudram, told this newspaper that several persons were questioned for the incident as Police continue their investigations. He noted that once the suspects are identified, the Police will institute charges.

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

“Cordial and respectful” relationship with US will continue under the Trump regime …says Granger

Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Caricom Chairman David Granger; and Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell at Friday’s press briefing

s there continues to be speculations about the future of relations between the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA) under the Donald Trump administration, Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) President David Granger has assured that no change is anticipated in the relations between the Region and the North American country. Speaking with reporters following the Caricom Inter-sessional Meeting, the Guyanese Leader noted that the Region has a “cordial and respectful” relationship with the US and this is expected to continue under the Trump regime. “We did take a decision to embark on an engagement with the present (Trump) Administration. So all I can say at this time is that there is no indication that there is going to be any change in Caricom/ US relations,” Granger told reporters at the end of two-day confab on Friday. The Caricom Chairman further pointed out that both the Region and the US enjoy fruitful and mutual benefits from the relation, hence, pasts US Presidents from since the Clinton regime has sought to strengthen ties with the Region. “We have traditionally been regarded as the fourth frontier of the United States. After the Pacific Frontier, the Canadian Frontier and the Atlantic Frontier, the Caribbean is the fourth Frontier and we are sure that the United States understands the strategic significance of the Caribbean. We appreciate the role of the United States; we have ongoing relationships with the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, we have trade

and other economic relations and we do not anticipate that there is going to be any significant disruption under the new administration,’ Granger explained. To this end, Grenadian Prime Minister, Keith Mitchell, who along with Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, joined President Granger at the press briefing on Friday pointed out that the recent immigrant directives handed down by President Trump have raised concerns among Caribbean citizens not only here but in the US as well. This situation, he added, will also affect tourism, which is one of the Region’s main economic pillars. “We are concerned with the recent issue relating to immigration, where a directive was done overnight and the impact on that for us, is an impact on tourism. Because let’s face it, many citizens in the United States who are permanent residents… won’t go anywhere,” he asserted. Prime Minister Mitchell further posited that the existing uncertainties surrounding the US exists the world over and not just in the Caribbean region. In fact, he noted that even within the US Republican Party, there are some uncertainties. To this end, the Prime Minister noted that the Region needs to adopt a ‘wait and watch’ approach. The Grenadian Leader, who will take over the Caricom Chairmanship from President Granger later this year, continued that he is positive the authorities in the US will reciprocate the Caribbean’s willingness to build its relations since, historically, there has been good bilateral collaborations.

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Guyana’s electoral system needs urgent revamping – PPP Commissioners

e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are expressing grave concerns about delays in modernising the entity and the way it conducts elections.

During a press conference on Friday, Commissioners Robeson Benn, Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick took the position that Guyana’s electoral system is lagging when compared to other Caribbean countries. “I want to move on

to noting also our grave concern with the lack of progress on the implementation of those issues in respect of enhanced biometrics,” Commissioner Benn stated. He expressed concerns regarding the registration and electronic

PPP Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick

verification of electors; electronic tabulation of the results of future elections in Guyana and the electronic transmission of those results. “We have had long discussions and even before we got to GECOM there have been discussions about the modernisation of our electoral system. Guyana has fallen way behind other Regional countries with respect to this matter.” “Jamaica and others have put in place systems for proper, transparent and integral ver-

ification of electors. And making sure that verification of electors is transparent.” According to Benn, even though there have been discussions, seminars and even retreats regarding the process, there has been little progress. “There appears to be great doubt in GECOM itself, with regards to the role of its officers and we think that this is a significant matter going ahead for the modernisation of the electoral system in the country.”

Benn added that with future elections in mind, a revamp of the elections system in Guyana should be a priority tawswk for GECOM. M e a n w h i l e , Commissioner Shadick expressed surprise and concern at the recently announced start of the digitisation of 148 years of birth, marriage and death records. At the General Register Office (GRO) on Wednesday, Citizenship Minister Winston Felix had said that clerks are continued on page 23

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Attorney General seeking to have Vigilante killing: AFC Councillor, father, neighbour Red House matter thrown out remanded to prison T

n Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor along with her father and another man were on Monday arraigned for the vigilante killing of 22-year-old Shereffudeen Nazamudeen Mohamed, called “Sheriff”, of Lot 117 Ruby, East Bank Essequibo. Mandy Sukhdeo, 29; her 48-year-old father, Surendra Sukhdeo; and a neighbour, Rean Ghani, were all remanded to prison by Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool when they made an appearance at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that the trio on February 14, 2017, at Hope, East Bank Essequibo, murdered Mohamed. As the charges were read, relatives of the dead man held a mini picketing exercise calling for justice to be served. However, after the hearing, the AFC Councillor was whisked away to the New Amsterdam penitentiary while her father and neighbour were taken to Camp Street Prison.

The AFC Councillor reportedly claimed that she was cornered by “Sherriff”, who snatched her bag and attempted to escape. She raised an alarm and residents pursued him. He was caught in the ruins of a house that was set alight just last year, resulting in the deaths of an elderly couple. Upon his apprehension, he was tied and beaten by the Councillor and her father along with the neighbour who initially claimed that he only filmed the incident. Following the beating, the man suffered severe injuries about his body and was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he succumbed. Three pieces of wood, suspected to have been used in the fatal beating, were also recovered at the scene. The Councillor and her father were immediately arrested but the third suspect was arrested a day later after Police revisited the scene. The trio will make their next court appearance on April 18.

he Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams on Monday presented before acting Chief Justice Yonnette CummingsEdwards, reasons why the legal proceedings on the Red House dispute should be struck out. The legal proceedings were filed by Attorneys Anil Nandlall and PriyaManickchand (applicants) on behalf of the CheddiJagan Research Centre Inc – challenging the State’s decision to revoke the Red House lease. Following the brief in-court hearing in the Chief Justice’s Chambers on Monday, AG Williams told media operatives that he made submissions to show why the court should not hear the matter on the Red House issue. Williams contended that the court has no jurisdiction on the matter since the Red House lease is invalid and therefore could not be pleaded in any court of justice. “I informed the court that he (Nandlall) failed to disclose that the lease, being a lease for 99 years and exceeding 21 years, he failed to show that it was executed in the manner of a transport as is required by Section 13 of the Deeds Registry Act… If it wasn’t, then it is in-

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre

valid and could not be pleaded in any court of justice. They (applicants) never indicated if the lease was filed as a matter of record in the registry; that again would mean that you could not plead it in any court,” the AG explained. He argued that the lease should have been executed in the manner of a transport, whereby it is gazetted and anyone who wishes to oppose the transaction can file a notice of opposition. According to the AG, the case should be thrown out because the applicants failed to make full and frank disclosures before the court. “The application made by MrNandlall on behalf of the CheddiJagan Research Centre Inc was a very bare affidavit and I submitted to the Chief Justice that he had failed to make full and frank disclosures to her about the contention in his claim in the affidavit that the lease was valid, binding and of legal effect,”

AG Williams posited. The AG claimed that, among the material non-disclosures Nandlall made in his affidavit are about the fee for rental of the Red House and the absence of presidential sanctioning of the lease. “I submitted to her, when a lawyer or any applicant goes ex-parte to the court, that person is under an obligation, a duty, to be candid with the court and to make material disclosures full and frank that are within his or her knowledge. In addition, they are required to make disclosure of additional material facts that could have been discovered if they made reasonable investigations in relation thereto,” he emphasised. Moreover, the AG contended that no one can challenge the decision by the President, as recognised in the affidavit, to revoke the Red House lease. “They cannot come to the court to sue the continued on page 24

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DJ in ECD accident dies, girlfriend hospitalised

ive days after colliding with a motor lorry along the Haslington Public Road, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), a labourer attached to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Kristoff Spencer, 21, of Lot 99 Charles Street, Golden Grove,

The canter truck that collided with Spencer

The deceased: Kristoff Spencer

ECD

took

his

The mangled motorcycle after the accident

last

breath in the wee hours of Sunday morning. His girlfriend, Ebony Scott who was also involved in the accident remains hospitalised. Based on reports received, the now dead man who was also a deejay was riding his motorcycle heading to Georgetown when he collided with a motor lorry which was heading in the opposite direction. Scott was the pillion rider. Calwin Wilson, a close friend of Spencer told Guyana Times International that the truck was reportedly attempting to make a right turn into a street at Haslington, when the collision occurred. Spencer sustained a concussion, broken legs and injuries to his spinal cord. Since then, both Spencer and Scott have been patients at the GPHC. Wilson explained that the young man started to deejay with Real Vibes after which he joined the Gold Rock Music System. He described Spencer as a young man full of potential,

who socialised with the ‘crew’ when he was not at work. He was a lover of music and a very caring young man. Several close friends took to Facebook to express shock at the passing of the young man. Former Carib Soca Monarch, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson related that Spencer was indeed a young man who was eager to learn and was versed in the deejay business. Edmondson expressed his deepest sympathies to the family and close friends of the deejay. However, the driver of the motor lorry was arrested and released after the 72-hour detention period had expired. In light of the death of the young man, the Police are expected to institute charges against the lorry driver. Spencer leaves to mourn his parents and four siblings. An autopsy is expected to be performed today.

GNBA Board Members sworn in

GNBA's CEO Dr Prudence Lewis-Bhola, Joel Edmond, Aretha Nicola Campbell, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Chairman of GNBA Lt. Col Leslie Anthony Sobers, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Jocelyn Josiah, Dr Rovin Deodat and Scheherazade Ishoof-Khan

he Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Lt. Col. Leslie Anthony Sobers and the five board members were, last evening, sworn in by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at the Official Residence of the Prime Minister on Main Street, Georgetown.

Family pleads for assistance to save baby diagnosed with cancer

The Board members are Dr Rovin Deodat, Scheherazade Ishoof-Khan, Jocelyn Josiah, Aretha Nichola Campbell and Joel Persid Edmond. One other member is to be named by the Opposition Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and will be sworn in at a later date.

During brief remarks, Prime Minister Nagamootoo congratulated and thanked the members for accepting to serve on such an important state board. He explained that the previous board developed some difficulties along the way and as such this matter was discussed extensively at Cabinet.

Little Lloyd Griffith Jr in his hospital bed By Devina Samaroo

family is searching for hope as doctors struggle to attend to the increasing medical challenges plaguing their two-yearold son. Lloyd Griffith Jr was just like any other bouncy toddler with a promising future ahead until last Christmas season when his parents discovered a worrying lump in his stomach area. Doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) took a while before they confirmed his parents’ worst nightmare; their baby boy was diagnosed with stage four cancer. It is a yolk sac tumour in the umbilical region of his stomach and according to the parents, doctors fear that the tumour is growing rapidly and extending to other organs. Already, the disease has progressed and the child is suffering from hernia, a condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it. His tummy is swollen and his skin around his navel is peeling. In addition, the affected region has also developed some kind of inflammatory sac, believed to be an abscess. Little Lloyd Jr, also known as Ovir, has been bedridden in the hospital since December and his mother, who is a nurse attached to the GPHC, has not left the institution’s compound since. The child has already completed one session of chemotherapy and has already lost most of his hair. He has two more sessions to complete before his parents can begin thinking of surgery, any of which will be high-risk and life threatening. His godfather, Chris Gopaul told this newspaper it pains him to see a lively baby boy deteriorate before his eyes. “I know that this boy went into the hospital

chubby and regular and now he is very thin, no hair left on his head, but he is not irritable and if he had stage four cancer, he would have been crying and in a lot of pain which is not the situation… he is eating as per normal and playing,” he explained, expressing some scepticism over the diagnosis. The parents have also expressed concerns over the doctors being forthcoming with information regarding their son’s health status. According to the father, there are three teams of doctors attending to his son, but noted that it is challenging to get all of them together to get a better idea of what is happening with his child. “You hear one thing from one doctor and another thing from another doctor, so you don’t really know what’s going on,” he expressed. The mother, Amanda, also attested to difficulties from some of the doctors in administering healthcare to her son. “One team hardly comes to see my son and when they do come, they talk for a few minutes and then leave. I just want a straightforward answer about my son’s condition,” she told this newspaper. Another major challenge is finding the finances for the number of different tests and medical treatment their son has to endure. His father is desperately searching for a stable job, but does odd jobs here and there just to earn an additional income to support his son’s medical expenses, as well as to maintain the everyday expenses of the family. But for the most part, the expenses are covered by his mother who is finding it increasingly difficult to proportion her earnings to cover all expenses in their lives. The family is pleading with the general public to assist in saving their baby boy’s life.

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Trail-blazers: Women Officers reflect on serving Military

Colonel Christine King (Then)

This year the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army Corps. In commemoration of 50 years of welcoming women to the Force, GDF executed a series of activities to celebrate this milestone, as well as to honour female members in the army. While some of the women were decorated, others received different recognition for their service to their country. Guyana Times International met with two veterans who were among the initial intake of women and they reflected on their time serving in the army. Sergeant Claudette Thorne joined the army during the initial intake of women into the Force. In 1967, when the then Prime

Minister, Forbes Burnham made the move to induct women into the Guyana Defence Force, Thorne was already under his employment. As such, she was asked by Burnham to join the Force and went on to be among the first 60 women to enlist as officers of the army. Officer Thorne was assigned to switchboard operations as the women were originally recruited to relieve the men of administrative and domestic duties. She later took on typing and her time at the registry led to her roles as confidential secretary to several officers. She worked her way up to the rank of Sergeant and then retired in 1985, after which she was called back to serve until 2005. Sergeant Thorne received several recognitions for her service and is the holder of three military medals. In 1976, she was decorated with the Military Efficiency Medal, followed by medals for both 25 and 40 years of service. Sergeant Claudette Throne reflected on her time in the army as a great experience, one which she thoroughly enjoyed. It was an honour for her to be among the first batch of women welcomed into the GDF, setting the path for generations to follow. Her experience as an army woman has thought her great discipline, especially with respect to time, which is constantly applied in her current involvements.

Lieutenant Colonel (ret), Christine King (Now)

While the majority of her colleagues are either deceased or have migrated, the retired Sergeant remains in connection with the Force and is always ready to serve whenever called upon. Lieutenant Colonel Christine King joined the army in the year 1977. She functioned as the Secretary to the General Manager of the Department of Transport and Harbour prior to her enlistment. It was during her employment there when she came across an advertisement for a personal assistant in the army. After serving in the capacity of personal assistant to Colonel Pilgrim, Officer King pursued a Military Conversion course in 1978 to improve her station. She later

severed under Colonel David Granger (now President) until 1986 when she went on to study sociology at the University of Guyana. Colonel Christine King served in several capacities during her 28 years in the army. She was assigned Officer Commanding, Base Commander, Staff Officer and even Commanding Officer of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army Corps (1995-2004). Her duties were mostly administrative and included organising parades, recruitment and discharge. Lieutenant Colonel Christine King retired from the army in 2005. Colonel King was honoured on several occasions for her service and accomplishments in the army. She is the recipient of the Military Efficiency Medal as well as the medal for 25 years of service and the National AwardMilitary Service Medal. She also had the honour of being the first woman in the army to obtain a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree and accompanied President Burnham and the First Lady to the Royal Wedding in 1981. The Retired Colonel expressed appreciation for the opportunities gained during her time in the army. She pointed out that one of the memorable experiences of her tenure was being a private equerry to Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Guyana. The GDF has taught her to take action and develop strength which she adapted in her subsequent attachment.

Sergeant (ret), Claudette Thorne

After retiring from service in the GDF, Sergeant Thorne continues as a confidential officer at her Church for nine years and counting, while Colonel King assumed managerial positions, previously at the Ethnic Relations Commission and currently at Frandec and Company Inc. The veterans express pleasure in being given the opportunity as women to serve in the army and indicated that their experiences were mostly positive. They alluded to their time as being an era where the army women were reliant on each other and were even supported by the men. The retired officers are urging young army women to wear their uniform with pride as it is a symbol of service and discipline.

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Guyanese should continue boycotting parking meters in Georgetown – Ramkarran

ormer Speaker of the National A s s e m b l y , Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, believes that if Guyanese continue to boycott the highly controversial Metered Parking Project, then the Administrators will eventually give up on its implementation. In his weekly column, ‘Conversation Tree’, Ramkarran pointed out that the divide and rule policy of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Smart City Solutions (SCS) – the company contracted to carry out the paid parking initiative, is in full force with concessions being granted to those who negotiate, thereby giving credibility to the monopolistic secret deal. “The danger of some people being entrapped by concessions could potentially weaken or even derail the movement to resist the monopolistic secret deal. If more people park and pay, the City Council and SCS will feel that it would be only a matter of time before we all cave in and their obduracy will be strengthened.” To this end, he out-

lined that it is necessary for the ‘Movement Against Parking Meters’ (MAPM) to continue to lead and inspire the peaceful resistance of metered parking. If SCS and the City Council expand the metered area to make it difficult to park outside the metered zone and walk, then Ramkarran suggested that persons must be prepared to take other measures to park but not to pay. “Motor vehicles owners must starve the green monsters. They must park outside the zone. If the city is prepared to resist for as long as it takes, the green monsters will starve and die… The review of the charges and the draconian penalties show that the SCS and the City Council are on the run! Keep them running!” On Friday, the M&CC and SCS announced the resumption of paid parking in the city with a series of changes to the payment structure. This is despite pending High Court actions and orders, putting a stay on the project. According to Ramkarran, taking a

wave of promises of transparency made by the governing coalition seriously, Guyanese culminated in relatively large numbers in the street protests, rejecting the monopolistic parking meter secret deal. “A less than transparent City Council entered into a secret agreement with foreigners and a Guyanese ex-con, who believed that we can be shafted. The plot emerged in secret: take total possession of our city streets for 20 years,

with a potential of 20 more, rent them out to us at exorbitant prices, pocket and take away millions in foreign exchange, leave only a pittance for Guyanese. As MAPM’s latest pamphlet put it, the City Council contributed the major part of the investment, our land, and will receive the minor part of the return, 20 per cent. One person described it as a contract from hell,” the former Speaker penned in his weekly column. He went on to say

Barbados willing to help Caricom neighbours tackle rising crime

s Regional leaders continue to be concerned over the high-level of crime in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has offered his country’s assistance to curb the societal scourge in neighbouring countries. Barbados is said to have the least violent crimes than many of its Caribbean neighbours and according to its Head of State, “So far as is possible, we will render whatever assistance that we can to our colleagues in the Region to the extent that any advice we may give is thought to be able to render benefit to them.” Stuart was at the time speaking with reporters on the side-lines of the recently concluded 28th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom. Asked what advice he would give to this fellow Member States who are grappling with high crime spate, he pointed out that with its experience of general crime stability, Barbados will try to assist in whatever way in terms of advice and/or strategic planning to help tame the

upsurge in crime. “We try to share these things with other countries and to a certain extent that works, but when all is said and done, crime problems cannot be solved by advice, it has to be solved in their context and position.” The Prime Minister reflected on other Member States that are experiencing “horrible crime challenges” such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Kitts and Nevis. He pointed out that Barbados is fortunate to not be dealing with such challenges and credited this to law enforcement’s detection rate which is highly effective. “We try to make sure that the perpetrators of crime are brought to justice. Now all of our countries have challenges with deals in the Criminal Justice System. That is a mountain we are trying to climb, but it helps people considerably to know that when crimes are committed, the Royal Barbados Police Force can be trusted to scurry out the criminals and are being brought to justice and that keeps faith alive in the society.” According to the Prime Minister, if in jurisdictions there are only a 15 or 20

Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart

per cent detection rate, then that undermines the confidence of the public. “We don’t have that problem… It’s just that historically we’ve not been victim to that.” During the InterSessional Meeting, Regional Heads resolved to increase their efforts to curb the scourge, including greater focus on the social determinants of crime, especially among the youth. To this end, they committed to ensure their Attorneys General and Ministers responsible for Legal Affairs take action to finalise agreements which are essential to the implementation of the Regional Crime and Security Agenda. The Leaders also committed to take full advan-

tage of opportunities for capacity-building to address existing and emerging threats, including those related to Cybersecurity and Cybercrime, Crime Prevention and Drug Demand Reduction. The Caribbean Human Development Report 2012: Human Development and the Shift to Better Citizen Security report published by the United Nations Development Programme last year, found that high levels of violent crime are hindering development in the Caribbean. “The increase in violence and crime in Latin America and the Caribbean is an undeniable fact that erodes the very foundation of the democratic processes in the Region and imposes high social, economic and cultural costs.” It went on to highlight that with Latin America and the Caribbean accounting for merely 8.5 per cent of the world’s population; the Region puts out some 27 per cent of global homicides. The report found that countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago continue to struggle with its crime situation, recording 1,192 and 410 homicides respectively in 2015.

Guyanese were deceived by SCS with a plagiarised website from its sister company, pretending to have first world experience. Ramkarran continued that it is on this basis that its first charges, as shown in MAPM’s pamphlet, were higher than the highest in the US. He added that even with the 50 per cent reduction, the rates would still be higher than the highest and still unaffordable to most Guyanese. The former Speaker added that, among the other elements of the secret agreement between City Council and SCS is the granting of a monopoly to the foreign company. Ramkarran pointed out that monopolies are unlawful under the Civil Law of Guyana Act, which was the main complaint against the Guyana Telegraph and Telephone Company (GTT). The Senior Counsel pointed to the fact that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) was established to fix rates because of that monopoly held by GTT. On this note, he added that this secret parking meter

deal has now been challenged in court as unlawful on the ground that there was no tender process and that it is a monopoly. According to Ramkarran, the objective of utility commissions, like the PUC, is to protect the public interest and no sane Guyanese can now rely on the City Council to do so. He noted that the parking meter charges and their reduction were fixed in secret discussions between the City Council and SCS, without any regard for the economy of Guyana and the capacity of vehicle owners to pay. “What is to prevent the SCS monopoly, in collusion with the City Council, in the absence of a utility commission, or public scrutiny, to unilaterally increase charges? It is an unregulated monopoly, which would be unacceptable anywhere else. Everything is wrong with this horrible deal from hell – secrecy, monopoly, disadvantage, profiteering, exploitation, plagiarism.”

Guyana’s electoral system needs urgent revamping... from page 16

currently being trained to enter these records from 1987 to as far back as 1869 into a database that aims to ensure the more efficient functioning of the GRO. Felix had also said that the overall aim of the project was to ensure that each citizen has one identification card that will include all relevant information from birth. According to the Minister, biometric information such as fingerprints and possibly retinal scans that will erase the need for additional forms of identification such as a National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) would also be included. However, Shadick said that these developments are cause for concern, as this seems to be an effort to transfer the registration process to the Citizenship Ministry. Additionally, she complained of the lack of meetings at GECOM. “This is very troubling to us. You cut

the budget saying that you’re not going to do any house to house registration. While the Chairman is on leave, no meetings in the Commission are being called.” “So whatever is going on is going on outside the knowledge of the six GECOM Commissioners who are constitutionally appointed.” In 2015, following the General and Regional Elections, there had been delays in releasing the results of the elections. GECOM had stated at the time that certain checks and balances in the Representation of the People’s Act had to be followed, hence those delays. Specifically, there were delays in receiving Statement of Polls from Regions such as One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (PotaroSiparuni). Eventually, disputed results led to the People’s Progressive Party seeking redress in the High Court.

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Wales sugar workers appeal for President’s intervention in non-payment of severance

Enough is enough: Wales sugar workers who gathered on Monday morning were promised their severance payments since late December 2016

undreds of Wales, West Bank Demerara cane cutters continue to register their frustration against the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) non-payment of severance and have once again picketed the estate, this time calling for the interven-

tion of President David Granger and his Cabinet members. On Monday, the workers noted that the Head of State and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had committed their support to the sugar industry in the run-up to the 2015 General and Regional

Elections. The workers once again complained that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder never met with them at the estate to address their concerns. “No Minister never come and meet with we as yet, onto now,” the workers collectively expressed.

“The industry a bully we; but they want we to work but we [don’t want to work at Uitvlugt], we want money. We want the Agriculture Minister and Moses Nagamootoo, we want Granger – all ah dem to intervene in this matter,” Neil Mosely explained, an estate employee who had 25 years

of service in the industry. “I would like the President to look into the sugar workers. We are the hardest working class of people… they in seat and they never look into the sugar workers and say they don’t have money – shame to de Government [for saying] they don’t have money to pay couple sugar workers,” exclaimed Titus Thomas, who said he served the industry for well over 30 years. He further explained that he sees the sugar industry “heading nowhere”, explaining, “They take we for remote for TV that when they programme we that is there we must leff,” he related. The Agriculture Ministry, however, is contending that all workers who wanted severance payment were already paid but the Guyana Agricultural

and General Workers (GAWU) had deemed the Ministry’s announcement as misleading. The workers are holding out that they must be paid. “Since the second week in December, we nah work nowhere, and we nah get no money. We deserve we money now,” shouted a protester. Another claimed that several cane cutters were told by operatives at the Uitvlugt Estate that there is no work available. The workers are demanding that they be paid severance on the basis that they cannot be compelled to travel 22 miles from their point of origin. Government confirmed the end of sugar operations at Wales Estate, citing cost as the main factor for closure. The workers will continue their protest throughout this week.

Attorney General ...

from page 18

President, under Article 182, the President cannot be sued. You cannot institute any civil action for any decision made by the President in the functions of executing his Office as President,” Williams asserted. The AG posited that these points should be valid enough to prevent the acting Chief Justice from proceeding further with the Red House matter.

Judicial pressure

On the other hand, Nandlall argued that the AG’s contentions are deeply flawed and that the points made do not relate to the jurisdiction of the court. “They relate to whether the case has merits or not, and they are premature to be made at this stage of the proceedings,” he stated. In any case, Nandlall posited that the points made are devoid of merit, deeply flawed and frivolous. Furthermore, Nandlall has accused the AG of pressuring the Chief Justice by signify-

ing on several occasions that the President has a special interest in the Red House proceedings. “The Attorney General continues to use the name of the President in his presentation to the court in a manner that is clearly intended to place pressure on the judge. He said to the judge on more than two occasions, that the President is anxiously awaiting a determination of this case because the President wants to house the national trust in that building,” he explained. The former Attorney General contended that this mannerism is highly improper. “The Attorney General is using the President’s name in what I consider to be an overt attempt to sap the independence from the judge. All are equal before the law, the President is not entitled to a treatment superior to any other litigant in the eyes of the law,” Nandlall asserted. The matter will be called up again in the High Court on March 2.

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An ancient craft continues in the crochetwork of Colita Ishmile-Mohamed

Fashionable handbags

Pretty headbands with crochet roses

alancing a thriving business, fulltime job and family life can seem impossible, but Colita Ishmile-Mohamed’s determination propels her to juggle all these and more. Colita is a wife, mother of a two-year-old son, and an entrepreneur who works fulltime as a senior accounts clerk at the

sis of crochet was taught. In 2003, she ventured off to high school and graduated in 2008. In 2012, Colita started creating crochet pieces and later launched a page on Facebook, while pursuing studies in accounting and business management. However, she officially started her business in October 2016

on Carifesta Ave., Georgetown, on Nov. 26, 2016 and continues to seize opportunities to promote her business. For 2017, she plans on participating in the Business Expo by the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts. In the few years of doing what she enjoys, Colita is now skilled in crochet-

CIM Exotic Designs' display at Curlfest Guyana

Environmental Protection Agency. Much of her leisure time and late hours are spent designing beautiful crochet pieces under her label, CIM Exotic Designs. In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Colita recalled she was “attracted” to crochet when she was just 12 years old, after seeing a woman selling crocheted baby items within the community. She attended a training class for two weeks during that ‘summer’ break, where the ba-

when she participated in Curlfest Guyana, held on October 9, 2016 at the Promenade Garden, Georgetown. “It was my very first exhibition and the responses were positive, but I realized that there was a dire need for awareness, as many expressed their surprise to see crochet at my level,” she expressed. Consequently, she showcased her fashionable creations at the Exquisitely Handmade Craft show at St. Stanislaus Gardens

Handcrafted crochet bag displaying the colours of Guyana's flag

ing innovative pieces of women clothing, bags, accessories and more, creating a booming market for

her business. “My major motivation to crochet is my love for the craft and the feeling of pride and satisfaction at the finished product.I was taught the basic skills of crocheting when I was 12, but later taught myself by utilizing resources online to develop new designs,” she noted. Colita said she loves creating bags and floral pieces, such as headbands and other accessories, while “constantly developing” her craft by researching modern stitches, which helpsher to create contemporary items to meet her clientele’s needs. The designer endures challenges being an entrepreneur of a solely handmade businessby “putting in the extra work” and “spending time with supportive friendsand those who have businesses and similar challenges”. Juggling multiple roles, Colita pointed out she creates a balance by “attending to the needs of the one that requires it most at the moment and then make it up to the other later” and “plan-

Colita spends her 'leisure time' expanding her business

ning projects within timeframes”. The designer aims to make her brand global and expand her offerings of crochet designs by introducing new pieces. Her future plans are starting an online shopping website and launch a line of leather sandals with crochet designs. Notably, Colita is a project holder with the Slingshot Funding Initiative, the “first local, founder-owned and run platform that connects Guyanese entrepreneurs, organizations and co-operatives with the wider Guyanese diaspora and the world”. She hopes to benefit from this initiative by receiving funding from donors. Slingshot Funding will be officially launched on February 20, 2017. At the

initiative’s launch ceremony, Colita will be presenting her project and showcase her crochet products. “To any woman who has a passion for something and you dream of making a business out of, my advice is to pursue it with small steps, while overcoming your fears. Also, findnew things to keep fuelling your love for what you do, associate yourself with persons that were once where you are at, be happy with who you are and most of all put the Lord above all things in your life,” expressed Colita. For more information on Colita’s work, visit CIM Exotic Designs on Facebook and Slingshot Funding on Facebook and at www.slingshotfunding. com

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Black HISTORY Month

Working on the “Survival” album in 1979. Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994

here are perhaps very few persons who do not know of Bob Marley, considered one of the greatest singer/ songwriters in the world today; a world that commemorated his 71st birth anniversary on February 6. Born Bob Nesta Marley in 1945, he would grow up to become an icon to many. But before this recognition he would endure the tough life of poverty in post-World WarII Jamaica, where the very streets would help create the legend today. As a young boy in the mountainous rural community of Nine Miles, where he was born, he was nurtured among those who proudly preserved their African heritage, particularly in the art of storytelling. This provided young Bob Marley with a culture beyond the official textbook history of his people, that became the root and heart of his later music. Growing into his teen years, he moved to Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica, settling in the squatter settlement of Trench Town in the west of the city, so called because it was built over a sewage trench. The streets of Trench Town were tough, filled with gangs and other unsavoury characters, all involved in many unsavoury activities, but Bob Marley learned to be even tougher and his street-fighting skills soon earned him the nickname Tuff Gong among the ghetto’s residents. But like Nine Miles, the community retained a strong sense of culture, and it was here that his musical talents were nurtured. By the 1960s, as the is-

land saw the beginning of its music scene, a unique form of music developed called ska.Considered the Jamaican interpretation of American soul and R&B, it quickly became a popular and influential music form among the poor. With the rapid development of the island’s music industry, many ghetto youths saw music as a way out of poverty. Bob Marley was one of those youths but his mother, worried about the transience of a music career, encouraged him to learn a trade. When he left school at age 14 she found him a job as a welder’s apprentice and though he went to work, it was with much reluctance.

However, when a tiny steel splinter went into his eye while welding one day, he immediately quit and turned his attention to his musical pursuits. Two years later he met other then aspiring singers like himself: Desmond Dekker who later topped the UK music charts with his song “Israelites”, and Jimmy Cliff who at 14 already had a few hit songs. In 1962 Cliff introduced Marley to music producer Leslie Kong, and Marley cut “Judge Not”, “Terror” and “One More Cup of Coffee”, his first songs with Kong. They did not connect with the public however. But in 1963 the Wailing Wailers was born, comprising Marley’s childhood friend Neville Livingston a.k.a. Bunny Wailer and Peter (Macintosh) Tosh. It was aided by Trench Town resident Joe Higgs, who had mentored many youths on rhythm, harmony and melody. The other Wailing Wailers members included Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, and Cherry Smith but they left the group after a few recording sessions. The remaining members were introduced to a new music producer, Clement Sir Coxsone Dodd founder of Jamaican music label Studio One, under whose direction the Wailers found themselves a considerable following on the

local music scene. The Wailers’ first single for Studio One was “Simmer Down”. The song reportedly sold more than 80,000 copies. Under Dodd, The Wailers recorded several hits including “Rude Boy”, “I’m Still Waiting,” and an early version of “One Love”. Ska soon gave way to what would become Jamaica’s signature reggae style. Coxone Dodd however, resisted the change then and, with declining sales and inadequate compensation, the group left Studio One. Marley would also leave Jamaica after his mother migrated to Delaware, USA in 1966; the same year he married Rita Anderson. Marley spent a few months in Delaware with his mother, working as a lab assistant and at a vehicle assembly plant. It was during his absence that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, revered among Rastafarians, visited the island from April 21-24, 1966. It has a profound impact on the Marleys and soon they both embraced Rastafarianism. In 1972, a chance meeting with Island Records in London where The Wailers were promoting their single “Reggae On Broadway”, led to label founder Chris Blackwell advancing the group the then princely sum of £4000 to create an album.

Playing football in Brazil. In 2001 he was bestowed The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

July 18, 1975 at Lyceum, London. In December 1999 “Exodus” was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC

Their “Catch A Fire” album was presented in April 1973,and Bob Marley’s road to stardom began. The Wailers recorded their second album for Island Records, “Burnin”, in October 1973. “Burnin” is said to have introduced the timeless anthem “Get Up Stand Up” and “I Shot the Sheriff”. But a year later Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh left the group and Marley’s third album for Island Records “Natty Dread”, released in October 1975, was the first credited to Bob Marley and The Wailers, which included their replacements. Bob’s fourth album release for Island, Records “Bob Marley and the Wailers Live”, featured another version of “No Woman No Cry” that reached the UK top 40. According to the official Bob Marley website, Bob Marley catapulted to international stardom in 1976 with the release of “Rastaman Vibration”, his only album to reach the Billboard Top 200, peaking at no. 8. The album included one of his most recognisable hits, “War”. Now considered a universal symbol of reggae, in his home island of Jamaica Marley became however a victim of bitter political divide due to his lyrics; two days before a goodwill concert he and his entourage survived an assassination attempt while rehearsing at his Kingston residence. Although he continued with the concert, he later went into seclusion, with

only a select few knowing his whereabouts. He moved to London for the next year and a half, where he recorded the albums “Exodus” (1977) and “Kaya” (1978).“Jamming”, from the “Exodus” album, became a British top 10 hit. Kaya hit number 4, aided by “Is This Love?”. The release of “Kaya” coincided with Bob Marley’s return to Jamaica for a performance at the One Love Peace Concert, held April 22, 1978 at Kingston’s National Stadium to help end the political strife on the island. On June 6, 1978 Marley received the United Nation’s Medal of Peace in recognition of his efforts to encourage political peace in Jamaica. At the end of 1978, Marley was in Africa where he also visited Ethiopia, considered the spiritual birthplace of Rastafarianism. In 1979 he released “Survival”, his ninth album for Island and what would become his final album in his lifetime, “Uprising”. Bob Marley died of cancer on May 11, 1981 in Miami USA, four years after discovering that it had taken root in his big toe in 1977, following a football injury. He was given a state funeral in Jamaica ten days later and entombed in a mausoleum at his birthplace, Nine Miles. One month later he was awarded Jamaica’s third highest honour, the Order of Merit, for his outstanding contribution to his country’s culture.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

What’s in a name? A lot of history

nowing your past helps to shape your present, and learning about your own history is a major part of understanding who you are. The book “Cane Reapers – Chinese Indentured Immigrants in Guyana” by Trev SueA-Quan helps Chinese families in Guyana trace their ancestry to the original batch of indentured immigrants during the period of 1853 to 1879. The book lists the names of some of the

A-Sue. There is an unrelated person with this surname, Paul Chan-ASue, who emigrated from China and became a catechist at St. Saviour's Church in Georgetown. Cheong - This surname is also spelled Chung and Cheung, equivalent to the Mandarin Zhang. One Cheong family comes from Cheong A-hoi who was also known as Matthew Murray Cheong. ChoyThis

Chinese meeting house, Peter's Hall, British Guiana (www.discoveringbristol.org

original immigrants and their descendants who are known at the time of the printing of the book (2003). The spellings of the names are those that have become the more generally acknowledged versions, although variations in spelling do exist. Aaron- This immigrant of the Li family (pronounced "lie") was given the personal name Aaron, which then became the Chinese surname Li. Benjamin - This surname comes from WongA-Wa, who became William Benjamin WongA-Wa and then William Benjamin. He was a catechist in Berbice. Chan - The surname Chan is the Cantonese for the second most commonly occurring surname, which in Mandarin is Chen. Other spellings for the same clan name are Chang, Cheung and Chin. Among those maintaining the original Chinese surname Chan are the descendants of Chan Qui and Chan Moon, who was an immigrant aboard the Agra in 1862. Chan-A-SueThe family name is believed to be derived from the immigrant Chan A-sue who became a shopkeeper and liquor shop owner in Essequibo. He married Maria Wong, who was also born in China, and their descendants carry the surname Chan-

Cantonese name is the same as the Mandarin name Cai (pronounced "ts-eye"). However, one family derives its surname from the personal name of the immigrant Chin Choy. Chu - Also written Choo, this name is equivalent in Mandarin to either Zhu (pronounced "Jew")or Chu. Chu-A-Kong- Most likely originating from the immigrant Chu A-Kong. Many descendants have changed to the surname Kong. Ewing-Chow - Born in Shun-tak, Guangdong province, Chau Lukwu is reported in Cecil Clementi's book to have travelled with his wife Mack Shee on The Dora, which docked in Georgetown in April 1860. They were assigned to Plantation Peter's Hall, some seven miles from Georgetown. However, all the immigrants on the Dora were allotted to plantations in Berbice. Archival records show that Chau Luk-wu was an immigrant on the Red Riding Hood in 1860 and arrived five days after the Dora. Mack Shee was the former wife of Chan A-sy, and the couple was aboard the Ganges in 1863. Chan A-sy and Mack Shee had a daughter before Mack Shee married Chau Luk-wu. Chau worked in the fields while his wife was

later able to earn a bit extra as an herbalist and acupuncturist by providing medical services to the Chinese workers, although payment usually came in the form of garden vegetables, eggs and chickens. About 1876, Chau took ill and a year later he died leaving Mack Shee with a daughter of 12 and a son, Chow Loi, who was nine years old. Mack Shee felt that her son was old enough to become a wage earner. The young lad was bright and keen at sports. He was encouraged to pursue his studies after he finished working at the nearby Chinese shop, where his ability in English and Chinese was very useful. Chow Loi embraced Christianity, and when he was baptized he took the name David Johnstone Ewing-Chow. David became an entrepreneur, tailor and shopkeeper. He married Emily Leung and the surname EwingChow was carried on by their 11 children, although some later descendants have reverted to the original Chinese surname Chow. David's elder sister married Wong T’in, who was also known by the surname Kam, and bore three children taking the Kam name. After his death, David’s sister married Samuel Low and had three daughters. Foo: This surname can be derived from different Chinese written characters that have Fu as the Mandarin equivalent. Some people with the Foo surname are descended from Tong Foo. Fung: There are several families with the surname Fung: The Cantonese version of the Mandarin surname Feng, which is among the top 50 Chinese surnames. Among those bearing this surname are the descendants of Fung A-Pan, an immigrant on the Whirlwind in 1860, and Fung A-Man, who arrived on The Arima in 1865. There are also other Fung families whose surname is equivalent to the Mandarin name Hung which in Hakka dialect is pronounced Fung. Fung-A-Fat: The family traces its ancestry to the Hung clan, this surname being made famous by the exploits of Hung Hsiu-ch’uan, Heavenly King of the Taiping Rebellion. The

Hakka pronunciation of Hung is Fung and thereby generated the inscription Fung for the family. One of the immigrants to British Guiana was Hung Kung-fat, a passenger on the Dartmouth in 1879, whose name was transformed into Fung-A-Fatt and from whom the family name is derived. Most of the descendants are now known by the simpler spelling Fung-A-Fat and some others have resumed the use of the root Hakka surname Fung. Ho-A-Lim - Family accounts say that Ho A-Lim and his brother were out for a stroll in their native village of Pok Loh when they were kidnapped andshipped to British Guiana aboard The General Wyndham in 1859. Ho A-Lim survived the journey, but his brother was taken off when the boat docked at a refuelling port in the Strait of Malacca (the shortest waterway which connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean). Known as Thomas Ho-A-Lim, he had 12 children, one of whom is understood to be Ho Sing Loy. Ho-A-Shoo - This surname is sometimes written as Ho-A-Shu. One family is believed to originate from Ho A-shoo and his descendants became established in Bagotville, West Bank Demerara. The other is derived from Ho Shau who was born in San Wui in Guangdong Province and migrated to British Guiana in 1874 on the Corona. His name became John Ho-A-Shoo and he gained his wealth through shops he opened in the remote gold and diamond fields. He mar-

Loo Shee, aged 80 in photo, also known as Rebecca Lee-A-Tak was one of the non-indentured immigrants fleeing from the internecine Tai P’ing rebellion

ried Marie Wong Fungkiu, daughter of his business partner Wong A-yong, and they had eight children who took the surname Ho-A-Shoo. Lam - Lam is also written as Len, Lim, Lin and Lum and is the equivalent of Lin in Mandarin. Among the ancestors of Lam families are Lam-A-Poo (The Pride of the Ganges, 1866), Lam A-tung (The Minerva, 1860), Lam A-yow (The Minerva, 1860) and Lum Cha (The Mystery, 1861). Lee - The Lee clan name is spelled Li in Mandarin. The descendants of Lee-A-Choi (The Saldanha, 1861), Lee Lam-cha (The Montmorency, 1861) and Li-A-Tak, also written Lee-A-Tak, (Agra, 1862) are among those who

carry the Lee surname. Leung - Leung is the Cantonese equivalent of Liang in Mandarin. One of the Leung clan immigrants arrived on TheThomas Mitchell in 1860. He became known as Simon Leung and worked as an interpreter for the Immigration Office until his death in 1906. He married Mary Gemon and had 16 children, most of whomigrated to Panama when excavation of the canal began. To read about other Chinese surnames not mentioned in this article, visit the National Library and ask for “Cane Reapers – Chinese Indentured Immigrants in Guyana” by Trev SueA-Quan, the helpful staff there will be happy to assist you.

A Chinese immigrant's view (illustrated) of exploitation on a sugar estate

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

‘They Came in Ships’ – the poem

By Petamber Persaud

would mould her and guide her, a history responsible for turning her into a political creature – dreaming to change the world.

throughout poem.

M a h a d a i Das was born in Eccles, East Bank of Demerara, Guyana, in October 1954. Das left her footprints in Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, lived for a number of years in the USA and died on April 3, 2003 in Barbados where her mortal remains were laid to rest.

I saw them dying at streetcorners, alone, hungry for a crumb of British bread

Mahadai Das

espite the notion that the poem, “They Came in Ships”, by Mahadai Das belongs to contemporary Guyanese literature, the poem has established for itself an aura of a Guyana classics. There are many reasons for this classification. First and foremost, the poem is the most anthologised and performed piece of its author, becoming a sort of anthem to Indians, especially on certain occasions like (Indian) Arrival Day which has now become a national holiday after much lobbying. (This claim does not diminish the status other outstanding pieces by Das). The impact of this poem could be seen in a tangible way – the name of the poem is the title of a book, “They Came in Ships: An Anthology of Indo-Guyanese Prose and Poetry” which is a monumental work compiled by four stalwarts of Guyanese literary heritage – Joel Benjamin, Laxhmie Kallicharan, Lloyd Searwar, (deceased trio) and Ian McDonald. Further, the poem stays true to history while paintinga graphic if not sordid picture of the advent and presence of Indians to the Caribbean. This poem does not stretch the limits of its ambit – that is, it did not venture into the history of Indians in the diaspora. This can be seen in the way it opened and ended. It opened making reference to imperialism – “imperialist design” – its colonization thrust – and ended with a similar reference to imperialism – “capital spectacle in British frames” – as the only anthem the British knew was‘Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:Britons never will be slaves.’

The poetess is in full flow here using rhythm, rhyme, repetition, contrasts, long and short sentences to temper her emotions in what would have otherwise been a subjective poem. The focus of this particular work was on the Guyana situation. The author, Mahadai Das, was a Guyanese poetess whose work explored Guyanese consciousness and Indian sensibility as her eye “sweeps over history” of her ancestors who were brought to Guyana from India as indentured labourers in a mission of “imperialist design”, in an experiment on living human beings, an experiment that started in 1838 and ended in 1917. The after effect of which is still felt today, some 179 years after the first arrivals on May 5, 1838. Early in the poem it is stated “some came with dreams of milk-andhoney riches/… Dreams of a cow and endless calves, /and endless reality in chains”. What was the “endless reality in chains”? “Honourable mention” and “second prize”! It was disheartening to read in the history books of the trauma of Indentureship but the poetess’s expression is chilling. I remember logies, barrackrooms, ranges, nigga-yards. My grandmother worked in the field. Honourable mention . (my emphasis) Creole gang, child labour. Second prize. (my emphasis) The poetess was unwilling to let go of the sufferings of her ancestors as she was determined not to reject her history, a history that

And she was also unwilling to spare the colonisers any briar for fostering such a condition on the indentured servants that was no worse than slavery; in fact, indentureship was described as slavery by another name. Commissioners came, capital spectacles in British frames consulting managers about costs of immigration. The commissioners left, fifty-dollar bounty remained. The poem is not devoid of hope as the writer turned to the history of Guyana for inspiration, a way out of the misery. She turned our attention to a major slave rebellion in Berbice led by Cuffy in 1763 and to the Demerara Uprising in 1823 and the history of Indian resistance at Emnore 1848 and Leonora 1964. She also mentions Crosby and his efforts to assuage the suffering and pointed to the partially failed Des Voeux commission. Cuffy shouting: ‘Remember 1763!’ – John Smith – ‘If I am a man of God, let me join with suffering.’ Akkarra – ‘I too had a vision.’ Des Voeux cried, ‘I wrote the queen a letter, for the whimpering of coolies in logies would not let me rest.’ They came in ships across the dark waters and survived because hope of a better life was beating in their breasts.

tle.

They came in fleets. They came in droves like cattle brown like cattle, eyes limpid, like cat-

Some came with dreams of milk-and-honey riches, fleeing famine and death: dancing girls, Rajput soldiers, determined, tall, escaping penalty of pride.

the

Cover of “Bones” (Peepal Tree, 1988)

Stolen wives, afraid and despondent, crossing black waters, Brahmin, Chammar, alike, hearts brimful of

hope. The repetition is not without design as the poetess continues the chant of suffering and hope

She bears the distinction of being the first Guyanese women writer of Indian ancestry to publish three collections of poems: “I Want to Be a Poetess of My People” (1977); “My Finer Steel Will Grow” (1982) and “Bones” (1988). (Photos from Peepal Tree Press)

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

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Dianna Chapman wins calypso title

Star of the week

From left to right: T’Shanna Cort, Dianna Chapan, De Professor and Precious Pearl

ormer Junior C a l y p s o Monarch, Dianna Chapman, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was on Friday evening crowned the Senior Calypso Monarch when the competition was held at Demerara Park, in Georgetown. The 25-year-old has dethroned her fellow Lindener, “De Professor”, with her rendition which warned the coalition

Government to put its house in order. The mother of one who is also a first-year Communications student at the University of Guyana has been singing since the age of 17. She won the Junior Calypso Monarch in 2011 and went on to place second in the senior category that year. This year, coming in second was “Precious Pearl” with her tune “Old Age is like a

Criminal”, while reigning Junior Calypso Monarch, T’Shanna Cort, with her piece ‘Where The Innocence Gone” copped the third spot. The “Mighty Believer” placed fourth with “Give David some time”. The winners walked away with over G$2 million in cash and trophies. The annual event was exclusively sponsored by Banks DIH Limited.

abriella Chapman, born July 25, 1995, aims to promote causes close to her heart through pageantry. The beauty grew up in a small house on a farm in Bartica with her mother, stepfather and two younger brothers. Gabriella is grateful to her parents for ensuring she and her siblings received a “sound education”. She attended Three Miles Secondary School where she secured nine subjects at CSEC, copping the award for Best Graduating Student in English. Currently, she is pursuing a Degree in Agriculture at the University of Guyana with aspirations of becoming an agricultural business manager. Gabriella was motivated to pursue a career in agriculture because she believes that Guyana’s agricultural sector plays a significant role in the country’s economy and is in need of competent human resources. Also, her respect for “how the earth yields our essential dietary needs” continues to inspire her. Gabriella is no stranger to pageantry. The humanitarian is constantly commended for her eloquence, acumen and effectively using the opportunities afforded to her via pageants to promote various causes. Notably, she is motivated by her passion for learning and desire to become a “successful woman” and a role model for others. Apart from pageantry, agriculture, and her humanitarian work, Gabriella enjoys singing and dancing.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

y attention was very early drawn towards this subject, from several Gentlemen in my neighbourhood being among the first speculators in Guiana. Of these, some never had any fortune, & others had exhausted what little fortune they were possessed of, yet, with very few exceptions . . . they all returned speedily with larger & some of them with immense fortunes. --- Lord Seaforth, Chief of Clan Mackenzie, 1800. The 'first speculators' from Lord Seaforth's neighbourhood, the Highlands of Scotland, included the Frasers of Belladrum, George Inglis of Inverness, Alexander Macrae of Inverinate, Thomas Cuming, Lachlan Cuming, Spencer Mackay and John Sutherland.

British settlement in Guyana from the 1740s

Essequibo and Demerara According to the Dutch historian Netscher, writing in 1888, English settlers from Caribbean islands with depleted soils and high taxes began to establish themselves in Guyana from the 1740s, first on the island of Wakenaam, then on the coast of Essequibo. This was followed by settlement in Demerara. Nescher blamed the eventual loss of the colonies to the Dutch on the deep rooted 'English' presence – the term 'English' covered all British settlers. Demerara was a satellite colony of Essequibo, established in 1746 by its Dutch governor Storm van 's Gravesande, who encouraged British settlement. Both were under the control of the Dutch West India Company [the WIC]. Demerara quickly outgrew its parent settlement.

A key factor in British settlement was their willingness to exploit the coastal region by putting in drainage canals and reclaiming land. Netscher claimed that by 1774 ‘[in Demerara] hundreds of planters and other colonists of various nationalities came to settle down, but especially English from the W I Islands, who abandoning their limited and exhausted estates came to exploit the fruitful soil of Demerara with their energy, their capital and their slaves.’ Berbice Berbice was the oldest of the three Dutch colonies and its growth was modest until the 1730s when coffee production expanded. The Berbice slave rising of 1763 and an epidemic of fevers and dysentery led to a decline in the population of both slaves and planters. Dutch planters in the colony were suspicious of outsiders – Jews and Roman Catholics were forbidden to settle there – and British involvement in Berbice did not begin on any scale until the 1790s. Berbice was ‘one of the most unattractive colonies in the New World’ – subject to fickle changes in weather and epidemics of disease.

Scots in Guyana – Networks

As in many colonies, networks of family, friends and acquaintances from the home country were an important means of doing business, especially for new arrivals – and, because few made this place their home, there was a continuing stream of young men arriving from Britain. As a consequence, effective networks were even more important. Henry Dalton recognised this when he wrote his History of British

Map of Berbice colony (Source: B. Blair. Wolfert Simon van Hoogenheim in the Berbice slave revolt of 1763-1764)

Guiana [London, 1855]. He knew of some former slaves who had set up in business hawking fish and who called the large shrimps they sold 'Scotchmen' – because of the way in which they clung to each other and were difficult to prize apart.

Scots in Guyana - the 'vortex of dissipation'

McKenzie, Linden during the 1960s

Dalton also pointed out that Scots were the most numerous and, in many ways, the most successful of the Europeans in these colonies but he believed that Scots in Guyana had retained none of the characteristic virtues of their nation. Their reserve, simplicity, sobriety and zeal for religion all disappeared in what he called the 'vortex of dissipation' of plantation life [Dalton, p308]. Charles Waterton had a similar view and described how ‘shoals’ of poor Scotsmen arrived in the Berbice, hoping for sudden wealth, and how once forty of them lay on the beach and drank rum until they were all dead. [Julia Blackburn, Charles Waterton, 1997 p27]. One aspect of this is the many examples of brutal mistreatment and abuse of enslaved Africans by Scots. The conduct of these Scots was often shocking – but this should not be surprising because we know that 'under certain conditions and social pressures, ordinary people can commit acts that would otherwise be unthinkable'. This effect is, however, more visible in colonies such as Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, which were on the 'edge' of the British Empire and where the risks, and sometimes the rewards, were higher.

Plantation Weilburg

Painting on street signs on Water Street, Georgetown, in 1958

Weilburg was one of the first estates in Demerara in Scottish ownership. James Douglas (1703-1787), a naval officer - later Admiral - served in the Caribbean in the 1760s and acquired plantation Weilburg in

Demerara by 1762, at a time when British colonists were encouraged to settle by governor Storm van’s Gravesande. This is an example of how the Seven Years War (1756-63), which was fought across many continents, created opportunities for trade and colonialisation. Weilburg was managed first by a Thomas Grant, with Lachlan Maclean as attorney. Maclean headed one faction of the deeply divided white community in Demerara and Essequibo. In 1765 Douglas sent his brotherin-law, William Brisbane of Ayr, to replace Maclean as attorney. Brisbane was married to Elizabeth Young, the daughter of a Jean Gordon, who died, a widow, in 'Demerary Dutch Settlement' in, or soon after, 1766. In August 1766 James Douglas wrote to Brisbane saying 'for God's sake Willy don't run me into any more expenses than are absolutely necessary'. Brisbane's failure to do so was blamed, by his successor Robert Milne, on his illness and the fact that 'everything is done under the instruction of his wife [Elizabeth Young] . . . who carried herself so haughty to every person that presumed to advise her husband'. Robert Milne travelled out, by Barbados, to replace Brisbane in 1767. While on route he heard rumours that Brisbane had held a 'celebration of the Pretender's birthday', that is, that he was a Jacobite. These turned out to be false but they were further evidence of the factions among the colonists. Weilburg was supplied with slaves and provisions by Gedney Clarke jnr, the gross value being £5588 during an eighteen-month period in 1767-68, when Milne was attorney. At the same time James Douglas's brother, Lt Col Robert Douglas, a Scots soldier serving in the Dutch army, was second-in-command in the expedition which suppressed the Berbice slave rising of 1763. (From: Slaves and Highlanders. spanglefish.com)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Contempt…

This week's Crossword W

This week's Puzzle

see solution on page 47

…for Caribbean citizens e just heard the Caricom confab of their HoG’s ended on a “high-note”. But perusing the comments of the Chairman, it does appear that the word “high” might be describing the state induced in the leaders through inhaling spliffs of that good old “Jamaican Gold”. It’s also been said to have medicinal value, in addition to its sacramental one – both of which may be needed if the CaricomHoG’s really believe the stuff they spouted. Then again, the “high” may be referring to that high-pitch that enters people’s voices when they get all frantic and all – as in “the confab ended on a shrill note”. The frantic feeling can arise when leaders get their underwear in a knot, trying to figure out what the heck to tell the Caribbean people what they were doing the last few days. Ouch!! The best they could do was the “discussions were successful”. Of course they were!!!This is what Caricom does best – “discuss”. Haven’t they been “discussing” for the past 44 years? These are politicians and spouting hot air is their speciality. Citizens aren’t impressed. They know talk is cheap cause its value – like of most things – is inversely related to its supply! For instance, we heard about the constraint of air connections on the main product of the Region – tourism. Well… halleluiah!! Hasn’t this been the constraint since 1973? So now that we’ve failed separately – Guyana Airways, Air Jamaica, BWIA, and LIAT – did the “discussions” lead to an agreement for ONE Regional airline in which every member has a stake? Of course not! This is Caricom and talk’s the thing!! They called on COTED – Council on Trade and Development – to meet and DISCUSS what can be done on “air transportation”! Another discussion was on “the crime situation”. And what’s to be done? Well, the HoG’s will order some more studies to find out what’s the source of the burgeoning crime rate in the Region!! The studies, of course, will supplement the others that have been done since 1973. A new Annex might have to be built – in addition to the one already built and occupied – to house all the studies on this and other “hot” topics. On the matter of what the organisation was actually formed to achieve – the CSME – the leaders made a stupendous decision on one aspect – the “free movement of peoples”. They announced they were “concerned” why previous decisions weren’t implemented and stressed the need for “the relevant ministerial councils and committees to meet and DISCUSS the situation”!! And they know we’ll buy this BS. Hence the contempt. …of PNC’s City Hall The people who live in or have to enter Georgetown have to be echoing Henry II and screaming, “Will no one rid us of this troublesome Gang of Four”? Imagine citizen-endorsed MAPM asked the Mayor to attend a town hall meeting to discuss their position – and she REFUSES?! She might’ve well pi55ed on their petition as her fellow PNC member did on the PPP’s flag during the elections. That’s how much respect these PNC official types have for other opinions. It’s not coincidental after negotiating the Parking Meter Contract, Mayor Chase Green was elected to the Executive of the PNC! “Big, bad and bullying” are the criteria for membership. Your Eyewitness remembers how Haslyn Parris was abused and Winston Murray was rejected. How can the Mayor, flanked by the smart men of Smart City Solutions, issue new parking regulations when the COURTS have ordered them to show cause why the contract shouldn’t be scrapped. This is contempt of the courts. Any new regulations are fruits of a poisoned contract! Ignore them! …for education The Govt tried to explain VAT on private education by asserting some private schools aren’t taxed. So if VAT’s a “fiscal tool” (Minister Jordan) aren’t taxes on income the same? Why tax students and not the schools??

feature 37

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Stinking toe fruit pods on the tree

The stinking toe tree

Providing a smelly treat that may be good for you

ow does a tree get a name like “stinkin’ toe”? When its ripe fruit looks like a big broad toe and smells like a very stink toe. As for its taste – well, for many that’s a matter of personal choice. It is however, said to be sweet once you can get past its smell and its powdery, pasty texture. A few persons have been known to find the smell not unpleasant though. Interestingly, it is only when the fruit is rotten that it has no smell. Known by its trade name, West Indian locust tree, it is among the tallest trees in its distribution zone, which ranges across Central America, the Caribbean and most of South America. The tree can grow from 30 - 50 m (98 -164 ft.) tall. With such a wide distribution, it has many names in its many geographical regions. Its scientific name is Hymenaea courbaril, but in Brazil its known as jatobá, in Peru it’s called guapinol, while in Haiti it is called koubari . In the English Caribbean it is also called “stinktoe”, “old man’s toe”, “Brazilian cherry”, “demerara copal” and “kerosene tree”, among several other names. Guyanese know it as “stinktoe”, “stinkin’ toe” or stinky toe” and it was traditionally an easy “fruit snack” when outdoors, especially for children. It grows not only in the rainforest where it is one of the dominant canopy trees, but along the Guyana coast as well, though some believe that it is rare along the latter these days. The wood from the tree is called locust and is used in carpen-

joyed for its shady canopy from the hot tropical sun. The pod is also used by artists who would sand the pod and draw or paint on it; artisans would make jewellery with the seeds. Additionally, some persons would make stinking toe ice cream, cocktail or juice. Here is a stinktoe juice recipe called “‘Stinking toe’ Refresher” if you’re willing to try it out – providing you can find a tree:

Distribution zone of Hymenaea courbaril

try. A hardwood, it is used in making furniture and flooring, and is also used for cabinetry, posts, making musical instruments, and in shipbuilding, among others. It is said that early indigenous people made their boats or dugouts from the bark of the locust tree. According to the Guyana Forestry Commission, commercial uses of the Hymenaea courbaril include ship-building, general construction, carriage buildings, tool handles,furniture and croquet mallets. It plays a considerable role in the industry’s revenues as it is one of the most extracted trees in its class. The fruit of the tree is considered part of local folk medicine in many countries. In Jamaica it is said to relieve rheumatism and headaches; in Panama and Costa Rica it is believed to be an aphrodisiac for men. It is also widely used in Central America among athletes and bodybuilders as it is felt that along with supplements, it improves individual performance.

Research has shown that the fruit is rich in iron and calcium, is also a rich source of energy and has “considerable reserves” of Vitamin A. However, little study has been done on its other claims, which include its ability to reduce appetite for weight loss, or its ability to increase lactation/ milk production among expectant and nursing mothers. It’s not just the fruit and hardwood that are used however. The youngest leaves are claimed to be a folk remedy for coughs, sore throat, asthma and bronchitis.The tree’s roasted flowers are used to alleviate burn stomach and gastritis. The flowers are considered to have diuretic, emollient and anti-spasmodic properties. Crushed flowers are used to help heal burn wounds. In Brazil the sap is used for coughs and bronchitis while the leaves and bark are used to treat diabetes, and the fruit for mouth ulcers. According to researchers, stinking toe bark tea is a popular drink forloggers working in the Brazilian

rainforests, because it is a natural energy tonic. In the Amazon region where it grows,researchers say that it has been used for centuries as a tonic for the respiratory and urinary systems of the indigenous inhabitants. The ancient Mayas and Aztecs are thought to have used the tree for incense at purification and religious ceremonies. It is also known

today for its ability to fight fungus and yeast infections. Animals of the rainforest such as monkeys, agoutis and labbas also eat the fruit of the seedpod, playing an important role in dispersing the seeds. Along with its traditional medicinal uses, the tree is also used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens, such as our Botanical Gardens, and is en-

Ingredients 2-3 stinking toes (shelled, pulp only) Half gallon cane juice 1 teaspoon of nutmeg or spice of choice 1 quart spring water Juice of 1 lime (optional) Directions Blend stinking toes with spring water and cane juice. Add nutmeg or spice of choice and blend briefly. Serve chilled.

The flesh of the stinking toe fruit, and its pod

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

news 39

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Wales and Client Service Clerk crowned Indentured labour Miss Mash Queen 2017

By Ravi Dev

s we have been reporting this year – March 12th – marks the 100th Anniversary of the cessation of indentured labour from India. During the 79 years of indentureship starting in 1838, the immigrants had been dubbed “bound coolies”. This perfectly described the way the sugar planters viewed them: as a group that would perform menial labour without any mobility away from the ambit of the plantation. And it’s more than an irony of history that at Wales, we have a recapitulation of the indenture experience going on. The essence of indentured labour was the contract that was signed by the “indentured servant” that was supposed to define the terms of his employment – hours of work, wages, hospitalisation, return passage to India etc. But more often than not, it was honoured in the breach leading to daily disputes between the labourers and the “overseers” and “drivers”. The unequally negotiated contract became a tool the planters used to ensure if the indentureds were not in the fields working, then the only excuse accepted was they were in hospital or in jail. Indentured labour is usually described as a transition device from slave labour to “free” labour, which state theoretically arrived after the last indentured labourers served out their contract by 1921. But it was a long and arduous – but ultimately futile – struggle waged by sugar workers for the premises of indentureship to be lifted from those that ran the industry. During the transition from slavery to indentureship, the remnants of the antislavery movement could be counted on to agitate in England when information on planter excess reached them. After indentureship, this task fell on the trade unions that were formed after 1939, when another protest by the workers ended in the police reading the riot act shooting and killing four and wounding dozens. At Wales, fifty years after

independence from Britain, which was celebrated in grand style by the APNU/ AFC government, the latter condescended to inform neither to the sugar workers nor their unions when they decided to shutter the plantation. How different was this from the days of indentureship when labour was a commodity, and who informs commodities of their fate? While the indentureship contract specified the hours of work to be seven and a half hours, “from dawn to dusk” was the reality. Today, even though the contract of the “free labour” specifies that if the employee is sent to work more than ten miles from his regular worksite, the employer is constructively breaking the contract, the government-run Guysuco insists that six-hundred cane-cutters must go daily to Uitvlugt, twentytwo miles away and not concede their demand for severance pay, which is due them for being effectively fired. The canecutters are seen as “bound coolies” with no control over their mobility. The truth is,Guysuco always knew the canecutters would refuse the “option” of working at Uitvlugt and their “offer” was made simply to allow the corporation to escape from its responsibility to pay the workers for constructively “severing” them. Uitvlugt suffered even more from the dynamics that operated at Wales and huge swaths of its lands had been abandoned while the factory is in no better shape that Wales, if that. Yet Guysuco is blithely claiming Uitvlugt could triple its production to 40,000 tons with the canecutters from Wales. Even if the cane were to be found to be cut, where would they be processed? The centrifuge, for instance, at Uitvlugt has been defected since the beginning of the decade, resulting in the yields being about half of Albion’s. Yet without even mentioning whether it will be fixed, production is projected to rise. Last week, we referred to Professor Frankfurt’s use of the word “bullshit” which is worse than a lie, since in the latter one knows the truth but is simply hiding it. At Wales, the government is simply bullshitting since they have absolutely no concern for the truth- they just want to sound “plausible” to escape culpability. There is no concern that they are dealing with the livelihood and lives of over six thousand persons. Even during indentureship, the planters were never this callous.

wenty-year-old Aqualia Rupan on Sunday evening outshone five other contestants vying for the title of Miss Mash Queen 2017, when the pageant was hosted at the National Cultural Centre, in Georgetown. This was the first attempt at pageantry for the newly crowned queen, who is a Client Service Clerk at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital. Although the North East La Penitence beauty did not offer the best answer to her question, she was the judges,’ as well as the crowd’s favourite, from the moment she stepped on stage. She scored high in the various segments and for the first year, after a 10-year hiatus, the queen was crowned by accumulative scores and not based on the final question. The delegates would have competed in introduction, talent, swimwear and evening wear. Rupan was also reward-

ed with prizes for best introduction, best talent and best personality. Overcome with joy and fighting back tears, the newly crowned queen explained that she was elated to have won the crown. She also said all the delegates walked away as queens since they were prepared by the Simpli Royal family, led by Pamela Dillon. “I am no longer a shy girl and I am sure all the other delegates have taken away something to apply to their general lives moving forward from our training,” she added. She advised those who wish to participate in pageantry to be beauty ambassadors which will afford them the opportunity to be anything they wish, while noting that they must also work hard. Gabrielle Chapman was crowned first runner-up and Younette Stephanie was bestowed with the second runner-up title.

Newly crowned Mash Queen 2017 Aqualia Rupan is flanked by first runner-up Gabrielle Chapman and second runner-up Younette Stephanie

40 news

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Caribbean/American legislator dispels rumours about immigration sweep

Caribbean/ American legislator has sought to dispel rumours about immigration sweeps at, among other places, a popular Caribbean department store and major hospital in Brooklyn. New York City Council Member Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said that he and his staffers have been following up on “the many rumours, as we can.” Many of the rumours about immigration sweeps at Bobby’s Department Store and the expansive Kings

County

Hospital

Brooklyn, among oth-

er places, are being

circulated primarily on social media. “We have spoken to owners of the commuter van lines, as well as the management at Bobby’s Department Store, and have confirmed that at this time there have not been general indiscriminate stops made by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents over the past few days,” said Williams, who is also deputy leader of the New York City Council. “There have, however, been incidents of people posing as immigration officials in efforts to scam people for money,” he said, noting “in addition, we remain in touch with the mayor’s office. “The best thing an understandably concerned community can do is be armed with accurate information. To that end, we ask everyone to make an effort to substantiate information before spreading as rumours. Unfortunately, the immigrant community has reason to be worried and should stay vigilant.” Williams has been among the Caribbean community’s most vocal critics of the Trump’s administration immigration policies. On January 25, Trump signed an executive order “vastly expanding who is considered a priority for deportation,” the New York Times said. This has prompted further outrage from Caribbean/American legislators, who have called for a very strong stance against the new president’s

immigration policies. “My office recommends: First, if you hear info about ICE activity, please continue to forward them to us”, Williams said. “Second, if you should see activity you suspect are ICE actions, please send any concrete information that can safely and without interference be obtained. “You should also call your local precinct as they may be ICE impersonators looking to scam unsuspecting people,” he added, stating that the New York Police Department [NYPD] “is not currently working with immigration officials; and, as policy, does not randomly ask people about their immigration status.” Williams, however, said concerns about immigration checkpoints and raids, “whether rumours or not, are evidence of the mass hysteria that has taken hold of communities across the country, because of Trump.” “This administration, from day one, has done everything in its power to marginalize people, create a culture of fear, and divide Americans,” he said. “The President’s erratic behaviour only makes it more difficult for our communities, as evidenced by his recent announcement about the possibility of deploying 100,000 National Guard troops for immigration round ups,” Williams added. “I stand with my New York City colleagues in government in standing against Trump on actions against our immigrant brothers and sisters.” On Friday, the White House denied reports of a plan to deploy as many as 100,000 National Guard troops as part of a nationwide deportation force that would help to augment federal agents and local authorities newly deputized to enforce Trump’s immigration policies. On Friday, ICE officials disclosed that criminal immigrants from Guyana and Jamaica were among 41 people arrested in the New York metropolitan area this month. ICE said the offenses

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

For a mass protest E

verybody is fed-up with one thing or another. The positives that were expected from the change of government have come to absolute naught and criticisms of the Granger Administration are coming thick and fast and from every direction. There is no “A” grade here and in a truly democratic country, this Government would have been booted out already by a unanimous no-confidence vote from the National Assembly. But Guyana is held hostage by its race politics and there is no putting country before party at any level of governance or society. We moved from brutal colonial politics to self-government that continuously fails to deliver any good life, and whereas the Granger Government is facing three people’s protests, this triple-threat is unlikely to birth a unified mass movement that could be the catalyst that would transform our national landscape in every way. Two years after the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord, that agreement is in tatters. From the first when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was denied the chairmanship of Cabinet meetings – as agreed to in the Accord – the verdict was in. What has followed is a clear descent into Burnhamism: poor economic strategies; serial corruptions; PNC paramountcy; and an anti-Indian racism that is openly flaunted in every area from the composition of the civil service and State boards (the GPHC Board being the most recent) to the unjust treatment of the predominantly Indian Guyanese sugar workers following the Wales Estate closure. That the sugar industry, which has historical significance to every citizen can be so meaningless to a Guyana government that it can simply shrug off a severance-pay dispute that affects hundreds of workers is not unlike the treatment our fore-parents received at the hands of the colonial planters. A similar heartlessness is evident in Government’s gouging of the pockets of parents who choose to send their children to private educational institutions. Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s remark that parents have a “choice” was his “let them eat cake” moment with all the attendant haughtiness. Freedom of choice is a fundamental democratic right and only a Government that

cares little about our children and our country’s future would resort to punishing parents who make enormous sacrifices to give their children the best possible education. And, anyway, what is the “choice” when Government concedes that the public education system is in need of comprehensive reform? An online petition against the addition of VAT to school fees has received over 3,000 signatures. To sign the petition, go to: http://www. ipetitions.com/petition/ education-vat-free The other contentious issue facing the Granger Government is the obscene SCSI Parking Meter Contract signed by Mayor Patricia Chase Green and three PNC Councillors. Now that the details of the contract have been made public, everyone understands why they wanted to keep it secret. They have, basically, sold off the city and the rights of the citizenry to SCSI and Attorney General Basil Williams who perused the terms of the agreement saw nothing wrong with it legally or otherwise. The still unanswered question is: what did the four signatories stand to gain from this obscenity? The matter is now before the courts and the M&CC will have to show just cause why the contract should not be revoked. That these three issues have attracted large protest support shows that there is a healthy level of civicmindedness and fearlessness among Guyanese, and that they are willing to demonstrate their indignation and frustration with the hope that their voices will be heard even by a Government that continues to be tone-deaf and uncaring. The protests are all underlined by financial concerns at a time when Guyana’s economy is contracting. The Private Sector Commission is sounding the alarm about its loss in confidence in the Government because of their ill-judged statements and inability to attract new investments to energise the business sector. With the Granger Government behaving as if the country is actually making progress when all the statistics and analyses – and protests – show otherwise, Guyana seems to be suffering from the same kind of leadership, as in the US, that insists on its own “alternative reality”. This was the case during the Burnham era, and the

Ryhaan Shah loss of confidence within the business sector reflects real fears that Guyana is being taken down that path again. If we are indeed returned to that dark time, protests will once again be met with intimidation and Statesponsored violence. Perhaps, the protests could all converge into a unified mass movement and become the first step in that longed for change that would steer Guyana in a positive direction.

42 fashion

Designer Rishma Persaud

esigner Rishma Persaud is no stranger to the fashion scene, since she has been designing for more than 15 years. Under her label, RP Couture, the designer has been part of numerous fashion events, such as Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Week, Carifesta, Miss Guyana Universe, and Style Mission. Recently, she launched her newest collection of fashionable plus size outfits and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dresses. In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Persaud saidshe used taffeta and jersey fabric along withchiffon, satin and embroidered materials.The doyenne of fashion added that the outfits can be worn to formal and semi-formal events. For more information on her designs, call 592621-7707. (Photos by Dione Vanderhyden)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

44 art & culture

Alicia Morgan

elf-taught artist Alicia Morganviews art as a means of release and self-expression. She finds art in everyday life: taking inspiration from people and the life that abounds in nature. “What inspired me to be an artist is the support I received from my parents. When they examine my work and commend me on how talented I am, this motivates me even further to keep pursuing my passion for art. As a child, I would draw more than I would paint [drawing usually implies working in pencil, pen, charcoal, pastel and even ink; painting entails the use of a brush, palette knife or sponge and liquid paint], but not as frequent and intimate as I do now,” 18-year-old Alicia said in an interview with Sunday Times

Magazine. Alicia recalled she started drawing when she was about 13 years old and painting at age 15. Though she considers her artistic talent as innate, Alicia mentioned that one of her uncles has a skill for painting, but he isnot an artist, so she may have inherited an amount of her artistry. The artist noted that at the moment she is a “painter using mediums like acrylic paint, oil and chalk pastels”. Her favourite quotes are: “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time” and “I don’t want life to imitate art, I want life to be art”. “Art does a lot for me. I love the way I feel when I am painting; it makes me feel lighter and it just reduces stress. Art is more than just a leisure activity for me; I take great pleasure in painting. Additionally, I take inspiration from my environment as well as the people who surround me when I am painting,” she expressed. Alicia enjoys contemporary art and would do “a little dabbling” with abstract art, but is not involved in portrait paintings. Communicating her emotions through her paintings, the artist, while painting, would consider how she wants “people to feel when they look at the paintings”.

"Pouring wine"

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

"Background beauty"

"Girl walking in the rain"

She explained that sometimes she would just paint based on her mood. As a young artist, Alicia hopes that she can continue to pursue her passion for art and be able to make a career out of it by selling her paintings. Moreover, her desire is to inspire other youths to build an appreciation for art despite challenges. “My advice to youths who want to become artists is to liberate yourself, be positive and have patience, because for me

these helped in my development of becoming an artist. Furthermore, free yourself from all the negative thoughts that might come to mind when you first start. If you are painting and it is not looking the way you want it to, know it is fine; just take a few minutes and try again,” Alicia encouraged. For more information on the artist, visit Sugarchaos art.gy on Facebook.

"Winter angel I"

"La Fleur"

"Whimsical Tree Goddess"

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

46 NEWS

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Opposition Leader roasts Govt over alleged lack of transparency on D’Urban Park Project

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has dubbed as “criminal”, the current state of affairs of the D’Urban Park Project, where it said Government continues to withhold the necessary information on its real cost. The Party said up until now, Government has persistently refused to disclose the real cost of this project. And despite all the scandals and suspicions which permeated from the inception, the Administration has failed to hold any form of inquiry or investigation in relation to it. “The PPP is aware that there are dozens of contractors who have not been paid for works done and for materials supplied to that project. The Party is also aware that the names of contractors which were read out by Minister David Patterson in the National Assembly as creditors of this project were false and misleading,” the Party said in a statement on Tuesday. The Party said it became aware of the names of several persons who are actually owed money and who were never called by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson. “The nation is unaware of the current status of the private company which Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, and other cohorts of [A Partnership for National Unity] APNU incorporated, own and operated at the project site. We were subsequently told that this company spent hundreds of millions of State funds and attracted hundreds of millions of liabilities which taxpayers’ monies were used to pay off. Indeed millions are still owed by this company,” it said. The Party also said it has observed that works are currently ongoing at the site while no public tendering was done. “The nation remains unaware as to who is executing this work, what is the value of the work being done and from where the finances have been sourced. The PPP reiterates what it stated before; the level

Grading… Y

The D’Urban Park Project

of unaccountability that has overwhelmed this project is criminal”. Last December, the National Assembly found itself divided over giving or withholding approval for an additional G$500 million to be paid out from the Consolidated Fund to a number of contractors and other persons owed varying amounts for works undertaken on the controversial D’Urban Jubilee Park Project. The rancour engulfed the House when the Speaker of the National Assembly put to a vote the capital expenditure under the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s budget, but was met with a resounding no. Prior to the division of votes, the House heard that on November 22, 2016, six days before the Budget was presented to the nation – Homestretch Development Inc (HDI) had written to the Finance Ministry indicating that it owes contractors G$500 million more and was looking to have this liability liquidated. The revelation did not go down well with former Minster within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill, who openly questioned the timing of the inclusion of the G$500 million in the budget, since the Ministry had only been informed six days earlier. In fact, Edghill argued that Government was in fact looking to turn over money to a private com-

pany – HDI – for works it had done using contractors that company had engaged in the project. He used the occasion to draw reference to Substantive Minster David Patterson’s assertions that the Government did not actually engage any of the contractors that the Ministry was seeking approval to be paid over. Meanwhile, as it relates to the overall expenditure and cash and kind donations, Public Infrastructure Minister Patterson told the House that a total of G$27.7 million was received in the form of donations from private individuals and entities, while another G$37 million came about ‘in kind’. The Opposition had made an immediate call for the Auditor General of Guyana to do a forensic audit into all revenues, expenditure and donations received. The Party reminded of the motion it had put forward for disclosure on the sums expended, the contractors and amounts paid to them, liabilities and other information that would have ensured accountability and transparency. This motion was defeated on November 21, 2016 when it was debated during which time the Public Infrastructure Minister selectively provided skimpy information.

Roraima “Race to the Altar” winning couple announced

keem Peter, who had reportedly proposed to his now fiancé, Kerron Boston 49 times before she agreed to wed him, were on Friday announced as the winners of Roraima Airways “Race to Altar” wedding expo competition at the Duke Lodge Hotel. The final segment of the contest saw six couples of various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds contending for the top spot, presenting a tough challenge for the panel of judges to make their pick. The couples were: Akeem Peter and Kerron Boston; Roderick Grant and Kacy Datson; Colwyn Boyle and Kittindie Pearson; Rajesh Chandrapaul and Romana Puran; Dale Thomas and Lauriel Inniss; and Gregory Loo and Keisha Fraser. Member of the panel of judges, Sacha Persaud, stated that the winning

couple “demonstrated an outstanding commitment to each other, potential of good ambassadorship for wedding expo and the public’s support to their relationship made them this year’s winner.” After the announcement was made, an emotional Boston expressed his gratitude to supporters/voters, sponsors and the Roraima Team as a whole. Also present at the event were representatives from the Government and Corporate Guyana, who extended best wishes to the couple. President of the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce in the United States Wesley Kirton; Public Relations Officer, Nadia De Abreu; Savita Singh, Marketing Executive of Hand-in-Hand Insurance; and Kester Harding, Technical Officer of the Social

Akeem Peter and Kerron Boston - The winning couple

Protection Ministry, were also present in support of the event. The wedding expo was launched in March of 2009 by the Roraima Group of Companies; the company’s Chief Executive Officer Captain Gerry Gouveia stated that apart from the fact that the event will play a role in helping to popularise Roraima’s recent multimillion-dollar acquisition, its “other major significance” is

that it will enable the marketing a of number of small and mediumsized businesses in the wedding and entertainment sector. The couple was awarded with a fully paid wedding package, among other gifts. The wedding will be held on March 25, 2017, at the Roraima Duke Lodge commencing from 17:00h. Members of the public are invited to witness the ceremony.

…the Government our Eyewitness doesn’t have good memories of grading: in school, the teachers had their favourites who literally got “free passes”. These were the weasels who sucked up to them. Grading, then, has the challenge of facially neutral criteria versus subjectivity, in applying those criteria. So when evaluating Prezzie’s claim that his A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government deserves an “A” for their performance up to now and Opposition Leader Jagdeo’s retort he deserves an “F”, how do WE grade those grades? It all started when Prezzie was asked on his softball programme “The Public Interest” to grade his Administration. And that’s a problem right there: which mother’s gonna admit she has an ugly baby? Even when she has to tie a pork chop on her neck so that the dog would play with the kid!! This is Prezzie’s Government… what do you expect him to say? To be honest, your Eyewitness thought he’d say “good” or sum such nebulous rating. Like telling the ugly baby’s mother her child’s “interesting”! But when Prezzie awarded his “A”… he had to know he was asking for it. When he blamed “any fall backs” in performance to the departed PPP government, he conceded not everything was hunky-dory! And while there are obviously systemic continuities between any new government and its predecessor, surely Prezzie was going out on a limb here. So it was not surprising that Jagdeo promptly cut the limb out from under Prezzie and suggested he was living in some sort of “fantasy” land. And as we know, while fantasies can be satisfying to folks who wile away their days daydreaming, as the Opposition Leader pointed out, it can be a nightmare to the citizenry if a daydreaming president governs on the basis of his fantasies. But the “F”, he awarded, can arguably also be the result of subjective factors. What were the criteria he used? There was “business”. Now while the Government has stoutly denied this, the folks who should know – the business community – have confirmed the assessment that business stinks. To high heavens! By a concrete metric – the foreign direct investment has plummeted. So has foreign currency circulation – which pushed the exchange up, and the Government had to (scarily) intervene. Then there was crime – where contrary to the Government/Police “statistics”, citizens are huddling and shivering in their homes. And so it went… But when the matter had all but died down, up pops the AFC with a long shopping list purporting to show why the Government deserved its self-awarded “A”. But all it did was remind citizens they took more than they gave on Value Added Tax, old age pensions and the 15 other items mentioned! But then, the AFC has to prove that even dead meat has some value! …the private sector But the urge to grade the Government wasn’t confined to our top politicians and a lackey Coalition partner: the Private Sector Commission (PSC) just waded in. And that says a lot, doesn’t it? Why would even a sycophantic questioner ask Prezzie to grade his Government if he didn’t think something was amiss? The Opposition Leader may have a vested interest in painting the Government in a bad light – but the biggest private sector organisation? Business leaders aren’t noted for taking on governments of the day. Most of them “go along to get along” – especially when, as in underdeveloped countries like Guyana, the state generates such a large chunk of GDP. So, when the PSC declares a “loss of confidence” in the Government, things had to have hit rock-bottom. And any halfway-smart government would’ve listened! But not this PNC-led APNU/AFC. In a rabid, purpleprosed response, it claimed the PSC was “a political stool pigeon to repeat the propagandistic chatter of the Opposition”!!! Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad!! Caricom’s threat Your Eyewitness experienced a frisson of excitement when Caricom threatened “consequences” if their directives weren’t followed! Until he read the threat was to their own officials who weren’t MEETING as frequently as ordered!!

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Old friend

atiricus was preening with pride. He’d shown up at the protest against the parking meters in front of City Hall and as usual was holding forth with his buddies at the Back Street Bar. “Budday!” he exclaimed expansively. “You wouldn’t believe who were at the rally against parking meters on Thursday!” “Who?” demanded Hari laconically, as he sipped his beer.“Your leaders from the KFC?” Satiricus looked a bit crestfallen. “Well, they didn’t actually show up, but with the strong statement, they issued in support of Don’t Can, I know they were there in spirit.” “Sato, na worry widHari,” advised Bungi, who wanted his beer to continue flowing. “Tell me w’ich big wan yuh see!” Satiricus perked up. “Well, there were the BigHarry people who own all the banks and stuff. And dozens of other business people and big shots.” “Really?” asked Bungi with eyes opened wide. “An’ dem bin a marchwid sign and an’ t’ing?” “Yes!” exclaimed Satiricus as he pumped his fist. “But most impressive was the Security Man who called for a subway under Georgetown before allowing parking meters.” “Does he know subways cost about US$500 million per kilometre?” demanded Hari. “Where will the money come from?” “Na worry ‘bout da,” interrupted Bungi. “Tell me who mo’ yuh see.” “Lemme think,” said Satiricus rubbing his chin. “Aha! There was the former Talker of the House with his placard!” “Yeah!” said Harisceptically, as Bungi appeared to go into shock. “I saw in the papers he had one of his servants holding an umbrella over his head!” “It’s the thought that counts,” smirkedSatiricus. “The man was there with the protest!” “Who yuhseh bin a de meter protes’?” asked Bungi a tad brusquely. “The former Talker?” said Satiricus. “Me tink me bin hear wraang!” said Bungi. “Dis man was abeeunianlawywefuh ten year!” “What does that have to do with the meter protest?” demanded Satiricus and Hari simultaneously. “Well abeecanecuttahprotes’ in front a Prezzie new green afficelas’ week too,” said Bungi savagely. “How come he na bin deh, when all abee lose abeewuk?” “Well, Bungi ole friend,” said Hari quietly, “if you lose your jobs, you can’t pay the big time lawyer no mo’!!”

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Anu Dev

or a country that was born in the ignominy of seizing the land from the Indigenous Peoples and pushing them deep into the jungle, then carving out agricultural lands on its coast and cultivating sugar to enrich Britain and the Netherlands by using labour snatched from Europe, Africa and Asia, being a Republic is not something we should take lightly. None of us. Especially when it seems, from my readings in the press, that sugar is about to go the way of the Dodo as it did in Trinidad. But there they made provisions for the labourers that were no longer needed. What is a Republic if it is not able to take care of its citizens? But this Thursday is Republic Day! And I’m kind of disappointed that I won’t be home, because

Happy Republic Day!

I understand quite a lot is going on. Although I certainly wasn’t around way back in 1970, to know personally what it must have been like to live in a country still under the rule of another, I do know that it must be better to be in control than to be controlled. And we won that right on Republic Day, to elect our Government, to make our own decisions. WE have no other excuses for blaming “the man” for our fetters. To be a citizen of a Republic is to be “captains of our destiny: masters of our fate”. I’ll say it again: my favourite hero in WI history was Toussaint L’Ouverture. To have a man – born a slave – take on the full might of one of the greatest European powers of the day, for the right to be free, was awe inspiring. He was indeed an “Opening”: the eventual independence of Haiti showed the path that every other colony had to walk. So on Republic Day at least, we should make a

point of being proud to be Guyanese. On that day we commemorate the earlier rebellion of our own Cuffy, in our own Berbice, for that same struggle to be free. We are coming up on the 100th Anniversary of the end of Indentureship: we must remember those who died in the cane fields at the hands of the colonial Police in 1872, 1896, 1898, 1903, 1913, 1924, 1939 and 1948. And work to ensure no one dies at Wales after the entire sugar estate was closed so suddenly. Malnutrition can be more deadly than bullets. I know some people try to raise some Guyanese pride on Republic Day, but unfortunately for most, it’s just about the Mashramani parade. Granted, everyone has different ways of celebrating, of showing joy. But the problematic thing about it all is that most people don’t parade because of national pride. They parade to dress up (or undress) in costumes and ride on floats. Because it’s all about Mashramani-

the celebration. We’ve gotten so caught up in the celebration of festivities, that we’ve completely forgotten why we’re celebrating in the first place. Who thinks of the meaning of Cuffy or Toussaint or dead sugar workers in the definition of what ‘freedom’ means? We argue about the Brickdam route being too short for the ‘wine down’. And that’s a shame, because for a country with quite possible half of its population living abroad, national pride and identity is something we desperately need to see being expressed by the Guyanese still living here. At the very least, perhaps we should keep in mind the theme for this year’s celebrations, “Celebration with dignity, liberty and greater unity”. So this Republic Day, if you’re going out, wave your Guyana Flags. Wave them to show love for your country! And do something to make it better!

Is we own… …Georgetown people our Eyewitness was one of the first to kvetch about the Parking Meter Contract – not long after the ‘Gang of Four’ had returned from their all-expenses paid trip to Mexico, Panama and other exotic Latin locales. The dead giveaway was the “all-expenses paid” info. Your Eyewitness’d long ago figured out nothing was free – especially in the world of business. They didn’t contest their motto “Caveat Emptor” – “Buyers Beware”, for nothing!! But he must acknowledge the yeoman work done by Mark Jacobs to rip the veil of secrecy off the deal when he unfrocked the so-called “owner” of Smart City Solutions as a bona fife conman. But nobody listened to the fella – possibly with the exception of Sherwood Duncan…who took a sharp right turn from his leaders in the AFC. Early in the day, he refused to go along with the charade – said he didn’t see the need for the Gang of Four’s secrecy! Your Eyewitness raises these matters in the wake of great expectations raised because of the quiche-eating fashionistas joining the rabble in the streets to protest the meters. That there were also lawyers present who usually charge hourly rates that match the MONTHLY salaries of your average Government worker, sealed the deal. Even the billing deferred for one hour is nothing to scoff at. The expectation is this protest will swell into “something big”. Bigger than GUARD, one prognosticator predicted as he came up for air from his messing around the entrails of dead chickens! Now the GUARD phenom – for those in the majority who weren’t around in 1990 – helped push the PPP over the tape against the PNC in 1992. “Will history repeat itself?” asks the pundits who’re paid to ask these things. Well, if you ask your Eyewitness, dear readers, his quick answer is, “Ain’t no way in hell this is gonna happen!” And why, you ask, persistent

reader? Because what’s playing out at City Hall will not change anything fundamentally, that’s why. Even if the Mayor and her crew are booted out – the very next day, the same people protesting under umbrellas will follow the party line and vote their party come 2020!! That’s just the way the pinetart crumbles, in Guyana! What happens at the local level has no relationship to what happens when it comes to national leadership. With all the sturm and drang by GUARD back in 1992, the PNC got the exact percentage of the votes they received in 1964. And imagine running against them was the WPA, pulling at the heartstrings by invoking the late, great Walter Rodney. This time, even they’ve returned home! …Mash? With some of the big corporate sponsors of floats dropping out, there’s been some complaints that the celebration of Mash is being “downgraded”. But these folks should ponder why businesses that just LOOOOVE the publicity aren’t putting their hands up to wine down the streets of Georgetown. And the simple answer is business is so deep in the doldrums right now…they have to spend every dollar just trying to keep their heads above water. Then there’s the symbolism about what they’re asked to do – celebrate. What’s to celebrate when the Government has declared war on the business community just for giving their opinion about the Government’s performance on the economy? And this is no hyperbole. Imagine the Government calling the business community “stool pigeons”!! That is, tattlers for the Opposition. But this Government – stacked as it is with persons who’ve never even run a sweetie stand – will see even this cost-cutting measure as an “attack”! But they’ll find out there’s only so much you can do with smoke and mirrors. …GuySuCo salaries Seems the best GuySuCo’s shill can do is attack the messenger on the super salaries he revealed being shelled out – $14.1/monthly! – to some geriatrics!! Whatever happened to that “age” review for Government appointees?

48 Bollywood

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

These pictures of Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt will make you miss your Bae

FF goals, relationship goals and we really don’t know what all goals have been revamped by Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, who are coming back together with a quintessential Bollywood romance, Badrinath Ki Dulhania. The two have appeared in the March issue of Filmfare magazine and the pictures, shared by the stars and their fans, will definitely make you miss your best friend. Varun and Alia have been doing all that it takes to promote their film, which is a spin-off of 2013 release, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The duo went to Jaipur and made the audiences croon Tamma Tamma Again along with them. They also shook a leg with their fans on Badri Ki Dulhania, the title track of their film. Amid their promotions, they are catching up with their social life too. At Shahid Kapoor’s birthday bash, Varun turned up with his girlfriend Natasha Dalal and Alia was seen with Sidharth Malhotra. While Alia has never shared her personal life with her fans, Varun recently got vocal about Natasha. However, he mentioned that he doesn’t want his relationship to overshadow his career or his action.

After Badri, Varun will appear in Judwaa 2 and Alia will start shooting for Gully Boy starring Ranveer Singh and also, Dragon starring Ranbir Kapoor. Badrinath Ki Dulhania marks third association of Alia and Varun after Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The duo also promoted their film on Karan’s show, Koffee With Karan on which the ace director admitted that these two actors do not need any guidance from their film’s marketing team because they are always excited about their next releases. (Indian Express)

‘Ghazi Attack’ actors wish that the film is made tax-free

he Ghazi Attack has received lukewarm response at the box office and has been doing pretty well. The film collected Rs 15.75 crore across India during its first weekend, and Rs 19.40 crore till Monday. Directed by Sankalp Reddy, it has garnered strong recommendation from audience and critics alike due to its unique plot and uncovering a real-life story. The cast includes actor Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Rahul Singh and late Om Puri. These actors now the movie is declared tax-free across India. Rana, who leads the stellar cast, said in a statement: “We have already submitted the film for tax-exemption and we are hoping the government will recognise cinema like this, will recognise heroes like this and take this forward to

more and more audiences.” Rana features in the film as Lieutenant Commander Arjun Varma, who was part of a mission conducted by the Indian Navy against the Pakistani naval force in 1971. Varma is said to have remained underwater for 18 days during the war. Actor Atul Kulkarni said, “I think the tremendous response has made the government take cognisance of ‘The Ghazi Attack’ and it will soon be a tax-free film.” Kay Kay Menon, who

too has a key role, said: “We have applied for the tax-free bracket and I’m very sure that the government will oblige and give this film a tax-free certificate.” The Ghazi Attack released amid competition from various Oscarnominated Hollywood and regional releases, apart from Running Shaadi and Irada. Even Jolly LLB 2, which is running in its third week, has a strong footing. Yes, The Ghazi Attack has managed to make a place for itself. (Indian Express)

After ‘Naam Shabana’ makes a spy out of Taapsee Pannu, get ready for a Baby sequel Sussanne Khan on bonding with Hrithik

apsee Pannu is super busy with back-to-back films. While her The Ghazi Attack continues to get acclaim, the actor is already promoting her upcoming film Naam Shabana, in which she will be seen doing a lot of action. And it seems her inspiration is none other than her co-star from the film, Akshay Kumar. Taapsee Pannu is playing the lead in the film and had to train in mixed martial arts and Kudo along with Krav Maga for her role. She is not the only one seen kicking some backside in the film, Akshay in an extend cameo will be seen giving her a helping hand. But if it has to be one action star she looks

up to, who would it be? “I am doing action in the film, and when it comes to martial arts, Akshay sir is the best in our country. Thus if I have to look up to someone for action, at all, it has to be him.” She further added, “It is my privilege to do so many stunts in a film of which he is also a part.” Talking about the film, Akshay who just completed his part of the shoot, said, “This film is different and special. We have seen a number of films in Bollywood about missions and how they complete it, but this film is about the making of a spy. This is what we have not seen till date.” Naam Shabana is a spy thriller directed by Shivam Nair and produced by Neeraj Pandey and Shital Bhatia. The film is a spin-off of the 2015 film Baby and will see Taapsee Pannu reprising her role as Shabana. The film also stars Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran, who was seen earlier in Aiyya and Aurangzeb. The actor said about his role in Naam Shabana, “All the fight in the film is because of my character, and that is all I can say.”(Indian Express)

Shah Rukh Khan takes AbRam on a long drive, and Mumbai comes to a standstill

hen the prince of

Bollywood makes a wish, King Khan just has to obey it. This time, the little one AbRam wished to go on a ride with Daddy Shah Rukh Khan on the streets of Mumbai. The actor and his son were spotted on the Carter Road in Bandra, Mumbai, in an open-topped car. The actor took his son on a ride in a convertible car and his fans could not help but follow him. In the video, we can

see AbRam in total awe of watching the crowd around but doesn’t seem to understand what is going on. Fans of SRK were thrilled to watch him on the streets of Mumbai in daylight but AbRam,

who is still a stranger to his father’s popularity, was seen enjoying Mumbai ki hawa. AbRam, who will turn four this year, is the apple of Shah Rukh’s eyes. The father-son compatibility has been giving

Roshan: Things are not just about that

ussanne Khan ditches question on whether she will get back with Hrithik Roshan but calls sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan her inspiration. After making headlines in 2014 with their divorce, Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan are yet again attracting eyeballs for their developing bond, which is keeping the actor’s fans on the edge of their seats, guessing every now and then if they might get back together. However, on being asked about it, Sussanne avoided the question and said, “I am not going to answer this. It is not about just this.” Hrithik and Sussanne were seen ringing in New Year together, attended film screenings in each other’s company and were seen hanging out with Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna. The rumour of them getting back together grew stronger when the two were seen holding hands while exiting Mumbai airport. Well, with Sussanne keeping quiet about it, only future seems to have an answer to what these two are up to but their fans are definitely hoping for the best.

While Sussanne was reluctant to speak about Hrithik, she was forthcoming about her sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan. She called them her strength. “My kids have been a huge inspiration. They love to look into my designs and tell me about what should I do. They are brutally honest so I really love about it.” Sussanne, who is a celebrated Interior designer, was mired in a controversy where a party claimed that her company had bluffed with them. However, Sussanne cleared that the case is over. “All my cases are sorted. There is nothing left in that case anymore.” On being asked if being a celeb makes her an easy target, Sussanne said, “I think it’s not about a celebrity, it’s about a woman. Life

is hard and at times, it puts you through tests. So, I believe you have to be strong and have the tenacity to outlast bad times or something that you know is not going to last. One has to be clear in their mind. So, everything I do, I put discipline into it. I feel blessed that it’s working for me.” Sussanne has collaborated with Chivas to create a space which captures the true sense of touch. Elaborating on her project, she said, “We were given this amazing project of Alchemy. Me and my colleagues were given different topics. Half the excitement was due to the fact that I was told to create a space which represented the concept of touch.” (Indian Express)

major goals to his fans. Unlike many other actors who refrain from bringing their child into the limelight, Shah Rukh has never shied away from making public appearances with AbRam. In fact, recently, AbRam stole the limelight during Raees promotions

in Mannat. The tiny tot just walked into the interview of TVF and the video went viral. Sunny Leone, who has worked with SRK in Raees, spoke about the father-son bond shared by Shah Rukh and AbRam. She said, “SRK is an extremely dedicat-

ed father. Even when his older son came, the attention he gave (to him) was amazing.” On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan has started to work on Imtiaz Ali film, which also stars Anushka Sharma. (Indian Express)

Hollywood 49

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Hollywood is now churning out movies for global markets: Liam Neeson V eteran actor Liam Neeson, who has impressed movie lovers worldwide with his work in films like Schindler’s List and Taken, says today’s generation prefers replacing the “older items” to “repairing them”. And it worries him. “Overall, I feel today’s generation prefers to replace older items rather than repair them. I’m pretty old-fashioned in that sense. They just don’t fix things anymore. It gives me cause for worry,” Neeson said. The actor’s latest film Silence released last week in India — a country that reminds him of diversity, depth of culture and yoga. Directed by Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, the film is based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Shusaku Endo. It narrates the story of two Christian missionaries who face the ultimate test of faith. Neeson says that he had to face a lot of internal convincing to do a film which questions religious faith. “I was interested in ‘Silence’ because of where I was at in my own life with questions and thoughts about god, faith, science and everything else. I had to do a lot of internal convincing first. I don’t believe you can really have deep faith without deep doubt. It goes hand in glove. I’m convinced of that now,” Neeson said.

“The role (in ‘Silence’) had such an impact on me that even after the film wrapped up, I found myself digging deeper into science journals about how the brain processes faith and religion. The film also gave me greater appreciation of the faith I was taught as a child. My mother was a devout Catholic and I’m quite envious that there hasn’t been a single day she has missed Mass. “I question more now as I don’t accept all the things we were taught as kids. I do still believe, but I like to encompass all religions now. I believe we’re

Lin-Manuel Miranda predicts Oscars will be political

ust few days ahead of the 89th Academy Awards, actor-composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is nominated in the best original song category at the ceremony, says this year’s Oscars will be a political affair. Miranda, 37, has scored his first-ever Oscar nomination for his track “How Far I’ll Go” from the film “Moana” and the actor has already anticipated the atmosphere of the star-studded ceremony as he says “this year it would be just as political as your social-media feeds”, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s a political time, so I imagine the Oscars will look exactly like your Twitter or Facebook feed. Why should we ignore for three hours what we’re talking about 24 hours a day?” he wrote in a guest column of the publication. The Hamilton creator also wrote about his longtime love affair with the award show, offering a reasonable explanation for why he never wants to host Hollywood’s biggest night. “Hosting the Oscars is not a thing

I would ever want to do. You always have to do this dance as a host: You’re playing to a billion people at home, and you’re playing to anxious contestants in a room, and that’s an insanely hard thing to divide. It’s the most thankless task in the world. Calling Oscars “larger-than-life thing”, He further said watching the ceremony when he was a child was always a family thing. He still remembers watching the Academy Awards in 1990, rooting for “The Little Mermaid” to win best song and best score, the first time he “felt like I had a horse in the race.” (Indian Express)

George Clooney on becoming a father: We’re really happy and excited

ctor George Clooney, who is expecting twins with wife Amal, says he is really happy and excited about becoming a father for the first time. During an interview on ‘Rencontres de Cinema’ with Laurent Weil, Clooney, who was honoured at The Caesar Awards, could not stop smiling when asked about the news, reported E! Online. “We are really happy and really excited. It’s going to be an adventure. We’ve sort of embraced it all… with

arms wide open,” he said. The 55-year-old star also talked about how his “supportive” friends reacted when he told them the news. “It got really quiet. And they all just started making baby crying noises, and the whole table just busted up laughing,” Clooney added. Actor Matt Damon who broke the news about George Clooney and his wife Amal expecting twins has said that he is clueless about how George Clooney will cope with having twins, as the “sleepless nights” will be worse with two babies. During an appearance on “The Ellen Degeneres Show”, Damon, who is a longtime friend of Clooney, said, “(George) said to me, ‘Well, you have four.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, but not at once!’ We did it one at a time. I don’t know how anybody does twins. Those sleepless nights… and there’s two of them? here’s just no way. But we’ll see.” (Indian Express)

all paying homage to God. My experience filming ‘Silence’ has raised even more questions for me, but I feel it is a good thing when it comes to faith. But I have no answers really. ‘Silence’ is a tough sell. We’re not a spiritual society any more,” he added. Having said that, Neeson adds that a “new wave of cinema is tackling world issues and giving powerful political messages” right now. “Hollywood has had a lengthy history of producing films for the masses and the big shift in the last decade is now they’re making films for global markets. If you can’t cater to a global audience, your career span is shortened generally. Today, the nature of storytelling appeals to a worldwide audience, particularly when it comes to blockbuster films,” he said. He also says Hollywood is now churning out movies for global markets, keeping in mind the clamour on diversity on screen in Hollywood, with Oscar winning actors and actresses raising their voice against only whites being cast in films or being given more importance and limelight as compared to actors from other communities. The 64-year-old says that with international film markets blooming, “other voices want to be heard on the global entertainment platform”.(Indian Express)

Remembering Alan Rickman: The man who would always be Severus Snape, our hero

n 2016, millions of people from all around the world were left shaken as actor Alan Rickman breathed his last at the age of 69. For those who grew up reading and watching Harry Potter films, his death marked the end of an era. Alan Rickman was a theatre actor and all his later fame had arrived when he essayed the role of anti-hero, Professor Snape, in Harry Potter franchise. It was through Snape that we realised that our heroes don’t have to be perfect. Unlike other heroes, Professor Snape had moments of jealousy and also selfishness. Even now we debate among ourselves whether he was the real hero because, for Potterheads, it wasn’t Dumbledore or Harry Potter who remained the real heart of the story. It was Snape, who always bore the grim dark expression, but ultimately turned out to be the real driving force of love. Rickman was a perfect piece of casting for Snape that one could imagine. That is why his death jolted up a girl who grew up reading those books. When Snape gave up his life to protect Harry and the next generation of witches and wizards, much like Potter himself, we cried for misunderstanding the character all through the six books of Potter. Every time Harry was in trouble, it was Snape who was there to protect him.

When Quirrel had cast a spell on Harry Potter, it was Snape who secretly made sure Harry was safe, while the boy only misunderstood his presence. He was the only member of the Order Of The Phoenix who was finally able to protect Harry from the evil hands of Dolores Umbridge while Harry only thought of Sirius Black and the Weasleys as his protectors. It was Albus Dumbledore who perpetually reminded Harry never to disrespect him and it was only when we read the seventh book we started loving Snape more than Dumbledore. While we are sure during his career span as an actor, he has delivered other wonderful performances — Perfume, Sense And Sensibility, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Love Actually, A Little Chaos and Snow Cake to name a few, to some of us he will remain the brave Professor Severus Snape. Always. (Indian Express)

We’re a family and we’ll always be a family: Angelina Jolie on split with Brad Pitt

ollywood star couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt may have parted ways last year but the actress says that they will always be a family. The 41-year-old star opened up about her highly-publicised split from Pitt, 53, for the first time since filing for divorce in September 2016, reported People magazine. “I don’t want to say very much about that, except to say it was a very difficult time… And we are a family and we will always be a family, and we will get through this time and hopefully be a stronger family for it,” Jolie told BBC World News’ Yalda Hakim in Cambodia. The actress was in Cambodia to promote her new film “First They Killed My Father”. It is a project close to Jolie’s heart, as the actress adopted her first child, son Maddox, now 15, from a Cambodian orphanage in 2002. The mother-of-six fur-

ther said that she was coping by maintaining a focus on her children, Maddox, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8. “Many, many people find themselves in this situation. My whole, my family… We’ve all being through a difficult time. My focus is my children, our children… And my focus is finding this way through. “We are and forever will be a family. I am coping with finding a way through to make sure that this somehow makes us stronger and closer.” (Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Guyanese Floodlights optimistic about doing well at 2017 Florida Cup boxers dominate “Nuff Cuff”

By Ravi Madholall

resident of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) RamchandRagbeer has expressed strong optimism that both the GFSCA ‘A’ team and the GFSCA Legends will exceed expectations at the 2017 Florida Cup tournament which bowls off Friday. Ragbeer was speaking exclusively with Guyana Times International Sport on Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground Thomas Land where a large number of their players engaged in a final warm-up before jetting off to North America. In the organized warm up matches, Wellman XI emerged victorious beating Ariel XI by six runs in a thrilling encounter while Savage XI overwhelmed Arno XI by 15 runs for the thirdplace trophy. According to the GFSCA boss, the teams are very much upbeat of dominating proceedings from the commencement and he is backing the ‘A’ side to retain the championship in the Masters Division as well. He further stated that it was vitally important that some of the players were able to engage in practice matches and it certainly builds their confidence immensely to feature at the Mini Softball World Cup event. “I [am] very confident both the A and B (Legends) teams will do well in Florida from Friday; the guys have been preparing for the tournament over the past weeks and with these organized matches by the association today (Sunday) was a great opportunity for them to get themselves ready,” Ramchand declared.

Wellman team strikes a pose just after winning the final against Ariel XI

He mentioned that the A side is high in confidence alluding to the fact they were champion at their own Guyana Cup 6 last year and also the Florida Cup in 2016. Meanwhile, Wellman XI racked up a challenging 151-9 from the allotment of 20-overs after they were inserted by Ariel XI, who replied with 145 all out off 19.5 overs. Skipper Wayne Jones and NandramSamlall made 30 runs each while Eon Lovell chipped in with a steady 18. Erick Jeffrey snared two wickets for 23 runs from his allotted four overs. In Ariel XI’s chase, AfeezSamad struck a cameo 25 which counted three sixes and a four and 22 unbeaten from TaleshRamotar as Grey DeFranco claimed three wickets for 17 runs from four overs and Samall picked two for 15 off three overs to complemented a fine allround and man-of-the-match performance. In the third-place play-off match, Savage XI defeated Arno

XI by 11 runs. Savage XI scored a sufficient 145-2 from the allotted 15-overs while Arno XI left hanging at 131-8 when the overs expired. Former senior Berbice Intercounty batsman Anil Beharry led the way with an aggressive 61 laced with five sixes and three fours. He received solid support from skipper Troy Ramsaywack, who hit 53 also with five sixes and two fours. In Arno XI’s response, the veteran DhannyMohanram scored a combative 47 while 31 from AmarnauthBoodhoo. Ram Malone grabbed three wickets for 20 runs from three overs and Ramsaywack returned to collect two wickets conceding 17 runs off his three overs. At a simple presentation ceremony just after the final game, trophies were handed out to the winning, runners-up and thirdplace sides, compliments of Trophy Stall of Bourda Market while Samlall took home a hamper, thanks to Mike’s Pharmacy.

Petra/Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football

Semi-finalists decided A

fter four intense quarter-final matches at the Victoria Ground and the McKenzie Sports Club Ground on Sunday evening, the final four teams in the Petra OrganisedLimacol Round-round Knock-out Football Tournament have been decided. The victors of the closely competitive matches Western Tigers, Guyana Police Force FC, Winners Connection and Santos are the teams to progressing closer to championship glory. In the matches on East Coast of Demerara, the lawmen won 2-1 against Den Amstel via goals from Dwain Jacobs in the 5th and Quincy Holder in the 12th while Kester Jacobs scored in the 3rd for the losers. In the next match, a spirited Santos came from behind to defeat Mahaica Determinations 2-1, with Dominique Bobb netting in the 45+3

Police marksmen! Dwain Jacobs (left) and Quincy Holder

and followed by Orin Yard in the 77th. Ewart Abel scored in a losing cause in the 4th. Mahaica, clearly had the support of the crowd when Abel scored a brilliant header but the joy only lasted for the first half as Bobb produced a similar header to level the scores in injury time. The second half commenced at a fast pace as both teams went hard in an effort to take the lead

but neither capitalized on the multiple chances created. It was until Yard slotted home what proved to be the winning goal that the “home side” were completely silenced. Meanwhile, in the Mining town, defending champions Milerock went down to Western Tigers 1-0 via a goal from Joshua Britton in the 57 while and Eagles lost by and identical margin

to Winners Connection, with Rene Gibbons goal in the 62nd making the difference. The semi-finals will be played at Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground, Bourda this Friday with Winners Connection tackling Police from 19:00hrs followed by Santos against Western Tigers. The final is billed for Saturday March 4 at the same venue with the winner of the event winner of the event pocketing G$500,000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive G$300,000, G$200,000 and G$100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade. To date, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other companies that have thrown their support behind the championship.

uyanese boxers dominated proceedings from the opening bell on Sunday evening when the Guyana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) held its first major event of 2017 at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. “Nuff Cuff” as the event was called, featured boxers from neighbouring Suriname and the best of the best from local shores. In the feature event, Desmond “Dynamite” Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas were engaged in a tight tussle but Amsterdam emerged victorious after the judges ruled 2-1. In the first round, Amsterdam, who rep-

Colin Lewis

resents the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) gym, began with strong defence but started to exhilarate towards the end. The second round, Thomas rebounded well sending several punches and landing a few. However, what had transpired in the first two rounds setup an intriguing third and final encounter. Amsterdam started slowly in the deciding three minutes against the tired-looking Thomas as he received a large number of punches, especially towards the end and with the raucous crowd on their feet, Amsterdam finished off things in style having Thomas leaned on the ropes. In the other 14 fights, Guyanese made a mess of their Surinamese counterparts and almost replicated their performances when they travelled to the Dutch country last year. The four bouts saw, the powerful Jason Bakker defeated Fitzgerald King when the referee stopped the fight in the opening after the visitor floored on two occasions. Travis Subratte beat Marlon Leming with unanimous decision while Travis Husband also came out trium-

Desmond “Dynamite” Amsterdam after his bout with Dennis Thomas

phant against Stephon Van Ommeren when the contest was stopped in the second and penultimate round. Only Tony Lin (Surinamese) fought to the end showing good technique against Guyanese Shaquille Wright. Wright was declared winner on a unanimous decision. Other fighters chalked up victories were Travis Husband over Jamal Eastman while Colin Lewis got the better of Joel Williams. Richard Lanferman defeated Joshua Corbin all in the middleweight category. In the lightweight division, Junior Hyman defeated Issia Moore while Sean Graham beat SeshoaElcock. Meanwhile, Seon Bristol of BrisMac Promotions stated that he was delighted to pull off another successful event and promised to continue to have more of these international boxing cards. He was very thankful to the President of the GABF Steve Ninvalle, who he mentioned had worked tirelessly hard to have these talented boxers on show. Guyana Times International Sport also caught up with President of the Suriname Boxing Association Remie Burke who declared that the event was a great learning experience for his athletes and expressed profound gratitude to the Federation for their invitation. Even though all four of the boxers suffered defeats, he believes that the experience was invaluable and promised to participate when the federation hosts more events in the future. The night’s was also possible due to the support of several sponsors including AnsaMcAl, Windjammer Hotel, White Castle Fish Shop, Nigel Pile and Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

FIFA gives thumbs up to Guyana Football Federation T

he new leadership of the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has transformed the image and reputation of Guyana in the world of football governance, FIFA’s Director of Member Associations and Development for the Caribbean and Africa said in an interview at the end of a two-day visit to Guyana. And, in a sign of confidence in the progress the GFF has made since November 2015, FIFA Director VeronMosengoOmba said FIFA President Gianni Infantino was likely to also visit Guyana. “Since he (GFF President Wayne Forde) was elected, he gives a different image of the Guyana Football Association than in the past,” said MosengoOmba, who is responsible for overseeing the ad-

ministration and growth of football in the region. “I can say that the (FIFA) President, Gianni Infantino, I think, will soon visit Guyana,” MosengoOmba said. “We are confident in him (GFF President Forde) because of what he is doing now, when he started doing it – less than two years – this is giving us confidence. That is why I am here also, because we are convinced of that. I met his Executive (Committee) yesterday – all of them, they are working like one single person: this, for me, is the mark of confidence.” The GFF Executive Committee and administration is working to restore credibility and trust to football in Guyana through a programme of sustained football development and governance reform. This month, the GFF launched a nationwide

FIFA Director, Veron Mosengo-Omba (right) and GFF President Wayne Forde at the recent press conference hosted by the Guyana Football Federation at their headquarters

network of 13 GFFScotiabank Academy Training Centres, managed by nine fulltime GFF Technical Development Officers and 14 GFF Youth Development Coaches, in an effort to discover and

better develop more talented boys and girls from different regions. “I came to pay a courtesy visit to the GFF President and his Executive and to witness the good job that they start doing here,” he said.

Mosengo-Omba said he had been impressed with the popularity of football in Guyana, and that it could soon become the number one sport in the country. “Everywhere we are crossing the city of

Georgetown, even on the small pitch: people are playing football,” he said. “Even the roundabouts, they are playing football.” The success of the Stag Elite League and the GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 League, and the establishment of a GFF women’s football development league have all contributed to growing interest in the sport. The GFFScotiabank Academy Training Centres will also boost interest in the sport through weekly grassroots sessions for young boys and girls aged 5-11. “This is, for me, the impression I have to leave this country: that it is the country of football, and soon we will beat cricket,” Mosengo-Omba said. “Maybe it is already done, in terms of popularity, of course.” (GFF)

Stuart backs West Indies to come good against England

Devendra Bishoo By Ravi Madholall

ormer Guyana and West Indies fast bowler Colin Stuart has thrown his support behind the West Indies to come good against England in the three-match limited overs series which bowls off on March 3 in Antigua and Barbuda. According to Stuart, the side looks balance and talented and that has given him the confidence in the reigning t20 champs making an impression by winning the series. The English team is expected to be in the Caribbean already and will commence things with two limited-over warmup matches against a Vice-Chancellor X1 and West Indies Cricket Board X1 at Warner Park Stadium in St Kitts and Nevis.

“I [am] confident West Indies will do well against England once they play consistent cricket in both departments; the bowlers will have to deliver, while the batsmen must show great focus,” the 43-year-old Stuart, who had featured in six tests and five one days for the Regional side, commented. West Indies, who are currently ranked at number nine in the one-day version, should be an equal competitor alluding to the fact that England also has been low-down on the ranking table at number five. Stuart stated that would not be a demotivation for West Indies because he strongly feels West Indians always go out and give maximum effort especially when competing on home soil. “These are professional cricketers and they have the capability of doing well at the highest level; this is a good bunch of guys who should be highly enthusiastic to beat England,” the Guyana Cricket Board Territorial Developmental Officer related. Questioned on the pitches to favour either country, Stuart reckoned Barbados pitch is characteristically fast and bouncy and that should be interesting because the quickies

Holder. Holder only recently captained his country to the Regional Super50 title. On Monday, two days after the completion of the Super50 tournament, West Indies selectors had released a 15-member

Former Guyana and West Indies fast bowler Colin Stuart

will want to utilise the nature of it. Stuart also thinks that the Sir Vivian Richard Stadium in Antigua is arguably fast too and with the fixture having two matches, it is suffice to say that both teams are likely to perform well. “Both teams will want to exploit on these pitches but our team has the home advantage, I think we can be very dangerous by getting big totals or restricting oppositions very cheaply; but as I said our guys have got to be determined and have patience and application,” Stuart explained during the exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport. As expected, the side will be led by fast-bowler and Barbadian Jason

squad to begin encampment while they (selectors) have also named the President’s X1 side. Meanwhile, leg-spinner DevendraBishoo is lone Guyanese in the team to play in the three one-day internationals, while fast-

bowler Ronsford Beaton and all-round Raymond Reifer have been selected to represent the President X1. The first practice match is slated to for Friday and the final one on Sunday.

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WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

GABBFF President says huge debt will not demotivate new administration

Guyana’s Ramdhani makes another impressive showing in Vancouver

By RomarioSamaroo

mmediately after assuming office on Saturday, newly elected president of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF), Coel Marks has announced that he and his team will not be demotivated from the task at hand because of the Federation’s debt. Marks won the presidency of the GABBFF as the Federation held their Annual General Meeting at Olympic House, High Street, Kingston where he defeated former president Keavon Bess 17-13. In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport., the GABBFF boss confirmed that “the federation is broke, in debt, but that is not a deterrent to us.” He highlighted that his body “undertook the task knowing fully well that this is not a rich man’s sport so we are well prepared to put our shoulders to the wheel and grind to acquire funds and to promote the sport.” The 30 year old businessman acknowledged that it will not be easy but, according to Marks, the Federation is try-

GABBFF President, Coel Marks

ing to create a nexus between the business community and the bodybuilding Federation all year round not only in sponsorships but various fund raising activities. Looking at the new faces elected into office, the President of the Federation informed this publication that there is a very good understanding of money; therefore it will be a plus for the body to increase funding. “Starting off the bat what we have is strong economic ties so far with our vice-president, Sean Satrohan who has very good ties with the business community, we have a very strong treasurer who is a trained economist so he understands money, how to generate

it, how it moves, how it operates, so right off the bat we have a firm economic standing,” Marks said. Also, the General Secretary of the Federation, Lisa Ahmad is a ABE lecturer at the Nations University. Moreover, Marks was inclined to say that the entire group of new executives are all self-motivated to perform well in their post even though most are first time office bearers. With each of them bringing a different skill set, the GABBFF president mentioned that it is now possible for the federation to merge the different skills set and make the sport more formidable in the country.’

Developmental works begin for HOCKEY Pan Am 2020

Narayna Ramdhani (left) and his Men’s Doubles partner Zach Lu-Ming Fan

a r a y a n Ramdhani, local champion of Badminton has made another impressive showing in Vancouver, Canada where he is on scholarship. Ramdhani played the two-day event at the Badminton BC, Port Coquitlam during February 18-19. The 18 year old star dominated the day’s games in the Shuttlesport Badminton Academy’s Senior Open/ Under 23 championships where he won first place in the Under-23 Mixeddoubles. Ramdhani also earned himself two third

place finishes in the Open Men’s singles and Under-23 Men’s Doubles. In the Under-23 mixed doubles, Ramdhani, who is seeded number one, teamed up with Christina Jieun Woo as the pair defeated William Poon and Helen Cheung, 21-14 and 2116 in the semi-finals before moving on to defeat Hayden Wai-Hon shiu and Yaqun (Jessy) Zheng 21-15, 14-21 and 21-10 in the finals to seal the victory. Also, in the Open Men’s Singles, the 18 year old star disposed of Junpeng (James) Qui 21-16 and 21-10 in the

quarter finals but unfortunately surrendered a nail biting game in the semi-finals 21-16, 13-21 and 21-19 to Laurence Kao. Meanwhile, in the Under-23 Men’s Doubles, the Number two seeded player shared the same faith as in the Open Men’s Singles as he joined forces with Zach Lu-Ming Fan to secure a victory over Nester Yang Ning Lin and David Luo 21-16, 17-21 and 21-17 in the quarter finals. However, in the Senifinals the pair lost to Nabil Russell Bennett and LennartNotni 21-12 and 21-9.

Barbados Gov’t eying Kensington Oval

Action last weekend at the St Stanislaus College Ground

n light of Guyana’s participation in the Pan American (Pan Am) Junior Championship games in the discipline of Hockey last year, the sport’s governing body, the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), has embarked on early preparations ahead of the Pan Am Games 2020. Like the Olympics, the Pan Am Games are hosted every four years, but this is not an excuse for the local hockey fraternity to commence training and the group took to the St Stanislaus College Ground, Carifesta Avenue, for a one-day outdoor tournament over the weekend. According to one of the coaches in the tournament, Robert Fernandes, this tournament is one of the early training grounds for new talent. Fernandes said “This is the start of the outdoor hockey season and what we did is start with some developmental leagues.” The tournament is played under

two divisions, with both having male and female at the under-18 level. It is particularly important that it is the first time in the history of the sport that there is a second-division female category, as Fernandes stated that “the intention of this tournament is to use these leagues to develop the players, the younger payers and the ones that are new to the game,” with the latter half of the season mainly focusing on the first-division season. Playing this past weekend, a lot of the players were newcomers to the sport and the coach noted that, “We are hoping from this we could spot some of the talented individuals and bring them into the national junior program to develop them for 2020.” However, the tournament is not the only competition amidst the hockey realm, but rather the GHB is currently hosting an under-14 tournament in schools aimed at developing talent for 2024.

he Barbados Government may soon compulsorily acquire Kensington Oval, known as the Mecca of West Indies cricket. The cash-strapped Freundel Stuart administration is reported to be interested in boosting its revenues through the full use of the Oval as a

money-spinning multievent facility beyond cricket. Discussions on the new plan are said to be in the “early stages”. Preliminary meetings were held in the past week between representatives of the three key Government ministries of Sport; Housing and Lands; and Finance

and Economic Affairs on the acquisition of the 12.5-acre property with a view to curtailing its 103-year ownership by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and its forerunner, the Barbados Cricket Committee.(Barbados Nation)

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2017| guyanatimeSinternational.com