Getting meals, “checkmate” and a “hydroclave”
March 23, 2012 By
Clement and a certain senior law enforcement officer, trading words. It start when de “mukracker” mek big sensational story (as usual) about “ranks” not getting money fuh meals during de last elections. De story come out months after de results was announced.
Guyana open Hong Kong Sevens campaign against Portugal
March 23, 2012 By
Guyana’s national Sevens rugby team will open their Hong Kong campaign against Portugal on Friday, March 23. The team arrived in Hong Kong on Monday after they concluded a five-day training camp in Los Angeles and at the USA Olympic Centre in Chula Vista where the team scrimmaged with Rugby USA.
Reports from Team Manager, Mike Mc Cormack, indicated that the team is fully fit, except for Christopher Singh who is recovering from a groin injury.
Ryan Gonsalves
Ryan Gonsalves
Mc Cormack in a release from the association stated that the team is in high spirits and is eagerly looking forward to playing in the world’s premier sevens tournament.
Guyana are in Pool F in the first round of the tournament with Portugal, Russia and Japan. Guyana will have to place second in the Pool to go forward into the qualifying round of the tournament.
The first three teams in the final round will qualify as a core team to join the 12 core teams in the Sevens World Series played around the world. Guyana will play their second game against Russia on Saturday before playing their final pool game against Japan also on the same day.
The team is led by half back Ryan Gonsalves and it includes Walter George, Rupert Giles, Richard Staglon (vice-captain), Vallon Adams, Theodore Henry, Christopher Singh, Claudius Butts, Kevin McKenzie, Rickford Cummings, Ronald Mayers and Elwin Chase. The tournament will be featured on television around the world. The US NBC Network will broadcast coverage of the tournament.
Guyana’s national Sevens rugby team will open their Hong Kong campaign against Portugal on Friday, March 23. The team arrived in Hong Kong on Monday after they concluded a five-day training camp in Los Angeles and at the USA Olympic Centre in Chula Vista where the team scrimmaged with Rugby USA. Reports from Team Manager, Mike Mc Cormack, indicated that the team is fully fit, except for Christopher Singh who is recovering from a groin injury. Mc Cormack in a release from the association stated that the team is in high spirits and is eagerly looking forward to playing in the world’s premier sevens tournament. Guyana are in Pool F in the first round of the tournament with Portugal, Russia and Japan. Guyana will have to place second in the Pool to go forward into the qualifying round of the tournament.The first three teams in the final round will qualify as a core team to join the 12 core teams in the Sevens World Series played around the world. Guyana will play their second game against Russia on Saturday before playing their final pool game against Japan also on the same day. The team is led by half back Ryan Gonsalves and it includes Walter George, Rupert Giles, Richard Staglon (vice-captain), Vallon Adams, Theodore Henry, Christopher Singh, Claudius Butts, Kevin McKenzie, Rickford Cummings, Ronald Mayers and Elwin Chase. The tournament will be featured on television around the world. The US NBC Network will broadcast coverage of the tournament.
‘I am more mentally focused’- Fudadin
March 23, 2012 By
By Avenash Ramzan
Ever since arriving on the scene as an effervescent all-rounder at the Under-15 level in the late 90s, Assad Badyr Fudadin, has been earmarked as one for the future.
And so the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) interest in his development was exemplified when he was drafted in for the Cross Cutter Under-15 World Cup team in 2000, and four years later, in the West Indies Under-19 World Cup squad. That same year he would graduate to the Regional First-Class level, making his debut for the West Indies ‘B’ team against Kenya on January 9.
However, inconsistency plagued the early part of his career, and he was subjected to a chequered one up until the 2009-2010 season when he was Guyana’s leading run scorer in the WICB Regional Four-Day tournament. That effort earned him a spot on the West Indies ‘A’ side which toured England in 2010, besides fetching him a developmental contract from the board.
But while all those achievements would have been welcomed by the Rose Hall Town left-hander, the joy of scoring a First-Class hundred kept eluding the 26-year- old, who is enjoying, by quite a distance, his best year in Regional Four-Day cricket this year.
After six games, the elegant middle-order batsman has chalked up 538 runs and sits only behind Narsingh Deonarine, who is the tournament’s leading run scorer with 547, inclusive of six fifties. Critically among those runs is not just one, but two hundreds that have driven Guyana to the runner-up spot behind four-time defending champions Jamaica on the points table.
For good measure, three fifties complement those pair of centuries. After half-centuries in the first two games against the Leeward and Windward Islands, the maiden hundred, an unbeaten 102, came against the Combined Campuses and Colleges- a match Guyana won by four wickets.
“It was very emotional getting that first hundred,” Fudadin related to this publication via telephone yesterday from his home. “Those who know me, my family and so on, know how much this means to me. It was something that I was looking for a long time now.”
Scores of 39 and 47 against Jamaica; 62 against Barbados, and 24 against Trinidad and Tobago followed, before the second hundred (108) dug the Guyanese out of a hole after they surrendered first innings points to the twin-islanders and were in a precarious position on the final day.
But what has Fudadin done differently this year to break the jinx? “I am more mentally focused now; I have more belief in myself. I’ve worked very hard on my game, especially on the mental aspect, and while I’m happy to score those centuries, I personally think I would have done better. I threw my hand [give wicket away] a few times after getting some good starts,” he related.
In giving an assessment of the tournament, Fudadin said that the bowling of all the teams have been a revelation this year. “All the teams have very good bowling attacks, so you have to dig in real hard to score runs. It wasn’t easy batting for anyone, so as a batsman you had to lift your game.”
The Guyanese have drawn the bye for the next round of the competition, but Fudadin feels that the South Americans have a great chance of winning the competition once they get past semi-final stage, should they qualify.
“Obviously, we have been playing very good cricket. The guys are confident of winning, but like I said, we’re taking it one game at a time. I think once we win the semi-finals, we have a very good chance of lifting the title,” he declared.
Fudadin added that the experience of Test batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan has been a great motivator for Guyana in the seven-team competition. “Yes, their experience and knowledge has been a great boost to the team; they also bring a positive attitude to the camp,” he concluded.
With a break in the competition this weekend, Fudadin will seek to refuel his energies and watch with much anticipation this weekend’s games, which will determine the final three teams to qualify for the semis. The Jamaicans, four-time defending champions, are the only team assured of a semi-final berth after winning all five of their games to date and have an unassailable 60 points. Guyana (39 points), Barbados (36), Trinidad and Tobago (34) and the Windward Islands (28) are the four contenders for the three remaining semi-final spots. An outright win is twelve (12) points.
By Avenash Ramzan
Ever since arriving on the scene as an effervescent all-rounder at the Under-15 level in the late 90s, Assad Badyr Fudadin, has been earmarked as one for the future. And so the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) interest in his development was exemplified when he was drafted in for the Cross Cutter Under-15 World Cup team in 2000, and four years later, in the West Indies Under-19 World Cup squad. That same year he would graduate to the Regional First-Class level, making his debut for the West Indies ‘B’ team against Kenya on January 9. However, inconsistency plagued the early part of his career, and he was subjected to a chequered one up until the 2009-2010 season when he was Guyana’s leading run scorer in the WICB Regional Four-Day tournament. That effort earned him a spot on the West Indies ‘A’ side which toured England in 2010, besides fetching him a developmental contract from the board. But while all those achievements would have been welcomed by the Rose Hall Town left-hander, the joy of scoring a First-Class hundred kept eluding the 26-year- old, who is enjoying, by quite a distance, his best year in Regional Four-Day cricket this year. After six games, the elegant middle-order batsman has chalked up 538 runs and sits only behind Narsingh Deonarine, who is the tournament’s leading run scorer with 547, inclusive of six fifties. Critically among those runs is not just one, but two hundreds that have driven Guyana to the runner-up spot behind four-time defending champions Jamaica on the points table. For good measure, three fifties complement those pair of centuries. After half-centuries in the first two games against the Leeward and Windward Islands, the maiden hundred, an unbeaten 102, came against the Combined Campuses and Colleges- a match Guyana won by four wickets. “It was very emotional getting that first hundred,” Fudadin related to this publication via telephone yesterday from his home. “Those who know me, my family and so on, know how much this means to me. It was something that I was looking for a long time now.” Scores of 39 and 47 against Jamaica; 62 against Barbados, and 24 against Trinidad and Tobago followed, before the second hundred (108) dug the Guyanese out of a hole after they surrendered first innings points to the twin-islanders and were in a precarious position on the final day. But what has Fudadin done differently this year to break the jinx? “I am more mentally focused now; I have more belief in myself. I’ve worked very hard on my game, especially on the mental aspect, and while I’m happy to score those centuries, I personally think I would have done better. I threw my hand [give wicket away] a few times after getting some good starts,” he related. In giving an assessment of the tournament, Fudadin said that the bowling of all the teams have been a revelation this year. “All the teams have very good bowling attacks, so you have to dig in real hard to score runs. It wasn’t easy batting for anyone, so as a batsman you had to lift your game.” The Guyanese have drawn the bye for the next round of the competition, but Fudadin feels that the South Americans have a great chance of winning the competition once they get past semi-final stage, should they qualify.“Obviously, we have been playing very good cricket. The guys are confident of winning, but like I said, we’re taking it one game at a time. I think once we win the semi-finals, we have a very good chance of lifting the title,” he declared. Fudadin added that the experience of Test batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan has been a great motivator for Guyana in the seven-team competition. “Yes, their experience and knowledge has been a great boost to the team; they also bring a positive attitude to the camp,” he concluded. With a break in the competition this weekend, Fudadin will seek to refuel his energies and watch with much anticipation this weekend’s games, which will determine the final three teams to qualify for the semis. The Jamaicans, four-time defending champions, are the only team assured of a semi-final berth after winning all five of their games to date and have an unassailable 60 points. Guyana (39 points), Barbados (36), Trinidad and Tobago (34) and the Windward Islands (28) are the four contenders for the three remaining semi-final spots. An outright win is twelve (12) points.
Hikers win to surge to pole position
March 23, 2012 By
Hikers surged to the top of the points table of the John Fernandes Insurance Services Limited Second Division Hockey League with a compelling 4-0 victory over the Airbenders on Tuesday.
Aroydy Branford preparing to take a penalty corner strike against the Airbenders
Aroydy Branford preparing to take a penalty corner strike against the Airbenders
In typical fashion, the Airbenders started the game on even keel with the league leaders, stringing together constructive build-ups, but failed to execute in the final quarter of the field. The Hikers’ typical style of fast-paced counter-attack excited the crowd with several near-misses before young Aroydy Branford put his team ahead with a clinical finish in the 26th minute.
The powerful Randy Hope, who rattled the top bar in an earlier attempt, would give his team a 2-0 lead just before the half with a potent strike.
The Airbenders pressed for a goal with more constructive attacking play through Maria Munroe and Trisha Woodroffe in the second half and created several chances of their own. They always appeared vulnerable to the counter-attack however as the speed of the young Hikers was difficult for the ladies to match.
Aroydy Branford who was already the tournament’s leading goal scorer secured his position with two more goals to his name in the 46th and 49th minute off counterattacks. With this 4-0 victory, the Hikers have launched themselves into the leading position of the tournament with nine points and are followed by the All Greys on six, GCC and Old Fort tied with three each, while Saints and the Airbenders are yet to secure points. Matches will continue on March 26 at the GCC ground with the hosts taking on the Airbenders.
Hikers surged to the top of the points table of the John Fernandes Insurance Services Limited Second Division Hockey League with a compelling 4-0 victory over the Airbenders on Tuesday.In typical fashion, the Airbenders started the game on even keel with the league leaders, stringing together constructive build-ups, but failed to execute in the final quarter of the field. The Hikers’ typical style of fast-paced counter-attack excited the crowd with several near-misses before young Aroydy Branford put his team ahead with a clinical finish in the 26th minute.The powerful Randy Hope, who rattled the top bar in an earlier attempt, would give his team a 2-0 lead just before the half with a potent strike. The Airbenders pressed for a goal with more constructive attacking play through Maria Munroe and Trisha Woodroffe in the second half and created several chances of their own. They always appeared vulnerable to the counter-attack however as the speed of the young Hikers was difficult for the ladies to match. Aroydy Branford who was already the tournament’s leading goal scorer secured his position with two more goals to his name in the 46th and 49th minute off counterattacks. With this 4-0 victory, the Hikers have launched themselves into the leading position of the tournament with nine points and are followed by the All Greys on six, GCC and Old Fort tied with three each, while Saints and the Airbenders are yet to secure points. Matches will continue on March 26 at the GCC ground with the hosts taking on the Airbenders.
Rugby champion Grace Jarvis
March 23, 2012 By
By Venessa Deosaran
Hard tackling, strategic footwork and upper-body strength are just a few features describing acclaimed Yamaha Caribs rugby champion MVP Grace Jarvis. The epitome of determination and perseverance, she has gracefully yet aggressively proven she has what it takes to be a champion.
Grace Jarvis
Grace Jarvis
However, Grace’s introduction to rugby came as a surprise even to her, as she never viewed herself as a competitive woman.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Grace revealed that she hails from the north-west region village of Moruca where she was schooled, and spent most of her years there growing up with her family.
An opportunity beckons
But Grace wanted something more than a simple village life. The opportunity came when Grace’s eldest sister encouraged her to move to the capital city with the aim of developing herself financially.
“I didn’t know how to reach to town. All my life what I knew was about where I grew up. My sister advised me to save my money and learn how to get to Georgetown. In 1992, I arrived in Georgetown and I was faced with the challenge of getting around. Everything for me was totally different. But I was determined to make it work. I found a one bedroom apartment and started working. All this happening when I was about 16 years old,” Grace recalled.
In the hustle of city life, Grace worked many late nights to make ends meet. As time went by she met with many difficulties, and became pregnant at the age of 18. With no one to help her, Grace pressed on.
“I didn’t lose hope. My father offered to take me back to my hometown but I refused.
“When I got my son I was determined to make a good life for us and so with him in the daycare, I would work very hard. Later, I got my second son with someone who I had a long term relationship – but that didn’t work out. Now I was once again a single parent. But I didn’t lose hope,” she revealed.
Introduction to the game
Grace turned to working out and jogging in the National Park as a way to relieve her stress. She would bundle up her children and head to the park. After her children, Grace said she had gained weight and did not want to be unfit. So she spent her afternoons after work in the park jogging.
Grace (right) with other Caribbean rugby athletes in Cayman Islands 2011
While at the park she observed a team of men playing a game that seemed at the time very intriguing but yet confusing to understand.
“I was saying to myself that it looked like a really rough game. Then one day while resting in the park, a guy approached me and asked if I was interested in the game of rugby. I refused saying it was too rough. He described the game to me and I agreed to give it a try.
“He told me to hold the ball and squat then throw the ball. He inquired if I was ever involved in sports before to which I said no. He was really impressed in the way I handled the ball and this encouraged me to play competitively. In 2005, I played my first competitive rugby game,”
Overcoming setbacks
Victories poured in, but in 2007, while playing rugby, she broke her right leg and was deemed unfit to play for an entire year. Grace did not give up hope. Her determination kicked in and she just could not retire to a bench.
“My coach told me the rugby group was going to Trinidad and if I could get the money I could go with them. Although my leg was not fully healed, I got my money and went with them. I was so eager to get on the field when I saw them playing. Then I saw how the opposition team played and I was very annoyed – they were taking advantage of my team. I asked my coach to go on the field to play. He asked if I was fit to do so and I said yes. My bones itched to go on the field. I went out and did my best and although we didn’t win, we performed very well and was praised for our competitiveness,” the athlete said.
The Yamaha Caribs player said she received comments that she was slow and could not last as a rugby player, but she was resolute in proving them wrong.
“A 7-a-side team is a fast one and many said I could not put one together because I’m slow. In 2009, I made a pact with myself that I will prove these people wrong and bring home the winning trophy – and so said, so done. In Bahamas we won the game. In 2010, we went to Mexico and won there too, and won in Guyana also.
“Last year, I was one of three women to play in the 15-aside team in the Caribbean Selects, which was big for me. Just after that I played in the Cayman Islands and was named an MVP champion,” she said proudly.
Grace’s strategies include focusing on upper body strength, so she sticks to a strict exercise and diet routine. She has started lessons in martial arts, which she wants to venture into competitively.
Motherhood
As a single parent, Grace never neglects her children when it comes to being a mother and mentor. She describes herself as a “professional athletic mother.” She ensures school work is done on time and she spends quality time with them. Her sons, now 16 and 9, are very competitive as well. Grace has enrolled them in swimming classes, which, she said, will help build and boost their physical vigour.
“They love swimming. I see a lot of myself in them when it comes to being a determined athlete. Sometimes my coaching persona would step in and my children would complain that I’m too hard on them. I would tell them that I have to be sometimes because I play the role of mommy and daddy, said the devoted mother.
For those who want to get into rugby, Grace encourages that they first learn the rules and ask questions. Grace completed her coaching programme as something to do when she retires from her game.
“Taking into consideration aging and not being physically fit to keep playing, I completed the programme, and now it’s only time for me to put it into practice. There are youths who are interested in rugby and I would willingly work with them if I’m asked.
“Last year, I coached some girls who wanted to play the sport, at first, some of them almost cried because they complained it was rough and difficult. I offered words of encouragement and took them through the rugby basics, teaching both physical and mental skills, and they won the tournament for that day. Just goes to show determination is vital to be a winner,” Grace pointed out.
Promoting the game
Grace is suggesting more sponsorship is needed to take the women rugby teams to other countries and represent their country. The champion said prior to becoming an athlete she would always doubt her strength in fulfilling her goals, but then she developed the willpower to push herself and take up challenges, which has made her a better individual and mother.
“Never give up hope, rather take up challenges, push yourself; I encourage women to join a gym and get fit and eat healthy. It helps mentally and physically, and develops your self-esteem.” (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
By Venessa Deosaran
Hard tackling, strategic footwork and upper-body strength are just a few features describing acclaimed Yamaha Caribs rugby champion MVP Grace Jarvis. The epitome of determination and perseverance, she has gracefully yet aggressively proven she has what it takes to be a champion.However, Grace’s introduction to rugby came as a surprise even to her, as she never viewed herself as a competitive woman.In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Grace revealed that she hails from the north-west region village of Moruca where she was schooled, and spent most of her years there growing up with her family.An opportunity beckons But Grace wanted something more than a simple village life. The opportunity came when Grace’s eldest sister encouraged her to move to the capital city with the aim of developing herself financially.“I didn’t know how to reach to town. All my life what I knew was about where I grew up. My sister advised me to save my money and learn how to get to Georgetown. In 1992, I arrived in Georgetown and I was faced with the challenge of getting around. Everything for me was totally different. But I was determined to make it work. I found a one bedroom apartment and started working. All this happening when I was about 16 years old,” Grace recalled.In the hustle of city life, Grace worked many late nights to make ends meet. As time went by she met with many difficulties, and became pregnant at the age of 18. With no one to help her, Grace pressed on.“I didn’t lose hope. My father offered to take me back to my hometown but I refused.“When I got my son I was determined to make a good life for us and so with him in the daycare, I would work very hard. Later, I got my second son with someone who I had a long term relationship – but that didn’t work out. Now I was once again a single parent. But I didn’t lose hope,” she revealed.Introduction to the game Grace turned to working out and jogging in the National Park as a way to relieve her stress. She would bundle up her children and head to the park. After her children, Grace said she had gained weight and did not want to be unfit. So she spent her afternoons after work in the park jogging.While at the park she observed a team of men playing a game that seemed at the time very intriguing but yet confusing to understand.“I was saying to myself that it looked like a really rough game. Then one day while resting in the park, a guy approached me and asked if I was interested in the game of rugby. I refused saying it was too rough. He described the game to me and I agreed to give it a try.“He told me to hold the ball and squat then throw the ball. He inquired if I was ever involved in sports before to which I said no. He was really impressed in the way I handled the ball and this encouraged me to play competitively. In 2005, I played my first competitive rugby game,” Overcoming setbacks Victories poured in, but in 2007, while playing rugby, she broke her right leg and was deemed unfit to play for an entire year. Grace did not give up hope. Her determination kicked in and she just could not retire to a bench.“My coach told me the rugby group was going to Trinidad and if I could get the money I could go with them. Although my leg was not fully healed, I got my money and went with them. I was so eager to get on the field when I saw them playing. Then I saw how the opposition team played and I was very annoyed – they were taking advantage of my team. I asked my coach to go on the field to play. He asked if I was fit to do so and I said yes. My bones itched to go on the field. I went out and did my best and although we didn’t win, we performed very well and was praised for our competitiveness,” the athlete said.The Yamaha Caribs player said she received comments that she was slow and could not last as a rugby player, but she was resolute in proving them wrong.“A 7-a-side team is a fast one and many said I could not put one together because I’m slow. In 2009, I made a pact with myself that I will prove these people wrong and bring home the winning trophy – and so said, so done. In Bahamas we won the game. In 2010, we went to Mexico and won there too, and won in Guyana also.“Last year, I was one of three women to play in the 15-aside team in the Caribbean Selects, which was big for me. Just after that I played in the Cayman Islands and was named an MVP champion,” she said proudly.Grace’s strategies include focusing on upper body strength, so she sticks to a strict exercise and diet routine. She has started lessons in martial arts, which she wants to venture into competitively.Motherhood As a single parent, Grace never neglects her children when it comes to being a mother and mentor. She describes herself as a “professional athletic mother.” She ensures school work is done on time and she spends quality time with them. Her sons, now 16 and 9, are very competitive as well. Grace has enrolled them in swimming classes, which, she said, will help build and boost their physical vigour.“They love swimming. I see a lot of myself in them when it comes to being a determined athlete. Sometimes my coaching persona would step in and my children would complain that I’m too hard on them. I would tell them that I have to be sometimes because I play the role of mommy and daddy, said the devoted mother.For those who want to get into rugby, Grace encourages that they first learn the rules and ask questions. Grace completed her coaching programme as something to do when she retires from her game.“Taking into consideration aging and not being physically fit to keep playing, I completed the programme, and now it’s only time for me to put it into practice. There are youths who are interested in rugby and I would willingly work with them if I’m asked.“Last year, I coached some girls who wanted to play the sport, at first, some of them almost cried because they complained it was rough and difficult. I offered words of encouragement and took them through the rugby basics, teaching both physical and mental skills, and they won the tournament for that day. Just goes to show determination is vital to be a winner,” Grace pointed out.Promoting the game Grace is suggesting more sponsorship is needed to take the women rugby teams to other countries and represent their country. The champion said prior to becoming an athlete she would always doubt her strength in fulfilling her goals, but then she developed the willpower to push herself and take up challenges, which has made her a better individual and mother.“Never give up hope, rather take up challenges, push yourself; I encourage women to join a gym and get fit and eat healthy. It helps mentally and physically, and develops your self-esteem.” (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
How the streets of Georgetown got their names
March 23, 2012 By
On May 5, 1812, when Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara were united under the British, the town, named Stabroek under Dutch rule, was renamed Georgetown in honour of English monarch George IV.
Constructed from the quagmire of the low coastline that threatened or brought regular flooding, the city landscape would be built to become what was then considered, according to historian James Rodway’s “Handbook of British Guiana”, the “handsomest city in the West Indies”.
Georgetown’s wards and streets were usually given names in honour of historic persons of the time as well as names of geographic areas in the country. Most often, wards were named after its owners, who were usually plantation owners.
Cummingsburg
Cummingsburg, a ward of the city once known as Plantation La Bourgade Cummingsburg, was named after its owner Thomas Cumming, a Scotsman. The ward contains streets also named after historic figures.
Waterloo Street was named after Admiral Wellington’s great battle and victory at Waterloo against the French forces on June 18, 1815, and Carmichael Street was named in honour of General Hugh Lyle Carmichael who served as governor of the colony from 1812 – 1813.
The reservoir in Main Street was filled up and converted into a walkway in 1897, and named the Queen Victoria Promenade by the Mayor and Town Council in honour of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee (this area is now known as Main Street Avenue).
Thomas Street derived its name from its location as the main road to Plantation Thomas, while East Street received its name because of its easterly location in the ward.
Cummings Street was formerly known as the back dam (Cummingsburg Backdam) of Plantation La Bourgade.
Middle Street derives its name from being the middle dam of Plantation La Bourgade. New Market Street received its name as it led to the new market; and Church Street as it was the primary route used by citizens for access to St Georges Church.
This naming system remains today: Quamina Street (formerly Murray Street, named in honour of Major General John Murray) was renamed in honour of a slave who has become one of Guyana’s national heroes.
Kingston
When the British captured the colony, the estate of Eve Leary, a widow who had inherited it from her late husband Cornelius Leary, became a garrison for British soldiers.
The names of streets such as Parade Street, Barrack Street and Fort Street reflect this military heritage, while Duke Street was so named in honour of one of the royal dukes, son of King George II. Some claim that Kingston was named in honour of Lieutenant Robert Kingston who constructed Fort St. George, and others claim it was named after King George.
Robbstown
Robbstown was uniquely named, not after its owner, who was Joseph Bourda, but its designer, John Robb, who arranged the building lots and landscape.
Robb Street is named after John Robb and Hinks Street is named after former governor (1862-1868) Sir Francis Hinks, who was also finance minister to Canada.
Queenstown
This ward of Georgetown was named after Queen Victoria and was purchased in 1887 by the town council from a planter named Quintin Hogg, to protect the city from unsanitary pigpens and prevent the erection of poorly constructed buildings by its proprietor.
In the jubilee year of Queen Victoria, the town council proposed that the streets be named after the Queens children. But this decision was not favourably received by the inhabitants of the ward.
Subsequently, Laluni and Anira Streets were named after tributaries of the Lama River, also a tributary of the Mahaica River. Peter Rose Street bears the name of a former member of the Court of Policy. Forshaw Street was named after former city mayor George Anderson Forshaw.
Almond Street was named after an almond tree, and Crown Street was named in honour of the crown. (National Trust of Guyana)
On May 5, 1812, when Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara were united under the British, the town, named Stabroek under Dutch rule, was renamed Georgetown in honour of English monarch George IV. Constructed from the quagmire of the low coastline that threatened or brought regular flooding, the city landscape would be built to become what was then considered, according to historian James Rodway’s “Handbook of British Guiana”, the “handsomest city in the West Indies”. Georgetown’s wards and streets were usually given names in honour of historic persons of the time as well as names of geographic areas in the country. Most often, wards were named after its owners, who were usually plantation owners.
CummingsburgCummingsburg, a ward of the city once known as Plantation La Bourgade Cummingsburg, was named after its owner Thomas Cumming, a Scotsman. The ward contains streets also named after historic figures.Waterloo Street was named after Admiral Wellington’s great battle and victory at Waterloo against the French forces on June 18, 1815, and Carmichael Street was named in honour of General Hugh Lyle Carmichael who served as governor of the colony from 1812 – 1813.The reservoir in Main Street was filled up and converted into a walkway in 1897, and named the Queen Victoria Promenade by the Mayor and Town Council in honour of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee (this area is now known as Main Street Avenue).Thomas Street derived its name from its location as the main road to Plantation Thomas, while East Street received its name because of its easterly location in the ward.Cummings Street was formerly known as the back dam (Cummingsburg Backdam) of Plantation La Bourgade.Middle Street derives its name from being the middle dam of Plantation La Bourgade. New Market Street received its name as it led to the new market; and Church Street as it was the primary route used by citizens for access to St Georges Church.This naming system remains today: Quamina Street (formerly Murray Street, named in honour of Major General John Murray) was renamed in honour of a slave who has become one of Guyana’s national heroes.
Kingston When the British captured the colony, the estate of Eve Leary, a widow who had inherited it from her late husband Cornelius Leary, became a garrison for British soldiers.The names of streets such as Parade Street, Barrack Street and Fort Street reflect this military heritage, while Duke Street was so named in honour of one of the royal dukes, son of King George II. Some claim that Kingston was named in honour of Lieutenant Robert Kingston who constructed Fort St. George, and others claim it was named after King George.
Robbstown Robbstown was uniquely named, not after its owner, who was Joseph Bourda, but its designer, John Robb, who arranged the building lots and landscape.Robb Street is named after John Robb and Hinks Street is named after former governor (1862-1868) Sir Francis Hinks, who was also finance minister to Canada.
Queenstown This ward of Georgetown was named after Queen Victoria and was purchased in 1887 by the town council from a planter named Quintin Hogg, to protect the city from unsanitary pigpens and prevent the erection of poorly constructed buildings by its proprietor.In the jubilee year of Queen Victoria, the town council proposed that the streets be named after the Queens children. But this decision was not favourably received by the inhabitants of the ward.Subsequently, Laluni and Anira Streets were named after tributaries of the Lama River, also a tributary of the Mahaica River. Peter Rose Street bears the name of a former member of the Court of Policy. Forshaw Street was named after former city mayor George Anderson Forshaw.Almond Street was named after an almond tree, and Crown Street was named in honour of the crown. (National Trust of Guyana)
A quest to keep steel pan music alive
March 23, 2012 By
By Venessa Deosaran
The sweet sounds of the Parkside Steel Orchestra Band resonate at every event they perform, and as they seduce their listeners with their artistry in steel pan, they are focused not only to entertain but to sustain the art form.
Band manager and pannist Andrew Tyndall, speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, said Parkside was started in 1998 by Mildred Lowe, who was at the time director of culture, a department within the Ministry of Education. The objectives, he outlined, were to develop persons musically, teach them about team work, and help sustain the art form which at that time was experiencing a lull. The steel pan enthusiast said in his opinion the band, then and now, was able to fulfil and surpass these objectives.
Parkside playing at a recent event
Parkside playing at a recent event
History
“I was one of the founding members of the band. Mrs Lowe’s son, Curly Lowe, and I went to President’s College together. We were into music, both of us from a young age, and played steel pan. He invited me to join the band when his mother started it. We were there from the inception, working with the group, getting other persons to join,” he reminisced.
In the beginning, there were about 15 persons who were permanent members; now there are more than 30 members. There are ‘stage members’, who practice throughout the year with the band, and there are members who play only when the band is preparing for competitions.
The band has expanded to include a junior band called the ‘Panwave Academy’. In this band there are students 7-16 years, and in the senior band, members’ ages range from 15 to 32 years.
In 2008, a steel pan development programme was implemented, and via this, the band has been steadily improving in their output.
Victories
Parkside has seen many victories over the years. Their determination to keep the art form alive has contributed to numerous winning competitions. They have also travelled extensively in the Caribbean to compete and perform.
In 2006, they competed in the Caribbean Seven-A Side Steel Band competition and got second. Although second then, many first place trophies followed as they competed over the years.
Panwave Jazz Quintette in action
Future events
The band has two concerts planned, one in early May with the theme, ‘Pan, Jazz and Spoken Word’ in hopeful collaboration with renown saxophonist Francis Bailey. The other is scheduled for July with the theme, ‘Music of Asia’. “We have a diverse culture, and what we found is that about three ethnic groups came from Asia and so we decided to present this culture on pan. We’ll have Chinese and Indian music and also music from other parts of Asia. We’re thinking outside the box in presenting something different and exciting; not the normal music you would hear on steel pan,” he disclosed.
There is also a week-long tour planned for Suriname where they are expected to perform at three concerts. This is the band’s fourth visit to the country. They have also taken their sweet sounds of pan to Barbados and Brazil.
Funding
“Pan instruments are expensive. They cannot be picked up from a store, you have to order it from a tuner, and because of the craftsmanship involved, it is expensive to purchase, so we need more funding in order to get more schools involved,” Tyndall appealed.
He noted that there is a need for more corporate citizens to help with funding. He plans on working with groups out of Georgetown but to do this, the band needs the support from the corporate community. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Republic Bank are contributing significantly in keeping the art form alive.
In attempts to sustain the art form, two bands were started in Bartica, two in Berbice, one in Buxton, and others at Plaisance Secondary and Dolphin Secondary schools.
Panwave also works with students from St John’s, Christ Church and a number of other schools. There are about 40 to 45 students in this programme. With financial support, a pan minors’ music literacy camp is held in July-August, where more than 150 young people are trained in steel pan playing techniques, and are also taught the rudiments of music theory.
“When a company invests in a band, you teach a life skill to about 30 young people. This also helps them to be gainfully occupied instead of wasting time after school. So there is a need for more funding so that more can be done to keep the art form alive,” he encouraged.
Future of steel pan
Part of the Music Development Office at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Tyndall said he has seen a growth in audiences coming out to support steel pan music. For the past three years, he has noticed sold-out crowds at the steel pan competitions usually held at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which may now have to be moved to a bigger venue.
When asked if steel pan could experience a lull as it has in the past, Tyndall said, “My role in the ministry is to ensure that there are adequate programmes to keep the art form alive. Also, we have personal responsibility in sustaining it. For those managing a band, you must ensure there are programmes to keep your members active throughout the year; only then can we avoid this from happening. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
By Venessa Deosaran
The sweet sounds of the Parkside Steel Orchestra Band resonate at every event they perform, and as they seduce their listeners with their artistry in steel pan, they are focused not only to entertain but to sustain the art form.Band manager and pannist Andrew Tyndall, speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, said Parkside was started in 1998 by Mildred Lowe, who was at the time director of culture, a department within the Ministry of Education. The objectives, he outlined, were to develop persons musically, teach them about team work, and help sustain the art form which at that time was experiencing a lull. The steel pan enthusiast said in his opinion the band, then and now, was able to fulfil and surpass these objectives.
History “I was one of the founding members of the band. Mrs Lowe’s son, Curly Lowe, and I went to President’s College together. We were into music, both of us from a young age, and played steel pan. He invited me to join the band when his mother started it. We were there from the inception, working with the group, getting other persons to join,” he reminisced.In the beginning, there were about 15 persons who were permanent members; now there are more than 30 members. There are ‘stage members’, who practice throughout the year with the band, and there are members who play only when the band is preparing for competitions.The band has expanded to include a junior band called the ‘Panwave Academy’. In this band there are students 7-16 years, and in the senior band, members’ ages range from 15 to 32 years.In 2008, a steel pan development programme was implemented, and via this, the band has been steadily improving in their output.
VictoriesParkside has seen many victories over the years. Their determination to keep the art form alive has contributed to numerous winning competitions. They have also travelled extensively in the Caribbean to compete and perform.In 2006, they competed in the Caribbean Seven-A Side Steel Band competition and got second. Although second then, many first place trophies followed as they competed over the years.
Future events The band has two concerts planned, one in early May with the theme, ‘Pan, Jazz and Spoken Word’ in hopeful collaboration with renown saxophonist Francis Bailey. The other is scheduled for July with the theme, ‘Music of Asia’. “We have a diverse culture, and what we found is that about three ethnic groups came from Asia and so we decided to present this culture on pan. We’ll have Chinese and Indian music and also music from other parts of Asia. We’re thinking outside the box in presenting something different and exciting; not the normal music you would hear on steel pan,” he disclosed.There is also a week-long tour planned for Suriname where they are expected to perform at three concerts. This is the band’s fourth visit to the country. They have also taken their sweet sounds of pan to Barbados and Brazil.
Funding “Pan instruments are expensive. They cannot be picked up from a store, you have to order it from a tuner, and because of the craftsmanship involved, it is expensive to purchase, so we need more funding in order to get more schools involved,” Tyndall appealed.He noted that there is a need for more corporate citizens to help with funding. He plans on working with groups out of Georgetown but to do this, the band needs the support from the corporate community. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and Republic Bank are contributing significantly in keeping the art form alive.In attempts to sustain the art form, two bands were started in Bartica, two in Berbice, one in Buxton, and others at Plaisance Secondary and Dolphin Secondary schools.Panwave also works with students from St John’s, Christ Church and a number of other schools. There are about 40 to 45 students in this programme. With financial support, a pan minors’ music literacy camp is held in July-August, where more than 150 young people are trained in steel pan playing techniques, and are also taught the rudiments of music theory.“When a company invests in a band, you teach a life skill to about 30 young people. This also helps them to be gainfully occupied instead of wasting time after school. So there is a need for more funding so that more can be done to keep the art form alive,” he encouraged.
Future of steel pan Part of the Music Development Office at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Tyndall said he has seen a growth in audiences coming out to support steel pan music. For the past three years, he has noticed sold-out crowds at the steel pan competitions usually held at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which may now have to be moved to a bigger venue.When asked if steel pan could experience a lull as it has in the past, Tyndall said, “My role in the ministry is to ensure that there are adequate programmes to keep the art form alive. Also, we have personal responsibility in sustaining it. For those managing a band, you must ensure there are programmes to keep your members active throughout the year; only then can we avoid this from happening. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
Jagdeo appointed to top climate change posts
March 23, 2012 By
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) last Friday announced that former President Bharrat Jagdeo is to take on two roles within the organisation – IUCN High Level Envoy for Sustainable Development in Forest Countries and IUCN Patron of Nature.
Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefevre said: “I am delighted to welcome President Jagdeo into the IUCN family. For many years, he has been a powerful and articulate advocate for climate justice across the world, and he correctly identified a long time ago that developing countries can lead the way towards pragmatic solutions to big challenges. We very much look forward to partnering with President Jagdeo, and to drawing on his insights and knowledge.”
Speaking of his new roles, the former president said: “The ideas and human energy that will solve many of today’s biggest global challenges will come from today’s developing world. In particular, forest countries and peoples will be to the fore of solving the interlinked challenges around how we use our planet’s land – to feed the world; source the minerals needed for prosperous economies; preserve bio-diversity; avert climate catastrophe; and protect the rights and livelihoods of people who depend on forests. These are some of the biggest challenges in the world today. Working with IUCN, I hope that I can help to catalyse greater South-South innovation towards solutions, as well as support partnerships between forest nations and progressive countries and institutions from today’s industrialised world.”
The roles will be part-time, and they will be combined with Jagdeo’s work as Roving Ambassador for the Three Basins – the world’s three forest basins (Congo, Amazon, South East Asia), which resulted from a request made in June 2011 by heads of state and other leaders from all the world’s rainforest countries.
Current President Donald Ramotar welcomed the announcement and said: “All of Guyana should feel proud of how our former president continues to advocate for global climate justice. He was one of the first leaders in the world to grasp the scale of the climate change challenge – but he was also one of the first to articulate that developing countries could lead the way to solutions. Guyana has embarked on one of the world’s most ambitious low carbon development strategies. We are maintaining 99.5 per cent of our forest in a way that aligns economic growth and socially inclusive development with action on climate change and environmental excellence.
“But far more than that – by 2016, we will also virtually eliminate our energy-related greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of solar power in every indigenous and forest-dependent home, and the Amaila Falls Hydro-Electricity plant.
“This scale of ambition is far greater than anything being contemplated by any developed country, where even the most progressive are only talking about a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2020. It is living proof of President Jagdeo’s vision for a new development paradigm, where today’s developing countries lead the way to inclusive green growth – and we are pleased that his experience in Guyana will now be available to help our brothers and sisters across the developing world. I call on all Guyanese to join with me in congratulating our former president.”
The IUCN is an international organisation dedicated to finding “pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.” The organisation supports scientific research; manages field projects all over the world; and brings governments, non-governmental organisations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practices.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network – a democratic membership union with more than 1000 government and NGO member organisations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.
IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGOs, and private sector bodies around the world. The union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland.
President Jagdeo was awarded the United Nations “Champion of the Earth” award in 2010. Time Magazine and CNN also named the president as one of their “Heroes of the Environment” in 2008. In early 2010, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked President Jagdeo to serve on the Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance. Jagdeo is currently a member of the board of the South Korea based Global Green Growth Institute.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) last Friday announced that former President Bharrat Jagdeo is to take on two roles within the organisation – IUCN High Level Envoy for Sustainable Development in Forest Countries and IUCN Patron of Nature.IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefevre said: “I am delighted to welcome President Jagdeo into the IUCN family. For many years, he has been a powerful and articulate advocate for climate justice across the world, and he correctly identified a long time ago that developing countries can lead the way towards pragmatic solutions to big challenges. We very much look forward to partnering with President Jagdeo, and to drawing on his insights and knowledge.” Speaking of his new roles, the former president said: “The ideas and human energy that will solve many of today’s biggest global challenges will come from today’s developing world. In particular, forest countries and peoples will be to the fore of solving the interlinked challenges around how we use our planet’s land – to feed the world; source the minerals needed for prosperous economies; preserve bio-diversity; avert climate catastrophe; and protect the rights and livelihoods of people who depend on forests. These are some of the biggest challenges in the world today. Working with IUCN, I hope that I can help to catalyse greater South-South innovation towards solutions, as well as support partnerships between forest nations and progressive countries and institutions from today’s industrialised world.” The roles will be part-time, and they will be combined with Jagdeo’s work as Roving Ambassador for the Three Basins – the world’s three forest basins (Congo, Amazon, South East Asia), which resulted from a request made in June 2011 by heads of state and other leaders from all the world’s rainforest countries.Current President Donald Ramotar welcomed the announcement and said: “All of Guyana should feel proud of how our former president continues to advocate for global climate justice. He was one of the first leaders in the world to grasp the scale of the climate change challenge – but he was also one of the first to articulate that developing countries could lead the way to solutions. Guyana has embarked on one of the world’s most ambitious low carbon development strategies. We are maintaining 99.5 per cent of our forest in a way that aligns economic growth and socially inclusive development with action on climate change and environmental excellence.“But far more than that – by 2016, we will also virtually eliminate our energy-related greenhouse gas emissions through a combination of solar power in every indigenous and forest-dependent home, and the Amaila Falls Hydro-Electricity plant.“This scale of ambition is far greater than anything being contemplated by any developed country, where even the most progressive are only talking about a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2020. It is living proof of President Jagdeo’s vision for a new development paradigm, where today’s developing countries lead the way to inclusive green growth – and we are pleased that his experience in Guyana will now be available to help our brothers and sisters across the developing world. I call on all Guyanese to join with me in congratulating our former president.” The IUCN is an international organisation dedicated to finding “pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.” The organisation supports scientific research; manages field projects all over the world; and brings governments, non-governmental organisations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practices.IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network – a democratic membership union with more than 1000 government and NGO member organisations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries.IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1000 professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGOs, and private sector bodies around the world. The union’s headquarters are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland.President Jagdeo was awarded the United Nations “Champion of the Earth” award in 2010. Time Magazine and CNN also named the president as one of their “Heroes of the Environment” in 2008. In early 2010, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked President Jagdeo to serve on the Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance. Jagdeo is currently a member of the board of the South Korea based Global Green Growth Institute.
Refurbished neonatal facility commissioned at GPHC
March 23, 2012 By
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with the Guyana Help the Kids (GHTK) on March 16 commissioned the refurbished Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital.
The occasion was attended by First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran; GHTK founder Dr Narendra Singh; Culture Youth and Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony and several overseas-based donors.
Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran; Dr Narendra Singh and Guyanese-born overseas professional footballer Ryan Hinds (behind Dr Ramsaran) look on as First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar unveils the plaque to the new facility with assistance from Dr Beverley Barnett of PAHO/WHO
Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran; Dr Narendra Singh and Guyanese-born overseas professional footballer Ryan Hinds (behind Dr Ramsaran) look on as First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar unveils the plaque to the new facility with assistance from Dr Beverley Barnett of PAHO/WHO
Dr Ramsaran said the Health Ministry has a zero tolerance approach to prenatal, post-natal and infant mortality. He stressed that the Health Ministry and the GPHC are working collaboratively to improve local health services and are happy to have the GHTK onboard.
“I am so happy to have GHTK taking part in such huge venture and I assure you that this would not be the last donation we will be seeing from the organisation”. He also paid tribute to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for its support.
During a media tour of the refurbished NICU, Dr Singh who is also the hospital’s principal partner for the development of the masters in Pediatrics’ programme, mentioned that the organisation which is based in Toronto, Canada, was able to raise in excess of Can $100,000 to procure monitors, IV pumps, pump monitors and Incubators.
Dr Singh told reporters that though local doctors underwent specialty training in advance health care, it means nothing if they are not equipped with the necessary advanced technology.
He said the NICU was in dire need of incubators, a machine which supports the breathing of pre-mature infants while they are still hospitalised, so that they can have a better chance of survival.
The monitor, Dr Singh said will enable doctors and nurses to record “early warning signs of them (babies) getting down in health”. A much needed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP) was also installed in the NICU, and according to Dr Singh, this is the first time a CPAP mechanism will be operating in Guyana.
GPHC Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Khan in an invited comment said it is the first time the hospital has worked with the GHTK, a charitable organisation, and was hopeful the partnership will grow from strength to strength.
He also hinted about the hospital implementing a neonatal training programme for nurses in May to be facilitated by overseas-based lecturers, if applicants are willing to sign a three- year contract to serve the GPHC. “It makes no sense for us to use our resources and train nurses who are going to leave us and go give their services to a private health institution,” Dr Khan said.
This newspaper also caught up with Guyanese-born overseas professional footballer Ryan Hinds, who is an active member of the GHTK. Hinds, who migrated some 18 years ago to Toronto, Canada, said he joined the organisation after learning about it through Dr Singh.
Hinds said the purpose of his visit is to sit down with the local team to find a meaningful way in which he can use his international affiliations to generate funds for the organisation.
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with the Guyana Help the Kids (GHTK) on March 16 commissioned the refurbished Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the hospital.The occasion was attended by First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar; Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran; GHTK founder Dr Narendra Singh; Culture Youth and Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony and several overseas-based donors.Dr Ramsaran said the Health Ministry has a zero tolerance approach to prenatal, post-natal and infant mortality. He stressed that the Health Ministry and the GPHC are working collaboratively to improve local health services and are happy to have the GHTK onboard.“I am so happy to have GHTK taking part in such huge venture and I assure you that this would not be the last donation we will be seeing from the organisation”. He also paid tribute to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for its support.During a media tour of the refurbished NICU, Dr Singh who is also the hospital’s principal partner for the development of the masters in Pediatrics’ programme, mentioned that the organisation which is based in Toronto, Canada, was able to raise in excess of Can $100,000 to procure monitors, IV pumps, pump monitors and Incubators.Dr Singh told reporters that though local doctors underwent specialty training in advance health care, it means nothing if they are not equipped with the necessary advanced technology.He said the NICU was in dire need of incubators, a machine which supports the breathing of pre-mature infants while they are still hospitalised, so that they can have a better chance of survival.The monitor, Dr Singh said will enable doctors and nurses to record “early warning signs of them (babies) getting down in health”. A much needed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine (CPAP) was also installed in the NICU, and according to Dr Singh, this is the first time a CPAP mechanism will be operating in Guyana.GPHC Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Khan in an invited comment said it is the first time the hospital has worked with the GHTK, a charitable organisation, and was hopeful the partnership will grow from strength to strength.He also hinted about the hospital implementing a neonatal training programme for nurses in May to be facilitated by overseas-based lecturers, if applicants are willing to sign a three- year contract to serve the GPHC. “It makes no sense for us to use our resources and train nurses who are going to leave us and go give their services to a private health institution,” Dr Khan said.This newspaper also caught up with Guyanese-born overseas professional footballer Ryan Hinds, who is an active member of the GHTK. Hinds, who migrated some 18 years ago to Toronto, Canada, said he joined the organisation after learning about it through Dr Singh.Hinds said the purpose of his visit is to sit down with the local team to find a meaningful way in which he can use his international affiliations to generate funds for the organisation.
GECOM boss dismisses calls for resignation
March 23, 2012 By
By Michael Younge
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally said there is no need for a drastic reform of the elections body, and dismissed calls for his resignation as baseless.
Dr Surujbally said he has no difficulty resigning his post as head of GECOM, if at some time, there is some factual reason or due cause shown as to why he should pursue this path.
The GECOM chairman was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International. His comments come on the heels of opposition calls for his resignation, and that of the Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo, after it was dissatisfied with the manner in which GECOM handled aspects of the elections tabulation and declaration of results.
Dr Surujbally explained that he “was ready to go yesterday”, stating that “if that is the will of the people – Vox populi Vox dei”. The GECOM boss is however convinced that he has performed credibly and to the satisfaction of majority of the electorate, and will stay on until such time arises for him to demit the honourable and constitutional office of chairman of the elections body.
GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally
GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally
“There is no lack of integrity and definitely no inefficiency or incompetence here”, Dr Surujbally said, as he dismissed arguments that he had in some way compromised himself and the outcome of the November 28, 2011 elections.
“My job is to hold the commission together, and I dare say, which I have done reasonably well”, the chairman opined, explaining that he is but one of the seven commissioners who form part of the electoral management body that governs both the secretariat and the execution of elections.
He argued that the team of commissioners that has been appointed to GECOM by political parties are independent once sworn in, and have been functioning in the interest of the Guyanese electorate.
Dr Surujbally said too that the commissioners together with the secretariat’s hard working and knowledgeable staff are “the best team” to manage the affairs of the commission. He was convinced and adamant at the same time, that the commission delivered on its promise to the Guyanese public, to execute free and fair elections, and elections that were free from fear.
Dr Surujbally does not believe like some other proponents of reforms, that scrapping the commission and changing its staff and commissioners will have any direct impact on the way in which GECOM does it business much less the commission’s ability to stage credible, free and fair elections.
As a matter of fact, he said that the current staff and commissioners collective is a reservoir of institutional knowledge and information that cannot be replaced by simply waving a magic wand.
Asked to state his position on the wider talks about reforms that emanated after the commission somewhat failed to deliver allegedly on expectations, with respect to the speedy declaration of results, Dr Surujbally said “to have results in two and a half days is a remarkable achievement”. “I say it’s quite an achievement anywhere, anytime in the world in a system of proportional representation,” he stated confidently, explaining that the terrain of the country, the size of the constituency and the other geographic and logistical systems had to be properly handled for this to be possible.
He said that were he to score his team’s performance in the lead up and preparatory phases of the elections, they would receive full marks.
The GECOM chairman also praised the logistics and systems that were in place for the elections, stating that all systems functioned, and all plans were successfully implemented.
“That is testimony to the fact that our systems were functional and the commission was able to go through the results as tabulated and make the necessary corrections before making the official declaration,” he informed.
This, he alleged only delayed the declaration of results by a mere half an hour.
“And yet there was a stir up and perpetuation about a myth, which said that we took a long time, and why when we have 15 days,” Dr Surujbally explained.
He blamed the behaviour of the critics as fostering the lack of trust which exist within the political arena and among stakeholders for the high levels of unnecessary costs that are associated with staging national elections, referring to political party scrutineers, cross referencing and finger printing matching among other things that are done.
He also challenged those proponents for change and reform of the commission to be more specific in their public discourses and statements, so that the commission could benefit from their suggestions and ideas.
“I have great difficulty in some of these statements,” he related, while arguing that he is ambivalent on these issues because of the ambiguity of the arguments put forward.
“We will have to define ‘reforms’ and what are we reforming. What systems are they talking about? In fact, these reports as you call them from the different observer groups have not specified or spelt out what reforms they are talking about,” he stated.
He is standing by the operations, protocols and policies of GECOM but has not dismissed the need for changes and development in various areas. As a matter of fact, Dr Surujbally believes that there may be need for a review and reassessment of the manner in which commissioners are selected and appointed to the commission, which could result in a more vibrant body.
He is open to a rethinking of the practice which sees commissioners appointed to GECOM for “life”. He is open to change in the manner in which voting or ballots are casted, but cautioned that neither the powers that be, nor the political parties have advised him that they would like to pursue systems to allow for electronic voting.
By Michael Younge
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally said there is no need for a drastic reform of the elections body, and dismissed calls for his resignation as baseless.Dr Surujbally said he has no difficulty resigning his post as head of GECOM, if at some time, there is some factual reason or due cause shown as to why he should pursue this path.The GECOM chairman was at the time speaking during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International. His comments come on the heels of opposition calls for his resignation, and that of the Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo, after it was dissatisfied with the manner in which GECOM handled aspects of the elections tabulation and declaration of results.Dr Surujbally explained that he “was ready to go yesterday”, stating that “if that is the will of the people – Vox populi Vox dei”. The GECOM boss is however convinced that he has performed credibly and to the satisfaction of majority of the electorate, and will stay on until such time arises for him to demit the honourable and constitutional office of chairman of the elections body.“There is no lack of integrity and definitely no inefficiency or incompetence here”, Dr Surujbally said, as he dismissed arguments that he had in some way compromised himself and the outcome of the November 28, 2011 elections.“My job is to hold the commission together, and I dare say, which I have done reasonably well”, the chairman opined, explaining that he is but one of the seven commissioners who form part of the electoral management body that governs both the secretariat and the execution of elections.He argued that the team of commissioners that has been appointed to GECOM by political parties are independent once sworn in, and have been functioning in the interest of the Guyanese electorate.Dr Surujbally said too that the commissioners together with the secretariat’s hard working and knowledgeable staff are “the best team” to manage the affairs of the commission. He was convinced and adamant at the same time, that the commission delivered on its promise to the Guyanese public, to execute free and fair elections, and elections that were free from fear.Dr Surujbally does not believe like some other proponents of reforms, that scrapping the commission and changing its staff and commissioners will have any direct impact on the way in which GECOM does it business much less the commission’s ability to stage credible, free and fair elections.As a matter of fact, he said that the current staff and commissioners collective is a reservoir of institutional knowledge and information that cannot be replaced by simply waving a magic wand.Asked to state his position on the wider talks about reforms that emanated after the commission somewhat failed to deliver allegedly on expectations, with respect to the speedy declaration of results, Dr Surujbally said “to have results in two and a half days is a remarkable achievement”. “I say it’s quite an achievement anywhere, anytime in the world in a system of proportional representation,” he stated confidently, explaining that the terrain of the country, the size of the constituency and the other geographic and logistical systems had to be properly handled for this to be possible.He said that were he to score his team’s performance in the lead up and preparatory phases of the elections, they would receive full marks.The GECOM chairman also praised the logistics and systems that were in place for the elections, stating that all systems functioned, and all plans were successfully implemented.“That is testimony to the fact that our systems were functional and the commission was able to go through the results as tabulated and make the necessary corrections before making the official declaration,” he informed.This, he alleged only delayed the declaration of results by a mere half an hour.“And yet there was a stir up and perpetuation about a myth, which said that we took a long time, and why when we have 15 days,” Dr Surujbally explained.He blamed the behaviour of the critics as fostering the lack of trust which exist within the political arena and among stakeholders for the high levels of unnecessary costs that are associated with staging national elections, referring to political party scrutineers, cross referencing and finger printing matching among other things that are done.He also challenged those proponents for change and reform of the commission to be more specific in their public discourses and statements, so that the commission could benefit from their suggestions and ideas.“I have great difficulty in some of these statements,” he related, while arguing that he is ambivalent on these issues because of the ambiguity of the arguments put forward.“We will have to define ‘reforms’ and what are we reforming. What systems are they talking about? In fact, these reports as you call them from the different observer groups have not specified or spelt out what reforms they are talking about,” he stated.He is standing by the operations, protocols and policies of GECOM but has not dismissed the need for changes and development in various areas. As a matter of fact, Dr Surujbally believes that there may be need for a review and reassessment of the manner in which commissioners are selected and appointed to the commission, which could result in a more vibrant body.He is open to a rethinking of the practice which sees commissioners appointed to GECOM for “life”. He is open to change in the manner in which voting or ballots are casted, but cautioned that neither the powers that be, nor the political parties have advised him that they would like to pursue systems to allow for electronic voting.
