Weekend Mirror January 5-6, 2019

VOTE ON MOTION OF NO-CONFIDENCE STANDS 5-6 January, 2019 / Vol. 10 No. 54 / Price: $100

Internet: http: //www.mirrornewsgy.com / e-mail: weekendmirror@gmail.com

PAGE 19

Judicial coup will not be accepted – Jagdeo reiterates call PAGE 3 for APNU+AFC gov’t to resign

Trotman’s email revelations…

PAGE 14

Calls were made for AFC to act while APNU was in ‘weakened’ state and more

PNCR candidate replaces Charandass Persaud in National Assembly PAGE 19

SEE INSIDE

Stop-gap measure cannot be deemed as a substitute for a pay rise for sugar workers - GAWU PAGE 17 APNU+AFC PAGE 24 gov’t talk about constitutional reform exposed as nothing more than rhetoric

National Assembly meeting in violation of Constitution – Teixeira PAGE 18

Gov’t to ask Courts to delay 90-day period within which elections are due

PAGE 15

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Bribery T claims remains unsubstantiated

Steps must be taken to end tug-of-war between GuySuCo, NICIL

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laims made by Executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton, on Friday (December 28, 2018) about former government parliamentarian, Charrandass Persaud, being bribed to vote in support of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) have been rubbished.

Norton said the PNCR has incontrovertible evidence. “All I can say to you is that we have done our groundwork. The police is the people who will have to do the actual investigation.”

The PPP, as well as Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, have rejected these claims as false.

Additionally, Head of

the Criminal Investigations Department, Deputy Commissioner, Lyndon Alves, has disclosed that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has received no complaints of alleged bribery. He added that there has been no indications that such a report would be made.

Norton, notably, has been unable to substantiate his claims.

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has called on the Coalition Government to help bring an end to the ongoing tug-of-war between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

The Union contends that there seems to be no clarity regarding the confusion that has surrounded the sugar industry. “At this time, the GAWU reiterates that situation cannot be allowed to continue the way it is, as it is not in the interest of anyone, especially the workers.

GAWU calls on the Government to apprehend the sad situation that is prevailing.

It is time to end the tug-ofwar!” the Union said.

GAWU President, Komal Chand, said, “The clear confusion regarding sugar was also manifested when we saw musical chairs being played by the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance, with both gentlemen denying they had ministerial responsibility for the industry. Then suddenly and without any forewarning, the Agriculture Minister announced he was in charge of GuySuCo though no explanation, as far as we recall, was ever

provided as to how the contradictions were resolved. “…now we have the apparent infighting between the two sugar management bodies, in our view, has to be laid squarely at the doorstep of the Government. The Administration, through its own indecision, has, in effect, allowed the situation to reach this sad point.”

The Union said it also recognised that there seemed to be some degree of confusion within the APNU+AFC Coalition Government regarding the sugar industry – confusion that has now spilled over into the industry’s management.

Still no clarity on what is being Promotions announced for 500 done with $30B bond GPF ranks, over 700 in the Army T

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olice Commissioner Leslie James in his New Year’s message announced over 500 officers who were promoted to higher rank within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

To fill the post of Assistant Commissioner, three senior superintendents: Edgar Thomas, Royston Andries-Junor and Paul Langevine were promoted.

Meanwhile, Superintendents Phillip Azore, Brian Eastman, Adrian Simon, Linden Lord, Khalili Paresh-

ram, Michael Sutton, Linden Isles, Michael Kingston and Charmaine Jones-Stuart were positioned as Senior Superintendent.

Other ranks of the Force were awarded with the position of superintendent, deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent, cadet officer, chief inspector, inspector, sergeant, corporal and lance corporal.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chiefof-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West, also announced pro-

motions.

Leading the list is Substantive Warrant Officer Class Two Marvin Pilgrim, who was promoted to the position of Acting Warrant Officer Class One. Christopher Harmon, Dyanor Wilson, Hesley Craig and Brian Ferdinant also followed in the same category.

Acting Warrant Officers Class Two Lawrence Assanah, Eon Winter and Cleveland O’Brien were promoted to Substantive Warrant Officer Class Two.

Statistics on child abuse in Guyana released T

wo children are abused every hour in Guyana.

This revealed by the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) in its annual yearin-review report. “From the data analysed for the period January to October 2018 every hour…two children are abused or violated in Guyana,” the Agency said.

As of June 2018, Guyana recorded an increase in reported cases of sexual abuse against children. Some 481 cases have been addressed.

According to CCPA, by the end of October 2018, the Agency had already responded to 4,352 child

abuse reports, which happens to be the highest number of reported cases ever for the period. In fact, a 25.4 per cent increase was recorded when compared with figures for the same period for last year. “This increase is being attributed to the National Multimedia Awareness Child Abuse Campaign and the work done at the community level,” CCPA said.

On the other hand, when it comes to teenage pregnancy, the document said the Agency’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Empowerment Programme was a

success. According to the Agency, “To date it has reached teens in Regions: 1,3,4,5,6,7 and 10. It is a programme, in collaboration with key stakeholders and NGO partners, to give teens/adolescents adequate information and support for them to make informed decisions about getting involved in sexual activity that will result in unwanted pregnancies and STDs. It is structurally talking with teens for them to make good choices”. So far, CCPA disclosed that it has worked with 308 vulnerable teens which include boys.

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has flayed the APNU+AFC Coalition Government for not putting forward any clear plan as it relates to utilising the $30B borrowed for the revitalisation of the closed sugar factories.

GAWU Assistant General Secretary Aslim Singh, said, “As the year ends, the GAWU remains concerned that, so far, the stakeholders nor the public, have seen a clear plan regarding the $30 billion borrowed towards the revitalisation of the remaining GuySuCo estates. On this score, we are aware that Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in responding to questions posed to him in the National Assembly, advised that the bond is aimed mainly to acquire two co-generation plants; to upgrade existing factories to produce plantation white sugar; to build storage and packing facilities; and to contribute to two years of general operational costs. Interestingly and conspicuously absent, were any mention of investments in the cane fields to improve productivity.”

According to him, during the first quarter of 2018, the Union has an engagement with then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Paul Bhim, who informed them that some $11B would be spent on capital works across the three estates namely Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore – with about 70 per cent of that sum being utilised in the fields.

Singh charged too that despite being a part of the Government and having the responsibility of the sugar

industry, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder seems clueless as to the happenings in the industry. “It seemed to us that apparently Minister Holder is out of the loop regarding the monies that have been borrowed which are backed by a sovereign Government guarantee and secured by the assets of NICIL – which incidentally belong to the people of Guyana.

The Agriculture Minister’s tirade, as it were, is yet another demonstration of how the affairs of the country are addressed by the Granger Administration. It also, once more, brings into focus the Administration’s more than confused approach to the sugar industry generally,” he said.

He added that GAWU said it remains supportive of plans that would secure the sugar industry and safeguard its viability. However, their support is predicated on sound, credible and wellthought-out plans adding that the seeming secrecy shrouding the plans for the bond borrowed with a sovereign guarantee is something that causes them to feel uneasy and worried. “If it is there is a plan, as the Minister of Finance says, we urge those in authority to share those plans with a view to having full discussions as all stakeholders are desirous of having a successful sugar industry,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Government through the National Industrial Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Special Purposes Unit (SPU) acquired the $30B bond.

In the latter part of June 2018, a leaked document - ‘The Private Placement Memorandum’ – details the

arrangements of the $30B fixed rate bond.

The document shows that NICIL plans to sell off assets of GuySuCo, including land, to help pay off the $30B, plus interest, that it has borrowed. The document shows that NICIL expects to start selling of GuySuCo lands in 2018 and expects to collect $14B in 2018 and another $22B in 2019. “The cash generated from operations appears sufficient to service the coupon and repayment of the principal for the bond facility,” the document said on page 14.

Notably, before now it was unclear if the $30B was a bond or a loan. The document makes clear that it is a bond.

The document also explains that the move to issue the Bonds, at a 4.75 per cent interest rate, is a five-year agreement. Interest is payable semi-annually, starting October 2018. The Bonds will mature in April 2023.

Also, the bonds have been issued “free and clear” of all corporate taxes. It has also been issued 355 basis points above one-year Bank of Guyana Treasury Bills.

Additionally, the bonds have been secured by a government guarantee.

The 17-page document said the $30B bond facility is being arranged by Republic Bank, raising questions as to the amount of fees that are being paid to the bank.

Republic Bank has since halted disbursements of the bond monies over concerns related to spending mismanagement. It is unclear if these concerns were addressed and how much more monies were disbursed, if any.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

After meeting with Diplomatic Corps…

Judicial coup will not be accepted – Jagdeo reiterates call for APNU+AFC gov’t to resign

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epresentatives of the United States of America (USA), Britain and Canada, as well as the European Union (EU), were engaged by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, at his Church Street office last Friday (December 28, 2018).

Pressed by the media for an update on his meetings afterward, Jagdeo said, “I have been meeting with several groups of people to inform them of our position on the no-confidence motion and on the preparations for elections…I made it clear to the international community that after March 2019 that we in the Parliamentary Opposition will treat the Government (APNU+AFC Coalition Government, if elections are not held by that date (March 2019), as illegitimate, unconstitutional and that no act that they engage in – internationally or locally – will be recognized. This will have major implications for Guyana, for investors and for all concerned.

“I have also urged the Diplomatic Community to be involved in the process of free and fair elections through various organization that they have supported in the past. I expressed the desire of the People’s Progressive Party to see a massive observer group from all the agencies that traditionally observe elections in Guyana – from

CARICOM, the European Union, UNASUR (The Union of South American Nations), the Carter Center, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, etc.”

The motion of no-confidence in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government was filed by Jagdeo with the National Assembly on November 15, 2018. Following hours of debate on December 21, 2018, the motion was declared successful by House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, following a 33 to 32 votes – with the APNU+AFC Coalition Government receiving the least votes.

Following the passage of the no-confidence motion, at a news conference on the very evening at Public

Buildings, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said, “The confidence motion was put the floor and the no-confidence motion was passed…the Guyanese people must understand that the democratic process is unpredictable….we want our supporters, those who support the coalition government, to understand that we are going back to the polls.

This is a challenge we have to deal with.” President David Granger also accepted the result of the vote on the no-confidence motion.

In a statement he said, “We will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections bearing in mind the need for normal governmental functions to continue uninterrupted.”

SHENANIGANS Despite these statements, there have been moves by the Coalition Government to “examine legal opinions” and options on the way forward.

Jagdeo has made it clear that the Parliamentary Opposition will not accept a “judicial coup” in face of the fact that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has fallen – defeated by a no-confidence motion.

He said, “I also made it clear to them (the Diplomatic Corps) that we are very concerned about the shenanigans that seem to be brewing behind this government’s statement that they are exploring options – legal and other options.

“Having accepted the results, clearly, now the government seems to be so desperate that they seem intent on reversing that view.

I said we will not accept that and that, obviously, there will be instability in the country if this were to happen. I also said that we will not accept a judicial coup.”

When pressed he noted that he did not seek commitments. “I did not seek commitments from the international representatives here, I just convened the meeting to brief them on what happened….I thought the briefing went well.”

GOVT MUST RESIGN The Opposition Leader reiterated his call for the

Coalition Government to resign, in accordance with the provisions of Guyana’s Constitutions.

He said, “I expressed concern (to the Diplomatic Corps) that the government has not resigned as yet because the Constitution is explicit…so when they said that the Cabinet is meeting, but what Cabinet? Because the Cabinet should have resigned by now and they should only have a caretaker responsibility.”

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution says: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Jagdeo, has made clear that, in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, the Coalition Government can only perform a “caretaker” function – routine functions, until fresh General and Regional Elections are held.

Article 106 (7) says that: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

On Friday (December 28, 2018) he said, “I have

already made it clear that the People’s Progressive Party will not go back to the National Assembly, except for the purpose of business relating to the conduct of elections. “…the Parliament cannot go on, cannot continue to meet, as if nothing happened. The Government fell. This is certified by the Speaker, who is head of the legislature. He announced it in unambiguous terms that the motion of np-confidence (in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government) is passed and was successful.

The Clerk certified that and notified me.

“As far as the three branches of Government (the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary) are concerned the legislative branch made a decision and it must be respected. The consequence of that decision, the passage of the no-confidence motion, is that the government has fallen. You cannot then return to the National Assembly as if nothing happened. “…Article 106 (7) says elections have to be called in three months, 90 days, so I can envisage a need to convene the Parliament for the purpose of passing laws either related to the holding of elections, if GECOM (the Guyana Elections Commission) needs those laws, or alternatively, if there is agreement, to shift the timeline from three months…. only for those purposes should the Parliament be convened.”

Duplicitous nature of APNU+AFC gov’t exposed W

ith talks between President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, set for January 9, 2019, the maneuverings of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government could hurt those talks before they even begin.

On December 21, 2018 a motion of no-confidence brought against the Granger-led APNU+AFC Coalition Government passed in the National Assembly.

Afterwards, on the very evening, a request for a meeting with President

Granger was made Jagdeo, through Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

Since then the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has said it is examining its legal options and is prepared to approach the Court of Law. The Government has also submitted to the Speaker a legal brief on the interpretation of the relevant constitutional provisions for passage of a confidence motion and contends that 34 of the 65 members is the required majority, not 33.

Before the no-confidence

motion was passed, most all of Government’s key spokespersons expressed the view that 33 votes were needed for the motion to be successful.

Commenting on the state of affairs, the Opposition Leader said, “We have had no discussions yet….the government accepted the results of the no-confidence motion…they accepted that we are going to elections in three months…I requested a meeting and the President said yes we will meet….we are not going to rush that

and we will await his return to meet…here is where they are duplicitous because simultaneously while we are waiting they are using the waiting period to explore legal options on reversing what has been done…they want to reverse something that is irreversible….the no confidence motion has been passed. “…they are breaching the trust and goodwill that I was hoping could have been developed in this period so we would have a good meeting when the President returns.”

Notably, Jagdeo’s request for a meeting was positively responded to within a short timeframe.

At his last news conference, Jagdeo said, “We have to talk about this period; to talk about our conduct; to talk about our conduct to ensure that we do not polarize our country…we need to talk about what happens in the future…I said our Party is prepared to have those discussions about the future…I was pleased that the President’s statements reflected similar sentiments….

he expressed the hope that his government could work closer with the Opposition. “…I approached Minister Harmon (in the National Assembly on Friday, December 21, 2018) and said to him that I would like to meet the President if it is possible…I have received a letter from Minister Harmon…we will meet when the President returns from Cuba. As far as we are concerned this is how the process is unfolding.”

Several issues are expected to be addressed when the two leaders meet.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Consequences of reckless actions will be felt by all Guyanese Dear Editor,

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The no-confidence vote is final Dear Editor,

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t is quite ironic that over the past years, at least after the 2011 General and Regional Elections, a parliamentary majority has always been defined by a vote of 33:32 but not unexpectedly, but quite Quixotic, the recent support of the No-confidence Motion by a vote of 33:32 is not seen as a majority by the losers of the ‘good life’.

The ‘good life’ posse are now in denial. According to lawyer cum mathematician, Nigel Hughes, a majority vote in Guyana’s Parliament of 65 members is now deemed to be 34 and not 33. The number of members as determined by the National Assembly is 65.

This learned legal luminary should know that the reason why there are 65 members in the National Assembly rather than 66 is because of the need to avoid a tie and so frustrate the functions of this supreme law-making body of the land. This is no accident and certainly not coincidental and Hughes’ vast knowledge of constitutional laws and its interpretation should afford him an accurate analysis and interpretation of Article 106 (6) which unambiguously states that: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of ALL elected members of the National Assembly.”

The ‘elected members’ totaled 65

and a majority is 33. When the Opposition, on August 15, 2014, tabled a ‘no-confidence’ brought about by Nagamootoo against the PPP/C Government the majority would have been deemed to be 33 if Parliament was not prorogued by then President Donald Ramotar. No one at the time had argued that if the ‘no-confidence’ was put to the vote that 34 votes would have been needed. Therefore, the pertinent question is: Has this ‘majority’ changed on December 21, 2018? It is quite asinine to now think that this is so since the law is not such a jackass although it may be an ass sometimes!

Furthermore, all the Budget cuts after the 2011 General Elections should have to now be deemed illegal, the passing of the Budgets after 2015 should all be deemed illegal since all were voted with a majority of 33:32.

The Constitution is not about rounding of figures since a member cannot be halved and subjected to the rounding off. The vote of 33:32 is a clear majority and many organizations recognize this fact, hence the reason for electing odd numbers so as not to stymie and obstruct the fulfilment of the functions of such organizations where voting on decisions are inevitable and vital.

Some questions need to be answered: 1. What would have been the case if the Government side obtained 33 votes?

2. Would Nigel Hughes have said that

they needed 34?

3. Or would the ‘No-confidence’ Motion be struck down by the Speaker?

Of course the ‘No-confidence’ Motion would have been defeated! All the members on the Government side knew this and commanded their members to the point of threatening them that they should vote ‘no’! The high drama, the liberal use of expletives by the Government MPs, their uncouth and unprofessional behaviour of some supported this. They knew that the 33:32 is all that is needed, but now is time to deny that the false confidence of ‘bring it on’ has now resulted in no confidence.

It is heartening to see that the Guyana Bar Association has condemned and totally rejected the ‘unofficial calculation of the no-confidence’ and has called for elections by March.

The Association ‘urged Guyanese to ignore Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes’ calculation that 34 of the 65 votes in the National Assembly are needed’ to pass that motion. I do believe that Hughes should have been more circumspect about his premature public utterance which may have resulted in possibly grave outcome. I do feel that Hughes should do the same since the no-confidence vote is final!

Guyanese are now in sight of the ‘good life’ in 2019.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

f the opening salvoes are anything to go by, we are in for a bumpy ride in a jet plane filled with gold bars and sacks of cash (another patently false and ridiculous story). My very real fear is that one of these silly season stories will set off a wildfire that is not as easily extinguishable.

Editor, how can we expect a population divided by 32.5 to recognise truth in a sky full of wild noises?

What do we do when, not if, the messages are crafted to incite emotional and violent responses?

The desperation of the Granger Administration to cling onto power at the expense of the Constitution is painful to watch, they continue to craft their own noose and ignore the calls to put down the rope, the longer they grasp at fanciful theories of plus ones and Canadian citizenships, the tighter it will gnaw at their necks and the more desperate they will become.

The Administration cannot label all who are advising them to respect the Constitution as ‘opposition elements’.

Lincoln Lewis, Christopher

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s was to be expected, following passage of the No-Confidence Motion, certain court jesters have sprung up like ‘jumbie bubbie.’ Their aim is to chip away as fast, and as hard as they can at the legality of the No-Confidence Motion.

Unlike jesters of medieval times who were bold enough to tell the truth, the modern day jesters are supportive of the coalition and prefer to engage in tomfoolery by advancing all kinds of shenanigans.

Frantic efforts are being made to throw dust in the eyes of the Guyanese people with the aim of preventing the dust from settling and to move on in peace and good order within the meaning of the Constitution of the Republic.

But on a more dangerous note, the public must know that there are other activities, covert in nature, that are taking place in villages known to be PNC strongholds.

The intention of those involved is to stir up pockets of protests against passage of the No Confidence Motion.

Observers are left to wonder why, despite the assurances issued by President Granger to the effect that there is

‘’No cause for alarm, and there are no grounds for any form of disorder …’’ some mischief makers within his camp are working overtime to turn back the clock.

The President further declared, following passage of the No-Confidence Motion that ‘’government will abide by the (constitutional) stipulations, which have been imposed on it.’’

In the circumstances, the public is very much aware that the single overarching stipulation enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana in this particular matter, and to which the government must abide, is that the government must resign and work with the parliamentary opposition on the steps to be taken thereafter.

Notwithstanding acceptance of defeat by Prime Minister Nagamootoo who declared that; ‘while the outcome of the motion was not favourable, it must be respected’ and later, assurances by the President himself, it appears that differing views on the motion’s passage have surfaced within the coalition resulting in the uncontrolled behaviour of some of his ministers.

It is precisely this indisciplined behaviour of certain ministers of government that prompted Christopher Ram to

remark that; ‘The Head of State offered very little leadership and allowed some of his ministers to run uncontrolled.’

It is these uncontrollable ministers who are engaged in frenetic forum shopping in search of a way to undo what was legally and Constitutionally carried by the majority in the National Assembly to facilitate the resignation of the APNU+AFC coalition administration.

Moreover, the official announcement that ‘cabinet has established a sub-committee to examine all the legal options available and to advise on the legal and constitutional aspects of the vote and to report to cabinet on December 27, should be viewed as an intriguing development that should neither be overlooked nor ignored.

It is of public interest to know who are the members of that sub-committee and what is the nature of their recommendations, since it is to be assumed that their recommendations were already submitted and considered by cabinet.

Should the APNU+AFC decide to ‘Dis’ the Constitutional provisions that advises them to perform to the ‘Bye, Bye Birdie’ musical parody, that would no doubt result in a Constitutional crisis (Turn to page 5)

Respectfully, R. Singh

Government has an obligation to do the right thing Dear Editor,

T Frantic efforts are being made to throw dust in the eyes of the Guyanese people Dear Editor,

Ram, Guyana Bar Association, David Hinds, Ralph Ramkarran and others are among the fairest of civil society commentators.

Please note that I have not mentioned anyone aligned with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on that list, in fact this list can be taken as a Who’s Who of persons who also held the feet of successive PPP administrations to the fire.

Sun Tzu, the famous Chinese military strategist advises “never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake”; however, Martin Carter, our own Guyanese treasure said of politics “all are involved! all are consumed!” and I side with our own in recognising that we are not in a war, we are at the end of the day, all citizens of Guyana and the consequences of reckless actions at the top are felt keenly by us at the bottom.

Hence, I raise my voice for the people and once again urge President Granger to retake the reins and stop the runaway carriage. Serve notice that the silly season is also closed.

he dawn of a new year always brings with it a renewed sense of home and optimism.

The no-conference motion which was passed in Parliament by a majority vote was a development that caught most Guyanese by surprise, but it also put to test our political maturity and our commitment to the norms of democracy and adherence to the rule of law.

The APNU-AFC government has an obligation to do the right thing and hold fresh elections within the constitutionally due date. The majority of legal minds including the Guyana Bar Association are unanimous in their opinion that the motion was legitimately and legally carried, and on that basis, paved the way for new elections.

The international community, in particular the United States, has a vital role to play in the preservation and consolidation of democracy in Guyana, as it did in the early 1990s when the PNC under Desmond Hoyte, despite initial resistance, was forced to agree on a number of electoral reforms which paved the way for free and fair elections in Guyana on October 5, 1992.

Guyana is once again at a political crossroad. Despite

what is widely perceived as a clear-cut and unambiguous statement on the part of our legislators for new elections, the government appears unwilling to accept the outcome and is employing all manner of delaying tactics to thwart the will of the Guyanese people as expressed through their elected representatives.

I take this opportunity to call on the APNU-AFC administration to do the decent thing and resign forthwith.

A date for new elections, in keeping with the requirements of our Constitution, must be announced by President Granger without any further delay.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and should not be trampled upon by way of political subterfuge, as appears to be the case on the part of the government.

I hope that good sense will prevail. The entire world is watching. We have made significant democratic gains over the past few decades and we have as a nation an obligation not to do anything untoward that could tarnish our reputation.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a productive and prosperous New Year.

Regards, Hydar Ally

5

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Clearly obvious that the APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t currently has responsibility only for routine functions Dear Editor,

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he year 2018 is another fiscal period under the APNU/AFC’s rule. A review will show that it will leave in its path, an aftermath of significant challenges brought about by the sub-optimal and irrational policies, which citizens must be at ready to face head-on and overcome. Most citizens by now, have come to the stark realisation that these conflicts inexorably, were intended to add to the increasing burdens that were likely to emerge from the unchartered APNU/ AFC plans in 2019.

Thus, Guyanese are bound to encounter increased Government defiance in the immediate upcoming period, as their representatives try to consolidate their dictatorial wrong-doings. The situation therefore demands solid decisions individually and collectively, to counter and redirect the downward trajectory that the current APNU Government has placed the country.

The outcry of our citizens has been far too excessive, given the short three and a half years of this coalition regime rule. Far too many citizens across the various vindictively targeted regions and communities,

are being exposed to this Government’s tormenting torture, which has become unforgiving, unbearable and demanding of interventions.

Contextually, the only bright spot for many during the holiday season, was the strongly conveyed representation of the PPP/C’s recently filed and debated No-Confidence Motion, which the party won in the National Assembly. The passing of the Motion was achieved on Friday, December 21, 2018, with the Speaker Dr Barton Scotland pronouncing that the motion was carried with a majority of 33 to 32 votes and the issue of the necessary supporting document of affirmation by the Clerk.

The Opposition presenters robustly highlighted the oppressive fraudulent nature of the current Government and indeed, their consistently uncompromising and continued failures. Justification beyond the shadow of a doubt was provided by the PPP/C’s timely No-Confidence Motion intervention.

From the results of the debate, it is obvious that 2019 will be an election year in which citizens have the opportunity to stand up and challenge the blatant pomposity of an uncaring APNU/AFC Government, whilst

Frantic efforts are being... (From page 4) of unimaginable proportions.

Such a situation would throw our country back to the days of the early 1950’s when the constitution was suspended by the colonial authorities and a puppet interim government established to administer the affairs of the colony until elections were held in 1957.

It was during this period that the activities of political parties were prohibited and their leaders’ movements within the colony restricted.

Progressive and democratic-minded Guyanese at home and abroad would deem such a development an abomination of all the rights they struggled for and secured over the years since independence.

Thankfully, there is an important saving grace; Guyana as a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the OAS, UNASUR and CARICOM, is state party to a slew of multilateral treaties, covenants and conventions that commit the nation to uphold universally shared beliefs and values, democratic governance as well as the fundamental civil, political and human rights of the Guyanese people.

It follows therefore, that were the APNU+AFC to violate the constitutional provisions that require the coalition government to do the right thing and resign, such action would, beyond the shadow of a doubt, throw Guyana into a tailspin from which it would take years if not decades to recover.

Invariably, our country’s reputation would be severely damaged to the extent of it becoming a failed state.

The ball is therefore firmly in the court of the Granger administration to ensure that the political climate leading up to the dissolution

of parliament and during the entire elections campaign remains politically stable and undisturbed by any untoward, centrally directed political intervention of a violent nature.

This is not to say that the political opposition does not share any responsibility whatsoever to ensure that peace and good order prevails throughout the country. On the contrary, it does. However, much depends on the actions of government, and the PNC in particular, at this critical juncture of our country’s political history.

The Guyanese people have legitimate concerns which should be addressed not downplayed.

At the same time, fueling conflict should be avoided at all costs. In this connection, the PPP provides a counter balance to the forces seeking to create confusion and uncertainty in their efforts to undermine the legitimate constitutional rights of the Guyanese people.

Uncertainty must not become the nation’s companion.

Uncertainty breeds unease, unease breeds restlessness, restlessness breeds confrontation and confrontation breeds violence.

Hope must prevail over fear, and national pride over universal humiliation. Constructive solutions based on shared convictions must become the order of the day.

The Guyanese people must be empowered and be given free rein to throw their weight behind the effort to create a renewed sense of confidence and optimism that allows them to open up a new chapter in our country’s political history.

Yours sincerely, Clement J. Rohee

savouring a chance of a brighter future.

Significant to the aforementioned outcome, is the now brave and infamous ‘conscience vote’ of AFC’s Member of Parliament Mr. Charrandas Persaud, which must go down in the annals of Guyana’s Parliamentary history. Not only because Mr Persaud previously formed part of the current Government, but because he recognised the subversions of thousands of Guyanese under the current APNU/AFC regime, and acted in an effort to prevent the continued sufferings.

Considering the established National Assembly precedents regarding ‘Majority votes’ and with no other rational undertakings, the Hon Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo immediately responded to the press at Parliament building, and conceded that the APNU/AFC Government has fallen. He further explained that fresh elections will be held in 90 days. President David Granger, shortly after, also accepted that the No-Confidence motion was a success and agreed to reach the Leader of the Opposition early in the New Year.

At the time of penning this column, it was recognised that General and Regional Elections are now due within the next eighty-three days, with time diminishing quickly. Consequently, it is clearly obvious that the APNU/AFC coalition Government currently have only the responsibility of administering the Government’s business in a routine way. This is mainly in terms of overseeing that salaries of public servants are paid, and law and order prevails in the country.

The leader of the opposition and other opposition parties, will also have the responsibility of advancing their election campaign work in a manner that ensures that there is peace and harmony in our country. At the same time, the Guyana Election Commission has the mandate and responsibility to deliver ‘Free and Fair’ Elections.

It is not surprising that the fallen Government now seems to be adopting a posture of non-cooperation while suggesting the need for review. The fact is that they were caught ‘pants down’ advancing their wicked vendetta ways. This APNU/AFC coalition must therefore do the right thing and resign; dissolve Parliament and fix the date for the 2019 Regional and National Elections. While it is expected that there will be discussions with Government and

the main opposition in finalising these timelines, the process must be without delay in the interest and welfare of citizens and the country at large.

The bureaucracy created by this coalition Government must not continue. In keeping with standard elections related legislation and policy, the Government cannot spend money on any new projects and continue living a lavish big life, to the detriment of the working class. All of the overindulged extravagance must stop and only basic spending must be incurred. Importantly, the main opposition, the international community and citizens will be watching.

It is anticipated that GECOM must and will hit top-gear in finalising the necessary arrangements to conduct a ‘Free and Fair’ Elections. Coming off the recent Local Government Elections (LGE) should be advantageous to the necessary preparations, as the recent experiences would have served as self-warming appetizer of the requirements to be upheld and the adjustments that must be made.

Among the critical issues is the preparation of the voters’ list. Given the millions of dollars recently spent on the ten continuous registration for the successful 2018 LGE, GECOM needs to state its readiness. Importantly, all Political Parties will have to ensure that the 2019 Elections are conducted in a ‘Free and fair’ manner by giving extra keen scrutiny to the process.

Recently, the public and other stakeholders have had serious questions about accountability and transparency at the GECOM Secretariat. It is therefore very urgent and necessary that imminent personalities from prominent International organisations are invited to look over the preparation and conduct of the 2019 Elections.

As the time of writing this column, information received indicated that many Government officials are attempting to ship fraudulently obtained monies overseas by the suitcases. Keen scrutiny must be given by the opposition. Further, this column supports the call for the immediate resignation of the President and Cabinet.

We look forward to the PPP/C selecting their Presidential Candidate and wish to state that the expectations are high for total unity in the opposition’s camp.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Spins on no-confidence vote will not work Dear Editor,

T

he newest spin by this failed Coalition Government is that Mr Charandass Persaud is a Canadian Citizen hence he could not have voted in a legal capacity on December 21, 2018 – hence his vote is null and void and the Coalition is still the government of Guyana.

They have plucked another one out of their hat of tricks hoping that it will gather some moss in educated and enlightened circles, however this other last ditch attempt at staving off defeat and final exit from power will not get any headway. Reasons being he was up until that day in an official capacity as parliamentarian and functioning member of The Coalition, doing every “legal” or “illegal’ (according to them) thing as any other member of the 33 ruling Coalition Government. However, that capacity suddenly became into an illegality when he voted against his own government, which in the terms of the man on the “bare BS”. I shall give the legal term for it, that is, the doctrine of clean hands.

The Coalition, if they even venture out on that note of Mr Charandass being an illegal member of parliament would not have a leg to stand on forwarding that foolishness, so my advice to them is to accept defeat and let us move on with the business of fresh elections and the installation of a government that is, of and for The People of this great country. Haven’t they not seen, haven’t they not heard, Guyana needs to breathe again and that can only be done on the strengths of one party.

The PPP/C, the only party that can and will win an election in this country. If ever they were caught napping it is now, this Coalition is in an illegality ever since and cannot now go into parliament or in any court for that matter with this nonsense and expect any redress. The fact is the die has been cast the no-confidence vote is carried and cannot be reversed. The Speaker cannot change it nor should any court of law listen to that hogwash.

Respectfully Neil Adams

6

Guyana’s Constitution is clear on the ‘caretaker’ role of gov’t after no-confidence motion vote Dear Editor,

E

ach time there is a sitting of the National Assembly, I would habitually take a walk to Demico House across the street, and to parts of Stabroek Market to interact with vendors and laborers during the lunch-break.

I do this because I need to know how decisions we make in Parliament affect the lives of ordinary Guyanese. Very often they would comment that Ministers of Government are so aloof, they would never do what I’m doing until they’re campaigning for votes.

This was evident when the entire Cabinet descended upon the Stabroek Market square, inviting vendors to “meet and greet your Minister” on Christmas Eve after they were earlier declared persona non grata.

But they were scared from before. On the day of the No-confidence Motion, they were expecting thousands of supporters to amass in front of Parliament building, but only managed to scrape the barrel down to a disappointing hardcore few.

Now that this elitist group of APNU+AFC Ministers need people, they’re now shamelessly asking them to come out in defence of the Government, the same Government that neglected them for three and a half years.

Now we see Ministers dancing and partying with DJs when not too long ago, these same DJs were being hounded and forced to shut down the music by the 2:00 am curfew.

The point has already been made by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, other prominent lawyers and the Guyana Bar Association on the validity of the No-confidence Motion as it relates to Nigel Hughes’ fuzzy maths.

I will only ask if those who now question the passage of this motion would have objected and demanded that Government needed 34 votes to defeat the motion had all 33 members of Government voted against it. I guarantee, this would never have happened and Nigel Hughes would not have come up with his jumbie equation to stir-up trouble.

Immediately following the fall of the coalition Government, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo held a Press Conference in which he admitted that the opposition’s motion “was approved by a majority of all the elected members of the House.” This admission of defeat was echoed by President Granger and several Cabinet Ministers.

Editor, you may recall that in 2014 Carl Greenidge, until recent, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview, that “because a no-confidence vote in the Government is a major issue over the performance of the Government, the behaviour of the Government and the breaking of the law by the Government, it needs to be followed by the resignation of the Government and the calling of national elections.” But I wonder if he shares the same view now.

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019 Despite previous admissions that the government has fallen, we’re now being told that Cabinet is looking at the legal implications, and is likely to go to court to seek a reversal of the no-confidence vote taken in favor of the Parliamentary Opposition. The audacity of this Government to still have Cabinet meetings, flies in the face of Article 106 (6) of our Constitution which explicitly directs the entire Cabinet to resign.

Article 106 (6) of our Constitution is unambiguous. It clearly states that “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

This government has fallen, the President, the Cabinet and rest of Ministers must resign now! And since the APNU+AFC are so convinced that they have done great things for Guyana and its people, they should have no problem calling new elections now.

Editor, I have listened carefully to the venomous statements made by PNCR Central Executive Member, Aubrey Norton who chaired a low-level press conference a few days ago. Clutching at straws, he accused former AFC Parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud of taking a bribe from Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP for voting according to his conscience. This is so ludicrous; I challenge anyone to produce hard evidence. In his interview with the press, Charrandas was asked if he was paid by the PPP to which he replied that he was paid by Parliament Office for traveling expense as other MPs are entitled to.

This lie was started by an APNU letter-writer Rickford Burke, in a missive to the editor, and is now being parroted by the PNC/ APNU to maliciously spread false rumors, as I’m convinced that the PNC will not allow this care-taker Government to resign. It is this very arrogant behavior and bullyism that caused Charrandas to vote his according to conscience on December 21.

The APNU+AFC is now desperate and scared of the outcome, behaving like rats running wild on a sinking ship. They’ve grown so accustomed to the good life, they simply can’t return to living an ordinary life now.

Going to court will not help them either.

The Guyana Bar Association has already

issued a statement supporting the validity of the Motion which reads in part, “The Bar Council rejects as erroneous such contentions that the motion was not properly passed or that the vote is, for any reason, invalid”. But as we have seen before, Government is again shamelessly exercising its power, trampling on the Constitution to hang on to power.

It was reported that if Government fails to get the Speaker of the National Assembly to respond favorably to its concerns about the validity of the no-confidence motion against it, it will take the matter to court. But what is there for the Speaker to review? Nothing new has come up to compel the Speaker to reverse his decision, and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Sherlock Isaacs has already confirmed the validity of our motion in writing. Of course, they’re hoping that the judiciary will save them. But the judiciary will place itself on trial if it attempts to overturn the will of the people and the vote in Parliament. If through some devious means Government is able to pull off a judicial coup, this will not be accepted, and will set a dangerous precedent, one that may well lead to instability and civil unrest… “This time na like lang time.”

The judiciary has an obligation to uphold the Constituency of Guyana at all times. I expect it will continue to do so.

I suspect some in Government will want to use this opportunity to hustle as much as possible during the period leading up to new elections. I caution, this will be a big mistake. We intend to scrutinise and conduct forensic audits from December 21 to the day we get into office to recover State assets and taxpayers’ money that may disappear. So to avoid any unpleasantness and possible loss of freedom from a visit by a SOCU under new management, I expect this caretaker Government to engage in routine expenditure only.

No new contracts to be awarded, no cutting of cheques for use in the new year, and certainly, all fiscal accounts must be closed by December 31, 2018 the latest. You’ve been forewarned!

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

Granger, Nagamootoo and House Speaker must not to retreat from their first acceptance of the no-confidence motion vote Dear Editor,

T

he Chronicle Headline of Tuesday, first day of January, 2019 was astonishing, proclaiming that the passage of the No-Confidence Motion was nothing. Surely that was great additional confirmation that the group in the Offices of our Government had lost their way. Perhaps their difficulty is that they have attributed not nothing, but too much to the passage of that motion: it is not their end, it is no end but another step in our evolving journey to greater political maturity.

Yes, an early, immediate premature end only to our Parliament eleven: a fifteen-month early return to our electorate for a renewed mandate, no more. Let us all entreat Our President, our Prime Minister and our Speaker not to retreat from their first acceptance of a prompt return to the polls, and shun the seductive songs of those who claim to show that thirty-four (34) is the required majority, not thirty-three (33) in an Assembly of 65; the same arguments which they took unsuccessfully some years before to the Minority Government of the PPP/C. To those who ascribe to regular elections fair and free, no more than five years between, one shortened mandate should not portend an end.

We PPP/C speak in earnest for we have only recently endured shortened terms, not one but two.

Our first early election was an imposition, borne for the integrity of our nation.

The results of Elections 1997, declared free and fair by observers local and foreign, that second successive PPP/C win was not accepted by the other side, the marches of “slow fyah – mo fyah”, the real fires across Georgetown seemed determined to consume our nation. Seeking to find a way out, Caricom brought the Herdmanston Accord pleading that many who were not supportive of the PPP/C were fearful, the PPP/C would always be winning, even without rigging (the premise of forever winning, just so, we PPP and PPP/C have never accepted: always seeing it as our challenge to win acceptance of all our people). Mistaken they have been, lacking patience and persevering, in earnest, honest work avoiding, who see election results in Guyana as just dismaying racial censuses, which would forever be so. Constitutional Amendments were proffered as the way out – strengthening and enshrining minority rights: the innovative precedent in 1992 of our Leader of the Opposition submitting a list of six names from which our President would choose the Chairman of

GECOM, enshrined; veto rights to the Leader of the Opposition in the appointments of our Chancellor and Chief Justice: many new Rights Commissions and new procedures in the appointment of various State officials.

Such proposals in themselves were worthy of consideration but it was hard to swallow the call for us, PPP/C, to commit to rapidly proceeding with them, having them completed within three years, and to hold new elections immediately thereafter under that newly amended Constitution.

The prospect was that two years would be cut from our 1997 mandate, through no fault of our own.

To many of us supporting the PPP/C, it seemed to be blackmail rewarded. It was for President Janet Jagan sitting almost alone, to make that lonely ruling: let us accept and remove that millstone which many of our brothers and sisters perceive to be in their way: let us get back to growth and development of our people and country; let Guyana win. Many if not all of us went along but with much biting of our tongues and much swallowing.

Our second shortened term and early elections was our forced choice of May 2015, having won a plurality but not a majority in November, 2011. To the group in

Government now, in opposition then, there was never any question throughout our Parliament ten, that their thirty three (33) votes were a majority that would carry any motion against our thirty two (32). As our then AG has written recently, some persons did come to us singing their song that a minimum of thirty four (34) was required for a majority in our Parliament of sixty five (65): he rejected those arguments then and rejects them now. It was with that certainty on the part of the then Opposition that they put the No-Confidence-Motion which President Ramotar judged that we should first seek to delay, some time for reconciliation providing; none forthcoming, he called an early election. Imagine what a tragedy there would have been in our Guyana if we PPP/C had hearken to those siren songs of thirty four (34) being required to carry that 2014 N-C-M. An earlier than expected election is not an end to, but a step in our evolving journey to political maturity. Let the campaigns for our March 2019 Elections begin: All Campaigning for a Guyana Win. Samuel A.A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Are we moving to a police state?

Dear Editor,

Civil society will continue to be strident in the calls for the resignation of the Coalition gov’t Dear Editor,

M

y attention was drawn to an extensive social media post by Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin in which he posited “The Constitution is silent on the impact of a no-confidence vote on the National Assembly. I would therefore expect the National Assembly to continue to function as normal, and in keeping with the will of the electorate, until such time as it is dissolved.”

I will begin by agreeing with Gaskin that he is correct in that the Constitution is silent on the matter, but since Article 106 (6) states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence” and Article 106 (7) continues “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election”, then one can take the two articles conjunctively to arrive at a commonsense position that it cannot be business as usual as contended by Gaskin. Instead, it must be a period of great ethical behavior; no granting of contracts; no dispersal of state assets; no actions that can be deemed favorable to one’s

self, friends, cronies or business associates.

While a caretaker Government provision is not explicitly stated, we cannot have a vacuum, hence it is most certainly implied.

Editor, there was no rabid call for resignation of the Government prior to their announcement of ‘exploration of options’, until then, President Granger and Opposition Bharat Jagdeo had set a respectful tone that becalmed seas that threatened to be stormy.

The behavior of Cabinet members since the departure of President Granger has caused many great alarms. The attempts to sidestep the Constitution by way of asking the Speaker to review a decision of the National Assembly; introduction of illogical interpretations of the word ‘majority’; questions of citizenship that are clearly addressed by Article 165 (2) of the Constitution are all acts of people who are desperate to avoid facing the electorate.

Editor, until there is a renewed public acceptance by the Government that it has fallen and there exists no constitutional crisis, civil society members will continue to be strident in the calls for the resignation of the Granger Administration.

The people of the nation accepted the results of the no-confidence motion, I strongly urge the Government to swallow their pride and follow suit, failing which the medicine will indeed be bitter at the polls.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Region 10 is responding to the message of the PPP/C Dear Editor,

T

he failed and worn strategy of the APNU+ AFC government to damage reputations continue and the state owned chronicle is being as the medium. The fact is that Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has improved it’s electoral successes in Region 10 winning two seats in Kwakwani and one in linden in the November 2018 Local Government Elections.

This achievement was because of the strong and decisive leadership from the Party, accompanied by financial support. The visionary and strategic management of the campaign by Dr Roger Luncheon, Bishop Juan A Edghill and others ensured discipline, team work and an unprecedented engagement with Lindeners house to house, community by community, everyone heard the message.

The reality is while we increased the numbers of votes cast in our favor the APNU+AFC was unable to attract Lindeners to the poll – four out of five stayed home, only 21 per cent voted. The people are responding to the PPP/C and it's message and the Government is fearful, so the attack on our leaders is not surprising.

The actions of Mr Blair and Mr Lorimer is of little consequence and is totally rejected by this Regional Executive Committee. We reject all fallacious statements that were made by these two gentlemen and the party leader-

ship is aware of their undisciplined behavior and abusive language to senior functionaries.

On many occasions they were heard verbally abusing Bishop Edghill and at no time did any of us heard Bishop Edghill using expletive, obscenity, profanity or racial demeaning language. It just never happened. It is a concoction, a fabrication and a blatant untruth.

These Gentlemen should be ashamed of themselves. With the attack on the Opposition Leader and other leaders in their statements, we are enraged and deeply disappointed that both Mr Blair and Mr Lorimer will stoop so low.

The PPP/C Leadership in Region 10 remains strong and will continue embrace all Lindeners and residents of every community.

A lie repeated often will never be the truth, it is still a lie. We reject the use of our former comrades by the APNU+AFC cabal to damage the reputation of our leaders.

It is the coalition Government that the people of Guyana have no confidence in. The Coalition must stop manufacturing controversies. The Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic is ready to engage the residents of Region 10 with respect and bring to them the message of hope.

Best regards David Adams For the Region 10 PPP/C Regional Executive Committee

R

eference is made to a press release titled, “Government to submit Brief to Speaker addressing consequences of Dec 21 vote,” posted on the coalition Government’s Department of Information (DPI) website.

In it, the public was told: “Until and unless fresh elections are held, the Government remains in full control of the governance apparatus of the state and will continue to carry out its mandate according to its constitutional requirement. Any suggestion to the contrary is intended to breed anarchy and disorder in Guyana and that too will be resisted.”

These are the most chilling statements issued thus far by the coalition Government since it fell on December 21, 2018. Unless this is bluff and desperation, there are profound implications here.

First, the coalition Government appears to be ready to assume de facto status and, if necessary, organise a state of emergency on false pretenses in order to declare martial law and dismiss the constitutional edict of fresh elections.

Secondly, the coalition Government wants to muzzle free speech and the relentless public criticism of its refusal to resign from office, and call new elections as the Constitution requires.

The coalition Government is publicly calling all critics and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, the latter having accused the coalition of a judicial coup, anarchists or enemies of the state bent on “anarchy and disorder.”

State media and state organs including the DPI are being utilised to tell citizens and

the Leader of the Opposition to be quiet, to shut up, to have no expressed opinion about matters that occurred in their National Assembly on December 21.

The Leader of the Opposition was told that he must know his place which is to say his constitutionally created office must now take instructions from junior Ministers of the coalition Government. In other words, the coalition is using intimidation to swallow Opposition politics.

Third, public notice is now given that anyone who speaks out will be “resisted” by the coalition Government which has at its disposal, the full arsenal of state apparatus.

The coalition has already, or is about to swallow the State. The State will do the biddings of the coalition.

It is time to be prepared to be arrested and booked with bogus charges for writing or speaking. It is time to anticipate the army mobilising against citizens in the street and establishing camps on their private property.

It is time for “wanted” bulletins to be issued for persons for mere questioning. It is time for unlawful detention. This press release makes clear that there is no more equal protection.

Finally, the fallen coalition Government rejects the idea that it is a caretaker Government. Instead, it tells the entire electorate that it will not only exist but “continues” to govern in full capacity (“carry out its mandate”) as if December 21 dropped off the face of the calendar. There no longer is any original mandate. Onwards to a Police state.

Sincerely, R. Rampertab

APNU+AFC gov’t must resign Dear Editor,

I

t is no secret that the concerns raised by Charrandas Persaud against the APNU/ AFC coalition Government is factual and as such defined the performance of this Government. Some of these concerns raised by the supporter of the motion was the issue of the sugar workers and the closure of two sugar estates in Berbice which l think was key.

Since Charrandas Persaud was a Regional Member of Parliament Region Six he was mandated by the people to represent his constituency.

Berbice is suffering tremendously from the policies of this APNU/AFC coalition Government. The people who operate the businesses were left with little or no alternative but to send-home employees in large numbers. The rice industry was not given the necessary support from the Government to accelerate its performance to reach the promised price of 9000 dollars per bag of paddy and maximising production.

The creation of jobs for young people and even persons who did not have jobs and were promised to be employed by the

Government came at the cost of total destruction of a number of sugar workers who were severed. The Government’s solution to employment was to mainly employ the elderly, friends, families and supporters of the People National Congress as was confirmed in a statement by the Chairperson of the PNC. Corruption is another major issue that the no-confidence motion highlighted in Parliament. So with these issues and more, the APNU/AFC coalition Government at some point in time would have fallen.

The APNU/AFC coalition Government’s refusal to resign from Government is a definite reminder that the DNA enshrined in the PNC is slowly but surely emerging to ensure that they stay in power irrespective of what it takes. Over the years I think the most destructive weapon that was available and used by the PNC was violence before 2015.

The arguments fronted by the Government are vivid signs of desperation. Majority of Guyanese would demand that the APNU/ AFC Government resign before losing all their credibility – if it has any remaining.

Respectfully, Zamal Hussain

Proper Parliamentary procedures were followed, Coalition gov’t must accept facts Dear Editor,

I

n a section of the media on May 1, 2005, Mr Raphael Trotman was quoted as saying “I would like to be part of a movement for change and I reject the current form of politics being practiced in Guyana.” In that same article, Mr Trotman reaffirmed his commitment to an independent Parliament.

Let us reflect on this commitment to an in-

dependent Parliament. Has the Speaker Dr Barton Scotland not acknowledged that the motion had been affirmed and ruled upon to allow for the official notification of the decision to be dispatched to the mover of the motion – the Opposition Leader? Has the Opposition Leader received the notification?

Yes! So proper Parliamentary procedures were followed, and the process should have (Turn to page 8)

STRAIGHT TALK 8

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

(The following is the 1973 General Election broadcast delivered by Dr Cheddi Jagan on June 17, 1973.)

PPP's foundation for progress destroyed by PNC

By Cheddi Jagan

S

oon it will be time for another important decision - which party to vote for. Fortunately, you are now in a better position to judge; you have had experience of 7 years of the PPP in office and 8 ½ years of the PNC in power.

I have deliberately used the words; "the PPP in office" and "the PNC in power" to make one point clear - when we were in the government, Guyana was not independent; we had very limited powers.

Not so with the PNC. Yet we scored many successes, some of which are today taken for granted independence, republic, nationalization, recognition of socialist states, Guyanisation and so on. Yes, we pioneered them. And we had to fight every inch of the way as well as suffer to achieve them.

In the economic field, we blazed a revolutionary trail. We severed some of the shackles with which sugardom bound our nation and stultified our development.

The PPP removed the brakes on agriculture; we released the land, long "bottled up," and we embarked on a comprehensive scheme of drainage and irrigation.

Because of these and other measures too numerous to mention, our agricultural policy proved successful; it wasn't just propaganda as we have nowadays. The farmers were happy - they got many benefits, good prices and were meaningfully involved.

And the workers and consumers too were satisfied they were able to get a good supply of inexpensive foods.

But our concern was for industry as well as agriculture. So we set up the Industrial Development Corporation and Industrial Estate at Ruimveldt. We nationalized the Demerara Electric Company and began the programme of rural electrification.

The river front land at Garden of Eden, now used by the Guyana Defence Force for farming, had been cleared for glass and cement factories.

Unfortunately, these and other factories from socialist countries including a Cuban-financed $32 million hydro-electric scheme at Malali, were blocked by the British government.

But despite that, the foundations for a post-independence industrial future were laid. We got the United Nations to carry out several vital surveys.

In the monetary field we established the Bank of Guyana and were the first government in a British colony to impose restriction on sterling.

We had a proud pro-labour record. The now famous "Kaldor" budget of 1962 had as its aim the redistribution of income; we wanted the shifting of the tax burden from the poor to those who could afford to pay.

The PPP government pioneered free medical care and established a network of health centres; we began a country-wide programme of immunization and the environmental sanitation scheme.

We extended pure water supplies.

In the sugar estates the logies were tumbled down;

they are now only a memory.

In Georgetown, we started cheap subsidized housing for the working people, with a minimum rental of $5 and the maximum of $17 per month, something the PNC government has not yet done despite all its propaganda about housing.

Towards the development of a national people's culture, we set up the University of Guyana, derogatorily dubbed "Jagan's night school" by the PNC; instituted a national History and Culture Week; established a national steel band; gave annual prizes for literature and art, and initiated dress reform - the shirt jac.

And we brought down the symbol of foreign domination, the Georgetown Golf Club. Its lease was terminated for a people's national park.

And in our draft independence Constitution. we inserted a Fundamental Rights section, including the right to vote at age 18.

Yes, ours was a new vision and a new approach.

We made far-reaching innovations. We truly laid the foundations for change and for a free society.

That was the foundation which the PNC inherited.

And what has it achieved with its unlimited power and all the advantages it had?

You have been told of the hundreds of millions of dollars spent, about a high growth rate, and so no. But what has it all really meant for the "small man"? For him, success is measured in terms of jobs, standard of living, peace of mind and security - security in old age and security at home and in

the streets.

For the large majority of Guyanese housewives, life has become a nightmare.

If it is not high prices, it is shortages. Also anywhere I go, it's always the same cry: "Doc, things bad."

A few weeks ago, a former PNC activist stopped me at the north-western gate of Bourda Market, opened her shopping bag and cried out: "look what $5 buy; wha you guine do about it?"

And the unemployment situation worsens daily. It's commonplace to find an advertisement for one job bringing out no less than 300 to 500 applicants for interviews.

And the results of the daily frustrations of living are plain for all to see - a growing crime rate, a bigger prison population, more mental cases and suicides, more émigrés.

Thousands, seeing no hope in the future, want to get out as fast as they can.

The queues for passports and visas to emigrate are never ending; they get longer and longer.

Of course, we are asked to have faith in the future.

The new PNC Development Plan, you are told, will solve all your future headaches; by 1976, you would be fed, clothed and housed.

To those of you who have been seduced into believing this propaganda, I say: "remember 1967." Then you were told that under a PNC government, there would be free milk and cassava; that not a soul would go to bed hungry. Remember how the last $300 million D-Plan was to have put us on the "New

Road" and the "Highway to Happiness. " The new plan will fare no better; it will land us in a deeper hell than we are now in; things will definitely get worse - the inevitable result of the course charted by the PNC. Don't let the big figures mesmerize you. Spending huge sums of money alone does not make for real progress. Far more important is the economic planning strategy and what is given priority and emphasis. This means a sound philosophy, correct policies and a revolutionary, anti-imperialist programme.

We have always said that the root cause of our ills was foreign ownership and domination. Unfortunately, political independence and republican status with the PNC in power have not materially altered the situation from colonial days .

The PPP believes in scientific socialism, not the PNC's illusory cooperative socialism.

We say: nationalize the commanding heights of the economy; we are against playing the so-called "partnership" game with imperialism.

We say: put emphasis on industry and agriculture and not on infrastructure. And to achieve this we advocate foreign policy based on the closest cooperation with the socialist world.

Our land reform policy will place the land in the hands of the tillers.

And we will deal ruthlessly with corruption and discrimination.

We believe in the fullest development of our human resources and the meaningful

involvement of the workers, farmers and intellectuals.

We give you these broad outlines of your programme because it has been charged that we are irresponsible and have nothing to offer.

They also say that we are planning violence, that we want to disrupt the peace. I am sure you are not fooled by these falsehoods. You know very well who, to serve personal ends, started the violence in the 1960s.

Recall the terrorist plan, X-13, and the large quantities of detonators found buried in a certain yard. Remember Peter Owen, former Commissioner of Police, describing in 1964 the PNC as "an organized thuggery which is centrally directed."

In fact, you also know that it is the sense of responsibility of the PPP leadership which has preserved the peace responsibility in the face of gross discrimination against, and provocation of, our supporters, the pulling down of their homes, constant police harassments, arrests and raids as well as the unleashing against workers of terror, tear gas and police dogs.

With the PPP, you know where we stand; we are consistently behind you.

Ever since the mid-1940s, we fought relentlessly against terror and intimidation to win for you the right to vote.

Don't let the professionally-trained riggers deprive you of this sacred right. Turn out as never before. On Monday, July 16, record a massive vote of no-confidence against our common enemy, the PNC, and send them reeling out of office. Vote solidly for your party, the PPP.

Proper Parliamentary procedures were followed... (From page 6) been deemed as complete.

But not so in the books of these people who are on a far-fetched journey to blatantly sabotage the Constitution. Has the Speaker lost all his constitutional powers because the APNU/AFC – PNC-led de facto regime says so? Isn’t the house regulated from the Speaker’s chair? Has the Speaker not ruled?

They should seek proper guidance, and there is no better source than the book called the ‘Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings, and Usage of Parliament’ written by the father of Parliamentary procedures in the British Commonwealth, Mr Erskine May. Much of the Parliamentary procedures in practice today were developed over centuries across the British Commonwealth. Guyana’s Constitution was derived from such a system and there is a precedent that supports the position that the Speaker acted correctly on December 21, 2018. In Mr May’s most informed authoritative book on Parliamentary procedures it clearly states that “when the

measure or policy of Ministers is condemned

by Parliament, a change of administration restores agreement…” Mr May further stated that “Ministers are responsible to the Parliament and so long as they are able to retain confidence from the Parliament, the harmonious actions of the several estates of the realm are secured.” Then Mr May went on to state that the “necessity of refusing to assent is removed by the strict observance of the constitutional principle that the (head of state) has no will but that of its Ministers who only continue to serve in that capacity so long as they retain the confidence of Parliament”.

This de facto Granger regime, that has lost the confidence of the majority of the House (Article 106 of the Constitution), ought to have resigned by now and submit themselves to this 90 day period as a caretaker Government. But instead they have taken the decision to migrate from the realm of legitimacy to illegitimacy and from their now bastardised seats, are choosing to engage in mathematical

fantasy.

The glorious art of mathematics guides us on this matter. By way of a paper authored by the William D Hacker Professor of Economics and Political Science, Professor Charles R Plott, he clearly put to rest what is a majority.

Professor Plott asked an important question – What is the constraint to achieving a majority? In Guyana’s case, the constitution said “all the elected members” can vote. That number is 65 and it is an odd number, these are the constraints. On that fateful night, all 65 elected members were present and voted, so one of the constraints was fulfilled.

On the second one, Professor Plott instructs that in the case of an odd number, the majority must be derived from the formula as follows: MAJORITY = (m+1)/2 Where m is the number of eligible voters (in Guyana’s case 65).

MAJORITY = (65+1)/2 = 66/2 = 33.

Following Professor Plott’s guidelines, a

majority in the Guyanese Parliament is 33.

But I did not need the wisdom of the esteemed and celebrated Professor from Caltech, a world-renowned educational institution that is ranked No 5 in the world to tell me this. I learned this elementary stuff in high school in Guyana from a Sri Lankan who taught me three types of Mathematics during my Bishops High and Queens College days – Pure Maths, Additional Maths, Further Maths. So why are the PNC and AFC political parties behaving in this manner and trying to sell me and the rest of the Guyanese nation an untruth?

I am hoping Mr Trotman remembers his words and reject this sort of politics as he alluded to 13 years ago. He might be the last hope as it appears that elementary common sense has now departed the minds of all the other lawyers with allegiance to the PNC and AFC. I am hoping that good sense prevails.

Sincerely, Sasenarine Singh

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Positions from the Office of the Opposition Leader APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t must immediately begin the preparations for General and Regional Elections T

he attention of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition has been drawn to a very long and exhausting document, styled “Legal Memorandum”, addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, from Basil Williams, in relation to the alleged “lawfulness” of the no confidence motion passed in the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2018.

The nation and the world have already accepted that

the no confidence motion has passed and that the coalition Government has fallen.

It would be recalled that the Speaker has already ruled that the motion was carried and consequently, the Clerk of the National Assembly has already issued a resolution pursuant to the said motion.

On the very night of the 21st December, 2018, the Prime Minister informed the Press that the Government was defeated by the no confidence

motion which was passed, by a majority of 33:32 and the Prime Minister committed that the Government would comply with the ensuing constitutional process of going to elections within three months. Indeed, to exhibit his legal learning, the Prime Minister referred to all the relevant provisions of the Constitution at that Press Conference.

The following day the President conceded that the

Government was defeated by the no confidence motion and publically announced the Government’s preparedness to comply with the consequential constitutional prescription.

The Speaker has no further role to play in relation to the no confidence motion.

Certainly, he has no review powers whatsoever over the already completed process.

This “Legal Memorandum” is the latest act of

desperation of a power drunk group who wish to cling to power at all cost and in the process, to subvert and trample upon our Constitution, the integrity of the National Assembly and indeed, the Rule of Law. The “Legal Memorandum” constitutes an amalgam of misconceived and ill-conceived legal arguments and the citation of a host of case law authorities that are absolutely irrelevant

to the propositions which they purport to support. In the circumstances, we reject this “Legal Memorandum” as vexatious, frivolous and wholly irrelevant. The Speaker is urged to do likewise.

Again the Leader of the Opposition calls on the Government to immediately begin the preparations for the holding of elections in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution.

Positions from Freedom House this week (A look at the latest statements made by the People’s Progressive Party)

Former Amerindian Affairs Minister passes away T

Allegations about bribery being spewed by a desperate group

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) rejects the entire gamut of allegations of bribery and corruption being leveled in relation to Charandass Persaud’s voting against the Government in the No-Confidence

Motion.

These allegations are being hatched and spewed by a desperate group of power-drunk and semicrazed politicians, who wants to hold on to the reins of Government at

all cost, so that they can continue to pillage the treasury.

We urge our members, supporters and indeed, every right thinking Guyanese to ignore these paranoid and baseless outpourings.

A New Year’s message from the People’s Progressive Party

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nce again a New Year is upon us and as we welcome it, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) joins with all others in extending best wishes for a peaceful, prosperous and productive 2019 to our Guyanese brothers and sisters here at home and in the Diaspora.

The advent of a New Year is generally met with excitement by some who, among other reasons, may seek a new beginning or to continue to build upon the success achieved. For others, it is met with a sense of trepidation as uncertainty over what it may bring, prevails.

No doubt, many would have good reasons to label 2018 as a challenging year with expectations that 2019 becomes much easier. Unfortunately, with each New Year, new challenges may be forthcoming.

However, our people have proven their resoluteness in finding ways to mitigate and confront adversities.

As customary, this time offers the opportunity for introspection to assess strengths and weaknesses which provide

guidance to aid in the sustaining of and the achievement of desired success.

As the New Year dawns, our country is facing an unprecedented moment in its history causing some to harbour a feeling of uncertainty. As we traverse this period, our Party remains confident in the steadfastness of all Guyanese and in our collectively efforts which will strengthen us to address whatever challenges may lie ahead.

This is a time that hope must not be lost and spirits not allowed to be broken as together we endeavor to work in the best interest of our country to unlock its potential for its advancement and that of all of its people.

Let us in the New Year work assiduously to strengthen bonds of togetherness and brotherhood to aid in the realization of the fundamental value of our national motto and to engage in renewal of ideas for the attainment of success.

Once again best wishes for a joyous New Year!

he People’s Progressive Party wishes to express its sympathy to the relatives and friends of Francis Vibert DeSouza, who passed away last week.

De Souza served as the Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 1992 to 2001.

Condolences extended on the passing of Dr Ramsahoye

T

he People’s Progressive Party extends condolences to the relatives and friends of Dr Fenton Ramsahoye who passed away last week.

Dr Ramsahoye served as Guyana’s first native Attorney General under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration from 1961 to 1964 and a Member of Parliament up until 1973.

Democracy must prevail, Constitutional provisions must be upheld

T

he Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) calls on the Granger-led APNU+AFC government to resign with immediate effect in keeping with the Provisions of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution and set a date for the General and Regional elections which is constitutionally due within 90 days.

President David Granger said on the 22nd December, 2018 that his “government will abide by the stipulations which have been imposed on it following the passing of the No Confidence

Motion…” in the National Assembly on the night of the 21st December, 2018. The Leader of the Government business in the Parliament, the Prime Minister, recorded similar sentiments immediately after the Motion was successfully carried.

The ‘No Confidence Motion’ received 33 votes of the 65 votes in the National Assembly, to which the speaker ruled. The government fell and lost its right to manage the affairs of the country.

Baseless and frivolous arguments are now being touted by those who seek to con-

fuse and give a false sense of hope to their supporters.

No amount of spin can cast any doubt of the demise of the Government and the ensuing resignation which must occur.

The WPO calls on the coalition government to stop the charade and to meet urgently with the Opposition Leader, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, to work out ways to meet the constitutional deadline for General and Regional elections in Guyana in order to stop uncertainty and allow democracy to prevail as stipulated by the Constitution.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Corruption, breach of financial laws, spending irregularities and more….

APNU+AFC gov’t has racked up over 55 scandals since taking office

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orruption, breach of financial laws, spending irregularities and more….

APNU+AFC gov’t has racked up over 55 scandals since taking office The Parliamentary Opposition has been monitoring the APNU+AFC Coalition government’s use of public funds and the levels of transparency and accountability. From June 10, 2015 to date, over 55 scandals have been uncovered – an average of one scandal for each month – some of which are listed below:

1. The cost of the inauguration ceremonies at the Parliament Buildings and, more particularly, the one at the National Stadium has never been revealed.

2. The removal of 8 containers containing steel by BK International from the Ministry of Public Health’s compound worth millions of dollars - in the first week after government changed - in violation of a court order.

The government did nothing to retrieve the containers and has been silent.

3. The dismissal of 1,972 Amerindian community service officers at “one stroke of the pen” with no cause by the third (3rd) Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Despite a promise by VP Allicock in the National Assembly, during the 2015 Budget debate that the government would create a new programme to hire Amerindian youths, they instead replaced this programme with the Hinterland Entrepreneurial Youth Skills Programme (HEYs).

HEYS is a sixmonth training programme with no entrepreneurial or employment component, which is under severe duress as there are complaints that the facilitators and students have not received their stipends despite the budgetary provision of $1Billion.

4. The appointment of 33 foreign honourary advisors to assist the government and the appointment of a top heavy bureaucracy of Presidential and Ministerial advisors, which have only been partially disclosed in the National Assembly in response to questions to Ministers in 2016. The total numbers are approximated to be nearing 100 advisors (local and foreign) at a huge cost to the taxpayers.

5. India/GoG funded Speciality Hospital – the government gave

a contract to Fedders Lloyd (VP Ramjattan was its lawyer) without going to tender at a price yet unknown and in violation of the procurement laws. Despite public outcry, the government refused to terminate the contract for the Speciality Hospital. The company was delisted by the IDB and the Indian government and Eximbank withdrew the money for the loan. There has been no disclosure as to how much Fedders Lloyd was paid and what work had been done when the company was delisted and the project halted.

6. The first act of the government was to give themselves enormous salary increases between 50 -100 % of what the former government ministers received. This was quietly done in September 2015 and the parliamentary opposition had to wage a struggle in Parliament to bring a motion to reverse this. When the motion was finally heard in December, it was defeated by the government’s one-seat majority. It should be remembered that the media, having leaked the fact that the government was embarking on increasing the salaries of the President, VPs and Ministers, Minister Trotman, on behalf of the government, denied that the government was contemplating any salary increases for the Ministers. This was also denied during the debate on the 2015 Budget in August 2015. Having gone into recess mid-September, the government stealthily published Order No. 6 of 2015 in the Official Gazette, dated September 25th, 2015, increasing their salaries and making it retroactive to July 1, 2015. Contrast this act with the government’s refusal to increase the salaries of the public servants in accordance with their campaign promises.

7. Durban Park Development Project for the Jubilee celebrations - The government has refused to provide information on the “private company,” which was in charge of the preparations of the Durban Park prior to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s “take over” of the project on the orders of the President.

It is estimated that the costs, when finally exposed, will be close to $1Billion - for a one-day event.

8. The President pardoned over 100 convicted felons in 2015 and stated that this would be done annually. He promised that these would be felons with non-violent crimes and juvenile offenders. In fact, this was not true. A number of these persons had been sentenced for violent crimes and a number of them are back in prison.

9. The Rudisa case at the CCJ and the pay out to Rudisa - The APNU and AFC, while in Opposition, twice caused the defeat in the 10th Parliament of attempts by the PPPC government to amend the Customs Act in order to pre-empt the case going to the CCJ and save the country millions of US dollars. The APNU+AFC Coalition government settled to repay the entire amount of the Rudisa USD$16M claim without any negotiations for a debt repayment schedule and despite the fact that the company owed and appears to still owe millions of dollars in taxes to Guyana. The first payment was made late last year and the second budgeted for in the 2016 Budget.

10. Hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the Government and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council on the “Clean Up Campaign” in the city with no public tendering and handpicked companies. In some cases, new companies were created with no experience to facilitate this corruption. There has been no accountability of the amount of monies spent and the Mayor and Town Clerk have rebuffed efforts to allow the Auditor General’s office to do a forensic audit.

11. The write off of debts owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the nation by DDL worth billions of dollars (April 2016). If DDL had not issued a press release announcing the write off, this would not have been known.

12. Other write-off of debts by the GRA for other companies who financed the APNU+AFC Coalition electoral campaign, worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Minister Trotman said these companies have to be compensated for their financial investment.

13. Following the March 18, 2016 Local Government Elections, Minister Bulkan in violation of the statutes governing the local government system, appointed the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and the 5 Chairpersons and vice chairperson of the 5 NDCs in the 6 tied LAAs. All of these persons were APNU, although there was a plurality of votes in 3 of the 6 tied LAAs for the PPP and 3 for the APNU+AFC. 14. W r i t e - o f f s b y t h e APNU+AFC dominated Georgetown Municipal Council to many companies for millions of dollars owed in rates and taxes for undisclosed amounts. This is a City Council that is now cashstrapped and cannot pay contractors for garbage collection nor timely payment of salaries of its employees. The cost to the Treasury of these write offs by the GRA, the Georgetown City Council and other Local Authority Areas alone earmarked in this list of scandals is estimated to be between 23% to 36 % of the total 2016 Budget.

15. Parking meters contract with no public tendering, no involvement of the Georgetown City Council, no consultation with the citizens – the scandal deepens, even as the APNU+AFC Georgetown Mayor is being advised to do some damage control by attempting to amend the 49-year contract and make it less embarrassing for the government.

16. The three-year Pharmacy Bond contract between the Ministry of Public Health and the Linden Holding Company was not tendered for by Minister Dr Norton’s own admission on the floor of the National Assembly.

The PPP/C will be submitting its motion of privilege, calling for the Speaker to send the Minister of Public Health to the Privilege Committee for wilfully misleading the National Assembly and the nation.

17. The GoG/BK International settlement of $1.17 B for Haags Bosche - The Ministry of Communities’ settlement of $1.17B to BK International for the Haags Bosche project came to light as a result of a Supplementary Financial Paper on August 8th where the country learnt that this settlement was made and

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Corruption, breach of financial laws, spending irregularities and more….

APNU+AFC gov’t has racked up over 55 scandals since taking office would be paid in three tranches, even though the court did not award costs to BK Int’l.

The government paid BK Int’l the first third of the payment in January 2016, which begs the question - where did this money come from? It was not provided for in the 2015 budget, nor was there any SFP in the interim nor in the 2016 Budget or since to cover this first payment of G$500M. The August Supplementary Financial Paper covers the payment of the second tranche of $501M to BK int’l from the Consolidated Fund.

The third payment the Minister stated would be reflected in the 2017 budget. This is a scandal like the RUDISA and the DDL write offs. Interesting and of note is that BK International is being paid the entire $10M USD for the contract though BK Int’l only worked for 3 of the 5 years of the contract at substandard work. The PPP/C government had terminated the contract due to substandard work and delays.

Ministers Bulkan and Patterson late 2015 both publicly stated that BK Int’l had done substandard work on the project!

18. Two fuel scandals relating to the issuance of fuel licenses for the importation of fuel to companies that are made up of persons related to top officials or who are top officials themselves in the government, who have no fuel bonds, no storage facilities and no offices. The withdrawal of the fuel importation license to the Chinese company, which has invested millions of US dollars for storage facilities, appears to have been calculated to make room for these alternative importers. In August the second set of fuel licenses came to light regarding licenses issued to Dr. Van West Charles, CEO and other officials in GWI under a private company. It should be noted that an applicant for a fuel license has to acquire an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and 4 additional licences - provision of a bond under detailed specifications, transportation, storage, importation, and restrictions on where fuel storage can be located. It normally takes a long time for an applicant to obtain all these licenses---impossible to do so in 9 months. The licenses were issued in the month that Van West Charles became CEO GWI and,

therefore, he had ample time to remove himself from the company. At a parliamentary opposition weekly press briefing several months ago, this gentlemen’s role in soliciting donations for pipes for the wells in Region 9 was exposed. It was reported that the Brazilian contractors hired by GWI to dig 8 wells in the Rupununi region were unable to pay their workers as they allege that GWI is not paying them (the contractors).

19. Consistent and frequent violation of the Procurement Act by line ministries - e.g, the Minister of Agriculture admitted that the MOA nor the NDIA had gone out to tender for works totalling $234M due to emergency works for El Nino and flooding in regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10. In fact, these monies should have been provided for in the Supplementary Financial Paper # 2 of 2016 for the Consolidated Fund.

20. Requests for information during questions to Ministers and questions during the debate on the two Supplementary Financial Papers on August 8th revealed that the government ministers’ will not release contracts unless they have the permission of the other person/ company/ party to the contract.

This is unheard of and a violation of the role of the legislature under the constitution to hold the government accountable.

21. Undermining the judicial process- the establishment of a Presidential Tribunal to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Carvil Duncan, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, should be removed from office for inability to discharge his duties. Since the charges against Mr Duncan are still pending before a Magistrate of the Georgetown Magistrate’s court, the establishment of this tribunal is premature, pre-emptive and repugnant to the very “due process” to which the President says that his Administration is committed.

22. Auditor General’s special audit of GECOM expenditure in 2015 prior to the general and regional elections—this is on-going, with the use of sole sourcing by the GECOM estimated to amount to $700M in the months prior to the May 2015 elections. However,

unlike other investigations where the heads were sent on administrative leave such as the Head of NICIL, Head of the NDIA, PS of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, head of the Public Hospital Georgetown, to name a few, this CEO has not been sent off on administrative leave.

23. $240M spent on refurbishing the Kitty Market. Photographic evidence exposes the corruption

by City Hall. There are no scope of works, estimates, etc that is available and the project was not put to tender as the city has hired the workers and is implementing the works itself. This project is still not completed.

24. The awarding of the contract for boxed juices for the school feeding programme to a Surinamese beverage company owned by RUDISA that was not the lowest or even the second lowest bid.

The impact on the local farmers and manufacturers will be felt.

DDL has come out publicly to criticise this, so too, has another company Guyana Beverages.

25. Award of the contract for quarry stone to a Surinamese company for the CJIA will have tremendous impact on the local quarries. Toolsie Persaud, one of the stone producers, has protested. There is more to come to light on this issue and this we have earmarked an emerging scandal where government needs to provide answers.

26. The discriminatory dismissals of hundreds of employers in the public service and in the state entities on the basis of their ethnic and assumed political affiliation which started in June 2015 is continuing unabated.

27. Some $1.64B was spent regionally on health, plus an additional added $2.5B that was spent on pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) without tender – a massive total $4.17B that was spent by the Coalition Government in breach of the procurement rules.

28. Not satisfied with the huge increases in salary and benefits, some Ministers are greedy and the reports of paying off Ministers for licenses, contracts etc., is astounding. The government has got into the habit of putting

out tenders in the press and then cancelling them repeatedly until their chosen contractor wins the tender.

29. Chicken importation licenses to non-existent/ non-registered companies as well as another company in the name of the CEO, GWI, Van West Charles.

30. The Removal of 6,000 solar panels purchased for the Hinterland Household Electrification Programme and re-allocating them for use at the Ministry of the Presidency and State House.

31. The Wind Farm project being done by Lloyd Singh, an AFC financier. Minister Trotman has said that it is “payback time for one of their election financiers”.

32. Antinfek in drinking water purchased by GWI without tender and without warnings of the health hazard by a CEO who was employed for years by the PAHO. Only after questioning by the Opposition in the National Assembly has the government provided minimum disclosure.

33. Contract for GPL Prepaid meters, awarded after 3 re-tenders to a contractor whose bid was the highest of all bids; in fact, $ 1 B more than engineers’ estimate.

34. Contract for the Water treatment plants- tenders cancelled twice before finally being awarded to their preferred contractor, who was higher than the other tenders.

35. Tendering for the GOG/ IDB Sheriff St road project was repeatedly done and no awards made until we lost that part of the IDB loan of $20M USD while at the same time paying penalty fees.

36. Procurement of drugs and medical supplies, in breach of procurement laws.

37. Consistent and on-going violations of the Procurement Act, financial rules and the Fiscal Management and Enactment Act are pervasive. The most recent examples were exposed during the August 3, 2017 debate with regard to funds for the State Assets Recovery Agency and constitutional bodies including the Public Procurement Commission and the Public Service Appellate Tribunal.

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Corruption, breach of financial laws, spending irregularities and more….

APNU+AFC gov’t has racked up over 55 scandals since taking office 38. The on-going saga of the Durban Jubilee Park. It is estimated that expenditure has reached $1.5 B. Auditor General Deodat Sharma aims to wrap up his special audit into the controversial Durban Park Project before the end of the year even if he does not receive certain financial records which appear to be missing. Mired in controversy, millions more are being spent in preparation for the flag raising ceremony to mark Independence.

39. Contract for CCTV cameras for the Ministry of the Presidency- not delivered and paid for since 2015. The company has been declared bankrupt. So where is the taxpayers’ money?

40. Purchase of the Prime Minister’s SUV- bullet proof, latest model, extraordinary extravagance for a poor developing country. Noticeable is the acquisition of a fleet of new vehicles for every Minister yet many have not been budgeted for in the annual budgets.

41. Secret COI targeting constitutional rights commissions, in particular the Public Service Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission. This is a form of intimidation. No report available.

42. President’s instruction to the Police Service Commission to halt police promotions in contravention of the constitution.

43. The COI into the Police with regard to the way it investigated the intention or plot to assassinate the President. The real plot behind this move appears to be the decapitation of the Guyana Police Force leadership. The President’s instruction to the Police Service Commission to halt these promotions appears to give credence to this theory.

44. The Georgetown Prison Camp Street Jailbreak and fire on July 9, 2017 and the Lusignan escapees coming after the March 2016 riots and fire that lead to 17 inmates being burnt to death. The COI of the March 2016 prison disturbances and fire has been kept secret but more evidence coming to light indicate that the government did not act on those recom-

mendations, including the establishment of a multi-agency multi-sectoral body being appointed by the President to implement the recommendations. Budgetary allocations for the Prisons, especially capital works to increase the inmate accommodation at the Mazaruni Prison in the 2016 budget was unspent and rolled over to 2017 and as of July 2017 these works are still not complete. The new request for $753M appropriated in Parliament on August 3 2017 cannot account for $ 153 M requested.

45. The Amendments to the Broadcasting Act passed in the National Assembly by the one seat majority government are an infringement on the f r e e dom of expression and freedom of the press. Despite public appeals to the President by reputable international organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the International Press Institute as well as denunciations by the Guyana Press Association, private sector, broadcasters, civil society, and the Parliamentary Opposition, the President as of August 17, 2017 denied requests to defer his assent and hold consultations.

46. The Commission of Inquiry into Lands – communal, joint and individual lands and any other lands – with specific focus on Amerindian land titling and land of Freed Africans.

There was no prior consultation with the National Toshaos Council (NTC) or any Amerindian communities on the establishment of this COI. The NTC, five Amerindian non-governmental organizations and the Parliamentary opposition protested the appointment of this COI as it threatened Amerindian land rights which are enshrined in the constitution and in the Amerindian Act. The Parliamentary Opposition brought a motion in parliament calling on the President to revoke the COI or at least the component which is treating with Amerindian land titling which was defeated by the government’s one seat majority. The government 4 months after it established the COI held its first consultation with the NTC. This COI is a recipe to drive rifts and strife between different ethnic groups

in the country.

47. Repossession of lease and transported lands and property - the revocation of 30 MMA farmers leases by the President, the Central Housing and Planning Authority ( CHPA) repossession of transported houses and land and its CEO’s recent renewed threats to take away land from private developers are all unconstitutional.

The judiciary in early August 2017 ruled that the President’s revocation of the leases of the farmers in the MMA was unconstitutional. In another instance the court issued a conservatory order to prevent the government from seizing and taking possession of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre until case is properly heard.

48. Rental of residences for Ministers- $500,000 each to 2 junior Ministers and one Minister $ 1.5 M. This has been exposed in detail in the media and by members of civil society and the Parliamentary Opposition.

49. The appointment of the Chairman of the GECOM in violation of the constitution and the ruling of the Chief Justice.

50. The US$18M signing bonus from ExxonMobil placed outside of the Consolidated Fund.

51. Painting state properties in APNU colours.

52. Reduction of constitutional bodies budgets 2016, 2017, 2018 in violation of the 2015 amendment to FMA Act. These scandals, not limited to this list, have been uncovered and expose a level of corruption and discrimination that has not been seen since the Burnham era.

53. GPL and their contract with state created and owned Power Producers Distribution Inc. (PPDI) has inspired questions and raised concerns since GPL’s payments to PPDI are higher than those made to Wartsilla – yet there are unresolved electricity problems, including as it relates to the reliable supply of power.

54. Sole-sourcing of $366.9M in emergency drugs in June 2017 has once again brought

into question decisions by the Ministry of Public Health, as documents reveal that a company, HDM Labs was handpicked over three others that went through tendering and were declared to have failed the evaluation process. The company is owned by a supporter of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

55. Government has borrowed $30B G from a joint banking and commercial consortium led

by Republic Bank, for GUYSUCO’s remaining estates at 4.75 % interest rates. The members of the consortium are unknown and the terms and conditions of the loan are also unknown.

56. The contract for a foreign company to rebuild Camp St prison was announced by Minister Khemraj Ramjattan during the 2018 Budget debate and media stated that no one tendered, this also remains secret and no funds are allocated in 2018.

57. The PPC completed its investigation and handed its report over on August 7, 2018, to Teixeira, who has written to the PPC on the matter in 2017.

The report noted that several companies bid for the project – to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge – and 12 companies were shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12 companies made proposals.

As such the bidding process was annulled. It added that on November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered. The project was not re-tendered. Instead a Dutch Company, LivenseCSO, was engaged by Patterson’s Ministry. The report, on page 7, noted that the bid from LivenseCSO was “unsolicited” and added that Patterson then took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged.

What is clear, to date, is that the APNU+AFC Coalition government has no regard for the promised transparency and accountability, and is prepared to undermine and even violate the procurement and financial laws of this country, as well as other constitutional provisions and statutory provisions.

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t inaction this week

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…a snapshot of headlines making the news

Gov’t insists that it will proceed with spending as planned in Budget 2019 Despite the calls for the APNU+AFC Coalition government to resign and only perform the functions of a caretaker government, following the successful passage of the no-confidence motion, the Coalition has other plans.

Minister Jordan explained that the APNU-AFC Government is still in office and “will be a government until they are voted out of office”. As such, he charged that spending will continue as planned in Budget 2019.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution says: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has made clear that, in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, the Coalition Government can only perform a “caretaker” function – routine functions, until fresh General and Regional Elections are held.

Article 106 (7) says that: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

A case of making promises he cannot keep?

Guyana’s diminished Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, with no portfolio other than responsibility for the state media, has told Guyanese that he “recommits” the Coalition Government to working harder for the Guyanese people in 2019.

In his New Year message, he said, “I re-commit your Government towards working harder with you to build a better country where the living standards of all Guyanese are improved. We must continue to integrate our coast with the hinterland, enhance the lives of our indigenous peoples and partner with the private sector in providing training and finding more jobs for our youths. Our Government will continue to protect our elders, empower our women and get a better deal for our working people. 2019 must see the realisation of our long-held dreams of a greater Guyana. Let us all keep faith.”

Political commentators have said that Nagamootoo is in no position to make such a commitment given his functioning as a diminished Prime Minister, when compared to other Prime Ministers who have held weighty portfolios.

Granger’s son-in-law offers his interpretation of the Constitution Despite the passage of the no-confidence motion, son-in-law of President David Granger and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, insists that while the use of a no-confidence motion is provided for in Guyana’s Constitution, it was never intended to be used by a minority Parliamentary Opposition. “It is unlikely that the framers of our Constitution intended for it to be used by a minority opposition to remove a majority government by means of a one-off stealth vote,” he said.

The no-confidence motion filed by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on November 15, 2018, was debated on December 21, 2018, and passed after a Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, sided with the Parliamentary Opposition.

GWI collects almost $1B more from Guyanese The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has raked in revenue in excess of $4Billion in 2018, an increase of $3.6Billion or 10% over 2017.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) via Order No 2 / 2018, dated 7th June, 2018, has approved an application by the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) for an increase in tariffs.

The new charges for metered residential consumers, as listed in Appendix One of the Order, as of 1st, October, 2018, will comprise of a monthly fixed charge of $250 and monthly consumption charges of (1) $86 per cubic metre for consumers in the $60.90 category, while (2) all other consumers will pay $112 per cubic metre. As of 1st October, 2019, the monthly fixed charge will be $500 and the monthly consumption charge $112 per cubic metre.

The new monthly fixed charge for unmetered residential consumers, as of 1st, October, 2018, will be $250, along with a monthly consumption charge of $1,100. As of 1st, October, 2018, these charges will be increased to $500 and $1,450, respectively.

There will no fixed monthly charges for metered pensioners, but the monthly consumption charge will be $74 per cubic metre for the first ten (10) cubic metres, and $86 for each cubic metre thereafter, from 1st October, 2018, with an increase to $112 for each cubic metre thereafter, from 1st October, 2019. Unmetered pensioner consumers will incur no monthly fixed charges while their monthly consumption charge will be a flat fee of $740 per month.

There are new charges for metered non-residential and unmetered non-residential consumers, the latter group of which includes small, medium and large commercial and industrial consumers, along with new sewerage tariffs.

Among the twenty-nine listed ancillary charges with new prices as of 1st October, 2018, are non-residential connection fee ¾” or less ($16,000), residential connection fee ¾” or less ($10,000), residential reconnection non-voluntary ($7,500), and residential disconnection voluntary ($4,000).

GWI has projected a $5.8B revenue for 2019.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Trotman’s email revelations…

Calls were made for AFC to act while APNU was in ‘weakened’ state and more

A

n email dispatched by Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman, on November 11, 2018, and seen by the media, provides details on a not-so cohesive Coalition.

The email read: “In government, we have, with the best intents, sought to operate as a single cohesive unit when in fact we are not.”

STRONG COALITION? Trotman’s email talks about the AFC acting when its Coalition partner, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is in a “weakened”

sate.

The email read: “I need not underscore that our coalition partner is in a weakened state and so whether deliberately or by default, the ball is in our court and has to be played….I propose further that we engage the WPA and even a few civil society groups as needed. “…even though the elections are tomorrow (Local Government Elections being set for November 12, 2018), in many respects, they are finished and I believe that we urgently need to turn our attention to the 2019 Budget as grave decisions will be made during the week. With-

out sounding dramatic, these decisions will very likely affect the entire coalition and the AFC is now positioned to lead this process.”

The revelations about Trotman’s talk about the AFC taking advantage of the APNU’s “weakened” state comes at a time when the strength of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has come into question. Notably, both sides insist that the Coalition is strong.

NO SUCCESS According to Trotman, the AFC has “time” and could still act. He proposed

that Budget 2019 be used for this purpose.

The email read: “I believe that the budget is the opportunity for us to make some gains, and in the circumstances, propose that we use our presence at Cabinet, and outside of it, to advance a new agenda….the proposal then is that we advance an agenda for "change" and I respectfully suggest a few matters below that can be introduced into the discussion about AFC's support for the budget. I stop short of saying that unless we get these items we should not support the budget, but do believe

that we can push for them and should push as hard as we can.”

The issues Trotman talked about included: A clear and time bound pathway to constitutional reforms that were agreed by the Special Select Committee of the 7th Parliament and urgent reforms to be agreed by December 2019; A definitive agreement that there shall be equitable and constitutionally guaranteed benefit sharing from proceeds of petroleum and other natural resources; a Social Contract with public servants, members of the disciplined forces and youth;

and the passage of reform legislation by the first quarter of 2019 that addresses the draconian sentencing legislation for marijuana convictions.

While Trotman talked about the AFC pushing for these and more – there was no success.

The AFC’s failure to secure success in the areas Trotman highlighted as ones for focus comes to light at a time when former AFC member and Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, made it clear that the AFC had become “yes-men” to APNU.

Agreement to extend 90-day period within which elections are due limited to specific reasons T

he Constitution says after a no-confidence vote is passed, elections must be held within 90 days, unless two-thirds of the National Assembly agree to an extension. However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is against such an extension except for very limited reasons.

In an interview with the media after a meeting of the Executive Committee, Jagdeo was asked about this proviso. He noted that the only way he could foresee an extension was to accommodate the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) – and a limited extension at that.

He said, “Can we hold the elections; would GECOM be ready in 90 days’ time? We believe GECOM can be ready, but assuming GECOM needs time, like two weeks’ time or a month more, then that could be a possibility. “…but only then the National Assembly could legit-

imately reconvene, because that is explicitly spoken about in Article 106 and 106, 7; that with a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly you can extend the three months period. But it has to be done with our approval.”

The former President also noted reports from the Government that they are reviewing all their options following the vote but added that Government has no options other than what the law says they must do.

Article 106(6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 of Article 106 adds that: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall

by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of

the votes of all the elected members of the National

Assembly determine, and shall resign after the Presi-

dent takes the oath of office following the election.”

Vendor nabbed at car wash PPP presidential candidate to with gun, ammo be named before end of January

A

21-year-old vendor of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara was on Sunday (December 30, 2018) evening arrested after he was found with an unlicensed handgun and six live rounds of ammunition.

Based on reports received, police

acting on intelligence went to a car wash at West Road, Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, where they conducted a search on the young man during which the items were unearthed.

The illegal gun and ammunition have been confiscated.

T

he presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to contest the upcoming general elections will be named before the end of January 2019.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo,

disclosed that this will happen “around the third week in January” after the PPP’s Central Committee votes.

He said that several party members of good standing are eligible to vie for the position.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Jagdeo, Granger meeting set for January 9 M

inister of State, Joseph Harmon, has responded to the request by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, for a meeting with President David Granger. The meeting is set for January 9, 2019.

Jagdeo’s request was made on on Friday (December 21, 2018), through Harmon.

At his news conference on Monday (December 24, 2018), Jagdeo had said, “We have to talk about this

period; to talk about our conduct; to talk about our conduct to ensure that we do not polarize our country… we need to talk about what happens in the future…I said our Party is prepared to have those discussions about the future…I was pleased that the President’s statements reflected similar sentiments….he expressed the hope that his government could work closer with the Opposition.

“…I approached Minister Harmon (in the National Assembly on Friday, December 21, 2018) and said to him that I would like to meet the President if it is possible…I have received a letter from Minister Harmon…we will meet when the President returns from Cuba. As far as we are concerned this is how the process is unfolding.”

Several issues are expected to be addressed when the two leaders meet.

Gov’t to ask Courts to delay 90-day period within which elections are due

F

ollowing the move by House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, to not acquiesce to the APNU+AFC Coalition Government’s call for him to reverse his ruling on the validity of the no-confidence motion against the Government, Attorney General, Basil Williams, confirmed that government is going to court.

He added that the Coalition Government will also ask the High Court to extend the 90 day period within which general elections must be held to allow a ruling on the constitutionality of the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion.

Williams said, “I don’t see how we could go to court and not preserve the status quo so we have to preserve the status quo until the court finishes with the matter.”

With the passage of the motion of no-confidence against the Coalition government, early General and Regional elections are due

by March 19, 2019.

Notably, Williams move to call on the courts to delay early Elections comes even as President David Granger has confirmed a date for talks between the Government and the Parliamentary Opposition.

GOVT MUST RESIGN Last week, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) made clear that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government must resign in accor-

dance with Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, following the successful passage of the no-confidence motion advanced by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Article 106 (6) of the Constitution says: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, stressed that, in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, the Coalition Government can only perform a “caretaker” function – routine functions, until fresh General and Regional Elections are held.

Article 106 (7) says that: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Last week, when government first indicated that it would be moving to the Courts to challenge the validity of the no-confidence motion, Jagdeo said, “We must not engage in any ac-

tion that could violate what is so explicit in our Constitution, and it is explicit that the government must resign, or else we will have a judicial coup reversing what took place in parliament.

We cannot have that.

“We heard that there are six options they are exploring: one is that 34-31 is the new majority…two is that once you are committed to a list or a Party, you cannot vote against that Party… they are also looking to challenge Charandass (Persaud) on the basis on his citizenship, but look at that, if they mount such a challenge then it invalidates all of his other votes before….we also heard that they want to approach the Speaker to have him reverse his ruling…all of these are maneuverings to thwart the will pf the people and the Constitution.

“We are vigilant about this. We will not let it happen. This government has lost a no confidence motion.

The Constitution provides clearly for what has to be done….Article 106 (6) says the Government SHALL resign, not may resign, on the passage of a no-confidence motion. “…they are going around like nothing happened…what happened last week (Friday, December 21, 2018) is that the Government fell….any attempt to maneuver will be just to delay in time in office, to keep them hanging on….this is a desperate bunch.”

APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t mischief exposed A

letter sent to House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, on December 31, 2018, made clear that the Parliamentary Opposition would not be attending the Thursday, January 3, 2019, sitting of the National Assembly, owing to several concerns about the constitutionality of the move.

Nonetheless, in a statement, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said that government has credible evidence that the opposition intends to disrupt the sitting, at which House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland

is expected to address the consequences of the December 21 PPP/C-sponsored no-confidence vote against the government.

Opposition Parliamentarian, Anil Nandlall, in responding to the statement charged that it is “simply comical and the figment of the government’s paranoid imagination.”

He said, “If one reviews the public statements made by senior government functionaries, you get a very clear impression that with the real prospect of losing governmental power,

members of the government are making statements and advancing legal arguments that border on lunacy. This (the claims) is the latest manifestation of what I am speaking about. “…the government seems to think that it is business as usual when it is not.

The president and cabinet should have resigned by now. This sitting of the National Assembly can be described as extra constitutional if not unconstitutional.”

According to him, the Coalition’s mischief has been exposed.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Successful passage of no-confidence motion forces first major ministerial outreach After three and a half years in Government, there have been no efforts on the part of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to meet and engage with Guyanese at the grassroots level.

However, mere days after the passage of a motion of no-confidence in the Coalition Government, a ministerial “meet and greet” took place at Stabroek Market Square.

The Coalition has been criticized repeatedly for not engaging Guyanese and for advancing policies that show a clear disconnect with the reality of hardships facing citizens.

Political commentators have indicated that this move is ‘too little too late’. Meanwhile, since that first meeting, there have been no other major undertakings since.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Stop-gap measure cannot be deemed as a substitute for a pay rise for sugar workers - GAWU A

s at week-ending December 22, 2018, sugar production for the year stood at 103,511 tonnes.

Given the performance, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) announced a bonus. However, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) charged that this is not a new initiative.

GAWU said, “The bonus, as the Corporation terms it, is by no means a new initiative. In fact, the arrangement under consideration is identical to the Annual Production Incentive (API) scheme which was suspended for a few years now.

“The API, as GAWU shared before, dates back to colonial times and is a form of deferred earnings premised on annual sugar production. For the workers, the fact that the Corporation has offered such an incentive is a clear indication that their collective voices and actions could not be ignored by the GuySuCo hierarchy and, possibly, the powers-that-be.

“While happy about this development, workers remain concerned that the Corporation has yet to consider the Union’s claim for a 15 per cent rise-in-pay retroactive to January 01, 2018. At the end of the day, the bonus while welcome, at the same time, will see workers in 2019 earning the same ratesof-pay that were approved since in 2014. At this time, the GAWU and GuySuCo

have already concluded discussions on the non-wage benefits. Those engagements resulted in a few improvements being secured “At this time, the GAWU has put forward a counter-proposal regarding the ‘bonus’ and the Corporation has committed to examining our suggestion.

“The Union, nevertheless, believes that this stop-gap measure cannot be deemed as a substitute for a pay rise which has been denied for far too long though the workers, in spite of the circumstance, continue to demonstrate their importance to the successes being recorded.

“Also, it is reasonable to expect that the present leadership, having recognized the

value of the API incentive, would undertake the removal of the suspension and see such a practice as good for the industry’s progress. The GAWU, at this time, looks forward to the Corporation, in a similar vein, positively considering a pay rise for year 2018.”

SAME PAY RATES AS 2014 GAWU noted too that it is disheartening to register that workers in the sugar industry are being paid ratesof-pay that were adjusted last in 2014.

In the over 1,500 days that have elapsed since the GuySuCo has chosen not to award its employees a pay rise, the workers have had to contend with several new

measures, the Union noted.

It said, “Undoubtedly these impacted on their pockets and well-being. In the period since workers’ pay rates were adjusted, we must point out, according to the Bureau of Statistics, the cost of food, one of the most significant expenditure of workers, has risen by 12.4 per cent. The GAWU also wishes to point out that in intervening period, the cost of medical and personal care

has risen by 8.5 per cent.

“We recognise from the Corporation’s financial statements between 2014 and 2017, average pay per worker in the sugar industry has declined on average by $284,000. Of course when considering the wages earned by workers represented by GAWU, taking into account the seasonality of their jobs, the loss of benefits and their earnings vis-à-vis other categories of workers in the

Corporation, it’s hard not to conclude that the field and factory workers take home pay have recorded even further declines. Undoubtedly, it must be difficult for the workers to look around and see their relatives and friends employed elsewhere benefitting from increases in pay and improved working conditions thus allowing them to be better able to cope with the new realities of life and allow them to move forward in their lives whereas they are worse off than they were four (4) years ago.

“It is indeed saddening to note that the Corporation has, in some respect, come full circle from the period of the latter 1980s. At that time, a nearly identical situation presented itself and was only really corrected when workers pay rates aligned themselves with reality. While we do not believe it is wise to live in the past, we also should commit ourselves to avoiding a repeat of our pitfalls.”

Citing former UK Prime Minister, Winston Churchill famously, the Union charged that: “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Parliament Happenings

National Assembly T meeting in violation of Constitution – Teixeira

No-confidence motion is ‘not open to review’ by House Speaker

T

he business scheduled to be dealt with at the Thursday, January 3, 2019, sitting of the National Assembly is not in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution, following the passage of the motion of no-confidence in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, was put on notice about this fact by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira.

In a letter dated December 31, 2018, Teixeira said,

“As Your Honour is aware, in accordance with Article 106(6) of the Constitution of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana, the Cabinet, including the President shall resign upon the passing of a No Confidence Motion.

Consequently, it is not competent for the Government to move, nor participate in, a sitting of the National Assembly, otherwise than to give effect, if required, to the letter and spirit of Article 106(7) of the Constitution.

“In this regard, the Parliamentary Opposition is of

the view that the business that is scheduled to be considered by the National Assembly on the 3rd January, 2019, is not in compliance with Article 106(7) of the Constitution.

“Therefore, any sitting of the National Assembly that is not in compliance with this article is a violation of the Constitution.”

All considered, the Speaker was informed that the Parliamentary Opposition will not participate in undermining the Constitution.

Sitting in breach of Constitution is ‘illegal’ – Jagdeo

T

he planned Thursday, January 3, 2019, sitting of the National Assembly is “illegal” as far as the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is concerned, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Pressed on the matter by the media, last Friday (December 28, 2018), he said, “Anything passed in this kind of situation, then that would not be recognized…we will not recognize anything they do in the Parliament…we are not going to go. “…unless we have a discussion with the Government before that and we set out the parameters and those parameters must be confined to the holding of elections.”

There have been no meetings of the kind suggested by Jagdeo in the lead-up to the sitting.

According to the Opposi-

tion Leader, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government cannot pretend that the motion of no-confidence was not passed.

He said, “The Parliament cannot go on, cannot continue to meet, as if nothing happened. The Government fell. This is certified by the Speaker, who is head of the legislature. He announced it in unambiguous terms that the motion of np-confidence (in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government) is passed and was successful. The Clerk certified that and notified me.

“As far as the three branches of Government (the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary) are concerned the legislative branch made a decision and it must be respected. The consequence of that decision, the passage of the no-con-

fidence motion, is that the government has fallen. You cannot then return to the National Assembly as if nothing happened. “…Article 106 (7) says elections have to be called in three months, 90 days, so I can envisage a need to convene the Parliament for the purpose of passing laws either related to the holding of elections, if GECOM (the Guyana Elections Commission) needs those laws, or alternatively, if there is agreement, to shift the timeline from three months….only for those purposes should the Parliament be convened.”

Early General and Regional Elections are expected to be held before the end of March 2019, given the passage of the motion of no-confidence in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government on Deceber 21, 2018.

he APNU+AFC Coalition Government has requested a review of the No Confidence Motion moved, debated and passed on December 21, 2018.

And the Parliamentary Opposition, in a letter penned by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, to the House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, made it clear that this cannot be done.

“The Parliamentary Opposition is of the view that the No Confidence Motion having been conclusively dealt with, in, and, by the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2018, is not open to review.

“We have been advised, with no disrespect to you sir, that the Speaker has no review powers over the said Motion, and, that the Speaker, the Clerk and the National Assembly are functus officioin respect of and in relation to the said Motion. Furthermore, in our humble opinion, Standing Orders 26(e) precludes any effort to rescinda resolution on a question already decided on in the same Session.”

BELOW IS THE FULL LETTER: Hon. Dr. Barton Scotland Speaker of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Georgetown Guyana 31st December, 2018 Dear Mr. Speaker, RE: SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THE 3RD JANUARY, 2019 On December 21, 2018 the National Assembly passed the first no confidence motion. Your Honour ruled that the said No Confidence Motion was carried and passed.

Additionally, by letter dated 24th December, 2018, the Clerk of the National Assembly duly informed the Leader of the Opposition

by Resolution that the Motion of No Confidence against the Government of Guyana was considered and passed by a vote of thirty-three (33) in favour of the Motion and thirty-two (32) against it.

On the night of December 21, 2018, the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at a press conference held in the Parliament Buildings conceded that the no confidence motion had passed in accordance with the constitution with 33 votes for and 32 against. He stated that “options available are dictated by the Constitution Article 106 (6) and (7) which states that the government will resign and hold elections within three months.”

The following day, December 22, 2018, President Granger in an official statement released by the Department of Information stated: “The Government of Guyana following the passing of the no confidence motion last night in the National Assembly will abide by the stipulations which have been imposed on it.… we will do everything necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections bearing in mind the need for normal government functions.”…

Moreover the President went on to state that: “This is a normal constitutional process which can have favourable outcomes for the nation… there is no cause for alarm and there are no grounds for any form of disorder and we will continue to work to provide good

government … and to work even more with the opposition”.

Following these official statements, civil society organizations such as the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Trades Union Congress, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana, Transparency Institute of Guyana, and the Guyana Bar Association came out in support of the constitutional provisions and called on the Government and Opposition to respect and uphold the Guyana Constitution.

The Parliamentary Opposition is aware that the Government has requested a review of the No Confidence Motion moved, debated and passed on the 21st December, 2018.

The Parliamentary Opposition is of the view that the No Confidence Motion having been conclusively dealt with, in, and, by the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2018, is not open to review. We have been advised, with no disrespect to you sir, that the Speaker has no review powers over the said Motion, and, that the Speaker, the Clerk and the National Assembly are functus officioin respect of and in relation to the said Motion.

Furthermore, in our humble opinion, Standing Orders 26(e) precludes any effort to rescinda resolution on a question already decided on in the same Session.

As Your Honour is aware, in accordance with Article 106(6) of the Constitution of the Co-Operative Republic of Guyana, the Cabinet, including the President shall resign upon the passing of a No Confidence Motion.

Consequently, it is not competent for the Government to move, nor participate in, a sitting of the National Assembly, otherwise than to give effect, if required, to the letter and spirit of Article 106(7) of the Constitution.

In this regard, the Parliamentary Opposition is of the view that the business that is scheduled to be considered by the National Assembly on the 3rd January, 2019, is not in compliance with Article 106(7) of the Constitution. Therefore, any sitting of the National Assembly that is not in compliance with this article is a violation of the Constitution. Thus, the Parliamentary Opposition will not participate in undermining the Constitution, and, further recommend that this sitting should not be held.

Yours sincerely, Parliamentary Opposition Chief Whip CC: Clerk of the National Assembly Secretary General, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretary General, Commonwealth President, Inter-Parliamentary Union Secretary General, CARICOM Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM Secretary General, Organization of American States Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers High Commissioner, British High Commission High Commissioner, Canada Ambassador, European Delegation Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy Resident Coordinator, U.N.D.P. Secretary General, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Parliament Happenings Scotland ignores Opposition call for House sitting to not be held in violation of Constitution

D

espite a call from the Parliamentary Opposition for a sitting of the National Assembly not to be held in contravention of Guyana’s Constitution, a sitting was held on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, in a letter dated December 31. 2018, to House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, said, “The Parliamentary Opposition is of the

view that the business that is scheduled to be considered by the National Assembly on the 3rd January, 2019, is not in compliance with Article 106(7) of the Constitution.

“Therefore, any sitting of the National Assembly that is not in compliance with this article is a violation of the Constitution.”

Teixiera recommended that the sitting not he held.

She said, “Any sitting of

fter voting against his Coalition Government in the motion of no-confidence filed by the Parliamentary Opposition, Alliance For Change (AFC) member and Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, was recalled.

A sitting held on Thursday, January 3, 2019, saw People’s National Congress

– Scotland says ‘certain’ answers to questions raised can be provided by the courts

the National Assembly that is not in compliance with this article is a violation of the Constitution. Thus, the Parliamentary Opposition will not participate in undermining the Constitution, and, further recommend that this sitting should not be held.”

At the start of Thursday’s sitting, Scotland declared the sitting “duly constituted and in session” and proceeded to deal with several matters.

PNCR candidate replaces Charandass Persaud in National Assembly A

Vote on motion of no-confidence stands

Reform (PNCR) member, Barbara Patricia Pilgrim replacing Persaud.

She was sworn in as a Parliamentarian at the start of Thursday’s sitting.

Pilgrim’s swearing in means that the representation of the AFC in the National Assembly, as part of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, has been reduced.

H

ouse Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, amid questions of constitutionality of the Thursday, January 3, 2019, sitting of the House, presided over the sitting.

And in responding to a brief submitted to him by the Coalition Government – one that called on him to reverse his ruling on the validity of the no-confidence motion – Scotland noted that he will not do so.

“I was invited to revisit and reverse my ruling,” he said. Scotland charged though that he has the authority to reverse his decision. “The only limitation on the speaker is that the speaker acts in full obedience to the Constitution.

The constitutionality of actions must guide speaker,” he said.

Scotland added, “I have

received information both solicited and unsolicited, supported by case-law and practice....this (the submissions) has raised doubts about whether the no-confidence motion was properly carried….these matters require urgent attention…that certain and finite answers are necessary goes without saying.”

That said, he noted that certain answers on questions that have been raised after the December 21, 2018 vote on the motion of no confidence can be provided by the court.

Scotland charged that he cannot act without strong and compelling grounds.

Prior to those comments, he said, “The motion was put and carried by a majority of one-vote…. after the Speaker declared the motion carried, he an-

nounced to the House that at the next sitting, the House will meet to consider the consequences of the vote. “…it was to Article 106 (7) of the Constitution that I turned my attention…. the provisions of the Constitution envisages discussion between the Government and Opposition…it is about such discussion that I had hoped to speak to you today…no such discussion has taken place as yet…it is my hope that talks will commence soon on the matters which exercise our concern.”

Meanwhile, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, through its Attorney General Basil Williams, has already said that that should the Speaker’s ruling not be in their favour, the Government will move to the courts.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t forcing fictions on the Guyanese people

A

fter three years since taking office, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, published a list of 231 so called ‘achievements’ in May 2018.

However, a close look at the list, revealed Government’s desperation in trying to find ‘successes’. For example, the Government claimed “lower electricity rates” as an achievement, but listed this one point at least two times in the list of 231. A second example shows that the

1. FICTION: Four Budgets in three years FACT: All four budgets introduced policies that negatively impacted working class Guyanese and the productive sectors. Over 200 new taxes and fees were introduced. Others were increased astronomically.

4. FICTION: Youth skills training provided through BIT, HEYS FACT: The BIT is a PPP/C initiative. HEYS was introduced by the APNU+AFC Government, then the decision was made to scrap it.

Notably, HEYS had replaced the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), which was an initiative under the former PPP/C government. When the Coalition Government took power, the 1972 Amerindian community service officers who were part of the YEAP programme were fired.

7. FICTION: Created over 5000 jobs FACT: Since May 2015, over 25,000 Guyanese have lost their jobs. Government’s claim of creating over 5,000 jobs has been challenged. To date, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has not responded and has not said where these 5,000 jobs were created.

10. FICTION: State Assets Recovery Unit set up FACT: SARA did not legally exist until May 2018.

The State Assets Recovery Act was only assented to by President David Granger on May 4, 2018 – over one year after it was passed in the National Assembly by a government majority, despite objections voiced by the Parliamentary Opposition.

As such, queries have been raised about SARA’s operations prior to Granger’s move to assent to the SARA Act – specifically as it relates to how monies were allocated to the State Assets Recovery Agency for the year 2018 Budget to acquire an office at Lot 56 Main and New Market Streets, SARA letterhead, staff, etc., prior to that date (May 4, 2018), when the agency did not legally exist?”

APNU+AFC Coalition claimed the work of private companies as their own success, when it listed “4G internet” in its list of 231. The work to bring better internet services to the Guyanese people was done by the private telecommunications companies.

This week, the Mirror, by simply looking at 30 of the Government’s claims, will expose the FICTIONS peddled by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government and will detail the actual facts.

2. FICTION: $50,000 Christmas Bonus in 2015 and $25,000 Christmas Bonus in 2016 FACT: No attention has been given to increasing the salaries of public servants – teachers, policemen, nurses, etc. since the APNU+AFC Government took office. The two bonuses were one-off payments for only two years.

5. FICTION: Sugar industry right-sized fo5r self sufficiency through diversification FACT: There have been no efforts in the direction of diversification. While government said it has “right-sized” the sugar industry, all it did was close down major sugar estates – leaving thousands of sugar workers on the breadline – in the worst mass firing in Guyana’s history.

3. FICTION: Training opportunities for GuySuCo workers FACT: No substantive support has been given to the 7000+ sugar workers who were fired by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. Government’s unwillingness to support the sacked sugar workers has been evidence in the fact that the government broke the law and did not pay the workers their full severance. It was seen again when Government refused to say if was informing the sacked sugar workers that millions were available under the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme, which is supposed to provide financial support for entrepreneurial ventures and create income-generating opportunities, etc.

6. FICTION: Reduce the sugar industry dependence on the national coffers

FACT: There has been no move in this direction, not even the start of a feasibility study to assess such a plan.

FACT: The sugar industry’s dependence on the national coffers has not been reduced. In fact the national treasury is exposed with the borrowing of $30B, via bonds issued at 4.75 per cent, since the borrowing has been backed by a government-guarantee.

11. FICTION: Special organized Crime Unit operational

9. FICTION: Lower Electricity rates

FACT: Three years of being operations under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, not a single case against money launderers has been advanced. SOCU has only been involved in cases filed against former government officials, one of which has already been thrown out of the courts. Also, in the case SOCU brought against GBTI, the expert witness fielded by the Unit was also rejected by courts, which ruled that the ‘expert’ was in fact ‘no expert’.

SOCU has been involved in a number of controversial operations. These include the high-profile car chase of the wife of a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), which resulted in the death of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant Robert Pyle and his wife Stacy, along with another civilian in a smash-up on Carifesta Avenue in December 2015 – an incident that remains the subject of many unanswered questions.

The Unit’s establishment was part of Guyana's international obligations to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and was intended to support the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The mandate of the SOCU, as acknowledged in the protocols, is to address investigations, detection and preparation of criminal investigative reports and case files for prosecutions of financial crimes, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Little to nothing has been done by SOCU, under the current APNU+AFC Government, which fits the reason for SOCU’s establishment.

FACT: Electricity rates were subject to Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2017, meaning that electricity costs were increased, not lowered.

8. FICTION: Plans to bridge Essequibo River

12. FICTION: Outstanding court settlement paid FACT: Court settlements have been subject to intense questioning, as it relates to the how these settlements were reached. The last big court settlement related to the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) matter. The sum owed by DDL, according to the GRA assessment, was $5.392B from 2001 to 2006. The settlement saw DDL paying only $1.5B and also writes off all possible liabilities in respect of Excise Tax up to March 9, 2016. Since then, Banks DIH has filed a case against the Coalition government, saying that DDL was given special treatment. In the meantime, several questions asked about the DDL settlement remain unanswered. The questions asked include: Was an assessment of DDL’s liabilities in respect of Excise Tax for the period 2006 to 2016 done and what was the sum of that liability?; Who negotiated the settlement?; Is it legal? Was the settlement approved by Cabinet or the Board of the GRA?; On what principles was the sum of $1.5B arrive at? And How many other deals have been concluded or are being negotiated?

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t forcing fictions on the Guyanese people 13. FICTION: New Guyana Election Chairman appointed FACT: The 84-year-old GECOM Chairman was unilaterally and un-constitutionally appointed, in breach of 25 years of practice and common understanding of the constitutional procedures that have to be followed for such an appointment to be made.

14. FICTION: The establishment of three new towns FACT: The towns were established without consultation and in some cases encroached on titled Amerindian Lands in breach of laws --and showing that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has no qualms about breaking the laws of Guyana.

15. FICTION: Improved education attainment FACT: The 2017 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guyana – released by the United States of America’s (USA) State Department – underscores a major failure of the APNU+AFC Coalition government. Page 11 of the 207 report states that: “The standard of living in indigenous communities was lower than that of most citizens, and they had limited access to education and health care.”

In contrast, the 2015 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guyana, on page 14, said: “All indigenous communities had primary schools, and as of 2012, there were 13 secondary schools in remote regions. All indigenous communities had school dormitories that housed students at government’s expense. Government programmes trained health workers, who staffed health facilities in most communities.”

16. FICTION: Free transportation for school children FACT: A total of $1.7B was taken away from public schools when the $10,000 cash grant was scrapped. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government says it has provided buses, but these do not serve all public school children. The cash grant was given to every public school child.

17. FICTION: Provision of medical equipment FACT: Shortages continue to be reported. And with the dust barely settled over the $632M drugs and medical supplies procurement scandal, sole-sourcing of $366.9M of drugs and medical supplies in 2017 has once again brought into question decisions by the Ministry of Public Health – and the likely of increasing corruption at that Ministry. As was the case with the spending of $605M, the Ministry – headed by Volda Lawrence – claims that the spending of the $366.9M was to cover emergency expenditures. Documents revealed that a company, HDM Labs Inc. – owned by a supporter of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government – was handpicked over three others that went through tendering process.

18. FICTION: De-politicized the National Toshaos Council FACT: The NTC is not a political body. It is the elected body that represents Amerindians in Guyana. As such, claims of de-politicizing the NTC have been viewed as APNU+AFC rhetoric.

19. FICTION: Extended the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) programme FACT: Not a single Amerindian village has received a land title under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, admitted that he failed to do any work with the ALT programme, which gave the indigenous people legal rights to their communities. “I have not been able to title any village,” Allicock had said in May 2018.

Notably, after taking office, the Coalition Government, sent home the entire unit dealing with the Amerindian Land Titling programme. The Project Management Unit was ben established in June 2014 to support the implementation of the project.

A total of US$10.7M was earned by the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government and left for the purpose of completing the ALT programme.

20. FICTION: Piracy smashed FACT: Less than two months ago, a piracy attack led to several deaths of local fishermen.

The bodies of some of the fishermen have still not been found.

21. FICTION: Major criminal gangs smashed, members prosecuted FACT: There has been no such report. Also, no cases in Guyana’s court have substantiated this claim.

22. FICTION: Crime rate down FACT: As of June 2018, a whopping 304 cases of robbery under arms, where firearms were used, were recorded at the end of June 2018, marking an increase compared to last year. Another 116 cases of robbery under arms, where other instruments were used, were also recorded for that month. There were also 28 other cases of robberies, as well as 73 cases of robbery with violence. Robbery with aggravation cases numbered 30. Larceny from persons numbered 62, while burglary cases totaled 112 and break an entry with larceny totaled 498. In total these cases numbered 1,223. There were 44 murders. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government continues to come in for criticisms over its inaction to address the current crime rate.

23. FICTION: Establishment of the Department of Environment FACT: There is no Department of Environment as of July 2018.

24. FICTION: Freedom of the Press restored FACT: The Guyana Press Association has blasted Coalition gov’t over ‘unmistakable’ signals of Executive control since it took office.

The Association cited other acts that include: The continued role of the Director of Public Information as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited, publishers of the Guyana Chronicle; Direction from a senior government Minister on coverage of his office to the Editor- in-Chief; Direction being given to the Chronicle for stories sent for his approval once it has to do with his office or the PNC, the main party in the governing Coalition; and weekly meetings of the Prime Minister with senior executives of the state media.

22

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t forcing fictions on the Guyanese people 25. FICTION: Constitutional Reform process initiated

27. FICTION: Code of conduct for public official completed

FACT: There has been no progress on the issue of Constitutional Reform.

FACT: There is no Code of Conduct in place.

A draft was proposed and was met with widespread criticisms. Even the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. said government’s proposed code of conduct is still deficient in many respects. The body expressed the view that the “lack of specificity appears as low commitment to integrity in public office” and it can ultimately impede the effectiveness of the Code and erode public confidence.

26. FICTION: Improved transparency FACT: The APNU+AFC Coalition Government has been criticised as failing to honour of the promise of transparency. Among the untruths told by the government to the Guyanese people is the fact that Guyana did not receive the US$18M signing bonus from ExxonMobil. This lie was told for over a year to the Guyanese people, despite the fact that questions about the signing bonus were asked. Finally, documents leaked to the media, exposed the Government lie

a recent news conference.

He charged that

28. FICTION: Family Court opened FACT: The Family Division of the High Court began hearing cases since May 6, 2016. The Family Court was a PPP/C initiative. Before the APNU+AFC Coalition Government took office, the Family Court building was completed and handed over to Government.

29. FICTION: Successful gun amnesty programme FACT: During the amnesty for unlicensed firearms in 2015, scores of Amerindians handed in weapons used to protect their cattle and crops and support their livelihoods, with the promise of receiving licences. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government delayed the return to April 2018 and has now delayed it again, until the end of July 2018.

This failure to deliver in a timely manner on a promise made has prevented the amnesty programme from being deemed a success.

30. FICTION: A new drugs procurement system introduced FACT: Health Minister, Volda, Lawrence had stated revised drug procurement system which will bring resolution to the ongoing drug shortage throughout the country is expected to be implemented by the month of June 2016. It is now July 2018.

After taking office, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government scrapped the old method used to procure and deliver drugs and medical supplies across Guyana, despite the fact that it worked.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Sell off of Wales Estate lands underway A

t least four plots of land formerly belonging to the Wales Sugar Estate have been sold to private individuals by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

According to the Official Gazette of December 29, 2018 the plots were sold to: • Raymond Khalil, who purchased Lots 1 and 2 of land at Plantation Wales, along with the buildings there; • Roopnaraine Ramkishun, of Patentia, who purchased Lot 5; • Deonarine Boodramlal, of Patentia, who purchased Lot 7; and • Sasenarain Shewnarain of Versailles, who purchased purchased Lot 20.

According to the Transfer of Property Order the transfer of property was implemented

by NICIL on June 29 following a Board resolution on June 1. The resolution also approved the sale of approximately 12 acres of land to Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) at what was

formerly Plantation Great Diamond. This estate was closed in 2009 by the PPP/C

administration.

The lands bought by DDL are Blocks R, N2, N4 and N5

which are 1.3, 5, 5 and 0.6 acres respectively.

Earlier this year 30 lots

Months later…

Cathy Hughes says her attorney is still to advise her on conflict of interest issues

I

n early October 2018, embattled Public Telecommunications Minister, Cathy Hughes, stated that she would not participate in cabinet meetings whenever oil and gas issues are discussed, pending advice from both Cabinet and her lawyer, who she has still not named.

This position was articulated after news surfaced that her husband, Nigel Hughes, was engaging the oil giant, ExxonMobil in business, and the consequent concerns about a conflict of interest.

Now, months later, Hughes, when pressed about acting on her, charged that she has not yet received advice from her lawyer.

There are, however, several questions that remain unanswered.

A BIGGER ISSUE Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, at a news conference, in mid-October 2018, noted Minister

Hughes’ comments about declaring her interests to Cabinet on October 9, 2018 and to the Integrity Commission on July 14, 2018.

However, he questioned if she declared her interests in 2016 while the renegotiation of the ExxonMobil contract was ongoing.

“If she only declared her interests in 2018, what happened in 2016?” he questioned.

In the signed renegotiated ExxonMobil agreement, on page 4, the address of Nigel Hughes’ law office is listed as the registered office – 62 Hadfield and Cross Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown – of the oil company.

Jagdeo noted that the Minister’s “holier than thou” disposition must be criticised since she went after the local media corps for pointing on a problem, which could be much less egregious that what took place in 2016.

“What was done before

(Cathy Hughes declared her interests to Cabinet and the integrity Commission) could be even more egregious and harmful to national interests,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo made it clear that Nigel Hughes, as a professional, has a right to work and earn. He stressed that the issue is not with Nigel Hughes; rather it is with the actions of the Minister.

MULTIPLE CONFLICTS The Opposition Leader noted too that this is not the first time that Cathy Hughes has been embroiled in conflict of interest issues.

He cited the controversial Sussex Street drug bond issue. Cathy Hughes has rented property in Middle Street to the owner of the Sussex Street ‘drug bond’, Larry Singh. Singh later ‘became aware’ of the Health Ministry’s move to rent a drug bond and his ‘house’ on Sussex Street – in breach of

the procurement laws – was rented to the Ministry of Health. Cathy Hughes’ tenant made over $14M in less than three years from the controversial rental agreement with Ministry of Health.

There were other conflict of interest issues while Cathy Hughes was a Member of Parliament, before she became a Minister. As an executive Member of the AFC, which opposed the Amaila falls Project in the National Assembly, Cathy Hughes acted as the local Public Relations Officer for Sithe Global, the private company that was investing in the project – part of the Private Public Partnership Model. Meanwhile, her husband, Nigel Hughes, while being Chairman of the AFC, was the ‘Secretary’ of the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc., the Special Purpose Vehicle/ Company created for the development, construction and operation of the US$858M Hydro Power plant.

of what would be considered prime lands of the now shuttered Wales Sugar Estate on

the West Bank of Demerara were offered for sale via public advertisement.

No clarity on advances in efforts to audit pre-contract costs claimed by ExxonMobil

T

he pre-contract costs claimed by ExxonMobil are still to be audited and the timeframe within which that must be done is unclear.

The Department of Energy had tendered in November last for an international firm to assist Guyana in completing a cost recovery audit, which covers matters relating to the pre-contract costs claims.

To date it is unclear how many companies sent in proposals and how many were short listed.

Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe, has only confirmed that several Expressions Of Interest (EOI) from international firms have been received. He said, “We did receive quite a few Expressions Of Interest.

As I indicated, you know how these things go. The procurement process takes quite a while, because you have the EOI then the RST (Request for Proposal), in terms of persons being asked to submit a financial proposal…we are going through that….i am aware that they have already shortlisted coms companies.

“…what the contract requires us to do is to write to Exxon indicating that we intend to start this process, which we did within the requisite time, and we are now going through the process of getting a firm to help us complete that.”

As per clauses included in Annex C of the agreement, pre-contract costs from 1999, when the original contract was inked, to December 31, 2015 were set at US$460M. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has agreed that Guyana will pay.

Meanwhile, a second set of pre-contract costs from January 1, 2016 to October 7, 2016, the date when the Petroleum Prospecting Licence was granted, is expected to be millions more.

Local civil society groups and commentators have argued that the pre-contract costs are overstated. Meanwhile, contradicting Minister Trotman, GGMC Head, Newell Dennison, has admitted that there was no audit or verification of the pre-contracts costs claimed by the oil company.

24

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Continued silence from SOCU on investigation into ‘illegal’ acts by Patterson, Cabinet T

he Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James, had said in early December that the Unit is close to wrapping up its investigations into the awarding of a sole-sourced contract for a feasibility study into constructing the new Demerara River bridge.

However, this move remains in question, since the concluding of an investigation is being advanced when the parties involved – Minister David Patterson and other APNU+AFC Coalition Government Cabinet members – have not been called into SOCU for questioning.

There has been silence from SOCU on the state of the investigation.

INITIAL COMMITMENT James, when pressed, had

indicated that, Patterson and other Cabinet Ministers will be called in for questioning.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, in commenting on an exchange with James on the matter, had said, “I asked whether SOCU was proceeding with the case against Patterson and the answer was yes…I was told that he (Patterson) will be called here (to SOCU’s office). And that other members of the Cabinet will be invited to SOCU, so we are very pleased about that; that the same standard (used by SOCU to question former PPP/C government officials) will be used.”

FINDINGS OF PPC REPORT SOCU’s involvement in the matter came after a call from the PPP/C for an

investigation. The PPP/C forwarded to SOCU a report from the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which was asked to investigate the manner in which the contract was awarded, earlier this year.

The PPC completed its investigation into the award of the contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River and handed its report over on August 7, 2018. The findings of the report were damning.

The report noted that several companies bid for the project – to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge – and 12 companies were shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12

ERC investigation of GECOM hiring practices still not complete

W

ith the start of 2019, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is seemingly behind on a deadline for wrapping up a probe into hiring practices of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The ERC had set up special investigative team was established following a complaint lodged by the three People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-nominated GECOM Commissioners appointed by the Opposition. The team is headed by Retired Justice, Stanley Moore and includes Human Resources Consultant, Jairam Petam and former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lloyd Smith.

The three-man team was given a period of three weeks, by the end of October 2018, for the completion of the investigation and submission of a report.

It is unclear if and extension was granted and for what period.

COMPLAINT The three PPP-nominated Commissioners, in a joint complaint letter, called for a full investigation on the hiring practices at GECOM. The Commissioners charge that the state of affairs is “clearly indicative of a larger issue at the Guyana Elections Commission, which has an adverse effect on ethnic relations and

harmony in Guyana.” The three Commissioners called for the inquiry to be done, at the earliest opportunity, and for the ERC’s report be made public.

The PPP/C nominated Commissioners noted that the ERC has the mandate to conduct the inquiry as requested, pursuant to Article 212D (a) (d) and (p), of the Constitution.

The call for an investigation came after the top-ranked candidate applying for the post of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) was passed over for the post.

CONTROVERSIAL APPOINTMENT In June 2018, the three Commissioners - Robeson Benn, Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shaddick – walked out of a meeting after GECOM Chairman, Justice (rtd) James Patterson, exercised his casting vote to support the PNCR-nominated Commissioners’ rejection of the top ranked candidate, Vishnu Persaud. As a result of his casting vote, the way has been paved for the second-ranked candidate, Roxanne Meyers, to be offered the post of DCEO. Myers has no election management experience. She has been linked to PNRC-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, since at one point she was a student of his. She has also

exposed herself as an avid supporter of the APNU+AFC Coalition government, given her social media posts. As such, critics have said that Myers’ ability to function in an impartial manner is in question.

Notably, Persaud was not only the top-ranked candidate for the post of DCEO, but he served as DCEO for several years too. He was appointed as DCEO at GECOM on August 12, 2014. In 2014, when Persaud was appointed, PNCR-nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, made no objection, when there was a vote on whether or not he should be appointed to the post. Persaud was forced to re-apply for the job he held because his contract ended and could not be renewed, given that there was no functioning Commission. The Commission had dissolved after the resignation of former GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally. Before being appointed as DCEO in 2014, Persaud was at GECOM since 2001.

The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security, among all ethnic groups.

companies made proposals.

As such the bidding process was annulled. It added that on November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered.

The project was not re-tendered. Instead, a Dutch Company, LivenseCSO, was engaged by Patterson’s Ministry.

The report, on page 7, noted that the bid from LivenseCSO was “unsolicited” and added that Patterson then took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged.

The report, on page 7, stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts).

The report said, “The PPC noted that the Minster of Public Infrastructure, by memorandum dated November 18 2016, made a request to the Cabinet for Government seeking consideration and approval to use funds from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation to fund the feasibility study and to commence a contractual engagement with LievenseCSO as of the 1 Jan 2017. The PPC noted that this request to Cabinet was not forwarded through the NPTA but submitted directly by the Minister of Public Infrastructure. The PPC also noted that Cabinet considered the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Public Infrastructure and in November 2016 approved a total sum of $161, 514, 420 to be used from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation to cover cost for the

feasibility study for a new bridge across the Demerara river.”

Notably, the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, according to the PPC report, disclosed that the Board of the Corporation was not involved in the decision to spend its monies.

The report said, “He (Mr. Adams) stated that he had not signed the contract on behalf of the DHBC, but only because he was requested to do so by the Minister of Public Infrastructure.

CLEAR EVIDENCE The Parliamentary Opposition’s position is that the findings of the report evidence a flagrant breach of Guyana’s financial rules.

Notably, James has declined to say whether charges will be laid in the matter.

APNU+AFC gov’t talk about constitutional reform exposed as nothing more than rhetoric

T

he APNU+AFC Coalition Government holds the majority on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform, yet after more than a year, there has been no progress – rendering comments about constitutional reform

by Government officials as nothing but more platitudes.

Opposition Parliamentarian, Anil Nandlall, said, “We have to accept the reality that government holds majority in the committee. The business of the Committee has to be pushed by government with the Chairman as the driving force. I cannot write to parliament and say I want the committee to meet. What I can do is continuously engage the press which I have done.”

In 2017, in response to queries from the media corps on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) position on constitutional reform and the participation of international bodies, Opposition

Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, made clear that the position of the Parliamentary Opposition.

He said, “The process of constitutional reform was always seen as one that would be continuous, an intention that was enshrined in Article 119 (A) of the Constitution.

The PPP/C, therefore, remains open to the process of constitutional reform – a process that is locally driven and one that will see the involvement of the widest possible cross-section of stakeholders, including collaboration from international bodies.

“We have to ensure that the process by which we arrive at any proposed changes, if any, to the Constitution must be transparent and must find acceptance among all stakeholders.

“However, we have concerns about the several egregious breaches of the Constitution by the Coalition government – breaches that have been exposed by the

political Opposition via statements and positions iterated by our Members of Parliament (MPs). These breaches are not limited to matters affecting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the judiciary and the functioning of the statutory bodies. The PPP/C expects those advocating for constitutional changes to be just as strident in their criticism and condemnation of these breaches.

“Let me repeat that we are prepared to work with civil society, international partners and others through a transparent, nationally-led process that involves all sections of Guyanese society, in determining whether changes should be made to our Constitution. However, we are very concerned about the silence surrounding the daily breaches of our Constitution by the Coalition government.”

Greater clarity on Government’s position is still to be forthcoming.

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

No support for a new house-to-house registration given that General and Regional Elections are due by March 2019

Q

uestions about the possibility of a new countrywide House to House before fresh General and Regional Elections are due by March 2019 – following the passage of the motion of no-confidence in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government – were dismissed by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

He stated that the 2018 Local Government Elections were held with an updated list and this should be the same list that is used.

Notably, the Opposition nominated Commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission had expressed concern about a possible delay of the next General and Regional Elections, constitutionally due in 2020. With elections now due by March 2019, those concerns remain.

In October 2018, Jagdeo, had publicly voiced similar concerns and warned about “huge dangers” if GECOM pushes ahead with the move.

The Opposition Leader referred to 1990, stating that elections should have been held that year but because the voters’ list prepared by the Elections Commission was flawed, the elections were postponed for two years because the PPP agreed to it. “Well we are not going to agree to anything now,” he said.

Jagdeo added, “The moment that the constitutional period expires for this government, we’re in no man’s land – constitutional crisis. Parliament would be dissolved. Spending would cease and any contracts signed in that period could be subject to review by the new government…the Parliament is automatically dissolved…we would not have a Government that is valid.”

If the purpose is the clean up the voters’ list, he said, there are other ways in which the list can be cleaned up and the PPP can work with GECOM on it. He further opined that the Secretariat is “running ahead of the commission.” Jagdeo reiterated that the Guyana Register Office (GRO) can prepare a list of the thousands of persons who would have died since the last house-to-house registration, but remain on the voters’ list.

The GRO can supply this information to GECOM, which, in turn, can share it with the political parties.

In response to the claim that house-to-house registration could be done in six months, Jagdeo said, this is questionable. “It is opening the door for a process that is potentially fraudulent,” he charged. He expressed the fear that enumerators would deliberately not go into PPP strongholds on the coastland or in hinterland and riverain areas and so deny them the right to vote. With the current “machinery in place” at GECOM, he said, he was also fearful about the inputting of data and that the final list of voters would be significantly flawed.

Notably, the PPP had recommended that house-to-house registration be done in 2015, but the Commission refused and pursued two cycles of continuous registration. Jagdeo contends that if a new house-to-house registration was done in 2015, the possibility of a delay of the 2020 General and Regional Elections would not have been great.

Meanwhile, in April 2018, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest party in the coalition government, called for house-to-house registration to clean up the voters’ list – one that came mere months before the November 2018 Local Government Elections were due to ne held. PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally had suggested that a registration should begin as soon as possible. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a statement in response to Ally, had said it did not support the PNCR’s call for new house-to-house registration, while stating that it preferred to contest the local and general elections with the existing voters’ list.

Jagdeo said, “We believe that doing house-to-house registration at this late stage within the constitutional deadline for holding general elections could be used as a pretext for delaying the elections.”

The last house-to-house registration, in which persons 14 years and older were registered, was conducted in 2008.

The voter’ list has since been updated through continuous registration cycles.

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Army Lieutenant stabbed to death

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he suspect implicated in the murder of Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Lieutenant, 26-year-old Mark Bagot of Philippe Village, Corentyne Berbice on Sunday (December 30, 2018), turned himself in on Wednesday (January 2, 2018).

This publication understands that the man was also accompanied by his lawyer.

The suspect known only as “Son” escaped after report-

edly stabbing the man to his left chest following an argument over Guinness.

The suspect and Bagot along with another friend were all imbibing at a bar when an argument ensued over the purchasing of Guinness by the victim.

At around 20:45 hours, the argument escalated and resulted in a scuffle between the two when “Son” allegedly whipped out a knife and

dealt Bagot the fatal stab wound.

Bagot who reportedly had taken up a bar stool to defend himself, fell to the ground but was quickly picked up and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital but was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

Investigations are ongoing.

Man killed after car slams into parked tractor J

aggernauth Ramcharran, 49, of Grant 1802, East Berbice-Corentyne died on New Year’s day after the hire car, HB 1876, in which he was driving slammed into a parked tractor on the eastern parapet of the NO. 67 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

The accident occurred at about 03:15h but Ramcharran succumbed to his injuries at the Skeldon Public Hospital shortly after being attended to.

A male identified as Akesh Koochamala, 22, of No. 65 Village, Corentyne, who was also in the vehicle during the accident, was admitted in a stable condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

According to the Police,

remchand Samaroo 46, and his brother Harrychand Samaroo 45, both of Bushlot Village Corentyne, Berbice, were on old year’s night (Monday, December 31, 2018) killed by armed bandits who invaded their home.

Reports revealed that the brothers had an overseas house guest and sometime after 22:00h family members were seat-

Essequibo labourer died after being stabbed in the heart A

post mortem conducted on the body of 23-yearold Kevin Betancourt, who met his demise Old Year’s Night, died as a result of a punctured heart.

Betancourt of Vilvoorden, Essequibo Coast succumbed on Monday (December 31, 2018) night after he was attacked and stabbed

twice by an intoxicated man.

Reports revealed that the victim, a labourer, ventured into the premises of the suspect in search of an unknown person. However, while making enquires, he was asked by the suspect to leave.

This resulted in a physical confrontation and the suspect allegedly whipped

out a knife and wounded the victim to his neck and chest.

The victim was rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect, a 20-yearold resident of Pomona Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, has since been taken into Police custody.

Man viciously attacked by son-in-law A

man attacked his father-in-law on Tuesday (January 1, 2018) and reportedly severed one of the hands of his brother-inlaw. He is being sought by police.

According to the Police, a team of investigators were dispatched to the Kurutuku Village, in the Cuyuni River where the incident took place, to bring out the body and the injured.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspect was beating his wife and her father

Solomon Lewis.

It was at this juncture that Lewis’s son, 27-year-old Marvin Lewis, intervened and the suspect reportedly became annoyed, armed himself with a cutlass and fatally chopped Solomon Lewis, who according to other media is reportedly the village Toshao.

He then turned his attention to his brotherin-law and injured him, after which he fled the area in a boat.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

Wanted bulletin issued for fraudster

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their enquiries disclosed that the driver was proceeding north along the western carriageway of the road, report-

edly at a fast rate of speed, when he swerved from stray animals on the road and collided with the tractor.

Corentyne brothers killed by armed bandits P

WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

ed under the house when they heard a loud explosion and thought it was a loud firecracker.

Premchand reportedly went into his backyard to investigate and was shot.

It is believed that he died on the spot.

The masked bandits then proceeded to rob family members including the overseas guest. A total of US$350 was reported-

ly taken from the female overseas guest, while another female family member was also robbed of an undisclosed amount of valuables.

Harrychand who was also beaten during the robbery was taken to hospital but died while receiving medical treatment.

Police in Berbice have since launched a manhunt for the bandits.

he police have issued a wanted bulletin for 43-year-old Allan Robert Gates also called Clive De Nobrega of Lot 440 Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt and of Lot 8 St. Ann’s Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice and also of Sandhill, Demerara River.

He is wanted for questioning in relation to a fraud committed on Waheeda Ramcharran on February 2, 2018.

Gates was slapped with several fraud charges in the past and would have severed time in prison for same. Gates would have collected millions by falsely pretending that he was in a position to acquire motor vehicles for persons knowing same to be false.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Gates is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-1389, 2272128, 911 or the nearest police station.

Man chopped to death during row at bar-be-que

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mason was on Wednesday (December 26, 2008) hacked to death during an argument over a woman at a bar-be-que at Mount Sinai, Greater New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Dead is 25-year-old Karl McDonald, also called “Karlie” and “Donno”, 25, of High Dam Caracas, Angoy’s Avenue.

After receiving the chops about his body,

he reportedly fell into a nearby canal and was left there for some time before he was pulled out and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he died while receiving medical attention.

The man leaves to mourn two children; ages 6 and 8, his mother and two siblings.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 5-6 JANUARY, 2019

Man killed in hit and run

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father of two was in the wee hours of Sunday (December 30, 2018) killed after he was struck down by a speeding car along the Supply Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is 34-year-old Shayne Haynes of Supply Village.

Based on reports received, the now dead man left his sister’s home about 04:00h, and as he was walking along the roadway, he was struck by a speeding car which fled the scene. The

impact was loud enough to wake his neighbours who, upon checking, saw the injured man lying on the roadway.

An alarm was raised and the injured man was taken to the Diamond hospital, but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

The Police have since visited the scene and retrieved Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage from a resident. The recording is being reviewed in an attempt to identify the registration plates of the vehicle which caused the accident.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Man gunned down in Queenstown

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38-year-old man was gunned down in front of a popular hotel at Foreshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, on Sunday (December 30, 2018).

Dead is Sean Alistair Greene formerly of No. 78 Village Springlands, Berbice and of Alberttown, Georgetown.

Based on information, the victim was standing in front of the hotel with several other persons when they were confronted by a group

of men.

One of the men reportedly whipped out a firearm and

pumped several bullets into Greene’s body. The injured man fell to the ground and it was this time that the gunman reportedly stood over him and emptied his firearm.

It is believed that Greene was shot at least 20 times.

After sometime, Greene was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The perpetrator is on the run. Investigations are ongoing.

One dead, two injured in crash P olice are currently investigating a fatal accident that occurred on the Airy Hall Public Road, Mahaicony involving motor lorry GWW 6018 driven by Travis Isaac, 39, of Tempie Village, West Coast Berbice.

According to information reaching this publication the truck was proceeding east along the northern side of the road and while negotiating a right bend, the driver lost control of the lorry, which was laden with sand, and ended up on the eastern side of the road

in a trench.

As a result, the driver along with two other persons identified as Akeem McPherson, 20, and Kurtis Elliot ,20, received injuries.

They were taken to Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where a doctor on duty pronounced the driver dead on arrival.

The occupants, McPherson of 620 Planation Ross, West Coast Berbice and Elliot of 49 Planation Ross, West Coast Berbice, were treated and sent away.

Armed bandits rob Prashad Laing Avenue man busted Nagar resident with illegal gun

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graphic artist was on Friday (December 28, 2018) robbed of approximately $1M in cash by two armed bandits while he was in the vicinity of Bel Air, Georgetown.

Based on information reaching this publication, the Prashad Nagar, Georgetown resident was blocked off by a Toyota Allion and a CG motorcycle on Eping Avenue.

The driver of the motorcar reportedly

remained seated while the motorcyclist approached the victim, whipped out a gun and demanded that he turn over the cash.

Fearing for his life, the graphic artist handed over his cash resulting in the gunman and his accomplice fleeing the scene on their respective vehicles.

An investigation has since been launched.

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33-year-old resident of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown was arrested on Sunday (December 30, 2018) evening with an unlicensed 9MM pistol without magazine.

According to police, ranks of ‘A’ Division

acted on information and went to a drinking bar on Cemetery Road, East La Penitence, Georgetown where they conducted a search on several persons during which the gun was unearthed.

The man was taken into police custody.

‘We will be prepared PPP tells Chief Justice it wants to be heard on any ‘ex-parte to execute elections’ arrangement’ by gov’t – Jagdeo – GECOM PRO

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has written to the Chief Justice, Roxanne George-Wiltshire, asking to be heard in any one-sided case that might be filed by the Government, related to the results of the vote on the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said,

“We deposited a letter in the Chief Justice’s office to say any attempt to seek ex-parte arrangements to stay the no-confidence motion, we want to be heard on it [any motion filed by Government]. “…we believe that the Judiciary must not engage in any action that could violate what is so explicit in our Constitution and it’s explicit that the Government must

resign or else, we’ll have a judicial coup, reversing what took place in Parliament. We cannot have that, the Constitution is clear. “….there are no legal options to explore…all of these are legal maneuverings to thwart the will of the people and the Constitution and we are vigilant about this.

We will not let it happen.

This government has lost a no-confidence motion.”

Following the passage of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, the Government called on the House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland to reverse his ruling on the validity of the motion. Scotland upheld his ruling at a sitting on January 3, 2019.

A move to the courts has already been hinted at by the Coalition Government.

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he next statutory meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is slated for January 7, 2019.

And GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward, has already disclosed that GECOM is prepared to rise to the challenge to put systems in place to run off the elections once a date was set.

She said, “For us at GECOM, it’s our constitutional mandate to conduct General and Regional Elections as well as Local Government Elections. If that is the decision that we will have to conduct elec-

tions within a short period, then we will have to ensure that those elections are held as required, because it’s our constitutional mandate.

I’m sure that our Standard Operating Procedures will click into gear and we will be prepared to execute elections at a time we have been asked to do.”

Early General and Regional Elections are due before the end of March 2019, following the passage of a motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government on December 21, 2018.

Granger back in Guyana after third round of chemo

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resident David Granger returned home from Cuba on New Year’s Day (January 1, 2019) after receiving his third round of chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Granger left Guyana on Christmas Day for Cuba where he is receiving his cancer treatment.

In May 2018, President David Granger visited Trinidad and Tobago for an annual medical checkup, after which it was claimed that he was given a clean bill of health.

Granger was back in Trinidad and Tobago, a few months later. Granger, according to the Ministry of the Presidency, started to experience certain symptoms which were persistent – hence his decision to return to Trinidad to revisit the tests that were done in May 2018.

Little information was released on the status of the President’s health, prior the November 14, 2018 confirmation that he was diagnosed with cancer.

The President returned to Guyana from the Republic of Cuba on November 20, 2018 after spending approximately three weeks there, during his last vist. In Cuba, Granger’s medical team performed a number of medical interventions, including the first round of chemotherapy treatment.

Granger left for Cuba on Tuesday (December 4, 2018), for a second round of treatment at the Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ).

CIMEQ, according to the Ministry of the Presidency, has drafted a schedule of treatment which will run until May 2019.

PUBLISHED BY NEW GUYANA Co. Ltd., 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 226-2473, 226-5875 Fax: 226-2472