Weekend Mirror 22-23 September 2018

15-16 September, 2018 / Vol. 10 No. 39 / Price: $100

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

Granger’s proclivity for presiding over ‘lopsided’ agreements exposed AGAIN – Jagdeo PAGE 10

Kuru Kuru residents protest deplorable state of road PAGE 15

City Hall CoI to get underway within days …Two years after PPP/C motions calling for greater transparency blocked by Town Clerk, others PAGE 9

SEE INSIDE

LAA legal challenge adjourned to October 8 Increase in rates and PAGE 21 taxes closer: Countrywide valuation of properties to begin in New Amsterdam IMF warns about rising debt levels – debt estimated to reach 61 per cent of GDP by end of 2018

PAGE 23

Sugar workers protest in front of Nagamootoo’s office, calls on gov’t to comply with the law and pay severance PAGE 20

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Holding the APNU+AFC Coalition to account – a review of local happenings

The working class in Guyana and the ‘easy made, easy broken’ promises of the APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t

By Dr. Frank Anthony (GUEST CONTRIBUTOR)

T

he old adage that promises are like pie-crust seems applicable to the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. ‘Easy made and easy broken’ seems to be the new slogan of the David Granger-led government when it comes to the commitments that were made to the Guyanese people.

During the campaign for the government, every senior member of the Coalition was busy making promises; they made promises to sugar workers, rice farmers, teachers, nurses, public servants and young people that life would be better under an APNU+AFC Coalition Government. The reality is that after a few years in government, the ‘good life’ remains elusive to most Guyanese.

SUGAR WORKERS Sugar, which has been the mainstay of the Guyanese economy, is struggling to survive. The government instead of assisting the industry to transition through its difficulties has opted to close many of the estates and terminating more than 7,000 sugar workers.

Many of these workers are the sole breadwinner for their families, and if they cannot work, then the entire family suffers. The hardships that former sugar workers are suffering is further compounded because of the Granger regime spitefulness.

Again many promises were made to the workers. They were told that they would be retrained so that they would become employable, to date only a few of these workers were trained. And there is a glaring mismatch is the training offered, and the jobs that are available.

The workers were told, that they would be given seed capital to start their own businesses. They were sold a dream, that they would be business own-

ers, that they would employ people. Many persons in the sugar belt felt that the government would have done a program similar to what the PPP/C did in Linden when bauxite was going through its difficulty, but faithful to form the Granger regime reneged on these promises.

The workers were told

Pre-2015, the APNU+AFC Coalition bigwigs had all the solutions, so much so that they promised the sugar workers a 20% across the board increase in salaries.

But this was a promise they never intended to keep, as indicated by their heartless actions and inappropriate comments such as GUYSU-

tary benefits, free land, and duty-free concessions for teachers and professors. Increase emoluments and improved working conditions for teachers.”

Yet in the last few weeks, we witness something that is quite unprecedented, where frustrated teachers went on strike. In

“Pre-2015, the APNU+AFC Coalition bigwigs had all the solutions, so much so that they promised the sugar workers a 20% across the board increase in salaries. But this was a promise they never intended to keep, as indicated by their heartless actions and inappropriate comments such as GUYSUCO is ‘hemorrhaging the treasury’… the working people of this country can change the status quo if the Granger regime cannot deliver on its promise, the people should deliver them out of office at the next election.”

– Dr. Frank Anthony, PPP/C MP that they would be given land and that they would be allowed to cultivate alternative crops for the markets, this too has not materialised.

At Wales, an attempt was made to convert sugar cane lands to rice fields. One would have thought that the Granger regime’s logic was to give former sugar workers of Wales’s estate priority so that they can farm, earn monies and feed their families. But instead, the lands were allocated to people outside of the community, and the workers of Wales remain unemployed.

Our national law, the Termination and Severance pay act stipulates that these workers must be paid their severance pay, to date the Granger regime continues to act unlawfully by withholding the worker's severance pay.

It is incredible, how this regime treats its workforce.

CO is “hemorrhaging the treasury.”

TEACHERS In the pre-campaign, the APNU+AFC Coalition was busy talking up the importance of education. They promised to make Guyana into an “education nation” once it took office.

In 2011, the APNU manifesto declared, that it would be, “Encouraging teachers, through adequate salaries and better conditions of service, to give their full effort during normal classroom hours..” It further stated that it would be, “rewarding teachers for furthering their education and training, especially on their own initiative and promoting them based on annual performance appraisals.”

In their joint 2015 manifesto, APNU/AFC declared that they would, “develop appropriate non-mone-

a video that went viral on social media, I saw teachers chanting “they working we like a donkey, and paying we like a junkie”. The genesis of the strike seems to be another broken promise by the Granger regime. The Guyana Teachers Union submitted a multi-year (2016 to 2020) proposal in November 2015 to the government. Instead of engaging the union directly, the President decided to appoint a High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on the 1st November 2017 to examine the proposals. The HLFT comprise of high officials from the Ministry of the Presidency, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education, along with executives of the Guyana Teachers Union.

After exhaustive deliberations amongst members of the HLTF, they finally made several key recommendations. These include a 40%

signed terms of resumption and it included going to arbitration. A process was started to find the persons who would make up the arbitration panel, and again the Granger regime seems to be staling. Where would this end?

Once again the regime has broken its promises to another section of the Guyanese workforce. salary increase using 2015 teachers’ salary as the base year and a 5% incrementally for the remaining years of the agreement. It also recommended a risk allowance of $5,000 per month to compensate teachers for operating under poor working conditions. A commuted travel allowance in keeping with what is paid to officers in the more extensive Public Service and a Scale “B” travel allowance for teachers who own vehicles and have to travel is recommended.

Regarding non-salary benefits, those teachers who improve their qualifications were given an increase in monthly allowance. Clothing allowance was increased to $16,000 annually. The request for an increase in the number of duty-free concessions was denied.

Scholarships for teachers attending the University of Guyana were capped at fifty, depending on the availability of funds. These and a few other recommendations represent a negotiated position between union and government high officials. It was therefore expected that the Granger regime would have accepted the recommendations.

It must have come as a shock to the Guyana Teachers Union, that after waiting so patiently, abiding by all the rules and process, to be told in the end that the Granger regime has rejected the recommendations. The teachers went on strike, because of a breach of good faith. To end the strike, the

HEALTH SECTOR WORKERS Many of the workers in the public health sector are dissatisfied with their emoluments. Nurses are always complaining about the conditions of work and the meager salaries and allowances. Many nurses who are sent to remote areas to serve to complain about the hardships encounter and are agitating for better working conditions.

Medical doctors in the public sector have decried the low salaries and allowances. On average the gross pay for a medical doctor is about 2,091,666 Guyana dollars per annum.

When this is compared with how much monies the Ministry of Public Health is squandering for example on the Sussex Street Bond and other inappropriate expenses, these monies could have been better used to improve the salaries of doctors and nurses. I would not be surprised if very soon nursesand other health workers started to take more robust action for better working conditions and salaries.

These are just some examples of how the Granger regime, has treated the working people of this country with disdain while providing colossal salary increases for his Cabinet, advisors and other members of the elite.

The working people of this country can change the status quo if the Granger regime cannot deliver on its promise, the people should deliver them out of office at the next election.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Jagdeo calls on GECOM to institute penalties for APNU, AFC actions that are ‘tantamount’ to eletoral fraud

W

orrying reports about the action of the Alliance For Change (AFC), ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) have reached the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo.

And he has called on the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) to take action. “I am calling on GECOM to institute stiff penalties for such acts, since they are tantamount to electoral fraud,” he said.

Jagdeo added, “…It has been brought to my attention that persons being pressured into signing backers’ lists for the Alliance For Change (AFC), particularly those engaged under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) and Community Policing Groups in several areas, ahead of Nomination Day on Thursday (September 21, 2018).

“This move to intimidate persons, ties in with the AFC’s move to ‘buy’ support via the corrupt $120M contract, for weeding parapets along the roadways, that was awarded to eight AFC activists.”

The PPP General Sec-

retary urged people “not be intimidated” into signing any lists.

“I have had similar reports come in from different parts of the country about both the AFC and APNU misleading persons into signing lists, by claiming that they were signings up as eligible applicants who can access benefits such as house lots, among other things. I want to urge Guyanese to be wary of such practices,” he said.

The PPP General Secretary also disclosed that the Party will be investigating the matter. “I want to assure all Guyanese that the PPP will be investigating this matter, as we continue to work to ensure that the elections are free and fair,” he said.

EARLIER REPORTS Notably, last week, Executive of the PPP, Zulfikar Mustapha, said he was reliably informed by several people that some political parties are on the ground misleading voters around the country – in sections of Region 6, 7 and 8. “It seems as though this is a national ploy to mislead people. We are saying also that GECOM has a role to

“I want to assure all Guyanese that the PPP will be investigating this matter, as we continue to work to ensure that the elections are free and fair.”

– General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo play,” he said.

According to him, the PPP plans to lodge an official complaint with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) over what it described as acts to commit electoral fraud. He noted that during his next meeting with the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield, the matter will be raised. He added that a letter will also be sent to Lowenfield.

Mustapha explained that before a candidate can contest a constituency of a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) area, he or she would have to have certain amount of backers. “For the NDC you have to have 20-30 signatures of persons who live in that constituency.

The entire list for an NDC

area requires 30 backers but each. In the municipality the number of backers for constituency candidate is 60 and number for entire municipality list which is proportional representation part is 110.”

The PPP Executive disclosed that the Party was informed that many persons who have signed onto the PPP list of candidates are being told that they can sign more than one list of candidates. From the complaints received, he noted that the Alliance For Change (AFC), United Republican Party of Guyana (URP) and the A partnership for National Unity (APNU) are the perpetrators. He said, “That is wrong! If you sign on more than one list of candidates, those lists can become nulli-

fied and invalid. In Rose Hall we had people from URP who went and mislead people, telling them that they are from the PPP… so they were suspicious of their movement and URP activist and we doubled checked.”

Mustapha feels people are rejecting the coalition parties, particularly the AFC and URP. He said, “Now they using cover under the PPP to dupe people…I know there are many persons that people are willing to sign on our list, and AFC and APNU people are reluctant to sign on their list to back their list of candidates. This is a trend that might take place before Local Government Elections and we are monitoring the situation carefully.”

The PPP Executive Sec-

retary added that the Party will be monitoring the situation.

RIGGED ELECTIONS Meanwhile, Jagdeo, only last week, stated that the fear that upcoming elections could be rigged is not “unreasonable” given the internationally and locally documented history of the People’s National Congress.

He added that this fear is even more real given the fact that some of the key players during the 1980’s are still prominent in the current Government.

He added that such fears are compounded by the fact that President David Granger unilaterally appointed a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in the person on 84-yaer-old, James Patterson.

“What we have said to people is that because of that fear, we have to work harder, be more vigilant and block any attempt to rig…that is what we are doing now,” he stressed.

Local Government Elections are set for November 12, 2018, while the next General and Regional Elections is expected to be held in 2020.

PPP questions APNU+AFC gov’t move to ‘protect criminals’, tarnish law enforcement officers

F

rom the inception, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) expressed no confidence in the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to inquire into the Lindo Creek killing.

And given the latest reports from the state-owned Guyana Chronicle on the findings included in the Commission’s report, the Party has made clear that it rejects the outcome.

“While, we emphatically reject the findings of the Donald Trotman Commission of Inquiry, we are not surprised by it. In fact, we predicted it….it is a real tragedy when a Government can travel to such extent to protect criminals and tarnish our law enforcement

officers, who risk their lives every day to protect the law abiding citizens of this land.”

After the June 2008 deaths of eight miners - Dax Arokium, Cedric Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres – the security forces were accused of the killings by Leonard Arokium, who discovered the burnt remains were discovered on June 21, 2008, at the Lindo Creek mining camp. The security forces denied those charges. Rondell Rawlins, called Fine Man, and his gang were identified as the parties responsible for the murders.

Also, a witness in anoth-

er case, Dwane Williams, implicated the ‘Fine Man gang’ and made clear that it was responsible for not only the killings at Lindo Creek, but also for the 2008 massacres at Bartica and Lusignan. Rawlins was killed in a shootout on August 28, 2008, during an almost seven-hour-long police operation, which started at Timehri.

The PPP in a statement said, “We knew that this Commission was established with a preconceived intention of holding the Joint Services liable and to exonerate the notorious killer, Rondell Rawlins also known as “Fine Man” and his murderous gang. We pointed out that a close rel-

ative of a leading member of the Coalition Government was appointed as the lone Commissioner to bring home this finding. Nearly a year later and after the expenditure of unknown millions of taxpayers’ dollars, we have been vindicated.

“Certain PNC leaders’ close affiliation with criminals, criminal gangs and their posture against the law enforcement agencies are well documented and have a long history. The draping of our national flag on the coffin of the notorious criminal Blackie London and marching with his corpse along the streets of Georgetown; the nocturnal visits of many leaders of that party, including, a close relative of

the lone Commissioner, in south Buxton to liaise with criminal gangs hiding out in “the gulf”; the labeling of the 2001 jailbreak escapees, who terrorized law abiding citizens for years, as “freedom fighters”; their mass street protests against segments of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), who bravely took on the bandits; the continuous pardoning of convicted criminals by President Granger – are all irrefutable evidence of where they stand on this issue. “…to our Joint Services men and women, who have been wrongly tarnished in this Report, we say, do not despair, we stand with you, and we are sure that so do a large majority of our

citizens.

Notably, the Parliamentary Opposition has called for a comprehensive review of the crime wave of the 2000’s. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo has said that several persons in the Coalition government, including current Government Ministers, would be “really” uncomfortable, if that were to happen.

“They claim we supported drug dealers let us look at that …and let us look at the role of the PNCR because we know they were involved,” he said. He had also stressed that the Lindo Creek CoI is a “narrow” inquiry – a charade designed to assault the soldiers and policemen who served during the period.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Guest

EDITORIAL

The fight to prevent ‘full dictatorial’ rule will continue relentlessly

By Zulfikar Mustapha

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) during the 2015 elections campaign had warned about the return to a dictatorship and economic hardships under a government formed by the APNU/AFC Coalition. This warning has since become a reality for Guyanese people. Democracy and our democratic gains have been eroded since the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led coalition came to office in May 2015. Known for inflicting twenty eight years of totalitarian rule and mismanagement while wallowing in extravagance, the PNC, under the guise of APNU, continues to demonstrate those characteristics.

What has become characteristic of its leader, President David Granger, is his imposition of his interpretation of the Constitution upon the Guyanese people. This was glaring when he unilaterally appointed retired Justice James Patterson as the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). That appointment was not only unconstitutional, but also occurred in defiance of the cries of law-abiding citizens. A democratic process for such appointments had obtained for twenty five years prior and was adhered to by his predecessors. His action can only be seen as a wanton abuse of power and a dark reminder of PNC’s unwillingness to adhere to democratic norms.

Fundamental to democracy is free and transparent elections. This, which was the hallmark of the 23 years of the PPP administration, is now under severe threat.

From what is transpiring at the GECOM, it appears that the President unilateral appointment of the Chairman may be a strategic move to suit the PNC’s agenda. It is therefore not surprising that the intervention of the court is being sought to help safeguard our democracy.

Recently, GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shaddick, filed a court case to repel the undemocratic move of establishing new Local Authority Areas (LAA) and reducing constituencies in some by the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who is also the Treasurer of the PNC. The new LAAs are primarily in areas of the PNC stronghold while those to be reduced are within the PPP support base. The new boundaries have been set without consulting the relevant stakeholders.

With such blatant disregard for constitutional and democratic principles, the real intention by the government becomes clear; to desperately prevent a repetition of a landslide victory by the PPP and to unfairly bolster its own showing at the upcoming November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE).

This is not by chance and can be linked to the incompetence that the government continues to display. Guyanese from all walks of life are struggling to provide for their families while a once vibrant economy, as evidently sustained under the PPP, has stagnated as a result of the visionless approach by the APNU/AFC coalition.

As a result, the government is continuously losing support as economic hardships take toll on Guyanese who seen their standard of living dropped drastically since May 2015. This blatant act of gerrymandering by Minister Bulkan is therefore a political ploy to try and hide the government’s abysmal failure since in office.

Having loss any semblance of credibility, the Granger-led PNC sometime back began the process of influencing GECOM. This is to help safeguard the government’s stay office as it did in the past.

The casting vote by the GECOM Chairman to ensure the appointment of someone, reportedly of his choice and favourable to government, to the position of Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) over someone who was in the position and

Another case of double standards from Granger and his gov’t Dear Editor,

I

n the past week, we witnessed two brazen examples of sheer, mind-numbing hypocrisy practiced

by President David Granger and APNU+AFC. It is not simply the hypocrisy that bothers me, it is the clear and present threats to Guyana's democracy. First, President Granger demanded justification for the Leader of the Opposition's rejection of the President's nominee for the Chancellor of the Judiciary, ignoring his own rejection of eighteen nominees for the GECOM Chair without any explanation. Second, the Granger-led APNU+AFC flatly rejected the nominees of the Guyana Teachers Union for the Chair of the salary arbitration panel without any reasons given. This is clear evidence of double standards practiced by this government on a daily basis.

The rejection of the nominees for the teachers’ arbitration panel, without any explanation, by APNU+AFC is curious and capricious. The names of each of the persons is someone close to the People's National Congress and one of them previously headed an arbitration in 1999 that addressed a salary dispute between public servants and the PPP. The union, to their credit, provided detailed credentials to support each of their nominees. The union also rejected the names proposed by the government, but they gave a sound reason why they found the names proposed by the government "not-fit-andproper" - both nominees work in senior positions in the government. The truth is the government wants a person to carry out its bidding, just as they did for GECOM and other positions.

Arbitrary, capricious rejection of

nominees to serve in important positions, insisting they do not owe anyone an explanation, has become a norm for President Granger and APNU+AFC. They act as dictators, always rejecting accountability. The President rejected the names of eighteen (18) distinguished Guyanese proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, persons whose qualifications were comprehensively presented, for the position of Chair of GECOM. The President refused to provide any explanation, insisting that he has no constitutional requirement to do so. As with the arbitration panel to adjudicate on salaries of teachers, Granger wanted a sycophant for GECOM. Thus, he acted arbitrarily, imperially rejecting the national cry for an explanation.

The same modus operandi applies to naming the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. The persons presently serving enjoy widespread confidence across the political spectrum. The President has ignored the incumbents and proposed a candidate for the position of Chancellor who has been serving outside of Guyana for decades. He has not offered the nation an explanation for rejecting both persons who presently perform the duties of Chancellor and Chief Justice. He has proposed a demotion for the person acting as the Chancellor, asking her to move downward from the Chancellor of the Judiciary to the Chief Justice and has no place for the distinguished incumbent Chief Justice. What makes the incumbent Chancellor unqualified for the Chancellor's position, but makes her suitable for the position of Chief Justice?

The same authoritarian posture guides the selection of a new police commissioner. The President appoint-

who scored higher in the interviews, was not only against democratic employment practices, but has now shrouded the election process in controversy. From all reports, the dictatorship is not confined to just the level of government, but has seemingly taken a stranglehold at GECOM reportedly through the Chairman. His casting vote in favour of the New DCEO and his reported action of suppressing the efforts of Commissioners appointed by the PPP, presents a worrying scenario with regard the expected practicing of democracy at that level. Despite the Chairman’s claim of being independent, it becomes difficult to dismiss allegation of bias for the government on his part within the context of all that has transpired.

Credibility is paramount in any electoral process. The government has already cast doubt on that process through the manner in which the Chairman was appointed. He, in turn, has exacerbated that doubt through the manner in which he influenced the appointment of the DCEO. From what has been described as his unconstitutional appointment to him bypassing the employment practice to appoint the DECO, has consequences for freedom and democracy for Guyana and Guyanese.

ed a person who might well be a person "fit and proper" for this position. But the President diminishes the new COP by not giving an explanation why the man who was acting in that position for almost a year was by-passed for the position of COP or any of the Deputy Police Commissioners. It might well be that the man acting as the Police Commissioner for the last year is not qualified for any senior position, but the President needs to inform the nation what made this person qualified to serve at the highest level for more than a year, a person his own minister of public security pushed into the position, while hastily forcing the previous commissioner into prematurely forced retirement.

It is sheer, mind-numbing hypocrisy, therefore, that the same president wants the Leader of the Opposition to provide a reason for rejecting the President's nominee for the Chancellor's position. It should be noted that the Leader of the Opposition has signaled he is not addressing the suitability or non-suitability of the candidate nominated for the Chief Justice position.

It is just that the Leader of the Opposition is not in a position to address the Chief Justice nomination until the confirmation of the nominee for the Chancellor's position. The President and his cloying sycophants demand that the constitution does not explicitly requires him to provide an explanation. While this is steaming garbage, can he and his sycophants point us to the constitutional requirement for the Leader of the Opposition to provide an explanation? What is good for the goose must be good for the gander.

Sincerely, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Scarred from the oppressive 28-year rule of the PNC in the past, it becomes virtually impossible for Guyanese not to feel that the democracy, which they have fought valiantly to attain, is eroding before their eyes.

The PPP, which has been in the forefront in the struggles for freedom and independence and being fully aware of the need for an independent mind at the helm of GECOM, challenged the President’s unilateral appointment of the Chairman.

Not having the desired ruling in the High Court, the Party has since filed an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The bottom line is that our democracy is under threat as a dictatorship grows and GECOM’s credibility is now questionable.

The PPP will continue relentlessly to defend our hardfought democracy and will vigorously oppose every attempt by the PNC-led APNU/AFC government to impose a dictatorship and their efforts to strangle free will and aspirations of the Guyanese people.

All Guyanese must therefore be cognizant of the government’s actions and must remain vigil to stop the erosion of democracy for all were warned before.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

How did someone sanctioned multiple times for corruption end up as a corruption investigator?

Dear Editor,

I

write to raise a few points that must be raised on the question of how someone who was sanctioned multiple times for corruption ended up as a corruption investigator at the Special Organised Crimes Unit.

The person I refer to is Navin Sankar.

Under the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo, Navin Sankar was fired as a Customs Officer at the Guyana Revenue Authority because of corruption.

Under the presidency of Donald Ramotar he was rehired. Soon after, in 2014, he was implicated in an alleged re-migrant duty-free concession scam, involving the publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glen Lall. Media reports said that the address listed on the registration forms for both of the vehicles is Lot 8 Continental Park, East Bank Demerara, which was Navin Sankar’s residence at the time and his parents, re-migrants from Berbice, were listed as the owners of the vehicles. However, both vehicles were being used by Glenn Lall and his wife. It was Stabroek News on February 8, 2015, which reported that: “The details of the 'compensation' package accepted by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to drop

a highly-publicised multi-million dollar tax evasion case against Glenn Lall, his wife Bhena and a re-migrant couple are being shrouded in secrecy.”

Under the presidency of David Granger, Navin Sankar was again fired from the Guyana Revenue Authority in June 2016.

Now Navin Sankar has re-emerged, this time as an investigator with the Special Organised Crimes Unit. Editor, I must also note that no one could have missed Navin Sankar’s luxury vehicle parked at the Special Organised Crimes Unit’s office. Given that the vehicle is worth over $20M and a Customs Officer works for about $300,000 per month, you cannot help but wonder if the first move to fire him for corruption wasn’t the right move.

Having said all this, how is it that a person implicated in corrupt activities, now involved in investigating allegations of corruption; allegations, mind you, that look more and more like political targeting each day.

Until this question is answered, it Navin Sankar is back in business.

Sincerely, Cedric Lord

Credibility demands full disclosure Dear Editor,

R

ecent comments by the former Petroleum Presidential Advisor, Dr. Jan Mangal, provided for interesting reading; more particularly where he comments on the “stages of influence” that oil companies exert to make countries forfeit their wealth.

Dr. Mangal has said that: “The oil company and their agents will first influence the politicians. They do this very well. They do it all the time all around the world (in the rich countries as well).

This has already happened in Guyana.

Then they will influence the private sector by giving them some contracts. This has already happened in Guyana, judging by the words/ actions of the private sector, judging by how some prominent Guyanese have suddenly gone quiet or changed their tune.”

The latter point, regarding the private sector, is particularly interesting. Politicians will be frowned on for having engagements (contracts, etc.) with the oil companies, but what about the Heads and Executives of private sector groups?

Guyanese are treated to an endless stream of comments from private sector officials, which are portrayed as impartial positions.

But how can we be sure? The answer, I think, and more so to lend greater credibil-

ity to voices from the private sector, could lie in there being full disclosure.

Maybe it is time that there is a declaration by private sector Heads and Executives, in particular, about what contracts or agreements that they are engaged in with ExxonMobil. Maybe it is time that Guyanese are made aware of how these Heads and Executives of private sector groups are personally benefiting from the oil company.

Guyanese have also been treated to the trend where private sector groups bring in consultants for oil and gas forums; another attempt to lend credibility, in my view, to some of the positions taken.

But we have seen that some of the very consultants who were brought in were linked to the oil companies – as was the case with Rystad Energy and ExxonMobil.

It was Dr. Mangal himself who pointed out that Rystad Energy was part of ExxonMobil’s lobbying machinery.

I agree with Dr. Mangal when he says that: “The odds are stacked against Guyana, but Guyana can succeed.” But such success I think can be realised if we start with greater transparency from, not only the politicians, but also from the private sector groups and their Heads and Executives.

Regards Baldeo Mathura

APNU+AFC gov’t not interested in any of the basic components needed to foster social cohesion Dear Editor,

T

he Ministry of Social Cohesion was initiated in 2015 after the APNU/AFC coalition Government assumed office. The formation of this specific ministry remains mysterious, since President David Granger’s intended objectives are still not evident. Certain key elements must be adhered to in order to have social cohesion.

Providing citizens with the proper space to voice their concerns is fundamental to the creation of a sustainable, socially cohesive society.

Social cohesion is enhanced by an inclusive, coordinated, policy-making process.

It brings in the views of all stakeholders involved, from the conception of these policies to their implementation, then to the final beneficiaries. Policy- making also needs to be more evidence-based in order to foster social cohesion.

A socially cohesive society is one which works towards the wellbeing of all its members; fights exclusion and marginalisation; creates a sense of belonging; promotes trust, and offers its members the opportunity of upward mobility. The harnessing of civic participation and political feedback mechanisms is essential for positive and continuous growth

in social cohesion. This is particularly true in the context of shifting wealth, which quickens economic growth and social dislocation, and requires innovative responses.

The process of policy-making is as important as the policies themselves for building social cohesion. Inconclusive democracy is vital to craft important policies such as the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), since new oil resources that will be available soon would be invested in social development, and as such, Government must rethink social and economic policies to ensure all citizens have a voice by fostering civic participation and strengthening democratic institutions.

The important question is if the APNU/ AFC coalition Government is promoting social cohesion.

This Government is definitely not interested in any of the basic components needed to foster social cohesion. The formation of the Ministry of Social Cohesion is to ensure that political parties in Government benefit from the resources that are being allocated for the fostering of social cohesion. Numerous example can be highlighted to substantiate these claims.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

Why can’t Granger find the time to visit Guyanese who are facing the most difficult of times because of his government’s decisions?

Dear Editor,

F

rom reports appearing in several sections of the media, our Union, and more so thousands of jobless sugar workers, learnt that President David Granger reportedly said, according to the Stabroek News, that “…payment of severance to thousands of ex sugar workers is drawing funding away from services”. We found the President’s remarks most unfortunate and we see it as yet another means to find a scapegoat for his Administration’s failure to deliver on its promises and commitments. Added to that, it serves to remind us about the Government’s uncaring and scant concern for the thousands of Guyanese who have been affected by the APNU+AFC ill-considered policy to minimize the sugar industry.

For us, it is saddening, that while the President is going around saying that his Administration’s settlement of its statutory obligation to the workers is taking away from other areas, he seems to ignore, maybe conveniently, that he heads the largest and most expensive bureaucracy in our nation’s history. Today, our people are forced to sustain fifteen (15) Ministries headed by twenty-seven (27) Ministers who are accompanied by a platoon of advisors, assistants and other support staff. Today, our people are made to fund a super-salaried Cabinet who apart from a 50 per cent pay rise receive superb benefits such as medical treatment in exotic locales like Ireland; stupendous allowances when travelling abroad, in addition to state-paid various services including security and not to mention government-provided vehicles.

Today, our people are footing the bills for the ‘greening’ of perfectly good buildings; the

construction of immaculate fences; a rarely used drill square, or the hefty-rental of bottom-house drug bond. Today, while the Administration is ignoring its legal obligations to the beleaguered workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara, and Wales, His Excellency, now the Head of State for 40 months, has, reportedly, been abroad for more than 40 occasions and his Administration, this year, budgeted to expend a billion dollars on overseas travel. Are these the priorities that the workers obligations are sucking from?

But more than that, President Granger, who has said he is very busy with several matters, should heed calls and find the time to visit the communities of the now-closed estates and engage the workers and their families. From those visits he will learn from the people what the closure decision sucked away from them. From those engagements, he would come to know that workers have serious difficulties to eat; that they are unable to pay their bills; or they cannot simply afford to send their children to school. From those visits, he would have hear about the family separations and their impact; he would come to know of the physiological and physical toll of losing the only job you know about; and he would be told about emptiness that has been created since the closure.

It is indeed dismaying that His Excellency seemingly cannot find the time to visit these Guyanese who are facing the most difficult of times.

We also saw the President saying he didn’t blame the workers or the Corporation or the previous administration. We believe it would be disingenuous for the President to (Turn to page 6)

6

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Gov’t anti-working-class credentials further exposed

Alarming suicide rates in Baramita warrant investigation Dear Editor,

R

esidents of Baramita Village (BarimaWaini) are calling on His Excellency, President David Granger, to urgently appoint a task force into the mysterious hanging- suicides currently taking place in their village.

This may sound strange but so far, 78 Carib villagers have committed suicide by hanging themselves.

Quite recently on the 12th and 13th September 2018 there were two incidents: a 24-year-old mother of four children; and a 16-year-old youth – both, in less than 72 hours, hanged themselves.

Last Saturday night (15th September), a lady attempted to hang herself for no ex-

plicable reason like the previous hangings.

It is important to note as well that it is alleged that a 15-year-old Port Kaituma secondary school student of Baramita was impregnated by a police officer who was subsequently transferred to Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni. The impregnated school child dropped out of school. This warrants the urgent attention and intervention of the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of F’ Division and the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA). Nothing is being done to have this police officer arrested and charged under the sexual offences act.

What is going on?

Sincerely, Peter Persaud

Dear Editor,

T

he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), from media reports, was expressly disappointed and deeply disturbed by what seems to be another tactic deployed by the Government to frustrate the nation’s teachers and their Union’s desire to bring resolution to their demands for improved pay and enhanced conditions of work.

The newest measure cannot be disconnected from several other maneuvers that were embraced to prolong and delay the settlement of the long-standing dispute. It is simply upsetting that the Administration, at every possible opportunity, has sought to employ delaying tactics for reasons best known to itself. Interestingly, while the Government is seeking at every turn to procrastinate, the Guyanese people should not forget that it wasted almost no time in awarding itself princely pay rises in addition to other improvements.

For the FITUG, the Administration’s rejection of the personalities proposed by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to lead the Arbitration process, without any rhyme or reason, further serves to expose the Government’s anti-working-class nature. Moreover, it goes to show the level of seriousness the

Government is paying to the plight of the teachers and our nation’s workers generally.

The Federation fully upholds the GTU’s rejection of the Government’s nominees and agreed wholeheartedly that dark shadows, real or perceived, would be cast on the Tribunal’s independence with a Government-employee at the helm. It is indeed saddening that the Government has taken such a belligerent approach especially taking into account the sober and responsible approach the Union has adopted and maintained.

The Administration scant concern for the workers plight has only been further exposed by this latest development. We agree whole heartedly with the GTU President, Mark Lyte who was reported in the September 16, 2018 Kaieteur News as saying that “we are doomed under this administration.” Certainly, when one looks how far workers’ rights and concerns have slipped on the Administration’s agenda there is hardly any reason not to agree with the GTU President.

The FITUG urges the Government to stop playing games and to act responsibly and live up to its undertakings and have the matter addressed by a credible, independent tribunal.

Regards, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

Taxpayers’ monies belong to the people not a select few in gov’t Dear Editor,

T

he accessing of public assistance is now a royal prerogative which only the chosen few can acquire. The service now solely depends on Government officers, who it seems are bent on applying their own subjective criteria other than objective guidelines.

According to the Director of Social Services, Mr Wentworth Tanner, public assistance is conditional, and applicants have to fulfill certain requirements before they receive the assistance. Currently, there are over 10,000 persons receiving the assistance under the categories of medical, temporary and economic public assistance. Mr Tanner also said the applicant must prove the money is being spent for what it is indeed. He gave an example that in the case of an application for assistance on behalf of a schoolaged child, the child must be registered, and the attendance must be 85 per cent. A child simply cannot make 85 per cent attendance before accessing the cash to go to school.

That is equivalent to putting the cart before the horse. The child needs the assistance, so that he/she can attend school regularly.

It cannot happen in the reverse!

Many persons are denied the public assistance even though they cannot sustain themselves, and in some case their families.

Some people are bluntly rejected by the Government officers, who tell them that their relatives or children abroad or in Guyana can sustain them. These officers need to understand that families and children do not support dependents unless dependents have something to offer them in return.

Moreover, some applicants who are denied the assistance are bedridden, but were told that their children should look after them. Some are also differently abled. It is a shame that they are denied the assistance!

Throughout Region 6, there are some officers who, it seems, were nurtured in a pigsty, given their rude and aggressive attitude towards some applicants. Imagine, these people are insulted and rejected for the ‘princely’ sum of $8,000 per month! Is this social protection afforded by this Government? This type of attitude has resulted in many persons being afraid to even apply!

The people in the Social Protection Ministry must have undergone training sessions costing millions of dollars; all being wasted!

In the 2018 Budget, the Ministry of Social Protection received $16.988 billion to continue its mandate of providing quality service to the country’s vulnerable groups – women, children, the elderly, homeless and youths; yet these vulnerable groups are insulted and chased away when they attempt to access the assistance.

There are many widows who are denied this assistance, while some who continue to reproduce for multiple partners are given public assistance without any hassle. Why are these applications not accepted and carefully investigated, and the findings then sent to the Board for a decision to be made?

Applicants must be made to feel that their requests are given due process. On many occasions, people of a certain ethnicity are the ones who are rudely rejected.

Old age pensioners are not excluded from this type of discriminatory practice.

It must be recalled that, not so long ago,

the electricity and water subsidies were snatched away. In some cases, if the applicant applies a year after attaining the age of 65, he/she is given the ‘royal run around’ to access the benefit. Moreover, the residency requirements are applied in a discriminatory manner.

There are instances when persons have been spending a large proportion of their time in Guyana and yet have been denied the assistance. They are told that they travelled to the US on a regular basis, hence they cannot qualify for old age pension. The Social Protection Ministry had stated that, “In the event that the person is temporarily absent from Guyana, the applicant or pensioner must satisfy the Authority, usually through the provision of the person’s passport and an immigration check conducted by the Minis-

try, that the period of absence from Guyana has not exceeded two years during the past twenty years, according to law.’ Why is this criteria not applied in all cases? Why is this changed to ‘you are travelling regularly to the US so you cannot qualify?”

It is time that the vulnerable groups: women, children, the elderly, homeless and youths, be treated fairly, and not be discriminated against because of race or ethnicity or political affiliations I call upon Minister Amna Ally to convince these rejected applicants that they are being treated fairly. The money belongs to the taxpayers, not the Government!

Yours faithfully, Haseef Yusuf, Region 6 RDC Councilor

Why can’t Granger find the time to visit Guyanese who... (From page 5) cast blame in that direction. The President, we hold, can only point a finger of blame at himself or his colleagues who sit around the Cabinet table with him. It was his Government that chose the shutter the estates, in the first place. Certainly the short-sighted decision gave rise to the legal obligation to pay severance to those who stood to be affected.

There are no ifs, buts or maybes and this is clear as day and without doubt. A prudent Administration would have recognized this reality and accordingly provided the payment but, as we have seen time and again, our Government continues to show us how inept and ill-considerate it can be.

We cannot ignore too, that the Administration, it seems, is preparing to wash its

hands of the workers and their families and their communities when and after it settles the outstanding payments. If this is indeed the case, then this would be a most disturbing development. The Government has a moral obligation to ensure that the workers and their communities return to their feet and have a sustainable future especially recognizing that it was their decision that snatched away a livelihood from the people. This is the role of any Government and the Administration should not ignore this important responsibility.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine, GAWU General Secretary

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Guyanese are much smarter than people like Ramjattan think Dear Editor,

O

n Sunday September 16, I heard the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan saying that the Leader of the Opposition Mr Bharrat Jagdeo had publicly stated his non-support for David Ramnarine’s candidacy as Commissioner of Police.

Ramjattan went on to say that Mr Clement Rohee, who he claimed is the PPP spokesperson on the security sector, had expressed his opposition to the appointment of David Ramnarine as Commissioner of Police. When asked why his recommendation for Ramnarine to be appointed as Commissioner was not accepted by President David Granger, Ramjattan said his was only a recommendation and that the President’s decision is final.

He asserted that the President had the benefit of insights from the Police Service Commission, the Slowe COI, and an interview panel to assess the capability and professionalism of the eight Assistant Commissioners of Police, including Ramnarine. The President chose Leslie James as Commissioner and four others as Deputy Commissioners and did not even consider Ramnarine for one of the Deputy Commissioner positions. Granger said: “I think this is the best outcome and they are all fit and proper persons to lead the police force.”

Notwithstanding his recommendation of Ramnarine to be appointed as Police Commissioner was rejected, Ramjattan said that he accepted the decision of President Granger, who he claimed is a man who adheres to the provisions of the Guyana constitution. Really! What a startling statement! How would Ramjattan explain Mr Granger’s unilateral appointment of David Patterson as GECOM Chair? Mr Granger defied the time-tested Carter-Price formula for the appointment of the GECOM Chair that has also been enshrined in the Guyana constitution, and to state that he (Granger) sticks to the constitution is bewildering! There are other instances of constitutional violations.

Let’s put the other records straight. Mr Jagdeo never made any public statement that he did not support Ramnarine as Police Commissioner. At the consultation meeting with the President he had asked why Ramnarine was not considered for that appointment and Mr Granger said that he had a number of “specific reasons,” but did not elaborate. “Opposition Leader Jagdeo revealed that he questioned the President as to why Ramnarine was not considered for the post (Commissioner) and was told by Granger that there are specific reasons. Those reasons, were however, not revealed.” (Guyana Times: August 31, 2018).

The assertion that Mr Clement Rohee was

against Ramnarine’s appointment is correct, but that position of Rohee was personal and did not necessarily reflect the views of the PPP. It’s the PPP General Secretary or the PPP Executive Secretary who speaks on the behalf of the party in such matters. And it was the PPP General Secretary (who is also the Leader of the Opposition) who met with President Granger for consultations and not Clement Rohee. Ramjattan has made a splurge to cast the blame for the government’s bypassing of David Ramnarine as Police Commissioner, onto the PPP. But Ramjattan should know that the Guyanese public is smarter than that.

Hardly anyone believed what he said.

Another worrisome thing is that Mr Granger said that he had “specific concerns” about Ramnarine’s candidacy. I believe that the “specific concerns” were born primarily out of Slowe’s one-man COI that drove a deep wedge into the careers of both the former Commissioner Seelall Persaud and acting Commissioner David Ramnarine. Notwithstanding, it does not seem that Ramjattan had any such “concerns” nor was he aware of them since he (Ramjattan) recommended Ramnarine for the position of Police Commissioner knowing that Mr Granger had made it clear that he wanted someone with integrity and who is also unbribable. Taking these requirements into consideration Ramjattan placed Ramnarine ahead of Leslie James and the 4 Deputy Commissioners. My question is simple. How can the subject Minister Ramjattan not have “concerns” with Ramnarine when the President had quite a few? Were they reading from the same book? Something does not add up here.

Also, when Ramjattan was asked why he was not around when the appointments were made, he said that he was overseas on family business. It seems that the appointment and investiture of the Police Commissioner and the 4 Deputy Commissioners were not important enough for the Minister of Public Security to be there!

Shifting gear onto another level, Ramjattan boldly proclaimed that the 8 American Congressmen who recently visited Guyana was there to get a first-hand look at the situa-

tion. He said that the delegation was pleased with the coalition government’s performance and then unrestrainedly expressed his (government’s) unconditional love for America. In his rhetorical flourish on this matter, he failed to tell the listeners that the visit was part of a broader effort to cover not only Guyana but two other countries. And how could a one-day visit, shrouded in secrecy (where the press and the Opposition were excluded), achieve anything substantial relative to governance and the social conditions?

Finally, the interviewer failed to ask Ramjattan the hard questions, like “why is there so much difficulty in paying the sugar workers’ severance, to which they are entitled by law?” Remember it was Ramjattan and his cohorts who said that sugar was too big to fail and that, if elected, they would pay sugar workers a 20% pay rise. Furthermore, “why did President Granger say that the sugar workers’ severance pay is sucking the treasury?” In fact, “isn’t the payment of $14 million a month for a grossly under-utilized drug bond (if one could call it that) at Sussex Street, Albouystown sucking the treasury?”

Why wasn’t Ramjattan asked about the real fears that Guyanese have about electoral rigging, and what measures, if any, is the government taking to ensure the integrity of the electoral process? “Why wasn’t Ramjattan asked about the widespread practice of racism by the government?”

Politicians should understand that Guyanese, whether local-based or oversea-based, are much smarter than they are often given credit for by them (politicians).

In this age of social media in particular, politicians have to do a better job of communicating their views and position on issues.

People are also looking for evidence-based information. Speculations, emotionalism, lies and deception had worked well for many but these do not have staying power and will soon dissipate. Evidence-based information and the pursuit of truth should eventually lead to a new political culture in Guyana.

Sincerely Dr Tara Singh

Coalition gov’t continues to fail to crack down on corruption by its members Dear Editor,

W

ithout a doubt, Region 5 is a breeding ground for corrupt APNU+AFC officials. And like the Administration they represent, these minions are brazen and have little or no regard for the laws that govern morality and decency, perhaps because they are confident that the powerful government ministers they associate with, will continue to protect them.

Region 5 is run by an old PNC thug, Ovid Morrison, who behaves like a little dictator, constantly circumventing the authority of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to do whatever he pleases in the Region. He was recently upbraided by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament over $$ millions in questionable drug purchases. He is currently facing a $10 million lawsuit for evicting a number of cash-crop farmers, and destroying the crops from the lands they have permission to occupy and which they have cultivate for the past 16 years. He is emboldened by the support he gets from two of Region 5 most notorious public figures.

In an article, “APNU/AFC Councillors arrested for million dollar fraud at MARDS” dated March 23, 2017, News Room reported, “The Commander of ‘C’ Division, Marlon Chapman has confirmed that two representatives of the governing Coalition were taken into custody for questioning into allegations of fraud.

The allegations of fraud were made out against Abel Seetaram and Carol Joseph by the Mahaicony Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS). Both Seetaram and Joseph were elected Councillors of A Partnership for

National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) on the RDC, Region 5.”

Now here is the disturbing part, neither one was ever charged with this crime. MARDS is believed to be now pursuing civil action to recover $5.4 million from the disgraced former APNU+AFC Region 5 Councilor Carol Joseph, and $2.8 million from the embattled Abel Seetaram.

After he was fired as the Region 5 Special Representative of the Prime Minister for crashing a Government-owned SUV into a fence at Bath, WCB on May 8, 2016 while driving drunk, Abel Seetaram was given a new office at the RDC building in Fort Wellington, and put in charge of ‘community enhancement workers’ who slash public space and roadsides.

They were referred to as CORE workers. These are poor people who work hard for the minimum wages they hope to receive at the end of the month to support their families. But the unscrupulous Abel Seetaram will find ways to take advantage of them.

Employees of the CORE group made several damning allegations of corruption and extortion against Abel Seetaram in the presence of Region 5 REO, Ovid Morrison, Member of Parliament, Jennifer Wade and his colleague, Carol Joseph-Smith at a meeting held sometime in July: • Latoya McDonald said Seetaram told her she was “overpaid” for the months of October 2017 to January 2018, and instructed her to return the overpaid amounts to him in installments of $56,000 for the four months, totaling $224,000.00.

• Another CORE employee, Annand Brigmo-

han, said he gave Abel Seetaram $25,000 after being told by Seetaram that he was overpaid that amount.

• Conrad Fraser, another employee, reported that Seetaram demanded $56,000 from him, representing a month’s salary that was (once again) “overpaid”. Fraser did not give Seetaram the money, but sought guidance from others.

• The team leader, Shazam Jameer, reported that from the time he started working with the CORE group, Seetaram demanded that he donate $15,000 every month out of the minimum wage he gets, towards the cost of airing the AFC television program, ‘Alliance on the Move’. Between him and the other team leader, Prakesh Ramdeo who was also instructed to contribute $15,000 a month to this cause, Abel Seetaram had embezzled $330,000 from these two poor victims alone.

• In February 2018, employees of the CORE group had given Seetaram a total of $24,000 to purchase jerseys, which they never receive.

• Last year, employees of the CORE group were also duped into giving Abel Seetaram $5,000 each to organize a family fun day, and Christmas Party that never came off. Those who did not attend the family fun day were forced to pay the $5,000 under threats of losing their jobs.

• Darshanie Khemkarran was hired by Abel Seetaram in January 2018 as his secretary.

She left the job on July 4th because she had not been paid for the entire five months she worked with him.

• CORE workers also complained that every month, the envelopes containing their pay slips

were opened by Abel Seetaram “to see if they were overpaid”.

• The workers also complained that Seetaram was in the habit of sending home those who did not comply with his demands. Upon their resumption to work, days or weeks later, they were “encouraged” to sign the time card for the period of absence. When the suspended employees’ salaries are paid, Seetaram demanded the return of the monies for the period of their suspension, claiming same to be “overpayment”.

While all of this was going on, the man that knows everything that goes on in Region 5, the REO Ovid Morrison, profess his ignorance of Seetaram’s wicked extortion schemes.

Editor, I am aware that the allegations I have listed above were brought to the attention of senior ministers in the APNU+AFC government. Yet Abel Seetaram still remains a Region 5 RDC Councilor and prominent AFC member. I therefore must conclude that, like the millions that were stolen from MARDS without charges of fraud being brought against the perpetrators, this is another cover-up by the government to protect one of their own at the expense of the hard working community enhancement workers.

I therefore call upon the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and our newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Leslie James, to investigate the criminal activities of this Region 5 RDC Councilor, and hold him accountable for violation the public trust.

Harry Gill, PPP/C Member of Parliament

STRAIGHT TALK 8

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

(These viewed were made public 1972. Its re-printing is among several activities being undertaken during 2018 to mark the 100th birth anniversary – March 22, 2018 – of the founder of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Cheddi Jagan.)

Strategy for economic and social development

By Dr. Cheddi Jagan

G

uyanese, like many others throughout the world are concerned about the explosive problem of unemployment and deteriorating living standards.

In the past, many panaceas had been prescribed.

But these failed largely because they were not based on the realities of the situation, and because they did not get down to the roots of backwardness - poverty, disease, illiteracy and unemployment.

DEPENDENCY The majority of the "third world" countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are largely tied by a "Gordian knot" in a colonial or neo-colonial political relationship with the developed capitalist states. This "dependency status" creates an unbalanced, distorted type of "development," integrated and geared not to the needs of the developing countries but to the imperialist states.

The result is progressive pauperization. The share of world income of "thirdworld" countries declined from 54% in 1800 to 42% in 1900 and only 18% in 1962.

This has come about because of: 1. Foreign economic domination - between 1950 and 1965, there was a net outflow of US$16,000 million in profits from Asia, Africa and Latin America; since then, the drain has increased; 2. Unequal international trade - as a result of buying dear and selling cheap, "third-world" countries lost US$4,000 million in 1960; this amount will increase to US$24,000 million by 1975 and US$30,000 million by 1980; their share of world trade declined from 27% in 1953 to 19.3% in 1966; 3. A local "clientele class" of political, bureaucratic and "comprador" capitalists who defend foreign rather than national interests and buttress foreign domination.

Any strategy for economic development and social transformation must therefore aim at the surviv-

ing of the "Gordian knot," at eliminating the status of dependency, at breaking up the economic, political and social structure.

FAILURE Precisely because there was not an overall, microscopic view, previous strategies failed.

The advocates of the Puerto Rican model of economic planning which was introduced in the 1960's in the Caribbean and which constituted the basis of our prematurely collapsed $300 million 7-year plan (1966-72), did not see backwardness as a condition resulting from imperialist domination.

Rather, they viewed somewhat mechanically and simplistically development as dependent on the availability of capital. They saw the need for outside capital and advocated the creation of an investment climate. They did not concern themselves with the fact that foreign capital was so directed as to perpetuate the colonial economic structure which kept developing countries as raw material producers and markets for manufactured goods.

Nor did they see the sum total of incentives offered to foreign capital (investors should be able to recover investments in 3-4 years) would result in the same thing they sought to overcome; namely, the shortage of capital.

ECLA The rationale behind the ECLA (United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America) model is that international terms of trade have operated against the primary-producing, one group and/or one-mineral economies of the Latin America countries; that import substitution would bring about industrialization; that industrialization would make for local decision-making and create a national bourgeoisie which

would weaken the traditional oligarchies based on land ownership (latifundio) and import-export trading (comprador capitalism tied to imperialism); that import substitution coupled with land reform would stimulate the economy and cause income redistribution.

Here again, emphasis was placed on foreign investment and foreign aid - industrialization, it was felt, would require massive injection of foreign capital.

Industrialization greatly expanded. But it came more and more under foreign, mainly US domination. Instead of becoming a liberating force for the Latin American countries, industrialization further subjugated their economies and became integrated into the foreign economies. The vehicle through which this was achieved was the giant multinational corporations, which established branch-plants to assemble, package, tin or bottle, and/ or relatively more labour-intensive-factories, which had become prematurely obsolete through the scientific and technological revolution (automation and computers), mainly to produce for the internal Latin American market.

The main props of the ECLA model were import substitution and regional integration (Latin American Free Trade Association and Central American Common Market). Regional integration, it was argued, would

provide larger markets and economies of scale. But this only facilitated the multinational corporations, and incidentally US imperialism to keep out its European competitors.

The ECLA strategy, like the Puerto Rican, has also failed.

By 1970, despite the big ballyhoo about the Alliance for Progress, Latin American countries achieved a rate of growth of only 1.5%, far short of the limited goal of 2.5% set by the Alliance in 1961.

And problems have escalated. There are over 25 million unemployed. And the gap between the rich and the poor countries to widen even in the most industrialized like Mexico and Brazil. And because of rampaging inflation, (40% increase in cost of living in 1971, and 11% in January, 1972), a 48-hour general strike paralyzed Argentina in March, 1972.

These adverse conditions have come about because in every year after 1967, drain of super profits from investments in Latin America increased to over US$1,000 million a year; share of world trade shrank from 11% to 5.1% between 1950 and 1968; and as a result of falling prices, foreign trade losses were over US$500 million a year.

Debt repayments (capital and interest) have also skyrocketed to over US$500 million per year.

PARTNERSHIP Because of the patent failure of the ECLA model and the explosive political situation in Latin America, the imperialist strategies devised the idea of "partnership" - local people and governments buying shares in foreign companies, and local personnel, being prompted to leading positions as managers and directors; thus, the creation of a new social class to buttress foreign domination.

The ECLA model with regional integration

(CARIFTA), import substitution (bans on imports) and partnership (buying of shares in Bookers Stores, Diamond Liquors, Demerara Tobacco Company, etc and joint ventures with government participation) is being introduced in Guyana by the PNC regime and in Trinidad by the PNM regime. But it will fail in Guyana and the Caribbean as it has failed in Latin America. Besides, today, capitalism-imperialism is in growing crisis - economic, monetary, political - and the slowdown in its economy with increasing unemployment is bound to be reflected in an aggravation of the problems in the Caribbean and other "third-world" areas; as the saying goes, when the USA sneezes, Latin America catches a cold.

MARXIST What is needed is a strategy based on a Marxist-Leninist economic model, which is anti-imperialist, pro-democratic and pro-socialist in content and which includes the following: 1. Nationalization of the commanding heights of the economy - foreign-owned and controlled mines, plantations, factories, banks, insurance and foreign trade; 2. Expansion of the public sector; planned proportional development of the economy with simultaneous concentration on industry and agriculture rather than on infra-structure; transformation of the economy from primary to integrated production; 3. Foreign policy based on genuine non-alignment and meaningful relations - cultural, aid, trade and scientific - with the socialist world; 4. Emphasis on education to raise the cultural, ideological, scientific and technological levels of the people; 5. Land reform; 6. Rent, price and exchange controls; 7. Full democracy, workers control and involvement of the people at all levels.

These measures, like the various wheels inside a clock, are closely interlinked; they must be implemented simultaneously, and

not taken ad hoc from time to time.

A correct planning strategy with progressive domestic policies must be linked to a progressive foreign policy. And corruption, nepotism and discrimination must be ended. Democratization of the Guyanese society will not only end these evils but also bring about voluntary and meaningful participation by all Guyanese in the exciting process of nation building.

Instead of embarking on a coordinated anti-imperialist programme, the puppets and apologists of imperialism resort to demagogy and sloganeering. They peddle half-truths, "split hairs," talk about agriculture instead of simultaneous development of industry and agriculture, and emphasize cooperatives, community development and self-help while the foreigners continue to own and control the commanding heights of the economy and drain-out capital, and the nation is swallowed up in debts.

The time has come for the Guyanese people as a whole to grapple with the problems of unemployment and deteriorating living conditions. Unless a radical course is taken, they will worsen. Anti-communist hysteria and fears must not be allowed to prevent the resolution of our problems on a national basis.

More and more non-communists are following the lead given by the communists. Genuine Christians like President Julius Nyerere, have adopted the Marxist-Leninist economic model because it is national and because it succeeded in the Soviet Union and China, and is succeeding in Cuba. Once backward areas, which constituted the Central Asian republics of the USSR have been transformed.

This strategy offers a way out of the widening gap, firstly, between the rich imperialist states and the poor developing countries; and secondly, between the rich and poor peoples in the capitalist and "third" worlds.

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

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?

10

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

From the desk of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo...

Guyana Under Review Several issues were addressed a weekly news conference held by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday (September 20, 2018), ranging from the failures of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government during its recent engagement with Trinidad and Tobago and concerns about bauxite and sugar workers, to the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall’s operations, which was ordered by the Local Government Commission (LGC) and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) plans for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

Granger’s proclivity for presiding over ‘lopsided’ agreements exposed AGAIN – Jagdeo

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meeting of Heads of Government –as was seen with the recent meeting between Guyana’s President, David Granger, and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley – carries with it the expectation that there will be an examination of issues on the entire spectrum of development cooperation. From this perspective, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Granger and Rowley on Wednesday (September 19, 2018) is “lopsided” and a “sell out”.

“Issues on the entire spectrum of development cooperation should be on the agenda too. So, when Government goes to negotiation they have to look out for our interest too. So, I would say yes, it was a sell

out from that perspective,” he said during his Thursday (September 20, 2018) news conference.

He pointed out that Guyana already signed an MOU with Trinidad and Tobago in 2013, which had as its objective the promotion of greater cooperation in energy and energy related matters between the two countries. “This is not the first MOU,” the Opposition Leader said, reiterating that several other issues, including export, could have also been raised by Granger during his meeting with Rowley.

GRANGER FAILED Jagdeo explained that as a sovereign state, Guyana must also look after the interest of Guyanese people and the Government of the day is expected to ensure

that this is done. “We have to look out for our interests too and when our interests – Guyanese national interest – are downgraded by other countries we have to stand up for Guyana,” he said.

He added, “…unfortunately, we have a President who has a proclivity for presiding over lopsided agreements…I believe that the President does not understand his responsibility in this regard.”

The Opposition Leader referred to the fact that the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister noted that he was unaware about Guyana’s problems with the transshipment of some agro-products, including honey. Rowley admitted that he was of the view that the issue was a Grenada issue, not a Guyana issue. According to Jagdeo, this shows that this

‘We are ready for’ 2018 Local Government Elections

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) across all of the Local Authority Areas (LAAs) are ready for the upcoming Local Government Elections. This declaration came from Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo.

During his weekly news conference on Thursday (September 20, 2018), he said, “We are contesting in all areas…we are ready in all local authority areas across Guyana. We are ready,” he said.

Friday, September 21, 2018, being Nomination Day, saw lists of candidates contesting in the constituencies in the 80 LAAs being

submitted. Also submitted were lists of backers for the candidates.

With Nomination Day passed, Jagdeo explained that the PPP/C will be addressing in a more detailed matter the Party’s campaign platform, as well as the composition of the lists of candidates and the process used to settle on candidates.

The Opposition Leader, in addressing the issue of the coming Local Government Elections, decried what he descried as a “mass deception” of Guyanese people by the APNU and AFC. He noted that reports from activists on the ground indicate that APNU has: gone to vendors with promises

of greater action to improve performance at City Hall; and has also gone to parts of Region 10 to promise land and other benefits in exchange for support.

From the AFC, Jagdeo disclosed that activists on the ground have reported that persons attached to government jobs are being pressured into supporting the Party, while others are being coerced into supporting the AFC with government contracts. Relative to the latter, he referred to the ‘corrupt’ $120M contract that was given to eight AFC activists in Region 6.

Local Government Elections are set for November 12, 2018.

issue was not pursued with the government of Trinidad and Tobago by the Granger-led government, despite the fact that it affected the local private sector.

NEGOTIATING BRIEF Given the failures of the Granger-led Government, Jagdeo questioned whether there was even a negotiating brief that informed the meeting between the two head of government.

“When our government goes to a negotiation they have to look at our interests too…Granger and his government dropped the ball again,” he said.

Jagdeo added that the position taken by Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Clarence Rambharat, who was part of the visiting delegation, evidenced the

necessity of a negotiating brief.

Rambharat said, “One of the reasons why we have been very slow in allowing honey from outside of Trinidad is that so far Trinidad has been able to maintain its honey disease free status.” He also said, “I am not afraid to say that we are very defensive in honey because we have a strong sector.”

Jagdeo noted that such comments are worrying, given the treaties that govern, particularly, trade relations between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Opposition Leader made it clear that the issue is not about a “war with Trinidad and Tobago”; rather is it about the failure of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to represent the interests of Guyanese.

RECIPROCITY Jagdeo made it clear that he is a strong advocate for deeper Caribbean Community (CARICOM) relations, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and greater integration.

“We share a common history. We have a common culture and we should work as a Region to enhance the prosperity of all our people….the PPP, historically, has worked on pushing regional endeavours…free movement of goods, capital and people….we will support any effort to bring our countries closer together.”

The Opposition Leader stressed that while the fostering deeper relations with CARICOM member states is an important undertaking, there must be a focus on reciprocity.

Bulkan has been ‘complicit’ in the wrongs committed at City Hall

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he APNU+AFC Coalition Government has done nothing to address the egregious acts at People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) dominated City Hall, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“I want to say that Ministry of Communities had nothing to do with the probe taking place now,” he said, referring to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) ordered into City Hall’s operations, which was ordered by the Local Government Commission (LGC) – a constitutional body.

He added, “Bulkan (Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan) has protected the transgressors at City Hall, although the transgressions were brought to his and the Ministry’s attention…they have refused to do anything about it because of the Mayor (Patricia

Chase-Green) and the Town Clerk (Royston King) are part of the APNU camp.”

According to Jagdeo, the Parliamentary Opposition’s representatives on the Local Government Commission – Carol Sooba, Clinton Collymore and Norman Whittaker – have been pushing for an investigation of City Hall.

The Opposition Leader noted too that the move by the Local Government Commission to order a probe into City Hall’s operations follows similar efforts at level of City Hall itself by the two People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Councilors at City Hall.

Since early 2016, PPP/C representatives City Hall have been calling for a forensic audit of the affairs of the City Council. Two motions to this effect were also tabled in City Hall. However, in July 2016, the two

motions – one calling for a forensic audit at City Hall and the other calling for detailed financial statements on expenditure – were blocked by the Town Clerk, despite efforts to have the matter on the agenda of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) statutory meeting Jagdeo said, “We knew of the corruption…efforts were made to have these addressed….Bulkan frustrated it all…in the same way he frustrated the establishment of the LGC....the CoI that has been ordered happened in spite of Bulkan.”

Formal hearings for witnesses, complainants and other interested parties, expected to come before the City Hall CoI, are scheduled to begin on Monday September 24, 2018 at the Critchlow Labour College, situated at Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

11

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

From the desk of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo...

Guyana Under Review Several issues were addressed a weekly news conference held by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday (September 20, 2018), ranging from the failures of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government during its recent engagement with Trinidad and Tobago and concerns about bauxite and sugar workers, to the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall’s operations, which was ordered by the Local Government Commission (LGC) and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) plans for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

Is Granger-gov’t farming out more intellectual work to develop oil and gas sector to outside sources?

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he signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago exposed another failure of the David Granger-led APNU+AFC Coalition Government, relative to its management of the oil and gas sector, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

On Thursday (September 20, 2018) during his news conference, he charged that the MOU addresses the establishment of a technical working group is being pushed at a time when there is no such group in the National Assembly. ‘We don’t have one in our Parliament, but we can sugn an agreement that sets up one with another country…it just shows how we value or don’t value our own people’s opinions.”

Article 4 of the MOU, relative to the functioning of a Joint Working Group, says: 1. The Joint Working Group will identify and evaluate the feasibility of the projects and activities in pursuance of the

objective of this MOU, and will advise on potential areas of cooperation between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with guidelines set by the Executing Committee.

2. In the performance of its functions under this MOU, the Joint Working Group will: (a) Establish Joint Technical Teams comprising of representatives from the Parties and such other persons as either Party may appoint; (b) Establish the Terms of Reference of the Joint Technical Teams to advance the achievement of cooperation activities in accordance with the objective of MOU; (c) Determine the priority and specific content of the activities to be undertaken in fulfilment of the objective of this MOU; (d) Require the Joint Technical Teams to report to Joint Working Group within three (3) months of their creation, unless otherwise agreed; (e) Receive, consider and make recommendations in

writing with supporting documentation to the Executing Committee on the matters referred for its determination and advice pursuant to Article 2 of this MOU; (f) Invite other persons to attend meetings at the request of either Party, as required; (g) And report to the Executing Committee established herein within sixty (60) days of the receipt of a written report from Joint Technical Teams.

The Joint Working Group may request the services of experts from the hydrocarbon industries of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to advise on matters to be addressed in the process of implementation of this MOU. FARMING OUT WORK Jagdeo also referred to the fact that the MOU speaks to Local Content legislation and questioned if this is the latest effort by the Coalition Government to farm out intellectual work to outside sources. “I don’t have a

problem with working with Trinidad and Tobago…the fact is that our people have views on these issues too,” he said.

Under Article 2 of the MOU, which addresses Areas of Cooperation, it says that Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago may cooperate on the development of policies relating to local content.

Article 2 says that Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago may cooperate also on the exchange of information on public policies in the area of the regulation, administration and sovereign management of hydrocarbon resources and technology transfer.

The said article also say that Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago may cooperate on the development of policies, plans and protocols relating to health, safety and the environment and the establishment of procedures to prevent and respond to operational accidents which may result in damage, environmental impacts and personal injury.

THREE YEARS Notably, as it relates to the promised Local Content legislation, Guyanese will have to wait until next year for Government to deliver.

A second draft of the policy was completed one year ago

by Local Content Expert, Trinidadian, Anthony Paul.

It has been with the Ministry of Business, which has assumed responsibility for local content.

Son-in-law of President David Granger and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, has said, “The decision hasn’t been made as yet as to whether it requires specific local content legislation; whether it requires simply the incorporation of stronger local content provisions in the production sharing agreement or whether it can simply be an amendment to the Petroleum Exploration Production Act; or whether it would make more sense to have a collaborative approach with contractors on local content. “…we are looking for funding to fund the consul-

tancy fees to complete the exercise. The Ministry of Finance is assisting us with that, and we are also looking at sourcing funding from another organization. “…upon examining the issue, we decided we have a plan of action which involves further consultations and also the services of another consultant to finalise the policy….there is no sense consulting with a number of organisations if you don’t have someone with the necessary expertise to actually pull together the comments and views and incorporate them into the final policy.”

Both the Parliamentary Opposition and members of civil society members have criticised the APNU+AFC Coalition Government for its failures to ensure that a local content policy in place.

A local content policy is expected to protect the interest of Guyanese and Guyanese-owned businesses in the development of the oil and gas sector by ensuring that local benefit.

APNU+AFC gov't Difference between ‘Pradoville’, Demerara River Bridge feasibility contract…. can’t ‘wash its hands’ of parking Guyanese have before them a meter contract proven case where APNU+AFC

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he parking meter project would have never been implemented if Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, had not signed the bylaws into effect. And for this reason, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, charged that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government cannot “wash its hands” of the project.

Following re-negotiation, SCS and the M&CC reached a new agreement under the controversial parking meter project, which will now see persons paying $150 per hour and $800 for eight hours of parking in the city.

Meanwhile, residents of

the city would be issued with a restricted residential pass for free parking from 19:00h-07:00h (7pm-7am) Monday to Friday, while parking will be free on Saturdays.

From the onset, a civil society group, the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) and the business community have been opposed to the installation of parking meters in the city. The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has also maintained its non-support for this initiative. (SEE STORY ON PAGE 21 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Cabinet acted illegally

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he Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is yet to prove that the Cabinet of the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) acted illegally in the ‘Pradoville’ matter; whereas the matter involving the award contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River is a clearly illegal act.

This is according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who addressed the

matter during his Thursday (September 20, 2018) news conference. “In this case we know that the Cabinet acted illegally,” he said.

Jagdeo added that he would drop his presidential immunity and allow SOCU investigators to question him if President David Granger is grilled by same investigators about the award of a multi-million dollar contract to a Dutch company to conduct a feasibility study on

a new Demerara Harbour Bridge. “If the President, when he is questioned in SOCU (Special Organised Crime Unit) chooses to give answers as to why he presided over Cabinet and approved a contract that was contrary to the law, I’ll go back to SOCU and I will not use that constitutional provision (immunity) and you have that from me so I’m hoping he’ll do that now you have heard me say that,”

he said.

Earlier this week, the Opposition Leader voluntarily appeared at the Special Organised Crime Unit office and cited immunity when questioned. Jagdeo made clear that his answers in the Pradoville matter, as advised by his Attorney-at-Law will be part of his defence if and when, the case goes to court.

(SEE PAGE 28 FOR ADDITIONAL REPORTING ON THIS ISSUE)

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

From the desk of Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo...

Guyana Under Review Several issues were addressed a weekly news conference held by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday (September 20, 2018), ranging from the failures of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government during its recent engagement with Trinidad and Tobago and concerns about bauxite and sugar workers, to the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall’s operations, which was ordered by the Local Government Commission (LGC) and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) plans for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

Guyanese have not seen the last of actions from PPP/C on ‘drug bond’ issue – Over $314M paid to owner of Sussex Street house in less than three years

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nformation indicates that the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) vacated the controversial ‘drug bond’ at Sussex Street some weeks ago. However, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that the latest move does not mean that this is the end of the matter.

With over $314M of taxpayers’ monies spent since the APNU+AFC Coalition Government started renting the bond, Jagdeo, on Thursday (September 20, 2018) during his news conference, noted that efforts will be made to recover the money.

“This is one sets of money that we will be seeking to recover…it was done with no tender…to date we have no explanations from government on this,” he said.

Notably, earlier this year, People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Vickram Bharrat, through his Attorney-at-Law and former Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall filed the charges against former Health Minister, George Norton, relative to the ‘drug bond’ deal.

According to the documents filed, Bharrat accused Norton for the same offence for authorizing a $12M monthly rental of a house from Linden Holdings Incorporated, in

Albouystown, to be used as a storage bond for pharmaceuticals. However, the DPP Chambers discontinued the charges under Article 187(1) ( c) of Guyana’s Constitution which states, “The Director of Public Prosecutions shall have power to discontinue at any stage before judgment is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other person or authority.”

Prior to that, in November 2016, the Parliamentary Opposition moved a motion to send Norton, to a Parliamentary Privileges Committee for misinforming and misleading the National Assembly on the controversial ‘drug bond’ debacle. House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, ruled that the motion is in order and the matter will be heard by Parliamentary Privileges Committee.

The scandal surround the ‘drug storage bond’ came up after some $87.5M for the bond came up for debate and approval in the National Assembly on August 8, 2016 - $25M of which was already been spent as a security deposit and $12.5M earmarked for rent from August to December 2016.

When the contract was finally released, after pressure from the political Opposition, it showed that Government

was renting a professional office, not a storage bond for pharmaceuticals. It also showed that the $12.5M monthly cost was not the true cost, rather Government will have to pay upwards of $14.5M per month.

The Parliamentary Opposition has said that a competent review of that contract should have revealed the following: 1. That the Ministry of Health had entered into that contract that professes to be a statutory body corporate, but is not.

And therefore had no capacity to enter into a contract in law. That makes the contract unlawful.

2. That the contract was done in violation of the Procurement Act, since contracts of that value mandatorily must be issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Procurement Act, which was absolutely disregarded.

3. That the ministry wanted to rent a bond, but what was rented was a commercial office, which is another ground to avoid the contract.

The controversial property is owned by APNU+AFC supporter and campaign financier, Lawrence ‘Larry’ Singh. The controversial property is located at Lot 29 Sussex Street, Albouystown.

Guyanese will pay for incompetence from APNU+AFC gov’t in dealing with ExxonMobil’s pre-contract costs claim

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eports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be partnering with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to conduct the audit of pre-contract costs claimed

by ExxonMobil were dismissed by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday (September 20, 2018).

Jagdeo, last week, had indicated that agreed with the views expressed by Dr. Jan Mangal, the former Petroleum Advisor to the President David Granger, relative to the inability of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to undertake the audit of the pre-contract costs claimed by ExxonMobil.

GRA CAPABILITY Mangal in a public letter said, “It has been reported that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will review contract costs proposed by ExxonMobil for its work as a contractor to the Government in the Stabroek Block. If the Government intends to undertake a rigorous review of the contract costs, this is not the optimal route. Instead, the Government will be taking money from the people of Guyana and handing it to the foreign oil companies. “…the GRA does not have the capacity to review nor even the capacity to oversee the review of contract costs. Furthermore, the GRA should never try to develop the capacity to play such a high-level role. The role of a tax authority is tax, and tax is only a small part of the contract costs. Do not get me wrong, the GRA has a very important role to play, but a role focused on tax issues.”

Jagdeo had said, “I agree with Mangal. GRA is not capable….GRA should not be doing it.” According to

him, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government is approach the issue in a manner that is ‘penny-wise, pound foolish’.

He suggested that an international firm or specialist be contracted to do the pre-contract costs audit, which could see Guyana saving hundreds of millions of dollars. “You could even negotiate with the company you hire to do the audit and say, for example, for every dollar you save you, you can get two per cent,” Jagdeo said. He noted that the GRA is already overwhelmed. “You have good people in GRA, but they are overwhelmed on the tax side.

They can’t do all the audits that they want to do of local companies… then you have to have expertise.”

Notably, GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, has since admitted that the GRA has capacity problems.

“I have acknowledged that we have some capacity issues,” Statia said.

IMF ROLE Statia has also said, “We are not going at it alone… there are international partners who are interested in seeing Guyana succeed in this industry. For example, the IMF and the World Bank will be helping us in all cost recovery matters. They have several experts who are versed in detecting all the petroleum accounting tricks and I am happy to have them on board.”

However, Jagdeo pointed out that the IMF will not partner with GRA to do an audit of the pre-contract costs.

“Anyone who says that does not understand role of IMF… the IMF was set up to ensure stability and give balance of payment support, not send in people to work with GRA…

they might do some training, but they will not send people here to work with the GRA,” he said.

CONFUSION Jagdeo also questioned the confusion coming from government on the issue of auditing the pre-contract costs – with the GRA Head saying one thing and the Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, saying that an international firm will be hired to aid both the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the state audit office to discharge their obligations.

“Who is doing pre-contract costs audits,” he questioned, adding that ultimately, it will be the Guyanese people who suffer for the APNU+AFC Coalition Government’s incompetence.

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.

The deadline to ensure that an audit is done is October 7, 2018 – less than a month away.

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.

Real Time Econ 13 13

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 4-5 AUGUST, 2018 2018

– APNU+AFC dismantling system Real Time Economic Insights –PAPNU+AFC dismantling systems to ensure long-term progress

rior 2015, Guyana had one of the best systems in place to reduced debt-to-GDP ratio. From ribbean, to the second lowest. rior If 2015,Guyana Guyana had oneproceeds of the best systems to reduced the debt-to-GDP ratio. From 2000 to 2014,from the country had mutated from GYD$30 having the largest debt-to-GDP in the Ca-the toin place rack-up US$900M loan IsDB and billionratio bond, ribbean, to the second lowest. reserve.

Overall service could spike by more than 15%.

If Guyana proceeds to rack-up debt the US$900M loan from IsDB and GYD$30 billion bond, the country would see major increase in additional pressure on its revenue and foreign exchange reserve.According Overall debt service could spike by more than 15%. to the 2017 Human Capital Index, Guyana has slipped by nine places in two yea According to the 2017 Human Capital Index, Guyana has slipped by nine places in two years, to 88 by end 2017. What this is telling us is that, this government is either turning a blind eye to human capital development or is wholly incompetent to have it developed. (Analyses do eye to human capital development or is wholly incompetent to have it developed.

(Analyses done

by Irfaan Ali, PPP/C MP)

P

Debt-to-GDP Ratio: 2000-2014

Ratio: 2017 and Projection Debt-to-GDP Ratio:Debt-to-GDP 2000-2014

140%

120%

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nomic Insights 121%

120%

100%

98%

102%

140%

74%

80%

60%

120%

42%

40%

40%

59%

42%

98%

25% 100%

20%

60%

57%

74%

80%

0%

59%

60%

NB: Debt-to-GDP ration was 588% in 42% 42% 1992 (inherited).

40%

40%

2018 Projection

100%

While some Caribbean countries increased their public debt to varying extent, Guyana was the only102% country that most reduced its debt level, from 120% of GDP in 2000 to 61% in 2014.

100%

99%

80%

60%

110%

40%

121%

103%

100%

99%

92%

80%

While some Caribbean increased their public debt to varying Stat: extent, Guyana was theInteresting only country • In 2017, Guyana’s current account that most reduced its debt level, from deficit as a percentage of GDP, was larger that of Haiti, by 120% of GDP in 2000 to 61% inthan 2014.

75%

20%

0%

60%

57%

If Guyana proceeds with US$900 M loan from the IsDB and GYD$30 billion bond, the country may likely become the fourth largest indebted countries country in the Caribbean.

25%

74%

74%

71%

68%

52%

51%

50%

48%

46%

36%

ems to ensure long-term progress 20%

0%

2000

2017

2014

1.3 percentage point. According to IMF, in 2018 and 2019, that trend is likely to588% continue. in was

2018 Projection

NB: Debt-to-GDP ration 1992 (inherited).

Guyana, if proceeds with hefty borrowing, is soon to become one of the largest indebted countries Key Observation:

Key Observation:

Macroeconomic prudential and shrewdness was the fundamental reason that led to the 59% decline in debt-to-GDP ratio. In 2014, Guyana recorded the second lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the Caribbean, from a position of having the largest, in 2000.

in Caribbean. An outcome of such would be immediate fiscal consolidation (less budgetary allocation to capital projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, doctor quarters, bridges etc.)

2000 2014 m 2000 to 2014, the country had mutated from having the largest debt-to-GDP ratio in the CaTotal Debt Service-to-Government Revenue; and External WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 AUGUST, 2018 13 Human Capital Index: 2015-2017 Ranking Debt Services-to-Exports he country would see major increase in additional pressure on its revenue and foreign exchange • Guyana’s reduction in global • The impact of the projected debt

Real Time Economic Insights 25%

13

Key Observation:

ranking by 9 (from 79 in 2015 to 88 8 level in 2018, if IsDS loan and 8 in 2017, the largest in the GUYSUCO Bond is added, could Guyana 2018 Proj Caribbean), confirms the notion Macroeconomic prudential and shrewdness was the fundamental reason that led to the 59% Suriname Antigua and see Guyana’s external debt servicethat this government is far less 3 Dominica Barbuda 15% to -export ratio increased by more interested inratio investing in human decline in debt-to-GDP ratio. In 2014, Guyana recorded the second lowest debt-to-GDP St. Vincent and than 11%, while its total debt capital (population’s health, Gren -2 largest, in 2000.

10% in the Caribbean, from a position of having the -2 service-to-revenue, by 22%.

Belize skills, knowledge, experience, Guyana 2017 Bahamas and habits).

Guyana 2016 -5 -7 5% • Increased debt in 2017 has already St. Lucia outstripped growth in -9 Countries that Surpassed Guyana -12 0% government’s revenue, and foreign include: 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Guyana Trinidad and Barbados Jamaica exchange earnings.

• Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia Tobago rior 2015, Guyana 120% had one of the best systems in place to reduced debt-to-GDP ratio.

From 2000 to 2014, the country had mutated from having the largest debt-to-GDP ratio in the CaTotal debt service to Government Revenue ribbean, to the second lowest.

2018 Projection Key Observations: Key100% Observations: If Guyana proceeds to rack-up the US$900M loan from IsDB and GYD$30 billion bond, the country would see major increase in additional pressure on its revenue and foreign exchange Jamaica

Grenada

20%

External Debt Services to Export

ears, to 88 by end 2017. What this is telling us is that, this government is either turning a blind done by Irfaan Ali, PPP/C MP)

– APNU+AFC dismantling systems to ensure long-term progress Debt-to-GDP Ratio: 2017 and Projection Total Debt Service-to-Government Revenue; and External P Debt Services-to-Exports If Guyana proceeds with US$900 M

80% 25% This Government is committing a grave mistake, because neglecting investments in human reserve. Overall debtIncrease service spike bymore more thanon15%. debtcould has already added pressure Government’s revenue and foreign exchange The impact of the projected debtinturning capital can•dramatically weaken thethe country’s competitiveness, globally. Guyana, order to loan from IsDB and GYD$30 earnings.

If significant debt is added in 2018, the country could see major cuts in government 60% Jamaica Grenada According to the 2017 Human Index, Guyana has slipped by nine places in two years, to 88 by end 2017.

What this is telling us is that, this government is either a blind 110% Capital 103% drive and sustain growth, needs ever-increasing amounts of talent. Unfortunately, this has expenditure or humongous budget deficit in coming years (NB: the principal reason that led to the 92% level in 2018, if IsDS loan and billion bond, the country may likely 80% 40% eye to human capitalinfamous development or is wholly have74% it developed.

(Analyses done by Irfaan Ali, PPP/C been onMP) the decline since 2015.

75% to 74% 71% 20% 68% 588% debt-to-GDP ratio in incompetent 1992).

GUYSUCO Bond islargest added,indebted could become the fourth see Guyana’s external debt servicecountry in the Caribbean.

Debt-to-GDP Debt-to-GDP Ratio: 2017 and Projection 0% Dominica Ratio: 2000-2014 15% to -export ratio increased by more 140% 120% 2018 Projection St. Vincent and 120% 100% than 11%, Stat: while its total debt Interesting While some Caribbean countries If Guyana proceeds with US$900 M Gren 100% 80% (From 10% increased their public debt to varying loan22%. from page theaccount IsDB7) and GYD$30 80% 60% service-to-revenue, by Belize • In 2017, Guyana’s current 60% extent, Guyana was the only country billion bond, the country may likely 40% Guyana 2017 Bahamas asBritish a percentage GDP, 40% Guyana 2016 reduced its debt level, from fourth largest indebted 20% It of istheonly under the leadwhether in Guiana become It is short-sighted to see - deficit racial discrimination in our is a recognition of the racialthat most what is more, the present-day 20% 5% 120% of GDP in 2000 to 61% in 2014. country in the Caribbean.

0% • Increased debt in 2017 has already larger than that Haiti, by ership and guidance of the Trinidad - have fed all of of the "Caribbean man" only as orwas Caribbean leaders are ideo- problem and the implementa0% St. Lucia plural multi-party political working us. are, perhaps, ourin a "Black man", and Carib- outstripped system2018 must bewas scrapped. logically/politically more tion of certain reforms. Apart growth 2017 Projection NB: Debt-to-GDP ration 588% in Interesting Stat:class, the 1.3They percentage point.

According topeasantry, • In 2017, Guyana’s current the radical intelligentsia and only jewels of a true native These reforms must pave bean culture as African cul- government’s linked to Washington than 0% from constitutional guaran-1992 (inherited). foreign IMF, in 2018 revenue, and 2019,and that trendof account as a percentage GDP, 10% should 20% include 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%ture. Apart 80% from 90% the patriotic capitalists that the different thrift and industry. They have deficit the way for a revolutionary tees, these their counterparts in the 1950s 0% exchange earnings. of Haiti, by is likely continue. welarger willthan bethatable to forge a us by to example the val- was a Race Relations Board, an approach to the problem. Fun- countries of their origin, both2017 taught and 1960s. A substantial ma- 2000 2018 Projection 1.3 percentage point. According to 2014 Observation: Key Total debt service to Revenue Government jority belong to the conserva- equal opportunity law, fair damentally, the way forward our Black slave and Indian in- ue of money; for they respect new Caribbean man and a Guyana 2018 Proj

External Debt Services to Export

20%

52%

Antigua and Barbuda

51%

50%

48%

46%

36%

Suriname

Race, Class and Nationhood...

98%

121%

102%

100%

99%

74%

40%

59%

42%

42%

57%

60%

110%

103%

92%

80%

75%

25%

74%

74%

71%

68%

52%

51%

50%

48%

46%

36%

IMF, in 2018 and 2019, that trend

likely to continue. integrated Caribbean tive Caribbean Democratic employment practices and in multi-racial, multi-religious denture ancestors watered the money as only people with istrue Key Observation:one of the largest indebted countries Guyana, if as proceeds hefty developing borrowing, is soon to their become Key Observations: sugar cane with blood. a high sense of communal culture - a culture socialist in multi-cultural Action in the andwith Union, which is associated Key Observation:Affirmative inStates.

Caribbean. An outcome such would Through be immediate fiscal consolidation budgetary Guyana, ifand proceeds with hefty borrowing, is (less soon to become onecontent, of the largest indebted diverse incountries its national responsibility can".12 their struggles countries is of a new socio-ecowith the International Demo- United Macroeconomic prudential and shrewdness was the fundamental reason that led to the 59% in Caribbean. An outcome of such would be immediate fiscal consolidation (less budgetary forms and internationalist in And studies in the Caribsacrifices, they have made nomic order; a national-demThe service commissions cratic Union, led by decline US PresIncrease debt has already added more pressure on Government’s revenue and foreign exchange allocation to capital projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, doctor quarters, bridges etc.) in debt-to-GDP ratio. In 2014, Guyana recorded the second lowest debt-to-GDP ratio allocation to capital projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, doctor quarters, bridges etc.) spirit; a culture based on the bean have shown that Blacks valuable contributions to our ocratic, socialist-oriented way public, police, judicial, ident Reagan, British in thePrime Caribbean, -from a position of having the largest, in 2000. earnings. If significant debt is added in 2018, the country could see major cuts in government Minister Thatcher and West teacher - concerned with ap- leading by successive steps historical and social devel- and Indians have evolved: achievements and original expenditure or humongous budget deficit in coming years (NB: the principal reason that led to the they are not exactly the same progressive traditions of our opment. pointments and promotion, ultimately to socialism.

German Chancellor Kohl.

Total Debt Service-to-Government Revenue; and External infamous 588% debt-to-GDP ratio in 1992). and Indian ancestors. as the roots from which they BlackRanking They have both achieved Capital Only socialism with a For us in the PPP, it is must be completely indepenHuman Index: 2015-2017 A new people's culture is andServices-to-Exports free from political planned economy can bring great successes in all fields sprang; indeed they have necessary to view Caribbean dent Debt 13 reduction in global 25% needed; it cannot be imposed – professions, many things in common and• Guyana’s an end to unemployment, of endeavour reality and nationhood from a control. And they should be • The impact of the projected debt ranking by 9 (from 79 in 2015 to 88 8 from above.

It will spring more that, unites than divides literature, art and culture.

The hunger to deal with all levelunderemployment, world perspective and with aJamaica empoweredGrenada in 2018, if IsDS loan and 8 in 2017, the largest in the 20% from the struggle for fraterthem. They reduction must find theinCaribbean), Indo-Guyanese journalist and and insecurity; appointments, including those GUYSUCO class approach.

Class is13 more Bond is added,only could socialGuyana 2018 Proj confirms the notion • Guyana’s global Suriname and Guyana’s debt servicethis and government is far less nity equality as opposed withexternal its moral and ethical author, Peter3 Ruhoman noted means of co-operation, in- that state corporations. seeism fundamental15%thanDominica race. This by theAntigua Barbuda ranking by 9 (from 79 into2015 to 88in human to -export ratio increased more in investing individualism and greed, principles and byvalues can that "the Negroes are a great cluding political power-shar- interested They does not mean that there is no St. Vincent 8 and should not be forced to than 11%, while its total debt capital (population’s health, Gren 8 in 2017, the largest in the -2 10% ethnicity, that for the appreciation rather ing. people; they have been so bring an end to exploitation function, as in Guyana, in an such thing as -2 service-to-revenue, by 22%.

Belize skills, knowledge, experience, Guyana 2017 environment Bahamas notion than the contempt of human The "Uncle confirms Toms" that the where the ruling of man, national chauvinism, from the earliest times" 11 , Caribbean), there is no racial problem. and habits).

Guyana 2016 -5 -7 5% • Increased 2017 has already It will come with genthe Caribbean revolutionary islabour. the Indians to that racialdebt andinpolitical discrimina- and called on There is a problem.

And it party and the state have bethis government far less 3 St. Lucia outstripped growth in -9 Countries that Surpassed Guyana and the uine democratisation patriot Maurice Bishop fought emulate the successes of the tion.

Only under socialism can come indistinguishable, where must be addressed.

It must be -12 0% interested in investing in human in our government’s revenue, and foreign 0% more, 10% 20% nor 30% 40% 50% the 60%doctrine 70% 80% of90% racial discrimination is earnings. aunity recognition ofandthe racial what is the present-day Guyana Barbados Jamaica working people's meaningful be they the Blackinclude: Coloured peopleTrinidad as andagainst, national and rich culture Black under "para- exchange neither underestimated • Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia Tobagocapital (population’s involvement in all spheres representing all ethnic groups educators, politicians, doctors, bureaucratic capitalist and/or health, mouncy", over-estimated. It must not -2debt Total service to Government Revenue the government is plural multi-party political problemoneand the implementaCaribbean leaders are ideoknowledge, experience, of public and social life. We the Indian materialistic-mindCaribbe- lawyers and other be swept under the carpet, deemed as the executive arm be developed. In -2 Key profesObservations:skills, Key Observations: a nation to build and a edsystem comprador bourgeoisie, sionals.

About the Indians, and country,of this is becoming a reforms. critics of antion with the pretence that it does of the party, and must behave scrapped. certain Apart logically/politically more habits).

-5 This Government committing a grave mistake, because neglecting investments in human -7 debt Increase already added more pressure on Government’s revenueSocialist and foreign exchange destiny to mould; in the words not the ones who will writer isare reality.

Cuba points the famous Caribbean ruling party are deemed not exist. At the same time, it has the capital can dramatically weakenThese the country’s competitiveness, globally. Guyana, in order pave to reforms must from constitutional guaranlinked Washington than earnings.

If significant debt is added in 2018, the country see major government of Guyana's motto: Let us build our new society.

They Lamming waycuts to inracial harmony, a and patriot, George enemies of the state.

Thiscould the must not be seen to as an unsolvdrive and sustain growth, needs ever-increasing amounts of talent.

Unfortunately, this has expenditure or humongous -9budget deficit in coming years (NB: the principal reason that led to the Countries that Surpassed Guyana together build: "One People, are merely the modern-day wrote: rich culture and economic and doctrine, which fostered the able problem. been on the decline since 2015. the way for a revolutionary tees, these should include their counterparts in the 1950s infamous -12 588% debt-to-GDP ratio in 1992). include: slave-catchers and harkaatis. One Nation, One Destiny". "… those Indian hands What needs to be done accentuation of political and social well-being.

Human Capital Index: 2015-2017 Ranking

External Debt Services to Export

Race, Class and Na Guyana Trinidad and Barbados Jamaica a Race Relations Board, an and 1960s. A substantial ma-

approach to the problem. Fun-

14

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Floods, poor drainage and irrigation prevent rice farmers from harvesting crop

R

ice farmers of the Hope Coconut Estates were battling flood waters this week and were prevented from harvesting their crop.

Lack of drainage and irrigation works compounded the problem.

PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP), Dharamkumar Seeraj, met with the affected farmers over the weekend.

Notably, several of the affected rice farmers are involved in court action to deal with arbitrary increases in land rental.

COURT ACTION Earlier this year, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Anil Nandlall visited a few

of the rice farmers of Hope Estate and instructed the farmers to ignore the notice, since the law gives them a regime of security of tenure.

He informed the Ministry that its letter was not only premature and precipitous, but it flew in the face of the Act. “In short, rents chargeable for rice lands cannot be increased and a tenant of rice lands cannot be removed from possession except by the procedures outlined by the Act. We are not aware that any such procedures have been initiated or undertaken,” Nandlall stated.

He further explained that these farmers have been in possession of the land for

several years. These lands, he noted, provide the only source of livelihood for them and their families. “We have advised the tenant rice farmers to ignore the demand and to remain in possession of the lands. I am prepared to institute legal action if there is any interference with our clients’ right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of these lands,” Nandlall related.

CRUEL ACTION In a prior comment, Seeraj had said, “Tennant rice farmers of Hope Estate have been summoned to the Region 4 Rice assessment court by the landlord Hope Coconut Industries Ltd, a govt own company.

“The Government is demanding a rent of $15,000 per acre from these farmers which is a 300% increase of the previous rent of $5,000.

This increase is coming at a time when services are actually deteriorating as currently farmers are doing selfhelp to fix the access dams to transport their paddy.”

He further stated that “This is another cruel action by the APNU/AFC Government against the Agriculture Sector as they seek to rake in revenue to cover exorbitant administrative Government expenses.”

The Parliamentary Opposition has assured that efforts will continue to represent the interests of the farmers.

GNP numbers would give ‘better assessment’ of economic benefits flowing to Guyanese – Jagdeo

C

omments made by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, in Saudi Arabia about Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching above 29 per cent by 2020 were dismissed by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who pointed out that major investments in oil and gas could improve the GDP growth figures, but will not translate to improved wealth or job creation for Guyanese.

“This might be true, but it is feel good thing…it will not translate to more jobs or more wealth creation for our people,” he said, on Thursday (September 20,

2018), during weekly news conference.

Given where Jordan’s comments were made, Jagdeo quipped, “I think there is a penalty in Saudi Arabia for lying and it is not a pretty one.”

Jagdeo charged too that there should be focus on the Gross National Product (GNP) numbers, which will reflect a better assessment of improvements.

For 2017, initially, Government had projected that Guyana’s economy would have grown by a 3.8 per cent growth rate for 2017. This projection was reduced to 3.1 per cent. It

was then revised downwards again to 2.9 per cent.

The actual performance, 2.1 per cent, was disclosed earlier this year.

The performance of major sectors according to final 2017 figures, which were revised in February 2018, show that: the agriculture sector only grew by 0.4% (projected to grow by 5.2%); the sugar sector contracted by 25.2% (projected to grow by 13.7%); other crops sector only grew by 2.4% (projected to grow by 4.4%); and that the mining and quarrying sector contracted by 8.8% (projected to grow by 0.7%).

15

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Kuru Kuru residents protest deplorable state of road

F

rustrated parents, teachers and even students of the Kuru Kuru Primary and Secondary Schools on Monday (September 17, 2018) took to the streets to protest the

impassable condition of the main access road to the community.

The road deteriorated massively in the last few years.

Parents expressed their concern over the condition of the road, which buses would have to traverse to take their children to and from school. They referred to the holes as

soars and vowed to continue protesting until the relevant authorities look into the situation.

Government has since indicated that repairs work will not be done in 2018.

16

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

APNU+AFC gov’t inaction this week …a snapshot of headlines making the news

Jordan, Patterson jet off to Saudia Arabia, cost of trip unknown

APNU+AFC Coalition Government Ministers, Winston Jordan and David Patterson are the latest to jet off to another country. They flew to Saudia Arabia to sign as US$20M loan agreement.

With concerns about Guyana’s increasing debt levels, questions have also been raised on the continued excessive spending by the Coalition Government – the latest on a trip for Jordan and team to the Middle East.

Investment that came in under PPP/C to deliver more jobs, gov’t fails to deliver promised national job plan A major investment realised under the former PPP/C government, the setting up of operations by Tele-performance, is set to deliver more jobs in the next five years.

However, on the issue of job creation, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is yet to unveil a national plan to create jobs.

The promise of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition during the 2015 General and Regional elections campaign was to create jobs, jobs and more jobs in the shortest time possible Instead, like President David Granger, Jordan is now talking up the focus on persons creating jobs for themselves. “All good paying jobs, as far as I am concerned, can come from self-generation and that is why we have to focus a lot on small and medium businesses, creating entrepreneurs rather than traders out of people,” he said at a recent press conference.

Of note is the fact that President Granger has admitted that under his Government, the economy has not been able to produce “sufficient” new jobs. This is in contrast to his message from in the APNU+AFC Coalition manifesto, which promised: “Employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mining, agro-processing and the arts to provide jobs and promote economic growth.”

Granger silent on his government’s policy for dealing with persons fleeing Venezuela Rupununi village leaders are being urged

by President David Granger to be attentive and ensure Venezuelan migrants entering Guyana are legally settled. “We want to make ensure that any settlement is done in an orderly and legitimate manner,” he said, during a visit to Shulinab, Region Nine.

However, Granger is still to make clear his government’s policy on treating with persons entering Guyana from Venezuela.

Former president and current Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has called for a three-pronged approach to dealing with this issue. He has said, “We pointed out [to the APNU+AFC Government] that the PPP won Regions 1 and 9, the two bordering regions through which most of the refugees are coming and that we would like to see a differentiated policy. There are three types of refugees, well not refugees, but individuals who will come through the borders into Guyana.

“First of all, Guyanese who live in Venezuela. When I say Guyanese, if they have a tiny drop of Guyanese blood, they are our own people; so whether they have documents or not, once they can prove that their parents or grandparents or anyone else, a member of the family, are Guyanese, then they should be welcomed and allowed to be integrated and supporting documents should be given to them.

“Secondly, you have the Amerindians who tend to move across borders seamlessly without passports. These are the Warraus and others. I saw them in the villages and in the rivers, travelling from Mabaruma to Port Kaituma. These persons must be helped from a humanitarian basis immediately.

They tend to not have documents. From time immemorial, they have travelled across the border. So that is the second category.

“The third category is the Venezuelans who are leaving the country. We have an obligation to treat them fairly and in a humanitarian way, but in the long term they will be repatriated to Venezuela, given the nature of the threat on the border and what a settlement on the border, with permanent residents from Venezuela – a settlement of that nature can pose a threat to our territorial integrity and arguments in the future.

“So these are the three categories of people, we believe, will come across the border and we want a different approach to each.

I spoke with the President about this… we have to pay greater attention to these things.”

Notably, the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has also been providing food and other relief supplies to assist them.

Gov’t claims that crime crackdown continues, latest stats show worrying trends The APNU+AFC Coalition Government has claimed that the crackdown on crime is continuing and cited routine searches at local prisons as evidence of it However, robberies under arms, where firearms were used, totaled 405 at the end of August 2018, according to the latest statistics released by the Guyana Police Force, marking an increase when compared to August 2017.

In cases of robberies where other weapons were used, the number of reported cases totaled 163, while there was another increase in robberies with violence by five per cwent with a total of 104 reported cases. Reported cases of robbery with aggravation numbered 38 and larceny from persons that were reported totaled 85.

Under the classification of robbery, there was a 23 per cent increase, compared to last year.

There was a reported increase in burglary by four per cent, with 142 cases at the end of August 2018. In the area of break and entry and larceny there were 648 reported cases.

There were also 66 murders at the end of August 2018 – 28 disorderly; 19 domestic; 13 committed during robberies; and six that were unconnected to a particular incident.

The GPF is also reporting that some 87 firearms have been taken off the streets so far this year – 47 pistols; 31 revolvers; 13 shotguns, 1 submachine gun and five rifles. The ‘A’ Division seized 38 of those firearms; the ‘B’ Division 13; the ‘C’ Division 9; the ‘D’ Division 6; the ‘E’ Division 4; the ‘F’ Division 15; and the ‘G’ Division recorded seizing 2 firearms.

17

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

City Hall CoI to get underway within days …Two years after PPP/C motions calling for greater transparency blocked by Town Clerk, others

S

ince early 2016, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) representatives City Hall have been calling for a forensic audit of the affairs of the City Council.

Two motions to this effect were also tabled in City Hall.

However, in July 2016, the two motions – one calling for a forensic audit at City Hall and the other calling for detailed financial statements on expenditure – were blocked

by Town Clerk, Royston King, despite efforts to have

the matter on the agenda of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) statutory meeting.

Now, two years later, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, retired Justice Cecil Kennard, has been sworn in as the sole commissioner on the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the administration and operations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Tuesday (September 18, 2018).

He promised a “quick inquiry” provided that wit-

nesses appear in a “speedy manner” and disclosed that a October 31, 2018 deadline has been set for the submission of his report.

According to the Terms of Reference, Kennard is mandated to: “Investigate the administration and operations of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown; [investigate] the reason for and the process by which a motion of no confidence on the Town Clerk was dealt with by the Mayor and Coun-

The decision on regional flags and renaming the regions was made in 2016.

There have been concerns about the flags ‘proposed’

by APNU+AFC to the various regions, since some proposed bear the distinct colours of the Coalition – green and yellow – including the proposed flag for Region One. Meanwhile, in 2015, Bulkan, in the National Assembly, admitted that there was no consultation before this move was made; rather recommendations were made to the different regions and a decision will be made on mounting these shortly.

Government’s proposals to assign separate flags to each administrative region, as well as to rename the regions, has been strongly objected to by the parliamentary Opposition, which

believes more time, energy and resources ought to be spent on better governance.

The PPP/C has said that most residents would prefer jobs, enhanced public security, money in their pockets, better roads, improved potable water supply, and efficient garbage collection rather than other flags. “Rather than seeking to change things that obtained under the PPP/C, and to make things look different under the APNU+AFC, the Granger coalition Administration should change their racial and political, discriminatory and witch hunting practices, as well as their wasteful spending, and focus on improving the economic and social well-being of all Guyanese,” the PPP/C had said in a statement issued when the matter first came to light.

result of this constitutional vacuum, no judges or magistrate can be appointed.”

“Without fail, every time the tenure of a Constitutional Commission expires, or not properly constituted, I have to inform the Coalition Government of that fact and remind them that they are mandated by the Constitution to rectify the situation.”

He questioned whether the Coalition Government’s inaction was due to incompetence or mere indifference. “I do not know if amnesia, incompetence or

indifference is the cause,” Nandlall said.

The former Attorney General added that the incompetence of the Government is unbelievable.

Nandlall said, “That this is the highest paid Cabinet in Guyana’s history and one of largest governments on Planet Earth make the situation even more lamentable.

Hopefully, this post will motivate them into action!.”

The life of the membership of the last JSC expired since the September 30, 2017.

Year-end deadline for regional flags given to Regions

C

entral Government has given regions until this year end to put measures in place, before the controversial proposal for flags in each region will become a reality.

Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, had admitted that there is resistance to the move. He said, “There is a great degree of push back on the part of a number of our Regional Democratic Councils, in relation to this initiative of the Central Government…we’re giving them up to the end of this year, because specimens of each of the regional flags have been given to the regions.”

The APNU+AFC Coalition Government is still pushing for the renaming of the regions and for regional flags to be mounted across the 10 regions of Guyana – despite the widespread objections.

Nandlall questions gov’t failure to set up JSC

A

lmost one year after the life of the membership of the last Judicial Service Commission (JSC) ended, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has failed to appoint a new JSC. Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, in a comment on the issue, said, “Once again, the burden is mine to remind them that there is currently no properly constituted Judicial Service Commission. This position has obtained for several months now. So as

cillors of the City of Georgetown; and generally to investigate any matter that may be brought to the attention of the Commissioner during the Inquiry that would adversely affect the administration and operation of the Municipality of Georgetown.”

The move to set up a Commission of Inquiry came after a decision on the matter by the Local Government Commission (LGC). At its April 17, 2018, statutory meeting a unanimous deci-

sion was taken to set up a CoI to investigate the complaints received on the M&CC’s administration and operations.

Meanwhile, the LGC, at a June 21, 2018 meeting, a second decision was taken to send King on leave, pending the examination and determination of all issues under inquiry. King will be proceeding on leave from September 21.

The lack of transparency and accountability from the Georgetown Mayor and City

Council, with a majority A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) majority, have also been criticised by other sections of civil society.

Formal hearings for witnesses, complainants and other interested parties are scheduled to begin on Monday September 24th, 2018 at the Critchlow Labour College, situated at Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Bulkan’s orders declared null and void. The Applicant made an application for an Order or Writ of Certiorari to quash Bulkan’s order of holding elections of seven NDCs without first issuing an Order under the Local Democratic Organs Act, to identify the NDCs by name, boundaries, and number of members.

These NDCs are Moruka/ Phoenix Park; Kitty/Providence; Nile/Cozier; Lamaha/Yarrowkabra; Hauraruni/ Yarrowkabra; Plegt Anker/ Kortberaad; and Wyburg/ Caracas.

The Applicant is also seeking two Orders of Certiorari against GECOM CEO Lowenfield. The first moves to quash the Commission CEO’s decision to fix the exterior boundaries in respect to the said seven NDCs, adding that the move was an abuse of power, illegal and constitutes a “usurpation of the statutory functions” of Minister Bulkan.

A second Certiorari order seeks to quash his decision to demarcate constituency boundaries within the said seven NDCs on grounds that his actions did not first involve the consultations of electors and stakeholders which include political parties. In this regard, Shadick views Lowenfield’s actions as irregular or improper exercise of discretion, in bad faith, or having cited irregular consideration, adding that it has no legal effect since

this would be a violation of Article 13 of Guyana’s Constitution.

Shadick is also seeking an Order or Writ of Mandamus to compel Minister Bulkan, under the Local Democratic Organs Act, to establish the boundaries and number of members in respect to the municipality of Mahdia and eight other LLAs so that elections could be held by November 12.

The Applicant is seeking another Order of Mandamus for Lowenfield to compel him to hold consultations with stakeholders on the establishment of constituency boundaries within the said Local Authority Areas. The Applicant’s final Order or Writ of Mandamus seeks to have Lowenfield also hold consultations in relation to the re-demarcation of constituency boundaries in Rose Hall and Rose Hall and 13 NDCs. Shadick is also seeking the State to pay her court costs in addition to seeking other orders, directions or writs as the court sees fit.

The writ also outlines that the purported establishment of seven NDCs without complying with the provisions of the Local Democratic Organs Act is unlawful, ultra vires, null, void and of no effect.

She said too that Lowenfield acted with authorisation in this regard, while adding that Minister Bulkan unilaterally made changes to the number of seats in 14 Local Authority Areas.

LAA legal challenge adjourned to October 8

T

he legal challenge against Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan’s creation of new Local Authority Areas (LAAs) has been adjourned until October 8, as the showdown got underway before Justice Gino Persaud in the High Court on last Friday (September 14, 2018).

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Attorney Marcia Nadir appeared on behalf of the applicant, Guyana Elections Commissioner Bibi Shadick.

In addition, Solicitor General Kim Kyte appeared on behalf of Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan and Attorney Roysdale Forde represented Chief Elections Officer Keith In his arguments, Nandlall emphasised the urgency of concluding the matter before Local Government Elections which are due on November 12. Leave was therefore granted to the respondents to file their Affidavits of Defence within 14 days. “I am to file a reply if necessary,” Nandlall explained to this publication, after the case was heard.

“And all three sides are to put their submissions and legal arguments in writing before October 5.”

In the writ, the Applicant is seeking a several orders which seek to bring the Communities Minister’s alterations into the conformity with Local Democratic Organs Act, Chapter 28:09.

The applicant is also petitioning the court to have

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WEEKENDMIRROR MIRROR 17-18 FEBRUARY, 2018 WEEKEND 22-23 SEPTEMBER,

Significant progress made under succe administrations to improve welfare of LEGISLATION

The Amerindian Act 2006 is an embodiment of policies that cover the protection of the general welfare and rights of Indigenous Peoples. It affirms the declaration of rights of indigenous peoples in specific stipulations that include governance, land rights and preservation, and Amerindian heritage.

Passed a year before the UN-DRIP declaration, Guyana’s 2006 Amerindian Act includes key provisions relating to Amerindian people that are not dissimilar, in most instances, from those outlined in the declaration, and has thus been the legal stronghold for Amerindian development.

TOURISM SUPPORT

In 2012, the Ministry financed eco-tourism projects for 19 Villages, each receiving utmost $1.5M. In 2013, twenty villages will be receiving grants at $1.5M each to the eco-tourism industry in their respective regions.

The initial implementation of the first 27 Community Development Plans (CDPs) funded through the GRIF, 11 % account for projects that are related to ecotourism.

HEALTH

The Amerindian Hostel data on inpatients reflect access to medical services at Georgetown Public Hospital thereby reducing further aggravation of health situations of Hinterland patients and providing better access to quality health services; safe and adequate accommodation for patients and welfare cases help ensure the psychological health and general well-being of those that are affected by sickness and other social issues.

The fact that all villages have a health hut/health centre makes access to primary health care easier in villages and thus improving health conditions of villagers.

Amerindian Residence accommodated a total of 7017 patients with their accompanying relatives up to 2014.

The Residence provides a shelter for those patients who have been referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical attention.

Over the years, the purpose of this facility had evolved such that the most significant proportion of persons being accommodated is patients and those accompanying them.

The Residence has also expanded its services to encompass persons in difficult situations including Domestic Violence, Trafficking in Persons, labour issues, discharged prisoners or any other similar situation.

The Maternity waiting room at the Amerindian Hostel was constructed at a cost of $1.2M. The aim of the new facility is in keeping with Government’s commitment to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies and to ensure that every mother and child have access to adequate health care and provided with the best care and treatment.

SOLAR PANEL AND ENERGY ACCESS

A total of 11, 000 solar panels were installed across all the regions. A mini-hydro power plant is about to be constructed in Cheung Mouth River to supply renewable energy to Region 8 villages.

An additional 6000 solar panels are being procured for distribution to additional communities including some riverine communities

CORE HOMES/HOME SUBSIDIES

A sum of $107.2M was spent on home improvement and 127 Core home were completed in the hinterlands

GOVERNANCE

Every year since the passing of the Amerindian Act, MoAA hosted the Annual National Toshaos Council Meeting (with an average budget of $50 M) to build capacity on: • Best practices in governance that includes transparency and accountability (audits); • Improved leadership for Toshaos and Village Councils in accordance to the Amerindian Act 2006; • Improved Community Management geared towards a holistic approach in Community Development; • Promoting dialog with government officials for the advancement of Amerindian welfare and total development of Amerindian villages; • Providing an opportunity for All Amerindian elected leaders to be able to have dialogue and exchanges on development priorities which challenges them; and • To provide a platform for the Amerindian Leaders have direct access to Government Ministers to dialogue on development challenges in various sectors and finding solutions ADF-GRIF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANS

A total of 187 Amerindian Villages and Communities were considered for economic projects under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) - Guyana REDD+Investment Fund (GRIF).

Some US$6.3M from GRIF is allotted for said projects under the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF).

Twenty- Seven (27) projects from across all regions have been chosen for the initial implementation of the project which has commenced early part of 2013 with a budget of US$1.8M. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of all the projects are in agriculture with the aim of securing Amerindian livelihoods.

ADF Project Management Unit were up and running to facilitate full implementation of 160 CDPs. CULTURE

The preservation and promotion of Amerindian heritage is germane to Amerindian’s identity. The cultural activities have been the media for Amerindian culture to be accepted and understood by other groups in Guyana, at the same time, an avenue for all Amerindians to celebrate their heritage and embrace their indigenous roots and identity.

By continuing to protect Amerindian culture, Amerindians are able to understand the significance of their dances, languages, practices, local knowledge, cuisine, crafts, songs, and literature to the total development of their villages. The government is cognizant of the fact that culture is one of the pillars of sustainable development, and without it, and then development is not fully achieved.

Some $25M was spent on average annually in for Amerindian Heritage Celebrations to promote traditions, values, literature , dances of Amerindians. Another $6M was spent annually for other cultural activities The Initiatives include: Arawak Revival Language Project launched in Capoey; Support to Cultural Expo (North Pakaraimas) - $5M; and Support to cultural groups of Aisalton ($1.4M) and Santa Rosa ($7M) OTHER INVESTMENTS

• Mining including gold, diamond, various metals, bauxite • Forestry • Agriculture • Information Communication and Technology- 99 hubs were completed by 2014 to accommodate the computers 20 in number to commence the computer literacy training of youths, women and residents including children.

LAND OWNERSHIP

Prior to 1992, 74 communities were titled. Since, then 24 more villages were granted titles, thereby bringing the total of titled villages to 98, seventy-seven of which had been demarcated.

Six (6) titles were to be approved prior to May 2015 and seven (7) extension were investigated and in preparation for approval While Indigenous people in many Countries have right of use of the Land only, in Guyana where the Indigenous People account for approximately 9.7% of the population, Amerindians own land, including the forests resources within their Titled Lands.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT/SUPPORT

The MoAA has launched the Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) aimed to train young Amerindians while employing them at the same time and become powerful partners in development.

Some $200M was spent on YEAP in 2013. Focus was placed on developing 2,000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) participate productively in Education, Health, and Social Welfare, Community Development, Culture, ICT, Infrastructure and small business.

The CSOs received training in various areas, including: • Management of Photovoltaic System • Management of Basic ICT hardware • Governance & Amerindian Act • Youth Voices for Climate Change (Sponsored by the US Embassy/Caribbean Development Bank educate youths on the importance of Climate Change and its impact in the Caribbean) • Business & Sustainable Development • Various aspect of the Community Development Project training The Youth Apprenticeship Programme was aimed at training young Amerindians while employing them at the same time is a medium to empower the young as partners in national development. These youths will be our partners in the implementation of CDPs and other socio-economic activities that are taking place in the villages now. The inclusion of the young in gearing their villages towards progress by letting them participate productively in technical, mechanical, computer, and agricultural activities will definitely enhance the capacity of the villages’ human resources.

AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT

Tractors, farm implements, fertilizers, acoushi ant bait, irrigation systems, and other infrastructures provided for villages every year An average of $50M per year was given in agricultural support for various villages through the years

COMMUNICATION

Computer Accessibility through 100 computer hubs commenced in 2013. Some $287.7M was allotted for solar systems for ICT hubs; and 57,000 person-beneficiaries.

As at 2014: 72 of these hubs are completed;9 hubs near completion and the HUBs were constructed into Regions of 1, 7, 8 and 9.

All villages now have radio sets for fast communication, each one costs $500,000 Telecommunication facilities built in Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Red Hill, Morucca, Aishalton, Annai, Lethem, Ominaik, and Mahdia, thus improving communication in the hinterlands!

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 17-18 SEPTEMBER, FEBRUARY, 2018 2018

essive PPP/C Amerindians AMERINDIAN LAND TITLING PROJECT (ALT)

In 2010, MoAA together with UNDP and the Office of the President initiated a Land titling Project that sought to process applications for titling and demarcation. When it started, some 13 new communities were considered for titling, 32 applications for extension of land were made; and 33 Villages were demarcated.

Some US$10.75 was been allotted for the project under the LCDS-GRIF. A Project Management Unit was established in June 2014 to facilitate the implementation of the project. Under the APNU+AFC Government, the Unit was disbanded.

Government of Guyana has also allotted $77.9M in its 2013 national budget for this purpose.

This means that 89% of eligible villages have thus far been titled, and only 11% remains to be titled by 2015.

TRANSPORTATION

The PPP/C government consistently allocated funds for Land and Water Transport to improve transportation services in villages, and thus improving Access to hospitals and health centers and posts.

Boats, outboard engines, ATVs, Mini-buses, Pick-ups, Motorcycles have been provided to almost all the villages through the years; and more.

PRESIDENTIAL GRANTS

From the year 2007 to 2013, the Government of Guyana invested $1,172,000,000 to 189 Amerindian communities for Economic, Agriculture, Tourism, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Social Projects.

In 2012 and 2013 alone $M359, 800,000 was allotted for this program to 189 Amerindian Communities. In 2014, 200M is allotted for this project, and 28 villages have thus far received their grant.

EDUCATION

Access to Primary Education was advanced and 100 % of villages have primary schools Better access to secondary education was pushed and through 14 secondary schools in the hinterland were set up.

Under the Hinterland Scholarship Programme sixty two (62) students were awarded Hinterland Scholarships in 2014. In 2013, 430 total students are in the roll which is an 18% increase from the total of 362 students in 2012.

An average of 50 Hinterland students per year for the past decade is added to the list of grantees.

Some $94.5M spent for Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, with state of the art facilities, was home to an average of 90 students per year . All secondary schools have dormitories.

The cost per student per year in the Dormitory is $994,780; (inclusive of transportation and allowances).

The Cost per student living with Guardians in the Interior is $214,000 per year. For those living in Dormitories in the region including President’s College is $99,000 per year.

School Uniform Distribution commenced in 2007 to increase school attendance in hinterland areas by ensuring students have the necessary uniforms. The programme benefitted 30,000 hinterland students from Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9.

Granger still to return 6,000 solar panels Focusfrom on Guyana’s First People taken Amerindian communities – issues affecting Amerindian people and communities

SLand titling continues to be a concern for Amerindian communities S tudents in the hinterland who are studying need “proper” light (electricity), according to President David Granger. However, he contends that a solar panel will not solve the need of many even communities in the hinterland communities for Upperelectricity Mazaruni supply. are still steady to be included thepanel Am“Giving them under a little erindian Land Titling (ALT) (solar panel) is not going to project. solve it,” he said, without Notably, monthswill after saying what solution be Minister of Indigenous Peoadvanced. ples Affairs, Sydney AlliThe President’s comcock, admitted that he failed ments come after his to make progress withGovthe ernment came under fire ALT programme, which gave for taking somepeople 6,000 solar the indigenous legal panels tothat were purchased rights their communities, for several Amerindian comthere has been no move to munities.

The panels will be say what work is being done used at the Ministry of the to correct this.

Presidency “I have and not State been House. able to Recently, the title any village,” People’s Allicock Progressive Party/ had said in May 2018. Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, charged that the

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 panels be handed (PPP/C) should government and left over to the communities and for the purpose of completing not used at the office of the the Amerindian Land Titling President and State House, (ALT) programme. as announced by thetogether A PartIn 2010, MoAA nership for National Unity with UNDP and the Office and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

“Hand over the 6,000 solar panel and install them where they should be,” Teixeira declared at news conference.

The disclosure that the solar panels will not go the Amerindian communities of themade President was whenhas theinitiated PPP/C, a Land titling Project that in the National Assembly, sought to process applications questioned the spending of for titlingon andfurniture demarcation. $48.6M and Under the for Guyana REDD equipment the Ministry + Investment Fund (GRIF), of the Presidency and State the former People’s ProgresHouse. Minister of State, sive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Joseph Harmon, in response, Government in 2013 signed disclosed thatdocument part of the a US$10.7M for $48.6M was spent on of 6,000 the implementation the solar panel Land systems for and the Amerindian Titling Ministry of the Presidency Demarcation project. andThe StateALT House. project seeks Teixeira, then, had goals: questo achieve three major tioned the of factland thattitles 6,000 completion ispanels intended for sues andwere demarcation process Amerindian communities. for all Amerindian villages No response was given thatclear submitted requests, inagain. She also asked where the panels were installed.

Harmon, in response, said, “These are within the care and custody of the Ministry of the Presidency.”

Harmon was also asked when other Guyanese will benefit from solar panel creased usegiven of existing and systems, his Govalternativepush mechanisms to ernment’s for a green resolve landHe titling disputes economy. declined to and thirdly address thisa communication issue. A vote strategy a handwas soonincluding after called by book describing the House Speaker, Dr process Barton of titling, demarcation and Scotland, and a governsocial economic impact of ment-majority vote resulted secured land tenure. in the approval of the monies While Indigenous peoalready spent.

The monies ple in many Countries have were spent Septemright of use between of the Land only, ber 1, 2015 where and December in Guyana the In31, 2015. People account digenous Notably, while 9.7% Granger for approximately of charged that his Government the population, Amerindiwants to see ans own landhinterland including dethe velopment advanced ontheir par forests resources within with of coastland comTitledthat Lands. munities, he did not expound on how this will be done.

Silence from APNU+AFC gov’t on what is being done to address hinterland unemployment APNU+AFC refusing to trace assets abroad

because it would be ‘totally embarrassed’ T he APNU+AFC Coalition Government has admitted that to massive unemployment levels of unemployment among indigenous youths.

Minister Indigenous Peohe calloffor an internationples’ Affairs Sydney Alal firm be engaged to licock, hastosaid that close investigate what assets are to 40,000 are unemployed held, by in thespecifically hinterland.abroad, “We still past and current government have close to 40,000 indigeofficials was who repeated again nous youths are unemthis week, PPP General ployed,” he by said.

There has beenJagdeo. no major Secretary, Bharrat job Given creation since theinitiative APNU+AFC the APNU+AFC Coalition government’s refusal to have Government took office. this done, Jagdeo charged The promise by the that the findingsmade of such an Coalition during 2015 investigation wouldthe implicate General and Regional elecseveralcampaign government tions wasofficials, that it hence the refusal.

“They would “create jobs, jobs will and be totally the more jobs embarrassed in the shortestbytime findings,” he said. possible.” Over three years Hethe noted that Minister, once an later, Finance Winston Jordan, is yet to unveil a national plan to create

jobs.

Instead, like President David Granger, is now investigation is he done, the talking up the focus on report must be presentedperto sons creating jobs for themGuyana.

“Granger cannot selves. “All good paying absolve himself all of jobs, as far as I amfrom concerned, these things.

He is ultimately can come from self-generaresponsible,” tion and that is Jagdeo why we said, have noting corruption to focusthat a lot on smalllevels and in all government medium businesses,ministries creating entrepreneurs rather than have not gone unnoticed. traders people,” Jordan Theout callofhas been repeated has said. President and curby former Granger rentPresident Opposition Leader, has Dr admitted that under his GovBharrat Jagdeo, for more than ernment, the economy has two years now. not been able to produce Jagdeo had “sufficient” new also jobs. stated “On that engaging an international one hand I believe that the firm will put anthemselves end to the young people claims being spouted by the have to stay in schools so Coalition government they are better qualified. and On remove being the other the hand,‘cover’ I think invesusedmust to target oppotors allowpolitical what you call microenterprise to flourish, particularly in agro-process-

ing,” he said, adding that it is his intention to engage the private create funds nents. sector “Theytoare targeting for microenterprise, which opposition people and private can serve as a lending facility individuals only, what about to young people. government he Notably, officials?” the plan for had asked. microenterprise funding Leader wasThe not Opposition included in the APadded, “…we are prepared NU+AFC manifesto.

In toa do this, ask them if they the are message from Granger, manifesto stated the prepared to do this; tothat go with APNU+AFC Coalition will us jointly and make a request provide: “Employment of anybody, if not Interpol,opan portunities science, techinvestigativeinfirm, together to nology, engineering, mining, look at all of the holdings of agro-processing and the arts everyone.” to provide jobs and promote Government has not reeconomic growth.” sponded to his call.

However, The manifesto also promit hasthat moved ahead to pass, ised public expenditure by government measures wouldmajority, be deter-a law to empower whatfactors, is now mined by related the State AssetsStimulating Recovery which include: Agency (SARA)investment, – an agenproductivity, savings and growth of the economy; and the provision

of jobs, among other moves.

“The APNU+AFC objective is integrated employment cy an whose powers have been strategy,” the manifesto addwidely criticised by civil socied. ety,Notably, includinghowever, the PrivatePresiSector Commission and dent Granger, in a(PSC) May 2016 the Guyana Human Rights broadcast of ‘The Public Association (GHRA).

Interest’ noted that the GovThe involvement the ernment does not haveofjobs Special Organised Crimes to give out.

“We need to change from theinmindset that Unit (SOCU) the arrests government people of several topowes Opposition employment anddrawn createcritin members has also the minds of young people icisms, specifically given that the desire to go out there and SOCU was established as work do well…people part ofand Guyana's international even while they are in school obligations to strengthen its will be encouraged to go into Anti-Money Laundering and business rather than to look Countering thein Financing forward to jobs the private of Terrorism sector,” he said.(AML/CFT) apparatus.

It was established In the meantime, job creas a Unit within continue the Guyana ation concerns to Police Force. grow and Guyana’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth continues to decline.

he new Demerara River bridge for 2018, uring “is the on” amnesty for according to Public Infraunlicensed firearms in structure Minister, David Pat2015, scores of Amerindians terson, the fact handed despite in weapons usedthat to there is their no budgetary protect cattle andprovicrops and support their livelihoods, sion for the project in Budget with the promise of receiving 2018. licences.

The APNU+AFC Patterson contends that his Coalition Government degovernment will seek a suplayed the provision return totoApril plementary fund 2018bridge and has now delayed the if necessary, but it again, until the end of July Opposition Leader, Bharrat 2018.

Jagdeo, contends that this is The July month-end date, impossible, since there was however, only applies to no initial provision in thecomfirst residents of Indigenous place.

“How can youSeven get a munities in Region supplementary, and addition, (Cuyuni/Mazuruni) accordingsomething to Ministerthat of Indigenous to was never Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney budgeted?” he questioned.

Allicock.

It isin unclear Patterson, furtherwhen adother Amerindian communidressing the approach to fi-

nancing the project, stated that is to have at least ties the willaim be served. threeNotably, contractors who awould in April, govprovide either to ernment proposals team was scheduled fund thewith bridge directly or to meet residents of 11 to have a public/private partindigenous communities at Chinoweng, Phillipai and nership with the government.

Kamarang.

In according addition to This comment, the firearms, they weresince also Jagdeo, is nonsensical, taking along 121 permits to it is clear that the government distribute to the residents. has no clear approach on However, canhow it willthe go visit aboutwas dealing celled. withTothe ofnoa dateconstruction there has been new wordbridge. on whenThe the Opposipromise tion Leader pointed to the on this issue will be kept. former PPP/C government’s Additionally, Governapproach to dealing with the ment, using its majority Berbice River Bridge and in the National Assembly, a p p r o v ethat d t ah epublic-private Firearms explained (Amendment) he noted partnership wasBill decided on that one the criteria befirst, thenofmoves werefor made ingdeal granted licence to hold to witha advancing the

project along this line.

Notably, Patterson said, a firearm is to protect large “We government) would sums(the of money.

As such, he like to do that prudent contends the financing, increased when wouldincreases. have finished are notwemajor assessing in for theshotgun next quarLicences will increase by and $3,000 $5,000; ter or two thetocontrachandguns from at $5,000 to tors have arrived a certain $25,000; we rifles from $5,000 amount, will know the to $40,000; and dealers extent of financing we from will $7,500iftoany, $150,000. need, on the part of Progressive the People’s government and we Parwill ty/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of be going to approach the Parliament (MP), Dharamassembly for supplementakumar Seeraj, had argued ry, willarebecategories

by June this thatthat there of year.”

However, Jagdeo firearm holders who need charged name-dropping firearms,that not to protect large terms likemoney, ‘prudent sums of butfinancing’ ones that need to support their do notit hide the fact thatlivethe lihoods, specifically, farmers government has no sensible and Amerindians.

“Thea approach to constructing timing of the increase is also new bridge.

The Opposition Leader added that that the PPP/C something we havewill to only support a new bridge address,” he said, noting that once certain conditions are state of the rice industry and met.

“We will not of support the circumstances local any thatand willstressed have to rice bridge farmers that “every dollar open again. We willcounts” supportina the currentbridge situation.

Consehigh-level that is fixed quently, he opening. called for Govand has no Once it ernment to reduce the inis transparently pursued we crease in the it,” licence feessaid, and will support Jagdeo not apply the entire amount regarding the position of the to renewals.

Parliamentary Opposition.

Guyana as just over 8,000 It is unclear what moves persons who are licenced will be made by the govfirearm holders, according ernment addressMinister, the way to PublictoSecurity forward a new Demerara Khemrajfor Ramjattan.

He disRiver – the procureclosedbridge that currently there are about licenced ment process3,000 for a feasibility shot guns, 4,500 licenced study and for contractors, pistols and revolvers and 347 already tainted with criticism licenced rifles. of corruption.

– Jagdeo T

Gov’t has no sensible approach to building Another failed promise: Amerindians new Demerara River Bridge – Jagdeo made to wait longer to have firearms returned T D

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WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

The Bottom Line – A look at issues affecting cost of living in Guyana

Sugar workers protest in front of Nagamootoo’s office, calls on gov’t to comply with the law and pay severance S everal ex-workers from Skeldon and Rose Hall estates staged a picketing exercise outs ide of the Prime Minister’s Region6 Office at Port Mourant, demanding that the Government settles the outstanding severance payments to them.

The workers who have been entitled to their payments since December 29, 2017 have only received half of their entitlements.

The workers expressed the view that they desperately need their outstanding monies to allow them to meet basic financial

obligations – more so since the availability of secure and steady employment is limited.

The workers said that the last nine months have been among the most difficult periods in their lives and they are of the firm view that the decisions to

close estates were utterly and completely wrong.

Some 7,000 sugar workers were dismissed on December 29, 2017, without severance being paid “on termination” as required by the law to all of them. Severance was paid in part to over 4,000

of the 7,000 sacked sugar workers.

The Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act stipulates that workers who are made redundant must be made severance upon termination. “On termination of his employment, an em-

ployee whose severance or redundancy has completed one year or more years of continuous employment with allowance, an employer shall be entitled to be paid by such employee a severance or redundancy allowance equivalent to,” the law states.

Over 160 Uitvlugt sugar workers down tools over unpaid salaries

G

rinding for the current crop of sugar cane at the Uitvlugt Estate was affected this week following collective industrial action by one of the two gangs at the entity.

Reports are that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) had refused to give workers $2,700 as their six-hour pay. As such, the De Kindren (DK-8) gang refused to perform duties,

highlighting that there are many vines growing among the canes in addition to deep mud in the fields owing to the continued rains. GuySuCo has not said how the shortfall of 162 workers will

directly impact operations.

Meanwhile, union representatives met with management on behalf of workers on Tuesday (September 18, 2018) morning in a bid to settle the impasse.

Last week, sugar workers nationwide were not paid their weekly wages.

Since 2016, several sugar estates have been closed.

This began with the closure of Wales in December

2016. The Rose Hall Estate in Berbice and the East Demerara (Enmore) Estate were closed in December 2017 and workers at Skeldon were similarly terminated.

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

The Bottom Line

21

– A look at issues affecting cost of living in Guyana

APNU+AFC gov’t pushing Increase in rates and taxes closer: Countrywide ahead with parking meters valuation of properties to A begin in New Amsterdam T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had made it clear that no Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) or Regional Democratic Council (RDC) where it has majority representation will support an increase in rates and taxes. And despite the calls for ‘no more taxes’, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government is pushing ahead with the planned countrywide property valuation, as a means to increase collection of rates and taxes.

The exercise is set to commence next month in the town of New Amsterdam, before moving farther afield.

A contract to the value of approximately $330M has been awarded to a Canadian company, Municipal Property Assessment of Ontario, an entity that does property evaluation for the province of Ontario. “They’re expected to start their pilot work in New Amsterdam next month.

They are committed to completing a national property inventory by the end of next year. So it will be an inventory of all properties across the country with accurate, current date values. That information will be provided to each council, whether it’s an NDC or town,” Communities

Minister, Ronald Bulkan, said.

He added, “The purpose of the evaluations is to assist the municipalities to garner more finances so as to allow a ‘weaning’ of them off government financial support…. the central government is committed to (this), because we believe it is the single most important activity that will lead to financial sustainability and viability of our local government organs.”

Notably, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has increased taxation by some $60B, when compared to the 2014 taxation levels.

Cabinet sub-committee that will look into, and make recommendations on, the implementation of parking meters has been formed, comprising of members from across several ministries.

This is according to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan. While he shied away from providing a deadline for the subcommittee to complete its work, he noted that its first meeting was held on Thursday.

Bulkan said, “Following the renegotiated contract that has been entered into, the Council made a presentation to Cabinet and Cabinet has mandated the formation of a subcommittee that comprises several Ministries….the initial meeting of that subcommittee was held yesterday [last Thursday]. It’s a work in progress. It is to take into account the concerns that have been expressed by the

Central Government previously, as well as those of the citizens and to make recommendations to the Cabinet. “…I’ve always said there are many positive aspects of instituting paid parking in our city. It will help restore order to our chaotic conditions in our city streets and regulate the flow and management of traffic. And once the rates are not onerous or excessive, the benefits outweigh what motorists will have to pay.”

The meetings include the Ministries of Public Infrastructure, Business and Legal Affairs. In addition, the subcommittee would be chaired by the Bulkan also reiterated his support for parking meters on the condition that the fees are not onerous. According to the Minister, if implemented correctly, the parking meters have the potential to

bring back order to the city streets.

Following re-negotiation, SCS and the M&CC reached a new agreement under the controversial parking meter project, which will now see persons paying $150 per hour and $800 for eight hours of parking in the city. Meanwhile, residents of the city would be issued with a restricted residential pass for free parking from 19:00h-07:00h (7pm-7am) Monday to Friday, while parking will be free on Saturdays.

From the onset, a civil society group, the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) and the business community have been opposed to the installation of parking meters in the city.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has also maintained its non-support for this initiative.

town, all vendors and stallholders are required to pay fees to the Georgetown City Council in order to sell their products or services. Other fees and licenses may also be necessary before they can conduct their businesses. As a result, the Georgetown City Council collects tens of millions of dollars each month from these vendors and stallholders to ply their trade.”

The PPP Councilor noted that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, through a loan from the IDB, is scheduled to repair the Stabroek Wharf in the near future, but there is no guarantee that the current stallholders will be allowed to return there after construction is completed since the rehabilitation plan calls for re-purposing that area to high end uses.

He said, “In early August 2018, it was reported that a small part of the Stabroek wharf roof fell to the ground

which prompted the City Engineer to make a presentation to Councillors on the state of the wharf. By majority decision, the Council then voted to give the stallholders fourteen days to vacate the wharf with the understanding that they will be relocated to an alternative area west of Parliament building.”

assistance since their plight fell on deaf ears at City Hall.

I was notified and proceeded to the Stabroek wharf area to investigate the situation and make representation on behalf of the stallholders to the City Council.”

He added, “When I arrived at the wharf, there was palpable fear in the air as distraught stallholders lamented the immense losses they would suffer, and from which they would be unable to recover and the fact that they had no savings. In addition, they feared for their livelihood since many of them were the parents of small children in school and were the sole bread-winners of their families. The stallholders who dealt in perishable goods were especially vulnerable and worried. While we were meeting with these stallholders, City Council workers continued barricad(Turn to page 22)

Treatment of Stabroek vendors by PNC-managed City Hall another manifestation of ‘more hardship’ policies T

he treatment being meted out to stallholders and vendors at the hands of the City Council has been “outrageous, unacceptable” and must be denounced, according to People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) City Hall Councilor, Bishram Kuppen.

He said, “It is clear that stallholders and vendors are not treated with professionalism or given the respect that they deserve. They appear to be at the mercy and whims and fancies of the Town Clerk and other officials of the Council.

“Citizens would recall the abrupt removal of vendors from Stabroek Square in 2016 and the destruction of many of their stalls. At the time when they were removed, the Town Clerk had not yet prepared a location to house them and it appeared like the Town Clerk and the Council were hoping that those dis-

placed vendors would just disappear. When the location was finally prepared due to agitation from the vendors, it could not accommodate all of the vendors and some of them were forced to find solutions on their own. But after spending eight months in what became known as Parliament View Mall and experiencing a sharp decline in their sales, those uprooted vendors were moved back to Stabroek Square area. So the Town Clerk wasted millions of dollars of scarce Council money to needlessly remove those vendors and later returning them to the Stabroek Square.

“There is currently a situation brewing with the relocation of the Stabroek wharf stallholders. It is public knowledge that the Stabroek wharf is in a deplorable state due to years of neglect and the failure of the City Council to maintain it in proper con-

dition with routine repairs.

A number of stallholders had stated that if the Council had used the large sum of money which the City Council allegedly received as payment for damage to the wharf caused by a vessel, they would not have been facing this situation.”

Kuppen noted that vending has always provided a means of livelihood for many Guyanese and it has also been deemed as a legitimate business activity He said, “Whether it is in established markets or on the streets, vendors and stallholders provide a valuable service to our communities while being gainfully self-employed.

The government and local authorities should be thankful that these citizens have been industrious enough to find ways on their own to earn a living instead of waiting for government handouts or jobs.

“In the city of George-

ENGAGING VENDORS Kuppen noted that the alternative area which was identified was not completed by the time the fourteen days’ notice expired so the stallholders had nowhere to go. He said, “But that did not stop the Town Clerk from ordering workers to start barricading the entrances to the wharf which caused stallholders to panic and worry about their goods and livelihoods. They immediately called on Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition for

22

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

PPP/C open to talks about GECOM reform, Granger needs to clarify what his proposal is – Jagdeo T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will not shy away from any proposed talks on reforms at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which would improve the level of impartiality at the Commission, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“We are not reticent to discuss anything, but we will ensure that the Constitution is not undermined in favour of a change that will remove elements of impartiality and consensus from political parties….I have made it clear that we are prepared to discuss any formula provided that it ensures impartiality at GECOM,” he said recently.

He added that several models can be discussed.

At his news conference on August 31, 2018, the President had said, “We are still working under the

Carter formula which we generally agreed to have exhausted its usefulness. It’s like having a cricket match with one umpire from each team. It is not a formula for consensus…it’s almost a formula for gridlock. There needs to be a change and like other provisions we need to establish new rules…I am in favour of reform, but we must adopt the architecture.

We must adopt the procedures which are in place for the other Constitutional Commissions.”

Jagdeo, on the issue of Granger’s proposal for procedures which are in place for the other Constitutional Commissions to be adopted, charged that Granger needed to be clear on which Constitutional Commissions he is referring to. “I have to find out which one of the models he is talking about,” the Op-

position Leader said.

He explained that there are some Constitutional Commissions that require a two-thirds vote in the National Assembly for approval, such as the Public Procurement Commission.

On that note, Jagdeo noted that there can still be political gridlock, as was seen when Granger himself was Leader of the Opposition and there was no support for the establishment of the PPC. “It took is almost 14 or 15 years to get the necessary two-thirds to get that outcome (to get the PPC established) when APNU was in Opposition… if you do have a model based on twothirds support, it does not necessarily mean there will be no gridlock, as seen with the challenges in getting the PPC,” he said.

The Leader of the Op-

position pointed to other worries about Granger’s proposal – given the manner in which the Granger-led Administration has treated Constitutional bodies since it took office. Jagdeo pointed to functions of Constitutional Commissions being usurped, public officials threatened and the tendency by the Granger government to want to give instructions to the Constitutional Commissions.

He pointed out too that Granger has already disrespected what exists by unilaterally and unconstitutionally appointment a Chairman of GECOM in the person of 84-year-old James Patterson.

“He has disrespected that, he has changed all of it and he has acted illegally, from 25 years of practice he has acted unconstitutionally,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo made it clear that the Parliamentary Opposition is open to discussions on the issue and stated that this could be a matter that is put on the agenda for talks between the Government

Mahaicony vendors outraged over market facilities

V

endors at the Mahaicony Market, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), are outraged over the conditions of the facilities at the market and are calling on the authorities to ensure the market is outfitted since they are paying for those facilities and services.

The vendors said the market lacks sanitary facilities and they are left to clean the spaces between their stalls themselves. According to the vendors, several complaints have been made to authorities, but action is yet to be taken.

The Communities Ministry has been called on to act.

Additionally, the vendors stated that business in the area is far from desirable. They feel if the facilities are improved, then business would be improved.

Almost a week since the vendors made their complaints public and the authorities have remained silent on this issue.

PNC-led City Hall’s treatment of... ing the entrances to the wharf which caused panic and fear among the stallholders.

“Sometime later while we were there, a message was received by stallholders that the Town Clerk wanted to meet with them at 2:30 pm and this probably came about because of the agitation by the stallholders and the presence of the PPP/C Councillors.

“So we, along with the stallholders proceeded to the City Council chambers where the Town Clerk chaired the meeting. Notably absent were Mayor Chase-Green and the other Councillors. The Town Clerk notified the stallholders that they will not be allowed to sell in the wharf area any longer but those who sold perishable goods will be given an additional week to store their perishables in the wharf and can use the new location to sell off their goods. The remainder of stallholders will have to wait for 3-4 weeks until the new location is prepared so they will be unable to sell for that period.

At this point, many of the stallholders objected to the metal frames being used to build the temporary stalls and requested that wood be used instead to which the Town Clerk agreed to submit the request at a Special Meeting of the Council.

“Some of the stallholders spoke up passionately about their concerns while others seemed afraid to talk. I raised objections that the livelihood of these citizens were being threatened by the Town Clerk

due to his failure to prepare the area in time and also the fact that they will not be able to sell their goods for a number of weeks. It was clear that the area identified for the relocation would not accommodate all of the stallholders so I asked the Town Clerk to explain why the stallholders could not be temporarily relocated to the front of Stabroek Market which was large enough to accommodate all of them but he responded that the area had been deemed sacred. But I countered that the Town Clerk himself had previously constructed traffic control lanes with concreted steel pipes and chains in that area (which he later removed thereby wasting millions of dollars of the Council’s money). This issue of a sacred area was never approved by the full Council yet the Town Clerk and Mayor continue to insist that no vending will be allowed there. In the meantime, stallholders have to suffer at a time when sales are very slow in the markets.

“After much discussion, the stallholders requested that they be allowed to build their own stalls with wood as opposed to the metal frames currently being used by the Council to erect the stalls.

The Town Clerk agreed to present their request at a Statutory meeting of the City Council.”

SPECIAL MEETING He explained that a special meeting of the Council was called on September 18,

2018 to deal with the issue.

At that meeting, Councillors were asked to comment on the proposal to relocate the stallholders.

He said, “One PNC Councilor said that the stallholders should use the relocation as an opportunity to upgrade their lives as he continued with what seemed like a political campaign speech. A number of other PNC Councillors started blaming the PPP/C for what was happening and for a while, they seemed to be in full political campaign attack mode, forgetting the plight of the stallholders and the meager sums which they currently earn from vending.

“It was suggested that the stallholders be allowed to construct wooden stalls and that the rental fee for using the Council’s space would be approximately $6,800 per month.

“The Chairman of the Markets Committee, APNU Councilor Tricia Richards who represents East and West Ruimveldt said that the City Council will not recoup the $23 million it had invested in preparing the temporary location and so she strongly felt that the Council should increase the rental fee from $6,800 which was too low.

Councilor Alfred Mentore representing the Campbellville/Prashad Nagar/Bell Air Springs and Bel Air Gardens area said that the rent should go up higher than $6,800.

Councilor Andrea Marks of Sophia who also works in

the Attorney General’s office said that she has legal knowledge and that the stallholders must sign an MOU but the Mayor quickly corrected her with the fact that she does not possess an L.L.B and cannot give legal advice. Councilor Heston Bostwick representing Albouystown reiterated his position that the City Council was not obligated to find an alternative location for the displaced stallholders.

Councilor Monica Thomas who represents Lodge/Meadowbrook Gardens said that Georgetown is where it is right now because it is where the PPP left it and with that statement, she unwittingly admitted that she and the rest of the PNC+APNU majority have not done anything for the Council or the people of Georgetown.”

He disclosed that in the end, they passed by their majority, a decision that will allow the stallholders to build wooden stalls to a design specification provided by the City engineer, such stalls may cost approximately $400,000 each to build, stallholders will have to pay $6,800 per month for the use of the Council’s space, they will get a 6-week grace period to build their stalls after which they will start paying the rental fee, and they will be required to remove those stalls once repairs to the Stabroek wharf are completed.

UNCARING The PPP/C Councilor noted that the manner in

and the Opposition, which are expected to happen later this month – more so given the fact that all Guyanese want elections that are not only free and fair, but also credible.

(From page 21)

which the APNU Councillors deliberated on this issue further proves that they do not care for citizens or stallholders and the hardships that they go through.

He said, “On learning of the cost for the stalls, many of the stallholders said that they could not afford that amount of money to build stalls or to pay the high rental fees. It is possible that many of those stallholders may end up on the breadline because they could not afford to build those stalls or pay the increased rentals of $6,800 per month. And those spaces were only supposed to be provided to legally registered stallholders.

“For many years, stallholders and vendors have reported suffering many indignities at the hands of employees of the City Council.

Many of them have reported being shaken down by Constabulary, Revenue and other officers of the Council for money or goods which they sell. Some vendors claimed that their vending spots were taken away and given to others while others claimed victimization if they complained about issues.

“In the worst case scenario, vendors could be jailed as was the case with the Robb Street vendors who were arrested and placed in the Bourda Outpost and treated horribly in my presence by unprofessional Constables. After my

intervention, those vendors were later released and their bail money were refunded.”

He charged that the vendors and stallholders have to pay their fees even though they operate under deplorable conditions. “Look at the horrendous state of the markets with leaking roofs, stench, frequent overflowing toilets, crime, lack of adequate security, broken stalls and the absence of easily accessible restroom facilities yet they are expected to pay the full rental and other fees,” he said.

Kuppen added, “Many citizens have complained bitterly of the abundant indifference displayed by City Council officials when it comes to addressing their plight and that of street vendors stallholders, and other stakeholders. The City Council exists to serve the citizens and stakeholders of Georgetown and not the Town Clerk, Mayor and other City officials. It was never intended for Council officials to bestow on themselves special powers or privileges outside of the law.”

He stressed that the administration of the Georgetown City Council headed

by Town Clerk Royston King and supported by Mayor Chase-Green and Finance Committee Chairman has consistently failed in their mandate to provide core services to the citizens and stakeholders of Georgetown.

23

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

IMF warns about rising debt levels – debt estimated to reach 61 per cent of GDP by end of 2018

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is projecting Guyana’s debt levels to rise in 2018-19 due to the expansionary fiscal policy.

The IMF stated this in its most recent staff report.

The Fund said that Guyana’s fiscal deficit is projected at around 4.7 per cent of GDP, on average, over the medium term, driven largely by capital spending on Infrastructural projects.

The IMF noted too that government’s oil revenue averages 5.5 per cent of GDP in 2020-2022 and 21 per cent of GDP in the long run, underpinning the initial re-

duction in the overall deficit as oil production starts, and subsequent fiscal surpluses which will be accumulated in a sovereign wealth fund.

The Fund said that under these assumptions, total public and publicly-guaranteed debt increases to 61 per cent of GDP by end-2018 and will be at 56.3 per cent of GDP at the start of oil production in 2020. “The debt ratio gradually tapers to 21.9 per cent of GDP by 2038, based on increasing oil revenue and an assumption that outstanding domestic government debt securities will be maintained at 20 percent of GDP for

Public debt increases by millions ublic debt is on the rise, and during the review period,” P it has been revealed that ex- the report outlines as a telling ternal debt repayments are also indicator. on the rise. This is according to the recently released Bank of Guyana Quarterly Report and Statistical Bulletin, which pegged the hike in public debt at US$19 million. The report divides this debt into external and domestic. External debt increased by 1.5 per cent from a December position of US$1.241 billion to US$1.265 billion.

“The rise in the stock of external debt was on account of higher disbursements by multilateral creditors, specifically, IADB and CDB, for financing of social and economic infrastructural projects,” the report states.

Domestic debt, on the other hand, increased to $89.5 million, from a December position of $88.8 million. Domestic debt, the report notes, increased because of a hike in treasury bills by 1.3 per cent. “(This) resulted mainly from a 1.5 per cent growth in the stock of the 364-day treasury bills during the first quarter,” the report adds.

REPAYMENT Repayment of this external debt, according to the report, grew by some US$24.3 million to US$85.3million. This is a rate of 59.1 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2017. This was not the case for domestic debt.

“Domestic debt service payments fell by 14.6 per cent to $726 million, resulting mainly from a 23.2 per cent reduction in interest payments for treasury bills. Interest payments for the 182- and 364-day bills fell by 38.7 per cent and 17.6 per cent to G$36 million and G$358 million respectively.”

“This position resulted mainly from competitive bidding, primarily amongst the commercial banks, compounded with lower interest yields

Pressed on exactly what the Government is doing to bring down the debt, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, would only allude to the international threshold of debt to GDP. The Finance Minister did not mention any steps Government was taking to mitigate the debt rate.

A subsequent statement had however reinforced this point.

PUBLIC DEBT REPORT The Public Debt Annual Report released by the Finance Ministry last year had highlighted that, since 2015, there has been a 4.1 per cent rise in Guyana’s indebtedness to creditors.

The report details that Guyana’s total debt, inclusive of external and domestic, increased to $330 billion as at December 2016.

A breakdown of the figures shows that total external debt amounted to $240 billion, a 72.6 per cent bite out of the total public debt. On the other hand, domestic debt stood at $90.6 billion, or 27.4 per cent of the total.

“At the end of December 2016, multilateral creditors continued to be the predominant creditor category, accounting for 59.7 per cent of the external debt portfolio, a slight decrease from the 2015 position of 60.6 per cent. Bilateral lenders and commercial lenders represented 38.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent of the public external debt portfolio, respectively,” the Finance Ministry explained.

“Although the nominal public debt increased, the total external public debt to GDP ratio declined from 36.1 per cent as at end December 2015 to 33.7 per cent as at end December 2016, as a result of GDP growth outstripping the rate of growth of public external debt stock,” the Ministry said, in justifying the increase.

the sake of developing and maintaining a liquid domestic bond market.”

NICIL $30B BOND Further, the IMF stated that the analysis of Guyana’s debt sustainability takes into consideration a publicly guaranteed debt to finance the restructuring of the stateowned sugar enterprise. The IMF noted that the Special Purposes Unit (SPU), set up under National Industrial & Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), is raising G$30billion (3.7 per cent of GDP) through a five-year

syndicated external bond, secured by its assets and guaranteed by the government.

That bond carries an interest rate of 4.75 percent.

Notably, the SPU has said that $17B of a $30B bond it was borrowing has been received and $2B has been released to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for operational expenses.

However, clarity on definitive plans for the use of the rest of the money is unknown.

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.

24

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

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

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

C

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

25

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

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.

26

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

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.

27

WEEKEND MIRROR 22-23 SEPTEMBER, 2018

Supermarket owner shot in armed robbery A

rmed bandits attacked ‘Wang Wang’ Supermarket at 11 Belle West, Canal Number 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara.

During the attack they shot the Supermarket proprietor in his leg. Shots were also fired indiscriminately.

The man was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted

in a serious condition.

The incident which occurred around 20:15 hours on Tuesday (September 18, 2018) was captured on CCTV cameras.

Witnesses claim the bandits came with a black car. Soon after entering the supermarket shots were fired.

Investigations are ongoing.

Worrying trends of drug use in schools on CANU’s radar

T

he Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has announced a “worrying” trend where the illegal drug, Ecstasy, is being sold to students in at least five schools across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The anti-drug enforce-

spate of home invasions on the Corentyne has left some residents living in fear as to when the armed men would strike again. Over the past days, several home were broken into and families terrorized by the armed bandits who demanded cash and jewelry.

In addition to the robberies, villagers are receiving death threats after they were able to see the face of at least one of the men who carried out the attacks.

Reports are that the bandits have been on the rampage in the Villages of Bush Lot, Nurney and Friendship – all on the Corentyne coast.

Three weeks ago, three men removed five louver panes from a bedroom window of a house at Friendship.

After gaining entry into the

A

a few hours. Earlier in the month, a raid was conducted at the Georgetown prison at Camp Street during which 19 cellular phones, five phone chargers, one flash drive, 15 cigarette lighters, two packs of cigarettes, five pairs of scissors, seven improvised weapons, and 774 grams of cannabis were found.

Prior to that raid, another raid was carried out at Lusignan Prison. Razor blades, 17 phone chargers, 24 lighters, a quantity of wires, eight metal spoons, two pairs of scissors, one plastic knife, two nail clips, a quantity of Ziplock bags, six bottles of pepper sauce,

one pack of cards, three bottles of medicine, four bottles of oil with suspected cannabis seeds, one memory card and three mirrors were found.

The smuggling of contraband items into prisons remains a perennial problem within the system. Authorities have been working assiduously to curb the practice, and these efforts have resulted in several prison officers being caught facilitating the illegal trade, which is said to be ‘big business’.

The problem of contraband being smuggled into prisons is becoming and increasing problem.

us…we will not get into any school without the invitation of the Ministry of Education. In all the schools we found the ecstasy, the children admitted to the use of it, the selling of it,” Ramlall said.

CANU will also collaborate with Regional officials to combat the growing trend of drug use in schools.

Bandits on rampage along Corentyne Coast: Multiple armed robberies reported in last few weeks

More contraband unearthed at Lusignan Prison A

raid on the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, conducted jointly by ranks of the Police Force and the Prison Service on Monday (September 17, 2018), has resulted in the discovery of even more prohibited and contraband items.

Items seized include 45 improvised weapons, six lighters, one metal foil, 36 razor blades, three cellphone chargers, one white cellphone, a quantity of empty zip lock bags, one tattoo machine, a quantity of nails, two headphones, three broken pieces of metal and a quantity of pallet wood.

The search lasted for

ment agency is working with education officials to address the illegal practice.

“A lot of people are using it…now it’s trickling down to our youths in schools. The disturbing thing is that when you look at some of the videos that the children have in their phones, especially of our girls, is really worrying for

house, they held the owner at gunpoint and moved into a bedroom where they demanded the female occupant to hand over the cash and jewelry. The men, who were all masked, reportedly left after they collected $400,000 in cash and a further $200,000 worth in jewelry.

Residents at Nurney have also reported that they were attempts to break into homes kin the community within the past two weeks. Last Thursday, a pensioner got up to use the washroom at about 02:00h and reportedly saw a hand coming from the roof of his house. The bandits had ripped open the roof to gain entry to the one flat concrete house. According to the pensioner, he was bound after which the men asked

for the money from the rice he recently reaped. The man said he was beaten and a piece of cloth was stuffed into his mouth making it impossible for him to raise an alarm. The bandits took the $4000 he had in his home at the time. After some time, they dragged him onto the street and lifted him over his neighbours’ fence and told him to call out the neighbour. When the neighbour was called out, one of the men stood by the door, but the neighbour, who is also rice framer, peeped through a window and called the Police.

These are only some of the latest reports from the Corentyne Coast.

The situation remains tense in the villages on Bush Lot Farm, Bush Lot, Nuney, Friendship and sections of Kildonan.

After PPP/C action...

APNU+AFC Cabinet members involved in approving illegal contract likely to be called in by SOCU next week I “I was told that he (Patterson) will be n an effort to set a precedent, Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, voluntarily appeared at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) office on Monday (September 17, 2018).

In speaking to members of the media, he said, “My purpose is to establish a precedent. As I pointed

out to you, we have filed a matter with SOCU where the Minister of Public Infrastructure has acted in a corrupt and illegal manner… and he got the approval of Cabinet for that contract….

Cabinet has no authority to do this…I could have refused this (SOCU’s request for an interview), but I came here so that there will be no

exceptions when this matter comes up…so we will be looking for the double standard…once they established this precedent, they will be obligated to pursue it (the same course of action) in the same manner,” he said.

He added that SOCU Head, Sydney James, when pressed, indicated that the complaint filed by the Peo-

ple’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), in relation to the illegally approved contract for the feasibility study on a new Demerara River, is being investigated.

“I asked whether SOCU was proceeding with the case against Patterson and the answer was yes,” Jagdeo said.

According to him, James disclosed that Minister Da-

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 will be used. So hopefully from next week, you will start seeing members of the Government coming here to answer for the contract that was awarded illegally, with the complicity of Cabinet.”

– Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

vid Patterson has sent a statement to SOCU and will be called into the SOCU office next week for questioning. Jagdeo added that James assured that Cabinet Ministers will also be questioned, given their involvement. “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 will be used. So hopefully from next week, you will start seeing members of the Government coming here to answer for the contract that was awarded illegally, with the complicity of Cabinet,” he said.

Jagdeo added that once the issue of the illegal contract for the feasibility study on a new Demerara River is addressed by SOCU, another 5 cases will be forwarded to SOCU. PPC REPORT 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 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.

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.

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

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