Weekend Mirror 21-22 April 2018

21-22 April, 2018 / Vol. 10 No. 18 / Price: $100

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

Anti-corruption walk:

Clean your own house – Jagdeo tells corrupt APNU/AFC SEE INSIDE

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has reiterated his commitment to rid Guyana of corruption but said he would not join a government-sponsored “walk” against corruption, saying that is a “smokescreen” to hide government’s its own massive corruption.

In a letter in response to the invitation from Head of State Assets Recovery Agency, Dr. Clive Thomas, , penned by Opposition Chief Whip, Ms Gail Teixeira at Jagdeo’s behest, Jagdeo said corruption in deep in this government and called on the governmtn to first “clean it own house.”

Below is the text of the letter to Dr. Thomas: Dear Dr. Clive Thomas, Re: Invitation to Participate in Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign “Corruption is Everybody’s Business” I wish to acknowledge your letter of invitation to the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo, M.P., to participate in a “symbolic” walk against corruption on April 20, 2018.

The Leader of the Opposition wishes to inform you that he is supportive of any efforts that will strengthen the state’s institutional, legal and procedural framework for fighting corruption in keeping with the Inter-American Convention

Against Corruption, the UN Convention Against Corruption and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

However, the Leader of the Opposition will (Continued on page 2)

Jagdeo responds to queries: Says ‘loose talk’ could stir questions on CCJ’s credibility

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everal questions about issues that could be areas of concerns, relative to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), were put to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, at a news conference (April 19, 2018), at his Church Street office.

He was asked whether the comments made by at least two government ministers, regarding ‘inside knowledge’ on how the CCJ will rule on the matter of the presidential third term challenge, is a concern. Jagdeo stated that such comments could be “loose talk” and may be entirely false. However, he noted the implications of such sentiments being left “hanging” without a response. “This could affect the CCJ’s credibility,” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader was also pressed on the fact that the grandson of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson, is the judicial assistant to the Head of the CCJ. Patterson, before being appointed GECOM Chairman unilaterally by President David Granger, acted as legal advisor to the Attorney General, Basil Williams, who was reportedly one of the ministers with ‘inside knowledge’ on how the CCJ will rule. The Opposition Leader, in response to the question,

stated that it is a concern. “Yes it bothers me, it goes back to the issue of credibility,” Jagdeo said.

He was also pressed on developments involving one of the CCJ judges and declined to comment, noting that he was unsure of the accuracy of the said report.

The former Chief Justice, Ian Chang, in 2015, ruled that the restriction of a two-term limit is unconstitutional.

Chang’s ruling was based a constitutional challenge that was filed by Georgetown resident, Cedric Richardson, in February, 2015. His attorneys are Emily Dodson and Shawn Allicock. The applicant argued that Act 17 of 2001, which was passed by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly, unconstitutionally curtails and restricts his sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect former President Bharrat Jagdeo as the Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Chang ruled that notwithstanding the provisions of Article 164, Act No 17 of 2001 in so far as it ‘dilutes’ the democratic rights of the electorate to elect a president of its own choice, needed a referendum and therefore violates article 164. The

Chief Justice argues that the constitution cannot be subject to amendment by addition and Act 17 of 2001 adds new provisions to Article 90 relating to the qualifications for president. The other main reason given by the Chief Justice is that a two-thirds majority cannot alter a provision of the constitution in diminution of its ‘normative’ characteristics as providing that Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic and sovereign state. He identified the right of a citizen to elect a president as such a provision and held that the amendment affected such a right.

The term limit was proposed by the Constitutional Reform Commission in 2000 and subsequently enacted by Act No. 17 of 2001.

Act No. 17 of 2001 amended Article 90 of the constitution to provide for term limitation and other qualifications for the president, pursuant to the recommendations of the Constitution Reform Commission.

Amendments can be made to the constitution under Article 164 by a two-thirds majority for some articles and a two-thirds majority together with a referendum for others. Act No. 17 of 2001 had received a two-thirds majority in 2001.

More PAGE 7 economic woes: State-owned entities struggling to stay afloat

THE PRIVATE CHARGES: Real Misconduct in Public Office PAGE 9

Adding PAGE 11 furious misconduct charges to political harassment, intimidation narrative

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Anti-corruption walk:

Clean your own house – Jagdeo tells corrupt APNU/AFC not participate in this “symbolic walk” as it is a mere “smoke screen” to detract from the grossest violations of the constitutional and statutory provisions regarding financial probity, transparency and accountability ever witnessed since independence. Furthermore, it will not participate in such a walk while members and other public officials of successive PPPC government have been discriminated against, victimized, and targeted by a state-sponsored witch-hunt on frivolous manufactured charges.

The Parliamentary Opposition holds firmly to this position, which was reflected in the PPP press release of April 14, 2018, and herein reiterate, that “after being in office for only three years, the APNU+AFC Government can easily be classified as the most corrupt Government in the post-independent English speaking Caribbean. Indeed, its corruption is only surpassed by its incompetence.

In three short years it has managed to completely bypass the public procurement process, mandated by law, and has handed to its cronies and financiers, hundreds of contracts to the value of Billions of Dollars”...

The number of cases of such violations is mounting on a daily basis. Suffice herein to provide a few most notable ones thus far which have cost the Guyanese people billions of dollars to their detriment:- the Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence ordered the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to purchase $620M in drugs and pharmaceuticals supplies in 2017 from an identified supplier, without any resort to the procurement process. Then shamelessly and publicly accepted a gift of a freezer from the supplier to store some of these pharmaceuticals. What is worse, the pharmaceuticals

were acquired at a cost of over 100% more than their market value. The Minister of Finance was forced to produce in the National Assembly the NPTAB’s records of requests for and grants of waivers of the tender process which revealed that the Ministry of Health’s request for the waiver was denied yet it went ahead and procured this enormous quantum of pharmaceuticals in blatant disregard of the rule of law.

- The now famous contract for the Sussex Street Bond -a mere house- which the Government rents in Albouystown, for $14M GYD per month to store pharmaceuticals, when that same house can only yield a rental of approximately $100,000 GYD, on the open market.

There was no resort to any form of procurement as admitted by Minister Dr. Norton in the National Assembly and for which he was placed before the Privilege Committee; the matter remains pending since 2016! Despite a special cabinet review team that found that the contract was flawed, and, Minister Harmon stating in 2016 that the Cabinet would reconsider the contract, it remains intact and over $300M GYD thus far been garnered by the owner in rental. In 2017 the Bond was found to contain no pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

- This Government expended over $2B of taxpayers’ dollars in the construction of the Jubilee D’Urban Park facilities and established a Special Purposes Company, that was given the responsibility to raise funds and implement major construction works under this project, comprising of a Minister and known members of the PNC. In 2016/2017 the taxpayers had to pay for the construction of the facilities in time for the 50th Anniversary by way of supplementary financial provisions with no disclosure as to the total costs incurred. Again, there was no

resort to any form of public procurement. Despite repeated demands, they cannot produce any credible records to the Office of the Auditor General, in relation to this project. This matter was also brought to the attention of the newly appointed constitutional Public Procurement Commission in September 2017 to investigate and no action has been taken.

- In September 2017- the contract for a pre feasibility study for a New Demerara Harbour Bridge was found to have been awarded to a company that did not bid despite there was a public tender where 12 companies bid and one was shortlisted.

This procurement breach was also documented to the Public Procurement Commission in the same month and to date, it has taken no action to investigate or rectify the matter.

- This Government surreptitiously negotiated a petroleum sharing agreement with Exxon Mobil in 2016 and for over a year refused to make it public despite thunderous public pressure.

Since December 2017 with the exposure of the Guyana Government agreement with Exxon signed in June 2016, this matter remains the subject of major public debate.

The government’s sale of the country’s newly found oil and natural gas resources for a pittance is a shame on all Guyanese and a stain Guyana will have to endure for decades to come. Even the IMF and countless international petroleum watchdog bodies have found this to be a flawed agreement in violation of basic acceptable international standards for first discovery oil countries and have noted that Guyana will be grossly disadvantaged from reaping it’s just rewards.

- This is a Government that surreptitiously stashed in a secret bank account, $18M USD, received from ExxonMobil as a signing bonus in 2016 and uttered not a word about it to the public for over a year. In December 2017, the media exposed proof of the USD 18 M signature bonus that government received from Exxon. The funds were put in a Bank of Guyana interest bearing foreign currency account instead of being deposited in the Consolidated Fund as required by the constitution. This matter has been taken to the courts.

The government continues to refuse to move the monies to the Consolidated Fund to reflect accurately the country’s revenues in compliance with the constitution.

- This Government took 30 months to appoint the In-

tegrity Commission and after 3 months the Commission is not functioning. In 2016, this government defeated a parliamentary opposition motion calling for all Members of Parliament to make public their income tax submissions and their Integrity Commission declarations for the previous 10 years.

- The US State Department Report, March 2018, titled, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report - Volume II,” identifies Government corruption, for the first time in Guyana’ history, as one of the main source of money-laundering. In short, we have a “Government of money-launders.”

- This government secretly paid itself, retroactively, a 100% increase in salary, to July 1, 2015, mere weeks after assuming office.

In the light of this short list of blatant transgressions by this Government, can one wonder why the Parliamentary Opposition, critical national stakeholders and thousands of Guyanese are angry at the audacity of this government to accuse others of corruption when there is nothing being done to stop this “corruption haemorrhage” undermining the rule of law in our country ?

The government manipulates the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and di-

rects the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to institute fabricated and malicious charges against political opponents and highly qualified professional Guyanese, who have served their country and their people with distinction.

The frivolous charges instituted against Dr. Ashni Singh and Mr. Winston Brassington are simply the most recent, and, we have no doubt others will be made victims of this vindictive and undemocratic regime In conclusion, the passage of the SARA Act has given you, sir, enormous, in fact, super powers ---something we abhor as it is in total contravention to human rights and due process- but sir you have those powers so why have you taken no action as a so-called anti-corruption champion to bring members of the present government to book? As they say clean your own house so that others can see the light and know you are serious about fighting corruption!

You are right, sir, “Corruption is everyone’ business”; we have made it ours, maybe you can demonstrate to the Guyanese people that it is yours.

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira, M.P., Parliamentary Opposition Chief Whip

The Auditor General’s Annual Report for Y2016 found 82 breaches of the FMAA and 71 breaches of the Procurement Act as shown below:-

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

My View L ast week, the APNU+AFC regime displayed their growing desperation as a result of the rapid loss of support in our society.

To divert attention from all the bad news of a floundering economy, massive excesses, incompetence and outrageous corruption the regime moved to charge Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington.

Both of these men stayed in Guyana for a while after leaving office. In the case of Mr. Brassington, he worked and handed over to the new officials at NICIL. He answered every question put to him or that were made to try to slander him.

Leader of the Opposition, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, described the charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington the best when he said they were ‘frivolous.’

The regime knows that it does not have any case against these two gentlemen.

So why, one may ask, have they chosen now to bring these charges?

The main reason is that the mask is falling off their

By Donald Ramotar Former President

faces, exposing more and more the massive corruption and extraordinary extravagance that is taking place, as well as the gross incompetence of this regime.

Last week, just before these bogus charges were laid, a report, which emanated from the US, stated that money laundering in our country was rampant. It also identified the source of the money laundering problem.

It stated that money was being laundered by drug traffickers. This we know.

The main bombshell, which, by the way the media is silent on, is the money that is being laundered due to government corruption.

This is one of the first independent sources to identify this source of laundering in our country. Note should be taken, too, of the position of SOCU/SARA. Those bodies are oblivious to that source of laundering.

This gives a glimpse of what is going on in the regime. Some of these have been exposed. The renting of a house for $25M per month

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Signs of Desperation as a drug bond has been widely publicised.

Most Guyanese believe this is massive corruption at the top level of government.

Despite this exposure, the regime, barefacedly, is continuing this arrangement.

We recall also the scandal at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where hundreds of millions were spent on the procurement of drugs and other medical supplies without any public tendering.

It was reported that the Minister of Public Health ordered that transaction.

Incidentally, the regime has been spending millions on drugs, but yet shortages exist in almost all the medical institutions run by the government.

The question, therefore, is: where are the drugs that were reportedly procured and where is the money going?

We also see that more money is being spent on our airport, but instead of a new airport with eight mooring platforms, we will get a re-furbished airport with two platforms. This was a turnkey contract which this government broke.

The question is why?

And why are we getting an inferior product for more money?

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which should be looking into much of these suspicious transactions, to put it mildly, seems to think their role is to cover-up the fraud.

The other set of bad news that spurred the regime to bring charges was the poor performance of the economy.

The Minister of Finance reported an anaemic growth of just over 2%. Even this figure seems suspect when you observe the rapid rise in unemployment and the fall of production in many sectors.

We also see reported in the press the rapid dwindling of our gold reserve, which fell from $25B at the end of 2014, the last full year of the PPP/C administration, to a mere($1.9B. This is a fall of 92.4%!

Our overall reserves have fallen significantly as well.

At the same time, our debt is mounting. With the announced borrowing that the regime had reported in the media, it means that our debt to GDP ratio would be almost 75%. At the end of 2014 it was in the vicinity of 40%.

This tells a story of massive corruption and great squander-mania. I was told that in a recent visit to an interior destination the regime

Guyana heading for bankruptcy G

uyana is on a road to bankruptcy as the countries financial and other reserves have been steadily depleting as a result of massive spending by the government and little or no avenue for revenue.

The most recent indicator came from the Bank of Guyana, which in its States of Assets and Liabilities, released recently, indicated that that country’s gold reserve has been depleted by whopping $2.1B. In June 2017, the Bank of Guyana reported that it had a gold reserve of $4.8B, but, the statement released covering up top March 28, 2018 shows that the current gold reserve stands at $1.9B. The Central Bank also reported that its $82.1B in capital market securities and $5.6B in money market securities have also reduced significantly In 2014, the Bank’s bank of Guyana had $25 billion in gold as assets, however, based on statement from the bank over the years, the gold reserves at the end of 2015, was reduced to $14.2 billion

and in 2016 it went down to $7.4B. Recently, the Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced that the country’s economy was struggling to meet annual growth projections over the past two years, with a meager 2.1 percent growth recorded for 2017, the lowest in more than a decade.

There have been constant concerns that the PNC-dominated APNU/AFC government was on a massive spending spree, without creating adequate streams of revenue to replenish the country’s reserves.

Among glaring occasions are the multi-million dollar Jubilee Park, the massive pay hike taken by ministers, the multi-million dollar refurbishing of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s official residence, the purchase of almost 50 customized SUVs for Ministers, the corrupt high-priced drug bond rental, overpriced medical supplies and the constant overseas travels of ministers.

There are also a number of glaring cases of government corruption, so much so

that the US State Department in its 2017 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report identified Government corruption, for the first time in Guyana’s history, as one of the main source of money-laundering.

The Parliamentary Opposition, PPP said recently classified the government as the most corrupt in the Caribbean.

“After being in office for only three years, the APNU+AFC Government can easily be classified as the most corrupt Government in the post-independent English speaking Caribbean. Indeed, its corruption is only surpassed by its incompetence.

In three short years it has managed to completely bypass the public procurement process, mandated by law, and has handed to its cronies and financiers, hundreds of contracts to the value of Billions of Dollars,” the PPP had said.

Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo recently stated that Guyanese stand to ‘loose big’ if the APNU+AFC Coalition govern-

ment continues with its failed approach to economics and managing the nation’s affairs, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

He noted that the situation caused by passing “big budgets” – even as the Coalition claims that it inherited an empty treasury – the depletion of national reserves, the shrinking of the economy due to bad economic policies and the lack of support to productive sectors is made even worse by the increased borrowing.

“They are borrowing to sustain a lifestyle we cannot afford,” he said adding that the end result will be the “pawning” of Guyana’s future.

Already the government, while depleting the reserves, has racked up huge foreign debt, which according to Jagdeo will take the country about 20 years to repay.

Among these debts are a $30B bond borrowed by the Special Purpose Unit (SPU and a US$900M, which the government looking to borrow from the Islamic Development bank.

hired seven aircrafts to take its officials. This is great extravagance.

Recall earlier it came to light that not only did the regime raise its own salary by some 50%, but raised allowances astronomically.

Travelling and subsistence, both local and foreign, have gone up by more than a one thousand percent point.

The elite is clearly on a ‘get rich quick’ road.

It is to cloak these failures that Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington are being persecuted. It is really to hide government’s excesses and a clear raiding of the treasury.

Another clear and present danger is the misuse of the constitutional offices by this regime.

The charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brass-

ington are so frivolous that it is quite shocking that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) office has succumbed to the regime’s demands to take such action. It is another step in the subversion of our constitutional institutions.

This action shows that the DPP’s office is nothing more than an instrument of the APNU for repression against the political opposition.

Clearly, the regime is desperate as people are beginning to catch up with them. Their lies, corruption and incompetence have become glaring that diversion is now a necessary step. Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington are victims of massive regime conspiracy.

Today, the targets are PPP/C officials; tomorrow it would be all of us if this is not stopped now.

Canada invites CARICOM leaders to G7 Summit

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anada has invited the current and former heads of the regional trade and integration bloc CARICOM to the powerful G7 Summit in Quebec, Canada in June.

The Group of Seven (G7) consist of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. “…for me it was extremely important to bring forward leadership from the Caribbean,” Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister said at a meeting with some CARICOM Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers at the Hilton hotel in Lima. “…we view the opportunity to use Canada’s voice on the world stage to bring forward issues that matter to our friends,” Trudeau added.

The G7 Summit takes place in Charlevoix, Quebec from June 8-9, 2018.

Trudeau’s meeting with the CARICOM leaders in Lima was one of several meetings being held on the

margins of the VIII Summit of the Americas which opens Friday evening.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who is heading Guyana’s delegation to the Summit, attending the meeting with Trudeau and will address the Summit on Saturday morning.

On Friday morning, Greenidge met with his Canadian counterpart ahead of s scheduled meeting between President David Granger and Trudeau in London at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next week.

Trudeau said his lunch meeting with CARICOM leaders in Lima was an opportunity to continue and deepen “the tremendous friendship” that has defined relations between Canada and countries of the Caribbean.

“Over the past decades Canada has always been very close to in working with our Caribbean friends and partners on a broad range of issues,” Trudeau stated.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

EDITORIAL

Dr. Thomas should take a stand against “government corruption”

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or Dr. Clive Thomas, who runs the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) to organize a so-called “anti-corruption walk”, just days after a report from the United States fingered “government corruption” as a major source of money laundering in Guyana, is most laughable.

Instead of organizing a “symbolic” walk against corruption, Dr. Thomas should hang his head in shame and resign from his several lucrative government posts as a more tangible act in the fight against corruption.

This would have resonated well with all Guyanese since just before his very eyes, this government, for which he has chosen to be a willing tool in its practice of with-hunting of political opponents, has committed the most outrageous forms of corruption, hence the US report.

From day one of this government, Dr. Thomas has witnessed the most blatant acts of corruption, yet he prefers to be a tool of this regime and cover up such acts of corruption. He is aware of the selection of auditors to check the records of the previous government to try to establish fraud by government officials, which they talked so much about during the 2015 elections. The process of selecting the auditors was done without any regard to transparency. They were simply hand-picked and paid enormous sums. And it was clear to all and sundry that the auditors were all friends of the APNU/AFC coalition.

Dr. Thomas condoned it and said nothing. Three years after, these expensive and illegal audits have proved nothing.

Dr. Thomas has been tight-lipped on the “drug bond deal”, whereby public monies are being spent on a scandalous deal.

In this instance, the beneficiary is a financier of the APNU/ AFC coalition. The $25 million being spent monthly on this sham deal is public assets and is being squandered away in a most corrupt manner.

Dr. Thomas is well aware that the more than $1.5 billion spent on the D’Urban Park that involved his WPA partner, Rupert Roopnarine, is another monumental scandal. This money was spent without tendering and without the necessary approvals. No account of this state asset has been given yet Dr. Thomas sits in his high horses, pretending that this is nothing for him to be worried about as the person responsible to see to it that state assets are not stolen.

Dr. Thomas must know that the government of which he is an integral part is gaining the reputation of becoming the most corrupt in these parts. Yet, like the proverbial ostrich, goes about his merry and organize a “walk” that would establish for this government some sort of anti-corruption credentials.

The shamelessness has no bounds. Just imagine Dr. Thomas inviting the Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to join him in this charade! Dr. Thomas has been part of the government’s relentless witch-hunting of Jagdeo and sparing no tricks to demonizing him. The former President, as was expected, saw the hidden agenda behind this public relations exercise and quite rightly told the government to put its act together and clean its own house, which stinks of corruption.

This “walk” by the government is an early indication that it is in a state of panic. This blundering coalition is talking the country to the edge and with oil revenues on the horizon, the corruption will get worse. Sadly, the people of this country will be losers, as they are already feeling the squeeze from the corrupt policies of this government.

The government will be walking alone one this one and like in the “King’s New Clothes” fable, will be on show for all to see.

It is time for those like Dr. Thomas, who once had the respect of the people, to repair the damage they are doing to themselves and the country, and take a genuine stance against corruption under this government.

A CoI set up to substantiate a rumour Dear Editor,

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ommissions of Inquiries (CoIs) are usually set up to find or uncover facts that were once hidden and bring them to light. That is why in some places like the South African hearings, it is called a Truth and Reconciliation Commission – these inquiries are designed to get to the bottom of things with a firm view to bring closure and healing to the affected parties and the nation as a whole. With this principal thought in mind, let us take a closer look into the most recent of CoIs held by the Government, that is, the Lindo Creek massacre.

Was this Commission set up to get the facts or is it really a sham inquest? Or is

it another one of those attempts to whip up hate for the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) who was in power at the said time? In either case, the People’s National Congress (PNC)led coalition is not on a quest to know the truth but, are headlong on a mission to substantiate a rumour. Ultimately, the PNC is hoping that they can get back that much needed support from its own power base. The PNC is cognisant of the fact that support from its constituencies is dwindling – talk to the common man on the ground and you will get the real picture – so there is serious urgency to regain ground. So, any plausible mechanism that can be employed, would be employed to regain lost territory, this CoI is one of them.

The way the Commission’s directors are going about their duties is that they would like the hearings to go in a certain

direction but sadly things are not turning out the way they would like it to be.

The PNC is not interested in getting to the truth, they would rather settle for a substitute for the truth no matter how ludicrous it may be.

This became a clear fact in their meticulous, painstakingly detailed handling of Arokium’s hearsay testimony.

Lindo Creek was meant to be the smoking gun of all inquiries set up to unearth all the deadly corrupt practices of the PPP/C during their tenure in office.

When a CoI is set up purely on the basis of a rumour, no good can be the result, in fact, by so doing the PNC have exposed themselves to be a shameful political entity before the entire world.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

APNU/AFC govt has obsession with large scale borrowing Dear Editor,

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lease allow me space to comment on Guyana's rising debt. The government of Guyana continues to demonstrate, overtly, an unruly obsession with large scale borrowing. Recently, through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the government was able to secure a whopping US$900 million credit for, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, development in the area of agriculture, banking and finance, human development, energy and rural development. Similarly, SPU (Special Purpose Unit), a unit under NICIL, reeled in another GYD$30 billion to revitalize the three opened sugar estates.

A point to be noted here is the massive increase in total debt. As at December 2017, our total debt (both domestic and external) stood at USD$1.66 billion or 45.2% of GDP. Given the addition, this revised debt figure is now, approximately GYD$2.7 billion, or GYD$1.05 billion more. Thus, our new debt-to-GDP ratio, using the 2018 GDP forecast of 3.8%, is now 73%. To have an understanding of the humongous increase in total debt, our average growth rate in GDP is roughly USD$126.8 million. In other words, this government sees it economically sound to increase the country’s total debt by more than 28%, when our growth rate in GDP is projected optimistically, at 3.8%. Hence, this is what epitomizes debt unsustainability: increase in total debt surpasses increase in aggregate income. Guyana is once again on the road to exorbitant debt levels. In respond, the government continues to remain obstinate in adhering

to the various calls to reduce large scale borrowing by international observers.

In relation to the large-scale issuance of bond by SPU, much needed capital would likely be diverted from private investment, which could further dampen economic growth through reduced national savings and income. If, however, economic growth accelerates to keep apace, and the debt-to-GDP doesn’t balloon, which is very unlikely, then all may be well for a time. On the contrary, the growth in debt will cause economic dislocations down the line. To counter these externalities, the country, cowering under the mammoth pile of debt, will be forced to scrimp on critical investments such as education, health, housing and security. The vulnerable and poor are the ones who will be affected the most.

To deal with high debt-to-GDP ratio, future politicians will be forced to pursue inflationary policies such as reduce spending. Thus, interest rates would likely rise, which would translate to higher borrowing cost, and slower economic growth. In the long run, as the economy recovers, excessive public debt will compete with private sector demand for limited domestic credit, a trend that is already conspicuous: in 2015, the year this government came into office, just after one year, in 2016, domestic credit to central government skyrocketed by 98.9% to $56.3 billion. And in 2017, that figure rose by another 43.1% to $80.1 billion.

In the banking sector, high interest rate will likely add further pressure on borrowers, sparking an increase in non-performing loans. As businesses confront shortages of capital, unemploy-

ment rate will likely increase, driving private consumption furthered down, a tendency that is already at an alarming stage: as outlined in the Budget Estimate 2018, private consumption plummeted from an astonishing 82% in 2014, to 62% by the end of 2017.

As consumption dwindles, less revenues will be generated, which means larger budget deficit. In the long run, as production level shrinks due, prices for basic commodities will increase, which add pressure on disposable income.

Hence, the recipe for an economic concussion is completed. As the country grapples with its unruly debt, the first shock might be in the form of a sovereign debt crisis, whereby investors will perceive the country’s debt as unsustainable and will no longer be willing to finance it.

To rekindle confidence, government will, not surprisingly, drive the message that oil will be the trump card to counter all economic misfortunes. However, given our economic trajectory, by the time oil begins to flow, not to mention Guyana received one of the worst oil deal in history, the crippling manufacturing and industry sector would stand no chance against the Dutch disease.

With the inflow of foreign currency, if one is to be optimistic, local currency will appreciate, causing our domestic goods to become uncompetitive on the global market. Export of our traditional goods will shrink dramatically, which will further stoke unemployment.

Hence, the APNU/AFC government is unknowingly playing with fire; if the experts are right, future generation will get burn.

Yours truly, Irfaan Ali

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

The economy is in trouble, confirmed by Jordan

A renegotiated illegal contract N is still an illegal contract

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

“U

nder the law, we can initiate parking meters in Georgetown, and we will. No matter how many people you bring to gather and make noise outside, that doesn’t change the position of Council. Council has a right and Council will carry out that right.” – Oscar Clarke, PNCR Councillor. This arrogant and distasteful statement sums up the contempt that the Mayor and City Councillors hold for the citizens of Georgetown who for months stood up for their right to reject this most corrupt and despicable contract with Smart City Solutions. From the utterances of Oscar Clarke who is one of the fantastic four that went on the all-expenses paid jaunt to Mexico at the behest of SCS, one would believe that only the M&CC has rights even if it means strangling the working class citizens of Georgetown.

It has already been established that the contract the M&CC signed with SCS has breached all the local procurement laws and Section 231 of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 which clearly states that contracts in excess of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars must be advertised for public tendering.

The Government of Guyana through its Ministry of Finance also acknowledged this breach in their June 23, 2016 review of the SCS contract when they stated inter alia that “government procurement procedures may have been violated, in that a tender was not advertised and bids reviewed for acceptance’” and recommended that the project be “re-tender[ed](assuming that it was done before…).”

Notwithstanding all of this, the M&CC seems proud that they have accomplished the impossible, which is to have successfully renegotiated an illegal contract. This is comedy at its best. How can an illegal contract be renegotiated? What’s more, this renegotiation was done by none other than the newly anointed deputy Mayor.

One wonders, is the deputy Mayor qualified to renegotiate a multi-million dollar, forty year contract? Was legal representation present during the renegotiation?

Were the feasibility and social impact studies, which are key prerequisites for contracts of this nature and magnitude produced for scrutiny? Who reviewed these studies? In the absence of these studies to determine the levels of fees and fines, one can only assume that the new rates were pulled out of a hat and the so called renegotiation is nothing but a sham.

The consequences of the parking meter project are far reaching. It will impact negatively on businesses and reduce the disposable income of the average worker who already faces severe economic conditions. Low disposable income means lower sales for businesses and lower VAT and other tax payments to GRA. Would

poor sales be the final straw for businesses that are already struggling in an anaemic low growth economy to start laying off staff? It was recently announced that the economy only grew a meagre 2.1% in the first quarter of this year, well below the projected target. Do the Mayor and Councillors who voted for the resumption of the project truly understand the hardships that their actions are going to impose on the ordinary Guyanese who are trying to make a living?

Is the City Council aware that the Government of Guyana commissioned a Sustainable Urban Transportation Study (SUTS) through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI) which is aimed at providing specific recommendations and policy options to allocate road space more efficiently and improve mobility in and around the city? Given Minister Harmon’s recent statement regarding government’s preference of non-involvement in the operations of the M&CC, one cannot help but be perplexed as to why the GOG and M&CC are not coordinating on this most important initiative.

M&CC’s actions make it clear that no reasoned approach was applied to introducing parking meters in the city of Georgetown. Rather, it seems to be the underhanded dealings that took place that are driving the process. Parking meter systems must be implemented as part of a comprehensive transportation system that provides garage parking facilities and an efficient public transportation service. Until this is done under a transparent process then continued public opposition to the implementation of parking meters is inevitable and citizens must show the M&CC that they are but servants of the people and will not be allowed to run the city as if it is their personal property.

It is very obvious that the majority of the councillors are not working for the people of Georgetown who elected them.

MAPM therefore calls on the Government of Guyana and specifically the Minister of Communities to put an end to this travesty that only serves to further burden Guyanese. Please, give the citizens the good life they voted for.

MAPM also calls on the citizens to not be fooled by the revised rates which are nothing but a façade as the bylaws make way for the rates to be reviewed in six months. A renegotiated illegal contract is still an illegal contract. The time is now to stand up and fight back. Join us as at our weekly protests every Thursday from 12 noon to 1 pm in front of City Hall. This corrupt contract must not be allowed to resume.

Yours faithfully, Luana Falconer For Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM)

ow that the Minister of Finance Mr. Winston Jordan has confirmed this week information that both he and I knew since the end of February 2018, I say the Guyanese economy is in trouble. A growth rate of 2.1% for 2017 was announced.

There is clearly a lesson this Granger regime refuses to learn from the rest of the world. But let us not even go to Asia; let us reflect on Africa. That continent failed in the lost decades between 1970 and 2000. However, today the World Bank projected that Africa will grow by some 3.6% in 2019, 3.3% in 2018, compared to 2.5% in 2017.

Guyana, on the other hand, is projected to be moving in the opposite direction with a forecast growth rate of 1.1% in 2019, 1.8% in 2018 on the back of a 2.1% growth in 2017.

Guyana looks set to expect ZERO GROWTH by 2020 if this policy paralysis of Mr. Jordan continues.

What can Mr. Jordan learn from Africa?

1. Manage the economies better. With policy stars like President Paul Kagame in Rwanda in power, their positive policy influence is infecting the continent. Every African leader wants to be the next Paul Kagame who uses drones to deliver medical supplies and blood to remote hospitals in the mountains in hours when in the past the same operation took days by land. In Rwanda, which is growing by almost 7%, their government has actively reduced their fiscal deficit as a percent of GDP in 2017 and it is set to reduce further in 2018. All they did was use their brains and the latest technology.

2. Investors need stability. An increasing number of African leaders are becoming global dealmakers who offer international investors fiscal stability. The change in leadership in South Africa happened for a principled reason; to weed out the corrupt one only to replace him with professional business magnate. Out went Zuma; in came Ramaphosa.

The billionaire President Cyril Ramaphosa is a private sector man who is on a mission to grow his nation’s private sector as a means of putting his people to work.

3. Competent debt management. Africa is extremely careful in how they are managing

their debt. Even a basket case like Zimbabwe has signed on to this mission. President Mnangagwa was successful in getting China to write off all of Zimbabwe’s debt owed to that country in exchange for favored access to some of the mineral wealth. What this transaction did was positively change the cash flow dynamics in that country with the stroke of a pen.

4. Africa is getting rid of loss-making non-exporting public enterprises. Notice I said non-exporting. Ethiopia is a clear example of this success story where all loss-making non-exporting public enterprises were privatized. The immediate impact was that the economy took off to a growth rate which was 8.1% in 2017.

5. Africa got on board with the telecoms revolution. In 2000, Africa had 11 million phone lines, today it has over 800 million mobile lines with a penetration rate of some 74%. Kenya was a global trendsetter with a technology called mobile money. When the Americans were waking up to the payment of bills on smartphones, that technology was already 10 years old in Kenya by way of a platform called M-PESA (meaning money in Swahili). In Kenya, there was a mobile phone penetration of almost 80% by 2017 creating some half a billion dollars in “person-to-person” transactions.

6. Africa is making a serious attempt to invest more in education. But their focus is on the people first, then buildings. Their mission is to cultivate a cadre of teachers who are better remunerated who can own the system rather than leave it to the politicians.

7. Africa got serious at reducing conflicts.

The African Union made it very clear that democracy must be respected. This has resulted in some important democratic transitions happening across the continent.

It is a human development wonder to observe the operations of African leaders like Paul Kagame from Rwanda. He understands the concept of human development and is making some serious moves at empowering and enriching his people at the mass level, unlike David Granger.

So what is Guyana doing wrong?

Sasenarine Singh

Public procurement process is being manipulated by political directive Dear Editor,

T

he public procurement system was established by PPP government in 2003. The procurement process was established to maintain accountability, transparency, fairness, and equal access to opportunities.

While competition was an essential ingredient in achieving and promoting effectiveness in procurement, it also discouraged monopoly situations and avoided favouritism. Can we say that the APNU/AFC coalition government is upholding the procurement process?

Definitely not! I am confident that this Government is compromising or disregarding the procurement process and Act to ensure that their cronies, friends and families benefit.

There are various methods of procurement, tender boards can choose from open or restricted procedure wherein request for quotation can only be used in clearly defined circumstances. Also the single source procurement for particular supplier can be used.

The most effective method should be used to ensure Government have the best value for

money. The open tendering method is the most effective, and should always be used in order to have maximum competition. It is deemed being able to offer the most economical results. Instructions are given through permanent secretaries to various ministerial and regional tender boards to use a method that the Government can manipulate in order to ensure activist, supporters, friends and families benefit. The AFC/APNU coalition government does not have any system in place to promote transparency and accountability in public office, and have total disregard for the Public Procurement Act. There are many projects that fail the procurement process, eg Durban Park, rental or drugs bond, the East Bank Berbice public road etc. This Granger government is the worst Government when it comes to transparency and accountability.

They ensure that the Government officials manipulate the public procurement process for personal and political gains.

Respectfully, Zamal Hussain

6

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Was Hoyte’s salary greater than that of the AG?

Govt sold out T Guyana’s assets

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

O

ut of respect for the office of the President, and because it was critical of the President, I sent the following amended letter to President Granger for any comments he may have had. Six weeks have passed without a reply, and I therefore ask you to publish this letter.)

Long before the Guyana government signed the recent oil deal with ExxonMobil, that company’s track record was available on the internet for all to see. One report states, “In one of the biggest bribery scandals faced by a US corporation in recent decades, officials of Mobil Oil (later merged with Exxon in 1998) were accused of paying and receiving bribes related to oil contracts in Kazakhstan.” Another report observed that in 2009 Exxon paid $600 million to the Nigerian government to renew three lucrative oil licences, even though the Chinese had offered to pay six times that amount! This matter is currently under investigation by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. These reports revealed three warning signals: That ExxonMobil allegedly paid bribes, allegedly received bribes, and contracted to pay way below market value.

And there are many more such examples in other countries.

One would have therefore thought that with all this available knowledge, the government would have secured the services of the best experts in the field and would have exercised extreme caution in all dealings with this industrial behemoth.

Unbelievably, this is what the Coalition’s 2015 Manifesto had promised us: The Coalition will appoint a group of experts to undertake an in-depth review of all major contracts entered into or approved by the Government of Guyana… It is therefore beyond belief

that the Granger government should have gone into a deal with this biggest giant in the industry without the advice of even one world expert in the field. Having voted for the Coalition, I feel betrayed, and consider this a major breach of contract with the nation, as well as a serious dereliction of duty.

Scarcely a day passes without an adverse comment on this matter in the public media against ExxonMobil. But more criticism should be levelled at President David Granger and the Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Raphael Trotman, and the Coalition as a whole, for their abysmal failure in fairly negotiating the most complex and far-reaching contract in Guyana’s history. Similar to his irresolute action on the drugs bond scandal, President Granger, who repeatedly promised us good governance, has again shown his inability to make good on his promises.

Ultimately, therefore, the buck has to stop at the President, as he should have been privy to all the details of the contract. He claims to be a Burnhamist, but President Burnham, nationalist that he was, would never have entered into such a lop-sided deal with ExxonMobil.

We are constantly reminded of how corrupt the PPP government has been in their twenty-three years in office. Yet the Granger government, in only three years, and in just one deal, has surpassed the collective effect of the financial excesses of the previous regime. In this single contract, they have sold out the assets of Guyana, made our people unwitting dupes, and have subjected us to a new form of colonialism – this time of our own making. Unless that ExxonMobil contract is revisited, history will judge this government and its leader accordingly.

Yours faithfully, Clairmont Lye

Guysuco pensioners facing problems Dear Editor,

A

s a pensioner, I’m writing to draw attention to a change which the management of GuySuCo has made in the payment method for its pensioners which is causing us very serious inconvenience and worse than inconvenience. Instead of paying us at the Community Centre in envelopes they are now sending the payments to the bank.

Editor, pensioners are arguing that when a new system is implemented, they must benefit from it. They cite a case where the late Dr Fidel Castro of Cuba, in introducing machines to cut cane, stated that one of the reasons for the change was to get rid of the back-breaking work of cutting and dropping.

In other words, the change was to make things better for them.

Far from bringing us any benefits, the change that GuySuCo has made in its method of payment is making our lives more difficult. To open a bank account many things are required, including a TIN certificate from GRA. One pensioner complains that he has applied for the certificate and has been waiting over three weeks to receive it.

Another pensioner claims that he is unable to afford the fee that is required to open new accounts. A third says that he lives alone and has no one to assist him in going through the complicated process that is required to open a bank account.

The pensioners collectively claim that they are the majority and they are not comfortable with the new system. Give the majority what they want. Do not use the minority to suppress the majority nor the majority to suppress the minority.

Yours faithfully, James Blair Pensioner

he 50% salary increase is now a closed matter as far as the Government is concerned, so writing on this is like flogging a dead horse. However, I wish to offer my thoughts on Mr. Nowrang Persaud’s letter `Attorney General’s salary should have been red-circled’, (Stabroek News, October 25, 2015). Mr. Persaud states “Red circling would have meant holding the AG´s salary at its historical (not objectively/systematically evaluated) level until incremental increases in the related salaries caught up or achieved job-evaluated relativities”.

I have great respect and admiration for Mr. Persaud. For a short while many decades ago, he was my teacher at the Hindu College in Guyana. Later, he gained a university degree then had a distinguished career as a Human Resources Management professional with Bookers Sugar Estates (predecessor of GuySuCo), the Ontario Government, the United Nations and GuySuCo in that order.

I do not disagree with his suggestion that “Red circling” could have been used as an interim solution in this matter. However, I believe the Government should have followed past precedent. While Prime Minister

Nagamootoo claims there was an anomaly unlike what occurred in the previous administration, I believe precedent was established during the early Presidency of Mr. Burnham.

During the period August 1984 to August 1985, Mr Desmond Hoyte was the Prime Minister under the Presidency of Mr. Burnham and Dr. Mohamed Shahabuddeen was the Attorney General. Both Mr. Hoyte and Dr. Shahabuddeen were leading luminaries of the time with the designation of Senior Counsel.

As lawyers in private practice, both the current Attorney General and the Prime Minister would have relied on past precedents in arguing their cases in the courts of the country. As such, one would expect them to understand the importance of past precedents. At this time we need to know what was the precedent set during the Burnham Presidency and whether Mr. Hoyte, as Prime Minister in 1984-85, was granted a salary that was greater than that of Dr. Shahabuddeen, the Attorney General. This information would help citizens to assess the explanation offered by the Prime Minister.

Yours faithfully, Harry Hergash

Sugar is indeed, too big to fail Dear Editor,

M

inister of Finance, Winston Jordan during his press conference on (Friday) April 13, 2018 announced that the economy expanded by only 2.1 per cent, the lowest growth rate in recent times.

Incidentally it was Black Friday, was it coincidence?

The Minister, among other things, charged that sugar production of 137,307 tonnes in 2017 was responsible for the poor economic showing. The GAWU will not rehash the reasons for the poor production which we shared publicly on more than one occasion. Though the Minister seeks to use sugar as one of his punching bags in seeking to explain what is clearly a worrying situation, at the same time, the admission by Minister Jordan serves to demonstrate the importance of the sugar industry to the wider economy.

As GAWU has been saying consistently, the sugar industry cannot be seen solely and only from the financial/profitability argument the Government, like a horse with blinkers, is focused on. Important as that is, the GAWU strongly believes, and must reiterate, that sugar has to be seen from its wider economic impact in terms of direct and indirect employment, taxes whether be income or consumption, foreign exchange receipts, among other things.

The four (4) closed estates aggregately paid its workers $11.9B in 2014, using data available from the Sugar CoI report.

To illustrate the significance of what the economy has really lost we contrasted

what obtains in the private sector. Using most recently available data concerning employment costs at Banks DIH Limited, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited – four (4) publicly listed companies in Guyana and among the country’s largest enterprises – we learnt they spent aggregately G$9.6B. Also, it is estimated that the now jobless workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall, East Demerara and Wales, conservatively, utilized about 85 per cent of their earnings on the purchase of goods and services. In other words, directly shop keepers, market vendors, fisherfolk, transportation providers, etc have lost $10.15B. Indirectly, using the income multiplier formula, a further $70B has been removed from the economy. This is a massive and substantial hit and one which many, especially in rural Guyana, may not be able to recover from.

With now four closed estates, some resuming operations in a minimalistic way at this time, it would be interesting to know what the 2018 figures would reveal. Clearly, from all appearances, the wiser economic decision was to keep the industry going while working to make it profitable and viable as the SPU is now seeking to do at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. What is clear, as the Minister Jordan is reported in the April 14, 2018 Kaieteur News to have said sugar is too big to fail.

Seepaul Narune General Secretary, GAWU

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

More economic woes: Guyana now has Government of money-launders – PPP State-owned entities struggling to stay afloat T T

he Government has admitted that a majority of State-owned entities like the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) were struggling to stay afloat last year in terms of profitability and earnings and a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) would be appointed to head the downsized company.

This disclosure was made

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who was speaking during a recent press conference. Zeroing in on Guyoil, Jordan related that the performance left more to be desired.

Guyoil has been without a substantive CEO since Badrie Persaud was fired from The Guyana Power and Light, Guyana Sugar Corporation and Guyana Oil Company Limited turned in performances leaving much to be desired, according to the Finance Minister the post in 2016 on the heels of a Nigel Hinds Financial Services’ conducted forensic audit.

“Guyoil kept within the realm of what they said they were doing, but they lost some market share. The performance was up to standard, but it could have been better.

But they did transfer a billion plus in dividends to us.”

“They have a new Chairman there, Mr Mark Bender, and they should get a new CEO there shortly,” Jordan related. “They’re making some other personnel changes and hopefully, they’ll become a bit more aggressive, stem the fall in the market share and hopefully improve it.”

Jordan also noted that

building on 2016, he had expected the company to do better than it actually did. In terms of other entities, Jordan painted a less-than-favourable picture of their returns.

“It was difficult last year to see any great success in any one of them. GPL [Guyana Power and Light], I think, they came out saying they had shortfalls in certain areas. GuySuCo [Guyana Sugar Corporation], of course, I don’t even have to say anything. Guyana National Shipping, small profits… (Guyana) National Newspapers (Limited recorded a) small profit (and is) struggling. So all in all, the performance for 2017 wasn’t as great as the performance of 2016.”

Mid-year performance In the last mid-year report, Guyoil had recorded a deficit of $247.3 million.

This is despite the fact it earned revenues of $18.0 billion in the first half of 2017, up 11.8 per cent from 2016.

According to the report, the increase was primarily due to additional earnings from debtors which rose by 23.1 per cent to $9.2 billion.

“Expenditure also rose in the first half of 2017, and was 28.8 per cent higher than the first half of 2016. This is primarily as a result of increased payments to creditors. As a result, Guyoil recorded an overall deficit.

“Anticipated declines in local sales put the revised forecast for revenue at $37.6 billion, down from an original budget of $38.9 billion for 2017 while expenditure is projected to decline marginally. Altogether, Guyoil is expected to post a deficit

of $328.4 million from an originally projected surplus of $813.1 million,” it had also stated.

Last year, GPL had earned $17 billion in revenue due to more timely payments.

However, expenditure also increased, from $9.3 billion in 2016 to $12.6 billion. This was blamed on the higher cost of Heavy Fuel Oil. In the case of GuySuCo, the company had an operating deficit of $6.3 billion.

The Finance Ministry had noted that the $7 billion given to GuySuCo by Central Government by the end of the first half reflected the Corporation’s “continued inability to reform its cost structure and improve its competitiveness” .

“The revised revenue forecast for 2017 is $27.1 billion, down from the budgeted $28.9 billion. GuySuCo expects to realise increased revenue from land sales, but lower revenue from sugar sales. Expenditure is forecasted to rise to $35.7 billion, putting the deficit at $8.6 billion.”

“The closure of Skeldon Energy Inc during the first crop, weather, strike action, and factory maintenance downtime were some of the factors that contributed to the lowering of sugar production targets and revenues,” the report had also said.

It remains to be seen exactly how far off their targets these entities were for 2017.

But with the 2017 end-ofyear economic report already completed and expected to be laid in the National Assembly shortly, it is only a matter of time before that is determined.

Economic growth dips – future prospects look dim G uyana’s economic outlook continues to be gloomy as the performance of last year was way beyond prediction closing off at a mere 2.1 percent – which is the lowest the country has recorded in decades.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan admitted as much last week and confirmed Parliamentary Opposition’s worries about the future of the country in the hands of the APNU+AFC coalition.

“The economy did not perform as robust as we expected it would last year. But even at the half year, we were predict-

ing that the economy would not do well. At the end of the day, it turned out to be worse than we predicted,” Jordan stated.

Over the years under the coalition administration, the economy has been performing significantly worse than the predicted growth rate. In 2015, the growth rate projection was 3.4% but by midyear it was revised to 3.1% however the economy’s actual performance was still less at 3%.

Similarly in 2016, the projected growth was 4.4% and by midyear, it was revised to 4% but the performance was actually at 2.6%.

Last year, the projected growth rate was 3.8% and by midyear it was amended to 3.1% but the actually performance was a miserable 2.1%.

The Government has projected that the economy will grow by 3.8% this year.

Guyana’s last best growth rate was 5.2 per cent in 2013, under the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration. But since then, it never surpassed that figure.

Opposition Leader and former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo – an economist – has repeatedly criticised the APNU+AFC Government for what he described as their lack of vision to present a substantial economic policy.

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a public statement, labeled the APNU/AFC Government as “a Government of money-launders.” The party was at the time, higlighting the “March 2018, US State Department Report titled, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report – Volume II,” identifies Government corruption, for the first time in Guyana’ history, as one of the main source of money-laundering.”

Further, the PPP reminded that, “In three short years it (the APNU/AFC Government) has managed to completely by-pass the public procurement process, mandated by law, and has handed to its cronies and financiers, hundreds of contracts to the value of Billions of Dollars.”

The PPP highlighted a number of corrupt deals and transactions.

Below is the full statement from the PPP: After being in office for only three years, this APNU+AFC Government can easily be classified as the most corrupt Government in the post-independent English speaking Caribbean. Indeed, its corruption is only surpassed by its incompetence.

In three short years it has managed to completely bypass the public procurement process, mandated by law, and has handed to its cronies and financiers, hundreds of contracts to the value of Billions of Dollars. In one single transaction, the Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence ordered the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to purchase $620M in drugs and pharmaceuticals supplies from an identified supplier, without any resort to the procurement process. Then shamelessly and publicly accepted a gift of a freezer from the supplier to store some of these pharmaceuticals. What is worse, the pharmaceuticals were acquired at a cost of over 100% more than their market value.

This Government rents a house, in Albouystown, for $14M GYD per month to store pharmaceuticals, when that same house can only yield a rental of approximately $100,000 GYD, on the open market. Over

$300M GYD has thus far been paid in rental for this bond. This very landlord, who is a member of the PNC, rents a building from a sitting Minister, which is situated in the heart of the city, for a meagre $800,000 per month. This premises is a popular liming spot for Ministers and one of the preferred places where corrupt deals are brokered.

Again, there was no resort to any form of procurement, in relation to the rental of this house in Albouystown.

This Government expended over $2B of taxpayers’ dollars in the construction of the D’Urban park facilities and established a company that was given the major construction works under this project, comprising of a Minister and known members of the PNC. Again, there was no resort to any form of public procurement.

Despite repeated demands, they cannot produce any credible records to the office of the Auditor General, in relation to this project.

Whenever this Government resorts to the procurement process and it does not yield the contractor of their choice, they manufacture a reason to scrap the process and restart it until the desired contractor is awarded the contract. At the level of the Regional Tender Boards, this practise is even worse.

The Regional Executive Officers are allowed to manipulate the process so that cronies and party loyalists are awarded the contracts.

This Government has surreptitiously negotiated a petroleum sharing agreement with Exxon Mobil and for over a year refused to make it public despite thunderous public pressure. Dozens of questions have been raised about this contract, but this Government has persistently refused to answer any of them.

This is a Government that refuses to submit itself to the Integrity Act, which requires the submission of their assets and earnings of Ministers and Public Officials. This is a Government that voted against a Motion, tabled by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the National Assembly, which called upon all Members of Parliament (MP) to disclose

their Integrity Commission submissions as well as their income tax submissions for the past 10 years.

This is a Government that surreptitiously stashed in a secret bank account, $18M USD, received from ExxonMobil as a signing bonus and uttered not a word about it to the public, for over a year, until the information was leaked to the press.

This is a Government that secretly paid itself, retroactively, a 100% increase in salary, to the first day that it took office.

We can continue, but we believe that the picture has been painted.

This Government has the audacity to accuse others of corruption and manipulates the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and directs the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to institute fabricated and malicious charges against political opponents and highly qualified professional Guyanese, who have served their country and their people with distinction. The charges instituted against Dr. Ashni Singh and Mr. Winston Brassington are simply the most recent.

Corruption under this Government has reached to such alarming levels that the March 2018, US State Department Report titled, “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report – Volume II,” identifies Government corruption, for the first time in Guyana’ history, as one of the main source of money-laundering.

In short, we have a Government of money-launders.

We ask the public to observe the deafening silence of former crusaders against corruption, in the face of the massive corruption, which permeates this Government.

We further ask the public to note that whenever these crusaders and others, troubled by their consciences, speak out against the corruption now taking place, they duplicitously make a comparison with the PPP/C Administration as to create a veneer of balance.

We say without any fear of contradiction that this is the most corrupt Government, which has ever held office in independent Guyana.

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Local Government and You!

Alexander’s double standards a blatant ‘slap in the face’ of constitutional democracy I

t is most duplicitous and bemusing that we are seeing calls from amongst the strongest of political agents of the Government for the appointed Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Local Government Commission (LGC) to be impartial/ non-partisan.

Hypocritically, the noises now come from the same people who were the strongest advocates of impartiality – persons known for their role as the main proponents of the unconstitutional People’s National Congress Sophia declaration, and the following rigged referendum to declare Party-Paramountcy over law in our dear Guyana.

From the outset, it is widely known that the construct of these commissions from which members are drawn is based on political parties’ representation of constituencies, which must support their development ideals in fairness and within the rule of law. It follows that legitimate expectations

of objectivity, fairness and transparency would be derived from the placement of representatives. Importantly, the balance ought to be established through knowledgeable and equal representation together with an impartial Chairman.

However, Vincent Alexander’s recent article ‘Constitutional commissions are independent and apolitical’, shamelessly flies in the face of objectivity. After years as a GECOM Commissioner, he suddenly seems to be awakening from his ‘slumber’ and is calling for the proper functioning of the Guyana Elections Commission and the LGC. As one of the most known political activists who was the onetime leader of the youth arm of the infamous PNC - the Young Socialist Movement - and a former Executive Member of the PNC, he now wishes for commissioners to be neutral in their role.

There is no doubt that the driving motivation is the enjoyment of all the perks

and living the good life that is being provided to a selected few by his party in Government.

Notably, this same PNC member and party representative at the Guyana Elections Commission was there when the millions of dollars’ fraud took place at the GECOM Secretariat. Further, Alexander was serving as a commissioner and did not call for neutrality regarding the seriously biased and compromised GECOM staffing, in which ninety percent of one particular ethnic group is employed.

Vincent Alexander must come out publicly and let this nation know if he is being impartial as a GECOM Commissioner.

Further, the very fact that Charles Corbin, brother of the former YSM head and leader of the PNC, Robert Corbin, is also the PNC’s representative on the Guyana Elections Commission, speaks volumes of the PNC’s vested interest in that entity. The very fact that

Alexander had nothing to say regarding the unilateral breach of all norms in the appointment of the GECOM Chairman speaks to the double standards of the man.

It is, therefore, more than justifiable that the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo continue to lead the struggle and demand that GECOM put itself in order.

As for the Local Government Commission, it is time that the members assert themselves in executing their constitutional functions. More so, it is time that this shameless APNU/AFC government allows the LGC to function. The political culture in Guyana and the ‘party-paramountcy’ belief of the PNC is self-revealing and is a detriment to good governance. The public outcry against the intolerable Regional Executive Officers and the Overseers are indeed deafening.

Alexander and the like cannot play deaf to broad based public demands towards the implementation

of the deliberately delayed LGC by the Government.

It cannot be denied that these were met with stifled responses and suppression of delivery of the tools necessary for the commissioners to work effectively. The sudden shout out, therefore, is only designed to camouflage many of the blatantly unacceptable government indecencies.

There is also no voice from Alexander as the various Regional Executive Officers and other well-known political ‘thugs’ wreak havoc in the various Local Government settings. Only recently, the REO of Region 5 admitted that he is breaking numerous public service rules by employing PNC Party ‘hawks’ and giving them free housing, among other perks.

It was not so long ago that the Minister of Local Government prevented the elected councils from disciplining many of the thugs deliberately employed to counter balance the ef-

fectiveness of PPP/C-won areas.

Is Alexander’s advocacy of the Commissioners to be docile, neutral and not recognize the challengeable excesses of the Government?

If so, he should be called out on all fronts for his clearly partisan deceptiveness.

There is a strong need for review and strategic capacity building in the Local Government Area councils.

Many of the Overseers have no training and cannot string two sentences together. One only has to look at the minutes of the meetings and letters that they are writing to observe the massive deficiencies.

The LGC has a tall order and must, therefore, be more pro-active; they must examine the serious staffing issues and work out mechanisms to improve and monitor the general regulation of persons involved in administration of Local Authority Areas.

(This column is produced by Neil Kumar, Mr. S & Mr. A)

Global Economy: Good News for Now but Trade Tensions a Threat

T

he world economy continues to show broadbased momentum. Against that positive backdrop, the prospect of a similarly broad-based conflict over trade presents a jarring picture.

Three months ago, we updated our global growth forecast for this year and next substantially, to 3.9 percent in both years. That forecast is being borne out by continuing strong performance in the euro area, Japan, China, and the United States, all of which grew above expectations last year.

We also project near-term improvements for several other emerging market and developing economies, including some recovery in commodity exporters. Continuing to power the world economy’s upswing are accelerations in investment and, notably, in trade.

Looking at the largest economies, our 2018 growth projections, compared with our earlier October 2017 projections, are 2.4 percent for the euro area (up by 0.5 percentage point), 1.2

percent for Japan (up by 0.5 percentage point), 6.6 percent for China (up by 0.1 percentage point), and 2.9 percent for the United States (up by 0.6 percentage point).

U.S. growth will be boosted in part by a largely temporary fiscal stimulus, which explains over one third of our upgrade over last October for 2018 global growth.

Despite the good nearterm news, longer-term prospects are more sobering. Advanced economies—facing aging populations, falling rates of labor force participation, and low productivity growth—will likely not regain the per capita growth rates they enjoyed before the global financial crisis.

Emerging and developing economies present a diverse picture, and among those that are not commodity exporters, some can expect longer-term growth rates comparable to pre-crisis rates. Many commodity exporters will not be so lucky, however, despite some improvement in the outlook for commodity prices. Those countries will need to diver-

sify their economies to boost future growth and resilience.

ESCALATING RISKS At the IMF, we have been saying for a while that the current cyclical upswing offers policymakers an ideal opportunity to make longer-term growth stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive. The present good times will not last for long, but sound policies can extend the upswing while reducing the risks of a disruptive unwinding. Countries need to rebuild fiscal buffers, enact structural reforms, and steer monetary policy cautiously in an environment that is already complex and challenging.

Trade tensions Instead, the prospect of trade restrictions and counter-restrictions threatens to undermine confidence and derail global growth prematurely. While some governments are pursuing substantial economic reforms, trade disputes risk diverting others from the constructive steps they would need to take now to improve and secure growth

prospects.

That major economies are flirting with a trade war at a time of widespread economic expansion may seem paradoxical¬—especially when the expansion is so reliant on investment and trade.

Particularly in advanced economies, however, public optimism about the benefits of economic integration has been eroded over time by long-standing trends of job and wage polarization, coupled with persistent subpar growth in median wages. Many households have seen little or no benefit from growth.

Governments need to rise to the challenges of strengthening growth, spreading its benefits more widely, broadening economic opportunity through investments in people, and increasing workers’ sense of security in the face of impending technological changes that could radically transform the nature of work.

Fights over trade distract from this vital agenda, rather than advancing it.

The recent intensification of trade tensions started in

early March with the United States’ announcement of its intent to levy steel and aluminum tariffs for national security reasons. The announcement has fed into several bilateral negotiations aimed at reducing U.S. trade deficits with individual trading partners. These initiatives will do little, however, to change the multilateral or overall U.S. external current account deficit, which owes primarily to a level of aggregate U.S. spending that continues to exceed total income. Recent U.S. fiscal measures will actually widen the U.S. current account deficit. Compared with our October 2017 projection, which preceded the recent U.S. tax and spending changes, we now expect the United States’ current account deficit for 2019 to be roughly $150 billion higher.

Even in the absence of excess global imbalances, however, coping with inequitable trade practices, including intellectual property concerns, requires dependable and fair dispute resolution within a strong rule-based multilateral framework.

There is room to strengthen the current system rather than risk bilateral fragmentation of international trade. Plurilateral arrangements, if consistent with multilateral rules, can also provide a useful springboard to more open trade.

In this respect, the eleven-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the forty-four-country African Continental Free Trade Area hold out promise.

Each national government can do much on its own to promote stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive growth. Multilateral cooperation remains essential, however, to address a range of challenges in addition to the governance of world trade. These other challenges include climate change, infectious diseases, cyber-security, corporate taxation, and control of corruption—among others. Global interdependence will only continue to grow and unless countries face it in a spirit of collaboration, not conflict, the world economy cannot prosper.

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

By Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP, Attorney-at-Law

O

ver the last three years, I have been publicly calling on the Guyana Police Force, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), and the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), to investigate the massive incidence of corruption taking place at the level of the Government. So has the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and several other leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), as well as some of our Members of Parliament.

These calls have fallen on deaf ears. The level of corruption has reached such proportions that the latest report from the United States State Department identifies corruption in Government as one of the major sources of money-laundering in Guyana. This is indeed unprecedented.

Over the years, I have also been writing about the constitutional violations and abuse of power which permeate this Government.

These calls have also fallen on deaf ears. However, with the kind help of several willing members of the public who were prepared to lend themselves as litigants, I was able to successfully challenge some of those civil and constitutional violations of the law. When I have not been able to secure the cooperation of willing litigants, I filed some of these challenges in my own name.

Most of these forays in the civil legal arena have yielded tremendous success.

After our calls to the Guyana Police Force, SOCU and SARA yielded no response coupled with the institution of specious and vexatious charges against, Dr. Ashni Singh, Former Minister of Finance, and Mr. Winston Brassington, the Former Chief Executive

9

Unruly The

Horse

THE PRIVATE CHARGES: Real Misconduct in Public Office Officer (CEO) of NICIL, the PPP decided to take the bull by the horns and replicate in the criminal jurisdiction of the Courts that which we are doing in its civil jurisdiction.

This has led to the institution of two private criminal charges, which I filed at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, One in the name of Member of the Parliament, Juan Edghill, against Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and one filed in the name of Vickram Bharrat, MP, against Former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton. The offence charged in each case is the identical offence for which Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington were charged: Misconduct in Public Office, contrary to common law.

The particulars of the one filed in the name of Juan Edghill reads: “Volda Lawrence being and performing the duties of Minister of Public Health of the Government of Guyana, between 16th January, 2017 and 16th February, 2017, in the City of Georgetown, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, in the County of Demerara, in the State of Guyana, willfully misconducted herself in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without rea-

sonable excuse or justification, when she authorized or caused the unapproved single sourcing and purchase of drugs and medical supplies for the Georgetown public Hospital Corporation, in the city of Georgetown from Ansa McAL Trading Limited, a company incorporated under the Laws of Guyana, for the excessive sum of six hundred and five million, nine hundred and sixty-two thousand, two hundred dollars ($605,962,200).”

The one filed in the name of Vickram Bharrat reads:

“ George Norton, being and performing the duties of Minister of Public Health of the Government of Guyana, on the 1st June, 2016, in the City of Georgetown in the Georgetown Magisterial District, in the County of Demerara, in the State of Guyana, willfully misconducted himself in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without reasonable excuse or justification, when he authorized or caused the rental, of the property known as and situate at 29 Sussex Street Albouystown, in the city of Georgetown from

Linden Holdings Incorporated, a Limited Liability Company, incorporated under the Laws of Guyana, for the sum of twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000) exclusive of VAT, per month by way of a written Agreement of Tenancy at an excessive rate of rental.”

These charges were called before the Learned Chief Magistrate, Her Worship, Ann McLenan, where the two informants took the witness stand and swore to the veracity of the Information preferred. I appeared as

the Prosecutor along with my colleague and party Cde, Euclin Gomes. There are many more who will join the prosecutorial team in due course. The learned Magistrate, after examining the charges, issued a Summons to secure the attendance of the accused persons before the Court on the 24th day of April, 2018. As I write, arrangements are being made to serve the Summonses and charges upon the Accused Persons.

You will recall, that I invited the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the charges filed against Dr. Singh and Mr. Brassington.

To date, I have received no response. I predicated my request upon the grounds that those charges are baseless; the particulars of the offence in those charges do not disclose an offence known to law and certainly not the offence stated on the Information Upon Oath. I have no doubt that a similar request will be made of the DPP Office by the Government.

I do not wish to speculate about the response. However, whatever it is, it will certainly test the independence of that office.

There is one significant difference between the charges filed by us and those filed against Singh and Brassington. It is my considered view that our charges not only capture the elements of the offence of Misconduct in Public Office, but the conduct of the Public Officer that is the subject of the charge amounts to real misconduct, both in fact and law.

The charges filed by SOCU lacks both the elements of the offence in the particulars of the charge, as well as, the conduct which is impugned does not amount to misconduct in fact or in law.

These are certainly not the only charges that will be filed.

“Massive irregularities” uncovered in GPF’s driver’s theory exam T he Head of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Office of Professional Responsibility is in the process of conducting an investigation into allegations of “massive irregularities in the Guyana Police Force learner driver’s theoretical examination” which took place on Thursday April 12, 2018 at the Felix Austin Police College, Georgetown.

According to a statement from the GPF, a report was lodged by a senior pastor, who is the Force’s Chaplain to the Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine

and one of the invigilators to the April 12 examination.

In that report, it is alleged that at the conclusion of the stated examination “One hundred and seventy four (174) persons were registered to write the examination but one hundred and six (106) persons presented themselves on the day in question. However, two hundred and seven (207) scripts were received at the conclusion of the examination and one hundred and fifty five (155) of the two hundred and seven (207) scripts were completed.”

Police say that initial in-

quires revealed that a Senior Subordinate Officer who was mandated to oversee this theoretical examination in collaboration with two pastors from the COPS and Faith Community Network partnership with the GPF, along with three junior ranks, left the examination venue shortly after the examination commenced and did not return.

Further it was reported that a Junior Subordinate Officer, who ought not to have been at the examination venue, presented himself, spent some time and left,

subsequently.

“The three Constables left the examination venue prior to the counting of the examination scripts by members of the COPS and Faith Community Network after the conclusion of the examination,” the Police report said.

Guyana Times understands that only the members of the COPS and Faith community Network – the two pastors – were left in possession of the completed examination papers.

According to the Police, preliminary inquires revealed

a complete breach of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) governing the administration and conduct of the learner driver’s theoretical examination.

As such, “due to the circumstances, while the full and comprehensive investigation is awaited, the members of the public who sat the examination at the venue on the Thursday April 12, 2018, will have to re-sit the examination…regrettably, but deemed absolutely necessary. (They) will be informed of the date and time when they will have to re-sit that

particular examination,” the Police press statement said.

GPF’s statement also detailed that since the involvement of the members of the COPS Faith Community Network in the invigilation of the Learner Driver’s Theoretical and Practical examinations, there have been reports of a significant reduction in the opportunities for corruption, complaint and allegations, while highlighting that this voluntary involvement will continue.

The completed investigation will be sent for legal advice.

STRAIGHT TALK 10

By CheddiJagan 1990

T

he Cold War is over.

But there are people who still want to use it for their advantage.

In the 1960’s the PNC came to power as the “lesser of two evils”. After Peter D’Aguiar’s United Force (UF) bubble burst at the 1961 elections ( it won only 4 out of the 35 seats despite US$48,000 from the Christian Anti-Communist Crusade and more from others) foreign interests and local.

Big businesses decided to back Burnham’s PNC on the ground that it was “democratic socialist.” The PPP they had dubbed “communist” from its very formation in 1950.

During the cold war era, the PNC in power always played the anti-communist card. It resorted to a kind of political black-mail; “if you don’t want us, you can have the Marxist PPP,” the revolutionary (Maoist) Ratoon Group and after 1974, the Marxist WPA. Now that the cold war is over, the PNC can no longer play that card. But others are playing it. The PPP, they argue, must not have the Presidential Candidate – it does not qualify because of ideology / geo-political and race.

The PPP is regarded, they

say as an Indian Party, and if CheddiJagan becomes the presidential candidate, the Afro-Guyanese would not fight for free and fair elections.

What if PPP’s Dr. Roger Luncheon becomes the presidential candidate? No, he is Black but red – red in ideology.

The PPP is thus caught in a pincer between race and ideology. The fact of the matter is that some of the PPP’s detractors are still living in the past. They have not readjusted their thinking with the change times.

The United States in the 1990’s is not the United States of post-World War 11.

It emerged from the war as the No. 1 World power and bank-roller. Today, it is the No. 1 world debtor and is beset with problems – huger budget, trade and balance of payments deficits. And a trade war is looming among the three world capitalist giants.

A former US ambassador to the United Nations not too long ago pointed out that in the decade of the 1990’s, the United States would have to depend on Latin America and the Caribbean for nearly three-quarters of its foreign trade.

It is this economic reality, which is conditioning American politics.

Terry Mc Coy, had of the Center for Latin American Studies at Gainesville, Florida in mid-1990 stated that “the situation in Guyana is a tragedy, but not a large one in global terms. It becomes alarming upon realizing that Guyana’s slide into economic stagnation, social disintegration and political uncertainty is a microcosm of what is occurring throughout the hemisphere.”

In another article, Mc Coy wrote: “Sadly, the US shares responsibility for the illegality and impropriety which plague Guyanese politics. Now Washington has an opportunity and an obligation, to abandon real politick in Guyana. Past policy has failed to advance US interests, much less those of the Guyanese people. The Bush administration needs to send a clear signal that it supports free and fair elections – in Panama, in Nicaragua, and in Guyana.”

Not too long after, Mr. Coppolla, the representative of the government-linked OPIC, which provides insurance coverage to US investors, said that American businessmen were concerned with political stability, not ideology.

President Bush did send a clear message. In February last, in his Republic Day message, moving away from

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

strict protocol, he told President Hoyte that he hoped that “your national elections which will be held within the next year will reflect the democratic values shared by both our peoples.”

And US Assistant Secretary for Inter-American Affairs s. Sally Cowal, on a visit to Guyana declared “We are interested in having an open, free and fair election, and we will certainly be working towards that end in the months to come.” “We have certainly indicated to the government that we expect that its economic recovery (programme) will be successful when implemented within a process which is democratic.”

“We would certainly want to encourage the government to adhere to the standards of free and fair elections as se have seen them in other parts of the world.”

Senator Edward Kennedy, one of the most influential leaders of the Democratic Party, which controls the US Congress, lashed out. He called for an independent Elections Commission and a certified free and fair elections, free from fear.

After President Hoyte replied saying that Kennedy was misinformed, the Senator issued a strong statement pointing out that there would be no economic recovery without a democratic recov-

ery.

These strong words were never uttered before. Obviously, they are signs of changing times. The Cold War is over. And there is a world-wide democratization process underway. USA/ USSR relations have not only improved; regional conflicts are also being sorted out.

And in any case, the US government has shown its muscle wherever its interests are perceived to be threatened, as in Grenada, Panama, Nicaragua and Suriname.

Little wonder that the Catholic Standard stated: And since 1977, the PPP had made an accommodation on the ideological question.

It had then proclaimed a “winner-will-not-take-all” strategy. This meant, that if it won an election it will not form the government.

Translated into action today, it means that after a PPP victory the Party will constitute a broad based multi-party, multi-racial, multi-ideology, multi-class government, which it will not dominate, and which will implement a programme hammered out by the PCD parties.

This was highlighted at a recent meeting with businessmen in Washington, called by the Caribbean and Central American Action. When it was pointed out our tri-sectoral, mixed economy and

open-door to foreign capital was no different from that of the PNC government, I pointed out some essential differences: 1. The PNC regime lacked the confidence of the vast majority of the people; 2. Guyana under the PNC was a producer of marijuana and a transit point for cocaine; 3. Guyana was an exporter of refugees to North America and its neighbors; 4. Guyana could purchase very little from the USA; 5. The Hoyte regime could provide neither the infrastructure nor political stability and industrial peace to US investors.

I assured them that a PPP in a brad-based government could cause a favorable turnaround. I also reminded them of the position of the PPP in government (1957-1964) with an accommodation and balance of interests between Guyana and the British government, the foreign sugar and bauxite industries and the local businessman.

The external ideological climate has dramatically changed. But regrettably, some of those who were involved in the ideological warfare of the 1950’s and 1960’s are still living in the past. Present-day conditions demand new thinking.

GECOM confirms PPP’s claims of fake ID cards – Chairman says this could be “tip of iceberg”

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has confirmed claims by the Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that fake Identification Cards (ID) are being circulated.

In a statement Friday, the Elections Commission warned the public about this development and urged them to make reports to the police.

“The Commissioners have conjectured that this may just be the “tip of the iceberg”. The public is warned that this may also just be the beginning of mischief that is afoot, a fifth

column lurking and running about, abiding its time to come forth,” GECOM said.

According to the Commission, it is aware that a fake ID card has surfaced in Region Six (Berbice).

Just last month, the PPP issued a statement expressing concerns about reports it received about a man being taken into custody at the Springlands Police Station for being in possession of a false ID Card.

But the Division’s Commander Division Lyndon Alves had told News Room that no such development took place.

The PPP claimed that the circulated of this fraudulent document reaffirms its belief of “skullduggery” taking place at the Ministry of Citizenship headed by Winston Felix.

The Party also said the incident confirms its fears of possible rigged elections.

The Party also called upon the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to thoroughly investigate this matter.

The following is the PPP Statement: The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is pleased that the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM)and various stakeholders are engaged in a process to update and sanitise the List of Registered Electors.

One of the tasks undertaken by GECOM and stakeholders is to cleanse the list of deceased persons, based upon information generated by the General Registrar’s Office (GRO), which is responsible for the issuance of Certificates of Death.

The removal of names of persons who have died from the List of Registered Electors is a responsibility of GECOM and is guided by strict laws and rules. Only on the basis of a certified list of persons who have died,

issued by the GRO, can GECOM remove a person's name. It is, therefore, imperative that we emphasise that names cannot be removed from the list on the ground that persons are dead, unless confirmation is received from the GRO. The PPP has noted that GECOM issued five Lists of Persons who have died between December 2015, and March 2016. One of the Lists is of persons who have died but whose names are not on the List of Registered Electors (that is persons who never registered).

The PPP conducted a review of this particular list and to our surprise, we dis-

covered a significant number of names which are in fact on the List of Registered Electors. This list is, therefore, not accurate. As a result, the names of deceased persons will continue to be on the List of Registered Electors.

In the circumstances, the PPP calls upon GECOM to exercise greater care and due diligence in their attempts to sanitise the list.

We will continue to partner with GECOM and other stakeholders, in a concerted effort, to produce a List of Registered Electors that is accurate and whose integrity can withstand objective scrunity.

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

COMMENTARY

11

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Adding furious misconduct charges to political harassment, intimidation narrative

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

T

his is Guyana today - sugar workers and their families continue their descent into poverty, rice farmers and cash crop farmers are at risk of losing their land because of unaffordable new lease and D&I rates, overtaxed-working class Guyanese are faced with dispossession as various government agencies move against them, bauxite workers employed by RUSAL face an uncertain and precarious future, business is under severe strain, the sustained decline of the economy continues unabated, corruption is rampant and fear stalks the land, a milieu of despair and hopelessness spreads across the country. This is the Guyana in which APNU+AFC is drowning in the misery they have created.

APNU+AFC is desperate to change this desperate narrative. But, instead of trying to bring solutions and effect a transformation of the narrative, APNU+AFC is trying to substitute the narrative with unfortunate drama. The truth, however, is that they can huff and puff all they want, the people of Guyana know their tricks and are angry. Their latest drama is to charge two former high-ranking professionals in the previous government with misconduct in office, a charge that is not in the law books.

While the Guyana Chronicle and others screamed out the headline of charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington im-

plying they stole billions of dollars, the truth is that the charges are a travesty, truly whimsical, vulgar and epitomizes the vindictiveness of this government. The Leader of the Opposition is right that the charges are frivolous. The charges, in fact, expose the absolute absence of any regard for ethics, morality and the law. This is pure and simple political harassment and intimidation. These men are two of Guyana's public servants who have served with competency, commitment and dedication, qualities that many in APNU+AFC are totally lacking.

What misconduct are Dr. Singh and Brassington charged with? Each is charged because one was chairman of NICIL and the other was the CEO when three parcels of land were sold to private investors. APNU+AFC, through SOCU, is charging them with supervising the sale of land for prices below market value and not following normal procedures.

It is noteworthy that approval to sell these parcels of land was obtained from Cabinet, the highest decision-making body in the land. It is further noteworthy that these two men were part of a Board that included stakeholders from civic society, including the private sector. When the Board finalized the sale, they obtained the permission of Cabinet. Why then did SOCU not charge everyone?

Why just these two men?

By now, however, everyone realizes these are

merely trumped up charges.

What constitute misconduct in office in the sale of these parcels of land? APNU+AFC claims that these were sold without due process and for prices far below the market value. What are the facts?

First, one parcel was sold for $185M to an investor that is presently completing construction of a modern cinema and mall in the front of Liliendaal, a project similar to one in TrinCity in Trinidad. This plot of land was previously offered for sale in a "fit and proper" tender.

The person awarded the land in the public bidding offered the highest price of $150M, but then failed to secure funding to finalize the deal. The Trinidad investors answering Guyana's call for foreign investors to invest in our economy sought land to create a modern entertainment area. It was an attractive offer and the PPP Government suggested various areas for this investment. The investors offered a price at least 15% higher than the price we had previously obtained through public bidding for the Liliendaal front lands. The irony is that in a short while leading members of APNU+AFC, maybe even the President, will be praising this investment as they commission this new facility, totally ignoring that they have also charged two decent men with misconduct, men who contributed to making the project a reality.

The second parcel of land at the back of Liliendaal was sold for $150M. The price

paid by those investors is at a rate per acre paid by Giftland Mall. Giftland Mall was a good investment secured under the PPP and commissioned during this administration. Senior Cabinet persons attended the commissioning and lauded the investment.

They were right in heaping praise on the Giftland owners and their vision. But why were Ashni and Brassington not charged for the sale of the land on which Giftland sits?

If the sale of the other parcel located within a stone's throw of Giftland represents misconduct because the Government did not charge more for it when the price was similar to the Giftland parcel, then certainly the sale of the Giftland parcel should also constitute misconduct.

The third parcel of land in Ruimveldt was sold in accordance with the laws of Guyana. It was advertised for sale and bidders were solicited during a two-month period. It was eventually sold to the highest bidder at about $598M. How could this be misconduct? If APNU+AFC wants to score political points by insisting they could have obtained better prices, then that is their right. But no political party has a right to twist the facts and then charge anyone with misconduct in office even when the statutes do not even support these charges.

If this is a new paradigm, where is SOCU as APNU+AFC is guilty of gross misconduct on a daily basis? Guyana should have

obtained at least $US250M as a signing bonus for the EXXON Oil contract. Comparison with other countries that have signed EXXON Oil contracts in the last decade ranks Guyana's signing bonus as the smallest, even though Guyana had the most attractive oil potential. In addition, the signing bonus of $US18M was stashed away in a hidden bank account and APNU+AFC only admitted when confronted with hard evidence. Who is being charged with misconduct?

APNU+AFC allowed a contract to rent a house for $175M annually. The house was bought for $25, simultaneously as the contract was signed and the person contracted was paid six months in advance. He then used part of the money to pay for the house. Who has been charged with misconduct?

There is a case of a medicine procurement contract with a value of $605M. There was no advertisement, no tender of any kind and, after the fact, the Minister of Public Health denied any approval was given. An analysis of the medicine bought showed that the value at International Reference Prices amount to only $190M. Who is being charged with misconduct?

Everyday in Guyana laws are being flouted by this government and its agencies, with greater abandonment and more brazenness. There is the brazenness of the $1.5B Durban Park fiasco where the accounts conveniently disappeared. There is the contract

to build the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra, a construction that collapsed in the middle of the project and no one is held responsible.

They failed to meet trade requirements with America and lost the fish export market. The misconduct is not only in central government, but extends to their officers, such as REOs, lower down in government architecture.

The Georgetown City Council is imposing an illegal parking meter contract on the Guyanese people. The REO in Region 2 arrogantly says his misconduct was due to excitement and the REO of Region 6 bought a used, obsolete bulldozer for $15M when they tendered for a new bulldozer. Misconduct in office has become the norm these days.

Clearly, APNU+AFC has wrapped itself in a cloak of political intimidation and harassment. The reprehensible misconduct in office charges against Ashni Singh and Brassington are only the latest example of intimidation and harassment.

Make no mistake, they will act with greater capriciousness and more brazenness as despair and hopelessness become further entrenched in Guyana. A despondent population is getting restless and the political bullies are desperate as they drown in their own ineptness and misconduct. APNU+AFC's latest charges against their political opponents are merely intended to change the narrative.

Jordan treating US$18M signing bonus as personal funds – Nandlall threatens legal action

F

inance Minister, Winston Jordan is treating the US$18M signing bonus from ExxonMobil as his personal money given his recent disclosure that the sums have been invested overseas despite ongoing legal proceedings in the High Court to get the revenues transferred to the Consoli-

dated Fund.

Opposition Parliamentarian, Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall has threatened to take legal action against the Minister on the grounds of “misconduct in public office contrary to common law”.

In a statement to the media, Nandlall said that the APNU+AFC Government

continues to exhibit its contempt for the legal process and the Judiciary, and its disdain for the financial laws of Guyana.

“I am seriously considering instituting private criminal charges against Minister Jordan,” Nandlall said.

Jordan told media operatives today that signing bonus has been invested in United States and Canadian bonds in order to gain

interest.

Nandlall said by so doing, “the Minister is not only demonstrating his crass disrespect for the judicial process, but is demonstrating even greater disregard for the Constitution by moving the money even farther away from the Consolidated Fund.”

He reminded that in the legal challenge – which was instituted by him – it was

pointed out that there is no entry of this money and record of it in any of the official accounting records of the Government, for the years 2016 and 2017.

He noted too that there weren’t any mention of it in the national budgets forthe years 2017 and 2018.

“This money is public funds and must be dealt with and accounted for in accordance with the Constitution

and the laws of Guyana,” the former attorney general contended.

According to Nandlall, “Minister Jordan is treating this money as his personal funds, depositing it in which account he desires, transferring it to whichever country he wants and determining what use will be made of the money and when it will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund.”

12

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Moment in history

New hope for our Amerindian People (Last Observer article written by dr jagan – February 1997)

T

he treatment of indigenous peoples all over the world has been of great concern to human rights activists and humanitarians.

The history of treatment meted out to them whether in our Americas or elsewhere has been one of cruelty and insensitivity. In Guyana, our Amerindian population comprises nine tribes in scattered villages in the hinterland and riverain areas. For decades theirs has been the story of neglect and sufferings. Under the former PNC regime, they were invariably treated as outcasts from society, as "children of the forests" and as third class citizens.

This sad story of shabby treatment has now come to an end.

In the past four years, attention has been paid to almost every Amerindian settlement in the most remote parts of Guyana. President Jagan himself has made visits to Amerindian communities, some of whom have never before seen a Head of State in person.

President Jagan has taken under the wings of his Office the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, a Permanent Secretary for Amerindian Affairs and. a. Specialised Amerindian Unit.

This is an unprecedented development. In addition, an Amerindian Advisory Council has been formed at the instigation of the President, and a Fund for Amerindian Development is been commissioned. These measures are intended to boost efforts towards the accelerated development of Amerindian communities. In the recent 1997 State Budget, resources have been allocated to

Dr Jagan meeting with residents of Hotoqi during his tenure a President

undertake demarcation of Amerindian land, to settle once and for all the thorny question of Amerindian land title on which there has been so much foot-dragging.

In this regard, the PPP/ Civic Government has moved .Amerindian development away from decades of lip-service and rhetoric.

In the regions where Amerindians reside, direct government funding totalled some G$160 million between 1994 and 1996. This year, a sum of G$110 has been set aside for Amerindian issues. Besides, Amerindian communities continue to benefit from programmes negotiated with state agencies such as the Basic Needs Trust Fund and the Social Impact Amelioration Programme, as well as from UNICEF, UNDP, TDB and the European Union. Because of the nature of Guyana's terrain, Amerindian villages have been at peril of being cut off from communi-

cation. The state-run Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) had made attempts to service many interior locations with scheduled flights, but the service had almost come to a halt under the previous administration.

Many of the airstrips have been neglected and abandoned. However, all this is changing and GC is now servicing 18 interior locations with some 36 scheduled flights per week. It is expected that with a reduction in the tax on aviation fuel for private aircraft that fares for interior commuting would be reduced, and private planes would undertake scheduled as distinct from chartered flights at affordable fares.

Apart from regular flights, a ferry service from Charity in the Pomeroon to Moruka has been put into operation, and Amerindian residents in Orealla and Siparuta can now ply the Corentyne River on

a state-provided passenger service launch to Guyana's easternmost town, Corriverton.

Multi-faceted development of Amerindian villages has resulted in a campaign to move away from subsistence farming. For this, modern technology is required.

Through direct assistance, government has provided some areas with chainsaws, tractors, and outboard engines to assist this process of bringing Amerindians into the formal market economy.

Tremendous efforts are being made to develop and preserve Amerindian culture and traditions, while at the same time helping to integrate our "first people" into the mainstream of Guyanese society. A new short-wave radio has been commissioned and Amerindian villages can tune in to programmes, including dedicated and credible Amerindian programmes, on radio

sets provided free of cost by the government station.

At the moment, samples of this radio have been distributed to some villages, but in time all villages and their schools would be provided with their own sets. In addition, in the Rupununi, a pilot scheme is underway to take video films to the villages on what is termed a mobile cinema. Much attention has been given to the rehabilitation of Amerindian hostels.

The Amerindian residence in Georgetown was repaired and refurbished at a cost of G$6M. The Residence has also been provided with a vehicle to assist in the transportation of patients to and from the Georgetown hospital, and for emergency cases.

Shortly, a Portable Sawmill will be transported to Region 9, where it will be beneficially used for the entire 28 villages in the North, Central and South Rupununi, This year, special attention will be devoted to intensify training of Amerindians in surveying, forestry, and teaching, and to promote arts and crafts of the Amerindians through a market network in the Caribbean.

Yes, Amerindians have been restored to a place of pride in Guyana under the PPP/Civic Government.

They know that in many ways, the most important is in the area of education.

For example, more young Amerindian students are given scholarships to attend secondary schools in Georgetown. This year, 35 young students from the interior locations are attending the once exclusive President's College; 5 are attending the University of Guyana through loans provided by the state; 9 are at Carnegie School of Home Economics; 12 are at Gov-

ernment Technical Institute and at the Guyana School of Agriculture; 4 are at The Burrowes School of Arts; and approximately 152 are attending secondary schools in Georgetown, and on the coast. Additionally, history has been made in providing sound secondary education in Amerindian areas.

There are secondary schools at Mabaruma in the North West; St. Ignatius in Central Rupununi; and Santa Rona in Moruka. Very soon, a secondary school will be built at Annai in the North Rupununi, and one at Waramadong in Upper Mazaruni.

The Amerindian communities have historically been ravaged by diseases. Malaria is a scourge and the neglect under the former regime has had a terrible impact on Amerindian communities. But considerable improvements have taken place recently in the areas of health care and health delivery in the interior. Doctors can now be found in Hinterland hospitals for the first time. For example, although there was a hospital in Moruka since 1984, there has never been a doctor stationed there until this administration came into office in 1994, a doctor was provided for the hospital full-time after the much neglected buildings were rehabilitated.

In addition, over the last four years several "health huts" were built in remote regions. The over-all national objective, according to Government, is to ensure that Amerindian communities in the interior continue to improve their quality of life.

This is being achieved though the journey to bring a new ray of light to our Amerindian people and would necessarily be a long one.

Toshao says govt’s claims inaccurate K

abakaburi Toshao and Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Democratic Councillor Cleveland Simon is again appealing to Central Government to lift the logging ban imposed on several Amerindian communities in the region.

He is especially appealing to have the ban on Kabakaburi lifted.

Located along the

Pomeroon River, Kabakaburi has been entirely dependent on logging for most of its economic existence.

Simon explained that after the current Government took office, a ban was placed on logging in certain parts of the Pomeroon riverine communities because the Indigenous residents were operating on state land and were working illegally.

The toshao says it seems

as though no one is doing anything to address or resolve the issue. He explained that his community is currently suffering from a ‘brain drain’ because there is a lack of jobs on the Mission, causing young persons to migrate to other parts of the country in search of employment and other opportunities. Some are even being abused in their quest for meaningful employment, he offered.

Logging has, for many years, been the main source of income in the Kabakaburi Mission, and residents are presently suffering tremendously. They are pleading with Government to also quickly resolve the almost 13-year-old land dispute.

Simon said Govern ment’s claims that the residents are working illegally are inaccurate because they are working within their

boundaries.

When contacted, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said the Region wasn’t informed about the ban. It was a Central Government decision, and he hopes the matter can be resolved at the earliest possible time.

In 2017, Simon had complained about being given a ‘run around’ when he tried to verify the village’s demarcation and

have the issue addressed.

“A Lands and Surveys officer told me that he gave our shape file to (the Guyana Forestry Commission) forestry. When I called the Commissioner of Forestry they told me that Lands and Surveys can’t find the map. So it’s a lot of confusion here,” Simon had said.

The shape file is a map that indicates the territorial boundaries of the village.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Humanitarian crisis

Former Minister, Irfaan Ali was in Lethem and said that there is a humanitarian crisis in Region # 9 Lethem. It was a shocking sight to see about 25 Venezuelans camping in the open air. They have fled their home land little children included. Presently they are living without any shelter in an open land with no food, water or sanitary facilities. It is a sad situation but with 25 already finding their way here we can never be sure if any or how much more will also cross the border seeking shelter, food and help.

He is appealing to the Government to urgently look into this matter as the people of Lethem are also very concern and the health implication is also serious. There is urgent need for a national policy position on this matter and humanitarian intervention from the state

Georgetown floods: Clogged drains, garbage, overgrown vegetation blamed

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fter a night of heavy rainfall and accompanying thunder, Georgetown was a sight of garbage floating in clogged drains, ubiquitous overgrown vegetation, and flooded streets inconveniencing residents, schoolchildren, workers, and everyone else who frequents the city.

This publication toured the city on Monday, and although the water had receded in some parts, Cummingsburg, particularly around Carmichael Street, and Queenstown and its contiguous areas were still under floodwater. In the Queenstown area, the drains were all clogged up by overgrown vegetation and garbage dumped alongside the parapets.

This situation renders moot the consideration of whether the Mayor and City Council has been doing enough to manage the drainage network within the city.

Meanwhile, over in West Ruimveldt, resident Floyd King Stuart said he has been living in the area for over 20 years, and instead of the flooding situation improving, it is rapidly deteriorating. He explained that every time it

rains, the water rises by more than two feet, since the Front Road Canal is silted up and overgrown with vegetation.

Stuart said that, in order for residents to get some relief from the flooding, that canal needs to be desilted and the area around the koker cleared out.

Incensed, he has accused Constituency Councillor Winston Harding of not meeting with West Ruimveldt residents to address issues they are facing.

“The septic tank water rise up and the children have to walk through this water. They getting sick! We begging y’all to do something for us for this area! All over is being cleaned, but Mr Harding is wasting time; and every time you speak to Mr Harding, he say he going to some meeting. He never give you a proper answer yet. We begging y’all, the Front Road need to be cleared to get these trench to get desilted; if not, let the people clean behind them for a short while,” Stuart appealed.

(Lakhram Bhagirat)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

National unity is n – 65 years ago Cheddi proved it possible

By Dr Leslie Ramsammy

I

n 1950, the Waddington Constitution Commission, appointed by Winston Churchill's British Government, recommended universal adult suffrage elections for Guyana, following decades of rebellion, ongoing poverty, hopelessness and a clamor for a voice among the citizens of Guyana. That recommendation came with a backdrop, vividly captured by Newsweek, of almost the entire population being underpaid and undernourished, freed of slavery and indentureship, but living nothing more than serfdom.

As a result, the first ever universal adult suffrage election in Guyana was held on April 27th 1953.

April 27 this year will mark the 65th anniversary of the PPP's victory at the first ever election held under universal adult suffrage. The PPP won eighteen (18) of the 24

seats, even though the PPP contested only 22 seats, forgoing contests in 2 interior districts. Almost 75% of the listed electorate voted and the PPP won 52% of the votes. Almost 209,000 Guyanese registered to vote in that election, with almost 157,000 actually voting.

In all previous elections, the voters list never reached 50,000 voters.

For the first time women and youth were able to register and they not only registered to vote, they came out to vote in record numbers. The 75% turnout was in stark contrast to the turnout in elections under

universal adult suffrage in Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other British Caribbean and African territories. The masses came out to stand united behind Cheddi and the PPP. The PPP's victory was massive by any standards. There were 138 candidates fielded by the five political parties. The PPP fielded 22 candidates, choosing not to contest the 2 interior districts because of cost and logistical difficulties. Of the 14 contested districts in which the candidate won by over 51% of votes, the PPP won 13 of these.

All twenty-two of the PPP candidates either won or came close to winning. Of the 78 candidates in the 1953 elections that lost their deposits because they failed to garner enough votes, none was from the PPP. Had the PPP contested the interior districts, it is possible that the PPP would have won more seats

and would have gathered up to 60% of the votes. Of the 18 PPP MPs, 9 were Indo-Guyanese, 6 Afro Guyanese, 2 whites and 1 Chinese. Truly, the PPP brought the people together for Guyana's first mass-based political party.

The PPP's massive victory was testimony to an unprecedented national unity. The Cheddi Jagan-led PPP defied all odds and united the populace against the colonial masters and their local representatives.

The victory crushed a deliberate effort by the British and their local representatives who worked hard to sustain and promote division.

British Government officials had promised Prime Minister Churchill that the country was so divided that no political party could win an outright victory. In fact, the British Government, with encouragement from the US, worked with their local representatives, the media, the church and the race-based parties to ensure a division, driven by the well-honed "divide and rule" tactic, that would prevent Cheddi and the PPP from winning.

The April 27th, 1953 victory solidified Cheddi's conviction that unity of our people is possible. From that day on until his death, Cheddi believed that national unity was possible and achievable. Throughout his political career, he reminded everyone that national unity must remain the goal of our political lives.

There were many things that Cheddi believed, wanted and fought for.

But at the very top of his list was

national unity. This was his life's goal. The PPP's victory on April 27th, 1953 was an instance in time, fleeting though it might have been, when the Guyanese people came together as one.

As we reflect on the 65th anniversary of the PPP's victory in the 1953 elections, there are some significant milestones that became etched in our political history. One important milestone is that the movement for women's rights in Guyana gained legitimacy as the Guyanese people voted to elect the first women to serve in the legislature. The fight for recognition of

women's rights had started with the Janet-Jagan-led formation of the Women's Economic and Progressive Organization (WEPO, now the WPO) in 1946. The 1953 election victory saw the seating of three magnificent women in Parliament - Janet Jagan, Jessie Burnham and Jane Phillips Gay. Janet became the first woman to serve as a Deputy Speaker of Parliament and later served as a Minister, a Prime Minister and a President. She was prevented from serving as a Minister in the 1953 Cabinet because of the objection of Forbes Burnham. Today, Guyana's Parliament with almost 33% women

MPs stands as among the leading Parliaments in the world for women representation. The 1953 victory of the PPP established a clear pathway for women to fight for and assert their rights. That Guyana, however, has failed to ensure full rights of women and children is because the movement towards national unity was fractured soon after the 1953 election, driven by the colonial masters effective "divide and rule" policies and by the blind ambition of some of the early political leaders, like Burnham.

As we further reflect on the significance of the PPP's massive 1953 elections victory, we recognize that the formation of the PAC in 1946 and its transformation into the PPP in 1950 mobilized the Guyanese people across race, ethnicity, religion, economic status and geography for the first ever mass-based political movement. The 1953 victory signified that Cheddi and his PPP succeeded for the first time to bring about the political involvement of the masses, consciously seeking to bring about the liberating force of the masses walking and working together. The PPP was the only massbased of the 5 political parties that participated in the 1953 elections.

The other political parties, the National Democratic Party (NDP), the People's National Party (PNP), the United Farmers and Workers Party (UFWP) and the Guyana National Party (GNP), each represented only a narrow part of the population.

The NDP received the support of the League of Colored People,

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

not an elusive goal a movement that was dominated by some of the academic, professional and economically powerful Afro-Guyanese. The NDP was led

by WOR Kendall, the King of New Amsterdam. The party also included prominent professionals and certain big business personalities, such as Dr. Jacob Alexander Nicholson, John Carter and John Fernandes.

Big business, the colonial representatives, the church and the media backed the NDP, as did also, the MPCA, and the planter class handpicked trade union in the sugar

Cheddi and the PPP had sold out to the African Guyanese interests.

Debidin opposed Independence for Guyana, one of the main goals of the PPP, charging that Independence for Guyana would erode the interests of middle class Indians.

The PPP rejected these narrow confines and brought the masses together under a single political party. In the unity demonstrated by the PPP's victory, people voted for the policies and programs and rejected the racist and class cocoons that the other parties represented. For ex-

industry. Nothing in the makeup and in the policies of the NDP was in the interest of the masses. The NDP's main line of attack was that the PPP was an Indian-dominated party, accusing Burnham of selling out to the Indo-Guyanese. The NDP which prior to 1953 was the main political party was crushed in the 1953 elections, winning only two seats.

The other political parties also mobilized people based on their race and religion and other narrow confines. For example, the Lorris Rohan Sharples-led United Guyanese Party was established by the Planters Class to mainly oppose Cheddi Jagan in Berbice. He was a very popular doctor in Berbice, revered by all, especially sugar workers, lived within stone throw of Cheddi's father in Port Mourant and regarded as next to God in the Jagan family household. Sharples would become depressed over the overwhelming rejection by the voters. The UFWP was headed by Daniel Debidin who was a member of the legislature.

Far from representing farmers and workers, the UFWP sought the support of middle class Indo-Guyanese. His line of attack was that

ample, the PPP's candidate in West Demerara, a mostly Indo-Guyanese constituency, was a sugar worker named Fred Bowman. His opponent was Dr. JB Singh, a massively popular doctor who was the Head of the Maha Saba and who regarded himself as the chief spokesman for the Hindus. He was a long-standing member of the legislature and popular with the colonial representatives.

In the end, even though Dr. JB Singh played the race card, people rejected the appeal to race and voted for Bowman and the PPP. Not only did the PPP brought out and organized the masses across race, ethnicity and culture, they ensured that women and youth became part of the formula. Earlier, I noted the election of the first ever women and the election of Janet as the Deputy Speaker. Janet was included in the list of the 6 candidates to be included in the first ever Cabinet, but in a compromise to Burnham, Janet was replaced by Joseph Latchmansingh as a Minister.

But the hallmark of the 18 new MPs and the first PPP Cabinet was its youth-orientation. Cheddi himself as Guyana's first Premier was only

34 years old. Burnham was barely 30. Ashton Chase (25) became the youngest ever Minister anywhere in the world up to that time.

The PPP's 1953 manifesto for the first time represented the interests of the broad masses, instead of the colonial masters, eloquently demanding independence for the territory. The 1953 manifesto emphasized the rights of workers, women and youth, universal access to education and health. The manifesto confronted labor relations, promising fair workers compensa-

tion, holidays with pay, protection for domestic workers and fishermen.

Land ownership and security of tenure for the masses was a major manifesto promise. The manifesto demanded universal access to education at the primary and secondary levels, advocating for public schools to end the religious domination of the education sector. The PPP manifesto and its campaign in 1953 elevated the issue of censorship for books to a major policy plank, rejecting the British-backed government's habit of banning books.

These were revolutionary ideas at the time, frightening to the colonial masters and big business.

National unity as projected in 1953 frightened the British and American colonialists and imperialists and they immediately strategized to fracture that unity Cheddi and the PPP inspired. The imperialists decided they had to act and dismantle the Guyanese unity platform. There were two immediate tactics that led to the fracturing and 65 years later Guyana is still a victim of this deliberate and vicious assault on national unity. First, they sowed the seed of division by exploiting the boiling ambition of Forbes Burnham, with the complicity of a handful of ambitious middleclass professionals. Because Burnham, an Afro-Guyanese, was challenging Cheddi Jagan, an Indo-Guyanese, for leadership, the imperialists recognized that advancing Burnham's unprincipled effort to grab power would create racial division. They set about to imprison the Jagans and those leading PPP

members who were supportive of Cheddi and allowed Burnham and those that supported him to have free reign to sow dissent. Second, the British suspended the constitution, then invaded Guyana with its military, overthrowing the popular PPP government after only 133 days in office and installing a puppet interim government.

In remarks in 1963, Duncan Sandys, the British Foreign Secretary, the man who imposed an electoral system in Guyana designed to overthrow Cheddi and the PPP, deemed racialism the "curse of Guyana", a curse that the imperialists aggressively promoted. There are many, perhaps the majority of us, who treat unity as an elusive goal. But Cheddi united our country behind the PPP in 1953. That unity started the journey to independence and sovereignty and the dismantling of colonial power in Guyana. In 1992, we accomplished a "mini" unity train once again. Without some level of unity in 1992, we could not have deposed the dictators and restored democracy. Unfortunately, success in unity-building has been fleeting. For this reason, many believe that a united Guyana is not in our destiny, an elusive dream. Yet Cheddi proved in 1953 that national unity is achievable, even if daunting.

As we reflect on the 65th anniversary of the unity that brought victory on April 27th 1953, let us aspire to achieving a lasting unity, realizing the dream of this great man. It is our beacon and guarantee for a better and prosperous Guyana, our navigator towards Eldorado.

Shyam Nokta re-elected President of the GMSA

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n keeping with its Articles of Association, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for fiscal year 2017-2018 on Thursday, March 28, 2018 where a new Board of Directors was elected.

The Board held its first meeting on April 12, 2018 to elect the Executive for the period 20182019.

Shyam Nokta the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Environmental Management Consultants, was re-elected, unopposed, as President of the GMSA. Ramsay Ali, CEO of Sterling Products Ltd. was re-elected 1st Vice President, Ramesh Dookhoo of Banks DIH Limited as 2nd Vice President and Ms Glenis Hodge of Tropical Shipping as the 3rd Vice President.

Mr Nokta, in accepting the

Board’s confidence for a second term as President, indicated that his main objective over the coming year will be to further expand the membership of the organization.

He indicated that an important area of focus will be facilitating the resolution of issues affecting members. Principal among these are issues regarding the tax regime and access to markets for locally manufactured products.

Nokta further indicated that emphasis will be placed on strengthening important sub-sector bodies covering agro-processing; services;chemical and pharmaceuticals; construction and engineering; forestry and wood products; fast foods; and minerals and related products.

The newly re-elected President expressed his strong interest in seeing the GMSA strengthen

strategic partnerships with other Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to position the business community to maximize opportunities from new and emerging sectors such as the imminent hydrocarbon industry.

He emphasized initiatives undertaken by the GMSA in the last year, such as the Ministerial Round tables and UncappeD which have had success and which will continue in the next year.

The GMSA has over 100 member companies covering the manufacturing and services sectors.

The Board of Directors for this fiscal year 2018 – 2019 was also elected at the AGM. The Board includes such companies as Sterling Products Ltd., Banks DIH Ltd; Edward B Beharry Group;Swansea Associates and Brass, Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF).

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Jagdeo maintains that decision on presidential candidate not made

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s General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, today (April 19, 2018) reiterated that he “has a job” and a decision on a PPP presidential candidate has not been made.

According to him, as General Secretary, he has three primary tasks: • Transform the PPP make it more vibrant from the bottom up; encourage greater involvement of more young people and women; and broaden the ethnic composition of the membership, given that “it is no secret” that Party’s support predominantly comes from Amerindians and Indo-Guyanese;

• Prepare the PPP to take office at the upcoming General and Regional Elections in 2020; and • Ensure that the PPP, once in office, pursues policies that are favourable to all Guyanese, regardless of any differentiating factor.

Jagdeo explained that the PPP has embarked on a programme to work in “every party” of the country. “We have to ensure that we go back to every home, talk to people about our value-system, track record and about what we will do in the future….we will carry our message, we are asking for receptive ear to make our case and answer

the questions, questions about the PPP being a racist party, which is not true but it is the line that is peddled,” he said.

Pressed again on whether he is open to pursing a nomination as the Party’s presidential candidate, the PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, said, “I have a job now.” He added that some of the routine activities of presidents – cutting ribbons, etc. – are unattractive to him. “I have no desire to be a part of that…what I have a great desire to do is to ensure that the welfare of our people is improved and that lives are made better,” he declared.

Gold production “major disappointment”; Guyana records low growth rate “T

he economy did not perform as robust as we expected during last year…at the end of the day it turned out to be worst than we expected,” Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan told reporters at a press conference last week.

The rate is a .8 percent shortfall from the revised projection of 2.9 percent.

The overall growth rate for 2017 was projected at 3.8 percent.

By mid-year, an economic growth rate of 2.2 percent was achieved and that was revised to 3.1 percent but this was further reduced to 2.9 percent when this year’s budget was presented in December.

Some of the largest sectors which have contributed most to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years; sugar, bauxite and gold, were named as the reason for the shortfall, Jordan said.

The Minister said the gold sector was “a major disappointment”. Gold production came in at 694,000 ounces as opposed to the 653,674 ounces projected.

At a press conference last year, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman had reported that

the measures implemented in the Government’s 2017 Budget resulted in gold production falling short.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) in 2017 raised concerns about the increase of the Tributors Tax from 10 percent to 20 percent, the need to keep records in interior locations where receipts and bills are often not obtained and the Application of Threshold to Tributors among others.

However, having reversed those measures in the 2018 budget, the Ministry of Natural Resources expressed hope that this year’s production will meet 800,000 ounces.

Jordan on Friday said the sugar sector saw a production of 137, 307 tonnes as opposed to the initially projected 208,000 tonnes.

During the presentation of the 2018 National Budget, sugar was projected to decline to 152,000 tonnes in 2017, a 17.2 percent reduction compared to 2016‘s output.

Bauxite production amounted to 1,459,223 tonnes as opposed to the 1,726,008 tonnes projected.

However, as it relates to the fiscal areas, the Minister said revenues remain exceptionally buoyant.

“Expenditure has been held in line and therefore there has been a deficit to GDP that was slightly smaller than we projected which is, of course, in any scenario, good news.”

Despite the growth rate, Jordan said the government is looking at significant improvements this year.

He premised this outlook on the rice sector which according to recent reports, has seen higher yields.

Rice production for 2017 amounted to 630,104 tonnes, topping the 600,000 tonnes predicted.

The Minister said the forestry sector “is now showing signs of a recovery after a lapse over the previous two years.” Forestry came in at 349,900 cubic meters. This is more than the 297,070 cubic metres projected in the 2018 national budget.

As it relates to the government’s corporations, the Finance Minister related that entities such as GuyOil, the National Newspapers limited and the Guyana Power and Light, there were no great successes.

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Exercise due diligence in sanitizing the List of Registered Electors – PPP tells GECOM

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP), while acknowledging the efforts of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), to update and sanitise the List of Registered Electors, has called on the electoral oversight body to exercise greater due diligence, as a number of dead persons still remains on the list.

The Party in a statement, Tuesday night said that the cleansing of the list by GECOM and stakeholders is based on information generated by the General Registrar’s Office (GRO), which is responsible for the issuance of Certificates of Death.

It reminded that the removal of names of persons who have died from the List of Registered Electors is guided by strict laws and rules and as such, names cannot be removed from the list on the ground that persons are dead, unless confirmation is received from the GRO. The PPP has noted that GECOM issued five Lists of Persons who have died between December 2015, and March 2016 one of the Lists is of persons who have died but whose names are not on the List of Registered Electors, indicating that these persons were never registered.

The opposition party said that it conducted a review of this particular list and dis-

covered a significant number of names, which are in fact on the List of Registered Electors. This list the party said is, therefore, not accurate. As a result, the names of deceased persons will continue to be on the List of Registered Electors.

“In the circumstances, the PPP calls upon GECOM to exercise greater care and due diligence in their attempts to sanitise the list.

We will continue to partner with GECOM and other stakeholders, in a concerted effort, to produce a List of Registered Electors that is accurate and whose integrity can withstand objective scrunity,” the statement read.

Below is the full statement from the PPP: The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is pleased that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)and various stakeholders are engaged in a process to update and sanitise the List of Registered Electors.

One of the tasks undertaken by GECOM and stakeholders is to cleanse the list of deceased persons, based upon information generated by the General Registrar’s Office (GRO), which is responsible for the issuance of Certificates of Death.

The removal of names of persons who have died from the List of Registered Electors is a responsibility of GECOM and is guided by

strict laws and rules. Only on the basis of a certified list of persons who have died, issued by the GRO, can GECOM remove a person’s name. It is, therefore, imperative that we emphasise that names cannot be removed from the list on the ground that persons are dead, unless confirmation is received from the GRO. The PPP has noted that GECOM issued five Lists of Persons who have died between December 2015, and March 2016. One of the Lists is of persons who have died but whose names are not on the List of Registered Electors (that is persons who never registered).

The PPP conducted a review of this particular list and to our surprise, we discovered a significant number of names which are in fact on the List of Registered Electors. This list is, therefore, not accurate. As a result, the names of deceased persons will continue to be on the List of Registered Electors.

In the circumstances, the PPP calls upon GECOM to exercise greater care and due diligence in their attempts to sanitise the list.

We will continue to partner with GECOM and other stakeholders, in a concerted effort, to produce a List of Registered Electors that is accurate and whose integrity can withstand objective scrutiny.

Nandlall asks DPP to review charges against Ashni Singh, Winston Brassington F ormer Attorney General, Mohabir Anil Nandlall has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) asking that she review the charges against former Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and former Chief Executive Officer of the National Industrial, Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington.

In the letter seen by Citizens’ Report, Nandlall is asking that the DPP to review the charges specifically considering whether the particulars of the offences disclose any offence at law.

Dr. Singh and Brassington were charged in absentia with three counts of

“Misconduct in Public Office, Contrary to Common Law”.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had contended that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) which brought charges against the two former government officials could not even find a national statute to base the charges on.

As such, Nandlall is asking to DPP to consider, in her review of the charges, whether in fact Dr Singh and Brassington breached any specific law.

Moreover, the former Attorney General – who is representing the Dr Singh and Brassington – is asking

that the DPP consider exercising the powers vested in the Office by Article 187 of the Constitution of Guyana to discontinue the charges.

In the letter, Nandlall opined that the DPP Office bears a “constitutional responsibility” to protect every citizen against the institution of criminal charges that are based upon “malice, mala fides, ulterior or sinister motives and vendetta”.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLenan, when the charges were laid, required that Dr Singh and Brassington be given until May 7, 2018, to return to Guyana to answer to the charges.

Both men are currently residing overseas.

17

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Economic

orner

Dr. Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA, (Economic Advisor to the Leader of the Opposition)

Guyana’s economy now forecasted to flat-line in 2020 – as Jordan banks on oil to reanimate economy

M

inister of Finance, Winston Jordan, has finally confessed what the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) and its L\leadership has been cautioning all along. The economy is in a state of regression, with no clear signs of recovery, not even with oil given the lopsided arrangements in place. What is even more damning for the country, as revealed by the Finance Minister himself, is that the country’s economic growth is now at the lowest ever since it was revived by the PPP since taking office in 1992 - literally rescuing the nation out of a debt 900% of its GDP (or gross earnings).

Fiscal forecasting models

using existing information now suggests that economic growth will become stagnated in 2020, meaning the country will then be solely dependent on oil and be left at the mercy of oil companies in which real revenues to Guyana is not projected until fiscal year 2021 or beyond.

Over the course of the three years in Office thus far, the coalition government has consistently eroded half a percent from GDP annually. In 2015, Jordan predicted that the economy would grow by 3.5 per cent, but only actually realized a 3 per cent growth, which many disagree with. This year’s figures must also be

seen in the context that the economic growth rate of the country had already been on the slide by virtue of the ‘obstructionary’ politics, which played out with the one seat majority held by the Coalition between 2011 and 2015 during the Donald Ramotar Presidency.

During that time, the economic growth rate had found itself sliding from the higher 6 or 7 per cent that had been attained by Jagdeo after pulling Guyana out of the economic slump of the 1980s, which was still being felt in 1990s.

Now, just three years in office, Jordan has managed to successfully erode the econ-

omy at a steady rate, which many forecasters now agree, flat-lines in 2020; pointing to a clear dependency of any oil revenue. This government inherited a solid economy from the PPP, which has since been wrecked. Minister Jordan most successful year, according to him, was 2016, but actual growth rate was 2 per cent. This in itself should have pointed to a clear trend of economic regression. That did not happen and we are now told actual economic growth rate in 2017 was a mere 2.1 per cent. This effect can be felt throughout the economy, with the recent survey showing of 40% of small businesses closing its doors.

This information would not have been revealed if the PPP leadership - in this case Irfaan Ali, who on Thursday at a PPP press conference had not brought to the fore that four months into 2018, the nation was yet to see the final financial figures for 2018.

Remember the Budget for 2018 was presented before the end of the year, so naturally final figures for the year could not be presented at that time. The Minister has now also confessed, too, that despite all the lofty promises made and talk of billions invested in the Guyana Sugar Corporation there is actually nothing to show for it. Sugar in 2017, we are now told, was only 137,307 tonnes. This after the industry figured had already been scaled back to a conservative 280,000 tonnes for 2017.

Bauxite -now facing even more pressures as a result of the RUSAL brouhaha - also returned even lower production than had been anticipated. Jordan in his wisdom had told the Guyanese people bauxite would see at least 1.7 million tonnes being mined and produced. The actual figures were closer to 1.4 million tonnes.

The forestry sector was no different and with no changes in the export ban on greenheart to the United Kingdom and no new major markets, returns on forestry are unlikely to increase.

The gold sector, which was the boon of the economy during the coalition’s term in office - a result of the large gold mines brought in by the PPP - has also now begun to slump. Government is now looking to the same largescale companies to up production, while in the process spewing platitudes of plans to reinvigorate the small and medium scale miners.

The Minister’s single success story was rice, which he said returned better than expected production. Guyana last year produced a “whopping” 30,000 tonnes more. Rice was projected at 600,000 tonnes for the year and the actual return was 630,104 tonnes.

Minister of Finance Jordan, like many such officials looking to use figures to deceive, was clearly awaying from reporting on what were the actual earnings. The trend in the past for rice has been while the production continues to improve, the

price on the world market continues to deteriorate. This means that in order to make the same money it did a few years ago on rice, the industry must as a matter of survival up its production - made easier using technology.

Gold, which saw earnings remaining relatively stable despite lower production, is what caused the Guyana economy to remain above 0% GDP growth. A continued erosion of this industry will soon see diminishing returns.

Foreign earnings as a whole has been on the decline since the coalition government took office in 2020. We have seen the administration now resorting to massive debt to keep the economy afloat since earnings and savings are on the declined. None Oil and Gas financial forecasts projected that the Guyana economy will flatline in 2020. It cannot be by coincidence, but rather deliberate policy and design that led to the Guyana economy coming to a halt just in time for first oil.

The Minister of Finance and the David Granger Government has clearly put all of their eggs in one basket that come 2020 oil revenue from the Stabroek block be the economic defibrillator to reanimate GDP growth - a most dangerous gamble given the lopsided arrangement in the contract, forgetting that even if production starts in 2020, real dollars will not flow until late 2021.

Is Jordon competent to be Finance Minister?

Cuba's new president vows to defend Castro revolutionary legacy C

uba’s new president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, began his term on Thursday with a promise to defend the socialist revolution led by the Castro brothers since 1959, giving a strident speech that also emphasized the need to modernize the island’s economy.

A stalwart of the ruling Communist Party, Diaz-Canel was sworn in to replace Raul Castro by the National Assembly in a new chapter for the Caribbean island but one that has been carefully managed and is aimed at preserving the political system.

“The mandate given by the people to this house is to give continuity to the Cuban revolution in a crucial historic moment,” Diaz-Canel told the assembly in his first speech as president.

He delivered a long homage to 86-year-old Raul Castro, calling him the best student of his brother Fidel.

Fidel Castro, who led a band of rebels that overthrew a U.S.-backed dictator and then ruled for decades, handed over power to Raul Castro in 2008 as his health deteriorated. He died in 2016.

Raul Castro will retain considerable clout as he will remain head of the Communist Party until a congress in 2021. Diaz-Canel, 57, said Castro would remain the leader of the revolution and would be involved in major decisions.

He praised him as a fighter and for the reforms he ushered in during his decade as president.

His speech laid out a course for the his five-year term, in which he will have to strike a balance between defending Cuba’s socialist system and reforming it enough to satisfy a young generation hungry for better economic conditions.

He confirmed expectations that the transition would not herald sweeping changes to one of the world’s last state-run economies and one-party systems, promising there would be no return to capitalism.

Diaz-Canel, who has risen the ranks of the Communist Party over three decades, said the new period would also be characterized by “modernization of the economic and social model.”

He said there would be no compromise in Cuba’s foreign policy, which is marked by volatile relations with the United States. In a repetition of a long-held stance by Havana, he said he would hold dialogue with anybody who treated Cuba as an equal.

Thursday’s session was held on the 57th anniversary of Cuba’s 1961 defeat of a CIA-backed Cuban exile invasion at the Bay of Pigs,

a victory that Havana has long marked as a symbol of its resistance to “imperialist” pressure for change from Washington.

Of the 604 lawmakers present, 603 voted in favor of making Diaz-Canel president, marking a generational shift from the elderly leaders who fought to topple dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Cuba's President Raul Castro (C-L) and First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel (C-R) arrive for a session of the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, April 18, 2018. Irene Perez/Courtesy of Cubadebate/

Handout via Reuters.

CASTRO LISTENS Castro listened from the front row of the assembly, rocking back and forth in his chair. At one moment he stood up, arms raised to thunderous applause.

For many Cubans, struggling with economic hardships and frustrated with the government’s emphasis on continuity rather than change, the transition in leader is seen as unlikely to bring much beyond the symbolism of a new leader.

“We always wish the symbolic would translate

into real and concrete actions for our lives,” said Jose Jasan Nieves, 30, the editor of an alternative news outlet to the state-run media monopoly.

“But this isn’t the case.”

Cubans hope the next government can revive one of the world’s last Soviet-style centrally planned economies, which has failed to improve under Castro’s limited market reforms.

Cuba's President Raul Castro (L) and First Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel are seen on a TV screen inside a restaurant as they arrive for a session of the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, April 18, 2018.

REUTERS/Stringer Castro’s time in office will also be remembered for his landmark agreement with former U.S. President Barack Obama to restore long-severed diplomatic ties and seek an end to decades of hostilities between the two countries.

Relations have been strained again under President Donald Trump. (Reuters)

18

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

The Hinterland Connection

The Macushi - Part 2

By Jagnarine Somwar

Petroglyphs throughout the Rupununi are strong evidence of an Amerindian presence in the North Rupununi from about 7,000 years ago. There is significant evidence of Amerindians using the North Rupununi in the archaic and horticultural (from 3,500 years ago) periods.

To date, little evidence has been uncovered regarding Paleo-Indians in the North Rupununi.

The Brazilians were the first Europeans to describe the Makushi people in the 1740s. The Makushi lived in the North Rupununi in the 1700s, while the Wapishana are thought to be relatively recent arrivals to the South Rupununi. Originally, villages were based on family groups and were dynamic, moving to explore new farming areas or away from problems. In the 1860s, a major migration is recorded of Makushi moving away from Brazil because of conflict, disease and dissatisfaction with Brazilian rule. The population levels found by early Europeans were substantially diminished as a result of European diseases including a major measles epidemic that killed up to 40,000 people in the 1740s and a smallpox epidemic in the 1840s; the effect of these European brought epidemics continued until the 1950s. In the 1830s and 1840s, the Guyana Makushi population was estimated at between 1,200 and 1,500 a number that did not vary a great deal for almost 100 years.

Two issues seem characteristic of the descriptions of the Makushi by early European explorers. The first feature is Makushi prowess in producing some of the strongest curare (a poison derived from a plant Strychnos toxifera). Charles Waterton

Members of a Macushi culture group

paid particular attention to the production of curare and its uses in his writings on the Makushi – including describing the construction of blow pipes and the ceremonies for producing the poison. It would appear that curare was traded with the reeds required to make blow pipes which came from the Rio Negro.

The second feature is that the Makushi were constantly under threat from slavers – Caribs and the Dutch from the north and Brazilians from the west – slavers continued to affect the Makushi until the 1840s despite being illegal in Brazil and British Guiana.

The Caribs also maintained villages along the Essequibo-Rupununi River access including Apoteri which was a Carib settlement until the 1880s.

The arrival of Europeans completely changed the lifestyles of the Makushi. The establishment of the church missions, cash economies, and schools by Europeans

usually near rivers drew the Makushi into larger, less mobile communities in the savannas. The Makushi continue to farm in forest areas, but lost much of their mobility and independence under these new living conditions.

These changes also heralded the slow loss of traditional lifestyles including major communal ceremonies such as Parishara that were particularly important for relationship building among mobile and isolated small communities; with the arrival of guns and changing cultures, the use of curare had all but disappeared by the 1930s.

The Makushi Research Unit has done an excellent job of documenting some of the important cultural and traditional knowledge of the Makushi.

The Makushi established a land claim during the Amerindian Land Commission (1969) process that ran from the Takutu River to the Siparuni River, up the Essequibo River and then across

the Kanuku Mountains back to the Takutu and back to the Pakaraima Mountains.

These lands are known traditional as the Pîyakîîta, which means “the place of landings.” These lands were particularly important to the broader Makushi as sources of Curari-Iwokramî (Curare Strychnos toxifera) and Kata yé (Greenheart seeds Ocotea rodiei), which were the basis for trade with the Brazilian Makushi. The Amerindian Lands Commission recommended the establishment of this broader area as Makushi lands, but the consequent Amerindian Act only apportioned smaller savannah areas around the existing villages.

Today, there are approximately 9,500 Makushi in Guyana in 27 communities.

Makushi speakers make up 77% of the population of the North Rupununi; the remaining inhabitants are 11% Wapishana, 9% mixed, and 3% Arawak. It is important also to note that there has

been substantial migration of Makushi people from Rupununi to Brazil after the Rupununi Rebellion and the decline of the cattle and balata industries.

The National Geographic explorers called Surama Eco Lodge, located in the village of Surama in Region 9, one of the most authentic and unique hotels in South America, saying that the thatched structures that make up the community-run getaway were built from materials gathered in the forest.

Designed with solar power that helps to pump water and light into the settlement, the travelers experienced the customs of the Amerindian tribes specifically the Makushi, who shared traditional culture and religious ideas, and information on the beautiful flora and fauna.

The Makushi Research Unit resulted from a local community, North Rupununi District Development Board, Iwokrama, and Amerindian

Research Unit research initiative in 1995 to study the ethno biology of the North Rupununi. The Unit consists of researchers, most of them women, from local communities who carry out research on social, economic, and ecological aspects of life in the North Rupununi. The MRU plays an important role in understanding local knowledge systems and cultural affirmation.

It is also a primary force in ensuring local communities in the North Rupununi are informed of research.

MRU projects have expanded to include working with the Ministry of Education to develop Makushi language teaching in schools. The MRU has been supported by the Gender Equality Fund of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Fund provided the MRU with honoraria for participants and field computers to help with communications and dissemination of information from research, discussions, and workshops.

Other donors have included the Eerepami Foundation They have produced several posters, booklets and the important Let's Read and Write Makusi published by the Guyana Book Foundation in collaboration with Miriam Abbott.

Other projects include the short documentary "Our Language and Culture in the North Rupununi" The Macushi are evidently, along with the Wapishana,Patamona and Wai Wai people of Region 9,staunch believers in the PPP Politics and the Party’s ability to lead the indigenous people out of the abyss that they found themselves because of the discrimination meted out to them by an uncaring APNU+AFC dictatorial Coalition Government.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

The NTC has the moral responsibility to fully represent the Amerindian people

By Norman Whittaker

T

he establishment of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) under the PPP/C Government ushered in a new era where no longer was accessibility and dialogue with Amerindian leaders a limiting factor in the Government’s determined efforts to engage our Amerindian people and their elected leaders on development issues.

Furthermore, no longer were PPP/C Government Officials going to them only, but they were meeting with the Government at the level of the NTC’s discussions/interactions with the President, his entire Cabinet and Chief Executive Officers; guided by a conference theme and an agenda, which the Toshaos themselves helped to fashion.

The President and his Cabinet spent several sessions spread over a number of days interacting with the Elected Leaders of the Amerindian villages and communities; listening to them, discussing with them and addressing their concerns and requests for assistance and in the process, offering advice and commitment of resources to create opportunities and support in order to advance further the development of the villages/communities.

The President also invited the Toshaos to use the opportunity to verify that his Government’s promises and committments arising out of previous NTC meetings were met, or else, to question his Cabinet Ministers who were present for the greater part of three days of the meeting, as to why any commitment was not met. In this way, the elected Toshaos were better positioned on their return to their villages/communities to update residents on the progress they had made in

Former Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, UNDP Representative Khadija Musa and former Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai sign a US$10 million Amerindian land titling and demarcation agreement, as Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Derrick John looks on during the NTC Conference in October 2013

advancing their respective development Agendas.

The elected Toshaos who sacrificed time, effort and family to travel from various villages and communities across the ten Administrative Regions of our country to be present for the annual NTC Conference were always elated at the thought that yet another opportunity had presented itself for them to interact with His Excellency and discuss with him not only community issues; but also matters of a national and international nature that affected their villages,( viz climate change) and consequently their lives and livelihood directly or indirectly.

In the process, both parties were able to understand and appreciative the constraints and the encumbrances that often reduced the desired range and pace of development, which Government and Toshaos wished for our Amerindian people. In other words, the PPP/C Government and the NTC were both able to see both sides of the coin and agree on the way forward. As many Toshaos oftentimes affirmed:

they were not aware that Indigenous peoples in any other part of the world were afforded such opportunities.

Alas, this is contrary to what has been happening under the APNU+AFC Government, which has not only being guilty of hijacking the NTC agenda, but which , on one occasion, sought to interfere with the process for electing the Executive of the NTC. Most of the Toshaos with whom PPP/C comrades had discourses on the post2015 NTC Conferences have complained of having to deal with agendas that lacked substance, relevance, depth, meaning.

Many saw the several days’ activities as a waste of time and resources and, indeed, frequently compared the NTC Conferences of the post- 2015 period to those before then. Noticeable also is the fact that most of the commitments made by the APNU+AFC Government to our Indigenous leadership and the people they represent have not materialized. Consequentially, there appears to be little the Government can discuss and resultantly,

they spend most of the time taking evasive action.

Conferences of the preMay 2015 epoch saw many of the Toshaos reveling in achievements and successes that include: i) Establishing the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and appointing a Minister of Amerindian Affairs. ii) Passing the 2006 Amerindian Act iii) Setting up the Indigenous Peoples Commission.

This Body evolved out of the Constitutional Reform process. iv) Establishing the National Toshaos Council v) Education - Secondary, technical/vocational and University education and the improvements and resource allocation that contributed to these successes, including building new schools, extending and rehabilitating existing schools; equipping Secondary Schools with Dormitories to cater for children from remote areas; the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and construction of a new students dormitory at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara to accommodate

Hinterland students who attend Secondary Schools in Georgetown; upgrading and training of teachers vide the distance education mode; National School Feeding and Uniform Assistance Programmes; the Hot Meal Programme vi) Improvement in primary health care and the extension of the nature and quality of services available in the hospitals and health centres/posts in their villages, including the construction of district hospitals/ health centres/health posts; the training of doctors, medexes, dentexes, midwives, health workers. pharmacists etc. vii) Development and improvement in infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airstrips, transportation, communication; development of the Hinterland Electrification Programme and focus on distribution and use of solar panels; the Hinterland Water Strategy. viii) The preparation of Community Development Plans by Village/Community Councils to help catapult the socio-economic

development of hinterland communities and the funding of these plans by the PPP/C Government ix) The Village Economy - the introduction of Presidential Grants commencing in 2007 to fund economic projects in the villages and the launch of the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme in the Amerindian Villages. x) Land titling, demarcation and many more development programmes. .

In May 2015 when the APNU+AFC Government took over the realms of Government, there were still other challenges to be addressed; but honestly and proudly the PPP/C can and will say that we brought significant improvement to the lives of our Indigenous population. In this regard, the National Toshaos Conference provided an important forum for Government Officials and Village Leaders to meet, discuss and agree on the way forward for our Indigenous people.

The PPP/C did set the platform for economic take off in the Amerindian villages and communities Undoubtedly, the PPP/C will continue to support Amerindian development by raising all matters of concern to the Amerindian people and elected leaders with the APNU+AFC Government, more particularly, in the Parliament.

The NTC also has a duty, an obligation and the right to raise concerns affecting the people its represents. Towards this end, it is important that Toshaos not allow the APNU/AFC Government to determine and to dictate their development agenda, for under the Amerindian Act of 2006, the Amerindian Village Councils control what happens on their lands.

Basil Williams begging SOCU for convictions B

efore the APNU+AFC gained power in 2015, they claimed that there was massive corruption and instances of money laundering in the country, especially by government officials. But today, a single person is yet to be charged in relation to such crimes.

Now, the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams is publicly pressuring investigative agencies such as the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)

and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to make convictions.

Addressing about two dozen participants at a seminar on Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), Williams blasted SOCU and FIU for not making convictions.

In fact, the Attorney General warned the two agencies as he told them they need to secure convictions in order to show the effectiveness of measures the Government has

taken to combat money laundering and corruption.

Just recently, Opposition Leader, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo called out the APNU+AFC for this very issue. He pointed out that the 2017 and 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), produced by the United States of America’s (USA) State Department, are markedly different, in that “government corruption” is cited as a major source of money laundering in Volume 2 of the latest report.

According to Jagdeo, clearly the US officials “saw something” that made it necessary for the words “government corruption” to be included in the 2018 report.

The Opposition Leader made clear that given the numerous breaches of financial laws, the Procurement Act, etc. – and the many underhand dealings that have been exposed, the APNU+AFC Coalition government is one of “the most corrupt” Guyana has seen.

He also pointed out that the APNU+AFC, given its promises to supporters, are in the business to make headlines, hence the move to lay “frivolous charges” against former government officials like in the case of Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington.

The Attorney General’s warning to SOCU and FIU For more convictions confirms Jagdeo’s position that the APNU+AFC is desperately trying to make headlines to

keep its support base satisfied given the coalition’s rhetoric about corruption under the Peoples Progressive Party administration.

“Where are the billions we supposedly stole….in three years all you can find are procedural errors and we don’t think they are even errors,” Jagdeo said at a recent press conference.

He noted that the APNU+AFC is desperately trying to throw “red meat” to its supporters now.

20

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Chef robbed by gunman Woman stabbed multiple after offering to help times by ex-lover him transact business A

A

24-year-old chef was on Tuesday evening robbed of his mobile phone, and $12,000 in cash by a lone gunman as he was in the vicinity of South Alley on Princess Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

The victim has been identified as Peter Holder of Princess Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

According to information from the police, the incident occurred at around 20:30hrs.

According to reports, Holder visited his relative’s home, some distance away from his own on Princess

Street at around 19:30hrs.

The relative reportedly has a car rental business.

At that time, the suspect, pretending to be a customer, approached Holder’s relative and informed him that he wanted to rent a motorcar.

However, the perpetrator reportedly informed the businessman that he only had his licence in his possession.

As such, Holder reportedly offered to transport the suspect to his home for him to uplift his other documents.

The man agreed and as the duo prepared to leave in motorcar PTT1664, the

suspect informed Holder that he had to drive to Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

While driving east along Princess Street, the suspect reportedly whipped out a small black handgun and pressed it to the Chef’s neck before demanding that he turn over his valuables.

The bandit then exited the vehicle and made good his escape on foot, heading north along South Alley.

The matter was subsequently reported.

No arrest has so far been made as investigations are ongoing.

Man abandons car with 100 pounds of compressed marijuana on Sheriff St

A

gents of the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) are on the hunt for a taxi driver identified as Anthony Carmichael who reportedly abandoned his motorcar on Sheriff Street with more than 100 pounds of compressed marijuana on Monday morning.

Based on reports received, the motorcar bearing registration number PKK 1609 originated from New Amsterdam with wrapped packages of marijuana in the back seat and trunk of the vehicle.

It was reported that the CANU ranks were tracking the vehicle as it made its rounds around the city.

The driver however, reportedly realizing that he was being monitored, drove to Sheriff Street

he Police have said the body is that of a male of African descent who apparently was in his late 30s. At time of the discovery, last Monday at about 06:00hrs, the body was shirtless and clad in black jeans.

‘A’ Division (Georgetown) Commander Leslie James said last Monday

According to police information, Boyle was walking along D’Urban Street after dropping her child to school nearby when she was pounced on by her ex, Cleveland Williams.

The man reportedly held Boyle down and stabbed her two times in the back

before fleeing the scene and leaving the injured woman lying on the ground.

Public spirited persons rushed Boyle to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition.

Williams is being hunted by police.

Hairdresser robbed by armed motorcycle bandits P olice are said to be hunting two men who allegedly committed a robbery under arms against on a 35-year-old old hairdresser on Monday afternoon while she was walking along Cummings Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

The victim has been identified as Wendy Griffith of Cummings Street, Alberttown.

According to police re-

ports, at around 13:30hrs, the woman was walking north along the street mentioned when she noticed a black CG motorcycle approaching her.

The woman told police that two men were on the motorcycle, and shortly after it came to a halt in front of her, the pillion rider came off.

The suspect reportedly pulled out a hand gun from his waist and held Griffith

at gunpoint, demanding that she turn over her handbag which contained approximately $20,000 in cash and a Motorola mobile phone valued at $30,000.

After she complied, the bandit then hopped back onto the motorcycle and fled the scene with his accomplice.

Police have confirmed that CCTV footage of the area is in the process of being reviewed.

‘Massive irregularities’ in exam for driver’s licence – Police

P Compressed marijuana, not actual image of bust refereed to in the story

where he parked the car outside Royal Castle and fled the scene before the drug enforcement officers arrived.

The agents were left amazed at the quantity of

marijuana and questioned the possibility of the driver passing several road blocks in Berbice without being caught.

Investigations are ongoing.

Body fished out of Carifesta Avenue trench still to be identified

T

24-year-old mother was on Tuesday reportedly stabbed by the father of her child while she was walking in the vicinity of D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

The injured woman has been identified as Lashonna Boyle.

that the body bore marks of violence, which suggest that foul play was involved in the man’s demise.

The Police had sent out a notice seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the dead man. The body remains at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting identification and a post mortem

examination.

Anyone with information that could lead to identification of the corpse is urged to contact the Guyana Police Force on telephone numbers 227-1611, 2271149, 227-1270, 227-69409, 226-6221, 225-2694, 911, or the nearest Police Station.

olice headquarters Wednesday afternoon said it was investigating “massive irregularities” in the driver’s theoretical examination which took place last Thursday at the Felix Austin Police College, Georgetown.

The Police said the investigation was launched after two pastors who supervised the examination reported the irregularities.

The pastors reported that 174 persons were registered to write the examination but only 106 showed up. However, once the exams were over, 207 scripts were submitted.

“Initial enquiries revealed that a Senior Subordinate Officer who was mandated to oversee this theoretical examination in collaboration with two Pastors from the COPS and Faith Community Network partnership with the Guyana Police Force, along with three junior ranks, left the examination venue shortly after the examination com-

menced and did not return,” Police stated in a release to the press.

Police said that a Junior Subordinate Officer who ought not to have been at the examination venue, presented himself, spent some time and left.

The three Constables left the examination venue prior to the counting of the examination scripts by members of the COPS and Faith Community Network.

Only the members of the COPS and Faith community Network that is the two pastors, were left in possession of the completed examination papers.

“These preliminary enquires indicate a complete breach of the Standard Operating Procedures governing the Administration and Conduct of the Learner Driver’s Theoretical Examination,” Police headquarters stated.

Given the circumstances, the Police said those who sat

the examinations will have to sit another exam.

The Police Force pointed out that the volunteer assistance and involvement of members of the COPS and Faith Community Network countrywide have been invaluable in the several areas in which they partner with the Force and the Administration of the Force wishes to encourage them as the partnership grows and develops.

“Members of the public and members of the Force must appreciate and understand that since the involvement of the members of the COPS Faith Community Network in the invigilation of the Learner Driver’s Theoretical and Practical examinations, there has been a significant reduction in the opportunities for corruption, complaint and allegations and this voluntary involvement will continue as we seek to ensure the integrity of the processes,” Police headquarters stated.

21

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

West Bank man slapped Masked gunmen attack with more criminal charges auto-dealer staff at Diamond A day after 30-year-old Steve Hercules was charged with several counts of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and fabricating a vehicle license plate, he appeared this morning at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where he was slapped with another charge of stealing a car during an armed robbery.

Hercules, a taxi driver of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied that on March 25, 2018, at Princes Street, Lodge, while being armed with a gun, he stole a motor car along with cash and other items totalling $3.7M. He was remanded to prison until April 30. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment and fined $800,000 after he pleaded guilty to the illegal firearm, ammo and false license plate charges.

Hercules along with five others were charged before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Tuesday at the Providence Magistrate’s Court after they were caught in a stolen car during a roadblock at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on April 10, moments after they attempted to rob a poultry farmer.

Hercules, along with Nabadinghi Gobin, 33, of

F

Steve Hercules and Nabadinghi Gobin

Charlotte Street, Bourda; Renard Khan, 31 of Cooper Street, Albouystown; Mark Prince, 39, Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara; Edward Skeete, 30, of Independence Boulevard and Marvin Blackman, 27, of South Ruimveldt were

charged jointly.

The men were intercepted in motor-car HC 4543, in which police found a sledgehammer, two pairs of unused latex gloves, $1,420 in cash, trade plates marked ‘Akbar 2’, a red haversack with the guns and ammunition inside.

our masked gunmen on Tuesday morning allegedly traced employees of an Automobile dealership from a commercial bank to the entity’s Little Diamond, East Bank of Demerara location before robbing them of their valuables.

Vice President (Operations), of the dealership and retailer of new Hyundai vehicles, Ideal Autos Inc. Jailall Ragnauth told the media that the men may have thought the staff went to withdraw cash.

“There was no money transaction, just the paperwork transaction and they came back, and they were awaiting the security to come in and a silver car came up with four guys, I was told they had guns. They stuck up the driver and staff, took away the girl’s purse and

they went away with it.

That’s basically it,” he related.

The Security Guard, who did not want his identity to be revealed, ran away when he saw the gunmen.

He said he was about to open the gate when he saw the silver-grey car with three men, all armed with guns standing beside the car with an HC number plate.

Visibly shaken by the ordeal, the security guard said the men proceeded to rob the staff in the vehicle but admitted that after seeing the armed men, he fled the scene.

“I had to run because is three of them with guns out there,” he said.

The handbag belonging to a female staff was stolen along with the cell phone belonging to the driver.

While no shots were

fired, it is alleged that the driver was cuffed to the face.

The media was told that the police were prompt in their response to the scene but the staff are fearful for their lives.

“The incident will drive fear in we, and in staff and the whole organization because this kinda thing is too sudden and it shocking. We operate a business here, we don’t do any large transactions on the location because we know of the high-risk environment,” the Vice President told reporters.

Asked whether management will look to increase its security, he pointed out that as a small operation, there are not sufficient funds to keep investing in security.

“And the more security you put, the more empowered the people (bandits) will be.”

Mother of two remanded for Journalist counting losses after smuggling ‘ganja’ into prison home invaded by thieves A A 37-year-old woman was remanded to prison earlier this week for allegedly trafficking over 300 grams of marijuana into the Camp Street prison in Georgetown.

Nicola Clark of Durban Street, Lodge appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where she denied that on April 17 at the Camp Street Prison, she had 325 grams of cannabis in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The unrepresented mother of two was remanded to prison until May 30,

2018.

According to a police report, at the time of her visit, the woman had a white plastic bag in her possession, which contained two boxes of food in the waiting area of the

prison.

Prison officers reportedly searched the boxes and found the drugs concealed inside the food. She was immediately arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime under caution.

journalist attached to the National Communications Network (NCN) is counting her losses after bandit (s) invaded her First Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Shunza Samuels said that the person(s) gained entry to the apartment she shares with her fiancé via the rear door which they pried open with an unknown object.

The couple lost two cell phones, an Acer laptop and a handbag containing $25,000 cash and personal documents.

At about 10:00hrs, a security guard found the handbag in front ETK mining, Atlantic Ville, which is a short distance from the robbery scene.

The guard then returned it to Samuels at her place of employment.

After waking up at around 05:30hrs, Samuels said her fiancé, Jermaine Massiah noticed that his phone was not on the bed where he left it.

“I turned to him and said ‘my phone is outside’ and his thinking was to go to my phone and dial his number to locate the phone but when he went outside, he said my phone was not there,” Samuels said.

It was at that moment that couple realized they were robbed.

“The first thing I thought of was ‘where is my laptop?’ because my laptop has all my final year projects, my doc-

uments, I’m currently doing my final year research, it has everything on there and he said the laptop is missing,” Samuels said in tears.

The young journalist is pleading with anyone who can help her locate the Acer laptop.

“The laptop is most important; I don’t know where to go from here after I’ve gone this far in my project.”

While she is thankful for life, Samuels said: “it’s very devastating that someone can just come into your house and just take what’s not theirs and we didn’t hear any unusual sound.”

A report has been made to Turkeyen police station and an investigation has been launched.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

President admits diverting US$18M …“there is no need to from Consolidated Fund make it public”

P

resident David Granger had admitted that he had instructed that the US$18 million signing bonus be placed in a Bank of Guyana account instead of the Consolidated Fund.

The President made the comment on Wednesday as pressure mounts over what has been described as a breach of financial regulations governing such revenues. The President defended the move by saying that it was a legitimate Government of Guyana exercise.

According to Granger, in making such a decision, there was never an intention to deceive the nation but rather the transaction was not revealed because of national security implications. He claimed that at the time when the US$18 million signing bonus was received, it was meant to be used for “certain matters” which he perceived were of national security interest and at that time, it was the right “thing to do so that we can have access in the event of a national security

emergency”.

Speaking to reporters on the sideline of an event at State House on Wednesday, the President said, “…it is a legitimate Government of Guyana exercise. It is in the Bank of Guyana in an escrow account…it was not dishonestly acquired and cannot be used for purposes it was not intended …so, as far as I am concerned, it is a legitimate Government of Guyana practice. The money has not been dishonestly acquired.”

Questioned on the decision to keep the money a secret from Guyanese, the Head of State said that “evidence of non-disclosure does not mean it’s evidence of an intention of deception… there was no need to make it public”.

The Government has been consistently denying receiving the money, but a document by Finance Secretary Hector Butts was leaked to Guyana Times and it stated there was a request that the Bank of Guyana’s Governor set up a special account to

deposit the money.

A few months ago, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, revealed to the nation that Government had collected a US$20-million-dollar signing bonus from the oil company. However, Government’s receipt of this bonus was denied by Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who had all pleaded ignorance of the bonus when asked by the media.

After the leaked document was published by Guyana Times, ExxonMobil has since said that they in fact paid US$18 million over to the Government.

In lashing out at the Government for lying to the nation, Ram has since called for an inquiry to be held into all deals negotiated by the Natural Resources Ministry, and for criminal charges to be instituted against ministers at the centre of the controversy.

Now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag, Ram

noted, there are immediate and longer-term implications of this saga from which Guyana may forever suffer. One of these implications, he pointed out, is that high-level officials of the Finance Ministry, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the Bank of Guyana — inclusive of the Audit Committee — have been ensnared in this conspiracy.

Ram added it means that Article 216 of the Constitution of Guyana has been knowingly violated; “that critical information contained in the Estimates of Expenditure now being considered by the National Assembly is inaccurate, incorrect and meaningless; that the 2016 financial statements of the Government and of the Consolidated Fund are for 2016 similarly deficient.”

Meanwhile, in light of revelations Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has called for the resignation of the entire Government after they deceived Guyanese. On Friday, during his Budget 2018

presentation, Jagdeo noted the fact that a special account was set up breaches the financial laws of the country, while adding that the monies ought to have been deposited into the account of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) or the Consolidated Fund.

Jagdeo contended that the funds should have been included in the budget, adding that it was understated by over $4 billion. This, he said, is grounds to call for the withdrawing of the entire 2018 estimates because it translates to being not only fraudulent but also illegal.

Adding its voice to the condemnation of the Government’s action, the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) and other anti-corruption advocates are up in arms over revelations that Government had moved to open a secret account with the Bank of Guyana (BoG) to facilitate receipt of a signing bonus.

According to the TIGI, the coalition, while on the

Opposition benches, had been vociferous about the transparent management of state finances. Now that it has formed the Government, it is failing to show that it can accountably manage oil resources.

Government’s receipt of this bonus was initially denied by Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who had all pleaded ignorance of the bonus when asked by the media.

After months of denial, the Natural Resources Minister on Friday told the National Assembly that Government did receive a large sum of money from oil giant ExxonMobil following the signing of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). The Finance Minister also admitted that the money was received.

ExxonMobil has since said that the company paid over the money to Government last year.

Region 9 REO sent out of Public Road tolls for Region 7 soon - Patterson Accounts Committee meeting R …unprepared to answer questions about region T

he inability of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) officials to answer Public Accounts Committee (PAC) questions regarding issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report has seen them ultimately being asked to leave the chambers.

At the sitting, chaired

by Member of Parliament Pauline Sukhai in the absence of Chairman Irfaan Ali, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kerwin Warde was questioned on the region’s procurement of drugs through inter- departmental warrants (IDWs). Warde could not even provide definitive details on the reconciliation from the Materials Management Unit (MMU) of the Public Health Ministry, as recommended by Auditor General Deodat Sharma in his 2016 report.

“The 2016 budget was one of those early budgets.

What caused you to only send an inter-departmental warrant in the sum of $48 million to the Ministry of Public Health for the supply of drugs and medical supplies?” PAC member Nigel

Dharamlall asked.

In response, Warde indicated that he could not answer that question. At this point Sukhai upbraided the REO, noting that, on appearing before the committee, he had a duty to come prepared to answer whatever questions are put to him.

Describing Warde’s statement as unacceptable, Sukhai asked him to confer with his supporting staff to get the information. But even that failed to bring any results, resulting in PAC Member and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, getting involved.

“I know that the (former) REO (Karl Parker) was in the region for a very long time. So why is it that you’re before the PAC without the answers?” she asked. When Warde admitted that he was ill-prepared, Lawrence suggested the officials be sent away until they could provide answers.

“This is what I feared when the REO began answering questions. It appears he either doesn’t want to be helpful or he didn’t have

the time to go through (the documents). I could immediately sense a lack of preparation. From the first question to where we are now, we have not had any clear-cut responses. I would want to recommend we terminate your session until you come prepared,” Sukhai said.

AUDIT REPORT According to the 2016 report, a sum of $73.871 million was budgeted for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies under the Health Services Programme for 2016. It stated that amounts totalling $63.871 million were expended as at December 31, 2016.

“Included in the amount of $63.871 million are two inter-departmental warrants (IDW) valued $58 million (and) issued in August and November 2016 in the sums of $48 million and $10 million respectively to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to purchase drugs and medical supplies on behalf of the Regional Administration. With respect to the warrant of $48 million,

the Regional Administration received a financial return indicating that the full amount was expended. However, although drugs and medical supplies were received by the Regional Administration, the cost was not stated on the documentation that accompanied the deliveries”, the report detailed.

“As a result, it could not be determined whether the full value was received for the sum warranted to MoPH. 902. With respect to the warrant of $10 million, the Regional Administration received a ‘nil’ financial return indicating that the amount was unexpended, as such, the Appropriation Account was credited with the unspent amount of $10 million.”

The Audit Office had recommended that the Regional Administration put systems in place to reconcile supplies received by the respective health facilities with the drugs’ list initially submitted. It had also advised that the region obtain the cost of the drugs and medical supplies from the MoPH, so as to reconcile the value of the drugs and medical supplies received with that of the sum warranted to the Ministry.

oads in the Cuyuni Mazaruni Region will soon be tolled following the completion of various road projects. This is according to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson who, in a Department of Public Information (DPI) release said the strategy will aid in the maintenance and sustainability of the infrastructure.

“Soon we will be finished upgrading the roads. I would hope that we can work along with the region on this,” Minister Patterson said upon conducting the inspection of the hinterland projects during his recent trip to the region. It was observed that work needs to be done on the Amaila Falls road which is heavily traversed, especially by trucks from the gold company – Troy Resources.

He noted, the tolls collected will go directly to the region for the proper maintenance and care of the roads since it will be generated from those in the region. Minister Patterson encouraged the town council to create a road plan and work along with his ministry on the idea.

Regional Chairman of Region Seven, Gordon Bradford said the council wel-

comes the idea of tolling the roads and believes it is vital for the upkeep of the roads.

He explained that in previous years the strategy was used in the region and aided in the preservation of several roads leading to Mahdia.

Echoing his sentiments, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall explained the town council has deliberated the issue of tolling the roads for some time. However, he believes the ministry will have to be the implementing body of the strategy.

Marshall said during the next regular statutory meeting, the council will craft a “road plan” to which it will seek the approval of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) before sharing with the Infrastructure Ministry.

On April 13, a team of officials from the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Finance, led by Minister David Patterson visited the region to get a firsthand look at the two main crossings which link both Mahdia and Bartica.

The ministry has ongoing works on the roads from Mahdia to the Denham Bridge and Miles 78 on the Bartica-Potaro trail to Mile 96 (Cassandra Crossing).

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

The Other View

Another Debt Crisis for Poor Countries?

By Masood Ahmed Masood Ahmed is President of the Center for Global Development*

(IPS) - When the world’s finance ministers and central bank governors assemble in Washington later this month for their semi-annual IMF meeting, they will no doubt set aside time for yet another discussion of the lingering debt problems in the Eurozone or how impaired bank debt could impact financial stability in China.

They would do well to also focus on another looming debt crisis that could hit some of the poorest countries in the world, many of whom are also struggling with problems of conflict and fragility and none of which has the institutional capacity to cope with a major debt crisis without lasting damage to their already-challenged development prospects.

Nearly two decades ago, an unprecedented international effort—the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt initiative—resulted in writing off the unsustainable

debt of poor countries to levels that they could manage without compromising their economic and social development.

The hope was that a combination of responsible borrowing and lending practices and a more productive use of any new liabilities, all under the watchful eyes of the IMF and World Bank, would prevent a recurrence of excessive debt buildup.

Alas, as a just-released IMF paper points out, the situation has turned out to be much less favorable. Since the financial crisis and the more recent collapse in commodity prices, there has been a sharp buildup of debt by low-income countries, to the point that 40 percent of them (24 out of 60) are now either already in a debt crisis or highly vulnerable to one— twice as many as only five years ago.

Moreover, the majority, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa, have fallen into difficulties through relatively recent actions by themselves or their creditors. They include, predictably, commodity ex-

porters like Chad, Congo, and Zambia who have run up debt as they adjusted (or not) to revenue loss from the collapse in oil and metals prices.

But they also include a large number of diversified exporters (Ethiopia, Ghana, and the Gambia among others) where the run-up in debt is a reflection of larger-thanplanned fiscal deficits, often financing overruns in current spending or, in a few cases, substantial fraud and corruption (the Gambia, Moldova, and Mozambique).

The increased appetite of sovereign borrowers has been facilitated by the willingness of commercial lenders looking for yield in a market awash with liquidity, and by credit from China and other bilateral lenders who are not part of the Paris Club.

It is striking that between 2013-16, China’s share of the debt of poor countries increased by more than that held by the Paris Club, the World Bank and all the regional development banks put together.

Nor do traditional donors come out entirely blameless.

Concessional funding for low-income countries from the (largely OECD) members of the DAC fell by 20 percent between 2013–16, precisely the period in which their other liabilities increased dramatically.

As for the IMF and World Bank, while it may have been wishful thinking to hope they could prevent a recurrence of excessive debt, it was not unreasonable to expect that they would have been more aware as this buildup was taking place and sounded the alarm earlier for the international community.

And while debt ratios are still below the levels that led to HIPC, the risks are higher because much more of the debt is on commercial terms with higher interest rates, shorter maturities and more unpredictable lender behavior than the traditional multilaterals.

More importantly, while the projections for all countries are based on improved policies for the future, the IMF itself acknowledges that this may turn out to be unrealistic.

And finally, the debt numbers, worrying as they are, miss out some contingent liabilities that haven’t been recorded or disclosed as transparently as they should have been but which will need to be dealt with in any restructuring or write-off.

It is too late to prevent some low-income countries from falling into debt difficulties, but action now can prevent a crisis in many others. The principal responsibility lies with borrowing country governments, but their development partners and donors need to raise the profile of this issue in the conversations they will have in Washington.

There is also an urgent need to work with China and other new lenders to create a fit-for-purpose framework for resolving low-income country debt problems when they occur.

This is not about persuading these lenders to join the Paris Club but rather about evolution towards a new mechanism that recognizes the much larger role of the new lenders, and demon-

strates why it is in their own interest to have such a mechanism for collective action.

Traditional donors also need to look at their allocation of ODA resources, which face the risk of further fragmentation under competing pressures, including for financing the costs in donor countries of hosting refugees.

Finally, the assembled policymakers should urge the IMF to prioritize building a complete picture of debt and contingent liabilities as part of its country surveillance and lending programs, and to base its projections for future economic and debt outcomes on more realistic expectations.

They should also commission a review to examine the scope for increased access to non-concessional IFI funding for (at least) the more creditworthy low-income borrowers.

It is the poor and vulnerable that pay the heaviest price in a national debt crisis. They have the right to demand action by global financial leaders to make such a crisis less likely.

The collapse of the U.S.-led world order has done more harm than we realize T

he bloody mess that is Syria stands as Exhibit A of what is happening to global order with the retreat of American leadership.

The carefully circumscribed strike ordered by President Trump last week will do nothing to change the reality that he, like Barack Obama before him, has left a power vacuum in the heart of the Middle East. The beneficiaries are Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, Turkey and a host of jihadists who will haunt the region — and the West — long after the end of the Islamic State.

That’s the obvious story.

What’s less evident is how far-reaching and consequential the collapse of American-led order has been in the 15 months since Trump took office. In multiple miserable corners of the world, where U.S. envoys and aid would normally be helping victims, deterring malevolent actors and seeking political solutions, there is a void.

Let’s take a tour. Start with the Western Hemisphere, whose leaders last week convened at the eighth Summit of the Americas since 1994 — and the first not attended by the U.S. president. The region is watching one of the biggest crises it has experienced in modern times: the political and economic implosion of Venezuela, which has inflicted violence and hunger on tens of millions of people and caused more than 1 million to flee the country — the largest displacement of people in Latin American history.

For a century and more, Latin American and Caribbean countries in crisis could expect that the United States would intervene — for better or perhaps for worse — to break their fall.

The summit offered a chance for Washington to rally its allies behind a concerted strategy for the refugees and for the autocratic regime in

Caracas.

Except Trump was not there. In his only effort to address the crisis with regional leaders, at a dinner last September, he foolishly raised the idea of military intervention. He has since ignored suggestions by some of the leaders for more realistic measures, such as an embargo on Venezuelan oil.

The senior State Department positions for Latin America and for refu¬gee affairs have not been filled. Venezuela’s downward spiral will continue.

Next stop: South Sudan, a country that came into existence in 2011 largely thanks to U.S. diplomacy.

About two years later, a civil war erupted between rival factions, and it has persisted ever since. Tens of thousands have been killed and more than 2 million driven out of the country; since last year the United Nations has said South Sudan is on the brink of famine.

The robust American stewardship across two administrations has disappeared. The State Department used to have a special envoy for South Sudan; the post is vacant. The only senior Trump administration official to show an interest in the country is U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who visited in October and who has pushed the U.N. Security Council — unsuccessfully — to impose an arms embargo. Both George W. Bush and Obama took a personal interest in South Sudan. Trump, needless to say, has not.

Next, Burma, another nation transformed by U.S. diplomacy. In an effort to free itself from comprehensive U.S. economic sanctions and gain some independence from China, the country’s military regime freed Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from prison and then allowed a relatively free

election in 2015. Obama visited the country, also called Myanmar, twice. Then, last August, the generals embarked on a brutal campaign against the Rohingya minority, driving nearly 700,000 people across the border into Bangladesh.

Belatedly, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the campaign what it was, ethnic cleansing.

But the U.S. response to this staggering atrocity has been anemic. Under pressure from Congress, one general in charge of the campaign was sanctioned and some visa restrictions were applied to others. But again, the only senior official to engage was Haley, who has pressed for a U.N. special envoy. Forget about an American envoy: Even the senior State Department post for the region has, as elsewhere, no permanent appointee.

A final stop is worthwhile, somewhere near Ti-

bet, the Chinese-ruled land that has become a laboratory for high-tech, 21st-century repression. The prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, was in Washington last week for a singular purpose: to try to persuade the Trump administration to fill the State Department post of special coordinator for Tibetan issues — which, of course, is vacant.

It might seem like a small bureaucratic function, but as Sangay pointed out, no other government in the world has a Tibet coordinator. This U.S. official, he said, has been vital in getting other countries to attend meetings with his government, in channeling aid and in simply forcing China to address Tibet. Without the U.S. representative, he said, “the Tibet issue is not raised.” A little-noticed loss, perhaps, but one of many in a world without U.S. leadership. (Washington Post)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Problems and challenges give us new perspectives S

ometimes students speak to me about their difficulty in keeping their lives together. I am certainly not surprised by this comment, as most of us struggle regularly to deal with the many things we have on our plate. Whether it is the daily onslaught of world news, the endless to-do list, or just wondering how we misplaced the cup of tea we just poured, life becomes overwhelming at times!

When students come to me feeling a little swamped, I like to remind them of the idea that a state of chaos often precedes a new order of things. You can think of it as the calm after the storm - the torrential downpour with whipping winds and thunder, followed by a period of a calm, blue skies and nature looking clean and refreshed.

It is only when we actually come out on the other side of having lived through a period of chaos that we can gain understanding or a new perspective of that time.

But there is no doubt that living through a chaotic period is challenging. That said, there are things to help support us through times of conflict, upheaval or uncertainty, my good Readers. First, it is important to accept when we are feeling overwhelmed. Being confused or conflicted happens to most everyone countless times throughout life.

We can actually liberate ourselves so that we can begin to change whatever it is that is making us uncomfortable just by accepting the difficult emotions we may be feeling.

Once we can accept conflict or confusion around us, we can begin to let go of it. In reality, we often have little control over many such situations. Hanging on to old baggage, just because it feels familiar or because we are afraid to let it go, keeps us in a state of discomfort. If we are having trouble letting go of things that are not good for us, we may need to consider seeking help, whether through a group, a trusted friend or a therapist. Asking for assistance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a step in a positive direction, and for many, it is surprising how helpful it can be.

Comrades and friends, feelings of chaos and confusion can come and go like the tides and the more we understand this, the more we can go with the flow of the ups and downs. I hope my thoughts will be a helpful reminder for you, comrades, and now I would like you to spend time with your Mirror Newspaper to see what the news and issues have for you and your family.

Happy 68th Anniversary to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Remember to purchase and read your copy of the Mirror Newspaper and tune to Freedom Radio, streaming on 91.1 FM in GT and its environs, 90.7 in Essequibo and 90.5 in Berbice. Streaming online freedomradio 91.com. Follow us on Facebook at freedomradiogy.

(G. Persaud)

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Children’s Corner

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Name: ............................................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................................ ......................................................................................... Tel. No: ................................................

26

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Skeete to officiate in MMP Foundation’s cricket extravaganza: CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship five teams confirmed M

Public Relations Coordinator Bhisham Mohammed, Carib Beer Brand Coordinator Sean Abel, and BCB President Hilbert Foster at the launching on Wednesday

F

ive teams have accepted invitations confirming their participation in the inaugural MMP Foundation Floodlight Cricket tournament. The one-day tournament, which is scheduled for April 28, was officially launched on Wednesday on the Corentyne.

The tournament, which will be played on a knockout basis, will see Young Warriors CC, Blairmont Blazers, Port Mourant CC, Rose Hall Cricket Club, and Albion CC doing battle at the Albion Sports Complex.

A sixth team, Rose Hall Tigers, is yet to get clearance to play.

The event is being used as a fundraiser for the MMP Foundation for Excellence to garner funds to execute its work programme for 2018. The organisation has so far expended in excess of $4 million on scholarships, a feeding programme and other activities related to education. Treasurer of the Foundation, David Brigbhukan explained that a further $3 million has been budgeted this year.

Speaking of the tournament, he explained that the first-round matches will be 10-over encounters while the semi-finals will be 15over affairs, and the final a 20/20.

“The three teams that win will go through to the

semi-finals along with the losing team with the highest net run rate,” the Treasurer explained. Meanwhile, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster congratulated the MMP Foundation, saying that it was good to see that organisations were trying to support the Board in its drive to have more organised cricket played in Berbice.

“I am also happy to know that you guys have joined hands with us to organise cricket as you know for the past several years and cricket was undergoing some major problems and for the last two months we have been able to restore some pride to Berbice cricket.”

“This is just one of the several tournaments that will be played in 2018; in fact, the Cricket Board will be arranging about 20 cricket competitions at the U-15, U-17, U-19, U-21, First Division, Second Division, intermediate and female at the inter-zone levels, and it is also hoped that we will be able as a board to assist persons and organisations to promote cricket.”

Commenting on the main objective of the tournament, Foster said he was delighted by it.

“I am very happy that the funds from this event will be used to make a pos-

itive difference, because the club that I lead has virtually been fighting a one-man battle in terms of assisting underprivileged children to be able to attend school.”

He congratulated the MMP Foundation, while noting that the sponsor has also been involved in sponsoring other competitions being run by the BCB. ANSA McAL Trading is one of the main sponsors, promoting the tournament under its Carib Beer brand.

Carib Beer Brand Coordinator Sean Abel, speaking at the launch, said, “Carib Beer has been synonymous with cricket in Guyana. We are happy to be part of the rebirth of cricket in Berbice.

What is good to note is that the funding will be given back to the community and that is what is most important.”

The Foundation, a N o n - G o v e r n m e n t a l O rganisation (NGO), is the brainchild of Mohabir Mookoorchand Persaud (MMP). It has as its objective providing financial support to students facing extenuating circumstances.

Meanwhile, the winner of the tournament will take away $50,000 while the second and third-place teams will also receive monetary rewards and trophies. Outstanding players will also be recognised.

aureese Skeete, Guyana’s only FIFA female referee, will officiate in CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship scheduled for Nicaragua from April 19-24.

Skeete, Guyana’s only representative, will be among 28 match officials who will be there to officiate in the tournament, which will decide CONCACAF’s representatives in the 2018 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in Uruguay.

The eight-nation, biennial tournament will see the first double-header being played on April 19 with Puerto Rico

Maureese Skeete

vs Haiti and hosts Nicaragua vs Mexico. The group will end with Costa Rica vs Bermuda.

The tournament has eight Referees, 12 Assistant Referees, four Assessors, four Assessors in Training, and one Supervisor for the Assessors in Training. The match officials with outstanding performance have a high probability for selection to officiate in the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup. The top three teams of the tournament will qualify for the tournament in Uruguay as the CONCACAF representatives.

GMR&SC “King of the Strip” 2: Balram Auto Mechanics going all out

D

rag racing often comes down to who has more power, and it is less about the skill of the driver on some occasions. It is just a quarter-mile of usually tear-away speed, and one team which is looking to make a lasting impression is Balram Auto Mechanics.

The group, which is bringing seven to eight cars pumped with speed to have all of their competitors watch their rear lights, said that it was up for the serious challenge that awaits.

Participating in drag racing for close to nine years now, there are some trophies in the Mechanics cabinet as February’s meet, which was curtailed by rain, saw one of their drivers, Pankraj Ramdeo winning the 15-second class and a finalist in the 14-second class. Romeo Singh in his Toyota Galanza won the 12-second class.

They are moving up a notch with Nazrudeen Mohammed running in the 10-second class with a M5 BMW. The group is prom-

ising fans the thrills and sounds of deafening speed for which it has asked supporters to come out in their numbers. Commenting on the threat by the Trinidadians and Surinamese, they stated it would be tough, but they were working to come out on top.

The event is sponsored

by Tropical Shipping, JAPARTS, Mohamed’s Enterprise and ANSA McAL, with tickets being $1000 for adults and $500 for children.

Start time is 09:00h.

27

WEEKEND MIRROR 21-22 APRIL, 2018

Sport View

by Neil Kumar Troy Doris’ gold medal: Guyana’s proud moment!

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uyanese are fully appreciative and proud of the recent triple jump Gold Medal secured by our very own Troy Doris at the just-concluded Commonwealth games in Australia.

It is indeed heartening and most pleasing to see the Chicago native, who was born in the United States of America to Guyanese parents taking a decision to run with the Golden Arrowhead. The young high achiever came through the US ranks, attending the Iowa University and a two time junior college national champion. While he made us all proud, we as a nation, must make genuine efforts to help mould our very young athletes and prepare them to win medals at the highest levels.

This is the first time in our country’s history that we have won a gold medal at such a prestigious international event.

In light of this proud moment, we call on the APNU/

AFC coalition Government to make better use of the state-of- the art synthetic track that the PPP/C Government built at Leonora.

We demand that the government employ two senior track and field coaches so that our athletes could be more professionally trained to compete at the highest levels.

The National Resource Centre that the PPP/C administration built and put into operation at Woolford Avenue has now become a ‘short- time’ place. The PPP/C built several world class sport facilities, recognizing the need to prepare both officials and technical personnel to aid in the development of sports in this country. As a result, there is a desperate need for better training and preparation of all stakeholders in sport.

The facility at Leonora is more accommodating to ‘vulgar’ parties.

Very often, sheep and goats can be seen grazing

in the compound at the Liliendaal site of the Olympic swimming pool.

The National Sports Hall and National Gymnasium have also become a haven for junkies and other immoral activities.

Sponsors have been investing millions of dollars in the promotion of sport and are asking for accountability and transparency. Further, when an activity is forced to end abruptly due to gunshots being fired resulting in people being trampled on, then it is only natural that sponsors will not be willing to support such activities.

Guyana won its first gold medal way back at the Commonwealth Games in London in 1934 when Phil Edwards won the 880 yards event. Forty- four years later, the second Gold Medal was won at the Commonwealth Games through boxer Winfield Braithwaite and the third was gained by sprint Queen Aliann Pompey in Manchester England. Our

fourth came from Doris.

Doris’ Gold Medal is a just cause for celebration. However, we must stop sporting with sport. The APNU/AFC Government did not support our teams that represented at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and it must be noted that all the government did for Troy Doris - the pride athlete – was endorse his bid to represent Guyana.

Sport is a business today.

Sport brings big money to our country. The investment in sport is an investment in our people, particularly our young people. The APNU/ AFC Government must follow up on the former PPP/C administration’s committed investment in sport.

The time is most opportune for our nation to come together and support the development of our youths and sport. Failure to be all inclusive will breed hatred.

Let us invest in sport and do not use it as a tool to divide this nation.

The launching of the Hall of Fame was done without consultation and the exclusion of several major stakeholders. It seems that those in power seek pride in leaving out many prominent persons from such prestigious activities.

Sport must continue to unite the Guyanese people!!!!

PPP MPs file private criminal charges against Ministers Lawerence and Norton – To appear in Court on April 24

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oments ago, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill and Vickram Bharrat, filed private criminal charges against two APNU/AFC Government Ministers.

According to the documents filed, which were seen

by Citizens’ Report, Bishop Juan Edghill is accusing Volda Lawerence of Misconduct in Public Office: Contrary to the Common Law and Vickram Bharrat is accusing former Minister of Health, George Norton for the same offence.

The document stated that “Volda Lawrence, being and performing the duties of Minister of Public Health of the Government of Guyana, between 16th January, 2017 and 16th February, 2017, in the City of Georgetown in the Georgetown Magisterial District, in the County of Demerara, in the State of Guyana, willfully mis-conducted herself in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without reasonable excuse or justification, when she authorised or caused the unapproved single sourcing and purchase of drugs and medical supplies for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, in the city of Georgetown from Ansa McAl Trading Limited, a company incorporated under the Laws of Guyana, for the excessive sum of six hundred and five million, nine hundred and sixty-two thousand, two hundred dollars ($605,962,200).”

Further, in relation to Norton, the court documents read, “George Norton, being and performing the duties of Minister of Public Health of the Government of Guyana, on 1st June, 2016, in the City of Georgetown in the Georgetown Magisterial District, in the County of Demerara, in the State of Guyana, willfully misconducted himself in a way which amounted to an abuse of public trust without reasonable excuse or justification, when he authorised or caused the rental, of the property known as and situate at 29 Sussex Street Albouystown, in the city of Georgetown from Linden Holdings Incorporated, a Limited Liability Company, incorporated under the Laws of Guyana, for the sum of twelve million five hundred thousand dollars ($12,500,000) exclusive of VAT, per month, by way of a written Agreement of Tenancy at an excessive rate of rental.”

The documents were filed this morning by former Attorney General and Minister

of Legal Affairs and Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall. While speaking to the media Mr. Nandlall stated that he has followed the precedent laid out in the charges against Dr. Ashni Singh and Mr. Winston Brassington.

He further stated that he has even listed the elements of the charge, something that was never done by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in the charges against Singh and Brassington.

Nandlall stated that he is very confident that the court system will find favour with his application.

Chief Magistrate, Ann Mcleanon granted two summons, one for George Norton and one for Volda Lawerence. She further ordered the accused to appear in Court on the 24th day of April 2018.

Volda authorised drug purchase The Chief Executive Officer (Ag) of the GPHC, Allan Johnson wrote to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkley Wickham on February 28, 2017, seeking approval for the purchase of emergency medical supplies. However, it was later revealed that four out of the last five public tenders issued by GPHC were postponed and then cancelled, thus creating the situation where there was a massive shortage of pharmaceuticals.

Notably, in the letter to NPTAB, the emergency supplies purchase was authorised

by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence. The letter further stated that “The pharmaceuticals supplied by this company (ANSA McAl) was at the time of request available only from this supplier”.

Attached to the letter submitted by Johnson to Wickham was an invoice from ANSA McAl of the same date – February 28th, 2017 – under the signature of Pharmaceutical Manager, Sunesh Maikoo.

However, it was reported that in some cases the cost of the supplies in the invoice was far greater than the price offered by other bidders under public tender. The news reports even gave as an example, the antibiotic 20g Clotrimoxazole cream, is listed at a unit price of $1,750 while it cost just $95 from other suppliers.

Additionally 30g Anti-haemorrhoidal ointment, which previously has been sourced by other suppliers at $200 was listed as costing $2,150 in the invoice.

Notably, a report follow-

ing an investigation by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) established that throughout the past year (2016) and the first two months of this year (2017), the GPHC was plagued by shortages of pharmaceuticals. This situation was linked to a combination of factors ranging from late award of contracts for 2016, to delayed launch of tender for 2017.

Norton’s Drug Bond On August 8, 2016, during the consideration of advances made from the Contingencies Fund, Dr. Norton, after intense questioning from the Parliamentary Opposition, admitted to renting a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown for a total of $12.5M, per month.

Notably, the Public Health Minister was unable to answer a number of questions posed by the Opposition in relation to the money taken from the Fund for the bond. He was unable to tell the House who were the principals of the Linden Holding Company, when it was registered, when the three-year contract was signed, and who signed on Government’s behalf.

Subsequently, it was revealed that Norton misled the National Assembly and the nation, as it relates to the drug bond. A Cabinet Sub-Committee was setup comprising of Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who was also Chairman of the Committee. Notably, the Cabinet Sub-Committee found that the lease entered between the Ministry of Public Health and Linden Holding Inc. for the storage of drugs and medical supplies “should be revised and strengthened” and further, Government should seek to renegotiate rental for a lesser sum, since a similar facility could be obtained at a lower rate.

Further, the PPP/C approached the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to investigate the contract inked between the Ministry of Public Health and a known financier of the Coalition Administration (Larry Singh) for the use of a Sussex Street, Albouystown house to be used as a storage bond for drugs and medical supplies.

Notably, up to March 2018, the APNU/AFC Government continued to rent the controversial Sussex Street drug bond for $12.5M, per month. The contract was never revised, contrary to the Government’s own Sub-Committee report. (Roodi Balgobin)

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