Weekend Mirror 4-5 May 2019 by Weekend Mirror

4-5 May, 2019 / Vol. 10 No. 71 / Price: $100

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

APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t failures…

Guyanese have had a chance to compare and assess which Party will deliver - Jagdeo PAGE 11

Former Attorney General challenges illegal SARA Director, Deputy Director PAGE 2

SEE INSIDE

Gov’t incompetence on display yet again with failure to arrest increase in crime PAGE 10

APNU+AFC Coalition PAGE 21 Parliamentarians have a stained their commitment to ‘rule of law’ – US Embassy

Public Procurement Commission called on to investigate award of contracts to APNU+AFC Coalition supporters in Region 9 Harmon says outreaches Economy cannot be are intended managed just for positive to promote ratios, Gov’t have inclusion ‒ Protestors call for jobs responsibility to people ‒ Jagdeo and better services PAGE 9

PAGE 3

PAGE 13

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Former Attorney General challenges illegal SARA Director, Deputy Director T

he State Assets Recovery Act was only assented to by President David Granger on May 4, 2018 – over one year after it was passed in the National Assembly – on April 13, 2017 – by an APNU+AFC Coalition government majority, despite objections voiced by the Parliamentary Opposition – meaning SARA did not legally exist until May 4, 2018. As per the new law, staff of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) were to be transferred to SARA. The law states that a process must be followed for the appointment of a SARA Director and a SARA Deputy Director – first a recommendation must be made by the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments and then there must be a majority approval by the National Assembly. The law allowed for a fourmonth within which all staff from SARU – including the

Director, Clive Thomas, and Deputy Director, Aubrey Retmyer – could be legally transferred to SARA. As it relates to the Thomas and Retmyer, due process was not followed – yet they continued to perform functions of Director and Deputy Director. This illegality has since been challenged by former Attorney General and current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Anil Nandlall, in the High Court. On Tuesday (April 30, 2019), Nandlall, in a fixed date application, called on the High Court to declare that the two men have not been lawfully, validly and properly appointed in accordance with Sections 5 and 106 as well as the Schedule of the State Assets Recovery Act No. 14 of 2017 and have therefore been performing functions in contravention of this Act.

He also asked for a writ of prohibition be granted restraining the two men from performing the functions of or acting as Director and Deputy Director, respectively and that an order directing that they be removed from the offices be granted. Nandlall contends that the two men are holding, performing the functions and acting in the offices of Director and Deputy Director, respectively, of SARA illegally, unlawfully, without lawful authority, and in contravention of the clear and expressed provisions of the SARA Act. This matter will be coming up for hearing on May 30 before Chief Justice Roxanne George. FINANCING QUESTIONS UNANSWERED Notably, in a June 15, 2018 letter to Thomas, signed by former Opposi-

tion Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, queries were raised about SARA’s operations prior to Granger’s move to assent to the SARA Act. The letter said, “Could you say how monies were allocated to the State Assets Recovery Agency for the year 2018 Budget to acquire an office at Lot 56 Main and New Market Streets, SARA letterhead, staff, etc., prior to that date (May 4, 2018), when the agency did not legally exist?” Notably, almost a year later these questions remain unanswered. After the State Assets Recovery Act was passed in the National Assembly in April 2017, the Government returned to the House in July 2017 for additional funding for the Agency. The request for the monies for SARA was made under the budget for the Ministry of Legal Affairs

– under the heading ‘subsidies and contributions to local organisations’. The sums requested include: $89.89M for managerial, technical, supervisory and clerical staffers, as well as for services; $13M for two vehicles; and $13.42M to furnish and equip a newly rented building to house SARA, inclusive of furniture, television, refrigerator, photocopier, computer server and water dispenser – a whopping $116.31M. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has made it clear that it was and remains opposed to SARA, as currently configured. CASES FILED Meanwhile, while its actions are shadowed by illegality, SARA has filed civil proceedings against former President Bharrat Jagdeo and six other persons.

A total of eight cases were filed on February 15, 2019) to go after persons who are in possession of state assets. Aside from Jagdeo, the other defendants are former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, former Housing Minister Shaik Baksh, Lisaveta Ramotar, who is the daughter of former president Donald Ramotar, businessman Ramesh Dookhoo, former Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) president Professor Compton Bourne, and Florrie Loretta Ramnauth. The cases concern parcels 241, 246,175,240, 243,174,183 and 173. Notably, SARA is implicated in another High Court case. Private citizen, Ramon Gaskin, has asked the High Court to have the SARA scrapped. That case is yet to be substantively heard by the Courts.

Appeal of High Court ruling prohibiting Felix, Essequibo farmers Scott from sitting as Parliamentarians deferred raise concerns with

he court case challenge the validity of APNU+AFC Coalition Ministers, Winston Felix and Keith Scott, as Parliamentarians – as non-elected Parliamentarians – was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday (April 30, 2019). However, the matter had to be deferred. One of the three appellate judges who should have been hearing the case recused herself. The matter had been fixed for hearing before acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory. Lawyers on both sides were informed of one of the judges’ decision to recuse herself from the matter. As such, another judge has to be appointed to ensure that the three-judge quota is met. After this is done a new date for the hearing of the Appeal is expected to be set. HIGH COURT DECISION In February 2016, the High Court ruled Felix and Scott cannot sit in the Na-

tional Assembly as Members of Parliament. This decision was later appealed by government. Subsequently, the Court of Appeal granted an interim stay of execution, which allowed for the ministers to take up their seats. The stay was granted on February 26, 2016 by former acting Chancellor Carl Singh and will last until the appeal has been fully heard and determined. In the court ruling, handed down by former Chief Justice, Ian Chang, it was explained that Felix and Scott were on the successful “top-up” list of candidates for the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, but their names were not extracted by the representative of that list to hold any of the seats allocated to their list. Therefore they cannot enter the National Assembly as holders of seats on behalf that list of Candidates. Despite that the two were appointed as executive Ministers by President David Granger they are not entitled to hold seats in the National Assembly.

Chang also noted that he does not expect for House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, to not act in accordance with the law and the Constitution. The High Court ruling came after a Constitutional Motion was filed in 2015 by Desmond Morian, in his capacity as a political leader and Guyanese citizen. He was represented by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. MOTION The Motion sought orders from the High Court to that: • Declare that Winston Gordon Felix and Keith Winston Harold Scott are not lawful members of and cannot sit in the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament of Guyana; and • Directing the Speaker of the House, Barton Scotland, to prevent Felix Scott from sitting in the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament of Guyana, unless and until their names are extracted from A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change National Top-up List of Candidates

for the May, 11th 2015, General Elections. Articles 60, 103, 105, 160 and 232 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Chapter 1:01 were cited as the legal grounds for the challenge. “Having regard to the clear language and the intendment of Articles 60, 103, 105, 160 and 232 of the Constitution of Guyana the said Winston Gordon Felix and Keith Winston Harold Scott are not lawful members of and cannot sit in the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament of Guyana, unless and until their names are extracted from A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change National Top-up List of Candidates for the May, 11th 2015, General Elections,” the court document read. The Constitution, as well as provisions of the Representation of the People’s Act, Chapter 1:03, dictates what qualifies an individual to act as an MP. The Constitution, being the supreme law of Guyana, supersedes any other local law.

Opposition Leader

group of Essequibo farmers, on Tuesday (April 30, 2019), had an opportunity to raise several concerns with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. Several issues were addressed. One of the primary concerns raised was the paddy bug infestation of rice crops. Jagdeo has since issued a call to the financial institutions to work with the farmers during this difficult period. He also addressed several of the promises to be included in the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in its manifesto ahead of the next General and Regional Elections.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Economy cannot be managed just for positive ratios, Gov’t have responsibility to people ‒ Jagdeo

uestions about a boast by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, over a 4.4 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for 2018 were posed to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, during his Thursday (May 2, 2019) news conference. And he made clear that good economists do not just manage for positive looking statistics or ratios. “I am not a cut and paste economist. I don’t manage for ratios. Behind numbers are people,” he said. The Opposition Leader added, “What is the test of wellbeing – just a growth figure…when oil starts production starts we will have massive growth rates, in the 30’s, but will that result in jobs? Better for our people?” Jagdeo explained that while Jordan claims GDP growth and increased tax collection as indicators of success, these things cannot be looked at selectively. “While you are taking about growth rates, it should come with increased jobs, we are losing jobs,” he said, adding that a comparison of the productive sectors’ performance in 2014 and 2018 would show clearly that many of the major sectors are down.

The Opposition Leader said, “Where are the taxes coming from? It is from VAT on water, on electricity….look at the growth trajectory. Most of the growth that took place was based on old investments, investment brought in by the PPP…the APNU has no new investments.” Incentivized multi-million dollar investments deals negotiated by the PPP/C, which also stimulated job creation, included: First Bauxite; Reunion Manganese; Guyana Goldfields; Troy Resources; Teleperformance; Qualfon; Santa Fe Farms; Marriot Hotel; Texilla; Giftland; and MovieTowne. Additionally, the APNU+AFC Coalition inherited over US$500M in concessional resources that were secured to finance development initiatives, including: • US$130M from China Exim Bank to construct a new international airport; • US$66.2M from Inter-American Development Bank to fund a road network upgrade and expansion project; • US$64.6M from Inter-American Development Bank and European Union to

fund a power utility upgrade programme; • US$50M from India Exim Bank to fund the East Coast to East Bank bypass road – a project that has not even stared as yet; • US$34.4M from the Caribbean Development Bank to fund the West Coast Demerara highway upgrade project; • US$31.7M from Inter-American Development Bank and European Union to fund a water and sanitation infrastructure improvement project; • US$15M from Inter-American Development Bank for a new citizen security project; • US$12M from the World Bank for a flood risk management project; • US$10M from the World Bank for a new secondary education improvement project; • US$10M from the World Bank for the UG science and technology support project; and • US$7.5M from the Caribbean Development Bank to fund a sugar industry mechanization project. “Their priorities are all mixed up,” Jagdeo said of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

“My salary is not affected” – Minister on removal from Housing Ministry

ormer Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, was reassigned last week. However, when questioned about no longer being responsible for a massive Ministry and now being a Junior Agriculture Minister, she focused her response on what matters

most – the salary and perks. She said, “What is a demotion? My salary is not affected, my allowances (or) anything not affected. Nothing is affected so why would it be a demotion?” Notably, the now former Housing Minister was at the center of controversy after it was exposed that her husband benefited from contracts at her Ministry.

The Minister married Godfrey Yearwood on August 16, 2017. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) Lelon Saul has admitted that the issuance of contracts to Godfrey Yearwood, the husband of Valerie Adams-Yearwood, should be reviewed since a conflict of interest exists.

Miner sues APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t for trespassing on his land

n East Coast Demerara (ECD) miner has taken the Government to court for constructing the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on his land. The miner had previously threatened to take legal action if the construction was not halted but the contractors continued. The defendants in the case are listed as Attorney General Basil Williams; the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and Pierre Walcott; along with Maria Ann Walcott of M&P Investments at Lot 1165 Block 1, Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Royston Stuart of Lot 70 Ann’s Grove Housing Scheme, ECD, in his statement of claim filed in the High Court said he is the holder of Claim Licence, dated September 2, 2016, issued under the authority of the Mining Act 1989 and the mining regulations by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in respect to a certain tract of State land in Mining District Number Two. Despite that Claim Licence being valid and subsisting, Stuart alleged that without his permission,

lease, let or licence, a group of men, unknown to him, have entered upon a part of the land allotted to him in the Claim Licence and have begun the construction of a building that is intended to be used to house the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court. As such, the miner has sought the help of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall to get the authorities to cease construction. The claimant is also seeking in excess of $50 million for trespass and an injunction restraining defendants from continuing the construction of the building on his claim. In a previous effort for an amicable resolution in the matter, a letter dated March 22, 2019, which was also copied to the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; acting Chief Justice Roxanne George; and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman as well as Junior Natural Resources Minister, Simona Broomes, the claimant had asked for the construction works to cease and for all structures constructed be demolished and removed. However, this

was not done but instead construction works continued. In that letter it was also pointed out that Stuart had previously lodged a complaint with the GGMC since 2017 and as a result, a mines officer of the Commission had informed those conducting the construction that it was being done on Stuart’s licenced claim and that the works must cease. However, those orders were ignored. Stuart had also filed a complaint in writing on January 17, 2019 with both Natural Resources Ministers Raphael Trotman and Simona Broomes but they too did not respond to him. The Mahdia Magistrate’s Court is being constructed in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) at the cost of $140.385 million. The construction of the court comes under provisions made available to the Supreme Court to fund its 2019 work programmes. The Chancellor had said last year that the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court is among several district court offices expected to open and will see regular sittings of the court and the availability of centralised services.

GECOM Chairman prevents Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner from speaking during meeting T his weeks’ Statutory Meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) – held on Tuesday (April 30, 2019) – ended without much success for another week. Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Robeson Benn, attempted to raise questions under the agenda item ‘Commissioners’ and Chairman’s remarks’, but was prevented from doing so by James Patterson – the 85-year-old GECOM Chairman, who was unilaterally appointed by President David Granger. As such, he left the meeting. Without Benn, as well as Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shaddick, who could not attend, there was no quorum to allow the meeting to continue. As a result, the meeting dissolved. This week marks the ninth statutory meeting of GECOM that has ended without successfully addressing major issues. The

major contention behind the stalemate between the Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners and the four Government aligned parties – the three Government-nominated Commissioners and the GECOM Chairman – is the issue of a new national House-to-House registration. Training of staff to conduct the new national Houseto-House registration has already commenced, with plans for the process to start in June. With no agreement on the proposal and with the continued push for a new national House-to-House registration – something that has been vehemently objected to by the Parliamentary Opposition – the three Opposition-nominated Commissioners walked out of last week’s meeting. The current state of affairs follow the passage of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly – the validity of which is now a matter before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Last week, the Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners requested that the meetings be put on hold until the challenges related to the vote on the no-confidence motion are ruled on by the Caribbean Court of Justice. Last week, Shaddick, said, “House-tohouse registration is not constitutional…it is not the law, Continuous registration is law…these people are playing with us…since March 26, when all we did was go through minutes of the three meetings prior, we have discussed nothing because they have been unable to present a plan for the holding of elections without pushing for house-to-house registration. The CCJ has already set dates – May 8 to 10, 2019 – for hearing the matters. It is unclear, how the GECOM Chairman intends to proceed – more so in a bi-partisan manner, relative to the current state of affairs at GECOM.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

EDITORIAL The consequences of the Coalition’s ‘brand’ of governance

ay 11, 2015, Guyanese voters went to the polls, days later the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) announced that APNU+AFC will now govern Guyana. After four years of the APNU+AFC Coalition’s brand of governance, the consequences are clear for all Guyanese to seen. Conflict of interest, diplomacy and policy development are just a few of the skills needed for successful governance – skills, which unfortunately, are yet to be demonstrated by the most top-ranking officials in Government offices at present. Conflict of interest is ‘when the situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity.’ This seems to be an epidemic spreading across the entire food chain of government. This is something the government vowed not to do when they were courting the electorate into choosing them. They then proceed to office, where they promptly increased their salaries as to not have any temptations (or so we were told). Guyanese have seen the exposés on multiple cases of conflict of interest. Minister Cathy Hughes, with her Ministry issuing millions in contracts to her company, is one of the several cases. How many young startups companies are there that could have completed the exact job Minister Hughes’ company was engaged to do. How many young startups companies had an opportunity to bid for the jobs the Minister’s company secured? Was the Minster’s company awarded all these contracts because they are the best? Or were they simply awarded the contracts because the company belongs to a minister? On the question of bad governance, the National Assembly – where only the 33 APNU+AFC Coalition Government Parliamentarians were present – passed motion to honour a terrorist – an action that has been condoned both locally and by the diplomatic corps. This action can clearly be seen as a reflection of a Burnham principle of Party Paramountcy. It was something that the People National Congress (PNC) wanted, so it was something that the National Assembly did. This can be seen as disrespectful to not only our international friends, but to our own other Members of Parliament. The Government of Guyana should issue an apology. Guyana’s international image has been tainted by this. It is also worth noting that after four years, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government wasted little time in honouring a convicted terrorist, but is still to advance a single policy that will improve the lives of Guyanese people. What they have done instead is implement dozens of policies that have placed undue hardship on the Guyanese people. Guyanese have seen an increase in taxes; cost of living is on the rise; opportunities for employment and development have decreased; young people are finishing university and no jobs are being provided as promised. Relative to policy development, Guyana’s economy mainly functions on primary goods, rice being one of Guyana’s leading major export. The Guyana Rice Development Board was created to regulate and assist the production and development of the rice industry in Guyana. However, only recently, the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) has had to call out the Board for not providing the farmers with enough support; thus causing farmers to lose millions because of the infestation on their rice crops. The CCCC is now calling on the Board to declare it an emergency and aerial spray all the crops countrywide. Reports are showing that around 20 (Turn to page 16)

CCJ will demonstrate its strong and unwavering capacity for dispensing justice Dear Editor,

s May 10 draws closer, speculations on the outcomes of the cases before the CCJ abound. The populace await with eagerness, seeing ourselves as swimmers in the sea poised on top of a huge wave which hangs uncertain as to which side it will fall; while many of us are optimistic it may heave us back to land, others feel it may roll them further out at sea. May 10, therefore, is expected to provide clarity, and hopefully closure to the 34-31 majority saga that hangs around our necks like an albatross. The CCJ is expected to pronounce on, among other issues/concerns, whether 34 votes represent the absolute majority in a 65-seat Parliament. While section 106(6) does not use the word ‘absolute’, it defines it as ‘a majority of the elected members’. The argument therefore, centers on a determination of what constitutes majority of 65. The paucity of data/information/calculations/ cases makes it difficult to find evidence, which would support the Guyana Court of Appeals’ assertion/decision that 34 votes constitute the majority. The general formula for majority odd number memberships/parliaments, unless the constitution or other instrument states differently, is (odd number + 1) divided by 2. In our context, it translates to (65+1) divided by 2 equals 33. In essence, a difference of one vote determines the majority/minority issue. This was the case of the no confidence motion brought by Margaret Thatcher against Prime Minister James Callaghan in March 1979. In that odd-number members of Parliament, Thatcher won/ Callaghan lost by one vote.

The question before us, as we approach May 10, is whether the CCJ would uphold the unsupported calculation or ‘attractive formula’ advanced by the Guyana Court of Appeals. It is true that the Court aims to provide high quality justice that is responsive, innovative and inspirational. However, it should be responsive to the extent that it can rise to the challenges of the diverse communities; it should be innovative in fostering jurisprudence that is reflective of the region’s history, values and traditions, and consistent with international legal norms; and, it should be inspirational by holding steadfastly to the tenets of excellence in shaping a judicial system worthy of the trust and confidence of the people of the region. In essence, the CCJ’s responsive, innovative and inspirational roles should reflect what was envisaged by the proponents. Further, notwithstanding its role as the final court of appeal in fostering the development of an indigenous Caribbean jurisprudence, it has an obligation to demonstrate that Caribbean jurists are capable of dispensing justice with the highest of standards comparable with the best in the world. It should be noted that one of the strongest arguments advanced for retaining the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) has been its ability to function as an impartial arbiter of the law. Proponents argue that the judicial integrity of the JCPC was maintained by its remoteness from regional conflicts and politics; and such geographic and social distance has had a stabilizing effect on its decisions. These are indeed salient reasons, given that less than a handful of CARICOM countries have relinquished ties with the JCPC.

At the CCJ’s inaugural event in 2005, former St. Lucia Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony called on lagging CARICOM member states to take the ‘leap to enlightenment’ by embracing the CCJ. To date, however, only four countries have ratified the CCJ as their highest/final appellate court. Ironically, St. Lucia, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the first two CARICOM countries to sever relationship with JCPC in what was commonly referred to as ‘removing the political yolk of colonialism’, are yet to ratify the CCJ as their final court. In light thereof, some commentators have argued that the CCJ should be seen, not as a final jurisprudential break from colonialism, but rather, as an overview and repeal of colonial laws. This argument, however, has proved flawed as the Court, in its 14 years of operations, has taken a creative, yet pragmatic approach in arriving at its decisions. In a nutshell, Guyanese await the outcomes of the cases before the CCJ, especially with regards to what constitutes majority: 33 or 34? That leads to either of two expectations: On one hand, the government faction anticipates the CCJ upholding the Court of Appeals’ ‘attractive’ but erroneous formula which gave rise to 34 votes as majority; on the other hand, the opposition expects an overturning of the 34 and restoring of the High Court’s 33 as majority. In light of the supporting evidence, or lack thereof, I take the view that the CCJ will demonstrate its strong and unwavering capacity for dispensing justice and overturn the Court of Appeals’ decision. Let’s wait and see! Yours sincerely, Ronald Singh

Setting the public record straight O

n Friday (26th April 2019), the Kaieteur News at page 30, under the caption “CCJ dismisses application to block sitting of Nat’l Assembly” the following passage constituted the opening paragraphs of the article: “The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) yesterday dismissed applications by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Chartered Ac-

countant Christopher Ram and former Member of Parliament Charrandass Persaud to block today’s sitting of the National Assembly. The Application, filed by Attorneys Anil Nandlall and Sanjeev Datadin, sought an order of the Court to block the parliamentary sitting until the outcome of the appeals before the CCJ on the

no-confidence matter.” Bharrat Jagdeo and his Attorney-at-Law, Anil Nandlall, neither filed nor associated themselves with the Application, which is the subject of the said article. Yours faithfully, Anil Nandlall PPP/C MP

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Ramjattan’s record in the security sector has been dismal, PPP/C had major developments planned Dear Editor,

e will soon be approaching four years since Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan was handed the reduced portfolio from Home Affairs to Public Security. Notwithstanding the exponential increase in numerical strength and the spawning of military and police ranks within the state and public sector, the sum total of horrific occurrences far outweigh whatever little may have been achieved in that sector since the APNU+AFC came to power. Among the first acts of the new government was to seek to exercise political influence, and to intrude in the operational mandates of the military and law enforcement agencies. In the case of the police, this was manifested by attempts to direct the Police Service Commission what it should do and not do. The axing of the end-of-year, one-month tax-free bonus hit members of the security sector hard. It turned out to be both a psychological and a financial hazard. Ranks looked askance when they saw billions being spent on extravagant and restige projects yet they were continually denied their annual bonus. Next came the establishment of Commission of Inquiries into the Lindo Creek Massacre and the ‘alleged attempt on the life of the president’. These Inquiries were aimed more at flushing out a number of ‘political undesirables’ from the ranks of the military, police and CANU, and to parachute in their place, elements who the regime considered malleable to messages from the political directorate. The reduction of piracy on the Corentyne River and in the area of overlap had less to do with the Government of Guyana’s much touted successes. On the contrary, it had more to

do with the Surinamese Government’s strong actions to stamp out piracy in waterways under its jurisdiction. Dereliction of duty on the part of government to maintain a high level of internal security and good order within the prison system, resulting in two major disasters in less than two years, should be viewed as a microcosm of the APNU+ AFC’s abysmal failure in the security sector at the national level. In the wider society, contrary to the bleatings of the subject Minister, the citizenry continue to suffer almost on a daily basis from gun crimes, robbery under arms, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, domestic violence, child abuse, and murders. Suicides have increased at the once prosperous but now depressed sugar estates. Attacks on the PPP/C administration’s jettisoning of the UK’s Security Sector (Draft) Reform Programme was misplaced and without merit. Alternatively, the PPP/C government had committed to supporting, and had actually begun utilizing on an annualized basis, budgetary resources to fund a five-year Guyana variant of the model the British had recommended. The just completed Security Sector Reform Report a/k the Combe Report is more or less a carbon copy of the Capita-Symonds Report which the PPP/C administration had begun implementing utilizing its own resources. The retrofitted structure recommended by Combe will see a significant increase in the bureaucratization of the Police Force where senior ranks will be called upon to attend to reform measures on a full-time basis. At the same time, an unprepared Ministry of Public Security will be saddled with the respon-

sibility to ensure effective implementation of the programme and full realization of deliverables. That aside, problems are bound to arise in the Police’s ‘chain of command’ unless the Commissioner himself chairs both the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the Police Reform Change Board (PRCB). Knowing how difficult it will be for the Minister to lead a process as complex and challenging as reform of the Police Force in particular, and the security sector in general, the Director should, preferably, be a competent, experienced and professional civilian and not a party hack. But it was not only security sector reform, albeit retrofitted that the government adopted lock, stock and barrel from the PPP/C. The Granger- led administration, notwithstanding its attacks on the PPP/C administration’s crime fighting strategy has recognized the need to preserve some law enforcement initiatives put in place by the previous administration. These include, maintenance of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, the Firearm Licensing Approval Board, the Police Legal Adviser, the Stray Catching Unit, the Juvenile Holding Centre, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) and the National Intelligence Centre. Moreover, the coalition administration, notwithstanding its harsh criticisms of the IDB-funded Citizens Security Programme CSP (1) under the PPP/C has accepted the need to continue with CSP (2). And as if on a wrecking expedition, government flagrantly undermined the effectiveness of Community and Neighbourhood Policing, cutting down drastically the respective mandates of these organizations to a size that hobbled its mobility and reach countrywide. Further, assisted by maximum administrative delay the administration frustrated the implementation of the respective strategic plans of the Guyana Prison Service and Guyana Fire Service. In one fell swoop, the APNU+AFC disbanded the National Commission for Law and Order, the National Committee to Combat Inter-personal Violence, the Ogle and CJIA Security Monitoring Committees, the Advisory Committee on Alternative Sentencing, the Crime and Social Observatory, the Task Forces on Smuggling and the Contraband and Illicit Drugs and Firearms. Innovative crime fighting Initiatives to facilitate crime mapping by means of satellite, on-line crime reporting, and I paid a bribe website, the Integrated Crime Information System and the regional House of Justice project were all scrapped by the ‘security

experts’ attached to the Granger-led administration. Had the elections not intervened in May 2015, the then Ministry of Home Affairs would have increased the number of CCTV cameras in and around the city of Georgetown and other towns, a digital occurrence book was to be introduced at police stations, steps were taken to procure body cameras for police ranks, a redesigned machine readable passport was to come on stream in 2015, the Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWAT) was to undergo advanced training with new, upgraded weapons, E and F divisions of the Police Force were to be delinked, floating police stations were to be established on the Waini and Berbice Rivers, the Cops and Faith Network was to undergo institutional strengthening, training of a number of police ranks selected to serve in the much anticipated Aviation Branch of the GPF was slated to begin at the Engineering School at Ogle, the Marine Branch of the GPF was on the cusp of becoming a world class organization, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service were to undergo name changes from Guyana Police Force to Guyana Police Service and from Guyana Prison Service to Guyana Prison and Correctional Service. Restructuring of CANU was in the pipeline and branches of the unit were to be established at all the newly established official ports of entry. Polygraphing of ranks in the disciplined services were to be extended to civilians engaged in law enforcement in one form or another. Had government not abandoned polygraphing as an anti-corruption safeguard, corruption in law enforcement agencies would have been drastically reduced. The scandal hitting SOCU might have been possible but highly improbable. The National Incident Response Team to fight off cyber attacks and enhance cyber security was to be strengthened and enhanced technologically and with additional highly skilled Human Resources. Correction of the defects at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory was to be accelerated in 2015. In that same year, the lab was expected secure ISO certification and international accreditation as a precondition for evidence and DNA testing. A business plan to market the services available to the public was to be agreed and made public. Yours faithfully, Clement J . Rohee, Former Minister of Home Affairs

There is strong and sufficient evidence to support the CCJ’s upholding of the no-confidence motion Dear Editor,

he APNU/AFC Government must accept the fact that on the night of December 21, 2018, 33 of the 65 members of the National Assembly voted in favour of a No-Confidence Motion (NCM) brought against the coalition Government by the Parliamentary Opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic. It is pellucid that the now partisan agenda of the GECOM Commission runs counter to its constitutional role. In addition, pensioner Patterson is merely a tool of the PNC for a simple majority in the Commission while Alexander and his cabal are deliberately attempting to illegally and unconstitutionally keep the fallen APNU/AFC cabal in power by ensuring that the Commission keeps GECOM at

an unready state for elections. The PNC-APNU/AFC coalition Government is hell-bent on rigging the next General and Regional Elections and needs time to conjure up their clandestine mechanisms. The cabal is well aware that no major disruption or disenfranchisement of voters will occur if the current list is updated via the approved Continuous Registration process for the elections. The call for house-to-house registration, therefore, is just another delaying attempt that we must resist with full strength and total togetherness. Patterson has proved that he is open to manipulation by the PNC and being effectively receptive to dragging on the process of holding elections, and worst, that he is likely to be a conduit for facilitating all

skulduggery if allowed the time and space. The CCJ has before it, arguably the most significant case that will likely impact regional judicial harmonisation and its own integrity. There is also abundant evidence of precedence and relevance regarding regional States restructuring to avoid the possible tie result regarding what constitutes a majority when it involves an even number parliamentary seat setting. Only recently, the eminent former Chairman of the Caribbean Association of Electoral Organisation, Professor Emeritus Errol Miller convincingly articulated and presented his now circulated discussion on the matter by the cases of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. In these instances, the States purposefully changed their election constituency structure to an odd number

to avoid parties winning equal seats. This is very instructive and must be given due consideration. One expects, therefore, that logic and facts along with the intent of the constitutional framers will be closely looked at, as the judgement will be looked at and have far-reaching effects. I believe that there is an absolute basis, as well as strong and sufficient evidence to support the CCJ’s upholding of the NCM and that this should inform the instructive decisions to puncture the wheels of the ‘rigging’ clique who are busy working around the clock to postpone elections in Guyana. I am advocating for free and fair elections on behalf of all Guyanese. Sincerely, Neil Kumar

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Work at the CJIA more evidence of APNU+AFC gov’t corruption and incompetence

Guyanese constitutional rights for the access to F information for all projects and policies must be respected

Dear Editor,

ct 21 of the 2011 Access to Information Act was approved by the National Assembly during the PPP/C Government. The basic objective of the Rights to Information Act is to empower citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Government, contain corruption, and make our democracy work for the people in real sense. It establishes, without saying, that informed Guyanese are better equipped to maintain the necessary vigil on the instruments of governance and demands a more accountable Government to the people. The Access to Information Act is to make citizens informed about activities of the Government also. This APNU/AFC coalition Government continues to strangle the rights of people from the access to information that would expose the corruption, dictatorial policies, racial discrimination etc. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six is an elected second-level Government that represents the people, but continues to be disregarded when it requests information for projects, decisions and policies that are being executed and implemented by the APNU/ AFC coalition Government. This dictatorial Government operates in Region Six without any respect or regard for this elected regional governance. Numerous projects that are being managed by central Ministries don’t even inform the RDC of project execution or give a copy of the contract documents because Ministries are scared of scrutiny that will unearth massive corruption. The East Bank Berbice Public Road Project is one of the biggest projects in the region that is being undertaken by the MOPI but they refused to make available the contract documents to the RDC. Likewise, the Indian Monument site at Palmyra, where billions of taxpayers’ monies are disappearing through the sale of materials etc. Berbician are still anxious to know what is the total cost of these projects.

The RDC was informed through the REO that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority said that Cabinet made a decision to reallocate budgetary funds from the 2019 regional allocation without providing any information or evidence of the Cabinet’s decision. The RDC of Region Six is stunned because this can cause serious implications in transferring these funds to the NDIA without the approval of the RDC. The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act does not allow for the transferral of funds allocated for Drainage and Irrigation in the regional budget to be transferred to NDIA without the permission of the RDC. The NDIA is being used, evidently, as an arm of the PNC to satisfy their supporters. Excavators are being used to execute private jobs for PNC supporters in Region six because of political intervention by senior Government officials. Imagine that the REO of Region Five is shutting down an RDC meeting because of alleged usage of NDIA excavators to execute private work in Bath settlement, but when NDIA excavators are used by PNC activists in various areas it becomes legal. This issue was highlighted to the CEO, Flatts, but he refused to comment on the issue. Finally, the circus of “Bringing the Government to the people “, continued in Region Five a few days ago. Unfortunately, Government continued to disregard the most serious problem in Region Five, that is, where APNU/AFC councillors and the REO are purposely shutting down the functioning of the RDC, which can be considered the “voice of the residents” in that region. Disregarding this major issue of democracy in Region Five is an insult to David Granger who boasted about democracy in Guyana. What is happening in Region Six is a replica by this APNU/AFC coalition Government throughout Guyana. The RDC is demanding their constitutional rights for the access to information for all projects and policies that are implemented within. Regards, Zamal Hussain

rom the very beginning of the PPP/C’s time in office a new airport was identified as important if we were to make use of our great tourism potential. Moreover, looking at Guyana’s location on the map it could be seen that this country has the possibility of becoming a major international hub in the aviation sector. This was brought forcefully to the PPP/C administration’s attention very early. In 1993 the South African Airways was considering using our airport as a transit point, however, that could not be done then because our airport was too small and our runway too short. Another consideration was to enhance the safety of the operation. Much later, we saw the justification for this as Caribbean Airlines had crash-landed here. When the resources became available the PPP/C government moved to build the new airport. The government of the People’s Republic of China provided the finance and the administration went into a contract with China Harbour to build the new airport. It was a design and build, fixed-price turnkey contract. It was to be a completely new building with eight air bridges, longer runway and an expanded parking lot among other quality features. It was to be a world class facility. The expectation was that tourism would boom. We had already built the Marriott Hotel and with tax concessions many new private hotels were developed. Moreover, we had facilities like the National Stadium, the Olympic standard swimming pool, the International Track and the International Convention Centre. All those to develop various aspects of tourism. When in opposition, the APNU and the AFC did everything to sabotage these projects. The airport was targeted heavily. In one year, the then opposition approved the budget for the airport project and the next it voted against the allocation for the continuation of the project. The PPP/C had to go to the court to reverse that potential crippling blow to our taxpayers. The company at one stage, in 2014, had approached me as President to adjust the cost upwards. I refused to do so and told them if they did not complete the airport in time I would have the penalty clause activated. The company did its own public relations work and engaged the APNU. In fact one Guyanese in a senior position was known to be close to the APNU hierarchy.

The company arranged trips to Jamaica for senior APNU people. Those trips seemed to have an impact on the APNU’s attitude. Not only did the criticism die down substantially, but interestingly one of the first things the APNU+AFC regime did in relation to the airport contract was to break it. They did so under the pretext that they were reviewing the contract. A very early statement of the regime in relation to the airport project was that they needed another sixty million USD to complete the airport. That caused a big hullabaloo firstly from the PPP, but others as well. The action of the APNU+AFC regime freed the company, China Harbour, from its contractual obligations to the Guyanese people. The APNU+AFC negotiations served to give Guyana an inferior product at a considerably higher cost. Instead of a brand-new airport building we have a refurbished structure; instead of eight air bridges we had less; instead of a two-storied modern building we have gotten the refurbishment of the old building. If it was not so serious it would really have been laughable to hear that more than seven billion dollars in sand was bought. The troubling aspects of the APNU+AFC handling of the airport are as follows: Why did they break a fixed contract? The regime has many lawyers, it also has access to many others. They knew that you should not change a fixed-price, design and build contract. Now the contractors are free of the obligations they were originally contracted to perform; and the cost has escalated by some US$70M and it is still climbing yet we will not be getting a new airport. The airport is now serving to penalise Guyanese and other travellers. It was announced by Caribbean Airlines and then confirmed by the regime that travellers will be pressed to pay some 32 USD round trip to offset the cost of this airport. This is defeating the original intention for a new airport. This is defeating the original intention for the building of a new airport. Recall that it was to promote tourism to be a major contributor to our economy. It was to facilitate the ease of doing international business and to enhance safety. This APNU+AFC regime’s corruption and incompetence have handed our country an inferior project and considerable high cost. Yours faithfully, Donald Ramotar, Former President

GAWU is not sidetracked by the spurious innuendos of those pursuing self-interest Dear Editor,

he GAWU saw Dr Joey Jagan’s letter which appeared in the April 21, Kaieteur News. Dr Joey in his letter, in seeking to wave the flag of relevancy, has sought to impute issues which, from our point of view, have no bearing on the matters he raised in his initial letter and which our Union provided a response lest his maligned assertions be deemed factual. In the most recent letter, Dr Joey questions, ostensibly, our commitment to our union members and their plight. Certainly,

we hold, that our commitment has been tangibly seen over the years. Through our efforts, together with the workers, we have managed to expand and improve their lot and bring about betterment to them and their families. In more recent times, we have been proactive in our members defence as attempts have been furthered to deny them a livelihood and imperiling their welfare. While we are not one to blow our own trumpet we, at the same time, will not allow unanswered the desecration of character and the dedication of so many in the noble task of advancing workers rights

and conditions. Dr Joey says that US$300M was spent on Skeldon, this is the first time, we can recall, that this figure is touted. But the ‘good doctor’ can be excused recognizing his unfamiliarity with the sugar industry. On the matter, at hand, the GAWU has expressed, on several occasions, our concerns about the Skeldon project. We nevertheless recognized too that the missteps regarding the project cannot be disconnected from what appears to be dubious project management. That notwithstanding, we are aware too of the concerted efforts to bring

about resolution to the maladies which plague the plant and, indeed, signs of improved performance were recorded. Also, the value of the project from the electricity stand point has been more than realized and demonstrates the worth of the project to the sugar industry. Dr Joey also alleges that the sugar industry was bound to collapse but this, in our view, only further exposes his disconnect from the subject at hand. Sugar’s future was never confined to being solely and only a raw sugar producer, which it (Turn to page 7)

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Are Guyanese witnessing clever subterfuge to grab the rights of existing media operators?

Is the GNBA receiving political instructions to I censor some media houses?

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, I have been observing the actions of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) in recent months and is being led to believe that the body, set up as a bipartisan entity to ensure broadcasters comply with the Broadcasting Act, Number 17 of 2011, has been politically contaminated and is now given a mandate to go after broadcasters, who are not pushing the government's propaganda and lies and those who are reporting information coming out of the political opposition. Article 146 (1) of the Guyana Constitution states clearly, “except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in his enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate idea and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.” Editor, this is a fundamental right guaranteed to all Guyanese. However, the recent actions of the GNBA and the government by extension, have put under threat, this basic human right. I wish to make a few points to bolster my belief: 1. As a representative of a broadcast entity, I made two recent appearances before the GNBA's Disciplinary Committee headed by a known AFC member and on both occasions, members of that committee attempted to instruct me how the media house I represented, should report on matters of a political nature, inclusive of instructions that border on infringing on the editorial policy of the media house as well as censoring our coverage. During the second of the two meetings, one of the members of the committee went as far as asking me pointedly, "You can't find anything positive about this government to report?" 2. I observed Television and Radio Stations that are openly pro-government, are con-

tinuing to breach the Broadcasting Laws unabated, inclusive of libelous and slanderous contents, without a single slap on the wrist from the GNBA. 3. Most recently, the GNBA launched a vigorous campaign against media houses that carried/ report on Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo's speech at Babu Jaan, with the intent of sanctions. 4. Director of Public Information, Imran Khan has been on a campaign for the past months, attacking Mr. Jagdeo with statements that are libelous, slanderous, attacking the good character of a former President and constitutional office-holder in the Leader of the Opposition. These video statements are being broadcasted on a number of TV and Radio Stations, using state funds (I have evidence to support this claim), but based on my information, not a single letter of Red Line Infraction was sent to any of these media houses by the GNBA and again, I have the evidence to support my claim. Editor, having considered these factors and the many other cases which I am aware of, I can only conclude that the GNBA, which is loaded with political hacks of the APNU/ AFC, is preparing the ground work to pull off air, media houses that are not pandering to the government and push their propaganda and lies. In conclusion, I do hope the Guyana Press Association, the Human Rights Association, Transparency International, the international community, the various other rights groups, political commentators and Guyanese at large, are taking stock of the actions of the Granger administration, which promised press freedom, but is now making every effort to suppress freedom of expression and a free press, while exhibiting the tendencies of an authoritarian regime. Respectfully, Eddy Layne, Broadcaster, Talk Show Host

read about the outreaches by the sitting politicians, but nothing about the loss of confidence which is affecting the business sector, which adds to an already bad environment for private businesses. The impact is being felt by almost every household. We all know that laws to address money-laundering means certain controls are in place. Many can tell about the new difficulties to do simple transactions; it feels soul-destroying at times. The officials, including the Bank of Guyana officials, ought to monitor and ensure that overzealousness in dealing with people does not have the chilling effect of stalling the economy and adding to people’s misery. The policies of the Government are doing very little to address the unfair competition which exists between the private and public sectors. The public sector, also, is represented by those officials and their families who benefit from procurement loopholes. See all the recent news about the minister’s husband and the other minister’s company, Videomega. This is a company in the media business, which must be one of the few not affected by unfair competition between the public and private sectors. How the public sector is unfairly benefiting is online. One can read about parliamentary discussions on the state-owned media operation receiving massive subvention in millions of dollars, yet it competes with private media – including print, TV, radio, online – for advertisements. Despite slashing the budget of the National Communications Network (NCN) Incorporated and the Government Information Agency (GINA) to $1 while in Opposition, the APNU/ AFC Government, in the 2016 National Budget, allocated and subsequently approved a whopping $170 million for NCN and $150 million for GINA, reflecting a more-than-$50 million increase in their subventions over last year’s allocations. The question of conflict of interest and undue influence should also be asked in a circumstance where a state-owned media, already subsidised by taxpayers, goes after the private market. This is an economic issue, but it has an impact on media freedom, and is affecting media outlets across the board. These econom-

ic issues and this unfair competition against the private sector have far-reaching impacts. The recent broadcasting law, which includes radio, TV and cable operators, is also in the news, wherein we are informed that this law will allow the authorities to criminalise media operators and seize their operations. We are reading lots of news stories about the broadcasting authority’s efforts to collect its new and very high fees, and very little about dealing fairly with media operators or about the laws which are curbing media freedom. Any day now, one can expect half the stations to disappear if the news stories are to be believed. Tony Vieira, in a letter in the press, noted that the authority regulating broadcasters has a case at the Appeal Court questioning its legal status. Is the threat made publicly with this new law — to criminalise media operators and seize their operations — a clever subterfuge to grab the rights of existing media operators? The operators should take note. In the US and Jamaica, when the state wanted to use media broadcasting frequencies held by private media owners, suitable arrangements were made, instead of trying to criminalise operators. This elephant voice about regulation is followed by silence on the larger issues of media freedom and poor trading opportunities. Some operators have been contacted about covering the now infamous ‘chase them out’ speech by the Opposition Leader; was similar action taken to address the MPs, one of whom shouted, ‘Charrandas gon dead tonight!’ and one who hit him in Parliament when the no-confidence motion was passed? Was any Police action taken so far? How far can the GPA and other media associations step in for those media entities which fall under the new laws? Is this coercive power to allow for action against them when covering a relevant media issue? I read in the Stabroek News that, ‘The GPA also noted the removal of two columnists from the state-owned Guyana Chronicle, which it said appeared not to have bothered Government and its professed commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression’. All this is very worrying in the current climate. Yours truly, R Singh

GAWU is not sidetracked by the spurious... seems that the letter writer is asserting. We urge the doctor to read Mr Dustin Fraser’s letter which appeared in the April 21, Stabroek News. From Mr Fraser’s letter, Dr Joey will learn of some of the possibilities to assure sugar’s sustainability. These are some of the suggestions; the GAWU has been advancing for some time now. The doctor also says that the “…the government… pays all sugar workers…”. By that token statement, it appears, Dr Joey is saying that the Government is engaged in discrimination recognizing that all other workers of the state have received improvements in pay and conditions whereas the sugar workers have received zero since 2015. Moreover, Dr Joey goes on to say that workers representatives in Parliament “…is unheard of in the history of trade unionism…”. We hasten to suggest that the letter writer reads Ashton Chase’s History of Trade Unionism in Guyana where he will learn that many trade unionists sat in

the August House and this is by no means a new feature. Two of the most outstanding of them, but not only, were the revered Cde Cheddi Jagan and Boysie Ramkarran. Dr Joey is also critical of the Union’s use of a car which admittedly, elicited a little laugh amongst us. But does the ‘good doctor’ really expect us to use a bicycle to go to the sugar estates which stretch from Skeldon to Uitvlugt? Surely, the ‘goodly doctor’ will recall that our celebrated leader Dr Jagan would use a car in order to travel to engage workers and others. It appears that Dr Joey is clutching at straws. We see Dr Joey expressing criticism of former Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud. The doctor is well within his right to have an opinion. What is perplexing, however, was that Dr Joey, according to the October 25, 2011 Kaieteur News, sat, reportedly, close by to the very Minister when he “…announced his support for the Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar,

saying that he has returned home to his father’s party”. The doctor also appears critical of our association with Dr Cheddi Jagan though he well knows that his father was associated with our Union for many years. The GAWU is proud of that association which brought the sugar workers several improvements and we hail the contributions of Cde Cheddi in our long struggle for recognition as well as in other struggles engaged by the Union. We nevertheless agree with Dr Joey, that his father’s legacy and work belong to all Guyana and, therefore, it is disconcerting that serious efforts are being made to undermine the work of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre which is nobly continuing to highlight Cde Cheddi’s work. Dr Joey also is critical of some of the projects initiated and continued under former President Donald Ramotar. What is interesting to us, is that Dr Joey in the October 25, 2011 Kaieteur News in glow-

(From page 6)

ing terms described the former President as “…a man of honour and is not a corrupt man, and I think he means to bring change to this country and change is what we need. I fought for change over and over and if Mr. Ramotar can bring change with the resources he has in his hand with a victory, then maybe that will help the country.” Again, how can we sincerely treat with Dr Joey’s utterances? The GAWU is not sidetracked by the spurious innuendos of those who seek, for their own motivations, to besmirch the record of committed leaders and activists who are still involved in furthering our members and the workers of Guyana interest. We know that our efforts speak for themselves and we are resolved to continue to put our best foot forward. Regards, Seepaul Narine, GAWU General Secretary

APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t placed Guyana at risk for self-serving and opportunist reasons Dear Editor,

n report from National Communications Network (NCN) – headlined ‘Government responds to the US Embassy’ – on the evening of April 29, 2019 presented the General Secretary (GS) of the People’s National Congress, Minister Amna Ally’s pathetic response to the United States of America (USA) Embassy’s “objection, in the strongest terms, to the actions taken in the National Assembly to pay homage to former Member of Parliament Abdul Kadir, who was convicted of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism on US soil”. In her response, the GS trivialized the significance of the objections not just of the US Administration but of all decent minded Guyanese. How could the General Secretary of the PNC not comprehend that this was an MP who was sentenced for a serious crime against humanity and therefore forfeited his rights as a former parliamentarian to be honoured. The GS dismissed the outcry of the majority of Guyanese and the statements by the diplomatic representatives of the USA, the UK and the European Union which have all suffered as a result of terrorist acts. Coming on the heels of the recent terrorist acts committed in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the statements by the GS of the PNC and her government that it “regrets the interpretation by the US Embassy” demonstrates the callous and opportunistic nature of the government and its leaders. This is in sharp contrast to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) press release dated April 27, 2019, which recognized that the passage of the motion in the National Assembly on April 26th, 2019 put an “indelible stain on our people and national character that will not be forgiven or forgotten by those who have suffered at the hands of international terrorism.”

The PNC and the APNUAFC government brought the National Assembly into disrepute and the entire nation under international scrutiny. One also has to ask how was this motion allowed by the Speaker when so many Opposition motions of national importance such as the rice industry, Wales Estate closure, the economy, for example, were disallowed? Surely the Speaker could not have been so naïve? He could have used his pen to strike out the motion as he did before. Minister Ally’s banal attempt to split hairs and do damage control by saying that the government only spoke about him as a parliamentarian and not as a terrorist leaves one dumbfounded. Her callous assurance that the “sympathy motion that was passed in the National Assembly for its late member Abdul Kadir, who was convicted of a terrorist act in the US, in no way supports terrorism” is an insult to Guyanese and to all victims of terrorism across the world. The GS then most deceptively tried to cover up her government’s shame by drawing a comparison between former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Minister and MP Ronald Gajraj and Mr. Kadir. Let us put the facts in case the PNC believes they can continue to kafuffle the public with impunity. First of all, Gajraj was never charged, arrested, convicted or sentenced for terrorism or terrorist activities in Guyana, or, elsewhere, or, for any crime anywhere. Mr. Kadir was. Judge Irizarry at the time of his trial stated that “There can be no doubt whatsoever that the offences for which Mr. Kadir was convicted are about as serious as they come, short of actual murder,” In contrast, the Commission of Inquiry appointed by then President Jagdeo--which Brigadier David Granger was a member---to investigate allegations of extra-judicial killings, demanded by the then PNC opposition, exonerated Minister Ronald Gajraj. The GS in spinning this web of deception goes on to claim that there was

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019 a similar motion tabled in honour of former Minister and MP Ronald Gajraj. Mr. Gajraj passed on December 15, 2018 and since then there has been no motion tabled or debated in the National Assembly on Mr. Gajraj. At the January 3, 2019 sitting, it is reported that there was one minute silence for 3 former MPs, Heralall Mohan, Ronald Gajraj and Abdul Kadir. Following the US Embassy statement, the government should have issued an unequivocal apology to the US Administration and to other nations which have suffered as a result of terrorism and terrorist activities and continue to be under threat. In fact, no nation is safe as we have also experienced in Guyana. The trail of Abdul Kadir provided that insight to our own vulnerability at that time. The FBI Archives (U.S. Attorney’s Office ( NY Eastern District) December 15, 2010, revealed that: “At trial, Kadir, a former member of the Guyanese parliament, admitted that he regularly passed information to Iranian authorities about sensitive topics, including the Guyanese military, and believed himself bound to follow fatwas from Iranian religious leaders. On June 2, 2007, Kadir was arrested in Trinidad aboard a plane headed to Venezuela, en route to Iran. He was subsequently extradited to the United States”. Furthermore, the FBI report added that: “Kadir admitted under cross-examination that he drafted regular reports for the Iranian ambassador to Venezuela, including details like the “low morale” in the Guyanese army. The documents he allegedly drafted included a five-year development plan to promote Islam in Guyana, which included references to infiltrating the military, police and other government agencies.” So not only did the Government offend the USA and all nations who have suffered from terrorism but simultaneously offended all Guyanese. Here was a person who violated the constitution art 155 (1) (a) that a person was disqualified to be a member of the National Assembly who had “any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power”. Kadir by his action and admissions in court did have allegiance to a foreign power. While one must remember this same article has been interpreted by the Guyana judiciary as the reason given for the removal of parliamentarians with dual citizenship, it also refers to Guyanese citizens who are accused of spying, treason and undermining the security of a nation. Surely it must have concerned the Commander in Chief President Granger that the Guyana National Assembly was honouring a man who spied on his country, including the very Guyana Defence Force which he had previously headed, and, sent reports to a representative of foreign state? Surely it

should have struck the President that under his government’s Anti-Terrorism Act Kadir would have been charged with treason? But then maybe one should not be surprised, as the PPP statement of April 27, 2019 pointed out that the PNC has a history of honoring and exonerating violent criminals. Linden ‘Blackie’ London whose reign of terror ended when he was killed in a shootout with law enforcement services of Guyana, was honored by PNC leaders, who infamously draped Blackie’s coffin with Guyana’s national flag, the Golden Arrowhead. In addition, the five prison escapees who wreaked havoc and were responsible for murder, mayhem and an unprecedented crime wave, were dubbed ‘freedom fighters’ by many leaders of the PNC. The Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry(COI), during which the father of a sitting Minister was its lone Commissioner and the brother of another Minister its legal counsel, was aimed at “exonerating” Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins. All of these actions show a pattern of association and glorification of homegrown terrorists.” The main objective of the same Commission was to point the finger and blame the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force for the Lindo Creek massacre. One must also not forget that the kidnapping and the grotesque murder of the Iranian Cleric, Imam Ibrahemi in 2004 remains a mystery. The Imam was associated with Kadir and the mosque he set up in Georgetown. The link between Kadir and the “Buxton gang” and international terrorists is/was known to several leading former members of the security services and leaders of the present day PNC and AFC. Maybe the Guyana Police Force should re-open this cold case and others of the 2002-2008 era. I have tried to comprehend why the APNUAFC government would take such a risky and reckless action and more disturbing such a cold hearted reaction to the US, UK and EU statements. l can only wonder if this motion, being brought 6 months after Kadir passed, was merely a desperate attempt by the PNC to win back sections of the Kadir family and disillusioned supporters in Linden back to the PNC fold. If I am right – and I hope that I am wrong – that the government would risk our nation’s image and place us under additional international scrutiny as a “defender of terrorists” for such self-serving and opportunist reasons, then, all Guyanese, must call on the government to resign forthwith. They have betrayed our people, our constitution and rule of law repeatedly, but this one is unforgiveable. Sincerely, Gail Teixeira

APNU+AFC gov’t members must look themselves in the mirror acknowledge the truth Dear Editor,

o many Guyanese reading this article, Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac is just a name; or, to stretch it a little further for those of us who are familiar with Caribbean history and politics, he is the Governor-General of St Lucia. But of even greater importance is the fact that this very same gentleman was someone who crossed the floor to join another party in the House of Parliament here. Before I delve into my main point today, I shall endeavour to give you a brief overview into that crossing-of-the-floor event. Sir Neville Cenac was a member of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP), and Sir John Compton was a member of the United Workers Party (UWP). In that election, sometime in the 1980s, Sir John’s UWP won the election in a one-seat majority with 9 UWP seats versus 8 SLP seats. Now, Sir Compton was not comfortable with such a narrow win, and in his own words, he

“wanted a more decisive win, so that when certain major decisions are to be made in the house, he would not be impeded by an unpatriotic opposition.” In this regard, Sir Compton called another election that same month, which yielded the very same result: 9 UWP seats to 8 SLP seats. At this juncture, the name Neville Cenac came to the forefront. He crossed the floor, giving Sir John the majority he badly needed, which now amounted to a 10-7 win. Before I move on, I would like to make two very important points. The first point is: The St Lucian Parliament, which holds 17 seats, is founded on a winner or “majority” being 9 seats of that number. A similar situation exists in the Guyana Parliament, which is made up of 65 seats, wherein a winner or “majority” is 33. In the St Lucia situation, there was no mumbo-jumbo disgraceful fiddling around of the figures, like what obtained in Guyana. The constituted majority was a foregone conclusion, which is an accepted fact here.

The second point is: as one side of the house is increased by the crossover, the other side decreases very similar to the Guyana scene when Charrandas voted with the Opposition in that no-confidence vote. Now I turn our attention to the main facts of my case: When Mr Cenac made that bold step out from his party and into the fold of another, he was not issued any death threats like had obtained in the Charrandas case. No punches were thrown at him, or anything of that sort. Sir Neville was free to move about in his native St Lucia as a normal person would. He was hailed as a patriot for crossing the floor, and lives to tell the tale, even to the point of being conferred with the post of governor-general of that country. Rightfully so, there was some disgruntlement shown by party comrades and the constituency which he represented: that he has betrayed them; but no threat or harm was meted out to the gentleman. Disgruntlement also never boiled over into death threats, or

him having to run for his life into another country. None of those shameful deeds was ever contemplated. It shows the maturity and civilised thinking of the political parties and the electorate in that country — something that is alien to the PNC and their supporters in Guyana. Sir Neville was never put on a party’s lynch list, nor was he under investigation for bribery, nor was a call made for his immediate arrest for making that decision. The point I want to bring to you is: PNC members have to look themselves in the mirror and come to the realization of how indecently disgraceful they appear in the eyes of the civilised world when it comes to their behaviour in the face of a validly passed no-confidence vote. The threats and violence that are intricately bound up with that grouping speak volumes of that party in or out of power. Respectfully, Neil Adams

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Public Procurement Commission called on to investigate award of contracts to APNU+AFC Coalition supporters in Region 9

llegations have surfaced that the Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Administration has been awarding of contracts to friends and family of senior officials. And the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has formally called on the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to investigate in a letter, dated April 29, 2019, titled ‘Request for Investigation into the Award of Contracts- Selective Tendering’. Region 9 Chairman, Bryan Allicock, informed the PPC that there are cases where contracts are awarded to supporters of the current Government, but these contractors do not have the requisite compliance documents. The letter said, “It was noted that approximately 60 projects were awarded of which only eighteen were advertised, and the others were done by selective tendering… it is also observed that contracts were only awarded to the supporters of the coalition Government. Contractors that paid for compliances were not considered. “…information received from reliable source that most of these contractors who were considered under selective tendering do not have valid compliances. The Regional Democratic Council believes that this is a total violation of National Procurement and

Tender Administration Board Act, and, therefore, seeks an urgent intervention.” The correspondence was copied to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) Berkley Wickham, Ethnic Relations Committee Chairman John Adams, Public Accounts Committee, Auditor General Deodat Sharma and the Accountant General. Region Nine has been called upon to answer for procurement violations at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly, before now. The Audit Office of Guyana has previously red-flagged the region. According to the AG’s 2016 report, a sum of $73.871M was budgeted for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies under the Health Services Programme for 2016. It stated that amounts totaling $63.871 million were expended as of December 31, 2016. The AG’s report said: “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. 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. This was just one incident.

of fraud shadows appointment Contractor paid to do works that Region 9 Council Spectre of AFC member as Parliamentarian is unaware of, another complaint lodged with PPC Berbice Branch Manager of the expressed the opinion the stateNational Communications owned media company was deNetwork (NCN), Donna Mathoo, frauded of in excess of $500,000

second letter – in just as many days – to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), dated April 30, 2019, was dispatched by Chairman of Region 9, Bryan Allicock, calling for an investigation. The letter explained that Cyril Anthony, the Toshao of Parikwarunau Village, South Central Rupununi, complained about the construction of a fence for the Parikwarunau Primary School by an individual who did not report to the Village Council and advised the Toshao to check with the Region’s Department of Public Works about the award of the contract. The letter said, “Since the Department of Works Is unaware of such awarding of project, the Toshao was advised to report the matter

to the Lethem Police Station to make further investigations. This is yet another glaring fraudulent act of misappropriation in the manner of which contracts are being awarded in this Region, without observing the procedures of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.” The Regional Chairman called for an urgent investigation. The correspondence was copied to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) Berkley Wickham, Ethnic Relations Committee Chairman John Adams, Public Accounts Committee, Auditor General Deodat Sharma and the Accountant General.

was sworn as a Parliamentarian last Friday (April 26, 2019) to replace former Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, one of the four Government Parliamentarians with dual citizenship who resigned. However, the new Parliamentarian is mired in controversy. Questions about fraudulent activities, first raised over two years ago, still remain unanswered. In April 2018, she had said, “I proceeded on leave on March 29, 2017 after which date the investigation commenced. During the course of the investigation, Mr. Omadatt Ramnarine’s services were terminated by the NCN. I was provided with a copy of the findings of the investigation. No allegation of misconduct against me was contained in the findings.” However, according to a letter, dated April 13, 2017, from former NCN’s chief, the late Lennox Cornette, Mathoo was implicated by employees in a racket to hide cash received for advertisements. The allegation against Mathoo is that an internal audit of transactions at the NCN branch

monthly starting in December 2015. Cornette’s letter to Mathoo noted that staffers gave statements “which implicate you as part of the financial irregularities.” Cornette disclosed then that in addition to paper trail evidence, NCN and auditors were in possession of two video ads to supplement the evidence. His letter had said, “Specifically, the audit has found evidence of 724 advertisements on fake broadcast logs as well as several fake receipts. The matrix that follows gives details of 300 advertisements, aired for which revenues collected were not handed over to the company.” Mathoo was given until April 18, 2017, to respond to the findings of the internal audit. She was told to remain on administrative leave. Among other things, the internal audits found there were also indications of the destruction of fake logs and receipts were ordered before external auditors were able to conduct a special exercise in 2017. Mathoo resume duty on March 5, 2018 – almost a year later.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

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

Guyana Under Review Several issues were addressed a weekly news conference held by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday (May 2, 2019), ranging from crime ravaging communities to the consequences of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to use the hallowed Chambers of the National Assembly to honour convicted terrorist, Abdul Kadir.

Another demonstration that Granger, others detached from reality of Guyanese people

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) held its General Council meeting last Saturday (April 27, 2019) and the reporting on the meeting, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, solidify the fact that the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition Government is detached from reality. Referring to a Guyana Chronicle report, dated April 28, 2019, Jagdeo noted that PNCR Leader and President, David Granger, claimed that since the APNU+AFC coalition took office in May, 2015, there have been transformational changes in the infrastructure, education, health, agriculture and local government sectors, among other sectors. With first oil months away, the oil and gas sector has been taking shape. “In the ivory tower that these people sit, the country is doing well…crime is down, social services have

improved and we have a glorious future ahead….when you go on the ground and talk to our people, that is all it takes, and you see that the reality is very different,” Jagdeo said, during his Thursday (May 2, 2019) news conference. He added, “This is their mindset. They are unwilling to even acknowledge the problems. How can they fix things if they won’t acknowledge the problems? Every sector has deteriorated since they took office.” The Opposition Leader also took aim at the PNCR Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, who, in another April 28, 2019 Guyana Chronicle report, said: “We have worked effectively for the past four years to reduce crime and corruption. In this period, extra-judicial killings have vanished, the sale of illegal drugs is being addressed; health care, education and social services

have significantly improved and we have dealt congenially with the public. We have been honest, reliable and efficient and have willingly worked the long hours needed to advance the economy, develop and move the country forward and improve the lives of the masses.” Jagdeo said, “For them to say this…it is not just an understatement. It is totally laughable…the statement is not reflective of reality… corruption on a daily basis is being exposed…they claim that the sale of illegal drugs is being addressed and health care, education and social services have significantly improved, how? People across Guyana know that these services have deteriorated.” According to him, the PNCR leaders seem content with rhetoric and platitudes – not concerned with reality and the plight of thousands of Guyanese.

Coalition gov’t must apologize for Kadir debacle E

fforts to not only develop Guyana for the betterment of the Guyanese people, but to also improve the country’s international image continue to be undermined by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. This is according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who during his Thursday (May 2, 2019) news conference, said, “Every time you try to improve image of country, it is the PNC that leads the regression.” He noted that the decision to honour convicted terrorist, Abdul Kadir, has brought Guyana into disrepute. “Rather than admit that the motion was ill-conceived and insensitive and should have never reached the floor of the National Assembly, the Government chose to make excuses,” he said, about the motion that

was passed to honour Kadir at the April 26, 2019 sitting of the National Assembly. The first excuse was to say that it was never the intent of the Coalition government to convey the impression that there is support for terrorism. “So everyone else is at fault for interpreting what they did in this way,” Jagdeo quipped. The second excuse, he noted, was the move by People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary, Amna Ally, to equate the April 26, 2019 act with the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj and mislead Guyanese by saying a sympathy motion was passed to honour Gajraj. Jagdeo noted that the facts are clear: one, there was no

motion to honour Gajraj; two, while Ally claimed that Gajraj was ‘fingered’ in suspect activities, it was the PNCR who pointed the finger; three, Gajraj was never charged or convicted for any crime. “Even in his death, what Ally was trying to do was to disparage a patriot…she was trying to equate Gajraj with a convicted terrorist, a man, who by his own admission, was reporting on Guyana to a foreign power and who, by his own admission, planned to infiltrate our security forces,” Jagdeo said. When these excuses failed, the Opposition Leader pointed out that the move was then made to blame the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, for the motion. “The Clerk drafts these (Turn to page 16)

Gov’t incompetence on display yet again with failure to arrest increase in crime T he APNU+AFC Coalition Government has proven itself incapable of responding to crime, even as the incidence of personal tragedy in the lives of countless Guyanese is on the increase, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. During his Thursday (May 2, 2019) news conference, he said, “There is no crime fighting plan…crime is now the biggest issue in Guyana and government has been ineffective in address this.” Jagdeo was no holds barred in rapping President David Granger for the failure. He noted that prior to May 2015, Granger presented himself to the Guyanese people as the ‘man with a plan’ and the skills of former security personnel on his team to ensure that the “root cause” of crime is addressed. The Opposition Leader noted too that on January 17, 2018, comments that were made by Granger, on receiving the report on the Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP) from British Senior Security Sector Reform Advisor, Lt Col (ret’d) Russell Combe. He had said that attempts under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration to reform the country’s security sector “all a bluff” and the completion of the report represented an effort to “make Guyana safe” and secure. Jagdeo pointed out too that it has been over a year since Granger received the report and crime is increasingly ravaging communities.

One Minister being accompanied by three Guyana Police Force ranks during a community engagement

“He said that narco-trafficking was the source of crime and this was the disease…. he claimed that narco-trafficking eliminated, but how is it that we see this massive escalation in crime?” he asked. The Opposition Leader added that in February 2018, Granger declared that crime was the greatest impediment to human safety and prosperity. “This is what he said. What has he done? There has been no direction, no leadership. He has a Minister [of Public Security] who is more interested in playing politics and imbibing…a minister whose utterances are more often than not seen as comical because of the lack of seriousness. This Minister is failure. Granger takes ultimate responsibility. And he has done nothing,” Jagdeo said. The Opposition Leader pointed out to that in addi-

tion to ranks of the security services being demoralized, many of them are now being tasked with other duties, as opposed to addressing the crime crackdown. He pointed to a widely circulated photograph of Minister Simona Broomes, accompanied by three Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks during a meeting at Wales, West Bank Demerara. “The people who are supposed to be fighting crime are coopted into doing other things,” he said. Jagdeo added, “Sometimes I go to Parliament and I see the entourage…. it makes me wonder if half of the police ranks are involved.” The Opposition Leader stressed the need for urgent action to arrest the increase in crime. “All we can do is call on the Government to act,” Jagdeo stressed.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

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

Cathy Hughes’ latest response More revelations surface about suspect dealings under David Patterson’s watch exposes ‘depth of conflict of January 4 to April in or questioned. The project was not interest’ concerns From 28, 2019 – contracts of “…this is a documented re-tendered. Instead, a Dutch

he extent of the corruption under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government will be exposed. And in the matter involving Minister Cathy Hughes, the central issue – one that remains unanswered – is the conflict of interest, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. “The issue is not whether the Minister’s company got $2M or $3M. The issue is the conflict of interest – how they did get the contract?” he said, during his Thursday (May 2, 2019) news conference. The Opposition Leader explained that when the matter of Hughes’ company, Videomega Productions,

benefiting from government contracts was first raise, her response was a “haughty” one, where she threatened lawsuits and declared that she gave up involvement in the day to day running of the company’s operations. Jagdeo noted that if this was so, Hughes needs to explain why she continues to sign cheques on behalf of the company. When the second wave of information was released – where Videomega Productions cashed in on $10.3M in just under four months – Hughes responded by saying that that not all of the $10.3M went to Videomega Productions. Jagdeo note that the invoice Hughes produced to

substantiate this came from Beverly Alert, one of the officials of Videomega Productions. “So we see that the conflict of interest goes deeper…if this sort of things was exposed elsewhere, the President would have demanded the immediate resignation of the Minister involved….it is conflict of interest – regardless of sums involved,” he said. Jagdeo noted that it is clear that what has been revealed to date is “just the tip of the iceberg” on this issue. “We don’t know how many other contracts handed over in 2015, 2016, 2017 and other months of 2018, as well as 2019,” he said.

APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t failures…

Guyanese have had a chance to compare and assess which Party will deliver

ressed on whether the failures of the APNU+AFC Coalition government’s failures in office would give the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) a definite edge at the next General and Regional Elections, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, stressed that the edge that the PPP/C holds over the Coalition is a result of a combination of factors. On Thursday (May 2, 2019), during his weekly news conference, he explained that this combination includes: the failures of the Coalition Government; the Coalition’s lack of a vision or plan to advance the welfare of Guyanese and development of Guyana; the partisan actions that the Coalition has engaged in; and the continued work of the PPP/C itself. He noted that in line with the Party’s ‘Big Tent’ strategy there is a coordinated and dedicated effort aimed at engaging as many Guyanese as possible, as well as to ensure that the PPP/C takes

its message to all Guyanese, whether they supported the Party in the past or not. The APNU+AFC Coalition, on the other hand, has been openly partisan. Jagdeo referred to the controversial comments by People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson, Volda Lawrence, last year. Addressing the officials on November 25, 2018, during a presentation at the Region Four District Conference, held at Congress Place, Lawrence had said, “The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC.” The Opposition Leader stressed that the PPP/C has repeatedly said that it will continue to manage for all Guyanese. Jagdeo added that the PPP/C can easily expound on its vision and plans to advance the welfare of Guyanese and development of

Guyana. “We can talk about plans for health and infrastructure and more. Ask them these same questions? There is no direction,” he said. As it relates to the failures of the APNU+AFC Coalition, the Opposition Leader said, “Our people have seen the true nature of the Government….they went in with vague promises – vague in the sense that they were using a lot of rhetoric. They made promises that had no intention of fulfilling….they proceeded to exclude youths from the government…they became totally corrupt and in four years they did more harm than good to the institutions set up to fighting corruption such as undermining the Integrity Commission, etc…what APNI did was give people a chance to compare the two parties.” With continued hard work on the ground, according to him, the PPP/C is intent on winning the next General and Regional Elections.

479.9M were issued by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, through ministerial tender board – most via selective tendering or without any tendering process being followed at all. The revelation was made by Thursday (May 2, 2019) by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who added that this issue is being investigated by the Parliamentary Opposition. He said, “We have looked at some of the companies… the registry has no documents for some….some who got multi-million contracts only have a business registration….majority of the companies were newly formed…. one company that received a $6M contract is named ‘A Creole Restaurant’….here again, you will see a pattern. This is taking place in almost in every region.” According to him, these suspect dealings are worsening by the day. “It was bad before, after the passage of the no-confidence motion, it got worse,” he said. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, is already the subject of an investigation for corruption.

NO MOVE ON OTHER ILLEGALITIES At a prior news conference, Jagdeo noted that with no action taken on the findings of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), relative to the award of a contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River crossing, it is clear that the Special Organised Crimes Units (SOCU) is pussyfooting around what is a hot-button issue. He had said, “It all hushhush because it’s not just Minister Patterson but all the members of cabinet who approved that contract will be liable…I haven’t seen any member of this cabinet being called in to say what made them approve such a study. “…we have seen the same thing with Volda Lawrence and the [Cheddi Jagan] airport project where we’re paying more and getting less. Yet, they are not being called

case of corruption of unbelievable proportions, directly involving a Minister of the Government who bypassed our laws and the designated authority, according to our laws, to a Cabinet, to approve an illegality....we believe that this report could result in either the Minister or the entire Cabinet being charged for corruption.”

LAST WORD Notably, the last work on the issue from Head of the Special Organised Crimes Units (SOCU), Sydney James, was that the Unit’s work had been completed. He added that the file on the matter has been with the Police Legal Advisor for several weeks now. Additionally, with the Patterson investigation complete, according to SOCU, there has been questions about why no action has been taken in the matter. FINDINGS OF PPC REPORT SOCU’s involvement in the matter came after a call from the PPP/C for an investigation. The PPP/C, on August 16, 2018, forwarded to SOCU a report from the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which was asked to investigate the manner in which the contract was awarded earlier this year. The PPC completed its investigation into the award of the contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River and handed its report over on August 7, 2018. The findings of the report were damning. The report noted that several companies bid for the project – to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge – and 12 companies were shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12 companies made proposals. As such the bidding process was annulled. It added that on November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered.

Company, LivenseCSO, was engaged by Patterson’s Ministry. The report, on page 7, noted that the bid from LivenseCSO was “unsolicited” and added that Patterson then took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged. The report, on page 7, stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts). The report said, “The PPC noted that the Minster of Public Infrastructure, by memorandum dated November 18 2016, made a request to the Cabinet for Government seeking consideration and approval to use funds from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation to fund the feasibility study and to commence a contractual engagement with LievenseCSO as of the 1 Jan 2017. The PPC noted that this request to Cabinet was not forwarded through the NPTA but submitted directly by the Minister of Public Infrastructure. The PPC also noted that Cabinet considered the memorandum submitted by the Minister of Public Infrastructure and in November 2016 approved a total sum of $161, 514, 420 to be used from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation to cover cost for the feasibility study for a new bridge across the Demerara river.” Notably, the General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, according to the PPC report, disclosed that the Board of the Corporation was not involved in the decision to spend its monies. The report said, “He (Mr. Adams) stated that he had not signed the contract on behalf of the DHBC, but only because he was requested to do so by the Minister of Public Infrastructure. The Parliamentary Opposition’s position is that the findings of the report evidence a flagrant breach of Guyana’s financial rules.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

PPP/C details priorities to be included in Manifesto ahead of General and Regional Elections The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders is working on a detailed Manifesto, which will elaborate on the Party’s policies for improving the lives of all Guyanese.

Some of the priority actions of the next PPP/C Government will be to: 1. Restore– the $10,000 cash grant to school children. The APNU+AFC took away $1.67B per year, a total of $8.35B from Guyanese children. 2. Reinstate the water subsidies to pensioners. The APNU+AFC removed $500M in subsidies per year amounting to a $2.5B burden that had to be paid by our elderly. 3. Reverse VAT on essential services including water, electricity, and health care. The APNU+AFC imposed this on Citizens which led to billions in tax collection from Guyanese people and escalated the cost of living. 4. Reopen the closed sugar estates. Over 7,000 persons lost their jobs directly and another 4,000 lost their livelihoods indirectly. 5. Restore zero-rated VAT for machinery and equipment for agricultural, mining and forestry industries. For example, a tractor or excavator now attracts in excess of $5M in additional taxes. 6. Reverse cost of license and permits for doing business and accessing Government services. The APNU + AFC increased over 200 fees, e.g. vending licenses increased from $12,500 to a burdensome $65,000. This, added to the cost of living, hampered small business development. 7. Reverse land rents and drainage and irrigation charges. These have moved up in varying degrees, from $2,500 to $293,000 per acre, a policy that is suffocating many sectors including agriculture and tourism. 8. Remove age limits on vehicles. The APNU+AFC added at least $1M to the cost per vehicle, an unnecessary hardship for those aspiring to own a vehicle, especially young people. 9. Remove the restriction on used tyres. The imposition of this restriction increased the cost of tyres by 300%. 10. Reverse VAT on exports. 11. Reverse VAT on building materials. 12. Reinstate the joint services bonus. The APNU+AFC in a Grinch-like move took away the Christmas bonus from the joint services. 13. Remove VAT on data. The APNU+AFC has taxed the internet and your cell phone data. 14. Reverse the 2 A.M curfew. The arrogant implementation of this measure has not helped to address the noise nuisance issue and has affected quality of life and hurt job creation and businesses.

In addition to correcting these draconian impositions, the next PPP/C Government pledges to: 1. Create 50,000 jobs in the first five years. 2. Assist small businesses through the implementation of programmes to help small businesses grow by providing technical advice, small grants, loans, and training for workers. Women entrepreneurship will receive special attention. 3. Deliver 8,000 to 10,000 new house lots per year. 4. Implement a programme for affordable financing for home ownership. 5. Deliver quality health care and end drug shortages. 6. Improve the quality of and access to education at every level including offering 20,000 persons online University education. 7. Implement measures to expand the capability and increase the effectiveness of the security forces so that people can once again feel protected in their homes, on the streets and in workplaces. 8. Create conditions for our young people to prosper, realise their dreams and to involve them in all levels of Government. 9. Ensure better working conditions and remuneration for teachers, healthcare workers and other public servants. 10. Improve infrastructure (roads, wharves, bridges, airstrips, drainage etc) in Georgetown, other Towns and Villages across Guyana. 11. Extend and improve Government services and ICT on the Coast and in the Hinterland. 12. Ensure that revenue from Oil and Gas is not squandered and stolen and leads to the improvement of the lives of ALL GUYANESE. 13. Create the conditions and strengthen the institutions to expand and protect the civil, cultural and human rights of all Guyanese. 14. Improve governance, including expanding and strengthening measures aimed at fighting corruption. 15. Protect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The PPP/C has said that it is time to restore Guyana to the path of progress and prosperity. Since taking office, the APNU+AFC cabal has put forward five budgets, spent $1.3 trillion, borrowed US $ 900M and increased taxes by approximately $88B per annum. They are spending every year $1.6 B more for food allowances, $1.1B more for rentals, $1.2B more for local travel among other things, as part of their extravagant lifestyle. Meanwhile over 30,000 Guyanese have lost their jobs. The cost of living has skyrocketed and health care, education and quality of life have deteriorated rapidly.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Harmon says outreaches are intended to promote inclusion among Guyanese ‒ Protestors call for jobs and better services

n its eleventh hour attempt to reconnect with Guyanese people, following four years of neglect and the imposition of hardship policies that have severely affected the livelihoods of Guyanese, the APNU+AFC Coalition

Government took yet another one of its ministerial outreaches to Leonora, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday (April 28, 2019). The outreach, held at the Leonora Synthetic Track, was marred by not only the

Coalition Government’s failure to actually deliver in a meaningful way, but also by protest actions. Dozens of protestors lined the roadway to greet the APNU+AFC Coalition Government officials with

call for more to be done to fulfill the ‘good life’ promise that was made to the Guyanese people prior to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections. Protestors called for jobs, solutions to the downturn in the economy and better delivery of services, particularly in the health sector.

Meanwhile, former Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who delivered the opening remarks at the event, stayed away from substantive promises to Guyanese. Instead he said the outreach is part of Government’s mandate since it is outlined in Article 113 of the Constitution of Guyana. Harmon noted that the

exercise is part of Government’s move to promote inclusion with the Guyanese people. “It [is] mandatory that the type of Government we practice is an inclusionary one. One which makes people feel that they are included in the decision-making in our country,” Harmon said.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Increased hardships: A snapshot of the challenges facing average Guyanese Are you better off than you were four years ago? This question, relative to cost of living, improved income and improved welfare, were posed to Guyanese from the Essequibo Coast, East Coast Demerara and East Berbice Corentyne. The responses belie a worsening state of affairs – one that highlights increased hardships and the non-fulfilment of promises made by the current Administration.

ABDOOL NAZIDOOL (farmer): “Right now everything is harder. This government don’t care for me. I go several places, all about, and nothing happening. Farmers rights now not getting support like before. My rice right now, last crop I lost $1M and this crop I aint get nothing.”

SHAFEEK MAJID (farmer): “I plant rice. Last crop I plant 98 acres and it’s been blows. I plant back the same amount this crop and due to the water situation I lost. There is no help. GRDB said they would help, but it’s 98 acres of rice and only three bottle and that can’t spray five acre of rice. Without the help I can’t go back to the land. I work one, one day work to try. I have my family.”

TAMESHWER BISHSOONDIA (farmer): “The water situation with farmers is rough. If you lose you don’t have the money to go back to the land. Remember you got to get money to feed a family and pay expense too. I have three children in school. It not easy.”

DOROTHY RAMBARAN (pensioner): “You got your lil pension money, but right now it can’t do. You got to maintain house, pay bills and buy yuh lil grocery and you find it hard, very hard. I am a sickly lady and when you done and end up at doctor a lot of money finish at the doctor. It’s no help from nowhere. My children on their own, but they have their own children and they got to look after their own. They can’t always help me. I got to try for myself.”

GANDIA (Cash Crop Farmer): “Right now I planting my lil farm, but when you got to sell, nothing selling. Everything you got to bring back home. You try and buy and sell and nothing selling. You take out [money] from your pocket to try do something and you losing from you pocket. Nothing doing. And up to the government system and all not helping you. My husband pass away and I went to NIS and nothing at all they not helping you in time. You get push around.”

BHOOPAUL RAMKISSOON (Labourer): “This government got we right now in this country. Nothing going good. You plant a lil farm and you can’t see you way. I am a pensioner and still I struggling to work still. Cost gone up. Light gone up. Water rates gone up. We are down all the time.”

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

RAYMANAND SINGH (Labourer): “Cost high right now. Jobs, there is no jobs and you cant find nothing. When the bills come they too high and you have to find money to pay. So I find it hard, very hard.”

BIBI KHATIJA (housewife): “All thing gone up right now. You try to plant a lil garden, but nothing going right. The bills gone up, everything. I have three kids to look after and what we getting now is not enough just to maintain we’self. The government need to change. They not helping regular people.”

KAMALDEO (shopkeeper): “The big thing now is a lot of crime. A lot of thief. In 2016, thief tie up me and my wife and rob we. We not making the money to live properly. And the thing is what we will do?”

KEN CORNETTE (rice farmer): “I am a rice farmer. The main problem is the problems with pest and so with the crop and not good enough market. The main thing affecting me right now is a way to go back to the land. The current cost of living right now is really tough on me because the only I doing is the rice and if I can’t get an income from the rice it rough for me.”

ROOPWATTIE HARILALL (vendor): “Business not going good. You buy stock, but it not selling. Business run bad and times real tough now. And with all that everything is high. I have two grandkids with me to maintain because they without a father. One going to high school and one in primary school. It hard to maintain them because right now my husband don’t work.”

MOHAMMED ALLY (farmer): “Farmers like me went to the bank to start, but things have been bad. I didn’t get to pay the bank last crop and this crop looking like the same thing. It throwing me in real frustration. I getting frustrated. If I can’t pay the bank I can lose, my house and so. Right now things need to change.” What is clear is that change promised by the current Administration was not manifested as change for the better and these Guyanese, like thousands others, are still waiting on the ‘good life’ that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government continues to tout.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Coalition gov’t...

(From page 10)

motions routinely, but who gives the approval for it to be on the Order Paper [the agenda] – it is the Government, not the Clerk,” he said. Jagdeo added, “This is vintage PNC, blame others, instead of taking responsibility.” According to him, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government must unreservedly apologize for its action. He said, “The motion should have never made the Order Paper. It should have not been debated and supported by PNC. This is a stain on Guyana globally…. what we were known for under Guyana under PNC rule was Jonestown. Now, because of widespread this issue has become, people will say Guyana has honoured a terrorist…unfortunately, there is no differentiation, all of us will be tainted. “…Granger missing as usual. He has said nothing about this. We are branded globally as a country supporting terrorism….an apology is the only way to remove stain on Guyana.” Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader also acknowledged that the push to honour Kadir is being done for political reasons. “I have seen some people – Lincoln Lewis and others supporting it, but again it is for political convenience,” he said. Jagdeo made clear that every person is responsible and accountable for his or her own actions. “We have made it clear that the children, family of Kadir should never have to worry about being treated differently. People must account for their own misdeeds. The family should not be treated differently.” Kadir was convicted of conspiracy to attack a public transportation system (the John F Kennedy airport in New York); conspiracy to destroy a building by fire or explosive; conspiracy to attack aircraft and aircraft materials; conspiracy to destroy international airport facilities; and conspiracy to attack a mass transportation facility. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. When the sympathy motion came up for review in the National Assembly – a motion that received the support of all 33 APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians and became a Resolution of the National Assembly – Kadir’s criminal record was not acknowledged by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government Parliamentarians who were the only Members of Parliament present for last Friday’s sitting, following a boycott by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarians. APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians, Audwin Rutherford and Junior Minister of Agriculture, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, were at the forefront to hail Kadir’s achievements. Patterson-Yearwood said, “The people of Linden and Guyana have lost a great man.” Rutherford, said Kadir was a “family friend” who had been supportive of sports, all activities at Watooka Day School and Mackenzie Secondary School. “Linden, Guyana and the National Assembly is lesser for the passing of Mr. Kadir,” he said. Kadir was arrested in 2007 in Trinidad while he had been en route to Venezuela to collect a visa to travel to Iran. He was taken to New York where he was convicted in 2010.

The consequences... (From page 4) per cent of all crops in region six will be lost to paddy bug. This equates to 58,200 acres of rice. Basic yields give around forty-four bags of rice per acre. This means roughly 500,000 bags of paddy will be lost. This in dollar values falls in the range of one point four billion dollars. The CCCC has rightly called out the Board that they “should have provided more support to the farmers.” The Guyana Rice Development Board is mandated by the Constitution to provide aid to farmers. With the change of government, one needs to question what happened to all the programmes that were in the pipelines for development – in the interest of improving the lives of ordinary Guyanese citizens. Once again we see the rise of a thoughtless government. We now have two ministers in the ministry of Agriculture. Which one will be responsible to taking the lead on this issue? Given the current state of affairs, it is clear that while the APNU+AFC Coalition was elected on a grandeur of promises, not a fraction of which has been delivered to the electorate. The change promised was surely not the change Guyanese experienced.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

OBSERVER

Using the hallowed Chambers of the National Assembly to honour a convicted terrorist

he Guyanese public continue to watch with trepidation as the David Granger-led administration stumbles from one scandal to the next; as it is ensconced in one demonstration of incompetence after another; and as it wades from one embarrassment to the next. Their actions continue to bring all Guyanese into disrepute. Their most recent misstep is a major embarrassment to us all. On April 26, 2019 the Government members of the National Assembly used the sacred Chambers of that forum to do the indefensible – the adoption of a resolution to honour a convicted terrorist, Abdul Kadir – formerly known as Michael Seaforth – a former Member of Parliament representing the People's National Congress. This act has drawn criticism from all corners, from all reasonable thinking Guyanese to diplomatic representatives of the ABC Countries, as well as the European Union. Persons sympathetic to the government have been attempting to spin this and have tried to sell the notion that Kadir had an unblemished criminal record in Guyana and there was nothing negative about him prior to his arrest. A little bit of research would easily debunk this absurd assertion. Persons who were part of our security sector during the 2000’s are fully aware that there was overwhelming evidence that Kadir played a part in the crime wave Guy-

ana experienced during those years. One can vividly recall the infamous photograph of Kadir posing with a cache of weapons, more than needed for personal usage. Kadir was also suspected to being involved in the horrible kidnapping and murder of an Iranian Cleric here over an Iranian mosque. Since those events this individual was under the radar of the United States security apparatus. The individuals leading our army and police force at that time knew about this. These individuals are now part of this current government and it would be disingenuous of them to feign ignorance of this. Let us examine more about Kadir and what led to his arrest and conviction. On June 2, 2007, Mr. Abdul Kadir was arrested in Trinidad in connection with a plot to blow up Jet Fuel Supply tanks and Pipeline at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. Kadir, along with three others were subsequently convicted for the terrorist plot. The US government noted that Mr. Kadir was associated with the Jamaat al Muslimeen, a militant Muslim group, who had tried to overthrow the Trinidad government. According to US court documents, Kadir was the disciple of Moshen Rabbani, an Iranian, accused of being a mastermind behind the 1994 Association Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) bombings in Argentina that killed 85 persons and in-

jured hundreds. It should be noted that when Mr. Kadir was arrested in Trinidad, he was preparing to travel to Venezuela to obtain a Visa to travel to Iran. Based upon what we know of this individual, one can hardly fathom the reason that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government would have used the parliament to honour a person such as this. The government is supposed to represent all of its citizens, and Kadir’s actions was not in sync with the norms and values of our citizens. There is a large Guyanese population in the USA, with the majority residing in New York City. There is also a large Guyanese workforce at the JFK Airport. One can only imagine what would have befallen our brothers and sisters in the USA, along with all other individuals had Mr. Kadir succeeded with his diabolical plot. Mr. Kadir attempted plot casted our country in a bad light and we were suddenly now mentioned in the same breath as other states that supported terrorism. By their actions the government has exposed us to the possibility of us being labeled a terrorist country or a country that supports terrorism. In determining what constitutes a terrorist organization or country, the Australian Jewish Association has this as one of its criteria – the honoring at a public event a terrorist killed or convicted. Using this criteria the

Guyana government can be labeled a terrorist organization and by extension the country can be so labeled also. This irresponsible act by the government has once again demonstrated that they are not ‘fit and proppa’ to be in charge of our country. Their actions continue to place us in a negative light internationally. It is therefore incumbent upon us all freedom loving Guyanese to condemn in no uncertain terms this unforgivable action taken by the government. We must let it be known that their action was not done in our name, and we do not in any way support or condone any form of terrorism. The Speaker of the House Mr. Barton Scotland cannot escape blame here also. He has the right to prevent any motion from being raised in the National Assembly. He has used this power on numerous occasions to stymie the illuminating of pertinent issues from being raised by the Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). In this instance however it would appear that he was comfortable with this particular motion as he raised no objection and allowed the motion to go through. The Speaker needs to answer the question on whether he is there to only serve the whims and fancies of the government side of the House and not the entire parliament. This was a perfect opportu-

nity for him to display his independence and to demonstrate the he fully grasped the implications of allowing the motion to go through. Once again the Speaker has failed us all. In the aftermath of this fiasco the actions and comments coming from the government have been inadequate. They have the Minister who tabled the motion, advising that she only followed instructions given to her by the government’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally. That in itself is worrying. It sends the message that the Minister is like sheep blindly following instructions, with no thought of the consequences. That excuse was used by the Nazis at the Nuremberg trials. It didn't work then and it wouldn't work now. The next excuse is that it is traditional to honour former Members of Parliament who died. Whilst this may be so, good sense would have made it clear that in this instance tradition had to be ignored as the circumstances surrounding this particular former Parliamentarian dictated that he did not deserve this honour. Kadir has left a negative stain on our country, and as such no national honour is deserved. What he deserved is condemnation. Not surprising however, the government went the opposite route. If the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) wanted to honour Kadir it would have made more sense for them to hold

a separate ceremony at Congress Place or anywhere else that is not deemed a public place. We should not be surprised however by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government’s action. They have a history of honoring persons who are known criminals. One has only to recall the then Leader of the Opposition attending the funeral of the notorious criminal “Blackie”. Added to that they also draped his coffin with our National flag. Members of the PNC were also known to be associated with the dangerous criminals who operated from Buxton, even going as far as referring to them as ‘freedom fighters’. These ‘freedom fighters’ perpetrated a reign of terror over our nation and can rightly be referred as domestic terrorist. The APNU+AFC Coalition government since coming into office four years ago has consistently acted in a manner that is not in the best interest of Guyanese. The Coalition has consistently shown little or no regard to what is in our best interest, only worrying what is best for them and the sycophants they surround themselves with. General and Regional Elections are on the horizon and we must all act in our best interest and sent a clear signal to the APNU+AFC Coalition Government and vote in the PPP/C, who we know have our interest at heart.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Keeping it all in the Family: The DEBACLE involving APNU+AFC Coalition Gov't (This column will focus on exposing the linkages of family and party connections as a fundamental part of the Coalition’s governance structure)

By Gail Teixeira

Five more Ministers and even more concerns

or the purposes of this Column the number of instances of conflict of interest in government circles is alarming. The government’s refusal to address these instances demonstrates how deep the insidious network of family and political interests are embedded in the governance structures having encouraged and implemented a policy of ‘is ahwe this time’ from the time they entered office. CATHY HUGHES AGAIN Last week we exposed Minister Cathy Hughes’ several instances of conflict of interest over several years. At the time of going to press on April 25th 2019 the PPP issued a statement listing the contracts received by VideoMega Productions in 2018. Notably in Hughes’ Ministry three contracts were awarded to her company, Videomega Productions: 1. June 4, 2018 – Advertisement of Vacancies - $939,738; 2. June 25, 2018 – Facebook Page $119,670; 3. September 21, 2018 – CTU/ITC Roadshow 2018 - $2,291, 128. Videomega Productions benefited, also, from another five contracts awarded by other ministries:4. Ministry of Public Infrastructure, September 19, 2018 – Television advertisement - $256,500; 5. Ministry of Business, September 28, 2018 – Video for Caribbean Tourism Diaspora Forum - $198,800; 5. Ministry of Education, July 12, 2018 – Video Production - $1,487,700; 6. Ministry of Natural Resources, May 25, 2018 – Artwork - $1,420,115; 7. Ministry of Public Health,. July 27, 2018 – Advertisement - $3,592,236. In the space of just about four months, Videomega Production cashed in on over $10.3 M. VideoMega Productions responded on April 25, 2019, and stated that the company will provide the invoices for the sums received as soon as it retrieves them from its auditors. To date no such information has been forthcoming. But it is not only in year 2018 that VideoMega benefitted; in 2017 the company was given one contract each by the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Business and 8 contracts by the Ministry of Public Telecommunications totally $4.3M. In 2016, Video Mega received 4 contracts valued at $1.7M from the Ministry of Social Protection and Guyana Elections Commission ( 2 of which were final payment, but one does not know what was the total contract). So the Minister expects the Guyanese public to believe that she had no role in managing and benefitting from these contracts as its owner and Managing Director?

Yet President’s cabinet reshuffle excluded Minister Hughes; he did not terminate or move Minister Hughes despite these exposures that violate the Integrity Code of Conduct, undermine public trust and demonstrates her self-righteousness in the face of these proven cases. Mrs. Hughes should resign forthwith and failing this she should be fired. But don’t hold your breath – this is about “keeping it all in the family”. This week let us look at some more Ministers’ misbehaving on the same issue of conflict of interest. Some you may know of already and some may be new. Some Ministers are repeat offenders. DR. GEORGE NORTON Former Minister of Public Health now Minister of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport. In his first position he oversaw the award of the rental contract for the Sussex Street Bond for the Ministry and was brought before the Privilege Committee in 2016. To date the Committee has not commenced the investigation into this scandal. More recently, we have learnt that this Minister owns an “outside boat” working the Parika-Bartica route which has no licence nor is it registered and with a captain and sailor who are also not licensed. Shame on you Dr. Norton taking money out of the pockets of the boatmen on that route who cannot get enough work to feed their families. One wonders why is MARAD allowing this? Has the Minister declared this acquisition to the Integrity Commission and the benefits he is accruing from this operation? DAWN HASTINGS –WILLIAMS Minister within the Ministry of Communities responsible for Water; in Sept 2017 re-assigned to Minister of Public Affairs in the Ministry of the Presidency, now re-assigned Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency. In response to questions put by me to Minister Trotman regarding Ministers’ beneficial interests in the Mining sector in late 2018. Trotman provided a document which stated that Hastings-Williams had registered Suction Dredge #12594 on March 2nd, 2013 and the last payment was made in 2015 for this. It also disclosed that she registered a Residential Permission on September 21, 2011, with the last payment being made in 2016 and the licence being issued in 2015. The response went on to say that Trotman was advised that the Minister relinquished all and any interest and control in the mining ventures. However, clearly by his own admission the Minister continued to make payments a year after becoming

a Minister. Did the Minister declare these interests to the Integrity Commission? And has she given up the license fr the Suction Dredge and the residential permit or has she given it to someone else to work? And if so, how much is she benefitting from this? The Minister is from Kako, Upper Mazaruni, Region 7. There are complaints that her husband, Alston Williams, a contractor, is being preferred for contracts for the Upper Mazaruni through the Region 7, RDC. However, it is unclear if these contracts have been publicly tendered. For this year alone, we know he has received 4 contracts for Upper Mazaruni totaling $14.918 M. Has the Minister declared this connection to the Integrity Commission as required? The Amerindian Village Councils in the Upper Mazaruni are not benefitting from the awards of contracts; when the PPPC was in office contracts up to $5M were awarded to the Amerindian Village Councils for them to do works in their villages and surrounding areas, which provided employment and helped to reduce poverty. The villages also complain that the Minister bypasses the other villages in the Upper Mazaruni and seems to favour her own village and party supporters. VALERIE PATTERSON-YEARWOOD This Minister has been reshuffled to Agriculture. Is this a reward or punishment for the exposure of her conflict of interest in her former portfolio of housing. On April 3, 2019 at a press conference the Leader of the Opposition exposed the fact that the Housing Minister’s husband got construction contracts from CH&PA. It was revealed that the Housing Minister’s husband, Godfrey Yearwood, was awarded a contract to build homes for a project spearheaded by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), for which she has oversight responsibilities. That project is still ongoing and according to CH&PA Chief Executive Officer, Lelon Saul in an interview with the media after the story broke, the contract awarded to the Minister’s husband was a one-off award. In fact, Saul himself noted to the media that the contract award is a conflict of interest and in fact that a review of the award might be in order. He had called for the CH&PA board to review the matter and ensure there is no re-occurrence. The Minister responded on April 15, 2019 that she had “no input into the contracts being awarded”. In her statement, the Minister admitted that Mr. Yearwood was contracted by the CH&PA to construct a duplex unit, two single elevated units and two units for the differently-abled. The three contracts (not one as stated by Mr. Saul) were

all signed in 2017, with the final one signed in December, 2017. The Minister and Mr. Yearwood were married in August of 2017. This statement by the Minister that the contracts were awarded before their marriage is amusing as surely the Minister and Mr. Yearwood had more than a passing relationship before they decided to get married in December 2017? Further exposures stated that the Minister collected money from the CH&PA on his behalf. The Minister, the CH&PA, the Ministry of Communities and the government, all have to be held accountable over the contracts to Mr. Yearwood. Up to today, the government is still to say whether it has investigated the matter and arrived at a conclusion on these contracts which constitute a clear case of conflict of interest. It goes without saying that no spouse, child or close relative of a Minister should be benefiting from contracts issued by a government agency under his/her supervision. Minister Adams-Yearwood should be asked to resign by the President. Instead she has been reshuffled to Agriculture responsible for rural affairs. The ludicrousness of this appointment has the Guyanese public “steuppsing” their teeth in disgust. This same Minister acquired land in Linden for housing and her son acquired 2 lots of land to build a supermarket. Unfortunately, the land he acquired was originally allocated to other people, however, after the government changed these were all retracted and reassigned to other persons, including the Minister’s son. Clearly another case of taking care of Family first. The President’s reshuffle of this Minister was clearly not in response to these exposures and certainly the Minister is smiling and affirming that her salary remains the same !!!! SIMONA BROOMES Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection in 2015 then Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2016 now reshuffled to Minister of Youth Affairs. Other than repeated cases of misbehaviour and inappropriate behaviour including accusations of assault before and since she has been a Minister, the issue of Simona Broomes owning mining concessions in Region 7 including land within the Tassarene Amerindian Village began since July 2015 as a conflict of interest before she was assigned responsibilities within the Ministry of Natural Resources. It should be noted that Tassarene had applied for their communal land title several years before. Minister Broomes, owns at least three medium-scale mining blocks, and is one of the most prominent persons who have (Turn to page 19)

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Five more Ministers and even... exploited the delay in titling of Amerindian lands. The three blocks were registered under B-149/MP/000, B-149/MP/001 and B-150/MP/000, and issued in 2006. One must remember that the Minister headed the Guyana Women Miners Association (GWMA) and therefore, she should have been familiar with the negative consequences of mining operations in Amerindian areas, as well as the delays in land titling due to encumbrances on these lands. The Tasserene Village Council had applied for title since 2007 and title was delivered to the village during the National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC Conference) in 2012 by President Ramotar. However, due to objections from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) the title was withdrawn. PPP/C Member of Parliament Yvonne Pearson who is also a former Advisor to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs said “When Minister Broomes acquired those blocks she was a miner heading the GWMA. Now she is a Minister of Government and this challenges her responsibilities as a representative of the people. Will she still keep those mining blocks knowing that the people of Tasserene are still awaiting title after so many years?” In response in July 2015, Broomes made a public statement that “Minister Broomes has never mined in the areas specified, and has not engaged in active mining for over two years.” According to the statement, the three blocks – B-149/MP/100, B-149/MP/001 and B150/MP000 – which the Guyana Times erroneously reports to have been issued in April 2013 were issued as prospecting permits to Broomes on August 16, 2006. It also noted that in 2012, Broomes admitted she had entered into an exploration agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with Pharsalus Gold Inc (Troy Resources) to do medium scale prospecting on properties owned by her. The statement continued to assert that: “Block B-149/MP001 was transferred to Persaud & Associates Trust Inc. (Guyana Company No. 7026) on 28th November 2014. As stated before Ms. Simona Broomes ceased to be an active miner over two years ago. As President of the Guyana Women’s Miners Organisation, Ms. Broomes has never engaged in mining in Amerindian areas.” In July 2015, in response Guyana Times, further “confirmed that mineral maps dated July 2014 show Minister Broomes as being one of the approximately 41 concessionaires in Tasserene, who altogether possess mining and/or prospecting permits for at least 117 blocks. Ms. Broomes appears to be stressing pedantically that she did not conduct “mining” but in reality mining may include activities such as prospecting, actual land or river excavation and dredging, or businesses and transactions in the mining sector. “The Minister did admit that she had engaged in prospecting through an exploration agreement with Pharsalus Gold Inc in 2012. This confirms that the Minister was engaged in mining activities and that the blocks in question were legally issued permits in her name. Additionally, she stated that block B 149/MP001 was transferred by her to Persaud & Associates Trust Inc in November 2014. In fact, the block in question is still seen on the Tasserene mineral map produced by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as being legally owned by

Minister Broomes. Broomes has, therefore, benefited directly from mining activities from her ownership of Amerindians lands awaiting titling.” It was later learnt that permission was granted from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), to one Simona Broomes of Bartica to operate Suction Dredge # 1967 on Mining Permit H43/ MP/000. The permission was for period March 3, 2016 to March 3, 2017. Note the period was when she was already a Minister and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources. According to the documents, the dredge would be operated on a concession owned by one E. Hopkinson, in the Puruni River, Region Seven. Further more recent information shows that Minister Broomes continues as of 2019 to own three blocks totaling 2,036 acres in the Mazaruni and that the last payment date was February 12, 2019 with a 5 year renewal! The status of all of her concessions is listed as active. In March 2016, the Guyana Empowered Peoples’ Action Network (GEPAN) reiterated “its concern regarding the non-resolution of the conflict of interest amounting from the ownership of mining blocks by Junior Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, on Tasserene proposed title land. The Natural Resources Ministry is an integral component of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project, funded by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), recently renamed. The Natural Resources Ministry as well as the GGMC, the GFC, the GLSC and the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) are all sitting members of the ALT Project Board and participate actively in the implementation of the (ALT) project and are tasked with facilitating titling and demarcation of Amerindian lands, as mandated by the signed ALT project document. Consequently, Minister Broomes in her role as Junior Minister of the Natural Resources Ministry, and, by extent, the Natural Resources Ministry and its agencies are in violation of the exigencies, terms and obligations of the ALT Project…the Natural Resources Ministry cannot facilitate the land titling process for Tasserene, if the mining blocks owned by one of its Ministers already constitute a mining encumbrance and therefore part of the problem which obstructs the Tasserene land titling process under the ALT project. GEPAN concludes that: “conflict of interest” designates a situation in which a public or government official violates her or his responsibility to fulfill the duties assigned to her/him for the benefit of the people s/he serves, with the aim of acquiring personal profit or benefits, particularly pecuniary. It is on this basis that the conflict of interest on Tasserene proposed title land arises, and it is also on this basis that the Government of Guyana is in violation of several articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Amerindian Act 6 – 2006 and the Constitution of Guyana….the possession of mining blocks registered under Simona Broomes (or SB), B-149/MP/000, 2013, Simona Broomes (or SB) B-149/MP/001, 2013 and Simona Broomes (or SB) B-150/MP/000, 2013 and to which the Junior Minister admitted ownership on January 6, 2016, obstructs the land titling process for Tasserene under the ALT Project. …GEPAN insists that the Ministry reserves the right to have Broomes’ blocks

(From page 18)

relocated out of the proposed titled area upon simple request to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. The GGMC is known to facilitate such a process once the miner is willing to cooperate…refusal to correct this anomaly will demonstrate poor political will and ethics from the Government in fulfilling its commitment to the indigenous peoples of this land as well as to its own policies.” Nothing has been done by the government to address the pending application of Tassarene Land titling nor the conflict of interest with Minister Broomes’ mining blocks in the last 4 years. In fact the Minister of Indigenous Affairs admitted that no land titles were granted between 2015 and end of 2018. Furthermore, many Amerindian Villages have noticed an upsurge of mining in their titled lands based on permissions issued by the GGMC with no consultation with them as required by the Mining Act and the Amerindian Act. Questioned on her involvement in the Australian-owned mining company, Pharsalus Gold Inc. (Troy Resources Inc.) The Minister disclosed that indeed she had a long-standing agreement with it. Under the agreement she has with the company when they are ready to mine, they will have the option of buying her out or offering a deal. The interest in that company has also been transferred to her children, Broomes stated that: “So I have no mining interests. I want it to be made clear that I have relinquished all the interests.” Yet in 2016, Broomes said: “I don’t see it as a conflict of interest. I have three mining properties in the Issano area and Pharsalus and I had a contract gone back years and if they are to mine the area, it is simple we come back to the table if I am to get a percentage or if they are going to buy me out and that is simple. I don’t see any conflict of interest there and that is very straightforward.” Broomes failed to recognize that she was expected as Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources to exercise oversight of Troy Resources, a company she is involved in a joint venture partnership. A legitimate question posed by the then General Secretary of the PPP is that: “If there are breaches in the Occupational Safety and Health Protection of workers’ rights in the forestry and mining sectors and non-compliance with the various laws, will Broomes act or will she turn a blind eye?” In other words which master is she serving – the public’ interests or her private interests? In January 2016, a Troy Resources document seen by Demerara Waves Online News states that the company has the option of acquiring a 100 percent interest in three medium scale prospecting permits in keeping with an agreement signed in June, 2012. So far, she has been paid US$40,000 on the signing of the agreement, and two more payments of US$40,000 each. There was no information on when she received the two more payments of US$80,000. Pharsalus Gold, according to the document, enjoys full rights to occupy, explore, prospect, mine or carry out related activities on the tenements. The document also states that after the exercise of the option the vendor, Simona Broomes is entitled to a 2% Net Smelter Royalty, which Pharsalus has the option to purchase at any time for a cash payment of US$1,500,000. Therefore, Broomes has benefited di-

rectly and continues to benefit from mining activities from her mining concessions on these Amerindians lands which are waiting for titling. One wonders if she has paid her taxes as a mining concessionaire, income and property taxes, duties and other requirements to the Guyana Revenue Authority and the GGMC. Broomes not only has had the full backing from AFC executive member Minister Rafael Trotman in 2016 that “there is no conflict” but he said whenever there are potential areas of conflict of interest by Broomes he would be dealing with them instead. “In the event that there is a perception or perceived or likelihood of a conflict in anything that the minister is dealing with I will take over and ensure that she is insulated and kept at arm’s length from that,” said Trotman. As a lawyer Trotman could not be so simplistic. But Broomes seems to have the full backing of the President and she seems to be untouchable. In November 2018, in response to a Question to a Minister posed by me with respect to beneficial interests of Members of the executive in the mining sector, Minister Trotman reported to the National Assembly that Junior Minister Simona Broomes made payments in relation to a mining license up to 2017. This is in spite of the fact that she was appointed to the Ministry of Natural Resources in January, 2016. He also stated that she had transferred to the mining concessions to Troy Broomes Jr. and Simona Troyanner Broomes on May 9th, 2016. This would have been five months after the Broomes was appointed Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources. However, evidence l referred to earlier shows that Trotman failed to inform the National Assembly that payments were made in her name as late as February 2019! Although she has now been re-assigned on April 26, 2019 to the Ministry of the Presidency in charge of Youth Affairs the conflict of interest has not gone away as she continues to benefit from mining concessions whilst holding a ministerial position. Whether she does so vicariously through her children or not, the conflict of interest concerns are not put to rest. She is not in compliance with the Integrity Act. One may recall that an almost similar situation arose when the daughter of then Minister of Human Services under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration, Jennifer Webster was forced to resign as a director from Natural Globe Inc, a recycling company that won the bid to develop a plant here, after conflict of interest arguments were raised by Broomes’ party while in Opposition. The husband of a PPP Minister was denied employment by the GECOM as his wife was a Minister in the government. Removing Broomes to another sector has not removed the conflict of interest nor will it remove the encumbrance on the Tassarene land titling issue. Her reshuffling by the President is merely for show, that something has been done. In in fact, her new assignment will focus on trying to galvanise youth for the PNC in the upcoming elections using state resources whilst still benefiting from her mining concessions. Her case is a classic one that demonstrates that the APNUAFC will do everything possible to protect the party and family connections to the detriment of the Guyanese people. More next week on keeping it all in the family!

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

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

Labour Day 2019: Discrimination is rampant; workers’ rights and freedoms are being trampled upon, the rule of law is under siege O

n the occasion of International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all workers throughout our dear nation. This significant day, which celebrates the important resource of human labour, allows for workers to rally in solidarity with each other and to further highlight their invaluable contributions towards the development of Guyana. From slavery, indentureship, colonial times to present day, workers have scored innumerable victories and have radically transformed their working conditions. The struggle to accomplish these feats was long and hard. Many

were brutalised; many were jailed and many paid the ultimate price with their lives. These victories must be celebrated, sacrifices respected and lives never forgotten. However, many of the gains won by these workers are now being threatened and much of the progress made are being reversed under this APNU+AFC coalition administration. We in the PPP are aware that the economic and political situation in our country is a matter of deep concern and worry to workers and their families. Workers from every sector and people from all walks of life are apprehensive, not only about their daily existence but more importantly, about their future,

their children’s future and the future of our country. We believe that these fears and apprehensions are well founded. Every productive sector is on the decline; in the sugar industry, estates have been closed and thousands of workers were dismissed; in the mining sector, small and medium scale miners are being taxed out of existence, which together with several other factors have skyrocketed the cost of production, thereby forcing them out of existence; the rice sector has suffered tremendous decline owing to the absence of new markets, lack of competitive prices for paddy and many other factors; the forestry sector has also suffered a deep decline; in the com-

mercial sector, there is a drastic decline in trade and commerce. And we can go on. The party is also mindful of the devastating impact which the draconian tax regime imposed b y this APNU+AFC coalition administration is having on the working and vulnerable people of our country. We recognize that VAT on electricity, water, health services and basic food items are simply wreaking havoc on families across this land.

Politically, workers are operating in an environment where discrimination is rampant; their rights and freedoms are being trampled upon; the rule of law is under siege and where political witch-hunting and persecution have become institutionalized policies of the Government of the day. However, in spite of these challenges the PPP is confident in the workers’ ability to overcome while recognizing their diligence and daily sacrifices and will continue to stand in

solidarity with them while robustly and fearlessly representing their cause. As they march in solidarity throughout the country on this Labour Day, they will no doubt make their voices heard bringing attention to their plight. Our Party, trusts that, despite the challenges faced, that in some way, the observances for Labour Day will be rewarding. Once again best wishes to our nations’ workers on this their day. April 30, 2019

Decision to honour convicted terrorist has left an indelible stain on our people and national character

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP), condemns the Motion that was passed in the National Assembly on the 26th day of April 2019, which PPP/C Parliamentarians did not attend. The Motion that was in the name of the controversial former Housing Minister, now Minister of Rural Agriculture, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, read: “Be it resolved, that this National Assembly records its deep regret on the death of Mr. Abdul Kadir, on 28th June, 2018, and pays tribute to his dedicated service to the Parliament of Guyana as a Member of Parliament where he served in the Eighth Parliament, from 17th April, 2001 to 2nd May, 2006, and to the people of Guyana.” The use of the National Assembly, Guyana’s highest decision-making body, to

honor the People’s National Congress (PNC) former Member of Parliament, who was convicted in the United States for plotting to blow up the John F. Kennedy International Airport, is another act of betrayal of democracy and the rule of law as it is clearly not reflective of the will of the people of Guyana. Guyanese are known as peaceful and law-abiding citizens, at home and abroad. The PNC has a history of honoring and exonerating violent criminals. Linden ‘Blackie’ London whose reign of terror ended when he was killed in a shootout with law enforcement services of Guyana, was honored by PNC leaders, who infamously draped Blackie’s coffin with Guyana’s national flag, the Golden Arrowhead. In addition, the five prison escapees who wreaked havoc

and were responsible for murder, mayhem and an unprecedented crime wave, were dubbed ‘freedom fighters’ by many leaders of the PNC. The Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry(COI), during which the father of a sitting Minister was its lone Commissioner and the brother of another Minister its legal counsel, was aimed at “exonerating” Rondell "Fineman" Rawlins. All of these actions show a pattern of association and glorification of homegrown terrorists. The use of a Parliamentary Resolution is now an indelible stain on our people and national character that will not easily be forgiven or forgotten by those who have suffered at the hands of international terrorism. April 27, 2019

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians have a stained their commitment to ‘rule of law’ – US Embassy T he decision by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to honour convicted terrorist, Abdul Kadir, formerly known as Michael Seaforth, in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly on Friday (April 26, 2019), resulted in a broadside from the United States of America (USA). In a statement, the US Embassy in Georgetown, on Monday (April 29, 2019), said: “The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown condemns the resolution by Guyana’s National Assembly, reportedly honoring the life and work of convicted terrorist Abdul Kadir. Kadir was sentenced to life in prison in the United States after being found guilty of plotting a 2007 terrorist attack at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. “Members of the National Assembly, therefore, chose to honor a man who conspired to kill innocent people from across the United States and around the world. This resolution is an insensitive and thoughtless act, which demonstrates the National Assembly’s disregard for the

gravity of Kadir’s actions. “While speaking at an International Peace Conference recently, U.S. Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch held up Guyana as ‘a model to the world on religious tolerance and understanding’. The National Assembly’s resolution of April 26 draws into question that reputation. “It also comes on the heels of Guyana’s historic cooperation with the United States on the extradition of an alleged murderer. Members of Parliament have placed this resolution in direct contradiction to the efforts of security cooperation between our two countries. “With this resolution, honoring a convicted terrorist, members of Guyana’s National Assembly have left a stain on their legacy as representatives of the Guyanese people and on their commitment to the rule of law.” Kadir was convicted of conspiracy to attack a public transportation system (the John F Kennedy airport in New York); conspiracy to destroy a building by fire or explosive; conspiracy to attack aircraft and aircraft

materials; conspiracy to destroy international airport facilities; and conspiracy to attack a mass transportation facility. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. When the sympathy motion came up for review in the National Assembly – a motion that received the support of all 33 APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians and became a Resolution of the National Assembly – Kadir’s criminal record was not acknowledged by the

APNU+AFC Coalition Government Parliamentarians who were the only Members of Parliament present for last Friday’s sitting, following a boycott by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarians. The motion read: “Be it resolved, that this National Assembly records its deep regret on the death of Mr. Abdul Kadir, on June 28, 2018, and pays tribute to his dedicated service to the Parliament of Guyana as a

Member of Parliament where he served in the Eighth Parliament, from April 17, 2001 to May 2, 2006, and to the people of Guyana.” APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians, Audwin Rutherford and Junior Minister of Agriculture, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, were at the forefront to hail Kadir’s achievements. Patterson-Yearwood said, “The people of Linden and Guyana have lost a great man.”

Rutherford, said Kadir was a “family friend” who had been supportive of sports, all activities at Watooka Day School and Mackenzie Secondary School. “Linden, Guyana and the National Assembly is lesser for the passing of Mr. Kadir,” he said. Kadir was arrested in 2007 in Trinidad while he had been en route to Venezuela to collect a visa to travel to Iran. He was taken to New York where he was convicted in 2010.

‘I acted on instructions’ from Amna Ally

Canadian High Commission, EU also condemn use of National Assembly to honour – Coalition Parliamentarian on motion to honour convicted terrorist convicted terrorist

he European Union delegation in Guyana has expressed its surprise at the Parliamentary motion honouring convicted terrorist Abdul Kadir – a motion taken to the National Assembly on Friday (April 26, 2019) and approved by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. Notably, the 33 APNU+AFC Coalition Government Parliamentarians were the only ones present for the sitting. The 32 People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarians did not attend that sitting. An April 30, 2019, statement from the EU said: “The EU Delegation notes with surprise the honoring of former MP Abdul Kadir in the National Assembly of Guyana and believes that eulogizing a person convicted of terrorist acts is inappropriate.” The EU’s condemnation was followed by a similar statement by the Canadian

High Commission on May 1, 2019, which said, “Canada is disappointed that the members of Guyana’s National Assembly have paid tribute to former MP Abdul Kadir, a convicted terrorist.” In the face of mounting pressure from the international community, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government in a statement said it “regrets” the interpretation of the motion to recognize Kadir.

acing the backlash over the motion to honour a convicted terrorist in the National Assembly, Minister Valerie Patterson-Yearwood, has refused to take on any responsibility – saying that she acted on the instructions of Government Chief Whip and General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Amna Ally. Patterson-Yearwood, was one of the APNU+AFC Coalition Parliamentarians, who were at the forefront to hail Kadir’s achievements in the National Assembly on Friday (April 26, 2019). Audwin Rutherford was the other. Rutherford, said Kadir was a “family friend” who had been supportive of sports, all activities at Watooka Day School and Mackenzie Secondary School. “Linden, Guyana and the National Assembly is lesser for the passing of Mr. Kadir,” he said. Patterson-Yearwood said,

“The people of Linden and Guyana have lost a great man.” When pressed on the backlash over the Kadir motion, the Minister said, “I fol-

lowed the instructions of my Chief Whip (Amna Ally) so I will ask you to call her and let her comment on it. I don’t operate on my own. If I am instructed to do a motion in

that regard, I have to comply. I did not do it on my own. It was an instruction from my Chief Whip.” Ally is yet to substantively address the matter.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

2019…Year in Review (A look at the headlines that made the news over the past four months)

JANUARY 2019 Vote on motion of no-confidence stands Judicial coup will not be accepted - Jagdeo reiterates call for APNU+AFC Cabinet to resign

Trotman’s email revelations…

Calls were made for AFC to act while APNU was in ‘weakened’ state and more PNCR candidate replaced Charandass Persaud in National Assembly APNU+AFC gov’t talk about constitutional reform exposed as nothing more than rhetoric National Assembly meeting in violation of Constitution – Teixeira We are ready – Jagdeo on early General and Regional Elections Granger informed of Parliamentary Opposition’s positions

Cabinet meetings continue despite concerns about constitutional violations Efforts to polarize Guyanese using race rejected Guyana cited as a country with flawed democracy GECOM CEO declines meeting with Chief Whips ‘One team, one mission, one goal’ – Ali on the way forward Widespread endorsements for PPP/C presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali ERC called on to condemn, address use of state media to play ‘race card’ GECOM has constitutional obligation to be ready for elections – Jagdeo Abuse of state resources raised with international agencies focused on transparency issues

- consequences of vote on no-confidence motion discussed

FEBRUARY 2019

Hopeful presidential candidates make pitch to PPP Central Committee

High Court rules No-Confidence Motion is VALID

Better management, transparency in oil and has sector will be delivered by a PPP/C gov’t Judiciary urged to not be complicit in any conspiracy to undermine and flout the Constitution PNCR Executive to face lawsuit if false claims not withdrawn

Jagdeo says focus must now be on ensuring GECOM complies with Constitution - clock is ticking on elections deadline

Performance of APNU+AFC Coalition has been judged against their manifesto – Ali

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

2019…Year in Review

(A look at the headlines that made the news over the past four months)

Coalition’s rush to award multi-million dollar contracts is suspect – Hamilton

Coalition gov’t cannot be trusted to keep promises if it cannot uphold the Constitution

Top SOCU advisor fired after conflict of interest concerns exposed

Ministerial Plenary functioning with ‘powers of Cabinet’ is illegal – Jagdeo

Talks with Granger-gov’t would have to be preceded by ‘show of good faith’ – Jagdeo

Delays, obfuscation continue to be the order of the day at GECOM – Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners

Jordan will have to answer for his illegal actions Private sector concerned about statements that could lead Guyana ‘into a situation of grave instability’

Strength of APNU+AFC Coalition being diminished -concerns raised about PNCR influence - WPAOA says leaders behaving as though APNU is made up entirely of PNC

Controversial figures part of APNU’s campaign committee launch

Controversial national flag altered to include suspicious ‘PNC-green’ border re-hoisted at D’Urban Park

Protestors call for GECOM to comply with Guyana’s Constitution

Civil Society has its say in the crafting of PPP/C manifesto

PPP/C will call for international sanctions on those who violate democracy

MARCH 2019

-concerns raised about how key agencies will deal with ‘illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional’ gov’t

Law signed by Granger erases excuses about funding for GECOM to hold elections Opposition-nominated Commissioners expose deliberate tactics to delay elections PPP/C team meets with Civil Society Forum Nandlall asks Appeal Court for ‘early hearing and determination’ in no-confidence motion cases Gov’t spending spree red-flagged

Granger must explain why his office misrepresented communications to GECOM Appeal Court refuses to grant interim order to keep Cabinet in place, preserve status quo No vote to extend March 19 deadline will be supported by PPP/C Significant decline in business community could worsen because of uncertainty over local political developments

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

2019…Year in Review (A look at the headlines that made the news over the past four months)

SARA’s move against former PPP/C officials ‘illegal’ – Nandlall Timelines proposed for house-to-house registration will further delay General and Regional Elections – Gunraj Chief Elections Officer falls ill After vote on no-confidence motion… Law makes it clear that gov’t remains in office ‘for the purpose of holding election’ Meeting with Granger ends without agreement on date for General and Regional Elections APNU+AFC gov’t continues to ignore ‘constitutional crisis’ Diaspora group writes US Secretary of State on Guyana’s situation GECOM has taken no decision to commence House to House Registration Letters dispatched to major international organizations… PPP/C calls for non-recognition of APNU+AFC Coalition gov’t after March 21 House-to-house registration could push General and Regional Elections to February 2020 ‒ President’s meeting with GECOM did not address readiness for elections

Opposition GECOM Commissioners detail plan to allow April 29 Elections

At Babu Jaan… Jagdeo tells Party supporters that delay in constitutionally required Elections will not be accepted ‒ Ali stresses call to action

GECOM Chairman, Government-nominated Commissioners face criminal charges for constitutional violations

APRIL 2019 Granger admits… GECOM Chairman has been ‘cooperating’ with APNU+AFC govt APNU+AFC Coalition ‘defied the Constitution and sank into illegality’ for a record 16 hours – Teixeira GECOM pushes ahead with work for new House-to-House registration Citing impact on business community… Private Sector groups call for expeditious hearing of challenge to vote on no-confidence motion at CCJ - Granger insists there are no negatives

No agreement to views on ‘absolute’ majority – Nandlall Chaos ensues during struggle for control of AFC’s Region 6 Management Committee

‒ Granger rejects it

Lowenfield told to halt move to house-to-house registration or face legal charges

Appeal Court called on to reject Coalition’s application for extended time in office

Conflict of interest at CH&PA involving Minister’s husband exposed

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

2019…Year in Review

(A look at the headlines that made the news over the past four months)

Rose Hall Estate workers attached to Albion Estate on strike PPP/C MPs with dual citizenship submit resignation letters

Case filed to protect constitutional rights of thousands of registered electors to vote at the next elections – Nandlall

– former TT Prime Minister

Fraud at SOCU ignored by APNU+AFC gov’t, Ramjattan should resign Substandard US$150M airport warrants full-fledged investigation

PPP/C will be ‘vigilant’ of any attempt to register people who should not be on Voters’ List – Jagdeo

APNU+AFC gov’t has bankrupted the Forestry Commission

Relative of applicants seeking Guyanese citizenship confesses that law was not followed

Cathy Hughes’ Ministry gave her company contracts worth millions ‒ Videomega Productions also cashed in from other

Framers of the Constitution could not have contemplated a calculation of ‘32 and a half’ person

No response from Lowenfield, legal challenge likely soon GECOM says house-to-house registration will begin in June Basil Williams refuses to say how much was paid to Francis Alexis to argue gov’t case in challenge to vote on no-confidence motion Wide group of Regional stakeholders being engaged by Opposition on local developments EU delegation meets with Parliamentary Opposition Senior US gov’t functionaries support demand for free and fair Elections PPP/C needs presence in Washington to counter gov’t misinformation ‒ US Lobbying Firm hired

ministries

Granger does another shuffle with Ministers - Patterson-Yearwood, Broomes removed - Two new portfolios created

PPP requests suspension of all GECOM statutory meetings until CCJ ruling Guyanese continue to feel the squeeze of increased taxation APNU+AFC gov’t action causes Guyana to come under fire from global airline body over collection of airport fees Absence of a GPL Board facilitates ministerial interference MMA-ADA transfers Berbice co-op lands for housing project

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Tabatinga teen injured Armed bandits target Canjie while escaping masked men businesswoman A A teen girl received head and throat injuries, while attempting to evade two men on her way home on Friday (April 26, 2019). The teen of Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), had reportedly visited the library in that area after which she headed over to her

teacher’s residence to receive further assistance in order to complete a school project. However, as she was returning home on her bicycle she heard two males, whose faces were masked, screaming and running towards her. The teen reportedly made it to the Takutu River, but the men threw a wood hitting her

to the head. She fell into the river and she called for over 15 minutes for assistance. A fisherman in the area heard the screaming and went to her rescue. The injured victim was taken to the hospital in Lethem. Investigations are ongoing.

Man busted at hotel with cocaine pellets

man was busted on Saturday (April 27, 2019) with in excess of 80 cocaine pellets while at an East Coast Demerara (ECD) hotel. The pellets weighed 900 grams. Reports are that the pellets were intended to be swallowed by another person, who was to board an international flight that was

leaving Guyana later in the day. After the man was nabbed, he led investigators to the ECD residence of another male. Ranks then swooped down on the house and a search revealed an unlicensed firearm, along with ammunition. As a result, two other

persons were also taken into custody as Police launched a manhunt for another suspect. The man, who is yet to be arrested by the Police, is believed to be the mastermind behind the cocaine pellets that were intended to be smuggled. Investigations are ongoing.

businesswoman is now traumatised after being robbed by three armed men on Saturday (April 27, 2019) at her residence in East Canefield, East Canje, Berbice. Reports are that the robbery took place

around 09:20hours. All three bandits were said to be armed with a small handgun each. Reports are that the men managed to escape with GYD$180,000. Investigations are ongoing.

Bartica Mayor accused of raping make-up artist A make-up artist from Bartica, Arian Dahlia Richmond, has taken to social media over the weekend to highlight an alleged rape incident, which she claims took place when she was a teenager contesting in a beauty pageant. The young woman took to her Facebook page and detailed the alleged rape and named Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall as her rapist. In the post, which has since gone viral, the makeup artist stated, “On the night Gifford Marshall raped me, he told me of an instance he stepped into the Bartica’s

Police Station and aiding the release of (name withheld) after he was accused of beating and raping a girl who decided to leave the relationship”. In her social media post, the young woman accused the Mayor of being “a strategic politician so he said this to ensure I knew the extent of his power.” Meanwhile, former Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Kamal Persaud, who worked directly with Mayor Marshall, said an independent investigation into such an allegation needs to be done immediately. “I am calling

for a full investigation into this matter because it is not a light allegation being made, it is an allegation of rape, and, therefore, it is only fair to have an independent investigation to bring closure and justice in this situation. I also support Dahlia for coming forward since doing so, and even going to social media as her medium to publicise it, takes courage. This is unfortunate and I understand how the Mayor would feel as well, but only an independent probe can ascertain what really transpired and if the story is true or false,” the former Deputy Mayor said.

CANU in a statement said that Sandra Angela Profitt of Lot 9 John Fernandes Drive, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was sitting in the departure area waiting to board a LIAT flight destined for Barbados

when she was intercepted. According to CANU, a search conducted on the woman revealed the cocaine duct-taped to each of her upper thighs. She was arrested and is being processed for court.

Parika businessman killed by Woman busted at Ogle Airport armed bandits with cocaine A

55-year-old woman was busted with 3.378 kilograms of cocaine strapped to her thighs at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, on Monday (April 29, 2019).

businessman from Parika, East Bank Essequibo, was shot and killed by two armed bandits on Tuesday night (April 30, 2019). The victim, identified as Somdat Ramgobin, 46, was with friends when the armed men invaded his home. Reports are that one of the bandits held the victim at gunpoint and ordered him to lie of the ground, while another assaulted him with a rum bottle and demanded money and valuables. The armed men escaped with valuables after killing the businessman. Investigations are ongoing.

Duo busted with cocaine in pepper sauce bottles

Man robbed of car, belongings R by armed bandits V ice President of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and former President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding was on Monday (April 29, 2019) evening relieved of his motorcar and other personal belongings. Reports are Harding was travelling along Cemetery Road, Georgetown,

in his motorcar when his mobile phone rang and he pulled over to the side of the roadway to answer it. It was at this time, a motorcar pulled up alongside him and its occupants demanded that he take down his window. In so doing, Harding was held at gunpoint and pulled out of the vehicle. During the ordeal, the armed men took away

Harding’s the personal belongings after which they sped away with his Toyota Allion motorcar bearing registration number PWW 5610. Harding sustained injuries to his hand which required medical attention. He was treated and sent away. Investigations are ongoing.

amaeo Chanrabhan, 43, of Oronoque Street, Georgetown and Andre Yong, 35, of Section ‘C’ Diamond New Housing Scheme were busted with 107.6kg of cocaine in pepper sauce bottles. The two men who are both taxi drivers appeared were intercepted by the Custom Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) last Friday (April 26, 2019) at Camex Cargo Bond, Cheddie Jagan International Airport, they had 107.6 kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Reports are that Youg gave a confession statement. The men have since been remanded to prison.

WEEKEND MIRROR 4-5 MAY, 2019

Initial expansion plans for CJIA negated need for any increased fees – Jagdeo H

ad the APNU+AFC Coalition Government stuck to the initial designs for the US$150 million Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project, then there would be no need for the recently-announced increase in airport fees, which will affect the local tourism sector, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. In 2012, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Guyana secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government was slated to inject some US$12 million. The initial design of the project was changed by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. The A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) when in Opposition had cut the funds the then Government – PPP/C – had allocated for the CJIA expansion. After the Coalition Government inherited and took control of the project almost four years ago, the initial designs were changed. Jagdeo explained that the modernisation of the Airport anticipated increased vol-

ume of traffic, so there was no plan to increase fees at the airport. He said, “You can often do what you want by increasing traffic; that is why the size of the airport matters. By increasing traffic, you don’t need to adjust fees because you operate now on volume…secondly, we would have had more freight, because with the larger aircraft coming in, it would’ve been a big boost to the non-traditional industries –- perishables, etc. So the cost of freight to North America and Europe would’ve gone down. The original design was based on more airlines coming, more airlines and more passengers coming “…the original design was mainly on volume growth than a vertical increase of the fees, especially by that magnitude. That’s a huge fee…first of all, we have to get what we paid for at the airport and we’re not getting the type of airport we paid for… I believe that volume growth could’ve offset any repayment of the loan. But if they had to do a minimal increase, they should have at least had the consultations with (stakeholders) and the Government should have known about it.”

OBJECTION TO INCREASES The International Air Transport Association (IATA), on April 23, 2019, called for urgent talks with management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport over the calculation and collection of new and increased airport fees. In a statement issued on Tuesday (April 23, 2019), IATA, a trade association with membership of nearly airlines representing 117 countries, called for immediate dialogue on the implementation process related to the increase in the government-mandated Airport Security Fee and the introduction of a new Passenger Service Charge at Guyana’s main airport. “It is completely unacceptable that passengers are being inconvenienced in such a manner. This is a direct result of the airport’s management refusal to engage with IATA on a process which is standard practice across the globe. As a consequence, our member airlines have unfortunately no choice other than to manually collect the additional fees and charges,” said Peter Cerda, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas in a statement.

IATA said it has worldwide standards in place enabling airlines to collect government-imposed fees, service charges and taxes as part of an airline ticket, which are then transferred to the respective governments. “This has provided a smoother travel experience for passengers, by eliminating the former practice whereby many governments manually collected some of these fees and taxes at airports,” it said. IATA added that it needed clarity from the airport operator on how the fees and charges have been cal-

culated, as international standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Document 9082, were not followed. Effective April 1, 2019, passengers using the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are expected to pay an additional $4,000 in fees, thanks to the US$150M renovations at the Airport. The fees include an airport security fee for $4,300, up $1,800 from $2,500 and the passenger facility charge which moved from $1,100 to $3,300, an increase of $2,200.

Essentially, the cost to travelers for a return (round) trip is US$35 (GY$7,315), while for departing passengers it is US$17, and for oneway departing passengers it is US$15, payable in Guyana dollars at the prevailing foreign exchange rate. The airlines operating have reportedly informed travel agents and other stakeholders. The taxes are being collected from the point of sale and are shown on passengers’ tickets separately. Guyanese learnt of the increases via a circular dated January 25, 2019 by the CJIA to airlines.

APNU+AFC gov’t silent on reports that Lawrence, Jordan are also dual citizens

hile the APNU+AFC Coalition Government insists that only four of their Members of Parliament hold dual citizenship, information reaching the Mirror Newspaper, confirmed by multiple reliable sources, indicate that this is not true. Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Minister of Health Volda Lawrence, as well as Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, are reportedly also dual citizens.

Lawrence reportedly holds a United States of America (USA) passport, while Jordan reportedly also holds Jamaican citizenship. The Coalition Government has remained silent on the news, also reported in other sections of the media, that Lawrence and Jordan hold dual citizenship as well. Notably, in line with the ruling of the Appeal Court on March 22, 2019 – a ruling that upheld the decision

of the High Court handed down on January 31, 2019 – persons who hold dual citizen cannot sit as Parliamentarians and, therefore, cannot hold positions as Government Ministers. Notably, according to Article 183 (2) (a): “The office of any Minister shall become vacant if the holder of the office ceases to be a member of the (National) Assembly for any cause other than a dissolution of Parliament.”

Granger creates new post for Harmon after he resigns because of his dual citizenship A

fter the Appeal Court’s ruling on April 22, 2019 – that persons holding dual citizenship cannot sit as Parliamentarians and, therefore, cannot hold posts as Government Ministers – the resignations of the three Opposition Parliamentarians with dual citizenship was followed by similar action from the APNU+AFC Coalition Ministers. Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has expressed concerns that new positions would be created for the four APNU+AFC Coalition Government

Ministers – Joseph Harmon, Carl Greenidge, Dominic Gaskin and Rupert Roopnarine – who held dual citizenship and resigned with effect from April 25, 2019. According to Jagdeo, the Guyanese taxpayers’ would be made to bear the cost of carrying these four persons – costs that include not just salaries, but also a range of perks that they benefited from once taking office. On Tuesday (April 30, 2019), the Department of Public Information (DPI) announced that Harmon has been appointed Director General of the Ministry

of the Presidency. Harmon attended the Cabinet meeting earlier in the same day at the invitation of President David Granger, where his new portfolio was formally announced to Cabinet. Notably, Junior Minister, Dawn Hastings, replaced Harmon as Minister of State at the Ministry of the Presidency. It is unclear who will wield more clout at the Ministry of the Presidency – Harmon or Hastings. It is also unclear what Harmon’s responsibilities are as Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency.

Greenidge gets the boot, new Foreign Affairs Minister appointed W

hile former Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, was among Joseph Harmon and others who resigned on account of holding dual citizenship – following the Appeal Court ruling of March 22, 2019 – developments indicate that his services will no longer

be engaged. Notably, Harmon was re-engaged and appointed Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency. However, a similar move relative to Greenidge is not being made. Since Greenidge’s resignation, Junior Health

Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, who has been appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Cummings took the oath of office at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday (May 2, 2019) morning before President David Granger.

Corentyne residents assured of support by PPP/C

ver a dozen persons from Number 47 Village, Corentyne, on Tuesday (April 30, 2019), met with Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo. Concern about land issues was the primary matter raised during the meeting. The Opposition Leader was informed that some 300

families, from the area, have been occupying lands for generations. However, over the past few years, they have been subject to unscrupulous demands by persons now staking a claim to the families’ lands. Those affected disclosed that they have had to expend large sums to secure legal rep-

resentation. However, it would seem that the judicial system is stacked against them. The Opposition Leader gave his assurance that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will monitor the issue, with the intent of rendering support where necessary.

PUBLISHED BY NEW GUYANA Co. Ltd., 8 Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana. Tel: 226-2473, 226-5875 Fax: 226-2472