Weekend Mirror January 12-13, 2019 by Weekend Mirror

‘WE ARE READY’ 12-13 January, 2019 / Vol. 10 No. 55 / Price: $100

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

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– Jagdeo on early General and Regional Elections

Granger informed of Parliamentary Opposition’s positions PAGE 10

– consequences of vote on no-confidence motion discussed

Better management, transparency in oil and gas sector will be delivered by a PPP/C gov’t PAGE 13

– non-compliant officials will face jail terms

Judiciary urged to not to be complicit in any conspiracy to undermine and flout the Constitution PAGE 9

SEE INSIDE

PNCR Executive to face lawsuit if false claims not withdrawn

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Hopeful presidential candidates make pitch to Party’s Executive Committee PAGE 12

Cabinet meetings continue despite concerns about constitutional violations PAGE 17

APNU+AFC gov’t has no authority to bring in new legislation unrelated to holding early elections

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WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Court actions a mechanism to allow APNU+AFC gov’t to continue to ‘squat’ in office – Nandlall T

he passage of the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018, was validly passed – a position maintained by former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, in face of the court actions challenging the validity of the no-confidence motion. He said, “Why are we going to court? This is not a matter that the court has any business to interfere with. The Constitution is supreme in our legal system…it is that instrument that creates the entire state structure in Guyana, the entire government, the entire legal archi-

tecture.” “…it (the Constitution) is quite clear and has outlined simple, not complicated steps. Resignation of the president and his cabinet, elections and they are to remain in office until those elections are held. If they win, then they form the next government; if they lose, they move out and they make way for the next government. What are you going to court for. “…the court now is being asked to interfere with the Constitution and the court and the judges have no power to do so. “…this is the Attorney General (Basil Williams) of

this country. He has to speak with greater responsibility and he has to say things that are less outrageous and less bizarre than what he has been saying…how can the court suspend the Constitution from taking effect? That is what he is asking the court to do. He is asking the court to put the Constitution on hold. “…I don’t know which judge would think they have the power to put a constitutional timetable on hold. “…the judiciary has no legal jurisprudential or constitutional mandate to cause that constitutional clock to stop ticking. It has no such mandate…the Constitution

Legal challenge to the no-confidence motion…

Gov’t files High Court case saying 33 of 65 votes in National Assembly was not a majority vote

mong the actions being taken by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to challenge the results of the motion of no-confidence – which was passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018 – is a move by Attorney General Basil Williams, who approached the High Court to settle the legality of the vote on the no-confidence motion saying that it needed the support of an “absolute majority” of 34 members to be valid. The National Assembly has 65 Parliamentarians. In the current configuration, 33 seats are held by the Government and 32 are held by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). On the day of the vote on the motion of no-confidence motion, a Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, voted with the PPP/C. Williams filed his court action on Monday (January 7, 2019). He argues that the National Assembly comprises 65 members and that, mathematically, half of all the elected members equals 32.5. Accordingly, he says that the figure should then be rounded to the next whole number, being 33, which

would now represent half of the elected members and that the majority thereby being a number greater than half means that ‘1’ ought to have been added to the whole number ‘33’ to calculate an absolute majority of 34. As such, he said, “The motion of no confidence was not validly passed by 34 or more of all the elected members of the National Assembly….the ruling of the Speaker that the motion was purportedly carried by a majority vote of 33:32 raises concerns of serious national interest and grave and significant constitutional issues that are central to Guyana’s democracy, stability and constitutional ethos and as a consequence, requires the Court’s urgent intervention.” In his court action, Williams asked the High Court for several orders: • One, to enable President David Granger and all his ministers to remain in office; • Two, to stay the enforcement of the no-confidence motion; and • Three, for a for a conservatory order to preserve the status quo ante that the President and all Ministers of the Government remain in office until the

hearing and determination of questions surrounding the legality of the vote on the no-confidence motion. The action lists Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland, and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, as the respondents in the matter. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution provides that “the Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of no confidence.” Article 106 (7) of the Constitution further provides that “notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold elections in three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” Notably, the Attorney General called for the matter to the dealt with expeditiously. However, a date for a hearing of the matter has not been set.

is the omnipotent legal force in this country…It remains the fountain head. It makes you and it can break you.” The former Attorney General stressed that under the natural justice process, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) must be heard given that it can be affected by any order made in the High Court. He proffered the view that the court action is a mechanism that would allow government to continue to “squat and trespass.” Nandlall charged too that Guyana’s Constitution gives direction to each of the branches of government, organs and officers of the state.

He explained that an elected government only remains in office for the full five-year term unless removed by a motion of no-confidence. Once the no-confidence motion is successful, he charged that the government is mandated to follow the steps outlined in the Constitution, which includes the resignation of cabinet including the president and the holding of elections within 90 days. The motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government was submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly on November 15, 2018 by Opposition Leader,

Bharrat Jagdeo. After several hours of debate, it was passed in the House by a majority of 33 votes. While the Parliamentary Opposition held 32 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, one government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, broke ranks with the Coalition Government and voted in support of the Parliamentary Opposition. Persaud has since been recalled as a Parliamentarian and replaced by People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) candidate, Barbara Pilgrim. Persaud has also been expelled from the AFC, the minority partner in the APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

Second legal challenge to the no-confidence motion… Persaud’s citizenship cited as grounds to render vote on no-confidence motion invalid

– Opposition Leader files notice of application to join proceedings

he results of the vote on the motion of no-confidence, filed by the Parliamentary Opposition on November 15, 2018 and debated on December 21, 2018, is being challenged by Compton Herbert Reid, a private citizen, in the High Court. The action challenges the validity of the vote. After hours of debate on the motion, it was successful passed after a Government Parliamentarians, Charandass Persaud, supported the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). His vote meant that the motion passed in the National Assembly by a vote of 33 to 32 – with the APNU+AFC Coalition Government receiving only 32 votes. Reid’s court action was filed last Friday (January 4, 2019) and he contends that Persaud’s vote was invalid because he holds Canadian citizenship. He is being represented by a team of lawyers headed by Senior Counsel Rex McKay. Notably, Reid’s move came one day after Attorney General, Basil Williams, disclosed that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government will be challenging the results of the vote on the no-confidence motion on grounds that Persaud holds Canadian citizenship. Persaud and House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, have been named as respondents in the matter. January 15, 2019 is the date that has been fixed for the case to be heard by the High Court.

RUBBISHED Meanwhile, former Attorney General and current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Anil Nandlall, dismissed the arguments about Persaud’s dual citizenship. He said, “We never put Charandass in the Parliament. They put Charandass in the Parliament. That’s the first thing so they must have known or they should have known that Charandass was in that Parliament unlawfully. If they didn’t know, they ought to know or else they were tremendously reckless.” According to him, if one were to use the logic in Reid’s case before the courts, the fact is that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government relied on Persaud’s vote to pass laws and national budgets, etc. in the National Assembly. Pointing out that the government has benefited from the “wrong” and cannot now want to take advantage of the “wrong,” Nandlall argued that this could create chaos because, according to him, everything that Persaud participated in would have to be reversed. He said, “The law is not an ass. The law will not allow you to use it and abuse it at your own convenience. You cannot prostitute the law to meet your own ends. The law says that you cannot approbate and reprobate. There are principles and concepts established over the years that will prevent you from exploiting the law in that way.” Notably, as it relates to

the vote on the no-confidence motion and the challenge to Persaud’s dual citizenship, Article 165 (2) of the Constitution states that: “The Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership (including any vacancy not filled when the Assembly first meets after the commencement of this Constitution or after any dissolution of Parliament) and the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly shall not invalidate those proceedings.” APPLICATION TO JOIN CASE Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, through a team of lawyers, headed by Nandlall, has filed a Notice of Application in the High Court to join Reid’s proceedings. The grounds of Application, include that: (i) the Applicant is the Leader of the Opposition elected under Article 184 of the Constitution of Guyana in respect of the Eleventh (11th) Parliament of Guyana; (ii) the Applicant is also the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the only opposition party in the Eleventh Parliament of Guyana; (iii) on the 14th day of November, 2018, the Applicant filed with the Clerk of the National Assembly a No Confidence Motion against the Government of Guyana; (iv) on the 21st day of (Turn to page 8)

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

‘We are ready’

Granger says no when asked to consider withdrawal of court challenge – Jagdeo on early General and Regional Elections to no-confidence motion vote

reparations are already underway in the camp of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), ahead of early General and Regional Elections, which are expected before the end of March 2019. And PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, disclosed that a manifesto committee is already in place working on a plan that will be taken to the Guyanese people. “We can already see the

shape of what we want to do…a lot of the promises we have made have already been expounded on…we are looking at jobs, reversing the hardships imposed by the APNU+AFC government, getting the economy going again and involving youths,” he said, during a news conference held on Wednesday (January 9, 2019). Jagdeo stated that the Party is also welcoming input from civil society and other interested stakeholders

in the compilation of the PPP/C manifesto. Efforts are also underway on the selection of candidates for the list that will be submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nomination Day. He added, “We are ready logistically.” “We are going on a platform on inclusion…everyone in Guyana must benefit in the future,” Jagdeo said, promising accountability to the Guyanese people.

Venezuelan migrants to benefit from support center on Essequibo Coast

two-storey building has been identified in Region Two and will serve as a support centre for Venezuelan migrants in that area. However, the region’s Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, contends that there were no consultations with the Region on this decision. He said, “I don’t know anything about that. As far as I know, the regional administration was never consulted on a support centre to be built here. This is something that I’m unaware of.” Additionally, Government, via Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, has said that his Department and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be conducting a joint operation at Eteringbang and surrounding communities in the CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven), to address a number of issues that have been brought to his attention, including the immunisation and documentation of migrants. Felix said too that the GPF has been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that all boats ferrying passengers to Region Two from Venezuela report to immigration authorities, who will be located at a central point along the Pomeroon River, so that the migrants can be properly screened and processed before they disembark at various landings. Also, Government’s National Multi-Sectoral Coordinating Committee has met once already for 2019. These are the latest developments reported on by the government on the matter of persons fleeing Venezuela. To date, the number of documented Venezuelan migrants in Guyana stands at 3,868. Meanwhile, the call from

Opposition Leader for a coordinated approach to dealing with the situation continues to be ignored by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. NO RESPONSE Jagdeo, at a news conferences in August 2018, said: “Sometime back I spoke about this larger threat to Guyana and that the Government was reticent to give us information and to share with the people of Guyana information on the exact nature of this threat. After I had been mentioning this for several months, almost two months, President Granger then announced that the Army will give a briefing to some of our members of Parliament…that took place…I was briefed about the briefing….when I met President Granger, just recently, I raised the matter again and said that we are concerned about the approach to this matter. It is not purely a military matter….we believe that the government has been approaching this from the perspective of a military threat; that is why they got the Army to do a briefing, rather than have [Ministry of] Foreign Affairs to do a briefing of the MPs. “We pointed out [to the APNU+AFC Government] that the PPP won Regions 1 and 9, the two bordering regions through which most of the refugees are coming and that we would like to see a differentiated policy. There are three types of refugees, well not refugees, but individuals who will come through the borders into Guyana. “First of all, Guyanese who live in Venezuela. When I say Guyanese, if they have a tiny drop of Guyanese blood, they are our

own people; so whether they have documents or not, once they can prove that their parents or grandparents or anyone else, a member of the family, are Guyanese, then they should be welcomed and allowed to be integrated and supporting documents should be given to them. “Secondly, you have the Amerindians who tend to move across borders seamlessly without passports. These are the Warraus and others. I saw them in the villages and in the rivers, travelling from Mabaruma to Port Kaituma. These persons must be helped from a humanitarian basis immediately. They tend to not have documents. From time immemorial, they have travelled across the border. So that is the second category. “The third category is the Venezuelans who are leaving the country. We have an obligation to treat them fairly and in a humanitarian way, but in the long term they will be repatriated to Venezuela, given the nature of the threat on the border and what a settlement on the border, with permanent residents from Venezuela – a settlement of that nature can pose a threat to our territorial integrity and arguments in the future. “So these are the three categories of people, we believe, will come across the border and we want a different approach to each. I spoke with the President about this…we have to pay greater attention to these things.” The economic situation in Venezuela has seen many Guyanese, living there for years, returning home. Other Venezuelan nationals have crossed the border in search of food and access to drugs and medical supplies.

resident David Granger was asked for clarity on the constitutional and legal situation, in which Guyana currently finds itself, and asked whether he would withdraw the court challenge to the validity of the vote on the motion of no-confidence. This is according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, who added that the President said that his APNU+AFC Coalition government will continue to pursue the legal route it has chosen. Jagdeo noted that he expressed concerns that the legal remedy being sought by the Granger-government could take months. “It could take a year, so what happens in the meantime… we would have defeated the purpose of the Constitution,” he said. According to him, Granger has committed to call for an expeditious hearing of the matter. Attorney General Ba-

sil Williams, approached the High Court to settle the legality of the vote on the no-confidence motion saying that it needed the support of an “absolute majority” of 34 members to be valid. The National Assembly has 65 Parliamentarians. In the current configuration, 33 seats are held by the Government and 32 are held by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). On the day of the vote on the motion of no-confidence motion, a Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, voted with the PPP/C. Williams filed his court action on Monday (January 7, 2019). He argues that the National Assembly comprises 65 members and that, mathematically, half of all the elected members equals 32.5. Accordingly, he says that the figure should then be rounded to the next whole number, being 33, which

would now represent half of the elected members and that the majority thereby being a number greater than half means that ‘1’ ought to have been added to the whole number ‘33’ to calculate an absolute majority of 34. As such, he said, “The motion of no confidence was not validly passed by 34 or more of all the elected members of the National Assembly….the ruling of the Speaker that the motion was purportedly carried by a majority vote of 33:32 raises concerns of serious national interest and grave and significant constitutional issues that are central to Guyana’s democracy, stability and constitutional ethos and as a consequence, requires the Court’s urgent intervention.” The Parliamentary Opposition insists that the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government was validly passed in the National Assembly.

GECOM Chairman’s medical leave extended

fter weeks of being on medical leave, the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), 85-year-old James Patterson, was expected to be present for the Commission’s weekly statutory meeting set for Tuesday, January 7, 2019. The meetings have not been held because of his illness since early December 2018. After the agenda was circulated, additions were proposed by the Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners. They called for ‘GECOM Preparations for Elections’ to be included on the agenda. Hours before the meeting was scheduled to start, an extension to the medical leave of the GECOM Chairman was announced and communicated to the GECOM Commissioners. The Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners decried the manner in which the matter was handled and stressed the need for the Commission to be alert ahead of impending early General and Regional Elections, as a result of the successful passage of the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE GECOM COMMISSIONERS: On Tuesday, January 7, 2019, the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, circulated an agenda for the Wednesday, January 8, 2019 Statutory Meeting of GECOM slated for 13:00 hours. We responded to this proposed agenda by requesting the inclusion of ‘GECOM Preparations for Elections’ as a priority issue for consideration at the said meeting. The natural and obvious inclusion of this agenda item was expected as a consequence of the Resolution on the No-Confidence Motion of December 21, 2018 in the National

Assembly. Less than three hours before the scheduled time for the meeting there was the sudden, and surprising, telephone announcement that the Chairman was unwell and that his medical leave had been extended. A later GECOM Media Advisory stated inter alia; “…his medical leave has been extended following a visit to his doctor on January 7, 2019”. It is passing strange that this information was not passed on to all Commissioners on January 7, 2019. While any illness of the GECOM Chairman is regrettable, and we do wish him a speedy and a full recovery, we cannot be unmindful of a possible situation existing where the said extension of illness is a ploy designed to delay the holding of General and Regional Elections within the constitutionally determined 90-day timeframe consequent on the previously referenced Resolution of the National Assembly. We wish to urge that GECOM be alert to its duty and responsibilities as mandated by the Constitution and that no action be undertaken to subvert these wittingly. In the meanwhile, the holding of meetings of the Sub-Committees of GECOM should resume to discuss, determine and guide GECOM’s actions and schedules necessary for the holding of elections in the constitutionally mandated 90-day timeframe. This activity will demonstrate that GECOM is alert to its duty and responsibilities to be the nation as mandated by the Constitution. We call on Civil society and the International Community to Take note and be vigilant with respect to the unfolding situation at GECOM. Commissioners, Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Squandering of State resources to make legal excursions after the success of the no-confidence motion must be condemned

Our democracy is on trial Dear Editor,

he decision by the Speaker of the National Assembly not to revisit the No-Confidence Motion was widely anticipated and accords fully with the thinking of legal minds, both in Guyana and abroad. The Government, through the Attorney General has now moved to the

Court to prolong its life beyond that stipulated by the Constitution. This is a retrograde step from the perspective of parliamentary democracy. One can only hope that the Court action initiated by the Government will not result in any undue delay in the holding of elections within the time limit as dictated by the Constitution. This, if allowed to happen, will be an

aberration of a fundamental principle of the rule of constitutional law. Our democracy is on trial. Now that the legislative branch of Government has spoken, it is for the Judiciary to have a final say, and the sooner the better. Yours faithfully, Hydar Ally

True to form, APNU+AFC Coalition backpedals on accepting results on no-confidence motion vote Dear Editor,

hen a vote of no-confidence by the coalition partners with a oneseat majority toppled the PPPC Government in 2015 there was instant concession to the Constitutional provisions, which consequenced the coalition attaining administrative office through an election that is being challenged by the PPPC, which is currently in opposition. However, that election petition, three and a half years after, has been held in abeyance; thus what the PPPC leaders and supporters consider to be a de facto government continued to administer the affairs of state, until Opposition Leader Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo initiated a no-confidence motion against the coalition government. What transpired thereafter in the National Assembly of Guyana on December 21, 2018 is well-documented

and need not be rehashed here in detail. Suffice it to say that a conscience vote by a government MP, Mr Charandass Persaud, toppled the coalition government, which the President, Prime Minister and other government officials immediately conceded; as well as admitting that the coalition government has now been reduced to a caretaker government until elections are held three months thereafter. However, true to form, they back-pedaled and what followed was/ is a hilarious attempt to perpetuate their illegal government through various configurations, one an astounding and absurd mathematical calculation on what constitutes a majority in a 65-seat parliament that has made Guyana’s Parliament the laughingstock of the world. Subsequently, after the Speaker, who almost always concedes to coa-

lition members of parliament, to the aggravation of PPPC members, wisely refused to review his ruling on the passing of the no-confidence motion they have taken their contention to the court; with their initial arguments on majority issues, but also with the specious submission that Mr Persaud has a dual Canadian/Guyana citizenship, which invalidates his vote on the no-confidence motion. The APNU+AFC government has done absolutely nothing for the youths of Guyana. It has backpedaled on most all of its promises. They have neglected all of us, taken us for granted, and let us down while focusing on their personal advancement either through legal or corrupt means. Sincerely, Alister Charlie, PPP/C MP

APNU+AFC Coalition must act responsibly Dear Editor,

n May 2015 the APNU/AFC coalition was ushered into power on a wave of optimism and goodwill. In a short three and a half years, all that optimism and goodwill has dissipated. They are now a fallen Government courtesy of the No-Confidence vote won by the PPP/C on December 21, 2018. This loss has revealed the true nature of this coalition Government. They are trying all sorts of manoeuvres to remain in power, other than going to the polls as the Constitution dictates. The Constitution is clear on what is

required after a successful no-confidence motion. Government operatives are fighting this requirement on several fronts, there is the conspiracy theory, of Mr Charrandas Persaud being bribed by the PPP to vote yes, next there is the creative Mathematics of somehow 33 not being greater than 32, and they are even questioning the nationality of Persaud. All in an effort to delay the inevitable. To all the supporters of the current Government I would like to ask you one question. Were the situation reversed, with the PPP/C in power and lost a no-confidence vote with the margin, would you have accepted them

not resigning? I know if you are honest with yourselves the answer would be no. Members of the Government like to pontificate that Jagdeo wants power to have access to the anticipated oil wealth. I wonder now who it is that is that is behaving like they need access to that oil wealth come what may. The evidence is there for all of us to see. I call upon the Government to act in a responsible manner and let us go to the polls, and let the will of the people be honoured. Regards, T. Morgan

Dear Editor,

he coalition Government’s vexatious and blatant disregard and violation of the Supreme Law of this Land, our Constitution, is incomparable in the current history of not only Guyana but in democratic countries throughout our civilised world. Guyanese had thought that the PNC was a full-fledged dictatorship, but the APNU/AFC is now adding a new and more destructive chapter in that era of our dark history. The PNC demitted office in 1992 but from then to 2015 it was in hibernation, cunningly awaiting the apocalypse by facilitating the birth of the Alliance for Change! Fortunately, the Karmic Laws saved this nation from annihilation by twisting the Moses ‘no-confidence’ motion in 2015 to bring down the APNU/AFC coalition Government in 2018. Moreover, it is also a boon to this nation, for it has now given the younger generation an opportunity to witness firsthand; the devious and destructive nature of the PNC. It is now crystal clear that there is no APNU or AFC, it is pure unadulterated PNC. The WPA has been consumed a long time ago and for the AFC, it has been a gradual degradation process since May 2015, but which gained acceleration soon after the November Local Government Elections. This speedy descent was mainly due to the few unconscionable leaders of the AFC clinging on the feet of the APNU for self-preservation, luckily one thought differently. The AFC died but could only be resurrected as the PNC! This hybrid PNC is far worse than the old PNC Order since it epitomises lie, deceit, dishonesty, hypocrisy and illegality. Just before the no-confidence motion was debated, the coalition was adamant that a majority of 33 votes was needed to kill that motion, and just after the motion was successful they accepted defeat but soon afterwards rejected their own acceptance and attempted to ‘direct’ the Speaker to rescind his decision. Dr Barton Scotland was surprised by the behavior of the coalition since he said, ‘On the 21st December 2018, the Leaders of both sides of the House spoke of respect

for one another and of the opportunity which the result of the vote offers both sides. It is my hope that talks will commence soon’. He went further to state in Parliament that, ‘…the requirement that the Speaker must at all times act in full obedience to the Constitution which is the Supreme Law of Guyana. It is the constitutionality of action which must at all times guide and direct the Speaker. The Speaker’s very wide authority to reverse his ruling is not, however, one which he holds himself able to exercise without strong and compelling grounds…the Speaker on this occasion and without more, declines the invitation to act in reversal’. This is in direct contrast to what is now being peddled to Guyanese using our scarce taxpayers’ dollars. It is conclusive that the Constitution has spoken in Articles 106 (6) and (7) and even though he made mention of the involvement of the High Court it was not with regards to the interpretation of the Constitution as it relates to the no-confidence motion but it was on the legality of “the conduct of the former Member of Parliament Mr Charrandas Persaud and the effect of that conduct on the outcome of the vote on the 21st of December, 2018”. As far as he was concerned, the vote is successfully carried in favor of the Motion and he will not reverse his decision. However, not only the Speaker but the coalition Government and the Courts ‘must at all times act in full obedience to the Constitution which is the Supreme Law of Guyana’. To do otherwise is to now declare that the Government is above this Law. Article 163 (1) stated that the High Court has the exclusive jurisdiction to determine any question regarding any ‘person to be elected as a member of the National Assembly’. However, that person, Mr Charrandas Persaud, has already been elected since over three years ago and is now no longer a member of the National Assembly. The same Constitution 165 (2) also states ‘the presence and participation of any person not entitled to be present or to participate in the proceedings of the National Assembly shall not invalidate those proceedings’. Therefore, Charrandas’s membership (Turn to page 7)

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

PNCR-led Coalition must realize that time in office is up Dear Editor,

Lucas’ statements largely O ignorant of reality Dear Editor,

he GAWU recognized Mr Rawle Lucas in his article titled “The No Confidence Vote and the ‘Ides’ of December” which appeared in the January 01, Kaieteur News. Mr Lucas in seeking apparently to be critical of the recently approved No Confidence motion against the Coalition Government, addressed, among other things, the performance of the sugar industry. Mr Lucas, in seeking to offer a defence, wrote “with sugar production costs in Guyana way above world prices, Guyanese taxpayers, who were bailing out the sugar industry, were also helplessly subsidizing sugar consumption by the rest of the world through the export of the product”. It seems Mr Lucas has joined the small bandwagon that is convinced or believes that sugar producers actually have production costs lower than the world market price of sugar. This, however, is completely fallacious. In fact, to make such statements is to be largely ignorant of the international sugar trading mechanisms. The World Bank, in a report titled “Sugar International Market Profile”, points out that the international sugar trade “…is largely defined by preferential trade agreements”. In fact, a very small volume of sugar produced is actually traded on the world market. Regarding the world market itself, well-known commentator Christopher Ram, in his presentation Sugar Commission of Inquiry in 2015, said “…to compare and equate the cost of production of sugar in Guyana with the world market price for the commodity…[it] would be dangerous to assume that the scores of countries[are]offering sugar on the international market actually produce the commodity below that price and therefore make a profit.” Ram went on to say “…the international sugar market is one of the most highly distorted agricultural commodity markets… characterised by significant and widespread domestic support and trade distorting policies, such as guaranteed minimum payments to producers, production and marketing controls (quotas), state-regulated retail prices, tariffs, import quotas and export subsidies.” The author goes on to say that the “… government could ill-afford to subsidize…” the sugar industry. This, however, is far from reality as we see the Coalition Government planning by the time 2019 ends to spend as much as $1.2T dollars. In other words should the Administration be in office by the time that 1,691 days would have elapsed, it would have spent astoundingly about $710M per day. It hardly gives credence to Mr Lucas’ notion that the Government is cash-strapped and cannot afford to assist sugar. But again lest we forget, the Coalition’s support to the sugar industry represented just 3 per cent of the large sum the Government has earmarked to spend. We also wish to remind that to solely take into account, GuySuCo’s financial position as has been the case of many in the Government’s quarters, is a most dangerous position. On this matter, the Asian Development Bank instructively pointed out “[p]rofits… may not be a good signalling mechanism… to the national economy.” Moreover, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in 2014, in considering the Guyanese sugar industry, had this to say “… that it is economically viable for GOGY [Government of Guyana] to continue subsidising and protecting the cultivation and harvesting of sugar cane and processing of sugar for export and local consumption”. Mr Lucas also tells the public that “by its

actions of not closing the industry, the Coalition saved about 12,000 jobs while having to let go of 6,000 workers”. We had to wonder where it is that Mr Lucas is getting his figures from. We wish to share with Mr Lucas that it was 7,000 Guyanese men and women that lost their jobs after the Government decided to close four (4) estates. Using a family size of 5 persons, it means that as many as 35,000 persons have been directly affected. Of course, that does not take into account the many Guyanese and their families who depended on the consumption of those 35,000 persons for their livelihoods. For us, its hard to talk about saving when tens of thousands of Guyanese find themselves in 2019 facing miserable situations. The goodly Mr Lucas also boldly says that 12,000 jobs were saved. We wish to urge Mr Lucas to check and double-check his sources before putting pen to paper, or as some people say now putting fingers to the keyboard. We hasten to remind that no lesser than His Excellency President David Granger has repeated, on several occasions, that the industry would have 10,000 employees. It is difficult to see how Mr Lucas arrived at clearly the incorrect destination he finds himself. Nevertheless, to bring even greater clarity, GuySuCo told our Union at the end of August, 2018 it had 7,970 workers in its employ. Of that 463 were retained at the now closed estates and will be terminated soon as the Corporation ends its operations at those estates. Contrary to Mr Lucas’ seeming belief that sugar cannot be made successful, we wish again reiterate that GuySuCo’s survival involves shifting focus to moving up the value chain. The Sugar CoI report unambiguously recommended “[t]he industry can no longer rely solely on the production of Raw Sugar. Added -value products are required.” Along those lines, suggestions have been advanced regarding the production of electricity through bagasse co-generation; the production of refined sugar; to produce direct consumption sugars; to produce extra-nuclear alcohol for the rum industry, among other things. Going in this direction, is not by any means a new concept. The World Bank, in the report we referred to earlier, informs that “[s]ugarcane offers production alternatives to food, such as feed, fibre and energy, particularly biofuels (sugar-based ethanol) and/or co-generation of electricity”. Sugar’s woes have been exacerbated and magnified by the uninformed and callous approach of the Coalition. Today, too many are facing hardships they really shouldn’t find themselves in. Interestingly, we noticed the January 03, Kaieteur News reporting that the Leader of the Alliance for Change and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman in an email to members of his party said he wanted a “…social impact programme for sugar workers…”. For us this is an interesting about-turn of sorts, as Minister Trotman was present when his colleague, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan on February 03, 2017 said without hesitation that the Government would not undertake a socio-impact study regarding the Government’s then proposal to close estates. The fact the Minister Trotman, from all appearances, sees belatedly the wisdom in such a programme is a clear indication that the decisions regarding sugar have not been in the interest of the people and the country. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine, GAWU General Secretary

n December 21st there has been a vote by the majority in The House on the no-confidence motion, which means that the motion is carried and the only option left is for the present administration to resign forthwith, dissolve parliament, and call fresh elections in 90 days. Instead of the letter of the law taking effect we see This PNC Led Government and party doing an illegal hopscotch over and over again. First it was the talk of 34 votes which constitutes a majority, then it was Mr C Persaud being an illegal member of parliament, then, the Speaker who supposedly erred on his ruling. These are all illogical senseless suggestions in their delay tactics game. In effect, they are trying their utmost to circumvent the constitution and prolong their stay in office for as long as they can possibly can while the nation languishes in poverty and degradation. Guyana needs to see and feel peace and progress again, we need to breathe again! For this express reason the no-confidence motion was carried, we call on

the forces that stand in the path of progress and free though to respect the constitution. Respect our laws! Seeing this is not forthcoming, I call on The ABC Countries to up the pressure to force them to make that decision. I urge The ABC’s to begin the process of revoking their visas, while putting Guyana on the blacklist of states who do not wish to comply with their constitution. The rule of law must prevail, I repeat, the rule of law must be upheld, there is no middle ground, there is no other way. Guyana is fast becoming a pariah state where a government wants to stay put while at the same time treading the path of tyrannical rule. The PNC-led Coalition must realize that their time in office and power is up and holding on to power only puts the country at risk of becoming a pariah state similar to the one Burnham presided over. We have come full circle to that place again. Sincerely, Neil Adams

CARICOM, European Union have roles to play in the circumstances presently obtaining in Guyana once called upon Dear Editor,

he parliamentary opposition left no stone unturned after the passage of the no-confidence motion. In light of the convening of a sitting of the National Assembly on January 3, 2019, a letter was dispatched to the Speaker of the National Assembly drawing to his attention the unconstitutionality of the sitting and that the parliamentary opposition will not participate therein. Copies of the letter were dispatched to the diplomatic and donor community, including the CARICOM Secretariat. Based on reports about the meetings between the Parliamentary Opposition and the Heads of ABC countries, plus the EU Delegation and the CARICOM Secretariat – as well as the meetings between the diplomatic corps and Government - the messages conveyed to the public by both sides were diametrically opposed to each other. What must be clear to the entire International community, is the message emanating from the National Assembly where the Speaker of the House rebuffed the request by the APNU+AFC for a review of the 33 – 32 vote. The gravity of the situation was recently highlighted in an editorial of the Jamaica Observer newspaper pointing out that: “The protracted period of uncertainty has all the ingredients to create a flash point that could roll back much of the advancement that Guyana has made in its political process.” The Observer went on: “CARICOM must standby to offer assistance, if needed, in a way that is acceptable to both government and opposition. Guyana cannot afford to falter at this time, not when it is on the cusp of a new horizon and real possibilities. And if it falters, the entire Caribbean Community is worst off.” In the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas provision is made for: “A broad range of dispute settlement modes to address and resolve disputes at the national and regional levels,

these include; including good offices, mediation, conciliation, consultations, arbitration and judicial settlement.” There is precedent within the region for one, or any combination of these modes to be applied either at the national and/or regional level. And notwithstanding the proviso that CARICOM is ‘by fact and by law an intergovernmental association of autonomous political and economic entities’ member states are committed to CARICOM’s Charter of Civil Society which is; ‘An important element of the Community’s structure to deal with matters such as a free press, a fair and open democratic process, the effective functioning of the parliamentary system, morality in public affairs, respect for fundamental civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, accountability and transparency in government.’ Guyana is Party to the Charter and is obliged to uphold the principles enshrined therein. As far as the European Union is concerned, within the meaning of the Partnership Agreement between members of the ACP and the EU provision exists for political dialogue and consultative procedures. According to the Agreement: “The dialogue shall focus, inter-alia, on specific political issues of mutual concern or of general significance.” The specific issues include; respect for human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and governance. The Agreement stipulates that representatives of civil society as well as ACP Parliamentarians shall be associated with the dialogue. Thus, having regard to their respective mandates, both CARICOM and the European Union, have roles to play in the circumstances presently obtaining in Guyana once called upon by the relevant stakeholders. Sincerely, Clement J. Rohee

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t must resign now Dear Editor,

Salary increases did not lead to a decline in corruption Dear Editor,

“I

would rather eat salt and rice” is a phrase from my formative years that speaks to personal integrity; it is a core value of many Guyanese who refuse to give into the daily temptations. Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Vincent Adams is attributed to calling for better salaries for his employees with the rationale “concerns from local and international transparency advocates that the poor salaries of EPA officers make them more susceptible to the influence of corrupt oil companies,” a section of the media on Jan 6, 2019, quoted him as saying. Dr Adams has made an egregious error with this call and I cannot see how he can continue to function in his present capacity with this or any other state agency. The EPA Head may feel he is in good company with this call as this was the exact rationale advanced by Presidency Minister Joseph Harmon to justify the 50 per cent increase in salaries for APNU/AFC Ministers shortly after entering office in 2015, but Dr Adams should have made a closer examination of the national response to the ‘salary increase’ before he replicated that titanic error. The salary increases have never led to decline in corruption and has in no small way led to the current willingness of the Granger Administration to defy the Constitution and refuse to signal acceptance of the successful

No-Confidence Motion, for them, the perks now outweigh the satisfaction of service. Editor, I welcome any call for improved salaries and benefits for workers and I fully support expansion of the EPA and recognise the need to pay for better qualified and/or talented human resources. However, to link the need for better pay to personal integrity is dangerous and undermines staff morale. How much pay would be enough to stave off the advances of the multibillion dollar corporations? This mephitic reasoning must be cut from our national psyche ‘Pay us better or we will thief’ cannot become our national ethos. Integrity is not linked to monetary reward! Editor, the solution to the issue of corruption lies within individuals. Leaders should not cast aspersions on integrity. Leaders must seek to inspire by asking our young people to perform duties with integrity; to remind employees what is at stake for them personally and for our nation. Let them know the pride we feel watching them serve and assure them that they are playing a vital role in ensuring a better future for themselves and all Guyanese. I am ashamed to say Government elements of my generation seem to have forgotten the taste of ‘salt and rice’. Respectfully, Robin Singh

Ploy to pass money from State to APNU+AFC financiers, friends has come to light Dear Editor,

‘T

here is nothing done in the dark that will not come to light’. So it was in the case of the now infamous Drug bond fiasco. The revelation that the APNU+AFC administration had entered into a rental contract of a house in Sussex Street, Georgetown for $12,500,000 per month was met with loud expressions of incredulity by the entire population. A population that had been subjected to vociferous claims of massive corruption of the previous administration was now witness to this act of hypocrisy in its most blatant manifestation. Editor, the first question asked was how did AFC financier Larry Singh/political investor know of this ‘need’ for a drug bond which was never publicly advertised? This has never been properly explained. Why would a government advance the 25 million dollars for the purchase of the property and then play $12.5 Million a month to store non-essential medical supplies? There is no legitimate answer to this question save and except bare faced plunder of the public purse. What is worse is that this man was never known to

be a provider of any such service previously. The hands of Georgetown’s power couple was seen yet again in this scandalous scheme to defraud the public purse, it is more than passing strange that the Landlord of the bond shared office space in a building that also hosts a city café. The connection is more than tenuous and will engage the attention of the Special Organized Crime Unit sometime in the near future. Since this ploy to pass money from State to financiers and friends of the APNU+AFC administration has come to light, it opened the eyes of the populace to the deep level of corruption involving the health sector. The sole-sourcing of drugs on flimsiest of excuses and the auditor general’s report of 2017 revelation that drugs being stored at the hotel, raises the question of if they were being stored or were they there for surreptitious sale? More questions than answers exist. Too many things remain cloaked in darkness; I call on public minded citizens to demand a spotlight be focused on these issues. Yours Truly Juan Edghill, PPP/C MP

s Guyana heralds 2019, the cries of citizens through the passage of the Opposition Leader’s No-Confidence Motion and the ‘Charrandas Persaud effect’ in the National Assembly, has finally gotten the attention of the haughty ‘bring it on’ Ministers in this failed and fallen President Granger-led coalition Government. The reverberating effects of the carried motion, has, and is now further woefully exposing the high level of unpreparedness and lack of intent of the APNU/AFC regime to operate in a manner that would truly improve the lives of our citizens. Evidence to the foregoing is the coalition Government’s subversion attempts since 2016 of Councils in Local Authority Areas (LAAs) won by the PPP/C which has been widely publicised through various media. Importantly, the Communities Ministry notified, based on the results of the November 12, 2018 elections that the life of new Councils would become effective January 01, 2019. Accordingly, the overseers of Neighboring Democratic Councils (NDCs) the Ministry’s Administrative Officer is expected to facilitate and ensure the proper arrangements including handover and takeover of all resources and responsibilities. This would give the authority to Councillors filling seats on the Councils and allow a smooth and effective roll off. Unfortunately, this did not happen in many instances. Information received from the elected representatives in many of the PPP/C won LAA’s, indicates that the start-off was characteristically unimaginative. On Wednesday January 02, 2019, the chaotic and very disrespectful disposition certainly continued as a bad omen, as sworn Councillors who were asked to report to the NDC Offices for a meeting at 8am, were told on arrival that the overseers are not ready and they should return at 3.30 pm. The situation obviously agitated scars and wounds inflicted by the callous attitude of the Communities Ministry representatives, over the past Local Government term. It leads one to contemplate whether the recent related ‘no more good guy threats’ signaled by a prominent Minister in the highest echelons of the coalition, is being advanced from the very first day. The proper establishment of the new Councils must not be frustrated nor stymied, as the required and improved service to the residents is most critical. Obviously, the Councillors should hold their first meeting as early as possible since they have to align responsibilities to the members of Finance, Works and other Committees; identify their signatories to their Bank Accounts, and also fix their date, and time for statutory meetings. In other words, they must hit the road running without these internally imposed obstacles. The elected Councillors must approach their work with passion, to exercise achieving the essentials of the clearer vision regarding what needs to be done in their respective communities. The Chairpersons must be able to get the unflinching support of the elected Councillors and have regular discussions with the residents of the communities. There must be full accountability and development works must be carried out in an acceptable manner so that the entire Local Authority Area benefits. It is imperative that the leadership of the Councils in the LAAs level be vigilant, inclusive and effective. Today, the challenges facing our people are getting more

unbearable. Cost of living is going skyhigh and there is no work for thousands of our people, particularly our youths. Significantly, increased crime is now the order of the day and the Government is doing very little to address the causes and arrest the trend. The NDCs must also support the development and maintenance of playgrounds, while advancing effective cooperation programs that would help to engage our youths constructively. It is quite significant but not without notice, that the fallen APNU/AFC coalition Government is now grasping at straws. The now undemocratic efforts, new sinister and delaying guise of this fraudulent regime, is about holding on to power at any cost. The extreme self-enriching maladministration and unsympathetic disposition, which characterises this Government, has brought them to a self-instituted crossroad that comes full circle with their 2015 No-Confidence Motion. The difference, however, is that while in Opposition, the APNU/AFC took actions to derail the PPP/C Government, and they did so in such a wicked vindictive manner, that their Administration and Ministers had no idea how to recover when in Government. It is constitutionally instructive for the resignation of President Granger and his Cabinet, and for the holding of National and Regional Elections within 90 day from December 21, 2018. There is no denial that Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland has taken a stand in upholding his Constitutional mandate as the world watched. He must be applauded by all and sundry. This column also agrees with the decision of the Opposition not to attend the Parliamentary Session of January 03, 2019, which was in clear violation of the Constitution, in the absence of the required resignations. Given its failure as a Government, the coalition’s signal of going to Courts creates a looming crisis through it now public intent to abuse the judicial system. Such decision in an evaluation whether 33 votes is more than 32, will quickly evolve into a crisis that parallels the Venezuelan threat. It is volatile, flammable, lacks basis, and serves to erode the foundations of cohesion required for future national development. It also establishes the reasons why the orchestrators of this incompetent regime should not be trusted. The APNU/AFC cabal must do the right thing by resigning in keeping with the Constitution and face our citizens. It is significant that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has indicated its readiness to proceed with the required General and Regional Elections. Importantly, GECOM can proceed with the List of Electors used at the November 12, 2018 Local Government Elections, since it is Valid until the end of April 2019. Guyanese at home and in the diaspora are watching, while the International Community is witnessing the exercise of a flagrant violation of our Constitution and our people have definitively made it clear regarding the lost trust in this farcical and now illegal regime. This letter therefore affirms the call for the immediate resignation of on the APNU/AFC Government. Notably, the PNCR cabal of the APNU/ AFC regime through an Aubrey Norton-led press conference, has made it clear that they are willing to face the people of Guyana at any time in General Election. To the PNCR we say why the delay? Bring it on! Sincerely, Neil Kumar

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

No amount of propaganda will allow gov’t to spin the disastrous decisions made in the sugar sector Dear Editor,

he Government in Action column titled “GuySuCo and Sugar creating a viable future” which appeared in the December 30, 2018 Guyana Chronicle spent an inordinate amount of time in seeking to convince readers that the Administration’s actions regarding the sugar industry were correct. For the thousands of Guyanese who have been affected by the callous, immoral actions of the Administration, no amount of placating can really erase the pain, trials and tribulations that they have to now face up to. The column begins by invoking the industry’s indebtedness. It seems the Government has employed the trick whereby it seeks to repeat a fallacy with the hope that it be accepted as reality. Our Union, on several occasions, has pointed out that, using figures at our disposal, that industry’s immediately payable debt is really around $13B, and if sums owing to the GRA are written off – as has been done for other enterprises – debt would decline to just over $7B. The Government points to the opportunity cost of its investment in sugar, lamenting more monies could have been invested in other areas of the State. While the Government seems to decry its support to the industry, it seems not to recall that it was sugar that provided billions to the Treasury by way of levy that supported the nation in perilous times; that billions more were earned by taxes (direct and indirect); that scores of low-lying coastal villages benefit from its drainage and irrigation services; that thousands of Guyanese have a skill through the GuySuCo Training Centre; that the nation’s health care was augmented by the industry’s dispensaries, and that many Guyanese enjoy the industry’s recrecational facilities that saw some rising to the highest ranks of international cricket. We recall Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, speaking at the GAWU Conference on September 04, 2018, shared that he himself benefitted from sugar’s contribution to his community. Today, what is the opportunity cost of not investing in sugar – thousands of unem-

ployed Guyanese; depressed communities; higher incidences of criminality and other anti-social behaviour; more broken homes and family split-up, among so many other challenges. While not wanting to spend in sugar, the Administration is now forced to spend just for drainage in the closed estate areas a billion dollars more apart from monies that will have to be found to address the other difficulties that would arise. The column also says that Guyana received from the European Union (EU) $348.5B to support to the local industry. This is yet another falsehood, as the July 05, 2017 Stabroek News reported that the EU delegation in Guyana said “…support to sugar by the EU… was €166.67 million, or GY$34.85 billion”. We wonder whether the multiplying of the sum by 10 times was inadvertent or purposeful. The public is told that GuySuCo had estimated that it would have required $17B per year for an unnamed four (4) year period to keep the industry fully operable. This is again, in our view, is another attempt to fudge the truth. The Corporation had told GAWU, NAACIE and the GLU at a meeting on September 29, 2016 it required $10B and not $17B as the column, obviously incorrectly, conveys. But, according to the column, the Government could not use 3 per cent of the 2019 Budget to keep thousands of Guyanese gainfully employed. Moreover, through the consumption of workers and their families, as GAWU pointed out previously, some $100B in economic activity would have been generated. In other words, the Government, through taxes, would have recouped its investment and the economy would have been even more robust. The column then quotes Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder as saying “…[c] apital investment at $12 billion will be required over the next three years…”. This statement comes when the Administration has borrowed $30B towards such efforts and has essentially locked it up. We are reminded of the horse that starves as the grass grows. The Administration then praises itself for the consultations which it held with the

Dr Ishmael played key role in promoting work, legacy of Cheddi Jagan Dear Editor,

he Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Odeen Ishmael who died at his Florida home on Saturday, January 5, 2019. Dr. Ishmael played a key role in promoting the work and legacy of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan by way of research and writing. He was a close friend of the late former President Dr. Jagan, his wife Janet and the Jagan family as a whole. Dr. Ishmael will be greatly missed for his humility and his commitment to his party

and country. He served with distinction in several areas including diplomacy, politics, education and research. He authored several books and articles and was the recipient of several awards including the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH). The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre conveys its deepest condolences to his wife Evangeline, his children Safraz and Nadeeza, relatives and friends on his passing. May his soul rest in peace! Yours faithfully, Cheddi Jagan Research Centre

sugar unions and the political opposition. On this matter, the GAWU wishes to point out that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) opined that “[i]n a matter of such national importance impacting such large number of workers the process could have been more extensive and more responsive to the concerns of the Applicants [GAWU and NAACIE]”. The Justices opined that “[n]otwithstading the absence of a statutory obligation the Respondents ought to have given a considered response (whether written or oral) to the GAWU’s proposals explaining why they were not adopted”. It is hardly something that the Government should pat itself on the back for. The column next speaks about the January, 2018 engagement between the Government and GAWU and NAACIE. The article quotes President David Granger as saying “[t]he Government and the union should engage until the issue is resolved”. While the unions, in good faith, committed to working in the interest of the industry and more so the workers, since the inaugural meeting, now nearly a year ago, we have not heard from the Granger Government. Undoubtedly, it allows a little doubt as to the Administration’s ‘concern’ about the now jobless sugar workers. The Administration also takes, perplexingly, kudos for providing monies to offset severance payments to the workers making it seem that the process was smooth and without difficulty. But as the public well knows, it was anything but that. The Administration, in the first place, did not budget for the severance payments and then, contrary to the law, proceeded to withhold half of the payments to some workers. This forced our Union to approach the Courts which agreed the workers were wronged and awarded interests to them. Similarly at Wales, the Government and GuySuCo denied severance pay to some 350 cane cutters in spite of the clarity of the law. It required again the Judiciary to intervene and right the wrong being committed against the beleaguered ex-workers. The President is again quoted as saying “[w]e are also going to work… to make sure that the workers… are given a soft landing”. This again is yet another unfulfilled com-

mitment as many workers remain largely jobless. Several reports by the media have confirmed this reality. The September 20, 2018, Stabroek News ex-worker, Patrick Mahendrasingh saying “[t]his government want me to commit suicide or murder just to send me children them to school, days when me deh home me ah sit and cry to think that I can’t able take care of my children them…”. The September 30, 2018, Guyana Times also quoted ex-worker, Eon Collymore as saying “… right now… work get stiff… [s] ince the estate close down, sometimes you catch day work, sometimes you ain’t catch nothing”. That article also quotes Avinash Singh saying “[w]ithout a job… certain times you does get frustrated… you don’t want to wake up in the night and your kids tell you that they are hungry and you don’t have anything to give them”. Another, former worker Royston Garnett is reported in the October 27, 2018 Guyana Times International edition to say he “…spends his days going around in search of employment, only to be told that there are not any jobs available…”. Certainly, this reduces the credence of the Government’s assertion to zero. To claim otherwise, is to add insult to injury. The column also speaks about training opportunities and loans available through Government schemes. On this score, we hasten to ask how many redundant workers have really benefitted? How many with their training have been able to get a job? How many have opened businesses? While indeed they may be a few, the reality is, however, that a large number of workers remain right there on the breadline, looking for the soft landing the President promised. Today, they remain caught between a rock and a hard place not knowing where next to turn, what new challenges tomorrow will bring and how they will put food on their tables or to send their children to school, among life’s other basic needs. Today, no amount of propaganda can give the Government the positive spin it so desperately wants. Thousands have been indelibly scarred and entire communities have been thrown into disarray. Yours faithfully, GAWU

Squandering of State resources to make legal... (From page 4)

and his votes cannot now be recalled, and the law applied! Moreover, Article 160 (2) does not apply since Charrandas’s name did not appear on the PPP/C‘s List of Candidates. The multitude of legal minds in the coalition are keenly aware of this yet they want to obscenely and illegally hold on the power. An important provision of our Constitution is Article 159 (2), which allows a Commonwealth citizen who is not a citizen of Guyana to vote at our General Elections once he/she has been ‘domiciled and resident’ in Guyana for a period of more than one year before the ‘qualifying date’. Charrandas was granted re-migrant status since 1998 so it is difficult to fathom the logic of the coalition’s argument since his dual citizenship is that of Canada, a Commonwealth country. It must be submitted that if such a person can vote as a citizen then such a person can also become a member of the National Assembly since he is not pledging ‘allegiance, obedience or

adherence to a foreign power or state’. It will be more difficult to apply Article 155 (1) to a US citizen. The continuous squandering of State resources to make legal excursions and attempting to convince Guyanese that they have the Constitutional right to continue in Government after the success of the no-confidence motion must be condemned and will not result in a continuance of our hard-earned democratic process. The provisions of Article106 (7) does not give legitimacy for the Government to remain in power and carry out the normal functions of a Government but to allow the basic ‘caretaker role’ of the resigned Government to have legal effect. It is not business as usual and our Constitution must not be relegated to mockery by this illegal Government. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

The APNU+AFC Cabinet took care of itself and neglected our children Dear Editor,

PNU+AFC was defeated in a No-Confidence Motion on December 21st, 2018. They were defeated because they took care of themselves, enriching themselves and their friends and family, at the expense of Guyanese children and their parents, while neglecting the Guyanese people, especially Guyanese children. Now, with an impending election, within 90 days of December 21st, APNU+AFC is in a frenzied electioneering mode, pretending they care much for our children. Senior Ministers are insisting that government must invest in our children. We agree one of the most important investments any government can make is its investment in children. Parliament and the people lost confidence in APNU+AFC for many reasons, but one of the stand-out reasons is the total neglect of Guyanese children. For three-and-a-half years, children were

victimized because APNU+AFC wanted to remove any of the PPP footprints of public good that Guyanese children benefitted from. Following the government's No-Confidence Motion defeat in Parliament on December 21, 2018, APNU+AFC suddenly remembers these children and are dancing and prancing around with the parents of these children, pretending they care, pretending that these very children who they punished for threeand-a-half years now, are too valuable to ignore. They know that their defeat in the No-Confidence Motion means elections must be held within 90 days, on or before March 21, 2019. It is unconscionable and hypocritical for APNU+AFC to now pretend they care for our children after ignoring and punishing them for almost four years. One of the first acts of APNU+AFC after they assumed the control of government in May 2015 was the termination of the "Because We Care" Program. This program

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019 funded by the PPP Government with about $1.5B in 2014 was a cash transfer program that ensured parents received $10,000 per child in school. When the program was rolled out in 2014, the PPP guaranteed the program will be an annual cash transfer to be increased annually until the sum of $50,000 per child was achieved. When the PPP started the program in 2014, it was an instant lifeline for parents, many of whom were single-parent mothers. In 2015, these mothers and parents around the country looked forward to not just receiving their grants, but to receive an increased amount from the $10,000 they received in 2014. However, the PPP was replaced and APNU+AFC cruelly and immediately terminated the program. Why was the popular "Because We Care" Program terminated by APNU+AFC? The answer is very simple, it was too steeped in the PPP footprints. In a depraved, reprehensible act of vengeance, APNU+AFC terminated the program, punishing innocent children and parents, because of their vile wish for vengeance against the PPP. To hide its shame, APNU+AFC falsely and irresponsibly excused themselves claiming the government was bankrupt, because the PPP bankrupted the country. But this patented lie was exposed when APNU+AFC simultaneously increased the salaries and benefits for Cabinet members by between 50 and 100%. Suddenly, the President's salary was a hefty $4M per month, and the Prime Minister's salary was a bountiful $3M per month, with generous benefits, even though APNU+AFC tried to tell the Guyanese people that the government was broke. APNU+AFC also selectively

and discriminately increased the pension of Hamilton Greene, who was Prime Minister before 1992, to more than $20M annually. APNU+AFC also began to vulgarly hire super-salaried contracted workers costing billions of dollars annually. In 2016, they also waived $5B in back-taxes owed by DDL. How was all of this possible with a bankrupt government? The fact is that the APNU+AFC Cabinet looked after themselves, at the expense of citizens, like our children, like the parents of these children, particularly like the single parents. This is not the only way, APNU+AFC demonstrated they did not care for our children. The school feeding program has been reduced and hundreds of millions from the school feeding program diverted to other useless and meaningless initiatives. Almost a billion dollars for the school feeding program was unutilized. In the meanwhile, parents of children in the sugar belts are unable to send their children to school because sugar estates, the main employer in the sugar belt, were closed, without the government making provisions to help the parents and their children. It is these kinds of uncaring government responses that have caused an erosion of confidence in the APNU+AFC Government. These are the reasons why APNU+AFC is desperately, illegally trying to hold on to government, because they know they have lost any chance of winning an election in Guyana. The parliamentary No-Confidence is widespread in the communities across Guyana and APNU+AFC is painfully aware of it. Sincerely, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Ramjattan backpedaled after saying that an expelled AFC member could keep his parliamentary seat Dear Editor,

ince the No Confidence Motion (NCM), there has been much ado about nothing as we parried over mathematics, rounding-up, division, and the citizenship of born Guyanese. At the end of the day, the APNU+AFC, PNCR-led political coalition of convenience will have to face the people at the ballot box, whether it is January 21st, February 21st or March 21st. In a democracy you cannot shy away from that divine responsibility of being accountable to the people and ask for their confidence at the polls. Some misguided souls in this PNCRled coalition of convenience have clearly rationalized for themselves that Article 106 (6) and (7) are irrelevant to the situation at this point in time and are prepared to destroy

what little is left of the social cohesion and national unity that exists in the nation at this time. It is quite ironic, it is these very same people who sang for us “Let us co-operate for Guyana…” and it is these very same people who established a Ministry of Social Cohesion to help heal the nation. But what is shocking is the antics from Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan and Mr. Moses Nagamootoo. Do these men have no modicum of shame left in their souls? How can you defend the indefensible against a clearly spelt out Constitutional clause? I am not seeing Raphael Trotman talking up on these issues. History will not be kind to those who choose deliberately to trample on the Constitution. But let me address a more important deviation specifically of Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan. In 2005, some 13 years ago in a column in the Stabroek News captioned “An

expelled AFC member could keep his parliamentary seat”, Mr. Ramjattan rationalized why he should keep his seat won on a PPP ticket. In a clear answer to Ramon Gaskin who asked him the following question: “Will a member of the AFC who is expelled be able to keep his seat?” (Stabroek News - 10.11.05). Mr Ramjattan’s answer was emphatic he said – “Absolutely! An expelled AFC member or one who dissociates will be able to keep his seat. No AFC leader or organ will be in any position to disqualify such a dissenting MP”. He went on further to explain in cricketing parlance why he believed then he should, and I suppose Charandass in principle, (but not practical because of the recall legislation), should have kept his seat. This is what Mr Ramjattan said: “You see Raymond, it is like having

Persaud’s citizenship cited as grounds to render vote on... December, 2018, this said No Confidence Motion was duly debated in and by the National Assembly and at the end of which, the votes were taken of all the elected members of the National Assembly by the Clerk upon the instructions of the Speaker of the National Assembly; (v) thirty-three (33) members voted in favour of the said No Confidence Motion and thirty-two (32) members voted against; (vi) consequently, the Clerk reported the same to the Speaker who duly ruled that the said No Confidence Motion was duly passed and

carried; (vii) in consequence thereof, by letter dated 24th December, 2018, the Clerk duly wrote to the Applicant informing him that the said No Confidence Motion was passed and provided an enumeration of the votes in relation thereto; (viii) by virtue of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, the Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence; (ix) Article 106(7) of the

Constitution provides, inter alia, that notwithstanding its defeat the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election with three (3) months thereof; (x) the main thrust of the proceedings filed herein is to nullify the No Confidence Motion moved by the Applicant and passed by the National Assembly on the 21st December, 2018 and to ultimately prevent its constitutional consequences contained in Articles 106(6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution from taking effect; (xi) that the principles of natural justice, fairness

picked your 11 best players to play in a Test Match, expecting all to perform well. In mid-match one does not. He drops 5 simple catches and gets bowled for a duck first innings. The selectors cannot drop him and put in another player for the second innings; he has to play through the entire Test.” So as you can clearly see the sheep’s mask is off and the wolves are at play today. Carry on Comrades, the youths of Guyana who constitute 65% of the population are all watching your antics and are solidifying their positions against the political hypocrites. Is this the reason why whatever is left of the Coalition of Convenience is afraid to face the people especially that 65% of the under 35 year olds? Yours faithfully, Sasenarine Singh

(From page 2)

and locus standi aggregate to qualify the Applicant not only as an interested party but a person who will suffer great prejudice and who would be deeply aggrieved by any order or ruling this Honourable Court may make or is likely to make in these proceedings; (xii) that immediately prior to the filing of these proceedings, the AttorneyGeneral is on record informing the press that “the Government is in the process” of filing legal proceedings to challenge the validity of the votes in respect of the No Confidence Motion; (xiii) that having re-

gard to the parties to these proceedings and the Attorneys-at-Law on record for Mr. Compton Herbert Reid, the Applicant genuinely fears that there is manifest connivance and collusion in the institution of these proceedings and the Attorney-General would be ready and willing to consent to judgment in a deliberate conspiracy to pervert these legal proceedings in order to nullify the aforesaid No Confidence Motion and its constitutional consequences; (xiv) as a result of the matters contained in paragraph 2 (xiii), it is imperative that the Applicant be permit-

ted to join these proceedings not only to protect its integrity but in order to protect and preserve the will of a majority of the elected members who voted in favour of the said No Confidence Motion and also to protect and preserve the sanctity of proceedings in the National Assembly as well as the Constitution of Guyana; (xv) that this matter raises not only issues of paramount constitutional and parliamentary significance but also fundamental political issues which may have far reaching implications for national democracy, peace, order and good governance in Guyana.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

Judiciary urged to not to A tribute to Comrade Odeen Ishmael T be complicit in any conspiracy to undermine and flout the Constitution

aving failed to persuade the Speaker of the National Assembly to reconsider and reverse his ruling on the No-Confidence Motion and thereby subvert and violate the Constitution of Guyana and established parliamentary practice and precedents, the Coalition Government has now moved to the Judiciary, to get the Judiciary to do likewise, in their desperate attempt to hold on to reins of Government beyond the time fixed by Article 106 (7) of the Constitution. We maintain that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed and the Speaker’s ruling that is was so passed, accompanied by the Clerk’s affirmation, cannot be enquired into or interfered with, by the Judiciary. Moreover, the Judiciary has no jurisdiction to violate or extend any timeframe prescribed by the Constitution, since the Constitution is supreme and the Judiciary is subject to the Constitution, not vice versa. The main plank of these

legal proceedings is that Charrandas Persaud was not qualified to be elected to the National Assembly because he is a citizen of Canada. We must point out that it is the very APNU+AFC who placed Charrandas Persaud in the National Assembly in the first place and relied on his vote for the past three years. Now this self-serving bunch is prepared to put the entire nation into chaos and do untold damage to our national interest by invalidating everything done and every law passed in the Parliament, since 2015. Fortunately, the Constitution makes provisions for such eventualities and deficiencies of these types cannot invalidate proceedings, in which a Member so affected, may have participated. Article 165 (2) is crystally clear on this matter. Article 165 (2) states thus: “The Assembly may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership (including any vacancy not filled when the As-

sembly first meets after the commencement of this Constitution or after any dissolution of Parliament) and the presence or participation of any person not entitled to be present at or to participate in the proceedings of the Assembly shall not invalidate those proceedings.” The legal proceedings filed is, therefore, frivolous and is simply intended to be used by the Coalition Government as a lifeline to remain unlawfully and unconstitutionally in Office. We urge the Judiciary not to be complicit in any conspiracy to undermine and flout the Constitution and make a mockery of our democracy. We expect that this matter would be heard on a day-to-day basis and that the Judiciary would not contribute to the Government’s violation of the Constitution. Needless to say, we will join the proceedings and we ask other interested parties, who wish to take an active part in the protection of our Constitution and democracy to do likewise.

he Peoples Progressive Party Civic mourns the lost of Dr Mohammed Ali Odeen Ishmael, who passed away at home on the 5th January 2019. Comrade Odeen was a central committee member of the Progressive Youth Organization from 1972 to 1982. He was also a central committee member of the Peoples Progressive Party from 1980 to 1988. He was also well-known educator and his qualifications included a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography, Post-graduate Diploma in Education and a PhD in Education. He started his teaching career as a primary school teacher in 1964, becoming a secondary school teacher in 1971 and remained in the education field in Guyana until 1985 when he migrated. In the Bahamas, he taught from 1986 until 1993. After the return of democracy to Guyana on the 5th October 1992, President Cheddi Jagan appointed him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America and concurrently Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (1993 to 2003). He served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to Venezuela (2003 to 2011). From 2011 to 2014 he became Guyana’s first ambassador to the State of

Kuwait and Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to the State of Qatar from April 2013 to June 2014. He served Guyana with distinction and was highly respected by his peers in the diplomatic field. In 2003 the United States Congress, in a joint resolution, also paid a special tribute to him. He had a passion for history and writing. His scholarly works covered a diverse range of topics including Amerindian stories, diplomacy, politics and history. He has made an immense intellectual contribution to our country.

Comrade Odeen was held in high esteemed throughout his career, he received the Gandhi Centenary Gold Medal (1974), the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (1997) and the Martin Luther King Legacy Award. The Peoples Progressive Party Civic will like to extend our deepest condolences to his wife Evangeline Ishmael, his son Safraz Waseem Ishmael and his Daughter Nadeeza Ishmael. At this time of sadness and mourning, be consoled by the fact that Dr Odeen touched the lives of many Guyanese. May his soul rest in peace.

Alleged police investigations into wild claims of bribery seem permeated by political interference T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wishes to emphatically denounce the political interference, which seems to permeate the alleged Police investigations into the Government’s wild allegation of bribery of Charandass Persaud, in respect of his vote in support of the No-Confidence Motion in the National Assembly on the 21st December 2018. We want to make it

abundantly clear that if there is basis for an investigation, the PPP would welcome such an investigation, provided, that it is done professionally and not driven by politics or politicians, as we have nothing to fear and nothing to hide. However, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, said in an interview aired on NCN, recently, that the Prime Minister and

every member of Cabinet is involved in the investigation. There is no doubt, therefore, that the investigations allegedly being carried out, are heavily contaminated with and influenced by politicians and political influences. We also note that the Department of Public Information (DPI) and certain Government affiliated news outfits operating online have been engaged in spreading

misinformation and fabricating evidence of this alleged bribery, in order to incense and mislead supporters of the Government, thereby causing unnecessary strife and ill-will among large cross-section of our population. Additionally, the PPP leadership and Members of Parliament (MPs) are the subject of surveillance, both at their homes and, as they

go about their business. This surveillance is being conducted by persons who are not uniformed and therefore, we are not even sure whether they are being done by members of the law enforcement agencies of the State. Special Branch ranks now have a permanent station outside of the party’s Freedom House, Robb Street headquarters. In the circumstances, we call upon the law enforce-

ment agencies and the joint services not to succumb to political dictates and directions, but to discharge their functions faithfully, professionally and with due regard to their oath of office. At the same time, we continue to call upon the Diplomatic and International Community to remain vigilant and to continue to monitor what is transpiring in Guyana at this crucial time.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 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 Wednesday (January 9, 2019), ranging from his meeting with President David Granger to the filing of a lawsuit against a People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive over false claims that were made.

Opposition, Gov’t meeting could have been treated with greater urgency P

resident David Granger over the last few days has dedicated time to a media brunch and other issues. And Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, charged that the meeting he called for, following the successful passage of the no-confidence motion, could have been held earlier. The meeting between teams from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Granger-led APNU+AFC Coalition Government took place on Wednesday (January 9, 2019) at the Ministry of the Presidency. At a news conference held after the meeting at his Church Street Office, Jagdeo stated that it was 18 days before the meeting was held, since it was re-

in favour of the PPP/C on December 21, 2018. On the same evening Jagdeo requested a meeting with Granger, through Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

quested. “We believe that the government could have treated this with greater urgency….we are pleased that the meeting finally took

place and that we can get down to work,” he said. The motion of no-confidence was debated and passed with a 33-32 vote

CONSTITUTIONAL COMPLIANCE Earlier this week and ahead of the meeting with Granger, Jagdeo had said, “After the passage of the no confidence motion in the National Assembly on the 21st of December 2018, I made a statement that we have to see this as an opportunity to discuss not only how we act in the 90 days period and preparation for elections in compliance with the Constitution of Guyana but also given all the parties have constituencies, to start exploring post elections

possibilities of working together in the interest of Guyana and all our people. “I was pleased that both the Prime Minister and President accepted the outcome of the no confidence vote and that the President issued a press release which indicated that he will meet with me and that he wanted to speak about enhancing political cooperation. “Since then they have acted in bad faith and done everything to undermine this collaborative approach. They have reneged on the public statements accepting the passage of the no confidence motion using the most ludicrous arguments - that a 34/31 vote was needed for the motion to be successful, that they did not tactically speak about this when the

motion was passed for fear of activating 5 other PPP moles on the government side, that the PPP bribed Charrandas - without providing a shred of evidence. “Further having failed to get the Speaker to reverse the ruling that the no confidence was carried, they have now resorted to the courts to override the Constitution. “Mr Basil Williams in an interview indicated that one of the reasons for filing the court case is to strengthen their hands in the talks. “It seems as though the protracted period for the meeting is to give them time to wriggle out of the obligations imposed on them by articles 106(6) and 106(7) of our constitution. We will fiercely resist this.”

Granger informed of Parliamentary Opposition’s positions

– consequences of vote on no-confidence motion discussed

he Parliamentary Opposition made clear its call for there to be stability in Guyana to the Coalition Government, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, during a news conference on Wednesday (January 9, 2019, where he addressed details of a meeting between himself and President David Granger, earlier the same day at the Ministry of the Presidency. He noted that Granger agreed to working to preserving stability in the country, in the wake of the successful no-confidence motion against his APNU+AFC Coalition Government. “We don’t want the country to go into a constitutional crisis,” Jagdeo said. POSITION UNCHAGED Jagdeo stated that Granger was informed that the position of the Parliamentary Opposition remains unchanged – which is that the motion of no-confidence was passed validly in the legislature, the

Clerk of the National Assembly issued a resolution to that effect and the House Speaker refused to review his ruling that the motion was passed in the House when asked to do so by the Government. “As far as we are concerned, the legislature has spoken clearly, not once, but twice…one the legislature has spoken so definitively, then, immediately the Constitutional provisions should be applied,” he said. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution provides that “the Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of no confidence.” Article 106 (7) of the Constitution further provides that “notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold elections in three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly by reso-

lution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.” As per the provisions, new General and Regional Elections are expected to occur before the end of March 2019. According to him, while

the Government has move to court, it does not change what happened in the legislature. “Right now we only have court cases that are filed… nothing has been heard yet,” he said. Notably, Granger, in response, stated that Government will not withdraw its case challenging the validity of the vote on the no-confidence motion. AGENDA ISSUES

The Opposition Leader disclosed that heading into the meeting, the focus on the Parliamentary Opposition was a discussion on the consequences of the successful passage of the no-confidence motion. However, he noted that the Granger-led Administration was informed that the Parliamentary Opposition was open to any other issues. Jagdeo added that the agenda presented to the Par-

liamentary Opposition by the Government for the meeting featured two main issues – Constitutional and Legal situation and General and Regional Elections. Under Constitutional and Legal situation the issues discussed related to: the functioning of the National Assembly; the functioning of the Government; public services; public order; and the dissolu(Turn to page 11)

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

PNCR Executive to face lawsuit if false claims not withdrawn

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive, Aubrey Norton, will face a lawsuit if he fails to withdraw false claims made about Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. On Wednesday (January 9, 2019), Jagdeo disclosed that he has secured a video recording of Norton making the controversial comment and this was sent to his lawyers. “We managed to get the video recording two days ago…my lawyers will write him. If he withdraws (his comments) there will be no issue…if he does not we will file a lawsuit against him,” he said. According to him, the move to challenge Norton

is necessary, otherwise falsehoods will be allowed to be perpetuated. Norton, at a PNCR news conference, had accused Jagdeo of bribing former government parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion advanced by the Parliamentary Opposition. When the vote on the motion of no-confidence was taken, Persaud’s vote meant that the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition Government fell. The now embattled PNCR Executive said, “He (Jagdeo) colluded with forces in Trinidad and mobilised resources to bribe a sitting Member of Parliament in pursuance of

his hunger for wealth and power with the hope that APNU+AFC government will not be able to prosecute him and his former Ministers who have criminally pillaged the Guyana treasury.” The Opposition Leader had rubbished Norton’s claims after they were made public. Norton when pressed by the media refused to substantiate the claims he made about the Opposition Leader. “We have done our groundwork. The police are the people who have to do the investigation and even if we had the incontrovertible evidence, why would we tell you so that they can prepare,” Norton said.

Appointment of temporary GECOM Chairman not discussed

meeting between the Parliamentary Opposition and Government did not feature discussions on the appointment of a temporary chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), given that the current Chairman is ill. This is according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, when asked about the matter at a news conference on Wednesday (January 9, 2019). Statutory meetings of the Guyana Elections Commission

(GECOM) were adjourned until January 8, 2019 because the 85-year-old Chairman, James Patterson, who was unilaterally appointed by President David Granger, is ill. The January 8, 2019 meeting did not take place after Patterson’s medical leave was extended. Patterson was first unavailable for a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2018, because of his illness. As such this was the first meeting cancelled due to the state of his health.

Prior to the scheduled meeting on December 4, 2018, two of the three Opposition-nominated Commissioners – Bibi Shaddick and Robeson Benn – walked out of the statutory meeting after Patterson decided that GECOM Public Relations Officer should be present at every statutory meeting – a move that attracted strong objections, which were ignored. GECOM’s Secretariat has released limited details on the current state of affairs.

Outcomes of a broad-based approach to dealing with constitutional reform will be respected

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will commit to a broad-based process that addresses constitutional reform, declared Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, when asked about the matter during his Wednesday (January 9, 2019) news conference. He said, “Whatever comes out of that process, we will respect it…there is a great deal of arrogance in specifying, as a party, what you want to do in the area of constitutional reform without testing it with the people first.” Referring to the constitutional reform process that was embarked on by a former PPP/C administration, Jagdeo noted that the committee dealing with the matter was a 20-member committee – with five persons each from the two main political parties and 10 persons from civil society. “They did hundreds of hours of meetings. This was truly a national effort so that the issues that came out came from the people….it was not someone sitting in an office in Georgetown saying this is what I want because It serves my interests.” He decried what he termed the effort by the AP-

NU+AFC Coalition government to “hijack” the process of constitutional reform. “Constitution reform is not something you toy with,” he stressed. CLEAR POSITION In 2017, in response to queries from the media corps on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) position on constitutional reform and the participation of international bodies, Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, made clear that the position of the Parliamentary Opposition. He said, “The process of constitutional reform was always seen as one that would be continuous, an intention that was enshrined in Article 119 (A) of the Constitution. The PPP/C, therefore, remains open to the process of constitutional reform – a process that is locally driven and one that will see the involvement of the widest possible cross-section of stakeholders, including collaboration from international bodies. “We have to ensure that the process by which we arrive at any proposed changes, if any, to the Constitution must be transparent and must find acceptance among all

stakeholders. “However, we have concerns about the several egregious breaches of the Constitution by the Coalition government – breaches that have been exposed by the political Opposition via statements and positions iterated by our Members of Parliament (MPs). These breaches are not limited to matters affecting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the judiciary and the functioning of the statutory bodies. The PPP/C expects those advocating for constitutional changes to be just as strident in their criticism and condemnation of these breaches. “Let me repeat that we are prepared to work with civil society, international partners and others through a transparent, nationally-led process that involves all sections of Guyanese society, in determining whether changes should be made to our Constitution. However, we are very concerned about the silence surrounding the daily breaches of our Constitution by the Coalition government.” Greater clarity on Government’s position is still to be forthcoming.

Granger informed of Parliamentary Opposition’s...

(From page 10)

tion of Parliament. Jagdeo disclosed that the dissolution of Parliament was not discussed. “The dissolution of Parliament did not come up,” he said, adding that Parliament would be dissolved once a date for General and Regional Elections is set. Relative to public order and public services, the Opposition Leader noted that government’s role in these regards must continue. On the functioning of

or if GECOM needs additional financing, the National Assembly can be convened legitimately to address these. All considered, the Opposition Leader noted that the meeting was a good first engagement. In addition to Jagdeo, the Parliamentary Opposition team at the meeting included: Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, Pauline Sukhai. Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Dr Frank Anthony and Juan Edghill.

Government, Jagdeo charged that the role of government is restricted to that of a caretaker role. “The President said you cannot have a country without a government…we agreed… we made it clear that our job is not to stymie the functioning of government…public order and public services must continue,” he said. However, he noted that as it relates to the functioning of the National Assembly, Granger was informed that no new legislation can be

initiated in the House, since government should only be acting in a routine capacity relative to the conduct of affairs of State. Under General and Regional Elections, the issues discussed related to: the role of the National Assembly; the operational readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); and National registration. Jagdeo made clear that while GECOM requested monies for a new national

registration (a new Houseto-House registration) this could not be done. He added that Granger was informed that the current Official List of Voters remains valid until April 2019 – a month after new General and Regional Elections are due. As for the operational readiness of GECOM, the Parliamentary Opposition and Government are expected to field teams led by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, and Government Chief Whip,

Amna Ally, to meet with the GECOM Secretariat. The meeting is expected to determined GECOM’s readiness for General and Regional Elections. On the question of the National Assembly, Jagdeo disclosed that Government agreed that the Parliament has a role in terms of general and regional elections. He explained that if there are laws that GECOM needs to facilitate the holding of General and Regional Elections

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

Hopeful presidential candidates make pitch to Party’s Executive Committee

he five persons who have expressed an interest in becoming the presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – Gail Teixeira, Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Dr Frank Anthony and Dr Vindhya Persaud –

made presentations to the Party’s Executive Committee on Thursday (January 10, 2019) and Friday (January 11, 2018). Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, at a news conference on Wednesday

(January 9, 2019), ahead of the presentations, disclosed that once the presentations are made, “Whoever is selected, we have a programme to pursue…we will work together for a better Guyana for our

people,” he said. Jagdeo, also the PPP General Secretary, stated that after the presentations are completed, the Party’s Executive Committee will meet and decide on a date for the voting to take place.

The Central Committee is made of 35 members, who will be voting in a secret ballot to elect a presidential candidate for the PPP. He assured that the presidential candidate will be announced before the month

end. When questioned about a prime ministerial candidate, the Opposition Leader stated that as soon as a presidential candidate is named, the process to select a prime ministerial candidate would begin.

PPP/C will work with any group that shares its objective of a Guyana for all Guyanese T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will work with any group – in the political arena or in civil society – that shares its objective of a better Guyana where all Guyanese benefit, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, when questioned on shared governance. At his Wednesday (January 9, 2019) news conference, he noted that all political parties have said that they love Guyana and they want a nation where all Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or any other differentiating factor, can benefit. “The PPP has said we are open to talks…we will not ignore any arrangement that will bring betterment for our Guyanese people,” he said. Jagdeo, also the PPP General Secretary, noted that as an “old” political party, the PPP has discussed governance structures in the past and every member of the Party’s leadership is committed to reaching out.

“I will not speculate on specifics (of a governance structure), but with a shared objective we can work for Guyana,” he said. NATIONAL PAPER The Opposition Leader referred to a Paper titled ‘Towards greater inclusive governance in Guyana – Building Trust To Achieve Genuine Political Cooperation’, which was made public in 2003. He explained that the measures detailed in the Paper were cited as “vital” for political development and the “emergence of a new political culture” characterised by greater trust, civility and commitment to the national interest. Commitment to the national interest, Jagdeo stressed, continues to be a call made by the PPP/C. He noted that with the developing oil and gas sector, he has called for an apolitical approach that would ensure long term growth and sustainability for all Guyanese

to prosper. STRATEGIC EFFORTS At a prior news conference, he noted that the PPP/C has been working strategically for years on a national project, to ensure a more unified Guyanese society. In 1999, Jagdeo, as president, had said, “I extend a hand of friendship to those who are in Opposition and invite them to sit with is and iron out differences so that we can have a common cause to serve – a cause in service of our people and nation.” Starting with changes to the Constitution, between 1999 and 2001, he noted that there were moves to have the political Opposition more involved in at the legislative level – with changes to the composition of the parliamentary committees, with the Chairmanship rotated between the Opposition and Government; and a hearing system where government minis-

ters can be summoned to the Parliamentary Sectoral Committees, to name a few. “These were carefully crafted to give greater involvement at the legislative level,” he said. The Opposition’s legislative involvement, he added, extended to the setting up of the Rights Commissions, the Public Procurement Commission and Service Commissions. “At the level of the judiciary, we moved from just consultation to agreement of the Opposition…but we saw what happened with that,” Jagdeo said, referring to the fact that for over 10 years the Chancellor and Chief Justice of the judiciary could not be substantively appointed because there was no agreement from the then Opposition. According to him, several moves were made to “build trust” at various levels. “After that (trust has been built) we can contemplate sharing at the Executive level,” the Opposition

Leader said. MORE INCLUSION In April 2018, an affirmative response was given to media queries, by Jagdeo, about the possibility of the PPP/C being open to a discussion on shared governance. However, he called attention to the fact any discussion could only happen if there is a genuine approach to having one. Jagdeo noted that during his first courtesy call to President David Granger, he made it clear that the PPP/C is open to discussions and engagement whenever the APNU+AFC Coalition is ‘done playing politics’. To date, unfortunately, such an opportunity did not present itself. MOVING FORWARD Jagdeo, last year, had stressed too that there must be involvement of key stakeholders to ensure a truly progressive society. “I have said that right

now there are three groups of people who have constituencies – civil society members who have political view, the PNC and the PPP….the AFC has none… we have to find a model that involves everyone in the future….not just in oil and gas, but maybe in a governance setting….this is why I said PPP will work on compact with civil society,” he said. He explained that the compact with civil society: will seek to solicit the ideas from persons: will make policy promises, which could include constitutional reform, campaign financing reform and policies favourable to private sector growth; and will see the development of a mechanism to ensure that the Executive is held accountable. He stressed that the PPP/C will always support advances that are pro-poor, pro-wealth creation and inclusive of all. “Any party that wants to be part of that will have a space,” he said.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

Better management, transparency in oil and gas sector will be delivered by a PPP/C gov’t – non-compliant officials will face jail terms

he rhetoric about the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) being interested in taking office to ‘get its hands on oil monies’ was rubbished by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. During his Wednesday (January 9, 2019) news conference, he charged that the PPP/C when it takes office will advance, as one of its first efforts, legislation to criminalize the actions that Guyanese have witnessed by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. “Legislation will be passed to criminalize the sort of behaviour we say by this government,” he said, referring to the hiding of the US$18M signing bonus received from ExxonMobil for over a year. He assured that every cent collected in oil revenues will be public information

for Guyanese under a PPP/C Government and any person guilty of non-disclosure will face jail time. Other key pieces of legislation, including a Local Content Policy, and streamlining the structure to manage the oil and gas sector, including dealing with the Energy Department’s role versus that of the proposed Petroleum Commission, will also be attached. “We are ready…we know what we have to do… we already have our programmes…there are things that civil society wants, which we are committed to,” Jagdeo said. A CLEAR FRAMEWORK Relative to a Local Content Policy, Jagdeo maintains the view that a strong local content policy will

allow Guyana to safeguard opportunities for locals and not allow locals to be crowded out in the sector. The Petroleum Commission, he has argued, ought to be a purely technical commission, but in currently configured in a way that gives excessive powers to one Minister of Government – the Minister determines: the size of the establishment; the employment of staff and the terms and conditions of employment; the provision of equipment and use of funds; reorganization or such works of development as to involve a substantial outlay on capital account; training, education and research; the disposal of capital assets; and the application of the proceeds of such disposals. On the Sovereign Wealth

Fund, he noted that a statement of principles, such as the Santiago Principles, on which the establishment of the Fund would be based would have sufficed. As he has done on previous occasions, he stressed the need for there to be: an apolitical approach to setting up the Fund; a clear definition of the purpose of the Fund; clearly defined rules on spending from the Fund; clarity on what share of oil proceeds will go to the Fund; and the conditions under which the government can access the Fund. Notably, government has since hinted that the Santiago Principles are being considered. The remaining oil blocks, he added, should be subject to a competitive auction or kept for future generations. CONTRACT On the issue of the re-

negotiated contract with ExxonMobil, Jagdeo, at a prior news conference, noted that Government has said it will not review the contract, despite criticisms. “We have made it clear that ExxonMobil came out of these negotiations way ahead of Guyana by billions of dollars….as a political party we have made it clear that we are unhappy with the process. We are unhappy with the contract itself that was signed. Very unhappy, but I also have to make sure that as Leader of the Opposition and head of a political party that I don’t get accused of contributing to a climate where we repudiate contracts once a legitimate Government has signed them,” he said. When asked about the way forward, the Opposition Leader said, “We have to put pressure on Government to

approach the company.” In the past Jagdeo had stressed the need for an amicable approach to any review of the contract. “Anything that any sovereign government negotiates with another party could be renegotiated if the other party agrees to come to the table. It can be done amicably. If it pursues it and the other party does not agree, you end up in a dispute. In this circumstance, I believe that the amicable position is the best one,” he had said. The Opposition Leader reiterated the need for an apolitical approach to the sector’s development and stated that the Parliamentary Opposition would be willing to engage the Government on this matter. “If they want to approach in a bipartisan manner, we will be willing to meet with them to talk about it,” he had said.

Reckless comments ‘poisoning PPP/C maintains support political atmosphere’ for gov’t efforts to preserve

he use of inflammatory language and its polarizing effect of Guyanese society was addressed with President David Granger, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. At his Wednesday (January 9, 2019) news conference, he disclosed that Granger committed to ensuring that unsubstantiated claims would not be made. “We will hold him to his word,” Jagdeo said. He added, “(Minister Carl) Greenidge, during the meeting, said that

we must tone down the rhetoric and I had to say that it is their people who have been making reckless statements….some in the APNU camp have also started back with the old rhetoric, the vile campaign, where they claim that 400 young black men were killed under the PPP.” Minister Basil Williams and Khemraj Ramjattan were among those cited for making reckless claims. According to Jagdeo, the President stated that he speaks for all the political

parties in the Coalition Government and he will ensure that reckless claims are not made. The Opposition Leader w a r n e d t h a t s u c h c o mments are poisoning the political atmosphere. He added that Parliamentary Opposition is open to talks about how Guyana will be managed in the future and what kind of governance structure will be in place. However, he charged that reckless comments poisoning the atmosphere could impact on this.

territorial integrity

he current state of affairs and uncertainties following the successful passage of the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government may have emboldened Guyana’s neighbours to threaten the country’s territorial integrity. This sentiment, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, was communicated to him by President David Granger.

He noted that Granger was informed in no uncertain terms that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will support the Coalition Government in any effort it makes to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity. “This is our standard position…we will hold this line,” Jagdeo said. ExxonMobil on Saturday, December 22, 2018, said the Norwegian company, Petroleum Geo-Ser-

vices, had stopped 3-D seismic oil exploration activities offshore Guyana closer to the Venezuelan border after the Venezuelan military intercepted the vessel. PGS was contracted by ExxonMobil was contracted to conduct the operations at the western end of the Stabroek Block. Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

COMMUNIQUÉ 14

JOINT STATEMENT

• Dissolution of Parliament.

(HIGH LEVEL MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION HELD ON MONDAY JANUARY 9, 2019 AT THE MINISTRY OF THE PRESIDENCY AT 11:00HOURS)

2. General and Regional Elections: • Role of the National Assembly; • Operational readiness of GECOM; • National registration; • Public Information. The parties recognized the high importance of continuous engagements between the Government and Opposition, the importance they hold for the national interest and the elevated public expectation. The Leader of the Opposition reiterated his position that the “no confidence motion” was validly passed and therefore there must be compliance with Articles 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution. He further stated that the time-frames prescribed by the two provisions of the Constitution must be rigidly observed, notwithstanding the pendency of the legal proceedings filed; and that Parliament must be dissolved unless otherwise agreed upon in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution. Further, the Leader of the Opposition contended that while the Government remains in office in accordance with Articles 106(7) of the Constitution, its functions must be confined to the provision of essential services of the State and to matters in relation to preparation for General and Regional elections.

The Government and Opposition met at the Ministry of the Presidency on January 9, 2019 at 11:00 hours at a high-level bilateral meeting. The delegations were as follows: Government • His Excellency President David Granger • Prime Minister – Hon. Moses Nagamootoo • Vice President – Hon. Carl Greenidge • Vice President – Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan • Attorney General – Hon. Basil Williams • Minister of State – Hon. Joseph Harmon • Minister of Natural Resources – Hon. Raphael Trotman • Minister of Social Protection – Hon. Amna Ally Opposition: • Leader of the Opposition – Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo • Gail Teixeira • Anil Nandlall • Irfaan Ali • Bishop Juan Edghill • Frank Anthony • Pauline Sukhai • Odinga Lumumba The parties met in an atmosphere of cordiality and iterated their emphatic commitment to work on all and any matters relating to the preservation and protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana; irrespective of any domestic political issues. The parties agreed to discuss an agenda proposed by the President that included: 1. Constitutional and Legal situation: • Functioning of the National Assembly; • Functioning of the Government; • Public Services; • Public Order;

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

In addition, the Leader of the Opposition emphasized that the National Assembly should only meet to deal with issues connected with the provision of essential services by the State and all matters related to the preparation of General and Regional elections. The President emphasized that the Government is legal and that it must govern without any limitations on its authority. His Excellency further stated that there is no provision in the Constitution which imposes limitation on the Government to perform its lawful functions. The President indicated that the Government and the Opposition, by agreement in the National Assembly, can enlarge the time beyond the 90 days contemplated by Article 106 (7) of the Constitution. The President further stated that it is lawful for the Government to engage the Court, to bring clarity to the provisions of Article 106 (6) and 106 (7) of the Constitution. Pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings, Parliament remains functional. Both sides are committed to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the matters engaging the attention of the court. The parties identified Ms. Amna Ally and Ms. Gail Teixeira to enquire into the readiness of GECOM. Both parties expressed their willingness to meet to ensure the management of the various issues facing the nation.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

PPP in outreach on Essequibo Coast A team of party officials, led by Executive Secretary Zulficar Mustapha, interacted with residents in Essequibo yesterday where they updated them on the no-confidence motion and the impending General and Regional Elections

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

Nagamootoo challenges wisdom of Guyana’s Bar Association

Jordan continues to insist that he did not hide US$18M signing bonus a year after being exposed

Guyana’s diminished Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, this offered his ‘mathematical expertise’ to the Guyanese people and argued that 33 is not a majority in a 65-member National Assembly. Nagamootoo also challenged the Bar Association, which made clear that 33 is a majority and that the motion of no-confidence advanced by the Parliamentary Opposition was validly passed in the National Assembly on December 21, 2018. “I therefore find disturbing that a few lawyers, who ought to promote the efficacy of our judicial system, prefer fresh elections instead of a court review of these issues,” Nagamootoo said, referring to the Coalition Government case in court. Attorney General Basil Williams, approached the High Court to settle the legality of the vote on the no-confidence motion saying that it needed the support of an “absolute majority” of 34 members to be valid. The National Assembly has 65 Parliamentarians. In the current configuration, 33 seats are held by the Government and 32 are held by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). On the day of the vote on the motion of no-confidence motion, a Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, voted with the PPP/C. Williams argues that the National Assembly comprises 65 members and that, mathematically, half of all the elected members equals 32.5. Accordingly, he says that the figure should then be rounded to the next whole number, being 33, which would now represent half of the elected members and that the majority thereby being a number greater than half means that ‘1’ ought to have been added to the whole number ‘33’ to calculate an absolute majority of 34. Like the Bar Association, the PPP/C insists that the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government was validly passed in the National Assembly.

Finance, Winston Jordan, this week, was up in arms about comments from Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Juan Edghill, who reminded that the US$18M signing bonus from US oil giant ExxonMobil was hidden for over a year. The bonus in question was paid to the Government’s Central Bank account by US oil giant ExxonMobil in 2016. The existence of

APNU+AFC returns to youths for support Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael-Haynes, is the face of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government at the forefront of a series of events being organized to engage youths. She assured the youth leaders that they have the ears of the Coalition Government. She noted that the youths are catered for in the ‘Good life’ policy of the Government. One of the recently held events was the ProGuyana Forum, which pushed the importance of youth civic engagement in politics. The Youth Director, talking up the event, said, “It speaks volume to the work that we [government] have been doing and it also tells us where we need to increase our work and what we need to strengthen and what we need to take away from our programmes so that young people can further benefit.”

this bonus and the renegotiated oil agreement with the company was kept a secret until evidence of the transaction was leaked in December 2017. The correspondence of September 20, 2016, which was leaked to the media, was addressed to the Governor of the Bank of Guyana with the subject being, “Signing bonus granted by ExxonMobil – Request to open bank account”. It showed Finance Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Hector Butts, requesting that a foreign currency account be opened at the Bank in order to receive a deposit in the form of a ‘signing bonus’ to be given by the oil company. The letter stated, “This account should not be treated as part of the Bank’s reserves. Instead, the proceeds should be held in the currency of the deposit, that is, United States dollars, and invested in secured interest-bearing securities.” Before the leaked document confirmed the payment of a signing bonus by ExxonMobil, it was none other than Jordan, who, in November 2017, said such a claim is “a figment of the imagination” and that there is “no agreement for any bonus.” So far, at least US$3.7M has been transferred from the US$18M.

Gov’t insists that it will proceed with spending as planned in Budget 2019 Despite the calls for the APNU+AFC Coalition government to resign and only perform the functions of a caretaker government, following the successful passage of the no-confidence motion, the Coalition has other plans. Minister Jordan explained that the APNU-AFC Government is still in office and “will be a government until they are voted out of office”. As such, he charged that spending will continue as planned in Budget 2019. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution says: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” Meanwhile, PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has made clear that, in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the Constitution, the Coalition Government can only perform a “caretaker” function – routine functions, until fresh General and Regional Elections are held. Article 106 (7) says that: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Cabinet meetings continue WPA agrees… despite concerns about Court challenge to constitutional violations no-confidencemotion vote

fter the December 21, 2018 vote on the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, which was file by Opposition Leader, and the motion’s successful passage, both President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo admitted that the government had fallen. Nagamootoo had said, “The confidence motion was put the floor and the no-confidence motion was passed…. the options that are available after a no-confidence motion is passed in the House is dictated by the Constitution, Article 106…the process in the National Assembly was an open and transparent process.” Meanwhile, Granger had said, “We will do everything

necessary to facilitate the smooth functioning of General and Regional Elections.” However, the APNU+AFC Coalition government continues to hold Cabinet meetings, despite concerns about constitutional violations. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution says, “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” Further, Article 106 (7) states that, “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National

Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the elections.” In accordance with these provisions, it has been argued that Cabinet’s functions have come to a halt in the formal sense. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at a press conference on December 24th stressed that with the passage of the no-confidence motion, the APNU+AFC government has “diminished authority” and can only function as a caretaker government until such time as fresh elections are held.

Guyana’s Constitution must be respected Dear Editor,

he Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana, it clearly outlines the branches of powers of the Government, and most importantly it defines time for elections. Whenever elections are being defined by the Constitution, it becomes unconstitutional for anyone including the President not to adhere to the Constitutional law. In a democracy, the legislature law enacts, the Judiciary laws interprets, and the ultimate power of enforcement of laws lies in the hands of the executives, so the arbitrary use of power by the executive may be tantamount to challenging the concept of the rule of law. President David Granger, on the assumption of office, swore that he “will honour, uphold and preserve the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”. President David Granger in the capacity as the leader of the APNU/AFC coalition Government must answer to

the people why the constitution of Guyana is not honoured upheld and preserved? The President has managed Guyana in a manner that has seen a rapid erosion of democratic and good governance standards that are enshrined in the Constitution and the rights, liberties and democratic interests of citizens are trampled upon using methods that are reminiscent of a full blown dictatorship. A democratic president does not have the option to ignore, defy or subvert the constitutional laws of this country. In the NCM scenario the President David Granger has two constitutional options that should be a priority to ensure that his sworn allegiance to the people of Guyana is being preserved. First, after the successful passage of the No-confidence motion he should have resigned and remained in office in compliance with the constitution. Secondly, he should have sought alternative clarifica-

tion and confirmation of the Constitution by the judicial courts to regain control of his executive power if the possibility exists. It must be noted that the Constitution states that the constitutional court makes the final decisions constitutionally and must confirm any order of invalidity by the supreme court of appeal before the president can regain his executive power. Independence of the judiciary is mandatory; that is the principle in that the judiciary should be politically insulated from the legislative and the executive power. The courts should not be subject to improper influence from the other branches of Government, or from private or partisan interests, to act freely and impartially. The President, David Granger, has a perfect opportunity to show the world that he respects the Constitution and is not above the law. Regards, Zamal Hussain

could be seen as attempt to hold on to office

ver two weeks later, after the motion of no-confidence was passed in the National Assembly and effectively spelled the fall of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, the Working People’s Alliance has broken its silence on the matter. WPA is one of six parties that formed the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), that majority partners in APNU being the People’s National Congress Reform. In a statement, the WPA said, “The challenge by the Government side that could be read as an attempt to remain in power beyond the provision of Article 106 (7). It is in this situation that we urge and reiterate the need for a swift resolution in the courts.” Two cases have been filed challenging the validity of the no-confidence motion. Attorney General Basil Williams, approached the High Court to settle the legality of the vote on the no-confidence motion saying that it needed the support of an “absolute majority” of 34 members to be valid. The National Assembly has 65 Parliamentarians. In the

current configuration, 33 seats are held by the Government and 32 are held by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). On the day of the vote on the motion of no-confidence motion, a Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, voted with the PPP/C. He argues that the National Assembly comprises 65 members and that, mathematically, half of all the elected members equals 32.5. Accordingly, he says that the figure should then be rounded to the next whole number, being 33, which would now represent half of the elected members and that the majority thereby being a number greater than half means that ‘1’ ought to have been added to the whole number ‘33’ to calculate an absolute majority of 34. As such, he said, “The motion of no confidence was not validly passed by 34 or more of all the elected members of the National Assembly…. the ruling of the Speaker that the motion was purportedly carried by a majority vote of 33:32 raises concerns of serious national interest and grave and significant constitutional issues that are cen-

tral to Guyana’s democracy, stability and constitutional ethos and as a consequence, requires the Court’s urgent intervention.” In the second court case, by Compton Herbert Reid, a private citizen, who contends that the vote on the no-confidence motion is invalid because the now former Government Parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud, he holds dual citizenship. Notably, Reid’s move came one day after Williams, disclosed that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government will be challenging the results of the vote on the no-confidence motion on grounds that Persaud holds Canadian citizenship. All considered, the WPA said, “The WPA has taken note of the arguments on both sides of the divide on the legality/illegality of the results of the motion and we firmly believe that the situation facing Guyana requires a swift resolution in the courts.” A date has been set for the hearing of Reid’s case – January 15, 2019. No date has been set for the matter filed by Williams.

Uniforms for transport operations, other stipulations included in new Code

he Ministry of Business is advancing a Code of Conduct for minibus operators, even as, President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews, explained that the parties involved have not yet formally signed any documents that would give effect to enforcement of such a Code. The new Code, according to an infomercial on

social media, stipulates that that operators and associated personnel are expected to wear uniforms, along with an identification badge or card. It also stipulates the prohibition of loud and offensive music, proper display of fare structure in the minibus, prohibition of offensive language, and consideration for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and persons with

disabilities. The new Code will be mandatory for all minibus operators and other personnel. Already, persons using public transportation are advised to report any violation of the code to the police. A document detailing all the stipulations of the Code has not been made public to date.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Charles Ramson Jr. not among PPP presidential contenders – says he ‘respects’ Party’s decision

he first to declare his interest in being the

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) presidential candidate,

Charles Ramson Jr. is not among the five in the race and has made clear that he respects the decision of the

Party. He said, “I respect the party’s decision and I do not want this issue to dis-

tract from the main objective which is to ensure that the People’s Progressive Party wins the next General and

Regional elections. “…as a personal principle, I am a believer in the collective….as a principle, you do not leave your group. My involvement in a collective is not predicated on getting my own way. If you are not prepared to have decisions go against you and be humble enough to remain committed then you are not mature and wise enough to lead.” A decision on the Party’s presidential candidate is likely to be made before the end of the month.

U.S. top court rejects Exxon in climate change document dispute

he U.S. Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for the attorney general of Massachusetts to obtain records from Exxon Mobil Corp to probe whether the oil company for decades concealed its knowledge of the role fossil fuels play in climate change. The justices declined to hear Exxon’s appeal of a ruling by the top court in Massachusetts holding that state Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, had jurisdiction to seek records to probe whether the company misled consumers and investors. The high court’s action marked the latest setback for Exxon in its efforts to halt the Massachusetts investigation and a similar one by New York’s attorney general, who in October filed a lawsuit against the company. “The law is clear. The Attorney General’s Office has the authority to investigate Exxon’s conduct toward consumers and investors, and we are proceeding. The public deserves answers from this company about what it knew about the impacts of burning fossil fuels, and when,” said Chloe Gotsis, a spokeswoman for Healey. A spokesman for Exxon declined to comment. New York’s lawsuit accused Exxon of engaging in a systematic scheme to deceive investors about the impact that future climate change regulations could have on its business. Exxon has called the claims “meritless.” The Massachusetts and New York investigations were launched following 2015 news reports that Exxon’s own scientists had determined that fossil fuel combustion must be reduced to mitigate the impact of climate change. Those news reports, by (Turn to page 19)

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t has no authority to bring in new legislation unrelated to holding early elections T

he January 3, 2019 sitting of the National Assembly was objected to by the Parliamentary Opposition, which did not attend the sitting. However, the sitting was proceeded with and with only APNU+AFC Coalition Government Parliamentarians in the House, several bills were passed. Former Attorney General and Opposition Parliamentarian, Anil Nandlall, in commenting on the move stressed that only certain bills can be passed in the house under current circumstances, since after the successful passage of the no-confidence motion, it cannot be business as usual. He said, “Naturally, Government is expected to provide the basic services of the state to the citizens, which are public security,

public health, public utilities, payment of salaries of public servants, etc…” “…any bills which are necessary to accomplish those objectives ought to be passed. However, the Government will have no authority to bring in new legislation that are unrelated to those matters to which I made reference. “…Government cannot embark on new capital projects and cannot begin implementing new policies; more so, those that cannot be completed in time for elections. Any expenditure of public funds on those types of projects can be regarded as unlawful and may attract criminal liability,” he added. The former Attorney General stressed that the Coalition Government has to give the highest priority to preparing the electoral

machinery, in the form of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for elections within three months. Among the bills passed were the: Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill No 20 of 2018; the Capital Gains (Amendment) Bill; the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and the Natural Resources Fund of 2018.

‘Corruption talk’ still to be substantiated – Jagdeo

epetition of the corruption line used by the APNU+AFC Coalition on the 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign trail is being pushed. And Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, has repeated his call for the Coalition government to release the forensic audit reports it commissioned after it took office. He said, “We have been calling on them to release all of the reports. They can release them. They could have released them yesterday; they can release them today or they can release them tomorrow. “…even so, with all the reports they could not find the large scale corruption that they talk about. Look at what they charge people for. So I would find it a miraculous thing that they had this big scandal and every day they were just sitting on it, waiting for 2020 (when elections were originally slated to be held,) it stretches the imagination.” “…whether they are

APNU, AFC or PPP, our people are smart, they see a dying desperate greedy cabal out there and so I do not have any worry about these reports, no doubt they will get more repressive.” In February 2018, Junior Finance Minsiter, Jaipaul Sharma, earlier this week, disclosed that a number of these forensic audits failed to unearth the fraud and corruption that the Coalition Government claimed occurred under the former PPP/C Government. “Some (of the) reports weren’t sufficient to send forward to Police,” Sharma said. Meanwhile, the David-Granger-led Government has been criticised for the manner in which the audits were commissioned, since many supporters of APNU+AFC were given contracts – including Christopher Ram’s company and Dr. Annand Goolsarran. The highest sum for a single audit - $8M – was paid to Christopher Ram’s company, Ram and McRae, for

the audit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). In total Ram’s company was tasked with eight contracts totaling over $37M. Dr Goolsarran received four contracts totaling over $6M, with the largest contract sum being $2.3M. How much remaining five audits costs – a total of 50 having been cited by government as intended pursuits – remains unknown, despite multiple attempts to have Sharma answers questions on the matter. Notably, while Granger has also said that the audits were not done with the purpose to “witch hunt” former government officials, Jagdeo, has called for APNU+AFC to release not only the completed audit reports, but also the responses to the audit reports. This has not been done. The $133M of taxpayers’ money was spent on about 45 audits. Only about 30 forensic audit reports were released.

GA-FDD issues warning over “fake” drug on local market T

he Government Analyst –Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has issued a public warning and recall about the circulation of a “fake/Counterfeit Brand of Daflon (micronized purified flavonoid fraction) on our local market.” This product is used to treat patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) – varicose vein and venous circulation disorders (swollen legs, pain, early morning restless legs) and symptoms associated with acute hemorrhaging. According to the GAFDD, the original product is sold in a white box with blue borders and contains sixty (60) 500mg tablets that are further divided on four (4) silver blister packs, each containing fifteen (15) tablets, while the fake product is sold in a white box with no border and containing sixty (60) 500mg tablets that are further divided on six (6) silver with blue blister packs, each containing ten (10) tablets. Moreover, it was outlined that the manufacturers’ address of the original product is in France while the address for the counterfeit product is Turkey / Ukraine. The official distributors of the Original Product are Massy Distributors Inc. and Ansa McAl Trading Ltd. Inspectors of the GA-FDD have to date since seized approximately twenty four (24) boxes x 60 tablets x 500mg of the fake from several wholesaler bonds and retail pharmacies in Georgetown and in Region 3.

GA-FDD said that criminal proceedings “would be instituted against the importers of the fake/ counterfeited Daflon.” Director of the Department Marlon Cole said that the drug which has been classified as fake is “unable to achieved therapeutic effect for intended use because flavonoid are poorly micronized resulting in particle size greater than 2 µ micro meters resulting in poor stomach absorption.” He implored consumers to ‘return the counterfeited prod-

uct to wholesalers and retailers and be refunded, while urging them to report to the GAFDD on telephone number 222-8859, any proprietor who refuses to cooperate with this mandatory recall exercise.’ Moreover, the Department is calling on importers and distributors to “with immediate effect surrender all the Fake/ Counterfeited Daflon associated with this mandatory recall to be destroyed, failure to do same will leave the department with no alternative but to initiate legal proceedings against defaulters.”

U.S. top court rejects... (From page 18) InsideClimate News and the Los Angeles Times, were based on documents from the 1970s and 1980s. Exxon said the documents were not inconsistent with its public positions. Healey in 2016 issued a civil investigative demand to Exxon seeking documents to investigate whether it had violated the state’s consumer-protection law through its marketing and sale of fossil fuel products. Exxon said that because it is incorporated in Texas

and New Jersey, Healey had no basis to seek documents to conduct a Massachusetts-based investigation. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in April held that jurisdiction existed because of Exxon’s control over advertising conducted for about 300 franchise gas stations operating under the Exxon and Mobil brands in Massachusetts. Exxon has called the Massachusetts and New York investigations politically motivated. (REUTERS)

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

‘Significant progress made under successive PPP/C administrations to improve welfare of Amerindians’ LEGISLATION

The Amerindian Act 2006 is an embodiment of policies that cover the protection of the general welfare and rights of Indigenous Peoples. It affirms the declaration of rights of indigenous peoples in specific stipulations that include governance, land rights and preservation, and Amerindian heritage. Passed a year before the UN-DRIP declaration, Guyana’s 2006 Amerindian Act includes key provisions relating to Amerindian people that are not dissimilar, in most instances, from those outlined in the declaration, and has thus been the legal stronghold for Amerindian development. TOURISM SUPPORT

In 2012, the Ministry financed eco-tourism projects for 19 Villages, each receiving utmost $1.5M. In 2013, twenty villages will be receiving grants at $1.5M each to the eco-tourism industry in their respective regions. The initial implementation of the first 27 Community Development Plans (CDPs) funded through the GRIF, 11 % account for projects that are related to ecotourism. HEALTH

The Amerindian Hostel data on inpatients reflect access to medical services at Georgetown Public Hospital thereby reducing further aggravation of health situations of Hinterland patients and providing better access to quality health services; safe and adequate accommodation for patients and welfare cases help ensure the psychological health and general well-being of those that are affected by sickness and other social issues. The fact that all villages have a health hut/health centre makes access to primary health care easier in villages and thus improving health conditions of villagers. Amerindian Residence accommodated a total of 7017 patients with their accompanying relatives up to 2014. The Residence provides a shelter for those patients who have been referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical attention. Over the years, the purpose of this facility had evolved such that the most significant proportion of persons being accommodated is patients and those accompanying them. The Residence has also expanded its services to encompass persons in difficult situations including Domestic Violence, Trafficking in Persons, labour issues, discharged prisoners or any other similar situation. The Maternity waiting room at the Amerindian Hostel was constructed at a cost of $1.2M. The aim of the new facility is in keeping with Government’s commitment to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies and to ensure that every mother and child have access to adequate health care and provided with the best care and treatment. SOLAR PANEL AND ENERGY ACCESS

A total of 11, 000 solar panels were installed across all the regions. A mini-hydro power plant is about to be constructed in Cheung Mouth River to supply renewable energy to Region 8 villages. An additional 6000 solar panels are being procured for distribution to additional communities including some riverine communities CORE HOMES/HOME SUBSIDIES

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

GOVERNANCE

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

A total of 187 Amerindian Villages and Communities were considered for economic projects under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) - Guyana REDD+Investment Fund (GRIF). Some US$6.3M from GRIF is allotted for said projects under the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF). Twenty- Seven (27) projects from across all regions have been chosen for the initial implementation of the project which has commenced early part of 2013 with a budget of US$1.8M. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of all the projects are in agriculture with the aim of securing Amerindian livelihoods. ADF Project Management Unit were up and running to facilitate full implementation of 160 CDPs. CULTURE

The preservation and promotion of Amerindian heritage is germane to Amerindian’s identity. The cultural activities have been the media for Amerindian culture to be accepted and understood by other groups in Guyana, at the same time, an avenue for all Amerindians to celebrate their heritage and embrace their indigenous roots and identity. By continuing to protect Amerindian culture, Amerindians are able to understand the significance of their dances, languages, practices, local knowledge, cuisine, crafts, songs, and literature to the total development of their villages. The government is cognizant of the fact that culture is one of the pillars of sustainable development, and without it, and then development is not fully achieved. Some $25M was spent on average annually in for Amerindian Heritage Celebrations to promote traditions, values, literature , dances of Amerindians. Another $6M was spent annually for other cultural activities The Initiatives include: Arawak Revival Language Project launched in Capoey; Support to Cultural Expo (North Pakaraimas) - $5M; and Support to cultural groups of Aisalton ($1.4M) and Santa Rosa ($7M) OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

LAND OWNERSHIP

Prior to 1992, 74 communities were titled. Since, then 24 more villages were granted titles, thereby bringing the total of titled villages to 98, seventy-seven of which had been demarcated. Six (6) titles were to be approved prior to May 2015 and seven (7) extension were investigated and in preparation for approval While Indigenous people in many Countries have right of use of the Land only, in Guyana where the Indigenous People account for approximately 9.7% of the population, Amerindians own land, including the forests resources within their Titled Lands. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT/SUPPORT

The MoAA has launched the Youth Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) aimed to train young Amerindians while employing them at the same time and become powerful partners in development. Some $200M was spent on YEAP in 2013. Focus was placed on developing 2,000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) participate productively in Education, Health, and Social Welfare, Community Development, Culture, ICT, Infrastructure and small business. The CSOs received training in various areas, including: • Management of Photovoltaic System • Management of Basic ICT hardware • Governance & Amerindian Act • Youth Voices for Climate Change (Sponsored by the US Embassy/Caribbean Development Bank educate youths on the importance of Climate Change and its impact in the Caribbean) • Business & Sustainable Development • Various aspect of the Community Development Project training The Youth Apprenticeship Programme was aimed at training young Amerindians while employing them at the same time is a medium to empower the young as partners in national development. These youths will be our partners in the implementation of CDPs and other socio-economic activities that are taking place in the villages now. The inclusion of the young in gearing their villages towards progress by letting them participate productively in technical, mechanical, computer, and agricultural activities will definitely enhance the capacity of the villages’ human resources. AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT

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

Computer Accessibility through 100 computer hubs commenced in 2013. Some $287.7M was allotted for solar systems for ICT hubs; and 57,000 person-beneficiaries. As at 2014: 72 of these hubs are completed;9 hubs near completion and the HUBs were constructed into Regions of 1, 7, 8 and 9. All villages now have radio sets for fast communication, each one costs $500,000 Telecommunication facilities built in Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Red Hill, Morucca, Aishalton, Annai, Lethem, Ominaik, and Mahdia, thus improving communication in the hinterlands!

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Guyana’s passport PNCR’s Van West Charles submits fake invoices in ranking drops fuel shipment deals three points T

he ranking of Guyana’s passport dropped three points on the Henley Passport Index, from 55 in 2018 to 58 in 2019. The 2019 index includes details on 190 countries. In 2018, the index shows that Guyanese can

travel to 88 countries visa-free/visa-on-arrival – hence the 55th rank in the world. Meanwhile, Japan retains its top spot as the world's most travel-friendly passport thanks to the document's access to 190

countries. That the top countries in the list are all Asian nations. The Henley Passport Index is a measure of global access. It is the only passport index that is based on International Air Transport Association (IATA data).

APNU+AFC appointed Region 2 REO refusing to give up office T he former Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Rupert Hopkinson, is refusing to leave the office and formally hand-over duties to the new REO, Dennis Jaikarran. This was confirmed by Region 2 Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt. According to him, Jaikarran took up office as

of January 1, 2019 and is operating on a desk in the regional boardroom, while Hopkinson still occupies the REO’s office. He stated that Hopkinson was instructed to formally hand over the office to Jaikarran, but has refused to do so. Meanwhile, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has condemned Hopkinson’s actions.

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has called in Richard Van WestCharles, who is a director of Atlantic Fuels Inc., for questioning. The questioning is in relation to the under-invoicing of fuel that Atlantic Fuels Inc. was purchasing in the free trade border area at Morawhanna, North West District, Region One. According to information received that taxes are upwards of $100M. Notably, there are at least two instances involving Atlantic Fuels Inc. and what appear to be fake invoices being submitted to GRA. On the fake invoices were two fuel shipments done between September and October last year, where the cost of the diesel was declared about 50 per cent less. Van West Charles, the son in law of the late President and Leader of the PNC Forbes Burnham, was grant-

ed a license to import and store fuel in 2015. This license is valid until 2025. The licence has been issued in the name of Atlantic Fuel Inc. Many saw this development as one of nepotism since the GWI is a prominent supporter of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration. The company was registered in February 2015, just a mere few months before it was handed the license. LOCALS IMPLICATED In April of last year, there was reports that authorities, on Thursday (April 19, 2018) took control of a vessel – the Jubilee – because it was suspected to have been involved in fuel smuggling, documents linking the vessel’s operations to prominent local figures have been released. Company documents

for entity, SBF International Inc., names Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde, Anand Sanasie and Dorwain Bess as Directors. Notably, the individuals implicated managed to secure over $36M to pay the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the boat has since been released. GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, confirmed this when pressed on the matter. The quiet release of the vessel, without the confiscation of the vessel and charges for those involved, has been questioned. However, questioning has been met with silence. Meanwhile, the stateowned Guyana Oil Company Limited (GuyOil), in its recently released annual report for 2017, disclosed that fuel smuggling was seriously denting its revenues. As a result, its net profit has decreased almost 29 per cent.

Coalition Minister admits that drug shortages reports worse now than three years ago R

eports of drug shortages continue to plague Guyana’s health sector and for the first time Government has admitted that there is a problem – a problem that has worsened since the

APNU+AFC Coalition Government took office. Junior Health Minister, Karen Cummings, addressing the reports of shortages from several health facilities across the country,

particularly those on the West Demerara, said, “This is a time where we’ve been hearing more complaints since we’ve come into office.” The Coalition Govern-

ment continues to fail to address the months-long problem of shortages of drugs and medical supplies, especially in the hinterland areas. Health Minister, Vol-

da Lawrence, had stated revised drug procurement system which will bring resolution to the ongoing drug shortage throughout the country is expected to be implemented by June 2016.

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

Ali challenges charges against him by SOCU in High Court C ourt proceedings against former Housing Minister and Opposition Parliamentarian in the Magistrate’s Court have been put on hold following a challenge advanced by Ali. Ali was handed 19 fraud related charges in November 2019 by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). Ali in his writ filed, among several citations, contends that the case, related to the sale of lands at Plantation Sparendaam (Pradoville Two), East Coast Demerara is tantamount to an abuse of the court’s process.

According to the Writ, Ali’s position is that the charges are “irrational, arbitrary, capricious, whimsical, malicious, biased, without any proper evidential basis, made in bad faith, influenced by irrelevant and improper considerations and motives, unreasonable, discriminatory, unlawful, null, void and of no effect.” In his application, Ali is seeking two orders of Certiorari – one quashing the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge him with the offence of Conspiracy to Defraud Contrary to Com-

mon Law. The second seeks to quash the oath of SOCU rank Corporal Persaud he gave at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in respect to the 19 charges. He has sought an order to prohibit the chief magistrate or any othe Georgetown magistrate from attempting to hear the matter or take any further steps following the Corporal Persaud’s oath. Ali is also seeking an interim order preventing the case being heard until the determination of the High Court challenge. He called too for the

High Court to declare that the particulars of the charge do not constitute an offence known to law and contravene Section 144 (4) of the Constitution and that there is not statutory or common law that requires a valuaton prior to the sale of property. Ali, further, wants the court to declare that the decision to lay the charges is vague and unconstitutional. Additionally, he is seeking costs, general damages, exemplary damages, aggravated damages all amounting to not less than $100,000 and whichever other directions the court views as just.

Ali has denied the charges levelled against him by SOCU. He said, “I deny selling any lands to any persons. Moreover, assuming arguendo that the facts as alleged in the Charges are true, which is denied, 1 have been informed by counsel and verily believe that the particulars as contained therein do not amount to any offence known to law, which even if proven, are impossible to yield a conviction for the offences charged. “…it is an open and notorious fact that I am being actively considered as a presidential candidate for

the People’s Progressive Party…and the respondents’ failure to act swiftly and without delay in prosecuting the Charges has caused and is causing me grave and irreversible damage, prejudicing my eligibility.” Ali is being represented by Senior Counsel Neil Boston, Anil Nandlall, among other attorneys while the respondents in the matter are Police Commissioner, Leslie James, Chief Magistrate Ann The challenge filed in the High Court is expected to be heard on Friday, January 11, 2019.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

fter three years since taking office, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, published a list of 231 so called ‘achievements’ in May 2018. However, a close look at the list, revealed Government’s desperation in trying to find ‘successes’. For example, the Government claimed “lower electricity rates” as an achievement, but listed this one point at least two times in the list of 231. A second example shows that the

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

4. FICTION: Youth skills training provided through BIT, HEYS FACT: The BIT is a PPP/C initiative. HEYS was introduced by the APNU+AFC Government, then the decision was made to scrap it. Notably, HEYS had replaced the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), which was an initiative under the former PPP/C government. When the Coalition Government took power, the 1972 Amerindian community service officers who were part of the YEAP programme were fired. 7. FICTION: Created over 5000 jobs FACT: Since May 2015, over 25,000 Guyanese have lost their jobs. Government’s claim of creating over 5,000 jobs has been challenged. To date, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has not responded and has not said where these 5,000 jobs were created. 10. FICTION: State Assets Recovery Unit set up FACT: SARA did not legally exist until May 2018. The State Assets Recovery Act was only assented to by President David Granger on May 4, 2018 – over one year after it was passed in the National Assembly by a government majority, despite objections voiced by the Parliamentary Opposition. As such, queries have been raised about SARA’s operations prior to Granger’s move to assent to the SARA Act – specifically as it relates to how monies were allocated to the State Assets Recovery Agency for the year 2018 Budget to acquire an office at Lot 56 Main and New Market Streets, SARA letterhead, staff, etc., prior to that date (May 4, 2018), when the agency did not legally exist?”

APNU+AFC Coalition claimed the work of private companies as their own success, when it listed “4G internet” in its list of 231. The work to bring better internet services to the Guyanese people was done by the private telecommunications companies. This week, the Mirror, by simply looking at 30 of the Government’s claims, will expose the FICTIONS peddled by the APNU+AFC Coalition Government and will detail the actual facts.

2. FICTION: $50,000 Christmas Bonus in 2015 and $25,000 Christmas Bonus in 2016 FACT: No attention has been given to increasing the salaries of public servants – teachers, policemen, nurses, etc. since the APNU+AFC Government took office. The two bonuses were one-off payments for only two years. 5. FICTION: Sugar industry right-sized fo5r self sufficiency through diversification FACT: There have been no efforts in the direction of diversification. While government said it has “right-sized” the sugar industry, all it did was close down major sugar estates – leaving thousands of sugar workers on the breadline – in the worst mass firing in Guyana’s history.

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

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

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

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

11. FICTION: Special organized Crime Unit operational

9. FICTION: Lower Electricity rates

FACT: Three years of being operations under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, not a single case against money launderers has been advanced. SOCU has only been involved in cases filed against former government officials, one of which has already been thrown out of the courts. Also, in the case SOCU brought against GBTI, the expert witness fielded by the Unit was also rejected by courts, which ruled that the ‘expert’ was in fact ‘no expert’. SOCU has been involved in a number of controversial operations. These include the high-profile car chase of the wife of a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), which resulted in the death of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant Robert Pyle and his wife Stacy, along with another civilian in a smash-up on Carifesta Avenue in December 2015 – an incident that remains the subject of many unanswered questions. The Unit’s establishment was part of Guyana's international obligations to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework and was intended to support the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The mandate of the SOCU, as acknowledged in the protocols, is to address investigations, detection and preparation of criminal investigative reports and case files for prosecutions of financial crimes, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Little to nothing has been done by SOCU, under the current APNU+AFC Government, which fits the reason for SOCU’s establishment.

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

8. FICTION: Plans to bridge Essequibo River

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

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

APNU+AFC gov’t forcing fictions on the Guyanese people 13. FICTION: New Guyana Election Chairman appointed FACT: The 84-year-old GECOM Chairman was unilaterally and un-constitutionally appointed, in breach of 25 years of practice and common understanding of the constitutional procedures that have to be followed for such an appointment to be made. 14. FICTION: The establishment of three new towns FACT: The towns were established without consultation and in some cases encroached on titled Amerindian Lands in breach of laws --and showing that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has no qualms about breaking the laws of Guyana. 15. FICTION: Improved education attainment FACT: The 2017 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guyana – released by the United States of America’s (USA) State Department – underscores a major failure of the APNU+AFC Coalition government. Page 11 of the 207 report states that: “The standard of living in indigenous communities was lower than that of most citizens, and they had limited access to education and health care.” In contrast, the 2015 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guyana, on page 14, said: “All indigenous communities had primary schools, and as of 2012, there were 13 secondary schools in remote regions. All indigenous communities had school dormitories that housed students at government’s expense. Government programmes trained health workers, who staffed health facilities in most communities.”

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

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

18. FICTION: De-politicized the National Toshaos Council FACT: The NTC is not a political body. It is the elected body that represents Amerindians in Guyana. As such, claims of de-politicizing the NTC have been viewed as APNU+AFC rhetoric. 19. FICTION: Extended the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) programme FACT: Not a single Amerindian village has received a land title under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government. Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, admitted that he failed to do any work with the ALT programme, which gave the indigenous people legal rights to their communities. “I have not been able to title any village,” Allicock had said in May 2018. Notably, after taking office, the Coalition Government, sent home the entire unit dealing with the Amerindian Land Titling programme. The Project Management Unit was ben established in June 2014 to support the implementation of the project. A total of US$10.7M was earned by the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government and left for the purpose of completing the ALT programme. 20. FICTION: Piracy smashed FACT: Less than two months ago, a piracy attack led to several deaths of local fishermen. The bodies of some of the fishermen have still not been found.

21. FICTION: Major criminal gangs smashed, members prosecuted FACT: There has been no such report. Also, no cases in Guyana’s court have substantiated this claim. 22. FICTION: Crime rate down FACT: As of June 2018, a whopping 304 cases of robbery under arms, where firearms were used, were recorded at the end of June 2018, marking an increase compared to last year. Another 116 cases of robbery under arms, where other instruments were used, were also recorded for that month. There were also 28 other cases of robberies, as well as 73 cases of robbery with violence. Robbery with aggravation cases numbered 30. Larceny from persons numbered 62, while burglary cases totaled 112 and break an entry with larceny totaled 498. In total these cases numbered 1,223. There were 44 murders. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government continues to come in for criticisms over its inaction to address the current crime rate. 23. FICTION: Establishment of the Department of Environment FACT: There is no Department of Environment as of July 2018. 24. FICTION: Freedom of the Press restored FACT: The Guyana Press Association has blasted Coalition gov’t over ‘unmistakable’ signals of Executive control since it took office. The Association cited other acts that include: The continued role of the Director of Public Information as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited, publishers of the Guyana Chronicle; Direction from a senior government Minister on coverage of his office to the Editor- in-Chief; Direction being given to the Chronicle for stories sent for his approval once it has to do with his office or the PNC, the main party in the governing Coalition; and weekly meetings of the Prime Minister with senior executives of the state media.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

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

27. FICTION: Code of conduct for public official completed

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

FACT: There is no Code of Conduct in place. A draft was proposed and was met with widespread criticisms. Even the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. said government’s proposed code of conduct is still deficient in many respects. The body expressed the view that the “lack of specificity appears as low commitment to integrity in public office” and it can ultimately impede the effectiveness of the Code and erode public confidence.

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

a recent news conference. He charged that

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

29. FICTION: Successful gun amnesty programme FACT: During the amnesty for unlicensed firearms in 2015, scores of Amerindians handed in weapons used to protect their cattle and crops and support their livelihoods, with the promise of receiving licences. The APNU+AFC Coalition Government delayed the return to April 2018 and has now delayed it again, until the end of July 2018. This failure to deliver in a timely manner on a promise made has prevented the amnesty programme from being deemed a success. 30. FICTION: A new drugs procurement system introduced FACT: Health Minister, Volda, Lawrence had stated revised drug procurement system which will bring resolution to the ongoing drug shortage throughout the country is expected to be implemented by the month of June 2016. It is now July 2018. After taking office, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government scrapped the old method used to procure and deliver drugs and medical supplies across Guyana, despite the fact that it worked.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Special Branch ranks stationed outside Freedom House

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has expressed concern about the stationing of Special Branch ranks outside Freedom House. The Party said, “This surveillance is being conducted by persons who are not uniformed and, therefore, we are not even sure whether they are being done by members of the law enforcement agencies of the State. “Special Branch ranks now have a permanent station outside of the Party’s Freedom House, Robb Street headquarters. In the circumstances, we call upon the law

enforcement agencies and the Joint Services not to succumb to political dictates and directions, but to discharge their functions faithfully, professionally and with due regard to their oath of office.” The Party has also called on the diplomatic and international community to remain vigilant and to continue to monitor what is transpiring in Guyana at this crucial time. “We continue to call upon on the diplomatic and international community to remain vigilant and to continue to monitor what is transpiring in Guyana at this crucial time,” the Party said.

Current political climate a cause for concern – civil society groups

meeting of civil society groups resulted in the expression of concern over the current political situation in Guyana. The meeting noted that Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana establishes our Government as “an inclusive democracy…for the participation of citizens and their organizations in the management and decision making process of the State” and asks that their voices be heard accordingly. The group also wel-

comed the move by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, to call for a meeting with President David Granger – a meeting that took place on Wednesday (January 9, 2019) – and welcomed the move to work for the benefit of all Guyanese. The organizations that were included at the meeting are: Federation of Independent Trades Unions of Guyana, Transparency Institute of Guyana, Guyana Trades Union Congress, Guyana Public Service Union and RISE Guyana.

Blood Bank short on all blood groups

he National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) is in dire need of blood and civic minded citizens are called on to respond to this call. The blood bank is short of all blood groups. Persons who wish to become a Voluntary Blood Donor must be 17 years or older, in generally good health, free from any blood borne disease and weigh at least 110 pounds. The donation process is very simple and requires the following steps: Registration of donor; Mini health checks of your body weight, pulse, blood pressure, temperature and HB (Iron) level. The donor’s blood type will also be identified at this stage; A brief interview to determine if your sexual lifestyle and medical history permits you to donate blood. This session is very private and confidential; The actual blood donation stage where a unit (less than a pint) of blood will be taken; and

Refreshment. The entire blood donation process takes 20 minutes and a person who fits the criteria can donate blood as often as every two months. Persons willing to volunteer are always welcome at all six sites nationwide- NBTS Headquarters in Georgetown; New Amsterdam, Berbice; Suddie, Essequibo Coast; Linden, Upper Demerara River and West Demerara Regional Hospital, West Coast Demerara. The NBTS collects all of its blood from voluntary, healthy donors. The unit of blood donated is screened and delivered through a network of Blood Banks countrywide and used as needed. The NBTS is open on Monday to Friday from 0800hrs to 1800hrs and on Saturdays from 0900hrs to 1500hrs. For further enquiries please call: 223 7182, 225 4972, 669 8776 or 644 9590.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Two wanted for murder Two busted with illegal weapons

ougendra Jeenarine and Kelvin Shivgobin are wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the murders of Harricharran and Premcharran Samaroo on December 31, 2018. The two men, brothers, were killed on old year’s night (Monday, December 31, 2018) during an armed robbery. Reports revealed that the brothers had an overseas house guest and sometime after 22:00h family members were seated under the house when they heard a

loud explosion and thought it was a loud firecracker. Premchand reportedly went into his backyard to investigate and was shot. It is believed that he died on the spot. The masked bandits then proceeded to rob family members including the overseas guest. A total of US$350 was reportedly taken from the female overseas guest, while another female family member was also robbed of an undisclosed amount of valuables. Harrychand who was

also beaten during the robbery was taken to hospital but died while receiving medical treatment. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the two men is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 6640181, 623-3012, 648-2323, 333-3876, 333-2485, 3335564, 333-2151-3, 911 or the nearest police station. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has assured that all information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

olice in A Division, on Tuesday (January 8, 2019), acting on information received, went to the Square of the Revolution where they saw a parked

white Toyota Axio with two occupants. A search was conducted and an unlicenced .380 Auto Pistol with a magazine containing four

(4) live .380 rounds was found concealed in the vehicle. They men were arrested and the illegal weapons seized.

Bandits cart off safe from NIS East Coast office

olice are making efforts to apprehend three males who broke into the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Office at Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, and carted off with a metal safe containing a sum of cash

NAME: YOUJENDRA JEENARINE AGE: 28 ETHNICITY: MIXED LAST KNOWN ADDRESSES: LOT 439 BUSHLOT, CORENTYNE, BERBICE

NAME: KELVIN SHIVGOBIN AGE: 32 ETHNICITY: EAST INDIAN LAST KNOWN ADDRESSES: BELVEDERE, CORENTYNE, BERBICE

Decomposing body of Berbice man found

he decomposing body of a man was found at a home at Bush Lot, East Berbice-Corentyne on Wednesday (January 9, 2019) morning.

The body has been identified to be that of as Denish Ashram who lived alone. His body was found in the kitchen of the lower flat of the two-storey property.

The man was last seen five days ago and the discovery was made by a family member. Investigations are ongoing.

Persons gathered outside the house where the body as discovered

about 01:30hour on Tuesday (January 8, 2019). The suspects allegedly first pounced on the two female security guards on duty and relieved them of a service revolver with six rounds, as well as a cellular

phone. The perpetrators then reportedly took the guards to the back of the building, bound their hands and feet and returned only the weapon to them. Investigation in progress.

Major ‘weed farm’ destroyed R

anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) on Tuesday (January 8, 2019) conducted a narcotics eradication exercise at 10 Miles, Millie’s Hideout, Upper Demerara, during which several fields of cannabis cultivation were destroyed. The exercise, which was conducted between 07:00h and 16:00h, was a joint effort between Police, Community Policing Groups and Rural Constables. During the exercise, ranks discovered several fields totalling nine acres with an estimated 9,000 cannabis plants. The plants

ranged from two feet to eight feet in height. They also discovered 300 kilos of dried ganja and two nurseries containing 6500 seedlings. Seven camps containing groceries, kitchen utensils,

clothing, beds, hammocks and foodstuff were also found. The fields were reportedly destroyed by fire. No one was arrested. However, investigations continue.

WEEKEND MIRROR 12-13 JANUARY, 2019

Unemployed man Parika family beaten, commits suicide tortured during home

n unemployed Alberttown, Georgetown man on Sunday (January 6, 2019) succumbed to internal injuries received after he allegedly ingested a carbon tablet (Aluminum Phosphide). The dead man has been

identified as 35-year-old Selwyn Bobb, of Fourth Street, Alberttown. According to information received, Bobb, who recently lost his job, was at home with his 23-yearold fiancée when sometime around 04:30h on Sunday,

she observed that he was vomiting. The man was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined and admitted a patient in the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Ward. He succumbed about 10:30h.

Man busted with illegal drugs

n Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) labourer, was on Thursday (January 4, 2019), intercepted by Police with over 600 grams of cannabis found hidden in his home. The 29-year-old man of Old Iron Squatting Area, Enmore, was arrested at about 14:45hours. The illegal drugs were seized.

Port Mourant family robbed B

andits on Thursday (January 4, 2019) morning robbed a family running a hotel in Region 6. At about 00:15hours, five armed and masked men broke into Comfort Inn situated at Lot 9 John’s Port

Mourant. The men entered the building by breaking a window in one of the hotel’s vacant rooms. Before the men entered the building, the 78-year-old security guard, Alexander Sears, was beaten

and gagged. The bandits took away US$180, $50,000 local currency and about $200,000 worth in jewelry after threatening the female proprietor. Investigations are ongoing.

Businessman robbed after early morning break-in B andits broke into Gabar’s Halall Chicken Outlet at Port Mourant. According to Doodnauth Takpersaud, he was attacked at about 01:15 hours on Thursday (January 4, 2019). The bandits reportedly cut a hole in the fence to the chicken pen to gain entry. Money, livestock and beverages were removed. According to Takpersaud, he was at his home when he heard strange sounds emanating from the chicken pen which is a part of the poultry business. As he looked towards the business, the lights

were turned off. The man disclosed that as he was moving to check a police patrol vehicle stopped in front of his business place

and ranks enquired what was going on. By this time the bandits has escaped. Investigations are ongoing.

invasion

family of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, were the victims of armed bandits on Thursday (January 4, 2019). A group of armed men invaded the home just before midnight. The family members – a man, his wife and their two sons – were asleep when the men entered the home through a bedroom window. The men used a ladder to gain access to the upper flat of the house. After gaining access, the men ordered the occupants of the house to lay on the floor where they began to beat them. The men reportedly tortured them for about three hours during which demanded cash and jewelry. The men ransacked the house and allegedly found about $900,000. Additionally, the men made off with three haversacks and other bags containing valuables including jewelry. Investigations are ongoing.

General and Regional Elections ‘have to be held this year’ – Jagdeo – Granger says elections will be held within the ‘administrative capabilities’ of GECOM

arly General and Regional Elections have to be held this year, according to Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. “I think the government shares our view that elections have to be held,” he said, adding that the issue of the operational readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was discussed during the

Wednesday (January 9, 2019) meeting between the Parliamentary Opposition and the Government. The Opposition Leader added, “The timeline is adequate now to hold elections by that particular time (March 19)…but we believe they still have enough room…but if the government refuses to honour the passage of the no

confidence motion and they refuse to define a timeline for elections and the constitutional period expires, the government then becomes unconstitutional, illegal and illegitimate.” Jagdeo also made it clear that after the 90 day limit – from the time the no-confidence motion was passed – elapses, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government

would be in office unconstitutionally if there are no elections held. “This will necessitate a whole different approach,” he said. In June 2018, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government was put on notice by Jagdeo, relative to any move to delay elections to after the time they are constitutionally due. He said, “There will be consequences

if they think that they can rig the elections and have the kind of peace that we have now, they’re wrong; very, very wrong. I hope they are not thinking that in their calculation…I am making it clear about that and it’s not coded language because then the nature of the struggle will be different. We will be struggling against an illegal, illegitimate government that is not in power through the ballot and it will be a different form of struggle, totally different…if they don’t live by the rules, they come to power without observing by the rules, then the other side should not be bound by any rules because it’s a freedom struggle. It changes from a struggle within an established democracy to one of

fighting for freedom.” Meanwhile, President David Granger, in comments about the holding of General and Regional Elections, on Wednesday (January 9, 2019), said, “As you know the government has had legal recourse to the courts in order to determine the validity of the vote in the National Assembly on the 21st. of December. This is quite legitimate and there is no intention on the part of the government to derail the constitutional or legislative process. We have agreed that the two sides will continue to work together to engage GECOM to ensure that elections are held within the administrative capabilities of the Guyana Election Commission.”

Private citizen petitions High Court to declare no-confidence motion valid, have gov’t resign

ttorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, filed legal proceedings in the High Court on Tuesday (January 8, 2019) to validate the recently passed no confidence motion and have Government comply with constitutional provisions to demit office and call elections no later than March of this year. Christopher Ram is asking to High Court to declare that the President and the Cabinet must resign in keeping with article 106 (6) of Guyana’s Constitution. He is also asking the court to declare that the December 21, 2018 vote on the no confidence motion was validly and lawfully passed. Ram’s legal argument makes it clear that elections must be held no later than March 21 and he is further seeking the court to declare that these proceedings be dealt with urgency. Attorney General, Basil Williams, and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, have been named respondent, in the matter.

Ram is being represented by Attorney-at-Law, Kamal Ramkarran, who heads the Guyana Bar Association. The Bar Association has already made clear that the motion of no-confidence against the APNU+AFC Coalition Government was validly passed. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” Meanwhile, clause (7) goes on to state that: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

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