Weekend Mirror 24-25 February 2018

The return of party paramountcy?

24-25 February, 2018 / Vol. 10 No. 10 / Price: $100

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

PNC General Secretary instructs police to shut down Corriverton flag raising PAGE 3

SEE INSIDE

APNU+AFC MP’s access to ‘sensitive documents’ ahead of elections highly suspect PAGE 27 – Region 1 Chairman

Gov’t not PAGE 3 forthcoming with public on ‘enhanced threat from state of Venezuela’ – Jagdeo

Jordan should be fired for PAGE 2 bungled sugar factory write off Jagdeo challenges Felix…

PAGE 27

Call made for audit of GRO’s work

Work continues to broaden PPP support base, Jagdeo urges Guyanese ‘not to fall prey to stereotypes’ PAGE 26

GET REGISTERED NOW! MORE INFORMATION ON PAGE 8

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

APNU+AFC wants to borrow $15B to reopen Skeldon, Enmore estates after deciding to close it A

s part of plans to temporarily reopen two sugar estates, Government has now made a decision to borrow over $15B which it hopes to repay over the next three to five years.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, on Wednesday, stated that money will be used specifically to fund the operations of the Skeldon and Enmore sugar estates. Government has come in for major criticisms for moving to re-open the estates after closing it – the latter being a bad decision in the first

place.

In defending the decision to separate the estates’ operations from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Minister said the plan is to keep them operational as it searches for buyers.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers is conducting a valuation exercise of GuySuCo’s assets. The British company is helping the National Industrial Commercial and Investments Limited (NICIL) to prepare for buyers.

But estates will not be

opened for one month according the Jordan, but could possibly be opened for several months. He noted that the idea is to close deals in another six to nine months. “If it is closed and moth-balled and buyers come, they probably are not going to be impressed as if they were working and seeing the estates are valuable properties to be acquired,” he told the media.

Shifting his attention back to the process by which the Government hopes to acquire this loan, Jordan said the loan to fund

the operations of these two estates should be acquired before mid-March. He also declared that revenues generated from the sale of estates and other assets would be used to repay the loan.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo, said this now proves Government’s move to close sugar estates was purely political.

Jagdeo said, “The Government must admit it

made a blunder, it treated the sugar industry in a political fashion when they should have done more technical work, we called on them to do the technical work, they never did, they made the wrong decision and once they admit that, then that’s fine.”

Jagdeo said it was an illogical move that has no basis for the reality on what is taking place on the ground. “We need to understand what the thinking of this Government is.

Do they sit down and go through the numbers first

before it makes a decision as critical as the one it did, to close an almost 300-year industry. In three years’ time, they have practically shut down half of the industry.”

The downsizing of the sugar industry has been fiercely resisted by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the parliamentary Opposition and a number of other agencies.

Some 4000 sugar workers from Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon were dismissed from their jobs.

Jordan should be fired for bungled sugar factory write off - Ramsaroop

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magine coming into an inheritance of a profitable business. This business is the umbrella corporation for a range of successful companies. When you took over this umbrella corporation, you decided you didn’t like a bunch of employees from one of the larger companies under your control, so you fire them and decide to sell the company. You then realise that you made a dreadful mistake, having ignored everyone’s warnings that it was a bad decision from the beginning.

You now have to borrow money to get back to some semblance of square one.

This is the predicament this Government now finds itself in through the asinine

actions that were embarked upon by the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, who clearly misled the President into thinking he was the man for the job.

Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, gave what he called a layman’s breakdown of the dangerous developments taking place at the highest levels of Government - decisions that will leave countless Guyanese in debt.

He was at the time speaking to the most recent pronouncement by Minster Jordan that Government will now have to borrow $15B to reopen Skeldon and Enmore sugar factories that were fully functional at the time the

coalition took office.

Following the protests by sugar workers at the recently closed Wales Estate, Dr. Ramsaroop sought to again warn of the coming financial crisis that the Administration had initiated.

According to Dr Ramsaroop, while GuySuCo did have its problems, it earned much needed foreign currency for the country in addition to providing jobs for thousands of Guyanese - sugar workers on whom untold thousands depend for their livelihoods.

“Jordan’s financial card tricks have real consequences for real people. The Minster cannot be making blunder after blunder only to rescind

them and to add insult to injury to be forgiven by his PNC buddies.”

Speaking about the mismanagement of the industry at a macro level, he questioned how is it that the Minister only realised after shutting down the factories that it would be more profitable to sell them as working entities.

A dumbfounded Dr. Ramsaroop said: “a housewife would be able to tell her husband driving a taxi, “if you want to sell it and get a better deal ensure it remains working, don’t park it up and then when it is mothballed (as Jordan puts it) then you go looking for somebody to buy it…to say we expect much better of our Finance Minister at this point is simply mind boggling. It has been failed decisions after another, and costly.”

“Recall the Minster had introduced VAT on education, thinking that it was a bright idea and had to backpedal on that; recall he had increased the taxes for min-

ers, then had to back on that as well after crippling the small miners.”

The analyst said for each year that the coalition has been in office and sought to tinker with a complex taxation system, it has backfired, but the real consequences of these ill thought through actions are lost on those in high office.

“I am honestly wondering now if we can survive to 2020 as a viable economy.

Billions of foreign currency earnings will be lost with the closure of the factories, not to mention the societal and other economic pressures that are still to be brought to the fore as the impact begins to sink in.”

He suggested “this is February…people are going to celebrate a festival after hard work, but for thousands of sugar workers, while Minister Norton and his acolytes palance on the front pages with skimpily clad models, sugar workers, in the doldrums, are coming to grips with the fact that the part

payment of the severance will soon be used up and the reality of another paycheck not forthcoming will eventually drive home the utter despair that they find themselves in , all because of the total incompetency of this government resulting in the lack of care for the wellbeing of those who have been so arbitrarily thrown on the scrap heap.”

“Had President Granger heeded the advice of those who had been in office and did the right thing in ensuring there was continuity of fiscal policies that were yielding fruits, Guyana’s economy would not have been faltering as it is now because of the ill-advised and downright illogical policies that are being presented by the Finance Minister.”

“The Finance Minister should do the honourable thing and resign or the President should quickly dismiss his near sighted book-keeper posing as the country’s chief economic strategist,” Dr Ramsaroop concluded.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

PNC General Secretary Gov’t not forthcoming with instructs police to shut down public on ‘enhanced threat from Corriverton flag raising state of Venezuela’ – Jagdeo A

flag raising ceremony organised by the Corriverton Town Council was cancelled on orders of Government, according to PPP/C Parliamentarian, Adrian Anamayah. “The Mayor was informed by Minister Amna Ally that there will be no flag raising ceremony and that she

He added, “…this is the height of party paramountcy, where Minister Amna Ally, the General Secretary of the PNC is open about giving instructions to the Police Force.” will instruct the Commander to ensure that there is no activity,” he said.

According to him, over 40 items were scheduled on a programme to mark Guyana’s 48th Republic Anniversary. He disclosed that National Flag was removed,

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music was shut down and instructions were given to have the stage dismantled.

He added too that Minister Ronald Bulkan was invited to speak at the event, but he declined.

“Minister Ally was insisting that Minister Ramjattan be the feature speaker at

the event, but the Council already had its programme planned. She took action after her demand was not met…this is an annual event.

There was never a problem.

We had full involvement, including from the Police Force which has a band and

they do a march pass,” Anamayah said.

He added, “…this is the height of party paramountcy, where Minister Amna Ally, the General Secretary of the PNC is open about giving instructions to the Police Force.”

Similar events were planned in other regions.

‘We will fight intention to rig the next elections’ – Jagdeo T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioners will execute their statutory responsibilities, given the likelihood that decisions could be made, which are

inimical to the interests of democracy.

This is according to PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, at his last news conference on Wednesday (October 25, 2017).

“We have concerns

about the integrity of the database at GECOM….it is clear that they (intend to) rig the next elections…we are not going to hand this country over to them. We will fight that intention to rig. We will do all we have to do to prevent it,” he said.

Jagdeo also referred to concerns expressed about possible tampering with the birth certificate issuance process, which is under the ambit of the Citizenship Department of the Ministry of the Presidency – headed

by Minister Winston Felix.

Bolstering the work of PPP/C Commissioners at GECOM, will be continued local and international engagements. Jagdeo disclosed that the future international engagements will include visits to the Capitals of the ABC countries – Washington, Ottawa and London. He added that a visit to Brussels is also likely to be on the cards.

Jagdeo said, “People must not lose hope. This is not about who wins the next elections. This is about our democracy.”

He made a special appeal to young people, many of whom are not au fait with life in Guyana before the fight for democracy was won. According to him, there are many independently compiled documentaries, including those produced by Granada TV, such as ‘The Trail of the Vanishing Voters’, which detail the atrocities of the past and the struggles for a brighter future.

The Opposition Leader was emphatic in stressing that the fight to preserve democratic gains and prevent a return to the past is one that the PPP/C is committed to – for all Guyanese.

nsuring the security of border communities is a priority, but the David Granger-led government needs to also be forthcoming with the Guyanese people about the “enhanced threat” from the State of Venezuela, according to former President and PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

He noted that while the Coalition Government has failed to engage the political Opposition on this matter, information reaching him suggests that there is an

“active threat” to Guyana’s territorial integrity. Jagdeo said, “I think government has in its possession all the…I have much information from other sources that leads me to believe that there is a threat. But I should not be the one informing of our people…. this cannot be an issue that a cabal in Cabinet believes belongs to them. This is a national issue….it is our people and our military that will have to face any act of aggression.”

As such he called on

President Granger to address the nation on the matter. “I would urge that we have more information coming to our people,” he said.

The PPP General Secretary lamented the “stealth” with which the Granger-led government seems to be operating.

“This is a vital matter for our country,” Jagdeo declared, stressing that the Government has the full support of the PPP/C in taking steps to defend Guyana’s territorial integrity.

INQUIRING MINDS….

Talk about nepotism!

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hich Minister has his sister working in his office? For good measure he also has his brother-inlaw and nephew working with him. They are all paid more than many persons with much more senior positions in the public service.

Talk about nepotism! The Minister has made sure that these family members drive a government vehicle to and from work and for non-work purposes. Can the President assure us that this does not apply to any of his Minister?

Do not put your head on the

block Mr. President! We will give the President a clue - do not look too far away from you. We are just asking because inquiring minds want to know and because inquiring minds are shocked that such a travesty has become too normal.

$8M on those green curtains and the Minister still can’t focus

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ell color matters or so it seems. Some colors can make people see red. But tell me, do you know who in the cabinet just could not take the color in his office?

He was flush red the first day he went into the office because the color was not green. So he ordered the curtains taken down.

He called a Regent Street businessman and he replaced all his colors. Now his office

is all green. He wants green because he can't function if not surrounded by green. Problem is after 22 months surrounded by green he has no clue still how to solve the country's problem.

And to think that he spent $8M just to bring in those darn green curtains! You know who? We are just asking because inquiring minds are wondering.

Is hanky-panky being played with taxpayers’ money?

T he GPHC with the approval of the Minister of Public Health procured $606M worth of medicines.

They never advertised or tendered for these medicines.

They sole-sourced the medicines and paid more than 60% more for the medicines They could have saved between $300 to $400M had they procured the medicines from suppliers who previously supplied the same

medicines.

But Guyana is full of inquisitive people - Inquiring Minds - and they want to know if GPHC received the medicines because even today there is a massive shortage for many of these same medicines.

This inquisitive soul actually tried to find out and as far as this Inquiring Mind can discern only about $45M of medicines have been deliv-

ered. So who engineered this emergency procurement?

Maybe the Procurement Commission will find out for us. But because our minds are so inquisitive we wondering if someone got paid off somewhere. There are lots of tables around GPHC. Is hanky-panky being played UNDER THE TABLE? Just asking - keeping the mind in an inquiring mood!

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

EDITORIAL

PPP/C transformative initiatives in Amerindian communities cannot be matched

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hile Guyana’s first peoples are listed as a minority, the third largest ethnic group, after East Indians and Africans, they constitute solid majorities in three large geographical regions – 1, 8 and 9. This population of some 70,000 commands critical political muscle in those parts of the country and can play an important role in the social and economic developments of the areas. These regions are also contiguous to our neighbouring Venezuela and Brazil and are of key importance to our national security interests.

These are some basic foundations upon which the PPP/C built its vision of Amerindian development, the aim of which was to integrate hinterland with national development and Amerindians with the rest of the country.

For more than two decades, Amerindians in those three regions, together with Amerindian communities in other regions experienced a pattern of progress that would have culminated in achieving those objectives.

Today, however, the situation has drastically changed with the APNU/AFC coalition dumping totally, or watering down major programmes that were being implemented on the ground with very visible, positive results A fundamental interest of Amerindians that must be recognized is the issuing of land titles to lands to which they are historically entitled. The manner in which this matter is handled at the national level will determine to a large extent the relations between those communities and the powers that be.

The David Granger coalition had a stark awakening when it attempted to lump already settled Amerindian land issues with that of African land claims under the Land Commission established by the President. The Amerindians courageously crossed swords with the President and through the National Toshoas Council, said this move by the President was intended to “dispossess” Amerindians of their lands and demanded a “complete repeal of the mandate of this Commission”. They bluntly told the President that they “will refuse to cooperate with such a body”.

A key issue here, and which the Amerindian leaders were quick to discern, was the failure to consult with them. Our first peoples have a culture of consultation that is deeply rooted in their everyday lives, which culture kept them together for thousands of years. A government that takes that away from them, especially where it concerns land issues, and you will forever incur their wrath.

The coalition, headed by Mr. Granger, has elevated “non-consultation” as a natural element in its form of governance. This government intends to lord it over the people, including Amerindians, and do what it pleases. Guyana, under the APNU/AFC, is moving unfalteringly into an authoritarian mode.

Under the PPP/C administration, Amerindians were consistently being embraced and their agreement sought to being involved in any long term strategy that would see all-round development of their communities. The LCDS was a tedious process and Amerindians were fully appraised and has started implementing the opt-in mechanism for that strategy. This has now been abandoned along with the sacred principle of “free and informed consent.”

The President has promised an alternative ‘green economy” plan, but after two and half years this promise is a mystery. The result is that there is no cohesive plan to develop hinterland communities. The naked reality is that Amerindians have been left in a vacuum to fend for themselves, just like the old days of PNC rule under Forbes Burnham.

The Amerindians were never consulted when this government unashamedly dismissed almost 2,000 youths from various communities. This was a programme that ensued from consultation with Amerindian leaders who wanted these young people to assist in implementation mechanisms in communities and the elected village bodies. The government has nothing to match the transformative initiatives of the PPP/C. The difference is that that the PPP/C showed respect for the Amerindian peoples and put in place programmes to improve their well-being and at all times stayed connected to them and consulting them.

Today, a new scenario is unfolding. President Granger last week, during a visit to the village of Kaikan, like Christopher Columbus, said border villages are guardians of our borders. Such platitudes come a bit late and it is doubtful that this government can correct all the ill-advised policies towards the indigenous peoples.

The chant among our first peoples today that the slide can only be stopped come next general elections.

Rupununi students who participated in children’s Mashramani were poorly treated Dear Editor,

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have two sisters who were part of an entourage of eighty-seven students who travelled from the Rupununi to participate in the children’s Mashramani programme in Georgetown. They faced a number of serious difficulties during their brief sojourn in the capital city.

Travel from the Rupununi takes a minimum of fourteen hours along a rough, rickety road. A normal trip leaves passengers drained and tired by the time they arrive at their destination.

These unfortunate students were forced to endure almost double the normal time on the road on both legs of the journey, because old, faulty buses were hired to transport them. Some of these buses broke down on both trips. The travel to Georgetown took over eighteen hours while the return trip home took over a day.

Almost as bad as the travel arrangements was the treatment meted out to the students while in Georgetown. The students performed and practised late into the night on all of the days of the event. Yet the quality and quantity of the food was barely minimal.

The final day of the event was the children’s float parade, and the way the students were treated was almost inhumane. They participated all day in the float parade and upon its completion in the late evening they were forced to depart for the Rupununi. They must have been dead tried from their exertions in

the sun all day long. Yet they were now forced to commence their long journey home. If this logistical nightmare wasn’t bad enough, the hapless students were given a dinner of a croissant bun and a cup of tea after all their exertions earlier in the day and their impending exertion as a consequence of their long journey home.

The travails of the children did not end there. As they readied themselves for the trip home they found out that five buses had been arranged as transport.

Buses fitted and insured to transport eleven passengers comfortably were now transporting a minimum of seventeen passengers. Little heed was given to the safety of these children when overloading these buses. Neither was consideration given to the comfort of the children who would most certainly have been dead tired from their earlier exertions and would have wanted a comfortable seat in order to sleep since they were being deprived of their night’s rest. Inevitably two buses encountered mechanical difficulties and the return trip took over twenty-four hours to complete. Maybe their Rupununi spirit helped the children to survive the ordeal.

Many questions need to be answered. Firstly, how can a ministry whose role is to protect and mould our young people be so reckless about the welfare of these hinterland students?

The travel arrangements were woefully inadequate. The accommodation was unacceptable, while the action on the

final day bordered on inhumane. Which is priority for the ministry? Cutting corners to save some dollars? Or ensuring that the safety and well-being of the students are paramount irrespective of cost?

I have been informed that the children’s Mashramani programme is a fully sponsored event. As such I am enquiring if the sponsors are aware of the harsh treatment meted out to the Rupununi students? Are they satisfied about sponsoring an event where participants, and more specifically hinterland students, are treated so poorly? Is their money being properly utilized and accounted for?

In closing, a post was made on facebook about the conditions these students faced and the response was almost resigned, since many people said that hinterland students have been enduring poor treatment for a very long time. If so, this is a damnning indictment of a government ministry tasked with ensuring that the welfare of our children is paramount.

Hopefully this letter will publicize the difficulties the Rupununi students faced to participate in this year’s national Mashramani children’s events (and have been facing for a very long time) and that it will serve as a catalyst to bring change and betterment for future students.

Yours faithfully, M Allicock

With the oil money there are new opportunities to fund pro-poor policies Dear Editor,

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ebruary 20 is designated by the United Nations as World Day of Social Justice, so this is an opportune time to reflect on the state of human development (or underdevelopment ) in Guyana and the world as a whole.

To say that there is a big gap between the rich and the poor is an understatement.

Millions of people, including children, die each year due to poverty and want, especially in the underdeveloped world. The sad fact of life is that poverty is largely man-made. I do not subscribe to the view that people are poor because they are lazy.

It is a structural problem which resulted mainly from a capitalistic mode of production and distribution. The driving force behind capitalism is profits for the few at the expense workers and their families.

This is why the call by Dr Cheddi Jagan for a New Global Human Order has had such great resonance not only in Guyana, but in the world at large. It is to

the credit of Dr Jagan that his idea of a New Global Human Order was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

It is now for the Guyana government to put in place the necessary mechanisms at the diplomatic level for the United Nations to give effect to this noble gesture.

In this regard, there could be no better time than now, the centenary year of the birth of Dr Jagan to push the cause of the better and more humane global society he envisioned.

There is an unacceptably high level of poverty in Guyana and the world. In our case, it is poverty in the midst of plenty.

We have all that is necessary to create a more equitable and just society except for the political will to do so.

With the anticipated flow of oil money, there are new opportunities to fund pro-poor policies and programmes along the lines suggested by Dr Jagan when he adumbrated a people-centred development strategy following the assumption to office of the PPP/C on October 5, 1992.

Development is all about people.

Increases in a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) mean nothing if they do not translate into an enhanced quality of life for all. As Dr Jagan reminded us so often, it is quite possible to have growth without development, as happened in several oil rich countries in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere. It is the responsibility of the government to manage the enormous resources at our disposal for the benefit of all Guyanese, in particular the poor and the marginalized. History will not be kind to those entrusted with the management of our national patrimony and wealth if we continue to remain poor in the midst of plenty. This is the challenge before us as a nation. As we celebrate the 48th anniversary of Republican status, we should take the opportunity for some new and fresh thinking on the way forward.

Yours faithfully, Hydar Ally

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

The World Day of Social Justice

By Norman Whittaker

The Wales cane-cutters’ picket was to call on government to pay their severance Dear Editor,

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esterday (February 21), scores of cane-cutters of Wales Estate which has been closed for fourteen months took part in a picketing exercise outside of the Ministry of the Presidency and the Ministry of Agriculture. The workers are calling on the government and the state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to respect the provisions of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA). The approximately 350 workers remain the only group of redundant sugar workers who have been denied their severance payments though the law, from all appearances, says they are entitled to it.

The workers recently wrote President David Granger seeking his intervention to have the corporation settling its legitimate obligations to them. This is the second time in recent months that the workers have written to President Granger. The President in his initial response had committed that Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder would examine their matter and they would hear from him.

Several months went by and the workers having not heard from Minister Holder decided to write the President once again. So far the President has yet to respond to the workers second item of correspondence though he is known for responding in a timely manner.

The workers remain hopeful that they would hear positively from President Granger, especially in view of the severe challenges they have faced and are facing since the estate closed at the end of 2016.

The workers are also aware, through press reports, that Minister Holder expressed the view that the matter should be determined by the judiciary. This course, the workers contend, is needless especially given the lack of ambiguity in the relevant legislation.

The workers see the Minister’s expression as trampling on their rights and a means to deny them what they are rightly entitled to.

The GAWU believes it is still not too late for the Minister to right the wrong. We urge, as we did before, that the Minister should have knowledgeable, credible and unbiased persons carefully examine the matter. Such an examination, we believe, would be useful and demonstrate the justness in the workers call.

The workers are also disturbed that GuySuCo CEO (ag) Paul Bhim is reported in the press as saying that should the workers fail to

report to Uitvlugt Estate, though it is beyond the lawful radius set out in the Act, they would have been deemed as self-terminated.

The workers were very upset having learnt of Mr Bhim’s comments and see it as another ploy to pressure them to take up work at Uitvlugt even though there isn’t sufficient work for them and the cane-cutting workforce of that estate.

The situation at Wales is steadily deteriorating and the people and communities are facing trying and difficult times. The workers and the GAWU recall that the government and GuySuCo, in glowing terms, spoke about the plan to make Wales the launch pad for non-sugar diversification. Though we warned about the dismaying results the corporation realized during its last foray, the administration and the corporation pressed ahead. Today, we see that those plans have been abandoned, and the short-lived seed paddy fields that were cultivated are being slowly overrun by bush and vines, according to the February 18, 2018 Guyana Times. And the people remain the hapless victims. Worse yet, the possibilities of resuming sugar production at Wales remain challenging as many important factory components have been removed and were installed in other estates. It is recalled that GuySuCo in announcing Wales’ closure had said that the factory was old but yet many of these components were installed in other factories and performed well.

Today a large void has been left at the communities that were linked with the now closed estate. For many of the hundreds who were employed they remain jobless and those who secure jobs, generally on a temporary basis, find their earnings far less than what they earned when they worked at Wales. The future for the people, especially the youth, is not encouraging. It is difficult to imagine the hardships that would befall the people in the weeks and months that lie ahead. Many wonder every day if this is the ‘Good Life’ they were promised. The government, as the protector of the people, needs to provide appropriate financial support to allow the people to face up to these challenges and to overcome the difficulties brought about by the sad and wrong decision to close Wales Estate.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary, GAWU

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pproximately eleven (11) years ago, on the 26th November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly named February 20th as the annual World Day of Social Justice. The overriding objectives behind this decision were discussed and agreed on, viz: “ To make the conquest of poverty and full employment; as well as stable, safe and just societies , their overriding objectives and so also, the need to put people at the centre of development plans”.

Indeed, the pursuit of social justice for all is for the United Nations the core of its global mission to promote human dignity and development. And since 20th February 2009, the United Nations General Assembly has been perennially and universally observing the World Day of Social Justice. The relaunch of the Guyana Peace Council, founded in the year 1974 by the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, has provided a movement and a forum for advancing its peace and social justice agenda.

In proclaiming the 20th February as the World Day of Justice, the General Assembly invited Member States like Guyana to devote the day to: (a) assessing the progress made as Individuals, Organisations and Governments in promoting and supporting the efforts of the International Community in eradicating poverty; eliminating conflict, discrimination, unemployment and sustaining peace; (b) making public statements on the importance of social justice for people and (c) recommitting to promote social justice at the national and international levels.

The UN’s 2018 World Day of Social Justice is being observed under the Theme: ‘Workers on the Move, the Quest for Social Justice”. It is being observed at a time when we will be officially relaunching the Guyana Peace Council. This could not take place at a more opportune time: when the barriers to human development in our Country are increasing, becoming wider and more burdensome and threatening the lives and the livelihood of an increasing number of our people.

The 2018 theme is an explicit call from the United Nations to Governments all

over the world to address the issues of exploitation and ill treatment of workers including poor terms and conditions of employment; and to encourage and facilitate mobility of labour; moreso under conditions of high unemployment.

Social justice is a general and underlying principle behind a nation and its people’s pursuit of peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

We pursue and we uphold the principle when we pursue and we remove barriers to people’s development.

We advance social justice when we: (a) remove barriers that our people face on account of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, political affiliation, gender, culture; (b) when we pursue rigorously, determinedly and purposely prime social issues and concerns that include poverty, social and economic exclusion and unemployment.

Whatever we do as a nation, as a country must purpose and focus on encouraging people to examine how social justice impacts poverty, eradicates discrimination, and also, how we can achieve full employment.

I draw attention to Article 149 (A) of our Constitution, which guarantees our citizens as a fundamental right; the right to work The Prevention of Discrimination Act and the Equal Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in almost every form and mandates equal treatment.

The Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, which provides a rigid regime for tackling poverty, social and economic exclusion and unemployment and for protection of workers against capricious and wanton disciplinary actions including dismissals.

Certainly, the dismissals of 2,000 Amerindian workers by the APNU+AFC Government on its assumption of Office; the recent termination of the services of some 5 000 plus sugar workers with no alternative contemporaneous job creation initiatives in place evidence a “don’t care a damn “attitude by a Government bent on taking punitive measures against those perceived not to be supportive of their poor and ineffective policies, plans, programs for development.

Putting workers on the breadline?

No closer to the social

justice we seek!

Punitive Measures aimed at intimidating workers!

Meanwhile, a plethora of Cabinet Ministers and Advisors enjoy the good life; while Corruption, Cronyism, Nepotism, Confusion, Conflicts, Racial and Ethnic stereotyping are the order of the day under the APNU+AFC Government.

We cannot honestly and seriously talk of Social Justice when the allocation of Government Resources to communities viz Municipal Councils, NDCs are a function of political support; when there is obvious interference by the Government in the work of independent bodies such as our Constitutional Commissions, which arose out of the expressed will of the people; when employment/promotion’ moreso in the public sector are based on political loyalty; when crime on the increase Put people at the centre of development. Removing the conflict between personal interests and public responsibilities; listening to the voices of the people; planning with them and for them; creating opportunities for them.

It is imperative that we join the Guyana Peace Council in promoting awareness, in proposing/ stimulating and supporting measures and actions on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian and human rights issues that impede our quest for social justice.

We must work towards eradicating poverty, promoting full employment and decent work, equity and access to social well being and justice for all.

And while we accept that the quest for social justice will never be achieved in one year and perhaps, never in our lifetime; we must continually assess the progress we make as an organisation, as a nation, as a government and continuously work towards promoting equitable distribution of Income and greater access to resources through equity and equal opportunity for all.

The quest for social justice in our society would forever remain an elusive dream unless it is premised on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The APNU+AFC Government has obviously been continuously moving in a different direction.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Region 9 Deputy REO Rogue police ranks accused of sexually harassing at least one accused of rape underage girl at Orealla

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ess than a year after the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 9, Carl Parker, was accused of sexual harassment, his deputy, Sherwin Wellington, has been accused of raping a senior female official attached to the Region 9 Democratic Council (RDC).

The alleged rape incident occurred earlier this month, while the alleged victim was on an outreach to Karasabai, which was conducted by the RDC. After the alleged rape, a report was made to the Lethem Police Station and an investigation was launched.

Wellington has since denied the allegations against him and is still on the job.

There were reported moves to cover up the incident, but these were foiled.

Notably, Parker was allowed to fully assume office

as Regional Executive Officer for Region 9. He was removed months after the incident after allegations of sexual harassment were leveled against him by a top elected female official in the region.

Parker was charged on February 8, 2017, and brought before Judge Judy Latchman. He was released on bail set at GY$200 000.

In a five-page statement, the young woman noted that she had requested President David Granger to intervene in the matter, given that the man was appointed to his office by the Coalition Government.

“A letter was sent to His Excellency President David Granger on the 7th November, 2016. However, to date I have not received any word from the police

concerning the status of case reported and I have not received any correspondence or phone call regarding the letter that was sent to HE David Granger and the party I represent.”

The statement added that the young woman has solicited the intervention of authorities, which included lodging a complaint with the Police. The government has been blasted for not acting on the matter. In addition to the woman’s letter, a petition, signed by 1,200 residents of Region 9, was dispatched to Granger.

The petition detailed another 13 accusations of sexual assault perpetrated

by Parker.

It is unclear whether the government will now take action to address the more recent rape allegations.

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everal ‘rogue’ ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been accused of sexual harassment in at least one confirmed case involving an underage girl in Orealla, Region 6.

The young girl was reportedly at the police station in the Amerindian community when the incident took place. It is unclear under what circumstances the young girl was

in the company of the police ranks.

After the matter was reported, the ranks were transferred. It is unclear what other disciplinary action has been taken against the ranks. It is also unclear if the Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility is looking into the matter.

The matter has been confirmed to have occurred by Orealla’s Toshao.

19 cases of rape reported in January alone A

whopping 19 rape cases have been reported in January 2018, according to statistics released by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday (February 13, 2018).

It is unclear how many cases have been filed from the 19 reports and how many cases have been cleared up, including the cases from 2017 No other information, as per protocol, was disclosed to the public on the cases of reported rape.

Gov’t still to issue titles to several Indigenous communities

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ork on the extended Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) is still to be completed – an admission that was made by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock .

Among the villages to receive titles are Four Miles in Port Kaituma, Region One; Rockstone, Region Ten; Kambaru Region Seven; and Mashabo, Capoey and Main-

stay in Region Two. Prior to 1992, only 74 communities were titled.

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

Six titles were to be approved prior to May 2015 and another seven extensions were investigated and in preparation for approval.

In 2010, MoAA together with UNDP and the Office of the President has initiated a Land titling Project that sought to process applications for titling and demarcation. Under the Guyana REDD + Investment Fund (GRIF), the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government in 2013 signed a US$10.7M document for the implemen-

tation of the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation project. Since then and additional $165M being earmarked for the advancing of the remaining identified areas for land titling.

A Project Management Unit was been established in June 2014 to facilitate the implementation of the project. However, under the APNU+AFC government,

this unit was disbanded.

The ALT project seeks to achieve three major goals: completion of land titles issues and demarcation process for all Amerindian villages that submitted requests, increased use of existing and alternative mechanisms to resolve land titling disputes and thirdly a communication strategy including a handbook describing the process

of titling, demarcation and social economic impact of secured land tenure.

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.

Manager, US-based Guyanese robbed of $7.4M

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eomattie Seeram, a 31-year-old manager, was on Thursday last relieved of $7.4M property of Deodat Ramdeo, a US-based Guyanese, by two males, one of whom was armed with a gun.

The victims were reportedly trailed from a city bank where they cashed a cheque for the said amount and were robbed on arrival at their home in Middle Street, Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to reports,

around 12:00hrs Ramdeo had exited their vehicle, PSS 8528, which was being driven by Seeram, to open the gate when the suspects rode up on a black CG motorcycle and held them at gunpoint.

One of the suspects went

to Ramdeo and ordered him to lie down and he complied.

The suspect then went to Seeram, pointed the firearm at her and took away the bag containing cash and other documents.

The suspects then made good their escape.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Coalition gov’t still has no national job plan T

HE aim of your new government is to create jobs, jobs and more jobs in the shortest time possible. This was the promise of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition during the 2015 General and Regional elections campaign.

And almost three years later the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is yet to unveil a national plan to create jobs.

Instead, like President David Granger, he is now talking up the focus on persons creating jobs for themselves.

“All good paying jobs, as far as I am concerned, can come from self-generation and that is why we have

to focus a lot on small and medium businesses, creating entrepreneurs rather than traders out of people,” Jordan has said.

President Granger has admitted that under his Government, the economy has not been able to produce “sufficient” new jobs.

“On one hand I believe that the young people themselves have to stay in schools so they are better qualified.

On the other hand, I think investors must allow what you call microenterprise to flourish, particularly in agro-processing,” he said, adding that it is his intention to engage the private sector to create funds for microenterprise, which can serve as a lending facility to young people.

Coalition gov’t claims over 3,000 trained, silent on providing jobs for Indigenous youths

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ome 1,872 Indigenous youths received training through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, in a number of skilled areas. Another 1,958 youths are nearing completion of their training, making it a total of 3,830 trained over a two-year period, according to Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

However, the Coalition government remains silent on job creation initiatives for the hinterland regions.

Economic activity in the hinterland communities have been on the decline, while commodity prices have been on the increase.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, insists that the PPP/C and the

Amerindian peoples are not interested in rhetoric from the Coalition government, which continues to speak about its ‘love’ for Amerindians.

According to Jagdeo, the current administration “has a lot of ministers who do very little during the day” and are not taking the necessary steps to address the hardships in the hinterland. Look at the callous disregard they had for the Amerindian People,” he lamented.

The Opposition Leader maintains that funding is available and the Government must, instead of dragging its feet, accelerate the process to ensure sustainable prosperity for hinterland communities.

Notably, the plan for microenterprise funding was not included in the APNU+AFC manifesto, which stressed that the “aim of your new government is to create jobs, jobs and more jobs in the shortest time possible.”

In a message from Granger, the manifesto stated that the APNU+AFC Coalition will provide: “Employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mining, agro-processing and the arts to provide jobs and promote economic growth.”

The manifesto also promised that public expenditure measures would be determined by related factors, which include: Stim-

ulating productivity, investment, savings and growth of the economy; and the provision of jobs, among other moves.

“The APNU+AFC objective is an integrated employment strategy,” the manifesto added.

Notably, however, Pres-

ident Granger, in a May 2016 broadcast of ‘The Public Interest’ noted that the Government does not have jobs to give out.

“We need to change from the mindset that government owes people employment and create in the minds of young people the desire to go out there and work and do well…people even while they are in school will be encouraged to go into business rather than to look forward to jobs in the private sector,” he said.

In the meantime, job creation concerns continue to grow. Guyana’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth continues to decline.

Focus continues to be on strengthening Party, broadening support base – Jagdeo

“W

e are leading the struggle to retake Government,” declared Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

He has stressed that the Coalition has proved that it is “incapable” of running a country. According to him, the current administration is not only bereft of ideas on how to manage and grow the local economy, but has demonstrated it proclivity for greed, mediocrity and arrogance, in addition to being “hopelessly” incompetent.

“This Government has made deception an art form,” he said.

Jagdeo added that by 2020 – or sooner – the PPP hopes to implement the plan that it has for the country, plans aimed at enhancing progress and development that benefits all of Guyana.

“We will be bigger, better and stronger (by 2020),” Jagdeo declared.

He assured that the PPP will not neglect it support base, but will continue to reach out to all its supporters and stated that the PPP is a Party for all of Guyana and will take its message across the country.

Moving forward, Jagdeo made clear that the Party

must be guided by what is good for all Guyanese and Guyana and by the founding principles of the PPP. The PPP, he said, also has to decentralize and build up local leaders so that the PPP is in “tip top” shape to respond to the challenges of the day.

Jagdeo underscored the fact that the PPP has always been inclusive and will continue to engage anyone, regardless of ethnicity, religion or any other factor. According to him, the PPP is a unifying force.

“We will work hard for the next few years to take

back this country…those who voted for us and those who didn’t want to know what the Party stands for,” he said.

Specifically, he spoke to: the need to strengthen the PPP family; the need for the PPP to remain open to new members and be accommodating to supporters who had left, but are returning; and the need to defend existing freedoms by understanding what is happening.

Jagdeo is also the PPP General Secretary.

“At the moment my role is to prepare the Party to win the next elections,” he said at his last news conference.

8

GWI admits that it can clear costs without increasing water rates

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he Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI), when questioned by the Public Accounts Committee, this week, admitted that an increase in water rates is not necessary, since GWI can clear its costs.

GWI Finance Director, Jaigopaul Ram, admitted that 45 per cent of GWI’s operations are funded by Central Government.

GWI’s attempts to increase rates in a number of

categories were staunchly resisted by consumers; some of whom vented their frustration with the utility company during a public hearing last Monday (February 12, 2018).

GWI was forced to defend its proposed increases to consumers at a public hearing at Cara Lodge, in Georgetown.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) facilitated the hearing. However, it soon turned into a fiery exchange.

GWI claimed that the increase is necessary, since revenue flows to the water company have slowed. However, members of the public asked for evidence of this and questioned the status of audited financial statements.

GWI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Van WestCharles revealed that the entity was still in the process of finalising 2016 statements.

The PUC chair, Deb Brit-

ton ordered GWI to make the pertinent documents available, so that the Commission can review them. She also instructed GWI to address issues raised about the possible effects of ancillary rate hikes.

For unmetered residential properties, a monthly fixed charge of $500 along with $1500 per month is on the table. Their metered counterparts face charges of $500 per month and $112 per cubic meter. For unmetered pensioners, a water usage charge of $740 per month is proposed, while the fixed charge will be waived.

Metered non-residential customers face a monthly charge of $500 and a monthly consumption charge of $150 per cubic meter. Unmetered non-residential customers are charged based on the category of their operations – small, medium and large.

All these categories are proposed to pay a fixed monthly charge of $500. In the case of small operations, it is proposed that they pay $3750 per month, while medium operations are facing a $12,000 charge. Large scale consumers can end up paying $24,000.

For the sewerage tariff, GWI is proposing $417 per month for residential customers and pensioners; while a monthly charge of $2860 is being proposed for non-residential metered and unmetered small-scale consumers.

Medium-scale consumers face paying $4350 and largescale consumers $6375 per month.

These charges exclude ancillary charges, which will encompass fees, including reconnection charges.

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Amerindians still waiting for promised licenced firearms

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uring the amnesty for unlicensed firearms, scores of Amerindians handed in weapons used to protect their cattle and crops and support their livelihoods, with the promise of receiving licences.

However, to date this has not been done. And Government, using its majority in the National Assembly, approved the Firearms (Amendment) Bill.

Licences for shotgun will increase by $3,000 to $5,000; handguns from $5,000 to $25,000; rifles from $5,000 to $40,000; and dealers from $7,500 to $150,000.

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), Dharamkumar Seeraj, had argued that there are categories of firearm holders who need firearms, not to protect large

sums of money, but ones that need it to support their livelihoods, specifically, farmers and Amerindians.

“The timing of the increase is also something that we have to address,” he said, noting that state of the rice industry and the circumstances of local rice farmers and stressed that “every dollar counts” in the current situation. Consequently, he called for Government to reduce the increase in the licence fees and not apply the entire amount to renewals.

Guyana has just over 8,000 persons who are licenced firearm holders, according to Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan. He disclosed that currently there are about 3,000 licenced shot guns, 4,500 licenced pistols and revolvers and 347 licenced rifles.

Tax on interior flights

- another measure that makes life harder – Jagdeo

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resident David Granger’s comments about opening up the hinterland, relative to access and development, have been questioned by Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

Referencing the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on local interior flights, he pointed to the negative impacts on cost of living in the hinterland. Jagdeo acknowledged that some of hinterland airstrips have been informed that they can apply to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to be exempted from applying the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), but stressed that more needs to be done.

“The tax is driving up the cost of living in the interior,” he said, calling for the Administration to drop the tax

altogether.

Jagdeo added that VAT is the latest difficulty being imposed on persons in Guyana’s interior regions.

According to him, many in the hinterland are still waiting for the promised firearm licences, a promise made by the government during last year’s period of amnesty.

He explained that many in the hinterland depend on the firearms to defend their livelihoods.

“Now they cannot defend their lands from wild animals,” he said.

Jagdeo noted that he has made similar calls before, but they were not received by “receptive” ears.

“Government needs to act in the interest of our people,” he stressed.

Billions in taxes being raked in, average Guyanese feeling the squeeze

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he 140+ tax measures, including the increased fees, which were announced

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, have resulted in billions being raked in by the Coalition Government.

However, welfare measures, particularly to assist vulnerable Guyanese, have not been advanced.

Current revenues or taxes collected moved from $145.7B in 2014, under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), to a whopping $201.8B projected collection in 2018.

“This is a $56B increase…a 40 per cent increase over this period…..

this is the same APNU+AFC that is collecting more after saying that the tax burden under the PPP was too high…. this (taxes) is what is sucking the essence out of the economy,” said Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Current revenues or taxes collected moved from $145.7B in 2014, under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), to a whopping $201.8B projected collection in 2018. “This is a $56B increase…a 40 per cent increase over this period….. this is the same APNU+AFC that is collecting more after saying that the tax burden under the PPP was too high….

this (taxes) is what is sucking the essence out of the economy,” he said.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE NEW MEASURES: 1. 14% VAT on water consumption 2. 14% VAT on electricity consumption 3. VAT On Health Services 4. VAT On Internet Services, etc.

5. Environmental tax of $10 per unit on the importers and local manufacturers of products using non-returnable metal, plastic or glass container of any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage (Turn to page 9)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

HEYS fails….

Allicock fails to deliver on 2015 promise of jobs for hinterland youths T he dismissal of 1,972 Amerindian community service officers at ‘one stroke of the pen’ with no cause by Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Sydney Allicock, has been widely condemned. And despite his promise, during the 2015 Budget debate, that the Coalition Government would create a new programme to hire Amerindians youth, they instead advanced the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) initiative – which has failed.

HEYS is a six-month training programme with no entrepreneurial or employment component. Additionally, there were several complaints that the facilitators and students were not receiving their stipends. Touted as a flagship programme for the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, HEYS is now is set to be replaced by another

programme, which is still to be determined, developed and consulted on. Allicock, admitted that HEYS will be scrapped, since it was not structured to incorporate other training programmes for youths in the various sectors.

Just about 700 persons were involved in the HEYS programme, which is a far cry from the thousands trained under the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP), which was an initiative under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government.

The focus of YEAP was to train young Amerindians while employing them at the same time is a medium to empower the young as partners in national development. Under YEAP, over 2,000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) were trained and participated

productively in Education, Health, and Social Welfare, Community Development, Culture, ICT, Infrastructure and small business.

The CSOs received training in various fields, including: Management of Photovoltaic System; Management of Basic ICT hardware; Governance & Amerindian Act; Youth Voices for Climate Change; Business & Sustainable Development; and Various aspect of the Community Development Project training. Also, a group of qualified and eligible Community Service Officers were enrolled for course at the University of Guyana on line programme for a Bachelor’s Degree in Maths and Physics or Computer Science.

The trained youths then collaborated on the implementation of CDPs and other socio-economic activities taking place in the villages.

Billions in taxes being raked... From page 8 6. Increase in the Tributors Tax from 10% to 20% 7. The imposition of a 2% withholding tax on the gross payments made to all contractors 8. Restriction of Mortgage Interest Relief to loans up to $15 million 9. Increase fees for TIN certificates 10. Increase in fees for painting name and number on carriage or cart for hire from $15 to $5,000 11. Increase in cost to paint certain particulars on a carriage or cart nor kept for hire from $150 to $10,000 12. Increase in costs of affixing of a notice-board licenced to keep a butcher’s shop in rural districts to up

to $10,000 13. An increase in the travel tax from $2,500 to $3,500 14. A Premium Tax on Re-insurance Premiums for Local Aircraft Operators 15. An increase in the fee for a passport from $4,000 to $6,000 16. An increase in the fees for transfer of motor vehicle registration for motor cycle and other vehicles, ranging from $5,000 for motor cycles to $25,000 or 2% of sale price, whichever is higher 17. An imposition of a fee of $2,000 for a Driving Permit issued to drivers residing abroad but visiting the country temporarily, and $2,000 for persons requiring a Letter of Authenticity for verifica-

tion of drivers’ licences 18. An increase in fees for customs services ranging from reporting and clearing of coastal vessels (from $500 to $2,000) to yearly licences $3,000 to $15,000 19. Increases in the penalties for licences and spiritual liquor - with penalties running as high as $2M 20. Ban on the importation of used tyres for motor cars, vans, pickups, SUV’s, and mini-buses older than eightyears-old from entering Guyana, with effect from April 1, 2017 The tax measures announced by Jordan in the have been widely criticised by the private sector and other sections of civil society.

The inclusion of the young allowed them to participate productively in technical, mechanical, computer, and agricultural activities will definitely enhance the capacity of the villages’ human resources.

With the HEYS pro-

grammes, the participants received six months of classroom training and six months of practical training, but no follow-up support to ensure that they secure jobs or are supported with easy access to financing to launch entrepreneurial

activities.

Over $2B was invested in the last two years of the PPP/C government in YEAP. Given the scrapping of the HEYS initiative, questions related to value for monies spent are now being asked.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Corruption, breach of procurement rules, spending irregularities and more...

Coalition gov’t has racked up 50 scandals in less than 36 months

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he Parliamentary Opposition has been monitoring the APNU+AFC government use of public funds and the levels of transparency and accountability.

From June 10, 2015 to date, over 50 scandals have been uncovered – an average of one scandal for each month.

1. The cost of the inaugu-

ration ceremonies at the Parliament Buildings and, more particularly, the one at the National Stadium has never been revealed.

2. The removal of 8 con-

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

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

3. The dismissal of 1,972

Amerindian community service officers at “one stroke of the pen” with no cause by the third (3rd) Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

Despite a promise by VP Allicock in the National Assembly, during the 2015 Budget debate that the government would create a new programme to hire Amerindian youths, they instead replaced this programme with the Hinterland Entrepreneurial Youth Skills Programme (HEYs).

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

4. The appointment of 33

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

5. India/GoG funded Spe-

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

6. The first act of the gov-

ernment was to give themselves enormous salary increases between 50 -100 % of what the former government ministers received.

This was quietly done in September 2015 and the parliamentary opposition had to wage a struggle in Parliament to bring a motion to reverse this. When the motion was finally heard in December, it was defeated by the government’s one-seat majority.

It should be remembered that the media, having leaked the fact that the government was embarking on increasing the salaries of the President, VPs and Ministers, Minister Trotman, on behalf of the government, denied that the government was contemplating any salary increases for the Ministers. This was also denied during the debate on the 2015 Budget in August 2015.

Having gone into recess mid-September, the government stealthily published Order No. 6 of 2015 in the Official Gazette, dated September 25th, 2015, increasing their salaries and making it retroactive to July 1, 2015.

Contrast this act with the government’s refusal to increase the salaries of the public servants in accordance with their campaign promises.

7. Durban Park Develop-

ment Project for the Jubilee celebrations - The govern-

ment has refused to provide information on the “private company,” which was in charge of the preparations of the Durban Park prior to the Minister of Public Infrastructure “take over” of the project on the orders of the President. It is estimated that the costs, when finally exposed, will be close to $1Billion - for a one-day event.

8. The President pardoned

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

9. The Rudisa case at the

CCJ and the pay out to Rudisa - The APNU and AFC twice caused the defeat in the 10th Parliament of attempts by the PPPC government to amend the Customs Act in order to pre-empt the case going to the CCJ and save the country millions of US dollars.

The APNU+AFC Coalition government settled to repay the entire amount of the Rudisa USD$16M claim without any negotiations for a debt repayment schedule and despite the fact that the company owed and appears to still owe millions of dollars in taxes to Guyana. The first payment was made late last year and the second budgeted for in the 2016 Budget.

10. Hundreds of millions of

dollars spent by the Government and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council on the “Clean Up Campaign” in the city with no public tendering and handpicked companies. In some cases, new companies were created with no experience to facilitate this corruption.

There has been no accountability of the amount of monies spent and the Mayor and Town Clerk have rebuffed efforts to allow the Auditor General’s office to do a forensic audit.

11. The write off of debts

owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)

and the nation by DDL worth billions of dollars (April 2016). If DDL had not issued a press release announcing the write off, this would not have been known.

12. Other write-off of debts

by the GRA for other companies who financed the APNU+AFC Coalition electoral campaign, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Minister Trotman said these companies have to be compensated for their financial investment.

13. Following the March

18, 2016 Local Government Elections, Minister Bulkan in violation of the statutes governing the local government system, appointed the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and the 5 Chairpersons and vice chairperson of the 5 NDCs in the 6 tied LAAs. All of these persons were APNU, although there was a plurality of votes in 3 of the 6 tied LAAs for the PPP and 3 for the APNU+AFC. 14. Write-offs by the

APNU+AFC dominated Georgetown Municipal Council to many companies for millions of dollars owed in rates and taxes for undisclosed amounts. This is a City Council that is now cash-strapped and cannot pay contractors for garbage collection nor timely payment of salaries of its employees.

The cost to the Treasury of these write offs by the GRA, the Georgetown City Council and other Local Authority Areas alone earmarked in this list of scandals is estimated to be between 23% to 36 % of the total 2016 Budget.

15. Parking meters contract

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

16. The three-year Phar-

macy Bond contract between the Ministry of Pub-

lic Health and the Linden Holding Company was not tendered for by Minister Dr Norton’s own admission on the floor of the National Assembly. The PPP/C will be submitting its motion of privilege, calling for the Speaker to send the Minister of Public Health to the Privilege Committee for wilfully misleading the National Assembly and the nation.

17. The GoG/BK Interna-

tional settlement of $1.17 B for Haags Bosche - The Ministry of Communities’ settlement of $1.17B to BK International for the Haags Bosche project came to light as a result of a Supplementary Financial Paper on August 8th where the country learnt that this settlement was made and would be paid in three tranches, even though the court did not award costs to BK Int’l.

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

The third payment the Minister stated would be reflected in the 2017 budget.

This is a scandal like the RUDISA and the DDL write offs.

Interesting and of note is that BK International is being paid the entire $10M USD for the contract though BK Int’l only worked for 3 of the 5 years of the contract at substandard work.

The PPP/C government had terminated the contract due to substandard work and delays. Ministers Bulkan and Patterson late 2015 both publicly stated that BK Int’l had done substandard work on the project!

18. Two fuel scandals relat-

ing to the issuance of fuel licenses for the importation of fuel to companies that are made up of persons related to top officials or who are

top officials themselves in the government, who have no fuel bonds, no storage facilities and no offices.

The withdrawal of the fuel importation license to the Chinese company, which has invested millions of US dollars for storage facilities, appears to have been calculated to make room for these alternative importers.

In August the second set of fuel licenses came to light regarding licenses issued to Dr. Van West Charles, CEO and other officials in GWI under a private company.

It should be noted that an applicant for a fuel license has to acquire an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and 4 additional licences - provision of a bond under detailed specifications, transportation, storage, importation, and restrictions on where fuel storage can be located. It normally takes a long time for an applicant to obtain all these licenses---impossible to do so in 9 months.

The licenses were issued in the month that Van West Charles became CEO GWI and, therefore, he had ample time to remove himself from the company.

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

19. Consistent and frequent

violation of the Procurement Act by line ministries - e.g, the Minister of Agriculture admitted that the MOA nor the NDIA had gone out to tender for works totalling $234M due to emergency works for El Nino and flooding in regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10.

In fact, these monies should have been provided for in the SPF # 2 of 2016 for the Consolidated Fund.

20. Requests for informa-

tion during questions to Ministers and questions during the debate on the (Turn to page 11)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Coalition gov’t has racked up 50...

2 SFPs on August 8th revealed that the govt ministers’ will not release contracts unless they have the permission of the other person/company/party to the contract. This is unheard of and a violation of the role of the legislature under the constitution to hold the government accountable.

21. Undermining the judi-

cial process- the establishment of a Presidential Tribunal to inquire, investigate and recommend whether Carvil Duncan, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, should be removed from office for inability to discharge his duties.

Since the charges against Mr Duncan are still pending before a Magistrate of the Georgetown Magistrate’s court, the establishment of this tribunal is premature, pre-emptive and repugnant to the very “due process” to which the President says that his Administration is committed. (matter still in court; AG –Justice Holder confrontation; interference and bullying judiciary).

22. Auditor General’s spe-

cial audit of GECOM expenditure in 2015 prior to the general and regional elections—this is on-going, with the use of sole sourcing by the GECOM estimated to amount to $700M in the months prior to the May 2015 elections. However, unlike other investigations where the heads were sent on administrative leave such as the Head of NICIL, Head of the NDIA, PS of the Ministry of Legal Affairs, head of the Public Hospital Georgetown, to name a few, this CEO has not been sent off on administrative leave.(silence on findings).

23. $240M spent on refur-

bishing the Kitty Market.

Photographic evidence exposes the corruption by City Hall. There are no scope of works, estimates, etc that is available and the project was not put to tender as the city has hired the workers and is implementing the works itself. (still not complete).

24. The awarding of the

contract for boxed juices for the school feeding programme to a Surinamese beverage company owned

by RUDISA that was not the lowest or even the second lowest bid. The impact on the local farmers and manufacturers will be felt.

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

25. Award of the contract

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

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

26. Chicken importation li-

cences have been granted to non-existent/ non registered companies.

27. Some $1.64B was spent

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

28. The D’urban Park saga

continues. Mired in controversy, millions more are being spent in preparation for the flag raising ceremony to mark Independence.

29. Not satisfied with the

huge increases in salary and benefits, some Ministers are greedy and the reports of paying off Ministers for licenses, contracts etc., is astounding.

The government has got into the habit of putting out tenders in the press and then cancelling them repeatedly until their chosen contractor wins the tender.

30. These scandals, which

have been uncovered expose a level of corruption and discrimination that has not been seen since the Burnham era.

The APNU+AFC govern-

ment lacks transparency and accountability, and is prepared to undermine and even violate the procurement and financial laws of this country, as well as other constitutional provisions and statutory provisions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

39. Consistent and on-going violations of the Procurement Act, financial rules and the Fiscal Management and Enactment Act are pervasive. The most recent ex-

(From page 10)

amples were exposed during the August 3, 2017 debate with regard to funds for the State Assets Recovery Agency and constitutional bodies including the Public Procurement Commission and the Public Service Appellate Tribunal.

40. The on-going saga of the Durban Jubilee Park.

It is estimated that expenditure has reached $1.5 B. Auditor General Deodat Sharma aims to wrap up his special audit into the controversial Durban Park Project before the end of the year even if he does not receive certain financial records which appear to be missing.

41. Bribery at the highest levels –not satisfied with the huge increases in salary and benefits, some Ministers are greedy and the reports of paying off Ministers is astounding for simple licenses, contracts, taxes owed, etc.

42. Contract for CCTV cameras for the Ministry of the Presidency- not delivered and paid for since 2015. The company has been declared bankrupt.

So where is the taxpayers’ money?

43. Purchase of the Prime Minister’s SUV- bullet proof, latest model, extraordinary extravagance for a poor developing country.

Noticeable is the acquisition of a fleet of new vehicles for every Minister yet many have not been budgeted for in the annual budgets.

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

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

46. The COI into the Police with regard to the way it investigated the intention or plot to assassinate the President. The real plot behind this move appears to be the decapitation of the Guyana Police Force

leadership. The President’s instruction to the Police Service Commission to halt these promotions appears to give credence to this theory.

47. The Georgetown Prison Camp Street Jailbreak and fire on July 9, 2017 and the Lusignan escapees coming after the March 2016 riots and fire that lead to 17 inmates being burnt to death.

The COI of the March 2016 prison disturbances and fire has been kept secret but more evidence coming to light indicate that the government did not act on those recommendations, including the establishment of a multi-agency multi-sectoral body being appointed by the President to implement the recommendations.

Budgetary allocations for the Prisons, especially capital works to increase the inmate accommodation at the Mazaruni Prison in the 2016 budget was unspent and rolled over to 2017 and as of July 2017 these works are still not complete. The new request for $753M appropriated in Parliament on August 3 2017 cannot account for $ 153 M requested.

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

49. The Commission of Inquiry into Lands – communal, joint and individual lands and any other lands – with specific focus on Amerindian land titling and land of Freed Africans. There was no prior consultation with the National Toshaos Council (NTC) or any Amerindian communities on the establishment of this COI. The NTC, five Amerindian

non-governmental organizations and the Parliamentary opposition protested the appointment of this COI as it threatened Amerindian land rights which are enshrined in the constitution and in the Amerindian Act. The Parliamentary Opposition brought a motion in parliament calling on the President to revoke the COI or at least the component which is treating with Amerindian land titling which was defeated by the government’s one seat majority.

The government 4 months after it established the COI held its first consultation with the NTC. This COI is a recipe to drive rifts and strife between different ethnic groups in the country.

50. Repossession of lease and transported lands and property - the revocation of 30 MMA farmers leases by the President, the Central Housing and Planning Authority ( CHPA) repossession of transported houses and land and its CEO’s recent renewed threats to take away land from private developers are all unconstitutional. The judiciary in early August 2017 ruled that the President’s revocation of the leases of the farmers in the MMA was unconstitutional.

In another instance the court issued a conservatory order to prevent the government from seizing and taking possession of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre until case is properly heard.

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

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

53. US$18MMUSD signing bonus from ExxonMobil placed outside of the Consolidated Fund.

54. Painting state properties in APNU colours.

55. Reduction of constitutional bodies budgets 2016, 2017, 2018 in violation of the 2015 amendment to FMA Act

10 12

WEEKEND MIRROR 8-9 APRIL, 2017 WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

13

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Silence from controversial Lands CoI

T

he Commission of Inquiry into Lands – communal, joint and individual lands and any other lands, with specific focus on Amerindian land titling and land of Freed African – was advanced without consultation with the National Toshaos Council (NTC) or any Amerindian communities.

And to date, there is no clarity on what exactly is being done by the Commission.

The NTC, five Amerindian non-governmental organizations and the Parliamentary opposition protested the appointment of this COI as it threatened Amerindian land rights which are enshrined in the constitution and in the Amerindian Act. The government, four months after it established the COI, held its first consultation with the NTC. And the Parliamen-

tary Opposition brought a motion in parliament calling on the President to revoke the COI or at least the component which is treating with Amerindian land titling, which was defeated by the government’s one seat majority.

The Commission was established to examine and make recommendations to resolve issues and uncertainties surrounding the individual, joint or communal ownership of lands, along with Amerindian land titling issues. It is being chaired

by Rev. George Chuck-ASang and includes Mr. David James, Mrs. Carol KhanJames, Professor Rudolph James, Mr. Lennox Caleb and Ms. Belinda Persaud.

Prior to the swearing in Granger had been called on by the National Toshaos’

Council (NCTC) to scrap the Commission of Inquiry into land issues – a Commission, whose mandate was only recently gazetted.

BELOW IS THE FULL NTC STATEMENT:

Response to address the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Lands Issues The National Toshaos’ Council categorically condemns the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry as a mechanism to guide the process to addressing the lands issues as it relates to the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

Guyana’s First Peoples, as a core group of people with a very unique status in Guyana, and having lived on this land for time immemorial, view it as an aberration

APNU+AFC buckles under pressure but only providing partial assistance to flood hit residents in Region 8 M ore than seven months later, the Coalition Government has buckled under pressure from the Parliamentary Opposition and from Guyanese. Some $10M has been set aside to support the reconstruction of homes for residents of Kaibarupai and Chenapau, Region Eight.

These communities were severely affected by floods during heavy rainfall in May 2017.

However, there are now new concerns about whether the $10M will be sufficient.

Junior Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe has said that the monies will be spent to

purchase generators, power saws and zinc sheets for the residents.

The issue of compensation for persons, particularly farmers who lost crops and livestock and those in the hinterland regions who lost homes, after the recent flooding, was raised in the House by the Parliamentary Opposition in July 2017.

At that time Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, told the House that the compensation is not usually provided by the State.

“Compensation is not normally provided,” Bulkan said.

Bulkan was also ques-

tioned on whether any form of assistance will be provided to the communities.

The Minister did not detail what form the ‘assistance’ will take, when he grudgingly stated that there will consideration of possible assistance.

In 2017, several farmlands and homes at Kaibarupai, Waipa, Chenapau, Itabac, Kanapang, Kopinang and Sand Hill Settlement, Region Eight were flooded to a depth of 10 to 25 feet. A total of 521 households and 266 farmlands were affected during the flood while 61 houses were damaged and 56 were washed away.

Monies will only be released to 15 Chenapau families after they show how it will be spent

A

mere $5M to assist 15 families in Chenapou, affected by massive flooding last year, will only be released once certain conditions are met, according to Minister Valerie Garido-Lowe.

The Junior Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs visited the community on Wednesday (February

21, 2018). The villagers were told that they have to provide a list of beneficiaries to the Ministry and detail how the $5M will be spent before any money is released.

Notably, several of the villagers have expressed the view that the Village Council ought to supervise the spending to ensure that

as many flood-affected families benefit as possible.

In addition to Chenapau, several other villages in Region 8 were flooded to a depth of 10 to 25 feet. A total of 521 households and 266 farmlands were affected during the flood while 61 houses were damaged and 56 were washed away.

that needs to be recalled and have established, two separate entities to deal with the issues currently placed under such a blanket.

The National Toshaos’ Council, a body comprising of all Toshaos of Guyana and a representative body of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana, having never been consulted in the formation of such a body, cannot, with any degree of sanity nor confidence, respect such a body, and will refuse to cooperate with such a body.

The severe lack of consultations, non FPIC compliant, and the mere fact that a unilateral decision can be made on behalf of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana in such a manner are most concerning.

This is clearly viewed as a blatant attempt in trying to dispossess the Indigenous Peoples of our lands and we cannot condone such an attempt.

While we support Reparations and Repatriation of African Lands and addressing that issue with a great degree of urgency, the Indigenous Lands issue cannot and should not be viewed in the same light, nor can it be addressed under the same framework.

The Indigenous Peoples,

by Law, are entitled to their

Traditional Lands, while the Africans are entitled to lands that were sold to their Ancestors. It is this very separation that needs to be clearly identified and defined. It is also in realizing that these two issues are separate issues that we must address them separately.

In the Amerindian Act of 2006, as a matter of Law, there exist a process that speaks to the issue of Amerindian Lands. Also, under the Amerindian Land Titling Program, informed at great lengths by the Amerindian Act, Guyana’s Constitution, and International Law, there exists a very robust framework that speaks to Amerindian Lands. This framework was developed by all key stakeholders from the Indigenous Fraternity and the Government of Guyana through Agents from GGMC, GFC, GLSC, MoIPA, GGDMA, GWMA, and the UNDP. At the National Toshaos’ Conference of 2015, His Excellency committed in his Ten Point Plan, to establish a, “Hinterland and Indigenous People Lands Commission” that will address all Indigenous Lands Issues which the NTC, without resolve, supported.

We are forced to remind His Excellency of that com-

mitment and to immediately seek for him to hold that commitment to the Indigenous Population of Guyana.

We are also keen to remind His Excellency of the APNU’s Manifesto within which his party committed to protect Guyana’s Indigenous Population as mandated

by Guyana’s Constitution, clearly informed by Article 149(G), to respect Guyana’s Treaty obligations including ILO169, and to recognize the various International laws that were made for the protection of the indigenous peoples, both in Guyana and Globally.

We call on His Excellency for a complete repeal of the mandate of this Commission and to establish the Indigenous Peoples’ Lands Commission.

Failure by His Excellency to Act would clearly demonstrate that Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are being marginalized by the Government of Guyana once again.

NATIONAL TOSHAOS’ COUNCIL (NTC)

President David Granger swore in Ms. Paulette Henry to the Lands Commission of Inquiry and others in March 2017. Eventually, changes were made to the work of the CoI. It is unclear what stage the works are at.

14

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Significant progress made under succe administrations to improve welfare of LEGISLATION

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

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

TOURISM SUPPORT

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

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

HEALTH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SOLAR PANEL AND ENERGY ACCESS

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

An additional 6000 solar panels are being procured for distribution to additional communities including some riverine communities CORE HOMES/HOME SUBSIDIES

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

GOVERNANCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LAND OWNERSHIP

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

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

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT/SUPPORT

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

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

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

AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT

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

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

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

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

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

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

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

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

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

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

TRANSPORTATION

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

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

PRESIDENTIAL GRANTS

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

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

EDUCATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15

Sugar workers protest continues

16

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

APNU+AFC’s version of a ‘green agenda’?

S

everal state buildings, including some schools, have been repainted green, sparking concerns about party paramountcy and quips relative to whether the APNU+AFC Coalition Government truly understands the definition of a ‘green agenda’.

Notably, the concerns of party paramountcy are increasing, more so, given President David Granger’s last comments at the 19th Biennial Delegates Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

“OUR Constitution” is our supreme law,” he said.

Granger’s address was the featured speech at the opening of the Congress, where he also addressed the ideology of PNC founder, Forbes Burnham.

He said, “Our Party, founded 59 years ago, on 5th October 1957 by Forbes Burnham and Jo-

seph Lachhmansingh, rests securely on our sacred institutions – our Constitution, our Supreme Law.” The issue of party paramountcy under the PNCR, led by Burnham, was also the subject of several media reports, following the release of the Commission of Inquiry report into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney.

The Commission’s 155-page report concluded Rodney’s assassination was a “State organised” act that was executed with the knowledge of the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, who had “large and detailed” knowledge of what was being done by the State and its agencies during his tenure.

The report also detailed the link to the principle of party paramountcy and the use of the GPF and Guyana Defence Force (GDF), as well as the judiciary, to go after persons who were seen

as opposition elements.

The report, on page 41, also noted that former president, Forbes Burnham, in 1974, at a PNC Conference, said, “It was decided that the Party should assume unapologetically its paramountcy over the Government, which is merely one of its executive arms.”

According to page 42 of the 155-page of the report, Burnham reasoned that “God says that before you were, I was. The party says to the Government before you were, we were.

The government has got to be in our system as a subordinate agency to the party.”

In that context, the report

notes that the judiciary, the GPF and, particularly, the GDF was used to enforce the wishes of Burnham and his PNC. Page 45 of the report stated that Burnham called for the armed forces to “be fully acquainted with the policies of the PNC party.” As such, page 46 adds

that the judiciary and ranks “committed themselves to being servants of the Prime Minister (Burnham), rather than official in service of the State.”The report concluded that Burnham, had such an “absolute” grip and control over the society that he “dehumanised and belittled many Guyanese.”

The result was that opposition elements were constantly harassed, threatened or assaulted and some murdered. “The period under review was one of extreme hardships and difficulties in the life of Guyanese people. The rule of law was systematically subverted on a daily basis. It was replaced by the rule of man in the person of Burnham and the PNC,” the report said on page 59. Notably, Granger at the congress’ opening ceremony made clear that, “Forbes Burnham’s ideas are still relevant today.”

Gov’t pushing ahead with making changes to Amerindian Act

T

he Coalition Government, undeterred by criticisms, is pushing ahead with its plans to make changes to the Amerindian Act. The Parliamentary Opposition has warned the APNU+AFC Coalition against advancing any move that will not bring more benefits to Amerindians in Guyana – changes that will dilute the rights of our Indigenous Amerindian people.

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock, to date, has been unable to say what the government’s intention is. All he has said is that, “There were lots of ideas, proposals, and suggestions that we can review, to see what might

be adequate or relevant to today.”

The Amerindian Act 2006, passed under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration, was hailed as an embodiment of policies that covered 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.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Opposition has also called on the Coalition Government to respect the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), which is enshrined in the 2006 Amerindian Act – which means that nothing ought to be done with the involvement of the Amerindian people. It is unclear which Amerindian communities have been consulted on changes to the Amerindian Act. The Government’s move to change the Act was announced in 2016.

8-9 APRIL, 2017 2018 WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY,

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26

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Coalition Gov’t Repor President pardons prisoners

Reporter under fire from Nagamootoo, he says Chronicle is a ‘gov’t paper’

Guyana slips 6 points on 2015 Global Democracy Ranking report

Harmon says 34 ‘Honorary’ Advisors APNU+AFC Ministers appointed, admits under fire for ‘selling’ political favours APNU+AFC supporters received positions

The Democracy Ranking 2015 released the new results and data scores of its latest report over the weekend and Guyana slipped from the 55th position out of 113 countries to 61st place – a slip of six points.

Granger mocks judicial system; pardons prisoners without revealing names or crimes.

WEEKS after promising to address the scandal over the appointment of Brian ‘BK’ Tiwari as a Ministerial Advisor, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, released a short statement. And reiterated that persons who supported the campaign of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Administration were appointed to various positions.

Two months after declaring of the Guyana Chronicle is “bastion” of public information and committing to reform of the Public Information sector, so that it informs and empowers members of the public to make wise choices, rather than fall prey to narrow and partisan agendas. And switching from the position he held in while in Opposition, now as Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo contends that the Guyana Chronicle is not a State newspaper, rather it is a government newspaper.

AFTER public comments by his Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, about supporters being given appointments, and Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, defending a wind energy power purchase agreement with a party supporter, as a political investment, President David Granger made public another view.

Granger ‘recycling incompetence from Gov’t buckles under one Ministry to ‘criticisms’: Granger another’, Cabinet confirms demotion of reshuffle fools Norton, other moves no one - PPP in Cabinet reshuffle The criticisms that bombarded the David Granger-led Coalition Government have seen the Administration buckling. And President David Granger has confirmed that Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, has been demoted to head the Department of Social Cohesion – which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency. As such, Norton will not have to report to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Norton, over the last few weeks, has had to apologise to the National Assembly for misleading the House on the matter of the controversial ‘drug bond’ issue. He has also been at the centre of another scandal where he allegedly mandated the release of large consignments of imported foods, which the Food and Drug Administration deemed unfit for consumption.

The Cabinet reshuffle confirmed by President David Granger, has been dubbed as an “appeasement measure by Granger towards its junior coalition partner” – the Alliance For Change (AFC) – by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Office of the President’s operatives tear down ‘Cheddi Jagan Research Centre’ sign Several men, in shirts emblazoned with the Ministry of the Presidency logo, reigned nothing short of terror down on the staffers at Red House – saying that they were acting on the instructions of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Drug bond scandal: Rental contract reveals professional office leased for over $14M, not bond The recent release of an incomplete unsigned contract (Agreement of Tenancy) between the Ministry of Public Health and the Linden Holdings Inc., to the Parliamentarians, is adding more shock waves to what is now being popularly called the “drug bond scandal’.

Jordan says Bill to impose more fees a ‘win-win’, PPP/C MPs argue against more hardships on Guyanese The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2016 – Bill No. 25/2016 – was first up for debate at the sitting of the National Assembly, the first sitting of 2016. And the political Opposition kicked off 2017 in the National Assembly with a fight against what it called oppressive tax measures that will make the lives of Guyanese people worse.

Granger tells Congress – ‘PNCR ‘constitution’ is our supreme law’ “Our Constitution” is our supreme law, President David Granger declared at the opening of the 19th Biennial Delegates Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

rt Card ... in headlines Politically appointed REO in Region 9 facing sexual assault charges

After allegations of sexual harassment leveled against the politically appointed Regional Executive Officer (REO) in Region 9, Carl Parker, by a top elected female official in the region, he was charged on February 8, 2017, and brought before Judge Judy Latchman.

Released on bail set at GY $200 000, he is scheduled to return to Court on February 16, 2017.

2016 ends with robberies near the 3,000-mark The Guyana Police Force has disclosed its report on the crime statistics as at the end of 2016. And the various cases of robberies almost at the 3,000-mark, with 1,267 reports being cases of break and enter and larceny.

First sitting for 2017: Speaker called out for attempt to muzzle PPP/C MPs

At the close of the first sitting of 2017, House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, expressed his intention for the House to sit up to 22:00hours at future sittings and attempted to dictate the content of speeches made

by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarians.

Rice Industry Shocker…

Alesie walks away after 25 years

Government supporter and Chairman of the Alesie Group, Turhane Doerga, has confirmed that the company is closing its five mills and will cease doing business in Guyana because he claims the rice industry is in rapid decline and government is bereft of ideas to halt the decline.

68 out of 86 drugs on essential drugs list in short supply at Public Hospital Despite government denials, over 50 per cent of essential drugs are in short supply or have run out at the Georgetown Public Hospital. These include paracetamol, aspirin, insulin and other essential drugs. It was reported to PAC earlier that 186 drugs were out of stock or in short supply, earlier this year.

Ramjattan admits to ‘having drinks’ with UK advisor to SOCU, after Luncheon and Jagdeo arrested Days after British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, denied that staff from the British High Commission were with a Government Minister at a café in Georgetown a day after the arrests and detention of top People’s Progressive Party (PPP) officials, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, confessed a different story. The matter relates particularly to British Advisor to the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU), Sam Sittlington. At a fundraising dinner, Ramjattan said, “The fact (is) that I had some wine with Sam on Wednesday evening at Oasis was because I wanted to thank him for the great work he did at SOCU.” The ‘drinks’ came after top PPP leaders were arrested.

Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has called for an investigation.

Overcrowded St. Ignatius Nursery School forces children under dilapidated APNU+AFC inks five benab for classes Parents of students at the St. Ignatius Nursery School in Central Rupununi, Region 9, have expressed concerns over the fact that representations of a major issue have not been addressed.

PSC condemns moves to restrict foreign currency market The Private Sector Commission (PSC), has said that it has read with consternation the pronouncements of the Minister of State as these relate to the introduction of stricter regulations and closer monitoring of the foreign exchange market in Guyana.

Economic slowdown threatening businesses Businesses are scaling down operations, while several others are closing down, contributing to the increased unemployment levels.

multi-million dollar loan agreements in less than two weeks

The David-Granger led government continues to plunge the country into early inextricable debt, borrowing heavily from IDB. The IMF has said that the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach 61 per cent of GDP by 2019 and has recommended fiscal adjustments.

‘Basil Williams remains in contempt of court’ Attorney General, Basil Williams, despite a court order, has failed to appoint the Governing Board to the Deed Commercial Registry Authority, (DCRA) and has filed an appeal in the matter. However, former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, contends that the filing of an appeal does not translate to operating as a stay of execution of the High Court’s decision for him to appoint the Registry’s Board.

(Continued on page 20)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Coalition Gov’t Report...

PNCR youth arm voices dissatisfaction with Gov't

The Guyana Youth and Student Movement, the youth arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) held its Extended General Council in the Hall of Heroes at Congress Place Sophia. And the meeting saw complaints from youths dissatisfied with the PNCR, specifically with the performance of the Coalition government.

Jagdeo calls out Granger for not meeting with local miners

It has been a month since local miners called for a meeting with President David Granger and he has not responded.

Millions in taxpayers’ dollars being used to fund advisors, special and regional assistants for Nagamootoo More than two months later, questions put to Prime Minster, Moses Nagamootoo, by the political Opposition during the review of Budget 2017 have finally been answered. And it has been disclosed that Guyanese taxpayers are funding almost a dozen special and administrative assistants for him.

$605M bombshell corrupt deal: Volda Lawrence approves sole sourcing of medicines, supplies claiming emergency Another bombshell corrupt deal has been exposed.

This time it is a $606M corruption involving Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence.

(From page 17)

PSC voices concerns about sole sourcing, increases taxes, decline in value of Guyana dollar and more with IMF

Linden Town Clerk’s appointment revoked by Bulkan without notice

Bulkan acted as ‘king’ and knocked out statutory mechanism to manage local gov’t system – Luncheon

The move of Ronald Bulkan, the Minister of Communities, to pen a public letter (published on April 3rd, 2017) upbraiding the Editorial team of the state-owned Guyana Chronicle about editorial decisions has been rejected by the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

The Private Sector Commission met with the International Monetary Fund Mission (IMF) team currently in Guyana. And the Commission raised concerns about instances of sole sourcing of contracts, which have occurred despite the existence of the Procurement Commission. Concerns were also raised over the decline in the value of the Guyana dollar and the IMF representatives suggested that a flexible exchange rate, which would allow the currency to revalue itself in response to market forces, was ideal.

The Coalition Government is pursuing “nothing short of abuse of power” when it comes to the management of the local government system, according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive, Dr Roger Luncheon.

His comments were made in relation to the continued delay in setting up the Local Government Commission (LGC).

Prominent local Attorney heading State Board part of leading fuel smuggling ring

More than a year has passed without government action on the matter of illegal fuel smuggling, despite multiple reports on the issue. And a prominent Attorney-at-Law, involved currently in two high profile political cases, and head of State Board is part of what has now become the leading fuel smuggling ring in Guyana. Reports about the illegal activity first surfaced last year.

Attorney General threatens High Court Judge: says ‘the last Magistrate who did that to me was later found dead’

During a hearing in the matter involving Carvil Duncan – regarding the challenge of his suspension as Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) – High Court Judge, Franklin Holder walked off the bench without adjourning the matter after being threatened by Attorney General Basil Williams.

Just three weeks after being cleared by an investigative committee to resume duties as the Linden Town Clerk, Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, revoked Ms. Jonellor Bowen’s appointment without notice.

Press Association blasts Coalition gov’t over ‘unmistakable’ signals of Executive control

Basil Williams targets another professional woman After coming under criticisms for targeting professional women, Attorney General Basil Williams, is now moving to take action against the head of the Head of the Deeds Registry of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority, Azeena Baksh, who is also the daughter of a former PPP/C minister.

Jordan tells forestry sector stakeholders to ‘bring the evidence’ to show that VAT is hurting industry Facing criticisms over the pressures being put on stakeholders in the forestry sector, particularly as it relates to tax policies, Government remains seemingly unmoved.

Coalition in danger of falling apart, violations of Cummingsburg seen Political commentator, Ralph Ramkarran, has lamented the fact that the Cummingsburg Accord – which inked the partnership between APNU and AFC – is being honoured in the breach and has warned about consequences of broken trust and broken promises.

STRAIGHT TALK 23

WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

(This speech was first made public on November 22, 1987. Its re-printing is among several activities being undertaken during 2018 to mark the 100th birth anniversary – March 22, 2018 – of the founder of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Cheddi Jagan.)

No Progress without People

By CheddiJagan

A

revolutionary strategy for social and economic transformation which is democratic, anti-imperialist,anti-monopoly, anti-feudal and socialist-oriented should include a clear-cut integrated programme, which is a real alternative to the Puerto Rican and ECLA models and the reformism of the puppet regimes.

Such a programme should be based on the following

fundamentals: (1) Nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy. As long ago as 1974, the special session of the UN General Assembly, in the Declaration on the Establishment of the New International Economic Order stipulated the right of national sovereignty and control of natural resources and the organization of economic activity in order to meet the people’s basic needs on the basis of equality.

(2) Centrally planned pro-

portional development of the economy with simultaneous concentration on industrial and agricultural rather than infrastructural development; expansion of the public and co-operative sectors; transformation of the economy from primary to integrated production.

(3) A tri-sectoral – state, co-operative and private economy with preferential treatment and assistance to co-operatives and patriotic local capitalists.

(4) The implementation of a

New International Economic Order for better North/South economic relations to end unequal international trade.

(5) Massive transfer of aid from the imperialist states as compensation for colonial and neocolonial plunder and cancellation of the huge debt burden.

(6) Radical land reform and a sound all-embracing, agricultural policy.

(7) Emphasis on education to raise the cultural, ideological, scientific and technical levels of the people.

Value for money?

(8) Rent, price and exchange controls.

(9) A truly national health service and subsidised housing for low income working people.

(10) Strict measures to end political and racist discrimination, extravagance and corruption (11) An independent nonaligned foreign policy, and meaningful relations with the socialist- and third worlds, as called for by ECLAC and UNCTAD. (12) Struggle for an end to

the arms race and the division of resources for development.

(13) Political, social and industrial democracy and the people’s fullest involvement.

Unless there is genuine involvement of the masses in the decision-making process from the governmental to the grass roots levels, there can be no advance.

For real development and social progress a political union must be coupled to a national-democratic programme.

Cross-dresser died from injuries consistent with vehicular accident - PME

ination (PME) done $3.2M spent on posters that are now falling apart T on cross-dresser Donneikel he post mortem exam-

Campbell, called “Mogo”, who died on Sunday after he reportedly jumped into the path of a vehicle at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), gave the man’s cause of death “as multiple injuries due to a motor vehicle accident.”

According to information from the police, the PME was performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh this morning.

Campbell, was reportedly struck by motorcar PRR 5279, being driven by a 40-year-old resident of Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The motorcar was proceeding west along the southern carriageway when Campbell suddenly dashed across the road and into the path of the vehicle.

He was struck, and reportedly fell onto the roadway in an unconscious condition.

Having received severe head and other injuries to his body, Campbell was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where he was admitted but later succumbed.

A breathalyser test

showed no alcohol on the breath of the driver of the motorcar, who has since been taken into police custody.

The dead man’s family however, are of the view that his death was a murder made to look like an accident.

Campbell’s mother Shunay Gooding and other relatives had visited the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where they were able to speak with the driver of the motorcar which had struck him.

The woman is speculating that her son was killed because of some misunderstanding he had with the driver of the car.

She revealed that when checks were made inside the vehicle which had struck him, she saw his earing and sheets.

“Got to be some wrong thing play out there and (the driver) kill he (Campbell), and then he want put it over as an accident. He (Campbell) is a gay, so he mussy had business with him (the driver) and something went wrong. All my son had was one long chop by his ears. Is a wrong deal!” she insisted.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Enmore father of 2 trailed from bank, shot, robbed by armed bandits

A

38-year-old father of two is in a private city hospital after he was shot and robbed on Wednesday while returning to work in the vicinity of Foulis, East Coast Demerara.

The injured man has been identified as Terry Chand, an electrical contractor of Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Based on information received, the incident occurred at around 13:30hrs.

Chand reportedly visited a commercial bank located in Triumph, ECD to cash a cheque to the tune of $800,000.

After completing his transaction, police say that it

appeared as though the man was trailed by two bandits, on a motorcycle with no registration plates, to his place of work.

Just before Chand could enter the compound, he was reportedly ambushed by one of the two perpetrators, and apprehended.

The men allegedly ordered the 38-year-old to hand over his bag containing the cash and when he [Chand] refused, one of the bandits reportedly shot once at him before fleeing the scene, with money in hand.

The bullet reportedly grazed the back of the man’s head, barely missing his skull.

Terry Chand

Chand was immediately rushed to the medical facility. His condition is listed as stable.

Investigators have retrieved a spent shell at the scene.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Homes of two Enmore families invaded, robbed by armed bandits

P

olice say they are investigating reports of armed robberies committed on two Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) families which last Tuesday, allegedly by three masked males, all of whom were armed with handguns.

According to Police Public Relations and Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, their investigations revealed that about 02:00hrs, Chatterpaul Persaud and his wife were confronted by the bandits who gained entry into their one flat home via a southern door and relieved them of a quantity of gold

jewellery and a sum of cash.

During the process, Persaud was reportedly dealt several lashes to his head after which the couple’s hands were bound.

The bandits then proceeded to the home of Persaud’s parents, which is adjacent,

Police Corporal robs Prison Officer

New Amsterdam family traumatized A

Joint Services Corporal along with another man are now in the custody of the Police following a robbery committed on a Prison Officer on Saturday.

The 43-year-old Prison Officer was attacked and robbed by armed men at around 01:00hrs on the day in question.

According to reports received, the victim was standing on the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara

by brutal home invasion

A

New Amsterdam family is now traumatised and counting their losses after a gang of five men, all armed with guns, invaded their home on Sunday morning.

According to information received, the incident occurred at around 11:35hrs on the day in question.

The victims were identified as businessman Ameer Bacchus, 44, and his wife, Somawattie Bacchus, 40, both of Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

Somwattie Bacchus explained to this media group that the family had just concluded a gathering and her brother had left to take her brother-in-law home.

She recalled that shortly after, her brother returned home and her husband went to open the gate for him.

Bacchus said that at the time, she was seated in her kitchen when she heard a voice say, “tell she don’t move.”

The woman explained that as she turned around, a man was holding a gun to her husband’s head.

The perpetrator then lashed the 44-year-old busi-

nessman to the back of his head with the weapon, causing him to fall to the ground in an unconscious state.

At that time, this online publication understands that, there were three men in the house while two kept watch outside.

“Them start fuh kick he and then I ask why them beating he, why y’all don’t take what ya’ll want and go… I bend down fuh help me husband and then the bandit start to kick me up in my face and back and asking for my bangle and the cash,” the visibly shaken woman related.

Bacchus further noted that she ordered her 14-year-old son, who was in the room, to hand over the family’s cash and jewelry to the bandits.

However, after receiving the items, the gunmen appeared to be dissatisfied.

“Them seh that them aint want dat alone that them want the money in the wardrobe,” the woman said, adding that she had no other valuables in the house.

While the robbery was on-going, Bacchus’ sister-in-law who resides in a house behind their own,

Somawattie Bacchus

arrived from work.

The sister-in-law told this online publication that as she passed their home, a masked gunman attempted to grab her but she managed to flee into her home and locked the door.

The woman then proceeded to raise and alarm and the police was reportedly contacted.

However, by the time the law enforcement ranks arrived at the scene, the bandits had already made good their escape with several cellular phones, a Samsung tablet, a total of $90,000 in cash and an estimated $200,000 in jewellery.

An investigation has been launched.

and allegedly relieved his 51-year-old mother of cash and jewellery.

Her husband, who was sleeping in another room, was not disturbed.

Chatterpaul Persaud received treatment at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital and was sent away.

According to Ramlakhan, investigators are currently obtaining statements and processing the scenes, in the presence of their newly installed Commander, Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper.

No arrests have yet been made.

(EBD) when he was surrounded by four males, one of whom was armed with a knife.

The man of High Park, Timehri, East Bank Demer-

ara (EBD) was relieved of $40,000 which was in his possession after being held at knifepoint.

The men then quickly made good their escape, but two of them were quickly apprehended by the police.

The money was reportedly found in their possession which was returned to the Prison Officer.

The police are hunting the other suspects as investigations continue.

Cables connecting highway lights being vandalized

T

he Ministry of Public Infrastructure has reported a spate of vandalism to cables connecting highway lights and is seeking the public’s help in reporting cases of destruction of property or illegal connections.

The Ministry is also calling on vandalisers to desist from such acts since they ultimately inconvenience the citizenry by destroying much needed infrastructure.

As recently as last Friday, the Ministry said one of its teams noticed an individual attempting to vandalise the power feeds to lights along the Rupert Craig High-

way.

While the person managed to escape, the Ministry said 900 feet of the cable was already removed. The team from the Ministry had been in the vicinity to conduct repairs to vandalised power feeds associated with the traffic light system at the intersection of UG Road and the Railway Embankment.

“Similarly, vandalism of

the highway lights, in the form of illegal connections to the Highway Lighting Distribution Network, in the vicinity of the Seawall Bandstand had led to the temporary disconnection of these lights.

“While the lights have been reconnected to ensure continued safety and convenience of the public, the vandalism of these lights has continued,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry said citizens can report any instances of vandalism to their Public Relations Department on 2270799 or the nearest police station.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

City Hall to be audited again...

Non-cooperation this time will involve DPP – Auditor General

New Amsterdam A schoolgirls kidnapped T

hree men are in police custody assisting with investigations into the reported kidnapping of two schoolgirls in New Amsterdam on Tuesday.

The girls were on their way home from school on Tuesday afternoon when the incident reportedly occurred.

Based on information received, a black vehicle pulled up alongside the two girls who were walking and they were subsequently pulled into the vehicle.

The girls reportedly resisted causing onlookers to become suspicious.

As such, the car was followed to an abandoned house at 36 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam.

The police and a relative of one of the girls were contacted and within moments were at the scene.

After police and subsequent back-up arrived, the three suspects who were in the building with the two girls were arrested.

The fourth suspect, the driver of the vehicle who took the girls to the abandoned building escaped with the vehicle.

The three suspects were

taken into custody and the girls to the New Amsterdam Hospital to be medically examined.

While it was confirmed that no sexual activity occurred on Tuesday, it was also confirmed that the two schoolgirls were sexually active.

At the hospital, one of the girls reportedly said she was 16 years old and above the age of consent.

At the Criminal Investigation Department at the Central Police Station, the girl continued her claims stating that she lived with a grandparent.

She was asked to bring her guardian and a teenage girl turned up claiming that she was her cousin and the girl was released into the teenager’s custody.

“This is nonsense,” a relative of the other girl told this

publication. “They did not even ask for any supporting documentation to verify her age. The incident happened when they were in school uniform, something is wrong,” the relative related.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the mother of the other girl was asked to produce documents to verify that she is indeed 14 years old.

The 14-year-old reportedly stated that she had sexual intercourse with one of the suspects on more than one occasion.

A relative told this publication that the police need to arrest the driver of the car who escaped, since he is an accessory to the crime. “He is part of it; he drove the vehicle and was the lookout. He is just as guilty.”

Investigations are ongoing.

Soesdyke residents arrested with stolen items T wo Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) residents are now in police custody after they were on Saturday afternoon caught

by Police with stolen items in their possession.

The 24 year old and 22 year old men were intercepted at around 13:40hrs in a motorcar.

Reports are that the couple reportedly broke and entered the storage room of a 50 year old resident of Timehri Base Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and removed several articles including an electrical saw, six block-making and spindle mouldings, and a water

pump engine.

However while carrying out investigations, the suspects were stopped and the items were found hidden in the motorcar in which they were traversing.

They are now in police custody and are said to be assisting with investigations.

Truck driver arrested with unlicensed gun, ammo

A

truck driver is now in the custody o f t h e P o l i c e a f t e r h e w a s d i scovered with an unlicensed pistol and ammunition in his possession.

The 27 year old suspect of Adams Road, Soesdyke was arrested at Back Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) at around 04:20hrs.

According to reports, ranks of the “A” Division who were on mobile patrol swooped down at the location where the man was found with the firearm along with ten live rounds of ammunition.

He is in Police custody and is expected to precede the Court shortly.

uditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma on Monday disclosed that another forensic audit will be carried out at City Hall, and this time around, approaches will be made to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) if City Hall fails to account for its finances.

This revelation came during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held yesterday.

Sharma became frustrated after the Accounting Officer, who was acting in place of the absent Treasurer of the Georgetown Municipality, was unable to provide the necessary answers

tional Assembly on Monday, when McGarrell and accounting officers from various municipalities were made to give account for some $401 million in capital subventions.

The Audit Office of Guyana had found that as at December 31, 2016, $396.5 million was expended.

From the start, City Hall’s financial status, how it spent almost $175 million and its failure to submit documentation dating from 2005 posed a challenge to the PAC. PAC Chairman Irfaan Ali questioned McGarrell on whether he had come with

peared, City Hall’s Deputy Treasurer John Douglas was no wiser when it came to the city’s finances.

Douglas then admitted that he was not present at the PAC hearings last year but that he was aware of the documents that were supposed to be provided.

Even though he was aware, however, he had not come with the documents.

He made promises to supply the requested paperwork by Tuesday..

Last year, the AG’s attempts to conduct an audit were stymied by documents not being provided. According to Sharma at the time,

with regards to City Hall’s finances.

Moreover, even the Permanent Secretary (PS) attached to the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrel complained of City Hall’s lack of cooperation.

“Normally, in the regulations of the audit act it says that when I finish a forensic audit I can send it to the DPP for advice. The Public Accounts Committee was disappointed with the type of information we’re getting.

Even the PS says he can’t get the cooperation in terms of the relevant information that he needs,” Sharma told media operatives.

The DPP is usually called in when advice on criminal charges is being sought.

The PAC met in the Na-

copies of meetings pertaining to the City Council’s financial statements, documents previously promised by the Georgetown municipality’s Treasurer.

McGarrell had not walked with such and he revealed that the Treasurer, Ron McAlmont, had been unable to attend because of a doctor’s appointment.

When asked by committee member Juan Edghill whether there was anyone else who could supply that information, the Permanent Secretary indicated that only the Deputy Treasurer was available. Edghill then ordered McGarrell to send someone to fetch the Deputy Treasurer from City Hall, as it was within walking distance.

However, when he ap-

there were a number of gaps that remained unfilled in the investigation.

He had noted that as a result of these missing and sometimes even damaged documents, there would be a number of pages in the final report that would carry disclaimers.

It was at one time reported that during the final phase of the audit, the probe was stalled due to this lack of cooperation. Things had reportedly reached a point necessitating a letter to be sent to Town Clerk Royston King, over the undue delays being caused by City Hall officials not making the necessary documents available for the auditors.

Over the years, there have been persistent calls for City Hall to be fully audited.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

Work continues to broaden PPP support base, Jagdeo urges Guyanese ‘not to fall prey to stereotypes’ S

everal former supporters of the APNU+AFC Coalition have joined the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), according to Party General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo. “A group of individuals who worked very hard for APNU joined us recently,” he disclosed.

And he noted that work continues to break the stereotypes peddled about the PPP. He referred to the fact that the one of the former APNU+AFC supporters was in a recent confrontation with a PNC leader, Aubrey Norton, and was told: ‘You will never make it to the top floor of Freedom House’. Jagdeo pointed out that many of his news conferences are held on the very top floor and Norton’s comments are evidence of the warped view being peddled about the PPP. “Mister Norton and others who believe that there are secret rooms in Freedom House, I can invite them for a tour…. this is the perception that is being peddled actively, that Freedom House is not receptive of persons from different races. Anyone is free to join the Party….we urge them not to fall prey to these stereotypes,” he said.

According to Jagdeo, Norton’s comments reflect the most recent stereotype peddled about the PPP – and the latest that has been rubbished. “This is similar to the list that was circulated 10 years that said that the PPP government killed 400 Afro-Guyanese….we have been re-circulating the list and it is clear who are on the list….it was not a list of people killed by the PPP, but that stereotype thrived again and was actively peddled in many communities to create an impression of the PPP,” he said.

The PPP General Secretary added, “…a third issue is that Afro-Guyanese fared worse under the PPP than under the PNC….I have said let us do fact based analysis…let us see the difference between 1964 and 1992 and 1992 to 2015 and now….. look at access to education, home ownership, wealth accumulation….Afro Guyanese, all Guyanese fared better under the PPP.” Jagdeo made clear that the PPP’s work continues and all Guyanese are welcomed as supporters of the PPP. “We are working to change that and we urge people to look at the facts.”

Bus driver shot, chopped and robbed by armed trio

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hree suspects identified as Juvenile, Bang and Kevin are currently being sought by the police after they allegedly shot, chopped and robbed a minibus driver known to them.

The incident reportedly occurred last week at Victoria Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Two of the suspects were armed with guns, while the other with a cutlass.

According to the police, their investigation revealed that the victim Alfred Braithwaite, 37, a minibus driver of South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was standing in front

of a Superbet shop when the suspects approached and demanded money and because he refused he was shot in the right leg.

Moreover, the victim told the police that after being shot he rushed into his minibus, BVV 7712, which was nearby and secured himself but was allegedly pursued by the suspects who damaged the windscreens and windows and also inflicted a wound to the right side of his face and relieved him of $14,000.

Braithwaite is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital as investigations are ongoing.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 24-25 FEBRUARY, 2018

APNU+AFC MP’s access to ‘sensitive documents’ ahead of elections highly suspect – Region 1 Chairman R

eports that an APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, Richard Allen, is personally distributing birth certificates “in bulk” to persons in Region 1 has attracted strong condemnation from Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley.

According to Ashley, “I have received reports of M.P Allen personally distributing birth certificates in bulk to people in various communities. Local Government elections is due this year, birth registration documents are critical for the registration of voters; in the past the Toshaos and other community leaders have been the ones who have worked with the GRO team as they are knowledgeable of the eligibility of residents in their communities. However, M.P Allen accompanying and directing the GRO team as to who needs birth certificates and subsequent distribution of birth certificates is highly questionable and suspect.”

The Regional Chairman stated that Allen’s “access to such personal and sensitive documents” is highly suspect.

“Allen is not employed nor does he have any authority to be involved in nor interfere with the functions of these bodies providing services within the region, and, that these bodies must put an immediate halt to his access and interference in the functions of these agencies.”

A four-person team from the General Registrar’s Office (GRO), including Allen, has been dispatched to deal with the issuance of birth certificates in Region 1.

This is the latest of similar moves by the GRO to hinterland regions.

Meanwhile, evidence continues to be gathered on the issuance of documents by the Department of Citizenship, which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, to persons who are not eligible to receive them, according to Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. He charged that such a state of affairs can impact not only the national documents, such as the status of Guyanese passports, but also the electoral system, with persons registering as voters under false pretenses.

He has since called on the public to communicate any additional information related to the matter to his office.

In 2016, the political Opposition questioned payments for 300,000 birth certificate documents in the National Assembly. Citizenship Minister, Winston Felix, was grilled by the Opposition on the projected sum of $37.5M to be spent in 2017, as opposed to the $9.5M, which were set for the funding of print

attempt to tamper with the process,” he said.

According to him, the PPP has also expressed concerns about the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) machinery, with Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, in charge – particularly given his move to have the Party’s elections petition, a challenge to the results of the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, not be heard in the High Court.

“He has acted in a partisan manner in this case,” Jagdeo said. He noted that moving forward special focus will be placed on the continuous registration cycle and the voters list, to ensure that there is no tampering with the process or the final list of electors.

“We are aware that a few people have gone underground, missing from APNU camp, and they are busy working on matters,” the Opposition Leader said.

Jagdeo made clear that the Guyanese people must not think that the Party will “walk in unaware” of their concerns.

“We will not lie down, roll over and give up. We are going to look at every single issue they may use in falsifying the results of the next elections,” he declared. and non-print materials for 2016. In response, he told the National Assembly that the cost for the print material was increased.

At a prior news conference, Jagdeo underscored the concerns of the PPP with Minister Felix in charge of the Department of Citizenship.

“We have concerns about Felix and we have expressed those already, about the birth certificates and the possibility of tampering there,” the Opposition Leader said.

He had also stated that the Party will not let its guard down as it relates to any attempt to rig the next General and Regional Elections.

“I know it is a big concern of this country about the signals they are hearing about rigged elections. That is a fear of many people. They believe that given the PNC’s history and that a significant number of the actors of the past are in the current government, that there will be a concerted and sophisticated attempt to rig the next election,” he said.

As such, Jagdeo stressed that the PPP will be vigilant for any such attempt. “We are working internationally to get international eyes on Guyana. Secondly we will expose any

Jagdeo challenges Felix…

Call made for audit of GRO’s work

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has major concerns over possible attempts to tamper with records at the General Registrar’s Office (GRO), according to the Party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo. “We have major concerns that there may be attempts to by Felix (Minister Winston Felix) to tamper with records at the GRO, using the digitization of records as a cover,” he said.

He explained that the worry regards possible moves to include fictitious names in the GRO data base, which means that ineligible persons can access State documents, including birth

certificates. Jagdeo noted that this could not only affect the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) data base, but can affect foreign countries, since birth certificates can be used to access passports for foreign travel.

According to the PPP General Secretary, the APNU+AFC Coalition Government’s “closeness” to certain groups of persons is also major cause for worry. He referred to report that groups of Haitians entering Guyana and not only met at the airport by government officials, but are also chaperoned around the country. “It is normal for people to transit through your country. It is not normal for

government officials to meet these persons at the airport,” he said.

Jagdeo also noted with concerns recent incident involving APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Richard Allen, who was involved with issuance of birth certificates in Region 1 recently.

“If Felix says the process is totally transparent, then he should not have a problem with an audit of the digitation process.”

The PPP General Secretary stated that given the PNC’s history with padding of the voters list and manipulation of the GRO records, the current concerns are real and pressing.

BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT:

As the regional chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Barima-Waini Region #1, I am extremely concerned with the active participation and involvement of APNU/AFC Coalition geographic Member of Parliament, Richard Allen in the affairs and functions of several state agencies and elected bodies in the Region. It must be noted that he is not employed in any of those agencies, nor elected to any, and therefore has no locum stadi.

Most recently I noticed a Guyana Chronicle article “Government tackles low birth registration In Region One,” which reported in detail on M.P Allen’s active involvement with the General Registrar’s Office visiting team issuing birth certificates in the Region.

While I commend the work of the Registrar’s Office for reaching out to Region One with the objective of ensuring the people of the region are registered I am questioning the transparency and equality of treatment due to M.P. Allen’s apparent “embedding” in the team’s day to day operations and process of the issuance of birth registration.

I have received reports of M.P Allen personally distributing birth certificates in bulk to people in various communities. Local Government elections is due this year, birth registration documents are critical for the registration of voters; in the past the Toshaos and other community leaders have been the ones who have worked with the GRO team as they are knowledgeable of the eligibility of residents in their communities.

However, M.P. Allen accompanying and directing the GRO team as to who needs birth certificates and subsequent distribution of birth certificates is highly questionable and suspect.

In contrast to this, the M.P’s access to such personal and sensitive documents, I can recall that at the RDC at several statutory meetings representation was made for Toshaos and other community leaders to be entrusted with uplifting and distributing pension books of aged persons in their communities who are from far flung areas or are otherwise unable to travel long distances.

When this recommendation was made by the RDC to the Ministry of Social Protection, I was informed that no individual that is not employed by the Ministry of Social Protection can uplift pension books to distribute, yet councilors of the RDC has seen and received many reports that M.P Richard Allen is distributing pension books on behalf of Ministry of Social Protection.

M.P Allen’s reach even includes access to money from a Government Ministry to host a Christmas party for senior citizens, which was originally warranted to the NDC of Matarki.

The majority of the Councillors are disturbed by and opposed to M.P Allen’s apparent interference in the operation of these agencies and the NDC’s budget highlighted in this statement.

May I remind the GRO, the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Communities that M.P Allen is not employed nor does he have any authority to be involved in or interfere with the functions of these bodies providing services within the region, and, that these bodies must put an immediate halt to his access and interference in the functions of these agencies.

Brentnol Ashley Regional Chairman Barima-Waini Region #1

Granger’s talk about corruption nothing but shallow rhetoric

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arlier this week, President David Granger, addressing the Guyana Police Force (GPF), said, “If corruption is concealed it will continue.”

However, his comments left him open for blows from People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

According to him, Granger’s comments about corruption are “shallow” given that he has turned a blind eye to massive corruption in his Government. “This is what

he says to the Police. He should say this to his Cabinet,” he said.

Jagdeo referred to the controversial drug bond contract, which is only one of many scandals plaguing the Coalition Government. “Nowhere in the world will you have a contract like the one for the bond. It is clear that an act of corruption was the source of the contract and every month a PNC supporter pulls down $14M. This is been shown to Granger

and he has done nothing,” he said.

D’urban Park, he added, is another billion-dollar scandal. “Why would you lecture the police, when the Auditor General has been struggling to complete an audit….it is $1.4B that has been spent…. so his comments ring hollow.”

Meanwhile, Guyana is still perceived to be a corrupt country, according to the recently released report from Transparency International.

Jagdeo questions...

Why is Lindo Creek CoI doing work ‘behind the scenes’?

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he Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has postponed public hearings until forward notice, but the Commission is reportedly working behind the scenes with relatives of the murdered victims. This disclosed has sparked questions about the nature of ‘work’ being done behind the scenes.

“I am worried about the behind the scenes working,” said People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

He added, “The government having failed to get necessary interest has no reverted to ‘working behind the scenes’. Why do you have a CoI if you are working behind the scenes?

And even if you are working behind the scenes, it is worrying. They could be prepping people to lie.”

The PPP General Secretary stressed that Government continues to fail.

He also lamented the fact that while promising a Commission of Inquiry to look into the crime wave, the Coalition Government “cherry picked” Lindo Creek as their first area of focus and are effectively going after the security forces. The Opposition Leader said, “They are ignoring everything else…. they are not focusing on the children who were murdered, not Lusignan, not Bartica… they are going after an accusation against security forces…their first move is to go after the security forces.”

After the June 2008 deaths of eight miners - Dax

Arokium, Cedric Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace D rakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres – the security forces were accused of the killings by Leonard Arokium, who discovered the burnt remains were discovered on June 21, 2008, at the Lindo Creek mining camp.

However, as recent as January 2017, a state witness, Dwane Williams, who testified in the Bartica Massacre trial, implicated the ‘Fine Man gang’ and made clear that it was responsible for not only the 2008 massacres at Bartica and Lusignan, but also the killings at Lindo Creek – a position that was made clear by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) after its investigations, which included DNA sampling with the assistance of our CARICOM sister-country, Jamaica. ‘Fine Man’ – Rondell Rawlins –

was killed in a shootout on August 28, 2008, during an almost seven-hour-long police operation, which started at Timehri.

Jagdeo also took on the repeated allegations that convicted drug dealer, Roger Khan, was linked to the then PPP/C government. However, he made it clear that that as Commander-in-Chief, he had over 6,000 members of the security forces with weapons and equipment, who were backed by the law and capable of dealing with the crime wave.

“Why would we need people outside the law?” he questioned. On that note, he brought the media’s attention to a March 31, 2006 advertisement in the Kaieteur News, in which Roger Khan publicly acknowledges then Commissioner of Police and current Government Minister, Winston Felix, as friend.

“How do they explain this.. ….all of these things would have come out in comprehensive inquiry. They don’t want this,” Jagdeo said.

He added that if there was a “real” CoI – a comprehensive review of the crime wave – several persons in the Coalition government, including Government Ministers, would be “really” uncomfortable.

Public hearings were scheduled to commence last Thursday, February 15, 2018. Hearings were also scheduled for Monday, February 19 and Thursday, February 22 but those were also postponed after no witnesses showed up.

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