Skip to main content

Originally Posted by asj:

Ministers’ salary increase

August 3, 2015 | By | Filed Under Letters 
 

Dear Editor, If what I read in the news is true that the VP’s and Ministers are going to receive hefty pay increase, then I am truly disappointed with the new APNU + AFC government. I thought their priority would have been to fulfill the 100 day promise they made to the Guyanese people. As I understand it, many of those promises have not been kept and they are now making sure they receive “fat cat” salaries and feathering their own nests. People had a lot of hope on David and Moses to run a lean and clean government, to bring more money to the people instead of more money to themselves. In this very first budget, they are stacking up their own coffers instead of stacking the meagre salaries of police, public servants, nurses etc, etc. Are these people going to get the crumbs that fall from the masters’ table? There is no money to give parents $10,000 for their school kids, yet there is money to give VP’s and Ministers! Where is the change that Guyanese expected and voted for? Seems like all politicians are the same, make the world of promises to get a vote and then it is the “good life” for themselves. Unless this government delivers to the people what was promised, I see them in the Opposition in 2020. Ameer Bacchus

All horseshit.

cain

UG students found guilty of $8M armed robbery… Duo sentenced to community service, counselling

August 4, 2015 | By | Filed Under News 
Guilty: Darion Bess

Guilty: Darion Bess

Two University of Guyana students, found guilty of an $8M armed robbery, two weeks ago, have been given sentences of community service by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday. Darion Bess, 20, of Lot 429 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown and Joel De Mendonca, 21, of Lot 17 Providence, East Bank Demerara, were both found guilty of robbing Golyn and Sons Fashion, on Regent Street, of a quantity of cell phones worth $8,968,000 on July 25, 2014. The convicts were order to perform six hours of community service for the next twenty-five Mondays. In addition, they were also sentenced to a maximum period of counselling, as deemed fit by a probation officer. Failure to complete the sentences will result in them being imprisoned for 48 months. Magistrate Latchman, before handing her verdict, considered all mitigating factors. She took into consideration the fact that the men had no negative antecedents and that the probation report that was tendered in their favour. De Mendonca was instructed to perform his community service at the National Library, while Bess will be doing his at the Palms. The men were found guilty of the offence last month. Morris Gibson, 22, of Lot 334 East Street, South Cummingsburg, had also been charged with the duo. However, the charge was dismissed against him earlier on in the trial. The Magistrate had based her ruling on the sworn testimonies given by the defendants and store clerk, Mohanlall Narine. Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt presented the prosecution’s case. The court had heard that on the day in question, around 09:00hrs, Gibson approached the store clerk, inquiring about the prices of various cellular phones and a fan. Whilst he was doing so, Bess entered the store, approached the store clerk and pointed a gun to his head then ordered him to pack all of the cell phones. The store clerk complied. Bess then left the store and joined a waiting car on King Street and escaped. The matter was reported to the Brickdam Police Station. About an hour after the report, ranks who received information about the robbery, dashed to Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, and intercepted Bess and Gibson. At the time Bess was carrying a haversack on his back, which when checked by the ranks revealed a quantity of cellular phones. Both students were arrested and through police interrogation they led ranks to the home of De Mendonca in Providence. When the house was searched, four cellular phones were found. De Mendonca had confessed to being the driver of the motor car, which fled the scene with Bess and Gibson. Even though all the cell phones were not recovered, the ones retrieved were identified by Narine as items belonging to the store. Bess and De Mendonca first appeared before Former Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and denied the allegation. They were represented by Attorneys Adrian Thompson and Peter Hugh respectively.

FM

“That is totally wrong” – Fmr Chancellor reacts to youths being given ‘light’ sentence for armed robbery

August 4, 2015 10:38 am Category: latest news A+ / A-

By Jomo Paul

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard

[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Cecil Kennard does not believe that the recent sentencing of two youths to 150 hours of Community service should not go unchallenged, given the fact that they were charged with the offence of armed robbery.

Magistrate Judy Latchman ordered that 20 – year – old Darien Best and 21 – year – old Joel De Mendonca to perform six hours of community service for the next twenty-five Mondays along with a maximum period of counselling, as deemed fit by a probation officer.

De Mendonca was instructed to perform his community service at the National Library, while Best will be doing his at the Palms.

Failure to complete the sentences will result in them being imprisoned for 48 months. The two youngsters were charged and found guilty of robbing Golyn and Sons Fashion, on Regent Street, of a quantity of cell phones worth $8,968,000 on July 25, 2014.

The sentencing has already sparked a debate on social media with some persons questioning the rationale behind such a move, given that the charge is a serious one.

It should be noted that the maximum penalty for such an offence is life imprisonment. Many believe that the Magistrate passed down a light sentence to the duo, when it is known that she has imposed harsher sentences for similar offences.

Darien Best

Darien Best

Kennard, in an invited comment to iNews, made it clear that the Police Prosecutors should not accept this sentencing and should approach their seniors and the Director of Public Prosecutions to challenge it.

“The Prosecutors should speak to their seniors and their senior should speak to the DPP…that’s the best course,” said Kennard.

He further noted, “that is totally wrong” referring to the sentence handed to the two University of Guyana students.

On social media Best said that “I was honestly surprised at the sentence.” In July, Magistrate Latchman sentenced 19-year-old Ron Collins to 56 months in prison after he pleaded not guilty to armed robbery of a pair of sunglasses and a Blackberry smartphone collectively valued $166,000.

FM

Jagdeo’s presentation leaves Govt reeling

– exposes their betrayal of the Guyanese people

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

 

It was high drama in the National Assembly on Friday night when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo unleashed a thunderous

Former President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Former President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

verbal attack on the Government; exposing various elements of untrustworthiness, lack of transparency and its inclination for corruption already evident after only three months of governing the nation. Jagdeo also brought attention to the Government’s tarnished track record of backpedalling on most of its promises it made to the Guyanese people; a clear and ominous sign that the coalition Administration has no coherent vision for the country, the former President said. Focusing on the many broken promises in the Cummingsburg Accord- the binding agreement which brought the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change together, Jagdeo explained that a Government that cannot even be faithful to its own partners, simply cannot possibly be faithful to the people of the country. “The key thing is trust; do people trust the new Government? Let’s look at the creditworthiness of the new Government. The Cummingsburg Accord says the Prime Minister (Moses Nagamootoo) should have responsibility for domestic affairs and chairing the Cabinet; recommending ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structures for Ministries for approval of the President (David Granger); appointing Heads of Agencies and Constitutional Commissions; and domestic security.

President David Granger

President David Granger

I don’t need to tell you what the reality is,” Jagdeo ridiculed. The reality is, he elaborated is that Prime Minister Nagamootoo’s responsibility in Government has been diminished to being in charge of the information sector; his portfolio is the National Communications Network, the Government Information Agency and the Chronicle Newspaper, Jagdeo noted. “If you can’t be faithful to your partner, if this Government cannot be faithful to their partner in government, how are they going to fulfil the promises to the people of this country,” he posited. More interestingly, Jagdeo pointed out that the Prime Minister is going to cost taxpayers some $90 million a year, while the other Vice Presidents will cost them some $60 million a year. With them earning these exorbitant figures, their pensions, should they retire now, will equal the pension the former President is receiving. “I served this country for 12 years…as President and my pension is a pint of what the others get. Frankly speaking, three months the Prime Minister serves the country and his pension, if he retires today, will be close to mine, almost I think, bigger than mine and guess what portfolio he has. I had to manage the entire country as President; he has a portfolio that Kwame McCoy had from our side. There must be some justice in this world,” Jagdeo challenged, pointedly referring to all those who ever so often criticise him for receiving a comfortable pension. Jagdeo also highlighted that the Government, after accusing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration of pocketing too high salaries, were guilty of considering the possibility of raising theirs, in less than a year in Executive Office.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

“Then they say they were not even considering it and I perfectly understand if that is true. So will the Minister of Finance give us the assurance that Ministers are not going to get an increase above that of public servants in the five years of them being in office,” the Parliamentarian challenged. The Government has become completely notorious for continuously backtracking on its promises and forever changing its mind of policies and strategies it has initially implemented, Jagdeo highlighted. “When we pointed out that the increases for public servants were paltry in this budget, the Honourable Mr Harmon said the wages are temporary so we are waiting on the final payments to the public servants since the Honourable Member Joe Harmon said that the increases given in this budget are temporary,” he listed. Then, Jagdeo highlighted that the Government backpedalled again with regards to the firing of the 1972 Community Support Officers (CSOs) in the hinterland; after having Ministers justifying the firing, they are now claiming that they did not do the firing but rather, the PPP/C did. On this topic, Jagdeo chastised the Government for depriving those vulnerable people of a decent job which allowed them to provide food and other essentials for their families, noting that the Administration clearly does not care about the wellbeing for all of Guyana. He also pointed out that the Government, after receiving heavy criticisms from various sectors about the selection of members on the State Boards, they are now “backpedalling” and the Board’s composition may very well be changed. He also mentioned the Cheddi Jagan Airport Expansion Project, noting that this is another prime example of the Government not having a clear vision for Guyana. “The airport project they said they were against, now they are for and then they were against and suddenly I saw they were for again.” Moreover, Jagdeo said the recent declarations by the Finance Minister, which claimed that Guyana is bankrupt, could do severe harm to the economy as it will deter investments from investing in Guyana.

“Let me tell you, do not underestimate what that signals, when you say something like that what it means to the rest of the world. If investors hear you are bankrupted as a country, they will start thinking well the Government will raise taxes, if the insurance companies will start pushing the premium up, the cost of loans and interest rates go up. One little statement of that nature can make a huge difference and this country is not bankrupted by any stretch of the imagination,” he posited. Jagdeo also made reference to statements from Business Minister Dominic Gaskin regarding having a change in the framework in order to attract reputable investors. “Is he saying ExxonMobil is not reputable…CGX Energy is not reputable…Guyana Goldfields is not reputable,” he asked, noting that the framework of the country under the PPP/C was already attracting reputable investments. At the end of his presentation the Government side was clearly reeling from the facts that Former President and now Opposition Leader Jagdeo was able to marshal against their claims made earlier. Because the Government insisted on violating Parliamentary norms and conventions and preventing Jagdeo from being the penultimate speaker, the PPP/C walked out of the National Assembly after his presentation.

FM
Originally Posted by cain:
Originally Posted by Ramakant-P:

I don't believe that the Indians will not turn out to vote as Local district elections are not their cup of tea.  Before 1964 the villages were well developed and control by afros.  The Indians controlled the economy.  I enjoyed living in the village then.  We had no problems until those two Jackasses went into politics.

BJ an Ramtar?

Sorry to bust your bubbles.  in 1964 the Indians were kicked out of the villages and their propertied destroyed.  The villages suffered. The afros stole all the coconuts and sold them.  After that the coconut industries couldn't sustained themselves.   This will account for the shortages of coconut oil.

R

RIPPING THE SHAMELESS PNC/AFC PENSION HAND OUT TO SHREDS

 

 

PENSIONERS' CURRENT PENSION PER MONTH....................$13,125

WATER SUB 8,800 ELECTRICITY SUB $36,000 PER YR..........$ 3,733

 

SO WE CAN NOW SAY THAT THE PENSIONER MONTHLY........$16,858

 

INCREASED PENSION VIA BUDGET 2015............................$17,000

(WATER AND ELECTRICITY RATES WITHDRAWN)

 

SO LETS LOOK AT THE INCREASE $17,000 LESS $16,858  = $142.00

 

$142.00 PENSIONER'S INCREASE IS DISMALLY SHAMEFUL

 

 

WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT NEXT BUDGET THERE WILL BE SOMETHING MORE FOR PENSIONERS:

FM

“Ramjattan must go” – No 45 residents

Pamela Kendall

Pamela Kendall

Out-of-control crime rate…

– block roads after businesswoman succumbs to bandit’s bullet

Residents of Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Friday afternoon staged a bold protest calling for the resignation of Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan following an incident which saw a businesswoman from the area being gunned down by bandits.

The residents said they were saddened by the situation and the lack of adequate Police patrols in the area.

As a means of exhibiting the level of their dissatisfaction, the residents used an old tree and several old tyres to block a section of the road, allowing only one lane of traffic.

One protester shouted, “We don’t need no Police, leh we live in war.”

Another concerned and frustrated protester stated that the situation has become overbearing, since very little was being done.

Residents of Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Friday afternoon protesting the high crime rate

Residents of Number 45 Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Friday afternoon protesting the high crime rate

According to him, bandits have been causing havoc in their community, with innocent people losing their lives at the hands of these fearless perpetrators.  He questioned why the perpetrators were targeting their community regularly.

The Sookchand family also turned out to protest the senseless killing of their relative Pamela Kendall.

One family member said “this is sad, it is overbearing”, stressing that they were hardworking people who were mostly rice, livestock and cash crop farmers.

Another resident cried out, “Me is a member in this community here and is every night, every night something happening; this na right at all, we fed up”. Every night abay deh in fear hay. We can’t rest in peace.”

The residents are claiming that the armed perpetrators use the backlands as a means of escape in all of the robberies that were committed recently. They are questioning whether or not something would be done as the situation has grown to a point of major concern, putting all the residents in fear.

“We want Ramjattan gone. He is sheer talks….abbi a suffer night and day while he lock up tight in his office….dat can’t right…abbi right not fuh vote for dem…Granger should kick he out from dah position,” another irate resident related.

Others who were present said that they were appalled at the lack of concern shown by the new Government as far as fighting crime was concerned.

“Ramjattan and Seelall send SWAT and SWAT ain’t doing squat to help abbi poor people,” some of the protesters said.

 

Growing public intolerance

Their calls come as public intolerance for crime reaches its highest peak in the year, with many political commentators and politicians calling for Minister Ramjattan’s removal because of his inability to get on top of the situation although he has been in office for well over three months now.

Only on Thursday, the Minister was at the centre of another scandal when he sought to make a nexus between the firing of the Community Support Officers (CSOs) and the hike in the crime rate, insinuating that Amerindians were responsible for the hike, and in the process evoking high drama in the Parliament as the PPP/C sternly objected to the racist and discriminatory sentiments expressed by Ramjattan.

The Minister has also said that his crime-fighting strategy will incorporate the use of “dogs” and “horses” among other measures which have seen him being ridiculed by the public.

 

Police intervene

Meanwhile, Police met with the residents after clearing the road. It was agreed during the meeting that the Community Policing Group (CPG) will come out in full numbers as from Friday evening.

 Police related that they have arrested two persons in connection with the shooting to death of the woman on Thursday evening.

According to the Police in a release, they are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of 57-year-old Kendall, who was shot to her head.

Investigations have revealed that Kendall was in the kitchen area of her house, with the door open, when the armed perpetrator entered and shot her during a suspected robbery attempt.

She was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where she succumbed while receiving medical treatment.

Meanwhile, as the investigation continues, Police are to further question the dead woman’s husband, Deoram Soohand. He had provided an initial statement to Police of the incident.

Following the shooting incident on Thursday evening, Soohand said he and his wife had just returned home and he headed straight for the bathroom. He said as his wife was about to close the door a lone gunman entered the house and demanded cash and jewellery. The woman started to scream and immediately ran out of the house as a gunshot went off.

The incident occurred about 18:30h. At the time of the incident, there was a blackout in the community.

Reports are that Kendall ran to her brother’s house situated about 100 metres away but collapsed on the step. She was picked up by her nephews who then realised that she was bleeding. She was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital.

Kendall leaves to mourn a husband and three children.

This is the fourth time the family has been attacked.

There are reports that also on Thursday evening, armed bandits were seen under a house at Number 47 Village, two villages away from where Kendall was shot.

On August 4, eight heavily armed bandits chain sawed their way into the home where Minister Ramjattan was born and raised at Number 48 Village. When Police responded they came under fire and had their vehicle shot at.

FM
Originally Posted by Ramakant-P:
Originally Posted by cain:
Originally Posted by Ramakant-P:

I don't believe that the Indians will not turn out to vote as Local district elections are not their cup of tea.  Before 1964 the villages were well developed and control by afros.  The Indians controlled the economy.  I enjoyed living in the village then.  We had no problems until those two Jackasses went into politics.

BJ an Ramtar?

Sorry to bust your bubbles.  in 1964 the Indians were kicked out of the villages and their propertied destroyed.  The villages suffered. The afros stole all the coconuts and sold them.  After that the coconut industries couldn't sustained themselves.   This will account for the shortages of coconut oil.

So how come few blacks live in Indian villages.  You lying sack of manure fail to admit that BOTH races were chased out of villages where they were a minority.

FM

Ramsammy says all Indian Guyanese insulted when they referred to as "Coolie Bully" 

Leader of the Opposition and former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Leader of the Opposition and former President Bharrat Jagdeo

“Coolie Bully” racist slur

 …demands Nagamootoo resigns

 “Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo cannot excuse himself – he insulted not only the Leader of the Opposition, he insulted all Guyanese East Indians and East Indians everywhere. Calling former President Bharrat Jagdeo a “coolie bully” is not only derogatory to Jagdeo, but is deeply injurious to all East Indians and is a fatal blow to the efforts of many to promote unity of Guyanese people.” This is according to former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy in the wake of the comment made by the Prime Minister on Friday during the Budget debate.

He said even as the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) continued to “self-righteously proclaim that they want a unified nation and they are willing to work for unity, Moses Nagamootoo exposes the racist slant of APNU/AFC. In case anyone thinks I am going overboard and I am being too sensitive, imagine someone from the PPP/C calling any of the prominent African Guyanese leaders in APNU/AFC a “****** bully”. There will be such an outrage and vigorous calls for him or her to be charged for racist remarks. The call for that person’s resignation from Parliament would blare on all TV stations and radio stations and would occupy the headlines of all our newspapers.”

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Incidentally, the Guyana Human Right Association is quiet, Dr Ramsammy added. “Transparency International is in a fog and is on a hiatus from Guyana’s politics. Commentators like Christopher Ram and others are selectively deaf and dumb. The diplomats of ABC countries will argue this is a personal matter and they have no right to interfere in a sovereign country’s national politics.”

The truth is if there is any decency in this Administration, the former Health Minister said, Nagamootoo will be asked to resign. “This does not stop me from demanding that Nagamootoo resigns his position in Parliament,” he continued.

“To make this outrage even more preposterous is that he used the floor of the Parliament to insult the majority ethnic group of our country. For those East Indians who voted for APNU/AFC, they must register their disgust and let Nagamootoo know that he cannot get away with this racist vulgarity.”

Dr Ramsammy said the matter was even more troubling because Nagamootoo on the campaign trail in New York shortly before the 2015 elections denied he was a Guyanese East Indian. He insisted that he was a Guyanese, even as people like “David Granger and others at the same meeting refused to similarly deny their African origins and insist they too are simply Guyanese”. The former Minister alleged that “they are saying that Guyana has no place for East Indians. Their position is that East Indians must reject their East Indian identification if they want to fit into the fabric of a Guyanese society. African Guyanese do not have the same obligation”. Dr Ramsammy named Nagamootoo as the chief architect of this “heinous proposition”.

 

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Proud of culture

He said he immediately rejected that “terrible” suggestion then and remained resolute that as a proud East Indian he was as Guyanese as Nagamootoo or any APNU/AFC member. He added that he proudly served his country as a Guyanese citizen, but was never ashamed nor felt any need to cast his culture and ethnicity aside. “As strong as I feel and as proud as I am as an East Indian, I have always been 100 per cent Guyanese. I was a part of the PPP/C and I remain part of the PPP/C and one of the reasons is that Cheddi Jagan and the PPP always remained resolute in that no one had to cast aside his or her ethnicity and culture in order to be a 100% Guyanese.”

Dr Ramsammy called on former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and other lawyers to immediately institute charges against Nagamootoo for racism and for him to be debarred from Parliament.

He added that the Speaker of the National Assembly failed to implement the laws that prevent any MP from using racist language in our Parliament. “Now the PPP/C must call on the Speaker to take action against Mr Nagamootoo and Mr Nagamootoo must be taken before the Committee of Privileges for abusing the privileges that Parliament bestow on him. He has brought disrepute to the hallowed halls of our Parliament.”

Dr Ramsammy stressed that the “odious” behaviour of Nagamootoo in Parliament cannot be allowed to slide, particularly in the circumstances that exist in Guyana today. He charged that APNU/AFC has selectively fired large numbers of persons because they are associated with the PPP/C and most of them are East Indians.”

The charges of ethnic cleansing against this Administration have been loud and the evidence against this Administration for being unfair towards East Indians is compelling,” he added.

He said the comment demonstrates “the underlying ethnic tension that presently exists in Guyana”. “He demonstrated that APNU/AFC does not care what East Indians think. Guyana is their kingdom and they will do whatever they want,” Dr Ramsammy alleged.

He said the coalition railroaded its way into Parliament, sought to restrict debate on the 2015 budget and has broken all established norms in the running of Government.

The former Minister said Governance Minister Raphael Trotman emphatically admitted that “they now have their hands on the “kingdom”. In saying that the PPP/C needs to reconcile themselves with the fact that the “kingdom” is no longer in the PPP’s hands, he exposed how APNU/AFC sees Guyana and their role as government. It is a fiefdom and they will rule this fiefdom as they see fit”.

“But the PPP never saw our role in Government as being emperors and we never saw Guyana as our “kingdom”. We never thought that Guyana was a fiefdom for anyone. We saw Guyana as a nation made up of people of different ethnicities and culture, different religion and different political persuasion. We tried to govern a country where all citizens can see themselves as equal.

Clearly this Government is portraying itself by words and deeds that they govern Guyana differently. We may all be Guyanese citizens, but we are not all equal under APNU/AFC. The lead person for APNU/AFC in Parliament has again affirmed this position…. More than 200,000 Guyanese voters cry shame on Nagamootoo,” Dr Ramsammy concluded.

FM

Did the PNC/AFC rejoined in the Parliament when this scumbag Kakamootoo says "Coolie Bully" if they did then one would see why the country is torn down to the middle:

How can Indo Guyanaes now vote for the PNC/AFC who in form of the Prime Minister insulted Indo Guyanese?

 

I would have expected the an Afro Guyanese would have used this term but not Naga.

 

Et tu Nagamootoo.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

Creeping party paramountcy Burnham days once more with us.

The move by the Government to reduce the time for the PPP Opposition to scrutinise the Budget, line by line, from seven days to three days has been criticised by even commentators considered friendly to the APNU/AFC Government. What made the change even more egregious was that in the last Parliament, when the now Government was in opposition with a majority, they had changed the schedule for their budget scrutiny to seven days. If it was good for themselves in opposition, why is it suddenly now “bad”? The excuse offered that they need the four days to “get going” cannot hold water.

Whatever the real motives, the effect of the action to truncate examination of the Government spending more than $200B will have a chilling effect on the institutionalisation of democracy in Guyana. The PNC Government had rejected the notion of an effective Opposition by dubbing the latter as the “Minority Party” even as they declared the “paramountcy” of the governing “majority” party over the Government.

Back at the beginning of the millennium, when the PNCR had bludgeoned the PPP Government to the table, they insisted on the importance of an Opposition scrutinisingGovernmental operations. Subsequent constitutional changes instituted four Sectoral Committees to perform that function from an operational standpoint. The Budget-scrutiny process, was also strengthened by creating an Office of the Opposition staffed to assist the Opposition in this process, much as the staff of the various Ministries do for the Government.

It is now clear that combined with the move to deny Governmentspeakers’ time-extensions to make presentations while routinely granting them for the Government’s speakers, violates the democratic maxim – auditor et alters pars – “the other side must be heard”. The concatenation of this stifling of the Opposition in Parliament with the mass firings of individuals identified as “PPP supporters” in the Public Service and replacing them with loyalists of the APNU/AFC coalition, further signals the return of the old PNC “party paramountcy”.

Many of the firings, after all, were done by fiat of Ministers, rather than going through the administrative procedures established to ensure justice and due process. The cleansing, whether “ethnic” or “political”, has gone beyond quasi-autonomous agencies and has percolated into Governmental corporations such as GuySuCo and GPL. Even though the previous Government had been trenchantly criticised by the newGovernment when in Opposition, they imposed the same 5% increase on Public Servants without consultation with the trade unions. To rub salt into the wound, the increase took effect only from July 1st rather than Jan 1st as was customary under the PPP.

What makes the actions of the Government even more alarming to a democratic culture is that they are diametrically opposed to the statements of the major partner in the coalition on the need for a “more inclusive” Government for Guyana given the fractured nature of the society. The insistence of the PPP for more “trust” to be developed between APNU and the PPP before they would sign on to discussions of power sharing, now appear very prudent given the peripheralisation of the AFC from any real power and authority in the Government.

The largest partner in the APNU is the PNC and both the WPA and to a lesser extent the AFC has been at odds with that partner in the decision making process after they won the elections. The WPA went on record to point out that they could not even secure a meeting to articulate their concerns about strategy. The Cummingsburg Accord between the APNU and the AFC has been so clearly violated that no further comment is necessary.

As is inevitable with the development of party paramountcy, even within the PNC there has been a centralisation of power to a core of ex-army officials. Citizens of all political persuasions must insist that the drift from democratic norms to party paramountcy be halted forthwith.

FM

Nagamootoo’s self hate…

…and the Indian “N” word

Your Eyewitness was shocked – but not surprised – that Moses Nagamootoo, Vice President and Prime Minister of Guyana used the racially offensive term “Coolie” to describe former President BharratJagdeo. And of all places – the National Assembly of Guyana. But US President Barrack Obama did say, “you can put lipstick on a pig…but it’s still a pig”, no?

Nagamootoo always presented an image of crassness and crudeness and even as he hurled accusations of the same at Jagdeo, his Neanderthal intonations and hate-contorted face made it clear he was projecting his tortured inner demons. Here in the 21st century, with the charges of ethnic and racial discriminations flying furiously in our country – and the same beamed in from the U.S. daily, – what kind of man would descend into such despicable gutter language?

A man who could boast in the same hallowed halls of Parliament, that he yelled at his grandson, “shut yuh so-and-so mouth!!”. That’s who. A man who could gratuitously inform a New York audience that, honoured by the Global Organisation of People’s of Indian Origin, he told them, “I am not an Indian”. That’s who. A man who is so lacking in self esteem that he projects his self hate on the group he came out of. That’s who.

Nagamootoo tried to share blame for the use of the odious term “Coolie” by noting that it had been used by Joey Jagan, who was in the visitor’s gallery as he spewed his hatred at Jagdeo. It was true that DrJagan’s prodigal son had uttered the words “Coolie Bully” to Jagdeo during the last elections. But most folks dismiss Joey Jagan with a rueful shake of the head and a muttered “Da chap head na good”! What’s Nagamootoo’s excuse?

Well, he could always say he was singing for his supper! Guyanese know that with even neutral observers like Clairmont Lye condemning the ethnic discriminatory actions of the APNU/AFC government, it’s two Indians -Nagamootoo and Ramjattan who’ve been tasked to rebut. But it’s more than that. Nagamootoo (and Ramjattan) are so filled with self-hate that they hope their Uncle Tom’s behaviour will redeem their lost psyches.

Then there’s what Nietzsche described with the French term, “ressentiment”. “The man of ressentiment is neither upright nor naive nor honest and straightforward with himself. His soul squints; his spirit loves hiding places, secret paths and back doors…he understands how to keep silent, how not to forget, how to wait.”

The “Coolie” slur is only the beginning: the ressentiment of Nagamootoo will continue to boil over. Beware!!

 

…and obsessive comparison with others

For the man of low self-esteem and self hate like Nagamootoo, he’ll constantly be comparing himself with those around him…as he constantly looks for “slights and put downs” – which sadly are all mostly in his own fevered mind. Take his “explanation” as to why he insisted that he get a raise – which is not ACTUALLY a 100% raise so it’s OK!!

The man (OK…your Eyewitness knows he’s taking liberties with the term!!) actually had the temerity to announce that he just wanted $100 (doesn’t matter is its U.S. or GY) more than the AG!!!

Can you believe it? This is straight from the psychiatrist’s couch! Why does his salary have to be greater than the AG’s. Why does this irk him so? HE IS PM and VP!!

And for a man with no self esteem, the salary discrepancy eats away at his mental equilibrium like a canker.

Nagamootoo’s one sick dude!

 

…and pitiful self denial

And why was Nagamootoo so pi55ed at Jagdeo? Well that’s his default state since Jagdeo accepted to return to Parliament as Opposition Leader. How’s you feel, dear reader, to see the fella who bitched slapped you senseless for a decade right in front of you!!

OUCH!!

FM

2015 Budget does not provide for Old Age Pension increases ­- Opposition

August 27, 2015 | By | Filed Under News 

After scrutinizing the 2015 budget estimates yesterday, the political opposition said it discovered what it described as another aspect of the “deceptive budget.” It said that that nowhere in the estimates provides for the increases in the Old Age pension to $17,000. Leveling this accusation against the government was former Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill. He told members of the House that after perusing the estimates, it is clear that the current allocation in the budget would not be sufficient. Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence, in defending the budget, said that the increases are not provided for under the allocations of her ministry but under the Ministry of Finance. She initially stated that $2.7B was provided for to cover the increases, and later clarified that it was $2.82B. Lawrence failed, however, to clarify that this sum was allocated under her ministry as revealed by the budget estimates. But when the calculations were done by the opposition, it still insisted that the figures still did not add up. The People’s Progressive Party later issued a statement to the media informing once more on its position on the matter. The Opposition called on the Granger-led Administration to provide a proper explanation on the inadequate budgetary allocations for the proposed increase in Old Age Pension. The Party pointed out that in 2014, the PPP/C administration spent $7,895,554,000 to benefit approximately 43,500 pensioners and almost 10,000 persons on Public Assistance. It stated however, that in 2015 the current administration, with its announced increases in Old Age Pension to $17,000, only allocated $8, 085,442,000, approximately $190 Million increase over 2014, to finance this increase for the period September to December 2015. The party made it clear that approximately $675 Million would be required, $485 Million more than what is budgeted for 2015. It stated that “a simple crunching of the numbers will show that based on the increased sums allocated in the 2015 Budget, Old Age Pensioners in real terms, will only benefit from a $300 increase monthly”. It emphasised that “this most recent act of deception by the Granger Administration is a flagrant betrayal of Guyana, more particularly the senior citizens”. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan was subsequently asked to shed some light on the matter. He said, “Look, he (Edghill) is dead wrong.” Jordan said that $243.4M has been allocated for public assistance while a total of $2.82B has been allocated for pensioners. The Finance Minister noted that $30M has also been provided for, to assist single parents. This, he said, gives a total of $3.156B which is provided for under the Ministry of Social Protection. He said that Ms. Lawrence was just ill­-advised by her technical staff. Edghill later reiterated to the media that the Finance Minister did not truly provide any real increase for the pensioners in the budget, but rather eliminated the subsidies for water and electricity and took the usual allocation for that and redirected it this year to the increases for pensioners.

 
FM

Beyond the Promises

The newly-elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government’s deadline for the implementation of its laudable 100-day plan expired at the break of dawn today.

Many of the promises contained within that plan, which was used to muster up political support ahead of the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, remain unfulfilled.

Regardless of the “A” Grade that the new Government has given itself, it has failed miserably in the eyes of the populace as far as honouring these simple yet complex election goodies promises to the masses.

On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

At the moment of the expiration of the 100 days, the Value Added Tax nor Berbice River Bridge tolls have not been reduced. The new Government while in Opposition campaigned heavily on these issues and they should have been effected within the first 100 days without any excuses.

There were no “significant” increases for public servants on the traditional payroll. What workers got, in fact, was a five per cent increase, while those below the minimum wage which account for less than 15 per cent of the entire public sector benefited from “moderate increases” as a result of the hike in the minimum wage. While Government gave Old Age Pensioners a meagre $4000 more, it removed their ability to benefit from millions of dollars in subsidies for water and electricity.

Linden still does not have its television station and there is no establishment of “passport and birth certificate licensing offices in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden”. A makeshift facility was put in place so persons could receive their documents but not process them.

No date for Local Government Elections has been set and the new Government seems confused as to when these elections could be practically held. This is the most criminal breach of the plan given the positions adopted by the Government when it was in Opposition. There is no procurement Commission nor was constitutional reform delivered. No conference for women was held in reality nor was there a national youth council meeting. There has been no liberalisation of the Telecommunications and Information Communication Technology Sectors. There is no long-term economic development plan put forward by the new Government for the full realisation of the country’s vast potential.

The Government has failed the people and must be held accountable for the non-implementation of this plan and the Cummingsburg Accord regardless of the recent publicity stunt pulled and led by Messrs Harmon and Nagamootoo.

While the Government has not managed to completely accomplish its 100-day plan, it has managed to fire thousands of workers from the public service and within Government’s employ. Many of them coincidentally or not have been East Indians and Amerindians who supported the PPP/C.

The Government over the first 100 days managed to pull out a birthday bash and inauguration for the new President which amounted to millions of dollars as well. Over this same period, it managed to purchase a $22 million vehicle for the new Prime Minister and pay for partially or entirely the trips of several of its Ministers abroad for political and other forms of business.

It has also failed to address the crime and security needs of the masses, as scores were murdered, robbed or died as a result of road accidents during its first 100 days. Ironically, the President’s, PM’s, and Vice Presidents’ security details were enhanced and extensive repairs were made to their roads and residence within that time frame.

Perhaps even more criminal was the Government’s hypocrisy in delivering a PPP-derived budget to the populace which featured butchered, cut and pasted policies within a questionable legislative and economic framework to the Parliament.

The next 100 days await the public and given the trend, no one should hold their breath hoping for a fresh approach or paradigm shift.

FM
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

FM
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

The economy was already down the drain before 5/11.

Mitwah
Last edited by Mitwah
Originally Posted by Mitwah:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

The economy was already down the drain before 5/11.

That's for the birds, not the people living there.  Alyuh bruk up things, typical PNC style.

FM
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by Mitwah:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

The economy was already down the drain before 5/11.

That's for the birds, not the people living there.  Alyuh bruk up things, typical PNC style.

tings were already brucked up before 5/11... APNU Cum AFC have the task of fixing it.

Mitwah
Originally Posted by Mitwah:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

The economy was already down the drain before 5/11.

That's have no excuse.  They promised recovery which they don't have the means to.  You are backing people who don't like you.   They are cheats and hypocrites.  They did everything in their power to win the election.  The results of the election were fixed with the help of GECOM. 

R
Originally Posted by Ramakant-P:
Originally Posted by Mitwah:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

The economy was already down the drain before 5/11.

That's have no excuse.  They promised recovery which they don't have the means to.  You are backing people who don't like you.   They are cheats and hypocrites.  They did everything in their power to win the election.  The results of the election were fixed with the help of GECOM. 

But in the end their "shit will float" and they will be exposed.

FM
Originally Posted by Ramakant-P:
Originally Posted by Mitwah:
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

Beyond the Promises


On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100-day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

This banna is such a con-man.  All they have are the empty promises, they have delivered little to nothing and have taken the economy down the drain.

The economy was already down the drain before 5/11.

That's have no excuse.  They promised recovery which they don't have the means to.  You are backing people who don't like you.   They are cheats and hypocrites.  They did everything in their power to win the election.  The results of the election were fixed with the help of GECOM. 

this is the barefoot drunkman brief against APNU-AFC gov't . . . writ large

 

uh huh

FM

Crabwood Creek home invasion

Out-of-control crime spirals

 

Armed bandits rob, terrorise family

 

A Crabwood Creek, Berbice family was left traumatised on Sunday after five gunmen invaded their home and carted off an undisclosed sum of money and jewellery.

According to information received, the five armed men gained entry into the home of Krishnadatt Jettoo of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne through a window in the lower flat of the building which they pierced open. After gaining entry, they reportedly went to the upper flat of the house.

Guyana Times understands that upon hearing footsteps in the house about 02:30h, Jettoo and his wife thought it was one of their children. As they got up to check, they were reportedly confronted by the bandits who held them at gunpoint and demanded cash and jewellery.

The couple were reluctant to cooperate at first, but the gunmen reportedly threatened to kill Jettoo. As two of the men held them at gunpoint, the others ransacked the home where they found a quantity of US and Guyanese currency. They also found a quantity of jewellery. It was not clear where the children were at the time of the robbery.

The men then tied the couple up and ordered them not to raise an alarm as they made good their escape. A Police rank disclosed that the men escaped in a white Carina 212 motor car, according to reports. The men, based on information received, are known to law enforcement. The Police have since visited the home of the owner of the car, but he was not at home.

The investigation continues. Criminal activity continues to surge in Guyana. On Friday morning, three armed men invaded the home of Georgetown Town Clerk Royston King and carted off an undisclosed sum of money, mobile phone and other items. As Police responded to the scene, three men who were travelling on foot in the area at the time were arrested and were assisting with the investigation.

At the time of their apprehension, one of the men had a mobile phone similar to the one that was taken from King’s home. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

FM

108 murders recorded; 12% increase in serious crimes

September 11, 2015 4:01 pm Category: latest news A+ / A-

murder_350_111412071506[www.inewsguyana.com] – At the end of August 2015, the Guyana Police Force recorded a 12% increase in serious crimes in comparison to the same period in 2014.

Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

Statistics released by the Force revealed that a total of 104 murders were recorded at the end of August 2015 in comparison to 98 murders at the end of August 2014, an increase of 6%.

As of September 10, 2015, four more murders have been recorded, bringing the total to 108. At the end of August 2015 robbery under arms overall has increased by 3% in comparison to the same period in 2014.

The statistics indicate an increase of 4% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms while the number of armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators is similar.

[File Photo]

[File Photo]

The police force noted that there has been an increase of 65% in the number of reports of rape with 271 reports at the end of August this year compared to 164 for the same period last year. Break and Enter and Larceny and Burglary have shown an overall increase of 13%.

 

Meanwhile, at the end of August this year, a total of 81 illegal firearms have been recovered by the police comprising 1 sub-machine gun, 46 pistols, 21 revolvers, 6 shotguns, 6 rifles and 1 pen-gun. This compares to a total of 53 illegal firearms that were recovered unto this time last year.

In relation to the firearm amnesty, further to the Police Force’s Press Release that was made on September 08, 2015, as of September 10, 2015, two 16 gauge shotguns and 2 matching cartridges were handed in to “F” Division; two air rifles and one .32 pistol with 2 matching rounds were received in “A” Division and a .22 air rifle was surrendered in “E” Division (Linden/Kwakwani).

The Police Force is continuing in its efforts aimed at crime prevention through its police-community partnership programme, along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions, with special emphasis on empowering youths.

FM

MORE RAPES, ROBBERIES AND MURDERS: POLICE

More rapes, robberies and murders- police

 

 The Guyana Police Force on Friday reported  a steep increase in serious crimes including rapes, robberies and murders.

The statistics in relation to the offences of murder and robbery under arms at the end of August2015 with corresponding statistics for the same period in 2014 are attached. At the end of August 2015 the Guyana Police Force recorded a 12% increase in serious crimes in comparison to the same period in 2014. Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping. A total of 104 murders were recorded at the end of August 2015 in comparison to 98 murders at the end of August 2014, an increase of 6%. Unto the yesterday, 10th of this month, September 2015, 4more murders have been recorded. At the end of August 2015 robbery under arms overall has increased by 3% in comparison to the same period in 2014. The statistics indicate an increase of 4% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; while the number of armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetratorsis similar. There has been an increase of 65% in the number of reports of rape with 271reports at the end of August this year compared to 164 for the same period last year. Break and Enter and Larceny and Burglary have shown an overall increase of 13%. Unto the end of August this year, a total of 81 illegal firearms have been recovered by the police comprising 1 sub-machine gun,46 pistols, 21 revolvers, 6 shotguns, 6 rifles and 1 pen-gun. This compares to a total of 53 illegal firearms that were recovered unto this time last year. In relation to the firearm amnesty, further to the Police Force's Press Release that was made on September 08, 2015, unto yesterday September 10, 2015, additionally two (2) 16 gauge shotguns and 2 matching cartridges were handed in to "F" Division; two (2) air rifles and one (1) .32 pistol with 2 matching rounds were received in "A" Division; and a .22 air rifle was surrendered in "E" Division (Linden/Kwakwani). The Police Force is continuing in its efforts aimed at crime prevention through its police-community partnership programme, along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions, with special emphasis on empowering youths. During last month interaction between the police and youths attached to Police Youth Clubs in "A" Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) saw a number of children being involved in a spelling bee competition, educational talks focusing on motivation, nutrition and healthy living, visits to places of interest such as the National Park and the Zoo, softball cricket and other recreational activities and training sessions in information technology, fire prevention and first aid. The Division also held its inaugural Ms. Youth Ambassador Pageant 2015 on August 15, 2015, at the St. Stanislaus College, Georgetown, where Miss Onica Lynch from the Albouystown Group was crowned Ms. Youth Ambassador 2015. In "B" Division (Berbice) the police donated sports gears comprising two prefab football goals along with nets and a football to the community of Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam, in further efforts to boost police community relations. The Division will also be making efforts to assist with the improvement of the playground in the community. On August 27, 2015, the police in "D" Division (West Demerara/East Bank Essequibo) launched its "See Something, Say Something" initiative under the Divisional C-PETS programme in its quest to reduce crime. The initiative is in collaboration with the faith-based leaders attached to the Cops and Faith Community Network. During the launching of the initiative at the Tuschen Car Park, East Bank Essequibo, the police conducted a back-to-school distribution exercise where a number of children received backpacks with school stationery and water bottles. In "E" Division (Linden/Kwakwani) a football tournament among 14 teams from Police Youth Clubs was held at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground, Wismar; a day of sports was also held at Silver Hill, Soesdyke/Linden Highway; and the youths were involved in first aid training and a workshop on Peer Pressure as well as a cheese straw making competition. In "F" Division (Interior Locations) a three-week community project was conducted at Itabali, Mazaruni, between August 02 and 23, 2015. The project involved 64 youths from the Purple Heart Police Youth Group where they were engaged in skills training, craftwork, sports and educational talks. On August 03, 2015, the police in "G" Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) launched a four-week empowerment project for 23 youths from the Dartmouth community during which they will be exposed to home economic skills at the Essequibo Technical Institute. Upon the successful completion of the programme the youths will be certified by the Carnegie School of Home Economics. Divisional Commanders also held a number of community outreach meetings where issues and concerns raised by members of the public were addressed. During August 2015 there was a total of twenty four (24) interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network which treats with juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a preemptive intervention to the New Opportunity Corps. Since the launch of the Cops and Faith Community Network in September 2013 and unto August 31, 2015, there has been a total of 210 such interventions. In all cases the youths were counseled by the religious leaders and following the involvement of parents/guardians, and the victims where necessary, the majority of them were warned and sent away. In relation to the Family Liaison for victims of serious crimes and domestic violence project, which is also under the Cops and Faith Community Network, there were seventeen (17) interventions by members of the religious community in response toattempt suicide, and several cases of serious crimes including armed robbery and murder where the affected persons, victims and relatives, were counseled. A number of police ranks who were involved in incidents where they came under fire while responding to reports were also counseled by the religious leaders. In relation to traffic,80 road fatalities from 66 accidents have been recorded at the end of August 2015, in comparison to 89 fatalities from 82 accidents for the same period in 2014, a decrease of 10%. There have also been decreases in all other categories of road accidents – serious, minor and damage. Pedestrianshas been the main category of road users affected so far in road fatalities with 28 such persons having lost their lives at the end of August2015. In addition 6 pedal cyclists, 21 persons in motor vehicles, 11 motor cyclists, 10 drivers, 3 pillion riders and 1 person who was being towed on a bicyclealso lost their lives. Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of 31 of the 66 fatal accidents unto August 2015. Traffic enforcement by the police has resulted in a total of 37,545 cases for this year being made against errant motorists at the end of August 2015; of this total 15,640 cases were for speeding, 1,251 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 398 for using cell phone while driving and 1,034 for failing to wear seat belt. Unto yesterday Thursday September 10, 2015, there has been one (1) road fatality recorded for September 2015.

FM

Serious crimes spiral by another 12%

Slain: Sanassie Lewis

…109 murders, 271 rapes, 792 armed robberies for 2015

 

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday reported that up to the end of August 2015, the murder toll has risen to 104 when compare to 98 for the same period in 2014 – an increase of six per cent. An addition, five murders were committed thus far in September taking the tally to 109.

The Police also confirmed that serious crime is up by 12 per cent.

Based on the statistics released by the GPF on Friday, a whooping 38 of the total amount of murders were committed in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank) followed by 19 in C Division (East Coast Demerara) and 17 in B Division (Berbice).

Fifteen of them were committed in F Division (Interior locations), six in G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands), five in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) and four in D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo).

In addition, 42 of the murders were as a result of disorderly behaviour while 24 were from unknown causes and 17 occurred during armed robberies. Also, sever person were killed execution style, 12 as a result of domestic disputes and two by other means.

Slain: Kellon Hinds

Slain: Kellon Hinds

However, among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

At the end of August 2015, robbery under arms overall has increased by three per cent in comparison to the same period in 2014. The statistics indicate that 539 cases of armed robberies involving the use of firearms were recorded, which saw an increase of four per cent, compared to the same period last year. As well, there were 253 cases of armed robberies where instrument other than firearms were used by the perpetrator. The same amount was reported for the same period in 2014.

However, the Police have stated that 271 reports were made against rapists which saw a whopping 65 per cent increase when compared to 164 cases last year. Other crimes which recorded increases were break and enter, and larceny and burglary. These crimes saw a 13 per cent increase.

As the Force continues its operations, a total of 81 illegal firearms have been recovered up to end of August 2015 comprising one sub-machine gun, 46 pistols, 21 revolvers, six shotguns, six rifles and one pen-gun. This compares to a total of 53 illegal firearms that were recovered unto this time last year.

Meanwhile, in relation to the firearm amnesty programme currently in effect, in addition to the seven guns, 1460 ammo that were handed over in the first week, two 16-gauge shotguns and two matching cartridges were handed in to F Division (Interior locations); two air rifles and one .32 pistol with 2 matching rounds were received in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara); and a .22 air rifle was surrendered in E Division (Linden-Kwakwani).

Those that were collected in the first week included 1191 rounds of 7.62×51 ammunition; two .22 Pistols, along with 55 matching rounds of ammunition and three magazines; one shotgun with one cartridge; one 9mm Luger pistol along with nine matching rounds; and one .32 Walter pistol with one magazine along with 193 matching rounds. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

FM
 
PNC/AFC GOVT ROBBING DE OLE PEOPLE:
 
September 11, 2015 | By | Filed Under Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News 
 

Conning old people and li’l children is one of de worse thing you can do pun de face of de earth. Dem is two set of people that you mustn’t promise nutten and never tek way anything from dem. Dem never forget; dem hold you in dem mind, heart body and soul till you buy sweetie and chocolate fuh dem. In de same breath everybody know scampishness and cockishness can never done. One set of govt scamps gone out and de whole country was happy. Dem think that this set wha come in nah got hair in dem palm and that dem is Sunday school people like Soulja Bai. Danny Bai, de man who hold de purse string, tun out to be wuss than de Shaat scamp who use to sit down in he chair. He con dem pensioners. And is Jagdeo, who resemble de devil, train him. He use to wuk wid Jagdeo in de Finance Ministry until he get kick. When he present de budget de other day he announce that dem would get an increase from $13,000 to $17,000. Some of dem old people laugh till dem teeth fall out. De old people dem use to get a water bill and a light bill both total li’l more than $5,000. Now that de pension increase to $17,000 Danny Bai, de con artist, tell dem old people that dem got to pay dem full light bill and water bill like everybody else. De old people dem seh this would add up to more than de $17,000 wha dem getting. De Waterfalls paper wasn’t so busy fuh a lang time. Nuff of dem old people come in to complain how this new govt wuss than de old one. Dem give li’l bit wid one hand and mek we smile, and grab back more than wha dem give wid de other hand. One old lady seh that is then she realize is another set of thieves she dealing wid. She know bout dem pastor who does rob de congregation blind. Dem does rob de young and de old whether you hot or you cold. Danny Bai is de same thing. Soulja Bai and de first lady are pensioners. Dem does go to church and pray but that didn’t stop Danny Bai from robbing dem.  He con nuff of he own colleagues—Scott, Roopnaraine, Moses, Noel, Greenidge and some others. Dem boys want him to know that con men does end up in jail and dem hope he don’t end up wheh Jagdeo and Brassington gun end up fuh doing what dem did to dem poor people in Guyana. Talk half and remember wha goes round does come around.

One old lady seh that is then she realize is another set of thieves she dealing wid. She know bout dem pastor who does rob de congregation blind. Dem does rob de young and de old whether you hot or you cold. Danny Bai is de same thing. Soulja Bai and de first lady are pensioners. Dem does go to church and pray but that didn’t stop Danny Bai from robbing dem.  He con nuff of he own colleagues—Scott, Roopnaraine, Moses, Noel, Greenidge and some others. Dem boys want him to know that con men does end up in jail and dem hope he don’t end up wheh Jagdeo and Brassington gun end up fuh doing what dem did to dem poor people in Guyana. Talk half and remember wha goes round does come around.

FM

The old lady should shut up and be thankful she got a pension increase. What she wants, without daring to say it, is for the tax paying population to pay more taxes so that she can get an even bigger pension to offset the cost of living. The money won't come out of tin air.

Mr.T

100s silently forced to resign – Opposition Leader Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

APNU/AFC Govt “witch hunt”

Less than six months after the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition took office, hundreds of people are being “quietly terminated”, because of their ethnicity and/or their perceived political affiliation, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo claimed.

A large number of officials who served under the previous regime have already had their employment terminated.

The former President told Guyana Times on Friday evening, “Those who are not being terminated because of these, their job environment is being made so uncomfortable that they are being forced to resign. So that is a silent number we don’t see who are forced to resign because of workplace discrimination…and what we have replacing them are people who are unqualified, who are pure politicians, like in the case of Berbice with Mr [Veerasammy] Ramayya.” He was referring to Ramaya who was dubbed “quasi political” by Minister of the Presidency Joseph Harmon.

Bharat Dindyal

Bharat Dindyal

He said Government’s move to appoint Ramayya as the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was “very disturbing”.

“Ramayya replaced a technical person and unfortunately, he does not possess any financial skills to manage the finances of the said Region,” Jagdeo stated.

Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali told this newspaper that the issue of “witch-hunting” and harassment of public servants and public officials continued to be one that was of great concern to him and his party.

“A lot of young professionals, the stories are not coming out in the press, they are forced on a daily basis to resign because of the inhumane treatment, because of the harassment, because of the insults that are meted out to them. This is something that continues on a daily basis. The most recent case is that of Mr Chamanlall Naipaul, who comes from Region Three. I think it is disgusting to [so] treat a senior journalist, a man who has so much of experience and has given so much of his life towards journalism, especially in Government service,” said Ali.

Lionel Wordsworth

Lionel Wordsworth

He stated that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo must be aware of the potential and capabilities of Naipaul because the two of them worked with each other during the Guyana Information Service (GIS) days.

“I know this personally. I think that we have to address the issue nationally whereby professionals, a lot of young professionals are sent home, sent on leave and harassed to resign and these are the stories that are not getting out there. I think that the population needs to understand that this is not only an ethnic issue, but this is an issue which is about retaining the skills, protecting people’s rights and their interests,” the PPP/C MP explained.

He noted that if persons in authority or those who have some power in the country could not protect these workers’ rights and their interests as well as their democratic freedoms with regard to employment, then “we are in a serious state” here in Guyana.

Ali emphasised that the powers that be should and are expected to execute their duties and obligations to all citizens of Guyana without fear or favour and without affection or ill will.

Rajendra Singh

Rajendra Singh

“If you are going to say the perception of someone being affiliated with a political party and to harass them, to have them be fired, giving them retirement packages, I think it is directly infringing on persons’ democratic rights in workplaces… we believe that regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation, they must have fair access to such,” he added.

Badree Persaud

Badree Persaud

Only recently, several high-profile officials were sent on leave including the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Rajendra Singh; the Guyana Oil Company, Badree Persaud; the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth; and Guyana Power and Light, Bharat Dindyal among others

FM
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

It is actually a case of 100 deciding to flee before they get catch for corruption in public office.

Some would call it "Ethnic Cleansing" by the PNC/AFC Government.

 

It goes like this........assuming that you are in Guyana, lets say in June/July and for some reason or the other, you have to go to the NIS office, in Camp Street, and there you observed that about the twenty persons worked in the office....there were about Fifteen Afro Guyanese, and about Five were Indo Guyanese.........happenly you have to go back in July/August and you noticed that there are twenty Afro Guyanese and nil Indo Guyanes..................means that all the Indo Guyanese were sent home: and this my friend, is what Indo Guyanese would call "Ethnic Cleansing"

 

And this is what is happening in Guyana as I was told.

 

FM

And if you think that what I am stating here is fibs, then I would challenge you to have one of the Gazillion of PNC/AFC Ministers to visit the NIS Office and see the employment policy there. 

 

It stinks of Racial Discriminations............makes one believe that they are in some African Country when visiting the NIS Offices.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Originally Posted by asj:
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

It is actually a case of 100 deciding to flee before they get catch for corruption in public office.

Some would call it "Ethnic Cleansing" by the PNC/AFC Government.

 

It goes like this........assuming that you are in Guyana, lets say in June/July and for some reason or the other, you have to go to the NIS office, in Camp Street, and there you observed that about the twenty persons worked in the office....there were about Fifteen Afro Guyanese, and about Five were Indo Guyanese.........happenly you have to go back in July/August and you noticed that there are twenty Afro Guyanese and nil Indo Guyanes..................means that all the Indo Guyanese were sent home: and this my friend, is what Indo Guyanese would call "Ethnic Cleansing"

 

And this is what is happening in Guyana as I was told.

 

Have you taken into consideration that the indo Guyanese had initially been given a job because they had a friend to fix them up, but the situation has now changed where people with the right skills are now being employed? Don't forget that most of the skilled and highly educated Indo Guyanese flee to North America or Europe, whilst the skilled and educated Afro Guyanese has to look for work all the way in Fiji because of lack of opportunities given to them under the PPP.

Mr.T
Originally Posted by Mr.T:
Originally Posted by asj:
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

It is actually a case of 100 deciding to flee before they get catch for corruption in public office.

Some would call it "Ethnic Cleansing" by the PNC/AFC Government.

 

It goes like this........assuming that you are in Guyana, lets say in June/July and for some reason or the other, you have to go to the NIS office, in Camp Street, and there you observed that about the twenty persons worked in the office....there were about Fifteen Afro Guyanese, and about Five were Indo Guyanese.........happenly you have to go back in July/August and you noticed that there are twenty Afro Guyanese and nil Indo Guyanes..................means that all the Indo Guyanese were sent home: and this my friend, is what Indo Guyanese would call "Ethnic Cleansing"

 

And this is what is happening in Guyana as I was told.

 

Have you taken into consideration that the indo Guyanese had initially been given a job because they had a friend to fix them up, but the situation has now changed where people with the right skills are now being employed? Don't forget that most of the skilled and highly educated Indo Guyanese flee to North America or Europe, whilst the skilled and educated Afro Guyanese has to look for work all the way in Fiji because of lack of opportunities given to them under the PPP.

When people voted in the May General Election, many many Indo Guyanese voted for a change, that is they vote for a Political Party that would stop all

these lawlessness and corruptions, suffice to say that the party that they voted, seems worse that was there before.

All you can say about friends fixing up friends for jobs is just poppycocks,

The people votes are sacred, they trusted the PNC/AFC and this entity failed them miserably...........with lots of the Old PNC discriminations back in the fore, it is like Burnham Days once again.

 

It it still now like Guyanese living in Africa. That is what the PNC/AFC reduced Guyanese to.

FM
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

There is no magic bullet to undo 23 years of suffering in the space of a few months.

Tell that to the Pensioners who were glaringly robbed by this new PNC/AFC government.

FM

Govt strangling housing, construction sectors

…should intervene to boost sector; stimulate economy – former Housing Minister

Private developers’ investment is driven by confidence in the economy and the Government’s approach towards the

Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

Former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali

housing sector, but from all indications; it appears as though the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) administration has no real direction in which it wants to take this sector – ultimately the country. This is according to former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali who has been observing with much alarm the current inactivity with respect to housing policies – most of which is to be blamed upon Government’s tepid general approach to the sector and lack of support projects to stimulate investment. “In my view, the policy approach to housing is not only regressive but lazy. The housing sector has to be driven by dynamic leadership,” Ali pointed out, hoping that Government immediately corrects its mistakes. Firstly, the former Minister advised that Government needs to shake off its slothful and uninspiring approach to the sector. “There is no excitement,” he highlighted, noting that private developers will not be attracted to a market that has not potential to grow. “The market has to be stimulated, vibrant and generally project positive outlook in terms of future value (FV) and net present value (NPV). For there to be a meeting of interest between the Government and Private Sector, the Government has to be seen as aggressive,” Ali explained. Secondly, he pointed out that Budget 2015 makes no provision for new infrastructural projects that would stimulate expenditure in the sector. Further, Ali reminded that the five alternative bypasses linking Diamond to Eccles have been shelved, noting that this is another flawed action by the Government which signals its disinterest in the housing sector. Thirdly, Ali recognised that there is not a single strategic approach in catalysing the potential of linking transformative infrastructure with housing. He said the Government has built up so much negativity around these projects that they have now virtually eroded the injective benefit it has for the economy. “An example of this was the marketing of Silica City as a spinoff of the New Airport and a transshipment hub that the Lethem Georgetown road link will create. A second example is the inability of the Government to reconcile with the vision of investing in the housing infrastructure for the new Ogle/ Cummings Lodge Area. So in essence, we will be building that new road link but delaying the supportive or secondary infrastructure that has the greatest potential to drive Private Sector activity,” the former Minister stated. Moreover, Ali admitted that the agreements with private investors must be adhered to but highlighted that if the Government’s negative approach is eroding confidence in the sector then more exposure in spending by the Private Sector can create greater national problems. He noted that most private developers operate on large over drafts or loans therefore if liquidity is used up in still assets or non productive assets then not only are the private investors but also the financial institutions exposed.

FM

Economic decline will affect those at the bottom

The Guyanese economy has been on a downward spiral since the May 11 Election period, but unlike the recurrent trend, this “quasi” decline is prolonging, without any prospects of amelioration in the near future. Most analysts expect the downturn to become a full-blown decline, which is defined as two successive quarters of declining growth. We have completed one quarter. While those in the business sector expect some level of slowdown during the elections as it has always been in the country due to the heavy tensions that reign, what was not expected is this status quo where the economy seems to be hovering at a standstill. It appears as though this current administration either does not have the necessary expertise to chart a course for steady economic growth and development, or doesn’t have economic growth as a priority. Observers have wondered about who exactly is advising the Government in economic matters and they seem more interested in witch hunting. In the first case, then it could have handled the Venezuela Guyana border controversy with much more tact and diplomacy, in order to avoid the loss of Guyana’s main rice export market. Now, the rice industry is stagnating, as the new harvest of rice farmers literally has no foreign export market. In addition, the $23 billion promised by the Government to relieve the industry has now led to a confession that the money was for “shipping rice” – much to the frustration of the beleaguered rice farmers. On the Essequibo Coast for instance, where the main means of subsistence remains rice farming, the extent of the damage on the rice industry would be felt by hundreds of families who would be unable to obtain their regular income from crops. One large farmer was said to have committed suicide. The level of investments in the country is also at a high risk of collapsing. For instance in the gold mining sector, the world price of gold remains low, and the future of the industry remains uncertain due to the anaemic nature of reforms proposed by Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman. The promise to limit the investments of companies in the mining sector so that small scale, local investors may benefit, might be perceived to be hostile to national and international companies which are interested in large scale mining. There is also the question on whether or not small scale investments could compensate for the possible losses in the economy by the limitation of big companies. In the case of foreign investments, bilateral relations with habitual business partners might take a toll. In the area of green investments, and despite the Government’s promise of “a good life in a green economy”, to date there has been little or no sign of interest in pursuing Guyana’s biggest green initiative, the Low Carbon Development Strategy.  Insofar as the LCDS stands, the Amaila Hydro Electric Project has been abandoned, representing the potential loss of US$80 million, almost half of the US$190 million of the revenues earned to date. Amerindians were the direct beneficiaries of a substantial amount of LCDS revenues, and stand to lose should the Government chose not to renew the agreement with Norway. Another instance where the economy is felt at the lower levels of society, is the decrease in consummation and investment by Guyanese, many of whom have lost their jobs, are affected by slow business, are compelled to leave the country due to escalating crimes or are simply unwilling to invest. The result is that the economy, though at this point it is affected by unfavourable Government policies, is also hindered by a lack of local direct and indirect investments, and a general reduction of consumerism. It is highly likely that speculations and projections of a dismal economy would force consumers to save rather than to spend, reducing the flow of capital in the country and stymying the habitual 3 to 5% growth Guyana has enjoyed for the past 5 years. Au finale, while the positioning of the country in the race for regional development might most likely be reconfigured, Guyanese, who had grown accustomed to steady economic development and who, through their investments and evolution had learnt to rely on positive Government policies which contributed to a favourable socioeconomic framework for development, are the ones who will feel the negative effects of a stagnating economy the most. When investors, foreign and local alike, would have lost the necessary trust fostered over two decades with the Government of Guyana, it is highly unlikely that demoralised Guyanese alone would be able to lift up the economy.

FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×