STATEMENT ON CRICKET
The Alliance for Change (AFC) is calling for an end to the Government’s lock-out of the Guyana Cricket Board from its offices at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda. We are also calling for the Government to withdraw the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from cricket operations in Guyana.
The AFC shares with all Guyanese the desire to see improvements in the administration, operations and performances at all levels of Guyana’s cricket. However, all interventions must be carried out in accordance with the principles, practices and values that govern sport in today’s world.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has followed in the precedent of the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in establishing operating protocols for the non-interference of government in sports. As such, the government of Guyana is acting contrary to the thrust of the international community on matters of sport and is attempting to set a dangerous precedent for all sports in Guyana.
The AFC believes that we must do our best, within the limitation of our available resources and with due recognition of competing national priorities, to provide the necessary support to ensure that we are developing young athletes and we are providing the enabling environment for them to perform well at international levels. However, this must never translate into interference in the operations of sports administration. To meddle in the operations of sports administration is to risk being excommunicated from the regional and international sporting fraternities - clear signs of which we have already seen with the WICB having moved four critical matches from Guyana. There is a serious and grave risk of Guyana losing the West Indies v Australia Test match as a result of the continued Government of Guyana imposed lock-out of the GCB. The last thing the Government of Guyana should be seeking to achieve is to bring more embarrassment to Guyana on the regional and international scene by their continued action.
We are therefore calling on the Government today to return to the agreement reached on January 11 during talks brokered by the CARICOM Secretariat between the Government of Guyana and the WICB. The agreement, when signed allows, among other things, for the GCB to resume cricket operations in Guyana under the mandate of the WICB and ICC while at the same time allowing the IMC to draft and propose a new constitution for GCB, and to draft and propose a comprehensive cricket development programme for Guyana.
Since the GCB and the WICB both expressed a willingness to work with the IMC under these conditions there is no reason for the Government to withhold signature and undermine the efforts of the CARICOM Secretariat and in particular the CACICOM Secretary General as an honest broker in a matter that has significance and consequences way beyond our own borders.
The AFC is on record as having stated long before this crisis broke out, through its Chairman who is also President of Gandhi Youth Cricket Club, that to avoid any future adverse consequences to Guyana’s cricket, that the Guyana Cricket Board be allowed to administer the affairs of cricket whilst the Parliament within a reasonable time period work out a statutory regime for the governance of cricket that is acceptable to all stakeholders inclusive of clubs, sub-divisions and county boards. And that upon the completion of that new statutory arrangement, new elections be held and the winners thereof run the Board’s affairs. This was the Indian experience which found acceptance with the ICC. We need not re-invent the wheel, but simply cut and paste the Indian legislation, or from elsewhere, to meet our needs.
Finally, we are encouraged that a way was found for the Guyana team to participate in the Regional 4-Day Tournament and wish to encourage the players to put the difficulties at home behind them in order to turn in the kinds of performances that always lift the national mood.
[END]
STATEMENT ON MARRIOT CONSTRUCTION
The Government of Guyana is resisting widespread demands that all major contracts signed in the run up to the 2011 General Election be reviewed by Parliament. This signal is clear by its disclosed intention to proceed with the controversial "Marriott" Hotel.
The AFC condemns this decision and makes very clear that it will not tolerate any commitment of Taxpayers' resources to a private entity whether in the form of equity or taxpayers' guarantee or otherwise.
The Marriott project has been heavily criticised for threatening unfair competition with local industry players who have invested their own money but suffer the financial effects of low occupancy. They all demand that if the Marriott chain wants a hotel in Guyana it must invest its own money just like they have done in other countries, not preying on poor Guyanese taxpayers through the instrument of a friendly PPP Government. The government’s commitment of US$4 million of Guyanese taxpayers money plus a guarantee of US$40 million to the Marriot would be better spent at the University of Guyana to improve the professionalism and quality of academic staff and facilities so badly need at this run down, politically manipulated institution. In addition we need better drainage and irrigation especially in the city and farming communities.
In the midst of so many other priority needs for such resources amounting to $52 m (US) to be directed to, including the need for better drainage and garbage collection in the City, reliable electricity, reduced taxes, security of citizens, the Government is clearly putting the interests of a rich multinational entity and a few corrupt characters within the PPP in front of the masses of Guyanese.
The Government has resisted requests from private sector bodies, the public and the political opposition for information on the Marriott project which was not subjected to any feasibility study, had no consultation with the local hotel industry, and was never disclosed to Parliament.
The AFC views this latest act of bad Governance as an extension and continuation of the corrupt Jagdeo administration noted for its dictatorial tendencies and misuse of state resources. It is calling on President Donald Ramotar to fulfil his election promise of stamping out corruption by cancelling projects motivated by fraudulent intent such as the likes of the Marriott project. The needs of the people of Guyana are paramount over any other interest, and a good Government must put such interest first.
[END]
STATEMENT ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
The Alliance For Change is calling for a review of the composition of the Council of the University of Guyana. Having examined the present composition of the Council and the modus operandi of some of its members, the AFC is convinced that there is need for more civil society involvement at the level of the Council.
The recent dismissal of Mr Frederick Kissoon brought the shenanigans of some of these Council members into the public domain and revelations by the outgoing Vice Chancellor show clearly that the University is not being allowed to utilise available resources, both human and financial to meet its stated aims.
The University of Guyana Act clearly states that the University must be a place of education, learning and research and it must secure the advancement of knowledge and the diffusion and extension of arts, sciences and learning throughout Guyana.
The AFC asks; how can this aim be met when available finances are not being tapped into, experienced and qualified lecturers are being dismissed and entire environment is one that is less than conducive to learning?
The AFC places the blame for the present poor conditions and low staff morale squarely on the shoulders of the PPP/C government. The PPP/C ought to be ashamed that the University of Guyana which began as the Dr Cheddi Jagan night school has been reduced to the state it is in today. They must recognise that this is a national institution with primary responsibility for nurturing Guyana’s future leaders, and treat it accordingly.
The nation must understand that the University Council has the power to make and prescribe regulations not only for itself but also for any other authority body within the University. Placing this kind of power in the hands of political hacks committed not to national development but to ‘party paramountcy’ has resulted in the sad state of affairs the University now finds itself in. It is for this reason that the AFC calls for a comprehensive review of the Council of the University
[END]
The Alliance for Change (AFC) is calling for an end to the Government’s lock-out of the Guyana Cricket Board from its offices at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda. We are also calling for the Government to withdraw the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from cricket operations in Guyana.
The AFC shares with all Guyanese the desire to see improvements in the administration, operations and performances at all levels of Guyana’s cricket. However, all interventions must be carried out in accordance with the principles, practices and values that govern sport in today’s world.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has followed in the precedent of the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in establishing operating protocols for the non-interference of government in sports. As such, the government of Guyana is acting contrary to the thrust of the international community on matters of sport and is attempting to set a dangerous precedent for all sports in Guyana.
The AFC believes that we must do our best, within the limitation of our available resources and with due recognition of competing national priorities, to provide the necessary support to ensure that we are developing young athletes and we are providing the enabling environment for them to perform well at international levels. However, this must never translate into interference in the operations of sports administration. To meddle in the operations of sports administration is to risk being excommunicated from the regional and international sporting fraternities - clear signs of which we have already seen with the WICB having moved four critical matches from Guyana. There is a serious and grave risk of Guyana losing the West Indies v Australia Test match as a result of the continued Government of Guyana imposed lock-out of the GCB. The last thing the Government of Guyana should be seeking to achieve is to bring more embarrassment to Guyana on the regional and international scene by their continued action.
We are therefore calling on the Government today to return to the agreement reached on January 11 during talks brokered by the CARICOM Secretariat between the Government of Guyana and the WICB. The agreement, when signed allows, among other things, for the GCB to resume cricket operations in Guyana under the mandate of the WICB and ICC while at the same time allowing the IMC to draft and propose a new constitution for GCB, and to draft and propose a comprehensive cricket development programme for Guyana.
Since the GCB and the WICB both expressed a willingness to work with the IMC under these conditions there is no reason for the Government to withhold signature and undermine the efforts of the CARICOM Secretariat and in particular the CACICOM Secretary General as an honest broker in a matter that has significance and consequences way beyond our own borders.
The AFC is on record as having stated long before this crisis broke out, through its Chairman who is also President of Gandhi Youth Cricket Club, that to avoid any future adverse consequences to Guyana’s cricket, that the Guyana Cricket Board be allowed to administer the affairs of cricket whilst the Parliament within a reasonable time period work out a statutory regime for the governance of cricket that is acceptable to all stakeholders inclusive of clubs, sub-divisions and county boards. And that upon the completion of that new statutory arrangement, new elections be held and the winners thereof run the Board’s affairs. This was the Indian experience which found acceptance with the ICC. We need not re-invent the wheel, but simply cut and paste the Indian legislation, or from elsewhere, to meet our needs.
Finally, we are encouraged that a way was found for the Guyana team to participate in the Regional 4-Day Tournament and wish to encourage the players to put the difficulties at home behind them in order to turn in the kinds of performances that always lift the national mood.
[END]
STATEMENT ON MARRIOT CONSTRUCTION
The Government of Guyana is resisting widespread demands that all major contracts signed in the run up to the 2011 General Election be reviewed by Parliament. This signal is clear by its disclosed intention to proceed with the controversial "Marriott" Hotel.
The AFC condemns this decision and makes very clear that it will not tolerate any commitment of Taxpayers' resources to a private entity whether in the form of equity or taxpayers' guarantee or otherwise.
The Marriott project has been heavily criticised for threatening unfair competition with local industry players who have invested their own money but suffer the financial effects of low occupancy. They all demand that if the Marriott chain wants a hotel in Guyana it must invest its own money just like they have done in other countries, not preying on poor Guyanese taxpayers through the instrument of a friendly PPP Government. The government’s commitment of US$4 million of Guyanese taxpayers money plus a guarantee of US$40 million to the Marriot would be better spent at the University of Guyana to improve the professionalism and quality of academic staff and facilities so badly need at this run down, politically manipulated institution. In addition we need better drainage and irrigation especially in the city and farming communities.
In the midst of so many other priority needs for such resources amounting to $52 m (US) to be directed to, including the need for better drainage and garbage collection in the City, reliable electricity, reduced taxes, security of citizens, the Government is clearly putting the interests of a rich multinational entity and a few corrupt characters within the PPP in front of the masses of Guyanese.
The Government has resisted requests from private sector bodies, the public and the political opposition for information on the Marriott project which was not subjected to any feasibility study, had no consultation with the local hotel industry, and was never disclosed to Parliament.
The AFC views this latest act of bad Governance as an extension and continuation of the corrupt Jagdeo administration noted for its dictatorial tendencies and misuse of state resources. It is calling on President Donald Ramotar to fulfil his election promise of stamping out corruption by cancelling projects motivated by fraudulent intent such as the likes of the Marriott project. The needs of the people of Guyana are paramount over any other interest, and a good Government must put such interest first.
[END]
STATEMENT ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA
The Alliance For Change is calling for a review of the composition of the Council of the University of Guyana. Having examined the present composition of the Council and the modus operandi of some of its members, the AFC is convinced that there is need for more civil society involvement at the level of the Council.
The recent dismissal of Mr Frederick Kissoon brought the shenanigans of some of these Council members into the public domain and revelations by the outgoing Vice Chancellor show clearly that the University is not being allowed to utilise available resources, both human and financial to meet its stated aims.
The University of Guyana Act clearly states that the University must be a place of education, learning and research and it must secure the advancement of knowledge and the diffusion and extension of arts, sciences and learning throughout Guyana.
The AFC asks; how can this aim be met when available finances are not being tapped into, experienced and qualified lecturers are being dismissed and entire environment is one that is less than conducive to learning?
The AFC places the blame for the present poor conditions and low staff morale squarely on the shoulders of the PPP/C government. The PPP/C ought to be ashamed that the University of Guyana which began as the Dr Cheddi Jagan night school has been reduced to the state it is in today. They must recognise that this is a national institution with primary responsibility for nurturing Guyana’s future leaders, and treat it accordingly.
The nation must understand that the University Council has the power to make and prescribe regulations not only for itself but also for any other authority body within the University. Placing this kind of power in the hands of political hacks committed not to national development but to ‘party paramountcy’ has resulted in the sad state of affairs the University now finds itself in. It is for this reason that the AFC calls for a comprehensive review of the Council of the University
[END]
