What a family affair.

If Ali-Hack don't recommend charges, kick her out and jail her ass too.

These people live like hogs in trough, while the poor struggle to survive.   

State Asset Recovery Unit [SARU bai Clive Thomas] now doing something. The question is: who will bell the 5 Prado2 cats? DPP Shalimar Hack? Not likely; she and Mr Hack have Prado2 land too.

Police? Which one?

Interesting times ahead.

How can Ali-Hack recommend charges...she is one of those being accused???

There has to be a different way of doing this.

While issues may be presented by a review committee, it is a court of law that makes the decisions.

Hence as in the general way, these are simple views and opinions.

What do you think we are presenting here, you papa legal documents ?

Simply news presented by a media.

Nothing official by the government.

D_G, thank you for throwing a little light on this thing tonight, but yuh torchlight battery low. Get a power pack and come back.

Where does the media get their information, do they make it up to look stupid and lose credibility ?

Bai, don't look dumb, read the article again regarding the source of the information. 

Media get its information from various sources.

There is a major difference in what the media presents as news and what a court of law renders as a decision.

Gil, don't knack de man down, when he down, he got a new battery charger, it jus takes time.

Unfortunately, me charga weak too.

Might need replacing, but too costly.  

Me agree, what you talk, me talk and the media opinion, but isn't  GNI all about opinions ?   Who says differently ?

If we were the court of law, maybe Jagdeo and his Pradoville companions would already be in jail.  

And indeed, there is a profound reason for a court of law.

special prosecutor!

let's hear from the constitutional scholars

Asset Recovery Unit recommends charges for Jagdeo, other PPP members

By NEWSNOW Staff -

 

October 14, 2015

0

Share on Facebook

 

Tweet on Twitter

  

The Asset Recovery Unit which was set up by the APNU+AFC coalition government has recommended charges for at least five former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Ministers over their alleged misconduct and abuse of office while in government.

The misconduct surrounds the procedures used by the former PPP ministers to acquire prime government lands in the Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara area referred to as ‘Pradoville 2’.

The former government officials who were named in a document seen by NewsNow are former President Bharat Jagdeo, then Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, former Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, former Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul and former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

The lands were transferred to the former ministers and Jagdeo with several conditions which stated that failure to comply will result in penalties by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Clause ‘C’ of the condition stated that, “the transfer shall not be at liberty to sell, lease, transfer or part with possession of the said property within ten years of transfer without the written consent of the Minister responsible for housing.”

Former Ministers Priya Manickchand and Robert Persaud allegedly sold their lands without consent from the CH&PA which is a breach of clause ‘C’ of the agreement.

In the case of Manickchand, she sold her property to one Dave Narine for more than $100M on February 21, 2013, three years after it was purchased.

While former Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud first transferred his land into the names of his wife Kamini Persaud and two children on 18th September 2014. The said land was then sold to LRS Company for $90M, also allegedly without written permission from the (CH&PA).

The document went on to state that the Deeds Registry has since released information that the company which Persaud sold his property of land and house to has the secretary and its single director as one person whose name was given as Andrew Pollard.

The document also states that the Overseer of Industry/Plaisance indicated that no rates and taxes have been paid since the occupancy of the land.

The document also stated that the lands were grossly undervalued and sold substantially lower than the market value, “thereby depriving the state of its full benefits.”

Other persons who managed to secure lands in “PradoVille 2” include Ghansham Singh and Kamini Parag-Singh the son and daughter-in-law of a former minister, Florrie Loretta Ramnauth, Compton Bourne, Ramesh Dookhoo, Geary Best, Shalimar Ali-Hack and Moeenul Hack, Raj Singh, Shaik Baksh, Lisaveta Valantina Ramotar, Andrew Ranji Bishop, Safraaz Khan, George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc.

Meanwhile, the lands at Sparendaam which were under the control of the National Communications Network Inc. (NCN) were sold by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) in 2010 following Cabinet’s approval.

The recommendations, NewsNow understands, have been sent to Attorney General Basil Williams. The Unit has since submitted that the former Ministers could be held liable for misconduct in public office and in the absence of a ‘SARA’ legislation the AG may institute proceedings against the former Ministers. “SARA” refers to a problem-solving model that is used by law enforcement but can also be used in a variety of other settings.

The unit cited a recent decision in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) case of Floerencio Marin Jose Coye Vs the Attorney General of Belize, where the court held “that the former Ministers could be held liable in misfeasance for loss of public property and that the AG, as the guardian of public rights, was the person entitled to institute proceedings.”

The report concluded by stating that, “the former ministers should not benefit from their acts of misconduct while being holders of public office. A strong message must be sent to the offenders and potential offenders.”

 

http://newsnow.gy/politics/ass...o-other-ppp-members/

 

 

Well let us go to court, do not only recommend.  Let us convert it to real cases.

QUICK< QUICK!

Before we reach that stage, SARU has to get legal teeth. Government is working on it. Kaieteur News of Sep 21:

"Dr. Thomas said that the coalition Government is making moves in this regard as it is currently preparing a “robust piece of legislation” that promises more than moral suasion with respect to stamping out corruption and prosecuting those who dared to steal the assets of the state.
Dr. Thomas explained that the draft legislation is currently in the chambers of the Ministry of Legal Affairs. It is expected to be perused and strengthened by a specialist from the United Kingdom before being taken to the National Assembly for passage.
Dr. Thomas said that once it receives the blessings of the House and the assent of President David Granger, the entity will be renamed the State Asset Recovery Agency and it will be vested with more powers."

Redux, you must be jumping for joy banna. 

Redux, for the record, I have no problem with government going after people who stole our tax dollars. And, I do believe (you may find this hard to believe), some people do need to go to jail so we can set an example to prevent this temptation in the future...

Consider this: 

1) This is just a gimmick to distract attention away from the salary increase disaster and take the heat off the coalition

2) The Asset Unit has no locus standi to make those recommendations ...keep in mind, there is no legislation in place to address this issue.

3) Demerara-Guy is correct...this a not a court decision...

4) The above rules out a special prosecutor...but its a tempting thought I am sure for the coalition.

The fallout from this, especially with the high level PPP members involved is also going to create a backlash. The PPP will spin this...others will also....my guess is the majority Indians who support the PPP are not going to be swayed by this...

Clearly it raises the bar for politicians and it creates some interesting political scenarios.

Just my 2 cents here buddy.

Vishnu 

It should be an approach to address the relevant issues for all politicians in the various political parties for past and present presidents, members of parliament and all related individuals.

Selective choice of individuals is definitely not the approach.

Most likely nothing will happen. Looks like them Coalition bais heading in the same direction as dem PPP bais.

u, D_G and baseman . . . alyuh tenacious and transparent

like jagdeo promise he holding de tiefman fortune in trust for y'all since he ain't gat no pickney

This stupid attempt by the PNC roaches will backfire.

Pradoville Two scandal…Jagdeo, former ministers face criminal charges

SARU: “There is a direct link between the misconduct and the abuse, of powers and duties of their position. The former cabinet members knew they were doing a wrong in transferring state lands into their names and that of their acquaintances for undervalued market prices for the land.”

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and several of his Cabinet Ministers who benefitted from the Pradoville Two housing scheme back in 2010 are likely to face criminal charges, following a damning report completed this week by the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU).
SARU’s report noted that in 2010, the Bharrat Jagdeo Cabinet made a decision authorizing the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to privatize state lands. NICIL is the body tasked with overseeing the privatization of state assets.
It reportedly spent more than $200M to develop the seaside community without the knowledge and blessings of the National Assembly and other relevant bodies.
The said lands were then secretly sold to the former ministers and known friends and associates of the previous regime.
At the time of the sale, the report said, the lands were grossly undervalued and sold substantially lower than the market value for the land thereby depriving the state of its full benefits.
Jagdeo himself paid only $9.8M, giving himself two acres of lands that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean.
Misconduct
SARU argued that the former Ministers could be held liable for misconduct in public office and in the absence of legislation for the unit, that the Attorney General, Basil Williams, may institute proceedings against the former Ministers.
The unit said that the actions of the former cabinet Ministers have shown that they willfully neglected to perform their duties without reasonable excuse or justification to such an extent that it amounted to an abuse of the public trust in the office holders, hence its belief that criminal charges are indeed warranted.
The report cited several court cases regarding public officials as its basis for recommending that criminal charges be brought.
Providing a brief history of the nature of the Pradoville Two deal, SARU reported that Tract A of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara was once deemed as Communal Lands, thereafter owned by Demerara Sugar Estates prior to independence.
After independence, it said that this plot of land was owned by the State of Guyana. The land remained state lands until 2010 when the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) privatized the land and sold it to the former Ministers and associates of the former regime.
In 2010, Jagdeo was sold 1.5 acres of land, Block III, Parcel 246 Lot 246 Plantation Goedverwagting and 0.4603 acres, Block III, Parcel 241.
Former Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, was sold Lot 239 Goedverwagting, Block III, which is 0.3030 acres. The report noted that on September 20, 2011 the land was transferred to Kamini Persaud and Robert Persaud Jnr.  The land with the house was then sold on September 18, 2014 to LSR Inc. Company for $90M. LSR’s public records indicate that its Secretary and Director is Andrew Pollard.
Also benefitting was former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford, who was sold a Lot 238 Goedverwagting, Block III; former Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, was sold Block IV, parcel, 176. She later sold the property to one Dave Naraine on February 21, 2013 for $100M.
Other beneficiaries included Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack; former Head of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Dookoo; former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon; PPP General Secretary and former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee; former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul and Lisaveta Valantina Ramotar, daughter of the former President, Donald Ramotar.
The lands were transferred to the persons above on various conditions- one of which included that the transferee shall not be at liberty to sell, lease, transfer or part with possession of the said property within ten years of transfer without the written consent of the Minister responsible for Housing.
Breaches
According to the SARU report, however, Manickchand sold her land three years after purchasing it and she did so without written permission from the CH&PA, thereby breaching the conditions. Persaud also breached the conditions, SARU said.
A source close to Manickchand said that there is nothing in Manickchand’s lease that prohibited her from selling her property within ten years.
Given the history and nature of the deal, SARU, believed that it has a strong case for the former Ministers to be charged with misconduct in public office.
SARU said, “There is a direct link between the misconduct and the abuse, of powers and duties of their position. The former Cabinet members knew they were doing a wrong in transferring state lands into their names and that of their acquaintances for undervalued market prices for the land. The lands were sold for $114 per square foot at the time.”
“Public officers ought to carry out their duties not for the benefit of themselves but for the benefit of the public as a whole. If they neglect or misconduct themselves by their actions in the course of their duties this may lead to a breach or abuse of the public’s trust. The act of the cabinet members for their benefit is serious enough to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust.”
SARU added that former President Bharrat Jagdeo would not be exempt from the charges.
The Pradoville Two transaction had drawn widespread criticisms from the public after the details came to light.
While Jagdeo and other beneficiaries paid $114 per square foot for the lands, ordinary Guyanese were made to $317 by CH&PA.
Remigrants, who were encouraged to come back and live in Guyana, paid more than ten times the price Jagdeo paid for the same size house lot. They paid $1,111 per square foot.
To make way for the Pradoville Two scheme, Jagdeo and his Cabinet spent more than $100M to remove a transmitting tower of the National Communications Network.

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ce-criminal-charges/

Apparently the head tief in charge Jagdeo is not on the list.

http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...r-pradoville-2-land/

Ex ministers should be held liable over Pradoville 2 land – State Assets Recovery report

Former ministers of the PPP/C government who accessed property in the controversial Pradoville 2 scheme should be liable for misconduct in office, according to a document forwarded by the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) to Attorney General Basil Williams.

Robert Persaud

Contacted last night by Stabroek News, the Attorney General confirmed that he was in receipt of the SARU document and it was being studied.

The ex ministers who benefited from land in the scheme are former Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, former Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul and former Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford. The document says nothing about any action against former President Bharrat Jagdeo as he would be covered by presidential immunity.

APNU+AFC upon entering office had vowed to pursue the recovery of state assets that it felt were improperly taken and SARU headed by Dr Clive Thomas was established.

The document seen by Stabroek News traces the origins of the Goedver-wagting Scheme on the East Coast of Demerara and the transactions of the various ministers some of whom no longer own the properties.

The document noted that in 2010 a decision was made by the Cabinet authorizing state holding company NICIL to privatize State Lands. This decision was made without any authorization and approval bodies from the relevant bodies, the document charged.

By the time the asset recovery unit completes their audits Chris Ram will be a one of richest dudes around. It's all about siphoning monies from the treasury and very little to do with recovering assets for the state.

Anything to justify the naked theft of state assets by the PPP, eh? 

Corruption existed under the PPP government, but what you are witnessing now is the mother of all corruption.

Oh Please! Nobody can match the slick PPP tiefmen from the Jagdeo/Ramotar era. They are the biggest tiefmen ever in the history of Guyana. Never before have we even seen anything like the mansions in the Pradovilles and other state assets being blatantly stolen by the PPP.

The PPP stole millions of dollars (US).  A 5% increase for Granger and a 12% for Nagamootoo don't compare with that.

AG tosses Pradoville 2 land issue to office of the DPP; The DPP might have to recuse herself

By Staff on October 15, 2015

It alleged that the former cabinet members, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo knew they were doing a wrong in transferring state lands into their names and that of their acquaintances at prices far below the market value.

Attorney General Basil Williams has requested that the State Asset Recovery Unit send the report in which it recommended criminal charges for several former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government ministers, to the Director of Public Prosecution so that those charges can be perused.

However, the current DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack is also a beneficiary of the prime lands at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, referred to as Pradoville 2.

The Attorney General is suggesting that the DPP may also be required to recuse herself in the determination of that matter.

It alleged that the former cabinet members, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo knew they were doing a wrong in transferring state lands into their names and that of their acquaintances at prices far below the market value.

Not only did the report point out that the lands were acquired by the government officials below market value, but there were also several breaches in the procedures for various transactions.

The report was sent to the Attorney General Chambers, but according to Williams, his Chambers cannot pursue criminal charges.

He explained that what he can do is to bring civil suits against the former Cabinet members.

“The criminal aspect is swifter. I would recommend that the report also be sent to the Public Security Minister and Director of Public Prosecutions,” Williams said.

The AG also explained that the criminal charges can be pursued by the police, but cautioned that power still resides with the DPP to intervene and take over the matter if she sees fit.

He said from a perusal of the document sent from the Unit, there is evidence that can bolster his case for civil suits against the former Ministers.

Williams said whether the Former President, who enjoyed immunity, can be charged will be a matter for interpretation and determination of the Court.

Persons who have acquired housing plots in the area include former President Bharrat Jagdeo, former Ministers Priya Manichand, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Shaik Baksh and Jennifer Westford.

Others include Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack; former Head of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Dookoo; former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon; PPP General Secretary and former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee; former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul and Lisaveta Valantina Ramotar, daughter of the former President, Donald Ramotar. Former GDF Chief of Staff, retired Commodore Gary Best also acquired land in the same scheme.

Best is now an Adviser to President Granger.

The report also pointed to the subsequent sale of the lots acquired by Priya Manickchand and Robert Persaud for $100M and $90M respectively.

The report noted that in 2010, the PPP government, through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), spent more than $200M to develop the area.

While some former PPP ministers have already began speaking out on the issue and claiming it is a manufactured controversy, the Unit is contending that the former Ministers could be held liable for misconduct in public office.

The unit reasoned that the actions of the former Ministers have shown that they willfully neglected to perform their duties without reasonable excuse or justification to such an extent that it amounted to an abuse of the public trust in the office holders.

“Public officers ought to carry out their duties not for the benefit of themselves but for the benefit of the public as a whole. If they neglect or misconduct themselves by their actions in the course of their duties this may lead to a breach or abuse of the public’s trust. The act of the cabinet members for their benefit is serious enough to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust,” the Unit said.

 

http://newssourcegy.com/news/a...e-to-recuse-herself/

"The report noted that in 2010, the PPP government, through the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), spent more than $200M to develop the area."

Where did the money come from???,any profits after the

sale of house lots ????

QUOTE: "Williams said whether the Former President, who enjoyed immunity, can be charged will be a matter for interpretation and determination of the Court."

In which case the charge against Jagdeo could be dismissed, thanks to the Burnham constitution. But the other Prado2 householders named are in hot water for sure.

From the Kuwait Fund, Jagdeo went there himself and pitched the idea of development. He din tell dem Sheiks what he was going to develop.

That may be so but generally NICIL's revenues are derived from the sale of state assets. Remember, NICIL was formerly called the Privatization Unit. NICIL's job was to sell assets like Sanata Textile and Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation and invest those sales revenues as instructed by the PPP Minister of Finance who headed the NICIL Board during the PPP government.

Guyana, Kuwait to sign five agreements

http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...ign-five-agreements/

Guyana and Kuwait are to sign five bilateral agreements when the prime minister of that country, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah, visits this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed.

The Kuwaiti PM is expected here tomorrow for a brief visit.

In a statement issued yesterday the ministry said the prime minister will be accompanied by high ranking officials of his government including a senior minister in the office of the Emir, the Deputy Prime Minister, ministers of Finance and Commerce, and private sector members.

“While in Guyana, the Prime Minister and delegation will conduct discussions with President Bharrat Jagdeo and senior government officials,” the release said.

Nasser is currently on an official tour of the Caribbean and Latin America and his visit to Guyana follows Jagdeo’s to Kuwait in January when the parties signed two cooperation agreements and a Memoran-dum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of official talks.

Kuwait News Agency had reported that Minister of Oil and Information Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed an agreement to bolster cultural ties between the two countries with Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, while Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shimali and Rodrigues-Birkett signed an agreement on encouraging bilateral investments.

The MoU, on political consultations, was signed by the Guyanese foreign minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

Upon his return to Guyana President Jagdeo had disclosed that following a meeting with the Kuwait Fund, Guyana had agreed to do a feasibility study and submit a project proposal for an infrastructure project up to US$10 million. He had said infrastructure in the housing sector was likely one of the areas where the funds would be directed.

In February the two countries held a second round of negotiations to finalise an agreement regarding the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion.

The double taxation agreement will ensure that no resident of Guyana or Kuwait pays the same taxes twice on remuneration or money which attracts taxation in either country.

Talks on the agreement started in October 2005.

???is this money have to be paid back.

Day gan drag dis ting aan and jail them couple months before the next elections 

HEHEHEHE

You think suh bhai.

ANYONE WHO COMMITTED A CRIME MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. ALL CRIMES!!!!!!!!!!!

Nehru..that was why them bhais face was so sour

when it was declared they loss.

And then pardon them.