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Dep’t of Energy contract to Cathy Hughes company raises concerns

Cathy Hughes

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party has accused Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes of impropriety after her company Videomega productions was awarded a contract by the Department of Energy.

Hughes in a statement last night said that she has not been involved in the “day to day” running of the company since 2015 and had been unaware of the award prior to press releases yesterday by PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Edward Layne.

In a video statement yesterday Teixeira said that the company established by Hughes in 1993  had been granted a multi-million dollar contract with the Department to create brochures as well as television and radio advertisements…..

 

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kp posted:

Dep’t of Energy contract to Cathy Hughes company raises concerns

Hughes in a statement last night said that she has not been involved in the “day to day” running of the company since 2015 and had been unaware of the award prior to press releases yesterday by PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Edward Layne.

It seems that she has no involvement in the ministry except to collect a paycheck, travel to various places plus collect lots of benefits.

FM
Nehru posted:

HEHEHE THE DUMB PNC. NOW TELL ME ABOUT THEIR SUPPORTERS SINCE THEY LOOK UP TO THE DUMMIES. DJ AND OTHERS RAISE AL YUH HANDS LET UNCLE NEHRU MARK AL YUH PRESENT!!!!

Now you know why Nigel say 34 + 32 = 65.  

Bibi Haniffa

Dep’t of Energy contract to Cathy Hughes company raises concerns

Cathy Hughes

Source

April 10 2019

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party has accused Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes of impropriety after her company Videomega productions was awarded a contract by the Department of Energy.

Hughes in a statement last night said that she has not been involved in the “day to day” running of the company since 2015 and had been unaware of the award prior to press releases yesterday by PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Edward Layne.

In a video statement yesterday Teixeira said that the company established by Hughes in 1993  had been granted a multi-million dollar contract with the Department to create brochures as well as television and radio advertisements.

Though the company’s website still lists Hughes as Managing Director and Executive Producer the Minister last night said  that in May 2015 upon assuming the role of Minister of Tourism she “relinquished any involvement in the day to day running of Videomega Productions.”

She said that she was completely unaware of the award of any contract to Videomega Productions but has since been informed that “the contract valued at $832,200 was for the production of three sixty second television Public Service Announcements.”

“The award of this contract was never brought to my attention neither would I have been aware of it in the normal conduct of the Company’s business,” the minister stressed, explaining that following her assumption of a ministerial post Russell Lancaster was appointed Manager and became responsible for the operations of the company.

It is not clear what procurement process was used to award the contract as efforts to reach Lancaster via Videomega’s office proved futile as did efforts to reach him via his mobile. Attempts were also made to reach Head of the Department of Energy Mark Bynoe whose phone was turned off.

Beverly Alert, who is also listed as a member of the Videomega team, explained that she has not been part of the company since May 2015 when she left to take up posts within the APNU+AFC government.

“I hold no shares nor am I connected with Videomega in any form,” she said in response to questions on the issue.

While Hughes says she has not been involved in the day to day running of Videomega, any award of a contract by a government agency to a company owned by a senior minister would be seen as a major problem because of the appearance of influence.

In a statement last night, the Ministry of the Presidency said “The Ministry wishes to make it pellucid that the Department of Energy contracted Video-mega Productions to develop three (3) sixty second television and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) at a cost of eight hundred and thirty-two thousand (G$832,000), as part of its public awareness and sensitization campaign with regards to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector.

“It should be emphasized that the Department of Energy worked closely with the Ministry’s Procurement Unit in finalizing this contract.

“The Ministry of the Presidency wishes to make it clear that the Department of Energy is not engaged in any “incestuous relationship” as indicated by Ms. Teixeira and has from its inception, worked in compliance with all rules and regulations relative to the procurement of goods and services.

“That one would speculate that the contract relates to campaign material for the APNU-AFC Coalition for elections is outrageous and completely baseless. The material being developed is solely in keeping with the furtherance of the mandate of the Department of Energy”.

 

Teixeira has likened this contract to that of the Cen-tral Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) awarded to the husband of Minister Valerie Adams-Yearwood. Adams-Yearwood is the Minister with responsibility for housing and directly supervises the CH&PA.

Godfrey Yearwood was according to CH&PA’s Chief Executive Officer Lelon Saul awarded a contract in 2017 to construct five units as part of the agency’s “Housing Solutions and Beyond project.”

Though the Minister has repeatedly refused to comment on the issue Saul told reporters last Friday that it was “certainly” a conflict of interest for the minister’s spouse to be issued a contract by the agency she supervises. He further suggested that it might be necessary for the board to review its procedure for award of contracts.

“The award of contracts is above my level (but) I think the Board should review that based on recommendations coming from the agency,” the CEO said.

Django

GAIL TEIXEIRA SINGING FOR SUPPER, LOOSING HER CREDIBILITY.

 

In a video statement yesterday Teixeira said that the company established by Hughes in 1993  had been granted a multi-million dollar contract with the Department to create brochures as well as television and radio advertisements.

Though the company’s website still lists Hughes as Managing Director and Executive Producer the Minister last night said  that in May 2015 upon assuming the role of Minister of Tourism she “relinquished any involvement in the day to day running of Videomega Productions.”

She said that she was completely unaware of the award of any contract to Videomega Productions but has since been informed that “the contract valued at $832,200 was for the production of three sixty second television Public Service Announcements.”

Django
Last edited by Django
Django posted:

The onus on Gail Teixeira to produce proof of the multi-million dollar contract, you don't pull numbers out of the air. Until then her CREDIBILITY at stake.

Where's there is smoke there is fire or should I say FIAH.

FM

I don't doubt that our innocent Kathy is not involved in the day-to-day running of Videomega Productions. But I doubt that Kathy will not see Videomaga's year-end Income Statement.

That document will show $832,000 or whatever as revenue from the Department of Energy contract. And the Income Statement will also show Net Profit that the DOE contract contributed to. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Django posted:

The onus on Gail Teixeira to produce proof of the multi-million dollar contract, you don't pull numbers out of the air. Until then her CREDIBILITY at stake.

Regardless of the dollar amount, we are still speaking of a contract given to a company with Cathy as the managing director. 

Forget about the million dollar ( the real figure will come soon ) unless it $835,000 thousand US

But, tell abe... you nah see nothing wrang with $835,000. 

FM
Dave posted:
Django posted:

The onus on Gail Teixeira to produce proof of the multi-million dollar contract, you don't pull numbers out of the air. Until then her CREDIBILITY at stake.

Regardless of the dollar amount, we are still speaking of a contract given to a company with Cathy as the managing director. 

Forget about the million dollar ( the real figure will come soon ) unless it $835,000 thousand US

But, tell abe... you nah see nothing wrang with $835,000. 

“It should be emphasized that the Department of Energy worked closely with the Ministry’s Procurement Unit in finalizing this contract.

“The Ministry of the Presidency wishes to make it clear that the Department of Energy is not engaged in any “incestuous relationship” as indicated by Ms. Teixeira and has from its inception, worked in compliance with all rules and regulations relative to the procurement of goods and services.

“That one would speculate that the contract relates to campaign material for the APNU-AFC Coalition for elections is outrageous and completely baseless. The material being developed is solely in keeping with the furtherance of the mandate of the Department of Energy”.

 

Seems like lots of dough for three (3) sixty second television and radio Public Service Announcements.

Django
Last edited by Django

Now you talking. Politicians Na deh down Hey. They all tek for themselves. PPP tek and now PNC tek and empty the treasury. 

Wait until aile money starts flowing.

I am going to build a lil house in Guyana and collect me share in 2020. All you rass better talk nice things about politicians, dem controlling all of the wealth. It takes honey to catch flies. 

FM

I wonder what honey they used to get Django. He is trying to defend the indefensible. The bottom line is that her company received a contract and it will most likely contribute to her profits. The process of her company getting the contract needs to be examined. Guyana is small enough that people know who owns which businesses . 

Z
Zed posted:

I wonder what honey they used to get Django. He is trying to defend the indefensible. The bottom line is that her company received a contract and it will most likely contribute to her profits. The process of her company getting the contract needs to be examined. Guyana is small enough that people know who owns which businesses . 

Pleas explore further details of the contract, it's in the media.

Django

it is a technical conflict of interest in a sea of conflicts of interest where parliamentarians, ministers and the like can legally have side businesses and law practices

New York State has a a similar problem with lawmakers in Albany that exploded with the conviction of Speaker Shelly Silver for a slew of charges involving pay for play and his multi-million dollar no show job as a partner in a conflicted law practice

but, my God . . . days and days of HEADLINES over a four thousand US dollar contract for a couple of public service ads

yes four thousand measly dollars

is there no sense of proportion or shame in the opposition frenzy to manufacture counterfeit political capital using their not-so-undercover assets in the self-described 'independent' press?

smfh

FM

Like. DJ, Ronan, Gwana, Cain etc.

Look how Katt thief and dem now saying “ Is ok, she only thief lil bit”

Shameless. These were the people who promised to stamp out corruption.

Then we have the other minista, who gave her husband a massive contract.

The slopster are saying again:

”Is ok, she only thief lil bit, is ok for PNC people to thief”

FM
Last edited by Former Member

AFC supporters who voted against the PPP are deeply disappointed with the loss of thousands of jobs and high level of corruption in the coalition government. Even more worrisome is the fear that Granger has stolen the government and steering it down the path of dictatorship. 

Billy Ram Balgobin

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