With as PPP win, that would be the end of Guyana, there would be no bouncing back...all downhill as they've been doing regardless who's in Government to date.

The Barriot could very well become the new Freedumb House.

I made several phone calls to Berbice and the same sentiment is being expressed.

The PPP is headed for a landslide victory.

AFC/PNC die hards are being misled by the motorcades that are running around the country. Motorcades do not win elections, voters decide elections.

Yall does make nuff calls eh. One call to one friend and is everybody votin for tiefman party, hehehehe

People tend to mix with those of like mind, so obviously phone calls will reinforce people's positions.

It will be a CLOSE election, and no one knows who will win!

1.  Will young voters in PNC strongholds, who haven't been voting, show up?

2.  Will the PPP racial panic incite Indo fence sitters to vote PPP and hope that they change?

3.  Will the coalition increase its inroads into the Amerindian areas which is began last time, when the PNC significantly increased its Region 9 votes, taking those previously cast for the UF, and AFC doing the same in Region 8.

4. Is the vote more motivated in PNC strongholds than in PPP strongholds.

No one truly knows the answer as many will decide what they will do on election day.   Its really two mediocre dogs chasing each other.  The notion that Moses is some Jesus Christ, or the return of Cheddi Jagan, walking on earth is ludicrous.

As Kari said, what will determine the event is if Guyanese are ready for change or not.  It does appear as if they might be, but who really knows.

If If If.

Listen, Indos will not vote for a racist PNC which is 30 Percent of the population and takes 75 Percent representation in parliament.

Stop daydreaming of the Burnhama and Hoyte's dictatorship era.

PPP is headed for a landslide victory. Indos will not downgrade from the PPP to a known racist PNC.

Yes I know that in your Indo KKK land only Indians matter.  News flash, over 50% of the voters ARE NOT INDIAN!

So what do blacks think of a PPP which screams that blacks are lazy, incompetent and criminal, and that if a crowd is 95% black a riot will undoubtedly occur!   Remember that even though some people say that they are mixed, they act as if they are black.  40%.

The PPP/C has deceived the people on local government.  I would not believe a thing offered by the PPP. Lying and illegality are now part of their DNA.

This is the sole reason guys such as yugi back them...low low morals.

US wades into Minister for ‘slap and strip’ threats

- another tape surfaces as pressure mounts for his resignation

Even as he has received criticism from at least one member of the diplomatic corps, dozens of political

Minister of Health, Bheri Ramsaran

commentators and even members of his own party, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran has once again lashed out at women rights activist, Sherlina Nageer. Mere hours after issuing a public apology for his “harsh words” the previous day, Ramsaran yesterday launched another tirade against Nageer. This time the Health Minister was recorded labeling Nageer a “miscreant,” saying that she was in need of “psychiatric help.” Yesterday, as he addressed a meeting of Regional Health Officers at the Main Street Plaza, Georgetown, Ramsaran, who is also a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate, was heard on a recording saying “So we have these miscreants who sometimes they are supported by the international community because they are rights activists; right to come spit in my face but not collect two slap, you understand me, or one of my ladies who love me, wreck her up, you understand me?” “Well you know I’m Bheri best, all the ladies like me. Suppose one of my big strong women seh “wuh yuh do we doctor, wuh yuh do dis innocent lil man?’ Wacks! Wacks! Then she’s going to become a hero; some of us will make sure we give her a medal. Right, spit in my face. I don’t know if she got rabies or what, I know she was rabid. That woman needs psychiatric help. She needs psychiatric help,” Ramsaran emphasised in the second recording. The Health Minister has already received condemnation from PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate

US Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt

Elisabeth Harper, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and the youth and women arms of the APNU+AFC for the first attack against Nageer. US Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt is reported to have told online news agency, newssourcegy.com, that such statements have no place in a country like Guyana that has a high rate of domestic violence and sexual and gender-based violence. Hunt was recorded as saying “In a country that has a domestic violence rate as high as Guyana’s and a sexual assault rate as high as Guyana’s, it is downright irresponsible for any senior politician to make the statement to any woman, in public or in private, that the Minister of Health made the other day. It is completely unacceptable.” Hunt went on to state that “there is no possible reason or rationale to threaten sexual violence against anyone, but especially against a woman, given Guyana’s very serious gender-based violence problem”. Though he said he was pleased at the response of Ramsaran’s colleagues who took him to task for his comments, he considered the conduct “quite frankly to be a disgrace.” Hunt explained that while it was important and appropriate for the Minister to apologise for his conduct, “what would have been more appropriate was for him to never have made the statement in the first place”. “Do I think it is enough? I don’t think you can un-ring a bell. I don’t think you can take back the damage

Women’s Rights Activist, Sherlina Nageer

that would have already been done by suggesting that sexual violence is an appropriate response to whatever sort of provocation that the Minister felt he was under.” “I think the damage is much more severe than what the woman’s activist heard or the offence that she took at the remarks. I think it conveys a sense from a senior government official that somehow sexual violence is something that is appropriate to use, appropriate to threaten, and somehow societally acceptable and it’s not. It can’t be,” Hunt told the online agency. The excuse offered by Ramsaran has also been found as unacceptable by the US envoy who made it clear that he does not believe that there is any possible provocation that any woman could have made that would legitimately result in a response in which a senior government official threatens that woman with violence. “The Minister’s conduct was beyond, it was disgraceful…I think the question that should he be asked to resign is one the party has to struggle with internally and I will let them have their internal debates about that.” “Should he resign out of his own volition? I’m not going to prescribe to the Minister what he ought to do, but what I will say is in the United States if one of our candidate officials were to have made that sort of comment, that person would have been expected to resign without question. “I daresay, having had a conversation earlier today with some of my colleagues from the other western missions,that same principle would hold true across any number of countries that a Minister making that type of inappropriate remark for whatever reason would have chosen voluntarily to step down.” “I don’t believe that there is any possible provocation that any woman would have made that would have legitimately resulted in a response in which a senior government official threatens that woman with sexual violence…It was a threat of sexual violence and I can’t imagine what possible provocation could result in that reaction,” Hunt said. A number of non-governmental organisations and activists have issued a call for the Minister to step down from office. Meanwhile, more than 250 persons from across the Caribbean and the diaspora have signed on to the CatchAFyah Caribbean Feminist Network solidarity statement in support of Sherlina Nageer. The body had said that the invocation of “provocation” is frequently used to justify and rationalise men’s fatal violence against women and has crept into state and activist responses to violence. “The language of provocation, just like the denigrating language and threats the Minister directed at Sherlina, is the language of misogyny” the body said. They noted that Nageer was verbally abused for insisting that women’s lives and health matter. “She was threatened with the misogynist and violent acts of public stripping and beating for insisting that governments have a responsibility to ensure women have access to quality sexual and reproductive health services.” The body said it recognised such “abuses of state power as a reflection of hatred of women, an unwillingness to recognise us as fully human and a refusal to treat us as equals. They also reflect the callous disregard elected officials show for the people — boys and girls, women and men — they are meant to serve.”

Govt. violates court order, AG admits

The action brought by former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge against Dr. Ashni Singh, the current

Former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge

Finance Minister, could not continue yesterday owing to the absence of the plaintiff (Greenidge) who is currently out of the jurisdiction. Roysdale Forde, Greenidge’s Attorney, told the Court that while the reply was prepared it could not be filed, since a personal signature of Greenidge was required. Greenidge’s lawyer was scheduled to respond to submissions presented by the Attorney General, (AG) Anil Nandlall. The action, which began on March 20, last, is to prevent the government from spending US$32.16M in loans it received from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The defendants in the case are Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Attorney General, (AG) Anil Nandlall. The writ specifically asks that the proceeds under the Loan Agreements signed between Dr. Singh and the IDB be paid into the Consolidated Fund and that there be no withdrawal of the  proceeds  of  the said Loan  Agreements,  except  by  an  Appropriation  Act  as directed by Article  217  of  the  Constitution. Greenidge noted concerns over government’s misuse of the loan. An order was subsequently handed down by Chief Justice, (Ag) Ian Chang in the High Court blocking the government from making any disbursements. The order is to remain in force until determination by the court. Last week, Nandlall released a statement detailing his response to the court action. The AG argued that it is routine practice that the proceeds of the loan having been paid into the Consolidated Fund is no longer

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

IDB money; it forms “part of the pool of resources indistinguishable from other receipts, including tax and non-tax revenue.” Nandlall held that given the circumstance “Any one month funds are withdrawn and spent from the Consolidated Fund to meet the operations of Government, without any identification being made of the original source of those Funds.” But the former Finance Minister begs to differ. In a statement issued yesterday, Greenidge noted that having given the Court the assurance that the Government will not spend the funds, Nandlall in his last two court appearances, has been peddling a line that in his view borders on reckless contempt. Greenidge explained “that line is that the Court Order cannot be obeyed because it is already being violated. I believe this to be a most dangerous situation”. The former Finance Minister said that in commenting on the case, the respondents made two points, that they do not understand how the Consolidated Fund works or they will ignore it. Greenidge underlined the fact that the CJ has already ruled that the Government broke the law in spending monies that were not approved under the 2014 Budget and by incorrectly seeking approval under a Statement of Excess which was never considered or approved by the National Assembly. On this occasion, he noted the Courts have an undertaking by the AG and the Minister of Finance and yet Nandlall now boldly states that the Government is continuing to spend the money. “While we wait to see how condignly the Courts will deal with this outrage, we hope the IDB is taking note.” Greenidge said.

Why, because the fire a corrupt contractor?  Now, what if they had covered it up and remain quiet< what would you say then?

PPP 54%, PNC 41%, AFC 3%, IP/Others 2%.

Alyuh gon be crying come May 12th.

PPP keeps going down.

Now Irfaan doing stupidness asking house lot "allottees" to vote for the PPP their savior.

Yes, but you don't drive forward by looking in the rear view mirror all the time.

If you are reversing, then you look in the rear view mirror all the time.

The PPP's problem is that its successes are also its weaknesses.  So when it talks about look at the courthouse we built for $46 million, instead of that being on the plus side, it becomes a negative because they have paid $46 million for a $20 million product.

So since it cannot talk about its scam projects, it digs up Burnham's jumbie from 30 years ago.

Time for a change.  The PPP had a long run, but they have outlived their usefulness.

https://youtu.be/kiAP4yhNlqI

The heckling and booing of President Ramotar by his own supporters

Dear Editor, The heckling and booing of President Ramotar in his own yard serves as a reminder that you can fool some of the people some of the time, some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Never in the history of Guyana can it be recalled any PPP leader being booed by their supporters and since the PPP engineered resuscitated FITUG, no PPP and union leaders have ever been heckled at their May Day Rally. What these actions made clear is that the workers have had enough and while for years many have quietly expressed their disappointment in the stewardship of their country, on May Day that quiet expression became vocal and overwhelming. This should be a lesson not only for the PPP, but for those labour leaders who continue to fool and exploit the people and become extensions of political parties, and lose the focus of their labour mandate to represent the workers who rely on them to help create a worker-friendly industrial climate. What these developments signal is the evolution of our political environment from the maximum and charismatic leaders to people exercising their power to give direction to their desires. And more so, removing from government officials that carte blanche opinion that they can use state and political power to silence the masses and secure complicity. This rebirth of political revolution to question leaders in the 21st century was made real in the 2012 Linden/Region 10 struggles under the youthful leadership of Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon. It was this community that stood up to the national leaders and their party leaders, demanding respect for their right to inclusion in decision making, consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution that requires of the nation the practice of inclusionary democracy. This Principal Political Objective of the State requires the involvement of persons in decision-making that affect their wellbeing and while some may not be aware of this constitutional requirement, instinctively man’s desire for equality, respect and to be treated with dignity, will make him react against forces that seek to suppress and trample these principles and values. What we are witnessing in Guyana today is an advancement of the masses to take control of their destiny and to put public leadership in its rightful place as servant not master. This progressive thinking and movement is also influenced by information communication technologies where we have the benefit of observing in real time how other societies function and deal with their challenges, as we too become involve in expressing our views to what is taking place internationally and what we desire at home. Any government or political party that ignores the tea leaves does so at their peril. People are more empowered today about their rights in society which are guided by acceptable international standards. And these are the tenets upon which they expect their business to be transacted. The failure of any government to confirm will evoke the wrath of the people who are not afraid today to stridently take position to fire a government and to hire a new one! This society is conscious that the moneys that pay the parliamentarians and those entrusted the responsibility of the state belong to the people and not a political party. And more so, that the moneys come from the people through taxation. While change in Guyana appears to come slowly, the benefit of it is that it advances stability and is likely to last longer. A humbug to this change is that of the slow takeover of the minds through years of brainwashing that would make it take longer to unlearn. Coming to office in 1992 on the wave of the nation’s goodwill rather than build on the foundation laid and working towards developing a nation and national unity, some leaders in the PPP spent the time enriching themselves, families and cronies; securing personal gains; undermining state institutions and national security; trampling on the citizens’ rights; securing themselves through misrepresentation and undermining of laws. The rule of fear and ruthlessness become the order by which they instituted themselves in government. The PPP squandered several opportunities to make all Guyanese feel represented, protected and a beneficiary in the Guyanese economy. For the first time in the history of post independent Guyana, Guyanese can truly say that there is a growing sense, based on indisputable evidence and not orchestrated political propaganda that the government does not care about them. All Guyanese deserve to be led by a government that recognises that post-election must be a period of healing, of moving forward, building bridges and governing in the interest of all, and resist the temptation of serving only supporters. The moneys to run a country come not only from the elected government supporters but also from those who did not support them as their choice for leadership. Societies are best served by leaders who recognise the importance of forging a nation and united people for national development.

Lincoln Lewis

Another home alone woman raped in

E’bo

A Richmond Housing Scheme woman has lodged a report with the police at Anna Regina Police station indicating that she was raped. The police have so far been conducting investigations into the matter. One suspect was pulled in for questioning but has since been released. According to reports, the victim who is in her sixties was at her Richmond Housing Scheme home Tuesday night, when someone apparently invaded her house and proceeded to rape her. The woman was left with a scratch on her neck during a fight she had with her aggressor. A report regarding the recent incident was lodged with the police, at the Anna Regina Police station. They are currently pursuing the alleged incident. During last year and earlier this year, a number of women complained of being attacked by an intruder, who preys on women who live alone. A peaceful protest was organized by several women in Henrietta Village. They appealed to the police to exercise vigilance in an attempt to curb the distasteful issue where women were deprived of sleeping in their homes for fear of being attacked and raped. One La Belle Alliance man has since been charged for rape. He was on remand and has reportedly confessed to at least 20 incidences of rape.

.

Dear Editor, The heckling and booing of President Ramotar in his own yard serves as a reminder that you can fool some of the people some of the time, some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Never in the history of Guyana can it be recalled any PPP leader being booed by their supporters and since the PPP engineered resuscitated FITUG, no PPP and union leaders have ever been heckled at their May Day Rally. What these actions made clear is that the workers have had enough and while for years many have quietly expressed their disappointment in the stewardship of their country, on May Day that quiet expression became vocal and overwhelming

I have said time and time again this elections people will be voting AGAINST the PPP not necessarily for the APNU+AFC.

For the past year, how much raped............could be over 12, Sleep Rohee, Sleep Rohee, whils't Guyanese Women are being Raped left right and center.

The PPP/C Government for you.

But Dizzie lizzie says she cares and the PPP has been the best stewards for women ever.................Yawn, no one is buying your bullshit Lisp Happer.

Trinidad refuses entry to 32 Guyanese

–    Passports lodged with local police

No one that boarded a Caribbean Airlines flight on Monday morning expected that hours later they would be back in Guyana. However, that is now the reality for 32 Guyanese who were reportedly sent back without explanation after being held for hours at the Piarco International Airport. One of the passengers told Kaieteur News that she went to Trinidad for vacation and medical purposes. She explained that she was a frequent traveler to the country and even had relatives there. She emphasised that at no time did she spend more than a few months in the country at a time. According to the woman, everything had been going well until the flight arrived at Piarco. There, some persons were allowed to leave while others were forced to remain at the airport by staff. From 10:20am right up until about 3pm, the passengers were not told why they were being held at the airport. “They just offered us a little juice but didn’t tell us a thing,” the woman said. She added that a pregnant woman and elderly persons were amongst those being kept at the airport. The passengers were subsequently sent back to Guyana on the flights they had initially been scheduled to. On their return to Guyana, the passengers immediately complained to staff of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. However, instead of helping, the woman said the representatives simply laughed. “I’m not going back to Trinidad; that was just an embarrassing, crude experience,” she said. Meanwhile, the passengers’ passports have been lodged with the Brickdam police station.

THE CORRUPT PPP/C GAVE THE TRINIDADIANS THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF GUYANA LANDS TO DO FARMING.........AND TODAY THIS IS GUYANA REWARDS, UNDER THE PPP/C.

A SLAP IN THE FACE OF THE PPP/C

I am sure that these 32 would not vote for the Corrupt PPP/C

Bai Shan Lin selling Providence lots

for up to $24M

Chinese investor, Bai Shan Lin, as part of its plans for Guyana, says it is working to build a five-star, state-of-the-art gated community in Providence with homes costing from $40M upwards. Lands have been advertising by Sunset Lakes Inc., the Bai Shan Lin subsidiary developing the community, on its Facebook page as selling for between US$40,000 ($8M) and US$105,000 ($24M). The community which has amenities like a supermarket, a bar, a post office, telecommunication, swimming pool, gymnasium and playground, is said to be in keeping with European standards. The gated community, offering 24-hour armed guard service, sidewalks and roads will also feature solar powered street lights and the “most advanced water filtration system” along with 24-hour access to potable water. There will also be backup electricity for power failure and an underground drainage system. “The villas can be equipped with air-conditioners and solar water heaters at the request of our clients.” Know as “New Life”, the housing developer says that the different models of villas will be fireproof and earthquake resistant. Sunset Lakes is also offering to customize villas for its clients. The development was unveiled last October during GuyExpo at Sophia where Sunset Lakes had an impressive booth showcasing its plans for “New Life”. When Kaieteur News visited the booth at GuyExpo, the newspaper was told that the houses range “to suit all kinds of people”. The company has decided to have different sizes of houses, with the smallest house costing $50M and the largest, $130M. A brochure shared out at GuyExpo stated, “We at Sunset Lakes Inc. take great pleasure in introducing to you, for the first time in Guyana, a Five Star State-of-the-Art Gated Residence, offering all prestigious and modern amenities to ensure you live that deeply desired New Life.” Bai Shan Lin, the company behind the ambitious community, is a Chinese-owned company which is aggressively engaged in a number of initiatives in Guyana, in logging and gold mining. Its activities have raised questions after it became known that the company was able to become one of the largest holders of logging and mining concessions in Guyana. Log exports have seen a significant increase in recent years, with an explosion of harvesting in especially the Region Ten, Upper Berbice area.

Govt. continues old ways of “no transparency” with Dax contract – Ralph Ramkarran

The Government has come under heavy fire from Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, who described its recent contract with Dax Contracting Services Ltd (Dax) as having “all the hallmarks of criticisms made against the Government in relation to procurement.”

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran

That agreement sees Dax being given a 25 year maintenance contract with the option to renew for an additional 15 years. The maintenance contract is for the rehabilitation of the Brazil to Guyana fibre optic cable. Dax, which is owned by Faisal Mohamed, was also granted millions worth in tax breaks and holidays in exchange for the maintenance of the cable. The Former Speaker aired his criticism on the agreement in a recent post on his blog, The Conversation Tree entitled “Axe the Dax”. The former House Speaker said that this particular cable project has been plagued with controversy, as it was to be part of the E-Governance Project, which had the objective of providing Government agencies with the capacity to develop ICT capabilities. This is despite the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company’s fibre optic cable having the capacity to satisfy all of Guyana’s Telecommunication need. With the implementation of another fibre optic cable, the Government is being accused of undermining GT&T, as they could have purchased the cable from the telephone company which would have proven to be far more cost effective. “The contract between the Government and Dax Engineering Company Inc. in relation to the E-governance Georgetown to Brazil fibre optic cable, drew loud objections from APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) and the WPA (Working People’s Alliance), both vowing to rescind it,” wrote Ramkarran. The political commentator further highlighted the provisions which were granted to Dax under the Government contract; that being the access Dax has to use the entire fibre optic cable, repeater stations, infrastructure and equipment for 25 years, with an option a 15 renewal. The agreement also includes enormous tax benefits, in return for repairing the cable as well as Dax being given licenses to “transmit and receive data and information”. In his article, Ramkarran explained that while the constitution and other legal avenues do not object to the contract, “entering into important contractual obligations or arrangements by the Government after the announcement of elections is prohibited by convention.” To this end, Ramkarran posited that the Government is unbothered by the principles of transparent governance, as the recent timing of the agreement with Dax is testament of that. Moreover, the former politician outlined three issues that arise from Government’s most recent procurement. The first of which being the timing of the contract so close to elections with the second being that the terms appear to have already been negotiated and is a “complete giveaway”. The latter he said is contrary to Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon’s indication that negotiations were still necessary to determine the number of “pairs” in the cable that Dax would eventually receive. The third of these issues, according to Ramkarran, is the failure of the Government to transparently advertise bids for the project. According to the former PPP member, such issues present a clear vindication of those who were initially against the project due to the suspicion that it was being set up in competition to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) to benefit cronies. However, Ramkarran said that the Government may claim that circumstances necessitated the privatisation of the project, but stressed that this move will result in a “destructive competitive environment”, with respect to a product which will be in oversupply as a result of Government action. “It will result in an undermining of market forces and loss of confidence by the business community in the Government’s bonafides with respect to creating fair conditions for creative competition to flourish,” wrote Ramkarran. In concluding his article, Ramkarran stated that the awarding of a contract more suitable for competitive bidding and has implications for an entire industry, continues the Government’s “old ways” of “no transparency”. This, he said, is despite the PPP/C’s promise to deal with corruption. “The other companies which have been granted permission to lay fibre optic cables have also been undermined by this act,” concluded the former speaker. !

Port Kaituma residents refuse to return Gov’t-issued solar panels

Residents of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, are locked in a battle with the government which is demanding that they return the solar panels given to them last Monday. The residents have vowed not to hand over the panels

Residents of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma are refusing to return solar panels given to them by the government.

despite threats from officials to engage the services of the police to retrieve them. The residents believe that the panels are being recalled because of the perceived non-support for the People’s Progressive Party. The panels were given to the about 100 residents on Monday, in keeping with a promise made three years ago, when the Citrus Grove community was without electricity. Kaieteur News understands that since the request for the panels was made, the area was subsequently given electricity by the power company at Port Kaituma. The confusion reportedly arose when the residents were invited to a meeting on Wednesday, a day after government officials visited the area, and were told that since the area is now being powered by the Port Kaituma Power Company, they no longer needed the panels. The residents were told that they would have to return the panels and if they did not it would be forcibly taken from them. One resident who spoke to this newspaper is of the opinion that the people of Citrus Grove are being penalized for not showing support for the government when the officials visited the community. He explained that the reason given for demanding the return of the panels does not hold water, since residents of another location – Oronoque – are not being asked to return theirs although their community too is being powered by company electricity. “Dem ain’t taking back dem own, but dey want we fuh give back we own. De president come hey Tuesday and Wednesday…dey asking we fuh give back de panels,” the resident stated. They are blaming the Chairman of the area’s Interim Management Committee for the current situation. This newspaper understands that the IMC Chairperson did turn up with the police yesterday to recover the solar panels. The police briefly detained the chairman of the community development committee Neville La Rose. He told this newspaper after his release that the police “wisely” decided that the matter was not one for them to deal with. “What is causing the problem is that this whole thing was not explained properly,” La Rose stated. He said that the residents will resist any attempt to repossess the panels especially since the electricity supply from the power company is unreliable. “Right now, the generator break down and we not getting power. So why give back de panels?” a resident questioned.

Joey Jagan endorses APNU+AFC; says Jagdeo is the 'coolie bully of politics' ; welcomes ex-military in politics

• Monday, 04 May 2015 16:44
• Written by  Demerara Waves

Dr. Cheddi "Joey" Jagan

Residents of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma, are locked in a battle with the government which is demanding that they return the solar panels given to them last Monday. The residents have vowed not to hand over the panels

Residents of Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma are refusing to return solar panels given to them by the government.

despite threats from officials to engage the services of the police to retrieve them. The residents believe that the panels are being recalled because of the perceived non-support for the People’s Progressive Party.

Gifting fibre optic cable reminiscent of radio frequencies giveaway – Greenidge

A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) point man on Finance, Carl

APNU’s Carl Greenidge

Greenidge, and financial analyst, Ramon Gaskin, have blasted the Government’s “sweetheart” deal with Dax Contracting Services. He described the transaction as evidence of the government’s many questionable transactions and disregard for the rights of the general public to access of information. According to the contract, Dax Contracting Services has sole rights to the repair, use and maintenance of the fibre optic cable, for an initial 25 years, with an option to extend it for a further 15 years. Dax Contracting will also have access to and use of all structural components of the fibre optic project, including road access, access to poles and repeater stations. In the contract, Dax will also enjoy uncapped benefits from the state such as tax exemptions, tax holidays, duty free concessions on tools, equipment and vehicles. Greenidge, a former Minister of Finance, strongly condemned the deal, stating that the government should not be engaged in signing any long term contracts, in the run up to general and regional elections. This, he stated, is the rule in any democratic country. He also compared it to the radio licences giveaway before the 2011 General and Regional elections. “This Government believes it is not bound by rules. These are things they do in spite of the law for the benefit of a select few.” Greenidge, who in March filed a writ in the High Court against Finance Minister Ashni Singh and Attorney

Dax Contracting Services Faisal Mohamed

General Anil Nandlall, barring them from accessing a US$17M Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan, also stated that the court was an option that was open to his party. “The fact is, however, they have already signed (the contract). We will, however, challenge the legitimacy of the contract. We will leave it for the courts to decide.” Financial analyst, Ramon Gaskin, has also blasted the Government’s agreement with Dax Contracting Services, whereby the Brazil/Guyana fibre optic cable has been virtually ‘gifted’ to the company. Describing it as an obscene ‘illegality’, Gaskin expressed the necessity of having the project stopped, citing the timing of the transaction, with just days before General and Regional elections. “Of course it should be stopped. The entire thing is illegal. Just days before elections, (Government) will be giving away these state assets? There should be a statutory prohibition on giving anything to anybody in the run up to elections,” Gaskin said. Gaskin, who has long been an outspoken critic on many Government policies, also drew comparisons with the situation just before the last elections, when radio licences were controversially gifted to a few persons who had close ties to the administration, while longstanding private media houses were bypassed. “Someone should approach the courts and have it stopped dead in its tracks.” The issue of new radio stations, which bears a marked resemblance to the Government of Guyana/Dax agreement, was an embarrassing one for the Donald Ramotar administration after revelations that

Financial Analyst Ramon Gaskin

Jagdeo bypassed a standing agreement with the Opposition. He unilaterally granted several radio and cable licences to not only his friends but also to close party members and even to the ruling PPP newspaper, The Mirror, just before he left office. It was widely seen as part of a bigger plan by Jagdeo to gain control of the airwaves. Several prominent media houses were ignored by Jagdeo, leading to condemnation locally and internationally, and to protests. Among those granted approvals for radio licences were Telcor & Cultural Broadcasting Inc, the former owner of IRadio 90.1 FM, the company closely linked to Minister Persaud. Also granted five frequencies were Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, Jagdeo’s close buddy. He was allowed also to buy over a television Channel (TVG) from its former owner Tony Vieira under controversial circumstances. The Mirror, owned by the PPP, was also granted five frequencies through Dharamkumar Seeraj, a senior member of the ruling party.

What a joke Joey "Cheddie" Jagan.

Ordinary man pays three times more than Jagdeo for same size house lot

…Jagdeo pays $114 per sq ft, Ordinary citizen pays $317 per sq ft

The presence of former President Bharrat Jagdeo on the campaign trail for the ruling People’s Progressive

Bharrat Jagdeo

Party/Civic (PPP/C) is to protect the questionable wealth he has accumulated. That is the view of the political opposition spokesman, Joseph Harmon. One of the pieces of evidence to support this argument is his large mansion and unlimited benefits at Pradoville Two, according to a full page advertisement in the newspapers, yesterday. According to the advertisement, while serving his last term in office, Jagdeo along with close friends and Ministers, arranged for a large section of Sparendaam lands, which overlook the Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast of Demerara, to be converted into house lots. Jagdeo not only used state resources to develop the lands, but positioned himself to buy two acres. In the process, he paid three times less than what ordinary citizens in the Diamond and Grove Housing Schemes, East Bank Demerara, paid. Jagdeo paid $5M per acre which works out at $114 per square foot; the ordinary man paid $317 per square foot for their plot. Remigrants paid more than ten times the price Jagdeo paid for the same size house lot. They paid $1,111 per square foot. These lots are not ocean front, but are located on East Bank Demerara in the former cane fields. The advertisement also said that Jagdeo is fighting desperately to protecthis unlimited use of water, electricity and telephone as is guaranteed by benefits he helped to make into laws and which he assented to. As part of that ex-president’s benefits he signed, he also has unlimited personal and household staff including an attendant and gardener. There are also full-time personal security and services of the Presidential Guard Service at his place of residence along with an unspecified number of motor vehicles to be maintained by the state. His tax exemption status is identical to that enjoyed by a serving President, meaning no tax on income, on property or capital gain. His monthly package of $5 million is the equivalent to 125 persons working for the Minimum Wage or 400 Old Age Pensioners.

Guyanese spend millions of dollars and yet they cannot get their transport for land purchase for over one year ago. Wake up Irfat, wake up, do some work.

FURTHER TALKS? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? A SLAP ON THE WRIST?

President to have “further talks” with Ramsaran over Nageer insults

April 24, 2015 1:46 pm Category: Politics A+ / A-

Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and President Donald Ramotar

[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar has signalled his intention to have “further talks” with Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran over a recent verbal assault of women’s rights activist, Sherlina Nageer.

The Health Minister launched a scathing verbal onslaught on Nageer on Monday, April 20 outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court where he called the woman “a little piece of sh@t” and also told her that he would slap her “just for fun.”

After Ramsaran would have been widely condemned for his reproachable statements, he issued an apology, but mere hours after was back at it again, this time labelling Nageer as a “miscreant” and someone who is in need of “psychiatric” help.

President Ramotar in a statement on Friday, April 24 said that “the statements and behaviour of the Minister do not reflect the high-standards I have set for Ministerial conduct nor the public’s expectations of an office holder. It is outright disrespectful and improper. I intend to have further discussions with the Minister on this matter.”

Both the US and British Envoys have condemned the Minister’s utterances saying that had that happened in either of their government, the person would have been expected to tender his/her resignation.

Bheri Scandal: “A decent President would have sacked him already” – Legal Fraternity

April 29, 2015 6:11 am Category: latest news A+ / A-

Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Sherlina Nageer during the exchange in front the Whim’s Magistrate’s Court. [Mark Jacobs’ Photo]

Ramsaran’s verbal attack is “disturbing” – Canadian High Commission

April 25, 2015 10:53 am Category: latest news A+ / A-

Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Sherlina Nageer during the exchange in front the Whim’s Magistrate’s Court. [Mark Jacobs’ Photo]

So we have seen Donald Duck buckle and shit his Pants, feebly he was forced to remove Dr Bere Bere.

Poor Donald never got so much pressure in his miserable life.

Govt. violates court order, AG admits

The action brought by former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge against Dr. Ashni Singh, the current

Former Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge

Finance Minister, could not continue yesterday owing to the absence of the plaintiff (Greenidge) who is currently out of the jurisdiction. Roysdale Forde, Greenidge’s Attorney, told the Court that while the reply was prepared it could not be filed, since a personal signature of Greenidge was required. Greenidge’s lawyer was scheduled to respond to submissions presented by the Attorney General, (AG) Anil Nandlall. The action, which began on March 20, last, is to prevent the government from spending US$32.16M in loans it received from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The defendants in the case are Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Attorney General, (AG) Anil Nandlall. The writ specifically asks that the proceeds under the Loan Agreements signed between Dr. Singh and the IDB be paid into the Consolidated Fund and that there be no withdrawal of the  proceeds  of  the said Loan  Agreements,  except  by  an  Appropriation  Act  as directed by Article  217  of  the  Constitution. Greenidge noted concerns over government’s misuse of the loan. An order was subsequently handed down by Chief Justice, (Ag) Ian Chang in the High Court blocking the government from making any disbursements. The order is to remain in force until determination by the court. Last week, Nandlall released a statement detailing his response to the court action. The AG argued that it is routine practice that the proceeds of the loan having been paid into the Consolidated Fund is no longer

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

IDB money; it forms “part of the pool of resources indistinguishable from other receipts, including tax and non-tax revenue.” Nandlall held that given the circumstance “Any one month funds are withdrawn and spent from the Consolidated Fund to meet the operations of Government, without any identification being made of the original source of those Funds.” But the former Finance Minister begs to differ. In a statement issued yesterday, Greenidge noted that having given the Court the assurance that the Government will not spend the funds, Nandlall in his last two court appearances, has been peddling a line that in his view borders on reckless contempt. Greenidge explained “that line is that the Court Order cannot be obeyed because it is already being violated. I believe this to be a most dangerous situation”. The former Finance Minister said that in commenting on the case, the respondents made two points, that they do not understand how the Consolidated Fund works or they will ignore it. Greenidge underlined the fact that the CJ has already ruled that the Government broke the law in spending monies that were not approved under the 2014 Budget and by incorrectly seeking approval under a Statement of Excess which was never considered or approved by the National Assembly. On this occasion, he noted the Courts have an undertaking by the AG and the Minister of Finance and yet Nandlall now boldly states that the Government is continuing to spend the money. “While we wait to see how condignly the Courts will deal with this outrage, we hope the IDB is taking note.” Greenidge said.