Dear EditorCrime is on the rise in this country. Almost every day you pick up a newspaper, surf the internet, listen to the radio, go on Facebook or other social media site, you will always hear, read, or see some form of criminal activity being portrayed from all walks of life, ethnic groups, religious background, and from all the administrative regions of this country.It seems as though, instead of getting a change for the better, we are getting the opposite in terms of criminal activities.Editor, what makes it worse is that the people who are supposed to be there fighting for our protection and security, and living up to their mandate of providing peace and order in this country, are among the ones that are getting themselves involved in killing the comfort and security that we looked up to them to provide.Editor, take these examples for instance: this poor housewife from Corentyne, Berbice who was wrongfully accused by a taxi driver of picking up his cellphone that he mistakenly left in his car. She was beaten by Police because she could not provide them the cellphone that they were asking her for. She wasn’t even given an opportunity to justify herself, and what makes it worse is that they took her money that was in her possession, which was saved for her husband’s eye surgery, and when she reported the matter to the Whim Police Station and requested a medical form to be taken to the hospital, they refused to give her one.Secondly Editor, the taxi driver fiasco: another Corentyne, Berbice resident who was beaten by Police at the Springlands Police Station. They choked the taxi driver when he was asking questions about the present situation, when they confronted him outside of his home. He was forced to endure a breathalyser test using a used pipe.Where is the justice? And to crown it all, they kicked him all over his back, head, jaw, mouth and ribs, and thus broke it.Thirdly Editor, let me refresh your mind about the Fly Jamaica Airline that crash- landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after encountering hydraulic issues. The firefighters — another set of people who were supposed to be there for the citizens’ comfort and security, providing assistance when problems erupt — were under investigation. Why were they under investigation? For stealing personal items from the captain and crew members of the said plane.Editor, I must personally — and I’m therefore repeating — personally oppose this wrongful acts that is being meted out towards the citizens of our country by the persons who are in authority, who swore an oath to safeguard and protect the citizens of our country, and in the end blatantly stab us in the back. Editor, these criminal activities have no place in our society, in our country; they need to stop. This sort of corruption must stop.I do believe that it is time Guyana takes a stand against criminal activities in our country. No one, and I repeat: no one; whether you are a Police officer, a probation officer, a fire fighter — no matter how big or whatever position you may hold, you should be held accountable for the unlawful acts that you have committed. It is time Police officers and other stakeholders in high positions stop covering each other from the consequences of acts of crime and injustice; it is time all these bribes that are being accepted by persons in high authority be abolished; it is time for a change; and this change must be for the betterment of this country in terms of criminal activities.Editor, I do hope this letter doesn’t return void, but must go through all sections and crevices of this country and bear fruit. Editor, I do hope that the Minister of Public Security, Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan, would look into this matter of the poor housewife and the taxi driver, which are just two of the many injustices in this country.I hope they receive justice. All of these things are adding more stain towards our beautiful country Guyana. I am therefore appealing for all our religious institutions, be it Muslim, Hindu or Christian: let’s come together and pray, seeking for a divine intervention for the betterment of our country. Let’s all pray and ask for guidance and protection for our citizens, so as to eradicate crime and criminal activities.Regards,Robin JosephCounsellor: WaramuriVillage read more
Dear Editor,In reading Bishop Edghill’s letter pertaining to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion project I was struck by the sentence “This interconnected group of projects was totally misunderstood and incompetently handled by the APNU/AFC Administration when they came to office in May 2015.” It sums up the 3.6 years of poor governance by the APNU+AFC Administration.While Edghill asks the question of completion dates, I beg to ask of APNU+AFC’s conception dates, that is to say, what new ideas or projects have come forth from the Granger Cabinet that demonstrates vision for our nation? Editor, the bastardised version of the Low Carbon Development Strategy relabeled as the “Green State Development Strategy” lacks the innovation of LCDS and is about as practical as the coats of green paint applied to Government buildings en masse. All of the current projects except the plethora of speed bumps, being undertaken, were conceptualised and started under the PPP/C Administration. The Public Infrastructure Minister likes to point out the “little things” that his Ministry accomplishes; he should be reminded that his little fixes come with a hefty price tag and are works that should be carried out by competent city and village councils. Street lights and potholes are not the purview of a Minister of State, it is the work of a city Councillor.Editor, Guyana was moved from a heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPIC) to Upper Middle Income under successive PPP/C Administrations, this was done without the much hyped “Oil money” that has become the focus of this vacuous APNU+AFC Administration. Neglect of the pillars of our economy – Mining and Agriculture – by APNU+AFC is mind boggling, coupled with a belief that Guyanese can be taxed to pay for their excesses of expenditure on the frivolous, non-productive and mismanaged little things with massive price tags led a most expensive and disastrous period in our nation’s economic history. The APNU+AFC have emptied the coffers of the USD$900 million reserves and are driving us further into debt daily.Editor, the APNU+AFC boasts of the largest budgets in our nation’s history, would that they could boast of a completed project that they conceived and executed successfully. Along with this massive increase in expenditure came the curse of unaccountability. The Auditor General’s reports read like a hatchet job of Government politicians, listing unaccounted billions, lack of concern for procurement safe-guards, basics such as receipts and ledgers are a problem in every item of expenditure in every single Ministry. The level of incompetence caused by “the twin sins of ignorance and arrogance” as described by Edghill in an earlier missive is stunning.2019 elections are upon us and Guyanese must face the questions of vision for our nation and ability to deliver good governance. My advice to all is to disregard those who see “oil money” as a panacea, look to those who understand that Guyana has to now rebuild and strengthen her other pillars of economy, engage in a massive education renaissance and restore governance for the benefit of the people and not the few.RespectfullyRobin Singh read more
Dear Editor,The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled that the no-confidence vote passed on December 21, 2018, over six months ago, was valid, which means that the Government is now illegal.In another pressing matter, the court also ruled that the unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the elections commission was also illegal, two very important and definitive decisions. In simple concise language, this means that the Government of David Arthur Granger has fallen. There should be a return to the ballot box and a fresh mandate sought for the people of this country, end of discussion.The sum total of all of this is not what the Government or Opposition in Guyana thinks, it is not based on the legal opinion or lack thereof, of Government or Opposition, it is solely based on the Constitution and the rule of law. Whether Granger or Jagdeo likes or dislikes this aspect of the law is of no consequence to our discussion, the law is the law and all parties are bonded by it.Now, the vexing issue of the appointment of a new GECOM Chairman has again hit centre stage and the reason for me saying this is before an appointment of a new Chairman can be made, there must be a revocation of the old. Neither of the two things Granger is prepared to do, and here is where the problem arises. The President is not going to let Patterson go, reason being Patterson was placed there to do dirty work in the rigging of the next election, so his argument for his illegal appointee to remain in office is real to him. In the same vein, Granger would not choose someone from Jagdeo’s list either, but shuffle around from one list to another just like he did earlier this year. Here is where the CCJ’s consequential order kicks in.The final appellate court of our jurisdiction in its wisdom has anticipated this delay tactic of Granger, hence the consequential order for the parties to return to court on Monday. On June 24, the CCJ will make its final statement on the Guyana issue and from henceforth our country should be guided thereby. Elections are coming.Respectfully,Neil Adams read more
Dear Editor,According to the Guyana Constitution, under Section 50, the Supreme organs of democratic power in Guyana shall be:(1) the Parliament(2) the President and,(3) the CabinetFurther, Article 106 (2) states that “The Cabinet shall aid and advise the President in the general direction and control of the Government and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament”.In my view, dissolving Parliament would more or less indirectly trigger compliance to Article 106 (6) of the Constitution (the Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence) by rendering the Cabinet (Council of Ministers) ineffective and devoid of such parliamentary responsibility forthwith.Sincerely yours,Paul Ramrattan read more
Dear Editor,For decades, the public education system has had to deal with fights and bullying in the school system.As a Guyanese in the Diaspora, I should say that these issues are not isolated to Guyana. These are matters that education systems across the globe are forced to deal with on a daily basis.However, this must not be interpreted as me arguing that the Guyanese education system should be relaxed in its efforts to address these issues. The Ministry is working and I am sure we can agree that more needs to be done.At the end of the day, Editor, these are behavioural issues which are linked to the upbringing and socialisation of children within our society. We have children that are teasing and bullying their peers and we have students that don’t know how to deal with situations where they are provoked.The first place where the socialisation process begins is the home Editor. However, we must be realistic and understand that children still learn some behaviour traits away from home.This is why it is imperative that parents and guardians pay greater attention to their children. Parents might be teaching their children one thing and when around their friends or other relatives, they are taught something different and may end up embracing the wrong values and principles which are displayed through their deeds.Editor, I say all these things to make the point that the display of violence in schools can only be stopped or significantly reduced if we change the quality of our upbringing of children, thereby, improving the quality of citizens that are produced.This would significantly reduce the strain placed on social services in this country and the Judiciary because if children embrace violent behaviour, some of them become menaces to society when they become adults.Children need to be taught that they must not bully others and why. They must be taught how to deal with instances when they are provoked to anger. They must know that the best thing to do is to walk away from violent situations and report the same to the relevant persons, parents or teachers.Additionally, a point I wish to note is the quality of content and information that we expose our children to. For example, at a young age, some children are allowed to watch content on television that are violent and not rated for their age. While among their friends at school, they tend to want to perform the actions and stunts that they saw which can cause injury to themselves and peers.Children must be allowed to be children and as they grow, they are introduced to things which they can understand for their age. This might seem as insignificant to some readers but it is a very important point.There are parents today that are mothering and fathering children and leaving the teaching of proper core principles, values, soft skills and behavioural practices to teachers and the society at large.Sometimes I sympathise with the work that teachers and education officials have to deal with but Editor, I must say, I am encouraged by recent developments. For example, the continuous development of the welfare system with the acquisition of psychosocial units.It will be a gargantuan task but it can be much easier if all stakeholders, particularly parents and guardians to step up in the performance of their duties.Yours sincerely,Leon Persaud read more
Dear Editor,In a recent article published in the Kaieteur News accusing GGMC’s Mines Officers of corruption, Editor, I would like to add some evidence to support your article.I am a shop owner at Puruni Landing and my place of business was visited recently by an official who claimed to be responsible for managing Trading Licenses.I was in Georgetown at the time doing business. The official, who is not stationed in the area, presented a notice to my shop attendant indicating that the trading in gold with the license would be suspended from January 2020. However, if I wish to continue doing business, one ounce of raw gold must be paid to him when he visits in January.It is my understanding that the said person had made similar proposals to other shop owners. Upon returning to the Puruni Landing two days after, I visited the GGMC’s office to enquire the basis of the notice and was told by the Mines Officer stationed there that he had no knowledge of such notice and would have to check with his supervisor.He did acknowledge that the official who served the notice works at the GGMC but in another department.Sir, this act of corrupt practice must be highlighted in an effort to remove those individuals who engage in such practices from the GGMC.I have interacted on a number of occasions with officers of the Commission and found many to be hardworking and honest; however, there are a few such as the individual who gave the notice, that should be investigated and the necessary action is taken.I firmly believe that this was a “shakedown” operation since the officer stationed at the Puruni Landing confessed that he was in no way connected to that individual.Sincerely,Shop owner read more
The report into the damning allegations made against several officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) by self-proclaimed drug lord Barry Dataram was tabled before Cabinet on Tuesday, however, no in-depth discussions were held.Barry DataramThis is according to President David Granger, who told reporters on Wednesday that the report of the inquest has been handed in.President David Granger“I cannot say specifically what was discussed. The matter was laid before Cabinet and we have not come to any conclusions about the matter… but it was not a significant matter (that) was discussed (Tuesday) with any depth,” he noted.Nevertheless, the Head of State noted that he personally had a look at the report but will not comment on it without Cabinet first discussing the findings.However, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had stated last week that after Cabinet is done reviewing the report, it will be made public.In February, Dataram, during an interview with HGPTV Nightly News, alleged that senior CANU officials are involved in illegal drug trafficking activities and had even alleged that one of the agents bagged some $10 million in exchange for allowing cocaine to leave the country.He also made allegations against the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). A week after the interview was broadcast; President Granger ordered that an inquest be established into the allegations.The probe went on for some two months and following its completion, the report was handed over to Minister Harmon on behalf of the Head of State last Friday. Brigadier Bruce Lovell was appointed by the Head of State to probe the allegations made against ranks of the country’s premier drug enforcement unit.During the handing over of the report, Brigadier Lovell noted that the allegations made by Dataram are serious, especially since State officials were named. As such, it was necessary that Government carry out an investigation.He expressed his confidence that Government will consider his conclusion and recommendations, and take appropriate actions. Upon receiving the report, Minister Harmon highlighted the importance of having the inquiry done. He noted that this way, they will determine what the facts of any situation are.Moreover, the Minister of State added that Government will take the appropriate actions after reviewing the report.A copy of the document was handed over to the President and Ministry of Public Security for further review. read more
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has rejected Government’s final offer of a one per cent to 10 per cent and as it contemplates its next move.Finance MinsiterWinston JordanThe administration has decided to go ahead and arbitrarily make the payments to public servants from next month. This was confirmed on Friday by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who said that the directive has been made to make the retroactive payments from next month.This will mean that public servants will on their October pay-cheques be receiving their increases for that month, in addition to the bulk accumulated amount retroactive to January 2016.Minister Jordan made the disclosure as he engaged the media corps and insisted that it was all Government could sustainably afford at the time.He used the opportunity to also respond to critics that had pointed to the billions the administration said it had found outside of the Consolidated Fund that could have been used to pay public servants a livable wage.According to Minister Jordan, that money was in fact used to make a one-off payment to public servants last year.Opposition Leader Bharrat JagdeoHe said a one-off payment was all that could have been made at the time, since the monies were not part of any recurrent revenues.Speaking on the retroactive increases to be paid in the coming month, Minister Jordan was quick to point out that there has been an improvement “on what used to take place in the past.”He explained that while the salary increases used to be paid retroactive to January of any given year, it was in the past tabulated based on the salary a person was receiving at the end of the previous year.“So if you weren’t on the (pay)roll on December 31 of the previous year you would not have enjoyed the benefit of any salary increase for the current year…We have tried as hard as possible not to allow that to happen,” said Minister Jordan.He told the media, “if you came on, on or before August 31 of this year you will enjoy the salary increase….The salary increases will be in the October salaries, so there are a number of improvements there that perhaps people don’t know about.”Sustainability/impactSpeaking directly about the sustainability of salary increases in light of the demands and what has in fact been offered and now arbitrarily paid out, Minister Jordan dismissed the notion that the wage bill will be hiked to the point where Government could not maintain it.As it relates to Government’s offer which it is proceeding to effect, Minister Jordan said, “based on our projection of revenue and so on, it will be sustained.”The Finance Minister was unable to provide a figure on what the total impact of the payout will be on the government wages bill since government is responsible for paying those also not considered traditional public servants, namely ranks of the disciplined services and a range of semi-autonomous agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority, among others.Jordan vs JagdeoJordan also used the opportunity to respond to exhortations fielded by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.Jordan said Jagdeo has claimed, “we were saying all these accounts were being held off line….we could take those and make the payments of the salary increase.”He was at the time making reference to the numerous accounts holding billions of dollars that were not being held in the Consolidated Fund when the coalition A partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) took office in May 2015.According to Jordan, “we did say that we found monies in various accounts and we transferred them to the Consolidated Fund, we used some of those monies to make the pay the one-off payment that you had in December.”The Finance Minister was adamant that “every increase that we make has to be sustained for the next year and the next year and the next year…has to be sustained.”He said too that persons must also be cautious in their thinking that any growth in revenues can be put towards increased salaries. read more
Dear Mr. Speaker:As follow up to my communications dated August 7, 2014 laying before you the facts and circumstances necessitating the declaration of the state of emergency, and in exercise of the emergency powers granted and in keeping with the need for emergency powers granted under Article 86 A and B, which are imperative to contain the spread and bring an end to the Ebola epidemic, please find below measures being undertaken restricting/suspending certain fundamental rights of Liberian citizens.This letter constitutes our formal request to the Legislature approving these measures:Article 1 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Alteration of Election Time and Manner. The President may by proclamation, alter the period and manner provided for under the constitution of elections, by which the people cause their public servants to leave office or to fill vacancies. Provided, however, that no deviation from the constitutionally prescribed period shall cause the extension or reduction of any term of office therein prescribed;Article 12 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Labor. The President may, by proclamation, procure certain labor or services during this state of emergency;Article 13 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Free Movement. The President may, by proclamation, limit the movements of certain individuals, groups or communities as the case may be to prevent the further spread or contain the epidemic in certain areas;Article 14 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Religious Restriction. The President may, by proclamation, restrict certain religious practices, generally or specifically, if she finds that such practice further endangers the public health and contributes to the spread of the virus;Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Restriction on speech. The President may, by proclamation or executive action, prevent any citizen, groups of citizens or any entity protected under Article 15 of the constitution from making any public statement in person, by print or electronic, which may have the tendency of undermining the State of Emergency, confusing the public on the nature of the health care threat, or otherwise causing a state of panic about the health care or security condition of the nation;Article 17 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Assembly. The President may by proclamation, limit the right to assembly for any reason;Article 24 of the Liberian Constitution (1986). Appropriation of Property The President may, by proclamation, appropriate any private property or prevent the use thereof in order to protect the public health and safety during the state of emergency without payment of any kind or any further judicial process. Provided however, that the property will be released to the rightful owners upon the end of the state of emergency and that the Government pays for any damages thereto.Sincerely,Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST COMPASSIONATE, THE MOST MERCIFULAll praise belongs to Allah; and may His peace and blessings be upon His Prophet, his household, his companions and all those who rightly follow their foot-steps. Ameen!In our last edition we began discussing the perception of our people concerning the pandemic disease- Ebola. We attempted to give an introductory explanation to this topic. At the end of the edition we concluded by asserting that variance in thoughts, perceptions and conceptions as a norm of human creation. Today, we shall try to concentrate on “fate”.Every mortal being created by Allah is composed of pair-male and female, righteous and ill-righteous, as well as good and bad, the faithful and unfaithful. Within this context Al-Qur’an-the Holy Scripture of Al-Islam tells us that it be would illogical and inconceivable that: “Would he whose heart reflects the image of religious and spiritual virtues be equaled to the one in whose heart reign vice and impiety!” (32:18). Certainly not! This is so because, the behavioral patterns of the two are not the same and identical; and of course, neither can they be recognized, appreciated and treated alike; nor can they be rewarded the same way. Perhaps this is why Allah makes crystal and clear in some of the Scriptural assertions of His Last and Final Testament that: “he who has done an atom’s weight of good, will see it and profit by it, and he who has done an atom’s weight of evil, will see it and be punished for it” (99:7-8). The fact is that it is the behavioral pattern that distinguishes a realistic person from unrealistic one. For the former is one free from the bondage of childish unrealistic and immature notion. This character is described as “positive thinker. This is so because, he/she views issues in a cogent, logical and well-argued manner; and by the same trend, act with the course of sobriety, clear-headedness and maturity. On the other hand, the latter is portrayed as negative thinker. In that, he/she allows partiality, imagination and delusion to influence his/her practical thought and life. Perhaps this is why Al-Qur’an also maintains that: “But those whose hearts reflect the image of religious and spiritual virtues and their deeds wisdom and piety must expect the Gardens of bliss in which they shall be homed with home-felt delight and wherein shall each one come into close relation with oneself and with others in requital of all the good they had accomplished in life. Those in whose hearts reigns vice shall be homed in Hell. As often as they try to escape it they are reinstated therein and be told: ‘Now you taste the torment experienced in Hell which you had always denied.’ And in mercy to them We (Allah) will make them suffer here the lesser of the two evils by justly submitting them to pain and punishment that they might hopefully repent and turn to Allah (and save themselves the bigger and really vehement Hereafter). And who is more wrongheaded and wrongful of actions than he who is reminded of Allah’s evident signs and shuns them and of His revelations and persistently avoid them and abstain from listening to them! (Let them just wait), We (Allah) will take just vengeance on them and afflict them with torment that is laid upon the damned” (32:18-22). As stated earlier, the above quoted verses, all in all, signify that Allah’s generosity can in no wise operate at the expense of His justice system both in reward and requital. Crystallizing the indisputableness of this fact, the Holy Scripture again says: “that no soul bearing wrongs shall in no way bear the wrong actions of another, that nothing is considered one’s own on the Day of Judgment but only what he strove for and had endeavoured to attain, and that the advantages of his efforts will be seen later in the course of events and the fruits of his endeavours will ripe and glow here (in this life) and Hereafter. Then will the end crown the deed and Allah shall requites him in full for the action involving godly efforts directed to a definite end and for the deeds imprinted with wisdom and piety” (53:38-410. What a clarity emphasis! For his part, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said thus: “The horses are for three purposes. For one they are a reward, for another they are a shield, and for other that are burdens. In reference to the one for whom they are reward is the person who keeps them to be used in the way of Allah. Thus, they spend their entire life grazing in the pasture or garden (waiting in preparation for struggle in good faith). So whatever afflicts them during that lengthy period in the pasture or garden, it will be counted as good deeds for such person. Then if their lengthy period is ended and they are used for a noble cause or two, their hoof prints and their dung are counted as good deeds for such person. When they passed through it a stream from which they did drink, such person (their owner) does not intend to quench their thirst; yet, it would be counted as good deeds. Therefore, they are a reward for that person. On the other hand, a person who keeps them to maintain self and to be independent of others, and does not forget the right of Allah upon their necks and their backs (i. e., their Zakah/Poor Dues), then they are shield for such person (from the Hellfire). However, for a person who keeps them in order to boast, brag and show off, then they are a burden for such person (on Judgment).Even though the foregoing Scriptural assertions and their respective attendant Prophetic explanations give broader connotations, one issue is however paramount and needs to claim the full attention of us all. That is, the phrase “good” as mentioned herein above, is the good that centers on the acknowledgement, appreciation and obedience of the Divine Law, including its attendance moral decorum. For there is no morality that contravenes the fact appertains to “faith” in the Existence, Oneness and Absolute Sovereignty of Allah. By the same token, no morality is moral that contradicts the Divine Laws. So, nothing behooves humanity, particularly those who claim to be adherents and followers of “Religion” that is guided by “Divine Revelation”. Of course, “faith in Allah” stands olympic high in His servantship, but it is worth stating that mere declaration of “faith” not accompanied or backed by prescribed worship, righteous acts, spiritual virtues and other various religious rites, is but a first and profound class of insincerity and hypocrisy. Perhaps this is why Al-Qur’an is replete with assertions which indicate that whenever a call is made on the “believers”, the phrase is followed by the words: “and whose deeds are characterized by wisdom and piety”. In other words, any good done in the state of disbelief in Allah and wanton disregard of His prescribed Code of Decorum, can in no wise be recognized and appreciated by Allah-the Almighty; and of course, cannot be rewarded in the Hereafter. It is also worth understanding that whatsoever is described as “wrong” or “evil” will justly be requited both here in this life and the Hereafter. This is so because, the Divine Promise that contains in Allah’s Holy Scripture and Prophetic assertions. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) read more