October 18, 2016

Archives for April 22, 2016

Brassington, Ramotar confirm US$5M still owed by Chinese company

Sale of GTT shares

“As at Dec 31, 2015 no monies were paid” – Auditor Goolsarran

Immediate past president of Guyana Donald Ramotar, under whose tenure the government disposed of its 20 per cent shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) by sale to a Chinese company, has come out swinging at the 10-month-old A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government after the administration said on Wednesday the Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group, which bought the shares, has already repaid the outstanding US$5 million; however, there seems to be no record of the payment.

Former Executive Director of NICIL Winston Brassington

Former Executive Director of NICIL Winston Brassington

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

In 2012, Datang purchased government’s shares at the cost of US$30 million from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and based on the agreement with the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, the company paid off US$25 million and had two years to make the outstanding payment. The PPP/C had long maintained that the outstanding monies were not paid and after assuming office last year the APNU/AFC regime undertook to recoup the monies; hence Minister of State Joseph Harmon’s recent trip to China.
But, a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday revealed that based on documentation in the government’s possession, the moneys were paid long before the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections.
“What I can say is that Mr Harmon has been able to retrieve some documents which tell a different story. That story being, of course, that the five million was paid so we are trying to track down to whom, how, where and when,” Trotman revealed to reporters.
While the Government spokesperson did not provide many details in relation to the information found on the payment by the Chinese company, he did hint it was made under the previous Administration when he said “that was before May 16, 2015”.
However, Ramotar in a statement on Thursday rejected the government’s claim and said the claim by government that the money was received is a lie. “I challenge the government to present the “documents” it has received (under suspicious and questionable circumstances) so that the veracity of the evidence can be tested and authenticated,” Ramotar dared.
It was under Ramotar’s presidency the government sold its shares in GTT and according to the former President, the transaction was public, including NICIL’s efforts to pursue legal recourse in the UK to collect the outstanding balance.
The PPP/C administration never had any reason to doubt the word of NICIL’s competent technical staff when they said the amounts were outstanding and every effort was being made to pursue, Ramotar added.
“Any claim that amounts were paid, would not be hard to prove,” Ramotar stated, adding that NICIL was the sole entity authorised to receive the payments.
“One would assume that had NICIL received this money then there would be a receipt or some form of banking documentation to show its payments. Any claim that some other entity or person received this money would also be easy to prove or disprove,” he reasoned.

Distraction
The Former President believes that the APNU/AFC administration’s insinuation that the money was paid to someone else or some other entity other than NICIL prior to the May 2015 elections is a distraction from “the real issues”, adding that the cantankerous claims of massive corruption under the PPP/C administration have yet to be proven.
Ramotar said this latest claim is a political ploy to appeal to people’s emotions as the nation demands explanations on who really paid for Harmon’s trip to China, the naming of the ‘honorific’ advisors and party contributors, and demands for decisive actions against the spiralling crime rate.

Brassington’s take
Meanwhile, former Executive Director of NICIL Winston Brassington in an invited comment told Guyana Times he was unaware the outstanding monies were paid to NICIL up until December 31, 2015.
“If it was paid, then the seller can easily produce evidence showing this.  Payments of this nature are transferred via the banking system (wire transfer) from one bank to another and easy to check and validate. Given that the first payment was wired directly to NICIL’s US dollar bank account in Guyana, I would expect the remaining US$5M to have followed the same course,” Brassington said.
He clarified that after the payment of the initial US$25 million by Datang, there has been no amendments to the sale contract up to the time of him being a part of NICIL.
“Any amendment is required to be executed in writing by both parties. As such nonpayment would be deemed a breach of contract. The Chinese buyer should bear the responsibility to prove evidence of payment per the contract terms,” he stated, adding that his comment was simply to avoid speculation on NICIL’s actions while he was at the helm.

Auditor’s take
Meanwhile, speaking with this publication on Thursday, Anand Goolsarran who conducted an audit into the operations of NICIL said based on his examination of the books of the holding company, as at December 31, 2015, the monies were not paid to NICIL.
He noted that Brassington did indicate in the management response to the Audit that the monies were still outstanding and that legal proceedings were being initiated to recoup that money.

He made it clear that he was not confirming or denying the monies were paid, however, he would like to see the documents which Minister Harmon claimed he has in his possession. When the US$25 million was paid initially, it was made by international wire instructions, from one bank to another, thus making the payment easily traceable.
As such, the question is now being asked, if the outstanding US$5 million was indeed paid, then why the government has not yet explored that option (to trace the payment) rather than to “throw it out in public” without a proper or concrete position.
Questions are also being asked that if indeed Minister Harmon received “documents” to show that the monies were paid, those very documents must say who or which entity received the payments.
At a press conference late last year former Head of NICIL Winston Brassington had stated that efforts were afoot to recoup the monies.
Brassington had even defended selling the shares to the Chinese company, explaining that the share-offer was advertised more than 40 times locally and close to 30 times overseas. He added that government had even written all the embassies and consulates and in the end, the highest offer received was US$7 million.
Meanwhile, Attorney at law and PPP Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall in commenting on the issue of the sale said that the Coalition Government is attempting to manufacture a controversy over the sale of the shares at GT&T. He said that this attempt is “obviously to distract attention” from the perpetual scandals that they have been recently generating.
He pointed out that the “concocted controversy” seems to be whether or not the balance of US$5M was paid. “If the purchaser is asserting that this money was paid, then all they have to do is to produce the evidence of this payment. They must have some credible evidence that they made this payment and they must know to whom or to which company this payment was made,” he said.
According to Nandlall, unless someone in the Coalition Government received the money and is refusing to acknowledge receipt or did a write-off then proof of payment should be produced.
“The next step for the Government is litigation to recover the debt. There are several lawyers in the Cabinet and it remains a mystery how they cannot advise on such a simple matter. Unless, of course, as I indicated, someone is not making full and frank disclosures on this matter.”

‘Child father’ admits killing Sophia woman

Clevon Hamilton, 26, the father of Simone Hackett’s child, has confessed to murdering the young woman, whose body was found in a trench at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Murdered: Simone Hackett

Murdered: Simone Hackett

According to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, the miner who was arrested in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) admitted on Thursday of committing the heinous crime, after which he led a team of investigators to the scene where he murdered Hackett.
According to reports received, the man told investigators that he travelled to Georgetown on Saturday and stayed at a city hotel. On Saturday evening, he reportedly contacted Hackett and made arrangements to meet at the University of Guyana access road.
He then contacted a close friend who collected him from the hotel and dropped him off at the bus shed where he met the woman.
At the time, he was carrying a haversack in which the murder weapon was concealed. The suspect went on to tell the Police that during the meeting, an argument ensued between the two, after he accused Hackett of being unfaithful.
The man who also admitted that he was jealous, explained that despite them being separated for some time, he was still in love with her. Added to his jealousy, the man also stated that the woman wanted to take his son away from him; hence he knew he had to get rid of her.
Hamilton admitted that during the argument, he choked the woman after which he pulled out the knife and inflicted the fatal injuries. He then toss the body in the trench, got rid of the murder weapon, boarded a taxi and travelled back to Mahdia. He was arrested on Wednesday morning by Police ranks in Mahdia after which he was transported to the city where he was grilled and subsequently caved under pressure, admitting to committing the crime.
It was reported that upon discovery of the woman’s body, her throat was slashed and at least three stab wounds were seen on her back. She reportedly left home on Saturday evening at about 20:30h to uplift a package that was sent by her child’s father from Mahdia, but never returned home.
She was due to be the maid of honour at her sister’s wedding on Saturday last and she also missed her son’s birthday on Sunday. Relative from the initial stage thought that something was amiss after they telephoned the woman and heard sounds in the background but when they tried to contact her later in the night, the phone went to voicemail.
After she did not return home, a missing person’s report was lodged at the Sparandaam Police Station and relatives hysterically began to search for the woman but to no avail. It was until Tuesday, her body was discovered by two school boys who were heading to school.
The suspect is expected to be charged in the new week.

M&CC owed over $2B in property taxes

–  threatens disclosure of delinquent taxpayers

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is threatening to publish the names of those delinquent companies and individuals with outstanding tax payments to the Council.
In a statement on Thursday, the M&CC expressed its concern that several businesses within the capital city continues to disregard their civic obligation to ensure the payment of their property taxes.
Despite the Council recently winning some $300 million in judgement against some businesses for failing to honour their responsibilities, the Council said it was still experiencing immense difficulty in getting property owners to pay their dues to the Georgetown municipality.
“Council is owed more than $2 billion in property taxes,” the statement revealed.
M&CC Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis explained that this sum has accumulated over long periods of time since persons have blatantly disregarded the law.
“The Council intends to pursue all legal options available to the municipality through the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01,” she stated, adding that this would include “parate execution”, which is a debt recovery process under the law. This procedure is special to banks as it allows the resale of property mortgaged to the bank. The mortgage is organised without going through court proceedings and the institution itself is given the power to hold an auction for the sale of the property by the appointed auctioneer.
According to Lewis, “some businesses have seemingly divorced themselves from their obligations and it is highly regrettable that it must reach to this stage.”
Moreover, the Council said it was also working feverishly to have proper valuation and re-valuations so that the sums property owners pay reflect the true value of their property.
The Valuation Department under the direction of the Finance Ministry has oversight for these valuations of properties. It is noticed, however, that even when properties are sent to the office for valuation or revaluation from the Treasurer’s Department, “they are subjected to certain delays”. The last valuation of properties in the city was done in 1997.
The M&CC has long been battling with taxpayers who default on paying their rates and taxes with some property owners owing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Council revealed in September last year that about 300 businesses were in default.
In light of this dilemma, the Georgetown M&CC offered delinquent taxpayers waivers on interest through a one-month amnesty exercise. This programme saw residential property owners receiving total amnesty on interest, while companies and businesses had to apply to the Council for between 50 per cent and 75 per cent amnesty on interest.
A special committee was appointed by the Council to oversee the affairs of the amnesty project.

Millions in cocaine unearthed in plywood destined for Florida

Three persons have been taken into custody following the discovery of a huge quantity of cocaine stashed in a consignment of 5/8 inches of plywood destined for Florida, USA.

A sheet of plywood with the concealed cocaine

A sheet of plywood with the concealed cocaine

According to information received, at about 13:00h on Thursday at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara, the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Drug Enforcement Unit along with the Port Control Unit were examining the consignment of plywood when the cocaine was unearthed.
Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh told Guyana Times that the operation was a joint effort by the Police, the GRA and the Port Control Unit.
He explained that during the examination process, anomalies were detected, hence a decision was taken to search individual sheets of ply wood which amounted to 320. He stated that upon checking, the cocaine was stashed in neatly carved holes in the plywood.
He added that for an actual quantity to be given, each sheet of plywood would have to be examined.
However, the GRA stated that the plywood’s consignee was listed as a business located on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway with the consignment’s prospective recipient being a Hardware establishment in Florida.
GRA’s officials had become suspicious of the contents of the consignment based on the behaviour displayed by the consignee’s representatives during the examination process. A source close to investigations told Guyana Times that the men were trying to hurry up the examination process, claiming that they needed to get the shipment out as soon as possible.
The consignment of plywood was transported to CANU headquarters where up to late Thursday evening, the container was being offloaded. The three persons taken into custody are assisting with the investigation.

Alpha, Pele gain valuable points with wins

Some of the action between Pele FC and Buxton United

Some of the action between Pele FC and Buxton United

GFF/Stag Elite League Finale…

Alpha United and Pele FC seemed to shrug-off their indifferent performances in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Elite League Finale with their second successive wins on the trot at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda on Wednesday.

In the first match, Alpha United made light work of Monedderlust   in their 3-1 victory over the Berbice team.

Colin Nelson was the man to get the ball rolling for Alpha as he struck goal in the 31st and in the space of one minute, Alpha were up by two goals as Anthony Abrams continued his impressive goal scoring form to hit the back of the net in the 32nd.

The Berbice based side, never looked like they were completely out of the match as they found goal in the 39th from a shot by Kevin Layne to end an eventful first half.

The scorers for Alpha United take a photo

The scorers for Alpha United take a photo

Monedderlust bid to find an equalizer seemed to be blockaded by Alpha’s backline but on the other side of the field, forward Dwight Peters ensured that any chance of the opposition making a comeback would be nullified when hit the back net in the 84th.

With the win, Alpha now moves two points behind second place Fruta Conquerors, with 20 point by copping their sixth in ten matches.

Mondedderlust on the other hand, have lost their sixth match from ten matches and remain among the bottom placed teams on the table.

The other match saw Gregory Richards’ goal in the 32nd minute proved to be winner for Pele in their clash against Buxton United as the scores ended 1-0.

Pele would be grateful for the points, as now just one point separates them from the top four.

The League continues today the Tucville Ground where Slingerz FC will play GFC from 18:00hrs followed by Fruta Conquerors FC against Guyana Defence Force from 20:30h.

Who will walk away with the Mr Guyana International title???

ENT_CHRISW_p17_IMG_1All preparations are in place for the hosting of the Mr Guyana International competition billed for the National Cultural Centre on Sunday evening. The evening will see eight contenders vying for the title.

They are Sean Thompson, Javone Steven Vickerie, Paul Meusa, Stowell Bentham, Kefa Smith, Satesh Jagdeo, Dexter Gardener and Lionel Rowe.

The eight young men have already competed in several segments, including the fitness challenge and talent contest. On the night of the pageant, these scores will be added to those from the swimwear, evening wear, costume and intelligence segments.

Tickets for the event will cost $2000 and $1500 and are available at the National Cultural Centre.

 

Team MMR turns 3

team mmr 2One of the most versatile entertainment groups turned three on March 23 and will be celebrating its accomplishments with a big bang. Over the past three years, Team MMR has made its name in the entertainment industry in Guyana, the Caribbean and further afield under its founder, WR Reaz, also called “Party Boss”. Whether on television, radio or on the ground, TEAM MMR has it going on.

Not only has the group proved to be one of the rising entertainment giants but it has recently added a complete service for those who wish to have an extravagant wedding. From catering to decorating to emceeing, Team MMR will be the one to contact.  Given its visionary leader, Team MMR is expected to grow in the years to come.

  Come this Saturday, Team MMR will be celebrating with its fans and well wishers at the Buddy’s Night Club. There will be lots of giveaways with drink specials and ladies free before 22:30h. General admission to the party is $1500.

Music will be provided by the versatile Selecta Andy, WR Reaz, DJ Walker, DJ Spindrella Barman, Danca, Drinka and Fluffy. Also in attendance will be the entire Team MMR Crew who will be mixing and mingling with the fans.

The place to be this Saturday is definitely Buddy’s Night Club as we celebrate with Team MMR.

Ogle Airport employee charged for damage to property

An Ogle International Airport employee was on Thursday placed on $45,000 bail by city Magistrate Faith McGusty after being charged for malicious damage to property.
Gordon Pearson, 36, of Lot 9 Roxanne Gardens Drive, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 15 at Roxanne Burnham Gardens, he damaged one black Apple iPhone, property of Ali Williams.
In court on Thursday, Defence Attorney Darren Wade in a bail application said his client was anxious and ready to prove his innocence in the matter.
As such, he was placed on $45,000 bail which Attorney Wade said was exorbitant as his client was already on $20,000 station bail.
However, his objections were overruled. The defendant was also placed on a bond to keep the peace. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 13.

Copycat, cookie-cutter approach to criminal behaviour

Dear Editor,
I am speaking particularly to the incidences of crime; having both an objective and subjective understanding of how criminals think. What is happening in Guyana is a copycat, cookie cutter approach to criminal behaviour. Old criminals are teaching the young criminals the tricks of the trade. “John” sees that “Jim” is getting away with a deviant behaviour, so John does what Jim is doing. And Jim is getting away with murder (pun intended), and now John, because the Government is distracted.
The untenable situations over the last ten months can all be chalked up to administrative infancy. However, these crises have the government on their back foot, playing defence. The opposition is unrelenting in their attacks. This is making the citizens feel as if the Government is absent. The backlash is that the criminals smell blood in the water. For them, ‘the cat’s away, so the mice will play.’ It is now a criminalistic free for all.
In the ‘90s when I served as a Chaplain at the Westville Correctional Facility (Indiana’s largest prison), I interacted with some of the most violent of Indiana’s and Michigan’s criminals. What I leaned during those years is that even the most violent criminals have their soft spots. When a criminal is incarcerated and the correct kinds of rehabilitative programmes are provided and the environment is created, the desired change begins to take place.
A trained person can get the inmate to open up and when he does, he speaks apologetically and remorsefully of his deviant past behaviours. I had hundreds of personal rapports with inmates and during my sessions with them, I got a clear understanding of what drives criminal behaviours.
Criminals are not born. Criminals are made. Circumstances make people criminals. A criminal is more likely to come from a broken home, have low academic and vocational skills, have an addiction to drugs or have friends with those traits. A perfect storm is created when those in authority seem not to have a handle on the situation. When you speak to any offender he will tell you that he did what he did, or he does what he is doing because the environment existed or exists for him to do it.
The breakdown begins first in the home when there is a lack of the correct governance of the child. This is mostly true of single-parent homes, where the mother is the parent. The deviancy then spreads to the community where there is a lack of role models; especially males. In Guyana the religious community has become ‘Maslow-ian’ in their outlook, with their number 1 hierarchical need is being their financial status.
Religion as a whole has become introverted and selfish, and we religious people are failing this country miserably. If you don’t have money, some churches shun you. As a pastor who works with the outcast, I have many sad stories to tell, of persons who advocate one thing publically but renege on their promises in private. Editor, I would wish to deal more specifically with this in another letter.
There are far too many single-mothers – especially in the Afro-Guyanese community; hence the lack of proper parenting. In some societies the religions – especially Islam and Christianity – step up and play a pivotal role in curbing criminal behaviours in the community. However, there seem to be no such trend in Guyana.
Additionally, the successive governments seem to be overwhelmed by their own internal problems and unable to give sufficient attention to the crime problem.
The previous government was so distracted that they were unable to put any significant measures in place to curb the crime epidemic. They neglected to establish a post-release rehabilitation programme. The PPP/C had a golden opportunity to establish Guyana’s first ex-offender rehabilitation programme but they refused.
Additionally, they had a very poorly administered pre-release rehabilitation programme. Inmates complained that the programmes conducted in the prisons were riddled with favouritism and corruption. This led to the prison becoming a revolving door.
Over the last few years I observed the crime situation in Guyana grew precipitously worse because the environment existed for it to thrive. Guyana has one of the highest rates of recidivism in the Caribbean; with 7 or 8 out of every 10 released prisoner returning to prison. We also have a very young prison population; with 75 per cent of our inmates between the ages of 18-35.
That is why Guyana needs a stop-gap programme to intercept the guys when they come out of prison. The justification for a rehabilitation centre is to counter what is now pervasive in our society. As it stands, the older criminals are recruiting and training the younger ones, then loaning them their guns to commit these heinous crimes. An ex-offender rehabilitation will have the reverse effect. The programme will serve to have those rehabilitated former inmates mentor the troubled youths. Also, the government will have a team of former criminals at their disposal to serve as point men and a think-thank for their crime fighting.
Crime has continued to flourish even with this government because, as with the past administration, they are embroiled in many distractions. They too are unable to focus sufficiently on the crime situation.
The double whammy of the criminal upsurge and the prison riots seem to have knocked the Public Security Ministry off their stride. Both situations were festering for a long time under the past government but now they have landed at the doorsteps of this administration.
What this government has going for it is their newness, coupled with the credibility of President Granger. Because of this, folks are willing to give them time and to be lenient with them. However, this will not last forever. They should use this honeymoon period to regroup, flush themselves of the current distracting issues and double down on moving the country forward.
Editor, to every one person I know coming for the Jubilee celebrations, I know two who are afraid to return because of the crime situation. Guyana has great developmental potential among our Caribbean counterparts, by way of our minerals and people. However, if the government – any government – does not get a handle of the crime epidemic, our greatness will remain only a potential.

Sincerely,
Wendell Jeffrey

Stakeholders, miners meet to settle differences

Marudi Mountain dispute

Major General (Retired) Joe Singh selected as Mediator

Major General (Retired) Joe Singh selected as Mediator

Following the grievances of miners in the Marudi Mountain area against large-scale mining company Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited, the Natural Resources Ministry will facilitate mediation with the relevant stakeholders in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo).
The ministry disclosed on Thursday that key focus will be placed on “crafting workable solutions for parties in resolving mining, environmental and social issues.”
To this end, a team from the Ministry of Natural Resources will visit Lethem between April 23 and 25 to “facilitate the mediation process”. This process is aimed at resolving the conflicts that have escalated between several miners in South Rupununi, Region Nine, and the mining company.
The measure to select mediation follows a meeting where Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman met with stakeholders at Aishalton Village last month. At that meeting, concerns were raised which encompassed illegal mining, environmental, and social issues. After the discussions, the minister noted the seriousness of the problems but observed it was “not insurmountable” and as such a mediated solution was “the best means” of resolving the prevailing issues.
After the parties agreed to the said approach, the ministry then appointed Major General (Retired) Joe Singh as Mediator. It was noted that the ministry has “full confidence that [Singh] possesses a wealth of knowledge, experience, and acumen to competently navigate the parties through the various issues as they find solutions to their contentious issues”.
It was pointed out that the negotiations will include the Rupununi Miners Association, Guyana Women Miners Organisation, small miners from the Marudi Mountain area, representatives from Romanex Mining Company, and leaders from the neighbouring Amerindian communities of Aishalton, Awariwaunau, Karaudanawa, Achiwuib, Maruranau, and Shea.
It was also explained that talks will begin on Saturday, April 23, and continue on Sunday 24. The supporting team will include technical officers from the ministry along with representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation.
In November last year, miners of Marudi Mountain had staged a protest highlighting their threat of being evicted by the mining company. It was reported that over 300 miners had been calling on government to have their operations regularised so that their livelihoods would not be affected.