October 18, 2016

Archives for April 29, 2016

Hundreds sign petition against decision to ban used tyres.. as dealers form Association to up pressure on Govt

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

Hundreds of concerned stakeholders have signed a petition to take to Parliament next week in an effort to convince the Government to rescind its decision to ban the importation of used tyres into the country.
The initiative is being spearheaded by a newly formed Used Tyre Association in an effort to up pressure on Government, since previous cries have fallen on deaf ears.
President of the Association Allan Newark told (Guyana Times) on Thursday that the petition, which will be presented to the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, has garnered signatures from persons all across Guyana, including Berbice, Essequibo and Linden.
He argued that with more than one thousand citizens disapproving of a decision taken by Government, especially in light of the fact that there was no prior consultation with stakeholders beforehand, immediate actions must be taken to address the situation.

Hundreds of concerned stakeholders have signed a petition to convince the Administration to rescind its decision to ban the importation of used tyres

Hundreds of concerned stakeholders have signed a petition to convince the Administration to rescind its decision to ban the importation of used tyres

The petition is seeking to have a meeting with Finance Minister Winston Jordan during which the dealers in the industry will have an opportunity to present their case to Government.
“We are just asking to be consulted, we want to be a part of the process…,” Newark stated, proposing that used tyres could be regulated instead of being banned.
“It’s about standards, there must be standards in the law that will make tyre legal for use on the roads. Set a minimum requirement but don’t ban it,” he asserted, noting that the prohibition of used tyres has the potential to put five thousand young people on the breadline.
“Five thousand youngsters will be put out of work if these tyres are to be banned because young people work at these vulcanising shops, they are employed there and the Government is supposed to be big on youth employment,” he stated.
Newark also pointed out that the ban of used tyres on the basis that “they cause accidents” is outright absurd.
“There are a lot of crazy words banging around about used tyres causing accidents, they don’t. Used tyres don’t drive cars, people drive cars,” he posited.
During the National Budget 2016 presentation, the Finance Minister announced Government’s intention of banning the importation of used tyres, in an effort to promote a green economy and protect the environment.
He had stated that the ban will be put into effect as soon as procedural hurdles are cleared.
Meanwhile, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards has since been monitoring the quality and labelling of both new and used tyres imported and offered for sale in Guyana, and will continue to do so until the proposed ban takes effect and used tyres have been phased out.

 

Prisoner sets fire to Grove/ Diamond Police Station

A prisoner currently being held at the Diamond Police Station lockups, East Bank Demerara reportedly set fire to the station after he was reportedly denied cigarettes.
This incident occurred sometime around 13:00h on Thursday. Commander of A Division Clifton Hicken confirmed the fire scorched a CCTV camera and two wooden doors at the facility.
According to Hicken, the inmate began making loud noises shortly after which ranks saw smoke emanating from the cell. The Guyana Fire Service was immediately called and the fire was subsequently contained. The Commander disclosed that ranks discovered that a cloth was placed over a CCTV camera and this is believed to be where the fire originated.

Ranks from the Guyana Fire  Service at the Grove/Diamond Police Station

Ranks from the Guyana Fire Service at the Grove/Diamond Police Station

According to reports, family members and friends were at the time visiting those incarcerated at the station to deliver meals when the alarm of fire was raised. Meanwhile, the Police in a statement on the incident said
prisoners in the lockups at the Golden Grove Police Station, EBD, were taken out of their cells by the police for ablution purposes, at the conclusion of which three of them demanded cigarettes and refused to return to their cells after their request was denied. According to the Police, three prisoners began throwing faeces at police ranks during efforts to get them back into the cells and remained in the passageway behind the main door leading to the cells, which was locked. “Later at about 13:30h smoke was seen coming from the lockups
and the three prisonerswere seen with lit newspapers which they placed in the passage-way at the main door. The blaze which scorched two wooden doors and damaged a CCTV camera was extinguished and the three prisoners were subsequently replaced in their cells in the lockups,” the Police said in a statement. On March 3 inmates at the Camp Street penitentiary rioted
and set fire to mattresses and other flammable materials with which they had access. That riot caused the death of 17 prisoners. It is not yet clear which prisoner was able to start the
fire at Grove. The prisoners, whose identities were not disclosed, remain in custody as investigations continue.

Passport Office Forensic Audit Auditors found no evidence of Fraud

– recommends separation of police work from immigration
Forensic auditors who recently examined the records of the Central Immigration and Passport Office of Guyana say there was no evidence of fraud at the office, but highlighted several minor irregularities, relating mainly to breach in procedures.
The 29-page audit report which was made public Wednesday by the Ministry of Finance stated that there were some issues that need to be addressed to ensure the effectiveness of the office.
“In the course of our audit and our examination of documents and records, our audit team found no evidence of any malfeasance or any fraudulent activity,” the report stated.
It however noted that there needs to be urgent action on the key findings which can be implemented without delay, including redefining the organisation’s structure.
Police v Immigration
A recommendations by the auditors is for there to be a separation of the functions of the police from that of the immigration:
“Police personnel now fill the role of immigration officers at the passport office and points of entry/exit. Consideration may have to be given in due course to separate the duties with employees of the Department of Citizenship being full time immigration and passport officers and not policemen/policewomen seconded to passport office or airports/seaports.”
It noted that policemen/women now seconded may have to be given the option to remain as policemen/women or be fulltime passport and immigration officers.
“To go with this decentralisation of services and to ensure that the functions of each division are competently performed, effective training of all staff should be mounted and carried out over time. The training programmes may include preparing and issuing procedure manuals for processes and activities that are considered key to the successful functioning of the section/division,” it added.
Citizenship
On the issue of Citizenship, the auditors said there were some instances where applicants were granted citizenship without meeting all the requirements.
The requirements are Police Clearance; Income Tax Liability Statement; National Insurance Scheme Compliance Statement; Copy of spouse’s Passport, Copy of Spouse’s Birth Certificate; and Marriage Certificate.
“It was  observed that even though some applicants not meeting all the requirements, approval for citizenship was granted in these instances,” it report cited.
The auditors recommended that in future, all applicants for citizenship should meet all requirements as stipulated, subject to ministerial discretionary power.
Passports
It said while there were no major issues with regards to the issuance of passports, there were instances where records are not properly kept.
“The original ‘cancelled’ receipts in 23 Receipt Books were not appended in the respective books which contravenes Financial Regulations,” the auditors wrote. It recommended that upon cancelling a receipt, all copies should be retained in the Receipt Book in accordance with Financial Regulations. “Besides this adverse observation, over the period under review Passports in general were approved and issued to applicants who have met the Requirements. Hence the controls and governance systems appear to be operating efficiently,” it stated. The report also recommended that there be a review of the organisational structure of the passport office among others. “In the past, the position of Chief Immigration Officer was held by the Commissioner of Police. This will require change as a result of the establishment of the Department of Citizenship and the separation of functions. One suggestion (and it seems logical under the new structure) is (iv) that the Head of Citizenship Immigration and Passport services could fill that role,” it stated

GDF, GPF ranks honoured for valuable service

By Devina Samaroo
Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) braved the heavy downpours on Thursday afternoon as they marched onto the muddy tarmac of the incomplete D’Urban Park arena to receive their honorary medals from the Commander-in-Chief David Granger.
One by one, President Granger handed out medals to a total of 120 ranks who stood resolutely at attention in the pouring rain as the band played a series of national songs.
Also in attendance were Government Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and other members of the Disciplined Services.

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) braved the heavy downpours to receive their honorary medals from President David Granger

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) braved the heavy downpours to receive their honorary medals from President David Granger

The shedless bleachers also accommodated a handful of persons who had turned out to witnesses the annual medal presentation parade.
After receiving their medals, the ranks marched off and the parade continued as the band took centre stage.
The beating retreat lasted for approximately 15 minutes until the flag party marched on to begin the lowering of the Golden Arrowhead that was swaying wildly in the night sky.

The medals

The Military Efficiency Medal is awarded to serving members of the GDF who have completed 10 years of service with good conduct and are approved by the Chief-of-Staff following recommendation by the Medal Awards Committee. This Medal is made of nickel, circular in shape and measures 35mm in diameter. On the obverse of the Medal is the Cacique Crown in the centre which is encircled by the inscription “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, while on the reverse, there are two crossed swords and the words ‘Military Efficiency Medal’.
The Border Defence Medal is awarded to serving members of the GDF and the GPF who would have had cumulative service on a border location in excess of one year and are approved by the Chief-of-Staff/ Police Commissioner following recommendation by the Medal Awards Committee. Similarly, this Medal is made of nickel, circular in shape and measures 35mm in diameter. On the obverse of the Medal is the Cacique Crown in the centre which is encircled by the inscription “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, while on the reverse, there is a circular image of Mount Ayanganna on which is planted the Golden Arrowhead; at the base of the depiction of Mount Ayanganna are bushes and water.
The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is awarded to serving members of the Disciplined Services for 15 years of continuous service with good conduct and approved by the Police Commissioner following recommendation by the Medal Awards Committee. The obverse of the Medal is similar to the others, while the reverse displays a key, a baton and an axe with the words ‘For Long Service and Good Conduct’ inscribed.

5-month-old dies in Belmont accident

Police on the East Coast of Demerara are probing a fatal accident that occurred on Wednesday which claimed the life of a five-month-old baby.
Randy Williams, of Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was hit by a motor lorry while his brother was pushing him across the roadway in a stroller.
According to reports, about 17:00h on Wednesday, the driver of the motor lorry was proceeding along an access road at Belmont when it is alleged that the eight-year-old boy who was pushing the toddler in a stroller attempted to cross the road and the vehicle collided with the stroller.
The child was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the lorry is currently in Police custody, assisting with the investigation. Acting Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud related that as investigations continue, the Police are looking at all angles. He stated that up to press time, he was unsure as to whether or not the driver would be charged.

Security guard chopped to death during attempted robbery

A security guard, attached to the Best Buy Hardware Store, Bladen Hall, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was killed after challenging two men who invaded his workplace while he was on duty.
Dead is Sattaur Kaderr, 53, of Foulis, ECD. He was chopped about his body by two men in what is believed to have been an attempted robbery.
According to reports, around 22:45h on Wednesday, Kaderr attempted to confront two men who had entered the business place’s compound from the rear and it was during this confrontation that the perpetrators dealt several chops about the security guard’s body with cutlasses before fleeing the scene.
Kaderr was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The deceased man’s son indicated that his uncle telephoned informing him and their family of the tragedy that had befallen his father.

It was highlighted that Kaderr had only been employed at the entity for one year prior to his death. He leaves to mourn his wife, three children and other relatives.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Thursday said that investigations were still ongoing. However, several persons were taken in for questioning – two of whom remain suspects.

 

Gold Board Forensic Audit Gossai denies wrongdoing, says audit report “misleading”

-Fmr Natural Resources Minister still silent
Former Secretary to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Bobby Gossai Jr has described as “misleading” the final report of a Forensic Audit into the operations of the GGB as he denied allegations of any wrongdoing.
The 114-page audit report made public on Wednesday covered the period January 2012 to May 2015 and said there was evidence which showed that Gossai forged the signature of the Board Chairman, Dr Gobind Ganga, which allowed the then General Manager to proceed on his remaining annual leave for 2014.
“Acting on information provided to us, we confirmed that the signature of the Board Chairman was lifted from another document. This is a gross act of forgery that should be pursued by the appropriate authorities,” it stated.

Robert Persaud

Robert Persaud

However, Gossai in a statement Thursday denied he fraudulently used the then Chairman’s signature.
“At no given time did the Secretary used, reused (“lifted”), misrepresented or disguised the signature of the former chairperson for any undertaking in his capacity on the Board, for professional or other benefits,” Gossai stated.
The report also accused Gossai of executing political directives of the former minister, an allegation he vehemently denied, noting that his role has always been professional and legal.
“The Secretary acted in full compliance within the mandate of the Guyana Gold Board Act, the management of the GGB and, where necessary through effective policy guidance from the former Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, which was always related to the Board of Directors by the former Chairperson,” he stated.
He added that all the tasks performed by him were done with full disclosure and consent of the Chairperson of the Board.
The former Policy Adviser in the Natural Resources Ministry also rubbished statements in the report that he was appointed unilaterally by Persaud, contrary to the Guyana Gold Board Act, noting that his appointment as Secretary to the GGB Board was as a result of a Cabinet Decision.
But, the Forensic Auditors have argued that the Secretary should have been recommended by the board and approved by the minister.
Gossai said the directors, during the period under review exercised their duty with “effective professionalism for the development of the organisation.
“Moreover, the Board of Directors of the Guyana Gold Board during the period of January 2012 to May 2015 developed and implemented new and improved mechanism which allowed for the enhanced management and accountability of the functioning of the organisation,” he reasoned.
He added that during this period, the board and management worked with both local and international partners to improve the overall functionality of the organisation in the areas of human resources development and improved trading and compliance related matters.
Persaud’s silence

Bobby Gossai

Bobby Gossai

Meanwhile, Former Minister Persaud is still to respond to the allegations made against him by the auditors.
The forensic auditors said Persaud on several occasions acted contrary to the powers vested in him by the Gold Board Act, which speaks about minister having the power to give directions of a general or special character as to the policy to be followed by the Board, while approving the appointment of, and the remuneration payable to, the General Manager, Secretary and such other officers and other employees.
Among those breaches the auditors highlighted the appointment of Gossai: “In our opinion, the Act does not give the Minister the power to name or nominate the Secretary to the Board and the Minister’s action amounted to a usurpation of the Board’s authority.”
This publication emailed the former Minister on the allegations, but is still to receive a response.
Following the 11 May, 2015 General and Regional Elections Persaud migrated to the United States of America.

Deadly prison riot…

Medex breaks down in tears as she recounted horror
CoI hears prison officer “chocked and robbed” in Camp St jail
By Shemuel Fanfair
The level of violence and aggression inmates have shown towards prison wardens continues to increase. Chief Prison Officer Roddey Denhart on Thursday disclosed that one prison officer was recently “chocked and robbed” in the compound of the Georgetown penitentiary. He also testified that another inmate placed an improvised weapon, a spear, on the chest of another warden.
This comes on the backdrop of the account of other witnesses that “intimidation” and a strong gang culture presence has become prevalent at the Camp Street facilities.
Denhart, who has served as Chief Prison Officer for four years, recalled that on the evening of 2 March he saw inmates lighting fires on the catwalk but observed that firemen were able to put out the fires in five minutes.

Chief Prison Officer - Medex Patricia Anderson

Chief Prison Officer – Medex Patricia Anderson

Commissioners also heard that while the prison has a specified time when inmates are expected to retire to bed, inmates would always be up and they sleep in a shift system.
“They would always be up; some would be sleeping now, some would be sleeping later on,” the Chief Prison Officer explained. He recalled some of the threats inmates hurled at him.
“You Denhart, we gan kill you!” he remembered clearly.
“They would call you anti-man, tell you bout your family,” he further recalled. The officer also confirmed that inmates were throwing liquids on officers but none reached him.
In recounting the events of 3 March, the day of the deadly blaze, the Chief Prison Officer related that before the fire, Officer in Charge (OC) Kevin Pilgrim instructed that the door to Capital A be locked because of improvised weapons inmates were aiming at officers, coupled with their threats.
Denhart explained further that the OC advised that officers wait until the “necessary support” was garnered from other ranks.
Denhart also testified that inmate Collis Collinson had always been “difficult” and has been in and out of prison. Commissioners heard that Collinson was one who would not adhere to instructions.
He also related that Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels was called “killa” and “murder man” by inmates. Denhart also said Samuels is disliked because of his disciplinary nature and opined that his absence is responsible for some of the disorder that persists in the penitentiary.
In his recollection of witnessing the inmates who were burnt, Denhart recalled that he became weak upon witnessing the ghastly scenes. He stated that at that point he sat on the tarmac to regain his composure.
Chief Prison Officer – Medex Patricia Anderson in what was at times an emotional testimony, recounted to Commissioners the triage system that was used to treat inmates hurt by the fire. She noted that of the 16 inmates who were injured, 1 had died.
When attorney representing the prison service Eusi Anderson asked the prison officer to describe what she saw upon entering the Capital A division, the witness broke down several times. The Medex related that she was “looking for survivors”. She saw six or seven persons with their burnt skin piled at the door and the lifeless body of another inmate lying on a bed. Because of her emotional state, she could not recall whether this or any other body was headless.
Commissioners asked the witness if she received counselling for the trauma she witness and she responded in the negative. The CoI also heard that the prison doctor whose name was given as “Chandrika” was not at the penitentiary at the time. However, Anderson posited that her staff present at the time were able to manage the situation as most of those whom they treated survived.
The CoI continues today.

Richmond labourer jailed for chopping father

A Richmond Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), man, who was wanted for escaping from lawful custody, was on Thursday jailed for 24 months for chopping his father.
Ravindra Singh, 27, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at Wakenaam’s Magistrate Court and pleaded guilty to the felonious wounding charge.
According to the Prosecution’s case, on 21 April, 2016 at Henrietta, Singh chopped his father.
Reports are Singh’s father was drinking at a shop in Henrietta Village when the defendant approached him. An argument ensued and the defendant dealt several chops to his fathers body with a cutlass.
According to the medical report, the father got chopped to his neck and about his arms.
Magistrate Scarce jailed him for 24 months.

Truancy, child welfare issues prominent in Region 10

BY UTAMU BELLE
The prominence of truancy and child welfare issues were matters recently discussed by the Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC).
Councillor Gordon Callendar stressed that there are visible signs of children not attending school in Linden, while he highlighted the need for Child Protection Services and intervention by Council in providing assistance.
Callendar indicated that truancy is prominent in areas such as One Mile, Half Mile and Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden. He even added that in some instances children are engaged in odd-jobs so as to get food to eat.
“All over the place you could see children, school-aged children. It got a place in One Mile where these children does be playing Nintendo. We need to look at it,” he told fellow councillors.
Councillor Sandra Adams in offering a solution noted that assistance of school uniforms and other basic school necessities be provided to affected school aged children, courtesy of the First Lady, as she asked fellow councillors to identify children in various communities who might be in need.
However, Councillor Charles Sampson said the issue of security around schools should be examined while adding it is important to ascertain the level of truancy. He called on the Department of Education to be proactive in making such available.
“Some children go to school and have their names marked as present and then get out without being observed by teachers… We also have a situation where in certain parts of the community children don’t go to school at all… it’s a big issue… a lot of money goes towards education, the biggest part of our Budget and it’s unfair to the taxpayers of this country that we spending all that money and our children are not benefitting… two Welfare Officers for a Region, that’s disgraceful. We need about a dozen Welfare Officers, moreso in a big area like Linden,” Sampson said.
Regional Chairman Renis Morian too said a closer look should be taken at security in schools, noting that high level of unemployment no doubt affects parents in sending their children to school.
He indicated the RDC has been advocating for more Welfare Officers since there are only the two stationed in the Region, which is inadequate given its size. As such, the Regional Chairman said he has asked for a meeting with the President regarding the issue. He said himself and other regional leaders are presently unhappy over the tone of relationship of Council and the Ministry of Education.
“So we feel that we need to take some of these challenges at a higher level, that we can get more Welfare Officers. So we are waiting a response from the Office of the President to address some of these issues”, he said.
The Regional Chairman said a team would be venturing to schools in Region 10 this month to take a look at security and other areas. He stressed that money is spent on providing security and Council is dissatisfied with the level of service.
Additionally, Education Committee Chairperson Denise Belgrave said lack of daytime security at some schools is an issue. She said a recommendation has been made to have Social work graduates of the University become a part of Welfare.
Other issues highlighted by Council included absenteeism of teachers and the “pourous” nature of some school compounds.