October 18, 2016

Archives for May 6, 2016

Several roads in Linden in deplorable condition

– as inclement weather intensifies
Inclement weather over the past few days has left several already “substandard” roads in Linden in a deplorable state.
Residents, particularly drivers, have voiced concerns over the state of several roads in both Wismar and Mackenzie in areas such as Block 22, Amelia’s Ward, Victory Valley and Wisroc.
The state of a Block 22 road

The state of a Block 22 road

They noted that some of the roads have gotten worse, with a few impassable. Because of this minibus and taxi drivers are refusing to venture into some areas, according to residents.
“The Region and the Town Council got the capacity to deal with some of these roads, but nothing ain’t doing. Look at Block 22; is years nothing ain’t do to some of them roads,” a resident pointed out.
While several stretches of road at Block 22 recently benefited from repair works through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), residents indicated that others have been neglected for years, with the situation being compounded by the constant rain. They pointed out that erosion was also a major issue, coupled with flood-related problems caused by poor drainage.
Another resident of Block 22 opined that “one of the worse roads in Linden” was situated in that area.
“This road is slowly eroding. We know about bad roads all the time here, because for years some ain’t repair. People with vehicles does think twice before coming here. We waiting to see what the Region doing, because is years this area troubling with this issue,” the resident indicated.
Similar sentiments were echoed throughout Linden, as the country braces for the bad weather associated with the May-June rainy season.

NATA moves to Court of Appeal to block renaming of Ogle Int’l Airport – not ruling out taking case to CCJ

As the Ogle International Airport (OIA) renaming debacle deepens, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has signalled its intention to appeal a Supreme Court decision not to grant its injunction blocking the change of name to the Eugene F Correia International Airport.
On Wednesday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told the media that the  injunction filed by NATA was dismissed, paving the way for Guyana’s second international airport to be renamed at a ceremony on May 9, 2016 that coincides with Independence celebrations.
However, NATA’s Attorney, Christopher Ram on Wednesday told a news conference that the Association has already made a submission to the Court of Appeal seeking redress. A date for  that hearing has not yet been set.
Ram was confident that the Court of Appeal would rule in NATA’s favour and the injunction would be granted.
“It is quite possible that this decision can be reversed on appeal,” the Attorney stated.
He also made it clear that if the appeal was not granted, NATA was not ruling out taking the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
The controversy surrounding the renaming of the OIA started when President David Granger, on September 17, 2015 at the commissioning of the Correia-owned Trans-Guyana Airways Beechcraft, urged that the Board of Directors of  the Airport consider renaming the facility the Eugene F Correia International Airport in recognition of Guyana’s first Minister of Communications, Shipping and Aviation.
However, nine of the ten operators at the Airport have rejected the proposed name change, arguing that it would create unfair competition, since the name is similar to that of the Chairman of the Board, Michael Correia.
Additionally, they are arguing that the Correias are controlling the Board of Directors and are the owners of a competing airline, Trans-Guyana Airways, which operates out of that Airport.
The nine companies opposing the change are Air Services Limited (ASL); Domestic Airways; Hinterland Aviation; Hopkinson Mining Aviation; Jags Aviation; Oxford Aviation; Phoenix Airways; Roraima Airways, and Wings Aviation – all members of NATA.
NATA President Annette Arjoon-Martins had said the Airport was incorporated back in 2000 with five shareholders, each holding 20 per cent in shares. According to her, they all served as Directors of the company.
“Fifteen years later through a series of manipulations by the Chairman, Mr Michael Correia, the Correia Group of Companies, which he also heads, now owns 67 per cent of the shares in this company. As a result, Ogle Inc has become a member of the Correia Group of Companies.”
She said of the original five founding directors, only two were allowed to remain. More than that, five of the seven directors of OAI currently are either family or associates of the Correia Group, which now controls everything at the Airport.
“It was never the intention of the five founding shareholders/directors that one of the aircraft operators should have control at the Airport. It was also never the intention of the Government of Guyana when they signed the lease agreement with OIA in 2000 that one single operator would control the Airport in 2016. It should be noted that Government had used the word “fair and equitable access” in this master lease no less than 40 times.”
Meanwhile, NATA member Captain Gerry Gouveia has now issued a call for the renaming of the facility to be subjected to a parliamentary debate, similar to what obtained when the Timehri International Airport was renamed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in 1997.

City Council blocked from removing some Stabroek vendors

High Court Judge Roxanne Wiltshire-George on Wednesday issued an interim order blocking the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) from removing some vendors from around the Stabroek Market.
An injunction filed by a vendor, Peter Warner, on Wednesday in the High Court, sought to restrain Town Clerk Royston King and the City Council from removing some vendors from the outskirts of Stabroek Market.
King had said Wednesday that vendors would be able to move on to their new vending site by Thursday; however, the court has decided otherwise.
The High Court Judge will begin hearing the case on Tuesday, May 10.
According to the legal document seen by  Guyana Times>>>, the plaintiff claims from the defendant, a declaration that the use and occupation by the plaintiff of a portion of private property situated at the former Guyana Stores Bond, Water Street, Georgetown, owned and controlled by either the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) or Malcolm Panday, for the purpose of trading and vending is lawful and duly authorised by the owners.
It said that a declaration that the decision of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown made and contained in notice dated May 3, 2016 and signed by the Town Clerk of Georgetown, to remove the plaintiff who is trading and vending on private property is illegal, unlawful and in breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01
Warner is also claiming damages in excess of $100,000 against the defendant for unlawful interference with his property, and $100,000 against the defendant for an intended trespass against his property.
The injunction restrains King and/or officers of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Georgetown from removing, destroying, damaging and/or interfering in any manner whatsoever with Warner’s stall, goods and merchandise.
According to Warner, he has been a clothes vendor for the past 15 years and has been occupying and conducting business at a stall situated at the former Guyana Stores Bond, Water Street, with the permission, authorisation and licence of Panday.
He said the property on which he trades was initially owned by Guyana Stores Limited and was used as a bond.
According to reports, the Guyana Stores Bond was sold by NICIL to Panday.
The vendor said about five years ago, Panday held a meeting with a number of vendors, including himself.
At that meeting, Panday granted permission for the vendors to use his private premises to erect stalls and use it for vending and trading until he needed it.
“My stall measures approximately 10 feet by 15 feet and made of wood and zinc. My stall currently holds approximately 300 pairs of jeans, 200 pairs of boots, 300 jerseys and 40 pairs of slippers. My stall is the only place I have to store my inventory and it does not hinder or interfere with free flow of traffic on the pavement controlled by the Mayor and City Council,” Warner said in the court document.
He related that on April 28, at the request of officers of City Council, he, along with several vendors, attended a meeting at City Hall where they were told by King to participate in a cleanup campaign for Georgetown.
On May 1, 2016, he said he, along with several other vendors, was involved in the cleaning up exercise along with members of the City Council.
He said the area targeted was the very former Guyana Stores Bond and its environs including all drains, parapets, pavements and vending areas in and around Water Street, Georgetown.
From all accounts, Warner said, the Mayor and Councillors are directing himself and other vendors to remove from the private property for an indefinite period of time with no certainty as to reoccupation of the area.
He said there were approximately nine stalls located at the former Bond. However, none of the stalls encroach or impede upon the pavement, road and drains in the area or in any manner whatsoever hinder or interfere with the ability of the City Council to clean or maintain same.
On Sunday last, over 140 persons vending on the outskirts of the Market were removed by the City Council, which said it needed to begin a massive clean-up campaign.
However, vendors became enraged after it was found out that no place had been readily provided for them to continue their vending. A series of protests followed, the last being in front of the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday.

Govt reveals names of D’Urban Park contractors

– defends project against Opposition probing
As the D’Urban Park Development Project continues to face public scrutiny and criticisms, Government has sought to defend the Project, revealing details including the names of contractors.
This follows the submission of a list of oral questions on the Project by Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill during Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.
An artistic impression of the completed D’Urban Park Project

An artistic impression of the completed D’Urban Park Project

Despite the fact that Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland disallowed the questions, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson released a detailed statement on the Project.
According the Minister, a total of 17 firms were shortlisted from the Ministry’s prepared list of shortlisted contractors to bid for the construction of timber framed bleachers with a steel framed roof.
Of that number, nine contractors were selected and are on board with his Ministry working towards a May 12, 2016 deadline.
“As per procurement regulations, interested bidders were invited and were required to respond in writing, indicating their intention to provide a bid. Further, they were required to present sealed bids, which were delivered to the Office of the Coordinator of the Works Services Group, as well as visit the site,” Patterson noted.
He added that the selection criteria were based on a number of items, including attestation of site visit; access to line of credit, no less than $4 million, and commitment to provide requisite staff for two shifts per working day.
The Minister went on to say that of the 17 invited firms, four were selected. These include R Bassoo and Sons; House Designs and Engineering Associates; S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Constructing Services; and C and L Construction Inc. They joined TBL Engineering; Chung Global; Mc Branz (Car Care); Barnes and McCoy, who were already involved in the Project prior to the Ministry assuming responsibility.
The Minister added too that the materials for some of the works were procured by the Ministry via direct purchase from its approved suppliers in accordance with the Procurement Act of 2003.
Moreover, Patterson sought to address concerns about D’Urban Park, pointing out that the short-, medium- and long-term benefits to be derived from expending resources on the Park were considered and Government has determined that the cost was justifiable.
While persons have questioned the necessity of D’Urban Park to hosts jubilee events when there is the National Stadium available, the Public Infrastructure Minister noted that the hosting of President David Granger’s inauguration in May last year at that venue highlighted the shortcomings of the Stadium.
“During the inauguration, the Stadium was filled to its capacity of 16,000 persons. This event also caused major traffic disturbances and safety concerns, as noted by the Police and Fire Departments, who cautioned against a similar activity at this venue. It is anticipated that our Jubilee celebrations will be witnessed by more than double the number of persons who attended the inauguration last year, thus leading to greater demand of space,” he explained.

Capacity
According to Patterson, D’Urban Park has a capacity to accommodate some 30,000, making it the largest venue in the country.
Moreover, he outlined that compared to the previous state of the D’Urban Park area, the aesthetic and sanitary transformation makes for a healthier and more wholesome community.
He added that the facility would also be used for a variety of public events beyond the Independence celebrations, including religious ceremonies, food fairs, education exhibitions, musical concerts, medical outreaches, physical training, gymnastic displays and other public rallies.

Consultations
Contrary to concerns raised, the Minister noted that consultations were held with residents of the surrounding community to make D’Urban Park a reality.
In fact, every Government going back to the late 1970s made varying proposals to upgrade the area and it was based on those proposals that the Administration conceptualised the current design of the Project.
Minister Patterson admitted that the Project has had its hiccups, including substandard work on the bleachers, but noted these defects are presently being corrected by contractors following reviews by the Ministry’s engineers.
With regard to works being done, Patterson said his Ministry was working on the completion of Phase One, which is for the Jubilee celebrations.
He remarked that while costs for the phases have not yet been determined, the sum of $150 million has been allocated for the completion of the first phase.

Donors
Responding to concerns about transparency and accountability regarding donations towards the Project, Minister Patterson said all donations before the Ministry assumed responsibility were made to a registered company outside of his Ministry and would, therefore, be audited differently.
However, he stopped short of naming the company and the entity under which it falls.
The Minister further underscored that the Ministry’s responsibility over D’Urban Park would not have financial impact on other scheduled projects, given the sum set aside for the completion of this phase.

Wakenaam farmer remanded for narcotics trafficking

A cash crop farmer from “Beturf”, Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), was on Wednesday remanded to prison for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Rishi Ramnarine, 40, made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.
Police alleged that on May 1, 2016, Ramnarine was discovered with 25 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession during a search exercise.
The defendant’s Attorney, Latchmi Dindyal told the Court that the illicit substance was not found on her client and pleaded for bail to be granted since Ramnarine had a permanent place of abode.
Police Prosecutor Rambhague objected to bail, stating that no special reason was given. According to the prosecution, Police carried out a search on the defendant and the drug was found in his right front pants pocket. He was arrested and when questioned, he admitted that he usually smoked the cannabis.
Magistrate Scarce remanded Ramnarine until May 25, 2016.

Education sector CoI

Teachers’ salaries should be based primarily on performance, qualifications and experience. This was among the recommendations made by teachers on remuneration packages, in a report to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector.
In the report, teachers of The Bishops’ High School stated that remuneration was a key element of any education policy, and should express a vision of the teacher as a professional with a decent salary and good employment conditions.
“The teacher remuneration system not only determines how much teachers earn, but it also has an effect on the attractiveness of the profession, particularly for males, and on the organisation of schools, and on the educational outcomes of students. Indeed, the precise impact of the education system will depend on a sizeable number of factors, some of which are within the control of the Ministry of Education and the central government. Attracting the best graduates into the profession, and retaining a quality and motivated cadre of teachers will likely remain a challenge. Status, working conditions and opportunity for professional development all contribute to this objective. But remuneration remains one of the most powerful success factors in education,” the report stated.
According to the teachers, studies have suggested that teachers and teacher expertise are the most important factors related to student learning and achievements. “Unfortunately, however, the importance of teachers to student achievement has not always translated to better teacher compensation,” the report noted.
The teachers went on to point out that traditionally, teacher compensation has been based exclusively on individual development criteria such as length of service and level of education attained. “Initially, these criteria were aimed at preventing pay inequity between men and women prevalent until the 1940s. They also helped to protect teachers against subjective administrators, and to give incentives to younger teachers to stay in the system,” the teachers affirmed.
The report elucidated that in Guyana, teachers are paid according to a version of the single-salary, or steps and lanes, schedule. It was indicated that this does not imply that all teachers earn the same salary. “Salaries vary, and they vary according to the characteristics of individual teachers. For example, teachers with more education units have larger salaries and teachers with administrative designations also earn more,” the teachers related.
It was explained that the net income of Temporary Qualified Mistresses and Masters is $58,659 while Untrained Graduate teachers receive $92,456.  Meanwhile, Untrained Graduates, with a master’s degree are paid $99,164, while Graduate Senior Mistresses and Masters receive $118,512.
The teachers continued to point out that a critical omission from the single-pay schedule used in Guyana is pay for seniority. They explained that this system works by segmenting and paying teachers based on the number of years served. “An obvious advantage of such a system is that it rewards staff for years of experience and incentivises young teachers to remain in the profession. As an example, a pay by seniority scheme may have three grades of seniority – less than five years, five to ten years and more than ten years.  There is a strong argument for making an element of salary dependent on length of service and on teacher effort. Pay by seniority rewards teachers for their commitment of time to the system and reflects the relative differences in experience among teachers, while performance-related pay permits reward based on something other than credentials or years of experience, both of which have been shown to be poor indicators of teacher effectiveness ,” the report stated.
Given this issue, the teachers have recommended that a group-based performance incentive scheme be used by the Ministry. “For a subject department with five or more students on CXC’s merit list, CSEC and CAPE, a group package of, say, $50,000 to those teachers in that department with direct responsibility for the results. For example, if a business department secures two merit students in Principles of Accounts (CSEC), two in Principles of Business, and one in Economics, then this department qualifies for the incentive. Additionally, a monetary reward can be also offered to each department with five or more students on Guyana’s merit list (top 10 students), CSEC and CAPE.  For a school with the highest overall pass rates at CSEC and CAPE respectively, a monetary reward in the range of $100,000 can be offered. To make this system [a] fair one, different categories can be established [to] reflect the varying challenges faced by different schools,” the teachers explained.
They have also urged that non-financial incentives be provided such as coverage of tuition fees in return for a teaching bond; an increase in uniform allowance by a factor of three, to $24,000, annually; loan guarantee scheme for the purchase of a vehicle by senior teachers; tax exemptions and/or discounts:  as well as discounts and/or exemptions for the purchase of state-provided goods and services.

Bush Lot farmer granted bail for burglary and simple larceny

Odit Ramjattan of Bush Lot Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday granted bail on two separate charges.
Ramjattan made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court charged with simple larceny and burglary respectively.
The Police alleged that on May 2, 2016, he broke into the dwelling place of Norlondo Brown in the night therein to steal. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The other charge stated that on April 18 and 19, 2016, Ramjattan broke into Ester Blackman’s place and stole a wooden ladder, which was later recovered. The defendant also pleaded not guilty to that charge. He told the Court that he was 40 years old, had six children and was not a flight risk, nor did he have any brushes with the law.
There was no objection to bail. Ramjattan was granted $50,000 bail for the burglary charge and $20,000 for the simple larceny charge.
He is expected to return to court on May 18, 2016.

Region 5 floodwaters receding – Chairman.

By Shemuel Fanfair.
After heavy rains and clogged drains left several communities in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) inundated since Sunday, the floodwaters are receding, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal has informed.
The affected areas are Dundee in the Mahaicony area, Trafalgar, Lovely Lass, Bush Lot and Hope Town.
Ramphal told  Guyana Times on Thursday that although “light showers” continued, no other areas were affected.
Responding to concerns about mosquitoes breeding in the remaining stagnant water, the Regional Chairman noted that fogging has been ongoing for the last two weeks.
Farmland that was inundated earlier this week

Farmland that was inundated earlier this week

Desiltation works in the Region on Sunday

Desiltation works in the Region on Sunday

It was also explained that the Region still needed an excavator and hydraulic pump to undertake much needed cleaning and de-silting of drains and canals, so as to prevent further flooding.
This was in response to reports that the Region did not have “sufficient resources” to do this.
Guyana Times reported on Tuesday that flooding in the Region was posing a severe threat to residents, especially farmers, their crops and livestock. Several pastures where animals normally graze had seen high levels of flooding.
The Regional Administration had briefed the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on the situation, while the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was in collaboration with the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) to desilt the outfall channel of the Trafalgar sluice.
On Sunday last, the Regional Chairman had observed that desiltation works to alleviate the flooding were undertaken.
On Monday, Ramphal said the main risks which residents faced included loss of crops and livestock, as well as damage to appliances and property.
With the rains bringing relief from the extended dry weather that had plagued the country and damaged many crops earlier this year, Guyana Times was made aware that many rice farmers in Region Five are yet to harvest their acreage.

Despite stakeholders’ plea, used cars ban takes effect

Despite objections from almost all quarters of society, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the local used car dealers, and the political Opposition, the Government-imposed ban on importation of used vehicles eight years and older from the date of manufacture to the date of importation took effect on Sunday, May 1, 2016.
The highly-unpopular measure was announced by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during the presentation of the 2016 National Budget in January, which he said was part of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s programme of ‘greening’ the economy and protecting the environment.
The ban, seen by many as anti-poor and anti-business, covers cars, vans, buses, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), and pickups. This ban is not applicable to vehicles used in the manufacturing or agricultural sectors.
The Government in the same vein had moved to remove the taxes on vehicles less than four years old as a cushion.
The excise tax on 1500cc vehicles less than four years old was removed, while there was a 50 per cent reduction of the excise tax to 10 per cent on vehicles less than four years old between 1500cc and 2000cc.
But, based on Japanese used car website www.tradecarview.com a 2011 Toyota Allion which costs approximately $4.7 million without taxes, to be shipped to Guyana and with a tax of 68.2 per cent as is outlined by the Government, would cost approximately $7.9 million in total.
A used Toyota Allion 2007/2008 was being sold here for approximately $3.2 million. This ban makes it virtually impossible for a significant part of the Guyanese population to own a vehicle, and will significantly affect the multibillion-dollar used car industry.  It is because of these reasons the proposal was met with stern objections from a number of stakeholders.
Several auto dealers had spoken to Guyana Times back when the announcement was made and noted that the ban will only benefit the upper-middle class and described the move as “jumbie economics” being implemented at a time when the Guyanese economy was struggling to “keep its head above water”.
They also accused Government of satisfying the interest of a select few, particularly those who are dealers in new vehicles.
The Guyana Auto Dealers Association (GADA) had also called on Government to put a hold on the implementation of the decision and hold consultations with key stakeholders.
The PSC had urged Government to rescind the decision which it said would only bring undue hardship to poor Guyanese.
Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo had also condemned the move which he said would completely deny the poorer class of Guyanese from enjoying the luxury of owning a vehicle.
“…a lot of vehicles that are coming into this country, they’re older and cost  a bit  more in foreign currency for the country because they are not as efficient, etc, they are a bit more polluting, but at least a section of our population that is may be middle-income, lower middle-income, poor can still afford something to drive; now  they are not going to be able to…,” Jagdeo had said.
But, President David Granger had subsequently defended the decision, stating that the measure was in the best interest of the country.
“We don’t want developed countries to treat us like junkyards sending their junk that they cannot use themselves,” he declared,” they are not going to put up with it, because it’s inefficient and smoky, why should we put up with it?”
He explained that while he understood the argument put forward by the auto dealers, the protection of the country was his priority.
“Every public has a right to represent its own interest and the auto dealers probably expressed concern because they feel their profits will be affected, but the Government has to think about the whole country.”

Gun recovered in North Road drain, man nabbed with pistol

Ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch on Wednesday recovered a shotgun in a drain along North Road, Georgetown.
According to information, the ranks got a tip and went to the area where they found the muddy weapon.
The Police have launched an investigation into the incident, but no one has yet been arrested.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, one man was taken into custody after he was found with an unlicensed firearm while walking along Main Street, Georgetown, on Thursday.
Based on reports, about 09:30h a Police mobile unit intercepted the suspect, who was seen acting in a suspicious manner and conducted a search on his person whereby a .22 pistol was found concealed in his pants.
He was questioned and could not present a firearm licence.
He is expected to be charged shortly.