October 18, 2016

Archives for July 2016

APNU/AFC Govt overspends on National Budget

… now moves to Parliament for billions more
The coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has increased

Winston-Jordan-Minister-of-Finance

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

its expenditure to the point where it now has surpassed budgetary allocations for some of its programmes and has had to resort again to the coffers.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan, is slated to present for consideration, the coalition’s first Financial Paper for supplementary spending from the Contingencies Fund, on Thursday when the National Assembly meets.
The additional spending totals in excess of $930 million, covering January 1, 2016 to July 28, 2016.
Under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA) of Guyana, a sitting Government is allowed to withdraw monies from the Contingencies Fund, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, or in the event of emergencies.
The Contingencies Fund was established as a sub-fund to the Consolidated Fund, commonly referred to as the Treasury.
Under the FMA, “The Minister, when satisfied that an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need for expenditure has arisen – (a) for which no moneys have been appropriated or for which the sum appropriated is insufficient; (b) for which moneys cannot be reallocated as provided for under this Act; or (c) which cannot be deferred without injury to the public interest, may approve a Contingencies Fund advance as an expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund.”
While in Opposition, the APNU/AFC coalition had consistently criticised the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for its resort to the Contingencies Fund, as being reflective of bad budgetary planning in addition to an abuse of the fund.
Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran – a vocal supporter of the APNU/AFC coalition Government – on Saturday conceded that the practice of resorting to the fund, can in fact be seen as indicative of bad budget planning but in the absence of any details with respect to the financial paper to be presented by Jordan, it would be too early to come to such a definitive conclusion.
The Financial Papers detailing a breakdown of the expenditure (capital and recurrent) will be presented to members of Parliament (MPs) and the general public on Thursday when the House convenes.
Goolsarran told Guyana Times while the law does make provision for the Government of the day to access the Contingencies Fund, this must be done within the confines of the law.
Jordan is also listed on the parliamentary order paper for this week’s sitting of the National Assembly to present a second Financial Paper, this time making a request for in excess of $2 billion. Goolsarran again adopted a ‘wait and see’ position before speaking definitively on the matter.
During 2014, the then PPP/C Administration under the hand of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, had resorted to extra-budgetary measures to the tune of $4.5 billion; monies the then APNU/AFC had labelled ‘illegal spending.’
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, now Vice President and Public Security Minister, had in fact made an official report to the Guyana Police Force against the PPP/C’s Finance Minister. The issue had also been used as one of the sticking points in arguments in favour of the passage of a No-Confidence Motion against the then Donald Ramotar Government.
Ramjattan had also labelled the practice as deceitful, since the then PPP/C Government annually misrepresents the budget by billions, since one amount would be approved as the national budget for the year, but this is nearly always supplemented through the use of extra-budgetary provisions.

Bandits rob Eccles CPG member, neighbour

Two residents of the Young Professionals Housing Scheme, in Eccles, on the East Bank of Demerara – one of

Vice Chairman of the Eccles CPG, Balram Seopersaud

Vice Chairman of the Eccles CPG, Balram Seopersaud

whom is the Vice Chairman of the Community’s Policing Group – were robbed in broad daylight on Friday by four gunmen.
Reports are that on Friday morning at about 11:00h, Eon Wills, a resident of the community, was perusing the streets in his motor vehicle, when he noticed four men vacating a home in the area that was known to be unoccupied. He told Guyana Times that his curiosity arose, so he drove closer to the home, hoping to “get a better look” at what was transpiring.
However, he was spotted by one of the men, who then began calling out to him. Wills relayed that he did not respond to the calls and instead drove away and opted to stop at a neighbour, who resided two houses away from him.
His neighbour, who is the Vice Chairman of the Eccles Community Policing Group, Balram Seopersaud, told this publication that when he noticed Wills parked in front of his home, he went out to greet him but before he could speak, a gun was pointed to his head and he was being ordered by a gunman to lie face down on the parapet.
“It happened around 11:30h. I usually work my bus in the mornings, and I just came in and I parked and saw a black car reversing and I knew it was my neighbour, so I went out to see what was up. By the time he took his windows down and I duck, I saw a white car pull up at the side and a gunman came up and put a gun to my head and I saw another one had a gun to his (Wills) window and the gunmen told us to go on the ground,” Seopersaud related.
Seopersaud and Wills highlighted that they both followed the gunmen’s instructions and the four men began to search them and rid them of over $300,000 in cash and jewellery, well as the keys to their respective vehicles.
The gunmen then instructed Wills to accompany Seopersaud into his house and began to search and remove all valuables, including four cellular phones, jewellery and one 42-inch flat screen television.
According to the duo, the four men who had their faces covered throughout the entire robbery, then vacated the home and drove off in a white Toyota Allion.
The Police arrived subsequently after, and it is reported that the Allion, which was utilised by the gunmen, was found abandoned. Investigations are ongoing.

Corbin, Gopaul tipped for Procurement Commission

… Anand Goolsarran, Chris Ram unsuccessful
The establishment of the long awaited Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is now one step closer to

Nanda Gopual

Nanda Gopual

becoming a reality since the Parliamentary Committee tasked with the responsibility of recommending the members for the President’s approval has completed its job.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by opposition Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali, has shortlisted for President David Granger’s approval Emily Dodson, Carol Corbin, Sukrishnalall Pasha, Ivor English and Dr Nanda Gopaul.
The Guyana Constitution stipulates: “The Public Procurement Commission shall consist of five members who shall have expertise and experience in procurement, legal, finance and administrative matters and the President shall appoint the members of the Commission after such members have been nominated by the PAC and approved by not less than two-thirds of the elected members of the National Assembly.”
The recommendations by the Public Accounts Committee, is expected to come up for debate on Thursday, when Ali presents the recommendations to the Full House for a debate on the suitability of the persons identified.
Guyana Times has since learnt that the Committee during the course of its deliberations did in fact establish a sub-committee to shortlist the candidates vying for the available positions on the PPC.
Among the persons that did not make the list to be recommended to the President were Balwant Persaud, Devan Khemraj, Brindley Horatio Robeson Benn, Cecil Jerrard Jacques, Lance Carberry, Dr Anand Goolsarran and Christopher Ram.
With the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission, the role held by Cabinet in awarding Government contracts will be phased out.

HS masters looking to stun undefeated Regal Masters

The Wolf’s Challenge Cup Softball Competition will continue today with six exciting matches at the Malteenoes Sports Club Ground and Tuchen Ground.

Among those clashes include the HS Masters taking on Regal Masters who remain undefeated in the tournament after two matches.

The Regal Masters team will be looking to in-form batsmen Mahendra Hardyal, Eon Abel and Mahase Chunilall to score big if they are to overcome HS Masters.

In the bowling department, HS Masters will be watchful of Abdul Gamal who has already picked up two hatricks.

Regal Allstars will also go into their match against Tropical Springs with high spirits, having only lost one match.

Both Regal teams travelled to the Big Apple and emerged victorious in the New York Cup.

The Malteenoes Ground will have Regal Masters playing HS Masters on Pitch One from 10:00h and Regal All Stars go up against Tropical Springs at 13:00h.

Pitch Two will see Superior Woods battle Albion Masters at 10:00h and Wolf Warriors Masters contest against Fisherman Masters from 13:00h.

Tuschen Ground will come alive with Floodlights going up against Savage Masters at 10:00h and Wellman playing Parika Defenders from 13:00h.

 

Priorities of City Hall

Dear Editor,
I would like to know the exact reason why the Georgetown City Council is refusing to rehabilitate and maintain the “Pergola Promenade” the national monument located on the Merriman Mall the construction of which was financed by the six institutions under the umbrella of the Cooperative Financial Administration during the 80s, and which was dedicated to the sterling performance of the late Shirley Field-Ridley, a former minister of the government and former wife of the immediate past Mayor of Georgetown.
For the last 21 years during the Mayorship of Hamilton Green, this memorial was left to become a haven for vagrants of all sorts, and was subjected to all types of solid waste deposit, including human excrement. Was this deliberate? Is there some sort of agenda to denigrate the memory of Shirley Field-Ridley? Does someone wish to have her contributions erased from our memory?
I have noticed that in the recent sprucing up and major construction activities going on at the Merriman Mall, this structure seems to have been deliberately ignored by the ruling cabal at City Hall, with brush and other unsightly garbage still can be seen desecrating this edifice.
Rather than rushing off to build a Presidential Park shouldn’t the Town Clerk have considered rehabilitating this monument first?

Sincerely yours,
Nadine Jerrick

Hindu body concerned over delay in approval of marriage licences

Some eight pandits, who have been waiting since last year for approval of marriage licences, are growing concerned over the delay in the process.
Vishnu Bandhu, President of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, a major Hindu umbrella organisation in Guyana, has expressed annoyance over the push around his organisation is getting from Government in its efforts to secure the marriage licences.
During an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday, Bandhu explained that applications to legally conduct Hindu weddings were submitted to the Public Security Ministry since October 2015 but to date no progress has been made: “The Guyana Central Arya Samaj made several follow-ups with Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and the ministry staff since last year. Mr Ramjattan’s Ministry acknowledged receipt of the application but there was no action, saying it was working on the request.”
In March, Bandhu said his organisation was eventually informed that the processing will take place at the Citizenship Ministry.
However, the organisation was required to resubmit all documentations: “The Ministry however said it “lost” all the applications and supporting documents and asked for a re-submission of same. The organisation again expeditiously resubmitted all the requested relevant supporting documents with attachments.”
The religious leader registered concerns over the push around his organisation has been receiving from the Citizenship Ministry, too.
He alleged that another Hindu organisation, which has close ties with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition administration, also made submissions for marriage licences around the same time his organisation did and they were successful.
“Clearly, the more things change, the more they remain the same. The Guyana Central Arya Samaj is urging the Government to act in the best interests of all Guyanese and the nation at large,” Bandhu stated.
He also expressed that his involvement in politics could also be a factor for the slothfulness in the application process. Bandhu had contested as the presidential candidate for the United Republication Party (URP) in the General and Regional Elections 2015.
One of the pandits, who is waiting on approval for his marriage licence, told this publication that it is rather inconvenient not having the licence: “I am a practicing pandit. I am doing all the rituals. So people would approach you. For example, I had to turn down a wedding offer a few weeks back because I wasn’t a marriage officer so I had to point him to somebody else,” Doodnauth Bowan from Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara (ECD) stated.
Nonetheless, he expressed that he has enough patience to wait until the process is completed: “I was told that the applications got misplaced and we reapplied. I am not that frustrated but I am still on the lookout for the licence. I have patience.”
Another pandit who spoke to this publication also noted that he is in no hurry to get his licence but is concerned about the run-around the organisation is receiving.
“The negligence on the part of the Ministry is worrying. We had a meeting with the Minister in his office, you know. After that, we got a message that they lost all the application and then they asked us to reapply which we did. Since then, to date, we haven’t heard anything,” Muneshwar Rup from Charity, Essequibo Coast, stated.
The organisation is calling on the relevant authorities to look into the matter and ensure the applications are processed swiftly.

Guyoil wins Ministry’s Domino Competition

The Guyana Oil Company battled five other teams and emerged victorious in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sports Committee, after an action packed night of aggressive domino competition at the Ministry’s Protocol Division on Friday.

Guyoil walked away with the first place award, earning the Ministry of Citizenship Award, six medals and $20,000 cash prize for their 79 wins for the night.

Representatives from Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Noble House and Metro Office Supplies locked in battle

Representatives from Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Noble House and Metro Office Supplies locked in battle

Sugrim Singh was the most outstanding player, representing Guyoil with 17 wins to his name.

Guyana Prison Service fought valiantly with three wins short of first, managing 77 wins to take home the Ministry of Communities Trophy along with $10,000.

Ministry of Public Infrastructure finished in third while the other teams in the competition included Metro Office Supplies, Noble House, and Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

Coordinator of the event, James ‘Uprising’ Lewis extended congratulations to the Guyoil team and commended every participant for their sportsmanship-like conduct.

James added that this is an achievement for the sporting world as well as the workplace environment as it aims to achieve cohesion throughout the country. He indicated that some 18 teams registered but only the first six were selected for the competition.

Based on the overwhelming support the tournament has received to date, it is also aiming to expand and include a lot more teams as the tournament grows.

He added that corporate Guyana has already expressed an interest in being a part of this imitative.

 

Headquarters surge to another Police Inter-Division athletics title

A dominance which dates back to 1998, when they lost the championship, Headquarters retained the Guyana Police Force Inter-Division Athletics title on Friday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary.

The formidable unit amassed 624 points to win ahead of ‘A’ Division, which had 337 points and Country Division on 195 points.

Julio Sinclair was deemed Champion ‘A’ Class Male Athlete with 30 points, while Marvin Tinnis was runner-up on 28 points. On the female side, Shion Boyer copped the local Champion Athlete with 28 points while Kizia Bess was runner-up on 26 points.

In the “B”Class, Headquarters’ Tevin Garraway was the Male Athlete with 30 points while Keon Spellen came in second. Tyrell Peters got the Male Youth Club top athlete award with Joanna Archer taking home the female prize.

In the overseas action, Trinidad and Tobago’s Che Hart ran 10.6 seconds to win the ‘A’ Class 100m ahead of Tinnis (10.8s) and Trevor Scotland (11.2s) respectively. Compton Caesar won the male youth club 100m in 10.6 seconds.

Guyana Defence Force’s Davin Fraser blasted to the invitational 100m in 10.2 seconds ahead of team-mate, Akeem Stewart (10.6s) and Terron Montfort (11.0) in that order. Deshaun Skeete won the youth club girls 100m.

Hart won the ‘A’ Class race for Trinidad in 22.1 seconds ahead of Tinnis (22.6s) and Keith Roberts (23.0) in that order. Hart also won the 400m in 46.0 seconds with Suriname’s Gilberto Gittens (46.2s) second and Simon Francois (1:08.3) third.

Bess won the female race in 1.00.2 ahead of Tanisha Isaacs (1:10.5) and Nadia Cox (1:13.3). Dummett took home the ‘B’ Class gold medal in 49.4 seconds ahead of Kareem Purch (50.6s) and Linton Mentis (51.4s) respectively.

‘A’ Division won the male 4x100m race ahead of ‘B’ Division and Headquarters respectively, while Headquarters took home the female honours ahead of ‘A’ Division and ‘B’ Division in that order.

Headquarters swept the women’s 200m with Onika Eastman winning in 24.9 seconds and Jevina Sampson (25.4s) second and Bess (26.6) third. Garraway won the male race in 21.4 seconds ahead of Kevin Abbensetts (21.5s) and Winston Dummett (21.7) respectively.

 

3rd Fitness Paradises Gym Expo on tonight

The 3rd edition of Fitness Paradise Gym Expo is slated to be held tonight from 19:00h at the Ramada Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Abiola Frank training for the Expo

Abiola Frank training for the Expo

This event will see members of Fitness Paradise Gym contending against each other for bragging rights and a special occasion with the largest number of female participants going head to head for the Miss Expo Best Legs, the Miss Expo Bikini.

The ladies will be looking to make an impact on the big stage with all making their bodybuilding debut.

Addis Castello, Vanessa Small, Delice Adonis, Adiola Frank, Sharon Mohan and Xamara Kippins are the female competitors while their male counterparts, Dwane Chung, Jamaul Tinnie, Onai Vasconcellos, Paul Meusa, Carlos Oviedo, Vickram Jhailu, Darrin Noble, Jaleel Weekes and Jaryl Moore will be in contention for the Mr Expo Hot Body, the Mr Expo and Mr Expo Best Abdominals.

Adding to the night of spectacle, Guest Posers, GSABBFF Miss Bikini 2016 and winner of Gym Expo 2015 Miss Bikini and Best Legs, Kavita Ganpat as well as 2014 Hot Body runner-up Allain Vincent will be on show.

 

Vulnerability analysis needed before building houses – Joe Singh

In light of low-lying areas being susceptible to flooding, Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh is urging residents with flat houses on the coast and flood-prone areas to raise their foundations. Singh is head of a task force Government has established to address the flood situation.
Singh stated that in the past, houses were built on stilts as a preventive measure against flooding, while their crops were planted on mounds.
Recently, the coastland has been hit by severe floods which resulted in massive losses. Poor drainage and non-functioning pumps were some of the factors for the floods.
The government has engaged Dutch experts from The Netherlands to assist in fixing the situation of flooding and drainage in Georgetown and other coastland areas. They have made numerous recommendations—one of which is increasing flood resilience among the people.
A report released by the experts, recommended that people construct two-storey houses, with the main function being the upper flat. This recommendation, it stated, should be mandatory for all project developers.
Singh posited that persons who already have flat houses in the low-lying areas should raise the foundation. He stated that persons should install stilts on their wooden flat houses while those with concrete houses should raise the perimeters of the house.
However, in the case of new construction, he stressed the need for the implementation of a building code, which would enable persons to conduct a vulnerability analysis before creating a house plan.
He stated further that livestock and crops could be saved in flooding if persons would also raise the foundation of their pens and plant their crops in boxes and pots: “For example, areas like the Rupununi, where there is flooding, residents are planting their cassava on mounds to prevent it from being damaged.” He stated that the drip irrigation shade agriculture technique should be promoted among farmers and residents as a measure to prevent flooding.
The Dutch report also recommended that squatting – without sanitation – in flood-prone areas should be eliminated in order to reduce health risks. It stated that flood-proofing sewage infrastructure should be developed.
The report emphasised that while flooding will remain an issue in Guyana, and particularly Georgetown, it is important to communicate this to the people and as such a communication strategy should be developed and implemented to explain the principles of living with water.
It noted that the plan has to be clear that the flood risk will never be reduced to zero. It said further that an inundation probability map of Georgetown should be drafted and used to explain to the people why it is important to build their houses and businesses flood-proof.
“Most people will be aware of flood threats when it happens and forget about it soon after. This loss of awareness influences their behaviour regarding the existing water management infrastructure,” it said, adding that living with water is not just about threats and flood damage but is also extremely economically valuable.
It indicated that “people who are aware of the benefits of living with water tend to understand better the constraints that space for water puts on them as well. Flood risk maps are an example of a specific way of communication to the people. It shows the probability of floods and the consequences of floods.”
It also stated that there should be simple presentations available nationwide on how the drainage system works, why water needs space, and why it is important to keep the drainage system free from constructions and solid waste.