Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 01, 2013 News
January
NEW VEHICLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM GOES INTO EFFECT
A new system that would see Motor Vehicle Licences (MVL) being sold on the anniversary of the registration went into effect at the beginning of the year.
Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, informed that owners whose registrations are due would be mailed notices and given a grace period to get themselves in order.
“The entire idea is to reduce congestion at the Licence Revenue Office at a particular period every year.”
In late December, GRA announced that a new Motor Vehicle Licences (MVLs) system would be introduced effective January 1, 2012.
Under the new system, MVLs became valid for a period of one year, effective from the anniversary date of registration of the motor vehicle, as opposed to the prior system where MVLs were only valid for the year in which they were purchased.
GOVT PULLS PLUG ON AMAILA FALLS ROAD CONTRACT
On January 12, the government announced the cancellation of the US$15.4 million Amaila Falls Hydro
Project contract it signed with Synergy Holdings Inc, headed by Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall. The announcement came from Minister Robeson Benn at his Kingston office. After three deadline extensions, Synergy Holdings had completed a mere 40 per cent of the works as of December 2011.
One of the many reasons given for the project cancellation which was handed to Motilall in March 2010, under the Bharrat Jagdeo Government, was the repeated urgings by Government and interventions from the Project Engineer and the Consulting Firm to have the project completed.
However, the major reason was Motilall’s failure to secure a performance bond, something that Minister Benn described as a fatal flaw. Benn, reading from a prepared text, said that the termination of the contract would result in the Client taking the following actions: Application of liquidated damages at the rate of US$10,000 per day, from January 1, 2012 to the date of termination, January 12, 2012; seizure of Contractor’s Retention sum; Seizure and taking ownership of all pieces of equipment and all other property used by the Contractor on the Amaila Falls Access Road Project and seizure of the existing performance bond.
The existing performance bond was posted by Hand in Hand Insurance Company to the value of 10 per cent of the contract. There were in fact, two performance bonds but one was the security bond. Together they were worth US$3 million.
RAPHAEL TROTMAN ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman was on Thursday, January 12, elected Speaker of the National Assembly for Guyana’s 10th Parliament and A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Deborah Backer was elected unchallenged as his Deputy.
The election for Speaker was initially contested by Former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran, Trotman and Backer.
Backer’s nomination was subsequently withdrawn; paving the way for a face-off between Trotman and Ramkarran, with the votes split along the 33-seat majority for the combined opposition and the ruling PPP/C.
Trotman was nominated by his running mate, AFC Chairman and Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan and this was seconded by Moses Nagamootoo.
Ramkarran, who lost the election by one vote to the AFC Leader, was nominated by Leader of the Government side in the National Assembly, Samuel Hinds, and the nomination was seconded by Clement Rohee, the Minister of Home Affairs.
Following the election of Speaker, Trotman presided over the election of Deputy Speaker.
Backer was again nominated for this position but was unchallenged and as such unanimously elected Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
The remaining members of the House were subsequently sworn in.
KAIETEUR NEWS, STABROEK NEWS DENIED RADIO LICENCES
The long standing applications for radio licences on the part of the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News were not favourably considered by the administration. This was confirmed on Thursday, January 19, by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon who told media operatives that while he could not recall all of the 12 entities issued with licences by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, he could confirm those for the VCT (which is now owned by the ever controversial Queens Atlantic Investment Incorporated (QAII) and has been renamed TVG) and National Television Network (NTN).
Luncheon said too that some of the others who were in receipt of radio licences from the administration included: Rudy Grant, TelCorp, Wireless Connections, Alfro Alphonso in Region Two, Rockliffe Christie who operates the Television Station LTV in Region Six as well as New Guyana, among others.
He also alluded to an applicant in Region 10 as well as the issuance of a Community Radio at Region One and said that one for the University of Guyana is being contemplated.
As Dr Luncheon searched his mind to recall who had been issued with the licences and was reminded of the Stabroek and Kaieteur News’ applications, he said, “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that” indicating that none had been issued to these two entities.
Publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, said that for Jagdeo to refuse his entity along with the Stabroek News, radio licences, demonstrates more and more of how he (Jagdeo) selectively dictated who got what under his watch.
“The man and cohorts essentially schemed and strategized to own and control Guyana after he demitted office.”
Lall said that for QAII to be issued with a radio licence, clearly illustrates Jagdeo’s “scampish, vindictive and deceitful nature which embodies cronyism”.
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February
AFC EYES PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW OF PLANNED MARRIOTT HOTEL
The Alliance For Change (AFC) in early February condemned the government for resisting growing demands for all major contracts signed in the run-up to the November 2011 General Elections to be reviewed by Parliament, including the controversial Marriott Hotel project.
This was expressed by AFC’s Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, at a press conference at the Side Walk Café, Middle Street.
He said the actions by the Government signaled a clear intention not to proceed with revealing information pertaining to the controversial Marriott Hotel. He did not rule out the possibility of raising the matter in Parliament.
“The AFC condemns this decision and makes it very clear, that it will not tolerate any commitment of taxpayers’ resources to a private entity whether in the form of equity or taxpayers’ guarantee or otherwise.”
He explained that the Marriott project has been heavily criticised for threatening unfair competition with local industry players who have invested their own money but suffer the financial effects of low occupancy.
Adding that if the Marriott chain wants a hotel in Guyana it must invest its own money just like it has done in other countries, Ramjattan emphasised that Guyanese taxpayers will ultimately pay the price.
GREENE MOVES TO HIGH COURT TO BLOCK RAPE CHARGE
Embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene moved to the High Court to quash the Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali Hack’s advice for the police to charge him with rape. Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that an Order or Rule Nisi of Certiorari be issued and directed to the DPP quashing her advice which was given on or about February 3rd 2012, to the Acting Police Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell and Assistant Commissioner of Law Enforcement, Seelall Persaud, to institute rape charges against Greene.
It was also ordered that Brumell and Persaud should be prohibited from charging Greene based on the advice of the DPP, unless they show cause why the order should not be made absolute.
Greene’s lawyers Rex Mc Kay SC, Neil Boston, Bettina Glasford and Maxwell Mc Kay contended that the advice by the DPP was unreasonable, unfair, unlawful, unconstitutional, and null and void with no legal effect.
‘RUBBER-WAIST’ JOMO COPS 2012 SOCA MONARCH CROWN
‘Bones-man’ failed to defend his crown and Bill Rogers’ dream of winning another title was dashed as veteran entertainer Jomo ‘Rubber-waist’ Primo walked away with the coveted 2012 Carib Soca Monarch crown.
The one-year hiatus proved to be a blessing in disguise for Ansa McAl as each of the 14 artistes vying for the 2012 crown at the National Park definitely upped the ante on the performances over the years.
Another veteran performer Adrian Dutchin copped the third place while newcomer George Anthony Abrams secured second place for his addictive ‘Wine Attack’.
ALANA SEEBARRAN BRINGS HOME GUYANA’S FIRST INT’L CROWN
History was made on the last Sunday in February as newly- crowned Miss India Worldwide, Guyanese Alana Seebarran was given a warm welcome by family, friends, well-wishers and Berbicians who flocked the Guyana- Suriname Ferry Terminal at Moleson Creek on the Corentyne.
She left Guyana for Suriname by air and chose to return home through the county of Berbice on Sunday, while thrilling many who lined the roadway on the Upper Corentyne area as she waved to them while passing in a motorcade which left the stelling after she met and greeted persons and the media.
The 24-year-old beauty queen had been crowned only hours earlier—sometime around 1:00 hr to be exact—in Suriname after taking the coveted crown from 35 other candidates from around the world and doing her country proud at the same time.
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March
SWIRLING QUESTIONS OVER SOURCE OF EZJET FINANCING
Burning questions arose in early March about the source of financing for the US-based charter company, EZJet, which started flying the New York-Guyana route in mid-December 2011.
Initial figures indicated that the company racked up more than US$3M ($600M) in losses and under market conditions it was highly unlikely it would ever make a profit. This raised even more questions about how the investor ever found the initiative feasible.
When Sonny Ramdeo, the man who said that he founded the charter, called Kaieteur News, he insisted that he was the sole person providing the finance at this stage. He said that there are “sleeping” investors who have provided reserve funding.
Airline officials questioned whether there was more than met the eye on the charter, since despite plugging and spending millions on the initiative, the owner still held a full-time job as a payroll director at a health care facility in the US.
Ramdeo disclosed, too, that he has a US$348,000 mortgage on his Fort Lauderdale, Florida home. Investigations by Kaieteur News revealed that the charter company, which made its first flight to Guyana on December 15, even when fully booked, would barely recover half of the hefty US$150,000 it costs to operate a return trip between New York and Georgetown.
NOBODY’S BUSINESS IF EZJET RUNS AT A LOSS – CEO
Sonny Ramdeo, the Chief Executive Officer of low cost charter, EZjet, said that it is nobody’s business whether the company makes a loss or a profit.
During a press conference on March 9 with local media, Ramdeo and executives of the US-based company also insisted it has no ties to local politicians.
The company refused to acknowledge passenger figures which indicated that the charter which flies the New York/Guyana route is not so rosy.
EZjet started flying to Guyana on December 16, 2011, but airline officials questioned the source of financing of the company which was said to be owned by Ramdeo, a Florida-based Guyanese who said he invested his own money.
Ramdeo flew in several of his executives to clear the air and during the press conference at Cara Lodge, explained that his operating licence in Guyana was granted after an economic study was done which justified the investment. The company stood in the line and waited its turn and was granted no favours, it was said.
The company was granted permission and started selling tickets in late November 2011.
Ramdeo insisted that the US sales alone justified the expenses of EZjet. He claimed to have used part of his mortgage to fund the startup of the company. This was to the tune of US$1.5M ($300M).
In the process, the former investment banker said he had to utilise the proceeds from his investments funds, stock options from the bank where he worked and his 401K, a retirement savings account.
The US1.5M was used to pay security deposits, bonds, for the aircraft.
The CEO insisted that the flights have been paying for themselves. “The difference between us and the competitors is that they are scheduled carriers…we are not.”
To protect passengers, ticket funds are paid into an escrow account in the US and not released until the passengers arrived in Guyana. On the Guyana side, the monies are held in a Scotiabank account.
“The intention is to build a national carrier for Guyana,” Ramdeo disclosed.
DIVIDED OPPOSITION APPROVES GOVT. CONTENTIOUS $5B EXPENDITURE
A division in the ranks of the political opposition parties in the National Assembly in mid-March saw approval of the $3.4B Financial Paper #8 which came by way of Supplementary provision.
The Financial Paper had forced the previous sitting of the National Assembly to end in a stalemate, with the Deputy Speaker of the House, Deborah Backer, suspending the engagement to seek further advice on the way forward.
Following the announcement of the ruling by substantive Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, the remaining Financial Paper was put to a vote. On the very first item up for consideration, which was a $400M+ allocation for the Office of the Prime Minister’s Electrification Programme, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally, demanded a division after there was no clear indication on the oral vote.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) at this point in time abstained from voting and even though each of APNU’s MPs voted against the provision, their 26-bloc vote was not enough to defeat the ruling party’s 32 votes. The entire Financial Paper was eventually approved in the House, clearing the way for the approval of the first Bill to be introduced in the House for 2012. That was the Supplementary Appropriations Bill, reflecting the two Financial Papers representing in excess of $5B advanced from the Contingency Fund.
CHINESE COMPANY THAT BUNGLED US$200M SKELDON PLANT GIVEN US$48M GPL CONTRACT
Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL)’s Executive in late March underwent an inaugural review of the company’s performance targets by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) which resulted in a fiery session between stakeholders and company officials.
It was pointed out by PUC Chairman Justice Prem Persaud that the review of the GPL’s performance targets included Consumer Interruptions (blackouts), meter reading, issuance of bills, accounts payable and receivable, as well as system losses.
Chief Executive Officer of the Power Company, Bharrat Dindyal, informed media operatives that it was the same Chinese company (China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) that constructed the Skeldon Sugar Factory, which was given the contract for the US$48M upgrade to the transmission.
It was explained, too, that as a result of the concessionary Chinese loan which has been given to the power company for the system upgrade, the tenders for the supply of the fibre optic cable had to be issued to Chinese bidders.
The US$200M factory which was constructed by the CNTIC has been plagued with problems ever since its construction started, and had to halt operations on more than one occasion.
The problem-prone factory had reached a point where the former President Bharrat Jagdeo had pledged to personally get involved in fixing the facility.
TREASON ACCUSED FREED
The treason charges against Army Reserve Officer, Leonard Wharton, Major Bruce Munroe and his wife, Carol Ann Munroe were dismissed on March 28, by Chief Magistrate (ag) Priya Sewnarine- Beharry.
The trio was in December of 2010, arraigned on the charges which said they intended to levy war against, and to overthrow the previous President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo.
During an approximate 25-minute ruling by the court, it was cited that the charge against the accused did not exist by law and by extension, was faulty.
The court contended that vital elements to warrant a treasonous act were omitted in the prosecution’s case.
It was the view of the court that important elements necessary to support the charge were omitted. Based on what the constitution stipulates, it had to be clear what the treasonous acts were and would therefore deem the persons traitors.
Prior to the Munroes and Wharton being freed, a lengthy pre-trial hearing took place at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. For 14 months, the three had to be shuttling between the prison and the court. The matter first convened with the three persons being tagged as associates of the Colin Jones Gang. Jones and a number of other persons were charged with acts committed against the state such as setting fire to the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Health. They were also slapped with charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of guns and ammunition and more.
GOVT. UNVEILS $192.8B BUDGET
The government presented a $192.8B Budget, a package that was anxiously awaited by all,
on Friday, March 30. It was presented under the theme “Remaining on course, United in purpose, Prosperity for all.”
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh announced projections, earnings, and adjustments to wages and salaries by way of a hiking of the income tax threshold. His presentation took almost three hours. The income tax threshold was increased from $40,000 to $50,000 per month.
The Finance Minister also announced that the monies payable to old age pensioners would be increased by $600. This meant that the $7,500 old age pension previously received was increased to $8,100.
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April
GPL RENTS US$900,000 GENERATOR FOR US$720,000 ANNUALLY
The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) in 2011 paid a hefty US$8.6M to rent 12 Caterpillar generating sets for a period of one year. It could have spent just US$2.2M more to buy them all.
In late March, the company suggested that renting the generators was the only feasible option, as opposed to buying them. The revelations were made when top GPL officials appeared before its regulator, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
It was during this public hearing, held at Tower Hotel, that GPL officials were pressed into disclosing the rental costs. GPL rents the sets from Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP).
Kaieteur News was informed that, on average, GPL was paying MACORP around US$60,000 monthly to rent the sets.
Each of the generating sets is actually rented for a base rental of US$43,000 every month, whether they are used or not. If they are used, that base rental only caters for 200 hours of work. Anything over the 200 hours automatically bumps up the rental to US$60,000, monthly.
GPL sources confirmed that the company worked the generators to the maximum; therefore what it has been paying is the full US$60,000 rental, per month. This meant that rental cost for the 12 generators amounted to some US$720,000 for each month last year.
In any given month, GPL loses a few days of work from the generators, to facilitate “top-up maintenance.”
Further, the generators are subjected to scheduled general maintenance every two months. With the “top up maintenance” and the “scheduled maintenance” time it means that every two months GPL does not benefit from the usage of each of the generators for about one week. However, it still has to pay the full rental cost.
The makers of the sets are retailing one for US$900,000 (G$180M), according to GPL officials. This means, it would cost only US$180,000 above the rental price.
GPL said that it decided to rent against purchasing, because it did not have up-front capital at hand to go ahead and purchase the Caterpillar sets.
GPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bharat Dindyal, along with his Deputy Aeshwar Deonarine, in replying to questions, insisted that it is far more beneficial to rent the sets since the state-owned power company is not burdened by maintenance costs; maintenance fees are covered by the rental fee.
Further, Elwyn Marshall, Divisional Director (Operations) said that the generators which are rented are not fit for long-term operations, and are more ideal for a temporary solution.
This is despite the fact that in June last year GPL said that it had 22 of the same Caterpillar sets in the system.
Six Caterpillar sets brought in June 2011 are still in the system at Versailles and Leonora, West Demerara, and at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, among other places.
GPL indicated that electricity demand has been growing at least 10 per cent annually, outstripping investments and power production which until recently, countrywide, was over 80 megawatts.
MAJOR OVERHAUL FOR US$200M SKELDON FACTORY
Just two years after launching the country’s most expensive project to date, the government announced plans, in early April, to begin a major overhaul of the Skeldon factory.
The US$200M factory, on which Guyana has been pinning its hopes to revive a struggling industry which is the country’s biggest employer, has been plagued with problems.
These problems were there since the sugar factory was commissioned in August 2009, raising questions whether Guyana had received its value for money.
Government has been blaming the “hiccups” on teething problems with accusations that the Chinese contractor had failed to deliver. According to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), it would be gearing to re-engineer the bagasse feed system, re-design the cane conveyors, drill a new well and replace a five-megawatt alternator to a power engine.
These were all handed over and supposed to have been fully working within months of the August 2009 commissioning, plus or minus a few defects.
GuySuCo also indicated that it would modify the problematic punt dumpers, build a section of all-weather road, upgrade the drainage and water management system and convert additional lands for mechanized harvesting.
INDIAN COFFEE COMPANY SHIPS OUT 50 CONTAINERS OF LOGS IN 2 MONTHS
An Indian company known more for its coffee beans than its furniture making, reportedly shipped out almost 50 containers of logs between February and March, despite Government insisting in 2011 that the same company was not interested in “large scale” exportation.
The majority of logs shipped out were said to be washiba, a hardwood used to make top end furniture. Also shipped were purpleheart, greenheart and snakewood.
Guyana has not made a secret of its intentions to drastically reduce logs export in favour of more downstream or value-added processing.
The Bharrat Jagdeo administration had heavily defended the Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. (VHPI) deal that the local media only knew about after the deal was published in the Times of India, rated the largest English language newspaper in the world.
With questions over the forestry concessions granted to VHPI, which is a subsidiary of the renowned Coffee Day Limited of India, in April 2011, government had insisted that there was nothing secret about granting the concessions to that company.
Coffee Day is owned by V. G. Siddhartha an Indian businessman from Karnataka.
The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), which regulates the country’s forests, made it clear that the VHPI had indicated that it would be building processing facilities here.
GOVT. SELLS GT&T SHARES
After disclosing to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) at its most recent Annual General Meeting that the decision to sell the 20 per cent shares it owned was “off the table,” Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon on April 5 changed the tune.
Dr Luncheon announced that the government during a Cabinet Meeting several days earlier had decided on a proposal made by a Hong Kong-based company to buy the shares for US$30M.
The money will be paid in two instalments– US$25M upfront and the remaining US$5M to be paid over the course of two years.
Up until the sale, the government was receiving from GT&T, an annual dividend of US$2.5 million. Dividends will more than likely be used to pay the $5M instalment.
The telephone company, according to reports, had noted the statements issued less than two weeks prior by Head of State Donald Ramotar that no decision was taken as it relates to the sale of the shares.
Ramotar at that time reiterated that whenever such a sale is made, it “would be in the best interest of the Guyanese people”.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T, Yog Mahadeo said that he was surprised at the manner in which the sale was handled.
Mahadeo stated that it was only after Dr Luncheon made the announcement and the media attempted to solicit comments from him, that he was made aware that the company’s shares were sold.
Government declined to disclose who the Chinese buyers were. Head of the Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington, said that as soon as he informs the buyer that his offer has been accepted he would make the announcement.
BRASSINGTON ‘MISLEADS NATION ON MARRIOTT DEAL’
A senior government official may have been attempting to mislead Guyana over details of the Marriott Hotel deal, with opposition parties vowing to raise even more questions in Parliament.
Both A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), which make up the Opposition in the National Assembly, opined that despite statements by Winston Brassington, head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Government was in fact offering guarantees to a number of yet unknown private investors that could see them recovering their investments ahead of the government using taxpayers’ money, should the project fail.
The implications of that is despite Guyana’s intention to invest US$27M into the project, its name would not be first on the list to be repaid. The multi-million-dollar project came under fire, especially as Guyana continues to struggle with problems to fill the many empty rooms that plague hotels across the country.
Brassington, during an interview with Kaieteur News, said that there is no Government guarantee on the US$27M debt that is being facilitated by Republic Bank (Trinidad) for the Marriott Hotel project. Government has entered into a syndicated loan arrangement where Republic Bank (Trinidad) is managing the process. The particular loan is one that is provided by a group of investors and which, through an agreement, will allow the investors who are part of the syndicated loan arrangement to get back their monies ahead of any other – in this case, ahead of Guyana which is plugging a massive US$27M into that project.
HENRY GREENE RESIGNS
Embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene resigned in mid-April. Greene offered to go into retirement via a letter to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, according to a brief statement from the Office of the President.
“By letter dated April 19, 2012, addressed to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Mr. Henry Greene, DSM, has offered to retire as the Commissioner of Police of Guyana,” the statement said.
“His Excellency Donald Ramotar, President of the Republic of Guyana has accepted his offer with immediate effect,” it added.
BUDGET DEBATE… US$15M THROWN ON CHOPPING BLOCK
The Leaders of the Combined Parliamentary Opposition made their intentions clear in mid-April as the presentations to the 2012 Budget debates came to an end by sending an unwavering message that it will be altered and tailored to reflect the will of the people at the November 2011 General and Regional Elections.
Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Brigadier (ret) David Granger, in his maiden presentation to a Budget Debate, declared that March 30, 2012, represented the end of an era. The date that Granger referred to was the occasion of the presentation of the 2012 Budget by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.
Granger declared that the time had come to an end where “we witnessed the attempt of a minority to craft a budget on its own and impose it on a majority…this is the last time we will see an attempt to introduce a budget not in consonance with the public will.”
Even as Granger addressed the areas where the budget needs to have a greater focus, the Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, called for accurate reflections on the nation’s finances and drew reference to bank accounts with monies held by NICIL, GGMC and GFC, among others, for which he said that billions are not reflected in the budget.
Had there been any apprehension that the opposition would not seek to slash sections of the Budget, Ramjattan submitted for consideration slashes in the form of a motion to the tune of some $3B (US$15M).
Ramjattan put up for the chopping block allocations to the Ministries of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Housing and Water, and Culture, Youth and Sport. The cuts alluded to by Ramjattan, point to Contracted Employees at the Tourism Ministry, the Bureau of Standards, International Conference Centre, Central Housing & Planning Authority and the National Sports Commission, among others.
CHINESE VICE PREMIER WAVING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SPARKED CJIA EXPANSION – Robeson Benn
“We had to enter into an agreement because we had a very narrow window in September where a
Chinese Vice Premier came to the Caribbean with several billion dollars to fund projects and it was the only opportunity we had then to fund this undertaking.
“It was the only undertaking then and we had a particular line of documentation and information ready. We were able to take advantage and make use of that funding which would have gone elsewhere if we had not done what we had to do,”
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, made these comments while explaining the expansion of the runway of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the construction of a new terminal.
His comments came as the airport was observing its 10th anniversary since it became a Corporation.
He explained that some time in 2011, discussions had been in place with a large contracting company working on airport and other infrastructural facilities in the Caribbean.
“We had discussions with China Harbour and with some other providers; we had proposals, we had many, many rounds and months of negotiations and there were several iterations as to what costs would be… Ultimately we had a signing for a contract for the construction of a new airport building and also for the extension of the runway by just over 1,000 metres.”
He said that his government was caught on the back foot with the announcement of the contract signing for the project.
CHINESE BUYER ARRIVED AT US$30M PRICE AFTER INSPECTING GT&T’S BOOKS – LUNCHEON
Government defended the US$30M selling price of its 20 per cent stake in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T). A government spokesman said that the approved Chinese firm examined the books of the communication giant before arriving at its decision to buy.
That US$30M price tag had raised questions from accountant Christopher Ram.
Ram, speaking with Kaieteur News, said that Guyana may have lost almost $2B more on the price when it sold its 20 per cent stake in GT&T to Datang. The shares, he believes, are worth US$40M, using standard accountant calculations.
But questioned about how government arrived at that US$30M figure, Government spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said that the Hong Kong-based, China’s Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group conducted its due diligence before it arrived at the price.
“The Chinese firms came here and they looked over GT&T’s books… they worked with GT&T and they found a way – I am no financier- of costing the company.” “…You could actually say on that (US$30M) costing that there is an understanding that GT&T’s shares probably can be capitalized at US$150M right now. That is what it seems to be saying.” Ram, in questioning the deal which was announced earlier in April during a Government press conference, said that while the value of a share in a private company is a subjective matter, the sales of shares in private companies take place regularly and the finance industry has what it calls standard tools for arriving at an indicative price range.
May
RENOWNED ARTIST PHILIP MOORE DIES
Guyana’s most renowned artist, painter and sculptor Philip Alphonso Moore died on Sunday, May, 13.
He was 90.
According to his son, Philip Moore (Jr), his father, the designer behind the 1763 Monument, died quietly in his sleep at around 04:30 hrs at his home at Lancaster on the Corentyne. According to his son, Moore was bedridden and suffered from ailments of the heart and kidneys.
GRA TO PAY $10.5M PER MONTH IN RENT – LUNCHEON
The former Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) building on Camp Street has been acquired by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). It will be rented to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for $10.5M monthly, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon.
He said that NIS paid $600M for the building which was assessed at $1.8 billion. The money paid by NIS would be offset against the outstanding $6B indebtedness of the liquidator. NIS had invested some $6B in CLICO. That money was all but lost when CLICO collapsed. The local CLICO went into liquidation. The purchase of the Camp Street building represented part of the liquidation process.
$30M MISSING PONTOON FOUND ‘STASHED’ UP MAHAICA CREEK
Searchers in late May found a multi-million-dollar pontoon stashed miles up the Mahaica Creek, days after it was mysteriously removed from the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
A search team, working on information, had gone there previously but saw no sign of it.
According to the bridge’s General Manager, Rawlston Adams, the pontoon, worth some $30M, was found “abandoned” miles up the creek. It was tied up.
Four winches, worth over $2M, and a scow-end were missing.
Three staffers were initially detained after the pontoon, used mainly for maintenance works on the bridge, went missing. It is believed that the vessel may have disappeared between several days prior. It was discovered missing hours before major works were scheduled to commence – replacing sections of the retractor span.
Following the discovery, reports were made to the police and Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn.
According to Adams, he had returned to the Mahaica Creek area with a number of staffers and the police. Using a boat, a search was conducted along the creek before the pontoon was discovered tied up. It was flooded with water.
The General Manager disclosed that a pump had to be taken to the location for the water to be pumped out.
June
GOVT. WANTS MPs TO DECLARE ANNUAL INCOME, ASSETS
Government tabled a motion that will force Parliamentarians to declare their annual earnings and assets.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds, the Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs, asked that defaulting Members of Parliament” be sanctioned by the House, according to established norms of ethics.
“They should also be brought before the Committee of Privileges,” the motion proposed.
Should the government have its way on this motion; Parliament will have the powers to conduct an annual voluntary monitoring exercise to ensure compliance by Members of Parliament.
The motion asked the House to have the President disclose to the Speaker annually the names of those Members of Parliament in default.
The Prime Minister in the motion explained that the Integrity Commission Act was passed in the House in 1997 and made into law on September 24, 1997 as the Integrity Commission Act 1997, Chapter 19:12, Act No. 20 of 1997.
The Commission and support staff were established shortly after and all persons in public life in high office were expected to be in compliance with this law.
The Act empowers the Commission and the President to publish the names of persons who are not in compliance in the Gazette and in the daily newspapers. It also addresses the offences and penalties for failure to comply which include fines and imprisonment.
The government motion said that “all elected officials, and more so, Members of Parliament in particular… are expected to be standard bearers of ethics in public office and uphold the Code of Conduct outlined in the Act and in Schedule II.”
PARLIAMENT WILL INVESTIGATE US$150M CJIA SECRET DEAL – HOUSE SPEAKER
A senior official and team representing the embattled Chinese company involved in the massive Timehri airport expansion project flew in, yesterday for a meeting with government and at least one opposition party, amidst rising concerns.
China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its parent company, Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC), have both come under intense scrutiny in Guyana and Jamaica recently for revelations that the World Bank has debarred them until 2017 for bribery.
A Chinese official was in 2011 sentenced to death while the son of a former Bangladeshi Prime Minister was jailed for six years for taking bribes from the company and its subsidiaries.
Zhou Gang, a Vice President of CCCC led a team that met with Prime Minister Sam Hinds.
The team later met with Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman and Parliamentarian for the Alliance For Change, Moses Nagamootoo, at the Parliament Buildings.
While the team said it was officially here to explore the possibilities of bringing US$10B in investments to Guyana in terms of infrastructure, the issue of its seriously dented credibility dominated the agenda.
According to the Speaker, the Parliament will be investigating the US$150M deal to rebuild the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
He noted that Guyana has a longstanding relationship with China, but from time to time issues of concerns and difficulties will arise.
FRAUD PROBE LAUNCHED AT NCN, SENIOR OFFICIAL SENT HOME
The Board of Directors of the National Communications Network (NCN) launched an investigation over payments by advertisers that never seem to have made their way to the accounts of the state-owned company.
The network’s Production Manager, Martin Goolsarran, received a letter from the Board of Directors ordering him to proceed on leave to facilitate investigations. Officials also said that a number of other staffers including Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Sattaur, were being probed.
RANDY MORRIS KILLED AFTER ANOTHER ROBBERY BID
The curtain finally came down on the life of Randy Morris who was shot dead by police following a high speed
chase through the streets of Georgetown on Saturday, June 23.
Morris, 32, of Freeman Street East La Penitence, who police believed was responsible for a series of armed robberies in and around the city, met his end in an alleyway between Church and Forshaw Streets, Queenstown, after he and an accomplice were cornered by ranks of a mobile police patrol.
The ranks had chased after Morris after he had tried to rob a Bourda Market businesswoman and her husband.
Eyewitnesses said that the businesswoman and her husband had just closed their stall and were exiting the market when they were attacked by Morris who grabbed the woman’s bag, which reportedly contained over $500,000 in cash, including foreign currency.
UG CHANCELLOR BOURNE RESIGNS
Staffers and representatives from the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association took their protest action to office of the Pro Chancellor, Prem Misir, at the Parliamentary Office.
And before the protest there was word that UG Chancellor Professor Compton Bourne had resigned. Dr. Melissa Ifill, Vice President of the UGSSA, said the UGSSA welcomed the resignation.
“We have been advised that Mr. Bourne has resigned. It has been something that we have been calling for because we have argued that he has in fact not functioned effectively as Chancellor. We have called for his resignation and we are pleased. We see this as a victory.”
Prof. Bourne was re-appointed Chancellor just prior to the resignation.
July
LINDEN PROTEST TURNS DEADLY…THREE DEAD, TWO DOZEN INJURED
Three persons, Shemroy Bouyea, Ron Somerset and Allan Lewis, died, and several others were injured as shots were fired in Linden on the first day of a planned five-day protest against electricity rate hikes.
In the wake of the deaths, soldiers and police were sent to the town in efforts to bring calm.
Lindeners reacted angrily to the shootings and several buildings were set on fire.
But before all this happened, the utility companies turned off water and electricity to Wismar and Linden. Prime Minister Sam Hinds later described the situation as “plain thuggery upon captive consumers by a utility provider.”
SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS ORDERED TO REPAY KICKBACKS ON $17M LUXURY BOAT PURCHASE
What was supposed to be a transparent, standard purchase of a 30-ft ocean-worthy boat, ended up as a scam involving a small group of high level members of the Guyana Police Force.
This is according to the Ministry of Home Affairs, with reference to the purchase of a $17M luxury vessel for regular patrols and crime-fighting purposes.
In a belated statement on the status of the much-touted addition to the police maritime fleet, the Ministry confirmed that it had cause to take action against those responsible for the purchase.
While the Ministry did not identify the high-level members of the force who were responsible, reliable sources in the organization indicated that the acquisition of the vessel centered on three persons.
The Ministry’s statement spoke of kickbacks received by the senior police officials and also informed that they were ordered to repay all illegally obtained proceeds from the purchase.
Controversy surrounded the vessel from the time it arrived here in September 2009.
CHAOS AS HARBOUR BRIDGE COLLAPSES
Chaos ensued shortly before the rush hour on July 23, when a section of the Demerara Harbour Bridge collapsed, after two temporary pontoons located at the western end of the bridge sank, leaving thousands of commuters and vehicles stranded on both sides of the river. The pontoons were facilitating maintenance and rehabilitative works.
While no one was reportedly injured in the frightening mishap, minibus driver Clyde Clarke barely managed to prevent his vehicle from disappearing into the murky waters that enveloped the section linking the two affected spans. The other 14 passengers on the bus had already frantically jumped from the vehicle.
This occurred around 06:45 hrs when the structure collapsed, driving fear into the occupants of the lone minibus that was stranded on the sinking section. No one was injured but the bridge was immediately closed.
BUSINESS OWNER DROPS DEAD, FOUR TRAPPED CHINESE RESCUED FROM REGENT ST. BLAZE
An early morning fire on Regent Street on the last day of July left millions of dollars in damage and losses and one businessman dead.
Businessman, Ramdat Shiwprasad, 64, owner of Indra’s Fashion which was destroyed, collapsed upon seeing the fire and was pronounced dead minutes later at a city hospital.
Firemen were able to rescue four Chinese nationals who were trapped in one of the burning buildings. They sustained minor bruises and burns about their bodies.
The inferno began around 05:15 hrs.
In total four buildings were burnt and more than 100 persons left without jobs. At least two persons, including Chinese, were left homeless.
Among the businesses destroyed were Boyo’s Fashion, Clairans, Indra’s Fashion, Lucky Dollar and several other clothing stores owned by Chinese nationals.
August
FORMER TOP COP LAURIE LEWIS DIES
Former Commissioner of Police, Laurie Leyland Lewis passed away quietly at his East Coast Demerara
home shortly after midday on Monday, August 13. He was 71. Lewis who served as Commissioner of Police for 11 years, from 1990 to 2001, was suffering from a prolonged illness. He was battling diabetes which eventually led to renal failure, and he was in and out of hospital within the past year. His wife Jennifer confirmed that he died around 12:45 hours. His son, Laurie Jr., told this newspaper that he last spoke to his father on the morning that he passed away.
“Before I left the house he was sleeping, but then I got a call later that he had died.”
Lewis, who is so far the second longest serving Commissioner of Police in the country’s history, had once described his 11 years as the top cop as the “hardest years of my life.”
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY AGREEMENT INTO LINDEN KILLINGS SIGNED
Government and the Opposition on August 21 signed an agreement paving the way for the beginning of a Commission of Inquiry into the unrest at Linden which claimed three lives and resulted in several persons being injured. But the signing only occurred after Government agreed to remove the contentious aspect of the Terms of Reference (TOR) which called for an investigation into whether any political forces were involved in promoting the protest.
September
HENRY GREENE, CHILD DIE IN THREE VEHICLE SMASH-UP
Former Commissioner of Police Henry Greene and 10-year- old Shaffiya Jamaluddin were killed at around 09:10 hrs on September 7 following a three vehicle smash-up on the West Coast Demerara Public Road near Harlem, seven kilometres from Vreed-en-Hoop.
Reports are that Greene, 58, was driving a white Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) PLL 7411 east along the West Demerara Public Road when he collided head-on with a car PJJ 4812, which was transporting six persons, including ten year old Shaffiya.
He then crashed into the Bakewell Distribution truck GJJ 9067. The truck in turn slammed into the car that Greene struck. Greene and the young child reportedly died before receiving medical attention at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
The other injured were identified as Victor Persaud, who was employed as a driver with Bakewell; Shalim Ali- Mohamed and Dharmendra Prashadmisir who are porters with the company; Rahim Kaleem, 45; his wife, Zairoon Hussein; Reaz Kaleem, 18; Shaimoon Kaleem; and Fawaz Kaleem, 15.
GUYANA ENDORSES US$506M CONSTRUCTION DEAL IN CHINA
The construction agreement of what would be Guyana’s costliest infrastructural project – the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project (AFHEP) – has been signed, government announced on September 11. Construction is expected to start in mid-2013.
According to the statement issued by the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement for the construction of the Amaila Falls Hydro project and Transmission Line was executed in Xian, China, by Sithe Global, the developer, and China Railway First Group (CRFG), the construction company. The contract, valued at US$506M, was signed by Bruce Wrobel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sithe Global, and Dr. Sun Yonggang, Chairman of China Railway First Group (CRFG).
AGRICOLA RESIDENTS, POLICE FACE-OFF AS TEEN SHOT DEAD
Tempers flared as angry Agricola residents faced-off with police after a shooting that left a teenager dead
and another nursing bullet wounds. Police claimed that the victim, Shaquille Grant called ‘Georgie,” who would have celebrated his 18th birthday the day after he met his demise, was part of a criminal gang in the East Bank Demerara community.
Another youth sustained injuries to his head, while three others were arrested following what police said was a raid that came from a tip-off about a planned robbery.
Police in a press release stated that ranks on a mobile police patrol came under fire from a group of men at Caesar Street, Agricola. The police said that the ranks returned fire, fatally wounding Shaquille Grant, 17, of Lot 12 BB Eccles, EBD, and injuring Romel Bovell, 20, of Brutus Street, Agricola. A .38 Smith and Wesson revolver was recovered, the police claimed. Police said that they received information that a gang in Agricola was planning a robbery on a business entity located near the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
CAR AND TYRES BURNT IN AGRICOLA, FIRE FIGHTERS, POLICE SUMMONED
After the killing of 17-year-old Shaquille Grant by police, Agricola residents burnt tyres on the southern section of the four-lane East Bank Demerara Public Road for two successive nights, causing vehicular traffic to use the north-bound lane as a two-way lane. And inside the village at the scene where Grant was shot and killed, angry residents torched a car owned by a resident of the area.
No arrests were made.
October
BYSTANDER SHOT DEAD AS POLICE CHASE SUSPICIOUS CAR
A 21-year-old Lethem resident was fatally shot on October 5, outside the White Castle Fish Shop at Hadfield Street and Lime Streets, when a “high-speed chase” involving three Tactical Services Unit (TSU) ranks and the occupants of a white motor car (PGG 3506) ended in proximity to the popular hangout.
The dead man, Dameon Belgrave, also of Middle Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, and several of his friends were said to be in pre-birthday celebratory mood, when police reportedly opened fire after the car which they were pursuing at the time, stopped.
According to eyewitnesses, the police vehicle turned at a rapid rate into the street behind a white car that stopped on the northern carriageway of Hadfield Street aback of the Brickdam Secondary School.
The area at the time was crowded. Two gunshots then rang out. Belgrave who was reportedly standingapproximately 25 metres away from the police vehicle fell to the ground as other patrons scampered for cover. Belgrave’s friends said when the area cleared somewhat, they noticed that he was lying on the ground and his jersey had blood in the upper chest area. It was then determined that the man was bleeding from what appeared to be a gunshot wound just below his left armpit. Hospital sources confirmed that he was shot in the right shoulder and that the bullet exited his left armpit.
A dark-coloured car (PFF 6438) that was parked just next to where Belgrave was standing had its back windshield shattered as a result of the gunfire.
THREE BURIED ALIVE IN MINING PIT
The neighbouring East Coast Demerara communities of Ann’s Grove and Two Friends were plunged into shock and deep mourning, following the news that three of their villagers perished in a mining pit at Aranka in the Cuyuni area. Twenty-five year-old Deonarine Singh called ‘Chubby ‘of Ann’s Grove and cousins Elson Singh called ‘Papa Johnny’, 47 and Devon Barry, 22, both of Two Friends, died after the walls of the pit they were working in caved-in burying them alive. It took desperate colleagues, aided by an excavator, several minutes to dig them out from tons of sand and gravel, but by then it was too late.
RICARDO RODRIGUES DIES IN HAIL OF BULLETS
The execution-style killing of Ricardo Rodrigues, a well known associate of convicted drug dealer
Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan, sent shockwaves through the city and its environs in mid-October.
Rodrigues was riddled with bullets as he sat at a table at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club compound on Albert Street around 15:00 hours on Monday, October 15.
His body bore wounds to the head, chest, hands and leg inflicted by a high-powered weapon. From all indications he died instantly.
Three other persons who were at the club at the time were injured as the gunmen sprayed bullets indiscriminately.
EZ JET BOSS ACCUSED OF STEALING US$5.4M
A hospital chain claims in court that its payroll manager and his two companies embezzled US$5.4 million from it.
Promise Healthcare and 11 of its hospitals sued Sonny Ramdeo, PayServ Tax and Ez-Jet GT, in Palm Beach County Court. It claims it hired Ramdeo eight years ago to manage payroll for its 3,500 employees in its hospitals nationwide.
Promise accused, “Sonny Ramdeo, and his companies (of) stealing over five million dollars from Promise through a sophisticated scheme of fraud and deception. Specifically, Ramdeo incorporated a company called ‘PayServ Tax Inc.’ and deceived Promise’s senior management into believing that PayServ was a legitimate payroll tax processing company affiliated with the nationally known payroll processing company, Ceridian.
Promise Healthcare and 11 of its hospitals have sued Sonny Ramdeo, PayServ Tax and Ez-Jet for a US$5.4M embezzlement.
“Based on this lie, he deceived Promise into transferring millions of dollars to PayServ Tax Inc. and diverted over five million dollars of Promise’s money to himself and his companies,” the complaint stated.
GUYANA, CHINA SIGN US$130M CJIA EXPANSION DEAL
A major project to modernize the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) moved one step nearer to reality with the signing of a critical US$130M deal between the Guyana and Chinese government on October 31.
Construction is expected to begin by the first quarter of 2013 with over 60 per cent of the workforce to be locals, Government officials said.
The US$130M framework agreement will pave the way for China’s ExIm bank to start releasing the monies. A number of other agreements with the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) and the bank are to be signed.
According to Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, persons living in the immediate environs of the Timehri airport would be relocated within six months of the signing. Airports officials say that over 300 homes will be affected along with 800-plus persons.
The project is the second most costly infrastructure one for Guyana after the Skeldon Factory modernization.
Government is expected to plug more than $20M in the project which will include an entirely new terminal building, passenger bridges, more check-in spaces, larger apron and runway and improved security.
RICARDO RODRIGUES ASSOCIATE GUNNED DOWN
Two weeks after the execution-style killing of Ricardo Rodrigues, hit men turned their guns on his
associate, Marlon Osborne aka Marlon Scott and ‘Trini’, riddling him with bullets in a brazen daylight onslaught.
Osborne succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was rushed minutes after the attack which occurred near the junction of Peter Rose and Laluni Streets, Queenstown. It was just after 13:00 hours when the 32-year old Achievement Place, South Ruimveldt Gardens resident had just turned out of a yard in Laluni Street when he was confronted by the gunmen. Eyewitnesses recalled seeing two men shooting at Osborne’s car as he frantically attempted to drive away. But the slugs from what appeared to be AK-47 assault rifles, the preferred choice of local hit-men, penetrated the vehicle and pierced Osborne’s body.
TWO COPS KILLED IN KATO
Police confirmed that two of their ranks who were found dead in the mountainous Region Eight location of Kato were murdered.
The bodies of Constables Marlon Letlow and Ledon Aaron, which were flown to the city, bore gunshot wounds. Aaron’s body was burnt almost beyond recognition.
This publication was told that the two policemen were victims of retaliation from miners whose camp they had attempted to rob.
Sources say that from all indications the men were fleeing from their attackers. Both of them appeared to have been shot in the back.
Reports are that the men went out on a routine patrol and were returning to the Police Station when they were attacked.
BRAZIL-BOUND AIRCRAFT FOUND AT ILLEGAL AIRSTRIP
The suspicious landing of an Ecuadorian-registered aircraft at an illegal airstrip in Guyana’s interior region engaged the attention of security and aviation experts in late October.
The 412 twin-engine plane went missing after taking off from the Ogle Airport around midday on October 28 on its way to Boa Vista, Brazil.
Nothing was heard from the pilot who was the only person on board until the day when the aircraft was spotted at the unmarked airstrip somewhere between Pirara and Moraikobai.
Authorities were unaware at the time that the plane had not reached its destination and it was only after it was spotted by another pilot flying over the area that the matter became known.
The pilot, a Brazilian national, whose name was given as Perriea Goncolo, subsequently reported that the aircraft had developed engine problems and he was forced to land at the airstrip.
But by then local security personnel had begun investigations.
BRAZIL-BOUND AIRCRAFT WAS PAINTED OVER IN LESS THAN A DAY
Local law enforcement agents and officials from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority combed through an Ecuadorian aircraft that was discovered at an illegal airstrip in the Rupununi region, and investigators were convinced that it was involved in illegal activities. Works Minister Robeson Benn told reporters that authorities had seized it and were preparing to fly it to a more secure location for a thorough examination.
Security officials were still trying to locate the Brazilian pilot of the aircraft, Goncalo Ferreira Lima Neto, 42, who was alone on board. They wanted to ascertain what his true mission was.
According to Benn, the aircraft entered Guyana about two months prior on what he termed a technical stop, which he said is not unusual. Such stops may cause aircraft to require fuel and other services on the way to their destination. The aircraft with the registration 8CCIK, departed the Ogle Airport, where it had undergone some maintenance, on a one and a half hour flight to Boa Vista, Brazil.
November
GTM EMPLOYEE, POLICEWOMAN AMONG DEAD IN SURINAME CRASH
Three persons – 42 year-old Police Sergeant, Andrea Isaacs; GTM employee, 41-year-old Monique
Charlene Lynch and her fiancé 32-year-old Asa Sauers – were killed in a crash in Nickerie, Suriname.
The lone survivor of the crash was identified as Velma Lynch, Monique Lynch’s stepmother and former head mistress of North Georgetown Multilateral School.
Reports are that the driver of the blue SUV in which the persons were traveling, apparently lost control. An eyewitness recounted seeing it careening from one side of the road to the other. It is still unknown whether one of its wheels blew out.
OBAMA WINS RE-ELECTION
President Barack Obama won re-election to a second term in the White House, beating Republican challenger Mitt Romney after a long and bitter campaign.
Obama defeated Romney in a series of key swing states despite a weak economic recovery and persistent high unemployment as U.S. voters decided between two starkly different visions for the country.
Obama’s victory in the hotly contested swing state of Ohio put him over the top in the fight for the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the White House and ended Romney’s hopes of pulling off a string of swing-state upsets.
Obama scored narrow wins in Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire – all states that Romney had contested – while the only swing state captured by Romney was North Carolina.
EZJET COLLAPSES!
Chartered air services company, EZJet, had its operating licences suspended by the United States Department of Transport and by the Guyana Government.
Swift Air, owner of the aircraft leased to the charter company airline, withdrew its service from the company because of a massive debt.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder, Sonny Ramdeo, was at the centre of a financial scandal which reportedly raised a number of questions about the airline’s operation.
Swift Air filed a complaint against EZjet with the US Department of Transport. The Department suspended EZjet’s operations from New York.
Ramdeo had made the decision to step down as the company’s CEO after being sued for allegedly embezzling US$5.4M from his employer, Promise Healthcare.
This state of affairs resulted in a credibility crisis for the airline, which had become popular for offering the public low cost airfares.
In addition to a number of cancelled flights recently, several New York-bound passengers were stranded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, a situation which resulted from the revocation of the aircraft service.
EZjet started flying the Guyana/New York route in December last, before adding Trinidad and Toronto, Canada.
POLICE UNIFORMS, BULLET-PROOF VESTS, AMMO, GUN AND MASKS FOUND IN ABANDONED SUITCASE
Residents of First Dam, Garden of Eden, received a disturbing surprise when they found a large arms cache on the roadside in the East Bank Demerara farming community.
Police revealed that the ammunition, amounting to 1,407 rounds of various calibres, and a loaded .38 Taurus Special Revolver, were stashed in two suitcases and a travelling bag.
The ammunition included .38, 7.62×39, .45, .44, .40, 9mm, .25 and .380 rounds; and 12 gauge cartridges.
Two bullet proof vests, two pairs of black leather boots, three face masks, and a quantity of clothing in two black suitcases and a travelling bag were also in the suitcase.
Police officials confirmed that some of the clothing and the leather boots appeared to be similar to clothing worn by members of the Guyana Police Force.
BRASSINGTON SENDS CONTRADICTORY MESSAGES ON MARRIOTT/CASINO DEAL
The government in general and Winston Brassington through Atlantic Hotels Inc, in a press statement to refute a news report published on October 24, in Kaieteur News, said that Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI) will own both the Hotel and the Entertainment Complex and all investment, income, and expenditure will be in the name of AHI.
The statement accused Kaieteur News seeking to “distort and pander to special interests of the Opposition.” It also accused the political opposition of being intellectually dishonest. It saw the media report as nothing but “another attempt by the opposition and their media associates, to cater to special interest groups of the opposition, interested in distorting the facts.”
Kaieteur News had published the reports under the headline ‘Brassington seeks to outsource Casino, Restaurant and Nightclub’ on October 24, and ‘Separation of Casino, Nightclub, Restaurant and Marriott Hotel—a financial scheme to steal Guyana money—APNU’.
Issued under the hand of the Guyana Government, Atlantic Hotels Inc. and National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the statement reiterated that Atlantic Hotels Inc. will own both hotel and the Entertainment Complex.
The statement contended, “Government/NICIL and AHI have consistently said that the Entertainment Complex will be separately operated. However, Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI) will own both the Hotel and the Entertainment Complex and all investment, income, and expenditure will be in the name of AHI.”
The statement, however, contended that the government, in Parliament, stated that “…outfitting costs for the Entertainment Complex estimated at US$4 M … is expected to be funded by the operators (casino, nightclub, and restaurant) once these operators are selected via an RFP to be issued.”
An analyst said that this is a contradiction and an attempt at a clever use of words.
MASKED GUNMEN RAID FISHING BOAT, SNATCH US$11.5M IN GOLD
Masked gunmen, disguised as policemen, raided a fishing boat in Curacao and escaped with over US$11.5M in gold believed to have been shipped from Guyana.
The boat captain, a Guyanese, was struck in the head in the early-morning assault before the thieves made off with the gold in three cars, Curacao’s police spokesman Reggie Huggins said.
Authorities believe there were at least six men involved in the heist. No suspects were in custody, an Associated Press (AP) story said.
According to the AP story, the captain and three crew members were from Guyana.
The boat, by its appearance, would seem an unlikely place to stash the 70 gold bars which weighed approximately 216 kilograms (476 pounds).
December
PUBLIC SERVANTS GET 5% INCREASE
Government announced a five percent across-the-board increase for public servants. The increase to salaries and wages will be retroactive to January 1, 2012 for all public servants employed in ministries, departments not under ministerial control, regional administrations and those who are engaged on contracts “against positions reflected on the inventory of the traditional public service and also those who are contracted against positions that are not on the inventory of the traditional public service”.
According to the government, the action was taken to avoid the disappointment of workers who have expectations of a salary increase payout before Christmas.
FBI ARRESTS EZJET BOSS
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested embattled founder of EZjet Air Services Inc., Sonny Ramdeo. Kaieteur News was told that agents zeroed in on him in New York after weeks of wire fraud investigations.
At the time of his arrest, Ramdeo was reportedly speaking to a senior official of EZjet’s Guyana office on Skype, a video call that uses the internet. It is unclear at this time whether this was how the FBI managed to track him.
RAMDEO FACES 60 YEARS IN JAIL
Hours after his arrest, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EZjet Air Services, Sonny Austin Ramdeo, appeared before a New York court, accused of stealing US$20M from a hospital chain over a seven-year period.
Some of the monies he is accused of stealing were said to be used to finance the operations of EZjet, a chartered airline that he started up in December 2011, according to prosecutors. He remains in jail in New York without bail.
Ramdeo, 35, was charged with wire fraud.
They charged him with a US$20 million federal payroll tax fraud scheme.
The Federal agents said that Ramdeo kept the money paid by Promise and Success Healthcare to his private company, PayServ, for his personal use.
Ramdeo is expected to be removed to the Southern District of Florida on these charges.
The federal agents had signaled their intention to arrest him in early November. He immediately went into hiding, but gave the impression through his local country manager, Rosalinda Rasul, that he was communicating with the Feds.
He even returned as Chief Executive Officer having resigned when the first accusation of theft surfaced through a writ filed by Promise Healthcare, accusing him of stealing US$5.4 million.
A former resident of Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara, the 35-year-old Ramdeo faces up to 60 years in jail on three counts of wire fraud, with a mandatory fine of US$250,000.
He could also be fined twice the amount of money he stole or twice the sum his victim lost.
Ramdeo, whose dramatic arrest last week in New York made headlines, has agreed to stay behind bars until his trial in Florida.
Ramdeo was widely expected to seek his pre-trial freedom in a Brooklyn, New York court.
However, before Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy, he agreed to remain in jail until his case is moved to Florida.
This case in Florida, where Ramdeo was based, is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellen L. Cohen.
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Apr 19, 2024
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