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Independent oversight oil body Aug 09, 2024 Editorial Kaieteur News – If an independent oversight oil sector body is put in place, the already dubious utility of Vice President Jagdeo withers to zero.  If an independent oversight oil sector body is necessary, where is the strength, the value, in Oil Czar Jagdeo being anywhere near to Guyana’s great oil patrimony.  We at this paper pull no punches, say it bluntly: the presence of a credible independent oil sector oversight body contributes to making Jagdeo into a liability.  He becomes a burden that must be carried, no matter how distressing, no matter how repulsive, that thought may be. The truth of the matter about an oversight oil body is that Jagdeo is bent on holding on to the power and prominence that come from him overseeing Guyana’s oil.  He gets to call the shots, is free to do his own thing (whatever that proves to be, whatever is going on in his head at any given time). It has never been, will never be, what in Guyana’s best interests, only what is to the best benefit of Jagdeo.  A strong independent oversight oil body would be a challenge and competition at the same time.  A challenge because he is forced to keep an eye on it, while forced to keep his own oil management straight and sound.  It would be the competition that gives a leader like Jagdeo fits, since he would not have the whole oil territory to himself. What he has made a suspicious political living from, the product that he calls “better contract management” has proven to be nothing but another of Jagdeo’s copyrighted schemes.  It is what has left this country and all its people in a place worse than they have ever known. Both Jagdeo and his better contract management sleight of hand should be given the back of the hand. A vibrant oversight oil sector body would do so. One that is equipped with the right people, backed by robust provisions of the law, and with the resources to deliver would make Guyanese quickly appreciate how much Jagdeo has cost them with their oil wealth.  Moreover, more Guyanese would realize how much valuable time Guyana has lost with this political leader running around unchecked in the people’s oil sector, like the proverbial elephant in a China shop.  Jagdeo would not be true to himself, as shabby as he is, if he didn’t bring in the Opposition PNC to the discussion about the urgent need for an independent oil sector body.  In his familiar manner, he points to what the PNC did with public commissions during its time, with political appointments.  For some reason, he feigns forgetfulness that he has done the identical thing with one public oversight body after another.  It could be that according to Jagdeo’s curious way of thinking that his political people (appointments) are far less politically oriented and less cravenly politically obligated than those put in place by the PNC when it was in government.  At least, this is what Jagdeo would like Guyanese to believe. Still, he handcuffs himself by his resistance to a credible oversight oil sector body to the extent that Guyanese can rest their trust in it.  To have such a body in operation means that Jagdeo would have to yield some of his current exclusive control and involvement in Guyana’s pivotal oil sector. The mere thought of such a development is enough to make the nation’s most senior oilman sweat profusely, unnaturally. In Jagdeo’s distorted way of thinking, even giving up a little of this control would expose him too much, poses a serious threat to his monopoly over the sector.  It would be an end to the dreadful leadership that has long been characteristic of his disruptive and destructive political presence. When a leader who talks up a storm about what is good for Guyanese from their oil balks like this for an oversight body, a couple of things take root. The first is that he has skeletons that must remain buried. The second is that he likes things as they are, for that guarantees his clever political games continuing.  When Jagdeo starts to circle around, it’s time for Guyanese to take cover, fear the worst. Related Similar Articles

Venezuelans should continue to mount a peaceful challenge to electoral fraud Aug 09, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The words “Love, Peace, and Truth”, have different meanings and have had a variety of interpretations over time. Recently, the PPP with their well-oiled machinery have continued their explanations about 1992, claiming that their victory at the Elections signalled a return to democracy’ in Guyana and more recently clever claims have been made about a democratic trajectory.  Hogwash. A viable democracy is the way a society is managed every day of every week and every month. A society, where a government ensures justice for all, where citizens enjoy a reasonable level of safety and several sectors are allowed to function including the viability of local government organs as required by our Constitution. The word ‘democracy’ remains a chameleon term meaning different things to different people, and is sometimes used by those who believe that democracy is ‘their’ way alone. A blatant example of this misnomer is the fact that you have a state-controlled media that only publishes statements praising the PPP and demonising all others. For us, Dear Editor, a living democracy means shared traditional values of decency, the rule of law, balanced reporting, and the fair treatment of citizens. Based on our history, democracy also establishes clear lines of responsibility and authority between the executive, the parliament, the judiciary and that vital other segment – the media, or, as we say, the fourth estate. We have seen recently, the executive and its long arm behaving, or better put, believing, that they are the alpha and omega of everything under the sun. They say little things mean a lot. For now, I’ll share two personal experiences. In every civilised society, including members of the Commonwealth, former Presidents and Prime Ministers are accorded certain entitlements such as the use of the VIP Lounge at the country’s International Airports. Some time ago, a senior Officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called me to say that with immediate effect, former Prime Ministers would no longer be accorded that privilege. As the boys say, this is no big thing, but I write because of a deeper principle which does violence to this talk of democracy: Since that telephone call, I have written letters to the Chief of Protocol, Foreign Affairs, informing them of the details of a proposed trip. After two such letters, I have not had the courtesy of an acknowledgement, much less a reply. Three cheers for our democracy. They say little things mean a lot. The second is the observation of an activity on a public open space in the Lodge Housing Scheme, where I reside, and which is a small community. We’ve maintained this open space since 1971, and this included the construction of a building intended for community use. After noting an activity on the ground, on December 11, 2023, I wrote to His Excellency the President relating the history of that ground, our ongoing contribution to its upkeep, and our concern regarding the works being done without any effort to determine the history of its evolution nor consulting persons or organisations in the contiguous community. On December 29, 2023, the President’s Senior Confidential Secretary replied, and stated inter alia that ‘It has been noted that the maintenance of the playfield has always been the responsibility of the community. However, you were recently informed that works on the playfield are being implemented by a person who has been contracted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in which neither you nor the community were informed. Please be advised that His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has noted your concerns and have forwarded your matter to Hon. Charles Ramson, MP, Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports for his attention.” Some three weeks ago, a group of persons, all alien to the Lodge Housing Scheme Community, approached a family member who was working in our yard. One of the persons had the gumption to approach that family member asking if they will serve on a committee to manage the facility. Shortly afterwards, Minister Ramson turned up and with imperial haughtiness, spent a few moments on the ground, did not engage with anyone, such as the institutions near to this open space and left. Clearly, another example of a pattern of behaviour inconsistent with the requirements of decency, democracy, and even the notion of consulting. Little things mean a lot, and I write this letter because Editorials and others have raised issues suggesting the rape of our democracy. Sincerely, Hamilton Green Elder Related Similar Articles

Freedom to Protest for democracy in USA, Guyana, Venezuela   Aug 09, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The protests (and state sponsored violence against protesters) for respecting the will of voters (democracy) in Venezuela (that voted last July 28) brings back memories of responses to similar protests in Guyana and America during the long struggle waged in Guyana and USA for free and fair elections in Guyana. The government in Guyana responded with harassment, intimidation, and brute force, as has been occurring in Venezuela, including killing of polling agents and opposition figures, against those who opposed electoral fraud in 1968 and all elections thereafter until the restoration of democratic elections in October 1992. In contrast, in the democratic USA, the police or agents of the American government did not (and do not) engage in violent repressions of protests as in Guyana and Venezuela. In USA, people are free to engage in peaceful protests without fear of being victimized at their jobs and or violently attacked – that were (are) routine responses in Guyana and Venezuela. Electoral riggings in Guyana post-independence thru 1992 were well documented and never disputed. But the riggings could not be overturned in a court. In Guyana, as in Maduro’s Venezuela, the regime controlled the electoral institution and the court. No challenge to electoral fraud was successful in either country. And any attempt to mount peaceful protests were met with a brutish response from agents sponsored by the state as has been happening in neighbouring Venezuela. The July 28 Venezuela election disputed result is in court. The verdict on the disputed election count in Venezuela will favour the ruling party as its appointees and members stacked the court.  The court never ruled against Maduro in previous challenges and will not do so now. Already, the court ruled that Maduro’s challenger Edmundo Gonzalez is in contempt of court after refusing to answer a summons to attend a certification of the July 28 election results. This makes any possibility of a successful challenge to the official result that Maduro won virtually nil, not dissimilar to what occurred in Guyana. In Guyana, disputed elections from 1968 thru 1992 and the 1978 rigged referendum, as in Venezuela on July 28, led to a wave of protests across the country.  This writer participated in protests in Guyana against the 1968 and 1973 elections and witnessed violence against peaceful protesters. Migrating to USA to pursue tertiary education in 1977, this writer and a few others pioneered a movement against electoral fraud and for the restoration of democratic governance. Countless protest events were organized by the newly formed group. The Guyanese diaspora in NY and in Washington DC and other cities launched protests, rallies, marches, picketing exercises, leafletting, and other activities to focus attention on rights violations in Guyana and were never harassed, intimidated, or attacked by American police forces. The participants in pro-democracy activities never experienced thuggery and American security forces never rounded up protesters or dissidents and or raided homes to find them as was common in Guyana and currently underway in Venezuela. The American people have been supportive of movements that promote democracy abroad unlike in Guyana where people post-independence have been fearful of consequences in joining or supporting a movement against powerful political forces that have had a stranglehold on power. It is because of the solidarity and support of the American government and her people that Guyana has become a democracy since 1992. The attempt to thwart democratic governance in Guyana from January 2019 to August 2, 2020 was vigorously condemned and opposed by the American Administration. Venezuelans should continue to mount a peaceful challenge to electoral fraud and demand that the will of the voters be respected. A people’s right to protest is inviolable and be respected as in America, the greatest democracy.  Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram Related Similar Articles

Utility service providers continue to damage the roads Aug 09, 2024 Letters Dear Mr. Editor, This, I have seen all my life from 1964 to 1992, the Government of Guyana had a way of building new roads. However, just after the completion of these roads, the Guyana Telephone Company or Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will bring a crew and “bruck up” the brand new road to install their water and telephone lines to supply a service that the Guyanese consumers paid for. The Guyana Telephone Company and GWI don’t do Guyanese a favour because they are being compensated by the users of their services. I thought with the new government such behavior would change, however the culture continues today. Let me mention for instance, the street I live in, which is John Street, Campbellville. After years of having a bad road, the Ministry of Public Works repaired and resurfaced John Street, Campbellville. How beautiful and convenient it looked but within eight weeks, GPL came and cut the entire road width by 24-inches wide and leave the beautiful street uncomfortable to drive on. As if that was not enough, the Ministry came again and dug up both sides of the street from Sherriff Street to Stone Avenue to install new pipelines to supply their customers with water and we the consumers and taxpayers must pay. I asked the Minister to investigate this matter since most of the residents cannot get a proper entrance to their yards and the sight is very distasteful. Yours truly Frank DeAbreu Related Similar Articles

.tdi_3.td-a-rec{text-align:center}.tdi_3.td-a-rec:not(.td-a-rec-no-translate){transform:translateZ(0)}.tdi_3 .td-element-style{z-index:-1}.tdi_3.td-a-rec-img{text-align:left}.tdi_3.td-a-rec-img img{margin:0 auto 0 0}@media (max-width:767px){.tdi_3.td-a-rec-img{text-align:center}} CARPHA Hosts Inaugural Regional Stakeholder Workshop for Pandemic Preparedness and Response Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 8 August 2024. The Caribbean region is especially vulnerable...

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Joint Statement from the Foreign Ministries of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico The foreign ministers of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico said they received instructions to continue...