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Police hunt another in mystery aircraft case
POLICE yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for Gary Anthony Grandison as they continued investigations into the mystery small aircraft found last month on a remote hinterland airstrip.
His addresses were given as Lot 13 Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown and 13 Prince Williams, Street Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
The 33 year-old is about five feet, seven inches tall and of medium built, police said.
On March 31, wanted bulletins were issued for Police Constable Ryan Gomes, 38, of 58 Welcome Street, Rosignol and Lindy Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara and Romel Clarke also called Romel Mckenzie and Romel Sinclair of 106 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown as the probe continued into the discovery of the small mystery aircraft found on the Kwapau airstrip in the Mazaruni.
The men who had been wanted in connection with an abandoned Tacoma 4X4 vehicle at Itabali Landing, Mazaruni, near where the aircraft was found, were later charged with possession of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.
They were each placed on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty to the charge when they appeared before Magistrate Maxwell Edwards at the Georgetown Magistrate court on April 4.
Police allege that 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition were found in the vehicle which belongs to McKenzie.
The U206G H Station Air aircraft was found on the Kwapau airstrip on March 20.
Sources said that investigators believe that the single-engine six-seater was used in a botched cocaine drop and they are still trying to determine why the drug runners abandoned the plane on the airstrip.
Police said the registration numbers displayed on the Cessna 26 aircraft were false.
The aircraft was last registered in the United States.
State funds not misused in flood relief
- Permanent Secretary assures
PERMANENT Secretary in the Office of the President Jennifer Webster maintains that all accounting procedures were adhered to during the flood relief phase and that President Bharrat Jagdeo did not contribute to the misappropriation of state funds.
Her comments to the Government Information Agency (GINA) followed claims by members of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) that state funds were misappropriated during the relief period of the disastrous January floods.
“Staff of the Central Accounting Unit of the Office of the President were responsible for maintaining cheque books and writing of cheques, which is a policy in government,” she told the agency.
Ms Webster explained that the Accounting Unit is responsible for payments once authorisation and approval is given for expenditure to be incurred.
“At no time were payments made without being cleared or certified by auditors from the Office of the Auditor General. The signatories to those accounts were members of the Central Accounting Unit. All supporting bills and documentation will be provided for a final public audit”, she assured.
She told GINA that a temporary financial statement has been prepared and work is under way on a comprehensive document.
Some of those involved in relief programme are still submitting bills for expenses incurred, including the Ministry of Health and Guyana Water Incorporated, she said.
The end of April is the targeted deadline for making the flood relief accounts public, the Permanent Secretary said, adding that a compiled list of all payments duly effected has been completed.
Webster promised that as soon as the Central Accounting Unit finalises all outstanding payments, the accounts will be made public.
GINA said President Jagdeo was also accused of condoning the misappropriation of state funds by writing cheques during the relief phase of the government’s response to the floods.
The President was never involved in writing cheques. Cheques are always written by the staff of the Central Accounting Unit. Even the Permanent Secretary does not have the responsibility of writing cheques,” Webster maintained.
She said all expenses were met in a transparent manner and under the scrutiny of the Office of the Auditor General.
From the inception of the flood relief process, auditors were stationed at the support centre at State House and were present when relief items were procured both in and out of Georgetown, the agency said.
Refuse to pay higher bus fares
-- Nadir advises commuters
TOURISM, Industry and Commerce Minister Manzoor Nadir has reacted sharply to reports that mini-bus operators on public transportation routes have jacked up fares following higher fuel prices.
Commuters should refuse to pay such exorbitant fares, he told the Government Information Agency (GINA).
He noted that the government’s decision to once again lower the consumption tax on gasoline by 20 per cent has apparently not influenced operators to retain the normal fares.
In an interview with GINA, Mr Nadir argued that the increase in mini-bus fares is disproportionate to the hike in fuel prices.
He noted that fares have gone up by as much as 30 to 60 per cent.
“It is very unfair for commuters to pay such exorbitant fares to operators when the government has reduced the consumption tax”, he told the agency.
The government has said that the tax was reduced to help offset the impact of higher fuel prices and prevent any increases in public transportation fares.
Nadir said that in the past there was a level of cooperation between the government and the operators on fare increases.
GINA said he is therefore extending an invitation to transport operators to meet him and the Consumers Association to work out applicable rates, noting the increase in fuel prices.
He said a similar exercise was under way in Essequibo and another will begin shortly in Berbice.
He told GINA he expects the issue will be resolved in about two weeks.
Outreach programmes lead to faster people services
-- President
THE government’s outreach programmes in recent years have speeded up services to the people, according to President Bharrat Jagdeo.
In an interview with NCN Radio, he said these have also provided opportunities for citizens to make direct inputs to the governance process.
Mr Jagdeo is this weekend leading his Cabinet to Berbice on another outreach programme.
“I think it is important that the policy makers constantly keep in touch with grassroots people of all walks of life. The outreach programmes allow us to do this”, he told his interviewers.
The meetings, he said, “allow us to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, because many times policy makers can run ahead of themselves and implementation lags behind the policy making.”
Citing an example of implementation lag, the President said he promised a South Georgetown community to clear an overgrown area for a playground some five months ago and even though the money was allocated, it was never done.
During his visit to South Georgetown on Monday for the launching of the development programme, it was found that the playground was not cleared, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
“Had I not been going out I would not have known that this promise I made to the people was not kept,” he said.
“This (outreach) allows us to find out what is going on and interact with different groups of people – religious leaders, businessmen, farmers – to get feedback from them in terms of what their priorities are,” he added.
The President noted also that the government recently presented a multi-billion dollar budget that was passed in the National Assembly and during the outreach residents will be made aware of what the budget has in store for them.
According to the President, residents will be asked to help implement the budget programmes.
“Because it is not just the Regional Administration, communities have to get involved to avoid issues such as corruption and inefficiency,” he said.
The Cabinet outreach will focus on ways in which the government can enhance the provision of goods and services to the communities, particularly given the recent adoption by Cabinet of an accountability framework, GINA said.
This will ensure that Local Authorities present monthly reports to Cabinet through Government Ministers on issues within the communities they manage, the agency added.
It said this weekend’s outreach would comprise community meetings with various interest groups, including residents and the productive sector.
Among the communities to be visited are Skeldon, Rose Hall, Eversham, West Canje, Chesney, Port Mourant, Nos. 8, 19, 47, 48, 53 and 63 villages, Fyrish, New Amsterdam, Little India, Little Africa, Belvedere, Belladrum, Bush Lot, Sister’s Village, Black Bush Polder, Adelphi New Scheme, Abary, Fort Wellington, Fairfield, Little Biaboo, Ithaca, Calcutta and Novar Mahaicony.
The President said the government will continue the outreach programme in other parts of the country.
GPSU boss accuses challenger of smear tactics
LEADERS of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) have accused a female contender for its top post of smear tactics and twisting issues surrounding changes to its rules.
Union President Patrick Yarde, who is being challenged at upcoming elections by acting third Vice-President Karen Vansluytman, claimed Wednesday that she was attempting to "smear the integrity" of the GPSU leadership.
He also charged that she was tainting the delegates at the union’s 15th Biennial Conference, adding that this was a serious issue.
Ms Vansluytman is challenging Yarde for the presidency of the GPSU at elections scheduled for April 25.
The union boss and others at a press conference accused her of distorting issues surrounding the amending of GPSU rules.
They said she had misrepresented the process of reviewing the union rules although she was the mover of the motion to amend the rules at the 15th Biennial Delegates Conference in June 2003.
The leaders provided reporters at the Georgetown headquarters briefing with copies of the motion with Van Sluytman's signature as the mover of the motion, along with copies of the application for registering the amendment to the rules bearing her signature and those of Yarde and others.
GPSU Deputy General Secretary Chandawattie Persaud said it “is of serious concern to us that the mover of this motion is attempting to distort what occurred and to insult the intelligence of the members who participated at this conference, which is the highest decision making forum of the GPSU."
She added that except for slight modifications, the motion was unanimously approved by the delegates at the conference.
She said the Executive Council of the GPSU was for several years reviewing its rules because of impacting developments, the need for an official standing committee for youths and a race relations and human rights committee.
It also wanted to be in a position to protect members’ rights which undermine their eligibility of being members of the union, as well as opening up the union to other categories of workers, Ms Persaud said.
This exercise began in 2001 when several recommendations were made to the Executive Council but were not incorporated in the rules because the Biennial Conference held that year was stopped by a court order, she said.
Yarde also expressed grave concern at what he described as inaction by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in relation to the appointment of Public officers to fill numerous vacancies within the public service.
He called on the government and the PSC to fulfill its constitutional mandate and to address the long list of appointments urgently so that perceived discrimination can be put to rest.
Yarde told reporters that the GPSU disagrees with the approach of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) pertaining to the appointment of public officers.
He indicated that the union has communicated informally to the Chairman of the ERC its disagreement on the issue, calling the commission’s approach flawed and not objective.
He added that the GPSU as the bargaining agent of public servants should have been consulted by the ERC when it recently checked on employment practices at government ministries and other state agencies.
Yarde also severely criticised the government for not increasing travelling allowances of public servants over the past 10 years despite higher prices for fuel and spares, pointing out that many of them have had to ground their vehicles because they cannot afford to maintain these.
Epic funeral for Pope
By Philip Pullella and Crispian Balmer
VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) - Presidents, patriarchs and pilgrims will pay a final farewell to Pope John Paul today at the biggest funeral in modern history for a giant of the 20th century.
The Pope's simple wooden coffin will be carried out of St. Peter's Basilica at 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), the same church where 26 years ago Karol Wojtyla first emerged as pontiff to stun the world with his vitality and charisma.
Four kings, five queens and at least 70 presidents and prime ministers will attend the funeral rites in St. Peter's Square, as an estimated two million faithful from every corner of the globe cram the surrounding streets trying to catch a glimpse.
The Polish Pontiff died on Saturday after a decade of suffering and sickness, unleashing a worldwide outpouring of grief within the Roman Catholic Church and beyond.
His crimson-robed body lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica for four days, bringing millions of pilgrims streaming through the Vatican in an epic vigil that almost paralysed Rome.
"He was a man who moved the world. How can you not love this man? You might not agree with him, but how can you not love him?" said U.S. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
The heavy, bronze doors of the basilica were finally closed at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) yesterday to give workers time to prepare for the open-air funeral Mass, which is due to last three hours.
The Pope's body will be laid in a plain cypress coffin before the ceremony, with a white silk veil placed on his face.
As night fell, thousands of people, many from the Pope's native Poland, bedded down on streets around the Vatican, hoping to be first in line when St. Peter's Square is opened at dawn.
FRIENDS AND FOE
Some 2,500 dignitaries of all faiths and races will also flood into the Renaissance colonnaded square, including U.S. President George W. Bush, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, French President Jacques Chirac, Britain's Prince Charles, Mexican President Vicente Fox and an array of Arab leaders.
Alphabetical seating may force sworn enemies to sit side-by-side, with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami facing the prospect of being placed next to Israeli President Moshe Katsav.
Italy closed the airspace over central Rome and called in extra forces, anti-aircraft missiles and patrol boats to guard the funeral of a man who was hailed for his role in ending communism but criticised by some for his strict orthodoxy.
Rome has ordered all public offices, schools and museums to close today and told drivers to keep their cars off the road in an effort to prevent traffic mayhem.
In his last will and testament released yesterday, the Pope revealed his anguish in 2000 over the long length of his papacy as he entered the new millennium stricken by ailment.
"I hope He (God) helps me understand until what moment I have to continue in this service to which he called me on October 16, 1978," he wrote, referring to the date of his election, asking God for strength to carry out his duties.
He also revealed that he had contemplated being buried in Poland, but later changed his mind and asked only to be buried under the ground. That wish will come about today.
For a Pope who travelled the equivalent of 30 times the circumference of the earth during his reign, his last journey will be the shortest.
After the funeral, his coffin will be carried back into St. Peter's Basilica and laid to rest in a crypt below.
Roman Catholic cardinals have decided to open a conclave to elect a new Pope on April 18.
John Paul's successor faces the daunting task of leading 1.1 billion Catholics in an era marked by tension between religions, between science and ethics, between doctrine and social pressure to change and open up to contraception, women, married priests.
He will also have to try to reverse sliding attendances in the Church's backyard, Europe.
"This Pope has had a problem, and it will be the problem of the future, to have unity in diversity," said Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels, seen by some as a possible pope candidate.
(Additional reporting by Rachel Sanderson, Tom Heneghan, Estelle Shirbon, Sophie Hardach, Jane Barrett, Phil Stewart and Steve Holland in Rome and the Vatican City)
Bertie Chancellor Library commissioned at NCN, Homestretch Avenue
THE newly built radio library at the National Communications Network (NCN) was commissioned the Bertie Chancellor Library yesterday at a simple opening ceremony held at the Homestretch Avenue facility.
And, in his opening remarks, Mr. Vic Insanally, former radio personality, said the dedication was in honour of the sterling contribution that the late broadcaster and librarian, Bertie Chancellor, had made to radio and broadcasting in Guyana.
Mr. Insanally expressed the hope that the spirit of the late broadcasting legend will live on, and, hopefully, guide those who pass through the portals of the new library.
Liaison to the President, Mr. Robert Persaud, told the gathering that the move was a fitting way to remember the stalwart of local radio. He said Chancellor was active in nurturing and promoting the talents of young people in programmes such as ‘Teensville’. He also helped to promote the music of Guyanese artistes.
Mr. Persaud said that Government is always keen to honour role models such as the late Bertie Chancellor, since he was a worker who set a very high standard of commitment in the field of radio.
Mr. Rafiq Khan, former broadcaster, who once headed Guyana’s radio stations, was also present at the function. He noted that since the library would be moving from its original location at Broadcasting House, High Street, the gesture to rename the facility in memory of his late comrade was especially significant, since it is good practice to bring something from the old into the new so that the past can help to mould the future.
Mr. Khan emphasised how gratified he felt at being asked to unveil Bertie's name above the new door.
The son of the late Bertie Chancellor expressed his appreciation for the honour accorded his late father, and said that the dedication was fitting since his father loved the library of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), where he spent most of his professional life.
A picture of the late broadcaster and radio librarian Bertie Chancellor adorns the wall of the new library.
GCCI unveils plan for concerted approach to upgrade ‘Garden City’
By Chamanlall Naipaul
THE Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has announced a ten-point plan to enhance businesses and to work collaboratively with the City Council and relevant agencies to improve the environment of the City.
At a press conference held yesterday at the GCCI's Waterloo Street office, newly elected President Mr. Gerry Gouveia gave an outline of the plan, and cautioned, that while he faces a challenge, he was optimistic that through collaborative efforts the GCCI could contribute to the process of transforming the capital into a business-friendly environment with a secure atmosphere.
He observed, however, that one of the major irritants facing the business community is the slow and inefficient manner in which entries are being processed. This issue, he said, was listed in the ten-point plan to be pursued with the cooperation of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
"Remove the red tape and replace it with the red carpet," Gouveia declared.
Executive member of the GCCI, Mr. Brian James, who heads a Committee that deals with relations with the GRA, noted that it meets on a monthly basis with the Customs Department and has quarterly meetings with the GRA. Mr. James indicated that several issues affecting the commercial community would be raised at these meetings.
He submitted that the $100 processing fee being charged by the Customs Department is believed to be illegal. Also, while there is no liquor licences board, fees are still being collected and licences issued.
Mr. James also lamented the system of valuation of used vehicles even though there is a flat arbitrary rate of 50 percent on showroom price. He indicated that this could also be one of the concerns to be pursued with the GRA.
Another major problem identified by the GCCI is the absence of traffic lights in Georgetown. On this subject, Mr. Gouveia declared that the situation is a "disgrace" and that the matter will be taken up with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and other relevant agencies to see how the lights could be restored.
During this year, GCCI will also be intensifying its international outreach, Gouveia reported, recalling that the body has signed many Memoranda of Understanding with several cities. But the focus now will be on strengthening relations within the Caribbean and also with Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela.
Executive member Mr. Mark Harris stated that the GCCI needs to position itself to grapple with globalisation and the advent of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Former President of the GCCI Mr. Eddie Boyer observed that the key to investment is political stability, without which economic development would be hampered. He pointed out that Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica are all far ahead of Guyana in being able to attract investment.
Mr. Boyer underscored the need to restore Georgetown to the Garden City it once was, and he pledged the GCCI's support to the Guyana Police Force in the fight against crime, alluding that it needs support of the business community.
He added that security and governance are of prime importance in building a business-oriented climate.
Guyana observes day of mourning for Pope
GUYANA is today observing a day of national mourning in homage to Pope John Paul 11 who died Saturday evening.
A statement from the Office of the President said all flags will be flown at half mast today.
A spokesman said that out of respect for the late Pope, President Bharrat Jagdeo has postponed a reception scheduled tonight at Albion in Berbice to tomorrow night.
The President opens a Cabinet outreach in Berbice today.
The Guyana Government is also encouraging organisations and individuals to observe this day appropriately.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement Sunday expressing the great sadness of the government and people of Guyana at the passing of the Pope.
“His Holiness was undoubtedly one of the most important and impressive personalities of our time. For a quarter of a century, he shepherded his flock with a sure and steady faith towards the ideals and values, which he and the church represented. His moral authority, though stern and uncompromising, earned him widespread admiration and respect,” the Foreign Ministry said.
“As a leading actor in international affairs, he was an outspoken champion of the poor and the downtrodden. His unfailing advocacy for human rights, social justice, peace and development did much to advance the welfare of the world. Humanity will therefore remember him with great affection,” the ministry added.
More donations for Health Ministry
Sandoz (a member of Novartis Group of Companies) and the Laurelton Lions Club of New York have made donations to the Ministry of Health.
Mr. Carl Bacchus, the local Sandoz representative, who is attached to Pharmagen Enterprises (sole distributor in Guyana), last week handed over approximately $1.2M worth of in pharmaceuticals to be used primarily for post-flood relief work carried out by the Ministry of Health.
In brief remarks at the handing over ceremony, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said, "We are still dealing with the aftermath of the floods...the Ministry's supplies for the year had been severely reduced during the flood."
He noted that the intense effort put in place to respond to many problems during the flood, severely challenged their capacity, since the Ministry had to utilise a lot of the supplies that were meant for the year in its health response. This donation, Dr Ramsammy said, will go directly into use.
Mr. Owen Ramsay, Chairperson for the Laurelton Lions Club relief efforts in Guyana, handed over 70 pairs eyeglasses, after Minister Ramsammy's appeal to address the eye care needs of the people in the Essequibo.
Mr. Ramsay noted that one principal activity of the club is that of helping the visually challenged through assistance to the Health Ministry, especially in the area of eye care.
Ramsammy stated that vision has become a priority, and this situation has extended the need for assistance in eye care.
The Health Ministry, he said, is working on a programme to have optical charts in all schools by September, when the new academic year begins.
GNBS adds auditing to its range of services
GUYANA National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) announced yesterday that it has added a new programme to its range of activities.
Executive Director of the agency, Dr Chatterpaul Ramcharran said the introduction will provide auditing services to organisations, companies and laboratories.
He told a press conference, at the GNBS Exhibition Site, Sophia, Georgetown headquarters, that such services include an independent assessment of the operations to determine conformity with the set respective objectives and criteria.
Ramcharran said the management of each entity will be provided with an audit report on performance by an independent third party and the information can be used to take necessary corrective actions for addressing identified deficiencies and improving competitiveness.
He explained that entities requiring audits would have to agree contracts at separate pre-audit meetings for the on site conduct within 10 working days of the process to be executed by a team of GNBS facilitators, certified by the Registration Accreditation Board (RAB) of the United States.
Meanwhile, Ramcharran said four manufacturers were among those registered in the weights and measures system during the period January to March this year and initial verification was conducted on their local and imported scales, as well as electricity meters.
A total of 352 scales, 815 masses, 1,099 electricity meters were inspected and stamped by GNBS inspectors over the same time, he reported, adding that 63 scales, 49 masses and 10 measures were rejected during the exercise because the devices were either inaccurate or not in compliance with the manufacturing requirements.
Ramcharran said other verifications were done on devices used at rice mills, sugar estates and more industries, retail outlets, airlines, supermarkets and post offices.
In that exercise, 2,737 scales, 5,461 masses, 132 measures and one storage tank were inspected by GNBS and 38 scales, 22 masses and 10 measures were rejected as inaccurate or not in good condition, he reported.
Inspections were also carried out on petrol and wagon compartments, 12 of which were tested along with 455 pumps. 119 of the latter were calibrated, together with testing of 12 and calibration of 11 compartments.
In addition, surveillance was done at business places selling new items for commercial use.
Ramcharran added that 54 inspections were completed, in which 36 scales, 51 masses and 12 measures were tested for accuracy.
City Council hit by large revenue shortfall
-- Deputy Mayor
By Chamanlall Naipaul
DEPUTY Mayor of Georgetown Robert Williams has reported that the approval of the budget of the Georgetown Municipality has been delayed because of an anticipated large shortfall of revenue and he says that the only way the situation could be reversed is by increasing the revenue base.
At a City Hall consultative meeting Wednesday afternoon with representatives of the commercial sections of Georgetown to update them on plans to tackle the solid waste disposal problem in the city, he lashed out at the failure of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Urban Development Programme (UDP) to complete the revaluation of properties in the municipality after three years.
This, he said, is allowing many people to escape paying taxes which is weakening the council’s revenue base.
Williams said this is compounded by taxes remaining unchanged since 1998, while during the same period the City Council has been faced with heavy increases in the cost of fuel, electricity and materials required to refurbish infrastructure, among other areas.
He added that if those escaping the tax net are captured it will result in a further $200M in annual revenue for the City Council.
According to Williams, expenditure for this year amounts to $2.8 billion while anticipated income/revenue is projected at only $1.7 billion.
He also criticised state agencies for not paying their share of taxes, reporting that they owe some $144M in taxes.
Touching on the suggested installation of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to replace the current City Council, he said it was strange that this had come up only four months after Parliament approved the extension of the life of the municipality and other local government bodies.
He argued that the circumstances in 1994 which saw an IMC installed are different from the current situation as then all the members of the City Council had resigned and this is not what obtains now.
However, Williams said if an inquiry establishes that the City Council has been abusive of power or has been in default in executing its mandate, he would have no problems with the installation of an IMC.
He nevertheless claimed that the City Council has not been guilty of any of those charges, arguing that it has been able in crease its revenue collection rate from 40% to 86%.
Its financial statements have also been audited by the Office of the Auditor General up to 2002 and the 2003 statements would be completed soon, he told the meeting.
He also blamed the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development for not taking action against defaulting officers of the City Council, even though incidents had been brought to his attention.
President Bharrat Jagdeo last month proposed disbanding the City Council and replacing it with an IMC to manage the affairs of Georgetown pending municipal elections.
He expressed disgust with the happenings at City Hall which he said have resulted in poor management of municipal services in Georgetown.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore, who has the responsibility for municipalities, has been mandated to consult citizens of Georgetown on replacing the City Council by an IMC.
The President said an IMC could stop the political wrangling and pave the way for better services to the citizens of Georgetown.
Williams at the Wednesday meeting, said the City Council has been desilting all the major drainage canals in the city, including the Lamaha Street and Cowan Street canals.
He added that there is a good existing drainage system but rhetorically asked whether it was being allowed to function.
He also announced that the City Council was moving to acquire a vehicle for a squad comprising representatives of the City Constabulary, Solid Waste Management Department and the Public Health Department to respond to reports of people dumping garbage in alleyways and drains.
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