The issue at hand is in relation to the disappearance of several weapons from the Camp Ayanganna arms store where Ross, the first high-ranking GDF to be charged in relation to the matter, was the Commanding Officer.
The Court learnt through the witness’s evidence-in-chief and cross-examination that he was responsible for the parading soldiers and civilians as well as for the booking in and out of keys which were kept by the Ordnance Corps.
But the witness also told the Court that it was on February 28, 2006, and after the weapons were discovered missing, that Cpl Thomas received a list of duties from one of his superiors, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Gordon.
Additionally, Cpl Thomas said the document which bore the signature of the accused and his Commanding Officer, was dated January 2006.
And, upon a request to the Court by one of Ross’s defence attorneys, Leslie Sobers, that Prosecution make available for cross-examination three Prosecution witnesses--- Lance-Corporal (L/CPL) Joseph, Private Kitt and Lance Corporal Goodluck, they were not called upon to testify, but had Statement of Evidence taken from them.
Joseph was presented and under questioning by Sobers, said the responsibility for the key ledger was his but told the court of certain anomalies.
That is that the ledger was not properly maintained; and, in his absence, other persons also have access to the book and had also made certain entries.
Lt. Col. Ross is, in accordance with military law, Section 209 (1) of the Defence Act 15:01, charged with three counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline contrary to Section 75 of the Defence Act Chapter 15:01.
He faces too, a lone count of neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline contrary to Section 75 of the Defence Act Chapter 15:01.
Particulars of the allegations are that, on or about February 13, 2006, without proper authority he:
* * instructed Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Gordon to establish an arms store for personnel of the Ordnance (Ord.) Corps, an instruction which he knew or was reasonably expected to know he had no authority to issue.
** gave instructions to have weapon numbers assigned to soldiers of Ord. Corps for the purpose of issuing the weapons to the soldiers.
** failed to ensure that the keys to the Keys Cabinet were booked in at Defence Headquarters Operations Room, a duty which he knew or was reasonably expected to know.
** at the Ord. Corps, during the period March 2005 to February 2006, failed to manage an effective Booking In/Out system for the Keys Ledger, a duty known to him or reasonably expected to be known to him.
Prior to Monday’s sitting, the Court which comprises Colonel Jullian Bruce Lovell, presiding as President; a Judge advocate, retired High Court Judge Oslen Small, with Lt. Col. B. Bristol, Lt. Col. Patrick West, Lt. Col. Trevor Blenman and Major Paul Arthur as the other members of the panel, heard the testimony of retired Colonel (Col.) Lawrence Paul.
He had between January 2005 and January 2006, held the post of Colonel General Staff and second-in-charge of the GDF, with responsibility for operation and training as well as the day to day administration of the Army.
The court-martial will resume today.
Boosting infrastructure for Carifesta homecoming
AS it prepares to host, for the second time in 36 years, the premier Festival of Arts in the Caribbean, the Government of Guyana is working at full speed to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place for the Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts, Carifesta X, slated for August 22-31, 2008.
Hosted under the theme: One Caribbean, One purpose, Our Life, Our Culture, the 10th staging of Carifesta boasts an impressive lineup of activities, including the opening and closing ceremonies, culinary, visual, literary and performing arts, community festivals, a grand cultural market, child/youth fora, symposia and workshops as well as signal events and super concerts.
The Government of Guyana has invited participation from just under 50 countries, including CARICOM Member States and Associate Members, the wider Caribbean, Latin America and outside the Hemisphere.
To date, confirmations of their intention to participate have been received from 19 invitees, including Associate Members, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands; Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Turks and Caicos Islands and Trinidad and Tobago, and non-members, Austria, Brazil, Cuba, Netherlands Antilles and Venezuela.
Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, told the Guyana media recently that his Government had allocated $305M in the Capital Budget for Carifesta preparations and work is already advanced in several areas.
Minister Anthony said work included the ongoing installation of night lights at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, and the light mast, fixtures and their equipment for that project would be delivered before the end of this month.
The 57-acre National Park, which is earmarked as the site for the Carifesta Children and Youth Village, as well as calypso and religious shows, was also singled out for significant upgrading; and according to the Minister, a contract to repair two of the stands in the National Park had been awarded and work would commence shortly, while another, for the third stand, is being evaluated and will be tendered shortly. The tarmac in the park, he said, would also be upgraded.
One of the exciting features of Carifesta is the Grand Cultural Market featuring fashion shows, booths for designers and displays, cultural performances and a culinary arts festival.
Guyana will host the Grand Market at its expansive Sophia Exhibition Complex; and according to Minister Anthony, the pavilion at the complex will be upgraded and more exits and convenient parking facilities created.
The award of a contract for the construction of an Amerindian village to showcase the culture of the indigenous peoples of Guyana will also be made soon.
Carifesta has returned to Guyana after 36 years, Guyana being the host for the initial festival in 1972.
“And so for us in Guyana, Carifesta X is a sort of coming home,” the CARICOM Secretariat asserted in a statement earlier this week.
ILO regional course for labour dispute opens today
THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean will conduct a regional training course on Conciliation and Mediation in Labour Disputes from today at the Le Meridien Pegasus, Guyana.
Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, is expected to deliver the opening address.
The course is being held for conciliators and mediators in industrial disputes of the Ministries of Labour throughout the Caribbean. Representatives of selected employers’ and workers’ organisations have also been invited to attend the course.
Facilitated by ILO Consultant, Samuel J. Goolsarran, the course aims to enhance the skills and competencies of those involved in conciliation and mediation of labour disputes.
Participants will gain a better understanding of the styles, techniques and approaches used in conflict management and dispute resolution processes, negotiation, and conciliation and mediation.
The course is being offered in response to the growing need for improved conflict management skills and is expected to contribute to fostering better labour relations through consensus-based approaches.
Over thirty representatives of nineteen Caribbean countries will participate in the training course.
This workshop is the last in a series of four ILO regional training workshops designed to enhance the capacity of labour ministry officials, as well as representatives of employers’ ad workers’ organisations to perform their roles and responsibilities as they relate to various aspects of labour administration.
Other training workshops were held last year on the following subjects: Essential Labour Administration, Labour Inspection, and Advanced Labour Administration and Industrial Relations.
CARICOM security chiefs address strategy at St. Kitts and Nevis meeting
THE Ninth Meeting of the CARICOM Standing Committees of Commissioners of Police and Military Chiefs was held at the Marriots Resort, St. Kitts and Nevis last week. The meeting addressed the continued efforts on the development of a Regional
