Sorry folks, at the current rate Guyana will be nowhere near the developed and politically stable country we all want in our lifetime. We are looking at a perpetual third world country, this country will never be developed, and we mean never. You will have some fat cats living large, a major portion of the population will migrate, and the rest will remain border line poor to lower middle class.
One step forward two steps back will not work.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Guyana - More PPP infrastructure works
Just recently, the trail going from Lethem to the south of the Rupununi, between Shulinab and Mountain Point, was upgraded to allow easier access, especially in the rainy season.
What actually happened saw millions of taxpayers’ dollars once more being wasted. The foundation used was the powder dust alongside the trail, and then a kind of layer of laterite was laid on top to make it look good. When we the residents saw the kind of work being done, we knew that it would never withstand any kind of rain. The first so-called introductory showers are testimony to this. This year there has been no kind of rain whatsoever. The little that fell last night, July 16, bore no comparison to the rain which falls out here in the south, but it ran off the nearby mountains and began washing off the substandard work.....link
What actually happened saw millions of taxpayers’ dollars once more being wasted. The foundation used was the powder dust alongside the trail, and then a kind of layer of laterite was laid on top to make it look good. When we the residents saw the kind of work being done, we knew that it would never withstand any kind of rain. The first so-called introductory showers are testimony to this. This year there has been no kind of rain whatsoever. The little that fell last night, July 16, bore no comparison to the rain which falls out here in the south, but it ran off the nearby mountains and began washing off the substandard work.....link
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Guyana - Fraud investigations = Fire
The fire and the halt to any investigation
July 18, 2009 By Christopher Filed Under Editorial
Yesterday, the nation woke up to find that one of the historic buildings in the city had gone up in flames. At the time of its destruction it was home to the Ministry of Health and had established itself as one of the oldest buildings in the city.
It was home to Queen’s College before the school moved to its present location on Camp Street. It was also of an architecture that is fast becoming obsolete, given the concrete monstrosities that are going up in the city, each begging for air-conditioning and other artificial cooling systems.
But that is not the issue here. It is about the destruction of government buildings when there is a focus on the institution. The Ministry of Works building in Kingston went up in flames even as an investigation was being conducted.
A few years later, the Ministry of Housing was burnt down. Again there was an investigation. But even before that, there was an attempt to blame elections protest for a fire that destroyed a building in the Ministry of Finance compound. There was a similar attempt this time to link the fire to the protest action conducted by two trade unionists and a pardoned treason accused.
Yesterday, reporters asked the Health Minister whether there was an investigation or whether one was pending. His response was that the Audit Office had no interest in his Ministry at this time.
That may be the case but there have been mutterings about the expenditure on pharmaceuticals. Indeed the Health Ministry still procures pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital as well as for the various clinics and health centres. The sum appeared to be staggering, especially since at one time the Ministry did not need to go to the Central Tender Board and that Cabinet was the sole source of its authority.
That has changed although the Health Ministry is still allowed to single source. What really attracted attention was the fact that one supplier appeared to be the major beneficiary despite talks that this supplier was not the producer of most of the pharmaceuticals that it supplied.
On Wednesday, Minister Leslie Ramsammy corrected this view by first stating that the local supplier attracts no more than 50 per cent of the contracts.
Other suppliers would submit tenders and back away after the award of the tender. He also said that large pharmaceutical suppliers often find it not worth the while to supply Guyana. It would be a losing cause.
There are other suppliers who do win contracts and provide pharmaceuticals. These, according to Minister Ramsammy, account for about 48 per cent of the imported pharmaceuticals.
The fire will affect any investigation by people seeking to verify that there is no hanky panky in the supply of drugs to the medical institutions in this country.
This is where one must wonder whether the promise of technological improvements has been kept. With the advent of computers, storage and retrieval of information becomes so easy that there is even the possibility of saving the information in numerous locations.
The Minister of Health said that his Ministry’s records can be retrieved because these are in many other locations. However, we are certain that aspects of the computerisation were not pursued and as a result it is now certain that a lot of needed information would be lost.
Information on the procurement of pharmaceuticals may have been lost, and in the event of an investigation, the fire has put paid to any such retrieval of records. The Ministry of Finance should have some of the records because that is the funding agency. However, we all know that Guyana is dilatory when it comes to posting information.
A good should come out of all this though. Georgetown is a wooden city and it may be wise to have every Ministry and department store material of servers away from the Ministry, on flash drives and in the various other electronic forms because who knows which building could be the next to go up in flames.
Link
July 18, 2009 By Christopher Filed Under Editorial
Yesterday, the nation woke up to find that one of the historic buildings in the city had gone up in flames. At the time of its destruction it was home to the Ministry of Health and had established itself as one of the oldest buildings in the city.
It was home to Queen’s College before the school moved to its present location on Camp Street. It was also of an architecture that is fast becoming obsolete, given the concrete monstrosities that are going up in the city, each begging for air-conditioning and other artificial cooling systems.
But that is not the issue here. It is about the destruction of government buildings when there is a focus on the institution. The Ministry of Works building in Kingston went up in flames even as an investigation was being conducted.
A few years later, the Ministry of Housing was burnt down. Again there was an investigation. But even before that, there was an attempt to blame elections protest for a fire that destroyed a building in the Ministry of Finance compound. There was a similar attempt this time to link the fire to the protest action conducted by two trade unionists and a pardoned treason accused.
Yesterday, reporters asked the Health Minister whether there was an investigation or whether one was pending. His response was that the Audit Office had no interest in his Ministry at this time.
That may be the case but there have been mutterings about the expenditure on pharmaceuticals. Indeed the Health Ministry still procures pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital as well as for the various clinics and health centres. The sum appeared to be staggering, especially since at one time the Ministry did not need to go to the Central Tender Board and that Cabinet was the sole source of its authority.
That has changed although the Health Ministry is still allowed to single source. What really attracted attention was the fact that one supplier appeared to be the major beneficiary despite talks that this supplier was not the producer of most of the pharmaceuticals that it supplied.
On Wednesday, Minister Leslie Ramsammy corrected this view by first stating that the local supplier attracts no more than 50 per cent of the contracts.
Other suppliers would submit tenders and back away after the award of the tender. He also said that large pharmaceutical suppliers often find it not worth the while to supply Guyana. It would be a losing cause.
There are other suppliers who do win contracts and provide pharmaceuticals. These, according to Minister Ramsammy, account for about 48 per cent of the imported pharmaceuticals.
The fire will affect any investigation by people seeking to verify that there is no hanky panky in the supply of drugs to the medical institutions in this country.
This is where one must wonder whether the promise of technological improvements has been kept. With the advent of computers, storage and retrieval of information becomes so easy that there is even the possibility of saving the information in numerous locations.
The Minister of Health said that his Ministry’s records can be retrieved because these are in many other locations. However, we are certain that aspects of the computerisation were not pursued and as a result it is now certain that a lot of needed information would be lost.
Information on the procurement of pharmaceuticals may have been lost, and in the event of an investigation, the fire has put paid to any such retrieval of records. The Ministry of Finance should have some of the records because that is the funding agency. However, we all know that Guyana is dilatory when it comes to posting information.
A good should come out of all this though. Georgetown is a wooden city and it may be wise to have every Ministry and department store material of servers away from the Ministry, on flash drives and in the various other electronic forms because who knows which building could be the next to go up in flames.
Link
Guyana - Olympic size swimming pool looks like the Stadium Parking lot
Two years later and this is what the Olympic size swimming pool looks like. We would like to hear the explanation for this one. It looks like the PPP preempted a fraud investigation by burning down the swimming pool.Kaieteur
Guyana - More Con
Trinidadian con man detained
July 18, 2009 By Ananthsa Filed Under News
–allegedly selling defective tyres to dealers
Police have detained a Trinidadian, whom they described as a confidence trickster, for allegedly selling used, defective tyres to local dealers after claiming that he had imported them for recycling purposes.
The suspect is being held at the Providence Police Station and Kaieteur News understands that Customs officials have been notified about the alleged scam. Police confirmed that the man, who resides in Guyana, also allegedly defrauded one of his victims of US$2,000 after claiming that he could acquire a laptop computer.
According to police sources, he also racked up an $80,000 bill at a liquor establishment but failed to pay and moved out with furniture and appliances from a house he had rented. This newspaper understands that the Trinidadian was cleared to import seven containers of used tyres on condition that they were to be recycled.
A source said that the businessman also indicated that he would have the tyres retreaded.
But Vishwanauth Mangal, a dealer from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, alleges that the Trinidadian sold him 200 tyres on July 4, which he in turn sold to customers. He claimed that several of these tyres turned out to be defective.
According to Mangal, he gave the businessman an initial down-payment of $200,000.
He said that two days later a customer returned and alleged that he had suffered a blowout while driving with one of the tyres. This had reportedly resulted in the customer losing control of his vehicle and hitting a motorcycle.
Mangal also alleged that several other customers subsequently returned their tyres. Most of them had ruptured. He showed Kaieteur News several damaged tyres which he claimed were purchased from the Trinidadian.
But Mangal said that when he confronted the businessman, the Trinidadian denied that they had ever had such a transaction and refused to refund him. Mangal is now urging anyone who bought the tyres from his business place to contact him. Kaieteur News was told that the Trinidadian can be charged with making a false declaration to customs officials
Link
It is indeed a sad state of affairs that public safety is placed at risk, where are the checks and balances?
July 18, 2009 By Ananthsa Filed Under News
–allegedly selling defective tyres to dealers
Police have detained a Trinidadian, whom they described as a confidence trickster, for allegedly selling used, defective tyres to local dealers after claiming that he had imported them for recycling purposes.
The suspect is being held at the Providence Police Station and Kaieteur News understands that Customs officials have been notified about the alleged scam. Police confirmed that the man, who resides in Guyana, also allegedly defrauded one of his victims of US$2,000 after claiming that he could acquire a laptop computer.
According to police sources, he also racked up an $80,000 bill at a liquor establishment but failed to pay and moved out with furniture and appliances from a house he had rented. This newspaper understands that the Trinidadian was cleared to import seven containers of used tyres on condition that they were to be recycled.
A source said that the businessman also indicated that he would have the tyres retreaded.
But Vishwanauth Mangal, a dealer from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, alleges that the Trinidadian sold him 200 tyres on July 4, which he in turn sold to customers. He claimed that several of these tyres turned out to be defective.
According to Mangal, he gave the businessman an initial down-payment of $200,000.
He said that two days later a customer returned and alleged that he had suffered a blowout while driving with one of the tyres. This had reportedly resulted in the customer losing control of his vehicle and hitting a motorcycle.
Mangal also alleged that several other customers subsequently returned their tyres. Most of them had ruptured. He showed Kaieteur News several damaged tyres which he claimed were purchased from the Trinidadian.
But Mangal said that when he confronted the businessman, the Trinidadian denied that they had ever had such a transaction and refused to refund him. Mangal is now urging anyone who bought the tyres from his business place to contact him. Kaieteur News was told that the Trinidadian can be charged with making a false declaration to customs officials
Link
It is indeed a sad state of affairs that public safety is placed at risk, where are the checks and balances?
Guyana - Con Tractors
...Somebody talk and Robert hear. Dem boys seh that in all fairness, he ask that if dem gun publish anything dem should at least give he a chance to mek a comment. De reporter didn’t even call he and de poor man didn’t know wha happen till dem publish de story and nuff photograph.
Dem boys seh that Robert jump like if somebody light a squib under he behind. He call a press conference right away to explain that he ain’t do nutten. He claim that he pay de contractor eighty per cent of de money. De contractor claim how he get ninety per cent.
Dem boys seh that de story didn’t done deh. Robert claim how de wuk done and de contractor claim how de wuk ain’t really done. Was sheer confusion.
Dem boys suddenly find out that you have contractor, cantractor, and thiefing tractor. Wha mek de thing even more confusing is that de contractor name Fowl Cock. Dem boys seh that is only one thing a fowl cock can do till de farmer ready fuh put he in a pot...link
Why is it so many Con-Tractors are allowed to operate with impunity in Guyana? Which Con-Tractors are on the black list? Fowl Cock should be curried, instead of currying favor with Robert Butternut Persaud. Robert Butternut Persaud is definitely collecting kick backs from these projects, he is feathering his nest with the Fowl Cocks of Guyana. Fow Cock ah knack he drum.
Dem boys seh that Robert jump like if somebody light a squib under he behind. He call a press conference right away to explain that he ain’t do nutten. He claim that he pay de contractor eighty per cent of de money. De contractor claim how he get ninety per cent.
Dem boys seh that de story didn’t done deh. Robert claim how de wuk done and de contractor claim how de wuk ain’t really done. Was sheer confusion.
Dem boys suddenly find out that you have contractor, cantractor, and thiefing tractor. Wha mek de thing even more confusing is that de contractor name Fowl Cock. Dem boys seh that is only one thing a fowl cock can do till de farmer ready fuh put he in a pot...link
Why is it so many Con-Tractors are allowed to operate with impunity in Guyana? Which Con-Tractors are on the black list? Fowl Cock should be curried, instead of currying favor with Robert Butternut Persaud. Robert Butternut Persaud is definitely collecting kick backs from these projects, he is feathering his nest with the Fowl Cocks of Guyana. Fow Cock ah knack he drum.
Guyana - A recurring story
Slain Guest House owner’s relatives mull asylum overseas
July 18, 2009 By Ananthsa Filed Under News
By Mondale Smith
The relatives of Tashmedaye Lall, the murdered Tuschen businessman, are saying that they have lost faith in the local security system and in the Guyana Police Force. They are now begging any country outside of Guyana to accept them as migrants out of fear for their safety.
They are also calling on Police Commissioner Henry Greene to investigate the reason why their calls to 911 went unanswered on Wednesday night, minutes after the 28-year-old owner of Lall’s Guest House at 181 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was robbed before being shot dead.
An irate Eshwar Lall yesterday recalled that the handyman informed him that his brother was robbed and shot and he called 911 right away. “I called between 20:30hrs and 20:45hrs from 269-0590 and it ring out. The handyman also called it from 611-6362, my brother’s number, as he lay dying on the floor and they ain’t answer till now.”
The dead man’s brother called from his Ruimzeigt home while maintenance man, John De La Cruz, called from the scene. “We are selling out everything and we want any country to take us in. Any Caribbean or any other country, even Suriname if they will take us.”
Wednesday night two gunmen under the pretext of wanting a room at the Guest House, entered the premises, held-up, terrorised, demanded cash and fatally shot Lall in the presence of his maintenance man and his girlfriend.
Speaking for his family that operate other businesses, he also called on the business community to speak out on the issue as he says “it could have been you or your relative calling and getting no answer too.”
He stated that “we want to migrate to any country outside of Guyana that will offer us a chance to migrate because we don’t feel secure anymore. “He questioned where is the tax payers’ money going when millions are paid every year?
He stated that his brother and his family pay taxes and opines, based on his family’s experience, that there is no security for taxpayers. He said, too, that his family like others, is not satisfied with the police investigations so far. “They have no answers, they didn’t do any major search or cordon in the area when they arrived at the scene on Wednesday night. There was no road block even after the description of the men was given.”
His family, according to Lall, wants “residence in any Caribbean country because we have other businesses and we don’t feel safe here anymore. We will soon put everything on sale.”
He said, too, that since Minister Satyadeow Sawh died we were planning to sell out and move to India because since then we were worried about the security system.
Now more than ever they want to leave Guyana. As if the family’s woes are not enough, the dead man was to be cremated, but because the Health Ministry was destroyed by fire, they cannot get the necessary papers to do so, “so we have to bury him instead. The funeral is set for Sunday”
Link
July 18, 2009 By Ananthsa Filed Under News
By Mondale Smith
The relatives of Tashmedaye Lall, the murdered Tuschen businessman, are saying that they have lost faith in the local security system and in the Guyana Police Force. They are now begging any country outside of Guyana to accept them as migrants out of fear for their safety.
They are also calling on Police Commissioner Henry Greene to investigate the reason why their calls to 911 went unanswered on Wednesday night, minutes after the 28-year-old owner of Lall’s Guest House at 181 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was robbed before being shot dead.
An irate Eshwar Lall yesterday recalled that the handyman informed him that his brother was robbed and shot and he called 911 right away. “I called between 20:30hrs and 20:45hrs from 269-0590 and it ring out. The handyman also called it from 611-6362, my brother’s number, as he lay dying on the floor and they ain’t answer till now.”
The dead man’s brother called from his Ruimzeigt home while maintenance man, John De La Cruz, called from the scene. “We are selling out everything and we want any country to take us in. Any Caribbean or any other country, even Suriname if they will take us.”
Wednesday night two gunmen under the pretext of wanting a room at the Guest House, entered the premises, held-up, terrorised, demanded cash and fatally shot Lall in the presence of his maintenance man and his girlfriend.
Speaking for his family that operate other businesses, he also called on the business community to speak out on the issue as he says “it could have been you or your relative calling and getting no answer too.”
He stated that “we want to migrate to any country outside of Guyana that will offer us a chance to migrate because we don’t feel secure anymore. “He questioned where is the tax payers’ money going when millions are paid every year?
He stated that his brother and his family pay taxes and opines, based on his family’s experience, that there is no security for taxpayers. He said, too, that his family like others, is not satisfied with the police investigations so far. “They have no answers, they didn’t do any major search or cordon in the area when they arrived at the scene on Wednesday night. There was no road block even after the description of the men was given.”
His family, according to Lall, wants “residence in any Caribbean country because we have other businesses and we don’t feel safe here anymore. We will soon put everything on sale.”
He said, too, that since Minister Satyadeow Sawh died we were planning to sell out and move to India because since then we were worried about the security system.
Now more than ever they want to leave Guyana. As if the family’s woes are not enough, the dead man was to be cremated, but because the Health Ministry was destroyed by fire, they cannot get the necessary papers to do so, “so we have to bury him instead. The funeral is set for Sunday”
Link
Friday, July 17, 2009
Guyana - Ministry of Health burn to the ground just like Ministry of Transport
what a mystery this is - many loose ends to tie up here:
- Ramsammy is Minister of Health
- Ramsammy is accused of facilitating a special laptop for R. Khan
- R. Khan lived large in Guyana under the PPP.
- R. Khan was captured in Suriname and sent to the US.
- R. Khan is imprisoned in New York.
- Recently Ramsammy mysteriously visits New York for a working holiday.
- Ramsammy is back in the country less that two weeks.
- Poof, Ministry of Health goes up in flames.
- Did we mention that questionable characters seem to die of frequent poisoning in Guyana's hospitals. It is like the roach motel, they check in but they don't check out.
- Is there something to cover up?
Good question.
- Ramsammy is Minister of Health
- Ramsammy is accused of facilitating a special laptop for R. Khan
- R. Khan lived large in Guyana under the PPP.
- R. Khan was captured in Suriname and sent to the US.
- R. Khan is imprisoned in New York.
- Recently Ramsammy mysteriously visits New York for a working holiday.
- Ramsammy is back in the country less that two weeks.
- Poof, Ministry of Health goes up in flames.
- Did we mention that questionable characters seem to die of frequent poisoning in Guyana's hospitals. It is like the roach motel, they check in but they don't check out.
- Is there something to cover up?
Good question.
Guyana - US bound mail broached
US mail bound for Guyana is being broached at the source. Three possible reasons or a combination of reasons for this:
-Economy in the US is getting worse.
-Remittance to Guyana from the US is high, money is known to be stuffed in letters.
-US post offices have now been infiltrated by too many Guyanese & Caribbean workers who know the runnings.
-Economy in the US is getting worse.
-Remittance to Guyana from the US is high, money is known to be stuffed in letters.
-US post offices have now been infiltrated by too many Guyanese & Caribbean workers who know the runnings.
Guyana - Air France Airbus parts wash up?
Looks like parts of the crashed Air France 330-200 wing root fairing washed up on hope beach with French Sensorex sensors. Or could be part of a rocket booster fairing from French Guyana.
Guyana - Noticeable Trends in Guyana
When you don't want to leave a paper trail, burn the Ministry down or blame loss of paper work on flooding and water damage.
When you want to get rid of people who could spill the beans, shoot them, or admit them to Government Hospital and give them poison milk to drink.
When you have an emergency don't bother calling 911.
When you want to get rid of people who could spill the beans, shoot them, or admit them to Government Hospital and give them poison milk to drink.
When you have an emergency don't bother calling 911.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Guyana - Fowl Cock & Grow More Butternut disagree
Ministry, contractor differ on extent of payout
July 16, 2009 By Christopher Filed Under News
Through requests from residents of De Willem and the surrounding environs the Ministry of Agriculture constructed a sluice at a cost of $154M but the completion is a source for major concern.
More than 14 months after construction started, there is some confusion regarding the stage of the works. Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, and SRK N’gineering, civil engineering consultants, are reporting that works are substantially complete.
Residents on the other hand beg to differ and they are chiding the contractor for substandard and incomplete works, while Roopan Ramotar, called Fowl Cock, the contractor, has said that his contractual obligations to build the $154 M De Willem sluice are complete.
To date the sluice is not operational but according to all parties it is ready for use if necessary. But all have agreed that the works on the sluice have ground to a halt.
“The reason for the sluice not being commissioned is deliberate and is in keeping with an agreement between the engineering consultants and the contractors …we want to install groynes to avoid heavy sedimentation but the design will be determined after an assessment of the formation of the sedimentation outside the sluice mouth,” says Minister Persaud.
At a press conference yesterday the Minister said that the site has not yet been handed over to his Ministry but as far as he is aware, 80 percent of the monies have been handed over to the contractor.
However contractor Ramotar has said that he has received 90 percent of the $154M. The residents find the situation laughable, given what currently exists at the site. Ramotar also said government is keeping his remaining10 percent as retention money that would be paid out when it is satisfied with the scope of work done.
While Minister Persaud is claiming that his Ministry does not foresee additional money being spent on the drainage sluice the contractor is insisting that works were halted at the site because his company is awaiting another $7 million. This additional $7 million, he said, would be used to do revetment works that are not part of the original contract.
“My contractual obligation for the $154 million sluice is completed and I have met my contractual obligation to the Ministry of Agriculture.” He noted that since the completion of the sluice, the officials at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority have realised that revetment works need to be done and as such he is now awaiting word from his consultant, who is awaiting permission for the additional $7 million by the Ministry of Finance.
“The works can be completed in two weeks but I was advised against handing over the site until the additional works are completed.”
After that process is completed, the Ministry of Agriculture will then have to issue a ‘go ahead’ letter to Ramotar’s company for the revetment works to commence.
SRK N’gineering, in a letter to Lionel Wordsworth, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority said, “The sluice was never required to operate during the recent May-June period since, the rains were below normal and the area experienced no significant flood conditions.”
SRKN notes that the seaward groynes are incomplete and they are an important component, which is the main cause for the delay of the sluice. The groynes require that the sluice be operated for some time to establish the outflow path to assist in the determination of the best location for them. This could be done by year-end when the flow would be established. This would see the final design being completed making allowance for construction to start according to the SRKN while Minister puts the period at three months.
In the meantime work on the inlet timber revetment would continue according to SRK N’engineering. While calling on the public, farmers and media to assist in monitoring project sites and reporting to the Deputy Permanent Secretary for finance, Minister Persaud said that securing the site is not his Ministry’s job until it is handed over while the contractor said that the site is guarded by a security at nights only.
The Minister accepted fault for not hosting community meetings to better educate and inform the residents of the project, which he has advised the technical staff to do for all projects.
On Tuesday when Kaieteur News visited the location, save for some goats having free reign, there was no one manning the site and neither was there any ongoing construction works.
Link
Well folks this is how your money is squandered & stolen. There are supposed to be checks and balances to ensure a contractor performs, a contract is complete, a defects & liability period etc. Money is definitely being pilfered & squandered - how else can this level of incompetence be explained in monitoring small projects like this? Just imagine this project is less than $1M US, yet they find it hard to monitor.
Hope Canal here we come. Lets hope Fowl Cock don't get this project. Wonder how Fowl Cock the Contractor get his false name......crowing fuh money?
July 16, 2009 By Christopher Filed Under News
Through requests from residents of De Willem and the surrounding environs the Ministry of Agriculture constructed a sluice at a cost of $154M but the completion is a source for major concern.
More than 14 months after construction started, there is some confusion regarding the stage of the works. Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, and SRK N’gineering, civil engineering consultants, are reporting that works are substantially complete.
Residents on the other hand beg to differ and they are chiding the contractor for substandard and incomplete works, while Roopan Ramotar, called Fowl Cock, the contractor, has said that his contractual obligations to build the $154 M De Willem sluice are complete.
To date the sluice is not operational but according to all parties it is ready for use if necessary. But all have agreed that the works on the sluice have ground to a halt.
“The reason for the sluice not being commissioned is deliberate and is in keeping with an agreement between the engineering consultants and the contractors …we want to install groynes to avoid heavy sedimentation but the design will be determined after an assessment of the formation of the sedimentation outside the sluice mouth,” says Minister Persaud.
At a press conference yesterday the Minister said that the site has not yet been handed over to his Ministry but as far as he is aware, 80 percent of the monies have been handed over to the contractor.
However contractor Ramotar has said that he has received 90 percent of the $154M. The residents find the situation laughable, given what currently exists at the site. Ramotar also said government is keeping his remaining10 percent as retention money that would be paid out when it is satisfied with the scope of work done.
While Minister Persaud is claiming that his Ministry does not foresee additional money being spent on the drainage sluice the contractor is insisting that works were halted at the site because his company is awaiting another $7 million. This additional $7 million, he said, would be used to do revetment works that are not part of the original contract.
“My contractual obligation for the $154 million sluice is completed and I have met my contractual obligation to the Ministry of Agriculture.” He noted that since the completion of the sluice, the officials at the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority have realised that revetment works need to be done and as such he is now awaiting word from his consultant, who is awaiting permission for the additional $7 million by the Ministry of Finance.
“The works can be completed in two weeks but I was advised against handing over the site until the additional works are completed.”
After that process is completed, the Ministry of Agriculture will then have to issue a ‘go ahead’ letter to Ramotar’s company for the revetment works to commence.
SRK N’gineering, in a letter to Lionel Wordsworth, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority said, “The sluice was never required to operate during the recent May-June period since, the rains were below normal and the area experienced no significant flood conditions.”
SRKN notes that the seaward groynes are incomplete and they are an important component, which is the main cause for the delay of the sluice. The groynes require that the sluice be operated for some time to establish the outflow path to assist in the determination of the best location for them. This could be done by year-end when the flow would be established. This would see the final design being completed making allowance for construction to start according to the SRKN while Minister puts the period at three months.
In the meantime work on the inlet timber revetment would continue according to SRK N’engineering. While calling on the public, farmers and media to assist in monitoring project sites and reporting to the Deputy Permanent Secretary for finance, Minister Persaud said that securing the site is not his Ministry’s job until it is handed over while the contractor said that the site is guarded by a security at nights only.
The Minister accepted fault for not hosting community meetings to better educate and inform the residents of the project, which he has advised the technical staff to do for all projects.
On Tuesday when Kaieteur News visited the location, save for some goats having free reign, there was no one manning the site and neither was there any ongoing construction works.
Link
Well folks this is how your money is squandered & stolen. There are supposed to be checks and balances to ensure a contractor performs, a contract is complete, a defects & liability period etc. Money is definitely being pilfered & squandered - how else can this level of incompetence be explained in monitoring small projects like this? Just imagine this project is less than $1M US, yet they find it hard to monitor.
Hope Canal here we come. Lets hope Fowl Cock don't get this project. Wonder how Fowl Cock the Contractor get his false name......crowing fuh money?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Guyana - BoRat Jughead
President BoRat Jughead was born during low tide in the village of Unity on the East Coast of Geeyana.
A communist trained economizer by profession, he entered public service in Geeyana’s State Planning Secretariat in 1990. After the restoration of demockery in Geeyana in 1992, President Jughead became the Junior Clueless Minister of Finance one year later. Rabid undeserving promotion ensued, and President Jughead became Senior Clueless Minister of Finance in 1995. While in this position, the President led the production of Geeyana’s Stagnant National Development Strategy. The Stagnant National Development Strategy has not been updated since 1995 and hardly any of the Strategies have been implemented, a real tragedy. BoRat Jughead is currently writing the National Drug Development & Remittance Strategy with the help of Morg and Khan Business Enterprise.
After the retirement of former President JJ due to illness, Mr. Jughead was handed the position as Geeyana’s President in 1999 by the gang of eight. Aged thirty something, he was one of the youngest and most clueless Heads of Government in the world.
In 2001, President Jughead was selected as President, and was re-selected in September 2006.
President Jughead’s tenure in office saw unprecedented social and economic turmoil in Geeyana, with limited access to education, a decaying health system, far-reaching floods, the biggest expansion of the drug and crime sector in Geeyana’s history, disintegration of the water, electricity and sanitation systems, and large-scale mismagement of the road, river and air transport networks. In parallel, Geeyana’s national debt was substantially increased, new public favoritism and nepotism laws were passed, and increased burdens such as VAT were implemented on the people. Also President Jughead imparted bountiful high tech violence on his reputed wife from a fake marriage to garner his selection as President until they were finally separated. One two many times the First Fund lady was locked out of the bedroom, it was the last straw to sleep on the couch without a mosquito net - the First Fund lady could not take it anymore. She left with a broken heart for India.
In September 2005, President Jughead was elected Chief Beggar to the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position he currently occupies. He has been awarded the Pushitin Medal by the Government of Russia, and the Buddy’s Omprakash Mandellam Award for favoritism and nepotism.
In recent years, President Jughead has jumped on the Low Carbon Development donkey cart bandwagon, as if Guiana does not have enough donkey carts already.
(GEENA)
Link
As far as LCDS - Low Carbon Developmental Strategy - read these declassified documents to see how the developed countries control and manipulate the rest.
A communist trained economizer by profession, he entered public service in Geeyana’s State Planning Secretariat in 1990. After the restoration of demockery in Geeyana in 1992, President Jughead became the Junior Clueless Minister of Finance one year later. Rabid undeserving promotion ensued, and President Jughead became Senior Clueless Minister of Finance in 1995. While in this position, the President led the production of Geeyana’s Stagnant National Development Strategy. The Stagnant National Development Strategy has not been updated since 1995 and hardly any of the Strategies have been implemented, a real tragedy. BoRat Jughead is currently writing the National Drug Development & Remittance Strategy with the help of Morg and Khan Business Enterprise.
After the retirement of former President JJ due to illness, Mr. Jughead was handed the position as Geeyana’s President in 1999 by the gang of eight. Aged thirty something, he was one of the youngest and most clueless Heads of Government in the world.
In 2001, President Jughead was selected as President, and was re-selected in September 2006.
President Jughead’s tenure in office saw unprecedented social and economic turmoil in Geeyana, with limited access to education, a decaying health system, far-reaching floods, the biggest expansion of the drug and crime sector in Geeyana’s history, disintegration of the water, electricity and sanitation systems, and large-scale mismagement of the road, river and air transport networks. In parallel, Geeyana’s national debt was substantially increased, new public favoritism and nepotism laws were passed, and increased burdens such as VAT were implemented on the people. Also President Jughead imparted bountiful high tech violence on his reputed wife from a fake marriage to garner his selection as President until they were finally separated. One two many times the First Fund lady was locked out of the bedroom, it was the last straw to sleep on the couch without a mosquito net - the First Fund lady could not take it anymore. She left with a broken heart for India.
In September 2005, President Jughead was elected Chief Beggar to the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position he currently occupies. He has been awarded the Pushitin Medal by the Government of Russia, and the Buddy’s Omprakash Mandellam Award for favoritism and nepotism.
In recent years, President Jughead has jumped on the Low Carbon Development donkey cart bandwagon, as if Guiana does not have enough donkey carts already.
(GEENA)
Link
As far as LCDS - Low Carbon Developmental Strategy - read these declassified documents to see how the developed countries control and manipulate the rest.
Guyana - Berbice Bridge and crime increase
Apart from the fraud perpetuated on the Guyanese people with the Berbice Floating Bridge. There also seems to be an increase in crime in the old and ancient county of Berbice since the Bridge came in to service. In summary the Government has given the Berbician people a bridge along with an increase in blackout, water shortage & crime.
As a reminder 911 and 913 might or might not work in emergencies.
The point is - it doesn't matter what you build, once the basics are not in place then society will not work quite right.
Tourists beware, don't let the PPP or Minister of Tourism fool you. Go to Asia instead, it is cheaper and safer.
As a reminder 911 and 913 might or might not work in emergencies.
The point is - it doesn't matter what you build, once the basics are not in place then society will not work quite right.
Tourists beware, don't let the PPP or Minister of Tourism fool you. Go to Asia instead, it is cheaper and safer.
Guyana - Travel considerations
Guyana is a developing nation. Except for hotels in the capital city of Georgetown, tourist facilities are not fully developed.
On arrival in Guyana, all visitors are granted a 30-day stay. Extensions of stay may be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs at Number 60 Brickdam, Georgetown.
Most crimes occur in the major business and shopping districts of Georgetown, in and around the two main indoor/outdoor markets of Stabroek and Bourda, and in the vacinity of the Hotel Tower and Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel (formerly the Pegasus and The Forte Crest Hotel), the two major hotels most frequented by foreigners.
Theft from vehicles and guest rooms at the major hotels occurs infrequently. Police are cooperative but largely ineffective.
Medical care is available for minor medical problems. Emergency care and major medical care requiring a hospital stay are limited due to lack of specialists, diagnostic aids, and poor sanitary conditions in most medical facilities. Travelers are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for their length of stay and should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect some medicine. Some prescription medicines (mainly generic) are available. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Link
Cars, large commercial vehicles, horse drawn carts, bicyclists, motorcycles, free range livestock, stray dogs, pedestrians, aggressive “mini-buses” and sleeping animals all share narrow, poorly maintained roads. Very aggressive speeding drivers on the same roads with slow moving vehicles makes driving in Guyana especially dangerous. Driving at unsafe speeds, reckless driving, tail-gating, quick stops without signaling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets is commonplace. Driving at night poses additional concerns as many roads are not lit, drivers do not lower high beam lights, livestock sleeps on the road and many pedestrians congregate by the roadside. Visitors should exercise caution at all times while driving and avoid driving outside of Georgetown at night, when possible.
The Traffic Division of Guyana's National Police Force is responsible for road safety but is ill-trained and ill-equipped. The Department of State recommends that Embassy staff travel in groups of two or more vehicles when traveling outside Georgetown at night.
Travelers are advised to use caution traveling to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport, especially at night. The Embassy requires its staff to use official vehicles when traveling this route between dusk and dawn due to a combination of most of the aforementioned characteristics of driving in Guyana.
Penalties for drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death are severe, including life imprisonment. If involved in an accident, call 911 for police and 913 for an ambulance. Please note that these numbers are not always operational and police may be slow to respond and an ambulance may not be available.
Drivers use the left side of the road in Guyana. Seatbelt use is required by law and is enforced; failure to use a seatbelt can result in a fine. There presently are no laws in Guyana concerning use of child car seats, but the use of age-appropriate seats is strongly recommended for child passengers. Both drivers of and passengers on motorcycles must wear protective helmets that meet certain specifications. Talking on cellular telephones while driving is illegal, unless a hands-free set is used.
Mini-buses (small 12- to 15-passenger vans) ply various routes both within and between cities. Mini-bus drivers have come under severe criticism from the government, press, and private citizens for speeding, aggressive and reckless driving, overloading of vehicles, poor vehicle maintenance and repair, and offensive remarks directed at passengers, but little change in their driving behavior has been noted. Mini-buses have been involved in the majority of fatal vehicular accidents in recent years. Travelers should use taxis for transportation.
Link
We would like to add - returning Berbicians should be extremely careful, especially in the areas of Albion, Abary and Canje.
On arrival in Guyana, all visitors are granted a 30-day stay. Extensions of stay may be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs at Number 60 Brickdam, Georgetown.
Most crimes occur in the major business and shopping districts of Georgetown, in and around the two main indoor/outdoor markets of Stabroek and Bourda, and in the vacinity of the Hotel Tower and Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel (formerly the Pegasus and The Forte Crest Hotel), the two major hotels most frequented by foreigners.
Theft from vehicles and guest rooms at the major hotels occurs infrequently. Police are cooperative but largely ineffective.
Medical care is available for minor medical problems. Emergency care and major medical care requiring a hospital stay are limited due to lack of specialists, diagnostic aids, and poor sanitary conditions in most medical facilities. Travelers are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for their length of stay and should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect some medicine. Some prescription medicines (mainly generic) are available. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Link
Cars, large commercial vehicles, horse drawn carts, bicyclists, motorcycles, free range livestock, stray dogs, pedestrians, aggressive “mini-buses” and sleeping animals all share narrow, poorly maintained roads. Very aggressive speeding drivers on the same roads with slow moving vehicles makes driving in Guyana especially dangerous. Driving at unsafe speeds, reckless driving, tail-gating, quick stops without signaling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets is commonplace. Driving at night poses additional concerns as many roads are not lit, drivers do not lower high beam lights, livestock sleeps on the road and many pedestrians congregate by the roadside. Visitors should exercise caution at all times while driving and avoid driving outside of Georgetown at night, when possible.
The Traffic Division of Guyana's National Police Force is responsible for road safety but is ill-trained and ill-equipped. The Department of State recommends that Embassy staff travel in groups of two or more vehicles when traveling outside Georgetown at night.
Travelers are advised to use caution traveling to and from Cheddi Jagan International Airport, especially at night. The Embassy requires its staff to use official vehicles when traveling this route between dusk and dawn due to a combination of most of the aforementioned characteristics of driving in Guyana.
Penalties for drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death are severe, including life imprisonment. If involved in an accident, call 911 for police and 913 for an ambulance. Please note that these numbers are not always operational and police may be slow to respond and an ambulance may not be available.
Drivers use the left side of the road in Guyana. Seatbelt use is required by law and is enforced; failure to use a seatbelt can result in a fine. There presently are no laws in Guyana concerning use of child car seats, but the use of age-appropriate seats is strongly recommended for child passengers. Both drivers of and passengers on motorcycles must wear protective helmets that meet certain specifications. Talking on cellular telephones while driving is illegal, unless a hands-free set is used.
Mini-buses (small 12- to 15-passenger vans) ply various routes both within and between cities. Mini-bus drivers have come under severe criticism from the government, press, and private citizens for speeding, aggressive and reckless driving, overloading of vehicles, poor vehicle maintenance and repair, and offensive remarks directed at passengers, but little change in their driving behavior has been noted. Mini-buses have been involved in the majority of fatal vehicular accidents in recent years. Travelers should use taxis for transportation.
Link
We would like to add - returning Berbicians should be extremely careful, especially in the areas of Albion, Abary and Canje.
Guyana - As usual people in Guyana getting a good banging for the buck
$154M sluice incomplete
July 15, 2009 By Anupa Filed Under News
After 14 months…
It’s been more than a year since the construction of the De Willem river drainage sluice valued at $154m began in region three. Now while it is yet to be completed apparently works have grounded to a halt.
Yesterday when Kaieteur New visited the location, save for some goats having free reign, there was no one manning the site and neither was there any ongoing construction works either.
ne resident who lives in close proximity to the koker said, “Is about two months dem ain’t really do no work here except they deliver some boards and them men gone from here a little while now.”
A truck used for mixing cement was parked a few meters away from what looked like a living quarters and one of its doors was padlocked while the other was secured with wire.
The louvre windows to the hut were open and a mosquito net was evidence that the building is used for sleeping.
But there was no answer to the many calls at the door. Several yards away existed evidence of incomplete work. There were a large number of pall boards and posts at the location. There were also some stone piles and mud and sand mounds that residents said were to be used for filling the land.
Along the drain leading to the sluice on both sides, more than 36 posts were already driven into the earth. Closer still, it was observed that while the sluice was closed the walls in the channel are rough concrete. On the outer and inner walls of the sluice are several cracks which one resident dubbed “substandard works that may never be completed.”
With no contractor or a representative at the location and no security there either, the residents in the environs for the most part laughed when told that the contract for the works is $154m.
They welcomed the idea of a functioning koker, as it would prevent flooding during the rainy season but some opined “this one might just turn out to be a monument of wasted millions”.
One 30-year-old man said that construction began just before Easter last year and all seemed well. However, he like other residents is puzzled that it’s been close to two months since any major work has been done at the site.
“If this is $154m in works then something wrong cause the thing start to crack while one part start sinking and they had to put in some extra stuff to keep the two walls from closing in.”
He questioned how it is that the same contractor is working on another project at Parika while the works are incomplete at this koker.
Noting the cracks one woman recalled hearing some workmen casting blame on the project engineer and accepting the fact that “they working with the engineer orders.” At Parika, yesterday, Suresh Sukul a representative of SRK N’gineering confirmed that his group is in charge of the construction of the De Willem Drainage Sluice.
Another man at the location advised Sukul to not say anything but Sukul explained that the works at the De Willem Sluice, ground to a halt because his team “is waiting on some information regarding some revetment works to be done.”
“What they (residents) are calling cracks are not really cracks. Is some additional work the men had to do on the sluice.” He also said that he is not aware of any sinking at the location and could not say how long it will be before work resumes at the site. Neither could he say when the works will be completed for handing over.
Link
July 15, 2009 By Anupa Filed Under News
After 14 months…
It’s been more than a year since the construction of the De Willem river drainage sluice valued at $154m began in region three. Now while it is yet to be completed apparently works have grounded to a halt.
Yesterday when Kaieteur New visited the location, save for some goats having free reign, there was no one manning the site and neither was there any ongoing construction works either.
ne resident who lives in close proximity to the koker said, “Is about two months dem ain’t really do no work here except they deliver some boards and them men gone from here a little while now.”
A truck used for mixing cement was parked a few meters away from what looked like a living quarters and one of its doors was padlocked while the other was secured with wire.
The louvre windows to the hut were open and a mosquito net was evidence that the building is used for sleeping.
But there was no answer to the many calls at the door. Several yards away existed evidence of incomplete work. There were a large number of pall boards and posts at the location. There were also some stone piles and mud and sand mounds that residents said were to be used for filling the land.
Along the drain leading to the sluice on both sides, more than 36 posts were already driven into the earth. Closer still, it was observed that while the sluice was closed the walls in the channel are rough concrete. On the outer and inner walls of the sluice are several cracks which one resident dubbed “substandard works that may never be completed.”
With no contractor or a representative at the location and no security there either, the residents in the environs for the most part laughed when told that the contract for the works is $154m.
They welcomed the idea of a functioning koker, as it would prevent flooding during the rainy season but some opined “this one might just turn out to be a monument of wasted millions”.
One 30-year-old man said that construction began just before Easter last year and all seemed well. However, he like other residents is puzzled that it’s been close to two months since any major work has been done at the site.
“If this is $154m in works then something wrong cause the thing start to crack while one part start sinking and they had to put in some extra stuff to keep the two walls from closing in.”
He questioned how it is that the same contractor is working on another project at Parika while the works are incomplete at this koker.
Noting the cracks one woman recalled hearing some workmen casting blame on the project engineer and accepting the fact that “they working with the engineer orders.” At Parika, yesterday, Suresh Sukul a representative of SRK N’gineering confirmed that his group is in charge of the construction of the De Willem Drainage Sluice.
Another man at the location advised Sukul to not say anything but Sukul explained that the works at the De Willem Sluice, ground to a halt because his team “is waiting on some information regarding some revetment works to be done.”
“What they (residents) are calling cracks are not really cracks. Is some additional work the men had to do on the sluice.” He also said that he is not aware of any sinking at the location and could not say how long it will be before work resumes at the site. Neither could he say when the works will be completed for handing over.
Link
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Guyana - Attendum, Attendum - Leon really pissed
The unquestionable power of the media
July 14, 2009 By Christopher Filed Under Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
The power of the media has once again manifested itself last week, after my letters about the blackout crisis in Berbice were published in both the SN and the Kaieteur News. The Guyana Chronicle and the Guyana Times did not publish the letter. I can only assume as to why they did not. The situation in Berbice has improved significantly over the weekend and one can only ask the question as to how long this would last.
It now seems that electricity in the homes of Berbicians has now become a luxury.
The General Manager of GPL operations in Berbice, Mr. Allen, appeared on TV on Friday (10-07-09) afternoon along with the CEO of GPL, Mr. Bharrat Dindyal in what was an hour-long live call-in programme about the crisis. I swear to God that I had never seen this Mr. Allen before in my entire life on TV, much less on a live call-in programme interfacing with the public.
The CEO in more than one way chided the GPL Berbice management for being deficient in their public relations skills and letting Berbicians be aware of what’s happening in the electricity sector even during the blackout crisis.
One of my sources indicated to me that the GPL CEO literally sat the entire day Friday to see that work was done to bring the Number 4 Generator back to life. Just imagine, GPL already has a ‘capable’ manager in Berbice and yet Georgetown personnel have to come and see that things are being done and liaison with Berbicians on a TV programme.
And Mr. Prime Minister — you are as inefficient as they come in your portfolio as Minister responsible for electricity. Your words in last Saturday’s SN (11-07-09) were too little too late.
One other startling revelation was made on the programme.
Mr. Allen stated that GPL regularly liaises with the general public through the Chairmen of the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across Berbice. There are over 10 NDCs across East Berbice. He said this meeting happens once per month. I was amazed to know of this.
Then if he is telling the truth, what or better yet, who are these NDC Chairmen representing?
What issues are being raised with the GPL manager on a monthly basis? These meetings should be kept with members of the community and not NDC Chairmen because many of the NDCs across East Berbice have come under fire on multiple occasions by the Regional Administration of Region Six, because they are not performing effectively.
Leon Jameson Suseran
Link
The way Leon busing, like he need electricity to loose weight?
July 14, 2009 By Christopher Filed Under Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
The power of the media has once again manifested itself last week, after my letters about the blackout crisis in Berbice were published in both the SN and the Kaieteur News. The Guyana Chronicle and the Guyana Times did not publish the letter. I can only assume as to why they did not. The situation in Berbice has improved significantly over the weekend and one can only ask the question as to how long this would last.
It now seems that electricity in the homes of Berbicians has now become a luxury.
The General Manager of GPL operations in Berbice, Mr. Allen, appeared on TV on Friday (10-07-09) afternoon along with the CEO of GPL, Mr. Bharrat Dindyal in what was an hour-long live call-in programme about the crisis. I swear to God that I had never seen this Mr. Allen before in my entire life on TV, much less on a live call-in programme interfacing with the public.
The CEO in more than one way chided the GPL Berbice management for being deficient in their public relations skills and letting Berbicians be aware of what’s happening in the electricity sector even during the blackout crisis.
One of my sources indicated to me that the GPL CEO literally sat the entire day Friday to see that work was done to bring the Number 4 Generator back to life. Just imagine, GPL already has a ‘capable’ manager in Berbice and yet Georgetown personnel have to come and see that things are being done and liaison with Berbicians on a TV programme.
And Mr. Prime Minister — you are as inefficient as they come in your portfolio as Minister responsible for electricity. Your words in last Saturday’s SN (11-07-09) were too little too late.
One other startling revelation was made on the programme.
Mr. Allen stated that GPL regularly liaises with the general public through the Chairmen of the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across Berbice. There are over 10 NDCs across East Berbice. He said this meeting happens once per month. I was amazed to know of this.
Then if he is telling the truth, what or better yet, who are these NDC Chairmen representing?
What issues are being raised with the GPL manager on a monthly basis? These meetings should be kept with members of the community and not NDC Chairmen because many of the NDCs across East Berbice have come under fire on multiple occasions by the Regional Administration of Region Six, because they are not performing effectively.
Leon Jameson Suseran
Link
The way Leon busing, like he need electricity to loose weight?
Guyana - Human Capital
The loss of human capital will make it difficult to harness remittances for the purpose of spurring national development
By Stabroek staff July 14, 2009 in Letters
Dear Editor,
There is an interesting discussion underway with reference to remittances and their impact on our economy, and I have been reading Dr Prem Misir, Emile Mervin, Dr Tarron Khemraj (in particular his SN column, July 8) and a recent letter by one Kimberly James on this issue (KN and GC July 10). I rather suspect the latter to be from the Ghost-writers Club (GC). Kimberly James’ arguments are text book and coherent, with the exception of one off-target insinuation that there is someone out there that spits on remittances. In my reading I cannot figure out who is meant by that remark, clearly meant to target someone – that notwithstanding, the general thrust of ‘her’ letter is worth responding to.
Unfortunately, I did not ascertain any effort on Dr Misir’s part, nor Ms James’, in dealing with Guyana’s country specifics as Dr Khemraj did. General references were made by Dr Misir to India, China, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by Ms James to the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, citing Egypt, India, Mexico, Portugal and Turkey as the countries that have incorporated remittances as a developmental tool for long-term sustainable development.
Guyana is quite unlike these countries in many ways, and India in particular has a surplus of engineers and other professional, first-rate engineering and business schools, and first-rate universities such as the University of Delhi. Guyana on the other hand, has a struggling university that does not serve our national interest as it could, and exports 83% of its skilled population. We therefore have an extreme dearth of engineers and professionals that is becoming ever increasingly profound with each departing flight out of CBJ, Timehri. Clearly, this ongoing haemorrhage of human capital will make harnessing remittances most difficult to spur national development – more especially, in the bid to serve long-term goals.
Presently, remittances are not causing large-scale production as there is no mechanism that mobilizes the small amounts to a large investment even though in aggregate, remittances exceed FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments). I was therefore most relieved that so far I couldn’t glean any disagreement in the discussion that FDIs are less important than remittances. However, given the present global economic situation exacerbated by our local state of corruption, crime, unreliable and insufficient electrical power and a lack of skills, it is not entirely surprising that FDIs are not easy to come by.
I find also Ms James’ multiplier argument to be very weak in our specific circumstances because of the high levels of imports (consumer goods, fuels and lubricants). This simply means that a lot of the foreign exchange gained from remittances is pretty much repatriated immediately, as opposed to being stimulatingly utilised within our economy. Again, under these Guyana specific circumstances, one wonders on the effectiveness of long-term remittances policies without sufficiently addressing this. The government has however become proactive on the alternative energy issue, albeit belatedly, and I do look forward to their success.
I doubt whether there would be any opposition from sensible quarters to me saying that it would be profoundly better for us to try to keep our skills at home, as opposed to relying on these persons to send what they can from the countries they are helping to build, such as Trinidad and Barbados (the latter which most abhorrently harasses and shows disdain for us because of our own disgraceful domestic situation).
I am worried about us resting on our laurels just because remittances have become so high – World Bank estimates place it at a little over 20% of our GDP, while other estimates that include barrels and hand delivered cash, are as high as 40%. I believe unharnessed remittances contribute to our social ills, one of which can be exemplified by the prevalence of the street corner limer who is reluctant to work, and often has other socially debilitating vices. Another social ill stems from the ruling elite and friends having ready access to the increased foreign exchange garnered from remittances to support their lifestyle. Their type of living is an incentive to crime and corruption as other sections of the society feel the urge to do likewise (no longer seeing the virtues of hard work and honest living). These local phenomena would be most appropriate for UG to research.
Foreign economic downturns and remittance fatigue (which I predict if social values continue to spiral downward) could cause shocks to our economy. We would without doubt be better off not being as reliant on remittances as we are now, and I would be careful about loudly touting the benefits while so much else is left undone – especially the shortage of human capital.
I am most certainly not knocking remittances, nor the potential to further our development, and I commend both Ms James and Dr Khemraj for presenting ideas on harnessing them. Dr Khemraj urges the government to come up with a comprehensive plan to engage the diaspora which can include knowledge transfer (brain gain or brain circulation), inward diaspora investments, and even special diaspora financial products (it therefore could not have been him that spat on remittances, and I would be grateful, if Ms James could qualify her statement). Ms James proposes financial incentive schemes to increase the volume of remittances via commercial banks, matching the development investments of migrant associations with government funds, and improving the investment climate for small and medium enterprises. She is also keen to engage the diaspora. However, as Dr Khemraj noted, the main constraint is the lack of business investment demand, which goes back to the shortage of human capital.
I would be most interested in Dr Misir’s take on the specific issues raised, since he can give a clearer idea of the government’s strategy to deal with our local specifics. Remittances have been significant for quite a few years now and since it is better late than never, kudos to the government for finally lending some thought to its harnessing – the AFC, almost four years ago, had made this a pivotal part of its elections campaign.
Yours faithfully,
Gerhard Ramsaroop
Link
By Stabroek staff July 14, 2009 in Letters
Dear Editor,
There is an interesting discussion underway with reference to remittances and their impact on our economy, and I have been reading Dr Prem Misir, Emile Mervin, Dr Tarron Khemraj (in particular his SN column, July 8) and a recent letter by one Kimberly James on this issue (KN and GC July 10). I rather suspect the latter to be from the Ghost-writers Club (GC). Kimberly James’ arguments are text book and coherent, with the exception of one off-target insinuation that there is someone out there that spits on remittances. In my reading I cannot figure out who is meant by that remark, clearly meant to target someone – that notwithstanding, the general thrust of ‘her’ letter is worth responding to.
Unfortunately, I did not ascertain any effort on Dr Misir’s part, nor Ms James’, in dealing with Guyana’s country specifics as Dr Khemraj did. General references were made by Dr Misir to India, China, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, and by Ms James to the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, citing Egypt, India, Mexico, Portugal and Turkey as the countries that have incorporated remittances as a developmental tool for long-term sustainable development.
Guyana is quite unlike these countries in many ways, and India in particular has a surplus of engineers and other professional, first-rate engineering and business schools, and first-rate universities such as the University of Delhi. Guyana on the other hand, has a struggling university that does not serve our national interest as it could, and exports 83% of its skilled population. We therefore have an extreme dearth of engineers and professionals that is becoming ever increasingly profound with each departing flight out of CBJ, Timehri. Clearly, this ongoing haemorrhage of human capital will make harnessing remittances most difficult to spur national development – more especially, in the bid to serve long-term goals.
Presently, remittances are not causing large-scale production as there is no mechanism that mobilizes the small amounts to a large investment even though in aggregate, remittances exceed FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments). I was therefore most relieved that so far I couldn’t glean any disagreement in the discussion that FDIs are less important than remittances. However, given the present global economic situation exacerbated by our local state of corruption, crime, unreliable and insufficient electrical power and a lack of skills, it is not entirely surprising that FDIs are not easy to come by.
I find also Ms James’ multiplier argument to be very weak in our specific circumstances because of the high levels of imports (consumer goods, fuels and lubricants). This simply means that a lot of the foreign exchange gained from remittances is pretty much repatriated immediately, as opposed to being stimulatingly utilised within our economy. Again, under these Guyana specific circumstances, one wonders on the effectiveness of long-term remittances policies without sufficiently addressing this. The government has however become proactive on the alternative energy issue, albeit belatedly, and I do look forward to their success.
I doubt whether there would be any opposition from sensible quarters to me saying that it would be profoundly better for us to try to keep our skills at home, as opposed to relying on these persons to send what they can from the countries they are helping to build, such as Trinidad and Barbados (the latter which most abhorrently harasses and shows disdain for us because of our own disgraceful domestic situation).
I am worried about us resting on our laurels just because remittances have become so high – World Bank estimates place it at a little over 20% of our GDP, while other estimates that include barrels and hand delivered cash, are as high as 40%. I believe unharnessed remittances contribute to our social ills, one of which can be exemplified by the prevalence of the street corner limer who is reluctant to work, and often has other socially debilitating vices. Another social ill stems from the ruling elite and friends having ready access to the increased foreign exchange garnered from remittances to support their lifestyle. Their type of living is an incentive to crime and corruption as other sections of the society feel the urge to do likewise (no longer seeing the virtues of hard work and honest living). These local phenomena would be most appropriate for UG to research.
Foreign economic downturns and remittance fatigue (which I predict if social values continue to spiral downward) could cause shocks to our economy. We would without doubt be better off not being as reliant on remittances as we are now, and I would be careful about loudly touting the benefits while so much else is left undone – especially the shortage of human capital.
I am most certainly not knocking remittances, nor the potential to further our development, and I commend both Ms James and Dr Khemraj for presenting ideas on harnessing them. Dr Khemraj urges the government to come up with a comprehensive plan to engage the diaspora which can include knowledge transfer (brain gain or brain circulation), inward diaspora investments, and even special diaspora financial products (it therefore could not have been him that spat on remittances, and I would be grateful, if Ms James could qualify her statement). Ms James proposes financial incentive schemes to increase the volume of remittances via commercial banks, matching the development investments of migrant associations with government funds, and improving the investment climate for small and medium enterprises. She is also keen to engage the diaspora. However, as Dr Khemraj noted, the main constraint is the lack of business investment demand, which goes back to the shortage of human capital.
I would be most interested in Dr Misir’s take on the specific issues raised, since he can give a clearer idea of the government’s strategy to deal with our local specifics. Remittances have been significant for quite a few years now and since it is better late than never, kudos to the government for finally lending some thought to its harnessing – the AFC, almost four years ago, had made this a pivotal part of its elections campaign.
Yours faithfully,
Gerhard Ramsaroop
Link
Monday, July 13, 2009
Guyana - Granny ranting and raving
Granny Lewis:
there you go, the PPP has failed the people, so why would any one want them in office again, sure beats me. They are inept, all the above is amunition for the AFC and PNC to take them to task.
Government funds built Buddy's it is a flop and they just sit and do nothing, they should have been investigating, why Buddy's is not doing well, is it the name, maybe we shoudl change the name, is it the decor, maybe we need to brand it, like add Hilton, Marriott or Sheraton, but no, they just sit, and then the stupid Minister of Tourism shows up at a cocktail party to honour the new owner of the Pegasus and says all hotels in Guyana are Guyanese owned unlike Barbados where the hotels are owned by foreign companies. Well let me say that Barbados knows what it is doing, tourists like name brands, so when they back home they say, oh we were Barbados last week and we stayed at the Hilton Resort Barbados. In Guyana it is Buddy's oh gosh, people would say that must be a flop house on Middle Road La Penitence.
But just wait the Pegasus will fall apart, it is just a matter of time, the last time they tried to do it alone they had to run quickly and get Le Meridian, so we will see. These are dumb peopel ruling Guyana. Suriname has a Marriott, Trinidad a Marriott, except Guyana we have nothing. Look at the Cacique, they let a lovely building rot, rot, rot, when they could have fixed it up and turn it into condo for rich people, and these dunce pigs ruling Guyana. Stadium lot, well if they had no money for paving then put in a grass lawn as a temp, to keep the dust down plus it looks nice, but you mean to tell me you going to seek funds to built a stadium and not seek funds for parking lot, in this day and age with so many cars in Guyana. They nuts, they know nothing about beauty and asethics, it is like a doctor without a stetescope what good is he, this is the PPP, canefield politcs, they know nothing dump them out now, dump them in the dumpster and VOTE AFC.
hehehehe
there you go, the PPP has failed the people, so why would any one want them in office again, sure beats me. They are inept, all the above is amunition for the AFC and PNC to take them to task.
Government funds built Buddy's it is a flop and they just sit and do nothing, they should have been investigating, why Buddy's is not doing well, is it the name, maybe we shoudl change the name, is it the decor, maybe we need to brand it, like add Hilton, Marriott or Sheraton, but no, they just sit, and then the stupid Minister of Tourism shows up at a cocktail party to honour the new owner of the Pegasus and says all hotels in Guyana are Guyanese owned unlike Barbados where the hotels are owned by foreign companies. Well let me say that Barbados knows what it is doing, tourists like name brands, so when they back home they say, oh we were Barbados last week and we stayed at the Hilton Resort Barbados. In Guyana it is Buddy's oh gosh, people would say that must be a flop house on Middle Road La Penitence.
But just wait the Pegasus will fall apart, it is just a matter of time, the last time they tried to do it alone they had to run quickly and get Le Meridian, so we will see. These are dumb peopel ruling Guyana. Suriname has a Marriott, Trinidad a Marriott, except Guyana we have nothing. Look at the Cacique, they let a lovely building rot, rot, rot, when they could have fixed it up and turn it into condo for rich people, and these dunce pigs ruling Guyana. Stadium lot, well if they had no money for paving then put in a grass lawn as a temp, to keep the dust down plus it looks nice, but you mean to tell me you going to seek funds to built a stadium and not seek funds for parking lot, in this day and age with so many cars in Guyana. They nuts, they know nothing about beauty and asethics, it is like a doctor without a stetescope what good is he, this is the PPP, canefield politcs, they know nothing dump them out now, dump them in the dumpster and VOTE AFC.
hehehehe
Guyana - PPP master planning gone bad
Report by Weedem Banks:
The reason why the Stadium Parking Lot is not paved:
1. Nobody is complaining because we don't get to park there when we go to the stadium. We have to park in the muddy lot next to Princess Buddy's Omprakash Mandellam Hotel and walk over. While walking over we can look at the modern ruins of the Casique Hotel. If it rains, most likely we will get stuck.
2. In keeping with their begging ways - the Government will want another loan to pave the parking lot, preferably from India. Of course there will be a big pomp and ceremony when they do.
Diamond & Grove developmental plans appears to be Master Planning gone bad - share confusion. The new banks being constructed are right on the road. Everything is on the road reserve. The congestion has increased rather than decreased. Instead of creating a proper Master Plan and implementing it in phases. They instead have started with a huge housing scheme and now are trying to create a town around it.
Water and Electricity still in short supply.
The reason why the Stadium Parking Lot is not paved:
1. Nobody is complaining because we don't get to park there when we go to the stadium. We have to park in the muddy lot next to Princess Buddy's Omprakash Mandellam Hotel and walk over. While walking over we can look at the modern ruins of the Casique Hotel. If it rains, most likely we will get stuck.
2. In keeping with their begging ways - the Government will want another loan to pave the parking lot, preferably from India. Of course there will be a big pomp and ceremony when they do.
Diamond & Grove developmental plans appears to be Master Planning gone bad - share confusion. The new banks being constructed are right on the road. Everything is on the road reserve. The congestion has increased rather than decreased. Instead of creating a proper Master Plan and implementing it in phases. They instead have started with a huge housing scheme and now are trying to create a town around it.
Water and Electricity still in short supply.
Guyana - Health System
Dr Ramsammy’s revelation illustrates health system’s true nature
July 13, 2009 By Anupa Filed Under News
- Ramjattan
“Why did he go overseas to cool out after his doctors told him to take a rest? With all the variety of places that Maniram Prashad boasts about which are healthy for tourists to find rejuvenation, why he had to go overseas in this hard guava season?”
his is according to Alliance for Change Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, who in responding to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy’s denials that he was not seeking medical treatment.
Ramjattan responded by saying that, ‘I am doing my job in asking questions and commenting on these issues. I am doing exactly as Cheddie taught me to do as an Opposition Parliamentarian.’
He said that it brings out the information to the public, especially in view of the fact that there is no Freedom of Information Act as yet.
“And it sometimes embarrasses intolerant officials, especially those quick to put labels, like petty, on persons critical of their activities, or just seeking to examine their activities.”
Ramjattan also questioned at whose expense (travel spending) did Dr. Ramsammy go to ‘cool out’ overseas.
He added too that now that we are told that Dr Ramsammy did not manage to get time to look after his health, “What kind of a Minister of Health will shy away from his doctors’ orders? This is a bad example! Is our Health system so bad that he has to kill himself to fix it? If this is so, then it is an admission that it is a killer health system?”
Dr. Ramsammy in light of criticisms that he lauds the local health system yet traveled overseas for treatment responded by saying, “The fact is that I took some rest, did some meetings and never made the time to have a medical check-up.
He had said that he was not feeling well over the last several months and did checks with local doctors. “My doctors have insisted that I cut down the number of hours I work, a recommendation I have not been able to comply with,” the health minister had stated.
Link
July 13, 2009 By Anupa Filed Under News
- Ramjattan
“Why did he go overseas to cool out after his doctors told him to take a rest? With all the variety of places that Maniram Prashad boasts about which are healthy for tourists to find rejuvenation, why he had to go overseas in this hard guava season?”
his is according to Alliance for Change Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, who in responding to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy’s denials that he was not seeking medical treatment.
Ramjattan responded by saying that, ‘I am doing my job in asking questions and commenting on these issues. I am doing exactly as Cheddie taught me to do as an Opposition Parliamentarian.’
He said that it brings out the information to the public, especially in view of the fact that there is no Freedom of Information Act as yet.
“And it sometimes embarrasses intolerant officials, especially those quick to put labels, like petty, on persons critical of their activities, or just seeking to examine their activities.”
Ramjattan also questioned at whose expense (travel spending) did Dr. Ramsammy go to ‘cool out’ overseas.
He added too that now that we are told that Dr Ramsammy did not manage to get time to look after his health, “What kind of a Minister of Health will shy away from his doctors’ orders? This is a bad example! Is our Health system so bad that he has to kill himself to fix it? If this is so, then it is an admission that it is a killer health system?”
Dr. Ramsammy in light of criticisms that he lauds the local health system yet traveled overseas for treatment responded by saying, “The fact is that I took some rest, did some meetings and never made the time to have a medical check-up.
He had said that he was not feeling well over the last several months and did checks with local doctors. “My doctors have insisted that I cut down the number of hours I work, a recommendation I have not been able to comply with,” the health minister had stated.
Link
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