Political harassment, intimidation narrative (Part 2)
Dear Editor,APNU/AFC claims that the East Coast Demerara lands were sold without due process and for prices far below the market value. What are the facts? First, one parcel was sold for $185 million to an investor that is presently completing construction of a modern cinema and mall in the front of Liliendaal, a project similar to one in TrinCity in Trinidad. This plot of land was previously offered for sale in a “fit and proper” tender. The person awarded the land in the public bidding offered the highest price of $150 million, but then failed to secure funding to finalize the deal. The Trinidad investors, answering Guyana’s call for foreign investors to invest in our economy, sought land to create a modern entertainment area. It was an attractive offer, and the PPP Government suggested various areas for this investment.The investors offered a price at least 15% higher than the price we had previously obtained through public bidding for the Liliendaal front lands. The irony is that, in a short while, leading members of APNU/AFC, maybe even the President, will be praising this investment as they commission this new facility, totally ignoring that they have also charged two decent men with misconduct; men who contributed to making the project a reality.The second parcel of land at the back of Liliendaal was sold for $150 million. The price paid by those investors is at a rate per acre paid by Giftland Mall. Giftland Mall was a good investment secured under the PPP and commissioned during this administration. Senior Cabinet persons attended the commissioning and lauded the investment. They were right in heaping praise on the Giftland owners and their vision. But why were Ashni and Brassington not charged for the sale of the land on which Giftland sits? If the sale of the other parcel located within a stone’s throw of Giftland represents misconduct because the Government did not charge more for it when the price was similar to the Giftland parcel, then certainly the sale of the Giftland parcel should also constitute misconduct.The third parcel of land, in Ruimveldt, was sold in accordance with the laws of Guyana. It was advertised for sale, and bidders were solicited during a two-month period. It was eventually sold to the highest bidder at about $598 million.How could this be misconduct? If APNU/AFC want to score political points by insisting they could have obtained better prices, then that is their right. But no political party has a right to twist the facts and then charge anyone with misconduct in office, even when the statutes do not even support these charges.If this is a new paradigm, where is SOCU, as APNU/AFC is guilty of gross misconduct on a daily basis? Guyana should have obtained at least US$250 million as a signing bonus for the oil contract.Comparison with other countries that have signed oil contracts in the last decade ranks Guyana’s signing bonus as the smallest, even though Guyana had the most attractive oil potential. In addition, the signing bonus of US$18 million was stashed away in a hidden bank account, and APNU/AFC admitted only when confronted with hard evidence. Who is being charged with misconduct?APNU/AFC allowed a contract to rent a house for $175 million annually. The house was bought for $25 million simultaneously as the contract was signed, and the person contracted was paid six months in advance. He then used part of the money to pay for the house. Who has been charged with misconduct?There is a case of a medicine procurement contract with a value of $605 million. There was no advertisement, no tender of any kind. An analysis of the medicine bought showed that the value at International Reference Prices amount to only $190 million. Who is being charged with misconduct?Every day in Guyana, laws are being flouted by this Government and its agencies with greater abandonment and more brazenness.There is the brazenness of the $1.5 billion Durban Park fiasco, where the accounts conveniently disappeared. They failed to meet trade requirements with America and lost the fish export market. The misconduct is not only in central government, but extends to their officers, such as REOs, lower down in Government architecture.The Georgetown City Council is imposing an illegal parking meter contract on the Guyanese people. The REO in Region Two arrogantly says his misconduct was due to excitement, and the REO of Region six bought a used, obsolete bulldozer for $15 million when they tendered for a new bulldozer. Misconduct in office has become the norm these days.Clearly, APNU/AFC has wrapped itself in a cloak of political intimidation and harassment. The reprehensible ‘misconduct in office’ charges against Ashni Singh and Brassington are only the latest example of intimidation and harassment.Sincerely,Dr Leslie Ramsammy
The Government of Liberia has declared Wednesday, March 11 as the National Decoration Day, and is to be observed throughout Liberia.In a proclamation, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said it is befitting that a day is set aside to celebrate the memory of those blessed dead who have lived and died in the interest of the Liberian nation, thereby keeping ever alive their deeds and invaluable contributions to society and the state for onward march to progress.The President through the Foreign Ministry said the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia realized that such an important event in the history of the nation should be constantly kept in the minds of citizens of the land to inspire them to larger measures of service and patriotism.By that, the statement of proclamation notes that on October 24, 1916, the Legislature approved an act declaring the second Wednesday of March in each year as Decoration Day to be observed as a national holiday.By virtue of the authority vested in her as President of the country, President Sirleaf declared the day as a national holiday to be observed throughout the country, ordering the flag to be flown at half-mast from all public buildings, military camps and private residences from 12:01 to 5:30 post meridian.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Different groups of bandits on Wednesday invaded three homes in the Young Professional Housing Scheme in Eccles, East Bank of Demerara (EBD).Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh, was terrorised by two armed bandits at about 13:30h. Baksh explained that the bandits entered the yard and held up her security guard along with several workmen before entering the house, where she was alone at the time.“They tied the guard up, they tied the contractor up. Then they pointed the gun to the guard and told him to call up to me to ask for water. So I came downstairs to give him the water and that’s how they came into the house,” she told Guyana Times.The men held her at gunpoint and demanded jewellery and other valuables, but after being robbed last year, she had none at home.The perpetrators who were captured by the PoliceAfter realising that there were no valuables in the home, Baksh reported that the gunmen threatened to kill or kidnap her if she does not hand over something valuable.At this point, her brother-in-law arrived at the home and this startled the bandits, who fled the scene empty-handed.The window through which the bandits gained entry into Attorney Paula Nicholson’s homeRegistrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh“I think they got scared and they jumped the back fence. By then, my sister called the Police to come… the bandits had already gotten away by the time they arrived,” she stated.Another group of bandits stormed the home of Attorney Paula Nicholson.Prompt response from the Police resulted in the perpetrators being captured as they were ransacking the house. Speaking to Guyana Times, the Attorney explained that her daughter was at home alone when she noticed that two armed men were attempting to break into the house.“I got a call from my daughter and she said that there were some suspicious activities taking place at the back of the fence. I told her if she believes she’s under threat to secure herself in a room, which she did. In addition to doing that, she called 911 and the Police responded immediately,” she related.Nicholson said when the Police arrived at the home, the bandits attempted to flee the scene but were apprehended. The Attorney expressed gratitude to the Police for their quick response.Guyana Times was reliably informed that another house in the area was robbed. In July, the Vice Chairman of the Community Policing Group, as well as his neighbour, was robbed by armed bandits.Just last week, thieves gained entry into another resident’s home by drilling a hole through the wall.
President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews, has among other things, made a proposal to Government for a five-year temporary ban on the importation of minibuses, since he believes it will minimise the amount of buses on the various parks.Head of the UMU, Eon AndrewsThe five-year moratorium that the UMU’s President has proposed to the Business Minister was submitted on Monday, along with several other suggestions, with the effort of ironing out the kinks in the minibus and transportation sector at large.Andrews said on Thursday, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times that in addition to a fare increase, “I have also asked that if it is possible, I know it’s a free market system and people can do what they think they like, whereby they can probably have a moratorium on the importation of vehicles. There are too many minibuses in this country”.The head of the Union pointed out that he knows for a fact that there are too many buses that traverse the roads, although some persons may be of the view that there is a shortage.While noting that there is an absolute need for the introduction of the temporary ban, Andrews explained to Guyana Times that the initiative should have been introduced a long time ago.When the Union head was questioned if he was concerned that the new initiative would have a negative impact on the transportation sector, he said it was not a concern since he knows for a fact that all the minibus zones are overcrowded.According to him, statistics from a survey conducted by the Union allows him to access the necessary information such as how many buses are in each route, the fares, among other information.Andrews said he is quite sure that the bus parks are overcrowded as he explained, “It’s a lot of buses, but a lot of them don’t work beyond five o’clock… which means that when they are off the road, it appears to have a shortage of transportation services… there are too much buses in this country and every month they seem to be importing one”.It is against this backdrop that the Union has made its proposal for the control on the importation of minibuses.Along with this proposal, the UMU has also requested a structured fare increase of $20 for short drop operators and $40 for longer distances. The Union also hopes to have the ban on used tyres lifted for multiple reasons, which were explained.The fare increase proposal comes at a time when minibus and taxi drivers have been protesting and even striking about the climbing gas prices.Desperate to get the attention they need, drivers blocked the Vryheid’s Lust access road along the East Coast railway embankment. Several tyres were burnt, and an old car was set on fire to garner the attention needed, with the hope of having the fuel crisis addressed.Several protests were also organised by drivers of the various routes subsequent to this incident. Gas station prices for fuel have increased rapidly, from $215 per litre to prices ranging from $230 to $250 per litre.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Northeast BC/Yukon Trackers we be looking to rebound Tuesday after a tough loss to the Prince George Midget Cougars in their first game at the BC Tier 1 Midget Provincials.A decent-sized crowd to rival any that has come out to watch the Huskies or Flyers in the post-season packed the North Peace Arena for the Trackers’ first game of the tournament. Unfortunately for Northeast BC it was the Cougars that would get on the board first, scoring just 3:39 into the first period. Prince George would add two more goals before the Trackers would respond. Curtis Hammond wired a shot past Cougars netminder Kevin Craig with 4:35 left in the first, assisted by Nathan Brownlee and Connor Bowie. Just 22 seconds later, John Herrington would put the Trackers within one after a give-and-go feed from Connor Kindrat. Unfortunately for the home team, Prince George would score their fourth goal with just 56 seconds left in the first to restore their two-goal lead going into the first intermission.After being outshot in the first period 18-11, Northeast BC came out as the dominant team in the second frame. Though some penalties in the first half of the period cost them, the Trackers move back to within one with 8:49 left in the stanza. Bowie wired a shot past Craig from the point on a cross-ice pass from Duncan Ross. After Kindrat was assessed an Interference penalty with just over a minute to play, the Cougars once again scored to add some insurance to their tally with 35 seconds left. But Aiden Craig-Steele answered right back for the Trackers, scoring with just 21 seconds remaining. Hammond and Bowie tallied the assists on Craig-Steele’s goal.- Advertisement -The Trackers came out in the third firing on all cylinders, but penalty trouble once again cost the team several chances to go on the attack. Prince George ended up in some penalty trouble of their own later in the third, but the Trackers weren’t able to capitalize on the man-advantage. Though Tyler McArthur was pulled in favour of the extra attacker in the final minute, the Cougars shut the door to seal the deal by the score of 5-4 and improve their record in the tournament to 1-0-1, while the Trackers are sitting 0-1.“I think the boys played well, they were excited, chomping at the bit all week,” said Trackers coach Gerard Dicaire after the game. “I don’t think they were used to this big a crowd, I don’t think anybody was expecting this big a crowd. They played the high school game with school kids and peers, but for them it was pretty loud out there and it was good to see the community came out and support the game tonight. It was a lot of nervous energy in the first 20 minutes. We spot them a three-goal lead, outcome is obviously a little bit different. They came out a little nervous and then they started getting their legs underneath them and played better.”The Prince George Cougars tied the Vancouver Thunderbirds 3-3 in the first game of the tournament on Monday morning. The Burnaby Bulldogs doubled up the Saanich Braves 8-4.Advertisement The Trackers will be playing their second game of the tournament on Tuesday afternoon at 4:15 against the Burnaby Bulldogs at the North Peace Arena.
County Manager Seamus NeelyA Strategic Plan for Cultural Services in Donegal County Council for 2016-2020 will be launched in the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny by Cathaoirleach Cllr Terence Slowey tomorrow.Cllr Slowey believes that County Donegal’s unique and varied culture is a source of immense pride and our county and its culture have always been intertwined.He said “This culture is an all encompassing, evolving force that helps us express and celebrate who we are as a diverse, traditional and modern people”. “Through our arts, libraries, language and heritage, we showcase a county that strikes a unique cultural beat. We believe that this beat should be heard loudly, clearly and confidently across the mountains and lakes of Donegal, Ireland and the world”.He added “to protect and promote our culture, language, arts, libraries and heritage in county Donegal and encourage existing and new cultural forms to flourish, we must think laterally, aim high and chart out a vision for the future”.Seamus Neely, Chief Executive of the Council has clearly set out the Council’s firm commitment to cultural development and its value to the county saying “cultural development is a serious and substantial part of the work of Donegal County Council”.“By 2020, we want Donegal’s reputation as a leader in culture to be strengthened by our commitment to its development. Donegal County Council believes that to invest in arts, culture, heritage and language is a commitment to a healthier, more fulfilled, prosperous, successful county and the staff and members of Donegal County Council are very committed to its implementation”. “This year, 2016 is a special year in Ireland. It is a time to reflect on the motivation of those who sought to build a new Ireland 100 years ago. It is with a new economic optimism that we can look forward again to a cultural vision that seeks to build and move forward our cultural development for the coming years”.In developing the Cultural Services Strategic Plan for the next five years, the public were invited to identify what were the key cultural issues, how could Cultural Services realistically address or support these issues and finally what should Cultural Services focus on as key priority areas from 2016 to 2020.Through careful consideration, Cultúr: A Strategic Vision for Cultural Services in Donegal County Council 2016-2020 was developed under the following six key areas of Public Participation, Life Long learning and Social Inclusion, Supporting Arts & Arts Organisations, Conserving and promoting Cultural Inheritance, Building relationships with stakeholders and partners and finally developing a sustainable, high quality Cultural Service.Cultúr: A Strategic Vision for Cultural Services, Donegal County Council 2016-2020 sets out this vision clearly and will be launched on Monday 27th June 2016 at 11.30am in the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny.PLAN FOR CULTURAL SERVICES ACROSS DONEGAL TO BE UNVEILED TOMORROW was last modified: June 25th, 2016 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Cultural Services plandonegal
1 💬 “We are happy to have him here with us, because he’s our captain and he’s showing us his spirit to stay with us.”@UnaiEmery_ is pleased to see @6_LKOSCIELNY back at Arsenal Training Centre…— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 23, 2018Asked when he could play, with suggestions he could now return to action before the end of the year, Emery added: “It’s difficult to know.“You look at this morning, he’s running, he’s working on the pitch.“The progress is very good progress.” Arsenal have been handed a boost as captain Laurent Koscielny returned to training on Thursday for the first time since having surgery on an Achilles injury.The France defender missed the World Cup after rupturing his Achilles in the Gunners’ Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid in May. Initial reports suggested the 32-year-old may not play again in 2018.But manager Unai Emery has revealed Koscielny has stepped up his recovery and is ‘making good progress’ as he works his way back to full fitness.Asked for an update on Koscielny’s injury, the Arsenal boss said: “He’s working very hard.“First he was in France. He came back to us last Sunday.“We are happy to have him here with us, because he’s our captain and he’s showing us his spirit to stay with us.“We need to be patient with him because the injury was an important injury. It’s clear that it’s very important to stay with us, working here and showing us that he wants to help us.” Laurent Koscielny suffered injury heartbreak in the Europa League last season, ruling him out of the World Cup 
The 2013 Donegal RosesThe Donegal Rose of Tralee Selection takes place this Saturday night 29th March at the Radisson Blu Hotel Letterkenny.The Roses will be interviewed during the day with 3 judges and then in the evening they will attend an event where they will each be interviewed on stage with Noel Cunningham.After all the interviews take place the judges will decide who is to go forward to represent Donegal this year in the Rose of Tralee International Festival! Friends and family can attend the event Saturday evening with doors opening @ 7.30pm and show starting @ 8.30pm – Tickets are €10 and available at the door but early arrival is advised.Roses and friends can dance the night away with disco by DJWJ in the Radisson Blu Hotel Letterkenny.We would like to wish all of the Roses the very best of luck and to thank their sponsors especially for all of their support.Ailbhe Canney Sponsored by Brittons Pharmacy Donegal Town. Emma Boylan Sponsored by Glow N Go Letterkenny. Lynne O’Doherty Sponsored by McFaddens Pharmacy Letterkenny. Niamh Drummond Sponsored by Creevy Pier Hotel Ballyshannon. Sarah Donovan Sponsored by Rossan Knitwear of Glencolmcille. Tamara Payne Sponsored by Naomi’s Hair Salon Ardara. Prizes have also been sponsored by McCullagh Jewellers Letterkenny, Greenes Shoes Letterkenny, Buds and Blossoms Ballybofey and the Edge Hairdressers Letterkenny. If anyone is looking for more information call 0857032764 or email donegalroseoftraleefestival@gmail.comDONEGAL’S ROSE WILL BE CHOSEN THIS WEEKEND was last modified: March 27th, 2014 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Donegal Rose of Tralee
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREWalnut’s Malik Khouzam voted Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week Barstow travels to Ridgecrest next week for a pivital DSL matchup with Burroughs. Aztec senior Jamar Brown finished with 132 yards rushing on 18 carries, including touchdown runs of 10 and 45 to lead the Aztecs. Brown now has 884 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. Barstow jumped out to a 27-0 lead before Granite struck with under a minute left in the half. The Cougars (0-7) blocked an Aztec punt and recovered at the Barstow 4-yard line. Two plays later Marcus Edwards scored from 1 yard out with 25 seconds left. Then, with just seconds left, Barstow quarterback Travis Hunter fumbled while trying to pass and Granite’s Brandon Glasper picked it up and rumbled 31 yards for the score as time expired. After a scoreless third period that featured a defensive stand that stopped Granite Hills on fourth down from the Aztec 2, Barstow added two fourth-quarter scores to put the game out of reach. Yarber had a 21-yard touchdown from Hunter while Brown broke a 45-yarder with 4:26 left in the game to make it 41-13. Granite added a 1-yard touchdown run by Drake Tessendorf on fourth down with three seconds left to play. Barstow (3-4, 1-1 in Desert Sky League) had to overcome 13 penalties for 135 yards and two fumbles in a sloppy contest. Not to be outdone, Granite Hills had 136 yards (18 penalties) and six turnovers. “Even a blind hog will find an acorn every once in a while,” Barstow coach Dan Smith said about his squad’s performance. “The kids played good, but we made some horrible mistakes and you can’t do that when you play teams like Burroughs and Silverado.” BARSTOW – Barstow defensive back Damont Yarber had a career night against visiting Granite Hills Friday. The Aztec senior picked off three Cougar passes, returned one for a touchdown and caught a 21-yard TD pass from his own quarterback as Barstow beat up on Granite Hills, 41-19. 
“If we could cut out the nonsense we’d be a foce to be reckoned with,” Smith said of his team. Cougars’ quarterback Jake Ramirez finished with 128 yards on 13-for-29 passing. Edwards had 88 yards rushing on 18 carries, while Rick Gabrielson hauled in six catches for 99 yards. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
England’s famous Kew Royal Botanical Gardens is getting a Wollemi Pine, and David Attenborough, naturalist and evolution popularist, is proud of it. This “living fossil” was thought extinct for 200 million years, but was found alive and well a few years ago in Australia (see 12/15/2000 entry). Grinning like a kid at Christmas, Attenborough said, “How marvellous and exciting that we should have discovered this rare survivor from such an ancient past. It is romantic, I think, that something has survived 200 million years unchanged.” See the story at the BBC News. Some day soon you may be able to buy your own Wollemi Pine at the local nursery.Here is a tree that showed no evolution whatsoever for supposedly 200 million years, while continents broke apart and most of the mammals evolved from small rodents to elephants, whales, giraffes and people, and Attenborough isn’t worried that this does some damage to his world view? Bizarre. Logically, he should be questioning whether 200 million years was just a figment of Lyellian imagination. The BBC should be announcing: Wollemi lives; evolution extinct.(Visited 8 times, 1 visits today)FacebookTwitterPinterestSave分享0