Guyana Focus
It was a year of broken promises, deceit and shattered expectations, accompanied by mounting discontent with Guyana’s new APNU+AFC coalition government – which served its’ first full year in office in 2016.
Many die-hard critics of the former PPP administration – now in opposition – who either supported APNU or the AFC during the May 2015 general elections are in a state of déjà vu, realizing that the PPP government was not so bad after all, in spite of its perceived flaws. The coalition party which came to power largely on the back of its promise to be more transparent and wipe out corruption and nepotism fell on its own
sword repeatedly during the year. It was plagued by one scandal after another and appears well on the way to make members of the PPP look like angels, bringing back memories of the old PNC regime which relegated Guyana to the status of the poorest country in the hemisphere. While President David Granger gave the impression upon being elected that he was committed to running a clean administration, he as well as several of his cabinet ministers seemed obsessed with power.
Incidences of impropriety and corruption were simply sidelined, raising questions about the holier-than-thou attitude of the administration, especially that of Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the AFC faction of the coalition who canvassed primarily on an anti-corruption platform.
But Granger deflected blame for widespread corruption away from the government and onto the country’s private sector. Although he did not deny the existence of corruption within the government he laid the bulk of the blame on individuals and non-government organizations and entities.
However, even Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. which took the former administration to task on several fronts, was critical of the government. It claimed that it had expected that the coalition which campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption would have immediately and vigorously confronted corruption as a primary goal. But that was certainly not the case during the year.
The government also fell flat on its face in trying to bring members of the former administration to justice on its allegations of corruption and fraud – which were the hallmarks of the coalition’s election campaign. Following the conduct of some 50 forensic audits at a cost of $133 million of tax payers’ money, the government came up empty-handed - other than making claims of discovering massive improprieties which evidently did not merit legal action.
The highlight of the year was the celebrations surrounding the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary which attracted thousands of overseas-based Guyanese. But the celebrations turned out to be largely an APNU affair and not one which included the entire population. Ironically, even its coalition partner was sidelined during the celebrations, while the opposition PPP was treated with scant regard.
The discovery of oil in commercial quantities by ExxonMobil put Guyana on the map as a potential major oil producing country but the commencement of production is still at least four to five years away. While the discovery brought hope of affluence to the impoverished nation, the commodity’s future contribution to the economy is yet to be quantified – although the government has commenced counting its chickens before the eggs are hatched.
Unfortunately, oil’s discovery prompted renewed claims by Venezuela for the Essequibo region – an issue which remains unresolved.
One significant achievement was the holding of local government elections following a hiatus of some 22 years. But much to the dismay of APNU, it lost the elections to the PPP which highlighted the country’s ethnic divide.
Although Granger preached ethnic unity, he bordered on promoting the ethnic divide by calling on Afro Guyanese organizations to identify ways on how blacks could be mobilized to achieve specific, measurable targets. In doing so he leveraged the 2014 United Nations (UN) Resolution which proclaimed January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2024 the International Decade for People of African Descent with a theme of “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development.”
In an effort to keep its supporters happy, the government rewarded public servants with hefty salary increases, keeping up with the trend of substantial increases in salaries for government ministers, while maintaining the largest cabinet ever at the expense of taxpayers. Yet public servants remained dissatisfied with their wages.
On the economic front, real GDP growth fell sharply to 2.6%, from a projected rate of 4.4% at the beginning of the year. Although the country benefitted from relatively low oil prices, the government failed to invest in the country’s capital programs, contributing to the decline in GDP growth.
While the mining sector performed well on the back of record gold output, several sectors including sugar, rice, forestry, construction, housing and wholesale and retail trade lost ground during the year.
The sugar industry, once the backbone of the economy, continued to struggle, leading to the closure of the Wales estate and the planned closure of others. A Commission of Inquiry into the unprofitable industry suggested that it should be privatized within three years but the government must first dress-it-up for the auction block. Incidentally, sugar has received an estimated GUY$500 billion in government subsidies over the past decade.
The government continued to push a green agenda although it doesn’t understand the cost of going green. While such an agenda has merits the government has failed to learn valuable lessons from developed nations like Germany, Spain and most likely from the USA very soon.
On the social front, in spite of a commitment to reduce crime, criminals unleashed unprecedented fear in Guyana, leading to a historical increase in crime rates. Yet the government claimed that crime is falling and is under control but the daily headlines, official crime statistics and the people at large tell a different story.
Late in the year, the government presented its 2017 budget. Acting on its election promise, it reduced the Value Added Tax by 2% but extended the tax to hitherto excluded basic necessities which include medical services, water, electricity and a few more items (some with minimum taxable thresholds). At the end of the day, it was a case of giving a penny and taking a pound.
To sum up the year, fellow journalist Freddie Kissoon – one of most severe critics of the former PPP administration – puts it best: “From the President through to the Prime Minister and right down to the Ministers, they have no clue as to what Guyana is. And what is the physiology and biology of this nation. These people are living in a world of delusions.” He added: “The 2017 Budget tells the story of a group of politicians that have lost their way, maybe from day one. It is such a pity that the once sadistic and discredited PPP has come back to life, thanks to the 2017 Budget.”
The reality is that Guyana took a few steps backwards in 2016. So elusive has change been that it would appear that the government is on track to become the most incompetent, least transparent and most corrupt administration Guyana has ever had – thanks to those that put it in power.
still at large
The court heard that on December 12, at Number 79 Village Corentyne Berbice, Clive Van Lewin, 18, of Sand Hills Berbice River, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Davendra Churaman of a quantity of local and foreign currency totaling $22,500,000. Van Lewin was not represented by an attorney was not required to plead to the charge.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that more persons were to be charged with the offence and strongly objected to bail based on the grounds that a weapon was used and that the charge was of a serious nature. He also stated that the accused was positively identified by the virtual complainant in an identification parade conducted by the police.
The Magistrate remanded the accused to prison and adjourned the case until December 29, when it will be called at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.
Businessman Davendra Churaman called “Katac”, 48, of Lot 93 Albert Street, Number 79 Village, Corentyne, Berbice alleged that sometime around 2 am on December 12, nine gunmen surrounded his house while five entered after breaking a window with a sledgehammer. At the time of the robbery, Churaman was the only person at home. The bandits, he said, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, shotguns, cutlasses and sledgehammers, fired three gunshots while they were in the house and held him at gunpoint as they demanded cash and jewellery.
The five men who were reportedly masked, hammered through a steel door to gain access to Churaman's bedroom.They forced him to lie face down on the floor while making their demands for money and jewellery.
Reports are that while the five men carried out their rampage in the Churaman’s home, the others stood guard in the streets firing shots and lighting firecrackers to keep neighbours distracted and at bay. The bandits reportedly escaped with the multi-million-dollar haul in local currency and $1M in jewellery.
Confirming the extent of the gang’s firepower, Deputy Superintendent Gary McAllister said that 21 live 7.62 x 39 rounds (used in the AK-47 rifle), about eight 7.62 x 39 shells; two twelve-gauge shotgun cartridges, and a warhead were retrieved from the scene.
Churaman and several neighbours said that the gunmen took some 20 minutes to enter the residence, and spent another 20 minutes inside.
However, ranks at the Springlands Police Station allegedly took at least an hour and 15 minutes to arrive, despite receiving a number of phone calls from the victim and neighbours while the attack was in progress. Springlands Police Station is reportedly located some two minutes away from Churaman’s residence.
Police investigators made a breakthrough in the matter following the arrest of Jason Howard last Wednesday afternoon after a high-speed chase resulting from the attack and robbery of Tower Suites Accountant Baldeo Seegobin. Two men had grabbed $2.9 million from Seegobin right after he returned from Republic Bank on Water Street. Howard was said to be the alleged mastermind and has since admitted his involvement in the crime.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum previously told the media that following Howard’s arrest the police were tipped off that he along with the others planned and executed the crime committed against the Munirs.
During interrogation, he reportedly implicated four other suspects including “Plang”. The three other suspects were identified as Samsudeen Mohamed, Gavin Shepherd called “Pepsi” or “Deportee” and Joel Blair.
Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife, Jamilla Munir, 70, who were well known rice farmers, were burnt to death in their Good Hope home when bandits broke in and subsequently started a fire, after the couple barricaded themselves in their bedroom.
During the active probe, investigators had worked on a number of theories and a handyman who had worked with the Munirs was among several persons arrested. Those suspects were questioned but were later released.
The motive for the crime was robbery, since the suspects reportedly heard that the Munirs had $20 million hidden in their house. The men planned and executed the crime to get the cash but failed and decided to set the house on fire.
A man, who was at the function said that the bandits both armed with guns, came at the gate and requested to speak with “Kevin.” The man said he told them that no “Kevin” was there. It was then the bandits whipped out their firearms and demanded that the occupants remain still.
One of the bandits searched almost everyone present at the event and took away cash, jewellery and other valuables. The other gunman ransacked the home and made off with several cellular phones and other items.
An alarm was raised just as the bandits escaped and ranks on patrol managed to track down the two armed men who sought refuge in the churchyard behind Campbellville Secondary School.
The armed men allegedly shot at the police, but were riddled during the ensuing shoot-out.
One .38 revolver and one spent shell were recovered along with five live matching rounds.
Jamal Letlow was shot in 2014 when he grabbed a gold chain from a 14-year-old passenger while disembarking a mini bus.
An alarm was raised and a city constabulary, who was in the area at the time, responded and shot Letlow to the buttocks.
In 2015, the father of three was charged for stealing a motorcycle from Shawn Edu and in 2012, Letlow was among three persons who robbed Ramsarran of $8,000.
There are reports that Shaquille Fraser was involved in at least two robberies.
Ramkarran noted that even though crime statistics reported by the Police show a decline, it is not significant enough to make an impact on public safety or fear.
He said that the fact is that with the number of armed home invasions and almost weekly, armed robberies of persons who have withdrawn money from one of the banks, very few people in Guyana go to bed at night or go to the bank with any confidence that either their homes will not be invaded or they will not be shot and robbed after leaving the bank.
“There is no doubt that the Crime Chief and his team, with the support and committed effort of the Commissioner and police administration, have done a great all round job and crime has declined. But violent crime is too extensive and persistent, and criminals too brazen and well organized for any peaceful Guyanese to feel anything but fear.”
However apart from the expansion of the Police Force and improvement of its quality by more training, Ramkarran says that short-term methods are necessary to keep criminals off the streets.
These include granting greater custodial power to Magistrates, which is limited.
“Alternatively, I have argued that legislation should be enacted to empower Magistrates to refer convicted defendants to the High Court for sentencing where the Magistrate feels that his or her custodial power is inadequate,” he added.
The simplest solution is to legislate to make armed robbery an offence which is not bailable. The Government must act now. The public can wait no longer, Ramkarran stressed.
However, Guyana and Venezuela continue to differ over whether the matter should be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also known as the World Court. Guyana stated that there can be no higher tribunal for this purpose than the ICJ to determine this matter on a definite basis.
Tired that the more than 20-year old mediation process has not led to a resolution, Guyana has lobbied the UN for the controversy to be taken to the ICJ. However, analysts say that Venezuela’s government and opposition are determined to keep the controversy alive by insisting on mediation. Venezuela is claiming the mineral and forest-rich Essequibo Region which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana.
Venezuela’s media report that that country’s Foreign Minister, Delcy Rodriguez plans to write the new UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres rejecting appeals to the ICJ.
Caracas continues to maintain that the UN mediation ‘Good Officer’ is the best route to settle the controversy over whether the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award of the land border with Guyana is a full, perfect and final settlement.
“In other consecutive messages the Chancellor affirmed that Venezuela ratifies its commitment to the negotiated solution of this controversy and demands to Guyana the fulfillment of good faith in the mechanism of the Good Officer,” one of the reports said.
Rodriguez explained that the Geneva Accord, which has settled this international controversy since 1966, promotes a practical, friendly and satisfactory solution for both parties through direct negotiation between the two nations.
While their positions for and against the ICJ differ sharply, Guyana and Venezuela welcomed the outgoing UN Chief’s position that mediation should once again be tried for one year – 2017.
“It is the victory of the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, led by President Nicolás Maduro, who maintained the position of Venezuela on Good Offices,” Foreign Minister Rodríguez wrote on her Twitter account @DrodriguezVen.
Guyana described the decision by Ban as a “new point of promise” in Guyana-Venezuela relations. “The Government of Guyana accepts the decision of the Secretary General. We stand committed to using our best endeavours to fulfill its highest expectations. The Government will be writing formally to him as well as to the President of Venezuela to indicate our acceptance of this decision.”
If, at the end of that period, the Secretary-General concludes that significant progress has not been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.
Guyana remarked that in taking this decision, the Secretary General has remained loyal to the sacred mission of the United Nations to uphold the law and maintain the peace between nations – small and large.
Guyana pledged to do everything in its power to ensure that his expectations, and those of his successor to whom the mandate of implementation now falls – as well as our expectations are fulfilled.
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