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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday July 30, 2015
It’s final!
Rodney Commission of Inquiry ends …Gov’t will not entertain petition EVEN with hundreds of millions expended into the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Dr Walter Rodney, and calls from Rodney’s family for an extension of the Commission’s proceedings, the Government is adamant there will be no extension of the Commission. Governance Minister Raphael Trotman was asked yesterday at a post-cabinet press brief whether Government would consider a continuation
by two weeks of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry. Trotman said the collective decision taken by Cabinet was not only to save the money of taxpayers, but also what he called “further embarrassment.” The Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of a petition currently before the Commissioners of the Rodney Commission by Counsels representing the surviving Rodney family, and Donald Rodney, the brother of the deceased party leader. Trotman observed that
close to $1B has been spent on the Commission thus far. The Rodney Commission commenced hearings in 2013 under then President Ramotar. Both the WPA and the People’s National Congress (PNC) parties were represented through the Commission’s 60+ days of hearing. The WPA and the PNC are currently parties within the APNU bloc of the new coalition Government. Rodney had been the leader of the WPA at the time of his death, during which PNC founder
Forbes Burnham was Prime Minister. Since coming to power after the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the coalition Government had uncovered what has been deemed excessive spending, and cited this as justification for discontinuation of the Rodney CoI. Trotman said the Commission “appeared as nothing more than a charade for electioneering purposes, put on as a side-show by the former Administration.” This was a position similarly shared by the WPA in recent times, but on Tuesday at the final day of submission, the party called
for the extension of one or two weeks to facilitate the testimonies of crucial witnesses. At Tuesday’s final sitting of the Commission at the Supreme Court, Counsel representing the WPA, Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, said, on behalf of his client, that while the entity recognises the right of the new Government to bring the Commission to an end, “there is nothing more that can render this exercise a waste of public resources than an inconclusive finding by this Commission”. “The WPA,” he continued, “does not encourage or condone the waste of public
resources, but it will be a sad day when democracy, the search for truth, and the opportunity for hearing and reconciliation are measured only in dollars and cents”. Trotman said, however, he has difficulty believing that any extension would “deliver anything that is earth shattering.” The petition is expected to be submitted to President David Granger, but the posture of the Administration seems to be one of no consideration. Meanwhile, the Commission is expected to produce its final report with findings and recommendations by the end of November.
Former PPP Gov’t minister, ex-personnel officer granted bail over larceny FORMER PPP/C Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford and Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings were yesterday arraigned at the Georgetown
Magistrates’ Court to answer larceny charges and were each granted bail. Dr. Westford, 54, of Lot 55 AA Victoria Avenue Eccles and 36-year-old Cummings
Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Friday, July 31, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Saturday, August 1, 2015 - 05:30 hrs
of Lot 709 Section ‘A’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, both made their appearance before City Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charges laid against them separately. The former minister answered to four counts of attempt to commit a felony, one of which said that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Waterloo Street, Georgetown, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, she attempted to commit larceny, when she sought to have transferred motor vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 to the name of Wayne Walker, being the property of the Government of Guyana. Another charge stated that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, in an attempt to commit larceny, Westford also sought to transfer motor vehicle PFF 1780 to the name of Delroy Lewis, being the property of the Government of Guyana. Thirdly, Westford, during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, attempted to commit larceny, that is she sought to transfer motor vehicle PJJ 3444 to her name. She further denied that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, she also attempted to commit larceny in seeking to transfer motor vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 to the name of Gary Beaton. Meanwhile, Cummings
Former minister Jennifer Westford in Court yesterday
denied the four counts of forgery levelled against her. One of the charges said that between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Waterloo Street, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, with intent to defraud she forged certain documents, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PFF 1780 by Delroy Lewis. It is also alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, she forged certain documents, purporting
to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 by Wayne Walker. It is further alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PJJ 3444 by Dr. Webster. Lastly, Cummings was charged with forging certain documents, between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of
vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 by Gary Beaton. The charges were indictable at first, but after the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied, the charges became summary and both of them were required to plead. Both the former minister and the Chief Personnel Officer stood in the dock calmly and answered to the charges separately. Westford and Cummings were both represented by attorneys-at-law Bibi Shadick, Keisha Chase, Dexter Todd and Husi Anderson. Defence counsel Chase requested that the former minister be placed on her own recognisance, stating that she has no priors and does not pose a flight risk. She further stated that Westford is married and is a medical doctor by profession. Regarding Cummings, defence counsel Todd also requested bail in a reasonable sum, pleading that his client is a mother of two minor children. Todd further informed the court that Cummings is at present on administrative leave and has fully cooperated with the police during the investigations. Westford was placed on $200,000 bail on each of the four charges while Cummings was granted $300,000 bail on each of the four charges. The matters against both defendants were transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for August 10.