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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Sunday February 09, 2014
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Who is really in charge, Granger or Greenidge? DEAR EDITOR, When the Winston Murray ‘break away faction’ headed by Carl Greenidge was forced to unite with his adversary to prevent the weakening of the People’s National Congress -PNC as they contest the 2011 General Election, the PNC newly elected leader, David Granger, faced the real danger of a coup d’état by the ambitious Greenidge. There have been rumors from sources close to the party that a more radical approach is needed to sustain the pressure on the government. The more rational, statesmanlike approach employed by Granger, they
say, is not producing the required results. These PNC/APNU hardliners are believed to have influenced Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon’s decision to organise the recent protest action aimed at shutting down the bauxite mining town of Linden on February 3, when His Excellency President Ramotar visited Linden to officially commission the PPPC office there. That building was burnt down by arsonists in July 2012 during the deadly protest led by Chairman Solomon that cost the lives of three “peaceful” protesters. Fortunately, this plan to create yet another showdown with the authorities was
soundly rejected by the people of Linden, who must be commended for allowing common-sense to prevail. The recent inconsistencies on the budget debate issue within the PNC/APNU camp, further demonstrates Greenidge’s determination to expose Granger as a weak leader. According to PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, “Due to its antics, the APNU has been offering a plethora of excuses for the 2014 budget. First they were not invited, then when the APNU leader [David] Granger directed Member of Parliament [Carl] Greenidge to engage, he said he needed more information and then
Guyana’s cell phone rates exorbitant DEAR EDITOR, As someone who is familiar with cell phone rates, I believe the cell phone rates are too high in Guyana. There is no question that Guyanese pay some of the most outrageous fees for cell phone services. To this, one might respond “If you don’t like it, then don’t buy it. It is
your choice.” This is not an option in Guyana. There is no true competition in this market, because the cell phone companies have bullied their way to the top and our government has failed in their duty thus far to ensure that there is fair opportunity for competition. I’m currently paying $30000 a
The opposition parties are playing this one directly into the hands of the PPP/C DEAR EDITOR, It is regrettable that our Politicians continue to use the machinery of threat to execute their control tactics over the masses. I am afraid and so are the sober minded people that if the Anti-Money Laundering Bill is not successfully ratified and passed then the consequences for Guyana’s economic and social future
enhancement would be devastating. Additionally, the opposition parties are playing this one directly into the hands of the PPP/C and they run the risk of losing outright the upcoming General Elections with no campaign funding form the private sector. In anticipation that good will and sensible judgment will prevail. Mohamed Yusuf
month for one cell phone. I do not have a business; I’m just an ordinary citizen. This is more than three times the amount that I paid abroad. I’m calling on the cell phone companies to reduce their rate by 50 percent. And they will still make a profit. Anthony Pantlitz
finally, to save face, Granger said it was too late for consultations. It is evident that Granger had instructed Greenidge to engage in consultations but Greenidge chose to disobey him… a high act of indiscipline.” And most recent, Greenidge’s “no show” at the meeting of the Special Select Committee considering the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, cast further doubt on whether Granger has any control over Greenidge. The official statement by PNC/APNU clearly states that, “APNU is committed to amending the current AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009 to ensure that it is effective.” Yet Greenidge, APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance in clear defiant, boycotted these meetings. How can APNU be committed to amending this Act when they fail to turn up at the meetings to contribute to the discussions? The question must now be asked, who is really in charge, Granger or Greenidge? As a
highly trained professional soldier that understands the importance of having his instructions obeyed, how can Granger tolerate such behavior from a senior member of his team? It must be very frustrating for the retired Brigadier General to have Carl Greenidge disobey a direct command. Rohee is right... Greenidge should be disciplined for insubordination, if only to clip his wings. I am reminded of a statement by another former general, Alexander Haig who, in 1981, following the March 30 assassination attempt and hospitalization of US President Ronald Regan, asserted before reporters “I am in control here”. Indicating that while President Reagan had not “transferred the helm”, Haig was in fact directing White House Crisis Management until Vice President Bush arrived in Washington to assume that role. It is time for Granger to assert his leadership position in the PNC/APNU and work to ensure that 2014 is indeed
the “Year of the Workers” as he had earlier declared. If Greenidge is allowed to bully his way and undermine Granger’s authority, he will evoke painful memories of a sad era in our Nation’s history under the dreaded PNC rule. The very reason that caused that political party to change its name to A Partnership for National Unity -APNU before contesting the 2011 polls. No doubt, Greenidge’s stubborn refusal to even attempt budget consultations with Finance Minister Ashni Singh, cannot possibly be in the best interest of the workers the PNC/APNU claims to be so concerned about. And APNU’s determination to cut the budget again in defiance of Chief Justice Ian Chang’s ruling, will only take away the ability of parents to provide food, clothing and shelter for their dependents. The Government creates jobs for its citizens, and the Opposition takes them away. Every time this happens, desperate people are likely to do desperate things to survive. HARRY GILL
Exploiting the ‘visionary’ value of Gandhi, King and Mandela DEAR EDITOR, The great Mahatma Gandhi and his self-styled disciples, The Rev. Martin Luther King and our beloved ‘Madeba’, Nelson Mandela, all of whose ‘visions’ served to transform their respective societies and eventually the world were unique
‘visionaries’ and transformational leaders par excellence! There is no doubt about their self-less, almost ‘God-like’ image and contribution to humanity which live on forever in the minds of people all over the world. It is in that context that I was outraged when I became
aware of a local advertisement advertising “Optical” supplies & services by using inappropriate metaphorical comparisons of their mundane, money-making ‘eye-correcting’ and ‘lenscrafting’ services with the immortal, virtually divine ‘visions’ of our three
‘prophets’ whose lifetime works enabled the world to see life differently. This should be roundly condemned in the same way we condemn those who recently ‘traded’ the Mandela name and image for cheap publicity and material gains. Nowrang Persaud
There is still an opportunity to... From page 4 at getting the local government elections and the procurement commission back on the table since in this war, it is the responsibility of the majority opposition to demand nothing but the best for the
people. Right now, what is most important to the silent majority are bread and butter issues – more jobs, more assets to feed their families, more income, a greater share of the budget, more personal secu-
rity, better access to good healthcare and education etc. Empowering a Minister to be the new Tsar in the fight against money launderers clearly does not direct affect the lives of the silent majority regardless if the CFATF demands it. Therefore, the PPP, and, for that matter, the private sector or the diplomatic community, are in no position to dictate what the majority opposition should or should not do, since these same bodies continue to let the Guyanese people down on the critical developmental issues of the local government elections and the procurement commission. The private sector commission continues to serve as the PPP’s fifth wheel to that party’s coach, and the diplomatic community continues to not bring adequate pressure to bear, on these good
governance measures. The fact remains, Private Sector Commission cannot help the PPP; they have less than 500 votes; not even earn a “phira” in Parliament. The Diplomatic Community cannot help the PPP; they have no votes. This is a battle for the hearts and minds of the voiceless who continue to watch with disgust as one PPP man get a $3.4 billion contract every year to sell medical supplies to the State at 10 times the real market value of the product. This is where the battle lies and this is why the PPP will fail on this anti-money laundering bill. The time is now for all to pause, sit at the table and take sufficient steps to address these developmental deficiencies holistically. Naked bullism from the PPP will fail. Sasenarine Singh