Guyana Observer News

What's taking the combined opposition parties (APNU and AFC) so long to negotiate the release of the three treason accused? Tune in this evening at 9pm (Guyana time) on www.benschopradio.com orwww.guyanaobservernews.org

 PRESS RELEASE

                                         Frederick Kissoon

                                         Mark Benschop

We the above-named social activists with strong connections and relationships with the AFC and APNU have become alarmed at the open disagreement between APNU and the AFC over the name of the Speaker of the soon to be convened National Assembly. As social activists, we are of the opinion that our assistance in the opposition’s campaign in the recent general elections was not without some help no matter how small. On this basis we have intervened to ask the AFC and APNU to listen to our recommendation. We are of the unshakeable view that the public imbroglio over the choice of a Speaker has deflated this nation and has created a morbidity of pessimism in Guyana. This may be a strong description but we stand by our evaluation. This is a huge irony given the fantastic results of the November 2011 national elections. We further hold that the AFC and APNU have to know that they are entering into dangerous waters with the continuous bickering. Both of us are submitting the following framework

While the names suggested are citizens of fine quality whose political activism both in Guyanese history and in their respective ways have done great service to Guyana, there has to be an immediate end to the impasse. We humbly submit that APNU and AFC move beyond their respective names and seek further avenues. In this regard, we are suggesting the name of Mr. Nigel Hughes. Our name was done after long analysis of the strengths that Mr. Hughes will bring to the Parliament. But more importantly, APNU or AFC cannot deny that this particular citizen is respected throughout the length and breath of this country, is one of the world’s most committed human rights lawyers and has recently single-handedly exposed the perversity of the Jagdeo presidency through his appearance in a recent libel case. This case has gone done in history and may have been responsible in ways we may never know for the particular result of the 2011 elections. Georgetown had a greater turnout than the pattern has been and we think Mr. Hughes’s advocacy in that libel suit may have been responsible. We go further and say Mr. Hughes’ stay can even be an interim one but we have to go beyond the impasse

Frederick Kissoon

Mark Benschop                  

This past year the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) under the auspices of the former Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud commissioned a US$12.5M at Enmore on East Coast Demerara.
While this initiative was seen as laudable and the facility a much needed one, the price tag attached was more than questionable.
Christopher Ram, a newspaper columnist and eminent Chartered Accountant, had pointed out that Kenya’s largest sugar company, Mumias Sugar Company (MSC), had also recently built a packaging plant, larger than Guyana’s but for US$3M.

 By Freddie Kissoon

Things are looking comical for Minister Anthony’s IMC or we can say Clive Lloyd’s IMC. Let us retrace out steps before we describe the circus. The Chief Justice refused an injunction in relation to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). He said that since the board has no legal existence therefore legal action cannot be used as a sanction. But he opined that the Government can intervene since there is a Sports Ministry. 

Misinterpreting an opinion, the Sports Minister saw the words of the Judge as a mandate to act. But the judge’s “mandate” and the Minister’s IMC are in trouble. A group of top Guyanese cricketers including test players have written to the President of the Republic. In their letter they want the IMC’s padlocks to be removed from the GCB’s offices. The letter went on to state that, “They hinder the Guyana Cricket Board from fully functioning.” That is development number one