CARIBBEAN ROUND-UP
Magistracy latest target in Guyana’s corruption probe
GEORGETOWN — The magistracy has become the latest target in a series of anti-corruption probes being pursued by the Guyana Government.
Cabinet secretary and head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, said that a joint investigative team would be probing persistent allegations of widespread corruption in the magistracy.
Just last month the government had initiated investigations and auditing exercises at the Supreme Court and Deeds registries following growing complaints of corrupt practices.
Luncheon has told the media that many ordinary Guyanese have been complaining to the government, the chancellor of the judiciary, chief magistrate and members of the Judicial Service Commission about “irregular, unlawful and corrupt practices of magistrates all over the length and breadth of this country, and this has been going on for quite some time”.
Speaking at a regular post-cabinet press conference, Luncheon claimed that these corrupt practices have resulted in an “alarming loss of State revenue arising from unsavoury financial practices in the collection of fines, bail and such like”.
He said that the situation was far worse in the Georgetown Magisterial District where, unbelievably, millions of dollars of (state) revenue have mysteriously disappeared and cannot be accounted for.
Luncheon said it was, however, regrettable that the main opposition People’s National Congress/Reform had turned down a request from the government to participate in the ongoing anti-corruption probes in the judicial administration, in particular the Supreme Court and Deeds registries, in which teams involve representatives of the Auditor General’s Department, Accountant General’s Department and the Criminal Investigaion Department of the police force.
The Cabinet secretary has also disclosed the government’s decision to improve the salaries of state counsel and state prosecutors in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and for Magistrates.
The Cabinet, he said, was not unmindful that poor work ethic and corrupt practices uncovered in the magistracy were probably related to “poor remuneration”. Consequently, recommendations of a special committee to upgrade the salaries and improve conditions of service of legal officers in the public service and state entities.
Peeing cop robbed
PORT-OF-SPAIN — A cop of the Special Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Force has suffered the humilation of being robbed of his police vehicle, wireless set and other belongings while about to have a pee off a highway.
The Trinidad Guardian reported yesterday that the police have confirmed investigating what they called the “highly sensitive” case but avoided giving the name of the cop who was robbed around 1:50 am on Saturday morning of his car, a wireless set, an officer’s identification card, wallet and an 8260 Nokia cell-phone while about to urinate off the Audrey Jeffers Highway in the Mucurapo area.
The policeman was accosted by two gunmen who robbed him but did him no physical harm. The car, valued at TT$125,000, was later found in Laventille. The wireless set and the cop’s personal belongings have not been recovered. The police said they are looking for two suspects.
CARICOM’s aid for CMC may be delayed
BELIZE CITY — Implementation of a resuscitation plan for the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), closed on January 4 for “restructuring” within three months, may be delayed as a consequence of a new approach in proposed rescue aid package by governments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
In contrast to a recommendation from last week’s emergency meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, of ministers responsible for information, at which CMC officials participated, the Community leaders, meeting here for their 13th Inter-Sessional, have requested that there must first be a Management Audit and a new Business Plan.
The ministerial meeting in St John’s had recommended immediate assistance in the form of concessional loans amounting to US$1.5 million — half-a-million less than proposed by the CMC. But that simultaneous with its being back in business, there must be a Management Audit and new Business Plan.
The CMC issue was still being discussed at yesterday’s final plenary session of the CARICOM heads of government meeting. But it was reported that, amid dissenting views of the leaders, there was agreement to provide assistance for the audit and business plan. Any further commitment of financial support would have to await the findings of the audit and the business plan.
Trini teachers in protest over Bajan entertainer
PORT-OF-SPAIN — Teachers of the Barataria Secondary School boycott classes on Monday to protest a decision by the school’s principal, Murchison Sylvester, to invite popular Barbadian entertainer, ‘Rupee’ (Rupert Clarke), to talk to students.
During the boycott of classes, a fight broke out among students with one 16 year-old lad, Keiron Cupidore, stabbed while trying to part a fight among a group of students.
The school’s morning shift was dismissed due to a lack of teachers, with the majority refusing to return to classes.
The Express reported yesterday that principal Sylvester announced at Monday morning’s assembly of students that ‘Rupee’ would be making a ‘guest appearance’ on Thursday as part of the school’s AIDS awareness programme.
However, at the end of the assembly and with the principal away from the school compound, the majority of teachers decided to protest the decision by boycotting classes. They said that their fear was that Rupee’s appearance was likely to lead to more problems at the school where students have been very disruptive and engaged in violence.
An official of the union representing teachers, Matthew James, said that preliminary investigation had revealed that the protesting teachers were “fearful for their physical safety” as a result of previous incidents of violence and the stabbing of the student would confirm that fear.
Rupee’s manager, Nylah Ali, said they would “reconsider” his appearance at the school in view of the incident on Monday.