Ranks no longer on the job still being paid

Aug 05, 2010 News

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For the second time in less than a year a major scandal has broken out in the Finance Department of the Guyana Police Force. This time the Finance Clerk at the ‘C ‘Division (East Coast Demerara) Headquarters is under close arrest after auditors unearthed major discrepancies to the tune of millions of dollars.
Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the clerk, who is responsible for the preparation of salaries for ranks in the district among other financial duties, could not provide a proper explanation for the discoveries unearthed by the auditors.
A source at the Cove and John Headquarters told Kaieteur News that the auditors discovered that persons who had resigned from the force as long as two years ago were still on the payroll.
It was also discovered that persons were uplifting these salaries.
Kaieteur News also learnt that the auditors were called in after someone complained of not receiving their overtime payments.
This newspaper understands that the auditors spent almost the entire day, on Tuesday last, going through the financial records of the Division, and finally concluded that an investigation should be launched.
Police Commissioner Henry Greene last night confirmed that an investigation is underway in the Division. He however stated that he was not fully aware of the details of what was unearthed.
This recent scandal comes almost one year after discrepancies of similar proportions were discovered at the Police Finance Office at Eve Leary.
Although several persons were detained and questioned, no one was charged.
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Steep drop in gold declarations amidst heavy rains

– normal traffic on Linden/Lethem Road by weekend

By Leonard Gildarie

Authorities say that normal traffic is expected to resume on the 276-mile Linden/Lethem Road by this weekend even as restrictions are being placed on heavy trucks.
Repairs are being conducted in several key sections of the roadway with a crucial bridge already completed.
However, according to Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, weather is proving a factor in the repairs but engineers are aiming for this weekend for the emergency works to be completed.
Hosting a press conference at the Kingston’s Ministry yesterday with Benn, were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall.
Already, while the heavy rains were not so prevalent on the coastlands, the situation in the hinterland was another matter with intense showers reported and water levels swelling creeks.
According to the Prime Minister, mining activities have been severely affected, with July statistics indicating a steep 40% decline in declarations.
Miners were yesterday reporting high waters, especially in the Cuyuni area. The Ministers disclosed that overhead flights have found flooding in the Potaro area, at the back of the Omai area and at Siparuni head.
The officials reported that while there are no outbreaks of any disease, teams are in the area to monitor the situation.
According to Minister Benn, light vehicles like pickups and minibuses are passing, though the going is slow. Critical sections at the Mabura/Rockstone Junctions and Ituni/Lethem (Hunt Oil area) have water between four and eighteen inches in some parts. One section of the road, on an incline has become slippery and would be difficult for big buses, it was disclosed.
While travel times have risen by eight hours because of road conditions, contractors are standing by to effect repairs and the Hydromet Services are predicting rains for another two weeks.
According to Minister Benn, neighboring countries are also experiencing serious conditions with Brazil’s border state, Roraima, seeing an entire village washed away.
Trinidad is also experiencing heavy rains with flooding.
The officials yesterday complained of some heavy trucks not heeding the warnings to stay off the roadway and many of these were stuck, further damaging the infrastructure and delaying repairs.
Some of the trucks had even damaged culverts using winches on them in attempts to become unstuck.
According to the Prime Minister, with trade on the rise with Brazil, it is a “bit of a temporary blow” with the heavy rains. He lauded Kwakwani residents for coming onboard to help engineers in building a bypass on the Ituni/Kwakwani stretch.
Several pieces of equipment are on the road to repair a key breach which occurred a few weeks ago, shutting down that trail.
Minister Lall noted that from reports, crops have been affected and although planting materials were distributed in the past months, there will be setbacks.
In the Lethem area, food supplies are not critical and while there were issues with imported chicken from Brazil, these were resolved.

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