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GCB corrects distortions in paid advertisements

Jun 22, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am compelled to respond to a full page article you published in the 19th June 2011 edition of your newspaper captioned “GUYANA CRICKET BOARD”.
I also note  that you issued a disclaimer on 21st June 2011 stating you had been misled to believe that it was a release from the GCB and that you “ divorce yourself from the allegations and statements” in that paid advertisement.
Responsible journalism should have dictated that you verify or at least get the other side of the story before going to publication. In the case of a paid notice, as you claimed in your disclaimer, the identification of the person or organisation placing the advertisement should be collected and verified.
The Guyana Cricket Board and those officers mentioned in your paid advertisement would like to, without prejudice to future legal action, state that:
1.    At no time was there any deliberate intention to exclude anyone from the planning and execution of the Guyana leg of the Pakistan tour.  In fact, since many executives did not consider it important to attend summoned executive meetings of February, March and April, I summoned tour committee meetings to include Liaison officers and Executives who have traditionally done the bulk of the planning and execution of all international tours. This proved to be very successful because we had a flawless tour.
2.    The expenditure for the Pakistan tour was sanctioned by the finance controller of WICB and all payments were verified by its resident directors. The WICB auditors (KPMG) are presently conducting their audit and this report can be requested upon its completion.
3.    The gate receipts of the Guyana/Trinidad grudge matches were verified by the Guyana Revenue Authority, which established a presence throughout the games and monitored entry to the ground.
A total of $2,245,517 was paid in VAT and, after deduction of other expenses, the profit of $7,002,000 was used to pay the bill at Princess Hotel for boarding and lodging of the Guyana team during their preparation for the CLT20 in South Africa.
4.    I will also like to state that only a few executives participated in this fund raising exercise. (statement of income and expenditure attached)
5.    The Guyana Cricket Board is not aware of any “startling revelations” in the Designs and Construction Ltd.  Report commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. As regards the LBI facility, the report, in its Executive summary clearly states “we have concluded from our analysis of the bill of quantities, drawings and site visits to the LBI facility that the completed facility appears to be built in accordance with the design specifications”.
6.    I must also state that all modifications, variations and additions were made by the GCB and our secretary is not related to the contractor.
7.    The settlement of $1.5 Million made with the contractor of the Anna Regina facility was as a result of claims made by the contractor, and verified by the consultant Mr. Gaskin, that additional works, authorised by former secretary Bish Panday, and was carried out on the facility.
We do accept that substandard work was done at this facility since the consultant failed to properly advise the Board.
8.    In negotiating this settlement I was able to reduce the claim from $5.4 Million to $1.5 Million as a result of the said substandard works.
In my view, the other allegations or blatant lies, in your paid advertisement do not warrant a response, however, I am always available to answer questions on the activities of the Guyana Cricket Board.
The Design and Construction Services Limited complete report and our audited financial statement are available for perusal at the GCB office.
I look forward to overseeing a smooth transition of the GCB on the 10th July 2011.
Chetram Singh
President, Guyana Cricket Board.

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