– Hundreds of billion$$$ siphoned off every yearThe figures are alarming. More than double the country’s national budget was methodically being siphoned off in a well coordinated scheme using contractors and other means.Minister of State, Joseph HarmonNow the new Government, under pressure to recover the monies, is going after those monies, or at the very least the assets tied to them.It is estimated by the World Bank that almost $500B was being stolen annually.On Saturday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon,Cheap Jerseys China, speaking to state media, made it clear that the issue is not about witch-hunting as is being claimed by the Opposition- the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).“We call it cleaning up Government. It is about making people more accountable.”Already, the new A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government is on its way to establish what it calls the State Assets Recovery Unity (SARU).The issue of corruption and bribery had been a major one in recent years with both APNU and AFC, while in Opposition, promising a host of interventions to reduce theft by public servants and by extension contractors.SARU,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys China, in keeping with promises of the new administration, will likely be independent, away from the political direction of the administration.It is likely to comprise representatives drawn from the Guyana Bar Association, the business community and the Guyana Human Rights Association. It will be reporting directly to the National Assembly.Harmon, who is in charge of the Ministry of the Presidency, disclosed that the establishment of SARU is but part of a multi-pronged approach to stamp out graft. The unit will have sweeping powers.Recent reports where several vehicles belonging to the state were transferred under questionable circumstances the week leading up to the May 11 elections will be one of the areas that the unit will be zeroing in on.The new administration, Harmon said, will also be looking to also carry out audits of state companies.The decisions were all taken last week during the first full meeting of the new Cabinet.Already,Agustin Marchesin Jersey, the Ministry of Finance has started the process of transferring monies lying in several accounts outside of the central account,Jerseys NBA China, the Consolidated Fund.Minister Harmon disclosed that work of special unit may very well see it targeting even those assets that are overseas.Government is linking up with international organisations and looking at models of similar units that have been established abroad. Help has been offered.According to Harmon, recently well-known economist, Dr. Clive Thomas, said that the he believes around $300B is being siphoned off annually. However, a World Bank report put this to be around $500B.The figures would have significance if it is taken into account that last year’s national budget was $220B.If even of 10% or 20% per cent of what was taken over the years is recovered,Cristian Pavon Jersey, it will go a far way to assist the economy,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, the Minister said.“That (SARU) is a work-in-progress. You will hear more about it in the coming weeks,” Harmon promised.He warned that while the expectation by citizens will be to have things happening more quickly, the issues have to be considered carefully with the implications assessed.

A mechanic was yesterday released on $125,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty to a wounding charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.Claude Coachman, of 443 Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, denied the allegation which stated that on May 23, last,Cheap Jerseys USA, at Wineperu Backdam, Essequibo River,NFL Jerseys China, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Roger Gonsalves, with the intent to maim, disable or disfigure him.The charge was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry.Police Corporal, Bharrat Mangru, did not provide the court with any facts about what transpired on the day in question, but the defendant told the court that he did not commit the act willfully.He explained that Gonsalves tried to punch him and he retaliated by “flinging a cutlass”. He also informed the court that he has no prior or pending matters.Mangru had no objections to the defendant being granted his pretrial liberty.Statements were ordered and the matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court for July 13.Meanwhile, in Court eleven, Magistrate Annette Singh released a man on self bail, after he was charged with damage to property.Particulars of the charge stated that on February 18,Cheap Jerseys, at Georgetown, Anthony Forde,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Outlet, unlawfully and maliciously damaged a front car windscreen valued $40,NFL Cheap Jerseys,000 and a tyre valued $5,000 property of Cecil George.He pleaded not guilty.Police Corporal,NFL Jerseys China, Aduni Inniss, had no objection to the defendant being released on bail.This matter was adjourned until June 17.

A Mahaica East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was yesterday remanded to prison, on being charged with theMURDERED: Hafeeza Rohomanmurder of his reputed wife, whose lifeless body was found in a canal at Helena,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, Mahaica, ECD four days after she went missing.Lakeram Harinarine,Cheap Jerseys From China, 23, of Lot 6 Helena Mahaica, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that he killed 28 year-old Hafeeza Rohoman between January 7 and 10.Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul sitting in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court ordered the accused to make his next court appearance yesterday,Cheap NFL Jerseys, in the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court.According to reports, the partially decomposed body of Rohoman was pulled out of the canal on January 10. The woman, who is said to be a constant victim of domestic violence,Wholesale Stitched Jerseys, had gone missing.A post mortem revealed that the woman died of drowning,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, but there was evidence to support that she received blows to the head.It was reported that Harinarine confessed to police that he played a role in the woman’s death.Police Inspector, Hattie Anthony,Wholesale Jerseys, presented the prosecution’s case. She told the court that the accused and Rohoman shared a common law relationship. She said that on January 7, they had a misunderstanding over the woman going back to live with the father of her children.The prosecutor related that it is alleged that Harinarine hit the woman to the head with a bicycle bar and she fell overboard into the canal and drowned.