Former Central Executive member of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Ralph Ramkarran, has detailed his final moments as a member of that party, saying that the last straw was when he was accused of being untrustworthy.In his now weekly article posted last evening on his website, conversationtree.gy, the former two-time Speaker of the National Assembly also said that hours after his resignation, on June 30, last year, senior officials of the PPP were more concerned about the negative publicity rather than his departure.Ralph RamkarranNext weekend, the PPP is heading to Berbice to hold its first national Congress without the presence of the any of the Jagans. It will also be the first time that Ramkarran,Jerseys From China, and his wife Janet, will be absent too since 1974.The party, which lost its voting majority in the National Assembly in the November 2011 General Elections for the first time in its 20-year reign, has been facing one crisis after another, including cuts to the National Budget and blocking of a number of major projects, including the flagship Amaila Falls hydro-electric and expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.Last week, in response to a number of stinging criticisms, the party said that Ramkarran never raised the issue of corruption while he was making a bid to become the Presidential Candidate in the lead-up to the 2011 elections, a charge that the lawyer has denied.Ramkarran, in the article titled “The Day I Resigned From The PPP”, disclosed that shortly before that last meeting, he had written an article on pervasive corruption in Guyana. On June 29th, there was a Party Executive meeting where he was met with hostilities from party members which appeared planned “by willing and practised hands”.UntrustworthyIt was at the end of that meeting that he was “gratuitously and irrelevantly accused of being untrustworthy. After forty years in the leadership of the PPP, such an accusation was about as much as I could bear.”“Not after two decades, the 1970s and 1980s, during the most frightening political conditions in our country, discussing ultra sensitive matters in the ultra secure group of the leadership, in ultra secure conditions, given the most confidential information and (legal) tasks by that group and never found wanting. I erupted and there was loud talk. I left the meeting after a refusal to withdraw the accusation.”The meeting so badly affected him that he remained silent after returning home and his family thought he had suffered a stroke.Immediately after breakfast, on June 30h, he made the decision to quit the party. “I knew that the time had come for me to sever my fifty-year formal connection with the PPP, which went even further back into childhood.”Ramkarran said that his connections included not only the Executive and the Central Committee, but from the Party itself. “I did not speak to or consult anyone but realised that I could take no more of the years of hostility, abuse and torment that had been heaped upon me, starting in 1997, subsiding for a few years, then recommencing with studied vindictiveness and renewed venom in 2005 at the Essequibo Congress, lasting I later learnt,Wholesale Jerseys, up to shortly before President (Donald) Ramotar was sworn in.”He said that he had thought that the hostilities would change with the elections being over. However,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, matters got worse.“A Cabinet had been appointed, but I was to learn that my exclusion was demanded by some, ostensibly because I did not campaign, but in reality because of the lingering hostility and vindictiveness.”He returned to writing for The Mirror, the party’s newspaper and even did outreaches.“I even allowed my name to be put up for Speaker, which I advised was a losing proposition.”OutspokenRamkarran, who said earlier this week that the party grew increasingly intolerant to criticisms of corruption, believed that it was not merely his “alleged contrariness” that got him into trouble, but his outspokenness too.“My presence, my independence, the fact that I spoke up and disagreed sometimes, and when insulted did not take it quietly, these could not be tolerated. It dawned upon me that I had completely alienated myself from the ruling cabal and had ceased to be seen as a team player among that group because I was not obsequiously compliant.”Ramkarran steered away from naming the party officials who felt that way but indicated that the “new” ruling group had imposed a culture of implacable hostility to internal or external views contrary to those of its own.After sending his resignation in, there were calls from a number of friends but none who were at the executive meeting.“No one would have been asked to call if the draft press statement was not included with my resignation, indicating my intention to

In light of the fact that the structure of Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) is quickly becoming too small for its operation, moves are apace for expansion.This disclosure was made by Medical Director of the facility, Dr Mahendra Carpen, who during an interview with this publication recently, said that not only are plans moving swiftly along in terms of extension, but there are moves for the development of a public sector cardiology wing.CHI’s Dr Mahendra CarpenThis move, he said, will allow for the interconnection of the operation of CHI and a public sector cardiology wing operated by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).In essence, Dr Carpen said that CHI will exist alongside the public hospital’s operation cardiology unit and “we will be seeing patients with all kinds of different pathologies.”Though the plans are indicative of a major development,Wholesale Jerseys From China, Dr Carpen pointed out that it was in fact in the planning phases for awhile, but is now progressing with great support from the University of Calgary of Alberta, Canada,Wholesale China Jerseys, the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Administration.The collaboration is essential,NFL Jerseys Outlet, Dr Carpen noted, since in order for such big developments to happen there must be the cooperation of several partners.Added to this, he said that CHI will be an integral part of what happens in the public part of cardiology because “we will use this unit as the nursery to train people to go out and be part of cardiac care.”However, CHI will remain a privately-managed facility situated in the confines of the semi-autonomously operated GPHC which caters to the medical need of public patients.But as Consultant Cardiologist to the GPHC, Dr Carpen is tasked with managing patients who suffer from cardiac conditions “to the best of the abilities within the context of what is available.”? These patients who are greater in number than those seen by the CHI are often much sicker and are therefore generally the ones who “a lot of the time need the type of care only available at CHI or over at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, and unfortunately, there are factors that prevent those patients from getting care immediately.”Moreover, Dr Carpen said that efforts are being made to address the issues surrounding this state of affairs.“These are not things that we will be solving overnight, but lots of contributing factors have to come together so that we could have the proper outcome of these patients,” the Medical Director said.He said that the CHI will continue to provide an efficient service to its patients, which is aided by an outstanding staff comprising about 12 nurses and doctors,Cheap Jerseys China, including Haydock Wilson and Clement McEwan. The mentioned doctors, according to Dr Carpen, have immense experience, as they have been practicing medicine for a number of years here and already have a huge patient base.“Our biggest strength is the personnel who work with us; you would find that everyone of them is a kind, compassionately strong professional…you can talk to our patients, and we have treated patients from all levels of the society, talk to them, and you will find out that the experience that they get here from our staff, they feel that sense of caring and this is personal to us,” Dr Carpen asserted.He boasted, too, that the level of care that patients receive in terms of cardiology at CHI is comparable to that offered at any other facility in the Caribbean. Added to this, he said, the operation is on par with what is found further afield.However, although CHI caters to 400 heart patients per month, half of whom are new cases, Dr Carpen disclosed that there are still some who are unwilling to use the local facility. He added too that “the fact that some people don’t want to come here is cultural, and you can’t fault people for still thinking that way; they were probably led into that belief,Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys, but I can one hundred per cent guarantee you that the level of care that our patients receive is comparable to anything that you would find in the Caribbean.”“Yes there are places with more fancy equipment and people with longer experience doing a lot of things, but the solid scientific principle of managing patients here is no different than anywhere else and that includes North America,” said a confident Dr Carpen who insisted that “I can speak with authority on the way we manage our patients at CHI.”But despite the impressive status that CHI has developed for itself, Dr Carpen noted that the facility, like any other ‘worth its salt’ “will lose patients and that is something that doesn’t hopefully happen too often, but wh

After months of complaining by motorists,Cheap Air Max Tn, the Ministry of Works finally took the time to repair this bridge on the Plaisance Railway Embankment.Workers are in the process of replacing one of the damaged plates on the bridge,Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Online, yesterday.

The Guyana Police Force is reportedly moving with its annual promotions, despite concerns by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee about the absence of integrity testing and that some of the beneficiaries might still have pending disciplinary matters.Rohee at a press conference yesterday expressed reservations that the impending announcement of the police promotions lists is going ahead without much consideration for a policy directive by former President Donald Ramotar, which was given a month before he was ousted from office by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change.Rohee, in addressing three areas of concern related to the professionalism and reforms of the Guyana Police Force, reminded that former President Ramotar in addressing the Opening Session of the Annual Officers’ Conference of the Guyana Police Force last year had announced that persons tipped for promotion will require integrity testing.He said that Ramotar had emphasized that the move was aimed at weeding out corrupt persons from the law enforcement agency.“In future,China Jerseys Cheap, for appointment to some senior positions there must be some form of integrity testing,” Ramotar had said.According to Rohee, since then, there has been no indication whether the Granger-led administration has taken up the mantle and proceeded in that direction.Former Home Affairs Minister Clement RoheeHe said that moreover, little or nothing is known about a number of disciplinary matters that have been before the Police Service Commission for sometime now.This is in addition to several disciplinary matters that are before a Disciplinary Authority that was set up by Rohee himself,Cheap MLB Jerseys, and headed by former Senior Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.Sullivan’s contract was terminated earlier this year by the new government, and as a result the work of the Authority ended prematurely, thus placing in limbo those disciplinary matters that should be addressed urgently in the interest of the Force.Rohee referred specifically to Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, with whom he had a public spat after Ramnarine spoke out about his interference in the operations of the Guyana Police Force.Kaieteur News understands that Ramnarine, who has been an Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Police for the past six years, is earmarked to replace Seelall Persaud as the Commissioner of Police and has reportedly been recommended for the post of Deputy Commissioner.Rohee is of the view that Ramnarine is one whose upward mobility should be delayed pending the outcome of the disciplinary action that he himself had recommended.“It is to be recalled that a disciplinary matter concerning Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine is among several disciplinary matters slated for consideration at the level of the Disciplinary Authority. Concerns have been expressed about persons whose disciplinary matters are yet to be heard and who have not been subjected to integrity tests, being promoted in 2016,” Rohee said.But according to information received by this newspaper, no disciplinary action was instituted against Ramnarine.“The records will show that former Commissioner Brumell had written to Ramnarine and Ramnarine responded,Jerseys NFL China, and that was the end of the matter. There is no record that Ranmarine was written to or summoned by any disciplinary body, either the Police Service Commission or this disciplinary body Rohee is talking about,” a senior police officer told this newspaper.And besides, the Force has vacancies for four Deputy Commissioners of Police, who can be chosen from among the several Assistant Commissioners.The two most senior Assistant Commissioners of Police are Balram Persaud and Ramnarine.Persaud has been an Assistant Commissioner for the past eight years, four of which have been served in the Deputy Commissioner (Admin) portfolio, without the benefits of that senior position.Ramnarine has been an AC for six years and has been serving in the Deputy Commissioner (Operations) position without the benefits.The force is expected to announce its promotions in three days’ time.Rohee at his press conference yesterday also touched on remarks made by President Granger at the annual breakfast at the Force Headquarters on Tuesday December 16, where he is reported to have told his audience; “The Minister of Public Security is obliged to report to Cabinet every single Tuesday morning on the state of the Police Force and on their success in overcoming the crime problem. We haven’t told the police you are paid to do a job go ahead and do it. We sit down and plan and strategize to make sure that Guyana can become a safe country for all our citizens.”The former Home Affairs Minister said that this statement is in stark contrast to the public position of APNU+AFC made

A man who claimed that he has reached the end of his cocaine addiction after he carjacked a $3M Toyota Carina,China NFL Jerseys, made a stirring apology before he was sentenced by Magistrate Judy Latchman, saying that he was ashamed, repulsed and embarrassed by his actions.Andrew Taylor on January 5 went on what he described as a cocaine-influenced rampage and stole one Toyota Carina Car (PRR 7687) from Ryan Greenidge at La Penitence Public Road, Georgetown.Andrew TaylorConversely, the charge which was initially read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday was one of Robbery with Violence. It detailed that at the time of, immediately after or before he robbed Greenidge of the $3M car, he used personal violence on the man.After the charge was read to him, Taylor addressed the court saying that “I could accept stealing the car but when it comes to violence, there was no such thing. As far as violence goes, I didn’t.”However, Taylor’s tale didn’t end there. “I would also like to say that though I am guilty, I was under the influence of cocaine. Due to the amount I ingested, I committed the crime,” he continued.Looking at the complainant (Greenidge) who stood before the Magistrate with both his legs bandaged, Taylor expressed a desire to make amends “I would like to tell the person here that I am sorry and I am willing to work to pay him back.”Though, Taylor had not directly entered a plea, the Magistrate stated that based on his explanations she had entered him into a guilty plea for Robbery Simplitius.Sergeant Vishnu Hunt,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, who represented the Prosecution in the matter,Cheap China Jerseys, explained that about 13:00 hours that Sunday (January 5), Greenidge was removing some boxes from the truck of his car when he noticed the engine start up and the car began to move.The owner then observed Taylor seated in the driver’s seat piloting his car and decided to grab onto ride side stanchion between the front and rear doors. He then reportedly attempted to hold onto the car’s steering wheel in an effort to prevent Taylor from taking off with his vehicle.However, Hunt described that this did not deter the carjacker who then dealt Greenidge a cuff to his mouth and continued driving as he dragged the victim.Taylor’s attempt was however cut short when the victim let go of the car and managed to raise an alarm to which public spirited citizens came to his rescue. According to Hunt,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, amongst the group of persons was a licenced firearm holder who subsequently discharged two rounds in the air as a warning.However, he said that Taylor continued but soon crashed the car, exited and proceeded to run into Fourth Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown.His escape was however, short-lived as the citizens managed to apprehend him and later handed him over to the police at the East La Penitence Police Station, where charges were later instituted against him. Sergeant Hunt, who informed the court that Taylor has had no prior charges or convictions, also added that the car was recovered and later returned to its owner.Taylor at that point claimed that “I didn’t hit nobody. I know the speed I drive off with, but by the time I go off I was frightened. Same time,Supply NFL Jerseys Factory, I was under the influence (of cocaine) so I frighten.”The Magistrate however, offered Greenidge an opportunity to address the court and he said “I’m in a lot of pain. I am in a lot of expense right now and with the injuries I can’t work for months.”A teary Greenidge continued, “My wife is six months pregnant and I have a lot of bills. What can I possibly say?”Meanwhile, Taylor told the court that he had had a job in the market and also had a few odd jobs, though nothing permanent. He stated that he was never found guilty of any offence.“Madam, I understand you will punish me but I am asking for some mercy. I was under the influence but that’s no excuse. I am sorry and everything now is in the hands of God and in your hands,” a humbled Taylor stated.Magistrate Latchman then considered the situation before her and before handing down her decision said that she considered that Taylor did not waste the court’s time. She said however, in light of the serious nature and prevalence of the offence as well as the fact that the crime was ‘well planned’ she would sentence him to prison for the next 56 months.