–?? ?Too many questions remain outstanding; these matters cannot be put to rest – Chris Ram ?“A democracy requires accountability,Jerseys NFL China, and accountability requires transparency.” This quote has been attributed to United States President Barack Obama, and for one prominent Guyanese, certainly does not represent the current state of affairs in the “Land of many waters”.Anti-corruption advocate, Christopher RamAttorney at Law, Christopher Ram, a believer in Obama’s mantra, is not satisfied with the level of accountability being delivered to the citizens of Guyana by the APNU+AFC coalition government.The administration had presented itself to the nation as a fortress of change and a believer of accountability. However, Ram’s sentiment as conveyed to Kaieteur News yesterday is that he remains expectant,Authentic MLB Jerseys Online, but the level of accountability that was promised is yet to be delivered.Such sentiments were expressed as the lawyer spoke on matters surrounding the actions of the Minister of State Joseph Harmon.Harmon, the most vocal politician on corruption while in opposition, was recently embroiled in a series of controversies.The Minister’s trip to China has raised many questions. He was seen on a private jet surrounded by the Chu family—the owners of BaiShanLin. Accompanying Harmon on that trip was businessman Brian Tiwarie whom he had appointed Ministerial Advisor on Business Development. That appointment has since been rescinded by President David Granger.Harmon had also halted a seizure operation – involving a number of high end vehicles – that was being carried out on BaiShanLin. The operation was being executed by the Guyana Revenue Authority in collaboration with officials from the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). These vehicles were being seized due to the fact that the Chinese company failed to pay the required duties within the legally stipulated timeframe.But before officials from the GRA and SOCU could have carried out the seizures, they received a call from Harmon who instructed that the vehicles must not be removed.Harmon and the Chu family on a private jet.Ram was quoted in sections of the media speaking out on both issues. He had said that there must be investigations and that the matters must be dealt with in a way to deter recurrence.Yesterday the anti-corruption advocate said that he is not aware that there has indeed been any investigation; much less one that was through.Ram said that it seems as if Cabinet is satisfied based on what it was told,Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic, but the nation remains at a loss.“The nation is still not sure what the government has done. We know that a couple of statements were issued and that’s it.”Ram said that this is not remotely satisfactory to settle a matter as serious as the one that rocked the nation to the extent that revelations of Harmon’s actions did.He stressed that if anything, all those statements served to do was raise even more concerns and uncertainties.“Citizens are left to speculate, we still do not know the sequence of events.? What prompted NICIL to send its legal Officer and a non-executive member to China?”Statements released to the press indicated that Harmon visited China to retrieve an outstanding US$5M from the company that bought government’s 20 per cent shares in GTT. There has since been conflicting information surrounding even that development.Ram is questioning in this age of technology why was it necessary for Harmon to visit China to find out about that sum.The lawyer said that there are still too many burning questions that need to be answered before this matter can be put to rest. He emphasized that it is time that the country practice real transparency and accountability.Ram also pointed out that the Transparency Institute was directed by President Granger to speak with Harmon after it made statements about the possibility of corruption existing in the new government. Ram said that a request was made and a statement will be forthcoming about the outcome of that request.Initially, Ram had told Kaieteur News, “If there are breaches whether in GRA or in the Ministry of the Presidency then actions have to be taken by President David Granger to show that his administration is serious about stemming reckless,nfl jerseys china, unlawful and/or corrupt behaviour in the bud.”Several Government Ministers have declined to give on-the-record comments on the matter.Harmon was noted in the media on several occasions lambasting BaiShanLin for its reckless operations in Guyana as well as the former regime for its encouragement of the company’s actions.In fact, the Minister of State in 2014 had said that the former government has been silent about BaiShanLin’s “immoral and abusive acts” and “

…as Broadcast Legislation is tabled in House todayAlliance for Change Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, will today table a long-awaited Broadcasting Bill. In an invited comment, he said that there is an urgency for Guyana to have such legislation, with whatever modifications and amendments the larger Assembly will see fit to attach to it.According to Ramjattan the absence of such a Bill has been the pretext which has been used over the years to deny applicants for radio licences, and those who want to extend their TV services.“What is put together in this Broadcasting Bill of 2010 is substantially what was agreed to by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and certain members of Civil Society arising out of meetings held by the Committee on Radio Monopoly and Non-Partisan Boards during the period 2001/2002.”He explained that the PPP side was headed by Gail Teixeira and the PNC side, by the late Deryck Bernard and? notable members of a non-political ilk, “as far as I could recall, who made inputs, directly or indirectly, including Enrico Woolford,? Ron Case,Cheap Jerseys China, Hugh Cholomondeley, and Kit Nascimento.”Ramjattan said that the establishment of this framework of media governance in Guyana thus has support from the major parties and ought to be fully supported.“It would be extremely strange and unacceptable if this Bill is not allowed to be read a first time in Parliament tomorrow…Both the President and the Leader of the Opposition in May 2003 exhorted that legislation be laid in the National Assembly in that year.”If the PPP Government uses any plausible excuse not to support this Bill, it would reinforce the AFC’s position that the Government wants to continue its domination of especially the radio waves and its monopoly in that form of media, he said.Ramjattan stated that no action has been taken since 2003 when the bipartisan Committee came up with a draft. “It was simply shelved.”He noted that the Bill articulates the broad goals and principles of public policy in Guyana’s media sphere,Wholesale Jerseys, and outline the role and powers of an independent Broadcast Authority and its workings with those who it will relate to and those it will regulate.He explained that in the legislation there is a just balance in its provisions concerning media freedom and media accountability.“This is demanded from both private and public broadcasters.”Ramjattan explained that the point must be emphasized that indeed, “this may not be a perfect Bill….I don’t know what a perfect Broadcasting Bill looks like. However, this is as good a product as it can get.”The AFC Chairman said that further perfecting can come from a Select Committee which can advance it further through recommendations from members of the public and the PPP and PNC representatives in a time-lined Select Committee, that is,Nike Roshe Run Online Shop, that it should be deliberated upon, fine-tuned and brought back to the larger National Assembly within 60 days.“There is a first hurdle, however, that has to be crossed…The whole purpose can be scuttled if the PPP and PNC fail to give support that leave be granted to the private member to read it a first time.”Ramjattan said that he will be asking the important players in both the PPP and PNC as to what they think and seek advice from his AFC colleagues as to how the Bill should be proceeded with, thereafterIts explanatory note reads, “This Bill seeks to make provision for the establishment of a Broadcasting Authority which will be an independent professional statutory entity with the purpose of licensing broadcasting agencies namely,Nike Air Max 98 Gundam 2018, radio stations and television stations.”The Bill further seeks to regulate the conditions for the grant, variation,Cheap NFL Jerseys, transfer and cancellation of such licences with provision also being made for penalties for breaches of conditions by licencees,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, and for consequential and related matters connected therewith.