Dear Editor,
The appointment of the Ombudsman in the person of Justice Moore in December 2013 has been a breath of fresh air for all Guyana, especially those who feel their rights have been violated by those in authority. This notion was vindicated when the Ombudsman pronounced that the three NBS managers who had been allegedly implicated in a $69M fraud, suffered “grave injustice.”
The No 40 Coop Society Ltd Reg No 1513 submitted a complaint to the Ombudsman and the Guyana Human Rights Association on January 8, 2015 detailing the injustice done to the Co-op Society by the MMA/ADA. A letter to the Stabroek News on the same matter was published on January 3, 2015. Astonishingly, the MMA/ADA disregarded all. What is ominous, is that a constitutional office established under Article 192(1) of the constitution, with powers to investigate actions taken even by the head of state, has been treated with disdain by the MMA/ADA.
The gist of our complaint is that the MMA/ADA −
1) repossessed and reallocated the lands of our functioning Co-op that has been occupying these lands since January 17, 1972 – a period of 43 years. The Coop had owed the MMA $4,241,458 and paid $3,353,000 representing 79% of the debt. Further, the MMA dispossessed 50% of the members.
2) The MMA has shown double standards in dealing with Co-ops – dismantling some and creating others at its whim and fancy. (Re: ‘MMA repossessed Co-op lands after debts already paid,’ SN, Jan 3, 2015)
3) The MMA has shown disregard for ministerial pronouncement on Co-ops (‘Co-operatives, friendly societies been investigated,’ Guyana Times December 18, 2013)
4) The MMA is fostering communal conflict by taking lands from one set of villagers and giving to another set. (In this light the Ministry of Social Cohesion is welcome.)
5) There is enough land in the MMA scheme for all, but the land distribution system needs urgent review.
We would be grateful if the new government would look into this matter with a view to bringing about a justifiable closure.
Yours faithfully,
P Hamilton
Chairman
No 40 Co-op
