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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 6/6/2019

Good MORNING #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Thursday 6th June 2019. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT), Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

SQUATTERS TAKING OVER MORE GOVT LAND – Squatting is on the increase in Barbados. In his 2018 report, Auditor General Leigh Trotman said a follow up audit to a 2013 report showed that illegal occupation of Crown lands remained extensive across the island. Following the 2013 report it was expected that the Ministry of Housing would have enforced strategies to ensure that there was a reduction in squatting on Crown lands, but based on a follow up audit covering the period April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2018, Trotman said: “The results of the site visits in February 2018 indicate that there has been an increase of 79 per cent in the areas known for squatting”. Special focus was placed on My Lord’s Hill, Licorish Village, the Belle, Howell’s and Ivy and Belmont in St Michael; Six Men’s Tenantry, St Peter, Emmerton Lane, The City and Bath Tenantry, St John, which were identified in the previous audit. The illegal use of Crown lands for vending and advertising was also examined. Research showed that the number of illegal structures in the concentrated St Michael areas moved from 77 in 2013 to reach 130 in 2018. However, the largest increase in squatting during the period was recorded for the Bath Tenantry, Welch Town, St John location, which saw the number jumping from 25 to 65, a 160 per cent increase, over an average of 443.5 acres of land space. The number of illegal sites in Six Men’s, St Peter went from 170 in 2013 to reach 197 last year, over an average of 29.46 acres of Crown land. The report said the illegal structures in Licorish Village/Belle, Belmont, Blenheim and Howells and Ivy, St Michael were located within a zone one ground water protection area. “Included in these structures were a restaurant/caterer and two shops. Fifty-three additional houses were also found in this area,” said Trotman. In St John, he said the foundations and walls for new structures being erected were not included in the percentage. “There was no evidence presented to indicate that ministry personnel were aware of this activity since no site visits took place at this location during the period 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2018. As it relates to Six Men’s St Peter, Trotman said about ten of the structures seen were at various stages of construction, two of which were retail shops and one was a barber shop. While no water connection was evident on most of the illegal structures, it was noted that most of them were outfitted with electricity, telephone and in the Belle Gully area, natural gas. “Personnel from the Ministry of Housing indicated that the Ministry of Transport and Works constructed asphalt roads within the Licorish Village/Belle area, which provide easy access to the land for the squatters,” said Trotman. He pointed to an increase in vending and advertising on Crown property, stating that “Personnel from the Ministry of Housing indicated that it is difficult to contain these operations as there is a level of sympathy and empathy from the public and politicians for persons operating these businesses.” He said several reasons were identified for the increase in squatting including a need for affordable housing for individuals who were destitute or homeless, non-enforcement of eviction action by the Ministry, low priority being placed on land control matters and diverted resources within the Ministry, an absence of regular inspection of targeted areas and the lack of personnel to conduct inspections in a timely manner. To address the issue of squatting, Trotman recommended more site visits by the property management unit and the issuing of encroachment, enforcement and government notices. He said failure to act “allowed persons to construct houses without fear of any consequences”. He said the long-term occupation of Crown land would impact on the social and economic landscape, explaining that the economic costs would ultimately become the burden of Government to adequately resolve the issue. He also pointed out that squatting in zone one ground water protection areas could put the country’s ground water at risk, adding that squatting could also put the offending individuals at risk since some of them build homes within five feet of the main natural gas line. “Critical decisions are required in handling the matters pertaining to the current squatting community, and these matters should be treated with some degree of urgency by the relevant authorities,” said Trotman, adding that the problem would not go away on its own. “The evidence suggests that it is likely to grow, resulting in further unplanned development through the illegal seizure of additional state lands. This prevents the orderly development of infrastructure such as road works, proper drainage, wastewater disposal, access by emergency vehicles and the provision of potable water and other basic amenities. Squatting also results in the State being denied revenues from the sale or rental of land,” he added. Trotman recommended that attention to be given to provision of greater access to land and housing at affordable rate, while ensuring it meets development goal #11, which speaks to the provision of adequate, safe and affordable housing for citizens. (BT)

STICKING WITH TAP – TAP is moving full steam ahead! That is the word from chairman of the Transport Authority Ian Estwick, who indicated that the recent alternative put forward by the Association of Public Transport Operators (APTO) was not a feasible option. That alternative was to pull Transport Board buses from routes adequately serviced by privately-owned units, which would allow those buses instead to ply routes which now have reduced or non-existent service. APTO was of the opinion that the alternative would reduce the duplication of services caused by the Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP). However, in an interview with Barbados TODAY, Estwick said Government had seen enough interest in the TAP to move forward. When asked if the Transport Authority was considering APTO’s suggestion, he said it was paying more attention to the rolling out of TAP. “We are moving full flight ahead into the TAP programme. Only today we had a meeting with 32 former Transport Board drivers who are interested in signing up to the programme, so everything is going well. “We are going ahead with the original programme. That is all I can say at this moment,” the chairman maintained. TAP was initially conceptualized to supplement the Transport Board’s diminishing fleet. Back in April, Prime Minister Mia Mottley explained that the programme would see public service vehicles (PSVs) integrating with the Transport Board in an effort to help move commuters. But spokeswoman for APTO Ingrid King told Barbados TODAY she was disappointed by the stance taken by the Transport Authority. She explained that the proposal was geared at avoiding duplication and congestion. King said APTO had forwarded the proposal to Mottley; Minister of Transport Dr William Duguid, Minister in the Ministry of Transport Peter Phillips, as well as Estwick for review. She said to date they had received no follow up to that correspondence. King argued that the opinions of transport operators, some of whom have worked in the sector for decades, should have been acknowledged. “It is unfortunate if the Transport Authority has decided not to at least consider the option put forward. PSV operators are uniquely placed to know what is going on and to also have feedback from the commuters. Serious consideration should be given as to how those operators feel,” King said. “No harm could have been done if the Transport Authority had at least had discussions with APTO about the suggestions put forward. I think it would be a big blunder not to consider the input of those transport professionals.” However, King said that even at this late stage, APTO was still willing to have a sit down with the relevant authorities for discussions on the matter. “APTO is not opposed to sitting down at the table so we can come up with the best option for our commuters,” she said. APTO member Ian Walcott said that the suggestion had received favourable responses from PSV operators and owners. He maintained that Government needed to “listen to the men in the industry” so that everyone would be on the same page. (BT)

COLD MEALS – After five years of paying out millions of taxpayers dollars more than it bargained for, and granting numerous extensions for its completion, the Government has been left with an unfinished School Meals Centre at Six Roads, St Philip, the Auditor General has revealed. The contract was awarded to a firm which bid at nearly $20 million after then Minister of Education Ronald Jones overruled the tenders committee’s decision in favour of a bid that was almost two million dollars lower, at over $17 million. The project overran its costs by a further three million dollars. Total spent: $23 million. Now, the contractor is demanding the Ministry of Education “clarify its position” on the project so it could decide if to “start arbitration proceedings”. Auditor General Leigh Trotman has said this request should be “dealt with post-haste”. “If negotiations prove unsuccessful, then the Ministry should seek legal advice on the matter,” the Government’s accounting overseer has recommended in his annual report. The Auditor General’s Report for the financial year April 1, 2017 to March 2018, said that the building of new school meals centre, which was to be completed on January 2014, after construction commenced in August 2012, was still incomplete even after numerous extensions to the deadline. Construction was due to begin on August 31, 2012, at a cost of $19.9 million. Part of that figure, $6.66 million, was allocated for the procurement and installation of kitchen equipment. But as of December 31, 2018, the Government had already spent $23.12 million, inclusive of $7.38 million for the kitchen equipment. The new centre was to be built to provide meals for schools in St Philip, Christ Church, St John and parts of St George, as well as cater to an emergency response event of a national disaster. It was to replace two centres: Summervale, St Philip, which was closed to facilitate the construction of the new prison at Dodds, and St Christopher, Christ Church, which was operating in extremely cramped conditions while providing meals to 20 schools instead of the two for which it was originally built. The Six Roads project involved the building two-storey building; the procurement, installation and commissioning of kitchen and related equipment; and the training of personnel to use that equipment. The project was publicly tendered during the months of January and February 2011. The Tenders Committee recommended the contract be awarded to “Firm 1” in the amount of $17.68 million, but Jones countermanded the board, leading to the contract being awarded to “Firm 2” in the amount of $19.90 million. The Auditor General said: “The rationale for varying the recommendation was based on the view that the award of the contract to ‘Firm 1’ would not lend to the most effective utilisation of domestic labour, and maximum circulation of the financial resources to be invested in the project.” The firms were not named in the report. But after granting three extensions of the completion date at a cost of $1 million, due to various factors including the discovery of the cavity in the foundation, revised drawings for the water tank, the foundation, plumbing and electrical items as well as the procurement and installation of certain finishes and items, the project was only about 68 per cent complete by the November 2014 deadline. The value of work and materials on site was $13.62 million. As of January this year, the Auditor General estimated that the building was approximately 90 per cent complete. But the kitchen equipment, the heart of the school meals centre, is yet to be installed. Auditor General Trotman said: “A key issue here was the dispute between the Contractor and Contract Administrator about the correct drain pipes to be installed in a section of the kitchen.” Government incurred more than $56,000 in interest cost for late payments, while the contractor complained that the late payments were hindering the progress of the project. The Auditor General’s report revealed that consultants for that project were being paid some $22,600 a month: mechanical engineers ($4,500), civil and structural engineers ($3,400), quantity surveyors ($3,400) and the architect including a “kitchen equipment consultant” ($11,300). An agreement with the kitchen equipment supplier was signed on October 16, 2015 at a contract price of $7.02 million, $0.43 million more than what was approved by Cabinet, and no timeframe for completion of the work was given. The quantity surveyor indicated in a financial review dated August 31, 2018, that the anticipated final project cost would be $25.36 million. Additional parking area was also approved in January 2016 at a cost of $1.20 million. About $275,000 was paid to the contractor to start the additional car park, but nothing could be done since a boat and occupant was on the property. “At December 31, 2018, the boat has not been removed from the property,” said the Auditor General, who recommended that the Ministry of Education should ensure no future encumbrances on the land. “Furthermore, funds should not have been disbursed for the car park when the boat was still on the property. This has resulted in monies being disbursed unnecessarily which could have been utilised in another area,” he said. The Auditor General has recommended that the project manager be required to give an account as to why the project escalated to its current position. The Ministry of Education did not provide a comment on the report’s findings up to news-time. But acting Minister of Education Senator Lucille Moe told Barbados TODAY that while she had read the report, she preferred not to comment until ministry officials met to fully discuss the issue. She would only say that the Mottley administration would address the issues raised in the report. Moe said: “I would like the opportunity to have discussions on the report with the substantive minister of education [Santia Bradshaw], who will be on-island shortly… and with the entire ministry with regard to that report.” (BT)

REGION TOO SLOW ON DEVELOPMENT GOALS – President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Warren Smith, highlighted at today’s opening ceremony of the 49th Annual Meeting of the Bank’s Board of Governors that the Caribbean was running out of time to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. “We are moving too slowly in doing those things, which will ensure that, by the year 2030, our Region will have delivered on our promise to eliminate poverty and to reduce inequality,” said Smith. In his statement, the President noted that a combination of factors, such as the volatility of petroleum markets and depressed commodity prices, increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters, business environment reforms that lag behind other regions, and inadequate fiscal and debt management contributed to growth slowing to less than 1% in the past decade. At the same time, there was a rapid build-up of debt, with 10 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) exceeding the international benchmark of 60% of gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of 2018. Concurrently, the attractiveness of Caribbean countries for investment has declined noticeably, according to data published by the World Bank. Despite the fact that the Caribbean Region is off track in delivering on the promise of prosperity and social justice for the people, Smith still believed the 2030 Agenda was still achievable. Many BMCs, such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago, have already begun to implement some difficult reforms in response to the fiscal and debt challenges and to improve the business environment. In line with the Annual Meeting’s theme of “Transformation!”, Smith said: “One exciting opportunity for our BMCs to leapfrog to the 2030 Agenda is to harness the power of digital technologies that are now part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Technological advances are already enabling the modernisation of the agricultural sector, the exploitation of indigenous renewable energy, and advancements in financial services. Many of these advances are good for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which are the backbone of the Region’s private sector and account for more than half of both enterprises and GDP. The president also called for the democratisation of education by using new technologies in poor, underserved, and remote communities and giving everyone access to the same level and quality of teaching, irrespective of ability to pay, location or other limiting factors. He said the CDB was undergoing its own internal transformation to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. The Bank will use digital and other emerging technologies, where appropriate, to become a more customer-centric Bank. CDB is also determined to play a bigger role in MSMEs development by galvanising new financing, which will be used to provide loans, equity, and technical assistance to MSMEs. (DN)

SAGICOR AND BCC SIGN MOU - Sagicor Financial Corporation has entered into a major partnership with the Barbados Community College (BCC) as it prepares for the opening of its multi-million dollar senior citizens retirement village in St George. The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, cementing a partnership that will see, among other things, the development of a curriculum focusing on the care of the elderly that will be taught at the college’s Division of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Canadian-based Origin Active Lifestyle. All categories of workers to be employed at the Estates at the St George retirement community will also receive special training. Work on the $170 million project started in March, and when completed in the next three years, will consist of some 328 units in Boarded Hall, St George, catering to more than 170 retirees 55 years and older in both independent living and assisted care. (BT)

PATH TO DRUGS, GUNS, STARTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL, SAYS RESEARCH – Drug abuse and drug trafficking are responsible for rising levels of violence and gun-related crimes, including an unprecedented hike in murders this year, according to Government research. But this path to violence is being paved in primary school as children are introduced to drugs and crime, the research suggests. The head of the Criminal Justice & Research Planning Unit Cheryl Willoughby said today the research points to a strong correlation between the drug trade and the illicit firearm trade which not only affects individuals and families but also society in general given the island’s dependence on tourism and foreign investment. Willoughby’s remarks came this afternoon at a prize-giving for the Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) programme, held at Prince Cave Hall, at the Police District ‘A’ Complex. The Government’s chief criminologist called on Barbadians both on the island and across the diaspora to assist with charting more productive paths and opportunities for young people. She said: “Drug abuse generates complex social problems which must be addressed using a holistic model. “This model should include a treatment component aimed at giving non-violent offenders the best possible opportunity to rehabilitate and become productive citizens. “The Drug Treatment Court provides this opportunity and continues to do an excellent job at giving young drug offenders a second chance.” The crime research unit’s director commended the DARE programme for performing a vital role in educating young people about drugs and diverting them from the criminal justice system. She said the contents of the DARE programme, including aspects of decision making; risk and consequences; peer pressure, communication skills and bullying, were areas that address a number of risk factors to violent crime identified in her unit’s research. She said it was important that programmes targeting vulnerable populations be guided by research evidence to ensure that the most critical areas for intervention received the required resources. Willoughby told the graduands that the DARE programme provided them with all the necessary information and skills that would allow them to make wise decisions about their health and the importance of being a productive citizen. She cautioned the students that there was no real magic to success, which only comes with hard work on the part of parents, teachers and students. “It takes sacrifice, dedications and most importantly the ability to stand alone for what is right and wholesome. Sometimes we are tempted to give up and give in to peer pressure when things become tough,” she said. Willoughby also turned her attention to parents whom she said were best placed to keep their children safe from drugs and help them develop skills they will need to make positive choices. “This can only be achieved if parents are empowered to assume their responsibility and lead the cause by being positive role models for their children. “Research has shown that children of offenders often follow in their parents’ footsteps and become part of the criminal justice system. “In other words, the fruit does not fall too far from the tree,” she said. DARE’s facilitator Police Inspector Roland Cobbler commented that he daily encounters young people who openly admit to drug use. He highlighted the Criminal Justice Research & Planning Unit’s research finding that initiation into drug use for children in Barbados was occurring as early as primary school. The Royal Barbados Police Force is concerned with the development since the prevalence of drug use by children has the potential to threaten the stability of society, he said. Acting Inspector Cobbler declared: “It is, therefore, my belief that this Drug Abuse Resistance Education programme affectionately known as DARE, provides the requisite knowledge and skills to assist our children in making the right choices.” Certificates of participation were handed out to 72 Wilkie Cumberbatch students during the graduation ceremony. Skyla Weithers received the top awards for being the Most Outstanding 2019 DAREstudent at the national level and at the school. (BT)

JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN A ‘RUT’, SAYS ATTORNEY - The state of the island’s judicial system has gone under the microscope yet again with one top attorney declaring it was operating in a rut. Angella Mitchell-Gittens’ comments came as she addressed Justice Randall Worrell this morning in a matter involving 50-year-old Winston Adolphus Agard of 3rd Avenue, Licorish Village, St Michael who fell through the “cracks” of the system. Agard appeared in the No. 2 Supreme Court this morning for the first time in over seven years after spending over ten years on remand. He pleaded guilty to stealing a bag and contents including $1,000 cash belonging to Connie Young on March 27, 2009 with a total value of BDS$9, 230. He told Mitchell-Gittens who took his case pro bono that he last appeared in court in 2012. “We are operating in such a rut that you can’t even plead guilty. Something is seriously wrong with that when we cannot expedite a guilty plea. People are begging to plead guilty and not even that we can accommodate sir,” Mitchell-Gittens told Justice Worrell. Adamant that there was need for urgent intervention the veteran attorney said she was of the view that if prisoners who were desirous of pleading guilty were able to do so in a timely manner then “I think we would cut that backlog in half.” Making reference to fellow legal counsel Arthur Holder who was present in court, and who is also the Speaker of the House of Parliament, she said: “I am glad that a Member of Parliament is sitting to my right and I hope he will take this information to the necessary place because this is madness that a man is sitting in prison more than the maximum sentence”. Holder subsequently admitted, “It is a sad state of affairs, it really is.” “You have sometime when the inmate is so frustrated having spent so much time that they don’t bother to fight the case [saying] ‘I already spent eight years let me just throw in the towel’, he added. Justice Worrell revealed, “We have sent down more letters to wherever they should be to ask and to indicate that these persons want to plead guilty and do they have indictments, but we are still in the dark.” He suggested that what maybe needed was to speak with the other sitting criminal court in order to formulate a plan to get those cases done. The judicial officer made it clear that he did not want to start a new legal year with this situation. “ We cannot go forward in September, we cannot start the new legal year with these persons hanging on,” the judge stated. Principal Crown Counsel Alliston Seale also admitted that there was a break down. “There is no doubt about it . . . . We in the criminal justice system, Bench, Bar, prison everybody must do his or her part to ensure that we get this thing on the road,” he said. (BT)

FORGOTTEN PRISONER – Barbados’ judicial system forgot Winston Adolphus Agard in prison for almost a decade. But after languishing on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison, Dodds, without trial, he was allowed to go home today after pleading guilty to the charge first brought against him in March 2009. “I feel good! I feel good! I feel good!” was the declaration from the 50-year-old man who gave his last address as 3rd Avenue, Licorish Village, St Michael. Agard got his day in the No. 2 Supreme Court this morning due to the actions of Prison Officer Floyd Downes who informed court officials and Justice Randall Worrell that the now convicted man “fell through the cracks” and had not been before a judicial officer since 2012. Today Agard pleaded guilty to stealing a bag and contents including $1,000 cash belonging to Connie Young on March 27, 2009. The total value was BDS$9,230. He had been arrested months later and remanded in January 2010. “This is madness! That a man is sitting in prison for more than the maximum sentence and but for Mr Downes he would not get here today. Something is seriously wrong with the system, seriously wrong . . . it is ridiculous,” said attorney-at-law Angella Mitchell-Gittens, who took on Agard’s case pro bono as a friend of the court. “This is an example of how people without [legal] counsel get lost in the system . . . . The judicial system owes a debt of gratitude to Mr Downes because had it not been for astute persons like Mr Downes, Mr Agard might very well have been there [Dodds] for 31 years,” the attorney stated. In an impassioned plea, she further argued that Agard be allowed to walk out of the Whitepark Road Supreme Court, a complex which he visited for the first time today, as he had spent more time in prison than the maximum penalty for his crime. She went on to say that when the facts and circumstances of Agard’s crime were examined and the guilty plea taken into consideration it was highly unlikely that he would have spent ten years in prison. “He has already served his time. In fact, the State owes him time . . . .Something needs to be done because he told me this morning ‘I am not the only one in my position. There are several others up there like me’. And without an attorney, there is no vehicle for you [the prisoner] to get before a judge and without somebody like Mr Downes who would come and say there is this person up there . . . people are going to be lost in prison forever. “Something needs to be done, we are operating in a very dangerous system, where we are losing people in prison,” the lawyer said adding that, “the scary part of it is that this is not the exception, he is not the exception”. Justice Worrell also lauded the prison warden, who has been in the service for 27 years, for his work in alerting the court of Agard’s predicament. The judge revealed that Downes had been indicating from time to time [that others wanted to plead guilty] and “in fact up to this morning had a list of inmates who want to plead guilty”. Principal Crown Counsel Alliston Seale also gave Downes his kudos. “I maintain that he is one of the best prison officers in Barbados and although it was not his function, it is the lost of Mr Downes for a few years [from working the court] that, certainly things started to fall down because Downes was the link between the Magistrates’ Court, the prison, the High Court . . . everything,” Seale stated even as he described Agard’s predicament as an “injustice”. The facts revealed by Seale showed that Young went to The Woods located at Golf Club Road, Christ Church on March 27, 2009 where she made a short stop, leaving her bag in her vehicle on the seat and the windows down. When she returned it had disappeared and the matter was reported to police. She got a call from a man sometime later informing her that he had found the bag in the bush with her contact information. Police had an occasion to speak to Agard on January 7, 2010, and he admitted to the crime. He said he purchased clothes and food with the money and threw the bag away. He also saw Young at the station and told her: “Sorry for your loss. I was down at the time, I was in a bad position.” Today from the docks Agard, who has 11 convictions including for theft of newspapers and money, again apologised. “I am sorry to put myself through this trouble. I will do my best not to put myself through this again,” he said. Asked by Justice Worrell whether he had a drug problem which was the catalyst for these petty crimes, Agard answered: “No Sir. That is just lawlessness.” The judge ordered a probation report into his life before releasing him on his own recognisance and after signing the necessary documents Agard walked out of the court with a smile although hiding his face at times. He is to return to court in July for a formal sentencing. (BT)

PILE’S PLIGHT – Attorney-at-law Vonda Pile might have lost her freedom, but there still remains a slim possibility she may not lose her licence to practice law. The 56-year-old Pile was yesterday found guilty in the Supreme Court of stealing US$96,008.22 (BDS$191,416.39) from former client Anstey King. It resulted in the lawyer, who has been practicing for the last 27 years, being remanded to HMP Dodds until July 16 pending sentencing. Any lawyer who is convicted of a criminal offence faces the likelihood of being disbarred. However, president of the Barbados Bar Association Liesel Weekes told Barbados TODAY it was not an automatic decision. She revealed that Pile still had the right to appeal the decision. “The Legal Profession Act makes no provision for automatic removal from the roll. There is a provision though for an application to be made with the leave of the Disciplinary Committee by anybody who is aggrieved by the act of misconduct which gives rise to a criminal conviction and on the basis of the criminal offence brings the profession into disrepute, then the Committee can then make a recommendation to the Court of Appeals,” Weekes said. She also pointed out that the court could sentence Pile to be removed from the roll. Interestingly, Pile is not a member of the Barbados Bar Association. Back in 2015, then president of the Association Tariq Khan had asked the court to prevent Pile from practising law because her certificate was invalid since she had not paid her annual Bar subscription as required by law. Pile had argued that she was not mandated to be a member of the association to practice law in Barbados. In a landmark decision handed down last year, Justice Pamela Beckles ruled in favour of Pile, stating that compulsory membership of the Barbados Bar Association is unconstitutional. However, Weekes revealed that the authority of the Disciplinary Committee extended beyond membership of the Bar. She said the Committee had the right to discipline any lawyer who had been admitted to the roll. Weekes said if Pile was not removed from the roll as part of her sentence, it was possible a recommendation could be made to have her suspended. “The Disciplinary Committee does not have the authority to remove anybody from the roll or to impose any sanctions, the Court of Appeal does that. “You might not be struck off [the roll] but you might be suspended for a number of years, but in the case of a criminal conviction it is likely that any recommendation coming from the Disciplinary Committee may be the most severe of the penalties,” the president said. In February of this year Joyce Griffith was struck from the roll. The decision was handed down by the Court of Appeal after she was found guilty of misappropriating the proceeds from the sale of property for a client. (BT)

DEADLY RUN – Deceased 11-year-old Ian Elroy Gibson was one of three schoolboys running along Sunbury Road, St Philip moments before he was involved in an accident on September 18, 2009. He died two days later – September 20, 2009 – at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Gian Holder, the driver of the motorcar involved in the incident on that Friday ten years ago, gave evidence in the No. 2 Supreme Court today. Holder took the stand this afternoon as the manslaughter trial against Shaquille Shamal Khalleel Bradshaw and Doniko Javier Alleyne both of Balls Land, Christ Church and Maria Antoinette Goddard of Parish Land C, Balls Land, Christ Church got underway. All three accused who ranged in age from 12 to 14 were students of the Princess Margaret Secondary School at the time of the incident. Holder told the jury through questioning by Principal Crown Counsel Alliston Seale that he was returning from a Six Roads establishment where he had purchased something to eat and was driving on Sunbury Road in the direction of Church village. “I saw three boys running, they were in a line, one up front and two behind. When I got by the boys, I felt the impact on the left side of the vehicle. I got out and saw the little boy was on the ground,” Holder told the court presided by Justice Randall Worrell. He disclosed that a gentleman he knew came and told him to “step back” but he “was scared not knowing what was going on”. The police he said came shortly after and so did the ambulance. “The little boy who impacted the vehicle was the same one who was running,” said Holder who stated that he was not exceeding the speed limit nor was he driving recklessly on that day. Under cross-examination by attorney-at-law Arthur Holder who is representing accused Bradshaw along with attorney Danielle Mottley, the driver also stated that all three boys were dressed in khaki short pants. The deceased’s father also took the stand today and said his son was like any 11-year-old boy. Victor Cadogan said he had never received any complainants from educational officials about problems with his son’s behavior. “He go long to school very decent . . . [but] left home to go school [that day] and never returned,” he said. Cadogan revealed that he was at home sleeping that Friday but “jump up from sleep”. He said it was normally the time that Gibson came home but instead he got a call from one of his son’s former teachers telling him about the accident. “I hear he get lick down by a car. [When I got there] I saw a lot of people on the road and he on the side of the road, in a pool of blood, in his school clothes,” the dad said adding that he son never spoke to him that afternoon or anytime after that. “He just look up at me and that is all . . . he did not speak with me. He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and I went in the ambulance with him.” The father remained at the QEH by his son’s bedside until Sunday and when he decided to finally go home, he received the news. “As I get home, a little while after the doctor call and tell he had pass away. I went back . . .and he was lying on the ward just so . . . and I had to identify him. “He was cool and calm when he left home that Friday morning,” Cadogan disclosed. Dr Stephen Jones who conducted the postmortem on the body of the then first form Princess Margaret student also gave evidence. He said Gibson had several injuries including, “comminuted fractures” in his left leg and lower jaw, a fracture in the floor of his skull, abrasions and contusions on his knee, a crushed injury to one of his right fingers, lacerations to the right side of the face, clotting in the ear, blood in the chest cavity, collapsed spleen and his brain was swollen. “ I am of the opinion that cause of death was due to severe trauma to the head, chest, abdomen . . . they are consistent with the injuries you can get with being struck by a motor vehicle . . . [the force] was moderate to severe,” the pathologist revealed. Attorney-at-law Angella Mitchell-Gittens is representing Goddard and Alleyne. The case continues tomorrow. (BT)

AUSSIES’ BULLSEYE ON GAYLE – Australia captain Aaron Finch said today his side would be planning to target West Indies talisman Chris Gayle early on, when the two teams clashed in their respective second outings of the ICC World Cup tomorrow. The left-handed Gayle is the Caribbean side’s most experienced batsman with 10 201 runs from 290 One-Day Internationals with 25 hundreds, and is one of the most feared batsmen in international cricket. “I think when you come up against someone as dangerous as Chris, you have to be prepared, like I said before, that he’s going to hit boundaries,” Finch told a media conference. “So it’s about trying to attack his weaknesses early and making sure that we’re putting the ball in the areas that we want to be bowling. I think if … you second-guess yourself, if you’re a bit tentative, if you’re a bit nervous with the ball in hand, he’ll get all over you, and once he’s going, he’s so hard to stop. “So I think it’s important that you come prepared to take the contest to him because he definitely does that the other way.” Gayle has been in superb form of recent, plundering 424 runs in his last ODI series against England earlier this year. He also sparkled in the opening World Cup opener against Pakistan with exactly 50 off 34 balls as West Indies won handsomely. For all his career success, however, Gayle has never scored an ODI hundred against Australia and averages only 26 from 31 matches against the reigning World champions. Though aware of these statistics, Finch said Australia would not be lured into a false sense of security. “I think the West Indies aren’t a side that we tend to play year in, year out. Those stats would be over a really long period of time,” Finch explained. “So it’s hard to put a definite reason why [Gayle averages so low] because you might play two games here, and with some injuries that Chris has had the last time that they played in Australia was a few years ago. He played the first two and then didn’t play the rest of the series. He had a back issue. “So it’s tough to put something right on it, to say this is the reason why [he has not done as well against Australia]. It’s just it comes down to some good planning, no doubt, but also one or two games here and there over a long period of time. It probably doesn’t give you a full picture, either.” (BT)

BURKE, JONES IN NCAA FINALS – Barbadian Mario Burke blazed to his first legal sub-10 clocking as he hunts a sprint double at the NCCA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas, and Jonathan Jones also qualified for the 400 metres final. Burke, a senior at the University of Houston, clocked 9.98 seconds to win heat two with a legal wind of 1.3 metres per second. The two men ahead of him, Texas Tech’s Divine Oduduru and Florida’s Hakim Sani Browne, were split by the photo finish after both clocked a wind-aided 9.96 seconds (2.4). Heat one, which came back in 10.01 seconds, was also wind-aided. This is Burke’s second sub-10. He also did a wind-aided 9.95 (3.2) at conference finals, and broke into a big smile when the time flashed on the screen. In the 200 metres, Burke did a personal best 20.08 seconds (0.7), second only to defending champion Oduduru (19.97) and with the same time as Joseph Amoah of Coppin State, just at the legal limit of 2 metres per second. Meanwhile, Jones holds the distinction of being the only freshman in the finals of the 400 metres. Fresh off breaking Elvis Forde’s 34-year-old record with a personal best 45.02, the University of Texas student had plenty left in the tank with 45.53 seconds, sixth overall. If he can duplicate his record-breaking run, or improve on it, he could also be in line for a podium spot. Burke’s schoolmate Kahmari Montgomery leads all comers with 44.80 in the event. The other Barbadians at the NCAAs did not reach the finals. Michael Nicholls of Georgia did a personal best 13.61 seconds in the men’s 110 metres hurdles to finish tenth overall and University of Kentucky’s Tai Browne was 13th overall with 13.71. Both Burke and Jones are scheduled to run the finals on Friday. (DN)

WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT OF PIC O DE CROP – A record 96 entertainers have put forward their names for a chance to take the Pic O De Crop title, the most ever. Noticeably missing from the list released by the National Cultural Foundation this evening are former monarch Aziza and two-time winner iWeb and Smokey Burke who was hospitalised last year weeks before the finals. By comparison, in 2017 the total number of entrants was 85 and last year, 73. Cave Shepherd All Stars leads with 23. New tent, Shining Stars has 11. Rounding out the list are House of Soca with 22, Super Gladiators with 15, De Big Show with 12, and Stray Cats with ten. In a new style competition, instead of a semi-finals, there will be preliminary judging of artistes, each doing one song instead of two. The final number will be slashed to 18 to go to the finals instead of nine, plus the reigning king. The competition prize has moved from $10 500 and a vehicle to $100 000 cash or a BT Mazda truck. (DN)

‘TRUE ROSE’ PASSES ON – She was a rose among thorns. That’s the way one man who knew Bishop Anne Rose described the late gnostic priest and psychologist of Roumaika House, who died last Wednesday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). Her friend, who only gave his name as Uncle Charlie, said the elderly woman was misunderstood by some, but those who truly know her would only have good things to say. “She was a genuinely helpful person. She was a person who touched thousands . . . . When people talk, they do not know what they are saying; she is a person who would give to anyone she came across,” he said at his Dayrells Road, Christ Church home. He lived in the same apartment complex. (DN)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 209 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles# dailynewscapsbythechasefiles

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marymosley · 4 years ago

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Role of Social Media and Freedom of Speech and Expression

Social Media

Today, social media is used by almost everyone in the world be it one form or the other. Social media is any digital tool, which allows the users to create and share any content with the public. Social media surrounds a wide range of other websites and applications.

Anyone having access to the internet can sign up for a social media account and can use that account to share and post any content and this content reaches to anyone who visits their account/profile/page.

Social media is used by individuals to stay in touch with friends and family, for social shopping networks, for sharing economy networks while it is used by businesses as a market to grow and expand their business and also to promote and sell their products. Some of the social media platforms used are Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Wikipedia.

Social media has not just confined its wings to sharing information and pictures, earlier predicted a basis of one-way communication, social-media has now become a platform of sharing thoughts, ideas, and reviews thus exercising freedom of speech to the amplest.

It’s a free platform where people find ownership. They speak on their own behalf without anyone guiding them and keeping an eye on what they have to filter while expressing. It is marked to be the widest source of original expression of speech amongst people not confining to any particular age group.

Considering the psychological aspect of why did social media become such a huge platform of expressing opinions and views, we can reach to a conclusion that India being an Illiberal democracy, where although elections are held considering the votes of citizens but the transmission of power, fulfillment of promises and upliftment of the general public through legal means is opaque. So, people have always had their share of debates and opinions which never paved way to the outside world due to lack or fear of power, for example- In 2011, Aseem Trivedi started a nationwide anti-corruption movement India against Corruption gathered pace in India. He started a cartoon based campaign, Cartoons Against Corruption to support the movement, launched a website https://ift.tt/1hPaDPs and displayed his cartoons in the MMRDA ground, Mumbai during the hunger strike of Anna Hazare but the website was banned by Mumbai Crime Branch for displaying “defamatory and derogatory cartoons” in Dec, 2011 following his website’s ban. Thus, social media came as a blessing to people for voicing out their views and opinions, organizing protests, forming groups for discussing and assembling agendas in total exercising their freedom of speech.

We have seen some great moments in the past which started on the internet and took the world by storm, the most recent example of such a movement which gained world-wide public support and engagement was “Black Lives Matter”. This movement which started off as a mere hash tag spread likes wildfire. People expressed their opinions and views as to why racism is an offense and should be put to stop. Another most recent example of social media movement would be Agrima Joshua’s standup case which involved a clip of the stand-up comedian presenting a set with mentioning Shivaji Maharaj in her satire. This was not galloped by audience like cheese but incase turned out to be a huge ruckus for the comedian, the rage crossed boundary when a man from Gujarat went public on his YouTube channel and gave open rape threat to the lady which became a concern for him. Everyone stood up on social media for the woman and defended her saying open rape threats are not justifies. Within 24 hours of the movements, Vadodara Police arrested the man and took him behind the bars which once again marked the power of Social media as an expression of opinions, speech and Justice.

Freedom of Speech and Expression

Under article 19(1) (a)[1]of the Constitution of India Right to freedom of speech and expression is one of the major fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens under part III of the Constitution of India. According to it:

All citizens shall have the right

(a) To freedom of speech and expression;

Freedom to Speech and Expression means a citizen has the right to express one’s own opinions freely by way or writing, printing, pictures, mouth or by any other mode. This means that expression of one’s idea through any communicable medium including writing, printing, pictures or mouth or visible representation including signs gestures etc.

This right is only available to the citizens and not to all persons, this means that every person within the territory of India does not have this right but it is available only to the citizens of India.

Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression is not an absolute right and it allows the govt. of India to frame laws and to impose restrictions in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India.

Although there is no particular legislation which covers the leverage of expression and opinions or violation on social media but there are certain provisions in cyber-law which can be addressed in case of any violation or misuse of Social media, let’s study them in brief.

(a) Under Chapter XI of the Act, Sections 65, 66, 66A, 6C, 66D, 66E, 66F, 67, 67A and 67B contain punishments for computer related offences which can also be committed through social media viz. tampering with computer source code, committing computer related offences given under Section 43, sending offensive messages through communication services, identity theft, cheating by personation using computer resource, violation of privacy, cyber terrorism, publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form, material depicting children in sexually explicit act in electronic form, respectively.

(b) Section 69 of the Act grants power to the Central or a State Government to issue directions for interception or monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, for preventing incitement to commission of any cognizable offence, for investigation of any offence.

(c) Section 69A grants power to the Central Government to issue directions to block public access of nay information through any computer resource on similar grounds.

(d) Section 69B grants power to the Central Government to issue directions to authorize any agency to monitor and collect traffic data or information through any computer resource for cyber security.

(e) Section 79 provides for liability of intermediary. An intermediary shall not be liable for any third party information, data or communication link made available or hosted by him in the

Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Of all these provisions, Section 66A has been in news in recent times, though for all the wrong reasons. Before discussing the issue in detail, it is desirable to first have a look at Section 66A, the provision itself. Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 inserted vide Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 provides punishment for sending offensive messages through communication service, etc. and states:

Any person who sends, by means of a computer resource or a communication device-

(a) Any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character;

(b) Any information which he knows to be false, but for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, or ill will, persistently by making use of such computer resource or a communication device,

(c) Any electronic mail or electronic mail message for the purpose of causing annoyance or inconvenience or to deceive or to mislead the addressee or recipient about the origin of such messages shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine.

Social Media and Freedom of Speech and Expression

Everybody needs a platform where he needs to express him/her and which is the fundamental right of every citizen in India in which he has the right to express oneself. Today Internet and Social Media has become an important communication tool through which individuals can exercise their right to freedom of speech and expression and exchange ideas and information with each other. However, freedom of speech and expression does not confer a right on the citizens the right to speak or publish anything and everything without responsibility. It is not an unbraided license giving immunity for every possible use of language and prevents punishment for those who abuse this freedom.

The legislature has the power to enact laws under Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression to impose restrictions on the following grounds:

· Sovereignty and Integrity of India

· Defamation

· National Security

· Public Order

· Decency

· Friendly relations with foreign states.

In today’s world where Internet and social media play a major role in almost everyone’s life, access to this medium has also been recognized as a fundamental human right. The state is under a constitutional obligation to ensure conditions in which all citizens can meaningfully and effectively enjoy these rights and to also prevent dominance by a few over others. In India there is no specific legislation, which deals with social media. However, there are certain provisions in the so called cyber laws that cane used to seek redressal in case of any violation of any rights in the social media including cyber space and internet. In Muzzafar Nagar Riots, through investigations it was revealed that hate contents circulated on social media has sparked communal clashes. For almost half a dozen communal clashes in India it was proved that the reason was the contents posted on social media. The present cyber laws in India are neither appropriate nor adequate in this respect. Though social media is the best platform to express yourself freely and without any fear but the content that you put on the blog or post any video or photo stays on the internet forever and can be accessible by anyone and everyone, there needs to be regulation on the social media as well. In the past few years’ social media has played an outstanding role and a suitable place for people moving towards the concept of equality, justice, and accountability of the powerful people, the social media and internet are the key sources through which there is transmission of ideas from one place to the other, an excellent opportunity for the people who want to make others aware of their rights and duties through a digital platform. Even the freedom of speech and expression is recognized by the United Nations Human Rights Council, which holds communication and internet in high esteem and also provides practical applicability of the right of speech and expression through the medium of altered media channels. LIC v Manubhai D Shah[2] the judgment held that the right to freedom of speech and expression would include the freedom of a citizen as a viewer/listener/reader to receive and to communicate or disseminate information and ideas without interference. It is the constitutional obligation of the state to ensure conditions in which these rights can be meaningfully and effectively enjoyed by all citizens and prevent its monopoly or dominance by a few. While talking about the freedom and the rights of the citizens what also needs to be focused on is that the freedom to speech and expression is not an absolute right there are certain reasonable restrictions on this right so that the state can be saved from being jeopardized, in the interest of integrity, sovereignty and security of India. But in the case of Anuraddha Bhasin v Union of India[3] in which the Supreme Court criticized the shutdown of the internet for an unjustifiable duration and said that the lockdown of the internet is to governed by different provisions like the temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Service) Rules, 2017 where suspension can be utilized for a temporary duration only and rule which involves the shutdown of the internet should adhere to the principle of proportionality. Keeping in mind the accessibility of the internet in today’s world there needs to be protection and securitization of the data and the information available of our citizens on the internet, the international standards also provide for the protection of freedom of expression and right to equality the protection provided by the international standards must be the backbone of any states and response to hate speech, intolerance and discrimination. States needs to ensure that there is protection of human rights when they come in contact with private individuals it is also necessary that there is effective exercise of the rights of individuals so that they freely receive and impart ideas.

RESTRICTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

There is imposition of restrictions both on social media and the fundamental guaranteed to us by the Constitution, in social media there is restriction in the form that pornographic material and obscene content is banned and is not shown on the internet comparing it to the restriction imposed under article 19 (2) which says that there is reasonable restriction on the fundamental right given under article 19 (1) (a). Rather than defining and introducing new ‘objectionable speech’ despite what should be assessable is India’s laws and policies as they relate to freedom of expression which might be against the standards set by the Constitution. Considering this there would be an ensurance that there is distinction between socially objectionable and legally objectionable it remains at its place as it should be. Since this is followed there would be assurance that Constitution is being operationalized as intended by its authors. In Secretary, Ministry of Information And Broadcasting, Government of India and Others v Cricket Association of Bengal and Others[4], the Supreme Court held that to ensure there is freedom of speech, it is necessary that the citizens have the benefit of plurality of views and range of opinions on all public issues. Considering all the points about the restrictions imposed on social media and rights of the citizens it can be stated that rather than banning and censoring of social media it would be much better if there is better surveillance and regulation it would be desirable that it protects the rights of the citizens. T is the need of the hour that the hate content which is a despair of our country should be removed and blocked and the culprits who create such discord should be punished for the same according to the laws mentioned, on the other hand there should not be complete surveillance of the content being constantly posted on the internet because then that would get between the way of expressing oneself and putting out to the public their thoughts and ideas. There is a very thin line between regulation and hindrance, if there is over regulation on the social media then that would by intolerable for the citizens and would lead to the hindrance of their private fundamental rights which is guaranteed to them by the Constitution of India.

CONCLUSION

Social Media is a very powerful source of expressing the feeling of agitation, happiness and various other human emotions but there should be control on everything and everything has to be done in a regulated manner, Since the past few years there has been a constant increase in the ill utilization of the social media which has given the government to regulate social media where it can censor all the illegal acts. In both directions there need to be a stoppage on the objectionable and illegal content which is being uploaded on the internet and also there can be violation of civil rights of people as an inevitable consequence of censorship. The current IT laws are inadequate and insufficient to cope up with the dynamic changes around the globe, therefore there should be a midway of solving things there should be regulation of social media in such a way that it does not violate the fundamental right of the citizens what is desirable is a specific regulation which regulate social media. The need of the hour is that the government should form a regulatory committee specifically for this purpose and frame laws which seem to be fulfilling in the respect of regulating social media and our freedom of speech and expression.

On seeing the present scenario we can say that yes, social media has been a provider of a platform for people to express and present emotions like rage, grief, opinions and feelings. It not only has made citizens more woke and informed but has even helped in shaping the government according to the needs of the public. As there is bane so is boon, Social media has been blamed at points for forging identities, cyber bullying, intolerant opinions and even on moral grounds such as slut-shaming, fat-shaming. There are few provisions which guide the control of social media in terms of speech and expression but no formal legislation that contributes towards it. In conclusion, it is a gift if used as a means of expression, knowledge and presentation and may turn it way upside down if used otherwise.

[1] The right to freedom of speech guarantees a citizen enough room to follow his own ideology or political affiliation within the framework of constitution of India it was held in the case of Kanhaiya Kumar v State (Nct of Delhi) (2016) 2 Cr CC 440

[2] 1992 (3)SCC 637

[3] WRIT PETITION(CIVIL) NO 1031 of 2019

[4] AIR 1995 SCC 1236 A successful democracy posits an aware citizenry. Diversity of opinions, views, ideas and ideologies is essential to enable the citizens to arrive at informed judgment on all issues touching them. This cannot be provided by a medium controlled by a monopoly- whether the monopoly is of the State or any other individual, group or organization.

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thisdaynews · 6 years ago

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True Picture Of Why Nigerians Are Suffering

New Post has been published on https://www.thisdaynews.net/2018/05/25/true-picture-of-why-nigerians-are-suffering/

True Picture Of Why Nigerians Are Suffering

I have been following closely the activities of this government and whenever I have the opportunity, I try to find out the opinions of people as regards the performance of this government.

I just realized that the hardship faced by many Nigerians is simply as a result of the fact that almost everyone of us benefited from the cycle of corruption.

The bricklayer, plumber, laborers, tiler are all complaining because building construction has slowed down massively because the thieves no longer have money to spend on real estate.

The car dealers are grumbling because their cars are begging for buyers. Thieves can no longer spend wastefully.

The private school owners are shouting because parents can no longer pay outrageous sums and are withdrawing their wards.

I was shocked when I learnt that in a popular private University in Abuja, parents are writing undertaking at d account section for their children to be allowed to write exams, it goes on and on.

The fact is, a lot of people are returning to what someone referred to as ”default mode”.

We mostly have been living above our REAL MEANS.

We have been staying in houses that ordinarily our incomes can’t afford.

Our children going to schools we can’t afford. Driving cars we ordinarily can’t maintain.

We have been living a FAKE LIFE all along. Now the reality is before us and we don’t want to accept it.

This shows how morally bankrupt we are.

You can’t eat your Cake and have it. Take Note��”GOD HELP AND BLESS NIGERIA”

You got billions from bank without collateral using your political influence. You put half into your business and spent the other half on exotic cars, jeweleries, etc.

Your business employs 100 people normally. You get illegal waivers and concessions to import raw materials at rock bottom prices, you get over-inflated contract to supply Govt some goods your company produced. In short your company is kept afloat by corruption.

Now the new SHERIFF in town says:= No more ridiculous waivers, No more inflated contracts, No more bank loans without collateral, in fact its time you or your company pay off d billions of debt owed…..

AMCON takes over your company, staff are laid off……And you go on air to say the new sheriff is killing business and causing unemployment..

The truth is….you & your company were never in business, you were only feeding off the system.

Too many companies and banks are funded by corruption. Remove corruption from the system & they collapse we then end up blaming the person that removes corruption for the collapse of the corruptly run fake company.

Its like our system and corruption are so interwoven and inseparable that removing one may kill the other.

Maybe we should tolerate and learn to live with corruption so that Nigeria can survive?

Recession: What recession? If you think Nigeria is broke, then you are living in another planet. Now, please read the information below and tell me why Nigerians crying of hardship are comfortable with the bold looting of their collective wealth by the politicians.

A COUNTRY CALLED NIGERIA

Twenty-one senators currently receiving pensions from Govt as ex-Govs and Deputy governors.

Current senators who once served as Govs are Bukola Saraki of Kwara, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano, Kabiru Gaya of Kano, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Theodore Orji of Abia, Abdullahi Adamu of Nasarawa, Sam Egwu of Ebonyi, Shaaba Lafiagi of Kwara, Joshua Dariye of Plateau Jonah Jang of Plateau, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto, Ahmed Sani Yarima of Zamfara, Danjuma Goje of Gombe, Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe, Adamu Aliero of Kebbi and George Akume of Benue State.

The former Del Govs in the Senate are Ms Biodun Olujimi of Ekiti and Enyinaya Port Harcourt Abaribe of Abia. Danladi Abubakar Sani served as the acting governor of Taraba state.

Many former governors are also in Buhari’s Cabinet as Ministers. This includes: Ngige, Fayemi, Amaechi and Fashola (SAN).).

In Akwa Ibom State d law provides that Ex-Gov & Deputy Gov receive pension equivalent to the salaries of d incumbent. The package also includes a new official car and a utility vehicle every four years; one personal aide; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5 million per month and N2.5 million for his Dep. Gov.

In Rivers, d law provides 100% of annual basic salaries for ex-governor & deputy, one residential house for the former governor “anywhere of his choice in Nigeria”; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy, three cars for the ex-governor every four years and two cars for the deputy every four years.

In Lagos it is alleged that a former governor ‘ll get two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja, estimated at N500mill in Lagos and N700 million in Abuja. He also receives six new cars to be replaced every three years; a furniture allowance of 300% of annual salary to be paid every two years, and a N30 million pension annually for life.

This is the reality for all the 21 ex govenors and deputy governors who are currently serving as senators. This same is also true of ex governors who are now serving as Ministers.

NOW I ASK: How many years did these guys serve their states as governors and deputy governors? Is it more than 8years? Is that a reason to be entitled to pensions for life? Even if they are entitled to pension for life, must it be so outrageous?

As if that is not enough: HOW on earth can any public servant with conscience collect salaries and allowances as a senator or minister, and still have the audacity to claim pensions equivalent to the salaries of a serving governor in Nigeria?

IT ISN’T ROCKET SCIENCE……

Once you are elected a senator or appointed a minister, you must forfeit any pension accruing to you from government at any level until you vacate office. This should also apply to senators collecting military pensions like former Senate President David Mark.

Yet these senators are in the Senate that is inviting d current finance minister to discuss the recession of Nigeria’s economy. A senator pockets approximately 30 million naira monthly as salary & allowances. Our “Honourables” are not interested to make laws that could restructure our country into economically autonomous federating States/Regions to save the country from sectional agitations that is threatening to destroy Nigeria. The sad and hopeless situation is that the rest of Nigerians are busy arguing based on party, ethnic and affiliations while these enemies of state continue to rape us.

Do you know that it costs Tax Payers N290m yearly to maintain each member of our National Assembly in a country where nothing works & 80% of Population earn below 300 Naira a day? A working day earning of a senator is more than a yearly income of a doctor; it’s more than the salary of 42 Army Gen or 48 Proff. or 70 Police commissioners or more than twice the pay of the US President or 9 times d salary of US congress men.

It’s high time the Country had a referendum on outrageous Salaries of Senators, House of Representative members and other Political office Holders.

If you are seriously against the looting of our commonwealth in Nigeria, in the name of democracy, you can let this piece go viral by sharing it with as many of your contacts and groups too!

#government #Nigeria #salaries

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conspiracy-talk-blog · 7 years ago

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New Post has been published on CTN News

New Post has been published on https://goo.gl/it3jPC

10 Surprising Reasons to Stop Your ISP From Tracking You

If you think you are safe from snooping of Advertisers, Govt, ISP and Big Data collectors, you couldn’t be more wrong. While its quite easy to block ads from getting your private data or browse in incognito mode for private browsing, there is still one thing (or more) that keeps an eye on every click and key you press. In this post, I’ll share 10 surprising reasons to stop your ISP from tracking you.

It is a grave situation-I must say.

Where Internet was made with one thought in mind- Freedom, recent laws obscure this very agenda and vision of the Internet. While you may feel that you have taken all kinds of measures, your ISP tracks every move and website you visit on the Internet.

Why Does Your ISP Track You?

Now that’s an interesting question, right?

Why does your ISP keep a tab on every click? What’s in it for them?

There are many reasons for this data log maintained by your ISP but the most prominent reason of them all is revenue. You got that right- Money!

ISP providers generate revenue by compiling your data logs and sharing it with marketing companies for a hefty amount. Certain Internet Providers are targeting you as potential buyers much like other websites using your Internet history to sell Privacy (YOUR BASIC RIGHT) as a premium add-on.

Well, there’s more…

If you belong to the category of people who just can’t compromise on their privacy like researchers, social activists, whistleblowers or journalists, you must know that any data or information your ISP collects may be viewed by govt. Agencies upon request.

And they will be legally bound to provide it.

So, you get two choices… either just shut your eyes and pretend you are safe or take the matter in your own hands and get secure with security mechanisms like HTTPS browsing, and investing in VPN.

While, I’ll come to that later.

First, let me share why you need to prevent your ISP from tracking you. Consider them and think over it.

Reasons to Stop Your ISP From Tracking You

1. Prevent Govt. agencies from tracking you

The first and foremost reason on this list of viable reasons to stop your ISP from Tracking you is obviously the Government. Now you may think what’s the harm in government keeping a tab on everyone’s activities for putting bad guys behind bars or prevent terrorism.

Well, it isn’t wrong. But what if your country has an oppressive govt? Say North Korea, Myanmar, China, Cuba, Iran, etc.

Even a harmless Internet activity or sharing your personal opinion can get you arrested.

67 percent of total Internet users reside in oppressive govt. Nations.

38 Countries made arrests based on harmless opinion sharing Facebook posts.

27% Internet users are a part of these arresting nations.

This is the seriousness of the situation.

Just take a brief pause and think how much your ISP knows about you and the legal obligation they have can well, potentially put you and your family under direct govt. Threat.

I don’t want that and neither do you.

A top VPN service can help you by keeping your private history private and encrypted so that online govt. agencies can’t monitor your every single move.

2. Hide your activity from Google & other search engines

Would you want your current employer to know if you’re hunting for a new job? Or perhaps let your insurance agent get the information that you were looking at life-threatening disease symptoms?

No? I guessed so!

Google and other search engines track every move and your ISP knows about every single website you visit with your IP address. Each and every search or download is logged and you may end up in a pickle because of that.

The simple solution is to get a VPN and block ISP tracking for anonymous browsing online.

3. Stay Safe on Public Wi-fi Hotspots

Public Wi-fi service is the Internet service most cafes, restaurants, and airports offer these days to attract more customers. However, this public hotspot is one of the most unsecure and targeted network of hackers and cyber attackers.

So, you’ll just stop using a public open wi-fi. Is it so?

No.

Just invest in a good VPN that offers multi-device connectivity and enjoy free Internet using your VPN service.

4. Hide Sensitive Business Information Online

Today’s world is dominated by technology and Internet. Even a small grocery shop owner has his name, contact and personal information listed on Internet to gather more customers for his business.

That’s the popularity of Internet.

However, 71% of overall cyber attacks target business owner accounts.

This alarming percentage is increasing every year and it needs to be stopped.

But how?

Mask your real IP address and add a layer of security for all your business deals and financial transactions over the Internet.

A secure VPN will keep your personal information like your name, location and other sensitive data like credit card details, bank account number etc under wraps from lurking hackers waiting for one chance to get ahold of your data.

5. Watch your favorite TV shows and movies online

Never miss out on a favorite TV show or movie show online just because it is unavailable in your country. A VPN will bypass all geo-restrictions for you and let you watch anything and everything to your heart’s content by switching to any country’s server of your choice.

Also, you may have tried Kodi- the free media streaming app. While, some of the Kodi add-ons (your key to unlimited media content from around the globe) may be blocked by your ISP (ugh!).

The best Kodi VPN will circumvent all the ISP limitations and give you unlimited access to all kinds of Live TV shows, movies, sports and more.

6. Improve your Internet speed

Need to look for some urgent information or reply to a time-sensitive email? But the data cap won’t let you do that.

Worry not! Like always I have the right solution for this as well.

With an Unlimited bandwidth VPN by your side, you can reduce the data usage by almost 50 percent. Also, your browsing and streaming speed will drastically improve.

All of this with just one thing.

A secure and reliable VPN on your system.

7. Bypass all restrictions laid out by your offices/schools

Most offices, schools and colleges have blocked some websites on their network. Their reason- improve the employees’ productivity.

Well, if you’re in dire need of some information, then these policies are just a bottleneck for you.

Again, a VPN will hide your IP address and let you bypass all the restrictions laid out by school authorities and your employer in a jiffy.

8. Compare prices & save some dollars ($$$)

The dirty secret of many travelling and selling websites is that they vary their service or product charges on the basis of your location.

That’s the truth.

Having a VPN will hide your IP address (thereby your location) and you may anonymously browse to compare the prices of products and services like airfare to get the best deal across and save some dollars.

Additionally, always delete your cookies before visiting a new website to ensure getting new results based on your search.

9. Unblock streaming subscriptions like Netflix, Hulu & Amazon Prime

Who doesn’t love watching exclusive shows on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime?

Some of the streaming subscriptions are unavailable in most countries and therefore the content they provide is also restricted under ISP restrictions.

With an anonymous VPN, you can enjoy these streaming subscriptions and more. Just connect to the VPN server of your choice and view all your favorite shows from the comfort of your own home.

10. Access to Anonymous Torrenting

Torrenting helps in faster and quick download of all the latest movies and TV series. Since Internet expansion, Torrent has been a great part of it and till date, many Internet denizens use torrenting services like Bittorrent, Utorrent for downloading faster.

However, many countries and regions don’t legally support torrents and you may put yourself in a position to receive warnings or copyright/infringement notices.

By hiding your IP address and adopting anonymous torrenting, you can protect your current location and online identity.

It’s your basic right- Take care of it!

Internet was developed and envisioned as a platform of free speech and sharing. It’s that simple to understand. Given these points, it is pretty clear this basic right is violated and you have to take measures to control it.

I hope these 10 reasons to stop your ISP from tracking you gave you enough causes and inspiration to take the matter in your own hands.

Investing in a fast, reliable and secure VPN will help you keep your online footprints private and sensitive information hidden from third-parties that may abuse it for their benefits.

To sum it up, even if you’re a regular Internet user, it is essential to protect yourself online with a virus-attack free OS like best Linux distro and security mechanisms including HTTPS and a VPN.

Wish you a Happy Anonymous Streaming!

#Reasons to Stop Your ISP From Tracking You #stop your ISP from tracking you #top VPN service #Wi-fi Hotspots

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