Christmas…
… tales from Finance Minister
It appears Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s epistolary foray into crafting that epic tragedy he called “The 2017 Budget” encouraged him to venture into aother literary genre. He just emulated Charles Dickens’ Christmas masterpiece, “A Christmas Carol”, which introduced that now emblematic tightwad, Ebenezer Scrooge. Well, that’s what the contractors – who became imbued with patriotic fervour as our Independence Jubilee loomed and dipped deep into their deep pockets to construct the eponymous Stadium at D’Urban Park – think!!
What else but “Scrooge” would they call Jordan who announced they’ll only be receiving 0M of the 8M they shelled out to give the Stadium a running start. And to rub salt into their patriotic wounds, the Finance Minister had the insensitivity to bluster, “Take it or leave it!!” Is this any way to treat a bunch of businessmen who just wanted to show their love of country? “Bah! Humbug!” is what your Eyewitness says. Imagine these patriots still haven’t revealed their names lest the cynics – who are legion in our midst – say the noble deed was done for “name, fame and gain”.
Why! They even broke the cardinal rule of canny businessmen to keep records for audits, paper trails and such like. How’d you insist on such grubby details when you’re working for God and Country? They didn’t even wait for a corporation to be formed with the government front men on the Independence bash. That the number two APNU man was on the Board was enough for them. This was a chap who’d read Languages up at Cambridge – a gentleman’s word was his bond, wot?
Time was of the essence! And so, not a murmur of protest was raised when all their sterling efforts – not to mention that 8 MILLION – wasn’t enough and they were shunted aside to complete the job. The main thing was the show must go on!! And by golly, it did go on. A lump rose in their collective throats when that giant Golden Arrowhead was raised – even when some of them had to be moved out of their VVIP seats when the Opposition – who were expected to boycott – showed up!!
But now to be told had to take a 43% haircut!!!??? The Businessmen are livid! What the *@^K!!! Did Winston Jordan think the days of Co-operativism were back? When you bought high and sold low? They’ve just held a meeting and worked out a plan of action. Your Eyewitness, who has a source embedded in their ranks, was pretty sure it would work. They just wouldn’t give the Ministers any presents this Christmas. Two could play this Scrooge game!!
Expect the 8M to be snucked in early next year!!
…for the PPP
Those boxing fans who’ve been following the fight game for a while would remember the classic build-up to the Sugar Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran matchup. For the longest while these two welter weights dominated the sport like no other and in 1980 came their classic two fights. In the first one Leonard tried to duke it out with Duran and lost. But in the second one later in the year, Leonard fought his own fight and by the eight round Duran had to mumble his infamous “No Mas! No Mas! (No more!!)
Well, the spit press had built-up the PPP Congress at Essequibo as a classic battle between Bharrat Jagdeo and some contenders for the undisputed leadership of the party. Like the Leonard-Duran battle. But here in the Cinderella County there wasn’t even need of a rematch!
Jagdeo outpointed the rest of the field by such a margin, it was “No Mas” all the way!! Next title, GS!!
…for Hamilton Green
Winston Jordan defended his government’s decision to pay Hamilton Green ,580,000 annually via a Special Bill. Said the man was a Prime Minister and should get a PM’s pension. OK…fair enough.
But why not based on 7/8ths of HIS old salary as the law stipulates?
