Stabroek News Descends Further

Odinga Lumumba says Stabroek News will not get away with its conspiracy to malign and defame him
Written by
Friday, 14 May 2010 04:47
- accuses that newspaper of practicing ‘gutter journalism’
THE Office of Member of Parliament, Odinga Lumumba, has issued a statement responding to a front page article in yesterday’s Stabroek News, carried under the headline: “Who approved Lumumba’s Land”?

The SN article also had a caption with emphasis on PNCR former Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Mc Kenzie, disputing claims of the allocation of land to Lumumba during the PNCR regime.

The following statement was issued by Lumumba’s Office yesterday:

It is my view that Stabroek News has two objectives:
** to label the PPP/C Government as corrupt.
** use the land related matters of Mc Neal Enterprise as a slogan for their obvious anti -government crusade. The article was clearly written to pinpoint the land issue as fiction.

What is interesting here is the fact that Stabroek News took a very vague letter from someone claiming to be PNCR former Agriculture Minister, Mr. Patrick Mc Kenzie, who indicated that he has no recollection of that issue, and developed that letter to a major front page story.

The gutter journalism of the Stabroek News is also clear by the fact that it published my story, on the same page with a story captioned as “Man forged agreement of sale land owned by brother”. I want any rational person to determine what is the editor’s interest, if not to defame and slander.

The facts that I will provide will speak for themselves, and will provide the public and the other relative agencies in Guyana the opportunity to (1) determine the truth, (2) draw their own conclusion as to whether Stabroek News is malicious, vindictive and racist, and (3) or whether Stabroek News can justify accessing taxpayer’s funds to support their slanderous, unethical and immoral attacks on the Government.

First of all, I said that I was given access in writing to 10,000 acres of lands in 1991 or 1992 for the Pomeroon. I also stated that subsequently I withdrew from the process. During that period Mr. Ivor Allen and another Allen were also given lands in the same area.

It might be worthwhile for Stabroek News to speak to Mr. Ivor Allen and others who acquired lands during that period and the media house might find a contradiction as it relates to the assumed statement of former Minister of Agriculture Mr. Patrick Mc Kenzie and the recipient of 3000 acres in the Akawani area in terms of the criteria used to release such a large amount.
Lands and Survey has records that would show that Mc Neal Enterprise followed the legal and administrative process from the region to central government and that ex Minister Patrick Mc Kenzie gave written permission in his own hand writing, and sent recommendation from the region to the commission of Lands and Survey.

I am rather surprised at the assumed position of Mr. Mc Kenzie and will forgive him because of his age which can cause periodical amnesia and occasional occurrences of Alzheimers disease.
As to the statement made by PNCR General Secretary, Oscar Clarke, I would only say that if you have a glass house you shouldn’t throw stones as it relates to lands and building, because stones can be redirected.

In closing, the records will show that I am one of the few persons in Guyana that released lands when the government requested this. This issue cannot be about lands; it has to be about a perception that a certain race must be driven back to the realms of slavery.
I don’t except Stabroek News to carry this article on their front page because of the editor’s determination to spill nonsense and untruths and cover up his inability to investigate the new rich of Guyana and their inability to identify their source of funding, since they might reveal his physical short comings.

I also call on the government to investigate all large areas of land in all sectors, as it relates to the process towards acquisition.

However, for this to be transparent, others such as, Toolsie Persaud must agree to the process.
It is also important that the media use this opportunity to call on the government to institute an independent probe of lands and buildings that were released by the former regime, in particular when large acres were involved.

I also notice that our press in Guyana seems to be unable or unwilling to investigate lands holding of Toolsie Persaud and Puri of Continental agency, and others who are holders of thousands of acres of agriculture and forestry of lands. The press seems to be confined to writing about lands owned by one singular Afro-Guyanese.