…difficult to get permits to host parties, other events

PARTY promoters in Linden are alleging that the police ranks under the stewardship of recently appointed Commander Superintendent, Fazil Karimbaksh, are making things very difficult for them, in addition to the bureaucratic process involved in getting permission to host an event.Promoters representing Vybz Entertainment, New Era Entertainment, Coconut Cabana Promotions and Energy Vybz Entertainment all came out in their numbers, voicing their frustration to Linden Mayor, Carwyn Holland, on Monday making it clear that it is the final straw before taking to the streets as a result of the treatment they claim to be receiving from the Commander and his ranks.

In addition to complaints of what they describe as vindictiveness, the promoters are bemoaning the long and frustrating process involved in gaining legal permission to host an event, whether indoors or outdoors. The promoters explained to the Mayor and councillors of the municipality that they have to pay a processing fee at the Mackenzie Police Station of $500, which is followed by paying another fee of $2, 600 at the Fire Service in Georgetown, then they have to get a licence from the Guyana Revenue Authority, after which, they have to journey to Vreen-en-Hoop to have the request approved by the Magistrate. “ It can be done right here, we have a Court right here, a fire station right here, GRA right here, so why do you have to go to Georgetown and Vreen-en-Hoop,” Councillor Fern McCoy questioned. In addition to that, the documents have to be returned to Linden for perusal and another fee is being paid to have ranks secure the premises during the event. “When you done you in making nothing from you event and when you done you have to calculate and pay GRA 16% on all you sales to in taxes,” Aaron Garner of Coconut Cabana Promotions said.

Where is the money going?
The promoters are stressing that the ranks are demanding hefty sums of money which they claim are to be used to pay the ranks securing the event. They added that there is no structure in these charges, but is based on the Commander’s discretion. There is no receipt that is given for the monies collected and on many occasions, there are only two ranks that show up as security rather than the amount they are told they will be paying for. The promoters are questioning why ranks should be paid, when it is their duty as officers to secure an event which they are already receiving a monthly salary for. “They telling you how many police you have to get, when you write for two police they telling you that can’t work, they are not allowing you to negotiate, is dictatorship them man running, there is no structure with the money, sometimes you go is one money then another time is another money for the same kind of promotion, where is the money going, who keeping the books to know where this money is going,” the promoters all argued.

No mercy
The promoters are claiming that the ranks display no mercy toward them and are shutting off events even before the stipulated 2 AM. One New Era Entertainment promoter alleged that the police tried to close off a futsal game before it was completed, even though there were no reported incidents or law breaking activities. Another promoter Damuka Ngqondo of Vybz Entertainment also claimed that his New Year’s night event was shutdown at 2AM even though the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had relaxed the curfew. The promoters expressed fear that the upcoming Linden Town Week events will not be successful with the way they are being treated. They bemoaned the situation, since Linden is known as having a party culture and there are hardly cases of violence at the events.

The town has an unemployment rate of 70% and according to the promoters, the events, especially sports events, are kept to keep the youths occupied meaningfully.

Mayor Holland after listening to the promoters promised to engage the Commander and all the relevant stakeholders to bring some relief to them.

While Commander Karimbaksh was unavailable for a comment yesterday, he had previously told this publication when questioned on the issue that he is not “here to harass anyone, but he is just enforcing the law.” “We have to get some order, remember these things come with order and if anything happens, we have to answer why we allowed this thing to go after two…when they are applying they are following all the procedures and when you go out there now is something else and this is causing a conflict with the police; we are trying to see that we are partners, that we are here to support you and we are friends, but when we go to shut the music down, it creates a bad influence because the people there are seeing the police as somebody bad,” said the Commander.