Recent events review Saturday, February 4 to Friday, February 10

Saturday, February 4

Hundreds protest city parking meters

Hundreds yesterday lined Regent Street, opposite City Hall, to demonstrate against the implementation of the metered parking system but what was intended to be a silent, apolitical protest by the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM), saw tempers flare after a hostile counter-protest was organised by those backing the project. “Peaceful picket” was printed on the tags of some of the 50-plus who stood in front of City Hall shouting in support of the parking meter system but many of them were aggressive towards those who were gathered to protest it. Among them were some councillors and they displayed what appeared to be professionally printed signs, bearing catchy phrases, such as “Security on the Streets. All day patrols. Got to Admit. Streets are under control,” and “Where do I park? I can’t find a spot. Put down the Meters. I’ll park right in front.”

City hikes property rates by 10%

Against the backdrop of an escalating row over paid parking, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday announced that property rates will go up by 10% – the first hike since 1998 – and it is projecting an $833M deficit for 2017. Under the theme “Revitalising Local Communities in the context of a Green Economy,” Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee Oscar Clarke, told those gathered in the council chamber yesterday that after a process of consultations the city has arrived at budget with revenue estimated at $2.8 billion, while an expenditure of $3.6 billion dollars is projected.

Deputy Solicitor-General asked to go on leave for probe of handling of cases –AG

Amidst a flood of criticism over his recent attacks on Deputy Solicitor-General Prithima Kissoon, AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams SC yesterday announced that she has been asked to go on 72 days of administrative leave to facilitate a probe into her handling of cases, particularly those involving members of the PPP. Williams made the announcement at a press conference, where he also denied attacking Kissoon, who recently complained to the Public Service Commission over the treatment she has received at his direction.

Sunday, February 5

Bulkan welcomes parking meter protest but says gov’t not keen to step in

While welcoming the protest against the implementation of the metered parking system in Georgetown as a sign that citizens are finally engaged with governance, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has reiterated that central government is not inclined to intervene. In an interview with Stabroek News yesterday, Bulkan said it is the duty of the people who elected the city council to curb their actions and who in 2018 will have another chance to decide who will formulate and implement policy on their behalf. It is not central government’s responsibility. Both the Private Sector Commission and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry last Friday called on central government to resolve the dispute between the citizenry and the municipality, while saying that businesses were suffering from the implementation. Many drivers have been avoiding the metered parking zones in the commercial districts.

Monday, February 6

Man murdered in row outside night club

A man was fatally stabbed during the wee hours of Sunday after he attempted to rescue an employee of a night club on Lamaha Street who had been attacked by three men. As a result of the intervention, Sunil Singh also known as `Grey’, 42, was fatally knifed by one of the men who had already stabbed the night club employee Charles Valenzuela 21. Singh, Stabroek News was told, is a destitute person who would hang around the area. The police in a statement said that around 2 am yesterday law enforcers went to the Blue Martini Night Club at 169 Lamaha Street and closed it. Even though there is a 2 am curfew in place for clubs, several of them remain open after this time. The police said that after the club was closed, three men went to the club and attempted to enter but were told by Valenzuela who works as a bartender, that it was closed. As Valenzuela made attempts to keep the men out of the premises an argument ensued. This led to Valenzuela being stabbed by one of the men who the police say is still on the run.

Indian company interested in Skeldon estate

Indian company, Srinathji Ispat Limited has expressed interest in taking over the entire Skeldon sugar estate following a visit here last month. The company on Saturday released a letter that it sent to Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder expressing interest in the beleaguered estate whose large losses have severely affected the financial standing of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). In its letter to Holder dated January 27, Srinathji Ispat expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating a visit by the delegation to six GuySuCo estates between January 23 and January 26.

Corentyne man takes poison after chopping ex-wife and her lover

A man from Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne last evening severely chopped his ex-wife and her new mate and then consumed a poisonous substance. Narine Permauloo, his ex-wife Nesha Permauloo and her partner known as “Bruk up” were all rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital where they were treated and transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. The woman and her boyfriend, who are both from Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, were said to be stable as of last night with severe chop wounds. The accused is said to be in a critical condition. According to information gathered, Nesha Permauloo and “Bruk up” were at her ex-husband’s house imbibing when an argument erupted between the new couple. Stabroek News was told that Narine Permauloo reportedly went into the kitchen, grabbed a cutlass and started to chop “Bruk up” about his body. Permauloo warned his ex-wife that if she intervened she would face the same fate. The woman however intervened leading to her exhusband chopping her several times as well. The duo is said to have sustained chop wounds to their heads and hands. After the altercation, Permauloo consumed a poisonous substance. The trio was picked up and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital.

Tuesday, February 7

Bulkan rejects private sector’s claim of lack of consultations on metered parking

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has said that it is unfair for the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to accuse central government or the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of not engaging or consulting the business community on metered parking in the city in light of efforts to do so. The assertion that the city refused to engage businesses is being challenged by Bulkan, who yesterday released a letter which he said was evidence of efforts to engage the PSC even as he maintained an invitation to dialogue with the ministry and M&CC still stands. “I wish to make clear that the invitation for dialogue still stands. I believe that such dialogue is likely to be far more fruitful than confrontation, whether in the streets or via the media,” Bulkan said. As part of its campaign against the implementation of the Georgetown metered parking system, the PSC on Friday said that the City Council had displayed unmatched arrogance in its refusal to engage businesses in any attempt to compromise.

Teen stabbed by co-accused after ordered to stand trial for Perry Mars murder

One of the teens accused of murdering retired Professor Pariedeau ‘Perry’ Mars was reportedly stabbed by two of his co-accused yesterday after they and two others were all committed to stand trial at the High Court for the crime. Timothy Paul Chance, 18, Nikeisha Dover 19, Orin Mc Rae, 18, and two minors, both 16, were all committed by Magistrate Leron Daly to stand trial at the High Court. However, Chance ended up being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was attacked by two of his co-accused in their holding cell at the city courts. He was stabbed to his abdomen with a sharp object. The police quickly separated the boys and an ambulance was immediately summoned to take the injured Chance to the Georgetown Public Hospital with a police escort. A police source subsequently said that the teen’s condition was stable.

Wednesday, February 8

AFC calls on city to suspend parking project

Coalition government partner the Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday called on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to suspend metered parking to allow an independent review of its contract, while saying that the current arrangements do not appear to be in the best interest of the citizens. However, the M&CC yesterday directed all enquiries to the media consultant for the

contractor, Smart City Solutions (SCS), Kit Nascimento, who offered a terse, “no comment.” In a statement to the press yesterday, the AFC said it was neither supportive of nor against the implementation of metered parking in Georgetown but after monitoring the implementation of the M&CC and SCS joint venture it was of the view that the current arrangements do not appear to be in the best interest of the people of the city. As a result, it urged the M&CC to suspend the implementation of the project and to reconsider the pertinent aspects of the Ministry of Finance’s review of the project as well as to seek a second independent review of its contract with SCS.

Cop under investigation after shooting businessman

Leilawatie Mohamed

the time of the invasion. Ashad Ishack, the woman’s son stated that the two perpetrators rushed into their yard and up the stairs, where they kicked down the door and entered at around 11.45 pm on Tuesday. He explained that his sister hid under a bed, while the men placed him and his mother on the floor. According to Ishack, only one of the attackers was carrying a gun.

Corentyne phone card seller murdered

also spawned a group named Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) which mobilised hundreds of protesters last Friday outside City Hall and which is now planning legal action. Last night, the ministry statement said that Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and Attorney General, Basil Williams were also present at the meeting.

Friday, February 10

NBS moves to court over parking meter by-laws

The New Building Society (NBS) has mounted a legal challenge against the city’s metered parking by-laws, which it says are illegal and a judge has since ordered Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan to show why his decision to approve the by-laws should not be quashed. According to court papers seen by Stabroek News, Justice Brassington Reynolds ordered “that an order or rule nisi certiorari be issued directed to Minister of Communities to show cause why a writ of certiorari should not be issued to quash his approval and/or decision to approve the Parking Meter By-Laws made under the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 made on or about the 23rd day of January, 2017 in that the said approval or decision to approve was of no legal effect and was made unlawfully and in breach of statute.” The order was granted on Wednesday after Senior Counsel Ashton Chase filed a motion on behalf of NBS challenging the legality of Bulkan’s approval. A hearing on the matter is set for February 20 at the High Court. The challenge rests on whether the procedure for the approval of the by-laws, as stipulated in the Act, was followed. NBS has argued that by failing to gazette its intention to apply for Bulkan’s permission, City Hall acted outside the law. On January 23, Bulkan signed the by-laws, which had been approved at the December 13, 2016 statutory meeting of the Council.

Region 9 REO charged with sex assault, released on $200,000 bail