Jagdeo guarded on another run for presidency
Former president Bharrat Jagdeo was evasive yesterday on his interest in a third term but noted that the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has not decided who its presidential candidate for the next elections will be. “When the time comes then you will hear from me whether I am interested or not,” Jagdeo, the PPP’s General Secretary, told at a press conference at Freedom House yesterday. He emphasised that the PPP has “made no decision whatsoever… This would be decided at the appropriate time.” He added, “But I can promise you that it will be done democratically, like we did with our congress and the appointment of our General Secretary and I’m sure the party will decide on who the best candidate will be at that point in time.” According to him, it will be a candidate “who can lead us to victory, a competent candidate who can deliver on promises, a candidate who is visionary, a candidate who can bring people together.” He added, “So, in that point in time, when we decide on our presidential candidate, we in the People’s Progressive Party we will look at all of the attributes of the presidential hopefuls… and then a decision will be made.”
appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court. Indira Outar, 43, of Lot 8, Block 4, Tain Settlement, Corentyne, who operates a sawmill in Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga where she was charged with procuring five persons to commit murder on Leilawatie Mohamed, also known as ‘Aunty Leila’, 45, a domestic worker of Lot 149, Sixth Street, Tain Settlement, Corentyne on February 7. She was represented by Attorney-at-Law Murseline Bacchus and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. Bacchus made a request for disclosure of statements. Outar, who has to return to court on March 14, hid her face with a rag, as she exited the court and the police station.
Guyanese crew remanded in St Croix after busted with over four tonnes of cocaine
Four Guyanese men who were recently intercepted in a boat in international waters with over 4 tonnes of cocaine, estimated at a street value of over US$71.7 million, have since been slapped with two charges, including conspiracy to possess a controlled substance on board a vessel. The men, Mohamed Nazim Hoseain, 64, Richard La Cruz, 49, Neville Jeffrey, 68 and Mark Anthony Williams, 30, were all charged with knowingly and intentionally conspiring to possess, with intent to distribute, more than five kilogrammes of a mixture and substance containing cocaine in violation of Title 46, United States Code. Hoseain, who was the captain of the boat, named the Lady Michelle, La Cruz, who was the vessel’s engineer, and Jeffrey and Williams, who were crew members, were also charged with possession of a controlled substance on board a vessel, which is also in violation of Title 46, United States Code. Among the other items found on board the vessel was US$4,000 in hundred-dollar denominations.
Thursday, March 2
President David Granger said yesterday, while stating that only eight out of 57 local private institutions are tax compliant, a situation which government is looking to correct. “As it is now, the tax stays and as I said earlier there are grounds for ensuring that there is better compliance by all private operators with the GRA’s (Guyana Revenue Authority’s) regulations. Right now we have a high level of non-compliance by some private entities,” Granger told the media when approached shortly after the Department of Environment was launched. This issue has created quite a buzz since its implementation on February 1, following the removal of zero-rated items, a measure of the 2017 Budget. There have since been several calls for its removal.
Justices CummingsEdwards, GeorgeWiltshire appointed to act at top of judiciary
While he awaits a report from a panel on candidates shortlisted to fill the positions of Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively, President David Granger yesterday appointed Justices Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Roxane GeorgeWiltshire SC to act in the respective positons in the interim. Effective yesterday, Justice Cummings-Edwards, who has been acting as Chief Justice will assume the responsibility of Acting Chancellor and Justice George-Wiltshire will replace her as the new Acting Chief Justice. It will be the first time that two women hold the top two positions in the judiciary simultaneously. The President’s appointments followed consultations with Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo last evening; on the eve of Granger leaving the country for official duty. Both sides issued separate press releases last night.
Three estates to be kept
Government on Tuesday decided that the sugar industry is not sustainable and cannot be saved as is; it will soon roll out a plan for the ailing sector that includes keeping only three estates and privatizing the others, sources say. At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the sector was deeply discussed with data of GuySuCo’s performances over the last five years analyzed. The dismal performance of the sector, large amounts in subsidies over the years and billions of dollars in pending requests this year were the focus of “intense discussions and decisions” at Cabinet, sources said. One source said government highlighted an upcoming meeting with representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to discuss a proposal on the way forward for the sugar industry. “If a feasible, that is a viable, plan is not given to the IDB representatives, that can spell trouble for the borrowing capacity of this country,” the source explained.
Friday, March 3
Gov’t sacks public health ministry PS
The government yesterday announced that the Public Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Trevor Thomas has been sacked following the recommendations of a Board of Inquiry (BoI) into allegations of mismanagement and malpractices in procurement at the ministry. “His service as Permanent Secretary was terminated,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon told a press conference yesterday. Last year, a BoI set up by President David Granger to look into allegations of mismanagement and malpractices in the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the ministry recommended Thomas’s removal.
Ex-policeman and former murder accused Lloyd Roberts was yesterday arraigned in a city court for the murder of Ryan Sergeant, the teen who was fatally shot outside of the Rio Inn nightclub last year. The courtroom of Magistrate Ann McLennan heard that on September 26, 2016, in Georgetown, Roberts, 35, of 6667 North Ruimveldt, murdered Sergeant. Roberts, who was unrepresented at the time, was not required to plead to the indictable charge.