Recent events review Saturday, May 20 to Friday, May 26
Saturday, May 20th
Region Eight flood ‘grim’ – CDC
With dozens of homes in Region Eight submerged and washed away by rainswollen rivers, the Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) yesterday described the situation as “grim” and several flights ferried emergency supplies to affected residents. Four villages in the Potaro-Siparuni Region have been severely flooded as a result of excessive rainfall in the south and southwestern parts of the area coupled with the Ireng River overtopping its banks in some areas north of Orinduik. Two more villages, Itabac and Kanapang, have been added to the list but the severity of the flooding has not yet been determined. Based on a situation report released yesterday by the Department of Public Information, Kaibarupai Village is inundated at an approximate depth of 10 feet. Two houses have been washed away and the health post, church and cemetery are all under water.
Husband held after fatal stabbing of Amelia’s Ward mother
Jagnarine Singh, former GRDB General Manager; Prema Roopnarine, former Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture; Ricky Ramraj, agricultural consultant; Badrie Persaud, business consultant; Dharamkumar Seeraj, the General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association and a PPP/C MP; and Nigel Dharamlall, also a PPP/C MP. The charges came a day after they were arrested and questioned by the Special Organised Crime Unit and the opposition PPP/C yesterday labelled it political victimisation. The Chief Magistrate read a total of five charges.
Sunday, May 21st
Region Eight flood waters recede but urgent need for food remains
Water levels in the Region Eight villages affected by recent flooding are receding, according to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), which yesterday also reported that several areas in Region Seven had also been affected and disaster management systems had been activated there. As emergency supplies continued to be delivered to distressed Region Eight residents, the CDC, via a press statement issued by the Department of Infor-mation yesterday afternoon, said that in addition to the six indigenous villages affected in Region Eight, new reports revealed that several villages in Region Seven were also faced with flooding. It was further noted that while farmlands and some residences in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni district were flooded, the situation there is less severe when compared to what is happening in Region Eight.
Monday, May 22nd
‘We cannot discourage whistle-blowers’ –Bulkan
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan says that he would intervene if he establishes that nurse Sherlyn Marks, who complained about now resigned Region 5 Councillor Carol Joseph, was transferred because she had blown the whistle. Marks was abruptly transferred by Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Five, Ovid Morrison, a day after Stabroek News reported that she had lodged a complaint about Joseph allegedly abusing her position to access pain-killing medication from the Fort Wellington Hospital. Bulkan told Stabroek News on Friday that his government does not want to be ever seen as targeting whistle blowers and condoning acts of retaliation against those who were brave enough to speak on out issues of corruption; especially when it promotes whistle blowing as part of its transparency mechanism. “I would probably seek a more in-depth explanation because at face value it (the transfer) seems that the coincidence was a little extraordinary,” Bulkan told Staboek News.
Man killed in Smyth and D’Urban Sts crash
An accident at Smyth and D’Urban streets around 4.15 pm yesterday has claimed the life of a man and left several passengers of a Route 41 minibus nursing injuries. Up to press time the man was unidentified. Passengers were rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital by the Guyana Police Force and public-spirited persons. Many of the persons suffered cuts and bruises about their bodies and were treated and sent away. The driver of the minibus, Osafo Edghill 29, of 94 North Ruimveldt has been admitted to the hospital and is in stable condition. Stabroek News was told that the minibus, BVV 5273 was travelling east on D’Urban Street when a Toyota Tacoma pickup, GRR 8350, which was proceeding south on Smyth Street, crashed into the minibus. As a result of the impact, eyewitnesses said the minibus toppled and the pickup slammed into a car, PLL 4474 parked in front of the Classique Sports Bar.
Water improvements across the country benefit over 100,000 – GWI
Over 100,000 persons have benefited from infrastructural improvements and improved water service and approximately $3 billion have been spent over the past 18 months, according to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). Stabroek News asked GWI for information on the projects it said benefited 100,000 persons over the last 18 months. The utility company said new water treatment systems have been applied to 16 existing pumping stations across the country, which has since resulted in more than 30,000 customers receiving an improved quality of water. Twenty treatment plant filtration systems were also rehabilitated, including the one at the Shelterbelt. In Region One, a new storage tank was constructed in Mabaruma to provide improved service to the community, along with a new transmission main and intake from the Hosororo Falls which directly result in increased service for residents in the area. Additionally, there was also the extension of transmission mains, which is still ongoing, and will result in the activation of a new well in Port Kaituma. In Region Two, a new well was drilled in Lima Sands along with a new water distribution system, which is slated to provide service to more than 1,000 persons for the first time. New treatment systems were also installed at six pumping stations to improve the quality of water.
Tuesday, May 23rd
GBTI to recover funds lost in alleged fraud -Board Chairman
Shareholders of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) were last evening assured that the bank would recover the $941 million lost in a fraudulent transaction allegedly conducted by gold dealer Saddiqi Rasul. “We will recover the money, we will have justice. This board is committed to making good the loss,” Chairman of the Board of Directors Robin Stoby SC told those gathered at the bank’s Annual General Meeting. Stoby used the occasion to explain the situation, which he said was a cause for concern for both board members and shareholders alike. According to Stoby, on or around March 24, 2017, a customer of the GBTI Bartica branch— Rasul—was allowed access to a large sum representing the uncleared deposit of $941 million emanating from several cheques he purported to deposit to the Bartica branch that were drawn from Citizens Bank accounts he held.
Ministry flayed over handling of purchase of vehicle for PM
At a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament hearing yesterday, the Ministry of the Presidency came in for criticism for its handling of the purchase of a vehicle for Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo. The Ministry was accused of lax procurement practices and failing to set a proper standard for the subordinate ministries. The ministry’s procurement practices came into question when the Office of the Prime Minister’s accounts were under scrutiny by the PAC at the Public Buildings. It was related by Technical Officer Christina Mohan that not only was a vehicle for the Prime Minister sole-sourced, but two separate payments for the vehicle’s procurement were paid out to Beharry Automotive Limited, the supplier, at the same time “by mistake.” Furthermore, the vehicle was not delivered until approximately eight months later. According to the 2015 Auditor General’s report, the procurement of a new Toyota Land Cruiser Station Wagon GX was awarded to the sole bidder for $13.820 million. The quotation, the report said, stated that 50% of the price must be paid on “Firm order” and the remainder on delivery of the vehicle. The report said the full amount was paid to the supplier on January 4, 2016 and the vehicle was delivered in September, 2016. PAC member Juan Edghill, standing in for the Chairman at the time, said that the Ministry could not continue to sole-source as it is an unacceptable practice.
Trio to stand trial for murder of Hill Foot farmer
The three accused in the murder of Hill Foot farmer Anthony Breedy were yesterday committed to stand trial by a city court, and one of them later went on a rampage in the courtyard, where he assaulted a police inspector. Paul Goriah, 29, of Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, Donnel Trapp, 22, and Keimo Corbin, 19, both of Timehri, were yesterday committed to stand trial by Magistrate Leron Daly. Magistrate Daly ruled that
there was sufficient evidence against the men for them to go before a judge and jury. Police officers who were called in following Donnel Trapp’s rampage. Before the magistrate committed the men, she asked if they wanted to say anything or call on witnesses to testify on their behalf. Goriah, Trapp and Corbin all denied any involvement in the crime. The men also declined to call any witnesses to testify for them. Daly later related to each man that he was committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Supreme Court.
Wednesday, May 24th
Over 3,000 affected by Region Eight floods –CDC
Recent flashfloods have affected over 3,000 residents of Region Eight, where 266 farms and 56 houses were destroyed, the acting head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) announced yesterday. “As we speak the water is receding; it is just the water in the Ireng River that remains high as a result of rainfall on Sunday and Monday,” Deputy Director of the CDC Major Kester Craig told a news conference yesterday, before making it clear that the river has not crested its banks as has been the case last week. In the wake of excessive rainfall in the highland regions beginning last Wednesday, coupled with the cresting of the Ireng River, Kaibarupai, Waipa, Chenapau, Sand Hill Settlement, Itabac and Kanapang in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), and Paruima, Kako, Jawalla, Phillipai, Kamarang and Quebanang in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have been hit by flooding. The CDC has since extended its reach to several other communities in both Regions after receiving additional reports of flooding in other areas.
Hundreds of Enmore workers, residents protest plan to close estate
Workers from the Enmore sugar estate came out in large numbers yesterday and were joined by their families as well as minibus drivers and vendors to voice their displeasure over the planned closure of the facility. An estimated 1,200 protesters, including many women and about 50 schoolchildren, marched from in front of the estate to Foulis, East Coast Demerara and back to Enmore behind a large banner that said: “Enmore is our lifeblood! We oppose closure!” They also bore banners with slogans such as: “APNU+AFC government betray sugar workers,” “Estate closure will cause crime, break-up of homes and starvation” and “We shall unite and fight together; save Emnore and Rose Hall estates.”
One of the placards also called on the government to overturn its decision to close the estates while the protesters chanted during the march: “No closure to the estates” and that the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Errol Hanoman and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo “must go!”
Deeds Registrar charged over $4.5M fraud
Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh was yesterday faced with a fraud charge for allegedly authorizing payments to herself amounting to a total of just over $4.5 million. It was alleged that Baksh, being a pensionable employee of the Judicial Service Commission, between May 1, 2014 and January 31, 2017, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, caused or procured valuable securities in the total sum of $4,534,486, to be credited to her Bank of Nova Scotia Limited account, by falsely pretending that she was a contracted employee of the Deeds and Commercial Registry. Baksh entered a not guilty plea after the charge was read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown. She was granted $250,000 bail.
Thursday, May 25th
Rights groups skewer gov’t plan for referendum on gay sex
Government’s surprise announcement that it will hold a referendum on whether same-sex intimacy should be decriminalised is being condemned as a delaying tactic by civil society organisations. The rights organisations yesterday called on the APNU+AFC coalition to stick to its manifesto promise to ensure that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and other minority groups are not discriminated against. While there has been no official statement from the government indicating, the referendum move at least two of its ministers – Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams SC and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge have publicly stated that this is the direction the administration is headed. According to Executive Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Joel Simpson the issue of the referendum first came up in Government’s response to a thematic hearing on the rights of young persons at the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights in March. The day after the hearing the government said among other things that Parliament had previously decided that the issue should be determined by a referendum. However, the Guyana Trans United group objected to this since the issue was never debated in the National Assembly and no decision for a referendum had been taken.
Corentyne man gets 18 years for peacemaker’s murder
A forty-four year old Corentyne man was yesterday sentenced to 18 years imprisonment at the High Court in Berbice, for the murder of a teenager, who was reportedly a peacemaker in a fight in which he was involved in 2012. Dharamraj Persaud, also known as ‘Chris’, was jointly charged with his cousin, Yougeshwar Dhanaram, also known as ‘Shem,’ with the April 29th, 2012 murder of Sasenarine Persaud, 17, at Number 70 Village, Corentyne. However, while Persaud had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, his cousin Dhanaram was released earlier in the month, after the state offered no evidence against him, which had led the judge to order the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. Dhanaram who had pleaded not guilty at the beginning of his second trial earlier in the month, had spent some five years on remand before he was released.
Police constable accused of assaulting woman with beer bottle
Accused of assaulting a woman with a beer bottle, a constable was today granted $75,000 bail on the charge. Gadi Hoyte, a constable attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), is accused of unlawfully assaulting Maxine Duncan on December 3, 2016 at Ekereku Landing, Cuyuni River. Not guilty was the plea entered by the defendant after the charge was read to him. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the court that the defendant was previously stationed at Ekereku Landing and had been transferred to the TSU after the incident had occurred. The prosecutor said that a problem had developed at the station between the defendant and the complainant, which resulted in an argument. The defendant then made his way to the landing sometime later, and a further argument had ensued between the two. It was during this time that Hoyte took a beer bottle and hit Duncan on the left side of her face, resulting in black and blue marks. The prosecutor made no objection to the defendant being granted bail. As a result, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan granted Hoyte $75,000 bail and ordered that he not go within 50 ft. of the complainant, nor communicate or cause anyone to communicate with the complainant.
Friday, May 26th
Acting Chancellor tops list of national awardees
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who is to be conferred with the Order of Roraima, leads this year’s list of national awardees. Justice Cummings-Edwards, who is the second woman to be appointed to the position of acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, has been a part of the legal fraternity since 1988. She has served as a Judge on the Court of Appeal of Guyana for several years and was sworn in to her current post on March 28, 2017. Justice CummingsEdwards, who will be the lone recipient of the Order of Roraima this year, is one of 31 women who, according to the Ministry of Presidency, have been honoured for their outstanding service and sterling contributions toward national development. In total, 69 awardees have been named, including five persons who will receive the Cacique’s Crown of Honour, 44 who will receive the Golden Arrow of Achievement, 14 who will receive the Medal of Service, two who will receive the Military Service Medal and three who will receive the Disciplined Services Medal.
`Kezie’ wanted over Roxanne Burnham Gardens murder
Ezekiel Edward called ‘Kezie’, 27, is wanted by the police in connection with the murder of Roy Roland which occurred between May 16th and 17th, 2017, at Marigold Street, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Edward is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 227-2128, 226-1389, 226-7065, 268-2343, 2682298, 225-2227, 911 or the nearest police station, the police said in a release yesterday. His last known address is Diamond, EBD. Roland known as `Gangster Roy’, 27, of Lot 25 Costello Housing Scheme, La Penitence, Georgetown was discovered dead around 6:30 am on the eastern parapet of Marigold Street with a bullet wound to the back of the head. It is believed that Roland’s killers may have dumped his body from a vehicle.
Eighteen-year-old cleared of child molestation charges
An eighteen-year-old was yesterday acquitted of charges that he sexually assaulted a little girl on multiple occasions. After almost five hours of deliberations, a 12-member mixed jury found Autry Bess not guilty by a proportion of 11 to 1 on the charge of having sexual activity with a child under 16 years of age. Meanwhile, on the second and third counts of rape of the said child, he was also found not guilty by a proportion of 10 to 2 and 11 to 1, respectively. It was the state’s case that the alleged assaults occurred in November, 2013, when the girl was eight-years-old, and in July, 2014, when she was nine-years-old. It was the state’s case that at the time the alleged offences were committed, Bess had been a visitor at the young girl’s home, where on the first occasion, he touched her buttocks and vagina. On two subsequent occasions, the former accused was alleged to have sexually penetrated the child. Justice JoAnn Barlow, who presided over the trial, told Bess that he was still young and should take every opportunity of making “something good for your life.”