Hailing contributions of Chinese, President says new arrivals welcome

Emphasising the cultural and economic contributions of the Chinese people on the 165th Anniversary of their arrival on these shores, President David Granger yesterday welcomed the new wave of migrants from China and said it was a testament to the strong ties between Georgetown and Beijing. By way of an Executive Notice issued by the President last year, January 12th has been designated Chinese Arrival Day, making yesterday’s celebration at the Windsor Forest Primary School compound, where the Chinese Arrival Monument is located, the first of its kind in local history. Windsor Forest has traditionally been home to large numbers of Chinese and the primary school there was selected to host the event, which was attended by the President and First Lady, Sandra Granger, several Ministers of Government, the Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy and a delegation of Chinese officials. Delivering the feature address, President Granger stated that January 12th has been designated a day to pay homage to ancestors of Guyanese of Chinese origin and to applaud their contribution to the nation.

Motorcycle bandits rob woman of $5M in Kitty hold-up

A Perseverance, East Bank Demerara resident was on Thursday afternoon robbed of almost $5 million in cash and other valuables after she was attacked in Kitty by two motorcycle bandits. The armed bandits robbed the 34year-old woman of a bag containing $4.9 million as well as a Samsung Galaxy S6 phone, a gold ankle band and documents, including her National ID and bank cards. The attack reportedly occurred around 3.15 pm at Pere Street, Kitty. Stabroek News was told that the woman was attacked after she travelled from a location at Light and Sixth streets, Alberttown. At Kitty, the pillion rider dismounted the motorcycle and held the woman at gunpoint and demanded that she hand over her bag. Out of fear for her life, she complied with the demand. The police have obtained surveillance footage from the scene of the crime. Several persons were questioned and statements were obtained.

Police detectives have been sent to the Pomeroon River area after two men were shot dead yesterday afternoon. According to information reaching Stabroek News, around 3:30pm, the two persons, 28-year-old Ambrose Baharally and 23-year-old Martin Godette were “hanging out at Baharally’s residence drinking high wine”, at Friendship Canal, Lower Pomeroon River when two men pulled up in a boat alongside them. The men reportedly exited the boat and shook Baharally’s and Godette’s hands and started a conversation. However, some minutes after, two gunshots were heard by Baharally’s wife, who was inside the house at the time. She rushed out of the house and found her husband and Godette lying on the ground inflicted with two gunshots with two gunshot wounds. She then noticed that the assailants had run towards their boat and they escaped along the river. Baharally’s wife then went to get help and the two bodies were removed and transported to the Suddie Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival and are awaiting a post mortem examination.

Vendor shot dead by city constable Billions diverted by prison unrest partly to blame for GuySuCo severance shortfall in budget

Alliance for Change (AFC) leader Raphael Trotman yesterday said the diversion of billions to the security sector after the destruction of the Camp Street prison was partly responsible for the government not budgeting the full sum for severance payments to laid-off sugar workers. Speaking at a party press conference yesterday, Trotman further explained that Minister of Finance Winston Jordan had indicated in October, 2017, that a supplemental paper would have to be passed to finance the severance payments. “This matter has been engaging Cabinet’s attention for months. It is not that we were unaware that severance had to be paid; the $500 million was indicative of that recognition. We knew that $500 million would not be the full amount that would be needed but we sought to keep some money in reserve—put in the 2018 budget—and we needed to get a sense at the end of the year of what was necessary. We sought to put something in the tilly [$500 million]. We knew we had to pay severance, we just weren’t sure where it would come from,” Trotman said before noting that government “had to divert billions to readying both Lusignan and Camp Street… there were a number of expenses that came up in 2017.” The Camp Street prison was devastated by a fire in July last year, forcing the relocation of approximately 1,000 inmates. Facilities were constructed at Lusignan and at Camp Street to accommodate the prisoners.

Convict to serve 15 more years for Agricola robbery-murder

Jermaine Savory was yesterday morning sentenced to 15 years in jail for the murder of Melissa Payne, the woman who was fatally shot in a robbery on the Agricola Public Road in 2008. Handing down the sentence was Justice James Bovell-Drakes, who presided over the trial at the High Court in Georgetown. A jury found Savory guilty about three weeks ago but sentencing was, however, deferred to facilitate a probation report, which was requested by defence attorney Maxwell McKay. Probation and Social Services Officer Pamela Atwell, who read the report to the court, yesterday, said the

mother of the convict related to her the unusual behaviours he exhibited from childhood.

Child rapist sentenced to 45 years

formal complaint against the police yesterday. She also visited the office of Singh, the pathologist, but was unable to see him as she was made aware that he is only present on certain days.

Cops seek six suspects over De Velde shooting

Police in ‘B’ Division are searching for six suspects in connection with the recent shooting at De Velde, in the Berbice River. Police have said that from a preliminary investigation, the attack on the Lindie family last Wednesday night was linked to an apparent dispute among several alleged ganja farmers. Commander of the Division Lyndon Alves told Stabroek News that the police were able to acquire the names of six suspects. He explained that searches were made at the given addresses of the men but lawmen were unsuccessful in arresting any of the suspects. According to Alves the men reside within central Berbice. Following the shooting at the homes of Kenrick Lindie and his son, Reyon Lindie, a party of policemen, led by Deputy Commander of the Division Edmond Cooper, visited the area on Friday and their investigation determined that there was no robbery. Stabroek News had reported that based on information provided by Kenrick Lindie, the the attack was a robbery. based on legal advice sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Fredericks, 33, of Tiger Bay, was fatally shot after he allegedly attempted to flee from the constabulary outpost at Bourda on Sunday where he had been detained. The city lance corporal was arrested and he remains in custody. He is expected to be charged soon.

Gov’t seeking supplementary funds of $1.75b for sugar severance

Four weeks after passing a $267 billion budget for 2018, the National Assembly will debate a supplemental provision of $1.75 billion to meet a portion of the severance pay for around 4,000 sugar workers. The provision, the first financial paper for this year, seeks to meet part of severance payments due to the retrenched workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). It was laid in the House yesterday by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and is to be debated today. According to the details of the provision the estimated cost of severance is $4.24 billion, a little more than 50% of which will be paid at the end of January. Additional sums are slated to be paid by the end of 2018. GuySuCo was allocated $6.3 billion in 2018, of that sum $500 million has been earmarked for severance payment and will be paid out at the same time as the $1.75 billion if approved. This means that government will be paying workers $2.25 billion at the end of January. The APNU+AFC government has announced a decision to resize the local sugar industry an endeavour which has so far seen the closure of several estates and the retrenchment of approximately 4000 workers. While these workers were given letters which terminated their services as of December 31, 2017 they have yet to be paid severance, a situation which has led to several protests.

City cop charged with manslaughter over vendor’s killing

Gregory Bascom, the city policeman who allegedly fatally shot mentally ill vendor Marlon Fredericks after he reportedly attempted to flee custody on Sunday, was today charged with manslaughter and released on $800,000 bail. Bascom, 50, of 340 West Ruimveldt, was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown, where he was read the indictable charge. The charge stated that Bascom, who is a Lance Corporal in the city constabulary, unlawfully killed Fredericks on January 14th, 2018, at Regent Road, Bourda. The accused, who was supported by other members of the constabulary at the arraignment, was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

Berbice fishermen, farmers call for oil spill insurance

Fearing that an oil spill from production by ExxonMobil could devastate the fishing and agricultural industries, fishermen and farmers from Upper Corentyne, Berbice yesterday called for insurance coverage to protect their livelihoods. They put forward their position during a public scoping meeting for the Liza Phase 2 Development, which was hosted by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the Number 66 Village, Corentyne Fish Port Complex. After presentations about the Liza Phase 2 Development, the audience, including Regional Chairman of Region Six David Armogan, Regional Vice Chairman Denis Deroop, regional councillors, members of the Upper Corentyne fishing co-op, farmers and businesspersons raised their concerns, with the main one being the need for an insurance policy or an annual grant for specific sectors that are likely to be affected in case of a spill. “No amount of assurance from ExxonMobil or EPA will ease our fears. Accidents can and will happen,” said Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen Co-op Pameshwar Jainarine, who voiced his fear that there is a high potential for destruction of the fishing industry if there is an oil spill. “We are fishermen. We will be the losers. We depend on this industry for our livelihood. Everything for us is based on fishing and fishing related activities,” he added.