Recent events review Saturday, July 7th to Friday July 13th
Saturday July, 7
ExxonMobil says not funding political party in Guyana
Facing questions from a parliamentary committee, ExxonMobil yesterday denied that it was funding any political party or political initiatives in Guyana. A meeting between the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources and the US oil giant became testy when allegations of possible funding of political initiatives were put to the company by opposition members. In the Parliament Chamber, ExxonMobil quickly shot down suggestions that it was funding any initiative of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, saying that the company was not politically aligned. Opposition members of the committee also raised questions about ExxonMobil’s funding of international environmental body, Conservation International (CI), stating that this was a clear conflict of interest for the latter. Last evening, in response to questions from Stabroek News, Conservation International rejected the assertions by the parliamentary committee members, stating that notwithstanding the funding, the organisation will remain objective and impartial.
Gov’t moving to repeal jail sentences for small amounts of ganja – Granger
President David Granger has said that the removal of custodial sentences for possession of small amounts of cannabis is on the cards for Guyana. “We are moving towards the removal of custodial sentences for the possession of small amounts of marijuana,” Granger, who was in Jamaica, was quoted as saying in Friday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle. At the same time, the report said he also made it clear that there will be no industrialisation of marijuana production in Guyana. The president made the comments on the same day that State Minister Joseph Harmon said that government’s position on the possession of cannabis will depend on the final report of the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana and the findings of a Ministry of Health survey. Harmon told reporters at a post-Cabinet press briefing that government was still gathering information and would rely on the two documents before it comes to a definitive conclusion. CARICOM Heads of Government gathered in Jamaica were considering the recommendations contained in the Commission’s report, which in part calls for the dismantling of the mechanism that prohibits its use in its entirety.
Brother among two held for killing Pouderoyen man over food
After eating food he was sent to uplift, a 61-year-old man was fatally beaten on Thursday evening at Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, and his brother and another man, who were the assailants, are now in police custody. Dead is Nazir Khan, of Lot 37 Bella Dam, who was reportedly dealt several blows to his head during the beating around 6.30pm on Thursday. Khan was discovered lying motionless around 10.15 pm in a neighbour’s yard, where he had gone to rest after complaining about a headache in the aftermath of the attacks. The suspects, identified as Khan’s brother, Asgar Alli, 57, who is a porter attached to a waste disposal service, and Alli’s friend, whose name was only given as ‘Ricky,’ remained in custody up to yesterday afternoon for questioning. A police source told Stabroek News that investigators are currently compiling a case file, which will be sent for legal advice.
Sunday, July 8
GPL to tap US$20M loan from Islamic bank for system upgrades
The Guyana Power and Light Company Incorporated (GPL) has received approval for a US$20 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank and will use it to begin a planned upgrade project, which will see a Jamaican electrical engineer being brought in to overlook its execution. The loan is only one of several that the utility company has been looking to secure as it sets out to meet the US$110 million needed for upgrades that would reduce power outages. Government, sources say, is also working with the Inter-American Development Bank and is close to securing US$5 million, which will be put towards another GPL upgrade project. While a General Procurement Notice in the July 4th edition of the Stabroek News stated that the utility company had applied for the funding, sources close to the deal informed that the money has been approved.
Monday, July 9
Plans quickening for natural gas in 200 MW plant –Patterson
Even as government continues negotiations with ExxonMobil for natural gas to come onshore by 2022 from oil extraction operations, it has simultaneously begun to prepare the infrastructure and has confirmed the landing location and generator types, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson says. ExxonMobil’s Country Representative Rod Henson on Friday informed that while the company believes it would be more beneficial monetarily to this country if all the natural gas was used for well injection purposes offshore, government has been in discussions with it to have some of the gas brought onshore for domestic use. Given Guyana’s “unique” case where the cost of electricity from its current use of fossil fuels is “very high”, Henson noted, the company was working with government to bring a cleaner and cheaper alternative for this country’s domestic use. The amounts required, he said, would be around 30-35 million cubic feet of natural gas.
Members should decide on PPP presidential candidate –Ramkarran
Rules for the selection of a PPP presidential candidate have outlived their usefulness and it is the members of the party who should be making the decision, according to commentator Ralph Ramkarran. In his column in yesterday’s Sunday Stabroek, he weighed in on the contretemps that has arisen over PPP member Charles Ramson Jr declaring his intention to be the party’s next presidential candidate. Ramkarran said: “The PPP has no special rules for the selection of a presidential candidate. It has decision-making rules under which the executive committee of 15 recommends and the central committee of 35 decides. The latter invariably follows the ‘recommendation’ of the former. These rules apply in the selection of presidential candidates. The rules are archaic and have long outlived their usefulness. In this era of liberal democracy, the public would like to see and hear the candidates before one is selected by the party, especially having regard to the powerful position the president holds under the constitution. And the selection process for all parties in Guyana, not only for presidential candidates but also for officials, should be determined by members”. Ramkarran was a member of the PPP for nearly 50 years before resigning on June 30, 2012 after controversy over what he felt was the party’s soft line on corruption while it was in government.
Sneakers stuffed with ganja, cigarettes delivered to Lusignan jail
A man yesterday sprinted away from prison officers after he tried to smuggle contraband items in a pair of boots at the Lusignan jail, Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels reported. Samuels, in a statement last night said officers at the checkpoint of the prison made the discovery at about 2.30 yesterday afternoon. A man arrived at the penitentiary to deliver clothing and footwear to a prisoner who is scheduled to appear in court today. It is customary, he noted, that items delivered for prisoners are subjected to security checks and booking. As the officers checked the items placed on the table, they observed the footwear looking “funny,” Samuels said in a statement. The footwear had four packs of cigarettes and 108 grams of marijuana under the sole of the boots.
Tuesday, July 10
City Hall restoration to cost US$4.3M
The cost to restore the historic City Hall building has been pegged at US$4.3 million, Town Clerk Royston King yesterday informed city councillors during their fortnightly statutory meeting. King quoted the price from the Comprehensive Restoration and Sustainable Conservation Management Plan, which was presented yesterday morning to his office and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr George Norton and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. He, however, pointed out that a cost for the supervision of works during the implementation period was not attached to the restoration, thereby indicating that the project would cost more. The plan, funded by the European Union (EU) at a cost of $64 million, was compiled by Euronet Consulting. King related that he had received an electronic copy of the report and would have it circulated to councillors in time for a special meeting to discuss the way forward.
Boy, 15, stabbed to death in wedding house clash
A 15-year-old was stabbed to death minutes after midnight on Monday in a wedding house brawl on the Linden-Soesdyke highway and two persons have since been arrested. Dead is Ricardo Singh, a fourth form student of the Diamond Secondary School, who resided at Lot 63 Block 1&2 Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara. One of his friends was also stabbed in the melee and he remained a patient up to yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital. His condition was listed as stable. Singh, whose intestines were protruding after he was stabbed multiple times, was rushed to the Diamond Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His friend, who was stabbed twice to his back, was also rushed to the hospital before being later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. A police source confirmed to Stabroek News that two suspects have been arrested and are currently assisting with investigation. Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan, in a brief statement yesterday, said that Singh’s body was discovered 15 minutes after midnight yesterday in the vicinity of Lot 0 Soesdyke/Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara, where there was a wedding celebration. There were conflicting accounts of what led to the stabbing, including the claim that Singh and/or his friends had been smoking at the wedding house and that a relative of the host requested that they leave but they refused and the ensuing argument escalated into a fight.
Cops probing parking lot clash between Minister, guards
The police are investigating claims by Junior Minister of Natural Resources Simona Broomes that she and her driver were verbally abused and threatened by two security guards at a Providence, East Bank Demerara business place. The two guards are attached to KGM Security Services, the firm that provides security for the property at Providence that houses the New Thriving Chinese Restaurant, the Massy Supermarket and the Fitness 53 Gym. They were both arrested and later released on selfbail. The altercation occurred around 8.30 pm on Sunday, after Broomes’ driver attempted to move a No Parking sign in order to park their vehicle. Stabroek News was told that the minister reportedly told police that one of the
guards became verbally abusive towards them and continued even after she identified herself as a Minister of Government and stated her intention to purchase food from the restaurant.
Wednesday, July 11
C’ville pandit, son found murdered at home after suspected robbery
the agencies operating at the CJIA, the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit was alerted and its agents carried out an inspection of the aircraft which uncovered irregularities. These irregularities, according to the statement, were promptly reported to higher authorities. Further enquiries revealed that the pilots and passengers were invited to Guyana by Brassington, who, according to the statement, was at the airport to receive them.
Thursday, July 12
Subsidise Berbice Bridge or buy shares - Jagdeo
Even as he stressed that the PPP does not support a Berbice Bridge toll increase, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said that the government should pay the differential on the proposed higher tariffs or buy more shares in the beleaguered Berbice Bridge Company (BBCI). “People in Berbice cannot pay that large increase so the government has two options,” Jagdeo told a press conference. He made that statement despite the fact that the agreement to permit phased increases in tariffs for bridge users was crafted under his administration. “Buy out the other shareholders, buy out people so that more of the bridge becomes publicly owned or subsidise the increase that should take place in the toll. So they give an injection into the company so that the rate remains flat. They should do this and it would not cost them much. They waste money on a daily basis than if they were to do that,” he added. Announcing that it has an accumulated $2.8 billion in losses, BBCI on Tuesday proposed hefty increases saying that these were in keeping with its contract with the government. The company warned that the current APNU+AFC administration’s continued denial of the hikes could lead it to bankruptcy.
Refurbished West Coast road commissioned after $9B works
The West Coast Demerara Road, after undergoing three years of rehabilitative works worth around $9 billion, was officially commissioned yesterday, setting the momentum for other works slated for Region Three. The ceremony, which was held at the De Willem tarmac, was attended by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, Junior Minister Annette Ferguson, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. Patterson, whose ministry held responsibility for the West Demerara Road Expansion Project, related that the construction was done to the tune of US$44.3 million. The project, which saw a series of features being added to the 30.7 kilometre-long public road, was funded by the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
“Residents and road users would have therefore noted the rehabilitation of bridges and culverts, the construction of shared user lanes for cyclists and pedestrians at key junctions, the installation of high visibility traffic signs and road markings, the installation of pedestrian foot paths and bridges, construction of concrete drains at critical locations to allow for the efficient drainage, and the construction of parking lanes along identified sections of the road,” Minister Patterson related.
Two in custody over slaying of pandit, son
Two persons are now in police custody as the probe into the gruesome murders of 61-year-old Deonarine Liliah and his son, Gopaul continues. Their decomposed bodies were discovered on Tuesday in their Lot 23 Craig Street, Campbellville home with several stab wounds and investigators are likely to make a breakthrough in the matter soon. A police source yesterday informed Stabroek News that a second individual who is deemed a person of interest in the matter was detained yesterday. He reportedly had in his possession two cell phones belonging to the victims. The man reportedly told investigators that he bought the phones from a male fitting the description of the first suspect who was arrested on Tuesday shortly after the discovery was made. As the investigation continues, the source said that the police are currently pursuing several other suspects who were present at the time the phones were sold. Meanwhile, autopsies performed on the remains of Deonarine and Gopaul yesterday revealed that they both died as a result of multiple incised stab wounds.
Friday, July 13
Modern financial institutions bill passed
Buoyed by the support of the banking sector, the National Assembly just after nine last night passed the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill which is aimed at modernising the financial architecture of the country. The opposition argued that the amendments to Part VIII of the Bill infringe on the constitutional right of financial institutions to due process and stressed that Article 37 (2)(i) which grants the Bank of Guyana (BoG) the power to resolve an institution if it has reasonable cause to believe that the licensed financial institution or its executive officers have engaged or are engaging in criminal activities punishable by imprisonment of six months or more, in such a manner as to threaten the interests of depositors was a clear indication of such infringement. Jordan however read for the House two letters from representatives of the banking sector. The first was dated June 27, 2018 and expressed the bankers’ desire to be granted 14 days to review the bill while the second dated June 29 rescinded this request and noted that BoG Governor Gobind Ganga had been able to allay their concerns. These letters followed a June 25th news item in Stabroek News in which former President Donald Ramotar expressed grave reservations over the bill.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’ - Broomes
Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes yesterday remained silent on the clash between her, her driver and two security guards in the parking lot of the Amazonia Mall at Providence, East Bank Demerara, for which she has faced mounting criticism for her actions, including misrepresenting the encounter. As she made her way to the parliamentary chamber for yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Broomes was faced with questions by the media on the events that transpired on Sunday night and whether she would issue an apology for her actions. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Broomes said as she casually walked to the chambers. The minister maintained the response as reporters continued to question her. Broomes had claimed that she and her driver were verbally abused and threatened by the two security guards but surveillance footage of the confrontation showed otherwise. Nevertheless, based on her initial complaint, the two guards were detained by police for 16 hours before they were released on their own recognisance.
119 newborn deaths in last year at GPHC
Although there have been 119 recorded deaths at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) over the past year, and 32 deaths in the first three months of 2018, no special investigations have been warranted, said Minister Volda Lawrence. Lawrence, who holds the portfolio of Minister of Public Health, related yesterday that during the period of June 1st, 2017, to June 30th, 2018, there were 119 recorded deaths. This number represents 10.3% of the babies hospitalised during this period, as 1,155 babies were admitted to the NICU during those months for care. “Too high,” said PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Vindhya Persaud, in response to the statistics presented. Lawrence had at the time been responding to oral questions posed by Persaud, who enquired about what she perceived to be an “increase” in neonatal deaths at the institution.