Mother kills three-year-old son
A three-year-old boy succumbed in hospital yesterday after being stabbed by his mother at their Foulis, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. Ramdeo Ferreira, called ‘Papa,’ of Lot 585 15th Street, Foulis, Enmore, ECD, was stabbed twice during the attack, which took place around 9.45 am. He was later rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he succumbed around 1 pm while receiving medical treatment. His mother, who has been identified as 26-year-old Brenda Ferreira, was arrested and is presently in police custody. The woman, who is said to be cooperating with investigators, was described yesterday as having been noticeably negligent in her care of Ramdeo and his older brother. Neighbours also suggested that she is mentally ill.
She reportedly launched the attack on her youngest child in their yard before placing him on a bed in their small wooden house, where she watched him bleed out. His four-year-old brother, who witnessed the attack, managed to escape and alerted a relative of his father, who resides a short distance away. The woman, who has only been identified as ‘Kavita,’ then informed neighbours, who summoned the police. Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force Jairam Ramlakhan, in a brief statement yesterday afternoon, said the suspect, who was armed with a knife, was seen chasing Ramdeo in the yard.
Monday, August 27 Joblessness, teen pregnancy, school dropouts are ‘big problems’ - Granger
Labelling unemployment, teenage pregnancy and dropping out from schools as “big problems”, President David Granger yesterday said that there must be no denial of this and that several steps are being taken to remedy the situation. Addressing the Cuffy 250 State of the African-Guyanese Forum at the Critchlow Labour College, the President railed against “denialism.” According to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, granger said that “there are problems and we should not deny that there are problems, we would never find solutions.” He cited the rate of school ‘dropouts’, which he said sees at least seven students leaving school a day, with the highest incidence being in public secondary schools where at least five students drop out every day. Unemployment, which is estimated at 12 percent of the labour force or about 37,119 persons is another problem plaguing the Guyanese community, Granger declared. Thirdly, he pointed to the “alarming rate” of teenage pregnancy, which is the highest in the Caribbean Community; more than 3,000 Guyanese teenage girls become pregnant every year.
Woman attacked by pitbulls in North Ruimveldt
What was supposed to be a routine early-morning walk for 58-year-old Ingrid Wilson to her son’s home yesterday turned into a nightmare after she was brutally attacked by three pitbull dogs that escaped from a neighbour’s yard. Wilson is currently admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital being treated for bites about her face and other parts of her body. When Stabroek News visited the hospital yesterday three of her children were outside of the Accident & Emergency Unit as Wilson was being treated. Wilson’s children were visibly distraught and said that they did not have words to describe what had happened. According to Darius Simon, his mother, who lives “a little more than a corner” away from his home in Festival City, North Ruimveldt, would usually walk there every Sunday morning as part of her exercise routine. “She does trouble with arthritis [and] so she does exercise and come sit down with me and when she ready we would carry she out back because she does live with we sister about a corner away. But what I hear is about after six this morning when she de coming them dogs run out from the neighbour yard and start attacking she just so,” Darius explained.
GTUC urges full support for teachers in wage struggle
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday called for national support for teachers in their battle for better wages. The teachers are set to go on strike today. The umbrella union body called on the people of Guyana, civil society and the business community to empathise with the teachers in their moment of need. “The struggle of the teachers for a living wage and the importance of sustaining themselves to perform require having their needs met and these can only be addressed at the negotiation table”, the TUC said. It noted that teachers are seeking an agreement with the government after the last four-year agreement signed with the PPP/C Government expired in 2015. It said that in 2016 the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) would have taken industrial action after the APNU+AFC Government failed to constructively engage them for an Agreement. “Strike action was averted when Minister of State Joe Harmon gave the Union the assurance Government will address the teachers’ concerns. In 2017, after a failed process to arrive at an agreement, the Union once again said its members will proceed on strike action to bring about resolution. The action was averted because of President David Granger’s intervention where he established a Task Force to address the Union’s proposals. That Task Force completed its work earlier this year and submitted its Report to the Government which was deliberated at Cabinet…to date a stalemate (i.e. standoff) exists”, the TUC pointed out.
Tuesday, 28 August Teachers in protests as strike begins
Teachers around the country took to the streets yesterday to protest government’s failure to honour joint proposals for wages and other benefits and faced with the possibility that the new school year will begin with a strike, the Ministry of Education announced contingency plans, including the deployment of trainees. Hundreds of teachers participated in planned protests and Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) President Mark Lyte said based on feedback the first day of the pre-term strike went better than expected, but the union will convene a General Council meeting today to address the concerns of some members. With the new school year slated to commence on September 3, the Education Ministry said Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson told a meeting of parents and education officers in regions Five and Six that if teachers stay away from school next Monday, “the service of some 300 teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) will be utilized. In addition to that, there are monitors across the regions who will ‘step-up to the plate’ to assist in the interim.”Additionally, a Ministry press release said Hutson noted that “services of retired teachers and parents will also be used.”“The CEO urged teachers, who have intentions to strike when the new academic year commences next Monday, to re-visit their position…[he] believes that anyone who hampers the progress of children should revisit the way they do things [and] said that sometimes we have to put the children above ourselves,” the release added. Lyte was unmoved by the appeal.
Ex-soldier gets 15 years for accidental shooting of best friend
Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier Allister Woolford was yesterday sentenced to 15 years in prison for what he had said was the “accidental” shooting death of a man he described as being his best friend. “Your conduct was reprehensible, irresponsible, reckless and unbecoming,” trial judge Sandil Kissoon told a visibly expressionless Woolford at the High Court, while adding that not only had he killed his best friend for no reason, but that by his actions he failed society, himself and the force. “Your friend paid the ultimate price for your irresponsible conduct,” the judge added, while also reminding the Allister Woolford
convict that his explanation of not knowing that the gun was loaded was also irresponsible and poor. At the conclusion of a trial earlier this month, Woolford was convicted by a proportion of 10 to 2 by a 12-member jury for the offence of manslaughter over the unlawful killing of Devon Howell, whom he shot to the head on November 21st, 2014.
Former murder accused charged with shooting at cops
Carlton Bourne, the former murder accused who is currently a remanded prisoner after being charged with a series of armed robberies, was yesterday faced with more charges, including shooting at policemen. The first charge alleged that Bourne, 23, on August 1st, at Chapel and Norton streets, discharged a loaded firearm at Lester Lewis, a police constable, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm. It was also alleged that on the same date, Bourne discharged a loaded firearm at police constable Royston Mendonca, with intent to commit maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm. Bourne was not required to plead to these charges. Another charge stated that on July 6th at Hadfield Street, while being armed with a gun, Bourne robbed a woman of a gold chain valued $140,000, a Samsung J5 cellphone valued $30,000 and $100,000 cash.
Wednesday, 29 August Hoppie tipped to be next Top Cop
Assistant Commissioner Nigel Hoppie is tipped to be President David Granger’s choice for Commissioner of Police, sources say, with Assistant Commissioners Maxine Graham, Paul Williams, Lyndon Alves and Leslie James to serve as Deputy Commissioners. Stabroek News has been told that the president is scheduled to meet with opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo tomorrow, as part of the consultation process that is required by law, to discuss the choices. Hoppie, Graham, Williams, Alves and James are among eight members of the force who had been interviewed for the post. The other applicants were current acting Commissioner David Ramnarine, who is the most senior rank in the force, Marlon Chapman and Clifton Hicken. Ramnarine’s omission from consideration as Top Cop or as one of the Deputy Commissioners will come as a major surprise. Ramnarine was appointed acting Commissioner following the retirement of Top Cop Seelall Persaud in March of this year. However, he has been acting since last year, when Persaud took his outstanding accumulated leave. The candidates for the post were interviewed by a panel that included the President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan. Information provided to this newspaper stated that Graham, the lone female, excelled in the written component of the interview.
AG complies with court order to activate judicial review law
After months of pressure, Attorney General Basil Williams has finally issued an order to operationalise the Judicial Review Act (JRA) in compliance with a months-old court order.The commencement order, signed by Williams on August 27th and published in the Official Gazette on the same date it was signed, appoints July 31st, 2018 as the day on which the Act shall be deemed to have come into operation. The retroactive order comes almost two weeks after Williams made another order that identified January 1st, 2019 as the commencement date despite the order by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in May specifically stipulating that the Act be operationalised by July 31st, 2018. The previous order appeared to be an attempt by Williams to forestall contempt of court proceedings that were initiated by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall over his failure to bring the law into force. Williams earlier this month failed in his bid to have the Court of Appeal stay the execution of the Chief Justice’s order. He is still waiting on that court to hear his appeal of Justice George’s decision.
Cops charge mother with murdering three year-old
Brenda Ferreira, the 26-year-old mother who police say admitted to fatally stabbing her three-year-old son at their Foulis, Enmore, East Coast Demerara home on Saturday, was yesterday charged by police with murder and is scheduled to appear in court today for her formal arraignment. Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan yesterday confirmed that Ferreira was charged by police with murdering Ramdeo Ferreira based on legal advice sought. She will be arraigned before a magistrate at the Cove and John Magis-trate’s Court this morning, he added. Ramdeo, called ‘Papa,’ of Lot 585 15th Street, Foulis, Enmore, was stabbed twice during the attack by his mother, which took place around 9.45 am on Saturday at their home. He was later rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed around 1 pm while receiving medical treatment. An autopsy performed on Monday revealed that Ramdeo died of a stab wound to the heart. The mother was taken into custody following the incident.
Thursday, 30 August No progress in teachers talks, strike closer
Talks on the looming teachers strike ended without resolution yesterday as the GTU is pressing for arbitration while the Labour Department is contending that conciliation between the union and the government must be exhausted first. Yesterday’s talks were adjourned with no resumption date fixed making it more likely that teachers will be on strike on Monday, the first day of the new school year. The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) said it is willing to call off the planned strike to back its demand for a 40 per cent increase in salaries if the Education Ministry agrees to arbitration and foregoes the conciliation process. However, the ministry and the conciliator – the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection – are insisting that the process move forward though conciliation in keeping with “the rules and regulations” of resolving industrial relations issues. “The ball is in their court. We indicated to them that if they call us midnight tonight we would be ready” to call off the strike, GTU President Mark Lyte said.
‘Whistle’ now charged with armed robbery, assaulting cops, discharging firearm
Twenty-eight-year-old former murder accused, Leon Duncan called ‘Whistle,’ found himself before the courts again yesterday, this time on charges of armed robbery, assaulting policemen and discharging a loaded firearm. Duncan was lifted into the courtroom on a gurney to answer the charges. The first charge alleged that Duncan on July 14th, at Second Street, Alberttown robbed Nickel Pinkerton of one gold chain valued $98,000 and at the time of, before or after used personal violence on the said Nickel Pinkerton. It was also alleged that on April 15th, at the National Gymnasium he discharged a loaded firearm. Another charge alleged that on August 25th, at Leopold Street, he unlawfully assaulted Oswyn Shepherd, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duties. Duncan was also charged with assaulting peace officer, Deon Bascom who was acting in the execution of his duties. Duncan denied all the allegations laid against him.
Manslaughter accused hotelier claims his life is being threatened
The Subryanville hotelier, Erwin Bacchus who was charged earlier this month with manslaughter, has stated that his life is being threatened. The charge against Bacchus alleged that he, on August 4, at Subryanville, Georgetown, unlawfully killed Jason De Florimonte. When the matter was called yesterday before the Chief Magistrate, Bacchus’ attorney Glenn Hanoman told the court that his client’s life is being threatened by the deceased man’s relatives. He then stated that his client cannot go to his home as persons have been protesting at the property. Hanoman added that the relatives of the deceased have been damaging the property which belongs to Bacchus and reports have been made to the police. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan then told the court that after the police complete their investigations, persons will be charged. The matter was then adjourned until September 10th for report.
Friday, 31 August James appointed Top Cop
Leslie James was yesterday appointed as the new Commissioner of Police and President David Granger has urged him to not only steer the force in the right direction but to also take the lead in the reform of the security sector. “In addition to his other duties, therefore, I expect the new Commissioner to lead the process of security sector reform, which is aimed at ensuring that we have a highly motivated and better equipped, professional police force,” Granger said shortly after James, 52, took the oath of office and collected his instrument of appointment at State House. In addition, Lyndon Alves, Maxine Graham, Nigel Hoppie and Paul Williams have all been appointed as Deputy Commissioners, with their appointments taking immediate effect.
Exxon makes ninth oil discovery in Stabroek Block
ExxonMobil has made its ninth oil discovery offshore Guyana at the Hammerhead-1 well, marking its fifth discovery in the Stabroek Block in the past year. The company said the latest find proves a “new play concept” for potential development. Drilling at the well found approximately 197 feet (60 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. The well was safely drilled to 13,862 feet (4,225 meters) depth in 3,373 feet (1,150 meters) of water. The Stena Carron drillship began drilling on July 27, 2018. “The Hammerhead-1 discovery reinforces the potential of the Guyana basin, where ExxonMobil is already maximizing value for all stakeholders through rapid phased developments and accelerated exploration plans,” Steve Greenlee, the president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company was quoted as saying in a statement. “Development options for Hammer-head will take into account ongoing evaluation of reservoir data, including a well test,” he added.
Money available to meet teachers demands – Jagdeo
Government can easily find money to meet the demands of teachers, according to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who said that the discontinuation of the controversial Sussex Street bond contract alone can take care of the entire uniform allowance being asked for with extras. “I believe there is money to fund a lot of what the teachers have been asking for without increasing overall expenditure in the budget,” Jagdeo, a trained economist and former president, said at a press conference yesterday. Jagdeo said he was appalled at the current state of negotiations and told President David Granger when he met him yesterday to discuss the appointment of a Commissioner of Police,that he [Granger] should intervene. “I raised the teachers strike with the President and I said, ‘Mr President, it is absolutely necessary that you get involved in this to resolve the matter.’ It has been quite a while that the teachers have been waiting to get this matter resolved. I think it is in the interest of Guyana that we secure these multi-year contracts, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of negotiation on an annual basis and I believe that there is money to fund a lot of what the teachers have been asking for,” Jagdeo said.