Granger says back to the drawing board for negotiations of teachers’ salaries
President David Granger yesterday said that the report from the High Level Task Force, which he helped set up last year to resolve the impasse between his administration and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) over wages and non-salary benefits, was found to be “deficient” by Cabinet and negotiations must go back to the drawing board. “The existing report should not be regarded as a sound basis for proceeding because critical information was not supplied to the committee,” Granger told reporters at the Ministry of the Presidency, where he held his third press conference with the local media since taking office in 2015. After six months of negotiations, the Task Force had agreed to grant teachers a 40% increase on 2015 salaries and a 5% increase thereafter for 2017 to 2020, among other benefits. Government has, however, told teachers that it can offer only $700 million for increases in the 2018 fiscal year, a sum which amounts to little more than a 5% increase. While imposing increases in the absence of collective bargaining in recent years, the current government has said it was doing so without prejudice to the ongoing negotiations with unions. With a strike by teachers expected to continue when the new school term begins next Monday, Granger yesterday said government is actively searching for fresh sources of funding to satisfy the teachers’ demands for salary increases.
Education ministry activates contingency plan for teachers’ strike
While members of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) are set to continue strike action into the new school term, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has operationalised its contingency plan, which has included advertising for the services of substitute teachers for schools in Georgetown. Several student-teachers enrolled at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) have already been briefed on responsibilities as “teachers on attachment” as the ministry seeks to mitigate the effects of a countrywide strike by teachers over wages and non-salary benefits. According to an Education Ministry brief seen by Stabroek News, during the impending strike action the MoE will deploy three categories of “volunteers” to ensure that schools are operationalized: teachers on attachment from CPCE—who are student teachers on teaching practice—parents and substitute teachers. The CPCE students are expected to execute 11 responsibilities, including “as far as possible” following the regular teacher’s lesson plan, scheme of work and other curricular documents in a way that promotes consistency and optimal learning for all learners.
Duo charged with murder of Bourda vendor
Two men were yesterday remanded to prison for the murder of Bourda Market vendor Troy Ramalho, who was gunned down by robbers. It is alleged that Akeem Morris, 20, of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, and George Paton, 34 of Eccles Park, East Bank Demerara, on August 15th at Robb Street, Bourda, in the course or furtherance of a robbery, murdered Ramalho. They were not required to offer a plea to the indictable charge, which was read to them in a Georgetown court. Morris’ attorney told the court that his client has an alibi and that he has no previous or pending matters before any court. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that the police file is incomplete. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan adjourned the matter until September 21st and remanded both men to prison.
Sunday, September 2nd Energy cooperation MoU to be signed between Guyana, Trinidad soon –Energy Minister
A long-delayed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Trinidad on energy cooperation is expected to be signed in the coming weeks, according to Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy, Franklin Khan. “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is due to sign a memorandum of energy cooperation in the coming weeks, most likely there in Georgetown,” Khan told Sunday Stabroek via telephone. The minister did not go into the details of the agreement and said that would be disclosed after the signing. He however, emphasised that his government is willing to offer its assistance as this country prepares for first oil. “When the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is in Guyana, yes we will offer help and advice to the Government of Guyana on your emerging oil and gas sector and obviously seek their concurrence…,” Khan said. No official from government was available for comment or to give details on what the agreement would contain. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who is the minister responsible for oil and gas matters, was out of the country and would not be back until next week, his office said. Several calls to the recently-appointed Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, went unanswered.
Monday, September 3rd Kamla floats Guyana help for T&T refinery
Trinidad Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar has raised the prospect of Guyana oil being used to rescue the beleaguered Petrotrin refinery but Prime Minister Keith Rowley last evening said the aged facility had no reasonable prospect. Defending the decision by his government to close the over 100- year-old refinery, Rowley yesterday said he had no choice as the climbing debt was too much to saddle his country’s taxpayers with. “Petrotrin was overburdened with debt. The net debt at financial year-end 2015 amounted to TT$11.4 billion,” Rowley told the twin-island nation in an address which was live streamed. According to the Trinidadian Prime Minister, “Left as it is, Petrotrin will require an immediate TT$25 billion cash injection just to stay alive” and “there is no way that the company can find this money” as “no financier will lend it because the company simply will not be able to repay such an additional loan. He believes that it would be more feasible for the country to focus on exploration and production and export the 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day it produces and import the 25,000 barrels it needs for consumption.
Cop failed breathalyzer test after fatal accident
The family of 23-year-old Akemo Anthony who died in an accident late Saturday night are hopeful that the police officer involved, who failed a breathalyzer test, will face the law. The accident occurred on Saturday at about 11.40 pm on Mandela Avenue in the vicinity of Back Circle, East Ruimveldt. Stabroek News was informed by Anthony’s grandmother, Barbara Mitchell, that Anthony was flung by the impact of the collision into a nearby trench but was pulled out by friends and neighbours who were around at the time. According to Mitchell, she was told that the policeman involved in the accident was attempting to flee the scene but was stopped by public-spirited persons who were around at the time. The said policeman then rushed Anthony to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.
Raphael Trotman, David Hinds backing second term for Granger
President David Granger has left his run for a second term in 2020 up to the parties in the APNU+AFC coalition but he has already received some endorsements from party leaders who trumpeted his anti-corruption image and integrity. Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Raphael Trotman and Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive David Hinds say while their parties will have to internally decide on the issue, they will support Granger and listed his main appeal as a man of stellar integrity. “I believe that the same reasons why the APNU and AFC galvanized under Mr. Granger remain and I believe he will be persuaded to remain as the candidate in 2020. His integrity, patriotism, vision and quiet leadership are the qualities that Guyanese identified with and still want,” Trotman told Stabroek News yesterday. Hinds had this to add, “While I have some difficulty with President Granger’s style of leadership, I don’t see a superior candidate from among the hopefuls. So, in such a situation incumbency rules. Granger’s strength is personal integrity, which in our political environment is a tremendous asset. If one were tempted to look elsewhere for an alternative leader, it would be hard to find one with the same degree of personal integrity. What he lacks in political nimbleness he makes up in that critical area. So I am prepared from this distance, barring any big unforeseen political development to forecast, that he would be the presidential candidate of any coalition.”
Tuesday, September 4th Two killed in Mahaicony crash
Two persons were killed, one was injured and another escaped unhurt after the car they were in was involved in an accident yesterday afternoon along the Zealand Public Road, Mahaicony. Dead are Michael Aubrey Ross, a hire car driver, and Jennifer Nikita Park, 17, of Lot 25 Manchester Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The person injured is Jennifer’s sister, 23-year-old Judy Nikita Park, a nurse attached to the Port Mourant Hospital. Kevin Madray, who reportedly resides in Suriname, escaped unhurt. The accident occurred around 12.30 pm yesterday after which Ross and the Park sisters were pulled from the submerged car, PMM 1423, driven by Ross, and rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital where Jennifer and Ross were pronounced dead on arrival. Michael Aubrey Ross Jennifer Nikita Park
Thousands of teachers skip first day of school
Strike action by Guyanese teachers intensified yesterday, when it is estimated that more than 3,000 of them stayed away from the classroom on the first teaching day of the new school year. In all the education districts of the 10 Administrative Regions, the teachers stayed home or took to the streets to continue to protest government’s failure to honour joint proposals for wages and other benefits. The strike began during the pre-term last week. While some teachers chose to go to work and the Education Ministry deployed its contingency plan, many frustrated parents were forced to take their children back home as schools in Georgetown, Berbice, Linden, Lethem and Moruca remained closed or didn’t have the requisite staff to attend to the students. Hundreds of teachers also participated in protests outside of Regional Education Offices in Regions One, Two, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Ten and in Georgetown. According to the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), the number of teachers engaged in strike action as of the end of the first school session were more than 1,000 in Linden, 700 in Georgetown, 500
in Region Six, 300 on the East Coast of Demerara, 400 in Region Three, 250 in Region Five, 150 in Region Two, 60 in Port Kaituma and 25 in Moruca, Region One, 70 in Bartica, and 70 in Kwakwani,.
Ministry recruiting temps to keep strike-hit schools open
With teachers around the country on strike, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, is actively engaged in attempting to hire “temporary” replacements to keep schools open. “The ministry is recruiting temporary teachers at this time,” Henry told a press conference last evening, while adding that her officers have been in touch with applicants on file and asked the Teaching Service Commission to provide a list by region of those who had passed their recruitment process. Henry said a total of 2,500 persons are available for temporary placement, inclusive of applicants on file, student teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education, retired teachers and volunteers. The strike yesterday by teachers was arguably the largest faced by the government since taking office in 2015 and poses a major problem for it. Henry, who was supported yesterday by a panel of high ranking education officers including Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, remained firm in declaring that government will not forego “conciliation” and move forward with an arbitration panel as requested by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to resolve the current deadlock in the negotiations over wages and non-salary benefits.
Wednesday, September 5th If you can’t pay us right, we will stay in the streets’
As hundreds of striking teachers in Linden and the surrounding environs took to the streets again to protest for better wages and working conditions, Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) General Secretary, Coretta McDonald, vowed that they were prepared to continue industrial action for as long as it takes to secure a “proper” offer or have the labour dispute referred to arbitration. Armed with placards and umbrellas, a gathering of more than 800, which comprised both teachers and parents, endured the scorching heat to protest outside of the Education Ministry building in the town yesterday. They later crowded the Mackenzie High School, where McDonald was adamant that they would not be “bullied” by the government. “Let me tell you this, teachers: If we don’t stand now, we can’t stand anymore,” McDonald said to loud cheers and applause from the crowd that was packed tightly in the school auditorium.
Ex-GDF captain to face trial over murder of partner
Orwain Sandy, the former Guyana Defence Force captain who is charged with murdering his partner was yesterday committed to stand trial for the crime. The charge against Sandy states that he murdered Reona Payne on March 31st, 2018, at First Street, Alexander Village. Payne was shot multiple times. At the closure of the Preliminary Inquiry into the murder charge against Sandy, police prosecutor Reona Payne Shawn Gonsalves recalled two witnesses, Police Constable Devon Timmerman and Inspector Hurbert Henry. Subsequent to further evidence being taken from the duo, the court heard from Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman that a prima facie case was made out against the accused for the offence. Magistrate Latchman then asked the accused if he wished to say anything or to call any witnesses, to which he responded in the negative and his attorney, James Bond, stated that his client would reserve that right for the High Court.
Scott apologises to teachers
Minister in the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott today apologised for remarks made about striking teachers that have incensed trade unions and others. In a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency he said “I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to the teachers of Guyana. I regret making such an inflammatory and hurtful statement. I have always and will always hold the teachers of our nation in the highest regard. “It was never my intention to be disrespectful of, or to downplay the legitimate industrial actions taken by the Guyana Teacher’s Union on behalf of its membership and teachers generally. “I humbly and sincerely apologise”. In remarks reported by the last Sunday Stabroek, Scott told a bursary award ceremony on Friday that striking teachers were “selfish and uncaring”.
Thursday, September 6th City chamber flays gov’t over local content law
Lamenting the delay in local content legislation that would give businesses here first consideration in providing services and goods for the growing oil and gas industry, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has sent its own draft to the government. It has also called for a hold to be placed on any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trinidad and Tobago until it has a clear idea of what it entails. Both positions enunciated yesterday by the Chamber will be seen as sharp criticisms of the manner in which the government has handled the oil and gas sector. Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the GCCI’s office on Waterloo Street, GCCI President Deodat Indar said that despite frequent calls for local content legislation since early 2017 when his team took over the helm of the organisation, it has not gained “any kind of response” from the government. He said while he is happy that there have been numerous national discussions and consultations on the topic, it has not gained any significant traction and delaying its implementation would have adverse effects on the country’s local economy. “…This morning I dispatched a draft legislation to … President (David Granger),” he said, citing subsection 6(1) of the Chambers of Commerce Act of Guyana which says that the Chamber can initiate, promote or comment on actual, proposed legislative, regulatory or administrative measures affecting trade, manufacture or industry and communicate or to cooperate with the appropriate government institutions to the respect of such measures.
Teachers wage talks to resume today
The government and the GTU are to resume discussions today in a bid to end the teachers’ strike that has upturned the new school year since Monday and yesterday the umbrella trade union grouping, GTUC accused the APNU+AFC administration of creating an environment of conflict and not negotiating in good faith. Among the first matters likely to be addressed at today’s meeting would be the Guyana Teachers’ Union’s (GTU’s) view that the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection cannot perform the conciliation function and that the deadlock between the two sides should move immediately to arbitration which would then settle the dispute and be binding on both sides. Yesterday’s invitation to the GTU announcing the resumption of a meeting that was adjourned from August 30th was signed by Charles Ogle, Chief Labour Officer. It gave no indication of the agenda. The meeting is set for 1.30 pm in the boardroom of the Labour Department, Ministry of Social Protection. Hundreds of school teachers across the country have struck in support of their union’s wage demands. The government has meanwhile mobilized trainee teachers and volunteers to fill the gaps but it appears that many classes have been disrupted and some schools do not have teachers teaching at all.
Trial over attempted murder of businesswoman set
The trial of two persons accused of attempting to murder a City Mall businesswoman back in 2009 is set to commence before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury next Monday. Appearing before the High Court in Georgetown on Tuesday were Marissa George and John Caesar who were arraigned on charges of wounding Dhanwantie Phulchand on July 4th of 2009, with the intention of murdering her. They both denied that indictment, as well as an alternative count which alleges that on the said day they wounded the woman with the intention of causing her grievous bodily harm; or to maim, disfigure or disable her. The jointly-charged duo was also charged with robbing Phulchand of $527,000, a purse and a shirt and being violent to her during the alleged robbery. They pleaded not guilty to this charge as well.
Friday, September 7th Teachers call off strike
The nationwide teachers’ strike has come to an end after the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday agreed to take their dispute over wages and non-salary benefits to arbitration. “We have signed on to terms of resumption… the union will be calling the strike off with immediate effect. For those who can, they will return to work tomorrow [today] but we are sure that full resumption will be on Monday,” GTU President Mark Lyte told reporters yesterday. The terms signed on to by the parties to the dispute further indicate that there will be no victimisation by either side; there shall be no loss of pay and seniority and the status quo ante, that is, the conditions in relation to wages, salaries and non-salary benefits which existed before the strike will prevail. Most importantly, the terms indicate that within 24 hours after full resumption the parties will meet to determine the terms of reference for the Arbitration Panel, as guided by the 1990 Memorandum of Agreement between the MoE and the GTU. With thousands of teachers withdrawing their services and taking to the streets to protest this week, the MoE implemented a contingency plan which saw student teachers, retired teachers and volunteers take to the classrooms.
Cop on drunk driving charge after fatal Mandela Ave accident
Ryan Persaud, the police constable who was involved in the accident that left a motorcyclist dead last Saturday night, was yesterday released on $25,000 bail after being charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. The charge alleged that 23-year-old Persaud on September 1st, at Mandela Avenue, drove motor vehicle PVV 4652 while his breath alcohol level exceeded the legal limit. Persaud denied the allegation. His attorney, Eusi Anderson, in an application for reasonable bail, told the court that his client was still a serving member of the Guyana Police Force attached to the Impact base and was not a flight risk. He added that he was still under investigation as a result of the accident but noted that Persaud has been cooperating. The prosecutor made no objections to bail being granted but asked that Persaud lodge his passport.
Youth gets life sentence for rape of girl, 7
Despite his claims of remorse and pleas for mercy, 25-year-old Rowland Sam was yesterday handed a life sentence for raping a seven-year-old girl, whom he sodomised after she had been left in his care. Recalling the evidence presented at trial, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry noted that Sam, in whom trust was reposed to keep the child, sexually penetrated her in four different ways on one single occasion. “These are not acts which can be ignored by the Court,” the judge sternly warned, while noting that a strong message of deterrence needed to be sent to potential offenders that such despicable acts would not be condoned by the Court. Given a chance to speak, Sam sought to disassociate himself from what he described as additional acts which the child claimed he performed on her. The convict remained adamant that he had only inserted his finger into the child’s vagina. While accepting in an apologetic address that this nonetheless amounted to violating the child, Sam seemed intent on declaring his innocence as it related to all other acts. “I know what I did and it was very wrong,” he said in a soft tone, before adding that the graphic picture painted by the complainant of the other acts was untrue. The judge, however, cautioned him that he had been convicted by a jury, which had found him guilty of performing the acts following the presentation of evidence during his trial. Rowland Sam