Recent events review Saturday, June 10 to Friday, June 16
Saturday, June 10 Skeldon co-gen plant needs US$17M fix
Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI) officials said yesterday that safety and design issues at the sugar estate co-generation plant would require some US$17 million to be fixed, in order for the facility to be operated efficiently. Speaking at a press briefing after a tour of the plant located in the Skeldon Estate compound, Chairman of the SEI Board of Directors Lloyd Ross said there were “several design deficiencies; there was an issue with improper maintenance and an issue of training and operational oversight.” He added that several things were installed that have never really worked. He revealed that the plant has not been able to provide energy to GuySuCo for the first crop this year, mainly because they had to embark on a major remedial and maintenance programme. “Repairs in the sense that it is remedial just to allow us to get to a level of safety that is acceptable for the operation of this plant, which did not exist prior to now,” he stated. He added that the remedial and maintenance programme currently being carried out is expected to cost some US$2.5 million.
‘Grey Boy’ released
Regan Rodrigues, also known as `Grey Boy’, who was kept in custody despite being freed of the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing for the second time on Tuesday, was yesterday released from custody, according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. When contacted for a comment yesterday, Blanhum confirmed to Stabroek News that Rodrigues was released. However, a reliable source said that the police are waiting a High Court proceeding, which is scheduled to commence shortly to determine the way forward. “Based on the outcome of the court matter we will decide how go forward. If the court rule that there is enough evidence to (try) him we will have to re-arrest him,” the source said. On Tuesday, Rodrigues was once again cleared of Crum-Ewing’s murder after the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had failed to make a case against him.
Presumptive tax for professionals closer – Statia
Noting that professionals such as lawyers fall into the hard-to-tax group, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has begun training its officers in the Presumptive Method of Taxation which allows them to determine the income of certain self-employed individuals. Commissioner General of the GRA Godfrey Statia explained that while such a method is relatively new to Guyana it has been employed elsewhere in the world with great effect, notably in countries like Israel and France. “Section 29A of the Income Tax Act allows for such methods,” Statia told Stabroek News on Thursday. He explained that the GRA is therefore imploring all taxpayers be they professionals or other self-employed persons, to file true and correct tax returns failing which the appropriate penalties and interest, and in appropriate cases – jail terms will be levelled against them by the Authority under the relevant sections of the Tax Laws. He explained that these professionals have for some time been on the radar of the Authority which is prepared to work to ensure they comply with regulations.
Sunday, June 11 Ministry says nurse who blew whistle on Carol Joseph breached public service rules
The Ministry of Public Health says that the nurse who complained about the abuse of medication by now resigned Region Five Councillor Carol Joseph breached public service rules. It has since sent Nurse Sherlyn Marks’s file to the Department of Public Service for action. “That matter, as far as I am aware, has been sent to the [Department of] Public Service…. They [the Ministry of Public Health] would have done their investigations and sent it on… since I am told that there are several parts of the … regulations which would have been broken,” Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence told Stabroek News when asked for an update on the matter. This newspaper contacted Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service Reginald Brotherson who promised to give an update on the matter this week.
Monday, June 12 Wales vendors taking licks
Harry, a vegetable vendor at the Friday market at Wales, West Bank Demerara takes up his spot early even though business has dwindled, so he can please his few customers. He said since the closure of the Wales sugar estate in December, residents barely have money to shop so “business is slow here and we finding it hard.” His wife who was selling with him nodded her head in agreement. She told Stabroek News that if the customers used to purchase “$3,000 worth in greens, they can only buy $500 now.” This was also the cry of the other vendors when Stabroek News paid a visit to the area on Friday. Their stalls sparsely lined both sides of the road, evident that some have been removed. Many of the vendors were forced to close their businesses or go elsewhere to earn a living.
Engineers must be blamed for many failed projects including Palmyra
When infrastructure projects like the one for the monument base at Palmyra fail, it is the engineers who should take the blame and not the government, contractor or procuring agency, according to veteran geotechnical engineer, Charles Ceres. “The person who is supposed to hold the brunt of the blame is the engineer responsible for the design,” Ceres told Stabroek News in an interview yesterday. “What we have to look at is the quality of engineering services that has been provided to the people of Guyana. Too often people see engineering failures as failing of the contractor but in all instances after evaluations you find that the contractors did what was designed. So this attitude of trying to apportion blame to the contractor is false,” he added. His views were expressed in wake of the trading of blame between government and former Minister of Culture, Dr Frank Anthony, on who was responsible for the bungled work on the Palmyra, Berbice Monument Base. The base for the US$150,000 bronze sculpture that was gifted by the Government of India embarrassingly crumbled in late April, while works were ongoing. It was said to be 85% complete at the time of the collapse.
Sub-machine gun found by police at Land of Canaan
Police ranks on a mobile patrol on the East Bank Demerara observed two males standing at a street corner at Land of Canaan, about 11:30 last night and on approaching they dropped a bag and quickly fled through the unlit street. A police press release today said that the bag was retrieved and found to contain a sub machine gun and a magazine with nine live 9mm rounds. The area was searched but the men were not found. The gun and ammunition were lodged.
Tuesday, June 13
Jagdeo to supply third Gecom list
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is to submit a third list of nominees for Chairman of Gecom to President David Granger and the two men yesterday agreed that a high-level team will be established to explore all modalities for a resolution should this list be rejected. A joint statement by the two sides issued by the Ministry of the Presidency following the 6 pm meeting which was held at State House, said that upon an invitation from the President, Jagdeo and a team consisting of PPP/C MPs Anil Nandall and Irfaan Ali met with Granger and a team comprising Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman to consult on the way forward for the selection of a Gecom Chairman in accordance with Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. According to the statement, the two parties agreed that it would be in the best interest of the people of Guyana that the choice of a Chairperson of Gecom is made “without undue delay”. It was further agreed that the Leader of the Opposition will submit “a new list of six names to the President”. The statement did not state the timeframe in which Jagdeo is to submit what would now be his third list of nominees.
City gives extension to parking meters committee
The Mayor and City Council yesterday voted to give the Metered Parking Committee at least until the end of July to complete the renegotiation process begun a month ago. Team Legacy Councillor Malcolm Ferreira, who chairs the renegotiating committee, explained to Stabroek News that during this extension the committee hopes to receive from the parking meters company, Smart City Solutions, several documents including a socioeconomic feasibility study to better guide their negotiations. In presenting an update on the process, Ferreira told council members that the four days remaining in the period that metered parking was suspended are not enough to conclude negotiations and recommended that council give the committee at least one more month.
Education Ministry PS says no policy to withhold salaries from teachers going overseas
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Vibert Welch said during his appearance at the Public Accounts Committee meeting yesterday that the ministry does not have a policy to withhold salaries from teachers who travel overseas, despite the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five claiming this is so. Welch’s comment comes on the heels of protests by teachers against Region Five’s REO Ovid Morrison, who instructed the education office to withhold the salaries of teachers who were travelling abroad on their vacation leave. Minister of State Joseph Harmon told the media last week that Morrison said he was acting on a regulation that allowed for teachers travelling abroad for the period to either lodge one month’s salary or have it withheld from them. This regulation was to be presented by Morrison for scrutiny. “If they’re going overseas for leave, obviously they would have had permission to go overseas. We wouldn’t withhold salaries or anything for them,” Welch said in response to a question posed by committee member Juan Edghill.
Wednesday, June 14
TUC says economic programme needed
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday roasted the APNU+AFC government for what it called the hodgepodge and reckless manner in which it is making decisions and it also says the country needs an economic programme. A press statement from the GTUC expressed concerns about the manner in which government was making decisions in the spheres of industrial relations and economic policy. The congress has also condemned a decision by Region Five Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison to withhold the June salary of teachers in that region who have been approved for travel during the August holidays. Further condemnation was expressed for the dismissal of acting Chief Executive Officer Allan Johnson and Director of Nursing Colleen Hicks of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. According to the release, the industrial relations climate remains unstable and workers’ rights continue to be trampled; a situation compounded by government’s refusal to engage with various unions.
Berbice teacher charged with raping two minors
A 25-year-old man, who is a teacher at a private school in Region Six, was yesterday placed on $120,000 bail each on two counts of alleged rape, at the Albion Magistrate’s Court. Zafiel Yusuf, of Fyrish Village, Corentyne was charged with the rape of a child under sixteen years old. Yusuf, who was represented by Attorneyat-Law Chandra Sohan, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, and Magistrate Marisa Mittelholzer placed him on $240,000 bail in total. He is scheduled to return to court on June 27.
Military presence at Kaieteur Park leaves Chenapau villagers fearful
Emotions are running high in Chenapau Village and surrounding areas in Region Eight as a heavy military presence at the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) has left residents fearful and frustrated. Stabroek News during a recent visit to the KNP noticed that in addition to tourists being greeted at the Park’s Arrival Centre by heavily armed members of the joint services, they were also prevented from going to sections of the upper viewing balcony since it is being used to store military equipment and hang laundry. Attempts by Stabroek News yesterday to verify whether approval was given by the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) for the GDF to set up camp at the arrival centre were unsuccessful. There has been no statement by the government on exactly what the GDF is doing in the park. However, PAC board member Dr Raquel Thomas-Caesar in a Facebook comment stated that the heavy military presence in the KNP is due to a “temporary operation” dealing with alleged mining in the reserve.
Thursday, June 15
GDF says 26 dredges found in Kaieteur National Park
After days of questions about its role in the Kaieteur National Park and the detention of a journalist, the Guyana Defence Force yesterday issued a statement saying that 26 dredges had been found in the protected area and it said it is constitutionally obligated to support the maintenance of law and order. “The Guyana Defence Force wishes to make it pellucid that it is committed to supporting the efforts of the Protected Areas Commission and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in their efforts to purge the Kaieteur National Park of illegal mining. The recent Joint Services Exercise, Operation Midas, revealed the extent of the environmental degradation plaguing the Park due to widespread illegal mining activities occurring within the boundaries of the protected area of the Park. The operation unearthed some 26 engines (dredges) among other pieces of mining equipment and environmental pollutants such as mercury, waste oil and silicone, which were being used indiscriminately by the illegal miners,” it further stated. Operation Midas raises questions about why the GGMC and the Protected Areas Commission weren’t in a better position to conduct enforcement operations in the area, two years after this government took office.
Bandits raid Ruimveldt auto repair shop, assault occupants
Armed bandits yesterday afternoon invaded an auto repair shop at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt during which they assaulted two Chinese nationals and carted off cash, other valuables and two licensed firearms. Commander of ‘A’ Division Marlon Chapman confirmed the incident which occurred around 2.30 pm. He said an investigation has since been launched and the police were up to yesterday afternoon trying to locate the suspects. The two injured persons: a customer and an employee were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for medical attention. They were beaten and gun-butted. According to reports reaching Stabroek News, four men armed with firearms, cutlasses and other weapons invaded the business and began to assault the employees and customer demanding that they hand over their valuables. The victims abided and some of them were assaulted before the bandits, whose faces were concealed, fled the scene in two motor cars.
President makes proposal to ease controversy over lands commission
President David Granger has proposed a five-point plan to ensure that the work of the controversial Lands Commission of Inquiry (CoI) meets the needs and addresses the concerns of all stakeholders. The President’s proposal comes amid fierce opposition by Amerindian leaders to his plan to have a CoI address together, the land claims of freed Africans and Amerindian land titling. Amerindian leaders are suspicious that this could result in an erosion of their land claims and they also charge that they were not consulted by the President on these matters. A release from the Ministry of the Presidency last night said that during a meeting with executive members of the Amerindian Peoples Association at State House, yesterday, the Head of State made it clear that there was nothing sinister in the setting up of the Commission. The intention, he said, was to correct existing anomalies regarding individual and communal lands. “There is no mischief or no malice on my part or the part of the government or the commission to deprive people of their lands,” he said.
Friday, June 16
Exxon gets production licence, MPs in fiery debate on petroleum bill
Government yesterday announced that it has issued a production licence to ExxonMobil for the Liza Field in the Stabroek Block saying that while quantifying oil in the well is not yet completed, it is estimated that there is as much as two billion barrels. “I wish to report that government has taken the decision to issue a production licence,” Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told the National Assembly last evening during his presentation on the Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill, which was read for a second time yesterday. “It is believed Mr Speaker that the estimable barrels of oil in the Stabroek Block maintained by Exxon may be equal to as much as two billion barrels of oil,” he added. Trotman said that a decision was taken to send the bill to a select committee and thus a final position on it would not come until the committee’s work was completed. An almost simultaneous announcement was made by his ministry in the form of a press release which said that the licence granting was an important milestone towards the first phase of oil production at the Liza field offshore Guyana. Production is expected to begin in 2020.