The Week-in-Review - October 9 to October 15

Infrastructure

Bridge reopens to light traffic: Days after a major accident closed it, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) reopened to traffic at 9 last Monday night. “….We will open for vehicular traffic at 9pm tonight (Monday night) and we will be able to carry up to 12 tonnes. So sand trucks and other cargo bearing trucks with 18 tonnes that was normally allowed, we are asking you to hold on your weight. Some of the empty trucks will be able to cross once you are no more than 12 tonnes,” Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill told the media during a briefing at the DHB. The bridge had been closed over the previous two days after a fuel vessel crashed into it during the wee hours of October 8, causing major damage. The Tradewind Passion, a Panamanian registered vessel, was navigating the channel to offload fuel at GuyOil’s Providence Terminal, when the accident occurred. The crash crumpled sections of the bridge and is believed to be the most serious collision in years on the 44-year-old structure. Work on the bridge was done utilizing engineers from the DHB technical team and as well as the private sector. Edghill on Monday said that while it has been reopened, works will continue on the Harbour Bridge. “By no means, all of the work that has to be done on the bridge is completed. But sufficient is done to ensure that we can get up to 12 tonnes moving,” he told the media. While he was unable to provide a cost for the emergency works, Edghill said it would be estimated at tens of millions. “….Everything that we are doing here cost tens of millions….If not hundreds of millions but I don’t want to put a figure yet. Let the technical people having got together, putting everything together, give us the figure. I would prefer to wait on that,” he said.

Billion-dollar farm-to-market road opened at No. 58 Village: President Irfaan Ali on Friday commissioned the newly constructed farm-to-market road located in Number 58 Village, Corentyne, which will open up thousands of acres of land to farmers and residents of Region Six. The road is 6.4 kilometres and was completed with asphaltic concrete. President Ali said that the road is not an accomplishment of the government but rather of the people who placed their trust in the administration. “All of us together will benefit from this infrastructure, all of us together will be uplifted from this infrastructure.” The project, he stressed, is not just about a road but is part of the large infrastructure plan which will lead all the way to the Canje Creek and in totality will open up over 50,000 acres of land for production. He added, “We are not sleeping, we are wide awake and walking into the future with a strategy, with a focus, a focus on improving our productive capacity, on making the right investment that will broaden our economic base, that will improve and expand prosperity, that will create new jobs, that will create a new wave of capital investments, that will support the expansion of our economy and the growth and development of our people.” According to the president, launch pads will be built in the region where tractors can go and wash off before they access the road. “We have to have these frank and honest conversations if we are to advance” as a society and country, he noted. He added that more than 500 roads are being done presently in Region Six.

Contracts signed for seven large water treatment plants: Close to 100,000 residents can expect major improvements in the quality of water they receive within 24 months as contracts were signed for seven large treatment plants, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) says. Three contracts, totalling $8.5 billion were signed under GWI’s Coastal Water Treatment Infrastructure Programme, which is part of a larger plan to provide 90 per cent treated water access to the coast by 2025. Water treatment plants will be constructed at Onderneeming in Region 2; Parika, Wales and Lust en Rust in Region 3; Caledonia, Cummings Lodge and Bachelor’s Adventure in Region 4, GWI said in a release. At the signing ceremony last Thursday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal said that while the plan has always been to expand water access and improve the level of service where there was a deficiency in water treatment. In order to move towards a satisfactory level of water service, the Minister announced that $30 billion is being invested in treatment alone, for which programmes have already been initiated. GWI said that the contracts were awarded to three international firms: Hi Pro Ecologicos Mexico, Sigma Engineers Limited from Bangladesh, and Toshiba Water Solutions Private Limited from India following a public tender process. Representatives from each company were present to sign their contracts, as well as GWI Head of the new Water Treatment Infrastructure Unit Aubrey Roberts, GWI Procurement Director Christopher Vandeyar and other Board Directors and Corporate Management members. Currently, 52 per cent of customers across the coast receive treated water from 28 water treatment plants, GWI said. Croal also announced that Cabinet has given its no-objection for the upgrade of existing water treatment plants.

Mahdia to get $362.4M solar farm: With financing from a loan by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), government hopes to diversify the energy mix and simultaneously lower power costs at Mahdia, Region Seven, with a $362.4 million turnkey 686kwp solar farm. The contract for the project which will be set up on 1.7 acres of land and is set to benefit over 2,884 residents in the area, was last Wednesday signed by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Standby Power Engineering Company (SPECOM) at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, Georgetown. “This is an important project for us because a lot of people talk about the digital divide. As a government, we’re committed to also bridging the energy divide,” remarked Prime Minister Mark Phillips who witnessed the signing. Phillips explained that the project was just one of many under his government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, as several other clean energy projects are to be rolled out across the country. “The government remains committed to realising the objectives and targets of the Low Carbon Development

Strategy; particularly investing in clean energy to stimulate future growth and providing affordable, stable and reliable energy to benefit both households and businesses. As part of the sustainable energy transition, the government is advancing an energy mix of hydropower, natural gas, solar and wind, leading to more than 500MW of newly installed capacity. This expansion in installed capacity is geared towards addressing the anticipated tripling in electricity demand,” a statement from his office pointed out. “Ultimately, these plans will decouple economic growth from using fossil fuels for electricity by developing low-carbon energy resources to meet rapidly rising demand and keep greenhouse gas emissions low,” it added. Government’s programmes from 2021 to now would see completed the installation of solar farms at Lethem and Bartica, 28 solar mini-grids, and 29 off-grid locations, totalling 3.415MW of installed capacity. The total amount avoids, according to government, the production of some 3,542 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Aviation

Guyana, China sign air services pact: The Governments of Guyana and China last Thursday signed an Air Services agreement which lays the foundation for flights between the two countries. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan signed the agreement during a ceremony at the Ministry’s boardroom at Kingston, Georgetown. During brief remarks, Edghill said that the agreement will address matters such as the grant of rights, airline designation and authorization, revocation, suspension of authorization or imposition of conditions, capacity and frequency provisions, recognition of certificates and licences, aviation safety and security and tariffs. Edghill challenged the Ambassador to invite China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China and others to look into flying the Guyana/China route. According to Edghill, the agreement complements the more than fifty Air Services agreements Guyana has already established with other subscribing states. While Guyana and China have “excellent” trade relations in different fields, Edghill said the reality is there is no direct flight between the two countries. Additionally, Edghill said the signing of the agreement also reflects the Government’s commitment to connecting Guyana to the rest of the world. “Guyana is open to business with the entire world,” he said.

Land dispute

BV lands may still be at risk: John Fernandes Limited (JFL) has declined to accept a refund cheque from the Beterverwagting/ Triumph Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) which was a down payment for the sale of 143 acres of land which the NDC wants to repudiate. In declining the refund cheque for $20m, JFL noted that it has transferred its interest in the matter to Mohamed’s Sons and Daughters Trading, Mining, Logging and Construction Inc (MSDTMLC). The latter company has been pressing the NDC to complete the deal but the NDC had been hoping that its refund to JFL would bring the matter to an end. That is however not the case. MSDTMLC has taken the NDC to court in a bid to secure the 143 acres some of which is owned by villagers. “We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September28, 2022, along with the accompanying cheque payable to John Fernandes in the amount of twenty million Guyana dollars…we wish to indicate that while JFL has no intention of purchasing the property, you would appreciate that all of our rights under the contract between the NDC and JFL have been signed over to Mohamed’s Sons and Daughters Trading, Mining, Logging and Con-struction Inc.,” the letter signed by JFL Company Secretary Zach Gonsalves states. Chairman of the BV/ Triumph NDC Jimmaul Bagot maintained that the NDC will not be bullied. Bagot who had announced that he would be resigning as Chairperson, said that he has since put that plan on hold to “see out to completion” the issue regarding the lands, given that it was under his tenure that the original agreement with JFL had been made. He said that he was surprised when he received a call from the Clerk of the NDC informing him that the cheque and accompanying letter from JFL had been received.

Crime

Man fatally stabbed at Golden Grove, wife charged: Michael Wilson, 40, a labourer of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was fatally stabbed last Monday morning at about 8.15 and his 30-year-old common law wife has since been charged with killing him. A release from the police said that it was reported that the couple had been experiencing domestic problems during the past two years. On Sunday, the police said that Wilson and his common-law wife were involved in an argument at their Lot 109 Sideline Dam residence and she told him that she was ending their relationship and would be returning to her parents’ house. According to the police release, at about 8 am on Monday, the suspect and Wilson were at home and while she was packing her belongings a violent argument ensued. The police said that Wilson armed himself with a knife, which he allegedly used to cut the woman on her left forearm. During the assault, the woman disarmed Wilson and dealt him two stabs to his abdomen, the police said. An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) was summoned and escorted Wilson who was in an unconscious state to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted to the Emergency Unit. He later died while receiving treatment. The 30-yearold woman, Aquiella Abrams, was charged with the man’s murder on Friday.

Parfait Harmonie mother of two dies after burned in domestic row: Close to two

months after allegedly being burned by her reputed husband, 20-year-old Annalee Gonsalves succumbed to her third degree burns at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday. Gonsalves was reported to have been doused with a hot pot of porridge by 24year-old Ajay Persaud also known as Nicholas, on August 23 at their La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home. Commander of Regional Division #3, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siewnarine confirmed the woman’s death and stated that Persaud who was recently nabbed at Number 71 Village in Berbice was last Thursday charged with attempted murder of the woman and was remanded to prison until October 20. However, following the woman’s death, Siewnarine said that after the completion of a post-mortem examination, the charge which was brought against the man will be upgraded to murder.

In the courts

Convict gets 12 years for market killing while he was 15: A now 20-year-old man who, when he was 15, fatally stabbed Hemant Persaud in his heart during a robbery, was last Tuesday sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12 years, from which time is to be deducted for the more than five years he had spent on remand awaiting trial. During his remarks at the sentencing hearing, Justice Sandil Kissoon underscored that the young man was being sentenced in accordance with guidelines set out in the Juvenile Justice Act, since he was a child when he committed the offence. Notwithstanding that he is now an adult, because he committed the offence as a minor, the young man in accordance with the Act, continues to be entitled to certain protections—among them—his identity being withheld from publication. After he is released from prison, Justice Kissoon has ordered that the young offender be placed on a three-year probation period, with strict reporting conditions. As a condition of his probation, he is to enroll at either the Government Technical Institute or Guyana Industrial Training Centre to complete a course in electrical insulation; and the Judge has ordered that he be presented with a progress report of his attendance and performance every three months. If the offender fails to adhere to the probation and supervision orders, Justice Kissoon has further ordered that he be imprisoned to serve an additional 24 months. The young man had been originally indicted for murder but pleaded last month to the lesser charge of manslaughter; accepting that he unlawfully killed Persaud on February 19th, 2017. “I lacked guidance—physical, spiritual, mental and emotional,” he had told Justice Kissoon following his arraignment. Begging for mercy, the young man would then go on to plead with the Judge for an opportunity to correct what he described as his “wrongdoing,” and to continue his academic endeavours which he said he has commenced in prison. In his brief address to the court, he had said that his aim is to one day be able to contribute meaningfully to society. Defence attorney Alaira MurphyGoodman appeared on behalf of the young offender.

Seven men remanded after KN robbery: Five men were on Friday charged over the October 9 armed robbery at Kaieteur News and two others in relation to possession of a firearm and ammunition used in the commission of the crime. All were remanded. Those charged were a former Kaieteur News employee, 33-year-old Ryan Wharton, of Lot R4-574 Canary Street, Tucville, Georgetown; a company security guard, Joshua Junior, 35, of Lot 223 Middle Road, East La Penitence, Georgetown; taxi driver Harry Songster, 36, of Lot 36 Hyde Park, Timehri, East Bank Demerara; 25-year-old Ivor Belingie, also called ‘Wildlife’ of Back Circle, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown; and Lemuel Grant, 23, a clerk, of Lot 52 Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. They all appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read an armed robbery charge to them. The particulars of the offence which saw the five men being jointly charged stated that between October 9 and October 10 at Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, they robbed Kaieteur News which is owned by Glenn Lall, of $38,893,420 in cash, one Republic Bank cheque valued $9,120,590, US$9,306, one black .32 Taurus pistol with serial number FHS60749 valued $350,000 along with ammunition worth $480,000, one firearm case worth $25,000, and two handles worth $10,000, along with magazines worth $60,000. They also robbed Noel Junior of $5,000 and Wayne Little of one cellular phone worth $44,000. The five men pleaded not guilty to the charge. Meanwhile, 40year-old Collis Heywood, a chef, of Lot R2- 578 Canary Street, Tucville, Georgetown, was separately charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition when he also appeared before Chief Magistrate McLennan in connection with the robbery. The charge against Heywood stated that on October 10 at Georgetown, he had in his possession a .32 Taurus pistol while not being the holder of a firearm licence. It was also stated that on the said date and at the said address, he had 210 rounds of .32 ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence. The father of two pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded to prison. Additionally, two charges were read against 35year-old Kevin France, a taxi driver, of Lot 708 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, stating that on October 10 at Lot 708 East Ruimveldt, he had in his possession a 9mm pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence, as well as 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition.