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bail each PAGE
Dominguez, wife on $3.9 million bail each
ACCELERATED Capital Firm Inc (ACFI) Financial Adviser, Yuri Garcia Dominguez and Director, Ateeka Ishmael, were, on Thursday, August 27, 2020, taken before the court to answer 19 fraud-related charges
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Dominguez and Ishmael of Track ‘A’ Coldingen, East Coast Demerara appeared before Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer, at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that, between May and July 2020, the Cuban national and his wife, with intent to commit fraud, obtained a total sum of $24.7M from the 13 victims by false pretence.
The couple, was not required to plead to the charges and each was granted $3.9 million bail. The case was adjourned until September 18, 2020. The couple also made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court via Zoom.
A total of six similar charges were read against the duo which alleged that they obtained an excess of
Attorney-at-law Dexter Todd
over $1M unlawfully,
For those charges the couple was remanded to prison until September 21,
2020.
The Couple was represented by attorneys-at-law Glen Hanoman and Dexter Todd.
Speaking with the media outside of court, Todd explained that the accusations laid against his client are private in nature which calls for proceedings in a civil court
and not a criminal court.
Accelerated Capital Firm Inc (ACFI) Financial Adviser, Yuri Garcia Dominguez
“What the State has done is to impose itself as a third party to a private contract and it is forcibly allowing the course of a criminal nature to take shape, which ought not to be” Todd stressed.
The attorneys have also indicated that they will be moving to the High Court to seek bail for their clients.
Outside of the court, supporters and clients of the Accelerated Capital Firm Inc staged a protest against Dominguez and Ishmael being charged and also for them to be granted a licence to operate in Guyana.
Thus far a total of 57 persons have made reports at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), with claims amounting to over $31.5 million in investments in the company.
The duo was first held by police one week ago following an investigation into the company allegedly running a “Ponzi Scheme”.
A Ponzi Scheme is a form of fraud in which investors are made to believe in the success of a non-existent enterprise, and encouraged to invest because of the payment of quick returns. However, the first investors are only being paid from money invested by successive investors.
However, the company vehemently denies the allegations and, in statements issued, affirmed that “the funds necessary to refund our clients are ready to be disbursed”.
News of the charges came, even as Attorney General, Anil Nandalall, said
that the company is yet to respond to the offer the government made last Tuesday, to facilitate the re-opening of a bank account for the company, so that it can remit monies to its clients.
Nandalall said he is not holding on to hope that the company will ever take up the offer since investigation continues to reveal that overseas companies being named by the couple as where their money is stored, continues to lead to dead ends.
“No, they have not responded and I suspect that they cannot respond. It is clear that the gentleman only wants to get out of custody. All the promises that he has been making he has not been able to deliver them, none of them,” Nandalall said.
He added: “Of the places he has identified, as where the monies are, the monies are not there. The Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) just received a correspondence from Belize to say that the name of the company – “FK Choice – where he said he has the money in Belize, it is not registered in Belize; they have no evidence of it.”
Nandalall said that investigations by the police have also revealed a similar situation for a company that the couple said they have ties to in the USA.
“The FIU has its own processes and is checking. They have access to information and the companies where he is saying they have these monies they don’t have them. There’s a company he said in Nevada, he has no connection to the company, it’s an escrow account owned by some other people in the United States, some trust company,” Nandalall related.
However, attorney for the company, Dexter Todd, said that his client does intend to utilise the AG’s offer to open a bank account, but is waiting to see how the situation develops.
“That is an offer, we will accept that offer and we are presently putting systems in place so that that can be fa
The protest outside of the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court
cilitated, that is what we are doing at this point in time,” Todd said,
The police have listed Dominguez, a naturalised Cuban national, and his wife as grave flight risks, given that they have no assets in the country. The pair is said to have been operating their investment company in Guyana for as far back as 2017; however, they have never been licensed to do so by the Guyana Securities Council (GSC) as is required.
According to reports, approximately 17,000 Guyanese are said to have collectively invested approximately US$20 million in the company. The company came to the limelight earlier this month, when several persons are said to have been making claims of not receiving their monies from the company.
ACFI has been attributing its failure to remit payments to clients as being due to its lack of a bank account, as several local commercial banks have closed accounts for Dominquez and Ishmael and their business over the past few months.
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–– new GECOM commissioner
By Rabindra Rooplall
ALL involved in the undermining and derailing of the March 2 general and regional elections will be held accountable, newly-appointed commissioner to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Manoj Narayan said.
A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w , Narayan, has replaced Robeson Horatio Brindley Benn, who resigned after his appointment as minister of home affairs.
After he was sworn in by President Irfaan Ali at State House on Thursday, the lawyer stressed, “We can’t tell them go forward and rig no more, they must be held accountable.”
He said his appointment is not one in which there is a celebratory moment or occasion because of the state in which GECOM finds itself.
“As we would have all witnessed from the 2nd of March to the 2nd of August, 2020, we have witnessed a most heinous assault upon our electoral democracy in this country and therefore my work begins immediately, because we have to do a number of things at GECOM,” he said.
He continued: “The very
survival of our electoral de- mocracy requires that we solve those problems. I think the first one is those who have undermined that electoral pro- cess must be held responsible; they all took oaths of offices under the Representation of the People’s Act and they bla- tantly and flagrantly breached that oath which they took.”
Dominguez, wife on $3.9 million bail ...
He said that such actions are not trivial or trifling and cannot be swept under a car- pet. No one, he said, will be given a slap on the wrist or any form of forgiveness.
“We can’t tell them go forward and rig no more, they must be held accountable, and the second thing we need to do is to create and implement policies at the level of the commission to insulate the commission for these occur- rences in the future,” he said.
Thirdly, the lawyer not- ed that the public trust and confidence in GECOM must be rebuilt locally and inter- nationally.
He explained that the commission has wide powers under article 161 (a) of the Constitution – the commis- sion is empowered to insti- tute disciplinary proceedings against officers of GECOM.
President Irfaan Ali said the appointment happened at a critical time when many
Newly-appointed GECOM Commissioner, Attorney-at-law Manoj Narayan, receives his instrument of appointment from President Irfaan Ali at State House (Delano Williams photo)
issues have to be dealt with that are of public and national interests.
The head of state said Narayan is a young lawyer who has already spent a lot of time on electoral matters.
“In my inauguration address, I spoke of the need to have a comprehensive understanding as to what took place over the last five months, especially after elections. I want to publicly acknowledge the great and extraordinary work that GECOM Chair, Claudette Singh, did and continues to do… Madam chair has led by example, you have acted selflessly and Guyana, I hope at some point will reflect, and in the right manner celebrate the work you have done,” President Ali said.
He said with Narayan’s appointment, GECOM can now continue its work in relation to the recently concluded elections.
President Ali said that the electoral system must be strengthened since the people of the country can express confidence in the decisions being made as Guyana needs strong democratic institutions that will always be respected.
In addition, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall said the government is pleased about the appointments since there was a hiatus in the constitutional functions of those organisations.
“We are committed to constitutional governance and ensuring that the Government operates in compliance with the Constitution and the rule of law. We had this vacancy at GECOM that we had to fill. As you know, there are ongoing investigations at GECOM and to facilitate those investigations, it is imperative that GECOM is fully constituted so that decisions can be made reflective of the full Commis
Also in attendance was GECOM Chair (rtd) Justice Claudette Singh.
Jobs of professional public servants are secure
PUBLIC servants who are professional in their duties, irrespective of the political season, have been assured that their jobs are secured.
This is according to former permanent secretary and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Ganga Persaud, who was sworn in as a member of the Public Service Commission (PSC).
President Irfaan Ali on Thursday made the appointment at State House. Persaud will serve as a member of the PSC for the next three years, and is replacing Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who resigned from the Commission earlier this year.
Persaud said he is joining a team that is already in place, and his commitment will be guided by his oath of office.
“I am known to be a team player, but not necessarily a team follower, and I can assure you that the interest of every public servant within Guyana’s public service would be my focus. And I will do so, working with the team, in keeping with the public service rules, the public service commission and the Constitution of Guyana,” Persaud said.
He said that there are a number of issues to be addressed, some of which are in the public domain, and these issues will be dealt with according to guidelines, rules and procedures of the Public Service Commission.
As matters surface, he said the Commission, in its own deliberation, will seek to pronounce and address all issues.
“We have to continue to give that comfort to our public servants that you can
Mr. Ganga Persaud taking the oath of office on Thursday before President Irfaan Ali (Delano Williams photo)
work, irrespective of the and secured,” Persaud said. many issues have to be dealt stranger to the public serpolitical season. You can President Irfaan Ali said with that are of public and vice, since he formerly work as a professional, and the appointment happened national interests. served as a minister and a your tenure will be assured at a critical time, when He said Persaud is no permanent secretary.
sion,” he said.
FROM PAGE 8 Guyanese who handed over their monies to the company get back their cash; and as such the government is willing to facilitate the bank account’s re-opening.
ExxonMobil supports GMSA in promoting agro-processing sector
ExxonMobil Guyana is stepping up its partnership with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) to support local manufacturing and the agro-processing sector.
Through a sponsorship of G$10 million, ExxonMobil Guyana is supporting GMSA’s programme to pilot a web platform to facilitate information sharing, connectivity and communication, linking products and service providers with potential clients nationally, regionally and internationally.
The initiative is focused primarily to help Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs)recover and grow during and post COVID-19. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on small businesses. A recent survey by the GMSA among its members revealed that 17 per cent of those polled have stopped operations, with SMEs being impacted the hardest.
“While there are initial efforts to reopen businesses and get the economy going again, given the COVID pandemic, new and innovative ways of promoting and doing business will need to be adopted,” said GMSA Vice President, Ramsay Ali, noting that meetings, large gatherings and expos are unlikely to happen in the near term.
“Embracing technology is, therefore, critical going forward. The GMSA intends to pilot this initiative starting with the agro-processing sector and, with the lessons learned, expand to the forestry and wood products and services sectors in subsequent phases. We see this not only as a COVID response, but also as an opportunity to embark on the use of ICT as part of Guyana’s strategic direction of moving to a green economy. We welcome the continued support by ExxonMobil, which have been a principal sponsor for GMSA’s UncappeD Initiative,” Ali said.
“This is a great opportunity for us to partner with the country and to help our SMEs in these unprecedented times.” said ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, who added: “We are glad to be able to play a part in supporting the recovery of agro-processing and small businesses in Guyana affected by the pandemic.”
The GMSA and ExxonMobil Guyana previously teamed up to implement the successful UncappeD Initiative which increased awareness in the public domain and among key stakeholders of the wide range of quality agro products being produced in Guyana and the entrepreneurs behind these products.
In addition to raising the profile of over 100 agro-processors and their products, UncappeD facilitated linking producers, suppliers and support service providers to enhance the development of synergies. It was accompanied by an active education, awareness and capacity building programme to enable small agro-processors to better manage and grow their businesses.
GTT pioneers e-billing platform in Guyana
THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has endorsed its e-billing platform as the safest and easiest way to receive billing details.
The e-billing platform is in keeping with the company’s thrust to be environmentally conscious while driving the frontiers of technology in Guyana, a release said.
The company introduced e-billing in 2014, and while this form of bill access has not replaced the paper-based billing system, the company continues to forge ahead in advocating for a complete transition to e-billing. As such, customers still have the option to receive paper bills delivered through the post’ However, CEO of GTT, Justin Nedd, has promoted the use of e-billing, citing it as fast, simple and reliable.
“E-billing isn’t the future, it is our present reality; it is here,” said Nedd. “As the pioneers of e-billing in Guyana, we will continue to develop this option of bill access and eventually move for this service to be the only form of billing offered by the company to fulfil our mandate to contribute to the wellness and prosperity of Guyana through efficiencies - while also honouring the environment.”
GTT has made significant investments to develop the e-billing system to ensure customers are provided with an accurate representation of charges on time.
GTT CEO, Justin Nedd
“We are happy that we are able to give our customers options. Electronic billing is the future and we are proud to lead our customers there. The postal service has been a very good partner to GTT for three decades and we are keen to strengthen our relationship with GPOC to offer more than bill delivery,” said Nedd.
“Many companies in Guyana are now switching to an e-billing platform, and, as a country, we need to advance towards this. With our growing economy, we must advance aggressively as a country towards a digital state and not settle in the paper age,” Nedd added.
GTT promises to implement technologies to advance the customer’s experience in the coming months.
Pension payment day set for September 1
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has advised that payment of old age pension will begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at post offices countrywide.
In a statement released, the Ministry is cognisant that, in previous months, payment would commence approximately one week before the actual month’s disbursement. The early payment system was implemented to ensure that pension and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) disbursement schedule did not overlap, thus preventing overcrowding at the post offices.
However, pension and NIS payments would not coincide for September month, but early pension payment would resume for October.
As customary, the alphabetical system, using surnames/last names, will be employed for senior citizens to receive their payment during thefirst five payment days of the month at Post Offices in Region 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.
The alphabetical system will only be used during the first five payment days.Senior citizens will be allowed to cash their coupons on any day after the fifth payment day.
In keeping with the guidelines provided by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), post offices continue to enforce physical distancing among individuals accessing their services. This measure limits the number of individuals who can enter any post office at any given time. Persons visiting the offices are asked to wear protective masks and sanitise their hands before entry.
Senior citizens will be paid as follows
Surnames/last names beginning with the lettersAtoDon Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Surnames/last names beginning with the lettersEtoKon Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Surnames/last names beginning with the lettersLtoPon Thursday, September 3, 2020
Surnames/last names beginning with the lettersQtoTon Friday, September 4, 2020
Surnames/last names beginning with the letters Uto Z on Monday, September 7, 2020, will be thefifth payment day.
Housing Ministry reviews questionable house-lot allocations
THE Ministry of Housing and Water has commenced a review exercise for questionable allocations made, following complaints by allottees that they feel duped out of their hard-earned monies for lands they are still to identify.
The issue was brought to the attention of the subject Minister, Collin Croal, on Wednesday, as he was conducting a series of community meetings in the West Berbice region.
According to the Housing Ministry in a press release, initial checks into recent allocations have revealed that the ownership of these lands by the agency remains in limbo.
“This is compounded by the fact that these lands have no infrastructure in place and allottees cannot even identify their lots. Given the timeframe when these allocations were made, the assumption can be made that these allocations were a mere political gimmick,” the ministry noted.
The Housing Ministry noted that, until such time when the review process is completed, in the best interest of citizens, a decision has been taken to simply put a hold on accepting payments for those allocations.
The ministry nonetheless said it remains committed to the delivery of serviced lots, with all basic infrastructure in place, inclusive of fair weather access road, water distribution network, electrical network as well as drainage network.
“We therefore want to reassure all applicants that the status of their applications will in no way be affected and they will be processed in due time,” the ministry noted.
PSA reviewal not renegotiation
-- Exxon says sanctity of contract important to long-term investment
By Lisa Hamilton
WHILE some experts have been pushing for government to renegotiate its Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and its partners, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge has stated that reviewal, not renegotiation is on the table for talks with the government.
In a meeting with the meopposed to where long-term investment challenges exist, he
dia on Wednesday, Routledge said that ExxonMobil does not believe that its contract with the Government of Guyana leans in the Company’s favour, and renegotiation of existing contracts can lead to future investment complications.
“We have had very little discussion with the government. What they have emphasised is that they will review the contracts, but they are not seeking to negotiate the contracts. And I think that’s really important for the country for the long-term, because, internationally, contract sanccompanies. If we enter into contracts in a country and those are changed down the road, then it’s very difficult for us to make commitments on projects that typically have 20-30-year investment life. So, how can we make those investments if we’re unsure whether the terms will change?” Routledge explained.
He said that it is important for persons to understand that sanctity of contract is important to long-term investment, and this goes for all investors; not just ExxonMobil.
Seeking to explain his point further, Routledge brought up the Payara Development Project, which is under review by a team of international experts, headed by Canadian Queen’s Counsel, Alison Redford. The project is expected to see the drilling of up to 45 development wells, but approval is first needed, at least by September, to prevent the delay of the project further by some 9-12 months.
Speaking to the fact that investment dollars will flow to where it is competitive, as tity is very important to oil
WANTED man, Dwayne Castello, called ‘Top Cat’, was shot by police at Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Thursday night.
Police were on patrol in the area and saw Castello. The latter, upon seeing the patrol, opened fire in their direction. The ranks returned fire and Castello was hit below the knee. said: “…the Guyana portfolio is one of the better opportunities for us at ExxonMobil, but it's not the only one. And, indeed, if we don't get the agreement as we're looking for in Payara, the investment money will go elsewhere in ExxonMobil’s portfolio.”
However, several media houses published Routledge’s statement as a threat to the
ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge
Government of Guyana to quicken its pace to complete the ongoing review.
OUT OF CONTEXT
In a subsequent release, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)’s Public and Government Affairs Adviser, Janelle Persaud said that some media reports took Routledge’s remarks out of context.
She clarified: “Routledge was referring to the impact further delays could have amidst the current weak oil market conditions due to the global pandemic that has tightened available funding for projects worldwide.”
The release stated further that ExxonMobil Guyana will continue to work closely with the Government to develop the country’s resources for the long-term benefit of the people of Guyana, and a timely approval of additional proposed projects, including Payara, will ensure that the local workforce and the utilisation of local suppliers will continue to grow.
A DIFFERENT VIEW
Routledge disagrees with the sentiments of some that Guyana’s PSA with his company gives Guyana a bad deal.
“I don't believe that it is more in favour of ExxonMobil than it is for this country. I think our interests are aligned; if the contract was more challenging for us, then, to be honest, I don't think, in this environment, investment dollars would be coming to Guyana. It is a global business, and especially in these days, where commodity prices have fallen, the investment dollars will flow to where it is competitive,” he said, adding:
“I just don't want this to be a sense that this is a contract that is so far different from everything else that we would potentially invest in.”
Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the Stabroek Block, Guyana will be receiving, at a minimum, two per cent royalty on all oil produced in the Block, plus 12.5 per cent profit oil. As the capital and operating costs are liquidated, Guyana’s share of profit oil will increase, rising up to 52 per cent return on every barrel of oil sold.
When it comes to the review of the existing contract, the ExxonMobil Guyana President said that he can see this process bringing greater attention to the areas of Local Content and accountability.
He said: “First of all, the review informs, so everybody understands really what is in the contract, what are our roles and obligations, are we all living up to those. But also, it identifies what it is it that's not in the contract that we can work on together, and I think local content is one of those areas where, while we have made a lot of progress…there is still more that can be done. And part of me coming is [because] I have a lot of energy in this space to
Guyana completed its Local Content policy in February 2020, but there is no Local Content legislation to effect mandatory local involvement.
Wanted man shot by police
accelerate this.”
An unlicensed 9mm pistol, with matching rounds, was reportedly retrieved from the scene. Castello is under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)
Dominican Republic looks forward to deepening relations with Guyana
Dominican Republic President, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Luis Abinader Corona
PRESIDENT, Dr. Moextended felicitations to the to working with Guyana hamed Irfaan Ali has rePeople’s Progressive Party “in the common challenges ceived a congratulatory (PPP) and the nation for the that our Caribbean region letter from President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader Corona, who expeaceful transition “which consolidates the democratic system of your country”. currently faces. We look forward [to] strengthening
pressed his desire to deepen Further, President ties of friendship and coties with Guyana. Abinader Corona said his operation for the benefit of
In his letter, the President government looks forward our nations”.
12 GUYANA CHRONICLE , Friday, August 28, 2020 Technology to boost agri sector
GUYANA’s agriculture sector is expected to receive a major technological boost that will see farmers benefitting from better yields and more pest and disease resistant varieties of rice and other agricultural crops.
During a courtesy call on Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, said that China is happy to collaborate and offer assistance to the agriculture sector.
“I went to Berbice to speak with the (rice) farmers. They told me that they need modern technology. They would like to grow more rice but they need more modernise equipment and scientific technologies to do so. Over the past year, we’ve invited students to go to China and had Chinese experts come here. I don’t think that’s
EXXONMOBIL is still assessing its fourth development project, Hammerhead, after additional resources found in the area called for an improved strategy on how it should be maximised.
Guyana Chronicle requested an update on the development project at a media meeting on Wednesday where President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge was present.
Routledge said that the while the provision of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project has been paused, it was done on a positive note.
“It’s a good news story but we paused the Hamenough because the people get trained but they don’t have the necessary technology or investment,” Ambassador Jianchun said.
Ambassador Jianchun also said he is willing to assist with rice research by assisting Guyana with having specialists from China’s Research Institute to come and work along with Guyana’s rice research scientists at Burma.
While addressing the issue of technology, Minister Mustapha informed the ambassador that his ministry is hoping to collaborate with China to assist farmers in adopting a more scientific role in their cultivation.
“Agriculture in Guyana has the potential to expand but we need our farmers to have a more science based approach. Farmers are still working with merhead on its own because we think it could be part of a wider development,” he said. Routledge explained that since the Hammerhead discovery and the commencement of its EIA, additional resources were discovered in the area at Snoek and Uaru.
He said: “In order to ensure that we have an optimal development, we’re now looking at those different resources and ensuring that we go about how can we make the best development. Is it two FPSOs that are in some way connected? Some of the Hammerhead resources are a little bit heavier oil so we’re [deciding on] how do we do that development and optimise the total value of that
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during the meeting with Chinese ambassador, Cui Jianchun. Also photograph is the MoA Director-General, Madanlall Ramraj
the same systems used 20 years ago. Government wants to tap into your country’s resources and expertise to assist our farmers with taking agriculture in Guyana to the and do it at the lowest cost.”
Exxon’s fourth development project was announced in March 2020 through an application of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The project was expected to be undertaken with facilities for petroleum production expected to last at least 20 years. There were also plans for the installation of a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility, as well as production operations, and decommissioning.
The Hammerhead discovery, announced in August 2018, encountered approximately 197 feet of high-qualnext level. Investments in the sector are also important. There is great potential for the skills acquired through the training to be fully utilised through improved technology ity, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir. International oiland- gas research firm, Wood Mackenzie, had suggested back in 2018 that ExxonMobil and Guyana had “hit jackpot” with the discovery.
In keeping with the Environmental Protection Act No. 11, 1996, an EIA for development must first be provided before any decision is made as the project could have significant impacts on the environment. and investments,” Minister Mustapha said.
Minister Mustapha also stated that he plans to work closely with the Chinese Government to have more locally produced commodities on the Chinese market. Ambassador Jianchun informed the Minister that Guyana is welcome to participate and showcase its products at the annual Shanghai International Expo.
The minister will soon submit a proposal for assistance in the rice sector that will include suggestions for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed for demonstration plot to be set up. This will facilitate collaborative research between the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), The Guyana Rice Research Station at Burma and the Research Institute of China to test higher yielding varieties of rice in Guyana.
Also present at the meeting was MoA’s Director-General, Madanlall
Cubans fined for entering Guyana illegally
FIVE Cubans, including explained they had two positive for COVID-19 and a child, appeared before choices; either to pay a fine were placed into an isolation Magistrate Alex Moore at of $20,000 each or spend facility. the Springlands Magisthree weeks in prison. This is a major concern trate’s Court on Thursday, With the assistance of for Berbicians and the councharged for entering Guyan interpreter, the foreign try at large since it poses a ana illegally via Suriname/ nationals told the court they major health risk. To date, Guyana backtrack route. will pay the fine. As such, the Berbice has recorded 14 pos
T h o s e c h a r g e d a r e magistrate ordered they be itive cases with one death. Amoury Rondon Robaina, deported to their native land. Several other Cubans remain Yonisleydis Cedeno Blanco, Even though the borin a quarantine facility. As Erneydys Rodriguez Goders have been closed due recent as last weekend, anmez and Yuriesqui Pena to the COVID-19 pandemother batch of 11 Cubans Luis. It is alleged that on ic, foreign nationals have were intercepted at the BerAugust 5, 2020, they enbeen finding various means bice River Bridge and in the tered Guyana via the sea and and points of entry into the vicinity of the Number 63 disembarked without the country. Within the last two Beach. consent of an immigration months, approximately 30 The Guyana Chronicle officer. Cubans entered the country understands persons would
While admitting to the illegally via the Corentyne pay as much as US$500 per charge, Magistrate Moore River. Five of the 30 tested The Cubans making their way into the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday person to enter the country.
Exxon says ‘Hammerhead’ assessment good news
Ramraj.
ExxonMobil’s fist two development projects are Liza Phase I and Liza Phase II already approved. Meanwhile, its third, the Payara Development Project, is awaiting approval.
Dr. Anthony elected CCM chair
HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, was elected chair of the Guyana Global Fund – Country Coordinating Mechanism (GF/CCM) and Simone Sills, a civil society representative vicechair when the board was reconvened on Wednesday.
Dr. Anthony brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, not only in the medical field but in the processes applied by the Global Fund.
While addressing the new members of the board and personnel from the Ministry of Health via Zoom, the CCM chair expressed appreciation to those who nominated and officially elected him as chair of the CCM for the next two years, a release said.
The CCM chair emphasised that he looks forward to working with the board members and other partners in strengthening efforts focused on TB, HIV and Malaria.
Dr. Anthony recognised past partnerships with civil society and further indicated that he looks forward to strengthening that relationship.
In her remarks, Sills thanked the civil society organisations (CSOs) for expressing their confidence in her. She underscored the role civil society organisations play in the prevention of the diseases. Sills noted that the CSOs are the foot soldiers who ensure that programmes and services meet the most vulnerable.
The vice-chair welcomed this opportunity and indicated that her commitment to the board will not waiver. Sills has been working in the CSO arena for a number of years. As the executive director of the National Coordinating
Simone Sills
Coalition (NCC), Sills has been working towards the improvement of services and capacity building of CSOs throughout Guyana. Under her leadership, the NCC has benefitted from grants from the USAID and Global Fund, among others.
The Country Coordinating Mechanism includes representatives of all sectors involved in the response to the diseases: academic institutions, civil society, faithbased organisations, government, multilateral or bilateral agencies, nongovernmental organisations, and people living with the diseases, the private sector and technical agencies.
Importantly, CCMs are national committees that submit funding applications to the Global Fund and oversee grants on behalf of their countries. They are a key element of the Global Fund partnership.
The Guyana CCM is
Health Minister,
Dr. Frank Anthony
tasked with coordinating the development of the national request for funding; nominates the principal recipient; oversees the implementation of approved grants; approves any re-programming requests and ensures linkages and consistency among Global Fund grants and other national health and development programmes.
