GUYANA POST NEWSPAPER

Keeping you updated on current events...

ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

Saturday February 6, 2021

TAIWAN MAINTAINS Pg2 “BULLYING” BY CHINA HINDER SETTING UP OF OFFICE IN GUYANA

AG and Senior Police Officers fail to meet consensus in police promotion case Pg3

Lusignan Prisoner brick to death by fellow inmate

Pg2

COVID-19 Death Toll pushes to 180 Pg3

Guyana Post Saturday February 6, 2021

TAIWAN MAINTAINS “BULLYING” BY CHINA HINDER SETTING UP OF OFFICE IN GUYANA Following the termination of an office for trade and investment for Taiwan by Government of Guyana, some 24 hours after the agreement between the two nations were signed, the Taiwanese Government feels that the Government of Guyana only acted on the basis of China’s Bullyism of their country.

In a statement by the Foreigners Affairs Ministry in Taiwan, the Minister notes that the move by the Guyanese

Government to terminate the agreement due to the fact that it might put Guyana and China’s relationship in limbo, the Taiwanese Government have expressed great disappointment in the move and has noted that they have great regrets that the Government of Guyana will not move from their position.

This the Taiwanese Government said only goes to show the level of bullying shown by the Government of

China, that hinders Taiwan’s development by suppressing their international space with their influence.

“We condemn in strong terms this additional instance of the PRC bullying and putting pressure on Taiwan’s international space and the right of Taiwanese people to take part in international affairs.

The PRC’s continuous attempts to isolate Taiwan go against the statement of the leader of the PRC to the

international community.

The strong should not bully the weak.

Decisions should not be made by simply showing off strong muscles or waving a big fist.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan noted.

The statement goes on to further underline the notion that Taiwan remains a sovereign nation and should be able to establish international relationships, without the hindrance of China being influential in the way the

international community reacts to them.

Since the announcement of an office being set up here in Guyana for Trade and Investment between Taiwan’s government and the private sector, Guyanese Government found themselves facing some criticism on the move.

One such comes in the light of the fact that the “One-China Policy” does not the policy does not recognise Taiwan as

an independent state, as China notes that Taiwan is its own territory and has no right to state-tostate ties.

As such, China in the past has used its influence to send away at the number of countries which still maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

This Taiwan states as a counter-argument to what China has said in the past that their moves do not fall under any form of bullying.

AG and Senior Police Officers fail to meet consensus in police promotion case

Senior Officer, Calvin Brutus

The Attorney General and several other high ranking Police Officers have failed to reach an agreement outside of the court, and as a consequence, the matter will remain in court, as the Chief Justice, Roxane George will decide the outcome of the matter. info@guyanapostonline.com

On the last occasion in court, Attorney General Anil Nandlall had informed the court that the Police Service Commission had made moves to resolve the matter in their next meeting.

That meeting did not, however, bear no fruit, and

as such, it was reported by the Deputy Solicitor General Deborah Kumar.

In the light of such revelations, the Chief Justice instructed that both parties submit their affidavit in response and return on April 09th for oral argument in the matter.

This comes on the heels as Senior Officer, Calvin Brutus made an application to the court essentially asking the court to halt promotions due to several irregularities in the process.

Brutus complains of being overlooked and contended that the PSC is using a “trivial” pending matter of “breach of discipline” to deny his promotion to Assistant Commissioner.

He said that is of the view that this practice of not promoting persons, who have disciplinary matters against them, perpetuates a permanent injustice against him and others who are slated for promotions.

All of which started with when some other

2

issues raised along with the fact that now Minister of Home Affairs, Roberson Benn has submitted a list of persons to be investigated on several offenses leaving it up to the Commissioner of Police to cancel some promotions.

By which in his application, Brutus asked for a declaration that the policy of the PSC not to promote, or consider for promotion, ranks with pending disciplinary matters before it, is unlawful; a declaration that he is entitled to be promoted to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police; and an order canceling the decision of the PSC denying his appointment to the office of Assistant

Commissioner of Police.

Additionally, Brutus asked the court to cancel the decision of the PSC to promote Edmond Cooper, Philip Azore, and Kurleigh Simon – Senior Superintendents of Police – to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police and to compel the PSC to reconsider its decision not to promote him to Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Brutus contended that some of the ranks up for promotion also have disciplinary matters dated as far back as 2016.

His matter dates back to 2019, but he claims no progress has been made on conducting and concluding an investigation.

Lusignan Prisoner brick to death by fellow inmate

A Prisoner that was being housed at the Lusignan Prison for possession of narcotics has died after he was bricked to death by another prisoner.

The dead prisoner according to the Guyana Prison Service is identified as 40-year-old Victor Soomaru, who was only remanded to prison just four days ago.

According to information coming from the Director of Prisons (ag), Nicklon Elliot it revealed that on Thursday, February 04,

info@guyanapostonline.com

at about 21:05h, an alarm was raised by prisoners housed in Unit #1 of the ‘Quarantine Section’.

A quick response from the officer saw Soomaru being badly beaten, while he was asleep by another prisoner. The murder weapon was known to be a brick wrapped up in a towel.

Soomaru was immediately picked up and taken out of the unit and escorted to the Prison Infirmary where he was seen by the medical personnel on duty and given the necessary

Guyana Post Saturday February 6, 2021

COVID-19 Death Toll pushes to 180

Guyana has recorded its third COVID-19 related death in the past two days, taking the death toll now to 180.

The Minister of Health today has regrettably announced the passing of yet another COVID-19 patient at its health facility.

According to the medical attention.

Minister that patient has He was later referred been identified as an to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for further medical treatment and was seen, examined by a doctor on duty.

However, just about 10:30h today, the prison service was informed that Soomaru had succumbed to his injuries.Soomaru was reportedly part of a cell with three others including one man, who was arrested for the crime, as investigations continued.

86-year-old Man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

As such, the Ministry expressed sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased and will make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to render any assistance needed.

The Ministry also

A man accused of stabbing both of his Nephews to death has been charged and remanded to prison.

The accused 49-yearold, Vernon Rangadoo a resident of the number 43 village Corentyne appeared in the Number 51 Magistrates’ Court Magistrate Alex Moore and was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge.

In court, the charge was read, which stated that Rangadoo on Sunday, January 31st at number 43 village Corentyne,

murdered his nephews, Mahendra Ramoutar and Surendra Raghunandan both of the same villages.

Just after the charge was read to him, the Rangadoo was remanded to prison until April 23rd for a statement.

According to reports coming out of the village, it was noted that the day in question the Uncle, who was at the timeconsuming alcohol went berserk and stabbed both of his nephews to death and injured two others in the process.

This, however, started

maintained that in order to not have such occurrence of death or contraction of the virus, it has noted that a person should continue to follow the health guidelines.

That is to stay 6 feet apart from persons in public, wear your mask, sanitize, and to only leave home when it’s necessary.

Uncle remanded to prison over stabbing two Nephews to death

3

when Rangadoo saw his brother and his wife having an argument when the two nephews intervened.

It was at that moment, the Rangadoo saw what was transpiring and quickly armed himself with a knife and stabbed both to death while inflicting wounds on both his brother and his wife.

Rangadoo has since far admitted to the killings and has since thrown the blame on him for being under the influence of alcohol.

Guyana Post Friday February 5, 2021

Claims of bias addressed by Speaker

Criticisms mounted by the APNU-AFC Opposition over accusations of the Speaker of National Assembly of being bias did not sit well with him, as he maintained that words and actions of the opposition would not move him and can only be vending through a motion and not in public.

Responding to claims of being bias as it relates

to ruling and the flow of motion put forward by the opposition in the national assembly, Speaker of National, Manzoor Nadir, was elected by the Government, said that in respect to him having order in the national assembly, he will not allow any level of criticism on his actions orally but through a motion.

Mr Nadir in his opening

remarks, this morning in parliament, said that the 16th Sitting felt like an open season for criticisms of the speaker’s work, which would have led to several breaching of some standing orders and with those breaches some members can reap some level of consequence.

“Reflections of the character or actions of the speaker, for example, and

allegations of bias could be taken by the house a breach of privileges and can be punished accordingly” Mr Nadir emphasis Nadir maintained that despite the calls on him for being biased by the opposition he said that how I’ll stand his ground and will not be intimidated by backyard behaviour, as he will put his foot down if this behaviour continues.

“I’m am neither anyone little boy nor am I intimidated by the front yard or backyard bullism….any occurrences of recurrences of the breaches of the standing orders: I will have to ask a minister to move a motion and that is in standing order 43.3, to refer the error member or members to the committee of privileges.

At the time, the speaker referred to the post made

by Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan on his face bias, non-partisan for now allowing the motions to for debate on the Henry Boys killings and the narcotics bill tabled by the opposition.

Mr Duncan said in the program that the Speaker of the national assembly appears to be influenced by the Governing Party due to his decision to disallow the motions.

Leader of the

Opposition also added in the very program that the speakers appear to be working with the PPP/C in blocking certain motions.

This the speaker said was not the case as the two bills were put to the floors days after the motion was ready and were subsequently denied by a vote of the majority PPP/C ruling party.

Co

Government Terminates Taiwan’s Office aggrement

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd

The Government of Guyana, while being criticized over the past 24 hours for the agreement to have an Office of investment for Taiwan set up, Guyana has terminated that agreement according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. info@guyanapostonline.com

That termination came with some level of criticism for one clear violation of its relations with China and its OneChina Police This policy notes that China which does not recognise Taiwan as an independent state and as such any such agreement

would put relations with China and Guyana in limbo.

The agreement that was not formally announced by the Foreign Ministry in Georgetown, Taiwan has noted that they have signed an agreement on January 11, 2021, and would start operations on

January 15.

As such it was noted by the Minister in a release that “The Government has not established any diplomatic ties or relations with Taiwan and as a result of the miscommunication of the agreement signed, this agreement has since

4 2

been terminated,” This falls on the backdrop as the Assistant US Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs tweeted and was later shared by the US Embassy here, that the US Government applauds the agreement to establish a Taiwan Office in Guyana.

This according to

the US was set on “deepening ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security.

Closer ties with Taiwan will advance cooperation and development in Guyana on the basis of shared democratic values, transparency, and mutual respect.”

Guyana Post Friday February 5, 2021

Stafrei Alexander Construction worker walks free of another pinned to death murder charge

Worker is identified as an excavator that was 49-year-old Royston turning.

It was at this moment, Souvenir of Canal No.1 Polder, West Bank the excavator reportedly pinned him down after Demerara.

According to hitting him.

Souvenir was at the information coming out of the company, it was time working as a senior Royston Souvenir related that an accident construction worker, at the A Local Construction occurred at the wharf site of the Guyana Shore company, friends, and development project in Base Company. family are now mourning the Houston, East Bank In a Facebook post, the the loss of a senior worker Demerara area.

GYSBI noted confirm the of Gaico Construction, In what was described death and said that their who was killed after being as a tragic death, it was thoughts and prayers are pinned by an excavation. reported that Souvenir will the family and friends The Dead Construction walked into the path of of Souvenir

Stafrei Alexander

Career Criminal were jointly charged for verdict. The Judge in Stafrei Alexander, who the murder of Linden court said that upon was on trial for the 2015 businesswoman, Shevon his reading for the who was deposition in the case murder of his fellow Gordon, gang member was on gunned-down outside of there were issues of law Monday acquitted of the her Linden home in April and creditability.

Alexander is also on charge following a not 2015. While in custody at the Mackenzie Police remand awaiting trial guilty verdict by a jury.

Alexander called Station on December 8, for the High Court for ‘Mad dog’ is currently 2015, the duo escaped the murder of Gordon serving a life sentence but Thomas decomposed and also Richard for the attempted murder body was fished out from Wellington, who was committed on Curtis at Demerara River on gunned-down during a robbery at Chung Thom at Laing Avenue December 11, 2015 The state was Lee Hill, Wismar, on March 22, 2015.

He was on trial before represented by prosecutor Linden in February Bishundial 2015.

Justice Brassington Seeta Alexander was one Reynold and a while Alexander was 12-member jury at the represented by Damien of the six inmates who broke out from Demerara High Court Da Silva.

The jury after the Camp Street Prison for the murder Terrence Thomas December 8 and deliberating for over on July 9, 2017, and was two hours on Monday recaptured on July 29, 11, 2015 at Linden.

According to reports afternoon returned with 2017, at Topoo Village, Alexander and Thomas a unanimous not guilty Corentyne.

Stafrei Alexander escorted by officers of the Guyana Police Force info@guyanapostonline.com

3

3

Guyana Post Thursday February 4, 2021

POLITICAL SPACE FOR DIALOGUE OPENS BETWEEN GUYANA AND VENEZUELA AFTER RELASE OF FISHERMEN

A decision by the Venezuelan Government to release 12 Guyanese Fishermen from their locks has sprung some level of hope into a possible smooth dialogue between

Guyana and Venezuela.

The 12 fishermen were held some two weeks ago after Venezuela claimed that the men were fishing in their waters, a claim Guyana has denied.

Since the men were held the Venezuelan Government came under some level of international pressure by the Organisation of American States,

CARICOM, Canada and several international governments, who demanded the men’s release.

As such, it was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd last evening that the

men are set to be released last evening and will be in Guyana sometime later in the week.

This Minister Todd said that he thinks has opened up a space for dialogue and international relations with the Venezuelan

government.

“I think the early release of the vessels provides political space for dialogue in terms of inter-state relations and I think that it is a good show from the Maduro

Con’t on Pg5

Henry Boys Family calls for support in protest for justice

IN the second outing of protesting outside the Office of the President, Family members of the two Henry Cousin, who were brutally murdered in the Cotton Tree Backdam last September are now calling for support from the general public in standing by their side in protest for Justice.

Joel and Isaiah Henry, bodies were discovered in the backdam, after they would have left their homes to get pick coconuts and would have met their demise in a very gruesome manner where

info@guyanapostonline.com info@guyanapostonline.com

they were chopped, tied, beaten and dumped.

Since the incident, it has caused a widespread protest in the Berbice area and Georgetown, in the call for justice and later three men were charged with which some folks and allegedly are denying that they have committed the act.

As such, the two families building on that momentum, today in their quest for justice called on citizens to come out in support of the call by standing with them on the protest line, a move which is far beyond the

support elsewhere.

“I wanna thank the public in the way they are supporting us, in these protesting, and I am calling for people to come out and help us, as we as the henry families, we need for people to come out and support us in this peaceful protesting that we could get justice for our sons,” Joel Henry’s Dad said.

He added that this must be a persistent call for justice and as such they need for support will be welcome since the way in which the investigation and prosecution are

going there might not be anything fruitful in the lines of justice.

“We want to be persistence with what we are doing concerning justice, we need justice right about now, and up to now the way how this thing is going we still have to because the way how the trio that they have in custody and what they trio has said according to the information that we have and we are fully aware of what they say that confess but we are looking for more than confession.

We are looking for

45

things like evidence and these things, more investigation” the father maintained.

The father said withstanding their opinion and public opinion on the matter, the henry family will stand with the court in its work, but at the moment the evidence that is provided does not add up to the men being in custody being the rightful or only killers.

With some five months gone since the murders of Joel and Isaiah, Henry and three persons were charged about a month

ago namely 19-yearold Akash Singh, aka “Monkey,” of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo; his stepbrother, 33-yearold Anil Sancharra, aka “Dan pole” and “Rasta,” of D’ Edward Village, WCB; and 34-yearold Vinod Gopaul, aka “Magga,” of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

Since then the three have publicly noted that they were not a part of the murders, this has added some fuel in the directions of family members of the accused.

Guyana Post Thursday February 4, 2021

Murder

POLITICAL SPACE FOR....

Con’t from Pg4

administration and we must commend them and at the same time we must commend President Ali for his leadership and direction in this regard”, Minister, Todd said.

With such a move by the Government of Venezuela, the tension between the two countries was eased but Venezuela’s latest decree claiming Guyana’s maritime space still remains a sore point.

With the men now on their way back to Guyana to join their worried family member, Mr Todd

also explained this move will bring some level of a good relationship between the two nations.

He said, “I see the relationship as an action consistent with international law and norms and we must commend the Government of Venezuela for the early release that shows goodwill and it helps to rebuild some of the bridges between Guyana and Venezuela and by extension, the rest of the Caribbean community”.

However, goodwill still remains one to be measured, as the Venezuela military still remains on patrol in Guyanese waters, that of which along the claims of Essequibo will remain an issue as Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali made it clear that Guyana remains united on issues related to its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

As such the Government of Guyana is moving ahead to set a border patrol agency.

Fatal Accident

A horrific accident at the Beharry Edward Beharry and Company Ltd has claimed the life of a 32-year-old, Supervisor, who was struck off a loading truck by pressurized air.

The dead worker is being identified as Mark Games of Long Pond, Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara.

According to a police statement on the matter, the incident would have been said to have occurred at the company’s Mandela info@guyanapostonline.com

Avenue, Georgetown location at the time of the incident MArks supervised the transfer of flour from a pressure tank.

At the time the tank was mounted on a truck, which was connected to a silo when the pressure tank began whistling and Gomes went to check and see what it was.

Gomes at the moment climbed onto the back of the truck when a hose connected to the tank and silo disconnected.

He then later attempted

to fix the hose, however in doing so the pressurized air hit him in the face hitting him out the truck causing him injuries about his body.

His colleagues, after seeing what had taken place, picked up the injured Gomes and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

CCTV footage according to the police are gonna be used to fully determine what had transpired.

Family in the West La Penitence are now mourning the loss of a 29-year-old, Taxi Driver, who was gun down outside a birthday celebration in North East Lapenitance.

The dead are being identified as a father of two children, Osafo Pollard According to reports of the shooting which took place just after 10:30 last night, February 2nd stemmed from an old grievance with some suspect/s.

Those suspect/s after yet to be identified as

6 5

police continue their investigation.

Reports are that during the time of the shooting a group of individuals in the area were having a get-together, when Pollard, who was not a part of the invitation list but was a part of the get together was seen laying on the floor with a gunshot wound about his head.

This came after a person at the get together heard several explosions, sounding like the sound of motorbikes in the area, but it quickly became known of the man’s injuries, when loud screams were

heard.

Pollard was later seen laying on the ground.

As such, an emergency ambulance was summoned to the area but it was related to News Source that the ambulance was going to leave the man on the ground because of who he was but a demand by the persons in the area led to them taking him to hospital.

It was however later reported that Pollard died sometime after midnight while having medical attention.

No arrests have been made so far.

Guyana Post Tuesday February 2, 2021

20 PERSONS RECEIVE $1M EACH FROM SBB UNDER THEIR GREEN TECH FUND

An awardee receives her certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce - Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

CEO of the Small Business Bureau - Mr. Lowell Porter The Small Business Bureau (SBB) has granted 20 persons a total of $20 million grant through its Green Tech Fund. The beneficiaries each received $1 million at a ceremony hosted on Monday. The grants are for existing and start-up businesses that are technology and environmentally based.

Ms. Kaimwantie Seenarine, of “Smart Learning Guyana” will develop a mobile app that will help children in Guyana. The App will cater primarily for children who do not have regular access to the internet.

She explained that once the app is downloaded, it could be used without internet access.

An awardee receives his certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce – Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

“We are actually going to take concept from schools and convert it into more interactive selflearning system. We are trying to help children learn independently because during this COVID-19 time and info@guyanapostonline.com

many children do have assistance from teachers directly so we will be teaching them to be more independent learners,” she said.

An awardee receives her certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce – Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

Ms. Cherryann Greene, who will be launching her business under the name “Ridealong Gy”, said the aim is to reduce the carbon emission foot print that have far ranging environmental and health effects “by promoting more pedal cycling in and around Georgetown. I will also aim to collaborate with other small businesses like myself to promote, health and fitness and tourism in Guyana”.

Ezee Loans, owned

by Mr. Rupesh Ganpat who worked 10 years in the banking industry, developed an app to guide individuals through the loan process.

CEO of the Small Business Bureau – Mr. Lowell Porter “The application is

going to allow you to put in the pertinent information and guide along if you are going qualify and also, I am to partner with the bank as well so that they can take another step and guide the individual,” he told DPI. Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce representative Mr. John Edghill told the awardees that the Bureau and the Government was there for the people.

Ms. Cherryann Greene receives her certificate from Mr. John Edghill – Director of Business and Entrepreneur Development.

“Through the Small Business Bureau and other agencies under our remit we will increase access to finance we will increase entrepreneurship skills development to all entrepreneurs both budding and potential.”

CEO of the Small Business Bureau – Mr. Lowell Porter said the agency will continue to promote businesses that are innovative and environmentally friendly.

He said the Government

An awardee receives his certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

An awardee receives her certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce - Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

76

is willing and ready to support more innovative businesses.

The Bureau will be following up with the awardees to ensure they follow through with the grant and there is a threemonth time frame by which they have to set up or at least start. The Bureau will also work with them in this area.

Ms. Cherryann Greene receives her certificate from Mr. John Edghill - Director of Business and Entrepreneur Development.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Email or text your letters to us we would be happy to have published them ExxonMobil Oil Rig

adameharris@yahoo.com lendellnurse6995@gmail.com info@guyanapostonline.com

8