Keeping you updated on current events... Tuesday February 9, 2021
ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER
GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN BERTRAM COLLINS PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING COLLEGE, Pg2 FIRES 24 STAFF
Second Suspect charged for Contractor murder on Garnett Street Pg2
Sophia Motocylist dies after hitting utility pole Pg3
Guyana records its 181st COVID-19 related death Pg3
Guyana Post Tuesday February 9, 2021
GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN BERTRAM COLLINS PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING COLLEGE, FIRES 24 STAFF
The Government has made move to shutdown the Bertram Collins Public Service Training College geared at providing training for persons entering the public sector. The training school
which carries the capacity of 24 staff, were all given letters of termination last Friday. This move, according to the staff, came as a shock to them, as they are now left to find a new job at the
end of the month. Withstanding the closure, the college official has been told to not accept any new student. Former Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo- Halley who
would hold responsibility for the college under the APNU-AFC Government condemned the act and said that this is a clear indication that the Government has no interest in a professional
public service. Ms. Halley added the Government also has shown that they have no interest in the structured and planned preparation of ambitious young people for a career in the public service. Public Service College opened its doors in 2016 under the APNU+AFC government as an initiative of then-President
David Granger, as the aim of the college was to have young people from all parts of Guyana trained for the modern workforce. Since its launch, in 2016, the School has trained 175 students so far in areas of financing, customer service, leadership for public servants, legal systems, international relations and information technology.
Second Suspect charged for Contractor murder on Garnett Street
Murder Suspect Kacey Heyliger
Dead Peter Consalves
Following another breakthrough that has led to the arrest of a second suspect in the murder Contractor, that was reportedly gun down info@guyanapostonline.com
last December during a robbery, that suspect was today charged and remanded to prison. While not being a stranger to the court,
25-year-old robbery convict Daniel Parris appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Ann Mclennan and was not required to enter a plea to the charge. The court heard that Parris on December 7th, 2020 while in the company of Kacy Heyliger murdered
60-year-old, Peter Gonsalves on Garnett Street. After the charge was read to Parris, he was immediately remanded to prison until March 1st, 2021 for his next hearing in court. Reports are that on the day of the incident, Gonsalves was on his way to make a purchase with another person on his XR Motorcycle, when he was approached by two men on a motorcycle near Red Bar, one of whom was armed with a handgun Gonsalves along with his Pillion Rider, who reportedly escaped without injuries, both
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Murder Suspect Daniel Parris
fell to the ground while the two bandits left the scene with Gonsalves’ motorcycle. Sometime after the incident, Heyliger was later arrested and charged for murder and is currently on remand and Parris was arrested just last week.
Deeper investigation suggests that the crime may have been an execution, as Parris is suspected to have been the trigger man. Both, who is no stranger to the court were charged and convicted on several occasions from crimes related to robbery and murder. Parris was convicted for robbery in the past while Heyliger was freed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the murder of America Street ‘money-changer’ Shawn Nurse, known as “Fabulous”, who was gunned down in Georgetown in 2018.
Guyana Post Tuesday February 9, 2021
SOPHIA MOTOCYLIST DIES AFTER HITTING UTILITY POLE
A Family of another Motorcyclist is now mourning the lost of their family member, who lost control of his motorcycle, hitting a utility pole, injuring two pedestrians, and later died of his injuries. The deadman is being identified as Kempton Richards, a 26-year-old resident of Plum Park Sophia. According to
information received, Richard just around 15:30 hrs yesterday on Arapaima Street East La Penitence was riding at a fast rate when he lost control of his motorcycle and collided with a utility pole. Richard later fell onto the roadway and sustained several injuries to his body. On the other hand, two Pedestrians, a 15-year-
old and 24-year-old, Man, whose name was given as Kevin Fletcher, of East La Penitence were hit in the process but only sustained minor bruises. Richard along with the 15-year-old Pedestrian were both picked up and rushed to the hospital. The Pedestrian was later sent away, however, Richard later died of his injuries.
Guyana records
its 181st COVID-19 related death
Guyana has recorded yet another COVID-19 related death, taking the total number of deaths to the dreaded virus to 181. The Ministry of Health today has identified the latest victim as a 74-year-old Man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).
He was said to be an elderly man who was receiving treatment at one of the local medical facilities when he passed away yesterday (Sunday). The man has also been noted as the fourth victim in the month of February that has
passed away. With the number of alarming positive cases pushing towards 8000, the Ministry of Health continues to encourage Guayana to follow the health guidelines in order to protect themselves from the virus.
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
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.
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.
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Guyana Post Saturday February 6, 2021
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,
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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
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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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....
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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
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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.
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