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ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

Saturday January 16, 2021

ExxonMobil’s latest well offshore Guyana declared non-commercial COVID-19 Update January 16

Woman dead after being crushed by tree Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post, Saturday January 16, 2021

ExxonMobil’s latest well offshore Guyana declared non-commercial

ExxonMobil’s latest well offshore Guyana declared non-commercial ExxonMobil said on Friday that drilling at the Hassa-1 prospect in the Stabroek block offshore Guyana has failed to encounter hydrocarbon resources. Hassa-1 is located approximately 30

miles east of the Liza field and was drilled by the Noble Don Taylor.

Janelle Persaud, ExxonMobil Guyana Public and Government Affairs Advisor, said, “The Hassa-1 exploration well in the Stabroek block did not encounter hydrocarbons in the

primary target reservoirs.

However, the well did encounter hydrocarbons in other intervals.”

Persaud said the company is evaluating the data which will be integrated into its regional subsurface interpretation and modelling. She also said that this was a

reminder of the risk that is inherent to frontier oil and gas explorations and added that ExxonMobil remains committed to evaluating the potential in their offshore Guyana blocks.

ExxonMobil has had 18 successes out of the 22 wells drilled in the

COVID-19 Update January 16

The Ministry of Heath recorded 60 new cases of COVID 19 on Friday January 15.

Three cases were recorded in Region One, six in Region Two, six in Region Three, 28 in Region Four, one in Region Five, nine in Region Six, six in Region Eight, and one in Region Ten. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 6,805.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently at 170.

As of January 14 there have been 43,143 persons tested for the virus. 6,083 persons have recovered leaving 552 active cases in the country.

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Stabroek Block, one of the highest success rates for finding commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in the oil and gas industry.

However, Hassa-1 is the second consecutive well here to be declared noncommercial.

The discoveries made

by ExxonMobil to date

amount to approximately 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources.

Analysts say that the total estimated recoverable resource could increase beyond 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent in coming years.

Woman dead after being crushed by tree

A North-West District (NWD) woman died on Wednesday after she was crushed by a falling tree. The deceased was identified as 32-year-old Domelley Cyrus of Port Kaituma, Water Front, NWD. The incident occurred sometime around 2:00 p.m. at the Nessano Backdam NWD. According to police, Cyrus had started working as a cook on a four inch dredge operation last week. On Wednesday, the woman was in the mining

camp when a tree fell on the structure. She was found unconscious with injuries to her head.

Police were called to the scene and the woman’s unconscious body was escorted to the Port Kaituma District Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

The body is currently at the Port Kaituma Mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem Examination.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

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

Three men charged with the Henry boys’ murder

Three men made their court appearance charged with the murder of Joel and Isaiah Henry way back in September. The cousins were hacked in the backlands of Number three Village, West Coast

Berbice.

A forensic expert travelled from Argentina, sought certain information and left with almost nothing. The expert came at the invitation of the Guyana Human Rights

Association.

Last week a team from the Federal Bureau of Investigation visited Guyana in connection with the murders. The break in the case came soon after.

But the police declared that the break came from a confession. And they say that the confession was videotaped.

The author of the confession was not named.

The three suspects go by the moniker, Monkey, Magga, and Dan Pole.

When they left the court it was more of the same.

He denied knowing the Henry cousins. They were not required to plead today

CARICOM denounces US for declaring Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism

(Loop News) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has issued a strong statement denouncing the outgoing Trump administration which has declared Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism, subjecting the Caribbean nation to sanctions.

In a statement yesterday, CARICOM said the decision is misguided: “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) denounces the unilateral declaration by the outgoing United States administration to designate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.”

“Cuba’s international conduct does not in any way warrant that designation. This further attack on the country adversely affects its international standing and its social, human and economic development and is another misguided action in addition to the unproductive, unnecessary and illegal financial and economic embargo already imposed on this Caribbean nation by the United States.”

CARICOM has called for an ‘immediate review and reversal of these unjustified actions taken in regard to Cuba and looks

forward to the United States moving towards normalising relations with Cuba’.

In a statement on January 11, the outgoing Trump administration declared Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism for ‘repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbour to terrorists.’

The designation will subject Cuba to ‘sanctions that penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with Cuba, restricts US foreign assistance, bans defense exports and sales, and

imposes certain controls on exports of dual-use items’.

Associated Press stated that outgoing US president Donald Trump was impeached for a second time yesterday, charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly mob siege of the Capitol in Washington, DC. Trump was first impeached by the House in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine, but the Senate voted in 2020 to acquit. This is the first time in US history that a president has been impeached twice.

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Guyana Post, Friday January 15, 2021

WORLD BANK APPROVES US$30 MILLION CREDIT FOR ST LUCIA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE

(Caribbean News Gobal) WASHINGTON, USA – The World Bank board of executive directors approved today the US$30 million Saint Lucia COVID-19 Response, Recovery, and Resilience Development Policy Credit.

This quick-disbursing credit aims to help mitigate the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable Saint Lucians. It also aims to strengthen the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and enhance resilience to shocks in the medium term.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe social and economic impacts on the Caribbean small states, especially those that are highly dependent on tourism like Saint Lucia,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. “This financing aims to provide Saint Lucia urgent support to protect lives and livelihoods and strengthen economic resilience.”

Saint Lucia’s GDP is

projected to contract by 18 percent in 2020 due to the nearly complete halt in tourism. This World Bank financing is expected to help the government enhance the capacity of the health sector and provide short-term relief to the poor, small businesses, and the most severely affected workers.

It supports measures to ensure business continuity and save jobs.

The operation supports medium-term resilience through structural reforms to improve public financial management, procurement, and debt transparency. Resilience will also be enhanced through reforms related to financial resilience to disasters and education sector policies.

This operation is aligned with the government of Saint Lucia’s reform program and COVID-19 response strategy. The financing, which is from the International Development Association (IDA), is interest-free with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of ten years.

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

Guyana Post, Friday January 15, 2021

Trump-Pompeo parting shots hurt the Caribbean

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are entirely his own) As they are preparing to exit the White House and the State Department on January 20, the outgoing Donald Trump administration has planted some explosives for the foreign policy of the government of Joseph Biden Jr. A grenade has already been thrown into policies that Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominated Secretary of State, might pursue in relation to Cuba and, consequently, the Caribbean region.

In the dying days of his tenure as Secretary of State and only nine days before Blinken takes over the reins of U.S. foreign policy, Mike Pompeo placed Cuba on a List of State Sponsors of Terrorism that the U.S. draws up unilaterally.

As the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) stated on January 13, the listing of Cuba as a sponsor of state terrorism is “baseless”.

Caribbean Community (CARIOM) Heads of Government on the same day were unequivocal in their view that “Cuba’s international conduct does not in any way warrant that designation”.

In pursuing this pugnacious policy against Cuba, including unravelling the painstakingly weaved policy of the previous Obama administration to try to normalize relations between Cuba and the U.S., Trump’s government is seeking to maintain

the support of CubanAmericans in Florida both for raising money for his political activity in the coming years and to be able to deliver the state for a Presidential candidate he favours – maybe even for himself in 2024.

As Juan Gonzalez, the incoming Senior Director for Western Hemisphere in the Biden National Security Council, has pointed out, securing Florida for the 2020 Presidential election was the principal motivation of Trump’s Cuba policy throughout his term in office.

Little publicized is a corollary of the Trump-Pompeo Cuba policy for the countries of CARICOM. Less than a month ago, the U.S. government sent a questionnaire to Caribbean countries. The answers will be used to compile its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report that is submitted to the U.S. Congress. The December questionnaire included a new and sinister section related specifically to workers from China and Cuba.

In relation to Cuba – from which every Caribbean country has sought and received – vital help through the provision of medical personnel, the U.S. asks questions which are entirely the business of a sovereign State, or the business of sovereign States which have entered contracts.

The questions intrude glaringly on State rights.

Were the same questions put to the Government of the U.S., it would quite rightly firmly reject the very audacity of asking them.

Trafficking in persons is a very troubling activity.

It is one that every country should combat vigorously.

In this regard, it is true to say that Caribbean countries have worked diligently with the U.S.

to try to stamp out the activity, related to what amounts to modern day slavery in its worse form, and at its best to the criminal exploitation of vulnerable persons, particularly women and girls.

However, this attempt by the outgoing Trump administration to include Cuban medical workers and professionals, serving Caribbean governments, is an attempt to politicize an otherwise noble cause.

The objective appears to be the classification of Cuban medical personnel as ‘trafficked persons’, thereby implicating both Cuba and Caribbean governments in criminal activity.

The latter would be the weaponizing of a policy against countries that discard cooperation against crime and replaces it with coercion.

The implications of this are quite serious and will be a priority of the work of Caribbean countries with the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress because of the dangers posed to them.

Under the U.S. TIP Act, the non-trade related, and non-humanitarian assistance can be withdrawn from any country considered not to be in compliance “with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking” and “is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with such standards”.

Of course, the determination of what is “minimum standards” and “significant efforts” is made entirely by officials of the U.S. government.

Every year, the TIP report classifies countries from Tier 1 (the most acceptable) to Tier 3 (the least acceptable).

Of the 14 independent CARICOM countries, two of them – the Bahamas and Guyana – were listed

in 2020 at Tier 1. Seven countries were in Tier 2.

These were: Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

On the Tier 2 Watch List were Barbados and Belize.

For unclear reasons, Dominica, Grenada, and St Kitts-Nevis appear in none of the Tiers. In the event, no Caribbean country is at the worst level – Tier 3.

However, if the presence of Cuban personnel in CARICOM countries becomes a criterion for the U.S. to unilaterally declare a human trafficking offence, this will injure U.S. relations with CARICOM countries for no good reason, since U.S. security and U.S. values are not threatened in any way.

The addition to the U.S. TIP questionnaire of a section on Cuban and Chinese workers fitted well with the anti-China, anti-Cuba stance of the Trump administration to serve its domestic political agenda.

How much of this booby trap left for the Biden administration is known to its incoming State Department and National Security teams is not clear, but the Caribbean must regard advising them as a priority.

The next U.S. TIP report will be published and sent to the U.S. Congress in June.

The U.S. publication, Foreign Policy, recently quoted a U.S. official as saying that Pompeo’s team is engaged in “parting shots deliberately aimed at hampering the incoming administration’s foreign policy”.

Where the Caribbean’s interests are affected by those “parting shots”, the region must act in unity to safeguard them.

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COVID-19 UPDATE JANUARY 15

The Ministry of Health recorded 49 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday January 14. One case was recorded in Region Two, 10 in Region Three, 19 in Region Four, one in Region Five, nine in Region Six, six in Region Seven and three in Region Ten. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 6,745. There have been 413 recorded cases in the first two weeks of January.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently at 170. Six COVID related deaths have been recorded so far in the month of January.

As of January 14 42,782 persons have been tested for the virus.

6068 have recovered leaving 507 active cases in the country.

Minister of Health,

Dr. Frank Anthony, has amended the National COVID-19 regulations to allow indoor dining.

Indoor and outdoor dining will be allowed up to 9:30 pm daily and buffet type services are prohibited.

The amended order allows restaurants to accommodate indoor dining, but at 40% of the capacity of the restaurant, with tables and chairs placed six-feet apart and no more than four persons allowed to sit at a single table.

The amended order also demands that restaurant staff wear face masks at all times.

This change comes only a few days after the National COVID-19 Task Force shut down the popular Hard Rock Cafe for indoor dining while it was prohibited.

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

Guyana Post, Friday January 15, 2021

GNBS destroys over GROUP OF COMPANIES 4000 substandard VACANCY EXISTS FOR AN switches ASPHALT PLANT OPERATOR QUALIFICATION:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering • AutoCad Techical Certificate • Computer Literate GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be able to complete assignment on time.

• Recent police certificate of character.

• Furnish full details of past work experiences.

• At least five years’ experience operating a fully computerized automatic equipment with provisions for manual overdrive.

REMUNERATION:

• Negotiable Depending on Qualification and Experience • Interested and qualifying candidate may forward his resume before 16th of January, 2021 to the Office Manager

GROUP OF COMPANIES LOT 1&2 MUD LOT, WATER STREET KINGSTON, GEORGETOWN GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA HEAD OFFICE TEL: (592) 226-5513-4 | 226-5314-5, 226-4113 FAX: (592) 226-5517, 223-7421 | EMAIL: bkinc@bkinc.biz

The substandard light switches that were destroyed by the GNBS The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) destroyed 4,800 imported light switches on Thursday in the presence of GNBS inspectors.

According to a release from the GNBS, the switches were imported by a City Importer in November 2020 and, after being inspected, were found to be inadequately labelled and lacked the required certification mark.

The importer was required to provide the GNBS with an authentic test certificate indicating that the light switches met quality requirements but they were unable to do so. The GNBS then took the necessary steps to destroy the substandard items.Guyana for the sum of $185,037,000 without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer.

It was further alleged that Dr. Ashni Singh and

Brassington on December 30, 2008, at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase without due diligence, sold to Scady Business Corporation, a 4.7 acres tract portion of Plantation Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, for $150M knowing that the said property was valued at $340M. This valuation was done

by Rodrigues Architects Associate, a competent valuation officer.

It was also alleged that the two on December 28, 2009, at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase, acted recklessly when they sold to National Hardware Guyana Limited, a tract of land at Plantation Liliendaal, Pattensen, and Turkeyen, situated on the East Coast of Demerara, 103 acres, being property of the State of Guyana for the sum

of $598,659,39 without first having procured a valuation of the said property from a competent valuation officer.

It was further alleged that Dr. Singh and Brassington between October 26, 2010, and December 20, 2010, at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, by way of Agreement of Sale and Purchase, acted recklessly when they sold to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc., Sanata Textiles Complex, with building and erections thereon.

Tht plot was Parcel 4702, Part of Plantation Ruimveldt, situated on the East Bank Demerara, being 18.871 acres, for $697,864,800 plus VAT, knowing that the said property was valued at the sum of $1,042,403,500.

It was therefore being sold at a price that was grossly undervalued, thereby creating a breach of their duties.”

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

Guyana Post, Thursday January 14, 2021

Trump impeached for historic second time after Capitol insurrection

Donald J. Trump was impeached on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 by the U.S. House of Congress for a historic second time, charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly mob siege of the U.S. Capitol in a swift and stunning collapse of his final days in office.

Of the 45 presidencies in America’s nearly 245year history, only Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton suffered impeachment, as had Donald Trump, once each. Lawmakers, moving at lightning speed,

voted just one week after violent pro-Trump loyalists stormed the Capitol, egged on by the President’s calls for them to “fight like hell” against the election results.

The Capitol insurrection stunned and angered lawmakers, who were sent scrambling for safety as the mob descended, and it revealed the fragility of the nation’s history of peaceful transfers of power.

The riot also forced a reckoning among some Republicans, who

have stood by Trump throughout his presidency and largely allowed him to spread false attacks on the integrity of the 2020 election.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invoked Abraham Lincoln and the Bible, imploring lawmakers to uphold their oath to

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY

defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign “and domestic.” She said of Trump: “He must go, he is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love.”

GOP Support: Ten Republican House members, including the No. 3 House Republican leader Liz Cheney, supported efforts to impeach Trump. The GOP backing was in sharp contrast to the unanimous support for Trump among House Republicans when he was impeached by Democrats in December 2019, Matthew Daly reports.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hasn’t ruled out that he might vote to convict Trump.

Though he blocked a quick Senate trial, he’s told colleagues he’s not made up his mind about

how he’ll vote when that trial begins. McConnell is Washington’s most influential Republican.

The trial probably won’t begin until around Jan. 20, when Democrats will take majority control of the chamber and Presidentelect Joe Biden will be inaugurated.

Trump Alone: His place in the history books has been rewritten — and not how he would have wanted. As the House voted to impeach him, Trump faced his unprecedented second impeachment largely alone and silent. For more than four years, he has dominated the national discourse like no one else. Yet when his legacy was set in stone with the House vote, he was left on the sidelines. He kept out of sight in a nearly empty White House as

impeachment proceedings played out at the heavily fortified U.S. Capitol. The suspension of his Twitter account deprived Trump of his most potent means to keep Republicans in line. Jonathan Lemire, Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller report.

The Scene: The Capitol was transformed into a fortress of impeachment.

Where visitors once walked, hundreds of National Guard members were camped out throughout, even in the Rotunda, protecting lawmakers still reeling from last week’s violence and preparing for Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Along with the signs of fear, there were also signs of gratitude for those protecting the area. A tunnel leading to House office buildings Continued on pg8

BK International Inc.

sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of

Majeed Hussain

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time May his soul rest in peace

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

Guyana Post, Thursday January 14, 2021

Brazil Covid variant:

What we know as Boris Johnson warns he’s “concerned” about strain.

The question was asked by an ordinary British citizen: “What do you think about the UK government’s response to the pandemic?” The answer from another very concerned and distraught citizen was stunning!

“This is germ warfare!

Why are we allowing the military to invent these weapons? Countries like

you provide to about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday, January 14 said he is “very concerned” about a new Covid variant believed to have originated in Brazil – here’s all you need to know about the strain.

The Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) says at the moment there is “no proof” that the variant is more infectious than previous Covid versions.

However, the newlyidentified variant is believed to share characteristics with the UK strain. A man in his 40s had difficulty breathing,

The new variant is believed to have arrived in Japan from Brazil (Image: REUTERS)

the USA, UK, China have no right to destroy the world’s economy over a weapon that should never have been allowed to be!”

And questions remain over the Brazilian variant of Coronavirus. The new variant was identified in Japan after four people – a man, woman and two children – tested positive after travelling from the Amazonas state in Brazil earlier this month.Get our daily coronavirus email newsletter with all the news you need When you subscribe we will use the information

The latest mutation was discovered in Japan after four people travelled from the Amazonas state to Tokyo earlier this month.

Much is unknown about the variant, including whether vaccines will be effective against it, and scientists are not yet sure if it is more transmissable.

At this stage it is not believed to make people more ill.

Mr. Johnson said there are “many questions” about the strain, which is being investigated by Japanese scientists. It is not known if it has already made its way to the UK.

despite the coronavirus crisis. A health ministry official said at the weekend: “In order to further analyze the variant, we need to isolate it first.

“It’s hard to say right now when we can release the details.”

He warned it could be weeks or even months before more is known about the new variant. It is the third major strain, following those thought to have originated in the UK and South Africa.

Japan announced the detection of the new variant on Sunday, January 10 and reported it to the World Health Organization after the arrival from Brazil of a number of individuals infected with the strain.

Cambridge University microbiology professor – Ravi

Gupta said the Brazilian variant has three key mutations that “largely mirror” some of those in the hyper-infectious South African variant “hence the concern”.

“Vaccines are still likely to be effective as a control measure if coverage rates are high and transmission is limited as far as possible,” he added.

Earlier on Thursday, the PM told the Commons liaison committee: “We are concerned about the new Brazilian variant.

There remained many questions about the variant, including whether it would be resistant to the vaccines.”

Labour’s Yvette Cooper said she would be “very reassured” to learn of additional measures being introduced, in addition to the requirement for people arriving in England from Friday to receive a negative test up to 72 hours before departure.

Mr Johnson replied: “Well we are and we’re

putting in extra measures to ensure that people coming from Brazil are checked and indeed stopping people coming from Brazil.”

The Labour MP said: “Are you, that’s a new announcement?”

“No, sorry, I said what we were looking at was the question of whether or not the Brazilian variant is immune resistant,” Mr. Johnson replied.

Pressed on whether this means a travel ban being imposed on Brazil, he said: “We are taking steps to ensure that we do not see the import of this new variant from Brazil.”

Prof de Oliveria, who is leading South Africa’s effort to understand the new strain, said: “We know that B.1.1.248 has one mutation that is shared with the variant in the UK and South Africa, and that’s the mutation at position N501Y. “This is one of the mutations that is associated with fast transmission.”

while a woman in her 30s was suffering with a headache and a sore throat.

The other two who tested positive for the variant were children, with one suffering from a fever.

Meanwhile, UK local elections are slated to go ahead in May Scientists are examining the new variant, which is thought to have originated in Brazil (Image: Getty Images

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

Guyana Post, Thursday January 14, 2021

Ocean-Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel for the Northwest District an advance payment of 20% will be disbursed in January 2021 in the sum of US$2.3 million.

Another 40% of the contract value totaling US$5.2 million will be disbursed in 2021 at various construction milestone dates. The final 40% of the contract value will be disbursed in 2022 after the installation of the main engines and steering

systems and upon receipt and acceptance the vessel.

Minister Edghill thanked the Indian High Commissioner for the continued support and collaboration as each government seeks to advance the development of Guyana.

Dr. K. J. Srinivasa said, “We have worked hard to get where we are with this project today”.

Hon. Bishop Juan A. Edghill, Minister of Public Works; India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa; Mr. Vijayakumar K.; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Vladim Persaud; General Manager of Transport and Harbours Department,

A simple signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Public Works, Wight’s Lane, Kingston, for the construction of an Ocean-Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel for the Northwest District.

Present at the signing ceremony were Bishop Juan A. Edghill, Minister of Public Works; India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa; Counsellor to India’s

High Commissioner Mr. Vijayakumar K.; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Vladim Persaud; General Manager of Transport and Harbours Department, Ms. Marclene Merchant; and representatives from the contracting firm (Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Mr. Vishnu Doerga and Mr. Daniel Sugrim.

According to Minister Edghill, after years

of being stalled, the procurement of the New Ocean-Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel for the North West District was revived at the diplomatic level between the governments of Guyana and India.

Minister Edghill said that the contract was awarded to Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) for the sum of USD 12,733,403.

According to Minister Edghill the Ferry is expected to be delivered within 18 months and will provide larger cargo carrying capacity, shorter travel times and a safer and more comfortable service to commuters travelling between Georgetown and the Northwest District.

Minister Edghill also highlighted the payment breakdown for the contract which will be done at different installments;

Trump impeached for....

Continued from pg6

has become a makeshift tribute to members of law enforcement who protected the Capitol during last week’s rioting, Kevin Freking and Andrew Taylor report.

Tarnished By Trump: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said a lot of flattering things about U.S. President Donald Trump over the years, trying to curry favor. He has professed his admiration and even suggested that Trump might be worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. But after a mob of Trump supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol, Johnson sharply changed his tune, saying Trump had encouraged the violence and was “completely

wrong.” It was a dramatic pivot for a populist leader who has often been compared to Trump and refrained for years from openly criticizing him.

Johnson’s critics say his years of genuflecting to Trump have harmed Britain’s international authority and poisoned its political culture, Jill Lawless reports.

US Capitol investigators try to sort real intelligence tips from noise; Expecting trouble, Washington locks down a week before the inauguration In the wake of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, potential threats and leads are pouring in to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The challenge now is working out

what’s real and what’s just noise, Stefanie Dazio and Michael Balsamo report.

Investigators are combing through a mountain of online posts, street surveillance and other intelligence. The information suggests mobs could try to storm the Capitol again and includes threats to kill some members of Congress.

Security is being tightened from coast to coast. Thousands of National Guard troops are guarding the Capitol ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Governors and lawmakers are stepping up protections at statehouses too.

Nation’s Capital Lockdown: All across downtown Washington,

D.C., the primary sound is the beeping of forklifts unloading more fencing.

The FBI has warned that armed protests by violent Trump supporters are being planned in all 50 state capitals and in the nation’s capital for the days leading up to Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

Between the pandemic and the security threat, the D.C. mayor is flatout asking people not to come for the inauguration.

President-elect Biden will no longer take an Amtrak train to Washington for his inauguration because of security concerns.

The most visible security is represented by 15,000 National Guardsmen from multiple states. Ashraf Khalil and Lolita C. Baldor report.

8

GROUP OF COMPANIES

VACANCY EXISTS FOR AN ASPHALT PLANT OPERATOR QUALIFICATION:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering • AutoCad Techical Certificate • Computer Literate GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be able to complete assignment on time.

• Recent police certificate of character.

• Furnish full details of past work experiences.

• At least five years’ experience operating a fully computerized automatic equipment with provisions for manual overdrive.

REMUNERATION:

• Negotiable Depending on Qualification and Experience • Interested and qualifying candidate may forward his resume before 16th of January, 2021 to the Office Manager

GROUP OF COMPANIES LOT 1&2 MUD LOT, WATER STREET KINGSTON, GEORGETOWN GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA HEAD OFFICE TEL: (592) 226-5513-4 | 226-5314-5, 226-4113 FAX: (592) 226-5517, 223-7421 | EMAIL: bkinc@bkinc.biz

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

Guyana Post, Tuesday January 13, 2021

“NOT A BLADE OF GRASS” – Guyanese will resist any invasion

by Venezuela!

A FEATURE ARTICLE by Leon Saul

W

hen the World Court on Friday, December 18, 2020 ruled it has jurisdiction to hear a dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the demarcation of their land border, which may ultimately determine which has rights to offshore oil and gas fields, all Guyanese at home and abroad were relieved and ecstatic. But the relief and ecstasy were tempered when in early January 2021 Venezuela’s President Maduro declared “war”!

Nicolas Maduro’s socialist administration has set alarm bells ringing by rejecting the recent jurisdictional ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning his country’s territorial claims over oil-rich neighbour Guyana.

Maduro issued a new decree in the first week of January claiming sovereignty over areas claimed by Guyana, while Venezuela’s national assembly established a special committee for the defence of disputed territory.

But, in a 12-4 decision, judges at the U.N. court, formally known as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), found that they have jurisdiction to hear a suit brought

by Guyana arguing the

border was established by an 1899 arbitration between Venezuela and the then-colony of British Guiana.

Ve n e z u e l a ’s government had argued the international court had no jurisdiction and it prefers direct talks with Guyana over its claims to a huge, sparsely populated area west of the Essequibo River.

The court has not yet set a date for arguments on the merits of Guyana’s case. The ICJ is the United Nations’ court for resolving disputes between states. But after the ICJ’s ruing Venezuela ramped up the pressure over Guyana, with Caracas refusing to accept ICJ jurisdiction in the territorial dispute with its newly oil-rich neighbour with a population of just about three-quarters million people in 83,000 square miles!

Thus, US Presidentelect Joe Biden will have plenty of domestic dilemmas to sort out after he is inaugurated on January 20, but the country’s longrunning feud with the administration in OPEC member Venezuela looks set to require the Democrat’s attention early on.

A decade ago, regional analysts saw Venezuela itself as a potential

regional flashpoint due to the anti-Washington rhetoric of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chavez, and his strategy of using oil resources as leverage for alliances with Russia, China and Cuba.

A boom in US unconventional production, an oil price crash and diminishing interest in extra-heavy crude means that jostling for access to Venezuelan commodities is less of a concern to the US than it used to be.

US sanctions have also aggravated Venezuela’s home-grown problems to the point that there are serious shortages of gasoline and diesel in the country. Yet regime change has not come, and Venezuela can still pose problem for the US and upset regional stability.

With US sanctions showing no signs of triggering political transition in Venezuela, Biden will likely have to steel himself for renewed action against the Caracas regime sooner rather than later.

The respective territorial claims of Venezuela and Guyana reflect the turbulence of colonial history in the region. The claim covers more than half of Guyana’s land mass and much of Guyana’s Atlantic maritime territory, including most

of the prolific ExxonMobilo p e r a t e d Stabroek block, where a raft of huge oil discoveries has been unearthed in recent years.

Guyana’s modern argument for ICJ jurisdiction was based on the 1966 Geneva Agreement — signed by the UK, Venezuela and colonial British Guiana — which stipulates that the parties will agree to find a practical, peaceful and satisfactory solution to the dispute.

Guyana has argued, successfully, that the Geneva Agreement also establishes jurisdiction for an ICJ ruling, and diplomats now expect that ruling to come within a timeframe of two to four years.

Anxious to stave off unrest in a country where living standards have plummeted, Maduro has seized on the jurisdictional ruling in an attempt to galvanise popular support.

“It is ours! It belongs to the Venezuelans and we are going to retake it in peace and with national unity,” Maduro said of the Essequibo territories.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali called Maduro’s actions and words “deeply disturbing” and argued that any attempt to “unilaterally” fix boundaries between the

9

two to discuss border security with the Guyanese and Surinamese countries would be a legal nullity in governments. However, the eyes of international an unconfirmed report in law. President Ali has the Brazilian newspaper - O support of the opposition Antagonista claimed the real reason behind the visit APNU/AFC coalition.

In the event of a was to share information favourable ICJ ruling, that Brazil’s intelligence Guyana is likely to tread services had learned about considering carefully before offering Venezuela a military incursion into acreage for oil and gas Guyana! exploration in disputed The territory called maritime areas as there by Venezuelans – have been troublesome “Guayana Esequiba” is incidents in the recent a “disputed” territory of past.

In 2013, a seismic 9,500 km2 (61,600 sq mi) vessel working for west of the Essequibo Anadarko Petroleum River, that is administered controlled in what were assumed and by Guyana but claimed to be Guyanese waters by Venezuela.

The was forced off track

by Venezuela’s Navy, boundary dispute was while in 2018 the Navy inherited from the colonial intercepted two vessels powers (Spain in the working on the Stabroek case of Venezuela, and the Netherlands and the block for ExxonMobil.

Therefore, the billion- United Kingdom in the dollar question is: Would case of Guyana) and Venezuela Invade is complicated by the independence of Guyana Guyana?

Well, Brazilian from the United Kingdom government delegations in 1966.

The status of the territory have met with Guyana is subject to the Geneva and Suriname about a possible Venezuelan Agreement, which was military incursion into signed by the United Kingdom, Venezuela Guyana. and British Guiana on A Brazilian delegation’s February 17, 1966.

This recent quick trip to Guyana and Suriname suggested treaty stipulates that the things are moving parties will agree to find beneath the surface of the a practical, peaceful and border dispute between satisfactory solution to the Venezuela and Guyana. dispute.

The visit’s purpose was

To be continued in the next edition

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

Guyana Post, Wedneday January 13, 2021

AMERICAN SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY IN TURMOIL!?

The United States of America (USA) – the beacon of democracy, security and orderly society, is on the ropes and in turmoil. Who would have imagined that almost 6 months after “interfering” in Guyana’s elections imbroglio and using Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “threaten and bully” the APNU/AFC coalition government out of power – the Trump administration would be going up the same pathway of alleging “voter fraud” and the “stealing of national elections”!

But, apart from the Trump-incited insurrection, another example of the erosion of

the humanity enshrined in the American Constitution is the execution of Lisa Montgomery, a convicted killer who strangled a pregnant woman in 2004 and then cut the unborn baby from her womb. She was executed in a federal prison in Indiana early Wednesday. She was the first woman executed in the federal system in nearly seven decades.

Montgomery, 52, was pronounced dead at 1:31 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a lethal injection at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said.

Earlier Wednesday, the Supreme Court lifted an appeals court stay

that had blocked the execution, and it denied a request for a stay filed by Montgomery’s attorneys that raised mental illness concerns.

“The craven bloodlust of a failed administration

was on full display tonight,” Kelley Henry, an attorney for Montgomery, said in a statement.

Henry has said that Montgomery suffered from severe mental illness that was “exacerbated

Food shortage in UK schools!?

Families in the UK have taken to social media to show the meagre contents of food parcels they’ve been sent to feed their kids. The packages are in place of the free school meals their children would normally receive.

Campaigner and footballer Marcus Rashford has branded them “not good enough”.

Food suppliers are being accused of cashing in on poverty by delivering packages worth far less than the money they’re

paid to provide them.

No mask, no entry is the new message from our biggest supermarkets.

The stores are getting tough with customers who won’t wear face coverings without good reason when shopping. Many are also

asking customers to shop alone where possible.

There is growing concern at the number of people ignoring advice during this lockdown.

A British Gas boss has been filmed speaking of his relief that the pandemic has kept a strike by his workers out of the news. One worker said MD Matthew Bateman “sounds delighted that our struggle to maintain a decent standard of living isn’t getting the media coverage it might have done if tens of thousands of people weren’t dying of Covid-19.”

Christine Lampard fears she might have to go it alone rather than team up with husband, Frank, when she gives birth in April. TV presenter Christine announced at the weekend that she is expecting her second child with the Chelsea boss – but lockdown rules mean Frank might not be able to be with her at the birth.

From the “Mirror” in the UK on Wednesday, January 13, 2021

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by the lifetime of sexual torture she suffered at the hands of caretakers,” and her lawyers sought a chance to prove her incompetence.

The execution comes in the waning days of the

Trump administration, which in 2019 announced plans to carry out the first federal executions in 17 years. President-elect Joe Biden has suggested he would put a moratorium on the federal death penalty.

Lisa Montgomery.

Maryville Daily Forum / via AP file Montgomery was initially set to be executed in December, but the date was delayed after her attorneys, who are based in Nashville, Tennessee, contracted the coronavirus amid traveling to Texas and working on her case.

The spread of Covid-19 across prisons, including.

To be continued in the next edition

COVID-19 Update January 13

The Ministry of Health recorded 65 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 12.

Two cases were recorded in Region Three, 21 in Region Four, 35 in Region Five, one in Region Six, four in Region Seven and two in Region Ten. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana

is now 6,653.

The COVID-19 death toll has risen to 170 with the death of a 65 year old man from Region Four on January 10.

As of January 12 there have been 42,132 persons tested for the virus. 6,047 persons have recovered leaving 436 active cases in the country

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

Guyana Post, Tuesday January 12, 2021

Sir Ronald Sanders named to London Statement on Global University Committee on the “Future of Witness withdrawal of ‘Signed Away’ report Commonwealth Studies

Washington, DC, Veteran Caribbean diplomat, Sir Ronald Sanders, has been named to a 10-person committee to conduct an inquiry into the future of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London.

The announcement of the Committee members was made on Monday by the University’s ViceChancellor Professor Wendy Thompson.

The Committee will be

chaired by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a former Defense and Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary of the British Government.

Sir Ronald, who is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS, has been involved in Commonwealth matters in various capacities since 1982. His scholarly work on the Commonwealth has been widely published and he was the Rapporteur

of the Eminent Persons Group, created by the Head of Government to make recommendations on reform of the Commonwealth in 2011.

Ambassador Sanders said on Monday: “I am delighted to serve on this important Committee.

The Commonwealth has been a significant factor in world politics – for instance in ending Apartheid in South Africa.

“Because of its diverse membership, it has the capacity to help the world negotiate solutions to global problems.

Therefore, Commonwealth studies are important to University teaching and research”.

Other members of the Committee are drawn from the academic community and include Professor Asha Kanwar-

President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning and Dr. Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of The Association of Commonwealth Universities.

From the practical world of Commonwealth relations, other Committee members are Mr. Stephen Twigg, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and Mr. Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia.

The Committee will hold its first meeting on January 21 under Sir Malcolm’s leadership.

It is expected to take evidence from across the Commonwealth and submit its report and recommendations by June 2021.

Benn encourages youths of Moruca to join the GPF, GDF

–Moruca CPG gets ATV, engine

Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Robeson Benn, is encouraging young men and women of the Amerindian community of Moruca, Region One to become members of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force. He feels they can create a balance in developing Guyana.

I am glad to see young men and women join the Community Policing

Group. The CPG should be used as a vehicle for training to join the police force and GDF. I strongly feel we need more balance in our forces so we can lift the load together in securing our country and villages.

For better relations and understanding to deal with diverse matters we need to have a good mix up,” Minister Benn stated.

He made that comment

at the Moruca Community Centre Friday last, whilst delivering remarks at an interactive meeting with the newly formed Moruca Community Policing Group (CPG) and members of the Village Council. The Minister also handed over an AllTerrain Vehicle and a 40 horsepower engine to the group to facilitate their patrolling activities.

If we work together,

we can make a better country. We need to be understanding about people’s challenges.

So if someone needs to transport seeds for their farms, or cassava sticks or a sick person the CPG should assist. We really need to work together to ease the burden and improve the quality of life,” he added.

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by Hon. Raphael Trotman, Member of Parliament

Hon. Raphael Trotman, Member of Parliament

I have taken note of media reports which state that Global Witness has withdrawn its report, ‘Signed Away’ which was issued in February 2020 and which was severely critical of the agreement between the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil and its partners, of me specifically, several of my Cabinet colleagues and former President David Granger.

I take note of Global Witness’ self-confessed “over-estimation” of projected oil production, the sole basis upon which their criticisms were levelled. The timing of the release of the report, a mere month before the General and Regional Elections of March 2, 2020, was neither coincidental nor without deliberate purpose.

It is now established, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Global Witness allowed itself to be used to further political and economic interests prior to

Guyana’s 2020 elections.

Now that the abominable, dirty deed is done, Global Witness finds it convenient to withdraw the report, not in part, but entirely and clumsily use the fig leaf of environmental causes. This is shameful and repugnant and constitutes subversive political interference in the affairs of a sovereign state’s electoral process in seeking to influence the outcome of an election.

This is against all tenets of sovereignty, noninterference, decency, fairness and balance.

Unfortunately, the damage has been done and the ‘Economic Hit Men’ get to go off sipping tea and laughing at another dirty deed accomplished.

I believe also that an excuse is being made to avoid an investigation, which I agreed with.

The investigation should proceed in earnest and will receive my full and unequivocal support.

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

Guyana Post, Tuesday January 12, 2021

BK International responds to Minister Deodat Indar O

n Sunday, January 10, 2021, Works Minister Deodat Indar sought to blame BK International for the apparent delay in the sea defence project at Andrews, Essequibo Coast.

In articles appearing in the press, Minister Indar said that the company has been known to be slow in executing contracts.

He said that the Andrews project should have been completed last August, however, up to Sunday, the project was a mere 15 per cent complete.

This conclusion was rejected by BK International.

Chief Engineer, Ganesh Sawh, said that the project was 23 per cent complete.

He said that the Ministry of Public Works was responsible for the delay.

The Ministry, last year, ordered BK International to proceed to Mahaicony where a massive breach existed.

This breach was 500

meters wide and the two contractors working to seal it were there for two years but could not seal it.

The order from the Ministry was for BK International to proceed to Mahaicony and replace the two contractors. The Ministry also ordered BK International to use all resources necessary.

One resource that was not available at Mahaicony was geotextile fabric.

BK International was ordered to ship the fabric from Andrews on the Essequibo Coast. This is a material that cannot be obtained locally. It has to be imported. The company transferred the fabric in February but it was required to place a fresh order from the suppliers in the Netherlands.

At the time the COVID-19 pandemic was raging around the world.

Shipping supplies was a difficult task. The order that was made in March did not arrive in Guyana until September 18, 2020. That replacement shipment was not shipped

to Andrews until the following month.

Mr. Ganesh Sawh said that Minister Indar did not need to travel to Andrews on the Essequibo Coast to know about the transfer of the fabric. That information could have been provided by his technical team. It could also be obtained through a simple phone call to the company.

Instead, Mr. Indar was critical of the situation.

He told the local press that he would deal with BK International personally.

It would appear that Minister Indar is either misinformed or that he is getting personal with the company.

By this time BK International had sealed a 500-metre breach at Mahaicony in less than 40 days.

Commenting on the pace of the progress, Mr. Sawh said that the rip rap sea defence work is executed in five stages, each at a cost. Minister Indar had told the press that BK International had

been paid 70 per cent of the contract cost but had only completed 15 per cent of the work.

Mr. Sawh said that that was far from the truth. He said that the money paid in keeping with the contract represented 100 per cent of the material cost. The actual work that involved the foundation for the sea defence project was almost complete.

This aspect of the work cannot be seen at a glance because it is below the surface. It involves stabilizing the base of the sea defence project. The remainder of the project including labour is still unpaid.

There was also a problem with the acquisition of sand. The government sand pit on the Essequibo Coast was closed. The other sand pit located on a reservation was closed as soon as the rainy season began.

Mr. Sawh said that contrary to statements by Minister Indar It is clear that BK International is more than capable

12

Hon. Minister Deodat Indar of handling any and all sea defence projects. It constructed a 500 metre permanent sea defence structure at Affiance, Essequibo Coast in less than 30 days.

The company has more than 30 years of proven record and has completed an estimated 100 kilometres of sea defence

in Guyana.

On numerous occasions it was called on to replace contractors who could not complete those jobs or were unable to undertake the projects.

The Chief Engineer has said that the Andrews project would be completed within another six weeks.

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

Guyana Post, Friday January 8, 2021

El Dorado Trading says it contributed US$400 M to stabilize local economy in 2020 The gold trading business is in the spotlight and once more El Dorado Trading is at the centre.

The situation is such that the Financial Intelligence Unit has ordered a comprehensive review of the entire gold trading operation.

The Financial Intelligence Unit is responsible for flagging suspicious financial transactions. The FIU renewed its interest in the gold industry after the Royal Canadian Mint report that it was suspending trading in gold sold to the Guyana Gold board by El Dorado Trading.

This decision was sparked by reports that El Dorado Trading was connected to illegally traded gold from Venezuela. Toward the end of 2019 the FIU set about investigating whether the United States dollar traded by the cambios, both legal and illegal was funding the purchase of the illegal gold from Venezuela.

El Dorado Trading owned by Tamesh Jagmohan has a cambio licence. However, he is not known to operate a

cambio although he is reported in some quarters as being one of the largest cambio operators in Guyana.

Jagmohan claimed that he helped stabilize the local economy and the foreign exchange rate by contributing some US$400 million through the banking system by way of remittances from overseas.

This money was supposed to come from the sale of gold on the international scene.

In addition to the cambios the FIU also began to focus on gold dealers, one of whom

is Tamesh Jagmohan through his El Dorado Trading. It said that El Dorado Trading, L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio and Mohamed Enterprise were influencing the supply of foreign exchange, hence the exchange rate.

El Dorado trading is not a gold mining company. It buys its gold from miners.

The FIU noticed that the gold purchases and exports climbed steadily over the 2018 declaration.

Despite this increased business activity, declarations by El Dorado Trading of money coming into Guyana declined Continued on pg15

continued commitment to Guyana and its security.

The Command is one of the U.S Department of Defense’s six geographically-focused unified commands with responsibility for U.S. military operations in

the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

The Admiral is scheduled to meet with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Brigadier Godfrey Bess. He will discuss the bilateral security partnership between the United States and Guyana.

The Admiral will also take part in the signing of an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement between the militaries of Guyana and the U.S, which will facilitate exchanges of goods and services to support future bilateral defense cooperation.

The defense partnership between Guyana and the United States includes

collaboration against regional threats and challenges, capacitybuilding engagements, bilateral training, expertise exchanges, exercises, and participation in military education programs.

During the visit of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2020, a Shiprider agreement was signed which allows for maritime cooperation between Guyana and the United States.

The last visit from the Southern Command’s top military leader to Guyana was in 2017, when Guyana became the first South American nation to host the Caribbean Nations Security Conference.

US Admiral to visit Guyana

According to a release from the United States Embassy in Guyana, U.S. Navy Admiral, Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, will visit Guyana from January 11 to January 13 as part of the United States’

13

Early morning fire at Fogarty’s Building

A fire erupted at the Fogarty’s building shortly after nine Friday morning.

Around 9:32 a.m. the Guyana Fire Service received several calls reporting heavy smoke in the building. Units were dispatched from Central Fire Station, Alberttown Fire Station and West Ruimveldt Fire Station.

The fireboat ‘Protector’, which was commissioned in 2019, was also deployed since it would be useful in combatting fires at waterfront locations.

However, it was not utilized in this instance but is still on standby.

According to Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle, when firefighters arrived

on the scene they were met with heavy smoke in both the first and second floors. The fire, which was located in the kitchen, was isolated and completely extinguished.

The building still needs to be ventilated to remove the smoke and checked to ensure there are no small pockets of fire remaining.

Gentle added that the response from the Fire Service was prompt despite setbacks in moving from the Central Fire Station Gentle also said that the fire was believed to be electrical in origin, possibly from an extractor fan in the kitchen area.

Investigations into the fire are still ongoing.

61 year old found with illegal firearm

A 61-year-old man of Charlotte Street, Bourda was arrested after being found with a .38 revolver and 5 matching rounds on the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Thursday.

Police said the suspect was driving a car in a suspicious manner and a group of policemen, led by a Criminal

Investigation Department (CID) Officer, decided to stop him and conduct a search on both him and the vehicle.

During the search the illegal weapon and ammunition were discovered.

The man is in Police custody where he is assisting with investigations

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

Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations Guyana Post, Tuesday January 12, 2021

Separate law for local content won’t guarantee success – Greenidge

took note of the latest aggressive actions by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in furtherance of its spurious claim to Guyana’s territory.

It joined the Government of Guyana in condemning in the strongest possible terms, the implementation of any law by Venezuela

with extra territorial application and which seeks to give jurisdiction to Venezuela over marine and submarine areas solely on the basis of unilateral action, in contravention of international law and without due regard for the rights of Guyana.

The Committee said that

it supported the efforts of Government of Guyana to take all necessary actions to safeguard the national interests of Guyana and reiterates the sentiments already echoed that Guyana stands united and resolute in the protection of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

When Guyana discovered oil back in 2015, there were calls for Local Content Legislation.

Some believe this legal backing will be helpful in the country’s bid to ensure locals are able to enjoy the maximum benefits from the oil sector. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Finance, Carl Greenidge, claims that it does not mean success would be guaranteed.

Carl Greenidge was part of the Local Content Panel established by the Irfaan Ali administration last year to provide recommendations on a national policy.

Additionally, paying equal attention to the fact

Task Force has continuously e n g a g e d businesses to ensure compliance of the safety measures, some have breached the orders, jeopardising lives.

Minister A n t h o n y condemned this Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthon act. He said the Minister of Health, onus is also on individuals Dr. Frank Anthony is to make responsible cautioning the public choices and to refuse to against participating in participate in activities activities that pose a public that put them at risk of health threat. And the contracting Covid.

“This really is National COVID-19 Task Force has shut down some irresponsible behaviour businesses which violated because it puts people the gazetted precautionary at risk. So, if you know that the orders we put out measures.

Over the weekend, the clearly stipulates that bars Task Force closed several should not be opened popular businesses as nor should there be any it continues to ramp up indoor dining. Why are enforcement. While the you even patronising an

establishment that is in clear violation of these rules? People ought to be responsible as well as these businesses.”

Minister Anthony maintained that “no one is above the law” and that those found flouting the guidelines would be penalised.

“We have written to everybody and if there are any institutions that people are aware of that [are breaching the guidelines] I suggest that you contact the Task Force Secretariat and bring that to their attention,” he added.

Meanwhile, several regional administrations continue to employ strict measures to reduce the spread of the disease in their constituencies.

In the PomeroonSupenaam (Region Two), there are plans to establish a COVID-19 facility at the

Suddie Regional Hospital to treat infected persons.

Speaking on Monday, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh said the facility is expected to be completed next week.

“It was previously the maternity waiting home now converted to the COVID centre. It was used prior, but we would have seen that there is a need to modernise it and had some works done.”

The facility has 20 rooms which could accommodate two persons each. Dr. Singh said the goal is to ensure people in isolation are comfortable.

The Region also conducts contact tracing when a positive case is recorded to reduce further transmission of the disease. Currently, there are 15 active cases with 202 cases recorded overall

in Region Two. In Upper DemeraraBerbice (Region Ten), the regional administration launched an aggressive education and awareness campaign after it started to record a spike in Covid positive cases during the latter part of 2020.

Residents and businesses responded to the efforts, resulting in a massive reduction of infection.

Similarly, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) and Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) employed robust measures to clamp down on infections.

Recently, Region Three Regional Chairman, Sheik Ayube, said that following the reopening of the country, the regional administration established sanitisation stations at schools, government

The Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations was provided with an update on recent developments concerning the Guyana/ Venezuela issue by the Honorable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs, yesterday.

The Committee

that Guyana needs to implement existing laws and regulations related to human rights and labour.

Greenidge explained that existing laws and regulations require submission of material which can form foundation of better planning, monitoring and management of local content by companies.

He further stated that Guyana would be wise to also ensure that the relevant institutional arrangements among Government agencies for regulation are not missing and enhanced if they are found so that local content development is properly documented.

Task Force clamping down on businesses violating protective measures

14

buildings and at the Region’s major ports of entry – the Vreed-enHoop and Parika stellings.

COVID-19 testing sites were also constructed at key areas in the Region.

Additionally, the administration works closely with the police to ensure residents observe the gazetted COVID-19 preventative measures.

Since Guyana recorded its first Covid case in March 2020, Region Five embarked on a comprehensive education campaign, which has resulted in its low positive cases to date.

Aregional task force was set up to raise awareness about the dangers of the disease, particularly at hotspots. The Region’s police are also very active in ensuring that the protocols are enforced by conducting regular

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

EXXONMOBIL COMMENCES DRILLING OPERATIONS IN BULLETWOOD-1 WELL CANJE BLOCK

Westmount Energy announced that US oil giant ExxonMobil has begun drilling in the Bulletwood-1 well in the Canje Block, offshore Guyana.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said the well was spudded by the Stena Carron drillship which started drilling on December 31, 2020, in a water depth of 2,846 metres.

The Bulletwood-1 is the first well drilled in the Canje block.

The Canje Block lies some 180km offshore Guyana in deep to ultra-

COVID-19 CASES KEEP CLIMBING

TThe Ministry of Health recorded 41 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday January 8.

Twelve cases were recorded in Region One, one in Region Two, one in Region Three, 13 in Region Four, two in Region Five, one in Region Seven, four in Region Eight, four in Region Nine and three in

deep waters with an area of about 4800 sq km.

ExxonMobil operates it with a 35% interest while

Region Ten. The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 6,510.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently at 167.

As of January 8, there have been 40,410 persons tested for the virus. 6000 persons have recovered so far leaving 343 active cases in the country.

Minister Bharrat said Total has a 35% JHI Bulletwood-1 targets 17.5%, and Mid-Atlantic approximately 500 Oil and Gas Incorporated million barrels of oil 12.5% interest.

El Dorado Trading says it contributed US$400.........

Continued on pg13

significantly. It dropped from US$48 million in 2018 to much less in 2019.

There was also a high volume of declared currency being shipped out of Guyana. Some US$40 million was shipped out between 2018 and mid-2019. But the FIU said that much more money was being shipped out without being declared.

This is done by moving

sums below the threshold for declaration. The minimum threshold for declaration is US$10,000.

There were reports that the FIU reported to then Attorney General Basil Williams, a claim that Williams has denied.

Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan recalled arranging a meeting with the Bank of Guyana, the Guyana Gold Board and the Finance Intelligence Unit.

He said that this was

after the government learned that there was a large movement of US$100 notes across the border in Region One, to Venezuela.

There was a prevalence of smuggled money at Port Kaituma. Soon there was a shortage of US$100 notes. This was brought to the attention of Cabinet.

The concentration on the US$100 note was because it was easy to move to Venezuela in exchange for gold.

Jordan said that requests were made for several investigations but nothing materialised.

Jordan said that it would be interesting to see if the government mounts an investigation, especially in light of the fact that Jagmohan has paced the entire gold market at risk.

The Canadian Mint, the United Kingdom and the United States have blocked gold supplied by Jagmohan.

15

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

Twitter bans Donald Trump permanently

US President Donald Trump has been permanently suspended from Twitter “due to the risk of further incitement of violence”, the company says.

Twitter said the decision was made “after close review of recent Tweets from the @ r e a l D o n a l d Tr u m p account”.

It comes amid a Big Tech purge of the online platforms used by Mr Trump and his supporters.

Some lawmakers and celebrities have

been calling for years on Twitter to ban Mr Trump altogether.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted on Thursday that the Silicon Valley giants should stop enabling Mr Trump’s “monstrous behaviour” and permanently expel him.

Why was Trump banned?

Mr Trump was locked out of his account for 12 hours on Wednesday after he called the people who stormed the US Capitol “patriots”.

Hundreds of his supporters entered the complex as the US Congress attempted to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election.

The ensuing violence led to the deaths of four civilians and a police officer.

Twitter warned then that it would ban Mr Trump “permanently” if he breached the platform’s rules again.

After being allowed back on Twitter, Mr Trump posted two tweets on Friday that the

company cited as the final straws.

In one, he wrote: “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”

Twitter said this tweet “is being interpreted as further indication that President Trump does not plan to facilitate an

‘orderly transition’”.

In the next, the president tweeted: “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”

Twitter said this was “being received by a number of his supporters as further confirmation that the election was not legitimate”.

Twitter said both of these tweets were “in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy”.

After Twitter had

permanently suspended his @realDonaldTrump account, Mr Trump tweeted from the US president’s official @ Potus account suggesting he would “look at the possibilities of building out our own platform in the future” and railing against Twitter.

But the tweets were removed from the platform as soon as they were posted.

Ministry of Education replacing items stolen from Region One teachers

The Ministry of Education has vowed to replace the items which were stolen from teachers’ quarters at Port Kaituma, Region One. According to reports, during the Christmas holidays the teachers’ quarters were broken into and items stolen from two teachers. One of the victims stated that it is not the first time such an incident has occurred.

They had also previously written letters to the Department of

Education in the Region, highlighting the issues with the teachers’ quarters, but nothing was done.

“The thief easily ripped out my kitchen window mesh and my bedroom door which had two locks then went on to ransack the apartment…There was actually an attempt to break in on September 10, 2020.

“We alerted the relevant authorities via letters thinking that they would have at least put on some iron grills on the windows

but nothing was done…I am sick and tired of writing letters through the channel and waiting on the ‘process’. This is my breaking point as a teacher who is dedicated to serving the hinterland,” the teacher said.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, reached out to the affected teachers and gave assurances that their stolen items would be replaced.

So far, the dietary, cleaning and other items which were stolen have

been replaced through the Barima-Waini Department of Education.

The stolen electronic items had to be ordered externally and will be in the Region before the end of this week.

Repairs were also done

16

on the damaged parts of the building along with reinforcement of the steel mesh on the windows and a promise for the installation of grill barriers.

The Department of Education in the Region

has made arrangements for security guards to be rotated to guard the apartments during the night. Local Police have also agreed to make regular patrols in the neighbourhood.

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

Promotion halted for 14 senior ranks

Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper Fourteen senior police ranks are not being promoted because they are being investigated by the Guyana Police Force. However, there is a campaign afoot to promote these people.

Information emanating from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveal that Senior Superintendent Ewart Wray is being investigated for Illegal Data Interference.

This officer was the Deputy Chief Immigration Officer and had instructed his secretary, W/Sgt 20487 Sharper, to delete all government records from the computer system belonging to the Guyana Police Force at Immigration Head Office.

The Criminal Investigations Headquarters is currently conducting a criminal investigation into this matter.

Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper is being investigated for Dereliction of Duty.

This officer was the Commander for a Police Regional Division.

The Berbice unrest following the alleged murder of Isiah Henry and Joel Henry occurred during his tenure. It is alleged that he facilitated the unlawful activities by actively assisting

Senior Superintendent Phillip Azore protesters, and deliberately failed to take appropriate action.

He allegedly assisted with transportation.

This investigation is being conducted by CID Headquarters.

Senior Superintendent Phillip Azore is accused of Perverting the Course of Justice, Dereliction of duty and other offences.

During the General and Regional Elections 2020, this officer assumed command of Police Regional Division 4 ‘A’. He personally led the police riot unit and assaulted diplomats, candidates for election and staff evicting them from Splashmin Building which was rented by GECOM. This investigation is being conducted by CID Headquarters.

Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon is accused of Corruption by a Public Officer. This officer was stationed at the Narcotics Branch at Criminal Investigations Department. He was removed due to allegations of corrupt transactions.

As a consequence, the Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) commenced criminal investigation against this officer. The investigation is ongoing.

Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon

Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston is also accused of Corruption by a Public Officer. This Officer was stationed at the Criminal Investigations Department as Acting Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Crime.

Several allegations of corrupt transactions were made him. As a result, criminal investigations commenced by Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) which are ongoing.

Woman Senior Superintendent (ag) Marcia Washington is being investigated on a complaint of Larceny by clerk or Servant and otheroffences.

Subsequent to an audit conducted by the Auditor General’s Office, several financial irregularities were discovered which highlighted alleged criminal conduct. As a result, this officer was sent on leave and a criminal investigation commenced

by Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) Superintendent Walter Stanton is being investigated for Perverting the Course of Justice, Dereliction of duty and other offences, This officer was functioning as Deputy Commander Police

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus

Division 4‘A’. During his tenure, he allegedly conducted himself which prevented election officials and contending party officials from executing their lawful duties.

This investigation is being conducted by CID headquarters.

Deputy Superintendent Frank Jackman is accused of Larceny by clerk or Servant and other offences.

Subsequent to an audit conducted by the Auditor General Office, several financial irregularities were discovered which highlighted alleged criminal conduct.

As a result, this officer was sent on leave and a criminal investigation commenced by Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) W / D e p u t y Superintendent Fredella Boyce has a number of matters pending investigation. Trafficking in Person and corruption

by Servant are just two.

This rank is currently being investigated by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for alleged corrupt transaction.

This matter surround facilitating trafficking in Haitians and other foreign nationals.

This investigation is being conducted by

17

Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) W/ Assistant Superintendent Hollian Hooper is also being investigated for trafficking in Persons and corruption

by Servant.

This rank is currently being investigated by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for alleged corrupt transaction.

This matter surround facilitating trafficking in Haitians and other foreign nationals.

W/ Assistant Superintendent Jeanette Prince is also accused of Trafficking in Person and corruption by Servant This rank is currently being investigated by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for alleged corrupt transaction.

This matter surround facilitating trafficking in Haitians and other foreign nationals. This investigation is being conducted by Special Organised Crime Unit(S.O.C.U) A s s i s t a n t Superintendent Marlon Kellman is a suspect in the investigation of larceny by clerk or Servant and other offences.

Subsequent to an audit conducted by the Auditor General Office, several financial irregularities were discovered. These

Senior Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh highlighted alleged criminal conduct. As a result, this officer was sent on leave and a criminal investigation commenced

by Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) Inspector Lingard Walcott is being investigated for larceny by clerk or Servant and other offences.

Subsequent to an audit conducted by the Auditor General Office, several financial irregularities were discovered which highlighted alleged criminal conduct.

As a result, this officer was sent on leave and a criminal investigation commenced by Special Organised Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) Sergeant # 20478 Ayodele is accused of Illegal Data Interference.

The secretary to Deputy Chief Immigration Officer was the (DCIO) who deleted all government records from the computer system attached to Immigration Headquarters.

This matter is currently being investigated by the Cybercrime Unit at Criminal Investigations Department

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

TEN BABIES KILLED IN A FIRE AT LUSIGNAN WESTERN INDIA HOSPITAL PRISONER FOUND

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Ten newborns were killed on Saturday in a massive fire at a hospital in Maharashtra, India’s richest state, a doctor

said, as leading politicians expressed grief at the loss of life.

“The fire broke out at 2 a.m. (2030 GMT) today,” said Pramod Khandate,

civil surgeon at Bhandara District General Hospital in the western state. Seven of the 17 children in the Sick Newborn Care Unit were rescued, Khandate

told Reuters partner ANI. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thakre ordered a probe into the incident.

“Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter. “My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible.”

A number of other politicians, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed their grief.

Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 passenger plane feared to have crashed in Indonesia

(BBC) A Boeing 737 passenger plane carrying 62 people is believed to have crashed into the sea shortly after take-off from Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.

The Sriwijaya Air plane lost contact four minutes into its journey to Pontianak in West Kalimantan province.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24.com said the aircraft lost more than 3,000m (10,000ft) in altitude in less than a minute.

Witnesses said they had seen and heard at least one explosion.

Fisherman Solihin, who goes by one name, told the BBC Indonesian

service he had witnessed a crash and his captain decided to return to land.

“The plane fell like lightning into the sea and exploded in the water,” he said.

“It was pretty close to us, the shards of a kind of plywood almost hit my ship.”

A number of residents of an island near where the plane disappeared told the BBC they had found objects they thought were from the plane.

The transport ministry

said search and rescue efforts were under way.

The Indonesian navy has been deployed to look for the aircraft, reports say. Navy official Abdul

Rasyid told Reuters news agency it had determined the plane’s coordinates and ships had been deployed to the location.

The aircraft is not a 737

18

WITH MARIJUANA

A 23-year-old inmate who was being held on remand at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was found with seven grams of marijuana on his person.

The inmate was searched around 2:25 p.m. and a small transparent bag containing a quantity

of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, was found in the waist of his pants.

It was handed over to the Police and was weighed at seven grams. The inmate was told of the offence and cautioned. He then admitted to ownership of the marijuana.

Max, the Boeing model that was grounded from March 2019 until last December following two deadly crashes.

Last contact with the plane, with the call sign

the island of Borneo, is 90 minutes.

It did not send a distress signal, according to the head of national search and rescue agency Air Marshal Bagus Puruhito.

There were thought to be 50 passengers - including seven children and three babies - and 12 crew on board, though the plane has a capacity of 130.

Relatives of the passengers have been waiting anxiously at the airport in Pontianak.

“I have four family members on the flight - my wife and my three children,” Yaman Zai told reporters through tears. “[My wife] sent me a picture of the baby today...

How could my heart not be torn into pieces?”

SJY182, was made at 14:40 local time (07:40 GMT), according to the transport ministry.

The usual flight time to Pontianak, in the west of

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

PNC/R CHAIR VOLDA LAWRENCE MAKES POLICE DOATION TO GRIEVING GRANDMOTHER COMMANDER OF BARTICA TRIPLE MURDER VICTIMS OFFERS TO Councillor Shonelle the grieving grandmother PAY GRA FOR expressed her Smith-Daniels, visited and who made a monetary donation gratitude for the donations SMUGGLED along with food and other and the kind words that items to the grandmother the team brought. She said ALCOHOL it really hurts to know that of Caroline Kennedy.

Chairperson of the PNC/R and former Minister of Public Health, Mrs. Volda Lawrence

OnThursday, December 17, Chairperson of the PNC/R and former Minister of Public Health,

Mrs. Volda Lawrence, along with a small group of party officials including Mr. James Bond and

the children are gone too.

Police have arrested the man who is reportedly responsible for their inhumane deaths in their Four Miles Squatting Area, Bartica house.

Mrs. Lawrence remarked that she was happy to bring some cheer to the grandmother at this time, on behalf of the PNC/R and expressed hope that justice is served in an expeditious manner in this case.

Caroline and her two children five-year-old Mariana Downer and three-year-old Gabriella Kennedy were killed on December 13.

The former Public Health Minister also visited the site of the gruesome triple murder that rocked the Township earlier this month. She was accompanied by Mayor of Bartica, Mr. Gifford Marshall, and Regional Chairman Mr. Kenneth Williams.

The team then visited

Five injured after West Berbice accident

Keithon King, Regional Commander of Region Nine, has offered the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) payment on the taxes of smuggled liquor which he was found with.

King and two junior ranks, were found with the uncustomed alcohol on Tuesday after GRA officers conducted a search of the vehicle the three were travelling in.

The Guyana Police

Force (GPF) issued a statement saying that it was aware of the incident.

Public Relations Officer of the GPF, Royston Andries-Junor, said on Wednesday that the commander and the two ranks have remained on duty despite the incident.

The incident is still being investigated by the GRA. It is currently unknown if the GRA has accepted King’s offer to pay the taxes.

LOGGER FOUND DEAD AFTER ARGUMENT WITH GIRL FRIEND

Five persons are now injured following a five-vehicle accident on Wednesday along the Rising Sun Public Road, West Coast Berbice.

The vehicle which initiated the accident was PLL 5896, driven by 23-year-old Odinga Hercules, a police constable attached to the Traffic Department at the Cove and John Police Station.

15-year-old Shania Giddings, a student of Presidents’ College,

was also a passenger in the vehicle.

The other vehicles were HB 6383 driven by 40-year-old Delroy Fraser; HC 7137 driven by 32-year-old Kellon James with two passengers, Rebecca Crossman, 52, and Thandie Crossman, 27; PYY 9093 driven by 26-year-old Osricks Reynolds; and minibus BYY 2757 driven by 29-year-old Delroy Lawrence.

A statement from Police

Headquarters said that Hercules was speeding along the northern side of the road behind the minibus and motorcar HC 7137.

While attempting to overtake the vehicles, Hercules hit the car, causing it to hit the rear of the minibus. Hercules’ vehicle continued to collide with the cars driven by Reynolds and Fraser before crashing into a utility pole.

The injured persons

were taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital and then later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital for treatment.

Rebecca Crossman and Thandie Crossman were admitted for fractured hips, Odinga Hercules for a fractured right foot, Shaina Giddings for a fractured right arm, and Kellon James for observation.

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Krishna Nandalall, 44, also known as “Wallis”, of Letter Kenny Village, East-Berbice, Corentyne was remanded to prison by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after being charged with the attempted murder of his wife, Rajmattie Punni on December 2, 2020.

It is alleged that Punni was attacked and stabbed several times by her husband in their home after an argument. Their 13-year-old son heard his mother screaming and ran back to the house where he saw his father armed with a knife over his mother’s body.

The boy managed to push his father off of Punni who ran away and

collapsed in a neighbour’s yard. She was taken to the Port Mourant hospital and then transferred to the New Amsterdam hospital, where she spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit. She has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering.

Nandalall fled the scene after the incident and turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday.

His attorney asked the court to consider bail since his client turned himself in but it was objected by the prosecutor, Orin Joseph, who noted that police were searching for Nandalall for two weeks.

Nandalall was not required to plea to the charge and has been remanded until January 11, 2021.

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

Police visit more woes on Henry family, elder brother arrested, assaulted

In the wake of the gruesome murders of Joel and Isaiah Henry, the family continues to experience hostility at the hands of the police.

Yesterday, attorney at law, Nigel Hughes, who is representing the interests of the Henrys, stated, “You are the brother of

Joel Henry who was slaughtered in a most heinous manner.

“Over three months have passed without any meaningful advance of the investigation into the ghastly crime. You have zero confidence in the police. You are angry with them for treating your

brother’s murder with scant regard.

“There have been protests and arrests, slothfulness, police inaction and a government clearly reluctant to seek or accept competent independent, international assistance.

“Through the efforts of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), attorneys and wellwishers, an international expert comes to Guyana on a fact-finding mission.

“He meets with the minister and police hierarchy who clearly refuse to accept his assistance or provide the documents required for him to meaningfully assist in the investigation.

Instead they launch into a political tirade.

“The international expert does a presentation at a famous church in Georgetown to which

the public and media are invited.

“You, your mother and other relatives travel from your West Coast Berbice home to the event. After the event concludes you begin to make your way back home.

“Just as you are settling into your journey you encounter a police road block on the lower East Coast Demerara, outside the Sprendaam Police Station.

“You are not speeding.

You are not driving dangerously or recklessly.

You show no signs of being under the influence of alcohol. You are not acting suspiciously. Police, without any reasonable cause, nonetheless ask you to produce your driver’s license.

“You realise that in the haste to attend the event you forgot your license at home. You explain this to

the officer and produce a photograph of your valid license. You explain to the police who you are, who you passengers are and where you are coming from.

“Any sane, sensible and compassionate officer will simply wave you on your way and urge you to continue driving safely. They may even express regret that the investigation into your brother’s murder has not yet concluded.

Instead you are incited, mocked, harassed, detained and assaulted.

And as the news continued, one commentator reported that just when you thought the Henry family had endured enough, this happens.

The report continued that while the Henry family was returning home after attending Director of the Argentine

Team of Forensic Anthropology (EAAF) Dr. Luis Fondebrider’s presentation the family members were stopped at Sparendaam police station.

Colwyn Henry who was driving was unable to produce his driver’s licence because he had forgotten it at home in the rush to get to Brickdam Cathedral. He produced a photograph of his licence which was in the phone which showed that it was valid until April 2021.

He was arrested placed in leg irons and assaulted by six police officers. The images of the injuries sustained are visible in the pictures Despite the intervention of his lawyers and GHRA he remains injured and in custody. Gail Johnson, mother of Joel Henry was also arrested. She fainted twice while in custody.

JUDGE REJECTS TRUMP ORGANIZATION’S CLAIM OF PRIVILEGE TO SHIELD DOCUMENTS FROM NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL A judge in New York on Tuesday rejected President Donald Trump’s claim of attorney-client privilege that could have shielded documents from the New York Attorney General’s office.

The Trump Organization was given until Friday to turn over documents from the engineer of its Seven Springs Estate, a property in Westchester County being investigated by Attorney General, Tish James, over how it was valued by the organization while seeking tax benefits from New York state.

At issue is whether the property’s conservation easement is legitimate.

The president’s son, Eric, sat for a deposition.

James’ office is looking into whether an improper

valuation let the Trump Organization take a $21 million tax deduction.

The Trump Organization had argued the engineer’s documents were privileged because they helped lawyers value the property, but Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that none of those documents met the standard of confidentiality.

By December 18, 2020, the Trump Organisation must produce all communications with Ralph Mastromonaco to the New York Attorney General’s office,” Engoron said.

Seven Springs is one of four Trump Organization properties that claimed New York state tax deductions and is part of

an investigation that will follow the president once he leaves office.

The company had been asserting privilege over documents involving Mastromonaco, an engineer involved in the property’s appraisal.

“There is no accountant-

client privilege, and there is no engineerdeveloper privilege,” Eric Haren, of the attorney general’s office, said Tuesday during oral arguments.

Haren claimed the Trump Organization effectively waived privilege over the

20

property’s appraisal when the company submitted it to the IRS, though the judge initially questioned the argument.

“Is that your position? If you give the IRS a request for a deduction that anything that had to do with it is waived?”

Judge Arthur Engoron asked.

“At no time did we waive any privilege assertions,” said Amy Carlin, an attorney for the Trump Organization.

She also argued Mastromonaco was performing a function covered by privilege doctrine. The fact that Mastromonaco was initially retained to provide certain specific engineering work doesn’t mean that he wasn’t also ultimately performing a

Kovel function,” Carlin said, referring to a legal principle that extends attorney-client privilege to other sources of expert advice.

“What is the evidence that Mastromonaco was acting as an expert to explain things?” Engoron asked.

The investigation stems from the congressional testimony of Michael Cohen, the president’s former fixer and attorney, who has pleaded guilty to lying and campaign finance violations.

“It was my experience that Mr. Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes, such as trying to be listed amongst the wealthiest people in Forbes, and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes,” Cohen said in February 2019.

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

GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY REELING AFTER RUSSIAN HACKERS PIERCE INTERNAL NETWORKS

WA S H I N G T O N — The discovery this weekend that Russian hackers used sophisticated techniques to infiltrate a broad swath of government and corporate networks to steal sensitive information sent cybersecurity experts into a panic, leaving open the question of how the U.S. will respond.

The attribution was made on Sunday, according to one source familiar with the matter, who said the spy group responsible for the breach is known to the military and

intelligence community.

U.S. Cyber Command, the military combatant command charged with pursuing U.S. enemies in cyberspace, is closely involved in investigating the infiltration, as it may be asked “to respond” to the Russian espionage campaign at a future date, the source said.

The government has reportedly fingered APT29, or Advanced Persistent Threat 29, sometimes called Cozy Bear, a Russian hacking group associated with the Kremlin’s foreign

intelligence service, SVR, as the culprit.

Cozy Bear has also been tied to spying on COVID-19 vaccine data as well as U.S. and foreign government agencies and think tanks.

“They are going to have to respond,” said another national security official, who noted that the U.S. government might try and keep SVR offline or shut off their network connectivity, as retaliation.

One national security official described the atmosphere within the government as “chaos,”

GUYANA RECORDS TWO MORE COVID-19 DEATHS Two more Guyanese succumbed to the novel coronavirus yesterday.

Their deaths has brought the total number to 158.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH) the latest fatalities are a 93-year-old male and a 71-year-old woman, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

These persons died while receiving care at our medical facility.

So far for this month six persons have died from COVID-19.

In a press release,

the MOH expressed sincerest condolences to the families of the two deceased and will make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to render any assistance needed.

The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the two deceased and their families and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace.

All Guyanese are reminded to

observe the protocols of the COVID-19 E M E R G E N C Y MEASURES (NO.11), which are in effect until December 31, 2020, the release said.

This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good handhygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

forcing cybersecurity workers to scramble to pick up the pieces over the weekend.

“We’re honestly just trying to get a handle on what it all means and what or how much was stolen or made vulnerable,” said one congressional aide.

The intrusions into government systems, which were first reported

by Reuters, included the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments, and may be “only the tip of the iceberg,” according to one

national security official.

By Monday night, the Washington Post reported that the State Department and the National Institutes of Health were also among the victims.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing from SolarWinds, the company whose software was used as a foothold to get into sensitive networks, “fewer than 18,000” customers were using the vulnerable product.

The company says hackers “inserted a vulnerability” into its Orion monitoring products, malicious code that was included in new product downloads as well as security updates between March and June 2020.

Any customer who purchased or updated software during that period, including “more than 425 of the U.S. Fortune 500” and “all five branches of the U.S. military,” according to a recently removed list of the company’s customers, may have been compromised.

Cybersecurity experts fear the ramifications of the attack could be “really,

really bad,” said one national security official, referring to the scope of access the attackers had to entire networks for months and months before being detected.

Another former intelligence officer involved in cyber operations said the Russian actors appeared to have spent significant time planning the operation and did an excellent job to “conceal their presence” on networks.

Those responsible for identifying breaches are so busy that finding the time to investigate “what by all appearances is a legitimate account” or software update doesn’t make sense, they explained.

However, given that the government has been the victim of massive breaches a number of times over recent years, including the theft of millions of sensitive employee personal records from the Office of Personnel Management in 2015, something needs to change. “We can’t be having these oncein-a-decade breaches happening every couple years like this,” they said.

(Jenna McLaughlin)

SPEEDING CBR KILLS ELDERLY MAN ON SMALLER MOTORBIKE

A speeding CBR motor cycle crashed into a smaller motor bike ridden by a 60-year-old man on Tuesday on the Cumberland East Canje Public Road, killing him instantly.

Dead is Clifton Sukhoo of Lot 70 New Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice. The accident

21

occurred around 12:20 hr.

Sukhoo was proceeding South on the eastern drive lane on his motorbike CH8875 when he was struck by a CBR Suzuki 500 motorbike CG 5056 driven by Salim Baksh, 35, of Lot 63 East Canefield East Canje Berbice.

It is reported that Sukhoo had taken his bike to the mechanic to be repaired and was on his way home when he was struck and killed. He had stopped at the center of the road in an effort to turn into New Street Cumberland to head home when he was struck from the rear by the CBR which was proceeding at a

fast rate of speed.

As a result of the collision, Sukhoo was reportedly hurled into the air. He landed some distance away. Both riders fell onto the road surface and received injuries.

They were picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to New Amsterdam Hospital where Sukhoo was pronounced dead on arrival. Baksh was admitted for treatment and his condition has been listed as serious.

The body of Sukhoo was taken to the Hospital Mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem examination.

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

SOCU withdraws charges a gainst Ashni Singh, W inston Br assington

National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington, Dr Ashni Singh

The charges filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit against Dr Ashni Singh and former Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington, were withdrawn this morning.

SOCU Prosecutors

indicated to the court that they did not wish to proceed with the matters.

Singh is currently minister with responsibility for Finance while Brassington is now head of the Gas-toShore Taskforce.

The withdrawal of the charges comes weeks after Chief Justice Roxane

George dismissed a challenge to the legality of the charges filed by lawyers for the two Government officials.

Dr Singh and Brassington had argued that the charges laid against them by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), were politically

motivated and without merit. As such, they had asked the High Court to quash the charges.

It was in April 2018, that Dr Singh and Brassington were charged with misconduct in public office over the sale of several plots of state lands below the market value. Charges were recommended against them after SOCU completed its investigations into the controversial Pradoville 2 Housing Scheme at Sparendaam, East Coast of Demerara, and sent a file to the police legal advisor.

Dr Singh and Brassington were each ordered to post $6 million bail following their appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan back in 2018.

The first charge against them had alleged that on May 14, 2011, at Lot 126 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown— sold a tract of land being 10.002 acres of Plantation Turkeyen, East Coast of Demerara – property of the state of Continued on pg23

GYSM SEEKS JUSTICE IN THE MURDERS OF JOEL AND ISAIAH HENRY stolen by the gruesome

The Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) the youth arm of the People’s National Congress Reform

continues to call for justice to be served in the case of Joel and Isaiah Henry.

The cousins were murdered in the backlands

of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice.

“We have noted that 100 days have elapsed since our nation’s peace was

double murder of the Henry boys; whose bodies were discovered in the backdam of Cotton Tree.

“These young men, aged 18 and 15, were robbed of the opportunity to aid in building our nation’s patrimony,” GYSM noted in a statement.

Sadly, the action of the Guyana Police Force has caused many to question its willingness to bring the perpetrators to justice, GYSM stated.

“This barbaric act has not been met with the requisite

22

GUYANESE NATIONAL CONVICTED IN US TERROR PLOT DEPORTED

Compton Eversley, aka Abdel Nur

( C a r i b b e a n News Global) PHILADELPHIA, USA – Officers with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed a Guyanese national Thursday, following his conviction and sentencing in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) for his role in a mid-2000s plot to attack a New York international airport.

On January 13, 2011, Compton Eversley, aka Abdel Nur, 70, was convicted and sentenced in a Brooklyn federal court to 168 months in prison for providing material support to a conspiracy that planned to attack the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in Jamaica, New York, by exploding fuel tanks and the fuel pipeline under the airport. Eversley believed the attack would cause extensive damage to the airport and to the New York economy, as well as the loss of numerous lives.

Eversley was admitted to the US by immigration officials at the port of entry in Niagara Falls, New York, as a nonimmigrant visitor in March 1988. He was authorized to remain for up to six months but failed to depart in accordance with the terms of his admission.

On October 24, 1988, the 17th Circuit Court of Broward County, Florida, convicted Eversley of possession of cocaine and cannabis. He was

sentenced to 60 days confinement.

That December, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BCS) transferred Eversley to the custody of the then Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), based on his overstaying his lawful entry.

On January 30, 1989, an immigration judge in Miami issued him a final order of removal (deportation order) and in March 1989 Eversley was removed to Guyana.

In January 2006, an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force began investigating an international plot to attack JFK International Airport. The investigation revealed Eversley and his co-conspirators conspired to bomb fuel tanks, airport hangers, airplanes, fuel lines and a flight control tower at JFK. The FBI determined Eversley played a substantial role in the plot to attack the facility. He engaged in numerous meetings with other members of the conspiracy and agreed to serve as a liaison with obtaining the support of several known terrorist organizations with executing the scheme.

On June 1, 2007, the EDNY issued an arrest warrant for Eversley and three days later the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service arrested him in the city of Port of Spain, and held him Continued on pg23

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

PNCR GEORGETOWN DISTRICT SOCU withdraws SPREADS CHRISTMAS charges CHEER IN EAST AND WEST against...

RUIMVELDT

Former Minister of Public Health, Mrs. Volda Lawrence dsitributing Christmas Gifts

Excitement filled the air in the communities of East and West Ruimveldt on Saturday December 12, 2020 as the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Georgetown District conducted a toy distribution exercise.

Former Minister of Public Health, Mrs. Volda Lawrence, who is also the Chairperson of the PNCR, was accompanied

by Councillors Ms. Eketa Edwards, Mrs. Shonelle Smith-Daniels and Mr. Denroy Tudor; and

Chairman of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement, Mr. Ryan Belgrave. They conducted the distribution.

Mrs. Lawrence noted that this annual exercise is in keeping with the commitment by the party’s

Georgetown District.

She added that this year, the number of toys to be distributed has increased Continued from pg22 from 700 to 900 which will Guyana for the sum of situated on the East Coast ensure more communities $185,037,000 without of Demerara, 103 acres, in Georgetown benefit first having procured being property of the State from the exercise. a valuation of the said of Guyana for the sum She said that this is property from a competent of $598,659,39 without what her party does every valuation officer. first having procured year. In other parts of the It was further alleged a valuation of the said country, there are other that Dr. Ashni Singh and property from a competent members who undertake Brassington on December valuation officer. similar exercises.

30, 2008, at Lot 126 It was further alleged Mrs. Lawrence Barrack Street, Kingston, that Dr. Singh and expressed gratitude for Georgetown, by way of Brassington between the support received from Agreement of Sale and October 26, 2010, and Friends in Washington Purchase without due December 20, 2010, at D.C., Guyanese men diligence, sold to Scady Lot 126 Barrack Street, and women who enjoy Business Corporation, Kingston, Georgetown, the smiling faces of our a 4.7 acres tract portion by way of Agreement of children. of Plantation Liliendaal, Sale and Purchase, acted The team will be East Coast Demerara, for recklessly when they sharing Christmas cheer $150M knowing that the sold to Queens Atlantic in other areas during this said property was valued Investment Inc., Sanata week. at $340M. Textiles Complex, with This valuation was done building and erections

by Rodrigues Architects thereon.

Associate, a competent Tht plot was Parcel valuation officer.

4702, Part of Plantation It was also alleged that Ruimveldt, situated on the two on December the East Bank Demerara, 28, 2009, at Lot 126 being 18.871 acres, for determined by officers Barrack Street, Kingston, $697,864,800 plus VAT, that the masks were Georgetown, by way of knowing that the said Agreement of Sale and property was valued at the counterfeit.

Cincinnati Port Purchase, acted recklessly sum of $1,042,403,500.

Director, Richard when they sold to National It was therefore being Guyana sold at a price that was Gillespie, said in light of Hardware current health concerns in Limited, a tract of land grossly undervalued, the United States, officers at Plantation Liliendaal, thereby creating a breach have amplified efforts to Pattensen, and Turkeyen, of their duties.” find fake medical supplies.

If the shipment of masks was genuine, it would have a collective manufacturer’s suggested retail price value of Continued from pg22 US$6,688 (about in custody pending transferred Eversley extradition to the United to ERO custody in States.

Philadelphia, where he Following completion was served a Notice of the extradition, on and Order of Expedited June 24, 2008, the FBI Removal. extradited him from ICE officers released Trinidad and Tobago Eversley to Guyanese Guyana Human Rights to the United States via officials in Georgetown, Association and the Black San Juan, Puerto Rico. Guyana, December 10, Lives Matters Movement- US Customs and Border without incident.

Guyana for their continued Protection (CBP) paroled ICE is focused on push to see justice realized Eversley into the United removing public safety in this matter. We pray that States to face criminal threats, such as convicted God provides peace and prosecution. criminal aliens and gang strength to the families On April 24, 2020, members, as well as of the Henry boys, as following completion individuals who have they experience their first of his sentence, the violated our nation’s Christmas without them.” US Bureau of Prisons immigration laws.

OVER 6,000 COUNTERFEIT MASKS DESTINED FOR JAMAICA SEIZED IN US

More than 6,000 counterfeit masks which were destined for Kingston, Jamaica, from Hong Kong, were intercepted by United States Customs and Border Protection officers

in Cincinnati, US. It was reported by CBP that on December 6, an incoming shipment of 38 boxes containing 6,080 masks labelled as 3M Disposable Respirators Model 8210 was inspected

by its officers.

Discrepancies were discovered as the shipment did not match the requirements for the “3M Safe Guard product authentication process”, CBP stated, according to a Fox19 News report.

Additionally, CBP said the boxes were reportedly labelled as “Made in US even though they were imported through a freight forwarder in Hong Kong”.

Following the inspections, it was

GUYANESE NATIONAL CONVICTED...

GYSM SEEKS JUSTICE IN THE MURDERS........ alacrity that is needed to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. On the contrary, we have witnessed the political mechanization of the Guyana Police Force by the People’s Progressive Party to victimize, disrepute, terrorize and falsely present trumped up charges to members

of the People’s National Congress Reform.

“These odious acts in combination with the ethnic cleansing of our public sector, the swift return of a narco-state, the absent-minded approach to managing COVID-19 and regressive economic policies

have rapidly caused the devolution of our nation.”

GYSM has now called on the PPP to stop utilizing the Guyana Police Force as a political football or a dictatorial appendage and focus on bringing the killers of Joel and Isaiah Henry to justice.

“We wish to commend the

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

HUGO CHAVEZ CENTRE TO PROVIDE FREE DRUG REHAB SERVICES

STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION KEY TO RECOVERY FROM THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IN THE CARIBBEAN

Hugo Chavez Centre

Persons struggling with substance abuse will soon be able to access free treatment at the Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, has said that the government will restructure the Centre to provide drug rehabilitation services, in keeping with its original mandate.

This will be the first such programme initiated and funded by the State.

She said the facility

had been underutilised over the years and had, instead, been used to accommodate indigent persons.

“It was intended for drug rehabilitation and so, I have done a full tour of that place so it will be refurbished in the areas that need refurbishing and it will be repurposed for drug rehabilitation,” the Minister said.

Dr. Persaud added that her Ministry, in collaboration with the Attorney General Chambers, will be launching a ‘mega’ programme to deal

with all facets of drug rehabilitation.

Engagements have already been held with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall on the matter.

“We do take the whole issue of substance abuse very seriously and that mushrooms out into a lot of other problems in our country so, it is taking a hands-on approach in dealing with that issue.”

The ultimate goal is to help addicts transition back into society.

While the initiative is a first for the Government,

the administration provides annual subventions to the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Centre, which offers rehabilitation and readjustment programmes to alcohol and drug addicts.

The Hugo Chavez Centre was built in 2013 with a $420 million grant from Venezuela.

It boasts a recreational centre, medical centre, kitchen, conference room and training and dining facilities.

MESSAGE ON LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 2021

Fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy and varied diet.

They provide the human body with an abundance of nutrients, strengthen immune systems and help lower risks for a number of diseases. Yet, despite these tremendous benefits, we do not consume enough of them.

By declaring 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, we are taking a closer look at a critical sector and urging the adoption of a more holistic approach to production and consumption that benefits human and environmental health.

A key moment in the

International Year of Fruits and Vegetables will be the Food Systems Summit where we will call on all stakeholders to intensify efforts to make food systems more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the role our food systems play in fighting hunger, ending poverty and protecting our planet.

Yet, today, rising populations, increased urbanization, the growing scarcity of natural resources, agricultural pollution and land use change, high levels of food loss and waste and the impacts of climate change are all highlighting

the fragility of our food systems.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the health and livelihoods of people across the world, we must come together to ensure that nutritious food, including fruits and vegetables, reaches the most vulnerable, leaving no one behind.

Let us use this International Year to rethink our relationship with how we produce and consume food. Let us reexamine our food systems and commit to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable world where everyone can access and afford the diverse nutrition they need.

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Jamaica’s tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett.

Regional and global multi-stakeholder policy collaboration is key in ensuring the Caribbean’s full recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Jamaica’s tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett.

Bartlett stated that COVID has brought tourism in the Caribbean to a point where “nothing will, probably, ever be the same again. Countries have to be smart and put collective minds together to tackle this common enemy and prepare for that post-COVID-19 era.

The tourism minister mentioned the Global Tourism Resilience and

Crisis Management Centre task is to lead the Caribbean’s COVID-19 recovery effort.

It will continue to strengthen collaboration with its network of local, regional and international partners, to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on destinations.

Meanwhile, Jamaica has secured just over 860,000 airline seats for the 2020 – 2021 winter season, which begins December 15.

Bartlett urged tourism industry stakeholders to maintain integrity the established COVID-19 health and safety protocols

The Ministry of Health recorded 79 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, December 10.

11 cases were recorded in Region One, 22 in Region Two, five in Region Four, four in Region Five, nine in Region Six, two in Region Seven, and 26 in Region Ten.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 5,811.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently at 155.

As of December 10, there have been 33,020 persons tested for the virus. 4,925 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 731.

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

ICJ to deliver judgment on US and Panama question of jurisdiction in partner to Guyana v. Venezuela case combat illicit drugs

The International Court of Justice has formally notified the Government of Guyana that the Judgement of the Court on the question of Jurisdiction in the case

Guyana v. Venezuela will be read in open court on Friday, December 18, 2020, at 3:00 pm (The Hague Time) at the Peace Palace.

Due to the COVID-19

pandemic, representation at the reading will be limited to two per State.

The Government of Guyana will be represented at these hearings by H.E. David

Hales, Ambassador of Guyana to Belgium and non-resident Ambassador to the Netherlands and Mr Lloyd Gunraj, First Secretary, Embassy of Guyana, Brussels

GRANGER DECLINES MEETING OF FORMER PRESIDENTS

Former President David Granger

Former President David Granger has declined to meet with former presidents. The invitation was contained in a letter dated December 4, from Gail Teixeira, Minister of Governance inviting him to a ‘working lunch’ at 12:00 hours on Tuesday 1ecember 15, at State House.

Brig. Granger noted that Teixeira’s letter, however, neither explained amply the purpose of the intended meeting nor recommended an agenda for his examination.

“There was no indication of the preparation that would be needed, the relevance

of the engagement to government policies and the outcome that would be expected from deliberations.

“The President’s intention on the other hand, according newspaper reports was to generate ideas on ‘Guyana’s development’.”

Granger said that he regards ‘Guyana’s development as a serious matter’, recalling that, on 1st January 2020, he launched ‘Guyana’s decade of development, 2020 – 2029: Overcoming crime, disease, ignorance and poverty’ in which he outlined his concept for the country’s long-term

development.

Granger added that there is public concern about certain governmental actions – including the high rates of deaths as a result of the pandemic; unwarranted dismissals of public servants; harassment of Elections Commission officials and human rights violations – which can have consequences for Guyana’s short, medium and long-term national development.

Granger emphasized that it would be a huge public disappointment for the proposed highlevel meeting to take place, hurriedly, in an

unorganized, unplanned manner and without a predictable prospect of progress or success.

He felt that it would be a blunder to ignore the legitimate concerns of a significant section of the population and the aspirations of the majority of our people, especially those enduring the privations of the pandemic.

He recommended, therefore, that the meeting intended to be held on Tuesday December 15, 2020 be deferred until these important issues could be satisfactorily settled.

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(Caribbean News Global) WASHINGTON, USA – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) acting administrator Timothy Shea arrived in Panama this week on an official visit, marking the first time a DEA administrator visited Panama, a hub for regional DEA operations.

Upon his arrival, acting administrator Shea and United States Chargé d’Affaires to Panama Stewart Tuttle met with the president of Panama Laurentino Cortizo, Panama’s attorney general Eduardo Ulloa, public security minister Juan Pino, and other high-level Panamanian security officials.

The US delegation reaffirmed its longstanding law enforcement relationship with Panama and its role in maintaining security in the region.

“Panama is a critical trans-shipment point for drug cartels operating in South America and those operating in Mexico,” said acting administrator

Shea. “DEA’s relationship with the government and citizens of Panama is based on our shared commitment to combatting these threats and protecting our communities and families from the scourge of drug trafficking.

“I am honored to personally convey my thanks for the critical support Panama has provided DEA and affirm our commitment to this ever-important and enduring relationship.”

Acting administrator Shea’s visit to Panama underscores the broader bilateral security agenda and helps lay the groundwork for the annual US-Panama HighLevel Security Dialogue (HLSD) scheduled to take place in Panama December 10.

At this event, senior government officials will hold bilateral security talks regarding efforts to combat drug trafficking and money laundering in the region.

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

CORENTYNE FISHERMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD DIES AFTER SUSPECTED KILLING DRINKING BUDDY DURING 2016

Ravi Kumar Sharma, called “Posho”,

A Corentyne fisherman who killed his drinking buddy back in 2016 has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Henry Trim, called “Buddy”, 31, a fisherman of No 60 Village Corentyne, Berbice is on trial for the unlawful death of Ravi Kumar Sharma, called “Posho”, 24, of the same village. The act was reportedly committing between 28th and 29th November 2016 at the above village.

He is appearing before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Berbice

High Court. Representing the State is State Prosecutor Attorney at Law Abigail Gibbs.

Trim who had turned himself in and has been incarcerated since 2016 indicated to the court that he would like to plea.

His subsequent guilty plea to the lesser count of manslaughter was accepted by the state.

Trim was described as a close friend, who would visit the home of the deceased, regularly.

Sharma’s body was found in his yard about 06:00h on a Tuesday

morning with multiple lacerations about the body.

It was reported that the now-dead Sharma who was residing with his mother, was said to be an alcoholic. The night before, he reportedly went home intoxicated and ordered her to vacate the home which she did. She returned about 06:00hrs the next day and discovered his lifeless body in their yard.

She had spoken to him and told him to get up and go upstairs. She went to the back yard and upon returning she noticed he

was still there. She realized that something was amiss.

After taking a closer look at him, she realised blood was on his body.

She immediately began to run and scream for help. Her screams alerted neighbours. Police subsequently arrived on the scene and the body was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival.

Trim had told investigators that he went to the home of the deceased the night before.

He said that during the visit, there was a heated exchange. He was struck to his head by Sharma.

In retaliation, he picked up a cutlass and severely broad-sided the deceased.

He said he went away.

The suspect reported that he had returned to the house the following morning and saw a crowd and Sharma’s lifeless body in a pool of blood in the yard. He subsequently left. Justice Reynolds has ordered a probation report before the sentence is passed.

ELECTROCUTION

An eight-year-old boy from Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara, died on Wednesday morning from apparent electrocution while playing with an electric drill.

The child, Daishaun Doris, was at home with his 21-year-old sister.

Around 11:00 a.m. he went downstairs but did not come back up.

His sister said she called out to him and got no response. A few minutes later, a cousin arrived and told her that Daishaun was lying in the yard.

The sister went downstairs and found Daishaun lying motionless on the ground with a drill in his hand and froth

coming from his mouth.

With the help of an aunt and some neighbours, the boy was placed in a taxi and rushed him to the Dr. CC Nicholson Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police investigators noted that the area where the boy was found was moist and muddy; there was also a yellow electric cord plugged into an outlet in the upper flat of the house that ran down the front steps of the house.

A burn mark was also observed on the boy’s right foot.

The cord and drill were taken by police and investigations into the incident are still ongoing.

UK & CDB support agriculture in southern Jamaica

(Caribbean News Global) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Farmers in Jamaica’s southern coastal plains have achieved a major milestone in their quest to increase productivity and access to markets with the launch of the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project.

The agricultural development initiative launched by the government of Jamaica along with representatives of the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) at the office of the prime minister, Kingston, Jamaica.

The project scope

includes the installation or upgrade of irrigation, drainage and flood control systems, as well as improvements to farm roads, which will increase productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change.

There is also a matching grant scheme, which will assist small-scale farmers

from disadvantaged groups to invest in onfarm irrigation equipment and agri-business ventures. Farmers will also be offered training in climate-smart agriculture and certification in international standards in good agricultural practices.

Agriculture is still the main source of income in the benefitting settlements of Amity Hall, St Catherine, and Parnassus, Clarendon, located along southern coastal plains of Jamaica, where sugar and banana cultivation dominated in the past.

Most households currently plant cash crops in backyards and rear livestock. The residents include poor and vulnerable groups, such

26

as women without access to land and people with disabilities, in addition to men and young people whose livelihood depend on small-scale farming.

“Agriculture can play an important role in Jamaica’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we are much more acutely aware of farming communities like those in the Southern Plains and how they can lead the transformation of agriculture into a resilient, competitive and sustainable sector.

To do so successfully, however, it is imperative that Jamaica, and indeed all of CDB’s Borrowing Members Countries, give urgent attention to investing in activities that build capacity, improve

food security and, where possible, re-shore supply chains”, said CDB president Dr. William Warren Smith.

The US$23.1-million project is being funded by a grant of £17.3 million (US$22.5 million) from the government of the United Kingdom through the CDB-administered United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund, and a contribution of almost £500,000 (US$600,000) from the government of Jamaica.

“The UK is proud to fund this transformational agriculture project in Jamaica. We know that agriculture is the backbone of Jamaica’s economy and we are Continued on pg27

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

DAYCARE CENTRES TO RECEIVE UK & CDB support agriculture.. $50,000 TO PREPARE FOR COVID-19 Continued fron pg27

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be giving licensed day care and child care centres $50,000 to ensure they are adequately prepared to care for the children of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry will also be paying a $20,000 fee per child directly to the day care centres to assist parents.

The Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said on Thursday, “It is a licenced registered day care that will be open to this initiative and the Ministry is paying directly to the day care services.

“We know that the essential or frontline workers have issues of where to leave their children safe so this is our effort towards this.”

Parents will be able to apply through the Ministry’s website or fill up a form at the various centres across the country to benefit from this initiative.

Director of Social Services, Wentworth Tanner, said that the daycare operators were trained by the Ministry of Health and were also advised of systems that would have to be in pace

to protect children from COVID-19.

Tanner added that there would be testing from the door and if a child gets sick at the centre there would be mechanisms in place to address that situation.

All care providers will also be required to do a COVID-19 test before they can open and begin caring for children.

Argentina abortion legalisation bill passes key vote

pleased that this project will boost production, improve competitiveness and ensure that farm produce meets the standards required for export and the tourism industry”, said British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Asif Ahmad.

“We are delighted that this important project will deliver benefits in an inclusive and equitable way, by building the capacity of local farmers, including women, youth and people with disabilities, to secure their livelihoods and reduce poverty as they get access to new markets”, said the UK’s development director to the Caribbean, Stefan Kossoff.

Although the area is highly favourable for agricultural production it is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as irregular

rainfall and prolonged drought. Limited access to markets has also curtailed economic development and restricted livelihoods in these communities.

The intervention, which will enhance agricultural marketing, such as through certified pack houses, and facilitate capacity-building towards compliance with internationally recognised food safety management schemes will increase farmer access to highend markets, both within Jamaica and for export.

The project will open up the possibilities for commercially oriented farmers to lease government-owned lands, whilst supporting measures to ensure the participation of poor and vulnerable groups, such as women and youth in the agriculture sector.

COVID-19 CASES CONTINUE TO CLIMB (BBC News) Politicians in Argentina have voted yes to a bill that brings the largely Catholic country one step closer to legalising abortion, a change long-sought by women’s rights activists.

Parliament’s lower house voted in favour of the proposed law by 131117.

Before becoming law, the bill must also pass the upper house, the Senate.

The vote is expected before the end of the year.

Many women in Argentina who have an abortion can face prosecution.

President Alberto Fernández proposed the bill which would permit abortions to be carried out up to the 14th week of

pregnancy.

Currently abortion is only permitted in case of rape or if the mother’s health is at risk from pregnancy.

The lower house passed the bill after debating for 20 hours on Thursday into Friday morning.

The vote in the Senate is expected to be even tighter – in 2018 the body rejected a similar bill to legalise abortion after the lower house voted in favour.

“I am a Catholic but I have to legislate for everyone,” President Fernández said on Thursday. “It is a very serious public health issue.”

On Thursday the Roman Catholic Church repeated its opposition

to abortion, asking politicians in Argentina for “a second of reflection on what respect for life means”.

By contrast, the Women, Gender and Diversity minister Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta tweeted after the vote: “We have written a new chapter in our history.”

Latin America has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world, and the vote in Argentina will be closely watched by both sides of the polarised issue in the region.

Groups for and against the bill gathered outside the congress building in the capital Buenos Aires.

Protesters who have campaigned for the change wore green, the colour of their movement.

Many cheered and cried when the results of the vote were announced, according to AP news agency.

Others responded with disappointment. “They don’t want to show what an abortion is. This is it,” one protester against the bill holding a cross and a doll of a foetus with blood on it told Reuters news agency.

About 38,000 women a year require hospital treatment because of dangerous abortion procedures performed in secret, according to the Argentine government.

Thousands are estimated to have died after unsafe abortion since 1983.

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The Ministry of Health recorded 79 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, December 10.

11 cases were recorded in Region One, 22 in Region Two, five in Region Four, four in Region Five, nine in Region Six, two in Region Seven, and 26 in Region Ten.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 5,811.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently at 155.

As of December 10, there have been 33,020 persons tested for the virus. 4,925 persons have recovered leaving the number of active cases in the country at 731.

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

Guyana – Suriname open-air agreement to expand connectivity

(Caribbean News Global) Guyana/ Suriname— Guyana and Suriname continue to fast-track cooperation in aviation and transportation at the presidential level between president Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and president Chan Santokhi.

On Monday, the two South American countries signed an “Open Air Agreement” that ended routes, pricing and capacity restrictions between the two neighbouring countries.

Work on an open-

air agreement started a few weeks ago when a presidential delegation from Guyana visited Suriname for the 45 independence anniversary of that country.

On December 7, 2020, a Surinamese delegation arrived in Guyana to sign the agreement. Albert Jubithana, minister of transport, communication and tourism signed the agreement on behalf of Suriname. Public works minister, Bishop Juan Edghill signed on behalf of Guyana.

This agreement brings Guyana and Suriname closer to attract investments in aviation and tourism from legacy carriers like Emirates, Qatar, Turkish and investors from the Middle East.

“The agreement will improve production and economic growth between the two countries.

Moreover, it will connect communities, create economic growth and contribute to sustainable development,” minister Jubithana said.

The Suriname minister of transport said: “Without connectivity, there is no productivity”. Against this backdrop, he pointed out that the framework has been set for productivity.

The agreement ends restrictions on aircraft types, capacity, frequency, and pricing on passenger and cargo services.

Emirates and Qatar want to open a cargo service to these countries, and Surinam Airways (SLM) is looking to expand its cargo service.

Minister Edghill

during brief remarks said the day was “fitting” for the occasion. “This agreement is truly a historical agreement and it is an unimpeded move to ensure that there is collaboration between both countries,” he reiterated “government is moving aggressively to improve land and air transportation between Guyana and Suriname and to the wider world.

“In this Open Skies Agreement, we have agreed to remove all restrictions on Market Access, capacity and pricing to create for a more open market and to give route rights to our respective airlines,” Minister Edghill added.

Travellers in and out of Guyana and Suriname have faced tremendous obstacles purchasing a seamless single-ticket to

far destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Suriname has a lot to gain from this agreement since it has a national airline and Guyana doesn’t. SLM wants to expand its Guyana hub to include New York, Amsterdam, northern Brazil, and the Dutch Caribbean. This agreement could very well be a turning point for stateowned, SLM’s survival.

Egbert Field, director general, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority said that both sides realized the urgent need to cooperate.

He said, “aviation knows no boundary.

This industry is an instrument of development for both countries and the political will was translated into reality.”

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES EXPANDS CARGO Poor Law Commission SERVICES IN THE UNITED STATES installed

Caribbean Airliner Takes off

(Loop News) Caribbean Airlines Cargo is expanding its service within the United States just in time for the Christmas season.

CAL has partnered with the General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA), Network Cargo Management Corp to expand its coverage in the United States (US).

CAL said in a press release that the arrangement took effect on December 7.

The agreement with Network Cargo Management however

excludes Miami and New York, which are Caribbean Airlines’ main gateways to the Caribbean.

Sales and operations in these territories will continue to be managed

by Caribbean Airlines Cargo.

As Caribbean Airlines Cargo’s General Sales Agent in the US, Network Cargo Management connects freight forwarders operating within the United States to several destinations in the Caribbean.

Through this alliance, customers interested in

shipping to the Caribbean may access shipping services for cargo originating from within the US via thousands of cargo agents in the United States.

Customers who prefer to select Caribbean Airline Cargo’s freight collect option may make payments utilising their local currency. They may also benefit from the airline’s loyalty program where they can earn miles for travel rewards.

In further preparation for the holiday peak season, CAL recently

increased its freighter schedule from six to 12 weekly flights.

Caribbean Airlines operates weekly B 767 – 300 freighter flights, offering 120,000 pounds of capacity between Miami and several Caribbean destinations including Trinidad, Georgetown, Kingston, Montego Bay and Barbados.

The carrier also transports cargo on its B 737 – 800 and ATR passenger flights to Caribbean destinations including but not limited to Antigua, Nassau, St. Vincent, St. Martin, Grenada, St. Lucia, Georgetown, Barbados, Kingston and Tobago.

As borders reopen, the airline is expected to re-introduce passenger and cargo flights to other Caribbean countries.

Additionally, shipments may be moved throughout the region via Caribbean Airline’s cargo charter service.

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Board members for the Poor Law Commission, which oversees public assistance for the vulnerable, will be reviewing the existing list to ensure the “most in need” individuals benefit from the relief programme.

This was one of the commitments made by the newly installed Board when they met with Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security virtually on Tuesday afternoon.

The members are Chair Amanda Richards; Deputy Chairman, Keeran Persaud and members Janet Ann Geer, Raymon Cummings, Alison Barkie, Gomatie Narine, Dr. Josh Kanhai, Peter Persaud, Diana Kaulessar O’Brien and Beverly Clenkian.

The list will be reviewed to ensure the process is not exploited and the “most

Vindhya Persaud, Minister

vulnerable” are given the assistance “they so badly need.” Backlogged cases will also be addressed.

In addition, the Board will refer beneficiaries to the Ministry’s skills training programmes to help them to become financially independent, and benefit from employment opportunities.

According to Ms. Richards, referrals will be made to the Ministry’s Garment and Accessories Cottage Initiative that has so far gainfully employed over 100 individuals.

The members of the Commission will serve for a period of three years with effect from November 30, 2020.

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

Guyana Post, Thursday December 10 2020 CORENTYNE MAN ARRESTED AFTER PISTOL, CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHES FOUND IN HOME

A 28-year-old man from Number 79 Village, Corentyne, was taken into police custody, today, after a firearm and several other items were discovered within his home.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force conducted a

search of four homes in the area around 3:30 today The items that were found in the house were a 9mm semi-automatic pistol with one magazine and five live rounds; three camouflage shirts, two camouflage pants, one camouflage

mask, one camouflage bag, two grey hoodies, and five smartphones.

The items were lodged with the police and the suspect is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

LOWEST COVID RATE RECORDED The Ministry of Health recorded three new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, December 8. One case was recorded in Region One, one in Region Four, and one in Region Seven.

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 5,700.

The COVID-19 death toll has risen to 155 with the deaths of an 81 -yearold man from Region

Seven, a 55-year-old man from Region One on Sunday, and a 34-year-old woman from Region Four on Monday.

As of December 8, there have been 32,397 persons tested for the virus. Some 4,870 persons have recovered from the virus leaving 675 active cases in the country.

The COVID-19 Emergency Measures

(No.11), will remain in effect until December 31, 2020. The order emphasizes the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19

TUG, BARGE SLAM INTO DEMERARA HARBOUR BRIDGE

A team, equipment and spares to effect the repairs have been mobilized to repair damage to the Demerara Harbour

Bridge. Yesterday a tug and a barge crashed into the bridge causing some structural damage.

The team began repair

works early this morning, and it is proposed that the people will work late into the evening to complete this exercise.

Shortly before 17:00 hrs on Wednesday, Motor Tug and Barge named “Rediston and Surtrans� operated by Mr. Dale Andrews Green, collided with, and damaged several sections in the vicinity of the high span of the bridge.

The bridge was immediately closed

to vehicular traffic.

After some immediate interventions, at approximately 05:40hr the bridge was reopened to light vehicular traffic.

An emergency meeting was held at the DHBC Boardroom with Chairman, Ravie Ramcharitar, Works Minister Juan Edghill; Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn; General Manager Mr. Rawlston Adams, and Technical Team.

when the robbers invaded the premises. One of the invaders was armed with a handgun while the others had cutlasses and knives.

Her husband was also in the yard. The couple was held up, forced into the lower-flat of the house, and beaten by the bandits who eventually left with more thanUS$500 along with a quantity of local currency and two cellphones.

The bandits then forced

the couple upstairs where they tied them. They also placed two pillowcases over the couple head before escaping.

The husband managed to free himself and raise an alarm.

The police were contacted and arrived at the scene, but the bandits had already escaped.

Investigations are ongoing.

remedial emergency repairs begin.

There has been damage to the alignment to the bridge.

However, by early afternoon the bridge should be able to facilitate marine traffic The public is being advised that while everything is being done to restore normalcy, only essential travel should be undertaken.

EAST CANJE MAN FOUND FLOATING IN TRENCH

CORENTYNE COUPLE ROBBED, LEFT BOUND

Police are investigating the robbery of a labourer and his wife on Saturday morning allegedly by three armed bandits.

Abdoelkajoem Bhoelan, 49, a labourer, and his wife Bibi Bhoelan, 44, are now counting their losses after they were robbed of cash and jewelry by the marauding bandits.

Information is that the wife wasPg3 in the yard

The Collective decision made after due consideration of all the information was that at approximately 21:00hrs the bridge will begin to facilitate vehicular traffic up to 12 tonnes.

Early this morning, a meeting in the Demerara Harbour Bridge Boardroom with representatives of the owner/agents of the tug and barge led to an inspection of the damage which is necessary before

The police are investigating the cause of death of a male who was found floating in a trench around 07:30 hrs, Monday, at No. 5 Bramfield Public Road, (No19) East Coast Berbice.

The body which was first unidentified was later identified as Chubbylall Kumar of New Area Canefield East Canje.

There were no marks of

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violence on his body.

The body was discovered in a trench on the Northern side of the Public Road. It was facedown and clad in cream short pants, multicoloured brief and a green face mask. A dark blue vest and a peach-coloured shirt were seen nearby in the water.

A number of persons were questioned in the

area, but no one was able to give any tangible report on how the man ended up in the trench.

His body was subsequently escorted to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. The body is subsequently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting a Post Mortem Examination.

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

ExxonMobil plans to install up to 10 FPSOs in Guyana’s Stabroek Block

FORMER GDF CHIEF OF STAFF FREED OF CAUSING DEATH CHARGE

Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Rear Admiral Gary Best

ExxonMobil Oil Tanker

ExxonMobil is planning for the installation of up to 10 floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) at the Stabroek block off the coast of Guyana.

Speaking at a panel at the Rio Oil & Gas 2020 digital conference on Tuesday, ExxonMobil global vice president of deep-water projects, Jayme Meier, said “We expect to have five FPSOs in operation in Guyana by 2026 and see potential for a total of seven to ten FPSOs.” Meier also noted

that development on the Stabroek block has continued despite the coronavirus pandemic, with ExxonMobil and its development partners drilling wells, running supply vessels and pumping oil without recording any cases of the coronavirus.

The Stabroek block is one of Latin America’s biggest offshore projects and contains an estimated 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources. This amount is greater than some of the largest offshore finds in

Brazil’s subsalt frontier.

ExxonMobil obtained first oil from the Liza field off Guyana in December 2019 with the SBM Offshore-owned Liza Destiny FPSO. The Liza Destiny FPSO has an installed capacity to pump 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

Two additional FPSOs-Liza Unity and Prosperity- are also due to produce first oil from Liza and the Payara-Pacora development in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

The company is currently assessing the

contracting of a fourth FPSO, which may be deployed at the Greater Yellowtail area that contains the Yellowtail-1, Yellowtail-2 and Redtail-1 discoveries.

US independent Hess, which partners ExxonMobil in Stabroek, suggested that as many as 10 FPSOs would be needed to adequately develop the estimated 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource base there.

GRA RECOVERS SCANS OF CONTAINER USED TO SMUGGLE COCAINE

Guyana Revenue Agency (GRA) Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, has stated that the GRA has recovered the deleted images of a container packed with cocaine that was busted in Belgium in October after leaving Guyana in September.

James Singh, Head of the Customs Anti-

Narcotics Unit (CANU) said the organization is still awaiting information from the Guyana Revenue Authority on the images.

The initial investigation determined that all of the scanned images had been deleted but the GRA sought international help to retrieve them from the scanner’s hard drive.

The deletion of these

images was seen as a sign of corruption within the GRA since the scanner would have been able to detect the fake wall that the packages of cocaine were hidden behind.

The Customs Officers who were on duty at the time were questioned

by CANU but were eventually released and have since been sent

home pending results of the investigation.

The 11.5-tons (23,000 pounds) of cocaine was seized after its arrival in Belgium at the Port of Antwerp. Federal prosecutors estimated the street value of the drugs at €900 million or over US$1 billion.

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Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Rear Admiral Gary Best was freed today of the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Rear Admiral Best was charged with causing the death of racing cyclist, Jude Bentley.

He was granted $500,000 bail. He was also charged for operating a motor vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit.

Today he appeared before Magistrate Rondell Weever. He was represented by Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes.

“The magistrate upheld the no case submissions and brought the matter to an end,” Attorney Nigel Hughes said.

Rear Admiral Best said that he is happy that the matter has now come to an end.

“What played out in court was exactly what I said transpired. It is now over and I hope that both our families can move on.”

Mr. Best when asked if he is prepared to offer some sort of compensation to the family, said that he does not know that he can engage in such a matter.

The accident occurred on February 8, this year in the wee hours of the morning. Mr Bentley was cycling to meet some of his fellow racers. He was struck down in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy, in Kitty.

BANDITS ROB POUDEROYEN FAMILY OF $1.4M Three masked men invaded the Pouderoyen, West Coast Demerara home of Akat Ally and his elderly parents on Monday and robbed them of $1.4M in cash and a cellphone.

Around 08:30 p.m. on Monday, the men gained entry through one of the windows in the upper portion of the house.

They were captured breaking into the house on the security cameras around the house. The cameras also captured one of the men dragging Ally’s brother from the gate into the house.

The men were armed with a gun, a knife and a cutlass. After gaining

entry into the house they threatened to slit Ally mother’s throat unless the family handed over their cash. The men then proceeded to ransack the house.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Errol Watts said the investigation of the incident is still ongoing and more CCTV footage was being canvassed from the area.

Ally’s home was previously robbed in August 2019 by three bandits who stole around $400,000 in jewelry and cellphones. No arrests have been made in connection to that robbery.

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

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES DISCUSSIONS GOVERNMENT SUING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SECOND CITY BUSINESSMAN FOR OVER $300M OF UNSUPPLIED WEAPONS

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) 25th Annual Awards Ceremon Awardees

Speaking at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) 25th Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, President Irfaan Ali announced that the government has initiated discussions for the development of a secondary city.

President Ali said that the location being

considered is on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. It will be connected to the new four-lane road to act as a catalyst for development in the area.

President Ali noted that the government will ensure that continued growth and development will be facilitated and the country will prepare

for increased occupation on the outskirts of Georgetown.

President Ali added that the idea was being considered since his time serving as Minister of Housing and Water after the concept of Silica City was introduced at a Building Expo.

The development would be funded through

a mix of public and private partnership.

The President also noted that the infrastructure landscape would be changed in the new year with the opening of new economic opportunities, new lands and the development of new areas.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND CURACAO SIGN AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT

(Caribbean News Global) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (WAM) – The United Arab Emirates and the island of Curaçao, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have signed an Air Services Agreement for the purpose of establishing

and operating Air Services between and beyond their respective territories.

The Agreement was signed at the General Civil Aviation Authority’s office in Dubai by Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, on behalf of the United Arab Emirates government, and Lody

Embrechts, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates.

This comes as part of the continued efforts of the General Civil Aviation Authority to extend the air transport relations network of the United Arab Emirates in the

Caribbean region.

Over the past five years, the GCAA has signed Air Services Agreements with Jamaica, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Republic of Haiti and Saint Lucia.

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Businessman Larry Singh is now being sued by the Guyana Government for an outstanding $369.6 million balance on a contract to supply guns and ammunition to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Singh was contracted to supply items that included hundreds of AK-47 rifles, pistols and various types of ammunitions in three contracts dated November 18, 2015; December 15, 2015 and March 30, 2016.

The fixed date application filed by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, stated that Singh breached his contract with

the GDF by failing to supply the weapons and ammunition for which he had been paid.

The sum of $380.5 million was made as a down-payment but the application noted that Singh only supplied $10.9 million worth of items.

The Government’s demands for a refund have not produced any results. Nandlall is looking to have Singh repay the full sum of money owed, plus interests, cost and whatever other amounts the court deems appropriate.

A date for the case will be set soon.

REGION TEN IS NOW COVID HOTSPOT

The Ministry of Health recorded 26 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday December One case was recorded in Region One, one in Region Two, two in Region Three, six in Region Four, one in Region Nine and 15 in Region Ten. The total number of cases recorded in Guyana is now 5,449.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently 152.

As of December 2 there were 30,736 persons tested for the virus. 4,530 persons have recovered leaving 767 active cases in the country.

Region Six will be establishing two additional COVID-19 testing sites at the New Amsterdam and Skeldon hospitals by this weekend.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, said this approach aims to allow more persons to go for testing rather than just calling the region’s hotline number for assistance.

Armogan also expects a decrease in the number of active cases by midDecember.

Region Six currently has testing sites at Rose Hall, Port Mourant, Orealla and Siparuta.

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

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