Keeping you updated on current events... ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER
Tuesday Sept. 14, 2021
EDUCATION MINISTRY UPS THE ANTE ON TEACHERS
AUBREY NORTON, 15 OTHERS ARRESTED DURING PROTEST IN THE CITY
PONZI SCHEMER NOW CHARGED WITH FORGING COVID TEST RESULT
Tuesday Sept. 14, 2021
EDUCATION MINISTRY UPS THE ANTE ON TEACHERS
Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson
Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson, is reminding teachers that added to no pay for those being absent from classes they can also be fired.
This comes as teachers all across Guyana are required to be vaccinated or have a negative PCR Test. The move has caused some level of
rejection. Teachers are complaining that they are now forced into a corner to be vaccinated when a number of them have reasons why they chose not to be vaccinated.
Since the protest actions, led by the Guyana Teachers Union and others have been happening on a daily all across Guyana during the past week.
And with no shift in the said position from the Ministry, the GTU and some of its teachers have chosen to stay away from the classroom until the measure is revoked. However, in response to a letter to the Principal Education Officer and Regional Education Officer of Georgetown, Mr. Marcel Hudson, noted that in pursuant of gazetted orders published on August 30, where schools were opened on September 6, each school has provided a plan for their reopening and as such, some schools were open. Mr. Marcel Hudson said that there would be
face-to-face learning and some online learning. He added that staff is required to be in class and or present in their online classes as required. He explained that failing to comply with such orders, disciplinary actions will be taken under the Teaching Service Commission Rule Draft 6, which relates to teachers being absent from classes without leave of any valid reason. Mr. Hudson explained that penalties will be awarded under section 33, which can result in result in loss of pay, suspension without pay, or dismissal.
AUBREY NORTON, 15 OTHERS ARRESTED DURING PROTEST IN THE CITY of repression. In large another issue because a
Protest continues to oppose the government’s vaccination policy
As the protest continues to oppose the government’s vaccination policy, 16 persons, including Central Executive Member of the People National Congress Reform(PNC), Aubrey Norton, were arrested by the police over claims of having an illegal procession. According to reports it is alleged that Norton and the others were in Regent Street when they were arrested for staging a protest.
They were arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station and placed into custody. The arrest came after hundreds of the protesters had gathered at Square of the Revolution for their daily protest against Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy While in custody those arrested were told that they would be released once the tension at Square of the Revolution was relaxed. That calm came
subsequently, and all of the accused, including Mr. Norton, was released on $10,000 bail each and were told that they will have to attend court on Friday. Speaking to the media just after his release, Mr. Norton, who denied the allegation, said that this is a manifestation of how the force is being handled by the Government as a tool of repression. “I have always argued that the police use COVID-19 as a tool
measure, they started by saying, we were in violation of COVID-19. “I said to them look, I am wearing a mask. There was nobody with me when you claim you wanted to arrest me. It was when the police proceeded to arrest me that some people came around me and they put all of us into the vehicle.” Mr. Norton explained. Mr. Norton noted that he is going to fight his matter in court and show that at the time of his arrest he was not doing anything wrong. “We are going to go to court and fight it because I was not involved in any illegal procession. The people whom they picked up were not involved in any illegal procession, The only thing I’m sure is illegal is the Government,” Mr. Norton added. Attorney Darren Wade, who represented Norton and the others, said there is not a possibility of the charges standing, knowing the circumstances. “I know, generally, the police don’t ask for bail money, and so forth. They usually ask those charged to sign a recognizance. That is generally accepted in these circumstances. “Whether or not the charge will stick is
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lot of persons have been charged for the illegal procession before and as of today, I don’t know if any of those charges were successful,” Wade said. Wade maintained that this is a clear manner in which political influence is shown in the police force against Guyanese, who are against some policies knowing the manner in which the matter today was dealt with. “The Police have the authority to place them on their own recognizance. Let them just sign their recognizance sheet and let them go. “But I don’t think the police are prepared in these circumstances to place them on their own recognizance because of the political nature,” Wade added. He said that he is, however, not surprised by the police acting on
the instruction of the Government simply because it is the nature of the Government to act in such a manner, knowing their history. The arrests came over the past few weeks where citizens from all walks of life have protested the vaccination policy the Government has insisted for people to enter public and private property. Entry will only be available to those who are vaccinated. This has sparked some level of debate and disproval in the country. The government has noted that the level of toughness with the policy is for the safety of the citizens. However, some have noted that the policy is one that seeks to force those unvaccinated to be vaccinated, even as they remain concerned over the use of the vaccines.
Protest continues to oppose the government’s vaccination policy
Tuesday Sept. 14, 2021
PONZI SCHEMER NOW CHARGED Man accused of Linden execution style killing remanded WITH FORGING COVID TEST RESULT Close to months after gunshot wounds to
Already facing close to 200 charges related to fraud, Cuban national Yuri Garcia Dominguez, is back before the courts on a fresh new charge, this time over forging a COVID-19 Test in order to skip his court date. Dominguez appeared before Magistrate Leron
Daly and was not required to plead to the charge. According to the charge, is alleged that Dominguez, on July 27, at Georgetown, conspired with persons who are known and unknown to forge a COVID-19 test result purporting to show that he had tested positive
with the virus. Dominguez was placed on $200,000 bail and ordered to return to court on November 5, 2021. This charge comes just a week after Dominquez’s wife, Ateeka Ishmael, was charged and placed on $200,000 bail also. It is alleged that the two just before being charged with more offenses of fraud conspired with each other to forge the COVID test. This led the couple’s Attorney Dexter Todd to produce the said documents stating to the court that they could not attend court to answer to the news charges because they had tested positive for the virus. With some level of suspicion, the police later conducted the investigation and found that the vaccination cards were fake.
Sophia double-murder accused remanded
Close to two weeks after Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal, Daniel Fraser, and his Barbados-based girlfriend, Sheniqua Hodge, were killed in a hail of bullets in the Sophia Area, a 23-yearold carpenter was today charged and remanded to prison. The accused, Koabe Grant, a resident of Sophia, appeared before Magistrate, Roshell Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and
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was not required to plead to the capital offence of murder. It is alleged that Grant on September 1, last, in ‘A’ Field, shot and killed Hodge and Fraser. Grant was remanded to prison and is expected to return to court on September 30. Reports are that both Fraser and Hodge were heading home on a motorcycle when the two were approached by Grant, who opened fire on them killing them both.
Grant then made his escape. Subsequently, through an investigation, he was later arrested and charged for the double murder. An autopsy report revealed that Hodge was shot four times, while Fraser was shot once to the chest. Grant was known to the victims. He had previous grievances with Fraser, who, according to reports, would usually torment Grant over an old incident that occurred.
a South Rumiveldt youth was shot nine times during an executionstyle killing in Linden moments after arriving from Georgetown to visit a girl in the area, a miner from the Linden was today slapped with the murder charge and remanded to prison. The accused 26-yearold, Samorea Mitchell, called Pastor, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs\Marcus and was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge. According to the police is alleged that Mitchell on July 17 at Sunflower Street, Wismar Linden, along with others murdered Delroy McKenzie. Mitchell was represented by Attorneyat-law, Dexter Todd. He was remanded to prison until October 8 for the
continuation of the matter. McKenzie was gunned down in Linden moments after he arrived there to reportedly meet a young lady. He was with one of his friends who accompanied him to Linden when they came under gunfire. The friend later survived the attack and has told investigators that after the young lady they were going to meet provided instructions and told them to board a grey Toyota motor car, two men emerged from the car and opened fire. McKenzie was shot nine times while his friend managed to escape with
his arms. The car suspected to have been used in the attack was found abandoned and burnt. Two weeks later, Police placed a wanted bullet out for Pastor who later turned himself in. Since then according to his Attorney, he would have never give any confession statement about the murder. Attorney Todd insisted that the charge against his client is a sign of great injustice since the police would have only pinned the murder on him since some other suspect told them that Pastor knew of the killers and did not want to say who they were. Mr. Todd said that he plans to file a motion in the high court since it appears that a lot is wrong with the matter.
Regions Three, Four and Six account for the highest suicide rates in Guyana The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security recognizes the significance of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme, “Creating Hope through Action.” Guyana has been unable to shake its high suicide rate, with the most affected groups being youth and women. Physical and emotional abuses are among the leading causes of suicide while hanging or poisoning are the most frequent methods used. Recent studies show the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on mental health wellness among adolescents and adults. Most worrisome in Guyana, there have been 147 suicides, with 120 being men. Nineteen of those were persons 5-19
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years while 109 were between 20 and 60 years. Regions Three, Four, and Six accounted for the largest numbers of those deaths. During the first half of 2021, 30 children attempted suicide with 25 being females. Reports revealed that approximately 30% of children aged 15-19 years couldn’t share their problems with anyone. This alarming trend signals the need for adults to recognize the preemptive signs, identify the triggers, and offer critical support. This is done through listening in a non-judgmental or understanding way, creating a support network and being proactive in getting that young person
professional help if necessary, and developing a trustworthy relationship that invites confidence. The call to action to stimulate hope is a pertinent reminder to everyone that suicide is preventable. What is required is collectivity in awareness, accurate information dissemination, and the concern for each other to not dismiss any person when they express suicidal intent or exhibit signs of depression or other mental health issues. Strengthening coping mechanisms also requires more open and frank dialogues among various groups including spouses, parents, and children, so early interventions could be made.
Tuesday Sept. 14, 2021
COVID-19 measures hit commercial banks
Banks in Guyana are set to fully impose COVID-19 Measures in which only vaccinated persons would be allowed to enter the banking facility
to make transactions come this Monday. The new measures gazetted just over a week stated that all those people entering not only
Government but any Private or Public Building is requested to show a negative PCR Test in order for entry in the premises. With such an announcement, the Guyana Bankers Association of Bankers noted that banks in keeping with the latest gazetted measures are not advised to follow such orders. The Association then reminded customers of the new and by which those measures were to be kicked in this week. However, it was
reported that several banking institutions would have complained at the time given in order to be in full compliance. As such, Banking Institutions have complained about the time given to have themselves into full compliance. The Banks have indicated that some staff isn’t themselves vaccinated. Those complaints were reportedly filtered to the Bank of Guyana and later to the Ministry of Health. It is unclear, however, if an extension was made which would have given
banks some time to get themselves in order. Some of the commercial financial institutions say they would have given the indication that comes Monday the full COVID-19 requirement
for entry will be imposed. These new measures come at a time when the Government is facing a number of criticisms over the manner in which the vaccination policy is rolled out.
LIFE IS MORE THAN COVID
Adam’s note book
There is more to life than COVID-19. But from the conversations and the news, one would believe that the only thing happening in the world is the spread of C OVID-19. And for good reason. The death toll is increasing as are the number of cases of hospitalization. And this is happening even as people are being vaccinated. For anyone to say that they know what is happening is for that person to be fooling anyone who is listening. All of a sudden, the authorities around the world are saying that the vaccines are almost useless against certain variants of COVID-19. They have stopped short of saying that certain vaccines are now obsolescent. But whatever the case, more and more Guyanese are seeking to be vaccinated and that is a good thing. It may not slow the spread of the virus but it would certainly keep many people out of hospital once Guyanese or foreigners do not import
the more infectious variants. And that is wishful thinking. Sporting events are back. There is cricket, football, tennis, track and field, motor racing, cycling—just name it and the event is being held. Except for Guyana sports is a way of life. In most countries, people take sports so seriously that their sending on certain goods is dictated by the sports personality behind the goods. There was a time when young cricketers gravitated to certain autographed bats. Rohan Kanhai, Gary Sobers, and the like made money whenever their autographed bats were sold on the market. Today, cricket bats are produced by so many manufacturers that it would not be unusual to see at least six bat makers on display during one inning. These bat makers sponsor players. They pay them a commission each year to use the particular sports gear. In Guyana, we do not make sporting goods.
We simply lack the technology. At the same time, we do not sponsor sportspeople. And it is not that there are not businesses that can afford to do so. It is just that our business community is bent on making and keeping money rather than investing in sports. We sit back and we cheer the Jamaicans and the other Caribbean countries that have secured gold medals at international events. Our gold medal came at the Pan American Games and at the Commonwealth Games. Tiny Grenada has an Olympic gold as does Suriname and Trinidad. We do have a bronze in boxing but that was so many years ago. Jamaica is the talking point. It is a powerhouse. It is churning out athletes like Virat Kohli or Joe Root makes runs in cricket. One only needs to look at the money the Jamaican government and the business community invest in sports in that country. Guyana has not been spending money on sports.
Football, one of the cheapest games to promote sees boys from ordinary families. They don’t get much and they don’t ask for much. The result is that almost all the football teams in the region beat us. It is the same with cricket and other sports. The local clubs do their best but they are hard-pressed to get many players on the international team. Fortunately, there are some franchises that put money into the pockets of the players. There is another thing about this country. We do not recognize those who make it to the top. The state named a street after Shiv Chanderpaul, Demerara Cricket Club named a street after Lance Gibbs, and a
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part of the East Coast Demerara highway after Clive Lloyd. Lloyd did get a national award. But it is not all bad news. There are young people who are making the best of whatever comes their way. I just found out that a group of young techies won some gold, silver and bronze medals at the recent electronic competition. It would be interesting to know how much money the private sector spent on these young kids. Even more, it would be interesting to find out how much government spending went into the STEM programme. And when one stops to consider that the Lotto Fund had a few billion dollars for sports. Some clubs went to the government for money
and got precious little. Often they got nothing. Chelsea Edghill had to rely on her parents for almost all of her playing career. She went on to do well with precious little in Tokyo. Alika Persaud who made us proud in the pool at Tokyo was just one of the few who had to make do with little. This is the culture of our country. Make as much money as possible and spend as little as possible. Advertisers look for the cheapest display and do the least number of advertisements. That is why the government is the largest advertiser in this country, something that you would not find in any other country.
Tuesday Sept. 7, 2021
PRESSURE MOUNTS ON GEA; US ACTIVIST WRITES PRESIDENT ALI CALLING FOR ACTION
Influential US Human Rights Activist, Dr. Joseph Beasley, of the Joe Beasley Foundation, has written to Head of State, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, over the controversy involving SBF International, Inc., an Afro Guyanese petroleum company, and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA). To this end, the US Activist in his September 6, 2021 letter said, “I pledge myself, the Joe Beasley Foundation, and the totality of my influences and resources to assisting in a prompt and equitable resolution of this matter.”
The involvement of the foundation, according to Beasley, comes as a result of recent reports, communications, and news releases that suggest that SBF International, Inc., is being subjected to discriminatory practices in the cancellation of its operating license without a fair hearing of the entirety of circumstances surrounding this matter, or the proper opportunity to cure any potential violations of regulatory compliance. Dr. Beasley in his letter to President Ali said, “…There also appear to be inconsistencies in the standards applied to other companies either in their approval to operate or in the latitude granted for them to continue operating when minor violations are detected.” “In view of the fact that SBF International, Inc., is a company with a demonstrated record of impressive growth,
substantial earnings, and profitability, and that its operations appear to benefit a broad spectrum of the Afro Guyanese community in particular and the entire Guyanese economy as a whole, it seems premature, unfortunate and somewhat odd that an order to cancel its license was issued hastily and peremptorily rather than an appropriate time of suspension accompanied by an opportunity to resolve any misunderstandings, minor misdeeds or errors in judgment. The Foundation’s involvement follows appeals made by SBF International Inc., President, Mr. Dorwain Bess to several members of the US Government. These included Congressmen Hakeem Jeffries and Hank Johnson; Georgia State Senator Michael Rhett, Alabama State Representative, Laura
Hall, South Carolina State Representatives, John King, and Annie McDaniel, and former State Representative Mrs. Dee DawkinsHaigler of Georgia. Additionally, Bess has also written to the US Ambassador to Guyana, Ms. Sarah Ann-Lynch, and Guyana’s President, Dr. Ali calling for immediate intervention. In his letter to the President, Bess drew reference to the fact that at the recently held Third Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)—attended by both President Ali and US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah AnnLynch—“the two of you both addressed issues pertaining to licensing in Guyana.” SBF International Inc since its establishment in 2016 has grown its annual revenues to $24,704,180 USD in 2019, prior to the license
Motorcycle bandits and woman rob men at Annandale
Five persons hanging out at an Ital shop in Annandale are now counting their losses after six armed bandits robbed them of their valuables. Reports are that five persons were at the said Ital shop located at Annandale Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, Tuesday info@guyanapostonline.com
evening just about 10:20 hours when the incident occurred. The victims were reportedly watching television while playing a game of cards. They were approached by the suspects, who held them at gunpoint and proceeded to relieve them of their valuables, while the
female remained on the motorcycle. The suspects then got on their motorcycles and made good their escape on four motorcycles in the western direction. The victims were identified as a 32-year-old male of Buxton; He has robbed of one Samsung cellphone valued at
$23,000 and one Eagle wallet valued at $2000 and containing one ID card, and $16,500; a 28-yearold male of Buxton, who was robbed of one black Samsung Galaxy 8 plus cellphone valued $70,000. Additionally, a 27-yearold male of Buxton was also robbed of one iPhone 8plus valued at $70,000, while a 27-year-old male also of Buxton was robbed of one 13 pennyweight gold chain valued at $70,000. The fifth victim, a 29-year-old male of Buxton was also robbed of one Samsung J3 Star cellphone and one 12 pennyweight gold chain valued at $70,000. Checks were later made for the suspects but they were not seen or arrested, as the investigation continues
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cancellation in 2020.” SBF International, Inc., has to date also contributed over $2 billion in taxes to the nation of Guyana. According to Bess in his letter to President Ali, “At the time our license was cancelled, the company employed over 100 permanent and 250 temporary AfroGuyanese from the underserved community of Linden, Belladrum, Georgetown, Eccles, and other areas in the West Demerara District.” He further contends that the sudden and improper cancellation of “our license” has caused severe and near irreparable harm to the company, its employees, and our community. “The cancellation, in my view, is a continuing manifestation of the ongoing inequitable practices of the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA) under the leadership of its Director, Mr. Mahender
Sharma.” The company has since filed a suit against the GEA and Mr. Sharma. That matter is currently pending in the courts. In his appeal to the President, Bess said, “this entire matter should never have gotten this far and should have been a meeting between SBF and their attorney with the GEA and their attorney to fix whatever grievance there might have been.” Any other time, Bess affirms, “this would have been settled between the parties.” He additionally used the occasion to remind that in a public missive published in the local dailies, the Chairman of the GEA, Mr. Jerome Khan, stated that other groups received Import Licenses without meeting the GEA requirements.
Gunmen target Demerara Harbour Bridge commuters, two arrested
Several persons early this morning while waiting for the Demerara Harbour Bridge to retract so that they could head to Georgetown were robbed of their valuables by armed gunmen on a motorcycle. According to reports, early this morning, eight men reportedly armed with guns pounced on several commuters on the eastern side of the bridge waiting to cross. Police responded with their anti-crime patrols in Division 4A and intercepted two of the suspects with one of the motorcycles.
Those two suspects have been identified as a 23-year-old and a 15-yearold, both males. When the two were searched, police later discovered three cellphones, a pink handbag, a female makeup kit, a lip gloss, $8,100 cash, two lighters, two packets of cigarettes, a bunch of keys, and a black 110 motorcycle without a registration number. The two were later taken into police custody. Further searches for the other perpetrators are being conducted.
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