Page 14
Kaieteur News
Friday May 18, 2012
Under-fire GGMC boss to Teen to be charged with murder proceed on retirement leave Schoolboy fatal stabbing…
Police are expected to lay charges against a 17-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed his classmate to death late Wednesday afternoon. St. George’s High student Shane George was stabbed several times about the body and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Hospital. Police sources yesterday said that the teen has refused to give a statement to the police and is expected not to give one. He is being represented by attorney at law Mark Waldron. The source further told Kaieteur News that a post mortem will be done this morning and afterwards the teen would be taken to court. Meanwhile a mechanic nearby said that he recalled seeing the two boys in an earlier altercation and they
were separated. He said that the suspect had left and returned with what he described a “long kitchen knife”. He opined that parents should check their children’s haversacks when leaving the house. According to relatives, details about the issue are still sketchy and they did not want to speculate. George, of 144 Jasmine Lane, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, was stabbed multiple times about the body allegedly in front of the Morgan Learning Centre in John Street and Stone Avenue, Campbellville. George, who was bleeding profusely, was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The young suspect was nabbed at the
scene by police. Kaieteur News was told that George, who was sitting this year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), and his assailant, were seen arguing. Eyewitnesses said that the two teenagers were in a row over “brand name” clothes. A scuffle ensued and George was stabbed. Meanwhile, other students from the private lessons claimed that the two were arguing over a female student who also attends classes there. It was unclear what was said, but the suspect became angry, pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim several times. Persons who claimed to be eyewitnesses said that the suspect attempted to run but was nabbed by other students and was handed over to the police, who arrived shortly after the incident occurred. This is the second schoolboy murder for the year. In February last, 17 year old Anfernee Bowman was fatally stabbed by an 18-yearold in a row over a girl. It was reported that both teens attended lessons in Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt. His attacker turned himself in several hours later. He was subsequently charged with the murder and the preliminary inquiry is continuing.
- new head being sought Four months after confirming Karen Livan as its new Commissioner, mining regulator, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), is now looking for a new head. Livan, a 30-year veteran at the GGMC, came under fire Wednesday during a meeting between government and foreign nationals involved in mining. Government, in its move to clamp down on illegal mining, has announced sweeping measures that will mandate foreign nationals to be in possession of work permits before entering the country’s goldfields. There are over 15,000 Brazilians working and living in Guyana with a significant number of them undocumented. It was during that meeting at Celina’s Restaurant, located on the Kitty seawall, that a Brazilian claimed he was granted permission earlier this year to mine on a government reserve in Kamarang, Region Seven. The permit was signed by Livan who at the time was unable to explain how the permit was granted.
GGMC’s Chairman, Major General (retd.) Joe Singh, disclaimed knowledge of the transaction when asked by Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud. This drew an angry response from the Minister who ordered that Brazilian visit his office yesterday with the documents permitting him to mine on state property. Yesterday, GGMC’s Board of Directors reportedly met where it was agreed that the process to replace Livan would start. The Commissioner is due to proceed on retirement leave in a few months. “There is frustration of the Board in GGMC’s management and an urgent need to arrest years of poor management and lawlessness in the mining sector,” an official said last evening. It was also pointed out that numerous complaints have been laid to government by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) over the “nonresponse” from GGMC over a number of outstanding issues.
GGMC Commissioner, Karen Livan Earlier this year, government announced plans for a major overhaul of GGMC’s operations. With gold prices at an alltime high, there has been a rush to the interior, with government recently admitting it is facing environmental and other monitoring problems. With a number of murders and reports of illegal guns and rampant prostitution, GGMC’s operations had been coming under increasing scrutiny. Guyana’s dense forest and rough terrain have not made monitoring any easier.
First ever skills and trade job fair today
For the first time ever persons seeking employment within the mining sector will be able to do so through services provided by a reputable company. This will be made possible through IKS Services Unlimited. According to Managing Director Dilorece South, among services being offered by the company are: securing licences for exploration companies, Environmental Protection Agency licences and procurement services. Ms. South said her company is multi-faceted and caters to small, medium and large scale business, particularly those in the exploration business. To formally introduce the services to the public, ISK will be hosting a Skills and Trade Persons job fair today. The event is scheduled for 13:00 hours at the Girl Guides Pavilion, Brickdam. Ms. South said that during the fair, several medium and large scale mining companies will have booths open showcasing
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
ISK Managing Director, Delorece South themselves. Further, ISK will be doing on-the-spot interviews for persons seeking employment within the sector. These persons, South said, will be added to the company’s database, and as soon as an agency indicates to them the need for skilled persons, the most suitable candidate will be called. However, South explained that the persons who will be added to their database will be properly screened; will have to provide proper
references as well as valid police clearances and their certificates of qualification, when necessary. South said that her company has been fully endorsed by the Ministry of Labour which will be dealing with safety at work places and the rights of workers. The Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud has also endorsed the company’s initiative. According to South, ISK will also be providing services to persons, both nationals and non-nationals, who will be seeking work and mining permits. Already, too, several large scale mining companies have registered with ISK, including Hopkinson Mining of Bartica and Mahdia Gold Corp. Meanwhile, South stressed the need for more such companies in Guyana, since many persons don’t see the importance of servicebased agencies. “I felt the need for such a company, since I noticed that Guyana certainly needs more of this type of business. We are not a service-based country, but because we are heading into the future where we have to go with the times, we are in upward mobility.”