new COVID-19 deaths recorded,

BRIDGE OPENINGS BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, Feb 10 – 10:30h – 12:00h and Friday, Feb 11 – 00:30h – 02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, Feb 10 – 11:10h – 12:40h and Friday, Feb 11 – 12:40h – 14:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light cloud during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres. High Tide: 11:20h reaching a maximum height of 2.13 metres.

Low Tide: 17:32h reaching minimum height of 1.09 metres.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022 LOTTERY NUMBERS

O 08 14 15 22 23 25 06

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS

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22

LUCKY 3

4 3 9

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PAY DAY

04 08 09

13

16 17

SUPER

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

06 08 09 12 19

1

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2

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COMMODITIES

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Sherod Duncan suspended from Parliament over unruly display, defiance

…refused to heed multiple warnings from Speaker

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir Suspended: AFC MP Sherod Duncan

Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Sherod Duncan, who on Wednesday strode into the parliamentary chambers while the Committee of Supply was in session and began hurling insults across the aisle at a Government MP, has been suspended from the National Assembly.

At the time of Duncan’s outburst, the Committee of Supply had been examining the 2022 budget estimates for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. As A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP Vinceroy Jordan was about to ask a question, Duncan entered the chambers and immediately began hurling insults at the subject Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, disrupting the sitting in the process.

Duncan’s invective against Minister Dharamlall included the use of words like “nasty”, which is generally acknowledged as unparliamentary language. Despite repeated orders from Speaker of the House Manzoor Nadir to take his seat, Duncan ignored the Speaker and continued his stream of insults against the Minister.

“Honourable member Mr Duncan… honourable member Mr Duncan… honourable member Mr Duncan… could you please take your seat…honourable member Mr Duncan,” the Speaker implored, at which point Duncan shouted “I will not take my seat!”

After his demands that Duncan withdraw from the National Assembly went unheeded, Nadir then asked Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira, who is also the Government’s Chief Whip, to table a motion requesting Duncan’s suspension from Parliament for four sittings. This Teixeira almost immediately did.

“Mr Speaker, based on the behaviour of the member and disrespect to you as the Speaker of this House, I move that the honourable member who is not speaking from his seat, he is not in his chair, be suspended from the House for the next (four) sittings,” Teixeira moved.

After Nadir put the question, the motion was passed with the Government side voting for the motion and the Opposition voting against it. The sitting subsequently went on a suspension. When the sitting resumed, APNU/AFC MPs had vacated their seats. The business of the Committee of Supply then continued, with no one in attendance from the Opposition to ask any questions.

After the allocations to Region Five were approved, Dharamlall made a statement on the parliamentary floor in which he apologised to the Speaker and to the House for any unparliamentary statements he may have made during the sitting.

“Earlier today, this House had some issues which we believe became very heated. And so I would like, Mr Speaker, to indicate to you that if I said anything that was misconstrued that it was not my intention to make those statements to that effect.”

“And if there were statements which were also unparliamentary on my part during the course of the interrogations, then I would like to withdraw that,” Dharamlall further said, to the applause of his fellow MPs.

Shortly before Duncan’s outburst, Minister Dharamlall had upbraided the APNU/AFC for what he called their duplicity when it comes to installing street lights. According to him, the former Government victimised communities perceived as being pro-PPP, while Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) like Profit/ Rising Sun and Bath/ Woodley Park, pro-APNU/ AFC, receive sizeable allocations from the current Government.

“I had the indignity of being in Bath settlement, where my mother is from, and … it hurts, that they removed every single streetlight in Bath settlement when they were in Government. It hurts. They went to Cotton Tree and Blairmont and Bush Lot and did the same,” Dharamlall said.

Duncan is already one of eight APNU/AFC MPs currently before the Privileges Committee, for the infamous Mace grab of December 29, when APNU/AFC members protested the hearing of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill, which they wanted to be sent to a parliamentary Special Select Committee for review.

Coalition MPs stood banging on their desks when the Bill was called up for debate and subsequently gathered in the pit of the dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where National Assembly sittings are being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bill was eventually passed late into the evening but not before the Opposition’s protest escalated into a physical confrontation with Parliament staff after one of the parliamentarians snatched the Parliament Mace from in front of Speaker Nadir.

For that, eight APNU/ AFC MPs were sent to the Privileges Committee, including Duncan, Chief Whip Christopher Jones, and other members, Annette Ferguson, Ganesh Mahipaul, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, and Maureen Philadelphia. (G3)

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Flagrant disrespect in Parliament

As the nation observed at the consideration of the estimates in the National Assembly, which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Guyanese again witnessed the complete descent into lawlessness in Parliament as the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Sherod Duncan disrupted the Committee of Supply by hurling insults at a Government MP while ignoring the Speaker’s call for him to take his seat.

From all reports from Parliament, Duncan’s dissent resorted to what was described as “nasty” and unparliamentary language. Therefore, the suspension of the Opposition member from the parliamentary proceedings for four sittings by the Speaker was justified, as his disrespect was flagrant.

One can recall that in December 2021, Guyanese were astonished by the lawlessness in Parliament when the Opposition disrupted proceedings in its bid to have the Natural Resource Fund Bill sent to a parliamentary select committee.

But instead of having their objections raised in an eloquent manner befitting a Member of Parliament and having their objections put on the record, the Opposition showed this nation that they have no respect for the sanctity of any institution and more so, the highest decision-making body of the nation.

Moreover, the act of snatching the Mace from Speaker Manzoor Nadir is despicable to say the least and the MP should be expelled for the desecration of the National Assembly.

History will tell that MP Isahak Basir, who was a member of the National Assembly of Guyana from 1977 to 1991, had his political career ended in 1991 when he was expelled from Parliament by the then Speaker Sase Narain for throwing a glass of water at him and removing the ceremonial mace from its proper place.

Shockingly but not surprisingly, the new leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton in the aftermath of the disrespect to Parliament commended the Opposition MPs for their actions. The fact that Norton praised the Opposition MPs for their distasteful behaviour speaks volume to the type of leadership that the PNC has continued to embrace.

If one were to recall, such descent into lawlessness is nothing new for the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). In March of 2021 during the consideration of the estimates in the National Assembly, which was also held at the ACCC, the Opposition disrupted the Committee of Supply in its bid to deviate from parliamentary norms of bringing a motion to the House on an issue it wanted to be urgently addressed.

As was then and as is now, the disorderly actions taken by the APNU/AFC in the National Assembly were uncalled for.

The travesty that occurred in the National Assembly in March and December 2021 and now in February 2022 should never have started if our elected members, in the first instance, behaved as, and had the decorum, befitting an MP.

This appalling behaviour, however, is not surprising as, having witnessed what occurred after the March 2, 2020 elections and the subsequent five months, one would have a very good idea of how low the Opposition can descend.

Again, it would be good if the APNU/AFC were to prove that it had matured politically by joining with the Government in tackling issues that would help in the development of Guyana rather than disrupting the National Assembly, having not made any meaningful contribution.

More so, their behaviour demonstrates a failure to make representation for the thousands of Guyanese who had voted for them.

As this newspaper had outlined previously, the Government has laid out a detailed plan for the development of Guyana for the next five years. It is quite clear that the Government has a full grasp of the challenges facing communities, and has made the necessary financial allocations to address those challenges. What is now required is that personal political interest be put aside by the Opposition and the national interest take the forefront of its agenda.

Therefore, rather than adopting the current aggressive confrontational approach, the Opposition should serve the people of Guyana by showing respect for Guyanese by meaningfully engaging in the developmental agenda of the Administration.

Moalchand Jadunandan, the Sergeant in Charge of Traffic at the Golden Grove/Diamond Police Station, which falls within Regional Division 4(B), and his ranks took part in giving back to the youths from the Grove Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara on Wednesday. The children were provided with books and other school supplies to aid in their education. They were also treated with refreshments

(Guyana Police Force photo)

A guilty conscience speaks louder than words!

Dear Editor,

The Honourable Opposition Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister of Health, Dr Karen Cummings, made a number of serious but absurd allegations and fictitious and damaging claims during her Budget 2022 presentation. She noted that her party believes that the proposed location for the 6 new hospitals (Anna Regina, Region Two; Tuschen, Region Three; Diamond & Enmore, Region Four; Bath Settlement, Region Six; and No 75 Village, Region Six) is being done based on voter population. Dr Frank Anthony, the Minister of Health, was quick on his feet to dunk her figment of a wild imagination and vociferously defended the Government’s decision for the proposed sites that were chosen based on the population size increase in the region and that people must have easy access to healthcare services. Dr Anthony elaborated on the additional facilities which would be equipped with their own CT scans, digital X-rays, ultra sound machines and modernised laboratories and that all devices will be internet enabled. He explained that people should not have to travel from all parts of the country to come to Georgetown to get access to these services. He also highlighted that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has always been seen as the national referral hospital but sometimes referred to as a regional hospital in the region. “We want to change that. We want to ensure that Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation remains a National Referral Hospital and do the complicated cases,” he said. As one published letter writer noted, “As Guyanese, we need to widen our vistas beyond narrow political patronage. Forward together, Guyana.” Minister Gail Teixeira did say Guyana will not be taken backward by the PPP/C Government.

Dr Karen Cummings also asserted in her speech that, “In addition, significant disparities along ethnic lines at the surgical departments at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and within the surgical training programmes, needs to be addressed. Hon Member and Minister of Health, you know these folks tell me these things and I think this is the forum for me to tell you. It has been alleged that young black doctors who are aspiring to be surgeons, are unlikely to get into surgical residency programmes, not because of a lack of intellect but because they might not be of the right race. To this end and to confront and remedy this issue, we are asking for a race disparity and remuneration audit into the admitting of residents, and the hiring of registrars be it junior and senior consultants. As the shadow Minister of Health, I am going somewhere, and I am telling it as it is. I am feeling it is because of a certain section of populace.”

This claim has been vehemently refuted by the Administration at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and its management categorically stated that, there is absolutely no foundation for any such aspersion on the dignity of the hospital. There is no discrimination practiced in any hiring process and, in addition, no group or people is singled out for any of its training programme are given priority over others. This allegation is baseless and therefore, it must be seen to have ulterior motive to satisfy another political agenda at the expense of the GPHC, which is being used as a tool to achieve this motive. This allegation is an attempt to malign the credibility of GPHC and to obstruct the smooth function of the organisation in an effort to create a rift between management and staff.

As reported, the hospital said, “We wish to clarify that the process for selection for all of the post-graduate programmes offered by the GPHC through the Institute for Health Science Education (IHSE) are solely merit-based and overseen by a diverse selection panel which comprises of esteemed personnel from various entities including the University of Guyana and some international partners.” The hospital also “boasts a competitive surgical programme with a rigorous application process that requires that the applicant satisfy multiple requirements prior to admission. At no stage of this process is information related to the race of the applicant requested or considered by the IHSE or the GPHC.” Will Dr Cummings provide the necessary proof to substantiate her allegations? The hospital invited her to comply. How interesting (amusing?) to learn that since 2015, the IHSE has admitted 33 successful applicants, including the last intake of 6 applicants in May 2020 into its post-graduate programme, it was a period when Dr Cummings was a Minister in the Ministry of Health and then in Foreign Affairs, representing her party which was in power. Does the Honourable Member of Parliament have something to reveal? A guilty conscience speaks louder than words!

Guyana will not forget the March 5th, 2020 General Election embarrassing episode when, the very Dr Karen Cummings, then Foreign Affairs Minister, visited GECOM’s Command Centre where she met with members of the International Observer Mission and issued a threat to revoke their accreditation. The observers expressed their disappointment that she would sink to such levels, noting that, they would not allow the respective bodies they represent to be disrespected and asked that she take her leave. The then APNU/ AFC Government had to apologise to the international observers to save their face, all because of her attitude.

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Future petroleum contracts to address concerns of civil society

Dear Editor,

There has been a continual flow of opinions during the past two years urging the PPP/C Government to re-negotiate the Exxon and Partners’ Profit-Sharing Agreement (PSA) of 2016. This stream was a trickle during the PNCR-led Government, but these opinions have currently evolved into a gush. What the critics are also implying is that the PPP/C should clean up the horrible mess in the Exxon contract that was created by the PNCRled coalition. They believe that should re-negotiation happen it could result in superior conditions (both financial and other wise) for Guyana. Not only the critics, but every Guyanese, including the Government, would have been happy to carve out a better deal, but re-negotiation is fraught with many formidable challenges that would be difficult to navigate.

The circumstances under which the Exxon contract was negotiated are filled with anomalies. It was reported, for example, that the address provided on the contract was that of a well-known lawyer. It was also reported by Global Witness that the marriage celebration of the Minister of Natural Resources was funded by Exxon. In addition, Minister Raphael Trotman has blamed the Geology and Mines Commission for the deficiencies in the contract. More astonishing is the claim of the Minister that he was instructed to sign the contract but has failed to provide the instructor’s name or his/her official title. If the instructor was not the President, who was it?

When these glaring aberrations are taken together along with the reluctance of the PNCR-led coalition to have made the contract public, credibility in the contracting process plummeted and suspicion multiplied. As a pretext, Guyanese were told that disclosure of the contract was a matter of national security (presumably Venezuela might expand its claim to Guyana’s territorial waters given its oil discoveries!). It was not until the US$18 million signing bonus was exposed by social critic Chris Ram and subsequent pressures from the PPP/C Opposition and civil society groups that the PSA was made available to the public after being kept in secrecy for over one year. The deviance continued. The PNCR-led coalition’s Minister of Finance had denied receiving the signing bonus. It was also revealed that the sum of US$18 million was not paid into the Consolidated Fund, as required by FM&AA.

The many dark spots in the Exxon contact have led to much uneasiness, apprehension, and speculation. Critics feel that enough and careful thought were not injected into the negotiation process. The Guyana team under the Minister of Natural Resources was overwhelmed by the Exxon negotiators who succeeded in delivering a lopsided contract. It is for this and other reasons that critics have been pressing hard for the re-negotiation of the Stabroek Block Exxon contract. They want to re-negotiate, among other things, an increase in the size of the signing bonus, an increase in the proportion of profit oil, strengthening the EIS (including insurance coverage and safety measures), removal of the generous tax concessions, and introducing ring fencing.

To justify their position, critics point to Suriname which gets 6.25 per cent as royalty compared with 2 per cent for Guyana. They also indicate that Guyana gets 14.5 per cent profit oil, while Suriname gets 35.84 per cent. Suriname got US$100 million signing bonus for Block 58, while Guyana got only US$18 million. In Suriname, the oil company pays 36 per cent income tax compared with zero for Guyana. Under EIS, they want better control of flaring and want Exxon to provide insurance to cover oil spills and other potential environmental disasters. Guyana pays Exxon Income tax while Suriname makes the oil company pay 36 per cent income tax. Ring fencing was not included in the 2016 PSA contract. Simply stated, ring fencing is the procedure that allows companies to recover development costs only within a defined geographic ring, and not outside of it. Where there is no ring fencing, a company can utilise the profits from operation A to conduct exploration elsewhere and thus reducing the size of the profits at operation A.

While acknowledging that the Exxon contract was lopsided, the PPP/C Government is constrained in what it could do to mitigate the situation. The repercussions of any contract re-negotiation could be detrimental to the country’s credibility as a haven for investment. The Attorney General, Mr Anil Nandlall, refers to the “inviolability” of international contracts and further concedes that any attempt at re-negotiation would undermine investors’ confidence, especially at a time when the country needs their capital and technology to fund the country’s massive development projects. Then, there is the “stability” clause in the contract that makes re-negotiation almost impossible. Chris Ram notes: “What Trotman has done is that he has crippled succeeding Parliaments and generations by a stability clause which will take expensive and heavyweight legal action to unshackle.”

The PPP/C Government, however, has pledged to negotiate better terms and conditions for the future PSAs. And in respect to the 2016 PSA, the Government has been exploring avenues through administrative action (such as imposing a fee for flaring at a cost of US$45 per tonne of carbon emitted until emission could reach zero) to enhance benefits, as well as to use other legal means to add to existing benefits. For example, through Local Content legislation all foreign investors must form joint partnerships with Guyanese so that the latter owns 51 per cent of the shares and employs 75 Guyanese as managerial staff.

Judging from the public pronouncements, combined with the reasons cited before, re-negotiation is not likely to happen. What is perplexing is that opposition MP Mr David Patterson has conveniently jumped onto the re-negotiation band wagon. For 5 years his PNCRled Government never considered re-negotiation. Is he trying to bait the PPP/C into a tricky situation? Why isn’t Local Content Policy cast at the centre of the political radar?

Was VICE fishing for a headline story?

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh Dear Editor,

I am not sure of the purpose, intent, objective, and goal of the VICE Media interview (Feb 1) with Vice President Jagdeo. The VP must have thought it provided an opportunity to promote investment in Guyana and agreed to it. As we learn from analysing the excerpt of the interview that was released, the VP and many in the public domain that I conversed with feel there was an ulterior motif of the reporter. Several of the VP’s supporters that I interviewed describe the interview as a kind of an ambush designed to implicate the VP and the Government in questionable activities. Jagdeo handled himself quite well in spite of persistence of the reporter on making unsubstantiated allegations. Several of the reporter's facts are not accurate.

The VP was heard expressing concern to the interviewer that it was “a gotcha type” (my description) of an interview in which the interviewer was looking for response for a headline story. He has since castigated the reporter for what came across as an interview for what those of us who did journalism would be called “sensational news” or reporting or interviewing. In journalism, it is called a fanciful tale, fishing for a story. Some may even call it “tabloid journalism”. These kinds of stories sell well and are featured on front pages of papers looking to increase sales and garner more ads.

The VP was also heard responding to the questions that were related to allegations as amounting to hearsay. Indeed, they were. In court, it would be called hearsay and disallowed as evidence while in journalism it is called unsubstantiated concoctions. There were allegations but no evidence to back the questions. Was the reporter fishing for news for a major story? Guyana will be getting a lot of oil money and international media may want to sensationalise what is happening with the oil proceeds.

I wish to applaud the VP for agreeing to the interview. Engaging the media or the public is one of his strengths as a politician although he does not have time for “a gyaffe”. He never evaded a reporter or a public question. In my encounters as a reporter or media operative with Jagdeo since 1999, I witnessed him being kind to critics and known opponents in entertaining questions at press conferences in New York. After picketing exercises outside without justifiable reasons, several would enter the hall and asked Jagdeo questions. When the chair of events refused to allow them to ask questions, Jagdeo would overrule the chair and say “let him or her to ask”. He recognises their democratic right to peaceful protest. He does not avoid hard questioners or those who disagreed with him. And he does not support media censorship or the idea of blocking people from questioning him on any issue just because they are opponents.

Jagdeo concluded that the VICE Media reporter came with a pre-determined agenda. It seems so. Yet he did not dodge questions. And he answered all her questions – for that he must be saluted. That is the hallmark of a politician not afraid of the press. He even told her to support allegations with evidence and he would have them investigated. He has nothing to hide and not afraid of an independent query into his conduct.

The VP pointed out that her facts on trade relations with and investors from China are not accurate. There were several contracts that she stated were given to Chinese when in fact they were given to non-Chinese. Clearly, there was a concern with Guyana’s relations with China. But Guyana does not have a pro-China policy although it has a One China policy not much different from the West. Guyana has and must have a pro-US policy because of the large diaspora in the US which itself is a guarantor of our democracy.

With regards to corruption allegations, the VP suggested to the reporter that she brings evidence and that the Integrity Commission can conduct an investigation into them. He assured her that through his political life, he consistently complied with the law in declaring his assets with the Integrity Commission.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Page Foundation

Graphs are useful ways to display information or data. A ***bar graph*** uses bars to compare two or more things, people or places. The bars in this type of graph may be horizontal or vertical, not both. Each bar represents a number. Because the data is shown visually, the bars can be compared to one another. Sometimes, different coloured bars that represent different things are used.

MossGathering

Examples:

Each student at Central High voted for his or her favourite kind of Christmas cake.

The key tells you that the black bars stand for boys and the grey stand for girls. The horizontal line, or axis, at the bottom of the graph names different types of cakes. The vertical axis tells you how many boys and how many girls voted for that kind of cake. How many boys voted for fruit cake?

Step 1: Find fruit cake on the horizontal axis. Look at the top of each bar in the fruit cake section and follow that line back to the vertical axis to find out how many boys voted for fruit cake. 250 boys voted for fruit cake. How many students voted for sponge cake?

Step 1: Find sponge cake on the horizontal axis. Look at the top of each bar in the sponge cake section and follow that line back to the vertical axis to find out how many boys and how many girls voted for sponge cake. 400 boys + 300 girls = 700 students.

Exercises:

Use the graph below to identify the third most-liked fruit at the time of the year.

According to the bar graph below, what was the least favourite holiday drink for students?

Materials: Balloon Yarn or string Tape Straw Scissors 2 chairs

Instructions:

Use the scissors and cut the straw into a twoinch long piece. Cut a length of yarn about six feet or more long. Tie one end of the string to one chair. Slide the piece of straw onto the yarn. Now tie the other end of the yarn to the other chair. Blow up the balloon. Pinch the end of the balloon closed, but do not tie it off. Tape the balloon to the straw. Pull the straw and balloon to one end of the yarn. Release the balloon and watch your Rocket Blast Balloon take off.

How it works:

Our Rocket Blast Balloon demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When we release the balloon, the pressurised air in the balloon pushes against the air around the balloon sending it in the opposite direction down the yarn.

Make this a science project:

How do different sized balloons perform? Does the length of the yarn cause any changes in the Rocket Blast Balloon behaviour? Do different shaped balloons perform differently?

By Theodore Roethke

To loosen with all ten fingers held wide and limber And lift up a patch, dark-green, the kind for lining cemetery baskets, Thick and cushiony, like an old-fashioned doormat, The crumbling small hollow sticks on the underside mixed with roots, And wintergreen berries and leaves still stuck to the top, — That was moss-gathering. But something always went out of me when I dug loose those carpets Of green, or plunged to my elbows in the spongy yellowish moss of the marshes: And afterwards I always felt mean, jogging back over the logging road, As if I had broken the natural order of things in that swampland; Disturbed some rhythm, old and of vast importance, By pulling off flesh from the living planet; As if I had committed, against the whole scheme of life, a desecration.

Teacher's Tip

“Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard” – Tim Notke

WORD SEARCH

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Multi-million investments in Guyana being considered by British Trade Mission

…interest expressed in arbitration services, Silica City, basalt fibre plant

Dubbing Guyana as the most exciting investment destination, a group of United Kingdom (UK) based businesses are currently in the country exploring opportunities in a variety of sectors that could see millions of dollars in investments being injected into the Guyanese economy.

The “British Business Mission” is wrapping up a four-day visit to Guyana during which they networked with both local Private Sector and Government officials as they scope out opportunities for potential investments. The delegation is being hosted by London-based The Caribbean Council, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the British High Commission’s Department for International Trade.

At a press conference on Wednesday, representatives from the British companies which ranged from construction materials to beverage all lauded the plethora of opportunities available for investments here.

In fact, Managing Director of The Caribbean Council, Chris Bennett outlined that some of the projects that are being floated would see multimillion-dollar investments being made here.

“We’ve been here three days and many of the projects that are under discussion are multi, multimillion-dollar investments… There really is, I think, exciting prospects to do so. I think we, on our side and the counterparts we have brought in, need to go and weigh our numbers, and work out how we can make these projects happen… It’s a good excuse for us to be back very soon,” he stated.

Bennett said the Group has also been paying keen attention to the ongoing Budget proceedings in the National Assembly and is excited about Government’s plans for investments in various sectors of the Guyanese economy. He added that some of the companies that are a part of the mission could potentially play a really helpful part in driving those plans and helping to deliver them more quickly, more efficiently, in a more cost-effective way and potentially in a way that reduces carbon impact as well.

He added that they have been looking at road expansion projects, hydro projects, investments in human capital, digital economy, wireless businesses and new brands such as the rum sector.

According to Bennett, there is a lot to take away from this visit and follow-up on. He added that they are similarly hoping to facilitate a similar engagement for a Guyanese business delegation in the UK sometime in the future.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller expressed hope that these and other UK businesses can invest here and partner with Guyanese companies to make a difference in the local economy.

“The UK has a wealth of expertise in many, many different sectors… The UK is very keen to see opportunities where we can partner with Guyana to really see the economic growth happen and really make a difference in the lives of all Guyanese. So, it’s a really exciting time,” she noted.

The British envoy went on to reassure that this visit by the Trade Mission is more than just “warm words” and will actually yield tangible investments. She added that most, if not all of the representatives have indicated their intent to return to Guyana in furtherance of business opportunities.

“This is a preliminary [visit]. It’s about getting to know people, developing those partnerships. What’s been really great is that they’re meeting Government officials, meeting Private Sector. The GCCI is doing an amazing job finding businesses that we could potentially partner with. So, it’s much more than warm words. This will turn into businesses that will happen here in Guyana,” High Commissioner Miller stressed.

Adding to this, GCCI President Timothy Tucker welcomed the interests expressed for potential foreign direct investments in Guyana. He pointed out that the calibre and types of businesses on this Trade Mission demonstrates that Guyana is not just a place for oil and gas.

He outlined that important among this group is Signature Litigation, a leading dispute firm. This type of service, Tucker explained, is highly needed especially now with Guyana in an oil and gas era, forging business with international companies, which would potentially end up in disputes. “…Not that we want our companies to be in dispute but, of course, these things arise. And of course, Government has been looking at the Arbitration Bill over the years… This not the first incoming delegation that have dealt with the Chamber when it comes to arbitration. The mandate of the Chamber, actually the Constitution, says that GCCI can act as an arbitrator. So, all of those things we’ve been in communication with [The Caribbean Council] to strengthen our capacity,” the GCCI Head asserted.

In fact, to further strengthen ties, GCCI and The Caribbean Council during Wednesday’s press conference signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for future collaboration between the two organisations.

Moreover, representative of Signature, Counsel Bernhard Maier spoke about the vast need for arbitration services in Guyana not just at the Private Sector level but also at a State-level.

The representatives from the Scottish headquartered Woolard & Henry Ltd talked about potentially setting up a basalt and glass fibre plant in Guyana to cater for the massive infrastructure growth by replacing steel with basalt materials. He said there has been positive response to this.

Another company that also saw success in its discussions so far is Dar Group, which specialises in engineering, designing and project management services. Managing Director Andrew Loudon said there is vast opportunities to tap into with Government’s Silica City project. (G8)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM $101M lawsuit filed against “Guyanese Critic” over “Mudwata” commentary

Mikhail Rodrigues known as the “Guyanese Critic”

Social media commentator, Mikhail Rodrigues, who is better known as the “Guyanese Critic”, is facing a $101 million lawsuit over alleged libellous commentary he made via a Facebook live about the animated character, “Mudwata”.

The lawsuit, which was filed at the Demerara High Court and seeks $50 million in damages for libel, another $50 million in aggravated and exemplary damages and $1 million in special damages was filed by pageant photographer, Keron Bruce.

Bruce claims that on January 29, 2022, Rodrigues, while vacationing in Barbados, made several false and defamatory statements about him on a Facebook live which attracted 761 comments, 933 reactions, 33,000 views, and was shared 91 times.

Maintaining that he and the “Mudwata” character are not “one and the same”, Bruce said that Rodrigues has not presented any credible evidence to the contrary and therefore this cannot be ''a matter of fact". He said that this has not been proven in a court of law, nor has he been charged with or convicted of a crime.

He denied having any engagement with Rodrigues, whom he described as a “self-proclaimed social media influencer”. The photographer alleged that Rodrigues’ utterances were for the sole purpose of increasing views, followers, reactions, and for his own personal clout.

According to him, these comments have caused irrevocable damage to his reputation and have subjected him to public ridicule, contempt, hatred, and embarrassment, and have also brought his career into disrepute.

The “Mudwata” cartoon character

Photographer Keron Bruce

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Begging the question…

…on corruption claims

Now what kinda news outfit calls itself “Vice News” when they know that “Vice” represents all behaviour society finds seriously disgusting?? For shock effect? Contrarian? Or plain sensationalism based on digging up dirt - -and if they can’t find it, throw dirt and hope it sticks?? Anyhow, the interview that Vice – a news outfit from up north that’s been in a freefall for the last three years and is desperately seeking relevance – answered those questions in its interview of VP Jagdeo at the beginning of this month.

Realising that he’d been sandbagged, Jagdeo decided to bring the matter to the public’s attention by posting the video on his Facebook page for all the world to see. He also held a press conference to clear up any lingering ambiguities. So, what was it all about, Alfie? Very simply, the reporter tried to lull Jagdeo into a false sense of security by asking some innocuous questions on our new economy and oil. Then out of the blue, she asked him bluntly whether he’d taken bribes for securing contracts from Chinese investors and businesses. Yup! Specifically Chinese ones!!

Now right off the bat one could smell a rat. As the VP pointed out, investors from all over the world have been beating a path to Guyana after Exxon struck black gold! So why didn’t the reporter ask about “taking” bribes in general? Well, she knew if she mentioned US firms she has to take the evidence to the authorities there since offering bribes is a crime there!! Secondly, as the VP also pointed out, by invoking China, the reporter knew she was raising America’s present strategic bogeyman and this would immediately precipitate a whole lotta clicks!!

Thirdly, as the VP further told the reporter, her snarky question’s premise was that developing countries –- to call them “third world” isn’t politically correct anymore, even though Trump revealed that “shithole” countries was their real assessment – are by definition corrupt. Even though countless instances of corrupt politicians in the States are unveiled daily, they are Teflon coated!! She then pulled out what she clearly thought was her haymaker – the name of a Chinese businessman, Su, a tenant of Jagdeo, who she claimed told her that he was the middleman for Chinese businesses to get Guyanese Government contracts!!

So her question to Jagdeo could be boiled down to “Have you taken bribes from Chinese companies to give them contracts as Su told me?” And this is what we call “begging the question”!! Meaning that the conclusion (taking bribes) is asserted to be true because its premise (that Su’s claim, if he did make it) is assumed to be true!!

And Su’s now said he never said so!!

…on the China Card

But the bribe allegation wasn’t the only ambush the Vice Reporter (Vice for short) tried to pull on Jagdeo. While US foreign policy at the moment is focusing on Russia (over Ukraine), Vice knows that China is the strategic conundrum that’s really transfixing the American public. So Vice rather transparently tried to paint the VP and Guyana as favouring China rather than the US in awarding contracts!!

Challenged on this wild assertion, Vice made some ridiculous illustrations – like a contract for the SchoonordParika Highway which hasn’t even been mapped out yet!! But Vice’s line of attack illustrates the dancing between the raindrops that Guyana has to be engaged in as she tries to navigate between the elephants fighting it out over world dominance. While Vice is just hoping for a few more clicks to staunch the bleeding of its bottom line, for Guyana, it could mean a repeat of the horrors of the 1960s.

Guyanese patriots should condemn Vice’s incitement.

…on Macron’s Mission

After France’s President Macron huddled with European leaders on a common stance over the US-Russia Ukraine standoff, he met Putin.

Was the 15-foot table between just the two of them a signal they were miles apart?

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM President awaiting Parliament’s nominee to finalise NRF Board

…says “good names” being considered

President Dr Irfaan Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali said there are some “good names” being considered for the National Resource Fund (NRF) Board of Directors and is now awaiting the nominee from the Parliament of Guyana before finalising the candidates to be appointed.

He made this revelation while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of an event at the British High Commissioner’s residence on Tuesday night. The Head of State reassured that the announcement of the NRF Board will be made with immediacy once Parliament submits its nominee.

“We have some very good names that is being considered and I’m just waiting now for Parliament to send their recommendations and then with immediacy, you will see the board,” President Ali stated.

Last month, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira tabled a Motion in the National Assembly seeking to have the Committee of Appointments recommend a candidate to be appointed by the President to serve as one of the Directors on the NRF Board.

The three-to-five-member Board is expected to be made up of mostly civil society representatives with one nominee from the Private Sector and one from the Parliament to be appointed by the President.

The Head of State has already made it clear that he will select the individuals to sit on the Board with the utmost integrity.

Meanwhile, only last week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo reassured that the nominee coming from the Parliament will be supported by both sides of the National Assembly.

Section 5 (2) of the NRF Act provides that the Directors shall be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the Private Sector.

However, Section 5 (10) of the said Act states that a person shall not be eligible for appointment as a Director if that person, inter alia, is a member of the National Assembly.

Minister Teixeira had explained that with the motion now sent to the Committee of Appointments, they will have to meet to discuss a possible nominee who is not a Member of Parliament.

The Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister is the Chairperson of the Committee, while Minister of Human Servi ces and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister within the Office of Prime Minister Kwame McCoy and Government Members of Parliament (MPs) Alister Charlie and Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson also sit on the Committee along with the parliamentary Opposition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) MPs Annette Ferguson, Nicolette Henry, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Khemraj Ramjattan. However, Henry last week indicated her intention to step down as a parliamentarian.

The NRF Act was passed in the National Assembly in December, amid chaos caused by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition who did their utmost to disrupt the proceedings after the Bill was brought up for debate.

The Bill, which has since been assented to by President Ali, outlines that the Directors will hold the post for not more than two years with eligibility for reappointment, and all appointments, as well as changes in appointments, are to be gazetted and published on the Ministry’s website and in two daily newspapers.

The new Bill states that the Board of Directors will be responsible for the overall management of the Fund, reviewing and approving the policies of the Fund, monitoring the performance of the Fund, ensuring compliance with the approved policies of the Fund, and ensuring that the Fund is managed in compliance with the Act and all other applicable laws.

Moreover, the Board is also expected to report to the subject Minister, who is allowed to give policy directives as deemed necessary to their functions. In addition, the proposed legislation caters for the appointment of two committees, one of which is the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, which will provide non-Governmental oversight of the Fund and comprises various civil society representatives who will have to present a report to the National Assembly annually. (G8)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Jail sentence for taxi driver’s killer reduced from 80 to 35 years

The jail sentence for a man convicted of the January 2010 murder of a taxi driver whose burnt remains were found on the Mocha Access Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was reduced from 80 to 35 years by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.

Following a trial before Justice Navindra Singh in 2015, 51-year-old Balram Singh, formerly of Agricola, EBD, was found guilty of

Murder convict: Balram Singh Dead: Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo

murdering Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo. He was subsequently sentenced to 80 years in prison.

Media reports are that Sukhdeo was killed between January 19 and January 27, 2010. He had been kidnapped and robbed of his vehicle. His charred remains were discovered in Mocha, EBD, days after he had gone missing.

He was reportedly shot to the head with a .38 revolver. It was reported that on January 19, 2010, Balram Singh and another man had gone to Georgetown and hired Sukhdeo to take them to Agricola, EBD, where the former resided.

They shot the man to his head and drove his body to Eccles, EBD, where they dumped it in some bushes. They later retrieved the body from Eccles and took it to Mocha, where they burnt it before escaping in Sukhdeo’s car.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower court, Balram Singh, through his lawyer, Nigel Hughes, filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence. Among other things, he argued that the initial sentence was manifestly excessive.

He argued, too, that the base sentence of 60 years used by the trial Judge in arriving at a final sentence, was nine years shy of Guyana’s life expectancy, and without jurisprudential basis. He further argued that the Judge did not adequately put his defence to the jury for consideration.

Delivering the ruling of the appellate court was the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, who said that with no proper reason to set aside the conviction, the court would only allow the appeal on the issue of sentencing.

The Court of Appeal rejected Balram Singh’s argument that his conviction was unreasonable and cannot be supported having regards to the evidence. Justices of Appeal Dawn GregoryBarnes and Rishi Persaud and the Chancellor, however, agreed that the sentence imposed by the trial Judge was manifestly excessive.

In the appeal court’s ruling, it was revealed that, to the base sentence, Justice Singh added on 10 years because the crime was premeditated and another 10 years because a robbery was committed during the commission of the murder.

The Court of Appeal, in this case, said it was guided by the principle that sentencing is entirely within the discretion of the trial Judge and is not to be interfered with unless it is found to be excessive or wrong in principle.

“As the Appeal Court, we must not be inclined to alter sentences because we believe a different sentence should be imposed,” said the Chancellor, while adding that the purpose of sentencing includes retribution, rehabilitation, and crime prevention.

“Extremely out of character”

The Appeal Court held that a base sentence of 60 years was “extremely out of character”. The Judges said that the offence is serious given how it was carried out and highlighted that Sukhdeo was abducted, killed, and then burnt.

With reference to various case laws, the Court of Appeal held that a sentence of 35 years is most suited in Balram Singh’s case. He was given full credit for the time he spent in pre-trial custody in keeping with the directives outlined in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) case of Romeo Da Costa Hall vs The Queen.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien appeared for the State. Despite the unanimous guilty verdict, Balram Singh had always maintained his innocence. “Your Honour, with all due respect, I don’t have anything to say at this point. “I didn’t murder nobody,” an expressionless Singh had told Justice Singh. (G1)

$101M lawsuit filed...

FROM PAGE 8

Bruce further deposed that his 16-year-old son has also suffered ridicule and bullying from his peers as a result of the “bold” statements made by Rodrigues, who is also affirming that he is the photographer who took photographs of young women and used them in a derogatory manner.

Following the Facebook live, Bruce said he was immediately suspended from his duties as a photographer from the Miss World Organisation. Dismissing the statements as baseless, malicious, and grossly inaccurate, the photographer submitted that they are “calculated” for Rodrigues to increase monetary gains.

He added that his reputation is critical to his profession and suggestions of involvement in any such behaviour as alleged by a very public figure and self-proclaimed social media influencer, is detrimental to his career.

He said, too, that the libellous statements may create fear, possible apprehension in the public at large and reputable organisations such as the Miss World Organisation towards him and lead the Police to charge him.

Bruce told the High Court that he is fearful so much for his life that he has hired a 24-hour security service for himself and his family because Rodrigues has threatened that he “would show up” at his home and go live on Facebook.

Apart from monetary award for damages, the photographer is asking the court to order Rodrigues to publish or cause to be published, an apology to him. He is also seeking a permanent injunction restraining Rodrigues from publishing or causing to be published the posts or similar words which are defamatory to him.

Bruce is represented by lawyers, Anastasia Sandford and Tamieka Clarke. (G1)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM Guyana among countries which granted subsurface rights to Amerindians – VP

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said 20 per cent of Guyana’s land should go to its Amerindian peoples.

He revealed this during a recent interview with a New York-based news agency.

“If you look at the land policy of the Government, when we assumed office in 1992, Indigenous people had titled lands, about 6 per cent of Guyana. By the time we left office in 2015, we had titled Indigenous communities with land that amounted to over 14 per cent of Guyana… So, six to 14 per cent. That is our track record.”

“We believe that ultimately, about 20 per cent of Guyana, the total country, will be Amerindian titled lands, and we’re in the process of ensuring that that happens, considering our Amerindian population is probably about 10 per cent of the country.”

He reminded that Guyana is among some countries that have granted subsurface rights to Amerindian communities.

“So they had rights over the forest but never the minerals below ground. So now they have subsurface rights as part of the legislation that we passed.”

Jagdeo said that this gives communities the right and opportunity to live off the land and utilise the resources, if they wish.

He added that it is for those communities to decide whether they want to live a separate way of life, or whether they want to integrate with the rest of society, and that the Government will support them no matter what.

The Vice President had cause to defend the Government’s record against an allegation that there is a land-related conflict between an Amerindian community and miners. He acknowledged that there may be individual issues arising on the ground, adding that Government will handle those as they come. However, he said that it is important to look at the Government’s policy record when judging its performance on Amerindian issues.

“Now whether we’d have individual problems on the ground, in many communities, yes, it happens in every country, but if you’re going to characterise a country’s treatment of Indigenous people based on the occasional problems you have all the time, and I don’t want to say that this happened, but this typically happens when people come in from abroad and they interview, they always try to make the country look, like, backwater.”

He said if anyone wants to understand the developing world, they should immerse themselves to get the full picture, instead of listening to one testimony and running with it.

Discussing the PPP/C’s record in Government on Amerindian issues, Jagdeo said that Guyana is among the most progressive countries in the world.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Only successful election petition can determine Govt not legitimate – Norton

...seeks meeting with GECOM on new voters’ list for LGE

PNC Leader Aubrey Norton

New Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton is contending that only the election petition case will determine whether the present Government is legitimate.

The recently-elected party leader was questioned on Tuesday during a press conference whether the new Opposition Leader would recognise the PPP/C as the duly elected Government.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips have both indicated that the Government is willing to meet with the new Opposition Leader in the interest of the country.

However, Norton said his party does not have the authority to pronounce on Government’s legitimacy.

“The question of the legitimacy of the Government has to be determined by an election petition. It is not a case of the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of the Party just deciding the Government is legitimate. Legitimacy comes from elections in this regard,” he told the media.

He added, “If perchance, it (the election petition) comes out saying that the Government was elected properly, then they will be legitimate”.

The recount of the 2020 General and Regional Elections showed the PPP/C winning the elections with 233,336 votes. At that time, caretaker President David Granger, on August 2, 2020, conceded defeat, stating that his party’s concerns would be filed in an elections petition.

Three weeks ago, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnette CummingsEdwards made the decision to grant Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and the Vice President – in his capacity as People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary – leave to appeal to the CCJ, the decision of December 21, 2021, to hear the election petition number 99.

The Court of Appeal had handed down a 2 to 1 majority ruling that it had jurisdiction to hear an appeal against Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision to dismiss election petition #99 based on improper service/non-service on the second-named respondent, former President David Granger, within the statutorily prescribed time.

The petition, which was dismissed on January 18, 2021, was filed by Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse and challenges the results of the March 2, 2020 national elections with the intent of having Granger declared the duly-elected President.

The majority ruling was delivered by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory, SC, while Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud had a dissenting judgement.

In their ruling, Justices Cummings-Edwards and Gregory held that to oust the Appeal Court from hearing the appeal against the Chief Justice’s ruling would defeat the purpose of Article 163 of the Constitution of Guyana.

As for the Chancellor, while she noted that she considered all the precedence relied on by the Attorney General, she said they failed to invalidate the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

Voters’ list

Meanwhile, the party stated that it intends to request a meeting with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to discuss, among other things, the creation of a new voters’ list ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE) billed for this year.

In a statement, the PNCR expressed concerns that the over $750 million allocated to GECOM for LGE preparations does not cater to a new voters’ list.

“It is the desire of the PNCR to participate in both Local Government Elections and General and Regional Elections with an accurate voters’ list that is acceptable to all stakeholders. GECOM must therefore commit to producing a voters’ list that is clean in time for the next Local Government Elections,” the Aubrey Norton-led political grouping said.

To this end, the PNCR said it will discuss the issue with its coalition partners and subsequently seek a meeting with GECOM.

“At that meeting, the party will clearly articulate its position on the above demands and will work with all stakeholders to ensure that all the contentions are addressed and resolved, paving the way for credible elections,” the party said.

The $750 million for LGE preparations is part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM in Budget 2022 and was examined and approved by the National Assembly during its consideration of the estimates on Monday.

In this matter, Norton said the party is planning to engage GECOM on the need for a clean voters’ list before moving ahead with the polls. However, he was reticent in outlining the party’s touted approach.

“There are a number of methods that can be used. There are provisions that exists to remove people that have migrated. There are measures that can be taken to remove the dead and importantly, Houseto-House Registration can play a critical role. We prefer when we engage the Elections Commission to address these issues,” the PNC Leader informed.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GuySuCo will be fixed in 4 years – CEO Singh

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Sasenarine Singh

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Sasenarine Singh has assured that the often cash-strapped entity will not be a burden on the Guyana Government forever.

According to the CEO, the organisation is working assiduously to reach to a point whereby it will no longer need financial support from Central Government to fund its operations.

Singh made these commitments on Monday night during a social media programme titled “Globespan 24×7” where he explained that the $6 billion allocated to GuySuCo this year will be used to “re-engineer” the sugar industry.

The GuySuCo boss reminded that when the four sugar estates were down in 2016 and 2017 under the APNU/AFC Administration, a significant number of machinery and equipment became permanently damaged.

Despite recommendations from a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) commissioned by the then President David Granger, the APNU/AFC Administration closed the Wales, East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates, sending some 17,000 workers on the breadline.

When the PPP/C Administration assumed office in August 2020, efforts were made to reopen these estates. From October 2020 to date, over 1380 persons were hired/rehired to work in the sugar industry.

“My first visit to Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt [estates]…it started with the discovery, in late 2020, of an environment, that I would call, a boneyard of steel and mud that was waiting to be pushed over because that was what happened on theses grinding estates.”

Against this backdrop, the GuySuCo CEO reasoned that significant monies had to be spent to address these problems.

“In 2019, $76 million alone were invested on these three estates. In 2021, we invested 37 times more than that,” Singh explained, indicating that the money being received from Central Government is being put to good use.

“What is needed for GuySuCo to re-engineer itself is a capital investment; that is where the Government is putting its money to make sure that all the tools and parts and field equipment and factory machinery are being re-engineered and replaced,” he posited.

“…it’s such a huge project. What is wrong with the government investing to enhance the socio-economic energy of rural communities that has limited opportunities?”

According to the Head of the sugar company, the organisation has a five-year strategic plan which will see the reduction of production costs and increased profits – which will eventually make the entity “cash neutral”.

“With a good strategic plan, the right amount of resources at the right time and when I’m talking about resources, I’m talking about capital, talent, machinery… this industry is fixable within four years,” Singh expressed.

“GuySuCo is not going to be a drain on the Government forever and that is why this strategic plan clearly has a roadmap whereby GuySuCo will become cash neutral in the near future,” he added.

GuySuCo, he further contended, “has no choice but to re-engineer its business whereby we have to move up the value chain, we have to be able to rationalise our cost, we have to become more efficient, we have to be able to make that model work whereby we’re producing sugar to sell to markets where we can make profits.”

And according to the CEO, this plan is already in action.

“When I arrived, 64 per cent of our sugar was being sold on the world market which is a price between US$320 to US$380. Today, 64 per cent of that sugar is being sold in the package and bag sugar market at double that value. We had to re-engineer the revenue stream and the revenue had to be fixed and that was fixed last year,” he explained.

“We know clearly what we’re doing about the revenue. This year, we’re going to be focusing on ensuring that the cost structures are rationalised, to bring cost of production down,” Singh added.

The five-year strategic plan also aims to improve the mechanising of all the estates such as the refurbishing of generators across the industry, the building of 250 new punts, the creation of a new packaging plant at Albion which will begin this year, the expansion of the packaging plant at Blairmont, among other initiatives.

Govt reinstates subsidised laptops nixed by APNU/AFC to CPCE teachers

The Government has returned a programme it had introduced before 2015, which provides subsidised purchases of laptops to teachers enrolled at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

This was disclosed by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, during the scrutiny of budget estimates for her Ministry on Tuesday evening.

“Before the PPP/C left office in 2015, we had a programme, a rotating fund where each student was given the opportunity to purchase at a heavily subsidised cost, a computer, and that

programme was crashed and collapsed and neglected, and not followed by the APNU/AFC. It was replaced by nothing, even though that party had come into office promising one laptop per teacher,” Manickchand was quoted by DPI as saying.

The Minister said the Government has $36 million in that account, and intends to restart the programme. The process for procurement, she indicated, has already begun, so that teachers in the CPCE training programme can benefit from access to subsidised laptops.

This will be especially useful for the teachers, given the increasing need for technology in education, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Manickchand said due to the fact that CPCE is the only training college for teachers in the country, it was important for Government to resolve the closure of the institution due to the pandemic.

“When we came into office in August of 2020, CPCE was closed completely without any prospect or plan for reopening, and we took a policy decision that we would go fully although not solely online.”

Due to space constraints, the Minister noted that CPCE could hold up to 535 students, but when it went online, that number shot up to 3000. This steep increase in students is what is responsible for a significant increase in the allocations for training and development in this year’s budget for the Ministry. Also catered for in that budget are provisions for stipends, as well as products and services necessary for online teaching.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

UG launches foundation aimed at improving operations

University of Guyana (UG) Chancellor, Professor Edward Greene

After eight years of planning, the University of Guyana has finally launched its foundation specifically designed to improve the operations at the tertiary institution.

Chancellor of the University, Professor Edward Greene related that the University of Guyana Foundation (UGF) will be operating under the guidance of UG’s ambitious “Blueprint 2040.”

He stressed that the foundation will follow the guidelines already outlined by the university in his presentation, and clarified that the rollout of “Blueprint 2040” will take place in the next four to five terms, which will be when the university has completed 75 years of existence.

The goals of UG’s ambitious “Blueprint 2040”, which the UGF will use as a guide, are to produce at least one graduate per Guyanese household, become a leader in technical and applied knowledge, become the centre of excellence for research relevant to Guyana’s development, become the de facto strategic partner for Guyana’s development and produce skilled graduates fit for purpose and success.

The foundation has highlighted four grand challenges as a way of moving forward to aid in the advancement of UG.

One of these is investing in human capital for a sustainable future which is to create and sustain scholarships and partnerships with international academic institutions and international research/innovation centres to rapidly increase the number of UG faculty members obtaining terminal degrees and post-doctoral fellowships as well as to promote post-graduate studies at UG.

Another is expected to create a green university for a green Guyana and a sustainable global environment to develop sustainable housing for students on all UG campuses and create safe spaces, walkways, and sidewalks and beautify/landscape the Turkeyen and Tain Campuses as well as UG’s other campuses across Guyana.

Thirdly, modernising essential systems and services to further preserve Guyana’s special collection at UG Library, upgrade UG’s student complex and student facilities on all campuses and also create dedicated sports facilities including a modern sports complex.

And lastly, accelerating innovations through centres of excellence and research institutes to develop an institute for the empowerment of women and girls and develop a Creative Arts Centre to advance the Fine and Performing Arts and Guyana’s Cultural Enterprise by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

However, ViceChancellor, Paloma Mohamed-Martin outlined the need for the UGF, alluding to the fact the foundation will aid in the funding of the university. Martin stated that the university has been largely growing over the years, and with the growth, there is a need for more funding to commence operations and services offered by UG.

“We have a very serious resource gap that we’ve always had to fill. Take for instance this year, and this has happened in successive years, the university has been expanding, its resources are not expanding … so for instance this year, we need $11 billion for our operations. This year we have 3.5 [billion], which is the biggest budget we’ve had in our history, but it still leaves a gap of $6.5 billion for us to fill,” she revealed.

Martin further stated that the gap affects every aspect of UG’s operations, service, quality, teaching-learning environment, numbers, brand, and reputation. With the UGF, this gap is expected to be filled.

The simple launching event sought attendance from many high-profile alumni, trustees, and major private investors of UG who make up the Board of the UGF.

Showering congratulations on UG for the launching of the foundation was also Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand through a congratulatory video message.

University of Guyana (UG) Vice-Chancellor, Paloma Mohamed-Martin

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM High Court quashes M&CC’s decision to increase compliance certificate fee

Adecision by the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC) of Georgetown to raise the fee for a certificate of compliance has been set aside following a ruling by High Court Judge Gino Persaud, who found that it was unlawful and ultra vires the Municipal and District Councils Act and the Deeds Registry Act.

On June 20, 2019, then Town Clerk Sharon HarryMunroe on behalf of the M&CC, published a notice which informed the public that the cost for a certificate of compliance will be increased by 0.5 per cent of the current market value of the property. The Guyana Bar Association (GBA) was aggrieved by this decision.

Attorneys-at-Law Pauline Chase and Teni Housty in their capacity as representatives of the GBA, wrote the Council twice requesting reasons for its decision under the Judicial Review Act. Such reasons were not provided and the GBA instituted legal proceedings in which it was contended that the decision was unlawful.

Financially detrimental

The GBA argued that the documents demanded by the M&CC to apply for a certificate of compliance are not necessary for the Council to ascertain and certify from its records whether rates and taxes have been paid on a particular property up to a specified time. It described the demand for the documents as being burdensome, frustrating to commerce, superfluous, and unnecessarily adds costs and time.

The M&CC was requesting the following documents to process transactions: 2019 general rates receipt, current market valuation, valid identification card; letter of administration and death certificate (if owner(s) are deceased), agreement of sale, deed of gift, and the affidavit of donor and done (if the property is to be transferred as gift/trust) and the fee of 0.5 per cent of the current market valuation of the property.

The Bar Association, in its case, argued that the exorbitant fee demanded by the Council is unreasonable and contrary to the policy of and ultra vires Section 16 (a) of the Deeds Registry Act which

High Court Judge Gino Persaud

is to ensure that immovable property is not conveyed by way of gift or voluntary sale without the payment of rates of taxes and not to act as an additional tax as the Council purports to do.

It also argued that the effect of the M&CC’s decision has proven financially detrimental, stating that the cost to obtain a certificate of compliance has increased from a flat fee of $10,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the valuation of the property.

Prevent fraud

The Council deposed that its decision was a policy-making one to prevent fraud in applications for declarations of title by ascertaining that the persons to whom certificates of compliance are issued have a legal interest in the property.

It contended that its power/discretion to request the submission of the set of documents is an implied or ancillary power or discretion flowing from Sections 16 (a) of the Deeds Registry Act and courts are not to substitute their views on how such discretion is exercised.

Among other things, the M&CC relied on Section 301 (35) (36) of the Municipal and District Councils Act as the statutory basis which authorises it “to prescribe fees” and in the instant case has allowed it to fix the new percentage basis fee based on a current market valuation of the property.

The M&CC submitted that the separate and conjoint meaning of “establish” and “control” under Section 301 (35) of the Act means that it is authorised to “prescribe fees and charges” in respect of anything which it has to verify, substantiate, prove or control. The Council further contended that there is nothing in the legislation that prohibits it from setting fees and charges on a percentage basis as opposed to a flat fee. It also contended that the new fee is not a tax but a levy by a public body.

Serious financial injury

Having examined Section 206 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Justice Persaud found that such a power to levy a charge for a certificate of compliance as a ry out its statutory mandate and its fiscal provisions guide its income, expenditure, and financial reporting in the interest of accountability, Justice Persaud held that it is not empowered to raise additional revenue by increasing the cost for the issuance of a certificate of compliance. The High Court judge said that it is an established

“This is undoubtedly a serious financial injury to the ratepayer…it cannot be too strongly emphasised that Local Government Councillors are not legislators. Their duty is not to re-structure the law but to exercise honestly and on a proper consideration of all relevant factors the discretions which Parliament has entrusted to them” – Justice Persaud

percentage of the value of the property does not exist.

He ruled that the decision was beyond the M&CC’s powers and the figure of 0.5 per cent of the current market valuation of the property to be transferred was not explained in any way at all. In quashing the decision, he reasoned that Parliament could not have intended a double levy on a ratepayer within the same year which is exactly what became the position in 2019.

He said, that year, the Council instituted a double levy on the ratepayer which coincidentally is also a fixed percentage on the value of the property simply to obtain a certificate of compliance which is nothing more than a document verifying that the rates and taxes are paid up in respect of a property to be transferred to a new owner.

Such verification by issuing a piece of paper in writing [certificate of compliance] is purely a ministerial function and cannot cost 0.5 per cent of the value of the property to be transferred; this is a pedestrian exercise, the Judge pointed out.

While he noted that the M&CC is expressly empowered to raise revenue to carprinciple that a local authority owes a fiduciary duty analogous to that of a trustee to ratepayers to have regard to their interests. He noted that the M&CC also has a duty in this regard not to overcharge ratepayers while adding that the fees for the provision of administrative services must be reasonable and not exploitative.

He, therefore, held that the Council has undoubtedly breached its fiduciary duty owed to ratepayers with the double levy in a single year when a property is intended to be transferred. Moreover, he found that this policy decision was not a utilitarian calculation of the public good.

“The object of a policy of any statutory body cannot be whimsically and arbitrarily decided upon for reasons which have nothing to do with its statutory functions contemplated under the Act,” Justice Persaud added. The M&CC had sought to justify its decision and gave a reason as preventing fraud.

However, Justice Persaud said that the Act does not contemplate this as a function that falls within the remit of the M&CC. In fact, he made it clear that this was none of the Council’s business and it had absolutely no authority in considering fraud in property transfer as a factor that led to the policy decision.

To this end, the Judge said there is no doubt in his mind that the increased fee is a heavy penalty. The High Court judge termed the Council’s decision “a penal blow to ratepayers”.

He added, “It is a double burden on the ratepayer who has to pay off all outstanding rates and taxes before transferring his property and then pay an increased fee to obtain a certificate of compliance based on a fixed percentage of the current market value of the property. This is undoubtedly a serious financial injury to the ratepayer.”

The Judge ended his judgement with this salutary warning: “It cannot be too strongly emphasised that Local Government Councillors are not legislators. Their duty is not to re-structure the law but to exercise honestly and on a proper consideration of all relevant factors the discretions which Parliament has entrusted to them.”

Welcomes decision

The Council was ordered to pay $150,000 in costs to the GBA, which was represented by Attorney-at-Law Kamal Ramkarran, while Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde and Attorney-at-Law D Sukhdeo appeared on behalf of the M&CC.

The GBA was in high praise of the court’s ruling. In a statement Wednesday, the Bar Association noted that from time to time, in fulfilment of its mandate to uphold the rule of law, it participates in litigation before the courts.

“The Bar Association welcomes the decision of His Honour as it grants much relief to the property owners within the city of Georgetown who have had to suffer staggering costs and an unnecessarily complicated process resulting in hardship and financial loss,” the missive reads. (G1)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM 1 dead, 1 hospitalised after street brawl turns deadly

Dead: Aubrey Baird

By LaWanda McaLLister

Afather of three lost his life on Tuesday evening during a street brawl at Wortmanville, Georgetown. Reports are that the man was brutally stabbed by another man of the same community.

Dead is 40-year-old Aubrey Baird of 22 E Hardina Street, Wortmanville. He was stabbed to death by Bryan Matterson, a 46-yearold man of Princes Street, Wortmanville, who has since been hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was beaten by residents following the murder.

Reports are that on Tuesday around 21:00h, the two men started fighting; however, it was not clear what led to the confrontation.

When <<<<Guyana Times>>> visited the scene, this publication was told that during the fight, Baird allegedly hit the suspect with a piece of wood, and in return the suspect stabbed him multiple times to his chest. However, family members said at the time of the stabbing, Baird was intoxicated and was unable to defend himself.

After stabbing Baird, the suspect reportedly jumped onto his bicycle and attempted to ride away from the scene, but was apprehended by public-spirited citizens and given a sound beating.

Baird was taken to the hospital where he was admitted, but died while receiving medical attention.

Meanwhile, the man’s reputed wife, 23-year-old Devon Grandison told this publication said the clothes vendor was hanging out with friends when the incident occurred.

“He came home, he eat, he was down here liming with his friends… they said some man pass and he [the suspect] feel offended that they were laughing…I don’t know what transpired because I was in my bed. I heard some say Aubrey get jook up, and when I run downstairs, the two of them

were in the trench fighting. It’s like Aubrey didn’t even realise that he get jook and so much,” the tearful woman said.

Grandison said her husband was a great father to his children, and he was taken away from them by his heartless killer. She said while persons were alleging that the man was from the community, she has never seen her husband’s killer before. She related that her reputed husband had many plans to give his children a better life. According to her, he was already trying to renovate their home, and was going to finish it this year.

“…that was his goal for this year, and give his children a better life than he had. It wasn’t easy for him growing up. From the age of 10, he had to start working and now he died at 40,” the woman said, unable to hold back her tears.

Baird had sold clothes for the past 13 years in the vendors’ arcade in Georgetown to maintain his family. His reputed wife said she was

now thinking about how she was going to make ends meet since her husband was the sole breadwinner of their family.

“This is really hard… now he is gone I don’t know what to do… I can’t say what is my next move for now,” she said.

As such, the grieving woman has called on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation, since she needs justice for her reputed husband.

Nuisance

Residents in the area told this publication that the suspect has been a nuisance for years. Jermaine Eastman said that the sus-

Baird’s reputed wife: Devon Grandison

The injured suspect The area where Baird was stabbed

pect had stabbed a man just recently, which almost resulted in him losing his life.

“He stabbed a man at Sweet Point …. an old lady was passing the other day and he spit on the woman. If you look at him, he always threatening to kill you…,” the man said.

The suspect who is said to have a “mental issue” is also being accused of killing his biological brother in 2015. In an interview with another section of the media, the suspect’s brother said that the man has been threatening members of his family for years.

“He tell we he gone put all ah we in the burial ground, just like he put Mario [the suspect’s dead brother] in the burial ground…this is not no surprise to me, because this banna always threatening to kill…”, the suspect’s brother said.

In 2019, the suspect was remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge, which stemmed from his alleged stabbing of his neighbour.

It was alleged that on September 27, 2019 at Princes Street, Wortmanville, he stabbed his neighbour, Ronald Bettencourt with intent to commit murder.

The suspect was previously charged with assaulting the same neighbour.

2 nabbed for brazen Croal Street robbery

Less than 24 hours after a video circulated on social media of a brazen robbery, Police said they have arrested the suspects.

Two men are now in Police custody in relation to the robbery with aggravation that was committed on a 33-year-old businessman of Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which occurred on Tuesday at Croal Street, Georgetown.

Police said the victim was robbed of a cell phone valued $48,000 and $700.

One of the suspects, a 25-year-old male, was arrested on Tuesday evening at about 22:00h at Tucville Housing Scheme, while the other, aged 21, was arrested on Wednesday at around 01:00h at a house on David Street, Kitty.

When arrested, Police said the suspect was found with the victim’s cell phone.

On Tuesday, the victim was walking on Croal Street when he was accosted from behind by the second suspect who choked him, while the first suspect approached from the front, pushed his hand into the victim’s rightside pocket and took out the money.

The victim became unconscious during the ordeal and was left lying on the ground, as the perpetrators took his valuables before making good their escape.

The entire ordeal was captured on CCTV and prompt investigations led to the suspects being apprehended.

The suspects are presently in custody pending charges. (G9)

The suspects robbing the businessman on Croal Street, Georgetown

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Govt engaging new bidder for Demerara River bridge

…as negotiations with previous bidder collapse over financing costs

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

It has been revealed that the Government is engaging the second reJagdeo recently disclosed that negotiations with China State Construction Engineering sponsive bidder, a Chinese consortium, to construct the new Demerara River bridge. This comes after negotiations with the first preferred bidder, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd, fell through.

Vice President Bharrat Corporation Ltd to construct the Demerara River bridge did not progress. During his interview with VICE News, Jagdeo revealed that the cost of financing was too high with the first company. “We went to open public tender. Companies from around the world, they bid. And in the final bid they had the lowest price bid. So, they had the lowest bid. So, we did open public tender and companies form all around the world, from Europe etcetera, they all bid,” the Vice President said.

“On the bridge, you mentioned the bridge. The number one ranked company, we said we’d start the negotiations with the number one ranked company, the Chinese company. We’ve just terminated the negotiations with them, because the cost of financing is too high. And that has just happened and we’ve now moved to the second ranked company,” Jagdeo explained.

Jagdeo made it clear that the intention of the Government is to bring the cost of financing down, hence they have moved on to the second responsive bidder. The second responsive bidder is a Chinese consortium comprising of China Railway Construction International and China Railway Caribbean Company Limited and the China Railway Construction

Engineering Group, which had submitted a bid of US$260.8 million.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill meanwhile also disclosed the change in negotiations during the consideration of the budget estimates for the Public Works Ministry on Tuesday, following questions on the status of the proj-

ect. He too cited financing costs.

“Currently we are negotiating with the second ranked responsive bidder. Because negotiations are ongoing, disclosures on this matter would be very concerned and I will be very restrictive in what I say. But I can tell you negotiations are ongoing and the next meeting is tomorrow morning,” the Minister said.

Edghill also fielded questions on why $21 billion was budgeted for the project if the request for proposals includes the preferred bidder financing the project. In response, Edghill explained that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government remains committed to delivering the four-lane high span Demerara River bridge as promised to the people of Guyana. He explained that while the bids include the companies financing the bridge, the budgetary allocation is to undertake preparatory works.

“The Government of Guyana has provided this sum to ensure that all the necessary things that need to be done when we engage the preferred bidder, our contribution to get that project kickstarted and for it to be built in two years, we are getting that done now.”

“This $21 billion that the Honourable Member is asking about, I want to assure him and all the people of Guyana, it is to ensure at all cost we get the bridge, we get the best price and that the interest of Guyana is served when we finalise a contract with whoever will be doing the construction of this bridge,” Edghill said.

Last year, Cabinet had granted its no-objection for China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd to construct the bridge at a proposed cost of US$256.6 million. The contract was awarded based on a Design-BuildFinance (DBF) model with financial terms and conditions which would be no less favourable than those submitted in the preferred bidder’s price proposals. The proposed construction cost by China State Construction was in fact the lowest amongst all bidders.

Initially, the Government had pre-qualified nine firms to submit bids for the construction of a two-lane dual carriageway (4 lanes) hybrid cable-stayed centre span bridge with concrete box/T beam girder approach bridge structure.

The pre-qualified firms were invited to submit bids to construct the bridge using a Design-Build-Finance (D-B-F) contract and Design-BuildFinance-Operate-Maintain (D-B-F-O-M) contract.

At the pre-bid meeting, held on June 28, 2021, it was agreed that the closing date for submission of bids would be October 5, 2021. Only five of the pre-qualified bidders submitted bids, of which four obtained the required minimum score for the technical proposal. (G3)

The Demerara River bridge

Accused to know fate today in Berbice triple murder

Confessed killer: Carlton Chaitram Murder accused: Tameshwar Jagmohan Confessed killer: Rakesh Karamchand

Dead: From left: Pawan Chandradeo, his son, Jaikarran Chandradeo, and his Brother-in-law Naresh Rooplall

Another accused in the Black Bush Polder (BBP) 2016 triple murclosed its case. Justice Kissoon is expected to address the jury today. words, he said ‘When abbe start fa lash the back pon the tank me see two men and a der will know his faith today after Justice Sandil Kissoon sums up the trial and the jury presents its verdict.

On trial for the July 2016 triple murder is Tameshwar Jagmohan, known as “Guava,” of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder.

He is accused of murdering Pawan Chandradeo, 38; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, 15; and his brother-in-law Naresh Rooplall, 33, at Mibicuri Backdam.

It is alleged that between July 21 and 22, 2016, while in the company of others in the BBP, he murdered the trio.

On Wednesday, the prosecution closed its case and Jagmohan gave an unsworn statement before the defence When the case opened in January, four persons were on trial for the triple murder but the number one accused - Jairam Chetram, 24 - pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. State Prosecutor, Attorney-at-Law Abigail Gibbs told the court that the quartet had gone into the backdam to steal fuel from a farmer and they killed the trio who was there on a fishing expedition. The trio was killed because they may have witnessed the theft of fuel. According to Gibbs, Chetram had given Police a caution statement in which he confessed to the killings. According to Gibbs, “In his lil boy run coming so we have the gun with eight load, this is daddy gun, and me buss two load in the air and three a them run’ and they stood next to his boat.” She told the court that according to the statement Jairam gave to the Police, he then went after the trio and realised that it was Suresh (Pawan Chandradeo), his son (Jaikarran Chandradeo), and another man (Naresh Rooplall – his brother-inlaw). She noted that the accused told investigators that he knew Suresh because he used to work with “all awe.” It was then he decided that, “We can’t lef no evidence. Me shoot them one, one and them fall down pon a dam, and I load back the gun, I go over them head and I shoot them at them head.”

The trial Judge ordered a probation report which should be presented in court today, following which sentencing will be handed down.

After that guilty plea, the other two accused also pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Carlton Chaitram, called “Lyma” of Mibicuri, BBP, and Rakesh Karamchand called “Go-To-Front,” who are both represented by Attorneys Marceline Bacchus and Chandra Sohan, entered the three separate guilty pleas on February 2.

Probation reports have also been ordered for them and are expected to be presented on February 17.

Meanwhile, Forensic Pathologist Dr Vivikand Brijmohan, who was the last witness for the prosecution, told the court that all three victims died as a result of shock and haemorrhage due to gunshot wounds.

He said the teenager was shot to his temple and the bullet went through his head, shattering his skull and disfiguring his brain.

His father also received similar injuries while Rooplall’s entire brain was removed from his head by the pellets from the shotgun.

Jagmohan is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Surihya Sabsook. (G4)

Confessed killer: Jairam Chaitram

Police suspect murder after woman’s body found hanging from tree

Police have launched an investigation into the death of a woman whose body was found hanging from a tree at her Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway home.

Dead is 48-year-old Edith Reuben, a housewife who was discovered sometime between 00:30h and 06:00h.

Investigators from Regional Division 4B (East Bank Demerara) are trying determine the circumstances which led to the woman’s demise.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Reuben lived with her reputed husband who told Police that they, along with several neighbours were consuming alcohol on Monday last. However, after some time the others left for their respective residences, except for a male.

The woman reportedly stayed on her verandah consuming alcohol while her husband and the other man retired to bed.

At about 04:00h the male guest awoke the woman’s reputed husband, to indicate to him that he was leaving their home. After acknowledging, the woman’s husband went back to sleep.

Two hours after, he awoke and made the gruesome discovery of his reputed wife’s motionless body hanging from a mango tree in the yard.

The body was taken down and escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where she was pronounced dead.

A statement from the Police’s headquarters on Wednesday stated that so far, they “will only say that the positioning of the deceased’s body suggests she was murdered and her body placed at the scene.”

The male guest who overnighted at the couple’s home has not been located. Investigations are continuing as Police await a post-mortem. (G9)