Soldiers implicated in rape P

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM David Patterson, Rawlston Adams deny fraud charge

Alliance for Change (AFC) General Secretary and former Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson and former General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), Rawlston Adams returned to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday where they pleaded not guilty to a joint fraud charge.

They were each released on $200,000 bail during their initial court appearance last month. The charge against them states that between November 18, 2016, and February 1, 2018, they conspired with other persons unknown to defraud the DHBC Asphalt Plant of $162,635,015.

The funds were for a project about a feasibility study and design for a new bridge across the Demerara River, which was not a function of that corporation and as such the monies from the Asphalt Plant account could not be used.

Patterson, who serves as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Ronald BurchSmith, and Khemraj Ramjattan, while Adams is represented by Attorney-atLaw Glenn Hanoman.

Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Noble is the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor. Patterson and Adams return to court on March 1, 2021, to collect statements.

In November of 2020, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had disclosed that the Guyana Police Force was actively probing the award of the 2016 $145 million contract to LievenseCSO.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the Auditor General had redflagged Patterson for requesting from the then Cabinet that the feasibility contract be sole-sourced instead of being processed through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The PPC had found that the bidding process was annulled because of non-responsive bidders. Following

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

2 new COVID-19 mortalities

…1 new case from 112 tests

A71-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 70-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are Guyana’s latest COVID-19 death. This raises the death toll to 187.

This was announced by the Health Ministry, stating that the elderly man died on Sunday while receiving care at a medical facility.

Prior to this, the last fatalities were reported on Thursday after two males – an 84-year-old and 59-yearold from Region Four - succumbed in the designated coronavirus facilities.

On Monday, only one new COVID-19 case was detected in Region Four from a total of 112 samples. The confirmed cases are 8232. From this number, the gender breakdown is 4282 males and 3950 females. A total of 7399 persons have recovered from the virus as 647 active cases remain.

There are still seven persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 45 persons in institutional isolation, 595 in home isolation and 26 in institutional quarantine.

Some 1017 cases have been detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), 233 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 604 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 3666 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 223 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 456 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 733 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 245 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 412 in Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 641 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

New developments have emerged amid the administration of coronavirus vaccines in Guyana, which started on Thursday as health workers received their shots.

Vaccines

Health Minister, Dr

Frank Anthony assured on

Monday that thousands of vaccines will reach Guyana by the end of this month.

They will finish the medical sector first before moving on to another group of the population.

“Our expectation is that by the end of the month, we will be receiving thousands of vaccines. I think we will have enough vaccines to cover at least all the healthcare workers and then move on to the other population groups,” he informed.

The Minister said that the teams that are conducting the immunisation are well-schooled in the areas which should be checked and examined before a vaccine is delivered.

“Anyone who would come to get their vaccines would go through several minutes of getting the information pertaining to the vaccine. They’re given a brochure with additional information on the vaccine. When you go through that first step of getting this information, then you can make a decision whether you want to proceed and then you sit down with the next person on the team and they’ll go through a checklist with you. That is to verify whether or not you’re eligible.”

After confirming eligibility for the vaccine, the nurse will administer the vaccine after going through the process once more. The patient is required to wait for some 15 to 20 minutes for observation. If there are no immediate symptoms, they can leave.

Minor symptoms are common with vaccines since they mimic the virus to a lower extent. Normal side effects include swelling, redness, fever, headaches and tiredness. (G12)

DHBC Former General Manager Rawlston Adams

investigations, it was revealed that several companies had bid for the project for the feasibility study and design for the bridge and 12 companies had been shortlisted. But only two of the 12 companies had made proposals. As such, the bidding process was annulled. NPTAB had approved for the project to be re-tendered. However, the project was not re-tendered.

Instead, LievenseCSO was engaged by the then Public Infrastructure Ministry to do the work. It was revealed that the bid from LievenseCSO was “unsolicited”, but Patterson took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval. Approval was granted for the company to be engaged.

Monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Asphalt Plant account. Reports indicate that in 2017, $215.3 million was used from the fund, while in 2018 a further $74 million was withdrawn.

The original sum approved by Cabinet for the contract was $161.5 million. It is understood that the contract price for the handpicked LievenseCSO was actually $148 million. (G1)

Soldiers implicated in rape allegations removed from Mabaruma

…Army launches BoI

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has launched a Board of Inquiry (BoI) into the rape allegations made against five of its ranks stationed at Mabaruma, North West District (NWD). As such, the ranks were pulled from the community to facilitate the investigations.

“The conduct and professionalism of our ranks are premier factors in our mission accomplishment. The Force will, therefore, spare no measure to ensure our ranks uphold our values and standards, and maintain the confidence of the communities which we are sworn to serve and defend,” the Force stated in a release to the media on Monday.

In addition, it stated that the Force’s operational posture on the border remained alert and the safety and security of citizens were assured.

On Sunday, the Force stated that five ranks were subjected to an allegation of rape in Mabaruma, NWD. While the details surrounding the incident are not available, the GDF in a release stated that soldiers are cooperating with the Police as the investigation is ongoing.

In addition, the Force wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to the preservation of law and order.

In October 2018, two soldiers – Rawlston Reid, 22, of Dochfour Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Isaiah Rawlins, 21, of Wisroc, Linden – allegedly raped a 26-year-old female in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

It was reported that on October 13, 2018, the two soldiers, who were placed on $300,000 bail each, allegedly had forceful sex with the woman.

The woman was at the time with her boyfriend at a community centre ground eating chips when they were approached by the soldiers, who are known to them.

The couple were ordered to have sex for the soldiers to see and when they refused, they were beaten and robbed. The woman’s boyfriend was forced to watch the entire ordeal before they stripped him of his gold chains worth $180,000.

The men have since been dismissed from the military.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Health budget will fix challenges, heighten COVID-19 preparation – Dr Anthony

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday welcomed the allocation that was set aside from the 2021 budget for the sector, noting that it will be used to alleviate some of the challenges currently faced.

Speaking during the COVID-19 update, it was highlighted that needed supplies and equipment will be sourced with the $53.5 billion that will be injected into the sector this year. The health minister expressed that they are “extremely pleased” with this sum.

“As it relates to health, we are extremely pleased that we have been given such a generous allocation because what this allows us to do is fix some of the problems and challenges that we have in the sector, things like shortages of medicines, trying to get equipment for health centers and district hospitals and so forth.”

He added, “These are ongoing issues that we have and with this amount of money, we will be able to rectify some of these problems. It's not going to solve everything but will certainly go a long way in fixing the problems that we currently have in the sector. We are extremely pleased with the allocation.”

The entire allotment is divided into $1.8B for purchasing of critical medical equipment, $322 million for the procurement of medical equipment, $35 million to enhance the emergency medical services, $900 million for HIV treatment and testing, $70 million for essential medication for psychiatric patients among others.

In terms of infrastructure, $2.8B has been budgeted for the expansion and modernization of health infrastructure. Within this, the continued implementation of the $860 million SMART Hospital initiative will result in operationalization of the upgraded Leonora Hospital, and the commissioning of the upgraded Diamond Diagnostic Centre and Mabaruma Hospital in 2021, while works will advance on the Lethem and Paramakatoi Hospitals.

Government will also endeavour to complete the construction of a polyclinic at Festival City and the remodeling of the Skeldon Hospital at a combined cost of $88.3 million to now cater for surgical interventions including an operating room, recovery room and an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Other areas that will benefit in capital investments focused on providing surgical interventions are Aishalton and Kumaka District Hospitals, with over $100 million earmarked for these projects. Moreover, some $140 million has been set aside for financing of maternal waiting homes and facilities at Moruca, Enmore, and Kato; and another $100 million for the construction and retrofitting of the maternity ward and wing at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

For 2021, Government has made a provision of over $750 million to support the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines from February. The Minister said additional resources will be pumped into the procurement of equipment for the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

“In terms of equipment, the things that you really need in this instance to deal with COVID-19 would be things like ventilators and monitors and so forth. We have an ICU at the Liliendaal facility where we have about 25 beds. We have a number of ventilators there and we want to secure some more monitors. With the allocation that we have, we will be able to get additional monitors to be utilized by patients who come there,” he revealed.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

(G12)

Brawl land bus drivers, vendor, housewife before court

On Monday, three bus drivers appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to multiple counts of assault.

Patrick Dundas, Adrian Brandt, and Sherlock Drayton all appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs. A fourth defendant, Ryan Parasram, who was also involved in the incident, was absent from the hearing.

The charges read to Brandt stated that on January 22 at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, he assaulted Drayton. It was further alleged that on February 4, 2021, Brandt displayed threatening behaviour to Parasram at the Number 47 bus park in Georgetown.

Brandt pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Meanwhile, the charges read to Dundas stated that also on January 22, he used abusive language towards Dundas. Additionally, a second charge stated that on the same day, he assaulted Brandt causing him bodily harm and further threatened him at the Number 47 bus park.

Dundas pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Drayton, on the other hand, was charged for assaulting Brandt at the Number 47 bus park also on January 22. Drayton denied the allegations. All three men were released on $5000 bail on each charge.

In addition, two other defendants – Deondra Jack and Alissa Alli – also appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs on assault charges.

Jack, a 41-year-old vendor, was charged with assault committed on Ali at Success Street, Charlestown, Georgetown on February 10.

She pleaded not guilty.

Ali, 31, a housewife, was charged with using abusive language towards Jack at Success Street, Charlestown, Georgetown on February 10. She too pleaded not guilty.

Both women were granted bail in the sum of $10,000

Patrick Dundas Adrian Brandt Alissa Ali Deondra Jack

each. (G15)

Foiled Republic Bank robbery

Prosecution closes case, defence to make no-case submissions

Shawn Grimmond

Anfernee Blackman Gladston George Keron Saunders

The trial of the four men accused of attempting to carry out a daring robbery at Republic Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown branch on July 4, 2017, is coming to an end.

Those charged are former Police Constables Anfernee Blackman of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Gladston George of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown; former Republic Bank employee Shawn Grimmond of Kitty, Georgetown; and Keron Saunders of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

They are on trial before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They were each released on $500, 000 bail pending trial.

The prosecution has closed its case against the four accused, whose lawyers were instructed to lay over their respective no-case submissions on February 25.

Another former employee of the bank, Jamal Haynes was also slapped with charges for attempting to commit a robbery and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. He was sentenced to a total of six years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the charges at his first court appearance in July 2017.

During the attempted robbery, 23-year-old Elton Wray, an agronomist, was shot dead by Police. He was a beneficiary of a Government of Guyana scholarship to China and graduated with a degree in agronomy. At the time of his death, he was serving his second year of the fiveyear obligatory contract.

According to reports, Haynes and Grimmond knew that businesses would have deposited substantial amounts of cash into the

Sophia man slapped with murder charge

Randy Wiggins, of D Field Reserve Dam, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Monday slapped with a murder charge and appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that the 26-year-old man on February 8, at C Field Reserve Dam, Sophia, murdered Kevin Smith. The murder accused returns to court on March 24.

Police said that on February 8 about 18:30h, 36-year-old Smith was at home when he was attacked by Wiggins, who was armed with a knife and allegedly went to the house to evict the now dead man. As a result, a scuffle ensued and it was then Wiggins reportedly stabbed the man about his body.

Smith fell to the ground and died almost immediately. Wiggins then made good his escape, but was later apprehended by the Police. (G1)

Murder accused: Randy Wiggins

chutes through night deposits. As such, a plan was hatched for the robbers to grab that money which would have been emptied into a canister by a female employee.

However, things went awry when their accomplices broke into the bank without knowing that they had received a text message from Grimmond who was already at work informing them to hold off since the employee who was supposed to open the canister was not at work.

After receiving reports of the robbery, Police responded promptly. The bandits engaged the officers in a shootout which resulted in the death of Wray. Haynes was also shot as he attempted to evade the lawmen. Saunders subsequently surrendered and was taken into Police custody.

The others were all implicated in the robbery by Haynes and were later arrested. Police said that three high-powered pistols were recovered from the crime scene. (G1)

PME confirms minibus driver drowned

The results of a post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the body of 25-year-old Eusi Lindo, who was fished out of a Linden blue lake last Friday has given the cause of death as drowning. The PME was conducted at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Georgetown, on Monday by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh. The body was then handed over to relatives for burial.

The body of the Lot 600 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was recovered from the blue lake at Richmond Hill, Mackenzie, Linden, on Friday, a day after he went missing after venturing into the lake during an outing with friends. His body was discovered at the location at about 17:34h by diver Paul Vanhersal, who was contracted by relatives.

Lindo and about nine friends along with his girlfriend travelled to the blue lake in Linden on Thursday. During the outing, the couple reportedly ventured into the lake, where they walked until the water was at the height of their shoulders, when according to the girlfriend, she turned away. Shortly after, the woman told investigators she heard a “splashing” sound. Upon looking around, she saw her boyfriend “splashing” around in the water. The woman related that she initially thought he was joking around. However, she reportedly told investigators that he pulled her hand and they began to go underwater. The woman, however, managed to pull away and swim to shore, while Lindo went underwater. The girlfriend and other friends were later questioned by Police in relation to the incident. (G13)

Dead: Eusi Lindo