Politics
No shared governance without trust: Shared governance at the executive level would come if Guyana’s citizenry calls for it during the constitutional reform process but at the moment the PPP/C cannot trust the main opposition on supporting its holistic developmental policies, the party’s General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo on March 23rd said, repeating a position he has previously enunciated. “I suspect that this new form of inclusive governance that they’re talking about only has one end, and that is executive power sharing. But our point was if you can’t share a common set of values, if you believe in stealing elections and we don’t, we can’t get along. If you don’t share economic values and our social values or patriotism… or if you’re a racist, then you can’t work with us on this. You will have to share common values for that to work or else you bring the same gridlock that we have in the parliament now into the cabinet, and nothing happens. We’ve seen it. It has stymied many countries. You have to build up a period of building trust, and only then that [inclusive governance] can happen,” Jagdeo asserted. “There is no building trust. In fact, we are going farther apart because every day APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) pushes only one agenda – racism agenda – and they are unwilling to acknowledge and say ‘we support free, open, democratic elections’. They would say it in words but not really subscribe to it,” he added. Jagdeo, who is also a Vice-President, was at the time responding to questions during a party press conference he hosted, while updating on the PPP/C plans for the June 12 Local Government Elections. Noting that in the Party’s 2020 Manifesto it had said that the constitutional reform process will guide its decisions on governance as the people will decide, the PPP General Secretary said right now the opposition is untrustworthy. “You’re absolutely right, that we said in our manifesto that when the constitutional reform is in place and the consultation start taking place, we’re open to anything, including the model change at GECOM (the Guyana Elections Commission) but we need to safeguard elections… have a model that safeguard free and fair elections.” He continued, “…if there is a proposal here that comes out about some form of executive power sharing and it has resonance with the people, maybe we will have to go to a referendum or something of that sort. But right now, it’s just off.” Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC last month said that the PPP/C cannot force any changes to the laws of this country on citizens and therefore the constitutional reform process will see suggestions for legislative changes from across the country.
Constitutional
Judge says President acted unlawfully in suspending PSC members: Declaring that constitutional commissioners enjoy security of tenure and can only be removed in accordance with the set procedure, Justice Gino Persaud last Friday ruled that President Irfaan Ali had acted unlawfully and ultra vires of the constitution in suspending the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe and several commissioners. The judge ruled that the “decision of His Excellency, the President to suspend the Chairman and other members of the PSC was: a. Unlawful b. Ultra vires article 225 of the constitution c. Arbitrary d. Unreasonable e. Unfair f. In violation of the suspended Chairman and Commissioner’s constitutional rights to the protection of the law and due process of the law g. Null, void and of no legal effect”. The judge ordered that the suspensions of the Chairman and members of the PSC, namely Chairman Slowe and Commissioners Michael Somersall, Claire Jarvis, Vesta Adams and Clinton Conway, from performing the functions of their respective offices as ordered by the President by letter on June 16, 2021, were contrary to, in violation of, and ultra vires the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and in particular Articles 225 (6) and 210 (3), and therefore of no force and effect. The judge’s ruling ascribed unconstitutional behaviour to the President, a condition that the ruling PPP/C had frequently accused the former Granger administration of. Slowe had sought a series of reliefs from the High Court but with the effluxion of time and various actions being taken, the judge said that the only matter to be addressed was that of whether the President’s action was illegal and he found that it was. Slowe had been seeking several orders from the court that would have also allowed the promotion of persons that the PSC he had presided over had recommended. That is no longer possible as the PPP/C government has already moved ahead with various appointments in the police hierarchy. In addition, Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC had filed a series of interlocutory proceedings which were all thrown out by various courts but which delayed the hearing of the substantive case which the judge finally ruled on Friday. The finding of unconstitutional behaviour will be a stinging blow to the PPP/C and its counsel in the case, Attorney General Nandlall last night said on NCN that the government did not agree with the judge’s decision and that it would be appealed. The non-appointment by this government of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) proved a major weakness in the argument presented by Nandlall to the court. The judge found that without the JSC in place the tribunal that was required to be in place to probe the allegation that had been levelled against Slowe could not be established. The judge underlined that the constitution had carefully delineated the procedure for disciplining members of the PSC as a means of ensuring that they couldn’t be arbitrarily removed. Following their purported suspension, Slowe’s PSC instituted proceedings against the President, the Commissioner of Police, the AG and others. As a result of immunities, the President was subsequently removed from the proceedings but it was ruled that the case would proceed.
Bilateral
Senior US official urges greater readiness against cybercrime: A senior US government official has urged Guyana to step up efforts to take on cybercrime and an assessment team is to visit this week to share best practices for the protection of military networks. A release from the US Embassy said that Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice, Richard W. Downing; accompanied by Cybersecurity Program Manager from the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism, Organization of America States (OAS), Kerry-Ann Barrett; and a team of Department of Justice (DOJ) cyber experts visited Guyana to raise cyber security solutions with representatives from the Government of Guyana. The release said that Downing and Barrett met with Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives from the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers, representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Guyana Police Force. Downing and Barrett encouraged Guyana’s accession to the Budapest Convention, or the Convention on Cybercrime, which would offer additional resources to bolster domestic capacity for law enforcement responses when combatting cybercrime. “This crucial step will help Guyana combat cyber threats as it undergoes a major economic transformation. Additionally, the DOJ cyber team, in conjunction with the OAS, offered technical support toward the development of national cyber security frameworks to combat cybercrimes, especially in the security and energy sectors”, the release said. The team proposed similar support to CARICOM countries. In addition to the visit by the DOJ, the release said that the U.S. Southern Command and Florida National Guard will send a cyber defence assessment team to Guyana this week, with the goal of sharing best practices with the Guyana Defence Force to protect military networks from cyber-attacks. The release added that these visits by DOJ and USSOUTHCOM underline the United States’ concerted efforts to help Guyana in establishing and developing a strong cyber security defence to support future development.
Guyana will continue to be important partner of US – President: President Irfaan Ali on March 17th told the visiting US Congressional House Committee on Ways and Means that the opportunities here are open to the United States and this country will continue to be its strategic and important partner. Following a meeting with President Ali and members of the government, a reception was held at the US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch’s residence in honour of the visiting US Congressional House Committee on Friday evening. Ali said that at the meeting held earlier on Friday, the values of the two nations were reinforced. He said, “Values of seeking what is best for the people of our countries, values that speak to democracy, values that seek to provide regional and global leadership. It was a meeting that was different in many ways.” According to him, at the meeting regional and global challenges were also examined and ways in which the two nations can support each other were discussed. “It was not a meeting where one partner was trying to extract from another partner, this was a meeting in which we recognized the value of each other, the tremendous work each other is doing to confront the various challenges our world is facing.” Giving an assurance that Guyana’s relationship with the United States is based on principles, a shared value system, and respect, Ali said, “you have nothing to fear… Guyana is and will continue to be an important strategic partner of the United States and the opportunities here are opened to all and opened to the United States and your private sector.” The President then added that Guyana wants to see greater participation from the US private sector in the country, “there is no second guessing this agenda, this is a clear strategy of the government.” He reiterated that the government’s mission is to catalyze the revenues from oil and gas to position Guyana to function in the world 2030 and beyond to ensure that the country is sustainable, resilient and competitive. “For us to be a viable state, we must be able to be competitive and that is what we are investing in, applying the technology that is applicable for a world in the future today.” Ali noted that Guyanese and, by extension, the world will understand the importance of their policy-making and framework currently in play now when the rewards come in in 2030 and beyond.
US Ambassador stresses contract sanctity, need for improvement of lives of all Guyanese: Addressing a reception for a visiting, high-level US congress team on March 17th, American Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch lauded the government here for making the country attractive for investors and underlined the importance of contract sanctity while at the same time stressing the need for the improvement of the lives of all Guyanese. Welcoming the delegation from the powerful US House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee at her residence, Lynch felicitated the government here on the investment climate. With President Irfaan Ali and a number of his Cabinet members present, Lynch said: “We applaud the Government of Guyana for the strides it has taken to make this country attractive to investors. They have been excellent partners in energy, agribusiness, and security. They are taking bold leaps to transform the financial, education, health, and tourism sectors. And, as you have seen, Representatives, in even your short time here, there are major infrastructure projects underway across the country, and the progress is constant. The government clearly wants to leverage the opportunities they are receiving, and the United States stands ready to assist”. Amid unrelenting calls here for a renegotiation of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement with US oil major, ExxonMobil, Lynch waded into the issue and congratulated both this government and its predecessor for recognizing contract sanctity. “Since first oil, Guyana’s political leaders have honored contractual commitments and continue to do so. This signals the importance of the sanctity of contracts – which is foundational to any economy and in particular Guyana as it continues to transform at a record pace”, Lynch told the gathering which also included Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton and members of the private sector. As on other occasions where she has addressed domestic matters, Lynch alighted on inclusivity, transparency and fairness. “While there are still challenges to overcome, we believe that meaningful discussions and continued inclusivity can foster solid relationships, and craft solutions to meet shared challenges. We encourage the government to keep striving towards transparency, accountability, and fairness to improve the quality of life for all Guyanese”, Lynch stated. She added that over the years, the United States has been a steadfast partner in working with Guyana to overcome some of its critical challenges in the areas of governance, economic development, and security. “In the future, we want to continue to help build a Guyana that is competitive, equitable, and provides upward social mobility for all its citizens. Leveraging our close economic links to bring greater prosperity and opportunities for the Guyanese people is an important cornerstone of our engagement here and we will continue to work with the government and people of Guyana towards achieving these objectives”, Lynch declared. Addressing President Ali, she thanked him for his partnership and added “I think you know that the United States wants to remain Guyana’s largest trading partner by far, but even more importantly, we want to produce tangible results that benefit lives on both shores of the Caribbean and every island in between”. he parties had contested the polls separately but in tabulating votes for the allocation of seats in the National Assembly and on the Regional Democratic Councils, their votes were combined.
Smuggling
Poultry producers upset at chicken smuggling: The Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA) last called on government to urgently address the smuggling of chicken over the country’s eastern and southern borders and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it was aware of the problem and is addressing it. Their call comes even as local producers bemoan the current cost of feed here, while some producers in Region Nine lament that production against competition from Brazil was not sustainable. “Poultry Producers are alarmed at the increased visibility of smuggled chicken on the local market. These mainly arrive via our eastern and southern borders,” the GPPA yesterday said in a statement. “…Poultry producers are concerned about increased smuggling activities. It is affecting investments in the local industry as planning and forecasting becomes very difficult, even the importation of hatching eggs becomes hard to plan leading to shortages and decline in local production. In consequence, smuggling activities is disruptive to our national and regional goals of achieving food security,” the body added. The group charged that checks with retailers revealed that the smuggling is done by city based-persons well known for this kind of activity. Sources say that surveillance and enforcement are being frustrated by the smugglers’ connections to persons in authority. The GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia, told Stabroek News yesterday that the agency is aware of complaints of smuggling and is investigating. However, sources told this newspaper that while the GRA is actively investigating, it could not divulge details of that operation. It was explained by a source that to offset high chicken demand during the Christmas holiday season, importation licences were issued to some business persons who would have still had to pay the requisite duty. Those licences covered a certain quota and were only valid for a specified period. Leading up to the Christmas holidays, Chicken prices averaged around $500 per pound, but following the licence issuances, prices remained stable at around $400 and there were no shortages.
Oil & Gas
Activists press again for gas power plant impact survey: An almost five-hour-long public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to waive an impact study for the construction and operation of a 300-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant ended with appellants remaining adamant that one be conducted citing limited available data on the project.
In January, the EPA notified the public that the government’s planned 300 MW natural gas power plant to be constructed at Wales on the West Bank Demerara will not require an impact study. Persons who might be affected by the proposed project were advised to lodge an appeal against the Agency’s decision (EIA not required) with the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) within thirty (30) days of the publication of the notice. Several persons lodged appeals against the EPA’s decision and a public hearing was scheduled at the Cara Lodge Hotel for last Wednesday – which went ahead despite appellants calling for a postponement for several reasons including that fact that newly appointed Chair of the EAB, Dr. Mahender Sharma, has a direct conflict of interest in the project since he was a longstanding Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) board member prior to the hearing. The issue was once again brought up at the hearing. Sharma was questioned by several appellants including Vanda Radzik, Danuta Radzik, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes and Alfred Bhulai on whether he would recuse himself from the decision-making process. Sharma, however, refused to answer and instead urged appellants to make their presentations. One of the reasons given by the EPA to waive an impact assessment was that the proposed location for this project falls within the area of influence/footprint of an EPA-approved Gas to Energy Project (GTE) that was subjected to a comprehensive EIA, including a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA). The CIA concluded that there will be no significant impacts from the combined activities/projects. But according to appellants, this information is not sufficient to make such a major decision. Vanda Radzik told the EAB that no information on the types of mitigation measures in place for potential explosions and leakages as well as the project’s impact on water, air quality and the amount of greenhouse gases that would be released exists. “Is it a guesswork by the EPA?” she questioned. According to Vanda Radzik, no specific and detailed information on mitigation measures for explosions or leakages can be found and this shows why an impact assessment needs to be conducted. “People’s lives and livelihoods are at risk,” she stated before questioning the speed at which the government is implementing the project. She added that the information on which the EPA based their decision cannot truly show the complete magnitude of the impacts of the project, making an EIA critical for the issuance of a permit. Executive Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram explained that the GTE Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) included the potential impacts the natural gas plant will have on the environment, and considering that the government decided to build a combined cycle power plant instead of two separate gas and power plants, it was only practicable to use that information, but the decision was made after seeking international expert advice as well as those contained in scientific papers.
Civil society activists urge deferral of gas-to-shore project hearings: A group of civil society activists are calling for the postponement of the public hearings on the Wales gas to shore project, citing among other reasons, that having Head of the Guyana Energy Agency Dr Mahender Sharma on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) was a conflict of interest. If he recused himself from the hearings, the group charged, because of the government’s recent appointment of only three persons to a board that required five, only two members would remain, resulting in there not being a quorum. They therefore called for the EAB Tribunal, as stipulated under the laws of this country, to be activated. However, Sharma said that he saw no conflict and would execute his duties impartially and in the best interest of the Guyanese people and environment. “We have called on the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) by letter dated March 16 to postpone its Public Hearing scheduled for March 22 on the 300 MW Gas-Fired Power Plant to be located at Wales, West Demerara,” a letter signed by Vanda Razik, Elizabeth Dean-Hughes and other appellants stated. The Official Gazette of February 10, 2023 inform-ed that Cabinet had approved the appointment of Sharma (chair) and members Dr Garvin Cummings and Joslyn McKenzie to the EAB on the 5th January 2023 but with effect from January 1st 2023. Dr Cummings is the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer McKenzie is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The activists noted that the EPA had waived the requirement for an EIA for the gas to shore project and that some citizens had formally submitted written appeals to the EAB, and along with other stakeholders, expected to make oral presentations at a hearing. In early January, the EPA had notified the public that the government’s planned 300 MW natural gas power plant would not require an impact study. The decision came months after 54 citizens had written to Executive Director of the EPA Kemraj Parsram; Chairperson of the EPA Board of Directors Omkar Lochan; then EAB chair Pradeepa Bholanath and members Cummings and McKenzie, pleading that the EPA and EAB stop waiving impact studies for oil and gas facilities.
Investment
Food terminal awaiting approval from Barbados Town and Country Planning: The proposed Barbados-Guyana Food Terminal is currently awaiting approval from the Town and Country Planning of Barbados, according to that country’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir. The project, which has generated considerable interest, is poised to become a critical hub for food production and distribution between the two countries and beyond. And Weir expressed optimism last night that the project will receive the necessary greenlight by next month, pending approval from the relevant authorities. The proposed food terminal aims to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture practices, while also boosting economic growth in the region. When it comes on stream, the project should provide boosts to both the Barbadian and Guyanese economies, while also contributing to regional food security efforts. The Caribbean region has set a target to slash 25% of its imported food supplies by 2025.Construction of the food terminal, based on its design, is expected to take between six months to a year. Weir told Stabroek News that once approval is given, they would move ahead with breaking ground. Simultaneously, he indicated, his government is currently working to close a deal with two private sector investors, who have signalled interest in the project. Asked whether the construction of the terminal would be funded by Guyana or Barbados, Weir said private sector investment was the preferred option. While he could not release the names of the investors, he said they were nationals of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). It is expected that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will soon be signed with the investors. “The Barbados and Guyana governments will… make sure that it is operated, that it is set up, that we can have the throughput in terms of supplies of agricultural produce, to be able to keep it up… then export to Caricom and make it profitable,” Weir said, providing clarity on the roles the governments will play. He explained that the “facility will have a space for the dicing and packing for the distribution of fresh produce…. In addition, it will have the commercial package facility so that the supermarkets… restaurants can buy in commercial quantities, which is really an exciting place to be. “We are also looking at storage facilities that can give us longer storage so that we can release produce on the market when there are shortages and keep the price down or not allow for prices to skyrocket.
Politics
Parties commence talks for Shuman’s replacement: Parties that make up the joinder list have commenced consultations for the replacement of Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) member Lenox Shuman, who has tendered his resignation as a Member of Parliament. Shuman, whose resignation takes effect from March 31, 2023, was also deputy speaker of the National Assembly. Along with the LJP, A New and United Guyana (ANUG), and The New Movement (TNM) are the parties on that list. Kian Jabour, an executive member of ANUG, confirmed last week that consultations and discuss-ion were underway and that Shuman’s successor would be announced shortly. He explained that they were following the necessary protocols set out by Parliament and the Guyana Elections Com-mission (GECOM). Head of the TMN Dr Asha Kissoon, when contacted, echoed similar sentiments. She said that the process was blossoming. According to Jabour, the extensive consultation process was to ensure all parties benefit from the joinder agreement and contribute meaningfully in the National Assembly. Stabroek News under-stands that the next representative is likely to come from the TNM group. The group is expected to serve approximately 90 days in parliament. Jabour noted that this matter was also part of the discussion. “We have been considering that fact… When elections are called at the end of the term, Parliament goes into suspension and they [the TNM] potentially will not be able to contribute.” Shuman’s resignation letter, seen by this news-paper, informed the House that his move was to facilitate the next party in the joinder agreement to occupy the parliamentary seat. The parties had agreed to their votes being counted collectively to improve their chances at securing seats in the National Assembly. This agreement derived from Section 22 of the Representation of the People Act, under which they agreed to apply for a joinder.
Tragedy
Grove residents flooded following river defence breach: A river defence breach at Grove on the East Bank of Demerara last week led to severe flooding and Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said that a shelter will be opened. Edghill was at the scene last night with Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister in the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar. Edghill told the media that he was in Linden when he got calls about the breach at Grove. He said that a contractor had been doing river defence work in close proximity to where the breach occurred. That contractor and other emergency response contractors were mobilised and were on the scene last night. He said as the Minister of Public Works he was “deeply traumatized” by what he had seen in terms of damage and the effects of the suffering caused by the flooding. Along with the Prime Minister he had accompanied householders to inspect the damage.
Man dies in Agricola fire, 13 homeless: A Sunday afternoon fire ravaged two Agricola, East Bank Demerara houses, and also claimed the life of 45-year-old Kevin Trotman and left 13 persons homeless, a statement from the Guyana Fire Service [GFS] said. A relative of the deceased said that Trotman, a father of one, was last seen on Saturday evening but the family was informed that he had been consuming alcohol on Sunday and sometime after retired to bed. The relative noted too that Trotman was not seen during or after the fire. Yesterday, family members noticed swarms of flies around what appeared to be the burnt remains of a body. The relative related, “yesterday (Sunday) we see the fire and he wasn’t around we didn’t see him, we didn’t hear from him during yesterday (Sunday) and this morning (Monday) so we come and they saw the flies and they assume it’s the body. When they went in deh they saw the burnt body.” Trotman was described as a quiet person. The GFS release said that a two-storey wooden and concrete buildings that was burnt was owned by a person by the name of Narine. The top floor was occupied by Trotman, and the ground floor by 42-year-old Marcia Cato and her family of seven. The second building of Lot 102 Third Street, Agricola, was owned and occupied by 45-year-old Sonia Hope with her family of four. Two other buildings suffered damage including to home appliances, construction tools and walls. The Fire Service reported that its tenders utilized three jets working from two tank supplies, but water had to subsequently be relayed from a water bowser and a hydrant. The fire service release noted that it continues to advise citizens to exercise caution and follow safety measures to avoid home fires. Additionally, children should be educated on the dangers of fire starters (matches and lighters) and warned about their use. The GFS admonished adults not to leave children unattended or at home without supervision, and to keep children away from the cooking area, and ensure matches and lighters are out of their reach at all times. The GFS further advised that homes should be equipped with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Explosion at Old Kara Kara vulcanizing: A 19-year-old labourer, who was employed at a vulcanizing shop at Old Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, died last Monday while he was attending to a truck tyre that allegedly exploded. Dead is Joshawn Allistair Sevon Goddard of Amelia’s Ward, Linden. Commander for Regional Division #10, Senior Superintendent Hugh Winter said in a release that his ranks are investigating an incident which resulted in the death of Goddard. The incident occurred at around 1.20 pm last Monday. According to Maverline Johnson, a 69-year-old residing at Old Kara Kara, Goddard was a family friend employed as a labourer in her family’s vulcanizing shop for the past year.
Crime
Canada-based woman skipped flight at CJIA and was later found dead at Leguan: Although there are many questions yet to be answered, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) believes that 68-year-old Roma Dookeran, the Canada-based Guyanese whose body was found along Uniform Beach on Leguan Island a week ago was murdered. A post-mortem examination has revealed that she died as a result of blunt trauma to the head and compression to the neck and as such an official investigation has been launched. Commander of Regional Division #3, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, last week told the Stabroek News that no one has yet been arrested but they are currently pursuing several leads. A screenshot of the video footage showing Roma Dookeran being dropped off by her nephew Seree on March 14th Dookeran also known as ‘Somatie’ of Toronto, Canada and also of Perth Village on the Essequibo Coast was a retired manager and had arrived in Guyana a week prior to the discovery of her body on March 17, to transact some business. The post mortem which was performed on her remains yesterday by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Ezekiel Funeral Home at Best on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) revealed that she died from brain haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head and compression to the neck. According to the police, the woman’s nephew, 45-year-old Manoj Seree, had said that he had dropped his aunt off at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on March 14 at about 22:45hrs for her to board an American Airlines flight back to Canada. But upon learning that she did not arrive home and unaware of her whereabouts, Seree said he and another family member, Baishan Lall Kuarlall, a medical doctor of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, decided to make checks at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour when they saw on the GPF Facebook page that a body which shared a resemblance to their missing aunt, was discovered. Meanwhile, the CCTV footage which was shared on Facebook showed that the woman was dropped off at the airport by her nephew who then left. However, she was not in possession of any significant luggage such as a suitcase but only a handbag. The footage also showed that a few minutes after her nephew’s departure, Dookeran then boarded a taxi from the airport and according to reports, it took her to a Georgetown hotel and dropped her off.
Suspected Linden bandit dies after `shootout’ with police, another injured: A suspected Linden bandit died and another was injured after a “shootout” with the police in the mining town of Linden last The dead man had been identified as Randy Ronald Jerome, 33, of One Mile, Wismar and the injured man has been identified as Ronaldo Chapman. According to a police report on the incident, ranks acted on the information that several high profile criminals were hiding out in a house in Phase Three Wisroc in Wismar, Linden. Going with the information that the men could be armed, police ranks around 11:30 am confronted the men in the house. On approaching the house, the ranks observed three men sitting on the verandah. Observing they were being approached by ranks, Jerome, as explained by the police force, whipped out a firearm from his waist, pointed it at the ranks and discharged rounds in their direction. Ranks later took cover and observed Jerome jumping from the verandah and running in a northern direction whilst continuing to discharge rounds at Police in a bid to escape. He was pursued and in the process shots were exchanged. Jerome was shot in the lower back, and later fell to the ground. A black .40 Berretta Pistol containing three live rounds of 9mm ammunition was retrieved from him, the police said. Simultaneously, other ranks on the operation proceeded to the house where Chapman was seen at the doorway pointing a suspected firearm. He was also shot in the lower right thigh, which caused him to drop to the ground. A rank then retrieved the suspected firearm which he examined and observed to be a 9mm pistol containing six live rounds of 9mm ammunition in the magazine and one in the breech.
Grandson in custody as cops probe murder of Charlestown woman, 89: Police are investigating the murder of Patricia Bovell, an 89-year-old of Lot 57 Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown and her grandson is in custody. Bovell’s body was found in a garbage heap near to her home. The murder is believed to have occurred between 19th March 2023 and 22nd March 2023 at Russell Street between Broad and Howes streets. The police say that enquiries disclosed that on Sunday at about 9.05 pm, Yolanda James, a 32-year-old niece of the deceased woman, visited the home but did not see her. James said she enquired from Yonnic Gilpin, Bovell’s 27-year-old grandson as to the whereabouts of Bovell and he told her that he took her to Georgetown Public Hospital because she was feeling unwell. Based on that information, the police said that James made checks at GPHC but Bovell could not be found at the hospital. As a result, she made a missing person’s report at the Ruimveldt Police Station. The Police conducted investigations and Gilpin was arrested in relation to the missing person report. According to the police, Gilpin was interviewed and related that on 19th March 2023 at about 4 am, Bovell took ill. He said he took her to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) using a passing taxi. Checks were made at the hospital by the Police which revealed that Bovell was never at GPHC as stated by Gilpin. As a result, the Police canvassed the area at Russell Street and received information from neighbours that they heard screams of ‘murder’ coming from the deceased’s residence on 19th March 2023 at about 4 am. Neighbours said the cries went on for about five to 10 minutes and then the place became quiet. Acting on this information, a party of Police ranks checked at Lot 57 Russell Street, Charlestown with Gilpin but was unsuccessful. Gilpin was further interviewed and he maintained his story. Last Wednesday, at about 10 am, the Police received information about a stench coming from the alleyway near the deceased woman’s home. The Police, acting on this information, went to this location and found the body of a female in a partially decomposed state, wrapped in a blue and white sheet, amid garbage. The body was naked. The scene was processed and the deceased’s body is currently at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
School violence
Police say both parent and Houston Secondary teacher accused of assault: Police are continuing their investigations into the incident where a teacher armed herself with a cutlass during an altercation with a parent and a student at Houston Secondary School on March 23rd. She explained that she was protecting herself after being attacked. The police in a press release yesterday stated that the incident which occurred on Thursday at about 10:30 hours at the Houston Secondary School, Georgetown, involved a teacher, 43-year-old Kimone Gentle; a parent, a 43-year-old of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; and her 17-year-old son who is a fifth form student of the school. Gentle told the police that at about 10:30hrs on Thursday, she was sitting in an office when the parent and her son entered the school. She reportedly approached the woman and enquired about her relationship with the student, to which the woman allegedly responded in a loud tone saying, “I am his mother.” The teacher asked the parent to lower her voice since exams were ongoing in the various classrooms, to which the parent responded, saying: “All ayo teachers got a problem with meh child and I gon teach you something today.” The teacher further alleged that the parent took out her phone, approached and began videoing her. Gentle asked the parent twice to remove the phone from her face, which she ignored while allegedly behaving aggressively towards the teacher. During the commotion, the parent’s hand hit the teacher’s reading glasses, which fell to the ground. The police said that the parent stated that on Thursday she went to the school, along with her son to meet with the school’s Headteacher concerning an incident her son was involved in. Upon entering the school, she met Gentle and told her the purpose of her visit. The woman further claimed that while waiting to see the Head, the teacher enquired about her relationship with the student and she told the teacher that she was the student’s mother. The parent said the teacher began complaining about her son’s attitude and conduct in school. The parent claimed that she replied to Gentle by saying: “All ayo advantaging my son,” when it is alleged that the teacher abused her with a series of expletives. The woman explained that she then pulled out her cell phone and began recording the teacher’s conduct towards her, during which the teacher approached her and hit the phone out of her hands, causing it to be damaged. As a result, an argument ensued between the parent and the teacher, which turned into a scuffle. During the scuffle, the teacher allegedly picked up a chair and dealt the parent several lashes about her body, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground. The male student, upon seeing what was happening, went to his mother’s aid when he was also allegedly assaulted by the teacher. Other teachers separated the combatants, and the school’s security escorted the parent and her son out of the compound. The teacher then armed herself with a cutlass and charged after the parent and her son but was eventually calmed down by her colleagues. Both teacher and parent were subsequently arrested and taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station. They have since been released and were expected to return to the station.
In the court
Mother of three charged with killing husband: The young mother of three who was recently accused of fatally stabbing her common-law husband at their Alberttown residence was last Wednesday charged with manslaughter and granted bail in the sum of $300,000. The charge which was brought against 20-year-old Aaliyan Lewis also called ‘Dacia’, a waitress of Lot 57 Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, stated that on March 18 at the aforementioned address, she unlawfully killed Esan Hamilton who was a construction worker. Lewis was not required to plead to the indictable charge when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. Accused: Aaliyan Lewis also called ‘Dacia’ in the foreground The police prosecutor told the court last week that on the day in question at about 06:30 hours, the defendant and the now dead Hamilton had a misunderstanding. During interrogation Lewis claimed that Hamilton was being abusive towards her and as a result she picked up a knife which was nearby and dealt him a stab to the left side of his abdomen. Due to the severity of his injury the matter was subsequently reported to the police and Lewis was later arrested, cautioned, and, during a recorded interview, eventually admitted to committing the act, the police said. The couple had shared one of three bedrooms with their three children on the upper flat of a two-storey house at Lot 57 Fourth Street, Alberttown. Police ranks visited the scene at about 8.30 am on March 18 and spoke with one of the deceased man’s aunts, Stacey Moses, who said that she was in the kitchen when she saw Hamilton exit the bedroom whilst holding his abdomen and he told her, “Look what Dacia did to me.” She immediately placed her nephew in a chair to sit and upon examining the injury, saw that it was a stab wound. Moses added that a few seconds later she saw Lewis also exiting the bedroom holding a silver knife in her hand. She then asked the young woman about the injury sustained by Hamilton but received no response from her. The aunt subsequently alerted another family member and they called for a taxi and took Hamilton to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.