Sandal
Dharamlall resigns: President Irfaan Ali last Tuesday night accepted the resignation of Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, hours after the DPP had advised the police that there was no basis to charge him with rape as the complainant had withdrawn the allegation. Ali’s disclosure from Trinidad where he is attending a CARICOM Heads meeting followed weeks of public consternation after a 16-year-old girl alleged that she had been groomed and raped by Dharamlall last year. The allegations threatened to tarnish the government and analysts had said that with or without a charge Dharamlall would have to quit both Cabinet and Parliament. The collapse of the case against Dharamlall has also raised questions about whether pressure had been brought on the complainant at various points of the probe to have her recant after having held firmly to her position for weeks. There were also allegations of corruption surrounding the probe. Analysts had said that the PPP/C government would not have wanted to have the stain of a rape charge against one of its ministers. Dharamlall’s departure came after dramatic developments in the last week where the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) returned the case file to the police and asked for further investigations. It is unclear what further investigations were sought but within a day and a half, the complainant signalled that she no longer wanted to proceed. With this new information, the file was returned by the police yesterday to Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack and within hours she returned the file with the advice that no charge could be brought. The police relayed to the public her advice in a press release yesterday. Eve Leary said that yesterday morning the case file in relation to the allegation of rape made against Dharamlall was sent to the Office of the DPP based on advice for further investigations to be conducted. The DPP returned the file yesterday afternoon containing her legal opinion. In her advice, the GPF said that the DPP disclosed that consideration was given to the fact that the complainant gave a further statement to investigators that she wished to withdraw her complaint against Dharamlall and that her decision was not influenced by anyone and that same was in her best interest. The police said that the DPP also proffered her advice based on the fact that the virtual complainant’s statement was taken by a forensic interviewer in the presence of a parent, a Child Care officer and a Police officer and that such statement was free and voluntary. “In light of the above, the Director of Public Prosecutions concluded that in the absence of the victim’s complaint, there is no legal provision for the Police to proceed with the matter”, the police said.
APNU rebukes President over handling of Dharamlall case: A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) last week castigated President Irfaan Ali over his handling of a rape allegation scandal that engulfed Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall. APNU, the main opposition, said Ali’s statement on Tuesday night accepting the resignation of Dharamlall was “shameless, pathetic, callous, and unacceptable”. It said that the President showed no remorse or sympathy towards the complainant in the matter, a 16-year-old girl. “He expressed no empathy for the feelings of the masses of Guyanese who experienced, and continue to experience, shock and moral outrage over the injustice. He expressed no concern that the criminal justice and child protection systems in the country malfunctioned. Irfaan Ali expressed concern for none of that!” APNU thundered. The party charged that Ali’s sole concern was the image of his government. “President Ali’s statement exposes the moral bankruptcy and self-obsession of the PPP regime. The PPP is not interested in justice, accountability, and the rule of law. The PPP is instead bent on putting its self-interest above the human and constitutional rights and welfare of our children, women, and citizenry as a whole. “We call on citizens not to let their memories and sense of moral outrage fade over these acts of atrocities by the PPP. The more the PPP regime believes it can act in any fashion with immunity, the more it will be disrespectful and dismissive of us as citizens of Guyana. And the more our lives and livelihoods will be endangered”, the party said.
GHRA says `public interest’ demands trial in Dharamlall case: Amid escalating revulsion over the apparent collapse of a rape probe against Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, the GHRA last week said that `public interest’ demands a trial in the case. On Friday, the police said that they had gotten a `No Further Action’ statement from the complainant, triggering concerns about the manner and conditions under which the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and child non-governmental organisations had handled her case. The role played by the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions has also come under close scrutiny. In a release, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) pulled no punches when it stated that the withdrawal of rape allegations by the complainant against Minister Dharamlall was “clearly the end result intended from the outset by his political defenders.” As such, the human rights body is calling for the implementation of a Safeguarding Policy in every organisation in the country, regardless of how this “saga” turns out. It also described the conduct of the ruling politicians at every step of the way in this matter as being “deferential” to the offender rather than the victim. This bias, it noted, dictated the choice of the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA) “to ‘protect’ the child, effectively isolating her from the care, protection and legal support she required, while making her available and vulnerable to those seeking to change her mind.” The release noted that despite the public’s overwhelming negative reaction over the incident, it is forced to conclude that government leaders continue to see nothing in the pattern of Dharamlall’s behaviour that even merits a rebuke. It went a step further to state that this stance “has all the hallmarks of the suspect being in a position to embarrass others if action were taken against him.”
DPP, police actions in order – Dharamlall’s attorney: With public opinion bringing pressure to bear on the justice system, King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani remains hopeful that good sense will prevail and that the appropriate advice is given in the matter of the rape allegation against Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall. Ramdhani, who has been retained by Dharamlall for the case, along with attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, last week broke his silence, speaking for the first time on the allegations. His comments to the Sunday Stabroek come in light of heavy criticism of the police, the Childcare and Protection Agency and the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following the revelation that the 16-year-old complainant has decided not to pursue the case against Dharamlall who holds the portfolio of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. Ramdhani said that even if he was not counsel on the case, his comments would be the same. He said that he believes this is an appropriate time for him to speak given the developments in the matter. “Where we are right now is that we are still in the process…We expect as attorneys for Mr Dharamlall, the right thing will be done…We expect that the right thing will be done, that a quick decision will be made. I didn’t hear what was said by the police personally, but the information was conveyed to me, and the next step would be that this investigation should come to end… So our client can be to get back to his life and the young lady too can get back to her life.” To help explain his point, he made reference to the judgment of former Chief Justice Ian Chang in the matter of the DPP versus the late Commissioner of Police Henry Greene. Justice Chang had ruled against the advice given by the DPP to charge Greene with rape, finding that it was irrational as the circumstantial evidence did not present a realistic prospect of a conviction. He stated that while many are questioning whether the system worked, nothing was done differently in this investigation.
Fire
Huge losses in wake of Charity Market fire: The fire that destroyed a section of the bustling Charity Market, Region Two last Thursday evening left three fire-fighters injured and destroyed twenty-nine stalls. Eleven other stalls suffered damage as a result of firefighting. Investigations are underway by the Guyana Police Force, Fire Prevention Officers and the Government Electrical Inspectorate to ascertain what caused the fire. The GPF said that at about 7.15 on Thursday evening a police sergeant on his way to the Charity Police Station observed smoke emanating from the roof in the middle of the market and immediately alerted the security guards employed by NM Security Services, who were on duty. Police opened the market gates that were at the time secured with padlocks with the keys that were lodged at the Charity Police Station. It was observed that sparks and smoke were coming from an electrical meter, which is located at the centre of the market. Efforts by the security guards, police ranks and residents who formed a bucket brigade in an attempt to extinguish the fire failed. According to a Guyana Fire Service (GFS) press release, at about 7.20 on Thursday evening it received a call alerting them to a fire at the Charity Amazon Market. Water tenders #77 and #88 along with their crew from the Anna Regina Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene. Two jets working from WT#77, one jet from light pump #86, and two jets from WT# 88 were used to extinguish the fire. The structure involved was a one-flat wooden and concrete building owned by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and occupied as a market, which housed 83 stalls. Firefighting efforts resulted in the fire being contained to the central portion of the market and the damage being contained to just about 40% of the building. The firemen injured at the scene were Station Officer Springer and Leading Fireman Tribuwan who suffered electric shocks while an object fell on the head of Fireman Ramadhin and he suffered minor injuries. They were all rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital for medical attention.
Development
Bosai launches US$120m kiln, Maz project: President Irfaan Ali reassured Lindeners that they have a “very bright future” when he spoke last Friday at the Commissioning Ceremony of the US$120m Kiln #15 and Metallurgical Grade Bauxite (Maz) Project of the BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) (BMGG) Inc. “Linden today is undergoing what Guyana is undergoing, rapid and massive transformation. Make no mistake, Region 10 and Linden will not be left behind or will not be staggering behind. Our investment in Linden is geared towards the full diversification of the economy and expansion of opportunities in every field of national development”, a release from the Office of the President said. The President called the bauxite project by the Chinese company a “massive investment” while highlighting his Government’s commitment to ensuring its viability. He also charged the management of BOSAI to work on accomplishing the targets set for this year. The release said that bauxite production has increased from 608,000 tonnes in 2020 to 705,000 tonnes in 2022, while exports have averaged more than 600,000 tonnes. Last year, bauxite brought in some US$98.9m in export earnings, 23.6 % more than in 2021. The kiln #15 and Maz Project is expected to operate at 1.5 times the capacity of its predecessor and create some 500 direct job opportunities for Guyanese. The President stated that the Govern-ment has had a solid track record of supporting the ailing industry for more than a decade. “By attracting foreign participation, we ensured that while bauxite may have been on wobbly legs it was never going to hit the canvas as knocked out. The PPP/C never allowed it to hit the canvas on a knockout”. The President stressed the importance of improving efficiency and modernising the industry.
Natural disaster
Tornado-like storm roars through Aishalton: A teenaged boy is now nursing injuries after the walls of his bedroom came crashing down on him during a violent storm in Aishalton, Region Nine on the night of June 30th. Approximately six families have been displaced as the 30-minute storm completely destroyed their homes “within seconds”. Speaking with the Sunday Stabroek, village Toshao Micheal Thomas, who visited the homes to assess the damage, stated that such a storm has never been experienced before. The tornado-like storm, he explained, began with a sudden lightning flash and moved through the village, picked up and flung things in its path. This newspaper was told that at the time of the storm, Tiweppa, the 14-year-old, was lying in bed with his pillow covering his head when the clay bricks from his bedroom walls started falling on him. Tiweppa blacked out as a result of the impact and his father promptly removed the bricks from atop his son and took him to safety. The injured boy was soon rushed to the hospital where he was attended to by a doctor and regained consciousness. Despite being reported as being “fine”, this newspaper understands that up to press time yesterday Tiweppa was still experiencing shortness of breath at intervals.
Regional
CARICOM moving to free movement for all persons: CARICOM Heads of Government have resolved to remove impediments to free movement across the region by March next year, according to CARICOM Chairman, Roosevelt Skerrit. He acknowledged that the decision cannot be implemented immediately as modalities in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas will have to be dealt with by a legal team. “We have taken a decision to have the free movement of all categories of people to live and work…We believe that this is a fundamental part of the integration architecture and at 50 (years), we could not leave Trinidad and Tobago and not speak about the core of the integration movement and that is people’s ability to move freely within the Caribbean Community,” Skerrit said as he noted that this was the highlight of their three-day long meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at the closing press conference for the 45th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting last Wednesday, the Dominican Prime Minister explained that this decision will allow people to access primary and equal health care and educational opportunities. The lifting of restrictions on free travel will also pave the way for better security and hassle-free travel. Skerrit added further that with this decision, they have served the community and given the people of the region what they need. “We hope to have it implemented by the 30th of March 2024. This is great news and I think of the discussion and the number of decisions we have taken this is ‘de decision’ we have taken at this conference. I believe our founding fathers are smiling down from heaven because we have arrived at this decision,” he said to applause from those present. Meanwhile, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley confirmed at the press conference that the decision was made to move from the freedom of movement of skills and service to free movement of people. “It’s all people, there’s no services anymore… This now gives full expression to what every Caribbean people have wanted since we had control of our destinies,” Mottley said.
Education
Three students tie for top spot at NGSA: The Ministry of Education last Friday announced the results for the 2023 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA and this year three students tied as the top performers scoring 506.7 out of 507.7; Anaya Jagnandan of the New Guyana School, Ritisha Gobin of Academy of Excellence, and Glasford Archer of Leonora Primary School, earning them a coveted place at Queen’s College.
Contracts inked for new $2b Kwebanna secondary school: Region One is expected to have a brand new secondary school within the next seven to eight months. This is according to the Ministry of Education, which last Wednesday signed contracts worth over $2 billion for the construction of the Kwebanna Secon-dary School in Barima/ Waini. The signing ceremony was held in the ministry’s boardroom in the presence of Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Permanent Secretary, Alfred King; contractors and others. The school when completed will house over 600 students from Kwebanna and other villages. Touted as one of the schools that will be equipped with modern amenities, when completed, it will house over 30 classrooms, laboratories for physics, chemistry, biology, information technology, TVET, home economics, and industrial technology. It will also have an auditorium, a staff room, and will be powered by solar energy Additionally, there will also be a dormitory to house some 250 students and duplex living quarters for 25 teachers will also be constructed. And in acknowledgement of the need for safety, the school is expected to have fire escape exits, escape doors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, limited timber usage, metal ceilings, and fire retardant panels. This project comprises a six-lot facility and all works are expected to be carried out by Singh and Son Construction, Bree’s Enterprise, Supreme Contracting and Supplies, and AS Construction.
Oil & Gas
Canadian regulatory body issues warning to Exxon, drilling contractor over flying rod: The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has issued a warning to ExxonMobil Canada and a drilling contractor over a potentially fatal incident on a drilling platform. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the C-NLOPB has handed ExxonMobil Canada a notice of non-compliance following a near miss incident involving a flying rod that could have killed workers on the Hebron platform last month. The incident was reported May 28 following maintenance on a crane, CBC said. The work involved the use of a hydraulic pin puller that failed, which turned the puller rod into a projectile. The 6.8-kilogramme rod flew about 19 metres across the deck, struck a handrail, and fell 21 metres, landing on a walkway below. At the time, the C-NLOPB said the incident could have killed someone. At the time, ExxonMobil said that the incident “had the potential for a fatality.” The board released the findings of their review on Friday, June 30 finding the puller rod faced loads above its yield rating. Four attempts to pull the pin also exceeded the rated capacity of the hydraulic jack, which resulted in the pin fracturing, the CBC report stated. The review found the procedure for pulling the pin was done without necessary information to ensure it could be done safely, like not including the capacity limits for equipment or understanding the maximum safe operating pressure . It also found that step-by step instructions weren’t provided. A non-compliance order was also issued to KCA Deutag, which handles drilling operations and platform maintenance. Both sides are required to perform an audit to find failures and gaps in management and a review of all equipment and training protocols, which must be submitted by Sept. 30. ExxonMobil must also issue an incident bulletin to the local offshore industry.
In courts
Life sentence for man who killed clothes vendor: Like his two other accomplices, Wayne Chester has also been sentenced to life in prison for the 2017 murder of Guyanese, Cayenne-based clothes vendor, Purcell Moore, who was shot dead during a robbery. The sentence was handed down last week by Justice Sandil Kissoon, who ordered that Chester serve a minimum of 30 years, before being eligible for parole. Chester, called ‘Smokey,’ who the prosecution said was the shooter, was unanimously convicted by a jury at the conclusion of his trial last week. He had been charged along with co-accused Kelvin Persaud and Selwyn Dawson who; in the middle of the trials in June of 2021, pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the killing. The two had been indicted for the capital charge of murder, but pleaded to the lesser offence of manslaughter which was accepted by the State and Court. The trio had shot and killed Moore after robbing him of his gold chain on the morning of December 20th, 2017, at Old Road, Craig, East Bank Demerara. Persaud and Dawson who were both sentenced to life in prison, have since filed appeals, arguing that the sentences were too severe. Justice Kissoon who had presided over their matters as well, ordered that they spend 15 years in jail before being considered for parole.
