Mining
Gov’t to temporarily halt mining at Chinese Landing: As part of its response to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) resolution issued on July 21 concerning the Chinese Landing Village, the Government of Guyana has announced its decision to temporarily end all mining there as it engages the Toshao and council on the way forward. This announcement was contained in a release last Wednesday from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance (MPAG). This, it explained, was in response to the claims contained in the IACHR resolution where it was mentioned that residents of the community did not feel safe passing through mining concessions to conduct their lawful activities. In fact this very concern was stated in a letter to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira dated July 29, in which Chinese Landing Village Toshao, Orin Fernandes, stated that steps which require immediate attention included “mining activity must stop.” The release also noted that the decision to halt mining was as a direct result of the ongoing communication between the Government of Guyana through the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and the Chinese Landing Village Council through Toshao Fernandes. The release also took care to highlight that there has been constant communication between MPAG and Toshao Fernandes. An initial request for the planned fact-finding mission to be accommodated was sent to Toshao Fernandes on July 28. A response was received dated July 29 in which the Toshao explained that “while we appreciate your quick reaction and proposal…the village council requires slightly more time to confer with the village on the appropriate measures.” He also indicated in his correspondence that he was not clear about the purpose of the fact-finding mission. The Government of Guyana then dispatched another correspondence on July 31, 2023 to the Toshao, responding to all questions and concerns and making clear the government’s approach. The letter reiterated that the fact-finding mission was being implanted to effectively implement requests from the IACHR for the Government of Guyana to “report on the actions taken to investigate the events that led up to the adoption of [the] precautionary measure, so as to prevent such events from happening again.” Fernandes was reminded that the outstanding issues identified by IACHR as prompted by the community’s May 22 submission were only seen for the first time by government when it received the IACHR resolution, and as such, those claims would need to be investigated as they include further allegations about health, environment pollution and outstanding investigations with regards to harassment, intimidation and personal integrity.
Parliamentary
Gov’t approves massive hikes in debt ceilings: The government last Thursday approved massive hikes in the external and domestic debt ceilings – the second time in 30 months – signalling an aggressive borrowing campaign for massive infrastructural and other spending.
After heated debate, the current limit on external loans was lifted from $650,000,000,000 to $900,000,000,000 and domestic debt from $500,000,000,000 to $750,000,000,000. In February of 2021, the government pushed through an increase in the external debt ceiling from $400b to $650b and the domestic debt ceiling from $150b to $500b. It means that in the span of 30 months, Guyana’s external debt ceiling has more than doubled and its domestic ceiling has been increased five-fold. The motion was proposed by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, during the 66th sitting of the twelfth parliament and was passed later in the evening with Govern-ment’s majority. In proposing the motion to so facilitate through the External Loans Increasing of Limit #48 of 2023, Singh at the same time also sought confirmation of the Public Loan Increasing of Limit Order #49 of 2023. Singh said Government anticipated that the proposed increases in the two limits should generate little contention and receive the approval of the House; against the background of what he said is the rapid growth of the country’s economy. According to the Senior Finance Minister, the economy over the past two years has grown in “real terms” at an average of more than 40% per annum; while adding that the growth projection for the next three to four years is no less than 25% per annum. He said that at the same time, Government has “ensured that this real growth in the Guyanese economy is resilient, particularly from the perspective of ensuring that it is based on a diversified productive sector.”
Accountability
Liability for Mahdia dorm fire lies with gov’t – APA insists: The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) wants the government to understand that the survivors and relatives of victims of the Mahdia dormitory fire are still in need of continued support and assistance and that the state must bear responsibility for the tragedy as the victims were in their care. In a release yesterday, the APA noted that both survivors and bereaved families continue to be traumatised with only minimal resources being made available. The association informed that it has been monitoring the government’s response to the tragedy since its inception and said it must commend the government for its initial response to the preventable disaster and the subsequent arrangements for the funerals of the deceased girls. However, it feels the government is obligated to do more. We must also remind the government that assistance to the families of those who lost their children and the surviving children should be continuous and in good faith. It appears as though the Government of Guyana is attempting to use taxpayers’ dollars to round the grieving families into a corner and silence them.” The APA is of the view that as that the communities of Micobie, Chenapou, Karisparu, El Paso, and others, continue to grieve the loss of 20 children, the rush to have them settle all possible claims is one that “reeks of disrespect.” During a recent visit to the affected communities of Micobie, Chenapou, El Paso, and in speaking with persons in Karisparu, the Indigenous body argued that the government has reneged on its commitment to support the survivors and families of the deceased continuously. What happened instead was that families were “intimidated” into signing settlement agreements absolving the State of all liability. Also, during visits to the communities and meetings with parents of both the deceased and survivors, it was discovered that after the initial flurry of support for survivors, nothing else has been heard or forthcoming. Community members stated both collectively and individually, that they need more medical intervention, not only for the girls who survived the fire but for the boys who are also experiencing some health-related issues such as shortness of breath for those who helped in the fire and inhaled smoke, hair loss, and recurring nightmares, among others. –
Oil & Gas
ExxonMobil likely to move to arbitration over audit refund – sources: Even as the nation awaits word on the first two audits of oil expenses, the government has determined that all questionable claims still not justified by the company in the IHS Markit audit of expenses from 1999-2018 would be disallowed, actions which could possibly trigger the US oil major moving to arbitration in a holdout to not pay, sources close to the process say. Sources close to the process told the Stabroek News that both audit reports have been completed and ExxonMobil has been given time to respond “and flesh out with government the questionable expenses.” The company has returned the reports, but was still holding out on expenses not justifiable. While the sum of the questionable expenses was unclear in the US$7.3 billion audit for the period 2018-2020, the one covering 1999-2017 had identified over US$214 million in unjustified claims. The IHS Markit audit, which covered the US$1.67 billion in expenses for the period, was submitted in March 2021 and found among other details, that the government can contest US$214.4 million in claims by ExxonMobil, which translates to 12.8% of the US$1.67 billion in expenses claimed by ExxonMobil and partners. Those figures have remained unchanged, sources say. This newspaper has reported extensively on the IHS Markit audit, which the government had said was not completed as both sides were still deliberating on the findings. The contract on the audit on the US$7.3 billion sum by Ramdihal, Haynes, Vitality Consulting, and Eclisar Financial & Professional (RHVE) consortium was awarded in May last year. One year later, on May 20, ExxonMobil said that it had submitted its responses to the findings of that audit and hinted that disagreements over revenue for blocks might be a hiccup, but it expected negotiations on the queries to be completed in a few months.
Diplomatic
Guyana and China sign MoU on investment, economic cooperation: As President Irfaan Ali today wraps up his eight-day visit to the People’s Republic of China, he reaffirmed Guyana’s firm support for the One China principle and told Beijing that Georgetown remained committed to expanding the already robust cooperation initiatives they share. The two governments agreed “that regular meeting … was important for boosting bilateral cooperation and coordination on multilateral occasions” and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed. A joint statement from the two nations outlined the vast areas discussed when Ali met with China’s President Xi Jinping, and its Premier Li Qiang. It encompassed “bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, expressing the shared commitment of the two countries to further deepening and broadening bilateral relations as well as advancing cooperation in the multilateral arena. “In the discussions, both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive development of bilateral relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the People’s Republic of China. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding collaboration in a variety of fields. Both sides reaffirmed their respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support for their people’s choice of a development path suited to respective national conditions, based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and in keeping with the purposes of the United Nations Charter and international law.” According to the statement, “President Ali expressed gratitude to President Xi for China’s support in Guyana’s economic development, including in the area of infrastructure. Both sides committed to deepening economic ties, including enhanced trade and investment promotion, and to expanding cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, health, energy and education.” The statement informed that both sides expressed the “firm conviction that greater international mobilisation was critical for bridging the economic divide between developed and developing countries, strengthening developing countries’ capacity to respond to shocks, and for reducing the incidence of poverty in the developing world.” It was to this end that the MoU on the establishment of an Investment and Economic Cooperation Working Group was signed.
Crime
Olato Sam shot dead outside Plaisance bar: Two men are now in police custody following the fatal shooting of a senior government official last Friday morning at Plaisance Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, in the vicinity of the Gold Rush Bar. Dead is 53-year-old Dr Olato Sam, Education Specialist within the Ministry of Education (MoE), and of South Ruimveldt Park, George-town. Police say the incident occurred at about 12.30 am. Enquiries revealed that around 11.15 pm on Thursday, Sam went to the Gold Rush Bar, where he met three of his friends, and while there, they consumed a few drinks outside the bar. At about 12.10 am yesterday, a fight broke out between two men on the opposite side of the street. Two loud explosions, which sounded like gunshots, were heard from the direction of the two men and a second or two later, Sam collapsed to the ground. His friends immediately rendered assistance and rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospi-tal where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Upon examination by medical staff, the body bore what appeared to be a gunshot wound on the upper left side of his chest Sam’s body is presently at the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. The two men who were involved in the altercation were arrested and are currently in police custody.
Tragedy
Fire destroys 13 speedboats at Vreed-en-Hoop stelling: Thirteen speedboat operators are now counting their losses while pondering their next move after an early morning fire ripped through their boats which were moored at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, West Coast Demerara. According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), a call was received at about 01.49 hours yesterday stating that there was a fire at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling. The GFS responded with a water tender and crew from the La Grange Fire Station, along with fire boat Protector #8 and a crew. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters observed several boats on fire and immediately sprang into action. When the fire was finally contained, it was reveal-ed through police investigations that the blaze started from the stern of a vessel that was moored on the southern side of the stelling, which quickly erupted and spread to nearby vessels, destroying them. Persons at the scene were questioned including the watchman, who was placed in police custody pending investigations. The origin of the fire is yet to be determined, as more investigations are ongoing. There were no visible CCTV cameras nor bright lights in the area in which the incident occurred. The boat operators explained that they would pay $1,000 per night for security and at the time of the fire some 59 boats would have been at the stelling. For security reasons, they added that the boats are not moored with fuel. The boats were said to cost over $5 million each and were not insured. One operator when questioned as to why this was so, responded that when he had approached an insurance company for coverage, he was informed that they did not insure small boats.
Commitment
Gov’t committed to ensuring African Guyanese never marginalised – President: In his message to mark Emancipation Day, President Irfaan Ali asserted that his government is committed to ensuring that African Guyanese are never politically or economically marginalized. “The greatest tribute we can pay to the struggles and sacrifices of African Guyanese is to build a free, prosperous and more inclusive nation. In this regard, I want to assure all African Guyanese that my government is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that they will never be politically or economically marginalized”, Ali stated. The President also asserted that African Guyanese will share in the bounty from Guyana’s development. “African Guyanese will share in the bounty that will flow from Guyana’s transformative development now and in the future. They, along with all others, will have a stake in national development and in the governance of our country. The One Guyana agenda is aimed at building such a prosperous and inclusive future”, the President declared. He also warned of persons trying to exacerbate divisions. “…I am mindful that there are forces inside and outside of our country who, for selfish reasons, continue to stoke division and engender fear, mistrust and suspicion. As I have done in the past, I want to encourage Guyanese to continue to reject these attempts and expose the agitators of disunity and fear-mongering who threaten our nation’s cohesion and progress”, the President said without identifying anyone. He called for a recommitting to creating a brighter future where resilience and achievements “resonate in every corner of Guyana, inspiring generations, present and future, to unite in building a nation that embodies the spirit of freedom, prosperity and inclusivity”. He urged that tribute be paid to those who endured unimaginable hardships and resisted.
Death
Roger Luncheon passes away at 74: Former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon passed away during the early hours of last Wednesday. He was 74 years old and had been ailing for some time. As the news of his death flooded the internet, tributes began to pour in from individuals he would’ve fraternized with and whose lives he touched in some way during his lifetime. Among them were tributes from President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and others. A longstanding senior member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who served as HPS during the Party’s previous administration in governance, Luncheon was described as a humble, intellectual, enduring, “son of the soil” by a number of his former colleagues. In his tribute, President Ali said that Luncheon was an exceptional patriot and national icon who was fearless and selfless in his complete commitment to national development and defence of a free and democratic Guyana. “It is a painful and deep-wounded loss for the Government and Party. He offered me unflinching support throughout my political career, both within the PPP and in public life. This man has shaped me in many ways and placed tremendous trust and confidence in me. Onward fearless warrior and pure nationalist, your work is done but, the product of your labour will live on forever,” the President’s Facebook post said. In extending condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues, Jagdeo’s Facebook tribute noted that “Luncheon has left a rich legacy of true commitment to service, patriotism, and a deep sense of national pride and hard work for the people of Guyana”.
Accident
Two construction workers die in fiery crash on Dundee Public Road: A mother who just lost her son in a fiery car accident says that “faith” is all that she has now to hold on to. Her son, 30-year-old Fredrick Frazer of Huntley, Mahaicony, along with his friend Shelroy McAlister, a 43-year-old of Airy Hall Mahaicony, and driver of motorcar PAB 8723 died together shortly after midnight on July 29th. According to a police report, at about 00:30 hours yesterday morning Frazer and McAlister, both construction workers, were driving along the Dundee Public Road, in Mahaicony when tragedy struck. At the time, the car they were in was proceeding west along the road at a fast rate when the driver lost control of it while negotiating a turn and collided with a GPL pole and a concrete fence. As a result of the collision, the vehicle burst into flames. The two men were not able to exit the burning car. A call was made to the Guyana Fire Service and a fire tender from Mahaica Fire Station immediately responded to the scene. After the fire was put out, the two were taken out of the vehicle and transported to the Mahaicony Public Hospital where they were both pronounced dead on arrival.
In the courts
Woman remanded over Linden bus park killing: Vanessa Emmanuel, 25, of Lot 992 Section B, Block “X” Greater Diamond, East Bank Demerara, appeared at the George-town Magistrate’s Court last Monday before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs- Marcus to answer to the charge of man-slaughter. It is alleged that on Thursday 27th July, at Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown, the defendant killed Zehron Nieuenkirk. The court heard that the accused and the deceased were known to each other. According to the police, on Thursday 27th July, about 21:00 hours, Nieuenkirk was standing on the pavement west of Parliament Building talking to a friend when Emmanuel walked by. Nieuenkirk held her and pinched her arm but Emmanuel walked away. The police stated that Nieuenkirk proceeded to walk up behind Emmanuel and hugged her from behind, to which, Emmanuel responded by whipping out a knife from her pants and stabbing Nieuenkirk in the region of his groin. Nieuenkirk then ran to where his minibus was parked and told his conductor that he had been stabbed by Emmanuel. He was immediately rushed to the GPHC where he was seen and examined by a doctor. Nieuenkirk passed away while receiving treatment. A post-mortem examination by Dr. Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as a single stab wound to the groin. Emmanuel was contacted and told of the allegation; the accused admitted to stabbing Nieuenkirk but claimed it was unintentional. Legal advice was sought and Emmanuel was charged with manslaughter. Prosecutor Quincy Lacon strongly objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, and that the defendant fled the scene without showing any remorse. The Prosecutor also informed the court that video footage and eyewitness statements of the incident are in place. Emmanuel was refused bail and remanded to prison until 17th August for statements. In court the defendant was heard shouting, “I want to go home… I want my mother!!”
Trio freed over murder of man in 2012: With the prosecution failing to establish the identity of the person it said they murdered, Ray Yokum, Steffon Campbell and Faisal Moore were last Monday discharged of the crime and set free. Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall before whom their trial was conducted, said that while there was testimony of an autopsy having been done on “a body,” there was “no admissible evidence as to its identity.” Back in 2017, the jointly-charged trio was convicted and sentenced to 80 years each for the offence. Finding that their defence was insufficiently put to a jury, however, the Guyana Court of Appeal in February of 2021, quashed the convictions and ordered that they be retried for the 2012 murder of Glen Xavier. In her ruling following what she said were observations made from examining the evidence, Justice Morris-Ramlall noted that the accused were not before the court charged with the murder of a person unknown. Against this background she said that there is no nexus between the person that Randolph Nedd—who testified to being a friend of the deceased—said he had taken from the scene, and the person the pathologist performed the autopsy on. She said that Nedd provided no description of his friend, whether by ethnicity or otherwise. She said, too, that there was the evidence of policeman Winston Singh who testified that on the night in question at the hospital, Xavier’s body was pointed out to him. The Judge said that the police officer did not, however, say who had pointed out the body to him; while noting that in any case, to have so said, would have amounted to inadmissible hearsay.
