Housing
Several persons arrested in housing probe – minister: Several persons have been arrested by the police in relation to a housing fraud probe, according to Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues who also strongly defended one of her employees who had been implicated on social media. Rodrigues in a statement on November 24th said that over the last few days on social media, there has been an avalanche of allegations levelled against employees of the Ministry of Housing and Water in relation to corrupt transactions. From the outset, the minister said that the tenor of the posts suggested that they would not end until the political heads of the Ministry were linked in some way to the allegations. (On Thursday), a member of my secretariat, Naresh Sugrim, was implicated in these social media posts. His photo was published, along with the allegation that he has been receiving bribes in exchange for land. Not a shred of evidence was provided, yet he was tried and convicted in the court of public opinion”, Rodrigues lamented. She said that unbeknownst to the public, on her instruction, Sugrim had been assisting the Guyana Police Force in an investigation to uncover solid evidence against staff members or outsiders who were suspected of conducting illegal transactions. “Today, his efforts have led to the arrest of several persons. This will no doubt assist the police to further their investigations. Unfortunately, the reckless and vindictive postings on social media, which prove nothing, have compromised months of tedious investigative work which could have potentially led to more arrests. “I have always maintained that I am committed to rooting out corruption. In this regard, strident steps were taken to work with the Police to address this wherever it exists in the Ministry”, she stated. The minister said that regrettably, members of the public continue to encourage the practice of offering bribes and willingly participate in these illegal transactions. “When they lose their money without receiving the favours they expected, they take to social media to complain, instead of going to the police. There is little or nothing we can do with social media postings that bear no evidence. “Naresh Sugrim is a patriotic, hardworking, and diligent public servant who did not deserve to be defamed. I have advised him to take private legal action in this regard. It is my hope that this embarrassment does not discourage him, and other honest public servants, who do not engage in such illegalities”, Rodrigues said. She added that eliminating corruption from a Ministry that distributes land “is a near impossible task, but we can reduce it significantly with help from law-abiding citizens. We cannot do it alone. I am therefore imploring the public to desist from participating in bribery”.
Border Controversy
‘There is absolutely nothing to fear’: President Irfaan Ali on November 23rd visited communities in Region One and Region Seven and assured residents that Guyana remains committed to peacefully resolving the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela and that there was absolutely nothing to fear.
Tensions have sharply escalated in recent months over Venezuela’s plans for a referendum on December 3rd on its claim to Essequibo. “We are not taking anything for granted…That is why our overall strategy is nothing to be alarmed about. There is absolutely nothing to fear. We are doing everything in accordance with international guidelines, and we believe that Venezuela will not act recklessly,” the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces affirmed while engaging residents at Kumaka in the Mabaruma sub-district. The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that Ali emphasised the importance of unity in addressing the border controversy, noting that every resident should remain alert during this period. The head of state reiterated Guyana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution, urging Venezuela to adhere to international laws and work within the framework of the Inter-national Court of Justice (ICJ). He highlighted the need for Guyanese to remain vigilant against Vene-zuela’s propaganda design-ed to instill fear among the population. “All of us as one Guyana understand clearly that Essequibo belongs to Guyana; there is no doubt about that…We have to ensure that we don’t allow statements coming out of Venezuela to drive fear among us. “Although we are of the opinion that Venezuela will not act recklessly, we cannot be unprepared. We have to ensure that we do everything within our own environment to secure our environment,” President Ali underscored.
President confident ICJ will rule in Guyana’s favour: President Irfaan Ali last week voiced confidence that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule in Guyana’s favour in relation to emergency measures it is seeking against Venezuela’s controversial December 3rd referendum on Essequibo which he said was akin to the crumbling of the law. The President spoke during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre amid concerns that unease had overtaken swathes of the country over the impending referendum and that the government had not been proactive in offering assurances. The President said that Venezuela like any sovereign state has the right to consult its people on matters of national importance but that the referendum questions were beyond the pale. “But what Venezuela has planned for December the 3rd is no ordinary consultation. What Venezuela seeks by way of this so-called referendum is a licence to not only break the law, but to crumble it to bits. A licence to violate and destroy Guyana’s fundamental right as a sovereign state”, he said. He expressed confidence that the ICJ will rule in Guyana’s favour in relation to the precautionary measures sought. “After the hearing of November 14 and 15 (at the ICJ in the Hague), Guyana is confident that the court has understood its petition and within a short time it will issue an order directing Venezuela not to take any actions for which it seeks the endorsement of its people on December 3rd. Guyana is confident that the court will order Venezuela not to take any action that violates or interferes with its rights to, and in the Essequibo region during the remainder of this case. Until the court has ruled on the legal validity of the 1899 arbitral award and Guyana’s eternal rights to this territory. “We neither expect nor need the court to stop Venezuela from holding this referendum. What we expect and need is an order from the court preventing Venezuela from carrying out any of the hostile actions that might be endorsed by that referendum. Or any other action that interferes with Guyana’s sovereign rights. Such orders issued by the court are binding on the parties. Under the UN Charter all states are solemnly bound to comply with the court’s order which could be enforced by the UN Security Council. We expect Venezuela’s compliance with whatever the court orders. We do not expect that Venezuela would put itself in outright defiance of the court or in flagrant breach of its international obligations”, the President said. “We expect Venezuela, to fully accept the ICJ’s court orders and Guyana renews it call for Venezuela under the 1966 Geneva agreement to participate fully in these court proceedings and to comply with the court’s final judgment, whatever it may be. “We remain hopeful that good sense and the adherence to the rule of law will prevail”, Ali said.
Mining
Reunion applies to mine gold in Cuyuni: Reunion Gold Inc, in a notice published in yesterday’s Guyana Chronicle, has submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking permission to conduct gold mining in the Cuyuni Mining District in Region Seven. The Canadian-based gold exploration and development company, if given the green light by the EPA, will be awarded the opportunity to conduct gold mining and processing at the confluence of the Oko and Kairuni Rivers. The company describes itself as a leading gold explorer in the Guiana Shield, South America. In 2021, the company made a gold discovery at its Oko West Project in Guyana where, after 22 months of drilling, it announced an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) containing 2.475 Moz (million ounces) of gold in indicated resources grading 1.84 g/t Au (grammes of gold per ton of overburden) and 1.762 Moz of gold in inferred resources grading 2.02 g/t Au. Drilling is continuing on other priority exploration targets within the Oko West Project area. The project summary up to press time had not been uploaded on the EPA’s website as promised but according to a technical report, The Oko West Project comprises one (1) Prospecting License (PL 004/2022) issued to Reunion Gold Inc, the company’s 100 per cent-owned Guyanese subsidiary, on September 23, 2022. According to the technical report, the prospecting licence (PL) is valid for three years and is renewable for up to two years. The PL has a surface area of approximately 10,890 acres (4,407 hectares). According to the technical document as seen by Stabroek News, the government holds the surface rights to the PL area. The gold company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, commenced drilling at Oko West in December 2020, with three reconnaissance holes targeting primary mineralization, beneath the previously reported trench results.
Investment
President challenges EU trade mission to invest here: President Irfaan Ali yesterday said that Guyana is a great business-oriented environment for European countries to invest in and capitalize on opportunities, in the wake of the country’s rapid economic development over the past year. He made the pitch during the inaugural European Union (EU) Global Gate-way Economic Mission at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, where 23 companies are scouting for opportunities here. The EU trade mission include companies such as Nokia and Siemens. Ali noted that Guyana’s total trade with the EU, between January 2017 and September 2023, amounted to US$11 billion. Importantly, the President disclosed that this trade increased by 778% between 2021 and 2022, an increase from US$614 million to US$5.4 billion, largely on account of the oil and gas sector. Even as trade between Guyana and the EU is increasing substantially, the Guyanese Head of State challenged the visiting EU business delegation to invest in the ‘land of many waters’. “What we are seeking to do is to create competitiveness in Guyana, where you can relocate and expand your services here, so we were doing that so that you (the EU) can better compete and gain access to the market… there is no excuse for you to not participate in one of the most sustainable, resilient and competitive zones of development which will evolve not only by 2030 but beyond that,” Ali said. “Imagine being a part of the journey of a small developing country securing a mighty position of leadership on climate security, food security and sustainable energy. We are becoming one of the most aggressive, scientifically driven, and developed countries advancing in health care, providing ecological services, biodiversity services and developing the pharmaceutical industry that will position us to serve the global market,” the President stated.
Government planning to replicate Tacama success across the country – Mustapha: While spending over $1.2 billion towards infrastructural development in Tacama, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) area towards livestock feed sustainability projects and other food security initiatives, government is exploring replication of similar projects across the country because of its success, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has said. At Tacama, corn and soya bean have been planted and reaped on a large scale, with the consortium that started that project already in the trial phase of planting over 2,000 acres of millet. “We are looking at having the same kind of thing at other places…,” Mustapha told the Stabroek News, but was quick to point out that the idea is only in the discussion phase. The agriculture minister said that at Tacama, where a pilot project was launched in 2022 with a local business consortium for the planting of corn and soya on a large scale, the government promised to partner and would invest in supplying a silo and drying facilities for the produce. Mustapha informed that those facilities have already been implemented and that the second batch of corn and soya products have been reaped, dried, and stored there successfully. “That is the public/private partnership we are doing. We said invest and we will provide the infrastructure that is necessary. They are doing the planting and so on and we are taking care of roads [et cetera…],” he said. “The silo and drying facility? That was already set up and is in operation. Everything is complete and they are all working good,” he added. Understandably proud of the accomplishments to date, Mustapha disclosed that when the head of the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) was here this year, he was taken on a tour of the facility and was duly impressed. However, the minister reminded that funding for the infrastructural aspects has not come from any foreign financial lending institution, but instead from state coffers.
Vending
Mayor seeking breathing room for vendors outside Muneshwer’s: “My job is to now find a solution to this and to find a way so that you live, they live and we all live,” were the words uttered by City Mayor, Alfred Mentore to vendors last week who had been plying their trade in front of Muneshwer’s shopping complex but have been ordered removed by the court. The meeting was called to determine the future of pavement vending at the Muneshwer location at Lots 9 and 10 Water, Commerce and Longden streets following the court ruling. In the brief meeting, Mayor Mentore said while every vendor relies on vending to provide for their families, neither he nor they can ignore the Court Order that they must remove. He noted that the Order did not give a time frame. He revealed that the mandamus states that the owner alleged that he cannot access his building and that persons are hanging their items on his establishment. Mentore also pointed out that he heard reports of one vendor who had gotten into an altercation with the owner which might have prompted the order being filed, leaving all the other vendors in a predicament. Mentore said he had reached out to the owner of Muneshwers, “I reached out to the owner of this particular place, I also reached out to the attorney and our attorneys so that we can find a tripartite solution on this issue.” He told those present that since it is the festive season, many of them would have already invested for the holidays. He said that he understands that they would have to sell to make a profit so that they would be able to enjoy a good Christmas, as such he is trying to get them to stay on at least until January 15, 2024. “One person… caused us to have this kind of challenge at this time of the year where persons are ‘looking for it’, so to speak.” Mentore said that the person involved in the altercation is the one who has made it hard for them, which was avoidable, and he wants to know who that person is. He also said that the Mayor and City Council is going to have to put some corrective measures in place as it relates to vending, blocking of entrances and hanging items on other people’s establishment. The Mayor urged that all
Road safety
Benn announces incident review in aftermath of roadblock crash death: In addition to extending condolences to the family of Constable Annette Abel, who died while performing roadblock duties at BV Police Station, Minister of Home Affairs Robenson Benn announced that a comprehensive incident review will be conducted to identify the best ways to promote safety in the aftermath of that event with an aim to mitigate any potential risks. Benn made this announcement in a press release while extending his condolences to family and friends of Abel who lost her life on November 16th after a driver lost control of a speeding car and struck her down while she was manning a roadblock outside the BV Police Station. The minister said the tragic event was disheartening and expressed his sincere condolences to all affected by this devastating incident, including the Guyana Police Force, the release said. It noted that this incident underscores the dangers associated with the reckless use of roads and a lack of respect for authorities, especially those who dedicate themselves to serving and protecting the public selflessly. It also highlights the significant risks posed to all members of society, it added. Benn emphasized the need for increased awareness and responsibility on the roads to prevent such incidents. Benn said he was committed to ensuring that lessons learned from this incident contribute to improving overall safety and preventing similar occurrences, the release said. In the wake of this tragedy, it said, Benn acknowledged the importance of providing care and support to those injured and traumatized. Efforts will be made to facilitate their recovery and well-being, recognizing the emotional and physical toll such incidents can have on individuals. Benn expressed his gratitude and recognition for the sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel while on duty, highlighting the need of group efforts to stop similar tragedies from happening to our communities in the future, the release said.
Crime
Wanted man found stabbed to death at Eruma Backdam: A man who was wanted by police in relation to armed robbery and other matters was on November 23rd stabbed to death at Eruma Back-dam, Two Point Landing, Cuyuni River, Region #7. Police say they are investigating the murder of William Hendricks (age and address unknown) which occurred at about 5 pm yesterday at Eruma Backdam, Two Point Landing, Cuyuni River, Region #7.
Dave Hamilton, a 37-year-old security guard employed with Hopkinson Security Company, contacted the Bartica Police Station at about 5.45 pm yesterday. Police say Hopkinson reported that while performing duties at around 5.15 pm at Kevin’s Camp, Eruma Backdam, he received information that Hendricks was lying motionless on the trail with what appeared to be stab wounds about his body. He later went to the scene, observed the body and took photographs. Detectives were dispatched to the location to conduct an investigation. In October, police issued a wanted bulletin for Hendricks for questioning in relation to armed robbery, possession of a firearm and narcotics.
West Berbice woman brutally murdered: A 48-year-old West Coast Berbice (WCB) woman was brutally murdered between last Sunday morning after hanging out at a bar with some friends. According to the police, Daniele Charles of Number 30 Village, WCB who worked at the National Drainage and Irrigation Department was at the Level Up Bar at Bath Settlement, around 20:00 hrs on Saturday with relatives, and a male and female friend. However, the police said, her family members left her in the company of her friends two hours later. The police said Charles’s son told them that in the wee hours of yesterday he received a call from Charles’s cell phone asking if he was okay. He told the police that he responded that he was okay, but the call was disconnected and, in the background, it was quiet at the time. At about 12:10 hrs, the police said, an unknown person called 911 and reported that the body of a woman was seen at Experiment New Housing Scheme, which only has about seven houses. According to the police, the naked body of Charles was found in a clump of bushes. A multi-coloured top with suspected bloodstains, three-quarter pants, bra and underwear were found next to the body, along with a used condom and wrapper. Charles’s body was later examined and it was found that she had been stabbed ten times; six to the abdomen, once to the left side breast, twice to the throat and once to the centre of the chest, the release said. It added that Charles’ body is at Bailey’s Funeral Parlour awaiting an autopsy, and checks were also made for two persons of interest.
Man wanted over trafficking in firearms: The Guyana Police Force today issued a Wanted Bulletin for Andrew Marcus Llewelyn Fraser, 56, who is wanted for ‘Trafficking in Firearms & Ammunition’, Contrary to Section 17A of the Firearm Act Chapter 16:05, as amended by the Firearm Act No. 2 of 2014. The incident is said to have occurred at the GNIC wharf at Lombard and Broad streets on November 17th this year. The police gave his last known address as LOT 1582 LARKSPUR TR CONYERS, GA 30012. This address is in the state of Georgia in the United States.
In the courts
East Ruimveldt man remanded over death of constable at roadblock: Forty-five-year-old Fitzroy Adams, of Lot 36 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool last Tuesday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with motor manslaughter. It is alleged that on Thursday, November 16, while on the Beterver-wagting public road, he drove his vehicle in such a way that he was incapable of maintaining proper control of it, thereby causing the death of Police Con-stable Annette Abel, 53. Police prosecutor, Quincy Cummings, objected to bail citing that the defendant was no stranger to the present circumstance and depending on the condition of the other victim, Police Inspector Shenay Castello who is presently in the intensive care unit on life support, more charges will be laid against the defendant. Magistrate Liverpool told the prosecution that a preliminary inquiry will have to be conducted. Since the offence is indictable, Adams was not required to plead and was remanded to prison until December 15, for disclosure and fixture.
