International help
US open to helping Guyana modernise defence capacity: Guyana’s economic transformation will see its bilateral defence partnership with the United States intensifying this year as the two nations strategise on plans for a futuristic modern defence system here. This will also include training in a number of areas and visits from other US department heads throughout 2024. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere, Daniel Erikson, last week wrapped up a visit to this country. He informed that in meetings he has held with top officials on defence, Washington has pledged support to assist in areas of especially training for cybersecurity vigilance and sharing of information to combat transnational crimes. Erikson last week held an interview with representatives from the four daily newspapers here. He also had an interview with the Department of Public Information where he reiterated much of what was said in the interview with the print media. “The United States has a very strong bilateral relationship with Guyana which includes the defence relationship. The first message is, that there is already a strong foundation for the US and Guyana to cooperate on defence security issues. At the same time, we recognise that Guyana is at a turning point in terms of economic development, and in terms of the regional role it is capable of playing. We want to make sure that our relationship with Guyana continues to meet the times, as the situation in Guyana continues to evolve,” Erikson said in response to questions posed by the Stabroek News on the broad terms of the defence partnership being discussed between Georgetown and Washington. “My visit here, my first foreign trip for 2024, is intended to mainly obtain and advance the strong defence lines that we have with Guyana and will have a robust set of activities over the coming year which includes additional visits by training teams, increased information sharing high level discussions on a whole range of issues,” he added. The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense said that “Guyana is seeking to modernise its defence capabilities which will over time, imply additional purchases or assets it may require.” Asked if discussions about arms purchases included additional marine vessels, aircraft, and ammunition, he replied that the two sides “are in conversations about what the scope of that element of capability should be.”
Oil & Gas
Major work underway on US$160m TriStar shore base: TriStar Investment is forging ahead with works on three million square feet of land at Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara, for what will be a state-of-the-art US$160 million oil and gas shore base but which will also enable movement of cargo through Region Three. With Phase I of the project scheduled to be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year, Guyanese-American developer, Kris Persaud, told the Sunday Stabroek via telephone from the United States, that he was enthused that the project will help to complement the planned Region Three developmental transformation. “Basically and in short, it is a port that can be used for cargo. It will double the port capacity we have on the west side. It will three million square feet of lands next to five berths, five berths!… We are expecting that two berths and one million square feet of land will be completed by the end of September this year…” “While we cater for the oil and gas sector, this port isn’t exclusively for that… since, as I explained, it can be used for cargo and other transport… This is all coming in the face of the explosive growth projected for Guyana and expansion and production in every sector…,” he added. He said that as projected, in the next three to the next three to five years, the transformation here would need such a facility to meet the projected demand. Persaud explained that each berth or ship mooring, handling capacity will be sufficient for incoming vessels. In addition, the vast swathe of lands when developed, will include all the elements and infrastructure of an oil and gas shore base facility, while still having capacity for chemical storage and dry docking. When the Sunday Stabroek visited the site on Friday, large areas of land had been cleared and a number of machines were in operation landfilling areas. Materials that looked like steel piles and other construction material were piled up at the extreme right of an area and a crane was loading other material into trucks.
Development
DDL dairy venture to produce packaged milk by Feb 2025: Demerara Distillers Limited’s (DDL) Moblissa dairy joint venture aims to produce packaged milk by Feb 2025. Minister in the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar last week attended an information session on the US$20m Demerara Dairies Inc. joint venture that is to be built at Moblissa on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. The DDL and LG Group partnership aims to produce 5 million litres of high quality raw milk each year, with the first batch of milk set to be packaged by February 2025, a release on the Ministry of Public Works’ Facebook page said. Senior members of the company stated the investment will reduce Guyana’s dairy import bill that is currently pegged at US$35m, and provide employment for Guyanese across multiple disciplines. Indar during his remarks commended the company for its plan to use cutting-edge technology and reiterated his pledge to complete the upgrade of Moblissa’s main access road which leads to the facility. Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Madanlall Ramraj also offered remarks at the event. In August of 2022, DDL and the government signed an agreement for the establishment of what was then pegged as a US$15m milk plant following positive results from a feasibility study the company had conducted. “We have been working on the feasibility and we have come to a conclusion that it was feasible. We presented it and are working on a specific location and so on,” Chairman of DDL Komal Samaroo told Stabroek News then. In May of that year, Rami Ofer who is Project Manager of the company’s Israeli partner, LR Group’s Livestock had informed that they were in search of land to forge ahead with their plan to house the proposed TOPCO milk plant project for commercial scale production of fresh cow’s milk.
Aviation
Passengers stranded here as Copa cancels flights: Many passengers have been left stranded here as Copa Airlines has had to cancel a number of flights which it said was because of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max 9 planes. However, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri says that none of the airlines that ply the Guyana route has been affected by the FAA notice, since the planes operating here are older models. “We were not impacted by the FAA’s decision. The aircraft that operates here are up to the 737 -8 series, and not 9…,” CJIA Public Relations Officer, Shunza Samuels, told Stabroek News when contacted. She informed that the 737-8 series are operated by Caribbean Airlines and American Airlines which both have had scheduled flights since the FAA notice. Regarding the cancellations, Samuels said that the airlines would have to explain the reasons as it was on their “operational” issues. Boeing issued the grounding for safety checks, after a part of an Alaska Airlines plane blew off mid-air, forcing an emergency landing. Copa Airlines passengers scheduled to travel at 3:45 this morning on Copa’s CM191 were sent a message regarding the cancellation, hours before planned departure. “We regret to inform you that, due to preventive technical inspections following the recent Airworthiness Directive from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 6th, we are compelled to cancel your scheduled flight between tomorrow and Friday (January 10th, 11th, or 12th) in the next few hours,” the Panama-based airline said. “This situation, beyond our control, has impacted our operations, resulting in the temporary suspension of 21 aircraft and the cancellation of a significant percentage of our flights. We are working tirelessly to minimize the impact on your itinerary, and later today, we will provide you with alternatives to resume your journey in an upcoming email,” it added. Calls to the airlines customer support lines went unanswered.
Security
Sod turned for 12-storey Brickdam Police Station: The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Ministry of Home Affairs last Monday hosted a sod-turning ceremony for the commencement of construction of the new Brickdam Police Station. The 12-storey structure will be constructed by R. Bassoo & Son’s Contracting Company in partnership with Qingjian Guyana Group Company Inc (CNQC) at a cost of US$28,140,000. At the ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Andre Ally, expressed the government’s commitment to restoring and enhancing the safety and security infrastructure in the country. Ally noted that the modern 12-storey complex promises to be resistant to earthquakes and will boast state-of-the-art fire protection, inclusive of detectors, alarms, hose reels, and extinguishers. The structure will also have advanced CCTV monitoring and access to control systems and enhanced security measures. According to Ally, the large investment in the new edifice exemplifies the government’s dedication to this undertaking and symbolizes the resilience and determination of the country to “rise from the ashes, stronger and more powerful than ever before”. With the project estimated to be completed in 30 months, Roy Bassoo, in his speech, expressed the two companies’ intention to complete works before the projected deadline and without compromising quality. Bassoo noted that logistical issues and site organization have been discussed with the top brass of the relevant division and the Home Affairs team and he assured that construction works will not impede the vital works of the GPF. Having worked successfully with this Ministry before, Bassoo promised to build to the specifications and in keeping with his company’s motto, ‘we build to last a lifetime.’ The contractor also pointed out to those present that the geotechnical and survey teams were already mobilized and ready to begin working, as soon as the function was over. In his turn, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken cited the significant improvement in police infrastructure over the past three years creating a conducive environment for interaction between the public and police force. He emphasized the importance of modernizing the force with all necessary components for issues such as domestic violence and identity (ID) parades.
Accountability
PPC claims Patterson withheld details on Akamai bid case, attempted to politicise issue: The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) yesterday fired back at former minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, who said the PPC’s review of the complaint by Akamai Inc against the tender process which claimed the company was found wanting, was a whitewash of the administrative review process and fell short of the standards expected from a constitutional agency. In its response, the PPC said that not only did Patterson withhold on accuracy of the issue which can be found on its website, but he attempted to politicise the matter by saying only PPP/C representatives on the commission voted on the matter when all others did except the candidate from the AFC – Patterson’s party. “[Patterson] contends that the commission in its consideration of a complaint lodged by Akamai Inc by and through Mr Brian Hackett, Chief Executive Officer, failed to consider the accuracy of the record of the tender proceedings and in so doing ‘…simply adopted a defective report, performed no investigative analysis and rubber stamped the award.’ The commission however did consider the possibility of the inaccuracy of the record of the tender proceedings and respectfully draws attention to paragraphs 23-25 of its Summary of Findings, which were not disclosed by the author, to wit – [23] Section 10(1) of the Procurement Act, Cap. 73:05 expressly vests the procuring entity with the responsibility of maintaining a record of the tender proceedings. Parties are thereby bound,” the PPC yesterday responded in a release. The PPC said it had pointed out that a procuring entity was by such statutory responsibility expected to maintain systems of the highest integrity in ensuring an accurate record of the tender proceedings, including documents submitted by bidders. “This is imperative since there is no mechanism within the current tender procedure of independently verifying documents submitted to, and or received by, the procuring entity. A bid is submitted in a sealed envelope and only the administrative requirements are read and recorded at the opening. The tenderer is not given a receipt of what is in fact received by the procuring entity,” the PPC release stated. “The commission is cognizant that a record may not be accurate for a number of reasons, such as but not limited to, negligence on the part of the tenderer and or procuring entity, innocent but mistaken belief of submission and the misplacement of documents (intentional or unintentional). The forum for settlement of such conflicts, should they arise, would be the court.” The PPC said that unlike other enquiry bodies, it was not “vested at this time with the requisite enabling legislative framework to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and or examine witnesses so as to arrive at a determination as a fact as to an act or omission relating to the record and where such responsibility lies.” Pointing to another case it administered, the PPC said in the Summary of Findings, “the complainant is not left without remedy as there is recourse to the Court against the procuring entity, criminal or civil as the circumstances may dictate, being the appropriate forum for the settlement of such disputes of allegations of fact as to what was alleged to have been submitted and what was in fact received.” The PPC charged that Patterson, “on divulged reliance of statements by ‘AFC nominated commissioner’ Dianna Rajcumar, mischievously sought to divide the commission by giving the further erroneous impression that the findings of the commission were not supported by [the two] opposition nominated commissioners.
Health
Sod turned for $881m nursing school in Region Two: The sod was turned last Friday for an $881m nursing school at Suddie in Region Two. The Ministry of Health says it has recognized that there is a need for in-person training in Region Two, among other regions, and according to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, “We are building a modern nursing school on this site, we came and identified the place and we are now here to turn the sod.” Anthony and officials of Region Two were on hand to turn the sod for the construction of the new multi-million-dollar training centre at Suddie. In Region Two, 92 persons are currently enrolled in various training programmes in the health field. “Once you are trained we will employ you, and apart from decentralizing, we have some hybrid programmes,” Dr. Anthony said. He urged persons who will start their studies at the school to continue to pursue higher education after completion of their courses. Speaking to the gathering, Anthony said that over $300m was spent within a three-year period for the region’s health centres’ infrastructural improvement. This included a digital X-ray machine for the Suddie Public Hospital. “The time has come for a new hospital on the coast,” Anthony said, “… and by the end of this year, you will have a brand new regional hospital.” Describing the improvements as “a transformation of the health landscape in the country”, Anthony said that the Ministry of Health is investing a lot of resources to improve the health services within the region. “We want to ensure that in every Region the service can improve and people can have access,” Anthony said. He added that in the past there was a struggle to decentralize training but the training division has accomplished this goal in different regions. Region Two’s Chairperson, Vilma Da Silva said that the day is historic for the region. She said that it will provide employment opportunities for young people in the region and will significantly boost the health services in the region. Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer Dr. Ranjeev Singh said that the building will complement the existing health services and will provide training opportunities for hundreds of young people. He also said that newly trained persons will benefit the new Lima Regional Hospital currently under construction. Anthony was accompanied by Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo. The edifice will be built by Region Two contractor Rupan Ramotar.
Sod turned for US$161M New Amsterdam Hospital: President Irfaan Ali last Sunday turned the sod to commence the construction of the US$161 million New Amsterdam General Hospital which will be located in Fort Canje Berbice, a stone’s throw away from the present hospital. At the ceremony yesterday, President Ali stated that the new four-storey hospital will mark a significant step towards establishing a Level Five health facility in Region Six, highlighting that the hospital will not be a standalone facility but will operate on a hub-and-spokes mechanism, connecting health centres in the region through telemedicine. The new hospital will include a minimum of five operating theatres, one specifically catering for cardiac surgeries, along with advanced digital X-ray, and CT scans. According to Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, the hospital will be the second public facility to house an MRI machine and will be equipped for transplants. Two additional buildings will be constructed within the hospital’s compound: a teaching facility and a modern psychiatric facility. The project is being executed by VAMED Engineering and President Ali yesterday said he hoped it can be completed in 30 months. “I hope that in the next four weeks, we will see piles being driven here and there is very little excuse that can be given these days because the weather is great and we have built up enough capacity in terms of material in this country,” he stated. Comparing a level five hospital to a five-star hotel because of its modernised features, Ali said, “It offers the best of the best, the first in class, the highest level of service.” He stressed that there were components that needed to work in cohesion to ensure that the level five hospital operated at its highest capacity.
Politics
Norton reshuffles shadow cabinet: With just days before the reading of the 2024 Budget, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton has reshuffled his shadow Cabinet sparking dissent from Jermaine Figueira of the PNCR. Also moved was David Patterson of the AFC who served as the shadow for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Figueira, who prior to the announcement served as shadow Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, will be replaced by Nima Flue-Bess, while Patterson will now serve as shadow Minister of Public Works. His previous position entailed dealing with the Oil and Gas sector under the Ministry of Natural Resources. Following the surprise announcement, Figueira, during a telephone conversation with Stabroek News (SN), expressed his astonishment at the decision, stating that he was never informed about it prior. The MP noted that this puts him in a difficult position since he has been preparing to present at the upcoming budget debate as he has been doing for the past four debates. Figueira said that he is not offended by his replacement since Flue-Bess is passionate and capable of doing the job. Rather, it was the level of disrespect with which he feels he was dealt by the Leader of the Opposition. “At least you could’ve given me a heads up,” he lamented while adding that a one-on-one conversation with Norton prior to the announcement about his intentions would have been good. In a lengthy letter addressed to the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Figueira highlighted his extensive work and accomplishments in representing and assisting his constituents in Region Ten, including social and economic initiatives. The letter questioned whether his removal came about as a result of his outspokenness and independent thinking or his disagreement with the Opposition Leader’s policy of not shaking President Irfaan Ali’s hand. Figueira further emphasized his value to the party and requested a review and reversal of the decision made. When questioned during a press conference yesterday on his reason for the reshuffle, Norton said that since becoming Opposition Leader, there has been a comprehensive review of the portfolios from the last budget. Discussions, he said, were held with MPs to determine the areas that needed attention and adjustments were made. Further, he emphasized the importance of addressing issues beyond just oil and gas in the natural resources portfolio, such as mining and forestry. The focus should not solely be on oil and gas, he said, but should also encompass other areas.
In the courts
Cabbage farmer gets 10 years for killing Timehri youth: Cabbage farmer Rickland Bovell has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for the 2019 stabbing death of Timehri youth David Toney; and for also wounding the father of the deceased during an altercation. Following the presentation of probation and other social impact reports yesterday, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow imposed the sentence. Bovell had been originally indicted for the capital offence of murder. At his arraignment last November, however, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. While he denied the charge of murder, he admitted guilt to manslaughter, accepting that on April 19th, 2019; he unlawfully killed Toney. The now 26-year-old had also pleaded guilty to wounding Toney’s father—Mark Toney. Justice Barlow sentenced the offender to 10 years in prison for the death of David; and six years for felonious wounding for wounding his father. The judge has ordered, however, that the sentences be served concurrently.
Crime
Corentyne crash leaves two friends dead: A late-night accident last Monday has left two long-time friends dead after their motorcycle collided head-on with an oncoming car on the Courtland Public Road, Corentyne. Dead are Javid Mohamed, 35, attached to the Albion Estate and a cattle farmer, of Lot 25 Fyrish Village, Corentyne, and Harrinarine Chattergoon, 29, also of Fyrish Village, Corentyne. Both were also cricketers. Mohamed was riding motorcycle CM 2728 with Chattergoon as the pillion rider when the 11 pm accident occurred. According to information gathered, motor car PAC 3786 which is owned and was being driven by a GPL engineer, was heading west along the southern drive lane reportedly at a normal rate when the motorcycle proceeding in the opposite direction slammed head-on into the oncoming car. As a result of the crash, the two men on the motorcycle were flung onto the road where they sustained major injuries. Both men were picked up by public-spirited citizens in an unconscious state and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital where Mohamed was pronounced dead on arrival. Chattergoon who was receiving treatment at the public health facility opted to self-discharge himself and was taken to the Anamayah Memorial Hospital, a private institution located in Belvedere, Corentyne. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries. Stabroek News was told that a breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the car which read zero. He is currently in police custody as an investigation has been launched. Mohamed’s father, Wazir Mohamed yesterday told this newspaper that he and his wife were asleep on Monday evening when they received a phone call just around midnight when he was informed that his son was involved in an accident and “he died.”
Cops seeking suspect in Nabaclis labourer’s stabbing death: A 29-year-old labourer of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was stabbed to death allegedly by a suspect called ‘Ragga’, during an argument over a phone. The family is demanding justice describing his death as “premeditated murder”. The suspect is yet to be arrested. The police are investigating the killing of Otis Andey Haimchand, a 29-year-old labourer of Lot 183 Nabaclis, ECD, which occurred at about 21:00 hrs on Saturday at Haslington New Scheme, ECD. The suspect, who is currently on the run, is a 36-year-old miner/businessman of Haslington New Scheme, ECD. According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that earlier in the day (Saturday), the suspect and Haimchand had a misunderstanding over a cellular phone. Later, at around 21:00 hrs, they had another altercation where they scuffled and Haimchand tried to escape. The suspect allegedly followed and dealt Haimchand a stab to his upper left side chest. Haimchand fell to the ground, after which the suspect escaped the scene on foot. The police said that when the body was examined, what appeared to be blood was seen on the chest area and there was a wound to the left side upper chest area, in the region of the heart. Haim-chand was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital. His body was thereafter escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for storage, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Several people were questioned and certain in-formation received. Police are currently looking for the suspect.
Accidents
Woman, husband die in crash near Ruimveldt Police Station: The police say that they are probing an accident involving a motorcar and a minibus close to the Ruimveldt Police Station last Monday morning which claimed the lives of a minibus driver and his wife. Confirmed dead are Sarah Wilson, 51, and her husband, Rawle McKenzie. Several others are hospitalised. Wilson, at the time of the accident, was a passenger in the front seat of the minibus involved in the crash. McKenzie was the driver. The police say that motorcar, PAD 2018, was at the time being driven by 29-year-old Pream Seecharran of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, while the minibus BHH 8451 was being driven by 54-year-old McKenzie of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, along with occupants Wilson of Samatta Point, Grove; 31-year-old Javon Bowen of Samatta Point; 58-year-old Lennox Clementson of Guyhoc Gardens; and 56-year-old Jones McKenzie of Grove Housing Scheme.
