Governance
President bristles at suggestion of autocracy: President Irfaan Ali has fired back at former Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Bertrand Ramcharan on the criticism that the PPP/C operates in a seemingly autocratic way, contending that most academics target his administration although it is the most inclusive. “This has been the most inclusive government, the most community-based government. For us, people are the centre of everything we do. We consult with the people and the government was elected by the people based on a manifesto,” Ali said on Wednesday as he emphatically defended his party’s governance style in response to a question from Stabroek News on Ramcharan’s assertion. “The government has that responsibility to implement that manifesto and that is all the government is doing; implementing that manifesto, but apparently democracy excludes the government from defending itself. These great intellectuals… these great upholders of the shroud to democracy, only they have the god given right to be critical and defend themselves,” he added. On Tuesday, Ramcharan in a column in Stabroek News, underlined what he saw as autocratic tendencies in the current government and the predilection of the opposition PNCR towards the rigging of elections. Both of these tendencies, he posited, have placed the country at a precipice with elections approaching next year. Framing his argument in the backdrop of a recent book by Anne Applebaum entitled Autocracy Inc., Ramcharan cited the author’s declaration that “There is no liberal world order anymore, and the aspiration to create one no longer seems real. But there are liberal societies, open and free countries that offer a better chance for people to live useful lives than closed dictatorships do. They are hardly perfect. Those that exist have deep flaws, profound divisions, and terrible historical scars. But that’s all the more reason to defend and protect them.” The situation in Venezuela, he said, is one that Guyanese would do well to take note of. He said that Applebaum stated about the Maduro model of governance that autocrats who adopt it are “willing to see their country enter the category of failed states” and accepting economic collapse, endemic violence, mass poverty and international isolation if that’s what it takes to stay in power. Applebaum further wrote: “Iran, plus Russia, China, and Turkey have kept the profoundly unpopular Venezuelan regime afloat and even allowed it to support autocrats elsewhere. “Why mention Maduro’s Venezuela here? Because, in the context of the on-going electoral imbroglio, with the Presidents of Brazil and the USA calling for new elections in Venezuela, it should come as no surprise to anyone if the `Maduro model’ were to resort to active aggression against Guyana’s Essequibo – with support from Autocracy Inc.”, Ramcharan wrote.
President defends plans for new Berbice River bridge: President Irfaan Ali lats week defended his government’s plans for a state-of-the-art fixed high span bridge across the Berbice River saying that concerns about feasibility, costs, and other issues from the opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) were simply against progress. Ali said that the opposition is questioning the feasibility for the bridge at a time when his government has explained that a fixed span bridge was needed to accommodate continuous river and overhead traffic to complement development plans in the region. “We have already said Berbice will be a major industrial hub… the port facility in Berbice, the new industrial zone, the Palmyra development, the new road we are going to build, but inherently these hypocrites can’t help themselves. Anything development they have to stop. They believe an investment in these regions is a political investment,” he stated yesterday during a visit to Region Eight alongside Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and Minister of Tourism Oneidge Walrond. Ali recalled that when he was an opposition Member of Parliament and had asked the APNU+AFC about the socio-economic studies that drove their shuttering of sugar estates, he was not given any. “When I said where is the socio-economic study to inform the closing of the sugar estates, they said, ‘We don’t need that, what you need that for? This thing is a burden on the people, on the state’. That is how they viewed the sugar industry,” “It really hurts… they have no plans, they have no vision. Everything they want to kill, but I will make sure the Berbice River Bridge will be done and the commuters will be happy with a series of announcements to be made to make it more competitive, less costly more efficient,” he added. On Monday, the AFC raised a series of concerns about what the government intends. The AFC noted that if modelled after the New Demerara River Bridge, the Berbice Bridge would be projected to cost the taxpayers of Guyana in excess of US$260 million. “This significant investment, which far exceeds the cost of the existing Berbice Bridge, necessitates rigorous scrutiny and transparency to ensure that it is in the best interest of the Guyanese people,” the party argued.
Financial
NIS income up by 16.5% in 2022: The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) saw a 16.5% rise in income for 2022 and a hefty boost to its insurance fund. The 2023 report is not yet available.. In previous years, the NIS had faced a grave deficiency in income amid growing expenses. There has however been a turnaround for 2022 and this is being linked to the increased collections due to the growth of jobs in the oil and gas industry where salaries are generally higher. According to the report, total income for 2022 was $32.1b which reflected a 16.5% growth over the 2021 figure. The benefits paid for the year rose by 5.15% to $30.4b. The total expenditure for 2022 was $32.2b which left a deficit of $98m but much improved over the previous year when the deficit was $3.9b. There was a whopping gain on revaluation of fair value on investments which left the National Insurance Fund at $43.2b. The figure at the end of 2021 was $29.8b. The notes to the financial statements showed a large increase of contributors to the scheme. In 2021 there were 9,147 self-employed persons contributing. In 2022 that number was 10,038. In 2021, there were 165, 186 employed contributors. In 2022 that number jumped to 218,167. A total of 14,936 employed persons were registered during the year. Of this total, the report said that 7,043 or approximately 47% were males and 7,893 or approximately 53% were females. An analysis by marital status reveals that 10,936 or approximately 73% of the new registrants were single, 1,540 or approximately 10% were married and the remaining 2,460 or around 17% were either widowed, divorced, separated or in common-law relationships.
Death
Sir Shridath passes away at 95: International statesman and former long-serving Commonwealth Secretary General Sir Shridath Ramphal passed away yesterday at the age of 95 and was lauded for decades of high-level service to Guyana, the region and further afield. His passing was announced by his son-in-law Sir Ronald Sanders. “The family of Sir Shridath `Sonny’ Ramphal is deeply saddened to announce his peaceful passing on 30th August, 2024 surrounded by his children. Sir Shridath, born on October 3, 1928, in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana), was a towering figure in international diplomacy and a cherished elder statesman of the Commonwealth and the Caribbean”. President Irfaan Ali hailed him as a “giant among men”. He said: “The passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal marks the end of an era, not only for Guyana but for the entire Caribbean and the Commonwealth of Nations. We mourn the loss of an outstanding statesman, a regionalist par excellence, and a committed internationalist. Sir Shridath’s life was one of magnificent service—dedicated to his homeland, to the region, and to the world. “Guyana recalls with deep appreciation, his unflagging commitment to defending Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. His efforts before the International Court of Justice and the Tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) were not just a service to the nation; they were acts of supreme and selfless devotion to the land that nurtured him. He was deservedly the recipient of Guyana’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence. “As Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, he stood tall against the injustices of apartheid, becoming a voice for the oppressed and a champion for justice and equality. His firm opposition to apartheid rule will be remembered as one of the defining aspects of his illustrious international career. His contributions went beyond the Common-wealth, shaping the international relations with his wisdom and leadership”. He said that “Guyana has lost one of its finest sons, and the Caribbean and the Commonwealth, a giant among men”.
Economy
Half year report shows Guyana’s GDP grew 49.7% – President: Speaking at the opening of a new branch of the Citizens Bank at Aubrey Barker Road in the city, President Irfaan Ali last week disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has completed the 2024 half year report which shows that Guyana’s GDP has grown an estimated 49.7%. This year’s budget had projected an annual growth rate of 34.3%. In delivering the feature address at the bank’s newest location, the President stated, “In the first half of this year, our overall real GDP grew by an estimated 49.7% in 2024. This is a real GDP growth for the first half of this year, a growth of 49.7%. What is impressive is that the non-oil economy continues to grow, and the non-oil economy grew by an estimated 12.6%.” According to him, the revised full year forecasts for real GDP growth in 2024 is 42.3% and the non-oil economy 11.8%. “Pushing this growth and supporting this growth heavily for almost all the sectors, the sectors that face difficulties early in this year because of the drought conditions and other circumstances, are expected to rebound in the second half of this year and tomorrow morning, I’ll be outlining the strategy that will demonstrate how these sectors will rebound but the construction sector grew by an estimated 43.7%.” He said that the historical transformation of the banking sector and the growth and development of the banking sector in Guyana is one that needs to be appreciated. “You recall that prior to 1992 Guyana’s financial system was characterized by selective credit allocation and interest rate control. During that period, credit was directed mainly to specific industries and public sector corporations. Financial institutions and markets had deteriorated and, in some cases, failed to develop.” According to him, a lax accounting system was in place, coupled with poor disclosures and weak surveillance resulting in an unstable financial system with a defective regulatory framework making lending risky, as banks were burdened with unproductive and underperforming or non-performing assets. Stating that the banking system was essentially used to finance government operations at the expense of the private sector, he said “and this is important, because when one speaks about private sector growth and lending to the private sector, and expansion of the private sector and the realization of that term we always use ‘private sector is the engine of growth’ we must understand where the private sector came from.”
Development
No tolls for country’s three main bridges –Ali: There will be no tolls for crossing at the country’s three main bridges – the new Demerara River Bridge, the new Berbice River Bridge, and the new Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge, Upper Demerara River – when they are completed, President Irfaan Ali announced last week. He also said that government is in talks to acquire the current Berbice Bridge in hopes of removing those tolls long before the new one is constructed. With the New Demerara Harbour Bridge scheduled to be completed next year, Ali said that if government doesn’t seal a deal to buy the Berbice Bridge by that date, the PPP/C will ensure that the tolls are removed. “On the completion of the New Demerara Bridge, crossing at the Bridge will be free of cost. For those who are arguing about mathematics you don’t need a formula. The mathematical model is pure and simple… the toll for crossing will be free of cost,” Ali announced at the opening of the new Crane-to-Schoonord Highway in Region Three. Prefacing the disclosure, the President said that he had “big announcements” for the country and to silence his critics. When he was finished announcing toll-free crossing for the Demerara Harbour Bridge, he said that announcements were for “every corner” of the country. He continued: “We believe in parity. We are in the process of discussing with the Berbice River Bridge (company), the possible acquisition of that bridge by the government, because this is a request of a possibility that came to us. Once this occurs, and if it does not occur by the time we make this bridge toll free, the Berbice River Bridge crossing will also be free of cost. If the negotiations are not completed by the time the Demerara River Bridge becomes toll free, the Berbice bridge will at the same time become toll free.” “So for those who have a problem… you have a bigger problem now… and the Wismar bridge will also be free of cost. We are bridging the hearts of Guyanese and we are doing it free of cost,” he added. The President did not go into detail about how it plans to subsidise the tolls to allow for the free crossing. For the Demerara and Berbice bridges, Ali had the more than 1,000 attendees repeat after him that the bridges will be toll free and then publicly express their gratitude to his government.
Indigenous
Over 300 Amerindian leaders take oath as JPs, rural constables: A total of 362 toshaos, senior councillors and chairpersons of the Community Development Councils from across Guyana were sworn in as ex-officio justices of the peace (JPs) and rural constables at the recent toshaos conference. The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that 114 toshaos were sworn in as JPs, while 248 toshaos, senior councillors and CDC chairs were sworn in as RCs. Following the ceremony, they were issued with their instruments. The swearing-in of these officers was the highlight of the final day of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Friday, the release said. The leaders took their oath before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs and the head of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Strategic Planning Unit, Khali Pareshram. Magistrate Gibbs expressed confidence, that they would handle their responsibilities with fairness, integrity and grace. Pareshram reminded the new appointees that they are now bound by the laws of Guyana, and that all their actions must reflect the letter of the law. He also urged leaders to ensure they satisfy the needs of their people. “When you return to your communities, you will be dealing with issues relating to safety and security. I expect you to deal with all matters impartially and professionally. You are now the eyes and ears of your communities,” he stated.
Crime
Man injured in D’Urban St shooting succumbs: Lawrence Wayne, called ‘Boy Boy’, who was injured during the fatal shooting incident on D’Urban Street on August 24th succumbed to his injuries the following the Georgetown Public Hospital. Police confirmed today that Wayne was escorted to the GPHC by public-spirited persons, where he was admitted as a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a critical condition. He had sustained gunshot wounds to his lower abdomen and right arm. Police visited the GPHC at about 9.20 am today and were informed by a doctor on duty that Wayne was pronounced dead at around 9 am. The body is currently at the GPHC mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police said six persons were hospitalized while 40-year-old Anthony Havercome, called ‘Pandit died. Lawrence’s name was not among the six persons listed by the police. Lennox Wayne called ‘Two colours’, Destra Arthur and Lloyd Roberts are still patients. Their conditions are stable. Investigations are ongoing.
Shot electrician succumbs: Seventy-year-old electrician, Raymond Knipe, who was hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was shot on August 3rd at Lot 47 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, succumbed to his injuries on August 23rd , a statement from the Guyana Police Force said. According to the police, Knipe parked his motor bus BNN 9253 in his yard, and observed that a man dressed in all black, with a hoodie over his head, had followed him. Knipe told the police that the man pointed a gun at him and began to squeeze the trigger, but the gun did not fire. The police statement related that the victim ran to the back of his house, with the suspect giving chase. As Knipe attempted to open the grill door to his apartment, the police said the suspect discharged several rounds in Knipe’s direction, hitting him. The suspect then exited the yard, entered a car bearing registration number PAB 8252, and drove off in an easterly direction towards Mandela Avenue, the release stated. The victim was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the GPH, where he was admitted nursing two gunshot wounds. He was listed in stable condition. The scene was processed, and investigators had recovered three 9mm spent shells. Efforts to locate the suspect and the car have so far been unsuccessful, the release said.
In the court
Convicts get 25 and 20 years for murder of money changer, daughter: Paul Chan and Troy Abrams, both of whom pleaded guilty to the 2019 murder of money changer Aaron Latchman and his daughter Arianna Latchman, were sentenced last week by High Court Judge Navindra Singh to 20 and 25 years, respectively. The murders occurred on July 4, 2019, when the men confronted 47-year-old Latchman and his daughter outside their home as they returned from Georgetown. Witnesses reported that the bandits demanded money and valuables, leading to a scuffle when Latchman resisted. The robbers then opened fire, fatally wounding both father and daughter. Aaron Latchman sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while Arianna was struck by a single, bullet. Before the sentences were imposed, both Chan and Abrams were given an opportunity to address the court. Chan indicated that he wished to say something to the Latchman family. During his address, he extended condolences and expressed remorse for the part he played in causing the death of their loved ones. He lamented the fact that he was involved with bad company but insisted that he was not directly involved in the shooting but rather in the robbery. He also expressed deep regret about how the incident played out, stating that his actions were unplanned and that he was merely there to carry the money. Chan reiterated that he played no part in the actual shooting, a claim supported by the probation report, which stated Chan’s insistence that he was not involved in the shooting.
