Education
Seventy-seven hinterland schools have pit latrines -survey: Following consternation over the Phillipai Primary in Region Seven having a latrine, an Education Ministry survey has found that 77 hinterland schools have such outdoor facilities, sources say. The revelation will raise further questions about government’s spending priorities with the fifth anniversary of oil production just months away and over US$1b in petroleum revenues pumped into the 2024 budget. Stabroek News had reported last month that a survey was being done by the ministry to determine the number of latrines still in use. This had been disclosed by Education Minister Priya Manickchand in response to a question by Stabroek News. Asked on Thursday for an update on the survey, Manickchand declined to provide any information except to say that residents will provide some of the materials in Phillipai for the construction of the sanitary block there. News about the survey was however provided yesterday by Alliance For Change Leader Nigel Hughes who had several weeks ago raised questions about the latrine at Phillipai.At the AFC press conference on Friday, Hughes stated that the survey was completed and revealed that 77 schools including primary, secondary and nursery have pit latrines in regions 7, 8 and 9 and that these are serving over 5000 learners. Hughes emphasised that the situation showcased systematic discrimination against indigenous people as they are the only ones attending educational facilities with such sanitation facilities. The AFC leader called on the Minister of Education to release the report titled “MOE Information on Sanitary Facilities/Latrines.” He advocated for immediate funding to replace pit latrines in the 77 schools with flush toilets. Hughes condemned the current conditions as unacceptable, characterizing them as a form of unofficial mistreatment that relegates students to second-class citizenship.
Constitutional
Scrap current constitution reform process – Ramkarran: Chairman of a previous Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC), Ralph Ramkarran SC last Sunday said that the current CRC process should be scrapped and core issues such as presidential powers and inclusive governance addressed. Also a former speaker of the National Assembly, Ramkarran said that the mandate of the current process was mostly a replication of the 1999 process and therefore a better plan would have been to evaluate that constitutional reform process and then formulate the way forward. “While some bodies have not been established, others are not functioning either at all or optimally and many recommendations have not been implemented,” Ramkarran wrote in his Sunday Stabroek column. He said this begs the question; “Is the current CRC going to merely revise and/or second guess the work of the CRC of 1999? If so, is a CRC required at all? An inquiry into the adequacy of the 1999 reforms, and their efficacy, would have been more appropriate. Since the work the CRC 2022 is required to do has already been done by the CRC 1999, the current constitutional reform process should be scrapped or amended to deal with the real issues that have troubled Guyanese since at least 1980.” He reflected on the coming into being of the 1980 constitution, which gave the executive president wide ranging powers and immunities, most of which have been retained. Ramkarran said that “no matter how much the government and others try to sell the 1980 constitution as being one of the best in the world, although substantially amended, it is regarded by many Guyanese to be irretrievably tainted because it was a fraudulent imposition on the Guyanese people by a dictatorial PNC government through a dictatorial process which never had the support of the Guyanese people. “It was in 1980, the year the constitution was imposed, that Walter Rodney, a prominent leader of the 1979 struggle, was assassinated. Many see the 1980 constitution as a tainted document which should be completely scrapped. A new constitution in simple language, as proposed by the PPP/C’s manifesto, could take its place.
Political
New group to focus on accountability, will contest elections: A new group is to be launched to focus on accountability and resources development and it will contest the general elections set for next year. Well-placed sources say that the name of the new group will be Guyana United for Accountability and Resources Development (GUARD). Sources say the organisers are aware that questions will be raised as to why its acronym mirrors that of Guyanese United for Reform and Democracy which played a seminal role in mobilizing for a return to democracy in the early 1990s. Sources say that the group will comprise professionals and others who believe that neither of the two main parties has upheld accountability or has demonstrated good governance. The Mission Statement of the group is Promoting Good Governance, Guarding the Constitution, Securing Guyana’s natural resources. Prudent management of the oil and gas sector is expected to be a key plank for the new group. If there are credible names behind the group, observers say it could make for an interesting year in 2025 given the narrow margins that have accompanied recent general elections and the reality that no one party can be guaranteed a victory without support from outside of its traditional constituency. The 10 to 12% Amerindian vote and the independent and floating vote are seen to be available to new parties to prospect for. Independent voters unhappy with PPP/C governance and averse to supporting the PNCR because of the attempted rigging of the 2020 general elections could be available to a new group.
Vincentian PM Gonsalves says Guyana better off with Maduro leading Venezuela: Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonsalves maintains that Venezuela’s elections were democratic and transparent, but said that position does not change the fact that he is a friend of Guyana and will not tolerate any military action against it by the Nicolas Maduro regime or any other. Venezuelan electoral authorities are yet to present evidence of Maduro’s supposed victory and in the absence of this there has been wide condemnation of the process. Opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia has sought refuge in Spain after being targeted by the Venezuelan authorities. The United States has since imposed visa sanctions on a range of Venezuelan officials and Brazil, among other regional countries, has yet to recognize the result. Gonsalves said that he also stands by the Argyle Agreement of December last year in St Vincent which aimed at easing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela and and believes that any conflict between the two nations must be resolved peacefully. “My declaration on the elections is that the elections were free and fair, reflecting the result,” Gonsalves told Stabroek News on Saturday when asked about his stance and seeming rush to declare that Maduro was democratically elected. He said he congratulated Maduro because he knew that the Venezuelan system of voting was a technologically sound one and that he believed it showed Maduro winning. “Venezuela has one of the most sophisticated systems of voting. The Carter Center has commented favourably on it. All I want is for everything to be done in accordance with what the law says. I am not getting involved in US law whether [former President Donald] Trump won or lost. I keep myself very clear of these matters. When you have a voice like mine and it sounds discordant to what imperialism wants, they drum up all their noises and roll all their propaganda arms to drown me out; well drown out the truth, drown out the truth!” he emphasised.
Security
Atwell’s mother says there were no grounds for police to search her place: Debbie Tyson says there were no grounds whatsoever for the recent police search for narcotics at her Lot 86 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara home which came up empty-handed. The woman also said that a copy of the warrant was not left with her. Tyson, the mother of social media activist Melissa Atwell, told Stabroek News yesterday in an interview, that on Tuesday she was at home at about 4 pm when she heard a knock on the door. She walked to the back door and a police rank who was standing there, instructed her to open the front door. Upon doing so, a female rank, accompanied by Assistant Superintendent Mahendra Singh, and other ranks entered the home. A document that was stated to be a warrant was presented to Tyson. Tyson was then informed that police had received information about illegal activities at her home and requested permission conduct a search. The woman told this newspaper that she complied and a search was conducted in several parts of the house. During the process, she followed them and after it was concluded, nothing was found. The ranks then picked up the warrant from the table and headed downstairs. ‘I walked behind them and they search. When they were finish searching, they didn’t find anything. They said that it is okay. They pick up the paper [warrant] that was on the table. Why didn’t they leave me with a copy of the search warrant? They take back the warrant and it’s kind of suspicious. Why you take back the warrant?”, she queried. A further search of the house’s downstairs storage room and throughout the yard yielded no results. According to Tyson, since nothing was discovered, she shut her door and went inside. She stressed that she had no idea what took place after being told that nothing illicit had been found and that the ranks had left the premises. As such, Tyson said she was in a state of shock when it was reported by several media outlets later that evening, that narcotics had been discovered over the back concrete fence in the alleyway (next to some banana suckers.)
Bilateral
President, US national security official discuss bilateral ties, Venezuela: The United States’ Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer spoke last Tuesday with President Irfaan Ali to discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen the bilateral relationship, and reaffirm the commitment of Guyana and the United States to advance regional security, democracy and stability. A readout from the White House said that they discussed the outcomes of the inaugural Guyana-U.S. Strategic Dialogue that was held in July, and “additional concrete steps to contribute to Guyana’s economy, development and territorial integrity”. The readout said that they also shared their concerns regarding the violations of democratic practices in Venezuela following the July 28 presidential election. Also discussed was the situation in Haiti. “Mr. Finer and President Ali agreed to continue collaboration with regional partners to restore security for the Haitian people, and ensure the success and sustainability of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti”, the readout said.
Electricity
Power ship company among bidders for 60 MW request by GPL: The Turkish power ship company supplying the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has bid to supply the additional 60 megawatts (MW) of electricity that the utility company now seeks as it prepares for increased demand during the CPL cricket and Christmas seasons. Bids to supply GPL with 60 MW of net power generation baseload capacity for the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) were yesterday opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Georgetown, and among the five bidders was Karpowership Global DMCC in partnership with Urbacon Trading and Contracting Inc. Other companies included power systems and heavy-duty machinery conglomerate, Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd (MACORP) which indicated that it could supply power at US$0.0645 per KWH. Houston-headquartered natural gas company, Andalusian Energy LLC, which had submitted proposals to develop Guyana’s gas infrastructure was also among bidders last week. Florida-based JP Energy solutions which has on its website, a photo with one of its executives posing with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, also submitted a bid. VAS Energy which says that it has been an energy broker since 2007 and has offices in New York and here in Guyana also submitted a bid. After signalling earlier this year that it would need additional power on standby while the power ship provides the DBIS with power, GPL placed a Request for Proposals (RFP) to supply 60 MW net power generation base load capacity to the DBIS through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and for it to be delivered 90 days after the contract was inked. However, the power company shortened the delivery time so that it would be prepared for the increased demand during the cricket and Christmas seasons, Chief Executive Officer Kesh Nandlall had told Stabroek News.
Financial
Marginal increase seen in profits owing to challenges – DDL half-year report: The Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has reported a marginal increase in after-tax profits for the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, citing challenges, including a decrease in bulk spirits’ sales. “This report is presented against the background of a particularly challenging international economic atmosphere which existed during the first half of 2024 and still persists. The contraction of markets globally directly affected consumer spending which continues to be under severe pressure on account of continuing inflation,” DDL’s Chairman’s Statement, which is included in the company’s Interim Report 2024 for the period ending June 30, pointed out. “…Group profit before taxation for the period was $2.8 billion, a marginal increase of $0.1 billion over the $2.7 billion achieved in the comparative period of the preceding year. Profit after taxation was $2.1 billion, again marginally above the $2 billion in 2023,” it added. DDL’s interim report on its half-year performance can be found in yesterday’s Sunday Stabroek edition. The company said that it was still able to increase profits because of improved margins and rigid cost control measures implemented across the group. In addition, the ongoing diversification of the group’s business has been widening its revenue base and minimising the effects of negative conditions in many of its market segments. “During the period, considerable progress was made in the implementation of several capital projects, some of which will contribute to the revenue growth in this year. The completion of some of these projects next year will widen the revenue base and profitability of the group in the future,” the Chairman’s statement said, thanking the staff and board for their work over the period. DDL said that for the first half of this year, consumer spending in the developed markets, particularly on premium products including premium spirits, declined considerably but did not give possible reasons for the slump.
Infrastructure
New Demerara River bridge 70% complete – Edghill: The new Demerara Harbour Bridge has sound structural integrity that will not be compromised during its 100-year lifetime and can withstand collision impacts from large vessels, the Ministry of Public Works last week assured. Now nearly 70 per cent completed and on target for its March 31 deadline completion date, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said that safety and structural integrity were key in designing the structure which is being built to accommodate the free passage of large cargo ships, as it is 50 metres high and 300 meters wide, and even in the unlikelihood of an earthquake here, it will still stand. “Even though we don’t anticipate an earthquake, in the design, the bridge is built to deal with an earthquake situation,” Edghill yesterday informed reporters during an onsite visit of the facility. “We can’t design the bridge to prevent the vessels from colliding with it but what we can do is if they collide, minimise the impact on the bridge. What we have done is design for a handymax [vessel], that means it is 48 metres [high] and we provided 50 metres for safety. They need about 100 metres of width to safely passage through the bridge [and] we gave them 300. All those are elements to minimise any collision as they transit the bridge,” Ministry of Public Works Project Manager, Patrick Thompson added. He said that much planning was done in the design to assure commuters that their safety is assured. “We have also built the structure of the foundation and the piers for the main tower to resist the collision of a Handymax vessel so if it does collide, the structure is strong enough to not collapse or to not be impacted in any big way,” he said. In addition, Thompson said that there will also “have some collision protection.” “The foundation works for the tower; those piles that you are seeing are embedded about 120 metres into the river and there are 58 of them supporting each side of the tower so even the foundation is over-designed to ensure that there is no possibility of effects or impacts with collision of the bridge. On preparation for an earthquake, he also pointed out, “I think the greatest risk to the bridge is in conditions like earthquake conditions and the good thing is that Guyana is out of a seismic zone so while it was designed for earthquake effects, we’re not in any high risk of collapse resulting from earthquake forces,”
Guysuco
240 tonnes of sugar unaccounted for at Rose Hall Estate – sources: The Guyana Sugar Corporation had launched an investigation earlier this year after it was discovered that 240 tonnes of sugar was unaccounted for from the Rose Hall Estate and this led to two senior personnel being fired. Stabroek News reported yesterday that GuySuCo last week fired a production manager and head lab technician attached to the Rose Hall Estate after claims of sugar going missing sometime last crop. While the sugar corporation is yet to make any official statement on the matter, information gathered revealed that on Thursday workers were informed that the estate’s production manager and the head lab technician were let go. They were also informed of the person who would be replacing the production manager. Stabroek News was told that there were reports of sugar being missing from last crop which eventually led to the termination. A source yesterday told the Sunday Stabroek that it was discovered that 240 tonnes of sugar at the estate was unaccounted for. According to the source, an investigation was launched during which it was discovered that the sugar was sold to a businessman within the ancient county. Meanwhile, factory workers after being informed of the replacement for the production manager became annoyed as they claim that that person was previously stationed at the estate prior to its closure and was accused of turning a blind eye to the dumping of sugar and damaging of canes. Factory workers who were on shift on Thursday evening turned up to the estate but then proceeded to strike, while the same happened yesterday morning. A representative for the workers, Gairaj Ramotar, had explained that “we get to understand them knock off two man… Now them bring one man (name given) to take over but that man work at Rose Hall Estate, he close down this estate and them bring he back. He a the man who stick this cane and when the man tell he no, them knock off that man, one set of story and he make the estate close… He work with them to close the estate. Them workers say them na want he here.”
State funeral
Sir Shridath hailed as ‘global statesman’, architect of Guyana: Hailed as an architect of Guyana and a global statesman who worked sedulously even in his final years to preserve this country’s territorial integrity, the cremated remains of Sir Shridath ‘Sonny’ Ramphal were last Saturday interred at the Seven Ponds Place of Heroes in the Botanic Gardens, following a national funeral service at the Promenade Gardens. A lifelong advocate and relentless in his fight for developing countries, and seeing the 1899 Arbitral Award honoured by Venezuela, tributes yesterday came from President Irfaan Ali and other Caribbean leaders for the distinguished attorney and diplomat fondly called ‘Sonny’ by those who knew him well. He died on August 30th at his home in Barbados at the age of 95. “Sir Shridath was, in every sense, one of the architects of Guyana, shaping its legal framework, defending its territorial integrity, and through his role as a global citizen, raising its profile on the international stage,” President Irfaan Ali yesterday said in a glowing tribute. Ali said that pre- and post-independence, Sir Shridath played “a pivotal role in crafting the strategies that will become the cornerstone of our nation’s defence against external aggression,” and his legal brilliance and diplomatic finesse helped develop the varying strategies that this country has adopted even today. “The same principles and strategies of non-aggression, courting international solidarity, and seeking peaceful resolution of disputes, remain at the heart of our efforts to protect our territorial integrity,” the President said.
In the courts
Radio host busted with over $4.3m in marijuana, pleads guilty: A radio host was last Friday morning busted with over $4.3m worth in marijuana during a road stop at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice and was remanded to prison after she opted to plead guilty to the offence. Shaima Muna, 27, a radio host and singer of Charlestown, Georgetown, was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. She was found with 14.5 kgs of cannabis. Muna on Friday appeared at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to her and she pleaded guilty. She was remanded to prison until October 4, 2024 for a probation report.
Elections trial postponed again: The criminal trial involving several former election officials accused of fraud during the 2020 General Elections has been postponed for an additional 45 days. The further delay follows the extended sick leave of the presiding magistrate, Leron Daly, who remains unable to return to court due to illness. Scheduled to resume last Tuesday, the trial did not resume as attorneys were notified that Magistrate Daly, who had initially been granted a 30-day medical leave of absence, is still unwell. In light of this situation, Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty, adjourned the case until October 31. Magistrate McGusty also stated that if Magistrate Daly is still unavailable at that time, the court may consider motions from the parties to potentially reassign the case to another magistrate. The trial centres on allegations of attempted electoral fraud during the 2020 elections. The defendants include former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy Chief Election Officer, Roxanne Myers; and former Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Also charged are Opposition Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence, People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) member Carol Smith-Joseph, and election officers, Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Bobb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. Proceedings initially began on July 29, but were quickly stalled after just three days. The prosecution raised concerns over the exclusion of key evidence, which Magistrate Daly had ruled inadmissible, and expressed frustration over the frequent objections made by the defence. These procedural disputes led to the first postponement in early August when Magistrate Daly went on medical leave.
Judge rejects AG’s application for possession of lands for bridge prior to settling compensation: Justice Jacqueline Josiah-Graham has refused applications by the Attorney General for immediate possession of land earmarked for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge and ruled that in line with the constitution and relevant laws compensation must first be settled. The attorney general had moved to the High Court under Section 13 (1) of the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act against Wilfred Brandford, the estate of Virieene Fredricks, Vashti Fredericks in her capacity as the beneficiary of the Estate of Virieene Fredricks, Pearl Layne in her capacity as the beneficiary of the estate of Virieene Fredricks, Malcolm Thomas in his capacity as the named Executor of the last will and testament of William Ovid Thomas, Merlynn Thomas and Joan Stewart. The Attorney General had filed the five urgent notices of application seeking immediate possession of the lands contending that the required notifications were issued. The landowners have disputed the compensation offered and following the impasse the Attorney General began proceedings for the assessment of compensation which is currently at the case management stage prior to expedited trial. Amid the proceedings, the Attorney General sought urgent orders for the respondents to vacate the land without any assessment or determination of compensation. The judge’s ruling said that in his affidavit the Attorney General cited urgency and public interest due to the ongoing construction of the new harbour bridge and that there was the potential of harsh financial penalties for failing to deliver vacant possession of the properties necessary for the construction of the bridge and its associated roadways. The Attorney General also sought permission to lodge with the Registrar of the Supreme Court sums as determined by the government’s Chief Valuation Officer, Julian Barrington with the respondents being permitted to withdraw the said sums and the applicant undertaking to pay a further sum if determined by the court as adequate compensation without prejudice to the substantive matter. Further, the Attorney General sought an order for the lodging of $1m for the cost of relocation and alternative accommodation for each of the respondents. The respondents, on the other hand, challenged the application for immediate possession contending that it contravenes Section 7 of the Act and Article 142 of the Constitution both of which require adequate compensation for compulsory acquisitions. The urgent notices of applications were heard on August 16, 2024.
High Court rules against owners of three properties blocking construction of new harbour bridge: Justice Navindra Singh last week ordered the owners of three properties in the pathway of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge to hand them over to the government and for the state to compensate them in various sums. The sums ordered to be paid, according to Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, were less than what the state had offered as compensation. The owners are now to deliver the properties to the government on or before September 30th while the state will have to pay the compensation on or before September 20th. The government had initiated legal action against Dennis and Odetta Hall, Joseph Klass and others and Prince Wilson for compulsory acquisition of their properties. Giving a background to the three separate cases the state informed the court that it had commenced the construction of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge which follows an alignment from La Grange, West Bank Demerara across the Demerara River to Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, which required the construction of a connecting road between Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara and Providence, East Bank Demerara The Hall’s property is located at Lot 85 Peter’s Hall, Klass’s at Lot 82 Peter’s Hall and Prince’s at Parcel 48, Block II, Zone EBD. The government argued that it was necessary to acquire the properties under the authority of the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act: Cap 62:05 of the Laws of Guyana. It stated that despite negotiations the parties had failed to arrive at an agreed upon sum as compensation for the acquisition of the properties. In the case of the Halls, the judge ordered that the sum of $31.9 million be paid as compensation for acquisition of the property. Klass will receive $18.8 million, while Wilson will receive $16.5 million. The judge also ordered in all three cases, discretionary costs to the government against the defendants in the sum of $500,000 which have to be paid on or before September 20th 2024.