Oil & Gas
India seeking two million barrels of oil at a time but no deal so far – Bharrat: India has expressed interest in locking in an agreement for purchasing at least two million barrels of crude oil at a time but Guyana has maintained its position that it is not yet ready for a fixed agreement and will focus on the MoU signed last Wednesday that focuses on other opportunities. “They made several requests to purchase crude through a bilateral agreement, more like a long-term arrangement, but the request is also to do a lift of 2m barrels when the time comes. Right now, our hard logistics is accommodating 1m barrels per lift so they require if we get any agreement which we haven’t gotten to…,” Minister of Natural Resources Vick-ram Bharrat explained, following the announcement of the signing yesterday of a MoU on energy. He said that from the first time the idea was floated by New Delhi, it “has always been” George-town’s position of caution of entering into a fixed arrangement. “It has always been our position, that is still our position, nothing has changed. I won’t say any decision was made but it is still our position,” he said. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary to India’s Minis-ter of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar yesterday told Stabroek News that his country was not disappointed that it didn’t secure an exclusive purchase agreement because the opportunities here in many other areas abound. “… the hydrocarbon agreement is an umbrella agreement, it covers many aspects from prospecting and exploration, down to setting up cooperation for setting up downstream projects like (a) petroleum refinery project, etcetera and also capacity building of people from Guyana in these. This is a government-to-government MoU,” He said while the interest was made known, it is “for Guyana to decide on how it will proceed” but securing a locked in guarantee would do well for energy security. “…There are so many prospects of cooperation that we don’t express any disappointment. The future is so open we have so many prospects for cooperation in these areas…,” he added. Clinching an exclusive purchase agreement, the Secretary explained has many benefits for India. “(The) advantage is greater predictability even in the offtake of crude. We need large quantities and if we were to know well in advance if the quantities are available the contracts will be much easier. Also, the transport is another aspect because we are a very long way away so the use of VLCC (Very Large Crude Carriers) would be more predictable,” he said. This underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position when during opening remarks at the Guyana-India bilateral yesterday at State House he said that Georgetown will play a role in his country’s energy sector.
Report on second Exxon audit handed over to government – Bharrat: The second audit report of ExxonMobil’s US$7.4 billion in costs which the Vitality Accounting, Haynes and Ramdihal and Eclisar Financial (VHE) consortium had undertaken in 2022 was handed over to the government and was sent to ExxonMobil last week, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat has said. The US oil major, which said it racked up US$7.4 billion in costs between 2018 to 2020 now has 60 days to respond, Bharrat explained. He said that the report “will be placed online like the other, next week”. Lead of the VHE consortium Floyd Haynes had on Friday told this newspaper, “A final report was delivered to the MNR [Ministry of Natural Resources] and GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority]. The audit report was done on behalf of the GOG. It is now the property of the government.” GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia on Friday afternoon said, “As far as I am aware the report was transmitted to Exxon by the MNR, upon its return from Mr Haynes. Please check with PS [Joslyn] Mckenzie. The government audit conducted by local consortium VHE was expected to be finalised last Thursday but it wasn’t clear that the process which has been ongoing for over two years had the ExxonMobil preview aspect completed. “I spoke with Statia on the report. He told me that by tomorrow, he is going to finalise the second audit. Once the report is finalised we can move forward from there,” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had last week disclosed. Stabroek News had asked Jagdeo for information on the audit after checks with the GRA and the Ministry of Natural Resources came up empty. Statia had explained that there were some administrative issues that needed to be resolved but he had given VHE the go-ahead to sign off on the report. Both the government and the GRA had remained mum on the status of the second cost oil audit which had been in the process of auditing for over two years with criticisms over the quality of its work. Criticisms were also raised when VHE was awarded the contract to conduct the third audit even though the second one was still to be completed, with APNU+AFC parliamentarian and former government minister, David Patterson adding his voice to the issue. Patterson questioned the rationale of awarding a third audit to the consortium which had not yet completed the initial contract and which he believes went beyond the time allotted.
International
Modi hails Guyana as key energy partner: In a speech rich with promises of collaboration, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week emphasized New Delhi’s growing partnership with Guyana, particularly in the energy sector. Addressing a historic session of Parliament, Modi described Guyana as a key energy partner and outlined plans for extensive support to the country’s development. He urged Guyana to join a global movement towards a “new world order,” highlighting the crucial role women will play in shaping global prosperity in the 21st century. Modi also pointed to the disproportionate impact of climate change on countries in the Global South, urging collective action to address these challenges. Modi also suggested that Guyana has the potential to serve as a bridge between India and the broader South American continent while also extending a warm invitation to Guyanese Parliamentarians to visit India. The Prime Minister stressed that democracy is deeply embedded in India’s DNA, reflecting a human-centric approach that prioritizes the well-being of all nations, large and small. He mentioned India’s efforts to support island nations, especially those in the Indian Ocean, and its advocacy for the inclusion of the African Union in the G20. “India has become the voice of the Global South,” he declared, highlighting India’s role in championing the interests of developing countries that have long faced the brunt of environmental and economic challenges. His vision for the future, he said, lies in the collective advancement of the Global South. “Countries in the Global South have suffered greatly in the past, and now is the time for us to work together for a more just world order,” he affirmed. The Prime Minister also underscored India’s growing partnership with Guyana, particularly in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and capacity building. Guyana, with its rich energy resources, is seen as a key partner for India in the region. “Guyana is an important energy source for India and a gateway to the South American continent,” Modi stated, noting that India is committed to supporting Guyana’s development through investments and technical assistance.
CARICOM
Modi proposes 1,000 more scholarships for CARICOM, help with millets: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week proposed 1,000 more scholarships for CARICOM nationals over the next five years, help with mobile hospitals and the promoting of millets as a superfood in a wide-ranging address that also encompassed training for women cricketers. Unveiling a strategic framework centred around the acronym CARICOM at yesterday’s second summit between India and the Caribbean Community, he outlined seven pillars designed to advance cooperation. Speaking at the Marriott Hotel, the Prime Minister emphasized New Delhi’s commitment to supporting the development of human capital in CARICOM nations. Modi, who arrived here on Wednesday night from Brazil, said India is pro-posing an additional 1,000 scholarships over the next five years. Furthermore, India aims to establish a Technical Development Centre in Belize, expanding its scope to benefit all CARICOM countries. The centre will focus on enhancing technical training for youth across the region, while an online portal for forensic education, technology, administration, law, and education will be launched to facilitate remote learning. India is also eager to collaborate on training programmes for parliamentarians across the Caribbean. Speaking in Hindi which was then translated, he said that India’s advancements in agriculture, including the use of drones, digital farming, and soil testing, have positioned the country as a leader in agricultural innovation. Prime Minister Modi outlined India’s commitment to addressing food security in the region by promoting millets as a climate-resilient superfood. On August 5th last year, Guyana received a quantity of millet seeds from the Indian Government for trials. Then Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa handed over the seeds to Agricul-ture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha. Additionally, Modi said that India has developed a fertilizer from sargassum seaweed, a pervasive issue affecting the Caribbean’s hotel industry. This innovative solution could improve crop yields while addressing environmental challenges.
Barbados PM calls for review of SOPs for police across region: The second annual regional Symposium on Crime and Violence got underway at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has called for a review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for police forces across the region. Being held around the theme “Violence as a Public Health Issue – the Crime Challenge”, Mottley implored that her regional counterparts take measures by reviewing and reconstructing the SOP’s of police forces across the region, along with support for victims, urgent engagements to revise legislation and other measures to aid in the collaborative regional fight against crime. “We have never taken the time to reconstruct and deconstruct the rules of our police force. What we need is an assessment of manpower needs. Don’t you think that if they (citizens) can get more money to look out for the police rather than to be a constable what do you think will happen? They will look out for the block. Why can’t we have order on our streets also?” Noting that addressing crime in the region requires urgent engagements, Mottley stated that in no more than four months which would be by the end of March revised legislation should be put forward by each country as it relates to measures used to fight crime. “What we also need is new SOP’s, new reviews, having case progression units. So that things don’t take a long time and they are done in a better manner. Imagine the second generation after independence and we can’t get these things done. In the courts when we have cases what you find happening is that the simplest thing and the lowest thing we gone with that. Anything that is tough we move away from. We cannot continue like that there has to be more cooperation between police and prosecutors. We need high level cooperation at the regional level because we do not have sufficient skills individually, we need to collaborate”. Additionally, she recommended support for victims. She emphasized on the provision of support for the children of the persons who do crime and the persons whose family have been victims of murder. She alluded to a case in Barbados.
Elections
GECOM Chair rejects claim of partisan voting: Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, last week dismissed allegations by the PNCR of partisan voting and clarified her decision-making process. Singh, alongside Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud, Deputy CEO Aneal Giddings, Legal Officer Kurt Da Silva, and Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward, addressed the media on issues including biometrics, GECOM’s readiness for the 2025 elections, recent appointments, and calls for her resignation amongst others. Responding to an accusation of consistently voting with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)-appointed commissioners, Singh told a press conference at GECOM’s Kingston headquarters that “there is an accusation that I am always voting with the PPP. I make my own decision. I voted with the commission; the fact is there are three commissioners on each side. I have the casting vote. That is what I have from the legislation. So, what do I do when they have a tie? I have to cast the vote. I make up my own decisions it’s not that I am voting with the PPP. Singh also defended her decision to appoint several officers, emphasizing that the selections were based solely on merit and experience. She highlighted the qualifications and achievements of those appointed, including Persaud as CEO and Giddings as Deputy CEO, among others. She noted that Persaud’s previous experience at GECOM and a recommendation from former Chair Dr. Steve Surujbally influenced her decision. “I chose Vishnu Persaud over the other candidate because of his proven experience garnered from his previous employment in GECOM, which was emphasized by former Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally. He gave him a recommendation which I read, and on the basis of that recommendation, I felt he was the better of the two candidates. The other candidate had no experience whatsoever in the conduct of elections based on a proportional representation system. “Then there’s Mr. Aniel Giddings. He was the only person I found with the necessary experience for the position, and who could’ve hit the ground (running) and that was my decision. And whoever if the PPP supported him then that is what it is. As for the Assistant Election Officer, Ms. Critchlow, I don’t know how many of you know her, but she left in 2019 to care for her ill father just a few days after my appointment. She returned and, with her experience, was the best person for the position, and so she was appointed. Regarding Ms. Melanie Marshall, who applied for the position of Voter Registration Manager, having examined the curriculum vitae of the other applicants I decided not to even interview the other applicants, as she was the only person with the necessary experience and hands-on approach. Ms. Melanie Marshall is the very person in 2015 that the PPP said they could not locate when they were applying for a recount. Yet, when her application came up, they made no objection about her appointment and accepted that nomination there on the list”. For the position of Civic and Voter Education manager, Singh stated that “the position could’ve gone to either of two persons. The reason why Nardeo Persaud was chosen over Yolanda both answered the questions and both had experience. But With Nardeo’s experience with teaching and training GECOM staff he was chosen”.
Norton stands by claim over possibility of ineligible foreign voters at elections: The Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton rebutted the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) statement issued yesterday which sought to clarify remarks he made on Sunday on the possibility of ineligible foreign voters at the upcoming elections. The controversy stems from Norton’s speech at a public meeting in Calcutta, Burma Road, Mahaicony where he said “We need a clean voters’ list because if you give all of them ID card, who is illegal and who isn’t illegal, it means when you put it up, it will show as them but they really aren’t qualified to be on the list, so we want a clean voter’s list in which only the people who are entitled to vote are placed on that list and we will fight for it…” He went on to say “there is no need to be going to Bangladesh to bring drivers, what they are really bringing is people to vote. But let we tell them, when we put we polling officers, in de poling station and they can’t talk proper English, you must know that a lot of the children who returned from Venezuela of Guyanese descent can speak English, also we will know that, but this government’s plot is to bring people into this country to use them to vote because they recognized they are not popular, we will not accept that.” GECOM released a statement yesterday adverting to Norton’s remarks as carried by Demerara Waves. GECOM asserted that all eligible voters must meet the criteria set forth in the National Registration Act, which outlines the legal requirements for voter registration. The Commission also refuted Norton’s assertion that foreign nationals could easily register to vote, clarifying that scrutineers from the PNCR, as well as from other political parties, are involved in the registration process and have the ability to verify applications.
Security
Gov’t assures law coming on facial recognition: As the rollout of the facial recognition surveillance system intensifies and concerns grow over misuse and the invasion of privacy, the government says there should be no fear and that legislation is coming. “Legislation will have to be passed in Parliament to entrench safeguards concerning the use of facial technology. I remember requesting from the AG’s office that legislative pre-cedents in other, especially Commonwealth, countries be used to draft our law here. The reason was that indeed facial recognition technology can be a serious threat to privacy and can possibly result in errors which can implicate innocent people, and the manipulation that can occur by bad actors,” former APNU+AFC Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan told the Sunday Stabroek. Echoing his concerns was former APNU+AFC Minister of Citizenship and Commissioner of Police Winston Felix who said that knowing the law is there to protect from abuse would provide a form of relief to citizens. “It can be abused. Legislation to protect citizens ought to be devised and passed in parliament …you cannot have a power tool like that in the hands of (just) anybody,” Felix told this newspaper. “We need laws to ensure the use of it is not abused. So whether Brickdam [Police Station], Eve Leary [Police Headquarters] or New Garden Street [Office of the President], there must be laws to control the use of it and to protect citizens. It is good if you are protecting a building that you have the facial recognition but to have it open and you driving your car and this thing is on tracking you as you do your private business, knowing they can take it and use it, there must be safeguards,” he added. Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC says that government notes the concern but is assuring that there are no sinister plans for the use of the data collected and that the public should know that legislation is already being looked at. He said that a surveillance system has already been rolled out at traffic lights and there has been no incident of abuse. He said that should be indicative that government has no interest in the personal data of persons. “It is a measure already implemented in many countries. Yes, we must have a legislative framework that will regulate it to ensure that it is not misused and the data and images generated are kept confidential. This is a crime-fighting measure that will be administered and executed by the Guyana Police Force not the government. The data generated will not be available to the government. I don’t think that is a concern that should be used seriously,” Nandlall contended.
Tragedy
Baby girl perishes in Cummings Park fire, brother burnt: Melveena Angel Blair, an 11-month-old girl died on the morning of November 16th in a fire at Cummings Park, Sophia while her brother suffered burn injuries to his back and upper arm after three siblings were left home unattended. The elder brother, according to neighbours, jumped through the one-storey wooden structure to call his mother who immediately arrived on the scene and was later taken to the police station along with the father in relation to the matter. Vanessa Whyte, who resides next to the home that was on fire, told the Sunday Stabroek that around 11:00 am yesterday she heard a loud noise and smelt something burning. Whyte related that when she and her son ran over to her neighbour’s home, they saw that the home was in flames. She added that she also saw the son jump through the front window and run up the dam to call his mother. She and her son saw that the door was padlocked. When they looked in, they saw the other son, Carlos was trying to pull the door open to escape. Whyte said that she prised the door open and managed to save Carlos who was burnt badly on his back and upper arm. Whyte noted that it was too late to save the baby as she was already consumed by the fire. At the time of the incident, Whyte said that both parents were at work which is located up the dam. They are both cooks who make dog food for a living. The neighbour pointed out that the baby girl would have been one-year-old next Wednesday. Fre Chief, Gregory Wickham yesterday told the Sunday Stabroek that the infant died in the blaze and the two other children were taken to the hospital and one was badly burnt. He added that investigations continue in the matter. The Ministry of Home Affairs in a release last night said that five persons have been left homeless by the fire.
Human service
2025 Old Age Pension books to be available from December – ministry: The Ministry of Human Services last week said that Old Age Pension Books for 2025 will be available from next month. In a press release it said the regular early distribution had been delayed because of the “discovery of unauthorised/fake Old Age Pension books and the violation of the integrity of the pension delivery system”. As a result of this discovery, the release said that the Minister of Human Services requested an immediate investigation by the Guyana Police Force into the issue. Because of this probe, it said that the regular early distribution of Old Age Pension books has been delayed. The Ministry assured pensioners that the 2025 books are currently being printed with new security features to prevent tampering and falsification. It said that the books will be available for distribution from December 2024. The Ministry said it is working assiduously to tie in the distribution of these books with the encashment of the vouchers in many areas. A detailed distribution schedule of the dates and times for distribution will be posted in all media. Further, 3000 more 2024 Old Age Pension books, with new security features have also been printed to cater for pensioners who have not yet received their books and these will be available from the 25th of November onwards. “There has been an increase in the number of pensioners over the last three years to over 70,000. We also encourage persons to use the banking system, which does not require any books. Pension is deposited in the first five (5) days of every month into bank accounts”, the ministry advised. The ministry regretted any inconvenience to pensioners but said it is critical to improve the integrity and accountability of the pension delivery system in the best interest of the pensioners.
Accident
Electrician crushed to death by truck on Sheriff St: An electrician was crushed to death last Tuesday on Sheriff Street after two speeding trucks came into contact with each other and one careened into a house and the other was left precariously perched over a trench after piercing a water main. Family and friends of Carlton Smartt, 42, were left in deep mourning. According to his friend Ramdeo Kumar, Smartt was on his way to Beacon Roti on Sheriff Street to resolve an issue. The horrific accident occurred at around 6:15 am. It was stated that the two drivers were taken to the hospital. The ownership of the trucks has not been established. When Stabroek News visited the scene of the accident several witnesses reported that the accident involved two sand trucks. One truck with licence plate GAH 5183, was crossing Sheriff Street at Dennis Street and struck the other truck, licence plate GAH 8008 which was travelling north on Sheriff Street. The impact was catastrophic, causing one truck to crash into a building (Green House apartment complex) housing approximately 15 to 20 Venezuelans. No one from the apartment complex was injured. However, it was reported that a food van which was parked at the front of the building was smashed in. Meanwhile the other truck veered off towards a nearby canal, damaging a GWI pipeline in the process. The chaos extended beyond the two trucks. Around eight other vehicles in the vicinity were damaged. Among them was vehicle—licence plate PZZ 1556—which was parked at the corner, east of Dennis Street. A resident who lives in the vicinity of the crash site explained what happened. “I was in my kitchen at the time and heard this zooming sound. I looked up and saw flashes on my ceiling,” she recounted. “Before I knew it, I heard a bang. I immediately ran outside to my veranda and that’s when I saw the two trucks—one crashed into that guest house across the road and the other one, blue and white, was in the canal. The one that crashed into the guest house was the one that killed the man”, she said.
Crime
Supply mother of four dies days after brutally chopped by partner: A 28-year-old mother of four succumbed to her injuries two days after she was brutally chopped by her abusive reputed husband last Thursday night at Supply Squatting Area, Mahaica. Her assailant, who was suspected to have consumed a poisonous substance, died on Friday, November 15th. According to a police press release, Thagewante Motie was chopped to the neck and arm at about 21:00 hrs on November 14, 02024. She was admitted as a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital and died at about 16:00 hrs on Saturday. Her assailant, Uram Doorbassa, also known as Anil, a 26-year-old labourer of Belmonte, Mahaica, who allegedly consumed a poisonous substance after chopping her, died on Friday while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The police said investigations indicated that the couple had an argument in the victim’s yard. It escalated into the man using a cutlass to chop his partner twice, once on the neck and once on her arm. Mena Paul, the mother of Motie, told Stabroek News yesterday that her daughter had lived with her siblings at Supply Squatting area. Motie was a sales representative at a Chinese Supermarket in Mahaica. Doorbassa and Motie, she said, shared a five-year relationship and two children, who he would visit daily. Prior to the chopping incident on Thursday night, Paul said, Doorbassa would physically and verbally abuse Motie.
Teen among four held after highway stabbing death: Four people, including a teenager, were arrested hours after they allegedly stabbed and killed 40-year-old chainsaw operator Davanan Hosea, a resident of Hillfoot squatting area. The murder occurred around 1:35 am on November 17th and according to one of two press releases sent out by the Guyana Police Force, Kevin Grandstuart, 24, of Victory Valley Road, Timehri; Rodwell Fraser, 21, of Victory Valley Road, Timehri; Dwayne Bascom, 25, of Kara Kara Linden and a 16-year-old were all arrested and are now in police custody. When Grandstuart was arrested he had a Rambo knife in his possession while the teenager was in possession of the victim’s cellular phone, the police said. In its first release, the police recounted that the victim’s brother, Levon Hosea, who is also a chainsaw operator, stated that they had spent the day working in the backdam at Coverden before visiting a Chinese restaurant where Davanan met his reputed wife at 18:00 hrs. They had a few alcoholic beverages. Levon told police that he left Davanan in company of his reputed wife and went to his residence. Davanan later called Levon at about 21:00 hrs to meet him at Raghoo Sports Bar at Soesdyke Public Road. On arrival, the brothers purchased alcoholic beverages, the police said. Levon further reported that his brother told him that a group of men at the bar were looking at him. Shortly after, he told the police, a group of men approached Davanan, grabbed hold of him in the presence of his brother, and relieved him of his valuables. A confrontation ensued between Levon and the assailants, prompting both brothers to flee through Shawnie Gas Station, the release said. Levon said that he told his brother to run east along the track, as two men pursued them, while he ran in a different direction. However, Davanan was caught by the attackers and Levon told the police that he later found Davanan collapsed on the highway at Hillfoot, with blood on the chest area of his t-shirt. The release said Davanan sustained stab wounds on the right side of the face, the left side of the abdomen, the centre of the chest and the right side of the chest.
In the courts
Brutus placed on $10.5m bail over 201 more charges: Deputy Commissioner of Police (ag) Calvin Brutus was last week charged with 201 additional financial crimes, bringing the total number of charges against him to 231. He was granted bail totaling $10.05 million during his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. Brutus arrived at the court accompanied by his legal team ahead of the 9:00 a.m. hearing. Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty presided over the session, during which the charges—filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)—were presented. In an effort to save time, the charges were not read individually. Magistrate McGusty instead summarized that the new allegations pertain to “liability of an official”, a charge holding Brutus accountable for actions or inactions in his official capacity. Brutus is the first individual charged with this offence by SOCU. The court was informed by prosecutor David Brathwaite that the charges are indictable, meaning Brutus cannot enter a plea until the commencement of a trial. Brutus’ lawyer Yuborn Allicock reminded the court that his client was already on $6.2 million bail for 31 previous charges, which include misconduct in public office, obtaining money by false pretence, larceny, money laundering, and liability of an official. The prosecution opposed the bail application, citing the significant sums involved and frozen bank accounts linked to Brutus and his wife, co-accused Adonika Aulder. After deliberation, the magistrate granted bail at $50,000 per new charge, totaling $10.05 million. Brutus is scheduled to return to court on January 17, 2025, in relation to these new charges.
Court rules against opposition MPs seeking to have Jagdeo’s seat in Parliament declared vacant: The Attorney General’s Chambers says that Justice Nareshwar Harnanan last Wednesday upheld the jurisdictional objection made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disputing the High Court’s jurisdiction to hear and determine the application filed by Opposition Members of Parliament seeking to have his seat declared vacant because of absences from Parliamentary sitings. As a consequence, a statement from the AG’s Chambers said that the Court dismissed the case filed by APNU+AFC MPs Christopher Jones and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and granted costs in the sum of $250,000 to each Respondent namely, the Attorney General of Guyana, the Speaker of the National Assembly and Jagdeo. In these proceedings, the Attorney General and the Speaker of the National Assembly both made submissions, in writing, supporting the Application filed by Jagdeo. They contended that the absence of a member of the National Assembly is part of the internal proceedings of the National Assembly, and that by the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty (the rights, privileges and immunities of Parliament), these matters are exclusively for determination by Parliament. Barring only a constitutional breach, the Court, by virtue of the doctrine of separation of powers, is precluded from enquiring into such matters, the statement said. The Court, in its ruling, agreed with the 2023 decision of Younge J, in Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Mp et al v. AG the Speaker and the Clerk of the National Assembly that when it comes to the internal operations of the National Assembly, it is the National Assembly that is vested with the exclusive control over the management of its own proceedings, subject only to the Constitution. The statement said that the Judge affirmed that Parliament must have the freedom and functional independence to conduct its business. The Court further ruled that the vacation of a member’s seat in Parliament occurs by operation of law, but it does not necessarily follow that the Speaker has no prior role or function. Furthermore, the Standing Orders, which govern and regulate the internal proceedings of Parliament, must be applied, interpreted and enforced by the National Assembly. In the circumstances, the statement said that the Court was of the view that the question of whether Jagdeo’s seat in the National Assembly had become vacant has not arisen.
Trucker charged with causing death of electrician on Sheriff St: Twenty-eight-year-old Denzel Webb appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court last week where he was charged with the offence of causing death by dangerous driving. Webb was placed on $500,000 bail. It is alleged that on Tuesday, November 19, at Sheriff and Duncan streets, Campbellville, Georgetown, he drove a lorry in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Carlton Smartt. Webb was represented by attorney-at-law, George Thomas, who told the court that his client had attempted to apply brakes when he noticed Smartt, however the prosecutor interjected, stating that it was clear that Webb was going at a fast rate and that there is significant signage on the roadway that would indicate the need to stop or slow down within the area. Further, it was also clear that the defendant failed to exercise care and caution in his use of the roadway. As a result, the magistrate granted bail in the sum of $500,000 with the condition that Webb lodges his travel documents and reports to the police station daily. The matter was adjourned to December 13.
More charges for Calvin Brutus: Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus, Corwin Nicholson and Latoya Brummell appeared lats Friday before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where they were jointly charged with seven counts of conspiracy to commit a felony by payment under false pretence. It is alleged that between December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters, Eve Leary Georgetown, with intent to defraud, they uplifted the sums of $14,895,000, $14,851,000, $14,650,450, $14,805,000, $14,535,000, $14,545,600, and $14,725,000, all totalling $103,007,050. The accused were not required to enter a plea on the indictable offence. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor indicated to the court that the state had no objection to Brummell being granted bail, but requested that bail be placed at the sum of $100,000 on each charge. Attorney-at-law Eusi Anderson who represented Brummell, countered that bail be reduced to at least $50,000 per charge, taking into consideration that his client has been cooperating with the SOCU investigation. He added that his client is a single mother who has to provide for her child, and that there was no evidence that would suggest that his client is a flight risk. However, the prosecution asked that the bail not be reduced, taking into account precedents for persons charged with this type of offences. After consideration, the magistrate concurred and bail was granted in the sum of $700,000 for each of the three accused. Meanwhile, other charges were brought against Brutus and Nicholson. Brutus faced additional charges for misconduct in public office. which read that between December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters, he willfully misconducted himself and instructed Finance Officer, Bharrat Persaud, to make payable seven Bank of Guyana cheques valued $14,895,000, $14,851,000, $14,650,450, $14,805,000, $14,535,000, $14,545,600, and $14,725,000, respectively, for the supply of various clothing and accessories, among other items for the Guyana Police Force knowing same had not been supplied. He was also charged with liability of an official which stated that between December 31, 2023, and January 1, 2024, he made the opportunity for Corwin Nicholson to defraud the state of various sums of money, to wit, $14,535,000, $14,395,000, $14,725,000, $14,546,000, $14,650,450, and $14,851,000.
