Marcelle Thomas

As part of its efforts to fill the judicial vacancies that have for years delayed hundreds of cases here, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) will set aside its tradition of inviting persons it believes are qualified and instead, advertise for candidates, sources say.

The large scale mining contract that Australia-headquartered mining company, Troy Resources, has with Guyana stipulates that it must legally comply with a land reclamation process and other environmental obligations, as set out by the Environmental Protection Agency, before leaving the country.

Promising to not only train locals to take over and “revolutionize” monitoring of the extraction of their country’s oil and gas, local tech company, e-Magic, on Friday entered into a partnership with Ghanaian-based West Coast Gas for over US$10 million in the short term.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is preparing to levy on the assets of Australia-headquartered mining company, Troy Resources Guyana Inc for huge taxes owed, even as the company is still to inform government of its exit plans from this country, sources say.

The Australia-headquartered mining company, Troy Resources Guyana Inc., is closing its gold mining operations in Guyana as it does not find the market feasible anymore, sources have informed the Stabroek News.

Even as the nation awaits word on the first two audits of oil expenses, the government has determined that all questionable claims still not justified by the company in the IHS Markit audit of expenses from 1999-2018 would be disallowed, actions which could possibly trigger the US oil major moving to arbitration in a holdout to not pay, sources close to the process say.

Over the past year there has been significant success in combatting illegal fishing in the region and the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) will continue to lobby for support from nations in its zone as it believes that while the numbers have decreased, the illegal activity will continue, SOUTHCOM Commander, General Laura Richardson says.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday signed on to the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Human Rights Framework that supports development of human rights programmes in the Caribbean and Latin America region.

The indigenous community of Chinese Landing in Region 1 is overjoyed with the resolution of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) which on Friday granted it protective measures and says it is hopeful that the Guyana Government will honour its obligations as set out in the document.

With a reported 74% of the country’s deaths being due to non-communicable diseases (NCDS) and diabetes cases pegged at a staggering 60,000 plus, the government is now planning the implementation of a national healthcare database system, to aid in strategic policies to reduce new cases since no data is currently collected from persons with NCDs.

The journeying of skilled Caricom nationals here advances development of not only this country but the entire region, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd has said, while stating that the government is not worried that when all the impediments to free movement are resolved next year, Guyana may be flooded with job seekers.

Based on the fact that a Commission of Inquiry has found culpability, not only on the part of the company, but also the Ministry of Labour and respective oversight agencies in the on-the-job death of BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana Inc (BMGG) employee, Neptrid Hercules, the family is taking the company to court.

President Irfaan Ali yesterday said that there have been no deliberations on the possible re-employment of Nigel Dharamlall by government nor has the former minister who resigned following rape allegations by a 16-year-old girl asked for new job considerations.

Chairman of the Caricom Private Sector Organization (CPSO) Gervase Warner says Guyana holds great potential for increasing the number of local entrepreneurs through partnership, by tapping into opportunities with people both in the region and in Africa.  “I’ve met a number of people from Nigeria and Ghana who have a strong interest in investing in Guyana, specifically, in the Caribbean, overall.

As CARICOM Heads meet today in Trinidad and Tobago for the 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, President of the African Import and Export Bank,  Professor Benedict Oramah is optimistic that all countries will sign the trade agreement with the bank that would see the already assigned US$1.5B doubled if they do.

Making a pitch to the Canadian diaspora to come home and invest, President Irfaan Ali said that not only did Guyana need its human resources more than ever, but investment opportunities were sure and did not need approval for him to flourish.

While ExxonMobil will have its own monitoring facility at its Ogle, East Coast Demerara headquarters, the government has underscored the importance of independent real-time monitoring (RTM) of this country’s oil and gas resources and will ensure simultaneous oversight through an independent company.

The Commission of Inquiry into the on-the-job death of BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana Inc (BMGG)  employee Neptrid Hercules found culpability not only on the part of the company, but also the Ministry of Labour and respective oversight agencies, as had they been vigilant in their duties and enforced laws of the country, the fatal incident would have never occurred.

The first report by the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Board on its operations is completed and is expected to be made public sometime soon, sources close to the process say.

Work on the estimated US$1 billion gas-to-energy project is forging ahead as pipes to be laid are in the country and will be installed from offshore coming inwards to Wales on the west bank of the Demerara River, even as administrative work on ExxonMobil’s Final Investment Decision wraps up.