Guyana News

Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Compton Sparman last Friday called for the establishment of a building code that would ensure the protection of persons in the event of fires.

Fayouse Shakir, who escaped from the Lusignan Prison more than one month ago, was yesterday morning recaptured by the police in a Route 44 minibus.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is currently monitoring the erosion of the sea defence at Mosquito Hall, Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara and will soon address the situation.

As doubts persist about Guyana’s readiness for the oil and gas industry, a representative of a UK consultancy firm yesterday said confidence and a sound long-term strategy would see the country reaping the benefits.

Normal power has been restored to Bartica, ending more than three weeks of scheduled blackouts caused by the almost back-to-back failures of two generating sets.

A woman prison officer attached to the New Amsterdam Prison, who allegedly attempted to sneak in a quantity of cannabis into the prison on Sunday, has been arrested and an investigation has been launched.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday advised that murder charges be levelled against a teenager and a man, in relation to the death of businesswoman Bibi Shairoon Nesha Ali, who was found bound and gagged in her Mahaicony home last week Monday.

A decision in the trial of Carvil Duncan, the former director who is accused of stealing almost a million dollars from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL), is slated for tomorrow.

A post-mortem examination on the remains of 13-year-old Mariza Kissoon, who succumbed last Thursday at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) after collapsing at her school, could not determine the cause of death.

There are no specific regulations stipulating the preservation of a site after a mining accident, according to acting Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison.

The opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday criticised the government for slashing the proposed budgets for 17 constitutional bodies, while saying the reductions would undermine their independence and see less scrutiny.

At the trial of Jahryl Reid, who is accused of murdering Mabura businessman Colin McLean, witness Oscar Hector yesterday recalled being overcome with emotions after discovering his friend’s lifeless body.

A 22-year-old man was yesterday charged with the murder of Abdool Ameer Subrati, the father of two who was fatally shot by bandits when they stormed a house at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara last week.

Troy Van Doimen, who police caught with over 30 pounds of marijuana at his Bartica home, did not waste the court’s time yesterday; when he stood before a city magistrate, he pleaded guilty to a trafficking charge, for which he was sentenced to four years in jail.

A taxi driver was yesterday granted his release on bail after he denied fraudulently converting $200,000 belonging to a client to his own use and personal benefit.

Two men were yesterday remanded to prison by a city magistrate after they each denied a charge of one cannabis possession.

  The driver who was involved in an accident more than one week ago and which claimed the life of boat builder Clement Skeete has been released on $150,000 station bail as the investigation continues.

After more than three weeks, the Barbados authorities have called off their search for the two missing Guyanese fishermen.

A car that was allegedly hijacked by gunmen last evening at Republic Park, Greater Georgetown was found burnt in Eccles East Bank Demerara and the driver of the vehicle Anthony Sukdeo is seeking the motive behind the act.

CARACAS/SAN CRISTOBAL, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s socialist government and opposition will hold surprise talks on Sunday amid a worsening political standoff and protests since the suspension of a referendum drive to remove unpopular President Nicolas Maduro.