The Week in Review

Tragedy Mother, four children die in No. 64 fire: A woman and her four children died in an early morning fire last Wednesday at Second Street, No.

Electricity Turkish powership company wins contract to supply 60 MW: As the holiday season approaches, Karpowership of Turkey has secured the bid to provide an additional 60 MW of electricity to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

Accountability Enact law to prevent public servants, MPs from accepting gifts – Ramkarran: In view of the revelation by Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus that he received over $46 million in wedding and Christ-mas presents, former speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran last week recommended that there should be a law that precludes government em-ployees and parliamentarians from accepting gifts.

In the court Brutus withdraws action against AG, Top Cop, Home Affairs Minister: A day after he faced dozens of serious charges, lawyers for Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus have withdrawn an action he brought against a number of officials including the Attorney General and the Police Commissioner.

In the court High Court denies application by Brutus to accompany wife to US for medical attention: Justice Gino Persaud last Friday refused an application by embattled Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus and his pregnant wife Adonika Aulder, made by their Attorney Earl Daniels for Brutus to accompany Aulder to the US for medical attention in view of revelations that there are 240 charges pending against him for money laundering and other serious financial crimes.

Cash grant President announces $200,000 for each household: President Irfaan Ali last week announced a cash payment of $200,000 to each household, free university education from January next year, a 50% cut in electricity charges before the end of 2025, a universal health voucher of $10,000 and a minimum wage of $100,000 per month in the public sector by the end of 2025 among other measures.

Security Norton rejects proposal for Hicken to be confirmed as Top Cop: Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has rejected a proposal by President Irfaan Ali that acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken be substantively appointed to that position.

Crime Police issue wanted bulletins for five over Main St kidnapping: The Guyana Police Force last Saturday issued wanted bulletins for Aaron Alleyne, Alpha Poole, Wayne Barker, Dwayne Griffith, and Osafo Peters over the abduction yesterday of Joshua David, called ‘Bricks’.

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.

Investigation SOCU gets tender board documents on Brutus probe: SOCU has acquired documents relating to procurement for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) as it continues its investigation of financial impropriety claims against Deputy Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus.

Drugs DEA, GDF aid CANU with cocaine find worth €176m at Matthews Ridge:  A joint operation, assisted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on August 31st resulted in the seizure of 4,400 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at €176 million or more than US$200 million at locations just off of an illegal airstrip at Matthews Ridge in Region One (Barima-Waini) said to be one of largest here.

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.

Education Multi-year deal for teachers inked, but some union members, teachers cry foul: In a move that has sparked outrage, the leadership of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has signed off on a new salary and benefits agreement with the Ministry of Education, despite strong objections from the union’s negotiation team and general membership.

Accountability Port Kaituma Stelling designer has admitted flaw – Edghill: Public Works Minister Juan Edghill says that CEMCO Inc has acknowledged design flaws in the ongoing $1.4b Port Kaituma Stelling project where fissures occurred, necessitating remedial work.

Parliament clears $40.7b in supplementary financing: Just over $40.7b in supplementary financing was approved by Parliament after around 10 hours of debate last Friday and there were clashes over several of the items particularly for the sugar industry The two sides argued over contingency funds equalling $4.57 billion intended for the agriculture sector during the 85th Sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

In the court Prosecutor challenges magistrate over decisions in elections trial: State prosecutor in the elections fraud case, Darshan Ramdhani KC last Wednesday challenged Magistrate Leron Daly on decisions she made on the first two days and her note-taking.

Crime Six held after large arms find at home of Ricardo Fagundes: A police operation last Wednesday found a large cache of arms at the Kitty home of the murdered Ricardo Fagundes and six persons are in custody.

Security Benn urges introspection, accountability in police force: In a strongly worded address at the Guyana Police Force’s 158th Anniversary Symposium on Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn called for introspection and accountability within the force and said that ranks must not extort people.

Corruption Allegations against Brutus being probed by SOCU – Benn: Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn last week said that the allegations of financial impropriety made against Deputy Commissioner (ag) of Police, Calvin Brutus is being investigated by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

Industrial Teachers to return to work by Tuesday: Striking teachers are set to return to their classrooms by next Tuesday after the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) reached an agreement yesterday on terms of resumption to end a gruelling strike and talks will continue on June 26 on  a multi-year agreement.