The Week in Review

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.

US Sanctions Probe of Mohameds, PS had been on for 30 months – US Ambassador: United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, last Friday said that the investigation leading to the sanctioning of the Mohameds and Permanent Secretary Mae Toussaint Jr.

In the courts Gold to silver trio charged: The three persons who earlier this week allegedly attempted to smuggle over 240 ounces of gold to the United States pleaded not guilty to the joint charge when they appeared before the court last Thursday and have each been placed on $600,000 bail.

Accountability Mocha/Arcadia residents allege injustices by gov’t in meeting with US congressman: Emotions ran high last week as residents of Mocha/Arcadia expressed their concerns to visiting US Congressman Jonathan Jackson over injustices they said they have been facing at the hands of the government.

Investigation ‘Insufficient credible evidence’ to charge Dharamlall over new rape allegation – Police legal advisor: The police force last week said that there was “insufficient credible evidence” to charge former Minister of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall over a new rape allegation.

Oil & Gas Exxon insurance contract sets US$500m limit for any one incident: The Government has published a contract of insurance for ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) which will raise further questions about coverage for a potential oil spill and other matters.

Crime Dharamlall denies new allegation of rape: Former Minister of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall has denied allegations of sexual assault and rape made during a press conference on May 10th by former employee of his ministry, Sarah Hakh.

Cricket threat CARICOM security agency advises of possible terror threat to T20 World Cup: CARICOM’s agency for crime and security has advised regional governments of a possible Islamic State threat to the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup in June which will be played in Guyana, other parts of the Caribbean and the United States.

Accountability Exxon distances self from inflated declaration: ExxonMobil lats week distanced itself from the huge inflation of an invoice detected by the GRA and pointed to its former broker which it did not name and both are set to appear in court next week over the matter.

In the court Judge rules in favour of GTU: In a comprehensive win for the GTU, Justice Sandil Kissoon on Saturday ruled that the strike launched by the union for collective bargaining was legal and justified and therefore deductions cannot be made by the state from the salaries of striking teachers.

Oil & Gas Gas to energy contractor in US$50m dispute with gov’t: Gas-to-energy contractor, CH4-Lindsayca, has moved to a Dispute Adjudication Board as it is locked in a stalemate with the Government of Guyana over the sum of US$50 million the company feels it is owed because the Wales, West Bank Demerara project site was delivered to it three months late, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday, April 11th  said.

Border controversy Gov’t, opposition slam Venezuela over further escalation of illegal claim: The government and the opposition last Thursday condemned Venezuela’s latest activation of legislation to annex Guyana’s Essequibo region, noting that it violates the Argyle Agreement signed in December last year.

Accountability UN committee wants more steps against corruption: Concerned that the institutional framework to combat corruption is not yet sufficiently strong and effective, the UN Human Rights Committee (CCPR) yesterday called on Guyana to take  a raft of measures including protection of whistleblowers.

Border controversy Gov’t `gravely concerned’ over Venezuelan law on Essequibo: The Government of Guyana has expressed “grave concern” over the announcement that the Venezuelan National Assembly has declared Essequibo, which constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory, to be a constituent part of Venezuela.

Politics ‘Come right’ Jagdeo tells challengers: Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP/C Bharrat Jagdeo last week told challengers of the governing party that they need to “come right” as Guyana approaches the next general and regional elections in 2025.

Gov’t, GTU differ over period for salary talks: After a four-week-long teachers’ strike that ended through court mediation, the government and the GTU met lats Thursday for talks and differences have emerged over the period that salary increases should pertain to.

Teachers’ strike Court orders mediation between GTU, Ministry: In a major development in the teachers’ strike which has dragged on for 18 school days, Justice Sandil Kissoon last week ordered that mediation begin today with two senior counsel and both the GTU and the government will attend though the latter last night said that judicial intervention was unnecessary given established industrial relations practices.

Industrial Judge orders teachers salaries, dues deduction preserved pending outcome of strike case: Justice Sandil Kissoon last Thursday ruled that the Government is barred from deducting monies from striking teachers’ salaries until the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU)’s legal challenge against this move is determined.