MONDAY 17

Missing female taxi driver found murdered
AN investigation has been launched into the suspected rape and murder of 33-year-old Savatri Gangadeen, a female taxi driver of Soesdyke, East Bank of Demerara. The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that the woman’s body was discovered in a clump of bushes two miles from where her vehicle was found at the back of a resort on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The woman’s sister told the media that her sister left her Soesdyke home around 20:30 hrs on Saturday night, informing her that she was going to drop two persons at a loam pit in Timehri, and took her son along with her for the ride. In the ongoing investigations, the police so far have held a suspect for questioning. This newspaper understands that the man is not related to the woman, but may have been one of the two persons who hired her for the late-night work.

Three accused in septic tank murder case committed for High Court trial
RALPH “Nick” Tyndall, 27, of Lot 31 ‘C’ Field Sophia; Anthony De Paul Hope, called “Papa,” 26, of Lot 55 William Street, Kitty; and Kevin O’Neil, 26, of Seaforth Street, Campbellville, accused of murdering Colleen Forrester on December 27, 2008 at William Street, Campbellville, Georgetown and dumping her body in a septic tank, were again committed to stand trial in the High Court after conclusion of their second Preliminary Inquiry (PI). The first preliminary inquiry conducted before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton had resulted in the three being committed to stand trial at the High Court. The case was quashed by Justice Diana Insanally on October 28, 2013, and a new PI was ordered. The judge, having listened to the submissions in the absence of the jury, told them afterwards that she was satisfied that the case was not properly brought, and would have to be sent back to the magistrate. The second PI was conducted before Magistrate Judy Latchman, and 13 witnesses were called by the prosecution to testify.

‘Guyana Where & What’ to go Portuguese, Spanish
TOURISM Minister (ag) Mr Irfaan Ali, commissioning the seventh edition of “Guyana Where & What” magazine expressed support for this 140-page, pocket-size magazine that seeks to educate and assist tourists to Guyana, as well as Guyanese, on the places and history of Guyana. He congratulated Mrs. Gem Madhoo-Nascimento on producing this seventh edition, and said she has helped to boost the tourism industry through promoting what the country has to offer via the book.

CDB hails Guyana’s ‘responsible’ fiscal reforms
THE Barbados-based financial institution, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), projects that Guyana, along with Suriname and Haiti, will take the lead among the regional economies, in terms of accelerating growth in the next two years.
This is according to the CDB’s President, Dr William Warren Smith, during the bank’s annual press conference at its headquarters in Barbados. The bank has projected that the Caribbean Region will, in 2014, experience an overall growth of 3.7 per cent, with much of Guyana’s growth being driven by its mining sector. “Guyana is a good example of a country that has done some of the right things, and at the same time has also benefitted from good fortune. They have come a very, very long distance in terms of their fiscal situation. They have been responsible in terms of addressing it,” Dr Smith said.

TUESDAY 18

Guyana moves up on World Press Freedom Index
GUYANA has moved up two places up on the 2014 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index; ranking at 67 out of 180 countries. Last year the country came in at number 69 out of 179 countries. Reporters Without Borders is a non-profit organisation based in France. The Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by this body based upon its assessment of the countries’ press freedom records in the previous year.

QualiTEST opens second lab at Diamond
FIVE months after opening its doors in Guyana, QualiTEST, an internationally-linked laboratory testing facility, with head offices at 21 First Street Alberttown, Georgetown, is expanding with a new lab at Diamond. This second facility was officially opened last Friday at Lot 2 Diamond Public Road, East Bank of Demerara, three doors from the Diamond Regional Hospital, following the first launched on October 8, 2013.

Accused pig thief remanded until March 3
CALVIN Francis, of Lot 73 Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was refused bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a simple larceny charge.
He pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, on Monday, February 10, at Princes Street, he stole one pig valued $65,000, property of Jean Bacchus.
Police Inspector Michael Grant prosecuting, said the virtual complainant fed the animal around 13:30 hrs that day but when she returned to check on it around 16:20 hrs, she discovered it was missing.
The prosecutor said Bacchus made a report to the police and an investigation was carried out, which revealed that persons saw the defendant in the pig pen. Francis declared that he did not steal the pig but saw it lying on the road after being struck down by a truck.

WEDNESDAY 19

U.S. orchestrating a coup d’état in Venezuela
THE Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Ms Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, has denounced “destabilising actions” of the Venezuelan Opposition across the country, saying it is “violating” the peace of the nation’s people; and has charged that the “fascist” Opposition is being supported by the United States of America (USA) to orchestrate a coup d’état via “interference” from the U.S. State Department. Ambassador Diaz explained that American support is being offered to Opposition elements through funding and training of youth organisations and civil society to “practice acts of violence” and create chaos with the aim of overthrowing the democratically elected Government of Venezuela. She said a coup is unlikely to succeed because the current administration has the backing of the majority of Venezuelans.

Seven-year-old fatally struck
ANDRE Daniels, a seven-year-old pupil of Good Hope Primary School, was struck and killed by a hire car at around midday last Friday while running across the road. Reports said the boy, from Supenaam Creek, also on the Essequibo Coast, had been going to collect his lunch from a cousin. He was picked up in an unconscious condition and rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he died, some hours later, while in intensive care. The driver of the vehicle is in police custody and is expected to be charged and put before the court shortly.

Teenager perishes as boat sinks in riverine interior
EIGHTEEN-year-old Hassani David of 257 Section ‘C’, South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown perished when the boat in which he was travelling sank in a river in Guyana’s interior. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at her Turkeyen home, David’s mother, Natasha David, said she had last seen her son three months ago, when he left to go and work in the interior with someone known to the family. The woman said her son had been interested in joining the Guyana Police Force, but had a change of heart and decided to work in the mining industry, expressing more interest in operating an excavator than in being a policeman.

Youth shot in groin
THE Guyana Police Force reported that 21-year-old Earl Deokarran was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was shot to the groin when he rushed to assist his 19-year-old friend Travis Edwards, who was being attacked by a lone gunman when they were crossing a bridge at Ogle, East Coast of Demerara. The gunman had reportedly already relieved Edwards of his gold chain when Deokarran rushed to Edwards’s assistance and was shot in the process. The police are investigating the matter.
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THURSDAY 20

Jailed baby-sitter granted $100,000 bail pending appeal
ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S.C has granted bail in the sum of $100,000 to teenaged baby-sitter, Fatima Martin, who has been convicted by a magistrate for assaulting the toddler child of another magistrate with whom she had been employed as a baby-sitter. Martin was allegedly left alone at home with the toddler whilst the child’s parents were out. When the parents returned, they reportedly found bruises about the child’s body; and, according to reports, when they questioned Martin, she admitted assaulting the child. The matter was reported to the police, and Martin was charged and placed before the court, where another magistrate imposed on her the maximum penalty applicable for the offence –five years jail. Martin has since appealed the sentence; and, application for bail pending the hearing of that appeal was made to the chief justice on behalf of the 18-year-old Fatima Martin.

CCJ bids farewell to Justice Bernard
…with moving tributes at ceremonial sitting
THE curtain came down on the Caribbean Court of Justice’s (CCJ) first itinerant sitting in Guyana with a special ceremonial sitting to mark and commemorate the retirement from the bench of the CCJ its first female judge, Guyana’s very own Justice Desiree Patricia Bernard. With an outstanding career, the distinguished Justice Bernard blazed the trail for women in the legal profession, not only in Guyana, but in the entire Region as well. Born on March 2, 1939, Justice Bernard received a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of London in 1963. One year later, she qualified as a solicitor and had a career in private practice spanning the years 1964-1980. She subsequently embarked on a judicial career during which she broke stereotypes and made history. She was appointed the first female judge to the High Court of the Supreme Court of Guyana and later become the first female judge of the Court of Appeal in 1992. Four years later Justice Bernard was appointed the first female judge, not only in Guyana, but the Caribbean.

Suriname to take Guyana’s lead and implement similar M&E ‘admin’ programmes
THE initiative of the Ministry of Finance to teach and enforce the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of administration has come to the attention and met with the approval of the Government of Suriname.
This is according to Dr. Ray Rist, who is an authority on developing M&E systems for governments and co-founder of the International Programme for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET). “Guyana has one of the strongest M&E systems in all of South America, and I’m sure in the entire Region,” Dr. Rist said Monday at the opening of a week-long Ministry of Finance-led M&E workshop at the Grand Coastal Inn on the lower East Coast. “They (Suriname) heard what’s going on in Guyana and called; they too want what Guyana now has,” he added. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who was also in attendance, explained that these periodic workshops are aimed at making Government more accountable, transparent and efficient to the benefit of the people of Guyana.
CARICOM gets new Deputy Secretary-General

HER Excellency Manorma Soeknandan is the new Deputy Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat. Ambassador Soeknandan, a national of Suriname, assumed duties at the CARICOM Secretariat on February 1, 2014. She succeeds Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite. A familiar figure in the Community, Ambassador Soeknandan served as resident Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to Guyana from 2001 to January 2013. She was accredited as Ambassador to CARICOM and to Jamaica in January 2002. During her tenure as resident Ambassador in Guyana, she became the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. She has represented her country, including as head of delegation, in several meetings of CARICOM’s Organs and Bodies. Ambassador Soeknandan has extensive diplomatic experience in the international/regional arena, with competencies in managing inter-state relations through diplomatic channels; negotiating cooperation arrangements between states and institutions and negotiating with international development partners.

FRIDAY 21

Money changer fatally shot in $1M robbery
A MONEY changer was shot and killed during a robbery in Lombard Street, Georgetown. The murder took place in the vicinity of Builder’s Lumber Yard and INDESCO, a supplier of industrial tools and equipment, as other people were on their way to work. Police reported that, at about 08:10 hrs, Brijlall Persaud, 42, of Eccles, East Bank of Demerara, was driving his motor vehicle along Lombard Street, when he was attacked by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The shooter fired several rounds at Persaud, hitting him in the head and other parts of his body and both men escaped with a bag containing some $1M cash. Persaud was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

Albouystown man gunned down
AN Albouystown resident was shot and killed in an apparent execution while on his way home after purchasing oranges. Dead is Vibert Samuels, 53, of Lot 22 Coconut Walk, Callendar Street, Albouystown.
Police said that about 05:30hrs the body of Vibert Samuels was found with a suspected bullet wound in the back on the roadway at Coconut Walk and Callendar Street, Albouystown. He succumbed while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

55 school children, 4 teachers escapes fiery death
SIXTY persons, comprising 55 students, four teachers and a bus driver narrowly escaped death or serious injuries when the 60-seater bus they were travelling in caught fire. Chronicle was informed by fire officials that the bus was returning from the city to a school in Berbice when smoke began emanating from the engine area before a fire broke out and engulfed the entire vehicle. There were lots of screams and shouting by the teachers and students alike and the driver pulled the bus to the shoulder of the road and there was a quick evacuation of all on board. The passengers were taken to a safe distance from the scene and were quickly bundled into other vehicles and proceeded on their way home.

Swollen body of missing labourer recovered
THE swollen body of a labourer who was reported missing after he disappeared in the Pomeroon River following a boat accident on Monday, was recovered at around 13:00 hrs on Wednesday. The corpse of Ronald Ewart Newyear, from Land of Canaan, East Bank of Demerara, was found in the water at Aberdeen, where a collision involving two 40 horse power outboard engines had occurred in the Lower Pomeroon River.
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SATURDAY 22

No one will be spared effects of blacklisting if AML/CFT bill not passed
GUYANA’S blacklisting status will have implications for everyone, irrespective of their political affiliations, several Government ministers told a large gathering last evening as they called on the residents of New Amsterdam, in Region 6, to reach out to their politicians and ensure the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and the Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly by February 28. The meeting conducted at the Berbice High School, and which saw addresses by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister in the Ministry, Juan Edghill and Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, was among three planned by Government targeting Opposition strongholds, given their stance on the AMLCFT Bill. On February 19 a meeting was conducted with residents of Linden, whilst another was held with residents in Bartica, Region 7.
Guyana joins regional battle against mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya

GUYANA has joined a regional battle against chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said. While there have been no reported cases in Guyana, he said authorities would be waging a war against mosquitoes and be on the alert for persons complaining of symptoms. “The ministry is coordinating with all stakeholders both locally and regionally to ensure that coordinated efforts are implemented to prevent and mitigate the effects of chikungunya on the Guyanese population. Heightened efforts will concentrate on vector control, epidemiology and surveillance, laboratory detection of cases as well as the clinical management of cases,” Dr Persaud is quoted as saying in a statement released by the Ministry of Health. The chief medical officer explained that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, also transmits chikungunya. He said there is no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya. “We do emphasise the need for the public to recognise that their role is pivotal for the prevention and control of chikungunya,” he added.

Attorney General foresees Family Court opening ‘very soon’
WORK is reportedly moving apace over at the proposed Family Court, and according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall, by the look of things, there could be an official opening “very soon.” Responding to a recent query from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Mr Basil Williams, as to the latest developments with the court, Mr. Nandlall told the House that as things stand, the furnishings are currently being installed. He went on to explain that this court will be like no other here in Guyana, in that it will boast some rather unique features, such as said furnishings.
That said, he added that he anticipates that there will be an official opening very soon, though this decision rests with the judicial administration.
With an important prerequisite for the operationalising of the court being the drafting of the Family Court rules, Mr Nandlall told the House that this has already been done and has been sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly to be gazetted, as is the formality.

Convicted robber pelts reporters on way to prison
TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD mason Wendell Austin, of Lot 134 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast of Demerara, was sentenced to 56 months imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman, for robbery under arms. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge that said, on Saturday, January 4, at Longden Street, Georgetown, being in company of others and armed with a knife, he robbed Kishan Persaud of one Toshiba laptop computer, one Blackberry Bold cellular phone, one silver band and ring and $15,000 cash, together valued $216,000.
Magistrate Latchman informed the convict that, having considered the seriousness and prevalence of the offence in today’s society and the organised manner in which the crime was committed and the fact that a weapon was used, he must serve that sentence. With his hands cuffed in front of him, he bent down and picked up a piece of wood and pelted in the direction of members of the media. Fortunately, the reporters who were standing approximately 10 feet away from the prisoner, managed to dodge the object.