MONDAY 16Shareholder brings lawsuit against Guyana Stores Limited

BREACHED operational procedures and financial reporting requirements underscore the premise of an originating summons in civil proceedings being advanced by Mr Reaz Khan against Guyana Stores Limited (GSL).Khan, as a shareholder, told the Guyana Chronicle that GSL is a public company that has been “struck off the Register of Companies” because of its failures. As such, the Registrar of Companies, GSL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohammed ‘Tony’ Yassin, and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh have been named as defendants in the matter in the summons. This is not the first time questions have been asked regarding the operations of GSL.

Moses Nagamootoo urges Lindeners ‘to kick back ass’
“IT is time to kick their…,” and the crowd enthusiastically responded,“Asses!” much to the delight of A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Moses Nagamootoo. The occasion was the alliance’s Unity Rally held in Linden. Delivering an address that pushed an agenda of ‘ass-kicking’, in obvious reference to former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s fiery speech at the Babu John memorial service for the Late Dr Cheddi Jagan, Nagamootoo, in a retaliatory manner, sought to indirectly urge the people of Linden to do likewise.

Guyana set to achieve safe-water MDG
AS the date for submission of reports in regard to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) nears, Guyana is set to achieve its target for the provision of clean and safe water, even as the issue of sanitation still poses a threat. Chief Medical Office (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud highlighted that the Ministry of Health is working collaboratively with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), along with the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities, to tackle the water aspect. So far, the CMO declared, water safety plans have been implemented in Regions 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), while plans are being organised for some other regions as well.

Fmr. Chief Magistrate to contest May 11 polls
THE National Democratic Party of Guyana (NDPOG), led by former Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen, will contest the general and regional elections slated for May 11.Almost standing alone at the Guyana Legionnaires Hall on Carifesta Avenue to announce the NDPOG’s intention, Ms Holder-Allen related to a sparse gathering that “certain information is on a need-to-know basis.” The party’s manifesto, which was provided to reporters, states that the former Chief Magistrate will run as the party’s presidential candidate, and former police officer and attorney-at-law Mr Patrice Henry will run as its prime ministerial candidate.

TUESDAY 17

Revised List of Electors names 570,786 voters
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has completed the fingerprint cross-matching exercise, necessary for the preparation of the Revised List of Electors (RLE), and is now in the process of posting the List at locations across the country, according to a senior GECOM official. The list includes the names of 570,786 eligible voters, and GECOM is expected to complete its posting by March 23. Once that has been completed, the list will remain in public view for 21 days, as is the statutory requirement, during which time members of the Guyanese public and eligible voters are invited to review the list to ensure the details are correct.

Neesa Gopaul ‘killers’ appeal conviction
THE convicted murders of 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul will appeal the High Court ruling that resulted in their receiving a collective life sentence of 202 years. The mother of the teen, Bibi Shareema Gopaul, and her ex-lover, Jarvis ‘Barry’ Small, were sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh to 106 years and 96 years respectively on March 5. Small’s attorney, Mr. Lyndon Amsterdam, told the Guyana Chronicle that the appeal for his client has not yet been filed, but that will be done soon. According to him, Small’s defence team is current finalising grounds for the appeal. On March 5, both convicts had expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment passed by Justice Navendra Singh.

PPP worried over shortage of Polling Day staff
CONCERNS have been raised by the Clement Rohee, General Secretary of the incumbent Party, over what he termed “significant shortages” of polling day staff engaged by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in several regions, including 1 (Barima/ Waini) and 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne).“The Party urges GECOM to re-open the process to allow for submission of applications by persons who are qualified and desirous of working. Situations like this can lead to the ‘relaxing’ of requirements, accepting second choices and hand picking, which the PPP is totally against, since it may have dire consequences to the integrity of the electoral process,” Rohee said.

GRA revisits parking lot use after dismal occupation by taxpayers
DESPITE repeated attempts to set straight the record on the use of the parking facility opposite the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Headquarters on Camp Street, concerns and queries by taxpayers on the issue of parking facilities continue to mount, much to the Authority’s surprise. The GRA had made the facility available to taxpayers at a minimum fee as it sought to bring final resolution to the problematic traffic situation that was created when both staff and taxpayers were utilising Camp Street for parking. However, after the GRA had opened the lot for the benefit of taxpayers in late January this year, occupation was dismal and there was a high degree of reluctance to pay for parking. The notion that the facility should give free parking was ruled out by the fact that the Authority does not own this lot. The GRA had also reiterated that it is not associated with any fees charged for use of the lot.

WEDNESDAY 18

Guyana’s coastline to experience exceptional spring tide
GUYANA’s coastline is expected to again experience exceptional spring tide until March 24, based on a forecast for 2015. The Ministry of Public Works explained that notable high tides, in excess of 3.30m (referenced to chart datum) are expected to occur along the oceanic coast and tidal rivers during March 20 to 22, with the highest tide of 3.35m expected to occur on Saturday, March 21at 4:27am. Explaining the reason behind the increase in high tide, the ministry noted that the augmentation of high tides during this period has been attributed to the coincided alignment of the earth, moon and sun during the March 21 Spring Equinox, resulting in increased gravitational pull. This phenomenon, they noted, will coincide with a solar eclipse which will be visible in Europe, Northern and Eastern Asia and Northern and Western Africa.

Jaguar on the loose at Onderneeming
RESIDENTS of Onderneeming “Red Village” on the Essequibo Coast have reported that a large jaguar is roaming the streets of the village after nightfall. Reports said several residents have spotted the fearsome animal roaming the dark, lonely streets at night. Residents said the animal hides in the nearby interior during the day, but come out at night in search of food. “Red Village,” which was carved out from the interior, is now a thriving community with primary and nursery schools, shops and churches. The village also has a community centre and potable water. Homes are equipped with lights powered by generator sets and solar power. Reports said residents have not so far reported any loss of dogs or poultry.

APNU+AFC requests police protection for Granger, Nagamootoo
MEMBERS of the Opposition Coalition of A Partnership for National Unity and The Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) met with Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud and members of his management team to discuss several security concerns. Top of the list of concerns, according to a press release from the coalition, was Guyana Police Force provision of “strong” security protection for the coalition’s presidential candidate, Mr. David Granger, and its prime ministerial candidate, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo. The coalition made reference to the present security situation in the country, and also called for security of the coalition’s campaign offices, its major rallies and its elections officials.
THURSDAY 19

President Ramotar…
‘Electioneering gimmicks’ will not fool Guyanese
“THE promises of Mr David Granger on the sugar sector and the Amaila Falls Hydropower project represent a transparent electioneering gimmick that I am confident will not fool the Guyanese people.” Strong words from a resolute President Donald Ramotar in responding to sentiments expressed by Granger at the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) luncheon. The presidential candidate of APNU+AFC said, “We will also develop hydroelectric power within a project which we have identified as the Potaro Basin Development Authority which could embody the present Amaila Falls.” On the question of the sugar sector, Granger added, “We are not going to throw the sugar industry through the window…there is no quick fix, but we are not going to dissolve the sugar industry… it is too big to fail.” The promise of “cheaper energy” and the assurance of support for an industry that is “too big to fail” are not new ideas, according to Mr Ramotar. “These are initiatives, assurances and deliverables that this Administration (the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration) brought to the table,” he said.

Joe Singh tells Crum-Ewing funeral…
Shooting a calculated act of cold-blooded murder

RETIRED Major General of the Guyana Defense Force, Joseph Singh, told hundreds seated in an Albouystown church and those standing outside the building and on the streets that the persons who shot and killed Courtney Crum-Ewing did not have the courage to face him. He made the assertion pointing the decision of the shooters to approach the man from behind, opening fire on him. According to Singh, Crum-Ewing had his political preference and that was his democratic right. The former army head went on to say that the shooting of the father of three, who also had served the army, was a calculated act of cold-blooded murder of a son, sibling, and father. In calling for the police to bring the killers to justice, Singh said that it would be naïve of anyone not to perceive that the murder of Crum-Ewing as somehow linked to his protest activity and his public advocacy in Carmichael Street. Opposition Leader David Granger was also present at the funeral and both called for peace and for persons to respond to the hurt that they feel by going out in their numbers to the polls on Election Day.

General and Regional Elections, 2015…
Observer missions asked to have extended presence in Guyana

A PROPOSAL has been made for election observer missions to arrive in Guyana by April 7, Nomination Day, and maintain a presence here for an extended period after E-Day, May 11. “We have made efforts to have the presence of electoral observer missions long before the actual E-Day, and for that period of observation to extend long after May 11…an extended period prior to the elections and an extended period after the elections,” said Dr. Roger Luncheon. To date, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN) have since responded favorably. Two teams from the UN and the Carter Center have completed needs assessments as Guyana draws closer to E-Day and have engaged various stakeholders in the electoral process. Their reports are expected to be released soon. GECOM’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, has stated that all observers, local and foreign, will be required to sign onto certain protocols before they are accredited as observers.

FRIDAY 20

‘Caricom Insurance’ break-in…
Bandits cart off seven weapons, $10M cash

FOLLOWING the early morning break-in and robbery at Caricom Insurance Company, which also houses the National Credit Union office at Regent and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown, Crime Chief Leslie James said they are looking for a suspect who may be the mastermind.Police have since reviewed the footage from nearby buildings, because the ones installed at the said building was removed by the robbers, they have an idea who they are looking for. The incident occurred while the lone guard was in the compound. The bandits used a nipper to cut their way into the building and then they secured the guard by tying him up. The robbers also removed the security cameras after which they went to a secured area where the company’s security service weapons were stored and took away those guns with more than $10M in cash and fled the scene.

Mega developments on stream for Region Three
THERE have been numerous developments already in Region Three, and there is much more to come for the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, including a Call Centre, opening up of agriculture lands, a new bridge across the Demerara River, and major road upgrades, among others. At the launch of the US$46.8M, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Government of Guyana-funded West Coast (Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika) Road Project, President Donald Ramotar underscored the importance of this huge venture which will not only boost the Region’s development, but that of the country which has been propelled by the performance of the economy over the last several years. Guyana has experienced nine consecutive years of economic growth, in face of international and domestic challenges.

SATURDAY 21

Ex-prison officer remanded for trafficking narcotics A PRISON officer was remanded to prison after being slapped with charges for trafficking narcotics and being in possession of prohibited articles in the Camp Street Prison.Clayton Thomas, 44, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Thomas, who reportedly had been a prison officer for over a year, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on March 17 at the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, he had in his possession 22 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.The court was told that on the same day, it is alleged that he took 16 packs of Bristol cigarettes into the prison. The man also denied the charge. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant the court that on the day in question, acting on information, prison officers went to Thomas’s office, conducted a search on him and found a small bag in his pants crotch; a search of the bag yielded leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be from the plant cannabis sativa. During the search on Thomas, the ranks also found two packs of cigarettes in his shoe and 14 more packs on various parts of his body. The defendant was then arrested and charged for the said offence. Thomas was therefore refused bail and will make his next court appearance on April 7.

Exporter remanded for attempting export of cocaine A TWENTY-year-old exporter,who was recently caught trying to ship cocaine out of Guyana to the United States was remanded to prison. Darshanan Balram denied that on March 19 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, he had in his possession 40.405 kilogramms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Balram’s lawyer, Mr. Gordon Gilhuys, requested that his client be released on reasonable bail, stating that he is married and is a father of one. According to Police Prosecutor Michael Grant, on the day in question about 13:30hrs, Balram went to the cargo bond at CJIA with 60 buckets, that is a shipment of casareep, Chinese sauce, fruits and green seasoning, with the relevant documents to ship the goods. Police narcotics agents acting on a tip- off went to the cargo bond, told the defendant of the allegation, and requested to conduct a search of his bond.The court head that the ranks found a whitish substance in transparent packets lodged between the buckets. The contents of the packets were field- tested in the exporter’s presence and were found to be cocaine. Consequently, Balram was arrested and charged.The prosecutor objected to bail on grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, citing that no special reason was raised by Balram’s counsel. Bail was refused.

Commonwealth team, Legal Affairs Ministry discuss technical assistance
THE possibility of technical assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat, among other issues, was discussed during a meeting with the Secretariat’s Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) and a local team. The Commonwealth body met with Attorney-General Anil Nandlall and his team from at the Ministry of Legal Affairs.These other matters on the table included continuation of the assistance being rendered by the Secretariat to the team at the Attorney-General’s Chambers currently engaged in correcting omissions and deficiencies in the revision and consolidation of the Laws of Guyana.The Commonwealth team expressed their satisfaction with the progress made so far. Additionally, the preparation of a complete Index of the Laws of Guyana was discussed as an important component of this initiative. The Commonwealth team pledged their continued support to this component.The difficulties faced by Guyana in not consolidating and revising its laws in a timely manner are not unique to Guyana. In fact, the laws of most countries are not current by several years.The Commonwealth team commended the attorney general and his hard-working staff for the progress they have made and for the initiatives upon which they intend to embark.