have any real substantive discussions/conversations anymore or is it just a few misguided posters only desperately looking for any sign of life to grab on to?

Roxanne Myers in Police lockup for ‘obstructing the course of justice’- Attorney Hughes

By Editor On Oct 6, 2020, Source - https://newsroom.gy/2020/10/06...ice-attorney-hughes/

Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers [Photo taken from Guyana Chroncile]

Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers was arrested on Tuesday after she reportedly refused to cooperate with the Guyana Police Force which is currently investigating the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

“She has been arrested for obstructing the course of justice because she exercised her right to silence,” Attorney Nigel Hughes told the News Room in a telephone interview Tuesday.

According to Hughes, his client learned that she was wanted by the Police for questioning and so she voluntarily visited the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

He said “[Ms. Myers] was informed today that the Police wanted to interview her, she attended the Police station with her lawyers, when we got there we had a bit of a wait and then they questioned her. She said she wanted to exercise her right to silence and they then said they’re going to keep her in custody on the basis of obstructing the course of justice.”

Hughes told the News Room that “she has been sent to one of the lockups” but he is not sure where his client is being held.

Prominent Attorney, Nigel Hughes

The Guyana Police Force in August announced that it will launch a “comprehensive investigation” into allegations of criminal conduct by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield and Returning Officer of Region Four Clairmont Mingo in relation to the March 2 elections and the events that followed.

Lowenfield and Mingo are already facing criminal charges in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court relating to fraud, misconduct in office and breach of the public’s trust by providing results of the March 2 elections known to be false.

The officials who remain, employees of GECOM, are accused of providing fraudulent results of the elections in the largest voting district –Region Four –following the close of polls, to give the APNU+AFC a victory.

This led to a delay in the declaration of the results of the election and a national vote recount before the People’s Progressive Party was declared the winner of the elections five months later.

Mingo is also before the court with Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform –the largest party in the Coalition –Volda Lawrence on another fraud charge. Their signatures were found on one of the Region Four declarations which was found to be inflated in favour of her party.

Mingo and Lawrence’s case continues on November 16. 

As the investigation is ongoing, the Police previously questioned GECOM’s Information Technology Officer Enrique Livan who was involved in what is known as “the flash drive scandal” during the electoral process and other employees of the elections body.

How is all ? long Time I did not check in , Do you all watched Denny Persaud show on Youtube? Cooking and view of guyana ? 

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All  non member visitors can participate.

James Bond: On His Majesty Secret Service

Oct 31, 2020 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

Kaieteur News – The fact that the local 007 is silent about G$220 million he collected from lands awarded to him by NICIL, then sold, does not mean that ‘007 at Ocean Eleven’ (those at my age would remember that ska hit by Desmond Dekker; I was 16 then); that does not mean he is guilty.
But why a loud-mouthed, pro-violence, politician like Bond would not want to defend himself against some formidable journalistic reporting on events that do not look good for him? In fact, anyone reading those news items in the press would want to believe that Bond’s adventure was not above board. The fictional James Bond always defends himself. The real life James Bond is more and more looking like a sheep.
Here is my take. If the APNU+AFC government could have called in the police to investigate Pradoville 2 then the current administration has to summon SOCU to interview Bond. What occurred with Bond has no parallel in pre and post independent Guyana. Pradoville 2 is child’s play in comparison to the story of NICIL and 007. How a man could be awarded state lands without a track record of entrepreneurship in agriculture or housing construction or a related business field? Then the lands are sold and the man collects $220 million.
There is a pressing question about the James Bond drama. Who gave him his licence to make a killing? My answer is that President Granger had to know about the transactions that were taking place in his government long before 2020 came into being. This analyst, this academic, this columnist, this social activist, is saying with unambiguous assertion that I believe the president knew what was taking place among his Cabinet subordinates.
When the secret oil deal signing was exposed, Granger was automatically catapulted into the limelight. Questions began to be asked about his knowledge about questionable transactions. From the surreptitious oil signing, things began to fall apart and they were falling apart rapidly. I will advise readers to read between the lines when I use the term, “things falling apart.” I use this term to avoid opening myself to libel.
Readers must be aware that once you accuse any bigwig of corruption in the APNU+AFC house of illegalities and immoralities, you will get sued because they will use the court writ and injunction to stop you from further exposure. By 2017, it was clear to me that APNU+AFC was the most corrupt government Guyana had ever seen.
We were all reduced to fools when we were running around shouting about corruption in the Jagadeo government and Ramotar administration. With each passing year, I acquired information about massive corruption among certain AFC personnel. By 2019, levels of corruption in the halls of power had made the PPP ministers from 23 years in power look like a baby taking a chocolate bar at the checkout counter. AFC bigwigs had exceeded the skullduggery of any PPP minister from 1992-2015.
Why was the level of corruption so massive in 2019? The APNU+AFC were uncertain of the election outcome. In February, they received a poll result they had commissioned from a respected pollster that showed no clear winner. Subsequent professional surveys by both PPP and PNC put the PPP in front. From there on, tensions and anxiety pervaded the APNU+AFC war room.
What happened then is that a vicious land-grabbing operation began within the halls of APNU+AFC. If one thinks that the James Bond land controversy is big, they will get apoplexy when information comes out as to who owns what in the APNU+AFC hierarchy. The amount in the James Bond saga is 20 acres. That is peanuts when compared to what certain top boys in the APNU+AFC acquired.
What role did David Granger play in all of this? Can Guyanese still accept the description of David Granger being Mr. Clean? Is it possible that within a five-year period, you can have such colossal levels of corruption within the hierarchy of a government and the man at the top of the pyramid did not know? The answer is obvious. He had to know.
To what extent was Granger involved. I am going to stay away from any comment. But I will not let fear of libel prevent me from offering my opinions on a matter of political interest. Here are two of my opinions. One is I do not believe that whatever shocking conspiracies his ministers were involved in, President Granger did not know. The other is that I do not accept the label that Granger was above the fray.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

The surgery is successful but can't post at the moment. Also mentioned he can see the sweet homan more clearly.

A Bell 412EP

October 31 ,2020

Source

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of two Bell 412EPi and two Bell 429 helicopters to Guyana for an estimated US$256 million, the Defence Post reported on Saturday.

While the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is expected to be involved in processing some paperwork at a later stage, that agency’s Director-General, Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field said the purchase would be extremely beneficial to Guyana. “The acquisition would not only be beneficial in the area of security but also in search and rescue,” he told News-Talk Radio Guyana 103.1 FM/ Demerara Waves Online News.

The sale is approved under the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program. The U.S. Defense Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees FMS sales, delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Oct. 30.

The Government of Guyana has requested to buy two Bell 412EPi Light Utility Helicopters with customer-unique modifications; two Bell 429 Light Utility Helicopters with customer-unique modifications; two WESCAM MX-10 cameras; mission equipment; contractor-provided pilot and maintainer training; particular ground support equipment; spares; publications; integrated product support; technical assistance; transportation; Repair and Return; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

The principal contractor will be Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (BHTI), Piney Flats, TN.

According to a statement released by DSCA, “this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve security of Guyana, which is expected to grow to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in South America”.

“The proposed sale of the Bell 412EPi and 429 helicopters will improve Guyana’s capability to meet current and future threats. Guyana will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense; conduct maritime surveillance, patrol, and interdiction; counter narcotic trafficking and transnational criminal organizations; deter regional threats; and support coalition partners overseas. Guyana will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces”, the statement said.

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region”, the statement added.

The Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a light, twin-engine helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The helicopter is capable of single-pilot IFR and Runway Category A operations.

Bell 412EPi is latest variant of the Bell 412 helicopter and an upgrade of the 412EP (Enhanced Performance). The helicopter is equipped with an electronic (Digital) engine control for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade and a glass cockpit display system similar to the Bell 429.

– lighting, vagrancy, washrooms, repainting of walls between Kingston and Vlissengen Road targeted

Oct 30, 2020 News, Source - Kaieteur News Online - https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...n-project-kicks-off/

Kaieteur News – First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Arya Ali, on Wednesday visited the Kingston seawall following a stakeholders’ meeting which was convened to discuss the development of the area into a tourist hub.

First Lady Arya Ali and stakeholders during a visit to the seawall area, Kingston, on Wednesday

The visit was conducted immediately after the meeting to identify sections of the seawall that need immediate restorative works.

The meeting, which was hosted at the Ministry of Tourism’s South Road office, was also attended by: Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud; and other stakeholders including the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) local non-governmental organisation (NGO) Seawalls and Beyond, and the private sector.

The development of the seawall, stretching from Kingston to Vlissengen Road, forms part of the First Lady’s National Beautification Project.

The meeting of the stakeholders on Wednesday.

After providing an overview of the project, the First Lady identified several issues that require urgent intervention. These include: vagrancy, improved lighting, improved solid waste collection, increased security, washroom and solid waste disposal facilities, a freshwater source, and regularization of vending, a statement of the Office of the First Lady disclosed yesterday.

Once these issues are addressed, phase two of the project will involve landscaping of the area, restorative works to the Police Bandstand, and repainting of the seawall itself.

“The idea of the project is to develop the area in such a way that it safeguards the scenic qualities of Guyana, promote sustainability, and build the country’s tourism capacity,” the First Lady said.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill expressed how pleased he was to learn of the First Lady’s ambitious plan to embark on a project of this magnitude.

With the Public Works Ministry having responsibility for the management of the seawall, the Minister outlined several ongoing efforts to improve the condition of the area.

Additionally, Minister Edghill committed financial resources to the project, and immediately instructed his team from the Ministry to begin installing lights and cleaning the area.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud addressed the issue of vagrancy, highlighting that the issue is much more complex than it seems.

She noted that while many of the vagrants suffer from mental health problems, others are drug and substance abusers and so any attempt at institutionalizing them would require consent and a collaborative approach by her Ministry and the Ministry of Public Health.

The Minster added too, that the Human Services Ministry has already taken steps to reduce the number of vagrants on the streets, and will increase its efforts in the coming months.

Regarding solid waste management, a commitment was made by the private sector to supply more bins around the area, while Director of Solid Waste at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Walter Narine committed to ensuring that waste is collected on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond expressed her support for the project and committed to offering technical and other support to realize its objectives.

She was keen to note that the Tourism Ministry will aggressively pursue tourism development in Guyana as the country prepares for economic transformation, which will lead to an influx of tourists.

As such, she said the Tourism Ministry will offer its resources to support any idea that will support the government development agenda.

The seawall is a popular Sunday hangout for families, with hotdogs, popcorn, games, and a slew of activities all happening.

However, the pandemic has seen a reduction of activities.

Demerara Bank Limited Chairman and founder Dr. Yesu Persaud (centre) with Chief Executive Officer of DBL, Pravinchandra Dave (second from left), IDB country representative Sophie Makonnen (second from right) and others (Photo by Orlando Charles)

October 31, 2020

Source

Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) yesterday joined the Trade Finance Facilitation Programme (TFFP) of the Inter-American Develop-ment Bank (IDB) and will now have access to a US$7 million line of credit with which it can provide financing to a host of sectors, including the oil and gas industry and small businesses.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pravinchandra Dave, the US$7 million first tranche, which has been released, will be used to diversify the sectors which can access loans and technical support from DBL for short-term international trade finance transactions. These sectors will now include the oil and gas industry as well as the forestry, mining and agriculture sectors.

“The facility will be extended to the small scale entrepreneurs, small businesses for pre-shipment facility, for post-shipment finance. There are a lot of suppliers of services to the oil and gas companies which are not able to provide the collateral to the bank and what we can do [is] we can create a charge over the receivables and we can provide the facility to them (customers),” he explained, following the signing at the bank’s Camp Street headquarters.

Given the current context of high volatility in international markets and macroeconomic pressures from the COVID-19 health crisis, this line of credit will help support existing industries and new and emerging businesses in sustaining productivity and job creation, it was explained.

He also noted that the line of credit, which is revolving, will allow the bank to increase foreign trade products to its small and medium-sized clients, adjusting its menu of products to the current context of client demands.

Founder and Chairman of DBL Yesu Persaud also indicated that the bank will be open a new branch at Mahaica so as to extend the reach of its services.  DBL is Guyana’s only indigenous bank and opened up in 1994.

The TFFP programme is implemented by IDB Invest, a multilateral development bank (member of the IDB group) which aims to provide financial and technical support for projects that contribute to private sector development, such as those supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through financial intermediaries.

With a portfolio of US$13.1 billion in asset management and 385 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries.

IDB Country Represen-tative Sophie Makonnen congratulated the team which she noted was critical in negotiating the agreement.

“Our aim and ambition in Guyana as in all our member countries is to change the lives of the people for the better through financial and technical support,” she explained, while adding that areas of investment are geared toward poverty reduction.

The IDB, she noted, has invested in health, education, and infrastructure and has sought to be relevant and responsive to the needs of member countries since its first loan in 1977.

“A strong and healthy private sector is the engine of growth for a country as it generates investment and creates employment,” she said, adding that since 2008 the IDB Invest arm has started to play a more critical role in supporting private sector growth.

Makonnen reminded that a similar successful line of credit was provided to DBL in 2008.

According to the IDB Invest website, the multilateral bank loaned the local bank US$2 million also to promote capital asset and working capital financing for micro, small and medium size enterprises.

Counselor for Guyana at the IDB Sheranne Isaacs, who was acknowledged as critical to the finalization of the agreement, express-ed gratitude to the IDB Invest team on behalf of the Guyana Government.

She stressed that the ability of IDB Invest to adjust, innovate, motivate and create has made it the region’s partner of choice in private sector development.

Isaacs specifically thanked the IDB for honouring its pledge made as part of the Busan Mandate to grant small island countries equitable access to IDB Invest resources.

“Small states like Guy-ana need access to these resources, technical assistance and capacity building to catapult development. We are pleased to partner with you and are sure that DBL will use these resources to improve its already remarkable service to the people of Guyana,” she concluded.  

October 31 ,2020

Source

The main opposition APNU+AFC yesterday pressed for an independent, international investigation into the killings of West Coast Berbice (WCB) youths Isaiah and Joel Henry and Haresh Singh, while saying that state is duty-bound to deliver.

“The Henry families deserve justice and no stone must be left unturned and no affect must be spared in ensuring that justice is delivered,” the party said in a statement issued yesterday, while adding that the families of the teens have reported that the investigative team is refusing to answer their telephone calls.

The teenaged cousins and Singh were almost two months ago and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been under immense pressure to find their killers.

Recently, after DNA samples which were sent to St.Lucia for analysis were returned to the GPF.

Stabroek News was reliably informed that the results were submitted to the police for official review on Wednesday.

The findings are unknown and authorities, including the police, remain silent.

Asked by Stabroek News yesterday whether the findings will be made public, GPF spokesman Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor said that this will be done in “due course”.

Late last month, President Irfaan Ali had announced that forensic evidence obtained by the police in the murders of the teenagers was sent to St. Lucia for testing.

The police had previously said that DNA samples collected from the suspects who were arrested for questioning in relation to the murders were sent for a comparative analysis to be conducted against the forensic evidence collected from the secondary crime scene.

Isaiah, 16, a student at the Woodley Park Secondary School, and Joel, 18, who worked at the Blairmont Estate, went missing on Saturday, September 5, after they left home for the Cotton Tree backlands to pick coconuts.

After they did not return home, relatives lodged a missing-persons report with the police and subsequently launched a search. It was while searching that the bodies of the teens were discovered. The discovery of the bodies sparked days of unrest in West Berbice.

Autopsies performed on the bodies of the teenagers showed that they both died from haemorrhage and shock due to multiple wounds.

Days after this, another teenager, Singh, was also murdered in what is believed to be a reprisal killing.

Ali then took a decision to request assistance from the Caribbean Commu-nity’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) and the Regional Security System (RSS) after dozens of ranks combed the backlands of No.  2 and   No. 3 villages, WCB and found nothing of “evidential” value for the investigation into the murders.

Earlier this week, Ali told the media that the RSS team that visited to aid in the investigation recommended additional work be done.

The police had announced that a second team were scheduled to arrive here from Argentina to assist with the probe.

In its statement, APNU+AFC yesterday claimed that it has recently received “credible” information that Ali has “refused” for the state to stand the cost for the team visit.

The cost for the visit, according to the coalition, amounts to approximately US$35,000.

“The ANPU+AFC coalition demands independent, international investigations into the killings of Isiah and Joel Henry and Haresh Singh and that the state does not withhold its duty-bound support in this regard,” the coalition said.

The claim prompted a response by the government, which said it has already promised a Commission of Inquiry into the killings and that the conduct of both Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and the APNU+AFC will be the subject of scrutiny.

Hog Island businessman attacked and robbed at Vreed-en-Hoop

A Hog Island, Essequibo River businessman was on Wednesday night attacked and robbed at Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara.

The Police in a statement yesterday said that they are investigating the armed robbery on Thakoor Singh, 55, a businessman of Eastern Hog Island  which occurred at  9.30 pm at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling.

The police say that he was robbed of one Blu cellphone with sim valued $8000 and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Source:

October 29 ,2020

Source

Any of you folk here visit the Backdam Board to start fights? If no one here is guilty of this why is it being done here by the Backdam group?

1.Could it be they have nothing to discuss over there?

2. Could it be their sole intent is to cause trouble and in so doing keep new posters away?

3. They lead boring lives?

It is time we use the ignore button and not encourage them, nor should anyone who prefer reading their crap, copy their post when replying, it is seen by others.....their negativity sucks.

Should they keep up with their nonsense then I feel that would be the time to lay down the hammer. Yes, a couple of them would lose their lifelines but dem are the breaks.