The Week-in-Review - August 16th to August 22th

Health

Ali announces US$60M more for COVID battle: President Irfaan Ali last week announced measures the government will take to handle the COVID-19 outbreak in the country and get the economy back on track and US$60 million more is being sourced to assist in these efforts. This announcement was made during a special address by the president where he spoke on the government’s COVID-19 response agenda and plans. During the broadcast, President Ali stated that the impact on Guyana’s economy following a total shutdown continues to be severe. The president stated that businesses across all sectors were adversely affected by the COVID-19 shutdown, according to reports conducted by the Small Business Bureau and the Private Sector Commission. He disclosed that over the last few weeks he has been in consultation with a number of key stakeholders in the business sector to come up with a national plan to tackle the pandemic. “What we have seen is a closure of small business enterprises, our economy declined by more than 4% at mid-year, contraction in business between 20% [and] 70%. The loss of jobs in some cases, reduced workforce significantly, reduced operations and output due to the implementation of rotation work schedules, and importantly, the loss of income has led to starvation in many communities,” the president said. The head of state acknowledged that his government is aware of the difficulties that those communities are facing and with the new “holistic plan”, the government is not only focusing on the health aspect but is also looking at measures that will recreate jobs and ensure that income is restored. “We are targeting measures that will recreate jobs, ensure income goes back to the people, improve spending in the economy, while at the same time securing our population with the implementation of good health scenarios,” Ali noted. Up to last Friday, Guyana had recorded 881 positive cases, with 31 deaths.

Politics & Governance

Row erupts as Lawrence reportedly not on APNU’s list of MPs: Selections of Parliamentarians from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) list of candidates appears to have devolved into a public power struggle within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). APNU party leader and representative of the list, former President David Granger compiled a list of parliamentarians which excludes several executives of the PNCR, including party chair Volda Lawrence as well as Basil Williams and Amna Ally. Attorney and PNCR member, James Bond, who has worked closely with Lawrence, confirmed to Stabroek News that the long-time parliamentarian had been informed that she would not be returning to the assembly. “Only David Granger can tell you the full list but I can confirm that Comrade Lawrence is not on the list,” he told this newspaper. Bond later went live on his Facebook page to bemoan “the poor leadership” of Granger and accuse him of betraying those most loyal to the party such as Lawrence. The exclusion by the PNCR of senior party officials from its list of parliamentarians is intended to pave the way for former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon to play the premier role in the House for APNU+AFC and to become Opposition Leader, analysts say. This gambit, analysts say, underlines the pivotal link between Granger and Harmon, which was evident from the day APNU+AFC entered office in 2015 and the latter was named Minister of State and seen as a likely successor to Granger. With Granger shunting aside top party leaders from the MPs list, analysts say it is left to be seen whether there is pushback to Granger and Harmon from the PNCR whose image has been battered by the failed five-month attempt to hand APNU+AFC a rigged victory at the March 2nd general elections. Last week, Harmon was co-opted by Granger into the Central Executive Committee of the PNCR, a harbinger of what was to follow this week with the shock exclusion of Lawrence from the list. Lawrence – seen as the most popular PNCR Leader in Georgetown and Region Four – had been elected to the second most important position in the party of PNCR Chair just under two years ago, defeating both Harmon and Williams in the process.

WPA quits APNU over ‘disrespectful’ treatment: Already reeling from the loss of the March 2nd elections, APNU was dealt another blow on Friday when the WPA pulled out of its partnership, citing the repeated violation of principles of coalition politics, including non-consultation on the list of MPs for Parliament but the party left open the prospect of reconciliation. On Wednesday, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) wrote to former President David Granger telling him that it was withdrawing as a member of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) due to repeated “violations of the principles governing coalition politics” by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the main component in the coalition. Up to press time, the party had received no response from APNU though it had left open the door for reconciliation. According to a letter made public by the WPA and signed by executive Tacuma Ogunseye, the PNCR has acted unilaterally since the coalition victory in 2015. Another executive member David Hinds told Stabroek News that no response had been received from APNU. “Decisions affecting the APNU have been made and continue to be made in the name of the constituent parties without consultations…we have had to live with PNC’s decisions being imposed on the rest of the APNU,” Ogunseye lamented, adding that these actions persist although the Coalition is now out of power. He went on to note that since the party is convinced that there will be no significant changes within the APNU they feel they can no longer remain a member of the coalition. “The time has come when the WPA is forced to draw a line in the sand and say that enough is enough,” he stressed. The main bone of contention appears to be the manner in which a WPA representative was selected to sit in the 12th National Assembly. It has been announced that WPA Chair and former minister of government Tabitha SaraboHalley would represent the party but according to Ogunseye the party learnt of this through media reports. The selection, the WPA stressed, was done without any engagement with it, denying the party an opportunity to determine who its representative should be.

PPP/C names 33 MPs, Datadin on but no Rohee, Chanderpal: The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) last week released the names of its 33 parliamentarians who will serve in the 12th Parliament, and along with the recently sworn in ministers of government are four new faces in attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin, GAWU executive Seepaul Narine, Dr Tandika Smith of Region Three, and Lee Gendre Hakkim Williams of Region Seven. Of note is the absence of a Minister of Finance and logic suggests that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo will hold the fort in this regard, pending the appointment of a substantive minister. Notably missing from the line-up were PPP veterans Clement Rohee and Indra Chandarpal, who had been parliamentarians for decades. Datadin has over 20 years’ legal experience both in Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda, and has provided services for the PPP/C in several of the elections cases. While Narine is a new face to the Parliament, he has been with the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) for many years and serves as its General Secretary. He has led the call for the reopening of shuttered sugar estates and has said that he would hold the government accountable to that promise. Narine, this newspaper understands, takes the place of deceased GAWU President Komal Chand in the National Assembly “to be a main voice for the sugar workers.” Dr Tandika Smith hails from Region Three and had been on the party’s list of candidates since 2015.

Christopher Jones’ arrest, seizure of property draws condemnation: Following his controversial arrest in the wee hours of Friday morning after police stormed into his home, former Director of Sports Christopher Jones condemned the operation as a coordinated political attack that he believes was aimed at embarrassing and intimidating not just him but the main opposition. Jones was subsequently released on $100,000 station bail by police, who seized equipment from his property as part of an investigation into the alleged simple larceny of barbershop equipment purchased under a government-funded project. Former president David Granger, who is the leader of Jones’ party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), denounced the actions of the police during the operation, which he dubbed a coordinated political attack as he called for an immediate investigation. The manner in which police carried out the operation, including the deployment of dozens of ranks, an attempt to execute a search without a warrant and their alleged disregard for a court order barring them from proceeding, sparked public outrage and condemnation as a stain on the new Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C administration.

Rodrigues-Birkett to be UN Ambassador, Robert Persaud named as Foreign Secretary: Three former ministers of government were last week appointed to key posts within the Foreign Service including Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as Ambassador the United Nations. In addition, Former Director General Audrey Waddell was returned to the Foreign Ministry as Permanent Secretary. A statement from Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, announced that Waddell who had been sent on leave in December would return to lead the Foreign Service. As part of a “organisational restructuring” of the Ministry in December, Granger has sent Waddell on leave pending reassignment and appointed career diplomat Charlene Phoenix to the newly created post of Permanent Secretary which replaced the designation of Director General. Todd has not explained what will happen to Phoenix’s appointment. Also appointed was a new Foreign Secretary in the person of Robert Persaud, the former Minister of Natural Resources in the Donald Ramotar administration. Persaud who went on a “political sabbatical” in 2015 returned to the scene during the later stages of the 2020 elections campaign. It is not clear what his duties are in the post which was created by the David Granger-led government after Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge was forced to resign. As Foreign Secretary, Greenidge entered an appearance as State Agent in the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice over the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. Greenidge has since been retained by the new administration to advise on border issues and specifically the ongoing case with Venezuela.

Hydropower

Amaila Falls hydro back on agenda – Jagdeo: The PPP/C’s flagship hydropower project at Amaila Falls, which was canned by the APNU+AFC administration back in late 2017, will be resuscitated, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo says even as the new government forges ahead with the construction of the Kato hydropower project as part of its future energy mix. “We are going to go back to hydro and an energy mix – hydro, wind, solar; all of them. Amaila would be part of that too,” Jagdeo told Stabroek News. “Not just Amaila but there are also some mini ones and we have to review if they are feasible,” he added. The 165 MW, US$858.1m Amaila Falls Hydropower Plan (AFHP) had been the flagship project of the PPP/C government when it was in power pre-2015. But while in opposition, both A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) had had deep reservations about it over cost, feasibility and other matters. This opposition to the project had resulted in the main investor, Sithe Global pulling out of the Region Eight project on August 9, 2013. APNU and AFC had a one-seat majority in the 2011 Parliament and were therefore able to successfully oppose the project.

Oil & Gas

EPA to file historic lawsuit against Exxon over fines: ExxonMobil’s refusal to pay two fines to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will see the oil major for the first time being taken to court by the agency which sounded a warning that it will not be intimidated. “I want to say that the EPA is rather dumbfounded and disappointed that EEPGL (ExxonMobil’s subsidiary) has taken this belligerent position to not comply with the laws of Guyana in paying this fine, especially after so many recurrences of the same incident,” Director of the EPA Dr. Vincent Adams told Stabroek News in an interview, when asked for an update on the matter. “This is a paltry US$500 or $100,000. They have had six of these in similar incidents in the past twelve months. We had given them the opportunity to correct this after the third incident. They had incidents in each of the March, April and May months but only paid the fine for March. So it boggles me why they are challenging the ones for April and May,” he added. Questioned on what is the next step for the agency, Adams announced that it was in the process

of preparing documents to take the company to the local courts to retrieve the sums owed. “We have already started taking legal action against them and are in the process of finishing up the documents,” he declared. “I want to say here too that no company, regardless of how big they are, are above the law of Guyana. Yes they may be a super major, may have a battery of international lawyers as their representatives, but lawyers don’t trump the law and justice, and this is global. The law is the law. We are confident that we are in the right and not concerned about highpowered lawyers and legal team,” he stressed. Contacted by the Stabroek News, the company said that it was a minor spill and caused no environmental impact and that it was still looking at this country’s laws to determine if it should pay.

Crime

Suspected remains of missing Canadian citizen found at Moleson Creek: Burnt remains suspected to be of Canadian citizen, Nicholas Ramkissoon Jaipaul, who was reported missing last week were discovered in Moleson Creek, Upper Corentyne. As of Thursday afternoon, police had the alleged mastermind in custody. Also held were the prime suspect, his brother and his mother, who worked with the deceased’s grandfather as a domestic worker. In addition, the police also took into custody, another female – a domestic worker, who worked with the grandfather for over ten years. She was arrested with the prime suspect’s mother in the initial stages of the investigation. A senior police source yesterday told Stabroek News that the prime suspect, who led police to the area where the remains were, in his confession statement alleged that he was hired by a Corentyne rice farmer to kidnap Jaipaul in an effort to lure Jaipaul’s grandfather to an area with a ransom of $50 million, where he would then kill the two men.

Probe underway of alleged pyramid scheme: The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has detained two persons for the alleged operation of a “pyramid” scheme while a newly formed high-level team seeks to adopt a multi-sector approach with a view, of reimbursing monies to the persons who “invested” with The Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI). Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed to Stabroek News that Ateeka Ishmael and Yuri Garcia Dominguez were detained by ranks from the fraud unit just after 6 pm last evening and were up to press time still in custody at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where they are assisting with the investigation. According to a release from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, approximately 17,000 Guyanese have lost hundreds of millions of dollars after investing with the unlicensed company. Nandlall explained that after making a post about the company on Facebook he received hundreds of message from members of the public and reached out to the Guyana Securities Council (GSC) for an explanation of the operation of the company.

Inmate fatally chopped at Lusignan Prison: A remanded prisoner succumbed last week after he was brutally chopped during an altercation with four other inmates at the Lusignan Prison and the suspects have since been identified. Dead is Shawn Peters, 40. He was admitted to prison on August 3rd after he was charged with simple larceny. Peters sustained chops about his body including his head, chest, hands and feet. He was taken to the prison medical outpost where he was examined and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). There, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Peters succumbed to his injuries around on August 18th. Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels confirmed the incident which occurred around 10.50 pm on Monday. Samuels said that the suspects were identified with the aid of CCTV footage.

In the courts

Broomes and bodyguard charged with assault, threats to PPP/C councillor: Former government minister Simona Broomes and her driver/bodyguard were released on their own recognisance last week after they were charged with several offences stemming from a confrontation they had earlier this month with a PPP/C city councillor. Broomes and Dexter Austin appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Two. They were both charged for using threatening language towards and assaulting city councillor Dion Younge. They were also accused of causing terror. Austin faced an additional charge of discharging a loaded firearm within 100 yards of a public space. Both Broomes and Austin pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were represented by attorney Nigel Hughes. The matter was adjourned until August 31st, when it will be called again in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Three.

Business

Business magnate Toolsie Persaud passes away: Timber and hardware businessman Toolsie Persaud died on Friday and he was remembered as a pioneer and industrialist whose massive contribution aided in the development of Guyana. The Crabwood Creek, Corentyne-born Persaud and Chairman of Toolsie Persaud Limited, who was 93, was cremated the same day. His family said his passing was sudden although he had being unwell for several months.

United Nations process headed by a Good Officer since 1994. There have been several Good Officers appointed by the Secretary General and I have been Guyana’s facilitator until the process ended in 2018,” he explained, before adding that he remained on the ministerial advisory board under the direction of then Foreign Secretary Carl Greenidge until a few weeks ago when the last administration left office.

Sunday Stabroek was unable to make contact with Shuman but Josh Khanhai of TNM supported Ramkarran’s argument.

According to Khanhai, his understanding of the appointments is that they are personal in nature.

“The appointment is for Lenox Shuman, not LJP, and for Ralph Ramkarran, not ANUG. They are the faces of their party but they are not the party,” he said.

He argued that this was a sign of the inclusiveness of the new government.

Asked if anyone from his party has been offered a similar position he said he was not aware of any such offer.

Khanhai went on to note that for him the post of advisor is not that of a “yes man” but rather to give advice based on experience and skillset.