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AFC can become next Gov’t with or without Coalition – Nigel Hughes Sep 21, 2024 News Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes Kaieteur News – Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Nigel Hughes on Friday said he is confident in the party’s ability to overthrow the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) at the next Regional and General Elections, scheduled for 2025. The PPP emerged victorious in the 2020 elections and returned to govern the country, following 23 years in office. Prior to its election, it was the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU/AFC) Coalition that governed between 2015 and 2020. During a media conference, the Leader was asked what weight he was placing on the Hinterland community to either create a minority government or outperform the PPP. To this end, the Attorney-at-Law pointed out, “The Alliance For Change is a political entity, as far as I know, has never aimed for second best. They may end up with second best but it’s never aimed for second best so we are not aiming for a minority government.” He continued, “We believe that this is a different dispensation in Guyana and we believe we have as equal an opportunity as anybody else at the end of the campaign of forming a government. Whether we do that alone, whether we do that in some other combination we believe we can do that.” As such, he said the party was not concentrating on the Hinterland because it is aiming to create a minority government but simply owing to the fact that this Region has been “badly treated”. When he was asked if the Indigenous community would be more instrumental in a victory for the AFC, Hughes said it was fictitious. According to him, “Every single citizen, every single ethnicity, every single class, every single person whether abled or challenged, all of them, they are all important to us.” Since Nigel Hughes was elected Leader of the AFC, the party has redoubled efforts in highlighting the plight of Indigenous communities. In fact, former rights activist, Laura George, who was a member of the Non-Governmental Organization, Amerindian Peoples’ Affairs (APA) resigned to team up with the AFC. George now uses her platform to highlight the difficulties encountered by Amerindians in their daily life while also lobbying for key governance shifts in those communities. The AFC, founded in 2005, contested its first National Elections in 2006 where it copped five seats in the National Assembly. In the 2011 elections, the party’s votes increased, securing seven seats in Parliament. Prior to the 2015 Elections, the AFC formed a Coalition the APNU where the group defeated the PPP, winning 33 seats in total. Over the years, the APNU and AFC have had differences causing the parties to part ways, following a seven-year union.  The two parties have not yet decided whether they will contest the next elections as a Coalition. Related Similar Articles

No breach of constitutional rights committed during search of ‘Melly Mel’s’ relatives’ home – Principal Legal Adviser Sep 21, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The office of the Attorney General has firmly rejected allegations of constitutional rights violations committed against the relatives of social media activist Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell. Social media activist, Melissa ‘Melly Mel’ Atwell. A battery of lawyers have written to the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken seeking answers on the legal basis for searching the home of Atwell’s relatives located at Lot 86 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara, earlier this week. Police have come under heavy criticism for the search during which nothing illegal was found at the house. Opposition political parties have deemed the search illegal and said it was aimed at intimidating and harassing Atwell who is a vocal critic of the PPP/C administration. Titled “Trespass and Violation of Constitutional Rights of Ms. Debbie Tyson and Ms. Josephine Tyson”, the letter was signed by lawyers: Roysdale Forde S.C., Nigel Hughes, Joseph Harmon, Eusi Anderson, Dr. Dexter Todd, Narissa Leander, Iyanna Butts, and Darren Wade. Ms. Atwell is a well-known human rights activist who has been using her social media platform to advocate against widespread cases of alleged corruption within the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force. In their letter, lawyers for Atwell’s relatives said their clients have also instructed them that ranks of the Guyana Police Force, during the “unlawful search, conducted themselves in a manner amounting to a violation of Article 141 of the Constitution, which provides protection from inhuman or degrading treatment.” In a letter responding to the allegations, Principal Legal Adviser Ronetta Sargent attached to the Attorney General (AG) Chambers denied the allegations. She instead claimed that a magistrate at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court issued a search warrant based on reasonable grounds for suspecting an offence against the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substance Control Act. She emphasized that the police had reason to believe that evidence of the commission of an offence could be found at the premises. In the letter, Sargent explained, “We are instructed that the members of Guyana Police Force who conducted the search on 17th September, between 16:00 hours and 16:50hrs, did so in scrupulous compliance with the laws and the constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.” “In fact, in conclusion of the exercise, the person who identified herself as Debbie and appeared to be the main occupant of the premises was specifically asked by the lead Police Officer whether she was satisfied with the conduct of the officers during the search and she replied in the affirmative.” According to the Principal Legal Adviser, “This conversation and almost the entirety of the execution of the warrant were video-taped. An original copy of the said search warrant was left with person who identified herself as the main occupant of the premises.” Sargent said that an original copy of the search warrant was left with Debbie [Atwell’s mother] for reference. A copy of the search warrant served on ‘Melly Mel’s’ relatives The Principal Legal Adviser reassured that the police had no prior knowledge of “Debbie” or her connections, stressing that such information would have been immaterial to the case at hand. Sargent reaffirmed the Guyana Police Force’s commitment to performing its statutory duties without fear or favour, ensuring compliance with the law and the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. “In the circumstances each and every allegation of violation of the law the constitutional rights of your clients and breach of the constitution itself is strenuously denied and emphatically rejected. Additionally, every ulterior illicit and improper motive which has been ascribed to members of the Guyana Police Force in respect to this matter is similarly denied and rejected,” the letter from the AG’s Chambers added. Additionally, the missive stated that investigations regarding the matter are ongoing and therefore any potential legal actions taken against the police would be robustly defended. Related Similar Articles

Miners complain of severe financial loss due to incomplete Ekereku airstrip Sep 21, 2024 News The incomplete Ekereku Bottom airstrip …Contractor assures completion set for November Kaieteur News – Two years after the Orlando Charles Foundation was awarded the $308,034,237 contract for the Ekereku Bottom airstrip, miners from the Ekereku mining district have complained of the incomplete works on the airstrip, which has resulted in financial losses, and a halt of their work. The Ekereku Bottom airstrip located in Region Seven, is said to be the main airstrip for miners. Due to that fact and given that planes were unable to land at the location, the miners are facing several challenges. The miners who requested anonymity due to fear of victimisation told Kaieteur News that because they are unable to use the incomplete airstrip they are forced to use Blakes Slater’s Airstrip (BSA). This airstrip is reportedly farther and increases their cost. The frustrated miners said that they spend more money on diesel. “Well, the fact that we have to use the BSA airstrip and you know to take up our food and other supplies we have to buy boats to come back down the river to our location there, and that’s an increase of cost in everything,” a miner explained. Further, the miner explained that boats are not always accessible, and often time miners would have to wait days before being able to get to specific locations. “The airstrip is down for almost two years, and this has caused tremendous hardship for miners,” the miner said adding, “It has halted a lot of mining activities because people cannot afford to use the other airstrips to come down.” Kaieteur News understands that as a result of the incomplete airstrip at Ekereku, several small-scale miners have left the area. Similarly, another miner told Kaieteur News there needs to be an urgent solution to the problems they are facing as a result of the incomplete airstrip. “…We need to put an operation down in the back there, where planes used to come and land and we had it easier, now we have to use   Correia airstrip (BSA), which is far away….so it’s difficult,” the man related. The miner stressed, “This thing is really affecting we … this airstrip it’s a big problem. It has affected me financially a lot because I can’t get to do no work.” The frustrated miner said it is difficult to understand why the contractor has been unable to complete the airstrip. “This year it will be two years and they can’t finish the main airstrip in Ekereku ..and we right now we struggling because of this airstrip,” the miner told Kaieteur News. Another miner ventilated his frustration about the situation. He said, “For the past two years I ain’t hear nothing about it, i don’t know what is happening with that contract there…. Something has to be done because this thing is very very costly for us.” Clarity on issue  Contact was made with the contractor, Orlando Charles who briefly said that the airstrip will be completed by November. “No, no, I can’t comment …the airstrip is due to complete November this month. The work is ongoing on it and it will be completed (by) November,” Charles told Kaieteur News. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill in an interview with this publication stated that the contract period has expired, and that the airstrip is incomplete. Notwithstanding, the minister said that the project team recently met with the contractor who committed to having the Ekeruru Bottom airstrip project completed by the end of November. “There are a number of challenges, that have led to the delays,” the Minister pointed out. Minister Edghill assured that “We understand the seriousness, the urgency which people will like to have the airstrip completed and it’s with that in mind that we have engaged Mr. Charles recently to get the matter resolved.” Related Similar Articles

Man sentenced to three years in prison for severely chopping fellow taxi driver Sep 21, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Kaieteur News – A 33-year-old driver was on Friday sentenced to three years in prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for severely wounding a taxi driver. Andrey Baired, also known as ‘Dog Face,’ from Lot ‘P’ Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Charles De Jonge by using a cutlass to chop his right arm, with the intent to harm, disfigure, disable, or cause grievous bodily harm. The incident occurred on May 21, 2023, at the intersection of Brickdam Road and Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. Baired was arrested on September 18, 2024, and subsequently charged with the grievous offense. During the court proceedings, Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty read the charge to Baired, who pleaded guilty with an explanation. He recounted to the court that De Jonge on May 20, 2023 had attacked him first by punching him to his face. He stated, “This guy (De Jonge) walked past all the cars and reached my car. I was in my seat at the time, and he held me up and start punch me all over. He loosened me, pulled a knife, and jook me.” Seeking revenge, Baired returned to the same location the  following day. He told the court, “When I spotted De Jonge in his car, I ended up dealing him a chop to his right arm with a cutlass from my car trunk, and I fled the scene… I had the cutlass waiting for him,” he admitted. Magistrate McGusty then allowed De Jonge to present his side of the story. De Jonge explained that he had been working as a taxi driver in the area for years and had noticed that new drivers were not following the usual procedures, taking advantage of other taxi drivers. Out of frustration, he approached Baired and punched him twice in the face. He added, “Later that day, I saw Andrey, and two police approached me. I went to the outpost (in Stabroek) where I was granted station bail, and the matter was dealt with.” On the following day, while driving and waiting for traffic to ease at the junction of Cornhill Street and Brickdam Road, De Jonge placed his right arm on the car window and his left hand on the steering wheel. He was paying attention to the road when he felt like something stung him on his right arm. He recounted, “I felt my hand pounding; when I took a look, I saw my hand fall, and I saw my bone. I then saw Andrey with a cutlass; he was running.” He further stated, “I went to the hospital (Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation), and the doctor told me I won’t be able to use my hand; however, I saw much improvement.” After considering both sides of the argument, Magistrate McGusty determined that Baired was in the wrong due to the premeditated nature of the attack. Acknowledging that Baired did not waste the court’s time by admitting to the charge, he was sentenced to three years in prison. Related Similar Articles

Issano Village to get $63M nursery school Sep 21, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The government of Guyana through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will be constructing a $63 million nursery school at Issano Village located in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni area, Region Seven. The project was opened at the recent reading of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and there it was revealed that 20 contractors have applied for the contract and bid below the engineer’s $63,437,193 figure. Kaieteur News understands that the request for a nursery school in the community was raised with President Irfaan Ali during a visit back in May. At that time, the Head of State promised the residents that that issue among others raised would be addressed. Below are the companies and their bids: Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development Extension of Potaro Primary. Bidder Amount Tendered JR Civil Works $49,664,324 G&F Construction & Furniture Supplies $48,569,153 Eon’s Construction & Supply Services $52,074,055 Z&B Construction & Supplies Company $51,307,251 Rahaman Construction & Transportation Services $49,385,458 Forever Construction $48,136,301 Kanhai’s Engineering $50,932,749 M&M Trading $52,824,666 VG Group Guyana Inc. $51,762,506 Elliott’s Construction & Supplies $46,791,494 Builders First Choice Construction Company $50,637,398 LF Global $51,744,531 K Whyte Construction $53,164,943 Radon Construction $52,110,000 Armo Construction, General Services & Supply $47,108,823 Star Imports & Trading $51,279,612 B&S Contracting Service $49,678,349 Engineer’s Estimate $55,145,704 Construction of Teacher’s Living Quarters at Kurupung. Bidder Amount Tendered D&S General Contracting Service $31,542,762 Jeeto’s Construction $33,994,616 LS Contracting Services $30,116,631 Dayclean Shop Supply & Service $27,997,786 M White Construction $30,992,476 VG Group Guyana Inc. $41,575,619 Armo Construction, General Services & Supply $32,499,307 B&S Contracting Services $29,302,888 Randon Construction $35,500,000 Elliott’s Construction & Supplies $32,595,630 JR Civil Works $34,159,211 Andrect Engineering & Construction $32,760,762 Eon’s Construction & Supply Services $30,351,394 Engineer’s Estimate $35,502,907 Construction of Nursery School at Issano. Bidder Amount Tendered Z&B Construction & Supplies Company $59,330,136 KLM Construction $53,939,324 Dayclean Shop & Supply Services $53,271,603 Triple A&J Halal Meat Centre $58,874,829 VG Group Guyana Inc. $45,795,530 Forever Construction $56,854,314 LS Contracting Services $56,256,750 K Whyte Construction $58,853,320 Kanhai’s Engineering $54,636,542 Andrect Engineering $58,871,573 Charles Smith Construction $54,018,006 Rahaman Construction & Transportation Services $57,964,200 Eon’s Construction & Supply Services $59,330,136 Jeeto’s Construction $58,976,000 B&S Contracting Service $51,998,271 Elliott’s Construction & Supplies $53,590,885 Armo Construction, General Services & Supply $54,936,461 JR Civil Works $56,226,338 Star Imports & Trading $59,365,464 Builders First Choice Construction Company Inc. $59,032,610 Engineer’s Estimate $63,437,193 Construction of Living Quarters at Kangaruma. Bidder Amount Tendered W&M Contracting $33,190,000 D&S General Contracting Services $32,411,933 B&S Contracting Service $29,302,888 Elliott’s Construction & Supplies $31,675,585 Radon Construction $35,500,000 Andrect Engineering $31,511,933 VG Group Guyana Inc. – R Moe Construction General Services – M White Construction $30,992,496 Dayclean Shop Supply & Service $28,634,797 LS Contracting Services $29,126,000 Triple A&J Halal Meat Centre $33,874,758 KLM Construction $30,385,502 Eon’s Construction & Supply Services $30,519,958 Engineer’s Estimate $34,501,708 Construction of Teacher’s Living Quarter at Wayalayeng. Bidder Amount Tendered LS Contracting Services $20,092,750 Prored Resources $23,900,000 KLM Construction $23,011,650 Andrect Engineering & Construction $22,653,750 Eon’s construction & Supplies Services $21,193,490 V&S General Contracting Services $23,553,750 M White Construction $21,161,550 Clinton Issacs and Sons Contracting Services $18,587,208 VG Group Guyana Inc. $16,494,380 Radon Construction $25,800,000 W&M Contracting $25,798,000 Engineer’s Estimate $25,754,100 Extension of Wallaba Primary School. Bidder Amount Tendered Bree’s Enterprise $27,033,330 Engineer’s Estimate $27,121,380 Ministry of Home Affairs Procurement of Ambulance Drugs & Medical Supplies-Guyana Fire Service. Bidder Amount Tendered Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. $8,724,294 ABD Medicare Investment Inc. $8,515,824 New GPC Inc. $12,760,927 New Doctors Clinic $23,149,740 Procurement of Industrial Gas Stove & Equipment. Bidder Amount Tendered Elle’s Trading & Hardware $10,768,100 Supergraphics $4,916,604 Related Similar Articles

Alleged motorcycle thief remanded Sep 21, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Remanded: Floyd Azore Kaieteur News – A 19-year-old Mason was on Wednesday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in relation to bike theft. Floyd Azore of Lot 89 Laing Avenue, Georgetown is accused of stealing a Jailing motorcycle valued $275,000 from Brad Farhun, on September 16, 2024, at Russell Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Azore is no stranger to the law. Police reported that he is wanted in Region 4B Division for similar offences. They stated that he has a habit of stealing motorcycles. Azore appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, who read the charge to him.  He pleaded not guilty. According to the facts presented in court, around 08:25 hrs on the day in question, Farhun had parked his motorcycle securely in front of his home before going inside for about three minutes. Upon returning, he discovered that the motorcycle was missing. He made checks about his home and around the area but could not find it. Later that day around 14:00hrs, Azore was spotted riding Farhun’s motorcycle with another male. When Azore and his colleague noticed the police, they attempted to flee, but Azore was apprehended while the other male escaped, leaving the motorcycle behind. At the Rumvieldt Police Station, Azore reportedly admitted to the theft, claiming he and the other male had stolen the motorcycle. During the court proceedings, the prosecution objected to bail, citing Azore’s prior offenses and his attempt to evade police capture. Azore, however, denied the charge, stating, “The bike was not in my possession, I was at the back of it.” Azore was remanded to prison and is scheduled to return to court on October 9, 2024, for further statements. Related Similar Articles

Guyana’s electricity demand has reached 205 MW over the past three months – PM Sep 21, 2024 News Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips DPI – The government is actively monitoring the increasing demand for electricity and implementing measures to accommodate the country’s growing power needs. According to Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, the peak electricity demand has risen in recent months. He made the announcement on Thursday evening, during the Amcham Energy Mixer at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. “Around three or two months ago in a meeting, they [Guyana Power and Light Inc] told us that the peak demand for electricity was somewhere around 188 and 189 megawatts. And yesterday they told us that the peak is now around 205 megawatts,” the prime minister stated. Earlier in the year, the government procured an additional 36 megawatts of electricity from a power ship from a Turkish company to boost supply. However, with the continued rise in demand, more resources are being considered to ensure adequate power supply. “We are now engaging other contractors for 60 additional megawatts before the end of the year. We have to do this in the short term as we wait anxiously on the gas-to-energy project that will bring us to 300 megawatts, which will put all of us in a good position,” Prime Minister Phillips stressed. Prime Minister Phillips also underscored that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is the only administration to have made such a large-scale project a reality. “The optimists are in power today. Guyana is lucky because the gas-to-energy project will be completed by this government,” Prime Minister Phillips asserted. With the first phase of the project nearing completion, the government is preparing to focus on the second phase. The prime minister stated that the savings from this initiative would be used to bridge the energy gap between the hinterland and the coastland. Furthermore, the government intends to market gas and energy across the Caribbean. Prime Minister Phillips engages with members of the private sector community Reflecting on past energy initiatives, Phillips noted that if Guyanese had embraced the PPP/C Government’s optimism earlier, the country would have benefited from 165 megawatts of additional electricity since 2017. With the rise of new schools, hospitals, hotels, and increasing demand in the housing sector, the government is implementing strategies to facilitate the increase in energy. Related Similar Articles