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Election fraud trial put on hold as magistrate falls sick Aug 07, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – The Prosecution and Defence teams for the election fraud case were informed by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Tuesday that the trial will be further adjourned to mid-September. The election fraud trial, which commenced last week and was briefly adjourned after three days, will resume on September 17, 2024 due to the presiding magistrate’s illness. Originally, the case was set to resume on Monday, but the Prosecution and Defence teams were notified over the weekend of the magistrate’s health issue. The new plan was to restart proceedings on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. However, one of the defendant’s lawyers informed this publication that Magistrate Daly remains ill and will be on sick leave for the next 30 days. So far in the trial, only two prosecution witnesses have testified, with one still incomplete. During the last court session on July 31, Attorney-at-law Darshan Ramdhani KC, who is the lead prosecutor in the election fraud case, raised concerns about the court’s omission of what he described as ‘credible evidence’ from witnesses. The prosecutor requested that witnesses should retake the stand to reaffirm their statements, allowing the prosecution to demonstrate why these omitted statements are credible and relevant to the case. The Defence attorneys Darren Wayne, Eusi Anderson and Ronald Daniels objected Ramdhani statements, suggesting a potential conflict of interest between the prosecutor and the witnesses. They also added that other defence attorneys should make submissions regarding Ramdhani’s requests before a decision is made.  After the back-and-forth arguments between both sides, Magistrate Daly indicated she needs time to consider the matters, hence the matter was adjourned to August 5, 2024. The trial involves nine defendants facing 19 conspiracy charges, including former GECOM Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield, former District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, former Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers, former Health Minister Volda Lawrence, APNU+AFC Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith Joseph, and former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Liven, Michelle Miller, and Denise Babb-Cummings. The charge alleges that Lowenfield, Mingo, and Myers, between March 2 and August 2, 2020, conspired with Lawrence, Joseph, February, Liven, Cummings, Miller, and others to defraud the electors of Guyana by presenting false votes from the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections. Related Similar Articles

US$165,000 invested in drones, laptops for rice farmers  Aug 07, 2024 News Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha along with other representatives Kaieteur  News – Rice farmers across the country will soon benefit from free drone technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture through the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) hosted a closing ceremony for its Enhancing Precision Farming Practices in Rice Production for Guyana’s Small Farmers Using Drone Technology Programme. The groundbreaking initiative, which was piloted in Regions Two, Three, and Six, and subsequently introduced in Region Five, seeks to introduce drone technology and GIS mapping to improve rice production and build capacity in the rice industry, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a press release. It is a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the People’s Republic of China, and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). Through financial and technical support under the FAO – China South-South Cooperation project and a Regional E-Agriculture project, some US$165,000 was invested to procure five advanced crop management drones and laptops. Extension and technical officers from the GRDB also benefited from drone pilots and data analysts’ training. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, while delivering the feature address, said that the programme is part of the transformative power of technology in revolutionizing Guyana’s rice cultivation sector. “This project, a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the FAO, China, and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), is a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering our farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity. Rice yield has moved from 5.9 tons/ha in 2019 to 6.6 tons/ha in the first crop of 2024. The project’s impact has been far-reaching. We have trained skilled drone pilots and data analysts, who are now at the forefront of agricultural innovation,” he said. The minister also noted that by introducing drone technology and GIS, farmers will be equipped with invaluable tools to optimize their operations and even further maximize yields. He also said that the services will be made available to farmers free of cost. Minister Mustapha also said that by 2025, the rice production is projected to be 741,054 MT. adding that as of June 2024, Guyana recorded some 362,030 mt and is on target to produce 710,004 mt by the end of 2024. FAO’s Country Representative in Guyana, Dr. Gillian Smith noted that there are lots of benefits to be found in using drones and GIS technology. “This is a project that was implemented for many countries for digital transformation and innovation in agriculture. Because of how quickly this project moved forward in Guyana, we ended up with a project budget of just over 165,000 USD. This project is bringing one form of technology to the rice sector. There are a lot of drones and people can fly drones. The very basic thing that the drone can do is give you an aerial view of what you have. What we’ve found through this experience with GRDB and the farmers is that very quickly, and with some support from technicians from China, far more can be done. As of today, as a sign of commitment to the initiative that you have shown, we’ve been able to hand over four of the most advanced crop monitoring drones available on the market today and three high-spec. laptops that will be used for the processing of data,” Dr. Smith explained. Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese embassy in Guyana, Rui Huang said that the deployment of drone technology will allow crop yields to increase significantly. “This project has been a significant milestone by integrating drone technology into rice cultivation and upgrading sustainable farming in Guyana. With the deployment of drone technology, crop yields have increased significantly. This project has showcased the infinite potential of precision farming and has contributed to Guyana’s goal of reducing its food import by 25% by 2025 under the CARICOM Food System Agenda,” Mr. Huang noted. Through the GIS technology, a more proactive approach to rice production will be taken as it allows the GRDB to document, analyze, and share critical data necessary to estimate losses as part of the government’s Flood Risk management efforts. Farmers will also be able to receive data to assist them with good crop husbandry practices such as effective land preparation, and plant health. Senior Extension Officer attached to the GRDB, Dahasrat Narin said that the GRDB was able to map all the rice growing areas in the country, identifying the various varieties being cultivated by farmers in various areas, as well as the stage of the crop. The GRDB utilized its Farmer’s Field School programme to engage farmers and build awareness for the project. With the success of this pilot programme, Guyana is poised to revolutionize rice farming through the power of technology. Related Similar Articles

Bartica businessman, stallholder arrested for cocaine, marijuana possession Aug 07, 2024 News The cocaine, cash and lighters found at the businessman’s home Kaieteur News – A businessman and a stallholder of Bartica, Region Seven were arrested on Monday after police ranks found cocaine and marijuana in their possession. Police identified the businessman as 27-year-old, Edwin Myles better known as Junior. Ranks reportedly searched his Fifth Avenue, Bartica home and found a transparent plastic bag with 24 grams of cocaine on top of a wardrobe in a bedroom. Myles, according to police, said that he owned the drugs. Investigators suspect that Myles could be selling the cocaine.  They confiscated some $30,000 in cash that they believe might be proceeds from the sale of cocaine.  Ziploc bags and lighters were also found in his home. Police arrested Myles and took him down to the Bartica Police Station for further questioning. The marijuana found hidden in a stall at the Bartica Market. Later that day, ranks also searched the market stall of Neon Cole, a 27- year-old vendor of Fifth Street, Bartica and found nine grams of marijuana hidden there. He too was arrested for questioning. Related Similar Articles

Ganja farm in Berbice River destroyed Aug 07, 2024 News The ganja farm going up in flames Kaieteur News – Region Ten police have recently destroyed a ganja farm between Wiruni and St. Lust, Berbice River. Stopping short from saying when the farm was destroyed, police said that it encompassed three acres of land with over 12,500 plants. The farm also had a nursery with 25,000 more plants. One hundred and forty pounds of dried marijuana were also found. Police estimated the total value of the farm to be over $3 million. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Two arrested for illegal gun Aug 07, 2024 News The car they were travelling in Kaieteur News – Police ranks during the wee hours of Tuesday arrested two men in the vicinity of Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge, Linden, Region Ten after one of them was found with an illegal gun. The gun found in Glasgow’s pants crotch. According to police, the ranks were on mobile patrol when they stopped a White Toyota Premio motorcar, PNN 5981, around 03:30 hrs. The ranks told the driver, Devontea Tappin a 21-year-old labourer of Andyville, Wismar and a passenger, 19-year-old Devon Glasgow of West Watooka, Linden that they want to search the car. In police custody, Devon Glasgow They were ordered to step out of the vehicle with their belongings but Glasgow reportedly started behaving disorderly. One of the ranks warned Glasgow about his behaviour and decided to search him. Inside his pants crotch, the policeman found a gun. Police cautioned him about the illegal firearm but he remained silent. He and the driver were both arrested and taken into custody. Related Similar Articles

$46M Health Centre Commissioned at Lakeville, Region 5 Aug 07, 2024 News Lakeville Health Centre Kaieteur News – Aiming to enhance healthcare services for residents of De Hoop and neighbouring villages in Mahaica-Berbice, the Ministry of Health on Monday commissioned a new $46-million health centre in Lakeville, Region 5. The commissioning ceremony was led by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag. Also present were Vickchand Ramphal, Regional Chairman of Region Five; Faisal Jaffarally, Member of Parliament; Dr. Theresa Sarju, Regional Health Officer; Lakeram Marian Doner of the land, and local residents. Kaieteur News understands that the new health centre is fully equipped with medical supplies and equipment to cater to approximately 1,200 residents. According to a Ministry of Health press release at the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Anthony said the opening of the centre is part of the government’s initiative to provide better healthcare and other services to improve lives of all Guyanese. Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony during commission ceremony Dr. Anthony highlighted that the Health Ministry is training medical personnel within communities to serve in their respective Region. “These programmes are here for people to enrol. We have many programmes available, but we need people to come forward and be trained,” he said. Meanwhile, Minister Parag announced that while the infrastructure is crucial, the quality of service provided by the healthcare professionals is equally important. “While the necessary infrastructure is here, the service delivery is equally important,” she noted. Related Similar Articles

Campbellville Secondary to get new $143M teaching block Aug 07, 2024 News Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and her team alongside representatives of the contracted firm at the sod turning exercise on Tuesday. Kaieteur News – To address the overcrowding at the New Campbellville Secondary School in Georgetown, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday turned the sod to commence the construction of a new teaching block for the institution. Kaieteur News understands that the annex will be constructed by Kaiveri Procurement Logistics & Investment Inc., who was awarded the $143,921,712 contract by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on June 14, 2024. According to information provided by the Education Ministry, the project is expected to be completed within 11 months. The new teaching block is said to feature eight classrooms, two sanitary blocks, and a staff room, providing modern facilities that will enhance the learning environment for both students and staff. It was reported that the project underscores the Ministry of Education’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure across the country. This year, the ministry was allocated approximately $74.4 billion from the national budget to roll out its agenda. Noting the importance of this structure, the Minister on Tuesday commented, “We are thrilled about this development…It represents a significant step forward in our efforts to provide high-quality education and better facilities for our students and teachers.” Plans to have an extension at school were announced back in May by the minister during a press conference. It was raised with the minister at the time that Grade Eight students of Campbellville Secondary were attending half-day classes for some months. “That might very well be an overcrowding issue that arose out of lack of space in the Georgetown education district,” she explained. It was reported that city schools such as the St. George’s High School, North Ruimveldt and Christ Secondary were gutted by fires which saw the students and teachers being accommodating in various schools. “With six schools down, we had overcrowding and rotation had to happen in some schools which is not in the most desirable place to be but what had to happen in the absence of space in classrooms,” she said at the time. Related Similar Articles