Guyana News

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Lindo Creek massacre was embarrassingly halted today even before it could get started as the Commission was uncertain of the appearance of scheduled witnesses.

A Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown resident who is suspected to be the mastermind behind a spate of carjackings, is being sought, the police said today in a statement.

Just weeks after they were shuttered, the Skeldon and Enmore estates will be reopened by the end of March and some cane cutters re-employed to demonstrate to potential buyers that the estates are viable and as such can be sold as going concerns, sources say.

Despite noting that there is “no prospect” at this time for a review of the controversial Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the government and a subsidiary of oil giant, ExxonMobil, President David Granger said yesterday that the matter is engaging the attention of Cabinet “These matters are before Cabinet and it depends on what determination Cabinet arrives at but the contract is an agreement between two parties and these things have to be approached very carefully.

Devon Griffith, called ‘Two Kicks’, 30, of Hope-town Village, West Coast Berbice yesterday  pleaded guilty to killing his aunt Vaulda Britton in the course of, or furtherance of a sexual offence of rape and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

A father of one died yesterday afternoon after the concrete wall of a bathroom which is currently under renovation crashed down on him at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

As the police probe into a major carjacking ring widens, another  two persons were on Tuesday evening arrested and four other suspected stolen vehicles were seized at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

A second man was yesterday charged in relation to the alleged trafficking of 20.6 pounds of cocaine, which was found in frozen fish by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

A Canal Number Two Polder farmer, who was charged with aiding an attempt to traffic over 100 pounds of cocaine, and offering a bribe of almost $1.5 million to a Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) officer for his release, was yesterday sentenced to three years in jail.

A 77-year-old taxi driver was yesterday granted $200,000 bail, after he was charged with causing the death of a vagrant by dangerous driving.

Two elderly woman are now homeless after an early morning fire, suspected to be an act of arson destroyed their D’Urban Street, Lodge home.

A technician working with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) was yesterday hospitalised as a result of almost being shocked after coming into contact with a transformer belonging to the Guyana Power and Light Company.

In keeping with government’s commitment to ensuring that the judicial system has the full complement of legal officers, magistrates and judges, Senior Counsel Rafiq Khan was yesterday sworn in as a temporary Appellate Judge by President David Granger.

Three persons including a female outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri were last evening arrested after a quantity of suspected cocaine was found concealed in her handbag.

Representatives of insurance companies on Tuesday dismissed a claim by the opposition People’s Progressive Party that clients have to state their political affiliation on policy application forms, while noting that requests for information on links to politically-exposed persons (PEPs) are part of their fulfillment of requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation.

Residents of Rebecca’s Lust also known as High Dam, in Mahaicony, Region Five are soon to benefit from an asphaltic concrete road, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Key swathes of mangroves are under threat from a natural erosion cycle, according to NAREI, which recently held a discussion with West Demerara residents to highlight the problem and explain what is being done to strengthen sea defences.

Hundreds of workers from GuySuCo are expected to be retained as the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be taking over maintenance of the drainage and irrigation systems from the sugar company.

The US Embassy yesterday announced the opening of the application period for the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program.

Though set to commence yesterday morning, the trial of Kevon Alfred, who is accused of murdering 75-year-old remigrant Joyce Lewis, has now been adjourned to next Monday.