The Week in Review

Border controversy ICJ rules in favour of Guyana: Recognizing the referendum which Venezuela had planned for tomorrow (December 3rd) as a seriously “urgent,” “real” and “imminent” threat to the rights which Guyana currently has to the Essequibo, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a warning of refrain to Venezuela.

Education Guyanese students capture top awards at CSEC, CAPE: Guyanese students have once again secured outstanding results at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

Housing Several persons arrested in housing probe – minister: Several persons have been arrested by the police in relation to a housing fraud probe, according to Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Susan Rodrigues who also strongly defended one of her employees who had been implicated on social media.

Border controversy Venezuela rejects UN SG statement over border controversy tension: Venezuela last week rejected a statement by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday expressing concern at the recent escalation of tension between Georgetown and Caracas over the border controversy between the two countries. 

Border controversy World Court to hear Guyana’s bid for provisional measures against Venezuelan referendum: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week said that it will hold public hearings on November 14 on Guyana’s request for provisional measures related to a referendum planned by Venezuela on December 3rd on Essequibo which is the substance of a case currently being heard by the Holland-based tribunal.

Oil & Gas Audit of US$7.3b claims found Exxon’s subsidiary assigned costs using complex system: The RHVE Consortium that undertook the audit of the US$7.3 billion claims by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary for the period 2017 to 2020 said that the company assigns costs using a complex system and while only a small figure, some expenses were above what they should be and included a transfer pricing percentage.

Border controversy Gov’t, Opposition `completely’ united against Venezuela threat: The Government and the Opposition last Tuesday held discussions on the growing tensions and threat by Venezuela to this country and denounced Caracas’ planned December 3rd referendum as a violation of treaties, saying they stand “completely” united on Guyana’s sovereignty and no effort would be spared to ensure this.

Oil & Gas Opposition adamant that Exxon made audit disclosure: Opposition members present during the September meeting with ExxonMobil insist that the company did say government agreed to the cost reduction from US$214 million to US$3 million and are of the view that the United States oil major should make its position public.

Oil & Gas ‘Shell’ pulls out of Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase: For their share in a US$300 million investment made with two other local businesses in the NRG consortium for the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI), the Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed-owned Hadi’s World Incorporated has pulled out and is selling its shares to the other partners, a decision, Mohammed says, is based on personal religious beliefs.

Mining  Gov’t to temporarily halt mining at Chinese Landing: As part of its response to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) resolution issued on July 21 concerning the Chinese Landing Village, the Government of Guyana has announced its decision to temporarily end all mining there as it engages the Toshao and council on the way forward.

Mining IACHR grants protective measures to Chinese Landing residents: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on July 21st issued Resolution 41/2023, through which it granted precautionary measures in favour of members of the Indigenous Carib Community of Chinese Landing, who it said are “currently at serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to their human rights”.

Parliamentary Over $31b in extra spending approved by Parliament: The government on July 20th granted approval for $26,532,000,000 in supplementary provisions by the National Assembly to cover projects such as the replication of the Hope drainage canal in regions five and six and other sea defence projects.

Investigation ‘Shell’ Mohamed, son deny smuggling claims: Gold trader, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed last Friday denied the explosive claim in a Reuters special report that they were engaged in gold and drug smuggling.

Sandal Dharamlall resigns: President Irfaan Ali last Tuesday night accepted the resignation of Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, hours after the DPP had advised the police that there was no basis to charge him with rape as the complainant had withdrawn the allegation.

Investigation Complainant not pursuing allegation against Dharamlall – police: The 16-year-old complainant  has decided not to pursue her rape allegation case against, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

Crime Dharamlall file now with DPP: With the case file on an allegation of rape of a 16-year-old girl against the Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall now with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, opposition parties last week up the pressure for answers and accountability from both the embattled minister and the administration.

Local Government elections Jagdeo claims massive victory in LGEs: While it won a big majority of the NDCs and seven of 10 municipalities, the ruling PPP/C was easily defeated in   Georgetown and Linden where it had invested much in a high-profile campaign and attracted well- known crossovers from the main opposition APNU in a bid for a historic shift.

Accountability UNICEF review of school dorms last year highlighted myriad deficiencies: A United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) assessment of all 24 school dormitories across the country last year highlighted a plethora of deficiencies to the Ministry of Education and another followed with myriad recommendations but it is unclear if any changes were made.

Security ‘Smallie’, accomplice shot dead: After almost two weeks of intensive searching by the Joint Services, escaped death row prisoner Mark Royden Williams, also known as ‘Smallie’, and his accomplice were fatally shot by the Joint Services during what was described as a confrontation.

Tragedy Nineteen die in Mahdia dorm arson: Deep sorrow and shock gripped the small Region Eight town of Mahdia and other hinterland communities after arson obliterated a girls secondary school dormitory on Sunday night claiming 19 lives with another nine hospitalised in Georgetown.