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Brian Dwarka, while his father was released on time served.

Andrew Singh, 28, and his father Suraj Singh, 55, both formerly of Third Street, Mon Repos, were sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Georgetown.

Last month, the pair was indicted for the capital offence of murder but opted to plea to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The News Room had reported that on May 27, 2018, the victim was involved in an argument with Andrew and Suraj at a Bar-B-Que and his friends ran away after the businessman’s son pulled out a knife.

Dead: Brian Dwarka

Shortly after, Dwarka was found motionless in a nearby yard in a pool of blood and he was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Suraj was arrested at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he alleged that the young man had beaten and robbed him; his son was found hiding in a toilet at his home.

Andrew had told the court that he acted in self-defence since his father was attacked and robbed by Dwarka.

However, during their sentencing hearing on Thursday, Justice Kissoon told the Singhs that they should have reported the matter to the Police and not taken justice into their own hands.

He added that upon a review of the case records and the deposition, the court found it extremely troubling of an attempt by the prosecution witnesses to conceal the events that occurred on the night in question leading up to the death of Dwarka.

“There is a prevalence in our communities or within our society of like offences which continue to reign unchecked…The Court cannot turn a blind eye that a life was lost; one life too many,” the Judge said during his sentencing remarks.

He added that Andrew acted in a state of anger and provocation which was a catalyst for his actions.

Taking the aforementioned into consideration, Justice Kissoon ordered that Suraj be released on time served since he did not inflict any injuries on the victim. On the other hand, his son, Andrew, was sentenced to four years for the crime.

failed attempts to halt the elections by mounting a challenge in the High Court against the voters’ list and the new boundaries set by the Guyana Election Commission. Both cases were dismissed.

“We were the only party that contested the 2018 local government elections that said we will not raise rates.

“It’s a lie, there are no plans to increase rates,” Jagdeo told a news conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, as he urged people to ensure they do not fall prey to these lies.

Jagdeo said when there was evidence that the APNU+AFC would raise rates and taxes in the city, the PPP/C campaigned against it.

He recalled that in 2018, the then APNU+AFC government signed a $335 million contract with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and Axilogic Inc. to update the property inventory and valuation systems across local democratic organs in Guyana.

To this end, he said it was a plan of the APNU+AFC to raise taxes.

“They are still telling the vendors that we will break down their stalls and we have addressed that,” Jagdeo added.

Further, Jagdeo reminded reporters of the amnesty granted to property owners across Georgetown in 2017. During the amnesty period, November 15 – December 31, the Council received over $127 million.

But according to Jagdeo, much more was handed over in bribes and kickbacks to APNU+AFC members on the Council at the time.

Jagdeo persisted in calling out the APNU on their lies in the lead-up to the June 12 elections and also poured cold water on claims that the PPP/C was replacing old public infrastructure with new ones to increase property values and then siphoning off properties in “ghetto areas” to private people.

“Decency, honesty is not something you can associate with them,” Jagdeo said as he repeated claims that APNU councillors are currently engaged in selling council properties to private business interests.

The PNC-led APNU has been in control of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council for decades.

fatally wounded at Cul-de-Sac Street, North Ruimveldt, after he put up a fierce fight with the two bandits at around 22:30 hrs.

According to the Police report, Douglas, who is a licensed firearm holder, was attached as a part-time taxi driver with the Alladin Taxi service at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

Police said the owner of the taxi service related that a male went to the base and hired Douglas to transport him to North Ruimveldt.

CCTV footage obtained by the News Room showed when Douglas arrived at the dead end of the street and then he turned around.

As he did so, a male was seen emerging from the bushes; he approached the driver’s side of the car during which there was a struggle between Douglas, the man inside the car, and the one who approached the driver’s side.

Douglas then managed to exit the car and ran behind one of the suspects when he was shot. The suspect who posed as a customer then exited the car; Douglas ran back to the vehicle when he collapsed.

The two suspects then entered the car and drove away, leaving Douglas bleeding out on the street.

His body bore two wounds, one to his head and another to his chest.

The Guyana Defence Force on Thursday described Lieutenant Douglas as a dedicated and committed officer.

Lieutenant Douglas was enlisted in the GDF on February 15, 2012, and was a graduate of the Standard Officer Course 44. He was a first-year full-time student at the University of Guyana, pursuing a Degree in Computer Science.

He last served as Aide-de-Camp to the former Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess.

Raekwon Noel was outstanding at the CARIFTA Games

Noel etched his name in the annals of Guyana and CARIFTA’s swimming history as he won five gold medals at the Aquatics Championship, an event which was birthed in 1985.

The Indiana Hoosiers swimmer won the 1500m Freestyle, 400m Individual Medley, 800m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly and 400m freestyle in the 15-17 age group.

He was the only swimmer to medal at the prestigious championship and walked away with a CARIFTA record in the 800m freestyle, as well as breaking four national records.

Ninvalle said, “The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport in collaboration with the National Sports Commission had promised to facilitate and assist in the training programme of Raekwon Noel, the CARIFTA Aquatics Championship record-breaker. As such, we will be shouldering a significant portion of the financial cost associated with his training regimen in the United States.”

“Quality training and international exposure are vital, and this is another tangible expression of our commitment to the development of our elite athletes. Raekwon Noel is a true ambassador of Guyana and elevated the profile of his nation following his historic exploits at the Aquatics Championship, which will forever be etched in the annals of Caribbean history. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and the National Sports Commission remain committed to ensuring his continued improvement.”

Meanwhile, Noel, who currently resides in New Jersey, USA, said, “Training for these competitions is costly and there are many expenses. I have to pay club and coach fees, gym fees, transportation to and from the pool, I need training gear and equipment, and nutritional supplements. I need to pay to travel to regional and other out-of-state competitions.”

“The NSC has committed to paying my club and coaching fees. I greatly appreciate the assistance because that is one less cost for my parents to find. I am still trying to find sponsors to cover my other costs until August 2024 when I will join the University of Indiana on a swimming scholarship.”

He further said, “I am currently training and hope to represent Guyana at four major upcoming swimming championships. These are: (1.) World Aquatics Championship in Japan [July 14-30, 2023], (2.) World Junior Championships in Israel [September 4-9, 2023]. (3.) Pan American Games in Chile [October 20 – November 5, 2023], and (4.) Olympics in Paris, France [July 26 – August 11, 2024].”

murder of Rondel Douglas, a Lieutenant (Coast Guard):

The Guyana Defence Force extends sincere condolences to the wife, family and friends of Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Rondel Douglas who lost his life last night.

Lieutenant (Coast Guard) Douglas, aged 33, a resident of Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara, was killed in the vicinity of North Ruimveldt. The circumstances surrounding his killing are being investigated by the police.

He enlisted in the Guyana Defence Force on February 15, 2012, and was a graduate of the Standard Officer Course 44. He was a first-year full-time student at the University of Guyana, pursuing a Degree in Computer Science.

Lt (CG) Douglas was a committed and dedicated Officer who last served as Aide-de-Camp to the former Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess.

The Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, Officers and Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force mourn with his wife, Candaceae Mc Lean– Douglas and their daughter, Adirah and the other members of his immediate family.

Kurt@newsroom.gy

Appeal Court Judge, Rishi Persaud, on Thursday issued a stay against the order handed down by High Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon which required ExxonMobil and its subsidiary Esso Exploration to provide unlimited liability guarantee for its operations in the Stabroek Block.

Following a preliminary assessment of the appeal filed by Esso Exploration, Justice Persaud cast aside emotivity and impassioned statements and asserted his conviction that there are real prospects of success in the appeal.

The order is stayed pending the hearing and determination of the substantial appeal, one that Justice Persaud said is urgent and of national importance as it seeks the provision of insurance in the event of an oil spill.

The granting of the stay was accompanied by an Order instructing that Esso Exploration lodges, within 10 days, a US$2 billion guarantee, failing which the stay will be dismissed.

ExxonMobil had expressed fears recently that a failure to secure a stay of the judge’s order could potentially result in a halt of operations at Liza Phase 1 in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

Currently, at least 120,000 barrels of oil are being produced at Liza Phase 1 daily.

ExxonMobil said too that well over $20 billion in financial resources are currently available to respond to a possible spill and it includes up to US$19 billion in financial assets from ExxonMobil’s local affiliates – Esso Exploration and Hess – another US$600 million in insurance as required by the permit and another US$2 billion in affiliate guarantees.

It was confirmed last week that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had issued the Enforcement Notice directing Esso Exploration to provide unlimited liability parent guarantee for its operations in the Stabroek Block.

But even though the notice was issued in keeping with the 30 days stipulation, the EPA and Esso Exploration are both seeking to have the decision overturned.

Attorney Sanjeev Datadin is representing the EPA while attorney Edward Luckhoo, SC, is representing Esso Exploration.

Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam is representing the respondents.

In arguing for the stay, Datadin said the matter amounted to a simple issue of interpretation, noting that both the environmental permit and the Act make reference to a fixed sum and as such, the ruling was in conflict by imposing unlimited insurance on ExxonMobil, its parents and affiliates.

He also rejected the court’s instruction that the permit should be cancelled if the order is not complied with, noting that there are already established procedures for non-compliance.

Datadin was for the most part supported in his arguments by Luckoo who went further to demonstrate the merit in the appeal and prospects of success.

And in so doing, Luckhoo maintained that the ruling offered a flawed interpretation of the permit and the law.

Jairam questioned the refusal to comply, noting that the unlimited parent insurance guarantee does not cost a penny but is only in place to show that the operators can, if called upon, to clean up and restore the environment to its pristine form after any incidents.

He called the appeal an attempt to deprive the successful litigant of the fruits of the judgment.

multi-billion-dollar shore base port facility.

Investors Azruddin Mohamed of Hadi’s World Incorporated; well-known businessman and miner, Andron Alphonso; and National Hardware Guyana Limited’s Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer have established the consortium – NRG Holdings Inc. – and are partnering with Belgian Jan De Nul to execute the project.

Earlier this week, students from the University of Guyana (UG) were able to tour the facility.

See below the full release from the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI):

Students of the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Technology this week got hands-on exposure to the construction techniques being used to construct the artificial island and shore base at Vreed-en-Hoop. This is a first of its kind in Guyana and provides an excellent learning opportunity for the students.

The students from the Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments were taken on a private tour of the facility. This field visit is in keeping with the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI) commitment to increasing the technical capacity of Guyanese.

The students engaged the team on the ground about the various techniques, the reasons for employing those techniques and the preferences of one material or method over the other among other pertinent engineering questions about the facility and its construction.

The construction team also explained the project’s rigorous construction schedule, environmental compliance and answered questions about qualifications and experience needed to be part of this type of construction project.

The project has, at this point, advanced to where the facility is now connected by a road to the coastline and the pace of construction is continuing on a 24-hours basis.

The current shore base construction will see the first phase of 10 acres, made operational by December 2023, with additional acreage delivered by second quarter 2024.

The long-term vision of the project will eventually see the full Port of Vreed-en-Hoop completed with as much as 800 acres of port facilities. Director of VEHSI, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer has explained that “once fully realised the Port of Vreed-en-Hoop will tie into the country’s vision to expand Guyana’s development.”

He noted that there is space for expansion and VEHSI can facilitate other shore base builds thereby making the need for foreign bases to support operations in Guyana unnecessary.

VEHSI also praised the support they received from the Government of Guyana, noting that without the rapid pace of responses and the outpouring of support the project could not have proceeded at such an accelerated pace.

The company would like to particularly recognise the rapid speed at which President Irfaan Ali responded to the development plans for this project and the support received so far in helping the company to build out this world class facility.

VEHSI is currently the largest Guyanese private sector investment in the oil and gas sector and is expected to cost over US$300 Million. Vreed-en-Hoop Shore base Inc. is a joint venture between NRG Holdings Inc.—a 100 percent Guyanese-owned consortium that is the majority shareholder –and Jan De Nul, an international maritime infrastructure company headquartered in Luxembourg.