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Attorney General Anil Nandlall has once again rejected claims made by Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore regarding the ownership of land along Carifesta Avenue, which is earmarked for the construction of the highly anticipated Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre.

In a statement earlier this week, Nandlall accused Mentore of continuously repeating the unfounded allegation that the Georgetown Town Council owns the land where the project is set to be developed.

Nandlall further suggested that Mentore’s threats to take the matter to court were nothing more than an attempt to intimidate investors, describing the legal threats as a “bluff” that had been ongoing for over a year and a half.

“I don’t know whether he [Mentore] is trying to intimidate the investors, but the constant talk of going to court is just a bluff that has been dragged out for far too long,” Nandlall said.

Nandlall, who has been overseeing the legal matters surrounding the project, made it clear that he had carefully reviewed the relevant documents regarding the land in question. This review process, he explained, involved the assistance of the Land Service Commission, which provided further clarity on the legal standing of the land along Carifesta Avenue.

“We know exactly what parts of the land are owned by the state, what was leased to agencies, and which sections are under private ownership,” Nandlall explained.

“There is a specific section that was gifted to the City Council, but that is not the area where the hotel and convention centre are to be built. The boundaries are clearly demarcated, and the plans are conclusive evidence of this.”

The Attorney General pointed out that, contrary to Mentore’s repeated claims, the land designated for the development of the Seafront project is owned by the state. He invited Mentore to bring the matter to court over a year ago, urging him to seek legal recourse if he genuinely believed there was any merit to his claims.

Despite Nandlall’s invitation, Mentore has yet to take legal action, with the Attorney General suggesting that his failure to do so reinforces the lack of substance behind the Mayor’s statements.

“The Mayor has been speaking about going to court for over a year, but he has not taken any action,” Nandlall remarked.

“If he truly believes there is a legal case to be made, then he should have done so by now.”

The construction of the Georgetown Seafront Resort and Convention Centre is a major project aimed at revitalising the city’s waterfront area, providing both local and international visitors with a world-class venue for events and conferences. The development has been widely supported by the government, and it is expected to boost Georgetown’s economy and tourism sector.

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Four months after the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old fisherman Michael Jackson, 27-year-old Terrence Simon Adams has now been arrested.

According to reports, on Wednesday, police acted on information received and visited Adams’ residence. During this visit, he was made aware of the allegations against him in connection with Jackson’s murder.

He was then transported to the Springlands Police Station, where he remains detained as the investigation continues.

The unfortunate incident took place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at approximately 21:00 hrs at No.76 Housing Scheme in Corentyne, Berbice.

Radical Rajkumar, the mother of Jackson, told reporters that her son and Terrence had an altercation at a wake house.

She revealed that the suspect had been married to her daughter, who is now deceased, but maintained a good relationship with her son.

However, their relationship soured following an argument over Adams’ children.

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One person is dead and several others are injured following an accident on the Berbice River Bridge access road, Region Six on Wednesday.

The deceased is Annalisa Smith, 19, of Lot 248 Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Reports indicate that around 12:20 hrs, Khemchan Jairam, of Lot 91 Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice, was driving a motorcar (PSS 6725) with passengers Annalisa, Marlyn Jones, 60, and Odessa Smith, 49, all from Lot 248 Hope, East Coast Demerara, along with Simon Gomes, 43, of Lot 145, 5th Street, Albertown, Georgetown.

They were reportedly traveling west in the southern drive lane at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) pole situated on the southern side of the road.

As a result of the collision, Annalisa, who was seated in the rear left side of the car, sustained multiple injuries and was extracted from the vehicle in an unconscious state by bystanders. She was placed in an ambulance and transported to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where she was examined by Dr. Jhagru, who was on duty and pronounced her dead.

The body is currently at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The other occupants of the vehicle are receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

A breathalyzer test was conducted, revealing that no alcohol was present in the driver’s system. The driver, who holds a provisional license, is currently in custody.

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The Ministry of Education (MOE) has unveiled a significant transformation of the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships as the event commonly called ‘Nationals’ is now officially rebranded as the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships.

It focuses on boosting the performance of Guyanese student-athletes at the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships.

The revamped athletics meet will occur from March 11-13 at the National Track and Field Facility on the West Coast Demerara, a shift from the traditional late-November timeframe.

This change, announced at a launch event at the National Center of Educational Resources Development (NCERD), is designed to allow athletes to peak closer to CARIFTA,

Trinidad and Tobago will host this year’s CARIFTA Games from  April 19-21.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical) Dr. Ritesh Tularam emphasised that the new dates “sit directly on our athletes benefiting significantly from the CARIFTA Games.”

He also highlighted the MOE’s commitment to producing well-rounded students through improved sports programmes.

Additionally, he confirmed that schools’ cycling and swimming competitions will continue to be held at a regional level despite their exclusion from the revamped format.

Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical)

Dr. Tularam stated that while no specific dates were given, these disciplines will still be contested in the future and indicated that athletics competitions for primary school students will conclude at the regional level.

Approximately 2,000 athletes representing all regions are expected to compete in the three-day event.

Tianna Springer, a successful athlete who has progressed to regional and international competitions, spoke at the launch, expressing her enthusiasm to return and perform well for her school.

The Athletics Association of Guyana will play a key role in the technical execution of the championships, working alongside teachers.

The last edition of ‘Nationals’ in 2023 saw District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) crowned Champion of Champions for the seventh consecutive year, securing gold in track and field and silver in cycling, swimming, and the teachers’ championships.

They hold an impressive 20 overall Champion of Champions titles.

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[Reuters] – U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was reversing oil concessions given to OPEC-member Venezuela by his predecessor Joe Biden more than two years ago, accusing President Nicolas Maduro of not making progress on electoral reforms and migrant returns.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was “reversing the concessions” of the “oil transaction agreement, dated November 26, 2022.”

That 2022 day was when the Biden administration gave Chevron to expand its production in Venezuela and bring the country’s crude oil to the United States.

It was the only license that the administration issued for Venezuela that day. Trump did not mention Chevron in the post.

The White House and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to queries about whether Trump was referring to Chevron’s license.

Chevron did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. does not need Venezuelan oil and left open the possibility of revoking Chevron’s operating license for the country.

Trump’s announcement follows his declaration in early February that Venezuela had agreed to receive all Venezuelan migrants in the United States illegally and provide for their transportation back.

That came a day after U.S. envoy Richard Grenell met with Maduro in Caracas and brought six U.S. detainees back with him.

Trump during his first term pursued a “maximum pressure” sanctions policy against Maduro’s government, especially targeting the OPEC member’s vital energy sector.

After initially easing sanctions to encourage fair and democratic elections, Biden in April reinstated broad oil sanctions, saying Maduro failed to keep his electoral promises. But Biden had left the Chevron license intact, along with U.S. authorizations granted to several other foreign oil companies.

Trump said in the post that Maduro had not met “electoral conditions” and that he was not transporting Venezuelans back to the United States at a pace that had been agreed to.

Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela.

Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures, though they have historically blamed some economic hardships and shortages on sanctions.

The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Days after he shot his reputed wife to death, city businessman Marlan DaSilva was remanded to prison on Wednesday.

DaSilva appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with murder.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and the case was adjourned to March 21, 2025.

The charge was laid by the Police in keeping with legal advice obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The gruesome murder took place at the couple’s Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara house, shortly after DaSilva returned home Saturday night.

READ MORE: https://newsroom.gy/2025/02/25/city-businessman-to-be-charged-with-murder-of-partner/

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At the recent 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Barbados, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the extension of the region’s ambitious 25 by 2025 food security initiative to 2030 with additional resilient and sustainable goals. The 25 by 2025 initiative was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to cut food imports by 25 per cent by 2025.

Now, the 2030 food security agenda will incorporate a tech-driven agricultural sector and includes greater participation from women and young people.

“We will now be expanding the focus to achieving not only food security but resilience, sustainability, and enhance technology with greater participation among women and youth by 2030.

“We are adding some additional goals, we were successful with expanding production notwithstanding hurricanes, storms, floods all of which destroyed production and productive capacity but our farmers, our policy makers have shown tremendous resilience,” President Ali said.

Regional agricultural produce in a local supermarket (Photo: News Room/ May 14, 2021)

He described the current period in CARICOM as critical, not just from a trade and geopolitical standpoint but also regarding food production, food security, and rising food prices. During the recent heads of government, President Ali spoke about the rise in global prices for cereals, meat and dairy among other food items last year.

This year also presents additional concerns with increased climate-related challenges, rising transportation and logistics costs, and uncertainties in tariffs and trade rules. All of this will directly influence food costs both globally and within the Caribbean.

To navigate these mounting challenges, the Caribbean must adopt a strategic approach, President Ali stated.

As such, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) identified six projects to support the expansion – building capacity for Caribbean agriculture extension services, enhancing adaptive capacity of coastal communities, establishment of a digital fabrication lab, diversifying the Caribbean fruit crop industry, a bio-economic model in organic waste management and improve water security and climate resilience.

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England was dumped out of the Champions Trophy by a nerve-shredding eight-run defeat by Afghanistan in Lahore.

Joe Root threatened to rescue his side from the brink, hitting a superb 120 as others fell around him in pursuit of 326.

But, battling cramp by the end, Root was caught with 39 runs needed from 26 balls as Afghanistan, who would have also been out with defeat, came roaring back.

England should still have won – they needed 17 from 14 balls with three wickets left – but they fell away after Jamie Overton hit to long-on for 32.

Jofra Archer followed for 14 in the penultimate over, leaving final pair Adil Rashid and Mark Wood 13 to get from the last.

They managed only singles from the first four balls and Rashid was caught at long-off off the penultimate delivery as England were dismissed for 317.

That they got so close masked a wretched bowling performance in which they lost all control as Ibrahim Zadran took Afghanistan to 325-7 with a sensational 177 from 146 balls.

Battling to overcome an injury to Wood, England had their opponents 37-3 in the ninth over but conceded 108 in the final nine which ultimately decided the contest.

Defeat means England are eliminated at the earliest opportunity – their fate decided before the final group match against South Africa in Karachi on Saturday. (BBC) 

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Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud on Wednesday revealed that Guyana and Brazil are working to ensure seamless access for truckers and operators between the neighbouring countries.

This will significantly enhance and further expand trade between Guyana and Brazil.

During an interview with the News Room on Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary explained that currently Guyanese truckers can only operate up to Bonfim but now Guyana is working to expand this access in Brazil.

“We currently have an International Road Service Agreement but there are certain elements of it which have to be activated that will have full and seamless access and movement of goods.

“Right now we have no issues with movement of people,” Persaud explained. Similarly, Brazilian truckers will also be granted more access into Guyana.

This initiative is a key component of a trade mission agreed upon during a visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a year ago.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva and Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (Photo: News Room/ February 29, 2024)

The trade mission, scheduled for March 17-21, 2025, will see a team of government and private sector representatives from Guyana travel to Boa Vista and Manaus in Northern Brazil. The delegation will meet with authorities from the States of Roraima and Amazonas, including the Governors, Tourism Agencies, Federation of Industries, Dry Port Authorities, Importers, Exporters, and the Secretariat of Agriculture and Foreign Commerce.

The mission aims to explore trade and investment opportunities in areas like agro-processing, medium to large-scale manufacturing, tourism, food distribution, and the establishment of a food hub. The collaboration is part of the strategic vision to strengthen cross-border trade, enhance people-to-people connections, and solidify the strong neighbourly relations between the two countries.

Robert Persaud, Foreign Secretary of Guyana

The Foreign Secretary further stated that the trade mission would expose Guyana’s private sector to opportunities in Northern Brazil, with government support to navigate regulatory challenges. He noted that with the planned deep-water port in Berbice and the construction of a paved highway, tremendous opportunities will arise for businesses on both sides of the border.

“It is easier for Brazilian businesses in Northern Brazil to access goods and services even within Brazil through Guyana, given the geography and layout,” Persaud explained highlighting that trade between Guyana and Northern Brazil has increased by 170 per cent over the last three years.

The increase in trade came mainly from agriculture, commercial trade, tourism, and hospitality.

The upcoming trade mission is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen and improve cross border trade, enhance people to people connections and to solidify the strong neighbourly relations between the government and people of Guyana and Brazil.

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In his Tuesday night ‘Issues in the News’ commentary, Attorney General Anil Nandlall firmly stated that individuals facing criminal charges cannot attend court hearings virtually if they are outside of Guyana, stressing that this practice undermines the territorial nature of criminal jurisdiction.

The shift to virtual hearings, which allowed legal proceedings to continue during the pandemic, has become a permanent feature of Guyana’s court system. It has proven beneficial, reducing the need for costly travel and allowing prisoners in remote facilities to participate in hearings through video link.

However, Nandlall raised alarms over a developing trend in the magistrate courts. He noted that some defendants, having left the country for various reasons, are being permitted to attend court hearings virtually.

According to Nandlall, this practice is problematic, as criminal jurisdiction is inherently territorial. He explained that a court can only exercise its jurisdiction over a defendant who is physically present within the jurisdiction of that court. “Criminal jurisdiction is territorial,” he said, adding, “A court cannot try you if you are outside its jurisdiction.”

The Attorney General argued that if a defendant is abroad, the court cannot impose a sentence or enforce its ruling, as it has no coercive power over the individual outside its jurisdiction. He further explained that allowing defendants to virtually attend hearings from abroad could lead to a situation where individuals escape the jurisdiction, attend hearings remotely, and evade facing the full consequences of their actions. This, he stated, could significantly weaken the legal process.

While Nandlall acknowledged that virtual hearings could work for defendants who are unwilling to appear in person, he made it clear that there must be a distinction between those who refuse to submit to the jurisdiction of the court and those who are simply absent for legitimate reasons.

“Imagine if every person charged with an offence simply fled the country and continued attending hearings virtually. It would render the entire judicial system impotent,” Nandlall remarked.

The Attorney General also addressed the procedural options available to the court in such situations. He clarified that if a defendant absconds or refuses to submit to the court’s jurisdiction, the law allows the court to proceed with a case in their absence.

This could include issuing arrest warrants and considering the defendant’s absence as an indication that they are not willing to participate in their defence. In such cases, the court has the power to proceed and even deliver a sentence in absentia if it is convinced that the individual is deliberately avoiding their legal obligations.

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