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Oscar Eleazar Clarke, fondly remembered as one of the longest-serving General Secretaries of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), died on Wednesday. He was 84 years old.

The circumstances of his passing remain unknown but party members said he was seen hours earlier.

“The PNCR wishes to inform the general public and membership of our Party that we have lost a Stalwart, Mr. Oscar Clarke,” the party said in a statement.

Clarke was well loved and accomplished too having received the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (C.C.H.) in 2015, Guyana’s second highest award, given to citizens who have rendered service of an exceptionally high quality beyond the normal call.

“The void he left can never be filled,” the party said as tributes and expressions of shock and grief filled social media.

Clarke, CCH, was appointed General Secretary of the PNCR on December 1, 1968.  He started his service to the PNC in its youth arm and at the age of 26, he was selected to represent the Party in the National Assembly.

In 1965, he was made a Parliamentary Secretary and served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from January 1, 1969 to December 31, 1969.

In a long and illustrious career that spanned over five decades, Oscar Clarke served Guyana as Minister of State, Minster of Regional Development, Minster of Home Affairs and Guyana’s High Commissioner to Zambia and the Front-Line States and Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.

Clarke served as a Member of Parliament for 21 years.

In his later years and most recently he served as a Councillor at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

See below the full statement issued by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago:

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has noted the on-going issue relating to the  Trade in Milk Products between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Based on a  review of this matter, the following salient points are noteworthy:

(1) There is no prohibition on the importation of Animal Products into  Trinidad and Tobago from any CARICOM Member State including  Guyana. However, for these products to be exported to Trinidad and  Tobago, countries must be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land  and Fisheries (MALF). This is a one-time approval associated with first time exports;

(2) Trinidad and Tobago like every country within CARICOM and the rest of  the world follows the generally accepted international standards under  the auspices of the World Organisation for Animal Health for the trade  in Animal Products. These standards which are meant to ensure the  health and safety of consumers are operationalised within domestic law  via the Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act;

(3) The existing standard for the importation of milk into Trinidad and  Tobago (which is identical in Guyana) requires all importers to apply for  an import permit from the Animal Production and Health Division  (MALF). This application must be made in advance of the products  arriving in Trinidad and Tobago and even before items are purchased  from overseas exporters;

(4) In order for an Import Permit to be issued for ‘first-time’ imports of milk  from any country, a Risk Analysis is required to be undertaken by the  Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO). This information was communicated to  the Local Importer by the CVO on Friday 19 April 2024 which was the  same date an application was submitted on TTBizlinK for an animal  permit;

(5) On Monday 22 April 2024 a consignment of goods which included (i)  Milk; (ii) Mineral Waters; and Flavoured Beverages landed in Trinidad  and Tobago. Upon arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, the Mineral Waters  and Favoured Beverage items were cleared and sent to the premises of  the Importer by the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division (CFDD) on the  condition that the Importer produces a Free Sale Certificate/Animal  Health Permit; and

(6) With respect to the Milk Items, the Importer took the decision to return  these products to the Exporter in Guyana as it did not possess the  requisite regulatory documentation.

In order to resolve this matter, Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon,  Minister of Trade and Industry and Mr. Randall Karim, Permanent Secretary  (Ag.) met with representatives of the Guyana Private Sector Commission  (GPSC) led by its Chairman Mr. Komal Singh at the Office of the GPSC. Also in  attendance were senior representatives of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).  Minister Gopee-scoon shared with the representatives of the Guyana private  sector the specific facts and timelines associated with the importation of  products from DDL. Following the Minister’s explanation, all Parties agreed that  the genesis of the matter arose out of a misunderstanding by the importer of  the specific regulatory requirements for the importation of these products into  Trinidad and Tobago.

Minister Gopee-Scoon gave the commitment to DDL that upon receipt of the  relevant information, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would  expeditiously process the regulatory requirements for DDL. Mr. Komal  Samaroo, Chairman of DDL expressed his profound thanks to Minister Gopee

Scoon for the manner in which the matter will be addressed and indicated that  his company will work with the authorities in Trinidad and Tobago to resolve  the matter.

Minister Gopee-Scoon also assured the representatives of the Guyana private  sector that Trinidad and Tobago was fully committed improved intra-regional

CARICOM trade and remained open to increased imports from Guyana and  other CARICOM Members. In order to facilitate increased trade and proactively  resolve trade disputes between the both countries, it was agreed that a  mechanism in the form of a bilateral committee comprising representatives of  the public and private sector from both countries would be soon established.

On conclusion of the meeting, all Parties agreed that the discussions were  extremely fruitful and agreed to work in a collaborative manner to strengthen  CARICOM trade.

Minister Gopee-Scoon was in Guyana Chairing the Fifty-Eighth Meeting of the  Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) which concluded  earlier today 15 May 2024.

Hours after Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) made public that its products were rejected in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyanese took to social media questioning whether similar measures should be applied to products imported from the Twin Island Republic.

Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, in a Facebook post, said the Government Analyst Food and Drug Administration should review shipments of products made in Trinidad and Tobago “in the interest of fairness.”

“I am quite sure we might find that some of these need to be rejected and sent back to T&T,” Deygoo- Boyer said in the Facebook post.

Public Relations Specialist, Ajay Baksh was also among a large number of locals weighing in on the issue. In a Facebook post as well, he said that government offices should be restricted from buying Trinidadian products.

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said Trinidad’s recent actions only add to a “notoriously long list” of regional trade violations by the country. Other trade issues include restrictions on the import and/or transshipment of fruits, vegetables and agro-products particularly honey.

“The GCCI can furnish the public with at least one dozen more of these specific types of issues,” the Chamber said.

The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association are two another bodies that raised concerns about the rejection of DDL’s goods.

In a statement, GOGEC said, “Unfortunately, Guyanese exporters have been subjected to this type of unfair treatment by Trinidad and Tobago for decades. Yet, despite the commitment to resolve these issues, they remain unresolved such that these barriers have been weaponized into shields of a trade protectionism agenda.”

Other Guyanese agreed.

“How about Guyanese boycott TT products here and let them feel the squeeze? Can you imagine two containers (of) milk and two containers of bottled water (returned) to Guyana shores, rejected by TT authorities without a cause , while their products come to Guyana freely because of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME)… ?” Latiff Gonsalves commented under another News Room report on the matter.

“Our very own President Irfaan Ali is the Chairman of CARICOM and this matter needs to be dealt with expeditiously. It’s unfair to Guyanese Companies.

“Trinidad products can enter Guyana with no problem whatsoever but Guyanese products can’t go into Trinidad,” Jason Fernandes also commented.

THE ISSUE?

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo on Tuesday flagged challenges relating to the export of the company’s products-packaged milk and bottled sparkling water- to Trinidad and Tobago.

“Regrettably the two containers of packaged milk products were denied entry and returned to Guyana, while the bottled water products have been restricted from sale pending the completion of an unconventionally exhaustive examination of these bottled water products,” Mr. Samaroo told reporters at a press conference.

According to Samaroo, those requirements are not in keeping with the thrust for greater intra-regional trade to meet the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) goal of slashing costly extra-regional food imports by 2025.

Hours later, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said such actions cannot be accepted. It added that these actions run counter to the spirit of integration.

See below the full statement issued:

African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved a US$ 30 Million financing facility to Joyau Des Caraibes Limited (JDC); the Caribbean subsidiary of ORA Developers, for the expansion of Silversands Hotel in St. Georges, Grenada.

Silversands Hotel is part of a luxury chain of hotels owned by ORA Developers, an Egyptian firm renowned for designing and developing luxury lifestyle destinations in unique locations around the world. Grenada is a major touristic hub, that attracts over 2.5 million visitors each year. The facility will be utilised for the construction of additional rooms, restaurants, retail stores and other recreational facilities aimed at boosting tourism revenues.

While commenting on the deal, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank said: “We are pleased to have reached yet another significant financial close in the Caribbean. This financing, expected to expand hotel facilities and ancillary businesses, will boost the tourism industry, create jobs, and develop the economy of Grenada. It underscores our commitment to fostering shared growth and prosperity among Africans in geographic Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. This project, promoted by an African developer, further validates the Bank’s strategy of fostering deeper Afri-Caribbean investment relations.”

Mr. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO of ORA Developers said: “We are pleased to be a part of this south-to-south financing agreement with Afreximbank which will lead to accelerated expansion of Silversands brand in the Caribbean region. I thank Prof. Oramah and his team for their part in this initiative for growth in this important touristic region.”

Under its Diaspora strategy, Afreximbank has spearheaded numerous trade and investment missions to the Caribbean Islands, fostering strong business-to-business and business-to-government relations. These efforts have significantly reinforced two-way investments between Africa and the Caribbean, stimulating economic opportunities for both regions. These ties are expected to enhance additional linkages in the future such as direct movement of people and increased economic activities.

About Afreximbank:

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance, facilitate, and promote intra and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative instruments to deliver financing and ancillary solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization, intra-African trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa and for Africans around the world. A stalwart supporter of the AfCFTA, Afreximbank has in partnership with the African Union Commission and AFCFTA Secretariat launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement. The AFCFTA Secretariat and the Bank have created a USD 10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries to effectively participate in the AfCFTA.

At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37 billion, and its shareholders funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. The Bank disbursed more than US$104 billion between 2016 and 2023. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact equity fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure, (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo the Capital of Egypt.

See below the full statement from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI): 

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) notes, with strong consternation, the attempts by Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) to frustrate the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL’s) export of milk and water. This attempt and outright blockage of goods is yet another addition to a notoriously long list of on-going issues which the GCCI has been on public record about. Thus, this latest incident only bolsters the case which the GCCI has highlighted in the past regarding the attitude and disposition of Trinidad & Tobago to Guyana.

To adumbrate some long-standing issues at this juncture becomes necessary to remind the public of the flagrant mistreatment of the Guyanese private sector.

Some of these issues include:

1. The rejection of containers of pineapples to T&T because the crowns were not removed;

2. The rejection of containers of peppers because the stems were not removed;

3. Instituting of a ban on poultry meat from Guyana though no trade is done between the two countries in poultry;

4. The requirement of agricultural products to be fumigated with methyl bromide – a substance banned under the Montreal Protocol;

5. The requirement to apply hypochlorous acid on eddoes;

6. The denial, rejection and discarding of honey to be transshipped through T&T;

7. The denial of importation of items already approved for importation. The GCCI can furnish the public with at least one dozen more of these specific types of issues.

The continued existence of these non-tariff barriers (NTBs), notably concentrated within the agriculture sub-sector, flies in the face of CARICOM’s commitment of reducing the regional food import bill by 25% by 2025. Further, the GCCI sees this as an attempt to undermine the efforts of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who leads this initiative on behalf of CARICOM and has personally led a high-level delegation to T&T with the specific intention of removing these NTBs. Clearly, the continuation of these constitute flagrant violations of the ironically titled Treaty of Chaguaramas and an utter disrespect of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED), which has, on several occasions, instructed T&T to remove many of these NTBs.

The GCCI would like to place on public record that many of these items which have been rejected by Trinidad & Tobago, have been readily accepted into sister CARICOM territories, which are keen on operating within the spirit and construct of the Caricom Single Market & Economy (CSME). It is with the above-mentioned in mind that the GCCI calls on the Government of Guyana to consider the strict application of the Principle of Reciprocity as it relates to trade with T&T until these NTBs are removed and the behaviour of the Twin Island Republic demonstrates that of good faith.

Another person involved in Monday’s accident at Long Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway has died, taking the overall death toll to six.

Dead is 67-year-old Aubrey Ghanie, a passenger who was seriously injured and hospitalized, Police Headquarters confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

The other persons who died are Uranie Hall, Rushell Leacock, Rayhum Leacock, Clinton Patterson, and Dwalon Farrel.

This accident involved two motor cars, driven by Rayhum, a 24-year-old male of Kwakwani and Dwalon Farell, a 42-year-old male of Herstelling Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Farell was proceeding south while Rayhum was proceeding north, both allegedly at a fast rate. Police said as the vehicles were about to pass each other, Rayhum reportedly lost control of his vehicle and collided head-on with the other car.

“This collision caused extensive damage to both cars, and all the occupants were injured. They were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex and were examined by doctors,” the police statement noted.

The other four occupants – Asha Granum, Aubery Gandi, Rashana Burberry, and Ashana Rammacingo -were admitted to the hospital with severe injuries. They were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital and admitted. Their condition is regarded as critical.

Measurements and statements were taken, and the vehicles were lodged at the station to be examined by a licensing and certifying officer.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and are awaiting post-mortem examinations.

As the search continues for convicted inmate Jose Awad, his mother-in-law and wife are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Lusignan Prison confirmed that Awad contacted his wife after he managed to escape from his place of labour.

The prison service and the police force along with other members of the joint services are actively working to recapture the inmate.

A manhunt was launched for convicted prisoner, Jose Awad, who escaped from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara on Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 13:00 hrs.  Awad from Redlock Lima Sand, Essequibo, is serving a two-years sentence for break and enter and simple larceny.

In a press statement, the Guyana Prison Service said Awad made good his escape after he was left unsupervised while labouring at the snackette in the compound of the Cecil Kilkenny Training School.

As such, the supervising officer who was on duty at the time will be placed under close arrest to facilitate the investigation.

“Several search teams are in different areas in an effort to recapture the inmate,” the prison service said in the statement.

The Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot is also appealing with members of the public to provide any information that may lead to the recapture of Awad.

“An appeal is also made to the escapee to surrender to the police or relevant authority, to avoid any serious confrontation that is likely to result in the use of force.

“All information will be treated with a high degree of confidence and also the rights of the escapee will be respected and upheld,” the statement noted.