Category: News

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has given the parliamentary Opposition a commitment that members of the coalition Government will be questioned concerning the controversial LievenseCSO Harbour Bridge contract. This is according to Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who spoke to the media following his ‘interview’ at SOCU headquarters on Monday, where he was questioned by investigators probing the Pradoville land distribution matter. Upon his arrival at the Unit’s head office, Jagdeo told the press his motive for appearing included setting a precedent for the current Government. He…

The nation’s teachers are likely to resume industrial action if no progress is made soon at the level of arbitration to fast-track the issue of wage increases. This is according to General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) Coretta McDonald who said on Tuesday that this process is dependent on the Labour Department. “We are guided by our Constitution and the Constitution gives our members the authority to dictate what happens. So, when all of this recent information would have been said to our members, as well as our…

A taxi driver was, on Tuesday, jailed for four years and fined G$21.7 million when he appeared at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking in narcotics. Magistrate Rhondell Weaver imposed the hefty fine on Jason Chufoon, who on September 14, 2018, at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, had in his possession 36 kilograms of cannabis. The 29-year-old admitted to the offence as soon as the charge was read to him on Tuesday. Reports are the drugs were found at about 19:00h on Friday last…

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has announced a “worrying” trend whereby date-rape drug ‘Ecstasy’ is being sold to students in at least five schools across Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). The anti-drug enforcement agency is working with education officials to address the illegal practice. The date-rape drug is making its way into schools after being already popular among many affluent members of society, according to CANU Deputy Head, Lesley Ramlall. “A lot of people are using it for their sexual enhancement and now it’s trickling down…

One of the survivors of the April 27 and 28 deadly piracy attacks in Suriname that left at least 15 people dead, is living in fear after allegedly receiving death threats from the alleged mastermind. Darmandew Persaud, called “Achie Boy”, had told investigators that his attackers had tied an anchor to his neck, while beating and chopping him multiple times about his body before throwing him overboard. He also claimed that he was able to identify some of his attackers. Four boats with a total of 20 fishermen – all…

…says citizens should allow Police to do their work Following the expletive-laden clip showing Attorney Ryan Crawford berating a junior Police rank for stopping him without proper cause, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said law enforcement ranks should be allowed to carry out their duties as long as they suspect an infraction has been committed. The Minister made the comments at a Police event on Monday where he told ranks they should always operate as professionals in spite of the circumstances. “Members of the public will cuss you down but…

– as Unit continues investigation into allocations True to his word, Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo showed up at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Camp Street headquarters, on Monday, where he sat down for an interview with investigators probing the Pradoville land distribution. Before Jagdeo arrived, SOCU’s British Advisor Sam Sittlington and State Counsel Leslyn Noble could be seen entering the building. Jagdeo was accompanied by his Attorneys, Sase Gunraj and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. At the conclusion of a rather brief session, Nandlall informed the…

Calling out the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for some of its members’ habits of stopping motorists and soliciting bribes, a Senior Counsel (SC) and former Speaker of the National Assembly has joined the Ryan Crawford debate. In his weekly column, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran revealed that he too has been stopped on multiple occasions. He complained about the practise commonly known as a shakedown; when Police randomly stop vehicles and then solicits bribes from the hapless drivers to make the ‘matter’ go away. “A Police stop is often accompanied by…

With the recent announcement made by the Department of Energy to hire an overseas firm to assist with the auditing of the pre-contract costs for oil recovery, outspoken economist and social commentator, Ramon Gaskin, has said although Guyana lacks the capacity, no overseas company should be allowed to take full charge of this audit. Gaskin’s argument is premised on the fact that only Guyanese will have Guyana’s interest at heart. He questioned whether there is any guarantee that an overseas firm, especially one that may have connections to oil companies…