7 homeless following Blairmont fire

7 persons are now homeless following a fire this morning at Lot 135 Blairmont #4 Settlement, West Bank Berbice. A child who was playing with a lighter which ignited a mattress and caused the fire to spread throughout the entire building is believed to be the cause of the fire, according to a release from the Guyana Fire Service. The structure involved was a one flat wooden building owned and occupied by sixty-five year old Heeralall Bishunlall and a family of six (6). The building and its contents were destroyed as a result of the fire, leaving seven (7) persons homeless.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service is urging Citizens to take the necessary precautions to avoid these tragedies.

Make use of fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. If these items cannot be afforded or sourced, ensure that there is a bucket of sand or adequate water within reach in the event of a fire.

Keep fire starters out of the reach of children and educate them on the dangers of playing with them.

Pay keen attention to children and be aware of your surroundings.

AFC womens’ arm calls on President Ali to launch a full and impartial investigation into the conduct of Nigel Dharamlall

In a letter released to the media, that was penned to the President, the Women For Change (WFC), the womens’ arm of the Alliance For Change called on President Irfaan Ali to launch a full and impartial investigation into the conduct of Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, one which would hear from the women he would have offended, to make the findings public and in the meantime remove Dharamlall from holding public office and representing the women and people of Guyana.

Further, the letter noted that when the accusations against Minister Dharamlall are taken into consideration with his ‘dildo’ comment in the National Assembly and facebook post in December 2021 addressing two of our eminent female Judges, his general approach indicated contempt for women. This is totally unacceptable from a Minister.

Full letter to President Ali below

Dear Excellency,

Women For Change WFC, the women’s arm of the Alliance For Change greets you cordially and in the spirit of cooperation to address a matter which we are sure you have found troubling, vexatious and embarrassing. We speak of the online post that has gone viral where a senior member of your Cabinet is accused of preying on an overseas based young Guyanese woman.

The author of the post has made some damning allegations against Minister Nigel Dharamlall. It paints the picture of the minister being a vile and repulsive womanizer whose  behaviour must be condemned by any and all right thinking individuals. It is most certainly repugnant for a Minister of any Government to use their position to prey on women as described in the post.

WFC finds it most disgusting; as we are sure you do, that any person holding public office would behave in such a manner. To say, “it is conduct unbecoming’” would be putting it mildly. It is repulsive, repugnant, disgusting, shameful and most most undignified and dishonourable.

When the accusations against Minister Dharamlall are taken in consideration with his ‘dildo’ comment in the National Assembly and facebook post in December 2021 addressing two of our eminent female Judges, his general approach indicates contempt for women. This is totally unacceptable from a Minister.

The WFC calls on you to launch a full and impartial investigation into the conduct of Nigel Dharamlall, one which would hear from women he would have offended, to make the findings public, and in the meantime remove Dharamlall from holding public office and representing the women and people of Guyana.

From the post, we understand that the matter has been brought to the attention of a female Minister of Government who has assured the mother that it will be brought to your attention.

We humbly remind you of your duty as the President of our great nation, to protect the interest and well being of all citizens, those at home and abroad and to highlight the influence public officials have over the next generation of leaders. The women of Guyana are looking to you for exemplary leadership both directly and through your officials. God Bless Guyana and long live the indomitable spirit of the Guyanese people.

Women For Change

Newly appointed Top Cop Clifton Hicken meets Minister Benn. PNCR warns of legal action and says the appointment was illegal.

Newly appointed acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has began his task even as a legal challenge looms over his appointment. Hicken today met with Minister of Home Affairs Roberson Benn at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Brickdam.
 In a Facebook post by the Minister he stated that the meeting discussed the new strategic plan for the Guyana Police Force. Hicken today officially took over the reigns of the Guyana Police Force after acting Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie proceeded on pre retirement leave.
The People’s National Congress Reform in a statement on the matter said the move to appoint Hicken was illegal and would be challenged in court. The PNC/R,  reminded the government of Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana which states that ‘‘the Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission, after the Chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission’’
In the temporary absence of a Leader of the Opposition and the Police Service Commission, any appointment of Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioners of Police is plainly unconstitutional.

The party also wishes to remind the government that the Public Service Rules clearly state that acting appointments must go to the most senior officer and based on the current structure and line of statutory succession, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams remains the next in line.

The party noted that Mr. Clifton Hicken is an Assistant Commissioner and therefore, is junior in rank to Mr. Williams.
To promote Mr. Hicken to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police or to have him act in the office is a blatant violation of the Constitution and will be challenged in a court of law. We hereby use this development to again call on the government to desist from the wanton
politicization of the GPF.

Further, we demand of the government to rescind this appointment and allow for a process of full transparency, legality and meritocracy within the Guyana Police Force.