Royston Drakes Production

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) is continuing its corporate social responsibilities with the donation of $11.5 million in relief items to flood affected communities. The donation was made on Tuesday, June 1.

The supplies were handed over to the Civil Defense Commission (CDC) and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, for citizens currently affected by recent flooding caused by heavy rainfalls.

According to the company the donations to the CDC includes 1000 cases of its bottled 20oz Diamond Mineral Water, 700 cases of 1.14 liters alcohol-based Environ Sanitising Cleaner, and 2000 cases of TOPCO 1L juice. DDL also donated 50 cases of Environ Sanitising Cleaner to the Ministry of Human Service and Social Security’s flood relief drive.

Chairman of DDL, Komal Samaroo said DDL would like to be supportive of the many citizens who are affected by the heavy rains and flooding at this time.

Samaroo said he hopes that the company’s contribution will help in some measure to alleviate their pain and suffering at this difficult time. The company stands ready and committed to supporting the CDC through its national efforts to provide much needed aid to affected families.

The donation is intended to provide affected families with access to clean drinking water and sanitising agents, especially as the country is also grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Opposition APNU-AFC continues to express its disappointment with the government’s handling of the flood situation affected citizens across the country and the coalition has moved a step further with the establishment of a flood emergency centre.

Opposition leader Joseph Harmon said this move is to assist citizens who are severely impacted by the flood. Through the centre, the coalition will be documenting the experience of persons affected by current flood situation.

Further the opposition coalition said that the government needs to urgently establish a national interagency taskforce. This will benefit the wide availability of skills and resources in all segments of Guyana. Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon said the slow receding of water is due to executive neglect.

Chairman of the Police Service Commission and Retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe is firing back at President Ifraan Ali who sought to dismiss his claims of interference in the work of the PSC.

Though his lawyer Selwyn Pieters, Slowe, said he stands resolutely by the truth of the statements made and all revelations and disclosures therein and that all of his communications with His Excellency are properly documented. The various press statements are unresponsive to evidence presented by Mr. Paul Slowe. His evidence is in an affidavit.

According to Pieters, his client, Slowe anxiously awaits the affidavit of his Excellency in response. Mr. Slowe also looks forward to the process of examination and cross-examination, the presenting of direct and circumstantial evidence, and all of the hallmarks of a fair and impartial court/tribunal process for adjudication of these matters.

Government aligned commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission have tabled three motions seeking the immediate dismissals of the Commission’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo.

The trio have been accused of electoral fraud following the March 2nd 2020 General and Regional Elections and charges were instituted against them by the state. Those matters are currently before the courts.

It is understood that the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh has since written to Lowenfield and Myers asking that they show cause why “action should not be taken against them”.

Government commissioners Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Manoj Narayan are alleging that Lowenfield breached his functions, duties, responsibilities and obligations as Chief Elections Officer and neglected compliance of the statutory process concerning the obligation of controlling and supervising an election officer under his control, referring to the Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

The three Commissioners are also seeking to have Lowenfield dismissed for neglecting to provide proper and lawful directions, instructions and guidance to the Officers and employees of the Secretariat in the performance of their statutory duties during the process of adding up the votes for the elections.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress has called on the Guyana Water Incorporated to put the finances of the company out for public review, as the utility moves to terminate the services of some 300 workers

As the Guyana Water Inc revealed plans to let go of some 300 workers the Guyana Trade Union Congress said the CEO, Shaik Baksh CEO must show the nation the financial analysis for laying off hundreds of workers. This union sees the dismissals as suspicious, political vindictiveness and has the potential to further create major disruption of economic activity through government employment in African households. There is no effort, no plan for retooling either within the organisation or otherwise.

The GTUC believes the laying off of these workers may well be intended to return poor service and create jobs for the boys by outsourcing work where specialisation of skills is required.

According to the Umbrella Trade Union body the effort by Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, to present the case that last year GWI suffered about $1B loss and since his assumption the company has returned to a surplus, yet he is moving to dismiss predominantly African workers, is an attempt at deception for the real reason for placing workers on the breadline.

The Union added that if the company performed badly when those workers were there, and is having a surplus when they are still there, any suggested problem in GWI clearly is not labour.

Any industrial relations upset in the essential services should be of grave concern to this nation, whether real or manufactured. GTUC calls on GWI to provide reasons why they cannot afford to keep these workers when they’re claiming they are already in surplus. Let GWI put the finances of the company out for public review, the GTUC said.

Chairman of the Police Service Commission and Former Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe, broke his silence on the recent attacks on him by the governing People’s Progressive Party and members of the Guyana Police Force.

Today, Slowe voiced his concerns about allegations of fraud and sexual assault leveled against him in a virtual press conference. Attending that Press Conference was his attorney Selwyn Pieters.

Slowe said it was his belief that the current situation was politically influenced by President Irfaan Ali.

The former Assistant Police Commissioner made it very clear that he will meet with anyone but will not engage in any illegal acts nor will he compromise himself.

Despite all allegations made Mr. Slowe remains confident and steadfast as he said, he is being wrongfully accused.

Just after the conclusion the Slowe’s Press Conference, President Irfaan Ali refuted his allegations, saying that Slowe’s accusations were far from the truth but it is a malicious attempt to change the narrative.

Ali said Slowe, like any other independent commissioners, the judiciary and I had a meeting. At that meeting, the President said he raised various concerns with him that were brought to his attention without prejudice.

Ali said, as president it is his desire to see commissions function professionally and independently.

The President Questioned Slowe’s claims of influence saying “Where is the result? It is clear as day that Mr Slowe is bringing the independence and professionalism of the PSC into question when he aligns the PSC with opposition member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul and retain Opposition members of Parliament Roysdale Forde, Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond,  Amanda Walton Desir to institute proceedings against the Government of Guyana”.

The Retired Assistant Police Commissioner along with several serving and retired officers are accused of fraud in relation to the review of the standing orders of the police force. Slowe has also been accused of sexual assault by a female police officer. The retired police officer who now heads the Police Service Commission through his attorney had denied all the allegations.