Royston Drakes Production

Royston King says suspension of Parking Meter Project is impossible, breach of contract

City Hall and the Ministry of Communities are not on the same page regarding the suspension of the parking meter project.

The pressure is piling on City Hall, this time from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, which has stated that permission was not granted for parking meters along roads it controls.

This development comes days after Cabinet recommended the suspension of the parking meter contract for three months calling for further consultations and a full review of the contract.

Government’s decision was addressed to Town Clerk Royston King and the acting City Mayor Sherrod Duncan.

King has come out in defiance of government’s recommendation saying is not possible and it would be a breach of the agreement signed with the company.

King posited that situation will create a development where Smart City Solutions (SCS) would have to be reimbursed all of its investment.

Now city Hall is caught with its back against the wall because of the contract signed with the (SCS). there are reports that the contract in over US10Million. Should City Hall back out they would have to repay the full sum plus a 15% of it multiply by the number of years remaining in the 20-year arrangement.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has said it wishes to advise the general public that in accordance with the Roads Act, Chapter 51:01 of the Laws of Guyana, the following roads within the city of Georgetown, have been declared to be public roads and therefore fall strictly under the purview of the Ministry:

Clive Lloyd Drive
Rupert Craig Highway
University of Guyana Access
Water Street
Battery Road
Sea Wall Road
Young Street
Barrack Street
Camp Road
Fort Street
Vlissengen Road
Irving Street
Station Street
Duncan Street
Thomas Road
Sheriff Street/Kitty Avenue
Ruimveldt Avenue
Houston Bypass
Eastern Highway

Further, the Ministry wishes to clarify that it has not entered into any agreement neither has it given permission to the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown nor Smart City Solutions to erect parking meters along the aforementioned public roads. The public should, therefore, be guided accordingly.

Vigilante assault victims dispute police statement

The two men who were the victims of an alleged vigilante assault are disputing aspects of a statement issued by the Guyana Police Force.

Vernon Beckles and Damion Gordon were last weekend beaten by residents of Canal Number 1 Polder after a man accused them of stealing the rearview mirrors on his car.

The men believe that there is an attempt to cover up the incident and are fearful that those responsible may not be penalized in keeping with the law.

Below is the full text of the police statement:

“Police are investigating the alleged assault committed on Damian Gordon and his friend Vernon Beckles which occurred about 21:00h. last Sunday at Two Brothers, Canal No. 1 Polder, WBD, by a group of allegedly irate residents, after one of them was allegedly seen removing a pair of mirror from a parked motor car.

Investigations have so far revealed that the victims were taken from Georgetown to the home of Ewart Lewis, a member of the Guyana Defence Force, who lives at Two Brothers, Canal No. 1 Polder, WBD, by an in-law of Lewis’ reputed wife.

Later, whilst at Ewart’s place, the Ewart family and the victims (Gordon and Beckles) decided to venture to Georgetown to seek further entertainment and while doing so, stopped at a shop at Two Brothers, where Ewart, his reputed wife and her in-law went into the shop leaving the two victims on the Public Road.

Ewart Lewis claimed that while at the shop in Canal, a resident (name given) ran into the shop and shouted saying that two men were stealing the mirrors from his motor car and shortly after another resident (name given) told him that the men who stole the mirrors were the men he brought in his car. Immediately, several persons in the vicinity swarmed the two men and began questioning them and during this period (Gordon) fled and jumped into the canal and both of them denied stealing the mirrors.

The rearview mirrors belonging to the vehicle where the two victims were seen standing, were later found by Ewart Lewis, under another vehicle which was parked in close proximity of the vehicle of which they were stolen from.

Whilst in the trench, the alleged irate residents threw bricks and other objects at Gordon, while the other was detained by residents.

A Rural Constable from the area took initial action and pleaded with Gordon to come out but he refused; by this time the police patrol arrived and Gordon came out of the canal.

They were taken into custody and subsequently escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where they were treated and sent away.

The Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Leslie James and a team of Officers have since visited the location and obtained statements.

The Guyana Police Force wishes to caution media houses which rush to publicize episodes given to them but which later turned out to be exceedingly erroneous. The Force also wishes note that connotations of vigilantism were published in certain sections of the media but which are unsubstantiated based on statements obtained from members of the public, some of whom were involved in this incident on the day in question.

It is not the first time that persons who are suspected of having committed an offence invoke the wrath of members of the public and while we frown and warn against these behaviors as being unacceptable, the reality is that one cannot necessarily immediately determine what a spontaneous action will be.”

Two charged for 2016 murder of Rose Hall man

Murder accused Saif Peraaud and Daniel McLennon were both charged and remanded on Wednesday when they made an appearance at the Reliance Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Marrisa Mittleholzer.

The men are believed to be the killers of 21-year-old Caitanya Kishundyal of Rose Hall, Berbice who was shot in February 2016 at his home.

The men were unrepresented and were not required to plea to the indictable charge.

They were both remanded until March 28^th.

Police made the arrests earlier this week following a confession from a detainee who claimed he was present when Kishundyal was killed.

The men were charged with the offence of murder following advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

Kisundyal was shot to his abdomen after he came face to face with the armed bandits at his home.

He succumbed to his injuries two days later at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

“Not all Black people are thieves and not all Indians are corrupt” – Bond

Attorney – at – Law James Bond has condemned what he believes is the existence of racial profiling, racism and vigilante justice in Guyana.

Bond, who spoke to this outfit on Wednesday, was at the time weighing in on the recent beating of two black males in a predominantly East Indian populated community.

Vernon Beckles and Damion Gordon were last weekend beaten by residents of Canal Number 1 Polder after a man accused them of stealing the rearview mirrors on his car.

Bond, a former Parliamentarian, said he was speaking on the matter as both an Attorney and a member of civil society.

He said the continued existence of these types of incidents are doing considerable harm to the social fabric of the Guyanese society and has absolutely no place in these enlightened times.

“I met with the guys yesterday at my office… I was hurt and crushed when the details were related to me,” Bond said.

The men have both denied their involvement in any criminal activity and insist that they were attending a ‘Phagwah wash-down’ event in the community with friends.

Bond has reached out to the police force and said the commitment was given that the matter will be investigated thoroughly and professionally.

Several members of the Community Policing Group are also accused of handcuffing the men while allowing the residents to continue beating them.

Bond said apart from the police action he intends to file private criminal charges or a civil suit against the perpetrators of the violent act.

“Guyana can ill afford these incidents and I urge citizens, do not take the law into your own hands,” he said.

Bond also went onto to add “I must advise people also that not all Black people are thieves and not all Indians are corrupt, we must get away from these stereotypes.”

Bond is urging Guyanese to live in racial harmony and refuse to listen to leaders who to try to put one race in a bad light or pit one against the other.

It is the belief of many persons that the incident is an example of racism and racial profiling.

Over 100 Georgetown commercial property owners still paying residential rates – M&CC

Some 144 property owners in and around the Capital City, Georgetown have converted their buildings from residential to commercial property but continue to pay residential rates, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has said.

Some have even changed the size of the building to make it larger and continue to pay the $16,000 residential rates instead of the business rate.

City Treasurer, Ron McAlmont, said those properties were sent to the evaluation division of the Mayor and City Council which deals with such matters.

Mc Almont said the valuation department is working speedily to have those properties reevaluated.According to McAlmont, from extensive research done by City Hall revealed this is occurring in various wards, but predominantly, North Cummings burg, Bourda and Lacystown.

He said what is of concern is that most of these property owners know they have changed their structures and are still paying the same rates.

The City Treasurer said the council also plans to take legal action against those who owes the council millions of dollars in Rates and Taxes.

The Mayor and City Council said over $3.7 billion dollars in Rates and Taxes are owed to the city and that is without interest.

McAlmont said the doors of City Hall are open and delinquent taxpayers can engage the Council to secure a payment plan.

“We need answers”, family of inmate who perished in deadly Camp Street Jail Fire.

Andrew Philander (senior) said it has been a painful year with no closure for him and his family following the death of their son Andrew Philander (Junior) in the Camp Street Jail fire, one year ago. On March 3rd, 2016, 17 inmates perished in a mysterious fire believed to be set by inmates of the prison facility.

Speaking from his home at Company Road Buxton, Andrew Philander said he was paying attention to the Commission of Inquiry which was held after the fire, the findings and recommendations, but he was surprised that no steps were taken by the state to compensate the families.

Andrew was charged with the murder of mango trader, Kumar Singh in August 2007. The trial had just started some 8 years after his incarceration.

Philander said his son was in the care of the state and it was the state’s responsibility to protect him. He said he would never condone his son’s actions and he was prepared to deal with the consequences once the verdict was handed down in the matter.

Mason and Accounts Clerk handcuffed and beaten by residents of Canal #1 Polder

The men were handcuffed by a member of the Community Police group in the area and allowed to be beaten by residents.

Vernon Beckles and Damion Gordon said they were at Canal Number 1 Polder on the West Bank of Demerara for what they called a Phagwah wash down with a few friends when a man accused them of stealing the rearview mirrors on their car. The men said they had just arrived at the shop and were totally unaware of the incident. The two men suffered injuries to the eyes, head and other parts of their bodies.

The two Bourda residents said the men took away their cellphones and other valuables.

The men said they were thankful that the police came to their rescue but to their surprise, the police took them to the hospital and then placed them in the Wales lock up without hearing their side of the story.

Bandit caught, tied up, beaten and handed over to the police.

Bandit caught at Chung Grocery at Besty Ground East Canje, Berbice

A brave East Canje, Berbice businessman fought off a home intruder who held him up at knifepoint during a failed robbery attempt last Saturday.

The incident occurred at Chung Grocery at Besty Ground, East Canje.

Chung said he was watching football on his computer when the man placed a knife to his neck and told him to freeze.

He said he did not take it for anything since he thought it was one of his friends playing a prank. The businessman was home with his wife and children and he told them to lock themselves up in the bedroom while he confronted the suspect.

Bandit caught at Chung’s Grocery at Besty Ground, East Canje.

The man eventually managed to overpower the suspect while his wife raised an alarm that a thief was in their home. Residents quickly came out in their numbers and gave the suspect a sound thrashing before handing him over to the police.

An eyewitness said he said the suspect on a bicycle wearing a white T-shirt when he first saw him, he said moments later he saw the same man wearing a green vest. He recalled the man parked his cycle against a utility pole and disappeared.

The bandit and his bicycle were taken into custody at the Reliance Police Station. He later gave his name as Andrew Griffith, 21, but was giving different addresses.

Cop traced convicted bandit, intercepted potential criminal offence

A Police Constable is being commended for his gallantry after he single-handedly traced a convicted bandit and later arrested him after he was found with an unlicensed gun and matching ammunition.

On March 9^th Constable Davidson was driving his car along the Albion Public Road when he observed a silver-grey Toyota Premio made a U-turn.

While making the U-turn, the driver 23-year-old Daneshwar Seitaram caused a motorcyclist to lose control and fall tot he ground.

The motorcyclist took off his full faced helmet and police rank recognized him to be Curtis Fraser who was convicted for armed robbery.

As a result, Const. Davidson stopped to observe the movements and noticed that Fraser entered the car, prompting the rank to follow the vehicle.

The car stopped at Hampshire Ballfield and Fraser exited the left rear seat, took out a shiny object from his waist. He immediately threw the object in the direction of a trench when the police rank shouted at him.

Davidson then went up to Fraser, arrested him and took him to the location of the shiny object which he observed to be a gun.

It was picked up and on checking same, the rank found it to be a .38 revolver with five matching rounds. He was told of the offence, cautioned and taken to the Albion Police Station where the firearm was marked, sealed and lodged. Fraser is in custody pending charge.

Roger Khan’s former associate busted with assault rifles

A 33-year-old, West Coast Demerara businessman and alleged former associate of drug kingpin Roger Khan, is in police custody after lawmen found an AK 47 and M70 rifle and two empty magazines at his Meten-Meer-Zorg, home on Thursday (March 09).

The police, acting on information swooped down on the man’s premises where the weapons were found in a ‘duffer bag’ hidden under a commercial gas stove.

The police are expected to conduct ballistics test to ascertain whether the weapons used in the commission of any criminal activities.