The Culture Digest - Friday, November 12, 2021

Bisram takes the DPP to the CCJ - PNC Nomination Day - Shuman says GECOM needs help - Town Clerk complains of mistreatment - Former BOSAI employee seeks multimillion dollar injury compensation

Good morning Guyana!

Welcome to the Friday, November 12, 2021 edition of The Culture Digest.

Here’s what happened since the last edition: Marcus Bisram takes the DPP to the CCJ. Shuman says GECOM should seek outside help in hiring new CEO. Today is PNC Nomination Day. The Georgetown Town Clerk complains about Mayor and City Council. Former BOSAI employee suing company for serious workplace brain injury.

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Power Vs. Money. Who will win? (NewsRoom)

Bisram takes DPP to the CCJ

On Thursday, Marcus Bisram asked the CCJ to change the law to help him dodge a murder case. He wants them to declare it unconstitutional for the DPP to direct a magistrate to recommit a person to a retrial even if the courts find that there has been insufficient evidence. His attorney argues that Section 72 of the Criminal Law Offences Act collides with Article 122 of Guyana’s Constitution. He also asked not to be hauled before the Guyana courts for an additional time. The Guyana Court of Appeal has so far found that there is sufficient evidence for Bisram to face trial as a reasonable jury might find him guilty. NewsRoom says that the DPP stands by her decision. Nevertheless, the outcome of this trial may determine if he would be able to face the courts again for the 2017 murder of Berbice carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt.

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Yes, that is a young Michael Jordan in a McDonald’s anti-drug PSA

Shuman asks Singh to get some (outside) help

Lenox Shuman urges Claudette Singh to seriously consider seeking outside help in assessing and hiring applicants for the Chief Election Officer and the other top GECOM positions. On Tuesday, Singh and the PPP commissioners voted against the motion to set up an independent panel. Shuman said the Carter formula had outlived its usefulness. He also reminded everyone that the last election and months leading up to said election proved that the representatives of the two political parties sitting on the Commission are E X T R E M E L Y partisan.

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Is this your KING?!?

PNC/R Nomination Day

Today is officially Nomination Day for the PNC’s internal leadership election. As of Thursday, PNC Executive member Aubrey Norton has picked up most nominations from PNC chapters nationwide. Norton has also gotten the support of Party Chairman Volda Lawrence and her faction. In contrast, Van West Charles and former Party Chairman Basil Williams obtained one nomination each. Up to Thursday morning, Harmon had only secured two nominations. Nevertheless, Harmon has picked APNU Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul for PNC/R General Secretary as he finalizes his slate for today’s event.

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The perennial war between Mayor and Town Clerk continues (NewsRoom)

Nelson Says No More Nonsense

Georgetown’s Acting Town Clerk, Candace Nelson, is accusing the Mayor and some of the Councilors of creating a hostile work environment for her. In a press conference yesterday, she accused the people of regularly calling her out of her name and accusing her of being a PPP puppet. The abuse has gotten so bad that she is seeking legal advice on the matter. Nelson also claims that the City Council consistently makes questionable and shady decisions that may even be considered criminal. She said the Council owes the GRA, the NIS, and GWI more than $1 billion while struggling to sustain essential services such as garbage collection, maternal and child welfare, public health and environmental services, and the maintenance of cemeteries. Mayor Narine responded by calling the statements “untruths.” He claimed that any questions regarding their transactions might stem from her lack of administrative experience and not misconduct on the part of the Council.

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Drill baby Drill…

Exxon is currently in talks with SBM Offshore regarding the construction of their fourth FPSO vessel for Guyana.

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In related news… According to the Ministry of Finance’s October 2021 report of the Natural Resources Fund, Guyana has collected close to $534 million USD in oil revenue thus far.

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Former BOSAI employee suing company for serious workplace brain injury

After working over a decade with the company, 30-year-old heavy-duty mechanic Fabian Anthony is suing Bosai Minerals Group for $85 million for a severe workplace injury in 2020. According to the suit, an object became dislodged from a cane and struck Anthony, leaving him with serious head injuries, including a punctured skull. Despite receiving extensive medical treatments, he cannot work, and he still suffers from extreme neurological disorders. His brain was so severely damaged he had to be reintroduced to his wife and children. His lawyer said that Anthony could not afford the specialist medical care to help restore his life to some semblance of normalcy. Anthony’s lawyer noted that Bosai has not accepted liability but offered Anthony a $2 million out-of-court settlement. Side note, this is the second life-threatening accident Anthony had suffered while on the job.

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Speaking of BOSAI, after weeks of negotiations, the company's management has agreed to increase their workers’ salaries and benefits.

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If you got plans for Saturday night on the Westside, you might want to cancel. The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to all traffic this Saturday night from 9 pm to 5 am Sunday to facilitate repairs on its retractor spans.

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The COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN GUYANA

VACCINE UPDATE

As for the vaccines, To date, 389,349 (75.9%) adults have received their first dose, and 257,196 (50.1%) are fully vaccinated.

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CRIME

Cops arrested one woman in Region Nine for stealing $125,000. Despite being caught on tape, she denies the act.

Johnny P Shopping Centre in South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown, was robbed by two armed men on Thursday morning.

A knife-wielding bandit robs a Superbet outlet and beats the cashier.

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For The Culture Guyana

GUYANA FACT OF THE DAY

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Today is Friday, so you know what that means? We’re dropping a new episode! This time we are talking about the wild and wonderful world of Cryptocurrency and how you can as a Guyanese can get in on this opportunity. (No ponzi, No FOREX, No joke.)

WATCH NOW!

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Also, we’ve now got MERCHANDISE!!

Check out The Culture Shop and get a branded mug today! Buy it for someone in your life who loves Guyana or buy it cause it’s nice, it’ll hold your tea, and it’s 15 oz, so it’s pretty big. Or you can buy it because you want to give me money. Cause that’s pretty cool too.

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GUYANA FACT OF THE DAY: It’s cheaper to have others do it for us. Yes, that’s seriously the reason.

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You’re all caught up with your news (and history) for the morning. You’re welcome.

Let us know what you think in the comments, or just hit reply and send an email to aniraguyana@gmail.com.

Also, subscribe to this newsletter and share with everyone you know who’s interested in Guyana but ain’t got time to read all the news. Have a great weekend! See you Monday!