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UNC Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee who has been slapped with two fraud-related charges relating to the purchase of a Mercedes Benz. –

POINTE-a Pierre MP David Lee is anxiously awaiting his day in court to prove his innocence, as he insists he is still the owner of the vehicle at the centre of the investigation which led to the two fraud charges laid against him.

The Financial Investigation Branch (FIB) has slapped Lee with charges arising out of an investigation into the purchase of a Mercedes Benz valued at $2.3 million which attracted a $1.4 million tax exemption.

It is being alleged that Lee was not using the vehicle and a party financier may have benefited from this transaction.

“I have full faith in our independent institutions, and I await my day in court to prove my innocence,” Lee said in a statement on Saturday.

He claimed the charges were nothing short of a “political witch hunt and distraction by this Government.”

He said he will prove that the charges are not only futile as well as false, “but are a direct attempt by an administration that has lost its way to change the national conversation away from the hardship which they have caused on our population.”

Vowing to be circumspect as the matter is now before the courts, he used the opportunity to inform the public, “That at no time did I contravene, conspire, or seek to defraud the State or its institutions through the access of exemptions for the purchase of a vehicle which all MPs are allowed.

Lee felt it important to let the public know that the transactions undertaken with respect to the vehicle were within the confines of the law, as the evidence would show.

“To this very day, the vehicle is owned by me, the vehicle remains in my name, the vehicle’s insurance is in my name, the loan agreement is in my name.”

He said all documentation supports the fact that: “I am the owner of the vehicle in question.

“I have always been transparent with the ownership of this vehicle, to the point that I have recorded it each year since its acquisition, on my annual declaration to the Integrity Commission.

“Put simply, I have been charged for a vehicle that I am the legal owner of, but this is an issue I am confident, given the proof, will be vindicated in our nation’s courts.”

Lee said he remains committed to do his job as MP, and will not be distracted, deterred, or even intimidated from taking a stand against a government that continues to put the population under significant socioeconomic burdens.

Lee’s status as party whip in the Parliament remains the same for now, UNC chairman Davendranath Tancoo said on Saturday. Tancoo said the party, which has thrown its full support behind its MP, is yet to discuss whether Lee will continue to holdthe position.

Tancoo clarified, however, that remit lies with the Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and not the chairman.

“What I can say is, I am not aware that any such discussions have been held. A man is innocent until proven guilty (of) the charges laid against him.

“I have full confidence my colleague will be absolved when this matter is finished. Unfortunately, taxpayers will have to bear the brunt of the burden for the State’s action in this regard.”

He said this was nothing more than a distraction from all the ills taking place in the country under the People’s National Movement (PNM) administration.

In August, after Lee was called in by the FIB, Persad-Bissessar speaking on the UNC’s virtual platform, defended him against the tax-exemption claims. At that time, she challenged the police to charge Lee, one of her deputy political leaders, if they had evidence. She boasted that the UNC has many good lawyers to successfully defend him, as he had done nothing illegal.

She submitted that this was an old matter with no substance and it was an attempt to “nasty people’s names” and change the narrative from the “PNM pandemic of hopelessness” the country was facing.

Claiming political victimisation, she said similar concerns about the transfer of a vehicle by former AG and now Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi to Roger Kawalsingh and the absence of relevant documents at the licensing office, or the alleged purchase of a Maybach by another minister for a contractor, have not drawn similar conclusions by the police.

Acting Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob did not respond to Sunday Newsday’s text messages or calls, but on Friday he told the media that the police were an independent organisation which does its investigation as evidence unfolds.

He said the TTPS also works hand-in-hand with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which in this present matter gave them the go-ahead to pursue the charges.

Lee is due to appear before a magistrate on October 12.

The UNC National Women’s Arm is supporting Lee and his family. In a statement of solidarity, the Women’s Arm charged interference by the PNM Government in the police service, judiciary with selective prosecutions and discrimination.

It expressed confidence that Lee will be vindicated by the courts and demanded that the matter be tried expeditiously.

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David Sylvester, co-founder of the NGC Couva Joylanders steelband, stands in front of the old train station on Railway Road, Couva. The area is the proposed site for the Railway Strip Heritage Park. – LINCOLN HOLDER

Right now, Railway Road in the heart of Couva is a dormant area with a dilapidated building — the remnant of a train stop — an overgrown parcel of land, a pan yard, and government buildings, including the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC) administrative building.

However, if all goes as planned, the area could soon transform into a stunning heritage park, reviving the formerly bustling district.

That is the vision of CTTRC’s chairman Henry Awong – to create the Railway Strip Heritage Park.

Last month, the corporation invited tenders for the first phase of the design and construction of the proposed project. To date, no bidder has been selected. A $500,000 budget was allocated for the project’s initial phase. But the sole bidder’s tender was five times more than the budget.

“We are reviewing the project to determine the next step. We hope the Government would see the benefit of it,” Awong told Newsday.

The proposed strip runs from the Inshan Ali promenade to the corporation’s main building.

The chairman recalled that during the height of the pandemic and from inside his office, he heard members of the NGC Couva Joylanders playing.

The players were in front of the pan complex along Railway Road.

Liking the sounds of the music, he opened his windows and shared a Facebook live video.

“Many people commented on it. They commented the music sounded so sweet. Then, the thought came to me that if we develop this strip, put some park benches, some solar-powered lamps, some greenery like ornamental trees, we could create an evening/nightlife atmosphere right there,” Awong said.

Next to the corporation is the URP office, and both have car parks in front.

Awong envisioned using the car park spaces on Fridays and Saturdays. Vendors could use the area to sell while the panside plays music.

The project, once it goes into fruition, would be two-fold, he said.

It creates local economic development and provides nightlife.

“Couva does not really have any kind of nightlife. It is a safe space too. The municipal police station is on Railway Road, and the other road is the Couva police station next to the promenade. It would be a secure environment,” Awong said.

“In the promenade, we built public conveniences about two or three years ago. So this project is not for recreational purposes alone.”

Considering the train stop was once on the street, he hoped to get a carriage or a similar replica to represent the days when people used to flock there to ride the train.

Awong said plans are afoot to rebrand Couva as the sporting capital of the Caribbean.

He felt proud that Couva has many sporting facilities – the National Aquatic Centre, the National Cycling Centre, the Ato Boldon Stadium, and the TT Cricket Board main building, among other buildings.

He added, “We have the women’s cricket ground. Not far from there, we have the Sevilla Golf Course.”

The chairman recalled that in 2017, the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships held an event in Couva.

“Over 3,000 visitors from abroad came to Couva every day for the events. But they were not staying in Couva. They were staying in Port of Spain and its environs. We want that when people come to events, they can have nightlife. They could buy items, and that helps with local economic development.”

The marking TGR 1916 is engraved on the concrete building of what used to be the train stop.

At the front of the panyard, across the street was a sign about the cistern of the Trinidad Government Railway goods shed.

It read, “This cistern or water tank was constructed in the late nineteenth, early twentieth century. Tanks like these were usually found wherever government buildings and residences were located in TT. This cistern was built to provide water to the Trinidad Government Goods Shed, Couva, which was situated where the NGC Couva Joylanders Pan Complex now stands.”

David “Pin” Sylvester, the band’s co-founder, was thrilled with the proposition and happy with how the music affected listeners. He co-founded the band with Herman Scope.

He recalled that the band first entered the National Panorama competition in 1972 when it was housed in another area in Couva. Sylvester, the father of four and grandfather of six, turns 77 on September 22.

Sylvester said members took part in Panorama competitions from 1972-1990.

In 1975, the band relocated to its current location.

For a period – 1990-1997, financial woes caused the band to become dormant.

The majority of players migrated in 1993-1994, leaving the band with only three people — the two co-founders and another player named Roy Francis.

Their passion for the music did not waver. They successfully encouraged their relatives as well as youths in the area to participate.

“My joy is teaching now, passing on my talents to young children. It is community service, and I offer lessons for free,” Sylvester said.

He tutors at Couva AC primary school and Holy Faith Convent.

Sylvester started playing the pan at 14, under the guidance of a pannist, Winston Victory.

The first tune he learned was the hit song of the day, Sad Movies.

In 2020, under the leadership of manager Richard Gill and arranger Stefon West, the NGC Couva Joylanders earned their first National Panorama title in the medium conventional band category. They performed Winston “De Fosto” Scarborough’s 1993 song, It’s My Turn.

West once played under the leadership of the band’s original arranger Mickey Fredericks.

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Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, joined the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller on Saturday for a Service of Commemoration in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the St George’s Cathedral in Georgetown.

The Prime Minister, who is fulfilling the duties of the President, during his tribute, said that Guyana, much like the rest of the world, recognises the late Queen’s illustrious legacy and outstanding contributions to the world, and mourns her passing.

“Even in her absence, the countless lessons she has left behind and the indelible example she has set for diplomacy, discipline and wise leadership in the 70 years of her reign must be remembered and exemplified…. Her Late Majesty, The Queen, will forever be remembered for her warmth, her dedication, her fervour and her wisdom.”

The Acting Head of State was joined by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, other Cabinet Ministers and Government officials. In addition, members of the diplomatic community, members of civil society and members of the local British community were in attendance.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips being greeted by UK High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller

In fact, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller recalled the Queen for her wisdom, warmth and compassion.

“As a child, I remember lining the streets of London just to get a glimpse of her passing in the carriage or on a boat, or the balcony of Buckingham Palace. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the happiness, joy and community spirit.”

The Queen as the British Monarch was the supreme governor of the Church of England and as such the Titular Head of the Church of England or the Anglican Church.

Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96 last Thursday, reigned for 70 years. Her body will be interned on Monday at Westminster Abbey, United Kingdom, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira will represent the Guyana Government.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), there will be a service at Westminster Abbey, cortège, and military procession across London, followed by a family ceremony at a chapel in Windsor Castle.

The Queen’s funeral is expected to be attended by 2000 guests including 500 representatives from 200 nations. The Abbey is a historic church, where the Queen’s coronation in 1953 was held. It is also the venue where she married Prince Philip in 1947.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali has already declared Monday as a National Day of Mourning in sympathy and solidarity with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations.

According to the proclamation signed by the President, all authorities, boards, commissions, corporations, public agencies, Ministries, and citizens are asked to fly the National Flag at half-mast.

The Guyanese Head of State in his message after the Queen’s passing stated that her death marked the end of an era.

Following her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, leads the country as the new King.

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– reveals developers of Singapore model, Dar Group, also expressing interest

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is in negotiations with interested parties, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), on the development of the Innovation Village within Silica City.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Saturday made a presentation before members of the Guyana diaspora in Orlando, Florida, during which he informed the gathering about plans for the construction of Silica City along the Soesdyke/Linden highway. According to the President, the new Silica City that is being planned would be modern, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

He explained that this is all part of the Government’s plan to build a technology-based economy.

“This is what we’re building: a knowledge-based economy that is driven by technology and innovation. Just before we came here, we had world leaders from MITs across the world,” President Ali explained.

“The developers of the Singapore model, Dar Group, are also discussing and negotiating with us their interest in developing an Innovation Village in Silica City itself. This is where your country is going — building the jobs for the future.”

President Ali addressing Guyanese Diaspora in Florida Saturday evening

MIT is a world-renowned US educational institute with courses that include engineering and the physical sciences and other areas —notably economics, political science, urban studies, linguistics, and philosophy. The school is considered premier, and admission to the institute is known to be competitive.

Last week, the Guyana Innovation Group and representatives of Dar Consultants made a presentation of a masterplan on the Innovation Village concept within Silica City to President Ali and the Cabinet. The master plan was presented by the team at State House.

During the presentation, they explained what the Innovation Village would accomplish. For one, it would connect start-ups and business incubators to established companies, maximising their opportunities.

Meanwhile, during the presentation, the President was accompanied by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal; Public Works Minister Juan Edghill; and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond.

A snippet of the presentation Dar Group made last week

Also present were Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, as well as representatives from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

Last month, Rodrigues had visited the site earmarked for Silica City’s first phase development within the vicinity of Kuru Kururu, on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. On her visit, the Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Housing and Water Ministry, Andre Ally; CHPA Chief Development Planner, Germene Stewart; Director of Projects, Omar Narine; Deputy Director Intakab Indarjeet; Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Michael Hutson, and other technical staff.

In a subsequent release, she had said that the inland city, which would complement Georgetown, is designed to address growing climate change risks.

“We are aggressively pursuing plans for the construction of Silica City, [and] we are here today to advance the planning and designs for the area, so that we can bring this city to an early realisation,” the Minister had stated.

She added, “Silica City will have in its first phase about 3000 acres of land, but we are starting to do the land-clearing for the first 185 acres, which will feature the ‘Innovation Village’ and the first 400 young professional homes.”

The Minister had stated that the Ministry has already begun shortlisting persons for the homes. The first phase of development of the city is also expected to feature a number of commercial and industrial developments, as well as hospitals. While these plans are in motion, land acquisition for phase two is also in progress through collaborative efforts with GLSC.

The establishment of Silica City was proposed in 2013 by Ali during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Water. It is in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the Housing Act 36:20, and other guidelines.

In his first year in office in 2020, President Ali revealed that Government had begun discussions on Silica City as a secondary city. He had explained that the Government was looking at an area on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway that would be connected to the new four-lane bypass road.

It had previously been explained that the city would initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years, and eventually grow to house more than 12,500 households.

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El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología (SNM) emitió en la mañana del domingo una alerta de inundaciones para varios municipios del Este.

Los municipios incluyen a Patillas, Yabucoa, Maunabo, Naguabo y Humacao. El anuncio está vigente por ahora hasta la 1:15 de la tarde.

HUMACAO, MAUNABO, NAGUABO, PATILLAS, YABUCOA
Flash Flood Warning. Aviso de Inundaciones Repentinas. Until

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