Former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, has initiated a $200 million defamation lawsuit against the Guyana Chronicle, alleging that the newspaper published misleading articles that insinuated his involvement in contract breaches.
Court documents reviewed by Guyana Standard indicate that Narine’s attorney, Roysdale Forde, is challenging an article from the Guyana Chronicle dated August 29, 2023. The headline read: “Chase-Green demands consequences for Ex-Mayor Narine’s ‘incompetence’.” This article cites Chase-Green’s statement: “…former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, should face the necessary consequences for ‘misleading the Council’ and encouraging the execution of breached contracts.” She further urged fellow council members to hold accountable, those who neglect their duties.
The central dispute stems from an agreement made by the prior council, which designated the organization’s 2022 subvention to purchasing two $20 million garbage compactors and a hauler truck. Following an approved tender by F&H Computer and General Merchandise, Town Clerk, Candace Nelson, announced a 50% down payment, with the balance to be settled upon delivery. However, the delivered compactors were reportedly not as specified in the contract, notably featuring a higher voltage.
The subsequent day, August 30, 2023, Tajeram Mohabir and the Guyana Chronicle ran another story titled “City Mayor states Solid Waste Director was the actual discussion focus.” This article quoted the current Georgetown Mayor, Alfred Mentore, emphasizing that the council’s grievances were directed towards Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine, not the former Mayor, Ubraj Narine.
Despite an apology and retraction from the Guyana Chronicle, Attorney Forde has argued that it was neither complete nor satisfactory. He emphasized that Narine had no involvement in the cited illicit activities.
In response to the alleged harm to his reputation, Narine is demanding over $50 million from both Mohabir and the Guyana Chronicle for the August 29, 2023, print article, and an additional $50 million for its online publication. He’s also seeking a collective $100 million for the subsequent clarification article, both in print and online. Moreover, he is asking for an interest rate of 6% annually from the lawsuit’s filing date to the judgment date and subsequently 4% annually post-judgment until fully compensated.
