Expatriates pose after listening to Prime Minister Brigadier General (Ret.) Mark Philllips’ address, during a meet
and greet, and celebration of Guyana 52nd Anniversary of Republic at Parmanand Luthwan family restaurant in
Newark, New Jersey. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Caribbean Life, MARCH 4-10, 2022 21
By Nelson A. King
Caribbean American J. Machelle Sweeting
is a trailblazing acting Supreme Court
jurist in the New York State Supreme
Court.
Justice Sweeting — a Harlem resident,
whose father hailed from The Bahamas —
is the only legal practitioner admitted to
practice law in both the federal and state
courts in New York; Washington, DC; the
United States Court of Appeals for the
2nd and 4th Circuits; the United States
Supreme Court; and the Commonwealth
of the Bahamas.
Notably, in 2016, long before the global
COVID-19 pandemic upended the court
system and, indeed, the world, Justice
Sweeting presided over the nation’s first
ever state-wide “Remote Access” Court,
which allowed litigants to appear before
the court via SKYPE.
Justice Sweeting herself, who had suffered
and won a hard-fought battle with
COVID-19 in March 2020 is a strong
proponent of technology and its use as a
tool in expanding access to justice and the
court system.
She has authored a three-part, published
series on the virtues and challenges
of remote court proceedings.
In the article, she highlights some
of the many benefits, which include
decreased court wait times and travel
costs; fewer disruptions to school, work
and child care; expanded public access and
greater access to persons with disabilities;
as well as the reduced cost of litigation.
In part one of the series, Justice Sweeting
writes that most attorneys bill at a
higher rate for time spent in court than
out of court.
“The virtual appointment system
reduces the number of hours waiting in
court which, in turn, results in savings,”
she says. “The ability for expert and outof
state witnesses to testify remotely also
eliminates the cost and expense for their
travel.
“Because virtual court requires documents
to be uploaded electronically, the
cost of paper and having to mail, photocopy
and reproduce voluminous records
is drastically reduced,” she adds.
By Tangerine Clarke
The slogan “One Guyana” coined by
President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, was heard
throughout a seven-day visit by Prime Minister
Brigadier General (Ret.) Mark Phillips
and delegation, that engaged expatriates
in New Jersey and New York, as Guyana
commemorated its 52nd Anniversary of
Republic, that began on Feb 23, 1970
The team ended their visit to the US
on a high note after delivering compelling
arguments to garner support from the
diaspora, assuring, that nationals’ contributions
would be beneficial to the development
of their homeland.
While speaking at the celebration, hosted
at Parmanand Luthwan family restaurant
in Newark, New Jersey, on Feb. 23,
Republic Day, PM Phillips outlined the
country’s impressive accomplishments,
since taking office, noting that the government
overcame challenges to achieve
the status of the richest country in Latin
America and the Caribbean because, “we
have over 10billion barrels of Oil equivalent.
The revenue will go towards the
improvement for Guyanese both in Guyana
and the diaspora, said PM Phillips adding,
“by the end of 2024, citizens at home
will benefit from reliable electricity across
the country, via a gas to shore project that
will generate 300 Megawatts of power.”
In addition to plans for the construction
of six state-of-the art hospitals, across
the country, the government is creating
partnerships with health care facilities in
the world for shared expertise. Improving
the education system and returning to free
tertiary learning by the end of this year,
the government commitment to citizens
wellbeing.
He said his administration is building
roads along coastal areas, and highways to
connect neighboring countries like Brazil.
Fast-speed internet connectivity, come
under his ministerial portfolio, as such
he is working to build the infrastructure,
adding that his government will bridge the
divide between the coastal area and the
hinterland, for faster movement of business
transactions throughout the country,
all ambitious undertakings to modernize
the country in the shortest possible time.
In addition to the mega projects that
are afoot, he said the Local Content legislation
passed in 2022, will help Guyanese
in the diaspora to establish businesses in
their country. “We want to ensure that we
promote and protect Guyanese businesses
said PM Phillips.
The team that included, Minister Sonia
Parag, Minister Nigel Dharamlall, Ambassador
to the United States, Samuel Hinds,
Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, Carolyn Burkett-Rodrigues, and
Head of the Diaspora Unit in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Rosalinda Rasul,
received Resolutions from New Jersey
Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, presented
by Legislative Aide, Lady Ira Lewis.
Additionally, a Proclamation, and Certificates
of Appreciation from the City of
Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, were
handed over by Ridya Gangadin. Also,
present, was Fazal (Joe) Yussuff, MPA,
head of Investment & Diaspora Affairs,
Guyana Consulate New York.
Prime Minister Phillips, despite being
booed, and called derogatory names, by
loud disruptive protestors, Brooklyn, graciously
waved to the crowd, as he entered
God’s Battalion Church, on Linden Blvd,
Brooklyn, with his delegation, delivered
remarks to woo nationals to invest in their
homeland
Justice J. Machelle Sweeting. Justice
J. Machelle Sweeting
Guyana delegation ends sevenday
visit – welcomes investments
Trailblazing
acting Supreme
Court jurist
Lady Ira Lewis, legislative aide in New Jersey Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake
offi ce, left, presented Resolutions to Ambassador Samuel Hinds,
Head of Diaspora Unit Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rosalinda Rasul, Permanent
Representative to the UN, Carolyn Burkett-Rogrigues, and Prime
Minister, Brigadier General (Ret.) Mark Phillips. Photo by Tangerine Clarke