Ministerial Adviser Olato Sam shot dead outside Plaisance bar

Adviser to the Education Minister, Dr Olato Sam was shot and killed by a stray bullet in the wee hours of Friday while with friends at Plaisance Line Top, East Coast Demerara.
Two persons have since been arrested – one of whom had a gun in his possession
Police in a report hours after the shooting confirmed that the incident occurred just after midnight in close proximity to the Gold Rush Bar, at Plaisance Railway Embankment, ECD.
Fifty-three-year-old Sam of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was liming outside the bar with three friends.
However, at around 12:10h, a confrontation erupted between two men on opposite sides of the road.
The altercation quickly escalated, and witnesses reported hearing two loud gunshots from the direction of the quarrelling men.
Moments later, Sam collapsed while holding his bleeding chest. Upon realising that he was shot, the former Chief Education Officer was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police have since confirmed that a gunshot wound was seen on the upper left side of his chest. His body was taken to the hospital’s mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
However, as Police intensify their investigations, the two men who were involved in the fight were taken into custody. At the time of their arrest, one of the men was found to be in possession of a firearm.
Guyana Times understands that as investigations continue, Police have since dusted the suspects’ hands for possible gunpowder residue. Additionally, the weapon was sent for ballistics tests to be conducted.
Following, Dr Sam’s death, the Education Ministry expressed its sadness at his passing. Up to the time of his demise, Dr Sam served as an Education Specialist within the Ministry.
Sam served as Chief Education Officer from 2011 to 2016. Dr Sam also lectured at the University of Guyana in the Master’s in Education and Bachelor’s in Education programmes.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and the staff of the Ministry of Education extend sincerest condolences to Dr Sam’s wife, family, friends, colleagues, and the entire education fraternity,” the statement read.
“During his years in the sector, Dr Sam demonstrated success in programme management while keeping abreast of educational innovations. He was a superb team player and motivator who used a developmental approach to enhancing educational outcomes.”
During his tenure as CEO of the Ministry, Sam provided leadership to the professional arm of the Ministry and devised education policies in collaboration with the Minister of Education, education officers, and other stakeholders.
He had also served as Chairman of the Guyana School of Agriculture; Commissioner of the Teaching Service Commission; a member of the Caribbean Examinations Council’s Final Awards Committee; Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cyril Potter College of Education; member of the Caricom Taskforce on Teacher Education and Training and as a member of the Caricom Task Force on the Establishment of Teaching Councils. (G9)