Yearly Archives: 2024

IDB, China and World Bank are Guyana’s largest external creditor Jun 25, 2024 News Source (Budget 2024 speech) Kaieteur News – In 2023, Guyana’s debt increased by 23%, reaching a total of approximately US$4.5 billion. The country’s domestic debt surged to US$2.7 billion by the end of the year, up from US$2 billion at the close of 2022. Meanwhile, external debt grew by 13%, amounting to over US$1.7 billion at the end of 2023 compared to the previous year. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), China, and the World Bank (specifically through the International Development Association) are Guyana’s largest external creditors. They hold 19%, 6%, and 4% of the total debt, respectively. This information was highlighted in the IDB’s ‘Partnering for Resilience’ report, published earlier this year. Recently, Kaieteur News reported that over the past 47 years, the IDB approved over US$2 billion in loans to support Guyana’s development. The IDB said that Guyana is experiencing a significant increase in its debt repayment and interest obligations. The figures highlight a substantial rise in both principal and interest payments over the past few years, reflecting the country’s evolving economic landscape and financial commitments. The IDB report states that Guyana’s principal repayments have surged from an average of US$8.3 million per year between 2010 and 2020 to US$18.3 million annually over the period from 2021 to 2023. This increase underscores the growing financial demands on the nation’s budget as it manages its debt obligations. Similarly, interest payments have seen a notable increase. From an average of US$8 million per year over the 2010–2020 decade, the figure has climbed to US$15.2 million per year on average during 2021–2023. This escalation in interest costs reflects both the increase in overall debt and potentially higher interest rates on new or refinanced debt. Related Similar Articles

$717M A-Line pump station contract terminated Jun 25, 2024 News Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Local Government and Regional Development, Ganesh Mahipaul Kaieteur News – The $717 million contract for the construction of the A-Line pump station, Region Three has been terminated, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha has disclosed. The Agriculture Minister told Kaieteur News that the contract has been terminated and the project halted due to non-performance by the contractor. The Minister explained that due to this set back, his ministry will re-start the tender process in search of another contractor to complete the project. Over the weekend, Minister Mustapha visited Region Six where he said that there are several pump station projects ongoing across the country that are near completion. “There are a number of contractors who are delinquent, I think the President (Irfaan Ali) at his press conference spoke about it, we have already started to charge liquidated damages on those contracts and I am hoping those contracts are completed shortly so we can commission them,” he said in a statement published by his Ministry on Facebook. It was reported previously that following a national bidding process, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in April 2022 awarded a $717,095,940 contract to contractor Civcon Engineering Contractors for the A-Line pump station project. The project was expected to be completed in June 2023. With the delay in completion of the project, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul publicly highlighted the slothfulness of that project, among others. The construction site for the A-line pump station back in April this year. (Photo courtesy, Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul) “While he (Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha) made a show of visiting the Canal No. 1 pump station, conveniently ignoring its neighbouring A-Line station and Pouderyoen Pump Stations, the truth is clear: projects across the region languish in a state of abandonment and disrepair,” Mahipaul said in a statement back in April. Responding to the Opposition MP, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in a statement at the time stated that over the years, the Ministry and the NDIA crafted programmes aimed at delivering quality drainage and irrigation infrastructure across the country, especially in vulnerable areas. These efforts, however, have been met with challenges as, oftentimes, the NDIA encountered contractors who have underperformed. The Authority had further disclosed that these instances have been and are being addressed on a case by case basis. In some instances, the NDIA applied liquidated damages to contractors who have not been able to complete projects according to the contractual time period, the statement disclosed. “In the case of the A-Line Pump station, the contractor has not been able to complete the project on time. As a result, liquidated damages are now being applied. The NDIA has noted that the contractor demobilized several pieces of equipment from the site. As such, the NDIA has notified the insurance company providing bonds on this project, and a file on the current situation has been sent to the Office of the Attorney General for advice on the way forward,”  NDIA said back in April. Kaieteur News had reported that the ministry through NDIA had also terminated a pump station contract ($978.7 million) for Black Bush Polder front-lands in Region Six due to poor quality and performance. That project has since been retendered and is now being executed by Quality Deliverer for $799 million. Related Similar Articles

Govt. to build pump station in Chesney, estimated to cost $705M Jun 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is preparing to construct another pump station, this time in Chesney, Region Six for an estimated cost of $705,979,470. This is according to an invitation for bids issued by the ministry seeking contractors for the project.  Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha related to Kaieteur News on Monday, that the pump station would be the first of its kind in the Chesney community. The minister added that Albion which is neighbouring Chesney has a pump station operated by GuySuco and would normally benefit Chesney. “This (Chesney pump station) would complement the system (Albion pump station) because the water drains from both ways,” he explained. Kaieteur News understands that the pump station for Chesney is part of several projects the ministry is looking to get underway this year. It was reported that in 2024 works will also advance on pump stations at Charity, Cottage, Cozier, Jimbo Grove, and Letter Kenny, with additional investments planned for pump stations at Chesney, Farm, Grove South, and Little Diamond. All this will form part of the $10 billion which was approved for NDIA from the national budget earlier this year. Back in April while visiting a pump station project in Region Three, NDIA Chairman, Lionel Wordsworth said that these pump station projects represent a nationwide comprehensive drainage improvement programme. Kaieteur News understands that some 19 pump stations are under construction across the country and are expected to be operationalised by mid-2025. Related Similar Articles

Autopsy confirms carbon monoxide poisoning as cause of death of Mabura Trail trio Jun 25, 2024 News Dead: Leon Achee, Reva Bovell and Vincent Albert Fausett Kaieteur News – The cause of death of the three individuals found dead inside a minibus along the Mabura Trail on Sunday has been determined as carbon monoxide poisoning. The trio has been identified as: Leon Achee, a 42-year-old of Mon Repos, Vincent Albert Fausett a 44 year old of Plantation Ross, West Coast Berbice and Reva Bovell, 24, of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden. Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh conducted the post-mortem examinations with dissections on the bodies at the Memorial Gardens Mortuary. The identities of the deceased were confirmed by their respective family members. According to the pathologist, the cause of death was ‘Carbon Monoxide Poisoning,’ pending confirmation. The bodies have been handed over to the relatives for burial or cremation. Kaieteur News had previously reported on Monday that detectives from Regional Division #10 were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the three persons found inside a minibus along Mabura Trail at 28 Miles on Sunday at about 09:40h. Upon inspection, the minibus appeared to be stuck in a deep pothole, with the rear of the vehicle submerged. The vehicle’s engine was running, and all windows were locked, indicating that the victims might have been sleeping in the bus overnight. The bodies of the deceased were examined, and no marks of violence were found on the exposed parts. Dr. Zulfikar Bux, the Head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital, was asked by Kaieteur News about the dangers of carbon monoxide and how it may cause deaths.  Dr. Bux explains that carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas because it binds to the hemoglobin in our red blood cells stronger than oxygen. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen to our body’s tissues. When CO binds to hemoglobin, it takes up the space that would normally be occupied by oxygen. This means the red blood cells are no longer able to effectively transport oxygen throughout the body. This leads to oxygen starvation in the tissues. In a closed space with CO, a person will first feel tired and experience headaches as their body is deprived of oxygen. Eventually, they will lose consciousness and die, as the CO continues to displace the oxygen in their bloodstream. Related Similar Articles

‘Stop the brain drain, put people over profits’- GPSU tells Govt. Jun 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Sunday called on the Government of Guyana to “Stop the brain drain, put people over profits,” by prioritizing its growth and modernization agendas to include adequate accommodation for public servants. “Put them (public servants) over profit because without the workers you cannot have profit, without the workers we cannot have good roads, you cannot have schools, who building, who maintains, it’s the workers,” First Vice President of GPSU, Dawn Gardener told Kaieteur News on Monday. Gardener said that there is a great need for the government to place public servants on the front burner. “You (Government) have to have adequate accommodation for them, always remember that your human capital is important, your human resources are important, and they must be treated with priority, treated with respect,” she said adding, “You always hear comments about the profit part of it, the outcome, but you haven’t heard, you don’t hear, where this profit was driven from, the profits was driven from your human resources.” Similarly, the Union, in a letter published in Sunday’s edition of the Kaieteur News in observance of the United Nations Public Service Day highlighted the importance of public servants and noted the lack of recognition received. “As you continue to deliver Quality Public Services to the citizenry and escalate the development process of Guyana, be mindful of your value, role and the impact of the services provided to the communities that benefit and depend on these facilities for their survival,” the Union said in the letter. Further, the GPSU said that as governments across the world reprioritize their agendas to handle global shifts and problems emanating from wars, climate disaster, widening gaps in inequalities, poverty and technology, public service workers find themselves holding the shorter end of the stick. As such, GPSU is urging the government to reprioritize its growth and modernization agendas to include adequate accommodation for the human capital. Meanwhile, the Union reminded that development and progress must include the workers that manage and implement the system that delivers quality public services for a better future. “While cumulative wealth is created for some, precarious work continues for others. Stop the hemorrhaging of much needed resources that can provide adequate pay for workers,” GPSU said adding that “The time to act is now.” “Public Service Workers deliver the core of government services and lack the recognition for the value created; their development is stymied by poor responsive mechanisms to strengthen them in preparation for a better future, for themselves and that of their families,” the GPSU stated. Meanwhile, this publication had reported that President Irfaan Ali on March 7, 2024 at the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Annual Officers Conference, announced that public servants can look forward to better salaries come 2027. “I want assure that by the time we get to 2027, and there is a misconception about the resource inflow, the magnitude of resource that will come to the revenue base of our country will really have the greater effect in 2027 and onward,” Ali said. Guyana stands disadvantaged by the lopsided agreement signed with U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil for the Stabroek Block. However, with the lack of ring-fencing, the country is losing approximately US$4B annually. The country’s Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the chief policymaker for the oil and gas sector, at one of his weekly press conferences said that Guyana’s current annual take from its oil resources is under US$2B. He anticipates that by 2027 Guyana’s revenue inflow from the oil sector will be around US$9B. Related Similar Articles

Guyana to introduce stricter laws to combat sale of unprescribed antibiotics, fake drugs Jun 25, 2024 News Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony Kaieteur News – Guyana is set to have stricter laws in place to deal with the sale of unprescribed antibiotics and fake drugs, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony revealed on Sunday. Dr. Anthony was at the time addressing a gathering of pharmacist and other healthcare providers at the commencement of the Commonwealth Pharmacists’ Week of events, annual convention, hosted at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, in Kingston. According to the minister, the move is part of efforts in the local health administration to combat the global resistance to antimicrobial (antibiotic) medication. “We have a problem and it’s not only in Guyana its global where people abuse this medication. Here in Guyana people present themselves to some of the pharmacies and ask for antibiotics and that they are being sold being without a prescription and that is against the current laws that we have,” the minister said as he urged pharmacists and other health workers acting in violation of the law to rethink their actions. “If you don’t change this type of behavior then we will have to close you down,” Dr. Anthony warned.  Giving a scenario of how the medication is being misused, Dr. Anthony said there are cases when somebody has flu and the pharmacist or health care provider gives them antibiotic to treat the case. “What you are really doing is contributing  to the resistance we have with antibiotic … we have cases in this country where we have patients who develop resistance to many of the medication we have…If we continue this indiscriminate use of  antibiotics we are only going to accelerate.” Dr. Anthony noted that pharmacist have to take responsibility for some of the issues but also doctors who are not prescribing medications properly. “If the prescription is not necessary then we must not do it.” A section of the gathering of pharmacist and other healthcare providers at the commencement of the Commonwealth Pharmacists’ Week of events, annual convention Alluding to global figures surrounding the issue, Dr Anthony noted that at present, the WHO estimates that globally about seven million people who died from antimicrobial resistance.  “That’s a big number and that’s going to climb.  So, there is a big move now globally for us to try to do something about the antimicrobial resistance.  We will have a high level meeting at the UN in September. And at that meeting we are working a political declaration at it relates to antimicrobial resistance and there are many facets to this and after that meeting, one of the hopes is that we can establish an intergovernmental panel to deal with antimicrobial resistance…” he added. Another area of drug administration that the Minister described as “very problematic,” is the fight against counterfeit medications. “It’s a global problem medication… when counterfeit drugs are in the system it can create a big problem. This new medicine regulations law would target fake medicines,” he said. “We also want to take a firmer stand on falsification of medications because we do have, and it’s a global problem, where medicines are being counterfeited and so one of the challenges if you have counterfeit medication in the system, it can create problems in management of patients,” said Dr. Anthony. He explained that while the Ministry would have a system in place, citizens have a responsibility to report such matters to them.  “Also the importers of these medications would have to do their own monitoring, as is done in other jurisdictions,” he said. Each year on June 16th, Commonwealth Pharmacists Day is observed to recognise and appreciate the significant contributions made by pharmacists across the Commonwealth. The Guyana Pharmacists’ Association (GPA)—the local arm –engaged in a planned a week of activities in observance of Commonwealth Pharmacists Week, which commenced on June 16th and concludes on June 23rd. This year’s theme for Commonwealth Pharmacists’ Day is “Pharmacists developing resilient and sustainable health systems for all”. The theme was chosen with the aim of emphasizing the importance of collaboration between patients and pharmacists in managing the health and wellbeing of the Guyanese population. The GPA’s theme for this week of observances is “Empowering pharmacists through collaboration to elevate pharmaceutical care and promote healthy lifestyles”. In keeping with this theme, a number of patient education sessions have been planned in various regions across the country, including Suddie, Georgetown, Turkeyen, Bartica, Mahdia, Lethem and Linden. During these sessions, chronic disease patients will be educated on issues of “safe medication use” – including tips on how to take and store their medication and how to properly use a pill box. Additionally, over 700 pill boxes will be distributed free of cost. Related Similar Articles

Regional distillers should form body to market rums, spirits – Pres. Ali Jun 25, 2024 News President Irfaan Ali (left), Public Relations Consultant Alex Graham (second left) and other attendees sample the rum blend. Kaieteur News – Regional distillers should form a marketing entity to strengthen the regional brand to expand the rum and spirits market, President Irfaan Ali suggested on Monday. The President was on Monday speaking at the Demerara Distillers Limited’s (DDL) handing over ceremony for a special blend of rum created for the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held at State House, Georgetown. In his address, President Ali underscored Guyana’s long and rich history in producing quality spirits and rum products. He also explained the vital role the sugar industry plays in keeping the sector thriving. In 2022, exports of bottled rum and spirits earned Guyana almost US$35 million. Bulk alcohol earned the country some US$19 million in exports. “One of the things that I believe that CARICOM distillers should do in celebration of their own integration in this 50th year is to come together and find ways in which collectively we can [create] a regional brand carrying all our products in the international market,” President Ali said. He said hiring one marketing corporation to take regional products into new markets would cut cost for the distillers and improve competitiveness. “We should have a common warehouse, common transportation system through which collectively we target the new market and I think that is something Komal that you guys should do. If you can’t integrate your blend then you can integrate your ideas…in going after new markets through a collective mechanism,” President Ali said. Chairman of DDL, Komal Samaroo, explained that the blend contains three different rums, produced from three different distillers. One component of the blend is from the Uitvlugt French Savalle Still, the second came from the Diamond Coffey, and third one from the Port Mourant double Wooden Still. “Each one of those three rums is absolutely unique and extraordinary by themselves, but when they are combined into this blend…I think it’s the most extraordinary blend,” he added. Meanwhile, Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett reminded that DDL is one of 13 distillers in the region who prepared a special blend for CARICOM’s anniversary. “In our Region we boast some of the best distillers in the world, and in premium quality rum from Guyana in particular since we are here has been a repeat winner of international awards,” Dr. Barnett added. She continued, “Rum is deeply rooted in our society very much going hand-in-hand with the sugar industry…” Apart from DDL, other regional contributors include Mount Gay Distilleries (Barbados), Suriname Alcoholic Beverages, Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago), Saint Lucia Distillers, Belfast Estate (Dominica), Antigua Distillery, Grenada Distillers, Travellers Liquors (Belize), Watlings Distillery (The Bahamas), National Rums of Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Distillers. Related Similar Articles