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One dead, several wounded after drive-by shooting at D’Urban  Street Aug 25, 2024 News – Car used located Kaieteur News – One man was confirmed dead and several others hospitalized with gunshot injuries following a drive-by shooting at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, police said on Saturday. Killed during a drive-by, Anthony Havercome The shooting took place around 05:45hrs that morning and resulted in the death of Anthony Havercome, a 40-year-old vendor from South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who was reportedly riddled with bullets. Hospitalized with gunshot wounds are, Travis Ceres, a 25-year-old vendor from East La Penitence, Teon Allen, 38 of Sophia, Stanley Matthews, a 31-year-old labourer of Sophia, Destra Authur, 33, another vendor and a resident of East La Penitence, Lenox Wayne, 39, a security guard of Turkeyen. Ceres sustained a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen, Allen, an individual who is no stranger to the law, one to his shoulder. Matthews received two, one to the left hand and another in the left thigh. Authur was shot in the left leg while Wayne was shot to his right thigh and hand. Detectives learnt that the victims might have been attending an “All Black Party” at V’s Flavour Delight, located at 23 D’Urban Street, Lodge. At around 05:00hrs on Saturday, however, police closed off the party but some persons continued to drink in front of the location. The host of the event, Keon Aaron said that he was checking off his bar when he heard several gunshots. While finding out what where it came from, he reportedly saw a black car speeding in western direction from the location. He then saw several bloodied individuals being placed in vehicles and rushed away to the city hospital. Ranks subsequently made checks at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where they learnt that several persons were shot and one of them killed during a shooting at the location. Wounded, Teon Allen Kaieteur News later learnt that there was one more victim of the shooting, a miner, Lloyd Roberts, of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He sustained gunshot wounds to his right chest and left hip; some believe that Roberts might have been the real target of the drive-by. Roberts is presently receiving treatment at a private hospital. Further investigations by police led them to locating the car believed to be the one used in the shooting. It was reportedly found at parked on the eastern carriageway of Manatee Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. “The vehicle was processed and photographed by the CID team, and eleven 9mm spent shells, along with one .223 spent shell, were found in the front and back seats of the car,” police said while adding that “two suspected bullet holes were seen in the lower right back passenger door, and what appears to be a graze from a bullet to the left side back just above the gas tank”.  Police were able to track down the owner of the vehicle, a woman identified as Coleen Burrowes, a 33-year-old businesswoman. She told investigators that the car was stolen from her around 04:00hrs on Saturday by two men on a XR-Honda motorcycle at Victor and D’Urban Streets, Georgetown. The woman claimed that she was in the company of her cousin in the car and had stopped the vehicle there to urinate when the men rode up to her. Burrowes continued that the pillion rider dismounted the motorcycle, pointed a gun at her while demanding that she gave them the car. Fearful for her life, she, along with the other occupants of the car exited the car, and the armed man entered and drove it away while his accomplice followed behind on the motorcycle. She immediately went to the East La Penitence Police Station, where a report that the car was stolen from her. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Technology, enforcement of regulations needed to curb illegal mining – AFC Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – While it is widely reported of the decline in declaration of gold  due to illegal gold mining, the Alliance For Change (AFC), has suggested the used of advance technology and better enforcement of policies and regulations in an effort to curb the situation. Deonarine Ramsaroo, an AFC Member of Parliament (MP) and a member of the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee Deonarine Ramsaroop, an AFC Member of Parliament (MP) and a member of the Natural Resources Sectoral Committee, in an invited comment told members of the media on Friday that while the enforcement of regulation plays a vital part in curbing illegal mining, with the use of technology, miners would be monitored as to where they are extracting gold. He explained, “We have to enforce and we have to improve on our monitoring using technology and I think that is where we have to enforce more technological advancement using satellites, you can know the hotspots you can know where illegal mining’s are happening.” In addition, the MP also highlighted the need to work on border security. “We have to collaborate with the other countries and you will increase on that border security because we are talking here the smuggling of gold.” Nevertheless, he explained that once technology is improved, it will create a method whereas officials will know where mining and the resources are extracted. He added, “Once you can map that using a technology you will be able to know that you are going to put this small miner here or the large miners here. So you know exactly where they are mining.” Enforcing regulations Furthermore, speaking on the basis of illegal mining, the Former leader of the AFC and Attorney-at-law, Khemraj Ramjattan stated that once the regulations are properly enforced, illegal mining can be avoided. He related, “… Well it has to do with enforcement, enforcement by in relation to logging the forest rangers that we had created for purposes of ensuring that all the regulations are adhered to by the loggers and then going into these loggings concessions which they have powers of like policeman to go in and ensure that there is adherence to laws and regulations under the Forestry Act.” He continued, “… Even the criminal law, similarly with mining geology and mines, commissioners’ officers and personnel (are) ought to ensure that they go to these mining areas, where there is active mining going on and see that there is no pollution.” The Attorney-at-law further highlighted that by doing so, officers ought to ensure that miners are conducting mining which is done in accordance with the bylaws and sustainable development of the mining industry. Decline of gold declaration Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Finance, Juretha Fernandes pointed out the decline of declaration of gold in the first quarter report from the Bank of Guyana (BoG). Kaieteur News reported that the BoG reported that the country’s gold declaration decreased within the first three months of 2024. According to the Central Bank, the declaration fell to 89,845.8 troy ounces, when compared to the same period last year. It was stated that the dip in the gold declaration was mainly due to lower declarations from small- and medium-scale miners by 24.2 %.  It was explained that the lower declaration is as a result of prolonged dry weather which made access to water limited in many mining areas. The Shadow Minister of Finance said in relation to this, “I think persons really need to understand that an in-depth investigation needs to be done into this matter.” She further emphasized the importance of enforcing regulations/ policies.   Fernandes, explained that small-scale miners are who face harassment in the mining industry, in terms of capturing land spaces where gold is suspected to be. She said, “When you get underground, you will understand that the persons that are… harassed the most are the small-scale minors.” Fernandes continued, “If they (small-scale miners) do come in areas that get gold by the time they actually make applications for them to legally work on the land, then you will see some persons with more connections would be given access to those lands because that is how it is done.” Meanwhile, this publication had reported that on August 18, 2024, six Brazilians were arrested by the joint services and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), given the fact that they conducted illegal mining in Guyana. The Brazilians’ illegal mining operations. In a press release, the Guyana Police Force said the six Brazilian nationals (four males and two females) were arrested for illegal mining in the Amatuk Potaro River, Region 8. The team arrived at Amatuk Potaro River, Region 8, by GDF helicopter at approximately 10:30hrs Sunday where they located the illegal mining operation, identified as #252339, which was moored on the western bank of the river. The following individuals, identified as Brazilian nationals, were found at the mining operation, Leo Vitor Lucas De Arruda, date of birth: 30th October 2002 (22 years old); address: Novo Mundo, Mato Grosso; Francione Barbosa Da Silva, date of birth: 24th December 1983 (40 years old), address: Maria das Graças, Boa Vista, Roraima; Jeova Marques Pinho, date of birth: 1st February 1988 (36 years old), address: Mucajaí, Boa Vista, Roraima; Elivane Ferreira Dos Santos, date of birth: 10th April 1973 (51 years old), address: Castelo, Pará; Silvania Andrade de Oliveira, date of birth: 7th February 1979 (45 years old), address: Boa Vista, Roraima; and Diemisson Da Silva Rodriguez, date of birth: 18th February 1988 (36 years old), address: Boa Vista, Roraima. These individuals, police said were questioned and instructed by the Joint Services and GGMC officials to vacate the illegal operation. They were informed of the allegation that they were mining illegally and were placed under arrest. The suspects were subsequently escorted from the site to Ogle Airport, where they were then escorted to CID HQ. Additionally, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Cox, from the Dexter Todd and Associate Law Firm, visited the CID HQ and advised his clients to remain silent. The Brazilian nationals remain in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation. Related Similar Articles

GTU to explore other options to cushion 10% for teachers – GS Aug 25, 2024 News General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta Mc Donald Kaieteur News – General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union Coretta McDonald told this publication on Thursday that the union will be initiating a series of meetings to find ways to cushion the 10% salary increase for the teachers on the lower end of the spectrum that will not feel the impact of the increase. In an invited comment, McDonald said that, “The first thing the GTU has got to do is to redeem itself in the eyes of its teachers and the general public and that has to be done in such a tactical way that the hurt and the scars and so on that has been created are repaired.” She further stated, “Secondly, GTU will have to seek out other ways and means of how they are going to be able to initiate other avenues to cushion that 10% that has been signed. With the other non-salary benefits which doesn’t bring any significant relief to our teachers, and that is why the other half of GTU were hesitant and they are saying that we should not sign it because we recognize that the people who stand to benefit, the teachers who stand to benefit are those who are on the high-end of the spectrum.’ McDonald explained that the 10% that was signed off on “doesn’t offer any cushion to the regular members. When we look at duty-free concessions, duty-free concessions will benefit the administrators, who are few in numbers but the majority of our members are those who are not in administrative positions. The majority of our members will not benefit from what has been signed on to. “ “If you are going to sign off on any proper arrangement, then the masses of your members are the ones who you should seek to receive the cushioning or the best of cushioning,” she added. Despite objections from a section of its General Council as well as rank-and-file members, President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Dr. Mark Lyte on Wednesday morning signed a multi-year agreement with the government accepting the ten percent pay hike for teachers and a slew of other benefits, none of which accorded with the demands of the union. Teachers disappointed Earlier this week, this publication reached out to a few teachers to get their take on the 10% the government was offering. Member of Parliament and GTU member Ronald Cox told this publication that, “The GTU was trying desperately since 2019 (that was a whole issue by itself) to finalize an agreement with the MOE (government by extension). Following the established trajectory set by the coalition coupled by other economic factors (fastest growing economy in the world), it is fair to conclude that any percentage under 15% for 2024 with an incremental increase for 2025 and 2026 will be considered unreasonable.” He stressed that, “The current measures of the government to fight the rising cost of living are meagre worsened with the great challenges of alleged discrimination and corruption. However, 10% is definitely not what the general membership is prepared to accept at this time, especially with a lesser % for 2025 and 2026!” Sir Randy Mingo who was always vocal since the first strike told the Kaieteur News that, “Many of those benefits will not benefit all the teachers, that is the first thing and that is the greatest issue that many of us have. Just a selected few would benefit from those incentives that they are talking about. So that is why we the teachers are more interested in the higher percentage on salaries. They are talking about health checks and all of these things; we don’t want health outreaches and all those things for us to go.” Abiding by the General Council The GTU in a statement via its Facebook Page on Wednesday said that the agreement comes after months of talks between the two sides. “The GTU wishes to thank members for their resilience, support, and commitment throughout the process.  The General Council decision reflects the members’ wishes based on the instructions given to the executives. As we move forward, the GTU remains committed to advocating for the needs of our members and assure its members and the general public that we will continue to press the employer for additional member benefits.” Related Similar Articles

$569M estimated to repair Paramakatoi airstrip Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Paramakatoi airstrip in Region Eight is scheduled to undergo rehabilitative works for an estimated cost of $569 million. This is according to a recent opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office which revealed that two contractors have applied for the Ministry of Public Works project. The contractors who all bid above the engineer’s estimate are International Import & Supplies who bid $799,658,633 and Theodore Faria General Contracting Service who bid $605,443,627. During the presentation of this year’s budget, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had said that the government continue to rehabilitate and maintain hinterland airstrips to promote ease of access between the coastal and hinterland regions. In 2023, works advanced at Ekereku Bottom, Eteringbang, Karisparu, and Pariuma airstrips, which are all expected to be completed this year. “In 2024, $2.3 billion has been allocated towards completion of these airstrips as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of several others including the Imbaimadai, Kaieteur, Kaikan and Matthew’s Ridge airstrips,” he explained. Rehabilitation of Paramakatoi Airstrip Region 8. Below are the companies and their bids: Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Construction of Accommodation at Air Station London – Timehri. Extension of Officers’ Club and Messing Facility- Base Camp Ayanganna. Construction of Accommodation at Coast Guard Ship Hinds, Ruimveldt. Ministry of Public Works Rehabilitation of Paramakatoi Airstrip Region 8. Guyana Water Inc. Drilling and Construction of Potable Water Well at Central Ruimveldt. Ministry of Housing and Water Procurement of Electrical Line Hardware Materials Lots 1-8. Related Similar Articles

Teachers 10% salary increase can’t keep up with rising food inflation rate – AFC Aug 25, 2024 News Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Finance, Juretha Fernandes Kaieteur News – In the realms, where consumers’ prices are increasing, making it difficult to buy as much as they could in the past, the Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Finance, Juretha Fernandes has raised concerns over the rising food inflation of eight percent and the meager 10 percent which the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) accepted from the government on Wednesday. Kaieteur News reported that the GTU’s President, Mark Lyte signed a multi-year agreement with the government accepting the ten percent pay hike for teachers and a slew of other benefits, none of which accorded with the demands of the union. The agreement stipulates that teachers will receive a salary increase of 10% for 2024, 8% for 2025 and 9% for 2026. These are the same increases that were recently rejected by the union. Taking this into account, during the Alliance For Change (AFC) weekly press conference, held on Friday, the Shadow Minister of Finance addressed the salary increase teachers received, compared to the high food inflation, which increased throughout the months. This move of the Government indicates the fate other public servants will face, Fernandes said. “…We need to take this seriously as an indication of what the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) plans to deal with public servants overall for 2024, 2025 and 2026, because if this is what they have tabled before the teachers, it indicates to me that that’s the direction that they are going in for all public servants,” she stressed, while noting that the amount of money receives would not be able to combat the food inflation. In May 2024, reports from Bureau of Statistics said that the food inflation rate was at 7.4 percent, and increased in June 2024, to eight percent.  The report further stated that the Georgetown Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the end of May 2024 was 140.38 compared to 139.39 at the end of April 2024, representing an inflation of 0.7 percent.  The Food and Transport & Communication categories were the main drivers of the monthly increase. These categories increased overall by 1.5 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, at the end of May 2024, when compared to the previous month.  To read more visit https://statisticsguyana.gov.gy/subjects/price-indices/consumer-price-index-georgetown-guyana-may-2024-2/. Furthermore, in June, 2024 the CPI was 141.70 compared to 140.38 at the end of May 2024, representing an inflation of 0.9 percent. Food was the main driver of the monthly increase. This category increased overall by 1.9 percent at the end of June 2024, when compared to the previous month. To read more visit https://statisticsguyana.gov.gy/subjects/price-indices/consumer-price-index-georgetown-guyana-june-2024/. To that end, the ten percent teacher increase is a drop of water to the ocean when compared to food inflation rate. As such, the AFC believes that teachers deserve more money as to the importance they have on the economy. With that aside, Fernandes continued to address the government disbursing huge amount of money into other projects, rather than giving teachers what they deserve, following the money generated by the resources of the country.  She further compared the construction of the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant, and the loan the government has applied to the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank, compared to the increase the teachers received. Former leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan The Government applied to the US-EXIM bank for a US$646M loan to support the construction of the Gas-to-Energy project. Regardless of whether the bank approves the loan, the government will still push forward with the project. As such, Fernandes explained, “We can weigh it against other things, looking at the fact that we know the EXIM bank is not approving the loan when it comes to the gas to the energy (project), but the VP (Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo) is saying very boldly that yeah even if it’s not approved then we’re going to ahead, we are going to spend money towards it.” She continued, “EXIM bank isn’t approving it because it is not showing feasible.” Nevertheless, the Member of Parliament pointed out what the government gives in returned to the in-depth document provided by teachers which specifically highlighted key things that would improve their lives as teachers in Guyana. Former AFC leader and Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan who was present at the press conference described the 10 percent salary increase as, “disastrous.” He said, “…And we know that the government was pressuring them (teachers), to accept the 10 percent…indeed the pressures of the government did make a certain fraction of the GTU’s General Council accept the 10, nine and eight percent for the next two years.” Ramjattan then recalled when Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo reportedly indicated to public servants that the Government does not have enough fiscal space to accommodate what the public servants were asking for some time in 1999. Ramjattan pointed out, “…So when they said that they don’t have fiscal space and only a couple months ago, or a couple of weeks ago, they come back to parliament for $40B, how you going to get fiscal space?” The Attorney continued, “…It is a lie but there it would appear (the government)…do not want to give a better pay to our teachers.” Related Similar Articles

GuySuCo continues to refute claims of sugar shortage Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Amidst the claims circulating of shortage sugar, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Thursday continued to refute the claims that packaged sugar is not available for sale. The release stated that production for the second crop of 2024 commenced last week and the sale of packaged sugar commenced on Monday. GuySuCo underscored in the statement that packaged sugar is available at the Blairmont Estate from Friday and will have sugar available for sale on August 26, 2024. “The corporation would like to also reiterate that there has been NO price change to neither packaged nor bagged sugar and as such, businesses should not increase the prices on these commodities.  Persons desirous of purchasing sugar are asked to make contact with GuySuCo Marketing Department on 220-2891 ext. 260,261 &263.” GuySuCo concluded. Related Similar Articles

West Demerara Secondary students excel at CSEC Aug 25, 2024 News …100% passes in Law for CAPE Kaieteur News – In continuation of going down the path of success, the West Demerara Secondary School students have again performed excellently in this year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) with breaking academic records for the school and securing a 100 percent pass in law for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Ravindra Persaud, who secured 16 Grade One’s with one Grade Two, along with the Ministry of Education Priya Manickchand and Head teacher of West Demerara Secondary, Harrinarine The top student for the school, Ravindra Persaud managed to secure 16 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Persaud broke the previous record which was held by Jaikishan Takchandra and Dr. Mickel Mohabbir with 13 Grades Ones ten years ago. Additionally, other students who excelled in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination are Akash Dennis, he secured 10 Grade One’s and two Grade Twos; Manroj Ram, who secured 13 Grade Ones; Alonzo Lall, who got nine Grade Ones and three Grade Twos; Akilah Piggott, she secured eight Grade Ones and four Grade Twos. Perbattie Jaupersaud, received eight Grade Ones and three Grade twos.   To this end, Harrinarine Headteacher of the school, who will retire at the end of this year, is very elated with the results. As such, he congratulated the all students for their performance especially the top students. He admitted like the country, there was a decline in Mathematics passes with only 93 students passing with Grades ones to three while the results in English were excellent. Nevertheless, Harrinarine commended Miss Odetta Alves, and all the teachers who contribute to the overall success of the school and by extension the Parent/Teachers Association and the Ministry of Education for the contribution of school grants and graph books to all students. Sir Harrinarine further told this publication that, “Teaching is a calling,  [I came] from an acting teacher at the Patentia Secondary to Head teacher at the West Dem was a fulfillment of a dream to change lives and create a lasting impact on the lives of children.” Related Similar Articles