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Text and Photos by Nester Núñez (Joven Cuba) HAVANA TIMES – By 3 PM on Sunday, June 12, 1988, there wasn’t much left to do....

Text and Photos by Nester Núñez (Joven Cuba) HAVANA TIMES – By 3 PM on Sunday, June 12, 1988, there wasn’t much left to do....

President Ali dodges question on plans to increase spending power of citizens, by asking reporter if he applied for house lot Jun 23, 2024 News President Irfaan Ali “How old are you? Where do you live? You own your own home? Applied for a house lot? Well sit down. You are not participating on the enhancement of your own life…at 28 years you should be making better life decisions.” Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali on Thursday returned a series of questions to a reporter from Kaieteur News after he was asked to simply share his government’s plans to increase the spending power of Guyanese, should his party be re-elected to govern the country in the next Regional and General Elections. The Head of State was just about ready to conclude his press conference at State House, Georgetown when he fielded a final question from a male reporter attached to this newspaper. The President was specifically asked to explain the government’s plan to increase the spending power of Guyanese should the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) be elected to govern this country in the upcoming Elections, scheduled for 2025. This question comes at a time when citizens have been complaining about the high cost of living in the country and the daily struggle to make ends meet, despite having an abundance of oil and gas resources. Ali who seemed unprepared for the question took the familiar path of Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to not only dodge the issue but humiliate the journalist publicly. The President said, “The government’s plan is to win the next elections by a greater majority.” When he was pressed to say how the administration would increase the spending power of citizens if it is re-elected, Ali stated, “We have been continuously increasing the availability of resources, improving the livelihood of people and increasing the disposable income in the pockets of persons. I just gave you an example of the housing programme and how it’s linked to increase your disposable income.” In his opening remarks, the Head of State alluded to the housing programme of the government and expounded on how property value has increased. As such, the President went on to ask the reporter his age, where he lives and whether he owned a house. He even asked the young man if he had ever applied for a house lot but when the 28-year old responded in the negative, the Head of State instructed, “Well sit down. You are not participating on the enhancement of your own life…at 28 years you should be making better life decisions.” Since Ali’s press conference on Thursday, a number of citizens shared the clip of the President’s response to the question, calling him out for failing to address this critical issue. Such tactics have been employed in the past by other members of the PPP, including Vice President Jagdeo. In fact, the government officials are known to be hostile in their response to non-state reporters who often pose unexpected and direct policy-related questions. GPA President calls for end to “unnecessary insults” Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir in an invited comment called for an end to the unnecessary insults to media workers. Raghubir in her capacity as a senior journalist said the GPA will be issuing an official statement later this week. She explained however that the body has received complaints from editors and reporters to address a series of incidents, including the bullying of a female journalist from Kaieteur News on World Press Freedom Day. The head of the GPA said, “The bullying started at the Vice President’s press conference in the way he was dealing with her question and responding to Kaieteur News erroneously publishing a picture depicting this businessman who is not the businessman that they thought and then it spilled over into the social media commentator, Mikhail Rodrigues, putting the woman’s image up on social media and also bullying her.” Raghubir added that there was another complaint from the Linden Manager of the National Communications Network (NCN) who is also a reporter for the broadcasting channel. The reporter was verbally attacked along with the cameraman at an event in the Region, by a named Opposition operative. In addition, the GPA President said complaints were also lodged concerning the President’s attitude towards the press. “There are two specific incidents, when Svetlana Abrams of News Source who is also an Executive Member of the Guyana Press Association has been treated very aggressively by the President in the way he responds to her questions and what is noticeable is that he would answer questions from another reporter right after her or before her and his response would be very different from the one he would give her.” To this end, the GPA President said his behaviour was “very concerning”. She was keen to note that the events were all listed since the politicians seem to be acting from the same “play book where they think or they want to treat the media as an enemy and reporters as enemies” by targeting reporters in a very specific and aggressive manner. Furthermore, Raghubir noted that the Press Association has received complaints that the Presidential press conferences are geared to keep the media away, intimidate journalists from asking in-depth and interrogating questions and to demean journalists simply doing their jobs. According to her, “The whole set up of the press conference itself is very questionable. A Presidential press pass is being issued and only two members of the media from one media house can go there is limiting probing on serious issues.” Raghubir was keen to note the employment of Communications Consultant; Kit Nascimento by the Head of State is also questionable. She pointed out that during his interaction with the media, Nascimento has demonstrated that he is “bent on intimidating and insulting” the media. She reasoned, “This one question, one follow up format is just really, really at this point ridiculous because I don’t understand how you should have a functioning democracy and you can’t even get proper questions asked; you can’t get proper follow ups; you don’t have Ministers available to talk to certain media houses; your commissioner of information is not functioning the way he should and you’re still getting bullied at the Vice President’s press conferences and attacked for doing your job.” Raghubir said the press conferences hosted by President Ali smacks of the type of contempt he has for the media. She pointed out that most the journalists are senior members of the press and are respected with members of the public looking forward to their reporting. Consequently, she noted, “To try to water down the press conference in a way that the President decided that he was going to have the back and forth with Marcelle of Stabroek News, a reporter from Guyana Times and the reporter Shervin Belgrave from Kaieteur News is very insulting to the press.” Raghubir said that while the Head of State demands respect, his actions and responses show little respect for media workers. She said the “unnecessary insulting and attempts to belittle the media has to stop now. It can’t be how Irfaan Ali wants to go into 2025.” Raghubir was keen to note that had the government continued to host regular Post Cabinet press briefings, the public would be better informed and the Head of State would not be required to “stoop to the level” he did on Thursday. “It’s very crass, it’s very disgusting and all I have to say is that the media have to continue working, they also have to continue digging, they also have to continue confronting all of these politicians as we head into a very important period in this country,” she urged. Related Similar Articles

EPA waives impact assessment for pipeline cleaning and storage facility to service oil sector Jun 23, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted a pipeline cleaning and storage facility to service the oil sector from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). An EIA is intended to assess the environmental and social impacts of the project and outline measures to mitigate these. The EPA in a Notice on its website dated June 18, 2024 explained that it screened the application for Rapid Oilfield Guyana Inc. for the preparation and non-destructive testing of pipes and has concluded that the project will not significantly affect the environment, and is therefore exempt from the requirement to conduct an EIA. The facility will be operated at Lot 563 Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) obliquely opposite the Garden of Eden Power Plant. According to the Project Summary, also available on the EPA’s website, the facility will be used for the storage of pipes and industrial equipment; cleaning of tools, pipes and other equipment; non-destructive testing of industrial tools, pipes and equipment; administrative activities and storage of tools, parts and chemicals. “Rapid Oilfield’s core operation is nondestructive testing and the activities that support the activities such as cleaning of the tools and pipes, preparation of the items. Forklift operations are an integral part of the operations for the movement of pipes and equipment,” the developer explained. Kaieteur News understands that the plot is situated 25 kilometers from Georgetown. The facility has commenced development on the 24,281 square meters (six acres) where 50% of the area has been cleared of vegetation and a warehouse erected. The surrounding areas are predominantly home to locals who are cash crop, large scale poultry and cattle farmers, the developer said in its Project Summary. According to the document, “90% of the space is an open area. The present usage is to store pipes and tools for the oil industry. There are plans and preparations to develop the facility to include a Wash Bay Area, a storage area and various work areas where cleaning, preparation and inspections can be facilitated.” Following completion of the facility about 30 to 60 persons will be employed. It was noted that the operations will have minimal effects on the land and soil as any chemicals used will be in the wash bay area where a sump will collect the waste and discharge clean water. Additionally, the developer said there would be no effects to the water or waterways due to the processes of operations where only clean water will be used for the cleaning and blasting. Meanwhile, the facility is not expected to generate air emissions and will therefore not pose any hazards to the atmosphere, with the exception of its forklift operations. Additionally, the developer assured that domestic garbage will be collected and disposed of adequately while a sump will be constructed to collect waste and filter the water, allowing for clean water to enter the main drainage. Lubes used during the operations are expected to be collected and stored for recycling. Consequently, the EPA gave three reasons to support its decision to waive an Environmental Impact Assessment for the project. It explained that the potential impacts of the project on the physical, biological, and socioeconomic environment will not be significant, given that the preparation and non-destructive testing inspection of pipes will be done in a controlled environment. Secondly, the agency noted that the project is not located within an environmentally sensitive area, i.e., it is not located in an area having special environmental attributes that require special care or rare ecosystems or habitats with species at risk. Finally, the EPA pointed out that the application and project summary submitted outlined adequate mitigation measures for air, noise, and land pollution from the project. Any persons who may be affected by the proposed project have 30 days to lodge an appeal against the Agency’s decision not to require an EIA for the project. Appeals should be addressed to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board E-mail: [email protected] or Website: www.epaguyana.org Related Similar Articles

Guyanese businesses question tax and duty-free concessions for Chinese supermarkets and hardware stores Jun 23, 2024 News A Chinese owned supermarket in Guyana …says rapid expansion of Chinese businesses may be a strategy to undermine Guyanese Kaieteur News – The Guyanese Businesses Owners Association (GBOA), comprising 65 entities and individuals have requested a meeting with President Irfaan Ali to address concerns regarding the proliferation of non-naturalized Chinese owned businesses, predominantly supermarkets and hardware stores, throughout communities in the country. In a letter to the Head of State and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo among other high level government officials, the group explained that these establishments often emerge in close proximity to their businesses, and sometimes multiple similar Chinese stores are established on the same street. The Guyanese business owners were keen to note that while they recognize and embrace healthy competition for the benefit of consumers, their primary concern pertains to the perceived lack of adherence by Chinese businesses to the same laws and regulations governing Guyanese enterprises. They argued, “Many of these Chinese stores fail to provide tax invoices automatically with purchases, and when requested, such invoices are begrudgingly provided. Additionally, they neglect to display TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) on invoices, omit charging VAT (Value Added Tax) on applicable items, and abstain from listing product descriptions on invoices.” GBOA in its April 22, 2024 missive also noted that there have been instances where consumers unknowingly purchased expired food items from these establishments, only to find no recourse for product support. These flagrant breaches, according to the Business Association, raise questions about accountability and concerns about the oversight by relevant authorities. To this end, the businesses said they cannot help but speculate whether these non-naturalized Chinese businesses receive preferential treatment or special concessions. According to the group, “The rapid expansion of these Chinese stores, fueled by their ability to invest and develop at an accelerated pace compared to local businesses, coupled with their non-compliance with established norms and their capacity to offer products at significantly lower prices, poses an existential threat to the Guyanese business community.” To this end, the Business Association requested the attention of the President to address their concerns. The group was keen to note that the rapid proliferation of Chinese businesses suggests significant capital investments as they questioned whether these businesses are complying with Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering laws overseen by the Bank of Guyana regarding the influx of substantial funds. The Business Association was also curious of the factors driving the sudden surge of Chinese businesses across Guyana, prompting questions on why the regulators allow multiple similar Chinese stores to operate on the same street or within close proximity. The businesses pointed out, “The rapid expansion of Chinese businesses may not reflect normal market competition but rather a strategy to undermine Guyanese businesses by diminishing their market share, potentially impacting those with financial obligations to lending institutions such as loans and mortgages.” In light of the growing number of Chinese owned supermarkets and hardware stores, the local businesses questioned whether they were being subjected to the same taxes and import duties as local businesses, or whether they receive preferential treatment such as duty-free concessions for their imports. The group in their letter to President Ali also noted that many Chinese businesses hire a considerable number of Chinese. Questions were therefore raised about the percentage of Guyanese that are required to be hired by these businesses, if such regulations are in place. Furthermore, the GBOA requested clarity on the licenses granted to these businesses in accordance with Guyana’s legal framework, including adherence to building codes and permits, taxation and VAT regulations, labor laws, National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) requirements. They were keen to note that some consumables sold by these stores are not labeled in English or translated to English, as mandated by the Food and Drugs Department, while some of these businesses open beyond the lawful business hours. Related Similar Articles