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Driver of car in Linden-Soesdyke accident was speeding – Police Jul 14, 2024 News Scenes from the accident. Kaieteur News – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Saturday said that Carlyle Hunte, the driver of the motorcar that collided with a lorry on Friday afternoon on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway killing him and his 9-year-old grandson, Malique Roberts was speeding. In a statement to the media, police reported that the driver of the lorry, Sawdeo Persaud told investigators that he saw Hunte’s car proceeding south at a fast rate. 9-year-old Malique Roberts. Dead: Carlyle Hunte. “Enquiries disclosed that the driver of the lorry was proceeding north along the western side of the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, in the vicinity of Kairuni, when he noticed the car proceeding south along the eastern side of the road at a fast rate. As the car approached him, the driver allegedly lost control and ended up on the western driving lane and into the path of the Lorry.” The accident occurred at about 17:25h. Hunte was accompanied by his three grandchildren, Roberts and two others, aged 10 and 12. The driver told investigators that he swerved westwards to avoid a collision with the car, but due to the short distance, the car (BMS #4) collided with the right side of his lorry. The car toppled several times and ended up on the eastern side of the road. As a result, the occupants and driver received injuries and were taken out of the vehicle by public-spirited citizens. They were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were examined by doctors. “Malique Roberts and Carl Hunte were pronounced dead on arrival. The 10-year-old was treated and sent away, while the 12-year-old was referred to Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was further seen and examined by doctors on duty and admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit for observation; her condition is regarded as stable,” police said. Police said too that a ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ was prepared and served on the lorry driver, who remains in custody. Kaieteur News understands that Hunte, at the time of the accident, was driving a dark blue car and was reportedly heading to Linden from Georgetown.  Videos of the aftermath showed the car’s engine along with other debris scattered along the highway and that the car was destroyed completely while the front of the lorry was damaged. It is unclear whether the driver of the lorry was injured. Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Hunte’s daughter Coshana Hunte described her father as a loving and caring father. “Everybody thought my child was my little sister how this man always get my baby up under him. This man literally takes care of his grandchildren & they love each other so much daddy owwwwwwww Malia need her morning walks with you daddy!!!!! Telya & Tyrell need you right now to lend your comforting words! Mommy need yuh home daddy!!” The distraught woman said, “Last thing you said to me was ‘I can’t help you run the shop today ah gah go get the car number plate’ owwww father owww yuh did so much for everybody especially us! Always laughing & joking with everybody even when youre not well. Daddy owwwww ma belly bottom heavy heavy how ah scream so much cause yuh never walked out our lives or give up on us!! How I saw you yesterday was the first time I ever saw you take defeat & didn’t fight your way out Papa owwww.” Related Similar Articles

Guyana Centre for Civic Engagement hosts largest graduation from YOUthEngage592 Leadership Program Jul 14, 2024 News A group photograph of graduates and senior officials including U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot (seated centre) and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin (seated third right). Kaieteur News – The Guyana Centre for Civic Engagement (GyCCE) celebrated a milestone with the graduation of its largest cohort from the YOUthEngage592 Leadership Training Program. The ceremony, held at the Abram Zuil Secondary School auditorium, honoured 43 students and 11 teachers from six secondary schools in Region Two, including the Anna Regina, Abram Zuil, Charity, Johanna Cecilia, Cotton Field, and Aurora Secondary Schools. The YOUthEngage592 Leadership Training Program, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, is designed to cultivate a new generation of civic-minded leaders. Over the past three months, participants engaged in intensive training focused on civic engagement, voting education, conflict resolution, and project planning. The program culminated with each of the seven groups executing a civic engagement project, showcasing their newly acquired skills and commitment to community service. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, delivered an inspiring keynote address, emphasizing the transformative power of leadership. “Good leaders recognize other leaders and work together. There must be resilience. Remember, someone is looking at you and aspiring to be you,” she said, encouraging the graduates to view this achievement as the beginning of their leadership journey. Adrienne Galanek, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, congratulated the graduates and highlighted the opportunities available for young people to expand their knowledge and contribute to their communities. Quoting John F. Kennedy, she reminded them, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” President Deodat Persaud hands over a certificate to a participant. Deodat Persaud, a Community Solutions Programme alumnus, urged the graduates to love their country and contribute to nation-building. “This is the beginning of your volunteering journey. Guyana is your country, and you must be willing to volunteer,” he said, stressing the importance of active citizenship. GyCCE President emphasized the significance of youth empowerment, stating, “Our goal is to nurture a generation of leaders who are not only passionate about civic engagement but also equipped with the skills and commitment to drive positive change.” He added that the success of the YOUthEngage592 program underscores GyCCE’s commitment to fostering youth development and promoting democratic values in Guyana. During the ceremony, students presented their civic engagement projects. Among them: Anti-Vaping Initiative – Johanna Cecilia Secondary School students tackled vaping concerns among Grade 8 students, raising awareness, promoting healthier choices, and providing resources for those struggling with addiction. Competency-Based Education Room –This project involved creating a classroom equipped with technology and learning aids to deliver competency-based education, integrating technology into learning and enhancing the educational environment. Waste Management Awareness – This initiative promoted proper waste management in three villages through preparing and printing posters, painting plastic drums, attending village meetings, and distributing bins for sorted waste. Alcohol Consumption Reduction – Students created a mural depicting the negative consequences of alcohol abuse and complemented it with educational talks and brochures, aiming to encourage healthier choices among their peers. Pastoral Care and Awareness Sessions Addressing student issues in and out of school, this project involved creating a booklet for pastoral sessions, enhancing road safety at Charity Secondary School, and conducting awareness sessions. Certificates and special awards were presented to the students and mentors, recognizing their achievements. Anna Regina Secondary School received the Best Leader Award, Charity Secondary was honoured with the Best Project Award, and Abram Zuil Secondary School was recognized with the Best Mentor Award. The YOUthEngage592 program aims to train over 100 students nationwide. Following the Central Corentyne cohort’s graduation, the program will continue with the Bartica cohort next month. Notable guests at the ceremony included Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Members of Parliament Juliet Coonjah and Hemraj Rajkumar, representatives from the Mayor’s Office, head teachers, and other regional executives. Related Similar Articles

Phase Two of Housing Ministry’s HQ projected estimated to cost $998M Jul 14, 2024 News An artist’s impression of what the new Ministry of Housing and Water head office will look like. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Housing and Water) Kaieteur News – With a $570 million contract already awarded for the completion of phase one of the construction of the Ministry of Housing and Waters’ headquarters, the second phase of the project is estimated to cost $998,743,198. The project opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office and there it was revealed that two contractors applied for the contract. The contractors are Mac’ Junior International that bid $994,921,725 and R. Bassoo & Son Construction Company which bid $1,102,381,529. Kaieteur News understands that in 2022, the NPTAB had awarded a $570,068,709 contract to Aika General Construction & Hardware Supplies Inc. to execute phase one of the project. Situated at Houston, along the Mandela to Eccles Highway, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the new complex will comprise two buildings – one designated to host the ministry’s secretariat, and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), while the other will serve as the headquarters for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). Reporting on the progress of the project, the Housing Ministry in March this year stated that the contract sum for the five-storey building complex stands at $570 million, while an additional $171 million contract is in place for a central air conditioning system, taking the total to $741 million. Work on the project was paused for a few weeks due to a delay in construction materials, which has subsequently been resolved, the ministry reported at the time. “I am pleased to say that the issue with materials has been cleared up and the contractor will move ahead with construction and by the first half of this year, the entire frame of the building will be completed and the other components by the end of the year,” Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal said during his visit in March. The headquarters while under construction in March. The Minister further explained that upon completion, all the Ministry’s departments that have been operating in separate buildings will be consolidated at the Houston location. He stated that this centralized approach aims to streamline services, sparing individuals the inconvenience of visiting multiple offices for their transactions. Additionally, the new facility is expected to provide a new level of comfort for staff as well as members of the public. Minister Croal also highlighted other amenities, such as adequate parking for staff and members of the public and a recreational facility for staff. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves at the same visit had mentioned that members of the public will be able to enjoy some amount of privacy and comfort when transacting their business. “On a daily basis, we attend to approximately 300 to 500 persons and their comfort is important to us as well. So coming to this new facility will give our customers the comfort they need and it will be an overall better environment,” the CEO added. Kaieteur News understands that the new facility will house in excess of three hundred and twenty (320) staff members and is being constructed on a plot of land measuring approximately 214’ x 407’ (2 acres). The building measures approximately 150 ft in length x 105 ft in width and is designed with a parking area catering to over 100 vehicles. Related Similar Articles

PNC to compensate teachers retroactively once elected to office – Elson Low Jul 14, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has promised to retroactively compensate teachers should the party be successful at the 2025 General and Regional Elections. Opposition Advisor and Economist, Elson Low Opposition Advisor and Economist Elson Low told reporters on Friday at the party’s weekly press conference that the party is deeply concerned about the abrupt end to the teachers’ strike particularly since the teachers have returned to the classrooms without being compensated for the service provided over the years. “This represents government meanness and mismanagement beyond measure, because teachers must surely be going back to classrooms in a discouraged and weary state. We know that, out of concern for their students, they will work professionally as always,” Low said. The Opposition Advisor said that the next PNCR government will take into consideration the years that the “PPP has refused to engage on for salary increases, and provide them adequate compensation after good faith negotiations.” Furthermore, “We do not expect that the government will provide any substantial increases going forward, as they have clearly demonstrated a confrontational, unyielding and cold stance when it comes to salary increases for teachers and public servants more broadly. This means that when in office come 2025, or sooner, it will be our task to make up for the PPP’s total disregard for fair compensation. We will pay our teachers what they deserve and look forward to working closely with them to help ensure our schools improve swiftly and comprehensively.” Meanwhile, commenting on the 39.5% increase teachers are asking for in the 2024-2026 proposed multi-year agreement, Lowe said that, “We have previously called for a 50% increase for public servants so teachers’ demands are in line with the minimum that should be expected in order to make wages internationally competitive. We reiterate that as Guyana is a wealthy country, with a per capita GDP adjusting for prices of $80,000 USD, it is perfectly reasonable for citizens to expect better wages.” Low reminded that, “Jagdeo has said teachers’ salaries have increased by 50% since 2015 but the budget has swelled by over 400% in that same time period. The government is deliberately underpaying teachers and when in office, we will increase teacher pay retroactively, taking account of the years that the PPP refuses to consider.” The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has proposed a 39.5 percent salary increase for teachers in 2024, the proposal submitted to the Government of Guyana states. According to the document, the GTU is also asking for “30% for each indicative year 2025 and 2026 respectively. Teachers from TS4 to TS19 (35%) for 2024, and 30% indicative year 2025 and 2026 respectively.” Furthermore, the Union proposed that should there be a higher percentage given to Public Servants, then the teachers/ teacher educators must get the benefit of the differences. In the very detailed document, titled ‘Proposed Memorandum of Agreement entered between the Ministry of Education and the GTU concerning terms and conditions of employment for teachers/ teacher educators for the years 2024-2026’, the Union is also demanding among other things 100 University of Guyana scholarships per year, a clothing allowance of $40,000 and 300 duty free concessions for motor vehicles up to 2000 cc. Additionally, the GTU is proposing “That Teachers/Teacher Educators who serve in the Interior and Hinterland / Riverain Areas be given two (2) years instead of (5) years to serve their CPCE contracts and in the case of University Graduates, they be given Three (3) points for promotional purposes having served four (4) consecutive years.” Two weeks ago, the GTU called off the strike after being on strike for 75 days. The Union and the Ministry of Education on Friday agreed that the 2019-2023 multi-year proposal put forward by the Union will be shelved and focus will now be placed on the 2024 and onwards multi-year proposal. In a statement, the Ministry of Education said that “the conciliation process initiated by the Ministry of Education to engage the Guyana Teachers’ Union regarding the timeline for which a multi-year agreement should be agreed upon has come to an end.” In the statement, the ministry said that the bilateral talks can now begin on the proposed 2024 multi-year agreement. “The Ministry of  Education will continue to serve teachers in various ways and continues to have the best interest of teachers at heart,” the ministry stated. Related Similar Articles

Miner charged with murder of Venezuelan man Jul 14, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A 23-year-old miner of Quartz Stone Backdam, Cuyuni River, was remanded to prison on Thursday for murder when he appeared at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty. The miner, Williams Andres Ugas Amudarain, was charged with the murder of 21-year-old Adrian Williams, also a miner of San Martin, Cuyuni River, and Quartz Stone Landing. Amudarain was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The matter was adjourned to August 9, 2024. Related Similar Articles

Man, 61, found dead in drain at Enmore Jul 14, 2024 News The body of 61-year-old Rameshwaram Willie that was found in a drain at Enmore Kaieteur News – The body of a 61-year-old man was found in a drain at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Saturday morning. The man was identified as Rameshwaram Willie, commonly known as ‘Mice’, a taxi driver of 131 Logwood Enmore, ECD. Kaieteur News understands that the man’s body was found around 8:00hrs by passersby who were heading to a supermarket. Willie’s body was found face down in a drain. Relatives of the deceased disclosed that they saw a video footage of Willie stumbling and falling into the drain. They said too that he was an alcoholic who used to return to his home late at night. Kaieteur News understands that on Friday at about 21:00h, he left the taxi base to go drink alcohol with his friends at a bar. One of Willie’s friends said that Willie was the last person to leave the bar. The friend said he was advised to go home but he refused. The man said that Willie left the bar between 23:00h and midnight and assumed that is when he met his demise. Willie’s body was taken to the mortuary where it awaits a post mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Taxi driver sentenced to 3 years and 8 months for possession of $35M worth of ganja Jul 14, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News …fined $104M Kaieteur News – A 32-year-old year taxi driver was sentenced on Friday to three years, eight months in jail for possession of 257lbs of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and was fined $104, 977, 620. Naasik Alli Naasik Alli, who appeared at the Albion Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy, pleaded guilty. Alli was nabbed by police ranks with the marijuana in his vehicle after they intercepted it along the Number 45 Public Road in Berbice. The narcotic is said to have a street value of $35M. Related Similar Articles