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$100K for every citizen 18 years and above  Oct 17, 2024 News Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced that instead of his initial $200,000 per household cash grant, every Guyanese citizen who would have attained the age of 18 years as of January 1, 2024 will be entitled to a $100,000 one-off-grant. His Excellency, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali. Ali said that the initiative is in keeping with the government’s aim of increasing disposable income to create better opportunities and building prosperity for Guyanese. He said the initiative will also remove barriers to access and simplifying the administrative processes in the population’s best interest. “These analyses are critical to ensure the greatest impact and highest level of efficiency in the delivery of service. Over the past week, thousands of Guyanese have engaged myself and members of my Cabinet providing extremely favourable feedback on the measures announced last Thursday and tens of thousands have publicly expressed their welcoming of these measures. Particularly in relation to the announcement of a one-off cash grant of $200,000 to every household in Guyana,” President Ali said. Highlighting that over the past few days, the government observed a rush to transfer utility meters and also prepare tenancy agreements, which were all aimed at establishing independent households. Reexamining the previous measure with the aim of expanding the benefits, the President said that last Friday, he asked for a reconsideration that was guided by the following principles: Reducing the burden of administering the benefit Simplifying the procedures for accessing the benefit Improving ease of verification Minimizing any potential conflicts that may arise whether within the family or in the community Ensuring an open and transparent verifiable system of delivery Expansion of the benefit.” He said once a citizen has a valid Guyanese identification card and or passport, they are eligible for the grant. “Of course, this new measure of transferring $100,000 to every Guyanese 18 years and above at the qualifying date of the 1st January 2024 will cost well in excess of the $60B previously allocated for the one-off household grant. However, in the interest of ensuring the widest possible benefit is given to the Guyanese population “we believe that this is the best course of action, and as a responsible government, as a government that understands that we have a responsibility to ensure that all feel included and are part of the system, it is important that we build a system that is robust in delivering this grant,” the President said. Additionally, President Ali said that he had recently announced the abolition of tuition fees at the University of Guyana and in response to feedback received subsequent to the announcement effective January 1st 2025,  “ the tuition fees will also be abolished at all Government Technical and Vocational training institutions including all of the technical institutions, the Guyana Industrial Training Center, the Carnegie School of Home Economics, the Guyana School of Agriculture, all of these, the tuition fees will now be abolished.” This will be of benefit to an additional 3000 persons across Guyana and the decision was taken in keeping with the government’s efforts to ensure greater access to benefits for Guyanese, Ali said. Related Similar Articles

Chinese, Indian firms dominate bid for new Berbice River Bridge project Oct 17, 2024 News The current Berbice River Bridge. Kaieteur News – Three companies out of India and four from China are among nine that applied for the Government of Guyana contract to design, build and finance the new Berbice River Bridge. The project which is being executed through the Ministry of Public Works was opened on Wednesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. According to information provided, the bidders are China Road & Bridge Corporation (China); Ashoka Buildcon Limited (India); China Railway Construction Caribbean Limited (China) in jointed venture with China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited (T&T); Shandong High-speed Road & Bridge Company Limited (China) in jointed venture with AJM Enterprise; China Railway First Group Company Limited (China) in jointed venture with China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Company Limited (China); Rockey & Son Construction (local); Kalpataru Projects International Limited (India); Vishwa Samudra Engineering Private Limited (India); and Aecon Global Services (Canada). In January, President Irfaan Ali announced that his government intended to construct a fixed high-span crossing bridge across the Berbice River. The President made the announcement during his address at the sod-turning event for the US$161 million modern hospital in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). “We are already understanding for the future needs of this region. That is why we are accelerating the plans for a fixed high-span crossing bridge across the Berbice River just like the one in the Demerara River,” he stated. The president initially made the announcement of a new Berbice River Bridge back in October 2022. This structure is expected to mirror the US$260 million new Demerara River Bridge. Following the ministry’s advertisement, at the commissioning ceremony of the Schoonord to Crane four-lane highway road, the Head-of-State had announced that plans are underway to have the current Berbice River Bridge toll-free and that the new bridge when completed will also be toll-free. He said at the time, “we are in the process of discussing with the Berbice Bridge Corporation the possible acquisition of that bridge by the government,” he said. If the acquisition is not finalised by the time the new Demerara River Bridge is operational, the Berbice River Bridge crossing will also become toll-free simultaneously. Moreover, the current Berbice River Bridge, which was constructed between 2006 and 2008 at a cost of $8 billion, received financial backing through loans and equity contributions from various entities, including the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and private investors. It must be noted that the bulk of the money invested in the Berbice Bridge came from NIS. Sharing ownership percentages in the Berbice Bridge Inc. (BBCI): National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) holds 10 percent, NIS owns 20.2 percent, and other stakeholders include Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance (10 percent), New GPC (20 percent), Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (20 percent), and Secure International Finance Co. Limited (20 percent). Related Similar Articles

Addressing mental health Oct 17, 2024 Editorial Kaieteur Sports – Last week October 10, 2024 was observed as World Mental Health Day. The day was observed under the theme “Mental Health at Work”. The theme, as explained by Member of Parliament, Dr. Karen Cummings was pertinent as there is a crucial and critical link between mental health and work environs. She stressed that poor working conditions, unsafe and unsupportive work environments, pressure from deadlines, isolation from the family, increase in stigma and discrimination, heavy workloads and inflexible shifts, unsafe equipment, poor light and limited resources – all lead to poor productivity and poor mental health. In Guyana as the authorities continue to raise awareness on the subject, individuals with mental health problems are often summarily dismissed as “mad people”. However, in more enlightened jurisdictions, mental health is a broad concept that covers more than direct health issues and includes areas such as housing, education, justice, the arts, and community participation. It should be obvious, therefore, that to deal effectively with the problem, a broad coalition of institutions and experts, drawn from diverse fields apart from the medical field, would have to be crafted. One mental health disorder that we have attempted to highlight in this newspaper, because it is so endemic in our country yet is studiously ignored, is “depression.” This rather innocuous term, which suggests a rather mild mood downswing, is actually a signal that specific neuro-chemical processes in the brain are not assisting it to generate positive thoughts of well-being. At the deepest physical level, we are chemical beings, and the connection between the physical body and the mind, in which our sense of self-worth is generated, is mediated by these neuro-chemical changes in our brains. Because of this connection, it should be of no great surprise that depression can produce severe disorders in the physical body. For the individual, if depression is left untreated, it can generate tremendous suffering over long periods and stymie personal accomplishments. In the aggregate, a nation of depressed citizens will never actualise that nation’s real potential and that nation will remain underdeveloped. The spread of democracy in the modern era was spurred by the broad acceptance of the utilitarian credo of “the greatest happiness/good for the greatest number”. It is the responsibility of modern governments to accept that the same focus that is brought to bear on “development” from an economic perspective has to be brought to bear on the interior landscape of the citizenry, where happiness in the long run is actually generated. In any case, depression can sink even immaculately carved development plans, if the individuals who are supposed to implement those plans cannot motivate themselves to work at their optimum, because of depression. Then there are the societal disruptions, and costs such as drug and alcohol abuse that can be precipitated by depression – not to mention the finality of suicides. Depression, even when diagnosed, often remains untreated, because of the social stigma attached to any mental disorder on account of the aforementioned “mad people” label. Even in mild cases, the sufferers are dismissed as being weak and “not taking charge” of their lives, which culminates in their unsuccessful careers. The individuals begin to accept the tag of “losers”. Early knowledge of what is behind the observed symptoms would alert sufferers of whatever age group to seek early treatment. There are many students and other young people, for instance, who remain untreated and eventually succumb to suicidal urges. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the scourge of depression and other mental health issues and has made several attempts at getting a handle on the issue. We agree with Dr. Cummings that the government also should guard against practices and unrealistic schedules that can mitigate good mental health and that it should address the problem at work and minimise the risks that exist. High levels of stress that result in burnout should be given immediate attention. Even in the medical arena, there is the need for a team effort: a psychiatrist in collaboration with that of a clinical psychologist, a social worker and an occupational therapist. In this multi-disciplinary approach, the individual patient’s physical health — hormonal, injury, drugs and neurotransmitters factors — together with the psychological factors — personality, grooming, education, childhood etc. – are dealt with. We urge that civil society groups be mobilised to assist the governmental initiative to deliver better mental health care to our citizenry. Related Similar Articles

‘No other country has allowed Exxon to move this fast’ – Exxon Official Oct 17, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Phillip Rietema, Vice President and Business Services Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) on Wednesday told the International Business Conference (IBC) that he thinks that the company’s Guyana operation is the only one they have been able to move quickly from discovery to production. Phillip Rietema, Vice President and Business Services Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) “We have six sanctioned projects, just (to) put it in context. I don’t think there’s anywhere in the world where we’ve been able to go so quickly from discovery to production to now six sanctioned projects,” Rietema told the gathering at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. He noted that Exxon has been in Guyana for 25 years, with five years of production starting in December 2019. Since making its first discovery in 2015, he underscored that Exxon has transitioned from exploration to production in record time. Currently, Exxon is producing over 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from Liza 1, Liza 2 and Payara developments which are supported by three floating production storage and offloading (FPSOs) namely, Destiny, Unity and Prosperity. Rietema also noted that the company has three more projects to come online in the coming years. “These are renderings of the third, the fourth, fifth and sixth FPSOs for those projects that are scheduled to come online in 2025 and then two in 2027,” Exxon official said. He continued, “If you’ve been reading the news here in Guyana, we’ve also announced that we’re planning for a seventh project on the Hammerhead discovery.” Moreover, Rietema underscored that Exxon and the Government of Guyana’s shared commitments is what contributed to the company’s success here. “We’re committed to the long term. They’re committed to the long term. We have a shared vision of efficiently developing Guyana’s resource endowment and as I said, I’ll share today how that’s going and how it’s already bearing fruit. Will bear more fruit,” Rietema stated. EMGL is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds a 45% interest. Its partners Hess and CNOOC holds 30% and 25% respectively. The companies operate under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by the previous coalition government. That agreement waives all taxes for the oil companies, requiring the government to pay Exxon and its partners’ taxes from Guyana’s share of oil profits. The deal allows the companies to recover 75% of their investments before splitting the remaining 25%, with Guyana receiving just 12.5%. Guyana also receives a 2% royalty on its resources. Related Similar Articles

Govt. invested over $235.5B to strengthen Guyana’s food ecosystem – President Ali Oct 17, 2024 News Scenes from the open day event Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana has invested over $235.5 billion since taking office in 2020 to build a resilient and sustainable food ecosystem, President Irfaan Ali said on Wednesday in his World Food Day statement. President Irfaan Ali The Head-of-State noted too that the sizeable investment has resulted in a significant reduction in undernourishment which now stands at 2.5 percent, well below regional and global averages. This year’s World Food Day is celebrated under the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” highlighting the urgent need for access to nutritious and affordable food for all. The theme serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to combat hunger and enhance food security globally. President Ali said that it is Guyana’s vision to attain self-sufficiency and emerge as a regional exporter of key agricultural products, including poultry, animal feed, black-eye peas, high-value crops, honey, coffee, cocoa, and hatching eggs. “By 2030, agricultural output is projected to grow by over 30 percent,” Ali said in the statement. This ambitious goal will be supported by investments in research and robust partnerships with the private sector. Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha The government is collaborating with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to transform the Guyana School of Agriculture into a Centre of Excellence focused on advanced training and research in digital agriculture and precision farming. Ali further elaborated, “The food ecosystem we are building is not just about increasing output and yields; it also involves sustainable production, market access, technology, trade facilitation, enhancing transport and logistics services, improving value chain efficiency, ensuring diversification, and promoting the active involvement of youth and women in the agricultural sector.” He said too that the importance of fostering a collaborative environment to ensure the agricultural sector thrives and that every citizen has the opportunity for a healthier life. “Our aim is to build resilience in our agri-food system while reducing the carbon footprint of food production,” Ali stated. The President said that securing the right to food is contingent on a robust agricultural sector and effective legislation, leading to the drafting of a Food Security and Nutrition Bill to modernize agriculture and enhance production and innovation. Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha echoed this sentiment, asserting that food is not merely a basic need but a fundamental human right essential for health, development, and prosperity. “We are called to reflect on the importance of ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to nutritious and affordable food,” he said. Mustapha also addressed regional food security challenges, announcing the creation of a Food Hub to improve logistics and supply chains, thereby boosting intra-regional trade and reducing import dependency. This initiative will be further supported by the upcoming CARICARGO regional ferry service. In celebration of World Food Day, an open day was held at the Bourda Cricket Ground, Georgetown, engaging the audience on the importance of food safety. A student from St. Stanislaus College, who attended the event, shared her experience with Kaieteur News: “It was very enlightening. For example, we were discussing food safety and how to prevent ourselves from getting sick from food.” The student also stated that it was her first time attending such an event. Attendees had the opportunity to take home free plants and explore various booths that provided educational resources related to World Food Day. Related Similar Articles

Second edition of Business and Investment Conference to open on Friday Oct 17, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The 2024 Business and Investment Conference will open on Friday at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown. The three-day event aims to enhance business opportunities for both expatriates and emigrants. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Libra Management Group Stacey Mollison. (Facebook photograph) The event will serve as a platform for networking and collaboration, encouraging the exchange of ideas and investment opportunities among entrepreneurs, emigrants, expatriates, investors and philanthropists. The second edition of the 2024 Business and Investment Conference aims to connect Guyana’s Diaspora with international investors to drive economic growth. The Conference was founded by Stacey Mollison, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Libra Management Group. The conference will have three components aimed at collaborating with key stakeholders, educating the Diaspora and investors on Guyana’s economy and engaging with local businesses and government agencies. At a press conference on Wednesday held at the Regus Building located on Lot 165 Waterloo Street, Georgetown, Mollison explained how the Business and Investment Conference was birthed. “I just felt like there was something that I had to offer in the business perspective and once I start coming back (to Guyana), I recognize that there was a lot of things that I wish I knew, they were a lot of resources I wish I had,” she said. The woman said she contacted several business persons to determine their interest in visiting Guyana and possibly investing. “So, the Guyana Association of Georgia… we actually started an online and international community to address some of those things and I started hosting these awareness and education sessions and we started working with government and that was since 2018,” Mollison disclosed. As a result, the Business and Investment Conference was born in 2023.  The CEO highlighted, “We are conferencing with people who are all entrepreneurs, coming from the Diaspora, who had a specific need in moving forward with Guyana.” Meanwhile, Mollison disclosed that on the final day of the conference, a philanthropy project will be held at ‘Tiger Bay’ located on Urquhart Street, Georgetown. This project will allow citizens from that community to benefit from about 100 food hampers and as well as clothing and shoes. Further, she said that in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), a paediatric medical outreach will also be held in the community. “Small group, big impact,” Mollison said. Additionally, overseas delegates will be taken on a bus tour from Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to Linden. Region 10. Mollison also disclosed that Malik Yoba, an actor, will be a key speaker at the conference speaking specifically to business innovation in Guyana.     Related Similar Articles