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Decomposed body found in back dam believed to be missing Berbician Jul 06, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The decomposed body of a man found on Friday at Rose Hall, Canje, Berbice is believed to be that of a 56-year-old man who has been missing for approximately two weeks. Deochan Rai, a father of five went missing on June 18, 2024, after he and a friend went to the back dam at Canje, Berbice to pick corilla. Police are yet to confirm the identity of the person whose body was found. Rai’s son, Krishnarine told Kaieteur News that, “Mah father and this man left the house to go and pick corilla, and the man alone return to the house.” Krishnarine said he was unaware that his father was missing, until he received a call from someone informing him that his father was not at his home for days. After receiving the call, Krishnarine filed a missing person’s report and formed a search party to find his father. During the search Krishnarine said his father’s bicycle was found. “We find the bicycle, me know from the time I see the bicycle I know something happened,” the emotional man said. Additionally, Krishnarine was also informed of the decomposed body found on Friday. Related Similar Articles

Local Govt. Minister and City Mayor in tussle over garbage build-up Jul 06, 2024 News Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore Kaieteur News – Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag on Thursday fired back at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for its failure to have garbage collected from certain communities in the city for several weeks. In a statement, the Minister reminded City Mayor Alfred Mentor that “Central Government has never been responsible for garbage collection. That is the responsibility of the municipalities and the Local Democratic Organs.” Minister Parag also called out Opposition Member of Parliament, Coretta McDonald for what she considers to be false statements relative to the responsibility of the Ministry. “This is absolute nonsense,” Minister Parag asserted while noting that “Coretta McDonald is clearly a stranger to the Municipality Act, and she, like many of her colleagues, is speaking from a place of utter ignorance.” Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag Minister Parag clarified that government subventions are legally designated for municipal capital projects, and not for garbage collection. “That is what rates and taxes are for, and those monies are collected and handled by the respective city councils and NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils), not the government,” the minister explained. The Local Government Minister said that the M&CC has not been audited for approximately 20 years and as a result cannot account for how the city’s revenues are expended. “We don’t know how much monies they collect and what they do with those monies, but it is clearly not being used to develop Georgetown and improve the lives of its residents,” Parag said in the statement. Notwithstanding this, the Minister said that government has still been intervening to clean up the city and bring relief to residents. “We most definitely have to intervene. We cannot allow people to suffer for weeks without garbage collection,” Minister Parag added while referencing the state of Albouystown, an affected community. “The truth speaks for itself…We have rehabilitated most of the roads in that community. We turned what was an unsightly garbage dump at ‘Punt Trench’ dam into a spanking new boulevard which creates a beautiful space for recreation, and importantly, it significantly raises the value of that community,” Minister Parag stated. Minister Parag made it clear that the utterances made by Mayor Mentore at a press conference on Wednesday were “absolutely untrue.” She said that the slothful collection of garbage is no fault of the government. The Minister said matter-of-factly that the landfill site at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) has had a daily average intake of 140 truckloads of garbage for the longest while, with no complaints received or disruptions reported. “And that has not changed, so I’m not sure what they are talking about,” Minister Parag said.  Further, she noted that although the Georgetown M&CC has several pro-government councilors, none of them are on the Council’s Solid Waste Management Committee. “These are all APNU+AFC Councilors that have been responsible for cleaning up the city. They are the ones that have been putting this city at a disadvantage for all these years,” the Minister noted. On Wednesday, the City Mayor blamed an errant contractor for the build-up of garbage around the city. At a press conference he hosted, Mayor Mentore said that the Council, Councilors and the administration of City Council are not to be blamed. “The contractor is Guyana Waste Solutions, who have been having human resource problem. He has problems with drivers; he has problems with general staffing. To some extent his trucks have issues. But he has been the one, who is most culpable, and is probably one of the reasons we are here today,” Mentore disclosed. Taking this into account, the City Mayor further revealed that serious measures would be taken against contractors who fail to meet the obligations of the contract. Mentore continued, “…Yes, we would have to take steps as to how we treat with the contractor, if we have to replace them. Yes, we did made recommendation at the last Council meeting that we will deal with this issue here, where we will try to fill that void of getting it up to speed.” The Mayor said that the Council will meet on Monday to discuss the errant contractors. “We will not be taking that blame because we are paying handsomely to get this job done.” Mentore said. Meanwhile, the City Solid Waste Management Director, Walter Narine said that six percent of the garbage collection was contracted.  He explained that the Council has 15 constituencies, 12 of which are contracted. Cevons Waste Management is responsible for five constituencies, Guyana Waste Solution Inc, another five, Sand-Sip Disposal Service has one, Puran Brothers has another, and the Solid Waste Management Department is managing three constituencies. Furthermore, Narine revealed that due to the rainy season for the past month, the disposal of garbage has been a challenge. “Now the pit, the cell actually where they dispose the garbage in, it became very muddy and silky, so when the trucks get in there…you actually can’t see the wheels anymore when you go in with the garbage,” Narine said. He continued, “So when they dispose the garbage and they come out, the majority of the time they come out with punctured tires because we don’t know what is at the bottom there, sometimes the truck got stuck, and they have to get the excavator to stop their work and push them out, so this challenges we have experience.” The communities of East La Penitence, North East La Penitence, West Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt, Middle Road La Penitence, and Independence Boulevard have not had garbage collected for the past two to three weeks. Related Similar Articles

Digicel supports Guyana’s Premier Pan Concert: PanJam 2024 Jul 06, 2024 News Digicel’s Communications Manager Gabriella Chapman and Reon Miller, Creator of PanJam Kaieteur News – Digicel on Friday announced that it is sponsoring the 2024 edition of Guyana’s premier pan concert, PanJam, themed this year “World of Colours”. This annual event, now in its sixth year, showcases the vibrant sounds of the Caribbean, including, soca, reggae, chutney, calypso, etc. performed on steel pan and by various artistes. PanJam began as a fundraiser organised by Reon Miller during his time as a law student, aiming to cover his tuition fees. Over the years, it has grown into a cultural phenomenon, drawing crowds from various demographics and celebrating the rich musical heritage of the Caribbean. Digicel said this year’s concert promises to be the most spectacular yet, backed by Guyana’s Bigger, Better Network. “We are incredibly proud to support PanJam 2024 and contribute to the celebration of Caribbean culture,” said Gabriella Chapman, Communications Manager at Digicel. “We were impressed by the passion and dedication that Reon Miller and his team have put into making PanJam a premier event. Digicel’s sponsorship underscores our commitment to fostering cultural initiatives and supporting local talent. We believe in the power of music to inspire, connect, and uplift communities, and PanJam embodies these values perfectly,” Chapman continued. The 2024 edition of PanJam features a star-studded line-up, including the renowned Trinidadian pannist Joshua Regrello, who is also the brand ambassador for Digicel Trinidad. Regrello’s performance is highly anticipated and is expected to be one of the highlights of the event. “I took my time selecting the acts for the line-up this year, because I truly want the show to be Bigger and Better than the years prior,” said Reon Miller, Creator of PanJam. “… and thanks to Digicel, this will undoubtedly be the reality. Patrons can expect some of the very best out of Guyana, Trinidad and even as far as India, coming to perform to make this year’s PanJam the best one yet,” an elated Miller said. Digicel invites everyone to join in on the excitement July 27th at Parc Rayne. For more information about PanJam 2024, including ticket details and the full line-up, please visit PanJazz Concerts on Facebook. Related Similar Articles

Guyana to open first specialised high school come September – Manickchand Jul 06, 2024 News The new St. George’s School of Sciences which is under construction. Kaieteur News – Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Thursday announced that come September the government is scheduled to open the country’s first specialised school, which will be named the St. George’s School of Sciences. The minister made the announcement during the release of this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results. Minister Manickchand disclosed that currently they are building 27 secondary schools across the country some of which will be completed in time for the new academic year which begins in September. “This year we have a new school…In Georgetown there will be the St. George’s School of Sciences. For a student to be eligible for this school, he or she must have been living in Georgetown and not earned a place at a national school or List A school and gained 80% in English, 60% in Mathematics and 65% in Science or at least those grades,” the minister explained. The Education Minister noted that the school will be strictly preparing students for careers in medical sciences. “So we are very happy to make that one of our first specialised type of schools for students who didn’t get the national tops or the List A but who we believe have great potential and we are going to show that in five years time,” she added. Kaieteur News had reported that the St. George’s School has been under construction since mid last year. The school is pegged at $253.8M. The old school building which housed the St. George’s High School was completely destroyed by an electrical fire in July 2022. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand Last year, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Alfred King said that the new school will have two storeys oriented with a panoramic view of the lower flat and will be measuring some 109ft x 70ft. The upper flat will feature 12 classrooms, while the lower flat will house six laboratories including the Information Technology, Home Economics and Industrial Technology laboratories. The building when completed is expected to accommodate some 300 to 400 students. The school will also feature several fire prevention mechanisms and these components of the school include fire escape stairs, escape doors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, limited timber usage, metal ceilings and fire-retardant panels. Related Similar Articles

CAF renews partnership with Caribbean export for upcoming Caribbean Investment Forum 2024 Jul 06, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has renewed partnership with Caribbean Export for the upcoming Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2024, which is scheduled to take place from July 10 to July 12, 2024 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The CIF 2024 promises to be a pivotal event in the Region’s landscape and is hosted in collaboration with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the European Union, Caribbean Communities (CARICOM), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest). CAF and Caribbean Export further solidified their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February 2023, underscoring their shared commitment to advancing the Region’s development agenda. Recognizing the forum’s crucial role in driving investment and fostering sustainable development across the Caribbean, CAF continues to support the event for the 3rd consecutive time. Leo Naut, Deputy Executive Director of Caribbean Export, emphasized the significance of this support, stating, “CIF represents a collaborative effort among key stakeholders to promote economic resilience and prosperity in the Caribbean. We are grateful for the continued support of partners like CAF, whose commitment to sustainable development aligns seamlessly with our mission. Together, we are working towards creating a more vibrant and resilient Caribbean economy.” In expressing the bank’s commitment to the event, Bernardo Requena, Trinidad and Tobago Representative for CAF remarked, “CAF is proud to collaborate once again with Caribbean Export for the Caribbean Investment Forum 2024. The partnership between Caribbean Export and CAF underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing the Region’s development agenda and unlocking its full potential. Caribbean Export said it is grateful for the continued support of private sector partners such as Republic Bank and other development partners including the USAID, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC/World Bank), whose commitment to sustainable development aligns seamlessly with our mission. To this end Caribbean Export is the regional trade and investment promotion agency focused on accelerating the economic transformation of the Caribbean. “We work closely with businesses to increase exports, attract investment, and contribute towards the creation of jobs to build a resilient Caribbean.  We are currently executing the 3rd Regional Private Sector Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union,” Caribbean Export said. Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali will deliver the keynote address at the CIF 2024, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.” President Ali’s vision for a transformed Caribbean will target business leaders and investors from the Caribbean and Latin America, the United States, Europe, and beyond. The event will also feature Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), who will address the forum. Dr. Ramsaroop will open the third day with a presentation on “Guyana Investment Landscape for 2030 and beyond.” Organized by the Caribbean Investment Agency, CIF is the Region’s premier gathering for business leaders and investors. Government officials and business leaders from around the Region and wider world will be attending. Discussions will center on the digitization of business, sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, and the transition to a green economy. The primary objectives of the forum are to attract focused investment into these priority sectors and to facilitate interactions between investors and businesses, fostering a greener, smarter economy, GOInvest said in a statement Friday. The event will feature a leadership roundtable, a ministerial roundtable, and an investment village, presenting unparalleled opportunities for business leaders and investors to network and explore investment opportunities in sustainable agriculture, technology and innovation, and the green economy in the Caribbean. Dr. Ramsaroop spoke of the importance of local participation: “This forum is a unique opportunity for our local business leaders and investors to engage with their regional and global counterparts. It is a platform to not only showcase what Guyana has to offer but also to learn and expand their operations through strategic partnerships.” Related Similar Articles

Historic brain surgery conducted on 12-year-old boy at GPHC Jul 06, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 12-year-old boy from a remote community on July 9th underwent a historic brain surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The surgery, the embolization of Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), was conducted at the Caribbean Heart Institute by Chief Neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi and his team. This is the first time that that type of surgery was done at the hospital. The GPHC in a statement said that the lad had initially visited an outpatient clinic where an attempt to remove what was thought to be a granuloma resulted in excessive bleeding and an aborted surgery. The child was subsequently referred to GPHC’s Neurosurgery Clinic, where Dr. Dukhi, diagnosed him with a large right temporal-parieto-frontal scalp AVM via Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the brain. “Dr. Dukhi, recognizing the complexity of the condition and the fact that such advanced treatment was not available within Guyana’s public health system, reached out to an esteemed overseas-based Neurointerventional Radiologist colleague,” the hospital disclosed. Dr. Dukhi and team performed a pioneering endovascular procedure combined with percutaneous embolization using Onyx, a state-of-the-art treatment technique that avoids the need for surgical incisions. The procedure which was free of cost for the patient, involved the use of the modern Onyx embolization agent and other advanced medical disposables. The costs of the Onyx and other necessary supplies were covered by GPHC and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, while all procedural costs were provided on a pro bono basis by Dr. Dukhi and his medical team. The successful embolization resulted in the complete obliteration of the AVM, and the young patient was discharged just two days later with a full recovery and the prospect of leading a normal life. The GPHC said that the landmark achievement highlights the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical care in Guyana and demonstrates the power of collaboration between local and international healthcare professionals to ensure the best patient outcomes. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >  Key Focus: 12-year-old boy life saved from historic brain surgery at GPHC Lead: A 12-year-old boy from a remote community on July 9th underwent a historic brain surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The surgery, the embolization of Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), was conducted at the Caribbean Heart Institute by Chief Neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi and his team. Pic File:Surgery Caption: The 12-year-old boy after the surgery Related Similar Articles

18 extra votes, low manpower caused delays in PNCR’s Congress results Jul 06, 2024 News Returning Officer (RO), Vincent Alexander Kaieteur News – The delayed announcement of the 15-members of the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) Central Executive Committee (CEC) was caused by an increase of 18 ballots, low manpower and other factors – said Returning Officer (RO) Vincent Alexander. Alexander made that statement during the PNCR’s press conference on Friday when he announced the names of the other members of the CEC; days after the party’s 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress, concluded on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Persons have highlighted that while the results for the Leader, Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons and Treasurer were announced early Monday morning, the results for the other 15-members of the CEC were not announced in a timely manner. The 15-members elected are: Nima Flue-Bess, Mervyn Williams, Ganesh Mahipaul, Coretta McDonald, Robin Simon, Riaz Rupnarain, Anil Sugrim, Joan Ann Ramascindo, Sherwood Lowe, Troy Garraway, Kemel Kissoon, Marcia Gordon, Wainwright McIntosh, Deron Adams and Jermaine Figueira. Addressing concerns about the PNCR’s election process, Alexander explained that there were several factors to take into consideration. He said that this year’s Congress was centralized, compared to the previous one where the voting and counting were spread across 11 locations. Added to that, he said the votes were counted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening and noted that no counting was done on Monday given that it was a holiday. “The Count actually took three days and during those three days, we work essentially in the evenings because those of us, who are counting, are otherwise occupied during the day,” he said. Alexander also stated that for this year’s Congress there were not a large number of persons counting the ballots which attributed to the delay. He said, “There were less hands involved on this occasion. We counted as fast as we could have in the time that we use to count.” Moreover, the RO also stated that the number of persons who voted at this year’s Congress was greater.  Alexander had announced following the 2021 Congress that some 1,282 persons voted that compared to the figures he announced this year, 1,300 shows an increase of 18 ballots. As such, Alexander was asked to justify his position given that there is not a big variation. However, Alexander said, “This year, we are in fact, dealing with a larger number…I said it is larger and it is true.” Related Similar Articles