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America and Israel Oct 16, 2024 Editorial Editorial… Kaieteur News – There was a certain resignation that it was just a matter of time before matters came to where they are now.  Global media headlines said all that needed to be said.  America is sending an air defense system and troops to Israel.  The objective is “to defend Israel.”  If there is any set of people who are in urgent need of a strong defending presence, it is the population of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.  With regret, and to America’s shame, the cries of the embattled, brutalized Palestinians have been largely ignored.  Their constant pounding from the air and by land theirs to bear, however they can.  But America is sending military hardware and military men to help defend Israel.  This is the Alice in Wonderland world lived by America regarding the daily conflagration and human destruction that are now as commonplace as the sunshine that beats so cruelly on helpless people. It is an irrefutable aspect of huge historical developments that big events begin with small steps.  America should have known better, done well to recall what became the quagmire of Vietnam.  How its small actions began in similar fashion in Southeast Asia, and how it got irretrievably stuck there for long, costly decades.  The arms went, then the advisors followed.  One American president, then another, and last a third all got trapped by their own mistakes, which contributed to tremendous upheavals in both the international arena, as well as the domestic front.  Vietnam became a vacuum that sucked in China, Russia, and North Korea on one side.  On the American side, the backing came from Australia, New Zealand, and Europe in one form or another.  The teeming jungles of Vietnam became a quicksand and deathtrap for American money, men, and materiel.  Is that timeworn adage all over again: history repeating itself? America has supplied Israel in liberal quantities with money, war materiel, and now the first trickles of its men.  On the surface, they are to operate the sophisticated air defense system in the event of another ballistic attack on Israel, as such had originated in Iran.  This is an ominous development, with great risks of escalating tensions in an already volatile theater of conflict.  The rest of the Middle East is watching uneasily, while the rest of the world cannot be happy with anything that is related to the latest American decision. Where is the limit to America’s utterly one-sided involvement in what went from savage war to tragic humanitarian condition?  There may be none, since this is an election year in the US, and it is getting closer and closer.  The incumbent Democrats have come under intensifying fire from their Republican foes, about not being fully committed to the side of Israel, not doing enough.  It was the same stoking of the embers about being “soft on communism” that pushed Democratic party presidents into Korea, then Vietnam.  The Republicans led by red-baiting Senator Joe McCarthy (a helpless alcoholic) goaded the Democrats in charge into taking irresponsible actions that led to great turmoil in different places.  Seventy-five years later, the hard right in the Republican camp, with erratic former president Donald Trump leading the way, have found an issue that causes no end of disturbance in the White House and the party that holds much of the power.  To appear to be weak on Israel could be a fatal consideration, which the Democrats are trying desperately not to be.  Hence, there is this call to another level of commitment to the cause of Israel, It is doubtful that other powers competing for influence in the Middle East will be unmoved by what is sure to be seen as a dangerous extension of America’s already formidable presence alongside Israel.  The Palestinians are starving and dying in their numbers, but there is America, the mediator of the world, so ensnared in what does not help the situation, but hinders any sustained movement towards de-escalation.  It is brutal world and war is hell, yet America and Israel have both seem to come to love it.  When all efforts should be dedicated to lowering tensions, America sends an air defense system and men.  The danger is palpable, not to be underestimated. Related Similar Articles

Three int’l firms bid to operate & maintain 300MW power plant Oct 16, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Three international companies from Germany, Puerto Rico and the USA have responded to a request for proposals (RFP) from the Government of Guyana for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) 300-megawatt (MW) power plant project. An artist’s impression of the Gas-to-Energy project. The project which is being executed through the Office of the Prime Minister was opened on Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office where it was revealed that Siemens Energy (Germany), CH4 Systems (Puerto Rico), and Ethos Energy (Texas, USA). Kaieteur News reported that the Prime Minister’s Office in its tender stated that the O&M contract relates specifically to the 300-megawatt (MW) power plant and related auxillary facilities which are expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2025. It was explained that the contract will not extend to O&M of the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) fractionation plant to extract liquids (C3, C4, CS+), as this will be addressed separately. Likewise, the pipeline being constructed by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to transport the gas to the Wales Development Zone is not included. According to the RFP, “Operations and Maintenance of the Power Plant and Balance of Plant (BOP) is based on: (i) a combined-cycle power plant consisting of four (4) Siemens Energy gas turbines and two (2) waste Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) together generating 300 MW of power which will be sold to Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the national electricity company via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA); (ii) Balance of Plant (BOP) including deaerators, cooling water system, boiler feed water pumps and entire BOP related to the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant and Power Plant.” The power plant and balance of plant are located on a 100-acre integrated plant site located within the Wales Industrial Zone approximately 25 kilometers (km) inland on the West bank of the Demerara River. It was stated by the Prime Minister’s Office that the O&M contractor will be subject to a rigorous screening process, though government has reserved the right to “select any Party for any specific element of the RFP and to annul the process at any time without further direction, without thereby incurring any liabilities to the affected interested parties.” Additionally, in applying for the contract, bidders were required to show O&M experience of at least five combined cycle power plants, comparable to that being constructed in Guyana. The tender document stated that only firms and consortia with experience in operation and maintenance of comparable facilities will be ranked. “Negotiations will take place with the highest ranked technical proposal with the objective of concluding an O&M contract,” the Office mentioned. Related Similar Articles

Sheriff Construction gets $175M contract to build secondary school in Maruranau Oct 16, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Wapishana Village of Maruranau in Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine will soon get its own secondary school building which will be built by Sheriff Construction Inc. to the tune of $175,525,300. The recently constructed Secondary Department building in Maruranau Village. (Photo courtesy, Office of the Regional Executive Officer, Reg. 9) The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development project was awarded just recently through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) following the national bidding process. This publication understands that this is Sheriff’s third secondary school project for the year. The construction company was awarded a contract in July to build the Kopinang Secondary School for $199 million, and in June it was given the $231 million contract to build the secondary school in Jawalla Village. The new secondary school is one of several that the government plans to build in the hinterland regions. Kaieteur News had reported that secondary school students were being accommodated at the Maruranau Primary Top School but recently had a new secondary department building constructed in the village. In August, the Office of the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Karl Singh revealed in a Facebook post that a new a Secondary Educational Building was constructed which will be serving the students of Maruranau, Shea and Awarewanau Villages. It was stated that the establishment of the building for the Secondary Department is a collaborative efforts of the government, the Regional Administration, local leaders, educators, and community members, who have long recognized the need for accessible education within the hinterland regions. The new secondary department which is currently being utilized is offering a range of subjects aligned with the national curriculum, providing students with a robust educational foundation, the Office reported. “A historic moment unfolded in Maruranau Village as the community proudly inaugurated its first-ever Secondary Department building marking a significant step forward in the educational landscape of the Deep South Rupununi region. This new facility, which began orientation and enrollment this week, will serve as a crucial educational hub for the region, providing access to secondary education for 180 students from Maruranau and the neighbouring villages of Shea and Awarewanau,” the post stated. Meanwhile, in April, at an outreach in the region, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand told residents that four new secondary schools are expected to be constructed in the region at Nappi, Massara, Maruranau and Tabatinga villages. It was reported that the construction of the secondary schools will ease the overcrowding at St Ignatius, while closing the primary tops in the other communities to provide students with the opportunity to have better access to learning. This year, the Ministry of Education was allocated $74.4Billion from the national budget, a portion of which will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of educational facilities. This newspaper reported that since returning to office the government through the ministry has embarked on an aggressive programme to ensure that the nation’s children have access to secondary education. The aim is to achieve universal secondary education by 2025. Related Similar Articles

PNCR promises Early Childhood Care and Education policy Oct 16, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Monday said, if elected to office at the next election, it will implement a comprehensive Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy that would focus on improving maternal and child health. The party in a press statement said that in November 2022, the PNCR unveiled for public comment an outline for its draft ECCE policy to coincide with the observation of World Children’s Day. Key elements of the draft ECCE policy include childcare allowances, enhanced school feeding programs, extended parental leave, and increased access to quality daycare facilities. The PNCR believes that strong, healthy children are rooted in strong families, which in turn depends on the health of parents. The policy, the party said, is geared at addressing issues critical to infant and childhood and maternal health. “… Maternal mortality, low birth weight, under-five mortality, child poverty, under-five malnutrition and stunting and female mental health,” are some of the challenges the party aims to address through the policy. “Our (PNCR) policy also confronts the fact that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for the development of the child’s brain. Without proper care and nourishment, that child is unlikely to realize his or her full mental and cognitive potential as an adult,” PNCR stated. The party said that it has refined the draft policy based on the feedback it received. The document now has six components that are designed to improve early childhood care and education. Those include a childcare allowance and nutrition voucher, of $10,000 for each child up to five years old. “Both allowances will be universal, regardless of whether the parents work or not,” the statement said adding that the policy will allow for the ramping up of the country’s school feeding program by providing two meals daily. “We will explore the option of setting up large local kitchens (with trained staff) to cater for a cluster of schools in each district,” the party said. Meanwhile, the PNCR promises to provide top-quality and free healthcare and wellbeing support for mothers and children throughout pregnancy and the early years of the child by ramping up these services in terms of availability, accessibility, and effectiveness. On the basis of maternity/parental leave, the PNCR said it will offer five to six months of paid parental leave, arranged to include fathers. “The current paid 13-week maternity is inadequate on several measures. It prevents too many mothers from breast-feeding for the medically-recommended six months and it excludes fathers,” the opposition party said. In addition, the PNCR stated that it will establish a comprehensive daycare system that ensures adequate, well-regulated facilities are available to meet the demands of working parents. This will include a mix of state-owned centers, licensed private providers, and home-based care options. “The state will cover most or all costs for daycare services, and caregivers will receive proper training and fair compensation. This approach aims to increase female participation in the workforce,” the statement said. The party said it intends to mandate or encourage both private and public sector workplaces to better accommodate mothers and those with young children by improving workplace flexibility for parents. Some measures would include allowing for part-time or unconventional work hours, leveraging technology (such as working from home), reducing travel time to and from work and other undue burdens on mothers/parents. “Our ECCE policy will also cater for families in exceptional circumstances, such as those with children with special needs and those from migrant or refugee populations,” the party said adding that it aims to promote greater social justice through gender equity and foster better-adjusted children and reducing the likelihood of criminal behavior as they grow older. Related Similar Articles

 ‘Census Report will be released soon’  – Bureau of Statistics Oct 16, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The preliminary results of the 2022 Census Report will be released soon, the Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday. The agency in a statement said that “The soon-to-be-released Preliminary Report of the Census will provide an evidence-based exposition of Guyana’s population.” Further, the Bureau of Statistics dismissed claims that the 2022 Population and Housing Census shows that Guyana’s population declined from 746,955 in the 2012 census due to migration. The agency also dismissed social media claims suggesting that political interference was responsible for the delay in releasing the 2022 Population and Housing Census results. The Bureau of Statistics stated that any delay in publishing the 2022 Population and Housing Census results is solely due to its commitment to maintaining professional standards while addressing significant challenges encountered during this census cycle. “Moreover, censuses across the Caribbean region have been significantly delayed, with countries such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica, St. Lucia and others experiencing protracted census activities extending up to and beyond two (2) years,” a statement from the Bureau of Statistics said. Several factors including respondent suspicion, apathy and fatigue in a post Coronavirus Disease environment were partly responsible for the delay in the release of the findings. Further, the Bureau of Statistics reminded that it is a semi-autonomous agency, legally mandated by the Statistics Act (1965) Chapter 19:09 to “collect, compile, analyse, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the social, agricultural, mining, commercial, industrial and general activities and conditions of the inhabitants of Guyana.” In the execution of its responsibilities, the Bureau is also guided by the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics that were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 10 years ago in 2014. The legal framework and official principles promote and ensure the independence of the Bureau. “Our work is guided by scientific principles and sound statistical practices that adhere to the highest international standards and conventions,” the Bureau said in its statement. Accordingly, the Census is coordinated internationally and regionally, following agreed-upon principles and practices that withstand scrutiny and promote confidence in the results. In that regard, the Bureau of Statistics urged Guyanese to avoid baseless speculations and to rely on the official census data and statistics produced and sanctioned by the Bureau of Statistics. “For official information on the census and other data products from the Bureau of Statistics, please visit our website at www.statisticsguyana.gov.gy and follow the Bureau’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok,” Bureau of Statistics stated. Related Similar Articles

International Business Conference opens Oct 16, 2024 News …set to drive transformative collaboration for Guyana, Suriname Kaieteur News – The inaugural International Business Conference (IBC) kicked off on Tuesday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown. President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Ramsay Ali. The event, which will run until October 17, is expected to be a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration, investment, and growth between businesses from Guyana, Suriname, and beyond. During his address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce said that the event saw immediate success with over 100 business-to-business (B2B) meetings held since registration opened earlier in the afternoon. Dr. Doerga added, “The team has a bet going on to see if we can get to 1000, but it’s really nice to see all these businesses making connections.” Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chairman of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce The idea for the IBC, according to Dr. Doerga, stemmed from the growing success of B2B missions between Guyana and Suriname.  “Today we have a lot of members who have already started doing joint ventures with each other, they found suppliers, and as you know, the Suriname Chamber of Commerce was really established to foster those relations between our two countries, to really help local businesses expand their networks and create opportunities across the borders,” he added. Dr. Deorga further stated that the need for a world-class platform that brings together local and international businesses, government agencies, and foreign missions to exchange ideas and form strategic partnerships all contributed to the IBC being crafted. The IBC, he emphasised, aims to fulfill this need and is a private-sector-led initiative. A similar conference will be held in February 2025 in Suriname. Dr. Doerga also pointed out the international scope of the event, noting that half of the attendees were international businesses, many of whom are visiting Guyana for the first time. He remarked that these businesses were particularly eager to explore the opportunities the country has to offer. Moreover, he also spoke about the IBC mobile app, which was designed to facilitate connections between delegates. “Through the app, delegates can connect and book their B2B meetings. The app is really designed to ensure that you can maximize your time here and make the connections that lead to meaningful partnerships, whether you’re in agriculture, manufacturing, or infrastructure. The platform makes it very easy to engage with others in your field. So, I encourage you to use it fully,” Dr. Doerga said. The conference features over 1,000 Guyanese companies, showcasing the best of what Guyana and Suriname have to offer. “The booths really showcase the best of what Guyana and Suriname have to offer and represent the backbone of the countries’ business ecosystem,” Dr. Doerga stated. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of both countries as key investment destinations. Dr. Doerga underscored, “Guyana is already experiencing rapid development with its economy accelerated due to a combination of robust natural resources, investments in infrastructure, and the growing business community. Suriname, too, is now more than ever poised for similar growth, and we expect its economic acceleration to be driven by the same strategic factors that have boosted Guyana.” The IBC is set to continue with more networking opportunities and strategic discussions over the next two days. Meanwhile, earlier in the day President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Ramsay Ali told the audience that there are lots of manufacturing and investment opportunities in Guyana. He warned however, that that action should be taken immediately as they may wake up one day and see that everything is gone or going. Speaking on some of the challenges manufactures currently face in the country, he explained that over the years they have not seen many benefits for them in relation to energy, taking into consideration the current rates. “I’m talking strictly about manufacturing here at all levels, relevant to any kind of advantage, to our Caribbean counterparts, or any Latin American counterparts relevant to energy cost, and it looks that very shortly that is going to change,” he said. He further explained that, “We have, you know, we’ve been told, and we know this is a fact, because we are paying attention, that the cost of energy in this country is going to go down almost like 50% but what is important to note, it’s not only about the cost of energy, it’s also and if you want to talk to manufacturers in this room, the issue was not only about cost, but it was also about the quality of energy that manufacturers receive.” He said in the manufacturing sector there are a lot of sensitive equipment being used and it is unfortunate that over the years GPL was not able to supply the quality energy needed for their operations. However with the Gas to Energy project coming on stream Ali is confident that manufacturers will not only have the quality energy required but also costs will be significantly reduced. He also highlighted that the government is spending a significant amount of funds to have the grid up to a place where manufactures can feel comfortable and investors can be confident enough to bring their equipment and benefit from something good. Ali informed the business community that the GMSA engaged the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) two and a half years ago to conduct a feasibility study on a large project in relation to glass production, since currently all is imported. Related Similar Articles

Newly reconstructed $346.2M Northwest Secondary School commissioned Oct 16, 2024 News Northwest Secondary School in Region One Kaieteur News – President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali commissioned the newly reconstructed Northwest Secondary School in the Mabaruma sub-district in Region One on Monday. The two-storey state-of-the-art facility can accommodate 575 students and includes 23 classrooms, three science laboratories, a technical drawing room, four canteens, eight washroom facilities, and two modified elevators. The previous building was destroyed by a fire in September 2021. The contract for its reconstruction was signed in January 2023. In his feature address, President Ali emphasised that his government’s significant investments in the region’s education sector are aimed at ensuring every child has equitable access to quality education. He added that the government is focused not only on providing the necessary educational infrastructure, but also on ensuring that trained teachers are available to deliver equitable service. “Every teacher in the hinterland who is a trained teacher must have the opportunity to become a trained graduate from right where you teach…It is not only an investment in the increases in salaries and benefits, It’s an investment in your personal welfare; it’s an investment in making you more competent, valuable and competitive,” the president said. He noted that education’s multifaceted quality means it is integrated into every aspect of national life. The government also recognises the importance of providing a conducive learning environment that is linked to a quality healthcare system in schools. To support this, the government is screening pupils in nursery and primary schools to determine if any child requires spectacles, dental work, or hearing aids. President Ali highlighted that every child in the hinterland must have access not only to quality education, but also to quality training in technical areas by 2030. “By 2030, in all the major centres in the hinterland communities, we want state-of-the-art practical instrument centres and technical institutions that would give you world-class certification right here in your communities. That is the vision that we are bringing by 2030,” he said. President Ali explained that the government’s comprehensive investments in the region’s education sector since August 2020 total $7 billion. Under the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant initiative, the region has received more than $1.8 billion. The government has invested $4 billion on the construction and maintenance of schools across the region. To ensure all students have the necessary textbooks, over $80 million has been allocated for this purpose. Additionally, more than $1 billion has been invested in the school feeding programme, providing nutritious meals to students. From 2023 to the present, over $226 million has been distributed to schools, allowing teachers the autonomy to purchase essential supplies for their classrooms. “These are investments all geared at making our lives easier and a more comfortable environment for your children. You deserve every investment that is coming your way. This is not a gift to you, this is what you deserve,” President Ali emphasised. Meanwhile, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand highlighted that Northwest Secondary will receive further interventions to ensure the highest quality of education. Students were encouraged to take full advantage of the Practical Instruction Department (PID) at Northwest Secondary to acquire the necessary skills to aid them in making meaningful contributions to their communities. The PID was commissioned last month by Minister Manickchand, who also announced plans to construct a multipurpose court at the new school. “This is not the end of us. This is a good indication that we love you. We believe that you and your children deserve everything this country has to offer,” the minister of education said. Construction is currently underway on several secondary schools in the region including Hosororo Secondary, Waramuri Secondary, Matthew’s Ridge Secondary, and Kwebanna Secondary. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley, delivered remarks at the ceremony. (DPI) Related Similar Articles