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Oct 15, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has welcomed the government’s initiative of a one-off $200,000 cash grant to every household. However, the party noted that short-term relief does very little overall for citizens who face various economic hardships. During the WPA’s press conference on Monday, the party’s leader Dr. David Hinds said, “While the WPA welcomes the initiative announced by the president as a baby step forward, we bemoan the fact that taken as a whole, they represent more of an election gimmickry rather than a genuine attempt to address the country’s debilitating social and economic problems.” The WPA believes that the initiative should be annual and be a percentage of revenues earned from oil and gas. It should be noted that currently oil is being produced from the Stabroek Block, which is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL). Last year Guyana earned $336 billion from oil. Leader of the WorkingPeople’s Alliance (WPA),Dr. David Hinds Dr. Hinds argued that the relief provided by the measures announced last week by President Irfaan Ali during his special address to the Twelfth Parliament, would ultimately do little for the working class and the poor. He emphasized that Guyana needs a sustained, long-term socio-economic development plan rather than the temporary measures outlined by the president. “Nowhere in the president’s address, for example, did he frontally confront the persistent poverty that continues to take its toll on the populace. It is estimated that approximately 42% of Guyanese live on less than 5.5 US dollars per day,” he said. Dr. Hinds continued, “This is unacceptable in a country which boasts one of the highest GDP growths in the world. The WPA continues to believe that direct cash transfers to the citizens is one of the most potent ways to tackle these problems.” Moreover, the WPA believes that the announcements are a clear example of political opportunism. It was stated that mounting pressures to address the skyrocketing cost-of-living and the widening gap between growth and development, is what pushed the government to resort to the opposition’s idea of cash transfer to citizens. “While the cash transfer should be welcomed by Guyanese, especially the poor and the working poor, Guyanese should not be fooled, it is at best an undertaking that is potentially burdened with opportunities for corruption…” Dr. Hinds said. Importantly, to ensure the cash transfer policy has a meaningful and lasting impact, the WPA proposed that it be linked directly to poverty alleviation efforts. The party leader suggested, “It must also benefit from a feasibility study to determine its scope and design. It must be grounded in law so that it is shielded from the whims and fancies of the political executive.” Related Similar Articles

Oct 15, 2024 News Kaieteur News- On Sunday, a 37-year-old man identified as Marlon Davidson lost his life after he lost control of the All Terrain Vehicle he was driving (ATV). According to police, the incident occurred around 17:25hrs on the Sand Hill Trail in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region #7. Davison was employed by Hopkinson Mining Security Firm and was a resident of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.  Police said that their enquiries disclosed that Davidson was headed east along the northern side of the trail at a fast rate. This resulted in him losing control of the vehicle and it flipped (turned turtle). This caused him to be pinned beneath the ATV on the surface of the trail and as a result of the impact, he sustained injuries about his body. The man was said to be in an unconscious state when he was picked up by public-spirited citizens. He was then rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead on arrival. Related Similar Articles

Oct 15, 2024 News Kaieteur News A serviceman lost his life on Saturday morning, after the rear right wheels of a 14-tonne ready-mix cement/ concrete truck ran over him while he was servicing a vehicle at Top Mix Cement, located at Great Diamond East Bank Demerara (EBD). The dead man has been identified as, Patrick Picket. The man who operated the concrete truck is identified as Sham Singh. Further, the Ministry of Lab The rear right wheels of a 14-tonne ready-mix cement/ concrete truck that crushed Picket our through the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department reported that the incident occurred around 10:45h. At the time of the tragic incident, Picket was servicing a vehicle, checking the differential oil underneath, when Singh reportedly drove the truck to the batching plant for loading. “Mr. Picket was found lying injured on the ground by Mr. Harry Mahase, Batch Supervisor, and other st aff members,” the OSH stated. Following that, Picket was rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital by Mahase, however upon arrival, he was pronounced dead. The OSH officer Neza King conducted an initial site visit to begin investigation and gather information about the circumstances surrounding the accident. “Unfortunately, primary witnesses were unavailable at the time, as they were providing statements at the police station,” the statement added. The OSH however insisted that their investigation will continue to establish the cause of the accident and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents. Meanwhile, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton expressed his concern about workplace fatalities and encouraged workers and employers to adopt safe work practices on the job. The concrete truck Related Similar Articles

We might soon have a new zookeeper! Oct 15, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh de Vee Pee might soon become de new zookeeper. Like he nah satisfied being de big boss in politics, so he decide fuh tek over de animals too. Dem boys want to know wha really going on. How come a whole Vee Pee got time fuh deal with the lions and monkeys when he already busy with oil and gas and talking to Ministers to mek sure dem behaving? He even claim he ask Aneel fuh go check if a decision de President mek was constitutional about de Commissioner of Police. But who give he dat kind authority? Dem boys seh he trying fuh do everything, even de things that nobody ask he fuh do. Now, he talking ‘bout fixing up de Zoo and Botanic Gardens like he is de new zookeeper and curator. But dem boys nah understand, since when de Zoo need a Vice President fuh plant flowers and feed de peacocks? Last time we check, de Botanic Gardens and de Zoo fall under de National Parks Commission. And  both fall also under de Protected Areas Commission. So how come Vee Pee gan head project to enhance de Zoo and the Gardens? Is like de Prezzy forget who responsible fuh these places, or maybe he just handing out extra assignments like Christmas gift. But dem boys seh it nah add up. De tram car plan, de new animals, all dem fancy ideas Vee Pee talking about, got fuh pass through de right people. Is nat like he can just wave a magic wand and turn de Zoo into a next Disneyland. But dem boys want fuh remind he that de National Parks Commission got to agree, and de Protected Areas Commission too and is dem in charge not he. Dem boys seh something nah meshing. How Vee Pee suddenly got time fuh take care of zoo and gardens when he supposed to be handling big matters like oil and gas? Dem boys seh he spreading he-self too thin, like margarine on stale bread. Maybe he want to be known as de man who bring back de lions. But dem boys got a feeling he need fuh pick a lane and stick to it. After all, a Vee Pee can’t be all dem things at one time! Talk half! Leff half! Related Similar Articles

Oct 15, 2024 News Kaieteur News- With the first ever secondary school at Jawalla Village, Region Seven set to cost $231 million, the students’ dormitory that is expected to complement the school will be built for $310 million. This is according to information provided by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) which revealed that on October 09, Sheriff Construction Inc. was awarded the $310,174,450 contract to construct the dormitory. Sod turning for construction of Jawalla Secondary School. This publication understands that the dormitory will be accommodating children from neighbouring villages who are set to attend the secondary school in Jawalla when it is completed. Kaieteur News reported that back in June, the Ministry of Education turned the sod for the construction of the Jawalla Secondary School which is set to cater for up to 250 students. According to the ministry at the time, the school building will be constructed by Sheriff Construction Inc. who was given a period of eight months to complete the project. It was reported that the school, when completed, will be equipped with facilities including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Information Technology laboratories, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) laboratories, a Home Economics room, library space, teachers’ quarters, spacious classrooms and a small dormitory just to name a few. Plans to have a secondary school constructed in the community of Jawalla were made last year when Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other senior officers within the ministry visited the community in March 2023 to determine the ideal location for the school. It was reported that the secondary school will be the second of its kind in the Upper Mazaruni District and will help to ease the overcrowding at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong. The ministry stated that this school will provide students in other communities, including Quebanang, Kako, Imbaimadai, Kambaru, Ominike, Abbou, and Eladupai, with the opportunity to receive a sound secondary education. This publication understands that these students are currently either not receiving a secondary education or are being educated in primary tops which is a secondary department in a primary school. Related Similar Articles

Oct 15, 2024 News The Officer-in-Charge [OIC] of Lusignan Prison, Deoraj GyandatKaieteur News – Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Lusignan Prison Deoraj Gyandat has highlighted that the large number of remand prisoners at the facility has been a major challenge to their rehabilitation programme. During a Guyana Prison Service (GPS) broadcast on the National Communications Network (NCN) titled “Prison in Focus,” Gyandat explained that the prison service primarily concentrates on convicted prisoners, as their sentences allow for tailored rehabilitation programmes. This structured approach enables the service to effectively frame rehabilitation efforts in accordance with each prisoner’s sentence. However, he further explained, “… so the larger portions of remand prisoners sometimes, who maybe will be released on bail and so on, on many occasions, you (Prison Service) don’t really get to capture them in your rehabilitation programmes.” “So it’s better for us (Prison Service) to get the prisoners who are doing a sentence, you know their time, they have a certain time and we can plan according to their sentence,” Gyandat said. Meanwhile, in relation to training of officers in the area of mental health, the OIC said that ranks from various prison locations are currently undergoing studies in that particular field at the University of Guyana (UG). “…In the area of mental health because we have recognised how important it is because all the locations have their own issues with prisoners, you know mentally challenge inmates,” Gyandat highlighted. Furthermore, Gyandat noted that ongoing developmental projects at Lusignan Prison have created a more comfortable environment for inmates, given the expanded space and new infrastructures being constructed at the facility. He recalled that about a year and a half ago, a challenge which the Lusignan Prison was faced with was the accommodation of inmates; however, presently inmates are housed in a proper condition. “We are continuing to build more structures, so that we can have more space to accommodate, not necessarily more prisoners but to have them more comfortably accommodated,” the OIC said during the broadcast. He continued, “The more a prisoner is comfortable, the more he can be rehabilitated, because if you have to cope with that stress of not having to sleep properly and then in the morning that stressing with you all day, you can’t focus in a classroom, you cannot focus on what is being taught.” Related Similar Articles

CWI inducts first West Indies Men’s Academy Cohort to be based in Antigua & Barbuda full-time Oct 15, 2024 Sports CWI Men’s Academy 2024-25 cohort at Coolidge Cricket Grounds, Antigua.  (CWI) JOHN’S, Antigua– Cricket West Indies (CWI) hosted an official Induction Ceremony for the third cohort of the Men’s Academy. The ceremony, held on 11 October 2024 at CWI Headquarters at Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua & Barbuda, marked a significant milestone as this cohort is the first to be based in Antigua & Barbuda full-time for their year of training and development. The 18 young men in attendance were addressed by West Indies cricket legend Courtney Walsh, an esteemed group of technical staff, cricket professionals, including CWI Director Enoch Lewis and CWI Chief Operating Officer Lynford Inverary. In his opening remarks, Inverary emphasized the importance of the academy in developing the next generation of West Indies cricketers, saying, “CWI has invested in you because we believe you are worth the investment. You are the future of West Indies cricket. This is not a one-off investment; it’s part of our long-term commitment to creating a high-performance system that ensures West Indies cricket thrives on the global stage.” West Indies legend Courtney Walsh addresses a captive CWI Men’s Academy.  (CWI) He encouraged the players to rise to the challenge and remember that they are not just representing themselves but their families, countries, and the entire region. Cricket legend Walsh was greeted with a standing ovation by the enthusiastic players, who were bowled over by his record-breaking accomplishments on the pitch. Walsh, who still holds the West Indies record for highest wicket-taker (500), shared his unique perspective as a former player and left the young men with thirteen key points to consider. Of those points, he emphasised fitness, which allowed him to once bowl an extraordinary 45 consecutive overs in one innings; the importance of constantly learning about the game, which he does to this day; striving for excellence in Test cricket as a foundation for mastering all formats of the game; and finally, to always enjoy themselves and this unique journey. Enoch Lewis, CWI Board Member and Chairman of the Cricket Performance and Development Committee, also delivered a powerful address, highlighting the pride and responsibility of wearing the West Indies crest. He reminded the young players that they are part of a legacy that extends beyond the field. Ramesh Subasinghe, Head Coach of the West Indies Men’s Academy, and CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, outlined the year’s curriculum which, in addition to on-the-field training, focuses on skill development, personal growth, and leadership training. Men’s Academy The Men’s Academy continues to play a vital role in developing young cricketers, with three graduates from the previous cohort already securing franchise contracts. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes on-field skill enhancement and off-field elements like leadership training and media engagement. In addition to the Men’s Academy, CWI also operates a Women’s Academy, with training camps being held in Antigua & Barbuda and across other territories. This parallel programme is part of CWI’s broader commitment to youth development and aims to prepare the next generation of women cricketers for success on the international stage. Both programmes reflect CWI’s dedication to building a legacy of excellence in West Indies cricket, for both men and women. 2024/25 Men’s Academy Players: Ackeem Auguste Jediah Blades Joshua Bishop Teddy Bishop McKenny Clarke Rivaldo Clarke Mavendra Dindyal Nathan Edward Justin Jaggersar Johan Layne Zishan Motara Michael Palmer Kelvin Pitman Renico Smith Carlon Tuckett CWI Indies congratulates these young men on their selection and looks forward to their bright futures in West Indies cricket. Related Similar Articles