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We rich but we poor! Oct 13, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists Dem Boys Seh… Kaieteur News – Guyana is a land of plenty, but it look like we ain’t get the memo. Deh boys seh we swimming in oil, but we belly empty. Foreigners come in, dip dem bucket in we black gold, and drive out in SUVs, while we deh pon bicycle. Y’all hear ‘bout de hog share? Well, deh foreigners don’t just get de hog share, dem tek de whole pig! We left with de tail and we grateful if we get a sniff of de bacon. It’s like we got a gold mine and we end up with de fool’s gold. And dem boys seh is not like de government didn’t have options. Oh no! If dem had ring-fenced dem oil projects, each Guyanese coulda bin collecting one million dollars a month. But instead, we get a lil one-off $200,000. Y’all ever try stretching $200,000? Is like trying to cover yuh bed with a handkerchief—it can’t stretch, buddy! Dem boys seh, this oil money like a mirage. We seeing all dem numbers, de billions dem claiming, but when you reach out to touch it, it disappear like dem election promises. Meanwhile, de foreigners building mansions while we building up a debt with the shop. Dem rolling in riches while we rolling in debt. Dem boys seh, Guyanese living in a paradox: we rich yet poor, blessed yet stressed. It’s like winning de lottery but yuh can’t cash de ticket. Guyana got diamonds, gold, timber, and oil, but we deh hustling fuh pay de light bill. Deh boys seh, we got plenty, but plenty not fuh we. And when yuh ask why, de answer simple: it’s ‘progress’—but somehow, we still deh pon de same old spot. Talk half. Leff half. Related Similar Articles

The pitfalls of a one-time cash grant Oct 13, 2024 Peeping Tom Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News – In this the golden age of Guyana’s new oil economy, expectations run high. Among the most tantalizing fantasies has been the notion of a monthly cheque arriving in every citizen’s mailbox—a dividend for simply being Guyanese, sharing in the country’s newfound wealth. Yet, as reality would have it, the idea remains a mirage. There are two glaring reasons why such visions are bound to remain elusive: first, the colossal needs of a society where essential services are fraying, and second, the rather modest sums that Guyana is receiving for its oil, sums which so far only allow for about 30% of the financing of the country’s budget. But under pressure to ensure that citizens benefit directly from oil revenues, the government has unveiled a seemingly generous gesture: a one-off cash grant of $200,000 for every household. In comes one year before elections are due. But as appealing as this may sound, it is not the vote-winning gambit the government might believe it to be. Instead, it risks generating a wave of controversy that could ultimately undermine any electoral gains it hopes to achieve. It is worth noting that in the past, one prominent former official from the opposition Alliance For Change (APNU) took a different stance to cash transfers, advocating for the strategic use of oil revenues to fund long-term projects rather than short-term cash transfers. His view was simple and well-worn: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This perspective, though perhaps unfashionable, has merit in the context of a nation burdened by infrastructural decay and innumerable social needs. Consider these needs. Drive through almost any community, and you will encounter crumbling roads, clogged drains, and dilapidated schools—some still reliant on pit latrines. Health centers are in desperate need of refurbishment, public spaces lack maintenance, and garbage collection often falls short. Recreational facilities, where they exist, are in poor condition. These are not cosmetic concerns but pressing needs that directly affect the quality of life. The elderly need needs proper care and retirement homes; persons who have sick and at homes, need home-care assistance. Addressing these and many other needs will require billions of dollars. A $200,000 cash grant may provide temporary relief for households it does little to solve these long-term issues. Yet, here we are, with the government offering what is effectively an electoral éclair—a sugary, short-term delight that dissolves quickly, leaving behind an emptiness that belies the initial appeal. The one-off cash grant may seem like a political masterstroke, but it is likely to invite more trouble than it’s worth. For one thing, the allocation of such grants is rarely smooth. The process will almost certainly breed resentment. There will be those who believe themselves entitled but who find themselves excluded—whether through bureaucratic oversight, perceived favoritism, or the inevitable gaps in a hasty rollout.  Thousands are going to be left with pink slips and no cash grant. Conversely, there will be recipients deemed undeserving by others, fueling accusations of political bias and discrimination. It always happens. These perceptions can be toxic in an election year. The PPP/C may believe that the distribution of cash will generate goodwill, but in reality, it is sowing the seeds of discontent. For every recipient who may feel grateful, there is likely to be another who feels slighted. If the government’s hope is to curry favor through this initiative, it risks achieving the opposite result. Instead of applause, it may well be met with a chorus of complaints about unfairness, incompetence, discrimination and favoritism—none of which are conducive to electoral gains. The optics of the cash grant will likely come under scrutiny. Amid a national conversation on the rising cost of living, many argue that a more sustainable approach would have been to reduce the Value-Added Tax (VAT) to 10%, thereby offering relief to all citizens through lower prices on everyday goods. True, the government may point out the wide range of zero-rated VAT items already in place. But this begs a question: if the VAT rate is truly reasonable, why then is there a need for so many exemptions? A more modest and universal reduction might have achieved the dual aim of offering relief and improving the perception of the government’s economic stewardship. The decision to offer a blanket cash grant rather than targeted measures or long-term investments suggests a lack of strategic thinking. It is a reactive measure, driven by the desire to quell mounting pressure for cash transfers rather than a proactive vision for the country’s future. And as is often the case with such gestures, the immediate boost in popularity may be fleeting, while the negative fallout could be enduring. Elections, after all, are won or lost not just on grand gestures but on the perceptions of fairness and competence that linger in voters’ minds. The controversy surrounding the cash grant distribution could easily overshadow the intended goodwill, transforming what might have been an electoral boon into a political headache. Stories of those who missed out, who received less than expected, or who saw their neighbors benefit unfairly will likely spread faster than any praise for the government’s largesse. Sixty billion dollars is no small sum, and in the context of a nation with so many pressing needs, its use must be carefully considered. It could have been channeled into projects that create jobs, improve living conditions, and generate long-term value for citizens. It could have been channeled into better care homes and providing home-care services for those with very sick relatives. It could have more than provided free transportation for hinterland students to get to and from school. Instead, the government has chosen a path that prioritizes short-term gain over long-term stability. It is a decision that may ultimately cost them more than the $200,000 they hope to spend on winning hearts. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)  Related Similar Articles

One year later Oct 13, 2024 Editorial Editorial… Kaieteur News – The numbers are staggering.  Over 42,000 dead on the Palestinian side.  Over two million displaced from their homes.  Over two million without such basics as water, electricity, and sanitation.  The bombs fall everywhere at any time.  Hospitals, refugee camps, food convoys, residential areas, among others, have all been targeted and ruthlessly demolished.  Even cemeteries have been damaged, with 1 in 5 subjected to an unending rain of steel and fire from the skies and across the border that serves as a line dividing the warring parties.  A war without pity, without letup, without any energy from the West, with the US reduced to the role of ineffective broker, impotent bystander. It has been an uneven conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, with uneven being the understatement of understatements.  No comparison is attempted, but Israeli losses have paled into insignificance: over 1200 dead from the initial attack, and not a thousand in accumulated death and injuries of its soldiers.  Almost 90% of the Palestinian civilian population has been displaced, under 1% of Israeli civilians have had to move. A year ago, a Hamas-authored and executed invasion of Israel resulted in the 1200 plus deaths and 250 plus hostages taken.  This is only a limited sketch of the horrors that have been released and intensified on the Palestinians since that fateful Saturday morning of October 7, 2023.  For every drop of Israeli blood that was shed, each moment of shame and pain, a terrible vengeance has been reaped on the Palestinians.  The watching world in the civilized West has pretended to doze off in its rocking chair, while barbarity at its most brutal has wiped out restraint and conscience. Palestinian civilians, from women to children, from babies to the elderly, from the sick to the strong, still fall into the category of human beings.  One senior Israeli military man created his own unique designation Palestinians are nothing but human animals.  It could explain why the US has been so unsuccessful in its efforts to bring about a ceasefire, even some level of disengagement and withdrawal.  With the Hamas-authored assault of October 7, 2023, and its bloodletting functioning as the context, there could be the rationalization in Western (American) halls of power that Palestinians are not people.  The Israeli general’s clever hybrid (human animals) serves to inhibit determined and conclusive actions at remediation.  In effect, these Palestinians and their allies are rodents to be hunted down and eradicated with a free hand. A free hand is what has been given to the Israelis, with America and Europe, the referee that turns his face away.  When the civilian massacres raged in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, through the bloody hand of Servian strongman Milosevic, America led the way in forcing an end to the human suffering.  It was an instance of decisive and commendable American leadership action.  Yet, when the people involved are different, when human loss is infinitely grislier, both America and Europe experience a paralysis of vision, paralysis where the required actions are concerned. There was Rwanda with its still unbelievable toll of 800,000 hacked to death in the span of 100 days.  Why the blindness then, the deafness at that time, from the US and Europe, the protectors of civilization?  Today, amid the Gaza and West Bank, and all their grim human statistics, the hypocrisy of the West drips from its hollow words and is smeared across its deceptive face.  Instead of being a tireless worker for some semblance of peace, there is America standing as a contributor to the 21st century genocide and holocaust with its frequent supply of billions in sophisticated arms and other support to Israel. If ever there was a one-sided battle, the one faced by the Palestinians must qualify hands down as it.  If ever the odds of survival were stacked against a people, the Palestinians know so because they live with such odds. One year later, the America and Europe that thrill to lecturing the world about what is humanitarian and the best of civilization have all but abandoned the Palestinians to their fate, while throwing their weight behind Israel.  The global policemen have become the regional perverters, treacherous aiders and abettors. Related Similar Articles

Guyanese can now apply for Schengen Visas in country Oct 13, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Delegation of the European Union in Guyana on Friday announced that from October 21, Guyanese will be able to apply for Schengen Visas in Guyana where its main destination is France. According to a post from the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana, the applications will happen twice a month and the first session is slated to take place on October 21 and Tuesday October 22, 2024. A Schengen visa entitles non-Europeans to travel to Slovenia and any of the other 26 Schengen countries, including Austria, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, for a stay of up to 90 days. For this purpose, visa applicants must complete their applications online at https://france-visas.gouv.fr on the Suriname page. Appointments can be made online at https://consulat.gouv.fr/ambassade-de-france-a-paramaribo/rendez-vous?name=Visas%20Georgetown and applicants can  go to the following address : Honorary Consulate of France, 46 First avenue Subryanville, Georgetown, Guyana, in order to submit their applications. The applications must include “completed and signed France visa application form, receipt of application, passport, photo, supporting documents (the list is provided on France Visas), the application fee indicated on France visas and a pre-stamped FeDex envelope for the passports return from Suriname to the applicant’s address.” This option will now make the process easier for Guyanese travelers who are thinking of undertaking the journey to the French-speaking nation. Related Similar Articles

Police Destroy $392 Million in Cannabis at Upper Berbice River Oct 13, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Police Force (GPF), through the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) headquarters narcotics branch on Friday destroyed $392 million worth of cannabis, during a narcotic eradication exercise conducted at Old Vigilante, Upper Berbice River. During the destruction of the cannabis The cannabis plants that were discovered Police reported that the operation was conducted between, 04:00hrs and 23:10hrs. During the exercise, police found a four-acre plot of land cultivated with about 12,000 cannabis plants ranging in height from three to seven feet. A makeshift camp, measuring approximately 40 by 20 feet, was found, just a few feet from the farm. This camp included a kitchen area and a dedicated drying area, where officials discovered around 950 pounds of dried cannabis. The farm and the camp were meticulously documented with photographs before being destroyed by fire. The valuation of the narcotics plants amounted to $4,065,600, while dried cannabis amounted to $387,821,160. “No arrests were made, and the exercise was incident-free,” police said in the report. Related Similar Articles

“It’s mine; I use it for my illness,” woman caught with weed and suspected cocaine tells cop Oct 13, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 49-year-old unemployed woman was arrested on Saturday morning after police discovered 41 grams of marijuana and white creamish substance suspected to be cocaine at her home located in Kumaka Stretch, North West District (NWD). Arrested: Jarrette Singh The arrested woman has been identified as Jarrette Singh. Police reported that a raid spearheaded by Region One Commander, Krishna Ramana led ranks to Singh’s residence. During the raid, ranks discovered two transparent plastic bags containing leaves, seeds and stem suspected to be cannabis sativa. In light of police discovery, ranks told Singh of the offence committed and cautioned her to which she responded, “It’s mine; I use it for my illness.” Police conducted further searches which also led to the discovery of small Ziploc transparent plastic bags, three small digital scales, a small coffee plate with a razor blade, and a small whitish/creamish substance suspected to be cocaine, along with two marijuana crushers and a pack of smoking papers (bamboo). The marijuana, cocaine and other items found at the Kumaka Stretch home Thereafter, police seized all the items, arrested Singh and ventured off to the Mabaruma Police Station. Upon arrival at the station, the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 41 grams. “The weight of the suspected cocaine was not established,” police asserted. The suspected cannabis and cocaine were placed in separate evidence bags, marked, sealed, and lodged. The suspect is in custody, assisting with the ongoing investigations. Related Similar Articles

Connecting with nature a healing escape from cancer challenges Oct 13, 2024 News Cancer survivors and supporters gather to share strength and hope at the Event By: Christal Yong Kaieteur News – Amidst the challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis, patients often find themselves navigating a whirlwind of emotions and treatments that can feel overwhelming. However, a growing number of individuals are discovering the restorative power of nature, this process is described as ‘green therapy.’ Dr Dave Lalltoo This approach utilizes the calming effects of nature to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing. By immersing themselves in greenery, individuals can practice mindfulness, engage in gentle movement, and find community support, fostering hope and resilience during their journey. On Saturday, Recover Guyana, a local environmental non-profit founded by Dr. Dave Lalltoo hosted a meaningful event aimed at empowering cancer patients and survivors by fostering connections. The event held at the National Library Guyana in observance of Pinktober- Cancer Awareness Month. The gathering provided breast cancer survivors and seniors with opportunities for creative expression and therapeutic engagement. It celebrated the strength of those diagnosed with cancer, creating a supportive environment where participants could share their journeys and find community amidst their challenges. During the event, Ms. Naudya Hussain, green therapy specialist captivated attendees with her insights on the type of alternative healing method. She shed light on the profound toll cancer can take on individuals and emphasized that the emotional and physical burdens of the disease often extend beyond treatment, affecting mental wellbeing and quality of life. “I feel like cancer takes something from you, it takes away a part of what essentially make us woman, physically. When you do chemo therapy, it takes away that thing, that thing that makes your ego shine, our hair…,” Hussain said. By integrating nature into the healing process, Hussain illustrated how green therapy can offer a refuge to the terminally, promoting relaxation and resilience. Nature’s healing touch: A showcase of plants at the event Hussain further emphasized the importance of communication in the healing process for cancer patients. While talking to someone can be incredibly beneficial, she acknowledged that not everyone finds it easy to express their feelings verbally. For those who struggle to share their experiences, Hussain introduced the concept of green therapy. While recalling a few years ago when she found herself in a difficult place, Hussain shared her personal journey of struggle and resilience. “I was home…and I watered my plants and I watered my plants again, I probably over watered them, but in the act of watering my plants, I started watering (crying) and I started crying and I started to talk to my plants… I spoke aloud of what I was feeling and in the act of doing that, by the time I was finished watering my plants, I felt better,” Hussain related. She continued, “…it (Green Therapy) boosts our mood and it improves our overall wellbeing …it’s like an escape from treatment.” With that aside, she urges persons to start planting, since it has a lot of benefits not just with what can be produced from it but the mental takeaway it offers. The act of planting fosters a deeper connection to nature, allowing individuals to experience the joy of watching their efforts bloom into something tangible. This process promotes mindfulness, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Hussain encouraged everyone to consider planting as a way to cultivate both their gardens and their mental wellbeing, creating a holistic approach to healing that benefits both body and mind. Meanwhile, during the event, the British High Commissioner to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Jane Miller focused on cancer survivor advocacy. She said, “This year, the theme is about solidarity, the theme is about working together, the team is about working together as cancer survivors but also as … friends, you have got the family, Guyana here…they are here to be your ally and friend because nobody should have to suffer in cancer alone.” Nevertheless, the event featured several other insightful speakers. Dr. Surendra Persaud emphasized the critical importance of early detection in breast cancer, while Mahadevi Girdhary delved into the psychological aspects of receiving a diagnosis. Anastasia Sanford highlighted the empowerment of seniors and the role of engagement in encouraging breast cancer screening. Additionally, Dr. Joanne Bejaimal discussed the significance of oral health and its impact on overall wellbeing, particularly for seniors and cancer survivors. To this end, several cancer survivors were honoured with tokens of appreciation for their resilience and strength throughout their journeys. These tokens, which served as symbols of support and recognition, were a heartfelt way to celebrate their courage. In addition, the event organizers offered the survivors a free trip to Essequibo, providing them with an opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation. Related Similar Articles