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House to debate motion to empower PAC to summon witnesses for examination of public spending Jul 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The National Assembly is set to debate a critical motion, which aims to enhance the authority of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira The motion, presented by A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira, who is also the Chairperson of the PAC, seeks to grant the committee the power to summon witnesses, a capacity it currently lacks. The PAC is a key parliamentary body responsible for examining how public funds are utilized by the government and its various entities. Established under the Constitution of Guyana and guided by the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, the PAC scrutinizes accounts showing the appropriation of funds granted by the House for public expenditure. It also reviews reports from the Auditor General, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. The committee’s oversight extends to all central and local government bodies, state-controlled entities, and projects financed by foreign loans or grants, making it a crucial mechanism for maintaining fiscal discipline and preventing misuse of public funds. The motion titled “Authority of the Public Accounts Committee to summon witnesses” seeks to have the PAC be deemed as a legislative body, in accordance to the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act, Chapter 2 of 2012. The Act stipulates that a “legislative body” meaning-the Cabinet, any Special Select Committee of the National Assembly or any Committee of the National Assembly are empowered by resolution of the Assembly to summon witnesses. With the support of the Government of Guyana (GoG), the motion will be passed and the PAC will be empowered to summon witnesses when examining the spending of public funds. Figueira underscored the necessity of the motion, citing challenges the PAC faces.  “The Committee for the purpose of examining the accounts of entities is required to invite persons to produce books, plans, or documents, to aid in the work of the Committee,” he said. However, he noted, “on occasions, some persons are reluctant to appear before the Committee, thus affecting the work of the Committee.” The lack of summoning authority, he argued, hampers the committee’s effectiveness in scrutinizing the use of public funds. The proposed resolution seeks to officially recognize the PAC as a legislative body under the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act, thus empowering it to summon individuals and require the production of relevant books, plans, or documents to aid in its investigations. “The Public Accounts Committee has observed that it is not deemed a legislative body as defined in the Legislative Bodies (Evidence) Act, Chapter 2 of 2012 and is not empowered to summon persons to appear before the Committee… [The] Committee is desirous of summoning persons to appear before the Committee to explain the use of Public Funds during their tenure,” Figueira noted. If passed, this motion would significantly strengthen parliamentary oversight and the PAC’s ability to ensure accountability in the use of public funds. Related Similar Articles

Thieves break into Selector Carl’s car and cart off with Macbooks, IPad and other items Jul 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Popular 96.1 FM radio D.J. Carl Alexander Primo known as Selector Carl was left at his wits end on Sunday after thieves broke into his vehicle while he was attending a funeral service and stole several items valued at an estimated $502,000. The back passenger window that was broken Primo told Kaieteur News that he locked his car with the items inside and parked on Middle Street, between Carmichael and Waterloo Streets, Georgetown and went to attend his father-in-law’s funeral. He said that he later sent somebody to the car to collect the iPad to stream the funeral, when they discovered that the back passenger window on the left of the vehicle was broken and the items were missing.  An alarm was raised and Primo later discovered the items were missing when he went to the vehicle.  He said that this was at around 13:20hrs. The items are three MacBooks, an iPad and a focusrite interface. The DJ told this publication that the stolen items are estimated at approximately $502,000. A distressed Primo said, “…All my work gone there.” A police report was filed and investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

West Indies upbeat ahead of England test Jul 08, 2024 Sports West Indies’ Kavem Hodge cuts off the back foot against the First Class County Select XI at Beckenham (Alamy Live News) Kaieteur Sports – Alick Athanaze and Joshua Da Silva warmed up for higher intensity battles in the coming weeks with unbeaten half-centuries that were the highlights for West Indies before the opening match on their Tour of England against the First-Class Counties Select XI ended in a draw on July 5. Athanaze was not out on 66 and Da Silva was not out on 51 when West Indies declared their second innings on 196 for five at the rescheduled tea break on the rain-spoilt final day of the three-day match at the Kent County Cricket Ground. The Counties Select XI were 30 for two in their second innings when stumps were drawn in the match for the final time after they were set an improbable target of 163 to win in the final session of play. Uncapped pacer Jeremiah Louis, who replaced injured Kemar Roach in the West Indies squad for the tour, then got opener Harry Singh caught behind for a 12-ball duck, and Johann Layne, a member of the Cricket West Indies Academy squad returning to the Caribbean from their Tour of Ireland, got Jamal Richards caught behind for six before the two teams decided it was futile to continue. “Barring a bit of adverse weather, we have managed to get a lot of solid cricket played over the last three days, so we are generally happy with what has happened on the tour so far,” West Indies assistant coach, Jimmy Adams told CWI Media. “What we would have wanted to get from the time spent out in the middle, we have gotten. The weather has been kind to us, we know that it could get a little bit rough (in England), but all in all, we are very happy with what the weather has allowed and the facilities we have been given, and what the guys have been able to produce.” West Indies now head to the British capital of London, where they will continue preparations ahead of the first Test against hosts England, starting on July 10 at the so-called home of the sport, Lord’s. “I think it is important that they (the batsmen) get as much ‘live’ practice as they can in conditions that a lot of them are not familiar with,” Adams added. “I would say that irrespective of anywhere they have travelled outside of the Caribbean, a lot of them have not toured England before – some have – but a lot of the batters haven’t, so (this tour match) was an opportunity for them to get as acquainted with conditions as possible before they run into the international opposition, and I think they have done it pretty well.” Earlier, Athanaze and Da Silva shared 91 – unbroken – for the sixth wicket after there was no play before lunch with the visitors set to continue from their overnight total of 57 for two. Opener Mikyle Louis made 28 and was one of three wickets that the West Indies lost in the span of half-hour when play started 2-1/2 hours later than scheduled because of adverse weather, and they were 105 for five. But Athanaze led the resistance for the Caribbean side during two-and-a-half hours at the crease in which time he struck 11 fours from 99 balls, and Da Silva struck half-dozen fours from 69 balls in an hour-and-a-half. Athanaze reached his 50 from 62 balls when he clipped pacer Jamal Richards through backward square leg for a single. Da Silva arrived at the landmark from 68 balls when he pulled off-spinner Farham Ahmed, younger brother of England teenaged leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, through mid-wicket for his final boundary before the declaration came during the rescheduled tea break. Adams said the Caribbean side will be looking to build on the knowledge they gained from the tour match and draw on their experience from this past January of winning a Test in Australia for the first time in almost three decades to offer a competitive front to England. “It’s a really good group in terms of their ability and their willingness to learn,” he said. “Some of them went to Australia a few months back and they showed this capacity to learn very quickly, and I am hoping that this continues. “As a coach you cannot ask for more. They work hard, they learn quickly, and what we can do is to give them a little heads up about what to expect both in terms of conditions and knowledge about the opposition.” Adams said: “We want to build on it (the win in Australia). I can’t speak to what is happening outside of the team or around, but from a team perspective, it was a great fillip for us. Certainly, when you have a young group, you are keen to bed down a lot of things. “Some of them are early in their careers, and results like that can help the teaching process because it reinforces and moves things from theory to reality. It then means that, maybe, instead of having to teach, you can remind because they have been there and nothing really is a substitute for having been in a battle and come out on the other side intact, so hopefully we can add to that going forward.” The second Test of the series starts on July 18 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, and the third Test starts on July 26 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. (Beckenham) Related Similar Articles

Ram’s magical 151 leads WDCA to 217-run win over UDCA Jul 08, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) surged to a commanding 217-run win over Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) as action continued in the latest round of DCB U17 cricket at Everest. National youth opener Parmeshwar Ram dazzled with 151 Ram, the national youth opener, racked up a breathtaking, boundary-filled 151 and bagged three wickets to cap off a brilliant match. Batsman Arvin Sukanand scored 46 runs as he helped steady WDCA’s batting, along with Udesh Seetaram wrapped up a good game with 33 runs as WDCA posted 271-6 in 35 overs. A brilliant spell of seam from Shahid Haniff yielded 4 wickets as UDCA were mowed down for a paltry 54 in 28.1 overs. Action continued over the weekend with more rounds.     Related Similar Articles

Senior citizens surviving on meager pensions while cost of living continues to rise Jul 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – While the effects of the high cost of living can be felt in every section of society, the struggles are especially felt on the nation’s most vulnerable; the poor and the elderly. Kaieteur News caught up with several old pensioners who spoke about the impact that the high cost of living has on their quality of life.  Many of them survive on a little more than $36,000 old pension package which the State grants them a monthly basis. Juliana Joseph, 81, a retired teacher related: “I think the cost of living is very high and think something must be done to reduce it….  I really feel that we could do with something more. For a person is depending on $36,000, (I) can’t survive on that, it cannot last a week.  The government needs to do some kind of price control so that price is not fixed on the fantasies of those market people to protect the vulnerable people. We are a country getting oil money and all sorts of things, therefore it should be evident with the people, we must benefit from that.” Joy Couchman, 73, a former Ministry of Public Works employee: “It is very inadequate for me but I got to try by God’s grace because there is nothing I can do about it.  It is very small to Joy Couchman me. I am solely dependent on the pension money. I have to pay rates and taxes some months; I pay and some months, I don’t because I have to eat, I have to buy toiletries for myself. I have to go to the hospital ….Right now, I don’t even have gas to cook and get something to eat. I got to go buy a bottle of gas and actually after buying that money done. I wish the government could raise the money more; it will be a little better for me.” Anthony Clark, 74, retired policeman: “I find it a hard time with the money we are receiving now, because if you aren’t careful, if you go in the market and Anthony Clark if you don’t write a list and go with that list and show yourself, you in trouble. All the years you’re working, them say you suppose to save for when old age meet, you can’t only depend on old age pension, but when you working you can’t even get to save nothing that why you end up in this predicament when you reach old age. I’m a retired police, cost of living is so high…and they need to give pensioners more benefit, because in all of our life as big people, you contributing to the country someway, somehow.” Veira Smith, 80, teacher: “ I have learnt from since I was a child that you try and stretch whatever that you have and when you stretch it and you don’t have any more, you do without but doing without is your business. What I am trying to say is that the money is small but I’m thankful for it. In terms of providing for my basic necessities, I am not really managing and you have to study about saving a little money in case you get sick. By the time first week, you collect pension it finish. As soon as I get my money I try to buy my goods, you sacrifice your stomach sometimes.  In the 70’s things were very cheap… You can’t go lavish these days. I need that money to take care of my health.” Brian Vansluytman, 66, former seaman: “The cost of living is not compatible with the money we are receiving. I have other resources to sustain me I resign from sea work and so on, it was not something, I choose to look forward to…But for the people that solely depending on the pension money, it can be a challenge. You could see the strain… In terms of bills and basic necessities I imagine it is really difficult sometimes. People looking forward for the money but by the time they get it, with the bills and everything sometime before the month finish, money done. ” Phillip Bourne Phillip Bourne, 76: “No, the pension is not enough for me, my problem is the food, food prices have increased but apart from food prices that have increased I can cope. I am not coping well but I am surviving…I eat three meals a day and I pay my bills. ” Patricia Parks, 84: “Well it is not good enough at all, because as soon you get your money, and go in the supermarket, all the money just finish. I have light to pay; I have other little things to do, Patricia Parks I trying to build my house right now, it hard, and it really hard.” Lolita Lewis, 62: “Well I am a single person and it is affecting me a lot a lot, …because the money  cant last you a month, you know you got to eat, you got to wear, you gah drink, it’s very hard. I will like to ask the government just like how they giving the school children a grant, why can’t every month pensioners get a grant.  We get all this oil money, help me nah.” George Persaud, 68: “Everything going up, all over, so we got to accept….Everything going up; every day!” Patricia [only name given] 84: “Terrible (Cost of living), I have to be contented, it is not easy but we got to trust God, it is not easy but we got to trust God and be thankful for whatever I can do.”   Related Similar Articles

Shamar Joseph eyes Lord’s five-for vs England Jul 08, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – (Newsday TT) – WEST INDIES fast bowler Shamar Joseph intends to write his name in the honour roll at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London when the regional side battle England in the first match of a three-Test series on July 10. Shamar Joseph The rookie pacer, 24, shot to fame last January with a devastating spell of fast bowling to dismantle hosts Australia in a huge upset win in Adelaide. Joseph, who only started playing professional cricket in 2023, rocked the Aussies with seven wickets for 64 runs to bowl the Windies to an unlikely win in the second Test. The series ended 1-1. Although still learning his craft, Joseph is not shy to set high standards for himself. In an interview on Sunday, Joseph said he plans to repeat his heroics and etch his name in Lord’s history with a five-wicket haul. The Lord’s honours board commemorates batsmen who have scored centuries at the famous ground as well as bowlers with five-wicket or ten-wicket hauls in Tests or one-day matches. Joseph told reporters on July 7, “I will put my name there for sure.” The Guyanese is eager to get the ball in his hands and take advantage of what is expected to be bowler-friendly conditions. “I’m actually excited to be here. Being at Lord’s, (it’s a dream) to play at this ground. England is known for good fast-bowling (conditions) and swing and all that.” He said his confidence remains on high despite playing just two Tests in his career. “That’s the only way for me. I feel like being confident and having the backing of teammates that believe in you (gives me strength). He said the vibe in the Windies camp remains positive since drawing that Test series Down Under. “From since the last tour in Australia, we maintain that energy. We keep that positive mindset and energy, that is an important part in our game.” With England legend Jimmy Anderson set to play his final Test match, Joseph hailed the prowess of the evergreen 41 year old, but said a fairytale ending is not in his script. “He’s such an amazing player, someone that I look up to… He has a lot of wickets at this level. I would wanna ruin that farewell.” Joseph said he enjoyed looking at matches at Lord’s – especially the Ashes – and seeing quicks such as Australian Mitchell Starc and Englishman Jofra Archer impress. “That’s something that I wanna come out and do also.” He said adapting quickly to the conditions is crucial. The Windies drew a three-day warm-up match against a First-Class Counties Select XI, which ended July 5, at Kent Kent County Cricket Ground, Beckenham. Joseph did not arrive in England in time for the warm-up but is expected to be in the 11 to face England in the opening match. The second Test bowls off from July 18-22 with the third Test scheduled for July 26-30.  Related Similar Articles

Illegal connection caused fire that destroyed East Ruimveldt houses Jul 08, 2024 News The fire blazing through the East Ruimveldt home Kaieteur News – Two houses were destroyed and one damaged on Saturday morning after a connection of illegal wires resulted in a fire along East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown. This is according to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS). The GFS also confirmed that the inferno engulfed a one-flat wooden building owned and occupied by 39-year-old Brandon Britton. Despite firefighters’ efforts to extinguish the fire, the building and its contents were completely destroyed, rendering Britton homeless. “The purported cause of the fire was identified as a slack connection of illegal wiring, which resulted in arcing and sparking, subsequently igniting nearby combustible materials” the fire service reported. Additionally, the GFS said that the fire spread to a neighboring one-flat wooden building owned by Ruby Francis, 39, who lives there with her family of eight. Due to radiated heat, the entire western external wall of the building was destroyed. On Saturday, the GFS reported that they received a call about the fire around 11:11hrs. Firefighter units reportedly arrived on the scene at 11:13hrs and the first water jets were deployed at 11:14hrs. Notably, responding to the call were Water Tender #95, Water Tender #118, and Water Tender #18, carrying a total of 6,443 liters of water, along with thirteen firefighters. Firefighting efforts included one jet working from WT#118’s tank supply, one jet from WC#18’s tank supply, and one jet from WT#95’s tank supply. Light Pumps #A07 and #A16 also contributed by utilizing an open water source to extinguish the fire. Given the cause of the fire, the Guyana Fire Service continues to warn citizens to desist from using illegal connections for electricity. “These connections present a serious risk to both lives and properties since they can result in fires or electrocutions,” the fire service has emphasized. Related Similar Articles