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President Ali announces: $200K cash grant to each household Oct 11, 2024 News – $10B injection for NIS, range of other measures By Shania Williams Kaieteur News – Amid the crushing load of poverty coupled with high cost-of-living, President Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced a one-off cash grant of $200,000 for every household in Guyana during his address at the 12th Parliament Special Sitting of the National Assembly. President Mohammed Irfaan Ali addressing Parliament This initiative, which will inject $60 billion into the economy, is expected to commence immediately as authorities establish a fair and transparent distribution process, Ali said to thunderous applause from government Members of Parliament. Outside of the House, members of the Opposition who boycotted the sitting staged a protest highlighting the cost-of-living crisis here as well as accusations of corruption against the administration. President Ali emphasised the commitment of the Government to prioritise the welfare of all Guyanese, noting that since taking office, the administration has implemented various measures to enhance disposable income, including the removal of over 200 taxes and fees imposed by the previous government, such as VAT on water, electricity, and basic food items. Additional measures include: the removal of excise tax on fuel, which saves consumers over $90 billion annually, an increase in the low-income mortgage loan ceiling, and the elimination of taxes on residential use of data. Last year, a $5 billion cost-of-living allocation provided public servants, teachers, and members of the disciplined services with a $25,000 one-time tax-free cash grant. “This is how we are promoting prosperity, ownership, and the distribution of wealth… The resources and revenue of this country are being spent every single day to lift the lives of people,” the President stated. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo later at a news conference addressed concerns surrounding what will constitute a “household” for the cash grant distribution. He referenced the last national census, which recorded 264,000 households, but acknowledged that the census may not have captured every individual. Jagdeo announced that the government plans to rely on data from utility companies, such as Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), to determine eligibility. Jagdeo explained, “We have about 200,000 people who pay electricity rates who are on the GPL database…So clearly, if someone is paying their electricity bill that is going to be a household.” He also noted that while verification may be straightforward in some regions, utility data alone may not suffice to ensure fairness. He stressed the importance of rigorous scrutiny to prevent misuse of the system, with the Auditor General’s Office involved to maintain accountability. He noted, “We try to see as far as possible how we can make it fair without people ripping off the system too. So we still have to work it through in great detail, but we believe we can do it… The aim is once it is a legitimate household. If you have a bill, that will be easily accessed,” Jagdeo noted. Additionally, Jagdeo announced that non-nationals are not eligible for the cash grant, stating, “These are Guyanese families; if you are not a Guyanese household, you are not getting the money.” However, Jagdeo pointed out that the database will not include residents in Regions 1, 7,8,9 and other riverine areas on the coast. In these cases, Jagdeo explained that these household are easily verified, noting that the villages are small and they will attain verification by the Toshaos in those communities. In households that can be easily verified through utility bills, where multiple families may reside under one roof, payments will be shared first. For secondary households, such as rented homes in rural areas, additional measures will be implemented to confirm household identification. Vice President Jagdeo explained, if a person has multiple buildings, and their name appears on the relevant utility meters, tenants in such households would need to claim the grant separately. “So if you can prove that people are renting, you show that you are renting, then that’s an easy way that you have your own households,” Jagdeo confirmed. Meanwhile during his address, President Ali announced that electricity costs in Guyana will be reduced by 50% before the end of 2025, contingent on the Gas-to-Energy project. This measure is expected to inject $250 million into the economy and significantly enhance disposable income for citizens. “This is an injection of $250 million by the government of Guyana that will positively impact disposable income,” President Ali stated. He highlighted previous challenges faced by Guyana Power and Light, which struggled to meet increasing electricity demand from 2015 to 2019 due to insufficient inventory and investment. President Ali further revealed plans for public sector employees to earn no less than $100,000 monthly by the end of 2025. He stated that adjustments to salaries for various public sector categories, along with an increase in the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $100,000, will benefit many workers. “This will see the disposable income of these employees increasing by more than 1 billion. This is how we build prosperity; this is how we reduce disparity and this is how we build equity in the system,” the Head-of-State emphasised. To support families, the government will introduce a new income tax deduction allowing parents to claim an additional $10,000 per month for each child, effective next year. “This will increase the tax-free threshold for families with children,” the president explained. Ali explained that for every child, one of their parents will be entitled an additional income tax threshold of $120,000 more than what they would previously have. Jagdeo also explained at his press conference when asked if it will be deducted from the government agency monthly or yearly. He explained stating, “so once they get the code that they are eligible, so the same way how they apply the exemption, so it has to be on a monthly basis because you pay your taxes which is deducted on a monthly basis; for example, you are earning a $120,000 a month, you get two kids, you get a code and you are now eligible of deductibles  for two kids.  The threshold how is $100,000 so you have to now pay taxes on the $20,000 because tax free threshold is $100,000 so your tax-free threshold now goes up to $120,000 so then you don’t have to pay any taxes.” Moreover, a $10,000 universal health care voucher will be available for every Guyanese citizen in 2025, benefitting over 500,000 individuals and involving an investment of over $5 billion in public health. The voucher will cover basic medical tests essential for establishing health data and minimizing the spread of non-communicable diseases. “The universal health voucher will help us as we work to build a healthy, strong and resilient population,” President Ali emphasised. Lastly, President Ali announced a $10 billion one-off injection into the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to support individuals facing challenges in receiving their entitled benefits. Details regarding this financial support will be outlined in next year’s budget. “This would allow contributors who would not have met the requirement to benefit from a cash injection that will support a better quality of living for them and allow them the opportunity of benefitting from their contribution,” the president highlighted. This initiative will benefit over 3,800 individuals. Related Similar Articles

Exxon may not be telling the truth about Guyana’s oil reserves – VP Jagdeo Oct 11, 2024 News By: Davina Bagot Kaieteur News – ExxonMobil Guyana may not be telling the truth about Guyana’s oil reserves. This conclusion was made by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday during a media conference. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo The Vice President in an invited comment to Kaieteur News explained that government used the quarterly reports submitted by the operator of the Stabroek Block to arrive at the recently announced update to the reserves. In August this year, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat revealed that the reserves grew from 11 billion barrels to 11.6 billion barrels. The announcement came some two years and four months after the last update (in April 2022), following eight additional discoveries. On Wednesday however, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge told reporters that the Stabroek Block reserves are currently less than 11B barrels. In addressing the issue, the Vice President made it clear that government’s figure should not vary from Exxon’s. Although Exxon told reporters that government conducted its own analysis to arrive at the figure, Jagdeo made it clear that the State has no such ongoing arrangement. To this end, he said. “So it’s either one of two things, it’s either Exxon is not being truthful or the Ministry gave me the wrong figure but that is where the figure is sourced from – the submission by Exxon and so there shouldn’t be a difference.” Jagdeo said it was “totally false” that government was conducting its own assessments. The VP explained, “I asked the technical staff where the reserves number is coming from and they told me we are getting the reserve numbers from this quarterly report. I don’t know of anybody that we have hired to check reserves so it can’t be that we are doing our own assessment of reserves. Right now, the reserve figures come from Exxon.” He was keen to note that the Ministry is now in the process of recruiting consultants to conduct an analysis of the country’s reserves. To this end, Jagdeo noted that when this process commences, it is likely to produce figures varying those presented by Exxon. “If we hire a consultant and they would say oh this rock formation here, we believe it has a barrel of oil…and they (Exxon) say no, I believe it’s half a barrel per every square foot then you can have varying things there but right now, we shouldn’t have any variance…because the ministry’s numbers are derived from the reports,” he pointed out. Meanwhile, Minister Bharrat at the sidelines of Thursday’s Sitting of the National Assembly also addressed the issue in an exclusive interview with this publication. He told Kaieteur News that there is a general misconception that every oil discovery should be added to the reserve. He however noted that when a discovery is made, an estimate of the resources may be given; however, further appraisal activities will be required to confirm the reserves. To this end, Bharrat said, “When the appraisal work is done, sometimes that number decreases and, in some cases, it increases so that is why you would find that it fluctuate a little.”  Bharrat made it clear that the government announced the update to the reserve after analysing the data presented by Exxon.  When asked what reserve figure the Guyanese population should accept, the Minister said the Ministry will have to reassess the numbers. In a statement last evening, the Ministry explained that Exxon in its third quarter submission to the government presented a new reserve figure amounting to less than 11B barrels. To this end, the Ministry noted that it is currently reviewing the data and will release an updated assessment of the reservoir volumes following completion of the verification process. Related Similar Articles

Guyana on track to produce 1.5M barrels of oil daily by 2030 – President Ali Oct 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali in his second address to the National Assembly, since his inauguration on August 2, 2020, on Thursday announced that Guyana is on track to produce 1.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2030. President Irfaan Ali during his address to the National Assembly on Thursday. The Head-of-State noted that a seventh application has been submitted by the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited. In July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project. The seventh development- Hammerhead- seeks to produce 120,000 to 180,000 barrels per day (bpd). Only on Wednesday, Kaieteur News reported that the government commenced the search for consultants to review the Field Development Plan (FDP) for the project. The President in his address noted that between 2020 and 2024, a remarkable 25 discoveries were made, with 22 of these occurring in the Stabroek Block alone.  To this end, he revealed, “Looking ahead, the projection for the medium- and long-term plan from 2025 and beyond are ambitious. The sector is on track to exceed one million barrels per day by 2027 and reach 1.5 million barrels per day by 2030, supported by 10 production facilities, three active developments (presently) and the recent definition of a seventh project, alongside several others in development.” Shifting his attention briefly to gas, the Head-of-State noted that two Gas-to-Energy facilities are expected to be operational by 2030. This will further be augmented by the establishment of associated industry – both upstream and downstream. Notably, Ali also pointed to the measures in place to train Guyanese for jobs in the sector. He said, “To prepare our workforce for the growing oil and gas sector, my government announced last year the construction of the Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC) at Port Mourant, Berbice, an investment worth US$120M.” He said construction of the facility has commenced with construction likely to be completed by 2025.  In the interim, he noted that institution completed the commissioning of an on-land model Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO)- the factor simulator- geared at upskilling locals. He said the simulator results in annual cost savings associated with training personnel which would otherwise be done in Canada. The National Assembly burst into loud applause as the President announced news of the facility being used as a hub for global training. He said, “It pleases me to announce that the Stabroek Block operator, ExxonMobil has communicated to the government, its intention to make GTTCI a hub for FPSO skills training for operations across the globe. This news is a realization of our vision of making Guyana an education hub for the world.” To date, Exxon has obtained approval from the Government of Guyana for six development projects in the Stabroek Block – Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail. The first three projects are already producing oil at a daily estimated rate of 640,000 barrels per day (bpd). Yellowtail is expected to come on stream by 2025, followed by Uaru in 2026 and Whiptail in 2027. Related 1.5 million barrels, Berbice, Canada, environmental, ExxonMobil, National Assembly, oil, Port Mourant, President Ali, President Irfaan Ali, Protection Agency, Stabroek Block, track Similar Articles

‘Appointment of Hicken hangs in balance’ Oct 11, 2024 News …Jagdeo tells AG to check on passing of age requirement question Acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken Kaieteur News – President, Irfaan Ali’s desire to appoint Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police has hit a snag with his government now faced with legal questions as to whether this can be done, given that the acting police chief has already passed the age of retirement. Hicken’s tenure as the acting head of the force was extended by President Ali although he has crossed the age limit of 55. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was asked whether President Ali can go beyond this by now appointing him substantively and he said that the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has been instructed to check out the legal ramifications. Speaking at his Freedom House press conference Jagdeo said, “I have listened to the Attorney General and I spoke with him in Parliament and I told him that he needs to get more information out about the legality of the process. So first of all, I saw in the comments he made, he dealt with the powers vested in the President, and there is a view that because Hicken has an extension now, he might not be eligible to be confirmed. So that issue needs to be dealt with by the Attorney General…” Jagdeo said. Jagdeo said the compliance referred to is the consultation with the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton whereby he does not have to agree with the president but in keeping with the constitution consultations must be held between the two, which was done in the form of letters. Questioning the reason for the “big noise” in persons saying that to appoint Hicken is unlawful, while he of himself is of the opinion that it is not, he has asked the AG to get the necessary information to ensure that the appointment will not be unlawful “because people may be questioning the lawfulness of it not whether the president has the power to appoint but whether we have complied with the process. He assured me that we have complied with the process to get the extension done and also the process to have the confirmation also done.” Unconstitutional Meanwhile, in a letter to the editor, Retired Assistant Police Commission (ACP), Clinton Conway said to appoint Hicken as the Police Commission after he would have passed the age of retirement would be unconstitutional. Conway noted that the appointment of a Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police is enshrined in the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Article 211 (1) of the Constitution states,” The Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with other members of the Commission.” Conway said it is pellucid that there is no need for any agreement with the parties for the appointment in question. “The vex question is whether or not the President can confirm Clifton Hicken who has passed the age of retirement as Commissioner of Police,” Conway reasoned. The retired ASP said the Constitution speaks about appointment, exercising disciplinary control and removal from office of the Commissioner of Police. It does not mention anything about extending the service of the Commissioner of Police after he has passed the age of retirement, 55 years. However, he said the Constitution (Prescribed matters) 27:02 dated 20/09/1967 under the caption, ” Age of vacating of office by the holder of certain offices, ” gives the President the authority to permit the Commissioner who has attained the age of 55 years to continue in office until he has attained such later age, not exceeding sixty year. Section (b) states: “the President acting on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission tendered after the Prime Minister has concurred on the recommendation, may permit a Commissioner of Police who has attained the age of 55 years to continue in office until he has attained such later age, not exceeding sixty years, as may (before the Commissioner of Police has attained the age of 55 years) have been agreed with the Commissioner of Police.” No precedent Conway said it is apposite to note that former Commissioners: Balram Raguber, Laurie Lewis, Floyd McDonald, Henry Greene and Leroy Brummel services were extended, but before they reached the age of retirement. He said according to the legal document alluded to above, a Commissioner of Police cannot be extended or confirmed after he has passed the age of retirement, 55 years. “The extension or confirmation must be done before the Commissioner reaches the age of retirement, 55 years. Clifton Hicken has passed the age of retirement, hence he cannot be legally confirmed as Commissioner of Police. To confirm him will be unconstitutional, ultra vires, null and void and of no legal effect.  I rest my case.” Related Similar Articles

The “PPP Syndrome” infecting people Oct 11, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh some people out there got a new sickness—PPP Syndrome. It bad, real bad. Every time they hear the name “PPP,” their eyes start twitching, their voices get shaky, and they start babbling about conspiracies. Is like the mere thought of the PPP being in office is giving these poor souls real nightmares. Some of them wake up in cold sweats, whispering, “Not them again…not them again…” like they seeing ghosts. Dem boys seh you could spot a PPP Syndrome sufferer from a mile away. They walk ‘round looking paranoid, whispering under their breath, and glaring at every red and black sign they see. They get all delusional too, imagining how PPP behind every pothole and every mosquito bite. Is like they the PPP secretly running the weather and the tides too. Rain fall? Blame the PPP. Too much sun? That’s the PPP trying to make things hot for everybody. One of dem fellas seh he dream a PPP leader was chasing him with a budget book, and he ain’t slept since. Another one swear he see de word PPP in he cornflakes, and the whole thing drive him to start drinking herbal tea for “political detox.” Dem boys seh if only he could detox from he obsession. Dem boys seh the worst part about this PPP Syndrome is how contagious it is. All it takes is a Facebook post, a WhatsApp message, or a lil’ conversation at the rum shop, and next thing you know, de thing spreading like a wild fire. They all start mumbling the same things: “PPP stealing elections,” “PPP this, PPP that,” as if they chanting some mystical spell. But dem boys seh the real cure for PPP Syndrome is love and sympathy. Maybe they need a big group hug or a nice cup of coconut water. The loss of political power shouldn’t turn people into conspiracy theorists or ghost-seers. Dem boys seh politics like cricket—sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But these haters acting like they’ve been hit for six every day since 2020. And dem boys seh, if they don’t calm down soon, they might need more than just a hug—they might need a long vacation to clear their minds. Talk half! Leff half! Related Similar Articles

Oct 11, 2024 Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – The government’s recent announcement of a $200,000 cash grant for every household in Guyana is a gesture of economic relief that is as welcome as it is perilous. Well-meaning in its intent, the cash grant aims to provide a lifeline to the countless families wrestling with the cost-of-living. Yet, the process of disbursing these funds is fraught with the familiar pitfalls of ambition exceeding execution. Before the ink is dry on the government’s promise, the questions arise, and with them, the whispers of opportunism. In the streets, on social media, in homes and government offices alike, individuals are already racking their brains, scheming for ways to claim their share—and perhaps more—of the national generosity. The last time the government attempted such a broad-stroke distribution, the process dissolved into controversy, mired in claims and counterclaims about who qualified and who did not, who got and who did not get. Families sharing a roof but not a purse, individuals who declared themselves separate households on the basis of little more than a room and a door, all took issue with the parameters set forth. This time, the same confusions and evasions will likely reappear. It is a story the government should know all too well. The World Bank, in its sober and objective language, defines a household as “a group of individuals who live together under the same roof and share resources as a single unit for their daily living needs.” It is a definition designed to bring clarity, to delineate who belongs where and what qualifies as a shared life. It specifies that a household might be a solitary figure with a cat for company or a bustling cluster of aunts, uncles, and children. It emphasises the economic arrangement—the pooling of resources, the shared management of living costs—over strict blood relations. But in the context of a cash grant, these words can be stretched and twisted to justify a multitude of claims. When money is at stake, definitions have a way of becoming elastic. The government’s intentions are good, but it is clear that it lacks the robust database necessary to accurately identify households. Without such a database, the exercise of distribution risks becoming mired in controversy and claims and counter claims with accusations of favouritism or oversight. The cash grant programme will require more than a good heart; it will require precision, transparency, and upholding the rule of law. For when funds end up in the wrong hand, the disillusionment of those who feel cheated or overlooked can be deeper than any economic hardship. This time, the government must tread carefully. It must define, in no uncertain terms, what constitutes a household for the purposes of this grant. Are two families who live in separate rooms under one roof to be treated as one unit or two? Is a tenant, renting a room within a larger home, entitled to their own grant? What about the practice now where some landlords split up their buildings into mini-apartments better suited as rat holes? Do each of these qualify for a cash grant? Without a clear definition, the door is left wide open to those who would exploit ambiguity for gain. There are those who will try to dress their greed in the garb of need, to claim a slice of the aid meant for those who truly struggle. But defining a household is only part of the challenge. Equally vital is explaining to the people who will benefit, with a clarity that leaves no room for misunderstanding. There is no room for vague pronouncements or shifting criteria; only a clear and unequivocal message can prevent the confusion that inevitably breeds resentment. The government must speak plainly: who is eligible, how they are counted, and what they need to do to receive the grant. It is not enough to be generous; one must be precise, for in such precision lies the difference between a helping hand and a blundered, beleaguered exercise in futility. And what of those who would attempt to game the system, those who see in this national act of charity an opportunity to enrich themselves unlawfully? The government must make an example of them. Let it be known that any person found seeking to defraud or enrich themselves under false pretenses will face the full force of the law. Those caught in the act must be charged, brought before the courts, and held to account. The message must be firm: there is no room for deceit. Yet, for all these cautions, it is important not to lose sight of the purpose of this grant. It is meant to ease the burdens of those for whom the simple act of living has become a daily struggle. It is meant to provide a cushion against the inflation that eats away at savings, at dignity, at the future itself. And so, the government’s efforts must strike a delicate balance, combining generosity with vigilance and rigor. In the end, this $200,000 cash grant is more than just money. It is a test of governance, of whether the State can deliver on its promises without becoming ensnared in its own good intentions. The grant will not solve all of Guyana’s problems, nor will it relieve all those who suffer. But handled wisely, it can provide a measure of relief to those who need it most. Mishandled, it risks becoming another chapter in the long book of missed opportunities, a tale told with a sigh of what could have been. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Media truths and the VP Oct 11, 2024 Editorial Editorial… Kaieteur News – Though he may be different as a man, as a politician, Vice President Jagdeo has a plantation mentality.  He doesn’t like anyone who is independent, doesn’t react well to anything that is about freedom.  For Jagdeo, this fetish about media freedom and truths has reduced him to a crippling condition, a snarling, spitting version of himself.  Since when, Mr. Vice President is media freedom and truths, as revealed by independent entities rise to the level of a vice? The vicious reactions of Jagdeo are baffling, especially when media disclosures squish him into a sputtering, raving figure weekly. Guyanese have no confidence in the work of State media.  Too many hacks, too much huckstering to the PPP/C Government’s line, with so-called media professionals looking like circus performers.  Guyanese also know that private media friendly to the PPP/C Government, and beholden to total leaders like Jagdeo, appreciate who shares out the gravy, and whose mere word could squeeze their existence.  The new reports, therefore, that emerge from those sources are quickly dismissed as tainted and not worth the time or effort to absorb.  Only the small, tough cluster of independent media houses is left.  It could be numbered on the fingers of one hand, with a spare left.  This group is what bends the all-powerful chief policymaker Jagdeo into the picture of a man experiencing severe abdominal gripes.  He hears the name Kaieteur News, is informed of an inconvenient front-page caption, and his whole face changes.  His face becomes distorted with rage, leading to violent outbursts.  It is all because he has grown so accustomed to operating in the dark and friendly media allowing him to roam as he pleases.  He can rant and roam to his heart’s content, but when it is news time, Guyanese still must be presented with the facts, the truths.  They outlast any outraged politician, any craven political group, any government vested in total control and the dominance that ensues. Citizens have a hunger for truth and clarity presented in the simplest manner.  Guyanese may appear to be limited, even gullible to ruling politicians too full of themselves, confident that they can make the skeptical trust them and eat of their hands.  It is a fatal error made by many politicians around the world.  People know when they are being deceived, sold a pig in a bag.  Guyanese have been sold so many of the latter by one government after another that they can open their own pig farms, and supply ExxonMobil and its offshore operating partners with as much pork as they need.  Also, in the manner of politicians worldwide, learning comes slowly.  So, they persist with their verbal tapdancing and verbal hairsplitting and verbal beating around the bush in the vain hope that the people will not see through them.  We thought that a politician of Jagdeo’s lineage and stature (former minister of finance, former head of state, now vice president and chief policymaker, plus chief oil steward and spokesman) would have known better, pushed himself to make the necessary adjustments.  But Jagdeo would have none of it, is determined to have his way, even as there are repeated head-on collisions with the independent media.  Independent media is devoted to presenting Guyanese with the full truth on their oil wealth, state of their governance, and their prospects for the future. A politically more astute man than Jagdeo would have let go of his ego (and his darker side) and found ways to coexist with the truth-seeking independent media.  But he gives short thrift to what would work.  His way emphasizes a marked preference for loudmouthed abuses, cherry-picked pet issues, and set softball questions. So, he steadily dodges his duty to tell this nation the full facts and the whole stories in the areas in which he has given himself total authority.  Oil is the biggest thing for Guyanese, but this sector is where Jagdeo has shared little of substance.  From all indications, media truths about oil make Jagdeo nervous, media truths amount to an intolerable vice.  What is Jagdeo vice president of: oil or covering up for ExxonMobil? He is the best person to answer that question.  An accurate answer would be the best response. Related Similar Articles