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Oct 11, 2024 News Government has promised to remove tuition fees for Guyanese attending University of Guyana from next year January Kaieteur News – Government from January 2025 will remove tuition fees from the University of Guyana for Guyanese, President Irfaan Ali told Parliament during an address on Thursday. He said the decision is in keeping with the administration’s 2020 manifesto pledge. Government has already begun to write-off debts by Guyanese who had studied at the university through the Ministry of Finance- issued loans. “I now wish to announce that we’ll be proceeding with the delivery of our manifesto commitment to provide free university education at the University of Guyana,” President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced. Saying that tuition fees will be completely abolished at UG starting in January 2025, President Ali noted: “this measure will benefit in excess of 11,000 current students at UG immediately, and of course, all the new entrants in the future. The future belongs to all of these young people,” the president said. “This will continue the advancement of our human capital for a more prosperous future for our country and for all of the young people who will benefit from this initiative and their families.” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently announced that the government is expected to write off approximately $5 billion in student loan debt owed to the University of Guyana (UG) by the end of 2024. It was recently reported that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, has written off approximately $203.7 million in student debt owed.  This was highlighted by the Ministry of Finance’s 2024 mid-year report, which revealed that this latest development has benefitted around 346 persons to date. “So if you divide the $203 million by 346, you will get about $588,000, on average per each person,” Jagdeo said. Within the second half of the year, an additional 2,900 persons is expected to benefit from this initiative.  The Vice President said, “If we use the same average that will be about $5 billion alone this year and if more people come in, we will write all of it off in a single year, the full $18 billion once they are eligible. So I want to urge the students, who have outstanding debt to just apply for the write off so that we can proceed with doing so.” Related Similar Articles

Cash handout-naysayers, doubters, troublemakers shut-up and sit down  Oct 11, 2024 Features / Columnists, News, The GHK Lall Column Kaieteur News – ‘Tek duh!  Tek dah and put it in ayuh pipe and smoke it.’  Thrill to it.   Swoon to it. Every cent of every dollar of the $200,000 cash handout per household just announced by President Ali.  Guyanese got their bright and long anticipated Christmas surprise that they knew was coming since it is an election year.  Not a regular calendar year, but the one that is operated by the PPP.  The good news has several legs to it, which it is my duty, on behalf of the PPP Government, to broadcast to the Guyanese people. First, the $200,000 cash payout is only the beginning.  There is more to come as the election year lengthens and tightens.  Oh yeah!  It could be as many as two more, with at least one guaranteed.  Hail to Excellency Ali!  Now, all the critics and skeptics who made a living about cost-of-living pressures just got silenced and sent to sit in a corner.  Well, at least for the time being, i.e., until the money is done, and gone. I am going to have to find another topic to replace cost-of-living.  In a cost-of-living land as parched as Guyana, that $200,000 cash payout is sure to get swallowed up in a hurry.  So, there is no need to worry.  Oh man!  Did the merchants just jacked up their prices!  Still, $200,000 is $200,000 in this ‘baad’ and ‘haard’ pore maan season, and a big round of applause for President Ali and the PPP.  The president said that this was going to cost $60 billion, so what is he doing with that $7 billion set aside in the budget as a contingency? Second, by my calculation, the PPP Government should be announcing another cash handout sometime around one of the big holidays that fall early next year.  Think along the lines of Mashramani or Easter.  With $200,000 as the bar, that is the minimum Guyanese should expect, the government must deliver.  The president can’t guh down.  This could mean elections as early as somewhere between the late second quarter and early in the third quarter, after scaling the CSEC and CAPE fences.  All the political stars would be aligned in the PPP’s favour.  The weather is good.  The people would have had two major cash handouts against their names.  And who would give a second thought to the PNC and/or AFC?  Midyear looks more economically feasible, because a third cash handout would be necessary to keep the people happy and thinking about the PPP if the election is held later in the year.  From a PPP perspective, that is not so wholesome, as a third cash delivery would shorten some of the billions that they would like to ‘teef’. Third, the backing for next year’s election cash handout(s) would come from another record national budget.  The Budget Office of the Ministry of Finance is already busy at work crunching the numbers.  I foresee a minimum budget of GY$1.5 trillion, with GY$2 trillion for the outside punters.  The bigger the budget, the bigger the envelope that gets dropped into the laps of Guyanese (and the PPP criminal cabal in the background of the sharing). Fourth, the people in uniform and those other tens of thousands of Guyanese who deal with forms and who must form a line (public servants) will also be in the running for some of the economic goodies that should be pouring out of the previously tightfisted PPP Government.  The overhang (and hangover) of $200,000 from the cash handout serves as the perfect context to push through another 10% pay increase, this time for public servants, if only to demonstrate how kind and caring, as well as compassionate, Excellency Ali and his PPP can be. Fifth, when President Ali and the PPP Government are done with their cash handouts aka economic relief envelopes, there would be good grounds for them to assert that the million per Guyanese household that political and other groups have long been harping about has since been delivered.  Sure, it is kind of sneaky, rather belatedly, and slippery but that is how the PPP operates, which Guyanese should know by now.  The president may be brave and label his actions taking care of the Guyanese people.  I have got news for him: Guyanese may be bruised and battered and jaded by economic injustices, compliments of a callous and crafty PPP Government, but they are not so out of it as not to recognize an election gimmick in motion.  They will stretch out their hands to collect the cash long due to them, but what they do next with their voting hand is still up in the air. Finally, now that it is the primetime hour of cash handouts, my recommendation is that every year should be an election year.  Why delay decision-making with this goofiness about a five-year cycle?  Just push the button and let there be an election every year.  The cash and the good times will just roll in.  Did somebody say what about inflation?  Who the hell cares about inflation? Certainly not Dr. Jagdeo, at least not today, when an election hangs over his head like a GPL transmission wire.  A live one. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Oct 11, 2024 News The Living Planet Report 2024, revealed a 73% average decline in monitored wildlife populations over the past 50 years Kaieteur News – The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released its highly anticipated Living Planet Report 2024, revealing a 73% average decline in monitored wildlife populations over the past 50 years. The flagship report warns that parts of our planet are approaching dangerous tipping points driven by the combination of nature loss and climate change, which pose grave threats to humanity, WWF said in a press release. The report, which tracks almost 35,000 vertebrate populations of 5,495 species from 1970 to 2020, highlights a broader trend of significant declines in wildlife populations worldwide. According to the release, the report also details sharp declines in monitored wildlife populations, with the steepest drops recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean (95%), Africa (76%) and Asia–Pacific (60%), followed by North America (39%) and Europe and Central Asia (35%). “Declines in wildlife populations can act as an early warning indicator of increasing extinction risk and the potential loss of healthy ecosystems. When ecosystems are damaged, they cease to provide humanity with the benefits we have come to depend on – clean air, water and healthy soils for food – and they can become more vulnerable to tipping points. A tipping point is when an ecosystem is pushed beyond a critical threshold, resulting in substantial and potentially irreversible change,” the press release noted.Global tipping points, such as the dieback of the Amazon rainforest and the mass die-off of coral reefs, would create shockwaves far beyond the immediate area, impacting food security and livelihoods. According to WWF, the warning comes as fire outbreaks in the Amazon reached their highest level in 14 years in September, and a fourth global mass coral bleaching event was confirmed earlier this year. Pink River Dolphin in Peril Additionally, of major concern for the Amazon region, which Guyana is part of, is the catastrophic 65% decline in the population of the Amazon pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) between 1994 and 2016. The Amazon pink river dolphin, a key indicator species for the health of freshwater ecosystems, has been severely impacted by habitat loss and contamination of freshwater systems, the release added. In Guyana, the river dolphin is one of the species that acts as an ecological link, connecting Guyana to the Amazon basin via the globally renowned Rupununi wetlands. The freshwater systems of Rupununi are critical to sustain vast ecosystems and serve as migration channels for river dolphins moving from the Amazon to the Rupununi during the wet seasons. WWF has supported much-needed research to assess the health of the river dolphin population in Guyana. Aiesha Williams, Country Director of WWF-Guianas, Guyana office, stated, “For us here in the Guianas, the report underscores the urgent need to safeguard the precious biodiversity we rely on for our livelihoods. Our region is known for its abundant biodiversity and ecological significance; however, with the staggering decline of biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is imperative that both Guyana and Suriname take more significant action that will achieve the maintenance of livelihoods, as the countries develop, without losing nature and, at the same time, contribute to global efforts that help reverse biodiversity loss.” Freshwater Ecosystems at Risk Further, the report states that freshwater species, including the Amazon pink river dolphin, have experienced the most dramatic declines, with an average decrease of 85%. Freshwater fisheries are facing significant pressure. “Migratory fish populations, which constitute the majority of freshwater catch, have decreased by an average of 81% since 1970 due to habitat modification, overharvesting, pollution, and climate change,” the release stated. WWF emphasises the need for immediate and concerted efforts to mitigate habitat destruction, enforce anti-pollution measures, and implement sustainable fishing practices to protect vulnerable species. According to WWF, the Living Planet Report 2024 is a critical wake-up call for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to prioritise conservation efforts and adopt sustainable practices. “The WWF calls on the global community to address these challenges and safeguard the planet’s biodiversity for future generations.” Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, said: “Although the situation is desperate, we are not yet past the point of no return. We have global agreements and solutions to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030, but so far there’s been little progress on delivery and a lack of urgency. The decisions made and action taken over the next five years will be crucial for the future of life on Earth. The power − and opportunity − are in our hands to change the trajectory. We can restore our living planet if we act now.” Related Similar Articles

Defining League A clash for Golden Jaguars tonight Oct 11, 2024 Sports – Guyana to battle Guatemala from 9:00 pm at Edinburgh  By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s Golden Jaguars are set for a crucial showdown against Guatemala tonight from 9:00 pm at the National Track and Field Centre in Edinburgh, a match Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz believes could be pivotal in determining the team’s future in League A of the CONCACAF Nations League. Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz (right) and captain Terrence Vancooten sharing a light moment at the team’s training ahead of Guyana’s clash with Guatemala. For Guyana, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Golden Jaguars’ journey in League A has been turbulent, with a 3-1 defeat at home to Suriname followed by a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Martinique. These results have left the team in a precarious position. Meanwhile, Guatemala, a formidable opponent, began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Martinique, but their momentum was tempered by a scoreless draw against regional powerhouse Costa Rica in their last outing. Shabazz, known for his pragmatic yet optimistic approach, understands the weight of the upcoming encounter. Guatemala has proven to be a thorn in Guyana’s side, having defeated the Golden Jaguars in all three previous meetings, including the painful 4-0 loss in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifier. The Trinidadian coach, however, believes his team has grown since then and is ready to rise to the occasion. “Despite the superiority of Guatemala on paper, and historically, I think we’re up for being very competitive,” Shabazz said. Shabazz’s confidence is bolstered by several key players who will be crucial in determining the outcome. Goalkeeper Quillan Roberts is considered one of the most important pieces for the Golden Jaguars. Goalkeeper Quillan Roberts, one of the standout performers in the Golden Jaguars’ campaign so far, is expected to play a pivotal role. Roberts has been the backbone of Guyana’s defence and while Shabazz has praised his shot-stopping abilities, Roberts himself has acknowledged the challenges that come with competing in League A. “We’re obviously not in the position we want to be at the moment,” Roberts admitted. “But all we can do now is fight. League A comes with tough challenges and this game against Guatemala is no different. We have two games left, and it’s crucial that we give it everything we’ve got.” Roberts will be backed by a solid defence led by the experienced Terrence Vancooten, whose leadership and resilience will be vital in keeping Guatemala’s attack at bay. On the offensive side, Guyana will be looking to players like Omari Glasgow and Middleborough FC winger, Isaiah Jones to lead the team’s charge. Glasgow has shown flashes of brilliance in recent matches, and his speed and creativity could be key in breaking down Guatemala’s well-organized backline. Guatemala, however, are not to be taken lightly. The Central American team boasts a wealth of experience and talent, with players like Darwin Lom and Gerardo Gordillo expected to lead the charge. Lom, a clinical striker, has been a consistent threat in front of goal, while Gordillo’s presence in defence has made Guatemala a difficult team to break down. Additionally, midfielder José Contreras, known for his vision and playmaking ability, will be the engine driving Guatemala’s attack. Head coach Luis Fernando Tena has moulded his squad into a well-rounded unit, and despite the draw against Costa Rica, Guatemala will enter the match against Guyana with confidence, knowing they’ve had the upper hand in previous encounters. For Guyana, the challenge is not just about securing a result but also about proving they belong among the region’s elite. Shabazz has always emphasized the importance of growth and development, and while the Golden Jaguars have shown flashes of brilliance, consistency has been elusive. “Coming into our first season in League A, our aim was to stay up,” Shabazz explained. “Historically, the record of Caribbean teams hasn’t been great in this league, and there are factors outside of football that contribute to that. But we need to focus on what we can control, and that’s our effort and performance on the pitch.” For Shabazz and his team, the future hangs in the balance, and tonight’s game could be the defining moment in their Nations League journey. Related Similar Articles

Suriname to face strong competition from Guyanese Golfers  Oct 11, 2024 Sports Guyanese golfers will be seeking to honors this coming weekend in the Suriname Invitational. Kaieteur Sports – A strong contingent of Guyanese golfers are headed to Suriname as they answered a challenge for top honours in this weekend’s DSB Invitational Golf Championship, the flagship tournament hosted by Golf Club Paramaribo. President of the GGA Aleem Hussain almost missed the tournament but thanks to quick intervention by Acting Police Commissioner Budhram, Hussain along with Monnaf Arjune, Roy and Sabita Dhori were able to make the trip in time to participate and represent Guyana. This is the second year that Guyana has seen representation from more than one club and it is expected that in the coming years, the Guyanese contingent will be enhanced by a formidable junior team as the sport continues to gain momentum in our secondary schools. Thousands of Guyanese have gained access to the sport through the joint initiative between the Guyana Golf Association, Ministry of Education and The Guyana Tourism Authority since 2022, with several hundred students taking golf as a PE elective at CSEC. The GGA will host several awareness golf sessions in Suriname during this visit and donate golf equipment and balls to schools in Paramaribo. Related Similar Articles

Loss of a Caribbean icon in amateur boxing – Terrence Poole MS laid to rest Oct 11, 2024 Sports By Rawle Toney Minister Charles Ramson, addressing the gathering at the funeral of the later Terrence Poole MS. (Rawle Toney photos) Kaieteur Sports – The National Gymnasium, once alive with the sounds of gloves pounding heavy bags and the cheers of conquering boxers, was solemnly transformed yesterday into a venue of tribute and remembrance for the late boxing coach, Terrence Poole MS. Lieutenant Colonel Eon Murray speaking on Terrence Poole’s contribution to the GDF, as his casket draped in the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ lay in the foreground. A weight of sorrow hung in the air over the packed venue on Mandela Avenue, as dignitaries from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), representatives from boxing boards across the Caribbean, Minister of Sports Charles Ramson, and a delegation from the National Sports Commission, led by Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, gathered to honour the man who had dedicated his life to boxing and service to his country. The loss of Poole, celebrated as one of the Caribbean’s finest boxing coaches and a towering figure in Guyanese sports, was deeply felt by all in attendance. Beyond the mourners, his legacy resonated in the hearts of the athletes he coached, the soldiers he led, and the family he cherished as a devoted father of eight children. In his moving tribute, Minister of Sports Charles Ramson captured the essence of Poole’s life and character. “Terrence was more than just a coach,” Ramson began, his voice heavy with emotion. “He was a mentor, a father figure to many, and a beacon of dedication. His passion gave life to boxing in Guyana, and his contributions will never be forgotten,” Minister Ramson said. Minister Ramson went on to assure those gathered that the Government of Guyana would do everything necessary to preserve Poole’s legacy and ensure that his profound impact on the sport would live on. Ramson highlighted that Poole’s unwavering commitment to service and discipline was forged during his years with the Guyana Defence Force. It was in the GDF, Ramson noted, that Poole honed the perseverance and rigor that shaped his approach to coaching and mentoring, ultimately transforming him into a figure of admiration and respect. Lieutenant Colonel Eon Murray, speaking on behalf of the GDF, painted a vivid picture of Poole’s career as a soldier, stating that the Three Star boxing coach was the embodiment of the soldier’s creed. Murray said Poole’s dedication to both his country and his sport was unparalleled. Representing Guyana at numerous regional and global events, both as a soldier and as a boxer, Terrence left an indelible mark on the world stage. As the ceremony continued, personal reflections highlighted Poole’s deep connection to boxing and the athletes whose lives he transformed. Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sport and President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), spoke with gratitude for the impact Poole had on his own career. “It was Terrence who first brought me into the administrative side of boxing,” Ninvalle recalled. “He saw potential in me that I hadn’t even realized. Without his guidance and insistence, I would not be where I am today. His contributions to the GBA and to Guyana’s boxing fraternity are immeasurable.” Many of Poole’s protégés, some of whom had gone on to become national and international champions, shared their memories of his strict but nurturing approach. They spoke of a man who never wavered in his belief that discipline was the foundation of success in the ring. The presence of so many high-ranking officials from the GDF, regional boxing boards, and the Ministry of Sport underscored the far-reaching impact of Poole’s life and work. As the service drew to a close, the gymnasium, now quiet, stood as a poignant symbol of the void left by Poole’s passing. But amidst the silence was the reminder of the indelible mark he had made on boxing, the GDF, and the nation of Guyana. Related Similar Articles

Chinese national on tax evasion charges Oct 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Jin Ming Wu, a Chinese national and owner of Prosperous Hardware Incorporated, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to face four charges of alleged tax evasion. Wu, of Lot 110 Regent Street, Georgetown, is accused by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) of failing to submit individual income tax returns to the Commissioner General for the years 2022 to 2024. During the proceedings before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, Wu faced one charge on behalf of his company and three individual charges. The GRA alleges that the company failed to submit its tax returns by April 30, 2022. Wu pleaded guilty with an explanation for this charge, as well as for the three individual charges concerning his failure to submit tax returns for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Attorney Sasha King, representing Wu, informed the court that he is fully aware of his obligations to the GRA and “sincerely apologises for the wrong.” The prosecution stated that the penalty for the offences is 10% of the tax assessment. As such, the prosecutor requested a two-week adjournment to allow the GRA to calculate the amounts owed for each year. At the end of the hearing, Magistrate McGusty granted Wu self-bail, noting that he willingly appeared before the court. Wu is scheduled to return to court on September 23, 2024. Just last week Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo commented during a recent press conference on regulatory issues involving Chinese business owners in Guyana. He remarked, “There are cases where Chinese business owners often bypass regulatory approval, and the agencies responsible for enforcing the regulations do not hold them accountable according to the laws of the country.” Jagdeo elaborated, “So they (Guyanese) put up a building that breaches the building permits, no ventilation there in the building, they will get a visit from the inspector who says to sell pharmaceuticals here you have to have proper ventilation, but next door, there is a Chinese company selling pharmaceuticals and there is no ventilation whatsoever; they are not applying the law uniformly.” He further stated, “The Guyana Revenue Authority does not pay careful attention to the payment of VAT and other things or hold them accountable for paying VAT and other taxes that they have to pay. We have made it clear to the regulatory bodies that you have to enforce the laws uniformly, and we believe that sometimes people are induced not to do that, so we are paying careful attention to this.” Related Similar Articles