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Govt. to audit companies for Local Content Law compliance Jun 29, 2024 News Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Martin Pertab Kaieteur News – The Local Content Secretariat has issued a stern reminder to Contractors, Sub-contractors, and Licencees under the provisions of the Local Content Act No. 18 of 2021 to prioritize qualified Guyanese nationals for employment opportunities, in accordance with approved Local Content Master Plans and Annual Plans. The warning was issued in a statement on Friday. Under the Local Content Act, companies are obligated to ensure that Guyanese nationals with the requisite qualifications are given priority in hiring decisions. In cases where a Guyanese national lacks the necessary experience, the Act mandates that these individuals receive the training needed to bridge any skill gaps. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity and expertise of the local workforce, thereby promoting sustainable development within Guyana. In fact, the Act ring-fences 40 categories of work for Guyanese participation via the supply of goods and the provision of services which include: food supply, rental of office space, accommodation, insurance, accounting and legal services. To enforce these requirements, the Local Content Secretariat announced it will conduct comprehensive audits of all relevant companies. These audits will verify compliance with the Act’s stipulations, including evidence that Guyanese nationals are being given fair opportunities to apply for new and vacant positions. Additionally, the audits will assess whether there is parity in benefits between Guyanese and non-Guyanese employees, and whether mechanisms are in place to provide training and mentorship to Guyanese nationals to overcome experience gaps. Notably, it was stated, “Failure to comply with this and other requirements of the Act would render the Contractor, Sub-Contractor, or Licensee non-compliant and therefore hinder the receipt of the Local Content Certificate of Compliance and other related approvals.” The move underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that local content requirements are fully implemented across all sectors, fostering economic growth and maximizing benefits for Guyanese citizens. Related Similar Articles

Security Guard lashed in the head, stabbed while protecting wife from intruder Jun 29, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 21-year-old Security Guard is nursing head injuries and multiple stab wounds about his body after putting his life on the line twice in three days to protect his wife. The man has been identified as Altair Borges of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The first attack on Borges took place around 17:30 hrs on Saturday last. He was reportedly at home in his bed when he heard his wife screaming downstairs. He rushed out to see a 28-year-old man (identity known) armed with a piece of wood and a hammer attempting to hit his wife. When the woman saw Borges, she ran behind him to hide from her attacker.  Borges then ran back into his home to look for a weapon to defend himself and wife but did not find any. He returned downstairs to speak with the attacker in a peaceful manner but ended-up being lashed in the head with the piece of wood the suspect had in his hand. Police said that the blow reportedly knocked Borges unconscious briefly and causing him to fall to the ground. As he slowly regained consciousness and was getting up, the suspect dealt him two more lashes in his back with the wood before dropping it and running away. Borges was left bleeding from the head and had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where CT Scans were done. He was treated and discharged after doctors found that his wounds were not life threatening. Instead of returning to his home, Borges decided to spend time at relatives in Georgetown so that he could properly recover. He decided to return to his home on Tuesday, June 25.  He reportedly arrived around 13:45 hrs and went inside to rest but shortly after he heard his wife screaming again downstairs, police said. This time when he rushed outside he saw the same suspect who had beaten him unconscious trying to abduct his wife. Police said that the suspect was allegedly pulling Borges’ wife into a car while telling the driver of the car to reverse. Borges once again ran to the woman’s rescue and held onto the suspect but the man whipped out a scissors and stabbed him several times about the body after letting go of the woman. Borges fell to the ground and the suspect made good his escape in the waiting car. The wounded man was once again rushed to GPHC for treatment. Police are in search of the suspect as investigations continue. Related Similar Articles

Man found dead in Cummings Lodge Apartment Jun 29, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A man believed to be in his early 20s was on Friday found dead in his Cummings Lodge apartment. Dead: Ronaldo Watson He has been identified as Ronaldo Watson. Police are yet to release a statement but Kaieteur News understands that at the moment no foul play is suspected. It is believed that Watson was last seen alive on Tuesday and had complained to those close to him of feeling unwell. He was not heard from since and on Thursday someone was sent by family members to check on him. The individual found the apartment locked and after getting no response left thinking that Watson probably went out. The person returned on Friday morning and called Watson’s phone. The phone was heard ringing from inside the apartment. The person became suspicious after Watson did not answer calls and knocks on his apartment door and sought help from another person to break the door to Watson’s apartment. Upon entry to the apartment, the duo found Watson lying motionless in his bedroom. An ambulance was summoned but when the Emergency Response team arrived and checked Watson, he was pronounced dead. The Emergency Response team said that Watson appeared to have died hours before his discovery. His body was subsequently removed from the apartment. Related Similar Articles

Leaking gas cylinder causes fire that destroys Barnwell house Jun 29, 2024 News The two-storey building engulfed in fire at Barnwell, EBE Kaieteur News – A fire reportedly caused by a leaking propane cylinder completely destroyed a two-storey building located at Barnwell, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Thursday. Reports are that the Guyana Fire Service was alerted at about 19:22h about the fire at Lot 2 Barnwell. Firefighters arrived on the scene at 19:50h and the first water jet was deployed at 19:51h. The two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 47-year-old Vickram Ramai of Lot 198 Block ‘A’ Tuschen, EBE and occupied by 29-year-old Aria Chen, was completely destroyed. Kaieteur News understands that Chen was the lone occupant. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated from a faulty propane cylinder that was leaking gas. The leaked gas came into contact with an open flame, causing the ignition of nearby combustible materials, which led to the rapid spread of the fire throughout the building, the Fire Service reported. Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire using one water jet from water tender #84, two water jets from Light Pump #A06, and one water jet from water tender #81, which operated from an available water source. Related Similar Articles

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Security Guard on $200k bail for possession of ammo Jun 29, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Shervin Alexander Kaieteur News – A 41-year-old Security Guard was on Friday placed on $200,000 bail for possession of four rounds of ammunition without a licence. Shervin Alexander of lot 1146 Cummings Park, E Field, Sophia was arrested on June 27 at Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown while he was on duty. Alexander was charged with possession of two live rounds of 40mm ammunition and two live 9mm ammunition without being the holder of a licence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty. The Security Guard was represented by attorney Jevon Cox who told the court that his client has no knowledge of the offences noting that the ammunition was found in a public place and not on his client. Further, Cox told the court that there were other security officers present at the said location. The lawyer informed the court that his client has an unblemished record and has no pending matters in the court as he pleaded for bail to be granted. Notwithstanding, the prosecutor objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offence. The prosecutor revealed that on the day in question, a detective received information about an ongoing investigation related to Alexander. As a result, the detective met Alexander at the Children and Family Centre, in Sophia and attempted to question him. During his attempt, Alexander attempted to escape north within the compound but was apprehended. The detective reportedly searched Alexander and discovered an unlicensed firearm with four live rounds in the front pocket of his pants. When asked about the weapon, Alexander reportedly told the detective, “I buy it for my own protection when I working.” The prosecutor then informed the court that Alexander was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm but that charge was not placed before the court. The magistrate after listening to the arguments granted Alexander $100,000 bail for each charge with the condition that he reports to the Prashad Nagar Outpost on the last Friday of each month before 16:00h. Alexander is scheduled to return to court on July 12 for statements. Related Similar Articles

CARICOM, Argentina Foreign Ministers meet during OAS General Assembly Jun 29, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers met with Her Excellency Diana Mondino, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Argentine Republic in the margins of the Organisation of American States (OAS) General Assembly taking place in Asunción, Paraguay, from 26-28 June 2024. Discussions during the encounter addressed global, hemispheric, and bilateral issues of mutual interest, including climate change, climate financing, and support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the ongoing multifaceted situation in Haiti, trade, and sports. Both sides agreed to convene the long overdue CARICOM-Argentina Joint Commission. CARICOM Foreign Ministers called on Argentina to continue advocacy on various matters, including reform of the international financial architecture in multilateral fora such as the G-20. Related Similar Articles