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GPL urges customers to upgrade prepaid metres Oct 04, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is warning customers to upgrade their prepaid metres immediately or risk losing electricity altogether. Approximately 18,000 customers must call GPL now to get their metres upgraded before October 31. To comply with international mandatory standards, it is mandatory for GPL to transition to the latest version of the Standard Transfer Specification for all prepaid metres. The upgrade will enhance GPL service countrywide and will benefit customers. GPL’s Divisional Director of Customer Services, Rhonda La Fargue, explained that “with an upgraded system, there is some better functionality so it’s necessary that we are a part of that.” Failure to upgrade within the deadline will result in power loss since metres will no longer be able to accept pre-paid tokens.   Eligible customers should contact GPL via 603-8635 or 690-3128 for assistance. Once their eligibility is confirmed, GPL staff will provide the three necessary tokens. The first two are upgrade tokens while the third acts as a “test” token to verify the upgrade’s success and the metre’s ability to accept credit. La Fargue noted that this process can be completed in about two minutes. “It’s a simple process that a customer can do themselves,” she explained. Thus far, GPL has implemented several measures to notify and assist customers in swiftly and effectively upgrading. The agency has published the metre numbers eligible for the upgrade, publicised contact details, and conducted outreaches in various communities. For customers with non-upgradable metres, GPL is committed to ensuring they are not left without power. As the world advances, the government remains dedicated to keeping Guyana up-to-date with every necessary upgrade, guaranteeing access to essential services. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Marissa Siriram receives RHTYSC/Carl Trim Bagot University of Guyana scholarship Oct 04, 2024 Sports RHT 54th Anniversary Outstanding students honored The grade six students pose with Ministers Ashni Singh and Sonia Parag. Kaieteur Sports – The Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour first division team in conjunction with the Rose Hall Town Council last week honored outstanding students as part of the 54th anniversary celebration of the township.  The students were honored under the Zaheeda and Sharima Hanif memorial bursary awards scheme during the 54th anniversary official ceremony at the Lower Corentyne secondary school with Minister of Finance doctor Ashni Singh and local government minister Sonia Parag as special guest. Top grade six student Calicia Narain receives her laptop computer from Minister Singh. Kevin Singh received his award from Region 6 Regional Chairman David Armogan. RHTYSC secretary Hilbert Foster stated that the club had agreed to a request from the council to coordinate the 54th anniversary celebration and then the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team was mandated to spearhead the week of events. The students honored were drawn from the Rose Hall Town primary school and the JC Chandisingh secondary school. The top five grade 6 primary school students who did well at the recent exam, Calicia Narain, Noorisha Harinarain, Diven Sukra, Abigail Persaud and Jeremiah Budhoo each received a trophy, medal, framed certificate of excellence and $10,000 each after emerging as the best students from the grade 6 exam. Additionally Narain, who topped the school and is now attending Queens College, received a laptop computer compliments of Minister Ashni Singh, an electronic tablet from Bhesham Ramnauth of New York and a large trophy from Guyana Breweries Inc. The laptop computer was donated by Mr. Singh at the request of Foster to assist the top grade six student whose mother is a single parent. Kevin Basdeo, the top CSEC student with roots with Rose Hall Town, carried home $35,000 in cash and electronic tablet from Bhesham Ramnauth, trophy and medals.  Basdeo who is seeking to become a teacher obtained 10 subjects at the recent CSEC. Former Human Resource Manager of Guyana Sugar Corporation, Raymond Haniff, sponsored a bursary and educational award programme in honor of his late mother and grandmother. Meanwhile, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports club also continue to assist youths to fulfill their educational ambition by awarding a one year scholarship to 16 years old Marissa Siriram of Chesney. Siriram received $250,000 under the RHTYSC/Coral Trim Bagot educational scholarship fund. Foster who recently served as the president of the Berbice Cricket Board stated that Mrs. Bagot a formal Rose Hall Town resident readily agreed to sponsor the fund after she was approached by the club as part of the 54th anniversary celebration. Miss Siriram was one of several students from the university who applied for the scholarship and was eventually selected by three judges. Mrs. Bagot stated that she was pleased to support the fund and committed to supporting Miss Siriram for the rest of university classes. Miss Siriram ambition is to become a medical doctor and expressed happiness at obtaining the scholarship. She wished the RHTYSC and its cricket team more success in the future. Rose Hall became a Township on the 24th of September 1990 with Hubert Benn as its first Mayor. Over the years the small Township has undergone massive development and today is widely considered Berbice’s economic center.  The present Mayor is Mr. Dave Budoo. Related Similar Articles

Sam Hinds- feel good season Oct 04, 2024 News, The GHK Lall Column Kaieteur News – Note is taken of great-uncle Sam A.A. Hinds, former top dog in Guyana, now prowling about in the glitzier corners of Washington, DC, but still finding the time to care and write home.  Thank you, Excellency Sam for “Let’s feel good for what we are getting from our oil” (SN October 02, 2024).  If that is not compassionate care from one of Guyana’s most loyal sons, then nothing else is.  A man and an ambassador with a heart and, if it may be said, a mind that works in some ways that are not usually followed by those with patriotic intentions.  The question has merit: Is Excellency Sam Hinds still Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, or has he mutated into Exxon’s chief envoy and cheerleader to Guyana?  the question is both timely and relevant for it has been that kind of year, just made immensely better by the touchy-feely, feel-good era that the venerable Uncle Sam reminded all Guyanese about.  In Ambassador Hinds’ world, it is not so much what Guyanese are missing, it is what they are collecting.  Hooray for highlighting the high notes and putting a positive spin on a sticky wicket.  Guyanese should go down on their knees and be thankful for small mercies, which are really big ones, according to Excellency Sam. “Let’s feel good for what we are getting….”  Who is the “we” in the getting that Ambassador Hinds wrote so richly about?  It certainly can’t be the ordinary people in Guyana, with teachers and public servants standing at the head of the line.  Nor can they be the little people of Guyana crying out week after week in SN about how what they are getting is not enough to help them live at a healthy standard, maintain a dignified existence.  Ambassador Hinds can be excused for forgetting that such people exist, since it is known from firsthand experience how numbing the Washington winters can be.  The head is the first part of the anatomy that gives up some of its prior robustness, that keenness which allows sober parsing of circumstances in sun blistered Guyana.  The Americans are having a feast in Guyana, and Guyanese get to console themselves with Exxon’s pittances, while having to make do with famine.  Has the passage of time, the distance he is from Guyana, eroded Ambassador Hinds’ done something to his mind?  The liquids can be strong up on DC, call for great discipline, should there be any dabbling with the spirits.  Guyanese are catching hell in the richest town in the world (Washington, DC included) and the man in Uncle Sam country insists “Let’s all feel good for what we are getting from our oil.”  Somebody did more than lost touch with reality; that party lost touch with life, no matter how well-meaning their position.  The children of slavery and indentureship (serfdom) should know better, know the new exploiters who grab all the treasure, while leaving the shavings for the dominant local tribes.  Feeling good about that is rank betrayal. Here is a consideration for Excellency Hinds: while he is helping himself to another batch of Maryland crab cakes: there are Guyanese left adrift here, who would welcome some crab shells to keep them going.  No, Excellency Hinds, not as sturdy bed of shells on which to walk, but the brittle sections of the carapace his downhome brothers and sisters would use to prop up a meal. Though thousands of miles now separate from his roots, Ambassador Hinds is not the kind of man to abandon his people.  The politician in him and its gnarled PPP roots may prompt him to so consider, but not the man, Samuel A. A. Hinds, CCH and XYZ.  This is dismal.  If Sam Hinds today, who is next on the ‘we must all feel good’ bandwagon? On another note, it seems that it is the season of writing for plenipotentiaries and luminaries and other Guyanese with a wide swath of the uneven in them.  Dr. Hinds was not the only ambassador who graced Guyanese with his singular grandness spoced with good words.  One who was here and was the epitome of skulking secrecy broke the veil with some sugary offering over a book.  It was apanting, drooling encomium to those with the power to put such folks at a safe distance from Guyana.  Burnham used to do that with people who needed shelter.  From him or other interested parties.  Jagdeo may curse Burnham, but he has been one of his best imitators, if not an even better one.  Given where Guyana is today, and the great interest that it generates, this country’s ambassadors should have their hands so full that they don’t have a spare moment to start typing on a keyboard about anything.  That would include how all Guyanese should be gratified with what the oil is giving; or whose penmanship is a testimony to greatness.  It must be either the foreign air, or the spring water, or they have too much electricity.  It could also be that they have no work to do and are at a loss about what to do with themselves.  It is the evidence of who is getting and who has it good in Guyana. 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RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour arranged week of activities described as successful Oct 04, 2024 Sports RHT 54th Anniversary 1970 -2024 Kaieteur Sports – Two weeks of celebration of the Rose Hall Town attaining the status of Township has ended and has been described as highly successful by the organizers Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour First Division team and the Rose Hall Town Council. Rose Hall became a Township on the 20th of September and over the years has undergone massive development. Minister Sonia Parag presents Robby Kissoonlal with his tribute to Municipal workers award. Marissa Siriram received her university scholarship from Carol Trim Bagot. Winner of the Lorenzo Johnny memorial cross country race collects prizes. The 54th anniversary celebration started on Saturday the 14th of September when the Rose Hall Town Pepsi team hosted an under 19 team from the Malteenoes Cricket Club for a 30 over match. Malteenoes won the exciting match by 1 wicket at the Area H ground. Live television programmes were hosted on NCN channel 26 on Sunday the 15th, Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy under13 defeated the Guymine under13 team to win the Lorenzo Johnny memorial trophy. A cross country race across the Township attracted a total of 52 entries and Essan Hooper emerged as champion to take home over $200,000 in prizes including $30,000 cash. Other sporting competition held were an inter school basketball tournament which was won by JC Chandisingh secondary school while the football tournament was won by Rose Hall Town A. On Tuesday the organizers hosted an essay competition at the Lower Corentyne secondary school and the Rose Hall Town primary school while a poster competition was held for students of the Lower Corentyne secondary, Rose Hall primary and Rose Hall nursery. The top three winners in each category from the different schools receive attractive prizes and trophies. A medical outreach by staff of the Port Mourant hospital was held on Wednesday 18th of September where dozens of residents receive medical treatment, while JC Chandisingh secondary school defeated the Lower Corentyne secondary school to emerge as champions of the inter secondary school debating competition. RHTYSC on Thursday the 19th paid tribute to four of its most outstanding cricketers by naming the two bowlers end after them. The northern end was renamed the Royston and Esan Crandon end while the Southern end would bear the name of Assad Fudadin and Kevin Sinclair. Dozens of students drawn from six schools in the area were involved in an anti drugs march on Friday 20th of September while an impressive 54th anniversary celebration ceremony was held at the Lower Corentyne secondary school. Eight residents were honored under the tribute to outstanding resident’s award programme while 7 long serving employees of the town council were also recognized and honor. 16 years old Marissa Siriram received a $250,000 RHTYSC/Carol Trim Bagot University of Guyana scholarship while six grade 6 students received awards under the Zaheeda/Sharima Haniff bursary scheme. The Township also rewarded Celicia Narain and Kevin Basdeo as their best grade 6 and CSEC student respectively. A pictorial exhibition was also hosted on the township’s history while a souvenir leaflet was also unveiled. Dozens of kids on Saturday the 24th were treated to an afternoon of fun involving trampolines and bouncy castle while they each receive ice cream compliments of Sterling products. The Guyana Police Force Steel pan band on Saturday also held a two hours musical concert at the Rose Hall Arch square. The celebration ended on Sunday the 29th with a 4 team cricket tournament in memory of Naeem Nasir founder of Bakewell. National flags donated by the Minister of Housing Collin Croal decorated the Township for the celebration while electric poles around the Town were painted with colors of the national flag compliments of Minister Zufika Mustapha. The RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team and the Rose Hall town council would like to express thanks to everyone who supported the week of celebration which was held under the patronage of Minister Ashni Singh and under the motto ‘simply the best’. The RHT NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour team is Berbice’s most dominant first division team and has players like Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Clinton Pestano, Silas Tyndall, Eon Hooper, Jonathan Rampersaud, Matthew Pottaya, Jason Sinclair, Shemaine Campbell, Vidal Crandon and Keon Sinclair among others. Related Similar Articles

‘It kills everything’ – Amazon’s indigenous people hit by record forest fires in Brazil Oct 04, 2024 News Kaieteur News – (BBC NEWS)  “If these fires continue, we indigenous people will die.” Raimundinha Rodrigues Da Sousa says her indigenous community is at risk from inhaling so much smoke More than 62,000 square kilometres of Amazon rainforest has been burned this year already Raimundinha Rodrigues Da Sousa runs the voluntary fire service for the Caititu indigenous community in the Brazilian Amazon. Their land is supposed to be protected under the Brazilian constitution. But it has been on fire for more than 15 days. For her brigade, their fight feels personal. “Today it is killing the plants, in a while it will be us, because we inhale so much,” she says. “It is a very aggressive fire that kills everything that comes its way.” Her father, Ademar, tells us the constant smoke has caused him respiratory problems. “I can’t sleep due to a lack of air. It wakes me up, I feel like I’m drowning,” he says. The Amazon has had its worst forest fires in two decades. More than 62,000 square kilometres have been burned this year already – an area bigger than countries like Sri Lanka or Costa Rica. The world relies on the Amazon to absorb a lot of its carbon. These fires mean it is now emitting record amounts itself. Most fires here are illegally started by humans, according to scientists, the Federal Police, and the government: loggers and miners looking to exploit land in the Amazon, or farmers turning it into pasture. It is much rarer for fires to occur naturally in the humid, tropical rainforest. Many fires encroach on protected reserves or indigenous land, either by accidentally getting out of hand, or set by people as deliberate attempts to grab land. Raimundinha says that when her brigade arrives at the scene of a fire, they often find bottles of gasoline and matches. As she speaks, she spots another plume of smoke from some trees. She is certain it was started deliberately, as they’d only just extinguished the fires there and created a natural barrier to stop it spreading, by removing any dry vegetation from the area. Her team go to investigate. As we get nearer, there is a distinctive smell of smoke. The landscape on the way to the fire is like a graveyard of trees, collapsed and blackened in their entirety. The rainforest here barely merits its name. The trees still standing are charred and warped like burnt matchsticks. The ground is coated in white powder like the remains of a barbecue. Her team try to put out the flames with hoses they use to spray water, attached to small plastic containers they wear like backpacks. The water is limited, so they have to be selective. The problem is, as soon as one is put out, another starts. The indigenous chief, Ze Bajaga, says that the majority of these fires are arson, set by people who “no longer want the wellbeing of humanity, or nature”. He blames a lack of “humanity”. Zé Bajaga, an indeigenous chief, says a lot of the fires are caused by arson In recent years, deforestation has slowed in the Amazon. But despite attempted crackdowns by state authorities, lawlessness is still rife, and the state presence feels minimal. Some of the Amazon is privately owned by individuals or companies. Private owners are meant to conserve 80% of the rainforest on their land by law, and can develop the remaining 20%. But this is not well policed. Some of the land is classified as a state-owned protected reserve, or as an indigenous reserve. Some land though is undesignated entirely – meaning it is not privately owned by anyone, and has also not been protected as a reserve. Those areas are particularly vulnerable to land-grabs. Everywhere you drive or fly over in the south of Amazonas state, mines, loggers and farms are visible. Dorismar Luiz Baruffi, a soy farmer based in the Amazonas town of Humaitá, has owned his land for many years. He is against the fires, but can explain why farming has “exploded” in the Amazon. At the heart of his, and others’, argument is the belief more land should be productive, not just protected. “Growth of the population has increased planting up here. I started here because the region is good, it rains well here,” he explains. “I believe if you’re working within the law, there’s no problem. It is a place that provides food. It is a state that can produce a lot. I think there is still a lot of land to be cultivated here in Amazonas.” Deforestation is bad for farmers too though. The fewer trees there are, the less water vapour is emitted to create rain for their crops – which some farmers burn their land to make room for. “We did poorly this year because of the drought,” he says. The fires may be mostly started by humans, but they have been made worse by Brazil’s worst-ever drought, which has turned the normally damp vegetation into a dry tinderbox. The drought has seen the level of the rivers drop to historic lows, and almost 60% of the country is under stress from the drought. The rivers, in parts, are now completely dry and resemble a parched desert. João Mendonça and his community live by the river. But the dry riverbed means they can no longer travel on the water, meaning they are cut off from nearby towns and cities. Every day, at dawn, they must now travel by foot to the nearest city to fill up tanks of water. Here, dolphins can be spotted popping out of the river and blue macaws fly overhead. But João and his fellow villagers must then carry it on their backs to their community, burning their feet on the cracked dry riverbed and occasionally passing dead river life like turtles. They make this journey several times a day in scorching heat. “It’s the worst drought I’ve ever seen in my life,” João says. “It has brought a lot of consequences… the absence of food on the riverside dwellers’ table. The fish are gone.” “One of the biggest difficulties is access to the city, now the river is dry. There are elderly people, people with chronic illnesses who must make this journey.” Sandra Gomes Vieira, who lives with a kidney disease, and her family are among those now cut off from the city. “Before it was easier when I was feeling sick. My husband would put me in a canoe that would arrive in the city. Now, I must walk across that sand to reach it. There are days when I can’t do anything, I need people to carry me,” she says. One of her three daughters has had to drop out of school: “She’s not studying because she couldn’t face walking across that sand in the heat. She felt sick.” The drought is also making it harder to make a living. “We live off selling products we grow. Now my produce is spoiling. And there is no way to take them to the city.” The impact of these fires and the drought on people’s lives in Amazonas is clear, but their message for everybody else is too. “There are people who don’t even care about this kind of thing,” says Raimundinha Rodrigues Da Sousa, who is battling the fires every day. “They’re just doing it without thinking about tomorrow. But for you to live in nature, you must take care of it.” Related Similar Articles

National cycling coach loses motorcycle to bandits Oct 04, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – Thieves on Tuesday morning made off with the Motorcycle belonging to national Cycling coach Randolph Roberts leaving him without a mode of transportation. The motor cycle is an Elite Made 150 Dirt Bike, Black in colour with license plate number CF 9083. Randolph Roberts Roberts of 24-31 Alexander Street, New Amsterdam is a veteran coach.  He has been coaching and training cyclists for over 33 years. He is also the founder and coach of The Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of Berbice which is one of the top clubs in Guyana. Speaking with the media, Roberts stated that he owned the bike for over 10 years. It was a gift from one of his brothers and it was bought for the cost of $360,000.  He said that he would use the bike to train the cyclists. He stated that he parked the bike in his premises on Monday evening and retired to bed.  During the evening he heard some noise, but did not pay much mind, because people will pass the street at all hours and make noise. Around 01:45 hrs he woke up to use the bathroom and decided to peep outside to see if everything is OK. It was then that he noticed that his gate was wide open and his bike was missing. He quickly ventured downstairs and raised an alarm. Roberts stated that he could remember locking his gate and reasoned that the bandit or bandits had to scale the fence and pick the lock because his bike was a big bike. Roberts, who is popularly known as “coachman”, has given Yeoman Service in the cycling field in Guyana from his years as a cyclist to his more than three decades as a coach. He has single handily kept the sport alive in Berbice (Region 5and 6). He has coached and trained hundreds of cyclists. Many of whom have done well and still doing well overseas. Ironically just Sunday he organised the annual cycle road race in honour of retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Eon Amsterdam around New Amsterdam. The matter was reported to the Central Police Station. Anyone with information is asked to contact Roberts on telephone number 628 8211 or the nearest Police Station. (Samuel Whyte) Related Similar Articles

Fitness Express, Twins Manufacturing on board CAC 2024 Oct 04, 2024 Sports Kaieteur Sports – With the urgent need for all support, inclusive of Government and the Corporate Community, Fitness Express and Twins Manufacturing acted with alacrity following confirmation of their respective sponsorship packages recently. Fitness Express owner Jamie McDonald (left) hands over the sponsorship cheque to GBBFF Organising Secretary Videsh Sookram recently. The two entities act of goodwill will certainly go a far way in ensuring that the upcoming CAC Body Building & Fitness Championships scheduled to be staged here at the National Cultural Centre, is an overwhelming success. President of the Guyana Body Building & Fitness Federation (GBBFF) Keavon Bess in a release confirmed their support to the event following the simple presentation ceremonies, during which they handed over their sponsorship packages. Acting on behalf of Fitness Express was owner Jamie McDonald, who handed over a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Organising Secretary of the GBBFF Videsh Sookram, while Aadam Ferouz did likewise to Bess. Twins Manufacturing representative Aadam Ferouz (right) hands over sponsorship cheque to GBBFF President Keavon Bess recently. The two corporate partners are Gold and Platinum sponsors respectively. The GBBFF in the release stated that it is extremely heartened by the response of the two entities, adding that Twins Manufacturing has been providing exceptional products and services to the Guyanese people for a long time and those attributes make them a fitting partner to be on board CAC 2024. In relation to Fitness Express, the GBBFF was high in praise of this entity which the statement revealed has been a consistent partner of the sport for over 15 years. Additionally, the release stated that the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, the National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Association are being classified as mega sponsors and to this end they are delightfully grateful for their support as well. Over 250 athletes from more than 20 countries will be descending on these shores to compete from October 19-20. Meanwhile, the GBBFF has shortlisted 30 athletes for preparations and according to an earlier release the Body is expected to meet shortly to name the final composition of the Guyana team. Among those identified are defending champions Emmerson Campbell and Hanna Rampersaud, who claimed gold medals in the Mr. Physique and Wellness categories respectively in Aruba. Related Similar Articles