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Pres. Ali hails China’s “significant” contributions to Guyana’s development Oct 03, 2024 News Kaieteur News – President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has praised China for significantly contributing to the development and expansion of Guyana’s economy over the decades. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy, Counselor Huang Rui toasting at the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China The head-of-state made these remarks at the Chinese Embassy reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The reception was held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Tuesday. China’s progressive model has benefited Guyana in several areas such as building out the country’s infrastructure, trade, investment in technology, health, education and a number of other areas. Several Chinese companies are currently leading a number of innovative projects in Guyana. These include the extension of the second phase of the East Coast Demerara Road Project, the building of the new Demerara River Bridge, Joe Viera Park and the construction of six regional hospitals. The 19th Chinese Medical Brigade has cumulatively treated about 14,000 local patients and performed more than 2,300 surgeries. The team also conducted 21 medical outreaches that delivered high-quality medical services to the people of Guyana. “Today, we celebrate the peaceful existence of our relationship. We celebrate the peaceful existence of a culture that binds us together and decades of diplomatic relationships,” the president said. China and Guyana’s human resource capabilities have made significant global contributions. The president noted that China plays a vital role in Guyana’s ongoing economic growth and said the relationship between the two nations has already achieved a great deal and that it continues to grow. “We want this transformation to position our country as one of the most innovative and diverse economies, an economy that is built on knowledge, on technology and an economy that is carefully created and crafted to become competitive, resilient and sustainable in the future. And that, requires partnership,” President Ali highlighted. While Guyana continues to strengthen its existing relationship with China, the president said that his country recognises the need to work even harder to forge new ties with other nations. “We must expand our reach so that we can support this growth that is taking place…So that our global footprint can be in every corner [of the world] …” he stressed. The relationship between Guyana and China goes beyond diplomatic and economic ties to include military, defense, security and intellectual partnership.  The establishment of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey of transformation and progress. China has achieved remarkable advancements and is now a leader among developing nations. Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, listed several innovative projects currently underway in the country and the robust achievements that have taken place as a direct result of the bilateral collaboration between the two nations. “The Government and the people of Guyana never ease up, they have been working around the clock to dedicate to national development. China fully understands Guyana’s desire to seize opportunities to develop itself and always stands ready to be a steadfast partner in Guyana’s development,” Ambassador Haiyan said. Haiyan also emphasised that China will never forget that Guyana was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic ties with China. As the largest developing country in the world, China remains a key engine of global economic growth and a major partner for over 140 countries and regions. Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, other government ministers, and members of the diplomatic community and the private sector. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Pensioner dies after bee attack while clearing land Oct 03, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A pensioner identified as 70-year-old Imran Alli also called ‘Buddy’ of Novar Village, East Coast Demerara died on Tuesday after he was attacked by a swarm of bees around 11:00hrs while clearing a plot of land opposite where he resided. According to the police, Alli and Dalu Husher who was his employee, were clearing the foliage when they came into contact with a bee nest. The man’s wife, Zeana Alli told police that during the process of the men working, she heard Husher shouting for help. Rushing to the veranda, she saw him running away from her husband who was at the time lying on the ground covered in bees. An alarm was raised and the residents in the area made attempts to rescue the man but their efforts were futile. Husher relayed that in the course of clearing the bushes, a swarm of bees flew towards them, stinging them both in the process. Panicking, he ran to safety leaving Alli on the ground as he was unable to help him at the time. Alli was subsequently rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where a doctor on duty pronounced him dead. The body is at the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) mortuary, pending a post-mortem examination. Related Similar Articles

Cocaine, ganja found during raid at Konawaruk Oct 03, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) seized approximately 1,255 grams of marijuana and 30 grams of cocaine at an apartment building in Konawaruk Junction, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). Ganja and cocaine found in the apartment According to police reports released on Wednesday, officers from Regional Division #8 acted on information and conducted a search at the apartment. Upon arrival, they found the door to one of the rooms open. Inside, the officers observed a bed with a mattress and clothing, along with various other items. Upon further inspection, police discovered a plastic bag containing leaves, seeds, and stems hidden under the mattress. They also found a white paper-wrapped parcel that contained several small whitish rock-like substances, which are suspected to be cocaine. The drugs were weighed, revealing 1,255 grams of cannabis and 30 grams of cocaine. Ranks are continuing their investigations, questioning individuals connected to the apartment and gathering statements. Related Similar Articles

E-Litigation portal for Guyana’s High Court and Court of Appeal set to roll out Oct 03, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Supreme Court of Judicature in Guyana on Tuesday announced that it is nearing the completion of an e-litigation web portal for the Court of Appeal and the High Court which will mark a major transformation in the country’s judicial system. A soft launch of the e-litigation portal for the Court of Appeal was held on January 30, 2024, with the High Court’s portal set for a soft launch on October 4, 2024. This new digital system will replace the traditional paper-based filing system for all new cases filed after 3:00 p.m. on October 4, 2024. The e-litigation system enables the electronic filing and management of cases across the various registries of both courts, including the Family Court and the Land Court. The software powering this e-litigation platform was developed by Crimson Logic Inc., a Singapore-based company with extensive experience in creating digital solutions for judicial systems around the globe. Crimson Logic Inc. is known for implementing the world’s first paperless judicial platform for the Supreme Court of Singapore and has worked with courts in countries such as Mauritius, Namibia, Qatar, and the Eastern Caribbean. The e-litigation portal is designed to provide users with 24/7 access on any device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. The system includes features such as a dedicated portal for judicial officers, electronic filing, notifications, case and workflow management, trial bundle creation, and the generation of reports and analytics. Both attorneys-at-law and litigants will have access to the platform, making case management more efficient and transparent. This digital advancement aligns with the Judiciary’s mission to uphold the rule of law and ensure access to timely justice in a fair and transparent manner. The e-litigation system is expected to significantly improve access to justice for all, modernizing Guyana’s judicial landscape. Related Similar Articles

Glenn Lall’s lights out was a bright idea gone dark Oct 03, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, News Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh Glenn Lall callin’ Guyanese to turn off dem lights for one hour during the month of October. He say it’s a protest against how de government managing the country’s natural resources. Simple protest. Private, he say. Just households takin’ a personal stand. But hold on! Lall never expect de CPL to take him seriously. During de big eliminator match on Tuesday night, TKR was facing BR. De lights? Dem decide to take a vacation. Three towers went dark. Just like dat, protest switch from private to public! Lall must be laughin’ all de way to he desk. He start a movement without even trying! People home turnin’ off lights, and next thing you know, de whole stadium joinin’ in. Lall coulda never predict how bright dis protest would shine! And de whole world watching! Dem organizers scramble to fix de situation. But de floodlights playin’ hide-and-seek. TKR and BR on de field, and fans left in de dark. Talk ‘bout a cricket match, but all de action happenin’ backstage! But Guyanese know fuh mek fun of every situation. One man ask whether, “Is this a cricket match or a blackout party?” Not even de umpire could see de ball flyin’! Fans grumble, some startin’ to wonder if dey shoulda brought candles. Another one seh, you would never know you in Guyana unless de lights go out. “Whose idea was it to protest with no lights?” one fan ask. De organizers scramble to find answers. “We’ll get it back on!” dey promise. Meanwhile, de only thing shining bright is de embarrassment on dey faces. And guess what? While de CPL match in darkness, Lall’s protest gettin’ international attention. When de lights finally come back, de match reduce to a 5-over contest. Half the people done leff the stadium. Dem wah stay leff confused; not because of de game, but because dey just experienced de longest power outage in CPL history! Lall smile from ear to ear. He protest gone international now. Leh we hope no more lights out at the stadium fuh de rest of the week! Otherwise de Vee Pee gan blow a fuse! Talk half. Leff half. Related Similar Articles

New iteration, same idea Oct 03, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – The Bridgetown Initiative is now parading its third iteration—“Bridgetown 3.0”.  Out of this iteration, Barbados emerges as the champion, the initiative offering a potpourri of ideas that will usher in an era of climate justice, economic resilience, and equitable growth. There are debt pause clauses, climate resilience funds, and talk of taxing the super-rich. One might think we’ve stumbled upon a modern-day utopia where power is persuaded by common sense and morality. However, the gilded promises of Bridgetown 3.0, while noble in intent, remain precisely that—promises, grand in theory but emaciated in practice. Consider the triumph of the “Debt Pause Clauses,” a centerpiece of the initiative that offers developing countries the ability to halt debt repayments for two years following a natural disaster or pandemic. A boon for the struggling, we are told. Yet, one wonders if a mere pause on debt is anything more than a temporary respite in a long and unrelenting cycle of financial strangulation. It’s a curious victory, to be sure—reminiscent of offering a drowning man a momentary handhold before pushing him back into the deep end. After two years of recovery, the debt remains, perhaps even more daunting with the accruing interest, and the inevitable return to repayments is as certain as the next hurricane. The tragedy of the developing world is not that it occasionally falters under catastrophe but that catastrophe is its constant companion. A two-year debt pause is little more than a theatrical pause before the final act of insolvency. The new iteration of the Bridgetown Initiative also trumpets the creation of the IMF’s “Resilience and Sustainability Trust,” with Barbados claiming the distinction of being its first beneficiary. But to celebrate the largesse of the International Monetary Fund is to ignore the institution’s long history of wrecking economies under the guise of benevolent stewardship. The IMF, like some avuncular financier offers the velvet glove while hiding the iron fist. We are told this new trust will provide climate-resilience finance on “favourable terms,” but what constitutes resilience and who benefits from these so-called favourable terms? If history is any guide, we might expect climate resilience to take the form of infrastructure projects designed more to attract foreign investment than to protect local populations. The Bridgetown Initiative’s proponents also tout the launch of the United Nations’ “Loss and Damage Fund” at COP28, a much-heralded milestone in the fight against climate change. The fund’s initial commitment of $700 million, however, is so woefully inadequate as to be insulting. The figure is less a down payment on climate justice and more a token gesture—a miser’s gift thrown to the needy while the rich turn their attention to more profitable ventures. That $700 million should be offered to developing nations, which require trillions to survive the coming climate onslaught, is as absurd as offering a glass of water to a man dying of thirst in the Sahara. The Global North, with its insatiable appetite for fossil fuels and industrial excess, continues to evade any meaningful responsibility, leaving the rest of the world to bask in the crumbs of their profligacy. And then there is the much-lauded re-channeling of $100 billion of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the IMF to fund mechanisms for developing countries. One might imagine, as the celebrants of Bridgetown 3.0 do, that this represents a paradigm shift in the way global finance operates—a boon for the beleaguered economies of the Global South. But SDRs, by their very nature, are a financial mirage—an abstraction, a promise of liquidity that can just as easily evaporate in the desert heat of bureaucracy and conditionality. SDRs are not cash. They are not resources that can be spent or invested in roads, schools, or hospitals. They are placeholders, contingent on the whims of the IMF, which has never been known for its generosity toward the world’s poorest nations. To believe that this mechanism will deliver salvation to those in need is to believe that the IMF has suddenly undergone a moral conversion, forsaking its legacy of austerity and exploitation. A fantasy, to put it kindly. But where the Bridgetown Initiative truly stretches the bounds of credulity is in its utopian vision of new sources of “progressive finance.” There are calls for an international tax on the super-rich, windfall profit taxes on fossil fuel companies, and levies on emissions-heavy industries like aviation and shipping. One is left to wonder if the architects of this grand design have ever spent time in the halls of power where such taxes might be enacted. The super-rich have spent the better part of the last century perfecting the art of avoiding taxation, and fossil fuel companies are hardly in the habit of relinquishing their profits to the public purse. Bridgetown 3.0’s call for such taxes is less a pragmatic policy proposal and more a moral appeal, destined to languish in the purgatory of international diplomacy where good ideas go to die. In the end, Bridgetown 3.0 stands as a symbol of the eternal tension between aspiration and reality. Its aims are undeniably noble—few would argue against a fairer deal for developing countries or the urgent need for climate action. Yet, the mechanisms it proposes are, at best, half-measures, and at worst, distractions from the real task at hand. The initiative offers rhetorical flourishes where it should provide concrete solutions. It points to token victories—debt pauses, climate funds, and IMF programmes—as if these represent a sea change in global finance. But in truth, they are little more than ripples on the surface of a much deeper, more intractable ocean of inequality. What the world’s developing nations need is not another round of international conferences or high-minded declarations but a fundamental restructuring of the global system—a reordering of priorities that places human well-being above profit, climate justice above economic growth, and cooperation above exploitation. Until such a transformation occurs, initiatives like Bridgetown 3.0 will remain just that: initiatives, rather than solutions. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)    Related Similar Articles

A National Embarrassment Oct 03, 2024 Editorial Kaieteur News – On the night of October 1, 2024, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) eliminator match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, took an unexpected and embarrassing turn. With millions watching across the Caribbean and beyond, three of the six floodlights at the stadium failed suddenly, plunging the arena into darkness and halting the highly anticipated match between the Trinbago Knight Riders and the Barbados Royals. At the time, the Knight Riders were 168-2 for 4, with Nicholas Pooran on 91 unbeaten in the 20th over of the first innings. The power outage, which lasted nearly two hours, left spectators and players alike frustrated and tarnished Guyana’s reputation on an international stage. What should have been a smooth continuation of one of the region’s premier cricket tournaments instead became a symbol of infrastructural failure. Notably, President Irfaan Ali was present at the stadium, further intensifying the situation as the eyes of both local and international audiences were drawn to this mishap.  The incident has raised pressing questions about the government’s oversight and commitment to maintaining the country’s only international cricket venue. This was not the first time such a failure had occurred at the Providence Stadium. In fact, earlier in the year, similar power outages had been reported, specifically during the final of a T10 cricket tournament and during an Amazon Warriors practice session. On both occasions, floodlights went out, disrupting events but, perhaps more alarmingly, signalling deeper issues with the stadium’s electrical infrastructure. These incidents were clear warning signs of an impending disaster. Yet, the necessary actions to prevent a reoccurrence during a major international tournament like the CPL were evidently not taken. Despite these red flags, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, which has responsibility for the maintenance of the stadium, evidently failed to take proactive measures to address the stadium’s faulty electrical system. The fact that these issues persisted, culminating in the October 1 blackout, highlights a glaring failure in both foresight and responsibility. In a country where cricket holds near-religious importance, such negligence is nothing short of unacceptable. In a joint statement released after the incident, the Ministry of Sport and the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) clarified that the stadium is powered by its own independent generating sets and is not reliant on the national grid. According to the statement, the blackout was caused by a technical fault in an underground cable feeding power to the floodlights.  While two of the three failed lights were eventually restored, the damage had already been done. Fans, players, and viewers were left waiting for nearly two hours as technicians scrambled to fix the issue. The Ministry’s response has done little to quell the outcry. Many have criticised the government for what they see as a lack of preparedness and an inability to ensure that such an essential facility is adequately maintained.  The public’s frustration is compounded by the fact that similar incidents occurred earlier in the year but were not sufficiently addressed. This raises important questions about why preventative measures were not put in place before such a high-stakes international event.  While power outages at sporting events are not unique to Guyana, the way they are handled often sets countries apart. For example, at the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans, a power outage delayed the game for 34 minutes. The stadium operators and local authorities acted quickly, minimizing the impact and preventing a prolonged delay that would have disrupted the entire event.  Similarly, in 1997, during an FA Cup match between Arsenal and Leeds United, floodlight failure led to the match being abandoned.  While inconvenient, these incidents were met with swift responses, and systems were put in place to prevent future occurrences. In Guyana’s case, however, the prolonged two-hour delay during the CPL match, coupled with the fact that earlier warning signs were ignored, points to a more systemic problem. One of the most striking aspects of this debacle is the lack of accountability. Despite the significance of the October 1 incident and the fact that President Irfaan Ali was present, the Minister of Sport has yet to publicly accept responsibility for the failure. This lack of acknowledgment not only undermines public confidence but also sends the wrong message about the importance of accountability in government. The blackout at the National Stadium was more than just an inconvenience; it was a national and regional embarrassment. Guyana’s international image, particularly in the realm of sports, has suffered as a result. With the CPL serving as one of the most-watched cricket tournaments in the Caribbean, the incident undoubtedly left a lasting impression on fans, players, and officials alike. The absence of accountability further deepens the issue, as the public is left wondering if such failures will continue to occur without consequence. The October 1 blackout at the Guyana National Stadium should serve as a wake-up call for the Ministry of Sport and the government as a whole. It is not enough to issue statements after the fact; there needs to be a comprehensive review of the stadium’s infrastructure and a clear plan of action to prevent such incidents in the future. Moreover, the government must prioritize accountability and transparency to regain the public’s trust. In an age where sports events are broadcast globally, every mishap reflects not just on the facility but on the country itself.  For Guyana, a nation with aspirations of becoming a regional sporting hub, this incident underscores the urgent need for reform. Without proper maintenance and oversight, even the most promising sporting facilities can quickly become symbols of neglect.  The people of Guyana deserve better, and it is up to the government to ensure that the National Stadium is a source of national pride, not an international embarrassment. Related Similar Articles