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Over 20,000 children buried, trapped, detained, lost amid Gaza war: Report Jun 25, 2024 News Palestinian children sit at the edge of a crater after an Israeli air strike in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip [File: Jehad Alshrafi/AP](ALJAZEERA) – Nearly 21,000 children are missing in Gaza, British aid group Save the Children has claimed. In a report published on Monday, the group said the thousands of missing Palestinian children are believed to be trapped beneath rubble, buried in unmarked graves, harmed beyond recognition by explosives, detained by Israeli forces, or lost in the chaos of conflict. “It is nearly impossible to collect and verify information under the current conditions in Gaza,” the group said, “but at least 17,000 children are believed to be unaccompanied and separated and approximately 4,000 children are likely missing under the rubble, with an unknown number also in mass graves”. Israel has killed more than 14,000 children in Gaza since October 7, while others are suffering from severe malnutrition and do not “even have the energy to cry”, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said in a report earlier this year. “Since October, Gaza has faced relentless violence which has killed over 37,000 people, including thousands of children. It follows an attack in Israel by Palestinian armed groups that killed over a thousand people, including at least 33 children,” the Save the Children report reads. It also notes that about 250 Palestinian children are also missing in the occupied West Bank, as of 9 June. Accountability Jeremy Stoner, Save the Children’s regional director for the Middle East, has called for an independent investigation into the situation surrounding Gaza’s missing children, and for accountability. “Families are tortured by the uncertainty of the whereabouts of their loved ones. No parent should have to dig through rubble or mass graves to try and find their child’s body. No child should be alone, unprotected in a war zone. No child should be detained or held hostage,” he added. Khaled Quzmar, the general director of the child rights organisation Defense for Children International Palestine, told Al Jazeera that the impact that they have witnessed in the conflict in Gaza is at a level previously unseen, even during the second world war. “It is a war against children. Children in Gaza are the big cost of the Israeli genocide in Gaza,” Quzmar said. International criticism has mounted amid the growing death toll in the war, as well as the deteriorating humanitarian crisis. However, on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that he would not agree to any deal that stipulated an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. Related Similar Articles

Fire guts South Ruimveldt home Jun 25, 2024 News Guyana Fire Service members extinguish the final embers of the burnt building Kaieteur News – Three residents of Blue Sackie Drive, South Ruimveldt Gardens are now homeless after a fire completely destroyed their home during the late afternoon on Monday. The Guyana Fire Service was notified, and arrived on the scene with Water Tender #95 and another vehicle, Water Tender #118, followed shortly after. Unfortunately, the house was already completely engulfed by that time. The firefighters were, however, able to prevent the buildings on either side of the now charred structure from experiencing anything more than minor damage. The occupants of the house at the time of the fire were the owner, Compton Glenn, 52, and a young female child. Compton Glenn Jr., 32, who also resides at the house, was at work when the fire happened but quickly rushed home upon being notified. According to reports, a neighbour was able to take the child out of harm’s way after she escaped the burning building with Glenn, who afterwards made efforts to save his vehicle from the flames, which was parked in front of the house. Although neither Glenn nor the child was injured by the fire, the former was subsequently rushed to the hospital after experiencing physical symptoms of the trauma. His son travelled to the hospital with him, while the child was placed in the care of a family member. Investigations regarding the origin of the blaze are being conducted by the Guyana Fire Service. Related Similar Articles

IEA predicts Exxon will secure approval for 7th project by next year Jun 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The International Energy Agency (IEA) in a new report has predicted that United States oil major, ExxonMobil, will secure approval from the government of Guyana (GoG) for a seventh deep-water project in the Stabroek Block by 2025. ExxonMobil Guyana Limited President, Alistair Routledge According to the report Oil 2024, the project, Fangtooth could add 220,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) to the country’s production capacity. The IEA also estimated that first oil from the seventh project could flow as early as 2029. Furthermore, to meet the government’s target of 1.3 million barrels of oil per day by 2027, the report said an eight development could also be sanctioned the following year (2026). The project could add another 220,000 bpd by 2030. Notably, concerns were previously raised by stakeholders regarding the swift approval of oil projects and Field Development Plans (FDPs) by the GoG. The fast tracking of the approval process not only puts the environment at risk but also allows for higher project cost, by failing to properly scrutinize FDPs. Presently, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in Guyana’s Stabroek Block. The company has received regulatory approvals for six deep-water projects to date. ExxonMobil said it anticipates six FPSOs will be in operation on the Stabroek Block by year-end 2027. Already preparations are ongoing for startup of Yellowtail and Uaru, the fourth and fifth projects, which will each produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day. Yellowtail is posed for startup in 2025 while Uaru is expected to come on stream by 2026. The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres, where to date over 38 commercial discoveries have been made. It is estimated to contain more than 11 billion barrels of oil.  ExxonMobil Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest. The PPP/C Government has made it clear that it plans to embark on a number of measures that will keep the oil industry on the fast track for a minimum of 15 years. This was revealed by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo. The official said such an approach would include the timely award of production licences as well as encouraging investment in the sector. Given the pace at which discoveries are being made in the Stabroek Block, and the overall speed of development activities, Jagdeo said it is critical that the government adopts a complementary approach to ensure local and foreign businesses are not left with stranded investments. The Vice President said, “All that we are doing is to sustain the level/ (momentum) and we will do so aggressively and unashamedly to sustain high levels of activity for a minimum of 15 years. That means licencing new FPSOs (Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessels), consistently encouraging investment, going out, as we have done, to an auction in a manner that could potentially have a minimum of five different investors in the basin.” Jagdeo was also keen to note that government is not unmindful of the debate taking place globally about the need to reduce carbon emissions to save the planet. He said the administration subscribes to that philosophy. He stressed however that the transition from fossil fuels to renewables has to be just and in a sustainable manner. He said, unreservedly, that the government will not succumb to the jaundiced calls of certain detractors to shut down the industry. In closing, he said government will continue to defend the country’s right to develop its resources. The official also called for there to be a deepening of the analytical views that make their way into the media. Related Similar Articles

Jamaicans urged to go after opportunities in oil-rich Guyana Jun 25, 2024 News Jamaica Gleaner – As Guyana scrambles to make the most of its oil wealth, Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce, is again urging local entrepreneurs to invest in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nation. Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce On Thursday during the media launch of Smart Mobile Solutions’ (SMS) Smart Tech 360, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Hill specified why Jamaican entrepreneurs should consider investing in this out-of-country opportunity. Over the past decade, Guyana has found huge amounts of oil and gas under its coastal waters. That country now boasts reserves of about 11 billion barrels, which puts it in the top 20 in terms of its potential, on a par with countries such as Norway, Brazil and Algeria. The small country, which borders Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname in South America’s north-east region, also boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world. A consortium led by ExxonMobil discovered the first major oil deposits in May 2015, more than 100 miles (190 kilometres) off Guyana. However, the quest for petroleum offshore Guyana began in 1958 when California Oil Company conducted seismic surveys before withdrawing in 1960. Hill believes the time is right for Jamaicans to invest in Guyana although the oil discoveries come as the planet is trying to wean itself off fossil fuels to tackle climate change. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement countries have vowed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, which means trying to cut down on oil use. “I don’t take trade missions. I take business missions. I take business people to do business… We took 61 to Guyana, back again to Guyana three times. Listen mi nuh, I spent 21 years in the Arab Gulf, where oil is. I’ve seen what happen to countries when they become an oil economy. Listen to me carefully, continue to invest in Jamaica, build your company, but we have such a fantastic relationship with Guyana, we paid the respect over the years, they have respected us. We have three million people. They have 780,000 people. Jamaica has a stock market that works. We have government systems that work, whether you believe they’re at the top or not. They’ve worked very well in many cases,” Hill said. “And so Jamaica must form a consistent and symbiotic relationship with Guyana to make sure, as their economy grows on the back of 11 billion barrels of oil declared, and I’m sure there are probably more, as Suriname grows its economy with one billion barrels of oil declared, Jamaica works with these companies,” he said. Hill continued to highlight that Guyana has its Georgetown port and other ports in Suriname and, in five to seven years, he predicts that Guyana will expand its port as did Singapore and Dubai. “But, between now, four to seven years, there’s a lot to be done … I have taken seven [to] eight trade missions around the Caribbean, United States, Canada, Britain and France and when I started in Guyana in October 2022, there were six ICT companies with us. We had 35 business people who paid their fares, paid their hotel, paid their food and were with us,” he said. Pool resources He also encouraged Jamaicans to pool their resources, if they have to, and invest in Guyana as groups. “Go and find partners. We have whole heap of money in this country. For seven [to] eight years, we stayed out of the capital markets as a Government, making sure there’s money in there for the private sector to have. Get the private sector [and] come together in a group … But really and truly, there is money, but come together and form consortiums. One of the best inventions of western capitalism, is something called the limited liability company; when him and him join and make a limited liability company, you can’t go tek weh dem house, unless dem sign a personal guarantee,” Hill said. “It is limited. The limited liability allows you to get money … Put a company together and out of that combination, come something that is stronger than if you do it alone,” he said. In January 2023, Hill led a 60-member delegation from Jamaica to Guyana to strengthen previously established partnerships with Guyanese businesses, as well as increase trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Guyana, a country with a land area of 214,969 square km or 83,000 square miles, is the third-smallest sovereign state by area in mainland South America after Uruguay and Suriname. In 2022, Guyana ranked 80th in total exports at $18.5 billion but, although it does not have Economic Complexity Index data, in that same year Jamaica ranked 72nd in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI -0.17) and 145th in total exports at $1.95 billion. Highest growth in the world Guyana has emerged as a significant contributor to growth in the global supply of crude oil. Since starting production in 2019, Guyana has increased its crude oil production to 645,000 barrels per day (b/d) as of early 2024, all from the Stabroek block. Guyana increased crude oil production by an annual average of 98,000 b/d from 2020 to 2023, making it the third-fastest growing non-OPEC producing country during this period. Crude oil production has been the largest contributor to Guyana’s economic growth in recent years. In 2022, Guyana’s GDP grew by 62.3 per cent, the highest real GDP growth in the world that year, according to the International Monetary Fund. While Guyana’s most recent estimate of recoverable oil and natural gas resources is more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels, developers are still exploring the country’s offshore waters. The country’s discovered oil and natural gas resources are currently located offshore within the Guyana-Suriname Basin of the Atlantic Ocean. Guyana’s oil production comes from three floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels: Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity. These vessels produce oil and natural gas from the Liza and Payara projects. All associated natural gas is reinjected into wells to support its production and used as on-site fuel. A proposed project would bring associated natural gas onshore to processing facilities via pipeline. Currently, the block’s partners plan for the combined production capacity to reach approximately 1.3 million b/d by the end of 2027, with plans to develop three additional projects: Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail. If realised, the increased production would make Guyana the second-largest crude oil producer in Central America and South America behind Brazil. Related Similar Articles

Exxon’s partner CNOOC looking to lease office, residential complex for next 20 years Jun 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – China’s, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL), a 25% partner in the Stabroek Block has initiated a pre-qualification round for interested bidders to lease a complex to the company for office and residential purposes. According to the Request for Information (RFI) published on Monday, CNOOC is looking to lease the complex for 20 years to support its activities operations in Guyana. ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is the operator the Stabroek Block, which is located approximately 200 kilometers offshore Guyana. Exxon holds 45% and the third block-partner CNOOC holds 30% interest. Oil discovery was made in 2015 and by December 2019, oil production had commenced, with the Liza Phase 1 development. By early 2022, Liza Phase 2 production commenced, followed by Payara in 2024 and Yellowtail to commence in 2025. Guyana’s oil production comes from three floating production storage and offloading platforms (FPSOs) vessels: Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity.  Oil production is now at some 645,000 barrels per day (bpd) up from 98,000 bpd from its first full year of production. CNOOC said in its RFI, “In response to this increased development and production activity, CPGL is significantly increasing its presence in Guyana. Inaugural office and staff presence started in 2017 and has grown over the last six years.” For the pre-qualification round, interested persons are asked to submit a RFI package which shall consist of the minimum requirements of a completed pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), PDF attachments as required in PQQ and evidence of work in progress or completed projects. A copy of the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) can be accessed at (https://lcregister.petroleum.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CPGL-Vendor-Pre-qualification-Questionnaire-PQQmWErJ68.xlsx). Prospective participants should be guided by the following minimum requirements. For the office complex, it must be able to accommodate 100 staff, a conference room, a cafeteria/ lunchroom, a gym, and a parking lot.  For the residential area, the requirements are as follows: 30 executive apartment rooms, contingency apartment rooms for guests, kitchen/dining hall and a swimming pool. Prospective participants can submit their RFI Package to be submitted to: [email protected] no later than Monday, July 15, 2024, 5:00pm. Related Similar Articles

Grove neighbours tussle over noise from vulcanizing shop Jun 25, 2024 News – EPA promises to investigate complaint Kaieteur News – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to investigate a complaint made by Annabella Joseph of Section C, Block Y, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara about a recently established vulcanizing shop that she says is the source of noise nuisance by way of its daily operations. This issue has resulted in disagreements between Joseph and ‘Mr. Ganesh’, the proprietor of the shop, who resides obliquely opposite the woman. Searching for relief, Ms. Joseph has reached out to the police, the Golden Grove/Diamond NDC, and the EPA, and after much back and forth on which agency is actually responsible for investigating the matter, she is hopeful that the EPA’s investigation will be able to resolve the matter. Joseph claims that the vulcanizing shop operates from approximately 06:30 hrs. to 18:00 hrs., but often goes later into the night, and during that time, she endures the whirring and banging noises of vehicle repair ringing through all parts of her house. Additionally, she alleges that, since the vulcanizing shop services many large vehicles that travel to and from the interior/hinterland regions, they create obstruction to the narrow roadway and at times there are multiple vehicles parked on both sides of the street. She says that she has attempted to speak with Ganesh, the owner of the establishment, on several occasions, but he has not been receptive. Recalling an incident where one of the large trucks obstructed the entrance to her property, she said, “I tried to approach him nicely, he told me that I have to go and look for the truck man; but I told him that the truck people coming to you, so he told me that ‘go to who you want to go to because I have contacts at the NDC’, he’s a very difficult person to approach, even though you try to be nice he would start cursing.” On the other side of the coin, however, Ganesh says that he has been faced with opposition from Ms. Joseph since he opened his tyre shop, as she has taken issue with it and has been complaining to several authorities and galvanizing support from neighbours against him. “Six weeks now I open my business and this lady tormenting me,” he said, “me and this lady never had a problem but since this tyre shop move by me, it’s an issue for this lady every day. Whole day she deh at the station, she nah get satisfaction deh?” Additionally, he claimed that, in part because of Ms. Joseph’s complaints, he has operated during very strict and respectful business hours. “Me don’t work Sundays, I don’t work holidays, because of this same problem; and I open from seven in the morning to five-thirty in the afternoon, I don’t work late. One night I work late and I very vex, and I tell me worker them after this night me ain’t working back late. After that, seven in the morning [is when we start, and] five-thirty we close, we ain’t working later than duh.” When asked if he believes that his business produces any noise pollution, Ganesh responded, “No, the only thing that makes noise here is my compressor, and my compressor deh till down at the back of the yard. It does make lil noise but as I tell you, she house deh two house away from me… and me side neighbour ain’t got a problem with it… it’s only this one person making trouble with we.” Ms. Joseph claims that Mr. Ganesh was verbally abusive to her, cursing her out when she attempts to discuss the matter with him, and Mr. Ganesh claims the same about Ms. Joseph’s husband, who he says he has known for some time and reached out to repeatedly with hopes of resolving the matter.  He also denies the claims that he said he has favourable connections at the NDC, saying “If she got me saying that on record, she could bring it and prove it. Me ain’t got nobody nowhere; me ain’t got nobody at NDC, nobody at the police, nothing.” According to Joseph, she reached out to the police, but they informed her that the relevant authorities for the issue were either the EPA or her NDC.  She then called the EPA and made a complaint on June 4th, and was able to speak to an EPA official, who she informed of the incident. However, after a week passed without her receiving a response, she decided to visit the office in person in an attempt to make a formal, written complaint. During her interview with Kaieteur News, she produced a copy of a letter addressed to the EPA that she says she delivered to their Ganges Street office on June 11th, complete with signatures from Joseph and three other neighbours. She was able to meet with the same official she spoke to over the phone the previous week, who told her that the agency would investigate the matter and contact her. He also advised her to visit the NDC. She claims that several of her neighbours have the same complaints and at least one had reached out to the relevant authorities —the Golden Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Environmental Protection Agency­—, before she did. After leaving the EPA, Joseph says she visited the NDC, where she was able to speak with clerks at the front desk, who told her that they were unaware of the issue and had not received any previous complaints, which she says is untrue. Nevertheless, she lodged her complaint and proceeded to show the NDC staff videos of the activity at the vulcanizing shop, after which they informed her they would investigate. Joseph noted that she was not able to speak to the NDC chairman herself, but her husband did at a statutory meeting on another day. When asked for comments on the matter, Golden Grove/Diamond Scheme NDC Chairman Rajendra Paul said that he was aware of the ongoing issue, however, much of it is beyond the jurisdiction of his agency, and instead falls under the responsibility of other agencies, such as the EPA and police force. “I’m aware of it; the gentleman [Annabella Joseph’s husband], I entertained him at our statutory meeting and he would’ve shown us some videos regarding the noise pollution, but then, remember, the NDC, we can only do so much, you have other agencies that are responsible. For example, that is an environmental issue and I advised him to contact the EPA on this matter. Also, [we informed him] that with regards to noise nuisance, he needs to contact the police,” Paul said. “We did our part already, through the sanitary department; we would have spoken to the gentleman [Mr. Ganesh], and we are in the process now of giving him something in writing but like I said, the other agency also has to play their part, which is the EPA and the police,” he continued. With regards to the claims of Ganesh having some kind of sway at the NDC, the chairman said that he was aware of the claims but could not confirm them. He informed the interviewer that one of his councilors alerted him of it, but there has been no substantive confirmation. Based on Mr. Ganesh’s statements, however, it seems that the EPA has indeed begun to investigate the matter, as he says that they contacted him concerning it, but he welcomes the investigation. “You know she went at EPA and call EPA on me; why you doing all these nonsense? EPA say they coming, I tell them ayuh welcome fuh come,” he said. A representative of the EPA also informed this publication that a complaint has indeed been lodged, and that the corresponding document (complaint form) was handed over to field officers who will conduct an investigation “the next time they are on the East Bank of Demerara.” The representative did not put an exact timeframe on the investigation but advised that it could take place “as early as this week.” Related Similar Articles

Govt. to overhaul financial laws in light of U.S. sanctions Jun 25, 2024 News President Irfaan Ali Kaieteur News – Guyana’s financial laws are to be amended in light of recent sanctions imposed on three Guyanese – two businessmen and a government official- who were allegedly involved in tax evasion and corruption, President Irfaan Ali said last week. The Head of state said that following the sanctions imposed on Guyanese billionaire Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, and government official Mae Thomas amendments to the Financial Institutions Act will be forthcoming. He highlighted the importance of aligning the law with international standards, stating, “Soon you will see we will be bringing to Parliament a Bill to amend the Financial Institutions Act to ensure further compliance with international banking standards, the basal core principles on banking supervision.” The amendments aim to modernize Guyana’s banking sector by adopting the latest legal frameworks, rules, regulations, and principles. “These amendments will allow us to the top tier, beyond any other jurisdiction in this Region in relation to the banking sector,” President Ali added. A notable change includes allowing foreign financial institutions to establish representative offices in Guyana with prior approval from the central bank. President Ali explained that while representative offices will not be allowed to carry on banking or financial business, they can offer services that can stimulate foreign direct investment by connecting capital investment opportunities. The proposed legislation will also introduce regulatory oversight to ensure accountability in setting fees and charges for services offered by licensed financial institutions. The Head of State, “This is aimed at keeping the market fair and engendering financial inclusion.” Another significant amendment involves removing the requirement for banks to consult with the Minister of Finance before making regulations that define financial business activities. “We are further removing powers from the Minister of Finance and we are empowering the bank, giving the bank more independence,” Ali noted. Additionally, the new framework will eliminate the need for ministerial consultation prior to issuing or refusing licenses under the Act. The amendments will facilitate more effective consolidated supervision and cooperation among supervisory authorities, allowing for the inspection of subsidiaries and representative offices in Guyana. The legislation will also increase administrative penalties to encourage full compliance by financial institutions with statutory requirements and directives from supervisory authorities. “It will increase the sanctions which can be imposed by way of administrative penalties with the aim of encouraging full compliance…” the President said. Moreover, the amendments will create a transfer and vesting mechanism for banking and financial business between licensed financial institutions, subject to approval and a certificate from the governor of the Bank of Guyana. Finally, the legal protection for the governor, officers, and employees of the Central Bank will be strengthened to ensure the lawful execution of their functions. Related Similar Articles