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GPL to spend $200M to upgrade national grid – Jagdeo Jun 23, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) intends to spend approximately $200 million to upgrade the national grid, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced last Thursday. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo The Vice President was at the time speaking at a press conference held at the Office of the President. He was asked to provide an update on the additional 30MW of power the government intends to acquire in a similar arrangement with the Turkish Powership – Karpowership – contracted by the government to supply Guyana with some 36 megawatts of electricity for two years. “So the existing system now we have to look at that with all that new power in the place, (that) we have grid stability to transmit and distribute the power. So they have come up and they have gone to tender for about $200M of work to upgrade the grid, put in more transformers, change out the lines and stuff like that,” Jagdeo said. The Vice President explained that the updating of the national grid will ensure that the country has a more stable distribution system. “If we can integrate the 30MW… so for example they are now working, I think Cummings would be awarded a contract to do a $5M upgrade from Kingston to Sophia so if you bring the power there now… if you bring additional power to Kingston you can’t take it to the sub-station at Sophia because that one line is not adequate to take the power there so it’s where you can integrate the power to,” he added. Kaieteur News recently reported that at Thursday’s press conference, the Vice President also announced that the government will soon go to the National Assembly, before recess, to seek an additional US$66M to subsidize the GPL. Jagdeo boasted that the government has absorbed the price increases that would have ordinarily been imposed on consumers due to the increase in the price of fuel. “So the price of fuel went up from $70 dollars that we were budgeting; now, we are paying one $105 maybe $110 per barrel…” Meanwhile, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that with the power ship supplying 36 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and the Gas-to-Energy project set to come on stream in 2025, adding approximately 300 megawatts of energy, the government is keen on ensuring that the national grid is fortified to manage the surge of electricity that will be utilised to meet the heightened demand. “We have to look at the existing system [to ensure] that with all that new power now, we have grid stability to transmit and distribute the power…If we can integrate the 30 megawatts…we could have brought in the bigger power ship, which is nearly 80 megawatts of power, and connect it here at Kingston, but the lines can’t transmit it, so we had to take it to Berbice and hook it there, and then bring back the power to Demerara.” Related Similar Articles

Man fined $20.8M, jailed for possession of marijuana Jun 23, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A man was on Thursday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and fined $20,880,000 after he was found guilty of being in possession of 23.2 Kilograms (Kg) of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Odearie Phillips appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court. In addition, Gavin Adams was also sentenced to three years’ in prison when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool after he pleaded guilty for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He was found in possession of 3.348KG of cocaine. Likewise, Mark Anthony Thomas also appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs to answer to a narcotics charge and an obstruction of a Custom Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) officer during the execution of his duties. Thomas was reportedly found with 4.5 grams of cannabis in his possession. He pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him and was placed on $60,000 bail for obstruction of a CANU officer during the execution of his duties. Bail was however, denied for the narcotics charge. He is scheduled to return to court on August 2. Related Similar Articles

$53.4B in trade between Guyana and Canada recorded in 2023 Jun 23, 2024 News The Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Foreign Minister Hugh Todd toast with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana and his wife on the occasion of Canada Day. Kaieteur News – Bilateral trade between Guyana and Canada raked in CAD$350M or G$43.4B last year, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman announced on Friday. The High Commissioner was at the time speaking at a cocktail reception commemorating the 157th Canada Day held at the Pegasus Corporate Suites, Kingston, Georgetown. “These numbers, while showing an opportunity for further growth, have been driven by our shared commitment to economic development and the complementary strengths of our economies. Canada continues to be a reliable partner in many lines of business, including agriculture, energy, education and infrastructure to name a few. Canadian companies have been at the forefront, providing not only investment but also technology and expertise, ensuring a win-win approach that is our way of doing business,” Berman said. The High Commissioner, who delivered his final speech, said relations between Guyana and Canada could only be strengthened. He said too that Canada is committed to assisting in Guyana’s development through mutually beneficial projects. “These are unprecedented times for Guyana. The country’s economic growth and transformation is unmatched. It is a privilege to be able to witness and take part in this historical moment. Your government, Mr. President, continues to work with energy and relentlessness and your pace is impressive,” he said. President Ali receives a personalized hockey jersey from Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman. High Commissioner Berman continued: “We are doing our best to work side-by-side with Guyana because the relationship between Canada and Guyana is rooted in deep historical people-to-people links.  Canada has always been a close friend to Guyana, and we will continue to work with you to strengthen our relationship and achieve your economic and social development goals.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips elaborated on the closeness of the two countries. He underscored the importance of the Guyanese Diaspora, and the zeal of Canadian-Guyanese as a key contributor to the strong bond that the nations share. “As we applaud the accomplishments of the people of Canada, we are also keen to acknowledge and recognize the valuable relationship between our two countries. Canada is home to a significant number of Guyanese, and the strong familial bond of the Guyanese Diaspora has played a significant role to strengthen the ties that bind our two nations together in friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation,” PM Phillips said. Meanwhile, the Canadian High Commissioner presented hockey jerseys to both President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Phillips. Coincidentally, Canada – Edmonton Oilers- is playing in the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup finals and hopes to have the championship return to Canada for the first time in 30 years. High Commissioner Berman and President Irfaan Ali spoke about the Edmonton Oilers and the West Indies Cricket Team’s prospects at the ongoing T20 World Cup. Related Similar Articles

Security beefed up to curb incidents of violence at GPHC’s A&E Dept Jun 23, 2024 News Head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr. Zulfikar Bux Kaieteur News – Security is being beefed up at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Accident and Emergency (A&E) department to curb the incidents of violence that have raised concerns for health workers attached to the institution. Head of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, told reporters during a press conference hosted at GPHC on Wednesday that interpersonal violence is happening more frequently at the hospital. “Interpersonal violence is now being brought into institutions…we’ve had experiences over the years but my concern is that they are happening more frequently now,” Dr. Bux said at a GPHC press conference on Wednesday. According to Dr. Bux, for the month of June, the hospital has had six cases of interpersonal violence, “…Whether its abuse of staff and abuse in terms of getting close with being physical with staff.” Dr. Bux said the health workers are growing increasingly fearful for their safety and well-being. He noted that just last week an assailant of a stabbing incident visited the department, hoping to continue attacking his victim who had gone there for treatment. Additionally, the doctor said there are other cases within the past two months that involved patients seeking treatment with weapons in their possession. Dr. Bux noted that the patient was stabbed twice came to the emergency department and the assailants came into the department to continue the course of action they started. “They came into the department and they pulled out a knife and actually attempted to stab him. It did cause a small laceration, the entire department had to take siege because it was quite a few attackers and unfortunately, the victim had to run outside to seek cover outside of the institution,” he said. The doctor warned that the A&E department is a high-stress area which deals with patients in need of immediate medical attention. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GPHC, Robbie Rambarran said that there are persons who would come in as patients and have weapons on them and these would be lodged with security. He noted that there are also instances of persons accompanying patients with firearms and other weapons on their person. However, speaking of interventions to curb these issues, he said that the hospital has been working along with a private security firm for some time while the institution also has its own security. While indicating the CEO said that security will be beefed up, he said that a lot more hand-held scanners and scanners at the entrances of the facility will be put in place. According to him, healthcare workers are receiving training to better de-escalate situations and improve their public relations abilities. Still, he believes it is not acceptable for healthcare workers to face verbal and physical violence. Related Similar Articles

Gunmen escape after shooting at police vehicle in Sophia Jun 23, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Two gunmen on a motorcycle managed to elude police after shooting at their patrol vehicle at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, during the wee hours of Saturday. Police said that they engaged the men in a shootout around 01:45 hrs. The ranks said that they were on patrol duties in Sophia when they saw two men on a motorcycle without light and number plate. They attempted to stop the men but they did not comply. The ranks chased the men who started shooting at them, damaging their vehicle. The ranks returned fire but could not apprehend the gunmen as they abandoned the motorcycle and disappeared in nearby bushes. Police were not injured during the exchange of gunfire. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Missing man found dead in swamp in Berbice Jun 23, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 57-year-old Drainage and Irrigation Worker, Dharmindra Sarabjit who was reported missing by his daughter, was on Saturday found dead in a swampy area with thick vegetation in Vryheid Village, West Canje, Berbice, Region Six. The discovery was made around 12:15 hrs and according to police his remains were decomposing. Sarabjit went missing on June 17 after he left his home to visit a female friend. On June 19, his daughter filed a missing persons’ report after he did not return home. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Govt. commences discussions with commercial airlines for possible carbon credit sale Jun 23, 2024 News DPI – The government has initiated commercial discussions with players in the aviation industry for the sale of high-quality carbon credits. This was announced by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali during a press conference on Thursday. Earlier this year, Guyana achieved a historic milestone by receiving 7.14 million 2021 vintage carbon credits from the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART). This achievement made Guyana the first country to be issued carbon credits eligible for use by airline operators in their efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Simultaneously, the government announced the world’s first Paris Agreement corresponding adjustment, meeting the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requirements. This process certifies the credits as eligible for use by airlines towards their targets in the 2024-2026 phase of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation). “Not only did we certify, we have commenced commercial discussions and engagements with airlines for the sale of Guyana’s carbon credit for that market,” President Ali said. Guided by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, Guyana has set out a vision for monetising the climate and ecosystem services provided by its standing forest, while accelerating the country’s economic development along a low-carbon trajectory On December 1 2022, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) announced the issuance of 33.47 million TREES credit to Guyana for the five years from 2016 to 2020. Subsequently, the government entered into an agreement with Hess Corporation that will see the company purchasing high-quality carbon credits for $750 million. In 2023, US$150 million was received, representing the first tranche of payments made by Hess of which US$22 million was directly disbursed to 242 indigenous villages nationwide. This represents 15 per cent of total revenues earned through this mechanism in keeping with the LCDS2030. The remaining 85 per cent are earmarked to fulfil national development and climate resilience and adaptation outlined in the strategy. Some 811 projects are being implemented in Indigenous communities nationwide funded by carbon credit resources. They are expected to receive a further $2 billion in 2024 as part of the second tranche of payments. Guyana is committed to combatting climate change and fostering sustainable growth through the LCDS 2030 framework while managing its resources transparently for the benefit of present and future generations. Related Similar Articles