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Teens in custody for murder at Kairuni heritage celebrations Sep 17, 2024 News Dead: Harry Browne Kaieteur News – Three teenagers are in custody in relation to the murder of 24-year-old Harry Browne called “Shaggy”, which occurred at an event hosted as part of the month-long Amerindian Heritage Celebrations. In a statement on Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said the fatal incident occurred around 01:30 hours on Sunday, September 15 at Kairuni Village, located on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. A 23-year-old female of Kairuni village told the police that she and the Browne worked together and stayed in the same residence.  She said that on Saturday night around 19:00 hours, she and Browne left home together and went to the Heritage Month event hosted at the ball field in Kairuni Village.  The woman said they were imbibing alcohol. While at the event, a fight ensued and Browne intervened and attempted to separate the persons fighting. However, a 15-year-old in the company of others attacked Browne with a knife, wounding him to his abdomen and right hand. The police reported that two other persons were stabbed during the fight. The suspects then fled the scene. Both persons received stab wounds to the abdomen and were admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment. Moreover, around 21:00 hours on Sunday, acting on information, police patrol visited a home in Moblissa Village and arrested the 15-year-old suspect, along with two other teenagers ages 17, and 19. The three teenagers are in custody, assisting with the investigations. Related Similar Articles

South America surpasses record for fires Sep 17, 2024 News Members of the Joint Services responding to a wildfire at Santa Aratak  earlier this year [GDF photo]– Unusually intense fires that hit Guyana earlier in the year contributed to record (REUTERS) – South America is being ravaged by fire from Brazil’s Amazon rainforest through the world’s largest wetlands to dry forests in Bolivia, breaking a previous record for the number of blazes seen in a year up to Sept. 11. Satellite data analyzed by Brazil’s space research agency Inpe has registered 346,112 fire hotspots so far this year in all 13 countries of South America, topping the earlier 2007 record of 345,322 hotspots in a data series that goes back to 1998. The report also states that unusually intense fires that hit Venezuela, Guyana and Colombia earlier in the year contributed to the record but have largely subsided. Back in April this year 38 residents of Santa Mission in Guyana had to be evacuated as wildfires ravaged that small Amerindian community. The Guyana Fire Service back then had said that they evacuated the residents as the fire crisis had “reached a critical point, rendering it impossible for firefighters to access the affected areas for extinguishing efforts. Data released by the government earlier this year showed fire officials responded to over 2,200 fires between March 26 and April 2. Meanwhile, a Reuters photographer traveling in the heart of Brazil’s Amazon this week witnessed massive fires burning in vegetation along roadways, blackening the landscape and leaving trees like burned matchsticks. Smoke billowing from the Brazilian fires has darkened the skies above cities like Sao Paulo, feeding into a corridor of wildfire smoke seen from space stretching diagonally across the continent from Colombia in the northwest to Uruguay in the southeast. Brazil and Bolivia have dispatched thousands of firefighters to attempt to control the blazes, but remain mostly at the mercy of extreme weather fueling the fires. Scientists say that while most fires are set by humans, the recent hot and dry conditions being driven by climate change are helping the fires spread more quickly. South America has been hit by a series of heatwaves since last year. “We never had winter,” said Karla Longo, an air quality researcher at Inpe, of the weather in Sao Paulo in recent months. “It’s absurd.” Despite still being winter in the Southern Hemisphere, high temperatures in Sao Paulo have held at over 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) since Saturday. Hundreds of people marched in Bolivia’s highland, political capital La Paz to demand action against the fires, holding banners and placards saying “Bolivia in flames” and “For cleaner air stop burning.” “Please realize what is really happening in the country, we have lost millions of hectares,” said Fernanda Negron, an animal rights activist in the protest. “Millions of animals have been burned to death.” In Brazil, a drought that began last year has become the worst on record, according to national disaster monitoring agency Cemaden. “In general, the 2023-2024 drought is the most intense, long-lasting in some regions and extensive in recent history, at least in the data since 1950,” said Ana Paula Cunha, a drought researcher with Cemaden. The greatest number of fires this month is in Brazil and Bolivia, followed by Peru, Argentina and Paraguay, according to Inpe data. Unusually intense fires that hit Venezuela, Guyana and Colombia earlier in the year contributed to the record but have largely subsided. Fire from deforestation in the Amazon create particularly intense smoke because of the density of the vegetation burning, Longo said. “The sensation you get flying next to one of these plumes is like that of an atomic mushroom cloud,” said Longo of Inpe. Roughly 9 million sq km (3.5 million sq miles) of South America have been covered in smoke at times, more than half of the continent, she said. Sao Paulo, the most populous city in the Western Hemisphere, earlier this week had the worst air quality globally, higher than famous pollution hotspots like China and India, according to website IQAir.com. Bolivia’s capital of La Paz was similarly blanketed in smoke. Exposure to the smoke will drive up the number of people seeking hospital treatment for respiratory issues and may cause thousands of premature deaths, Longo said. Inhaling wildfire smoke contributes to an average 12,000 early deaths a year in South America, according to a 2023 study in the academic journal Environmental Research: Health. September is typically the peak month for fires in South America. It’s unclear whether the continent will continue to have high numbers of fires this year. While rain is forecast next week for Brazil’s center south, where Sao Paulo is located, drought conditions are expected to continue through October in Brazil’s northern Amazon region and center-west agricultural region. Related Similar Articles

Suriname signs production sharing contracts with PetroChina for offshore blocks Sep 17, 2024 News Staatsolie, POC and CNPC executives during the signing ceremony. Credit: Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname Kaieteur News – Staatsolie, the national energy company of Suriname, has signed production sharing contracts (PSCs) with PetroChina Investment Suriname, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The PSCs were signed for the exploration and development of offshore blocks 14 and 15. This agreement grants PetroChina the rights to explore, develop and produce within these blocks, with Staatsolie holding a 30% interest through Paradise Oil Company (POC). The contracts were signed by Staatsolie managing director Annand Jagesar, CNPC representative Yu Zhang, and POC director Rekha Bissumbhar. Additionally, POC and PetroChina will sign a joint operating agreement (JOA) detailing the terms for exploration, development and production, along with the allocation of costs, risks and revenues. Situated in the eastern part of the Suriname-Guyana basin, Blocks 14 and 15 were awarded to PetroChina following its successful bid in the Suriname Shallow Offshore 2 Bid Round 2023–2024. These blocks are adjacent to Block 52, known for previous oil and gas discoveries, with water depths ranging from 50–150m. Staatsolie and POC also have interests in blocks 5, 6, 7 and 8, which are currently undergoing exploration activities. Recent geological studies indicate promising potential in the shallow offshore region. With the addition of these new contracts, approximately 46% of Suriname’s offshore area is now under exploration and production contracts. Staatsolie’s strategic goal is to develop the Guyana-Suriname basin by interpreting data to identify potential hydrocarbon-rich areas. This expertise is expected to enhance the success of future offshore bid rounds and the discovery of hydrocarbons. In July, QatarEnergy acquired a 20% stake in a PSC for Suriname’s offshore block 5, partnering with Chevron, which holds a 40% stake as the operator, and POC, which retains the remaining 40% share. “Staatsolie signs production sharing contracts with PetroChina for blocks offshore Suriname” was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. (Yahoo News) Related Similar Articles

Bidder Amount Tendered Maxart Lot1 $11,940,600 Lot2 $11,940,600 Lot3 $11,890,600 Lot4 $11,890,600 Wild Oats Civil & Mechanical Engineering Lot1 $23,431,500 Lot2 $23,431,500 Lot3 $23,256,500 Lot4 $23,256,500 Icon Investment Lot2 $24,628,145 Lot4 $24,638,550 D&S General Contracting Services Lot1 $23,941,400 Lot2 $23,941,400 Lot3 $23,213,500 Lot4 $23,213,500 A Bacchus Contracting & Trucking Service Lot1 $21,600,000 Lot2 $22,680,000 Lot3 $22,837,500 Lot4 $21,750,000 Harry Chowtie Enterprise Lot1 $34,527,400 Lot2 $34,527,400 Lot3 $34,527,400 Lot4 $34,527,400 Infinity Contracting & General Services Lot1 $23,090,000 Lot2 $23,090,000 Lot3 $23,090,000 Lot4 $23,090,000 R79 Mining & Construction Lot1 $20,776,800 Lot2 $20,776,800 Lot3 $20,576,800 Lot4 $20,576,800 Triple A General Contracting Service Lot1 $21,896,200 Lot2 $21,896,200 Lot3 $21,496,200 Lot4 $21,496,200 Guycan Investment Lot1 $24,605,800 Lot3 $24,594,500 BS Narine & Sons Investment Lot1 $32,422,800 Lot4 $28,654,600 Lallchan’s Construction & Graphics Service Lot1 $34,574,400 Lot2 $34,574,400 Lot3 $33,074,400 Lot4 $33,074,400 Narine’s Construction & General Supplies Lot1 $23,545,500 Lot2 $23,245,500 Lot3 $23,464,700 Lot4 $23,764,700 R&N Contracting & Supplies Services Lot1 $22,688,400 Lot2 $22,688,400 Lot3 $22,268,400 Lot4 $22,268,400 Technocon Investments Procurement & General Contracting Solutions Lot1 $21,903,280 Lot2 $21,903,280 Lot3 $21,903,280 Lot4 $21,903,280 Bhowan Trucking & Construction Service Lot1 $22,852,400 Lot2 $22,852,400 Lot3 $23,652,400 Lot4 $23,652,400 Jay Apartment Rental Lot1 $23,113,000 Lot2 $23,137,600 Lot3 $22,997,600 Lot4 $22,897,600 Beshaun Construction Service Lot1 $24,026,600 Lot2 $24,026,600 Lot3 $24,001,600 Lot4 $24,001,600 Sovereignty Investments Construction Services (SICS Builders) Lot1 $22,021,080 Lot2 $22,021,080 Lot3 $21,171,080 Lot4 $21,171,080 Golden Key Construction & Supply Lot1 $22,627,400 Lot2 $22,627,900 Lot3 $22,207,900 Lot4 $22,207,900 Andrect Engineering & Construction Lot1 $23,841,400 Lot2 $23,841,400 Lot3 $23,313,500 Lot4 $23,313,500 Builders Engineering & Architectural Consultancy Lot1 $24,274,300 Lot2 $24,009,300 Lot3 $23,259,300 Lot4 $23,236,500 GY Contracting Lot1 $24,771,000 Lot2 $24,771,000 Lot3 $24,376,000 Lot4 $24,376,000 Jaavier & Vidiana’s General Construction Desilting & Supplies Lot1 $22,437,800 Lot2 $21,437,800 Lot3 $21,287,800 Lot4 $21,287,800 Ican Engineering & Construction Lot1 $24,221,400 Lot2 $24,221,400 Lot3 $23,821,400 Lot4 $23,821,400 A.K Premier Investments Lot1 $22,434,420 Lot2 $22,434,420 Lot3 $21,179,420 Lot4 $21,179,420 Sac & Sac Vision Construction Lot1 $28,172,900 Lot2 $28,172,900 Lot3 $27,897,900 Lot4 $27,897,900 Talish Hollow Blocks Lot1 $24,639,400 Lot2 $24,639,400 Lot3 $24,039,400 Lot4 $24,039,400 N&A General Construction Maintenance, Supplies & Janitorial Services Lot1 $22,819,960 Lot2 $22,819,960 Lot3 $21,994,960 Lot4 $21,994,960 R Persaud Investment Lot1 $22,949,300 Lot2 $22,949,300 A.M.I.C. General Contracting Services Lot1 $20,777,400 Lot2 $20,777,400 Lot3 $23,149,500 Lot4 $23,149,500 SixS General Construction Lot1 $32,084,200 Lot2 $28,926,400 Lot3 $27,426,400 Lot4 $27,426,400 Matty General Construction Lot1 $20,818,800 Lot2 $20,818,800 Lot3 $19,918,800 Lot4 $19,918,800 Engineered Construction Company Lot1 $29,806,400 Lot2 $29,806,400 Lot3 $28,297,400 Lot4 $28,297,400 Gavko Construction & Supplies Inc. Lot1 $22,488,400 Lot2 $22,488,400 Lot3 $22,088,400 Lot4 $22,088,400 M Ali Contracting & Engineering Services Lot3 $23,715,200 Lot4 $23,011,200 NP Contracting & Transportation Services Lot1 $23,627,900 Lot2 $23,627,900 Lot3 $23,502,900 Lot4 $23,502,900 RD Construction, Consultancy & Supply Services Lot1 $22,880,200 Lot2 $22,880,200 Lot3 $22,079,800 Lot4 $22,079,800 Ceraturium Lot1 $22,571,000 Lot2 $22,571,000 Lot3 $22,471,000 Lot4 $22,471,000 Orins Supreme Enterprise Lot1 $23,725,500 Momin & Sons Construction Lot1 $20,784,200 Lot2 $20,784,200 Lot3 $19,784,200 Lot4 $19,784,200 Vijay Persaud & Sons Contracting Services Lot1 $22,615,200 Lot2 $22,615,200 Lot3 $21,816,600 Lot4 $22,116,000 Paramlall Goberdhan Contracting Lot1 $23,678,000 Lot2 $23,678,000 Lot3 $23,638,000 Lot4 $23,638,000 Engineer’s Estimate Lot1 $24,896,200 Lot2 $24,896,200 Lot3 $23,896,200 Lot4 $23,896,200

Govt. Math intervention programme can yield good results Sep 17, 2024 News The ministry’s September schedule for the Math Intervention programme. – but parents must come onboard, teachers say By Alliyah Allicock Kaieteur News – With a comprehensive mathematics intervention programme launched by the Ministry of Education earlier this month for Grades 10 and 11 students across the country, some math teachers are of the view that this intervention can yield good results with the involvement and support of parents. The ministry’s mathematics intervention initiative was launched with the aim of improving students’ performances in the subject area having seen a decline in the pass rate at the CSEC level. Speaking about the recently launched programme, a mathematics teacher from Stewartville Secondary School on the West Coast of Demerara, Sir Leon Patoir told this publication that he believes this intervention can work with the support and backing of parents. “I only believe the result will happen if parents are involved, because they have the responsibility to ensure their children when they go home, they do the necessary preparation at home, ensure that the children watch these online classes and be involved.” He said that teachers can only do as much as they can in the classrooms but when the student leaves school to go home, it is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their child remains consistent in doing their work. On the issue of more math periods in the morning sessions, Sir Patoir who teaches the Grade 11 students stated that this is good because now he would have more time to spend with the students and ensuring that they grasp the contents. “Increasing more periods that is working perfectly fine, that’s a good intervention because for me, you are spending more time with the children and in the afternoon, you have enough time to sit and plan (for the next day) so that is a good thing they are doing. I believe they will see results,” he commented. He related too that following the ministry’s intervention, the feedback from students has been good and they have indicated that they are willing to give it their all. Another teacher, Miss Dey of Carmel Secondary School in Georgetown who teaches mathematics at the Grade 11 level said she sees the ministry programme as a good idea and that she agrees it can produce better results. She is of the view that the intervention can be executed effectively with the help of parents and guardians of the students. “Our issue is basically students’ lack of interest towards the subject and not doing additional work at home. So whatever you are doing at school that is all the practice you are getting. They (students) have the ability to do better but just the consistency, we are not seeing or that motivation – or anybody at home motivating or encouraging them to push and get the work done,” she expressed. A mathematics teacher of Wisburg Secondary School in Linden who requested anonymity revealed that the initiative is a good one. The teacher however said ultimately it depends on the students and their mindset to want to learn and also the responsibility of parents in playing their part. “To me, it’s kind of like helpful but then again, it will bring it back to square one because as a mathematics teacher, I don’t think the teachers are not doing enough. I think the work is on the students and the parents of those students. Because a teacher can teach and teach but it’s up to that particular child to want to learn,” the teacher explained. The educator further added that “I am thinking that all of this here, all the decline in the results, sort of stemmed from the ‘no child left behind policy’ because children are of the opinion you know what, I don’t have to study because I am going to be put over (to the next class).” Another factor that may had an impact on the decline in results which the teacher mentioned is that teachers may see a child not performing in the subject area and recommends that the child do not write the subject but the child still tends to go ahead and sit the examinations. The teacher added that the ministry’s programme is indeed helpful but children too have to want to learn. Speaking with this publication also was Sir Hartman of Brickdam Secondary School who believes that it is a very good intervention.  “Since they would have focused heavily on strategies, because knowing how teaching has been moving away from a more traditional aspect to a more 21st century aspect now, I believe using this intervention would be a little transition in the classroom from teaching using the whole chalk and talk method to a technologically-advanced method, using ICT,” he explained. He noted that the intervention which focuses on providing the resources necessary for all schools and students is a great move since lack of resources was a main hindrance prior to this new initiative. “Them (ministry) focusing heavily on math and implementing strategies and  providing resources will be able to pave a way for better performances in the future,” he pointed out. Sir Hartman further explained that, “more importantly, there are times when us as teachers try our best to work with the students; however, we don’t have the support when the students leave to go home. One of the things they would have implemented is providing the additional resources when the students leave the classroom that will be able to boost or to continue our efforts as teachers because we know parents don’t really have the time and so with them providing the additional support needed to enhance the teaching and providing support to the parents, that is an excellent intervention.” Kaieteur News had reported that the Education Ministry launched the programme designed for Grades 10 and 11 students who are preparing to sit the CSEC examinations. Listing some of the interventions that will be put in place starting this new school term, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussain at the launch ceremony had said there will be a diagnostic test administered to find out where the students are and once that is done, on a school-by-school basis in conjunction with the monitors, the ministry will decide the way forward, whether there will be need for after school classes. Further, there will be national mock exams so teachers are aware of the students’ level throughout the academic year. Additionally, live classes will be done to target School Based Assessments (SBAs). “Classes will also be streamed through the Guyana Learning Channel and if possible, the EdYou FM,” he mentioned. According to Hussain, there will be a national worksheet circulated fortnightly based on the topics that are being taught in schools, and Quiz Me will be utilized for paper one questions. He detailed that there is also going to be some degree of targeted training to specific schools where there is a need as well as the monitoring of the SBAs. In his remarks also, the CEO had urged teachers to execute their duties to the best of their ability, and noted that “This is not all at the feet of the teachers, and parents. I’m saying clearly to you, that you have as much responsibility in this as the teachers, you don’t have to be a mathematician, you need to ensure that your children are in school because the teachers will say once they have registered for CSEC, they don’t ever come back to school, parents you have to be a part of this. We hope that these measures put in place will help the students to ensure that they do well at CSEC.” Related Similar Articles

CDB and IFAD sign procurement framework pact Sep 17, 2024 News Acting Vice-President (Operations) Therese Turner-Jones signs the dotted line at the Bank’s Headquarters in Barbados – agreement aimed at boosting efficiency in co-financed projects Kaieteur News – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a landmark Agreement to enhance the effectiveness of project procurement processes. This Agreement, which applies to joint co-financed projects, is designed to simplify procurement procedures, reduce transaction costs, and improve project planning and execution across the Caribbean, CDB said in a press release. The Procurement Framework Agreement builds on the longstanding partnership between CDB and IFAD. It establishes a collaborative structure where both institutions will mutually rely on each other’s procurement policies in jointly funded projects. This innovative approach addresses the complexities arising from varying procurement frameworks of international institutions, which often result in inefficiencies during project implementation. By recognising that the two organisations share core procurement principles of economy, efficiency, transparency, fairness, and accountability, the Agreement allows for mutual reliance on their respective project procurement frameworks and establishes effective mechanisms for cooperation. This is expected to greatly facilitate a better division of labour between the two partners, along with more consistent and timely project procurement implementation. Speaking at the ceremonial signing, Therese Turner-Jones, CDB’s Acting Vice President, Operations, remarked, “This agreement is an important step in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of how we implement co-financed projects. By enabling the adoption of streamlined procurement arrangements in joint co-financed projects, we are reducing the burden on beneficiaries, enabling faster project execution, and ultimately delivering better development outcomes for the Caribbean region.” Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President of IFAD’s Programme Management Department, stated, “The mutual reliance established by this agreement is a testament to the strong partnership between IFAD and CDB. Our collaboration will not only streamline processes but also ensure that agricultural and rural development projects in the Caribbean are implemented with the highest standards of efficiency and accountability.” The new Procurement Framework Agreement will significantly promote future collaboration between the two institutions and enhance their ability to co-finance development projects in the agriculture and rural development sectors. This partnership is poised to bring about greater coherence, development impact, and improved service delivery across the Caribbean. Related Similar Articles

Govt’s mobile services initiative in Region Nine successful Sep 17, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Glen Andrews, a honey producer from Parishara, Region Nine, was devastated when a wildfire destroyed his business in April. Glen Andrews However, a stroke of luck came in the form of the government’s mobile services initiative, which began operations in the region just as he was considering how to restart. Eager to take advantage of this opportunity, Glen visited the mobile office on Sunday, and was thrilled to receive his business licence. “I heard they were coming today, and I said maybe this is another chance for me to start over,” the 41-year-old said. With renewed optimism, he believes that this second chance will allow him to not only rebuild his honey business but also expand it. Glen expressed his gratitude for the government’s initiative, stating that it would greatly benefit local entrepreneurs.  “It is good that the team is here in the village, because we have been looking for something like this for a long time. I am glad, and the permanent office will help all the business people especially,” Glen told the Department of Public Information (DPI). Glen joins the more than 160 Region Nine residents, who benefitted from the initiative over the weekend. Teams from the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority, and the Restorative Justice Centre, travelled to the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region for the three-day outreach, which began in Lethem on Friday. Residents from Parishara, Tabatinga, Quarrie, Kumu, St Ignatius, and several other villages were able to access a range of services, including notarisation, business registration and renewals, and registration of deed polls. Other services being provided to Region Nine residents include limited liability companies and agreement of sale of land. They were also able to file any deed and register any mortgage and debenture. The outreach saw persons getting to file their bill of sales and engage in the conveyance of transport, among other services. The initiative was conceptualised by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to ensure that these services are easily accessible, bridging the divide between the coast and the hinterland. Other Nappi Village residents praised the government and the team for the venture, as it eliminated transportation woes and brought greater convenience. Adeline Enrico, said, “I am very glad to be here, and I am thankful to those who came and helped us. This is a good thing they are doing for our village.” Kenneth Tancredo who is a farmer, was able to register his farmers group in the village. He said, “I think this was a good initiative because having to do the registration in town is really hard for us. I had to come today, so I can register our business.” Village Toshao, Elroy McGarrell, was pleased that the government has extended its services to the village. He said this has been a much-needed arrangement. “We are happy to have the team with us. It has been a blessing for our community, and this outreach is very important for us. We look forward to working with the government and the ministry to achieve more,” he said. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, has been adamant that the effort forms part of the government’s agenda of modernising the country’s landscape, ensuring that adequate legal and commercial services are available in all ten administrative regions.  “Right now, you don’t have access to these services in this region. We have started with Region One and we established an office at Mabaruma two months ago, and we made a pledge based upon the president’s promise, that we will come to every region and establish a similar office,” the AG said, during his address to residents in Lethem on Friday. The government’s plan to establish permanent offices in these regions is a crucial step towards addressing long-standing issues and fostering economic growth. By providing essential services and infrastructure, these areas will be transformed into thriving townships. The Deeds Registry, a cornerstone of the country’s legal system, plays a vital role in facilitating property transactions and ensuring the security of land ownership. Operating under the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Registry efficiently manages land-related documents and supports the Commercial Registry in administering company and intellectual property laws. Together, these registries provide essential services that contribute to a robust and transparent business environment. (DPI) Related Similar Articles