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FAO Food Price Index dips slightly in August Sep 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The benchmark for world food commodity prices declined marginally in August, as decreases in quotations for sugar, meat and cereals outweighed increases in those for vegetable oils and dairy products, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported last week. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 120.7 points in August, slightly down from its revised July figure and 1.1 percent below its corresponding value in August 2023. The FAO Cereal Price Index dropped by 0.5 percent from July, driven by lower global wheat export prices amid competitively priced Black Sea supplies and higher-than-expected production in Argentina and the United States of America. Meantime, world maize prices firmed slightly, reflecting the impact of heatwaves on yields in parts of Europe and North America, while the FAO All-Rice Price Index increased by 0.6 percent, as quotations for non-Indica varieties increased under the influence of seasonal tightness and currency appreciations of some exporting countries against the United States dollar. The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index rose by 0.8 percent from July to reach a 20-month high, as increases in international palm oil prices more than offset declining quotations for soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils. The FAO Dairy Price Index also rose, increasing 2.2 percent in August. Whole milk powder increased, driven by a surge in import demand for spot supplies. International cheese prices also climbed due to higher global import demand, while international butter quotations reached an all-time high fueled by increased uncertainty over the adequacy of milk supplies in Western Europe. The FAO Meat Price Index declined by 0.7 percent from July, with poultry, pig, and ovine meat prices all down amid lackluster import demand, even as world bovine meat prices increased slightly. The FAO Sugar Price Index declined by 4.7 percent in August to reach its lowest level since October 2022. The drop was underpinned by an improved production outlook for the upcoming sugarcane harvests in India and Thailand, as well as lower international crude oil prices. However, concerns about the impact of fires on sugarcane fields in key growing areas of Brazil led to sharp sugar price increases in late August. Global cereal output on par with 2023 FAO also trimmed its forecast for global cereal production in 2024, now pegging it at 2 851 million tonnes, almost on par with that of 2023. The new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, also issued on Friday, attributed its revisions to reduced harvest expectations for coarse grains, including maize, primarily due to hot and dry weather conditions in the European Union, Mexico and Ukraine. Meanwhile, FAO has raised its forecast for global wheat output in 2024 as well as that for rice, which is now projected to reach an all-time high of 537 million tonnes. World cereal total utilization in 2024/25 is forecast to rise to 2 852 million tonnes, marking a 0.2 percent rise from 2023/24. Utilization of rice is predicted to reach a record high, driven by an expected accelerated growth in the food intake component. World cereal stocks are forecast to expand by 1.2 percent at the end of the 2025 seasons, yielding a global cereal stocks-to-use ratio in 2024/25 at 30.7 percent. International trade in total cereals is now pegged at 485.6 million tonnes, representing a 3.3 percent decline from 2023/24, led mostly by lower traded volumes in coarse grains. Related Similar Articles

Motorcyclist suffered fractured skull in Camp Street accident Sep 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – An accident on Monday at the intersection of Camp and Robb Streets in Georgetown, left motorcyclist Jehoad Barton with a fractured skull. Police reported that the accident occurred around 00:45 hrs. involving a motor cycle driven by Barton of South Sophia, Georgetown, motorcar bearing registration number PSS 7275 driven by Chris Parjohn of Ketley Street, Werk-en- Rust, Georgetown, and hire car bearing registration number HD 4065 owned and driven by Gregory Walcott of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast. Barton was riding his motorcycle east on Robb Street at a high speed. When he approached Camp Street, Barton failed to stop at the intersection and proceeded into the path of motorcar PSS 7275 and also struck the stationary hire car bearing registration number HD 4065. The force of the impact caused Barton to be thrown onto the road, where he sustained significant injuries. He was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and is currently in critical condition with a fractured skull. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Oil contractors seeking locals to provide, cleaning, waste management services Sep 11, 2024 News The Local Content Secretariat has released a list of opportunities available for Guyanese service providers in the oil and gas sector. Kaieteur News – The Local Content Secretariat has released a list of opportunities available for Guyanese service providers in the oil and gas sector. The LCS has published a series of advertisements on behalf of oil contractors, MODEC Guyana, Baker Hughes, Schlumberger Guyana (SLB) Inc. G-Boats Inc., and KOTUG Guyana vacancies for several positions within the sector. MODEC a company known worldwide for building and operating ships for the offshore oil and gas industry is seeking locals to provide cleaning, pest control, security, container rental services, facilities maintenance services, mobile service network, waste management, fire pump services, weather forecast services,  frog basket recertification, manpower for marine crew coverage. Legal and Regulatory compliance management, software assessment, quality process specialisation training for internal quality programme, material deliveries, MEDEVAC service, drone inspection, foam chemical analysis, scaffolding services, IT connection with the FPSO, chemical injection pumps, HVAC ducts/galley Hood, class survey services, PSV’s calibrations, HVAC system, composite repairs (pipe). Details of the requirements for procurement opportunities are set to be released within the next five months. Baker Hughes an energy technology company is offering employment for Guyanese who can provide services in maintenance repairs and operations, construction work for buildings, provision of methanol and barite, calibration and inspection, as well as rental of office spaces.  Details of these opportunities will be released within the last quarter of 2024. Schlumberger Guyana, a company that delivers services to support Guyana’s oil and gas exploration and production operations across the entire value chain is seeking Guyanese service providers for the provision of inspection services; provision of crew transportation services; provision of staff house services; provision of crane rental and maintenance service; provision of workshop and office security workshop services. The employment opportunities are set to be rolled out within the next six months. G- Boats Inc, the company that has close to 20 vessels operating offshore Guyana in support of ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block exploration is serving locals by providing office supplies, general chandlery and supplies, PPEs and safety equipment, transportation, electrical, disposal, plumbing, fittings, accommodations, and custom brokerage services. The company is seeking to fill the vacancies from September 2024. KOTUG International has been awarded a long-term contract to provide offshore terminal towage support for petroleum operations in Guyana is seeking procurement local service providers in the area of engineering and machining, food supply, custom brokerage services, ship and rip chandlery services, manpower and crewing services, medical services, legal services, insurance services, accounting services, transportation services (trucking), ground transportation service (movement of personnel), admin support and facilities management service, waste management (non-hazardous), rental of office space.  These procurement opportunities will be rolled out within the next six months. Related Similar Articles

GPHC successfully delivers 17 sets of twins Sep 11, 2024 News A baby in the NICU at GPHC. Kaieteur News – The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has recorded the delivery of 17 sets of twins, this year.  The hospital in a statement released on social media noted that there has been an increase in the birth of twins in 2024. According to the release in July 2024, the NICU cared for an amazing five sets of twins, followed by three sets in August. This month, the hospital has already welcomed two sets of twins “As we continue to provide specialized care for these tiny patients, our team remains dedicated to supporting their health and growth every step of the way,” the hospital said. One of GPHC’s gynecologists Dr. Natasha France celebrated the new lives and the dedication of our NICU team. GPHC’s NICU, officially opened in 2012, has come a long way since its early days when neonates were housed in wooden boxes with overhead bulbs as warmers. Today, the NICU is equipped with state-of-the-art incubators, ventilators, and radiant warmers, among other advanced technologies, which have significantly improved neonatal care and reduced infant mortality rates. In recent years, GPHC’s NICU expanded to an 18-bed unit from 15 beds, with a step-down area that increased to 25 beds after renovations were completed last year. The step-down area supports babies who no longer need intensive care but still require close monitoring. The NICU cares for infants born as early as 28 weeks and weighing over 1000 grams, with average stays ranging from a few days to 3-4 months. The hospital said that the dedicated NICU team includes four consultants, 2 Senior Registrars, 3 Registrars and 2 General Medical Officers (GMOs), Paediatric residents, and rotating Medical Interns. Its nursing staff consists of Registered Nurses (RNs) who have specialized training in neonatal intensive care. In addition to its clinical expertise, the hospital said it is proud to offer a Neonatal Intensive Care Programme through GPHC’s Institute of Health Science Education (HSE) in collaboration with the University of Guyana, helping to train the next generation of neonatal care specialists. Related Similar Articles

Venezuelan woman survives brutal chopping at Arakaka Sep 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 26-year-old Venezuelan woman identified as Yenifer Hernandez reportedly survived a chopping on Monday at Arakaka, North West District, Region One. Yenifer Hernandez Hernandez is receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for multiple chop wounds to her body including one to her neck. Details surrounding the chopping are sketchy at this time but Kaieteur News understands that she was involved in a fight with another Venezuelan woman that reportedly ended with her being severely injured. Hernandez was first rushed to the nearest health center before being transferred to the Pakera Hospital at Matthews Ridge. She was then flown to Georgetown on Tuesday morning. Related Similar Articles

Task Force to be set up to ensure compliance with safety regulations at creeks, waterway facilities Sep 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The government of Guyana on Tuesday announced that a task force will be established within one week to ensure compliance of creek and waterway operators with safety regulations. The announcement was made in response to the tragic drowning on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Sunday, which claimed the lives of 10-year-old Akira La Rose and 11-year-old Joylyn Jack. An emergency meeting was convened on Tuesday involving key government officials and agencies to address safety concerns at creeks and waterways. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports, Charles Ramson, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Maritime Administration (MARAD), and the Ministry of Labour. According to a press statement, Minister Benn underscored the need to improve the safety culture in Guyana. The minister also suggested that depth gauges and life rings should be installed at the sites by this weekend.  He also stressed the government’s no tolerance of persons flouting the law. Notably, the focus of the meeting was on immediate and long-term measures to enhance safety protocols for proprietors of creeks and operators of water-based activities. Coming out of the meeting, it was agreed to establish a Task Force, within the next week. The Task Force will comprise representatives from government ministries, agencies, the private sector, and relevant stakeholders. The mandate is to ensure full compliance with safety regulations and best practices. It was also stated that the Task Force, “Will immediately review and enforce safety standards, including mandatory signage, lifeguard presence and enhancing human capacity and emergency response plans at these popular recreational spots.” Creek operators and water-based activity providers are urged to implement immediate safety measures and register with the relevant authorities to avoid penalties or legal actions. Visitors to these areas are also advised to follow all posted safety protocols. Following the incident, the GTA’s licensing and inspection team visited several creeks along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to assess safety conditions and offer support to operators. Moving forward, the GTA will expedite the development of critical safety standards for water-based activities and launch an aggressive public awareness campaign. Additionally, the GTA will conduct Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) assessments at these sites in the coming week. Moreover, Minister Ramson emphasized the importance of having at least minimum safety standards, especially in high-risk areas. He said that there is no justification for not having basic safety measures in place and urged operators to assess their training needs, assuring them that the government is willing to offer support where necessary. The minister added, “…to operate a successful business, you have to protect people. And while we want you to be focused on successfully running your business, we cannot lose any more lives at your facilities for not having these basic and minimum standards.” Roopchand-Edwards in her address stressed the need for operators to formalize their businesses through registration with relevant authorities. She said that this would align with the government’s broader efforts to expand the tourism sector and ensure that businesses operate responsibly, protecting consumers. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have also committed to implementing short-term corrective actions as a result of this meeting. Related Similar Articles

People need safe places to swim Sep 11, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh is a sad, sad thing when yuh hear bout children dead from drowning. De whole country does feel de pain. Two lil’ precious ones gone just so this weekend at a creek on de highway, and dem authorities wake up quick and call all de resort owners and creek operators to a big meeting. Yuh know dem gon tell dem tek better care, put more safety measures, and mek sure nobody nah drown again. But de truth is, people nah only drowning at resorts and creeks weh gat rules. Nuff people going all over de place to swim, anywhere dey can find water. Dem boys seh this drowning business getting outta hand. Too much people done dead, and nuff more coulda been saved if proper safety was in place. But yuh can’t put rules fuh every single creek, river and pond across Guyana. Some people nah wan pay de lil extra money to go into a resort with lifeguards and safety ropes. Instead, dem pack up de family and head to places where deh nah gat enough safety measures in place. Some people go to de sea fuh swim or by de koker.  Is de cheap option, but it risky bad.  Dem boys seh it’s high time we stop this madness. Government need to come good and fix up proper, affordable places where people could go and swim safe. Put lifeguards, safety signs, and mek sure de water ain’t too deep. People love water, and dem gon always find somewhere to swim. So we need more proper places with cheap entrance fees to attract dem. If people had more safe and affordable options, dey wouldn’t end up in all kinda dangerous creeks. De drowning business serious. Dem boys seh we need action, not just talk. We cyah just leave people to tek chances. We need proper facilities, better rules, and people to use dem brains when dem decide to swim. Life too precious, and dem children life even more precious. Save dem, before it too late. Talk half. Leff half Related Similar Articles