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All-round Van Lange steers Guyana to 3-run win  Sep 02, 2024 Sports 2024 CWI Rising Stars U17 50-Over tournament… Kaieteur Sports – Guyana Captain Jonathan Van Lange had a great match with bat and ball, enough to send Windward Islands packing by 3-runs in yesterday’s low-scoring encounter at Gilbert Park, California. Jonathan Van Lange had a great match with bat and ball Guyana were kept to 99 runs batting first, with Van Lange (24) and Adrian Hetmyer (18) finishing as the primary scorers. Bowling for the Windwards was led by Edmund Morancie (3-18), Earshino Fontaine (2-16) and Jelani Joseph (2-5), who did well to keep their rivals under 100 runs. Opener and Captain Theo Edward (21), Lluvio Charles (12) and Khan Elcock (13) and Morancie (13) kept Windwards in the hunt but were kept to 96-9 in 20 overs, after the weather forced a reduction. Medium-pacer Van Lange finished off a great game, picking up 3-18 while left-arm spinner Golcharran Chulai (2-15) helped cap off an intense, but much-needed win by 3-runs. Action continues today with Guyana playing Leeward Islands. Related Similar Articles

40 Region Three youths for new agribusiness venture Sep 02, 2024 News President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met several young men and women in Region Three on Sunday to present an agriculture plan that promises significant returns Kaieteur News – Approximately 40 young people from Region Three will be embarking on a profitable agricultural venture, anticipated to yield substantial returns. President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali presented the plan, during an engagement with the youths on Sunday morning, at Pyramid Restaurant and Pub, La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara. The meeting stems from a previous engagement with athletes in Georgetown on Saturday, where President Ali presented a similar dual-pronged plan for housing and agricultural opportunities. The president explained that the Ministry of Agriculture will identify five acres of land in the region to establish a high-tech agriculture tunnel house, specifically a poultry farm. The plan is to have 20 or more young people each contribute $500,000 to raise a total of $10 million in capital. The bank will then provide an additional $40 million in financing to set up a $50 million poultry production facility capable of producing about 45,000 chickens per crop. This would allow the young people to collectively own and operate a $100 million business venture, transforming their outlook and economic opportunities. “If you got a job now, for example, or you have something that you’re doing, that income becomes stable. But this opportunity in building net worth, building net asset, allows you now to bring in new income, to expand your household income, to empower you without burning your existing revenue stream,” the head of state underlined. He added, “Under this one Guyana initiative, I’m planning to target young people across all cross- sectors, whether it’s athletes, young people in the banking sector, [or the]  insurance sector, [and] young people from the fields, bringing them together.” Recognising the presence of Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Bank Limited, Dowlat Parbhu at the meeting, the president emphasised that his government is serious about getting the banks to lend their support to these initiatives. “We want to encourage the banks to respond in a way that will bridge the divide, remove the barriers, and make it flexible, easier,” the president stated. He explained that the bank will offer interest rates as low as 4.5 per cent through a special programme for agribusiness loans, which is a significant win for the young people. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said work will begin immediately on clearing the five acres of land, and he anticipates that the youths can look forward to earning returns from their investment by December. Meanwhile, in the housing sphere, the president said the government is launching a special home ownership initiative in the region. The initiative aims to make home ownership easier and more accessible for low to moderate income young people. Through a cross-subsidisation approach, when young people apply for these homes, they will acquire a home above the actual valuation. For example, if the home costs $6.5 million, the bank will provide $6 million in financing, and the beneficiary only pays the remaining $500,000. This $500,000, difference between the home value and the financing amount, is then treated as investment money that can be used to help build a business model to support the mortgage and empower the young homeowner. Additionally, Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, emphasised the government’s commitment to promoting home ownership. “In three years, the interest rate for low-income homes came down by three per cent, and 4.5 per cent for middle income homes,” the housing minister said. He explained that while in other regions, government is tackling the backlog of cases from 2019 and before, in Region Three, applications from 2021 and prior are being prioritised. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA) Dr. Dwight Walrond, also outlined additional opportunities for investment. These announcements were met with applause and commendation, as the youth welcomed the government’s drive to foster wealth creation across the country. Kevin Dundas said the meeting has spotlighted several avenues for investment that he plans to capitalise on, and expressed his appreciation to the government for their proactive approach to youth development. “These projects are very good to tap into as young people. We are not only looking at farming as just traditional, but it is also a business, now that we’re in a modern system. And because we are highly populated and lots of persons are coming to Guyana, as we are an oil-producing nation…I think these initiatives are very great,” he said. He implored other youths to get on board with some of these programmes. Similar interventions are planned for other regions. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Indigenous NGO Congratulates the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on its successful conference outcomes Sep 02, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF) wishes to congratulate the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on successfully completing its recent Conference during August 19 – 23, 2024. NTC did achieve more than they expected and NADF commend the Government, its Ministries and Agencies for extending full cooperation and energy towards the NTC. I need not list the positive takeaways from that conference as some have even taken the positives and made them negatives to suit their own agenda.  However, it is left on the shoulders of the Toshaos to continue on the path of furthering the development of their peoples. I urge them not to get complacent but stay focused and work towards achieving their set goals. 2025 will be a challenging year for you but once you put your plans into motion, you will have a productive 2024 -2025. Congratulations. RegardsAshton SimonNational Amerindian Development Foundation Related Similar Articles

We will do everything in our power to ensure that the motion reducing rates and taxes for political parties is never implemented Sep 02, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, I write with a profound sense of disappointment and outrage over the Georgetown City Council’s recent decision to pass a motion reducing rates and taxes for political parties despite vehement objection and rejection from PPP/C Councillors. This self-serving decision represents a gross misalignment with the needs of ordinary citizens, who, unfortunately, continue to bear the brunt of the council’s financial mismanagement.  The extent of the City’s financial woes has been well documented in the public domain. For years, the citizens of Georgetown have endured the consequences of inadequate garbage collection, substandard drainage, poor infrastructure, and other essential services enshrined in Chapter 28:01. It is essential, then, to examine the passage of this most reprehensible policy through this lens. As of September 2023 (the last period for which I have any information), the City’s revenues amounted to $1.51 billion ($2.55 billion was budgeted) versus $1.55 billion in expenditures. This year, employment costs alone have been pegged at $1.2 billion. In comparison, $519.1 million has been allocated for city maintenance and $299.3 million for capital expenses. Alarmingly, the City has not spent a dollar on capital expenses as of July (I will address this in another letter). Thus, it is clear that once again, the City will face a significant shortfall of funds – severely hampering its ability to provide essential services to the citizens. Editor, during his budget presentation, Finance Committee Chair Lelon Saul emphasised the urgent need to aggressively pursue defaulters and delinquent ratepayers, even suggesting parate executions. It is, therefore, deeply troubling that the PNC Councillors, led by Messrs Mentore and Saul, have chosen to bully this most reprehensible policy through. The question arises: why? Perhaps I can answer using Mayor Mentore’s own words: “All political parties do have to go and beg for money at the end of the year to campaign for this and campaign for that. They don’t have the money as a corporate or any institutional entity to be able to do this.” In other words, both the Mayor and the Finance Committee Chair seek to prioritise the needs of their party above the needs of the citizens they were chosen (I use this word deliberately) to represent – a stark example of the kind of irresponsible, self-interested governance that the PNC is intent on pursuing. Editor, I am also concerned about this issue’s apparent lack of media coverage. If the PPP/C were the ones seeking special treatment at the expense of the residents of Georgetown, major newspapers like Stabroek News and Kaieteur News would undoubtedly have published several scathing editorials by now. Their obvious bias notwithstanding, I urge these newspapers to investigate and report on this issue, ensuring the public is informed and empowered to engage in meaningful discourse. Finally, I want to assure the citizens of Georgetown that my fellow PPP/C councillors and I will do everything in our power to ensure that this odious policy is never implemented. We recognise our responsibility to every one of you, and we will not stand by while decisions are made that serve only the interests of a select few at the expense of the many. We urge you to stand with us. Our commitment is to you—the people of Georgetown. We will continue to fight for policies that prioritise your well-being, enhance the quality of life in our City, and restore Georgetown to the garden city it once was—a place of pride, beauty, and prosperity. Sincerely,Alfonso De ArmasPPP/C Councillor  Related Similar Articles

A major way to eliminate discrimination is the activation of the Human Rights Commission Sep 02, 2024 Letters Dear Editor Last week, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall told a gathering of lawyers, the Constitution of Guyana protects their fundamental rights and freedom.  He was addressing some lecture series on an International Human Rights Law Course. Nandlall is acknowledging to the public what many of us know but the Jagdeo/Ali regime, of which he is part of, continues to ignore or is not being properly advised by him. The admittance by this lawless regime that the basic rights and freedoms of Guyanese are enshrined in the constitution must not only serve as acceptance of their violation but stir us into action. We must demand from our politicians, particularly the Opposition that has a role in holding the Government accountable, to join with the people to protect and strengthen these rights and freedoms through legislative acts. The legislation must protect the citizens and stridently hold the government accountable, who is after all the principal custodian of the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. For instance, Article 149 protects persons from being discriminated against on the ground of race, yet this remains one of society’s greatest evils. As we traverse the length and breadth of this nation, one can tell which group (s) of Guyanese are the recipients of the nation’s patrimony, based on the infrastructural development, contracts, disbursement of cash grants, injection of state funding to keep agencies and certain sectors afloat or viable, whilst others are deprived. A major way to eliminate discrimination is the activation of the Human Rights Commission which is enshrined in the constitution, a major achievement that arose out of the 1999 Constitutional Reform exercise. We must move to have the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Commission that pursues equality and equity, and empowered with the authority to judiciously address complaints. This does not require constitutional reform but political will that is determined to achieve “inclusionary democracy” as outlined in Article 13 of the Constitution, and the aspiration of “One People One Nation One Destiny.” Guyana does not need constitutional change to start the process to end discrimination. What we need is constitutional compliance and strengthening and developing new legislation. I do not believe any right-thinking Guyanese would be opposed to being governed by another group providing that group is prepared to adhere to social, economic and political justice for all as outlined in the constitution, and practices good governance. The problem is that none of this is happening in the nation. And rather than holding the people who are elected to enforce these principles the constitution becomes the bogeyman. We are spinning like top in the mud. People are fed up with the growing disparity and increasing discrimination in society. It is cruel and self-serving to have the marginalized believe their lives and future will remain the same unless the government is changed. It is unacceptable. What happens if the government does not change? Must the marginalised accept their continuous suffering and deprivation as fate? We are moulders of our destiny. We must mould it in a positive manner each day that we live. We cannot continue to wring our hands in hopelessness and hold on to the promise of something in the midst of this wealth, whilst others move at lightning speed to deprive some of us our fair share of the nation’s patrimony. The future is now. The Opposition must act accordingly. SincerelyLincoln Lewis Related Similar Articles

A potential solution for our coastline Sep 02, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, In a recent report published in SciTechDaily by Northwestern University (August 30th 2024), a study shows that electricity could be used to strengthen the sand along the coast. In brief, it states that an electrical current, when applied to marine sand, can create a cement / rock like structure that does not easily erode. The temporary use of harmless, low levels of electricity can solidify the marine sand for generations and possibly remove the need for costly sea defenses in areas where erosion is the main concern. According to the report similar methods have been previously used to strengthen undersea structures and restore coral reefs without causing any harm to marine life. With Guyana being under sea level and the rising ocean, our country will still need a sea wall to prevent entry. However, the need to use mangroves and other sea erosion prevention methods will be reduced by applying the new techniques outlined in Northwestern University’s study. The method was inspired by marine life, which produces solid shells from their environment. According to the study, “By applying a mild electric stimulation to marine soils, we systematically and mechanistically proved that it is possible to cement them (marine substrates) by turning naturally dissolved minerals in seawater into solid mineral binders — a natural cement”.  The potential of this process is substantial and can reduce the cost of improving our nation’s sea defense while also strengthening it. Having a solid rock like base along the coast will allow the rocks and the seawalls to endure the harsh conditions that climate change is causing. We will also be able to reinforce our seawalls and increase its height with less risk of the underlying structure quickly deteriorating. CRG recommends that the government and the University of Guyana partner with Northwestern University to further fund, test and implement their research and methodology along our coast. The practical application of this new method will help Guyana’s government regain focus and momentum in the development of our sea defence capabilities. Best regards,Mr. Jamil Changlee Related Similar Articles

Indigenous NGO Congratulates the National Toshoas Council (NTC) on its successful conference outcomes Sep 02, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The National Amerindian Development Foundation (NADF) wishes to congratulate the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on successfully completing its recent Conference during August 19 – 23, 2024. NTC did achieve more than they expected and NADF commend the Government, its Ministries and Agencies for extending full cooperation and energy towards the NTC. I need not list the positive takeaways from that conference as some have even taken the positives and made them negatives to suit their own agenda. However, it is left on the shoulders of the Toshaos to continue on the path of furthering the development of their peoples. I urge them not to get complacent but stay focused and work towards achieving their set goals. 2025 will be a challenging year for you but once you put your plans into motion, you will have a productive 2024 -2025. Congratulations. Ashton Simon. National Amerindian Development Foundation. Related Similar Articles