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UN ‘doing what it can’ to deliver Gaza aid as evacuation orders cause extreme difficulties Aug 28, 2024 News Displaced Palestinians shelter in a United Nations-run school, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, August 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed UNITED NATIONS, Aug 27 (Reuters) – United Nations aid operations in the Gaza Strip continued on Tuesday, a day after a senior U.N. official said humanitarian efforts had ground to a halt because new Israeli evacuation orders forced the shutdown of the main U.N. operations center. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Tuesday appeared to temper the remarks by the U.N. official, who spoke on Monday on condition of anonymity. When asked if conditions in Gaza had caused a halt to U.N. aid deliveries on Monday, Dujarric told reporters: “The conditions in Gaza yesterday made it extremely difficult for us to do our work.” “We are doing what we can with what we have,” he said. “We’ve been saying from the beginning – this is aid delivery by seizing every opportunity, seizing every crack that we can fill. So every situation is assessed day by day, hour by hour.” U.N. safety and security chief Gilles Michaud said on Tuesday that over the weekend the Israeli military only gave a few hours notice for more than 200 U.N. personnel to move out of offices and living spaces in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. He said the “the timing could hardly be worse” with a massive polio vaccination campaign due to start shortly that required large numbers of U.N. staff to enter Gaza. “The United Nations is determined to stay in Gaza,” he said in a statement. “Humanitarian aid delivery continues – a tremendous feat given that we are operating at the upper-most peripheries of tolerable risk.” The International Rescue Committee said on Tuesday that the new evacuation orders by Israel had forced it and other humanitarian groups to “halt aid operations, during what is already a dire situation for civilians.” “It’s urgent that humanitarian actors can continue their work, without threat from displacement or military operations. We urge all parties to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access at all times,” the organization posted on X. The current war in the Palestinian enclave began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel’s military has leveled swathes of the Palestinian enclave, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing at least 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Tuesday that Gaza’s population was increasingly being told by Israel “to concentrate within the Israeli-designated zone in Al Mawasi, which spans to only about 41 square kilometers or roughly 11% of Gaza’s total area.” It said overcrowding, with a density of 30,000 to 34,000 individuals per square kilometer (77,000 to 87,000 per square mile), had exacerbated a dire shortage of essential resources such as water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, health services, protection and shelter. Related Similar Articles

Exxon resumes pumping oil from Liza 1 and 2 Aug 28, 2024 News Guyana’s second FPSO, the Liza Unity …as works completed to tie-in natural gas pipeline (Reuters) – An ExxonMobil consortium’s crude output in Guyana has been fully restored at two floating production facilities after workers completed a natural gas pipeline tie-in, a company spokesperson said on Monday. Output had fallen to between 400,000 and 500,000 barrels per day from July 2 through the end of the month, government data showed, a sign that planned work on the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facilities had begun. Oil production was at 669,000 barrels per day as of June 30, the official data showed. “We safely executed shutdowns of the Liza Unity and Destiny FPSOs to facilitate pipeline tie-ins for the gas-to-energy project,” the spokesperson said by email. “Both FPSOs are back online at full production levels.” Exxon said earlier this year it would shut two offshore oil production vessels in Guyana for two weeks each between July and August to connect a natural gas pipeline that would feed planned onshore power plant and gas-processing facilities. Oil output at one of Exxon’s FPSOs was halted from July 2-15, while the second FPSO suspended operations on July 19-31. The consortium’s third facility was unaffected, the data showed. The associated production volumes were deferred, not lost, Exxon said. The Exxon-led consortium, which includes Hess (HES.N), and CNOOC Ltd (0883.HK), is responsible for all production in the South American nation. The Government of Guyana (GoG) plans to utilise about 50 million standard cubic feet (MSCFD) of gas per day to generate 300 megawatts of electricity to power the national grid. Gas will be piped to shore from two projects, the Liza One and Liza Two.  ExxonMobil is constructing the 12-inch pipeline that will run approximately 220 kilometers from the FPSOs offshore to the Wales Development Site, West Bank Demerara. While Exxon progresses with the construction of the pipeline, the Government of Guyana is yet to make key documents public, relative to the massive gas project being developed. Notably, the GTE project is Guyana’s single largest financial project ever pursued in the country’s history. Despite this however, the project does not have a feasibility study which demonstrates how viable the initiative is. The pipeline is expected to cost the country some US$1B but to date, there is no Final Investment Decision in that regard. Additionally, the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) facility and power plant are expected to cost another US$759M. Government is upgrading the transmission and distribution network to support the project and has been tasked with compensating citizens along the pipeline route for their lands. A new control center to manage the power project is also to be constructed, increasing the cost of the gas project. Despite efforts by the Opposition and media for agreements relative to the GTE project to be laid in the National Assembly, government continues to delay the release of the documents sparking further concerns about the project. Related Similar Articles

Govt. and GTU condemned for imposing “starvation” wage package on teachers – WPA says deal is an insult Aug 28, 2024 News The WPA said that teachers were betrayed by their union and government Kaieteur News – The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has condemned the Guyana Teachers’ Union and the Government of Guyana for what it described as the imposition of a starvation wage package on teachers. Government last week signed off on a 10% salary increase deal and other incentives with the union for teachers. However, the package has been rejected by majority of the teachers and has divided the leadership of the GTU with calls now being made for the President, Dr. Mark Lyte to be removed. In a statement issued on Tuesday the WPA said: “the imposition of a ten percent increase in the first instance is grossly inadequate when one takes into consideration the steep rise in cost of living  coupled  with the financial capacity of the government. It is an insult to our teachers to grant them such a meager increase on their already ridiculously low salaries while the government spends huge sums on other areas of the economy. Granting a ten percent increase on salaries of $120,000 or less (which more than half of our teachers earn) is tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment. How can a government which boasts of Guyana’s high growth rate fight so hard to deny its teachers a living wage?” The WPA said it is, therefore, forced to conclude that the government was driven by an extra-industrial relations agenda. “Any honest appraisal of the government’s actions throughout this process should leave no doubt about its non-commitment to collective bargaining and to a living wage for the country’s teachers. The bullying of the union at every twist and turn is unparalleled in Guyana’s post-colonial history. In the end, the package is more a reflection of the government’s initial unreasonable offer than a negotiated settlement or compromise. While collective bargaining was forced on the government by the court, the final outcome represents a serious undermining  of this cardinal principle of industrial relations.” The WPA said it is also appalled at the government’s insensitivity to criticisms of real and perceived racial bias in the distribution of income to the various sections of government workers. “That the majority of teachers are of one racial group which does not support the government should in normal circumstances temper the big-stick. hardline approach. But the government seemed oblivious to that reality.  In addition to its racial insensitivity, the WPA said it is incensed at the manner in which the government appeared unsympathetic to the mostly women teachers. “We view this economic brutality of women as a backward step that scars Guyana’s image. In a country where women’s work is undervalued, this latest assault is unacceptable.” Judicial branch According to the WPA even the intervention by the judicial branch that forced a return to collective bargaining did not overly deter the government. “WPA sees this political stubbornness and racial insensitivity as a worrying development that could have serious consequences for the expansion of democratic governance.”  The party noted that government’s argument that attendant allowances in areas such as health and housing amount to benefits for the teachers is at best misleading, noting that allowances can never be a substitute for wages. In any case, the allowances granted fall way short of what the GTU had proposed. Further, a perusal of the allowances granted by the government shows a bias towards those at the higher end of the salary scale. With the vast majority of teachers at the lower end, the allowances are at best negligible.” “In the circumstances, the GTU’s acceptance of the package is baffling. After taking strike action for seventy-five days and giving up its initial proposal of bargaining from 2019 rather than from 2024, the union in the end has delivered nothing of consequence to its membership.  The increases of 10%, 8 % and 9% over the next three years amount to approximately a third of the union’s proposal. It is in essence a violation of the membership’s mandate to its leadership to accept nothing less than 29.6%. When one takes into consideration taxes and the rising cost of living, most teachers would likely see little or no increase in real terms.” Noting that this is a serious blow to trade unionism, which is already in a weakened state, the WPA said it sympathises with teachers and other public servants who express a vote of no-confidence in their unions. “The apparent non-democratic manner in which a section of the GTU leadership is alleged to have acted adds insult to injury. WPA, therefore, has no hesitation in expressing support for any rebellion by the teachers against the agreement and against their union leadership. The culture of wanton betrayal of workers by their unions is overbearing and must be confronted by the workers.” Finally, the party said given the sad state of public education in Guyana, it continues to believe that adequate remuneration for teachers is a perquisite for a renewal of the system. “The results of the recent CSEC examinations show the unchecked downward spiral. If teachers are not paid a living wage, many suitable candidates would not be attracted to the profession while those in the profession would leave for greener pastures. Further, government cannot demand higher standards from teachers when they pay them inadequate wages. If WPA is part of the next government, it would in the first instance grant the current wage increases proposed by the unions which we think are reasonable. We would then engage the union towards bringing teachers’ salaries on par with those in other CARICOM countries and consistent with Guyana’s vastly improved economic profile. WPA would also implement a Universal Basic Income for all citizens which would further enhance our teachers’ economic security. Related Similar Articles

76 on-the-spot hires at GYSBI job fair Aug 28, 2024 News Attendees at the GYSBI job fair on Saturday …over 200 positions to be filled Kaieteur News – Seventy-six persons were hired on the spot at a recent job fair hosted by Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) in collaboration with its parent company, Muneshwers Limited, and its Joint Venture partners. The event, held at the Everest Cricket Club, was part of a broader initiative to fill over 200 vacancies across various operational roles, with further hiring expected in the coming days. The job fair attracted 1,765 applicants, resulting in immediate hires for positions such as Hauler Drivers, Crane Operators, Civil Engineers, Site Supervisors, Security Supervisors, Auto Electricians, Network Technicians, Forklift Operators, Welders, Mechanics, Construction Equipment Operators, Banksmen, Operations Assistants, Craftsmen, General Laborers, and Porters. Those hired will sign their contracts by the end of the week. Among those hired was Narine Dharshand, a resident of West Bank Demerara, who will fill the role of Security Supervisor at Muneshwers Limited. Expressing his excitement, Dharshand said, “I am excited, this is my dream job. I have always wanted to get into the oil and gas sector.” Similarly, 20-year-old Devon Gardener was offered the role of Operations Assistant at GYSBI. Reflecting on the experience, Gardener noted, “It was intimidating to be surrounded by so many persons at the job fair, but I was elated that the position was offered to me.” Rod Carew, a 36-year-old, will be taking up a role in General Maintenance. He praised the interview process and committed to excelling in his new position. “This is the best job fair I have been to because of how it was organised. It was smooth and very calm, I got through very quickly. From the advertisement and the event, I can see that the company has high standards, and I want to be part of it. I am so happy that I was hired today. I am going to be as diligent and disciplined as I could be and perform as best as I can,” Carew shared. Deoraj Bijnauth, an electrician with over seven years of experience, was also successful in securing a position after having been unsuccessful at previous job fairs. “They saw something in me… I am happy that they saw something in me. The process was quite smooth…and I am excited to start. I went to a few other job fairs, and I wasn’t successful, so I am happy it was a success this time,” he stated. In brief remarks, Robin Muneshwer, Executive Director of GYSBI and Muneshwers Limited, acknowledged that the companies rarely make on-the-spot hires, preferring to conduct thorough checks before making offers. However, the high caliber of candidates at this event prompted immediate offers. “We [prefer to process] them very carefully and ensure they check out first but…we had some exceptional candidates. It shows that there is a tremendous interest in our companies and what we do and there are many Guyanese out there looking for jobs. We are big supporters of local content, and we continue to push this drive of training and mentoring local persons,” Muneshwer said. Lilowtie Chintamani, Human Resource Manager at GYSBI, noted that this job fair was the largest ever hosted by the company. She highlighted the importance of these events in reaching and hiring talented individuals. “I am really impressed with the amount of persons who came out here today. The first person came at around 5:25 a.m. It has become a difficult task these days to hire persons, and this is what we need in Guyana; job fairs, because we found the numbers came out here. It’s so refreshing to see and they came from all walks of life. I am truly happy with the response we have gotten,” Chintamani expressed. Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, visited the fair and commended GYSBI and Muneshwers Limited for their role in creating employment opportunities for Guyanese. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that every working-age citizen has access to marketable skills and suitable jobs. “That is the Guyana that Muneshwers/GYSBI story fits squarely within. GYSBI, of whom the senior partner is Muneshwers, constitutes a partnership between GYSBI and international partners doing world-class work, competing with world-class companies, and doing world-class work for ExxonMobil and the oil and gas industry, and demonstrating that local content is very real and very achievable by Guyanese companies that demonstrate a commitment to and a capacity for excellence,” Dr. Singh said. He added, “We must really applaud because you provided a remarkable example for Guyanese companies and an example that is most worthy of emulation and an example that was instrumental…Guyanese nationals, like the people who are gathered here today, we want them to be able to participate fully and meaningfully and rewardingly in the oil and gas sector as it grows and expands in our country. GYSBI story fits within our agenda for creating opportunities for Guyanese companies.” Related Similar Articles

200 youths completed Pan Minors Music Literacy programme Aug 28, 2024 News General Manager, Operations of Republic Bank, Ms Denise Hobbs, hands over a certificate to a participant Kaieteur News – The Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme wrapped up on Friday, with some 200 participants receiving their certificates at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown. As customary, this year’s programme was made possible through a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Republic Bank Limited. During the closing ceremony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. highlighted the government’s continuous investments in the steel pan industry to create talented and prominent players throughout the nation. “This is an investment that the Government of Guyana has made in you and I’m going to make a commitment on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport that the groups who shared their talents today, will be playing at the next event the ministry hosts that is appropriate for your talents to be showcased…You all will be compensated for your talent,” Minister Ramson underscored. According to the sport minister, the government has tripled its investment in the steel pan industry, to allow more persons to participate in the art. As part of cricket carnival events, the government will also be adding these new steel pan talents to the schedule, allowing them to have a feel of the big stage. A state-of-the-art steel pan school for teaching and competition purposes will also be designed soon. Apart from engaging in steel pan activities, participants were able to build life lasting bounds and friendships. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Education Ministry details new benefits for teachers under new agreement with GTU Aug 28, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Education (MoE) has outlined benefits for teachers under new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) on August 21, 2024. In a statement, the Ministry of Education said that under the agreement teachers will receive salary increases over the next three years: a 10% increase in 2024, followed by an 8% increase in 2025, and a 9% increase in 2026. According to the release, teachers in remote areas will benefit from the increased Remote Area Incentive (RAI). In November 2023, this allowance stood at $9,000. The Ministry noted that it was subsequently increased in December 2023 to $20,000. With the new agreement, teachers will now receive $23,000 monthly. Teachers with doctoral degrees will see their monthly allowance rise from $30,000 to $32,000, a 7% increase. It explained that those with master’s degrees, who received $10,000 monthly in November 2023, saw their allowance doubled to $20,000 in December 2023. The MoE said, “With this new agreement, they will now receive $22,000. Educators holding postgraduate diplomas, advanced graduate diplomas, and certificates in education will also see their monthly allowances increased to $7,000 and $5,000. Additionally, teachers who have completed the Certificate in Education Management Course will now receive a monthly allowance of $5,000.” Additionally, the station allowance, which compensates teachers for working in particular locations, has been increased to $5,000 for all eligible categories. The increase varies based on the category. Similarly, the hardly allowance has been standardized at $5,000. In another change, according to the Ministry is the clothing allowance, which went from $8,000 to $15,000. This boost comes alongside a 50% increase in duty-free concessions, from 100 to 150 annually. Furthermore, teachers holding a substantive appointment as a Senior Master/Mistress or above within three years of retirement, who have not previously benefited from a concession, are now entitled to a duty-free concession for motorcars up to 1500cc. Teachers in hinterland and riverine areas are also eligible for concessions on outboard engines and ATVs. The Ministry has also doubled the number of annual scholarships for teachers from 50 to 100, enabling more educators to pursue studies at the University of Guyana or through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). Additionally, teachers reemployed after retirement will now be paid at their last salary scale before retirement, ensuring they remain adequately compensated for their experience and service. With the new agreement, teachers will be compensated for marking and supervising SBAs and the National Grades 5 & 6 Mock Exams, a move that recognizes the critical role they play in student assessments. Non-graduate teachers (TS 1A to TS 5B) will also receive two additional increments after three years of continuous service, benefiting over 9,000 teachers (more than 60% of the teaching workforce). In some cases, this will result in salary increases of up to 15%. According to MoE, this agreement represents a comprehensive package designed to enhance the welfare of our teachers and to recognize their pivotal role in shaping the future of our country. The Ministry of Education remains committed to continuous dialogue and partnership with the teaching fraternity to ensure sustained progress and development in the education sector. Related Similar Articles

Workshop puts spotlight on Guyana’s oil spill response preparedness Aug 28, 2024 News Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, CDC Representatives, Maritime representatives, RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe representatives and stakeholders Kaieteur News – Guyana is intensifying its efforts to enhance national capacity for oil spill preparedness and response with the commencement of a four-day workshop on oil spill contingency planning. The workshop, held at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters, is being conducted by the Regional Activity Centre/Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information, and Training Centre for the Wider Caribbean Region (RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe). During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips emphasised the critical importance of the workshop. “This workshop presents a distinct opportunity for us to develop a deeper understanding of oil spill contingency planning and to refine the skills required to effectively implement our national oil spill contingency plan,” the Prime Minister stated. He further noted that Guyana has had a national oil spill contingency plan since 2020, which was tested in an exercise in 2022. In addition, the PM said that the workshop coincides with the ongoing drafting of the National Oil Spill Prevention and Management Bill 2024. “We are at the stage where we want to put a bill before the National Assembly to make this whole issue lawful in Guyana. This workshop serves as a precursor to the passage of this critical legislation, further solidifying our commitment to oil spill preparedness and response,” PM Phillips said. Underscoring the importance of preparedness in mitigating the risks associated with the burgeoning oil and gas industry in Guyana, Prime Minister Phillip stated that the repercussions of an oil spill could be far-reaching and long-lasting, impacting everything from tourism and fisheries to the overall health of the natural environment. As a result, he pointed out that preparedness involves a comprehensive understanding of potential risks, a robust response framework, and the necessary resources and capabilities to act swiftly. It also requires collaboration among government agencies, industry players, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and the public. Thus far, Guyana has taken several proactive measures to strengthen its oil spill preparedness and response capabilities. Among these efforts is the passage of the Petroleum Activities Bill 2023, which replaces the outdated Petroleum Exploration and Production Act of 1986. This new legislation ensures responsible and modern management of the petroleum industry. Additionally, the government has significantly strengthened oil permits and environmental regulations to minimise liabilities and manage environmental and economic impacts. For instance, in the event of excessive flaring, companies are required to compensate at a rate of US$5 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent. The workshop would see participants being exposed to mechanisms such as the readiness evaluation tool for oil spills, which will help identify gaps in the national contingency planning and enhance overall response capabilities. RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe representative, Matthew Martin commended the progress made by the government in Guyana’s preparedness efforts. “We have got a great start from what is already there with the work that has been put in so far for increasing preparedness for oil spill response, and over the four days, we are going to look at how we can improve the existing national oil spill contingency plan and become even more prepared, not only in Guyana but in the region,” Martin said. The workshop is sponsored by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Environmental Programme Regional Coordination Unit, and RAC/REMPEITC-Caribe. (DPI) Related Similar Articles