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$569M estimated to repair Paramakatoi airstrip Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Paramakatoi airstrip in Region Eight is scheduled to undergo rehabilitative works for an estimated cost of $569 million. This is according to a recent opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office which revealed that two contractors have applied for the Ministry of Public Works project. The contractors who all bid above the engineer’s estimate are International Import & Supplies who bid $799,658,633 and Theodore Faria General Contracting Service who bid $605,443,627. During the presentation of this year’s budget, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh had said that the government continue to rehabilitate and maintain hinterland airstrips to promote ease of access between the coastal and hinterland regions. In 2023, works advanced at Ekereku Bottom, Eteringbang, Karisparu, and Pariuma airstrips, which are all expected to be completed this year. “In 2024, $2.3 billion has been allocated towards completion of these airstrips as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of several others including the Imbaimadai, Kaieteur, Kaikan and Matthew’s Ridge airstrips,” he explained. Rehabilitation of Paramakatoi Airstrip Region 8. Below are the companies and their bids: Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Construction of Accommodation at Air Station London – Timehri. Extension of Officers’ Club and Messing Facility- Base Camp Ayanganna. Construction of Accommodation at Coast Guard Ship Hinds, Ruimveldt. Ministry of Public Works Rehabilitation of Paramakatoi Airstrip Region 8. Guyana Water Inc. Drilling and Construction of Potable Water Well at Central Ruimveldt. Ministry of Housing and Water Procurement of Electrical Line Hardware Materials Lots 1-8. Related Similar Articles

Teachers 10% salary increase can’t keep up with rising food inflation rate – AFC Aug 25, 2024 News Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Finance, Juretha Fernandes Kaieteur News – In the realms, where consumers’ prices are increasing, making it difficult to buy as much as they could in the past, the Opposition Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Finance, Juretha Fernandes has raised concerns over the rising food inflation of eight percent and the meager 10 percent which the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) accepted from the government on Wednesday. Kaieteur News reported that the GTU’s President, Mark Lyte signed a multi-year agreement with the government accepting the ten percent pay hike for teachers and a slew of other benefits, none of which accorded with the demands of the union. The agreement stipulates that teachers will receive a salary increase of 10% for 2024, 8% for 2025 and 9% for 2026. These are the same increases that were recently rejected by the union. Taking this into account, during the Alliance For Change (AFC) weekly press conference, held on Friday, the Shadow Minister of Finance addressed the salary increase teachers received, compared to the high food inflation, which increased throughout the months. This move of the Government indicates the fate other public servants will face, Fernandes said. “…We need to take this seriously as an indication of what the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) plans to deal with public servants overall for 2024, 2025 and 2026, because if this is what they have tabled before the teachers, it indicates to me that that’s the direction that they are going in for all public servants,” she stressed, while noting that the amount of money receives would not be able to combat the food inflation. In May 2024, reports from Bureau of Statistics said that the food inflation rate was at 7.4 percent, and increased in June 2024, to eight percent.  The report further stated that the Georgetown Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the end of May 2024 was 140.38 compared to 139.39 at the end of April 2024, representing an inflation of 0.7 percent.  The Food and Transport & Communication categories were the main drivers of the monthly increase. These categories increased overall by 1.5 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively, at the end of May 2024, when compared to the previous month.  To read more visit https://statisticsguyana.gov.gy/subjects/price-indices/consumer-price-index-georgetown-guyana-may-2024-2/. Furthermore, in June, 2024 the CPI was 141.70 compared to 140.38 at the end of May 2024, representing an inflation of 0.9 percent. Food was the main driver of the monthly increase. This category increased overall by 1.9 percent at the end of June 2024, when compared to the previous month. To read more visit https://statisticsguyana.gov.gy/subjects/price-indices/consumer-price-index-georgetown-guyana-june-2024/. To that end, the ten percent teacher increase is a drop of water to the ocean when compared to food inflation rate. As such, the AFC believes that teachers deserve more money as to the importance they have on the economy. With that aside, Fernandes continued to address the government disbursing huge amount of money into other projects, rather than giving teachers what they deserve, following the money generated by the resources of the country.  She further compared the construction of the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant, and the loan the government has applied to the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank, compared to the increase the teachers received. Former leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan The Government applied to the US-EXIM bank for a US$646M loan to support the construction of the Gas-to-Energy project. Regardless of whether the bank approves the loan, the government will still push forward with the project. As such, Fernandes explained, “We can weigh it against other things, looking at the fact that we know the EXIM bank is not approving the loan when it comes to the gas to the energy (project), but the VP (Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo) is saying very boldly that yeah even if it’s not approved then we’re going to ahead, we are going to spend money towards it.” She continued, “EXIM bank isn’t approving it because it is not showing feasible.” Nevertheless, the Member of Parliament pointed out what the government gives in returned to the in-depth document provided by teachers which specifically highlighted key things that would improve their lives as teachers in Guyana. Former AFC leader and Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan who was present at the press conference described the 10 percent salary increase as, “disastrous.” He said, “…And we know that the government was pressuring them (teachers), to accept the 10 percent…indeed the pressures of the government did make a certain fraction of the GTU’s General Council accept the 10, nine and eight percent for the next two years.” Ramjattan then recalled when Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo reportedly indicated to public servants that the Government does not have enough fiscal space to accommodate what the public servants were asking for some time in 1999. Ramjattan pointed out, “…So when they said that they don’t have fiscal space and only a couple months ago, or a couple of weeks ago, they come back to parliament for $40B, how you going to get fiscal space?” The Attorney continued, “…It is a lie but there it would appear (the government)…do not want to give a better pay to our teachers.” Related Similar Articles

GuySuCo continues to refute claims of sugar shortage Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Amidst the claims circulating of shortage sugar, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Thursday continued to refute the claims that packaged sugar is not available for sale. The release stated that production for the second crop of 2024 commenced last week and the sale of packaged sugar commenced on Monday. GuySuCo underscored in the statement that packaged sugar is available at the Blairmont Estate from Friday and will have sugar available for sale on August 26, 2024. “The corporation would like to also reiterate that there has been NO price change to neither packaged nor bagged sugar and as such, businesses should not increase the prices on these commodities.  Persons desirous of purchasing sugar are asked to make contact with GuySuCo Marketing Department on 220-2891 ext. 260,261 &263.” GuySuCo concluded. Related Similar Articles

West Demerara Secondary students excel at CSEC Aug 25, 2024 News …100% passes in Law for CAPE Kaieteur News – In continuation of going down the path of success, the West Demerara Secondary School students have again performed excellently in this year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) with breaking academic records for the school and securing a 100 percent pass in law for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Ravindra Persaud, who secured 16 Grade One’s with one Grade Two, along with the Ministry of Education Priya Manickchand and Head teacher of West Demerara Secondary, Harrinarine The top student for the school, Ravindra Persaud managed to secure 16 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Persaud broke the previous record which was held by Jaikishan Takchandra and Dr. Mickel Mohabbir with 13 Grades Ones ten years ago. Additionally, other students who excelled in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination are Akash Dennis, he secured 10 Grade One’s and two Grade Twos; Manroj Ram, who secured 13 Grade Ones; Alonzo Lall, who got nine Grade Ones and three Grade Twos; Akilah Piggott, she secured eight Grade Ones and four Grade Twos. Perbattie Jaupersaud, received eight Grade Ones and three Grade twos.   To this end, Harrinarine Headteacher of the school, who will retire at the end of this year, is very elated with the results. As such, he congratulated the all students for their performance especially the top students. He admitted like the country, there was a decline in Mathematics passes with only 93 students passing with Grades ones to three while the results in English were excellent. Nevertheless, Harrinarine commended Miss Odetta Alves, and all the teachers who contribute to the overall success of the school and by extension the Parent/Teachers Association and the Ministry of Education for the contribution of school grants and graph books to all students. Sir Harrinarine further told this publication that, “Teaching is a calling,  [I came] from an acting teacher at the Patentia Secondary to Head teacher at the West Dem was a fulfillment of a dream to change lives and create a lasting impact on the lives of children.” Related Similar Articles

26 Spanish women detained following raid at nightclub Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Some 26 Spanish-speaking women, five male security guards and three barmen were detained on Saturday by police following a raid at Red, a nightclub located at Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown.   The women are said to be of Venezuelan, Cuban and Dominican Republic nationalities. Police said the raid was conducted between 00:00 and 03:40 hrs.  A thorough search of the nightclub was conducted and they detained persons but nothing illegal was found. The detainees were taken the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters for questioning. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Govt. seeking contractor to design, build and finance Palmyra Cultural market project Aug 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The government through the Ministry of Public Works is currently seeking to prequalify contractors for the design, build and finance (DBF) of a cultural market at Palmyra, Berbice, Region Six. According to the ministry’s tender, prequalification will be conducted through the procedures outlined in the Procurement Act of 2003. Bids are scheduled to open on September 18, 2024 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). The intention to build this facility was announced by President Irfaan Ali earlier this month during the emancipation celebration held at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. The cultural market is said to serve as an educational and talent showcasing hub for the country. Quoted in a Department of Public Information article, the President at the celebration said, “As we build the new stadium, and as we build facilities around the stadium, and as we build hotels, an important part of why people will come to Region Six is to be part of this national cultural market.” “This will be a symbol of the importance of culture in bridging gaps and bringing people together.  The importance of culture in economic and social revolution. The importance of culture in developing healthy lifestyle… [and] the importance of culture in celebrating the unity of our people and our country,” he added. Bids for the project are scheduled to open on September 18, 2024 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Related Similar Articles

Some people got nerves like wire Aug 25, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – You know dem type? Dem ain’t get no invite, but once dem see a crowd, dem ready fuh show up. Is like dem got radar fuh free food and drink. One man tell me he see a fella at a big gathering recently. De man was walking round like he own de place. Eating de food, drinking de drink, and laughing up loud. So somebody ask he, “Who you related to?” He puff up he chest and seh, “De birthday boy.” Well, is only after dat, he find out he at a wake. De man tek off like a bullet from a gun. Dem boys seh is not de first time this happen. People in Guyana got a habit. Dem don’t care if is wedding, funeral, christening, or even a wake. Once dem see a tent and chairs, dem inside like lice on a jumbie. Some does even dress up and come fuh tek pictures, post on Facebook like dem was really invited. Dem go ask fuh de wi-fi password like dem paying de bill. Dem boys seh is a real problem. One time, a man show up at a wedding. He dance, he eat, he even catch de bouquet. Only fuh de bride to realize later dat she don’t know he. Dem boys seh it gat to stop. People need to have manners. If yuh ain’t get no invite, stay home and eat yuh own food. Some people now quoting law fuh get in to places dem nah get invitation to. But you know how Guyanese stay. Dem see a crowd and dem curious. Like fly to a roti. Dem boys seh, next time yuh see one of dem uninvited guests, don’t say nothing. Just give dem de look. De same look you does give when de electricity bill come high. Maybe den dem gon learn. Or maybe not. But at least you had a good laugh when dem mix up de birthday with de wake. Talk half. Leff half! Related Similar Articles