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Team Mohameds builds salon to support single mother  Aug 24, 2024 News Tamira Benjamin, along with her child and Businessman Azrunddin Mohamed Kaieteur News – The Mohameds in their effort to support small businesses, has constructed a salon for a single mother whose dream is to own and operate a hair and makeup business. The 21-year-old mother, Tamira Benjamin from Coomacka Mines, Region 10, is now in the process of stocking her new business while continuing to serve her clients. Previously, she offered house calls to clients as far as Linden, but now they can enjoy her services in the spacious, newly built salon. “Mr. Mohamed wished her continued success and encouraged her to expand her services to clients across the region,” Mohamed stated in the press release. Related Similar Articles

NAREI, CAPA inked MoUs to expand agricultural interventions Aug 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) on Thursday signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that ensure continued success and expansion of key agricultural interventions locally. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA) inked two Memoranda of Understanding CAPA, a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC), is dedicated to improving agricultural productivity and market efficiencies across the Caribbean. The two new memoranda signed on Thursday at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, extend the list of official collaborators in Guyana to three. During the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha noted that the MoU provides a structured framework that will support the nation in achieving its 25 by 2025 food security goal. He said the $5.3 million initiative will help stakeholders in the industry by promoting the use of market-driven agricultural practices and technologies. The minister explained that it would also give them easier access to domestic and regional markets.  “We are working to have a level playing field in the Caribbean, although we are having international agencies helping us to boost the capacity…and to improve production and productivity, we are also working from the technical side to improve trade relations between member state so that we can satisfy the demands of our market,” Minister Mustapha stressed. The focus on increasing productivity, building buyers’ capacity and improving farm-level extension systems speaks directly to the core of Guyana’s national agenda for agricultural development. Minister Mustapha believes that the new pact will embrace an integrated approach across the entire agricultural value chain, improving the capability of suppliers, extension workers, processors, wholesalers and even regional development partners. “We are moving in the right direction. In order to achieve sustainable growth, we must first equip our farmers with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market,” the agriculture minister emphasised. According to him, the project also introduced the use of bees’ starch and innovative products designed to extend the shelf life of produce, underscoring the dedication to integrating new technology that can reduce post-harvest losses and increase the value of agriculture output. Meanwhile, USAID’s Project Management Specialist Durwin Humphrey underscored that the MoU is a critical step towards building a strong coalition aimed at leveraging the strengths of partners. He was adamant that the collaboration would reduce duplication efforts, create synergies, and strategically deploy resources to address some of the pressing issues of local producers. Humphrey said USAID looks forward to the real impact of this structured mechanism over the next few months. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Coverden residents set face against oil & gas waste treatment plant Aug 24, 2024 News The Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated located at Coverden – seeking legal advice to challenge venture Kaieteur News – Residents of Coverden East Bank Demerara (EBD) have raised staunch objections to a decision to have an oil and gas waste treatment facility built in the community. The residents have been up in arms after reading in the press last week that an agreement was signed by the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh for the $214M waste treatment plant. The agreement was officially handed over by Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated, (PWSI), Mahendra Jettoo. The residents have since noted that PWSI waste facility is a highly hazardous and dangerous operation and no assessment has been done to determine the risks to the health and wellbeing of residents; risks to the environment, air, soil etc.; and the community. Following a meeting on Wednesday, the residents issued a statement explaining that they are planning protests outside of Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated Oil and Gas Waste Treatment Plant at Coverden EBD.  The community group is also in the process of seeking legal advice in relation to Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated, Go-Invest and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “…there is no way of determining how these risks would be managed, compensation for residents and the community, etc. As such, as residents of Coverden, we are saying in the strongest of ways, that we do not want this or any oil and gas waste treatment facility or the storage of Radioactive materials and Industrial Radiography Devices in our community,” a statement issued on behalf of the residents said. The community members outlined among their concerns the fact that the government would sign an agreement with PWSI, a new company that has no experience, expertise, or competency in managing oil and gas waste or an oil and gas waste treatment facility. “We are also surprised to learn that Mahendra Jettoo, is the Chief Executive Officer for this oil and gas waste treatment facility because Mr. Jettoo was the landlord for previous developers for the waste treatment facility, Global Oil Environmental Services (GOES), an American company, and JAPARTS Guyana, the local partner,” the statement added. According to the residents, the move was even more concerning since in 2021, the Global Oil Environmental Services (GOES), applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval to construct and operate an Oil and Gas Waste Treatment facility for the transfer, storage, treatment and disposal of Exploration and Production at Coverden, East Bank Demerara. That partnership was with JaParts Guyana and the EPA issued a public notice about the proposed facility, and some of the residents from Coverden filed ‘Letters of Objection/Appeal’ to the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB). The Investment Agreement was handed over today by Chief Investment Officer, Dr Ramsaroop to CEO – Professional Waste Solutions Inc. (PWSI) Mr. Mahendra Jettoo. The residents noted to that approval was eventually given to GOES but was not given to Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated, which is a new company to operate an oil and gas waste treatment facility in Coverden.  As such, the residents are raising several questions as to what was the approval process followed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated, (PWSI) to operate Oil and Gas Waste Treatment Facility in Coverden. The group queried “What was the approval process followed by GO-Invest for the allocation of $214M to Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated, (PWSI) to operate Oil and Gas Waste Treatment Plant at Coverden? Why were no consultations done with residents of Coverden and Professional Waste Solutions Incorporated, (PWSI) about the Oil and Gas Waste Treatment Plant being operated in the community?” According to the residents, there is no way of determining how these risks would be managed, compensation for residents and the community, etc. As such, the residents of Coverden, have condemned the project in the strongest terms “We are saying that we do not want this or any oil and gas waste treatment facility or the storage of radioactive materials and industrial radiography devices in our community,” the statement said. Meanwhile in response to the concerns raised by the EPA in a statement issued on Tuesday said that new company is essentially operating on the permit granted to GOES.  The EPA said that GOES was then issued an Environmental Authorization for five years valid August 2021 to July 2026. On July 12, 2023, the EPA received an application to transfer the Environmental Authorization from GOES to Professional Waste Solution Inc. (PWSI), citing the following reason: “GOES suspended operations at the current location in January 2023. However, since the permit is still valid for three additional years, Professional Waste Solutions Inc.is desirous of recommencing operations at the current location, especially since some of the infrastructure, already in place, will remain intact.” The EPA said that it processed the application for transfer in keeping with the Environmental Protection Regulations, and issued an Environmental Permit (Transferred and Modified) to PWI.  The Agency took into consideration that, while the project is now under transferred ownership, all of the elements generally remain the same, with some improved process and technology.  “All safeguards are captured in the transferred and varied permit, as the Agency wanted to ensure that impacts are not significant and, importantly, that the permit holder can meet their obligations in accordance with the Act,” the EPA said. Related Similar Articles

Several injured after car crash at UG road  Aug 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A car accident that occurred Wednesday evening on Rupert Craig Highway and University of Guyana Access Road East Coast Demerara (ECD) has resulted in several persons being injured including a child. Police reported that the accident on August 21,2024 involved motor car PMM 6481 driven by Rohit Balgobin,25, an electrician of Better Hope ECD, and  motor car PRR 3591 driven by Danraj Chatrupaul, 31, a taxi driver of  Second Street Lusignan. At the time of the accident Chatrupaul’s vehicle was carrying two passengers: 33-year-old Ashley Kamaldeen and her 7-year-old son, Julian Kamaldeen, both from Cummings Lodge, ECD. According to police reports, Balgobin was traveling east along Rupert Craig Highway at a high speed. As he approached the intersection with UG Access Road, he attempted to turn in a southern direction and entered the path of Chatrupaul’s vehicle that was proceeding west along the highway. This led to a collision between the two cars, causing significant damage to the vehicles. All individuals involved sustained injuries and were taken and admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

$17M in contracts awarded to install street lights in EBD housing areas Aug 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Government is set to spend $17 million from an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan for the supply and installation of solar streetlights for housing areas on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). The contracts amount to $17,022,868 according to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. The project for the installation of solar integrated LED street lights for the East Bank Demerara Housing Area (Lot 1 &2) is being undertaken by the Central Housing and Planning Authority. NPTAB released on its website that Twins Enterprises was contracted for both lots, with lot 1 being awarded for $8,635,228 and lot 2 awarded for $ 8,387,640. The government received funds from the IDB towards the Road Network Upgrade and Expansion Programme (Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme) and according to the government’s advertisement for bids, the delivery/ construction period for the contract is 210 days per lot. It was also reported in the media that the Bank had agreed in 2017 to provide US$63.5M to fund Government’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme. According to the loan agreement, this support will help vulnerable households, including those led by single parents, and those living in structures that are not habitable. In special occasions, families may also opt to relocate to serviced and transportation-accessible CH&PA sites in the project area. Further, the objective of the reformulated project is to improve the quality of life in urban and peri-urban Georgetown through better access to adequate housing and basic infrastructure for low-income populations, and through improved accessibility and mobility services. Kaieteur News understands that under this same loan programme the Housing Ministry had awarded contracts totalling $25 million in July 2022 for similar street lights for six low income communities in Region Three. That project entailed the supply and installation of 80-watt stand-alone solar integrated street lights, with the lamp comprising of a solar panel, charge controller and battery. Related Similar Articles

Jagdeo warns citizens not to fall prey of online scam falsely using prominent figures Aug 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and Vice President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo has cautioned the public about a number of online scams that are misusing the images of well-known Guyanese leaders for fraudulent activities. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo “So I noticed a number of things, a lot of scams stuff going around,” Jagdeo said during his press conference on Thursday. He highlighted his concern over the deceptive schemes falsely associating himself, President Irfaan Ali, Senior Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, and others. He noted that these fraudulent schemes often rely on sensational stories to trick people into divulging their personal information. “And it’s a lot of scam stuff but its fishing, it’s something generated I think abroad and with all these sensational stories so when you go there, then they have your number, everything, and please don’t fall prey to them,” the Vice President cautioned. For instance, Jagdeo spoke about one scam that falsely claimed that Dr. Singh had accumulated wealth through an investment in specific software, encouraging others to invest similarly. Jagdeo said, “if you’re stupid and you put your money there and they gone with your money, don’t blame the government, it’s a scam that’s going around.” The Vice President emphasized that these scams exploit the names of reputable individuals to mislead the public. “And they use prominent people to say oh Ashni Singh microphone was off in an interview and he was telling people how he was investing through this software if you’re stupid you’d lose your money,” he added. Jagdeo urged the public to stay vigilant and not engage with these fraudulent schemes. “Don’t blame and say Ashni Singh had invested in the software it’s a scam. People, don’t participate in this, I just thought I bring it to your attention because it is important,” he concluded. Related Similar Articles

Magistrate tells man ‘Stop thieving mirrors or you’ll go to jail’ Aug 24, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Quincy Wills Kaieteur News – A 44-year-old unemployed man from Leopold Street, Georgetown, on Friday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court to face a simple larceny charge. The accused, Quincy Wills, on August 21,2024 at Brickdam Road, Georgetown  in the vicinity of Demico House,  stole two rear view mirrors belonging to Ryan Playter. Wills appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh where the charge was read to him. He pleaded guilty. According to the police report presented in court, on the day of the incident, Playter left his home with his motor car and traveled to Georgetown to meet a friend who was waiting for him at Demico House. Playter then parked his car on Brickdam in the vicinity of the said place and proceeded to the building, leaving the car intact. Thirty minutes later, Playter returned to his motor car and noticed that his two rear view mirrors were missing. A report was made to the police and Wills was arrested, told of the allegation and cautioned. Wills admitted to the offence and was charged. Wills was fined $10,000 but was cautioned by the magistrate to stop stealing mirrors lest he receives harsher penalties. Magistrate Singh warned, “and if you come back before me again you’re going to jail”. Related Similar Articles