admin

.tdi_3.td-a-rec{text-align:center}.tdi_3.td-a-rec:not(.td-a-rec-no-translate){transform:translateZ(0)}.tdi_3 .td-element-style{z-index:-1}.tdi_3.td-a-rec-img{text-align:left}.tdi_3.td-a-rec-img img{margin:0 auto 0 0}@media (max-width:767px){.tdi_3.td-a-rec-img{text-align:center}} The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) is grappling with a growing crisis—a severe shortage of nurses. This...

Senegal sets up commission to review all oil & gas contracts Aug 22, 2024 News Senegal President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye – says move is to ensure deals align with nation’s interests Kaieteur News – While ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its Stabroek Block partners, Hess and CNOOC, continue to enjoy tax exemptions and other benefits from a lopsided deal in Guyana, foreign oil companies operating in Senegal now face the possibility of contract revisions by the new administration to ensure a fairer distribution of benefits for its citizens. Guyana’s Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo On Monday, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced that the government has officially set up a commission that is tasked with reviewing oil and gas contracts that were signed with multinational corporations. African News reported that the PM made the announcement on national television insisting that the team of legal, tax, and energy sector experts will work meticulously to make sure all legal aspects are carefully examined and are aligned with the country’s national interest. Sonko reiterated his government’s ambition to rebalance the energy contracts in the national interest. Back in April, Senegal’s newly elected President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye had revealed plans for a comprehensive audit of the nation’s oil, gas, and mining sectors, and their terms and conditions under which they were handed out by his predecessor. Reuters reported that the announcement followed a campaign promise to renegotiate the terms of oil, gas and mineral contracts with foreign operators in the country. On June 11, 2024 Senegal officially became an oil and gas producer for the first time after Australian group Woodside Energy announced first oil at its Sangomar project off the African country – S& P Global reported. Phase one of Sangomar, which alongside BP’s massive Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project could overhaul the Senegalese economy, will produce 100,000 barrel of crude, according to the Australian oil and gas company. President Faye has vowed to ensure the nation benefits from its resources that are being extracted by foreign companies. Faye’s announcement looking for a change in a country of approximately 18 million people, strongly contrasts with that of Guyana’s Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo who while in opposition promised to renegotiate the lopsided ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) a subsidiary of American oil giant Exxon, but has since changed his tune- even denying that he had ever made such a promise. Guyana refusing to review deals In Guyana’s case, there is the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that was signed by the former APNU+AFC Government with Exxon. While Guyanese have long accepted that the deal is lopsided–one that benefits the oil companies more than it does the country,  the PPP/C Government has refused to bring Exxon back to the negotiation table, all while allowing the oil company to ramp up production offshore Guyana. Guyana’s President, H.E. Mohamed Irfaan Ali The first oil discovery was made in 2015 and by December 2019, the block-partners moved to oil production. Since 2015, ExxonMobil and its partners have made more than 30 additional offshore oil and natural gas discoveries within the Stabroek Block. The government recently disclosed that the block holds some 11.6 billion barrels of oil.  With three projects producing oil in the Stabroek Block some US$1.5 billion monthly is being generated. The three projects – Liza One, Liza Two and Payara – producing over 600,000 barrels of oil daily. Guyana’s oil production comes from three floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels: Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity. Exxon already has another three projects in the pipeline – Uaru, Yellowtail and Whiptail. Exxon targets a daily output of 1.2 million barrels of oil by 2027 from Guyana’s Stabroek Block.  The Exxon deal gives Guyana a 2% royalty on its rich resources, and agrees to the oil companies recovering 75% of investments before the remaining 25% is shared, with Guyana receiving 12.5%. The arrangement, with the lack of ring-fencing, sees Guyana paying for projects that are yet to commence production activities. Notably, the oil deal provides for taxes owed by the company to be paid by Guyana. The PSA states at Article 15.1 that the Contractor (ExxonMobil Guyana Limited) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjected to tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or impost in respect of income derived from petroleum operations, property held or transactions except as specified under the agreement. It goes on to state at Article 15.4 that the sum equivalent to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the Minister responsible for Petroleum to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Notably, the GoG also agreed to issue a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicating that it has met the local tax requirements to avoid the burden of double taxation. Jagdeo change of tune A passionate and almost angry Jagdeo while functioning as Leader of the Opposition, just over three years ago, said in an interview that the then APNU+AFC Government “sold” the country to “foreigners” because that administration failed to include ring-fencing to shore up profits from the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with American oil giant, ExxonMobil. At that time, Jagdeo assured that when the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) returned to office, this would be a priority when the contract is renegotiated. “They sold us out to the foreigners. The oil companies, every time there is a find out there, our people should be sad because nothing comes our way. We are gonna renegotiate those contracts because that’s not what we had in mind,” Jagdeo said then. He added, “When we were in the early days, we were coaxing the people (ExxonMobil) to go along. They (Coalition) came into office – three billion barrels of proven reserves and they gave up zero royalties, no taxes, no ring-fencing.” Soon after taking office in 2020, the now Vice President (VP) has not only changed his tune but also his tone when it comes to the renegotiation of the Exxon contract and securing greater benefits for Guyanese. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) has consistently dispelled claims that they promised to renegotiate the Stabroek Block PSA, while in opposition. Jagdeo, a key figure in Guyana’s energy policy, reiterated during press conferences and interviews that the current contract’s terms must be respected to maintain investor confidence. He underscored the economic benefits Guyana derives from the agreement, including substantial revenue and job creation in the oil sector. Jagdeo had defended the government’s decision by stating, “We have a PSA that determines our shares of the proceeds, so we are limited by that.” As it relates to President Irfaan Ali, Guyana’s 9th Executive President–he has maintained a firm stance against renegotiating the existing PSA. In an interview with the BBC last year, Ali acknowledged criticisms that the deal skewed benefits in favour of ExxonMobil, stating, “We did not have the best of deals.” Despite recognizing the deal’s shortcomings, Ali underscored the importance of upholding the sanctity of contracts, asserting, “We cannot go back and renegotiate.” Related Similar Articles

Govt. looking for contractors for new Berbice River Bridge Aug 22, 2024 News President Mohammed Irfaan Ali Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana (GoG) through the Ministry of Public Works has issued a notice inviting contractors to submit applications to be prequalified for the design, build and finance of the New Berbice River Bridge. According to an advertisement in Kaieteur News Wednesday August 21st edition, interested contractors can obtain further information by purchasing a complete prequalification document from the Ministry of Public Works from Monday August 26th. The prequalification requirement include: letter of intent to finance from institutions of repute and previous experience in the design/ build modality or project implementation for projects of this magnitude. Bids will be opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) office in Georgetown on September 18, 2024 at 09:00 hours. Back in January, President Irfaan Ali during his address at the sod-turning for the US$161 million modern hospital in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), had stated that his government was pushing to have a fixed high-span crossing bridge, across the Berbice River. “We are already understanding for the future needs of this region. That is why we are accelerating the plans for a fixed high-span crossing bridge across the Berbice River just like the one in the Demerara River.” The president initially made the announcement of a new Berbice River Bridge back in October 2022.  Moreover, the current Berbice River Bridge, which was constructed between 2006 and 2008 at a cost of $8 billion, received financial backing through loans and equity contributions from various entities, including the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and private investors. It must be noted that the bulk of the money invested in the Berbice Bridge came from NIS. Sharing ownership percentages in the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI): National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) holds 10 percent, NIS owns 20.2 percent, and other stakeholders include Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance (10 percent), New GPC (20 percent), Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. (20 percent), and Secure International Finance Co. Limited (20 percent). Related Similar Articles

Gaza nurse says whole family, including quadruplets, killed in air strike Aug 22, 2024 News Hala Khattab and her six children were killed when an air strike destroyed their family home in Deir al-Balah (BBC NEWS) A nurse in Gaza has told the BBC his wife and six children – including a group of quadruplets – were killed in an attack in the central Gaza strip. “My entire family has been wiped out in an instant”, says Ashraf El Attar, “leaving me with nothing”. The nurse – who works at Gaza’s European hospital – says his family home in Deir-al-Balah was hit in the early hours of Sunday morning. He survived with minor injuries. Israel has not spoken about this specific attack, but has said its forces were operating in the city. It says it only targets members of armed groups. Killed in the strike were Mr. El Attar’s wife – Hala Khattab, a teacher – and their six children – a 15-year-old boy, a one-year-old girl, and their four 10-year-old quadruplets. Speaking to BBC Arabic’s Gaza Today podcast, the nurse says that around 6am on the morning of the attack he was getting ready for work when he “heard the alarm sound and suddenly lost consciousness”. When he came to, Mr. El Attar says he was in “severe pain” and the house “was in ruins”. Mr El Attar says all his “dreams have been destroyed” in the attack All the outer walls of their apartment building were destroyed. “I desperately called out for my children and my wife, but it was too late. “My six children, including four twins, and my wife were killed instantly in the attack,” he says. The strike took them by surprise, Mr. El Attar says. The night before, the family had spent time “enjoying a soap opera together”, trying to “escape the harsh reality of war”. Mr. El Attar’s mother – and grandmother to his six children – says she “cannot comprehend” why their home was hit. “My son Ashraf works as a nurse at the European hospital, where he is dedicated to helping patients. “We had no connections with any organisations,” she says. The couple had an “incredibly challenging time” raising their children, she says, in particular the quadruplets. “The babies faced severe health issues in their early months and nearly died. “We provided oxygen cylinders at home, and one of them, Hammam, underwent hernia surgery,” she says. Mr El Attar says his wife – Hala – was “dedicated” to helping displaced people. She was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), he says, a UN agency that provides support for Palestinian refugees. Now the nurse says he is forced to come to terms with the life they could have had together. “I worked tirelessly to support my family and watch my children grow up, dreaming of giving them a better future – a big house, a car, and mobile phones,” he says. But now “all those dreams have been destroyed”. “I demand justice for my family”, he says, something he vows to pursue through “any international court”. “Israel has committed a grave injustice. My entire family has been wiped out in an instant, leaving me with nothing.” The Israel Defense Forces has not commented on this specific strike, but has said it was operating in Deir al-Balah over the weekend. In another statement on Monday, it said it had been operating in the outskirts of Deir al-Balah “eliminating terrorists, destroying combat compounds above and below ground”. It says it only targets members of armed groups, and blames civilian deaths on Hamas – who it says places fighters, weapons, tunnels and rockets in residential areas. Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people in an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, taking 251 others back to Gaza as hostages. That attack triggered a massive Israeli military offensive against Gaza and the current war, during which more than 40,170 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Related Similar Articles

Deep divide as GTU accepts Govt’s 10% pay offer Aug 22, 2024 News GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald – teachers, executives flay union President for inking deal By Anasa Williams Kaieteur News – Despite objections from a section of its General Council as well as rank and file members, President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) Dr. Mark Lyte on Wednesday morning 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. Upper Demerara Union Representative, Vanessa Kissoom Among other things 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. Kaieteur News caught up with some of the union’s executive members at the Ministry of Education on Brickdam just after the pact was signed. General Secretary, Coretta McDonald and Upper Demerara Union Representative Vanessa Kissoon were opposite the building. On approaching McDonald and Kissoon they appeared to be in disbelief of the morning’s proceedings. During an interview with this publication McDonald said that, “The GTU is at the level now where a couple of persons, have decided to hijack the union (and) to hijack the rights of our members. I remember general council was briefed on where we are sometime last week with regards to the negotiation. General council was misled let me say that and so general council bought into what they heard. When that was subsequently revealed to general council by the general secretary that this is not the position, these are our positions here is where we are in terms of our negotiations, general council at that point many of the members retracted their votes.” She highlighted that if there is a claim that you are representing a body of people, those same people must be engaged before decisions are taken. “The general council attended a meeting on Friday last but they were never informed that they will be attending to take a vote. Instead they were informed that they would be given an update on the stage the negotiations were at “then after being tricked they were placed in a position where they have to vote.” “Today we came to the meeting here at the Ministry of Education, hoping to continue from where we left off last week, because, remember last week we said we are not accepting and there were several conditions in that proposal that were no yet confirmed on, that we had not yet fleshed out on, and having turned up here today to hear that we are signing an agreement many of the officers…as a matter of fact most of the negotiations committee pleaded with the president that we should ask for some time look again at what we are doing before we sign on to an agreement,” she remarked. McDonald explained that many of the members are of the opinion that the president went to the ministry on Wednesday with the intention to sign off on the agreement which she described as yet “again another trickery from the president of the Guyana Teacher’s Union to its entire membership. The president has again thrown the members under a bus and I think he feels happy about this simply because the president doesn’t have along more time in the system and I am saying it’s unfortunate that after so many years of being an outstanding union, the union is at this point.” McDonald said the members of the GTU are a very vocal bunch and have been voicing their concerns, “so the next step of the union depends on what they want. What I can say to you the president has signed on behalf of the union, cajoled the second vice president to sign on behalf of the general secretary and that there in itself is illegal but we will take the next steps as our members so desire,” the GS stated. Benefits She added: “we asked for $1500 for the marking of SBA’s we got $500, we asked for 300 duty free concession we got 150, and now if we are talking about persons who care and a government that wants to see teachers live comfortable then all of those conditions that we’ve asked for we have got the minimum of those condition and I don’t see how 10% will cushion those other conditions that we have not been favourable with.” President of GTU Dr. Mark Lyte during the signing. (Ministry of Education Photo) Vanessa Kissoon told this publication that, “I feel deceived because I was not around, however I am part of the negotiation team and I am the general council representative for the Upper Demerara Branch. Now the general council meeting first of all that the president is speaking about, I was not there at that meeting nor my alternate could not have made it when we had that meeting and I made it known to the president via a whatsapp message. I am disappointed in that even in the negotiations group I have been saying to the group and to our members that we need to return to our membership before we make any decisions especially critical decisions like these that will affect the livelihoods of our teachers.” She added that there were meetings that the president didn’t attend and it is baffling to see that the agreement was signed even though “the general secretary who was present did not agree to sign it, the deputy general secretary who was there did not agree to sign, the first vice president who in the absence of the president will have to act as president did not agree to this, the immediate past president Mr Colin Bynoe did not agree. However we had two persons signing on behalf of our teachers.” Kissoon admitted that she walked out of the meeting since the actions taken were disrespectful to teachers and she was disappointed. Teachers disappointed Earlier this week this publication reached out to a few teachers to get their take on the 10% the government was offering. Member of Parliament and GTU member Ronald Cox told this publication that, “The GTU was trying desperately since 2019 (that was a whole issue by itself) to finalise an agreement with the MOE (government by extension). Following the established trajectory set by the coalition coupled by other economic factors (fastest growing economy in the world) it is fair to conclude that any percentage under 15% for 2024 with an incremental increase for 2025 and 2026 will be considered unreasonable.” He stressed that, “The current measures of the government to fight the rising cost of living are meagre worsened with the great challenges of alleged discrimination and corruption. However, 10% is definitely not what the general membership is prepared to accept at this time, especially with a lesser % for 2025 and 2026!” The signature page of the agreement. Sir Randy Mingo who was always vocal since the first strike told the Kaieteur News that, “Many of those benefits will not benefit all the teachers, that is the first thing and that is the greatest issue that many of us have. Just a selected few would benefit from those incentives that they are talking about. So that is why we the teachers are more interested in the higher percentage on salaries. They are talking about health checks and all of these things, we don’t want health outreaches and all those things for us to go.” Abiding by the general council The GTU in a statement via its Facebook Page on Wednesday said that the agreement comes after months of talks between the two sides. “The GTU wishes to thank members for their resilience, support, and commitment throughout the process.  The General Council decision reflects the members’ wishes based on the instructions given to the executives. As we move forward, the GTU remains committed to advocating for the needs of our members and assures its members and the general public that we will continue to press the employer for additional members benefits.” Pres. Ali’s take Meanwhile Preseiden Irfaan Ali said in a Facebook live that, “over the next three years, teachers would see a direct increase of 27 per cent to their salaries. But that is not the totality of the increase. I want to go through some aspects of the holistic agreement. In 2024, they will receive a 10 per cent increase. In 2025, they will see an eight per cent increase and in 2026, they will see a nine per cent increase.”  He added, ““Holders of an advanced graduate diploma will receive $7,000 monthly. Holders of a certificate in education will receive $5,000 monthly. That’s a 25 per cent increase from where it was. Holder of a certificate in education management course will receive $5000 monthly based on this agreement. These teachers will benefit from this allowance for the first time in their teaching profession.” Related Similar Articles

Amerindian MP thrown out of Toshaos conference Aug 22, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Opposition Member of Parliament and Leader of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), Vincent Henry said on Tuesday he was not allowed to sit in at the ongoing National Toshao’s Council Conference (NTCC) despite being an indigenous man. Opposition MP Vincent Henry “The presentation by the Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat was stopped because of my presence and then the police escorted me out of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre,” the opposition MP said in a Facebook post. According to Henry those who accosted him said that he was an imposter and then later told him that the conference is only for Toshaos. The minister’s interactive session with the Toshaos ended around 16:30hrs following an announcement by one of the chairpersons that it was time to take a break. The NTC and the government have come under strong criticisms by the opposition. One of the executives of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Mark DeFrance stated, “It pains me therefore to see such treatment meted out to a son of our soil, a man who has given to our great nation in various aspects of life, but more so a sitting Member of Parliament.” DeFrance pointed out that the Amerindian Act of 2006 gives Henry the right as an Indigenous person to attend the conference. “Chapter 43 (3) b of the act, states clearly who can attend meetings of the National Toshaos’ Council. Any Amerindian”, DeFrance said. He added that a few years ago, he himself as Guyanese of Amerindian heritage, wanted to attend the NTC conference and had reached out to Lennox Shuman (a former Vice-Chairman of the NTC) regarding who can attend. DeFrance said that Shuman had directed him to the Amerindian Act and since then he has attended the last three NTC meetings. “Sometimes observing and even asking questions and giving suggestions, as is my right,” DeFrance related before adding: “I do hope that our former Deputy Speaker (Lennox Shuman) has not lost his voice and will call out those who have disenfranchised an Amerindian brother (Henry) of his right to attend and listen to the plight of our people”. DeFrance believes that the move to throw Henry out might be because of his political affiliation. “For us to fix our country, we must learn to look beyond the veil of political parties and work together for the greater good,” he advised.” “All must have a fair and equal say in determining what is best for all Guyanese, through healthy and respectful dialogue and interactions.” He said too “as people of the first nation, it is our duty to lead. No one will put our interests first. We must represent us. The time for petty politics is long past. Today is the time for collective nation building.” DeFrance is not the only one who weighed in on the eviction of Henry. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in a statement said that his eviction from the conference is a “vile and illegal act” and blamed the PPP led administration. “APNU rejects the purported excuse that the conference is only for Toshaos.” APNU stated too that the Amerindian Act dictates that the NTC shall “allow Amerindians to attend its meetings.” “Guyanese should denounce the PPP’s action for what it is a blatant violation of the rights of Mr. Vincent Henry and another act of PPP bad mindedness and control freakism”, APNU said. The government and the NTC are yet to respond to the allegations made that they broke the law by throwing out an indigenous Member of Parliament out of the NTYC conference. Related Similar Articles

Fire destroys Coldingen pillow factory Aug 22, 2024 News The aftermath of the fire at the Pillow Factory …owner puts losses at $50M Kaieteur News – A businessman is now at his wits end after a fire of unknown origin Wednesday morning destroyed his pillow factory and home at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD). In addition to the factory, the fire also destroyed the home of the businessman as well as several pieces of vehicle parts and at least one truck that were in the compound just outside the factory. Kaieteur News understands that the fire started in the Pillow Factory and spread to the house behind. During an interview with this publication, a neighbour related that the incident occurred between 9:00hrs and 10:00hrs after herself and husband saw smoke emanating from the pillow factory. The house that was destroyed by the fire “We saw a small fire like a garbage heap but the smoke was very dark maybe because of the sponge because it’s a pillow factory,” the woman recalled. She further stated that the fire soon started to spread rapidly threatening other nearby houses. “We saw the fire getting bigger my husband started to throw water to prevent the fire from spreading to our home because we did not know whether it will spread.” Owner of the factory, Azad (only name provided), told Kaieteur News that he estimated his losses in the region of $50 million. Related Similar Articles