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Concerns Over Safety and Security at Amazonia Mall: A Call for Action Aug 17, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, We are compelled to highlight a deeply troubling incident that occurred on the evening of July 31, 2024, at the Amazonia Mall, which starkly reveals the abuse of power and significant safety concerns within our community. My husband and I parked our Honda CRV in front of a security hut, an area devoid of any signage indicating restrictions. After a quick stop to the supermarket and dinner, we returned only to find our vehicle vandalized; both passenger-side tires were slashed. This wanton act of destruction not only inflicted financial distress upon us but also shattered our sense of security in a location that should be safe. Upon discovering the damage, we approached the security guard on duty, who casually remarked, “I’m lucky it’s just the tires.” Such a response exemplifies a shocking indifference to our plight and trivializes the severity of this criminal act. It is alarming to witness a security personnel dismissing the distress of victims, suggesting a disturbing normalization of violence within our supposed protectors. The situation escalated further when the security guard called for police assistance. When the officers arrived, armed and seemingly confrontational, they implied that we were somehow responsible for inciting violence, despite our primary concern being the damage to our vehicle. Their recommendation to file a report at the police station instead of taking immediate action to address our situation raises grave concerns about their priorities and training. When those in authority respond to vandalism with indifference and victim-blaming, it sends a dangerous message that such behaviour is tolerated and that victims are to be held accountable for their misfortunes. This incident is emblematic of a larger issue regarding power dynamics in our society. As citizens, we have an unequivocal right to feel safe in our communities, and we demand that security personnel and police officers act with diligence, respect, and empathy. It is imperative that we confront these issues head-on and advocate for comprehensive training and accountability for those entrusted with our public safety. I call upon readers and community leaders to reflect on the implications of this incident and to engage in meaningful dialogue about how we can collectively foster safer neighbourhoods. We must ensure that those who serve us do so with the compassion and integrity that every citizen deserves. Sincerely, Kerensa Bart. Related Similar Articles

The stagnation of domestic football Aug 17, 2024 Letters, Sports Dear Editor, On Thursday July 25, 2024, the Stabroek News reported that the Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s national football team dropped one point in the FIFA World ranking from 153 to 154. This is sad, and it reeks of a sympathetic gesture.  You want to know how backwards football went under the Wayne Forde administration, well if you are reading this, simply try to name one national team football player? If you passed that test, name a locally born domestic player on the senior men’s national team? Most Guyanese will have to search Google to get the answers to both questions, and well the names of such persons should be household names just as we can name local cricketers. Those who get both correct are likely employed by the GFF, coaching or involved in football administration at some level. What we are witnessing in local football is the lack of vision, acceptable only because the alternative could mean a return to the days of questionable football administration, governance and accounting. With the level of resources at their disposal, it’s a travesty that successive Wayne Forde administrations have failed to add real structure, organization, competition and excitement to football. And while the GFF is swift to rattle off its achievements, the real question is what is behind the failure of these achievements to produce a formidable national product? When you dig deep enough, you will understand that Wayne Forde is a politician and tactician.  For him, it is about self-preservation. Unfortunately, this has caused stagnation in domestic football. A case in point. The senior men’s national team has had at least three different coaches. Why? How many alumni meaningfully engage with the team and domestic development. The average Guyanese could tell you more about the English Premier League, the senior men’s national team and how domestic football is organized, save for some tournaments. Another example, despite the sizable amount of resources the GFF receives from FIFA, it still depends on corporate donations and sponsorships to stay afloat? What are the reasons for this? Why has this been sensibly addressed? In the same Stabroek News article, it was revealed that “Guyana in 2024 boasts a record of two wins and four losses. Guyana defeated Cambodia 4-1 and Belize 3-1, but suffered defeats against Cape Verde [0-1], Trinidad and Tobago [1-2, 0-2], and Panama [0-2].” Some may say the victories against Belize and Cambodia were convincing, but a closer examination reveals that Cambodia is ranked 180 and Belize 183 in the FIFA World Rankings. Meaning, if you think Guyana is bad, these teams are much worse. Also, Guyana lost 4 matches in 2024, in 3 of these matches, the team failed to score a goal; they scored one goal in the 4 defeats. This is telling! One off achievements is not the same thing as progress. Guyana needs a proper matriculation system that’s both inter and intra-regional. But most of all, organized domestic football needs leadership that understands and is capable of growing the business of football to grow the game. Imagine, in this day and age, Regional Member Associations depend on the GFF for financial resources and playing equipment. Without the GFF Secretariat financial support, these associations would cease to exist.  But that is not the only issue, in such a situation, it becomes easy to exert influence. Regards, Michael Anthony-Sealy Related Similar Articles

Govt. wants payment period to Guyanese companies operating in oil and gas sector reduced to 21 days Aug 16, 2024 News …Locals earned US$314M within first half of 2024 Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana (GoG) through the Local Content Secretariat (LCS) is working to have the payment period to local companies operating in the petroleum industry reduced to 21 days. Dr. Martin Pertab, the Director of the Local Content Secretariat The Government had solidified its commitment to ensuring that the benefits derived from the foreign direct investments into Guyana’s petroleum sector are captured and retained in-country, through the enactment of the Local Content Act of 2021. However, despite the law being implemented, there were still several issues local companies encountered; one being the prolonged issuing of payments to local suppliers. Guyanese businesses had voiced their concerns and in 2022, the government issued an ultimatum to contractors and sub-contractors operating in the oil and gas sector to issue payments to Guyanese suppliers within 30 to 45 days following the receipt of a correct invoice. At the Ministry of Natural Resources press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Martin Pertab, the Director of the Local Content Secretariat within the Ministry of Natural Resources, disclosed that while the Secretariat had reduced the payment period to 35 to 45 days, they are now looking to further revise that period. “We’re in discussion with some of the major tier-one companies, including the contractor, to have that payment period revised downward to 21 days,” he said. The shortened payment period is part of a broader strategy by the Local Content Secretariat to create a more favorable business environment for local companies. Additionally, Dr. Pertab revealed that local companies have earned a total of US$314 million from the oil and gas sector within the first six months of 2024. This figure represents more than half of the projected annual earnings for the sector. “As of June 30, 2024 expenditure among the related sector is somewhere around US$314 million of 54% of the 2024 projected estimate, when compare to mid-year of 2023, we are seeing growth in some areas such as engineering machine services by 238%, we have seen growth in accommodation services by 39%, we have seen growth in equipment rental by 48.5% and catering by 18.8%,” the Director stated. Notably, he attributed this to the increase in petroleum activities due to the arrival of the third Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO). In addition, the Local Content Secretariat has been working closely with local businesses to identify and overcome other challenges under the local content law. Dr. Pertab underscored the importance of collaboration with the private sector, including the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in shaping policy directions and addressing obstacles faced by local companies. “So far, we have received several recommendations from these stakeholders, and we are in the process now of revising those recommendations and one of course is what we are referring to as [subsea] pipe-coating,” Dr. Pertab said. “As of now, we are in discussion with some of the tier-one companies that deals directly with this particular service and the concern is the high energy cost and we all know the advent of the gas to energy project, once we can bring down that energy cost by 50%, pipe coating services is something that is highly possible would likely be done in Guyana which will likely boost local content activities in Guyana somewhere around 10%,” he added. Moreover, Dr. Pertab noted that one of the notable successes was the expansion of a local company providing machine and fabrication services. Through engagements facilitated by the Secretariat, this company has moved from offering basic services to manufacturing premium accessories, securing a major purchase order as a result. He said, “In fact, just recently, they have received a major purchase order following our engagement with the contractor and sub-contractors…” The Secretariat is also placing a strong emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, with a particular focus on women-owned businesses. According to Pertab, over the past six months, 54 new women-owned companies have registered with the Secretariat, providing services such as catering, accommodation, and janitorial work. A standout achievement in this area is the recent award of a major contract to a female-owned business, which rapidly expanded its workforce in response to the demand. Furthermore, the Local Content Secretariat is advancing its efforts to upskill the local workforce. Earlier this year, the Secretariat announced an initiative to place 100 students with major tier-one companies for hands-on experience. Dr. Pertab stated that as of mid-2024, 53 students have been successfully placed, with the remainder expected to join by year’s end. Notably, he also gave an update on the mobile app stating, “We have been working on the mobile app and we are hoping to have that finalised by the end of this year as of now, we are working on the interface to ensure that it is user friendly and could be used by the public in general.” Related Similar Articles

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Permanent Council Approves by Consensus a Non-Binding Resolution Demanding the “Protection and Preservation” of All Equipment Used in the Elections By EFE / Confidencial HAVANA TIMES...

.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}} Two Suspects Charged in Connection with Policeman’s Weapon Robbery Authorities have apprehended two individuals in connection with a robbery...

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