admin

Kevin ‘2feet’ Joseph/ Team 13 U23 Basketball final set for tomorrow  Aug 09, 2024 Sports Royals take on Flames for championship; Jets meet Raiders for third place Kaieteur Sports – After playing unbeaten so far in this Kevin ‘2feet’ Joseph and Team 13 promoted Under23 basketball tournament, Victory Valley Royals are favourites to take possession of another basketball title in the mining town of Linden, when they face Block 22 Flames in the final come tomorrow night (Saturday) at the tournament venue, the Amelia’s Ward Hard Court. A grand following of basketball fans are expected to venture up to Amelia’s ward as both teams from the Wismar shore of Linden, reached the final after respective semifinal wins against east side opponents, and even though Royals defeated Flames in the round robin play, 57-34, they must fancy themselves to upset the winning streak of the Royals. Royals in their semifinal game against Jets were victorious, 74-50, as Kobe Tappin proved his worth once again with a leading score of 27 points, as Stephen George 22 and Rashad Hinds 13 also played well. The best shoot for the losing Jets was Shawntese Campbell with a game high 30 points. The Flames in the other semifinal match-up, scored a solid 68-58 win against Retrieve Raiders, behind Lerone Joseph’s 21 points, with Jonathan Clarke getting 20 and Jumane Reynolds nine. Raiders were led by Shemar Savoury who got a game high 29 points and Damian Vincent chipped in with 10. The third placed game between Raiders and Jets is a replay of the earlier round game where Raiders triumphed, 59-51, but playing at home once more, the Jets would be looking to avenge that loss with a win. Trophies and medals are at stake according to the organisers, who said there will be a half time show between the third-place playoff game which bounces off at 6.30pm featuring Raiders and Jets, and the final at 8.30pm between Royals and Flames. Related Similar Articles

‘Relationship between oil companies & Govt. a disrespect to Guyanese’ – Civil Society Activists tell UK media house Aug 09, 2024 News Kaieteur News – As US super major, ExxonMobil strengthens its foothold in Guyana with more projects being sanctioned in the Stabroek Block, the company’s relationship with the government of Guyana has become disrespectful to Guyanese, according to former President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Frederick Collins. Civil society activist, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes Collins in an interview with a British media house- The Guardian- said, “The relationship between the oil companies and the Government of Guyana is one of disrespect for the people of this nation.” In the article published last month, ‘Guyana banks on future as a ‘new Qatar’ in high-stakes gamble over oil production’- The Guardian explored the country’s tremendous potential with the vast resources discovered offshore. Even with all the wealth discovered offshore, citizens remain skeptical about benefits from the resources and are instead concerned about the governance of the blossoming industry. The former President of the local watchdog body told the global news organization, “The government takes the side of the oil company against the people, as has been seen in legal challenges to the way the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is operating.” Collins and another Guyanese, Godfrey Whyte took the EPA to Court for failing to secure an unlimited parent company guarantee to protect the nation from the burdensome costs associated with an oil spill. The High Court ruled in May last year in favour of the citizens. It determined that the EPA had shelved its statutory responsibilities in exchange of a derelict and submissive deposition, leaving “Guyana and its people in grave potential danger of calamitous disaster.” Former TIGI President, Frederick Collins The EPA however appealed the ruling along ExxonMobil; the Guyana government though it was not a party to the initial matter filed to join the appeal but the Court denied its application. The government then approached the CCJ to appeal the decision and was added as a party to the case to fight against the unlimited parent company guarantee. The Guardian reported that another recurring accusation is that the government disregards legality in infrastructure development projects. Elizabeth Deane-Hughes, former Attorney-at-Law who challenged the legality of a Permit issued to Exxon for the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) pipeline project was also cited in the article. She fought against land expropriations for a gas pipeline project that would pass through her family’s lands. After legal action, the route of the pipeline was modified, but the clashes with the government left the impression that the state would go above the law to implement its project, according to The Guardian. “It’s all about the rule of law,” she says. The British new outlet noted that it “repeatedly contacted” President Irfaan Ali, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips to comment on the allegations, but none responded. Similarly, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) the subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation did not respond to interview requests. Related Similar Articles

Lawyer found murdered in car Aug 09, 2024 News – two including a police sergeant being questioned Kaieteur News – An Attorney-at-Law, Richard Layne age 35, was found murdered in his car on Wednesday night. The vehicle, a Jaguar, PYY 2850 was parked on the bridge in front of his Lot 183 Century Palm Gardens, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, home. Murdered Richard Layne He was found dead around 22:13hrs bleeding from a wound to the neck by his friend and roommate, a 29-year-old police sergeant identified as, Toney Sulker. Sulker told police that at around 22:00hrs, he got up from his bed to use the washroom and then went to the kitchen. “While in the kitchen, he looked through a window, and saw Layne’s car parked on the bridge of the premises. Layne was sitting in the driver’s seat in a ‘slumped position’ and was motionless”, police said. Sulker said that he immediately ran outside and attempted to open the car doors, but they were all locked. He then called Layne’s mother, who lives in Campbellville, and on her arrival, they both tried opening the car doors but were unsuccessful. Sulker further claimed that Layne’s mother then instructed him to break the window on the driver’s side. He broke the window with a hammer and found Layne bleeding from a wound to his neck. Layne’s cousin, Michael Harding was reportedly the last to see him alive.  Harding claimed that he visited Layne around 19:00hrs that evening and they were hanging out. He recalled that Sulker was home too. While there, Layne said that he wanted some Starbucks coffee so he drove him (Layne) in his (Harding) car to Movietowne. They returned to Layne’s home around 19:15hrs. Sulker was asleep when they came back, Harding reportedly told police. Harding continued to hang out with Layne until 201:17hrs before leaving for his home. “Prior to leaving, he claimed that he made sure that Layne locked both gates to the house and yard, which have automatic locks. He also observed Layne’s car, parked in the garage”, police said. Hours later, Layne was found dead. Up to Press time, both men were still assisting police with their investigation. Related Similar Articles

12-yr-old girl dies while ‘ramping’ with cousin Aug 09, 2024 News The location where Chitwrattie Rohan was allegedly choked Kaieteur News – A 12-year-old girl, identified as Chitwrattie Rohan from Mon Repos, Martyrs’ Ville, East Coast Demerara died following an incident of alleged rough play with her 11-year-old cousin. Dead: 12-year-old Chitwrattie Rohan The grandfather of the deceased, Mohammed Ali told Kaieteur News that he found Chitwrattie on the ground in a semi-conscious state around 11:00hrs when he returned home. She was rushed immediately to the Beterverwagting Health Centre, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Ali, who was not at home during the incident stated: “I really can’t tell you much about what happened,” but it is suspected she was choked by her cousin during a rough play.” Related Similar Articles

GTU rejects Government’s 9% pay hike offer for teachers  Aug 09, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has rejected yet another proposal by the Ministry of Education in relation to the salary increase for teachers. This time, a source close to the union told this newspaper that the Ministry of Education revised its salary increase offer to teachers to 9% for 2024 and 8% for 2025 and another 8% for 2026. The source said that the proposal moved from 6% to 7.5% and then 9% for 2024 and 8% for 2025 and 2026. “The GTU was obviously not satisfied so they rejected the offer,” the source told Kaieteur News. Just two weeks ago, GTU reported that while the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education had proposed a six and seven percent salary increase for teachers, the union has not agreed to the proposal or signed an agreement regarding the proposed multi-year package. In a statement issued on the Union’s Facebook page, the union had said, “The GTU wishes to advise that no agreement has been reached or signed relating to a multi-year package for teachers. Contrary to the percentages in circulation, the Union has not and will not accept.” Further, the GTU had said that it will update its members about the progress made after the last two days of discussions between the Ministry of Education and the Union. The office of the Opposition leader had called the initial 7% proposal unfair and said all fair-minded Guyanese should join with teachers in rejecting “the insulting government proposal of 6 to 7% salary increase over the years 2024 to 2026.” The statement added “It is another slap on the face of teachers. One is hard-pressed to even call 6-7% an increase, given that food and other types of inflation have reduced and will continue to reduce real or disposable income of teachers, public servants and other wage-earners.” “Guyanese must note that while Jagdeo and the PPP continue to sit on their hands and allow hundreds of billions of dollars to be embezzled through corruption in the procurement system, they have no shame in offering Guyana’s teachers crumbs and dregs,” the statement added. Related Similar Articles

US$75M Good Success to Timehri road project commences Aug 09, 2024 News Section of the EBD roadway. Kaieteur News – The long-awaited East Bank Road Improvement project for Good Success to Timehri which will be executed through the Ministry of Public Works has commenced officially. This is according to a notice shared by the ministry on Thursday via its Facebook page. The notice reads, “As of today, and throughout the project’s timeline, the undertaking will be overseen by the contractor, China Road and Bridges Corporation, who will be responsible for rectifying the existing deficiencies along the Good Success to Timehri road, encompassing the pavement, drainage, street lights, signs and more. To minimize disruption to traffic flow, repairs may be conducted during nighttime hours. These activities will be closely supervised by the consulting engineers from Sheladia Associates Inc.” The duration of the works is expected to be 975 days with the end date set for March 31, 2027, the ministry shared. It was reported that the government through the Ministry of Public Works in February this year signed the design and built works contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation to the tune of US$75,887,907.67. Kaieteur News had reported that the upgrade to the East Bank of Demerara roadway is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Loan Programme – Programme to Support Climate Resilient Road Infrastructure Development and the Guyana government, to the tune of US$117 million. Through this programme, the IDB would finance US$100 million towards the project while the Government of Guyana would finance the remaining US$17 million. The loan was signed on March 6 last year and it is for five years. At the signing ceremony, it was revealed that approximately 23.7 km of roadway will be constructed. The soon to be upgraded two-lane roadway will feature additional sidewalks, cycle lanes, and the construction of concrete drains, for the safety of vulnerable road users: pedestrians and cyclists. The design of the roadway will also include thermoplastic road markings, LED street lighting, and traffic signs.  The Chinese contractors will also reconstruct the bridges and culverts, as well as widen the culverts along the road from Good Success to Timehri. It was reported in the media also that the project will be divided in three sections, with Section A covering the stretch from Good Success, beginning at the Ganga Temple, to Supply, while Section B extends from Supply to the Soesdyke Junction.  Section C continues from the Soesdyke Junction to the Timehri Junction, near the Timehri Police Station. A notable feature of the project is the integration with the Soesdyke/Linden Highway through the construction of a roundabout, designed to facilitate smoother traffic transitions. During a previous meeting with residents from the Diamond/Grove area in December, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill had reminded residents that when works begin, the project comes with some level of inconvenience and urged their support in this regard. The minister mentioned also, that when construction is ongoing, the bypass road through Third Avenue, Diamond to Good Success, then to Bushy Dam, Craig, will also facilitate lighter movement for vehicles. Related Similar Articles

FAO begins analysing progress fight against hunger in Caribbean Aug 09, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean organised the first meeting in a series of events dedicated to analysing the region’s progress in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, based on the results of the State of Food and Nutrition Security in the World (SOFI 2024) report. According to the SOFI 2024 report, presented in July during the G20 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the percentage of hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean rose from 5.6% in 2019 to 6.9% in 2021, but a progressive reduction was recorded, reaching 6.2% in 2023. This means that 4.3 million people have stopped going hungry, mainly thanks to a recovery in South America. Brazil is currently one of the countries whose public policies have positively impacted reducing hunger and food insecurity. Thus, through a Master Conference held at the FAO regional office, with more than 400 face-to-face and virtual participants, the Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, Wellington Dias, shared some of the actions undertaken by the Brazilian government in the fight against hunger. Minister Dias detailed the strategy that positions Brazil as a regional leader in hunger-reduction. “Lifting someone out of hunger and poverty is a one-time investment. After that, it is very difficult for the next generations to go back. So it’s a worthwhile investment,” he said. FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin, emphasized that “hunger and food insecurity are not simply issues of food scarcity; they reflect structural inequalities and systemic failures that affect human dignity and social justice throughout the world and also in the region.”  “Having the opportunity to reflect on these experiences forces us to recognize that hunger is a reality that can be addressed with responsibility, determination, and collective work and to ensure that all people, regardless of their geographic location, gender, or economic status, have access to sufficient and nutritious food,” added Lubetkin. This analysis process promoted by FAO at the regional level, which began with the keynote address by the Brazilian minister, seeks to deepen the region’s opportunities and capabilities to contribute to a global response to eradicate hunger and malnutrition and address other challenges such as reducing poverty and inequalities. International goals have been established to ensure sustainable development. Minister Wellington Dias detailed how Brazil has managed to lift 14 million people out of poverty thanks to a social programme with two components: social assistance and food security. This programme is based on creating a single social registry that makes it possible to know the multidimensional conditions of poverty affecting a family and to generate an assistance income that adjusts to their needs. “The transfer of resources means implementing access to food and other necessities. That money circulates in the place where they live. And the poorest people usually live where other vulnerable and poor people live. So, in addition to benefiting that family, it benefits that community,” he said.  The minister added that this type of assistance is accompanied by the Safra, or Harvest Plan, to combat hunger and food insecurity. This plan works with small farmers to stimulate production, and then the State can buy a fraction of the harvest to give to those who require it. Related Similar Articles