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AFC says deeply concerned over mismanagement of public funds on road contract Aug 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Alliance For Change (AFC) said it is deeply concerned about the recent revelations regarding the significant advance payment made to the Trinidadian contractor Kalco for the Conversation Tree Road Project, which remains incomplete. Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, disclosed that over GYD$400 million was paid in advance to Kalco, who failed to deliver the project, leaving the Government and taxpayers with significant losses, the party said in a statement Wednesday. During a parliamentary session, AFC Member of Parliament (MP) David Patterson inquired about the total expenditure on the project, the sum advanced to Kalco, and whether any liquidated damages were enforced. Minister Edghill revealed that Kalco was awarded the contract for $830,293,458 GYD in September 2022 and subsequently received $465,223,474 GYD, or 56% of the contract sum, as an advanced payment. In a concerning turn of events, Minister Edghill also admitted, the AFC said that no liquidated damages or penalties were applied. Instead, the government reached an “amicable settlement” with Kalco. This settlement purportedly included the seizure of $153,600,000 GYD worth of equipment to offset the outstanding advance payment, but no tangible proof of this equipment seizure was provided. “Even more alarming is the fact that a new contract was awarded to S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc. through sole sourcing, amounting to $844,027,988 GYD—$13 million more than the original contract. This raises serious questions about the government’s procurement practices and their commitment to fiscal responsibility,” the AFC said. Commenting on the situation, Patterson himself a former minister of works highlighted that the government effectively allowed Kalco to walk away with at least $311,623,474 GYD. “The absence of transparency and accountability in this process is indicative of a broader pattern of mismanagement of public funds by the PPP/C government.” He said the incident is not an isolated one. “There have been multiple instances under the PPP/C administration where contractors have been advanced substantial sums without adequate oversight or recourse. These recurring issues reflect a significant deficiency in the stewardship of the people’s money by the current government. The AFC calls for a thorough investigation into this matter and demands that the government adopt stringent measures to ensure accountability and transparency in all future contracts. It is imperative that the citizens of Guyana have confidence that their vital monetary pool, which in many instances they will have to repay to lending agencies for generations, is being managed prudently and that those responsible for fiscal mismanagement are held accountable,” Patterson said. Related Similar Articles

PAHO, Canadian agency launch programme to prevent excessive healthcare testing and treatment Aug 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) have announced a new partnership to address excessive or unnecessary testing and treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean. This collaboration aims to advance evidence-based healthcare practices, enhance quality of care, and improve patient safety across the region, PAHO said in a press release. PAHO Assistant Director Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas and Dr. Wendy Levinson, Chair of Choosing Wisely Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the five-year partnership starting July 2024. Healthcare overuse is a global issue marked by the frequent overuse of tests and treatments that do not benefit patient care. This results in wasted resources for both families and health systems and can potentially cause harm to patients. For example, Canadian and international guidelines recommend that seniors use benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills, for no more than 6 weeks due to risks of car accidents, falls, and hip fractures. Despite this, a 2017 study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that 1 in 10 Canadian seniors use these medications regularly. In the Americas, overuse issues are widespread, affecting already-strained health systems and families. By joining forces, PAHO and Choosing Wisely Canada aim to support healthcare workers, strengthen health systems, and ultimately benefit families by promoting evidence-based practices throughout the Americas to address the overuse of harmful or ineffective clinical interventions. “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen healthcare systems in the Americas,” said PAHO Assistant Director Dr. Sealey-Thomas. “By collaborating with Choosing Wisely Canada, PAHO can leverage their expertise to optimize resource utilization in hospitals and health centers across the region and improve patient outcomes.” “Strengthening our partnerships to address the global issue of overuse is a crucial step towards improving health systems and delivering better patient care,” said Dr. Wendy Levinson, Chair of Choosing Wisely Canada. “By establishing stronger networks, we can advance our collective efforts to improve quality and safety in care and promote best practices in healthcare delivery.” Key activities under the MOU include: Establishing and supporting networks of experts and influencers committed to applying quality research evidence to reduce harmful and ineffective healthcare interventions. Engaging health sector leaders and providers to champion quality and safety in healthcare. Supporting research agendas to advance healthcare quality and safety. Advocating for safe and effective healthcare delivery practices. Creating a learning community to share knowledge and resources on healthcare overuse. The MoU will be effective through August 31, 2029, providing a framework for ongoing collaboration between the two organizations. Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) is the national voice for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in Canada. This clinician-led initiative collaborates with national clinical societies to develop recommendations on frequently overused tests and treatments that can expose patients to potential harm, consume precious health care resources, and contribute to the climate crisis. Choosing Wisely Canada is led by a team of clinicians and staff based at Unity Health Toronto. Related Similar Articles

Govt. accepts $5.5M in compensation after vessel crashed into harbour bridge Aug 08, 2024 News The MV Princess Anisa Kaieteur News – The MV Princess Anisa, a vessel owned by INS Shipping, that drifted into the  Demerara Harbour Bridge on Jul 24, 2024, has fully compensated the corporation for the damages caused. The total amount of compensation reached $5.5 million, effectively settling the matter. Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill confirmed to this publication that the issue was resolved and INS Shipping fully compensated the damages, stating, “The company did what they were supposed to do; the matter was completed.” The incident occurred when the MV Princess Anisa, which was carrying rice, drifted into the Demerara Harbour Bridge while the crew was asleep. The collision resulted in significant damage to the bridge’s anchorage systems at spans 41 – 42. There were damages to anchor chains, wire ropes, chords bolts, and minor abrasions to pontoons 41.2 and 42.1. According to reports, the vessel had anchored at midnight in Versailles, and the crew went to rest. The drift into the bridge happened around 4:00hrs while preparations for retraction were underway. Harbour Bridge staff had observed the vessel approaching and drifting into the bridge. Related Similar Articles

UN resident coordinator ends tour of duty Aug 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Yeşim Oruç, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Guyana, will end her assignment today after serving in this position since August 2021, the agency said on Wednesday. Outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator Yeşim Oruç, During her tenure, Ms. Oruç sought to lead the United Nations system to support the government and people of Guyana to ensure that no-one, regardless of their circumstances, status or identity, is left behind from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “Ms. Oruç has coordinated the UN System’s support to national authorities in key areas, including gender equality and women’s empowerment, social protection, food systems transformation, labor, employment, and migration. These initiatives were facilitated by strengthened partnerships with development partners, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, academia, civil society, youth, the media, among others, the UN said in its press release. According to the release Ms. Oruç has worked to align the UN’s programmatic portfolio in Guyana in support of national development priorities for achieving the SDGs. In so doing, she put inclusivity at the center of the UN’s work. This has resulted in a renewed focus on the situation of women and girls, young people, persons living with disabilities, Guyana’s indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV/AIDS, migrant populations, and other vulnerable groups living in Guyana. “It has been the privilege of my life to serve in a country where a dynamic commitment to global goals is embodied in the national Low Carbon Development Strategy, backed by successive SDG-enabling national budgets. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to have accompanied this remarkable country on its amazing journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. I am also fortunate to have worked with some incredible people who are committed to helping Guyana to honour its human rights commitments. In recent months, it has been inspiring to witness Guyana take up its place on the UN Security Council, where today it is striving to ensure that topics like food security and climate security are placed right at the very top of the global agenda,” said Oruc.  Ms. Oruç’s successor will be announced in another release. Related Similar Articles

Bus driver dies in three-vehicle smash-up Aug 08, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A minibus driver lost his life on Wednesday morning after he collided with two motorcars on the Garden of Eden Public Road East Bank Demerara. Dead is Keith Caesar. Police said that, “The accident involved a minibus BAE 7146, driven by Caesar, a 35-year-old from North East La Penitence, Georgetown. A motorcar  PVV 4095, driven by Keyon King, a 35-year-old resident of Hyde Park, Timehri and a hire car HD 606), owned and driven by Vishnu Basdeo, a 30-year-old resident of Martyrs Ville, East Coast Demerara.” It was revealed during enquiries that motorcar PVV 4095 was heading south on the eastern driving lane of the Garden of Eden Public Road and the hire car was also headed in the same direction. The hire car driver told investigators that he saw the driver of PVV 4095 suddenly swerved westwards subsequently colliding with the minibus “which was travelling north along the western driving lane of the road at high speed.” As a result of the impact the minibus toppled a number of times and the other motorcar collided with the hire car. The fire service and an ambulance were summoned along with two teams of Emergency Medical Technicians. They examined the bus driver and he was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Center where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment. The driver of the PVV 4095 was also examined and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he has been admitted as a patient in critical condition.  The driver of the hire car was taken into custody and escorted to the Grove Police Station. He is presently in custody, assisting with the investigation. Related Similar Articles

Pres. Ali promises police outpost improved infrastructure for Bourda Market Aug 08, 2024 News President Irfaan Ali interacting with vendors during the walkthrough at Bourda Market. (Photo from Department of Public Information [DPI]…after vendors complain about motorbike thieves, garbage build-up Kaieteur News –  President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday said that the Government intends to place a mobil police outpost and fix the rundown infrastructures at the Bourda Market following a walkthrough the Georgetown facility. His promises were made after vendors raised concerns about the lack of security, poor waste management services and dilapidated infrastructures at the market. The President was accompanied by Junior Minister of Local Government and Regional Division Anand Persaud and councilors from the City Council. During his interaction with the vendors one woman told President Ali:  “Them [the garbage] nuh so plenty this morning… all over them deh, me get mah stand in deh, me can’t go in fuh open to take out meh tub.” Following her comment, another vendor complained about poor infrastructures. Taking this into account, President Ali in response said that Minister Persaud will return to the Bourda Market location, where consultations would be held to determine the necessary works to be done. The minister will examine the infrastructures in need of repairs, ensure vendors’ surroundings are safe and clean. Furthermore, Ali also revealed the intention to build a shed for vendors, he said: “let’s do a consultation in this Bourda Market, here place one big shed like how they do the other market.” On the issue of security, a vendor related to the President when he was allegedly robbed by motorbike thieves in the wee hours. “I use to park by me cousin over there and at about 05:30 in the morning, I just go over fuh park and to exit the canter and two motorbike man pull up.” Ali said, “…I will have the police come and do a full outreach on the security.” The President explained that by the end of the week, a police Mobil outpost will be placed in the vicinity of the market to ensure efficient policing in the area.  Additionally he said, “I will tell them to see how we can connect the cameras to this screen so everybody can see what is happening in the market on the screen.” To this end, the President flayed the City Council for its failure to carry out their duties.  “The City Council ain’t doing nothing, because they collecting money from the people in the market, they supposed to have the constabulary out there, no constables, no security, nothing, they don’t pick up the garbage.” Related Similar Articles

Govt.’s decision to retroactively implement excise tax increase on re-migrants must be challenged in Court – Nigel Hughes Aug 08, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A move taken by the Government to retroactively implement excise tax increase on re-migrants is likely to attract legal proceedings. AFC Leader and Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes This is according to Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes. Hughes was at the time responding to information published in the Official Gazette on July 30, 2024 which revealed that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)’s Excise Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2024 that details the increase in taxes for re-migrants was being imposed retroactively by virtue of the order which stated that the amendments shall be deemed to come into operation on September 1, 2023. The order signed by Senior Minister in the office of the President with the Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh was published in the gazette less than 48 hours after Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire handed down a ruling declaring the 30 percent imposition in excise tax for re-migrants was illegal. As such, the AFC leader said the decision by the government to have the amended regulations on excise taxes be deemed operational retroactively “has wide reaching effects and must be challenged in court.” “We can’t have a Minister or government making these decisions to retroactively impose regulations…because if you look at it, you can tell it was done in bad faith as a counter to the chief justice’s ruling that is problematic in itself…The AFC does not and will not support such actions and we believe that this must be challenged in Court,” Hughes said an invited comment with this newspaper. Last week, the Chief Justice granted an order declaring that the GRA’s imposition of excise tax at the rate of 30% was illegal. Since July 2023, the GRA raised the taxes payable by re-migrants from 10% to 30% on vehicles with engines larger than 3,000cc.  On 8th April, 2024, the Commissioner General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia, wrote Aditya Basdeo that he was given duty free concessions as a re-migrant. However, Mr. Statia required that Basdeo pay 30% excise tax on his new generation 2023 Toyota Landcruiser vehicle. Mr. Basdeo took issue with this and caused his attorney to write the GRA on 15th April 2024 explaining that there was a problem because the correct and proper excise tax rate was 10%. In Basdeo’s case, the 10% was equivalent to over $1,500,000 but the GRA was insisting that he pays nearly $4,600,000 – a difference of $3,100,000 in taxes. When the matter came up for hearing before Chief Justice George Wiltshire, counsel for the GRA, Ms. Nicklin Belgrave, reported that the GRA made a mistake because they realised that the Minister of Finance had merely signed the regulations of July 2023 but the regulations were not duly brought into force by being published in the Official Gazette or being tabled in the National Assembly. In other words, the GRA had been wrongfully and illegally charging 30% taxes to re-migrants and collecting those taxes without any authority. The Chief Justice granted all of the orders paid for by Mr. Basdeo through his attorney, Siand Dhurjon. She declared that the GRA’s policy of requiring 30% excise taxes was unlawful and she granted an order of certiorari quashing Statia’s assessment of 30% excise taxes. The Judge also granted an order of mandamus to compel the GRA to apply the correct excise tax of 10%. The Judge granted an order that Basdeo’s 2023 Landcruiser must be released to him forthwith upon payment of the correct excise taxes. Basdeo’s Landcruiser came into Guyana on 28th June 2024 and has been on the wharf racking up storage costs ever since. The Chief Justice ordered that the GRA was to pay the storage costs as well as the costs of the lawsuit in a specified sum to Mr. Basdeo. In an invited comment Mr. Dhurjon stated that “the Excise Act and its regulations do not permit the GRA to charge beyond 10% in excise taxes. For the last year, the GRA has been overcharging re-migrant taxpayers illegal excise taxes to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars cumulatively…This verdict opens the door for all re-migrants who paid above 10% in [within that period] excise taxes to seek a refund.” The government subsequently gazette the amended regulation re-migrants, settlers, and returning students detailing that they are now required to pay five percent excise tax on  vehicles which has a Cubic Capacity (cc) of less than 1500cc, vehicles those with between 1500cc-1800cc are also required to pay five percent tax, those with 1801-2000cc are required to pay 10 percent tax, those with vehicles that have 2001-3000 cc are required to pay 20 percent and those with above 3000 cc are now required to pay 30 percent on taxes. Related Similar Articles