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Fireman nabbed smuggling rum Jul 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Home Affair on Tuesday disclosed that an officer in the Guyana Fire Service was allegedly caught smuggling rum. According to the ministry, the officer, Clayton Pantlitz was intercepted by police on Thursday July 18 along the Melanie Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD). During a search of his vehicle the ranks found a quantity of illegal rum that included 24 bottles of Hennessy, 24 Johnny Walker Black Labels, 10 Johnny Walker Gold Labels, 12 Fireballs, 48 Absolute vodka, and 12 Cîroc Vodka. He was arrested and first taken to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Bond to lodge the smuggled rum, thence to the Brickdam Police Station for processing. The ministry said that its Minister, Robeson Benn is dissatisfied with the officer’s conduct. He reportedly described it “as unbecoming and a discredit to the Guyana Fire Service”. “He stated such actions will not be tolerated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, as they represent a direct breach of Public Service Rules F02 and Offence No. 36 at Section G, as well as Guyana Fire Service Disciplinary Regulation 54, Paragraphs 42 and 44”, the ministry stated. The ministry said that such behaviours which undermine public trust and confidence and the agencies that fall under its purview will not be condoned. “A reminder was issued to all members of the disciplined  services under the ministry’s purview to adhere strictly to their oath of office, standing order and the organisational rules, and regulations, noting that failure to do so will result in disciplinary action” the ministry said. Related Similar Articles

Chain thief begs Magistrate for 2 weeks jail, gets 2 years instead   Jul 25, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Anthony Bartholomew at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Kaieteur News – A man who appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court#1 on Wednesday initially asked the magistrate for two weeks imprisonment for a larceny charge only to be handed two years instead. The defendant, Anthony Bartholomew faced allegations of larceny from Gracelyn Edmondson, involving the theft of a gold chain valued at $70,000 and two gold rings valued at $125,000. The accused, who did not have any prior connection to the victim, encountered Edmondson on July 22, 2024, as she left her residence with the mentioned articles, traveling to Georgetown to conduct business. When she was on Hadfield Street in Georgetown, the accused approached and snatched the chain from her neck and forcibly took the ring from her right hand. Bartholomew was subsequently arrested on July 23, 2024. The chain was retrieved and lodged with the police.  In court, Bartholomew pleaded guilty with an explanation, telling the magistrate that he just wanted “a little time to rest up.” He also claimed, “I didn’t really go fo snatch the lady chain.” However, the magistrate sentenced him to two years in prison for the offense. Related Similar Articles

PAHO urges countries to boost surveillance, increase vaccination against whooping cough Jul 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – In light of an increase in whooping cough (pertussis) cases globally and in some countries of the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert, calling on countries to strengthen surveillance and ensure constant monitoring of vaccination coverage in children. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is easily transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing and is a major cause of illness and death among children. If treated early, antibiotics can help prevent severe symptoms. Globally, between 2010 and 2019, an average of 170,000 cases of whooping cough were reported each year, with a significant decline observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the Europe region of the World Health Organization, a significant increase in cases was recorded during the second half of 2023, and during the first months of 2024. In a press release PAHO said in the Region of the Americas, since 2012, when whooping cough cases reached 72,328, there has been a progressive annual decrease in the number of cases reported, dropping to 3283 in 2022. But in 2024, cases have risen in several countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the United States.   The reported increase in cases is likely due to a significant decline in coverage of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines (DTP), mainly during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, coverage of the first and third doses of this vaccine in the region of the Americas reached a 20-year low at 87% and 81% respectively. Coverage data from 2023 shows a recovery of 90% and 88% respectively, with variations both between and within countries. Symptoms of whooping cough usually appear 7 to 10 days after infection. They include mild fever, runny nose and a dry cough followed by a whooping-sound when coughing (giving the disease its name).  To address the uptick in cases, in its alert PAHO recommends that countries ensure vaccination coverage of all three doses of DTP is higher than 95% in children and “should analyze vaccination coverage in children 1 year old and under 5 years of age, with a special emphasis on identifying population groups with low coverage.” Vaccination is also recommended for health care workers, particularly those working in maternity wards, as well as for pregnant women. The PAHO alert also calls on countries to strengthen surveillance to ensure that each pertussis outbreak is “carefully investigated to improve understanding of the epidemiology of the disease in the region of the Americas.” Countries should also strengthen their laboratory diagnostic capabilities “to improve the reporting and characterization of pertussis outbreaks in the region.” Suspected cases should be kept separate from infants and young children until patients have received antibiotics for at least five days. Treatment with erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin is recommended to shorten the period of transmissibility. PAHO continues to work with countries of the Americas and partners to strengthen immunization programs and support the implementation of campaigns to regain coverage, as well as to strengthen the infrastructure of national immunization programs and improve epidemiological and laboratory surveillance to detect outbreaks and respond immediately. Related Similar Articles

Scotiabank introduces retail self–checkout cashless kIosks Jul 25, 2024 News – as it expands digital offerings with payment solutions Kaieteur News – Scotiabank has expanded its digital offerings, using its proprietary application technology, which can help clients elevate their retail shopping experience through self-checkout, cashless kiosks. Nafeeza Gafoor, Country Manager, Scotiabank Guyana uses the self- checkout kiosks at a local supermarket. In a press release the bank said clients can now accept and process payments through self-check and kiosk services. “This payment solution provides clients with seamless, self-sufficient technology that allows their fund collections to be credited to accounts in24hours. Scotiabank is the only bank locally to have invested in its proprietary digital application.” The bank said self-checkout kiosks offer speed and convenience and allow shoppers an enhanced shopping experience by scanning and bagging their items themselves, bypassing traditional cashier lines and reducing waiting times. Scotiabank offers two solutions from which clients can choose the option that works best for them:  clients can utilise Scotiabank’s proprietary application for full integration of services-merchant acquiring services, including the applicable technology for processing the card payments or the Bank can partner with a third party Fintech to provide the acquiring services. “This new offering forms part of our commitment to providing clients secure, fast and more convenient solutions through innovative use of technology. We are pleased to be able to provide clients with a fully connected payment ecosystem to quickly reconcile payments and streamline information reporting. Furthermore, this adoption of technology redefines the  Guyana shopping experience in bringing faster, better service to those who want it,”Nafeeza Gaffoor, Country Manager, Scotiabank Guyana commented, according to the release. Scotiabank said it continues to make progress against its digital agenda, noting that recently the Scotia Caribbean App – a redesigned and enhanced way to bank 24/7 from mobile devices was launched. It boasts of enhanced security and accessibility features that no other bank in the local market offers- biometric sign in, through fingerprint and face recognition.  This, the bank said came on the heels of upgrades to its online banking platform – Scotia OnLine. The Bank is also incorporating digital advancements into its ATM functionalities, with upgrades coming soon, along with an expanded ATM footprint, the press release concluded. Related Similar Articles

Govt. to spend $32M to supervise over $500M in school projects Jul 25, 2024 News Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand in June at the sod turning ceremony for the Waramuri Secondary School. Kaieteur News – With over $500 million set aside to construct secondary schools at Jawalla in Region Seven, Waramuri in Region One and Orealla in Region Six, the government through the Ministry of Education will be spending an additional $32,940,925 to supervise these projects. This is according to information published on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) website, which revealed that the ministry had tendered for a brief review of designs and estimated cost and provide supervision services for the construction of the school buildings. It was revealed by NPTAB that the contract slated for the Jawalla Secondary School project was awarded to Kalitech Inc. to the tune of $12,700,000, a contract was awarded to Sizwe Jackson Consultancy Service for $10,565,925 for the Waramuri school project, and Caribbean Engineering Management Consultant Inc. was awarded a $ 9,675,000 for the Orealla school project. This publication reported that in June, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand turned the sod to commence the construction of Jawalla Secondary. The school is being constructed by Sheriff Construction Inc. to the tune of $231 million. The school which will cater for up  to 250 students,  when completed, will be equipped with facilities including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Information Technology laboratories, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) laboratories, a Home Economics room, library space, teachers’ quarters, spacious classrooms and a small dormitory just to name a few. Last month also, the minister and her team travelled to Region One to participate in the sod turning ceremony for the new Waramuri Secondary School. This $326,598,400 project is being executed by contractor Trevon David Construction Services. The school is said to be completed by March 2025 and would accommodate some 350 students. As it relates to the Orealla Secondary School project, at the opening of tenders at the NPTAB earlier this year it was revealed that the contract is estimated to cost $214 million. No contractor has been publicly announced for this project as yet. However, this publication reported that Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh when announcing plans to residents last year said that the government will build a secondary school in Orealla Village. He noted that the project would ensure that the number of children traveling to the coast to receive an education would be minimised. This publication reported that the various school projects falls under the Education Ministry’s $74.7 billion allocation this year. Related Similar Articles

No bail for chain snatcher Jul 25, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Gregory Howes at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Kaieteur News – A 53-year-old taxi driver of South Ruimvedlt Gardens on Wednesday was charged with larceny when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty. Gregory Howes also known as Bumpy Face is accused of snatching two gold chains from Susie Lee.  The allegations against Howes are that on Saturday, July 20, 2024, on Water Street, Georgetown he stole a gold and diamond chain valued at $175,000 along with a double heart gold chain worth $75,000, both belonging to Lee. The total value of the stolen items amounted to $250,000. According to the facts Lee, was walking along Water Street near Stabroek Market, southbound, with her chains around her neck when Howes, allegedly approached her from behind and swiftly snatched her chains. The incident was reportedly captured on a nearby CCTV camera. The subsequent day, July 21, 2024, while at La Penitence Market, approximately 30 feet away from Ruimvedlt Police Station, Lee identified Howes at the rear of a police vehicle, in custody at the time. Lee alerted the police, pointing him as the individual who had snatched her chain the day prior. Consequently, Howes was detained and formally charged with larceny from the person. During the court proceedings, Howes pleaded not guilty to the larceny charge. He has prior matters at the court of a similar nature. It was disclosed in court that he had been released from prison just in April. The prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness and prevalence of the offense. Bail was refused and Howes is remanded to prison until his next court date on August 7, 2024. Related Similar Articles

1,644 lots regularised in several squatting areas to date Jul 25, 2024 News Kaieteur News – One thousand six hundred and forty-four lots in 13 squatting areas in several regions have been regularised to date, benefitting hundreds of households between 2020 and 2023. Some 228 lots were regularised in Charity in Region Two. In Region Three, 44 lots were regularised in Greenwich Park, 17 in De Kinderen, 48 in Tuschen Railway, 82 in Uitvlugt/Stewartville, 64 in Vergenogen Railway, 86 in Vergenogen South Acme, and 46 in Good Hope Railway. Meanwhile, in Region Four, the government certified 321 lots in Bachelor’s Adventure [Bare Root], 44 in Block CH Chateau Margot, and 76 in Annandale Railway. In Region Ten, 155 lots were made legal in Block E Christianburg and Blueberry, Hill Wismar, and 433 lots in Conception, Fitz Hope-Parcel Three to Parcel 435 Amelia’s Ward                   Phase Four. Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal underscored that the regularisation of squatting areas is an ongoing process undertaken by the government since August 2020. “We are in various regions. We have some areas that we have recorded in terms of the squatting…We have an ongoing exercise for the removal of persons on the river dam along the Demerara River,” the housing and water minister explained. He made the remarks during a recent episode of ‘Guyana Dialogue.’ As squatting persists, Minister Croal maintained that no new squatting areas will be recognised. “But there have been some small pockets that we have noticed popped up that we had to address…We have been monitoring the areas where we have squatting that we can minimise,” he added. He made mention of the seven displaced families, due to an incident, from Sarah Johanna, on the East Bank of Demerara, who were relocated. Additionally, the government is working tirelessly to secure permanent housing for the families. Furthermore, an engagement was hosted last Monday with the residents of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, in Region Three, since these persons have to be relocated. This, he said, will ensure they are provided with a sustainable living environment, aimed at enhancing their standard of living. For this year alone, eight squatting areas have been earmarked for regularisation in Regions Three and Four, benefitting 479 households. These areas include 16 lots in Philadelphia Railway, 18 lots in Barnwell Railway, 34 lots in De Willem, and 71 lots in Vergenoegen/Tuschen in Region Three. Meanwhile, 51 lots will be regularised in De Endragt Railway, 52 Lots in Vigilance/Bladen Hall/Strathspey Railway, 15 lots in Beterverwagting Railway, and 222 lots in Mocha/Arcadia in Region Four. (DPI) Related Similar Articles