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Miner drowns in old mining pit at Reg. 8 backdam Jul 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A miner known as “Ten Pound” drowned on Tuesday in an old mining pit at St. Elizabeth Backdam, Potaro, Region Eight. Police identified him as Shamar Roberts, 22, of Melanie North, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He and a 26-year-old co-worker were reportedly floating a drum of fuel across the inundated old pit to their worksite when tragedy struck around 09:00 hrs. The co-worker recalled that as they both arrived to the middle of the pit, he saw Roberts moved off from the drum and took a different direction while struggling to stay above the water. The co-worker said he reached out to help him but Roberts went under and failed to resurface. He (the co-workers) alerted others and they began to search for the pitman. Roberts body was later recovered around 14:20hrs that afternoon. His remains are at the Mahdia District Hospital’ Mortuary. Related Similar Articles

Chinese Medical Team making big impact in healthcare in Guyana Jul 24, 2024 News Chinese doctors sharing information with a patient during the surgery week exercise – launches surgery week at GPHC Kaieteur News – The 19th China Medical operating here believes that since coming to Guyana, they have made significant strides in boosting healthcare delivery and continues to admire the growth of their local counterparts in the … The team on Monday opened what is dubbed Surgery Week at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The event will run until Friday and Guyanese can access a range of medical services by the team. The Surgery Week event is a concentrated demonstration of the medical expertise of the 19th China Medical Team, showcasing the cooperative achievements between the Chinese and Guyanese doctors. It also allows for Guyanese to know more about the Chinese doctors, Dr. Zhao Changyong, the head of the China Medical Team told Kaieteur News in an interview.  He said the Chinese medical teams over the years have brought advanced medical technology to Guyana and the spirit of fearlessness of hardship and a willingness to sacrifice. He said with the establishment of numerous clinical centres and the application of many new technologies in practice, the healthcare level of Guyana has been significantly elevated. A young woman interacts with some of the Chinese doctors Dr. Zhao is also a general surgeon with 23 years of clinical experience. He told the Kaieteur News that he is good at laparoscopic surgery, especially in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Serving as a consultant for Team 1 of the Department of General Surgery of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Zhao is committed to leading his team in Guyana to treat critically ill patients in emergency situations. These cases include severe liver trauma shock patients, stab wounds to the head of the pancreas, portal vein penetrating injuries and abdominal aorta stab wounds, among others, saving the lives of many patients who were near death. He related that he has successfully performed Whipple surgery several times, which is the most difficult surgery in general surgery. Pancreatic Cancer He recalled a pancreatic cancer patient from Linden was told that he could not be operated on and ended up at his clinic. Dr. Zhao said he successfully completed the operation for the patient who thanked him and his team for their hard work. “When the patient left the hospital, he felt that he became a lucky person after meeting me and said the Chinese medical team was a gift from God to him,’ Dr. Zhao related. Dr. Zhao said too that he promotes super-minimally invasive surgery, reducing the trauma of Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy to the lowest possible level, with scars barely visible. Noting that he often selflessly shares his medical experience with Guyanese colleagues, focusing on training four local doctors, Dr. Zhao said he is not only a medical expert in China, but also an expert in medical quality control and department management. A member of the 19th Chinese Medical Team interacts with a visitor of their booth at the GPHC Through donating specialised HBP surgical equipment, demonstrating surgeries, sharing perioperative management techniques, and standardising clinical paths and surgical quality control, Dr. Zhao believes he has contributed significantly to the development of GPHC’s hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery capabilities. He said the establishment of GPHC’s hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery division marks the first subspecialty in general surgery in Guyana, which will undoubtedly enhance the entire country’s diagnostic and treatment levels in hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. History of China Medical Team Meanwhile, giving a brief history of the Chinese doctors’ involvement in Guyana Dr. Zhao said at the invitation of the Government of Guyana, the first China Medical Team arrived in Guyana on July 30, 1993, and was warmly welcomed by then Heath Minister, Gail Teixeira and later a cordial reception from then President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. “This marked the beginning of China’s first medical cooperation project with a government in South America. Over the past 31 years, the Chinese government has sent 19 medical teams and 279 experts to Guyana. Both sides have made significant progress and development in clinical medical exchanges and cooperation, medical education and training, public health, and other aspects, Dr. Zhao related. Dr. Zhao Changyong, Head of the 19th China Medical Team He said the 19th China Medical Team of which he is the head arrived in Guyana in September 2023, replacing the 18th team and commencing their work in the country. The 14 medical experts of the 19th Chinese medical team closely cooperated with their counterparts in Guyana’s health sector at GPHC and Linden Hospital, treating nearly 13,000 patients and performing over 2,000 surgeries and surgical guidance. “During their rest periods, the team organised 14 free medical outreaches, extending medical services to the remote Amerindian villages “at their doorstep,” benefiting more than 3,400 people. In response to the Ministry of Health’s requirement, the China Medical Team donated cervical cancer screening equipment and collaborated with the Guyanese government to launch the Guyana Cervical Cancer Screening Project. Upon invitation from the Ministry of Health, they also trained sample collectors and screening test doctors,” Dr. Zhao said. He said too that the China Medical Team also serves as an ambassador of friendship, participating in a variety of local activities during their spare time to experience the charm of diverse cultures and forging friendships. Related Similar Articles

WPA warns against snap elections without clean voters’ list, biometrics Jul 24, 2024 News Voters queued at polling stations back in the March 2020 elections – says opposition parties must be prepared to hit the streets Kaieteur News – The Working People’s Alliance has warned against any snap elections by the ruling PPP/C saying such a move without implementing biometrics, constitutional reform, a clean voters’ list, and considerations for power sharing poses an existential threat to democracy and political advancement of working people in Guyana. As such, the party said there is need for greater vigilance and broad opposition unity in the short-term to challenge the PPP regime, on the streets if necessary. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the WPA said that there are strong indicators the PPP is planning to call early elections, noting that there are several evidential factors currently influencing the political landscape which in its analysis indicate the PPP could call elections as early as November 2024 or January 2025 “jeopardising Guyanese working class unity and democracy.” “The first arises from the growing set of incidents indicating that the US federal government has intensified its pressure on the PPP administration due to increasing corruption levels involving known PPP supporters, members, and government functionaries. This external pressure can be a potential “push” factor contributing to the possibility of early elections.” Secondly, the WPA said the government has unusually issued invitations to the European Union, the Carter Center, and other entities to monitor elections that are not constitutionally due for more than a year in November or December 2025. This move suggests a strategic preparation for an early election, the WPA noted. Thirdly, “we believe the regime is evaluating the belief that the opposition is currently disorganised and incapable of mounting strong and effective challenges to the PPP’s governance. This further supports the likelihood of early elections. The perceived weakness in the opposition is seen as an opportunity for the government to consolidate its power without significant resistance.” According to the WPA, an early, snap election would allow the government to delay the introduction and use of biometrics and the amendment to the constitution for a new voters’ list. These measures are crucial for ensuring a level playing field and credible election results. “The PPP is unlikely to concede to these changes easily but may use the timing of the elections to avoid their implementation.” Additionally, the WPA said the Information Technology (IT) Manager who removed the server from the computer used in the vote tabulation process at the 2020 elections and kept it in his possession for several hours raising questions about electoral fraud partial to the PPP, is today, the functioning Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO). “This development raises tremendous concerns about the integrity of the election process and the potential for tampering with election data favourable to the PPP in an early election.” The WPA said that it notes that within the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), decisions are made on a 4-3 basis, with the Chair and three PPP Commissioners on one side and the three other Commissioners on the other. The split highlights the contentious nature of election oversight and the potential for partisan decision-making. “The combination of these factors points to a strategic move by the PPP government to call for early elections, leveraging the current political climate to its advantage. The WPA believes this presents short- and long-term dangers for democracy, Constitutional Reform and power sharing. By calling early elections, the PPP may bypass crucial constitutional reforms needed to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. Delaying or avoiding the reforms can entrench systemic electoral intransigence, making it harder to achieve meaningful changes that protect democratic principles and working peoples interests in the long run.” The party warns that a government that consolidates power without significant opposition can undermine democratic checks and balances, leading to an erosion of democratic norms and the marginalization of alternative political voices. “The WPA emphasises the need for vigilance and broad opposition unity in the short term to challenge the PPP regime, on the streets if necessary. Related Similar Articles

Guyana to benefit from additional funding to support forest management efforts Jul 24, 2024 News Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat (far left), during the signing of the agreement between the EU and IICA Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana is set to benefit from additional funding under the European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the signing of an agreement between the EU and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). The signing of the agreement was witnessed on Monday by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the agreement will see the provision of additional funds to assist with the implementation of the VPA. It is expected that the first VPA implementation licence will be issued in 2026, a phase that will be funded by the EU. In November 2023, EU Ambassador to Guyana Rene Van Nes announced at the Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (JMRC) meeting that the EU would provide additional funds for the VPA implementation. The main objective of the agreement is to improve compliance of the Guyana forest sector governance system with the EU Forest Law Governance and Trade (EU FLEGT) requirements including the implementation of the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System. The agreement also provides for strengthened participation and improved compliance of stakeholders in the VPA process. Enhanced information exchange for FLEGT compliance between the EU and Guyana partners and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the FLEGT VPA are also goals of the agreement. Further, the agreement will also support capacities at the GFC and Forest sector level. Meanwhile, the EU support is in addition to other support given for the FLEGT VPA process which includes support for the Digitization of the Timber Legality Assurance System. The EU FLEGT is supported by an Action Plan that sets out a range of measures to address forest governance and law enforcement challenges in the sector. A key element of the FLEGT Action Plan is the VPA, a bilateral agreement between the EU and a timber-producing (partner) country. The VPAs aim to support governance reform and strengthen enforcement activities in the partner countries with commitments to improve transparency, accountability, legislative clarity and other aspects of governance. When a country becomes a VPA Partner, it is empowered to issue FLEGT licences to exporters under national FLEGT Licensing Schemes based on a Legality Assurance System (LAS). This system ensures that only legally produced timber products are exported to the EU. Related Similar Articles

24 out of 28 contractors bid below engineer’s estimate of $705M to construct Chesney pump station Jul 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Twenty-four out of the 28 contractors, who have applied to construct the pump station for Chesney Village in Region Six, have submitted bids lower than the government engineer’s estimate of $705,657,350. The project which is being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. It was revealed that the 24 contractors bid between $509 million and $705.3million for the project, while the other four contractors bid between $766 million and $859 million. Kaieteur News was previously informed by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha that the pump station would be the first of its kind in the Chesney community. The minister stated that Albion which is neighbouring Chesney has a pump station operated by GuySuCo and would normally benefit Chesney. “This (Chesney pump station) would complement the system (Albion pump station) because the water drains from both ways,” he explained. It was reported in the media that the pump station for Chesney is part of several projects the ministry is looking to get underway this year. In 2024, works are said to advance on pump stations at Charity, Cottage, Cozier, Jimbo Grove, and Letter Kenny, with additional investments planned for pump stations at Chesney, Farm, Grove South, and Little Diamond. All this will form part of the $10 billion which was approved for NDIA from the national budget earlier this year. Kaieteur News understands that some 19 pump stations are under construction across the country and are expected to be operationalised by mid-2025. Below are the companies and their bids: Ministry of Agriculture Construction of pump station at Chesney, Region Six. Rehabilitation of farm-to-market road at Maria’s Lodge, West Bank Demerara. Construction of drainage structure at Grove Middle Walk along the Bellamy Canal. Ministry of Education Supply and delivery of toolkit nursery school. Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Supply & Installation of one 60KVA 120/240V Single Phase-3 Wire Outdoor Mounted Sound Proof Stand by Diesel Generator for the TSC. Related Similar Articles

Judges’ forum discusses HIV patients access to justice, equality Jul 24, 2024 News Some of the judicial officers who were present at the forum Kaieteur News – A National Judges’ Forum on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human Rights, and the Law was convened on Tuesday to enhance the judicial system for individuals living with HIV. The goal of the one-day seminar is to ensure individuals living with HIV have access to fair justice and equality before the law. The judicial system’s role in the lives of these individuals and other key populations were discussed. During the opening ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said forums like these are important and bring together stakeholders to combat the stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS within society. “We need to have a more progressive environment if we are going to reduce stigma and discrimination…As a judicial forum, you can think about ways and means of how we can make some of our laws more progressive and reduce the obstacles to care,” the minister stated. The health minister encouraged the legal professionals to understand the health system and not only look at the stigma from a judicial perspective. “I think it is important that as judicial officers, you understand some of these things that are happening and work with the public health programmes and other persons who are interested in making the environment more wholesome for people living with HIV/AIDS,” Dr. Anthony said. Meanwhile, the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards noted that the exercise will add to the knowledge of judicial officers, enabling them to better apply the law and standards to those persons living with HIV/AIDS. She added that Guyana and the Caribbean’s constitutions have always worked to protect and create a safe space for persons with varying diseases, viruses, and disabilities. “The delivery of justice to everyone in Guyana must accompany those constitutional imperatives. Equality of treatment for all is integral to our role as judicial officers,” Justice Cummings-Edwards posited. Also, present were Guyana’s Chief Justice (ag) Justice Roxane George, High Court Judge of Trinidad and Tobago Justice Avason Quinlan Williams, and UNDP Representative of Guyana and Suriname, Gerardo Noto. The officials posited that the forum would drive the equity needed in today’s judicial society for persons living with underlining conditions. According to Noto, the seminar is a form of encouragement for persons to seek additional help if diagnosed with the virus. The evidence is clear, the more protective in enabling the legal and policy environment of a country, the lower the HIV prevalence,” the UNDP representative said. The Judicial Institute of Guyana, the Judicial Education Institute of Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) collaborated to organise the forum. It sets the pace for another meeting slated for later this year, where additional discussions on the role of the judicial system in the protection of persons living with HIV and other key populations will be discussed. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Canadian company eyes big boost in status with acquisition of gold project in Guyana Jul 24, 2024 News The operations at the Oko West project Kaieteur News – Canadian firm-G Mining Ventures Corporation (GMIN) has eyes on becoming a mid-tier gold producer now that it has acquired the Oko West gold project which is located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Earlier this year, Reunion Gold Corporation, also Canadian, announced that GMIN will be taking over its Guyana’s Oko West project, as a result of an all-share deal valued at C$875 million (US$638 million). In a statement on July 15, both companies announced that the deal was finalized by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act. “The Arrangement was overwhelmingly approved by GMIN shareholders as well as Reunion Gold security-holders at their respective annual general and special meetings held on July 9, 2024, and was subsequently approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) on July 11, 2024,” the release said. Louis-Pierre Gignac, President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of GMIN stated that the Oko West project in Guyana will catapult the company as a leading intermediate gold producer. According to the statement, Gignac stated: “Oko West will play an important role in realizing our vision of becoming a leading intermediate gold producer, with its significant resource base, excellent expansion potential and location in a mining-friendly jurisdiction. With the close of the Oko West acquisition, I am excited to undertake maximising value of this generational asset. Our team is uniquely positioned to accelerate value creation at Oko West, leveraging our deep Guiana Shield experience, expertise in project execution, and the tangible synergy from the anticipated near-term free cash flow, established system, team and equipment at Tocantinzinho. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Reunion Gold shareholders to the GMIN family, and I look forward to continuing to create value for our existing and new shareholders.” On April 18, Reunion had announced the signing of an agreement with government and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), which paves the way for the exploration and development of the Oko West gold project located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Guyana. Under the terms of the Mineral Agreement, Reunion Gold is granted stable fiscal and operational conditions throughout the project’s lifespan. Reunion has firmly set its eyes on reaching gold production at its Oko West Gold Project by 2027. The company has an estimated 4.2 million ounces of gold. In February 2024, Reunion announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) containing a total of 4.3 M oz. of gold in Indicated Resources grading 2.05 g/t and 1.6 M oz. of gold in Inferred Resources grading 2.59 g/t. The February 2024 MRE includes an underground Resource containing 1.1 M oz. of gold at a grade of 3.12 g/t Au in the Inferred category. For his part, Rick Howes, President, CEO and Director of Reunion Gold, stated, “We are pleased with the completion of the business combination and look forward to following the advancement of the Oko West project to production. I would like to recognize the Reunion Gold team’s effort and shareholders’ continued support allowing us to rapidly advance Oko West from discovery to development in just over three years. We are confident that Oko West will provide a key contribution to GMIN’s vision of becoming a leading intermediate gold producer and will benefit Guyana and all stakeholders.” The Canadian companies entered into a definitive agreement to combine the two companies, with hopes of setting the stage for the creation of a leading intermediate gold producer, particularly in the Guiana Shield region. Under the agreement, a new entity “New GMIN” was created to hold and manage the two companies. Notably, the number of common shares issued by New GMIN to GMIN and Reunion shareholders will be equivalent to the combined company undergoing a 4-to-1 share consolidation. In addition, Reunion shareholders will receive common shares in a newly created gold explorer (“Greenheart Gold” or “Spinco”) that will hold all of Reunion’s assets other than Oko West. Notably GMIN has agreed to fund SpinCo with C$15 million. Related Similar Articles