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Blocked culverts causing floods at Eccles New Housing Scheme Jul 24, 2024 News Blocked culverts at Eccles New Housing Scheme Kaieteur News – Residents of Eccles New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) have complained that blocked culverts are causing floods in their neighbourhood. The residents allege that the contractors building the Eccles Dumpsite Road are responsible for the inundated community. “The contractor that is doing the dumpsite road currently block all the culverts in the Eccles Scheme around the dumpsite area,” one resident who requested anonymity said. Another resident told Kaieteur News that, “this has result in flooding in the area since the water has nowhere to go.” Flooded yards at Eccles Kaieteur News understands that some of the culverts are indeed blocked in the area to facilitate the ongoing construction of the Eccles Dumpsite road. The blockage is temporary and according to reports, the contractors did not anticipate persistent rainfall over the last few days. Meanwhile, this publication received photographs of several yards flooded and some streets. Residents who own one-flat homes are suffering the most. Notwithstanding, Kaieteur News understands that steps are being taken to remedy the situation faced by the residents of the Eccles New Housing Scheme. Related Similar Articles

Man wanted by CANU for AR -15 rifles, cocaine turns self-in Jul 24, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Radesh Raghobar, the man wanted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) for questioning in relation to the illegal possession guns, ammunition and cocaine among other things turned himself in to CANU on Monday. The CANU issued a wanted bulletin for Raghobar on Saturday after ranks found two AR-15 rifles, two matching magazines, 25 5.56 rounds of ammunition, one 7.62 round of ammunition, one bulletproof vest hidden in black garbage bag and 2.3 kg of cocaine in his home on Friday. Related Similar Articles

$51M Western Hogg Island Primary School project completed Jul 24, 2024 News The $51M Western Hogg Island Primary School. (Photo, Public Relations RDC#3) Kaieteur News – The reconstruction of the Western Hogg Island Primary School building in Region Three, which began earlier this year, is now finally completed. This is according to information published on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Three’s Public Relations Facebook page on Tuesday. It was previously published by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) that on December 28, 2023 a $51,509,920 contract was awarded to I Khan Contracting Services to execute the project. The foundation works started in February and were ongoing for the new 30 × 80 ft. structure constructed from concrete and timber. The new one-storey structure now completed is set to accommodate six classes. Kaieteur News learned that the previous school, dating back to 1976, underwent renovations only once during its lifespan. The $49M teaching block completed at the Bagotville Primary School. (Photo, Public Relations RDC#3) “With the new school underway, there’s a sense of optimism for enhanced educational facilities and opportunities for the community. Residents believe that a brand-new school will provide their children with a more conducive learning environment,” the RDC reported. Moreover, RDC anticipates that the new school infrastructure will allow for a higher standard of education that will benefit not only their children but also the entire community. This new facility will provide a safe learning environment and reduce the need for long commutes. The completion of the school marks a significant milestone as it would be accommodating over fifty students when operational. Meanwhile, in another post, the Regional Administration announced that the extension to the Bagotville Primary School is now completed. This publication had reported last year July, the Regional Administration signed a $49,815,907 contract with contractor Hoosein Logistics and Supplies for that project. The construction of the two-storey teaching block will accommodate approximately 150 students. Related Similar Articles

Sod turned to construct first secondary school in Micobie Village Jul 24, 2024 News Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand alongside the contractor and regional officials turning the sod for the Micobie Secondary School. Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Education on Tuesday turned the sod to mark the commencement of the Micobie Secondary School project, Region Eight. The new school, the first in the village will benefit approximately 150 students. The $253,561,500 project was awarded to NK Engineering Services through a competitive bidding process. Already, an initial mobilization amount of $76,068,450 was provided on the project, according to the Ministry of Education. Speaking at the simple ceremony, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand noted the importance of the school and told residents that they are to hold the contractors accountable to deliver on their promise. “We want him (the contractor) to give the work to you, we want you to benefit as far as you can, but we want the school. And he had to sign a contract that said how long he has to build the school and the quality he has to give us. So you also have to be reliable and show up when you have to, because this is employment for you,” she said. The Minister also told residents that regardless of their academic background, their presence alone can aid in the development of their children’s education. “You don’t have to have a PhD, you don’t have to have a big house; you have to have interest. I know of a parent who watches her child do his work from beginning to end. She doesn’t know or understand what he’s doing, but she watches him work. And so, we need your partnership, also. Many times, it’s not parents alone, it’s grandparents also, who I know are taking up that role as well,” she urged. This publication understands that the school is scheduled for completion within six months. The school is said to feature a staff room for teachers and 10 classrooms, including five specialized labs for science, IT, home economics, visual arts, and library services. This comprehensive infrastructure underscores the school’s commitment to providing a well-rounded educational experience, fostering both academic excellence and community development in the village, the ministry reported. Kaieteur News had reported that the move to have a secondary school erected in the village was announced last year by authorities following the deadly Mahdia dormitory fire. The dormitory, before it was gutted by fire once accommodated female students from Micobie and other villages that were attending the Mahdia Secondary School. It was reported last year August that Minister Manickchand told the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly that it was determined at consultations with the community and relevant stakeholders that there was reluctance to have another dormitory built at the Mahdia location. Instead, a decision was made to construct a secondary school at Micobie that would cater to students from that community that were once residing at the dorms. “The decision of the Cabinet was to build a secondary school at Micobie which would take care of the Micobie students who were in the dorms as well as those who are now leaving Grade Six. And the girls at Grades 9,10 and 11 and who are in the dorms will come out and be housed at the President’s College,” Manickchand said at the time. School projects like Micobie form parts of  the ministry’s $74.4B allocation from this year’s budget. This newspaper reported too that the Ministry has embarked on an aggressive programme to ensure that the nation’s children have access to secondary education. The Government has set 2025 to achieve universal secondary education. To achieve this, the ministry has since moved to have several secondary schools constructed across the country. Related Similar Articles

16 transformers for Gas-to-Energy, GPL enhancement projects in Guyana Jul 24, 2024 News The BBC Echo Vessel at the Muneshwers Shipping Terminal. Kaieteur News – Sixteen transformers that are important to the much-anticipated and discussed Gas-to-Energy project and the Guyana Power and Light Enhancement Project were delivered to Guyana via the BBC Echo Vessel that was moored at Muneshwers Shipping, John Fernandes Ltd. and Guyana Shore Base Inc. terminals. Two of the transformers weighed 241 metric tons – representing the heaviest cargo ever to be managed in the country. The gas-to-energy project aims to utilize the natural gas from the Liza oil field in the Stabroek Block, managed by ExxonMobil, to assist in satisfying the nation’s energy needs. An integrated natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction plant and a 300-megawatt combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant are being constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara to facilitate this. This project is being undertaken by an American partnership of companies, LINDSAYCA/CH4. Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI), which was involved in the offloading process for the cargo was integrally involved in managing the pipes for the pipeline that is set to bring the gas onshore from the offshore production site. The company has also been involved in much of the preparatory works for the project, engaging with both ExxonMobil and LINDSAYCA/CH4 in the process. One of the 241 metric ton transformers being moved from the JFL Terminal on Water Street to its Inland Terminal on Mandela Avenue. Seven of the sixteen transformers are set to be installed at the gas-to-energy project site in Wales, and those were transported to Guyana by Biddle Inc., after which they were offloaded by GYSBI and Sammy Multilift Services Guyana Inc. at GYSBI’s Houston facility. They are being stored at the GYSBI Industrial Estate at McDoom while awaiting transit to the project site. Nine of the transformers, including the two 241 metric ton units, will be used for the creation of new sub-stations that will support the natural gas liquids plant in Wales. These nine transformers were sourced from Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, and transported to Guyana with the assistance of Boltcargo India. Cranes Guyana Inc., which is a subsidiary of Muneshwers Limited, and John Fernandes Limited (JFL), was awarded the contract for the management of the cargo by Blotcargo India. Muneshwers Limited offloaded six of the transformers, as well as other miscellaneous cargo, while JFL handled the discharge of the remaining three, including the two 241 ton units. The two massive units were then transported to JFL’s Inland Terminal by Daco Heavy Lift for storage. Paragon Transport and Lifting Services, Sammy Multilift Services Guyana Inc., and RSD Cargo Transit Inc. transported the other seven transformers, as well as 244 accessories. The entire process of offloading, transporting, and storing the cargo took a whopping five days, and 3,300 hours of labour to pull off, as well as assistance from Guyana Power and Light, the Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company (GTT), and the Guyana Police Force. It is worth noting that it took about 12 hours to transport just one of the 241-ton units from Water Street to the JFL storage facility on Mandela Avenue. Ninety-six percent of the 260 staff members that conducted and managed the project were Guyanese. Related Similar Articles

$133M worth of cheques found at Region One RDC without supporting documentation during COVID – PAC hears Jul 24, 2024 News (2nd left): REO Region One, Sewchand responds to questions about the missing documents Kaieteur News – The absence of adequate staffing due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in 333 cheques being placed in a safe at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region One, Barima-Waini with no supporting documents.  The 333 cheques amounted to $133.9 million. This was revealed at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday during a review of the Region’s spending practices for the years 2019- 2020. The questions were raised by Minister of Public Works and PAC member, Juan Edghill, who sought clarity on the Audit Office’s investigation into the discovery of the 333 cheques that were written without any paperwork. He noted that the cheques missing payment vouchers, and other important documents were found when the Audit Office visited the Region in January 2020 – some two months before the General and Regional Elections. “The cheques are cut in people names but how did we get those names? We don’t have vouchers, we don’t have requisition; how did we get those names tell us about the system. Help us to understand what happened?” Edghill enquired. In response, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region One, Sewchand (only name) said “I can’t say what happened then but I can say now that no cheques will be issued without a voucher and the necessary supporting document…” Sewchand however disclosed that most of the cheques which totaled $133.9 million were cashed and paid out. He said, “Only 11 cheques were refunded to Consolidated Fund and the balance of the cheques was already in the final stages so they were processed and paid out.” Edghill pressed the official further on the issue of the missing documentation, and the reason why the documents were missing in the first place, but Audit Director, Gitanjali Singh disclosed that the documentation for the cheques were subsequently located in the following year (2021). As a result, PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul explained that while Edghill’s concerns may be legitimate, there were certain elements that must be taken in consideration. “For instance, the Regional office may have been at the time operating with just essential staff as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The year, 2020 was also an election year when we had the changing of the guard and so forth… So this may have contributed to the documents being misplaced… If the documents are missing at the level of the Regional Office, it usually can be verified at the Ministry of Finance… cheques are processed with documentation,” Mahipaul said. Meanwhile, the Audit Director explained that while the previous Regional Executive Officer did respond at the time the audit was conducted; satisfactory answers and the missing documents were not provided at the time.  She noted that it wasn’t until the next year when they visited the Region again, that documentation was found. The Audit Director disclosed further that her office verified that some of the cheques had been paid over and others returned to the Consolidated Fund, in this subsequent visit. Singh revealed, “In 2021, the Audit Office went into the region. And when they went into the Region, they found all the documentation to satisfy these 333 cheques. I’d have to say we found the cheques were paid. They weren’t in the safe anymore.” She continued, “In terms of all the documentation satisfying the requirements, I wouldn’t be able to say at this time. To pay a cheque, you would have had to have the voucher for it to be signed. We would not have gone back and done 100 percent verification, on a prior year, if we’re doing the current year.” Related Similar Articles

Jockeys bringing ‘A’ game for Guyana Cup Jul 24, 2024 Sports Jockey Colin Ross and connections with the Master Z Racing Stables will be hoping to see Easy Time defend his Guyana Cup. Kaieteur Sports – Local, regional and international jockeys are gearing up for the 16th running of the Guyana Cup on August 11 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice. This year’s Guyana Cup will be the biggest event ever, with more than 40 million dollars in cash and prizes. The feature race will pay a whopping sum of G$11,625,000. This lucrative event has attracted jockeys from near and far, and they are eager to bring their ‘A’ game. Colin Ross, who is arguably Guyana’s number one jockey, and was the champion jockey for 2023, said his primary goal is to win. He said he will put his best foot forward to return to winning ways. “With the Guyana Cup coming up, I will push harder. They will be a lot of people coming out to see the races and the prize money is bigger. I am pushing my body to come out on top. Since 2024 started I have been doing good, but not so good (as I did last year), but from now to the end of the year, I will try to push myself to do better for the last half of the year,” Ross explained. Meanwhile, Trinidadian jockey Rico Hernandez described the 16th running of the Guyana Cup as a special one, and he is hoping to left his mark come August 11 at Rising Sun. Jockeys will have their eyes on the big prize at Guyana Cup. “This Guyana Cup occasion is very special. We are taking our time, building the confidence that we need, and making sure the horses are in order and happy going into the Guyana Cup. As a jockey the goal is always to win, but we must get the horses with good abilities, and we must prove that we are capable,” jockey Hernandez explained. Jockey Ronaldo Appadu, another top jockey in Guyana, said he is looking forward for the best. “I am working very hard to be champion jockey, so I think I will take it this year. I have a lot of haters, so I put them aside, and I worked hard on the job to get improvement, so I am thankful for that,” Appadu said. Last year’s Guyana Cup saw a total purse of G$24 million across all races, while the top horse in the feature event was paid out G$10 million. This year’s Guyana Cup as an increase in prize money of close to G$16 million dollars. The 2024 Guyana Cup will certainly be the biggest, and the day will be packed with side attractions. The first-ever fun park is set to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club, where children will witness a parading bar on spot, and multiple stages will be set up across the venue. The fun park and the horse racing combined will provide the perfect recipe for a fun-filled day for the entire family. “This is something Guyana has never witnessed,” Mohamed said. Ten races will be on the Guyana Cup card, and entries have already been open. Entries will close on August 3 and no late entries will be accepted at this year’s Guyana Cup. With this year’s Guyana Cup purse being the biggest in the Caribbean, horses from various countries will be compelled to travel to Guyana and battle for supremacy. In addition to the feature event, which will run at approximately 1,800 meters, other races on the provisional card include the 1,600m Derby, 1000m Sprint Classic, 1000m Two-year-old, 1000m F1 class, 1600m H1 class, 1400m J & Lower, 1400m K Class, 1400m L Class and 1400m Non-earners. Related Similar Articles