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$94M contract awarded to construct all-weather road at Buxton/ Friendship Jul 23, 2024 News Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha during his meeting with residents of Buxton, ECD back in June. Kaieteur News – The needed upgrade to the farm-to-market access road that residents of Buxton / Friendship on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) had raised with the Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha in June will be done to the tune of $94,975,000. This is according to information provided on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) website which stated that contractor – Colin Talbot Contracting Service Inc. who was awarded the contract will be constructing an all-weather road in the Buxton area. It was reported that during a meeting with the minister, the farmers in the area said that there was a vested interest in agriculture and that the village has the potential to do more. They told the minister that farm access was an issue. While responding to the concerns raised by the residents, Minister Mustapha said that the Ministry of Agriculture will rehabilitate the Buxton Middle Walk farm-to-market access road. This is a project being executed through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). “We cannot do all of the farm-to-market roads now. This afternoon I’ll commit that the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Agriculture will do the Buxton Middle Walk farm-to-market road. Those works will commence within a month. We’ll also give four mechanical tillers to be used by farmers from the Buxton/Friendship area,” he said. Related Similar Articles

Taxi driver on $55,000 bail for assaulting cop, disorderly behaviour Jul 23, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Jitendra Balijodah Kaieteur News – A 35-year-old taxi driver was granted $55,000 bail on Friday, when he appeared at the Suddie Magistrates’ Court to answer to several charges including assaulting a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, disorderly behaviour and threatening language. It is alleged that on June 26, 2024 Jitendra Balijodah, a resident of Onderneeming/ Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, Region Two committed the offences. Balijodah made his first court appearance before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke at the Suddie Magistrates’ Court where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty. He was placed on $35,000 bail for assaulting and resisting the peace officer and $10,000 each for the use of threatening language and disorderly behavior charges. The court case has been adjourned to August 9, 2024 for disclosure and statements. Related Similar Articles

$14.9M intended for X-ray room at Pakera Hospital built malaria office and storage – PAC hears Jul 23, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday learned that a $14.9M contract awarded to build an X-ray room and laboratory at the Pakera District Hospital in Region One, instead built a malaria office and storage space, according to the Region’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Seewchand. Region One’s Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Seewchand addresses the Committee The PAC members on Monday were reviewing the Auditor General’s 2019 Report for that region, where it was documented that “A contract for the construction of an X-ray Room/Lab at the Pakera District Hospital was awarded in the sum of $14.890M in 2018. As at 31 December 2018 payments totalling $13.401M were made. A physical inspection in May 2019 revealed that the works were incomplete and the site was abandoned. In addition, there were no materials on site.” Attention to the matter was brought by PAC member Dr. Vishwa D.B. Mahadeo, who asked for an update from the REO regarding the project. In response to the questions, Mr. Seewchand, who became the REO in March 2024, informed that the building had since been completed; however, the intended specifications and requirements were not met. “I was advised that it was completed, not with the original scope of work, meaning the x-ray, but the infrastructure was physically completed for use of malaria and storage,” Seewchand said. Dr. Mahadeo asked what factors led to the cost of the project remaining the same, though the initial specifications, which would have justified that cost, were not met. He also argued that, since the x-ray and lab were not built, the project was, in fact, not complete. “Building an x-ray carries additional expense, you have got to [install lead in] the wall or the wall has got to be very thick, concrete, solid cast. So what was the difference that you had to use up this money?” he inquired. Further, Dr. Mahadeo made it clear that those whom the project intended to benefit have not benefitted since the x-ray facility and laboratory are incomplete. “You budget to build an x-ray and a lab and the same money now you provide offices. How do we balance those two? And additionally, the people in Pakera still don’t have the services, so we got to look at getting them the services,” he said. The contract for these works was initially tendered in 2018, which means that it has been about six years since the people of Pakera District were promised the upgrades to the hospital. Additionally, Minister of Public Works and PAC member Juan Edghill pointed to some discrepancies in the execution of the project, stating, “Even if there was an error in design and the money cannot be enough to build that, a redesign still has to be approved. My question is who approved the redesign?” Mr. Seewchand was unable to provide an answer immediately but offered to return to the Committee with the information. As such, Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira, requested that the REO present a response to Minister Edghill’s question to the Committee within two weeks. Meanwhile, both Figueira and fellow Opposition MP and PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul, questioned Regional Engineer, Ricardo Phillips about the specifications of the original project and whether (and how) there were any changes to it. Phillips informed the Committee that he only assumed his role on July 1, 2023, and as such, was not directly involved with the project. The engineer said he preferred not to make assumptions about the methods employed by the Regional Engineer in 2018. Related Similar Articles

Elderly woman gets home from MoM Jul 23, 2024 News Sandra Hendricks, proud owner of a new house Kaieteur News – A 70-year-old woman, Sandra Hendricks received a brand-new house on Sunday through the government’s Men on a Mission (MoM) initiative. The woman had acquired a plot of land at Farm, East Bank Demerara some seven years ago, but had doubts that a building would ever be erected there, especially since she has gotten older. “I called the Office of the President and as soon as I called a young woman answered. Then I was at home one day and these men came and said that they were from MoM. From that process, they came back again, and we are here at this house today,” an elated Hendricks told the media. The new home donated to Sandra Hendricks She lives with her family members in Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. And, according to her, the living condition there is not good for her age. The woman said she already started packing her belongings, as she is excited to move into the new house. “I feel wonderful, I am blessed. And I thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali for the MoM initiative because I could never see this happening on my own. This is a wonderful initiative that the president is doing,” the elderly woman expressed. Meanwhile, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, spear-headed the handing over exercise. He emphasised the government’s responsibility to better the livelihoods of all citizens, especially those that are vulnerable. “We have been delivering and we have been meeting the needs of people, fulfilling aspirations, and bringing joy to faces, and families and that is how it ought to be,” the minister stressed. The MoM initiative is a brainchild of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Since its launch, it has brought tremendous benefits to scores of residents. The undertaking also serves as a mentorship programme for youths across the country. Fire Chief (ag), Gregory Wickham, and MoM’s Executive Committee members were also present during the handing over ceremony. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

$35M sanitation and water supply networks project in Kwakwani progressing well Jul 23, 2024 News GWI’s CEO Shaik Baksh inspects water treatment plant operated by the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated Kaieteur News – The $35M sanitation and water supply networks project in Kwakwani, Region 10 are progressing well, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) said on Monday. “With regards to sanitation, the (Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management+ Guyana Project) CReW project is almost 75% completed in Kwakwani with activities such as the clearing of blockages in the more than 70-year-old sewerage network, upgrades to damaged chambers, repairs and/or construction of seven septic tanks and adding of tertiary treatment to remove pathogens and nutrients from the waste,” the water company said in a press release. The GWI said that it is advancing interventions to ensure better water distribution and sanitation systems in Kwakwani, where more than 7000 persons would benefit from the improved services. GWI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh led a technical team on a site assessment in the community over the weekend where he inspected the water treatment plant and storage facilities and held discussions with the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI). The team also visited several areas where GWI is leading infrastructural upgrades to the sanitation network as part of the Caribbean Regional Fund for Wastewater Management+ Guyana Project (CReW+). ApproximatelyGY$35 million is being invested in Kwakwani under this project. KUI, a subsidiary of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, is responsible for managing Kwakwani’s main utility services including water and sanitation. KUI’s General Manager Winston Rozario and staff updated the GWI personnel on challenges with water supply and distribution including blockages in the system that contribute to low water levels in some areas. Currently, water is supplied to residents for three hours in the morning and another three during the afternoon. KUI requested GWI’s support to improve these services. Mr. Baksh noted his satisfaction with the existing water treatment and storage system, the environmental upkeep of the facilities and the existence of a good water source, which are key for continued service. He assured that GWI, based on its evaluation, will develop an improvement programme to support Kwakwani’s water quality and supply. However, Mr. Baksh emphasized the need for data on the distribution network so GWI’s technical personnel can comprehensively evaluate the needs and identify solutions. Data is required on production, storage and consumption. The GWI and KUI teams agreed that there is need for greater public awareness on water conservation and storage especially since the community is supplied with non-revenue water. Additionally, the project will support the community’s secondary school to upgrade its waste-to-energy facility enabling the students to continue using pig manure to produce cooking gas for their home economics classes. The project is awarded to local contractor, Sachia Jones Construction and Supplies Services of Kwakwani. Related Similar Articles

Govt. procuring 100,000 street lights for nationwide installation – Min Edghill Jul 23, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The government will soon be procuring some 100,000 street lights which will be installed across the country to enhance communities and improve the livelihoods of residents. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill during a recent community outreach to Roxanne Burnham Gardens, South Georgetown. The minister said that his ministry has since put out a public tender to purchase the streetlights. “We have put out a public tender to buy 100,000 streetlights. As a matter of fact, the tender document has been prepared and we are just checking all the fine print and then we will be launching it,” Minister Edghill stated. He noted that the project is expected to be rolled out within the next few months. “A massive streetlight programme throughout the length and breadth of Guyana is coming in a wave but it also has to be tied with us getting additional power to the grid,” the minister said. Minister Edghill said that the streetlights will also come in handy to complement lights that have traffic cameras attached to them. The public works ministry is urging residents to take care of the lights, since it has been observed that many were destroyed by persons within the villages where they have been installed. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

No bail for ganja-trafficking soldiers Jul 23, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Remanded: Colvis Sam (right) and Adisa Higgins (left) Kaieteur News – Two sergeants of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were on Monday remanded to prison after they were jointly charged with possession of 154 lbs. of marijuana in a service vehicle. Forty two-year-old GDF Staff Sergeant Adisa Higgins from Linden and 31-year-old GDF Sergeant Colvis Sam from Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Sunil Scarce who read the charge to him. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge. Attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva represented Higgins while Attorney-at-law Patrice Henry represented Sam. Both attorneys made an application for bail, however, the Prosecutor objected to bail due to the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. Magistrate Scarce refused bail and the ranks are scheduled to return to court on August 12, 2024 for disclosures. Sam and Higgins were on the July 18, busted with 154 lbs. of marijuana in a service vehicle along the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) during a joint intelligence-led police operation conducted by ranks from Special Branch and Regional Division 4’B’. Related Similar Articles