admin

Ministers must defend their policies – Jagdeo Jul 22, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made it clear that the ministers of the government must defend their policies. Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat He was at the time addressing the media at his weekly press conference last Thursday at the Freedom House on Robb Street. This publication asked the VP what would be the next move for reporters when ministers refuse to give them answers to probing questions. Jagdeo stated that ministers must be, “out there for the people who are listening to defend their policies and to speak about their policies.” The VP said that “I assume that we want to be available to everyone and we have nothing to fear about our policies. We believe that if you cannot defend the policies, then you shouldn’t be implementing them.” In this sense, every policy that is approved by the government and is being implemented must meet two objectives. Jagdeo explained that is “it must pass the test of creating more goods and services to our people and secondly, the policy must be sustainable. So, you are never gonna get us to go down the path of implementing something that is not sustainable in the long run for convenience. The opposition will do that, but we don’t deal with it just for convenience, sometimes it’s even contentious.” He admitted that while taking the long-term approach to policies would not bring immediate benefits, they facilitate numerous sustained benefits for the future and “that is a key point of this government. Some people don’t like that, they don’t like strong governments.” Last year, the VP had said that he has no objection to Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat hosting independent press briefings on the daily management of the sector. However, Bharrat has only held one press conference for the four years he has been in office.  This, even, at a time when civil society groups and the political Opposition have continuously underscored the need for transparency and accountability to be the hallmarks of the multi-billion-dollar oil and gas sector. Guyana, which boasts one of the fastest-growing economies globally, owes much of its recent prosperity to the boom in oil within the massive Stabroek Block operated by an ExxonMobil-led consortium. With this newfound wealth comes a responsibility to keep citizens informed and involved. Minister Bharrat’s press conference is therefore not just expected. Industry stakeholders say it is imperative to ensure citizens are informed about the government’s handling of key critical issues. Related Similar Articles

Opposition wants probe into crumbling of Paruima Airstrip runway Jul 22, 2024 News Three months after it was commissioned, the Paruima Airstrip runway crumbled Kaieteur News – The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is calling for a full investigation into the problems at the Paruima Airstrip. The airstrip runway crumbled shortly after it was commissioned back in April this year. In a press release issued on Sunday, the party said the situation at the airport is a disgrace. “After an expenditure of nearly $400 million, the runway failed when the first plane landed. This could have been a disaster with the loss of several lives, but thankfully, by God’s grace, no one died.” However, the PNCR said the absence of injury or death does not mean that, as a nation, we should take this matter any less seriously. “The design and construction process for civil projects should incorporate checks and balances, quality assurance, and quality control. At each stage of the design process, design deliverables such as geotechnical reports, structural calculations, construction drawings, and specifications need to be independently reviewed and approved,” the PNCR said. This review, the party said is critical to the safety of Guyanese using newly constructed roads, bridges, and airports. It noted that construction should be closely supervised by competent professionals. No contractor should be allowed to perform work unsupervised. “This supervision should ensure reinforcement bars are clean and placed as required by the drawings, that the concrete mix design is as per contract, and the concrete is placed and compacted as required. This process should also include routine compressive tests performed on concrete placed into the works, and if these tests fail, the contractor should be required, as per contract, to remove and replace the substandard concrete.” According to the PNCR, if this process had been followed, there is no way the Paruima runway could have failed. The party said there will be a rush to blame the contractor, apply financial punishment, and sweep the issue under the carpet. “However, what happened at the Paruima airport is symptomatic of a problem that pervades the procurement process under the PPP. For this reason, the PNCR demands a full and transparent investigation into the Paruima airport fiasco. The nation needs to know: who designed the airstrip?; were the required engineering processes complied with?; who reviewed and approved the designs, and what did the review reveal?; who supervised the contractor, if anyone, while the work was being performed?; were routine compressive tests done on the concrete used in the works?; if tests were done, did any of the samples fail, and if so, what was done? and if no tests were done, why not?; were there any non-engineering/political interventions or influences during the entire project? Most critically, the PNCR is also demanding that urgent non-destructive in-situ tests be performed on the runway to establish the extent of the deficiencies. Last week, the Ministry of Public Works issued a statement, noting that the rehabilitation of Paruima Airstrip is currently under the Defects Liability Period and the contractor is obligated by contract to remedy any and all defects arising thereafter. Works on the airstrip were completed on April 14, 2024, and the project site handed over to the Ministry of Public Works on April 15. The ministry’s representatives along with the contractor had conducted a joint site visit on June 19, 2024 following reports from aircraft operators that the runway was in distress. During the inspection, several surface defects were highlighted and the contractor was given clear instructions to have these defects remedied within a one (01) week period. “To date, these defects have since been corrected and MoPW is currently executing plans to assess the structural integrity of the remainder of the runway structure to ensure conformity with design strength and correct any possible area of deficiency to avoid further inconvenience to aircraft operations. The ministry would like to note that the current video circulating on social media platforms was taken prior to June 19, 2024,” the statement read. Additionally, the ministry said it should be noted that due to the remoteness of the location and the logistical challenges in transporting equipment and materials to the site, smaller sized equipment and locally available materials were most feasible for rehabilitation of the airstrip. “As it relates to the competency of the contractor, Port Kaituma and Baramita Airstrips were both rehabilitated by the contractor in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The surface type of these airstrips is double bituminous surface treatment, they are in very good condition and no defects were observed to date. Related Similar Articles

Paddy bugs pose big threat to rice crop in Berbice Jul 22, 2024 News – Govt. promises chemicals to help with spraying fields Kaieteur News – Rice farmers in Berbice are worried about the threat posed by paddy bugs to their crop and the Ministry of Agriculture has promised to begin spraying rice fields today to address the issue. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, and Regional Chairman, David Armogan interacting with farmers at the meeting The paddy bug infestation is severely affecting the farmers’ rice productivity throughout the region. To date, 68,000 acres of rice land are currently under cultivation in the region. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, during a community meeting at Albion Community Ground on Sunday, noted that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will work collaboratively with the farmers to address the issue. “Region Six is a very important rice-producing area for us. As a result of that, there were several proposals that the farmers made. But we have looked at the most realistic proposal. That proposal is to help them with the chemicals to spray the areas where the bugs are present,” Minister Mustapha told the Department of Public Information (DPI).  “I am hoping that we can control the bugs so that we can have a full harvest at the end of this crop,” the agriculture minister asserted. A paddy bug committee has been set up to effectively monitor the situation in Region Six and a comprehensive report will be provided daily to the minister. The report will indicate if further interventions need to be made relating to the insect situation. Meanwhile, farmers have acknowledged that the substantial investments and interventions made by the government over the years have resuscitated the rice industry, as well as enhanced rice production and their livelihoods. Due to these direct investments and policies, rice farmers are optimistic that they will surpass this year’s rice production target of 710,000 tonnes as compared to 653,000 tonnes last year. Additionally, farmers will also have improved access to drainage and irrigation, as several outfalls will be cleared in the region, which will provide significant relief. Also present at the meeting were Regional Chairman, David Armogan; Regional Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain and Director General of the Ministry, Madanlall Ramraj. Related Similar Articles

Prayer warriors with paralyzed pockets Jul 22, 2024 Dem Boys Seh Kaieteur News – Dem boys notice a strange phenomenon in Guyana. Whenever somebody on Facebook put up a post begging for money, the religious brigade come out in full force. Not with cash, but with prayers. Lots and lots of prayers. If you get sick and need help, don’t worry. The entire nation will suddenly find the Creator. Your feed will fill up with messages of divine intervention. People will tell you how you will be covered in the blood of the Creator. Yes, the blood. Sounds messy, but very holy. They will say the Man Upstairs will make a way where there seems to be no way. Faith will move mountains, and you just have to hold on. Keep the faith. Things will get better. They say it with such conviction. Like they talking from the pulpit. But hold on a minute. Have you seen the actual offers of help? Zero. Nada. Zilch. People’s wallets seem to get a sudden case of paralysis when it comes to handing out money. You’ll get a hundred messages promising prayer but not one cent. People ask for assistance and they get kind words but little cash. It’s like they think that if they pray hard enough, the bills will magically pay themselves. And the sick person? They just have to hang on and wait for a miracle. Meanwhile, the real miracle is how people manage to type so many words without opening their wallets. Guyanese really excel in this new form of divine charity. The more you need, the more you get prayers. The less you get money. Talk half. Leff half. Related Similar Articles

Integrity and Ideology in Governance Jul 22, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – The governance of any nation is profoundly influenced by the integrity and ideology of its leaders. In the context of Guyana, these elements have played decisive roles in shaping the nation’s development. Guyana’s politics have been tumultuous. From its colonial past to its independence in 1966, the nation has gone through various political ideologies and leadership. The post-independence era was characterised by socialist inclinations under authoritarian rule of the People’s National Congress (PNC) of Forbes Burnham, followed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan. PPP’s governance has traditionally been rooted in socialist ideals, advocating for social justice, equitable distribution of resources and state intervention in the economy. This ideological stance has led to policies aimed at improving healthcare, education, and social welfare. However, since 1999, the PPP has embraced a neo-liberal capitalist agenda that has widened the gap between the rich and the poor. Its policies have been perceived as benefitting the rich more than the poor. In contemporary Guyana, the ideological distinctions that once defined the various political parties have significantly blurred, rendering them almost indistinguishable. Both of the country’s main political parties have converged on a capitalist path of development, prioritising economic growth through market-driven policies and foreign investment. This shift is evident in their similar approaches to managing the country’s burgeoning oil sector, promoting private enterprise and attracting international investors. Despite occasional rhetoric aimed at addressing social inequalities, the actual policies implemented by these parties reflect a shared commitment to neo-liberal economic principles rather than distinct ideological visions. This ideological convergence has led to a situation where parties, despite their claims, lack a genuine working-class organising framework. Both the PPP and PNC profess support for the working class, yet their policies often fail to address the structural issues facing this demographic. Programmes that ostensibly aim to uplift the working class frequently prioritise short-term economic gains over long-term social justice and equitable development. As a result, what exists in Guyana is not a battle of contrasting ideologies but rather a contest for power within the same capitalist paradigm. This homogenisation diminishes the potential for genuine ideological debate and leaves the electorate with limited choices. Declaring allegiance to the working-class is merely lip service without a robust political and economic framework to substantiate it. In Guyana, this lack of an ideological foundation is glaring, as the major political parties shy away from committing to any political and economic system that ends with ‘ism’. This aversion to clearly defined ideologies results in policies that are more about maintaining the status quo than addressing the root causes of working-class struggles. Without an ideological blueprint guiding their actions, the parties fail to implement systemic changes necessary for true economic and social justice, leaving the working-class without meaningful representation or advocacy. Integrity in office is another problem. Allegations have swirled around the governments’ adherence to ethical standards, transparency, and accountability. In Guyana, the issue of integrity has been a contentious one, with allegations of corruption, nepotism, and misuse of public resources frequently surfacing. The frequent allegations of corruption within government ranks highlight a critical challenge to governance in Guyana. Governments often deflect concerns about corruption by targeting lower-level officials as scapegoats, rather than addressing allegations of misconduct at higher echelons of power. This strategy allows them to project an image of taking decisive action against corruption while conveniently avoiding scrutiny of influential political and economic elites. By sacrificing minor figures, they create a facade of accountability, hoping to appease public outcry without threatening the entrenched interests and networks that sustain high-level corruption. This superficial approach undermines genuine anti-corruption efforts, perpetuating a culture of impunity among those who wield significant power and influence. The relationship between integrity and ideology is complex and interdependent. A governance framework rooted in a coherent ideology but lacking integrity can lead to disillusionment and mistrust among the populace. Conversely, integrity without a clear ideological direction can result in aimless governance and policy inconsistencies. The electorate needs to clearly distinguish between the policies of political parties based on distinct ideological frameworks rather than vague promises of being better than the others. Without such ideological clarity, voters are left with little more than to vote along the traditional lines of race and ethnicity. Alongside this, the electorate requires leaders of integrity who demonstrate a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability. A government that embraces an ethical code and upholds high standards of conduct is essential. True progress can only be achieved when political parties offer coherent, ideologically driven platforms and uphold a rigorous ethical framework that holds all levels of government accountable. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

Fatal road accidents Jul 22, 2024 Editorial Kaieteur News – At the beginning of last month, the country had already recorded over 40 road deaths. That figure has grown since then with almost daily fatalities across this country. Despite the attention being paid to this scourge, the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force has failed over the years to arrest the situation. We do see a number of traffic ranks hiding behind trees and other structures to catch speeding drivers during the day, but little effort in the evenings when most of the fatal accidents have occurred. Some years ago, the World Health Organization had said that traffic accidents were reportedly the seventh leading cause of death in Guyana. It is the number one cause of death of persons between five years and 14 years, and is the number two cause of death of persons aged between 15 years and 24 years. Given the number of fatal accidents; the number of persons maimed, amputated and disabled; and the deep emotional stress, road accident deaths have been deemed a major public health concern. Road deaths are a serious human, social, economic and health pandemic in Guyana. It has reduced the skills available for national development and continues to cause distress and financial destitution to families. Road fatalities have also resulted in high costs on society, reduced human productivity, and increased health care costs annually.Many, including a senior traffic officer have stated that the highways have become the killing fields of Guyana. Despite pleas from the police and various road safety advocates for drivers, motor cyclists and pedestrians, to exercise greater care on the roads, the carnage continues which suggests that their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Therefore, those in authority have to do much more than pleading with the public. Speed and reckless driving, the growing addiction to cell phones that cause driver distractions, the inexcusable failure of passengers to use seatbelts and the heavy consumption of alcohol by drivers are contributing to the bloodshed on the highways. In order to end the lawlessness on the roads, the police must step up its crackdown. More officers must be assigned to the police’s traffic units, with heightened use of electronic gadgets and an aggressive and determined campaign aimed at arresting and charging errant and drunk drivers for their reckless behaviour. These initiatives along with the rooting out of speeding and stunt riding by motorcyclists must become priorities for the police.Speed cameras, vigorous enforcement of the use of seat belts and helmets for motor cyclists, the enactment of road-blocks and the systematic enforcement of the traffic ordinance should help to reduce vehicular homicides. Aggressive implementation of tougher regulations for drunken driving and texting while driving should heighten the awareness of drivers. With traffic fatalities moving higher up the list of the leading causes of death in Guyana, there must be a coordinated approach to the nightmare on our roads and the authorities must lead the charge. It is very frightening to think that we are moving towards a situation in which more people would die from road accidents than other causes. A sustained effort is needed to reduce this carnage. The solutions rest with all of us. Too many are dying on the roads. Related Similar Articles

Senior citizens benefiTted most from Cancer Society’s medical outreach at Batavia Jul 22, 2024 News Scenes from Batavia’s medical outreach Kaieteur News – Senior citizens of Batavia Village, Region Seven capitalised on a two-day medical outreach to the village. Batavia’s Toshao, Murphy Gomez Murphy Gomez, the Toshao of Batavia Village in a recent interview with Kaieteur News related that the elderly residents benefitted the most from the outreach held there last weekend. The outreach was organised by the Guyana Cancer Society (GCS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Medical Relief, the American Embassy, and the Global Medical Surgical and Support Group. It was held From July 13 to 14 and saw some 292 persons benefitting from 800 medical procedures which include dental, optometry, paediatric, general medicine among other key medical services. Speaking with Kaieteur News at the end of the outreach, Gomez said it was the first time a medical outreach was held in the village.  Asked how it benefitted the residents, Gomez responded: “Well it benefitted, especially the aged (elderly) ones”. He explained that although Batavia has a health centre, not all the medical services are available there and while many of the younger villagers can regularly travel via boat to Bartica for medical check-ups, it is still a difficult and fatiguing journey for the senior residents of the village.  “The outreach benefitted them now because they just have to come here to do all the check-ups”, he said. Batavia is an Indigenous village with a population of 646 people located in the Cuyuni Mazaruni district that thrives on mining, logging and farming. Related Similar Articles