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PNCR considering contesting 2025 elections without coalition partners Jul 04, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Leader of the People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) Aubrey Norton has stated that his party is strong enough to contest the 2025 General and Regional Elections alone if they have to. Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton During a radio interview on Tuesday, Norton was asked if the PNCR was considering going to the polls without its coalition partners and he responded, “In politics, you never, say never, you have to analyze the situation and as it emerges, you make the decisions… We are open to coalition but we are a strong enough party if we have to go we can do that.” Norton was recently re-elected as leader of the PNCR. The PNCR is the largest party of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which is made up of other small parties. In 2015, APNU joined forces with the Alliance for Change (AFC) and contested the elections together. However, in 2022, the AFC broke ties with the Coalition. The PNC/R leader was asked about a letter from APNU which states that he was invited to a meeting and he never responded, so they went ahead with the elections and he was stricken as Chairman of the APNU. Norton responded, “I am still the chairman. The most critical party in the APNU is the PNC. That’s the first thing.”  He went onto state that the he was never invited to the meeting so the elections are null and void, leaving him as the legitimate Chairman. The PNCR leader said, “One I was never invited to meet [APNU], two…so I continue to be the chairman of the APNU. I have engaged some of the actors and I will continue to do that…I will meet with the WPA [Working People’s Alliance] shortly because one of the things we were doing is negotiating with the WPA for them to return and they have indicated that they are willing to return.” He noted too that he found it interesting that the APNU published a letter stating that they invited him to the meeting, while he did not receive an invite. A motion was passed that the elected Party Leader at the 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress will be the PNCR’s Presidential Candidate for the next General and Regional elections. This decision solidifies Norton’s position as the central figure leading the party into the upcoming elections. However, Norton had stated that despite that motion he is open to a consensual candidate. Expounding on this, Norton explained that he had no issue with someone else from the PNCR being the presidential candidate. He added, “…In the APNU, the only political party that can claim to have ever gained significant votes to form a government is the PNCR.” To this end, he said he believes that the largest political party in the coalition should be entitled to the presidential candidate position. “Which political party will have more than 90 percent of the support… [and] would give its power for the want of a better word, to 5 or 10 percent it makes no sense,” he noted. The PNCR leader added that as the largest and strongest party in the coalition, he don’t see it fit to give the leadership to someone of another party. “We have worked and mobilized and the hard work we would have done will have to be for the benefit of the PNC,” Norton stated. Notably, when asked about a presidential candidate from the coalition itself Norton said, “I am supportive of anybody coming out as a viable candidate but there’s an assumption you’re making, first of all intellectually the PNC has people with capabilities including myself…” He explained that the presidential candidate must be someone with the vigor to stand up to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). “The question of politics you have to have an appetite for it…” Norton said. Moreover, Norton was also asked if he is prepared to have a chat with the newly elected leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes. “I think we must, I don’t see no reason why we shouldn’t,” he responded. Related Similar Articles

Govt. to build $39M health post at Reg. 7 Landing Jul 04, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The government through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will be building a health post at Martin Landing, Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven to the tune of $39,775,049. According to information obtained from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) website, is that following the competitive bidding process, contractor LS Contracting Services was awarded the $39 million contract. Kaieteur News understands that construction of the facility in the mining community is expected to take some four months and will provide the basic medical services needed for residents there. It was announced during the presentation of this year’s budget that some $84.9 billion was set aside for the country’s health sector. The sum is aimed at expanding both primary and tertiary healthcare, improving management systems across health facilities as well as deploying more medical personnel throughout the regions to ensure access to quality healthcare services for all. Out of that allocation, some $667 million was approved to roll out a number of projects for Region Seven this year. It was reported recently by the Department of Public Information (DPI) that Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony at an event related that the ministry is constructing health centres and posts across Guyana to complement the regional hospitals and ensure modern facilities for healthcare workers across the regions. This is aimed at decentralizing and expanding the range of public healthcare services provided to citizens, enhancing accessibility for communities nationwide. “As we build out these facilities, the idea is to have the hospitals but around them, we want to have health centres and health posts. And we want the health posts to be able to deliver a certain level of services,” the Minister said. Related Similar Articles

Guyana to send two vessels with relief items for countries affected by Hurricane Beryl Jul 04, 2024 News Hurricane Beryl strikes Grenada …Govt requests private sector assistance Kaieteur News – The Government of Guyana on Wednesday announced that two vessels containing relief items would be deployed to Grenada and St. Vincent to render assistance to persons affected by Hurricane Beryl. The Government in a statement said that Guyana is preparing two vessels with a capacity of approximately 800 tons each to ship essential supplies to two Caribbean Islands. Taking into account the possible devastating effects of hurricane Beryl , the Government requested the assistance of the  private sector. The Government noted that the private sector can assist with donations of items such as  rice, sugar, flour, lumber, zinc, black tanks, mattresses, tarpaulin, plywood, chainsaws, handsaws, nails, cassava, plantains, pumpkins and generators. “If you are interested in donating any of the above items, kindly make contact with Mr. Nayteram Ramnarine on +592 614 4625,” the statement stated. It was added that monetary donations are also accepted. Notably, cheques can be made payable to the  Private Sector Commission (PSC). On Tuesday, Guyana deployed the first shipment of relief items to assist residents in Grenada, affected by Hurricane Beryl. Items such as tarpaulins, chain saws, generators, batteries, torch lights, safety vests, hygiene items, water purification tablets and collapsible water bottles were dispatched to Grenada, via the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) aircraft. Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC)  Colonel (Ret’d), Nazrul Hussain officially handed over the items to Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy, Kerryne James at the Maurice Bishop International Airport. The BBC also reported on Wednesday that Jamaica braced for impact of Hurricane Beryl as the windstorm approached the Caribbean island nation as a major category four winds and floods. The BBC stated that at least seven people are known to have died as a result of the storm, which has destroyed homes and devastated farms on islands across the Caribbean. The small island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was badly hit, with at least one person dead and more casualties feared. In Grenada, where at least three people have died, Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell said many homes had been destroyed and called the storm’s effect “Armageddon-like.” Related Similar Articles

Farmer arrested with makeshift gun Jul 04, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A man who was arrested within the Karasabai Village area on Sunday with a makeshift gun, told police that he made the weapon to hunt. The seized makeshift gun. In custody: Vibert Thomas. According to the police, the ranks were in the vicinity of Cranrana, Karasabai Village in the South Pakaraimas on Sunday when they observed 29-year-old Vibert Thomas. The man was at the time riding a bicycle with a long metal object on his shoulder. “The ranks, who were on Patrol in a Police ATV, advanced towards Thomas, who dropped the metal object next to a mango tree and stood a short distance away from where he dropped it. The ranks then picked up the object and checked it in the presence of Thomas, who observed that it was a makeshift single-barrel shotgun.” A check of the weapon revealed no ammunition or serial number. When it was enquired if he was the holder of a fire arm licensed the man responded in the negative. When he was told of the offence committed, Thomas reportedly told the police, he “made the gun to hunt” when on his farm. He was then arrested and escorted to Karasabai Police Station along with the suspected firearm. Related Similar Articles

Health Ministry gets IT equipment to bolster immunization programme Jul 04, 2024 News Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and UNICEF officials during the handing over ceremony. Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Health on Wednesday received a donation of computers, printers, tablets and memory cards to bolster its immunization programme. The donation was made by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the Maternal and Child Health Department. According to a statement the ministry posted via its Facebook Page, the donation consisted of nine Desktops Computer, six printers, five tablets, headphones and memory cards, will be given to the central vaccine bond to support immunization through vaccine stock management and reporting, as well as to boost the surveillance capacity for the immunization programme. During the handover ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, noted that one of the initiatives the ministry is undertaking is the Electronic Health Record System. By the end of 2025, appropriate software will be developed. He stated, “As part of the modernisation of the ministry, one of the things we are doing is developing an electronic record system. Later this year, a company will start the work on developing appropriate software, so that each person who interacts with the public health system will have a unique identifier and be able to create a unique record for them.” Among those present at the brief handover ceremony were Dr. Oneka Scott, Maternal and Child Health Officer; Joann Mandisa, Health Officer; Fiona Persaud, Education Specialist; Crystal Stoll Communications Officer and other health officials. Related Similar Articles

Teen remanded after found with unregistered bike and unlicensed gun Jul 04, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Omali Medas at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Kaieteur News – A 19 year-old labourer from Sophia was remanded after he was found with an unregistered bike and unlicensed firearm. Omali Medas appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court #5 before Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday to answer to the charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm. According to the facts, Medas was apprehended on Monday by police who were on mobile patrol on Regent Street, in the vicinity of Guyoil Gas Station. The police observed the defendant sitting on a black and red motor cycle and holding a brown bag. It was disclosed by Police Prosecutor Quincy Lacon that the police ranks acting on information received, learnt that Medas was in possession of a firearm. He was then approached by the police, in which he proceeded to jump off the motorcycle with the brown bag. Medas began to run east along Regent Street. Kaieteur News had previously reported that the motorbike that Medas rode completely lacked any official documentation. He was intercepted by the police at Camp Street and Regent Streets, Georgetown where a search was conducted on his person. The firearm mentioned was found in the brown bag that he had with him. Medas was cautioned, told of the offence committed. He later appeared before the court to answer to the charge. Bail was objected by Prosecutor Lacon due to the prevalence of the matter and the fact that an unlicensed firearm was found. Medas was remanded and is scheduled to appear in court on July 17, 2024. Related Similar Articles

Fire Service to investigate ranks response to deadly Bush Lot blaze Jul 04, 2024 News The Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice fire which claimed the life of Carl Persaud on Monday evening. Kaieteur News – Chief Fire Officer of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Gregory Wickham declared that an investigation has been launched into the response of firefighters to the deadly Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB) fire which occurred on Monday. Dead, Carl Persaud In a statement issued on Wednesday, Fire Chief Wickham condemns any act of delinquency or unprofessional behavior by ranks of the Fire Service. “It has been brought to the Service’s attention that ranks acted in an unprofessional manner during a major firefighting operation in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice on Monday. An investigation into the matter has been launched, and once completed, defaulters will be sanctioned accordingly,” the Fire Chief announced. He noted that the GFS is committed to protecting property and lives from fire and offering a service with confidence to all who require it. The Fire Chief explained that they will continue to ensure ranks reflect this commitment and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. Kaieteur News understands that following the inferno, residents took to their social media pages to express their disappointment at the ranks claiming firefighters did not respond in a timely manner. Speaking of the concerns, Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall SC, during his programme ‘Issues in the News,’ on Tuesday expressed that having received the reports, the response of the Fire Service leaves a lot to be desired. “We cannot keep making the same mistakes; fire engines cannot keep turning up to fires without water. This is unacceptable but I suppose the subject minister will speak more elaborately on this issue at an appropriate time. But the response of our Fire Service must be drastically improved, the people of our country deserve better,” the Attorney General said. Kaieteur News had reported that a fire of unknown origin on Monday evening ravaged several buildings along the Bush Lot Public Road. The inferno had claimed the life of a male resident, Carl Persaud who was reportedly trapped in his home. Reports have indicated that the fire started sometime around 17:45hrs at Persaud’s two storey residence and quickly swept through the building completely destroying it. The man was reportedly trapped in the upper flat of the building which also housed the Nalico & Nafico Insurance Office on the bottom flat. Kaieteur News understands that ranks from the Onverwagt Fire Station arrived in Fire Tender 90 and went into action some time after the fire broke out. Firefighters battled to contain the blaze and were subsequently, assisted by Mahaica Fire Station, New Amsterdam Fire Station, and GUYSCO Fire Dept. An investigation is ongoing. Related Similar Articles