DPI, GUYANA, Monday, January 22, 2018

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, S.C., is once again stating firmly that the Government of Guyana is forging ahead with the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School and is continuing the work which was started under the previous administration.

The Attorney General, in response to a question posed by the media regarding the denial of permission for Guyana to undertake the building of the Law School, reasoned that permission must have been granted.

“Why would the Chancellor of the Judiciary at the time, Justice Bernard go to a meeting and talk about sighting at the University of Guyana for the school?” he questioned.

The Minister reiterated that the project is currently in the feasibility stage where the Committee will be examining all the factors, including establishing the Law School under the auspices of the Council of Legal Education (CLE).

He made it clear that the Government of Guyana cannot be stopped from building the Law School, but the country wishes to remain community-minded. As a founding member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), AG Williams said Guyana has the right to establish the institution since there are several in various Caribbean countries.

The Minister said the Committee which comprises the Chancellor of the Judiciary, the Chief Justice, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana and other professionals, is in the process of the identifying the land at the Turkeyen Campus of the University.

A process, which he expects to be completed in the shortest possible time.

Only recently, the AG clarified that his Ministry is in the process of finalising the engagement with Guyana’s Jamaican counterparts in relation to the establishment of the Law School, dispelling claims that the matter has been put on hold.

At a press conference, he made it clear that a statement issued by Chairman of the CLE, Senior Counsel, Reginald Armour and repeated by the former AG Anil Nandlall, stating that Guyana was not given permission to establish the law school had to be withdrawn.

Today, he said that “We are saying that no international organisation is driven by the Opposition and we have an email from him [Reginald Armour] assuring Nandlall that he would put the item on the agenda, without informing me, the sitting Attorney General for Guyana.”

AG Williams had raised concerns with the operations of Armour, whom he said was engaged with members of the Opposition regarding the Law School.

In January 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the University of the Caribbean (UCC) and Law College of the Americas (LCA) for the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School in Guyana.

The establishment of the school is expected to significantly reduce the cost, particularly to Guyanese, to continue with their law studies while attracting other students from across the Caribbean.

 

By: Stacy Carmichael

 

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Georgetown, Guyana (January 22, 2017) First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, today, met with Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), Ms. Jennifer Ferreira Dougall to discuss plans to implement projects such as the Self-Reliance and Success in Business initiative in the region during the course of 2018.

During the meeting, which was held at State House, the First Lady said that she is looking to collaborate with the Regional Administration to implement these projects with the aim of enhancing the lives of citizens of the Region. She explained that her Office has been asked to train more women to be successful in their own business endeavours. “This year of course, we will also have training programmes in child care and care of the elderly with the aim of having those people who are trained, certified by the Board of Industrial Training and we also have our ICT workshops for adolescence and school leavers so those are some of the things that we plan to do this year,” she said.

Expressing her appreciation, Ms. Ferreira Dougall said that , “I am happy that the First Lady did make the call to discuss these things for young people because one of our main focuses in Region Three is to empower young people. Also, the project for the women, I am also happy with that because [it will allow women to] be self-sufficient. We have a lot of mothers who want to be trained but don’t know where to go…having the training will empower them,” she said.

The First Lady said that her Office is currently planning for this year’s projects and noted that she will be supported by the Ministries of Education and Public Telecommunication in the implementation of some of the projects.

Nota mostra que fila de análise de radiofármacos obtidos por ciclotron está zerada. Novos pedidos de registro devem ter análise mais rápida.

DPI, GUYANA, Monday, January 22, 2018

The Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue area is being surveyed in preparation for massive expansion works to be conducted by Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

Work Services Group (WSG), Coordinator, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn explained that these measures will set the pace for the infrastructural works which are expected to commence before the end of the first quarter this year.

“Sinohydro is mobilising, as we speak. Surveying works are being done and this is basically to stake out the area in terms of width and centre lines etc. So we’re doing the preliminaries before we go into the actual works,” Vaughn told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The contract for the Sheriff/Mandela Avenue road project was awarded to Sinohydro Corporation Limited in November and signed in December 2017. The project will cost US$31M, which is being provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Vaughn indicated that the removal of utilities, before the construction begins,  is critical to ensuring that the project is completed on time.

“So, we’re hoping that we can engage the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) and Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to have their utilities removed. We know we have contracts already with GPL and we’re trying to finalise the one with GTT. Once that is done we will have them onboard; with GTT we know we will have some chambers that will have to raise, which may be on the corridor itself.”

According to the WSG Coordinator, one critical factor that will be taken into consideration during execution of the project is proper traffic management. He disclosed that in order to ensure there is less disruption of traffic during construction, the contractor is expected to have prepared an appropriate traffic management document which will be shared with the Ministry.

“We will have to look for all the alternatives that will come out in terms of people having to use the corridor to execute business,” Vaughn stated.

The existing carriageway will be upgraded and resurfaced from the northern end of Sheriff Street through to Homestretch Avenue. From that point to the Mandela Avenue-Hunter Street junction there will be four lanes of traffic.

The completed roadway will also be outfitted with the requisite road safety amenities including sidewalks, bicycle lanes and “hopefully” adequate parking spaces. Bridges will also be upgraded. In the vicinity of East Ruimveldt and North Ruimveldt Secondary Schools, there will be a pedestrian overpass.

 

By: Ranetta La Fleur

 

 

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Unintentional consumption of naproxen sodium potentially could result in fatal adverse events in patients with underlying illnesses. Posted 01/22/2018

Misbranded or unapproved new drugs present serious public health risks. Posted 01/22/2018

DPI, GUYANA, Sunday, January 21, 2018

In an effort to attain 100 percent yellow fever vaccination coverage in Guyana for 2018, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud proposed a joint effort between the government and Brazil, similar to the initiative between Guyana and Suriname.

This was disclosed by Dr. Persaud, on Friday, during a visit by Brazil’s Minister of Health Dr. Ricardo Jose Managaines Barros and his team, to Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence.

According to Dr. Persaud, Guyana was able to achieve 98 percent vaccination coverage for 2017, one of the highest reports for yellow fever. He emphasised the need to strengthen the relationship between the countries in order to ensure that the quality and standards are maintained.

“… An important issue for us, is the movement of people regardless if it is Venezuela, Guyana or some other (part) of our border sharing countries. I think these concerns are great for health because people do not only move with their money, they move with their illnesses, their infection, animals and even their food so we have to look at that”, the CMO explained.

According to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) website, the yellow fever vaccine, once administered, is valid for life. However, these vaccines will be mandatory only for travellers moving between Guyana and neighbouring Brazil, and for children that are less than one year old. However, it was advised the general public should also be immunised.

It was highlighted that both countries have directed their efforts in strengthening and promoting immunization. The PAHO/WHO had published a list of countries, including Guyana, which requires visitors to show proof of immunisation before entry is granted.

Additionally, Dr. Persaud addressed the issue of building Guyana’s capacity to provide serum for snake venom. He mentioned the difficulties faced when treating patients suffering from snake bites by common predators such as the Bushmaster, Rattlesnake and Libra. The serum for these three is produced in Brazil. The CMO said the government would like to see more development on the sharing of information regarding the manufacture of serum.

 

By: Neola Damon

 

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DPI, Guyana, Sunday, Janaury 21, 2018

The first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub for 2018 was officially launched on January 17, in Sisters Village on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB).

The ICT hub’s establishment was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Public Telecommunication (MoPT), the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Addressing residents, Director of Community Development and Social Management, of the NDMA, Phillip Walcott said the government is working to introduce more governmental services online. Soon, residents of Sisters Village will be able to apply for Birth Certificates, Passports, make Land Registry queries and access other services online. Walcott urged villagers to share their knowledge with others who are willing to learn, “so no one gets left behind as the country moves into the digital age”.

Also expressing his satisfaction with the establishment of the ICT hub was Commander of ‘B’ Division, Linden Alves. The Commander noted that the community will now be able to benefit from the internet service. He also expressed appreciation to the MoPT, on behalf of the Guyana Police Force, and made a commitment that the GPF is prepared to collaborate to establish hubs in other communities.

In August 2016, a survey was conducted in the village by Regional Staff of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) to determine the youth population, the number of micro, small, and medium enterprises; safe spaces within the community and the cost of assessing internet service, among other factors.

Following a thorough assessment, it was discovered that the Sisters Community Centre was inhabitable as a result of vandalism.  However, through Community networking, the decision was made to approach the GPF to assist with providing a safe space within the Sisters Police Station to facilitate the ICT hub. Commander Alves readily agreed to the idea.

The Sisters Police Station has a youth group of over 70 youths between the ages of seven and eighteen. These youths are involved in skills building activities such as arts and craft which they proudly displayed at the launching ceremony.

This hub takes the total to 17 established in Region 6, with a further 18 more slated to be operational by December 2018.  Hubs have so far been established in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and Ten.

ICT Hubs are being placed strategically across the country to allow persons to access the internet and government services online. The NDMA, which falls under MoPT, is tasked with rolling out the public internet service.

 

By: Samuel Whyte

 

 

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DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, January 20, 2018

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, today, said she is proud of the Ann’s Grove community for the transformation she has seen in just under a year.

Last July, Minister Broomes took the mining syndicate initiative to the East Coast Demerara community. Today, upon her return, by the community’s invitation, the Minister said she is pleased with the work the community has done towards the syndicate movement.

Roy Kingston heads up the Ann’s Bee mining syndicate which comprises just over 20 members from Ann’s Grove and nearby villages. Since learning about the initiative last year, Kingston said the syndicate has acquired seven blocks in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven area.

He added that it was “just a matter of time” before miners in the syndicate begin mining two of those blocks after receiving the permission of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

“I’m asking you to make good use of the syndicate,” Minister Broomes charged the miners and resident present at the meeting.  “Ann’s Grove is on the verge of becoming a significant mining community,” Kingston assured.

The Pastor making a difference

During her meeting last year with the community, Minister Broomes also addressed the concern of residents. Local Pastor Roxanne Hanover, had raised the issue of school drop out and teenage pregnancy in the “backdam” of Ann’s Grove. Minister Broomes had advised Hanover to create a community group to address these concerns. Hanover followed that advice and the Ann’s Grove Parenting Association was created.

Since September, the Association has been working with young parents in the community to arrest several social ills. “From that group we probably have over 100 parents every two weeks gathering together”, Hanover pointed out.

During those sessions, Hanover explained that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) conducted sessions on skilful parenting, assisted parents to get birth certificates and facilitated opportunities for young single parents to be gainfully employed. Talks, through the CPA, were also facilitated on the importance of children attending school. “I can tell you we’ve had some improvements”, Hanover told Minister Broomes.

Minister Broomes, in commending the initiative, pointed out the importance of people taking action to make a difference in their communities.

The Ann’s Grove Sisters Group

Also inspired by Minister Broomes during her visit last year were a group of women who the Minister charged to organise themselves and work for their community.

President of the Sisters and Brothers Group of Ann’s Grove, Unice Fortune reported how the group banded together, elected executive members and carried out community self-help activities like clean-up campaigns and charitable donations to schools and the less fortunate.

“We…wish to say a big thank you to Honourable Simona Broomes and team for the great work they have started in Ann’s Grove. We are very grateful. We promise in everything we do to give it our best, and nothing but our best”, Fortune stated even she added that the group looks forward to “bigger and better things” in 2018.

Minister Broomes noted she was proud of the community and encouraged them to keep working to make a difference. “You have it within you to press the switch in your life and make it bright. We will transform Ann’s Grove, as a people, like we will transform Guyana”, Minister Broomes said.

Keeping masquerade alive

Meanwhile, Minister Broomes gave her commitment to sponsor the community’s masquerade band for Mashramani. The Minister issued this promise after expressing how pleased she was to see the preservation of the communuity’s culture, “I’d rather have you use your energy to maintain your culture than fight each other.”

Leader of the Ann’s Grove Warriors masquerade band, Otis Barry, described the Minister’s commitment, “as a big relief for me.”

For Barry, masquarde dancing is a family tradition. “I feel like is a family thing everybody keep stepping”, he said. Barry, who learned from his father, teaches the dance to boys in the community, including his young son, who range in age from four-14. Barry added that he works hard to build the group and the support from Minister Broomes will go towards properly outfitting the band when it competes at masquerade competitions and other Mashramani festivities.  

 

 

 

By: Tiffny Rhodius