trafficked the natioanls between the Mazaruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) and Georgetown.
During the probe, Charles was placed on $100,000 station bail. However, he reportedly failed to return to the Police Station and a wanted bulletin was issued for him.
He subsequently reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
According to the Police, the victims reported the matter to the Guyana Police Force, and members of the Trafficking in Persons Unit of the CID Headquarters immediately conducted an investigation.
The charges were laid in keeping with legal advice given by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Editor’s note: This story initially stated that Mr Charles was charged with trafficking women. The News Room has since confirmed that he was charged with trafficking 15 men and one female cook. We have since amended the story to reflect accuracy. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
The Guyana Government is refuting allegations that it is involved in the demolition of property and eviction of squatters at Hill Foot on the Soesdyke Highway.
A statement issued by the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday noted that this has been an ongoing dispute between the squatters and property owner, Lawrence Almeem.
The News Room understands that the owner has been engaging the squatters to remove from his private lands since 2019 and after they refused, he took the matter to court.
High Court Judge, Fidela Corbin-Lincoln on April 3, 2023, ruled in the case and ordered all 12 squatters to remove from the private lands.
The land owner finally took action on Wednesday, May 31, and in the company of officers from the court and the Police Force, some structures were demolished.
The household items of the squatters could be seen packed on the lands. The squatters, who the News Room understands moved to the area from Region One (Barima-Waini), took to the streets in protest.
They blocked the roads and lit debris on fire. The Joint Services eventually cleared the debris late on Wednesday night but on Thursday morning, the protest action erupted again and several persons could be seen fighting with ranks of the Joint Services.
More fires were lit and the road was blocked again. The ranks also fired several shots and some persons were hit with pellets.
The squatters claim that they applied for lands and in response, the government on Thursday clarified that the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy met with them two months ago and provided a commitment that the government will fast-track existing land applications for those facing eviction.
“The Government has taken note of the spurious attempts by the PNC to attribute blame to the Government for the eviction of the squatters.
“This assertion is blatantly false and is indicative of the modus operandi of a failing opposition to fact-check national issues,” the government noted in its statement.
It further noted, “In their haste to score political points, PNC MP Nima Flue-Bess and Simona Broomes descended on the community seeking to fuel antagonism and hatred to further advance the opposition’s false narratives.
“This is an unconscionable approach by the opposition who continually seek to accumulate political dividends from tragic events at the expense of the pain and suffering of Guyanese.”
The government says it continues to appeal to the residents affected by the eviction to conduct themselves civilly and desist from engaging in further illegal activities such as blocking the Linden/Soesdyke highway.
Les bandits de Ti Bois ont échoué ce mercredi 31 mai 2023 dans leur tentative de prendre le commissariat Oméga. Plusieurs centaine de bandits avaient convergé par groupes dans les divers artères afin de chasser les policiers.
Ils ont été repoussés par les policiers sous les ordres du commissaire Jean Jules. Conscients du danger des milliers de résidents de Carrefour ont apporté leur appui aux policiers à Cote Plage 16.
Munis d’armes blanches les citoyens ont lancé l’opération Bois Calé contre les bandits de Ti Bois. Les habitants se sont répandus dans les divers quartiers déterminés à pourchasser les bandits. À l’instar des policiers ils ont réitéré leur détermination à ne pas laisser la commune aux bandits.
Surpris les bandits se sont repliés dans les quartiers de Diquini et Bizoton. Des journalistes font état de plusieurs personnes blessées par des balles perdues.
Depuis 3 ans le chef du gang, Kris la, impose sa loi grâce à la complicité des policiers. Cependant suite au lancement de l’opération Bois Calé, au Canapé Vert, un climat de tension s’est installé entre le gang de Ti Bois et la Caravane.
Le commissaire Jean Jules a, en maintes occasions, confirmé sa détermination à pourchasser les bandits.
C’est un règlement de compte qui a semble t-il mis le feu au poudre à Carrefour. Des sources concordantes révèlent que le policier Frandy Oxile, aurait été assassiné par le gang de Ti Bois, qui le considérait comme un traître.
Connu sous le pseudo de Ti BIM, cet ancien allié de Kris la, avait voulu prendre ses distances vis à vis de ce chef de gang qui impose sa loi à Carrefour. Oxile, qui était en détachement avec le commissaire de Carrefour, a été pris dans un guet apens alors qu’il se dirigeait vers le port de cabotage de la marine Haïtienne. Deux autres alliés de Kris la, Ti Gazman et Port de Paix ont également été tués hier lors des affrontements.
Les affrontements les plus violents ont eu lieu dans le quartier de Bizoton 53, Non loin de la Marine Haïtienne. Les bandits ont lancé un déluge de feu sur la marine après la riposte des policiers. Des tirs d’armes automatiques ont été entendus jusqu’à midi ce mercredi 31 mai 2023 dans les quartiers de Diquini et Bizoton.
Un imposant dispositif sécuritaire a été déployé hier dans les quartiers limitrophes de la Marine Haïtienne.
La circulation automobile était paralysée tôt ce matin sur l’axe routier principal de Carrefour.
Les opérateurs économiques font état d’une légère baisse des prix des produits de premières nécessités dans la région métropolitaine de Port-au-Prince au cours de la dernière semaine de Mai.
Il s’agit essentiellement des produits importés tels le riz, l’huile comestible, la farine et le sucre.
De l’avis de plusieurs commerçants cette baisse résulte de la diminution du taux de change de la gourde par rapport au dollar américain. Toutefois la baisse des prix n’a pas été répercutée en fonction du taux de change.
Les prix varient d’un quartier à l’autre. Dans la zone du Canapé vert une marchande explique que la marmite de riz est passé de 900 à 700 gourdes. En ce qui a trait aux produits locaux la tendance est à la hausse. Les prix du haricot et de la patate ont augmenté. La hausse est liée aux dépenses additionnelles sur les barrages routiers contrôlées par les gangs. Nombre de spécialistes indiquent que la baisse du taux de change du dollar et par voie de conséquence des produits alimentaires est liée à la révolte populaire dénommée Bois Calé. Des foules ont menacé de lancer des offensives contre opérateurs économiques responsables de la cherté de la vie.
Jamaican Jemar Bather, who is a native of the parish of Saint Catherine in Jamaica, has completed his Ph.D. in Biostatistics at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is now working at Merck as a senior scientist in biostatistics. In his new role, Dr. Bather will collaborate with physicians to develop new medications for individuals living with infectious diseases.
Officially, Dr. Jemar R. Bather
PhD Biostatistics, Harvard
MA Biostatistics, Harvard
MS Applied Statistics, NYU BS Statistics, Penn State
Jemar Bather was born in Jamaica and raised in the Bronx, New York. He credits his mother, who had migrated to the United States to pursue a better life, with encouraging him in his interest in mathematics. Despite working full-time and attending community college, his mother found the time to help him with his math homework. She also obtained a scholarship for him to attend a private school in the Bronx, St. Nicholas of Tolentine, to give him the best chance at succeeding in mathematical sciences.
College Attendance
Bather enrolled at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and majored in statistics. He was chosen to serve as a teaching assistant for PSU’s introductory statistics course, was inducted into the Statistical Honor Society, and joined the Statistics Club. After his graduation, he worked as a data analyst in the nonprofit sector to improve the academic outcomes for low-income children.
Interest In Statistics Spurred At Penn State
Bather’s interest in statistics began when he was an undergraduate student at Penn State working with Dr. William Harkness. He was made aware of the many opportunities available to someone with a degree in statistics, and he has since applied biostatistical methods to many areas of research. Bather believes he can make a positive impact on the field of biostatistics, particularly in terms of making the profession more diverse. He is supportive of initiatives that are designed to raise the percentage of minorities in the field. He is also interested in contributing to the study of risk factors relating to mental health disparities.
Prior to attending Harvard, Bather earned a master’s in applied statistics at New York University, and a master’s in biostatistics from Harvard. He is experienced in statistical analysis, technical writing, and teaching. He led a collaborative effort to study neurodevelopment in children with perinatal HIV exposure.
Extensive Experience
After earning his master’s at NYU’s Steinhardt program in applied statistics for social science research, Bather was a research assistant at the College of Global Public Health in the biostatistics department of NYU, building statistical models to address health disparities in obesity, breast cancer, health literacy, and decision making among patients. While at NYU, he served on the planning committee of the Diversity Mentoring Program and StatFest of the American Statistical Association, receiving a President’s Service Award for his leadership skills. He is also the founder of NYU’s chapter of Mu Sigma Rho, the national statistics honor society.
With the proliferation of conversations about ridesharing service providers in Jamaica, local and visiting consumers may want to review just how these mobile app-fueled companies operate. Below are five basic questions about ridesharing in Jamaica and their answers.
1. Is Ridesharing Services Offered In Every Parish?
No. While there are several ridesharing services in Jamaica, most concentrate their operations in large urban areas like Kingston, St. Andrew, Montego Bay, Portmore, and St. Catherine. The most popular services operating in Jamaica include Uber, InDrive, and 876 On The Go.
2. Is Ridesharing Legal In Jamaica?
As of 2021, Jamaica’s Transport Authority reported an ongoing legislative review to determine whether the nation’s laws can be amended to facilitate the operations of ridesharing firms on the island. In spite of the agency’s position that the rideshare company Uber cannot lawfully operate the way it originally proposed, the rules may eventually be changed to accommodate the activity. Issues raised at the time of Uber’s entry into the Jamaica market in 2021 included insurance coverage for passengers and whether Uber drivers are offering public transportation and therefore must comply with licensing requirements. Until a final determination has been made, the Transport Authority will approach Uber and other ridesharing companies as it does other public transport operators. Uber drivers who operate locally need to meet specific requirements imposed by their insurers, according to the Insurance Association of Jamaica.
3. Is The Service Affordable?
Consumers of rideshare services in Jamaica frequently cite the affordability of the ride and the convenience it offers as reasons to use a rideshare service. However, ridesharing services impose a number of fees that should be considered when making the decision to use them.
InDrive Fare Breakdown
With InDrive, users enter a destination and offer a fare through the company’s app. A driver can then request a different fare or accept the user’s first offer. Both rider and driver details are provided via the app as well. InDrive makes money by charging a certain percentage of commission on each transaction. This often translates into a lower-cost ride for consumers compared to other services. InDrive believes its fare-negotiation feature is key to its success, as riders can offer amounts for a specific distance, and drivers have the option to accept, reject, or renegotiate the fee as desired.
Uber Jamaica Fare Breakdown
An examination of Uber’s pricing model is instructive. With Uber, there is no flat fee per ride. Instead, prices for rides depend on many factors. All Uber rides include a base fee, which is the price guaranteed for the driver. There are also fees for long pickups, which are based on the cost to drivers of arriving at a pickup destination; this varies according to the distance and the time it takes for a driver to arrive. There is also a booking fee charged to ensure the rider will be there when the driver arrives. There are also fees for canceling a ride. A minimum fare is similar to a base fee but applies to the actual ride.
One of the most critical factors in determining the cost of an Uber ride is the per-minute fee, which is imposed for the actual time it takes to travel a given distance. This changes with time of day and location. For example, a ride of ten miles may take 30 minutes when traffic is bad. There is a per-mile fee as well, which ensures drivers receive adequate pay for longer distances. While Uber does not include tipping in its fare calculations, giving tips to the driver is strongly suggested as drivers do not receive the full amount charged for a ride, but only a percentage.
Ride costs are associated with factors like high demand in periods like rush hour. Uber always raises its rates during rush hour. Distance is another factor as charges are imposed by the mile and by the minute. The type of car used for the ride can also raise costs, with Uber’s UberX economy car being the least expensive, and luxury cars and electric vehicles costing the most.
To lower costs for a ride on Uber, UberX, sign up for the Uber One membership plan to get a five-percent reduction in ride costs, use the Uber Rewards program which awards points that members can redeem for certain rewards, take advantage of promotional programs and coupons, and carpool with others to share the same Uber.
Here are the basic fees charged for an UbeX ride in Jamaica in 2023 quoted in US dollars:
All the ridesharing operators make an effort to ensure the safety of both their riders and drivers. Safety features and policies address both the condition of the vehicle and the factors affecting the actual physical safety of the people involved with the ride.
876 On The Go, the first rideshare company in Jamaica approved by the Ministry of Transportation, uses the latest technology to help consumers book their rides and make payments by eliminating the need for anyone to have cash onboard. Such a system offers more security for passengers and drivers. All trips are also confirmed electronically with photos of assigned drivers, vehicle license plate information, and the telephone contact details of each driver. Drivers are required to obtain Jamaica’s Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) license. Additionally, both drivers and passengers can view each other’s ratings and number of completed rides so they can check before the ride to find out about the other user and feel safer. At the start of a ride, passengers and drivers are made aware of the “Help during the ride” button that features emergency options like calling the police or sharing the route with another person to ensure safety.
Uber requires a driver’s vehicle to meet specific minimum requirements: it must be a four-door vehicle with doors that open independently, it must not be older than ten years, must be in good condition with no cosmetic damage or commercial branding, and it must pass a vehicle inspection. Drivers must be at least 21 years of age and legally allowed to drive in Jamaica. They must provide valid documentation of their permission to drive in the country, proof of residency, a profile photo, and complete on online screening that will be reviewed. The Uber app applies strong background checks and uses the RideCheck mechanism to detect and report unexpected or out-of-the-ordinary stops. Uber’s leases are covered by Guardian Insurance, a top insurance firm in Jamaica. Also, the company said all leases are covered by Guardian Insurance, one of Jamaica’s leading insurance companies.
WATCH: How Much I Made As An Uber Driver In Jamaica
5. How Are Drivers Selected?
Drivers in Jamaica must obtain a PPV license to operate. Requirements are similar for all ridesharing services. For example, driver applicants for Uber must be over age 21, and must meet minimum requirements to be considered for employment. These include having a valid license to drive in Jamaica, having an eligible four-door vehicle, providing proof of residency along with proof of vehicle insurance and registration, and providing a formal profile photo. They must also consent to a background check after completing an online application. Everyone who drives for Uber is screened before making their first trip, and the screenings are repeated at least once a year.
trafficked the natioanls between the Mazaruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) and Georgetown.
BS Statistics, Penn State
