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The government recently earmarked $10 billion to support pensioners and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said some individuals who have been grappling with issues will benefit from a lump sum payment soon.

The Vice President, speaking at a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) press conference on Thursday, said some pensioners across the country complained about not benefitting as expected from the NIS.

In some instances, he said, pensioners contributed to the scheme for years but could not make the 750 contributions needed to qualify for pension payments.

Part of why those persons could not meet those contributions, he said, he because employers may not have dedicated the contributions or deducted those sums but did not transfer to the NIS.

BREAKING: $10 billion injection for NIS to help pensioners

“It is a sad situation when you go across the country and people tell you their stories about the contributions that they made or how their employers ripped them off,” he lamented.

To provide some recourse, Jagdeo said part of the $10 billion sum will be paid to some pensioners.

“We’re doing some modeling now as to how this can be done in a fair way to address those people.

“Once we are done with the simulations of the different scenarios, that will be announced and those people will receive a lump sum payment,” Jagdeo said.

In Guyana, the old-age benefit is payable to Insured Persons who have attained the age of 60 years. To qualify for this, the NIS-insured person must have paid not less than one hundred and fifty (150) Contributions; paid or been credited with, or paid and been credited with not less than 750 Contributions.

Aside from the payment to pensioners in need, Jagdeo said a huge sum will be allocated to the scheme so that the NIS doesn’t go bankrupt.

He said this is a needed intervention because the the fund has been paying out more than it has raked in for years.

The post Certain pensioners with NIS issues to get lump sum payment appeared first on News Room Guyana.

New Era Entertainment is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated annual ExxonMobil Guyana Futsal Tournament, set to kick off on Friday, October 25 at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.

This year’s tournament will feature 20 teams, competing in an exciting round-robin format that promises to captivate the town’s sporting enthusiasts.

The tournament, which has grown into a staple event on Linden’s sports calendar, will run over several weekends, with preliminary matches scheduled for October 26, November 1, 2, 8, and 9.

The quarterfinals will take place on November 13, followed by the semifinals on November 16, culminating in a grand final on November 23, where the top teams will battle for supremacy.

In line with the rules, teams are permitted to field one guest player from outside of Linden, ensuring that the focus remains on the homegrown talent and community engagement that the tournament is known for.

Each participating team will receive a cash incentive of $20,000 after the march-past ceremony, aimed at assisting in their preparation for the tournament.

The stakes are high, with the winning team set to walk away with an impressive prize of GYD $1 million.

The second-place team will receive $500,000, while the third-place team will pocket $200,000. Additionally, the fourth-place finisher will be awarded $100,000.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will also be recognized with a special reward—a brand-new motorcycle, further heightening the competitive spirit among participants.

Reflecting on last year’s tournament, the final match delivered intense drama as the New Amsterdam Strikers claimed the title, defeating Linden’s very own Retrieve United in a nail-biting 3-2 showdown.

The packed crowd at the Retrieve Hard Court was treated to a spectacular display of skill and sportsmanship, solidifying the tournament’s reputation as one of Linden’s premier sporting events.

Since its inception, the ExxonMobil Futsal Tournament has played a vital role in promoting sports and youth engagement in Linden.

As the excitement builds for this year’s edition, New Era Entertainment invites all futsal fans and community members to come out and support their favorite teams.

The ExxonMobil Guyana Futsal Tournament continues to be a celebration of sport, community, and competitive spirit, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

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The Insurance Association of Guyana (IAG) Cricket Tournament is set to take place on Saturday, October 26th, at Everest Cricket Club.

The T10 tournament will feature teams comprised of players from various insurance companies.

Super Giants, Assuria, Hand in Hand, IBGL Combined, GTM, and Dem Life will compete for the championship.

The top three teams will advance to the next round, where one team will receive a bye to the final and the other two will play for the remaining finalist spot.

Super Giants vs Assuria – 09:00h

Hand-In-Hand vs IGBGL Combined – 10:30h

GTM vs Dem Life – 12:00h

The Super Giants team is made up of players from Premier Insurance, Apex Insurance Broker, Caricom Insurance, and Nafico Insurance.

The IBGL team is comprised of players from IBGL and CG United. Hand in Hand, GTM, Dem Life, and Assuria are each represented by their own teams.

The tournament promises to be a competitive and exciting event, showcasing the cricketing talent within the insurance industry.

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A tragic accident claimed the life of 19-year-old Tevin Griffith on Tuesday night, as he lost control of his motorcycle while speeding on Nelson Mandela Avenue, near Pineapple Street.

The incident occurred around 8:48 hrs when Griffith, a resident of Lot 3420 Stevedore Housing Scheme, was riding with a group of motorcyclists heading west along the southern drive lane.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Griffith was lying flat on his motorcycle at a high speed, which likely contributed to his loss of control.

Witnesses report that Griffith was thrown onto the roadway upon losing control and sustained multiple injuries. Emergency Medical Technicians arrived shortly after the incident, but despite their efforts, Dr. Kellman pronounced him dead at the scene.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the lack of safety helmets among the group of riders.

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The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha kicked off the vibrant Diwali celebrations in Berbice, Region Six on Wednesday evening with its annual ‘Deep Jale’ event, a key part of the festivities leading up to Diwali (Deepavali) in Guyana. The event was held at the Indian Arrival Monument in Palmyra, offering a colorful display of culture and tradition.

Attendees were treated to an evening filled with both classical and contemporary Indian dances and music, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the community.

In addition to the captivating performances, the celebration featured a variety of sweet and savory vegetarian dishes, giving everyone the chance to indulge in traditional flavors.

The event drew a large crowd from across Berbice, with Praants from Upper, West, and East Berbice Corentyne areas converging to join in the festivities. One of the highlights of the evening was the presence of Dr. Vindhya Persaud, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Minister of Human Services & Social Security.

Dr. Vindhya Persaud, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and Minister of Human Services & Social Security.

In her address, Dr. Persaud spoke about the deeper meaning behind the festival, emphasizing that Diwali is more than just a celebration, it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, the dispelling of darkness, and the welcoming of light.

Dr. Persaud encouraged the public to actively participate in all the events leading up to Diwali, urging them to reflect on the festival’s spiritual significance.

This year, the eagerly awaited festival of lights, Diwali, will be celebrated on October 31, 2024.

With the ‘Deep Jale’ event setting the tone, communities across Guyana are looking forward to more festivities as the nation prepares to embrace the season of light, joy, and unity.

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After months of investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to proceed to institute more than 240 charges against Assistant Police Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus.

Sources told the News Room on Wednesday night that the DPP recommended the charges. It is now for SOCU to act to arrest Brutus so that they can institute the charges and place him before the court.

Police ranks, including those from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team, gathered outside Brutus’s residence Wednesday night.

SOCU is investigating financial crimes linked to Brutus amounting to approximately $800 million. Of this total, $300 million is said to be in assets and properties, while $500 million is currently held in frozen bank accounts.

Records reveal Brutus’ salary remained untouched for several years

This development comes about a week after SOCU completed its investigation and recommended the charges which stem from money laundering and other financial crimes.

Brutus is facing 240 charges related to significant financial misconduct and Nandlall believes he will go down as the highest-ranking officer in the Guyana Police Force to be implicated in such extensive fraud.

An affidavit filed by the head of SOCU Fazil Karimbaksh, revealed that in February 2024, Brutus purchased an $85 million property in Alberttown, Georgetown.

Brutus, who receives a monthly salary of $491,487, reportedly withdrew $63 million from his salary account to pay off the balance on the property, while an initial $21 million was paid months before.

In a recent court hearing, a High Court judge denied Brutus’ request to leave the country for medical care for his pregnant wife, Adonika Aulder.

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See below the full statement issued:

Despite political mischief and various challenges during construction—such as material shortages, rising costs, and labor shortages—the Bamia School in Linden, Region 10, is now 95% complete. St8tment Inc.- the Construction Company, on Wednesday firmly debunked rumors being peddled that the project is far from completion.

Given the challenges encountered, the company was granted an extension to complete the school by late 2024, and they remain on track to meet this revised deadline, with minimum work to be completed in the areas of electrical and plumbing.

Mr. Akannie Blair, the Project’s Chief Foreman, stated, “This will be one of the region’s most modern and advanced schools and is set to be a great environment for learning.” The school is designed with state-of-the-art facilities, including a gymnasium, a main building housing 44 spacious classrooms, an auditorium with a performance stage, a sick bay equipped with showers, two smart classrooms, modern restroom facilities, a library, music room, science lab, staff room, and more.

The awarding of the contract has drawn significant criticism from some members of the Opposition and their media outlets. Contractor Mr. Rawle Ferguson pointed out the irony in this position, stating that while these critics have long advocated for government support of Black-owned businesses, they are now undermining the very projects that benefit from such support, rather than fostering growth and development. Ferguson maintained that despite speculation, the project continues as planned.

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