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GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer, Paul Cheong (Photo: News Room/ September 3, 2024)

Cheong’s optimism aligns with the government’s commitment to revitalizing the sugar industry. President Dr. Irfaan Ali recently addressed the sector’s contraction, highlighting the significant reinvestments made since the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) returned to power in 2020. These efforts include rebuilding factories, clearing neglected cane lands, repairing dams and irrigation systems, and rehiring thousands of workers.

The administration is focused on rebuilding the industry following the previous government’s neglect and the controversial shutdown of some factories during the APNU+AFC’s term from 2015 to 2020.

With ongoing efforts such as increased mechanization in cane harvesting—now at 43%—and the expansion of new planting areas, President Ali is hopeful for a substantial rebound in the second half of this year and into the first crop of next year.

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“We can have the best environment and the best facility but if we do not also invest in the human resources to help then we will have a mismatch,” Dr. Ali said. President Ali assured that his government will continue to invest in innovation and build facilities so that every child can access quality education.

“We firmly believe that universal access to secondary education should not be considered optional,” the President said. He explained that education should be a fundamental right, not a privilege, and should be extended to all.

The President opines that for students to be effectively engaged and thrive in a modern economy, graduating from secondary school is imperative. At the same time, nursery and primary institutions will also be enhanced to ensure a well-rounded society.

The government is also exploring additional ways to support professional parents, especially single parents, to ensure their children receive the necessary support in school. The need to send children far from home to access top-notch education will also be alleviated with the construction of 26 secondary schools across the country.

“Our vision is to create an environment where families can constantly expect quality education right in their regions,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in her remarks, stated that the ministry will soon bid for additional classrooms to accommodate more students. With the completion of the Yarrowkabra School, several primary tops along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway were closed.

“The only sure way we know to change your life, to make sure your children have a life better than yours, to make sure they are not living a life of want is to educate them,” Minister Manickchand said. She also emphasized that it is not just about building schools but ensuring that teachers are well-trained.

“We currently have 100 per cent of our teachers trained or in training,” Manickchand said. The ministry is now addressing transportation issues for students and has urged those responsible for the school to take good care of it to ensure its longevity for future generations.

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which was originally enacted under the previous APNU+AFC administration.

Jagdeo assured the public that these reforms would not infringe on freedom of expression but rather target criminal activities conducted through digital platforms.

“We believe in free media and people freely expressing their views.

“We are not for censorship on the internet.

“We will promote people’s right to freely express themselves,” Jagdeo said.

He maintained that the goal is not to regulate what people say but to ensure that those who use cyberspace for criminal purposes, such as extorting individuals or exploiting women and children, are held accountable.

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AG debunks ‘hysteria’ over govt’s plans to align social media with UN conventions

As Nandlall explained, the proposed amendments aim to enhance the legal framework governing cyberspace, making it more consistent with UN model legislation designed to combat cybercrime.

So too Jagdeo stressed that these changes would focus solely on illegal activities, dismissing any concerns about potential overreach into everyday online discourse.

“This is not about going after influencers, social media commentators, or ordinary citizens,” Jagdeo assured.

Jagdeo’s sought to dispel what he said was hysteria surrounding claims of increased government control over the internet.

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Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (DPI Photo)

The Vice President accused the APNU+AFC administration of facilitating large-scale land transfers without financial compensation and awarding contracts to companies associated with their members, citing former minister David Patterson as a key example of this practice.

In defending the current government, Jagdeo emphasized that the PPP/C has maintained a transparent procurement process, with all contract awards posted online for public scrutiny.

He acknowledged that while issues may still arise, the government has actively condemned attempts to corrupt the system and has implemented measures to ensure compliance with procurement laws.

Jagdeo also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the procurement process, including regional training and the establishment of clear rules to prevent conflicts of interest, though he noted that the government cannot restrict family members of officials from working in the sector.

“The effort to clean up the system has been enormous,” Jagdeo stated. “For those seeking details on the cleanup and the extent of past corruption, we encourage them to review the facts.”

Beyond addressing corruption, Jagdeo spoke about the government’s commitment to restoring hope to citizens by enhancing healthcare, education, public infrastructure, and social services, contrasting this with what he described as the hopelessness experienced during the APNU+AFC administration.

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new Demerara Harbour Crossing is advancing despite encountering challenges related to East Bank Demerara residents and utility relocations.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, reported that the project is approximately 64 per cent complete.

“The project is progressing…It’s around 64 percent (completed),” Indar told the News Room on Wednesday.

Indar provided this update following a recent site visit, where he inspected ongoing work.

During the visit, he received a detailed overview of the project’s progress and reviewed several challenges, particularly with properties along the East Bank road leading to the river.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar during a recent visit to the site where the new Demerara River Bridge is being built (Photo: Minister Deodat Indar FB/ August 23, 2024)

“There is also some utilities that have to be moved that have to go underground. They can’t go overhead because of how the bridge will land,” Indar explained.

He noted that the Ministry of Legal Affairs is addressing property occupancy issues, while utility companies are working on plans to relocate utility lines underground.

In May 2022, the government signed a US$260 million contract to build the new Demerara River bridge.

The hybrid-designed structure will feature a modern four-lane layout, a cycle lane, and will span 2.65 kilometers, with a driving surface of about 23.6 meters.

The bridge is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 100 years.

Hundreds of workers are engaged on-site around the clock to ensure the project meets its deadline of December 31, 2024.

 

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The New Amsterdam Town Council.

The vendors believe that the new rates are both unjust and financially burdensome.

One long-time vendor expressed frustration, stating, “We have bills to pay, everybody has a family to maintain and things are hard right now. If we give them 100%, who gets a 100% raise of salary right away?”

Samuel Watson, a cart operator with over 30 years of experience at the market, noted that his fee has jumped from $300 to $2,000.

He questioned, “What really are you working for?

“When you go in the market you have no right in the market. Now they raise it and we gon’ have to raise the price for vendors, and the vendors are quarreling with us. We need somebody to look into this matter,” he added.

Dozens of disgruntled New Amsterdam market vendors took to the streets in protest against a recent rate increase implemented by the New Amsterdam Town Council.

Meanwhile, Claire Sattaur, who manages four stalls, revealed that her fees have doubled from $500 to $1000 per stall, totaling $4000 per week.

She criticized the council’s lack of support. “When I come in the morning, I have to sweep all around my stalls, pick up garbage myself, and there’s no one to clean. They said they’re short of staff, so when the garbage truck comes, you have to fetch and throw the garbage yourself. The council isn’t doing anything and they want more money.”

Another vendor, Savitri Persaud, voiced her concerns, saying, “We ain’t able to pay the $1000 per stand because we have two to three stands. Check it, you gotta pay $3000-$4000 a week, plus we gotta pay landing fees for each load. It’s too much. Some vendors in the front area don’t sell, and when the girls need to use the restroom, they have to pay $100 every time. We used to pay $40.”

Vendors are calling on authorities to reconsider the recent fee increases.

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Defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors made it two wins in two games with a 40-run win over St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Match Seven of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at Basseterre.

Electing to bat first in rainy conditions could have been seen as a risk, but Imran Tahir’s Warriors had no such qualms as they set about posting a sizeable score of 266-7 off their 20 overs.

A rope had been dragged around the wet outfield before play began but the showery conditions failed to dampen the Warrior’s run rate.

Shimron Hetmyer (left) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Guyana Amazon Warriors bring up the 100-run partnership during the Men’s 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Match Seven between St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 4, 2024 in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

In fact, Shimron Hetmyer took the ground conditions out of the equation all together by blitzing eleven sixes to all parts of the stadium to rack up 91 runs off just 39 balls.

It was an incredible display of hitting in an innings that didn’t include a single four. It proved to be a decisive knock from Hetmyer who was later awarded Player-of-the-Match.

The Warriors’ total was the second highest in CPL history, just one run behind the score made by the Trinbago Knight Riders against the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2019. The match also had a record for sixes in a CPL match, with 42 Republic Bank Maximums flying out of Warner Park.

Imran Tahir of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrates the dismissal of Joshua Clarkson of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots during the Men’s 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Match Seven between St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Guyana Amazon Warriors at Warner Park Sporting Complex on September 4, 2024 in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

In response, Patriots captain Andre Fletcher led by example at the top of the order by compiling 81 off 33 balls, but when he was well caught by Dwaine Pretorious off the skiddy spin of Gudakesh Motie in the 13^th over the Patriots chase lost its impetus and wickets fell steadily throughout.

A late delay for another rain shower couldn’t save Fletcher’s side, after a short break Pretorious served up the coup de grace by bouncing out Mikyle Louis to seal the win with twelve balls to spare. and condemn the Patriots to their third straight defeat.

Spin proved to be a decisive factor in the high scoring match, with Warriors captain Tahir bowling a pivotal double wicket maiden in the tenth over, outfoxing both Josh Clarkson and Odean Smith in a matter of balls. He ended with three wickets as did Motie with his cunning slow left arm.

The Warriors look a strong outfit with bat and ball as they set about trying to go back-to-back in this year’s CPL while the Patriots will be looking to bounce back against the Barbados Royals on Friday. (CPL)

Andre Fletcher got innovative in his shot selection (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)

 

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align social media and cyberspace with a United Nations (UN) convention, noting that any efforts will be internationally- accepted and constitutionally – compliant.

Nandlall, in a Facebook post made Wednesday night, highlighted that the government will only enact modern legislation after a convention drafted at the UN- level to regulate cyberspace is concluded.

And Guyana, he said, actively participated in the drafting of the convention.

With the terms of the convention now settled, Nandlall said the government is going ahead with its intended amendments.

“The sole purpose of awaiting the terms of this Convention to be settled was to ensure that the amendments will be in compliance with and meet the international standard set by this Convention. Guyana actively participated in the draft of this Convention,” Nandlall said.

The AG, however, acknowledged the concerns and “hysteria” generated by his announcement the night before. In his Tuesday night ‘Issues in the News’ programme, he said the government will soon seek to amend the cybercrime law this year in hopes of remedying the misuse of social media.

For Nandlall, those culpable of misusing social media are engaging in “fearmongering” since they are aware that they will no longer be able to misuse the online space to “destroy reputations, excite racial hostilities, engender strife, cause public mischief and extort monies.”

The AG, however, affirmed that the government’s proposed amendments will be for the public good.

“In the circumstances, users of social media and citizens generally, are hereby fully assured that they have nothing to fear once they do not use their platforms serially for illicit means.

“… Once the law is implemented it will be applied for the public good, for the benefit of all law-abiding citizens and to bring critically needed regulation to an unregulated arena,” Nandlall said.

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