Many of these people voted PNC hoping for a different set of results post 1992. Now they bear the brunt of PNC incompetency.
Many of these people voted PNC hoping for a different set of results post 1992. Now they bear the brunt of PNC incompetency.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
While PNC gave themselves 50% raises and support fat cats in cushy govt jobs, the nation's infrastructure continues to fall apart.
The jackasses praised the PNC govt for flood abatement efforts but the people still suffering. But they suffer in pleasure as they voted for the PNC.
The people who help to install this government are in hiding with shame on their faces. On GNI, they left one by one from two weeks ago. They have nothing to offer and nothing to brag about this incompetent government. I hope they are not contemplating suicide for their lack of good judgement.
Imagine dat eh! Since PPP LOST. Road get bruk up, Schools get old and start fo leak, Rivers start overflow...imagine all dat since PPP LOST.
Prince posted:The people who help to install this government are in hiding with shame on their faces. On GNI, they left one by one from two weeks ago. They have nothing to offer and nothing to brag about this incompetent government. I hope they are not contemplating suicide for their lack of good judgement.
They quitting GNI. Some now coming and admitting BJ and the PPP is the best thing. These people have no shame!
ba$eman posted:They quitting GNI. Some now coming and admitting BJ and the PPP is the best thing. These people have no shame!
Who is this "some" you think you heard say this?
cain posted:ba$eman posted:They quitting GNI. Some now coming and admitting BJ and the PPP is the best thing. These people have no shame!
Who is this "some" you think you heard say this?
You must shut you rass when big man talk. You must watch, listen and observe to see the guilt falling from their faces. You (Cain) is one of them. The reason you're still here is because you bareface. Time will catch up with you soon.
ba$eman posted:Prince posted:The people who help to install this government are in hiding with shame on their faces. On GNI, they left one by one from two weeks ago. They have nothing to offer and nothing to brag about this incompetent government. I hope they are not contemplating suicide for their lack of good judgement.
They quitting GNI. Some now coming and admitting BJ and the PPP is the best thing. These people have no shame!
They are in hiding and quitting GNI and many are now crawling on their bellies begging King Bharat to save Guyana from the new Afro Dictator.
Cobra posted:cain posted:ba$eman posted:They quitting GNI. Some now coming and admitting BJ and the PPP is the best thing. These people have no shame!
Who is this "some" you think you heard say this?
You must shut you rass when big man talk. You must watch, listen and observe to see the guilt falling from their faces. You (Cain) is one of them. The reason you're still here is because you bareface. Time will catch up with you soon.
Thou speaketh shiteth!
yuji22 posted:ba$eman posted:Prince posted:The people who help to install this government are in hiding with shame on their faces. On GNI, they left one by one from two weeks ago. They have nothing to offer and nothing to brag about this incompetent government. I hope they are not contemplating suicide for their lack of good judgement.
They quitting GNI. Some now coming and admitting BJ and the PPP is the best thing. These people have no shame!
They are in hiding and quitting GNI and many are now crawling on their bellies begging King Bharat to save Guyana from the new Afro Dictator.
Thou also speaketh shiteth.
More incompetence from the PNC, back in PPP time there would have been solutions for these types of situations.
Jan 11, 2017 News 0 Comments
By Jacquey Bourne
As minibus drivers at Coomacka yesterday went on the second day of their strike action, school children, teachers and other class of workers were left stranded in the community and other outlying areas.
The drivers have insisted they will continue their strike action until the road is fixed.
According to one driver and minibus owner Robert Gentle, the reason for their decision to strike is a direct result of the condition of the access road and bridges joining the four communities (Nottinghamshire, Siberian/Old England, Coomacka, Three Friends/Yaribo) commonly known as the ‘mines’.
“We celebrated 100 years of bauxite mining in this country just last year; now after 100 years of bauxite mining the persons who are affected by the extraction of this bauxite mineral have no modern convenience. Our road is so terrible that it takes one hour and odd minutes to meet to Linden. If we are to continue to work under this condition it means one of two things will have to happen.”
Gentle noted that a bus was donated to the community to transport school children but opined that this is the second term of the school year and the bus is still not operational.
“The Government gave us a bus and it make one attempt at a trip in six months. Why? Because the road is bad and when the bus came and stick up and had to get pull out, the bus went and never came back. Now the Region and the Regional Chairman know that this road is in a terrible state because they never send back de bus; but they expect private operators to continue to work under this condition. This is the worse Christmas road in ten years. Now we got a body who says they are going to provide a better life, nothing is better about what is going on in the mines.”
Due to the condition of the roads some children had to repeat a class because they were late and couldn’t write some of the end of term examinations. One female New Silver City Secondary School student said that she wants to go to school but she is forced to stay at home because of the condition of the road and the drivers’ decision to strike. A male fifth former of the same school said he is very upset that he cannot go to school.
“The road has really deteriorated and I am a CXC student and it is very hard when you get to school late. I want the road fixed because I am writing CXC in a couple of months and I have to get to school.”
BRIDGES
In response to the residents’ complaints in front of the Regional Democratic Council yesterday, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said that there are two initiatives in place. He claimed he took photographs of the erosion of the river, the bridges and the road and sent them with letters to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Civil Defence Commission and Maritime Administration Department.
In relation to the road, the Regional Chairman said he had talks with engineers and a hydraulic engineer, based on the volume of water that is flowing through the Coomacka and the Three Friends area.
“…Hence I’m aware that plans are afoot to do work on the road, but what we would have done at the level of the Regional Democratic Council in the short term to alleviate in terms of getting the children to school… there is a contractor who is on the road right now working while we wait the intervention of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. So right now as it is, Mr. Bella is on the road working.”
At that juncture the residents intervened in unison ‘no, nobody ent wukking deh, we just come from deh’. The Chairman continued, saying the contractor left Linden, and again he was interrupted by the residents. However, he concluded by disclosing that the man “got the contract to do the road.”
The Regional Chairman then bluntly refused to answer questions from this reporter.
In the meantime, children are still stranded unless they travel with the BOSAI workers’ bus.
Now that they take over the country, they still trying to blame the PPP for PNC incompetency.
Jan 11, 2017 News 0 Comments
From the balcony, there is a breathtaking sight of the Atlantic Ocean with ships passing and of the sunlight hitting the crashing waves. It is almost the same sight from about half of the rooms of Marriott Hotel, Kingston. But the view yesterday from the balcony was not from the hotel rooms. Rather, it was from an incomplete shell, adjoining the hotel.
That shell was intended to be converted into a world-class entertainment facility to house a casino and other facilities. The casino was supposed to boost the revenues for the entire facility and allow, based on projections, the hotel to pay the more than US$50M it owes to banks and others. However, almost two years since the hotel was opened, very little has been done to develop the adjacent section.
A new administration, under the Coalition Government, is in place, with a new Board of Directors and management for Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), which owns the hotel, installed in 2015.
That unfinished section is now facing another major problem that has the potential of developing into an embarrassing situation.
A number of Chinese nationals, who came here to work on the hotel’s construction, have moved in and are refusing to leave until their company – Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) – is paid a large sum of monies that they are owed for work done.
The standoff has been ongoing for a number of months now with the Chinese construction workers warned to leave, but to no avail. The matter had been kept quiet, until now.
Yesterday, Horace James, Officer-in-Charge of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), confirmed that the workers are in the annex “illegally”.
NICIL is the state-owned company overseeing investments and owns AHI, the company that owns and put together the deal to build the hotel.
Responding to a number of emailed questions, the official said that he is aware that SCG is owed and that it is for aboutUS$800,000 ($160M). However, SCG officials are reportedly claiming that they are owed between US$4-5M ($800M-$1B).
“They (the workers) were requested to cease their illegal occupation of the site on several occasions. They also received notice from the Chief Fire Officer that their occupation constitutes a fire hazard,” James wrote in response to questions from Kaieteur News.
The official made it clear that no one gave permission for the men, said to be numbering under 10, to move in.
“SCG occupies the site in breach of the contract,” the response from NICIL said.
James also disclosed that he is aware that negotiations to settle the matter have been ongoing.
With the life of the Board of Directors, under Chairperson, Beverly Harper, expiring in December last, Government is moving to put together another one.
In the meantime the Marriott Manager continues to be in charge of the hotel’s operations.
Yesterday, Kaieteur News visited the annex and saw at least four persons in the section that would have housed the casino. There are at least four storeys that have been left unfinished. The area outside of the annex is scattered with construction material and overgrown with bushes.
A number of air-conditioned makeshift rooms were converted to bedrooms for the Chinese workers.
The area has electricity. And there was even, in one corner, a hot water tank and wash sinks.
There were several construction overalls hanging in a corner with the breeze from the Atlantic Ocean coming through an open door leading to the balcony drying them.
Kaieteur News was told that SCG had been applying pressure for the monies, even visiting the East Coast Demerara office of Ansa McAl where Harper had been stationed, to press home their demands.
Since the April 2015 completion of the hotel, SCG would have been obligated to stick around for a year to correct any defects. That period has long since elapsed, in April 2016.
It was reported that former AHI head, Winston Brassington, had ordered monies withheld because of the quality of work.
A hotel worker has disclosed that a section of a wall at the hotel recently collapsed forcing emergency works. Several of the marble tiles have cracked in places, largely because it is of poor quality.
The hotel was heavily pushed by the successive government of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to improve the quality of accommodation in Guyana.
However, the financing structure saw the hotel, in terms of square foot, becoming one of the most expensive in the world.
While the Government of Guyana spent almost US$30M, it is last on the list to receive any returns or profits.
There have been questions to claims by some officials whether the hotel is breaking even.
Government has been hosting a number of events there, but without the casino in operation, officials have been arguing that it will be impossible to pay bills.
Already, Government is in talks with the local banks to hold off collecting outstanding payments.
Mahatma Moss Nagamootoo is trying, one must remember that the people rejected and vote the corrupt PPP out of office.
Chief posted:Mahatma Moss Nagamootoo is trying, one must remember that the people rejected and vote the corrupt PPP out of office.
They got a more corrupt one in exchange.
Chief posted:Mahatma Moss Nagamootoo is trying, one must remember that the people rejected and vote the corrupt PPP out of office.
When the recount is done in an honest way and the results are published, you can say that the PPP was voted out of office. Suruj Gadha Ki Lar and Gay Fat Boy prevented a fair and free election in Guyana
Chief posted:Mahatma Moss Nagamootoo is trying, one must remember that the people rejected and vote the corrupt PPP out of office.
You folks continue to scream corrupt PPP, however I am still waiting for the jailing of PPP and recovery of state assets stolen by PPP as evidence of this corruption. So far Zero is the count.
They voted PNC now they get PNC toilet treatment.
Jan 13, 2017 News 0 Comments
– selective pupils being taught elsewhere
On Monday, the parents from the small logging community, Ituni, staged a protest over the deplorable state of the primary school in the area.
The school is the Howell Wilson Primary School, but it is more commonly referred
to as the Ituni Primary School.
On Wednesday, Regional Education Officer, Marcia Paddy, met with the parents and teachers and they reached an agreement, where only the students that would be sitting examinations in the coming months, namely Grades two, four and six would attend school.
The students are being taught in the Ituni Community Library and the Ituni Small Loggers Association building, while the community awaits word of the commencement of the rehabilitation of the school.
The protest on Monday lasted for about seven hours, as parents and some of their children stood in front of the school with placards, some of which read, “Our children are playing hopscotch to climb the stairs, Help!” and “No repair, no school”, among many others.
There have reportedly been countless reports to the Ministry of Education relating to the school being in a deplorable state. However, no response has been given.
Keisha Griffith, the Community’s Development Officer said that the last time repairs were done to the school was about two years ago. She said that this included repainting the school and repairing light bulbs. And although many other issues were raised, nothing was done about it by the Regional Democratic Council, who had repainted and replaced the lighting.
Griffith said that the corridor in front of the school and classrooms is rotten, while the three stairs leading up to the building are all shaking. The toilet facilities remain a huge health concern for parents with only one functioning washroom for an entire school population.
The parents said that complaints were made a year ago about the condition of the school and also before school closed in December 2016, but they did not get any favourable response. The parents said that they have reached a point where protesting seemed their best option.
Chairman for Region Ten, Renis Morian, said that he received reports that the school “walkway” was not stable and has since sent the Region’s Engineer, along with representatives from the Region and the Ministry of Education, and also a contractor to investigate the issues with the school.
Morian also said that the schools were all budgeted for repairs this year especially those schools in the riverine areas like Ituni, Aroaima and Kwakwani. According to him comprehensive works are to be done.
The jackasses in the PNC/AFC bringing Guyana back to the Burnham days of severe foreign currency shortage. Businesses will now suffer. Many business men voted for pnc, now they get their dhall.
Jan 12, 2017 News 0 Comments
…but Central Bank insists otherwise
Even though the Government and the Central Bank have said since last year that there is no shortage of foreign currency, consumers continue to experience a different reality.
Up to yesterday, local banks informed some businessmen that they are unable to do transactions ranging from US$80,000 to even US$5,000. The excuse given is that there is a shortage of foreign currency within the system.
Inquiries made by this newspaper also showed that the situation remains the same. Some banks are proffering the explanation that they sell the USA currency based on what is brought in by their customers. Such is the case with Republic Bank.
When Kaieteur News made contact with the Camp Street branch, it was told that a transaction of US$30,000 or even US$2,000 could not be done. A supervisor subsequently stated that there is a shortage and that checks should be made at the Republic Bank branch at Water Street. But this too was not successful. Representatives at the branch stated that the amount was not available and that “there seems to be a shortage for some time now.”
The official told this newspaper that checks should be made at a later date.
In other cases, some banks are stating that customers would have to go on a waiting list and the time for their request to be facilitated is not guaranteed. They insist that they cannot guarantee that the waiting list process would result in the transaction being effected within two or three days.
Kaieteur News contacted Central Bank Governor, Dr. Gobind Ganga yesterday about the situation. He insists however that the banks have foreign currency.
“I don’t know what they are going on with, but listen, there is no shortage. All the banks have money. What is happening is that some of them are just holding on to their money. The foreign currency situation has even improved significantly from last year to now!” Dr. Ganga stated emphatically
Another senior banking official at the Central Bank asserted that, “All the banks can provide foreign currency to the consumers, but they are trying to be difficult. Some of them are keeping the money so they can send it to their other branches in the region.”
In addition, Dr. Ganga stressed that there was no reason for concern.
“There is no foreign currency crisis looming in Guyana. The fact is we have a net supply of foreign currency in the system, so there should be no depreciation of the currency by any significant amount. It is not a situation where there is a piling up of demand for foreign exchange at the commercial banks,” Dr. Ganga said.
He even provided details which illustrate that the current foreign exchange reserves held by the Bank of Guyana and the commercial banks were in excess of the 2015 figures.
“Commercial banks have increased their foreign exchange holdings. In 2015 they had a gross holding of US$357M, as of September 2016 it was US$388.4M, and we are expecting the commercial banks to hold approximately US$403M by the end of the year,” Dr. Ganga revealed.
He said, “The (commercial) banks have money… and they have quite a lot, it is not a small amount. The Bank of Guyana had US$598M at the end of 2015, currently we are holding close to US$625M which is much more than last year. You can see therefore that there is an increase in foreign exchange availability from the holdings.”
The BOG Governor said that an increase in the circulation of Trinidad and Tobago and Barbadian dollars in the Guyanese economy has been noticed, and that this indicates that these currencies are being converted into Guyana dollars then used to purchase US currency.
This man got the govt he deserve, the Indian business man build and the pnc destroy.
They voted PNC now they get PNC treatment. Back in PPP time this would have incited a riot and protest by afc/pnc operative. Now these jackasses quiet.
"They voted PNC now they get PNC treatment. Back in PPP time this would have incited a riot and protest by afc/pnc operative. Now these jackasses quiet."
Is this what you learn at St. Stanislaus College,Guyana,S.A.??
my nephew,neice,son and few villagers who grace the halls of that institution have moved on to do great things,
what have you become,a RACIST who peddles trash in cyberworld.
Django posted:"They voted PNC now they get PNC treatment. Back in PPP time this would have incited a riot and protest by afc/pnc operative. Now these jackasses quiet."
Is this what you learn at St. Stanislaus College,Guyana,S.A.??
my nephew,neice,son and few villagers who grace the halls of that institution have moved on to do great things,
what have you become,a RACIST who peddles trash in cyberworld.
The truth always hurt. When you criticize the PNC, you are a racist. What do you call the black people in America who criticize Donald Trump? Martin Luther King?
Django posted:"They voted PNC now they get PNC treatment. Back in PPP time this would have incited a riot and protest by afc/pnc operative. Now these jackasses quiet."
Is this what you learn at St. Stanislaus College,Guyana,S.A.??
my nephew,neice,son and few villagers who grace the halls of that institution have moved on to do great things,
what have you become,a RACIST who peddles trash in cyberworld.
Who the cap fit draw the string. The truth always hurt, back in PPP time you folks were gleefully blaming the PPP if a black stump his toe. Now take criticizm and urge your govt to do a better job. You want to stifle the voice of dissent, but who will keep the PNC in check if we as a collective don't speak out? After all you are just concerned with posting that everything is all flowery and good with this administration. There has to be balance and that is where our voices come in.
skeldon_man posted:Django posted:"They voted PNC now they get PNC treatment. Back in PPP time this would have incited a riot and protest by afc/pnc operative. Now these jackasses quiet."
Is this what you learn at St. Stanislaus College,Guyana,S.A.??
my nephew,neice,son and few villagers who grace the halls of that institution have moved on to do great things,
what have you become,a RACIST who peddles trash in cyberworld.
The truth always hurt. When you criticize the PNC, you are a racist. What do you call the black people in America who criticize Donald Trump? Martin Luther King?
Is that like when someone moves away from the corrupted PPP they are called #igger Indians?
cain posted:.The truth always hurt. When you criticize the PNC, you are a racist. What do you call the black people in America who criticize Donald Trump? Martin Luther King?
Is that like when someone moves away from the corrupted PPP they are called #igger Indians?
So far zero PPP jailed for corruption and zero state assets allegedly stolen recovered.
cain posted:skeldon_man posted:Django posted:"They voted PNC now they get PNC treatment. Back in PPP time this would have incited a riot and protest by afc/pnc operative. Now these jackasses quiet."
Is this what you learn at St. Stanislaus College,Guyana,S.A.??
my nephew,neice,son and few villagers who grace the halls of that institution have moved on to do great things,
what have you become,a RACIST who peddles trash in cyberworld.
The truth always hurt. When you criticize the PNC, you are a racist. What do you call the black people in America who criticize Donald Trump? Martin Luther King?
Is that like when someone moves away from the corrupted PPP they are called #igger Indians?
How soon you forget.
Yall remember this? The govt making moves and you fellas start bitching and complaining obviously you people got connections to these people and their corrupt ways. What's gonna happen when some a dem get thrown into prison or made to repay money owed, you guys gonna turn blue?
Jan 08, 2017 News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....buildings-in-guyana/
skeldon_man posted:cain postedIs that like when someone moves away from the corrupted PPP they are called #igger Indians?
How soon you forget.
Forget what, you guys calling decent law abiding people names, nahh I didn't?
cain posted:Yall remember this? The govt making moves and you fellas start bitching and complaining obviously you people got connections to these people and their corrupt ways. What's gonna happen when some a dem get thrown into prison or made to repay money owed, you guys gonna turn blue?
SARU conducting inventory of high-rise buildings in Guyana
Jan 08, 2017 News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....buildings-in-guyana/
Look like you and saru fishing. They taking inventory? Let see what they will do with this inventory.
Drugb posted:This man got the govt he deserve, the Indian business man build and the pnc destroy.
M&CC demolishes sections of Sherriff Street business
5Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterThe Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Thursday afternoon demolished a section of a multicomplex building on Sheriff Street, citing an illegal extension at the southern end of the building.
Town Clerk Royston King led the demolition exercise of the Sheriff Street building, which houses Electronics City and fashion stores, along with several other fast-food outlets.
The officers also removed a container, which the Council said was illegally placed at the head of Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, and left for several years.
According to the Supervisor of Building Inspection (acting), Marlon Harris, the extension of the building at the head of Fifth Avenue, Subryanville, was constructed without the permission of the City Council.
He explained that “Notices were served several times to the developer and owner of the property here but they never complied. So the City, in an effort to rectify all the breaches throughout the length and breadth of (Georgetown) has moved to remove the illegal construction there.”
Meanwhile, the Town Clerk and the city officers also highlighted another breach on the northern side of the building, where an extension was built several inches off the ground, to facilitate an outdoor sitting area for the food outlets. However, it was noted that the extension is sitting on the Council’s drainage reserve.
The City workers pointed out excess fat in the drainage system, which they noted is owing to the fact that the grease trap of the building may not be functioning. Harris noted that an inspection will have to be carried out to determine the cause.
Nevertheless, the Town Clerk informed the owner of the building, Shareef Ahmad, that he should take steps to remove the extension. “We would need back this space here… We don’t want to disrupt your nice work so I’m asking you to arrange for your own work people to come here within 24 hours and remove this,” King indicated to the businessman.
However, Ahmad told reporters that he is being victimised. “It is clearly victimising… because what goes to one supposed to go for all; if you drive around the city you will see how many places way over built and they’re not taking any actions,” the businessman stated.
Someone did not pay a bribe?
Drugb posted:cain posted:Yall remember this? The govt making moves and you fellas start bitching and complaining obviously you people got connections to these people and their corrupt ways. What's gonna happen when some a dem get thrown into prison or made to repay money owed, you guys gonna turn blue?
SARU conducting inventory of high-rise buildings in Guyana
Jan 08, 2017 News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....buildings-in-guyana/
Look like you and saru fishing. They taking inventory? Let see what they will do with this inventory.
The purpose of the Big House inventory, is to seize and distribute to them PNC Brothers. Them son of a B*t*H don't want to work, just want to rob hard working Indians. In Guyana the lazy people always wonder how others get rich, the first thing comes to their mind is them ah thief or do drugs, I remember in Uitvlugt, the Blacks were always smartly dressed, shine shoes, nice pants and shirt, they dressed up to go to dance and party, while the Indians stayed at home with their old clothes and drink their flattie, But the Indians always have a clean yard, well painted house, lovely flower and vegetable garden, on the other hand the Blacks had old broken down houses, yard with over grown bushes. So, today when the Indians have BIG Houses and businesses the Black government want to Nationalize and take it away. Time is not late, I say close shop and leave the DAM country.
The Black PNC voted for apnu/afc and they got what they deserved. Now man have to do the work of jackass under the Granger administration.
These same folks voted in Granger, now they are surprised at how quickly he abandoned them to fill his pockets from the nations coffers with 50% raises and who knows what else from presidential perks and expensive overseas travel.
During Jagdeo time they ply their trade for free, now they battie biting. Vote PNC.
The broken stalls at Merriman Mall
Jackass Granger's concept of an ambulance, the back of a pickup truck. They got the govt they deserve.
More PNC que que running of the country. They PPP build and these jackasses destroy.
FOR some time now, the stretch of road inside Le Repentir Cemetery between Sussex and
Princes Streets, commonly called the “Burial Ground Road,” has been repaired and is in more frequent use by motorists and pedestrians.
The road is a continuation of Louisa
Row on which sits the relatively new crematorium.
Although many are appreciative of the road, which serves as a key link out of the Albouystown community, some motorists are concerned about the many speed bumps that it features.
The social rejects (junkies) and other questionable characters are also frequent users of this road and hence, having to cross the bumps can put motorists in danger of being robbed.
The opening of the road has also seen some residents creating new mini- dumpsites, contributing to an ugly sight and a stench that one has to endure while passing though.
In fact, for the past few days, some have been wondering whether a corpse has been dumped somewhere outside a tomb.
The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) contributed to the dumping when the workers dismantled the Merriman Mall stalls on Wednesday and placed all of the stuff alongside the said road.
In the past, when the road was seldom in use, the Chronicle had observed the skeleton of a human face alongside the road, and others reported that they would often see bones and other parts of the body at the same location.
More PNC incompetency. They can't even properly build a road in their hero's Burnham's name.
They voted PNC now they living in Venice. They jackasses in power claimed they had the answers to flooding, but they are impotent when it comes to implementing their solutions.
Drugb posted:Jackass Granger's concept of an ambulance, the back of a pickup truck. They got the govt they deserve.
Rape accused suffers seizure, hearing postponed
5Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterA 33-year-old Michael Williams of Wismar, Linden, who allegedly sexually assaulted an eight-year-old, was scheduled to appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan; however, as he made his way to the court room, he suffered a seizure.
An officer attempted to revive the accused, but this proved futile and the man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. His hearing was postponed to a furthe
Michael Williamsdate.
According to information reaching Guyana Times, the eight-year-old girl decided to speak out one day after school was dismissed.
She reportedly walked into the probation office a few days ago and confided in the probation officer, who took her to the hospital where doctors verified that she had indeed been sexually molested.
Family members also confirmed that the young child has been experiencing physical and sexual abuse.
First. Where are the so called ambulances from PPP time you think they had any?
Second. That prick lying in the back should have been lying under the wheels.
cain posted:First. Where are the so called ambulances from PPP time you think they had any?
Second. That prick lying in the back should have been lying under the wheels.
PNC in charge now, they made sure they got 50% raises before addressing any other issue in Guyana. Don't know about PPP time and ambulances but I never saw a sick person on being transported to hospital in the back of a pickup as though it was a war zone in an African nation.
As for the defendant, innocent until proven guilty, I assume you heard of this saying before?
Drugb posted:cain posted:First. Where are the so called ambulances from PPP time you think they had any?
Second. That prick lying in the back should have been lying under the wheels.
PNC in charge now, they made sure they got 50% raises before addressing any other issue in Guyana. Don't know about PPP time and ambulances but I never saw a sick person on being transported to hospital in the back of a pickup as though it was a war zone in an African nation.
We never saw anyone transported, probably never were, but we did read of people found propped up dead for days.
As for the defendant, innocent until proven guilty, I assume you heard of this saying before?
Banna look rest yo rass yeh. So just to make an argument you have become a champion for blacks, especially those accused of rape?
The PNC boys ignoring the Ombudsman. They got the govt they deserve.
Jan 16, 2017 News 0 Comments
“The appointment of an Ombudsman is only part of the task. We must ensure that the office is effective.” Those words were spoken by a national leader and staunch anticorruption advocate. In fact, the former head of the political opposition was one who fought aggressively for the operationalization of the office of the Ombudsman, a constitutional office that was non-functioning for more than seven years.
That same man and even members of his team spoke at length about the worrying findings coming from the two damning reports prepared by that office. They said that the reports show injustice, vindictiveness, grave wrong doing and the financial treachery of the PPP administration.
Twenty months later, many are disappointed that the David Granger administration has not taken a single action on those two damning reports, which were prepared by Justice Winston Moore, before he passed away September last. Moore was appointed to serve in that office by the Ramotar administration in January 2014.
FREDDIE KISSOON
One report deals with the issue of Kaieteur News columnist Freddie Kissoon being wrongfully dismissed from the University of Guyana.
Kissoon was on a contract with the University of Guyana but it was terminated by the tertiary institution in January 18, 2012. This was in spite of the fact that Kissoon’s contract had five months remaining, at the end of which, he would have reached the age of retirement.
Rather than the story that he was dismissed, the University had said that it merely ended the contract earlier, eight months before the contract expired. The contract stipulated that it could be terminated and three months’ salary paid in lieu of notice.
Kissoon did not hear from the University despite several efforts for a reason for why his contract was terminated prematurely.
Following a complaint lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman, UG was notified that the newspaper columnist’s contract being terminated in such a manner breached UG’s regulations. The report on the issue said that he should be compensated.
Since the Ombudsman made this pronouncement in January 6, 2015 no action has been by the institution to compensate Kissoon.
THE NBS REPORT
The late Ombudsman Moore had also ruled on another controversial matter relating to the New Building Society (NBS).
The Office of the Ombudsman concluded in November 2014 that police wrongfully charged the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and two of his managers of a massive $69M fraud at the New Building Society, in 2006.
The explosive document by the public complaint office was based on complaints by Maurice Arjoon, the former CEO. Arjoon, in his complaint, said he and two managers, Kissoon Baldeo, and Kent Vincent, were deliberately and maliciously charged by police for a $69M scam.
Arjoon said that he believed that the trumped-up fraud charges, later dismissed in the Magistrates’ Court, stemmed from his refusal to lend $2B for the construction of the Berbice River Bridge.
The former Government had been seeking financing for the project. Arjoon reportedly told his Board of Directors that the regulations barred the institution from lending that much. NBS voted to invest $350M in the project.
Arjoon claimed that his refusal to illegally lend the $2B angered former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was in power at that time.
Arjoon, who has been insisting his innocence from day one, said in his complaints that over seven years were taken away from his life.
The late Justice Moore, who had sweeping powers to investigate abuse by public officers, hired former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Henry Chester, DSM, who, in reviewing a copy of the police files, found that based on the evidence, there was no way that the three men could have been charged. It was also found that the police files did not include a key exhibit.
Arjoon had filed a high court action to overturn the decision of NBS to dismiss him, saying that he lost his benefits as a result.
The explosive report raised serious questions about the rush by the police to lay charges; the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the role played by the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana.
Since the report was laid in the National Assembly, nothing has happened.
UNACCEPTABLE
If no action on the reports of the Ombudsman is taken, then what is the point of having one? This sums up the position put forward by Presidential advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr. Clive Thomas.
He said that it has been over a year since the late Ombudsman, Winston Moore released two damning reports on various injustices which occurred under the People’s Progressive Party administration and no action has been taken by the institutions involved or the state.
Thomas emphasized that it is important for the findings and recommendations of Moore’s reports to be dealt with, as further procrastination would only serve to undermine efforts for good governance at various levels.
The Presidential Advisor said that the Ombudsman’s office is one that should be respected, and failure to act on his findings represents “total disregard for the people, for his office as well as the importance of ensuring justice is served.”
The nation’s Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development says that this is just totally unacceptable and action should not be delayed any longer.
He emphasized that any democratic government practicing good governance would take the reports as an indication of the type of action that needs to be undertaken if it requires such by the state or institutions within the state.
The economist continued, “It is imperative that we pay attention and act expeditiously when the Ombudsman’s office highlights when injustices have occurred. The powerful principle upon which his office was established was to be the protector of the citizen’s rights. We have to ensure that his recommendations are enforced at all times and in whatever ways we can. We cannot appear to equivocate in the face of the rulings otherwise, what is the real purpose of his office and having him there?”
NEW OMBUDSMAN
The Government had said that a new Ombudsman would be appointed on or before January 1. But it was amended to being done by March.
An Ombudsman is an official usually appointed by the government or by Parliament but with a significant degree of independence. One such official is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights.
The typical duties of an Ombudsman are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them. Ombudsmen in some instances, also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor service or breaches of people’s rights.
They got their 50% raises but they neglect to fix the roads.
Even the PNC supporters are feeling the squeeze as the govt they elected neglect them and instead spend money on sporting and overseas trips.
The main access road heading to the small fishing community of Rock Stone in Region 10 is currently virtually impassible as a result of erosion. Sections of the clay road have been completely eroded by the water running from a nearby creek coupled with the heavy downpours. There is a buildup of water on the right corridor of the road and with the blocked koker the water has been channeling its way on the road with extreme pressure thus causing it to be washed away.
When Guyana Chronicle visited the road on Saturday, it was as if there was a stream running across the road and vehicles and pedestrians were experiencing extreme difficulty passing. The residents made a call to the regional authorities to have the situation fixed and the Regional Works Committee visited the community on Saturday and described the situation as an emergency. Calls were made to have the koker cleared earliest and to construct a proper revetment work so that the water will be correctly drained off. “We are moving from here and we are going and secure a mini excavator and we want to bring two tubes here and build a revetment, build up the shoulder so that we could channel this water over that side because with the buildup over here and the continuous rain fall, the whole road would wash off so this is another emergency we dealing with here,” Regional Chairman Renis Morian said.
In addition to the drains, the main access bridge in the fishing community is in need of urgent repairs as residents fear that very soon, one of the lumber trucks that traverse over it daily may fall in. One resident explained to this publication that the support base for the bridge is the sand and that has separated from the foundation of the bridge. “Something is moving the foundation from the sand so you find that about three feet of the bridge is exposed and this means that this bridge can break and collapse any time,” the resident said.
A similar situation is occurring at the Paramakushi Bridge that is located over the
Paramakushi Creek that runs through the community. Residents are claiming that the large volume of water running under the bridge, coupled with the impact of the lumber trucks may be the cause of its dilapidated state. Given the fact that the nearest hospital is in Linden, which is approximately 18 miles away, residents are afraid that if the public infrastructures are not fixed earliest, there may be loss of life and limb. They were promised by the Regional Authorities that repairs will commence as soon as possible.
They voted pnc and got their dhall, good thing pnc won.
Jan 17, 2017 News 0 Comments
“WE ALL WANTED CHANGE AND NOW WE GET IT, LOOK AT THE CONDITION OF IT”
BY BRUSHELL BLACKMAN
The Haslington New scheme is located on the East Coast of Demerara, aback of Haslington village. It’s sandwiched between Enmore village to the east and Golden Grove to its west. The Scheme was formed more than ten years ago and still lacks some very basic facilities. It is bedevilled by a long list of problems.
Potholes
The residents of this community, which at an estimate has about 1000 households, say that they have been forgotten for more than a decade and no one from the Ministry of Housing has visited during that period to listen to their plight, let alone to resolve them.
One of the major issues affecting this community is the potholes. There are ten cross streets and each has at least six huge potholes. Travis Luke, a resident, said that he can only recall the roads being repaired once in the ten years that he is living there. “They come one time and put some sand and stone on the road and that didn’t even last a month.”
Because of where the scheme is situated most resident use taxis to get in and out and the taxi drivers are complaining about the damage being done to their vehicles. One driver, who is also a resident of the community, said he spends money weekly replacing damaged and bent tyre.
The man said they now have to choose which streets to traverse based on their state. This, he recognised, is not fair to the residents who will still need to walk some distance despite paying a $200 fare.
Water and Street Lights
The quality of the water leaves much to be desired. Residents complained that a clear flow of tap water is like a lottery and they have to be lucky to have it. This newspaper was shown the evidence of the rust-saturated water. It’s so bad it has left a permanent stain in one resident’s yard.
The few street lights that are there is as a result of the community pooling its resources to mount those. Most are no longer working and residents are now reluctant to have them fixed. One woman said she always tries to get home before darkness falls in fear of being attacked.
Drainage and Garbage collection
There is street after street with drains that are choking with weed and built up silt, one of the reasons residents say contributes to constant flooding whenever it rains even in increments.
The disgruntled community explained that reptiles have now taken up residence among them. “Alligator and snake live over there,” one woman said, pointing to one of the many empty plots inundated with water.
Additionally, some residents have resorted to burning their garbage in the streets since they cannot afford the $2,000 charge for the service. One shop owner said the situation is getting from bad to worse and there needs to be urgent action.
“WE all wanted change and now we get it, look at the condition of it.”
Recreational Facilities
The plot of land that is supposed to house the playground is infested with weed and vegetation and is now a grazing ground for cattle in the community. Some residents are even dumping their garbage there. The young men in the community are now left to play their game of football on the same street that the taxis traverse, sometimes much to the displeasure of drivers.
Jamal Mansfield, a youth residing there said they are sometimes forced to go to other communities to play any form of sports. “We does go to the other village to play football.”
It should be noted that there isn’t a single community centre or a youth club to engage youths who have free time.
The Ministry of Housing was not sure who was responsible for the scheme. An employee there told me that the scheme is under the purview of the NDC. When she was told that this was not the case this reporter was directed to another department where the people were not sure themselves.
The Grove Haslington Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) admitted that it does not do anything in the scheme. The woman who refused to give her name said that the residents don’t pay tax since the scheme was not handed over by the Housing Ministry to the NDC.
The woman explained that it will be unfair to use taxpayers’ money to do work in the community.
A financial crisis is looming in the banking sector. The people got the govt they deserved, good thing pnc won.
The teachers vote PNC, squeeze they rass to support fat cat Granger and Prak who collect their 50% wage increase and take expensive trips overseas.
What sounds too good to be true, is too good to be true. True to typical PNC form, they make a big deal about restoring Kitty market, now a couple of years later it is still to be finished with the usual money issues. PNC boys sport today and pay tomorrow.
Jan 16, 2017 News 0 Comments
At the final statutory meeting held by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) last year December, the Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green said that, while the Council would have achieved a number of their goals, they still have not been able to complete one major goal, which is the re-opening of the Kitty Market.
Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan recently told Kaieteur News that he is unsure of the new reopening date for the market. Duncan said that up until December last, only 30 percent of rehabilitation work was completed. This was also the same stage at which the market was in April 2016.
A record of sheer incompetence by the Ju Ju PNC leadership. Burnhamism is back in full swing. Their Ko Ko Beah style of governing is in full display.
More signs of infrastructure deterioration and ko ko beh governance by the pnc/afc crooks in office.
Jan 18, 2017 News 0 Comments
Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident, Lilian Bryan, is alarmed at the presence of a
rotting electrical pole that is leaning on her fence.
Aside from the danger it poses, she is even more concerned that Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has failed to respond to pleas to have the pole removed.
She said that the utility pole, which is rotted at the base, began leaning two Saturdays ago. She said that a GPL crew eventually came after she made several calls.
But instead of replacing the pole, the GPL workers tied a rope around the pole and attached the other end of the rope to a wooden fence.
She said that recent heavy rains have weakened the pole further. She believes that only the presence of her fence is preventing it from falling.
The woman’s husband said he contacted a GPL official yesterday, who promised to “look it after.” However, no one came.
“The post rotting and just bracing by the fence,” Mrs. Bryan said yesterday.
“That is the main post that giving us light. It dangerous.”
Scores of Sophia, Greater Georgetown squatters who were affected by the recent demolition exercise executed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Monday, picketed the Housing Ministry calling for more time before their forced removal and more importantly, alternative housing arrangements.
Representing the residents of Sophia squatting area was Clayton Jarvis who came into agreement with the CEO of Central Housing and Planning Authority, Lelon Saul, to extend the time given to the Sophia squatters to be removed.
Jarvis, a squatter himself, made arrangements to work together with the CH&PA and the Anti-Squatting Task Force of Constituencies five and six to remove squatters who are owners of house lots but continue to squat nevertheless. He also agreed to police the reserves to ensure that no new structures are erected on the reserves, to provide status updates on applications submitted by squatters and to also facilitate the registration of new applicants who are squatting on the reserves in the two constituencies.
The meeting was called after irate squatters picketed the Ministry demanding answers. According to Saul, persons were given notices of eviction and the Ministry will not tolerate squatting since it’s illegal. Jarvis stated that all he wants is for the authority to find alternatives for the residents.
Squatters whose houses were ripped down and soon to be demolished were heard venting their frustrations as they stood on the parapets in front of the Ministry.
According to representatives of the housing authority, squatting is impeding the progress in the community of Sophia and as such, a task force was set up to address the issue.
Guyana Times understands that notice boards were erected on A,B,C and D fields Sophia informing persons to desist from squatting since it is illegal. Also ads were placed on the television to notify squatters of the demolition exercise; however, residents refute claims that they were ever in receipt of eviction notices. (Yanalla Dalrymple)
Drugb posted:More signs of infrastructure deterioration and ko ko beh governance by the pnc/afc crooks in office.
GPL ignoring pleas to remove rotting pole
Jan 18, 2017 News 0 Comments
Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident, Lilian Bryan, is alarmed at the presence of a
rotting electrical pole that is leaning on her fence.
Aside from the danger it poses, she is even more concerned that Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has failed to respond to pleas to have the pole removed.
She said that the utility pole, which is rotted at the base, began leaning two Saturdays ago. She said that a GPL crew eventually came after she made several calls.But instead of replacing the pole, the GPL workers tied a rope around the pole and attached the other end of the rope to a wooden fence.
She said that recent heavy rains have weakened the pole further. She believes that only the presence of her fence is preventing it from falling.
The woman’s husband said he contacted a GPL official yesterday, who promised to “look it after.” However, no one came.
“The post rotting and just bracing by the fence,” Mrs. Bryan said yesterday.
“That is the main post that giving us light. It dangerous.”
"Work of significant experienced staff" of GPL, most likely, under the expert guidance and leadership of the PNC/AFC.
Two experienced rotted pole fellas ....heh hehhhh
Oct 25, 2017 News 0 Comments
…To clear EDWC of unoccupied illegal structures
The Central Housing and Planning Authority, (CH&PA) is moving ahead with efforts to clear the Lama Conservancy of squatting and other activities that have been deemed illegal and unhealthy to the environment.
During a media tour to the area yesterday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul, unveiled a plan to clear the conservancy.
The Lama Water Conservancy / East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) supplies water to households across the various wards of Georgetown.
Saul explained that in addition to the squatting, the conservancy has been the receptacle for garbage, human waste and other foreign objects.
The CEO explained further that in addition to the dumping, squatters had even chosen to engage in commercial and agriculture activities in the vicinity of the conservancy. A pen used for rearing pigs is located right in the heart of the EDWC.
Speaking to media operatives yesterday, Saul said that the CH&PA has a zero tolerance policy for illegal activities along the conservancy.
Lamenting the fact that water from the conservancy is used by residents of Georgetown for cooking, bathing and other household purposes, the CEO noted that CH&PA is moving to put a stop to the activities.
He explained that the Housing Ministry is working with persons living along the conservancy to have them relocated to more suitable living accommodations.
The CH&PA had committed to a January 2018 deadline to allow the squatters suitable time to relocate from the area.
Saul said that efforts are underway to remove the unoccupied structures, some of which are under construction along the dam. “We can start as early as (today),” Saul stated.
Squatting has a long history with residents of Sophia /Cummings Lodge.
On Monday, Minister within the Ministry of Communities with the responsibility for Housing, Valerie Patterson-Yearwood told the media that over 300 illegal structures have been erected along the reserves in a matter of months.
“Last year, there were approximately 300 squatters. That number increased to 534 in May and it has been increasing.”
The Minister warned that any building seen being erected on the reserves will be demolished. Patterson-Yearwood said CH&PA will also continue to dismantle those unoccupied structures.
“Squatting is an illegal act and the government will not permit it any longer.”
The Minister noted that CH&PA has been encouraging those persons who have not yet applied for land to do so at the earliest time.
She explained that the CH&PA is in the process of implementing a plan that will offer house lots to those persons who can afford to build.
“For those unable to construct a dwelling, the government is seeking funding to build core homes. The Industry community was identified as the area where the homes will be constructed.”
“We don’t just want to give them a house lot because we know if they can’t afford to build. They are going to put a shack and all we are doing is moving one shanty town from one area to another. That is not what we want, as we relocate, we are going to upgrade,” Minister Patterson stressed.
The Minister disclosed that over 200 notices were served to persons squatting on government’s reserve in Sophia. Additionally, several billboards had also installed along Dennis Street, urging persons to desist from squatting.
On October 12, the CH&PA in collaboration with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Guyana Police Force, commenced the regularisation process in Section A and B Pattensen.
The activity resulted in demolition of the homes of several persons squatting on the government reserves. The CH&PA targeted unoccupied buildings, buildings under construction and persons who were allocated house lots.
The exercise was temporarily suspended, following outcries by the residents.
STATISTICS from the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) are showing the daunting fact that despite the installation of two dust-collectors at the bauxite company Bosai’s Minerals Group Guyana ( BMGG), residents of the mining town of Linden continue to suffer from respiratory diseases.
While other factors should not be disregarded, the daily inhalation of the thick chemical-filled dust particles being emitted from the processing chimneys called kilns at the bauxite plant located in Mackenzie, has been proven to be one of the main reasons for this medical phenomenon that has been plaguing Lindeners for many decades.
Prior to the installation of two dust-collectors in 2012 on kilns 13 and 14, which cost the Chinese expatriate company $8M U.S., residents of Linden were exposed to the emission of bauxite dust into the atmosphere from three kilns: 10, 13 and 14. This environmental hazard resulted in an overwhelming number of Lindeners suffering from respiratory diseases ranging from respiratory tract infection, bronchial asthma and bronchopneumonia.
OPPOSITE RESULTS
It had been expected that after 2012, the situation would have improved, but hospital statistics are showing the opposite.
According to the LHC, there is an increase of both in and out-patients being treated for respiratory tract infections, bronchial asthma and bronchopneumonia after 2012.
According to medical research, bauxite dust inhalation often causes the aforementioned diseases as a result of the chemicals found in the minerals.
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS INPATIENTS/ | ||||||||||
INFECTIONS | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Total | |
Respiratory Tract Infection | 52 | 109 | 50 | 42 | 54 | 100 | 124 | 53 | 584 | |
Bronchial Asthma | 32 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 0 | 125 | |
Bronchopneumonia | 8 | 20 | 5 | 50 | 74 | 14 | 42 | 18 | 231 | |
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS OUTPATIENTS | ||||||||||
INFECTIONS | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | Total | |
Respiratory Tract Infection | 2267 | 2148 | 2513 | 2299 | 1347 | 10574 | ||||
Bronchopneumonia | 35 | 122 | 77 | 13 | 48 | 62 | 45 | 46 | 448 | |
The information also shows that many of those patients live in communities in proximity to the bauxite plant such as West Watooka, Silver Town and Central Mackenzie.
One of those patients is Cynthia George, a resident of West Watooka who has been suffering from asthma since she migrated to Linden at the age of six.
Cynthia’s father moved to Linden to seek employment at the bauxite company in 2000. She did not suffer from the disease while living on the West Coast of Berbice, but after the move, she began to have shortness of breath and was later diagnosed with asthma.
“We came up here in 2000 and I was just six, it started with me getting a steady cold and then it moved to shortness of breath and it kept getting worse. My parents run from this doctor to that doctor and nothing didn’t help. They finally said that is the bauxite dust causing it and I should return to Berbice, but that was hard for me because I had already built life here,” George related.
PNEUMONIA TWICE
Another resident of West Watooka, Norman Paul, said he had pneumonia twice because of inhaling the bauxite dust which is evident on his windows, stairway rails and furniture.
“Especially in the night, the dust does come in here thick, thick; it don’t be easy and they have schools around here, even the children does be affected… but it is something we were living in and we get accustom to it,” Paul revealed.
Currently, there is no dust-collector installed on kiln 10, which is the lowest of the three kilns and which also serves as the dryer for the bauxite when it is being processed.
Veteran bauxite worker and regional councillor Charles Sampson had voiced his opinion on the matter and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had even moved a no-confidence motion against the company in an effort to allow its management to prioritise installation of the dust-collector for kiln 10.
Sampson explained that the current dust-collectors are not able to trap the micronised dust being released into the atmosphere during bauxite production.
Sampson, who worked in the company’s laboratory for decades, said the dryer emits the most dust into the atmosphere and communities such as West Watooka, Retrieve and Silver Town will continue to be affected.
In addition to the dust-collectors, the RDC has also bemoaned the process that is used to load the bauxite into the ships.
NO COVER
There is no cover to keep the dust particles that are permeated from the bauxite and so residents residing in the surrounding communities are exposed to this massive pollution which takes place at least once per week.
In 2016, the LHC installed a spirometer unit with a brand new spirometer machine which is used to accurately test and diagnose patients with respiratory diseases.
According to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Steve Mark, the installation of this unit was very timely given the overwhelming amount of patients visiting the hospital with respiratory problems.
The machine accurately tests asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), bronchitis and much more. The LHC was the first regional hospital to be equipped with this unit which is the second in the country.
A medical doctor attached to the LHC who was trained to operate the spirometer machine told the Guyana Chronicle that operation of the machine is currently being stymied by shortage of staff.
In addition to this, the machine cannot be used on children below the age of six, adults above the age of 60 and pregnant women in their last trimester.
“It is not effectively functioning because of the workload, but we are trying our best to make it work for Linden,” the doctor said. When the tests are done, he said the patients are either referred or managed, based on the diagnosis.
SALES HIGH
In addition to the figures received from the LHC, the Guyana Chronicle also interviewed pharmacy owners in Linden and it was revealed that on a daily basis, sales for medication relating the respiratory illnesses, especially asthma are relatively high. One pharmacist shared that these medications are high on his restock list, ranging from cold medicines to prescription drugs.
Dennis Muhammad, owner of Right Care Pharmacy located on the Mackenzie shore related that his worry is that many persons coming for medication do not realise how serious their illness may be, rather than taking it for a common cold. He said that many Lindeners are also suffering from sinusitis as a result of the daily inhalation of the bauxite dust. Muhammad said that he too has contracted the respiratory disease.
“The first surgery I did, the Dr. explained to me that if I had left it to another year or two it could have gone to the bone, and in that way, nothing could have been done…. I did three surgeries and am I still suffering? Yes, because I have to inhale that dust on a daily basis and I still have to be using vitamins,” Muhammad affirmed.
The pharmacy owner protested that the sad thing is that Linden is not equipped with a specialist to deal with these respiratory problems and Lindeners just have to continue living in the dust without a choice.
It has been 101 years since bauxite is being mined in Linden. With over six companies manning the industry since 1916, the current BMGG is the only company that installed dust-collectors to the kilns. Calls are however being made for the company to install a dust-collector on kiln 10 and to put systems in place to cover the bauxite when it is being loaded into the ship.
Technical Services Coordinator of BMGG, Wainewright Betune, had told the Guyana Chronicle however that it would not be feasible to install a dust-collector on dryer 10 as the minimum moisture retained during production is five per cent. He explained that the drying is producing almost the same results as the dust- collectors and is used for 20 minutes to half an hour the most. Betune posited that the process is entirely different prior to when there was no dust-collector and it would take close to US$8M to install a dust-collector on dryer 10.
“Why are you going to install something that is not working regular, the dryer just works as required, it’s not like kiln 13 and 14 that works all the time,” he argued.
BMGG Public Relations Officer Vanessa Davis also posited when questioned on the matter that the emissions have been significantly reduced since the degree of the emission is distinct, since there is no dust from the two kilns as previously and there is no knowing from outside of the bauxite plant whether the plant is in operation or not.
Bauxite dust, she said, was never considered a threat to the Linden community but as a pillar, since the economy of Linden was built on bauxite mining.
“In terms of the environmental practices compared to that of the previous mining practices exercised in the olden days, it is realised that mining is done in a safer manner making the environs more environmentally-friendly. Persons can reside close to the mining proximity and hardly be affected,” Davis opined.
Residents, however, remain adamant that the Government and the relevant authorities such as the Environmental Protection Agency should view the situation more seriously since the health of Lindeners continues to be at stake.
Lindeners have to make the choice between being unemployed or being affected by the dust, since the bauxite company is the major employer in the mining town.
Currently, there are approximately 600 employed at BMGG and if the company should shut shop, many mouths in Linden will be hungry. It is a case of choosing between the lesser evils and in this case Lindeners prefer to be fed.
The government has been subsidising electricity for the mining town for decades as a result of the environmental issues resulting from bauxite mining. In 2012, the former administration made a decision to cut the subsidy and this resulted in a deadly protest which cost the lives of three Lindeners. Residents continue to hold the unanimous position that they should be compensated in some way for inhaling bauxite dust daily, thus being exposed to respiratory diseases.
Access to this requires a premium membership.