NEWS
CARPHA: Removing health inequities is a must
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) commemorated World Health Day, April 7, on Wednesday, promoting the slogan of "Together for a fairer and healthier world." In a press release, Dr Joy St John, executive director of CARPHA, made an urgent call to eliminate health inequities and mobilise actions to achieve better health for all and leave no one behind. Read more here
Work begins on Morvant junction upgrade
Over the next three months, motorists using the Morvant junction in Barataria will have to utilise a temporary Bailey bridge, as contractors for the Ministry of Works and Transport begin to demolish and rebuild the existing bridge as part of the Morvant to Maritime Roundabout Upgrade Project. Yesterday, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan was present to announce the temporary measure, appealing to citizens to be patient. He said the $48 million project, started in August 2020, will alleviate two major issues in the area - flooding and traffic congestion. Read more here
POLITICS
Deyalsingh: Still no vaccine contract from Africa Medical
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has said that despite “repeatedly asking” Africa Medical Supplies Platform for a sales contract, it is yet to provide one. Without this, he said, this country cannot buy any vaccines through that system. In June 2020, then Caricom chairman Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that Caricom had secured access to vaccines through this platform. Read more here
MoH adds phone lines as vaccine demand swells
As the public demand for the COVID-19 vaccine continued to swell yesterday, health officials had to increase the number of phone lines via which appointments for the jabs are being made at the regional health authorities. In a bid to ensure free and fair access, the Ministry of Health is now looking at introducing an online system that will improve accessibility and establish a more efficient appointment system within the next week. Read more here
BUSINESS
Wildlife conservator Ian Wright uses solar energy in Tobago home
Corbin Local Wildlife Park in Mason Hall, Tobago, is well known for its conservation work. Since the park’s development in 2011, it has served as a refuge to over ten species of animals, including endangered species. But nestled in its estimated 20 acres of forestland is a lesser-known gem: a home which is 100 per cent powered by solar energy and off the grid. Read more here
Praise for iGovTT
The National Information and Communication Technology Company Ltd (iGovTT) has been praised for the role it has played in boosting T&T’s IT environment amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more here
REGIONAL
Assuria building $800M HQ in G/Town
Having recognised the feasibility of doing business in Guyana, Assuria General and Life Insurance Companies is moving to expand its operations here. In addition to establishing an Essequibo, Region Two branch, the Surinamese entity is pursuing the construction of a GY$800 million Headquarters (HQ) on Church and Carmichael Streets in Georgetown. The project to build the modern five-storey office building is being undertaken by Nabi Construction Incorporated, with an estimated timeline of 14 months.
Delivering brief remarks at the sod-turning ceremony hosted on Wednesday, Assuria’s Managing Director, Yogindra Arjune, recalled that the company came to Guyana in 2012, prior to the emergence of the local Oil and Gas sector. “Our idea was to be part of the existing industry, while bringing new and innovative products,” Arjune said. Read more here
Vaccine scammers
Jamaica’s chief state agency tasked with the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines has been bombarded by fraudsters seeking to cash in on the global hunger for the jab. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Belfast: Stormont ministers 'gravely concerned' after fresh violence
NI's power-sharing executive has said it is "gravely concerned" by recent street violence and has called for calm to be restored. During several hours of rioting in Belfast on Wednesday, police were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was burnt. The Police Federation said seven officers were injured at an interface between loyalist and nationalist areas. The prime minister also condemned the violence. Read more here
Boris Johnson desperately needs a more coherent China strategy
Like many of its global counterparts, the United Kingdom is in desperate need of a China strategy. Many of the world's middling to large economies have benefited from inward Chinese investment since the global financial crisis of 2008. For over a decade, China's extraordinary wealth offered an obvious way out of recession when options for investment elsewhere were limited. Fast forward to 2021, and the decision to woo an authoritarian government with alleged ambitions to challenge the United States as the primary global superpower looks naïve. Read more here
8th April 2021