NEWS
Caroni residents plead with Works Ministry for help before rainy season
Residents of Caroni and villages near the Caroni River are once again calling on the authorities to properly fill the riverbanks that are constantly eroded by any amount of rain and especially with the rainy season approaching. Addressing the media on Monday was David Looknanan, president of the Kelly Village Council, who pointed to the embankment which collapsed during the rainy season in Royal Tern Avenue, Ibis Gardens, last December. Though there is still some protection, Looknanan said when it rains, the water can reach the top of the 60-foot-high embankment. Read more here
Belmont Secondary students return to classes
Although the relevant repairs were completed and most of the Belmont Secondary School students returned to classes yesterday, some parents remained cautious about sending their children back on the compound following issues which arose after gunmen entered the compound late last month. “They are awaiting till the end of this week to see how things pan out,” Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president Shurlanda Malcolm said yesterday. As promised by the Education Ministry, repairs to a broken fence at the back of the compound were done, while some other infrastructural issues were addressed. “Gates have been put to block off entry at open points in the drain…Also, the farm fencing with security breaches have been replaced with new fencing. Also, all toilets for both male and female has been replaced,” Malcolm said. Read more here
POLITICS
Marvin Gonzales: Workers threatened over WASA changes
Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales has said several members of the New Services Department of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) came under threat as transformation of the department began in 2021. He was speaking at the launch of an online automated permitting system for approval of plumbing, water and wastewater systems at the Public Utilities Ministry, Alexandra Street, St Clair on Monday. Gonzales said when he visited the New Services Division in 2021, when the project started, there were people who were afraid to speak with him. Read more here
Cops, ministry probe claims of illegal quarrying in Wallerfield
Recent alleged illegal quarrying sites in Wallerfield are currently engaging the attention of officials of the Commissioner of State Lands office, the Ministry of Agriculture and police officers. The matter was brought to the attention of State Lands officials by residents, who claimed that the activities, on most days, usually commence late in the evening into the nights. During a visit to the area, a Guardian Media news team saw solar panels which are believed to provide lighting at night for excavator operators and other workers while they work. There were huge mounds of dirt around already dug-out acres upon acres of land with ponds and rivers passing through them. Read more here
BUSINESS
Delay in shipments to Australia affects Angostura’s revenue
Rum and bitters manufacturer Angostura Holdings Ltd has reported a 25 per cent year on year decline in profits for the first quarter of 2023. Angostura Holdings Ltd in its summary consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2023, said, “We experienced a decrease from $43.1 million to $32.1 million (Profit Before Tax) or a 25 per cent or $11 million year-on-year decline.” Revenue for Q1 was $197.4 million, which was $2 million or a one per cent year-on-year decline. Foreign sales in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean surpassed the prior year’s first quarter. Read more here
REGIONAL
Milestone achievement for agricultural sector
The Ministry of Agriculture recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UPL Limited, an India-based company, making way for trials to commence for cultivation of millets. Last March, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha visited India and participated in a round-table discussion at the Global Millet ‘Shree Anna’ Conference with his Indian counterpart, Honourable Narendra Singh, and other ministers from across the world to discuss fostering millets production in countries like Guyana to increase food security. Prior to that, His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, disclosed during a virtual address at the Inauguration of the Global Millet Conference in New Delhi, India, that Guyana will soon commence cultivation trials for production of millets in Regions Four, Nine, and 10 to support the transition to large-scale production of the seed locally. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Israel Gaza strikes kill top militants and 10 civilians
At least 13 Palestinians, including three commanders of the militant group Islamic Jihad, have been killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip. Palestinian health officials said eight women and children were among the dead. Another 20 people were injured. Israel said it had launched an operation targeting militants who posed an imminent threat to its citizens. Islamic Jihad has vowed revenge and Gaza-based militants are expected to respond with rocket fire into Israel. Israel officials are said to be preparing for days of fighting. The strikes were the deadliest since three days of fighting between Israel and Islamic Jihad last August. Read more here
9th May 2023