Electricity
Turkish powership company wins contract to supply 60 MW: As the holiday season approaches, Karpowership of Turkey has secured the bid to provide an additional 60 MW of electricity to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed last week. Earlier this year, the company began supplying 36 MW from a ship moored at Everton on the Berbice River. That deal had been widely criticized as it was argued that better options were available including the purchase of brand-new generators. This second deal will likely raise similar concerns. Jagdeo yesterday noted at a press conference that the powership’s bid price started at $0.1117 per kilowatt-hour but was reduced to $0.095 per kilowatt-hour after negotiations. “The cost of fuel is about 13 US cents per kilowatt-hour, which brings the overall cost to about 22-23 US cents per kilowatt-hour,” he added. The contract to establish 5 kilometers of transmission lines has also been awarded, and while the materials required are still being sourced, the project is expected to be completed within six weeks. “We are hopeful that the powership will be operational before Christmas,” Jagdeo stated. This move is expected to help alleviate the increasing power demand during peak periods in the Christmas season. In the long-term, Jagdeo mentioned that the powership could have additional capacity, providing a total of 75 MW, which would allow for maintenance of older units currently running at full capacity while preparing for the upcoming Gas-to-Energy project, expected to further stabilize power supply in the coming years. Other companies that bid for the 60 MW contract included power systems and heavy-duty machinery conglomerate, Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd (MACORP) which indicated that it could supply power at US$0.0645 per KWH.
Sugar
Mustapha to report to President on GuySuCo’s dismal performance – Jagdeo: Following reports in this newspaper regarding GuySuCo’s continued dismal performance and its projected below-target production this year, President Irfaan Ali has asked Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, to provide a report on the industry. “I was with the President a few days ago and he said to the Minister of Agriculture, directed him to meet with all the parties; the union, the management, and a number of other people who have an interest or knowledge of sugar, and to get a report back to him,” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday told a press conference. He said that he prefers to wait on that report but has received preliminary word about the reasons for the low performance. “Their argument has been that they have expanded the cultivation… to get more canes from the field and that they will increase back their target. From what I heard they will make between 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes this year. Clearly that is below their target. The Minister of Agriculture has to explain to the President why they are underperforming. He has to give credible explanation,” he said.
“So he has asked that. I don’t want to be premature before that report comes back to the President. They said the variety of cane they are bringing in now will “have higher yields”. Some is coming from Brazil we are looking at Cuba because all of the old ratoons are not yielding,” he added.
Jagdeo said that specialist consultants from India have told government that simple changes in the variety can see yields double.
Education
Guyana tops region in CAPE, CSEC exams: Guyana has once again topped the region in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and has managed to dominate in multiple categories. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand delivered the news last week in a video that was posted on the ministry’s Facebook page. Manickchand announced that the Guyanese students had topped the CSEC and CAPE categories, as well as in individual subjects such as Sciences, Humanities, Business, TVET, and Agricultural Science. Several Guyanese students were recognised for their exceptional achievements, among them, Anaya Couchman of Queen’s College who emerged as the Top Overall Student at the CAPE level and also earned the title of Most Outstanding Student in Natural Sciences at CAPE. At the CSEC level, David Chowtie, who is also a student of Queen’s College, took the title of Top Overall Student in the Caribbean. He was also recognised as the Most Outstanding Student in Humanities. Meanwhile, other outstanding students were: Asiyah Karim, of the ISA Islamic School, who was named Most Outstanding Student in Business across the region; Venisha Lall, of Anna Regina Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast, who earned the honour of Most Outstanding Student in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Chitra Parbhu, of Saraswati Vidya Niketan School, named Most Outstanding Student in Sciences; and Carlana Alexander of St. Rose’s High School who received the award for Most Outstanding Student in Agricultural Science at the CSEC level. The minister expressed her pride in the students’ achievements, identifying the diversity of the awardees, which she pointed out mirrors the government’s commitment to educational equity.
Oil & Gas
GYSBI terminated 65 employees after gas to energy task came to end: Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) last week said that following the completion of a project which it had been working on for the oil and gas industry it terminated the services of 65 persons and paid them in lieu of notice. Deputy General Manager at GYSBI, Rabin Chandarpal along with Public Relations Manager Gomatie Gangadin, spoke to Stabroek News yesterday at their Houston shore base. Chandarpal confirmed that initially 65 persons were terminated as the company was expecting to be given more work by the oil and gas company however they were caught in a bind as that did not happen. “We did indeed terminate the services of 65 persons, but just yesterday afternoon we would have (reversed the decision for) 3 because of where they are living and they managed to fit into another scope …The reason for it is that this project we are working on as part of the gas to energy project, GYSBI is a contractor out there and we are hired to execute specific scopes of work. What has happened after our initial startup of the project is that certain scope of work that we expected to be a natural add on to what we have already been doing has not panned out. We’ve not been awarded any future works. We were caught in a bit of a cul-de-sac for some period where we were trying to balance waiting for the client to give us additional works and at the same time maintaining our fleet of equipment out there, our workers out there all of the different investments we have on the ground. So we kinda got caught in this no man’s land where we were waiting. It eventually reached a point where we were not going to be given the additional scopes and I would say the project came to an end”. He added that though the contract stated that the persons would’ve been employed for one year, GYSBI has executed work out at the same site before with some employees being employed longer than a year and some less, and had the company been given enough time to convey that they would not be given additional work the employees would’ve been advised in advance. Gangadin added that “in one instance it was publicized that persons were employed for 5 months. But it might not be the same for all the employees as some persons were working at the site from a previous project with some employees’ employment stretching to even two years. “Some of the persons who were terminated were out there from 2023 so they have also completed a year.”
Cash grant
Cash grant to be covered by supplementary appropriation in Parliament – Jagdeo: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on last Thursday clarified that while no “special” legislation will be put in place for the planned $100,000 disbursement to all adults it will be covered by a supplementary appropriation in Parliament. “I said we are not going to pass a special act called (a) cash grant act. If we had to do that we would have had to pass one for the business grant and everything. It is all covered under the FMAA and also under these special acts that emanate from the constitutional process of appropriating funds. So they have legislative approval. The 60 billion (dollars) or whatever it comes up to (for the $100,000 grant) will go to the parliament; there will be a full debate there, and then once it’s passed it will be put into a supplementary act, assented to by the president, published in the Official Gazette, and then the funds would be available”, he said at a press conference. He stated that the expectation of several persons might have been that special legislation might have had to be put in place for the disbursement of the fund. He added that the disbursement of funds from the Consolidated Fund is covered under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) of 2003. “Every person knows that to give effect to the constitutional provision there is a piece of legislation, a special act that was passed. The last version of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act was passed in 2003, and it set out exactly how public money should be spent and should be appropriated,” Jagdeo said.
Mining
South Rupununi council wants mining suspended in wake of hair-raising robbery, kidnapping: The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) last week called for a suspension of mining operations following Saturday’s hair-raising robbery and kidnapping which is suspected to have been carried out by a gang from Brazil. In a statement yesterday, the SRDC expressed deep concern over the armed robbery at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) checkpoint at Bush Mouth, which saw the abduction of several individuals, including two Wapichan men—one from Aishalton and the other from Karaudarnau in Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine. The abducted persons were later released after the police began a chase of the robbers. “We are relieved that all hostages were released unharmed. However, this incident raises extreme alarm regarding the safety and security of Wapichan communities, particularly those near the Marudi mining area. Wapichan people not engaged in mining activities were also victims of robbery and assault. We never anticipated such crimes occurring so close to our peaceful communities, and this incident has left our residents, including children, deeply traumatized”, the SRDC said. The Council said that it has consistently voiced concerns about the effects of mining in the Marudi Mountains on Wapichan communities and lands. “We believe that the escalation of such criminal activities is linked to the increase in mining operations. There has also been an influx of Brazilians in the Marudi mining area, with several reports indicating that many are entering Guyana through an illegal route along the Guyana-Brazilian border—the same path used by the robbers to escape”, the SRDC said. It said that the increase in mining activities became particularly noticeable in 2022 following the eviction of Brazilian miners from the Yanomami territory during a period when an agreement allowing “small miners” to continue mining on a concession now controlled by Golden Shields Resources was already in effect. “Despite repeated requests, Wapichan communities were not given the opportunity to read, discuss, or provide input on this agreement, and it was only after more than two years that a copy was finally provided to the SRDC.
Sugar
GuySuCo’s 2023 loss pegged at $4.7b: Even with a $15b subvention for 2023, GuySuCo recorded a $4.7b loss, according to the corporation’s preliminary audit report and the forecast is that the trend will continue as projections show that the 2024 production figure will be the worst in the corporation’s history. “The 2023 Annual Report was presented to the Office of the Auditor General and shows a $4.7b loss… but we had collected a $15b contribution from government,” a source said pointing to the annual report. In August this year, this newspaper had reported that even as the corporation’s audit for last year was still to be completed, GuySuCo recorded back-to-back losses of $7.8 billion and $10.2 billion in 2021 and 2022 respectively with this year recording the lowest first crop in its history. The extent of the losses in the wake of large state subsidies to the industry will raise further questions about the government’s strategy. In its 2020 manifesto it had vowed to reopen three estates that were shuttered by the APNU+AFC administration. It has since reopened one, Rose Hall. And while at October 31st, 2024 the production figures showed that 32,224 metric tonnes of sugar had cumulatively been produced, projected crop ending figures for 2024 place the total at a little over 45,000 metric tonnes, according to industry insiders. Albion was recorded as producing 10,665 metric tonnes while Blairmont’s figure was pegged at 8,272 metric tonnes. Uitvlugt produced 8209 metric tonnes while Rose Hall did the least with 5079 metric tonnes. “The crop ends on December 10th, based on current weather estimates… it means there is only a short window to produce and clearly the 2024 target won’t be met,” a source said. The consequences of low sugar production and continued losses mean that the government will have to continue to pumping taxpayers’ dollars to sustain the industry. Calls and messages from Stabroek News to current GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer Paul Cheong have gone unanswered.
Development
President unhappy with pace of works at Maternal and Paediatric Hospital: The Department of Public Information (DPI) last Monday said that President Irfaan Ali has expressed his displeasure at the slothful works at the Maternal and Paediatric Hospital, Ogle, East Coast Demerara and has instructed that these be expedited to facilitate a mid-2025 completion.
The President issued instructions during a visit to the project site yesterday. “We are hoping that the contractor here will pick up some pace. We are not satisfied… and we are not going to shift our deadline on the completion of this hospital,” the president expressed. DPI said that while external works on the structure and substructure are expected to be completed by January 2025, VAMED’s Project Manager, Diana Lopes informed Ali that internal works are slated to near completion by October 2025. According to DPI, Ali said this is unacceptable. “That’s not going to fly with us. That is far behind the project deadline, and we are going to be charging liquidated damages. We cannot accept this going to October,” the president emphasised. In the DPI release, Ali instructed that the contractor increase their manpower and begin working on a shift system to speed up the process. “You have to do a lot of the work simultaneously, and you have to have far more subcontractors here,” he urged. The hospital will offer advanced medical services for mothers and babies, and is expected to be the first of its kind in the Caribbean. “This is a level five facility, one of the highest standards you would get for paediatric care. So, the construction and the design take into consideration the most modern equipment to match what the hospital is expected to deliver,” DPI quoted Ali as saying. Given the novelty and complexity of the services this hospital is slated to deliver, Ali explained that some imported labour in these specialty areas will be necessary in the first phase of the hospital’s operations.
Seafood
Mustapha laments rise in price for brackish water shrimp: Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has expressed his dissatisfaction with the increase in the price of brackish water shrimp despite the heavy government input in boosting production. According to a Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) press release on Saturday, Mustapha informed shrimp farmers at a meeting at the Albion Sports Complex, Region Six that while the brackish water shrimp pond programme was approximately 75 percent completed and that the industry is likely to experience further growth, the price for brackish water shrimp has also increased. This, he noted, should not be the case. “So far, we were able to complete about 75 percent of the ponds. Initially, we had a list of about 80 farmers from Region Six. This was for phase one of the project. We added some additional farmers to the list who will be a part of phase two of the project. When we’ve completed phase one, we’ll start work on the additional ponds,” the release quoted Mustapha as saying. However, Mustapha expressed concern at the increase in price for the shrimp. Mustapha said that “We are investing a lot of money; taxpayers’ money; to develop these ponds but the consumers are not receiving any benefits. Before the project, one bucket of shrimp was being sold for just about $25,000. Now, I’m being told it is being sold for as much as $45,000. This should not be the case and we cannot continue like that. So, this is something we’ll be looking at because we are assisting you but we also need the consumers to benefit from this initiative,” he declared. The MoA release noted that in 2023, Guyana earned approximately $1.8 billion from the approximately 815,496 kilogrammes of brackish shrimp production due to government’s heavy focus on increased food production and economic growth. This represented a 49 percent increase when compared to the 548,900 kilogrammes produced over the same period in 2022. Mustapha stated that the production of brackish water shrimp, which is being conducted along the Corentyne Coast, has continued to produce massive outcomes since its commencement. He also said that the project will soon commence in Regions Five and Two and noted that the Vannamei Prawns project has also commenced in Region Five. Government, the release said, will soon produce feed and larvae for the industry to improve the quality and quantity of the shrimp.
Oil & Gas
Goolsarran slams award of second oil audit to VHE: Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran has flayed the award of a second audit of oil costs to the local consortium VHE considering the questions raised about its performance on the yet unfinished examination of a whopping US$7.3b in ExxonMobil expenses. While both government and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) remain mum on the status of the second cost oil audit for which there has been criticisms of the quality of work, Goolsarran, has voiced his disapproval of the awarding of another audit to the same contractor. According to Goolsarran, at a time when stringent oversight is needed to ensure comprehensive audits of the post-contract recoverable costs, contractors undertaking the audits require the knowledge, skills, and competence and experience in the field. The former Auditor General pointed out that the audits are necessary to provide reasonable assurance to citizens that expenditures incurred are legitimate recoverable costs in the context of the Agreement; and the amounts involved are reasonable and represent good value for money. This, he added, is especially so, considering the higher the recoverable costs, the less will be the amount of Guyana’s share of profit that will accrue to it. As such, he noted that questions have been raised about the quality of the original report by Vitality Accounting, Haynes and Ramdihal and Eclisar Financial (VHE) Consulting, and listed some of its shortcomings. VHE has declined to speak about its ongoing audit, the issues that have been raised about it and why it is still to be concluded. It was awarded the contract in May of 2022.
“Concerns have been expressed as regards the quality of the original report issued by VHE Consulting. Specifically, the report lacked basic structure. There is no table of contents to guide readers through the report; no executive summary; no list of abbreviations; no definition of the technical terms used; and no sections dealing with the terms of reference for the assignment, the scope and methodology used, the auditing standards that were followed in the conduct of the audit, and findings, conclusions, and recommendations, among others.”
Crime
Masked bandits at Marudi flee with gold, pistols: Six masked bandits staged a daring hold-up on November end in the Deep South Rupununi during which they seized a quantity of gold and they later escaped after having to release nine hostages they had taken. In a release, the police last night identified the rescued persons as follows: -Victor Adams, a 34-year-old Natural Resources Officer of Georgetown. -Romain Simon, a 39-year-old Natural Resource Officer of Zeelugt. -Christopher Charles, a 17-year-old barber of Lethem. -Curtis Charles, a 35-year-old Lieutenant of the Guyana Defence Force and of Georgetown. -Karl Antone, a 30-year-old Community Mines Ranger of Aishalton Village. -Benedict John, a 28-year-old Caretaker of Karaudanau Village. -Dionei Farias De Brito, 29, a General Manager of Boa Vista, Brazil -Eduardo Moreira Freitas, a 22-year-old operator of Boa Vista, Brazil The police say that the incident occurred at about 10.15 am yesterday at Aishalton Village, South Rupununi. A quantity of raw gold, two Glock pistols and one Movado watch valued at $140,000 were taken. Police investigations say that yesterday at about 10:15 am, six masked males who appeared to be Brazilian nationals judging by their Portuguese accent, armed with rifles, ambushed the victims from strategic points at the GGMC checkpoint, located at Bush mouth Marudi. The victims were heading to Marudi Backdam but stopped at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission gate to check in. Members of the Joint Services are on the ground combing the area for the suspects as investigations continue. The police in an earlier release yesterday stated that a Joint Services team on the ground had pursued the suspects who abandoned their vehicles with the persons abducted. Earlier in the day, the village toshao, Timothy Williams, in a post on the Aishalton Village, South Rupununi Facebook page had warned everyone to stay off the road because of the incident. He said that there were three vehicles involved and the suspects were heavily armed and had hostages.
In the courts
Port Mourant poultry vendor charged with robber’s murder: Magistrate Tuanna Hardy last Monday denied pretrial liberty to poultry vendor Seeindra Marimutoo who was charged with the murder of a robber. The defendant has been remanded to prison and is expected to return to the Whim Magistrate’s Court for a hearing on November 29, 2024. On October 26 last, Marimutoo was plying his trade at the Port Mourant Market when Parmanand Pertab called `Mikey’, 18, was killed following a robbery. The defendant was not required to plead to the capital offence. However, defence counsel, Latchmi Rahamat, advanced arguments challenging the nature of the charge instituted against her client.
