Marcelle Thomas

-planned testing in 2021 of key alternative still to be done The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) continues to face challenges from miners who insist on using the dangerous pollutant mercury to separate gold, citing its cost-effectiveness and lack of access to cheaper alternatives, Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison says.

Following the dismal performance of students this year in Mathematics at CXC, CARICOM leaders have put the issue up for discussion at their next meeting and President Irfaan Ali has ordered that immediate remedial measures be rolled out in schools across the country.

-part of effort to protect country’s national interests The Guyana Defence Force’s National Defence Institute (NDI) was launched yesterday with the aim of providing specialised and accredited academic training on security issues utilising a wide array of local and international experts.

Government and United States Company Global Venture yesterday inked a US$1.8 million (approximately $374 million) agreement for a one year, on-the-ground mineral mapping exercise here and announced that the company gave a 5% discount from its original US$1.9 million bid.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) yesterday kick-started its elections campaign in Linden, Region 10 urging all political leaders to put country and people first and agree to collectively craft a joint 15-year development plan for Guyana.

-reviewing new Production Sharing Agreement All six companies that had been awarded oil blocks from Guyana’s first auction have been granted approval by government and have indicated that they are willing to pay the respective signing bonuses, as such, they have been issued the new Pro-duction Sharing Agreement (PSA) for perusal, pending signing, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat,  announced on Wednesday.

-says no word yet on added costs Public Works Minister Juan Edghill says that CEMCO Inc has acknowledged design flaws in the ongoing $1.4b Port Kaituma Stelling project where fissures occurred, necessitating remedial work.

-first crop this year worst in history of corporation Even as GuySuCo’s audit for last year is still to be completed, projections are not bright as the corporation recorded back-to-back losses of $7.8 billion and $10.2 billion in 2021 and 2022 respectively and this year recorded the lowest first crop in its history.

-CARICOM ferry project still to set sail Guyana requires a holistic plan on the waterway transportation needs for this country and President Irfaan Ali has tasked five of his ministers along with technical teams to conduct an analysis so that his government can aptly plan for the future, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill says.

-Ali tells regional business forum The Caribbean Investment Forum 2024  opened yesterday with President Irfaan Ali charging the region’s private sector to tap into the many business opportunities available in the bloc and help to bridge the investment gaps as it is impossible for states alone to do it.

The United States yesterday stated that it will not allow Guyana to be bullied or to  fall prey to tyranny as it stands strong in the partnership with this country.

Businessman Terrence Campbell is the Opposition’s representative on the Natural Resource Fund’s Investment Committee with his appointment gazetted to reflect it being retroactive from November 1, 2023.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is awaiting the findings of a complaint lodged by a number of local business persons to President Irfaan Ali about the proliferation of establishments across the country by non-naturalised Chinese persons with seeming lack of regulatory certificates and licences.

-Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security The United States Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, Bonnie Jenkins, yesterday said that her country continues to work with Guyana and the Caribbean to curb illegal arms coming into the region, and that this country is one which is producing an action plan for which US funding is available.

-granted $600,000 bail each The three persons who earlier this week allegedly attempted to smuggle over 240 ounces of gold to the United States  pleaded not guilty to the joint charge when they appeared before the court yesterday, and have each been placed on $600,000 bail.

Guyana is poised to soon see the disbursement of the US$500 million loan facility extended last year by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to assist this country in hastening its infrastructural development agenda, even as the bank looks at another initiative targeting small- and medium-size businesses (SMEs).

Indian philanthropist and founder of the Jain Group of universities and industries in that country Dr Chenraj Roychand has committed US$1.2 million to fund start-up small and medium size businesses here for youth, with a target of some 10,000 entrepreneurs in ten years.

-but Qatar Energy consortium close No contract has been entered into as yet from the 2022 oil blocks auction but the consortium of Qatar Energy, TotalEnergies, and Malaysian state-owned oil firm, PETRONAS has gone the  furthest in current negotiations with the government, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed yesterday.

-says focus now to be on General Elections As expected, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo will continue as General Secretary of the PPP as the party’s new 35-member Central Committee yesterday unanimously re-elected him when they met and also selected the 15- member Executive Committee.

GPL is unable to meet its current peak demand of 180 MW as generators have broken down and instead of sourcing new ones the government was preoccupied with the gas-to-energy project, according to APNU+AFC MP David Patterson.