The Culture Digest - Thursday, November 11, 2021
Gov't proposes splitting Region 4 into four electoral districts - Tourism Minister wonders why Guyanese don't travel - Nandlall wants PSC case dismissed - RPA wants to import cheap labor
Good morning Guyana!
Welcome to the Thursday, November 11, 2021, edition of The Culture Digest.
Here’s what happened since the last edition: Government proposes splitting Demerara-Mahaica into four electoral districts. Tourism Minister wonders why Guyanese don't travel. Rice Producers Association wants the government to issue work permits to combat labor shortages. Foreign Affairs Ministry is now pushing for visa-free travel to the UK.
Government proposes sub-dividing Region Four into four electoral districts
One proposed amendment to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) calls for Region Four to be sub-divided into four electoral districts: East Bank Demerara, North Georgetown, South Georgetown, and East Coast Demerara. Nandlall said each district would have its own staff, infrastructure, regulation, rules, systems, and procedures. Each sub-district would tabulate its results at a different location.
On a related note, Gail Teixeira says she wants the Opposition and GECOM to weigh in on theGovernment’ss proposed amendments to the Act.
Speaking of GECOM, the Commissioners said they are preparing to shortlist candidates for the position of GECOM CEO. Additionally, PPP GECOM Commissioner Manoj Narayan said they could choose the candidate themselves. As such, they will not be seeking outside help to interview the candidates.
Nandlall wants PSC’s lawsuit against the government thrown out
Nandlall is seeking to beat the Police Service Commission’s lawsuit against the government on a technicality. He is asking the court to throw out their suit by arguing that the Commission's life ended on August 8, 2021. Thus the matter cannot proceed. According to him, the PSC cannot sue because it does not exist. Nevertheless, a ruling is likely by January 2022.
The Guyana Defence Force’s Engineering Corps has won a $44.4M contract to upgrade the Paramakatoi Regional Hospital. PAHO/WHO is implementing and supervising the project, while the UK provides funding under the Smart Healthcare Facilities in the Caribbean project. The facility is one of four in Guyana to be rehabilitated under the scheme.
Minister Waldron laments the lack of internal tourism in Guyana
For some reason, Minister of Tourism Oneidge Walrond-Allicock believes that foreign-mindedness and not s o u l c r u s h i n g poverty keeps more Guyanese from exploring the sights and sounds of Guyana. She correctly noted that most local tourist attractions are less than $200 USD while subsequently ignoring the fact most Guyanese make less than $500 USD a month.
Rice Producers Association floats the idea of importing labor
Tired of exploiting the poor people of Berbice, the Rice Producers Association is considering the exploitation of poor Venezuelan migrants fleeing to Guyana for safety. The RPA is now floating the idea of importing labor because of a shortage of workers in that industry. Instead of automating their technology to lessen the need for laborers, the farmers demand that the government begin granting work permits for these low-paid workers from abroad. (Again, what is this country’s issue with importing people for manual labor? Can we not?)
Government now pushing for visa-free travel to the UK
Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd is now pushing for the removal of visa restrictions for Guyanese to travel to the UK. Todd stated his case to a UK Trade Delegation that recently visited Guyana. He said the removal of visa restrictions would help facilitate the travel of Guyanese to the UK to develop business relations.
Another one bites the dust…
When a service truck entered the Lusignan Prison on Wednesday morning, 20-year-old armed robbery convict Shamar Prince immediately bolted out the front gates only to be recaptured about six miles away in Annandale Village.
The COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN GUYANA
VACCINE UPDATE
As for the vaccines, To date, 388,444 (75.7%) adults have received their first dose, and 255,650 (49.8%) are fully vaccinated. As for the adolescents, 28,045 (38.5%) have received their first dose, and 19,138 (26.2%) are fully vaccinated.
CRIME
Police busted three men with marijuana in their car right outside of the Ministry of Health in Georgetown. The police searched the vehicle and found 28 parcels in the back seat and the car's trunk. It weighed 13.68 kilos in total.
On Wednesday, 31-year-old laborer Royen Singh was sentenced to three years imprisonment after he admitted to chopping his neighbor Chris Balkaran with a cutlass in Kitty, Georgetown.
TODAY, 26-year-old gold miner Kurt Simeron was remanded to prison for the murder of 38-year-old Andre Collison, known as ‘DJ Choppy.’
For The Culture Guyana
GUYANA FACT OF THE DAY
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Today’s Guyana Fact of the Day is from our video on Cuffy and the Berbice Uprising. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Also, we’ve now got MERCHANDISE!!
Check out The Culture Shop and get a branded mug today! Buy it for someone in your life who loves Guyana or buy it cause it’s nice, it’ll hold your tea, and it’s 15 oz, so it’s pretty big. Or you can buy it because you want to give me money. Cause that’s pretty cool too.
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GUYANA FACT OF THE DAY: Plantation Magdalenenberg
You’re all caught up with your news (and history) for the morning. You’re welcome.
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