The Culture Digest - Thursday, November 25, 2021
Mohammed's Enterprise to build new HQ - GECOM to meet Friday to review candidates - G'Town NEEDS CA$H
Good morning Guyana!
Welcome to the Thursday, November 25, 2021, edition of The Culture Digest.
Here’s what happened since yesterday’s edition. Gold mining company strikes multimillion-dollar contract to build new GFS HQ… GECOM to meet on Friday to review candidates…Georgetown City Council explores alternate cash flow options.
TOP STORY
Gold mining company strikes multimillion-dollar contract to build new GFS HQ
Just days after a DJ and a sports announcer won a multimillion-dollar contract to build a school in Region 10; Gold mining company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, decided to get in on the action and land a $614 million contract for the construction of the Guyana Fire Service’s new Headquarters on Homestretch Avenue. Construction-wise, this has been a good year for Mohamed’s as earlier this year, the Home Affairs Ministry also gave them a $1.2 billion contract to reconstruct prison lots at the Lusignan Prison. Construction on the GFS HQ begins by December 1 and should be completed within 14 months. (Like I best get some links and start a construction company.)
GECOM to meet on Friday to review candidates
GECOM has shortlisted six candidates for interviews for the CEO position. They are Vishnu Persaud, Aneal Giddings, Deodat Persaud, and three foreigners – Eugene Petty, Kurt Clarke, and Leslie Harrow. Additionally, four persons have made the final shortlist to be interviewed for the Deputy CEO post. GECOM Chairman Claudette Singh has combined the list of persons shortlisted for the position of Chief Election Officer. They will meet on Friday to further discuss the integrated list and finalize the persons to be interviewed for the top GECOM positions.
Business/National Development
The government is giving state employees 7% without negotiations, but Banks DIH gives their employees a 9% raise after they came to a three-year agreement with their workers’ union.
It seems like the government is finally ready to address the severe deficiencies currently affecting the fishing industry. The EPA and the FAO have been called in to investigate the cause of the declining fish populations. While Minister Mustapha met with fisherfolk to hear their plight, the Berbice rice millers were invited to a conversation with the President at his office. (The Minister meets with the small man while the President meets with the Big Boys of Berbice Business. I think this speaks volumes)
Pro-tip: If you’re planning on celebrating Christmas this year, the Private Sector Commission recommends that you do your shopping early as some items are already in short supply.
Politics
Georgetown City Council explores alternate cash flow options
The Georgetown City Council is looking for some cash flow, so they are now looking to implement policies such as market stall rentals, pile-driving operations, wash-bay facilities, occupational certificate requirements for businesses, and food handler certificates. Those are among the many other ventures the city is currently considering to stem the budget deficits. They are also considering increasing city property valuation as they are outdated, with some Regent Street businesses paying as low as $6,000 a month in property taxes.
Even though she was nominated for just about every leadership position in the PNC, Volda Lawerence has opted not to run for next month’s party elections. While she has been actively helping within the party, she has been out of the spotlight recently.
In other news
Up in smoke…
CANU destroyed a ganja farm in the Victoria Backdam, East Coast Demerara. At the camp, CANU found a total of 5,000 cannabis plants along with half a ton of processed marijuana. Noone was arrested. The following day the police destroyed 60,000 cannabis plants and 600 pounds of dried cannabis in the Ebini area in the Upper Berbice River.
JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED
There’s trouble brewing in Essequibo. The Police Commander for Region Two, Superintendent Denise Griffith, is demanding that the police complete their investigation into the Orin Boston shooting as the public is starting to get impatient.
The COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN GUYANA
VACCINE UPDATE
397,612 (77.5%) adults have received their first dose, and 273,701 (53.2%) are fully vaccinated. They didn’t give the kids numbers, so, yeah.
CRIME
On Wednesday, 25-year-old Nazamadeen Rafeek was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of 35 years for the 2016 double murder of 81-year-old Arthur Rajkumar and his reputed wife, 44-year-old Diane Chamanlall.
25-year-old laborer Tito Prescott was remanded to prison for robbing a fish vendor over $900,000 at the Meadow Bank wharf in Georgetown.
Bevon Griffith was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the drunken murder of Celwin Mark Allen on Christmas night, 2017. He will serve around eight years after deductions for his guilty plea and his time on remand.
For The Culture Guyana
GUYANA FACT OF THE DAY
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GUYANA FACT OF THE DAY: Eusi Kwayana
You’re all caught up with your news (and history) for the morning. You’re welcome.
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