Progressive Party leader becomes Gary’s NTA deputy

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

File photo: Nikoli Edwards.

THE National Transformation Alliance (NTA) is breaking new ground as it seeks to become a political umbrella organisation while building its arsenal for whenever elections are called.

Recently NTA’s interim political leader Gary Griffith announced the unveiling of a “governance team.”

Former independent candidate for St Joseph Errol Fabien, a media manager, actor, writer, producer, became the NTA’s director of communication.

Lorraine Pouchet, who served in the tourism sector for over 35 years was named a deputy political leader.

On Wednesday, leader of the Progressive Party, Nikoli Edwards. used social media to announce he would also become a deputy political leader of the NTA, while retaining his substantive position as his own party’s leader.

Even though the holding of executive roles in two political parties may be unheard of in Trinidad and Tobago’s political history, Edwards asked to be given a chance and for citizens not to dismiss this new development as unworkable.

He said the partnership could give the two parties a greater chance of success at the national polls.

He said he had acceded to requests to join forces to present alternatives to the two traditional political parties.

He explained, “Over the years, as political leader of the Progressives, I have engaged with numerous political leaders, independent candidates, members and supporters of other political entities, and both thought leaders and concerned citizens alike about the way forward.

“Following several proposals and offers from other parties and their representatives, members of the Progressives deliberated with open and frank discussions and accepted the opportunity to work with the NTA and its political leader, Gary Griffith.”

While consideration was given to the pros and cons, public perceptions, historical facts, opportunities and challenges that may arise, Edwards said, he felt he made the right choice.

“While we recognise that this is a risky decision, as are all political decisions, we are guided by the idea that with no risk there can be no true reward.

“It is the same courage that led us to launch the Progressive Party in 2019 that now leads us on this new journey.”

He said the Progressive Party would “continue to grow and develop into a formidable organisation” and would “double and triple” its efforts over the next few months “as we prepare to answer the call of the people of this country for a new political dispensation.” He said the party was prepared to return to the streets, where it had heard the views of the people whose support it sought, and could put it in a position to help them.

All of these ideals, he said, would be pursued in close collaboration with the NTA, which represents both a standalone political organisation and an umbrella organisation.

Over the next few weeks and months, he said the mechanics of this developing arrangement would be made public.

Until then, he urged supporters to understand the Progressives and NTA had found common ground on many important philosophical and practical areas, so they could work together in good faith.

“Navigating TT’s political landscape has never been an easy feat. The issues range from a lack of necessary resources, unwarranted attacks by opponents, unreliable pledges and a political system that needs overhauling.

“Nonetheless, we remain committed to the work, as quitting is not an option when TT’s success is dependent on good men and women taking bold action.”

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Private sector, Natural Resources Ministry discuss unbundling of contracts, shorter payment time

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Paul Cheong along with other officials at Tuesday’s meeting

See below for a joint statement from the PSC and Natural Resources Ministry on a recent meeting held: 

A team from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) engaged Minister of Natural Resources (MNR), Hon. Vickram Bharrat and representatives of the Local Content Secretariat on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, to discuss issues relating to Local Content.

The meeting held in the Boardroom of the Natural Resources Ministry was attended byChairman of PSC, Mr. Paul Cheong; Chairman of PSC’s Local Content Advisory Group(LCAG), Mr. Shyam Nokta; LCAG Member, Mr. Joel Bhagwandin; Executive Director of theGeorgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Richard Rambarran andExecutive Director of the PSC, Mr. Ian Chung. The Ministry’s team included Director of LocalContent Secretariat, Mr. Martin Pertab, Senior Petroleum Coordinator, Mr. Bobby Gossai, Head of Compliance, Mr. Mark December and Legal Officer, Mr. Michael Munroe.

Principal among the issues discussed were the unbundling of contracts to allow greaterparticipation by Guyanese businesses and the lengthy time it takes for companies to receive payments. On both matters, the PSC and MNR are aligned. In this regard, both sides agreed to continue pushing for the unbundling of contracts and examine a thirty (30) day payment period for small and medium-sized businesses.

Other issues discussed were the need for continuous awareness of Local Content issues andgreater participation by members of the business community. It was agreed that the PSC and MNR will convene a one-day forum in September 2022, to discuss Local Content issues.

Additionally, both parties agreed to collaborate on conducting outreaches across the country aimed at sensitising Guyanese about the local content legislation and opportunities therein.

As part of efforts to strengthen the Local Content programme and enable more opportunities for Guyanese businesses, Minister Bharrat invited the PSC to be part of an ongoing process that the Ministry is leading to examine the current schedule in the Local Content legislation and propose changes that can be examined.

The PSC, through its Local Content Advisory Group, has been engaging the Local ContentSecretariat on a monthly basis to share information and discuss local content issues.

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Region 7 woman is latest COVID-19 death; 142 new cases

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

The Health Ministry has reported that another person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus has died.

This latest fatality is an 82-year-old female from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), who died on August 11, 2022.

With this, Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll has gone up to 1,276.

Meanwhile, a whopping 142 new COVID-19 infections were detected in the last 24 hours.

Consequently, active cases in the country are now at 480 including two patients in the COVID-19 ICU and the remaining persons in either home (464) or institutional (14) isolation.

There are also four other persons currently in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 68,947 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus in the country.

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Rescatan a dos pescadores, tras embarcación presentar desperfectos mecánicos en las costas de Humacao

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

Durante la madrugada de hoy miércoles, 17 de agosto, agentes adscritos a la Unidad Marítima de las Fuerzas Unidad de Rápida Acción (FURA) del área de Humacao, la cual dirige el teniente Víctor Pérez, realizaron un rescate de una embarcación con sus dos tripulantes, a una milla náutica de las costas del barrio Buena Vista en Humacao, debido a que la misma presentaba desperfectos mecánicos. 

Según se informó, se recibió una llamada telefónica por parte de unos de los dos pescadores rescatados, informando que, su embarcación marca Mariner de 18 pies de eslora confrontaba desperfectos mecánicos. Actos seguidos, los agentes Julio González y Samuel Cruz de la Unidad Marítima FURA Humacao, se dirigieron al lugar en la embarcación Cobra 69, rescatando a los  pescadores y llevándolos hacia puerto seguro.

 Los pescadores, de 69 y 59 años y residentes de Humacao y Canóvanas respectivamente, que habían zarpado en horas de la noche de ayer, se encuentran en buen estado de salud.

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NBC’s Covid-19 Update- Wednesday August 17th 2022

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

 Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has made a comparison between the local death statistics for covid-19 for 2021 and 2022.

Dr. Gonsalves reiterated that the covid-19 protocols will be adjusted based on the local epidemiological situation.

Rawdica Stephen tells us more in NBC’s Covid-19 update.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/COVID-19-UPDATE-590-1.mp3

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A total of 22 active COVID-19 cases now recorded here in SVG

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

There are now 22 active COVID-19 cases here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after one new case was recorded from tests carried out yesterday.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment says ten recoveries were noted five un-vaccinated persons are currently hospitalized with COVID-19.

To date, a total of 100-thousand 786 tests were carried out. There are 9,412 cases and 9,275 recoveries.

Total vaccines administered 72,468. 37,716 persons have received their first dose; 31,235 had their second dose and 4,117 persons have received boosters.

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Stakeholders in the Fisheries Sector will attend a workshop this week

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: NBC SVG

Stakeholders in the Fisheries Sector are attending a workshop this week, to examine issues relating to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The workshop is hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO

Chief Fisheries Officer Jennifer Cruickshank Howard, provided an overview of the work done to update the country’s Fisheries Legislation.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HOWARD-WORKSHOP.mp3

Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Consultant at the FAO, Glenn Quelch is providing support to the workshop.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/QUELCH-WORKSHOP.mp3

Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar highlighted the importance of the workshop.

https://www.nbcsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SABOTO-WORKSHOP.mp3

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Konya 2021: Basketballers eindigen als vierde

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

PARAMARIBO — Dancell Leter, Chaïef Wielingen, Emile la Rose en Darryl Tolud hebben hun deelname aan de vijfde Islamic Solidarity

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Aanhangers wachten tevergeefs op komst Bouterse die wegblijft

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

door Ivan Cairo PARAMARIBO —  Het hoger beroep in de Decembermoordenzaak werd woensdag voortgezet door het Hof van Justitie. Het

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Santokhi heeft ontslag Achaibersing nog niet geaccepteerd

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

PARAMARIBO — President Santokhi heeft met betrekking tot het accepteren van het aangeboden ontslag door minister Armand Achaibersing van Financiën

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