September 18, 2022 - Page 8 of 12

Guyana pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Cathedral

September 18, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

Prime Minister Phillips paying tribute on behalf of the nation

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, joined the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller on Saturday for a Service of Commemoration in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, at the St George’s Cathedral in Georgetown.

The Prime Minister, who is fulfilling the duties of the President, during his tribute, said that Guyana, much like the rest of the world, recognises the late Queen’s illustrious legacy and outstanding contributions to the world, and mourns her passing.

“Even in her absence, the countless lessons she has left behind and the indelible example she has set for diplomacy, discipline and wise leadership in the 70 years of her reign must be remembered and exemplified…. Her Late Majesty, The Queen, will forever be remembered for her warmth, her dedication, her fervour and her wisdom.”

The Acting Head of State was joined by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, other Cabinet Ministers and Government officials. In addition, members of the diplomatic community, members of civil society and members of the local British community were in attendance.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips being greeted by UK High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller

In fact, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller recalled the Queen for her wisdom, warmth and compassion.

“As a child, I remember lining the streets of London just to get a glimpse of her passing in the carriage or on a boat, or the balcony of Buckingham Palace. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the happiness, joy and community spirit.”

The Queen as the British Monarch was the supreme governor of the Church of England and as such the Titular Head of the Church of England or the Anglican Church.

Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96 last Thursday, reigned for 70 years. Her body will be interned on Monday at Westminster Abbey, United Kingdom, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira will represent the Guyana Government.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), there will be a service at Westminster Abbey, cortège, and military procession across London, followed by a family ceremony at a chapel in Windsor Castle.

The Queen’s funeral is expected to be attended by 2000 guests including 500 representatives from 200 nations. The Abbey is a historic church, where the Queen’s coronation in 1953 was held. It is also the venue where she married Prince Philip in 1947.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali has already declared Monday as a National Day of Mourning in sympathy and solidarity with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations.

According to the proclamation signed by the President, all authorities, boards, commissions, corporations, public agencies, Ministries, and citizens are asked to fly the National Flag at half-mast.

The Guyanese Head of State in his message after the Queen’s passing stated that her death marked the end of an era.

Following her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, leads the country as the new King.

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2022 Interim Report: DDL records $1.8B taxed profit despite impacts from global crises

September 18, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo

Local beverage giant, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Group has recorded $1.801 billion profit after tax in its 2022 Interim Report.

This turnover for the period – January 1 to June 30, 2022 – is $14.17 billion, when compared to $12.24 billion in the preceding year. It represents an increase of $1.93 billion or 15.8 per cent over the previous year.

Meanwhile, the company’s Domestic Revenue grew by 14.2 per cent; while Export Revenue also went up by 19 per cent.

According to DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo in the mid-year report, the Group has managed to maintain a robust level of performance despite a challenging background caused by global crises – most of which were external in nature but adversely affected the results for the period.

Samaroo highlighted that the first half of 2022 has been extremely challenging for the DDL Group, as it battled to overcome a series of overlapping crises.

“Just as the unprecedented effects of two years of the COVID-19 pandemic started to take an apparent positive turn, with the gradual return to some degree of normalcy, the war in Ukraine started in February 2022. The war in Ukraine introduced additional unfavourable variables to the international business environment which compounded the existing difficulties created by the pandemic,” he noted.

The DDL Chairman outlined that during the first six months of this year, prices of goods and services generally have skyrocketed. He pointed out this has specifically affected the beverage giant in its production processes, having had to absorb unprecedented price increases in the cost of fuel, transportation, raw materials as well as packaging materials.

Shipping rates, he noted, both on imports and exports have also increased exponentially.

“In addition, delays in shipments, whether on account of unavailability of containers, or delays at in-transit ports because of vessel capacity, have disrupted the supply chain for both inputs into our operations as well as exports of our products,” the Chairman stated.

Samaroo added too that the effects of the war in Ukraine also disrupted the economies in western Europe, resulting in the decline of the value of the Euro, which is now on par with the US Dollar. This, he further explained, adversely impacted the real dollar value of DDL’s export revenue proceeds from the European Union (EU), which is one of the Group’s major markets.

According to the DDL Chairman, with Profit Before Taxation for the period being $2.439 billion compared to $2.340 billion – an increase of $0.99 billion or 4.2 per cent – the high cost of inputs and transportation eroded the additional profit margin that the company should have earned from the incremental sales.

Meanwhile, during this mid-year reporting period, the beverage giant completed the construction of the Bulk Terminal near its Distillery Operations at Plantation Diamond, East Bank of Demerara.

“The anticipated benefits derived from this project came to fruition in a very timely manner, as the delay in shipments of bulk products required additional storage to keep the distillery operational,” Samaroo noted.

In addition, with regards to DDL’s subsidiary – Demerara Shipping Company Limited (DSCL) – upgrade and rehabilitation works of its port facility continued through this period and the current phase is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The DDL Chairman, in his report, expressed gratitude to the company’s staff at all levels in the organisation for their continued hard work, commitment, and determination as they continue to weather the existing and emerging storms during this turbulent period.

This interim report comes on the heels of the DDL Group, earlier this year, reporting an outstanding performance in its 2021 Annual Financial Report.

The company had said it achieved its “best results ever” and ended that year at its strongest financial position. The Group’s turnover for 2021 was more than $27.6 billion compared to almost $24.7 billion in the previous year, 2020.

Profit After Tax for the 2021 Financial Year was $4.789 billion, reflecting an increase of $896 million or 23 per cent over that in the previous year.

In that report, the Chairman noted that the DDL Group continues to invest in the expansion, diversification, and upgrade of its production capacity to take full advantage of the positive economic environment while ensuring international competitiveness in the segments in which it operates.

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Pres Ali says govt in talks with MIT on developing ‘Innovation Village’ in Silica City

September 18, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

President Dr Irfaan Ali

– reveals developers of Singapore model, Dar Group, also expressing interest

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is in negotiations with interested parties, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), on the development of the Innovation Village within Silica City.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Saturday made a presentation before members of the Guyana diaspora in Orlando, Florida, during which he informed the gathering about plans for the construction of Silica City along the Soesdyke/Linden highway. According to the President, the new Silica City that is being planned would be modern, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.

He explained that this is all part of the Government’s plan to build a technology-based economy.

“This is what we’re building: a knowledge-based economy that is driven by technology and innovation. Just before we came here, we had world leaders from MITs across the world,” President Ali explained.

“The developers of the Singapore model, Dar Group, are also discussing and negotiating with us their interest in developing an Innovation Village in Silica City itself. This is where your country is going — building the jobs for the future.”

President Ali addressing Guyanese Diaspora in Florida Saturday evening

MIT is a world-renowned US educational institute with courses that include engineering and the physical sciences and other areas —notably economics, political science, urban studies, linguistics, and philosophy. The school is considered premier, and admission to the institute is known to be competitive.

Last week, the Guyana Innovation Group and representatives of Dar Consultants made a presentation of a masterplan on the Innovation Village concept within Silica City to President Ali and the Cabinet. The master plan was presented by the team at State House.

During the presentation, they explained what the Innovation Village would accomplish. For one, it would connect start-ups and business incubators to established companies, maximising their opportunities.

Meanwhile, during the presentation, the President was accompanied by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal; Public Works Minister Juan Edghill; and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond.

A snippet of the presentation Dar Group made last week

Also present were Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, as well as representatives from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

Last month, Rodrigues had visited the site earmarked for Silica City’s first phase development within the vicinity of Kuru Kururu, on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. On her visit, the Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Housing and Water Ministry, Andre Ally; CHPA Chief Development Planner, Germene Stewart; Director of Projects, Omar Narine; Deputy Director Intakab Indarjeet; Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Michael Hutson, and other technical staff.

In a subsequent release, she had said that the inland city, which would complement Georgetown, is designed to address growing climate change risks.

“We are aggressively pursuing plans for the construction of Silica City, [and] we are here today to advance the planning and designs for the area, so that we can bring this city to an early realisation,” the Minister had stated.

She added, “Silica City will have in its first phase about 3000 acres of land, but we are starting to do the land-clearing for the first 185 acres, which will feature the ‘Innovation Village’ and the first 400 young professional homes.”

The Minister had stated that the Ministry has already begun shortlisting persons for the homes. The first phase of development of the city is also expected to feature a number of commercial and industrial developments, as well as hospitals. While these plans are in motion, land acquisition for phase two is also in progress through collaborative efforts with GLSC.

The establishment of Silica City was proposed in 2013 by Ali during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Water. It is in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the New Urban Agenda, the Housing Act 36:20, and other guidelines.

In his first year in office in 2020, President Ali revealed that Government had begun discussions on Silica City as a secondary city. He had explained that the Government was looking at an area on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway that would be connected to the new four-lane bypass road.

It had previously been explained that the city would initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years, and eventually grow to house more than 12,500 households.

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Fiona tiene vientos de 70 millas por hora

September 18, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

El Centro Nacional de Huracanes (CNH) en Miami, Florida, en su boletín de las ocho de la mañana del domingo, informó que Fiona se acerca a convertirse en huracán.

Alertó, además, sobre inundaciones peligrosas y deslizamientos en distintos lugares de Puerto Rico y República Dominicana por los próximos días.

A las 8 de la mañana, Fiona se encontraba en la latitud 17.2 grados norte, longitud 66.1 grados oeste a 65 millas al sureste de Ponce.

Sus vientos están en 70 millas por hora. Se mueve a 8 millas por hora.

Se esperan de 12 a 16 pulgadas de lluvia con un máximo de 25 pulgadas en el este y sureste.

8:30 AM AST
Current conditions from Tropical storm #Fiona
Condiciones actuales debiso al paso de la Tormenta Tropical #Fiona. #prwx #usviwx #staysafe pic.twitter.com/uM9aXiGxDP

— NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) September 18, 2022

En alerta de inundaciones varios pueblos del Este

September 18, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Radio Isla TV

El Servicio Nacional de Meteorología (SNM) emitió en la mañana del domingo una alerta de inundaciones para varios municipios del Este.

Los municipios incluyen a Patillas, Yabucoa, Maunabo, Naguabo y Humacao. El anuncio está vigente por ahora hasta la 1:15 de la tarde.

HUMACAO, MAUNABO, NAGUABO, PATILLAS, YABUCOA
Flash Flood Warning. Aviso de Inundaciones Repentinas. Until

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‘Are we ready?’ Antiguans mull cutting ties with British monarchy

September 18, 2022/0 Comments/in news /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

(AFP) – Republican movements may be gaining steam in British realms across the globe, but in the tiny Caribbean paradise of Antigua and Barbuda, residents have decidedly mixed feelings about their leaders’ push to break that final link.

Days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Antigua and Barbuda became the first of the 14 remaining realms now ruled over by her son, Charles, to openly float the idea of replacing the British monarch as its head of state.

Doing so would not be “an act of hostility” but “the final step to complete the circle of independence,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne told British broadcaster ITV news, saying that he hopes to hold a referendum on the matter within the next three years.

Whether his people want to take that step is an open question, admitted Browne’s chief of staff Lionel Hurst during an interview at the prime minister’s office overlooking the port capital of St John’s in the country’s main island, Antigua.

“We’re not sure yet,” he said Friday. If Browne wins the next general election, which must be held by 2023, the years before any referendum would be spent “selling the idea” to Antiguans and Barbudans.

On St John’s busy Market Street, most residents agreed the idea would need to be sold.

“I think we should stay with the crown. This country cannot manage on its own,” 53-year-old Leonie Barker told AFP after buying groceries ahead of Tropical Storm Fiona, due to brush past the island Friday night.

Others said that it was too early to take a stand.

Education and engagement on the idea are needed, 58-year-old Peter Thomas said.

“I think we have reached a stage in life (where) we would like to be on our own, but are we ready? That’s the next story,” he said.

Fashion designer and singer Kelly Richardson also said islanders needed more information, adding that he did not think it was “a bad idea.”

#photo1″I’m open to changes,” he told AFP from behind dark sunglasses.

Some could see potential on both sides.

Antigua has already come far since independence in 1981, local cameraman JC Cornelius argued, so when it comes to removing the queen as head of state — “why not?”

But then again, he added, “unity and one love is really key. So, being with the queen… I mean, why not?”

The matter, he said, would require “some nice diligent consideration.”

Browne’s hoped-for referendum would come nearly 400 years after Britain first colonized Antigua in 1632, followed by neighboring Barbuda in 1678.

Settlers began growing sugar on the islands — but with Indigenous Caribbean people dying by the thousands across the region, they imported African slaves to tend the profitable crop.

Emancipation finally came in 1833, and many of Antigua and Barbuda’s 97,000 people today are the descendants of slaves.

The country, whose economy is now heavily dependent on tourism, has been an independent nation for more than four decades — but, argues government spokesman Hurst, it’s a funny kind of independence.

#photo2″The monarchy is in England, we don’t deceive ourselves,” he told AFP.

“It’s kind of less than independence when your head of state is determined not by you, but by a tradition that lies 6,000 miles away.”

Any control Britain exerts is mostly procedural, however, he said — and breaking away from that is “symbolic.”

“In large part it will have a psychological impact on the people of Antigua and Barbuda, that is its primary purpose,” he said.

Whether the younger generations are as impacted by the wounds of the past, however, also appears to be a question of some debate.

#photo3Generation Z’s biggest concern is not the nation’s psyche but development, 19-year-old student Kemani Sinclair told AFP, gesturing at the colorful buildings around the center of St John’s — some of which have fallen into disrepair.

The process of holding a referendum on removing the British monarchy would be a costly waste of money that could be spent elsewhere, he argued.

“I truly believe Antigua shouldn’t become a republic. It’s just not ready,” Sinclair said.

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