Pumps in G/town fully operable – Mustapha

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha today visited several of the city’s drainage pumps to ensure they were fully functional.

While speaking with media operatives, Minister Mustapha confirmed that all of the drainage pumps in Georgetown were fully operable with the exception of Princes Street pump.

He also took the opportunity to urge persons to remain vigilant as heavy rains continue to fall across several regions and encouraged to desist from throwing garbage into the waterways as this can affect the functionality of the pumps as was the case with princess street pump .

Minister Mustapha was accompanied by the Chairman of the NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth and NDIA Engineer Timothy Innis.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Xodus Carnival: Moving soca people Loop Barbados

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

‘Twas the first official band launch for the 2023 Carnival season, and patrons and stakeholders alike were rearing to get on bad.

Since Xodus Carnival and Bacchanal Jamaica dropped the plot twist for Carnival Road in March 2023, the costume reveal has been the talk of the town.

The general interest was evident from Saturday’s massive turnout at Mona Hockey Field in Kingston for the Xodus Carnival Sweet Treats x Bacchanal Jamaica Candy Land band launch.

“Unity is strength, and together we aim to make Jamaica the number one destination for Carnival in the world,” read a statement from Xodus Carnival Director Scott Dunn on the coalescence of two of Jamaica’s premier bands earlier this month.

Dunn’s fervour has not waned since. During an interview with Loop News post-launch, he stated that he was just as ecstatic as he was when the announcement was made.

Amazing costumes, great f?tes, new ways to improve the distribution of costumes, a more efficient website – that should allow for ease of access when purchasing costumes – and new ideas for logistics are improvements to be expected for Road March 2023, according to Dunn.

Among the Sweet Treats and Candy Land designers on the ground at Saturday’s f?te was Jessica Campbell, who’s no stranger to Carnival in Jamaica, yet “excited to be back on the road”.

“The energy is very high ‘cuz we’ve been anticipating it for a really long time and creatively we put a lot of work into it…I know that Xodus is gonna do a really good job, as well as Bacchanal, and together we’re working on making it even better than before… ” she said excitedly in an interview with Loop News following the reveal of her self-designed Honeydew and Icy costumes.

The 18-costume display for the 2023 Sweet Treats and Candy Land costumes are available for purchase at Xodus Carnival.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Jean Joseph Lebrun pr?te serment comme nouveau pr?sident de la Cour de cassation

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

Le magistrat Jean Joseph Lebrun, 27 ans de carri?re au sein de la magistrature ha?tienne, est investi dans ses fonctions de pr?sident de la Cour de cassation ce mardi 22 novembre 2022. La c?r?monie de pr?sentation de serment s’est d?roul?e ? la Cour de cassation, en pr?sence des membres du gouvernement, des membres du corps diplomatique, des conseillers du Conseil sup?rieur du pouvoir judiciaire (CSPJ), de la pr?sidente de la Cour d’appel de Port-au-Prince, du doyen du tribunal de premi?re instance de Port-au-Prince, entre autres.

Jean Joseph Lebrun prend la t?te de la plus haute instance judiciaire qui est paralys?e depuis plusieurs mois et qui se noie sous un tas de dossiers judiciaires urgents. “Les dossiers enr?l?s ? date qui m?ritent d’?tre ?vacu?s sans d?lai se chiffrent ? plus de 400 affaires ordinaires et affaires urgentes”, a confi? le nouveau pr?sident de la Cour de cassation.

“Les d?fis ? relever sont gigantesques. Notre soci?t? est malade. Notre justice l’est aussi. Conjuguons nos efforts pour le rel?vement de notre soci?t? en g?n?ral et de la justice en particulier”, a appel? le pr?sident de la Cour. Avant sa nomination ? la pr?sidence de la Cour par arr?t?, Jean Joseph Lebrun avait pr?t? serment en 2019 comme juge ? la Cour de cassation.

“Nous avons du pain sur la planche et des d?fis consid?rables ? relever. Les justiciables sont aux abois. Ils ne savent ? quel saint se vouer. D’aucuns se plaignent du probl?me d’accessibilit? de la justice. D’autres de la lenteur des proc?dures et de la corruption. Ces probl?mes ne datent pas d’aujourd’hui”, a d?crit le nouveau pr?sident du CSPJ.

“Premier ministre Henry, jetons un simple coup d’oeil sur la soci?t? en g?n?ral, vous verrez que la t?che d’administrer et de juge est devenue de plus en plus difficile”, a-t-il dit.

Peignant un tableau sombre du syst?me judiciaire, le nouveau pr?sident de la Cour de cassation a cit? le rapport d’enqu?te de l’ULCC qui montre que le syst?me judiciaire est “injuste et sujet ? la manipulation de puissants int?r?ts et des ?lites”. “Les temps sont difficiles. L’heure n’est pas au beau discours. Ensemble, nous devons nous mettre au travail pour affronter les grands d?fis de l’heure”, a-t-il d?clar?. Selon lui, les d?fis sont entre autres, “la subordination et la politisation outranci?re de la justice, les ?pineux probl?mes fonciers, la r?novation des cours et tribunaux, la formation continue de magistrats et du personnel de la justice, l’int?gration de beaucoup plus de femmes au sein du syst?me judiciaire, la r?duction de la d?tention pr?ventive prolong?e, la mise en r?seau des cours et tribunaux, la relance de la Cour de cassation.”

Pour le magistrat Me Carv?s Jean, conseiller au CSPJ, le syst?me judiciaire reste dans l’attente de l’am?lioration significative de son cadre de fonctionnement. Me Carv?s Jean en a profit? pour f?liciter le parcours du nouveau pr?sident de la Cour de cassation.

“Votre comp?tence, votre assiduit? au travail, votre discipline au sein de la magistrature ha?tienne, vous permet de gravir les ?chelons. En 27 ans de carri?re, vous avez occup? successivement les fonctions de juges, de doyen au TPI de Port-au-Prince, juge pr?s de la Cour d’appel de Port-au-Prince, la Cour de cassation a b?n?fici? de vos brillants services comme juge pendant les quatre derni?res ann?es”, a vant? Me Carv?s Jean qui adresse les tr?s vives f?licitations au nouveau pr?sident tout en ?voquant une collaboration sans failles et sans reproche avec ce dernier. ” Nous croyons fermement que vous allez continuer pareillement dans vos nouvelles fonctions. Le secteur judiciaire a besoin de s?r?nit? pour son fonctionnement. Dans cette conjoncture de crise, la mission qui vous attend est lourde et d?licate”, a fait savoir Me Carv?s Jean.

Selon le premier ministre Ariel Henry, la c?r?monie de prestation de serment du pr?sident de la Cour de cassation se r?v?le exceptionnelle au regard de la crise ardue que vit le pays et de la port?e de l’?v?nement. “Il r?sulte d’un exercice difficile qui nous a impos? une d?marche adroite et patiente ? travers un dialogue constant avec de nombreux acteurs concern?s pour la solution la plus proche de la Constitution”, a indiqu? le chef du gouvernement.

“La d?cision de nommer un pr?sident ? la Cour de cassation s’inscrit donc dans la perspective de trouver des solutions qui fonctionnent et puissent r?pondre aux principes constitutionnels”, a fait savoir le premier ministre Henry, soulignant que le gouvernement qu’il dirige s’est donc engag? dans la remise sur pied des institutions par la voie du consensus.

“Enfin, je veux croire qu’avec un pr?sident de la Cour de cassation, le CSPJ, redevenant op?rationnel, va travailler rapidement au fonctionnement r?gulier des tribunaux, pour non seulement s’attaquer ? la douloureuse situation de la d?tention pr?ventive prolong?e, mais encore faciliter, par ses propositions, le fonctionnement de la Cour de cassation”, a expliqu? Ariel Henry.

“Soyez d?termin?s, mobilis?s, courageux, faites preuve d’?thique dans cette noble fonction et de responsabilit?s pour redonner espoir aux justiciables”, a?, insistant pour une justice qui puisse changer d’images et qui joue son v?ritable r?le. “Le moment est venu pour que la justice ha?tienne puisse s’?lever et se montrer plus s?rieuse et responsable dans ses attributions”, a appel? Ariel Henry.

Notons que la Cour de cassation se retrouve sans pr?sident depuis la mort du magistrat Ren? Sylvestre le 23 juin 2021 et qui avait priv? ?galement le Conseil sup?rieur du pouvoir judiciaire (CSPJ) de son pr?sident.

R?agir ? cet article

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

NewsAmericasNow.com

L’Etat ha?tien n’a jamais port? assistance aux migrants ha?tiens en difficult? en R?publique dominicaine, selon Colette Lespinasse

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Le Nouvelliste

L’ancienne coordonnatrice du Groupe d’appui aux rapatri?s et aux r?fugi?s (GARR) critique le manque d’actions des autorit?s ha?tiennes devant le rapatriement massif et brutal des Ha?tiens en terre voisine. Du point de vue diplomatique et consulaire, d?zingue Colette Lespinasse, le gouvernement d’Ha?ti n’a rien fait. Au fait, la militante des droits humains consid?re la note publi?e par le minist?re des Affaires ?trang?res d’Ha?ti dans laquelle il condamne <> de la R?publique dominicaine. contre les ressortissants ha?tiens comme une note ?vasive.

Pour Lespinasse, l’inaction des autorit?s ha?tiennes face aux mauvais traitements du pays voisin contre les Ha?tiens repr?sente une constante. Et pour elle, cela concerne tout aussi bien l’inaction des autorit?s face aux difficult?s auxquelles font face les Ha?tiens au niveau interne. <>, d?nonce Colette Lespinasse en prenant en exemple les milliers de d?plac?s internes ? cause des conflits arm?s.

<> indique Lespinasse en pr?cisant que la situation de ces derniers jours n’est qu’un renforcement ou une intensification du ph?nom?ne. <>, d?nonce-t-elle. Et pour elle, il s’agit aussi d’une m?chancet? de la part des Dominicains envers les Ha?tiens car ils s’adonnent depuis longtemps ? cette pratique et cela n’a jamais apport? une solution.

<>, affirme la militante des droits humains.

<>, s’est-elle offusqu?e. <>, soutient Lespinasse.

<>, dit-elle en faisant savoir qu’il nous faut prendre en main la gestion du pays.

R?agir ? cet article

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

NewsAmericasNow.com

New banknotes expected in Jamaica by early December — Clarke Loop Jamaica

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News

The new Jamaican banknotes are expected to arrive in the country by the week of December 5, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke, has announced.

However, Jamaicans will have to wait until approximately mid-2023 to begin spending the new banknotes.

Clarke provided an update while responding to a query on Tuesday from a Twitter user in relation to the availability of the newly designed banknotes.

The new series comprises six denominations, including a new $2,000 note. They will be printed on polymersubstrate, a more durable substrate than the current banknotes.

While revealing that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has advised that the newly designed notes are expected to arrive by the first full week of December, Clarke said individuals will have to wait until ATMs are retrofitted and ready.

“The @CentralBankJA advises that the new banknotes will be in Jamaica by the week of Dec 5. ATM’s are now being retrofitted and the public sensitized before the new banknotes are publicly issued. That process is expected to last between 3 to 6 months,” Clarke tweeted.

“The BOJ will begin issuing new banknotes as soon as ATMs are ready,” he added.

During his budget presentation in March, the minister announced that national heroes whose images were removed from banknotes will have their images restored in the major overhaul of the country’s banknotes, which will introduce new and multiple security features.

Clarke said the notes would last 50 per cent longer than the current banknotes, and, they would feature the pictures of two individuals, instead of the usual one, with a $2,000 bill featuring former prime ministers, Edward Seaga and Michael Manley.

Both men were both contemporaries and political rivals, and the use of their photographs on the newly created banknote is aimed at a symbol of unity.

The $1,000 bill will bear the photographs of Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley.

Additionally, former prime ministers Hugh Shearer and Donald Sangster will appear together on the upgraded $5,000 note, while national heroes Sam Sharpe and Nanny of the Maroons will appear together on the upgraded $500 bill.

National heroes Paul Bogle and George William Gordon will appear together on the upgraded $50 note.

However, National Hero Marcus Garvey will appear alone on the upgraded $100 banknote.

NewsAmericasNow.com

THA moves to tackle Bad Rock landslip

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

An aerial view of the persistent landslip at Bad Rock, Belle Garden. – DIQUD

THE Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is moving to resolve what it called the “critical failure” of the slope and retaining structures at Bad Rock, Belle Garden.

Over the past month, Bad Rock has experienced significant land slippage owing to persistent adverse weather conditions. In light of the ongoing risks to public safety, the road remains closed to light- and medium-weight vehicles.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development said its strategy to address the issues at Bad Rock involves extensive construction, road expansion and erosion control in the area and the simultaneous construction of a 300m x 7m connector road from Iron Ridge, Zion Hill to Long Bed, Belle Garden.

It said based on a preliminary assessment, the possibility of blasting and excavation of the rock face embankment at Bad Rock is likely.

“The scope of works extends to but is not limited to erosion control measures; construction of retaining and drainage structures; installation of guard rails; and road widening and asphalting of the roadway,” it said.

The division quoted Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, at a news conference last Friday, as saying, “Those reports came back advising us that we had some solid rock surfaces there but very shallow top soil resting on top of these rocks. And as the rains come, the top soil will just keep sliding away.

“We have had to evacuate families from that hillside, out of the abundance of caution and in the last set of rains, we see land slippage happening on the seaside beneath the road to the point where there is an area where there is a shallow underneath the road.”

It further quoted Augustine as saying that the alternative road will become necessary “because the kinds of work that will be required at Bad Rock cannot be done in a week.

“It is even more threatening than what happened in Castara a few months ago, that we were able to remedy somewhat in quick time, so we have to provide an adequate alternative route while the long-term fix is happening at the Bad Rock area.”

The division said a comprehensive geotechnical survey will be undertaken next week, after which, the design phase should be completed within 20 days.

It added the construction of the connector road will begin during the surveying and design phase, approximately 45 days before the commissioning of Bad Rock road expansion works.

“This is to allow for adequate provisions to be made for traffic management and other logistics, towards limiting inconvenience to residents and the motoring public.”

The division said it intends to meet with residents and stakeholders before the works begin. A subsequent correspondence updating the public on the approval and date for meetings will be released, it added.

Earlier this month, area representative and Deputy Chief Secretary Dr Faith BYisrael said the landslides have disrupted the lives of residents in the area. “It is an inconvenience, because that is the way we normally travel, but we have to ensure life, limb and property is secured.”

She added, “You recognise, that area we’ve had landslips for quite sometime. This seems to be the more serious we have seen it in a couple years so we do have to look at a longer-term solution.”

NewsAmericasNow.com

WATCH: NEMO Continues Voucher Disbursements To Flood Victims – St. Lucia Times News

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

– Advertisement –

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has announced that the collection of vouchers for households affected by the November 6 trough system continues.

The organisation has asked people from affected households to visit the NEMO secretariat at Bisee, Castries, between 8:30 AM – 4 PM from Monday to Friday.

The November 6 trough triggered devastating floods in the North of Saint Lucia, resulting in losses and damage estimated at millions of dollars.

– Advertisement –

TRENDING

NewsAmericasNow.com

Woman found shot dead in vehicle in Goodlands, St Lucia Loop Barbados

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Barbados News

Police in St Lucia are investigating another homicide taking the island’s toll to 63.

Health Care practitioner Keziah Wilson, 38, was found dead Tuesday morning at Goodlands, Castries, St Lucia.

The deceased was found in her vehicle with a gunshot wound to her head.

According to residents of the area, Wilson appeared to have been heading home from work when she was killed.

Reports also suggest that a red flag was raised when her boyfriend made several calls to her which went unanswered.

Wilson had been living in the area for about a year and has been described as a pleasant individual.

She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter.

Crime scene officers are currently on the scene combing the area for evidence which can lead to a break in the case.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Indarsingh: Wages of sin are political death for PNM

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

COUVA South MP Rudranath Indarsingh –

COUVA South MP Rudranath Indarsingh has said there must be no forgiveness for the People’s National Movement (PNM), as sought by former labour minister Jennifer Baptiste-Primus.

He was responding from the United National Congress (UNC) platform on Monday night to the appeal she made last week, during the party’s internal elections campaign in Tobago.

Indarsingh said people must reject the call from Baptiste-Primus, who is seeking to return as labour relations officer in the PNM elections, “just as the PNM and the Prime Minister rejected her as a candidate in the last general election.

“There must be no forgiveness for the PNM. The Prime Minister and the PNM have sinned for the last seven years, and the wages of sin is political death,” Indarsingh said.

Harping on her “resurrection” since the last general election, Indarsingh surmised, “She was fired by Rowley, rejected by Rowley, rejected by the PNM.

“Suddenly she is back on the scene seeking redemption for the PNM and Rowley’s incompetence and sin for the last seven years.

“There must be no redemption for the PNM. Why does she want forgiveness for the PNM when they have taken away your rights to send a message to the PNM in terms of postponing the local government elections?

“They have gone against the rule of law and the will of the people. Must we forgive PNM for that?”

Indarsingh cringed as he recalled the first day of hearings of the commission of enquiry (CoE) into the Paria tragedy in which four divers lost their lives, when their recorded voices were played, telling of their anguish, cries of pain and suffering underwater before their deaths on February 25.

“Jennifer wants us to forgive the PNM when we know the inaction of Paria led to the death of these divers,” he said, referring to the length of time they reportedly remained alive in the hyperbaric chamber, according to the autopsy reports tendered into evidence.

“Must we forgive the PM for the interrupting and intercepting of the police merit list that led to the collapse of the Police Service Commission (PSC)?”

Indarsingh also questioned the billions of dollars allocated to the Ministries of Works and Transport and Rural Development and Local Government, when, he said, the road infrastructure has collapsed and is collapsing.

He called on Works Minister Rohan Sinanan to say how he knew $1 million could fit into a case of beer, as he demonstrated at a PNM internal election meeting in Sangre Grande.

Picking up on Sinanan’s submission that the PNM’s headquarters, Balisier House, was being rebuilt through the goodwill of donors, he asked how many crates of beer were donated by contractors.

“One of their own, Karen Nunez-Tesheira, told us that up until today it has cost $50 million to refurbish Balisier House.

“I seize the opportunity to call on the acting CoP, Mc Donald Jacob, to declare his testicular fortitude in the fight against white-collar crime – put caution tape around Balisier House. Cordon it off and declare it a crime scene and launch an immediate investigation and follow the money as it relates to how many donations have gone to Balisier House.”

NewsAmericasNow.com

NBS now onboard with MMG for easy mortgage payments

/0 Comments/in /by

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Minister Ashni Singh along with Chairman of NBS, Dr Nanda Gopaul; General Manager of MMG, Bobita Ram, Manager of NBS, Anil Beharry and board of directors at the launch on Tuesday

Queues to make monthly mortgage payments will now be a thing of the past, as the New Building Society on Tuesday joined as the newest MMG biller – the first institution of its nature to implement such in the country.

In the new era of digital payments, mortgage holders will find greater accessibility in processing their dues through MMG – a transaction which takes just eight seconds.

General Manager of MMG, Bobita Ram said this collaboration provide persons with an avenue to pay their mortgages through over 820 agents across the country.

Moreover, they no longer need to visit NBS directly to deposit these funds, a time and resource consuming errand.

“There is really no limit to mobile money in a world where digital transformation is the hot topic. As we go forward, it is not only about paying in Guyana but Guyanese everywhere will be able to pay their bills, top-ups or whatever it is they need to pay using MMG,” Ram said.

In recent years, MMG has recommitted its mandate to extending its reach. Ram encouraged other banks to lead the way in providing innovative payment solutions and adopting mobile payment technologies.

For the coming year, more enhancement is promised to MMG users including targeting the diaspora to change the way business is done. In eight seconds, their transaction can be completed.

Chairman of NBS, Dr Nanda Gopaul shared that this addition affords some 10,000 mortgages with a loan portfolio of over $52 billion with easier access to pay their dues.

“It is in response to our mortgagers who are throughout the length and breadth of this country wanting to come out of the line and come out of the habit of walking with bulks of money to transact their business…People can have service without frustration, without agony and without the risk of being robbed.”

In his remarks, senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh underlined that the COVID pandemic forced an accelerated deployment of technology than could ever be achieved in a normal setting.

There are more than 950 entities in Guyana that have the capability to accept MMG payment. These include major utility companies, regional utility entities, internet providers, government agencies, local government agencies, educational institutions, financial institutions, hire purchase companies, supermarkets, insurance companies, insurance brokers, shipping companies, restaurants among others.

Dr Singh said the aim is to have a country where every person of age can access digital payment services and every home has access to connectivity.

“This is about making people’s lives easier. As long as you have a phone, you don’t need to leave your house to make your NBS payment…That transformation and modernization to which we aspire is not only about new bridges, new highways, new roads, new hotels, new restaurants and new industries. That modernization and transformation are also about modernizing and transforming the way we do business,” Minister Singh disclosed.

NBS has been in existence for over 83 years and operates across the country.

NewsAmericasNow.com