Berbice farmer counting major losses after 53 sheep disappear

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Some of Oudal Budhram’s remaining sheep

Cattle rustling continues to be a major problem faced by farmers in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and one farmer is seeking the intervention of the Ministry of Agriculture after 53 of his sheep went missing on Monday.

According to that farmer, the disappearance of animals from within the savannah has forced many farmers to take their animals to residential areas where they live, but this creates other issues with crop farmers.

Oudal Budhram, a cattle farmer of Number 55 Village Corentyne, in venting his frustration over the situation, having recently lost 53 sheep, says it is a significant blow to his livelihood. Budhram said that up until Sunday night, he had 62 sheep. On Monday, when he went to the savannah where he had left his animals, he found only ten of them.

“Abie search round the whole area where the sheep dem ah graze, and we couldn’t find the sheep. When we come, we observe about ten young ones; they pick out the big sheep dem and leff the kiddie dem, an carry way all the big sheep dem — fifty-three what me check,” Budrham said.

He has since made a report to the Police. Budram, who also has 20 goats and 15 head of cattle which he keeps at the savannah in the backlands of Number 56 Village, said this is not the first time he has lost sheep as a result of theft. The loss of the animals, he said, has dealt him a tremendous blow, since he depends solely on his stock to make a living.He explained that he has invested over $1M in sheep.

Budhram has been rearing sheep for over four years. He says this is the heaviest loss he has suffered.

“From the big flood, thirty-seven head dead from the flood,” he said while noting that he also lost eleven at one time as a result of theft.

“Last March that gone, I buy five Alsace cow to get milk, because me na wuk no way, so I say I gon milk dem cow and get lil money. It cost me $1.5M, and dem man go away with all five, and now they go away with over $1M worth in sheep fo me. Me na know wah fo turn to now,” he continued.

Cattle rustling and the theft of small ruminants has been one of the major issues affecting animal farmers on the Upper Corentyne.

According to Budhram, other farmers in the community have been losing small animals, but this is the first time so many were stolen at one time.

Apart from this, farmers have to deal with attacks by jaguars, pythons and alligators, even dogs which go to the savannah and feast on the newly born.

However, Budhram strongly believes his missing animals were the victims of theft.

Only recently, Police officials in the region said they would be paying more attention to cattle rustling, and promised results before the end of October. This was after farmers had complained that the law enforcement officers seemed inept in dealing with the situation.Meanwhile, a butcher from New Amsterdam has been placed before the court for cattle rustling and related charges.

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Hamilton rubbishes claims of discrimination at co-op societies

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton has rubbished claims by Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton of racial discrimination at co-op societies.

During his recent press conference, Norton claimed that several co-op societies across the country including the Mocha-Arcadia Multi-purpose Agricultural Co-op Society, are experiencing racism from the central government.

He claimed that the co-op has not been receiving a subvention from the government.

Minister Hamilton in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Wednesday, said Norton was being disingenuous.

“Central government has no direct relationship with the Mocha-Arcadia Multi-purpose Agricultural Co-op Society about subvention. [Therefore] interaction between government and co-op societies are [only] done via the Chief Co-op Development Officer (CCDO), which is a statutory position – not a political position that is governed by law and procedures.”

“Moreover, the transfer of funds by the International Decade of People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G) without reference to the co-op department of the Ministry of Labour, “is a breach, because before a co-op society can access a grant, a loan, a subvention, etc., the reference point, to begin with, would have been the co-op department. Therefore, the rules and regulations have been breached with regards to the transfer of funds.”

Minister Hamilton clarified that the Ministry of Labour through the CCDO is only fulfilling its obligation, which is to regularise all societies as set out in the Co-operative Societies Act, Laws of Guyana (Cap. 88:01).

Regarding the infighting disrupting the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Minister Hamilton said the disruption is occurring between parties that have openly pledged their allegiance to the APNU/AFC opposition party.

Therefore, attributing the need for control by the PPP/C Government of the GPSU is simply nonsensical and has no merit, minister Hamilton opined.

“The conversation that is supposedly occurring in the public domain by the Opposition is that the membership of credit unions and/or co-op societies are only made up of Afro-Guyanese, this is ludicrous, to begin with.”

The Labour Minister made it clear that the membership make-up of any of the organisations that the opposition states are being victimised cannot be taken seriously.

“Any public servant can become a member of the GPSU and co-op societies that have members who are not Afro-Guyanese because the neighbourhood that they hold interests in are made up of Guyanese from all ethnic background.”

Furthermore, the Minister slammed the fabrication and lies being peddled about other co-op societies such as Essequibo, Vigalstra Housing, and the Linden Utility Services Co-op Society.

“Our authority is to supervise coop societies to ensure that they are run transparently with accountability,” the Minister said.

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Guyana partners with Canadian business school for ‘hospital leadership’ training

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Schulich Executive Education Centre

In an effort to further develop the health care system in Guyana, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Service has partnered with the Schulich ExecEd at Canada’s leading business school, the Schulich School of Business at York University, to develop capacity training for Hospital Leadership.

The programme is designed to teach management and leadership skills to work professionals, aspiring leaders, managers, and senior leaders in the health sector and will be delivered on a virtual platform to participants from all ten (10) administrative regions.

The virtual launch was held on October 13, 2022, with attendance from Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Public Service Ms. Sonia Parag, distinguished faculty from Schulich ExecEd, Schulich School of Business, and representatives from both Ministries and all participants.

Minister Parag in her remarks added the importance of training citing the “Government’s commitment to provide quality training to all Guyanese” but especially so to those serving in the health care sector of our country.

These comments were further emphasised by Minister Anthony who added that the Ministry of Health has embarked on an aggressive campaign to develop the healthcare sector through the construction of several hospitals including the country’s first Maternal and Paediatric Hospital and several other projects to build and rehabilitate hospitals in the hinterland areas.

This, he said, creates the need to develop the capacity of the administrators who will be assigned to these hospitals. The programme he further stated will provide this training.

This training is just one of many training programmes which the Ministry of Health has embarked on to develop skills training not just for the medical staff but for all staff attached to the Ministry of Health in a combined effort to enhance and develop health care delivery in Guyana.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana as they overhaul the delivery of healthcare services by developing their top hospital administrators across all 10 regions, equipping them with the skills necessary to lead this transformation,” says Rami Mayer, Executive Director of Schulich ExecEd.

“Our goal is to help the Guyanese Government transform its health care system and develop better hospital administrators and provide innovative health care solutions to improve patient outcomes.”

Mayer added that “The Schulich ExecEd-Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Programme is customised for Guyana’s hospital administrators providing them with the necessary interpersonal skills and hands-on business tools to improve their management, leadership, and service delivery skills at all levels.”

“At Schulich ExecEd, we help organisations like Guyana’s Ministry of Health, build and foster a high-performing, collaborative workplace culture with a strong emphasis on promoting leadership, communication, and innovation to help achieve organisational and performance goals,” he said.

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Pierre Highlights Benefits For Locals From Castries & Soufriere Waterfront Projects – St. Lucia Times News

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has highlighted the benefits to Saint Lucians from a multi-million dollar redevelopment and expansion project for the Castries and Soufriere waterfronts.

On October 20, Saint Lucia signed a memorandum of understanding with Global Port Holdings (GPH) to undertake the USD 47 million initiative.

Pierre, responsible for finance, said the redevelopment and expansion would enhance Saint Lucia’s tourism product and provide greater opportunities for vendors and hospitality workers.

“Upon completion of the project, Port Castries will have a boardwalk and will be able to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships,” the former Tourism Minister noted.

– Advertisement –

“Arcade vendors will gain access to new and improved facilities, and Castries fishers will reap the benefits of a new fishing village and ferry facility in Bananes Bay and Pointe Seraphine,” Pierre wrote on Facebook.

In addition, he explained that the reimagined Soufriere waterfront would feature enhanced docking facilities and new retail spaces for local vendors.

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Nevis Newcastle Villager Places 3rd in Barbecue Contest in Florida

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, October 25, 2022 (NIA) — Mr. Royston Queeley of Newcastle village, the winner of the first Men Can Cook Grill Master Edition hosted by the Department of Gender Affairs placed 3rd from a field of seven participants at the Dr. Packer Annual Backyard BBQ contest in Palm Bay, Florida on October 15, 2022.

His participation was the prize offered to the winner of at the Men Can Cook Grill Master Edition, an event which formed part of International Men’s Day 2021 activities on Nevis.

Mr. Queeley described his participation in the Florida contest as a delightful one.

“The experience was a wonderful experience. It felt good competing against other chefs outside of Nevis. The competition was a fierce one.  This was my first time attending and I gained a lot of experience which will help me to win the trophy next year,” he said.

The Newcastle villager expressed his gratitude to all who gave him the opportunity to participate in both contests.

“I want to thank the Department of Gender Affairs for giving me an opportunity to showcase my talent not only in Nevis but also in Florida. I also want to thank Dr. Donald Packer-Manners for his warm Nevisian hospitality,” he said.

Ms. Catherine Forbes, Training Officer who represented the department, described Mr. Queeley as being eager to compete in the competition in which he was required to barbecue in the categories of chicken, pork and fish.

“He was very enthusiastic, very meticulous, paid great attention to detail and exhibited creativity. It was the first time he had been to something like that. It was easy for me to work with him. He took criticisms and ideas in a positive way and improved in areas suggested. He was cooperative and interacted well with other grillers and exhibited good social skills before and after the contest,” she said.

The Department of Gender Affairs thanked the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank for what it termed as “their generous sponsorship” towards Mr. Queeley’s participation in the overseas grilling competition. They also expressed gratitude to Dr. Packer, his wife Edna and Mr. Steve “Piggy” Parris for the kind hospitality extended to Mr. Queeley during his stay in Florida.

Registration for the Department of Gender Affairs 2022 Men Can Cook: Grill Master Edition, scheduled for November 13, 2022, is open.

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Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to Improve the National Security Infrastructure to Advance the Country’s Development Agenda

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 25, 2022 (SKNIS) – Understanding the link between maintaining peace and security and national development, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will, over the next five years, overhaul and improve the national security infrastructure in St. Kitts and Nevis.

This was noted in the Throne Speech delivered by the Governor General’s Deputy, Her Excellency Marcella Liburd JP at the opening of the New Session of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Parliament today, Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

“Our Government is equally cognizant of the seamlessness between safety and security and the implementation of all aspects of development. Safety and security must be given priority as a fundamental constitutional provision in protecting the rights of our citizens. It must equally serve as a prerequisite for creating the enabling environment for delivering on the successful outcome of the diverse initiatives that have been identified to advance the nation’s development agenda,” the Throne Speech said.

In light of this, the Government will rethink the conception of security in implementing effective ways in crime prevention and detection “using modern technology to strengthen the security apparatus.”

Over the next five years the Government “will undertake an audit of the capabilities of our present security forces and commit to exploring all available options of forging meaningful partnerships with regional and international agencies to improve the nation’s security mechanism. Our Government will build on the initial outreach with the security forces and will continue its engagement to address the issues that have undermined the morale, working conditions, and professionalism of the men and women whose service is vital to creating the enabling environment for effective delivery of our strategies to build back better in the post-pandemic era.”

The advancement of the national security infrastructure in St. Kitts and Nevis will be led by Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, who holds responsibility for National Security.

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Advancement in the Delivery of Healthcare Services High on the Agenda of the St. Kitts & Nevis Government

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 25, 2022 (SKNIS) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis today (October 25) outlined its vision of a new and better way for the delivery of healthcare in the Federation, starting with the significant improvement in the services available at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, the main medical facility in the Federation.

“The public outcry on the unacceptable state of affairs in healthcare, in general, and particularly at the main hospital, will no longer fall on deaf ears. Our Labour Government is listening and has an excellent plan for providing good, affordable, and accessible healthcare services for our people,” said the Governor General’s Deputy, Her Excellency Marcella Liburd JP as she delivered the Throne Speech at the opening of the new Session of the National Assembly.

As outlined in the Throne Speech, the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party-led administration is “committed to ensuring that the JNF General Hospital is transformed into a state-of-the-art health facility. Our people will benefit from top-level care including greater access to modern services right here in the Federation. We will seek to improve and expand services in specialized areas such as oncology and dialysis treatment.”

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, under the leadership of Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, also intends to scale up the number of skilled professionals working in the healthcare system and invest in the training and recruitment of more specialist doctors and nurses.

“We will provide support to our citizens who show interest in studying to qualify as registered nurses and nurse practitioners. Our Government will ensure that the number of doctors specializing in critical areas is increased. We will provide incentives for persons training in medicine to specialize in areas that are presently lacking in the Federation, including nurse practitioners. The capacity of the healthcare system needs to be improved and we are confident that our approach would yield much better results and a modern and more efficient health system,” said Her Excellency Liburd.

Just recently, the Ministry of Health assigned a cadre of doctors to the Pogson Medical Center in Sandy Point to ensure that a doctor is physically available 24/7 at the medical facility. This measure is expected to be adopted at the Mary Charles Hospital in Molineux in the near future.

Additionally, the Government purchased a new MRI machine for the JNF General Hospital, making the service affordable and more accessible to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.

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Essequibo Coast toddler drowns

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

A toddler who was left at home with his siblings drowned in the Pomeroon River, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Monday.

Dead is Jeremiah Rodrigues, a 21-month-old toddler, of Lower Pomeroon River. According to Police, the incident occurred about 09:30h on Monday at Grant Kitty, Lower Pomeroon.

Inquiries revealed that around 08:30h, the boy’s mother, Dacia Torres left her home and went to work a short distance away, leaving her two-month-old baby, along with Jeremiah, at home.

About 09:30h, Dacia’s sister shouted out for her and told her that Jeremiah was “floating in the trench”.

Police said that the toddler’s motionless body was taken out of the water and transported to the Charity Hospital, where the child was pronounced dead on arrival.

Checks were made for marks of violence, but none were found. An investigation has been launched.

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Body found in Mazaruni River

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

The body of an unidentified man has been found floating in the Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Reports are that about 15:00h on Tuesday, a female called the Bartica Police Station and reported that she received information from a miner in the area, who is a claim holder at Barakat Mining Concession, that his workers saw what appeared to be the bloated body of a human floating in the Mazaruni River.

As a result, around 10:00h on Wednesday, a Police rank went to Barakat Backdam, Mazaruni River where he made checks and observed the motionless body of a male floating face-down in the Mazaruni River.

Police said that the body was pulled from the river and found to be in an advanced state of decomposition.

“Due to the state of decomposition, no mark of violence was seen. The body was clothed in a black short pants and a vest. The body was photographed and was later escorted to Bartica Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead,” Police said on Wednesday.

The body is currently awaiting transportation to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for storage and a post-mortem examination. An investigation has been launched.

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PME finds traces of alcohol in dead teen’s stomach

Black Immigrant Daily News

The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana
Keneitha Greaves

A post-mortem examination that was conducted on the body of 14-year-old Kenneitha Angela Graves of Lot 24 Kara Kara, Linden, who drowned after allegedly plunging into the Kara Kara Creek last Saturday, found traces of alcohol in her stomach.

The examination was conducted by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh.

Greaves had reportedly gone to the creek for a swim about 10:00h on October 15.Police have said that the teen had left home about 09:30h unbeknownst to her mother, and had gone to a house at Lower Kara Kara where she normally goes to play with children living there.

Devika, whose house the teen would normally visit, has said she was standing by a creek located at the back of her yard when she told the teen, “If you cannot swim, move from next to the creek.”

Devika said she left the teen standing there, and was about to go into her home when she heard someone shouting, “Help! Help!”.

As such, she rushed to the scene and saw the teen in the water, helpless and sinking. Devika said she began to shout for help, because she does not know how to swim either, and a short while after, the teen’s body sank under the water.

She said that persons in the area rushed to the creek and immediately started to search for the teen, but the strong current in the creek prevented them from locating her.Two days later, the teen’s lifeless body was pulled from the Kara Kara Creek.

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