NEWS
Unforeseen delays to Barataria pipeline works
“Unforeseen conditions” have stalled pipeline interconnection works near the Maritime Roundabout, Barataria affecting residents in seven areas. Work at the site were rescheduled to be completed by 6 pm on Wednesday and it will take another 24 hours for water supply to return to some areas. In a release on Wednesday, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) said the deadline had to be extended because of “the need for significant re-scoping of the job, based on unforeseen conditions encountered" while it was being done. Read more here
Attorney deems door blocking access to beach, unlawful
Attorney Larry Lalla is calling on citizens to continue posting videos of illegal structures that disrupt access to beaches, rivers and other natural attractions, after hiking group Trail Seekers TT uploaded a clip of a door constructed on the walkway at Damien Bay in Blanchisseuse. The video, shared earlier this month, has over 200,000 views. “What I don’t understand is that apparently up on top there and probably over there has private property but do you own the beach? Could you put a door on the walkway on the beach... the public beach?” the man in the video asked. Read more here
POLITICS
Trade barriers turn Georgetown Chamber against MOU with Trinidad and Tobago
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has taken issue with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Trinidad and Tobago Government and the Government of Guyana, citing non-tariff barriers as the reason for its disagreement. The chamber called for a removal of all non-tariff barriers before any MPU was signed. “The chamber wishes to express its disagreement with this action by the Government of Guyana,” it said in the release. “The chamber’s concern comes in light of the fact that there are still many non-tariff barriers (NTBs) implemented by TT against Guyana.” Read more here
SSA conducts 316,374 interceptions in 2021 for criminal probes
A total of 316,374 interceptions of speech and data were done in 2021 under the Interception of Communications Act to investigate various criminal issues in T&T. The information was given in the 2021 report concerning the use of the Interception of Communication Act. Of the total number of interceptions, 270,674 pertained to speech and 47,700 to data. The report was laid in the Senate on Tuesday, along with reports from 2018 to 2020. The total interceptions done in each of those years were: 798,884 (2018), 437,746 (2019) and 258,237 (2020). Read more here
BUSINESS
Former Petrotrin chairman Donald Baldeosingh on a mission to reduce carbon emissions
Did you know you can contribute to the fight against climate change by doing something as simple as planting a moringa tree? Throughout its lifetime, one moringa tree can remove at least 80 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year as moringa trees absorb more than 20 times the amount of carbon dioxide other trees absorb. Read more here
Central Bank museum reopens after two years
After two years the Central Bank’s museum has reopened with its Journey to Polymer Banknotes among the key features. The exhibition also highlights through tangible objects and artefacts, the transition from cotton notes to polymer notes over 2014 to 2021, and the design and security elements that distinguish the new polymer suite. Read more here
REGIONAL
Real estate giant, Century 21, launches Guyana operations
Real estate agencies and companies are at the frontline of the investment chain and conduits to business in Guyana, Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, said on Wednesday. He was at the time speaking at the official launch of Century 21 Guyana, where he emphasised that their interaction with investors can determine whether the business stays or leaves. Century 21 operates in more than 72 countries, making it one of the largest real estate companies in the world. Its Guyana office is located at 85A Lamaha Street, Kingston, Georgetown. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine invasion could cause global food crisis, UN warns
Russia's invasion of Ukraine could soon cause a global food crisis that may last for years, the UN has warned. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war had worsened food insecurity in poorer nations due to rising prices. Some countries could face long-term famines if Ukraine's exports are not restored to pre-war levels, he added. The conflict has cut-off supplies from Ukraine's ports, which once exported vast amounts of cooking oil as well as cereals such as maize and wheat. Read more here
19th May 2022