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ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

Friday February 18, 2022

LOCAL COMPANIES NOT INTIMIDATED

BY FOREIGN COMPETITION REDUCED PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES CONTRIBUTED TO DEADLY COVID-19 SURGE IN THE AMERICAS, PAHO DIRECTOR SAYS

GUYANA PURSUES A MIX OF FOSSIL FUEL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

COEN JACKSON IN COURT ON SEXUAL ACTIVITY CHARGE

Friday February18, 2022

Local companies not intimidated by foreign competition

A sences from the the International Energy Conference and Expo

With Guyana already on the map as a new major oil-producing nation, small and large foreign investors continue to flock to Guyana’s markets providing most companies in Guyana with more competition in a new business environment.

But the local companies are maintaining that they are not intimidated by new competition and are ready to compete.

This was echoed by the Guyanese businesses, who were contacted by the International Energy Conference and Expo.

Forty of 120 companies

are local and are showcasing their service and product.

With the coming of oil, Guyanese companies who have been operating with less competition now face more and more companies coming into the market.

“Competition is good for the consumer and GTT. We are not scared of the competition. We have set our plan. We have had a very good plan, a very good team; we have been working hard in ensuring that the customer service has improved from what it was. and the team has done a brilliant job on

that.

“We have improved on a lot of things that we do every day,” Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company(GTT) Damian Blackburn, said on the company’s readiness for what’s to come.

Mr. Blackburn said that this is evident through the laying of fiber networks that are present for the 21st Century.

“We were always on a journey to make sure that as many people in Guyana have access to fiber. Fiber is the 21st Century highway and

our job,l” M. Blackburn added.

Guyana first struck oil back in 2015 and since then, has been facing the uphill battle of even signing an agreement that might benefit both Guyana and the large foreign investment company such as ExxonMobil.

That agreement later raised questions.

Companies with more experience in the industry have invested in the Guyana local market for oil and gas and other services, leaving some local businesses on the back foot and having to catch up, while the

industry is rapidly developing.

Knowing the current reality, some have ventured into partnership, which saw foreign investors invest in local companies.

That has ensured the fair trading of knowledge in the oil and gas sector, while at the same time both continue to benefit.

This, according to Jonathan Fernandes, Business Development Officer of John Fernandes Limited, has been working and continues to do so.

“A strategy that has really worked for us is joint ventures. So, we

have partnered with people who share the same core value that will help us be better and teach us certain aspects of the industry that maybe we are not so au fait with” Skills in the oil and gas sector is needed and even as the Government has implemented the local content policy, skills are still needed for the industry.

Guyanese companies have jumped at the opportunity to become certified in training for the skills aspect of the sector.

Training companies have also noted that they are ready to train competent individuals for the industry.

“Definitely not. I’m not intimidated by any institution of the same kind because our institutions are accredited by a certified accreditation body. One of them is the Guyana Maritime Association.

The Jamaican Government, the Jamaican Maritime Association have also accredited (our entity).

Also, we are accredited

by Lord Registrar, and the American Welding association,” the Owner of Atlantic Alliance, Maritime and Offshore training institute, Mr. Ashiv Hamid, said. That makes it well on par with any international companies.

Reduced public health measures contributed to deadly COVID-19 surge in the Americas, PAHO Director says for the new Omicron variant to spread rapidly throughout the region and increase deaths, alerted PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne, with many places remaining “just as they were before.”

“Reduced public health measures were insufficient to reduce the PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne scale of this wave. And Complacency around indoor gatherings created now we’re dealing with mask-wearing, travel, and a perfect opportunity the consequence: a rise info@guyanapostonline.com

in infections is driving a surge in deaths,” she said at a media briefing yesterday.

While still very high, COVID-19 infections declined by 31% this week, and deaths continued to rise by 5.6%. “ U n d o u b t e d l y, Omicron overtook us,” the Director said. “Every time infections surge, there is a heavy toll for our families

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and communities,” with peaks in cases followed by peaks in deaths three weeks later.

“COVID-19 is a preventable disease. And right now, we’re losing far too many lives,” she added. “As Omicron arrived, we didn’t use all the tools we had developed to slow the spread and prevent infections.”

More than half of deaths

in the latest surge occurred in people over the age of 65 but many others occurred among those yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Unvaccinated people of all ages still fill up hospitals and ICU beds.

“Omicron has shown that the vaccines we have at hand can protect most of us from severe illness Con’t on pg 3

Friday February18, 2022

GUYANA PURSUES A MIX OF FOSSIL FUEL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

Dr. Mahender Sharma.

As Guyana continues to satisfy the power demand, a problem dating back decades, Guyana, according to the Guyana Energy Agency is projected to have some 70% of its energy coming from renewable energy. That is expected to solve the growing power need, according to the Chief Executive Officer,

Guyana Energy Agency, Dr. Mahender Sharma.

He was one of the invitees to the International Energy Conference.

“By 2030 based on our projection 30% of our energy will come from renewable energy and by 2040 that would be 70% with a combination of Hydro, Wind, and Solar.”

Guyana depends on

fossil and solar-powered generation.

However, with the growing demand for more energy, the country’s obligation to reduce greenhouse emissions will happen only “if we invest the technology”, according to the Mr. Sharma “But to do this we have to do a lot of things about modernization

if we want to ensure the grid performs the way we need to.

Some of the outages are driven by those issues and a significant amount of investment is needed to get to that point incorporating smart meters, smart technology; making the grid more responsive to the demand dynamics that are present” Mr. Sharma maintains that while doing so, Guyana will remain a country with a balanced energy sector that will not have the world and its emission problems.

“In terms of greenhouse gas emissions if we were to remain on our trajectory, business as usual the top line shows what our baseline emission will

look if we were only to use natural gas. The yellow line shows if we could incorporate renewable energy hydro, wind, and solar, you see an almost flat curve over the years to come.”

Guyana used $150 Million worth of electricity for 2021.

We are still dependent on fossil fuels and the dependency will increase as further development comes to the country.

That cost will triple in the next five years.

By this, if the country continues we will triple the number of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere and as such, the mix of energy must happen.

Guyana will focus on having a low greenhouse

gas emission with the use of natural gas as an example. This is expected to be done with the focus on the Gas Plant that is expected to have 250-300 Megawatt of power, the Hydropower Generation, which will place an 8.5 Gigawatts of Power also on the national grid through the Amelia Falls Project.

Solar farms will also add to the grid just like a one Megawatt Power to the national grid. The solar project and the projects on Government Buildings saved some US $23m and 6,023 tons of Co2, annually.

This along with other solar projects will, according to the GEA Head, will bring some 13 megawatts to the national grid.

COEN JACKSON IN COURT ON SEXUAL ACTIVITY CHARGE

Beharry and a 12-member jury on allegations that he engaged in sexual activity with an underage girl

of sexually activity with a child between February, March, April, and May of 2011. Jackson who is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Jerome Khan, has pleaded not guilty.

The case for the prosecution is being led

by State Counsel Nafeeza Baig in association with State Counsel Muntaz by abusing a position of Ali and State Counsel Latifah Elliot. trust.

In March 2018, Jackson, 42, was charged with four counts charges were instituted

to ensure that at least 20 million more people are fully vaccinated particularly high-risk groups.

“We won’t overcome this pandemic unless we protect these groups, and then go beyond to cover everyone who is eligible,” she said.

Dr. Etienne also highlighted that countries must be vigilant about implementing public health measures quickly.

They must adjust hospital systems to accommodate new surges while ensuring

health care workers have the tools they need to safely treat COVID-19 patients.

“We need to activate our responses more rapidly to keep pace with the current wave and stay ahead of future surges of this very fast, very serious virus,” she added.

With up to 202 people dying every hour due to this latest surge, “inaction is not an option,” the PAHO Director said.

Turning to the COVID-19 situation in the region, countries of

Former public school teacher Coen Jackson

Former public school teacher Coen Jackson is currently on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-

against Jackson.

Following a preliminary inquiry, a city magistrate in May 2018, committed him to stand trial for the offence after finding that a prima facie case was made out against him.

The accusations against Jackson were first brought to the fore by Cultural Policy Advisor within the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Mr. Ruel Johnson. But, Jackson retained legal representation and denied the allegations of

Reduced public health measures contributed ......

Con’ted from pg 2

and death,” Dr. Etienne said.

To ensure more equitable access, PAHO’s Revolving Fund has now delivered 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in coordination with COVAX. The PAHO Director thanked donors for contributing 30% of the 100-million dose milestone and urged countries “to focus on filling in critical gaps in vaccination coverage,”

info@guyanapostonline.com

the Americas reported 3.3 million new cases and more than 34,000 COVID-19 related deaths.

In North America, the United States recorded the highest number of deaths in the sub-region – 17,000.

Countries in Central America and in the Caribbean reported a surge in COVID-19 deaths, as well as an increase in hospitalizations, reaching 19% in some countries and territories of the Eastern Caribbean.

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sexual abuse of students under his instruction.

He has accused Johnson of taking such action, because he had been in communication with Johnson’s girlfriend, with whom he (Jackson) had also shared a relationship.

Since then Mr. Johnson has been sued for his allegation, that was made online and Mr. Jackson has won.

The Judge later awarded Jackson damages.

Friday February18, 2022

Health Minister says: Down Syndrome people should be vaccinated

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony is advocating that those who suffer from Down syndrome, to ensure that they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Down syndrome, sometimes called Down’s syndrome, is a condition in which a child is born with an extra copy of their 21st chromosome hence its other name, trisomy 21.

It causes physical and mental developmental delays and disabilities.

Many of these disabilities are lifelong, and they can also shorten life expectancy.

However, people with Down syndrome can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Speaking during the COVID-19 Update, Minister Anthony pointed out those who

suffer from a lot of underlying comorbidities that could lead to death, such should also be vaccinated.

“Persons with this particular disease would have a number of problems. They are more likely to have heart problems and problems with their digestive tract.

Some of them may have problems with leukemia.

“These patients

generally will have what we would call a number of comorbidities. If they are not vaccinated and they get COVID, they will have a more severe form.”

In Guyana, while the number of the patients that have this health complication is a few, the number of vaccinated persons among such remains just a few, and as such, the Minister

posited that the numbers could rise.

Vaccination rates in Guyana have been hampered for many reasons.

One, in particular, is the notion that the vaccines will increase the chances of patients dying.

Minister Anthony however insisted that this is not so since the vaccines are safe and will only have the side effects of a normal person who would have received the vaccines.

“As with any other person who comes to get vaccinated. If you get the vaccine some people might have pain at the site of vaccination, some might get a fever, some will have sore muscles.

So, these are general side effects people will get when they get vaccinated. It’s the same thing for Down’s patients” On the flip side of things, vaccines for children 12 years and older possess challenges

since those with the disability are born with it. However, the Health Ministry is currently looking at having them available soon, the Minister said.

However, those that are older than 12 years old can be vaccinated and are encouraged to be vaccinated.

Currently, in Guyana, some 429, 053, or 83.8% of the adult population have received their first dose of vaccine. A total of 323,662 or 63.1% have received the second dose.

Within the age range of 12-17, a total of 33,261 or 45.6% have been vaccinated with the first dose, while 23,873 or 32.7% of that age group have also been vaccinated with the second dose of a vaccine.

Since the pandemic started, over 1,200 persons have died with illnesses accelerated by COVID-19.

GUYSONS IN JOINT VENTURE AT ENMORE

Guysons Fabrication Company, employess

As part of a local content push, the Guyanese Company, Guysons Fabrication Company, and K&B, an American Company have announced a joint partnership that will see 500 jobs being created in the Enmore Community in the next five years.

This announcement came at the height of the Energy Conference currently ongoing at the Guyana Marriott.

Guyon is a Guyanese company that has been

in business for some 30 years while K&B is an American Company that has been in the business for some 50 years.

With over 70 years in the business, the two today announced a joint venture which will see Guysons owning some 51% of the company while the K&B Company owning 49% of the shares in the venture.

This agreement will see some 500 jobs created for mostly

Guyanese from the east coast corridor. They will be trained.

To the tune of $37M, the construction facility and offices are expected to be built in Enmore in the coming year.

President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, who spoke at the simple event said that the government applauds the initiative since it does not directly focus on the oil and gas sector but also to push and develop the industry of fabrication beyond what it is now.

‘This is not only about the oil and gas sector; we have made it very clear that Guyana must become the hub for fabricating machining services for this region.

The Region has a huge yachting industry, cruise ships come here all the time.

“We have to start getting into that market.

What oil and gas does it give us the accelerating momentum to get there.”

The President indicated that in time to

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come such initiative will be a norm since the focus will not be on the oil and gas sector alone but also to develop others as a means of having a diversified economy.

“This year, you will see investment in every single sector; agriculture, health, education, tourism, manufacturing, every single sector you will see announcement and work commencement.

And then to support this is the massive investment Government is making on the capital side to capitalize on the growth and to open up opportunities so that we can have the creation of more jobs.”

Senior Minister with the responsibility for finance in the office of the President, Ashni Singh said that a lot of work has to be done to

fix the economy and such initiative will be replicated as time goes by. “it’s a good example of what can be achieved.

Tue to the spirit of the local content framework we have established leveling local and domestic expertise and capital and also mobilizing international expertise and partnerships such as what is found in K&B. So, this partnership is what we would like to see multiply and replicated many times over.”

Minister Singh explained that Guyana is open to investment whether local or international.

The company has indicated that Exxon is already looking to hire the company, which is already also ISO certified.