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thursDAY, may 12, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com
Gafoors Houston Complex fire
No worker to be sent home – Gafoors - some to be paid 50 per cent while off job
The damaged Gafoors Houston Complex
F
ollowing the blaze at the Gafoors Houston Complex on Monday, the company on Wednesday commenced the relocation of workers to its other branches. The calamitous fire left over 530 employees with questions as to whether or not they would have to seek alternative employment but the company’s Executive Chairman Sattaur Gafoor after the meeting with the workers as well as the company’s Board members on Wednesday, came to a decision that the employees, who live within close proximity of the Parika, East Bank Essequibo; and Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara branches would be temporarily relocated to those locations. He related that repair works will soon commence at of the Houston Complex. However; it was noted that efforts to create temporary working facilities for some staff are already underway. He further announced that those workers who were directly affected by the blaze and those that would not be relocated will be given 50 per cent of their salaries during the period that they would be off the job. According to the Executive Chairman, those workers contact information have
been gathered and recorded, and they have been guaranteed half of their salaries. “Those persons who were affected by the fire, we are taking their names, telephone numbers and we are guaranteeing them a percentage of their salary not less than 50 per cent for the period of time that they are off,” Gafoors said on Wednesday. He also related that as soon as the company receives the word from the fire department that they can commence repairs on the destroyed sections, the work will begin to have the Complex ready for operations once again. “As soon as we get permission from the fire department that we can go and clean up, they will be coming back which should be in about a week’s time.” Meanwhile, workers have voiced their appreciation for the decision taken by management about their employment. One porter explained that he was unsure about whether or not he would be relieved of duty due to the immense losses that his employer incurred. “Man, the boss is a good man. He does only want good for the workers but in this situation we wasn’t too sure what woulda happen. I mean ah sure he wouldn’t ah want fire we but with the
amount of damage and the money that he lose, we didn’t too sure where we stand,” he stated. Another worker explained that he too is relieved with the news of the temporary transfer. “I glad man, it ain’t easy to find wuk these days so is a worries off ah me now that we know we still got a wuk,” he explained. A sales representative also related that she is quite thankful that Sattaur Gafoor has taken his employee’s wellbeing into consideration when making his decisions. “We knew he would ensure that we are not left to wonder what next to do. They assured me that I would be moved to another branch until they begin working here again so I am very happy,” she said. The popular Gafoors Shopping Complex located at Houston, Greater Georgetown, went up in flames on Monday afternoon as workers were leaving work for the day. Reports are that the fire started about 15:00h in Bond Number Three, which contained fishing equipment. Despite attempts by firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service to contain the blaze, the fire quickly engulfed the building.
New UG Chancellor installed
T
he University of Guyana (UG) is set to achieve a greater level of resonance following the installation of its ninth Chancellor, renowned educator, Dr Eon Nigel Harris. The George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT), of the Turkeyen Campus, was home to pomp and ceremony Wednesday evening when President David Granger, Ministers of the Government, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of other local, regional and international institutions gathered to witness the inauguration of Professor Harris, who colleagues said has a remarkable record of service as a researcher, administrator and an accomplished university leader. Harris has occupied the seat of Chancellor, replacing Dr Compton Bourne, whose two-year term ended back in 2011. He recently demitted office as Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), after serving for some 11 years. Principal and Pro Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Professor Clement Sankat said UG has inherited a “remarkable human being”, who has been instrumental in transforming the status quo at UWI, expanding the scope of tertiary education throughout the Caribbean. “It is his leadership which saw an unprecedented enrolment in the University of the West Indies, from 29,000 students to 50,000 students; serving all 17 countries of the University…he was the Vice Chancellor who established the fourth campus and the newest campus, so that the University could better serve the needs of the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean and to also engage in online and distance education.” Professor Harris was very earnest in his plea for support from all stakeholders and interested partners
Professor Nigel Harris receives his Mace of Authority following his installation on Wednesday
to work together to raise the standard of Guyana’s premier tertiary institution. He said while UG has been able to prosper over the last 50 years, it is important that Guyanese reflect on the developments and advancements around the world. He spoke of the astounding global events that have transformed the world, noting that Guyana and its university need to come up to standard He said that while Guyana should not shy away from celebrating its achievements, the most optimistic must see that progress has been insufficient and that considerable work needs to be done to change the prospects. According to Dr Harris, given the profound changes in the world, it is imperative that all understand the need to participate in the global revolution. And the University must be a critical participant in the change. And it must be done between two narratives of Guyana, one where the World Bank had recorded the country as having low
income, low life expectancy, with poor schooling and the other, from an infomercial published by Forbes Magazine, which spoke of the country’s magnificent natural resources. “It is for us to decide which Guyana we want – one that is the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere with relatively low life expectancy and average income compared to our neighbours, or one that celebrates and sustainably capitalises on our vast forests and biodiversities.” He said the change can only occur if university academics and administrators, Private Sector representatives and leaders of Government create a vibrant alliance to transform the institution. Dr Harris, while as Vice Chancellor of the University of UWI, held many other leadership posts. He served as Chairman of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and was elected Chairman of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.