23 minute read
Put safety first Region Police on DUI
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Culture change needed on health and safety – Edghill to local businesses
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton with CLBD officials and representatives of the 30 companies that completed the HSSE MS programme at Thursday’s awards ceremony held at Marriott Hotel
With Guyana embarking on a modern economy and many businesses expanding, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has emphasised the need for operators in different sectors to adopt a new culture of having health and safety as a core part of their operations.
He was at the time delivering the feature address at the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) award ceremony for 30 companies that completed a six-month Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Management System programme. These participants, mostly small operators, primarily service the oil and gas sector, which has high health and safety stipulations.
According to the Public Works Minister, Guyana is not where it used to be and the new order of the day calls for businesses to implement the necessary Occupational Health and Safety measures.
“The way we used to be, we got to do better and if we got to do better, it’s not only the Government [but] we got to get full participation… Big businesses have to come into compliance. You that are now growing your own business and developing, start on the right foot. Develop a new culture [of implementing health and safety measures]. So, the way to bring about this kind of transformation and modernisation is to get a culture change,” he contended.
Edghill pointed out that traditionally, Guyanese businesses failed to implement the necessary health and safety requirements due to the costs attached and the impact it would have on their profits. However, the Public Works Minister argued that as responsible and serious business owners, they need to lift their standards in order to compete with and in the modern economy that the country is heading towards.
“Lifting standards means that things can’t be normal… We’re engaging with international partners and some of them come with very, very high standards… If we’re going to lift the standards and be able to engage at levels with international partners, we can’t forever be playing catch and look like the left behind child. We got to improve our standards locally and we must not be forced to improve standards because we gotta partner with some international firm,” he contended.
To this end, Minister Edghill commended the Centre of Local Business Development for preparing local businesses to operate in a modern Guyana.
Meanwhile, similar sentiments on the need for a culture change by Guyanese operators was expressed by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton during his remarks at Thursday’s award ceremony.
He highlighted that risk-taking in workplaces is unnecessary, and therefore no one – management nor employees – should accept or condone such the lack of appropriate health and safety measures in workplaces, both in the public and private sectors.
“I have a deep concern about workplace accidents… I hold the view that when a worker leaves home to go to work, there’s an expectation of their family that he/ she will return them safely at the end of the workday or work period, and every effort should be made by both workers and employers to ensure that this happens,” he posited.
According to Hamilton, while there had been a decline in the number of workplace fatalities over the past two years, his Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department continues to work assiduously to improve working conditions and environment, with emphasis on preventative rather than curative measures.
On this note, the Labour Minister urged that companies set up Safety and Health Committees comprising of both management and employees in order to ensure that these bodies are kept functional. Hamilton stressed that taking precautionary steps is good for business, cautioning too that failure to do so can cost businesses.
“A safe and healthy workplace does not only protect workers from injury and illness, but it can also lower injury/illness costs, reduce absenteeism and turnover, increase productivity and quality, and raise employee morale… In today’s world, it is simply unacceptable for corporate executives to ignore safety and health. It is even dangerous for executives to take the chances that they might have taken over the years. The managers, employers face risks and the possibilities of civil and even criminal liability,” he warned.
The Centre for Local Business Development’s HSSE Management System programme, which was developed in collaboration with ExxonMobil and other key industry players, is aimed at empowering companies to implement a safety culture in the workplace.
This is the Centre’s second award ceremony and has seen an increase in participants over the figure from the previous year.
According to CLBD’s Director, Dr Natasha Gaskin-Peters, even more companies are expected to complete the programme next year.
“Not only do we have seven women-owned companies graduating this year, but we have over 15 companies that have women as their HSSE leads in those companies. Overall, the Centre would have trained over 400 companies across its HSSE training programmes. But more importantly, we have over 200 within the HSSE mentorship programme that are actively and diligently working towards completing the programme. So, the next year we expect to have quite a larger batch of companies completing the HSSE MS programme,” she stated.
Among the 30 awardees are companies engaged in 25 different sectors ranging from offices, shipping and logistics, industrial fabrication and catering. This diversification, Dr Gaskin-Peters explained, underscores the important role the HSSE programme plays in Guyana’s growing economy.
The Director went on to say that health and safety is an important part of the work that the Centre does, pointing out that it enables local companies to have documented systems in place to operate their businesses, as well as the necessary documentations needed to participate in procurement processes for contracts with prime industry players.
On this note, GaskinPeters urged the graduated companies to ensure they upkeep these health and safety measures.
“I task you with continuing to update and upgrade these system as well as continuing to implement these systems. Let it translate to every business venture that you will undertake. The Centre will continue to follow your progress… We will be checking in on you at our six-month interval as well as annual training. [You] will not be left alone. We will continue to support you throughout this journey,” she asserted. (G8)
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill addressing the gathering at the CLBD awards ceremony
Views
Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com Enforcing Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill
In August, the much need legislation to deal with the sale of alcohol to minors and designated drivers was passed in the National Assembly.
The Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2022 is long overdue, and more importantly, the consequences of the sale of alcohol to minors is long overdue.
As it stands, the law now requires liquor stores to verify the age of patrons prior to entry into the establishment, and, importantly, stipulates harsher penalties for holder/ holders of a liquor licence who employs/employ a minor to supply, sell, or assist in the sale of alcohol. This carries a fine ranging from $500,000 to $1million.
However, more importantly, sale of alcohol to a designated driver would also be prohibited. Over the years, the issue of alcohol and the massive damaging effects it is having on individuals and communities has again been brought to the fore. There have been a number of deadly accidents countrywide, most of which were as a result of alcohol consumption. Persons, all of whom could have been working and assisting their families, and perhaps helping in the development of their communities and country as a whole, are now dead. This is in addition to the dozens of other persons who had lost their lives earlier in the year because of some form of recklessness committed by drivers, or, in some cases, carelessness by pedestrians themselves.
We are indeed convinced that the efforts being made by law enforcement and other authorities to reduce the alarming rate of road accidents are not achieving the desired results. This year will go down as yet another year when Guyana experienced some of its most horrific road accidents, resulting in losses of lives and injuries to countless others. We are very concerned about the number of persons losing their lives on our roadways. Too many families have been broken as a result of losing loved ones due to road accidents, most of which could have been avoided.
The reasons for the high rates of road accidents are well known, and there is no need to rehash them here, except to say that while there are various factors which impact on road safety, there is little doubt that the single most important one, in a general sense, is enforcement of the traffic laws. The Government has enacted the relevant legislation in relation to driving under the influence, loud music in vehicles, overloading, speeding, etc; but if the laws are not adequately implemented, they become useless. It would be interesting to find out how many of the drivers who are stopped for breaking a traffic law/s are actually charged and brought before the courts. It should also be mentioned here that, in some cases, Police officers themselves are engaged in breaking the traffic rules; for example, by speeding or driving under the influence, and hence are the source of some of the accidents we currently experience.
While it is not our intention to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as the endemic corruption in the organisation — and the traffic section in particular — is addressed in a systematic way, we will not achieve the desired results.
We had also made the point before that Guyanese need to move away from the culture of disregard and irresponsibility in relation to using the roadways. For a small country such as ours, we cannot afford to continue along this path. We support the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2022, which seeks to bring the full force of the law upon those who are reckless in the use and sale of alcohol.
President Dr Irfaan Ali attended the 3rd special Caricom Heads of Government meeting at State House on Friday afternoon. Chaired by Surinamese President Chan Santokhi, the meeting focused on Haiti and the steps that are still needed to be taken to restore peace
in Haiti. Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd also attended the virtual meeting (OP photos)
Three tools to teach teens gratitude
By Dr AshA PemBerton
Although most of us understand the concept of gratitude, it turns out that many young people exist day to day without taking the time to acknowledge the things in their lives that they are thankful for. Teens, like adults, often do not notice good things until they slow down and focus. Once they do, they feel more grateful, optimistic, and better about life overall. Gratitude is linked to decreasing stress, boosting resilience, and developing a sense of mattering to the world. Although we are inundated with negative images and bad news, it is possible to focus on the opportunities around us and express thanks. There are specific tools that increase the recognition of gratitude in teens and young adults.
Journal writing
Writing in a journal is a very helpful practice for boosting gratitude levels. When adolescents take the time to write down the positive aspects of their lives, there is a gradual and consistent improvement in mood. While it is not essential to write every single day, it is important to be specific. Through the act of translating thoughts to written word, young people become more aware, reflect more, and these shift their overall perspectives into positivity.
Letter writing
Similar to journal writing is the act of writing specific “thank you” letters. Letter writing is considered by some to be a dying art, which should be revived. Young people should always be encouraged to tangibly express thanks to their families, friends, teachers, or indeed anyone who has performed an act of kindness towards them. Saying “thank you” is absolutely the first step, but by creating a physical form of thanks, young people are forced to recall how much others have cared for them over time. Generally speaking, life seems less hard and lonely when kind acts are recognised.
Mirror work
Several modern life coaches promote the concept of daily positive selftalk in a mirror as an additional gratitude-building tool. While there are many approaches, the underlying principle simply involves looking at oneself with an attitude of admiration and thanks, to reaffirm gratitude for the moment, the new day, life and opportunity. For some young people, mirror work feels completely intuitive, while for others it may seem strange. Nevertheless, a critical part of positive self-esteem development is taking time to accept oneself, be grateful for opportunities, and approach life with an aura of wonder and hope.
These three tools have similarities and differences which would appeal to different young people in different contexts. That said, parents should actively encourage tweens and teens to demonstrate acts of gratitude. Adults themselves should take the time to express their thanks for the wonderful things that their young people bring to their lives. In time and overall, a general awareness and practices of gratitude then become a part of the fabric of life. (T&T Newsday)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022
5 News
Father of 1 stabbed to death during argument
Afather of one lost his life on Friday morning after he was beaten and his throat slashed by another man during a heated argument.
Dead is 32-year-old Mark Delon Frank of Yarrow Dam, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The stabbing occurred around 07:00h at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
According to a family member of Frank, he had left his home early in the morning to go to a small bar at Riverview, Ruimveldt, where he usually goes to imbibe alcohol. While there, he got into an argument with a young man, and as he was about the ride off from the scene on his bicycle, the suspect allegedly ran behind him, hit him on his head, and slashed his throat.
This caused Frank to fall to the ground, where he bled out and subsequently died at the scene. The suspect then made good his escape but was arrested hours later by Police.
“We were told that they found him [the suspect] at his place of residence hiding under the house and was washing off the knife. Mark didn’t even get to ride off when he kill him. His hands were on the handle when they found the body.”
“Mark was a good person. He was that one person who is always ready to defend his family. He was a happy soul, very jovial, and always helpful towards his family and friends. This boy [the suspect] is a troublemaker.”
“This is not the first time the suspect was involved in a murder. I would like to get justice because he didn’t deserve to die like that even if they were in an argument, he hit him in the head, how you gonna still go and cut he throat,” the relative said.
Dead: Mark Delon Frank
(G9)
Put safety first – Region 3 Police on DUI
With Driving under the Influence (DUI) cases posing a challenge for Regional Division Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the ranks in the region are calling for persons to put safety first when behind the wheel and to never drive impaired.
Region Three Traffic Officer Wendell Harry in an episode of “Police and You”, said the ranks in the region are currently targeting rum shops to help minimise drinking and driving. He said they also had discussions with bar owners with the aim of curbing this issue.
“We talked to them about if persons look intoxicated to refuse to sell the alcohol and ask them to leave and to make sure they have a designated driver, whenever they observe they are drunk,” he said.
Driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit attracts a charge for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI) which carries a fine. Persons can be charged if, when tested, their blood alcohol content is found to exceed the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
This seems to be a reoccurring issue in the region, since last year they recorded the highest number of DUI cases compared to the other regions. While the Traffic Officer did not release the number of cases the region recorded this year, in 2021, 501 persons were arrested in the district for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Only two days ago, Nicholas Balkishun, a 28-year-old tailor of Lot 108 Best Road, West Bank Demerara, was arrested and charged with assaulting a Police
Region Three Traffic Officer Wendell Harry
officer, while he was driving under the influence.
He pleaded guilty to three charges stemming from his assault on the Policeman, which was captured on video.
Arraigned before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty at the Wales Magistrate’s Court, Balkishun pleaded guilty to behaving disorderly, assaulting a peace officer, and driving under the influence (DUI). He has been fined a total of $27,500, broken down as follows: $10,000 for the disorderly behaviour charge; $10,000 for assaulting the Police officer, and $7500 for the DUI charge. (G9)
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Guyanese must think seriously about violence against women, girls
Dear Editor,
The theme for this year’s observance of 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence, which begin on 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day, is: “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
It comes on the heels of Guyana experiencing the highest number of reported femicides in a calendar year – 31 - according to our records. This raises very serious questions: are we actually working to prevent violence and deaths, or are we just comfortable with reporting on their occurrence? Have we become desensitised to the crisis?
The official UN commemoration of the 16 days states that gender-based violence against women and girls is not only preventable, but must urgently be prevented. It also encourages the mobilisation of more people to support efforts in ending violence against women and girls. Noting this, we are reminded that engaging men and boys – the main perpetrators of violence against women and girls - is a key factor in prevention.
Our public education outreaches with essential services’ workers have revealed that many people - both males and females - tasked with helping others are suffering in silence. One Police officer said, “we got to help the public, but we have domestic problems too, and nothing is in place to help us.”
Among teenagers, we observe a growing reliance on drugs and alcohol use as a coping mechanism, and the choice of suicide as the only option for some of those affected by violence.
We cannot ignore the tragedies that are happening among us. Prevention requires that no one is left out, ignored, or made to feel excluded from the conversation. Our hope, as we observe the 16 Days of Activism, is that all Guyanese think seriously about the perpetration and perpetuation of violence against women and girls, and be determined to make sustained efforts to not use violence and abuse themselves, and be involved in efforts to prevent this scourge in our society.
To persons suffering in silence, please be informed that confidential psychosocial help is available at Help & Shelter. Do reach out to us through our Hotline numbers: 613-1811/633-3788. Our office numbers are 2273454/ 225-4731/227-8353. You can also reach us via our Facebook page a@ handsgy.
In closing, we acknowledge the contributions of the Government of Guyana, funding agencies, public and private sector organizations, civil society organizations, other NGOs, and brother and sister Guyanese in 2022, and look forward to continued support as we do our part in working to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
Yours faithfully, Kevin Massiah Niveta Shivjatan Josephine Whitehead Selina Lepps Denise Dias Shondelle Branche Pamela Nauth Carole Inis-Baptiste Linda Hustler Gray Karen Shaw Colin Marks Petal Baboolall Help & Shelter Board and Staff
Saturday, November 26, 2022
06:00 (Sign on) Inspirational Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Stop Suffering 09:00 Movie - Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! (2022) 10:30 Indian Movie - Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1 (2021) 13:30 Movie - Dennis the Menace (1993) 15:00 Movie - Hugo (2011) 17:00 Payless Power Hour 18:00 Evangelistic Hour 18:30 Hepzibah 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Islam for Guyana 20:30 Movie - Problem Child 3: Junior in Love (1995) 22:00 Movie - Don't Worry Darling (2022) 00:00 Sign off
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Govt reverts constituency boundaries changed under APNU/AFC
…will now allow for better representation – Minister
Fourteen areas in which boundaries were modified by the former APNU/AFC Government will be reverted leading up to the March 2023 Local Government Elections to allow for better representation.
Local Government Elections will be held on March 13, 2023. Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall announced at a press conference on Friday that changes were made after consultations with communities and residents in the interest of democracy building.
While the decision was made to revert boundaries to before they was changed in the year 2016, other communities which were previously not captured will be placed under townships and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. In some areas, NDCs will also be merged or split.
“There are 14 areas that were affected in 2018 and we have decided that for better representation, that those areas go back to the 2016 constituency boundaries…We are aware that local democracy is essential to the overall development of communities, our people and our country,” he commented.
In Region One, there will be an extension of the boundaries of Mabaruma township to capture Wauna, putting them under an institutionalised administration. Previously in 2018 local polls, they were left out of the township as the Minister now assured of zero discrimination.
In Region Two, where the constituency boundaries collapsed or merged, he said this decision of the previous Administration will be reversed. In the Pomeroon River, due to difficulties in service delivery, there will be a merger to form one NDC of Kitty-Providence and Moruca-Felix.
In Region Three, reverted boundaries will also follow for some NDCs to allow for better representation. Meanwhile the ToevlugtPatentia constituency will be extended to Free and Easy, capturing hundreds of residents.
In Region Four, reverting the boundaries will also be done for some areas where there was a consolidation of NDCs. In Region Five, Woodlands Farm had been expanded to include De Hoop access road residents who were left out of an administrative area.
“Beyond Number 10 Mahaica, Little Biaboo, Big Biaboo, those areas where people actually live, they will not be part of the NDC areas,” he added.
Over in Region Six, the largest NDC area of Number 52 – Number 74 will be split into two local bodies.
Other areas such as Mahdia, Lethem, Linden and Georgetown will remain the same. No boundaries have been contracted nor have the number of constituencies reduced, he added.
The complement of councillors will also increase in the 80 Local Authority Areas. In 2018, this number was 1192 councillors in 596 constituencies. For the 2023 polls, there will be 1220 councillors in 610 constituencies.
The Minister shared that there has been challenges in local democratic organs but Government is confident that this will be improved post-elections. He reminded that when the changes were made in 2016, the then Ministry of Communities failed to hold consultations with residents across the respective areas. (G12)
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall
Attempted murder accused on $750,000 bail
Aman accused of attempted murder was granted $750,000 bail on Wednesday by Magistrate Esther Sam. David Forde, 25, a market vendor of Lot 553 C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown; and New Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on November 20, at Suddie Market on the Essequibo Coast, Forde unlawfully and maliciously wounded Roy Thorne, with the intent to murder him.
The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge.
According to reports, Forde and Thorne called “Short Boss”, 30, a singer of Lot 38 Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), were involved in a heated argument on the day in question.
It is alleged that Forde whipped out a knife and stabbed Thorne in his abdomen. The injured man was reportedly taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he remains a patient.
As per the condition of bail, Forde is required to report to the Charity Police Station every Monday and Wednesday until the hearing and determination of a Preliminary Inquiry/trial.
Attempted murder accused David Forde
(G1)
Former APNU/AFC Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan
