A major project to install smart meters and rehabilitate the medium and low voltage distribution forIDB’s Country Representative, Sophie Makonnenthe Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is facing hurdles.Seven months after the tenders were opened, it is still being “evaluated”, with a number of bidders expressing worry over the transparency of the procurement process.The evaluation period would seem like an extraordinary long time for a project with the average being about three months before it is green-lighted.Last week, following a number of scathing letters to the editors in Kaieteur News querying the delay, this newspaper contacted Sophie Makkonen,http://www.airmaxfantasy.us.com/Asics/, Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a comment but up to press time, there was no reply.A request for an update was also sent to the Ministry of Finance but a spokesperson on Friday directed this newspaper to the IDB.Chairman of GPL, Robert Badal, did not immediately reply to a message sent to his mobile.The project is part of a US$65M initiative known as the Power Utility Upgrade Programme (PUUP). The monies are coming from IDB which is contributing over US$37M in loans and financing from the European Union for US$27M – mainly grants.The implementation of all the projects is being overlooked by the IDB.The amounts were reportedly approved since 2014,Tony Gonzalez Falcons Jersey, under the Donald Ramotar administration. PUUP was in the making for a number of years and is designed to reduce GPL’sGPL’s Chairman, Robert Badalinefficiency and increase training for staffers.Already, the first phase of the project has been implemented – the building of seven sub-stations and new high voltage lines along the coastlands, from Crabwood Creek,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, Corentyne,Wholesale China Jerseys, Berbice to West Coast Demerara.It included, also, the laying of submarine fibre optic cable lines in the Demerara and Berbice rivers to create an interconnected system.This second phase,Cheap MLB Jerseys China, which is now being “evaluated”, includes the installation of over 25,000 smart meters that would have the capabilities of alerting GPL to electricity theft and information of power usage to customers.The project also involves the running of low and medium voltage lines along the coastlands.Last month, as part of that IDB/EU project, Cabinet approved a contract for the provision of consultancy services for the implementation of a Management Strengthening programme at GPL. The contract was awarded to Manitoba Hydro International Limited, a Canadian company.GPL is facing major problems with outages on the coastlands with technical and commercial losses at a massive 29-plus percent.GPL wants to reduce its losses to 23.8 percent in the near term.

The region needs better collaboration between integrity commissions and anti-corruption agencies toCommonwealth Deputy Secretary-General,Brian Campbell Jersey, Deodat Maharajeradicate corruption in the Caribbean, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj has said.Maharaj was speaking at the start of the Second Commonwealth Regional Meeting for Heads of Integrity Commissions and Anti-corruption Bodies in the Commonwealth Caribbean. The forum for?regional integrity commissions,Cristopher Toselli Chile Jersey, anti-corruption agencies, global experts and other stakeholders began yesterday in Trinidad and Tobago. It will run until March 4,NFL Jerseys China, a statement from Commonwealth said.According to the World Economic Forum,NHL Ice Hockey Jerseys, corruption is estimated to cost more than five per cent of global GDP, or a staggering US$2.6 trillion, with more than US$1 trillion paid in bribes every year.”Caribbean countries are already facing economic challenges such as unsustainable levels of debt and vulnerabilities due to climate change. They simply cannot afford to fall victims to corruption,Cheap Jerseys Paypal,” said Mr Maharaj.He added: “When those in positions of power abuse public or private office for personal gain, it robs our citizens of important resources, such as access to healthcare, a good education and the infrastructure required for successful entrepreneurship.“We are calling on Governments to demonstrate that they are ready to make a stand and stamp out this injustice. Our aim over the next three days is to work with integrity commissions and anti-corruption agencies to agree on viable and effective solutions.”The meeting was organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Integrity Commission and the Association of Integrity Commissions and Anti-corruption Bodies in the Commonwealth Caribbean. The body was set up at the 2015 Commonwealth meeting on anti-corruption in Grenada to create networks to improve governance and reduce corruption in the region.Commonwealth Secretariat anti-corruption expert, Roger Koranteng, said “rooting out” systemic corruption at both the national and international levels, one of the mandates of the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, remains a priority for the Commonwealth Secretariat.“Over the next few days we will be working with our regional partners to agree on sound and tailored strategies and a range of services to fight corruption. We will be exploring options such as annual peer reviews to encourage transparency and share best practice.”

NEW AMSTERDAM, BERBICE – Groups of? people, many of them considered less fortunate,Wholesale Authentic China Jerseys, flocked the New Amsterdam Jama Masjid to be served a meal and be offered beef as Muslims across the world commemorated Eid-Ul-Adha yesterday.Imaam of the New Amsterdam Jama Masjid, Mohamed Haniff, explained that the day is used to commemorate the intended sacrifice by Ibrahim of his son Ishmael. This incident took place 4,000 years ago in Arabia.From Left: Imaam Haniff,Cheap MLB Jerseys China, Community Relation Officer, Office of the President, Faizal Jaffarally, Mohamed Rafeek and Habib Hussain The story goes that God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Both Ibrahim and his wife Hagar consented and so did their son, Ishmael. God did not allow them to go through with the physical sacrifice; he stopped them after seeing their willingness and preparedness to serve Him.This lesson was aimed at teaching mankind obedience and submission to God in preference to self, family, job and the like.In order to keep this memorial alive, God ordained his people to do the animal sacrifice on this particular day. The belief is also shared by Christians and Jews but it is the Muslims who actually practise it.Imaam Haniff said that 36 bulls were slaughtered at their location, yesterday. The meat was distributed – one third to the poor,Wholesale Jerseys, one third to neighbours, friends and family and the remainder kept to themself.Prominent member of the Muslim community and Community Relation Officer,Nike NFL Jerseys China, Office of the President, Faizal Jaffarally, said that yesterday was a very significant occasion in the lives of the Muslims as they reflected on the important sacrifice.He noted that it should not only be seen as the slaughter of animals but as a way to enhance the development of mankind and the country as a whole. This can only be achieved by fostering unity among the populace.He called on citizens to remember the less fortunate and to work towards improving their lot. Mr. Jaffarally said that Islam,NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale, like any other denomination, teaches love for the Creator and fellow mankind. (Melissa Johnson)