China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), the foreign contractor for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project, has been asked to submit a plethora of documentation to the Ministry of Social Protection.This follows the discovery that one of its employees recently killed in a work related accident was in fact working in Guyana without a work permit.This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, Simona Broomes, who yesterday told Kaieteur News that to date she has been unable to see a single work permit for any of the employees on the project.This, according to Minister Broomes, is an untenable situation,Cheap NFL Jerseys, since all foreign nationals working in Guyana are required to have work permits in their possession.Work permits for the Chinese labourers on the CJIA expansion project would have been handled by the then Ministry of Home Affairs. Broomes told this publication that the Ministry is still in the process of conducting its investigation but it is certainly not standard practice to have so many workers operating in Guyana without work permits.According to Broomes, during the course of the investigation,NFL Cheap Jerseys China, the Ministry also found the employees to be working under vague contracts with their employers, contracts that have been written in Chinese and which the Ministry is seeking to get translated.She said the Ministry has since requested detailed information from CHEC regarding its employees.The situation with the work permits,Cheap Jerseys USA, “is very alarming,Cheap Jerseys,” according to Minister Broomes.The Minister is also on record bemoaning the fact that there seemed to have been no measures in place on the part of CHEC, to safeguard employees when it comes to occupation health and safety.The absence of work permits for the Chinese employees came to the fore a week ago when one of the employees was killed when a humus pit collapsed trapping two Chinese nationals – Engineers Zhang Yixun and Liu Li of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).Rescue efforts were immediately activated but Li died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, had also requested that an investigation be launched into the incident.CHEC is responsible for the health and safety of its employees on the work site.

“The vision is that we will provide blood to our sisters and brothers every time they need whole blood or blood products and that we will provide blood or its products where ever they need it in this system of 100 percent voluntary donation.I am convinced that it is not an impossible target. I am convinced that we can reach the goal of 100 percent voluntary blood donation by 2010 in Guyana.”This was the charge delivered by Minister of Health,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to stakeholders, of the National Blood Transfusion Service as their Mid Term Review got underway yesterday morning at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street.According to the Minister, “We have proven that we can modify the behaviour pattern of our population when it comes to donating blood.”The review is being held against the backdrop of the national blood strategy and the PEPFAR Project: Strengthening Blood Transfusion Service in Guyana, particularly, its goals, implementation and results.The review is being conducted by a team including Dr. Neelam Dhingra – WHO Coordinator,Wholesale China Jerseys, Blood Transfusion Safety; Dr. Christie Reid – Epidemiologist CDC; and Dr. Jose Cruz – Regional Advisor, Blood Safety, PAHO/WHO.Minister Ramsammy urged the stakeholders that “The Blood Transfusion service must be constant in our review of what makes blood safe…for the group that is responsible for safe blood in our country; it must be an everyday review. We have the capacity to provide the highest quality service and that we must do.”However, he noted that this vision will not be attained at the cost of safety and quality. “Hence every donation must be subjected to the most rigid screening methodologies,” he said.At present the NBTS screens blood for Hepatitis B & C, HIV, malaria, syphilis and HTLV 1&2. (HTLV or Human T-lymphotropic virus is a human, single-stranded RNA retrovirus that causes T-cell leukemia and T-cell lymphoma in adults)He pointed out that in spite of difficult times the local service has made significant headway, notable among them being the achievement of about 70 percent voluntary blood donation. This, he said, has replaced a significant portion of family replacement donors, but not sufficient.Hence, he used the opportunity to urge the National Blood Transfusion Service to work even harder to achieve the ultimate goal.The Minister also expressed gratitude to all the collaborators, donors,Cheap Jerseys For Sale, technical and financial partners and staff who have contributed to the success of the local blood transfusion programme.Meanwhile, Country Representative for PAHO/WHO, Dr. Kathleen Israel also noted the challenges and successes of the local programme, noting that it is because of these that the review is being held.“I think it is always a good idea to pause and take stock of any initiative or project in a sufficiently objective manner that will not only allow the responsible parties to be encouraged by any achievements but more importantly, to see whether the project is still on tract to achieve the objectives identified in the beginning.Further,Cheap Jerseys From China, it will provide an opportunity to analyze factors which may have served to constrain a more positive outcome and to discuss with partners what could be done to transform such constraints into opportunities for future direction and action,” she said.She noted that the challenges to achieving 100 percent voluntary blood donation will continue,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, but, “we are convinced that Guyanese in general are seized of the life-saving value of access to safe blood when required.Further, we believe that most Guyanese, if sufficiently sensitized and given the opportunity, will want to be a part of something as noble as contributing to saving lives through the gift of blood.Consequently, we believe that any challenges that may exist could be overcome, especially with the support of all the stakeholders present here today as well as those entities which are as yet untapped.”The review concludes tomorrow and will feature presentations by the NBTS, the visiting team,NFL Jerseys Outlet, the Minister of Health and representatives from the private sector, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PAHO/WHO, regional hospitals and the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is currently in the process of sourcing equipment and protective gear which will allow the agency to test vehicles and parts imported into the country from Japan for radiation contamination.Addressing the issue,Cheap Jerseys, Commissioner-General Khurshid Sattaur asserted that, “concerns about possible radiation contamination of imports from Japan is understandable,Adidas Mike Fisher Jersey, in light of the earthquake Japan experienced earlier in the year”. He recounted that the March 11 earthquake led to the near-meltdown of some of that country’s nuclear reactors.The process of acquiring the necessary equipment has been somewhat protracted, and Sattaur provided an explanation.“This is due to the exorbitant cost of the equipment and the fact that the GRA is taking measures to ensure that the agency adheres to all legal and related regulations which govern such transactions.”He added: “Notwithstanding, it is reassuring to note that Japanese automakers have begun checking the level of radiation on cars exported from that country,Wholesale Jerseys From China, in a bid to ease fears by foreign customers.Radiation checks are being conducted inside of cars and on tyres before shipment. Though the risk of contaminated cars entering Guyana is modicum,Authentic NFL Jerseys Wholesale China, persons who import motor vehicles and other commodities from Japan should make certain that they receive certificates guaranteeing the safety of their imports. The majority of motor vehicles being imported into Guyana are sourced from Japan. The GRA will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that goods imported into Guyana do not jeopardise the safety and well-being of citizens.”In May,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, customs officers in Chile detected low levels of radiation on vehicles in a shipment from Japan.

By Leonard GildarieNext weekend, for the fourth year in a row, the Housing Ministry is set to host its popular International Building Expo at the National Stadium, Providence.Like previous columns, I am encouraging both prospective home owners and current ones to take the opportunity and make the trek down to that East Bank Demerara location, spending at least two hours if you can. In addition to deals, it may save you some money, and lots of it at that…if you are like me and don’t have much to go around.Construction underway for the fourth edition of the Int’l Building Exposition at the National Stadium, Providence.Already, according to the Housing Ministry, the response by suppliers, private developers, financial institutions and other service providers,NFL Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, including furniture makers, has been overwhelming,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, with no additional space left for booths.Of course there will be lots of food and drinks available; however, the booths would ultimately be the main attraction, with persons getting a firsthand chance to learn from the experts about some of the best practices. Make use of the now-annual opportunity.The Ministry is planning to conduct interviews for persons applying for the ‘turn-key’ homes and complete the pre-qualification process. It may be a wise idea to walk with your ID card.The expo is a chance to interact in a relaxed atmosphere with the Housing Ministry officials.A lingering theme in the articles on housing and home ownership has always been central with the need to be educated. There are several options when it comes to building, whether you are inclined to use concrete, wood, PVC ceiling or a tiled roof. What to use is important, as it will impact how the home looks when completed; how durable it is and what you would have ended up spending.You may want to know what are the best brands of cement to use and the proportion of water and sand that will have to be in the mixture to ensure you have the best foundation.As in other years, the experts will be there with live demonstration and, I think, video presentations.Companies likes Courts, the cable TV folks and the phone entities will also all be there. So too will the hardware stores and the block makers. There will undoubtedly be lots of deals.I am being told that one businessman who participated in the first exhibition four years ago,NFL Jerseys China, showcasing his moldings, has become a millionaire now, after his eye-catching works attracted customers in droves.While I am past the stage of building, my home is facing a few of those pesky problems – ants and a fading roof colour among them. I also want to build a garage, but it will have to be cheap. Hopefully,Cheap MLB Jerseys, someone at the expo can tell me something, or maybe I can get a good deal.Last week, we spoke about the process of applying at the financial institutions for a mortgage.I received several calls and a number of emails from overseas, wondering whether the banks would issue a mortgage if you are not in Guyana.I would be cautious here, as there was no firm commitment from the lenders when I called earlier this week.It is not unheard of that a mortgage is issued while you are living overseas. However, the institutions will want to know who they are dealing with. They will also want to verify your income to ensure that you have the means to repay. They will require that you visit them. Maybe, you can subsequently appoint a close relative or friend as a power-of-attorney. The bottom-line is that you need to visit either NBS or the commercial banks.I also received a number of questions whether there are government programmes to buy property if one is still living overseas.There are currently no programmes that I am aware of. If you are interested in returning home, under the Remigrant Housing Programme, there are possibilities of house lots. We will examine this in a later column. Your alternative to this is approaching one of the several private developers who have been allocated lands. However, ensure you know that infrastructure you are getting with it.Now, this week also we will want to examine the process of getting building permission at your local NDC.After allocation of the house lot,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, it is advised that you purchase a building application form from the NDC. This will not cost more than $500. You will, of course, have to be very clear in your mind what you want, and this in most cases will depend on your budget and family needs.The number of rooms, the location of the bathroom and layout of the kitchen and living space, are all important factors. Plan carefully and for the long term, as any additions/extensio