Month: January 2011

53,000 Haitians apply for Temporary Protected Status in U.S.

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A top United States immigration official says that a year after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Obama administration has received more than 53,000 applications from Haitians seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S., disclosing that it has approved the vast majority. Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Alejandro Mayorkas, said the agency’s response to the disaster showed that it could handle a much larger immigrant legalization programme, like the proposal known as the Dream Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for hundreds of thousands…

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Chutney is my culture and pride – Rajesh Dubraj

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With less than one month before the finals of the one-off Chutney Competition is staged at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, Essequibo Coast, on February 19th, Rajesh Dubraj, the 2009 Chutney Monarch, thinks that he has a chance to retain the coveted crown, if given opportunity to audition and get the judges’ nod. Dubraj had missed the 2010 competition because of prior commitments in New Jersey, U.S.A. He has announced that he is home this year and, if given opportunity, he would be happy to participate in the 2011…

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Gy$28M set aside for Mash

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Government has pledged Gy$28M to fund activities relating to the 2011 Mashramani festivities. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, disclosed last Thursday at the weekly post- cabinet press briefing that line ministries and regional departments will continue to receive support for the hosting of this year’s activities, which should include novel ideas for public participation. Mashramani 2011 was launched last October under the theme “Showcasing our culture; sustaining our pride.” Addressing that ceremony at the Umana Yana, Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony called for all to be involved…

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Slingerz Annual DJs face-off slated for February 5

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The annual “Slingerz Family DJs Face-Off,” an event that is highly anticipated by local DJs on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara, is slated for February 5 at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground; but this year’s competition will also include top DJs from across Guyana. This announcement was made by top officials of the entertainment group on Thursday, during an interview with Guyana Times Entertainment. According to Hilbert Franklin, public relations officer and entertainment consultant for Slingerz, contestants can expect stiffer competition this year, with the introduction of…

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Demerara River

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The Demerara River begins in the central rainforests of Guyana and flows northwards to the Atlantic Ocean. The river’s width and depth allow oceangoing vessels to navigate up to Linden while smaller vessels may reach up to Malali. Beyond Malali, numerous rapids make further upstream travel impossible. In May 1976 the sod was turned for a floating bridge, called The Demerara Harbour Bridge, which was commissioned on July, 2 1978 to accommodate vehicular traffic over the river and also has a pedestrian footwalk. Inver, Borselem, and Biesen are islands found…

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In their time of need

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– Guyana Relief Council achieves 17 years of rendering assistance to victims affected by disasters or other unfortunate circumstances. Going on 17 years, the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) has been providing hope for persons throughout Guyana who have been stricken with disaster and other tragic unforeseen circumstances. It was formed on January 17, 1994, and registered under the Friendly Societies Act in Guyana as a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental organization. The GRC has a non-discriminatory policy, and is geared to give assistance, as far as is practicable, to all citizens of…

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Caribbean Airlines luring agro-exporters with new cargo deal

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– farmers concerned about handling of perishables Regional air carrier Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) is looking to expand its air cargo lift out of Guyana; and is offering, as a promotional incentive to local agricultural exporters, a 15 per cent reduction in freight charges until the end of this year. But while Guyanese exporters welcome this incentive, there are many concerns about the service, especially as regards handling of perishables such as fresh fruits and vegetables. At a meeting on Wednesday with some of the airline’s top executives, led by…

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Gy$150M for design works on surgical hospital

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Gy$150 million has been allocated for the commencement of works on the design of a 150-bed surgical specialty hospital which will conduct surgical procedures including invasive cardiology and radiation oncology. Minister within the Health Ministry, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, in an interview with Guyana Times International on Friday, said that the construction of this hospital was the initiative of President Bharrat Jagdeo, and it will take away the need for patients to have to travel overseas for special surgeries. Ramsaran acknowledged that Guyana does not have all the required skills to…

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Guyana to tap another US$40M from Norway forest funds

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Guyana expects to receive the second tranche of finances, US$40 million, under the Norway Climate deal early this year, to advance its agenda under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). This will be added to the existing US$30 million that was deposited into the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). Finance Minister Ashni Singh has said that Budget 2011 provides for a total of Gy$14.4 billion, which is equivalent to the US$70 million from these two disbursements, being expended on the transformative LCDS projects identified. “These projects will have a transformational…

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Gy$750M to be spent on next phase of Hope Canal – Persaud

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– over Gy$100M in compensation paid out By Reuben Stoby Some Gy$750 million is to be spent on the continued construction of the Hope/Dochfour Canal, which will be channelling water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) into the Atlantic Ocean. This was announced by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud when he met with the affected farmers on Wednesday, at the Hope Secondary School, ECD, to update them on the progress of work which started late last year. When completed, the 10.3-kilometre canal is expected to eliminate overtopping of the EDWC…

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