Month: January 2011

As the Salvation Army continues to gather funds as part of its efforts to assist those in need — especially at Christmas time — government has pledged continued support to that organisation with a $5M donation towards its drug rehabilitation programme for next year.   At the occasion of the presentation of annual Christmas hampers, held at the institution’s headquarters on Wednesday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said government will continue to lend its support to the organisation, specifically to the drug rehabilitation programme which the institution spearheads.  In a recent…

Government has earmarked some $67.5 million to fix the defective Supenaam Stelling, and materials to facilitate repairs are already being sourced. Guyana Times International understands that the Transport and Harbours Department drafted designs for the corrective works to the stelling after the engineers discovered defects with the newly-built structure. These were awaiting cabinet’s approval.  Prime Minister Samuel Hinds told Guyana Times International in November that the plan is to have the facility operable in time for the arrival of the two roll-on roll-off ferries expected from China under an agreement…

A fire which was allegedly deliberately set has left nine persons of Grove, East Bank Demerara, homeless.  The inferno completely gutted the two-storey building in the wee hours of Monday morning, December 20th.  Guyana Times International has learnt that the alleged arsonist was taken into police custody immediately after he publicly admitted that he had started the blaze.   The suspect, 40-year-old Tony Gookle of Grove, East Bank Demerara, is a known drug addict in the area, and has reportedly made numerous previous attempts to burn the house in which his…

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds urged the 22 graduating students of the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School (AWHWAES) to always keep safety as their watchword as they venture further into the field of aviation.  Hinds was speaking at the AWHWAES graduation, induction and prize giving ceremony at the Ogle International Airport on Friday, 17th December.  “In aeronautical engineering, there is really no room for errors; but we know that human errors do occur. But, in aviation, it has to be (as) close to zero as is humanly possible,”…

Caricom Secretary General Sir Edwin Carrington has said that the region should be accorded representation to forums such as the G20. He stated that the Caribbean Community has no voice, as such, when issues common to the territories are ventilated and discussed. At the end-of-year press briefing to present his parting message, Dr Carrington said he believes Caricom should be allowed some form of access to the G20, since climate change, crime, and regional security are issues affecting the region.  “As if our inherent vulnerabilities are not enough, to add…

The Tourism Ministry has said that there were record visitor arrivals here last month. Last month’s arrivals increased by 5.2 per cent over last year’s, making it another record-breaking month with the highest figures since 1995 – an overall 7.3 per cent increase in arrivals for the year to date over 2009. Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad reinforced that Guyana offers a different kind of tourism – a paradise for nature, eco- and adventure lovers.  He said Guyana’s tourism product is unique, in that it offers adventure, nature…