January 2011 – Page 5 – Guyana Times International

Jagdeo launches – One Laptop Per Family programme

January 28, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Lisa Lowe The One Laptop Per Family Programme was officially launched last Friday, January 21st, at the Guyana International Conference Centre, and is expected to provide opportunities for 90,000 families. The programme was launche+d by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said the project could enhance and create opportunities for the beneficiaries of the laptops. However, he said: “The people that are collecting these laptops are not getting them free… you don’t have to pay for them, but it requires commitment in terms of time and effort and community work and…

Budget allocation will help diversify and build agri-sector – Persaud

January 28, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, speaking on the second day of this year’s budget debate in the National Assembly, has said that the Gy$161.4B budget caters for the diversifying and building of a new agriculture sector. “Agriculture continues to be an important player in our economic drive, and this year’s budget provides for an increased amount of resources for diversifying and building a new sector to accommodate the transformation taking place,” the minister said. Minister Persaud noted that emphasis would be placed in all areas, including in the rice and sugar…

Teixeira in PPP presidential bid

January 28, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, has been nominated to contest the People’s Progressive Party’s presidential candidacy, the party said in a statement last Friday. Teixeira, who previously held ministerial portfolios for health; home affairs; and culture, youth, and sport, is the newest candidate for the party. The others are Donald Ramotar, Clement Rohee, Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran. In its statement, the PPP said that it has been advancing its discussion on the issue of choosing a presidential candidate for the 2011 general and regional elections. According to the…

Guyanese very ambitious and assertive – Dr Taj Rajkumar

January 28, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Natasha Waldron Anthony Guyanese-born Dr Taj Rajkumar, the New York State Assembly District 31 District Leader, enjoys assisting Guyanese who have challenges accessing and benefiting from government services here in the United States, including with immigration matters. He recently spoke with Guyana Times International, when he highlighted his commitment to and passion for political work. “I like politics because it gives me an opportunity to help people deal with their problems, with their issues. Our people don’t understand the American political system — how to access government services. That’s…

2011 Calendar of events in Guyana

January 25, 2011January 21, 2013 TIMES INT'L

President Jagdeo calls for strong leadership in GCB

January 21, 2011January 21, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Rajiv Bisnauth Guyana’s head of state, President Bharrat Jagdeo, is optimistic that upcoming elections at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) would result in a new and stronger board, which is credible and can guide cricket development in our country in the years to come. These remarks by the president came on the heels of an ongoing heated campaign leading up to the GCB elections, just thirteen days away. “I know there are some good people who are seeking to lead the cricketing organization, and I hope they succeed in…

Opposition, government differ on budget measures

January 21, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Ariana Gordon Again, on Monday, Opposition members of parliament and those on the government benches differed on the measures contained in this year’s Gy$161.4 billion budget presented in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh. Speaking to the media just after Singh’s presentation, Opposition Leader and leader of the main opposition party, Robert Corbin, noted that he was not surprised by the announcements made by government on Monday. He fretted about being subjected to a three-hour budget presentation that could have been presented in approximately one hour.…

Jagdeo to roll back any anti- black policy

January 21, 2011 TIMES INT'L

– if evidence of such is produced By Janelle Persaud The UN International Year for People of African Descent was on Wednesday, 19 December launched at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, with President Bharrat Jagdeo declaring that he is prepared to roll back any anti-black policy within his government if evidence of such is found. The launch was held under the theme: “People of African Descent – Recognition, Justice and Development”. The occasion has been clouded by major disagreements between the government and some African groups which claimed that they…

Pregnant woman dies in highway accident

January 21, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Bhisham Mohamed One person is dead and another injured after the driver of a car lost control of the vehicle, in the vicinity of First Hill on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, last Friday at approximately 23: 00 hours. Dead is 21-year-old Naomi Nedd, of Lot 520 Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway; while injured is 13-year-old Shaneka Nedd of the same address. Carol Nedd, the driver of the car and mother of the young women, escaped with minor cuts and bruises. According to reports, at around 23:00 hours on Friday, the Toyota NZE…

Gayle has no plans to quit WI

January 21, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Chris Gayle plans to continue playing for West Indies in the immediate future, instead of chasing big bucks in lucrative Twenty20 leagues around the world. The West Indies opener has been reacting to his shocking snub at the lucrative Indian Premier League players’ auction, conducted over the last weekend. Gayle, who also bowls off-spin, was probably the most valuable current star to miss out on a berth in the IPL, after he played for the Kolkata Knight Riders for the first three seasons of the tournament. “I’m a bit surprised,…