February 2011 – Page 2 – Guyana Times International

Regional countries vulnerable to food price hikes

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Like two sides of the same worn coin, the spiralling costs of foodstuff across the globe have raised the spectrum of a new food crisis in some Caribbean countries, while simultaneously benefiting most others in Latin America with windfall profits, the region’s top World Bank officials have said. A World Bank assessment of the commodity spike states that, since February 2009, international food prices have risen by more than 30 per cent, and agricultural raw material prices by more than six per cent. During the same period, oil and metal…

Saint Stanislaus College Farm More than 30 years of quiet but steady progress

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

With increasing concern about global food shortages, over the years the Saint Stanislaus College Farm Complex (SSCF) has been humbly proving its ability to be a major player in ensuring Guyana’s food security. The SSCF is the only agriculture school farm in the country and is a premiere training institution for agriculture students, technicians and farmers in Guyana. It is located at 69 North Sophia and also houses the St. Stanislaus Training Centre (SSTC), the Dairy Products Unit (DPU) and the Greenhouse Vegetable Production Unit. The 13 acre complex is…

Hurakabra

February 25, 2011February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Named after a nearby creek, Hurakabra River Resort is nestled on the west bank of the Essequibo River, Guyana’s largest river, a scenic, two-hour drive by road and boat from Georgetown. Built as a retirement home, the owners share their beautiful lodge, beach and natural surroundings with those who want a place to relax, away from the hectic pace of modern living, while still offering all contemporary conveniences; an unbeatable combination. Hurakabra offers something for everyone: bird watching, yachting, kayaking, and excursions, even star gazing…

Veteran journalist Sharief Khan dies

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Janelle Persaud Veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle Sharief Khan died after a suspected heart attack at his Ogle, East Coast Demerara home early Tuesday morning. Guyana Times International was told that Khan, 59, was preparing to go to work at Office of the President when he collapsed. He was a consultant in the Climate Change Unit at OP at the time of his death. Khan had a history of heart problems, and several years ago he had complete bypass surgery. Leading the tributes, President Bharrat…

Gy$450M set aside for World Bank-funded hinterland school feeding programme

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Samuel Sukhnandan Several hinterland schools across the country are expected to further benefit from the Community-Based Hinterland School Feeding Programme (CBHSFP), as Gy$450 million has been allocated to meet the increasing demand in other regions. Coordinator of the Education for All-Fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI), Edward Jarvis, in an interview with Guyana Times International, said the programme has proven to be a success and has helped to improve the lives of many school-aged children living in the hinterland regions of Guyana. Jarvis told this newspaper that the money allocated for…

Man gets eight years for killing brother

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

On Thursday, February 17th, at the High Court, Justice Winston Patterson sentenced 35-year-old Taijpaul Nankishore to eight years in prison, following conclusion of his trial for killing his brother Seepaul Nankishore, on May 7, 2008 at their residence at Foulis, East Coast Demerara. In presenting his ruling, Justice Patterson told the court that his decision is an extraordinary one, taking into consideration the mitigating facts presented by defence counsel Clarissa Riehl. He said that he has also taken account of the probation report that was presented by Floyd Rudder, a…

Hiring overseas teachers -Formal decision after discussions with TSC – President Jagdeo

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Last Friday, February 18th, President Bharrat Jagdeo stated that Cabinet’s initiative to recruit graduate teachers from overseas, to supplement national demand mainly in the areas of science and mathematics, will not be final until after discussions are held between the government and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). The president’s statement was in response to questions about whether the decision to recruit foreign teachers has been finalised. On February17, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President, confirmed Cabinet’s…

Three ambassadors, one honorary consul accredited

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, February 17th, disclosed that Guyana has accredited three non-resident ambassadors and an honorary consul to this country. The diplomats are Ambassadors Joel Jodeau of the French Republic; Nikolay Dmitrievich Smirnov of the Russian Federation; Mario Albertio Limo Da Silva of the Portuguese Republic; and Peter Ormond Abdool as the honorary consul of Finland. The ambassadors, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release stated, are paid representatives of their respective countries. According to GINA, Guyana’s international image…

Youths need to be more involved in political process – politicians

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

There needs to be concerted effort to encourage youth involvement in the political process, as the current political landscape seems to be unattractive to young people. This is according to leading politicians, who have dished out solutions that they perceive to be necessary to ensure that the country’s future leaders are enthused to lead. Robert Persaud, former chairman of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the youth arm of the People’s Progressive Party, told Guyana Times International: “The wider society must be more receptive, as well as those involved in political…

Sod turned for rebuilding of Sacred Heart Church

February 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The Rebuilding Committee of the Sacred Heart Church on Main Street, Georgetown, has managed to raise Gy$24 million for the reconstruction of the historic Roman Catholic edifice after it was destroyed by fire more than six years ago. At the ‘turning of the sod’ ceremony last Friday, February 18th, it was disclosed by the Chairman of the Rebuilding Committee, Ramsay Ali, that the entire rebuilding project would cost some Gy$85 million. The church and a facility to house the priest and a caretaker will be first constructed; and as benefactors…