February 2011 – Page 8 – Guyana Times International

Jagdeo slams critics of laptop project – says 142 netbooks were gifts from Huawei

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

President Bharrat Jagdeo has confirmed that government has not yet bought any of the computers for distribution under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative. He made clear that the administration has spent less than Gy$1 million to purchase five laptops for the administrative staff of the OLPF secretariat. In recent weeks, Kaieteur News and several politicians have criticised the manner in which the project was being executed, suggesting a lack of transparency and claiming the government had bought laptops without the necessary budgetary provisions. “The 142 computers that we…

Growing Amerindian population increases need for expanded infrastructure

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The population explosion taking place in Amerindian villages is of some concern to local government authorities. This population growth phenomenon is especially noticeable in the Pakaraima mountain areas of Region Eight, where at least one village, Paramakatoi, is already facing a serious situation of overcrowding. While residents rush to occupy adequate land space, water supplies are running low, health care demand is rising, schools and dormitories are cramped, and there is little employment and economic activity to take care of the growing number of people in the village, Regional Chairman…

Govt to train more youth entrepreneurs

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

This year, the Ministry of Labour is hoping to train 20,400 persons, 2000 of whom will be youths who will fall under the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment, Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir has said. He disclosed that a larger target was not set because the ministry wanted to ensure that the trainees receive quality training, which will enable them to become eligible for employment. Nadir said that special emphasis will also be placed on the services provided by the ministry’s various agencies, including the Board of Industrial Training and…

An effort to misrepresent the facts on the OLPF project

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, It is interesting to note that a particular newspaper is in overdrive to misrepresent perhaps one of the most innovative government initiatives in this part of the world – the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project. This outlet’s anti-government agenda stymies its vision preventing it like some politicians from seeing the impact this project will have on the lives of Guyanese. It continues to play up the procurement aspects of the project, failing to realise as has been mentioned over and over that transparency is a hallmark of…

Hydropower is the way to go

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, Fluctuating oil prices, political instability and social unrest in some of the major oil producing countries in the world are some of the factors which favour the switch to hydropower in countries where this kind of facility is available. Guyana therefore becomes the ideal location for hydropower with all its waterfalls that caresses the country’s interior. Because we are dependent on petroleum products for our energy supplies, Guyana becomes susceptible to prices on the world market. When this happens, we as a nation must turn to alternative means…

Time to move on

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

After two weeks of intense discussions and debates, the $161.4 billion national budget was approved by the National Assembly. The 2011 budget, the biggest ever in the history of this country, was subjected to passionate scrutiny, with both the government and the opposition firing salvoes at each other. Even though the figures in the budget may sound abstract to the ordinary man, the government has ensured that every citizen benefits in some way. The naysayers will always have something negative to say about the budget; but, as Guyanese wanting to…

Tourism Ministry launches Mash camp

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

– with “Our Flora, Fauna, Culture – Our Pride” theme Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony stand proudly at the launch of the Tourism Ministry’s Mash camp with persons displaying some of the costumes Joining the long list of organisations that have launched their Mash camps for Mashramani 2011, the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry launched theirs, last Tuesday under the theme: “Our Flora, Fauna, Culture – Our Pride” in the auditorium of the National Exhibition Site at…

Guyana not worried about food shortages, skyrocketing prices – aiming instead to capture opportunities

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Even as people the world over brace for a possible repeat of the 2008 food crisis, as warned by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Guyana is not too worried about possible food shortages, or exorbitant price increases that could affect access and affordability of local consumers. Although Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud admits that Guyanese authorities are carefully monitoring the situation, he highlighted opportunities which the Agriculture Ministry is positioning the country and its food producers to explore. He notes that, already, the rice industry has seen significant…

Indian firm to build specialty hospital in Guyana

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The tender process for construction of a US$18 million specialty hospital in Guyana will start shortly in India, President Bharrat Jagdeo said. Speaking at a news conference following his return from a week-long visit to India, Jagdeo said construction of the facility is expected to start before the end of the year. He said that during his visit, Guyana was able to identify a partner to manage the facility, and he indicated readiness to access a line of credit that is available to this country. The head of state…

Joyce Hoyte hailed as “an exemplar of a woman”

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Former Frist Lady Joyce Hoyte Two days after her passing at the Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital, tributes continue to pour in for former first lady Mrs Joyce Hoyte from politicians and Guyanese in the diaspora. Mrs. Hoyte, wife of the late former president Hugh Desmond Hoyte, has been described by many in both the political and social spheres as ” a lady” who represented and petitioned for the needs of all Guyanese both as first lady and afterwards. Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin, said Mrs…