Last weekend, the 32nd meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom was held in St Kitts. It was reported that Ms Lolita Applewhaite, acting secretary general of the group, assured citizens that Caricom was “alive, on the move, and here to stay.” We beg to differ. Caricom may technically be alive, but we would like to be informed in what direction it is moving. Does backwards count? As to whether it is here to stay, we are doubtful about that. Ms Applewhaite described Caricom as a “living…
Read MoreMonth: July 2011
Govt to revamp building code
-to cater for development, expanding businesses By Michael Younge Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali says that government has commenced the process of re-looking and reviewing the country’s ancient building code, which is becoming more outdated as Guyana’s development continues to take shape. Speaking during an interview with Guyana Times International, Ali stated that as the country continues to attract more investment, those zones which were predominantly set aside as residential areas have become booming business districts. He said government recognizes that there is need to revamp the country’s building…
Read MoreGuyana’s economy performed well at midyear – finance minister
Despite the continued harsh international environment, which has seen several developed and developing countries being hard hit by low and negative growth and near recessionary conditions, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said, the Guyanese economy performed well in the first half of 2011. Dr Singh explained that all of the preliminary results indicate that the economy and several of its traditional and non-traditional sectors have recorded marked improvements in overall performance so far. Stopping short of announcing any half-year statistics, Minister Singh stated that he was using the preliminary indications…
Read MoreEssequibo father kills children, hangs self
BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM The village of Adventure on the Essequibo Coast was in a state of shock on Wednesday morning when news circulated that a man had reportedly killed his two young children before hanging himself on a tree. The body of 25- year-old Chunilall Persaud was discovered at around 05: 30h by his father, Rampat Persaud, about half a mile from his home; whilst the bodies of his two-year- old daughter Viya and four year- old son Shiva were discovered in a trench 190 metres from where their deceased…
Read MoreJagdeo bemoans mistreatment of Guyanese in transit in T& T
By Devi Seitaram and Ariana Gordon Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo, says that operating standards at the Piarco International Airport are unacceptable and the treatment meted out to Guyanese passengers who are in transit there is horrible and needs to be addressed quickly. He said he had spoken to Jack Warner, former TT Works and Transport Minister, while he was with the Trinidad government, but nothing has been done. While admitting that his comments will stir controversy, the president maintained that the standards need to be upgraded to suit…
Read MoreNew Gy$113M psychiatric hospital for Canje
The Health Ministry on Wednesday signed a Gy$113 million contract for the construction of an Acute Care and Psychiatric Hospital in New Amsterdam, Berbice along with the refurbishing of eight chalets. The contract, which was signed in the ministry’s boardroom by Permanent Secretary Hydar Ally and Vishal Contracting Company will see the rehabilitation of eight chalets at the Fort Canje location for which Gy$20 million will be spent. These facilities house long- term residents. Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, speaking before the formalities, said some Gy$100 million was spent over…
Read MoreNew Jersey Humanitarian Mission to continue outreach in Guyana
The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission (NJASMHM) is eagerly preparing for another year of outreach and charitable activities in Guyana. The Mission will be in Guyana from July 15 through August 15, 2011. Over the past seven years, the Mission has reached out to thousands of Guyanese who live in a state of neglect and poverty, as they believe that the cruel hands of neglect have left these unfortunate victims behind. Through the generosity of donors and sponsors the organisation’s mission to seek and offer assistance wherever and…
Read MoreLaw will cut short ‘Long Hair’s’ freedom – Minister Rohee
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said recently that all efforts are being made to stop the rampage of sea bandit Kevin ‘Long Hair’ Narine and his cohorts; and he warned that the prison escapee’s “hair may be long, but the long arm of the law will soon catch up with him and cut short his ill-gotten freedom.” Narine is believed to have masterminded the brutal attack on a number of fishermen last week in the Atlantic Ocean along the Corentyne foreshore in East Berbice, Region Six. In a statement, Rohee…
Read MoreGayle to ‘explore opportunities’ but won’t quit
Chris Gayle has said he “will explore the opportunities available” to him elsewhere, since he can no longer wait on the WICB to resolve their issues with him, but is available for selection for West Indies and Jamaica, and has ruled out retirement. In a long and emotional public statement, Gayle said communication with officials of the West Indies and Jamaica cricket boards had broken down, and he traced the evolution of the long-running and bitter dispute back to 2009, when Ernest Hilaire, now CEO of the WICB, cast doubts…
Read MoreYoung Achievers produce another special performance
Defending champions Young Achievers produced another special performance to emerge winners of the second leg of this year’s Tradewind Tankers ‘True Champion’ Volleyball tournament which continued in Berbice recently. The West Demerara side remained unbeaten throughout the day and in the process grabbed the Gy$20,000 top prize up for grabs for being the team with the most points at the end of the Sixes phase of the competition, while Port Mourant Jaguars One ended runners- up to take home Gy$10,000. At the conclusion of the phase, six teams moved into…
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