Year: 2011

Cathy Hughes to focus on women, elderly issues in Parliament

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Continuing the work of Sheila Holder is on the forefront of the mind of media specialist Cathy Hughes. Hughes has taken up parliamentary appointment and will be representing the Alliance for Change (AFC) when the 10th session of Parliament convenes early next year. She said, she will be focusing on women’s issues and issues affecting the elderly, noting that the “whole, entire area that Sheila Holder focused on… she did a lot of work on the welfare situation here… really allowing Guyana to do better for its citizens”. Hughes noted…

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Taxation system, VAT review underway

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By Michael Younge  Head of state Donald Ramotar has announced that a complete review of the country’s taxation system and tax policies will be undertaken soon. The president who has been in office for two weeks said that the move to review the taxation system is in keeping with the promise he made on the 2011 campaign trail and was one of the key highlights in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) elections manifesto. He explained that the government is cognisant of the concerns raised by many Guyanese about the need…

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GT&T boss rubbishes claims of intimidation

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Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Chief Executive Officer Yog Mahadeo deemed as “outrageous” claims made by Digicel that GT& T’s parent company Atlantic Tele Network (ATN) had applied pressure on the past administration to prolong its monopoly in the telecommunications sector. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, December 20, Mahadeo said that the assertion is absurd and asked how a private company can threaten the government. Mahadeo said that his company welcomes liberalisation and that it continues to work with all stakeholders. “You mustn’t have liberalisation for the sake…

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The Poseur

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The Poseur Freddie Kissoon’s “Goodbye, Mr Hitchens. You were a big influence on me” was the most maudlin and mawkish piece of piffle sighted in a decade. Here’s a grown man (got to be pushing 60) whining about how Fitzpatrick hates him. Hey, whatever Fitzpatrick did to you, that was over two decades ago. Get a grip. Get a life. Move on! But guess what? After going on at a rate about some others that couldn’t give a damn about him, Kissoon declares that he doesn’t “give a damn” about…

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Holder’s life and legacy must be remembered – Raphael Trotman

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A memorial service was held on Tuesday, December 20, in commemoration of the late Alliance For Change (AFC) executive member Sheila Holder at the St George’s Cathedral, Georgetown. The service saw scores of relatives and friends, as well as colleagues of Holder, paying tribute to the woman who was described as “phenomenal”. AFC leader Raphael Trotman in his tribute described Holder as a fighter, one who stood firm in her beliefs. He said her life and legacy must be remembered as she served the country well. The former parliamentarian was…

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Foreign Fright

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Satiricus was resigned to his fate. His sister-in-law and her family were visiting for the holidays. The sister-in-law and children he didn’t mind; it was the husband that was the pain. You would think that he was born in the USA. But Satiricus was determined to grin and bear his chafe. It was, he figured, the season to be jolly. The two bottles of Grey Goose the twit had brought down would ease the pain. “Georgie!” called out Satiricus, for that was the name the visitor answered to, “Let’s go…

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Ramsammy assures fishers piracy concerns will be addressed

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Newly appointed Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has assured fishers on the Essequibo Coast that security, fishing equipment and a boat license office will be available in Region Two. Dr Ramsammy made the announcement at separate meetings with scores of fishermen from Charity Wharf and Lima. Fishermen after raising various issues related to pirvacy were contented with the assurance given by the minister. The minister said that privacy is a problem both locally and internationally, however in tackling and implementing measures, the Agriculture Ministry will ensure that the issue is…

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Senior citizens treated to Christmas Luncheon in Richmond Hill

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By North American Correspondent A holiday season free luncheon was held on Sunday December 18th for Queens-based Guyanese seniors at the elegant Villa Russo catering hall in Richmond Hill. Several non-Guyanese also attended the event which saw a few politicians addressing the gathering. The lunch was served at no cost to anyone and allowed seniors an opportunity to socialize with other local senior citizens and to reminisce about the old Guyanese Christmas. It provided them with much needed merry-making. The luncheon was planned and hosted by real estate developer Frank…

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Guyanese immigrants protest Richmond Hill rezoning plans

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By North American Correspondent A public hearing was held on Wednesday evening at the Kwality Restaurant on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill on a proposed rezoning of the Richmond Hill area that will determine the kind of properties that can be built and where they can be built. The public forum was organised by the Richmond Hill Economic Development Corporation led by activist Vishnu Mahadeo. The New York City Department of City Planning, Queens Division, proposes to rezone Richmond Hill which falls under Community District 9, Queens. The Community District…

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New ferries will make life easier for residents

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Dear Editor, I am living on the Essequibo Coast, and cannot wait for the arrival of the two new ferries from China which will be deployed to the Essequibo water transport system. Since I heard that the two ferries are docked in neighbouring Trinidad Tobago, more and more, I am getting excited. I was told that the ferries will arrive in Guyana following the completion of the Parika stelling on which workers are working feverishly to complete. According to what I read, the stelling has to be specially built to…

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