2011 – Page 62 – Guyana Times International

Govt mulls tolls for interior roads

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Government is examining the possibility of making users of certain interior roads pay a toll to help with much needed maintenance. This is according to Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn. He was at the time speaking on August 26 at a meeting at Sleep-In Hotel in Georgetown on the current lumber shortage. That meeting was attended by timber concessionaires, contractors, architects and others linked to the building and construction industry. Concessionaires have said that one of the challenges they face is the condition of roads used to transport timber.…

Manickchand disappointed at family court delay

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

– rules Committee ‘sloth’ blamed More than a year after construction of the family court was completed, government continues to express its disappointment with the pace at which the Rules Committee, headed by acting Chancellor Carl Singh, is working to have the court operational. Speaking to the media on August 25, Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand said she was very disappointed with the delay, declaring the government has done its part in making the facility a reality. According to her, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government had constructed the building, as…

53 volunteer teachers for hinterland

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Fifty-three volunteer teachers received certificates on Friday, August 26, after completing intense training under the aegis of the Education Ministry. This new batch of volunteer teachers will be dispatched to different hinterland communities throughout the country for one year. The batch was urged to be more than just tutors, but guardians and mentors to the children who will fall under their direct responsibility. Those teachers were also urged to participate in and otherwise be helpful in developing the communities to which they would be sent. Education Minister Shaik Baksh praised…

I’m a lazy writer but very passionate about writing

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Award-winning poet, novelist, critic, David Dabydeen By Venessa Deosaran Renowned Guyanese poet, novelist and critic David Dabydeen has been nominated for the Guyana Prize for Literature Award for his book “Molly and the Muslim Stick”, published in 2008. His prolific and invaluable contributions to the literary arts have been notable, and although he resides in England, the writer never forgets his roots are in Guyana. In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine on the eve of the Guyana Prize for Literature Award ceremonies, Dabydeen said “I write out…

CAL Guyanese passengers left stranded at JFK

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Scores of Guyanese passengers returning home from the United States were stranded at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York on Monday, August 29, owing to the cancellation of a number of Caribbean Airlines’ flights. The cancelled flights were as a result of the passage of Hurricane Irene. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey closed JFK International Airport to incoming international flights, beginning noon last Saturday, to avoid stranding passengers as the city prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. Guyana Times International was told that approximately…

Chinese firm wins US$ 7.5M OLPF contract

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Cabinet has cleared the award of a US$ 7.5M contract to Haier Electrical Appliances Limited of China to provide the first 27,000 netbooks under the One Laptop Per Family ( OLPF) project. This disclosure was made by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh during the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President on Wednesday. According to Dr Singh, the company was one of three finalists of a group of 11. He explained that the bidders were evaluated against a comprehensive set of financial and technical criteria. “The bidders…

Guyana, China militaries to deepen ties

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) intends to increase and deepen its relationship with the Chinese military – the People’s Liberation Army – in a number of critical areas. Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, made these remarks at the opening of the annual “bilateral military exchange” between the two countries, on Friday, August 26 at the Pegasus Hotel. “I wish to welcome you officially to this annual bilateral conference between the two militaries, and emphasise the importance that we attach to this bilateral relation, which exists not only between the…

Gy$82M being spent to furnish schools

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Education Minister Shaik Baksh said parents can be assured that all schools will be fully equipped with adequate furniture in the new academic term beginning September 5. Baksh said the Education Ministry has been able to obtain an additional Gy$82 million to help in the acquisition of additional furniture. The education minister noted that the ministry is now in the process of building the additional furniture for schools. The system, he said, is now decentralised so as to meet the needs of schools that are in need of furniture. Baksh…

Pomeroon farmers reaping benefit of D&I investments

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Hundreds of farmers from the Pomeroon River on the Essequibo Coast are benefiting from improved drainage and irrigation through the excavation of drainage canals, the construction of kokers, and the empolderment of farmlands. Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh told Guyana Times International in a recent interview that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), in collaboration with the Region Two administration, is currently spending close to Gy$67M to improve D& I in farming communities in Pomeroon. He said that, already,Gy$8 million has been spent on excavating drainage canals, raising the…

1,000 house lots to be distributed in Zeelugt

September 1, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali says that, later this week, an additional 1000 house lots will be distributed to residents on the East Bank Essequibo. These house lots will be available in Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. This, he noted, will boost housing development in the region. Minister Ali expressed satisfaction at the rapid pace of development in Region Three. He said Parika has now achieved township status, and has proven to be one of the finer examples of the new growth “poles” in Guyana. “We have banks, major insurance…