Month: April 2012

Opposition trims over Gy$2B from budget – Opposition hands GINA, NCN Gy$1 each

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–scores could lose jobs, GINA faces shutdown By Michael Young The government of Guyana is now contemplating its next move after the combined opposition voted against close to Gy$ 300 million in budgetary allocations for the state- run, National Communications Network and the Government Information Agency (GINA) and instead handed them Gy$ 1 each in an historic session in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Scores of workers from both agencies are facing the prospect of being out of a job and the administration condemned the move as reckless. The Alliance…

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GPL loses Gy$ 1B, GECOM Gy$ 527M, as opposition trims budget

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By Pushpa Balgobin The opposition on Wednesday banded together to reduce budgetary allocations for the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) by Gy$ 1 billion and also cut the Gy$ 2 billion allocated for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Gy$ 527 million when the House continued consideration of this year’s budget. Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan had proposed amendments which called for cuts in excess of Gy$ 527 million from GECOM’s allocation – Gy$ 27 million for meals and refreshments and Gy$ 500 million for a line…

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Gy$ 800M chopped from OP budget

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By Michael Younge The opposition using its one-seat majority in the National Assembly voted down more than Gy$ 800 million in expenditure for the Office of the President (OP) when the Committee of Supply of the Parliament met to consider the estimates of the 2012 budget. This will result in several projects being affected and some persons losing their jobs. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge proposed four of the amendments to the estimates for the President’s Office, while Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman and…

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Govt ups old age pension to Gy$10,000

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– to examine how increase will be funded By Michael Younge   Government on Wedneday agreed to increase the Old Age Pension from Gy$ 8100 per month to Gy$ 10, 000 with effect from May 1 following talks on the 2012 National Budget with Opposition Leader David Granger. The meeting was held at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive after a request was made by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence for government to consider meeting with the main opposition party…

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Obama commits US$130M to help Caricom fight drugs, small arms

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Caricom states are to benefit from US$ 130 million in financial assistance from the United States to deal with crime and security in the region. This was revealed by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar last Sunday in an interview with the Trinidad Guardian, following the conclusion of the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia. PM Persad-Bissessar, who has lead responsibility for security within Caricom’s quasi- Cabinet, and other Caribbean leaders met with U.S. President Barack Obama for one hour on Saturday evening. She said she was…

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Man in triangular love affair shot dead

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As investigations continue into the murder of Balram Jadoonauth, 25, of Lot 25 Dennis Street and Delph Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown, there are a number of factors that the police will have to consider before charges are instituted. These were the sentiments of A Division Commander George Vyphius when contacted on Monday. He stated that the mitigating facts will have to be investigated thoroughly, since the case is a complicated one. Nevertheless, the police are still conducting their investigations, he stated. Balram, who was attached to the GR Taxi Service, was…

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‘Coolie Bully’ to appear on April Pro-Am card

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By Avenash Ramzan Reigning Caribbean Boxing Federation (C A B O F E ) Bantamweight champion, Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry, will continue his preparation ahead of the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Cup of Champions later this year when he takes on Guyanese Charlton Skeete on the 22nd edition of Friday Night Fights ProAm boxing card on April 27 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) yesterday released the full card, which will comprise of five professional bouts and four amateur contests, with action set…

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Chelsea Edghill qualifies for Latin American Championship in July

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Fourteen-year-old Chelsea Edghill’s outstanding performance in the recently concluded Junior and Cadet Caribbean Table Tennis Championship in Cuba has qualified her for the Latin American Championship in Mexico in July. She secured a silver medal, Guyana’s lone medal, in the Girls 15-and-Under final against Idalys Lovett Valdez of Cuba. In the tournament, she won two out of her three preliminary matches, won the quarterfinal and semi then put up a dazzling performance in the final. The top three players in each category were selected for the Latin American Championship which…

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Central Essequibo crowned ECB/ Rickey Toney champions

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Central Essequibo clinched the inaugural Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB)-sponsored Rickey Toney Twenty/ 20 competition after a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over archrivals South Essequibo in the final on Saturday evening at the Anna Regina Community Center ground. Asked to bat first South Essequibo were bowled out for 109 in the 19th over with opener former national under-19 vice captain Royan Federicks top scoring with 32 while Jagdesh Dindyal supported with 17. Medium pacer Ganesh Mangal bagged 4-7 off four overs while Latchman Rohit took 2-20 bowling for the eventual winners, who…

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‘2012 Budget shows government’s firm commitment to sport’- Dr Anthony

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Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony says the 2012 budget is indicative of government’s firm commitment towards the development of sport, as the administration will continue to invest in the expansion of sport infrastructure. The minister, who also has responsibility for Youth and Culture, made the comment during his budget debate presentation last Saturday evening in the National Assembly. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, during his Gy$ 192.8B budget presentation on March 30, revealed that a sum of Gy$ 675 million has been earmarked for several infrastructural works, including the continuation…

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