Month: June 2012

New multi-million dollar housing scheme for Region 6

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– Residents to benefit from 1000 new house lots By Michael Younge Region Six residents are poised to benefit from the construction of a new multimillion dollar housing scheme at Phase Two Kilcoy/Chesney, which will see more than 1000 new house lots being created to meet the current demand. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has approximately 2700 applications on file for persons who are desirous of owning house lots in the region. Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali along with several senior officials of that ministry visited the…

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Parliament approves financial autonomy of service commissions

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By Michael Younge The National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon approved the opposition’s motion to give financial autonomy and independence to four constitutional service commissions that were being treated, by error, as budget agencies which did not possess the power to draw directly from the Consolidated Fund to meet their functions. The motion was tabled by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge and received the full support of the Alliance For Change (AFC). It did not benefit from the full support of government, which had…

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Guyana and the Rio+20 Summit

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While Guyana expects much of the Rio+ 20 Summit to be held next week in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said from the look of things not many commitments would be made to take the requisite action to achieve a viable framework that will, in turn, promote sustainable development globally. “While this conference takes on the larger objective in terms of promoting sustainable development and looking at key areas, there is not much optimism that there will be the types of commitments and firm…

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Culture, violence and disorder

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At the end of May, the local edition of our newspaper reported on a study conducted by the IDB – “Antipodes of Violence”. It should be studied by our policy makers who may be wringing their hands at the violence that is wreaking havoc in all sections and strata of our society. “Antipodes”, of course, refers to things that are direct opposites. The findings of the study, which was conducted in several Latin American cities, found remarkable echoes in our own experience. It bluntly concludes that any successful strategy to…

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Guyana to launch massive tourism drive in TT

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Guyana is set to launch a massive destination campaign out of Trinidad and Tobago shortly, as efforts continue to expand the country’s tourism sector. Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali met with representatives from Advantage Advertising, a Trinidad company, on the island last week, to discuss the launch of the campaign, a release from the ministry said. According to the tourism minister, this initiative is aimed at encouraging more persons from the twin-island republic to vacation in Guyana. “Representatives from the company will also be travelling to Guyana,…

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Guyana’s 46th Independence anniversary observed in New York with focus on nation building

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On the evening of June 8, hundreds of Guyanese gathered at the Brooklyn Borough Hall to celebrate the 46th independence anniversary of their beloved country. The event was co-sponsored by Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene and the Guyana Tri-State Alliance, headed by Patricia Jordon-Langford. Ms Jordan-Langford gave a warm welcome to everyone with a reminder that all Guyanese must contribute to nation building. She quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s “My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest”. She then introduced Deputy Brooklyn…

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Bills without Executive’s input will not be accepted – Ramotar

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President Donald Ramotar has sent a warning to the opposition about the abuse of their one seat majority in the National Assembly, stating categorically that he will not affix his signature to any bill that is brought to his desk without the input of the executive. His warning came in response to the notion that is being propagated as a “Rule by Motion” politics in the National Assembly where the coalition party, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has 26 seats and, the Alliance For Change (AFC) seven. “That…

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First lady launches garden project at State House

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First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar last Friday launched a garden project at her husband’s official residence, State House, aimed at promoting agriculture amongst young people. The project; “Garden for the Children of Guyana” was chosen to coincide with International Children’s Day. “I wish to honour the children of Guyana in a practical way by involving them in an activity that would produce tangible results,” said First Lady Ramotar. Garden for the Children of Guyana utilises three methods of cultivation. It exposes young people to traditional gardening, hydroponics and raised bed gardening.…

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Diplomats roll out campaign to clean up Georgetown

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BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND Residents of the neighbouring villages of Tucville and Lodge, Georgetown, on Monday afternoon participated in a clean-up exercise, as part of the diplomatic community-led Guyana Shines initiative. Guyana Shines is an initiative by members of the diplomatic and civil society, including the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the European Union Delegation in Guyana, Conservation International, and Youth Challenge. On Monday, volunteers gathered on the lawns of the National Gymnasium before dispersing into the field. The volunteers comprised members/staff from the diplomatic…

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Children urged to be builders of modern Guyana

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Dozens of school children last Friday used chalk to express themselves in a drawing competition organised by the Russian embassy to mark International Child Protection Day. The competition was held on the tarmac of the Burrowes School of Art, Carifesta Avenue, under the theme “May there always be sunshine”. The competition was a collaborative effort between the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, the Russian embassy and the Russian business community. More than 40 children from schools in Georgetown, Kwakwani, Kuru Kuru and Aroaima participated. Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr…

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