2012 – Page 164 – Guyana Times International

Opposition proposals “unrealistic and overly ambitious” – Irfaan Ali

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali has criticised some of the opposition proposals for this year’s budget, dubbing them unrealistic and overly ambitious. Speaking on the opening day of the budget debate, Ali warned that Guyana’s continued progress and development can easily be reversed by the proposed policies, poor economic vision and political ambitions of some members of the opposition who are seeking to score cheap political points, instead of “putting Guyana and the interest of its people first”. Ali, who led the government benches during the debate, said that Guyana can…

Tremendous investment opportunities exist in Guyana – Nawbatt

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

By Ron Cheong Recently appointed Guyana Consul General to Toronto Sattie Sawh has been accredited by the Canadian government, even as government has reduced its office space, and trimmed staff at its embassy in Ottawa. The news was delivered to Guyanese residing in Toronto by Guyana’s High Commissioner to Canada, Harrinarine Nawbatt during a trip to Canada last week. The wife of the late Satyadeow Sawh, a former agriculture minister, has extensive experience in the diplomatic arena, and was Guyana’s trade attaché in Toronto. The appointment has been well anticipated…

Glitches in teachers’ multi-year

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

President Donald Ramotar on Tuesday evening assured teachers that his government is committed to fulfilling the teachers’ multi-year package and to fixing the glitches that have dogged the process. Speaking in the presence of the re-elected Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) President Colin Bynoe and other stakeholders at the union’s third biennial delegates conference in Berbice on Tuesday, Ramotar said some of the unresolved issues experienced in the pact will be ironed out. “I know there are some concerns regarding the housing revolving fund and I am prepared to have the…

Nandlall advised DPP not to

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

Attorney General Anil Nandlall Attorney General Anil Nandlall on Monday advised Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack that Chief Justice Ian Chang’s decision to block a rape charge from being instituted against Police Commissioner Henry Greene is not appealable. However, the attorney general advised that the DPP could seek a second opinion and different legal representation should she wish to do so. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nandlall said that because of the public interest in this matter, he had sought and obtained the permission of the DPP to…

Opposition calls for doubling of pension, says budget approval not automatic

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) economic and finance spokesman, Carl Greenidge on Tuesday called for a 20 per cent pay hike for public servants and a doubling of the current Old Age Pension as he kicked off the budget debate in the National Assembly. Greenidge took three speaking extensions to fully convey the opposition’s aversion to the government’s proposed Gy$192.8 billion budget, and also warned that approval of it was not automatic. He noted that the budget is “growth without employment”, expanding that development was being measured inaccurately,…

Wrestlers stun crowd at WrestleRama Guyana

April 10, 2012 TIMES INT'L

The National Park was transformed into a wrestling arena on Saturday evening as 15 world renowned wrestlers entertained thousands of fans who turned up to witness professional wresting for the first time in Guyana after decades. Despite a late start, patrons definitely got their money’s worth as the wrestlers showcased their talent with some superb moves, and some intermittent chatting. The sounds of the wrestlers hitting the canvas sent the patrons wild, especially the children, who turned out in numbers. With a passageway lit with blue lights, the wrestlers made…

Perry and Orford capture overall titles

April 10, 2012 TIMES INT'L

By Rajiv Bisnauth Donnel Perry, representing Buddy’s Gym, and Eyob Orford of Total Fitness Gym, copped the respective Novices and Intermediate overall crowns when the Banks Malta Supreme/ Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) opened its 2012 season on Saturday evening at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston. Over 40 competitors took to the stage before a packed Theatre Guild audience, and despite a few glitches with the music for the Free Posing Routines for some of the athletes, patrons enjoyed an evening of muscle flexing. Perry, with…

Sheldon Holder and Vurlon Mills star in TT Pro League

April 10, 2012 TIMES INT'L

Strikers Sheldon Holder and Vurlon Mills were the Golden Jaguars players to score over the weekend during the final round of fixtures in the 2012 Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Pro League (TTPL). Both players participated in the match between Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA, which has a large contingent of Guyanese players, and T& TEC FC, which finished 3-2, in favour of the former. Holder, who has impressed since he recently signed with Caledonia, scored in the 12th and 61st minutes, while Mills who netted a hat-trick last week during…

Junior Caribbean TT Championship team encamped in Cuba

April 10, 2012 TIMES INT'L

By Melinda Bishundyal The Junior national table tennis team is currently encamped in Cuba preparing for the Junior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships scheduled from April 4- 9 in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean country. The team consists of David Duncan, Stefan Corlette, Sachin Panday, and Sunil Logan in the 18 and under Boys category; Shemar Britton, Joshua Lalbachan, Joseph Johnson, Elishaba Johnson, and Briton Murray in the 15 and under Boys; Chelsea Edghill in the 15 and Under Girls; Akecia Nedd in the 18 and under Girls. The team’s management includes Deirdre…

The ultimate adventure of a lifetime

April 10, 2012 TIMES INT'L

The Pakaraima Mountain Safari celebrates its tenth trip this year, offering an ideal opportunity to experience Guyana’s pristine beauty through an extended adventure of a lifetime. Roads linking the villages of Region 8, from Maikwauk to Monkey Mountain and from Karasabai to Yurong Peru in Region 9 once never existed. The villages of the Pakaraimas were land only accessible by air. It was difficult for the Patamona and the Macushi tribes to traverse the area. However, an access path/ trail was eventually constructed, and it was with pride that the…