Pappy show At one point during the last sitting of Parliament, Speaker Trotman was moved to remind his erstwhile co-leader of the AFC, Ramjattan, that they weren’t engaged in a ‘pappy show’. He could’ve certainly fooled us!! Ramjattan had just confirmed he’d threatened to ‘knock off each one of you, one by one’! And then Trotman promptly went on to execute Ramjattan’s threat by gagging Rohee! Only he didn’t call it ‘gagging’ – never mind that Rohee was prevented from kicking off the debate on the Firearms Bill that was…
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Dr Zoe Perreira – a high flyer in many regards
By Danielle Campbell Dr Zoe Perreira was recently adjudged the best graduating student in the dentistry programme at the University of Guyana. She was born at Timehri, East Bank Demerara to Herman and Holly Perreira and attended several schools across the country. Perreira has experienced the thrills of living in several communities since each time her parents were promoted, the family would relocate. “When my mom was promoted as deputy headteacher of Ann’s Grove Primary School, I was enrolled.” She has always been a high achiever and was always involved…
Read MoreOld men’s ramblings
Naga’s folly Nagamootoo should really stop embarrassing himself. It’s pathetic. He wrote a confused letter to the press trying to defend the indefensible – the gagging of Minister Rohee by Speaker Trotman. He should’ve kept his mouth shut (or his fingers free): he wouldn’t have revealed his abysmal shallowness. He began with a pitiable attempt at wit. The PPP, he claimed, “is playing a game of ‘Rohee Roulette’ with the opposition’s no-confidence motion as the single bullet in the chamber to shatter … our fledging parliamentary democracy”. Let us remind…
Read MoreProfessor Dizal Samad should continue to head UG Berbice Campus
Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to share with readers my concern for the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) and its directorship. In Berbice, the UGBC is a vital institution. It has been transformed into this by the vision and good leadership of Professor Dizal Samad. Under his guidance, UGBC is now a respected learning centre, an institution that is flexible to educate and help to make Berbice better. Farmers can now have assistance to identify plant diseases and better care for their crops through access to agriculture…
Read MoreInternational recognition for Guyana’s vaccination programme
Dear Editor, Over the years, Guyana’s vaccination programme has received much recognition internationally for its extensive coverage of over 98 per cent. At any standard, this is considered quite an achievement. Most recently, its robust immunisation programme received another accolade for efficient and sustained vaccination coverage. The programme has been a success since it commenced in the early 1970s, and has resulted in the eradication of illnesses such as polio, in 1962; yellow fever, in 1968; measles in 1991; and whooping cough in 2000. Also, the Health Ministry in January…
Read MoreEnforcing proper parliamentary behaviour
Dear Editor, For how long must a nation tarry, while all kinds of histrionics and disgusting gamesmanship are being manifested by some members of the combined opposition in Parliament? In Australia, an opposition member was ejected from the parliament for calling the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, “corrupt” in the Australian Workers Union scandal. The defiant culprit, later said the prime minister had “legitimate questions” to answer. His prevarication did not suffice though. In fact, he was most noxious in his performance and later withdrew his “corrupt” bedaubing, but he was…
Read MoreKnocking each other off?
“Car c’est en famille, ce n’est pas en public, qu’un lave son linge sale. But it is at home and not in public that one should wash ones dirty linen.” Napoleon – On his return from Elba. Speech to the Legislative Assembly. I don’t usually follow politics. Being still in school, I tend to be caught up with things that directly affect me. More ‘exciting’ things like complex numbers and Quantum theory (whoop! whoop! Right.) But there was absolutely no avoiding the ‘Partial Gag’ issue splashed across the front pages…
Read MoreCuss-bud
Satiricus had just seen the new Bond flick, “Skyfall”. He felt like he was “M” with “assets” in the opposition as he glanced at the diary in his hands. His wife’s niece (five times removed) Leelawatee worked as a maid for them and had filched the latest diary from the Naga Man. She had to return the diary by the morning, so old Satiricus read hurriedly… Dear Diary, I got to be brief, Dear Diary. You know I ain’t getting any younger. But I just got to tell you what…
Read MoreGuyana seeks cash to transition into mercury-free mining
Guyana is pushing for financial and technical support from developed countries for its transition to mercury-free mining. The exportation and use of mercury have been banned, and that ban will become effective come 2013. Earlier this year amid uncertainty in the mining sector, government had assured miners that there will be no ban on mercury, which is used to recover gold, and that avenues will be explored for viable alternatives. The assurance was given following statements made by Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding that miners…
Read MoreFarrakhan in West Indies
From his platform as leader of the Nation of Islam in the U.S., the Rev. Louis Farrakhan has built a well earned, if sometimes controversial, reputation for his activism on behalf of African-Americans. It is not too well known that he is of West Indian heritage, but his father was from Jamaica and his mother from St Kitts. Towards the end of last year, approaching eighty, he visited several Caribbean Islands and this week he appears bent on completing’ his ‘heritage tour’. Last year’s itinerary between December 2011 and March…
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