Month: April 2013

President in full support of Jagdeo’s remarks on tackling racism

TIMES INT'L

Amid the recent misinformation being peddled by some sections of the media, which have accused former President Bharrat Jagdeo of making racist remarks during his tribute at Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s funeral last week, President Donald Ramotar has fully supported the comments of his predecessor. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Ramotar said he did not see anything wrong with the statement because fundamentally the former president was speaking about equal opportunity for all. The president noted that certain media houses appear bent on focusing on racism, failing to mention…

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Whistling

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…blowing Ramjattan told his pals over at the Muckraker that a “whistle-blower” gave him some “hot information”. Our minds immediately cast back to the pope’s butler who spilled the beans of what had been going on behind the walls of the Vatican. Secret meetings, code names, ‘drops’, like we heard about in spy movies, all rose to the fore. Those revelations led to the resignation of the pope and we still haven’t heard the last of the effects of that ‘whistle-blower’. Then, of course, there’s the most famous ‘whistle-blower’ of…

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President urges foreigners to respect Guyana’s laws

TIMES INT'L

By Vahnu Manikchand – Foreign nationals from a number of countries were on Monday assured that government will help facilitate them having a hassle-free time in this country, but they, in return, must respect the laws and statutes. At a meeting held at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, immigrants and non-immigrants highlighted that most of the problems they face are related to acquiring work permits and extension of stay. In a question and answer engagement, President Donald Ramotar assured the foreigners that he will have the matter looked…

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Steps being taken to assist miners amid fallen gold price

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Stakeholders in the gold sector on Monday agreed to set up a working group to monitor the drop in gold price, which has unnerved miners in Guyana. The Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud met with various stakeholders of the gold sector on issues pertaining to the drop in the global gold price which has been occurring since last Friday. The meeting, according to release from the ministry, was attended by participants from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and the licensed gold dealers, as well…

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Govt seriously working to change fortunes of sugar industry – Dr Ramsammy

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By Whitney Persaud – Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said despite the fact that a turnaround plan exists to change the fortunes of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), there is still a lot more to be done. He made this acknowledgment Tuesday evening during the examination of his sector’s budget in the Committee of Supply. Dr Ramsammy was asked a series of questions by various opposition Members of Parliament, including Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan, who asked about the availability of the plan and its focus. Ramjattan, during…

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Strict accountability is necessary as inception phase of LCDS begins

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The watch words are ‘strict accountability’ as the inception phase of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is off the ground. It was none other than President Donald Ramotar who advocated that all Amerindian leaders must ensure proper stewardship in the community projects that they will be embarking on. These projects are aimed at making village economies resilient via the good use of the opportunities provided through the various ventures. The inception phase of the LCDS is about a focused development of village economies, through projects funded under…

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Pandit Persaud was a dear friend of the Guyana and America Sevashram Sanghas

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Dear Editor, To members of the Persaud family, members of Dharmic Sabha and members of PPP: Jai Guru Om. The swamis, bramacharis and devotees of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha and the America Sevashram Sangha extend our deepest condolences to you, on the passing of the president of Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. Pt Persaud was an outstanding West Indian and world Hindu leader and the Sevashram Sangha is aware of the vacuum that will be left through his passing. He built his organisation from the ground and…

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Guyanese and other Caribbean immigrants will benefit from immigration amnesty in U.S.

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Dear Editor: A comprehensive agreement has been reached among a bipartisan group of Senators (Republicans and Democrats) to grant a limited amnesty to illegal immigrants as well as to allow American companies to bring in technical workers in shortage areas.  The deal was unveiled on Tuesday. The bill will benefit Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals, but it should be cautiously interpreted, especially bearing in mind that there are cut off dates for undocumented immigrants who can qualify for amnesty. It appears that the Senate will approve the bill but it…

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DDL records Gy$ 1.3B profit in 2012 – says international sales continue to drive growth

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Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and its subsidiaries have announced the group’s results for the financial year 2012 – Gy$ 1.3 billion in profit. In a release, the company said the group’s profit before tax increased by 12 per cent in 2012 (after deducting the one-off dividend received from BEV Processors Inc in 2011 which amounted to Gy$ 288 million). Turnover increased from Gy$ 14.6 billion in 2011 to Gy$ 15.8 billion in 2012, reflecting an 8.2 per cent growth. In his report, Chairman Yesu Persaud stated that “the growth in…

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GBTI slams Ramjattan, Kaieteur News for ‘grossly reckless’ secret bank account article

TIMES INT'L

A senior official at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has described leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan and Kaieteur News as “grossly reckless” and “highly irresponsible”, following an article which maliciously claimed that Presidential Adviser Keith Burrowes and head of the Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington were signatories to a secret bank account worth some US$25 million. On Sunday, the mudslinging tabloid Kaieteur News carried a story about a US$25 million account that was only recently discovered in the accounts of GBTI. The story misleadingly…

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