Plan presented to modernise zoological park in Georgetown

Based on a number of consultations with regional and international partners, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry along with several bodies drafted a master plan for the restoration, modernisation and upgrade of the zoological park of Guyana. On Tuesday evening, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, speaking at the event hosted to launch the master plan for the zoo under the Three Parks Initiative, said government has been struggling to upgrade and modernise the zoological and other parks around the country. Under this initiative, the minister said it is…

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GECOM says No to renewing Boodoo’s contract – established procedures were not followed – Commissioner Jaya Manickchand.

By Michael Younge Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally on Tuesday afternoon broke a tie which existed among commissioners after he voted against the reappointment of Gocool Boodoo as the entity’s chief elections officer. The decision made by the constitutional body now paves the way for GECOM to advertise and recruit a new substantive chief election officer as soon as possible, bringing to an end several weeks of dialogue, deadlock and controversy over the issue. Surujbally reportedly asked the commissioners to vote either “yes” or “no” on the…

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Private Sector lobbies political parties to support hydro power project

Amid the uncertainty over the fate of two pieces of legislation key to the advancement of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday urged both government and opposition to work together to have them passed. Government has tabled amendments to the hydroelectricity act and a motion to increase the debt ceiling – both critical to the project. In a statement, the umbrella business grouping said the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric project has reached the stage where two critical pieces of legislation require parliamentary approval for…

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Wild animals caught alive can be accommodated at Zoological Park – Minister Persaud

By Samuel Sukhnandan – Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said because of Guyana’s vast terrain, large cats and other animals can indeed pose a threat to citizens. Persaud’s comments come in light of concerns raised by citizens of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown where a jaguar has been roaming. Persaud told Guyana Times International on Tuesday that people are usually encouraged to capture these animals, once they pose a threat to a community. When this newspaper contacted the National Parks Commission (NPC) to report the incident in North Ruimveldt on…

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13 new archaeological sites discovered in Region Nine

Archaeologist attached to the Boise State University, Dr Mark Plew on Tuesday disclosed that 13 new archaeological sites have been found in the Rupununi Savannah, Region Nine. At the time, Dr Plew was delivering the feature presentation during a public lecture organised by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthology at the Umana Yana, Kingston. Dr Plew disclosed that the discoveries were made in the past weeks during a field visit to the Karanambo Ranch, Region Nine. According to the archaeologist, previous surveys only…

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Top Cop warns police will take tougher action against traffic offenders

By: Whitney Persaud – Declaring that the traffic situation in Guyana is terrible, acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell said the force will be taking firm actions against reckless and drunk drivers. He was at the time addressing the force’s annual awards ceremony at the Tactical Services Unit Drill Square, Eve Leary, Georgetown. Brumell said there has been a 30 per cent increase in accidents and deaths this year. The annual awards ceremony for the Guyana Police Force began in 1990 and has trended until now. Officers would usually receive sizeable…

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UG should stop the talk and start the work

Dear Editor, This developing University of Guyana (UG) situation seems to be all talk and nothing else. I am reading and hearing about alleged corruption and the sale of examination papers. I have actually heard that some lecturers give out the examination questions and students prepare the answers long in advance. It seems that the more there are discussions, the more things are coming to the fore, almost like spinning in a ditch. Now the talk has shifted to private sector executives and the UG vice chancellor expressing a desire…

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Building monuments should not be about politics

Dear Editor, The entire Linden protest scenario is something that has left an ugly mark in Guyana’s history. I just wish that it never happened. Now that it is over and government is seeking to make good on the Linden Commission of Inquiry (CoI) recommendations, I say that we first clear this and other matters. So I am not sure if this setting up of a monument park by the Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) to honour the three shooting victims during that protest is justified. We can learn some…

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Softball cricket should be encouraged

Dear Editor, The just concluded ad-hoc over-40 softball cricket tournament caught my attention. Now why can’t there be a few more tournaments like this one? Matches are quickly completed. In addition, softball cricket is safe and all that the players need are playing suits and a bat. There should be more softball cricket in Guyana. It is fun-filled and would provide a nice form of recreation for the family. In Canada, the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) is planning to send a team to Guyana for the tournament called the…

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The cassava drive is truly on

Dear Editor, It is good to know that the locally produced farine is gaining popularity with its own niche market outside of its traditional users. I always thought that we needed to push more of our local specialties. In this vein, government in sensing an economic pull is set to build a full phased factory operation for the processing of this item made from cassava. If all goes well, this will take place later in the year, with the first facility to be installed in Region Nine. This is something…

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