By Professor Daizal Samad One of our habits in Guyana is to bemoan the idea that all the finest Guyanese minds have left for other places. We really mean the U. S. A., the UK, and Canada. I do not know too much about the brain drain, as we call it. While we moan and groan about that, we pay little attention to the talent right in front of our eyes. Talented people in all kinds of areas: mechanics, plumbers, farmers, business people, cooks, nurses, teachers, sportsmen and women,…
Read MoreYear: 2013
Venezuela’s national air carrier enters Guyana market
CONVIAS, Venezuela’s national air carrier has begun operations between Caracas and Georgetown, landing its first flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Saturday. The inaugural flight was welcomed by Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir, Guyana Tourism Authority Director Indranauth Haralsingh and dignitaries from the Venezuelan embassy in Georgetown. Minister Benn hailed the flight as a historic occasion, noting that it was made possible through negotiations between President Donald Ramotar and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro. The two presidents signed a Memorandum of…
Read MoreGovt gets tough on illegal mining
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said there will be no tolerance for illegal mining since his ministry is doing a lot to improve the state of the sector. The minister was at the time speaking to a gathering of miners and business operators at Port Kaituma, Region One. He said that persons found involved in irresponsible mining will be penalised. “We will promote and we will support legal mining, we will promote and support safe mining, we will promote also mining that takes into account social issues as…
Read MoreRallying…
.. the troops Fresh from their “victory” on the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) (Amendment) Bill, the opposition parties are determined to press what they see to be their advantage. Never mind the country’s on the verge of an economic shutdown caused by their push for power. It must be they think the coming hardships on the average man-in-the-street will be blamed on the government… and they can milk the frustrations for their political gain. Recent moves by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) support…
Read MoreCanje basin lands allocated for TT agri project
The Guyana government has made available lands in the Canje Basin for farmers in Trinidad and Tobago to invest in large-scale agriculture projection, TT Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj has said. According to a statement by the Government Information Agency (GINA), Maharaj pointed out that there would be scientific and empirical data regarding the potential for farming in accordance with the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) before the land is offered to investors. “It’s not farmers, but we want investors to come in to farm with their primary function to invest,”…
Read MoreGouveia blasts political parties for blacklisting
– says govt must set up procurement body BY SVETLANA MARSHALL Government and the opposition have been irresponsible in tackling the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing the Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, Private Sector Commission executive member Gerry Gouveia said, as he complained bitterly about the country being blacklisted. “I am furious, I am extremely disappointed in our Parliament,” Gouveia said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International. He said it is a shame that Guyana has been formally blacklisted by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) due…
Read MoreGuyana govt mulling review of gun laws
– says licence renewal should not be automatic BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee is calling for the country’s gun laws to be reviewed and the firearms licence renewal process to be reassessed in light of the recent upsurge in gun-related crimes. Addressing a conference on the prevention of interpersonal violence held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Geogetown, the minister said everyone wants a firearm but some have been using it illegally, making reference to the businessman who killed his wife before turning the…
Read MoreTwo perish in Demerara River boat collision
Two persons are now dead following a boat collision in Demerara River, in the vicinity of Parapee, located approximately 25 miles from Linden on Sunday. The accident reportedly occurred about 21: 30h. Dead are Dale Duggin, 27, of Parapee and Williamson Felix, 37, also known as “Smally” of Malali, Demerara River. Telford Lim survived the accident without any major injuries and is assisting police with the investigations. The body of Duggin was recovered in the vicinity of Major Boat Landing, Linden, about 11: 30h on Monday, while Felix’s body was…
Read MoreGuyana commits to working with Suriname to improve relations
President Donald Ramotar and Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana Nisha Kurban on Saturday evening toasted to the solid partnership between the two countries at a celebration to mark Suriname’s 38th independence anniversary, which was observed on Monday. President Ramotar said Guyana remained committed to working with Suriname to enhance the level of cooperation that exists between the two nations. He noted that they have developed a culture of sharing experiences and cooperating to achieve mutual development and peace. The relationship encompasses the trade, culture, health, and security sectors. According to the…
Read MoreCaricom suspends DR’s application for membership
Caricom on Tuesday said it would defer consideration of the application by The Dominican Republic to join the regional integration grouping, as the fallout continues from the Constitutional Court ruling in the Spanish-speaking country that could render stateless, thousands of people of Haitian descent living there. Leaders of the three-member Caricom Bureau, comprising host country Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti, met in Port of Spain on Tuesday and said the 15-member regional grouping would also seek to raise the court ruling with several bodies, including,…
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