Year: 2014

– Home Affairs Ministry The Home Affairs Ministry in Guyana has commended the security forces for the discovery of a blue Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible (SPSS) vessel in a creek along the Waini River, North West District last Thursday, contending that the vessel was built to transport tonnes of cocaine. The blue Self-Propelled Semi-Submersible was found by the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Special Forces, Coast Guard and Air Corps The Ministry in a release, said this was the first time a SPSS was found in…

BY JOMO PAUL Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud has urged miners to rid the sector of the prostitution tag it carries and work to preserve the environment even as they pursue their fortunes. He was at the time addressing the opening of a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) mining permit lottery at the Bartica Community Centre ground. Prostitution and allegations of human trafficking is rampant in the mining community. Delivering the feature address at the opening of the lottery at the Bartica Community Centre, the Minister said…

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is urging the countries of the Americas to be vigilant and prepared for a potential introduction of the Ebola virus in the Region. The recommendation comes following a statement by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan that the outbreak in West Africa constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013. This outbreak now involves transmission in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. As of 6 August 2014, countries have reported…

Caroline Marline Benn of Nurney Village, Corentyne, last Saturday celebrated her 100th birthday, and to honour the occasion, family, friends and villagers hosted a grand birthday celebration at the Kildonan Community Centre. Benn, who is fondly called “Aunty Malyne,” was born August 16, 1914 in Nurney Village, a place she holds close to her heart. She is the mother of three children, two of whom are alive. At a century, she is still vibrant, healthy and well-spoken. Aunty Malyne told this newspaper that she feels blessed on reaching the major…

Guyana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Panama for collaboration in the development of agriculture and trade between the two countries, one; an agriculture giant in Caricom, and the other; a trade and economic hub in Central America. The MoU includes close collaboration in building the potential of the rice industries of both countries. According to Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, one of the first outcomes from the MoU is that Guyana on August 14 signed contracts with the Panama Government to supply rice on a monthly basis…

Guyana is preparing to host a conference with coconut specialists from Mexico in early September as steps are being made to revive the industry. This was announced by Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who was at the time speaking at a press conference on Saturday. He said that this venture will be pivotal in the “reinvigorating” of Guyana’s coconut industry. He pointed out that presently, coconut farmers are not fully knowledgeable about the different varieties of coconut and their benefits. But he said the delegation from Mexico will be engaging…

History was created within the private sector in Guyana and the Caribbean when a brand-new Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX landed at the Ogle International Airport. The aircraft is the property of JAGS Aviation, a subsidiary of BK International Group of Companies, owned by Brian Tiwarie. It is the first time in the history of the aviation sector in Guyana and across the Region, that a private company has been able to purchase a new aircraft directly from the manufacturer. It was a spectacular event as special invitees and members…

An attempt by Caribbean Airlines Limited to prevent three more persons from suing for personal injuries arising from the crash-landing of Caribbean Airlines Flight BW 523 in Guyana three years ago, was denied by a US district court judge last Wednesday in Brooklyn, New York. In a multi-district litigation, numerous plaintiffs brought suit against defendant Caribbean Airlines Limited for personal injuries arising from the crash-landing of Caribbean Airlines Flight BW 523 in Guyana on July 30, 2011. Plaintiffs were travelling from Florida to Georgetown, and while landing in Georgetown, Flight…

Despite sales reduction in one of its biggest markets, the Demerara Distillers Limited and Subsidiaries (DDL) was able to make some Gy$804 million for the first half of the 2014 financial year. According to the company’s Chairman Komal Samaroo in the Interim Report 2014, DDL’s profit before taxation stood at Gy$1.6 billion, representing 20.11 per cent increase compared to the same period last year when Gy$971 million was recorded. Samaroo credited the increase to continuous implementation of cost-reduction measures and improved operational margins. He pointed out that the gross revenue…