Year: 2014

Guyanese diplomats briefed on country’s foreign policy push

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The biennial Conference of the Heads of Guyana’s Missions overseas opened on Monday at the Guyana International Conference Centre with President Donald Ramotar calling on them to be “advance scouts” for Guyana’s development. The President also commended their work in representing Guyana in the international community. According to a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, President Donald Ramotar in his discussions with the heads spoke at length on specific global developments which struck at the heart of international relations. Key among these was what the President described as “the dreaded…

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Despite setbacks Guyana’s economy continues to perform well

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Dear Editor, As our country makes rapid strides in its economic development, more overseas-based Guyanese and foreigners are also making visits to the “Land of Many Waters,” or to the “Land of the Mythical City of Manoa Del Dorado.” Foreigners are attracted by the good prospects of investment – our country is endowed with an abundance of natural resources – as well as with the awesome natural beauty, including the stupendous Kaieteur Falls. Despite the utterances of socialist rhetoric sometimes, Guyana hasn’t got a “control and command” economy any more.…

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Fishing and logging in Guyana

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Dear Editor, I wish to state openly that I am a great respecter of the Chinese people and of China. I believe that China will be a great world super power and that this era belongs to the Chinese. I see India as the next, then Brazil. I believe and advise our Government to be careful in that the Chinese, due to their population, are extremely aggressive, and while humane, have enormous needs to satisfy. They have massive hunger for raw products and resources to satisfy their industries, diet and…

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No change of heart concerning Local Govt elections

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Dear Editor, Let there be no confusion, the Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger never said that he has had a change of heart concerning the holding of Local Government Elections, as reported by one section of the media. The Leader of the Opposition and A Partnership for National Unity are resolute in our stand that after almost two decades the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration must set a date as soon as possible for Local Government Elections to be held. The PPP/C has prompted the motion of no-confidence…

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Guyana, US finalise agreement on LEAD Project

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BY MICHAEL YOUNGE After months of stalemate and controversy, the Government of Guyana has finally agreed to the full implementation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) managed USAID Leadership Education and Democracy (LEAD) Project. Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, speaking during a joint press conference with the US Charge de Affairs Bryan Hunt, said that a mutually acceptable agreement has been reached, which puts to rest the concerns Government had over the initial design and implementation of the project. He said Government was keen, from the outset, on ensuring that…

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When elephants fight

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There is an old African saying that whether elephants fight or make love, the grass suffers. When applied to the international state system, fights or alliances between the “big” powers are usually to the detriment of smaller nations. However, in the present face-off between the Western and Russian elephants, there might be an opportunity for some smaller nations to improve their condition. It started with Russia taking sides with separatists in Ukraine seeking to resume their unification that was sundered only a couple of decades ago. In the larger scheme…

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Govt blasts UG’s Vice Chancellor for threats to “shut down” university

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“He should ask the Opposition why they cut the budgetary allocation for student loans” – Finance Minister Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has dismissed threats by University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi to shutdown the university as reckless and premature. Dr Opadeyi at a press briefing on Wednesday warned that if the Finance Ministry does not signal its approval for the disbursement of student loans, the university will temporarily freeze operations. “I believe the Vice Chancellor should know the matter is currently engaging the consideration of the…

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QC Student tops CSEC exams

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By Vahnu Manikchand and Nafeeza Yahya Queen’s College took back the mantle this year as its students secured most of the top positions at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) examinations. The results were announced on Tuesday by Education Minister Priya Manickchand as she revealed the top 52 students who secured 11 or more Grade Ones. Securing the top spot with 19 Grade Ones and One Grade Two, is Elisa Hamilton of Queen’s College. She was followed by Skeldon Line Path Secondary School…

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Surinamese fuel tanker sinks off Corentyne Coast

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– two Guyanese crew members missing; two rescued The Guyanese captain of a Surinamese-owned fuel tanker vessel is missing, but two crew members were rescued by a Venezuelan fishing vessel that responded to a distress call Tuesday afternoon, sources said. “There were four crew members on board; two were rescued while the other two are missing. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the two missing crew members,” said Guyana’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) in a statement. Feared drowned is Captain Rickram. MARAD said that  about  9 O’clock Tuesday night…

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Police charge Queens-based Guyanese man for allegedly stabbing wife to death

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Police have charged a man in connection with the death of a 23-year old woman. According to New York police, US-based Guyanese Nazir Khan stabbed his wife Amarita Khan, also from Guyana, to death on Hone Avenue in the Bronx last Saturday evening. Police say they found Khan’s wife unresponsive with multiple knife wounds on her body. Khan was arrested at the scene. He is facing murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon charges. Both Khan and his wife live in Queens and people who knew them are shocked…

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