Dear Editor, The whole sordid affair that took place over the weekend at the PNCR Congress serves as a reminder that our political leaders are failing the people and are afraid to embrace the tenets of what true democracy is all about. How else could one describe the internal jiggery-pokery and shenanigans to subvert a democratic process that took place at Congress Place or the ruling Government’s brazen unwillingness to call a date for crucial democratic local government elections? Now we are being bamboozled and distracted by a “No-Confidence” motion.…
Read MoreYear: 2014
Urgent need to pass the AML bill
Dear Editor, Government must be commended for establishing the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). This unit it is reported, will be “dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of suspected financial transactions”. The initiative to establish this agency within the Guyana Police Force forms part of Guyana’s obligation to comply with non-parliamentary recommendations as advanced by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) through its Mutual Evaluation Report of 2011. A major criticism regarding the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is that it does not have the authority to arrest and prosecute…
Read MoreANSA McAL is dodging the issue
Dear Editor, I would like to comment on the article “ANSA McAL questions exclusion from drug supply pre-qualification… says facilities not checked during evaluation process”. I am a Guyanese who spent some time in Trinidad and was employed in a pharmacy, as I am now, that I am back in Guyana. First, I would like to say that over in Trinidad, the bidding is controlled by the National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC), with which all prospective suppliers have to register. Their registration form asks for the “nationality” of…
Read MoreDiscrepancy in report on Walter Rodney’s body – Roman Catholic priest
Roman Catholic Jesuit Priest, Malcolm Rodrigues on Thursday said there was a contradiction between an official media report and the state of Walter Rodney’s body as a result of a bomb-in-walkie-talkie explosion 34 years ago. He told the Rodney Commission of Inquiry that a radio station had reported at 6 AM on June 14, 1980 that Rodney’s face was disfigured beyond recognition as a result of an explosion on June 13, 1980. Rodrigues, however, said when he went to Lyken Funeral Parlour he saw Rodney’s face intact but his lower…
Read MoreGuyanese students witness launch of space rocket
– at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana A group of science students from Guyana got to witness the launch of an Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) into space of an Ariane 5 ES rocket from Europe’s Spaceport, Centre Spatial Guyana is in Kourou, French Guiana. Historically, what they witnessed was the last of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ATV project, with the launch of ATV- 5 on Tuesday en route to the International Space Station. Named after the Belgian scientist who formulated the Big Bang Theory, ATV Georges Lemaître is the…
Read MoreHousing and Socio-economic change
Over the last five years, there has been massive transformation in the housing and construction sectors in Guyana, with thousands of Guyanese benefiting directly from approximately 30,538 house lots distributed. The transformation of these sectors has also seen some 6991 squatter settlements regularised throughout the country, albeit with varying levels of resistance from those who were ‘settled’ in squatting areas, primarily along Guyana’s coastal belt. Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali himself spearheaded more than 59 one-stop shops, which gave thousands of Guyanese access to several distinct and core services…
Read MoreGov’t pumps millions into Emancipation activities
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Wednesday presented cheques amounting to Gy$8.125M to 89 African cultural groups to assist them to effectively carry out their various activities for Emancipation celebrations to be observed on August 1. Since 2005, Government has been supporting Emancipation activities, starting with just three groups, and has been encouraging persons from various backgrounds to become involved in preserving their cultural activities, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. Emancipation day is marked as an important day, not only in the Guyanese calendar, but also the…
Read MoreSantokie in good shape and ready to deliver
By Saeed Mohamed Jamaican Krishmar Santokie played a key role in the Guyana Amazon Warriors outfit in the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League where he was the leading wicket taker and named Man-of-the-Series after finishing with 16 wickets from his nine games. From that tournament, he emerged as one of the most exciting bowlers in the region in the game’s shortest form and was at the forefront of the West Indies attack at the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh earlier this year. He subsequently turned out for Mumbai Indians in…
Read MoreSecurity plan for Limacol CPL unveiled
By Avenash Ramzan Fans attending the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) games in Guyana are being urged to adhere to security guidelines so as to ensure a free flow of traffic to and from the Guyana National Stadium, as well as a smooth passage of spectators in and out the venue. During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International Sport recently, the former Commander of ‘A’ Division, George Vyphuis, DSM, explained in depth the security arrangements for the three days in Guyana. Matches will be held on July 17, 19…
Read MoreLimacol CPL tickets gaining momentum
By Avenash Ramzan With exactly a week to go before the first Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game in Guyana, ticket sales for the local leg is gaining momentum, according to Ticketing Officer, Natasha Khan. In giving an update on ticket sales from the Limacol CPL OPCO office on Middle Street on Wednesday, Khan highlighted that there has been a steady flow of persons to purchase tickets for the three games in Guyana. The swiftness of ticketing personnel in dealing with patrons has eliminated long queues outside the Middle Street…
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