2014 – Page 70 – Guyana Times International

Webster says Govt making progress in fighting TIP

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

By Alexis Rodney Amid an increase in reported cases of human trafficking in Guyana, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster has assured that government was using every available method to help combat the scourge. Over the years, government has not been receptive to some of the criticisms in its fight against human trafficking and has boasted of rigorous systems in place to combat the problem. At her end-of-year news conference at her Water Street office, Webster said so far for this year, Gy$ 3.1 million has been…

Eight-year-old electrocuted while fishing

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Moments after leaving his home to catch fish, an eight-year old lad was Monday morning electrocuted after he came into contact with an illegal connection at Plum Park, Sophia, Georgetown. Joshua Regis, a pupil of the Enterprise Primary School, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital sometime after 11: 30h. According to reports, the lad, who loved fishing, was warned not to leave the house, but he left without his mother’s knowledge, with a bucket and fishing hook in his hands. He went to a nearby trench…

New UG council more accountable – education minister

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Education Minister Priya Manickchand said the recently-installed University of Guyana Council is more accountable so far. Manickchand made this statement at an end-of-the-year press conference on Monday. She said there have been significant changes made to the operations of the University of Guyana, under the stewardship of the new university council and Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi, who has also been more accountable and transparent. Manickchand told media operatives that while the ministry has no direct supervision over the tertiary institution, it allocates finance to the university to assist in…

Over 800 Amerindian youths participate in apprenticeship programme

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Approximately 856 youths participated in the Youth Apprenticeship Programme launched by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry earlier this year even as plans are being made to increase this number in the coming year to 2000. Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai made this disclosure on Monday when asked by Guyana Times International for an update on the programme. Sukhai said that the programme has been of great benefit for Amerindian youths in the hinterland and is expected to expand to other communities in the coming year. The minister said the achievements made…

Rum Jhaat always deh behind

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Rum Jhaat is a man who can’t keep he mouth shut. De other day he open he mouth yet again. He talk bout some body a**, but he sound like one. Wasn’t de first time either. One of he own neighbour seh is every day de man does mek he self one. Now he holler pun a lil gyal in de public service. And this is a man who seh he fightin fuh de public service. Is a natural ting if yuh tell somebody someting bout dem house, dem gon…

Human Services Ministry to focus more on senior citizens in 2014

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry has had a very successful year in 2013, and will continue its work in the new year towards ensuring Guyanese enjoy their rights, the Government Information Agency reported. Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster at an end-of-year press conference at the ministry on Monday, said the International Labour Organisation (ILO) TACKLE project will be continued by the government and the National Action Plan on Gender Based Violence will be completed. The ministry plans to make life for senior citizens much easier…

Holiday musings

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

By Anu Dev Well 2013 is finally coming to an end. The year is wrapping up and we’re being propelled towards January 1st, 2014. Our thoughts inevitably become a bit reflective as we think about what the past year has been like. We can’t do much about the process, since as humans we’re driven to create narratives. The point is: what kind of narrative are we going to create? For me, the past year’s been one of my most momentous – graduating from high school, moving to a different country…

Guyana hoping to achieve universal secondary education by 2016

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Education Minister Priya Manickchand said her ministry performed well in 2013 and the Donald Ramotar administration is hoping to achieve universal access to secondary education in Guyana by 2016. Manickchand made the comment during her end-of-year press conference held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown on Monday. The education minister said the universal access to secondary education goal will be made possible through the strong efforts undertaken by her ministry to improve access to education at all levels and improving the quality of education being delivered. Secondary education “We intend…

Negligence caused Airy Hall Conservancy breach

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Residents and farmers on the whole have become disillusioned with the regional administration of Region Two, for as they put it, a demonstrated failure to be a militant organisation to protect their interests. The flooding of 200 acres of rice in the Airy Hall area by intermittent heavy rainfall which caused a breach of the Conservancy Dam was due to no maintenance and no proper monitoring on the part of the drainage and irrigation rangers. I would hasten to add that if the regional administration is to succeed in holding…

PPP/C wants swift resolution to electricity situation in Guyana

January 3, 2014 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is cognisant of the inconvenience the recent spate of power outages has caused many Guyanese, especially during this festive season. It is not unreasonable for consumers to expect the provision of uninterrupted power supply, the need for which becomes exacerbated at this time. While the party calls on the utility company to do its utmost to ensure that consumers are satisfied, it is not oblivious of the challenges faced by the entity. These challenges were compounded by the inexcusable act of the combined…