Guyana continues to prove time and time again, that it has a strange political culture that is never constant but always changing given the mood and agenda of its key political actors. Whether this change is good or bad depends on the outcome of the issues that are affected by our very dynamic political culture. President Ramotar announced May 11 as the day when Guyanese would be given the opportunity to once again vote for a party of their choice after three years of political stalemate and a dysfunctional Parliament…
Read MoreMonth: January 2015
Guyanese to benefit from cheaper electricity rates soon
By Erica Williams Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has agreed to reduce its electricity tariffs, in response to a proposal made by President Donald Ramotar, who during negotiations alluded to the significant drop in fuel prices on the international market. The price for fuel has been dropping around the world since last June, with the latest price of fuel in Venezuela being recorded at US$39.19 per barrel, the lowest in almost half a decade. Head of the President Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon made this disclosure on Wednesday during his…
Read MoreMore than 2500 Guyanese to be employed
… as Paris-based call centre is set to commence operations in Georgetown Teleperformance, a global customer service-oriented company based in Paris, France is making its way into the Guyanese market and is expected to open its doors in early May. This investment which comes at a time when Guyana is battling to reduce its unemployment rate, will be creating some 2,500 much needed jobs opportunities for young Guyanese. The company’s operations will be housed in the six-storied building currently undergoing finishing touches at the junction of Camp and Robb Streets,…
Read MoreSchools Welfare Programme to be strengthened
Amid increasing violence at public schools, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said the Ministry would strengthen its welfare programme in schools across the country. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Manickchand said more welfare officers would be trained by high-level officials from across the Caribbean, noting that a team of 13 supporting masters are currently in the country undergoing training. Manickchand noted that since the initiative was the first of its kind, they may not be able to pull off everything on time and as expected, but would work towards…
Read More“We are ready for battle” – PPP/C
By Gomatie Gangadin General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee on Monday disclosed that the Party has been “oiling its machinery “for elections and is entering full elections mode. This disclosure was made during the party’s weekly press conference at Freedom House. He noted that the party members are getting ready to venture out across the ten administrative regions in coming weeks as its election campaign takes shape. Rohee related that the PPP/C members have been meeting with citizens since before the Christmas season and they are…
Read MorePolitical parties in agreement for public vetting of E-Day staff
– but GECOM non-committal The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is yet to agree on a proposal for public vetting of elections day staff, although most of the political parties said they will give support to such an initiative. The idea was first floated by the People’s progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) during a recent meeting with GECOM. However, in a statement on Tuesday the electoral body said at a meeting with the PPP/C on Monday the request was repeated for the commission to publish the names of persons to be employed by…
Read MoreSale of counterfeit products remains a major problem in Guyana
The influx of substandard and counterfeit products in Guyana remains a major problem, as it affects not only consumers but commercial entities that are selling legitimate products. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is now joining organisations such as the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department and the World Health Organisation (WHO), in the call to end the sale of these substandard products. In a recent interview with Guyana Times International, PSC President Ramesh Persaud said businesses should guard against the importation of substandard and counterfeit products. He said too that wholesalers…
Read MoreSetting of elections date in keeping with the Constitution – Nandlall
President Donald Ramotar has no obligation to dissolve Parliament before announcing a date for General and Regional Elections, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall said, as he poured cold water on criticisms made by the other political parties and the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC). Hours after President Ramotar announced that elections will be held on May 11, GTUC issued a statement condemning the act, contending that the life of the 10th Parliament should have been dissolved before a date was set for elections. “GTUC condemns the continued…
Read MoreGranger calls for new elections date
…cites clash with CSEC, CAPE exams By Jomo Paul Opposition Leader David Granger has called on President Donald Ramotar to rethink the date that has been set for the hosting of General and Regional Elections, pointing out that it coincides with Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). Contacted on the issue, a senior Government official told Guyana Times International that all efforts would be made to ensure a smooth holding of the polls in conjunction with examinations. The President on Tuesday in an address…
Read MoreThe British High Commissioner believes his country is still a colonial power
Dear Editor, I have seen the reports in the Sunday papers on the reaction of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) to the statement by Caricom Ministers criticising the blatant interference and the mis-leading and untruthful remarks made by the British High Commissioner in Guyana in relation to prorogation of the Parliament and democracy. I was immediately reminded of the old saying, “History tends to repeat itself, first as a tragedy and second as a farce”. I also reminded myself that this is the problem with the GTUC. It does…
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