2015 – Page 50 – Guyana Times International

GECOM gets funds to buy ballot boxes

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

Some Gy$35.2 million was on Tuesday approved for the procurement of sensitive materials for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as it prepared for the upcoming General and Regional Elections. Cabinet gave its no-objection for the money to be used to secure the materials such as ballot boxes, security seals, validation seals, ballot papers; voters lists, computers, ballot paper stamps, and indelible ink. While a date for elections has not yet been announced by President Donald Ramotar, the Elections Commission has indicated that it was in a state of readiness. Meanwhile,…

Labour Ministry received 1244 complaints in 2014

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

In 2014, a total of 1,244 complaints were lodged with the Ministry of Labour, of which 821 or 66% were resolved. While in 2014, more complaints were lodged, fewer were concluded and this was because many of the complaints related to the mining industry, noted Minister of Labour Dr. Nanda Gopaul. He said that in the mining industry, both employers and their complainants seem to always be ‘out of touch’ with the ministry. Minister Gopaul stated that from the 1,244 complaints, only 24 or 1.9% were related to non-payment of…

CGX, ASL analysing data gathered from aerial search

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

BY ERICA WILLIAMS Co-Chairman of CGX Oil Company, Dr Suresh Narine said that the firm has already handed over some data gathered from its aerial search for the missing Air Services Limited plane and is hoping that very soon the crew and the aircraft could be located. A CGX contracted plane that was in Guyana on oil exploration operations joined the search on Saturday. The aircraft is equipped with a magnetic reader, which will greatly aid in the search. It has been close to two weeks since the aircraft disappeared…

Honour and country

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

The good book does say that a man is not recognised in his own country. After all, the natives remember when he used to walk barefoot among them. But when it comes to former President Bharrat Jagdeo not only does the Opposition media refuse to recognise his accomplishments but they go out of their way to do what the Americans call, “a hatchet job” on his reputation. Take the Stabroek News’ editorial of January 5, “Observers”, which purported to comment on Jagdeo being appointed Head of the Commonwealth Team of…

Specialty Hospital will be completed – Dr Luncheon

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

Government is still very keen on seeing the completion of the US$18 million Specialty Hospital and has built a stronger alliance with the provider of the concessionary loan financing to see it become a reality. Construction on the state-of-the-art medical facility was halted last September after Government took the contract from Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL), following the discovery of major discrepancies. A month after yanking the contract, Government, through the Attorney General Chambers, had also filed a lawsuit against the India-based company for in excess of US$100 million for…

US$50M Indian loan for East Bank/ East Coast road link approved

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

In a series of bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Gandhinagar, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday agreed to provide USD 50 million to fund a road project in Guyana. He also agreed to provide “concessional credit” to supply a passenger ferry to help Guyana overcome transportation problems. Modi in his meeting with President of Guyana Donald Ramotar said that India would set up its first IT Centre of Excellence on the South American Continent, in Guyana. India also approved a new Line…

15% increase in tourist arrivals projected for Guyana this year

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

The Ministry of Tourism is projecting a 15 per cent increase in tourist arrivals this New Year and has scheduled several FAM trips. The tourism sector is very important for showcasing a country’s cultural diversity, as well as its socio-economic potential. And with the attention “Destination Guyana” is receiving, there is no doubt that the sector will be propelled to greater heights in 2015, the ministry said. In 2014, the sector, through a series of tourism activities, experienced great strides in promoting Guyana as a prime tourist destination. The activities…

APNU cautious about AFC’s “secret talks”

January 9, 2015 TIMES INT'L

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said it was in favour of non-disclosure of negotiations on a pre-elections coalition with the Alliance For Change (AFC), but remained cautious given earlier pussyfooting by the minority Opposition party. APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon on Monday confirmed that the party was in receipt of a proposal from the AFC stipulating the way forward on the coalition talks. The AFC, over the weekend, said a draft proposal stipulating that talks could only be held in secret was submitted to APNU for the party’s consideration.…