Year: 2016

Guyana’s rugby team ready to tackle Bajans on Saturday

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As the road to World Cup qualifying begins for Guyana’s national rugby team, the first test will be overhauling the visiting Barbados side on Saturday at the National Park Rugby Field. Speaking on Wednesday at a press conference, captain of the team, Richard Staglon, said he is optimistic of the side’s chances of securing a victory because of the blend of experience and youth. Staglon said, “I think we stand a good cha nce of winning, with the blend of youth and experience players; we have a new coach who…

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Ram walks out of Prison inquiry

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– says “purpose and objective of Commission is being seriously compromised” BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR “Improper, unethical” and “unprofessional” were the words Attorney and President of the Guyana Bar Association Christopher Ram uttered, as he marched out of Wednesday afternoon’s session of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly Camp Street Prison riots. This walk-out occurred during the cross-examination of Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels who prisoners claimed gave the orders to lock the prison door. The Attorney sought to make the correlation that Attorney Selwyn Pieters, who is…

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New NCN boss defends ability to manage State broadcaster

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Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN) Lennox Cornette has sought to defend his name against rising media reports against him, that he was appointed although he had committed a criminal act 17 years ago, while an employee of the then Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T). Cornette was appointed last week as the new CEO of the State-owned entity, replacing Molly Hassan, who held the post for two years. Since his appointment, online news outfits have reported that Cornette, while serving as Public Relations Officer…

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No trace of US$5M payment for GT&T shares – Govt

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– former President denies any payment was made A recent visit to China by Minister of State Joseph Harmon has revealed that Chinese company, Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group, has already repaid the outstanding US$5 million for Government’s shares in GTT, however, local authorities are yet to find a record of the payment. In 2012, the Chinese company purchased Government’s 20 per cent shares in the local telephone company at the cost of US$30 million from the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL). However, based on an agreement…

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APNU/AFC to hold retreat to review performance of Govt

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In less than a month, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition (APNU/AFC) will commemorate its first year in governance, as such, the coalition is expected to host a seminar to review its performance over the past 12 months. This was revealed by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman on Wednesday at the post Cabinet briefing which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency.  “As we approach the first year in Government, there will be such a gathering where you can look at the triumphs and the hills…

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Police arrest one in connection with murder of Wakenaam businessman

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An Alberttown, Georgetown resident was on Wednesday morning arrested and is being interrogated for the murder of Wakenaam businessman, Mahendra Persaud who was gunned down on Alexander Street, Bourda on Tuesday. The 26-year-old suspect was arrested at about 03:50h by Police ranks. A Police source stated that the man is a known character to the Police and was seen in the CCTV footage of the shooting incident after it was reviewed by investigators. Guyana Times International understands that the Police uplifted and reviewed several pieces of surveillance footage from nearby…

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Not Guilty! Man accused of murdering toddler freed

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The man who was accused of sodomising his two-year-old niece which led to her death was yesterday set free at the Georgetown High Court when a mixed 12 member jury declared him not guilty of the murder charge. Justice Priya Sewnarine–Beharry dismissed the charge against Kevin Rankin after the jury unanimously agreed that he was not guilty of the act. When the verdict was handed down Ranking shouted “yes!” as he threw both of his hands in the air then quickly exited the Court as members of the dead toddlers’…

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Baroness Valerie Amos to grace Guyana’s Jubilee celebrations in New York

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Former Leader of the British House of Lords and Director of The School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London, Baroness Valerie Amos will be a Guest of Honor at the Guyana Independence Celebration in New York. The Celebration which takes place from June 4 – 12, 2016 is being held to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence.  Baroness Amos hails from Wakenaam Island, Guyana. She was the first black woman to serve in the British Cabinet as Secretary for International Development in 2003.  Baroness Amos was subsequently…

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Tobacco legislation to be tabled soon – Dr Cummings

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Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings has outlined that Government planned to pass legislation altering the use of tobacco in the country. According to Dr Cummings, Government will be embarking on a number of initiatives with the aim of promoting a healthier Guyana and improving the productivity of its people. She said during the recently-held Unicomer health fair and expo that the tabling of the tobacco legislation was high on Government’s agenda. Last year, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) made calls for Guyana to pass…

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Guyana records 34 road deaths for 2016 so far

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…speeding, drunk driving main causes The traffic department of the Guyana Police Force has recorded 34 road fatalities for the year so far when compared to 30 fatalities from 21 accidents in 2015. Out of the 34 fatalities, three were children. According to acting traffic officer Boodnarine Persaud, speeding and use of alcohol continued to be the main cause of accidents while other causes include inattentiveness by pedestrians and pedal cyclists, lack of care at intersections, among other factors. Pedestrians and motorcyclists represented the largest categories of those killed during…

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