2016 – Page 68 – Guyana Times International

22-year-old man electrocuted with ‘homemade drop cord’

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

Ian Andrews, 22, of Palmyra, East Coast Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is now dead after being electrocuted by a homemade drop cord. Reports are that Andrews, who lived alone, might have been taking the drop cord which had a bulb attached to it, to the lower flat of the building when the incident occurred. Andrews’ mother, Sara, said last Thursday she tried to make contact with her son, but her calls to his cellular phone went unanswered. “On Friday, I decided to call an aunt asking her to make…

Region 2 rice farmers still owed

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

By Indrawattie Natram Several rice farmers living in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are still owed millions of dollars by millers for paddy sold two crops ago. This was disclosed by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor Showkat Ail at the statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of that Region on Tuesday. Ali told his fellow Councillors that farmers were highly indebted but still owed by millers. The Councillor divulged that owing to farmers having loans from commercial banks, they have no other choice but to cultivate their lands despite the…

2 held following Chinese businesswoman’s murder

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

Police have intensified their search for leads into the fatal shooting of a Chinese National who was killed during a robbery on the Corentyne on Sunday night. Following the shooting, Police arrested one man who remains in custody and has so far been assisting the investigation. However, on Tuesday, according to sources, a second man was arrested after Police intelligence led them to a house in the community. The murder is being investigated by the Major Crime Unit (MCU). On Saturday, two unmasked men, one armed with a cutlass and…

National Assembly erupts over “Green and Yellowing” of Guyana

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

The National Assembly descended into a state of near chaos after People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Alistair Charlie made mention of the use of green and yellow, synonymous with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition on State buildings. However, House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, charged that “green and yellow” are colours of the Guyana flag. “It (green and yellow) cannot be an object for lampooning in this House,” he said. This prompted an intervention by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira who noted that the…

Minister Cummings details Action Plan to tackle rising suicide rate in Guyana

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

BY DEVINA SAMAROO The Public Health Ministry will be redoubling its efforts in the ongoing battle to bring the soaring suicide rates down through the introduction of several initiatives, including training of gatekeepers within communities, providing therapy sessions for suicide survivors, ensuring all health centres are equipped with social workers, and dispatching mental health officers to high-risked regions, among other schemes with the hope of providing the much-needed relief to the presumably increasing numbers of persons who feel they are in the depths of despair. Guyana continues to grapple with…

Police still hunting for husband who allegedly drowned wife in canal

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

Police ranks in ‘D’ Division have intensified their hunt for the reputed husband of the late Bibi Zabida Khan also known as “Theresa” after he allegedly beat his wife, drowned her in a canal and then disappeared. Rudolph Williams, a 43-year cane cutter of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) is still on the run after witnesses claimed that the man drowned his wife in a canal at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo almost three weeks ago. According to initial reports, persons in the area saw the couple in a heated argument…

SOCU not called to assist U.S. with investigations – Sydney James

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

In light of the recent arrest of Dr Noel Blackman in the United States of America for illegally writing a large number of prescriptions for narcotic-based painkillers, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) said it was not contacted to offer assistance in the investigation. Head of the Unit, Sydney James when asked for a comment noted that the investigation is being headed by the United States authorities and while Guyana and the US have some amount of cooperation, the Unit has not been called upon to lend its expertise. He…

Motorist killed after car slams into sand truck

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

A motorist was early on Wednesday morning killed after he lost control of the car he was driving and slammed into a truck at Supply, East Bank Demerara. The accident occurred at about 05:30h. Dead is Quilton Greene, 45, of La Penitence, Georgetown. According to information received, the car was heading North towards Georgetown when the driver lost control of the vehicle and slammed into the truck which was heading in the opposition direction. Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that the now dead man had to be pulled from the…

MB Sandaka sails again

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

Residents of Leguan island, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will be pleased to learn that its Motor Barge (MB) Sandaka has resumed operations after it underwent repairs late last year. According to the General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), Marclene Merchant, the MB Sandaka has recommenced plying its route after successful tests were conducted by engineers of the department’s central workshop. This newspaper understands that infrastructural work on the motor barge included works to the hull, the vessel’s frame, fixing of the decking plate and repainting of…

Racism and political favouritism should be eradicated in Guyana

February 12, 2016 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, For decades I have been advocating racial harmony in the country of my birth, but my pleas were ignored both by the PPP and PNC administrations and it seems as if the new APNU/AFC might not be different. It is like six for one and half a dozen for the other. I wonder what can be done to change this sad and worrying situation which is the bug-bear of the nation. Growing up we were told that the British sowed the “divide and rule” seed and when Forbes…