September 2017 – Page 11 – Guyana Times International

President Granger signs into law tougher money laundering sanctions

September 15, 2017September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

Head of State, President David Granger, has signed into law tougher measures under the contentious Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. The amendments were successfully piloted by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams ahead of the recent parliamentary recess by legislators. The President gave his assent at the end of August and the amendments have since been published in the Official Gazette. At the time he presented the amendments to the 65-member legislative arm of government for its approval, Williams had indicated that…

Cocaine mule dragged off Canada-bound plan

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

A cocaine mule was taken off a Canada-bound fight on Tuesday morning by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and has since excreted several pellets. CANU has since identified the suspect as 39-year-old Julius Fidel Watkins of Second Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. According to the anti-narcotics agency, after confessing to ingesting cocaine-filled pellets on Tuesday morning, the suspect was escorted to a city hospital where he was admitted. The suspect has since been medically examined and so far, he has excreted a total of 86 suspected cocaine-filled…

Guyana Gov’t pledges initial US$50,000 to regional relief efforts

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

In light of the massive destruction that has taken place in many Caribbean territories owing to Hurricane Irma, Government has pledged an initial sum of US$50,000 to aid urgent relief efforts through Caricom’s regional mechanism, which is coordinated by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in partnership with the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). Minister of State, Joseph Harmon told a special meeting convened at the boardroom of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) in Georgetown on Monday that this was agreed to following a high-level meeting convened by President…

History of Education in Guyana

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

As we observe Education Month (September), let’s take a look at the notable efforts of dedicated individuals who sought to ensure that all social classes have the right to equal academic opportunities. Arrival of the missionaries According to the Guyana Institute of Historical Research, the church was the largest private institution that contributed to the development of education, particularly at the primary level. The coming of the first missionary of the London Missionary Society (renamed the Congregational church) coincided with the abolition of the British participation in the African slave…

Regulatory Body proposed to safeguard local content

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

… as T&T expert calls for common vision across political divide The Government of Guyana has embarked on a consultative process aimed at crafting a Local Content Policy designed at securing the input of Guyanese in the emerging oil and gas sector; and as such, has proposed new laws along with a regulatory body to oversee the industry. The proposal has been outlined in the Draft Local Content Policy crafted by Trinidadian Energy Expert Anthony Paul. According to the draft supplied by Paul and for which Government has begun to…

Potaro’s ancient mountains

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

Crumpled, ancient Potaro River mountains are a sight to behold when travelling to the Kaieteur National Park to view the magnificent Kaieteur Falls. These mountains, made of sandstone conglomerate, are part of the Guiana Shield, one of the oldest rock formations in the world, stretching through Guyana, Venezuela and Colombia. A tributary of the Essequibo River, the source of the Potaro is in the Mount Ayanganna area of the Pakaraima Mountains in the North Rupununi savannahs. (Photos by David Johnstone)

Four GTI graduates see benefits from oil and gas training

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

Four Government Technical Institute (GTI) graduates are benefitting from hands-on training in the oil and gas industry through a programme facilitated by El Dorado Offshore (EDO).Four Government Technical Institute (GTI) graduates are benefitting from hands-on training in the oil and gas industry through a programme facilitated by El Dorado Offshore (EDO).EDO’s Country Manager, Kerri Gravesande, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the programme is aimed at empowering young people and is part of EDO’s local content development plan to bring awareness of opportunities in the oil and gas…

September remember

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

Satiricus was literally scratching his head. He and the fellas had been throwing back at the Back Street Bar for the better part of the night and the words had become a bit slurred and the thinking fuzzy. With Irma following Harvey but doing most of its damage in the Caribbean, they’d been commiserating with their fellow West Indians. It had taken its toll on them! “But thank God, it’ll soon be over,” said Hari with a loopy smile. “Let’s drink to that!” “How yuh suh shore ‘bout da?” asked…

President Granger to meet with UN boss on border controversy

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

President David Granger is preparing to address the United Nations General Assembly and meet with UN Secretary General António Guterres and his personal representative in the border controversy issue between Guyana and Venezuela, Dag Halvor Nylander on September 25, on the sidelines of the 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly to be held in New York. Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge told a press conference on Wednesday that President Granger’s address to the UN General Assembly was also expected to send a clear message…

AFC executives land in Court for fighting over questionable contracts

September 15, 2017 TIMES INT'L

Two officials from the Alliance For Change (AFC), who were arrested on Monday, were on Wednesday hauled before Magistrate Alex Moore in New Amsterdam after a fight between the two erupted at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The fight was allegedly over contracts for school repairs. AFC Regional Vice Chairman Michell McBean, 60, of Liverpool Village, Corentyne, was charged with unlawfully assaulting Joseph Baichu, 52, of Number 45 Village, Corentyne on Monday last in the vicinity of Republic Road, New Amsterdam. Magistrate Moore also read…