Year: 2017

In keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals-2 (SDG-2) which calls for zero hunger and the promotion of sustainable agriculture to achieve food security, the government will be investing some G$68M to support hinterland agriculture in 2018. During her budget 2018 presentation, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe explained that G$25M will be used to procure tractors and equipment for three indigenous farming communities. This, she noted, will boost and enhance sustainable farming, productivity and food security for the residents. Further, she explained that some G$33M will…

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is now being accused of delivering lip service, and changing like a “chameleon” when it comes to addressing the concerns of the sugar workers. General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine, has said, “While he (the PM) justifies unashamedly the cutting down of the sugar industry and the laying off of thousands, Mr Nagamootoo himself and his party have been saying that he is…a friend of the sugar workers’ union. ‘We are a friend of the sugar workers and we…

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Even as controversy swirls over the Government’s secretive collection of a US$18 million signing bonus, questions are now being raised over exactly what negotiations took place. This is so as Guyana’s bonus pales in comparison to a US$700 million signing bonus Exxon paid to Brazil. Former Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Nigel Hughes, noted that Finance Minister Winston Jordan himself had declared that Guyana was de-risked following significant oil finds. Despite Guyana having the upper hand, however, Hughes noted, it accepted a 2 per cent royalty and now a US$18…

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The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has noted “with great concern” the events which took place on Monday, December 11, in the National Assembly. Noting that the objective of Parliament is to allow deliberation on questions of interest to the nation, and to arrive at the will of the Assembly in a civilised manner, the PSC says it firmly believes that Parliament is the forum where members must be free to challenge each other, including the Honourable Speaker, as they pursue the relentless representation of the people of Guyana. The PSC…

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Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, on Monday evening denied that he called in Members of the Guyana Police Force to remove Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill from the National Assembly. During a press conference, the Speaker said Edghill was suspended from the day’s proceedings in accordance with Standing Order 47 (2), which states: “The Speaker or the Chairperson shall order any Member whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the Assembly during the remainder of that day’s sitting, and may direct such steps to be taken…

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Another situation almost escalated in Parliament on Wednesday when two plain clothes Police Officers took turns pretending to be reporters while sitting at the press table in the National Assembly. When day three of the meeting of the Committee of Supply commenced on Wednesday, the journalists noticed a strange person sitting at the press table but raised no alarm. However, as the day progressed, and it was observed that the stranger made no attempt to fit in nor communicate with other journalists, this left reporters suspicious. That suspicion was heightened…

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As Guyana continues to count the days until oil production, slated for 2020, British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn has issued a warning that the country should not direct all its attention solely towards the petroleum industry. Invited to speak at a private sector event on Friday last, the foreign official addressed a number of key concerns relative to the nation’s future and the development of the relationship shared between Guyana and the UK. In his presentation, Quinn alluded to the country’s anticipation of the endless possibilities which are expected to…

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…arrested 3 months after hit-and-run accident Police ranks in Berbice have been able to locate the car which was involved in a hit-and-run accident at Number 55 Village, Corentyne back in September and have also arrested the driver. Reports are that Police got the breakthrough with the aid of a close relative of the suspect. It was the man’s son-in-law who reportedly provided the information to the Police almost three months after the accident which killed 19-year-old Trishan Sahai, also called “Star”, of Number 57 Village, Corentyne and injured his…

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