2017 – Page 23 – Guyana Times International

Jagdeo questions Govt’s decision to grant amnesty to tax defaulters

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

The Government’s announcement of an amnesty for all corporate and individual tax defaulters, something likely to cost the State a substantial amount, is being regarded with concern by the parliamentary Opposition. Finance Minister Winston Jordan made the announcement of amnesty during his budget presentation on Monday. But during a press conference after the budget presentation, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo questioned the Government’s motive behind the move. “Why now? Why not from the very beginning of their term? Is it that there are a few companies that they know of, who…

Sexual harassment at school, work must be dealt with immediately

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, I was about to write on another topic when a letter from a prominent attorney on the school sexual case caught my eye. I took particular interest in his letter because it shows the depth, width and scope this sexual predatory practice has become in our school system. It seems — and from discussions I have had with folks in Georgetown — like this high school sexual mess is a pretty pervasive act, starting from the Ministry of Education officials right down to the ordinary teacher; all are…

‘Live good and productive lives’

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

– Minister Trotman urges St. Joseph’s graduates “Live good and productive lives based on some strong spiritual values; love God, love yourself for who you are and, find and build good healthy relationships invest in them and protect them.” This was the charge delivered by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman to graduates of St Joseph High School, as excitement and loud applause filled the air at their graduation and prize giving ceremony on Wednesday. Minister Trotman told the students that the past five or more years of academic life…

‘Bleak Christmas’ expected for sugar workers

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

…as GuySuCo begins to lay off Rose Hall Estate workers The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has started laying off workers from the Rose Hall Estate, Berbice despite Government’s announcement that the facility would no longer be closed at the end of this year. In a letter seen by Guyana Times International on Wednesday, GuySuCo discontinued the services of Rose Hall Field Supervisor Ramnarine Subramanian, under the Junior Staff Redundancy Notification. The letter dated November 26, 2017 stated that a meeting was held at the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre on…

US$30M IDB loan to address housing for low-income families in Guyana

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

In order to address the issue of housing needs for low-income families, the Guyana Government has secured US$30M from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the DPI has reported. The loan will be divided into two components; to improve occupancy of existing housing schemes through the provision of quality infrastructure, and subsidies for home improvements and core homes. This was announced by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, during the 2018 National Budget presentation on Monday. Today, while outlining how the monies will be spent, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA)…

Colour change of State House: President maintains no law was broken

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

President David Granger on Wednesday stated clearly that he is not aware that permission was needed from the National Trust for Government to repaint monumental buildings around Georgetown and as such, maintained that he has not broken any law. Just last week, the APNU/AFC Administration came in for heavy criticisms after it bypassed the National Trust and began changing the colour of State House from white to green – the dominant colour of the People’s National Congress and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), both of which the president is…

Elderly woman crushed to death by lorry

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

A 73-year-old cattle farmer is now dead following an accident on the Le Ressouvenier Public Road, East Coast Demerara, resulting in her head being crushed by a motor lorry on Wednesday morning. Dead is Moodnie Persaud, of lot 116 Success, East Coast Demerara. According to information received, at around 06:30hrs, the cattle farmer was in the process of leading her cattle across the road- from south to north, when she came into contact with the tray of the Motor Lorry, GLL5714. Persaud reportedly fell to the ground and as the…

Budget 2018: False expectations

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

The 2018 National Budget has been presented and naturally both sides in the National Assembly would be boisterous in stating their analyses. From the Government standpoint, Budget 2018 delivers additional mechanisms for the provision of the ‘good life’ it promised to all. The Opposition has already branded it disastrous and a failure. Over the next few days, the financial gurus would conduct their analyses and pontificate on positives and negatives. While that will be most useful, a casual perusal by the ordinary man can seemingly and somewhat instinctively evoke a…

Members of new Police Service Commission to be appointed soon

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

President David Granger is expected to name the members of the new Police Service Commission (PSC) by next week, almost three months after the life of the previous Commission expired. In addition, he is yet to withdraw the directive halting Police promotions – a move that the acting Chief Justice has described as unlawful and unconstitutional. President Granger told reporters that when he issued the directive it was necessary for State security since his Administration was in possession of information that security was being jeopardised. “We would have been failing…

Nothing new in Budget 2018 to transform lives of Guyana’s indigenous peoples – PPP/C MP

December 4, 2017December 4, 2017 TIMES INT'L

While President David Granger has repeatedly spoken of the need to make rural communities more modernised and provide these villages with the same level of opportunities available in the coastal region, the Opposition believes that Budget 2018 does not cater for that initiative. Former Amerindian Affairs Minister and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Pauline Sukhai, speaking at the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) press conference, said Budget 2018 did not offer any significant opportunities to bridge the gap between the hinterland and the coast. She said it was a mere continuation…