Year: 2017

Joint Guyana-Suriname Commission to engage African oil producers

TIMES INT'L

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has returned from neighbouring Suriname following the New Petroleum Producers Group Annual Meeting held in Suriname from October 15 to 20, 2017 where the South American neighbours have agreed to a joint study tour of identified African oil-producing countries. During the meeting, Minister Trotman met with representatives from the oil and gas institutions and agencies of Suriname, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone to share experiences for the benefit and enhanced development of the countries gathered. During the meeting, country representatives shared innovative ideas on petroleum…

Read More

‘Be honest and do the right thing’

TIMES INT'L

– Ramjattan urges CANU ranks Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Monday told ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) that they have to be prepared for the wave of intelligent criminals who are engaging in the narcotics trade. He made the charge at the opening of the Unit’s annual counter-narcotics staff training. He said the smuggling of narcotics was dangerous to the democracy of any nation and it hindered economic growth while taking away from the “human-ness” of the population. “It is a completely evil thing dealing and smuggling…

Read More

Drunken motorcyclist granted G$IM bail for causing death of soldier

TIMES INT'L

The allegedly intoxicated motorcyclist involved in a fatal smash-up which claimed the life of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) as he was making his way home from the Lethem Town Week celebrations one week ago, was on Wednesday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Hilroy Pedro pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, detailing that on October 18, 2017 on Lethem Public Road in Central Rupununi, he rode a motorcycle in a manner dangerous to…

Read More

Early Years of Transportation in Essequibo

TIMES INT'L

By Isahak Basir, CCH The Dutch occupancy of Essequibo began in the early seventeen century even though this territory had changed its name at certain periods, from Maracro Coast to Arabian Coast in the early 19th century. The Dutch established Fort Island in the Essequibo River as their command centre, and communicated to those in Essequibo by boats. Several human manipulators and oars propelled these huge wooden boats. The ordeal from Airy Hall to Fort Island by such a boat can take about three hours. A huge silk cotton tree…

Read More

Govt’s engagement with workers’ unions ‘mere theatrics’

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has taken note of the recent announcement by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, regarding the Government’s decision to impose for the third consecutive year pay rises for employees in the public service. Depending on their income, the workers, according to the Minister, will receive increases of between 8 per cent and 0.5 per cent, since that’s all the Government could afford. Our Union finds the Government’s expressed rationale insincere. We believe that, with more prudent spending and less extravagance and…

Read More

Economic and social gains made in Guyana are being reversed

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The date October 18, 2017 will be a day that will live in infamy. It will join the ranks of days like July 10, 1978, when the Constitutional Referendum was held or December 9, 1985, when one of the worst rigged elections took place. It will certainly be a date that Guyanese will remember with sadness for many years and generations to come. Historians will recall the day as the time when the APNU/AFC Government autocratic tendencies went into over drive and a day where the hard won…

Read More

President Granger’s action geared towards establishing dictatorial regime in Guyana

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, On the night of October 19, 2017, Diwali night, the darkest night of the year, President Granger sworn in James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This act went against everything that President Granger said he was looking for in a person to chair GECOM. But worse, it was a flagrant disregard of our Constitution. The President told the Opposition Leader that he was looking for a young person. He chose a man that is almost 85 years old. He spoke about the person not…

Read More

NY Governor announces cancer research initiative

TIMES INT'L

…aimed at enhancing prevention efforts and improving access to treatment New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced a new data-driven, statewide initiative to examine cancer patterns and the potential causes of cancer in four regions across the state that have a higher incidence of certain cancers, a release from the Governor’s office stated. Governor Cuomo traveled to Warren County and Staten Island to announce that the Department of Health will be reviewing cancer data, potential demographic and occupational factors, and will consult with the Department of Environmental Conservation on…

Read More

Changing our political culture

TIMES INT'L

In light of the storm unleashed over President Granger’s unilateral appointment of former Justice James Patterson as Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, it might appear matters of culture may be farthest from the mind of the average citizen right now. But that would be a mistaken view, and in fact, “culture” in general and political culture in particular, lie at the heart of the storm – the eye of the hurricane, so to speak. We all know “culture” is our “way of life”, and no matter how divided we may…

Read More

Empowering youths to serve the disability community

TIMES INT'L

By Ashraf Dabie Focused on creating opportunities for persons with disabilities, the U.S. Embassy Georgetown, through its Youth Action Network (YAN), turned its attention to Berbice with a mission of empowering youth leaders within the county to better serve the disability community. This initiative took the form of a two-day Conference and Service Day Project, which was hosted last weekend and made possible by a collaborative effort between YAN and the St. Francis Community Developers in Port Mourant, Corentyne. A group of over 20 volunteers attached to YAN, the official…

Read More