January 2018 – Page 11 – Guyana Times International

Dynamic passengers to be refunded

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) says it has initiated the process to access a bond for the sum of two hundred thousand United States dollars (US$200,000), which was lodged by Dynamic International Airways, in collaboration with their local handling agent, Roraima Airways Inc. According to the MPI, “the funds will be used to refund passengers in Guyana who purchased tickets to travel on the now defunct Dynamic Airways, provided that they have not been able to use the whole or part of same to travel.” This publication was informed…

Govt forced to make difficult choices to ensure sugar industry’s viability – President Granger

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…dismissed sugar workers to be given 50% severance pay this month, other half by year-end Government has announced that it will pay 50 per cent of the severance benefits to dismissed sugar workers by the end of this month. This commitment represents over G$2 billion in severance payments. This announcement was made in Parliament on Wednesday when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo read a statement from President David Granger. However, he said that the remainder will be paid in the second half of the year. This move comes one day after…

Cocaine laced hammocks: Woman gets 3 years jail, fined G$18M

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The Guyhoc Park woman who attempted to post four hammocks saturated with cocaine through the Eugene F. Correia International Airport in September of 2017, was on Thursday sentenced to 3 years in prison and fined G$18 million when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Tiffany Collison initially pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read in court on October 3, 2017. However, at the end of the trial, she pleaded guilty before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. Her charge alleged that on September 20, 2017, she attempted to…

Americans urged to ‘exercise increased caution’ when visiting Guyana

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The United States of America on Wednesday issued a new travel advisory for Americans, warning them to “exercise increased caution” when visiting Guyana due to “crime.” The travel advisory which has four tiers and is found on the US Department of State website outlines that “Level 1” informs the respective persons to “exercise normal precautions” as it is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk, while “Level 2” encourages “increased caution” for travellers to be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. Moreover, “Level 3” warns individuals…

56-yr-old commits suicide at Golden Fleece

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

A 56-year-old housewife from Lot 8 Golden Fleece Public Road on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) reportedly committed suicide on Tuesday after suffering from prolonged mental illness. Dead is Dewantie Rampersaud whose body was discovered by her husband around noon on Tuesday hanging from a rafter in one of their bedrooms. Information received indicates the deceased was living with her husband and two grandchildren in a wooden and concrete house. The deceased husband, Doroop Rampersaud, said he last saw his wife alive around 09:00h on Tuesday. After the…

Guyana entered into crucial negotiations in an almost casual manner

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, Writing in 1968, Gordon K. Lewis, historian and political scientist, described Guyana as “a fascinating complex of strident paradoxes”. The events of the last few months serve as an apt illustration of this diagnosis. First, there was the signature bonus, held in secret for the purpose of underwriting a legal defence in our border dispute with Venezuela. Then the festive season began with the largest retrenchment of workers in living memory, with no coherent plan for their immediate welfare or future employment. Finally came the public release of…

British expert returns as SOCU advisor

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…despite questions over his remit Despite previous complaints from the main political Opposition party in Guyana, the People’s Progressive Party, UK white collar crime expert Dr Sam Sittlington is back for another stint working with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). This was made known from a missive sent out by the United Kingdom High Commission office. In the missive, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn invited media operatives to a “meet the press” day on January 9, where Dr Sittlington will be introduced as a financial investigations mentor and advisor…

University Dean, friend attacked by gunmen in brazen robbery

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Dean of the College of Medicine at Texila University in Guyana, 38-year-old Krishna Mohan, along with his friend, 26-year-old Nandha Kishore, were on Saturday afternoon stopped by gunmen while proceeding along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) road, and robbed of over G$200,000 worth of cash and valuables. The victims, both of Lot 565 Montrose Street, Continental Park, EBD, were attacked at around 13:15hrs on the Continental Park access road. Details surrounding the incident indicate that the two were proceeding along the road in motorcar PTT 570 when two perpetrators, who…

Privatising closed sugar estates

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

In view of the universally acknowledged (save for some members of the Government) acceptance that the contract negotiated with ExxonMobil for our oil was very poorly handled by the Government in the person of the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) opined that for all new contracts in the oil sector, the Government should utilise the services of more expert negotiators. On the surface, even though it is clear it is playing “catch up,” the Government appears to have learnt that lesson as it prepares…

Guyanese must play part in promoting Mashramani to the world

January 12, 2018January 12, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…says Coordinator Guyanese are being called upon by Mashramani Coordinator Andrew Tyndall to take ownership of the country’s National celebration observed on February 23. Tyndall, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), said that given the symbolism of Mashramani – a celebration after hard work and the date on which Guyana gained the status of a Republic – it is a festival not only for the participants but for all Guyanese. “We have worked hard as a people and we have come a long way, (it is)…