Busses, boats and bicycles not good enough; APNU/AFC must do more

Dear Editor, Recently, the President was seen assisting a toddler in the cutting of a ribbon to hand over a bus which is to be used for transportation of school children. While this is a somewhat nice gesture, I can forthwith tell the President of a better way to help the poor; that is: the reinstatement of the G$10,000 grant for each child in school. That gift by the previous PPP/C Administration was more lasting, and was of more economic benefit to the children of this great country. It made…

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Press body wants more frequent engagements with President Granger

While making a commitment to continue professionalising the local media corps, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) called on President David Granger to facilitate more frequent interactions with the press apart from informal gathering like the annual media brunch held at State House on Sunday. This call was made on Sunday by GPA Vice President Zoisa Fraser at the same event. She said in light of the theme for World Press Freedom Day 2018, “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”, the GPA would like to have…

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Those in power seem to be in support of sugar industry’s destruction

Dear Editor, What manner of people are we, to see the suffocation of our Guyanese brothers and sisters in the sugar industry as some of our writers and politicians exhale hot air in the form of words like praxis, uneconomical, impractical; and wax philosophical theorems while entire villages, communities and regions are economically choking — symbolically, metaphorically, and literally — with the unjust termination of sugar workers. Two terminated sugar workers have suffocated themselves so far, evidently collapsing under the weight of poverty, enabled by quote/unquote kith and kin, be…

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‘We have done much with what we were given’

…AFC says in defending poor ministerial performance in coalition Govt After facing heavy criticism for its submissive position towards the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance For Change (AFC) said that it remained a strong member of the coalition Government and would continue to work to ensure that its views were taken on board. Trotman also defended the poor performance of AFC Ministers within the coalition Government, asserting that while the party was “not perfect”, it has utilised its 12 seats in Parliament to make a significant impact…

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Georgetown youth remanded for raping male relative

A 16-year old male from Georgetown was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for his alleged sexual activity with a male relative who was reportedly seven year old at the time. Due to the nature of the crime and the ages involved, the matter was heard in-camera. This newspaper, however, understands the incident was said to have occurred within the month of January 2017. The accused youth will make his next court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on January 26.

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Shooting incident confirms need for overhaul of City Constabulary, says Mayor

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green said that the recent shooting incident involving a Lance Corporal of the City Constabulary proved that there should be a greater sense of urgency to have the city police department restructured and to have staffers trained to execute their duties more professionally. “This has brought more than one issue to light and there is a greater need now, more than ever before, to have the constabulary – if not restructured – to have training at all levels. The Town Clerk has started the process of…

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Farmer on G$175,000 bail for discharging firearm, wounding

A Lindener was granted bail in the total sum of G$175,000 by Magistrate Clive Nurse when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, charged with the offences of discharging a firearm and unlawful wounding. Curwin Estwick, a poultry farmer of Lot 943 South Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, denied both charges after they were read to him. It is alleged that on August 10, 2017, he discharged a loaded firearm at Dillon Batson with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm. Since there was no objection to bail…

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Newly-appointed acting Appeal Judge hopes to address backlog

In light of the current shortage of Judges at the Guyana Court of Appeal, President David Granger has appointed University of West Indies (UWI) Lecturer, Dr Christopher Arif Bulkan, as an acting Appeal Judge. However, his temporary appointment will only last six months. The swearing-in ceremony was held at State House on Wednesday and among those present were members of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) – the body responsible for making the recommendation to the President. In an invited comment, Dr Bulkan told reporters that he looks forward to working…

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2 Guyanese, 5 Venezuelans nabbed with illegal fuel

Two Guyanese, along with five Venezuelans, were on Wednesday nabbed by ranks of G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) with illegal fuel. They are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations. According to information reaching Guyana Times International, a joint operation was conducted by personnel from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and Police, and around midday they intercepted an unnamed unregistered wooden vessel at the mouth of the Pomeroon River. The vessel was loaded with approximately 100 barrels of gasoline. The captain, along with the other occupants, was arrested.

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‘Guyana is about to take off’ – Trotman

Guyanese businesses will have a chance to network and learn from leaders in the oil and gas industry at the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX). GIPEX 2018 is being hosted by the Natural Resources Ministry from February 7-9. At a launch on Wednesday at the Marriott Hotel, subject Minister Raphael Trotman noted Guyana “is about to take off”. “We are providing a platform and an opportunity for all of those who speak about local content and the desire to see more of it, to actually shake hands and…

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