Year: 2018

Guyana’s tragedy

TIMES INT'L

The GECOM decision has once again raised political temperatures in Guyana. The Mahabharat is rather unique among Hindu texts in dealing very extensively with the world of politics and, as I wrote a decade ago, I am once again struck by parallels in that ancient conflict and ours in Guyana. The Mahabharata is about the way we humans deceive ourselves, how we are false to others, how we oppress fellow human beings, and how deeply unjust we are to each other in our day-to-day lives. And all the while holding…

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APNU/AFC in full campaign mode in Linden

TIMES INT'L

…as LGE draws nearer President David Granger recently took the Local Government Elections (LGE) sensitisation campaign to the mining town of Linden, where he encouraged local leaders to pay attention to addressing issues at the local level. Addressing members of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and community members at the Egbert Benjamin Centre, the President pointed to the importance of LGEs in shaping local democracy. Members of the coalition were in full campaign mode, endorsing the APNU, with President Granger declaring it the most exciting rally hosted so…

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The Sugar Workers’ Fight

TIMES INT'L

Following the closure of four sugar factories last year, and the displacing of almost 5000 workers, the workers have been fighting for their jobs and severance packages. Last year, 1851 workers were sacked from the Skeldon Sugar Estate, 1181 from the Rose Hall Estate, 1480 from the East Demerara Sugar Estate and 251 from the Wales Sugar Estate. Just Friday we saw former Wales Estate workers protesting the National Assembly calling for their severance packages and the government also owes a number of other works the remaining 50 percent of…

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Reputed wife identifies gunman during ID parade

TIMES INT'L

The reputed wife of murdered Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara handyman Christopher Swamy has positively identified a suspect — arrested on Sunday following the shooting — as one of the gunmen involved in the shooting death of her husband. This development has been confirmed by ‘C’ Division Commander Calvin Brutus during a telephone interview with Guyana Times International on Monday. Commander Brutus said the suspect was picked out during an identification parade on Monday, but reportedly gave Police several alibis, which they are probing. Brutus further informed that the home…

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New York-based Guyanese donates over G$1M to dismissed sugar workers

TIMES INT'L

An overseas-based Guyanese has donated in excess of G$1 million in cash and other items to dismissed sugar workers in East Canje and Skeldon, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Each of the worker received G$5000 along with lunch on Wednesday. Some of the former estate workers were also given school bags for their children. The donor, who asked for his name not to be published, left Guyana in 1982 at age 19. He told Guyana Times International that in New York where he currently lives, many Guyanese are disappointed with…

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Business magnate Yesu Persaud: Celebrating his achievement

TIMES INT'L

The life and achievements of local business tycoon and philanthropist, Dr Yesu Persaud, is being celebrated as the University of Guyana (UG) kicks off a lecture series in his honour. The lecture series will highlight Dr Persaud’s seminal contributions to Guyana through his audacious authenticity in business, entrepreneurship and civic contributions. The work of the local business tycoon, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, spans many continents, two centuries and several successful business ventures, while his civic and philanthropic work has been and continues to be highly impactful. At Tuesday’s…

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Cancer Warrior, Volda Lawrence, tells her story

TIMES INT'L

Guyana’s Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence calls herself a “cancer warrior” because she believes she has fought for her life and for the opportunity to live another day to inspire others. Minister Lawrence was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in January 2017. This diagnosis came at a time when she was settling into a new appointment, as a senior Public Health Minister. Partaking in a routine annual feature, the Minister took a pathology test for breast cancer cells; the results of which returned negative for estrogen receptors (ER-),…

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Key legislation lacking in Guyana

TIMES INT'L

…political analyst says as time draws closer to first oil As the time draws closer for first oil, which is expected in the first half of 2020, Government has been making plans to prepare for this new sector, which has the potential to transform the economy, improve infrastructure, and advance the social services in the country. However, much has been said about the Government’s slothfulness in looking towards implementing key pieces of legislation that would guide the sector beyond that critical year. Adding his voice to that argument is former…

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Guyana records increase in tax collection

TIMES INT'L

The Auditor General’s 2017 report shows while the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has collected more taxes than was anticipated, revenue inclusive of rent and royalties has declined due to lower gold declarations. In the end of year budget and reconciliation report, it noted that the projected revenue for 2017 was G$186 billion. Instead, Government actually collected G$195 billion in current revenue. This includes duties, levy, personal income and withholding taxes. The highest earnings came from the internal revenue category. Personal income tax collection grew by G$2.5 billion. This, according to…

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The ghost of wales market past – a village’s slow demise

TIMES INT'L

“Two packs sausage fuh $500.” “Come get yuh bora, fresh garden bora.” “I got nice tops fuh yuh wife, bai; come buy two.” These are some of the words one would hear on passing through what was once the busiest place on the West Bank of Demerara on Friday. That place was the Wales Market, but now the once-busy area is a ghost town with very few vendors on a Friday. “Right now, what I can tell you, this market is a dead place. Almost everybody stop coming to sell,…

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