2018 – Page 53 – Guyana Times International

Guyana in bracket of countries that misallocate public funds- IDB report finds

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

A recent report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has found that Guyana falls into the bracket of countries that misallocate public funds, particularly in the health sector, when smarter budgeting could provide better services for citizens at no extra cost. The report is titled “Better spending for better lives: How Latin America and the Caribbean can do more with less”. It found that several countries could improve their health sector indicators by making their spending policies more in tune with international efficiency standards. “Countries on the efficiency frontier are…

Teachers’ salary impasse: Rejecting Govt appointed Arbitrator, Union mulling further strike action

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

By Davina Ramdass The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) on Wednesday did not turn up at a meeting with the Education Ministry, as the teachers’ saga continued for a fourth week, with the Union now threatening to resume strike action in seven days’ time should the matter regarding the arbitration chairman not be resolved. But the Education Ministry is fighting back, promising to take legal action should teachers return to the streets. The General Secretary of the Union, Coretta McDonald, spoke with media operatives after boycotting Wednesday’s meeting where she informed,…

American Airlines, Travelspan partnering for NYC/Guyana flights

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Travelspan Vacations has announced a new sales agreement with United States carrier, American Airlines (AA), for the new North America to Guyana routes. The travel agency said on Tuesday this agreement will bridge the gap by supplying more seats and another option for travel in the market. American Airlines is set to commence operations in Guyana from November 15. The Airlines’ new non-stop service between Miami and Georgetown will offer easy connections from many American cities such as New York, Atlanta, Washington, North Carolina, Houston and Canada. Travelspan brings 25…

At 81, Kathoon DeNobrega is still ready to take on the world

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

By Lakhram Bhagirat She stands just above five feet tall, yet her personality towers over my five foot eight-inch frame. At 81 years old, she is by all means the embodiment of the cliché – small but powerful — and I was taken aback by the wisdom she had to share. I felt an instant connection when I saw Kathoon DeNobrega as I saw her peeking out of the door while I made my way up the stairs. “Good morning and what will you be asking me today,” she greeted…

Several Guyanese women using economic situation as reason for drug trafficking

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

In the last few weeks, several women have been either remanded or jailed for drug smuggling. When grilled by Police investigators after the busts, many of the self-confessed mules have blamed their economic circumstances as being responsible for their choices. However, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Deputy Head Lesley Ramlall has opined that financial difficulty was no excuse for breaking the laws on trafficking narcotics. Karen Stuffle, Alicia Coppin, Shellon Barrow, Christine Griffith and Ruth Caniff are among the women implicated in drug smuggling in September…

Digging…

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…the credit hole When then President, Jagdeo had visited Kuwait and some other countries in the Middle East, back in 2010, to secure development funding – and this was in the pre-oil era, mind you. The PNC and AFC screamed hysterically that he was being adventurous. The AFC shrieked, “We warn that the high wire act being performed by Mr Jagdeo could lead to our becoming embroiled in a dangerous game being played out in a larger arena, and one in which we could find ourselves impaled on the horns…

Greenidge calls for renewed commitment to the UN’s disarmament agenda in New York

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, speaking on Thursday at the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, noted that the event was timely given the multiple emerging challenges to international peace and security. Minister Greenidge told the meeting, “for this reason, Guyana endorses the prudence of recognising the importance at this juncture in harnessing and enhancing multilateralism to respond effectively to the myriad challenges we face, especially within the framework of international law.” The Minister said, for Guyana, as a small,…

Same rules must be applied to all parties

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has reportedly submitted documents, including a written statement, to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as part of investigations into the contract award of the controversial feasibility study for a new bridge over the Demerara River, but calls are being made for him to officially visit the offices of SOCU. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill told Guyana Times International on Sunday that the minister should not be given any special treatment, but must be made to face the proverbial music for his actions.…

Minister of State in South Rupununi ahead of meeting with Brazilian Army

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday led a team to the South Rupununi, Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) to conduct a reconnaissance of the roads and other facilities, as the region gets ready to welcome members of the Brazilian Army, who will begin the drilling of eight wells in eight villages from October 4, 2018. Artesian wells will be drilled in the villages of Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Shea, Maruranawa, Awaruwaunau, Karaudanawa, Achiwib and Bashraidrun and will have a depth of 100 metres or 300 feet deep. The Ministry of…

Elderly pedestrian killed in Cornelia Ida accident

September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Police are investigating a fatal accident on the Cornelia Ida Public Road on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) which claimed the life of a 71-year-old pedestrian. Dead is Realino Santiago. Reports are the accident occurred about 08:45h on Monday as a motorcar bearing registration number PVV 982 was proceeding along the northern carriageway of the road. The security guard was reportedly crossing the road from South to North when he was struck down. He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital by the 21-year-old driver and succumbed shortly after…