Month: May 2019

Guyanese narratives and Independence

TIMES INT'L

Another May 26; another Independence Day. But are we any closer to becoming a nation than on that day in 1966 when we received all the symbols of “nationhood’ – flag, national motto, national hero, pledge of allegiance; etc.? I say not, and this is so for so many reasons, not least of all because we have been unwilling to craft a national narrative on which we all agree. Benedict Anderson said nations are “imagined political communities”, and every nation that has amounted to something has a narrative that captures…

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Guyana’s 1966 Independence Stamps

TIMES INT'L

Soon after the introduction of postage stamps in 1840, countries began using them to portray details about the country in particular, and the move to Independence was one event that was particularly highlighted on many a country’s postage stamps. Guyana issued a new set of stamps to commemorate its Independence on May 26, 1966; new stamps were also required because the country’s name was being changed. Quite appropriately, the Independence stamps depicted the country’s map and new flag, and it’s new Coat-of-Arms in a set of four stamps – 5c,…

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Transparency body says US$18M oil bonus vulnerable to capricious, potentially illegal use

TIMES INT'L

Having tried unsuccessfully to get the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) to recover the US$18 million signing bonus from a private account and deposit it in the rightful place, Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI) remains worried that the monies will be siphoned off. TIGI on Wednesday questioned the rationale behind Government opting not to follow constitutional provisions and deposit the multimillion-dollar signing bonus into the Consolidated Fund, rather than an account at the Bank of Guyana. According to the group, the money will remain vulnerable if it is not treated…

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From Independence to Co-Op Republic:

TIMES INT'L

The Constitutional Changes Today, there is a recognized need for constitutional reform but long before present-day events emphasized this fact, Guyana’s Constitution underwent much change since Independence. Understanding these changes may help understand what more needs to be done. The Guyana Constitution of 1966 was adopted upon Independence. It provided among other things for the Governor-General as the Queen’s representative and the Prime Minister to hold executive power. This Constitution stipulated that the Prime Minister would be appointed by the party holding the majority in the National Assembly, then a…

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Agricola community outreach tackles youth unemployment, health services

TIMES INT'L

The newly-formed Agricola Development Association has already embarked on a thriving path, as it recently organised and hosted its first community outreach in the Greater Georgetown village. Some of the agencies which provided support and made the outreach a reality include the Ministry of the Presidency; the Culture, Youth and Sport Department; the Public Health Ministry and several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). During the outreach held last weekend, a number of youths in the community were made aware of job opportunities as they were given the chance to interact with agencies…

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Govt Ministers greeted with protests at outreach on Essequibo Coast

TIMES INT'L

Hundreds of disgruntled citizens lined the streets of Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to protest the presence of Government officials who are currently holding outreaches across the country. Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt was also in the protest line, after the Regional Executive Officer (REO) reportedly denied him a fuel allowance to attend the activity. The majority of the residents questioned the timing of the outreach, pointing out that after four years in office, this is the first time such a large ministerial delegation has visited the region to…

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GECOM is galloping ahead like an unruly horse

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, It must by now be excruciatingly clear that the Government-nominated members of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Chairman harbour no qualms about exposing their political partisanship, and are decidedly determined to execute political directions even if it results in unconstitutional and irrational actions. GECOM is a creature of the Constitution, and is legally tethered to the four corners of that instrument; it has no jurisdiction or power to act outside of its parameters. The plain language of the Constitution indisputably establishes that the raison d’être of…

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‘Major plans for Guyana’s oil sector if PPP returns to power’ – Jagdeo

TIMES INT'L

…promises 50,000 jobs, concessions to service industry As plans are apace to conclude and formally present its manifesto for the upcoming elections in Guyana, the PPP already has major plans for the oil and gas industry, which also include the active participation of all leading political parties. This is according to Opposition Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who at his weekly press conference on Thursday, stated that once the PPP is returned to office there is much in store for the country’s oil and gas industry. He stated that this industry…

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Passengers forced to use tarmac despite million-dollar air bridge

TIMES INT'L

Despite the millions of dollars in improvements being made at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), passengers on social media vented their frustration as they were forced to use the tarmac after one of the airport’s air bridges reportedly malfunctioned. In a social media post, one such passenger complained about the fact that despite being forced to pay CJIA’s increased fees of G$7500, he had no choice but to disembark and walk on the tarmac while the boarding bridges were inoperable. Last month, CJIA had announced that as of April…

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Guyanese killed after motorcycle slams into NYC garbage truck

TIMES INT'L

A Guyanese biker was on Monday evening killed while his friend is in a critical condition after the motorcycle on which they were travelling slammed into a garbage truck in Queens, New York. Dead is Devendra “Joey” Deonarine, 30, formerly of Bloomfield Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The pillion rider was identified as Christopher Sansarran, also a Guyanese. Reports on PIX 11 News reported that the two men were riding a 1986 Honda motorcycle at a fast rate of speed, going westbound on Liberty Avenue toward 157th Street. Police stated that the…

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