The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has announced an increase in old-age pension which took effect from January 1, 2020. However, it was noted that the insurable earnings ceiling has increased. This is according to a statement that was issued by NIS declaring the increase in minimum old age and invalidity pensions, an increase in minimum survivors’ pension, an increase in the insurable earnings ceiling-monthly, and increase in the insurable earnings ceiling- weekly. The minimum rates for old age and invalidity pensions have been increased from G$32,100 to G$35,000 per month,…
Read MoreMonth: January 2020
Caribbean countries warned as major earthquakes hit Puerto Rico
The Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Tuesday said that the recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico should serve as a reminder to the Caribbean, “that our region is seismically active and we always need to be prepared”. On Monday an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 rocked Puerto Rico and it was followed by a stronger quake with a magnitude of 5.4 on Tuesday. The SRC said that Monday’s quake was a “foreshock” to the 6.4 quake on Tuesday. US officials said power…
Read MoreBerbice pensioner killed by speeding car on pedestrian crossing
A pensioner was on Tuesday morning killed after she was struck down while using a pedestrian crossing at Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. Dead is 81-year-old Parbattie Ramsarran of Lot 4 D Nigg, Corentyne, Berbice. Based on information received, the motorcar bearing registration number PPP 1008, driven by a 29-year-old male at a fast rate of speed, came into contact with the woman as she was in the centre of the pedestrian crossing. As a result of the impact, the woman sustained severe injuries about her body. She was picked…
Read More2019 year in review: Books
Preserving our literary heritage by Petamber Persaud The number of books published during 2019 was not as large as in 2018 but this does not take away from the quality of the works published. Below are some books crossing my desk during 2019*. ‘We Mark Your Memory: Writings from the Descendants of Indenture’ ‘We Mark Your Memory: Writings from the Descendants of Indenture’ edited by David Dabydeen, Maria del Pilar Kaladeen, and Tina K. Ramnarine was launched in Georgetown on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. This book was published to mark…
Read MoreCorruption…
…rampant with PNC Old people say, “Once dog suck egg, deh cyan stap!” It’s too sweet, never mind it’s someone else’s egg!! And in their first incarnation, the PNC sucked the “eggs” of the public purse so voraciously that one wondered why their supporters took them seriously when they made “egg sucking” their major attack against the PPP. We now know they were merely projecting their own fantasies about getting their grubby (not-so-little) paws on the treasury! Every single case of corruption they brought against PPP officials /associates has been…
Read MoreGuyana Cops seeking Turkish man in fraud probe
The Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for a Turkish national who is wanted in relation to fraud and immigration violation. Wanted is Ugur Turetgen, 44. His last known address in Guyana is listed as Track ‘b’ Block ‘z’ Providence, East Bank Demerara. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Ugur Turetgen is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-6978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 226-7065, 225-6940, 226-9834, 911 or the nearest police station.
Read MoreUG’s Diaspora Conference set for May 2020
The University of Guyana has confirmed that its second Diaspora Conference, which was rescheduled in 2019, is now set for May 28 to June 1, 2020. The theme will be “Investing in Guyana’s emerging business, Indigenous, women and youth leaders”. This theme has been chosen in recognition of the need for all Guyanese at home and abroad to work together with inclusion, tolerance and cooperation for national and regional growth and development. The University of Guyana remains committed to Diaspora engagement and facilitating a positive enabling environment and discussion on…
Read MoreGuyana’s Auditor General says recommendations to improve accountability being ignored
Every year, the Audit Office of Guyana audits public financial records, unearths corruption and makes recommendations so the Government can tighten up the system. As of last year, however, the Office is complaining that many of its recommendations are being ignored. This is according to its 2018 report, which was presented to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland back in October 2019. According to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, a mere 24 per cent of the 454 recommendations made in 2017 were implemented by the Government. “Each year, my…
Read MorePatterson promises completion of East Coast-East Bank Bypass by 2022
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson has asserted that if the APNU/AFC government is re-elected, the East Coast Demerara-East Bank Demerara bypass road will be completed by 2022. According to the Department of Public Information, at the Ministry’s annual year in review press conference on Wednesday, the Minister stated that the project is still making headway towards a successful completion by 2022. “Fortunately, all the main ingredients have been completed. We’ve completed studies for the East Coast bypass [and] we have the final design. We are now reviewing,” he indicated.…
Read MoreTractor driven by ‘drunk’ teen crushes man to death
A Lindener is now dead after being crushed to death by a tractor after he and his friends ended their drinking-spree. Dead is Rondell Jacobs of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Reports are the incident occurred at about 22:00h on Saturday at the 72 Miles Kaburee Main Access trail. According to reports, at about 14:30h, a 30-year-old man employed to operate the tractor along with his teenage co-worker left their location at 58 Miles Potaro to head to 72 Miles. Along the journey, the duo allegedly began consuming alcohol and…
Read More