An award-winning international transparency watchdog has called for investigations into the role of a Government Minister during negotiations with oil giant ExxonMobil, as part of an explosive new report into Guyana’s controversial 2016 oil deal. The report, titled “Signed away” was written by Global Witness, a UK-based Non-Governmental Organisation with a long track record of exposing corruption and human rights abuses. Among its recommendations was for Guyana’s Government to investigate the role played by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman in brokering the deal. The report expressed concern over the lacklustre…
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Caricom Chair urges aggressive pursuit of renewable energy projects
The need for Guyana to aggressively pursue renewable energy while also exploiting its crude oil reservoirs was underscored by Barbados Prime Minister and Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairperson Mia Mottley during her stopover in Guyana on Monday. During a press conference at the Caricom Secretariat on Monday, Mottley noted that while Guyana has oil and gas, it must not neglect clean energy initiatives. Mottley admitted that it’s not only a Guyana issue but a region-wide issue. She pointed out Suriname—which has been an oil producer for some time and recently found…
Read MoreCaricom Chair promises ‘watchful eye’
The importance of Guyana conducting free and fair elections was emphasised by Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairperson and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who visited Guyana on Monday. During a press conference at the Caricom Secretariat on Monday evening, Mottley revealed that she met with various officials including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and President David Granger. She also met with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The Bajan Prime Minister was asked on Monday about concerns related to elections in Guyana and whether she was satisfied with the preparations…
Read MoreAPNU/AFC stifling development since 2011 – Jagdeo
People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, took to the stage on Sunday in Mabaruma in Region One (Barima-Waini), to urge the residents there for vote his party back into power. In listing reasons to vote for the party, Jagdeo advised persons to reflect on the development under the previous PPP/C Administration as compared to the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition. In fact, he said the APNU/AFC should be judged based on their performance from 2011, when they controlled the National Assembly with a…
Read MoreGuyana looking to collaborate with bilateral partners to tackle climate change
President David Granger on Wednesday told several bilateral partners that Guyana is looking to strengthen relations with them on various fronts including tackling the global phenomenon of climate change. This was said at the accreditation ceremony of three new foreign diplomats to serve as non-resident Ambassadors and High Commissioner to Guyana. New diplomats from Portugal, Sierra Leone and Belgium handed over their Letters of Credence to the Guyanese Head of State at the Ministry of Presidency. President Granger lauded the existing relationship Guyana shares with each of the countries and…
Read MoreRUSAL fires 326 employees, suspends Guyana operations
The controversy surrounding the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated has reached a deadlock and the firm has suspended its entire operations in Guyana and dismissed over 300 workers. On Monday, Government Minister Amna Ally joined Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle, to engage officials of RUSAL – a company which holds some 90 per cent stakes in the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI). In recent times, the company has been facing some difficulties, which the meeting was called to iron out these issues. However, during these discussions, it was…
Read MoreBanks DIH Linden Branch records $91M increase in sales for 2019
The Linden Branch of beverage giant Banks DIH Limited continues to record significant increase in sales, as was reported at the 64th Annual General Meeting for shareholders hosted at the Linden location in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Friday. The Branch’s new Manager, Devon Warwick in the delivery of the Branch’s performance during the financial year ending September 30, 2019, announced that the Branch saw sales moving from $1.1 billion in 2018 to $1.2 billion in 2019, which reflects a sale increase of $91 million or a 2.8 per cent…
Read MoreBetter farmer’s welfare’ infrastructural development for Wakenaam – Ali
Farmers on the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam, Region Three, will see developments that will enhance their businesses if the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) wins the upcoming March 2 General and Regional Elections. This is according to the Party’s Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, during a public meeting at Wakenaam on Tuesday, where he outlined plans for infrastructural development on the island to boost agricultural activities and improve the lives of residents. Ali noted that the PPP/C understands the issues affecting the island and high among those is transportation. “It…
Read MoreAML assessment examining financial risks of Guyana’s oil sector
A bigger economy has both risks and rewards and according to Attorney General Basil Williams, the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Risk Assessment currently underway will examine a number of new areas, including the oil sector, for loopholes in the system. Williams was at the time speaking at a Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risk Assessment workshop at the Guyana Marriott on Wednesday. According to Williams, these crimes can have a disastrous effect on the country in a number of ways. With Guyana recently starting oil production and a number of businesses…
Read MoreBarbados PM conferred with Order of Roraima
Barbados’ first female Prime Minister (PM), Mia Amor Mottley, was on Monday awarded with Guyana’s second-highest national award, the Order of Roraima, in recognition of her outstanding and valuable service to Guyana and the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Guyana’s Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings Edwards, who chairs the Advisory Council of the Orders of Guyana, in brief remarks at the ceremony to confer the national award said that Prime Minister Mottley was singled out for the Order of Roraima award since her credentials show an impressive list of achievements and a number…
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