Sandra Jones, a human resources management and organisational specialist with more than 25 years’ experience has been tipped to be Opposition Leader David Granger’s choice for commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Guyana Times International was reliably informed. The consultant, who has vast experience in both public and private sector management and reform in Guyana and the Caribbean, will most likely replace former GECOM Commissioner Robert Williams, who died earlier this year. Over the past month, there has been much speculation about who would be filling Williams’ place, but…
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“What hypocrisy!”
-Ramotar says opposition actions stem from vindictiveness President Donald Ramotar has slammed the combined opposition cuts on the 2012 National Budget and assured workers that the government will continue to be on their side as it charters a path to advance the country’s development. Ramotar, who was at the time addressing workers assembled at the May Day rally at the National Park, said it is tragic what the opposition is trying to do to ordinary Guyanese. “I say anyone who has interest in the working class should have supported that…
Read MoreChief Justice throws out parliamentary committee motion
Guyana’s Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang has dismissed the attorney general’s case of constitutional breach by the opposition in the setting up of the Committee of Selection saying the court cannot intervene in the internal affairs of Parliament. “The court holds that the motion of the attorney general is legally misconceived in that the affidavit in support of motion contains no allegation of fact capable of supporting a finding of constitutional breach by any of the respondents or by the National Assembly,” Chang said in his ruling. Chang’s lengthy ruling…
Read MoreDialogue with gov’t is in the interest of the people – Granger
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger last Friday said he has not consented for a hike in Linden’s electricity tariff as reported by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Thursday. “I have asked the prime minister to clarify his remarks about gradualism that we expect that certain economic and other recommendations that were made be put in place and functioning before there is a change in the tariffs, that was very clear and that’s APNU position.” At the time Granger was speaking during a televised programme broadcasted by…
Read MoreAPNU tables motion to allow protest outside Parliament
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian Desmond Trotman has tabled a motion in Parliament for the House to declare that the right of citizens to assemble and demonstrate peacefully outside Parliament should not be hindered. The motion will come up on May 7. Protests have been discouraged outside Parliament over the years, with police throwing up barricades and frequently clashing with demonstrators. The Parliament office on Monday served notice that the motion was received on April 19. The motion noted that from the early beginnings of the National Assembly…
Read MorePPP urges rejection of purveyors of division
The ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) has called on all “patriotic Guyanese” to reject “purveyors of division”, and to support attempts being made to attain political consensus. The party said in a statement released Monday night that the progress being made in these talks with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was being opposed by a “vocal minority” which tends to pay lip service to the need for political consensus. “Amongst this vocal minority are sections of the media (re: Stabroek News’ editorial of April 23, 2012)”,…
Read MoreOpposition trims over Gy$2B from budget – Opposition hands GINA, NCN Gy$1 each
–scores could lose jobs, GINA faces shutdown By Michael Young The government of Guyana is now contemplating its next move after the combined opposition voted against close to Gy$ 300 million in budgetary allocations for the state- run, National Communications Network and the Government Information Agency (GINA) and instead handed them Gy$ 1 each in an historic session in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Scores of workers from both agencies are facing the prospect of being out of a job and the administration condemned the move as reckless. The Alliance…
Read MoreGPL loses Gy$ 1B, GECOM Gy$ 527M, as opposition trims budget
By Pushpa Balgobin The opposition on Wednesday banded together to reduce budgetary allocations for the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) by Gy$ 1 billion and also cut the Gy$ 2 billion allocated for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Gy$ 527 million when the House continued consideration of this year’s budget. Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan had proposed amendments which called for cuts in excess of Gy$ 527 million from GECOM’s allocation – Gy$ 27 million for meals and refreshments and Gy$ 500 million for a line…
Read MoreGy$ 800M chopped from OP budget
By Michael Younge The opposition using its one-seat majority in the National Assembly voted down more than Gy$ 800 million in expenditure for the Office of the President (OP) when the Committee of Supply of the Parliament met to consider the estimates of the 2012 budget. This will result in several projects being affected and some persons losing their jobs. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge proposed four of the amendments to the estimates for the President’s Office, while Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman and…
Read MoreGovt ups old age pension to Gy$10,000
– to examine how increase will be funded By Michael Younge Government on Wedneday agreed to increase the Old Age Pension from Gy$ 8100 per month to Gy$ 10, 000 with effect from May 1 following talks on the 2012 National Budget with Opposition Leader David Granger. The meeting was held at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive after a request was made by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence for government to consider meeting with the main opposition party…
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