Politics – Page 12 – Guyana Times International

Opposition proposals “unrealistic and overly ambitious” – Irfaan Ali

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali has criticised some of the opposition proposals for this year’s budget, dubbing them unrealistic and overly ambitious. Speaking on the opening day of the budget debate, Ali warned that Guyana’s continued progress and development can easily be reversed by the proposed policies, poor economic vision and political ambitions of some members of the opposition who are seeking to score cheap political points, instead of “putting Guyana and the interest of its people first”. Ali, who led the government benches during the debate, said that Guyana can…

Glitches in teachers’ multi-year

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

President Donald Ramotar on Tuesday evening assured teachers that his government is committed to fulfilling the teachers’ multi-year package and to fixing the glitches that have dogged the process. Speaking in the presence of the re-elected Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) President Colin Bynoe and other stakeholders at the union’s third biennial delegates conference in Berbice on Tuesday, Ramotar said some of the unresolved issues experienced in the pact will be ironed out. “I know there are some concerns regarding the housing revolving fund and I am prepared to have the…

Nandlall advised DPP not to

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

Attorney General Anil Nandlall Attorney General Anil Nandlall on Monday advised Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack that Chief Justice Ian Chang’s decision to block a rape charge from being instituted against Police Commissioner Henry Greene is not appealable. However, the attorney general advised that the DPP could seek a second opinion and different legal representation should she wish to do so. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nandlall said that because of the public interest in this matter, he had sought and obtained the permission of the DPP to…

Opposition calls for doubling of pension, says budget approval not automatic

April 13, 2012 TIMES INT'L

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) economic and finance spokesman, Carl Greenidge on Tuesday called for a 20 per cent pay hike for public servants and a doubling of the current Old Age Pension as he kicked off the budget debate in the National Assembly. Greenidge took three speaking extensions to fully convey the opposition’s aversion to the government’s proposed Gy$192.8 billion budget, and also warned that approval of it was not automatic. He noted that the budget is “growth without employment”, expanding that development was being measured inaccurately,…

Opposition scoffs at budget

April 5, 2012 TIMES INT'L

The 2012 budget was not well received by the parliamentary opposition who called it a “massive” disappointment, and Opposition Leader David Granger said it demonstrated “continuity at its worst”. Granger, who expressed disappointment in the Gy$ 192.8 billion budget, said it offers no vision, and given the estimates, “it is clear that there is going to be no attention to the plight of the poor”. “We do not see any development of the human potential in Guyana, and that is the only way this country is going to be transformed.”…

President Ramotar celebrates 100 days in office

March 15, 2012 TIMES INT'L

It has become a trend to assess heads of state/government at the 100th day juncture of their administration, and though it is not clear as to which state/ country this practice originated or specifically when such a methodology had been introduced, the 100 days’ performance barometer for leaders is mentioned regularly in the readings and assessments of United States of America’s presidents. Many observers/analysts apply this time frame in determining how much the incumbent leader understands the enduring issues at hand; what vision and plans he/ she presents to deal…

Govt flays opposition for ‘undermining’ development

March 15, 2012March 15, 2012 TIMES INT'L

– releases info on major projects Government on Wednesday released details of several major contracts, which had become talking points in the media and criticised by the opposition, saying the decision is in keeping with its record of openness and that it was making the documents available at a time when it is most appropriate to do so. The contracts that were made available are the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, Marriot Hotel and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project. The documents included an evaluation report and consultancy contract agreement for…

GECOM would be ready for snap election – Dr Surujbally

March 15, 2012March 15, 2012 TIMES INT'L

By Michael Younge Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally said that the commission would be in a state of readiness should there be any snap election this year. Dr Surujbally made the comment during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International at his Kingston office on Wednesday. He said that GECOM would not be caught off guard by any announcement of a possible snap election since its systems, processes, and electoral machinery are always up and functioning to full capacity. Surujbally, while downplaying speculation about snap elections, did…

Politicians out to damage my integrity – Brassington

March 9, 2012 TIMES INT'L

National Industrial Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Executive Director and Privatisation Unit (PU) Executive Secretary and head, Winston Brassington said he is prepared to defend his stewardship as a state employee for over 17 years. He chided opposition politicians for attacking his integrity by insinuating that he is involved in corrupt practices. Brassington said that in recent weeks, Kaieteur News and opposition parties in Parliament have made a number of attacks and insinuations regarding his conduct as head of the Privatisation Unit and NICIL. Brassington singled out AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan…

Formation of APNU not meant to be an alternative to PNCR – Robert Corbin

March 9, 2012 TIMES INT'L

In the face of speculation that it was losing its way to the new upstart political movement, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), People’s National Congress Reform leader Robert Corbin on Saturday said that the party of Forbes Burnham remains dedicated to the development and empowerment of the working people of this country. He said it must remain vibrant, dynamic and alive, for without the PNCR there could not have been APNU. Corbin was speaking at the party’s general council meeting held at PNCR headquarters in Sophia, Greater Georgetown. “The…