APNU to table motion to reverse power hike in Linden

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said before the hike in electricity tariff in Linden becomes reality, an effective programme for improving the economic conditions of the people of Region 10 must be undertaken by the government. The pronouncement by the coalition comes in wake of plans to table a motion in Parliament to reverse the increase in tariff hike. APNU parliamentary representatives of Region 10 are now drafting a motion to counteract the impending hike, which is scheduled for July 1. According to APNU Parliamentarian Renis Morian, “Our…

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MPs agree to comply with Integrity Commission Act

By Michael Younge The National Assembly last week approved a government-sponsored motion to have Members of Parliament (MP) comply with the Integrity Commission Act, but not before the opposition made a few amendments during the hours-long debate. The motion was tabled by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds last Thursday while the amendments were made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP Deborah Backer. The Integrity Act was passed in 1997, but government was now seeking compliance through the National Assembly after it had accused opposition MPs of defaulting. Hinds in…

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“Greenidge must come clean on sale of state assets during pre-1992 era” – Ali

By Michael Younge Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said that there are still a lot of concerns and questions which remain unanswered about the sale of assets in the pre-1992 era under the authority of the then Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, and the Peoples National Congress (PNC) administration. Ali was at the time contributing towards the debate on a motion brought to the National Assembly by Shadow Finance Minister and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Carl Greenidge which called for the approval of a…

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Local democracy being trampled upon – Granger

Opposition Leader David Granger said the country’s local government system is in a crisis. Granger made this comment following the recent installation of Interim Management Committees (IMCs) in the place of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, (NDC) which government said were not functioning properly. According to him, residents are not consulted on such issues and local democracy is “being trampled upon.” He said little regard was being shown to the regional and neighbourhood tiers of government. A statement from Granger’s office on Tuesday said that Granger, along with fellow A Partnership for…

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WPA renews call for inquiry into death of Walter Rodney

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) on Wednesday renewed its call for an inquiry into the death of its founder Dr Walter Rodney who was assassinated some 32 years ago. Co-leader of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said the small party wants “an international commission of inquiry… we want commissions from across the Caribbean and Africa,” as it is in those countries that Rodney’s work was most prevalent and his influence strong. Dr Roopnarine said the legislation allowing for the inquiry into the death of Rodney is being held up by…

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“Local Gov’t elections could be held this year” – Persaud

The Local Government Ministry has promised that in 2012 local government elections will be held despite a number of outstanding issues such as the passage of several local government reform bills that have not been done. Guyana has not held local government elections since 1994. Minister Ganga Persaud told Guyana Times International that he was positive that local elections would be held, however the half a billion dollars cut from the Guyana Elections Commission allocation will most likely hamper the proceedings. Persaud stated that the question in relation to when…

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Region One residents alerted of possible snap elections

– if opposition continues to frustrate development efforts The Local Government Ministry during a four-day visit to several Amerindian villages in the Moruca sub-district of  Region One told residents that President Donald has indicated that he is willing to cut short his term in office if the opposition continues to frustrate efforts at development. The ministry also told residents of the impact of budget cuts on their villages and fielded concerns of residents. Residents of villages along the Barama River last Friday and Saturday were updated about the situation in…

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Parliament approves financial autonomy of service commissions

By Michael Younge The National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon approved the opposition’s motion to give financial autonomy and independence to four constitutional service commissions that were being treated, by error, as budget agencies which did not possess the power to draw directly from the Consolidated Fund to meet their functions. The motion was tabled by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge and received the full support of the Alliance For Change (AFC). It did not benefit from the full support of government, which had…

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Bills without Executive’s input will not be accepted – Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar has sent a warning to the opposition about the abuse of their one seat majority in the National Assembly, stating categorically that he will not affix his signature to any bill that is brought to his desk without the input of the executive. His warning came in response to the notion that is being propagated as a “Rule by Motion” politics in the National Assembly where the coalition party, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has 26 seats and, the Alliance For Change (AFC) seven. “That…

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Opposition using parliamentary majority to stymie development – Anil Nandlall

By Michael Younge Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said the cuts to the 2012 National Budget by the combined opposition, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) were designed to roll-back innovative programmes started by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. “If you analyse the cuts made to the 2012 budget, they’re all, or most of them relate to the programmes which were started by former President Bharrat Jagdeo… they have this vendetta against him, and they wanted to destroy his work.” Speaking…

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