Category: Top Stories

…allegedly using ‘front companies’ A worrying case of cronyism is currently evolving where relatives, friends and associates of Ministers and senior Government functionaries have been incorporated into companies through complex shareholding arrangements and are applying for Exploration and Production Licences for Oil and Gas in the blocs still available in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Atlantic. The matter was raised on Wednesday by former President Bharrat Jagdeo when he addressed media operatives at his Church Street office. According to the Opposition Leader, such a ploy could see middlemen through…

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President David Granger has committed Guyana’s support for Caribbean States, which have been severely affected by Hurricane Irma. A release from the Ministry of the Presidency said the Government of Guyana stands in solidarity with the people of the hurricane-ravaged territories of the Caribbean. President Granger has expressed condolences to his colleague Heads of Government and residents of affected states and to the relatives of those who lost their lives as a result of this storm. Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who is responsible…

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…says transparency and accountability are required now more than ever The independence and capacity of the Auditor General’s Office is one of the priority areas to be addressed by Guyana, in order to ensure there is Transparency and Accountability with regards the oversight of the nation’s revenue and expenditure of public resources, especially in light of the imminent influx of monies into the economy as a result of Oil and Gas production. This was disclosed by Resident Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Sophie Makonnen, as she brought the…

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Government’s chief spokesman Joseph Harmon on Thursday said that President David Granger will respect the ruling of the High Court and will not step outside the boundaries established by acting Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire. Addressing the media at his weekly post-cabinet press briefing, the Minister of State said that the President’s position has not changed and he believes that the position of chairman of GECOM is a very important constitutional office. Harmon confirmed that President David Granger’s selection of GECOM’s next chairman will be guided by the court ruling, which…

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Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday again lamented the fact that thousands of sugar workers stand to lose their jobs in the coming months as Government continues its scaling down on the sugar industry. Speaking at a public meeting organised by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Jagdeo surmised that the number of jobs slated to emanate from the emerging local oil industry will not suffice for, or outweigh the avenues of employment that existed in the once thriving sugar industry. He claimed that Government’s decisions on…

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Former President Donald Ramotar has described Guyana’s economic growth for the first half of this year as ‘shameful,’ given that the economy was thriving under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government which he had managed for three years. The former Head of State has said that although the economy recorded real growth of 2.2 per cent in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the first half of 2017, this is not anything to boast about, and only reveals the incompetence of the coalition Government. Ramotar recalled that under his…

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Responding to concerns about when profits will actually be split between ExxonMobil and Guyana, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has posited that Guyana will be paid its two per cent royalty and its percentage share of the profits from the time Exxon first starts extracting oil. “From the first barrel, Guyana will receive two per cent royalty. It will also receive a percentage of the profits. So 75 per cent of the profits will go towards (Exxon’s) cost recovery. So far, we’re looking at a G$5 billion investment,” he explained.…

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Under the Citizens Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), efforts are underway to train police officers in a number of areas, including management and law. This is being done through partnerships with public and private tertiary institutions. Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, who recently detailed some past, ongoing and forthcoming training initiatives for both officers and ranks of the Police Force, has said: “Currently, as we strive to build capacity and capability in the Force, some 30 ranks are attending the University of Guyana on a one-month programme in Guidance and Counselling.…

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A 24-year-old Manchester, Berbice man attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was granted G$1M bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court on Thursday to answer to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. Zamani Archibald, a Lance Corporal, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman. The charge alleges that on March 11, 2017, at Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara, Archibald drove pickup DFB 1566 in a dangerous manner resulting in the death of 65-year-old Harry Persaud.…

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