Repsol drilling pushed back to August- company awaiting rig from Suriname

Repsol Guyana Incorporated, which was expected to start drilling for oil and gas on the off-shore Guyana Basin in May, has delayed its operations until August. This is according to Petroleum Manager of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison, who said that the drill rig which is to be used for the operation is in Suriname. Dennison explained that the company has not completed its obligations in that country. The GGMC official told Guyana Times International that Repsol had plans of beginning operations this month, but because…

Read More

Rice industry achieves record production

Despite the persistent La Nina conditions experienced this year, the rice industry has recorded some 202,077 metric tonnes of rice for the first crop. The Agriculture Ministry said in a release that, according to harvesting statistics collected by the Guyana Rice Development Board, rice production for the first crop (spring crop) is 202,077 metric tonnes, the equivalent of 4,894,270 bags of paddy. This has surpassed the highest first crop experienced in 1999, where 189,565 metric tonnes of rice or 4,689,138 bags of paddy were recorded. The ministry stated that the…

Read More

Local Govt Ministry distributes Gy$22M in equipment to regions

The Local Government Ministry on Tuesday handed over to the different regions approximately Gy$22 million worth of tools and equipment that were requested. The handing-over was done by the permanent secretary in that ministry, Nigel Dharamlall. The equipment included complete solar panel units costing Gy$7.3 million, to power refrigerators for health huts in several hinterland areas; solar panel units costing Gy$2.7 million, for lighting; land tillers to Regions One, Seven and Nine, costing Gy$971,000; mist blowers to Regions One, Four, Six and Nine, costing Gy$454,000; gasoline generators to Regions One,…

Read More

Guyanese contractors to benefit from CDB assistance

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it is providing assistance in enhancing the competitiveness of small contractors and artisans in the region. It said two of its specialised agencies – the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services network (CTCS) – are teaming up to host a workshop series entitled, “Computerised Job Estimation Tool (CJET) for Artisans and Small Contractors”. These workshops, which run until July, are being held in Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the…

Read More

Man hangs self after fight with wife

Police in New Amsterdam, Berbice are investigating what appears to be the suicide of an Angoy’s Avenue man who reportedly assaulted his wife and then hanged himself on Monday morning, May 23. According to reports, the deceased, Osman Ali Bacchus, 60, of Timmers Dam, reportedly cut his wife, Shemeeza, 30, with a knife following a domestic dispute. He had accused the woman of cheating on him, a charge she denied, and he attacked her with the knife. At around 07:45h on Monday, the woman reported the assault at the Central…

Read More

Missing Friendship man’s skeleton discovered

The skeletal remains of Rajesh Winter, 28, of Lot 34 River’s View, Friendship, East Bank Demerara, were discovered in a clump of bush some distance from his house on Monday, May 23. The man had reportedly left home about two weeks ago. Speaking with Guyana Times International via telephone, Christine Persaud, the dead man’s widow, related that they were celebrating her birthday on May 9 when an argument ensued, resulting in her husband leaving the house with a bottle of poison. She noted that the father of two did not…

Read More

Inter-religious TV to be launched shortly

By Janelle Persaud The much-touted Inter- Religious Television Station (IRTV) is expected to be realised shortly, as organisers finalise and implement the prerequisites. Guyana Times International understands that the naming of the directors as nominated by the various religious organisations should be completed by the end of May. This will put in motion the months of planning, said Co-chair of the Inter- Religious Organisation (IRO), Bishop Juan Edghill, in an interview with Guyana Times International. According to him, once this process in completed, the president and other members will be appointed…

Read More

Caricom leaders put hold on single economy implementation

Caricom leaders have agreed to put on hold the full implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy, saying the region was better off consolidating the gains made under the single market component before taking further action on elements such as the creation of a single currency. This was one of the decisions taken at a weekend retreat held at BK Quarries in the Mazaruni. In a statement issued on Sunday, May 22, the heads said that as regards the single economy, they recognise that the process towards full implementation…

Read More

Caribbean states call for lifting of restrictions on agro imports to Florida

The Caribbean diaspora in Florida has been challenged to lobby to remove some of the barriers to the importation of agricultural produce from Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean region. The challenge was thrown out by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Laparkan Group of Companies, Glen Khan, during a forum on trade at the Jamaica/USA Business Expo and Conference, held there this past weekend. According to a release, Khan noted that because Florida is an agriculture-based state, there are restrictions on the importation of certain produce and…

Read More

LCDS Hinterland Electrification Programme to be launched shortly

The majority of hinterland households, which include 80 per cent of the Amerindian population, are at present without access to basic electricity. The government will shortly launch the LCDS Hinterland Electrification Programme, which will rectify this by providing access to clean and renewable energy. The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will install solar home systems in 10,500 Amerindian households in about 135 unserved Amerindian communities. The programme will cater for all components of the solar system, including installation costs, transportation, wiring, light fittings, maintenance, and management training. Tender bids were…

Read More