Year: 2011

St Lucia PM says general elections will be held this year

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Prime Minister Stephenson King has said that general elections will be held this year in St Lucia. Dismissing speculation, King said that he would drag out the date to March 2012, in keeping with the constitutional deadline. The two main political parties – the ruling United Workers’ Party (UWP) and the main opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) – have in recent weeks stepped up campaign activities in anticipation of the polls being held this year. The island’s oldest newspaper, The Voice, has been publishing opinion polls that favour an…

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Barbados foreign reserves decline by $60M

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The foreign reserves of Barbados declined by $60 million in January, despite the record number of tourist arrivals, Opposition spokesman on Finance and Economic Affairs, Clyde Mascoll, said yesterday. He told the Daily Nation this performance was not a good sign, and required some explanation from Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler. Sinckler responded on Wednesday night, saying Mascoll was being “neither intellectually nor practically genuine on the matter”. “Mascoll must know it was the former administration that entered into an agreement to make a $30 million payment for the Dodds…

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Fostering nature research- A class field trip becomes a national pioneering venture

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Upon realising that there was a discord in the way students were learning about science and their natural world, schoolteacher Fitz Ogle set about exposing Guyanese students to their natural environment through field trips rather than text books. On September 8, 1997, Ogle and his class walked into the natural forests of Guyana to begin the Evergreen Nature Study Club, a club that has quickly grown into national and international recognition. “It is a fact that natural science taught in tropical schools suffers through having been evolved from that of…

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“I’m willing to serve in any capacity”– Persaud

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Executive member of the People’s Progressive Party, Robert Persaud, said he is willing to serve in whatever capacity is thrust on him, as talk of him being considered as a likely presidential candidate of his party continued to spread. Guyana Times International was told that Persaud, the agriculture minister, had resisted efforts by party groups who wanted to nominate him as one of the contenders for the presidential candidacy. The PPP has indicated that five of its executive members have offered themselves as potential presidential candidates. These are Home Affairs Minister…

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Digicel commissions cell site at Ituni

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– company not worried about new Blackberry service Chief Executive Officer of Digicel, Gregory Deane, said that the company is always ready and open for competition with the view to bringing new services to the Guyanese populace. Deane was at the time responding to questions posed by this media house regarding the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company’s preparatory efforts to launch its Blackberry service within a few weeks’ time. The Digicel CEO noted that the company brought competition to Guyana, and as a result sees it as a challenge to…

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“We are ready to do business with Guyana” – T&T minister

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BY MICHAEL YOUNGE Trinidad and Tobago’s People’s Partnership government says that it is ready to do business with Guyana, and to work in several trade and economic areas which could result in both countries benefiting significantly and fast-tracking their overall development. The twin-island republic’s new Minister of Trade, Stephen Cadiz, speaking during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International, explained that both countries have had a long partnership and must now look to the future with great expectation. Minister Cadiz said his country has the knowledge, expertise and financing available…

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National Intelligence Centre on the cards this year

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Government is planning to establish a National Intelligence Centre before the end of the year, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, has announced. Commenting on the recent leakage to the media of sensitive information about payment to joint services’ ranks for work in the area of interception of communication, Dr Luncheon said it was an “unfortunate sequence of events.” The cabinet secretary stated that such a body will be required to work under the strictest rules of confidentiality, and the introduction of legislation will ensure a more rigorous…

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Upper Berbice lands being repossessed to allow for major agro, forestry investments

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New investors who are ready to push development are expected to set up operation in the Upper Berbice River area, as the Agriculture Ministry continues to repossess more lands and redistribute same to investors who are ready and capable to help develop the sectors. This move is in line with the ministry’s drive to push its Diversification Programme and create employment opportunities for farmers. Upper Berbice River communities of Kwakwani and Ituni are being targeted because of the availability of large areas of uncultivated arable land and unused vegetative savannahs…

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West Berbice farmers to get flood help

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Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud assured West Bank Berbice (Region Five) residents and farmers last Wednesday that government will assist them as they recover from the recent flood caused by torrential rains. During the meeting, residents of Blairmont and Ithaca asked for assistance to construct aquaculture ponds and for the services of a hymac to clear the canals. They also spoke about loss of cattle due to salt water intrusion; NIS medical for injured GuySuCo employees, and the electricity supply to the communities. At Numbers Eight, 29 and 30 Villages, topics…

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Queens Phagwah Parade route changed this year

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By Natasha Waldron Anthony The Hindu Parades & Festivals Committee (HPFC) will once again host the annual Phagwah Parade under the banner, “Good should conquer evil at all times”. Dhanpaul Narine, HPFC’s Public Relations Officer, told Guyana Times International that the theme of the March 20 celebrations in Queens, New York is a message the committee has embraced during its 23 years of hosting the event. Narine added, “This year’s theme is ‘Working together for peace.’ Look at what is happening in the world today; as you know, different conflicts…

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