The newest air carrier in the Caribbean, Barbadian-based REDjet is aiming to start commercial operations in another two months, top aviation officials have said. The airline’s initial destinations are Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica. Officially introduced last October, REDjet promises regional air travellers low fares starting at US$9.99 excluding government taxes and other charges. A privately owned company, REDjet was founded in 2006 by Robbie Burns and is incorporated in St Lucia. The airline’s corporate office is situated at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados. The Guyana Civil Aviation…
Read MoreYear: 2011
Education is key in climate change fight – British high commissioner
More face-to-face programmes educating ordinary people about climate change are necessary worldwide, since it is believed that the phenomenon is not appreciated by the majority of people in the world, officials say. “Changes are happening and will continue to happen in the future, so it is better if people understand the reasons behind it and (amend) their behaviour so that they can make a contribution to what we all need to do,” British High Commissioner (ag) Simon Bond said, giving his input as to how organisations and other bodies…
Read MoreJagdeo launches – One Laptop Per Family programme
By Lisa Lowe The One Laptop Per Family Programme was officially launched last Friday, January 21st, at the Guyana International Conference Centre, and is expected to provide opportunities for 90,000 families. The programme was launche+d by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said the project could enhance and create opportunities for the beneficiaries of the laptops. However, he said: “The people that are collecting these laptops are not getting them free… you don’t have to pay for them, but it requires commitment in terms of time and effort and community work and…
Read MoreBudget allocation will help diversify and build agri-sector – Persaud
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, speaking on the second day of this year’s budget debate in the National Assembly, has said that the Gy$161.4B budget caters for the diversifying and building of a new agriculture sector. “Agriculture continues to be an important player in our economic drive, and this year’s budget provides for an increased amount of resources for diversifying and building a new sector to accommodate the transformation taking place,” the minister said. Minister Persaud noted that emphasis would be placed in all areas, including in the rice and sugar…
Read MoreTeixeira in PPP presidential bid
Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, has been nominated to contest the People’s Progressive Party’s presidential candidacy, the party said in a statement last Friday. Teixeira, who previously held ministerial portfolios for health; home affairs; and culture, youth, and sport, is the newest candidate for the party. The others are Donald Ramotar, Clement Rohee, Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran. In its statement, the PPP said that it has been advancing its discussion on the issue of choosing a presidential candidate for the 2011 general and regional elections. According to the…
Read MoreGuyanese very ambitious and assertive – Dr Taj Rajkumar
By Natasha Waldron Anthony Guyanese-born Dr Taj Rajkumar, the New York State Assembly District 31 District Leader, enjoys assisting Guyanese who have challenges accessing and benefiting from government services here in the United States, including with immigration matters. He recently spoke with Guyana Times International, when he highlighted his commitment to and passion for political work. “I like politics because it gives me an opportunity to help people deal with their problems, with their issues. Our people don’t understand the American political system — how to access government services. That’s…
Read More2011 Calendar of events in Guyana
President Jagdeo calls for strong leadership in GCB
By Rajiv Bisnauth Guyana’s head of state, President Bharrat Jagdeo, is optimistic that upcoming elections at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) would result in a new and stronger board, which is credible and can guide cricket development in our country in the years to come. These remarks by the president came on the heels of an ongoing heated campaign leading up to the GCB elections, just thirteen days away. “I know there are some good people who are seeking to lead the cricketing organization, and I hope they succeed in…
Read MoreOpposition, government differ on budget measures
By Ariana Gordon Again, on Monday, Opposition members of parliament and those on the government benches differed on the measures contained in this year’s Gy$161.4 billion budget presented in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh. Speaking to the media just after Singh’s presentation, Opposition Leader and leader of the main opposition party, Robert Corbin, noted that he was not surprised by the announcements made by government on Monday. He fretted about being subjected to a three-hour budget presentation that could have been presented in approximately one hour.…
Read MoreJagdeo to roll back any anti- black policy
– if evidence of such is produced By Janelle Persaud The UN International Year for People of African Descent was on Wednesday, 19 December launched at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, with President Bharrat Jagdeo declaring that he is prepared to roll back any anti-black policy within his government if evidence of such is found. The launch was held under the theme: “People of African Descent – Recognition, Justice and Development”. The occasion has been clouded by major disagreements between the government and some African groups which claimed that they…
Read More