Year: 2011

President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a New Year’s message to citizens, said a new wave of development has begun to sweep Guyana. He said that, over the next decade, “we can create a new Guyana with high quality infrastructure and catalyse new economic sectors, while providing global leadership.” The president said the outlines of this new Guyana are taking shape. “If the Berbice Bridge, better housing, education and health are examples of the transformational change from the last two decades, the first examples of the next wave of change are becoming…

By Radha  Motielall  Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally, has said that, barring a few statutory matters, the commission is ready for the keenly-anticipated national and regional elections which are due this year. Surujbally also predicted an election date in August, although he said the setting of the date is completely out of his hands, as this was a matter for the president.    Political parties expected to contest elections, which were last held in 2006, have begun identifying possible presidential candidates, and President Bharrat Jagdeo, in…

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has expressed hope that Guyanese will become more aware of the importance of preserving the environment, and the bank intends to promote this idea through its recently-launched Green Loans Plan.  In an interview, the bank’s head of credit, Shaleeza Shaw, who spearheaded the initiative, revealed that the idea was born out of the bank’s intent to fulfil its corporate responsibility in light of Guyana’s growing role in the fight against climate change.  “We are targeting individuals and businesses who want to engage…

By Rehana  Ramcharan   They were madly in love with each other, and none of them trust each other. They were insecure and this led to what happened Monday,” a relative of the woman from East Bank Essequibo, whose reputed husband stabbed her to death then hanged himself, said.      Amrit Hemchand, the 21-year-old man who killed Saleema Mohamed, had reportedly received a phone call on Sunday, December 2 from a male friend, telling him that the woman was seen in her bathroom with her new boyfriend. Hemchand then sneaked into Mohamed’s…

The Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP) grouping is proceeding with its plans to contest the 2011 general elections as a team, and is optimistic that this approach would bring success. Within a few days, the group is to make an announcement on its progress and plans, PNCR leader Robert Corbin disclosed on January 4. In an invited comment, GAP/ROAR Member of Parliament Everall Franklin said the body has been meeting with various interest groups as negotiations continue. Asked what the response was like to those discussions, he related that individuals…

Guyanese farmers and investors in the non-traditional agricultural sub-sectors will be able to access finances for their activities from two funding facilities starting next year. The two financial packages will make some Gy$600 million available for disbursement in grants and loans. The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) would operate one of the facilities, while the Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED) would implement the other. The facilities target farmers, exporters, and other investors interested in diversification activities, such as fruits and vegetables, livestock and aquaculture. The Agriculture Export…

-Remanded to Prison By: Bhisham  Mohamed  A Guyana Defence Force major and his wife, and a former lieutenant colonel were on Tuesday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court One on a joint charge of treason against the government of Guyana.    Leonard Wharton, the former lieutenant colonel and proprietor of the La Chalet Country Club; and Major Bruce Munroe, and his wife Carol Ann, the directors of the Young Achievers Academy, were not required to plead to the charge of treason. This offence is punishable by the death penalty, according to…