Year: 2013

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ronald Webster was on Tuesday re-elected by a majority vote in the face of an aggressive challenge put forward by young contender Clinton Urling. Webster won by a 16/ 4 margin when the election results were announced during the commission’s 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Pegasus Hotel. A modest Webster told Guyana Times International shortly after his re-election that while he was not surprised at his victory, he was overwhelmed at the level of support garnered for the position. Webster expressed great appreciation…

Read More

According to reports from the Associated Press (AP), a judge set bail Wednesday at nearly US$1.6 million for a demolition contractor charged in a fatal building collapse despite a prosecutor’s contention that the South American defendant is a flight risk. Sean Benschop, 42, has used several aliases, had numerous run-ins with law enforcement and is not a U.S. citizen, according to Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Selber. Benschop, who was born in Guyana, also has contacts in New York and New Jersey, she said. “All of these things can make a…

Read More

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has an extremely important role to play in supporting economic and social development in Guyana and the wider Caribbean, according to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who was recently elected as the new chairman of the board of governors of the bank at its last annual meetings held in St Lucia in May of this year. Minister Singh made the statement as he announced that CDB President Dr William Warren Smith, had graciously accepted his invitation to visit this country, and will be in Guyana…

Read More

Western diplomats in Guyana said the path is now clear for local government elections to be held in Guyana, with a parliamentary select committee completing its work on the four bills critical to the process. In a joint statement, representatives of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union noted that at the start of 2013, political party leaders, civil society, private sector representatives, and members of the diplomatic community all expressed confidence that this would be the year in which Guyana would move forward to ensure that…

Read More

Cognisant of the relation between home ownership and an improved standard of living, Habitat for Humanity and the Edward B Beharry and Company Limited have teamed up to ensure that several Guyanese, who would not otherwise be able to afford a home, realise this crucial dream. Beharry Chairman Anand Beharry disclosed that his company will provide in excess of Gy$ 14 million to the housing pilot which is expected to last an initial 12 months. Speaking at a media conference to announce the launch, Beharry described the initiative as an…

Read More

By Vahnu Manikchand The Police Officers’ Training Centre was on Monday commissioned at an elaborate ceremony during which both President Donald Ramotar and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee gave stern warnings to rogue elements of the force. The building, at Camp Road and Young Street, was constructed at a cost of Gy$158.4 million. According to Citizens’ Security Programme coordinator Anil Ramnauth, the building will add capacity to the Guyana Police Force and will be fully utilised to improve the services provided by the organisation. In his feature address, President Ramotar…

Read More

By Sabatini Daniels As part of efforts to further strengthen and formalise collaboration between the University of Guyana (UG) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday, with the aim of undertaking several new initiatives. The pact will see more opportunities for students of both universities, as well as UG staff. The memorandum was signed at UG’s Education Lecture Theatre by UG Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi and UCLan Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Dave Phoenix. It covers four key areas: a new…

Read More

By Umadevi Bux The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry on Wednesday launched its Third National Drama Festival, catering for writers and groups of dramatists across the country. The festival will run from June 19 to November 17. The launching activity took place at the National Cultural Centre, spiced with poetry and dance. According to Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony, the creative industry is a substantial part of a country’s economy, and there should be a growth in cultural entrepreneurship because creativity is unlimited and will become a booming industry. “Today,…

Read More