Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is vigilant as regards the method of the appointment of judges and the independence of the Judiciary in the Region. Last Tuesday, the regional court criticised the system how appellate court judges are appointed in Belize. Although the CCJ judges did not entertain the appeal filed by the Bar Association against the Attorney General of Belize, but expressed displeasure with the present arrangement for the appointment of Justice of Appeal. At present, under section 94 of the Constitution of Belize Chapter 4,…
Read MoreYear: 2017
Has the President just awoken from his slumber?
Dear Editor, What happened? Did President David Granger suddenly wake up and become Columbus number two, that he and his administration now discover that he “…believed the rates are high and that there should have been certain parking exemptions from the inception…” Also, he said, “We do feel that the contract is burdensome…” Why only now? What did he do with the reports from his two Ministers – Finance and Legal Affairs? He received those reports several months ago. Did he read them at all and note their recommendations? Anyway,…
Read MoreReports of US immigration raids in Queens for illegals
Dear Editor, Newspapers are reporting that Federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Agents of Homeland Security raided restaurants, stores and other job sites in Elmhurst and other parts of Queens. There are also rumours that ICE agents raided Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill (dubbed Little Guyana) last week though this has not been confirmed. The reports from raids in Queens say hundreds were picked up. And it is not clear if any out of status Guyanese immigrants were picked up and in custody and the nature of their violations. Trinis and…
Read MoreGovt moving ahead with housing project at Perseverance
Government’s ‘Housing Solutions for 2017 and Beyond’ initiative is moving full steam ahead and contractors have already been hired to build low-income, moderate-income and middle-income homes at the Perseverance Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Tuesday signed agreements with 14 contractors for the construction of houses which will develop a model village exhibition to be hosted from May 1–5. The signing of the contracts took place at the Housing Ministry on Brickdam. Junior Communities Minister with responsibility for housing, Valarie…
Read MoreThe Yankee dollar
As the dispute continues as to whether or not there is actually a shortage of US currency available In Guyana, the Economist ran a very interesting article one week ago that reminds us of the critical role the American currency plays in anchoring the economy of the world, including ours. As the title, “Donald Trump and the dollar standard” suggests, the volatile United States (US) President may also affect the volatility of that standard and consequently the world’s economy. Directly after World War II, when the World Bank and IMF…
Read MoreGuyana inks US$40m loan agreement with IDB
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on Tuesday, signed four loan agreements with the Inter-American Development Bank to secure US$40 million in developmental resources to finance key initiatives within the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Agriculture, Business and Public Health. The monies will be used to finance key initiatives within the Ministries of Legal Affairs, Agriculture, Business and Public Health. According to the Ministry of Finance, these loan resources will support Government’s developmental agenda of promoting investment; improving connectivity throughout Guyana; diversifying the economy; and providing citizens with quality healthcare and social…
Read MorePresidential term limits unconstitutional
…Guyana’s Court of Appeal rules in split decision The Guyana Court of Appeal on Wednesday, by a 2 to 1 majority, ruled that presidential term limits is unconstitutional. Handing down separate decisions were Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh; Chief Justice, Yonnette Cummings-Edwards and Justice B.S. Roy. Justice B.S. Roy and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh turned down an appeal by Attorney General Basil Williams and the Speaker of the National Assembly.Chief Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards differed and allowed the appeal. In her dissenting decision, she said the amendment to…
Read MoreHigh drama in city streets as officials continue clamping vehicles
…despite court order placing a hold on paid parking BY DEVINA SAMAROO Officials from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Smart City Solutions (SCS) strutted through the capital city on Tuesday, booting vehicles despite a court order which placed a hold on the paid parking project. However, this is not the first time the M&CC has flouted a court order; back in May 2006, Town Clerk Royston King spearheaded the destruction the famous ‘Dread Shop’, located at Russell Square in Stabroek, Georgetown – a business which has been in…
Read MorePresident Trump congratulates Guyana on 47th Republic Day Anniversary
The following letter was sent to President David Granger on behalf of the people of the United States: Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate you and the citizens of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of your Republic Day. As you mark 47 years as a republic, know that the United States remains as committed as ever to our close friendship and partnership on common interests such as economic development, good governance, and environmental protection. I would also like to…
Read MoreCaribbean/American legislator dispels rumours about immigration sweep
A Caribbean/American legislator has sought to dispel rumours about immigration sweeps at, among other places, a popular Caribbean department store and major hospital in Brooklyn. New York City Council Member Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, who represents the predominantly Caribbean 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said that he and his staffers have been following up on “the many rumours, as we can.” Many of the rumours about immigration sweeps at Bobby’s Department Store and the expansive Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, among other places, are being circulated primarily…
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