The Constitution of a country is its highest law and has been called “the law of lawmaking” for the State. It structures and limits the powers of the three branches of Government – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary – and between the organs of the State and the people. Our present Constitution was first promulgated in 1980 and was revised extensively in 2000, after countrywide hearings. While there has been expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of our Constitution, and “constitutional change” has become a mantra during election campaigns, the…
Read MoreYear: 2019
Jagdeo has laid a solid foundation for Guyana’s tourism sector to thrive
Dear Editor, I noted in an article a few days ago, concerning the value of the refurbished convention centre to the tourism sector. In the same publication I also observed that visitors’ arrivals this year was almost 285,000. Coincidentally, an acquaintance of mine and many persons verily accuse President Jagdeo of not doing anything for Guyana. Today’s tourism’s performance is all due to the vision of, and the foundation laid by, President Jagdeo. The market segments identified for tourists were – visiting family and friends, nature, sport, conferences, heritage and…
Read MoreJooking…
…the Constitution Whatever doubts your Eyewitness expressed about the PNC-led coalition Government’s intentions after the Chief Justice’s rulings on their challenges to the NCM – that President and Cabinet should’ve resigned immediately after Dec 21 – were swept away by PNC party leader Granger’s inelegant but emphatic announcement, “I ain’t goin’ no way!” Granger was in full campaign mode in front of a large throng of green-clad party faithful at the opening of a “Reg 3 Congress Place” and spoke in the vernacular to energise his bussed-in supporters. He announced…
Read MoreJeffrey urges Govt to do more for Venezuelan migrants
Given the recent influx of Venezuelans into Guyana, a recommendation is being made to have Government provide more human and financial support to these individuals. Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey believes that the situation regarding the migration of these foreign nationals could be better managed. However, he said that a proper needs assessment should be carried out to determine the priority, so as to ensure that a proper response to the situation is implemented. “From my understanding, they are setting up some sort of camps for these people.…
Read MoreRevenue body to undergo more staff shake-ups
Coming on the heels of multiple dismissals last month, it seems that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is likely to go through more staffing shakeups as the entity tries to enhance its efficiency. This was revealed by Commissioner General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia, during a recent press conference. Statia attributed this to the need for revamping the authority’s organisational chart. “During 2019, you’ll see some executive staff changes. The entire organisational chart would be revamped so that it would provide for more efficient operations. We would continue with the…
Read More1 dead after car slams into parked truck
A man is dead while a woman was listed in a serious condition after the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a parked truck along Princes Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown in the wee hours of Monday morning. Dead is 35-year-old Trevon Butters of Caneville, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The injured woman has been identified as 25-year-old Natasha Roberts of Wales, West Bank Demerara. Reports are the motorcar bearing registration number PNN 8969, which was driven by Butters, was heading north along Princes Street at a fast rate but while in…
Read MoreFormer health minister roasts Govt over ‘dire situation’ at NA mortuary
By Samuel Sukhnandan In light of the announcement that the mortuary at the New Amsterdam Hospital has been closed indefinitely, former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that the facility’s administration and the Health Ministry have an obligation to immediately outline a plan for the beginning of mortuary services at the Hospital as soon as possible. Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen has said that the decision to close the mortuary was taken on January 23, 2018. According to Stephens, the Hospital’s administration had been experiencing issues with the…
Read MoreGuyanese diplomats fail to declare assets to Integrity Commission
In a public notice issued on Saturday, February 2, 2019, the Office of the Integrity Commission published the names of 66 persons who are required by law to declare their assets but failed to submit their declarations. Among the names of the identified defaulters whom the Integrity Commission publicly called out were 20 of Guyana’s diplomats. The published names were in accordance with Section 19 of the Integrity Commission Act, the Integrity Commission and the deadline was listed as January 25, 2019. The diplomats included Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil, George…
Read MoreCCJ upholds High Court ruling on fraudulent titles
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday upheld a High Court decision that two titles for land at Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), were fraudulently obtained since another party was in possession of the property. The appeal was filed by Chandra Ramotar Singh against Bhagwantlall Mossai and Alvin Alves in relation to land at Lot 14 Mortice, Mahaicony River. According to Court documents, while Singh did not have official title, he was in occupation of the land since 1989 when he agreed to buy the property from some of the…
Read MoreGuyana Govt signs off on several State Boards
…but Opposition questions whether decision is lawful In light of the ruling of Justice Roxane George on the no-confidence resolution in favour of the Opposition, Minister of State Joseph Harmon continues to execute the Government’s business as normal. In Saturday’s Official Gazette, dated February 2, 2019, under Government Notices, the Minister of State’s signature was affixed to Cabinet’s approval for the Board of Directors of several State bodies; some of which have life until the end of 2019 while others were extended into 2020. With the High Court’s ruling late…
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