TIMES INT'L

Authorities monitoring eruption of natural gas at Mabaruma

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

The National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) is currently monitoring an eruption of natural gas which occurred in Mabaruma, Barima-Waini (Region One) Monday afternoon. Based on information deceived, a businessman was reportedly drilling a well at Kumaka Water Front on his private property when he came into contact with suspected natural gas. This was confirmed by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley who told the Guyana Times International that several agencies including the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hydromet Department have been contacted to conduct an assessment. It…

Sale of Rose Hall Estate likely by July – NICIL

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Government’s privatisation of three sugar estates has progressed to the point where PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC), which is spearheading the process, believes it can conclude a deal with yet unnamed investors for the Rose Hall estate by next month. This was revealed by PWC Managing Director Wilfred Bhagaloo at a press conference called by NICIL on Monday. According to Bhagaloo, Rose Hall received the most interest from investors. He revealed that negotiations with a consortium of investors from Guyana, India and Ghana have reached an advanced stage. Bhagaloo spoke of a…

The Modi Phenomenon

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Just a few months ago, most of the political pundits were predicting that a “revitalised” Congress Party under an aggressive Rahul Gandhi would give the BJP under Narendra Modi a run for its money. At the very best, they projected, after its phenomenal win in 2014, all the BJP would be able to do was win possibly 200 of the 543 seats in the Lower House, and depend on its allies in the NDA coalition for the remaining 72 seats to form a new government. When the results came in,…

Cassava flour in the making

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Constructed at a total cost of G$26 million, the first-ever Cassava Processing Factory is now completed, and is expected to significantly benefit the residents of the Kwebanna community, located in Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini). The project, which commenced in December of 2018, was conceptualised with the main goal of providing a string of benefits, with employment opportunities being on top of the list. With the new processing facility now available, residents can now have jobs in either the processing or packaging departments, while farmers will solely take advantage of supplying…

Snake oil salesman…

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…in the Presidency Here we go again!! It’s clear that President Granger is a devout practitioner of the advice given by WC Fields: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit!!” And in this he’s following in the footsteps of that other snake-oil salesman, Forbes Burnham. But that shouldn’t surprise us, should it? He’s publicly sworn to “complete the legacy” of his mentor Burnham. Take his promise a few days ago on housing: “I would like to leave office where there is not a single homeless Guyanese.…

ExxonMobil hosts oil spill demonstration exercise on Shell Beach

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

More than 100 persons recently participated in an oil spill demonstration exercise facilitated by ExxonMobil Guyana at Waini Point, Shell Beach Protected Area in Region One (Barima-Waini). These representatives were from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), coastal village councils and other key agencies. “Because we want to ensure that yours and other communities remain beautiful and untouched, ExxonMobil Guyana is committed to safe and environmentally responsible operations. This commitment is highlighted in our Corporate Environment Policy; Protect Tomorrow, Today,” Country Manager Rod Henson indicated in his address to those gathered…

Cutting Guyana’s nose…

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…to spite PPP’s (sugar) face With every passing day, the PNC’s vindictive nature is exposed with their no-holds-barred efforts to destroy the PPP’s electoral base. Back in the day when the PNC of Burnham had discriminated against PPP supporters at every step of the way in the new co-operative dispensation of 80% of the economy being nationalised, Jagan had accused the PNC of “racial discrimination”. Burnham laughed and said, “it’s just political, comrade!” Once again, the PNC’s moves in the sugar belt – the bastion of the PPP’s strength –…

A needed paradigm for development

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

A decade after the last financial crisis which roiled the world, it has become obvious to most observers that more than facile cosmetic “tweakings” are needed for us to return on the path of sustainable development. This conclusion has forced many leaders of countries in crisis to re-examine the structural bases of their economies in an attempt to craft comprehensive and coherent responses that go beyond merely ameliorating symptoms. Such fundamental reappraisals have raised the demand for us to go beyond merely aspiring for “democracy”. Our expected oil revenues from…

Case against vendor in G$1M gold heist dismissed

June 7, 2019June 7, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Georgetown Magistrate Dylon Bess on Monday dismissed a robbery charge against Leonard Farley, a vendor implicated in a G$1 million gold heist after the prosecutor failed to provide sufficient evidence in the case. The 31-year-old man of Lot 3 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), had denied the charge when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman on his first court appearance. it was reported that on September 29, 2018, at Black and White Bridge, Tucville, East La Penitence, while being armed with a knife, he robbed…

Guyana urged to pursue “realistic” renewable energy source

June 7, 2019June 8, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Although Guyana may not be in the hurricane belt, it certainly will have to deal with issues such as the rise in sea levels and flooding as the country builds its new energy future. This is according to Caricom’s Energy Programme Manager, Dr Devon Gardner, who at a recent talk about Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) noted that while there are multiple potential renewable energy sources for the country, focus needs to be placed on those that can be “realistically developed.” “…In a way that gives us the kind…