TIMES INT'L

EID – UL – FITR

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

Celebration to mark the end of Ramadaan Eid, popularly known as Eid-ul-Fitr, is a festival observed by the Muslim community to celebrate the conclusion of the month of fasting. Eid-ul-Fitr literally means ‘festival of breaking the fast’. Like other festivals observed by the Muslim community, this festival symbolizes faith. The festival is celebrated based on an Islamic belief by following the form of social practice. Eid is celebrated on the first date of Shawwal, that is, the tenth month of the Hijra calendar. During the festival, Muslims exchange gifts, greeting…

Power company turns to Private Sector for help in addressing electricity shortfall

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

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is looking to arrange power purchase agreements with a number of private firms that generate their own electricity. This includes seeking an agreement for the purchase of power from the Hope Windfarm project. This is according to GPL’s Chief Executive Officer, Albert Gordon, at a press conference hosted on Wednesday. Gordon admitted there are challenges in arranging the agreement with the Hope Windfarm project, and with a shortfall of approximately 10 megawatts of power in the interconnected system, GPL is forced to engage in…

SPEIGHTLAND WOMAN, EMPOWERED THROUGH FARMING

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

By Utamu Belle For women of the Speightland community situated in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice), farming is more than just planting seeds in the ground and watching them grow – it is a way of life which many have grown to love. Speightland is a small, close-knit community located on the Mackenzie shore of Linden, in close proximity to the old Alumina Plant. Approximately 90 per cent of the population is Indigenous, with subsistence farming and fishing being two of its major economic activities. While much of the…

MoTP denies firing PSM staff

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

…but termination letter proves otherwise Hours after the Ministry of the Presidency denied that newly appointed Public Service Minister, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley sent the personnel department and the chief accountant packing on Friday last, a document seen by Guyana Times International proved otherwise. A “Determination of Contract” letter signed by the Minister in question was addressed to a staff member stating that his services will no longer be required. “Pursuant to the aforesaid contract of employment, your services are hereby terminated with immediate effect”, the letter stated. In addition, the letters…

‘Situation unbearable’ …bus operators call on Govt to fix Linden-Lethem road

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

The Linden to Lethem trail is yet again in a deplorable state as the rainy season persists. The minibus operators plying the Lethem and Mahdia routes have complained bitterly of the deteriorating conditions of the trail which they are forced to use to transport passengers and goods as a means of earning their daily bread. The bus operators who reached out to Guyana Times International on Sunday described the trail as a “death trap” and bashed the Public Infrastructure Ministry for paying zero interest in conducting long-term repairs to that…

Currency Independence

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 TIMES INT'L

Money was first introduced to Guyana by the Dutch colonists, but there was never much in circulation. Previously, according to Guyana.org, there was an informal barter system among the original inhabitants of the territory before they began trading with Dutch colonists and traders for European goods such as knives and cutlasses. Even after the Dutch introduced money, they rarely used it for large business transactions. It was normal for them to write promissory notes, which eventually would be redeemed from their agents in Amsterdam where they sent their sugar and…

“Bam Bam” charged for killing drinking buddy

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 TIMES INT'L

A drinking spree which turned deadly landed a 37-year-old man before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday slapped with the capital offence of murder. The charge against Dexroy Garraway known as “Bam-Bam” stated that on May 22, 2019, at Takutu Landing, Puruni Road, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), he murdered Eric Nurse called “Black boy”. Garraway of Lower Enterprise Pomeroon was not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was read to him by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels told the court on Tuesday that…

‘It’s a huge honour’

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 TIMES INT'L

‒ Leon Johnson says upon receiving national award At 31, Guyana Jaguars cricket team captain Leon Johnson wears the tag of “best captain in the Caribbean”. He continued to prove his brilliance as a leader when he led Guyana Jaguars to a record fifth Regional 4-Day title in as many years. Fittingly, Johnson’s service for the country was recognized, and he was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement in the 2019 Investiture. This is the fourth highest National Award in the Order of Service of Guyana, and Johnson, speaking to…

G$700M more approved for rehab of roads, bridges

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 TIMES INT'L

The Public Infrastructure Ministry has secured in excess of G$700 million in supplementary funds to conduct rehabilitation works on a number of roads and bridges across the country. These monies approved was part of a G$2 billion supplementary provision given to the Public Infrastructure Ministry last week. Of that amount, G$500 million is to undertake construction and rehabilitation of roads and drains in urban areas (within Townships). Standing before the Committee of Supply in the National Assembly last week, the subject Minister, David Patterson, disclosed that already some 46 road…

‘Blackouts a thorn in the flesh’

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019 TIMES INT'L

…new GPL boss promises to end power woes New Chairman of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Board of Directors, Rawle Lucas is optimistic that in conjunction with staff at the entity, he can come up with strategies to relieve Guyanese of the burden of constant power outages. In an interview with this publication on Tuesday, Lucas acknowledged that blackouts are a problem. In fact, he described it as a thorn in the side and noted that policies to reduce blackouts will be pursued by the Board. “The issue of…