Category: News

High drama in city streets as officials continue clamping vehicles

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…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…

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President Trump congratulates Guyana on 47th Republic Day Anniversary

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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…

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Caribbean/American legislator dispels rumours about immigration sweep

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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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Berbice domestic worker’s murder: 5 suspects remanded

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Five persons were remanded on Wednesday for the murder of a Corentyne domestic worker, Lilawatie Muhammed last week. The five suspects: Oliver Permaul, 36, of Lot 100 Tain; his wife, Nazeema Permaul, 42, a businesswoman of the same address; Andre James, also called “Andy”, 26, a tattoo artist of Lot 46 A George Street, Rose Hall Town; Rohan Johnson, also called “Jamakie”, 38, a carpenter of Clardon Jamaica and Lot 107 Second Street, Rose Hall Town and his reputed wife Shabikie Alber, also called “Shabikie Thompson”, appeared at the Number…

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Opposition moving to file private criminal charges against Govt officials

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The Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has signalled its intention to file private criminal charges against Government officials and is hoping that these charges will also test the immunity of the President. This was announced by PPP General Secretary and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Monday morning at Freedom House, Robb Street. He said these private criminal charges will include charges against Government officials who have enriched themselves from the exorbitant salary increases in 2015. “The argument they are making about enrichment, the asset…

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Relatives suspect foul play in death of Berbice cane harvester

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The body of a man was found on the shore of the Berbice River on Tuesday morning after he went missing Monday afternoon. Relatives suspect foul play. Dead is Ramesh Seegolam, also called “Mickey”, 30, a cane harvester attached to the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, of Pepper Street, Heatburn, East Bank Berbice. According to information, Seegolam had gone swimming on Monday afternoonwith a couple and a young child. When they returned to the community, without the man, the child and the couple allegedly gave different accounts of what happened at…

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In support of a referendum on Constitutional changes

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Dear Editor, This has reference to a recent news item on the Privy Council Brexit ruling by the UK Supreme Court.  In the UK, there was a referendum. The UK Supreme Court ruled that Parliamentary approval is also required for Brexit. The Guyana Court of Appeals (led by the Chancellor) is expected to hand down its ruling on the government’s appeal of the decision by the High Court (Judge Ian Chang, Ret’d) declaring presidential term limits unconstitutional. The CJ ruled that changes to the constitution pertaining to rights must be…

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How can the Govt apply VAT on private education in Guyana?

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Dear Editor, The importance of education cannot be stressed enough. We know that education is the key to the future, the key to success and the key to this country’s growth. I can’t understand therefore how it is even possible to consider taxing such a crucial service, or indeed a service like private health care for that matter. Unfortunately the damage has already been done and I am concerned for my future and those of my colleagues who are in the private education system. A merit good is one which…

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The APNU/AFC regime is driving Guyana along the same destructive road the PNC took

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Dear Editor, It appears that the Granger regime is determined to show that Burnham’s policies were correct and they could work in our country. From the inception of this Government, it picked up from where the People’s National Congress (PNC) left off and has been hastily implementing many measures that are a throwback to the worst days of the PNC regime. Last week, the Government finally admitted that there is a significant shortage of foreign currency in the market. That, of course, has been known for a while and was…

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Constitutional reform in Guyana should be taken seriously

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Dear Editor, In welcoming the recent interest of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in constitutional reform, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) hopes that it will serve to revitalise domestic interest on the issue. As a civic organisation that emerged in response to the infamous Referendum of 1978, which sought to legitimise the current Constitution and, as an active participant in multiple subsequent coalitions and initiatives to redress its baleful effects, the GHRA has been disturbed by the seemingly ambivalent commitment of the APNU/AFC coalition Government to constitutional reform.…

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