Category: News

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on Monday confirmed that there will be no increase in electricity tariffs for Linden, Region 10. In fact, the government has set aside Gy$2.900 billion in the 2014 national budget to subsidise the cost of electricity in Linden, while neighbouring Kwakwani Utilities Inc will receive Gy$300 million, a total of Gy$3.2 billion in subsidies, once there is no objection from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in the National Assembly. Prime Minister Hinds said the provision of the subsidy…

The New GPC Inc. in a bid to support the development of culture and arts has sponsored the Panwave Academy Steel Orchestra, which will be participating in the national steelpan competition next month. On Tuesday, the pharmaceutical company gave a cheque to the steel orchestra to offset expenses during the playoff. Handing over the cheque was NEW GPC Marketing Associate Livasti Bhooplall, who noted that the company is committed to youth development. “NEW GPC believes investing in youth development is crucial to the success of our nation,” she said, calling…

– but physical assault charges likely to be filed against some ranks There is no evidence to suggest that 23-year-old Colwyn Harding was baton-raped, Police Complaints Authority Chairman, Justice Cecil Kennard said, noting that criminal charges to this effect will not be instituted against police officers accused of the allegation. In a telephone interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday, Kennard said he has completed his role in the process and is currently preparing his report with recommendations to be handed over to the relevant agencies. Asked whether there will…

As Guyana joined the rest of the world in observance of the United Nations (UN) designated World Interfaith Harmony Week, President Donald Ramotar on Saturday called for a redoubling of efforts to foster greater understanding and appreciation among the different religions in Guyana. World Interfaith Harmony Week was officially launched on Saturday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. The ceremony opened with prayers and messages from the Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Baha’i, Rastafarian, indigenous and Seventh Day Adventist bodies, and the United Apostolic Mystical Council. The president, who delivered the…

In 2013, Guyana recorded a 96 per cent vaccination rate in children under five, according to initial data. Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran disclosed in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International that babies born in Guyana over the past 11-15 years have all received vaccines for preventable diseases. “In recent years, we have been able to touch as much as 95 per cent to 96 per cent of our vaccinated population, that is, the babies that we need to vaccinate for vaccine preventable childhood illness,” he said. Dr Ramsaran…

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the police force must pay closer attention to its recruitment procedures and screening practices so as to ensure that perverts are not allowed into the organisation. His comment came via a statement in which he expressed disgust at the damning allegation that three ranks sodomised a teenage boy at the Stabroek Market Police Outpost. The accused ranks have been placed under close arrest. Rohee said if found guilty, such ranks should be weeded out of the force as they are not worthy of wearing…

Government will move to present the Food Safety Bill to the National Assembly before the beginning of the 2014 budget debates. This is according to Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy who said government is in the final stages of completing the Food Safety Bill, which it hopes to present in the National Assembly for the first reading and approval. Dr Ramsammy said the Agriculture Ministry has concluded its part and Cabinet has given the approval for the bill to be vetted by the Office of the Attorney General before it…

A series of activities has been planned in observance of “Black History Month”, which began on Wednesday with an art exhibition at the Quava Centre at the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), Thomas Lands, Georgetown. ACDA executive member Eric Philips in an interview with Guyana Times International said other activities include lectures, drumming and a food exhibition. There will also be an entrepreneurship workshop on February 15, which will be addressed by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, and attended by representatives from civil society and various…