Less than three weeks after several police ranks were transferred and one placed under close arrest following allegations of sexual assault, three others are now in hot water for allegedly committing a similar act on a teenager in Georgetown. The three ranks were placed under close arrest after allegations surfaced that they had sodomised a 16-year-old boy while he was in their custody at the Stabroek Police Outpost Sunday evening. According to information received, the teenager was arrested about 21:00h on Sunday and taken to the Stabroek Police Outpost where…
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American University to roll out anti-suicide programme in Essequibo
In an effort to reduce the number of suicide cases in Guyana, the American University of Research will be embarking on an initiative to promote self-awareness as a solution. At a press conference on Tuesday, university president, Dr Eton Simon, explained that if persons are aware of their mental state, they can make a better choice than choosing the easy way out. “We are embarking on this initiative due to the urgent need for a solution to suicide in our country,” he said. Dr Simon said members of the university,…
Read MoreSeeraj calls for full investigation into allegations against Berbice ranks
Member of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj is calling on the Guyana Police Force to launch a full investigation into the allegations by Corentyne residents that some police ranks have been involved in criminal activity in their villages. Speaking at a meeting organised by the police at the Number 48 Primary School building on Tuesday, the parliamentarian noted that the visit of Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell to the Corentyne is an indication that the spike in crime has caught the attention of the police. He said people in Berbice do not trust…
Read MorePreparatory work for Specialty Hospital to resume soon
Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said preparatory work for the construction of the multimillion-dollar Specialty Hospital is expected to resume soon. The health minister told Guyana Times International that the Ramotar administration is very passionate about having the hospital constructed and will work hard to ensure that this vision is fulfilled. Some Gy$34.4 million was approved by the National Assembly recently for the Specialty Hospital. “The ministry is in the process of getting other things done, like proper site preparation. ‘Surrendra’ company would have won the bid, so they have…
Read MoreGuyana gov’t firm on ganja ban
Amid calls for some limited legalisation of marijuana in Guyana, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Tuesday reaffirmed the government of Guyana’s zero-tolerance policy on all drugs that are deemed illicit, including marijuana. There has been a global debate regarding the legalisation of marijuana, with even United States President Barack Obama saying ganja was less dangerous than alcohol. Rohee made the comment as he launched the National Drug Report for 2012, compiled by the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, at his Brickdam Office. The report is produced…
Read MoreCourt rules budget cuts unlawful
– Ramjattan says he will appeal Nearly two years after government moved to the courts challenging the opposition cuts to the National Budget, acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Wednesday delivered a final ruling, declaring that the National Assembly has no right to cut the national estimates presented by the finance minister and can only approve or disapprove the budget in its entirety or sections within. “The power of the National Assembly to approve (or not to approve) the minister’s estimates simply means that the assembly is conferred with a…
Read MoreGov’t mulling ways to revive hydro power project
With the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) signalling their intention to support the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, government is analysing possible avenues that can be taken to resuscitate the US$800 million project. Before crumbling in 2013, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP) was a private sector-led initiative, designed to be financed through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and China Development Bank (CDB) with equity from Sithe Global Inc and the government of Guyana. The China Railway First Group (CRFG) was identified for…
Read MoreNon-passage of anti-money laundering bill taking toll on banking sector
– Citizens Bank chairman tells AGM By Svetlana Marshall The non-passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013 and Guyana’s subsequent blacklisting has helped to drive up foreign exchange rates, Citizens Bank and Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis told the institution’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday at the Georgetown Club. He also said that new and innovative models are required in the financial and banking sectors to combat the negative effects of the 2008 economic crisis that continue to manifest themselves. In 2013, the…
Read MoreBrassington says NICIL audit reports free of discrepancies
… and are available to the public online All of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) finances remain up to date, since the entity merged with the Privatisation Unity in 2002, head of the entity Winston Brassington said. Brassington in a recent interview told this publication that he is pleased that the public is now able to have the audited financial statements for NICIL, as a company, up to date in Parliament. NICIL, he said too, has published all of its financial statements on its website, with 2013…
Read MoreBill passed to regulate land surveying sector
The National Assembly endorsed the Land Surveyors (Profession) Bill 2013, clearing the way for the establishment of A Land Surveyors Board. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) arrived at a welcomed consensus, following a brief debate last Thursday. In presenting the Land Surveyors (Profession) Bill 2013 for the second reading, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud told the House that the surveying sector has been grappling with serious issues, which the bill will address when it becomes law.…
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