News – Page 709 – Guyana Times International

Gy$7M computer training programme launched in Leguan

October 20, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Thirty students of Leguan have commenced classes in computer technology on Monday when the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) launched the Gy$7 million “Leguan Information Technology Project”. The project, funded by the government of Guyana in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is being executed by the Finance Ministry through BNTF. The project provides for the installation of two AC units (24,000 BTU), 15 computers, and one printer along with back-up systems that are linked into a network. Classes are being held at…

Corruption on the decline at customs – Sattaur

October 20, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Michael Younge Guyana Revenue Authority Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur said that corruption at the semi-autonomous state agency is on the decline, crediting this to the many operational and structural changes made at the revenue body over the years. He made the comment during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Tuesday at his Lamaha Street Office in Georgetown. Sattaur explained that the changes in the organisational, operational and structural pillars of the GRA are largely responsible for the decline. He was adamant that the new systems that were…

1500 pregnant women to benefit from Gy$5M nutrition programme

October 20, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Fifteen hundred pregnant women throughout Guyana will benefit from a Gy$5 million nutrition programme of the Health Ministry. Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy told scores of Amerindians from villages such as Akawini, Kabakaburi, Baracara, St Monica and Karawab in both Upper and Lower Pomeroon, during a meeting over the weekend, that the ministry has developed a programme which seeks to provide pregnant women, once registered, with three vouchers valued altogether at Gy$18,000. Dr Ramsammy said the vouchers will be given to women at the various health centres so that they…

Autumn rice crop to surpass target

October 20, 2011 TIMES INT'L

– average yield pegged at 28 bags of paddy per acre By Michael Itwaru President of the Rice Producers Association Leekha Rambrich is optimistic that by the end of the current autumn crop more than 400,000 bags of paddy would have been reaped, surpassing the national target since farmers are expecting very high yield per acre. Preparations for the crop had commenced in early June, with farmers sowing paddy as late as August. This extended crop was due to harsh weather at the start of the year. Rambrich recalled that…

Guyana has made big strides in reducing HIV stigma – Desiree Edghill

October 20, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Danielle Campbell Artistes in Direct Support Director Desiree Edghill said that Guyana has come a far way in reducing stigma and discrimination against persons living and affected by HIV/AIDS. During a recent interview with Guyana Times International, Edghill disclosed that stigma and discrimination still exists, but Guyana has seen a tremendous reduction. “Guyana has really come a far way where reducing stigma and discrimination is concerned. When people feel comfortable walking into a site during National Week of Testing and getting tested, then that is huge,” the social worker…

Security forces geared to ensure peace and order during election periods– Rohee

October 20, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says the security forces are “geared” and “poised” to ensure the maintenance of peace and good order throughout the current campaign season, during and after the 2011 General and Regional elections. “From a security standpoint the plans are in place, the personnel are geared up with the necessary standard operating procedures. I would like to assure all Guyanese, including the private sector and investors, to rest assured that there will be a very high comfort level in respect of the atmosphere that will prevail in…

Man who chopped children to death arrested

October 14, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The 31-year-old father who went berserk and chopped his two children and a stepchild was on Wednesday arrested by police. John Blanchard reportedly hacked the three children, two of whom died while the third remains critical at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while they were asleep at their house at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. Guyana Times International was reliably informed that the children aged 10, 6 and 4 were severely chopped about their bodies. The gruesome discovery was made at approximately 22:30h at the family’s home located at Dr Charles New…

Afro-Guyanese have achieved much – Prime Minister Hinds

October 14, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said Afro-Guyanese have achieved much in advancing the work their ancestors started many decades ago after the abolition of slavery. The prime minister made the remark on Saturday at “Sankofa”, an event which highlighted African culture. “We have been making great gains. Although slavery had ended more than 150 years ago… there are still more gains to be made. “In Guyana, after slavery was abolished, there was a great start, with many freed slaves who saved their hard-earned coppers and jills and took it and bought…

Ramotar outlines plan to further transform Guyana

October 14, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Working towards a progressive Guyana, one that creates equal opportunities and wealth for all, was the thrust of PPP/C presidential candidate Donald Ramotar’s address on Sunday, October 9, as he told citizens why they should vote for him, come November 28. He urged a crowd of approximately 13,000 supporters gathered at the party’s second rally at the Kitty Market Square to “vote for the cup”. “We have made achievements in every aspect of life in our country. Woe be unto those who have eyes and cannot see; those who condemned…

Media operatives urged to honour code of conduct

October 14, 2011 TIMES INT'L

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally has urged media operatives to renew their commitment to the code of conduct for the media, at the conclusion of a GECOM/Centre for Communications Studies Journalism workshop. The two-day workshop was aimed at educating journalists, editors and media proprietors on coverage and reporting of general elections. It concluded on Saturday at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara. Director of the Centre for Communication Studies, Dr Paloma Mohamed, said that the workshop was “remarkable”, and commended the 50-plus participants, who were mostly young…