News – Page 724 – Guyana Times International

Manganese firm eyes mining operations in two years

August 26, 2011 TIMES INT'L

BY ARIANA GORDON Canadian mining firm Reunion Manganese Inc says that in another two years’ time it will know whether there is enough manganese for commercial operations at a Matthews Ridge, North West District site where it is currently conducting exploratory studies. A feasibility study is expected to commence just after the first quarter of 2012, which the company is hoping will guide its future operations. In September 2010, the company obtained four prospecting licences to conduct exploratory and developmental activities for manganese in the North West District of Guyana…

Greenidge should desist from distorting history, says finance minister

August 26, 2011 TIMES INT'L

On August 23, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh urged former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge to desist from distorting history, in reference to Greenidge’s recent forays into the letters’ columns of the daily newspapers. Greenidge held the finance portfolio under successive PNC administrations for nine years – from 1983 to 1992. Dr Singh, in a statement, said that Greenidge should account to the Guyanese people for the performance of the domestic economy for the full duration of his ministerial tenure, instead of trying to rewrite his own fantastic and abbreviated version…

Log traders without concessions banned from exporting

August 26, 2011 TIMES INT'L

– private and govt projects on hold – Persaud Log traders who do not have concessions have been banned from exporting timber as Guyana takes steps to ensure there is adequate supply of timber on the local market. This announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud during a meeting with the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Forest Products Association, the Guyana Manufacturers Association, and the Private Sector Commission to discuss a local shortage of building materials. That meeting was held at the ministry’s boardroom on Monday, August 22.…

Health Ministry intensifies focus on diabetes prevention

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Guyana’s fight against chronic non-communicable diseases has been stepped up over the years, as the Health Ministry, in collaboration with partners, continues to host sensitisation programmes aimed at informing both parents and their children about treatment, therapy, and proper lifestyles. On Saturday, August 20, at the opening of the third annual Diabetes Youth Camp, held at the Splashmins Camping Ground, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the aim of the initiative is to educate children and their caregivers on managing their condition, thereby reducing susceptibility to other health…

UG, IAST sign pact to collaborate on research projects

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The University of Guyana (UG) and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the sharing of equipment and resources, staff and student exchange, and research and library access, on August 19. The MOU, signed by IAST Director Dr Suresh Narine and UG Vice Chancellor Professor Lawrence Carrington, will see an ongoing process of updating the databases of instrumentation on a bi- annual basis with the databases being made available to staff of both institutions and interested stakeholders. According to a Government Information…

Govt alone can’t curb road rage – Jagdeo

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

President Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the government is doing its part to ensure safer roads, but he added that it will take individual commitment to make the ideal situation a reality. He was speaking on Thursday, August 18 at the launch of the Road Safety Volunteer Programme, which took the form of a two-day workshop at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. “Most people think that governments can be everything to everyone, and can fix everything. “Governments are there to basically provide a level playing field,…

Jagdeo grants Gy$10M to ACDA for IYPAD activities

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

President Bharrat Jagdeo approved a grant of Gy$10 million for the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) to support that association’s activities to mark the occasion of the International Year for People of African Descent (IYPAD). The president made the commitment after meeting with executives of ACDA on Thursday, August 18 at the Office of the President, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The IYPAD had its genesis in a United Nations’ resolution which was passed with full support from the government of Guyana two years ago. At the launch…

Bahamas to host first regional seminar on tourism

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

As efforts continue in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to insulate the tourism sector from the downturn in global economies, the government of The Bahamas has collaborated with the Caricom Secretariat and the Latin America and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) to convene the first regional seminar on Tourism, set for August 31 to September 1 in The Bahamas. The central focus of this seminar will be on small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and tourism development in the Caribbean region. The seminar also has the objective of identifying impediments to the development…

U. S. pleased with Caribbean political initiatives on counterterrorism

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The United States said on Friday, August 19 the political will of Caribbean countries to counterterrorism remained strong, despite limited resources and capabilities. It said that primary counterterrorism objectives for the Caribbean included preventing terrorists or terrorist organisations from entering or transiting the Caribbean en route to other countries, particularly the United States; increasing countries’ awareness of the potential threat from terrorists or terrorist organisations; and preventing terrorists or terrorist organisations from operating or developing safe havens in the Caribbean. In its 2011 report released here, the U.S. State Department…

Sod turned for US$42M GPL expansion project

August 25, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds underscored the importance of the energy sector in the advancement of Guyana’s development when the sod was turned for the construction of seven 69/ 13.8 KV substations and installation of 110km of 69KV overhead transmission lines at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Speaking at the event, Hinds said that, after construction, there will be equitable transmission of power into the national grid, a project that holds tremendous potential for Guyana’s development. “Today is a milestone for Guyana, for the supply of electricity in our country… this programme had…