News – Page 768 – Guyana Times International

Upper Berbice lands being repossessed to allow for major agro, forestry investments

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

New investors who are ready to push development are expected to set up operation in the Upper Berbice River area, as the Agriculture Ministry continues to repossess more lands and redistribute same to investors who are ready and capable to help develop the sectors. This move is in line with the ministry’s drive to push its Diversification Programme and create employment opportunities for farmers. Upper Berbice River communities of Kwakwani and Ituni are being targeted because of the availability of large areas of uncultivated arable land and unused vegetative savannahs…

West Berbice farmers to get flood help

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud assured West Bank Berbice (Region Five) residents and farmers last Wednesday that government will assist them as they recover from the recent flood caused by torrential rains. During the meeting, residents of Blairmont and Ithaca asked for assistance to construct aquaculture ponds and for the services of a hymac to clear the canals. They also spoke about loss of cattle due to salt water intrusion; NIS medical for injured GuySuCo employees, and the electricity supply to the communities. At Numbers Eight, 29 and 30 Villages, topics…

Queens Phagwah Parade route changed this year

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Natasha Waldron Anthony The Hindu Parades & Festivals Committee (HPFC) will once again host the annual Phagwah Parade under the banner, “Good should conquer evil at all times”. Dhanpaul Narine, HPFC’s Public Relations Officer, told Guyana Times International that the theme of the March 20 celebrations in Queens, New York is a message the committee has embraced during its 23 years of hosting the event. Narine added, “This year’s theme is ‘Working together for peace.’ Look at what is happening in the world today; as you know, different conflicts…

“I wasn’t elected as prime ministerial candidate,” – Granger

March 11, 2011March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Presidential candidate of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, says he is committed to his party’s stance on alliances with other opposition parties to contest the upcoming National and Regional elections. However, he said, those who elected him must decide whether he should cede his position for a consensus candidate in a joint opposition alliance. “The members of the party who elected a presidential candidate didn’t nominate a prime ministerial candidate… so they want answers. If they went through the process to elect somebody as a…

Authorities get tough on persons entering Barbados without visas

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The Barbados Immigration and Passport Department said an upsurge in the number of people seeking to enter the country without the necessary entry visa has forced it to implement a zero-tolerance approach to the problem. The department has written to airlines and other agencies advising them of its decision. In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), the chief immigration officer said that there has been a continuing effort at fostering harmonious relations with various agencies by the department’s facilitation of passengers who…

Dr Lynette Ali yearns to empower Guyanese

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Natasha Waldron Anthony A staunch believer in the old adage “education is the key to one’s success,” Dr. Lynette Ali, an educator by profession and passion, wants to positively impact her community, South Ozone Park, New York, specifically Guyanese immigrants – both parents and children. Ali, a Guyanese who early determined to achieve the highest level of academic excellence, recently earned her doctoral degree at St. John’s University. She intends to very soon start a journey to appease Guyanese-American families through her writings – a two-fold method that includes…

Issues affecting youths to be addressed – Minister Anthony

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

As Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing the International Year of the Youth, local authorities say they are working to ensure issues affecting this important population group are significantly addressed. Youth Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said that since this year has been so designated by the United Nations, several activities have been held, all aimed at engaging the country’s young people in a meaningful way. “We had several camps last year, and we also had training programmes … this is going to continue,” the minister pointed…

BBC team concludes shoot to retrace Sir Walter Raleigh’s steps

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

– Minister Prashad says farewell The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) team has departed Guyana following completion of their five-week shoot for their ‘Serious Explorers Raleigh’ series that seeks to retrace the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh in search of the fabled City of Gold, El Dorado. The 10 half-hour-long programmes will be aired in October on the BBC 1 in the United Kingdom (UK). Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad bid farewell to the team last Friday at the Baganara Island Resort, a report from the Government Information Agency…

Developing nations yet to fully tap biomass energy – Guyana says ethanol production still on the cards

March 11, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Developing nations have an untapped resource – bio-mass fuels – that could enable them to fight poverty, gain energy independence, and adapt to climate change, says a new report from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). Guyana says that the production of ethanol, a bio-fuel, is still very much high on the agenda. The report urges developing nations to take advantage of their dependence on biomass fuels — such as wood and charcoal — and move towards green economies in which the poor benefit from producing sustainable, clean…

Govt spending US$2.7M to study EDWC

March 4, 2011 TIMES INT'L

A multi-million-dollar contract has been signed to study the East Demerara Water Conservancy in Guyana and identify long-term control strategies to address the problem of flooding in Region Four. The conservancy and application consultancy contract for some US$2.7 million was signed over to CEMCO and MOTT Mc Donald Ltd on March 2. The two companies have separate duties, but will be working together in conducting the survey which is expected to last 24 months. The study will be paid for through a grant from the World Bank under its Global…