News – Page 773 – Guyana Times International

Commit to develop Guyana post-election-Ambassador Karran

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Natasha Waldron Anthony Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Bayney Karran, is hoping that the upcoming general election in Guyana would demonstrate to the international community the country’s ability to strengthen democracy and organize elections in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner. The ambassador expressed this desire in an interview with Guyana Times International from his embassy quarters in Washington DC. He also expressed hope that “both winners and losers would find the results acceptable, and the country can go back to work — people can go back to…

New anti-drug pact with Venezuela to be signed next month

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to collaborate in the fight against the illicit drug trade, and a group of Guyanese lawmen are going to that country to be trained in the use of specialised equipment to help suppress drug smuggling here. This is according to Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana Dario Morandy, who disclosed in an invited comment that representatives of the two countries signed the revised agreement on the “Prevention of illegal consumption and the suppression of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical presursors, as well as…

PNCR wants ERC to stay clear of election matters – urges GECOM to help remove obstacles to registration

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

The People’s National Congress Reform has urged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to intervene into what it calls ‘obstacles’ in the registration of voters during the “claims and objections” period. The party also wrote GECOM about avoiding the mixing of election matters with Ethnic Relations Commission Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill. The party believes that the government is doing nothing to ensure the timely distribution of birth and marriage certificates from the General Registrar’s Office to eligible voters who have not yet been registered because of the absence of these documents.…

AFC raises over US$50,000 during launch of Action Plan 2011 in New York

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Natasha Waldron Anthony The Alliance For Change party says it has distinguished itself from the other political parties that are contesting this year’s general and regional elections as the party that is using a multi-ethnic approach to advance Guyana’s development. Party officials are in North America for the launching of the AFC’s Action Plan for 2011, and to participate in several fund-raising events in New York and Florida in the U.S., and in Toronto, Canada. During the New York launch, last Saturday at the Banquet Hall in Richmond Hill,…

Sharma snubs coalition invitation – to launch manifesto in three weeks

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Michael Younge Television broadcaster and Leader of the Justice For All Party, Chandra Narine Sharma, has rejected offers by the political opposition to form an alliance to contest this year’s general and regional elections. He has formally announced his own bid to become president of Guyana. While speaking with Guyana Times International, Sharma disclosed that he has been hosting several meetings and discussions with his party members, but has yet not gotten any substantive information from the Guyana Elections Commission. He argued that there is need for more…

Major overhaul at GGMC expected

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

By Reuben Stoby Last Friday, February 11th, President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that there will soon be changes at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). He hinted that the current commissioner, William Woolford, could lose his job in a restructuring that would seek to revolutionise the mining sector. This disclosure was made during the president’s response to an inquiry by this newspaper, at a news conference last Friday, about commissioner Woolford’s recent response to his statement about numerous reports of corruption at the GGMC, especially in the fields. Jagdeo, who…

Prime Minister Hinds applauds religious tolerance in Guyana -as Youman Nabi is celebrated Worldwide

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has urged all Guyanese to strengthen their religious bonds as it is important for there to be unity among the religions. “There is a need for a religious sense amongst people in our society, and it is more important than ever to strengthen religious feelings in our society”. The prime minister made those remarks on Tuesday evening at a cultural event to mark the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, Jashne-Milad- un- Nabi, at the Umana Yana. Hinds noted that Guyanese need to be proud of…

Govt D & I programme in Berbice moving apace – Persaud

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud held a meeting with Region Six farmers on Friday to keep them abreast with developments pertaining to their region, including a rehabilitation project for which Gy$308 million has been allocated. This project will pave the way for a total expansion of agriculture in Region Six through the provision of improved drainage and irrigation structures, as government seeks alternative ways to offer assistance to communities. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the interactive session, which was held at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex in the…

OLPF project Initiative will positively impact and solidify economic growth – ICT experts

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Information and communication technology (ICT) experts have hailed the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative as one that will positively impact the lives of Guyanese, bringing them together, making their differences illusive while solidifying economic activities and growth. One goal of the OLPF initiative, according to one expert, is “to assist our people develop the necessary skills for achieving health, wealth and well-being in their work situations, their families and their communities.” The experts note that an environment populated with ICT- literate and skilled people will be taking Guyana on…

$6M budgeted to boost healthcare in Region Eight

February 17, 2011 TIMES INT'L

Region Eight is, this year, receiving a boost in healthcare services with the acquisition of more long-term medical practitioners and added facilities, such as rehabilitation services. According to Regional Executive Officer Ishwar Dass, this year’s National Budget has allocated Region Eight Gy$6 million to carry out significant upgrade to the Mahdia Hospital in order to accommodate added services, such as the rehabilitation centre. This, he noted, is very important, since there are several patients who would have suffered attacks of stroke or other impairment and need rehabilitative therapy. The regional…