The Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) has been established with the initial US$ 30 million being made available to the Guyana government. The milestone event took place at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington late Saturday, with the signing of an administrative agreement between Norway and the bank. The GRIF is the mechanism by which funds for forest climate services will be directed from Norway to Guyana, as provided for in the agreement signed by the two countries in 2009. The Guyana/ Norway deal is valued at up to US$…
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Childcare Protection Agency’s deputy director clears air on resignation
Former Deputy Director of the Childcare Protection Agency of the Human Services Ministry, Diana Swan- Lawrence, has disclosed that her resignation is in no way related to the death of 16- year- old Neesa Gopaul. In an interview with the Guyana Times newspaper last Saturday, Swan- Lawrence said that she tendered her resignation on October 3, 2010. She refuted claims that she was a part of the Gopaul saga. She related that even though she was the second- in-charge of the Childcare Protection Agency, on numerous occasions she was sidelined.…
Read MoreGroup hosting capacity building workshop for disabled
The Leonard Cheshire Disability Group hosted a two- day workshop aimed at building capacity among young disabled persons. The workshop, held at Red House, Kingston under the theme: “ Capacity Building for Youth with Disabilities”, began on Friday and concluded Saturday. At Friday’s proceedings, discussions were held on the young people’s expectations of such a group, difficulties that may arise in such a group, conflict management and resolution, and public speaking. Secretary of the group, Rennata Ifill, told Guyana Times that the main aim of the workshop is to empower…
Read MoreYellow cab operators say excise tax cut too small
Local taxi services say while they are pleased with the concessions granted by the government, the 25% reduction in excise tax on imported cars is too small. President of the Guyana Taxi Services Association, Patrick Brassington, said they realised this after having worked out the modalities. Excise tax on a 1500cc car that is under five years old is set at 10 percent. “If a car is bought for $2 million, then the excise tax would be $200,000. Twenty-five per cent of that is $35,000. That is not much,” Brassington…
Read MoreGuyana, Brazil armies hold Lethem conference
The Guyana Defence Force hosted a delegation from the First Jungle Infantry Brigade for the Sixteenth Regional Military Conference- Guyana/ Brazil at the Savannah Inn, Lethem over three days. The conference’s location is rotated annually between Guyana and Brazil. The Brazilian delegation was led by Brigadier General Franklinberg De Freitas and comprised Col Wilson Mendes Lauria, Lt Col Jose Arnon Dos Santos Guerra, Lt Col Osmar B Souza Jr. Major Regis Rodrigues Nunes, Maj Marcos Americo Vieira Pessoa, and 2Lt Michael Marcelo Zagury Reis De Souza. The Guyanese delegation, led…
Read MoreIPA denies breaching contract
International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA) Chairman Lloyd Singh is refuting statements made by the Health Minister that suggest his company has failed to deliver an emergency batch of the much needed Anti Retro Viral (ARV)drugs used to treat HIV infected persons here in Guyana. He cited ‘ignorance’ as the reason someone would make such accusations against his company, and provided what he called “authentic” documentation, which, he said, proved that the drugs were delivered on time. Singh said his company submitted a bid to supply antiretroviral drugs on March 9 this…
Read MoreReported child abuse cases top 3,175 in three years:602 for sexual violence
In the wake of the murder of the QC teen, whom, it was revealed, was also subjected to sexual abuse, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has renewed its call for more people to speak out against this crime. Last month, Commissioner of Police Henry Greene said that police recorded a 25% decline in rape for this year, compared to last year. However, many cases of sexual abuse go unreported. In some cases, children believe that they have no one to turn to, and so they continue to…
Read MoreMy daughter ‘an unfortunate victim’: Marceline Basdeo-Small’s father speaks out
The father of Marceline Basdeo- Small, the wife of the alleged killer of teenager Neesa Gopaul, defended his daughter’s reputation, saying that she was an unfortunate victim in a very sad story. During an October 7 telephone interview with this newspaper, Edward Basdeo said that his daughter was a “very compassionate person”. “She is a very trusting person, and believed her husband,” he said. Basdeo- Small, who is a manager at the Guyana Water Inc, and was released from police custody on Tuesday, reportedly denied any involvement in the beheading…
Read MoreAmerindian Affairs Ministry pays tribute to Stephen Campbell
As part of the observance of Amerindian Heritage Month, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry honoured renowned Amerindian rights advocate Stephen Campbell on Thursday. The ceremony, at the Umana Yana, paid tribute to the life and contributions of Campbell, the first Guyanese of Amerindian descent to enter the Legislative Council of then British Guiana. A packed audience was treated to a variety of cultural performances, which included dancing, and songs and poetry performed in both native Amerindian dialects and English. In her tribute, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai acknowledged that Campbell’s achievements…
Read MoreHighest tide for year tops 3.36 metres
The Public Works Ministry urged residents of vulnerable, low- lying areas to take precautionary measures, in light of the high tide which resulted in overtopping in several areas. Speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn said that at around 17: 45hrs on Thursday, the tide was about 3.36 metres ( 11.08 feet), the highest thus far for the year. It was expected to be approximately 3.31 metres (10.92 feet) Friday. Minister Benn said that several areas in all the sea defence districts have reported…
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