Nagamootoo blasts gov’t over drug connections at Albion meeting
The AFC took the Bharrat Jagdeo administration to task over its track record on crime and corruption last evening with member, Moses Nagamootoo alleging that PPP officials did not want to reform the police force because their friends were involved in the narco-trade. In an over an hour-long speech to several hundred supporters at Albion [...]
Jagdeo attacks media, opposition at Kitty rally; Ramotar strikes more conciliatory tone
The PPP assailed the opposition and “vulture” media in its second major rally held in Kitty yesterday with speakers urging that youths be educated about the past and turn out to vote on November 28 – the date announced for national elections. It was left up to the party’s presidential candidate, Donald Ramotar to strike [...]
More can be done to tackle drug trade in Guyana – former UK envoy
Recent stories of drug traffickers links to senior police officials have been “quite worrying” and the United Kingdom believes that more can be done to tackle the drug trade here and would like to work more closely with local authorities, London’s former top diplomat in Guyana has said. The Guyana Police Force needs to work [...]
First half growth 5.9%
In the first half of this year, the country achieved real economic growth of 5.9%, according to the Mid-Year Report tabled by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in the National Assembly yesterday. “Underlying this overall expansion in real gross domestic product in the first half was growth in the non-sugar sectors of 5% while [...]
Leguan residents want ‘super four’ NDC disbanded
Residents of Leguan have asked that their Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) be dissolved saying that they are not satisfied with the performance of the “super four” group of officials that run local government affairs on the island. Only four of the prescribed 18 members remain on the council with some having died and others migrated. [...]
Reloaded agri drive to cultivate resilience
Government’s ramped up support to farmers under Phase Two of the Grow More Food campaign will not solve all the problems in agriculture but hopefully make the sector more resilient to challenges, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has said. “There are many problems. The Grow More Food Campaign isn’t the end all. It’s not intended to [...]
In Kurutuku, few can read or write
When a newspaper arrives in Kurutuku, on the sporadic occasions it does, Solomon Lewis reads and explains to villagers eager to learn about anything that catches their eye. He has replaced the miners to whom villagers turned in the past for assistance in reading any correspondence. In this remote Amerindian village in the upper reaches [...]
Wakenaam
There is no escaping the sea in Wakenaam. Here the Essequibo River and the Atlantic Ocean clash and mingle, threatening to overrun the fragile defences of the island as they have done in the past. The sea is both friend and foe: a source of fish but also of floods. Wakenaam is only accessible by [...]
Coconut oil maker
In the Essequibo River island of Wakenaam, Ram converts coconut milk to oil in a process that takes days. It is seasonal, hard work and he has been doing this since he was a child, the coconut oil maker said in a recent interview with the Sunday Stabroek at his Maria Johanna, Wakenaam home. Before [...]
Job creation biggest issue for Amerindians, says Pearson
Job creation is the most pressing issue facing Amerindian communities, with matters like health, education, water and transportation addressed to a great extent, Head of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Yvonne Pearson says. She said that overall, development in Amerindian communities has improved tremendously and while it is not perfect, she is happy at the [...]
New CARICOM-Canada trade pact unlikely before 2012
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) currently being negotiated between Canada and CARICOM may not be completed before the end of the year, when the current arrangement—CARIBCAN—ends. Canadian diplomat, Francois Montour, who ended his tour of duty as the country’s High Commissioner to Guyana last week, told Stabroek News in an interview that the negotiators were [...]
Cows back, flights to Kaituma off again
Flights to Port Kaituma have again been suspended after residents cut a newly repaired fence and cows were back on the airstrip. An official at Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) told Stabroek News yesterday that in the interest of safety, they have suspended flights to the aerodrome until the issue with the cows is resolved. An [...]
Bill aimed at fuel smuggling convictions passed
A bill plugged by the government as necessary to help secure convictions of fuel smugglers was passed unanimously by the National Assembly on Thursday evening. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds piloted the Guyana Energy Agency (Amendment) Bill 2011 through the House and said that the amendments come out of “sad experience” where cases fail in court. [...]
Pilot error or plane likely cause of crash – Goveia
All systems at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri were up and running when the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) jet crashed there early Saturday says veteran pilot Gerry Goveia who suggested that pilot error or the plane itself is likely the cause of the accident. While stressing the need to wait on the investigators’ report [...]
Crash plane black boxes in Washington
Investigators will wrap up their on-site inspection of the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) jet that skidded off the runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) within three or four days and the key `black box’ recorders are in Washington for assessment. Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn told Stabroek News yesterday that an internal [...]