Daily Archive: Friday, March 10, 2017

The government has appointed Dr. Jan Mangal, an expert in offshore and civil engineering, as Petroleum Advisor in the Ministry of the Presidency.

The police say that at 17:30hrs today, Corporal Shevon Marks who had been held over the smuggling of an AK-47 turned himself in to the police.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall says based on information received from his clients who were interviewed at SOCU Headquarters in the Pradoville 2 probe, UK adviser Dr Sam Sittlington may have exceeded his remit.

Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence (right in foreground) and Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings having check-ups at the health fair for women yesterday which was organised for International Women’s Day.

Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland presenting PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira with a rose yesterday in honour of International Women’s Day.

Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland yesterday handed out roses to women MPs in celebration of International Women’s Day.

From 6-10 March 2017 a search-of-vessels training course under the Seaport Cooperation programme (SEACOP) was held at the Guyana Coastguard base in Kingston, Georgetown.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Sporting a bleached-blond buzz cut, American actress Kristen Stewart hit the red carpet in New York to promote her new film “Personal Shopper”, saying she hoped to help others by going public about her sexual orientation.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – Head coach Stuart Law believes there is enough ability within the West Indies set-up, to be able to transform the struggling regional side into a winning unit.

Following an operation this morning, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Major Crimes Unit found two firearms, an AK-47 rifle and a ruger rifle with magazines in an empty lot at Cumming’s Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Amid questions about the role of UK Advisor Dr Sam Sittlington in the arrests and questioning of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and a series of former ministers and other officials, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn today provided a clarifying statement.

(Trinidad Guardian) Two men, a Chinese and a Guyanese, were each fined $5,000 yesterday after appearing on separate charges of illegal entry into the country and possession of a tampered passport.

  While ANSA McAl says it adhered to a procurement process which saw it getting a contract for the supply of $605M in drugs to the Georgetown Public Hospital, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) says that it has not seen the contract or approved any such sum.

While former People’s Progressive Party/Civic  Minister Robert Persaud yesterday said that he was amenable to a mutually acceptable resolution in the Pradoville 2 matter, Anil Nandlall, legal representative of the People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo and other former ministers, said that option has been “ruled out”.

President David Granger yesterday said that the “fragile fabric” of the country’s social cohesion could potentially be damaged by what he dubbed “reckless” and “provocative” calls.

  From April 1, 2017, former PNC Prime Minister Hamilton Green is expected to start receiving almost $1.5 million a month in pension payments and other benefits after the government used its parliamentary majority last evening to pass a controversial bill to confer him with the package.

Cane-cutters and cane transporters of the Wales estate and their families and workers from the Enmore estate yesterday staged picketing exercises in front of the Ministry of the Presidency and Parliament building over severance payments and the end of sugar operations at the West Bank Demerara estate.

A Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) pedal cyclist succumbed yesterday afternoon at the Georgetown Public Hospital while receiving medical attention after being involved in an accident at around 3.15 pm.

Nucklus Singh, 21,  is wanted by the police for questioning in relation to causing the death by dangerous driving of Chandanie Dass on 2014-08-02 on the Annandale Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

Although the Mayor and City Council continues to stand firmly behind its contract with Smart City Solutions to implement metered parking in Georgetown, supporters of the Movement Against Parking Meters maintained their lobby for the project to be scrapped at their sixth protest in as many weeks yesterday.

Clayton Alleyne, said to be the head of a loan company, was yesterday charged with attempting to defraud Fantasy Auto Sales of $26.3 million in vehicles.

Two men were hauled before a city magistrate yesterday to answer separate charges of possession of cannabis for trafficking.

Four men, including a father and his son, were yesterday faced with a charge that they had over 10 pounds of ganja for trafficking.

A restaurateur was arrested by lawmen following the discovery of two high-powered weapons at his Met-en-Meerzorg, West Demerara residence yesterday afternoon.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – An inept West Indies suffered their heaviest One-Day International defeat to England, when they crashed to a 186-run loss in a lopsided series finale here Thursday.Reserving

The debate on former Prime Minister’s Hamilton Green’s Pension Bill was for a brief moment sidetracked yesterday when former Attorney General Anil Nandlall declared to the House that Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan was intoxicated and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo called for a breathalyzer test to be administered.

Cycling fans are in for a treat this weekend and Phagwah Day, as three events are organized for the city, and the open roads of all three counties.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,CMC – A frustrated captain Jason Holder on Thursday offered a sobering assessment of his side’s performance, after they were humbled by 186 runs in the third and final One-Day International to suffer another series whitewash.

Just two weeks before his scheduled release, a Lusignan Prison inmate had his right hand severed in an industrial accident while working outside of the prison.

Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated the world over with thousands of events held by women’s networks which include global gatherings, conferences, award ceremonies, exhibitions, festivals, fun runs, corporate events, concert performances, etc.

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – Kane Williamson fought hard to establish his innings before cashing in during the final session to lead New Zealand to 177 for three at close of play on the second day of the first test against South Africa on Thursday.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has praised the captaincy of Darren Sammy as he gears up for another campaign in the Caribbean Premier League starting in August.

Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) overcame Marian Academy 6-4 when the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB)/Smalta U14 League continued last Friday at the St Stanislaus College auditorium.

Dear Editor, Several events are taking place in Havana, where essential topics such as tourism, trade, transport and climate change are being discussed.

Dear Editor, The Ministry of Natural Resources thanks Ms Melinda Janki for raising her very valid concerns in a letter to the editor entitled ‘Exxon’s environmental record does not bear scrutiny’ in the Stabroek News of March 8, and entitled ‘Not comfortable with the Minister’s assurance about oil spills’ in the Kaieteur News of March 9.

Potential foreign investors seeking to do business in Guyana need have no fear of being confronted by local officials seeking favours of them outside the confines of the formal agreements that might exist between themselves and the Government of Guyana, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman told an audience in Canada during a March 5, Guyana Day forum in Toronto.

The Golden Jaguars senior setup has moved five places in the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)/Coca-Cola Rankings to 131st, after the latest standings were released yesterday by the world body.

Stating that he is seeing signs that both the Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates are heading for closure, Region Six Chairman David Armogan on Wednesday made an impassioned plea to the government to keep them open otherwise he said it would be a serious blow to Berbice.

Jamil Young Junior, also known as ‘Jamil Charles,’ who was charged last year with the murder of Agricola resident Randy Persaud, was freed yesterday due to insufficient evidence against him.

Dear Editor, The words and actions of Dr Clive Thomas during the period 2016-17 remind me of a term first coined by Afro-American thinker, Dr Cornel West – “lumpen bourgeoisie”. 

At a time when private schools are attracting more than customary media attention on account of the current controversy raging over the official decision that private education must now attract Value Added Tax, Henry Chase, the owner and Principal of Chase Academy believes that it is important that the brouhaha does not take away from the role that the private school has to play in the overall education system.

Uitvlugt Warriors and Eagles sealed their berths to the semi-final round today in the Den Amstel Mash Football Championship, following contrasting wins over Golden Warriors and Young Achievers, respectively, on Wednesday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice farmer Dhaniram Ramchand can anticipate the addition of further value to his farm following its certification six months ago by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), a department of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute.

A jury yesterday heard   that murder accused Christopher Da Silva confessed to stabbing 17-year-old Reyad Khan, who was at the time accosting him while armed with a gun.

KINGSTON,(Reuters) – West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell is facing the prospect of an extension to his one-year ban for a doping whereabouts rule violation.

Dear Editor, In a recent article published online on March 6 by the media outlet, Demerara Waves, it was reported that Rudolf Elias, Managing Director of Staatsolie of Suriname that Suriname has neither the interest nor the logistical and technical capacity to refine crude oil which is to be extracted in Guyana from the recently discovered Exxon wells.

According to the newly-promoted Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), Geoffrey Vaughn the ongoing replacement of the Liliendaal Bridge will not affect the soon-to-start work on the sinkhole at the Kitty seawall.

Dear Editor, Former President Jagdeo’s recent arrest, along with other key former government functionaries by members of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), will go down in history as one of the most unfortunate yet avoidable events in Guyana’s history.

(Jamaica Observer) – For the year ended December 2016, GraceKennedy Group Ltd saw an 11 per cent rise in total revenues from $79.42 billion in 2015 to $88.27 billion, supported by an increase in sales in all geographical areas except the United Kingdom, where the devaluation of the pound sterling made an impact.

(Reuters) – Mushfiqur Rahim’s gutsy 85 helped Bangladesh avoid follow-on but Sri Lanka claimed a substantial 182-run first innings lead to take control of the first test at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday.

Dear Editor, Now that acting Chancellor Carl Singh has gone into retirement and Roxanne George-Wiltshire has been appointed Chief Justice acting it is expected that steps will be taken to appoint two judges to the Court of Appeal; the delay in appointments has been preventing the hearing of dozens of appeals.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has recused himself from issues related to TransCanada Corp’s application for a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, the State Department said in a letter yesterday to the environmental group Greenpeace.

  Residents of Black Bush Polder have voiced their concerns in regards to a plot of land located in Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, which has been used for many years as a play field, but was recently leased to villagers of the said area.

Annie Baird and Yvonne Walrond have fashioned a partnership that seeks to popularize their colourful and decidedly attractive fashion dolls that have to potential to set a new trend in home-decoration.

BARCELONA,(Reuters) – Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was hailed for masterminding Wednesday’s incredible comeback to overturn a 4-0 deficit against Paris St Germain and book the Spanish side’s place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Dear Editor, I would like to congratulate acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (acting) Roxane George on their recent promotions.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – The Department of Justice is deploying 50 judges to immigration detention facilities across the United States, according to two sources and a letter seen by Reuters and sent to judges yesterday.

Youths of the Sophia Juvenile Detention Centre will now have the opportunity to participate in karate training, courtesy of the Guyana Karate College (GKC), thanks to the intervention of non-governmental organisation, Enhanced Potential to Inspire Change (EPIC)-Guyana.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 711’s trading results showed consideration of $8,697,638 from 239,692 shares traded in 8 transactions as compared to session 710’s trading results, which showed consideration of $37,993,646 from 384,128 shares traded in 16 transactions. 

BERLIN, (Reuters) – The International Olympic Committee froze financial support to Kenya on Thursday after the country’s troubled Olympic Committee refused to make changes to its constitution – a decision that could lead to a ban.

In recent weeks the vagaries of the prevailing weather patterns have seen prices at some of our greens and vegetable markets take off on a rollercoaster ride, though the surfeit of farm produce that has been brought to market very recently has seen a high level of spoilage as bargains continue to far outstrip demand.

SEOUL, (Reuters) – South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye yesterday, removing her from office over a graft scandal involving big business that has gripped the country for months.

Dear Editor, I refer to the news article titled, ‘Some critics of State Asset Recovery Bill benefited from theft of national wealth -SARU chief charges’ (SN March 9). 

GASCI Summary of Financials Session

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The World Boxing Super Series, a tournament for top fighters with $50 million in prize money and the Muhammad Ali Trophy awarded to the winners, will be launched in September, organisers announced on Thursday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – A top ratings agency is saying that Digicel Group needs to improve its free cash flow by next March in order to offset debt maturities.

At 32, Natasha Goodman is a cosmetologist who is aiming to go places.

(Barbados Nation) Just short of a week after Standard & Poor’s lowered its long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Barbados, Moody’s Investors Service, has followed suit.

Entrepreneur Managing Director, GeoTechVision Chairperson Small Business Council Increasingly women are in charge of growing thriving businesses.

(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica — The government is to introduce a new financial services consumer protection agency to protect commercial bank customers from exorbitant bank fees.

NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) pledged on Wednesday to encourage its supplier factories across the world to pay workers through mobile money and other digital methods to ensure transparency, curb exploitation and empower women.

Rosh Khan, Managing Director, SocialRank Media – “The attitudes, perceptions, and dialogue by men can either hinder or enable women empowerment.

I’m supposed to be the “outside” son of a late “Ole Police” Joe Fenty.

THE Peoples Pro­gressive Party (PPP) says that US President George Bush’s Republic day message is “the most dramatic comment yet by the USA on the electoral process in Guyana.”

Gold Prices for the three-day period  ending Thursday March 9, 2017

Dear Editor,   Significant strides have been made by the Regional Administration of Region 2 to enhance the quality of services they have been providing to the public.

LONDON, (Reuters) – The United States would have to grant entry to players, officials and fans from any country that qualified if it won the right to host the 2026 World Cup finals, soccer body FIFA said on Thursday.

The issue of investor confidence, that is to say whether or not Guyana is currently enjoying a business environment the conviviality of which lends itself to the acceleration of investor interest in the country has been a matter of muted discourse in business circles for some time now.

  CARACAS,  (Reuters) – A World Bank tribunal order for Venezuela to pay $1.4 billion in damages to Exxon Mobil Corp over nationalizations has been annulled, a lawyer for the government said yesterday.

A file in relation to last week’s cell phone theft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, involving a female special constabulary rank has been sent to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for recommendations.

President David Granger, as we have noted in these columns before, appears to prefer to give his ministers free reign to fully manage their own ministries, and he himself has said on occasion that he does not “micro-manage”, with reference to the affairs at City Hall and also with respect to the operations of the Guyana Police Force.

(Prepared by the Guyana Marketing Corporation and published by Stabroek Business as a public service)

An excavator operator was yesterday remanded to prison after he was accused of unlawful possession of a firearm and matching rounds of ammunition.