Conservation must not displace rights of indigenous peoples – IUCN Congress hears
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim knew a man killed for daring to enter a protected area.
PNCR committed to governing alliance –Granger
President David Granger yesterday recommitted the PNCR to its pacts with other political parties – including the governing APNU+AFC coalition – saying that it is critical to tackling the many issues in Guyana and he warned against attempts to rekindle racial animosity.
Sun and Sand says no mercury for planned gold mining
-recovery of at least 90%
The Quartzstone mine to be operated by Sun and Sand Mining Resources Inc will not use any mercury or other reagents but will use new technology to ensure gold recovery of at least 90%, the project’s head Mukesh Arora told a poorly attended scoping meeting in Bartica on Monday.
Baishanlin operations at standstill
- prospective partner due next month
Officials from Long Jiang Forest Industries Group are expected in Guyana next month for a ‘fact-finding mission’ as it seeks to fully take over the operations of logging firm Baishanlin whose operations have ground to a halt.
‘Guyana will reconcile or recede’ – Kwayana
Eusi Kwayana had an active role in Guyana’s politics for many decades, beginning in the colonial period of the 1940s, and continuing until he retired to California a few years ago.
UK makes security proposal
A senior United Kingdom official was yesterday expected to hand over a proposal to the APNU+AFC government on tackling security issues here.
Rising drug flow from Caribbean worries US
-Washington concerned that ‘big fish’ not being arrested, prosecuted
The United States is concerned that drug flows through the Caribbean are on the rise, according to a top US anti-narcotics official who said Washington remains “very concerned” that high level traffickers are not being arrested and prosecuted.
US unveils US$10m for clean energy proposals from Caribbean, Central America
-diversification stressed
By Gaulbert Sutherland in Washington With a growing market for renewables, the Caribbean and Central America are being urged to diversify their fuel sources and the US yesterday unveiled US$10m in grant financing but Guyana was not listed as among the countries that could potentially benefit.
US announces funding for Caribbean renewable energy projects
By Gaulbert Sutherland in Washington US Secretary of State John Kerry last evening announced a major initiative to fund renewable energy projects in the Caribbean and Central America as the region seeks ways to ensure energy security in the face of a number of challenges.
GTUC, FITUG in unity rally…Gov’t pilloried on wages, sugar
-PM defends APNU+AFC record, urges fairness
United for the first time in decades, trade union leaders yesterday blasted the David Granger administration for its failure to keep several promises but Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that work is being done even as he urged that the criticism of government be fair.
Muneshwers targeting oil, gas industry in huge port project
Local port operator Muneshwers Limited is developing a modern port facility at Houston, East Bank Demerara in a multi-billion dollar investment as the company aims to capitalise on Guyana’s developing oil and gas industry.
Three by-elections were held in 1994 after NDC stalemates
-law not changed since then
After local government elections in 1994, there were by-elections to elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson of three Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) following a deadlock at the council level and in the absence of a compromise, there is a growing view that this should have been done following similar stalemates this year.
AG backs Minister’s role in breaking election ties
It is clear from a reading of the entire local government legislation that the framers never intended for the electorate to directly elect a mayor and application of a clause that speaks to voters directly electing a mayor would lead to an “absurdity,” Attorney-General (AG) Basil Williams said.
Broken down harvester stalls Moco Moco rice project
The harvester stood forlornly in the flatlands, encircled by tufts of dead, brown grass and shrubs in a field that once gleamed with golden, ripening paddy in the shadows of the Kanuku Mountains.
Rupununi farmers in battle to save crops from unrelenting El Nino
Last month, as her cassava crop wilted in the unforgiving heat, Marlene Mandokin descended from her farm in the forests at the foot of the Kanuku Mountains and cleared a small plot of savannah close to the Moco Moco creek, hoping the water there would be enough to cultivate new crops.
Wales workers needed timelier info on estate closure, PM admits
-says sugar ties should not be seen as immutable
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo yesterday said government had not properly informed workers of the impending closure of the Wales sugar estate even as he excoriated the PPP/C for peddling falsehoods and “political deception.” Nagamootoo’s contribution to the debate on the 2016 National Budget was made in the absence of the opposition parliamentarians, who had walked out and were subsequently accused by him of “political cowardice.” Nagamootoo wasted no time in launching
Drought-hit Region Nine would need food aid – Chairman
-rain brings some relief
Rain over the past few days has offered some relief to parts of the parched Rupununi but Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock says that impacts of the prolonged drought would continue to be felt in the next few months and some form of food aid would be necessary.
Jordan unveils $230B budget
…with infrastructure as lynchpin
-$9B proposed for GuySuCo With an ambitious public infrastructure programme as the centrepiece, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan yesterday unveiled a $230 billion budget which also includes a $9 billion injection for the beleaguered sugar corporation, $2.5 billion for the state power company as well as a pledge to create 3,000 jobs at Lethem and Belvedere.
Independents among city contestants
Almost 22 years after local government elections (LGE) were last held here, political parties, groups and individuals yesterday submitted their nominations to contest for seats in municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the country.
Historic budget move
-allocations cleared for constitutional agencies
In a historic first, the National Assembly yesterday approved budget proposals of some constitutional agencies outside of the main budget presentation but the process was held up for hours as the two sides squabbled over who was responsible for answering questions on the Audit Office and Finance Minister Winston Jordan also faced heat for “cutting” figures for several agencies.
Anti-terrorism bill passed
-opposition abstains over ‘draconian’ provisions
Following a marathon debate in the House, government last night used its majority to pass the anti-terrorism bill with the opposition abstaining from the vote after raising a number of questions about the “draconian” bill including the inclusion of the death penalty for 14 offences.
Gov’t relents on terrorism bill
-anti-laundering amendments passed
Under pressure over a contentious anti-terrorism bill, the government yesterday dropped plans to rush it through the National Assembly but two other bills were approved by the APNU+AFC side in the absence of the PPP/C whose parliamentarians walked out in protest.
Most Amerindian fund projects missed objectives – Allicock
About two-thirds of projects funded via the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) did not achieve their objectives and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock says the ministry is working to build management capacity to rectify the problems.
Only a third of Baramita children in school – Allicock
-many work in goldfields
Just about 33% of school-aged children in Baramita, Region One attend school and many youngsters between the ages of 10 to 16 years work in the goldfields, Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock has said.
Major risk feared after GGMC permits river dredge near Isseneru’s residential area
-Allicock to seek solution during meeting with Trotman
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has granted permission for a miner to operate a river dredge near to Isseneru’s residential area, triggering a call by concerned residents for authorities to halt the operation and protect their rights.