Guyana News

Although government views the recommendations from the recent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to kill the president seriously, no final decision has been taken on the way forward, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said yesterday.

For the third time this year, government is seeking supplementary financing – this time around $3 billion – and the requests this time around include $171 million for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for its involvement in several security operations and $100 million for consultancies on border matters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 911 emergency system was recommissioned yesterday after several years of problems.

For 2018, the Ministry of Finance is recomending $815 million less than what has been sought by the Guyana Elections Commisison (Gecom).

Auditor General Deodat Sharma has once again raised concerns about the government’s use of money from the Contingencies Fund to meet routine expenditure.

A Good Hope, East Coast Demerara man will be facing a murder charge in the new week, following the death of his common-law wife, who succumbed after being burnt last month when he allegedly threw a kerosene stove on her.

Five radio broadcasters, who have demonstrated full compliance under the 2011 Broadcasting Act as of 31st December, 2016, were yesterday presented with licences and Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Leslie Sobers said the move paves the way for the enforcement of the recently-amended legislation.

Contracting firm BK International Inc. yesterday denied the Audit Office’s finding that it was overpaid for works on the new access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), while claiming that it was still owed for the project.

Accounting agencies paid out $82.658 million in overpayments on the measured works for 98 contracts in 2016, representing a more than 50% increase in overpayments compared to 2015, according to Auditor-General Deodat Sharma.

Around $175 million has been spent by the APNU+AFC government on completing 11 Commissions of Inquiry (CoIs) and in one case the Chairman alone collected a $4.8M pay cheque, the National Assembly was informed on Thursday.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon yesterday assured that garbage contractors Puran Brothers Disposal Inc.

Bus driver Salill Budhoo will face a new trial for the dangerous driving death of a pensioner after the state on Thursday won its appeal against the dismissal of the charge in 2013.

Betting on the future of Guyana’s coconut industry, a British businessman and his partners have invested in a 1,000-acre estate in the Pomeroon River.

The Salvation Army yesterday launched its annual Christmas Appeal, which facilitates funding of the organisation’s programmes and activities throughout the year, including its drug rehabilitation programme.

Founder of Project Development Consultancy (PDC) Anije Lambert has been nominated as an Esomar Representative and is expected to sit on the Global Representative Committee, a process, which, according to her will see Guyana having a seat at the head table of one of the most “important industries globally.”

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is hoping to launch a fund for the restoration of City Hall by mid-November.

Five post offices will be rehabilitated and upgraded next year as the government moves toward its vision of having them become Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs within the next few years.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) yesterday held its annual tourism fair at the Stabroek Square to promote Tourism Awareness Month, which is celebrated in November.

A Tucville, South Georgetown resident was shot on Thursday after a row over a motorcycle escalated.

A Route 40 (Kitty/ Campbellville) minibus driver was on Thursday committed to stand trial for sexual activity with a minor.