Daily Archive: Tuesday, February 9, 2010

During a three-hour presentation to the National Assembly, Finance Minister Dr.

A construction worker was electrocuted and two others seriously injured at an Essequibo Coast worksite yesterday morning.

$9.9B is expected to be ploughed into sugar this year, with production projected at 280,000 tonnes representing a 19.8% increase over last year’s production.

The $142.8 billion budget announced yesterday by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has been lambasted by members of the parliamentary opposition who say that the budget offers “nothing new” to Guyanese.

The 2010 budget makes a $3.1 billion allocation for improvement and maintenance works within the Sea and River Defence sector, while the sum of $926.4 million is to be spent on the improvement and upgrading of the air and transport sectors.

Some $7.6 billion have been allocated in this year’s budget for rehabilitation and maintenance works on roads and bridges across the country, including $700.5 million for the continued upgrading of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Three Little Abary, East Coast Demerara residents were remanded to prison on Tuesday after being charged with stabbing a relative to death last Friday.

– call for 100% increase, seek audience with minister Some 60 part-time lecturers and technicians attached to the Goverment Technical Institute (GTI) have been on strike for more than one week over the meagre hourly rate they are paid and they plan to continue unless they are granted a caucus with Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday spokesperson for the striking workers Delphine Bakker said that they had a meeting with Chairman of the institute’s board Norman McLean, but were not satisfied with what they were told so they took a unanimous decision to continue while calling for a meeting with the minister.

Post-mortem examinations on the two prisoners killed during last Friday’s brawl yesterday confirmed reports that Solomon Blackman was stabbed and beaten about the body, while Dawan ‘Dyal’ Singh was beaten repeatedly to the head.

Close to $544 million will be spent on the purchase and maintenance of vehicles, including the purchase of water cannon and a mobile police station to boost the mobility and efficiency of the disciplined services.

Janet Naidu spun vivid pictures of her Guyana memories as she read selected pieces from Sacred Silence her third collection of poems.

An early afternoon fire yesterday left a Lot 13 Bougainvillea, Roxanne Burnham Gardens house uninhabitable and efforts to contact the owner were futile even after the son was later contacted.

The Guyana Chronicle revamped and relaunched its website to facilitate the easy retrieval of information and boost service on Wednesday.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has said that government recognises the need to diversify the agriculture sector and it has come up with a project that would make a meaningful impact.

Dr Richard Van West-Charles has spoken out against the region’s lapses in publicizing and celebrating its heroes, while addressing a ceremony “celebrating Burnham, Barrow and Bird” in Bridgetown, Barbados last month.

-CANTO meeting told Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh said incorporating technology in economic development is necessary for its advancement, in his address at the 26th AGM of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisa-tions (CANTO) held last month.

A man was electrocuted early yesterday morning when he fell on a transformer while attempting to scale a fence, minutes after stealing shoes from the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL).

A 40-year-old building contractor was placed on $150,000 bail by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday after he pleaded not guilty to converting $300,000 to his own use and benefit.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has started a massive outreach programme titled ‘GWI Community Connect’ to bring the services provided at its commercial offices into villages.

By Marlon Munroe West Indies most successful captain Clive Hubert Lloyd has urged  batsmen in the national cricket team to put a premium on their wickets and implored bowlers to be patient.

By Rawle Toney Andy Wong of Bartica can boast that he is the king of the Joe Vieira Park after the teen dominated the INXS Performance motocross ‘Hot Track’ Grass Track meet Sunday last at the Schoonard, West Bank Demerara facility.

The Housing and Water sectors are expected to be further expanded this year, with a total $5.5 billion allocation in this year’s national budget.

By Rawle Toney Twenty-seven-year-old Alwyn Etwah left Guyana this morning for Las Vegas where he will perform duties as an assistant referee for the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) USA Seven’s World Series tournament to be held this weekend.

This year’s budget will see $21.4B being channelled into education sector, with the implementation of the Education Strategic Plan continuing to be a priority.

Digicel/Cell Smart yesterday announced their alliance with the Kaieteur Cycling Club and the National AIDS  Programme Secretariat (NAPS) to stage a 20-lap race in the National Park on Sunday, February 14.

A husband was placed on $15,000 bail for allegedly assaulting his wife, while his wife was placed on self-bail for reportedly assaulting her husband’s girlfriend.

A vendor and a salesman were placed on a total of $20,000 and $30,000 bail respectively for unlawfully assaulting each other, among other charges, yesterday.

Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) and national all-rounder Deon Ferrier stroked an unbeaten 153 for Aranguez while Guyana Defence Force all-rounder Travis Blyden took his first five-wicket haul of the season for Rousillac United in the Trinidad and Tobago national two-day championship league, North zone over the weekend.

Guyana women’s hockey team once regarded as a force to reckon with in the region, will be looking to reclaim former glory at the forthcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico in July.

A self-confessed drug addict told the court, “what the charge say that is exactly what I do” when he pleaded guilty to breaking and entering with larceny, attempted felony and escape from lawful custody in court yesterday.

A pregnant mother of two was granted her pre-trial freedom in the sum of $50,000 when she appeared before Magistrate Nigel Hawke at the Blairmont Court yesterday charged with receiving stolen articles.

The health sector has been allocated $13.3 billion this year and of this sum $2.7 billion will be spent to procure drugs and medical supplies for the public health care system.

ADELAIDE, Australia,  CMC – Former West Indies captain Carl Hooper is delighted with the decision to appoint Ottis Gibson as head coach of the embattled regional side.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Retired players and budding  talents will both get an opportunity when a worldwide Twenty20  format starts this year, former Australia bowler Shane Warne  said yesterday.

Some $5.8 billion have been allocated to the Power sector in this year’s national budget, with the administration placing emphasis on the development of renewable energy sources which according to the budget will provide viable alternatives to the costly import of fuel.

Dear Editor, The issue of the President’s overseas travel has been the subject of comment by the Auditor General’s office as far back as 2003.

Dear Editor, The SN of February 6 reported that a child from Berbice was found guilty of wandering (‘Blairmont boy, 12, sent to NOC for three years’).

ADELAIDE, Australia,  CMC – West Indies are hoping the Adelaide Oval can signal a reversal in their fortunes, as it did during the Test series here last December.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – International pressure for new sanctions against Iran grew yesterday after Tehran announced plans to make higher-enriched uranium and add 10 nuclear sites in a year, raising Western fears it wants to develop atom bombs.

Two bandits on a motorcycle committed a daring robbery on Thomas Lands yesterday morning during which they used a haversack to stop a car and relieved the driver of some $170,000.

MIAMI, (Reuters) – The New Orleans Saints completed  their long-awaited transformation from chumps to champions by  defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in the Super Bowl on  Sunday to claim their first NFL title.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs recently handed over a John Deere tractor/trailer to serve seven communities in the South Central Rupununi District, Region Nine.

Dear Editor, I suggest that your editorial ‘Respect’ (Sunday Stabroek, February 7) misses a major point when it attributes the implicit terms of reference of the President’s new Land Use Committee to the Norway-Guyana MoU. 

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – A Haitian judge made no decision at a hearing yesterday whether to free or prosecute 10 US missionaries accused of kidnapping children, and their leader said she trusted in God they would be cleared and released.

A 29-year-old man who was burnt by his sister says he will not proceed with legal proceedings against her if she “just support me”.

NAGPUR, India, (Reuters) – South African Dale Steyn confirmed his status as the world’s premier quick bowler with a career best seven for 51 on the third day of the first test  against India yesterday.

Dear Editor, Members of the diaspora can draw critical attention to topical concerns, provided information is not withheld. 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Michael Jackson’s doctor yesterday pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the sudden death of the pop star last year from a lethal cocktail of drugs.

At the Blairmont Court yesterday Magistrate Nigel Hawke granted bail in the sum of $150,000 to a 35-year-old father of eight who is facing charges of raping a 17-year-old female.

Dear Editor, It is with sadness and disbelief that I read of the death of Professor Nettleford.

BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will send to Congress late yesterday a bill aiming to crack down on companies that bribe public officials, the president’s office said.

BOSTON, (Reuters) – The Orlando Magic dominated the  third quarter to clinch a 96-89 comeback victory over their  Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics, on Sunday.

QUITO (Reuters) – South American leaders deeply divided by political differences may take a break from their usual recriminations today when they meet to discuss the continent’s response to the crisis in quake-shattered Haiti.

A mechanic is a patient of the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital with head injuries after his brakes failed him and he ran off the road.

MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Australia’s bowlers are praising their new strategy to curb Chris Gayle’s explosive hitting, after the West Indies captain was dismissed cheaply in West Indies’ 113-run loss in the opening One-Day International on Sunday.

Dear Editor, First, I take strong umbrage with Dr Joey Jagan who contemptuously wrote in his letter, ‘Shared governance is what we really need,’ (SN, February 8), that the Alliance of Change’s “five seats in Parliament following the 2006 polls under the present constitutional arrangements, is really a ticket to nowhere.”

LONDON (Reuters) – The Church of England said yesterday it would go ahead with installing women as bishops, but a delay in draft legislation has left liberals and traditionalists alike uncertain about how the plan will work in practice.

Police are probing the death of construction worker Sooknandan Ramdial who was killed yesterday after a roller machine which he was operating reportedly toppled and pinned him down.

Dear Editor, A lot of articles and features miss our eyes in the newspapers.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Foreign players, led by Barbadian Carlos Brathwaite and Guyanese Troy Cornelius, were prominent on the final day of third-round Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Premiership Division matches here on Sunday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – In the wake of the mushrooming of thousands of organisations throughout the region soliciting money for emergency aid in Haiti, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called for an audit of all funds collected in Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states.

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s state human rights body has hired a lawyer to review the case of a girl whose mother sought her divorce from an 80-year-old man, a move activists hope is a first step against child marriage.

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada,  CMC – A high ranking official of the Grenada Football Association has returned to the job after serving an 18-month suspension over allegations of financial impropriety.

Dear Editor, The quick action taken by President Jagdeo assigning the workload on the Haiti matter to Minister Manickchand, was truly magnificent.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – People are afraid to lose money and an unusual study released yesterday explains why — the brain’s fear centre controls the response to a gamble.

(Trinidad Express) – The National Security Ministry says it knew nothing about the return to Trinidad of former State witness Sean Quamina, who is believed to have been followed back to his New York home and killed on Monday.

By Orin Davidson A bombshell was dropped from the Factory Road, Antigua address of the West Indies cricket board.

By Peter R. Ramsaroop, MBA If yuh plant plantain, yuh can’t reap cassava. 

It is easy to blame the inspectors and sergeants for all of the problems of the Guyana Police Force.

In a letter published in this newspaper on Thursday, February 4 under the caption ‘A false journalism,’ the signatory, Dr Prem Misir, included a quotation by Cicero.

LONDON (Reuters) – Hollywood couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are suing Britain’s News of the World tabloid over allegations it published about their relationship, their London lawyers said yesterday.

The Guyana Awards Council in Canada is inviting students of Guyanese heritage pursuing tertiary education in Canada to apply for scholarships by March 1.

Caricom pushes health agenda Caricom wants the United Nations to organise a global summit on the worldwide “epidemic” of lifestyle diseases.