Andre Haynes

-Ming, Van West-Charles, Norton on board Former PNCR Chairman Winston Murray yesterday picked up key endorsements to strengthen his candidacy as he became the sole challenger to incumbent Robert Corbin for the leadership of the main opposition party.

-appeals to civil society for support Continuing to press for an inquiry into alleged links between government and drug trafficker Roger Khan, the joint opposition parties yesterday made an appeal for the support of civil society, saying that the Guyanese people have a moral responsibility to condemn wrongdoing and demand accountability.

Seeking to allay concerns about transparency in its internal polling, the PNCR has announced that it will provide for independent observ-ers, the secrecy of the ballot and the public counting of votes at next week’s Biennial Delegates’ Congress.

For the last ten years, it has been his fight that has been the defining characteristic of his presidency, which was expected to herald a new beginning for a country long held hostage by a history of suspicion and strife.

-propose that ways be explored to curb ministerial discretion The major international donors have urged an integrated approach to implementation of legislative reforms for local government, while recommending that the legislature explore ways to curb ministerial discretion over local authorities.

-MPs conference hears The illicit drug trade remains the toughest public safety challenge in the region, which needs to confront problems like the unemployment of young people and the proliferation of firearms which are being exploited by criminal enterprises.

-warns against kangaroo court PNCR Executive Aubrey Norton has denied accusations that his statements about the outcome of the controversial Georgetown District Conference vote have brought the main opposition party into disrepute, warning that such claims appeared to be intended to provide the basis for bringing “spurious charges” against him.

– stalwarts, stakeholders say The allegations of fraud at the recent PNCR Georgetown District Conference polls have lent force to the case for more transparency in the party’s internal polling, which current and former party members say is crucial to its credibility as a viable alternative to the current administration.

Three contracts totalling US$4.2M ($850M) awarded to the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company Inc (New GPC) for the supply of drugs for the health ministry have been flagged as the latest awards to the supplier which evade the tendering process.

Refusing to budge from the call for local government polls to be held under a reformed system, the opposition has withheld participation in the parliamentary review of legislative reforms, in a bid to ensure government upholds its commitment to table all of the proposed laws.

– says presidential candidacy not off limits Once nominated, Dr Richard Van West-Charles intends to contest for the leadership of the main opposition PNCR.

-No decision yet on run for leadership PNCR executive Dr Aubrey Armstrong has not closed the door on his candidacy for the leadership of the party, which he said has to be restructured as it prepares to lead the country towards a shared vision.

– Aubrey Armstrong tells GTUC rally The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday sounded the need for “change” in the labour movement and one of the featured speakers called for unity in the face of the “perfect storm”.

-opposition calls for caps ignored The government last evening used its parliamentary majority to pass a bill to legislate benefits for former presidents, despite opposition concern over its scope.

A contentious election law amendment fixing a system for payment of scrutineers was passed last evening with major division among the opposition parties.

Culture Box Like most twenty-something-year-old men, I shudder at the thought of walking down the aisle.

Rohee: ‘It’s is no exaggeration to say that the People’s Progressive Party is a living monument to the vision, discipline, energy and organisational skills of Janet Jagan’ Former President Janet Jagan, O.E.,

President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said local authorities are obligated to investigate confessed drug kingpin Roger Khan’s activities in Guyana, including his alleged involvement in execution killings and extensive drug trafficking.

GECOM to be ready for local gov’t polls before year end Charles Corbin has been appointed as a commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which yesterday indicated that it would be ready to run off overdue local government polls before year end.

-despite acrimonious row over McCoy The National Assembly late Thursday approved the candidates to serve on the constitutional Rights of the Child Commission, despite a major dispute between the government and opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) on the inclusion of Kwame McCoy among the nominees for appointment.