Guyana News

Inflation for the 12-month period up to October 2016 was 1.1% and the rate at the end of the year is expected to be 1.3% while next year’s projected figure is targeted at 2.5%.

Government has set aside close to $1 billion in the 2017 budget for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, which will include a large-scale solar farm at Mabaruma, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who also announced plans to grant a range of tax exemptions for clean energy and recycling ventures.

Residents of Enterprise Gardens, East Coast Demerara are fed up with the unhygienic environment they are forced to live in as a result of a resident feeding stray animals on a daily basis, and are calling on the relevant authorities to intervene immediately.

The first phase of the long-awaited Linden to Lethem road project will commence next year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced yesterday.

Reform of the constitution is years away despite a manifesto promise by the APNU+AFC administration of swift changes.

Government has earmarked $43.1 billion or 17.2% of the proposed 2017 national budget for the education sector, where it hopes to provide “quality education across all levels.”

Two police constables who allegedly provided security to businessman Marcus Brian Bisram—said to be the mastermind in the murder of carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt—are currently under close arrest.

PPP/C MP Juan Edghill on Friday appeared before the Privileges Committee of Parliament and used the argument of fair comment to defend statements he made in the House about the quantum of controversial salary increases awarded to APNU+AFC ministers last year.

The two drivers involved in the fatal Sherriff Street collision, which resulted in four-year-old Ambeka Providence losing her life in September, were yesterday charged separately with causing her death and each granted their release on $400,000 bail.

A man was yesterday charged with robbing the home of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee of over $3.5 million in jewellery and cash.

Orin Arthur and Uree Varswyk, who are jointly charged with murdering security guard Wilfred Stewart during a raid at the Sterling Products Limited (SPL) offices at Providence in 2014, were yesterday committed to stand trial for the crime.

As the police continue their investigations into the 2012 Double Day Hotel pool murder of Sideek Juman, the High Court yesterday granted the police more time to keep two of the three men who were arrested in custody.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday rolled out a new youth empowerment initiative, with the goal of reducing youth involvement in crime and violence through prevention.

The prosecution yesterday closed its case against Mark Thompson, who is accused of murdering Brazilian miner Jose Rodriguez De Oliveira over six years ago.

1 1. Introduction 1.1 Mr. Speaker, I rise to move the motion for the approval of the Estimates of the Public Sector and the Budget for the Financial Year 2017 and, in doing so, I wish to indicate that Cabinet has recommended that the National Assembly proceed upon this motion, pursuant to Article 171, Paragraph 2, of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

While Finance Minister Winston Jordan was delivering his budget today it was also being communicated by sign language under a Ministry of Finance initiative.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan today announced that the Value Added Tax (VAT) will be dropped from 16% to 14% but it will also now be applied to electricity and water.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan today announced an increase in the income tax threshold from $660,000 per annum to the greater of $720,000 or one-third of an employee’s gross salary.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan this afternoon reiterated that radical reorganisation of the sugar industry is required but he made no announcements of any decisions in relation to estates.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan today said that provision has been made in the 2017 budget for Mabaruma in Region One to have a 400-kilowatt solar farm.