Guyana News

In light of Barama Company Limited’s decision to end its forestry operations, an estimated 500 workers are expected to be laid off within the next three months, according to General Manager Mohindra Chand.

Calling gun crimes the “most pressing problem” facing the country, ex-army Chief-of-Staff Brigadier General (rtd) Mark Phillips yesterday urged collaboration with the police to ensure safety and security.

Cabinet has asked Public Health Minister Dr George Norton to investigate reports that staff of his ministry passed insider information to bidders seeking lucrative drug procurement contracts.

A security guard attached to the Electronics City branch in the Fogarty’s building was shot yesterday after he attempted to foil an armed robbery in which a man was relieved of over $1M.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon yesterday confirmed that Cabinet on October 11 discussed the planned acquisition of private property on Carmichael Street and decided to ask Attorney General Basil Williams to provide a report on the matter.

Shamir Barker, the accused in the hit and run accident that caused the death of Latoya Thompson last year, was yesterday found not guilty of the crime after police failed to prove that he was the driver of the vehicle that hit her.

An overpass to divert the approximately 20,000 vehicles using the Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) intersection every day is in the pipeline and will bring much needed relief to the congested road.

The recent spate of countrywide power outages is a concern for government and has seen Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo seeking answers from the Guyana Power and Light Inc.

While saying the coconut industry can potentially increase foreign currency earnings through the export of its myriad products, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin yesterday stressed that now is the time to get serious about the “miracle fruit.”

As the probe continues into the murder of Mahaicony businesswoman Bibi Shairoon Nesha Ali, who was found bound and gagged in her home earlier this week, police say a third suspect was arrested on Thursday and he has since admitted to being involved in the crime.

Two men, who were arrested for questioning in relation to the murder of Brazilian miner Mario Pozzer, have allegedly confessed not only to that crime, but to the killing of another gold miner during a camp invasion last Friday.

A fire, suspected to be electrical in origin, destroyed a Triumph, East Coast Demerara house yesterday morning, leaving a police officer and his family counting millions of dollars in losses.

Murder accused Jahryl Reid had admitted to battering businessman Colin McLean in the head with a piece of wood, after the man attempted to sodomise him, according to his caution statement, which was admitted into evidence at his trial yesterday.

Nicholas Hercules, who is accused of murdering his uncle, was yesterday committed to stand trial for the crime.

A young robbery suspect was shot early yesterday morning by a member of a Professional Guard Service patrol, after it responded to a report of the attempted robbery of a company guard at Republic Bank Limited at Waterloo and New Market streets, Georgetown.

Often criticised for not responding promptly to reports of crimes because of a lack of transportation, the Guyana Police Force yesterday announced that additional vehicles have been made available to it through the Public Security Ministry.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo yesterday said he will defend his advice to President David Granger to investigate whether Public Service Commission Chairman Carvil Duncan should be removed from the constitutional post.

After listening to proposals presented by government officials last week, executives of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) said it was too early to determine what projects they would be financing.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – West Indies Cricket Board president, Dave Cameron, has defended the timing of the decision to sack head coach Phil Simmons, and says he expects the “bold” move by the board to be vindicated in the future.

Often criticised for not responding promptly to crimes because of the lack of mobility, more vehicles have been made available to the police force.