The University of Guyana’s (UG) Council is next week (March 30, 2017) expected to discuss demands by the institution’s workers for increased salaries, at a time when their unions have begun industrial action to demand pay talks. “The matter of salaries will be part of the 2017 revised budget, which will be one of three critical items the Vice-Chancellor will ...
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Central Bank blames exporters’ “hoarding” of foreign currency for slide in Guyana dollar
The Bank of Guyana (BOG) on Thursday accused exporters of causing a slide in the Guyana dollar by locking off foreign exchange in their accounts while at the same time buying currencies on the open market. “The BOG noted that there has been hoarding of foreign currency by exporters, as evidenced by the large foreign currency balances that are being ...
Read More »Communities Minister sacks Linden Town Clerk with immediate effect
by Gary Eleazar Linden Town Clerk, Jonellor Bowen, was today (March 23, 2017) fired with immediate effect by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, having already been cleared of any wrong-doing recently as documented in the conclusion of a recent Commission of Inquiry (COI). A visibly distraught Bowen, spoke with media today while at Freedom House—where she had met with and ...
Read More »Air travel is getting more expensive…one travel agent using exchange rate of GYD$250
Less than 24 hours after a section of the business community expressed concern that Guyana’s exchange rate has plummeted to GYD$230 to US$1.00, the local company representing Dynamic Airways has informed airlines that ticket sales must be calculated at GYD$250. Checks with a number of travel agencies confirmed that Roraima Airways Thursday afternoon informed them in writing that Dynamic Airlines’ ...
Read More »Standards Bureau gets $2 billion IDB loan to upgrade labs
by Gary Eleazar The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has secured a US$9M (G$2B) loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)—monies the entity intends to put towards the improvement of its testing infrastructure and capacities, across its laboratories countrywide. The disclosure was made today (March 23, 2017)by GNBS Executive Director Candelle Walcott-Bostwick, who was at the time speaking with ...
Read More »City Hall earns just over GYD$500,000 in two months from parking meters
The Georgetown City Council earned just over GYD$500,000 in the two months from the now suspended parking meter project, according to Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan. He told Demerara Waves Online News that figures coming before City Hall’s Finance Committee show City Hall’s 20 percent take from gross revenue amounted to GYD$127,564 in January and GYD$540,240 in February, 2017. Duncan said ...
Read More »Parking meter wardens laid off; employment contract provides for no overtime pay
At least 60 parking meter workers are being laid off following the Guyana government’s suspension of the parking meter by-laws for 90 days, prompting concerns about the employment contract. Smart City Solutions’ (SCS) General Manager, Carlos Gochez told workers in a letter dated March 22, 2017 that “we regret to inform you that due to certain unforeseen circumstances, which have ...
Read More »Bulkan’s latest parking meter suspension order doesn’t require City Council’s approval
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan’s latest order that suspends the Georgetown parking meter bylaws does not require City Hall’s approval, in contrast to the previous one that was issued one week ago. The order issued on Tuesday states “the Georgetown Metered Parking By-laws 2017 are suspended for three months commencing 21st March, 2017.” Government wants the 90 days to be used to ...
Read More »Manufacturers warn of retrenchment, increased prices due to further devaluation of Guyana dollar
As the value of the Guyana dollar continues to deteriorate from GYD$215 to US$1.00 to as much as GYD$230 in the last few weeks, sources in the foreign exchange market said that is partly because authorities have been clamping down on gold smuggling and drugs trafficking. The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) on Wednesday warned of a rise in the ...
Read More »Floating Gallery to showcase ethnic diversity in Harmony Village
by Gary Eleazar The Ministry of Social Cohesion will on March 23, 2017, launch ‘Harmony Village’ in the Main Street Avenue, to kick off a year of activities in pursuit of its mandate. Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, today (March 22, 2017) provided an update at the Ministry of the Presidency and said the activity will be hosted under ...
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