Guyana Observer News

This photo of the day tells what Guyana should be like in the very near future. In photo: AFC leader, Ramjattan, Trade Unionist, Lincoln Lewis, Leader for the movement of change for better Guyana, Mark Benschop and former Attorney General and PPP Member of Parliament, Bernard De Santos.

Yesterday, the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union picketed the Russian Embassy, Bauxite Company Guyana Inc (BCGI), and once again picketed the Office of the Minister of Labour. The Unions wants Minister Manzoor Nadir, Chief Conciliator, to know that he cannot abrogate his responsibility and must act forthwith to enforce the laws to bring a resolution to the dispute which started Nov. 22, 2009 and has since escalated to the wrongful dismissal of 57 workers, workforce intimidation and other illegal acts by BCGI.

A sobbing Peter Morgan, accused of running a ring in Guyana that trafficked drugs, was sentenced to ten years in prison yesterday afternoon by Judge Edward Korman in a Brooklyn Federal Court, according to a Capitol News report. However, the self-confessed drug trafficker-who had his sentencing postponed thrice last year-may be out in another six years, because the judge sentenced him to time served. Morgan has been in custody since 2007.

 By Freddie Kissoon

The adjectives, “comical”, “laughable”, “facetious” become applicable when one reads a paid official from the Office of the President writing this line in Thursday’s letter pages of the Kaieteur News; “ These pen pushers peddle a false battle cry, painting Guyana as an elected dictator and indeed the ad nauseam allegations of corruption, money laundering and narcotics connection.” This is coming from the pen of no other than Dr. Prem Misir, known propagandist, Chronicle columnist and lecturer to Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News on press conduct. Does this appalling aridity and unproductive propaganda need a reply?  No one takes these sycophantic notes of the paid propagandists of the Office of the President seriously. This explains why Misir and Randy Persaud hustle their way quickly to the front doors of the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News to get their views across.

Two prisoners died early yesterday morning after a fight broke out in the capital offence dormitory of the Georgetown Prisons, leaving relatives of the men in shock and questioning how prison authorities allowed the situation to turn deadly. Dead are double-murder accused Solomon Blackman and Essequibo resident Dyal Singh, who arrived at the Georgetown Hospital mortally wounded. Blackman attacked Singh and was afterward set upon by other prisoners. The two men were pronounced dead on arrival at around 3:45 am.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has expressed concern at a number of issues affecting the proper management of police stations, including the unsatisfactory response to reports of domestic violence and allegations of corruption, at a Conference for Inspectors and Sergeants, held two weeks ago.

- will bring in $100B at current price

Miners say that they have set themselves a hefty target of 500,000 ounces of gold, a 60 per cent increase from last year, which at the current rate would bring Guyana revenues of $100B at the current high world prices. According to the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) yesterday, the projection is motivated by the outstanding performance of the industry last year and the expectation that in 2010 better recovery systems and greater productivity will ensure an even better year.
GGDMA’s statement comes at a time when the gold and diamond mining industry is set to face new measures from government.