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guyanatimesgy.com
MONday, October 21, 2013
News
Republic Bank opens $185M branch in Lethem
R
epublic Bank Limited on Saturday opened a branch in Lethem, with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh saying that government has long recognised that a strong, wellmanaged, well-regulated, vibrant financial services sector is critical to the economic health of Guyana. He said as such, the administration has sought to ensure the establishment of a strong legislative and regulatory framework. Dr Singh said the administration is happy that the sector has responded very positively. The new branch located at Manari Road, Lethem is customer-friendly and spacious with a modern environment, which will provide all the basic banking services, including an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) facility. “Today, we see a financial services sector that has proven that it is well-managed with sound, stable and
Mook Lall try to pope de weddin house
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh being guided on a tour of the Lethem branch, by Republic Bank Managing Director John Alves, Chairman Nigel Baptiste, and other officials
strong institutions, and it is no accident that at a time when the global and regional economy have been put to the most severe test in living memory, financial institutions operating in Guyana have withstood the regional and external developments, have remained strong, and have been an outstanding example,” the finance minister stated, according to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release.
million edifice commenced in November 2012, and it will be open for business from today with a staff complement of eight highly-skilled professionals. Officials from the bank,
mitment as a partner in the economic and financial development of all corners of Guyana. Lethem residents will have access to a wide range of financial products and ser-
Confidence in economy
He said Republic Bank was a regional leader in financial services across the Caribbean, and since its entry into the Guyana market, it has contributed in a very significant way to raising the standards in the country’s financial services sector, introducing new products, improving service, and improving access to services across the 10 administrative regions. “The bank is a valued and respective member of the corporate community; it is an important member of the financial services sector, an important employer and provider of services,” Minister Singh posited. He explained that the fact that the bank has been expanding in the manner in which it has in Guyana, speaks volumes about its confidence in the country’s economic future. Construction of the $185
Republic Bank’s new branch at Manari Road, Lethem
as well as the minister, spoke of Guyana’s bright economic prospects, which the banking sector and other investors have recognised and are responding to favourably. The financial services sector by itself can contribute significantly to the growth and development in the economy by improving access to financial services. Republic Bank Managing Director John Alves said the decision to extend the bank’s services to the Region Nine community was guided by its strategic plan for continued expansion. Bank chairman Nigel Baptiste spoke of the promise fulfilled and vision realised. He said the opening of the Lethem branch is a clear demonstration of the bank’s continuing com-
vices including: deposit and checking accounts, electronic banking, various forms of lending, and foreign exchange and money transfer facilities. “Our vision for expansion and accompanying strategies are strongly aligned with the trends shaping the local, regional, and global economies. Among local developments are increased opportunities for homeownership and expanding small and medium businesses…,” Baptiste pointed out. Republic Bank’s ties with Guyana date back to 1836; it was the first commercial bank to start business in the colony of British Guiana, the first indigenous commercial bank, and the first bank owned by the indigenous private sector.
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hen people want some ting really bad dem does be willing to do any ting fuh it. Some people does even kill dem self when dem want some ting bad and dem can’t get it. Some people does kill other people who deh in dem way. Some people does pay a bribe. Some people does sell dem soul. Some people does sell dem body. Some people does sell out dem buddies and best friends. And talkin bout sellin out – that is some ting de U.S. embassy call snitchin, just like how Snow Den snitch pun de U.S. guvament and let out all de spyin business whah de U.S. tryin to hide. But right hey in Guyana, WikiLeaks leak out de story bout de only big time snitcher whah Guyana got pun Saffon Street in GT de garbage town. This is a snitcher whah name Mook Lall. But he is also a snatcher. He snatch back track money pun poor people and then snitch pun dem to de U.S. embassy. He snatch money pun plenty business people in Guyana and then he snitch pun dem same people to de U.S. embassy. Mook Lall even snitch pun he own press men. Mook Lall is a first-class snatcher and a low-class snitcher But he had want some ting real bad ovah de weekend. De Mook hear bout a businessman wedding and he was beggin to get invite. By hook or by crook de Mook had want to get in de weddin house. Well, de Mook is already a crook, so when he didn’t get invite, he print he own invitation and pass round by de weddin house. That is whah de Mook turn to these days. He beg people fuh carry he in. Everybody refuse he. He wait six hours outside. He even cry when he hear dem speeches . Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, de Mook had even buy a long grey suit, grey shoes, grey pants and grey bukta. He even mek he own parsad and carry back some for Adam .
Pensioners to begin receiving electricity subsidy – GPL
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he burden of paying electricity bills will be significantly reduced for 5610 pensioners with the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) announcing the disbursement of electricity subsidy. All registered pensioners with active GPL accounts will benefit from a subsidy of $20,000 each. The subsidy will be applied to the accounts of pensioners who completed the GPL verification process during the period July 22 to August 13. However, electricity accounts for pensioners, who have completed the verification exercise after August 13, will be credited sub-
sequently. Pensioners in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven are the beneficiaries. The amount will be credited to their account until it is utilised based on their use of electricity. GPL will use the list of names provided by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and match it with its own database in order to compile a database of the persons to benefit from the subsidy. In this year’s budget, $590 million was allocated for pensioners; this is in addition to the waiver of pensioners’ water bills to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).