Today was payday. Waterfront workers received wages from the pay office of companies. My Father’s was Sandbach Parker Ltd. Sometimes when he was working elsewhere I had to take his tag, a piece of round copper stamped with a number to receive his pay. Men in the line would ask questions about my identity then send me to the head of it.
Women consorts and common- in- law wives would be waiting outside to secure the household money. Most men usually went to rumshops to celebrate the end of a work week. Huston’s Rum Shop and Bar was conveniently situated in Robb Street between Main and Water Streets near Sandbach Parker. When my Father came home I would examine his pocket. If the rounded end of a big can of sardines or salmon in tomato sauce revealed itself I knew that he had earned twelve dollars, a good week. I eagerly awaited Sunday morning.
Short Story: THE LOTTERY TICKETS – By Royden V. Chan. 1995
According to the Buddha, man himself is the maker of his own destiny. He has none to blame for his lot since he alone is responsible for his own life. He makes his own life for better or for worse.
When you read this tale of Aubrey and Elsie Robinson, you can decide if this is true or if we are powerless pawns manipulated by conditions and circumstances beyond our control.
An issue with the Colonial Classification of Rum is that it defines the spirit by the three European powers that came to the Caribbean to conquer, and the contributions made by other groups are essentially erased.
One such group is the Portuguese people who migrated in multiple waves and made an invaluable and often overlooked contribution to rum. In the context of rum being understood as French, Spanish, or English; there is definitely a case for understanding the concept of Portuguese Caribbean Rum. Continue reading →
Worst thing you can do is distribute oil money to every home – Guyana President
President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali strongly disagrees with suggestions that the country’s windfall revenues from oil production should be distributed to households, across the board. He made this clear during a press conference in Georgetown on Tuesday.
The President explained that doling out cash in that manner would be one of the worst things the government could do, and the quickest way to afflict Guyana with the dreaded Dutch Disease.
Ali was responding to questions about whether Guyana is already facing the resource curse, since its oil economy is leading overall economic growth. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh had said Monday that the oil sector grew 124.8% and that the non-oil economy grew 11.5% in 2022. This resulted in overall economic growth of 62.3% for Guyana last year. Continue reading →
– Govt. to draw down $208.9B from oil account for support
Sugar, fisheries, gold industries perform poorly
Jan 17, 2023 – Kaieteur News – Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday unveiled a $781.9B budget for 2023 under the theme: “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow.”
This is 41.4 percent larger than the 2022 budget which stood at $552.9B.
During an almost six-hour presentation in the National Assembly, Dr. Singh was keen to note that $208.9B in oil revenues will be withdrawn from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) to support national development priorities this year. Last year, government had used $126B to prop up the 2022 budget. Continue reading →
Steer clear of corrupt vices – US Ambassador to Guyana
As Guyana continues efforts to build out a robust regulatory and legislative framework for the oil industry, it would also be wise to keep its eyes on policies and programmes that target inclusionary growth. United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch made this point during a recent discussion hosted by Plaza Central (a podcast from the Wilson Center’s Latin American Programme).
The envoy agreed that Guyana is on a remarkable trajectory as it is poised to register an almost 60% growth rate on account of the oil industry. She recalled that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected that the new oil producer will see about 30% growth from 2023 onward. While Guyana is set on an enviable pathway, she said the road ahead will have its fair share of challenges, two of which she opined to be achieving inclusion and guarding against the potential for corruption. Continue reading →
GUYANA: 132 CARMICHAEL STREET — WEEKENDS
Stabroek News–May 14, 2023 – By Stanley Greaves
FRIDAY
Today was payday. Waterfront workers received wages from the pay office of companies. My Father’s was Sandbach Parker Ltd. Sometimes when he was working elsewhere I had to take his tag, a piece of round copper stamped with a number to receive his pay. Men in the line would ask questions about my identity then send me to the head of it.
Women consorts and common- in- law wives would be waiting outside to secure the household money. Most men usually went to rumshops to celebrate the end of a work week. Huston’s Rum Shop and Bar was conveniently situated in Robb Street between Main and Water Streets near Sandbach Parker. When my Father came home I would examine his pocket. If the rounded end of a big can of sardines or salmon in tomato sauce revealed itself I knew that he had earned twelve dollars, a good week. I eagerly awaited Sunday morning.
Continue reading →
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