Author: Aliyah Persaud

President Dr Irfaan Ali has lamented the high transportation costs in Region One, as major government investments in the aviation sector have failed to bring down prices for hinterland and riverine residents.
Addressing a public meeting at Santa Rosa Secondary School during a Cabinet outreach on Tuesday, Ali said transportation remained one of the biggest contributors to the high cost of food and essential goods, with the aviation sector coming in for particular criticism.
“Transportation has a direct impact on cost of living. When we examine the cost you’re paying for chicken, beef and other important food items, it is clear that you are paying far above the market price,” he said.
Ali said discussions with village leaders, residents and shop owners had all pointed to one underlying cause. “Their primary reason is the cost of transportation,” he said.
He said the government expected better results from its investments in hinterland connectivity. “We are very disappointed in the aviation sector because we have not been able to get the corresponding returns on the investment that we are making,” he said.
Ali said feedback from the outreach would be used to craft a transportation plan focused on lowering freight costs while improving access to goods in Region One. Among the proposals is a dedicated cargo launch service between Charity and the Moruca sub-district, financed through the Guyana Development Bank and operated by a consortium of young entrepreneurs.
“We can put together a consortium of young people who can develop this as a business, but a different type of business, a business with a social conscience and a business with social responsibility,” he said.
Ali said the goal was to ensure goods reached communities at fair transportation rates while creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people. “We can have an arrangement to allow goods to come into the community at a fair transportation cost, one that is beneficial to the community and still beneficial to the business owner,” he said.
The President said reducing transportation costs alone would not solve the issue, announcing government support for poultry production and other agricultural initiatives aimed at increasing local food production and reducing reliance on imported goods. “We have to address the issue of transportation. We have to address the issue of food production. We have to address the issue of infrastructure,” he said.
He also outlined a range of additional initiatives for the sub-region, including a social housing programme for vulnerable residents, a Government Service Centre offering multiple public services, upgraded roads and waterways, expanded electricity generation through two new generators, improved landing facilities, repairs to solar systems, a multi-purpose community complex, a children’s play park and continued work on the road to Kobani Landing.
The announcements formed part of the Government’s Cabinet outreach to Region One, where ministers are meeting residents across the region to gather feedback and identify priorities for future development projects.

The family of two-year-old Larissa, who was diagnosed with West syndrome at two months old and experiences up to 100 seizures daily, is appealing to the public for financial assistance to fund treatment in India.
The treatment is estimated to cost US$10,000, excluding travel, accommodation, food and other expenses while abroad, with the family estimating they will need several million Guyana dollars to cover the full cost. Larissa’s mother, Juliann Pereira, said the family has been trying to raise the funds for about a week and has so far managed to raise $1 million.
Pereira told Ignite News that Larissa was born healthy, but their lives changed when the baby began crying uncontrollably throughout the night. Concerned, she and her husband rushed their daughter to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they received the diagnosis.
“They told us she had West syndrome… something that is a milestone delay, so she would never be able to do anything right now,” Pereira recalled.
Since then, Larissa has undergone medication and therapy, but after two years, Pereira said the family has not seen the progress they hoped for. The treatment has helped reduce the severity of her seizures, but she remains unable to move independently and requires constant care.
That responsibility has meant major changes for Pereira, who had to stop working to focus on caring for her daughter.
“It’s a little hard, but what are you going to do? It’s my baby, so I have to take care of her,” she said.
According to her mother, Larissa continues to experience between 90 and 100 seizures each day, with episodes that include rolling her eyes, raising her arms and legs, crying in pain, vomiting and refusing food.
“She gets pain sometimes. She lies on her back most of the time,” Pereira explained.
Seeking another option, the family consulted a doctor in India who recommended further medical evaluation, treatment, medication and physical therapy that could help improve Larissa’s condition. Before treatment begins, she will need additional assessments, including MRI and EEG tests, to determine the best course of care.
Pereira described Larissa’s condition as life-threatening and said doctors have explained that children with West syndrome can have different outcomes. For Larissa’s parents, the goal is to give their daughter a chance at a better quality of life.
“For Larissa, I just want everybody to help me give her a life so that she could be able to do something for herself,” Pereira said.
Donations can be made via MMG at 652-0167 or through Demerara Bank account number 00600132221.

Albert Pluck, a blacksmith and assistant trainer at Jumbo Jet Racing Stables known as “Blackmouth,” died on Tuesday after succumbing to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on the West Coast of Berbice.
Pluck had been hospitalised in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital following the accident, which occurred on Sunday.
According to information received, Pluck had just exited the Jumbo Jet stables when a motor car, reportedly travelling at high speed, came around a nearby turn and collided with him.
He sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where doctors fought to save his life but were unable to do so.
Pluck was widely respected for his years of dedication and contribution to horse racing in Guyana.
Police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.

Fisherfolk and seafood vendors in Region Two are appealing for urgent financial assistance and a public awareness campaign to counter misinformation, as demand for fish continues to decline following the MV Barima disaster on July 18.
The appeal was made during a special meeting on Tuesday at the Regional State House Boardroom, where scores of fishermen and vendors voiced concerns over the economic hardship facing the fishing industry.
Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Jagnarine Narine, Fisheries Officer Sophia Raghunandan and Regional Democratic Councillor Melrose Henry attended the meeting.
Narine addressed food safety concerns, assuring participants that seafood harvested from Guyana’s waters remains safe for consumption, and urged reliance on scientific information rather than misinformation circulating on social media.
Fishermen said false artificial intelligence-generated messages, graphics and videos circulating online have damaged public confidence in seafood. Sanjay Persaud, a fisherman with more than 20 years of experience, said the misleading information has devastated livelihoods in the industry.
“People are seeing these fake AI images and messages and believing them. It is causing fear, and our fish are not selling,” Persaud said.
One fisherman said he had purchased more than 11,000 pounds of fish shortly before the tragedy but has been unable to sell his stock, forcing him to buy ice daily to preserve it as costs continue to rise.
Vendors echoed similar concerns, saying they invested heavily in seafood that consumers are now unwilling to purchase. Many fishermen rejected claims that the seafood is contaminated, noting that ocean currents are constantly moving.
Diana Basdeo called on the Food and Agriculture Organization and relevant agencies to launch a public education campaign to restore consumer confidence and combat misinformation.
Fishermen also said they were disappointed with suggestions that they seek alternative employment, noting that fishing is the only trade many of them have known.
Participants appealed for a temporary financial grant to offset losses until demand returns, while others suggested a bulk purchasing programme in which government could buy and store fish to stabilise the market.
The Fisheries Department reaffirmed its commitment to standing with the fishing community, pledging to continue engaging fisherfolk while providing accurate, science-based information to support the industry’s recovery.