Tag: region 10

Region Ten Tourism Committee distances itself from Sears following cannabis bust

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Region Ten Tourism Committee Inc. (RTTC) has distanced itself from its Vice Chairman, Devin Sears, following a cannabis bust in Linden on Monday evening.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the RTTC noted that the former Member of Parliament has since tendered his resignation to the committee pending the investigation.

It stated that it had been made aware of issues involving its Vice Chairman in relation to the transportation of cannabis on 20 October, but said the committee was not involved.

“We unequivocally state that we have no association with the alleged actions of Mr. Sears. While Mr. Devin Sears is a member of the RTTC, his actions in this matter are personal and unrelated to the committee’s mission of promoting eco-tourism and regional development in Region 10,” the statement read.

The RTTC noted that it is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and promoting tourism in the region, adding that it will issue a further statement after consulting with members of the Guyana Police Force to gain a clearer understanding of the events that transpired.

“In the meantime, we urge the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to proceed,” it said.

The former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian, 39, was arrested along with Albert Sandy, a 69-year-old farmer, after 310.71 kilograms of cannabis were found in a minibus at Bamia, Linden.

The discovery was made at about 20:41 hrs during a mobile patrol “stop and search” operation near the Old Bamia Police Checkpoint, police said in a statement on Tuesday.

Officers intercepted a dark blue Toyota Hiace minibus (BAJ 4486) registered to the RTTC Inc., which Sears was driving. Sandy was in the front passenger seat.

According to police, Sears appeared nervous and claimed he was “transporting tourism plants.” A search of the vehicle uncovered 22 bulky black plastic bags and four large brown canvas bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

Police said Sandy admitted ownership of the narcotics and claimed he had paid Sears to transport him and the drugs to Parika.

The suspected cannabis was taken to the Mackenzie Police Station, where it was weighed in the presence of both men, confirming a total of 310.71 kilograms.

Both suspects remain in custody pending charges, police said.

Region 10 top NGSA students honoured, treated to nature tours

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) students from Region Ten were awarded for their outstanding academic excellence in this year’s examinations.

Linden Fund USA (LFU) and Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours collaborated to host an award ceremony to honour the students with trophies, cash grants, and all-expenses-paid kayaking tours.

Importantly, the top three performers from the region — Fernanda Gomez and Renauta Ramdeholl, both of Regma Primary, and Omari Wilson of Watooka Day Primary — were also winners in the LFU’s ANSA McAL-sponsored Spelling Bee competition last year.

Speaking at the award ceremony, which was hosted at the LFU’s office in Linden on Wednesday, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon praised the partnership initiative.

“For those two entities, I want to encourage you on behalf of the council, to continue to invest in our community. While I always say government will play their part, and institutions such as the municipality will do what they can, it is also important to have the community find means through institutions like Linden Fund and Elite Kayaking to get involved,” he said.

Region 10 Education Officer Nichola Matthews also commended the students and the organisations, further highlighting the importance of such achievements.

“It is always a privilege when we can be invited and we can collaborate to ensure that our young children and the people of Region Ten can achieve and receive. The Department of Education has always had a plan for what we want, and so we set all things in place to ensure that we achieve that,” she noted.

Representative of ANSA McAL Distribution Inc., Sabeena Mendonca, also offered words of encouragement to the top students and their parents.

“As you face the future, I encourage you, the students and even the parents to be motivated. This is just one step in the right direction that you’ve taken,” she emphasised.

Special remarks were also delivered by LFU Board Member and owner of Elite Kayaking, Dr. Deon Anderson.

Following the ceremony, the top students were treated to an all-inclusive kayaking day tour of the stunning Linden Kara Kara Blue Lake and the picturesque rainforest setting of the Kara Kara Creek, both situated at Mackenzie.

They expressed how happy and delighted they were for the opportunity.

The host organisations noted that the innovative partnership not only rewards the students but also highlights some of the natural wonders of the region through one of the most exciting local tours.

Officials with the students honoured

Officials with the students honoured

Persons with disabilities in Region 10 being empowered

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Eighteen persons living with disabilities in Region Ten are currently benefiting from a five-day Sustainable Agriculture Level 1 training course.

This initiative seeks to empower individuals with the tools and knowledge to lead independent and sustainable livelihoods through skills-based training.

The programme is being executed by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Agriculture Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme.

The training, which began on July 14 and will run until July 18, 2025, forms part of the ongoing expansion of the ministry’s Learning Lab initiative for persons with disabilities.

Participants from the region are currently engaged in both practical and theoretical sessions, covering a wide range of modules including organic farming techniques, marketing for agri-business, vertical and urban gardening, harvesting methods, as well as shade house visits and practical demonstrations.

The ministry says the collaborative effort underscores its commitment to inclusivity, skills development, and economic empowerment for all citizens, particularly those within vulnerable groups.

Similarly, persons with disabilities from Regions Six and Seven have already benefited from the training.

More than 1,200 Linden small contractors empowered, billions invested in region

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The government is focused on empowering ordinary Guyanese, including small contractors and young people, said General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, as he rejected claims of “social bribes” by critics.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Dr Jagdeo emphasised that the government’s infrastructure programmes, especially in Linden, are part of a broader national strategy that predates the current election season.

He said the government’s approach in Linden is reflective of efforts nationwide to democratise access to government contracts, particularly in the construction sector.

“In Linden alone, we had over 500 small contractors in 2023 and close to 700 this year. These were individuals who, before 2020, had never received work. Many were openly critical of the PPP but are now benefitting from a system we reformed to give opportunities to small players,” Jagdeo stated.

He noted that over $7 billion was invested in road works in Region 10 last year, with the figure rising to approximately $10 billion this year. Contracts valued under $15 million are now allocated based on rates rather than competitive bidding, a change aimed at preventing domination by a handful of large firms.

Dr Jagdeo also highlighted that contracts are prioritised for individuals living in the regions where projects are being executed. This policy has led to the emergence of hundreds of new contractors in Regions Two, Four, Five, and Six, many of whom are executing road and community projects.

The former president explained that the government is laying the groundwork for its next term by identifying major areas for continued investment, including building concrete drainage systems to combat the effects of climate change, especially since much of Guyana lies below sea level.

He revealed that in addition to completing most community roads along the coast, future plans include installing security cameras, upgrading recreational spaces, and improving garbage collection.

“This is not just about Linden. We’re creating livable, climate-resilient communities across the country,” Dr Jagdeo affirmed.

Addressing criticisms from the opposition about supposed plans they had for Linden, he pointed out that the PPP/C administration has already delivered where others failed.

He cited the US$161 million rehabilitation of the Linden–Soesdyke Highway and other infrastructure upgrades underway in the town. “They claimed they were planning to do these projects, but they never did anything in five years,” Dr Jagdeo remarked.

He also used the press conference to speak about his engagements with over 1,000 young people in Linden, part of the PPP’s ongoing nationwide outreach.

“We don’t reduce youth policy to giving away footballs and cricket bats. Young people want access to education, jobs, homes, and a safe environment — and we see them as central to Guyana’s development,” he stated.

Dr Jagdeo urged the youth to apply for government scholarships through the GOAL programme and to take advantage of free tertiary education now available at the University of Guyana. He also encouraged them to apply for house lots and explore entrepreneurship, noting the government’s plan to establish a development bank to finance small businesses.

Road works in Linden (DPI photo)

 

 

Region 10 Students Included in $640M Education Grant Rollout

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

As part of the government’s ongoing effort to ensure equitable education for all Guyanese children, the nationwide cash grant programme has now expanded to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), marking a major milestone in the phased distribution that began earlier this month.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand confirmed the expansion in a message posted on her official Facebook page, stating that by the end of this week, over $640 million will have been disbursed to families across the country. She emphasized that the initiative is not only financial relief but also a demonstration of the government’s commitment to inclusive education—ensuring no child is left behind due to geography or economic status.

Launched on May 12, 2025, in the hinterland Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the distribution rollout has been staggered to maximize efficiency and coverage. Now entering Region 10, the programme is set to benefit thousands more students in one of the country’s most populous areas.

Under the initiative, each eligible child receives $55,000—comprising a $50,000 cash grant and a $5,000 school uniform voucher. This represents a significant increase from 2021, when the total was just $19,000. The nearly threefold rise highlights the government’s intensified investment in human capital and its broader agenda to transform Guyana’s education system.

“This programme is about more than money—it’s about fairness, access, and giving every child the tools they need to succeed,” Minister Manickchand has said at several public engagements.

Unlike many state-funded initiatives that target only public schools, this grant includes both public and private school students, reflecting a comprehensive approach to national educational development. In 2025 alone, more than 205,000 students are expected to benefit from the programme, backed by an $11 billion allocation in the national budget.

Parents in Region 10 have expressed optimism and gratitude, viewing the grant as timely support amid rising living costs. For many families, the assistance means the difference between sending their children to school fully equipped or facing financial struggles to cover basic educational needs.

The expansion into Region 10 signals more than just the continuation of a programme—it underscores the government’s stance that education is a right, not a privilege, and that every child, regardless of location, deserves an equal chance to succeed.

Dawn of new horizon for Kwakwani residents

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

For years, residents of the Waterfront, Lamp Island, and Jeep Landing communities in Kwakwani, Region 10, have suffered tremendously due to extreme flooding.

In 2021, these communities experienced one of the most devastating floods, which saw entire homes inundated and livelihoods severely affected.

While some residents have refused to relocate, others view the government’s recent plans for a new housing development initiative as the dawn of a new horizon.

Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, has announced plans to ramp up efforts to expand homeownership within the region. He noted that the first phase of this development will cover 100 acres of land, designed to establish a new housing scheme in the community while also facilitating the relocation of waterfront residents.

He further stated that the ministry will be in Kwakwani on March 28 to allocate lots to residents who have been waiting.

This relocation effort is expected to benefit approximately 370 residents from the Waterfront, Lamp Island, and Jeep Landing areas.

Lamp Island and Waterfront resident Burry Rogers told Ignite News that her family has already received correspondence to facilitate the relocation process.

The 52-year-old woman, who has lived in the community most of her life, said her family moved to a temporary location further up the waterfront area following the 2021 floods.

She acknowledged her love for the community but admitted that the frequent flooding has become unbearable.

“That part that we were living at was a hilltop and was the last place to flood. We moved from there and didn’t go back. So we came and built this side here. We built a little shop, and we live right here. We put a room on it, and we are living right here. It’s the water that made us move. After the big flood came, we moved, but we’re still near the river, just a little higher up. I love the river corner, but if we have to move and they find a place for us, I don’t mind,” Rogers said.

She also noted that some residents are still living in the affected area.

This publication also spoke with Rogers’ daughter-in-law, Ambra Rogers, who lives in another section of Lamp Island. She expressed mixed emotions about the move.

“I feel good, but it’s just that I had recently built a house, just before the big flood,” she said.

“But with this relocation, I’m happy about it. I just don’t know if they’re building houses for us or just giving us land. As long as I get a piece of land, I’m okay. It’s really expensive to build a house right now, and I see the rainy season coming in too,” Rogers added.

The 32-year-old, who also grew up in the community, recalled how her home was severely affected by the 2021 floods. She currently lives with her husband, grandmother, and three children.

“Over the years, the floodwaters never reached as high as they did in 2021. That was when everybody had to go into shelters. We lost a lot of things in the flood, and we had to move in with relatives for shelter. It was really challenging,” she said.

Residents affected by the 2021 floods had approached President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, requesting relocation.

The government subsequently committed to finding a suitable area for them.

Minister Croal acknowledged that the relocation was initially scheduled to be addressed in January. He urged residents to remain patient, assuring them that the government is actively working toward a resolution.