Tag: update

GCCI President: Local entrepreneurs increasingly turning to overseas suppliers amid economic boom

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Guyanese entrepreneurs are increasingly looking beyond local suppliers and turning to international markets to source goods and materials, as the country’s rapid economic growth creates new opportunities across multiple sectors.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Kathy Smith made the remarks during the recent GuySuCo Training Centre graduation ceremony in Berbice.
Smith, who also serves as Chairperson of the Board of Industrial Training, said Guyanese must recognise their role in the country’s economic transformation as industries continue to expand.
“In the private sector, as the chair of the Board of Industrial Training, you are living in a country that might be the fastest-growing economy in the world per capita. I know when a lot of you hear this, you would say, ‘Where do I fit into this?'” she said.
She pointed to the construction sector as one area where opportunities continue to grow, noting that businesses are struggling to find skilled workers.
“Construction, I am in construction and I cannot get workers. I am now hiring. I am hiring clerk of works to do skilled labour work in construction. I am hiring people with degrees at my office to do administrative work,” she said.
Smith said Guyana’s construction sector grew by 31 per cent, while trade expanded by 71 per cent in the previous year, driven in part by increased demand for imported goods such as electrical appliances and construction materials.
She noted that purchasing patterns have changed, with more Guyanese entrepreneurs now bypassing traditional suppliers and directly sourcing products from overseas markets.
“There was a time where we bought them only from the hardware stores in our communities. Now Guyanese themselves have the ability to go to places like China, they are going to Turkey, and they are buying their materials and bringing it here,” she said.
Smith encouraged citizens, especially young Guyanese, to see themselves as participants in the country’s economic growth and to explore opportunities through entrepreneurship and international partnerships.
“Why can’t you be part of that? Why can’t you do that for yourself? Young Guyanese are partnering with international companies,” she said.
She also highlighted the scale of Guyana’s economic transformation, pointing to the country’s growing population, oil production and increased investment in non-oil sectors. Smith noted Guyana has more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent discovered, with daily production having increased substantially compared to previous years, while revenues from the oil sector are being used to support development in areas including agriculture, infrastructure and business expansion.
Referencing Guyana’s national budget presented by Finance Minister Ashni Singh, Smith pointed out that billions of US dollars are being invested into the economy, with a portion of funding coming from oil revenues.
She said Guyana is also making strides toward reducing its dependence on imported agricultural products by investing in technology and local production.
Smith said crops such as onions and garlic are expanding, with the agricultural sector positioned to supply domestic needs while creating opportunities for exports to regional and international markets.
The BIT Chairperson said Guyana’s economic future will depend on citizens recognising opportunities within the country’s growth and actively participating in its development.

Businesses without certification are missing out on oil deals, says Local Content Director

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Scores of Guyanese businesses may be missing out on opportunities in the country’s oil and gas sector because business registration alone does not qualify them for contracts reserved under the Local Content Act, Director of Local Content Michael Munroe says.
Munroe made the remarks at the World Trade Centre Georgetown Emancipation Celebration Mixer on Friday, held under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Businesses: The Journey from Emancipation to Economic Empowerment.”
He reminded entrepreneurs that they must obtain a Local Content Certificate through the Local Content Secretariat before they can benefit from the legislation.
“It is the Local Content Certificate that gives you the added advantage of unlocking these opportunities,” he said.
Munroe explained that the Local Content Act was designed to ensure Guyanese nationals and businesses benefit from the country’s petroleum wealth, regardless of their background.
“The Local Content Act was created to provide specific opportunities for Guyanese nationals and Guyanese businesses, irrespective of your class, your colour or your creed. Just the fact that you’re Guyanese, you have a chance and an opportunity to participate in this bounty,” he said.
He urged entrepreneurs to complete the registration process, which he described as seamless and easy, through the Ministry of Natural Resources’ petroleum website.
Munroe also encouraged greater collaboration among Guyanese businesses, saying partnerships could help unlock larger opportunities in the petroleum sector while strengthening local participation in the country’s economic transformation.

Twenty-eight Peace Corps volunteers sworn in to serve local communities

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Twenty-three new Peace Corps volunteers and five Peace Corps Response volunteers were sworn in on Wednesday, marking the start of a two-year service to support education, literacy and community development across Guyana.
The 37th group took the oath at a ceremony at the Theatre Guild in Georgetown following weeks of intensive training, Peace Corps Guyana Country Director Christie Scott said.
Scott described the occasion as the start of a journey that would transform both the volunteers and the communities they serve, noting that the trainees had spent 10 weeks developing technical teaching skills, studying Guyanese Creole and learning about the country’s history and culture.
United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, who administered the oath, said the volunteers were beginning their service during a difficult period for Guyana following a recent national tragedy, adding that the bonds they build with host communities would carry added significance at this time.
Senior Education Officer within the Literacy Department of the Ministry of Education Donella Shamsudeen said the volunteers would help strengthen learning outcomes across the education system and foster closer ties between schools and communities.
Volunteers assigned to nursery schools will focus on early language development, play-based learning and early literacy habits. At the primary level, they will support reading, writing and numeracy, while secondary school volunteers will assist with youth development, functional literacy, communication skills, leadership and global citizenship.

US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot

Man loses home, $2 million in blaze suspected to be caused by discarded cigarette butt

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

A man narrowly escaped with his life after an early morning fire completely destroyed his home at Lot 39 Lochaber, West Canje, Berbice, on Wednesday.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said firefighters responded to the blaze and found the one-flat wooden structure fully engulfed in flames on arrival. The house and all its contents were destroyed despite their efforts.
Preliminary investigations by the GFS indicate a discarded cigarette butt may have caused the fire.
The homeowner, Troy Williams, said he was asleep when the blaze broke out at around 3:00am. He said he woke up choking and saw the house on fire, and tried unsuccessfully to douse the flames with water.
Williams said the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen area. He noted the house had no electricity and relied solely on solar power.
Asked whether a discarded cigarette may have sparked the blaze, Williams said he had smoked one the previous evening and thrown it out of a front window before falling asleep, adding that he did not believe it could have caused the fire.
The blaze has left Williams, who has lived at the location for about 10 years, homeless. He had previously lost another home to fire and had spent years rebuilding his life.
Among the items destroyed were his bed, gas stove and other household belongings. Williams said he also lost nearly $2 million in cash, which he had been saving in a mattress while planning to build a new home.
Williams, who has worked as a linesman with a private contractor for One Communications for more than two years, said the money had been set aside for his next chapter.
He said he did not know where he would spend the night, and may have to sleep in a hammock.
Those willing to assist Williams can contact him at 660-9963.

The aftermath of the fire

GDF: Boat carrying Opposition Leader, WIN MPs turned back after captain failed to produce licences

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

A passenger vessel carrying Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and two We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Members of Parliament was turned back to Charity on Wednesday after its captain failed to produce required licences and certification during a routine Coast Guard inspection in the Pomeroon River.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said Coast Guard ranks stationed at the Pomeroon Floating Base stopped the Moruca-bound vessel in keeping with procedures requiring operators to register their journey with the Floating Base and present a valid Boat Master’s Licence, Vessel Licence and Certificate of Inspection before proceeding.
The captain could not produce the required documents, and the vessel was directed to return to Charity to obtain the relevant paperwork before resuming its voyage, the GDF said.
Also on board were WIN Members of Parliament Dawn Hastings and Tabita Saraboo.
The GDF said the inspections form part of ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to promote compliance with maritime regulations, enhance vessel safety and strengthen security along Guyana’s waterways.
The force also urged boat operators to ensure their documentation remains valid and that all passengers are provided with, and properly fitted for, lifejackets throughout their journeys.

Traffic fines payable only through MMG or Bill Express, says Traffic Chief

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Legitimate traffic fines in Guyana can only be paid through MMG or Bill Express, the Guyana Police Force said on Tuesday, warning the public against fraudulent text messages that falsely claim to be official traffic ticket notices and direct recipients to fake payment websites.

The advisory follows reports of a scam in which motorists receive text messages purporting to be from the Police Force’s Traffic Department, urging them to pay alleged fines through fraudulent links designed to obtain personal and financial information.

Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh told Ignite News the messages did not originate from the Guyana Police Force. In response, the Traffic Department reissued its advisory outlining the official process for notifying motorists of traffic offences and paying fines.

“Those messages did not originate from the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department… the first thing to do was run back the advisory again… specifying the steps to be taken when you would be notified… and how you can pay as well,” Singh said.

He stressed that the Police Force does not ask motorists to pay traffic fines through links sent by text message or to enter banking or credit card information on unofficial websites.

“We recognised in the widespread message there was an option for you to click and it gives you the chance to use your card and make a payment and that’s not consistent with what we do in Guyana,” he said.

The fraudulent messages also threaten recipients with legal action and additional penalties if the purported fines are not paid within a specified period.

Singh urged anyone who receives the messages not to click on the links or provide personal or financial information. Instead, they should ignore the message and report it to the police.

He said one person has reported making a payment after falling victim to the scam. Anyone who has done so should immediately contact their bank to stop or reverse any pending transaction and cancel any authorised payments linked to the fraudulent activity.

The Police Force also advised the public to verify the authenticity of any traffic violation notice through its official channels before making a payment.

Development bank offices for every region, recruitment process under way, says Minister Ally

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The government has begun preparations to establish the Guyana Development Bank following passage of the enabling legislation in the National Assembly, including setting up regional offices and recruiting qualified personnel to support entrepreneurs.
Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally said the bank would have a presence in every administrative region to ensure equitable access to its services.
“The next step is to roll it out in every single region in Guyana. We will have offices that will be set up. We will ensure that everyone in every region knows where these offices are,” Ally said during an interview.
He said the bank would employ skilled and qualified staff to assist prospective borrowers, whether they already had a business proposal or were still developing an idea. Staff would guide applicants in preparing project proposals and provide training in financial management and marketing to improve the likelihood of business success, he said.
“Those staff will be trained to help you with developing your project proposal. They will be providing training for you on financial management. They’ll be providing training for you on marketing… We want to make sure that every citizen who receives a loan from the development bank is successful with what they do,” Ally said.
He said the government had already received numerous job applications and would establish a committee to assess candidates.
“We’ve received many applications. We will set up a committee to review those applications to make sure that those persons are very skilled, competent, and qualified for this,” Ally said.
He encouraged suitably qualified individuals interested in joining the bank to submit applications through his office or to the Ministers of Finance or Tourism. Positions to be filled include project officers, accountants, specialists in project proposal development, and professionals with expertise in financial literacy and marketing.
“We have a lot of project officers that would be required. Accountants would be required as well, and people who have skills in terms of developing project proposals… People who have a lot of skills in training, especially in financial literacy and marketing as well,” Ally said.
The Guyana Development Bank is being established to provide financing and business support to entrepreneurs. Eligible applicants will be able to access zero-interest, zero-collateral loans of up to $3 million to start or expand their businesses. (DPI)

Henry boys’ killers sentenced to life imprisonment

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Nearly six years after the brutal murders of teenage cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry stunned the country, the Berbice High Court on Wednesday sentenced 39-year-old Anil Sancharra, called “Dan Pole” or “Rasta”, and 35-year-old Vinod Gopaul, known as “Maga”, to life imprisonment for the killings.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Simone Morris.
Prior to the sentencing, the two men were found guilty following hours of deliberations by members of a jury on 7 June.
Both had denied any involvement in the September 2020 murders.
The mutilated bodies of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 17-year-old Joel Henry were discovered in the backlands at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, in September 2020, sparking national outrage and widespread calls for justice.
The court heard that the murders were driven by the defendants’ belief that Isaiah and Joel Henry had destroyed a marijuana farm.
In delivering her sentence, Justice Morris described the murders as exceptionally brutal and said the evidence presented established that both offenders actively participated in attacking the teenagers before concealing their bodies.
Justice Morris noted the pathologist’s report highlighted that the chop wounds were inflicted with tremendous force.
She said the attack demonstrated “extreme brutality and grave disregard for human life,” adding that the murders caused profound public shock, fear and grief throughout Guyana.
Justice Morris, however, made it clear that while she acknowledged the widespread unrest and violence that followed the murders, she did not consider those later events when determining the sentence.
“The sentence of this court must therefore clearly speak to the seriousness of the offence. It must reflect the value of human life, the culpability of the defendants and the need to deter unlawful violence,” Justice Morris said.
She added that where killings are carried out with such brutality, “the need for deterrence and denunciation is especially strong.”
Although the facts surrounding the murders were common to both accused, Justice Morris said each man had to be sentenced according to his own personal circumstances.
In Sancharra’s case, she noted that at 39 years old he was mature enough to fully appreciate the consequences of his actions.
She considered a psychological report which described him as stable, calm and cooperative, finding there was no evidence of any mental condition that reduced his culpability or explained the violence used.
The judge also reviewed his criminal history, which included previous convictions for cocaine possession, escaping from prison and arson.
She said while those convictions did not establish a history of serious violence, they demonstrated a pattern of disregard for the law and lawful authority.
Justice Morris also noted that although Sancharra maintained his innocence, she did not treat his lack of remorse as an aggravating factor.
However, she found there were no mitigating factors sufficient to reduce the sentence and concluded that life imprisonment was appropriate.
In Gopaul’s case, Justice Morris said she considered similar aggravating factors but also took into account that he had completed an anger management programme while incarcerated.
Although this demonstrated some effort towards rehabilitation, the court found it insufficient to outweigh the seriousness of the offence.
Both men were sentenced to life imprisonment on each murder count and were ordered to serve a minimum term of 35 years before becoming eligible for parole, with the sentences to run concurrently.
During the sentencing hearing, probation officers presented reports detailing the backgrounds of both convicted men.
Probation Officer Dionne Douglas told the court that Gopaul grew up in a household marked by domestic violence and poverty. According to the report, he left school at the primary level and later worked in farming.
The report also outlined his extensive criminal history, including previous prison escapes and earlier convictions.
Douglas said Gopaul’s mother described him as her favourite child, telling the court he had always protected and cared for her. She pleaded for mercy, insisting her son was innocent and had been framed.
However, the probation officer also revealed that community members expressed fear at the mere mention of Gopaul’s name. Some residents reportedly said they had previously been forced to leave their homes out of fear and believed they would have to do so again if he were released.
The report also included victim impact statements from Isaiah Henry’s family, detailing the devastating emotional toll of the murders.
Isaiah’s father described his son as a gentle, generous teenager who was active in church and loved by everyone who knew him. The report also stated that Isaiah’s mother suffered severe psychological trauma following her son’s death and later died after her health deteriorated.
Douglas concluded that while Gopaul’s upbringing was marked by trauma, neglect and instability, his return to the community was strongly opposed by many residents.
A separate report presented by Probation Officer Mahesia Granville detailed Sancharra’s impoverished upbringing, limited education and work history as a fisherman and labourer.
The report noted that he had previous convictions, including for larceny and cannabis possession, and had been involved in repeated conflicts over the years.
While prison officials observed that Sancharra had become calmer during incarceration, the report stated he had not participated in rehabilitation programmes. It also found that although he had support from family members, his criminal history and behaviour raised concerns about his prospects for rehabilitation.

Anil Sancharra and Vinod Gopaul being led away by police

Relief vessel bound for quake-hit Venezuela expected to depart on Sunday

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

A vessel loaded with approximately 1,800 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies bound for earthquake-ravaged Venezuela is expected to depart from BK Wharf on Sunday, as part of Guyana’s response to the disaster.
The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June have killed more than 2,500 people, left tens of thousands missing, and prompted international rescue and relief efforts from multiple countries.
The cargo will include rice, flour, mixed food items, baby supplies, first aid supplies, water storage tanks, medical supplies, nappies and mattresses, among the principal items being shipped to assist those affected.

Packing of supplies for Venezuela

The coordinating team told Ignite News that since a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali the previous Saturday, members have worked around the clock to collect, organise and fill containers with relief supplies. The team said the support from Guyanese and non-Guyanese alike had been remarkable, reflecting the generosity and unity of the country’s people in times of need.

Packing of supplies for Venezuela

Anna Regina Stadium opens new era for sport, tourism in Region Two

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

 

Hundreds of residents braved heavy rainfall on Friday to witness the official commissioning of the Anna Regina National Stadium, a facility President Dr Irfaan Ali said would transform sport, tourism and business opportunities in Region Two.
The ceremony featured an exhibition T20 match between the Shivnarine Chanderpaul XI and Brian Lara XI, along with a T10 contest between the Essequibo XI and a combined Demerara/Berbice XI.
Addressing the gathering in the rain, Ali described the stadium as more than a sporting venue, calling it an investment that would reshape the region’s tourism ecosystem. He said the venue was expected to attract international fixtures, including Cricket World Cup and Caribbean Premier League matches, generating business for hotels, restaurants, transport providers and vendors.
The President said the ground featured one of the world’s fastest-draining playing surfaces, allowing play to continue after heavy rain, while its floodlights met International Cricket Council standards. He added the facility would give young athletes access to world-class training without leaving the region.
Ali also cited other projects underway in Region Two, including a planned four-lane highway and Guyana’s energy programme, which he said would lower electricity costs and strengthen the local economy alongside the new stadium.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs said the stadium would position Region Two to host major sporting events while boosting sports tourism.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr called the commissioning a milestone for Essequibo, noting the Government’s commitment to completing the project. He also commended the rapid restoration of the venue following recent storm damage.

President Dr Irfaan Ali