Tag: update

Guyana is self-sufficient in poultry production and is seeking to further expand the sector through investment in breeding facilities, local feed production and biosecurity measures as demand rises with economic growth, the Ministry of Agriculture said on Friday.

The ministry made the disclosure in written responses to questions from Opposition Member of Parliament Terrence Campbell during a parliamentary sitting.

It said domestic producers are meeting local demand despite rising consumption driven by economic expansion, although limited imports of certain poultry parts are permitted.

“Guyana is currently self-sufficient and able to meet local demand. However, the expanded extractive and hospitality sectors have increased demand for additional chicken parts, for which limited imports are allowed,” the ministry said.

To support the sector, the government has maintained zero-rated taxes on poultry inputs and allocated about G$60 million for vaccines to protect flocks from disease, it said. The ministry also pointed to biosecurity training, extension services and climate-resilience measures, including temperature-controlled broiler pens and an expanded breeder programme.

Seven broiler breeder facilities are expected to become operational within 16 months, with capacity for 70,000 breeders, the ministry said, adding that the initiative is aimed at reducing reliance on imported hatching eggs. Poultry production is targeted to exceed 100,000 metric tonnes by 2030.

The ministry also addressed import restrictions introduced following regional avian influenza outbreaks, saying the ban was a biosecurity measure and that no exemptions or import licences have been granted to date, though controlled imports may be considered based on risk assessments and supply needs.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira said Guyana is making steady progress in its fight against corruption through stronger institutions, improved inter-agency collaboration, and enhanced investigative and prosecutorial capacity.
Responding to questions from WIN Member of Parliament Tabitha Sarabo-Halley in the National Assembly on Friday, Teixeira defended the government’s anti-corruption record and pointed to reforms and institutional improvements which she said are yielding results.
“We have been making good progress, as we say in Guyana, ‘one, one dutty build dam’,” Teixeira told the House. “We have had to do things one at a time to build the capacity of the human resources within each agency, and to develop collaboration between agencies in order to bring stronger investigations and prosecutions,” she added.
Teixeira said Guyana’s anti-corruption efforts had received international recognition, citing measures related to asset forfeiture and oversight bodies.
“Our position on asset forfeiture has been recognised by the UN Convention Against Corruption. Our best practices with regard to the Auditor General’s Office and the Public Service Commission are recognised by the Inter-American Commission Against Corruption,” she said.
Asked about the effectiveness of government-led anti-corruption workshops, Teixeira acknowledged there was no available data linking the programmes directly to reduced corruption levels, but said they had improved standards, protocols, and cooperation among agencies.
“We have been reporting, and our progress is noted in terms of improvements in collaboration, improvements in standards and protocols, and the manner in which prosecutions are brought before the court,” she said.
The minister also pointed to recent Auditor General reports, saying there had been a reduction in the number of issues raised regarding follow-up action and the implementation of recommendations.
She said several anti-corruption agencies had developed capacities that did not previously exist, strengthening the country’s ability to investigate and address wrongdoing.
Looking ahead, Teixeira said amendments to the Integrity Commission Act are being prepared and are expected to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
She also said the government had not ruled out establishing an independent anti-corruption agency in the future.
“When the time comes, and when we decide to create an anti-corruption unit, we will use the best practices we know from other countries and draw on our own experience to develop that,” she said.
However, Teixeira said the government continued to assess existing models, including lessons learned from the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA).
“But right now, the model of SARA and the experience of SARA showed that the head of SARA had more powers than the Commissioner of Police, the DPP, and other constitutionally appointed office holders,” she said.
Teixeira said tackling corruption required long-term institutional development and cultural change, adding that the government remained focused on strengthening oversight agencies, improving accountability systems, and fostering greater intolerance towards corruption.

Hundreds of families in Region Five moved closer to homeownership on Friday after the government distributed more than 400 land titles and 1,000 house lots during its “Dream Realised” housing drive at the Rosignol Stelling Tarmac.
The titles were distributed to beneficiaries from housing schemes at Experiment, Blairmont and Shieldstown on the West Coast of Berbice, while allocations were made primarily in the low- and moderate-income categories.
The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to regularise land ownership and reduce a housing backlog in the region, where about 4,100 applications are pending.
Recipient Bibi Hafeeza Baksh said receiving the title after years of waiting would allow her family to renovate their home and improve their living conditions.
Melissa Wallason of Lovely Lass said the document would help her pursue financing to begin building a home for her family, while Shanita Jainarine of Woodley Park Village described the moment as significant after waiting since 2011 for ownership documents.
The government said new housing developments are being opened at Track A Hope and Track C Experiment, while more than 2,000 additional house lots have been identified for future allocation in Region Five.
Authorities said more than $9.5 billion has already been invested in housing and infrastructure development in the region, with a further $1.5 billion earmarked for next year as efforts continue to expand access to homeownership.

Randy Mangal of Skeldon Linepath Secondary School was named Top National Youth Environmental Advocate on Friday after winning Recover Guyana’s SHOUT4Change competition, which challenged students to propose solutions to environmental issues in schools.

The four-stage contest, held on World Environment Day at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, brought together finalists from 20 secondary schools across the country and focused on environmental protection, leadership and STEM-based solutions.

Mangal’s winning proposal centres on converting waste into usable school infrastructure, including seating and vertical gardens, as well as introducing water refill stations to reduce plastic bottle use. He received a laptop, one year of free internet service and an education voucher worth $100,000.

Bhomika Singh of Tagore Memorial High School placed second, while Brandon Holder of Hope Secondary School and Orlando Reynolds of President’s College placed third and fourth respectively. All finalists received laptops, internet service and education vouchers of varying value.

The final round featured prepared speeches, impromptu presentations and a question segment focused on how students would integrate STEM-based solutions into environmental projects if given funding.

Recover Guyana founder and president Dave Lalltoo said the 2026 edition marked an expansion of the programme’s focus on youth empowerment through STEM integration and practical environmental learning. He said the competition received more than 70 submissions at the initial stage.

ExxonMobil Guyana supported the initiative. Socioeconomic Manager Lorna Carlson said the programme aligned with the company’s approach of balancing energy development with environmental protection.

Additional sponsors included Scotiabank Guyana, One Communications, Massy Stores Guyana, GuyOil, Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel and others.

The competition, first held in 2023, has previously been won by students from Queen’s College, whose projects included water purification, hydroponics gardening and waste reduction initiatives.

A $54.9 billion supplementary financial request was tabled in the National Assembly on Friday.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, presented Supplementary Financial Paper No. 1 of 2026, seeking approval for additional spending up to December 31, 2026, to support ongoing infrastructure and social development initiatives.
The package includes $17.5 billion for the housing sector to support an accelerated programme aimed at expanding home construction and reducing application backlogs. Authorities have pledged the construction of 40,000 homes and faster processing of pending applications.
A further $19.1 billion is allocated to the Office of the Prime Minister, including support for the Gas-to-Energy project, which is expected to cut electricity costs by half once operational.
The Ministry of Public Works is slated to receive $8.5 billion for road rehabilitation, drainage works and hinterland connectivity projects.
Agriculture is allocated $8.3 billion, including support for the Guyana Rice Development Board, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.
Additional provisions include $600 million for coastal airstrip maintenance and water interventions under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, and $60 million for the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The government said the supplementary funding supports continued investments in infrastructure, housing, energy, education, healthcare and digital services aimed at improving living standards and expanding public services.

The Teaching Service Commission expects to conclude disciplinary hearings within 10 days into allegations of mistreatment of a student at the David Rose Special Education Needs School by two teachers, Education Minister Sonia Parag said on Friday.
Parag said she visited the school on May 29 after a video of the incident circulated, meeting parents, guardians and the head teacher to hear concerns and ensure support for the student.
The Ministry of Education had earlier engaged school staff and Parent-Teacher Association representatives as part of its investigation and information-gathering process.
A report containing statements, findings and recommendations has been submitted to the Teaching Service Commission, which has constitutional authority over disciplinary action involving teachers in non-board schools under Article 209(1) of Guyana’s Constitution.
The ministry said it will continue cooperating with the commission to facilitate completion of the process.
A Board of Governors, including parent representatives, has been established to strengthen oversight and accountability at the school. The ministry is also working with the family to ensure the student receives appropriate support.
Parag described the incident as “wholly unacceptable,” saying it did not reflect the standards expected of educators.

Guyana and the United States held high-level talks in Washington focused on energy, security and diplomacy, with U.S. officials reaffirming support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud led the delegation during engagements on June 1–2 covering energy development, border security and broader diplomatic relations.
Discussions with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright centred on Guyana’s growing role as a major energy producer and opportunities for expanded bilateral engagement in the energy sector. Both sides underscored that sovereignty and security are fundamental to the responsible development of energy resources and long-term energy security.
At the Department of War, Acting Assistant Secretary Joseph Humire held discussions on border security cooperation, including efforts to address irregular migration, illicit trafficking and other transnational threats, as well as measures to strengthen Guyana’s border management capacity and resilience.
In a separate meeting, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reiterated U.S. support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and discussed diplomatic and strategic priorities, following earlier engagements with President Irfaan Ali.
The delegation also included Ambassador Samuel Hinds, advisor Wazim Mowla and Minister Counsellor Keishanna Sullivan.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has launched a Co-Invest Initiative aimed at expanding affordable childcare and eldercare services across Guyana, while creating entrepreneurial opportunities for women.
Under the programme, the government will partner with individuals and groups interested in establishing childcare and eldercare facilities within their communities, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud said.
“We will, as the name suggests, invest with you. This is to provide childcare and eldercare services in your communities — affordable for those who want to use them and convenient so that they can place their children or their seniors in safe spaces,” she said.
The initiative targets the growing demand for accessible care options for working parents, students and families caring for elderly relatives. Applicants with suitable spaces that can be refurbished may qualify for government funding to develop safe, child-friendly environments.
Participants will be able to register via a QR code provided by the ministry.
Persaud said the initiative also aims to empower women through business opportunities, adding that technical assistance, monitoring and free training will be provided.
Persons without formal training will be offered skills development, while those seeking to complete existing qualifications can also access support at no cost.
The minister encouraged prospective participants to assess community needs and consider group applications, describing the programme as a transformative effort to expand care services while promoting employment, entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment across all regions.