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President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday said letters have been sent to about 1,600 individuals, as part of efforts to scrutinise how their driver’s licenses were acquired and to crack down on irregularities.

“The Traffic Chief sent out 1,600 letters to persons who they are interested in to find out how they acquired their driver’s licenses,” President Ali said at a press conference in Georgetown.

These moves come as the government forges ahead with the rollout of a smart traffic management system.

In April, President Ali said a list of persons linked to irregularities in the driver’s licensing system would be published soon. The persons named on that list would be asked to explain themselves, he said then.

There were earlier warnings from him t that persons who did not follow the proper process to obtain licences would be given six weeks to surrender themselves or face prosecution, licence suspension, and public exposure. These warnings were made, the President said, as a technology-driven audit found serious problems in the system. One issue was that people got practical certificates without passing the theory test.

 

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Amid allegations about the treatment of Indian nationals employed at the Region Seven quarry run by EKAA HRIM Earth Resources Management, the company has refuted the claims made.

At a press conference held at Cara Lodge in Georgetown on Thursday, company representatives denied that passports were confiscated and that workers were subjected to poor accommodation and inadequate meals.

Company representative Karthick Muthuvel maintained that salary obligations — including statutory remittances to the Guyana Revenue Authority and the National Insurance Scheme — had been met up to the end of March, and that payments for April and May remain outstanding but are to be settled. Muthuvel also said allegations of forced labour are “false and deeply irresponsible,” noting that no employee was compelled to remain at the site in Batavia. It was also explained that the passport were lodged at the company office at the behest of the employees, reportedly for safekeeping.

Meanwhile, EKAA’s Shiva Kumar addressed the death of worker Sekhar Chhetri, who reportedly died on May 12. The company representative said he died of a heart attack. Kumar said Chhetri’s remains are being embalmed and will be repatriated to India, with arrangements handled by Memorial Gardens.

On the question of repatriation, Yoganand Persaud, former chief labour officer who is providing consultancy services to the company, explained that the company would pay for an employee’s flight back to India after 24 months of work. If the work contract was terminated before that by the employee, they would have to pay for their flight back to India.

To move forward now, the company representatives urged the workers to engage them. Persaud assured the workers that their complaints would be individually addressed.

“We have to get each one of the workers to deal with each one, because each contract is different,” Persaud said.

Guyana’s Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning is investigating the matter. In a release issued earlier this week, the ministry said passports have been returned to the 38 workers who raised the complaints.

Subject Minister, Keoma Griffith, told reporters that the investigation now involves his ministry and the Ministries of Human Services and Home Affairs because of the seriousness and scope of the claims, which include allegations of withheld passports, unsafe working conditions, outstanding payments, and other labour violations.

According to Griffith, investigators are examining workers’ contracts, safety conditions, living arrangements, and allegations of unpaid salaries and overtime.

 

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Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) slim playoff hopes were crushed emphatically by Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on Thursday night as they sealed a top-two spot with an 89-run win.

Sent in to bat on a red-soil surface with pace and bounce, GT went all-in to post 229. Shubman Gill’s 23-ball half-century set it up for late fireworks from B Sai Sudharsan (84 off 53) and Jos Buttler (57 not out off 27).

In reply, CSK’s top five perished inside eight overs before Shivam Dube tonked 47 off 17 to briefly inject life into the chase.

His dismissal left the door ajar for GT to knock over the lower order, which they did courtesy Rashid Khan to bowl CSK out in the 14th over. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Georgetown, Guyana — LeZo Events has officially launched its highly anticipated 2026 Events Calendar, promising an unforgettable lineup of premium carnival experiences for locals, regional visitors, and international travelers alike.The calendar features a dynamic mix of food, music, culture, paint, powder, water, and road energy, all designed to elevate the 2026 Guyana Carnival season.

Leading the lineup is the stylish and highly anticipated Soca Supper, set for Friday, May 22, 2026, at the luxurious Pegasus Hotel Guyana from 3 PM to 12 AM. Patrons can expect a premium soca experience complete with finger foods included. Early bird tickets are currently available for US$75.

The festivities continue with Day Break, a breakfast party experience hosted at the AC Hotels by Marriott Georgetown Guyana on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 5 AM to 12 PM. The sunrise celebration promises high energy, premium vibes, and carnival excitement, with early bird tickets priced at US$99.

Carnival Tuesday intensifies with Rogue Nation Jouvert on May 26, 2026, from 3 AM to 7 AM. Featuring paint, powder, and water, the Jouvert experience is expected to deliver the raw energy and revelry synonymous with Caribbean carnival traditions. Registration is officially live.

Also taking place on May 26, 2026, is the highly anticipated Mas Mani Carnival Parade, where revelers will take to the streets in stunning costumes under sections including Frozen and Storm. Registration for the parade is now open.

International comedy star Junior Lee has also been announced as the official ambassador for all Mas Mani events, bringing additional excitement and international appeal to the 2026 carnival season.

Tickets and registrations are available online via Potsalt Events and Eventbrite. Persons seeking additional information can call or WhatsApp +592 629-8145.

LeZo Events continues to position itself as a major force in Guyana’s entertainment and carnival landscape, delivering curated experiences that showcase Caribbean culture, music, and celebration at the highest level (Press release)

 

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A young woman is currently coping with the loss of her husband and son, both of whom tragically died in a motor vehicle collision on Wednesday afternoon.

Joseph Mangar, aged 32, and Johnathan Mangar, aged 4, passed away in the accident.

Dellissa Mangar, the wife of Joseph and mother of Jonathan, told the News Room that she had left her residence early in the morning after her husband had dropped the children off at school.

Dellissa stated that Joseph was expected to pick up their six-year-old daughter; however, he did not arrive to do so. She said she received a distressing phone call from her mother-in-law, informing her of the accident.

Upon receiving the call, Dellissa mentioned that she immediately went to the scene. There, she observed her husband and son lying motionless on the ground. She noted that, based on her observation, there were no visible injuries on their bodies.

Dellissa further stated that it appears her husband and son were traveling towards Black Bush Polder.

Expressing her grief, Dellissa said, “Losing my son and husband is hard. No matter what, I love them so much and I miss both of them. My son was my happiness, my joy, my peace. Now I have to live for my daughter.”

The police issued a statement indicating that at approximately 13:50 hours, Joseph was driving motor vehicle PYY 2317 southbound along the Lesbeholden Public Road, Black Bush Polder, allegedly at a high speed, when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle subsequently ended up in a canal situated on the western side of the aforementioned road.

As a result, the vehicle became submerged. Public-spirited citizens rescued Joseph and his son from the canal and conveyed them to the Port Mourant Public Hospital. Medical personnel examined them, and both were pronounced dead on arrival.

A postmortem examination conducted on Thursday confirmed that the cause of death for both Joseph and Jonathan was asphyxia due to drowning.

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Read full statement from the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA):

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is delighted to announce the successful election of its new Board of Directors for the term 2026/2027. The association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), conducted in two parts, saw the election of the President and the appointment of key leadership positions within the organisation. On April 24, 2026, thirteen board directors were elected through an electronic voting process by members who attended in-person. On May 20, 2026, the President, three Vice-Presidents and Treasurer were elected. The remaining members were elected to form the Board of Directors inclusive of Chairpersons of the various Sub-Sectors.

Rafeek Khan, Managing Director of Durable Wood Products, was re-elected as President of the Association. He will be supported by Ramsay Ali, CEO of Sterling Products Inc.; Vasudeo Singh, Group Finance Director & Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Distillers Ltd. as Second Vice President and Treasurer; and Malisa Nokta, Finance Director and Company Secretary at Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC) as Third Vice President. This diverse team and the expertise of the newly elected directors promise a vibrant and inclusive governance framework for the upcoming year.

Rafeek Khan is the founder and managing director of Durable Wood Products Inc. and DuraVilla Homes. He is a business developer with over 20 years’ experience in the timber industry involving sawmilling and manufacturing of building products used primarily for industrial residential construction. He served as President of the GMSA for two terms: 2022/2023 and 2025/2026. In his renewed tenure, Mr. Khan is focused on broadening the Association’s reach across a wider cross-section of Guyana’s rapidly growing economy, championing strong advocacy on behalf of members, and strategically positioning businesses to maximise the opportunities presented by the Government of Guyana’s development agenda through 2030 and beyond.

The 2026/2027 Board Members are as follows: –

1. Durable Wood Products Inc. – Mr. Rafeek Khan, President of GMSA
2. Sterling Products Ltd. – Mr. Ramsay Ali, First Vice-President, Chairperson of the Agro-Processing Sub-Sector
3. Demerara Distillers Ltd. – Mr. Vasudeo Singh, Second Vice-President & Treasurer
4. Environmental Management Consultants Inc. – Mrs. Malisa Nokta, Third Vice President
5. Bounty Farm Ltd. – Mr. David Fernandes, Chairman of the Agriculture Sub-Sector
6. Barama Company Ltd. – Mr. Neil Chand, Chairman of the Extractive Industries Sub-Sector
7. Corriea & Corriea Ltd. – Dr. Marie Correia, Chairperson of the Construction & Engineering Sub-Sector
8. Keen360 Inc. – Mr. Zahid Khan, Chairman of the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Sub-Sector
9. EICCIO Advisers – Mr. Theon Alleyne, Chairman of Services Sub-Sector
10. New GPC – Mr. Keshwar Singh, Chairman of the Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Sub-Sector
11. DENMOR Garment Manufacturers Inc. – Ms. Upasna Mudlier, Chairman of Textiles & Sewn Goods Sub-Sector
12. Rid-O-Pes – Mr. Timoty Tucker, Chairman of the Trade, Investment& Legal Committee, Board Member
13. Banks DIH Ltd. – Mr. David Carto, Board Member
14. Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry Ltd. (B.A.C.I.F) – Mr. Peter Pompey, Board Member
15. Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd. – Mr. Raymond Ramsaroop, Board Member
16. UMAMI Inc. – Mr. Chris Persaud, Board Member
17. Comfort Sleep Inc. – Mr. Dennis Charran, Board Member
18. Vista Holdings Inc. – Mr. Orson Ferguson, Board Member
19. Amaya Milk Company Guyana Inc. – Mr. Omkaar Sharma, Board Member
20. Bulkan Timber Works Inc. – Mrs. Roseann Bulkan, Board Member
21. Kanoo (Guyana) Inc. – Mr. Chet Bowling, Board Member

 

The new Board of Directors is poised to build upon past achievements and set a strategic direction for continued excellence in serving the interests of Guyana’s manufacturing and services sectors.

 

-END-

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Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud has said that migrant labour should not be viewed as a threat to local workers, but rather as part of a broader effort to address the growing skills shortage in Guyana.

Speaking during a national discussion on labour, diaspora engagement and workforce development, held on Wednesday, Persaud stressed that the country’s rapid transformation requires a balanced approach that develops local talent while also attracting skills from abroad.

“This is not a conversation about excluding persons living here. It is about including and enhancing local capacity while bridging the skills gap,” Persaud said.

He argued that migrants and returning members of the diaspora are meant to complement, not replace, Guyanese workers.

According to Persaud, the aim is to support national development while ensuring local citizens continue to benefit from expanding opportunities. He also said that competition for skilled workers has intensified between the public and private sectors, especially as the economy continues to grow.

“There has always been competition for talent. Now, as the country develops, that challenge has become even greater. The vision is about putting Guyanese first and giving them opportunities to participate in every sector of the country’s transformation,” he said.

He also said that Guyana has long maintained systems to regulate foreign labour. Companies seeking overseas workers, he explained, must prove that the required skills are unavailable locally before approval is granted.

Persaud also defended the country’s labour protections, arguing that Guyana has some of the strongest worker-protection measures in the Caribbean region.

The forum also examined diaspora return programmes, migrant labour pathways and strategies to train local workers for emerging opportunities across the economy.

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Corporate support for the highly anticipated 2026 One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast continues as Sawa Investments Inc. has officially come on board as a major partner.

The company has committed $500,000 to sponsor the first prize for the tournament’s Berbice Zone.

The Berbice Zone, scheduled for August 8–9, will feature 16 teams battling across four venues: the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground, No. 69 Ground, Welfare Ground (Canje), and the Albion Sports Complex, which is slated to host the zonal finals on Sunday, August 9.

Speaking at the official handover presentation to tournament organisers FL Sport, Samantha Reid, Chief Executive Officer of Sawa Investments Inc., highlighted her deep personal and regional ties to the sport.

“From a personal standpoint, I am a deep lover of cricket. Being from Berbice has further created a deep-rooted connection to the sport, given the many stalwarts that have come from the county,” Reid shared. “Cricket is us, cricket is Guyana, cricket is Guyanese.”

Tournament Director John Ramsingh expressed immense gratitude for the timely corporate backing, noting how critical grassroots investment is to the tournament’s expanding footprint.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sawa Investments to the One Guyana T10 Blast family,” Ramsingh stated.

“Their generous sponsorship of the Berbice Zone underscores the vital role corporate Guyana plays in elevating grassroots cricket. Berbice is an undeniable powerhouse of talent, and this $500,000 prize gives local teams an incredible incentive to showcase their absolute best.

Partners like Sawa Investments allow us to dream bigger and deliver a truly professional platform for players across the country.”

Financial incentives for the 2026 season have reached an all-time high. For the first time, cash prizes are guaranteed for every single team that reaches the quarter-final stage of their respective zone.

Rewards begin at $25,000 for losing zonal quarter-finalists and scale up significantly, culminating in the $500,000 purse pocketed by the zonal winners before they advance to the National Finals.

The stakes at the national level are even higher, as teams will compete for a $2,000,000 grand prize, while the runner-up takes home $1,000,000.

In addition to the substantial cash prizes, the four national finalists will earn the prestigious right to represent Guyana at the upcoming Global T10 Tapeball Blast this October.

Individual brilliance will also be handsomely rewarded throughout the tournament. The eventual tournament MVP is set to walk away with $150,000 and a motorbike.

Specialised awards for the leading run-scorer and top wicket-taker include $100,000 and a new television each, ensuring that personal milestones are celebrated alongside team success.

The 2026 edition introduces a streamlined registration process and a phased approach to squad submissions.

Captains can secure their team’s spot right away with a G$35,000 entry fee and finalise their ultimate 15-man talent pools closer to their respective zonal start dates.

Registration forms are currently available through the tournament’s official social media channels or via direct WhatsApp contact at +592 635-2235.

Following the opening 16-team leg in Berbice on August 8–9, the tournament will move on to East Bank/West Demerara (August 15-16) and Essequibo (August 22-23) in subsequent weeks.

In a strategic move to maximise fan engagement and support local cricket festivities, the competition will pause during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) window.

Action will resume post-CPL with the highly competitive Georgetown/East Coast Demerara leg (September 26-27 & October 3-4), all leading toward the historic national grand finale on October 11, 2026, which will be hosted for the first time at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two.

 

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One thousand house lots will be available to residents of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) when the Ministry of Housing hosts a major “Dream Realised” housing exercise on June 5, 2026 at the Shieldstown Cricket Ground.

Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, said the initiative forms part of government’s commitment to clearing the long-standing backlog of housing applicants in the region.

Croal told the News Room that Region Five has not hosted a major “Dream Realised” exercise in recent months, with the last major engagement held in October 2024.

He noted that during that exercise, authorities were unable to accommodate all persons who turned out, resulting in more than 300 applicants being turned away.

“As a result, there were 300 plus applicants who were turned away. Now I can tell those 304 persons, as part of the 1,000 that we will be committing on June 5, you are the priority,” he said.

Croal explained that the government is now moving aggressively to clear the region’s housing backlog and expects to address all pending applications submitted up to December 31, 2025 by the end of next year.

“Our work therefore to clear the backlog, we would be able to say by the end of 2026 we will be able to clear all the pending applicants for Region Five that has land applications by the end of 2025 and prior,” he explained.

In addition to the allocation of house lots, more than 450 land titles will also be distributed during the exercise.

“Security of tenure, ownership is also important…so we have 450 plus certificates of title that will be available for distribution,” Croal said.

Croal further explained that over 300 titles from Lot 16 Experiment are ready for collection, while an additional 145 titles are available for persons in the Blairmont-Shieldstown area who have already completed the necessary processing.

“You will be able to come on June 5 to uplift your title,” he added.

Croal also provided an update on the Burma housing development, revealing that infrastructure works for a section of the area was stalled after the initial contractor was terminated.

“We have had to terminate that contractor and we have since reached to the stage whereby we will be awarding in the coming week…so one can expect within two to three weeks the resumption of the completion of the first phase infrastructure within the Burma area,” he explained.

Meanwhile, financial institutions, including banks, are expected to be present at the housing outreach to provide advice and planning assistance to prospective homeowners.

“We look forward to be able to service you as we embark to fulfill our commitment to delivering on the access to land and homeownership,” Croal said.

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Football fans across Guyana are gearing up for a premium matchday atmosphere as Heineken officially unveils the ultimate UEFA Champions League Final Viewing Experience.

The highly anticipated European showcase will take over the Kingston Beachfront on Saturday, May 30, 2026, transforming the venue into a vibrant hub for the country’s football faithful.

This year’s showpiece event features a heavyweight clash between French champions Paris Saint-Germain and English powerhouse Arsenal. With the stakes at an all-time high, organisers are promising an unforgettable stadium-like atmosphere right on the Atlantic coast.

Gates are scheduled to open at 11:00 a.m., giving supporters plenty of time to soak up the pre-match build-up before the action kicks off at 12:00 p.m.

The premium beachside event is set to deliver more than just ninety minutes of elite football. Heineken has secured a heavyweight lineup of Guyana’s top musical talent to provide entertainment throughout the day, featuring sets from DJ Gully Ras, DJ Stephan from 71 Sounds, Selector Diamond, and DJ Country Boy.

In the buildup to the grand finale, fans are also being given a direct route to score exclusive Champions League merchandise and secure their tickets to the event.

Under the nationwide promotion, consumers who purchase any Heineken six-pack of 330ml or 250ml bottles at participating retail outlets will be in the running to secure access to the beachfront celebration.

Major local retail hubs have been activated nationwide for the promotion, including Massy Stores, Bounty Supermarkets, and DSL locations, as well as Andrew’s Supermarket, FreshCo Supermarket, Real Value, S&S Supermarket, Yam’s Liquor Store, and ANSA McAL depots in Berbice and BV.

The initiative continues Heineken’s long-standing tradition of bridging world-class football with local fan culture, aimed at creating memorable experiences centred around global sport and togetherness.

While the anticipation continues to mount for the historic Anglo-French clash, organisers have reminded all patrons planning to attend the festivities to enjoy the matchday experience responsibly. (Modified Press Release) 

 

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