Blog

The decision by the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department to intensify enforcement of the country’s vehicle tint regulations deserves public support. The approach being taken by Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh is important with respect to ensuring that road safety laws are respected consistently and that businesses involved in the installation of vehicle tint also recognise their responsibilities under the law.

The issue is not whether vehicle owners should be allowed to tint their vehicles. The issue is whether tint is being installed and used within the limits established by law.

The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations, gazetted on January 1, 2026, provide clear standards for the amount of light that must pass through vehicle windows. Front side windows must permit at least 25 percent Visible Light Transmission (VLT), while rear side windows and the rear windscreen must permit at least 20 percent. Tinting is prohibited on the front windscreen, apart from a permitted visor strip.

These requirements were not introduced without consideration and motorists were given a three-month amnesty period following the introduction of the regulations to test their tint and make the necessary adjustments. Full enforcement commenced on April 1, 2026, with a $30,000 fine applicable for non-compliance.

There has therefore been ample time for vehicle owners and tint installers to familiarise themselves with the requirements.

The reported enforcement figures indicate that non-compliance remains widespread. According to Singh, more than 100 tint-related cases have been recorded each week since enforcement began, with the majority involving excessively dark front windscreens.

Such figures should not be dismissed as merely another example of police enforcement. Excessively dark tint can have serious implications for road safety, particularly by reducing visibility into and out of vehicles. The ability of motorists, pedestrians and law enforcement officers to see clearly around a vehicle is an important component of safe road use.

The use of calibrated tint meters by the Traffic Department is particularly important. Enforcement must be based on objective measurements rather than personal judgment. A calibrated instrument provides a consistent means of determining whether a vehicle meets the legal standard and helps protect both motorists and enforcement officers from unnecessary disputes.

The decision to extend scrutiny to tint installers is equally significant.

If a business knowingly installs tint that does not comply with the law, responsibility should not rest solely with the vehicle owner. Businesses that provide specialised services have a duty to understand the regulations governing their operations and to ensure that customers are not encouraged or enabled to breach them.

This is not an argument for the closure of tint businesses as indeed; Singh has correctly emphasised that the enforcement exercise is not intended to remove legitimate businesses from the marketplace. Rather, the objective is compliance.

There is considerable room for tint installers to remain profitable while operating within the law. Compliance can become a selling point rather than a threat to the industry. Businesses that properly advise customers about permissible VLT levels and install compliant products can help motorists avoid fines while contributing to safer road conditions.

The Traffic Department must, however, ensure that enforcement against installers is carried out with the same fairness, consistency and evidentiary standards expected in every other aspect of traffic policing. Before a vendor is charged, there must be clear evidence establishing responsibility and knowledge of the unlawful installation. The law must be applied firmly, but also properly.

When regulations are introduced but violations are routinely overlooked, respect for the law gradually weakens. Once a practice becomes widespread, reversing it becomes considerably more difficult. Effective enforcement at an early stage is therefore preferable to allowing non-compliance to become entrenched.

Guyana’s roads already face significant challenges, including congestion, reckless driving and other forms of non-compliance. Every reasonable measure that can improve visibility, accountability and adherence to established road rules should be welcomed.

The Traffic Chief’s position that enforcement is being undertaken for the benefit of the public is therefore worthy of support. The responsibility now rests with motorists, tint installers and the business community to understand the regulations and comply with them.

The post Enforcing tint law for safer roads, not shutting down businesses appeared first on Guyana Times.

The Limacol Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) on Friday confirmed the overseas players who will represent franchises in the upcoming season, with a host of international stars from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, and Ireland set to line up alongside the region’s finest talent.
The confirmed overseas signings are as follows:
Barbados Tridents
Madeline Green (New Zealand)
Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
Pooja Vastrakar (India)
Kiran Navgire (India)
Defending champions Barbados Tridents have announced the overseas signings for this year’s Limacol WCPL. Suzie Bates of New Zealand will join WCPL debutants Madeline Green, the hard-hitting batter of New Zealand, along with fast bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar and middle-order batter Kiran Navgire of India.

Guyana Amazon Warriors
Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)
Erin Burns (Australia)
Chloe Tryon (South Africa)
Tazmin Brits (South Africa)
Nadine de Klerk (South Africa)
In their quest for their maiden WCPL title, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have secured the services of international super stars Shabnim Ismail, Chloe Tryon, Tanzim Brits, Nadine de Klerk, and Erin Burns. South African Ismail, who picked up 16 wickets across two seasons in 2023 and 2024, will spearhead the fast-bowling attack with support from Nadine de Klerk, also from South Africa. The batting will revolve around Australian Erin Burns, who scored two half-centuries in 2024 for the Warriors. Burns will be supported by all-rounder Chloe Tryon and top-order batter Tazmin Brits. All of the international players have played in the WCPL before except South African Tazmin Brits.

Jamaica Empress
Meg Lanning (Australia)
Amy Hunter (Ireland)
Nonku Mlaba (South Africa)
Syeda Aroob Shah (Pakistan)
Rosemary Mair (New Zealand)
The new franchise, Jamaica Empress, will be looking to make an impression in their debut season by signing superstars Meg Lanning, Amy Hunter, Nonku Mlaba, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Rosemary Mair. Lanning, the former Australia Captain with over 200 international white-ball matches and more than 150 T20s at the franchise level for various teams, is ready for her WCPL debut. The 34-year-old Lanning will be joined by Ireland’s opener and wicketkeeper Amy Hunter, South African sensational left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and White Ferns player Rosemary Mair. New Zealander Rosemary Mair is eager to make her mark in her debut season as a right-arm seamer. She will be joined by fellow WCPL debutant Syeda Aroob Shah.

Trinbago Knight Riders
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)
Shikha Pandey (India)
Laura Harris (Australia)
Madeline Penna (Australia)
Yastika Bhatia (India)
With an excellent crop of local and regional players, the Trinbago Knight Riders have contracted international stardom to round off their side for the Limacol WCPL this year. South African Marizanne Kapp, with more than 200 T20s with various franchise teams, is set for her WCPL debut alongside Australians. Laura Harris and Madeline Penna. Harris has WCPL experience, having represented the Guyana Amazon Warriors in five matches in 2025 and the Barbados Tridents in 10 matches across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, while leg-spinner Penna will be expected to lead the spin bowling attack at the Kensington Oval. The will also be joined by Indian wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia for the 2026 season.

The post Overseas players confirmed for Limacol WCPL appeared first on Guyana Times.

…stranded passengers prioritised for transport

Nearly one week after the suspension of the ferry service between Guyana and Suriname, the MV Canawaima vessel was cleared by Dutch maritime authorities to resume operations on Friday. Last Saturday, the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) had temporarily suspended the Guyana-Suriname ferry service, ordering that the MV Canawaima, which plies that route, to undergo repairs immediately instead of waiting until the scheduled dry-docking in the coming months. This move had left scores of passengers stranded in both Guyana and Suriname. However, following a series of successful technical inspections and adherence of specific requirements of MAS, the ferry service was given clearance to resume operations on Friday – a move that was welcomed by the Guyana Government which indicated that the stranded passengers would be prioritised. “The service between Guyana and Suriname will continue according to its regular schedule. The top priority today will be transporting stranded passengers,” the missive detailed. Earlier this week, efforts were being made to secure an alternative vessel to operate the route but this proposal was turned down by the MAS.
According to the Guyana Government, representatives have worked tirelessly over the past several days with their Surinamese counterparts to ensure all safety and structural compliance were met so the ferry can return to service at the soonest possible time given the importance of this link between the two countries. “We were aware of the considerable inconvenience this temporary suspension had on the public in both countries and as such, ensured that everything that had to be done was done. The safety and wellbeing of the public was never lost at any time during this period,” the Government stated. It added, “We thank all the relevant authorities and other stakeholders for their cooperation and support while this situation was being resolved. Most importantly, we thank the public for their patience during this time. As much as it was a terrible inconvenience, which we truly regret, their ultimate safety was top priority.” Meanwhile, the Government further indicated that during this period, Guyana and Suriname will continue discussions for the subsequent drydocking of the MV Canawaima and a replacement vessel to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted flow of the ferry service.
The Canawaima Ferry Service is jointly owned by the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, with each country having 50 per cent of the issued share capital. It is the holding company for the Canawaima Management Company NV, a wholly owned subsidiary which was incorporated in Suriname. Based on that Joint Venture agreement, Guyana supplies all fuels, lubricants and batteries to facilitate the daily operation of the ferry while Suriname takes care of the maintenance and dry docking of the vessel. This recently suspension of service comes just over a week after the Surinamese maritime officials had threatened to halt operations if safety deficiencies on the vessel were not addressed by the end of August 13, 2026.
However, service had returned to normalcy the following day after it was stated that the vessel was inspected and the concerns were addressed, with further issues to be fixed during dry-docking scheduled within the next three months. But on Saturday, August 22, passengers turned up at Moleson Creek only to find the gates to the ferry stelling closed. Later that evening, the Canawaima Ferry Service Inc, in a public notice posted on the Facebook page of Guyana’s Embassy in Suriname, announced that the ferry service was suspended, due to “scheduled works” and no date was given for its resumption. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had subsequently explained that two technical inspections were conducted by maritime experts from both Guyana and Suriname, who concluded that the vessel could remain in operation until it entered drydock within the next three months.
“Despite these assurances which were provided in writing the Maritime Authority in Suriname insisted that certain matters which would have been addressed during drydocking, should be undertaken immediately,” Edghill said in a missive on August 22. Meanwhile, the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) had called for support for the stranded passengers on both sides of the Corentyne River, adding that this latest disruption underscores the need for a dedicated secondary vessel and, ultimately, investment in a new ferry to ensure the Guyana-Suriname link is not completely disrupted whenever the Canawaima is unavailable. Some of the stranded passengers had sought alternative ways to cross the Corentyne River but initially encountered difficulties due to the absence of an arrangement on the Surinamese side to facilitate immigration processing for persons using the small-boat service. This was later resolved on Monday, when authorities in Suriname gave the go-ahead for an arrangement to facilitate those travellers. Since then, passengers have been able to have their travel documents processed at the official ports before using the small boats to cross the Corentyne River and continue their journeys between Guyana and Suriname. The Springlands–Nickerie route, commonly referred to as the “back track”, has three operators using speedboats to transport passengers across the river. Owner of Golden Gloves Boat Service, Muhammed Murcalin, had said earlier this week that the situation has returned to some level of normalcy following the introduction of the immigration arrangement.
According to Murcalin, close to 200 passengers were travelling back and forth across the river daily, compared with fewer than 120 when the ferry was operating. He estimated that about seven trips are made from the location on an average day, although boats do not necessarily have to be filled before leaving.

The post Guyana-Suriname ferry service resumes after ban on MV Canawaima lifted appeared first on Guyana Times.

The Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League Season Eight will officially kick off tonight with a double-header at the National Training Centre.
The opening programme is scheduled to begin at 18:30h, with Den Amstel Football Club (FC) facing Fruta Conquerors FC in the first encounter. The Guyana Defence Force FC will then battle Monedderlust FC in the second match of the evening.

The two fixtures will follow the official launch of the 2026 season, which is expected to set the tone for another competitive campaign among Guyana’s leading football clubs.
Slingerz FC will enter the new season as the defending champions and will be aiming to retain the country’s top domestic football title.
Tonight’s double-header will give the four participating teams an early opportunity to make a strong start as the race for the Season Eight title begins.

The post Elite League Season 8 kicks off tonight at GFF NTC appeared first on Guyana Times.

Pres Trump has just extended his corollary to his Donroe Doctrine that focuses on toponymy – which in case you didn’t know – has to do with the naming of geographical entities like countries and rivers and such like!! First came the Gulf of Mexico, which became the “Gulf of America” and a couple of days ago – in the midst of his spat with Canada’s Carney on trade issues – he announced that henceforth, Lake Ontario, is gonna be called “Lake America”!!
And in case folks couldn’t understand the logic of the US President’s insistence on making things simple – without all the fancy theory and big words of the woke crowd – he helpfully explained the next step: “If you think about it, we have a gulf and we have a lake. Now, all we need is an ocean.” Logical, innit??
Think of how many problems would be solved if eventually everything on Earth is called “America”!! The Atlantic Ocean? – America Ocean; the Indian Ocean? – maybe that one might require some diplomatic consultation — but ultimately, it’ll be “America Ocean” since Modi goes along with Pres Trump directives to India everytime!!! As a sop to European sensibilities, the Mediterranean might be renamed the Mediterranean America – just to remind them they’re surrounded by things that used to have other names!!
Geography lessons would become wonderfully simple. “Where’s Canada?” – “America”!! “Mexico?” – “America, of course!!” And so on!! Unfortunately travel agents might face a minor administrative problem when passengers arriving at an airport ask: “Which America am I flying to?” and the answer would be “All of them!!” Your Eyewitness can just imagine the formerly soothing Airline announcements that could become particularly challenging – “Passengers travelling to America on Flight 457 to America, please proceed to Gate America. The flight will depart for America at 8:15 and arrive in America at 11:40 local America time”!!
But the toponymical innovation might just solve the vexed issue of illegal immigration that has so upset the Yanks!! Immigration officers seeking to deny entry and the ICE goon squads trying to cleanse America would have to abandon geography altogether!! When anyone is asked “Country of origin?” they’ll be answering truthfully, “America!!”- because that’s what everywhere is now named!!
But after our Carolyn Birkett-Rodrigues becomes the Secretary General of the UN, she’s gonna have a heck of a time trying to count up votes on the pressing issues she worked so hard to get on the agenda – when every country the world answer to “America” – and vote both yes and no!!
And then when the final frontier’s conquered after Musk’s manned spacecraft reaches our fourth planet – imagine the Martians protesting that their planet ain’t America!!

…new with Sanction Man?
For your Eyewitness, one good thing about Sanction Man becoming our LOO is he can always be counted to provide grist for his (Eyewitness) mill on slow news days like today!! Never mind the grist might’ve been ground so fine you’d think it’s powder that should be blowin’ in the wind by now!! So, while we haven’t finished untangling his lies about his “go fast” boat, another of iron he had in the fire – this time in our Court of Appeal – popped up!!
His battery of lawyers had appealed the High Court’s decision rejecting his claim that our extradition treaty’s enabling law – the Fugitive Offenders Act- was unconstitutional and “tried a t’ing” to stave off that orange jump suit in Miami!! But unlike the CCJ – where he’d filed another appeal – the Appellate Court hasn’t stayed Magistrate Judy from proceeding on his extradition next week!!
Interestingly, however, they didn’t rule on the substantive claim of “unconstitutionality” – but reserved judgement for Oct!!
More grist for your Eyewitness!!

…open or closed?
It’s now been exactly six months since Iran first closed the Strait of Hormuz and the Yanks said NO!! But when folks gotta declare every day that it’s open, you know that it’s still NOT open!!

The post What’s… in a name?? appeared first on Guyana Times.

… “comply with the rules” – Edghill warns

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has issued an ultimatum to vendors operating along the Kingston Seawall, warning that continued breaches of their provisional permits could result in their removal from the area. Edghill convened an urgent meeting with vendors along the corridor, accompanied by Head of the Sea and River Defence Board Kevin Samad and technical staff from the Public Works Ministry. The meeting addressed several violations, including unauthorised subletting, vendors living inside their stalls, illegal electrical connections, excessive noise, unauthorised structural extensions and poor sanitation and maintenance. Edghill reminded vendors that their provisional approvals were granted subject to specific conditions, including restrictions on where they could operate. He also reiterated that “no vending” and “no noise” zones remain in effect along sections of the Kingston Seawall. According to the Minister, vending is not permitted from the Kitty Roundabout east to Sheriff Street or west to the 1823 Monument.
“I am urging you again to comply with the rules because we will have to come and move everybody,” Edghill warned. He said vendors who are removed for breaching the rules should not expect to return to the area. A major concern raised during the meeting was the conversion of mobile vending carts into permanent structures and living quarters. Edghill instructed the Sea and River Defence Board to immediately remove vendors found to be residing at their vending locations. He said the original agreements require vendors to operate mobile units that are removed after vending hours. “Your paper says you are supposed to move at the end of vending. You are supposed to be on wheels, and when you are finished vending, you are supposed to tow your stuff and go back in,” the Minister said.

Unauthorised construction
He also pointed to the construction of concrete foundations and unauthorised extensions as further breaches of the arrangements. Edghill warned that the Government would not entertain future claims for compensation from persons who illegally occupy the seawall reserve. “We have been lenient, but once development starts to take place, the cries of ‘I was living here and I have to get compensation’ will start,” he said. Sanitation was also highlighted as a concern, with the Minister criticising the condition of sections of the corridor despite the placement of nearly 40 garbage receptacles along the seawall. He encouraged vendors to establish a committee to oversee cleanliness and maintenance, warning that continued failure to maintain the area could lead to permits being revoked. Ministry patrol teams will continue monitoring the corridor for compliance. The Ministry also stressed that maintaining the Kingston Seawall is important beyond its recreational and tourism use, as the structure forms part of the city’s coastal defence system. It said unauthorised concrete construction; improper disposal of waste and illegal utility connections could affect the integrity and drainage capacity of the seawall. Meanwhile, Edghill announced that infrastructure works to widen the road along the seawall are expected to begin shortly. Vendors have therefore been instructed to immediately correct their boundaries and adjust their operations to avoid obstructing the planned works.

ingston Seawall, warning that continued breaches of their provisional permits could result in their removal from the area.

Edghill convened an urgent meeting with vendors along the corridor, accompanied by Head of the Sea and River Defence Board Kevin Samad and technical staff from the Public Works Ministry.
The meeting addressed several violations, including unauthorised subletting, vendors living inside their stalls, illegal electrical connections, excessive noise, unauthorised structural extensions and poor sanitation and maintenance.
Edghill reminded vendors that their provisional approvals were granted subject to specific conditions, including restrictions on where they could operate.
He also reiterated that “no vending” and “no noise” zones remain in effect along sections of the Kingston Seawall. According to the Minister, vending is not permitted from the Kitty Roundabout east to Sheriff Street or west to the 1823 Monument.

“I am urging you again to comply with the rules because we will have to come and move everybody,” Edghill warned.
He said vendors who are removed for breaching the rules should not expect to return to the area.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the conversion of mobile vending carts into permanent structures and living quarters.
Edghill instructed the Sea and River Defence Board to immediately remove vendors found to be residing at their vending locations.
He said the original agreements require vendors to operate mobile units that are removed after vending hours.
“Your paper says you are supposed to move at the end of vending. You are supposed to be on wheels, and when you are finished vending, you are supposed to tow your stuff and go back in,” the Minister said.

Unauthorized construction
He also pointed to the construction of concrete foundations and unauthorised extensions as further breaches of the arrangements.
Edghill warned that the Government would not entertain future claims for compensation from persons who illegally occupy the seawall reserve.
“We have been lenient, but once development starts to take place, the cries of ‘I was living here and I have to get compensation’ will start,” he said.
Sanitation was also highlighted as a concern, with the Minister criticising the condition of sections of the corridor despite the placement of nearly 40 garbage receptacles along the seawall.
He encouraged vendors to establish a committee to oversee cleanliness and maintenance, warning that continued failure to maintain the area could lead to permits being revoked.
Ministry patrol teams will continue monitoring the corridor for compliance.
The Ministry also stressed that maintaining the Kingston Seawall is important beyond its recreational and tourism use, as the structure forms part of the city’s coastal defence system.
It said unauthorised concrete construction; improper disposal of waste and illegal utility connections could affect the integrity and drainage capacity of the seawall.
Meanwhile, Edghill announced that infrastructure works to widen the road along the seawall are expected to begin shortly.
Vendors have therefore been instructed to immediately correct their boundaries and adjust their operations to avoid obstructing the planned works.

The post Seawall vendors face removal over permit violations appeared first on Guyana Times.