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Unlocking the untapped tourism potential at Region Three is high on the agenda as a new partnership was established on Wednesday between the Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) and Trail Masters Adventure Tours.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties will expand the existing offers, transforming the region into a thriving tourism hub. President of the R3CCI, Babita Albert and Trail Masters owner and licensed tour operator Klaus Christopher Chin, signed the agreement on behalf of each entity.

Albert said this agreement signals a push to tap into the region’s largely underutilised tourism assets.

“We have untapped cultural experiences, untapped plantations, untapped waterways, opportunities for fishing for exploring villages, exploring our estates, exploring our two major waterways we do have tours but there is so much more that we can do in this region…we can build the economy in region and we can uplift the lives of residents and bring new ideas to the table,” Albert said.

She said the Chamber is a critical link in development and it serves as “a bridge for private businesses to government support.

For Chin, the partnership represents a step toward bringing hidden gems to the forefront. He said his establishment relies heavily on collaborations that lead to meaningful and equally beneficial outcomes. He believes that developing a tourism experience that highlight local contributions will greatly transform the country’s tourism products, providing unique experiences.

“Many of these remarkable places remain unexplored as tourism experiences. Through this partnership, we aim to change that,” Chin said.

The initiative aims to cultivate economic growth and bridge the gap for the growing domestic travel demands, particularly during peak holiday periods. It will create new opportunities for local businesses while generating employment.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baksh, pointed to agro-tourism as a key growth area, noting that Region Three is well-positioned to capitalise on this niche. He also referenced the ongoing port development at Parika, describing it as a major opportunity that will drive the demand for complementary services such as transportation, tour guiding, and hospitality facilities, including those at the West Central Mall.

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Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill has issued a stern warning that persons who erect structures on government reserves or within active road project zones anywhere in Guyana will not receive compensation and can expect immediate removal.

Speaking at a community meeting at the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School on Tuesday, the minister said the policy applies nationwide and is necessary to ensure the smooth execution of major infrastructure works.

“We have to give back the government the reserve, and I am making it very clear, because that’s government policy,” Edghill said.

He noted that in some cases, individuals, after learning where roads will pass, move to construct buildings along road shoulders or within project areas.

“People who learn about where the road will pass and go ahead and build something on the road shoulder – the same day that they go up, same day it brucking down,” he said.

The minister made it clear that such actions will not attract compensation or prior notice from the state.

“You don’t have to get notice. Nobody is going to go in an active project zone thinking they come to mark the spot and putting up something and then expecting the government to compensate them to move because the road gotta pass. People cannot do that,” he said.

Edghill added that engineers and ministry personnel across all regions have already been instructed to enforce the policy, while local authorities are being urged to educate residents.

“And we are saying to local authorities, sensitise and educate the people… The engineers and ministry personnel in every region and in every place have been so advised,” he said.

He stressed that safeguarding government reserves is critical as Guyana continues an aggressive push to modernise and expand its road network nationwide.

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Georgetown, Guyana, April 2nd, 2026: Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. has announced a reduction in its home mortgage interest rates.  They are also offering more flexible repayment t terms, aimed at supporting the Housing Initiative for Guyanese Citizens to build or buy new homes across the country.

Citizens Bank is offering a tiered interest rate structure to accommodate borrowers at every level, ensuring that loans are accessible and affordable to all citizens:

• Loans up to $10M – 3.5%
• Loans up to $20M – 3.7%
• Loans up to $30M – 4.95%
• Loans up to $50M – 5.0%
• Loans over $50M – Competitive rates available upon application

In addition to competitive rates, the Bank is offering 100% construction financing, flexible repayment terms of up to 35 years for qualified borrowers, 48-hour loan approval, home insurance premium discounts, reduced attorney fees, and zero commitment and processing fees. Persons are being encouraged to switch to Citizens Bank to take advantage of the savings.

“We continue to support the thousands of Guyanese families who have land or are in the process of acquiring land and are ready to take the next step. Citizens Bank is here to make that step as accessible and affordable as possible. Whether you are building for the first time or looking to get a better deal on your existing mortgage, we want to be your partner in making homeownership a reality. “Said Mr. Eton Chester, Managing Director of Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. 

Interested applicants can enquire online at citizensbankgy.com  or visit their nearest Citizens Bank branch. Terms and conditions apply and all applications are subject to the Bank’s lending criteria (Press release from Citizens Bank)

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President Dr Irfaan Ali says the government is reviewing laws to fight littering, focusing more on using cameras to nab wrongdoers and then impose stricter fines.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Guyana Defence Force Camp Base Ayanganna on Wednesday, President Ali said he already asked Attorney General, Anil Nandall to review the laws and rules governing littering.

“On the issue of garbage and littering, I have asked the Attorney General to review all the rules and laws to reflect the change in landscape of our security, and that is the use of camera evidence against persons who are littering.

“I have asked him to have all of these amendments ready for Parliament because these are key and critical,” President Ali said.

Littering in Guyana is a punishable offence under the Environmental Protection (Litter Enforcement) Regulations 2013, with fines varying depending on whether the offender is an individual or a company.An individual found littering in a public place can be fined $50,000 while a company found littering can be fined $100,000.

President Ali stressed the importance of attention to small details in building a strong society.

“We can’t develop a society without care and without attention. These, what some may believe are small details, are very important details,” he said.

The President linked environmental responsibility to the country’s growth goals.

“If our society is to be disciplined and if we want to create a Guyana that would be a leader in tourism, technology, food, energy, we must be a leader with conscience, with humanity, and with a sense of environmental stewardship and a quality of life that is second to none,” he noted.

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A Brooklyn, New York security officer, Bradley Hibbert, was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment and fined $14.18 million after he was caught with a sizable quantity of cannabis.

In a release, the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) said Hibbert appeared before Magistrate Tomika Clarke at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He was charged in relation to the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The man reportedly pleaded guilty. Thereafter, he was sentenced and fined.

In January, Hibbert was caught with 15.758 kilogrammes (or about 34.74 pounds) of foreign cannabis at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Ranks found several transparent parcels containing a quantity of foreign cannabis during the search of his three suitcases.

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In its continued efforts to help develop well-rounded individuals, the Pele Football Club Alumni Corporation successfully completed another instalment of its annual Easter Youth Educational Seminar on Wednesday in Georgetown, Guyana.

The two-day programme, held in the auditorium of Marian Academy, attracted over 80 teenaged boys and girls, who were the targeted beneficiaries of the Alumni’s investment in youth empowerment.

Click here to view additional photos 

Chairman Denis Carrington said the Pele Alumni was formed in 2012 to coincide with the club’s 40^th anniversary, with specific focus on sport, education and basic life skills.

“These two days were an upgrade and a continuation of what we had over the years- continuation of stressing things like etiquette, importance of dental hygiene, and linking with each other to minimise and reduce the threat of being bullied. It was really to broaden the scope of their learning, not only from the standpoint of sports, but from continuing education,” Carrington told News Room.

On the final day, table tennis player Isaiah Layne, a product of the seminar, shared a testimonial with the 2026 batch.

As a high school student at St. Stanislaus, Layne had gained a scholarship from the Pele FC Alumni and is currently pursuing his advanced pilot licence.

In sharing his sport and academic journey with the participants, Layne urged them to follow their dreams, but be prepared to put in the work to achieve their goals.

Executive Member of the Alumni Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, who is also the Treasurer and a former national player, said the seminar forms part of the Alumni’s programme of giving back to the nation’s children.

“Well over one thousand children have benefitted from this investment over the years, and we will continue to make this a priority.”

Barton added: “Football is the sport that made us who we are, affording many of us the opportunity to study in the USA and here we are today. We want to let our valued young people know that with discipline, commitment and the will to achieve, they too can emulate and even do better than us.”

Fellow Executive Member, Eric ‘Riggy’ Smith echoed Barton’s sentiments and informed that a solid education foundation is vital in sport and the Pele FC Alumni is committed to playing its part in helping the students to strike that balance.

Among the topics the participants were exposed to during the interactive sessions were dental hygiene, mental health/suicide, healthcare, social etiquette, self-esteem, banking/finance, importance of reading and aviation.

Several special prizes were presented to the students, among them laptops, drones and educational supplies. They were also given self-care packages.

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April 8, 2026:  U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic will arrive in Guyana tomorrow for high-level meetings focused on strengthening economic cooperation, discussing the country’s transformative gas-to-energy project, and reaffirming strong support for future opportunities in Guyana.

During his visit, Chairman Jovanovic will meet with President Irfaan Ali, the American Chamber of Commerce, and staff from Lindsayca Inc., the Houston-based contractor executing the gas-to-energy project that has received $527 million in EXIM financing.  The visit demonstrates the U.S. government’s continued commitment to not only this landmark infrastructure initiative but also in financing additional Guyanese development projects.

The gas-to-energy project represents the largest infrastructure investment in Guyana’s history.  Once completed, it will double the country’s installed electricity capacity, reduce electricity costs by 50% for all Guyanese households and businesses, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 460,000 tons annually.  The project includes construction of a natural gas separation plant, a 300-megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant, and a gas supply pipeline.

Lindsayca Inc. continues to advance construction and has made significant progress on all project components.  The company’s expertise in energy infrastructure development positions the project to deliver transformative results for Guyana’s energy sector.

Chairman Jovanovic’s visit underscores the depth of the U.S.-Guyana partnership and the United States’ long-term commitment to supporting Guyana’s economic development and energy security through reliable, competitive and transparent financing.

About the U.S. Export-Import Bank:
EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States.  EXIM loans are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

(US Embassy press release) 

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Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers recently returned home after a successful humanitarian mission in Jamaica, where they rebuilt 200 roofs and provided other support needed after the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The contingent comprised one officer and 41 other ranks. The soldiers were each awarded the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Medal.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forced, President Dr Irfaan Ali gave the ranks the medal at a ceremony held at Camp Base Ayanganna in Georgetown on Wednesday. The medal honours acts of bravery, compassion, and selfless dedication to alleviating suffering and restoring stability in affected communities, both in Guyana and abroad.

During their deployment, the GDF ranks operated in severely impacted communities, undertaking critical reconstruction tasks. They repaired and restored homes, directly improving living conditions for families and bringing much-needed relief and stability to the affected areas. Their work demonstrated resilience, discipline, and technical expertise under challenging conditions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Cranston France, Commanding Officer of the 4 Engineer Battalion, highlighted the significance of the mission’s efforts.

“Reconstruction of 200 roofs across five districts, working in harsh conditions, facing uncertainty, yet delivering, restoring dignity, stability and hope, that is what service looks like.

Deployment was more than assistance, it was solidarity in motion,” he said.

In delivering the feature address, President Ali praised the soldiers for the courage, professionalism, and humanitarian they throughout the mission.

“You went to Jamaica as soldiers, you return as heroes.

“These medals tell a story of courage, humanity, and selfless service. When Hurricane Melissa swung through our region, leaving destruction in Jamaica, it was not a distant tragedy. It was a Caribbean tragedy. Guyana responded because that is who we are,” Dr Ali said.

He said the mission deployment to Jamaica was not and will never be a one off act of goodwill.

“Guyana will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Caribbean brothers and sisters when disaster strikes anywhere in our region,” President Ali said.

The ranks, who are experienced in disaster response, carpentry, and project management, were deployed starting from November 2025.

Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, highlighted the frontline leadership of the ranks.

“Boots on the ground is what gets the mission done. Resources do not move by themselves; it was you who operated, executed, and ensured that the objectives were achieved. The operation saw reconstruction of 200 roofs, improved living conditions, and restored homes. Beyond that, you served as ambassadors of Guyana, demonstrating the country’s commitment to regional solidarity,” Brigadier Khan said.

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