A family of five has been left homeless after an early morning fire destroyed their three-bedroom home at 43 West Watooka, Wismar, Linden, on Easter Sunday.
The blaze, which occurred around 2:00 a.m., completely gutted the house valued at approximately $25 million leaving the family with nothing. Nastasia Allicock, 33, said she and her family, her husband and their three children were away in Berbice for the Easter weekend when the fire occurred.
“We left Friday morning after church to go to Berbice. Everything was okay Friday and Saturday, but Sunday morning it start,” she said.
Allicock said that the only appliance left plugged in was the refrigerator, while her father usually made checks on the house daily. The fire was first noticed by her cousin who lives nearby.
Allicock said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has listed the cause of the fire as undetermined. Allicock said the loss is devastating, noting the home had been recently refurbished in December after years of hard work.
“The house didn’t come easy, it’s years I worked to bring it to that standard,” she said.
She also revealed that nearly $450,000 in cash, including savings and money she was holding, along with jewellery and other valuables, were destroyed.
“It’s a lot of money because I does normally hold box and all the people money get burn in the fire plus we had personal money… almost $450,000 burn up in the fire because my son had his money saving and jewellery all burn up,” she said.
Despite the tragedy, Allicock said they are trying to cope.
“We trying to cope because what’s done is already done…we grateful for life,” she said.
The family is seeking assistance as they try to rebuild their home. Persons interested in assisting the family can contact Allicock on 680-5658.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali says a list of persons linked to irregularities in the driver’s licensing system will be published soon.
The persons named on that list will be asked to explain themselves.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Guyana Defence Force on Wednesday, President Ali said the reconciliation is ongoing.
“The reconciliation is ongoing, and what you will see very soon is a list published of persons who will be asked to come in to explain the issues.
“I know that list is being prepared,” Dr Ali said.
This update follows earlier warnings from the President 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.
At the time, President Ali had said a technology-driven audit found serious problems in the system.
He explained that the audit tracked the entire licensing process and uncovered major discrepancies, including cases in which more persons received practical certificates than passed the theory exam.
He had said authorities had identified persons who got practical certificates without passing the theory test.
On Wednesday, he also admitted that enforcement remains a challenge, despite stricter fines already being in place.
“We had increased the fines… but enforcement is a problem,” Dr Ali said, adding that this is being improved with the use of cameras.
The President also said he has asked the Attorney General to review the laws and recommend any needed changes.
“I have asked the Attorney General to once again look at what additional measures will be needed and to ensure whenever amendments are needed those amendments will be in place,” he said.
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday said the Government of Guyana is ramping up efforts to address concerns surrounding Suriname’s move to impose charges for the use of the Corentyne River.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), President Ali said the administration has placed “tremendous emphasis” on the issue, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged on it daily.
“Every day the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaged on this matter,” President Ali said, adding that in the coming days, the government will intensify its diplomatic efforts.
“In another few days, we will step up our advocacy in getting this matter sorted,” Dr Ali told reporters.
When asked whether there had been any formal response to the diplomatic note sent to Suriname, the President maintained that the matter remains under the purview of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is dealing with the diplomatic note,” he said.
The President’s comments come amid growing concerns over the reported decision by Suriname to introduce charges for the use of the Corentyne River. He warned that such a move could have significant implications for economic activity and disrupt longstanding arrangements between the two neighbouring countries.
In a previous statement, President Ali expressed hope that the matter could be resolved swiftly, cautioning that the charges may create unnecessary barriers to trade and erode business confidence.
Following his public remarks, Suriname’s Foreign Minister, Melvin Bouva, engaged Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, signalling ongoing diplomatic discussions between the two sides.
President Ali has also underscored the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations, noting that Surinamese businesses have long operated within Guyana without discrimination or restriction. He stressed that reciprocity remains a key principle in the relationship and urged Suriname to reconsider the reported measures.
Advancing reproductive healthcare in Guyana is a priority of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), and the body is expanding its reach across the country through strategic partnerships.
Director of GRPA, Kobe Smith, recently said GRPA is accessible in every region through mobile outreaches, an effort made to target far-reaching communities.
“We’ve been fortunate to have the support of the Greater Guyana Initiative through Exxon Mobil to go into indigenous communities as well because we recognise that we are based on Georgetown and there is a challenge related to transportation, a challenge related to having a permanent fixture let’s say in the Rupununi related to these challenges,” Smith said.
Kobe Smith, the Director of GPRA
In 2025, the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) played a key role in providing access to free HPV testing, pap smears and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screenings for women living in Regions 1, 4, 7, 8 and 9. Smith said the GRPA through its partners at UNFPA, have for years been working to expand services beyond the coastland and into hinterland communities, where access to healthcare remains a challenge.
“Indigenous women in particular are disproportionally affected by the unmet needs related to sexual reproductive health including reproductive cancer,” Smith said.
The collaboration underscores a growing multi-stakeholder approach to healthcare. It is aligned with national efforts led by the Ministry of Health Guyana to improve access to screening and reduce the burden of reproductive cancers, particularly among vulnerable populations. GRPA has already conducted approximately 2,000 cancer screenings, though disparities remain, particularly among men. Regional data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from 2021 shows that only one in three women are screened, highlighting the need for continued outreach and education.
Smith said that support from GGI has been critical in overcoming logistical barriers such as transportation and the lack of permanent healthcare facilities in remote regions. As a result, GRPA has been able to conduct periodic mobile outreaches, bringing essential services directly to communities.
‘We are proud of you’ was the recurring theme on Tuesday afternoon when key stakeholders welcomed the first batch of local-based athletes and officials who represented Guyana at the 53rd Carifta Games at the weekend in Grenada.
Guyana’s 24-member track and field team ended the three-day championship from April 4-6 with six medals(four gold, one silver and one bronze) at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St. George’s.
Welcoming the contingent at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle were Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Vice-Chair of the National Sports Commission Cristy Campbell and President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Amanda Hermonstine.
The second and final batch of local-based athletes and officials will arrive in Guyana on Wednesday evening.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle (left) and Vice-Chair of the National Sports Commission Cristy Campbell (right) with 4x400m Mixed Relay gold medallist Akeela Dover (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/April 7, 2026)
In a brief welcome ceremony, Ninvalle pointed out that a much more elaborate ceremony will be held at a later date to properly recognise the achievements of Team Guyana.
“This is just a small welcome-home that you’re having; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, as I have been directed by Minister Steven Jacobs, will be hosting you guys when the entire team comes back,” Ninvalle informed the contingent.
“On behalf of the Honourable Minister Charles Ramson Jr. and Steven Jacobs, I would want to say that you have made this country extremely proud,” the Director declared.
“We at the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport have seen the rapid development of athletics under the leadership of Amanda Hermonstine and her executive. It is because of the initiatives employed by Amanda and her team and the results that we’ve been seeing that we would want to support much more.”
Like Ninvalle, Campbell had also journeyed to Grenada, representing the National Sports Commission as a key partner of the AAG. She expressed elation at the success of Team Guyana, which finished fifth on the medals table among the 28 countries.
“We’re quite pleased and proud of your performance, and I think the entire country celebrates your success. It was quite pleasurable to witness the passion and grit that you executed and demonstrated throughout the Easter weekend games in Grenada,” Campbell said.
“I was fortunate to be there to support and cheer you on and I’m quite pleased with your performances, on and off the track.”
A visibly cheerful Hermonstine heaped praises on the athletes and officials for a job well done.
“I’m very elated this afternoon. It’s a pleasure to be a part of you. I just want to say congratulations, we’re happy and you have made us proud. Thank you very much,” Hermonstine said.
Five on the first day, one on the final day
Olivia Solomon won Gold in the Girls Under-17 800m on the final evening to add to Guyana’s five-medal haul on the opening day of the three-day championship.
The highlight of the campaign for Guyana was a record-breaking run from the 4x400m Mixed Relay team.
The quartet- Tishawn Easton, Tianna Springer, Akeela Dover and Malachi Austin- clocked a staggering 3:20.79s, obliterating the Carifta Games record of 3:23.51s, set by Guyana in 2024.
Guyana continues to hold both the Carifta Games and Commonwealth Youth Games 4x400m mixed relay records.
A post-mortem examination has found that Isabella Dabadial, the seven-year-old girl who died on Sunday, was manually strangled to death.
In a release, the Guyana Police Force said Government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan performed the examination at Bailey Funeral Home, Number 4 Village, West Coast Berbice. He gave the cause of death as manual strangulation.
The body was subsequently handed over to relatives for burial.
Isabella was strangled by her mother, Sarah Elizabeth Shivpersaud.
Shivpersaud confided to investigators that she was experiencing emotional distress after her husband had left the residence several days prior and had refused to return. The woman stated that upon waking on Sunday, having had no food, she suffocated Isabella. She also admitted to having attempted to strangulate or otherwise suffocate her son, Ethan, who is one year and nine months old, but was unsuccessful.
Following the incident, Shivpersaud attempted suicide but failed.
An alarm was raised, and several individuals intervened. Shivpersaud and her children were transported to the Port Mourant Public Hospital. Isabella was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Shivpersaud was admitted, treated, and sutured; she is currently in a stable condition under police guard.
The body of Arif Azeez, a 15-year-old student of Adventure, Essequibo Coast, was recovered on Tuesday.
In a statement, Police Headquarters said the teen reportedly drowned around 16:30hrs Monday at Hot and Cold Lake, Onderneeming.
Initial enquiries revealed that Azeez had gone to the lake on an outing with friends and was operating a jet ski when he allegedly fell into the water and disappeared.
An alarm was raised, and searches were immediately carried out by persons in the area in an effort to locate Azeez.
On Tuesday, relatives told the News Room that the teenager’s body was found in the lake today.
Passengers who are put out of minibuses after complaining about loud music are being treated unlawfully and drivers can face charges.
Inspector Lindon Williams of the Kitty Police Station’s Traffic Department made this disclosure during a recent episode of the ‘Road Safety and You’ programme.
Williams said it has become a common issue where drivers play music at high volumes and remove passengers who object.
He stressed that such actions are against the law and will not be tolerated.
“When these reports are made, we the Police go get them and charge them,” Williams said, noting that enforcement action is taken once complaints are received.
He also highlighted concerns about conductors, many of whom are committing offences while operating without proper licensing.
According to Williams, drivers must take responsibility for their conductors, as they are in charge of the vehicle.
“Drivers don’t understand that if these persons don’t have the license, it will come back to haunt the driver because the driver is the person in charge of the bus,” he explained.
Williams added that the Police are working closely with other agencies to address the ongoing issues and improve compliance within the public transportation sector.
Guyanese Olivia Solomon narrowly missed out on the record as she powered to gold in the Girls U-17 800m on Monday afternoon at the 53rd Carifta Games at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada.
It was Guyana’s fourth gold medal of the championship and sixth medal overall.
Solomon clocked a blistering two minutes, 10.74 seconds (02:10.74s), coming close to the meet record of 02:09.59s. She went into the final with the fastest qualifying time of 02:13.39s.
Annalisa Brown of Grenada took silver in 02:14.40s and Aisha Wajid of Haiti won bronze in 02:14.96s.
The record-breaking 4x400m Mixed Relay team. From left: Tishawn Easton, Tianna Springer, Akeela Dover and Malachi Austin (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/April 6, 2026)
The medal haul from Guyana’s 24-member comprised four gold, one silver and a bronze.
The highlight of the campaign for Guyana was a record-breaking run from the 4x400m Mixed Relay team.
Tianna Springer (centre) won Gold in the Girls Under-20 400m (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/April 6, 2026)
The quartet- Tishawn Easton, Tianna Springer, Akeela Dover and Malachi Austin- clocked a staggering 3:20.79s, obliterating the Carifta Games record of 3:23.51s, set by Guyana in 2024.
Malachi Austin (centre) won Gold in the Boys Under-20 400m (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/April 6, 2026)
On the individual side, Solomon joined Tianna Springer and Malachi Austin, who won gold in their Under-20 400m events; Jermaine Shepherd took silver in the Boys Under-17 1500m and Javon Roberts won bronze in the Boys Under-20 1500m.
Javon Roberts (right) copped Bronze in the Boys Under-20 1500m (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/April 6, 2026)
After three days of gruelling track and field events in the Spice Isle, Guyana finished fifth overall among the 28 countries that competed.
Jamaica topped the table with 71 medals, followed by Trinidad and Tobago with 35, Bahamas 30 and Barbados 17.
Jermaine Shepherd won Silver in the Boys Under-17 1500m (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/April 6, 2026)
Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, has reaffirmed that there is “no tolerance” for the mistreatment of individuals in Police custody, as authorities continue to probe recent incidents involving alleged misconduct.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a recent event, Walrond said her office treats all such reports with the utmost seriousness.
“I have had to deal with similar kinds of report and they have been dealt with very seriously.
“These things are taken extremely seriously by my office,” Walrond said.
Her comments come in the wake of the death of 30-year-old Otis Payne, who died while in police custody on March 24.
Addressing allegations that Payne was beaten by Police, Walrond said, “We have seen footage that does not bear credence to that claim.”
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force has launched a separate investigation into a video circulating on social media, which appears to show an off-duty Assistant Superintendent of Police engaged in a confrontation with a civilian and using threatening language.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Force said the matter was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, who has since directed the Office of Professional Responsibility to conduct a thorough probe into the incident.
The Police Force emphasized that the conduct displayed in the video is being treated seriously, noting that all ranks are expected to uphold standards of professionalism, restraint and accountability at all times, whether on or off duty.
“Any behaviour found to be inconsistent with the standards of the Force will be addressed in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures,” the statement said.
The Force also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining public trust, stressing that all allegations of misconduct are handled with the seriousness they warrant.
