Blog

The family of 12-year-old Marlon Jupiter is urgently appealing to the public for financial assistance to help fund a life-saving bone marrow transplant overseas after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer.

Marlon has been battling T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a life-threatening cancer, since 2023. Doctors have advised that his best chance of survival is an urgent bone marrow transplant. The treatment is currently unavailable in Guyana.

As a result, Marlon’s only option is to travel abroad for care. Discussions have already begun with doctors in Brazil, who have accepted his case and are working to coordinate his medical transfer. However, the family cannot offset the cost of international treatment, including surgery, travel, accommodation, and post-treatment recovery.

Speaking during an interview, Marlon’s sister, Lashana Jupiter, recalled the moment the family first realised something was wrong. She said he developed a high fever and was rushed to the hospital, where blood tests revealed his blood count was dangerously low.

“Subsequently some lymph nodes came out on his hands and neck and he was rushed back to the hospital. Some other tests including a CT scan and biopsy was done [and] it was confirmed he had cancer,” Lashana told the News Room.

Since then, Marlon has been in and out of hospital. The illness also disrupted his education, forcing him to miss large portions of school during Grades Five and Six. Despite this, he persevered with help from relatives who homeschooled him, and he managed to secure 469 marks at the National Grade Six Assessment, placing third in his school.

“We know Marlon keep pushing and going strong although he was in hospital and he got to get bored all the time and he started to get tired of those things,” Lashana said.

Although Marlon experienced a period of remission, doctors later recommended that he undergo further treatment and surgery that cannot be performed locally. After being declined by two countries, the family said Brazil eventually agreed to take him.

“They were like they can take him for treatment,” Lashana added.

Marlon is currently hospitalised as he awaits the funds needed to proceed with the transplant. The family must raise approximately US$35,000 (about $7.3 million Guyana dollars) to cover the cost of the procedure and related expenses.

Non-profit organisation SHEA has since stepped in to support the family’s fundraising efforts, but they continue to rely heavily on public donations to make the treatment possible.

Persons willing to assist can contribute through the family’s GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/miracle-for-marlon

Donations can also be made directly to Demerara Bank account #2041325.

The post Family seeks $7.3M for surgery to save 12-Y-O cancer patient appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana’s daily oil production, now past 900,000 barrels daily, will continue to surge with the arrival of a fifth Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the President of ExxonMobil Guyana said Thursday.

The Errea Wittu FPSO will be used at the fifth development known as Uaru. Currently, more than 900,000 barrels of oil are produced from four projects in the giant Stabroek Block offshore Guyana: Liza I, Liza II, Payara, and Yellowtail.

“We anticipate later this year that the FPSO will sail to Guyana, and before the end of the year, we anticipate Uaru to start up,” Alistair Routledge told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.

“That will be consistent with the other projects, all ahead of schedule and indeed on budget too.”

The FPSO is a specialised vessel used in oil production. With Errea Wittu in Guyana, local production should go past one million barrels daily. More than 20 development wells have already been drilled at Uaru.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil is also pushing ahead with future projects: Whiptail (2027), Hammerhead (2028), and Longtail. The Longtail Field Development Plan should be submitted by the company sometime this week, and the company looks ahead to securing the relevant environmental permits and licenses for this project.

Beyond oil production, ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana are keen about harnessing vast gas resources offshore. Hammerhead and Longtail are key gas development projects.

The post Another oil vessel sails to Guyana this year as ExxonMobil pushes for startup of 5th project appeared first on News Room Guyana.

ExxonMobil could recover its historic investments in Guyana sooner as production grows and oil prices rise, potentially paving the way for the South American nation to receive a larger share of the profits by the end of 2026. 

This is according to President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, who spoke at a press conference at the company’s Ogle headquarters on Thursday. 

“While we’ve been generally running down that historical bank of costs at a reasonably steady and predictable pace, we were anticipating sometime next year, in 2027, that we were going to get to a point where we would have recovered those costs.

“… What we’re now seeing in this price environment is that it will accelerate. We don’t forecast oil prices, but if you stay at the current oil price, then it will happen this year, based on the level of expenditures and the production that we anticipate,” Routledge told reporters. 

Oil prices have soared in recent weeks owing to the conflict in the Middle East. 

ExxonMobil has been producing oil in Guyana’s giant Stabroek Block since December 2019. There are four current projects, producing more than 900,000 barrels of oil daily, and plans are afoot to initiate at least three others this decade. 

Through its agreement with the Government of Guyana, ExxonMobil has been recovering the investments made. It has committed about US$60 billion, but not all of that has been spent yet. 

Routledge said the company has about US$5 billion in historic costs to recover. 

As per Guyana’s 2016 oil contract, up to 75% of the costs (or money invested) can be recovered or recouped as the oil produced is sold. The remaining 25% of revenues is split equally between the coventurers (ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC) and Guyana; the government also gets an additional two per cent in royalties from total revenues.

With costs recovered, it is expected that Guyana will get a larger share of the profit — beyond the 14.5% (12.5% profits and 2% royalties) received now. 

The post With higher prices, Guyana could get larger share of profits sooner – Routledge  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

National youth player Romario Ramdeholl on Thursday got a promotion up the batting order and grabbed the opportunity with both hands, guiding Matthew Nandu XI to victory over Tevin Imlach XI in the second Guyana Harpy Eagles practice game at the Everest Ground.

Chasing a small target of 74, Nandu XI started their innings on the final morning of the three-day game and got home before lunch in 25.2 overs, losing three wickets.

Click here to view full scorecard

All-rounder Ramdeholl, batting at number four, stroked an unbeaten 40 off 49 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. After the early loss of Nandu (1) and Zeynul Ramsammy (7), Ramdeholl and opener Ari Afrizal Kadir added 43 for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed for 22 off 57 balls (3x4s).

Mavindra Dindyal (two not out) joined Ramdeholl to close out the game.

Bowling for Imlach XI, Sylus Tyndall (1-8), Antony Adams (1-15) and Kevin Sinclair (1-27) were the wicket-takers.

The first match ended in a draw at the Everest Ground.

The players will now engage in training sessions, with the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad to be named shortly for the title defence of the upcoming West Indies Four-Day Championship.

The post Ramdeholl leads Nandu XI to victory over Imlach XI in Harpy Eagles practice game appeared first on News Room Guyana.

As concerns grow over mental health challenges in Guyana, a new leadership-focused seminar is aiming to shift how workplaces respond to the issue, starting from the top.

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, professionals across sectors will gather at the Bel Air Lions Club, Enachu, Section K for a one-day Leadership & Mental Health Seminar under the theme: “Strong Minds, Strong Leaders: Leading with Resilience in a Demanding World.”

The initiative, hosted by the Catalyst Leaders Network in collaboration with Tull Clinical Psychotherapy, is designed specifically for leaders—those responsible for managing people and shaping workplace culture.

Mental health practitioner Shane Tull, who has spent the past decade providing services across Guyana’s public and private sectors, says the seminar is intentionally targeted at organizations rather than individuals.

“We’ve approached mental health largely from the individual standpoint,” Tull explained. “But the two main places people spend most of their time are home and work. If those environments are not supportive, it becomes much harder for people to cope.”

According to Tull, many employees are reluctant to seek help due to fear—particularly concerns about confidentiality and how disclosure might affect promotions or workplace perception.

“People tell me, ‘I don’t mind getting help, but I don’t want my job to know,’” he said. “That stigma is still very real.”

The seminar will focus on empowering managers, HR professionals, supervisors, and organizational leaders with practical tools to:

• Identify signs of mental health crises in staff
• Respond appropriately and support employees
• Maintain confidentiality and build trust
• Create healthier, more resilient workplace environments

Tull emphasized that leadership plays a critical role in shaping workplace culture.

“It’s not just about getting employees to do their best—it’s about helping them be their best,” he said. “Leaders must create safe spaces where mental health is understood and supported.”

Joining him is Clairmonte G.W. Frank, a leadership expert known for his work in corporate and non-profit leadership development. Together, they aim to bridge the gap between leadership practices and mental health awareness.

A major goal of the seminar is to challenge misconceptions about mental health.

“Someone experiencing a mental health crisis is not ‘damaged,’” Tull noted. “They can still live productive lives and contribute meaningfully to their organization.”

He added that integrating mental health into workplace policies should be seen as an investment—not a liability.

“Companies already provide medical and dental care. Mental health care is just as important. When employees feel supported, they’re more productive—it benefits the entire organization.”

The event is not a one-off effort. Organizers plan to extend support beyond the seminar by offering on-site training and consultations for organizations, helping them implement mental health strategies within their structures.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
• Venue: Bel Air Lions Club, Enachu, Section K
• Cost:
  • $20,000 per person
  • $15,000 per person (groups of 5 or more)

The seminar will be interactive and includes refreshments and lunch. Organizers are targeting approximately 80 participants, particularly those in leadership roles across corporate, government, and non-profit sectors.

The event is geared toward:

• Business leaders and executives
• HR professionals
• Managers and supervisors
• NGO and ministry leaders
• Anyone responsible for managing teams

Registration

Interested participants can register online via the link provided on the event flyer or contact the organizers directly.

The post Leaders urged to tackle workplace mental health at upcoming seminar appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has moved to the High Court seeking orders to remove vendors operating around the hospital, as City Hall now admits to delays in addressing the long-standing issue and promises action within the week.

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore on Wednesday, in an invited comment to the News Room admitted that the City Engineers Department failed to continue its work in relocating the movement of the vendors operating within the vicinity of the hospital. His comments follow a Fixed Date Application filed on Tuesday, in which GPHC is asking the court to compel the Mayor and City Council to clear food vendors, carts and stalls from key streets surrounding the hospital, including Lamaha, East, Middle and New Market streets.

“We’ve asked the engineers to move the caravans from East Street to prepare that area to permanently move to them to that area.

“They took some time to deal with that and hence, it slipped off the radar… they’ve had to accelerate the action on that and they have since moved to be able to execute on the aspect of the paving of that area in East Street and to move those persons,” Mentore said.

The hospital argues that the continued presence of vendors is severely affecting its operations, particularly emergency access and the movement of patients and staff. GPHC continues to reference multiple attempts over the years to have the issue addressed, including letters sent to City Hall in January. Despite assurances in 2025, the hospital said no meaningful action was taken.

But Mentore has acknowledged that the matter was delayed on the City’s end, attributing it to slow movement within the engineering department. He said the vendors were to be relocated to a parking lot nearby but the works to ensure it could facilitate vending was stalled due to persons going on leave without transferring the information.

He said that in light of the court action, the City has since accelerated its response, with works already underway to prepare the relocation site.

“I don’t want to go to court on that matter. In good faith, ourselves and the hospital would’ve discussed the matter and we would’ve agreed on what the engineering department should’ve done and now they are going to execute on that,” he said.

He added that vendors had previously been asked to shift to a nearby vacant space but some have since returned to the hospital’s vicinity. 

“The persons knew that we asked them to shift… those persons who have since violated that and gone in front the hospital, we’ve asked the City Constabulary to ensure that they move and if they don’t, to prosecute them,” Mentore said.

While the matter is expected to be heard before the High Court in the coming weeks, Mentore said it is his intention to have to work accelerated and the vendors relocated permanently during this week.

 

The post Mentore admits Council delayed relocation of GPHC vendors, promises action this week appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full release from the Ministry of Education: 

The Ministry of Education was informed on Friday, 13th March 2026, of allegations of a sexual nature made by students at a Secondary School in Georgetown against a teacher at the institution. In keeping with established standard operating procedures, the accused teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave on that same date.

The Welfare Department of the Ministry met with the parents of the affected students between 13th March and 17th March, 2026. Each parent was issued a referral letter to the Childcare and Protection Agency. Further, each affected student is required to undergo a forensic interview to be conducted by the Childcare and Protection Agency. To date, one such interview has been completed.

The Ministry of Education wishes to state unequivocally that, contrary to certain misleading claims circulating on social media, there has been no delay in the investigative process. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that all established procedures are followed and that the welfare and protection of students remain paramount.

The post Teacher sent on leave as authorities probe sexual assault allegations at G/town Secondary School appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul made a dogged fifty and spin pair Junior Sinclair and Antony Adams were among the wickets on Day Two of the Guyana Harpy Eagles second three-day practice game at the Everest Ground on Wednesday.

Resuming the day on 51-1 in reply to Imlach XI’s first innings score of 127, Nandu XI were bowled out for 146, taking a slim lead of 19.

Click here to view full scorecard

Test opener Chanderpaul was the glue that held the innings, remaining not out on a resolute 64 from 239 balls. The left-hander struck five fours in his marathon 443-minute stay at the crease.

Kemol Savory (18), Ari Afrizal Kadir (14), Veerasammy Permaul (14) and Matthew Nandu (12) were other batsmen to make a double-figure score, while Mavindra Dindyal (0), Shamar Apple (9), Zeynul Ramsammy (1), Keemo Paul (2), Sinclair (1) and Nial Smith (2) all fell for single digit scores.

Left-arm spinner Adams claimed 4-32 from 15.1 overs, while there was a wicket each for Nityanand Mathura, Ronaldo AliMohamed, Jonathan Van Lange and Richie Looknauth.

Batting a second time, Imlach XI were bowled out for 92, mustering a lead of 73 with a day to play.

Off-spinner Sinclair picked up 5-11 from five overs, with Paul taking 2-14, Ramsammy 1-2 and Smith 1-20.

Van Lange made 38 off 43 (4x4s, 1×6), Tomanni Caesar 19 off 25 (2x4s) and Kevlon Anderson 14 off 16 (1×4). The rest- Raymond Perez (0), Urshadeva Balgobin (r.h 0), Navindra Persaud (3), Tevin Imlach (2), Romeo Deonarain (0), Kevin Sinclair (5), AliMohamed (4) and Mathura (3)- were all dismissed for single figure scores.

These matches are being held as part of preparations for the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ defence of the upcoming West Indies Four-Day Championship.

From a batting standpoint, the games have been a major disappointment. The highest total after six innings is 180, with 164 being the only other score above 150.

No individual hundreds have been scored, with Chanderpaul (64*), Savory (63) and Balgobin (59) the only players to score a fifty to date.

The post Chanderpaul, Sinclair and Adams highlight Harpy Eagles practice game appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Senior Director for climate and REDD+ at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Pradeepa Bholanath, said Guyana sold forest carbon credits to 19 international airlines over the past 18 months.

This marks a major milestone in the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Speaking during the fourth episode of Tea on the Terrace, Bholanath explained that Guyana recently received its largest tranche of forest carbon credits to date, amounting to nine million credits under the ART-TREES programme.

“Over the last 18 months, we have seen sales to over 19 airlines at prices that have gone beyond the levels that we have sold our carbon credits for under our existing agreements,” she noted.

Each of these credits has received the CORSIA label, making them eligible for use by airlines to offset their emissions.

According to Bholanath, the international aviation sector has shown increasing interest in Guyana’s forest carbon credits.

She added that demand for Guyana’s credits is expected to grow further as airlines move to meet emission reduction targets under global climate agreements.

Guyana remains in a unique global position as a net carbon sink, meaning the country absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits.

This allows Guyana to provide climate services to the world while also generating revenue through the sale of carbon credits.

These revenues are being reinvested into national development initiatives under the LCDS framework.

This includes solar power generation, hinterland electrification, drainage and irrigation projects, and programmes benefitting Amerindian communities (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

The post Guyana sold carbon credits to 19 airlines under LCDS framework appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C., has signalled that enforcement action will soon be taken against Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed to recover millions of dollars in court-ordered costs following their unsuccessful legal challenges to extradition proceedings.

The move comes after the Court of Appeal on Tuesday unanimously dismissed the Mohameds’ appeal, upholding an earlier High Court ruling and awarding an additional $3 million in costs— $1.5 million each to the Minister of Home Affairs and the Attorney General. When combined with the $1.5 million previously awarded by the High Court, the total now owed by the father and son stands at $4.5 million.

However, according to correspondence from the Attorney General’s Chambers dated March 11, 2026, no payments have yet been made in relation to the earlier High Court order .

In that letter, addressed to Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, the Attorney General reminded that the High Court had ordered payment of $500,000 to each respondent, including the State, by February 27, 2026. The Chambers noted that the deadline had passed without compliance.

“We are not in receipt of any payment of costs as per the Court’s Order, and note that the time stipulated for compliance has since passed,” the letter stated .

The correspondence further demanded that payment be made “forthwith,” warning that failure to comply would result in steps being taken to enforce the court’s order .

The Attorney General’s position follows the latest appellate ruling, which decisively rejected arguments advanced by the Mohammeds that the extradition process was tainted by bias. The Court of Appeal affirmed that the decision by Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond to issue the Authority to Proceed (ATP) was lawful and administrative in nature, and not subject to disqualification on the grounds alleged.

The court also dismissed claims that legal advice provided by the Attorney General influenced the process improperly, finding no evidence to support assertions of bias.

The appellate panel comprising Acting Chancellor Roxane George and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Nareshwar Harnanan, found the appeal to be without merit and dismissed it in its entirety.

The ruling further strengthens the Government’s position as extradition proceedings against the Mohammeds continue before the Magistrates’ Court.

With both High Court and Appeal Court costs now outstanding, the Attorney General has indicated that additional correspondence will be issued to recover the newly awarded sums, as the State prepares to move to enforcement if payments are not made.

 

The post Attorney General moves to enforce $4.5M court costs against Mohameds appeared first on News Room Guyana.