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See below the full release from the Ministry of Natural Resources:

In the Government of Guyana’s ongoing effort to crack down on and eradicate illegal mining across Guyana, the Ministry of Natural Resources announces that forty-four individuals have been arrested, charged, and brought before the courts for engaging in illegal mining practices across Guyana. This adds to the seizure of over 50 pieces of equipment and other related mining materials from unlicensed mining operations, which the ministry highlighted in a January 22, 2026, press statement. These offenders have been convicted and made to pay various fines in accordance with the law.

The individuals charged were found in multiple mining districts and administrative regions,  including  Bartica and  surrounding  areas  in  Region  Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), as well as Mahdia and its environs in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), among other locations where illegal activities were detected. The ministry further advises that several other cases are presently under investigation, and it anticipates that further charges will be laid as the process advances.

This course of action forms part of the aggressive national enforcement drive launched in direct response to the call by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to dismantle all illegal mining operations and restore full compliance with Guyana’s mining laws and regulations.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said the recent arrests and prosecutions reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that Guyana’s mining laws and regulations are respected. He reminded that illegal mining poses serious risks to the environment, public safety, and the integrity of the sector and will not be tolerated. “Those who choose to operate outside of the law will be found, prosecuted, and held accountable,” Minister Bharrat stated.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reaffirms that enforcement operations will continue nationwide, supported by sustained monitoring, inspections, and close collaboration with regulatory and law-enforcement agencies to root out illegal activities wherever they occur. The ministry remains firmly committed to safeguarding Guyana’s natural resources and ensuring lawful, responsible mining in the national interest.

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Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir has issued a statement clarifying that his engagement with members of the diplomatic community on Thursday focused on Parliamentary processes and not on any personality.

Nadir and the diplomats met on Thursday at the Public Buildings, Brickdam.

“We discussed how parliament operates. We also discussed how office holders are elected but never discussed personalities,” Nadir said in a video shared on Facebook by the National Communications Network.

Members of the diplomatic corps at the Public Buildings (Photo taken from newssourcegy)

The Speaker further noted that the meeting addressed the election of the Opposition Leader but did not fixate on any personality.

However, he raised concerns that some reporters “ambushed” the diplomats after the meeting. He said the “meeting among very good friends” may have been misconstrued but maintained that the engagement was a friendly, cordial one.

Nadir also said he engaged a representative of the Private Sector.

Days ago, defended his stewardship of Parliament, in a nationally televised address that also condemned what he described as “violent, vicious and unprecedented” attacks against him by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader Azruddin Mohamed. He also raised concerns about some news reports and statements made by few members of the diplomatic corps/

 

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A policewoman who was crossing a roadway at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday was injured after she was struck down by a motorcyclist.

In a statement, Police Headquarters said the accident unfolded at around 08:10 hrs on Thursday. It involved the Policewoman and a 29-year-old motorcyclist who was riding motorcycle CR 7062.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the motorcyclist was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway when he observed Police traffic ranks on duty and turned his motorcycle around, proceeding at a fast rate of speed in the wrong direction along the one-way lane.

“While doing so, he collided with the Police Inspector, who was in the process of crossing the roadway,” Police said in the release.

As a result of the collision, Police further stated, both the motorcyclist and the pedestrian fell onto the roadway. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her head and was assisted to the New Diamond Regional Hospital, where she is admitted as a patient. Her condition is regarded as stable but serious.

The motorcyclist was arrested and is presently in police custody along with the motorcycle, which was lodged.

CCTV footage is presently being reviewed as investigations continue.

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Guyana has secured a $7.2 billion concessional loan from the Government of Japan to significantly upgrade water treatment infrastructure at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

The agreement, signed on Thursday, will co-finance a major climate-resilient water and sanitation programme with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), targeting improved water quality and services for thousands of residents in the rapidly expanding community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd and Japanese Ambassador to Guyana Akima Umezawa signed and exchanged notes during a ceremony held in the ministry’s conference room.

In his remarks, Todd said Guyana and Japan have enjoyed “cordial inter-state” relations for close to 60 years, noting that Japan has consistently supported Guyana’s development efforts during that period.

He described Diamond as a growing community that is becoming a major hub within Region Four, stressing the need for corresponding infrastructure upgrades.

“If the community is growing then we would have to upgrade the infrastructure.

“So we are very happy to partner with the Japanese government and the IDB on this concessional loan and signing of notes, which brings to bear the fact that Guyana is very focused on governing for the people of Guyana,” Todd said.

Todd also pointed out that this is not the first time Guyana has benefitted from projects under the framework, with previous investments made in Regions Two, Three and Seven.

“Bringing it to Region Four is important also because this is the most heavily populated region, and the upgrade improvements in the water treatment plant in Diamond fit well into our developmental plan,” he noted.

Emphasising the importance of water security, Todd said improving access to safe water is critical to enhancing citizens’ quality of life. “If we are going to ensure that we improve the quality of life of every citizen, water is very vital,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Umezawa said the project is aimed not only at creating safer and more sustainable drinking water, but also at enhancing a healthy living environment that supports Guyana’s overall development.

He disclosed that over the last two years, Japanese company Toshiba has constructed four large-scale water treatment plants in Guyana.

“The strategy is about long-term vision, about fuelling economic development and ensuring every Guyanese home has access to quality water.

“Therefore, this project represents more than just an infrastructure; it is a symbol of gaining the power to create your future with your hands,” Umezawa said.

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Shamar Springer bagged a hat-trick in the penultimate over as West Indies fought back to deny Afghanistan a 3-0 sweep in Dubai. Springer, who got a game in place of Shamar Joseph, dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan and Shahidullah with clever pace and length variations to make his case for the T20 World Cup.

Springer’s terrific 19th over, which cost West Indies just five runs, left Ramon Simmonds with 19 to defend off the 20th. The rookie left-arm quick, who is also vying for a place in West Indies’ T20 World Cup squad, sealed West Indies’ win with a collection of yorkers and hard-to-hit low full tosses.

A West Indies win had looked especially unlikely after Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had added 59 in seven overs in Afghanistan’s chase of 152. Guided by Gurbaz’s half-century, Afghanistan remained in control for the most part, until Springer’s intervention in the 19th over.

The all-rounder became the third West Indies player after Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd to take a hat-trick in men’s T20Is. He celebrated the feat with his signature chest roll and upstaged Rashid Khan, who had bowled a boundary-less spell of 4-0-13-2 earlier in the day.

Shamar Springer was named Player-of-the-Match

WI’s topsy-turvy innings

After being asked to bat, West Indies could manage only 27 in four overs. Johnson Charles had moved back to the top in the absence of Alick Athanaze and Evin Lewis, the latter missing this game with a neck injury sustained on Wednesday. Charles laboured to a run-a-ball 17 before he exposed his stumps to Shahidullah, only to be bowled.

King, the stand-in captain, pumped Shahidullah and Mujeeb Ur Rahman for sixes in the powerplay, but couldn’t get Afghanistan’s spin ace Rashid away. The wristspinner had King holing out for 47 off 35 balls and gave him a feisty send-off in the 15th over.

In the same over, Rashid bowled Shimron Hetmyer around his legs for 13 off six balls. While Hetmyer was bewildered by the manner of dismissal, it was business as usual for Rashid, who got his wrong’uns and legbreaks to fizz off the pitch. Rashid is now only six strikes away from becoming the first player to 700 T20 wickets.

Matthew Forde and Springer then turned up the tempo, helping West Indies take 40 from the last three overs of their innings. Forde cracked Zaiur Rahman Sharifi for two sixes during his 27 off 11 balls, while Springer picked away Abdollah Ahmadzai for a brace of fours in the 19th over. Springer would make a more telling impact with the ball in the 19th over of the second innings.

Gurbaz anchors the chase

Gurbaz had a quiet start – he scored only 17 off 19 balls in the powerplay – but found his bearings in the seventh over when he clattered seam-bowling allrounder Justin Greaves for three fours in a 14-run over. After Forde cut Zadran’s innings short on 28 off 27 balls, Gurbaz pressed on to bring up his fifty off 44 balls. He narrowed Afghanistan’s equation to 58 off 36 balls with nine wickets in hand.

It was Springer who kickstarted West Indies’ comeback by having Sediqullah Atal nicking a short ball behind to the keeper for 7 off 11 balls. Khary Pierre then pinned Darwish Rasooli lbw for 4 off six balls to create more tension. Gurbaz, however, diffused some of that tension when he jumped across off and swept Pierre for back-to-back fours in his next over.

The Springer show

It came down to Afghanistan needing 25 off 12 balls. Springer first had Gurbaz caught at the midwicket boundary, with Fore pulling off a hokey-pokey catch, for 71 off 58 balls.

Next ball, he had Rashid scything one with his wrists to deep third, with Pierre completing a tumbling catch. West Indies dropped at least eight catches across three matches, according to ESPNcricinfo’s logs, but their fielders stepped up in the end overs on Thursday.

Springer completed the hat-trick by yorking Shaidullah. Though Mujeeb put the last ball of the over away for four, Afghanistan were left with too much to do in the end.

While this was Afghanistan’s last T20I before they head to India for the T20 World Cup, West Indies will travel to South Africa for a three-match T20I series before they arrive in Kolkata, the scene of their 2016 T20 World Cup win. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

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Police have arrested three males in connection with the assault of a 16-year-old student which occurred on Wednesday outside the Zeeburg Secondary School at De Willem, West Coast Demerara.

The suspects in custody include two juveniles, aged 16 and 15 along with a 19-year-old male.

Police Headquarters revealed that the schoolboy was assaulted by several male individuals who dealt him several slaps to the face and several lashes about his body with a cutlass and a rope. The incident was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.

Education Minister Sonia Parag visited the school on Thursday and reiterated that a stricter stance will be taken against such incidents.

She further noted that the incident is among many being raised on social media and that the authorities are treating the matters seriously.

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From infrastructure to management practises, representatives from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges visited Guyana this week to explore opportunities here. 

Antwerp-Bruges is found in Belgium, and it’s Europe’s second-largest port complex. More than just scoping out investment opportunities, the Belgian delegation came to Guyana to explore how their expertise can be shared to build systems best suited to locals. 

While in Guyana, the delegation visited several private port development projects, including the TriStar Shore Base, the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI) project, and the new Parika stelling development. They also engaged key government officials and private sector leaders. 

Representatives from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and GO-Invest’s John Edghill at the Parika Stelling development (Photo: News Room/ January 22, 2026)

Nico Suys, the Manager of Port Projects at Belgium’s Port of Antwerp-Bruges, told the News Room that the team managed to get a better sense of ongoing development and developmental needs in Guyana during the short visit here. He believes there is much scope for collaboration as the port expands its reach in Guyana and the Caribbean. 

“We had very interesting discussions on how we can make it the best for the local people of Guyana, and also to be economically profitable in the long term. 

“… we think the Port of Antwerp can contribute to finding the right model that is mutually beneficial for the private sector and the public community,” Suys told the News Room. 

GO-Invest’s Senior Director of Investment, John Edghill, agrees that the Port of Antwerp-Bruges team can help Guyana, be it in developing port infrastructure or developing the legal architecture for improved management. 

“We’re always happy to see investments coming in and investors interested in coming into our borders,” Edghill said. 

The delegation’s visit to Guyana followed one to Europe, where Guyanese stakeholders got to visit various port facilities there. 

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The Guyana Police Force is continuing its enforcement against dangerous driving, with more drivers charged, fined, and brought before the courts following offences detected through the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) traffic cameras. The SRIS utilises automated cameras and data-driven monitoring to identify traffic breaches and support enforcement actions through the courts.

The Guyana Police Force has intensified enforcement against dangerous driving, with multiple motorists charged, fined, and brought before the courts (Photo: Guyana Police Force)

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, two drivers appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court in relation to dangerous driving offences. The next day, an additional ten drivers appeared before the same court.

They are:

• Ernest Pollard, driver of minibus BAG 3019, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving and fined $50,000.
• Manoj Amraj, driver of minibus BAH 2191, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving and fined $50,000.
• John Adeyinka, driver of minibus BAD 617, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving. The matter was adjourned to March 11, 2026.
• Earl Gathers, driver of minibus BVV 6982, faced six counts of Dangerous Driving. The matter was adjourned to March 11, 2026.
• Deolall Jones, driver of minibus BAK 1832, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving. The matter was adjourned to March 11, 2026.
• Kwesi Moore, driver of minibus BAD 9654, faced three counts of Dangerous Driving. The matter was adjourned to March 11, 2026.
• Kelvin Roy Hardy, driver of minibus BAL 20253, faced three counts of Dangerous Driving and was fined $150,000. His driver’s licence was suspended for four months.
• Dasrat Mirchand, driver of minibus BAK 2053, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving and fined $50,000.

At the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, four drivers appeared and were charged:

• Kimeon Bradford, driver of minibus BAG 8728, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving and fined $40,000.
• Imtiaz Ahmed Baksh, driver of minibus BAL 2271, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving and fined $40,000.
• Peter Frank, driver of minibus BAJ 9917, faced two counts of Dangerous Driving. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of $60,000. The matter was adjourned to January 20, 2026, for statements.
• Horace Charran, driver of motor pickup GAB 3545, was charged with one count of Dangerous Driving and fined $40,000.

The Traffic Department has indicated that traffic cameras operating under the SRIS framework continue to identify dangerous driving behaviour, and additional matters are expected to be listed before the courts as enforcement continues.

The Guyana Police Force has intensified enforcement against dangerous driving, with multiple motorists charged, fined, and brought before the courts (Photo: Guyana Police Force)

The Traffic Department reiterated that dangerous driving, including third-lane violations and offences detected via traffic cameras, puts lives at risk and will be met with firm action. Motorists are urged to obey traffic laws, respect lane discipline, and drive responsibly.

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See full release from the Ministry of Natural Resources:

The Ministry of Natural Resources wishes to advise that, as part of its ongoing and intensified efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations across Guyana, more than 50 pieces of mining equipment and related materials were seized recently from unlicensed operations in the North West District.

The seizures were made during compliance and enforcement exercises carried out in conjunction with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) at several locations within the Eclipse Falls–North West area. Among the items seized were mining engines, generators, water pumps, hoses, and gold detection equipment, all of which were being used in contravention of the country’s Mining laws and regulations. The equipment has since been detained and lodged at the Mines Station pending further action. The ministry reiterates that illegal and unregulated mining poses serious environmental, economic, and safety risks, and will not be tolerated.

These enforcement exercises form part of a broader, sustained strategy to ensure compliance with the Mining Act and to protect Guyana’s natural resources for present and future generations. Such operations will continue nationwide, and all findings and breaches identified during enforcement activities will be made known to the public, in keeping with the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

The Ministry of Natural Resources once again urges all miners and operators to ensure that their activities are fully licensed and compliant with the nation’s regulations.

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Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, on Wednesday met with the ten Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five, urging them to work more effectively for the betterment of citizens.

The engagements were aimed at listening to the concerns of local authorities, strengthening governance, and improving the working relationship between the ministry and councillors. During the meetings, the minister emphasised the importance of collaboration and responsiveness in meeting the needs of communities.

The meeting not only heard challenges the bodies face but also what works.

“I also want to hear from you what works, because some of you have programmes or particular policies that are working, and it would be good to share with the rest of the NDC community,” Manickchand said.

She reminded councillors of their critical role in community development and urged them to respond promptly to residents and implement initiatives that positively impact their regions.

In 2025, the subvention for local authorities increased to $30 million for each NDC. However, Manickchand expressed concern that some councils failed to fully utilise the funds.

“If you don’t spend it, it means services your community could have received… they didn’t get,” she said.

The minister stressed that unspent funds should not be returned, but rather used for meaningful projects that benefit residents.

“If you take on the responsibility to serve, then you have to serve. I want you to work every day, all day, for the people of your communities,” she added.

While assuring councillors that allocated funds will continue to be rolled out, Manickchand warned that delays and poor execution will not always be accommodated. During the discussions, regional councillors raised concerns about the lack of equipment needed for effective solid waste management, to which the minister committed to finding solutions.

Manickchand further stated health centres, schools and other public services must be properly maintained and equipped for every service to be rolled out properly. She also urged the councillors to be more responsive and cooperate.

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