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Amid the massive influx of tourists seeking to explore the nation’s eco-tourism products, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on Monday said the airstrips are being upgraded to make runways safer for larger aircraft.

During a Facebook Live posted to the Ministry’s Facebook page, the minister explained that millions of dollars were injected into the upgrade of airstrips at hinterland communities.

Edghill said the ministry is currently focused on several projects to further expand the runways at hinterland airstrips and looking ahead, the expected result is a boost in the tourism sector’s ability to boost the economy.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

“Our key focus of expanding tourism is tied to the development of hinterland airstrips, we want safety to be improved, we want to ensure more aircraft can land, we want to ensure bigger planes can land, we want to ensure that the fares to go to the interior are reduced and at the same time all the operators in the tourism sector must be able to expand as we continue to sell our eco-tourism worldwide,” Edghill said.

In 2025, the government significantly improved air travel to Paramakatoi, Region Eight with the completion of a 2,500 feet long, 50 feet wide runway valued at $799.7 million.

The runway at the Kaieteur National Park, a 1,000-feet extension was also conducted and completed earlier this year. According to Edghill, the airstrip at Port Kaituma will be done in 2026 and works are underway at Matthews Ridge, Region One.

Additionally, the minister said these massive investments are not only boosting connectivity but the nation’s ability to boost the livelihood of the population.

“For some people it’s just a road or a highway or airstrip or the operation of motor vessels, whatever we do is not isolated but it is heavily connected to the whole population,” the minister said.

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Colin Anderson, called “Strongy” or “Biggs,” a 25-year-old gold miner of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara has been charged in connection with the murder of Michael John Benn. The incident an occurred on Sunday December 21, 2025 at Aranguy Landing, Cuyuni River.

On Monday, Anderson appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to him and he was not required to plead.

He was remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to Thursday February 12, 2026.

Benn, a gold miner of Charity, Essequibo Coast, was at a liquor shop in the area when he became involved in an altercation with two males, during which he sustained stab injuries to his chest.

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Quincy Baird, a 37-year-old photographer of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, has been charged in connection with the theft of $153.9 million from a local telecommunications company. 

A release from Police Headquarters noted that Baird appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where the charge was read to him, and he was not required to plead. 

He was granted bail of $1 million. 

The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, February 11, 2026. As part of the bail conditions, Baird is required to lodge his passport with the court, have no contact with any employee from the telecommunications company, and report every second Friday of the month to the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters.

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Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body found on Monday morning at a residence located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The discovery was made at about 06:35 hrs.

The deceased has been identified as Tejram Ramchandar called “Pudding-Man,” 63, of the said address who was discovered stuck on the fence.

The body was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and pronounced dead. The body was then escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

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[BBC] – Nine people including five children have been stabbed to death on the outskirts of Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, police have said.

Another adult and child were taken to hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the attack, city police said in a statement.

Officers were called to an address on a road leading out of the capital on Saturday night, where they detained a male suspect after shooting him in the leg. He was also taken to hospital for treatment and is under police guard.

Local media has suggested the man was suffering from mental health issues, citing officials and residents, while the South American nation’s president said his family and neighbours were among the victims.

“At a time when family and friends should be holding on to and supporting each other, we are confronted with the harsh reality that there is another side to the world,” Jennifer Geerlings-Simons said in a statement.

“I wish all the bereaved much strength, courage and comfort during this unimaginably difficult time.”

Police said further details about the circumstances of the incident would follow.

Suriname is among nations with the lowest rates of stabbing deaths, making incidents such as this one relatively rare.

However, it has endured several coups and a civil war since gaining its independence from the Netherlands in 1975.

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Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, says measures are being implemented to address flooding caused by heavy rainfall in Black Bush Polder.

On Sunday, he toured the area, meeting with residents and farmers impacted by the flooding.

After hearing their concerns, he spoke to the media, explaining that the recent downpours have led to significant water accumulation in both residential and agricultural areas, affecting many people.

To tackle this, he stated that all watercourse heads leading from the drainage system would be closed off to enable quick draining of the flooded areas.

The Minister also mentioned that additional water pumps will be set up at Number 43 Koker. He has instructed the regional engineer to deploy five machines to aid in water removal, and similar pumps will be installed in various locations to assist with drainage efforts.

“In the meantime, GRDB, NAREI, and GLDA are going around to see what are the conditions, and losses farmers would have suffered. I don’t think rice farmers would have suffered any major losses. The cash crop farmers, however, are complaining that their crops are under water. We will be working to do an assessment to see what help we can give them,” he said.

Minister Mustapha stated that the pump stations and sluice gates in the Adventure, Eversham, and Number 43 Villages are working well.

“I have residents and farmers from Black Bush that will be monitoring the functioning and operations of the pump stations and sluices,” he revealed.

Minister Mustapha is hopeful that the setup will efficiently drain the area as quickly as possible.

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The vastly experienced Shemaine Campbelle has been appointed captain of the Guyana team to compete in the Cricket West Indies/CG United Women’s Super50 and T20 Blaze in January 2026.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) announced on Sunday that the squad will be encamped from January 2-7 under the guidance of Head Coach Tremaine Smartt and Assistant Coach/Manager Clive Grimmond.

Guyana will look to defend the T20 Blaze title they won this year, while aiming to put their hands on the Super50 trophy.

“The team, which achieved remarkable success earlier this year by capturing the T20 Blaze Championship, is focused on maintaining its winning form. Preparations have already begun within the GCB to ensure a smooth and effective build-up to the tournaments, emphasising player readiness, strategic planning, and overall team cohesion,” the GCB said.

Champs! Team Guyana celebrates victory in the T20 Blaze competition in 2025 (Photo: CWI)

Campbelle will have off-spinning all-rounder Ashmini Munisar as Vice-captain, alongside Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Realeanna Grimmond, Nyia Latchman, Kaysia Schultz, Laurene Williams, Latoya Williams, Analesia D’Aguiar, Plaffianna Millington, Mandy Mangru, Feona Benjamin and Tremaine Marks.

The squad will be supported by a strong group of reserves, including Cyanna Retemiah, Letisha Jordan, Crystal Durant, Tiea Isaacs, Anastecia Valenzuela, Tifeny La Rose, Sarah Bheir and Nyomi Barkoye.

Talented all-rounder Cherry-Ann Fraser will miss the tournament due to injury.

“The GCB is committed to providing the team with the resources and preparation necessary to defend their T20 Blaze crown successfully while aiming to make a strong impact in the Super50 Championship,” the GCB added.

“The Board looks forward to an exciting start to the new year as Guyana’s senior women cricketers prepare to showcase their talent and continue the nation’s proud tradition in regional women’s cricket.”

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President of the Women’s Football Association Andrea Johnson recently participated in the inaugural meeting of the FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee, held in Doha, Qatar, a significant milestone for women’s football in Guyana.

Johnson was recently appointed to this prestigious FIFA committee and will serve until 2029, a testament to her leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of the women’s game.

Her appointment ensures that Guyana’s voice and perspective are represented at the global level as FIFA continues to shape the future of women’s football worldwide.

At home, President Johnson has been a central figure within the Guyana Football Federation, leading the planning and execution of the GFF Women’s Division One League.

This landmark competition, featuring Guyana’s first-ever 10-team women’s league, is currently in its playoff phase and represents a major step forward for the domestic women’s game.

The league was conceptualised to provide Guyana’s top female players with consistent, competitive match exposure, and over the past five months, more than 150 young women have taken part. The impact is already being felt- creating opportunity, building confidence, and laying a stronger foundation for the future of women’s football in Guyana.

From the local pitches to the global stage, President Johnson continues to champion progress, opportunity, and growth for women and girls in football.

(SOURCE: Guyana Football Federation)

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