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Coastal Rim Properties Inc (CRP), in partnership with Guyanese Attorney Sanjeev Datadin, has launched TAJ Emerald, a 300-unit gated condominium development on the East Bank of Demerara, with prices starting at US$110,000 (G$25 million).
The development is CRP’s third major residential project in Guyana and is located near TAJ Diamond along the newly-completed Buzz Bee Dam Highway.

As part of the launch, CRP announced a special homeownership initiative reserving 30 units for public servants, including members of the Guyana Police Force, nurses, teachers, junior public servants and other frontline Government employees.
Under the initiative, successful applicants will be required to make a five per cent down payment, amounting to US$5500 on a US$110,000 unit, with financing offered at a flat four per cent interest rate for up to 30 years. CRP said all financing for TAJ Emerald will be provided directly in-house.
Public sector workers interested in the initiative can apply by emailing a copy of their identification to mycondo@tajguyana.com. A random drawing from eligible applicants will be held in the first week of September, after which the selected 30 individuals will be processed for their units.
CRP Principal Giovanni Mola said the initiative was intended to recognise the contribution of public servants while providing them with a path to homeownership.
“Our teachers educate our children. Our nurses care for our families. Our Police protect our communities,” Mola said.
Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith welcomed the initiative, describing access to housing as important to workforce retention.
“When a nurse, a teacher or a Police Officer can own a home on a public servant’s salary, we retain talent, we reward service, and we strengthen the very institutions that hold this country together,” Griffith said.
The public-servant initiative forms a small portion of the wider development, which is primarily targeting the general market.
Initially, 50 market-rate units will be released at introductory prices. Approved buyers will be required to make a 30 per cent initial deposit, with the remaining financing offered at a flat four per cent interest rate for up to 30 years.
CRP said subsequent phases will be released at updated prices once the initial 50 units are sold.
TAJ Emerald will comprise two-bedroom condominiums with controlled access, security patrols, dedicated parking and professionally-managed common areas. Site works have already begun, with initial delivery scheduled for Spring 2028.
Nicola Mola of CRP said the development was designed to incorporate the company’s engineering and development standards in its projects in Guyana and the United States, including underground stormwater drainage, modern infrastructure, and controlled access.
TAJ Emerald is the third major residential project being undertaken by CRP in Guyana.
TAJ Dream Ogle is a 1000-plus-unit development co-developed with NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, while TAJ Diamond, a 218-home gated community near TAJ Emerald, has entered vertical construction.
According to CRP, the three developments together represent more than US$550 million in planned private residential investment.

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Your Eyewitness is stocking up on popcorn for what looks like it’s gonna be a “rumble in the jungle” shaping up right here in our ole Mudland!! Over in one corner in his bright green trunks is the ever-pugnacious Noxious Norton from Bam Bam Alley and the PNC – and in the other is his nemesis Sanction Man – in his capacious slack orange Bukta!! The latter is clearly trying to get used to the colour he’ll be wearing for an indeterminate period in the general population of Miami’s Dade County penitentiary later this year!!
Behind the usual beef between competitors for the same LOO Championship Belt is Norton gloweringly complaining that Sanction Man’s fighting dirty by pushing proportionality only when it’s convenient to him!!  After WIN won 16 seats in the 2025 elections, APNU won 12 and FGM one, Sanction Man started jumping up and down screaming that the three Opposition-nominated Commissioners on GECOM should reflect the new reality – and be replaced by WIN nominees! He’d suddenly discovered the sacred principle of parliamentary arithmetic!!
Now, on the face of it, your Eyewitness saw a perfectly-respectable democratic argument there. Unfortunately, there arose the small matter of Opposition nominations to the Local Government Commission (LGC)!! When it came to appointments there, the arithmetic apparently became considerably less sacred to Sanction Man!! APNU, with its 12 parliamentary seats and a substantial elected local-government presence, was left out in the cold holding wood!! Sanction Man was clearly less enthusiastic about the proposition that the latest electoral results should determine who gets represented!! Imagine giving FGM with one seat – one seat on the LGC, but PNC with 16 seats ZILCH!!
So, Sanction Man’s emerging WIN “democratic” doctrine appears to be wonderfully simple – when WIN snags 16 seats, the election results gotta be respected but when APNU’s got 12, that’s arguable!! Your Eyewitness can almost hear the constitutional principle being sharpened to fit the occasion!! But Sanction Man can’t have it both ways!! While there’s nothing wrong in demanding that GECOM reflect the present parliamentary balance, if he wants to claim the mantle of democratic renewal, he better start practising the old-fashioned principle that rules gotta apply – even when the result’s inconvenient!!
But then this gotta be traumatic for a fella who cut his teeth on breaking the law about paying taxes on exporting gold and importing luxury cars!! So, while the PNC can hardly complain about being squeezed out at GECOM if the rules genuinely require it, Sanction Man gotta be careful about arguing for that while simultaneously treating the PNC seats like they mysteriously vanished at the LGC!!
After all, while sixteen is bigger than twelve, twelve’s still bigger than zero!!

…the doldrums
As you Dear Readers would know by now, your Eyewitness firmly believes that we over here in ole Mudland gotta keep our eyes like a hawk on what’ going on next door to our west in Venezuela – since no matter how you cut it, slice it or puree it, they’ll NEVER quit coveting our Essequibo!! So, as he noted yesterday, we’re gonna be hitting around 1.2M barrels of oil with our latest FPSO later this year – we should also note that Venezuela has already slowly inched past that already!!
But what’s more important than that bare statistic is they’re shipping MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR PRODUCTION TO US REFINERIES ON THE GULF COAST!! Those refineries were customised to refine the very heavy crude that Venezuela produces – and from which America gets the diesel fuel that keeps its factories and electricity plants going!! Our Brent Light mostly ends up in Europe – with only a fraction to the States!!
Combined with their 300BILLION Barrels reserves – this puts them strategically ahead!!

…our reverie
As the Warriors continue with their winning ways – as they did the other night against the St Lucia Kings – your Eyewitness expects that the seemingly less-than-stellar turn-out to their home games will turn around!!
Go Warriors!!

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…as laws are being amended to strengthen regulation
President Dr Irfaan Ali has said persons aggrieved by irresponsible conduct on social media can seek redress through the courts, while Government continues efforts to amend existing laws to strengthen regulation of the online space.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during a press conference at the Office of the President.

“My advice to every single person is to utilise the courts when wrongful allegations are made against you, when you are being maligned, I would encourage anyone, because the irresponsibility that exists on social media is something that has to be addressed. People have children, the irresponsibility that goes on, on social media and the only way to deal with it is that people have to take action, they have to utilise the legal mechanism so that the facts can be established,” he contended.
The President’s remarks were in response to a series of allegations being made by United States-sanctioned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed against him and his government.
Only recently, the President’s brother, through his attorneys, dispatched a letter to the Opposition Leader threatening legal action over allegations he made on his social media page Team Mohamed’s.
In fact, a number of entities and individuals have come forward to reject allegations and correct misinformation being spread by the Opposition Leader. These include local contractors as well as the Guyana Water Inc (GWI); Guyana Fire Service (GFS); Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Enmore Regional Hospital.
President Ali underscored the importance of citizens protecting themselves against misinformation by relying on credible and trusted sources, noting that “around the world, the only thing that can combat misinformation are fact-based analysis, separating facts, understanding facts, listening to credible sources”.
He also urged Guyanese to use social media responsibly, noting that the Government is considering amendments to existing laws to address its irresponsible use.
“I think in Guyana, there’s a view that there are no rules when it comes to social and you can post whatever you want, that is why I believe it is critically important that people utilise the legal system now to bring sanity to this whole thing,” the President said.
“I call on every Guyanese to use social media in a manner that has some sort of ethical basis, moral basis because as you know, in the UK, there are laws for social media that are far-reaching. And the region is looking at this in totality, but we too are looking at how we can amend our laws to address the very concerns,” he added.
President Ali recently instructed the Attorney General’s Chambers to review penalties for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content. He added that the Government will launch a campaign to help the public identify manipulated content and understand the harm it can cause.
In 2024, Attorney General Anil Nandlall had announced a review of the Cybercrime Act to address the use of the various social media platforms to “attack” private citizens. At the time, he had expressed that, “something has to be done about the use of the social media as a weapon against the citizens of this country…A government cannot stand idly by in the face of such onslaught on its citizens; that Government will be failing in its responsibilities”.
Guyana’s Cybercrime Act was passed in 2018 and addresses various aspects of harassment using electronic media.
Section 19 of the Act states that, among other things, a person commits an offence if…he/she uses a computer system to publish or transmit electronic data that intimidates a person, threatens the other person to use violence to him or a family member or injure their property, publish or send electronic data that is obscene…threaten to or publish information that causes damage to the reputation of another person or subjects another person to public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment. Further, the fines under this section amount to $5 million and three years’ imprisonment upon conviction and $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction.
Justifying the move, the Attorney General had explained that information posted on social media is “completely unregulated” and causes damage to people’s reputation, people’s character, and that of their family.
The Attorney General had also refuted claims that the Government is trying to control freedom of expression, noting that freedom of expression and freedom of the press do not give anyone the right to attack another person’s character or family.
Also in 2024, it was reported that the Guyana Government retained law firms in the United States of America to address matters relating to inciting racism and violence among Guyanese, through the use of social media platforms.
This year, Nandlall disclosed that Guyana had written Meta Platforms, the holding company for Facebook, requesting an institutional arrangement. He explained that this move was part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to develop a social media policy for children.

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Guyanese cyclist and National Road Race champion Briton John overcame severe back pain and the challenge of riding an unfamiliar bicycle to win the fifth stage of the 2026 Tour de Guyane on Wednesday.
The VC Sinnamary rider produced a powerful sprint to defeat Team 74’s Antoine Grand and Baptiste Derouault at the end of the gruelling 166-kilometre journey from Mana to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, the longest stage of the Tour.
John had been battling discomfort after crashing during Stage Three and was forced to compete on a different bicycle after his frame was damaged. However, those difficulties did not prevent him from joining Grand and Derouault in an early three-man breakaway on Wednesday.
The trio opened a sizeable advantage over the peloton and remained at the front for much of the race. Grand initially drove the breakaway, with John and Derouault following as they worked together to distance the main group.
With approximately 15 kilometres remaining, Grand launched an attack in an effort to break free. However, John and Derouault responded and prevented him from establishing a decisive gap.
The three riders stayed together approaching the finish before John delivered a strong sprint in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to secure a memorable stage victory.
John’s win added his name to the list of stage winners at this year’s event. Rutger Wouters claimed Stage One with a solo breakaway, while Paul Daumont won Stage Three. Mario Jandia captured Stage Four ahead of John’s VC Sinnamary teammate Owan Nubul.
The Tour was expected to enter a decisive phase on Thursday with Stage Six being contested in two sections. The riders will first tackle a 101.69-kilometre road race from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Mana before competing in a 12.07-kilometre individual time trial from Awala to Yalimapo during the afternoon.
With the gaps in the general classification remaining close, the double-header could significantly reshape the overall standings. (Michelangelo Jacobus)

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Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Imran Tahir praised the team’s blend of experience and youth after they maintained their unbeaten start to the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a seven-wicket victory over Saint Lucia Kings at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.
Tahir credited the Warriors’ familiarity with one another and experience playing in the Caribbean for their composed performance, noting that many of the players have been together through the Global Super League (GSL) and previous CPL campaigns.
The captain also highlighted the contribution of young Mavendra Dindyal, who produced his maiden CPL half-century and shared a crucial 79-run opening partnership with experienced New Zealand international Glenn Phillips.
Tahir said the innings was particularly impressive given Dindyal was playing only his second CPL match and faced the challenge of senior fast bowler Matthew Forde, who was moving the ball both ways.
“He’s playing his second game in CPL, so a lot of pressure. Forde was bowling to him and he’s a senior bowler, swinging the ball both ways,” Tahir said.
However, Dindyal showed composure to overcome the challenge and play a key role in setting up the successful chase.
Tahir also singled out Phillips for the role he played in helping the young Guyanese batter settle at the crease.
“That’s Glenn Phillips’ job, being a senior player, giving him confidence in how he can build his innings,” Tahir explained, “That’s where the senior players come into the picture, trying to help the youngsters. I think that’s what he did brilliantly today.”
The Warriors’ batting depth once again proved important, with Shimron Hetmyer and Quentin Sampson finishing the chase in emphatic fashion. The pair smashed 35 runs from just 10 deliveries to seal victory.
Despite the win, Tahir admitted the Warriors could have completed the chase more efficiently, suggesting there remains room for improvement as the tournament progresses.
“For us, I think as a group, we really take pride in ourselves and we know we’re representing Guyana, we’re representing the badge and we’re representing ourself. We don’t want to take things for granted and it’s really nice to see we’re gelling really well, everybody’s trying to do their job. It’s really nice to see as a captain,” the GAW skipper added about his team.
The victory keeps the Amazon Warriors unbeaten as they head into their third fixture of the season in Antigua and Barbuda. The Guyanese franchise will battle hosts, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Sunday, August 23 from 19:00hrs.

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Two men were shot and injured on Thursday evening when two masked bandits opened fire during an apparent robbery attempt outside Easy Corner Bar and Boutique at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Injured are Gordon Gomes and another man known only as “Troy”. Both sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during the attack at the business, located at 47 Stanleytown.
However, the bandits reportedly escaped empty-handed.
Michelle Alexander, who was at the business at the time, recalled that Gomes, Troy and another man, “Orin”, were there shortly before the attack.
She explained that a taxi had been called and she had gone outside and was sitting on the bridge with the men when she noticed two men approaching on foot.
According to Alexander, the two men were masked and came towards the group before apparently targeting one of the men, who was wearing jewellery.
“When they come and they reach here, I see them tackle the one man with the jewels,” Alexander recalled.
She said a shot was fired, but initially she did not believe the weapon was real.
“When they fired the one shot, I think it was a plastic gun, but when the other one fired the other shot and started shooting, I run,” she related.
What followed was a brief confrontation, during which there was a struggle with the attackers.
Alexander said she also became caught up in the confrontation before running for safety.
“When he started firing shots, I get up and I run,” she recalled.
The two attackers subsequently fled the area on foot as persons began emerging and running towards the scene.
Gomes was shot in the instep, while Troy sustained a gunshot injury to his leg. Alexander also recalled that one of the men sustained a minor injury to his forehead during the confrontation.
According to the eyewitness, the attackers did not manage to take anything from their intended victims.
“They didn’t get nothing from none of them because the guy get all he things,” she said, explaining that there had been a struggle which apparently prevented the bandits from completing the robbery.
Both men were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where they were admitted.
The owner of Easy Corner Bar and Boutique is currently overseas.
Police have since launched an investigation.

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