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The newly established Collateral Registry is now fully operational, marking a major step in transparency and security in the local financial and business sector. This was announced by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, during his weekly ‘Issues in the News’ programme.

With this new registry, individuals and businesses can now use movable property such as vehicles as collateral when seeking loans or credit. This includes transactions traditionally executed through hire purchase agreements, bills of sale, or other forms of credit sales.

The Collateral Registry comes under the Security Interest in Movable Property Act No. 20 of 2024

“This piece of legislation introduces a modern framework for the registration of security interests in movable property and represents a significant milestone in advancing Guyana’s business and financial regulatory environment,” Nandlall stated.

Nandlall revealed that the Collateral Registry had faced initial technical challenges, but those issues have since been resolved.

“That registry was not up and running because of some technical difficulties. I am pleased to announce that as of today [Tuesday], the registry is up and functioning,” he said.

With the system now active, bankers, retail suppliers, automotive dealers, and other businesses involved in credit-based sales can register their security instruments directly with the Collateral Registry.

In addition to launching the new registry, Nandlall also revealed that the Bills of Sale Act has been repealed. He further stated that in the past, bills of sale were among the most commonly used instruments for securing credit involving movable property, such as vehicles purchased on credit. Under the new system, these transactions will now be handled through the Collateral Registry, which ensures clear registration and enforcement of security interests.

“So you have a modern framework now through which you can access financing, and the banks, auto dealers, and businesses who are engaged in these transactions now have a modern framework within which they can transact their businesses,” the Minister said.

The Registrar of Commerce has since been instructed to issue a public notice announcing the functioning of the Collateral Registry. Training sessions have also been conducted for banking and commercial stakeholders, as well as staff members of the registry, to ensure smooth implementation and use of the new system.

 

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Guyana has been handed a challenging group for the 2026 Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers after being drawn alongside hosts Honduras, Bermuda, and Suriname.

The draw determines the region’s path to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with only the eight group winners from this stage advancing to the global tournament.

Guyana will be based in Honduras for the preliminary round from February 3 to 12, 2026.

Their match schedule is set to test them across six days:

• February 6: Bermuda
• February 8: Honduras (Hosts)
• February 11: Suriname

The competition, which involves 34 Concacaf Member Associations, employs a single-round robin format across eight groups.

The stakes are exceptionally high, as only the winner of each group will secure one of the eight spots for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Matches will be played across six host nations: Honduras, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

In the previous edition of the qualifiers, major footballing nations, including Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and the United States, secured progression alongside Haiti, El Salvador, and Honduras.

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See below the full statement from Region Ten Tourism Committee Inc.:

The Region Ten Tourism Committee Inc. has been made aware of the issues involving our Vice Chairman Mr. Devin Sears involving the transportation of cannabis on October 20, 2025, as reported in media outlets.

We unequivocally state that we have no association with the alleged actions of Mr. Sears. While Mr. Devin Sears is a member of RTTC, his actions in this matter are personal and unrelated to the committee’s mission of promoting eco-tourism and regional development in Region 10. Mr. Sears has since tendered his resignation to the committee pending investigation.

RTTC is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity in promoting tourism in Region Ten. We will issue a further statement after consulting with members of the Guyana Police Force (E Division) to gain a clearer understanding of the events that transpired.

In the meantime, we urge the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to proceed.

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See the full statement issued below: 

 

National Milling Company of Guyana, owned and managed by Seaboard Corporation, a diversified global agribusiness and transportation company, today announced a landmark investment of approximately GYD $10 billion to significantly enhance local production capabilities and capacity within Guyana’s flour milling industry.

This major investment will fund the construction of a new state-of-the-art Processing Mill, expanded wheat storage facilities, and an enhanced wharf to support both domestic and growing export demand. The project reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to advancing Guyana’s agri-industrial development and supporting regional food security initiatives.

“This expansion represents more than an investment in infrastructure, it’s an investment in people, skills, and the sustainable future of Guyana’s food industry,” said Mr Jack Bresky, CEO & President of Seaboard Overseas Trading Group. “We are proud to partner with the Government of Guyana as we align with President Ali’s vision for regional food security and increased value-added production.”

The new Processing Mill is expected to boost local production capabilities, and create significant employment opportunities across technical, operational, and logistical sectors. The project will also incorporate modern technologies and training programs to develop local expertise in advanced milling operations.

In addition to this expansion, NAMILCO is actively engaging with the Government of Guyana to explore opportunities for the commercialization of local cassava flour production. This initiative aims to diversify Guyana’s flour offerings, promote agricultural innovation, and further strengthen the country’s self-sufficiency in food production.

Further demonstrating its long-term confidence in the Guyanese economy, Seaboard will also be conducting due diligence related to the potential entry into integrated pork production and processing, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution opportunities. These exploratory initiatives underscore the company’s holistic approach to value-chain development across food production and energy infrastructure — two key enablers of sustainable national growth.

This announcement follows the successful commissioning of NAMILCO’s Mixing Plant in 2023, inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. That facility marked a major step toward value-added food production in Guyana and laid the foundation for today’s investment.

“Our continued investment demonstrates our strong belief in Guyana’s economic potential and our commitment to contributing to its long-term industrial growth,” added Mr Bresky. “Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient food system for the Caribbean and beyond.”

Construction on the new facilities is expected to begin in Quarter 1 2026, with commissioning targeted for 2027.

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Residents of Vilvoorden and neighbouring Fairfield on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, say they are “living in ashes” — choking daily on thick clouds of dust and smoke from the Vilvoordeen Investment Inc’s rice mill, an operation they have accused of destroying their quality of life and refusing to heed to years of complaints and official intervention.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that the long-running environmental dispute is before the courts, with the mill being given until December to comply with a series of directives aimed at curbing the pollution. But for many residents, that decision lacks enforcement.

The frustration boiled over on Monday when a 38-year-old schoolteacher from Vilvoorden was arrested after he entered the rice mill’s compound and threw a container of muddy material inside the office — an act residents described as a desperate protest. Police said the teacher was released on $15,000 station bail pending a court appearance.

Following the arrest, residents took to social media to vent their anger, calling out both local authorities and the government for what they say is continued neglect of their suffering.

Abdool Saib Shameer, a vocal resident who has faced a $12 million libel suit from the rice mill’s owners over previous pollution claims, alleged that the “mud” thrown was not ordinary mud but a mixture of dust and ashes collected from homes covered daily by emissions from the mill.

“This is the same dust that babies, children, adults and the elderly are living in 24/7,” Shameer wrote.

“We exhausted all legal avenues, reached out to all authorities and still we continue to suffer. No money can fix our health.”

Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Kemraj Parsaram, confirmed that the EPA has been monitoring the matter closely.

“We’ve been dealing with it, and it is in court,” Parsaram told News Room on Monday.

“Earlier this month, the court issued an order giving the rice mill until December to comply with the directions given by the EPA.”

Among the EPA’s directives is the immediate removal of massive heaps of paddy husk stored on the mill’s compound — one of which has reportedly been burning, sending plumes of smoke into the air and across the community.
The order was clear: remove the paddy heap immediately, control the fire, and ensure no further burning takes place, Parsaram explained.

However, despite these interventions, residents say the pollution continues. Many have posted daily videos and photographs on social media showing thick dust clouds swirling through their yards, coating their roofs and blanketing nearby crops.
Public protests have been held since 2022, with residents insisting that the environmental damage has reached intolerable levels.

Efforts to contact the owner of the rice mill were unsuccessful, but a resident, Sameer Khan, wrote in defence of the business, urging a balanced view of the situation.

Khan explained that the rice mill has existed for over four decades, initially established with the full consent of villagers who wanted jobs and economic growth. He argued that much of the current dust problem stems from natural conditions and climate change, not deliberate negligence by the owners.

He said the current owner, Mr. Nazeemul Hakh, inherited a series of unresolved environmental issues when he took over the facility in 2019 but has since invested in enclosing the mill and adopting mitigation measures as instructed by the EPA.

“There are visible things that were done to combat the dust,” Khan continued. “It costs money, time, effort and energy. Changes take time — it will not happen overnight.”

“If we take him out of operations, how many people will be affected?” Khan asked.

“Many of these same villagers sell their paddy to the mill. We need to find solutions, not chaos.”

Residents, however, maintain that they have “tried everything.” They have filed complaints with the EPA, written to regional authorities, protested publicly and even taken legal action — yet the dust and smoke persist.

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Local businesses were on Tuesday urged by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh to invest and expand amid Guyana’s rapid emergence as a global trade player.

Speaking at the official launch ceremony of the World Trade Centre Georgetown, a first of its kind in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM, Dr. Singh said country’s record-breaking trajectory highlights the need for more supply.

“There is more demand than we are able to produce today – in literally every category of goods and services,” Dr. Singh said.

He said the country’s growth, coupled with international interest has made demand for products in all sectors more competitive, raising the need for higher production levels.

The World Trade Center is located on High Street, Georgetown.

The World Trade Center Association sees Guyana as a key connector for the region and beyond. Through its affiliation, the Georgetown Center now connects with over 300 trade hubs worldwide. It has already signed 16 Memoranda of Understanding with international Centers to support training, information sharing, and access to potential global partners, opening new possibilities for Guyana, CARICOM, and the global community to meet and develop business opportunities.

Dr. Singh said the Centre forms part of a national need to create new opportunities for Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

“Our President has spoken repeatedly about the importance of establishing Guyana as a literal bridge between mainland South America and the Caribbean,” he said.

He added that the government is conducting special projects to make this connection a reality with special emphasis on infrastructure. Further, with international funding, growing exports, and regional partnerships, local businesses can explore opportunities in areas not yet explored.

“It [World Trade Centre Georgetown] comes at precisely the right moment in our country’s economic history, and we see it as having tremendous potential,” Dr Singh said.

According to Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association President, Rafeek Khan and Private Sector Commission President, Gerry Gouveia Jr., the untapped opportunities for businesses can be supported through connections with the World Trade Center Association.

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The trial into the March 2020 General and Regional elections resumed on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following the last hearing on September 26.

At the start of the proceedings, Magistrate Faith McGusty informed the court that she received a letter from defense attorney Eusi Anderson stating that he would be absent this week as he is out of the jurisdiction.

Defense attorney Nigel Hughes, unwell, joined the hearing virtually and requested that one of his colleagues hold for him.

Ronald Daniels requested to be excused for joining the proceedings a few minutes late. Daniels explained that one of the defendants, Roxanne Myers had a slip and fall and was therefore absent, another defendant, Keith Lowenfield was unwell, and Volda Lawrence was also unwell.

The magistrate noted that other defense attorneys, Dexter Todd and Darren Wade, had not communicated their absences.

She later informed the court that Wade was attending to multiple matters before the High Court.

Elections fraud trial adjourned until Oct. 21

The prosecution had several witnesses lined up for the completion of cross-examination, but this was not possible due to the absence of the defense attorneys. To allow the trial to proceed, Magistrate McGusty suggested that a witness already giving evidence be called to continue.

So, Lance Corporal Christopher Martin Douglas was called to the stand.

He testified that on August 31, 2020, at around 17:00 hrs, a request was made for a videographer to conduct an interview. He said he collected his equipment, set up the camera at the Major Crimes Unit, and recorded the interview.

While recording, Denise Babb- Cummings entered the room. Douglas explained that he ejected, marked, and lodged the discs after recording.

The video was not played in court since Babb-Cummings objected to its admissibility, citing the absence of Anderson, her attorney, during the recording and questioned the legitimacy of the footage.

Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat argued that the video constituted legitimate evidence.

However, the magistrate postponed ruling on the matter. Daniels, the only defense lawyer present, declined to comment on the evidence without Anderson.

The court will wait for Anderson’s attendance before deciding on the video’s admissibility.

Following this, Dr Josh Kanhai was called to the stand for completion of cross-examination, continuing from September 26. He was cross-examined by Daniels.

He detailed the national recount conducted on July 9, 2020, explaining that every ballot box was reopened and carefully examined in the presence of party agents and observers.

Dr Kanhai also referenced correspondence between then-GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh and CEO Keith Lowenfield, which he said informed the final declaration of the results based on the recount figures.

(more…)

Akeal Hosein reached his hotel room in Dhaka at 4:00am on Tuesday. The West Indies selectors summoned him for the second ODI, following two injuries in the squad.

Hosein joined the team in the bus to the Shere Bangla National Stadium around noon. By the end of the night, he was bowling the Super Over for West Indies, defending 10 runs.

Hosein had an unfavourable match-up with the left-handed Soumya Sarkar taking strike. He started off with a wide and then a no-ball. Bangladesh got four runs without facing a legal ball.

Hosein somehow managed to salvage the over from there, avoiding getting hit for a boundary, even though he did concede one more wide with four needed off the last ball. So he had to go again and this time he kept his lines and gave up just one run.

“I don’t think I have anything left in me again, buddy,” Hosein said after bringing West Indies back from the brink to level the series 1-1.

“Got to the hotel at 4:00am. But it’s part of the job, and once you commit to something and once you give your word, you better be ready to turn up and give 100%. No excuses, and I almost messed it up, but thankfully, you know, I took the team home in the end.”

Hosein is a world-class limited-overs performer, but this was his first ODI in two years. Granted he was playing on an absolute, raging turner in Dhaka, he was still under pressure bowling the Super Over.

Hosein managed to get the ball to turn into the left-hander’s body when Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto were on strike. Against Saif Hassan, he bowled over the wicket, not allowing the right-hander to free his arms.

“It’s a tricky pitch,” he said. “It’s not one that is turning at a fair pace. The ball is jumping a bit, so for me, to the left-hander, it was definitely to make him hit square. He’s [Sarkar] quite a powerful guy, so I think that if he has arms, he can hit through the line easily.

“So, for me, it was just trying to spin the ball from as close as possible on a good length and force him to hit square, because that square boundary was quite big.”

Hosein had faced a similar situation, in the Hundred last year. He didn’t have to bowl the Super Over back then, but did bowl the final set that pushed the game into overtime.

“I have been in a situation like this,” Hosein said. “It was an Eliminator in the Hundred. And it started off quite similar. I bowled a no-ball. In the Hundred, a no-ball is two [runs]. And I had to defend nine [10] or something like that. And one ball [the no-ball] went for six, and then they needed two [three] off four [five] balls or something.

“I remember Chris Jordan coming up to me, and he said, ‘don’t worry, you got this.’ and I said to myself, ‘if he can believe that I have this, with two [three] runs to go, Liam Livingstone, world-class hitter on strike, with four [five] balls to go, if Chris Jordan can believe, why can’t I believe?’” (ESPNcricinfo)

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(NBC 6 NEWS)- Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday and could become a hurricane later this week, forecasters said.

Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving west at 14 mph about 300 miles south of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, according to the first advisory from the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

A hurricane watch was issued for the southern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince.

A tropical storm watch was also in effect for Jamaica.

Melissa was expected to turn to the northwest and north before approaching the southwestern portion of Haiti and Jamaica later this week, the NHC said.

Gradual strengthening was expected during the next few days and the NHC track showed Melissa becoming a hurricane later this week.

 

Hurricane Season

The NBC 6 First Alert Weather team guides you through hurricane season

It is still too early to tell what the exact track or intensity will be with Melissa but the NHC is advising Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Cuba to monitor the progress of the system as there is a risk of heavy rain and flooding, strong winds, and rough surf later this week.

Models agree in the short term, but become divergent by days six and seven. There are three possible scenarios at play:

·        Melissa moves west into Central America.

·        Melissa curls north, possibly bringing impacts to portions of the Caribbean.

·        A later northern curve could bring it near the Bahamas.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. If it becomes a hurricane it would be the fifth this year.

An average hurricane season generally produces 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes, with 3 major hurricanes.

The hurricane season officially began June 1 and ends November 30.

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