Blog

Justice Arif Bulkan, a Guyanese, will be sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Office of the President, with President Dr Irfaan Ali, administering the oath.

Justice Bulkan has been appointed by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the independent body responsible for recruiting judges and staff for the CCJ.

A distinguished legal scholar and practitioner, Justice Bulkan holds a Bachelor of Laws from The University of the West Indies, a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, a Master of Laws from University College London, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Canada. Over his career, he has worked both regionally and internationally, serving in various capacities including litigator, academic, author, activist, judge, and international law expert.

Admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1990, Justice Bulkan began his legal career at the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, rising to the rank of Assistant DPP. He practiced privately from 1997 to 2004 and served on the Court of Appeal of Guyana in 2018. Since May 2022, he has been a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Belize.

Justice Bulkan has also contributed to legal education and human rights. Between 2008 and 2022, he taught at the Faculty of Law of The University of the West Indies. He served as an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, including as Vice Chairperson from 2019 to 2022, and was elected in June 2023 to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, where he currently serves as Second Vice-President.

Meanwhile, from Tuesday, 14 October to Friday, 17 October 2025, Justice Winston Anderson, President of the CCJ, will visit Guyana for the swearing-in ceremony. During his visit, President Anderson will also pay courtesy calls on key national and regional figures, including President Irfaan Ali; Justice Roxane George, OR, Chancellor (Ag) of the Judiciary; Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; Dr Carla N. Barnett, OBE, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); and representatives of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), APNU Parliamentary Group, and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM).

The post Guyanese Arif Bulkan to be sworn in as CCJ Judge on Thursday appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Superintendent Shellon Daniels is reminding members of the public that reports of domestic violence can be made at any Police Station across the country, either in person or by telephone, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to strengthen its response under the Family Violence Act 2024.

Speaking on a recent episode of the ‘Police and You’ programme, Superintendent Daniels explained that once a person recognises they are being abused, it is important to make a report immediately.

“Once a person recognises they are being abused one way or the other, whether verbally, physically, economically, or physiologically, it is advisable a report is made at any police station of your choice.

“You are not inclined to go to a station you don’t feel comfortable with. I would advise you make a report at a station and if you are not satisfied with the level of attention you get… nothing prevents you from taking it… until you reach the highest hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force,” she said.

Superintendent Shellon Daniels

Superintendent Daniels further explained that persons do not have to go in person to make a report.

“You can call any police station. We have the domestic violence hotline number which is 914,” she said, adding that police are mandated to entertain reports via telephone or in person.

She noted that once a report is made, it helps to show “the cycle or the trend of the person to which you are trying to apply to secure the protection order.”

Under the Family Violence Act 2024, relatives, guardians or family members can also apply for a protection order on behalf of a victim. Daniels explained that in addition, the Police can assist victims in applying for such orders once they are given consent to do so.

After making a report, victims can visit any Magistrate’s Court to apply for a protection order with the assistance of a clerk of court.

Superintendent Daniels explained that once the forms are completed and presented to the magistrate, a date will be set for the application. Police will then help serve the order on the abuser and return proof of service to the court.

She added that if the perpetrator fails to appear in court, the magistrate may issue an interim order or proceed to hear the matter ex parte (in their absence).

Superintendent Daniels urged persons to take these matters seriously, emphasising that protection orders are powerful legal tools.

“Protection orders are instructions of authority given under the sign of a magistrate or judge and command the police to do certain things.

“I would advise you, once you secure those orders, take it to the Police Station closest to where the person resides, and the police will take evasive actions,” Daniels said.

The post Victims encouraged to report abuse at any Police Station or by phone appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Following the launch of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) e-services landing permit system, aircrafts seeking permission to land in Guyana can now do so digitally. The digitisation of aviation services marks a major leap forward in how public services are delivered, according to Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar.

Speaking at the launch of the new system on Monday, the minister said it is another important step in transforming how services are accessed.

“Folks outside don’t care much. They just want stuff to be done easy.

“Everything is already digitised, and they’re accustomed to the digitised environment, and they come to Guyana, hand in printed paper. It already puts a shock into the system,” the minister said.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar during his remarks at the launch on Monday. (Photo: Hon. Deodat Indar, Minister and MP)

The project, managed by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), includes the digitisation of more than 1,600 aviation records that were previously paper based.

Now access for landing permits is made easier through the e-service website with over 500 landing permit applications received yearly. 

A key upgrade is the introduction of an online drone application system, which has received over 200 applications nationwide, including from regions like Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden.

Attendees at the launch of this system. (Photo: Hon. Deodat Indar, Minister and MP)

The platform is designed to offer fast, secure access without the need for in-person visits.

“The rest of the services will creep in. So the drones permit and the other permits that you need will have this, this will also have to deal with medical evacuation and so on, which is something that you need fast turnaround time, not 24 hours,” Minister Indar said.

Currently the system has a 24-hour turnaround time for approvals but Indar said this will have to be reduced. This system will also be implemented at all sectors as part of the national plan to digitise public services.

The post Guyana launches digital landing permit system for aircraft appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana is producing about 740,000 barrels of oil per day from four projects in the giant Stabroek Block offshore, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge said on Monday.

The four projects offshore are: Liza I, Liza II, Payara, and Yellowtail.

Production at Yellowtail, the newest venture, started in August, around four months ahead of schedule. The ONE GUYANA floating production storage and offloading vessel is being used here. Once production goes up to full capacity, Guyana’s total output should be around 900,000 barrels of oil daily.

“We’re already producing over 740,000 barrels a day in September, well on the way to the pathway of 900,000 barrels of oil that we anticipate we will be producing by the end of this year,” Routledge told reporters on Monday morning.

The ONE GUYANA is the largest FPSO on the Stabroek block to date, with an initial annual average production of 250,000 barrels of oil daily and a storage capacity of two million barrels. Oil produced from the FPSO will be marketed as Golden Arrowhead crude.

By 2030, ExxonMobil Guyana expects to have a total production capacity of 1.7 million oil equivalent barrels per day from eight developments.

On Monday, Routledge said oil production at project five, Uaru, and project six, Whiptail, should start in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

The post Guyana now producing about 740,000 barrels of oil daily appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Young girls from across Guyana were celebrated at a special event held to mark International Day of the Girl Child at the Umana Yana on Monday.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, focused on empowering girls to access opportunities, overcome challenges, and lead in their communities. The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today.

Among them were Kathy Smith, the first female President of the GCCI; attornery Pauline Chase; environmentalist Annette Arjoon; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Edwards; Olympian Chelsea Edghill; and environmental economist Pradeepa Bholanauth.

The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today. (Photo: News Room/October 13, 2025)

At the end of a short mentorship activity, the women leaders were asked to become permanent mentors to the girls. The girls, in turn, got the opportunity to ask questions and share their personal struggles and challenges.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, explained that while girls continue to face challenges, she highlighted that more girls are completing school and making their mark in both the public and private sectors.

“As girls you come from various places in our country, you come from many backgrounds and so your experiences, your exposure would have shaped the girl that you are today. And, we are trying in our own way to be able to have some input in the woman you will be tomorrow while ensuring the girl you are today, you will understand that there is support for everything that you want to do and all that you can be,” Minister Persaud stated.

The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today. (Photo: News Room/October 13, 2025)

In her address, Pradeepa Bholanauth focused on the impact of the climate crisis on girls. She highlighted that across Guyana, girls are stepping up as climate advocates through youth networks, environmental clubs, and school initiatives, proving that leadership is defined not by age or title, but by purpose.

“Together and alone we are strong, we are strong individually and we are strong as a collective and that is really a powerful statement because today girls face so many barriers in our everyday lives, in our work, in society and we have to work very hard breaking those barriers, reshaping our communities, leading movements of justice, science, sustainability as we chart the path to our development and nowhere is that leadership more needed, more visible than on the frontline of the climate crisis,” Bholanauth said.

The event featured successful and influential Guyanese women who engaged directly with the girls about their own struggles to get where they are today. (Photo: News Room/October 13, 2025)

And, so she urged those present to commit to action and not just words.

“The story of climate change is not only about the planet we are losing, it is about the people we are becoming. It is about the girl child – courageous, curious, and creative.”

While the event focused on empowering girls to access opportunities and overcome challenges, it also featured sport, dance, and yoga sessions.

The post Empowering tomorrow’s women: Girls urged to lead, inspire appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) have completed a comprehensive officiating training programme as part of a crucial preparation drive for the upcoming Inter Guiana Games (IGG).

The symposium at the National Racquet Centre focused on ensuring officials adhere to global standards ahead of the major tripartite games scheduled for December 5-7 in Guyana.

NSC’s Deputy Chair, Cristy Campbell, emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards, particularly in sensitive international events.

“Your role is significant because you must be aware of the officiating practices that align with World Athletics principles for fair play and ethics,” Campbell stated.

“We must be familiar with the principles of integrity in sport to avert actions that could discredit the quality of the games.”

She elaborated that “the Government will continue to support sport and work with national associations to improve in every capacity that could ultimately lead to better performances by our athletes locally and internationally.”

AAG President Sheryl Hermonstine welcomed the timely intervention, noting it was “well overdue” and would leave officials “better equipped for IGG.

The course covered a wide range of technical modules, including starts, throws, jumps, manual timekeeping, and track umpiring, alongside philosophical discussions on integrity and the modern meet manager system.

The post Guyanese officials complete comprehensive training ahead of Inter-Guiana Games  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Thornton, Colorado, USA: The inauguration of the new cricket pitch and ground at the Thornton Sports Complex marks a significant milestone in the development of cricket within the region.

The event was officiated by renowned West Indian cricket legend and Hall of Famer Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who officially opened the facility on October 4, 2025.

This ground is dedicated to fostering youth and school cricket, particularly benefiting the Adams 12 Five Star Schools, including Thornton High School and its middle schools.

The cricket ground is notable for being the first in Thornton, Colorado to feature lighting, enabling evening and night matches and training sessions.

The facility’s opening was attended by distinguished guests, including Jan Kulmann, the Mayor of Thornton, Jatin Patel, a respected multi-sports coach and cricket Hall of Famer with lifetime achievement award, as well as officials from the City of Thornton and local schools.

The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony that celebrated the growth of cricket in the community.

During the ceremony, Mayor Jan Kulmann emphasised the importance of cricket as a unifying sport that connects families, neighbours and diverse cultures. She highlighted the role of cricket in fostering community spirit and youth development.

The presence of Chanderpaul served as an inspiration to aspiring young cricketers, and the event provided an opportunity for local student-athletes from Thornton Middle School and Thornton High School to showcase their talents.

The event also recognised the efforts of the Colorado Tennis Cricket League (CTCL), which spearheaded the project to expand cricket in local schools.

Manoj Gangwar, Anil Vijay from CTCL , Fareed Stanikzai and Charlene Fauls from School District, Vinod Murthy from DYCA key advocate and contributor to youth cricket development in Colorado, was acknowledged for his dedication.

The new facility is expected to support ongoing training and development programmes, including youth initiatives and school cricket activities.

Reflecting on the growth of cricket in Colorado, Jatin Patel recalled his initial visit in September 2017, when he was invited by Raymond Mascarenhas of the Colorado Cricket League to train local cricket coaches for youth cricket.

Since then, the sport has experienced significant progress, driven by dedicated individuals like Manoj Gangwar, who has played a vital role in establishing cricket grounds and nurturing young talent in the region.

Overall, the opening of this cricket ground signifies a promising future for cricket in Thornton and Colorado at large. It provides a vital infrastructure for training, competitions, and community engagement, fostering the sport’s growth and encouraging the next generation of cricketers.

The community’s commitment to developing cricket as a sport and cultural activity underscores its potential to become a prominent aspect of local sports and youth development programmes. (Press Release)

The post Shivnarine Chanderpaul inaugurates cricket field with lights in Colorado appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Three sergeants and an officers were transferred as the investigation into the alleged ‘inappropriate conduct’ of officers at the Guyana Police Force Academy, Georgetown campus continues.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is currently investigating the allegations.

These incidents were recently reported to the Commissioner of Police, who directed that an investigation be conducted immediately. The completed case file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution on Monday.

“The investigation is complete, and the case file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution [on October 13, 2025] for advice. An officer and three sergeants have been transferred from the Academy,” the police said in a statement.

Several Academy staff members and recruits were interviewed and have since provided statements to the OPR investigators.

The post Three sergeants, officer transferred amid probe into ‘inappropriate conduct’ at Police Academy appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Two officers were transferred as the Guyana Police Force continues a further investigation into a bribery and extortion allegation at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri.

According to the allegations, the two officers attached to the Force’s Narcotics Branch at the Airport, accepted money from a female passenger in exchange for allowing her to travel with frozen food.

According to reports, the incident occurred on September 27, 2025, and involved an inspector and a junior rank.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) conducted an initial investigation into the complaint and subsequently prepared a file, which was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

The DPP has since provided advice on the matter, and additional investigations are now being carried out. Both officers have been transferred from the CJIA to the Tactical Services Unit pending the outcome of the ongoing probe.

The post Two officers transferred as Police probe into bribery, extortion allegations at CJIA continues appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana’s growing profile as a destination for electronic dance music (EDM) is set to surge with the announcement of the SounDown Music & Art Festival line-up, featuring global stars Dannic and Walshy Fire of Major Lazer.

BPM Guyana is organising the event, which will be held on December 6, 2025, at the Marriott Beachfront in Georgetown.

Following a successful summer festival, SounDown is positioned as Guyana’s second major annual EDM event, aiming to attract over 4,000 international and local patrons.

A blend of European house music royalty and Caribbean bass culture headlines the festival:

Dannic (Netherlands): A global powerhouse known for his collaborations with Hardwell and productions on major labels. Dannic’s booking significantly brings top-tier European house music to the Caribbean.

Walshy Fire (Major Lazer): Instrumental in shaping the global dance and reggae fusion movement, his appearance reinforces the connection between Guyana and the wider world of global bass culture.

DJ Chuckie (Caribbean/Netherlands): The creator of the influential “Dirty Dutch” sound, Chuckie’s presence adds an iconic figure known for blending electro house, hip-hop, and tropical influences.

The line-up also features regional innovator LePrince, creator of the “Reggatronic” genre, alongside rising local DJs, supporting the festival’s aim to nurture regional talent.

Beyond the music, SounDown is designed to be a complete cultural experience, running from 3 PM until 3 AM.

Organisers confirmed the event will feature art installations, interactive festival spaces, international cuisine, and a world-class beachfront atmosphere, supported by professional sound and immersive light shows.

BPM Guyana’s long-term vision is to establish a summer (Storm25) and a December festival (SounDown) annually, designed not just for entertainment but also to boost tourism and create industry opportunities within the creative sector.

The post EDM giants descend on Georgetown as SounDown Festival confirmed for December 6 appeared first on News Room Guyana.