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Amid announcements of further support for rice farmers and fisherfolk, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday confirmed that cash grants for individuals and various vulnerable groups will be announced before the end of this year.

“… I’m going to announce, before the end of the year, a series of measures, not only looking at cash grants, but looking at the total empowerment of every Guyanese, whether someone living with disability, the elderly, children, women, small businesses, farmers, you name it, every category,” President Ali during an interview with the News Room’s Vishani Ragobeer ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

President Irfaan Ali during an interview with the News Room’s Vishani Ragobeer ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

These comprehensive measures, the President explained, are not one-off but will be for the government’s five-year term in office.

However, he said disbursements will be done in a more organised manner. As such, he urged each Guyanese to open bank accounts- a venture made much easier now that local banks are allowing persons to open accounts online much easier.

“So let us use this period, and we are using this period also to put the mechanism in place, and finalise the system of delivery,” Dr. Ali urged.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday announced that his government will continue to support rice farmers, stating that at least $300 per bag of paddy will be contributed.

In an interview ahead of COP30 in Brazil, the Guyanese Head of State reiterated support for farmers across the country. After assessing prevailing conditions, he said the government has decided to maintain its support for rice farmers.

“We will produce in this second crop more than nine million bags of paddy… and at a minimum, I can say to you now that we are going to give, like we did in the first crop, another $300 per bag.

“… so that will be an injection of more than $2.7 billion to our rice farmers,” President Ali told the News Room.

Over the past year, the government injected $1.9 billion into the sector, contributing $300 per bag of paddy sold to millers.

Other support for rice farmers included $2 billion in fertiliser to ease production costs. As a result, prices have climbed, with some farmers now receiving between $3,000 and $3,500 per bag. President Ali said these additional forms of support are still being provided to farmers.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the government will be giving $150,000 to each fisherfolk as part of an effort to better support these workers.

“… we’re going to give $150,000 to every fisherfolk out there to help them as an incentive and subsidy from the government,” President Ali said in an interview with the News Room ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

The Guyanese Head of State highlighted that the government has been examining the prevailing conditions and the needs of various groups. With that examination, the government has decided to roll out targeted support as it has done in the past.

According to the recently released mid-year report, the agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector is estimated to have grown by 9% in the first half of 2025. In that report, which was prepared by the Ministry of Finance, it was noted that further investments and support would go into these sectors.

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Following the signing of the Protocol Agreement for the 2025 Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) between officials of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana on Wednesday (November 5), it has been confirmed that six disciplines will be contested at this year’s event, scheduled for December 5-7 in Guyana.

Basketball, Futsal, Chess, Volleyball, Swimming and Track and Field will see competition among student-athletes from the three participating nations.

With the exception of Futsal, all other disciplines will feature both male and female athletes between the ages of 14 and 18. In total, 137 athletes will compete at this year’s IGG.

According to Anielkumar Ghisaisoobe, President of Suriname’s School Sports Federation, the body representing Guyana’s Dutch-speaking neighbours at protocol meetings, preparations are well underway for the event.

On the sidelines of his meeting with Guyana’s Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, at the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Middle Street, Georgetown, Ghisaisoobe expressed excitement about the upcoming Games, noting his satisfaction with Guyana’s level of organisation.

He highlighted the strong bond shared among the three Guianas, adding that the IGG provides “a great learning experience for the children participating. The whole experience is a learning process for them, and for us, that is very important.”

Flashback! Guyana’s contingent to the 2024 Inter-Guiana Games in French Guiana (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/October 20, 2024)

A venue inspection was conducted at the National Gymnasium, the National Track and Field Centre, the National Aquatic Centre, and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, as Ghisaisoobe praised the condition of the facilities.

He remarked on the upgrades since the last Games held in Guyana.

“It’s not just comfortable- it’s awesome. I see all the upgrades done since three years ago when we were here for the IGG. Everything is now upscale, including the hotels, so I know all the athletes and delegations will have a great experience.”

Meanwhile, Ninvalle reaffirmed Guyana’s readiness to host the event, as Guyana’s Director of Sport pointed out, “I’m happy that we can stage this year’s IGG at a very high level. Everyone was pleased with what we have to offer, and now it’s time to focus on having a competitive Games.”

The Director of Sport added that the NSC will collaborate with the various national federations to ensure that all systems are in place to prepare athletes to defend home soil.

First held in 1967, the Inter Guiana Games remain one of the region’s longest-running youth sporting exchanges, aimed at fostering unity, cooperation, and mutual understanding among the young athletes of the Guianas.

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Three men will face trial in the Berbice High Court for the murder of 47-year-old taxi driver Mohamed Haniff from Experiment, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.

The accused—Royston Dowden (also known as “Sakie” and “Killa”), Devon McAlmont, and Ivan Lindu—are charged with murder arising from a 2020 home invasion and robbery.

A jury of 12 was sworn in on Monday before Justice Sandel Kissoon, marking the commencement of the trial.

State Prosecutor Cicela Corbin is leading the case, which will include testimony from 22 witnesses, including 13 police officers. She is set to present the State’s case when the trial resumes on Monday, November 10.

Mohamed Haniff

The accused are represented by attorneys Kevin Morgan for Dowden, Chandra Sohan for McAlmont, and Horatio Edmonson for Lindu.

Haniff, a taxi driver returning from St. Martin, was attacked by masked men in his Bath home who demanded money. When he refused, they reportedly beat him with a metal bar and chopped him, leaving him dead while his wife allegedly watched.

Four men were initially arrested and charged with murder before Magistrate Robindranauth Singh. Sarju Matadin, a 56-year-old cash crop farmer, was released due to insufficient evidence, while the remaining three were committed to stand trial in the High Court.

If convicted, they face either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

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Shi-Oil, a locally-owned fuel importer and distributor, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Ryan Rahaman, who was officially crowned the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Champion Driver for the Sports Tuner Class for 2025.

The announcement came as the GMR&SC wrapped up its 2025 racing calendar on Sunday, November 2, at the South Dakota Circuit, where Rahaman, fuelled by Shi-Oil, delivered a dominant performance.

He claimed two first-place finishes and one third-place finish in the Sports Tuner, sealing his position as the class champion.

According to the company, Rahaman’s consistency reflected both his exceptional driving skill and the strength of the partnership between athlete and sponsor.

Ryan Rahaman carrying the chequered flag at the South Dakota Circuit on November 2 (Photo: GMR&SC)

His success, Shi-Oil said, symbolises unwavering commitment to powering performance and excellence in Guyanese motorsport.

“At Shi-Oil, we take immense pride in fueling champions,” the company stated in a release.

Shi-Oil further highlighted, “Ryan Rahaman embodies the spirit of excellence, consistency, and passion that drives our brand. His dedication to the sport and his ability to perform at the highest level exemplify what it means to be a true competitor.”

The Rahaman family name carries deep roots in Guyana’s motor racing history, spanning generations of drivers who have made their mark both locally and regionally.

Shi-Oil noted its pride in standing alongside Ryan and the Rahaman family as they continue to uphold and build upon that remarkable racing legacy.

“Congratulations, Champion,” the company’s message added.

“Your success is a testament to hard work, determination, and the unbeatable drive that keeps Guyana’s motorsport heritage alive and thriving.”

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The Brazil-Guyana racing connection continues to grow stronger, thanks to Slingerz Racing Stable, owned by Javed Ali, one of Guyana’s most successful racehorse owners.

Ali has tapped into Brazil’s deep pool of thoroughbred talent, pairing it with the expertise of trainer Lenio Roberto Vieira, whose influence has already left an indelible mark on Guyanese racing, especially behind the success of Olympic Kremlin, the 2024 Guyana Cup and President’s Cup winner.

Now firmly established at the Gávea Racetrack in Rio de Janeiro, Slingerz Racing Stable’s colours have become increasingly familiar in the winner’s circle.

That trend continued on Monday night, when Ali’s Olympic National stormed to victory in the Much Better Classic (Listed- 1900m, dirt), contested as the second race of the card.

Breaking sharply from the gates, Olympic National immediately seized the lead and dictated the pace, stretching the field as they rounded the backstretch.

When the race entered the home straight, the chestnut colt never took his foot off the gas, maintaining a relentless gallop to the wire.

Under a confident and well-judged ride by Leandro Henrique, the son of Camelot Kitten out of Olympic Havana (by Dubai Dust)- bred by Haras Regina- cruised home an effortless six lengths clear of his rivals.

Trainer Lenio Roberto Vieira has been instrumental in blending Brazilian professionalism with Guyanese racing ambition, a partnership that has elevated both regions’ profiles.

Vieira, who was “discovered” by Slingerz Racing Stable, continues to deliver standout results for the team both in Guyana and now on Brazilian soil.

An elated Ali celebrated the victory with his team, calling it a milestone moment for Slingerz Racing Stable. He expressed optimism about pursuing Group-level victories in Brazil in the near future.

Beyond Olympic National, Ali’s growing stable features other promising classic contenders, including Galo White, Ravi Da Loga and Navy of War, as he continues to build an international operation grounded in excellence.

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Australia chief selector George Bailey says the squad for the first Ashes Test against England deserves “respect” following criticism of the age of players.

Only one player under 30 – 26-year-old all-rounder Cameron Green – was named in a 15-man squad on Wednesday for the series opener in Perth starting on 21 November.

Before the squad was announced former captain Steve Waugh said Bailey did not have the “appetite” to make tough calls to regenerate the side.

“We’re aware of the age profile of the team,” said Bailey.

“I’m interested when people have that view as to who they would like us to leave. Is that Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc out? Is that just because of their age?

“You’ve got to give due respect that the guys are performing very well and they have the right to be selected.”

Opener Sam Konstas was the notable absentee, with Marnus Labuschagne recalled and Jake Weatherald called up for the first time. Both batters are 31.

It is the second time in 12 months that 20-year-old Konstas has been dropped.

“I feel for Sammy. At the moment, if he farts it’s a headline,” said Bailey.

“We really like him. We like the skillset there and we’re confident that over the long run it will continue to build out.”

As expected, captain and pace bowler Pat Cummins was left out as he recovers from a back injury.

Head coach Andrew McDonald said in October he is “really optimistic” that Cummins, 32, will be available for the second Test in Brisbane starting on December 4.

Starc, 35, Josh Hazlewood, 34, and Scott Boland, 36, are expected to form the pace attack, while 33-year-old Sean Abbott and 31-year-old Brendan Doggett – both are whom are uncapped – have been included in the squad.

Lyon, 37, is the only specialist spinner.

Steve Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy in 2018 following the ball-tampering scandal, will skipper the side in Cummins’ absence.

Australia are the holders of the Ashes.

England have won only one of their past 10 series in Australia – and none since 2010-11.

The five-Test series is set to end on January 8.

Australia squad for first Test: Steve Smith (capt), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.

England’s Ashes squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood. (BBC)

 

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A continued crackdown on illegal gold mining in the Iwokrama Protected Area has led to the arrest of a Brazilian national.

On November 1, 2025, Flaviano Teixiera-Costa was apprehended during a joint operation involving the Iwokrama International Centre (IIC), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Police Force, and Iwokrama Rangers. The arrest forms part of a broader collaborative effort to stem the influx of illegal miners into the Iwokrama Forest, a 371,000-hectare reserve renowned for its unique biodiversity and sustainable forestry initiatives.

Over the past year, authorities have noted a slight reduction in illegal mining, but the presence of foreign nationals attempting to exploit the area remains a growing concern. During the operation, several miners fled, leaving behind passports that revealed the identities of other individuals allegedly involved in illegal activities: Jailson Ferreira Lima, Iago Silva Alves, Jose Antonio Rodrigues Dos Santos, and Jose Do Santos Silvino. Notably, Silvino had previously been apprehended during an October 8 operation.

Authorities have emphasised that these Brazilian nationals entered Guyana under the guise of tourism, intending to engage in prohibited gold mining within the Iwokrama Protected Area. The Iwokrama Act of 1996 clearly prohibits mining and other illegal activities in the forest, with strict penalties for violations.

The IIC reiterated that illegal mining threatens Guyana’s ecological integrity, disrupts local livelihoods, and undermines the management of protected areas. The Centre reserves the right to publish the names and photographs of individuals found participating in these illegal operations.

“We continue to rely on collaboration to tackle illegal mining effectively,” said Iwokrama management, acknowledging the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources, GGMC, the Guyana Police Force, the Protected Areas Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Iwokrama International Centre, established in 1996 under a joint mandate of the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat, manages the forest to generate lasting ecological, social, and economic benefits. With active participation from 20 local communities, scientists, and international partners, the IIC implements sustainable forestry, tourism, and research initiatives that showcase how rainforest resources can be conserved while contributing to community development.

For more information on the Iwokrama International Centre and its programmes, visit www.iwokrama.org or www.iwokramariverlodge.com.

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The Audit Office of Guyana, in its report for the fiscal year ending December 2024, has commended improvements in financial oversight across several government agencies, while identifying ongoing weaknesses in contract management, record-keeping and procurement practices.

The Report of the Auditor General on the Public Accounts of Guyana and on the Accounts of Ministries, Departments and Regions was laid in the National Assembly on Monday when the 13^th Parliament of Guyana convened.

The report reviewed hundreds of contracts, transactions and expenditure records, shedding light on both areas of progress and lapses in accountability.

According to the report, 829 contracts valued at $48.19 billion were examined during the period under review. Of these, overpayments amounting to $1.011 billion were identified across 86 contracts administered by several Ministries and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).

The report noted that all overpaid sums have since been recovered, either through repayments or by contractors completing outstanding works. This corrective action, the Audit Office said, is an encouraging sign of responsiveness from government agencies.

Among the Ministries and departments cited were the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Education, Health and Public Works, among others. Nine of the ten RDCs also recorded overpayments, with Region Five being the only region free of such findings.

While progress has been made in certain areas of public financial management, the Auditor General noted that 3,241 cheques totalling $4.92 billion remained on hand as at December 2024, pending refund to the Consolidated Fund. The issue of unpresented payment vouchers also persisted, with 120 vouchers valued at $877.2 million unavailable for audit review at the time of reporting.

The absence of these documents limited the ability of auditors to verify whether the funds were used for their intended purposes — a recurring issue the report suggests needs tighter internal control.

The Ministry of Health came under scrutiny for issues related to the procurement and management of drugs and medical supplies. The report found that while $10.29 billion worth of supplies were dispatched to the regions, there was no reconciliation between the items received and amounts warranted.

Additionally, outstanding deliveries valued at $3.6 billion were still pending as of September 2025, while expired drugs valued at $1.09 billion had been disposed of. Another $327.3 million worth of expired items remained on hand awaiting disposal.

In the area of revenue administration, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to face challenges with staffing in its Petroleum Revenue Department and Customs Petroleum Unit. The GRA also reported ongoing difficulty in ensuring compliance among self-employed taxpayers, with tens of thousands of registrants still inactive despite continuous outreach and enforcement efforts.

The report highlighted major capital works under the Ministry of Agriculture, where $12.97 billion was allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation structures, including several new pump stations. As of September 2025, one pump station was completed while four others remained in progress.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was cited for not presenting financial statements for its Amerindian Purpose Fund, which received $480 million in 2024. A similar issue had been raised in the previous year.

Importantly, the Audit Office reported measurable progress in the government’s follow-up on past audit recommendations. Of the 179 recommendations made in 2023, 27% were fully implemented, 54% partially implemented, and 19% not implemented as of the 2024 review.

The Auditor General reaffirmed the Office’s commitment to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability, noting that while improvements are evident in several Ministries and Regions, consistent follow-through and stronger systems are needed to safeguard public resources and ensure value for money.

 

 

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