Blog

 

The 2020 elections trial continued on Tuesday, focusing on the absence of one of the defendants, Carol Smith-Joseph, and the presentation of a police-recorded interview with former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

On Monday, the court was informed by defense attorney Dexter Todd that Smith-Joseph had been granted a High Court order to travel overseas. The prosecution requested a copy of the court order, and on Tuesday, they reminded the court of this request. Todd assured the court that the order would be made available before the end of the day.

Todd further explained that Smith-Joseph had been undergoing medical treatment and faced some challenges. He noted, however, that her treatment was successful and that she should be able to return to court by Wednesday. He added that she is likely to return to Guyana next week.

Upon reviewing the order, prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat requested that an extension be granted, as the court order had expired on Tuesday.

Attorney Dexter Todd speaks to reporters with Carol Smith-Joseph in the background (Photo: News Room/March 18, 2025)

Tuesday’s proceedings also included testimony from Police Sergeant Romario Campbell, who was attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in 2020 as a crime scene examiner and videographer. Campbell recounted being tasked on 26 August 2020 to record an interview with former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo at the Major Crimes Unit. He detailed how he set up the equipment and secured the recordings.

In court, the video was played, showing investigators informing Mingo of the fraud allegations against him. When asked if he had made a declaration of results, Mingo replied that he preferred not to say.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Rahaman, who was an observer attached to the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) during the 2020 elections, was cross-examined by defense attorneys Darren Wade, Eusi Anderson, and Ronald Daniels.

Nine individuals are currently before the court, charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC in an attempt to deny victory to the PPP. Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday.

The post Elections Trial: Smith-Joseph’s travel order expires, Court views video of Mingo’s interview appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has confirmed that the online passport application portal is in the final stages of development and is expected to go live before the end of 2025, marking a major step forward in the government’s digital transformation agenda.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the Office of the President, Ali said the new platform will allow Guyanese to apply for passports remotely, reducing the need for in-person visits and significantly cutting wait times.

“This is part of our broader commitment to modernising government services and making them more accessible to all citizens,” the President said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs first announced plans for the online system in February 2025, noting that the platform will streamline processes currently handled manually at passport offices across the country.

“While applicants are presently required to submit manual applications, the integration of an online platform will allow citizens to apply remotely, improving efficiency and reducing queues,” the ministry had stated.

The passport portal is part of a wider digitisation effort under President Ali’s administration, which also includes online access to police clearances, birth and death certificates, and other key government services. The initiative is being coordinated by the Chief Technology Officer, supported by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and aims to complete full digitisation of key services by the second quarter of 2026.

Officials said the online passport system will be secure, user-friendly, and accessible, forming a cornerstone of Guyana’s drive to modernise its public service and enhance transparency, efficiency, and convenience for citizens.

“Digital government is about making life easier for people while improving accountability. This passport portal is just one example of how we are delivering on that promise,” President Ali added.

With this launch, Guyana moves closer to a fully integrated digital public service system, positioning the country as a regional leader in government efficiency and citizen-focused technology.

The post Online passport application portal to launch by year-end appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana’s rice sector is poised for another record harvest in 2025, but while farmers and millers are celebrating strong yields, the international market is proving less favourable, with falling prices and a global glut creating serious challenges for exporters.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday said that global rice production is at an “all-time high”, with major producers and exporters holding record stockpiles. This oversupply has triggered a decline in international prices, dampening the prospects for local farmers.

Currently, the global average price for white rice stands at US$416 per tonne — a figure far below what local stakeholders had hoped for.

Notwithstanding the price pressures, the government has injected billions of dollars into the industry to ensure farmers remain protected.

Recently, $2 billion in price support was provided, ensuring farmers received at least $4,000 per bag of paddy.

In addition, the state has:

• Supplied millions in fertiliser and seed paddy insurance;

• Removed VAT on machinery, equipment and agro-chemicals;

• Negotiated and settled Panama’s $1.5 billion debt to local millers; and

• Zero-rated the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB) sales commission in 2025.

Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha met with millers on Monday and Tuesday and are set to meet farmers later this week to jointly develop strategies to cushion the impact of low global prices.

Rice paddy cultivation

“We have exhausted many of the traditional tools available, but the government is committed to working with millers and farmers to find creative solutions to minimise the burden,” the President said.

Despite the international price slump, production levels remain encouraging. The second crop covers 209,000 acres, with average yields at 40 bags per acre. This translates to an expected 8.3 million bags — one of the highest levels in the country’s history.

Such output, while positive, brings the added challenge of finding reliable markets and decent returns for farmers.

The government has also pushed risk management tools to support the sector:

• 69.4% of farmers are already registered for crop insurance.

• Ten new weather stations are expected to be operational by mid-October, giving farmers better forecasting capacity to plan cultivation cycles.

The President assured that there is “no need to scale back on local production”, but rather a need to rethink approaches to value addition, storage, and trade expansion.

According to him, Guyana must adapt by creating local uses for rice, adding value through processing, and pursuing new trade agreements.

“When you play in the big game, you have to respond to market forces. We need to invest in storage, stockpiling, and higher-value rice products that not only secure farmers’ incomes but also strengthen the sector’s resilience,” he said.

The post Record rice crop brings optimism but falling global prices pose challenges appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has reiterated that while Guyana remains committed to keeping the Caribbean a zone of peace, the country will not turn a blind eye to the growing threats posed by transnational crime, drug trafficking and incursions linked to Venezuela.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Ali stressed that Guyana’s sovereignty is “our sovereignty” and underscored that the decisions made within its borders are a matter for the Guyanese people and government alone.

At the same time, he said the government is acutely aware of the regional security environment, including illicit trafficking and organised criminal networks that threaten economies, social stability, and peace.

“Our priority as a government, as a people, is to ensure this region remains a zone of peace. But we are also conscious of the impact of transnational crime, drug trafficking and other illicit activities, and the impact they can have on our people and our economy,” Ali said.

The President disclosed that Guyana has been engaging its CARICOM partners as well as the United States to strengthen cooperation in tracking and targeting transnational criminal networks. He noted that discussions have also focused on building coalitions to address narcotics trafficking and related crimes that often spill across borders.

Ali acknowledged ongoing concerns over suspected narco-trafficking flights that pass through Guyana’s airspace, noting that alerts have already been raised with international partners. He signalled that Guyana will invest in improved air surveillance and border security to ensure its land, waters, and skies are not used by drug cartels.

“We have a duty and a responsibility to make the necessary investment to secure our borders, to secure our people, to secure this region, and to contribute to every effort that will see our region remain a zone of peace,” the President added.

Ali’s comments came just a day after U.S. President Donald J. Trump confirmed that American forces had carried out a second airstrike targeting Venezuelan nationals accused of drug trafficking.

According to Trump, the strike took place in international waters under the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, killing three alleged traffickers. No American troops were harmed.

This latest operation follows another strike just days earlier that killed 11 Venezuelans, whom U.S. authorities also described as narcotics traffickers.

The developments place Guyana and its neighbours at the crossroads of two pressing issues: maintaining the region as a bastion of peace while navigating increased U.S. military activity aimed at dismantling Venezuelan drug cartels.

Ali avoided commenting directly on the legality of U.S. airstrikes, instead maintaining that Guyana’s position is to safeguard its sovereignty while working collectively to root out criminal activity that undermines peace.

The post Guyana committed to peace but vigilant against transnational crime – Pres. Ali appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that Guyanese will soon be able to apply online for key government documents—including police clearances, and birth and death certificates—as part of the administration’s sweeping digitisation agenda aimed at modernising public services.

Speaking at his first press conference of his second term, President Ali said the government is pushing for a “common framework and common system” across state agencies to ensure efficiency, transparency, and ease of access.

“Our goal is to have this happen by the second quarter of 2026,” he told reporters. “We want government services to be faster, easier, and more transparent. Digitisation reduces the time to do business and improves accountability across all agencies.”

The digitisation process will be spearheaded by the Chief Technology Officer, supported by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA). Already, a survey has been conducted to assess the current state of digital readiness in both the public and private sectors.

“We met with all IT heads recently, and we are moving this forward with a clear focus,” President Ali said.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

The President emphasised that while the government is modernising its systems, the private sector must also keep pace with digitisation. “The private sector will also need to advance at a similar pace,” he said.

A key part of the wider transformation is ensuring every citizen owns a bank account, which the President described as the gateway to broader opportunities such as fintech adoption.

“Education around using cards rather than cheques is important. It’s more transparent and easier to track,” he explained, underscoring the link between financial inclusion and digital efficiency.

The President described digitisation as central to Guyana’s wider development agenda, enabling citizens to access services seamlessly while boosting competitiveness in the economy.

“Digitisation is about making life easier for people while also building a system that is transparent, reliable, and efficient,” President Ali said.

With plans to roll out the framework by 2026, Guyanese can expect to see the gradual transformation of how government interacts with citizens—ushering in what the President has described as a new era of public service delivery.

The post Police clearance, birth and death certificates to go online as Gov’t advances digitisation appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali says the government’s move to make university education free has already doubled applications at the University of Guyana (UG), with an immediate focus on expanding high-demand programmes in medicine and engineering across the regions.

“By removing barriers and making education more affordable, we’ve seen applications at UG more than double,” the President said at his first press conference of his second term on Tuesday.

“The demand is highest in areas such as medicine and engineering, and we are responding to meet that need.”

To ease pressure on the crowded Turkeyen campus, the government will begin rolling out regional programmes in the coming weeks.

Medicine is at the centre of this expansion, with a major new initiative at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital in Region Six.

“In just the last few days, we finalised arrangements to roll out a medical programme at New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, creating 30 seats for the study of medicine. This will increase further in the future,” President Ali announced.

The facility will be supported by UG’s Berbice Campus, with qualified academic staff already identified. Similar expansions are also being planned for Regions Two and Nine, targeting increased opportunities for medical studies closer to students’ homes.

President Ali engaging the supervising engineers (February 7, 2025)

This year, medicine attracted 418 applications, with more than 130 qualifying. Previously, the intake was limited to 60 seats, but government invested to expand by another 50, taking the intake to 110. With Region Six now ready to accommodate an additional 30, the number of available seats has increased to 140.

“We now have 130 qualified applicants and 140 seats ready—so no qualified student will be left behind in medicine this year,” President Ali affirmed.

Similar expansion is underway in engineering, where demand has also spiked. In the mechanical engineering programme, all applicants will be accommodated this year.

Health workers at GPHC (Photo: News Room)

For civil engineering, 241 students applied, with 50 qualifying but not admitted due to limited space. To close this gap, the government is creating 30 additional seats across Regions Three, Six, and Two, enabling students to study disciplines of engineering closer to home.

“This expansion will reduce transportation costs for students, make more productive use of their time, and allow them to contribute to development in their home regions,” President Ali explained.

Beyond medicine and engineering, a full assessment is being conducted of all UG programmes to identify areas for expansion in line with the government’s broader vision for education.

President Ali said the initiative reflects his government’s commitment to equitable access to higher education, while ensuring that Guyana develops the skilled workforce it needs in critical sectors.

“Free university is not just about affordability—it is about building capacity in the right areas so Guyana can achieve sustainable growth and development,” he added.

The post Free UG driving demand, forces expansion of medicine and engineering programmes appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that the government will embark on a series of multi-million-dollar investments to modernise the operations of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and build a full-scale smart grid capable of meeting the country’s growing energy demands.

Speaking at his first press conference of his second term on Tuesday, President Ali underscored that smart grid transformation is no longer optional but necessary, given Guyana’s rapid economic growth and the expansion of industrial, commercial, and residential developments.

“These investments require technical expertise and support. GPL has outlined a number of major projects that we must invest in if we are to build a modern, reliable, and competitive electricity network,” the President said.

A file photo of GPL’s North Ruimveldt sub-station on Mandela Avenue

The planned upgrades include:

• Transmission and distribution expansion with double-circuit transmission lines and new primary distribution lines across several regions, expected to cost more than US$400 million.

• New substations and smart distribution equipment valued at over US$300 million, to improve efficiency and reliability.

• Addressing issues with the underground cable between Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston, ensuring it is adequately protected and buried deep enough to prevent disruption.

• Integration of the Gas-to-Energy project, which will supply cheaper, more reliable power to the national grid.

• Development of advanced metering infrastructure and a National Control Centre to enhance real-time monitoring and management.

• Interconnection with Linden through the expanded Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS), alongside the construction of new distribution substations at Bamia, McKenzie, and Wismar.

• Finalising an investment plan for transmission and distribution networks along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, a critical growth corridor.

• Installation of smart meters and smart switches to give customers more accurate billing and reduce electricity losses.

President Ali said GPL has already begun finalising arrangements to implement these projects, with the goal of delivering a modernised electricity infrastructure capable of supporting Guyana’s ambitious development agenda.

“We are talking about investments in the hundreds of millions of US dollars. These projects will bring Guyana closer to a smart grid system—one that is reliable, resilient, and able to power the country’s transformation,” the President explained.

The initiatives form part of the wider national energy strategy, which includes the landmark Gas-to-Energy project at Wales, aimed at slashing electricity costs by up to 50% while reducing dependence on imported fuel.

President Ali stressed that the modernisation of the power grid is central to Guyana’s ability to attract investment, expand industries, and improve the quality of life for citizens. “Modernising our electricity infrastructure is about competitiveness, resilience, and ensuring every Guyanese benefits from reliable power,” he noted.

The post President Ali: Major investments coming to modernise GPL, power grid appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has unveiled a sweeping Georgetown Revival Plan, signalling the government’s determination to transform the capital city into a model of urban development, heritage preservation and public service delivery.

The announcement came during his first press conference of his second term, held Tuesday afternoon at his Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office, following his re-election victory in the September 1 elections.

“The condition and mismanagement of the city can no longer be tolerated. It is time to take charge, and we will launch this from government,” President Ali told reporters.

“Georgetown must represent Guyana, and we are committed to ensuring that it does.”

Aerial view of Georgetown (Photo: Michael Charles FB)

The plan, developed with the support of the King’s Foundation, is part of a broader National Strategy for Sustainable Urban Development, which will initially focus on Georgetown—the country’s largest urban area—and its surrounding regions.

The strategy is aligned with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, reflecting the government’s aim to combine urban renewal with environmental sustainability.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

President Ali outlined a series of initiatives designed to modernise the city while preserving its unique character:

• Infrastructure upgrades: Billions of dollars will be invested in repairing roads, drainage systems, and pavements to improve mobility, safety, and flood resilience.

• Heritage preservation: The plan includes restoring historic sites and architectural landmarks, with walking trails that will allow citizens and visitors to explore Georgetown’s history, including areas like the old transport building and the Railway Courtyard along Lamaha Street.

• Stabroek Waterfront and public spaces: Immediate work will begin on enhancing the waterfront, markets, shopping areas, and recreational spaces, making the city more vibrant and citizen-friendly.

• Biodiversity and education: Initiatives will celebrate and protect local biodiversity, supported by educational programs designed to encourage behavioural change and public awareness about urban environmental stewardship.

• Housing and traffic solutions: The plan aims to deliver quality housing, reduce congestion, and restore green spaces, contributing to a cleaner and more liveable city.

A demonstration zone in outer Georgetown will serve as a model for the urban development framework, allowing citizens to see the impact of the government’s strategies in action. The First Lady will also support projects that enhance both urban and rural landscapes under this framework.

“Walking through the city, citizens will see projects that tell the story of Georgetown’s history and heritage,” the President said. “From drainage canals turned into touristic attractions to new recreational spaces, we are combining functionality with culture.”

Aerial of downtown Georgetown with St. George’s Cathedral Guyana (Photo: IMF)

President Ali emphasised that the revival plan is not just about infrastructure, but about transforming Georgetown into a city that reflects Guyana’s identity, pride, and progress. He added, “In the coming years, citizens will have the opportunity to choose leadership in the city that ensures it is well-managed, vibrant, and representative of our nation’s values.”

The Georgetown Revival Plan forms a central pillar of the government’s ambitious five-year agenda, which President Ali described as “hectic and transformative,” focusing on efficiency, reliability, and reducing bureaucracy to improve Guyana’s global competitiveness.

As the city prepares to enter this new phase, President Ali expressed optimism that the initiative will inspire pride among residents, attract investment, and create a model of sustainable urban living for other towns and cities across Guyana.

The post Gov’t to rescue Georgetown with ambitious ‘City Revival Plan’ appeared first on News Room Guyana.

 

A 39-year-old truck driver from Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, has been charged with multiple traffic offences following an incident earlier this month.

Stephen Sumner of Lot 12-13 Farm, Mahaicony, appeared at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court on 10th September 2025, facing three charges under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. The charges are:

• Failing to stop (Section 62(1))
• Failing to report an accident (Section 62(2))
• Failing to render assistance to an injured person (Section 62(c))

The offences reportedly occurred on 7th September 2025 at Helena Public Road, Mahaica, and were committed against Detective Corporal Orin McDonald. Sumner was arrested the same day by Corporal Lewis and subsequently charged by Detective Corporal John, both attached to Mahaica Police Station.

During the court appearance before Magistrate Allan Wilson, Sumner pleaded not guilty to all three charges. He was granted bail of $5,000 per charge, bringing the total bail to $15,000. The case has been adjourned to 30th September 2025 for report.

The post Truck driver charged with multiple traffic offences, granted $15,000 bail appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The trial into the events surrounding the 2020 General and Regional Elections resumed on Monday after an adjournment, with testimony from Rhonda Lam, who was the Presidential Candidate for the Citizenship Initiative at the time.

Before Lam took the witness stand, the court was informed that one of the defendants, Carol Smith-Joseph, had been granted a High Court order to travel overseas. As a result, she was not present in court and did not join virtually. Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat requested that the court order be made available.

Meanwhile, defence attorney Nigel Hughes informed the court that another defendant, former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, was ill and would be unable to attend the hearing as he intended to seek medical attention.

With several witnesses still to be cross-examined, the prosecution indicated that additional witnesses were scheduled to testify during the remainder of the week.

The trial is being heard before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. It resumed after several weeks of recess, which followed a site visit to the Ashmins Building—the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre during the 2020 elections and the location where many of the disputed events unfolded.

Lam, giving sworn testimony, recalled her role as a key observer during the Region Four tabulation process at GECOM headquarters. She detailed what she described as widespread irregularities in the recording of votes.

She explained that she had written to GECOM seeking accreditation for several agents to observe the process, but her request was denied by Mingo on the grounds that it was submitted late. By the time she eventually received temporary accreditation from then Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Mingo had already fallen ill and was hospitalised.

On March 3, 2020, Lam approached GECOM Chairperson Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh after noticing troubling online reports, including claims that political parties which had not contested certain regions were being allocated votes. Singh acknowledged the discrepancies, Lam said, and assured her they would be corrected by the end of the day.

Once granted access to the Ashmins tabulation centre, Lam testified that she quickly became alarmed by what she observed. As clerks read figures from Statements of Poll (SOPs), she noticed the numbers being entered did not match her records. She claimed that figures for APNU+AFC were systematically increased in increments of 10, 20 and 30, while PPP/C votes were reduced by similar amounts. When she objected, GECOM staff attributed the discrepancies to fatigue.

The situation escalated on the night of March 4, 2020, when Lam witnessed GECOM employee Enrique Livan remove a flash drive from a commission laptop and leave the room. The act caused an uproar until Livan was found in another room with the device and returned under police escort. When the process resumed, Lam noted that the tabulation appeared to skip ballot boxes, moving from the East Bank to the East Coast of Demerara, even though verification was incomplete.

The following day, March 5, Lam said she was shocked when, instead of restarting verification, Mingo began declaring results. She recalled hearing him read out party names and numbers despite loud objections from party representatives. Shortly after, riot police entered the building and observers were ordered to leave. Lam said she remained behind to deliver a letter calling for a recount.

Her testimony continued with reference to March 12, 2020, when SOPs displayed at GECOM headquarters appeared to have been altered, with missing digits and figures inconsistent with earlier records. Despite this, Lam said she stayed to ensure her recount request was submitted.

She concluded by noting that the subsequent national recount confirmed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as the winner of the 2020 elections, contradicting Mingo’s earlier declarations.

Lam was later cross-examined by the defence.

Nine individuals are currently before the court, charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC in an attempt to deny victory to the PPP. Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.

The trial continues on Tuesday, September 16.

The post Smith-Joseph gets permission to travel abroad; Rhonda Lam details discrepancies as 2020 elections fraud trial resumes appeared first on News Room Guyana.