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Days after Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the Government will be increasing the value of contracts that can be awarded directly to communities, some 31 village councils in the North Pakaraimas are set to receive $30 million each to support the execution of priority works within their communities. According to reports, the projects were identified by the communities and will be implemented directly by them, creating local employment, strengthening community capacity and ensuring that public investments respond to the needs of residents. This initiative is being advanced through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Speaking at the National Toshaos Council Conference (NTC) on Tuesday, the VP told the gathering that the adjustment will allow villages and communities to undertake larger projects and benefit more directly from Government investments.
“We will raise the limit at the tender board for communities from $5 million to $30 million. We will get this done before you leave so that we can give the village a contract of up to $30 million. In the past, it could have only been $5 million. That will significantly change the level of community participation,” Jagdeo said.

He made the announcement while discussing the Government’s allocation of $10 billion this year for hinterland road infrastructure. He noted that while some of the funding has already been committed to major projects, the increased contracting threshold creates an opportunity to revisit how a portion of the remaining funds can be allocated and executed. Among the major projects already earmarked for funding are the continued construction of the road from Moruca to Kwebanna in Region One, improvements to the road network from Mabaruma to Wauna and upgrades to key roadways in Region Nine.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that the Government announced that this year, Guyana will invest $3 billion to assist Amerindian families in building new homes and carrying out repairs to existing ones in villages across hinterland communities. VP Jagdeo said the programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and village councils, with oversight committees established to ensure that the initiative is managed transparently and fairly. He explained that the Government wanted to avoid complaints of favouritism or exclusion by putting a clear accountability mechanism in place before the programme begins. According to the VP, the allocation of funds among villages will be based on factors such as population size, with further consultation to determine the implementation of the framework.

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– urges stronger waste management to safeguard coastal ecosystems

In observance of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, which will be celebrated on Sunday, the Government of Guyana remains committed to supporting mangrove restoration, coastal monitoring, environmental education and community partnerships.
More importantly, a message from Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stated that the Government will continue working with the relevant agencies and local stakeholders to improve waste management and strengthen care for mangrove areas.
The Minister, nevertheless, stated that mangroves are part green shield, part nursery and part storehouse for carbon, while adding that they support fisheries and coastal livelihoods, shelter wildlife and stabilise vulnerable shorelines.
He noted that in recent years, nearly $1 billion has been invested in mangrove management and restoration, while mentioning that 11 green-grey infrastructure projects have been completed across Regions Two, Four, and Five, benefiting more than 11,000 persons.
“Mangrove extent increased from 19,616 hectares in 2020 to 25,644 hectares in 2025 – a net gain of 6,028 hectares, or about 31 per cent. Overall gains were recorded in Regions One, Three, Four, Five, and Six. Region Two moved in the opposite direction, declining from 4966 hectares to 3567 hectares, a loss of 1399 hectares,” Mustapha stated in a missive on Saturday.
Furthermore, the statement revealed that the national total also fell from 24,517 hectares in 2023 to 22,799 hectares in 2024 before rising again in 2025. However, as the coast changes, a nation’s vigilance must change with it. In light of this, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), together with the Mangrove Management Action Network, remains an important institution.
“Science, engineering, policy, and community knowledge must speak to each other. Through the Guyana Mangrove Information System, GuyMIS, we can track changes and guide restoration more carefully. Not every loss is obvious from the roadside. Sometimes the map tells the story first”, the Minister added.
In addition, the Minister noted that investments must be made in groynes, breakwaters, planting, and monitoring.
“But if garbage is being pushed into drains, canals, kokers, and waterways, we are working against ourselves. Waste discarded inland doesn’t simply disappear. It travels. It reaches the coast. It settles among the roots. We can’t plant our way out of a dumping problem.”
A 2026 coastal assessment stated that visible waste was recorded at 53 of 60 locations assessed across Regions Two to Six, with plastic packaging being present at 51 of the 53 affected locations. To eliminate the disposal of garbage, it is advised to use approved disposal services. Meanwhile, businesses are also challenged to manage their waste responsibly.

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Dear Editor,
The passenger ferry MV Barima capsized and sank off Guyana’s Atlantic coast on July 18, 2026, while on its scheduled voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Approximately 179 people were reported to be on board. The tragedy claimed many lives, while others were rescued, and an official investigation continues into the cause of the disaster.
The MV Barima was far more than a passenger vessel. It was one of Guyana’s most recognisable ferries, serving generations of Guyanese for decades. Built in Scotland in 1939, she arrived in what was then British Guiana at the close of the steamship era, becoming one of the country’s earliest diesel-powered passenger ferries.
She first operated on the Demerara River crossing before being assigned to the coastal and riverine service between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, carrying passengers, cargo, and hope to communities in the North West District.
Port Kaituma itself occupies an important place in history. It is best known internationally as the community nearest to Jonestown, where on November 18, 1978, US Congressman Leo Ryan, members of his delegation, and others were murdered at the nearby airstrip, followed by the tragic Jonestown mass murder-suicide of 914 souls.
Three years ago, my dear brother-in-law, Alan, lost his life while working on the Port Kaituma trail. That personal loss makes this latest tragedy even more heart-breaking for my family.
Long before the events of July 18, 2026, the MV Barima had already earned a place of honour in Guyana’s history. During the horrific violence of May 1964, when racial and political hatred engulfed Wismar and Mackenzie, thousands of East Indian residents were forced to flee for their lives as homes were burnt, families were attacked, and entire communities were driven out.
In those dark days, the MV Barima, together with the RH Carr, the Emperor, launches, speedboats, and numerous privately owned vessels, became a fleet of mercy. They transported thousands of terrified men, women, and children from the violence to safety. For many survivors, the MV Barima was not simply a ferry; it was a lifeline, a vessel of compassion amid one of the darkest chapters in Guyana’s history.
After an extraordinary 87 years of service, the old ferry had endured the passage of time remarkably well. In 2017, it underwent a major rehabilitation valued at approximately GY$150.6 million. The extensive work included repairs to the hull, propellers, rudders, twin engines, passenger accommodations, and safety equipment, allowing the vessel to continue serving as the principal ferry on the Georgetown–Port Kaituma route.
Today, that proud vessel rests approximately 50 feet beneath the Atlantic waters off the coast of Guyana. Her final voyage ended before reaching its destination, and many of those aboard never returned home.
The time for answers will come. For now, the priority remains recovery and bringing closure to grieving families. In due course, the vessel should be refloated and subjected to a thorough, independent forensic examination to determine the cause of this tragedy.
The families deserve to know what happened. The people of Guyana deserve those answers as well. Only a transparent and impartial investigation can help ensure accountability, restore public confidence, and provide lessons that may prevent such a disaster from ever happening again.
May those who perished rest in eternal peace, and may those who survived find strength, healing, and comfort in the days ahead. May the truth behind this tragedy be uncovered, and may the question of why it happened one day be answered.
Above all, may the memories of those who were lost never fade. May their names and faces be forever etched in stone, in our hearts, and in the living history of Guyana so that they will always be remembered with honour, dignity, and love.

Yours sincerely,
Dmitri Allicock

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– bodies of 30 victims are still missing

One week after the MV Barima capsized off the Essequibo Coast with 179 people onboard, the search and recovery operations continued on Saturday to locate just about 30 persons who remain missing. Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is leading the Government’s emergency response efforts to the MV Barima tragedy, did not give a public update on Saturday. However, when contacted, he told Guyana Times that the diving operations continue despite the harsh Atlantic conditions.
“They still continued the diving operations. There has been no additional recovery of any bodies or no progress with the righting of the vessel… It was a difficult day today, and the water is choppy out there,” the PM explained.
The ill-fated MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast on the night of July 18 while en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini). As of Friday, the death toll from this tragic boat accident is 73. Of those bodies recovered, 69 had been positively identified, and 63 of them have already been handed over to family members for funeral rites, for which the Government is covering all expenses. The additional bodies found were scheduled to be transported to their respective communities to be laid to rest.

Since Thursday, funeral services have been held across the country for the victims of this tragedy. The number of people rescued from last weekend’s horrific ferry accident remains at 76. Both aerial and maritime assets have been deployed to continue the search and recovery operations off the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where the sunken vessel is lying on its side, some nine miles away on the seabed in the Atlantic. The aim is to have the vessel positioned on its keel in order to bring it closer to shore where divers can safely enter. “There is a view that if we right the vessel, that itself may lead to us finding some more bodies,” the PM stated during Friday’s briefing.

Foreign support
Guyana is receiving support from regional partners, including the French Guiana army, the Brazilian navy, and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, which have deployed maritime assets and personnel, including divers, to aid in recovering the missing people. During Friday’s press briefing, PM Phillips indicated that these recovery efforts will continue “for as long as necessary” to not only bring closure to the families who are anxiously awaiting news of their missing loved ones but also to show dignity and respect to those 30 persons who perished in the tragedy and are still unaccounted for. Asked on Saturday how long the foreign teams will remain here to support this recovery mission, the PM told this publication that there was no timeline set for their stays here.
“They didn’t say how long they are here for, but I guess at some stage, we’ll have a meeting and we’ll have to decide… when we’ll stop or [when] the involvement of the foreign teams will stop. So, they’re still here, and they’re still diving,” Phillips posited. This publication understands that the divers, both local and foreign, managed to successfully attach cables and ropes to the sunken ferry on Wednesday. However, those closely involved in the recovery operation explained that when they tried to pull the vessel, the cables and ropes kept bursting. Despite the rough Atlantic conditions and some divers even becoming sick, the teams remain adamant in their efforts to move the vessel. In fact, at least five dives were carried out on Friday, each lasting about 45 to 60 minutes, during which one body was recovered.

Aerial surveillance
Meanwhile, aerial surveillance flights are also continuing to support the extensive search operation, which has been expanded by an additional 32 square miles – westward to Waini Point in Region One and eastward to Adventure in Region Two. Over the past week, President Dr Irfaan Ali has been on the ground at Charity, Essequibo Coast, where the recovered bodies are taken for identification and storage. Addressing anxious family members awaiting news of their missing loved ones, the head of state assured them that every available resource is being utilised in the recovery efforts. President Ali had previously told the families that if efforts to right the sunken vessel into a floating position failed, then a decision would have to be made in consultation with the families on salvaging the wreck. This, he pointed out, however, is a last resort.
“We’re hopeful that we don’t get to that [stage]. If we get to that, all of us together will have to make a decision as to the best option [forward],” the Guyanese leader informed relatives.
The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00 on Saturday on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, carrying 179 persons, including 18 crew members and cargo. According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night.
Survivors have recounted that the ferry began tilting to one side before capsizing, throwing passengers into the water in less than a minute. A distress signal transmitted at approximately 23:01 was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale multi-agency emergency response that continues. Addressing concerns raised in the aftermath of the disaster, blood samples were taken from the captain and crew members for testing.
Authorities released the results, showing positive tests for cannabis, and subsequently arrested the captain and two crew members. Another official from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), which manages ferry services, was also detained as part of the police investigation. Subsequently, the Government, in its initial probe into the issue, uncovered that more people were aboard the vessel than had been recorded on the original passenger manifest. That information, along with the manifest, was immediately made public and resulted in several managers at the T&HD being sent off on suspension.
Meanwhile, the Guyanese Government is preparing to launch an international and independent commission of inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy.

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The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has delivered a “solid” half-year performance, having recorded a 43 per cent increase in profit after tax compared to the corresponding period last year.
In his Half Year 2026 Financial Report, GBTI Chairman Suresh Beharry stated that this result during the first six months of this year is marked by resilient earnings, prudent balance sheet management, and sound capital adequacy.
Apart from the growth in after-tax profits, the bank’s earnings per share (EPS) also rose by 44 per cent, reflecting the continued effectiveness of GBTI’s strategic priorities and the resilience of its operating model.

Moreover, Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) stood at 18.3 per cent during this period, underlining the commercial bank’s focus on efficient capital deployment and sustainable returns.
The GBTI Chairman further reported that strong client engagement continued to be a growth driver, with total deposits increasing to $286 billion – up 13 per cent compared to the prior year.
“This performance underscores the continued confidence our clients place in GBTI and affirms the strength of our client-centric offerings and relationship-focused banking model,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Beharry said the bank remains optimistic about the outlook for the business.
“Our priorities include sustaining profitable growth, advancing our digital capabilities, deepening client relationships, and maintaining the financial discipline that underpins our performance. I look forward to collaborating with our teams and stakeholders as we continue to evolve GBTI into a more agile, innovative institution, well-positioned for the future,” the chairman posited.
This solid performance for the first six months of this year comes on the heels of GBTI recording another strong financial year in 2025 with $4.5 billion in profit after tax – an increase from the $4 billion in the previous year.

This result was driven by robust loan portfolio growth of 17 per cent and a further 29 per cent increase in customer deposits throughout the year. With a capital adequacy ratio of 16.42 per cent in 2025, the bank continued to demonstrate solid financial resilience, prudent risk management, and operational strength.
Last year also saw significant progress in GBTI’s digital transformation agenda. The bank launched digital account opening and retail loan onboarding, which further streamlined the customer experience.
In 2025, GBTI also expanded its ATM and POS networks, improving access to banking services across Guyana. “As Guyana’s economy thrives, fuelled by the oil & gas sector and non-oil growth, GBTI maintained its focus on SME financing, cybersecurity, and governance, positioning itself as a trusted partner for businesses and communities,” the Chairman had noted in the 2025 financial report.
He went on to add that beyond numbers, GBTI continues to champion nation-building as it strives not just to shape the future of banking but to redefine it.
This ambition is reflected in the number of new offerings introduced by the commercial bank.
Only in May, GBTI introduced a new mortgage rate structure, starting as low as three per cent.
The bank explained that the new rates are designed to make homeownership more affordable for Guyanese families, whether they are buying their first home, building a home, or refinancing an existing mortgage.
The new rates apply to every loan size, from low-income housing and young professional housing to high-value properties. This move aligns with the Guyanese government’s aggressive housing drive to promote homeownership among Guyanese.
In fact, GBTI has participated in the Government’s low-income housing loan scheme, offering rates of three per cent per annum for loans up to $4 million; 3.7 per cent for loans between $4 million and $9 million; 4.25 per cent for loans between $9 million and $20 million; 4.75 per cent for loans between $20 million and $40 million; 4.99 per cent for loans between $40 million and $60 million; and between 5.25 and 6.5 per cent per annum for loans of $60 million and above.

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​Dear Editor,
​I am writing to publicise a matter of critical national importance regarding public safety and infrastructure development in Guyana.
My name is Vishul Ishwaridin, and I am a proud Guyanese citizen and the owner of Fire Sprinkler & Safety Equipment Services, located at 56 Area H, Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
Over the years, our nation has witnessed far too many devastating disasters that have claimed innocent lives. Many of these tragedies could be prevented or mitigated if we simply implement stricter, safer building protocols.
​For a considerable time, I have written numerous letters to various Ministries and Government agencies advocating for a vital policy change: making automatic fire sprinkler protection systems mandatory for all schools, hospitals, Government Ministries, and any commercial or apartment buildings that are three stories and higher. Because I do not know if these official correspondences have reached the relevant authorities, I am turning to the press to ensure this urgent message is heard.
​To demonstrate my absolute commitment to a safer Guyana, I have repeatedly offered my company’s installation services completely free of cost, requesting payment only for the physical materials used. I previously offered this service during the construction of the new Good Hope Secondary School and Christ Church Secondary School. The latter, being a three-storey structure, presents a significant evacuation risk; in the event of a fire, safely evacuating hundreds of students and educators from upper floors is a monumental challenge.
​Currently, Queen’s College is constructing a new three-storey building. Once again, I am publicly offering my company’s services free of labour costs to install a fire sprinkler protection system for this building, asking only that the cost of materials be covered.
​We must understand the distinct layers of fire safety:
​Fire Alarms: Alert occupants to evacuate the building immediately.
​Fire Extinguishers: Are vital but only effective against small, localised fires.
Fire Sprinkler Systems: Automatically extinguish or contain a fire at its very origin, preventing it from spreading and saving both lives and property before emergency services even arrive.
As our country experiences rapid growth and modernisation, our safety standards must evolve accordingly. I stand ready to assist. I would be deeply grateful if the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Education, or the Ministry of Home Affairs would contact me. It would be my distinct honour to contribute to the safety of our great nation and protect the lives of our children and citizens.

Yours respectfully,
Vishul Ishwaridin

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