Blog

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to delivering transformative investments for Wakenaam, highlighting that the planned modern “transport ecosystem” will improve connectivity, lower costs, and improve the livelihoods of residents on the island.

In a special address to hundreds of residents during a community meeting on Friday, the Head of State said his government’s plan will integrate river and road transport, storage facilities and value-added processing to benefit farmers, families, and businesses.

“We’re going to invest in a transport ecosystem that will lower costs, support our pensioners and children, and make life easier for you, the people of Wakenaam,” President Ali stated.

The president outlined a vision that includes direct subsidies, tax relief and the removal of duties on agricultural machinery for farmers.

Infrastructure upgrades, such as land development for crop diversification, improved drainage, and expansion of healthcare and education services, are also included in his plan.

Targeted financial support will be given to residents, including cash grants, increased pensions, and assistance for homeownership and home improvement.

“We want every family on this island to have the opportunity to own and upgrade their homes, to live with dignity, and to build wealth for future generations,” the President said.

In agriculture, a PPP/C government will help farmers diversify production, expand crop insurance for rice farmers, and make financing more accessible by reducing interest rates through a special development fund.

“We’re going to set up a special incentive, a special development fund, so that our farmers will not borrow at 8% and 9% or 12%, our farmers must borrow at nothing more than 4%,” the President said.

Highlighting the island’s transformation since 2020, President Ali pointed to the significant rise in land value, which he attributed to increased government investment.

“Five years ago, people were selling their land. Today, they are racing to buy it back. That is the confidence we’ve built in our economy and in your future,” he noted.

The president assured residents of Wakenaam that they will retain more of their income and that they will not be left behind in the country’s development agenda.

“The next phase is about wealth creation at the family and community level. We will remove burdens from your household budget—health, water, and education will be provided so you can keep more money in your pockets,” he said.

The president called for continued unity and support, emphasising that the Government’s investments are aimed at lifting the quality of life for every Guyanese, regardless of where they live.

Since taking office in 2020, the PPP/C Government has channelled significant investments into Wakenaam, transforming key sectors and improving the island’s quality of life.

Residents now enjoy 24-hour access to clean water from the $50 million Nooitgedacht well, with a modern water treatment plant underway to ensure a fully treated supply.

A $460 million solar farm, equipped with battery storage, has been installed to deliver reliable and renewable electricity, supporting agro-processing and other industries.

Road infrastructure has improved significantly, with over $2 billion spent on strong concrete roads. The aim is to cover the entire island by 2025. Education, public safety, and community facilities have also progressed under the PPP/C Administration.

The $84 million Arthurville Primary School was constructed with modern amenities, while nearly 100 new streetlights have been installed to enhance security and economic activity.

These efforts, along with continued investments in farming, housing, and transport, show the government’s dedication to strengthening resilience by creating opportunities and helping Wakenaam benefit from Guyana’s growth (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

The post Continued development for thousands of Wakenaam residents – Pres Ali appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana’s national women’s basketball team has received a pledge of support from Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo,  ahead of their upcoming Georgetown Women’s Classic against Suriname.

The two-match series will be played on August 10 and 11 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Jagdeo met with the team at Freedom House and expressed his commitment to encouraging more female participation in sport.

Among those he met were the Ramlall sisters—Ashna, Arshia, and Amisha—who are making their national team debut on home soil.

Jagdeo, a former track and field athlete and cricketer, noted his personal connection to the family, having grown up and played sports with their father, Sunil Ramlall.

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) President Michael Singh welcomed the support, stating, “It’s always encouraging to see strong support for women’s basketball. It sends a message to the players and to the country that the sport matters.”

Europe-based professional Joy Adams will captain the Guyanese squad.

While Adams has represented Guyana in the FIBA 3×3 format, this tournament will mark her first appearance in the traditional five-on-five game for the national team.

Guyana Women’s National Team Roster: Joy Adams (Captain), Amisha Ramlall, Ashna Ramlall, Arshia Ramlall, Jamaicy Ogle, Junelly Paddy, Keisha Copperfield, Kassidy Woolford, Malia Samuels, Akeelah Campbell, Brean Ritchie and Keane Andrews

The post Guyana women’s basketball team receives support from Vice President Jagdeo appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Jags Aviation, owned by businessman Brian Tiwarie, has introduced two new Tecnam P2012 traveller aircraft, a move that is expected to boost the country’s commercial travel.

A brief ceremony to mark the official addition of the two aircraft, which arrived in Guyana from Italy, was held on Friday at the company’s Bradley Hanger at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. Jags is now operating nine new aircraft.

“This acquisition represents more than just the addition of another aircraft; it is a strategic step towards a modern, efficient, excellent inter-regional and local air services,” Carl Rodney, a pilot attached to the company, said.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill (second from left), joined family and friends of Brian Tiwarie, the owner of Jags Aviation, for the official launch of the aircraft.

These aircraft are twin-engine, high-wing utility, and are nine-seaters. They are designed to operate from shorter runways, making them suitable for remote areas; they also possess modern designs, advanced avionics, and versatility. They are also fitted to conduct medical evacuations.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill told the gathering that investments by the private sector are boosting the country’s transformation, especially with the use of modern technology.

“I’ve just signed, a few days ago, the order giving Jags and BK the right to operate the Bartica Airstrip and to develop it into a modern airdrome with all of the necessary facilities,” Edghill said.

He noted that the Eugene F. Correia International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, with more than 220 landings daily. Edghill highlighted that this is the sixth aircraft the company has bought since 2020.

“That shows two things: the growth in the sector, and the sector is growing and it is expanding.

“Private sector [companies] only invest when they do the math, they do the analysis, they do the projections, and they are sure that their investment is not in vain. This kind of investment is clear that Jags and BK are putting another vote of confidence in the economy,” the Public Works Minister said.

The post Jags Aviation expands fleet to boost commercial travel appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is currently accepting applications for proxies for voting at General and Regional Elections on Monday, September 1, 2025. 

WHO CAN APPLY TO VOTE BY PROXY 

A voter is entitled to vote by proxy at the upcoming General and Regional Elections if he/she is unable to go to the Polling Station where he/she is listed to vote on Election Day based on any one of the following circumstances:

• Is a rural constable or a member of the Disciplined Forces performing duties related to election day and did not vote on the day set aside for Disciplined Forces Balloting. 
• Is a person appointed as Returning Officer or another election official working on election day in a district other than the district in which he/she is listed to vote. 
• Is engaged in the running of a vessel for the Transport and Harbours Department on election day. 
• Is a duly appointed Candidate at the Elections, and is performing duties in a district other than the district in which he/she is listed to vote. 
• Is a visually impaired or physically incapacitated voter who is unable to go to the polling station. 

NOTE: The Applicant/ voter and proxy /voter must be listed in the same List of  Electors to vote at the same Polling Station. 

Application Forms to vote by Proxy can be uplifted from and submitted to the under-mentioned Offices of the Returning Officer or Supernumerary Returning Officer for  the District or Sub-District in which the applicant (voter) is listed to vote.  

Applications for appointment of proxy must be presented to the District  Returning Officer not later than August 11, 2025. (GECOM Press Relase)

The post Application opens for proxy voting appeared first on News Room Guyana.

ENet has completed a transformative multibillion dollar telecommunications project, landing the first ever direct submarine fiber‑optic cable to Bartica. This pioneering investment brings state-of-the-art fiber connectivity and 5G mobile service to the hinterland town, connecting Bartica directly to ENet’s fiber-optic backbone, which is the largest in Guyana.

The cable, which crosses two major rivers, Demerara and Essequibo, and navigates difficult terrain, is now fully operational. With the network infrastructure complete, Bartica residents and businesses can now access the same gigabit-speed internet, robust 5G mobile coverage, and advanced digital services previously only available on the coast. ENet now connects seven of the country’s ten regions via fiber and remains the only operator to run submarine fiber cables to Regions 2 and 7.

At the ceremonial unveiling in Bartica on August 6, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips praised ENet’s initiative in contributing to the Government’s Digital Guyana agenda. “Bartica, long regarded as the gateway to Guyana’s interior, is now poised to benefit from dramatically faster and more reliable service for homes, businesses, and institutions. This is an immense technical achievement that also signifies a meaningful step toward bridging the digital divide between our coast and hinterland,” the Prime Minister stated. “We commend ENet for its bold investment and welcome this initiative as a demonstration of what can be achieved through partnership, innovation, and a shared commitment to national development.”

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and ENet’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishok Persaud.

The Prime Minister added, “We realise that if the digital divide continues, we cannot speak of development in a truly inclusive way. That is why the Government will continue to support initiatives like this one, ensuring that every region, every town, and every citizen is included in Guyana’s digital future.”

ENet’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishok Persaud, said the project was a challenging undertaking, and required innovation, resilience, and strong collaboration.

“The project was extraordinarily challenging as it required finding a viable route and running fiber through the trails,” he explained. “Today, we have connected Bartica via fiber-optic cable for the first time.”

Persaud highlighted the role of Roger Chan-Yuen, a key member of the ENet team, who led the effort to make the river crossing possible.

 

From L – R: ENet’s Chief Executive Officer, Vishok Persaud; Ravin Ramoutar, CEO of Astra Services, a key partner in the project and Roger Chan-Yuen, a key member of the ENet team.

“Forty-five minutes into the initial journey to identify a crossing, Roger [Chan-Yuen] called and said it [the original plan] couldn’t be done. But instead of giving up, we went back to the drawing board. Roger was determined to find a solution, and every weekend, they would explore different options. The idea of crossing two rivers was an expensive venture, but we did it. Today, in Bartica, you get exactly the same service that’s available in Georgetown.”

Vishok Persaud also recognised Ravin Ramoutar, CEO of Astra Services, as a key partner in the project, as their company had undertaken some of the most challenging tasks, including build-outs, associated with the laying of the cable.

Persaud also thanked Carlos Prowell, team leader in Bartica, who, he said, has always been an integral part of the operations and contributed to the company’s success in Bartica.

Carlos Prowell, team leader in Bartica

Since the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in 2020, ENet has led the modernisation of Guyana’s digital landscape. The company was the first to deploy a locally owned international fiber-optic cable, and the first to introduce a 5G fixed wireless and mobile network. ENet has also built the country’s largest fiber-optic backbone, spanning Berbice, Linden, Essequibo, and now Bartica, reaching more of Guyana’s regions than any other provider.

ENet continues to invest in next-generation technologies and infrastructure that power Guyana’s digital transformation. With this milestone, the company reaffirms its position as the country’s most agile and future-ready telecommunications provider.

The post ENet completes multi-billion-dollar submarine cable project to Bartica appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have set ambitious targets for disciplined services ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections, including doubling the annual bonus, which it scrapped while in government.

The AFC, led by Nigel Hughes, said it will ensure that all new recruits have a starting salary of $250,000 and vowed that there will be a $150,000 minimum salary for the lowest-ranking officers.

The AFC is also promising that ranks will get two month’s tax-free bonus every Christmas while civilian workers will get a one-month tax-free bonus. The party also pledged that border stationed ranks will get an extra $50,000 tax free bonus while every member will get an annual $100,000 cash grant.

The AFC was part of the APNU+AFC coalition government in office from 2015 to 2020 that scrapped the long standing one-month joint services bonus. It was reported that the then Finance Minister Winston Jordan urged the security forces to cease yearning for bonuses because they rob them of salary increases which are permanent and long-term and help to determine the size of their pensions.

Meanwhile, the AFC also said each member who turns 18 will get a free house lot.

The party also vowed to introduce standardized compensation. Families will get $10 million if a member dies in the line of duty, while ranks will get a one-off payment of $5 million for any permanent injury on duty and $2.5 million for off-duty permanent injuries.

Then at a press conference on Friday, APNU’s Aubrey Norton unveiled some of the party’s promises for members of the joint services.

APNU promised to increase the salaries of soldiers and Police officers by up to 35%, with yearly bonuses. It also said its promised across-the-board tax-free threshold oof $400,000 will benefit them.

APNU also said police and soldiers enjoy all the other benefits it plans to implement for all citizens, such as rent-to-own housing, water and electricity subsidy, and child allowances for children up to 18 years.

Mr. Norton also doubled down on his rhetoric of prejudicial treatment and said that APNU, if elected, would ensuring promotions and training scholarships are based on merit and transparent rules, not on politics or favoritism. He also promised to give ranks priority for house-lot allocation and housing.

And he said an expert commission to review the conditions of service and to make recommendations on living conditions in camps and compounds, benefits and compensation, job satisfaction, and personal safety would be established. All officers would have better working conditions, he said too.

The post AFC, APNU set ambitious elections targets for disciplined services appeared first on News Room Guyana.

As the new Demerara River Bridge nears completion, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed that employees of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, including those who managed toll operations, will not lose their jobs.

The crossing of the structure became toll-free on August 1, and the President strongly emphasised that no workers will be displaced in the process, and instead of layoffs, the government is actively exploring opportunities for employees to take on more advanced roles.

“Not a single employee will be losing their job. We’ll be upskilling, retooling, and re-deploying. There is enough space in the system for the full deployment and reintegration of everyone.

“We have absolutely no issue in terms of workers being under–utilised or losing their jobs. Matter of fact, we are looking to upskill them to perform even higher tasks in every area,” the President told reporters at the sidelines of an event on Thursday.

Work on the new Demerara Harbour Crossing (Photo: Juan Edghill/ Facebook)

He said, based on updates from the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, the new bridge is in its final stages of construction.

“The sealing of the bridge, which is the completion of the bridge, will be done.

“The structural completion will be there, the traffic management we’re hoping all of that – the roads coming on and off the bridge – that all of that will be completed, so that’s what we’re working on,” Dr. Ali said.

The full 2.9km concrete structure will be completely connected by August 25. During a recent site visit, the minister was briefed on the progress of the works by the contractor and consultant.

All efforts are being made to ensure the bridge is completed by the August 31 deadline.

The post No job losses at DHB as new bridge moves closer to completion appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Government of Guyana is in the final stages of negotiations for the acquisition of the Berbice River Bridge, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said on Thursday, while assuring citizens that the process will be fair to all parties involved.

During an interview with reporters at the sidelines of an event on Thursday, the President said the agreement could be linked after the September 1 General and Regional Elections.

“I know we are in the final stages of that, the Minister of Finance is leading that, and we will be working towards inking an agreement after the elections so that the responsibility of the bridge will be that of the government and we will have an amicable solution with investors,” the Head-of-State said.

The President added that while there is no fixed deadline, it is important that investors get a fair chance at negotiating.

“There are ongoing negotiations with investors because investors must have an opportunity to negotiate, because if there’s a buy-out, then they must have their concerns dealt with,” Dr. Ali said.

The structure is currently managed by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc.; however, it remains a private-public partnership. The bridge became toll-free as of August 1, 2025, alongside the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge.

The post Gov’t in final talks over acquisition of Berbice River Bridge appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday said investments into infrastructure, childcare support and job creation are building an eco-system that supports disposable income growth, leading to citizen empowerment.

The President was at the time commissioning the $93.8 million Day and Night care and Early Childhood Centre in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). He highlighted that through massive investments in the health, education and social service sectors, a comprehensive poverty reduction framework is being built.

According to Dr. Ali, with millions of dollars injected into early childhood development and focus placed on family planning through programmes by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, opportunities for families to benefit economically are generated.

He said parents who once worried about finding caregivers while they worked can now benefit from the free caregiving services facilities that will be established in other regions. Adding to that, jobs are created at the centres and going forward, these facilities will work collectively with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and community police.

“These investments are linked to economic and social inclusion.

“We’re going to work on upskilling our part time workers. And we already have a mechanism through which this will be linked. So, it will be linked to police stations, fire service, mosque, temples…we’re going to support directly, families, not only in terms of cash transfer and grants, but we also empower families to own their own homes by giving you subsidies to build your homes,” the head of state said.

He noted that the cost of living in Guyana is a major part of the government’s plans, with focus placed on free healthcare, recreation facilities, toll free transport at the major bridges and community facilities. Additionally, the President said the treated water infrastructure also complement this plan by ensuring families are healthy.

“Every time we invest in giving you treated water, every time we invest in giving you a better road, give you a better drainage, reduce the risk of malaria, reduce the risk of typhoid, reduce the risk of dengue, all of those investment help in Family Development, and that is why investing in infrastructure is so critically connected to the improvement and empowerment of families,” he said.

Dr. Ali said the government aims to build equity in the system, giving everyone the type of support that is needed for a family to grow.

The post Infrastructure, jobs & childcare support key focus for citizen empowerment – Pres. Ali appeared first on News Room Guyana.

August 8, 2025- ExxonMobil Guyana started production today at Yellowtail, the fourth oil development in Guyana’s offshore Stabroek block. Yellowtail’s ONE GUYANA floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel joins the Destiny, Unity, and Prosperity FPSOs, bringing total installed capacity in Guyana to above 900,000 barrels of oil per day.

“Yellowtail’s ahead-of-schedule startup is a significant milestone for ExxonMobil and the people of Guyana,” said Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Company. “With Guyanese making up more than 67% of the country’s oil-and-gas workforce and over 2,000 local businesses engaged, this project reflects our deepening roots in the country and our shared commitment to long-term, inclusive growth.”

The ONE GUYANA is the largest FPSO on the Stabroek block to date with an initial annual average production of 250,000 bopd 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 total production capacity of 1.7 million oil equivalent barrels per day from eight developments.

ExxonMobil Guyana’s deepwater developments are the most successful in the world. In five years, the company has started up four complex offshore mega-projects under budget and ahead of schedule – while simultaneously advancing plans for four additional projects by the end of the decade.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited operates the Stabroek block and holds a 45% interest, with Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holding 30%, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holding 25% (Press release) 

The post Guyana’s oil production capacity now more than 900,000 barrels daily  appeared first on News Room Guyana.