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See below the full release from the Ministry of Natural Resources: 

August 8, 2025- The Government of Guyana is pleased to announce that first oil has been achieved from the ONE GUYANA Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel — the country’s fourth offshore development within the prolific Stabroek Block and Guyana’s largest production vessel, to date.

ONE GUYANA will be producing approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). With this addition, Guyana’s total daily crude output will surpass 900,000 bpd, up from the previous combined average of 677,000 bpd across the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Payara Prosperity FPSOs. The vessel will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail fields, discovered in 2019 and 2020, respectively. It is equipped with state-of-the-art Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) infrastructure, enabling production from 26 production wells and 25 water-alternating-gas (WAG) injection wells.

Built by SBM Offshore, ONE GUYANA is designed with significant environmental safeguards. It is the first FPSO offshore Guyana to feature installed sparing on all gas processing compressors, and ensuring uninterrupted gas handling even during planned or unplanned maintenance events.

The Yellowtail Petroleum Production Licence, approved in 2022, has been the template for future licences, embedding stronger environmental and safety requirements, improved

decommissioning safeguards, and alignment with Guyana’s broader climate commitments.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, will continue to work to ensure the prudent management of the petroleum sector to support long-term national benefit and sustainable development.

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The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has named its 12-player squad for the upcoming two-game women’s series against Suriname.

The matches are scheduled for 10-11 August at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Europe-based professional Joy Adams has been selected to captain the team, in what will be her 5-on-5 debut for Guyana. Adams, who previously led the national side and was the tournament’s top scorer at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in Miami, is expected to be a key leader on the court.

The roster also includes the Minnesota-based Ramlall siblings—Ashna, Arshia, and Amisha—who will be making their national team debuts.

Their inclusion is expected to add youth, versatility, and defensive intensity to the squad.

Veteran centre Keane Andrews returns to the national team to provide crucial experience.

Head coach Willon Cameron noted that Andrews’ presence will help balance a team that includes many younger players who featured in last year’s Inter-Guiana Games.

GBF President Michael Singh has called the two-day series the “jump start” for the federation’s revitalised women’s programme, which will be a central focus for the remainder of 2025.

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 Keane Andrews

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West Indies seamer Matthew Forde has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Pakistan that starts in Tarouba from Friday. Forde suffered a shoulder dislocation earlier on Wednesday while attempting a catch during a training session.

Johann Layne, the West Indies academy seam-bowling allrounder, has replaced Forde in the squad. Layne is among the seamers that impressed Ian Bishop, who called him “rangy, tall and intelligent”.

Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, Romario Shepherd and Jediah Blades are the quicks in their ODI squad with Gudakesh Motie as their frontline wristspinner. Alzarri Joseph has been rested. West Indies would also miss Forde’s talent with the bat lower down the order; he holds the ODI record for fastest fifty (16 balls), achieved in May against Ireland.

West Indies lost the T20I series against Pakistan 2-1 in Lauderhill, but are looking to claim a fourth-straight ODI series with the tour moving to Trinidad & Tobago.

It is only their fifth ODI series since the start of 2023, but come into the contest having beaten England twice (2-1, on both occasions) and Bangladesh once (3-0).

The 50-over game has been a difficult format for West Indies in recent history, missing out on the last two ICC tournaments for ODIs.

Their qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup is also far from guaranteed as they are ranked tenth in the rankings. West Indies realistically need to finish within the top nine – one place higher than they are – to secure automatic passage at the cut-off date. A series win against Pakistan, ranked six places above them, would help them significantly. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday said William Jaris, 25, from Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo, was fatally stabbed during a fight in the vicinity of Ruby Bridge.

Enquiries disclosed that William and the suspect, who was identified as Davie Riveia, 33, a labourer of Ruby Back Dam, East Bank Essequibo, are well known to each other. Riveia was arrested and is assisting with the investigation.

It further disclosed that the two men were involved in an argument at a shop in the vicinity of Ruby Bridge. A fight ensued between them, and the suspect was seen with a knife. Shortly after, blood was seen oozing from Jaris’ body.
Riveia reportedly escaped on a bicycle, and the victim collapsed.

Jaris was subsequently rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Persaud.

The body was examined, and three stab wounds were seen: one to the right side of the jaw, one to the chest, and one to the left upper arm.

The body was later escorted to Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Riveia was later arrested at his home and taken to the Parika Police Station. He was also taken to the hospital for medical attention after a wound was seen above his left eye.

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General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said strong actions are needed to deter persons from flouting election laws. And if any laws are broken, he said, there must be strong enforcement.

“I hope that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is vigilant and the Police too, because there are lots and lots of cases where we have seen this happening.

“They need to take strong enforcement action against people who transgress elections laws, including paying people for their vote because this is a crime,” Jagdeo said on Thursday during his weekly press conference.

Already, GECOM issued a statement reminding all candidates and citizens that offering or accepting inducements in return for votes is a criminal offence.

“Further, it is an offence for any person, directly or indirectly, to offer any money, gift, and/or a loan, to any voter to secure the vote of any voter at the elections,” the Commission stated.

GECOM warned that violators face a fine and up to six months’ imprisonment on summary conviction. Those convicted may also be barred from contesting future elections.

Earlier this week, GECOM decided not to require voters to surrender their mobile phones before casting their ballots. While the body agreed that photographing marked ballots is a prohibited act, it has opted not to implement a mandatory phone storage policy at polling stations.

GECOM reminded all stakeholders that they all have a statutory duty and civic responsibility to contribute to the elections being conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner.

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National Literacy Programmes were officially launched by the Ministry of Education on Thursday, as the Government continues work towards attaining universal education. This initiative aims to strengthen reading and writing skills among young learners and ensure every child in Guyana can read by Grade Four.

Teachers and literary officers have already been trained in most regions and the programme will commence at the start of the new school term on September 8.

The launch was attended by educators, school administrators, education officers, students, and other representatives.

Assistant Chief Education Officer, Stembiso Grant, called the initiative a “comprehensive research-driven and culturally rounded set of initiatives that will transform literacy teaching and learning from nursery to secondary and beyond.”

Grant explained that this renewed literacy initiative began in 2023 following a meeting with Minister of Education Priya Manickchand. This discussion sparked a series of meetings with various stakeholders to identify challenges, explore potential solutions, and design a literacy framework that would address the needs of all learners, from nursery to secondary school.

“This initiative is a national movement. From establishing and revitalising school libraries, establishing reading clubs, strengthening community libraries, and collaborating with our partners, this initiative is grounded in the science of reading supported by culturally relevant resources and delivered with the belief that literacy is the right of every citizen,” explained Grant.

The team working on this initiative has also developed a website with a blog for improved access to resources.

In her remarks, Grant said the initiative is “not merely an education programme, it is a national promise. Literacy is the foundation for learning, citizenship, and opportunities.”

(Photo: Ministry of Education)

Additionally, Grant and Minister Manickchand spoke extensively on the work of the Government through the Ministry to improve the country’s education sector.

Reflecting on the shortcomings of the previous A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administrations, the Minister stated that these issues needed to be addressed and rectified.

She described the initiative as “an intervention” for children already in school at various levels and a “beginner programme” for those just starting their educational journey. The Minister also said that for parents with nursery-aged children entering school, this is the best opportunity post-independence Guyana has ever seen in terms of literacy programs and interventions.

She also emphasised the critical importance of accountability, stating, “We have to love our children in a way that demands accountability from the people who are paid to teach them. And, that accountability will include us holding the hands of teachers and training and retraining where necessary because these are specialties.”

The Minister further highlighted the need for improvements in classroom management, saying that there should be more than one teacher in problematic classrooms, and the number of children in the classroom must be brought down to significantly improve the teacher-child ratio.

“We have to move to a place, in my view, where there is no top school and bottom school. All schools will provide the kind and quality of education that each child deserves.”

Tying this to the literacy programmes, she said “but we can only move to that place when we produce a reading child, when we demand accountability from the people who are placed to give us the reading child, and when we make sure resources are equally and equitably distributed.”

Minister Manickchand added, “This is the most comprehensive package we have ever done as a ministry, as a country, for every level of children all across Guyana and I suspect strongly that this is going to be a programme that our  Caribbean brothers and sisters utilise also.”

In her closing remarks, the Minister also highlighted another Ministry initiative, noting that a primary school library is being added to every primary school in Guyana, with secondary schools to follow. This effort is part of a broader goal to ensure that every school across the country has access to a reading library.

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A multi-purpose Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Centre was commissioned on Thursday at Anna Catherina, Region Three, creating a safe space for children, support for families, and an avenue for employment in the region.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, opened the $93.8 million centre during a ceremony, marking a fulfilled commitment by the government.

During the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Ali said this facility will greatly improve the lives of many families.

“You may have a family, a young professional family, where one member of the family decide they have to stay home because they have children.

“Another young professional who may afford to hire someone to take care of their children, and that family achieved their full potential, which leads to full economic empowerment, which leads to a larger growth, more disposable income… it’s an equalising investment,” the President said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali delivering remarks at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday. (Photo: DPI)

The ‘day and night’ care programme was conceptualised by Minister Persaud. It is part of the PPP/C’s 2020–2025 manifesto under “Empowering women and taking care of children and vulnerable groups,” where it aims to encourage and assist in the establishment of daycare centres for working women.

This facility, the first of three centres to be established, provides support to low-income families by offering a safe space for children. It will accommodate children up to 12 years old and also provide access to early screening programmes for eye diseases, hearing, among other conditions, to ensure early intervention in the lives of children.

One of several play areas located at the Centre. (Photo: DPI)

“This was birthed from that understanding that when parents go out into the world of work, they want the assurance and guarantee that their children are absolutely safe. Their children are in a secure environment,” the minister said.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud during the commissioning ceremony. (Photo: DPI)

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Lavene Gouviea, said this is a first-of-its-kind initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, Guyana’s first National Integrated Early Childhood Development (NIECD) Policy, aimed at improving the lives of children aged 0–3, was introduced this year.

A learning area at the Centre. (Photo: News Room)

The government also injected funding into the establishment of a programme focused on early childhood development. This comprehensive programme focuses on cultivating an understanding of early childhood development and fostering positive developmental outcomes.

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The government could engage taxi drivers and bus operators on possibly reducing their fares now that Guyana’s major bridges are toll-free, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said Thursday.

As of August 1, tolls for the Berbice River Bridge, the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge were removed. Some operators, such as those plying the Number 56 minibus route (from New Amsterdam to Rosignol), have dropped their fares, but others have refused to do so.

The Vice President explained that Guyana has a free market economy and, as such, the government does not dictate prices. S,o engaging operators would have to be done “carefully.”

Still, Jagdeo opined that such discussions may be necessary to bring further relief to persons dependent on public transportation. He also emphasised that the government wants taxi drivers and bus operators to earn a decent living.

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who is the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), said the government will not distribute any more cash grants before the upcoming elections.

However, he vowed that once re-elected, citizens will benefit from more cash grants and increases.

“I can assure you there will be lots of cash grants after the elections, but not before.

“We are a party, you know, once we put it there (in our manifesto)… There will be cash grants and increases,” Jagdeo said at his press conference on Thursday.

During the recent PPP/C manifesto consultations, it was announced that the party will distribute more cash grants to people. Those cash grants- from the Because We Care grant for schoolchildren to grants for other key groups- will also increase in amount.

Jagdeo, on Thursday, also reiterated the PPP’s plans to reduce the cost of living and provide more disposable income to persons by reducing taxes and increasing wages, salaries and other benefits.

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