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See below the full statement issued by the Ministry of Finance:

The Government of Guyana and the CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Development Fund (CDF) yesterday signed a US$18 million financing agreement, to kickstart the Agricultural and Infrastructural Development Programme (AIDP) which will see over 4,300 farmers across the ten regions of Guyana benefitting, with forty percent of the beneficiaries being women and youth. The programme will allow for a further boost to Guyana’s agriculture sector in the form of support for compliance with food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary standards in the sector. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance. 

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, who signed on behalf of Government, while thanking the CDF for its support over the years noted that Guyana is proud to be a founding member of the CDF and to have benefited from the Fund’s activities over the years. 

“As a Government, led by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali, we recognize the importance of a strong and competitive non-oil economy, and I want to assure you that we consider agriculture and agricultural products to be a principal pillar of our non-oil economy, and we anticipate that long into the future, agriculture will remain an important source of economic growth and an important contributor to livelihoods, in particular rural and hinterland livelihoods, “ Dr. Singh explained to CDF’s CEO. 

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CDF Mr. Rodinald Soomer

He added that Guyana will long maintain and further enhance its position in relation to the achievement of food security for the Caribbean region more broadly, noting that this project and others like it, have a very important role to play in ensuring the country realises this achievement. 

Dr. Singh also outlined various agricultural projects supported by the CDF over the years, including farm-to market roads, highlighting that this project, which will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture under the leadership of Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, also aligns closely with Guyana’s and the CARICOM Region’s food security agenda. 

“This project is in a sector that is extremely important and it aligns closely with our national development priorities, and with the regional agenda on food security,” he concluded. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CDF Mr. Rodinald Soomer said the US$18 million programme is a bold and strategic investment in the fulfilment of CARICOM and Guyana’s shared vision for a resilient, productive and inclusive agricultural sector that not only feeds the nation but nourishes the region and reinforces Guyana’s leadership role in advancing food and nutrition security in CARICOM. 

“This programme is intended to enrich lives, uplift local communities and regions, and create new economic opportunities for producers and processors of coconuts, cocoa, coffee, peanuts, pigs and pork products, honey and associated by-products and vegetables,” he explained. 

The CEO added that under the AIDP, the foundation for a safer, more competitive agricultural sector will be laid, with the construction of a modern swine abattoir, 13 new or upgraded agro-processing facilities, and eight enhanced surveillance outposts to enable officers to execute their duties under conditions which are more conducive and should yield better results in combating the prevalence of the carambola fruit fly. 

With President Irfaan Ali being CARICOM’s lead representative for agriculture in the region, the project’s proposed activities have notably satisfied several aspects of CARICOM’s goal of reducing the region’s food import bill, as well as in the areas of food and nutrition security, implementation and operationalisation of sanitary and phytosanitary- related policies, and increased production and climate smart agriculture. 

The program will contribute to the Government’ s broader diversification strategy including through the further development in agriculture, one of the country’s main non-oil sectors. With most agriculture concentrated on the coast facing challenges such as climate change risks and reduced availability of water and suitable land, Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture aims to increase production and value addition in selected commodities. Through projects such as this, the Ministry will be in a stronger position to propose policies and investments that generate the highest return for the country, in line with Guyana’s National Strategy for Agriculture (2020 – 2030). 

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In what appears to be a last-ditch effort to salvage a political partnership, the Alliance For Change (AFC) submitted a drastically scaled-back coalition proposal to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Tuesday — only to have it rejected shortly aftter.

The proposal, seen by News Room and confirmed by sources within the AFC, marked a significant retreat by the party, which has been grappling with a wave of defections and declining influence under new leader Nigel Hughes. Once demanding parity in coalition arrangements, the AFC now offered to settle for just 35% of political representation — a far cry from its former power-sharing demand.

Despite this concession and what one AFC insider described as “a genuine attempt to respond to public calls for a unified opposition,” APNU, led by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, declined the offer. According to the AFC, APNU took particular issue with the AFC’s continued insistence on naming the Prime Ministerial candidate — a position APNU now wants control over.

PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton and Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes

The AFC’s revised coalition proposal included several key terms: the Presidential Candidate would be nominated by APNU, while the Prime Ministerial Candidate would be nominated by the AFC, subject to APNU’s approval; a seat-sharing ratio of 65% to APNU and 35% to the AFC; the Representative of the List would be an independent nominee agreed upon by both parties; the Speaker of the National Assembly would be nominated by the AFC but acceptable to APNU; all Ministerial and Junior Ministerial appointments would require mutual approval; and a new National Planning Commission or Ministry would be established, with a particular focus on transportation infrastructure.

The AFC’s leadership considered the proposal “a balanced and fair offer,” especially given the APNU’s dominant presence on the ground. However, the party believes APNU’s rejection confirms a longstanding suspicion: that the PNCR-led bloc has no interest in reviving the coalition.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the AFC said, “This last proposal gave APNU all they have been asking for to agree to a coalition… It is now clear the APNU was and is not interested in a coalition.”

The rejection comes amid internal instability within the AFC. Juretha Fernandes, a former executive and parliamentary representative, has already defected and is now positioning herself as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate for APNU. Sherod Duncan and Ricky Ramsaroop have also exited, aligning themselves with APNU and set to contest elections on its ticket.

The 2025 General and Regional Elections are scheduled for September 1, and the political landscape continues to shift rapidly.

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The Alliance For Change (AFC) has announced the formal cancellation of the membership of executive members Juretha Fernandes, Sherod Duncan and Deonarine “Ricky” Ramsaroop, citing their confirmed defection to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and participation on that party’s list of candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled for September 1, 2025.

In a statement issued Wednesday night, the AFC said its General Secretary had written to the trio seeking clarification following media reports of their alignment with APNU but received no response.

“However, independently, the Party has been able to verify that the three… have officially subscribed to membership of the APNU,” the party confirmed.

The move comes amid crumbling coalition negotiations between the AFC and APNU. According to the AFC, a final proposal for a unified front was submitted on Tuesday through a trusted intermediary. It outlined a power-sharing formula where APNU would nominate the Presidential Candidate, while the AFC would name the Prime Ministerial Candidate — a continuation of the 2015 coalition tradition. The draft also proposed a 65/35 seat allocation ratio and an independently nominated Representative of the List.

However, the AFC said it was informed the following day that APNU rejected the proposal, insisting instead on also naming the AFC’s Prime Ministerial candidate — a demand the AFC has deemed “totally unacceptable.”

“This last proposal gave APNU all they have been asking for to agree to a coalition,” the statement read. “The AFC decided at all costs it would play its role in response to public feedback and the nation’s desire for a unified opposition. It is now clear the APNU was and is not interested in a coalition.”

Juretha Fernandes, one of the defectors, has been a vocal and high-profile AFC member, having served on its National Executive Committee and as the party’s representative on the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament. She had also acted as party Chair at various intervals. Her departure — along with Duncan and Ramsaroop — is seen as a major shift in opposition dynamics ahead of the polls.

Fernandes has been tapped to be the APNU’s Prime Ministerial candidate.

While expressing disappointment in the manner of the departure, the AFC extended well wishes to the trio: “The Alliance For Change is a party founded on the democratic principles of freedom of choice… and takes the opportunity to wish them well in their future endeavours and political careers.”

The party concluded its statement with a warning that any “private arrangement established without consultation and completely contrary to the established protocols of the negotiations” is unacceptable.

The post AFC cancels membership of Fernandes, Duncan & Ramsaroop after defection; says latest coalition proposal was rejected by APNU appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Police ranks in Region Eight uncovered a significant quantity of cannabis during a foot patrol in Mahdia on Wednesday.

Between 11:10 hrs and 13:15 hrs, two officers conducted routine stop-and-search operations in the Central Mahdia area and around the Mahdia Arcade. Several persons were searched for illegal firearms, ammunition, narcotics, and wanted status, but nothing unlawful was found on any of the individuals.

However, further searches in the vicinity of the Mahdia Arcade led to the discovery of three bulky plastic bags hidden in an abandoned yard. The bags, found concealed inside an old refrigerator and a black garbage bag, contained a total of six transparent plastic parcels and numerous small ziplock bags—all filled with leaves, seeds, and stems.

One of the bags also included a package labelled “Gummy Cannabis Flower,” believed to be an infused product.

The narcotics were photographed at the scene and taken to the Mahdia Police Station, where they were weighed and confirmed to total 800 grams. Investigations are ongoing.

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Marlon Jones, a 38-year-old taxi driver from Lot 106 Third Avenue, Bartica, has been charged with the offence of receiving stolen articles.

Jones was arrested on June 15, 2025, and formally charged on June 17, 2025, under Section 237(1) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. The items in question reportedly belonged to Chinese national Jianmei Qiu.

The accused appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (June 18) before His Worship Teriq Mohammed, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty.

Jones was granted bail in the sum of $80,000. The matter has been adjourned to July 21, 2025.

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In an apparent sign of retreat, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has submitted a fresh proposal to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), seeking renewed coalition ties under drastically scaled-back terms.

News Room understands that the AFC, which has seen a wave of top-level departures and dwindling political momentum since Nigel Hughes took over leadership, is now asking for just 35% of the political stake in any potential coalition—down from an earlier demand of 65%.

A source within the AFC confirmed to News Room that the new proposal, submitted one day ago, is being reviewed by Norton and the APNU. However, some elements of the document remain points of contention for Norton’s party.

Juretha Fernandes has already parted ways with the AFC to position herself as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate for the APNU and there is speculation that others—such as Sherod Duncan—may also follow suit.

According to the source, the revised proposal includes the AFC’s desire to name the Prime Ministerial candidate and nominate a Speaker of the National Assembly—both choices to be acceptable to the APNU. The AFC is also pushing for an independent Representative of the List, a critical function in the coalition dynamic, as well as the requirement that appointments of all Ministers and Junior Ministers receive mutual approval.

Additionally, the AFC is floating the idea of establishing a new Ministry or Commission dedicated to national planning, with a specific focus on transportation—a sector the party believes is critical to national development.

The softened approach signals a significant shift in the AFC’s bargaining posture and has prompted speculation about the party’s long-term viability. With some of its key members stepping back and support waning, there are growing doubts about whether the AFC could even secure a seat on its own in the upcoming elections.

“The party is clearly repositioning,” the source said.

“But the question is whether it has anything left to bargain with,” they added.

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Juretha Fernandes has been tapped to be the Prime Ministerial candidate for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), as the political shake-up ahead of the upcoming general elections in the opposition continues to widen.

Fernandes, a Member of Parliament for the Alliance For Change (AFC), is expected to run alongside APNU’s presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton.

Her selection comes amid the AFC’s failure to re-enter a coalition agreement with APNU, effectively positioning Fernandes as a defector to the People’s National Congress (PNC), the dominant party within the APNU alliance.

The announcement marks a clear departure from earlier speculation that Ganesh Mahipaul, an opposition MP, would be tapped for the Prime Ministerial post.

Mahipaul had been widely considered a frontrunner following the resignation of PNC’s Amanza Walton-Desir. Some insiders had even suggested Walton-Desir was seeking the prime ministerial nomination herself.

APNU has yet to officially confirm the full slate of its leadership team for the elections, but Fernandes’ emergence as the PM candidate sets the stage for a new political narrative.

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Whilst Road Warriors, as expected, breezed past Spaniards in the main supporting clash of the night when the Round-of 16 in the inaugural June Madness Futsal championship got underway, it was Bomb Squad and Bent Street ‘B’ who stole the spotlight with resounding wins.

In the main shindig, futsal fans would have easily given the experienced Bent Street ‘A’ the nod to get past Bomb Squad, but the underdogs rose to the occasion to knockout their opponents.

Bent Street drew first blood when Pernel Schultz sent them into the lead with just 32 seconds on the clock.

The energetic Bomb Squad, despite trailing, matched their opponents play for play, but were not able to break down their rock solid defence.

Bent Street were able to double the lead in the 17th minute through a Solomon Austin goal.

Things got even more bleak for Bomb Squad when they found themselves 3-0 down, this time, Schultz doubled his tally with a 19th minute goal.

It seemed a done deal for Bent Street ‘A’, but the boys from Bomb Squad’s never-say-die attitude would spell trouble for their opponents.

Raushan Ritch reduced the deficit in the 21st minute when they found the back of the nets and then a bold and strategic move was made by the Bomb Squad Coach to request the yellow ball.

It was a move that would stun Bent Street when Kayo Fernando’s shot nestled in the back of the nets in the 23rd minute to draw his team level to the ruckus cheers of the fans, it was game on.

Two minutes later it was all over for Bent Street when Kemar Beckford nailed the winner for Bomb Squad in what can be considered one of the greatest comebacks in futsal history.

Bent Street ‘B’ started off proceedings in this round when they downed Stabroek Ballers ‘A’ 4-2.

Bent Street ‘B’ drew first blood in the opening minute through Randy Roberts, but that advantage was soon cancelled out when Deon Alfred netted the first of his brace in the third minute for Stabroek Ballers.

Lennox Young scored the first of his hat-trick for Bent Street ‘B’ in the 16th minute to restore their slim advantage, but this was again cancelled out in the 26th when Alfred scored his second.

Unanswered goals form Young in the 29th and 30th minute sealed a quarter-final place for Bent Street ‘B’.

Road Warriors displayed ripping form once again

Road Warriors easily took care of business against Corinthians via a 7-1 scoreline; they were led by the competition’s leading goal scorer, Luis DaSilva with three goals to take his overall tally to seven.

Arckson Andreazza added a sixth minute Yellow Ball goal (counted as two) while there was one each for Matheus DeSilva in the sixth and Ricardo Silva in the 29th minute. William Dos Santos’ 11th minute goal was the lone response for Corinthians.

Gold Is Money (red) edged Spaniards in a close tussle

Gold Is Money edged Spaniards in the other match, 2-1 to also book their place in the final eight.

Dextroy Adams (ninth) and William Europe (27th) were on target for the winners, with Spaniards’ consolation goal coming from Omar Brewley in the 10th minute.

Meanwhile, the final four matches in the Round-of-16 will be played on Thursday night following the start of the female segment of June Madness with two matches from 20:00h.

Thereafter, from 21:30h, Ballers United will oppose Z-Tekk, North East will come up against Linden All Stars, Back Circle ‘A’ face Festival City and Back Circle ‘B’ challenge Sparta Boss to cap the night.

The four male winners will advance to join Bent Street ‘B’, Gold is Money, Road Warriors and giant killers, Bomb Squad in the quarter-finals set for Saturday.

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A new era of opportunity has begun for small contractors in Linden, Region Ten, who have used government fixed-rate road contracts to launch and expand their businesses.

This has enabled some contractors to support their families, pursue education, and open retail shops and gymnasiums.

Fixed-rate projects involve an agreed price set before work begins, a model particularly effective when the project scope is clearly defined.

Launched by the government last October, this initiative is already making a tangible difference to people’s lives.

Linden’s Shaquille Alexander used the opportunity to establish a gymnasium, which not only benefits himself and his family, but also the entire community.

“Coming from an extended family, having been awarded the contract for the first time, it was very good for me, it improved a lot of things in my life,” Alexander told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday.

Alexander, who went from a gym instructor to a gym owner, said he is getting to work with people and take care of his family.

The initiative extends beyond employment, empowering young people, single parents, and struggling families with a genuine opportunity to thrive, succeed, and build something of their own.

Single mother Latoya Bonus also saw her life and that of her children transformed after receiving a government fixed-rate road contract.

“When I got my first contract, I was very happy because at that time I was in it. From my first contract to now, I have evolved a great lot pertaining to my kids, my business, and everything. I have grown,” she said.

Bonus also expressed her appreciation to the government for this project, which she said has a powerful impact on single mothers like herself, who may need a start or a helping hand.

“He [the President] is putting smiles on a lot of women’s faces, feeding a lot of mouths, and likewise making a lot of children happy,” Bonus said.

Samuel Grey, a young resident, was able to see his goals become a reality after obtaining a contract.

“Besides learning a lot about doing contractual work, it came in handy financially.  A lot of projects that I wanted to do were done through my obtaining one of these contracts,” Grey said.

He expressed hope that the government would continue this initiative, especially since the impact it is having is visible throughout Linden, particularly among the younger generation.

Beyond paving the way for financial freedom, fixed-rate road projects eliminate the need for small contractors to navigate complex tendering processes. This eases the burden on those who often struggle to predict final costs and secure fair opportunities.

Ultimately, this intervention underscores how well-executed government policies can unlock opportunities, lift families out of hardship, and transform lives.

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