Fifty percent of over 2,000 traffic tickets issued through Guyana’s new automated electronic ticketing system have already been paid, according to Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh.
Singh made the disclosure during an interview with the News Room, noting that while payments are encouraged, offenders still have the right to contest tickets in court.
“You do have the option to contest too, based on the circumstances at the time,” he stated.
The automated system, officially launched on April 7, 2025, currently operates at ten locations and was developed primarily to monitor speeding. However, it also detects a range of other offences, including tinted windows, coloured lights, and failure to wear seat belts.
“The CCTV footage is utilised in a court of law as evidence to prove that the offence was committed,” Singh explained, adding that the system is paving the way for smarter, more remote traffic enforcement.
“What it helps us with now is what’s intended in the future—smart traffic management. So, less of us on the road now to portray an image… but more remote monitoring, where when you commit the offence, you are being observed in real time.”
The system is calibrated by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and is supported by recent amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
Payments for tickets can be made conveniently at any MMG agent nationwide, using the ticket number or by scanning the QR code printed on the ticket.
A lucky customer who dines at each of the 21 restaurants participating in the 18th season of Guyana Restaurant Week (GRW) between June 20 and 29, 2025, will earn a special reward: dinner for two at the yet-to-be-named Restaurant of the Year.
The announcement was made on Monday by Dee George, President of the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana, during the official launch hosted at Swingerz Sky Golf Restaurant, a first-time GRW participant located at Movietowne.
“This year there’s a special treat because we want to tempt you to do that journey across the properties… who indicates that they have visited all the properties, they will be awarded a dinner for two at the restaurant of the year,” George said.
The initiative is designed to encourage diners to explore the full variety of eateries on offer during this year’s event, which includes seven newcomers adding fresh flavours and culinary experiences to the menu lineup.
Shaniya DeCosta, a representative of Swingerz, said the restaurant is always looking for ways to improve and impress.
“For customers it means that they get to experience a different side of food in Guyana because we try to basically combine a variety of foods with different flavours,” she shared.
Meanwhile, Krysann Younge, owner of Bia Bia Tex Mex Cuisine in Region Seven, expressed gratitude to her supporters in both Georgetown and Bartica.
“I want to say thank you to our supporters from Georgetown because they have literally travelled all the way to meet me, they make TikToks, they create content, and I want to say thank you to Bartica too for receiving me the way that they did,” she said.
Participating in her second GRW, Younge revealed a new featured item this year: stuffed boudin balls made of cook-up rice, stewed chicken, mozzarella cheese, and plantain.
Here are the 21 restaurants participating in GRW2025:
Aagman Indian Restaurant
The Beach Specialities Restaurant & Bar – Caribbean Inn
In a fusion of sporting excellence and top-tier musical entertainment, the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee is set to stage the biggest Guyana Cup horse race meet on August 17 at the Rising Sun Turf Club in West Berbice.
The 17th edition of the marque sport event will have over G$50M at stake, one of the largest purse ever for a horse racing event in the Caribbean.
A record 11 hotly contested races are carded for the day, with race one galloping off at 11:00h. Gates will open at 09:00h.
Flashback! Olympic Kremlin charging to victory in the Guyana Cup 2024 at Rising Sun Turf Club
This year’s event is set to give the ‘Sport of Kings’ an unprecedented boost with the announcement of a record-breaking G$20M (approximately US$100,000) purse for the feature race.
“The move follows the long-awaited passage of new Horse Racing Legislation, which has been hailed as a pivotal moment for the sport in the country,” the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee said as it swiftly responded to the legislative development by significantly increasing the stakes.
The feature race winner will take a record purse of G$10M, the most significant first prize in Guyanese racing history.
And when the sun goes down, international artistes Machel Montano, Popcaan and Ravi B, along with their respective bands, will take centre stage in a fusion of soca, dancehall and chutney music.
Speaking at the official launch of the event on Tuesday in the boardroom of title sponsor Banks DIH Limited were Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-Hen, Operations Manager of the Guyana Cup Andre Rochford and founder of the Guyana Cup, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr.
Races carded for the day:
Guyana Bred Non-Earners (Four years and older)
Guyana Bred (Three years and older) classified K-Class and Lower
Guyana Bred (Three years and older) classified J-Class and Lower
Guyana and West Indian Bred Juveniles
Guyana and West Indian Bred classified H-Class and Lower
Guyana and West Indian Bred classified G-Class and Lower
Guyana Bred Derby
Sprint Classic Open to all Classes (Three years and up)
Imported Juvenile (New Event)
Brazilian and West Indian Bred Derby (New Event)
Guyana Cup 2025 (automatic entry for 2024 champion Olympic Kremlin of Slingerz Stable)
The Imported Juvenile and Brazilian and West Indian Bred Derby will be introduced at the Guyana Cup for the first time.
Imported Juvenile: This race was created to facilitate the participation of ‘younger’ foreign competitors, who have expressed an interest in featuring in the Guyana Cup.
“The Committee is paying attention to the large importation of top-bred horses, which would help the breeding industry in the future,” the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee explained.
“The top bloodlines being bred in Guyana will result in stronger, more competitive thoroughbreds to compete at the higher levels, locally and internationally.”
The Committee is contemplating a change to either the Guyana Cup and/or the Imported Juvenile being a race for only fillies.
“This would be a game-changer to import more top quality mares for a brighter future for our breeding industry.”
Brazilian and West Indian Bred Derby: The Guyana Cup Derby typically features West Indian and Guyana Bred horses, and over the years, the West Indian Bred animals have repeatedly been dominant over the locals.
About this new race, the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee said: “We found it appropriate to introduce a race where the Brazilian horses race against the West Indies Bred horses for the first time ever in the Guyana Cup Derby.”
“It is a known fact that Brazilian horses have demonstrated excellent performances in top classes regionally and internationally, hence we are creating a level battlefield in Guyana for these horses to showcase their talents.”
Venue Layout and Costs
The transformation of the venue is geared to enhance the spectator experience, giving them a view of the horse racing and the concert from any area of the Rising Sun Turf Club they choose to visit.
General Admission: G$6,000 (Early bird G$5,000)
Access to horse racing and concert
VIP: G$55,000 (Early bird G$40,000)
Stage front access to concert, and also gives access to horse racing during the day
VVIP: G$100,000 (Early bird G$75,000)
All-inclusive ticket gives access to designated VVIP Cabana-style area for the horse racing from 10:00h to 18:00h, perfectly positioned with a main stage in front of the finish line and a massive 24ft viewing screen. From 18:00h to 01:00h, ticket holders will enjoy the view from an elevated deck at a prime location beside stage front. VVIP access includes food and drinks all day and night, with stylish cocktail tables.
Elevated Cabana: G$300,000
This Cabana caters for 15 persons in a private elevated 12×12 tent for horse racing only, complete with two tables, 10 chairs and dedicated toilet access. All Cabanas are inter-connected by a stylish catwalk, creating a unified viewing experience where guests can celebrate together while enjoying an unobstructed view of the entire homestretch to the finish line.
Non-Elevated Cabana: G$200,000
Each Cabana package includes a private non-elevated 12×12 deck for the horse racing only with two tables and 10 chairs. It caters for 20 persons.
Corporate Package: G$1,500,000
This package offers a VVIP experience in the day (09:00h to 18:00h) and an elevated deck in the night (18:00h to 01:00h). An escort is provided. Features of the all-inclusive package are food and drinks, 12×12 elevated deck with luxury seating for 12 persons, five premium bottles (one champagne, four spirits), a dedicated waitress and prime visibility in the VVIP zone.
Attractions: In the lead up to the race, there will approximately 30 road shows across the country, geared to promote the mega event. Billboards will also be mounted at strategic points.
On the day itself, there will be a ‘Kiddies Zone’, a vibrant cultural parade to showcase Guyana’s diversity and 10 small businesses will be given an opportunity to showcase their products and services.
Title sponsor Banks DIH Limited will also erect a ‘Banks Village’, giving access to all types of ticket-holders.
In terms of traffic management on the day and general safety for patrons, the the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee is working closely with the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service to put systems in place for an incident-free day.
Guyanese artiste Daniel Wharton, popularly known as “Baby Skello,” was on Tuesday morning granted $45,000 bail by High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall.
The bail was granted just days after Wharton was charged with blasphemous libel in relation to a song he performed and shared on TikTok. The track allegedly contained references to the Hindu goddess, Mother Lakshmi.
Under Guyanese law, blasphemous libel refers to actions or expressions that insult, offend, or vilify a religious deity. A conviction can carry a prison sentence of up to one year.
Wharton first appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman last Friday, when he was denied bail and remanded to prison. He spent the weekend in custody before his legal team—led by attorneys Dexter Todd and Everton Lammy-Singh—petitioned the High Court for bail on Monday.
Following submissions from the defence, the presiding judge approved the request, allowing Wharton to be released.
Before being formally charged, Wharton was the subject of a wanted bulletin issued by the police. He later surrendered to law enforcement and was held in custody for three days during the initial investigation.
In response to the public backlash, Wharton issued a public apology for the song’s content and removed it from his TikTok account. He was also summoned to appear before the Ethnic Relations Commission but did not attend the scheduled hearing.
Effective Tuesday, June 17, only trucks, heavy-load vehicles, and public transportation are permitted to use the Diamond to Good Success Public Road on the East Bank of Demerara, as rehabilitation works intensify.
The restriction is part of measures to facilitate critical upgrades to the busy corridor, which is the country’s most trafficked roadway.
“This work has been ongoing for a while…we have now gotten into that stage where we are now doing the rehabilitation of the actual carriageway which will see interruption of traffic,” Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said during a visit to the site on Tuesday.
“What we are seeking to do now is to only allow trucks and vehicles carrying heavy loads to remain on this carriageway and all other…the smaller vehicles to start as of today, going through the bypasses that has been created,” he added.
The East Bank Demerara Public Road sees more than 30,000 vehicles daily, with trucks making up between 20 to 30 percent of that number.
“So we are asking for all other (vehicles) to keep off of this particular section so we can have the heavy machines working, traffic flowing and there is adequate arrangements with all of the signs that have been established starting from Heroes Highway,” Edghill said.
All other vehicles are now being diverted to alternative bypass roadways accessible from the Heroes Highway. From there, traffic can connect through Diamond, onto Jimbo Bridge, and back to the East Bank Highway. All bypass routes are marked, with signs to guide motorists.
Edghill also noted that discussions were held with the relevant Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to ensure property owners retain access during the works.
Traffic diversion will be supported by the Guyana Police Force. Assistant Commissioner and Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said police will be deploying resources to ensure the restrictions are enforced.
“As limited as we are we will do as we should do but before [it] goes into actual enforcement, the signs that help the road users to understand where the diversion is and where they can reroute, it has to be in place,” Singh said.
The $1.3 billion rehabilitation project is being executed in five lots by different contractors. According to Collin Gittens, Head of the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit, the works are 45 percent complete.
Once completed, the 1.6-kilometre stretch will feature widened lanes, enhanced capacity to carry heavier traffic loads, and improved shoulders for parking on both sides of the road.
As access to technical and vocational subjects improves across Guyana, the Ministry of Education on Tuesday launched a two-day Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Fair and Exposition to showcase students’ skills.
The event, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, highlights practical work in block making, painting, carpentry, welding, and agri-processing to students.
During the opening ceremony, Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that the education system has significantly progressed since 2020, with more subjects now available for students to earn the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).
“When I came into office we had nine schools offering four CVQ subjects. Today, because of conscious investment planning, getting on the ground and putting the facilities in place, we now have 74 schools across Guyana offering 24 CVQ subjects,” Manickchand said.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand during her remarks. (Photo: News Room/June 17, 2025)
She further highlighted that Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) have been established in nine of the ten administrative regions, with another set to be commissioned in Region Nine.
The minister emphasised that the ministry’s strong focus on technical training is aimed at preparing students for the evolving job market, particularly as Guyana’s economy expands.
“We want our children to be competent in what they are going to pursue. We want them to competitively engage in the various new arising sectors that are coming out of the oil and gas industry. We want them to earn,” she added.
Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical), said the ministry’s TVET policy ensures that students are equipped with practical knowledge. With expanded facilities in every region, more young people now have access to training and certification that were once only available in centralised locations.
Students engage in painting at the TVET fair and Expo. (Photo: News Room/ June 17, 2025)
He also noted that the ministry has introduced a management information system to support technical education, improving access across the country.
With secondary schools and institutions offering training in various technical fields, Dr. Tularam said the fair provides students with a platform to demonstrate their skills.
“I want for us to understand that this exposition is a celebration of what our young people can achieve when they are given the tools, training and support to succeed,” he said.
The ministry’s strategic introduction of technical subjects through the CVQ is designed to give students broader career options beyond traditional academic paths.
The new school term will no longer begin on September 1, 2025, as that date has been designated for General and Regional Elections.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand confirmed Tuesday that schools will remain closed on that day to serve as polling stations, as is customary across the country.
“Schools are usually used for polling places. Election is one day in our country and it’s an important day to reinforce and refresh our democracy,” Manickchand said.
She noted that the reopening date will be adjusted and announced soon.
“We are happy to give up the schools for that important purpose of allowing people to exercise their will,” the minister added.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the elections date during his Independence Day address on May 26. In addition to schools, Neighbourhood Democratic Council offices will also serve as polling stations.
Manickchand recalled that schools have previously been used for national exams just a day after elections and said this year would be no different in terms of preparations and accommodations.
In a major move to strengthen small businesses, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is preparing to launch a Micro Learning and Training Centre aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential skills in marketing, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and agro-processing.
GCCI President Kathy Smith, in a recent interview with the News Room, said the Centre is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond the traditional ‘buy and sell’ model to more sustainable, structured business operations—particularly targeting women and those in the agro-processing sector.
“That Centre is going to ensure that we just don’t buy and sell, but it is a centre that ensures we focus on marketing. We are going to do a lot of training on marketing, a lot of training on entrepreneurship, a lot of training on financial literacy, branding, packaging – focusing heavily on agro-processing because we are targeting women,” Smith explained.
Scheduled to open by the end of July, the Centre will be located on the second floor of the GCCI building on Waterloo Street, Georgetown. It is currently being furnished and outfitted for use. According to Smith, the Chamber is collaborating with various stakeholders, including oil companies and a financial institution, to support the initiative.
Importantly, the services offered at the Centre will be free of cost and open to all small businesses—not just GCCI members.
“This is a space that is not just for small businesses who are members of the Chamber, it’s for all small businesses. We are going to have a help desk. If you need help in building out a business plan, help in creating printing documents, you can come and spend an entire day,” Smith said.
The Centre will also feature a small boardroom for private meetings, networking events, and mentorship sessions. As part of its programming, successful Guyanese entrepreneurs will be invited to share their experiences and insights with emerging business owners, promoting transparency and sound business practices.
“I always say to people, do business the right way and the money is going to come. But what you have to focus on is sustainability, structure, processes, those sorts of things,” Smith added.
To ensure broader access, the training sessions will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing participation from remote areas across the country.
“The women can be in Region One, Region Nine and join a session on entrepreneurship,” Smith said.
She emphasised that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are a growing and critical part of the local economy. At present, they account for over 70 percent of the Chamber’s membership.
“I want to ensure that micro, small, and medium enterprises get the attention because we realise that is the group that is growing. At the Chamber, they represent more than 70 percent of our membership, and they are growing every day,” she said.
The Berbice Criminal Assizes officially opened on Tuesday, with approximately 48 inmates set to stand trial.
Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul will preside over this critical session, which is scheduled to continue until October.
A total of 59 cases are listed for the June session. Among them, 47 men and one woman are scheduled to face murder charges. Additionally, two men are charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child, one man with sexual penetration, and another with unlawful and malicious wounding.
In a formal address delivered at the prison, it was reported that 58 male inmates are currently being held at the New Amsterdam Prison, while the lone female inmate is at the Timehri Prison. All are awaiting trial in the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Criminal Division in Berbice.
The June session commenced with a traditional parade featuring a strong contingent of female police officers, supported by a select group of senior male officers, including Region Six Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus.
Also in attendance were the Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, and his Deputy, Kirk Fraser.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will continue receiving government support, but President Dr. Irfaan Ali says the body must diversify into other crops and services.
“GuySuCo can and must become a hub of rural economic development,” Dr. Ali said at a forum ceremony hosted to mark the 77th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs.
He opined that the corporation can branch off into the production of other crops like rice, corn, and cassava, or even develop other services from agro-processing to fabrication and engineering ventures. It is believed that the corporation can move away from the heavy focus on exporting bulk sugar.
GuySuCo is a huge employer of Guyanese workers across several estates. President Ali said the sugar industry will continue to enjoy government support as communities depend heavily on this sector.
However, he acknowledged that GuySuCo has long been beset by various challenges, including mismanagement and neglect from 2015 to 2020 when his party, the People’s Progressive Party, was out of office. He also said climate change is an increasingly serious issue. Nevertheless, he opined that GuySuCo is turning its fortunes around slowly.
“GuySuCo has begun to fight its way back. Factory downtime is down by 22%, cane yields are up by 11%, investments are being made…” he told the scores of persons gathered at Enmore.
Dr. Ali also reminded them of the government’s continued focus on mechanisation and improving workers’ lives. Such ventures, he explained, are part of a steadfast commitment to honour the martyrs through the government’s and party’s actions.
At this annual event, many remember the selfless sacrifice of the five slain sugar workers — Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi, and Harry. The Head of State reflected on their brave sacrifice. He, like many others, said the death of the Enmore Martyrs was a watershed moment in Guyana’s political history. After the 1948 incident in Enmore, the struggle against colonial oppression intensified until Guyana gained independence in 1966.