Sharmalenie Neeranjan, a 34-year-old businesswoman was on Tuesday placed on $300,000 bail after she was charged for harbouring two brothers, who are wanted by the Police.
Neeranjan, a resident of Supenaam, Essequibo Coast appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
She was charged with the offence of ‘accessory after the fact committed on public justice’. In simple terms, she is accused of harbouring two notorious wanted men, Kellon Fredericks and Kevin Fredericks.
The brothers are wanted by the Police for a series of crime including murder, armed robberies and break and enter and larceny.
The offence was committed between 1 November 2024 and 28 February 2025 at Supenaam, Essequibo Coast.
The charge was laid under Section 27 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
Neeranjan was not required to plead to the charge when she appeared virtually before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke.
The case was adjourned to April 17, 2025 for disclosure of statements.
To curb the illegal use of sirens by civilians, the authorities will be moving to review the customs law to “control” the importation of these items.
“You heard us speak about the illegal use of sirens.
“…Only authorised vehicles are permitted to use sirens, but the sirens are being sold in stores. So we have to examine our customs regulations to control the importation of these items,” Attorney General Anil Nandlall said.
He was speaking at the commissioning of the Friendship Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Under current law, only the Police Force, Fire Service, and ambulances are permitted to use sirens and flashing lights.
However, unauthorised civilians—especially private vehicle owners—have been installing these emergency devices, often using them to speed through traffic.
In November last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali demanded the immediate removal of these devices from unauthorised vehicles.
The President’s directive, aimed at addressing the growing abuse of these emergency tools, followed increasing reports of civilians using sirens to bypass traffic.
He said then that the amended law could introduce fines, as well as dictate the suspension of drivers’ licences for those caught using unauthorised lights.
To promote the prevention of occupational accidents in the workplace, artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilised by the Ministry of Labour.
The use of advanced technology for this purpose comes amid stark records of accidents in the mining and construction sectors and is part of a global drive to enhance workplaces through technology.
This year’s Occupational Safety and Health Day, to be observed on April 28, is held under the theme: “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton during his remark.
The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry is charged with the responsibility of monitoring, encouraging, and enforcing good practices in safety and health standards at work.
Emphasising the country’s commitment to promoting workplace safety during the launch of Occupational Safety and Health Month at the Labour Ministry’s compound at Brickdam, Georgetown, Minister Joseph Hamilton said it is also important for employers and trade unions to play a role in ensuring that workplaces use technology without detracting from the workforce.
“While the government needs, among other things, to invest in regulatory oversight, employers need to anticipate hazards before they materialise and create safer environments to reduce workers’ exposure to dangerous tasks. Trade unions also have a critical role to play in ensuring that technology enhances and does not replace the human element in the workforce,” the minister stated.
Adam Cantu, Representative of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited.
Norris Witter, President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, and Carvil Duncan, President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), agreed with the minister’s sentiments that workplaces should not use technology to replace workers.
The minister further noted that, in keeping with this year’s theme, his ministry is focusing on the use of emerging technologies like AI and robotics to assist workers in ensuring their safety. He added that understanding how machine learning, unmanned aerial vehicles, task automation, and smart digital systems are impacting workplaces is also within the ministry’s current scope of work.
The use of AI in workplaces assists with achieving faster workflows and provides data analysis that can help identify challenges and reduce risks.
Adam Cantu, a representative of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), and Vahman Jurai, Country Lead for Halliburton, shared that the oil and gas industry is continually improving and enhancing its use of technology in the workplace. Cantu noted that the industry is playing a vital role in advancing Guyana’s workplace safety and health culture as more companies adopt the necessary protocols.
Safety tools on display at the launch ceremony for Occupational Safety and Health Month.
“We focus on an integrated framework of system processes and tools that we can use, and behaviours that we reinforce through leadership so that collectively and consistently we can aspire to a working environment where truly nobody gets hurt,” Cantu said.
The objective of workplace health and safety is to ensure that accidents and incidents are reduced or eliminated. Industries that utilise machinery are critical areas for these interventions, but there is also a need for a broader focus across all sectors.
As such, the Labour Ministry is working assiduously to ensure companies operating in Guyana implement safety measures through regular site visits.
A walk to observe the International Day of Occupational Safety and Health will be held on April 27 at the ministry, commencing at 06:00 hrs.
CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF), says a Caribbean heat season will most likely begin occurring as early as April, gradually ramping up, but unlikely to match 2023 and 2024.
CariCOF in its latest Caribbean Climate Outlooks for the upcoming period April to June, released on Monday, said that this is due to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions in the Pacific, combined with unusually warm waters around the Caribbean and temporarily cooler waters in the eastern Tropical North Atlantic.
It is also predicting that in April, high evaporation rates, frequent short dry spells and buildup of any ongoing drought increases wildfire potential.
CariCOF says except for the mostly dry ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), rainfall intensity and shower frequency should rise towards May in the Bahamas, Guianas and Greater Antilles, or June in Belize and the Lesser Antilles “resulting in high to extremely high potential for flooding, flash floods, cascading hazards and associated impacts.
“Episodes of Saharan dust intrusion will likely be frequent; the more frequent these are, the more dryness and heat, and the more erratic the occurrence of severe weather,” CariCOF added.
In its latest drought situation, CariCOf said moderate, or worse, short-term drought has developed in the central and northern Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, parts of St Croix, Sint Maarten and St Bart’s.
It said long-term drought is evolving in southern Belize, northern Dominican Republic, southwest Jamaica, St Bart’s, St Vincent, southeast Suriname and northwest Trinidad.
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-17 Inter-County 50-Over tournament is poised for a thrilling climax.
The unbeaten sides, Demerara and Berbice, will clash in a decisive final round encounter to determine the championship.
The highly anticipated showdown will occur at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground on April 2, commencing at 09:30h. Simultaneously, Essequibo will face the Select XI at the Transport Sports Club.
The stage for this final round showdown was set by intriguing results in Monday’s second round.
Despite a lackluster batting display, Berbice managed to secure a 32-run victory over the Select XI at Transport Sports Club.
Berbice captain Romario Ramdeholl again led from the front, scoring a run-a-ball 65 (4x4s, 5x6s).
Romario Ramdeholl
However, the Berbice innings faltered, with only four other batsmen reaching double figures. Ravin Boodwah (18), Vishal Williams (11), Sohail Mohamed (11) and Adrian Hetmyer (10) contributed, but the team was eventually bowled out for 125 in 35.5 overs.
Dennis Crossman (3-34), Gibran Yacoob (2-22), and Shane Prince (2-24) inflicted the damage with the ball.
In their chase, the Select XI fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, being dismissed for 125 in 44.1 overs.
Arun Gainda (17*), Nathaniel Ramsammy (17), and Thierry Henry (17) offered resistance, while Prince (14) also contributed.
Feaz Baksh (4-20) led the Berbice bowling attack, supported by Ramdehol (2-19), Arif Khan (1-24), and Micah Amsterdam (1-34).
Meanwhile, at LBI, Demerara emerged victorious by 14 runs over Essequibo in a closely contested match.
Demerara, batting first, posted a total of 172 all out in 46.2 overs. Their innings was a collaborative effort, with several batsmen contributing valuable runs.
Emmanuel Lewis led the way with 33, followed by Shamar Apple (28), Danesh Persaud (27), Parmeshwar Ram (27), and Marcel Nandu (20).
Parmeshwar Ram collects his Man-of-the-Match award
Jathaniel Nurse (3-16) and Darwin Joseph (3-27) were the chief destroyers with the ball in limiting Demerara’s total.
Essequibo’s reply fell just short, as they were bowled out for 158 in 40.1 overs. Elisha Ramdat (43) spearheaded their chase, with support from Nicholas Lovell (24), Darwin Joseph (21 not out), and Bomesh Lall (18).
However, Demerara’s bowling attack proved too strong, with Parmeshwar Ram (3-21), Dave Mohabir (3-27), and Munesh Outar (2-16) taking crucial wickets.
A captain and four crew members were caught stealing five baskets of prawns, worth approximately $2 million, while operating a vessel belonging to Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. at sea.
The men departed Georgetown on March 6 and returned on March 15. The incident, captured on surveillance cameras installed on the vessel, occurred on March 14.
According to information gathered by the News Room, the theft came to light when the footage was reviewed upon the vessel’s return—a protocol consistent with company rules.
Upon review, the men were seen placing baskets filled with prawns from their catch down the ice hole and into the cabin. They subsequently passed the baskets into the sea, presumably to a small boat.
An official from Pritipaul Singh Investments told the News Room that the company’s safety coordinator took a statement from the captain, who reportedly admitted to stealing and selling the prawns.
The official stated an attempt was made to file a report at the Providence Police Station, but they were advised that the report had to be filed closer to where the incident occurred.
Incidents like this, the official noted, place considerable strain on the company’s business operations.
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy, today officially launched the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) mission, which will deliver comprehensive medical services across several regions in Guyana.
The medical team will operate from March 31 to April 11, 2025, providing specialised medical, surgical, ophthalmological, and dental care at multiple locations, including Port Mourant Hospital, New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, West Demerara Regional Hospital, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, and Cheddi Jagan Dental School.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony emphasised the importance of expanding the mission’s reach beyond the capital. “We were constantly discussing how to expand this mission beyond Georgetown to other regions of Guyana,” Dr Anthony said. “I’m very pleased that we’ve extended to Region 6, and we’ll also be in Region 3, as well as here in Region 4.”
Dr Anthony highlighted the positive impact of the collaboration, noting that it significantly boosts Guyana’s healthcare capabilities in areas such as vascular surgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, and general surgery. The minister praised the initiative for enabling local healthcare professionals to gain new techniques and improve their skills.
Adrienne Galanek, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, said the regional initiative represented a substantial commitment, involving more than US$1 million in medical supplies alone.
LAMAT Commander Colonel James Bershinsky noted that the mission’s collaborative approach aims to provide essential medical care while reinforcing long-term partnerships between the United States and Guyanese healthcare professionals.
Present at the event were senior officials, including Ministry Permanent Secretary Malcolm Watkins; Chief Executive Officer of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Robbie Rambarran; Command Surgeon of U.S. Air Forces Southern Colonel Brian Gavitt; and Command Surgeon of U.S. Southern Command Colonel Brian H. Neese.
Police are on the hunt for two men who dropped an illegal firearm and escaped upon noticing the police on Sunday in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
According to a police report, ranks of the anti-terrorism unit were on mobile patrol around 05:00 hrs in the vicinity of Macaw Lane, South Ruimveldt, when they noticed two men on a motorcycle acting suspiciously.
Police said the ranks attempted to intercept the men, who abandoned the motorcycle and escaped through a nearby alleyway.
The area was searched, and Police Headquarters reported that a .38 Taurus revolver without ammunition was found.
The motorcycle, registration number CP 152, was retrieved, and documents revealed it belongs to a resident of Norton Street, Lodge.
“The firearm and motorcycle were taken to the East La Penitence Police Station, where the firearm was dusted for fingerprints, but none were found,” police said.
The firearm was lodged to be taken to the ballistics section for analysis.
Meanwhile, police checks were conducted for the owner of the motorcycle, but he was not located.
Thirty-eight-year-old Earl Benjamin is currently hospitalised with a stab wound to his abdomen, which he inflicted upon himself on Sunday.
The incident occurred at ‘C’ Field Sophia.
Police Headquarters, in a statement, said reports revealed that Benjamin, who was under the influence of alcohol, was heard saying he wanted to “meet his maker.”
He then reportedly stabbed himself in the abdomen.
Benjamin was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where his condition is listed as critical.
In a bid to combat emerging security challenges linked to migration and organised crime, the United States is intensifying its collaboration with Guyana. This comes on the heels of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last week, designed to bolster security cooperation between the two nations.
During his visit to Georgetown, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the growing concerns surrounding migration and its potential to attract criminal elements. Rubio noted that Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy and strategic location have made it a destination for migrants, some of whom may pose security risks.
Rubio emphasised the need for swift and effective information-sharing between the U.S. and Guyana to prevent criminal elements, such as gangs and narcotics traffickers, from using the country as a base of operations.
He remarked, “We want to work with you on that. I think that’s a problem for you as well. Obviously, because of a combination of your growing economy, labour needs, and your geography, you have been a place where a lot of people have come in, and I think you want it to be the right people, alright?”
The newly signed MOU underscores the importance of this collaboration in the face of evolving regional security challenges. In addition to combatting narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime, the agreement lays the foundation for deeper cooperation in trade, energy, human capital development, and infrastructure projects.
One of the key aspects of the partnership is to address the threat posed by individuals entering Guyana with criminal intent. Rubio stated, “If we have information that someone has entered your country who has bad intentions, we want to be able to share that with your government because you don’t want that. You don’t want those individuals—if we have information on a gang member from Venezuela, we want to make sure that we have collaboration, and we’re sharing that information.”
Guyana, although not a primary source of illegal migration to the United States, has become a significant receiving country as migrants seek better opportunities in the region. Rubio acknowledged the majority of migrants may be seeking work, but emphasised the importance of filtering out those who may be involved in illegal activities. “Most people are probably here to work hard and survive, but not everyone,” he noted.
The agreement also seeks to prevent the establishment of criminal networks, particularly narco-traffickers, who may attempt to use Guyana as a staging ground for illicit activities. Rubio warned, “If we have information that some narco-traffickers are taking up shop here and have decided to turn this into a base of operation, which could lead to violence or gang warfare, we want to be able to share that with you.”
Rubio highlighted the critical role of information sharing in the success of this security initiative. “We want to be able to share that information with you very quickly,” he said. “That sort of information sharing has to be a cornerstone of this security agreement that we signed today and want to continue to expand upon.”
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Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton during his remark. 100vw, 640px”><figcaption class=)
Adam Cantu, Representative of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited. 100vw, 640px”><figcaption class=)
Safety tools on display at the launch ceremony for Occupational Safety and Health Month.
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Parmeshwar Ram collects his Man-of-the-Match award