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To align with the digital era, authorities are moving to introduce online embarkation/disembarkation (ED) forms for all of the country’s ports by the end of February.

Already, the service, which is mandatory for any individual entering or exiting Guyana, is offered at the country’s main port – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA),

“As we speak currently, the implementation is ongoing and I foresee maybe before the end of the month all of our ports of entry would be fully equipped with the system where persons can fill out their ED form online,” Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Stephen Telford, disclosed during an interview on Radio Eve Leary on Monday.

Online immigration form in testing phase, to be fully implemented soon – Benn

An immigration form is needed when travelling as it provides essential information about the traveler to immigration authorities such as where passenger is coming from, length of their stay and what items they are carrying in their possession.

It allows verification of identity, the tracking of travel movements and ensures compliance with immigration laws.

Passengers entering and leaving Guyana are given the paper-based forms to fill out during their flights. Upon completion, it is handed to immigration authorities at the port of their destination.

According to Telford, the online forms works in line with the E-gates which were established at CJIA.

Together, he said this allows for the smooth processing of passengers.

According to Telford, access to the internet would not hamper the online since all the airports have Wi-Fi access.

In cases where persons arrive at the airports and did not complete their form, Telford said immigration staff will be present to assist.

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To ensure the Guyana passport aligns with international standards, the Central Immigration and Passport office will soon be introducing a new Guyanese passport with updated features.

This document will be valid for 10 years, which is double the time span of the validity of the current passports.

“What we will be rolling out shortly for our country is our new passport. (This) passport has been upgraded and would now be valid for 10 years instead of five years.

“So we are there with the international standards of those passports,” Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Stephen Telford, revealed during an interview with Radio Eve Leary on Monday.

To apply for a Guyana passport, an individual is required to be a citizen by birth, naturalisation, registration or descent.

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Days after a wanted bulletin was issued for him and he was captured, taxi driver Ronald Balgobin was on Monday charged with abducting his wife and breaching a protection order.

Balgobin, 31, a resident of Linden, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

He was charged with abducting his wife, Basmattie Bassant, called “Penny”, 37, of Annandale, East Coast Demerara.

Balgobin is also accused of breaching a protection order.

The incident reportedly occurred on October 27, 2024 at approximately 10:00 hrs at Annandale, ECD.

Wanted man Ronald Balgobin found hiding under bed at Land of Canaan

When the case was called, police said the victim was absent from court, despite being warned to be present on January 31, 2025.

Balgobin was remanded to prison on the abduction charge. That matter was postponed to March 13 for a report.

However, he pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order and was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.

Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Balgobin last week in relation to the incident. He was captured by police at around 19:00 hrs last Friday in Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, after being found hiding under a bed.

Bassant was reportedly abducted from her home by Balgobin and his accomplices while she was only dressed in a bath towel.

She later managed to escape after calling for help along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, where a passing police patrol rescued her.

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On Tuesday morning, the Parliamentary Committee of Supply approved a substantial $38.3 billion budget for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. However, the approval did not come without scrutiny, particularly from the opposition, with several key questions raised by Shadow Local Government Minister, Ganesh Mahipaul.

The exchange primarily focused on concerns over the hiring of new staff and the salaries of key officials. Yet, the most contentious discussions revolved around the government’s plans for solid waste management and the development of municipal and community markets across the country.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, outlined a number of key upgrades and new projects which are set to transform various markets and waste management facilities.

Among the most notable plans are the upgrades to Bourda Market and Bourda Green. These upgrades, including consultancy and construction, are designed to maximise space, potentially adding a two-storey building to accommodate more vendors. Additionally, the East La Penitence Market and city drainage network will see improvements as part of this initiative.

Minister Parag also highlighted plans to rehabilitate Stabroek and East Ruimveldt markets, with several other markets in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 set for construction and upgrades. These include markets in Palmyra, Lethem, Anna Regina, and Mon Repos.

In her answers, Parag acknowledged that solid waste management continues to be a pressing issue. While waste disposal and garbage collection are not directly under the Ministry’s mandate, she said the government is committed to expanding waste management infrastructure across the country.

Last year, 13 new waste disposal sites were developed, and further provisions for their operation have been included in this year’s budget.

A key part of the government’s waste management plans includes the construction of new landfill sites. Notably, the Haags Bosch municipal and industrial waste site is undergoing development, with a new waste cell and a hazardous waste cell. The construction of Cell 3, which began last year, is now 95% complete.

While the site was initially designed to handle 300 tons of waste, it is currently processing 700 tons daily. Additionally, two new landfill sites are being planned for Region 4, one of which will be an extension of the Lusignan waste site.

The government is also consulting with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) on the development of the second site.

Minister Parag also stressed the importance of environmental monitoring, with provisions in the budget for water, air, and quality testing around waste sites. The government continues to manage small amounts of treated waste from ExxonMobil at these locations.

Turning to financial support, Minister Parag revealed that under the current PPP/C government, the country’s Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have been receiving annual grants since 2021, regardless of which political party governs them. These grants have ranged between $4 million and $5 million each year, with a total of $2.8 billion allocated under the subvention programme for this year alone.

This year, $5 million has been allocated for NDCs, $18 million for municipalities, and Georgetown will receive a larger sum of $30 million. These figures are standard annual subventions while the grants vary based on work programme

The Minister assured the House that the government would continue to ensure these funds are effectively used to foster local development and enhance the country’s infrastructure.

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Parliamentarians approved an $80 million sum that will go towards the revision of the 2006 Amerindian Act, a crucial piece of legislation for Guyana’s Indigenous peoples.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was allocated $7.2 billion in this year’s $1.38 trillion National Budget. That allocation was scrutinised during a sitting of the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Monday night.

Subject Minister Pauline Sukhai responded to numerous questions posed by her Opposition colleagues, many of which focused on the revision of the Amerindian Act.

In her responses, she noted that $80 million will help to advance this process.

And pressed about the estimated date of completion, she responded: “It’s a work in progress, we are still addressing the education and awareness component of the activity.”

She later noted that once this robust engagement is complete, the substantive consultations with all Indigenous communities will commence. That consultation process, she noted, will be extensive.

The Amerindian Act Act No. 6 of 2006 provides for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindians, the granting of land, and the promotion of good governance within their villages.

Dozens of facilitators have already been trained to assist with consultations already.

Funds for the revision exercise were approved, alongside other allocations for the ministry.

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For the year, there have been three cases of gender-based violence that resulted in the deaths of three women, including a teenager.

One of the cases could have been avoided had the Guyana Police Force (GPF) acted on previous reports made by the victim, Bibi Fazila Ali.

To address this, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said a discussion was held with Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and that ranks who refuse to take or act on these reports will be held accountable.

“It is extremely disturbing to read that these reports are not being taken.

“These officers are to be held accountable when reports are not taken,” Dr Persaud said during a video posted on her ministry’s Facebook page.

According to Dr Persaud, violence against women continues in the country.

Murdered Annandale woman endured years of abuse

Ali was brutally murdered by her partner of eight years, Bidraj Ganesh, whom she had parted ways with just one month ago, on 29 January.

After committing the crime, Ganesh fled the scene and tried to take his own life. He was hospitalised and later succumbed.

Sometime between 24 and 25 January, Parbhudai Boodram, a 64-year-old housewife of Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was murdered at her home after being robbed.

Three men were arrested and charged with the murder.

Businessman, two others confess to robbery/ murder of Belle West woman

The most recent incident occurred between last Wednesday and Thursday, when 16-year-old Janelly David was fatally beaten by her 40-year-old fiancé, Eon Moore, at Barama Line, Baramita, North West District.

In addressing these heinous acts, Dr Persaud highlighted that, over the years, the ministry has built a system to support and intervene in such cases.

The systems include the 914 hotline, the COPSQUAD initiative—which ensures ranks are trained to deal with these reports—and the Community Advocate Network (CAN).

In addition, she said support is also offered to survivors.

“We can only know what is happening if you report it to us. We want to know so that we can intervene and ensure the situation is dealt with appropriately.

“Gender-based violence and domestic violence are not new issues. They have existed for a long time, but we must consistently work on this until every perpetrator understands that the law will deal with them appropriately,” Dr Persaud noted.

She urged families and neighbours who might be aware of such incidents to act early.

“We cannot stand by as our women continue to experience this level of violence.

“Please, I ask, let us report it. We don’t want any more cases… Help us so we can truly eradicate the violence that exists,” Dr Persaud said.

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Retold by Deandra Daniels

Photography Deandra Daniels

Series editor Neil Marks

At the bustling junction of Regent and Camp Street in Georgetown, a vibrant cluster of vendors compete for attention. But amidst the noise and activity, something unique catches your eye—a wooden trestle adorned with rows of small bottles glistening in the sunlight. Each bottle holds a delightful scent, a reimagined blend of perfumes like Perry Ellis, Miss Dior, Chrome Legend, Escape, and even Coco Chanel! This is the domain of Gordon Robinson, a 60-year-old entrepreneur from Lodge Community, whose mission extends beyond commerce. This is his story.

“The clothes I was selling began to back up on me; that’s where the challenges began. I had a lot of stuff that went out of style very quickly, and, uh, you had a lot of debt on it, it wasn’t profitable.

So about 18 years now I started the sweet oil business because I sensed that that is something that you must use – it’s used by anybody, both sexes use it. I decided on this rather than continue selling gents clothes and only men come to buy, or ladies’ clothes and only women come.

Doing that, selling clothing, you had a large amount to take around with you, while the perfume oil you can just quickly pack them together and go about your business.

The peak season for sweet oil or any business out here is month end when people get their salary.

How did I start off vending on the streets?

I was one of one of nine children. I was a good student in school, but I was forced to drop out due to financial difficulties.

I went to Lodge Government School. That’s the only school I ever went to. I did excellent at Common Entrance (exams) but could not afford to go to the school that I was offered. Yeah, but I make the best out of life.

I worked first at a few government places but the salary wasn’t getting you no place. I probably wasn’t qualified enough to get a better job. Then I made an attempt to go into the Police Force but because of my body structure – at that point you had to have a particular structure and a particular weight – but I didn’t get in. My intention was to go through the police force and see how best I can pick up back myself academically.

I was thinking about becoming a lawyer – that’s what was in my head since I was small. I had the ability no doubt about it.

I have, you know, four girls and two are teachers and one of them has her own school. And I am proud. What I didn’t have I ensured that they had.

My wife has her own business at home and I guide her to ensure it works.

Life was challenging, you know, but it didn’t make me go outside and do anything that was not consistent with what I was brought up doing.

I grew with great contentment. We never gave our mother no trouble with the police or anything. We never forgot the training that was embedded in us.”

Gordon Robinson has been selling ‘sweet oil’ for 18 years (Deandra Daniels/News Room)

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Eighteen-year-old Finidy Miggins was Sunday killed, and his brother injured, after the unlicensed motorcycle they were riding crashed into a car as they attempted to overtake another vehicle.

At the time of the accident, Miggins was riding the unregistered motorcycle, JSP 4. His brother, 19-year-old Terron Miggins of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was the pillion rider.

The accident occurred at about 21:07 hrs on the Den Amstel public road, WCD.

Another vehicle, PAJ 7560, which is owned by Essential Supplies Inc. of Seaforth Street, Campbellville, and driven at the time by Gavin Samier Bacchus, a 26-year-old from Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerar was also involved in the accident.

According to the Police, Miggins and his brother were heading east along the northern side of the public road.

Whilst overtaking a motorcar, registration number unknown, the car ended up on the southern side of the road and collided head on with motor car, PAJ 7560 which was heading west along the road.

As a result of the collision, the brothers were flung in the air and fell onto the road surface.

They were picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage hospital where Finidy succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

Terron was transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital with broken legs.

Investigations are ongoing.

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On Monday, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira raised concerns about the official office of the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, citing that the building—rented at a cost of $400,000 per month—is often closed, creating difficulties, especially when it comes to delivering important mail.

The issue was highlighted during a sitting of the Committee of Supply, which approved a sum of $32.5 million for the Leader of the Opposition’s office in 2025. This amount, which matches the allocation for the office in the previous year, forms part of a larger $2.1 billion approved for the Parliament Office.

Teixeira, who frequently needs to interact with the Leader of the Opposition’s office, expressed frustration over the office being locked.

“Many times, when we need to send or receive mail, the building is closed. As a result, we often have to redirect mail to Congress Place [the headquarters of the Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)],” she explained.

She questioned the purpose of renting such an office if it cannot be used as intended, noting the monthly cost of $400,000 while the office remains non-functional.

“If you have an office, it should be operational, particularly for those of us who have to engage with the Leader of the Opposition,” she said.

The office in question is located on Regent Street, Georgetown.

In addition to the discussion surrounding the Leader of the Opposition’s office, the 2025 parliamentary budget also allocates $76 million dollars for rental and maintenance costs of various buildings.

This includes the rental of official residences for five parliamentarians at a rate of $300,000 per month, as well as the rental of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) for 20 sittings at a cost of $9 million.

Teixeira was also asked why parliamentary sittings continue to be held at the ACCC, rather than the Parliament Building, despite significant investments in refurbishment and new equipment for the latter.

She explained that the ACCC offers more space, and the decision to use it was partly driven by concerns related to COVID-19.

Teixeira further indicated that she was unaware of any change in policy that would see the sittings held elsewhere indefinitely, and she could not provide a timeline for when Public Buildings might be fully operational again for sittings of the National Assembly.

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The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will train 19,000 temporary staff for the upcoming general and regional elections later this year. The Committee of Supply approved the Commission’s total budget of $7.3 billion on Monday.

In 2024, GECOM received an allocation of $3.5 billion. This increase ensures adequate funding for elections.

The budget allocation includes significant sums for staff training, with millions earmarked for the recruitment and preparation of the temporary workforce.

The funding of $122 million will also cover the rental of private buildings for polling stations. While some polling stations will be located in public buildings free of charge, others will require rental fees.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, was called upon to provide clarity on several aspects of the budget as she presided over the passage of the $18.9 billion budget for all constitutional agencies.

Of particular note, $193 million has been allocated for education and training, though it was clarified that this portion does not include civic education. Rather, the funds are specifically designated for training temporary staff who will operate on Election Day.

Additionally, a separate allocation of $475 million has been set aside for civic education and public awareness campaigns to ensure that voters are well-informed ahead of the elections.

Wages and salaries for GECOM staff were of keen interest for the parliamentary opposition with a total of $1.8 billion designated for personnel costs.

In response to those questions, the Minister noted that the Chief Elections Officer will receive a basic monthly salary of $1.9 million but that figure is much larger when all allowances are added, while the Deputy Chief Elections Officer will earn $20 million annually. The Chairman of GECOM will be entitled to a salary of $33.4 million annually.

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