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Two farmers were arrested on Saturday after they were nabbed with illegal firearms and ammunition at the Hotoquai Village, North West District, Region One.

Police Headquarters reported that Regional Police Commander, Superintendent Krishna Ramana, led a team of Police ranks to the home of Guy Wells, a 28-year-old farmer from Hotoquai Village. They did so because they received information that Wells had in his possession illegal firearms and substances.

The search was conducted but no evidence of illegal substances or firearms was found at Mr. Wells’ residence.

However, one of the detectives proceeded to search Mr. Wells’ farmland, located a short distance from his home. In the presence of Mr. Wells, Police discovered a single-barrel shotgun hidden in some bushes, which contained a live cartridge.

Additionally, Police found a black ‘fanny pack’ containing three live cartridges and two spent cartridge shells.

Wells was asked if he held a license for the firearm, to which he replied, “No.”

Police informed him of the offences committed (Possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license) and cautioned him.

Mr. Wells responded, “Officer, I use this for my personal protection and for hunting.”

He was subsequently arrested and placed in custody.

Based on further information received, ranks proceeded to the home of Herbert Williams, a 36-year-old farmer also from Hotoquai Village.

A search conducted at his residence did not yield any evidence of illegal substances or firearms. However, Police conducted a search on Mr. Williams’ farm, also in his presence, and found a single-barrel shotgun.
Williams was asked if he held a license for the firearm, and he too replied, “No.”

Police informed him of the offence and cautioned him according to the judge’s rule.

Williams disclosed that he had purchased the firearm for $10,000 from a man in Yarakita Village, NWD, a few years ago and used it for his protection and hunting.

Herbert Williams was then arrested.

Both Guy Wells and Herbert Williams were escorted to the Mabaruma Police Station, along with the firearms and cartridges.

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The trophy for ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) has been unveiled by Guyana’s President, His Excellency President Dr. Mohammad Irfan Ali and shown to the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at a cricket event which was part of the Indian leader’s state visit to Guyana.

GSL Chairman, Sir Clive Lloyd and Guyanese cricket great Alvin Kallicharran were also in attendance for the ceremony.

The trophy has been inspired by Guyana’s 276 discovered waterfalls, including the magnificent Kaieteur Falls, the largest single drop waterfall in the world and has been designed by Indian company Loka Lifestyle.

Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of GSL, said: “The Global Super League is South America’s first standalone T20 tournament and is a fantastic opportunity to showcase beautiful Guyana to the rest of the world. With that in mind it is very fitting that the trophy highlights Kaieteur Falls, one of the most stunning landmarks in the region. We are looking forward to seeing which of the five competing teams will claim the trophy on 6^th December.”

The Global Super League will see teams from Australia, Bangladesh, England, Guyana and Pakistan competing for the trophy and a US$1million prize pool.

The tournament runs from November 26 to December 6 with all matches taking place at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The five teams for the 2024 tournament will be Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders and Victoria.

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The Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), allocated 400 house lots on Friday at the Amelia’s Ward Phase Four/Conception Fitz Hope Housing Development in Linden, Region Ten.

The land allocation exercise, held at Watooka Guest House, was led by Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues.

The recipients expressed joy and relief at finally acquiring properties. Melissa McKinnon, one of the allottees, shared her excitement about owning land again after enduring significant personal challenges.

“I am excited now that I get back a land. When you have your own land, it helps you to motivate yourself where you can do your business or whatever,” she told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

For Paula White, a single mother of five who waited 12 years, the allocation marked a turning point. She is currently residing in a rented house with her family. “I can’t explain how I’m feeling right now. I am so happy. Everything is falling in place. We were hoping and praying for this for a very long time,” White said.

Lisa Robertson, a mother of two, who has always dreamed of owning her land, applied for her house lot in 2012.

“I’ve rented for a number of years…For those years, I was privileged to live in my cousin’s home, with the hope of having my own land…” she said. Robertson added, “It is an achievement, It is a moment to celebrate, It is something that I have longed to experience. They [her children] will help me build [the house],” she expressed.

Chef Alica Walcott, who waited several years, plans to construct a restaurant on her newly allocated land.

She noted, “I feel overwhelmed because I did this application 16 years ago and I’ve never been called. Before now, I [thought] that my application got lost. And then, they called me on Tuesday. I am beyond grateful.”

Minister Croal highlighted the ministry’s efforts to address housing needs in the region, noting that approximately 3,500 applications remain pending.

He said, “We have spent quite a bit of time addressing squatting…I am pleased about the progress we are making in Region Ten…In four and a half years, we have allocated close to 1,500 lots in Region Ten.”

Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues explained that Conception Fitz Hope can accommodate both residential and commercial lots, with areas designated for schools and health facilities.

“We have work that is continuing in Conception Fitz Hope. We have allocated a portion of that area already. All of these areas will become accessible in the new year…The ministry has been very instrumental in ensuring that we deliver homeownership” she added.

Lindeners were also engaged by Ministers Croal and Rodrigues on issues relating to to housing, water and other matters.

Last Friday, 600 allottees received their house lots at the New Wismar Housing Development in Region Ten.  Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), Sherwyn Greaves was also in attendance at the housing outreach (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

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Guyana has been experiencing major success in honey production, having already produced approximately 18,000 gallons of honey as of October this year.

This is according to the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha on Friday afternoon at the first-ever honey fest hosted at the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) at Mon Repos.

Minister Mustapha said this drastic increase is due to the renewed interest in the apiculture industry and significant investment by the government.

“I am hoping that by the end of the year, we will increase that 18,000-gallon mark. Imagine this was increased from 2,000 gallons in 2023 to 18,000 gallons by the end of October of 2024,” the minister stated.

Last year the government invested over $200 million in the apiculture industry. Over 5,000 hives were also distributed to potential honey producers across the country.

In addition, GLDA has been working with apiculture specialists from Cuba to enhance the local industry. These experts have been training individuals in bee rearing and honey production, including local participants from various regions across the country.

“We have targeted a number of areas in our country to ensure that we create economic benefit for people living in those communities and most importantly for them to produce honey of high standard,” Minister Mustapha pointed out.

With Guyana’s vast land space, the country is poised to continue to produce different types of honey from bees that are located in diverse areas such as mangroves and forested areas.

Director General of the ministry, Madanlall Ramraj stressed that the expansion of the honey industry is one of the many initiatives implemented by the government to boost agricultural production and achieve CARICOM’s 25 per cent by 2025 food security goal.

“It is important to recognise the invaluable role that honey bee plays in our ecosystem. They go beyond producing honey, they support our agricultural system and ensure the abundance of the crops that we rely on for food security,” the director general said.

According to Madanlall, tapping into the potential of honey production in hinterland and riverine communities aligns with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

This approach sets a precedent for responsible resource management and fosters economic empowerment.

In Guyana, approximately nine per cent of honey is sold to local consumers. It is also exported to other countries including Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

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Burchell Rover, a 23-year-old fisherman of No. 77 Village, Upper Corentyne, Berbice, died on Friday after he reportedly rode into a parked lorry.

Rover was riding motorcycle CL 3169 and allegedly crashed into a parked motor lorry, GYY 6686, owned by Garuda Transportation of Robb Street Lacytown, Georgetown.

The News Room understands that Rover was riding south along the eastern drive lane on his motorcycle, reportedly at a fast rate, when he lost control and collided with the left side rear portion of the parked motor lorry.

The motorcyclist was flung from the motorcycle unto the road surface where he sustained extensive injuries about his body.

He was pick up in a semi-conscious condition by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was seen and examined by a Doctor on duty, who treated him for a fractured right leg.

He was subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for further medical attention where he was treated but succumbed to his injuries.

The body is presently at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital Mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

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The Guyana Fire Service (Berbice Division) is treating the deadly fire at No. 64 Village, East Berbice Corentyne, as a malicious act.

Hemwatie Singh, a 34-year-old housewife, and four of her five children perished in the blaze. The children who died with their mother are Kelvin Ramjatan, 14; Brandon Ramjatan, 10; Tomesh Ramjatan, 2; and Cindy Ramjatan, 11.

Only the woman’s 17-year-old son managed to escape.

Divisional Officer Clive McDonald told News Room that early investigations suggest the fire was deliberately set. Authorities are now focusing on this possibility as they continue their probe.

Two-year-old boy among four children who perished in fire with mother

Seventeen-year-old Kevin Ramjatan, the eldest sibling and sole survivor, told investigators that he was asleep on the verandah of the upper flat when he awoke around 02:00 hrs to find the house engulfed in flames.

According to him, the fire appeared to have started near his father’s car, parked under a shed at the bottom of the house.

Kevin recounted seeing his mother and siblings trying to flee but said the fire was too intense and thus, they were unable to escape.

Afterward, he ran to his grandmother’s house in the same village to alert relatives. By the time help arrived, the house was destroyed, and the remains of his family were later recovered.

A second nearby house was also destroyed in the fire, but it was unoccupied at the time.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout the country. Over the weekend, an emotional funeral service was held for the mother and children, and their remains were laid to rest at the No. 66 cemetery.

The 17-year-old survivor was briefly detained by police during the investigation but has since been released. Meanwhile, Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus confirmed that authorities are awaiting a detailed report from the fire service. He could not confirm if anyone else is currently in custody regarding the case.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC on Friday instituted legal proceedings against social media activist Melissa Atwell, known as Melly Mel.

Nandlall is suing Atwell for over $100 million for what he says are libelous posts made on her Facebook page, which has a sizeable following.

In the submissions, it has been posited that Nandlall has been badly affected by a series of posts made by Atwell. Among other things, Nandlall claims that Atwell’s posts attack his character and they insinuate that he is unfit to serve as Attorney General, a Member of Parliament, a member of the local bar, and a member of Government.

“The nine (9) publications made by the Defendant that have been complained about in these proceedings have seriously and irreparably damaged and are likely to continue to seriously and irreparably damage, the reputation and standing of the Claimant among his Cabinet colleagues, his political peers and indeed all right-thinking members of society in Guyana, the Caribbean and throughout the world,” the Court document stated.

So Nandlall claims damages over $100 million for libel published by Atwell on her Facebook page.

He is also claiming an injunction restraining her, or any agents, from further publishing or causing to be published on her Facebook page any other defamatory material.

An order directing Atwell to immediately remove all defamatory publications from her Facebook page is also being sought.

In a release, Nandlall said, “I am hereby providing Melissa Atwell with a glorious opportunity to appear before and establish to the satisfaction of an independent and impartial tribunal, the veracity of the many false and fabricated allegations she has made against me.

“After all, it is the least I can do and Atwell deserves no less.”

It was noted that Atwell must provide a defense within 42 days of the statement being served. If not, judgment may be given against her in her absence.

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Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze both suffered the heartbreak of falling in the nineties on the first day of the Antigua Test against Bangladesh. Otherwise, the West Indies pair did enough to make the opening day of the series theirs.

The 140-run fourth wicket stand between the pair revitalised West Indies’ innings, adding pace to the overall scoring.

It led to West Indies dominating proceedings for more than two sessions. Louis came agonizingly close to his maiden Test century, but fell on 97.

Despite showing great restraint throughout his 218-ball stay, Louis spent 27 balls in the nineties before falling to Bangladesh stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Athanaze fell to Taijul Islam a few overs later, the second time he got out in the nineties in his short Test career.

The Bangladesh bowlers would be disappointed that they couldn’t hold back the Louis-Athanaze partnership after keeping West Indies’ scoring rate in check in the first 54 overs.

Taskin Ahmed took two wickets, while Taijul and Mehidy took one each, average returns overall despite Bangladesh choosing to bowl first at the toss.

After the Louis-Athanaze pair fell to the spinners, Justin Greaves and Joshua Da Silva scored freely against the second new ball towards the end of the day.

Play was called off after 84 overs when a drizzle started, while the light was not great either.

Bangladesh’s fast-bowling trio of Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and Taskin challenged West Indies early in the day, but Louis held his own.

Hasan kept beating him outside the offstump. Shoriful tested him around the off-stump with the delivery always threatening to shape in. Taskin used the wobble seam, sometimes bowled the odd yorker, and pressing Louis to fish outside off-stump.

Shoriful, who got more swing from the Sir Curtly Ambrose end than the Andy Roberts end, was playing his first Test since mid-August.

He missed the previous five Tests but looked in tune with the red ball. He roubled Kraigg Brathwaite, who tried to dig in despite the runs not flowing from his bat.

Louis meanwhile waited for the short ball, which got him two fours with the pull shot.

Taskin then removed Brathwaite, trapping him lbw with a hint of inward movement that beat his bat.

Taskin then had Keacy Carty caught at mid-on when he couldn’t keep his wristy whip down, ending up as a tame dismissal. Brathwaite made four runs in 38 balls, while Carty ended on a eight-ball duck.

Louis then found Kavem Hodge a little more forthcoming as they tried to rebuild the innings. The pair struck four boundaries before the lunch break, but then consolidated in the second session.

Louis brought up his fifty when he struck Taskin with a punch down the ground for a boundary. Hodge then slapped Taskin with a square cut, but he wouldn’t last too much longer.

Attempting a second run off Mehidy’s bowling, Hodge was run out for 25 after Taijul’s throw from long leg had him well short despite a dive.

Athanaze made efforts to push the run-rate but he was met with Bangladesh’s continued discipline. In the afternoon, it was the spinners Mehidy and Taijul who kept things tight. Athanze skied a couple of balls that fell slightly away from the fielder’s reach.

One of them, a top edge towards mid-on could have become a catch had Taskin moved slightly faster from mid-on. Athanaze struck Mehidy with a sweep for four, but couldn’t quite connect with his several reverse sweeps in the second session.

Louis, who lifted Taskin for a four over the bowler’s head towards the end of the second session, remained mostly quiet in his approach.

Athanaze took the initiative to raise West Indies’ scoring rate after tea. He started the the final session with two square-cut boundaries, before he finally got a four with a reverse sweep, off Mehidy.

Louis then lofted Mehidy for the first six of the day, which took him into the eighties. Then, Mehidy dropped Louis at slip when he reached 90.

Louis picked up Mahmud for his ninth boundary as he edged closer to his maiden century, while Athanaze opened up at the other end too.

He swept Taijul before hitting Taskin for consecutive fours in the 71st over, cut and flicked away.

Athanaze then slog-swept Taijul for his first six, and then came another reverse-swept boundary.

Against the run of play, Mehidy removed Louis, charging at him, caught at slip where Shahadat Hossain took a good catch.

Three overs later, Taijul had Athanaze caught behind. In the space of four runs, both batters were gone, allowing for a small opening come day two. (ESPNcricinfo)

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A total of 718,715 people are registered to vote in Guyana’s 2025 elections, but the list could see changes as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) deliberates key issues, including the use of biometrics and the removal of deceased voters.

GECOM Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, underscored that current laws restrict the removal of individuals from the voters’ list based solely on their absence from the country or relocation within Guyana. Speaking on Friday, she reiterated that GECOM cannot act beyond its statutory authority, citing a 2019 court ruling that prevents the removal of names.

She said the law is clear that residency is not an additional qualifying requirement for registration, as ruled by the Chief Justice.

The names currently on the list cannot be removed unless there is proof of death or disqualification,” Singh reiterated.

Biometrics and the Path Forward

The opposition has called for the introduction of electronic fingerprinting ahead of the next elections, but there has been no decision on this proposal.

Following an earlier study assessing the feasibility of biometric systems, GECOM commissioners remain divided on the next steps.

Some argue that stakeholder consultations must precede discussions on the study, while others believe internal deliberations should come first. Justice Singh, siding with the latter view, emphasised the importance of GECOM fully understanding its capabilities before engaging stakeholders.

She said the matter is sensitive, and unless GECOM determines first if it is something ti can undertake, then it would appeared uninformed and unprepared.

Discussions on the issue will resume at the Commission’s next meeting.

Preparations Underway

Despite these unresolved issues, Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud confirmed that the Secretariat has started preparatory activities for the 2025 polls.

“While the Commission has not formally mandated us to begin preparations, we are aware of our responsibility to be ready,” Persaud said.

He outlined steps already in motion, including reviewing manuals for polling day staff and identifying trainers.

Removing the Deceased from the List

One area of focus is ensuring that deceased individuals are flagged in the National Register of Registrants (NRR). Persaud explained that GECOM relies on death records from the General Registrar’s Office and other agencies to update the list.

However, challenges persist. A recent report flagged 1,018 names as deceased, but the Commission has yet to agree on a methodology for verifying such cases, including for those who may have died overseas.

Persaud said the Secretariat has proposed a methodology to the Chairperson and this will need to be discussed at the level of the Commission.

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