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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Friday said the entire $200,000 cash grant distribution process will be completed in five months.

“We want to get the systems in place, so I would anticipate that within the next five months, we would complete the process,” Jagdeo said during a live briefing.

Jagdeo also outlined the criteria that will be used to ascertain how many households are eligible to receive the $200,000 one-off cash grant recently announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

BREAKING: President announces one-off $200,000 cash grant for every household

Eligible households will include stand-alone houses, tenancy apartments, condominiums and other dwellings in multi-space properties that are separate spaces.

The database from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) will be among the tools used to ascertain how many households there are in Guyana.

The VP added that an estimated 40,000 “secondary households” do not have electricity meters, and the government is working on devising a method to verify the eligibility of these households as well.

However, he said that even these households that do not have an electric bill, once deemed legitimate, are still eligible to get the grant.

Renters are also eligible, according to the VP, once they are able to present their contractual agreement with landlords.

Households in Amerindian communities will be verified through the village councils, which Dr Jagdeo said has been a reliable method historically.

Importantly, the government has said that the national audit office and the Ministry of Finance will establish protocols and mechanism for fool-proofing the process. It will be paid of by cheques, through direct bank account transfers and cash where applicable.

 

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Guyana and West Indies cricketer Kevin Sinclair and Guyana Harpy Eagles fast bowler Nial Smith went back to where it all started on Friday to present a quantity of cricket gear to their alma mater, Canje Secondary in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

All-rounder Sinclair, who developed a passion for the sport by playing in the school compound on a daily basis, felt it was important that they supported the dreams of students at the institution, similar to how they received a helping hand years ago.

Cricketers Kevin Sinclair (right) and Nial Smith both attended Canje Secondary (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/October 11, 2024)

The 24-year-old Sinclair said a student of Canje Secondary, 16-year-old fast bowler Jearmin Singh, reached out to him for assistance to secure a cricket sneakers and that prompted him and Smith to add a few more items so that other students can benefit.

In presenting the footwear to Singh, Sinclair said it brought back memories of the days when he was in need of gear to pursue his passion.

Kevin Sinclair makes the presentation of a sneakers to 16-year-old fast bowler Jearmin Singh (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/October 11, 2024)

Singh, a Form Five student of Canje Secondary who started playing hardball cricket five months ago, is attached to the Rose Hall Community Centre Club.

Among the items presented to the school were balls, a cricket bat, a full set of stumps, batting gloves and pads, protective guard and a helmet.

“It’s a pleasure to come back to Canje Secondary and make this little donation,” Sinclair, who recently played for Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL 2024, told the gathering of students.

“I hope you use these equipment to get better at the game, but also remember your academics is important.”

Teachers of Canje Secondary share a moment with Kevin Sinclair (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/October 11, 2024)

Reflecting on his time at the school, Sinclair, who made 50 on Test debut for West Indies against Australia in January, told the students of honing his skill in the school compound and later refining it by joining structured clubs like Young Warriors and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

He told the students that once they have a dream they should pursue it, but they must be prepared to work hard and be determined in their approach.

It is equally important, he reiterated, that they also apply those same principles in their academic pursuits.

This young lady won a signed shirt after successfully answering a question (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/October 11, 2024)

Sinclair also played a motivational video coach Floyd Reifer had them watch during the West Indies Emerging Team title-run in the Cricket West Indies’ Super50 Cup in 2019.

Sinclair played a crucial role in that success, scoring 132 runs and taking 13 wickets with his off-spin. He also had the tournament’s best economy rate of 2.87 runs per over.

The brief ceremony wrapped up with Sinclair presenting one of his signed Test match shirts to a young female student, who was successful in answering a question.

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The Guyana Police Force Friday destroyed approximately $392 million worth of cannabis in an extensive narcotics eradication exercise conducted in the Upper Berbice River.

The operation, which occurred between 04:00 and 23:10 hrs, was carried out by ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters’ Narcotics Branch.

It targeted a location known as ‘Old Vigilante,’ where a large-scale cannabis farm was discovered.

The team uncovered a plot of land spanning approximately four acres, containing an estimated 12,000 cannabis plants, ranging from three to seven feet in height. A makeshift camp, situated a few feet from the farm, was also located during the exercise.

The camp, measuring around 40 by 20 feet, had facilities including a kitchen and a drying area. In the drying area, approximately 950 pounds of dried cannabis were found.

Both the cannabis farm and the camp were photographed before being destroyed by fire.

The value of the narcotics destroyed was calculated as follows:

• Cannabis plants: $4,065,600
• Dried cannabis: $387,821,160
• Total value: $391,886,760

No arrests were made during the operation, which was carried out without incident.

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A day before Guyana’s clash against Guatemala, Jamaal Shabazz, currently on his fourth installment as the team’s Head Coach, highlighted that finishing is a critical area that needs addressing.

It is safe to say it is still a concern.

Squandered chances meant Guyana could not walk away from the encounter with at least one point, as the clinical Central American opponent cosigned them to another defeat in their bruising League A campaign in the Concacaf Nations League.

After the final whistle on Friday evening at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, the score was 3-1 in favour of Guatemala.

The ascent to League A has been a rude awakening to the reality of capitalising on the fine margins against quality teams.

Both of Guyana’s home matches were 3-1 defeats, and the away match thus far was a 2-2 draw after leading 2-0.

There was an opportunity early in proceedings, but it needed top-tier brilliance to hit a corner.

Stephen Duke-Mckenna undertook a free kick from about 20 yards out, but it went wide in the 10th.

An errant tackle by Terence Vancooten allowed Alejandro Galindo to run unchallenged on the left wing, where he found a partner in Nathaniel Mendez, who assisted the roaming Oscar Santis to a right foot shot that evaded the diving Quillan Roberts in the 17th.

The second time was the charm for Duke-McKenna, as he scored an absolute pearl, curving it past the outstretched custodian to level the score in the 31st.

Fans celebrate Stephen Duke-Mckenna’s equalizer (PHOTO: News Room/Jeremy Jagroop/October 11, 2024)

Guyana launched a slew of offensive presses as Isaiah Jones took on the goalkeeper, but his shot was stopped.

Soon after, Nathan Moriah-Welsh looked to breach Nicholas Hagen’s defence, but yet again, there was no joy for the Guyanese as the score was equal at halftime.

On face value, Golden Jaguars looked out of ‘gas’ as the high-press intensity was diminishing and the Guatemalans ran rampant.

Óscar Castellanos scored in the 61’ to reclaim the lead for Los Chapines after a cross from Aaron Herrera on a fast break.

Santis secured his brace and rounded out the win for Guatemala in the 68’ assisted by Rubio Rubín.

After the match, Duke-McKenna acknowledged that finishing is still a sore point, noting they have to make chances count in matches of this caliber.

With the win, Guatemala climbs to the top of Group A with seven points.

Group A will resume on Tuesday, headlined by Costa Rica and Guatemala meeting with first place on the line.

Martinique will host Guadeloupe, while Guyana will visit Suriname in the other encounters.

Golden Jaguars Starting XI: Quillan Roberts (goalkeeper), Leo Lovell, Terence Vancooten, Jalen Jones, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Omari Glasgow, Liam Gordon, Ryan Hackett, Isaiah Jones, Colin Nelson (captain)

Guatemala Starting XI: Nicholas Hagen (goalkeeper), José Ardón, Aaron Herrera, Nicolás Samayoa, José Pinto (captain), Rubio Méndez, Nathaniel Mendez, Alejandro Galindo, Oscar Castellanos, Oscar Santis, Jonathan Franco

The post Guatemala sink Golden Jaguars 3-1 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The government has allocated $11.5 billion for the upgrade of 947 community roads in Georgetown. In total, 673 contracts were awarded to small contractors to carry out the upgrades.

The contracts were signed during a ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Friday.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo highlighted the significance of these projects in the city, emphasising that thousands of residents will reap the benefits.

He described the initiative as an important opportunity for contractors to elevate their lives and grow within the industry.

“You have to sometimes take a chance with new contractors and nurture them along…because we have such a vast amount of work to do and we have limited capacity in some areas,” Jagdeo said.

The Vice President further explained that while the government could have awarded larger contracts to a single contractor, it is important to expand opportunities to create a wider pool of contractors.

“So, whilst we are creating more opportunities for people, we expect if you get paid you will do a good piece of work,” Dr Jagdeo urged, noting that poorly executed projects would not be tolerated.

According to the Vice President, since resuming office, the government has completed over 4,000 community roads across Guyana with this new initiative promising to continue that trend.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, announced that the contract signings will continue in phases. The remaining contracts will be signed next week.

The contracts are scheduled for completion by December, as stipulated in the agreements. Minister Edghill warned, “Every man Jack, and every woman Jane has got to finish before December 15.”

He  also reassured the public that all roads will be completed in full, despite some areas being worked on in sections to allow access for residents and commuters.

Other requirements were outlined for contractors, including mandatory testing of road strength to meet a standard of 4,500 PSI—an essential measure of concrete durability.

Contractors whose work fails to meet this benchmark will be required to redo the project or face contract cancellation without compensation.

To ensure transparency, contractors and engineers will be required to familiarise themselves with the local communities before commencing work. Residents will also be engaged in monitoring the projects, thereby fostering a sense of ownership and community involvement.

Additionally, subcontracting or transferring contracts to third parties, will lead to immediate disqualification. Present at the signing ceremony were the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, Minister of Tourism, Oneigde Walrond, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy (Republished from DPI)

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The fire broke out last Wednesday in the Miners Choice area of Puruni Landing started at a gas station, affecting multiple properties, including guest houses, storage facilities, and equipment, The Guyana Fire Service confirmed in a statement on Friday.

The blaze started around 10:30 hrs at a fuel station owned by Glaston Fiffee, 46, and his wife, Alanna Fiffee, 37.

Preliminary reports suggest that a malfunction in one of the fuel pumps may have been the cause of the fire, although this has yet to be confirmed.

Workers at the station were in the process of dispensing gasoline when the pump reportedly exploded, igniting nearby combustible materials and quickly spreading to other structures in the vicinity.

In addition to the fuel station, three guest houses, three storage bonds, three living quarters, two restaurants, an ice house, a boutique, a dwelling house, a generator room, and a variety store were damaged or destroyed.

Several pieces of equipment, including engines, dredge pumps, generators, motorcycles, and boats, were also severely impacted.

At the time of the fire, 28 people were residing in the affected guest houses and living quarters.

Thankfully, no casualties or injuries have been reported, though all residents have been displaced by the blaze.

Local miners and residents demonstrated extraordinary courage, stepping in to assist in containing the fire using mining equipment, such as water pumps.

Their quick actions, combined with the response from the Bartica Fire Station, which deployed Light Pump #A113 to draw water from a nearby source, were crucial in bringing the situation under control and preventing further damage.

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By Telesha Ramnarine

Nawaab Abdul vended in Bourda Market for approximately 35 years. Although he has since moved on, he still reminisces about the market’s former glory days, when the late President Burnham would pass by on his early morning horse rides.

He began vending as a child, helping his mother sell food in the market using butter bowls and other simple containers that were available at the time. As a teenager, he started his own small “hustle”, walking and selling goods.

Eventually, his business expanded. He ventured into groceries, food, and juice, and became the owner of four stalls in the market.

In an interview with News Room on Thursday, Abdul, now a taxi driver, said he decided to change his line of work due to the market’s constant deterioration over the years.

As it stands, he does not believe the market can be revived. Therefore, he is suggesting that for the benefit of both vendors and shoppers, a new market should be built from scratch.

A stall of produce at the Bourda Market (Photo: DPI)

“The only way this market can come back is to have a comprehensive plan; look at the situation, pull down the entire structure and start again from scratch. But they need proper consultation with the right people,” Abdul explained.

“You can’t build a market and have engineers and carpenters involved, but the people who will actually benefit from it aren’t part of the planning process. How can that work?” he added.

He is hoping for a completely new market with proper drainage, lighting, water, and security.

“We need to get the farm produce in one area, organise the distribution to the retailers in another section, and allow shoppers to enter from one end and exit from another, without hindering traffic.”

Abdul has a deep connection to the market, having spent over three decades of his life working there. As such, he still visits regularly to see some of the ‘old’ faces or simply to have a cup of coffee at one of the stalls.

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– as gov’t aims to establish a world-class film production environment in Guyana

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced that his administration is laying the groundwork for a national film commission in an effort to inspire a world-class film production environment in Guyana.

The President made this announcement during his address at a special sitting of the 12th Parliament on Thursday.

He said, “The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is currently negotiating a CO production agreement with one key international partner, an agreement that will precipitate the establishment of a national film commission in the area of heritage.

Other cultural initiatives that have been given a boost is the Guyanese Prize for Literature initiative, which is now an annual event that recognises and rewards local literary talent in a rapidly growing list of categories.

The president also highlighted the Creative and Cultural Industries Grant, which remains unmatched in the Caribbean in terms of size and scope and has awarded over US$450,000 to local artists and entrepreneurs for variety of creative goods and services.

“There has not been a better time for culture and creativity in Guyana,” President Ali emphasised, noting that local performing artists have become a prominent feature in state events, helping them gain both income and exposure.

Looking ahead, the government plans to launch a public consultation in 2025 on a revised National Cultural Policy.

This framework will address issues such as integrating culture into development, heritage preservation, and the growth of the creative industry, while also considering the impact of the digital ecosystem and artificial intelligence (AI) on culture.

In relation to heritage, President Ali reaffirmed his government’s commitment to honouring Guyana’s diverse history. He made reference to last year’s commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Rebellion which he said, played a significant role in advancing the fight for emancipation. Importantly, President Ali stated that future investments will focus on projects such as the first regional cultural market at Palmyra, the development of music and entertainment synergies, and the creation of recording studios to nurture local talent (Republished from DPI)

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali that from January, no student will have to pay any tuition fees at the University of Guyana (UG) and the body’s student society President, Tirishatha Semple hailed this move as “monumental.”

“For me personally, it is a very impactful announcement,” she said during an interview with the News Room on Friday.

She added, “It creates an opportunity for those not financially stable to now get the opportunity to come to the UG and achieve a higher, well-known education.”

This initiative is set to benefit about 11,000 current students and will cost about $8 billion.

BREAKING: Free UG from January 2025

This initiative, announced by President Ali, is set to benefit about 11,000 current students and will cost about $8 billion.

For the year so far, about $203.7 million in student loans has been written off. About 346 students benefited from this debt wipeout, which was the first step in a gradual plan to make university education free locally.

In December last year, President Ali said the government would deliver on its promise to make university education free and will undertake a step-by-step approach from 2024.

As the government makes this tertiary education free, Semple said she hopes a key focus remains on keeping the university as a competitive academic institution. To achieve this, she said the money allocated to the university must be enough to cover all expenses.

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From Monday, October 21, 2024, Guyanese residents will be able to apply for Schengen visas to France right in Guyana.

Visa applications will be accepted twice a month, the European Delegation to Guyana posted on their Facebook page, but this is only if the main destination is France.

This means Guyanese will no longer have to travel to neighbouring Suriname for these visas.

To apply, individuals must follow a few important steps:

1. Complete the online application form at France Visas on the Suriname page.
2. Schedule an appointment online at Consulate Appointments.
3. Submit their applications in person at the Honorary Consulate of France, located at 46 First Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, Guyana.

Applicants should ensure that their submission includes the following:

• A completed and signed Schengen visa application form
• Proof of payment for the visa application
• A valid passport
• A passport-sized photo
• Supporting documents (as listed on France Visas)
• The visa application fee
• A pre-stamped FedEx envelope for the return of the passport from Suriname to the applicant’s address.

This service, available through the Honorary Consulate of France in Georgetown, offers a convenient process for Guyanese citizens wishing to travel to France.

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