Blog

The Guyana Police Force has issued wanted bulletins for five individuals in connection with the abduction of Joshua David, known locally as ‘Bricks’.

The incident occurred on September 27 on Main Street, Georgetown.

Authorities are currently seeking the following suspects:

• Aaron Alleyne (alias: Cats)
  Last Known Address: West Ruimveldt, Georgetown
  Offence: Abduction
  Victim: Joshua DaviD
• Alpha Poole
  Age: 28
  Last Known Address: Lot 127, D’Aguiar Park
  Offence: Abduction
  Victim: Joshua David
• Wayne Barker
  Date of Birth: 11th September 1990
  Last Known Address: Lot ‘G’ Norton Street, Lodge
  Offence: Abduction
  Victim: Joshua David
• Dwayne Griffith
  Date of Birth: 20th September 1997
  Last Known Address: Lot 68, William Street, Kitty
  Offence: Abduction
  Victim: Joshua David
• Osafo Peters (alias: Saddest)
  Last Known Address: William Street, Kitty, Georgetown
  Offence: Abduction
  Victim: Joshua David

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals to contact the police immediately.

The post Five men wanted for abduction of Joshua David appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) hosted a dynamic Youth Forum on Oil and Gas on Friday, September 27, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, themed “Integrating Youths in National Life.”

The event attracted over 350 young professionals and students from various educational institutions, including Queen’s College and the University of Guyana, to discuss the vital role of youth in shaping the future of the oil and gas industry.

GOGEC President Mr. Manniram Prashad opened the forum by emphasising the need for young people to engage actively in the energy sector, urging for their ideas and talents to be incorporated into national growth strategies.

Keynote speaker Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice-President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, reinforced this message, stating that investing in youth today is crucial for a prosperous future.

He outlined how youth involvement in the oil and gas sector can drive economic development, innovation, and sustainable energy solutions.

The forum featured discussions on collaboration between academic institutions, government, and the oil and gas industry to equip young people with essential skills.

Participants engaged in a lively question-and-answer segment, exploring topics such as infrastructure development, healthcare, and innovation in the energy sector.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Jagdeo underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to integrate youth into key national sectors, highlighting their potential to contribute significantly to Guyana’s development.

The post Youth forum on oil and gas highlights importance of young talent in national development appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Government of Guyana and the contractor for the mega Gas-to-Energy project, LINDSAYCA/ CH4 are heading to arbitration.

If the outcome favours the administration, the company could pay about US$11 million in liquated damages for each month the project is delayed.

This is according to Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo who on Thursday reminded the public that the project at Wales faced some delays but the government believes a three-month extension should suffice.

“If we are in the arbitration, they would have to deliver the project by April (2025).

“They have given a schedule that shows later in the year but I didn’t want the public to think that we approved their schedule, we only gave three months.

“If we win the arbitration and they stick to that schedule, it would be 11 million in liquidated damages every month,’ Jagdeo told reporters at his weekly press conference.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (Photo: News Room/March 14, 2024)

LINDSAYCA and the CH4 group are executing the contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the Guyana integrated natural gas liquid plant and a 300-megawatt power plant at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara.

The firms are seeking additional payments due to cost overruns stemming from delays at other components of the project.

Jagdeo previously explained that the contractor wants more time and additional payments to install four gas turbines needed as part of the first phase of the project. Once installed, these turbines would provide about 228 megawatts (MW) of power.

Those should have been operational by the end of this year but the government is greenlighting a three-month extension from March to April, 2025.

In a release to the media issued on Thursday, Gas-to-Energy project lead Winston Brassington said the contractor is “contratually responsible” to deliver the project’s first phase (called the simple cycle) by April 2025.

If not, the government intends to charge liquated damages at a rate of US$377,000 per day or about US$11.3 million monthly.

The complete project- which includes the four gas turbines and two steam turbines- is expected to provide about 300MW of power, using natural gas brought onshore through an ExxonMobil pipeline.

The project also includes a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility, a transmission and distribution network and a modern control centre.

The post Contractor could pay US$11M monthly for delays to gas-to-energy project appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Months after he was subject to an investigation, Deputy Superintendent of Police Karl Wilson on Wednesday faced two counts of sexual assault charges and was placed $150,000 bail.

The crime allegedly occurred in April 2024 and June 2024, respectively, at the Kingston seawall area in Georgetown.

The victim is a male Police Constable.

A report was subsequently lodged and Wilson was relieved of his duties to facilitate an investigation.

On Wednesday, Wilson, 47 of Rosehall Town, Corentyne, Berbice appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the charges were read to him.

He pleaded not guilty to both counts. Bail was granted in the sum of $75,000 for each offence.

The matter was adjourned to October, 16, 2024.

The post Cop charged with sexual assault of junior rank appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Jamal Cromwell, a 31-year-old construction worker, was granted bail on Wednesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of simple larceny.

Cromwell is accused of stealing $2 million in cash from money changer Carl Van Rossum on September 09 at Longden and America Streets in Georgetown.

Cromwell appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, who read the charge to him, to which he pleaded not guilty.

According to police statements presented in court, Cromwell had previously pawned the motorcycle to Van Rossum at the same location in January 2024.

On September 9, Van Rossum parked the motorcycle with $2M cash secured under the seat. He noticed Cromwell in the vicinity, after which the accused hopped onto the motorcycle and rode off.

After the incident was reported to the police, an investigation led to Cromwell’s arrest. During questioning, he admitted to riding away with the motorcycle but denied stealing the money.

In court, Cromwell expressed remorse, stating, “I used to be a thief… but me ain’t take any money… today is my birthday.”

The Magistrate granted him bail in the amount of $200,000, with conditions to keep the peace. Cromwell is scheduled to return to court on October 23, 2024.

The post Man charged for stealing $2M from money changer appeared first on News Room Guyana.

About $5 billion in student debt at the University of Guyana (UG) could be written off by year- end as part of the government’s move to gradually make tertiary education free, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday.

For the year so far, about $203.7 million in student loans has been written off. About 346 students benefited from this debt wipeout.

Using those figures, Jagdeo said it amounts to about $588,000 being spent on each student on average.

Though that is a small chunk of the approximately $18 billion owed by students over the past 20 years, Jagdeo assured persons that the debt owed by graduates who remained in Guyana will be wiped out by the government.

“It is anticipated that another 2,900 will get their debts written off.

“If we use the same average, that will be about $5 billion this year,” Jagdeo said on Thursday.

He also urged graduates with outstanding debts to apply for the deb write- off so that the venture can proceed.

The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government has promised to make tertiary education free by 2025 but before that, it has begun to wipe out loans owed to UG.

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

Outside of this debt wipe-out, the Vice President reminded the public of the government’s major scholarship venture- the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL)- whereby any person derious of studying can get a tertiary level education. He also reminded individuals that there are remedial programmes available for those who don’t yet qualify for GOAL scholarships.

The post Gov’t aims to write off $5B in student loans by year-end appeared first on News Room Guyana.

In recognition of her work to advance the rights of women and girls, First Lady Mrs Arya Ali received the Global Female Impact Leadership  Award on Wednesday during the Global Power Women Conference (GPWC) held at the City  University of New York.

The award recognizes global first ladies who have made a significant impact on a global scale through their strategic and compassionate leadership and advocacy, addressing critical global issues, driving positive social or environmental change, and shaping global policies and practices to make a tangible difference in the world.

The award is conferred on global women leaders following a rigorous selection process and thorough merit-based assessment by the Board of the Center for Economic and Leadership  (CELD).

Humbled by the recognition, Mrs Ali said that the award is not just an individual accomplishment, but a tribute to the countless women in Guyana who have worked tirelessly for equality, recognition, and justice.

“The women whose voices have sometimes been silenced but whose courage has never faltered. The women who have shattered glass ceilings, as well as to those who are working every day to hold their families together, support their communities, and make small but significant strides towards gender equality. I stand here as one among many, humbled to represent their collective struggles, their resilience, and their unyielding determination,” the First  Lady stated during her acceptance speech.

She added that while the award is a symbol of what women in Guyana have achieved so far, it is  also a reminder of the work that still lies ahead. She drew attention the fact that it will take  several centuries for gender parity to be achieved despite the progress made.

Mrs Ali also thanked the Board of the Center for Economic and Leadership Development  (CELD) for recognizing the work being done in Guyana for women and girls.

“Thank you again for this incredible honor. Let us all continue the fight for a world where gender  equality is not just a goal, but a reality,” she said.

Several of the First Lady’s projects align with Sustainable Development Goal five (5) which  focuses on empowering women and achieving equality.

Specifically, her groundbreaking Menstrual Hygiene Initiative has impacted more than 32,000  women and girls who continue to benefit from the distribution of sanitary products and  information regarding menstrual health and hygiene.

Mrs Ali also presented that project to a global audience at the conference in New York, and  received a standing ovation for its transformational impact on the lives of women and girls.

The post First Lady Arya Ali honoured with Global Impact Leadership Award appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the main opposition coalition, recently released a 20-point plan for the management of the oil sector should it assume office.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the governing People’s Progress Party Civic (PPP/C), on Thursday, dismissed the plan, noting that it focused more on studies as opposed to real policies and plans for the nascent sector.

“Of the 20 points, I’ll give them credit for the way it looks. Nothing, nothing here… (there is) zero originality, as we predicted,” Jagdeo said.

He added, “This is a useless, totally useless document that they launched as their 20-point for oil and gas.”

So what really does the 20-point include?

APNU, in their plan, aims to constitute a “distinguished advisory team of professionals” within 90 days of assuming office to advise the government on the sector.

It aims to examine and review existing laws and policies, and promises to institute an independent Inspector General’s office to “eradicate corruption and unethical conduct by government and contractor officials.”

APNU also said it will conduct a national skills audit, develop a directory of registered and gas professionals and businesses, and institute a publication of information protocol.

The party also said it will institute a local content policy that “ensures the equitable participation of local businesses by requiring the Contractor to maximise expenditures on local goods and services.”

The Vice President contrasted APNU’s plans with what was detailed in the PPP’s 2020 manifesto, and what has been implemented thus far.

He pointed out that several specific measures were promised and delivered already.

Those measures include the creation and enactment of a Local Content law, a review of the NRF, strengthening environmental permits, publishing all of the permits, and spending oil money in key sectors like healthcare and education.

“I can go down a long list. We had a list of specific things to do,” Jagdeo emphasised

The post Jagdeo dismisses opposition’s 20-point plan for oil sector as ‘totally useless document’ appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Residents of Onderneeming and Charity, both communities in Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) will benefit from a mega solar farm project that should be completed by December 2025.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Anthony Phillips on Thursday led a sod-turning ceremony in Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast for the installation of an eight megawatt-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

This solar project will also include 12MWp of battery storage.

The solar farm will directly benefit two key areas: Onderneeming, which will receive five MWp of solar energy backed by 7.5MWp of battery storage, and Charity, which will benefit from three MWp of solar energy supported by 4.5MWp of battery storage.

The project marks a significant step towards Guyana’s commitment to clean energy as part of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 targets.

This initiative is part of GUYSOL, a program funded through Guyana’s earnings from forest services under the Guyana-Norway Agreement.

Construction begins immediately.

The Inter-American Development Bank administers the program, while the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is responsible for its execution. GUYSOL aims to install 33MWp of solar PV systems across the country by 2026, with a total investment of US$83.3 million.

Regional officials, including Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit and Regional Executive Officer Susanah Saywack, were present at the event.

The solar farm is set to become one of the largest in the country and is seen as a milestone in Guyana’s transition to renewable energy.

The post Onderneeming, Charity residents to benefit from mega solar project appeared first on News Room Guyana.

This week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Guyana inked a new agreement that paved the way for visa-free travel between the two destinations.

In a social media post, the UAE Mission to the United Nations announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd and the UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy.

President Ali witnessed the signing of the agreement

The MoU, the post noted, was done “stablishing mutual exemption of entry visa requirements between the two countries.”

The agreement was inked on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, happening this week in New York.

President Ali witnessed the signing of the agreement and addressed the General Assembly on Wednesday.

Dr. Ali is participating in several other engagements throughout the week.

The post Visa-free for Guyanese travelling to UAE as new agreement inked appeared first on News Room Guyana.