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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)

The post National film commission to be established- President Ali appeared first on News Room Guyana.

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.

The post Free UG a ‘monumental’ move- new students’ society President  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

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.

The post Schengen visas available in Guyana starting October 21st  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full statement issued by the Ministry of Health: 

The Ministry of Health firmly denies the recent article alleging that billions of dollars of drugs expired between 2023 and 2024. This claim is misleading and inaccurate and misrepresents the Auditor General’s report. The Ministry wishes to clarify that the expired medications, medical supplies, and laboratory supplies in question date back to before 2022 and, in some instances, were from 2019 and beyond. These are now being responsibly disposed of by national and international safety protocols. For the medications bought in 2023, $12,546,000 expired or 0.01%; similarly, for 2024, $13,471,899 expired or 0.06%.

The drugs referenced in the article were procured and stocked primarily before 2019 and during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have since expired due to various factors, including changes in medical needs, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and new treatment protocols. The Ministry has been engaged in an ongoing process of identifying and safely disposing of these outdated medications to ensure that only viable, effective drugs are available for use.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to maintaining the highest standards in healthcare delivery. Regular audits are conducted to monitor pharmaceutical stocks, and efforts are underway to strengthen the supply chain management system.

The Ministry follows established procedures for the environmentally safe disposal of expired pharmaceuticals, per the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other regulatory authorities. These processes ensure that expired drugs do not pose any health or environmental risk.

The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to providing all citizens with safe, effective, and up-to-date medications.

The post Health Ministry refutes article claiming billions of drugs expired in 2023 -2024 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full release from the Ministry of Agriculture: 

On Friday, APNU+AFC MP, Sherod Duncan attempted to take a swipe at the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, on a project his government embarked on in 2017/18.

A contract was awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in the sum of US$3.602M equivalent to $753.397M on 5 June 2018 for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of nine fixed and three mobile high capacity engines.

The contract was signed on 03 September 2018 by the previous APNU+AFC Coalition government to an Indian company, Apollo International.

US$4 million loan was taken from the Indian Exim Bank in 2017 for the purchase of the engines. The deal was signed by former Finance Minister Winston Jordan in Washington.

In the 2021 Auditor General Report, “ten of the twelve engines… supplied were determined to be undersized and incapable of running the pumps on a long-term basis.”

The coalition had boasted “to reduce the risks of flooding in low-lying areas across the country and will bring relief to residents and farmers.

On September 3, 2018, the coalition began procuring the engines by signing a deal of US$3.6m with Apollo International for the supply and installation of the 12 drainage pumps.

The then agriculture minister Noel Holder told the nation that his Coalition government had procured the right engines for the job.

The engines were to be delivered within 12 months, but that never happened.

The wrong engines arrived in March 2020, during the election fiasco. Over US$2.3m were already paid to Apollo.

In 2021, a second payment of US$501,000 was made, and the engines were installed on the pumps at various locations across the country.

After finding out that APNU+AFC had purchased the wrong engines, the current government withheld the balance payment.

“The current government ordered an assessment to be done on the engines by a technical team. The team reportedly recommended that ten of the 12 engines found to be undersized and incapable of the job “be replaced,” the 2021 AG report stated.

The remaining balance was to be used to replace the wrong engines and fix the ones installed.

The new government is in negotiations with the Indian Company to have the matter settled.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha had said that the purchase of the wrong engines was a “blunder by APNU+AFC.”

The post Engines for drainage pumps highlighted in Auditor General’s report were purchased by APNU/AFC appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full release issued by the NDIA:

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) wishes to address and clarify several unwarranted claims published in the Stabroek News on October 11, 2024, regarding the Belle Vue Pump Station project.

The article stresses that “The Auditor General’s Report for 2023 says $160.8 million was paid to the firm headed by Mikhail Rodrigues known as `Guyanese Critic’ for the Belle Vue Pump Station works but up to August 14, 2024, no works were in progress at the time of the visit of the auditors.”

As stipulated in the contract, the effective commencement date for the construction of the pump station was February 6, 2024.

In accordance with the contract and upon submission of a mobilisation advance bond, an advance of $129,831,525 was paid.

Subsequently, works commenced with the construction of cofferdam and the removal of an old deteriorated sluice which was within the footprint of the work area for which interim valuation number one, totaling $31,062,903 was certified by the engineering supervisory consultant following which payment was effected by the NDIA.

As the works progresses, along with the supply of some of the steel sheet piles on site, greenheart piles and the installation of test bearing piles, interim payment number two, totaling $21,615,810 was certified by the engineering supervisory consultant following which payment was effected by the NDIA.

The project is still within the contractual period and the contractor is still on site. The Ministry of Agriculture and NDIA with its Technical Officers have been meeting with contractors, including Tepui Group Inc. and consultants to ensure that projects are completed as per contract.

It must be made clear that the NDIA values transparency and accountability in all is operations. We are committed to providing updates on project progress and addressing public concerns as they arise.

In fact, engineers from the NDIA and the supervisory consultant are regularly visiting various project sites, overseeing work to ensure compliance with specifications outlined in contracts.

This proactive approach underscores our dedication to maintaining and enhancing the country’s drainage and irrigation infrastructure.

The post Belle Vue Pump Station still within contractual period – NDIA appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has lauded the recent economic and social policies announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, highlighting its potential positive impact on both citizen welfare and the broader economy.

Speaking on Thursday in Parliament, President Ali unveiled a series of interventions aimed at promoting economic growth, reducing income inequality, and improving employment prospects.

The GCCI, in response, praised the government’s focus on aligning economic development with human development and social inclusivity, noting that these policies will likely inject substantial disposable income into households and drive greater economic activity across the country.

By mid-2024, Guyana had already recorded an impressive economic growth rate of 49.7 percent.

The Chamber commended the government’s continued efforts to ensure that this growth is coupled with improvements in the quality of life for all Guyanese, including initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of living and expanding employment opportunities.

Among the key measures announced were a one-off cash grant of $200,000 for each household, which is expected to inject $60 billion into the economy, and the elimination of tuition fees at the University of Guyana starting in 2025.

Additionally, the President outlined plans to raise the public sector minimum wage to $100,000 per month, introduce vaccine manufacturing in the country, and reduce electricity costs by the end of next year.

Healthcare and education were also high on the agenda, with the government pledging to strengthen healthcare interventions and invest in the Guyana Technical Training College, transforming the institution into a global oil and gas training hub and positioning Guyana as an international education destination.

The GCCI also expressed particular interest in the government’s plans for economic diversification, especially in the agriculture sector, as well as measures to enhance energy production and distribution. These steps are expected to have a significant impact on the business community, fostering greater stability and growth.

The Chamber welcomed the government’s commitment to private sector development and expressed optimism about the benefits of these policies. Looking ahead, the GCCI is eager to continue its dialogue with the government to further improve the business environment and support Guyana’s sustained development.

The Chamber also anticipates further initiatives in Budget 2025 aimed at addressing the cost of living and bolstering private sector growth.

The post GCCI applauds President Ali’s bold economic and social policy announcements appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana has congratulated the government for its innovative and progressive initiatives focused on digitalisation and modernisation, as outlined by President Dr Irfaan Ali in his address to the National Assembly on Thursday.

The PSC has hailed these transformative projects as vital steps in closing the digital divide, improving the ease of doing business, and fostering the growth of the private sector.

In a statement, the PSC noted that a standout feature of the President’s announcement was the investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hubs across the hinterland and riverain areas. Funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, the construction of 141 hubs, with plans to expand to 200 communities, is seen as a significant step towards digital inclusion.

This initiative aims to provide residents and students in remote regions with access to essential online resources, offering new educational and economic opportunities.

The PSC expressed strong support for this initiative, noting that it will play an important role in ensuring equitable growth throughout the country.

Additionally, the government’s introduction of the Electronic Planning and Development Single Window System was praised as a major leap forward in modernising the planning and construction processes.

The new system will streamline applications, reduce waiting times, and promote transparency and efficiency, strengthening Guyana’s position as a top destination for investment.

The PSC believes this will enhance confidence in the private sector and encourage faster project approvals, ultimately driving economic expansion.

The PSC also recognised the government’s ambitious plans to build Silica City, which will serve as a model for smart, sustainable urban development. This project, part of Guyana’s broader vision for growth, will provide critical infrastructure to support the country’s expanding population and economy.

The PSC expressed its eagerness to collaborate with the government to realise this vision, which is expected to attract both domestic and international businesses, create jobs, and foster innovation.

In addition, the PSC welcomed recent fiscal measures aimed at enhancing the standard of living for all Guyanese. The government’s introduction of tax incentives, along with investments in healthcare, education, and social services, was seen as a key strategy to improve the competitiveness of the business environment and boost consumer spending.

The decision to reduce electricity costs and eliminate bridge tolls further underscores the government’s commitment to improving living conditions.

The PSC noted that the government’s focus on digital education, coupled with the provision of free university education, will equip the workforce with the necessary skills for Guyana’s future industrial development.

The post Private Sector Commission praises government’s progressive digital, economic initiatives appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The police in Berbice are investigating a killing that occurred Thursday night about 21:00 hrs at No.76 Housing Scheme, Upper Corentyne, Berbice.

The deceased has been identified as Micheal Jackson called ‘Junior’,22, A Fisherman of No.72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

While details remain sketchy, the News Room has been informed that his brother in law, Terrence Simon Adams called “Black Brain”, 27, also a Fisherman of Fourth Street, No.76 Housing Scheme, Upper Corentyne, Berbice murdered Jackson.

It is alleged that the two had an argument which erupted into the deadly encounter.

The suspect has not been arrested, more details in a subsequent report.

The post Corentyne  fisherman murdered by brother-in-law appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The local private sector could consider raising its payments to workers following President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s announcement on Thursday that all public sector workers would earn no less than $100,000 monthly from 2025.

The President made this announcement on Thursday as he addressed the 12th Parliament of Guyana, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Georgetown.

Private sector representatives were among those who gathered at the conference centre for the President’s address. Some of those representatives shared their reactions to the bold interventions announced by the President soon after his address.

“While the public sector will go at a minimum of $100,000, yes, we can also see some movement in the private sector also. It will automatically force us to move our salaries and wages upward to meet those demands,” Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Komal Singh told the News Room.

BREAKING: All public sector workers to earn no less than $100,000 by 2025

Singh was keen on pointing out two considerations, however. First, he explained that payments in the private sector are driven by supply and demand. So market forces are likely to impact what a person earns.

That occurrence leads to the second phenomenon. Because supply and demand influence payments and Guyana has been grappling with labour shortages, Singh said that wages and salaries in the private sector have already increased substantially.

Meanwhile, the President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Kester Huston said raising the minimum wage is something that can be seriously considered with the right incentives.

“We’re hoping that we can match that.

“The private sector operates different from the public sector. We’re expecting to have some incentives in doing business as a private sector to really accommodate that,” he said.

As consideration is given to possibly raising the minimum wage in the private sector, Hutson said the President would be engaged on incentives that can be provided.

Currently, the minimum wage in the private sector is $60,000. It increased from $44,200 in July 2022.

The post Private sector could consider ‘matching’ govt’s $100,000 minimum salary appeared first on News Room Guyana.