A 19-year-old man was shot and robbed of two gold chains worth about $1.6 million on Monday night at Owen Street, Kitty.
According to a Police release, the alleged robbery occurred around 19:45 hrs.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was in the company of several persons on the roadway when they were approached by two unidentified males on an XR motorcycle. The pillion rider, who was armed with a handgun, dismounted the motorcycle and instructed the victim and others not to move.
The victim began running away, but the armed suspect discharged several rounds, one of which struck him in the left foot. The victim fell to the ground, after which the suspect relieved him of two yellow metal chains valued at $1.6 million.
The suspect then returned to the waiting motorcycle, after which the two men rode away and made good their escape.
The victim was taken to a private medical facility, where he was admitted. His condition is listed as stable.
CCTV cameras were observed in the area and will be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.
Guyanese and visitors to Georgetown are expected to experience a transformed Zoo and Botanical Gardens within approximately three years, as the government advances a major redevelopment programme designed to create a modern nature, wildlife, education, and recreation destination in the heart of the capital.
The redevelopment, being undertaken through the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), is already underway, with construction focused on site preparation, demolition of obsolete structures, foundations, internal roads, drainage and other supporting infrastructure.
Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the Protected Areas Commission, Robert Persaud, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the project is being advanced to deliver a facility that preserves the Gardens’ character while introducing experiences designed for future generations.
“The vision is for the gardens to continue to be a place of connection, with new ways to experience nature in Georgetown.”
Central to the transformation is converting the existing zoo into a Wildlife Sanctuary, featuring larger, more natural habitats, improved animal care facilities, and spaces that give animals more opportunities to express natural behaviours.
The redevelopment will also introduce a new entrance along Homestretch Avenue, a Discovery Centre featuring an aquarium, themed gardens, improved waterways and walkways over the ponds.
A SkyTrail through the treetops will connect five observation towers, while other planned attractions include a Roraima inspired waterfall, canoe facilities, internal shuttle services and a nature inspired children’s play area.
An amphitheatre is also taking shape along Homestretch Avenue near the corner opposite the National Cultural Centre, creating another venue for performances, storytelling, exhibitions and community gatherings.
The plans retain the mature trees and familiar landmarks that have long formed part of the gardens’ identity, while introducing new infrastructure that will broaden how visitors interact with the space.
For families, the redevelopment is expected to offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and discovery, with themed gardens, wildlife encounters, bird watching, canoeing, shaded seating and accessible pathways.
Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the PAC, Robert Persaud
The Discovery Centre will provide an important educational component, allowing students and visitors to learn about Guyana’s biodiversity through interactive experiences involving the aquarium, gardens and wildlife habitats.
The project is also expected to strengthen the Gardens’ role within Georgetown’s wider tourism offering, with opportunities being explored for local guides, entrepreneurs, businesses and community partners to participate in the visitor experience.
Animal welfare remains a key consideration throughout construction.
The animals currently remain on site under the daily supervision of the facility’s veterinarian and animal care personnel. Officials say retaining them at the Gardens avoids the risks associated with transportation and unfamiliar surroundings while construction continues around them.
As new habitats are completed and certified as safe, animals will gradually be moved into their permanent environments.
The redevelopment also provides scope for specialised conservation initiatives, including breeding and rehabilitation programmes for species such as macaws and sun parakeets. Where appropriate, release into the wild will be considered.
The facility is also expected to play a greater role in responding to wildlife that cannot safely return to nature. This includes animals surrendered by individuals who are no longer able to care for them or wildlife encountered as human interactions with animals increase.
Potential exchanges with other zoological institutions could eventually broaden the range of species available for educational purposes, subject to strict animal health, veterinary and welfare requirements.
The gardens will also continue to provide habitat for free living species within Georgetown. Areas will retain a more natural character, providing food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.
The redevelopment programme is targeting the completion of foundations and internal roads, alongside the removal of most old enclosures, by the end of 2026.
CNQC is the main contractor, supported by SRKN in engineering advice and supervision. CNQC’s previous work on the Guyana China Friendship Park at Joe Vieira Park is also informing confidence in the contractor’s capacity to deliver the project.
Construction is being accelerated during the extended dry period, while the temporary closure of the facility allows work to proceed safely and limits public activity around construction zones and animals.
Engineering assessments are being undertaken to address soil conditions, drainage and the requirements of larger structures, while attention is also being given to the long term maintenance of the upgraded facility.
Staff training, recruitment planning, plant propagation and preparations for future partnerships with botanical gardens are also being undertaken ahead of the reopening.
“As we attempt something at this scale here for the first time, we are doing our best to minimise disturbance while taking the time to learn and adjust where needed,” he said.
With construction progressing and the foundation for the new experience taking shape, the historic gardens are being repositioned not simply as a restored facility, but as a modern national destination that brings nature closer to the people of Guyana.
Shreyas Iyer unleashed a blistering 42-ball maiden T20I century as India made light work of a 172-run target, romping home with eight wickets and 32 balls to spare in Lucknow.
On a pitch offering grip for spin, India’s slow bowlers laid the foundation by restricting West Indies to 171, before Iyer’s brutal hitting turned a potentially tricky chase into a procession and extended India’s winning streak in the format to 10 matches.
Having lost his fourth toss of the tour—making it 14 losses in 17 tosses for Iyer as international captain—Shai Hope was again asked to set the pace under challenging conditions.
Hope, who entered the match in sparkling touch following two ODI centuries, gave West Indies a flyer by driving and flicking Mayank Yadav for four boundaries in the second over to push the score to 21 for 0.
India quickly regained momentum through Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel. Arshdeep adjusted his length early, relying on tight yorkers to force international debutant Kamil Pooran into playing onto his stumps. Axar then delivered the knockout blow in the final over of the powerplay with a double-wicket maiden.
Shimron Hetmyer was unluckily run out when his bat bounced up on a dive and failed to stay grounded inside the crease, before Axar bowled Rovman Powell with a straight delivery as the batter missed an ambitious slog. West Indies finished the powerplay at a subdued 44 for 3.
A mid-innings recovery saw Hope and Sherfane Rutherford add 56 off five overs, giving West Indies a second wind. Rutherford targeted Kuldeep Yadav with two crisp sixes, and the pair looted 18 runs off Axar’s 11th over, forcing India to turn to their fifth bowling option.
Enter Naman Dhir. On T20I debut, the off-spinning all-rounder relied on subtle pace variations and the large square boundaries to break the partnership.
After Hope hoisted him for a six early in his spell, Dhir smartly took pace off to draw a miscue to deep midwicket. He repeated the tactic twice more, tossing slow, wide deliveries to entice mishits from Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer, with both catches comfortably taken in the deep.
Sherfane Rutherford hit a vital half-century•Oct 06, 2026•Getty Images
Despite half-centuries from Hope and Rutherford, West Indies faltered in the back end to finish on 171—a total that left them short of a winning score even on a gripping surface.
Chasing 172, India’s high-octane openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson fell early as Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein found just enough turn to extract mis-timed shots.
At 36 for 2 in the fourth over, West Indies had reason to believe, but their attack lacked the spin depth needed to squeeze an Indian lineup with Axar entry-level as low as No. 8.
Iyer dispelled any lingering tension, combining with Ishan Kishan to collect 26 runs off the remaining powerplay overs. By the halfway stage, India were comfortably placed at 102 for 2, needing 70 off 60 balls, with Iyer well set on 45.
From there, Iyer shifted into overdrive. He went on an unsparing rampage, launching six sixes off his next 18 deliveries. He saved his most brutal assault for Matthew Forde in the 14th over, bludgeoning 24 runs to gallop into the nineties.
With Kishan turning the strike over efficiently, Iyer capped the chase by hammering another flat six to reach his maiden T20I century—his second hundred at the venue this year—sealing a crushing victory in 14.4 overs.
The storied rivalry between Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), which produced some of the most compelling local clashes through the 1980s and 90s, will be reignited this November with the launch of the inaugural Andrew Lyght Snr Unity Cup.
The 40-over contest marks the start of a newly established annual fixture that will rotate between the two historic Georgetown grounds. DCC will host the opening clash in November before the event moves to Malteenoes next year, underpinned by a $1 million sponsorship commitment from the Dodson family.
The tournament honours the late Andrew Lyght Snr, a former Guyana and West Indies ‘B’ opening batsman whose explosive strokeplay defined regional cricket in his era.
Between 1976 and 1988, Lyght played 39 First-Class matches, scoring six centuries and eight fifties, and 17 List A appearances.
After his passing at 44 in April 2001, his impact on local cricket culture remains widely felt, particularly through his aggressive, fearless approach at the top of the order.
Reflecting on the family’s deep-rooted connection to local sport, Delon Moffett outlined the Dodson family’s close personal relationship with Lyght, which motivated their direct involvement in hosting and funding the event.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, lauded the family’s vision and investment, emphasising the broader significance of honouring Lyght’s memory.
Jacobs noted that Lyght’s intense, attack-minded batting and rigorous match preparation set a benchmark for young contemporary players to emulate, while praising both clubs for preserving a rivalry that continues to enrich the local game.
Key stakeholders from both institutions warmly received the announcement, recognising the blend of historical homage and competitive edge the match brings.
Malteenoes First Division skipper Jeremiah Scott expressed full readiness for the November contest, describing the opportunity to take on DCC within the context of their historic rivalry as a privilege.
Shaquille Williams of Malteenoes thanked the Dodson family for using cricket to educate younger generations about Lyght’s contributions, while DCC’s Ricardo Percival praised the initiative as a vital springboard for active players, calling for sustained backing from both families to ensure the Unity Cup becomes a permanent fixture on the local calendar.
National cricketer and SVC/AJM CC skipper Kemol Savory has issued a rousing rallying cry to his home fans, calling on Essequibo natives to flood the Anna Regina National Stadium in their numbers for the grand national finals of the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast on Sunday, October 11.
Savory, fondly dubbed the ‘Prince of Essequibo’, earned his side a place in the final four after captaining SVC/AJM CC to a thrilling victory over Avinash All-Stars in the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone final.
While he naturally craves vocal backing for his own squad as they chase national honours, Savoury emphasised that the ultimate goal is to deliver an unmissable spectacle for the local faithful regardless of who they support.
“I’m calling on all Essequibians to come out in their numbers,” Savory said ahead of Sunday’s action. “Naturally, we’d love the home crowd behind SVC/AJM CC, but every team coming to Anna Regina is packed with quality and ready to put on a show for the fans. It’s going to be a grand day of tapeball, so bring the energy and let’s fill up the stadium.”
The carnival atmosphere at Anna Regina will come with serious cash on the line. Beyond regional bragging rights, an additional winner’s purse of $2 million is up for grabs, with the runners-up pocketing $1 million and both losing semi-finalists taking home $500,000 each.
The action-packed day begins at 14:30 local time when GrillMaster Sip N Play All-Stars lock horns with Mahdia (Movements Family) in the opening semi-final. Savory’s SVC/AJM CC will then take center stage at 16:30 against Lusignan Bulls DTP II for a place in the showpiece event.
Adding to the day’s drama, a fast-paced six-over women’s exhibition match between Tapakuma (Elite Warriors) and Capoey United will light up the venue at 18:30, setting the stage for the grand final under lights at 19:30.
Organisers have confirmed free admission for all spectators, though a strict no-cooler policy will be enforced at the gates.
The tournament’s Most Valuable Player will drive away on a brand-new motorbike in addition to a $150,000 cash prize. Substantial windfalls also await the leading run-scorer and top wicket-taker, who will each receive $100,000 and a television set.
Match-winning impact will be similarly recognised: the Player of the Final will earn $75,000, while the players finishing with the Super Strike Rate and Best Economy Rate (minimum 12 balls bowled or faced) will each pocket $50,000.
Andika Ferrier, the man who is accused of assaulting a female gas station attendant last week, was charged with the crime and placed on $100,000 bail.
The incident, which was caught CCTV footage, occurred at the Rubis gas station at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.
Ferrier, 43, was charged on Monday. Bail was granted on the conditions that he report to the Police station and do not contact the victim.
The case was adjourned to October 26.
Ferrier, who worked at the Ministry of Home Affairs, is accused of slapping the woman after she declined to help him load several heavy gas bottles onto his truck. In the video, she fell to the ground after being slapped and remained there for some time.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond had confirmed that Ferrier will be fired from the ministry.
A 76-year-old cook was charged and remanded to prison in relation to the brutal murder of six-year-old Zi Feng Cao at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
Quan Sheng Li appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
He was not required to plead to the capital offence and was remanded to prison.
The case was adjourned to November 5.
Quan was arrested shortly after the Zi was murdered at his Parika, EBE home, where his parents operated a Chinese restaurant. He confessed to brutally murdering the young boy following a money dispute with the boy’s parents.
Sheng Li reportedly went to the parents’ Parika restaurant on Wednesday, October 1, to collect money he claims he was owed.
However, he became violent and chopped the little boy who had only just returned home from school. In fact, the News Room understands that the little boy had only just hugged the man, greeting him after he came home from school, before he was chopped. Sheng
Li reportedly took police to the location where he said he had discarded the weapon. A search was conducted, and the weapon was recovered.
Five young Guyanese have taken their robot, ideas and the name of Guyana to South Korea for the FIRST Global Challenge, where they will join high school-aged teams from more than 190 countries at Songdo Convensia in Incheon from October 7–10, 2026, for this year’s competition themed “Igniting Innovation.”
For the students of Team Guyana Robotics, the competition represents more than an opportunity to test a machine they have spent months designing and rebuilding. It is also a chance to learn from young people from around the world and demonstrate what Guyanese youth can achieve in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The team has spent months developing a robot for this year’s wildfire-themed challenge, which requires teams to collect balls representing wildfire elements, place them into designated containers and complete a climb at the end of the match. Designed as an all-rounder, the robot can collect, shoot and store balls, climb the competition structure and assist other robots during the match.
For 16-year-old David Da Silva, who serves as driver and lead engineer, getting the robot to perform as intended has been one of the biggest challenges.
This year’s competition robot “Panthera Harpia”
“One of the hardest technical problems we’ve solved so far is lining it up to work properly with the code,” Da Silva said. A change to the programming could affect the robot, while a change to the robot could require adjustments to the code. The team also repeatedly tested and rebuilt components before settling on designs that met its expectations. Da Silva said one system was tested and rebuilt multiple times before the team was satisfied with its performance. The work has required patience, technical knowledge and, perhaps most importantly, teamwork.
For 18-year-old engineer Eashan Harjohn, one of the biggest lessons has not been about robotics at all. It has been about learning to work with other people.
“The biggest challenge in robotics is actually working as a team,” Harjohn said. With several team members bringing their own ideas to the table, disagreements are inevitable. Rather than simply voting on which idea should be used, the students said they test the different approaches and determine which performs best. “We would come as a group and we would test this, see which the best of them is, and we would use that,” Harjohn said.
The experience has also taught the students to listen to one another and reconsider their own ideas.
Da Silva said robotics has taught him that being convinced an idea will work does not necessarily mean it is the best solution.
Team Guyana’s supporting home team rally behind them as the students compete in South Korea at the 2026 FIRST Global Robotics Challenge.
“It allows me to consider others’ ideas or change my idea to work around theirs,” he said. That collaborative approach is particularly important at FIRST Global, where teams from different countries are brought together to compete in alliances. Rather than simply competing against one another, students are expected to work with teams they may have never met before. Harjohn said he is looking forward to learning how young people from other countries approach problems differently. “It will help me cooperate with other countries and their different minds of thinking,” he said.
For the students, the benefits of being part of Team Guyana Robotics extend beyond the competition field.
Tejasvarun Kandavel, the team’s 16-year-old lead software engineer, said his involvement with robotics has changed his outlook on technology and his own future. His first experience with STEM Guyana came through a summer programme involving small robotics kits. He later tried out for the FIRST Global team and was selected in 2024. Before becoming involved in robotics, Kandavel said he had been focused on becoming a pilot. His experiences with robotics introduced him to new areas of engineering and technology and changed the way he viewed his future.
“I think it definitely changed my perspective a lot,” he said. He also believes more young people should be exposed to robotics, coding and other areas of technology as they prepare for a rapidly changing world. “I think it’d be really helpful or useful in the future for them,” he said.
For Jana Deviera, the journey has been equally unexpected. She said she never considered herself someone who would become interested in robotics.
“I never actually thought of robotics as something that I would like to do,” Deviera said.
But joining the team introduced her to problem-solving and coding and showed her that robotics was something she could enjoy. The experience has now taken her from a STEM programme in Guyana to preparing to represent the country internationally. Deviera will be the only female student travelling with the team this year. She sees that position as both an achievement and an opportunity to encourage other girls to consider STEM. “I think it’s really great that I can be able to be an example to other girls, other young girls so they can see me and be empowered and they can know that they can also do this,” she said. She stressed, however, that she is not the only girl involved in Team Guyana Robotics. Other girls are part of the wider team at home, and she said their presence has helped create a supportive environment. For Deviera, representing Guyana in South Korea is about more than competing.”It is showing everyone that we are able to accomplish really great things and we’re able to do what a lot of people think that we can’t do,” she said.
“We’re breaking that barrier.”
The team is aware that it will be competing against countries with different levels of access to technology and resources.
Kandavel said Guyana does not have the same ability as some larger countries to replicate the competition environment or fully simulate the field. The team has therefore had to find other ways to prepare.Da Silva said one of the challenges facing the drivers is that they have been practising on half of a court because the team does not have access to a full competition field. That means some decisions, including shooting distances and match timing, will have to be adapted once the students arrive in South Korea. The team has tried to prepare for the unexpected by keeping backup components and alternative solutions available. “If something breaks or we have to remove it or replace it with something else, we already have the tools or the items needed to replace it,” Da Silva said.
From Left to right: David DaSilva, Director and STEM Guyana founder, Karen Abrams, Triston Clarke, Mentor Jaden Deviera, Mentor Jennifer Ally, Eashan Harjohn, Jana Deviera and Tejasvarun Kandavel
For 18-year-old driver and lead engineer Triston Clarke, the answer to limited resources is to continue working with what is available. “I just try my best to think, design, see what I can do without giving up,” he said.
The students said they are looking forward not only to the competition, but also to meeting other young people from around the world. Clarke said he wants to learn about the cultures of other teams and understand the thinking behind their robots.
Kandavel said he is particularly interested in hearing the stories and experiences of other students. “Everybody comes with their own different story,” he said. He believes those stories could be as valuable as anything he learns about robotics.
For the mentors, the international experience is also an important part of the students’ development.
Mentor Jaden Deviera said he sees potential in the students that they may not yet recognise in themselves. “I see future engineers, I see future coders,” he said.
Mentor Jennifer Ally said one of the things that stood out when the students first came together was how quickly they developed a strong working relationship. “How well they clicked and the chemistry they developed was almost instant,” Ally said.
The students have also benefited from previous Team Guyana members, who have shared technical knowledge and advice from their experiences at earlier competitions. Their sights are now firmly set on the competition, with the team determined to make its mark.
Jana Deviera said she wants to bring home the winning title.
Kandavel hopes to make the playoffs, become part of the winning alliance and compete for awards. Clarke also wants to return home having won the competition and an award.
But the students recognise that the value of the experience will not be measured entirely by what appears on the scoreboard. Kandavel said that when he looks beyond the technical side of the competition, what he expects to remember most is the people he meets. “It’s not really even about the actual technical aspect or the robot, it’s about who I meet and it’s just about the experience overall,” he said.
The students also hope to return home with new knowledge that can be passed on to those coming behind them. Harjohn said he expects the experience of working with international teams to help him develop skills that he can eventually share with younger students.
For the mentors, that continuation is important.
They want the students to maintain what they describe as an “engineering mindset” even after the competition ends, continuing to develop their skills instead of treating the experience as a one-time event. The team’s journey comes at a time when technology and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important to education and the workplace.
Kandavel believes Guyanese youth should be given more opportunities to engage with robotics, coding and engineering. He sees the development of those skills as something that could benefit the country in the future.
But for the students themselves, the message they want to leave with other young people is much simpler.
Da Silva urged young people not to be afraid of sharing their ideas. “Don’t be scared to innovate or think or say your ideas,” he said. “There’s no such thing as a stupid idea.”
Clarke offered similar advice. “Stay focused, do the things you love. Don’t give up, just try your best and that will go a long way,” he said.
As the students prepare to leave Guyana for South Korea, they know the competition will test their robot, their technical skills and their ability to work together under pressure.
But they will also be carrying something that cannot be built in a workshop. The expectations of their families. The support of their sponsors. The encouragement of the people following their journey at home. And the name of Guyana.
For these young engineers, the goal is not simply to prove that their robot works.It is to show that, with opportunity, persistence and the willingness to keep trying, young Guyanese can build, compete and belong on the global stage.
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, has outlined a vision for a more responsive, coordinated and effective United Nations, as she made the case for reform and stronger global action on peace, development and human rights.
Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett made the remarks while responding to questions from Egypt’s Al Qahera News Network on her candidacy for United Nations Secretary General on Monday, the challenges confronting the organisation and the ongoing UN80 reform process.
She said reform is essential to ensuring the United Nations remains capable of responding to the changing needs of countries and delivering more effectively on the ground.
H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett responded to questions from Egypt’s Al-Qahera News Network
“The question of reform has been answered with a loud yes that we need to reform the United Nations,” she said, noting that the process must strengthen the Secretariat, as well as the organisation’s agencies, funds and programmes.
According to Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett, greater attention must also be placed on the financing challenges confronting developing countries, particularly those facing high borrowing costs and mounting debt.
She said the international community must create greater access to development financing while supporting countries in strengthening their institutions and creating an environment conducive to private sector investment.
“Too many countries are paying too much to borrow, which will further put them into debt,” she said, adding that greater movement is needed to ensure countries can access the financing required to advance their development.
On international peace and security, Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett said the United Nations must be prepared to take meaningful action before conflicts escalate, stressing the importance of prevention and early intervention.
Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
She said the organisation has an extensive presence on the ground and access to information that can help identify emerging threats, making early warning and timely intervention critical to preventing conflicts.
“As Secretary General, should I be appointed, I would certainly use all the tools at my disposal and not be afraid to take risks where those risks are worth taking,” she said.
Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett also addressed the links between conflict, food insecurity and climate change, pointing out that worsening climate conditions can increase food insecurity, drive population movements and deepen existing vulnerabilities.
She further called for greater participation by women in peace negotiations, noting that women remain underrepresented despite evidence that their involvement contributes to more sustainable peace outcomes.
On artificial intelligence, she advocated for international guardrails that protect people while allowing innovation to continue. She said AI must serve as a force for good and should not widen existing inequalities between countries and regions.
Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett also stressed the importance of climate finance, particularly for vulnerable countries that have contributed little to global emissions but face some of the most severe impacts of climate change.
She said a stronger United Nations must remain engaged in negotiations, support sustainable peace efforts and ensure that agreements reached outside the organisation are brought to the UN for legitimacy and validation.
The ambassador’s candidacy comes as the United Nations advances the UN80 reform process, with member states considering changes aimed at strengthening the organisation’s ability to respond to contemporary global challenges.
She said the next Secretary General will have an important role to play in advancing this reform agenda and ensuring the United Nations remains relevant to the needs of the international community.
The government is advancing plans to drill 14 new wells across four regions, strengthening water infrastructure in several developing and established communities as part of efforts to expand reliable access to potable water.
The initiative, being advanced through the Ministry of Housing and Central Housing and Planning Authority, will see six wells drilled in Region Four, four in Region Six, three in Region Three and one in Region Ten.
One of the many water wells that were drilled accross the country
The planned wells are expected to support the continued development of housing schemes by ensuring that critical water infrastructure keeps pace with population growth and the expansion of residential communities.
The programme will complement wider efforts by the Guyana Water Incorporated, GWI, to improve access to water and make the service more affordable for residents.
According to GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, the wider initiative followed a mandate from His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for the utility to strengthen water services across Guyana.
Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar at the opening of the Vergenoegen Refilling Station
“This is an initiative to serve the people of Guyana and to make water affordable to the people,” he said.
Among the initiatives is the establishment of water refilling stations across the regions, with at least two to three stations planned in each region.
Several are already operational, including stations at Lima in Region Two, Port Mourant in Region Six , Pouderoyen and Vergenoegen, where the CEO described the facility as a success.
The programme is also being expanded to communities including Bartica and Linden.
For residents, the stations are designed to provide a more affordable option for accessing treated water, with a five-gallon container costing just $100 to refill.
The two initiatives therefore address different but complementary aspects of water access, while the planned wells strengthen the infrastructure needed to support growing communities, the refilling stations provide residents with an accessible and lower-cost option for obtaining potable water.
Together, they form part of the government’s broader efforts to expand water services, support the development of new housing communities and improve access to an essential service across Guyana.
