Last Updated on Sunday, 4 October 2026, 17:29 by Written By Denis Chabrol

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who often met with then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, on Sunday said there were open communication lines between them.

“Even through difficult and turbulent periods in our country’s life, we maintained the ability to speak with one another, a respect that continued beyond our time in office,” Mr Jagdeo said in tribute to Mr Corbin, a former PNCR leader, who passed away at the age of 79 on Sunday after a prolonged illness.

Mr Corbin served as PNCR chairman from 2000 and was party leader from 2002 to 2012, while Mr Jagdeo was President of Guyana. That period was characterised by political unrests and gang violence, including the killing of a government minister and two massacres in Lusignan and Bartica, from 2002 to 2008.

Mr Jagdeo, now Guyana’s 2nd Vice President and General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC), recalled that during his presidency, on numerous occasions Mr Corbin and him engaged on matters of national importance. “Though we represented opposing political parties, our relationship was cordial and respectful,” said Mr Jagdeo, considered Guyana’s most powerful politician.

During the Jagdeo-Corbin era, the government and opposition had agreed to and passed legislation to allow for representatives of lists of candidates to recall parliamentarians. The two had also formally agreed that government would have addressed several areas of concern to Linden, a PNCR stronghold.

Mr Jagdeo said he was deeply saddened at the passing of Mr Corbin who devoted much of his life to public service and to the PNC/R. He said he served Guyana in Parliament for many years, held ministerial office, was a Deputy Prime Minister and later as Leader of the Opposition. He also pursued a career in law.

Meanwhile, President Irfaan Ali called Mr Corbin a “political stalwart”  who “occupied a place of prominence in public life.”

“At this time of profound loss, I extend my sincere condolences to Mr. Corbin’s family and loved ones, to the leadership and membership of the People’s National Congress, and to its supporters throughout Guyana and the diaspora.

May his family, colleagues and supporters find strength and comfort in the memories of his life and service, and may his soul rest in eternal peace,” Dr Ali said.

Source: Demerara Waves

Last Updated on Sunday, 4 October 2026, 16:54 by Written By Denis Chabrol

Former Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) chairman, Daniel Seeram’s High Court application for bail ahead of next month’s lower court sentencing for assaulting and harming his ex wife describes her blood clot as the “only” and “minor” injury she sustained.

On Monday, Joy Persaud-Singh would hear Mr Seeram’s application for a judicial review of Sparendaam magistrate Abigail Gibbs’ decision to remand him to prison until November 2 when he would be sentenced, having been convicted last Friday for assault of his ex-wife causing actual bodily harm at Cummings Lodge on September 11, 2023.

They divorced on May 11, 2022.

Justice Persaud-Singh late Friday ordered that Mr Seeram be on remand at the Sparendaam police station  lockups pending the hearing of his application. Ultimately, Mr Seeram wants the High Court to quash the one-month pre-sentence remand or the granting of bail by the High Court or the Magistrates’ Court. Alternatively, Mr Seeram wants to be granted bail pending the hearing and determination of the judicial review, bringing forward of the November 2 sentencing date and Mr Seeram be set free until that date.

In making out an argument for bail or early sentencing by Sparendaam magistrate Abigail Gibbs, defence lawyer Nigel Hughes said in the application that “the magistrate failed to have regard to the minor nature of the injuries sustained by the VC (virtual complainant) – haematoma (blood clot) only and the fact that the VC was never detained for further medical treatment.”

The application for judicial review also says, in part, that no reasonable tribunal, directing itself on the law and having regard to the facts of this case, would have remanded Mr Seeram to custody for one month in circumstances where “the offence was a non-serious summary-tried offence involving minor injuries haematoma with no hospital detention.”

Other grounds for seeking to convince the High Court are that Mr Seeram is a first offender with no previous convictions; had an unblemished bail record, having attended every court date; realistically, he may not be punished by a jail term sentence, and he holds the position of  coordinator of the border patrol unit.

“By remanding the Applicant in custody for one month pending sentencing, the Magistrate effectively imposed a period of custodial punishment before the probation report, victim impact statement and plea in mitigation had been received and considered. The remand thereby pre-judged and preempted the sentencing exercise, fettering the very discretion that the Magistrate had directed should be informed by those materials,” Mr Hughes also says in his application for a judicial review.

Mr Hughes said the magistrate failed to give sufficient reasons for refusing to grant bail to Mr Seeram, only stating that none of the grounds of section 9 of the Bail Act had been established”; a position that does not constitute adequate reasons and does not demonstrate that his seven submissions were heard or considered.

Mr Hughes says Mr Seeram’s constitutional rights to personal liberty and protection of the law have been breached.

Source: Demerara Waves

Guyana’s expanding ‘Safe Country’ initiative continues to deliver significant results in the fight against crime, helping police identify suspects, gather evidence and move investigations forward more efficiently.

Speaking on the ‘Starting Point’ Podcast during Sunday’s broadcast, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond said approximately 800 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras had been installed specifically as part of the Safe Country initiative over the past five years, with coverage extending to most regions.

“We have seen tremendous results, positive results from the cameras,” the minister stated.

According to her, the footage captured by the cameras is proving useful to investigators, providing visual evidence that can help establish what occurred during an incident and identify persons involved.

She pointed to footage of an attack on a young woman, allegedly involving a Ministry of Home Affairs employee, as an example of how cameras could provide evidence for investigations.

Speaking from experience as a former magistrate, the minister stated that cases previously depended heavily on eyewitness accounts and could involve lengthy trials.

“People can feel a sense of satisfaction that they don’t have to languish and wait for years for their matters to be resolved.”

Facial recognition technology is also being used to help track people of interest and identify locations where they might be sheltered.

“We have more cameras being deployed, more training for police officers in terms of intelligence-led crime fighting, as opposed to just trying to solve a crime after it happens,” Minister Walrond emphasised. [DPI]

Source: INews Guyana

The government is developing 27 recreational facilities nationwide, 12 of which will be in Region Four, to enhance communities where new housing developments are being established.

Minister of Housing Collin Croal provided the update last Friday after visiting one of the facilities currently under construction in Le Reconnaissance along the East Coast of Demerara.

The leisure centre there is being constructed in phases. The first includes fencing, concrete drains around the recreational ground and levelling works to facilitate completion of the playing field.

The second phase will include a walkway for exercise, as well as slides and other amenities for children.

Minister Croal said the recreational facilities are part of the government’s broader approach to community development, ensuring residents have access to spaces for exercise, leisure and family activities.

“One of the focuses we’ve also been having… is to enhance the communities in which persons live…an avenue for persons to bring their children for leisure is one such activity to develop communities,” Minister Croal explained.

The initiative is being undertaken in communities where the government’s housing programme is ongoing, with similar facilities being developed in other regions. [DPI]

Source: INews Guyana

See statement below on: 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐑𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐈𝐍, 𝐂𝐂𝐇

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are saddened by the passing of its long-serving member, former National Chairman of the Young Socialist Movement (YSM), former General Secretary and Leader of the PNCR and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Herman Orlando Corbin, CCH, popularly called “RHO”.

Comrade Corbin served the PNCR and Guyana with distinction as Parliamentary Secretary, Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. He was an astute, loyal, disciplined and hardworking member of the PNCR.

Comrade Corbin was a shrewd politician, an avid promoter of coalition politics that is credited with leading the PNCR into coalition politics that eventually resulted in the 2015 APNU+AFC Coalition, and its concomitant victory.

Notwithstanding his strong commitment to politics, he was able to operate in the professional realm and became a lawyer and continued to serve his Party. During his illness he continued to give advice to our Party.

Comrade Corbin’s death is an irreplaceable loss to the PNCR and he will surely be missed.

The Party expresses it Sincere Condolences to his wife, Carol, children, relatives, colleagues and friends and we pray that God will bring comfort to their lives at this time of their bereavement.

May his soul rest in peace as we continue to benefit from his lasting contributions to our Party and Guyana. ‎

-END-

Source: INews Guyana

Last Updated on Sunday, 4 October 2026, 15:48 by Written By Denis Chabrol

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) says its late leader, Robert Herman Orlando Corbin, who died on Sunday, was a “shrewd politician” who would be “irreplaceable”.

“Comrade Corbin’s death is an irreplaceable loss to the PNCR and he will surely be missed,” the PNCR said in a statement.

The veteran Guyanese politician who went on to become a Deputy Prime Minister of Guyana and later as the country’s Opposition Leader, passed away at a city hospital at 79 years. Though he was ailing for some time, that party said “during his illness he continued to give advice to our Party.”

“Comrade Corbin was a shrewd politician, an avid promoter of coalition politics that is credited with leading the PNCR into coalition politics that eventually resulted in the 2015 APNU+AFC Coalition, and its concomitant victory,” the PNCR said in tribute to its one time general secretary.

Mr  Corbin and now late co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine are considered early APNU’s architects.

Expressing sadness at the passing of its long-serving member, former national chairman of the Young Socialist Movement (YSM), the PNCR said Mr Corbin served the PNCR and Guyana with distinction as parliamentary secretary, minister and deputy prime minister. “He was an astute, loyal, disciplined and hardworking member of the PNCR,” that party said.

The PNCR also said notwithstanding his strong commitment to politics, he was able to operate in the professional realm and became a lawyer and continued to serve his Party.

The party expressed its sincere condolences to his wife, Carol, children, relatives, colleagues and friends and they pray that God will bring comfort to their lives at this time of their bereavement.

Source: Demerara Waves

Guyanese passport holders can now travel to Saudi Arabia without having to obtain a visa beforehand, following a change in the country’s entry requirements.

Previously, Guyanese nationals were required to obtain a visa before travelling to the Middle Eastern country or hold a valid United States, United Kingdom or Schengen visa to qualify for a visa on arrival or an electronic visa (e-visa).

However, strengthened bilateral relations between Guyana and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have resulted in the removal of those prerequisites, allowing Guyanese passport holders to access the Saudi e-visa or visa-on-arrival facilities without first obtaining a visa from another country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced the development, describing it as a significant step in advancing relations between the two countries.

The ministry said the change reflects ongoing efforts to expand cooperation in trade, economic partnerships, investment and tourism, while strengthening people-to-people connections.

The revised arrangement is expected to make travel to Saudi Arabia easier for Guyanese, whether for tourism, performing Umrah, visiting family and friends, or other purposes.

According to the ministry, travellers need only their Guyanese passports and the required visa fee to apply for an e-visa or obtain a visa on arrival. The arrangement also eliminates the need to engage an agent or visit an embassy to access the facility.

The ministry noted that Guyana is now the only country in South America whose passport holders can benefit from the arrangement without needing a valid US, UK or Schengen visa.

Meanwhile, the Government of Guyana says it remains committed to enhancing the features of its machine-readable passports in keeping with international standards and requirements, and will continue its efforts in this regard.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE