Traffic Chief and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh has urged members of the public not to offer bribes to Police officers while encouraging anyone who is asked for money to report the matter to the relevant authorities.

Speaking during a recent appearance on the Starting Point podcast, Singh addressed the long standing perception of corruption within the Guyana Police Force and said members of the public should not assume that officers are seeking money to overlook traffic violations.

“We don’t want the $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000, keep it for yourself,” Singh said.

He acknowledged that allegations of corruption have historically followed Police officers throughout their careers, regardless of an individual officer’s record or integrity.

“This issue of corruption has always followed a policeman throughout his career.

Notwithstanding how clean or clear conscience you have, or your records, I want to tell you something: we are not asking for it,” Singh said.

Singh urged that members of the public who encounter an officer soliciting a bribe should report the incident rather than participate in it.

“Where there is a case that we asked for it, report it,” he said, pointing to several channels through which complaints can be made, including the Commissioner of Police, the Traffic Chief, police commanders and the Special Organised Crime Unit.

He also stressed that both demanding and offering a bribe can constitute a criminal offence.

“It’s criminal to demand with menace, it’s criminal to compromise yourself.

“Soliciting a bribe to forgo prosecution for an offence that is committed. It is also criminal for you to bribe someone to forego prosecution,” Singh said.

Against that backdrop, Singh advised motorists to reduce opportunities for encounters that could result in requests for money by ensuring their vehicles and documents comply with the law.

“My advice having said that is that every member of the public restrict the opportunity to have to pay us anything, to have to do any favours for you,” he said.

He urged motorists to ensure that their vehicle tint is within the legally permitted level, that they do not have prohibited blue-coloured lights, that their tyres are in good condition and that they are properly licensed to drive.

“Don’t be guilty of paying the Police anything to do anything,” Singh said.

Addressing speeding specifically, Singh said motorists should not expect to avoid enforcement by offering money to Police officers.

Singh also pointed to the increasing use of technology in traffic enforcement, saying its eventual purpose is to reduce opportunities for subjective decision making by individual officers.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Two American companies will construct 10,000 houses in Guyana under the government’s affordable housing initiative, United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot said recently.

While speaking on the Energy Perspectives podcast, Theriot said the two companies part of this venture are US Frame Factory from Louisiana and Golden Shield Homes from Indiana.

“They’re going to be constructing, together, 10,000 homes here in Guyana — affordable homes, homes not just for the elite but that the average Guyanese person can purchase,” Theriot said.

The companies will construct the houses through financing from the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. Just last week, while in New York, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali met the Bank’s President, John Jovanovic. Following that meeting, it was announced that the Bank is deepening its partnership with Guyana, extending its support beyond the first phase of the Wales Gas-to-Energy project to include the country’s second gas project, an affordable housing initiative, and other major developments.

EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Theoriot said Guyana and the US are collaborating in several other areas, from security to infrastructure.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Police are investigating the alleged murder of 41-year-old Morvin George, a pork knocker of 14 Miles, Arakaka, North West District.

The incident occurred at about 8:40 hrs on Tuesday. Police Headquarters reported that, George and his 26-year-old nephew were involved in an argument which escalated into a confrontation. During the incident, George sustained injuries about his body and subsequently became motionless.

The 26-year-old suspect was apprehended and taken into police custody.

George was examined at the scene by a doctor, who pronounced him dead. His body was subsequently transported to the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Police recovered a cutlass and a piece of wood at the scene, which were lodged as evidence.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

The inaugural Neville Sarjoo memorial Over-50 T20 tournament was officially launched last weekend at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.

Six teams will begin their campaign on October 10. Two teams from each county- Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo- will compete in a round-robin format with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.

At the launch, son of Neville Sarjoo, Rohan Sarjoo stated that he is excited to run off the tournament and wished all the sides success. According to Rohan, he is anticipating some fierce and thrilling competition.

The former Guyana first-class batsman mentioned that this will be an annual tournament with a similar format for the next five successive years.

Chairman of the Organising Committee Surendra Hiralall stated that the winning team is guaranteed G$300,000 and a trophy, while the second-place side will collect G$150,000 and a trophy.

The best batsman and best bowler in each game will take home a trophy, while the MVP in the final is assured a trophy and G$50,000.

Hiralall told the gathering that no entrance fee is required, while white-balls will be provided by Rohan. Coloured clothing will be used throughout the tournament as well.

The final on November 14 is slated for the Joe Jagmohan ground at Hampton Court Village, Essequibo Coast.

The remains of Neville, who was born at Hampton Court and died at age 51 in 1998, were laid to rest at Hampton Court.

Neville was the President of the East Bank Cricket Association and also served on the Guyana Cricket Board as an Administrator and Selector.

The tournament has received corporate backing from Home Zone Guyana Inc., GuyTrac, R&N Trucking Services Inc., Universal Construction and Contracting, Triple R Auto Sales, Triple R Enterprise Inc., Aesthetic Living, Gangamatie Sarjoo, Deborah Sarjoo and Ricardo Sarjoo.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Dear Editor,

As a concerned citizen of Linden, Region #10, and as a former student of McKenzie High School who completed my secondary education in July 1979, I feel compelled to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the reported changes in the management and use of the building commonly known as the LICHAS Building, which houses a section of McKenzie High School students on its upper flat and provides space on the lower flat for drama and other cultural activities.

I believe the people of Linden, particularly former students, teachers, parents and retired bauxite workers, deserve clear answers concerning the present status and management of this important facility.

For those of us who attended McKenzie High School during that period, the auditorium at LICHAS was far more than simply a building. It was an important part of our school and community life.

My understanding is that when the facility was originally constructed, commissioned and handed over, its day-to-day management and operation fell under the authority of the management of the Board of Governors and the Principal responsible for the administration of the school.

That, to my recollection, remained the established arrangement when I completed my schooling in July 1979.

The auditorium created some of the most wonderful memories of my school days. It was a place where students were able to display their talents and where Lindeners could come together to enjoy cultural and artistic performances.

I still remember with great fondness the beautiful performances by McKenzie High School dance troop with the likes of Clairlyn Bobb, Micheal Tello, Allison Fraser, Grace Yhap, the late Paul Crawford, Ewart Small and the Anglin brothers, under the coaching and guidance of the late Miss Holder.

Boy, those were beautiful days.

The facility also provided a stage for productions that brought tremendous pride to Linden. One outstanding example was “The Green Bottle,” written and directed by Linden’s very own, Grace Chapman, another former student of McKenzie High School. That production demonstrated the extraordinary creative and artistic talent that existed within our community.

These memories are important because they remind us that the LICHAS facility has historically served a much greater purpose than simply being a physical structure. It has been part of the educational, cultural and social development of Linden.

It therefore pains me greatly to learn of what I understand to be a significant change in the manner in which the facility is now being managed.

Based on information I have received, the management and control of the facility may now effectively rest with a single individual who is involved in promoting drama and other cultural activities.

If this information is accurate, then several serious questions must be answered.

Who has legal and administrative responsibility for the LICHAS building today?

Under whose authority was the management arrangement changed?

When was that decision made, and by whom?

Was the McKenzie High School Board, the PTA, the Regional Democratic Council, the Linden Mayor and Town Council, and the Ministry of Education consulted before such a change was made?

And perhaps most importantly:

On what basis would McKenzie High School students and the school administration now be required to rent a facility which, according to the historical arrangement understood by many former students and residents, was intended to serve the school and the wider Linden community?

I deliberately use the words “according to the historical arrangement” because these matters should be established through proper documentation. If there are deeds, agreements, resolutions, handover documents, or other legal instruments that changed the status or management of the building, then those documents should be made available to the relevant stakeholders and, where appropriate, the public.

This matter should also be considered against the history of Linden and the sacrifices made by generations of bauxite workers.

Many former workers contributed, directly or indirectly, to the development of community facilities during the period when Linden’s economic and social development was closely tied to the bauxite industry.

If the historical records establish that workers contributed from their hard-earned wages toward the construction or development of this particular facility, then it would be deeply troubling to those former workers and their families if a community facility associated with McKenzie High School could somehow be placed under an arrangement where the school itself must pay to use it.

That is precisely why the history, ownership and management arrangements must be properly established.

This is not simply about a building.

It is about accountability, transparency, history and respect for the people who helped build Linden.

I therefore respectfully call upon the following institutions to provide clarity to the people of Linden:

The Regional Democratic Council, Region #10;

The Ministry of Education; Region #10

The Mayor and Town Council of Linden;

The administration and governing body of McKenzie High School; and

The relevant PTA and other stakeholders associated with the facility.

The people of Linden deserve to know what happened to the original management arrangement.

If the historical records confirm that the facility was intended to remain under the management and control of McKenzie High School and its associated governing and parent bodies, then serious consideration should be given to restoring that arrangement.

If, on the other hand, there was a legitimate and properly documented decision to change the management structure, then that decision should be explained publicly and the legal basis for it clearly identified.

There should be no room for secrecy or ambiguity where a facility of such historical importance to McKenzie High School and the people of Linden is concerned.

As a former student, I am not prepared to simply sit by and watch an important part of the history of McKenzie High School and Linden disappear without asking questions.

The LICHAS auditorium was once a place where young people developed their talents, where teachers and students created lasting memories, and where the wider Linden community gathered to celebrate music, dance, drama and culture.

It should continue to serve those purposes.

Our community must not allow important historical facilities to become disconnected from the institutions and people for whom they were originally intended without a proper public explanation.

I therefore call on the authorities to conduct a transparent review of the ownership, management and present use of the LICHAS building, make the relevant historical and legal documents available to the appropriate stakeholders, and engage McKenzie High School, its PTA, former students and the wider Linden community on the way forward.

If it is established that the facility was historically placed under the management and control of McKenzie High School and its governing/parent bodies, then I believe the matter of restoring that arrangement should be seriously considered.

This is our history.

This is our heritage.

And the people of Linden have every right to ask what happened. 

Yours truly

Concerned citizen of Linden

Former student of McKenzie High School

Class of July 1979

Source: Village Voice News

The Commission of Inquiry into the capsizing of the M/V “BARIMA” informs the general public that all persons wishing to participate in the Inquiry may apply to the Commission for standing by contacting the Secretary of the Commission:

                        Mr. Javed Shaddick

                        Secretary

                        Commission of Inquiry into the Capsizing of the M/V “BARIMA”

Arthur Chung Conference Centre, 5-E ½ Orchid Drive, Liliendaal, East Coast, Demerara

presidentialcommissiongy@gmail.com

Tel: 592-674-7473

The Commission will consider all applications and may grant standing if it is satisfied that an applicant:

•           has played or may have played, a direct and significant role in relation to the subject matter of the Inquiry or has relevant evidence or information relating to the subject matter of the Inquiry;

•           has a substantial, personal or direct interest in the subject-matter of the Inquiry whether as a witness, survivor, family member of a victim or otherwise;

•           may be subject to explicit or significant criticism during the proceedings of the Inquiry or in the Report;

•           should participate in the Inquiry as his or her participation may be helpful to the Commission in fulfilling the Terms of Reference.

DPI

Source: Village Voice News

(Kaieteur News) – Unrest erupted in Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday evening, days after the arrest of the wife and brother of US-sanctioned Mark Cromwell, who has been named in an investigation into the disappearance of two Surinamese nationals who vanished after entering Guyana.

The missing men have been identified as 28-year-old Van Dalen Lorenzo and 29-year-old Derryl Danillo. According to a missing person’s report issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the two were last seen on August 28 exiting a white Toyota Vitz in Clarasluis (Clara Sluice), Nickerie, Suriname, before boarding a boat bound for Guyana.

While initial police searches and interviews reportedly yielded no direct leads on their whereabouts, Kaieteur News received information that the men arrived safely in Guyana and entered a black station-wagon-type taxi.

Fire lit by residents in Vigilance, East Coast Demerara.

Further reports indicate that the men were later seen alive leaving in a white car registered to Cromwell’s wife. However, the police have not publicly released evidence confirming this information.

Neither Lorenzo nor Danillo has been seen or heard from since.

Tensions escalated on Tuesday when police officers attempted to execute a search warrant at Cromwell’s home but were reportedly prevented from doing so by persons at the scene.

Angry residents subsequently blocked roads with burning debris, while a truck was reportedly set on fire.

When law enforcement officers attempted to extinguish the fires, which threatened nearby Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility poles, they were met with hostile reactions from persons gathered at the scene.

Residents reportedly extinguished some of the fires before relighting others at different locations. Up to press time, three separate fires had been lit, while local men were seen using buckets of water in an effort to douse the flames.

Despite the unrest, the GPF did not issue a formal statement on the developments up to press time.

The police continue to urge anyone with information that could assist in locating Lorenzo and Danillo to contact 911, 227-1611, 268-2328, 268-2329, 226-3411, 225-8196, 227-1159, or the nearest police station.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – Originally designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), the Yellowtail project, Guyana’s fourth deepwater development is now producing approximately 270,000 barrels daily.

This is according to data published on the Ministry of Natural Resources website which was last updated in July. The website, intended to provide Guyanese with oversight on “daily production” figures is often updated at least two months after the end of a month. For instance, the ministry has not yet made data available for the month of August even though September is nearing its end.

Oil production data on the Ministry of Natural Resources website

The delayed updating of the website has frequently been raised with policymakers as well as the format in which the data is presented which makes it less than user-friendly for an average citizen.

According to the information reviewed by this publication, the Yellowtail project gradually increased its daily production from about 260,000 bpd in June to 10,000 additional barrels daily in July. At current oil prices of about US$90, this translates to US$900M more daily for the country and the Stabroek Block partners.

Since March, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge disclosed plans to the media to ramp up production at Yellowtail, from 263,000 bpd to 290,000 bpd.

The company said it has completed a number of studies analysing the operation of the facilities for existing bottlenecks while safety analysis was conducted on the production facilities to minimise or reduce bottlenecks to increase production. Any increase to the daily production levels will be done in a phased manner for safety purposes according to the Country Manager.

It is unclear whether Exxon received approval by government to push production to its intended 290,000 bpd. The Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat did not respond to questions on the matter up to the time of this report. To date, ExxonMobil has conducted debottlenecking activities on the other three Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in the Stabroek Block.

Payara, Exxon’s third project which commenced production on 14^th November, 2023, was designed to produce 220,000 (bpd) but Exxon has increased production to over 260,000 bpd.

Similarly, both Liza One and Liza Two were pushed beyond the initial nameplate capacity. The Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the two projects indicate that the Liza One and Liza Two projects were designed to safely operate at 120,000 and 220,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), respectively. Data on the Ministry of Natural Resources website indicates that Liza Two project is now producing about 250,000 bpd while Liza One is operating at just over 100,000 bpd after peaking at 160,000 bpd previously.

Stakeholders have often raised concern over the increased production activities being conducted by the operator, touting the increased risk of an oil spill as a result.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Reuters) – Oil prices declined ​on Tuesday as investors focused on signs of recovering crude exports from the Middle East and concerns over potential supply disruptions in the region stemming from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Brent crude futures were down $1.38, or 1.3%, to $103.88 a barrel at 1:03 p.m. ET (1703 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude was down $2.04 or 2.16% at $90.58.

Brent and WTI ​are headed for monthly gains of around 15% and 5.7%, respectively.

Crude futures were “under pressure this morning ​on news that the Saudi’s East/West pipeline flows have moved up. … US/Iran negotiations are ⁠also continuing and while seemingly far apart, both are looking for an off-ramp, and as more oil flows ​through the Middle East, the less bargaining power Iran will have,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of ​trading at BOK Financial.

A small tanker sails near an oil refinery, in the Keihin Industrial Zone in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

Saudi Arabia resumed oil tanker loadings from its Red Sea port of Yanbu after restarting operations on the East-West Pipeline, according to trade sources and shipping data, improving the outlook for oil exports from the Middle East.

Crude oil ​exports from key Middle East producers have also rebounded in September to 16.328 million barrels per day, ​the highest since the US-Israeli war on Iran started in late February, data from Kpler showed on Monday.

US President Donald Trump ⁠he has offered Iran nothing to end the war, rejecting media reports that cited US officials saying he was willing to ease sanctions and release frozen funds for “concrete” steps regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

Diesel futures in Europe edged lower on Tuesday, while those in US traded 1% higher.

The White House has urged the European Union to ​draw down diesel emergency ​inventories in a bid ⁠to lower global prices, sources said. Several European Union member countries have not released as much oil and refined products from reserves as they promised, President Donald Trump’s administration ​said.

Trump is considering regulatory relief that would allow broader sales of red-dyed ​diesel as ⁠part of an effort to bring down soaring prices, according to two people familiar with the discussions who noted that such a move that could allow some buyers to avoid the federal fuel tax. The proposal emerged as a leading ⁠alternative to ​a diesel export ban.

US crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to ​have fallen last week, while distillate stockpiles were likely unchanged, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

Source: Kaieteur News

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali has appointed a nine-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee for the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), but the new body does not include a nominee by the National Assembly, as required under the 2021 NRF Act.

According to a Notice in the Official Gazette, dated September 20, 2026, “Cabinet considered Memorandum CP(2026)MOF12/08 presented by the Hon. Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance and approved the appointment of the following persons to the Board of Directors…”

The Order further states that the appointment shall remain effective for a two-year period, effective from 15th September, 2026 to 18th September, 2028.

President Irfaan Ali

Mr. Abu Zaman, a Representative of the Religious Community, has been appointed Chairman. Meanwhile the members of the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee include the following: Pastor Wendell Jeffrey and Ms. Savitri Balbahadur (representatives of the religious community); Mr. Clement Sealey, Mr. Desmond Sears and Mr. Ryan Alexander as nominees of the private sector and Mr. Gordon Thomas and Ms. Dawn Gardener as representatives of the organised labour as well as Mr. Teni Housty, a representative of the professions.

The Gazetted Order, signed by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and dated August 20, 2026 includes a nominee from every other required field with the exception of a representative of the National Assembly.

Section 6 (1) of the NRF Act states “There shall be a Committee to be known as the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee which shall comprise the following members appointed by the President and one of whom shall be appointed Chairperson by the President…”

The Committee is tasked with providing non-governmental oversight of the Fund. In accordance with the Act, the Committee members will meet no less than quarterly with the Board of Directors of the Fund to be briefed on its operations.

The body is also expected to submit an annual report to the Speaker of the National Assembly on the discharge of its functions which is to be laid in Parliament within a specified period.

Opposition Members from leading parties- We Invest in Nationhood and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)- confirmed on Tuesday that they have not received any correspondence from government on the subject.  In fact, Opposition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed chided government for breaching its own law in appointing members of this key body, intended to provide oversight of the country’s oil wealth.

He argued, “The Government cannot pick and choose which parts of its own law it will obey. The Natural Resource Fund Act expressly provides that the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee shall include a nominee of the National Assembly. Yet the Government has announced the reappointment of the Committee without a National Assembly nominee.”

Mohamed added that this was not a minor administrative omission. Instead, he pointed out, “It goes directly to the independence and credibility of the body charged with providing public oversight of Guyana’s oil wealth. If the law requires representation from the National Assembly, the Government has a responsibility to ensure that requirement is fulfilled rather than proceeding as though it does not exist.”

He stressed the importance of legal compliance and accountability especially in the governance of the country’s natural resources.  Mohamed made it clear that the resources from oil belong to the people of the country rather than a political party or administration. To this end, he called for the government to explain the legal basis on which this Committee has been reappointed without the prescribed National Assembly nominee. Furthermore, he demanded that the composition of the committee be corrected to conform to the NRF Act.

“We should not be asking citizens to trust the oversight of billions of dollars in oil revenues while simultaneously disregarding the statutory safeguards Parliament itself established,” the Leader said.

Efforts by this newspaper to contact the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira as well as the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh for a comment on the issue were unsuccessful. The previous Public Accountability and Oversight Committee comprised the following members, according to the 2025 NRF Annual Report: Mr. Clement Sealey, Chairperson, Ryan Alexander, Savitri Balbahadur, Dawn Gardener, Teni Housty, Pastor Wendell Jeffrey, Dr. Desmond Sears, Aslim Singh and Abu Zaman.

Source: Kaieteur News