Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 17:36 by Writer

President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday said Guyana would soon be part of a Caribbean-wide mechanism that would use technology to monitor its airspace and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching a new technology in our security infrastructure and architecture that would look at our aerial asset, our EEZ and this, by itself, requires a set of safety rules that we must now implement and this will be the approach across the region,” he told the opening of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) forum on aviation safety.

Guyana and the United States (U.S.) have been working very closely on matters such as domain awareness.

Dr Ali made the announcement moments before urging delegates to add artificial intelligence (AI) to its agenda.

He recommended that the ICAO/EASA establish an expert group urgently to examine the implications of AI for the aviation sector.

He said the Caribbean was aiming to build an ecosystem to shape its institutional and regulatory capacity in the Caribbean and internationally.

Tags: airspaceartificial intelligence (AI)aviation safety forumCaribbeanCivil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)exclusive economic zone (EEZ)monitoringPresident Irfaan Ali

Source: Demerara Waves

Source: Village Voice News

By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News |

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — After dedicating 28 years to the national education sector, Beverley Agard, Headteacher of St. John’s College, is mounting an aggressive challenge against the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) following its decision to demote and transfer her.

Agard alleges that her statutory disciplinary hearing violated fundamental principles of natural justice, claiming commissioners flatly refused to inspect exculpatory documentary evidence she tendered to disprove administrative allegations leveled against her.

Compounding the controversy, the veteran educator revealed that the proceedings degenerated into personal ridicule when a commissioner mockingly referred to her as “Jesus,” before senior officials reportedly pressured her to apply for early retirement ahead of her 50th birthday.

Procedural Breakdown: Refusal of Defense Evidence

The disciplinary action brought against Agard by the TSC stemmed from a series of internal administrative infractions, including allegations of submitting official school documents past deadlines and claims that Grade 11 students were improperly granted study leave.

Agard stated that she attended the formal hearing prepared to rebut every charge item by item with contemporaneous school records, only to have her submissions summarily rejected:

• Evidence Ignored: Agard testified that despite being directed to account for the alleged lapses, the commission declined to evaluate her verifying logs.
• Presumption of Dishonesty: Rather than reviewing the records, commissioners allegedly informed the senior administrator directly that they had no interest in examining her documents and did not believe her account.
• Selective Enforcement Allegations: Agard contended that she has been deliberately targeted, noting that multiple secondary school headteachers across Georgetown and regional education districts routinely experience document submission delays without being subjected to demotion or involuntary reassignment.

“The TSC asked me to respond on these matters which I did individually showing them evidence,” Agard stated. “After listening to me, they told me that they do not want to see my evidence and they do not believe what I’m saying.”

‘Quite Insulting’: Mocking Remarks and Early Retirement Pressure

According to Agard, the tenor of the session went well beyond professional administrative inquiry, turning into personal disparagement and unsolicited pressure on her tenure:

• The “Jesus” Remark: During deliberations on her explanations, a remark was made comparing her to “Jesus,” a comment Agard characterized as deeply demeaning and inappropriate for a constitutional body.
• Pressure for Early Retirement: Agard disclosed that commissioners overstepped the disciplinary charges by advising her to exit the public teaching service when she reaches age 50. Officials specifically urged her to submit an early retirement application in 2026 to take effect on July 1, 2027.

“One clear statement that was made during the discussion that I think referring to me that I’m Jesus is the first comment that was made that was quite insultive to me,” Agard recounted.

“It was clearly clearly suggested that I retire next year, July 1st, and I should start applying for that early retirement this year, 2026.”

Demand for a Fresh, Impartial Hearing

Insisting that any decision regarding the conclusion of her nearly three-decade career in the public school system rests solely with her, Agard is demanding that the TSC set aside its punitive transfer and demotion orders and convene an independent, impartial hearing.

“I’m looking for a fresh disciplinary hearing, and I think TSC needs to be fair,” Agard affirmed, adding that natural justice requires all exhibits, attendance registers, and academic submissions to be weighed impartially before punitive administrative sanctions are imposed on senior school heads.

Source: HGP Nightly News / HGPTV

Dear Editor,

I have listened with disbelief to our great, great head of state crying or was it mewling, about the Barima tragedy.  He told this nation, I assume, with tears that could overflow the banks of the Pomeroon River, that he was having sleepless nights and the tragedy continues to be a heavyweight. He further asseverated that he has a duty and responsibility to those families. Dear citizens we must belief our president because as head of state he is an honourable man.

Without bringing the MV Barima to the surface so we can find out, what may or may not have been the mechanical or structural faults of this 87-year-old vessel, or who was responsible for it still being in active service, with unusual if not indecent haste Captain Price, Delon Granderson, and Rondell Roberts have been slapped with 72 counts of murder.

Without the comfort and necessary paraphernalia are these three men, their families and relatives not having sleepless nights.  Without the opportunity to repair to a 15 acres plot of sweet solitude are these men and their families not shedding tears. The human species is a strange collection.  They say in creoles “do so, nah like so”.

If there is one drop of humanity left, if there a tincture of love lingering in this administration, they will use the authority they have to free three men from behind bars, who from all information available neither plotted, nor planned the privation of 72 fellow citizens on that faithful day when the reported for work at the Transport and Harbours Department.

Yours truly,
Elder Hamilton Green

Source: Village Voice News

The extradition hearing involving US-sanctioned Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, has been adjourned, with proceedings set to resume on October 21 and continue on October 22 before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman.

The adjournment followed the completion of defence attorney Siand Dhurjon’s cross-examination of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine on Tuesday.

Narine, who heads the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch Unit, began giving evidence on September 3 and has faced extensive questioning about intelligence gathered by the police concerning Azruddin Mohamed.

During his testimony, Narine told the court that he considered Azruddin Mohamed a threat to society and national security, based on intelligence available to the Special Branch Unit.

He also testified about intelligence allegedly linking Azruddin Mohamed to several execution-style killings, although he acknowledged that he was not an eyewitness to the alleged incidents and that, to his knowledge, Azruddin Mohamed had not been arrested or charged in connection with those allegations.

Narine was also questioned about alleged political surveillance and his relationship with President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

He rejected suggestions that police monitored Azruddin Mohamed because of his political activities and denied that the President had ordered surveillance of him.

On Tuesday, Dhurjon concluded his cross-examination after several days of questioning the Special Branch head.

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde then began cross-examining Narine on behalf of the defence and will continue when the matter resumes.

Forde’s cross-examination of Narine is scheduled to continue when the extradition hearing resumes on October 21 at 1:30 p.m., with a further sitting on October 22.

The extradition proceedings stem from a request by the United States for the surrender of Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed.

They are wanted to face an 11-count federal indictment alleging wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and customs offences linked to an alleged scheme involving Guyanese gold exports.

Source: INews Guyana

The Ministry of Housing- Central Housing and Planning Authority has taken further enforcement action against the unauthorised occupation of a road and drainage reserve in Houston, Georgetown, reinforcing its position that citizens, businesses and property owners must comply with the country’s planning and development regulations.

On Monday, September 28th, the Ministry was forced to take action at Plot S18, Portion of SS, Houston, where concrete slab was constructed on the road reserve adjoining the property.

Members of CH&PA’s Enforcement Team visited the location on several occasions and repeatedly warned the allottee against undertaking or continuing any development on the reserve. The location was also signposted to clearly identify the restricted area. Despite these interventions and repeated warnings, the unauthorised occupation continued.

Consequently, the Enforcement Team served the allottee with a Notice of Contravention, instructing the allottee, Mr. Wu Zhuhim, to immediately remove the concrete slab and all other encumbrances obstructing the road reserve and drainage network.

Following continued non-compliance, the Enforcement Team proceeded with enforcement action on Monday, resulting in the demolition and removal of the unauthorised concrete structure from the road reserve.

The Ministry is once again sending a clear message to citizens, businesses, developers and property owners: compliance with planning and development regulations is mandatory.

Roads, drainage and other public reserves are established for specific public purposes and must remain free from unauthorised structures, materials and other encumbrances. Development and business operations must remain within legally established property boundaries and conform to applicable planning requirements.

The Ministry and CH&PA will continue to investigate illegal encroachments and take appropriate enforcement action wherever violations are identified. Persons who receive notices or instructions from the Enforcement Department are strongly advised to comply within the stipulated timeframe.

Source: INews Guyana

Source: Demerara Waves

Recover Guyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and ExxonMobil Guyana officially launched the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School EcoHub Project.

The project, valued at GY$1,000,000 is a direct result of the 2026 edition of SHOUT, Guyana’s national youth environmental speech competition. The project, envisioned by winner, Randy Mangal, a fifth former, has transformed a section of his school into a cleaner, more sustainable space through the installation of a solar-powered charging hub, outdoor furniture built from recycled materials, and a hanging garden combining decorative and edible plants.

The speech competition, now in its fourth year, dubbed SHOUT4Change, challenged secondary school students across the country to design practical, STEM-based solutions to environmental issues at their schools by answering a single question: “What sustainable changes would you make to your school’s environment should you be given one million dollars to do so?” More than 70 submissions were received, from which 20 national finalists were selected to advance.

In the initial phase Mangal proposed a project to addresses waste management and environmental neglect at his school through beautification and maintenance, and using upcycling and sustainable materials. At its centre, he proposed a sitting and relaxation space furnished with outdoor seating made from recycled tyres and other repurposed materials, shaded by decorative plants and a hanging garden of both decorative and edible species. The solar-powered charging hub was later added to the design to give students and staff a sustainable source of power on campus. After emerging victorious from the subsequent three phases of the competition, he was able to see his project to fruition.

Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, First Vice President and Co-Founder of Recover Guyana, in his remarks noted that the launch reflected the organization’s commitment to turning students’ environmental ideas into lasting, tangible change. “SHOUT was never just about a speech or a competition day, it was about giving our youth the resources and the platform to actually fix what they see wrong in their own school environment,” Dr. Balmacoon said. “Randy identified real problems at Skeldon Line Path, waste, neglect, a lack of green and functional spaces, and saw practical, sustainable solutions to them. We are proud to now be putting that vision into the ground.”

Lasawhna Prescott, Community Relations Advisor noted that ExxonMobil Guyana places a strong emphasis on STEM education because it is fundamentally about problem solving. She said, “This is why we are proud to support initiatives that empower young people to think creatively and take action in their communities.” “It is also why ExxonMobil Guyana continued our partnership with Recover Guyana and is proud to sponsor the SHOUT Competition for the third consecutive year,” she went on.

Delivering remarks at the launch was Regional Executive Officer of Region 6, Mr. Ronald Harsawack. He added “This project is more than just a project, it’s a vision and an urge to do more about a growing issue. That’s why we’re here today, to see that more is possible, at sustainable costs, with the right vision and drive.”

SHOUT was first held in 2023, when Vasanna Persaud of Queen’s College was named national winner and went on to launch a water purification project at her school to combat plastic bottle waste. Subsequent winners Gabriella Arjun and Anushka Singh, both of Queen’s College, launched a hydroponics kitchen garden and a cycle-smart initiative, respectively. Mangal’s solar and upcycling project at Skeldon Line Path Secondary School becomes the latest in this growing line of youth-led environmental initiatives to take root in Guyanese schools.
This year’s competition was also supported by One Communications, Scotiabank Guyana Inc., Flawless Dental GY, Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, GuyOil, Massy Stores Guyana, Pixel Perfect Productions, SEVA Marketing Inc., ELEVATE, and Anthony Indar Photography.
SHOUT 2027 is set to launch in February 2027, marking the final edition of Guyana’s National Youth Environmental Speech Competition.

Source: INews Guyana

The Ministry of Education is expanding access to modern technical education by commissioning a new AutoCAD Laboratory at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School.

The new facility is part of an $85 million effort to establish specialised computer laboratories for Industrial Technology at six secondary schools.

It will provide students with practical training in computer-aided design and expose them to digital skills relevant to engineering, architecture, construction, manufacturing, infrastructure development, and other sectors.

The initiative advance’s the Ministry of Education’s continued investment in technical education, with more focus on providing students with relevant skills and competencies to participate meaningfully in a changing economy.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical), Dr Ritesh Tularam, who delivered the feature address on behalf of Education Minister Sonia Parag, said the investment reflects the ministry’s commitment to quality, relevance and equity in technical education.

“AutoCAD is more than a computer-aided design programme. It is a powerful tool for creativity, precision, innovation and problem-solving. It allows our students to take an idea from imagination, from visualisation and translate that into technical drawing, a design, and ultimately a practical solution,” Dr Tularam said.

He said the facility will help move technical and vocational education beyond traditional approaches by introducing new technologies, encouraging innovation, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and meaningful production.

Additionally, Dr Tularam noted that students will develop competencies applied across several fields, particularly as Guyana continues to experience economic and infrastructural development and greater demand for technically skilled workers.

“Education cannot remain static while technology, industries and the nature of work continue to evolve. Our responsibility is to ensure that our education and training systems equip young people with the knowledge, competencies and confidence required to participate meaningfully in the economy of today and to lead the economy of tomorrow,” he said.

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer, Satish Udit, said the facility is an important investment in preparing students for a technology-driven world.

He said computer-aided design allows students to transform concepts into precise digital designs and practical solutions, while encouraging critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving.

The Headmaster of New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, Wahid Omar, said the laboratory will be accessible to students from Grades 7 to 13, as well as students from neighbouring schools pursuing technical education.

He explained that students from neighbouring schools will be able to coordinate their timetables to access the facility for subjects including Industrial Technology and Technical Drawing, with instructors provided to support the programme.

The facility is expected to serve as a technical education hub for students across the New Amsterdam area, further broadening access to modern digital skills and practical learning opportunities. [DPI]

Source: INews Guyana

By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News |

CHARITY, ESSEQUIBO COAST — Nearly two and a half months after the catastrophic sinking of the MV Barima claimed 73 lives in the deadliest maritime disaster in modern Guyanese history, the vessel’s captain and two senior crew members will remain behind bars on remand following their latest court appearance.

Captain Kevin Price, called “KP”; Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts; and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson appeared virtually via Zoom on Monday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

During the hearing, defense counsel moved forward with formal written submissions on behalf of the accused, prompting the court to grant state prosecutors time to review the documents and prepare written responses ahead of an adjourned return date set for October 12, 2026.

Procedural Maneuvers: Defense Submissions and State Scrutiny

The virtual sitting centered on filings required before the magistrate’s court transitions into formal preliminary evaluation:

• Filing Defense Statements: Prominent defense attorney Dexter Todd, appearing as part of the legal team representing Price and Granderson, informed the court that the defense’s formal written statements were finalized and that physical copies would be hand-delivered to the registry before the close of business.
• Electronic Submissions: Todd requested the court’s official registry email address to ensure certified digital copies were simultaneously transmitted to the bench and opposing counsel.
• Prosecutorial Review Period: Magistrate Mohabir ordered that Police Prosecutor Mandel Moore be served with all defense statements, establishing an operational window for the prosecution to examine the arguments and file responsive legal briefs prior to the next hearing.
• Remand Order Extended: With murder being an indictable, non-bailable offense at the magisterial level, Magistrate Mohabir remanded all three defendants back to the custody of the Guyana Prison Service.

The Defendants and Legal Retainers

The three defendants face joint indictments for murder following formal legal advice tendered to Police Headquarters by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP):

• Captain Kevin Price (40): A master mariner residing at Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, represented by attorneys Dexter Smartt and Dexter Todd.
• Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts (42): Stationed at Meadow Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, represented by defense attorney Everton Lammy-Singh.
• Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson (33): Of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara, also represented by the legal team of Dexter Smartt and Dexter Todd.

The Disaster Toll and the November 16 Paper Committal

The criminal charges arise from the catastrophic July 18 sinking of the passenger and cargo ferry MV Barima:

• Verified Casualty Metrics: The disaster claimed 73 confirmed fatalities, while 76 passengers survived. At least 30 or more individuals remain missing and unaccounted for, leaving deep emotional trauma across coastal and hinterland families.
• Paper Committal on November 16: Magistrate Mohabir confirmed that the matter is slated to enter paper committal proceedings on November 16, 2026.
• High Court Threshold: Under the paper committal framework, Magistrate Mohabir will evaluate the sworn written depositions, witness statements, and forensic documentary evidence tendered by Prosecutor Moore without hearing exhaustive oral testimony, determining whether a prima facie case of murder has been established to warrant committing the three men to stand trial before a judge and jury in the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The case will return to the Charity Magistrate’s Court on October 12, 2026, for the prosecution’s formal reply to the defense statements.

Source: HGP Nightly News / HGPTV