Today, the United States Region of the People’s National Congress Reform (USRPNCR), pays special tribute to the former General Secretary and Leader of the PNC/Reform, Hon. Robert Herman Orlando Corbin CCH. The Party has lost a rare political hero and loyal comrade who possessed the ability to successfully navigate Guyana’s complex political landscape with visionary leadership and strategic thinking. His life-long party activism, from Chairmanship of the Youth Arm of the Party, the Young Socialist Movement (YSM) to Deputy Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and subsequent Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, was matched only by his courage to withstand and overcome political pressures as a true Reformer. In the midst of political turmoil, he was bold and courageous. He conquered fear and doubt, and rallied the PNCR out of its comfort zone in 2011 and into A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) Coalition, which propelled the party into Government in 2015.
Comrade Corbin did not merely participate in national politics, he transformed it. He remained faithful to the Party ideals, even as he crafted innovative solutions and fostered inclusivity towards the national good. He remained grounded as a party activist and grassroots organizer. The United States Region of the PNCR is forever grateful to him for being instrumental in the formation of the North American Region of the PNCR in 2004. It was his vision that helped shape the group in its formative years in the United States of America and Canada. He rallied support for the Party and gave true meaning to the words of the Party Battle Song, ‘Rally to the PNC.’
One of Corbin’s greatest legacies will be that of a reformer. It was under Robert Corbin, in 2006, that the PNC embraced the ‘PNCR/One Guyana’ concept (PNCR/1G). This was some two decades ago, and long before the current ‘One Guyana’ mantra was plagiarized and is now being misused and abused by the present Government. Reformer Corbin’s bold embrace of the concept of ‘Constructive Engagement’ with then President Jagdeo in 2003, resulted in the formation of various Parliamentary Committees and important Commissions such as the Ethnic Relations Commission, Constitution Reform Commission and Public Procurement Commission.
The United States Region of the People’s National Congress Reform joins with all Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora, in mourning the loss of a Steadfast Patriot and true Statesman, whose activism was never about personal ambition; it was about building an institution that is inclusive, resilient and enduring the test of time. We honour the memory of our treasured National Patriot and wish to quote the words of one of his favourite National Songs, “Let us Co-operate for Guyana, Let us Cooperate for our Land, Let us Resolve to fight together, see we do it right together, Can we do it, Yes we can.”
Five farmers in the Moruca sub-region have received piglets through the Ministry of Agriculture as part of an initiative to support livestock production.
In a post on its Facebook page, the ministry said the distribution was intended to boost agricultural development and create greater economic opportunities for farmers.
The post did not state how many piglets were distributed, identify the recipient communities or provide details of any accompanying technical support.
There had been earlier efforts to expand pig-rearing in Moruca. In July 2022, the ministry announced that farmers in Santa Rosa would receive improved breeds of swine and technical assistance from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had said farmers would be given piglets to help expand production in the community.
Stabroek News also reported in September 2022 that the ministry, through the authority and its Agriculture Sector Development Unit, had distributed 20 imported pigs to new and established farmers to improve breeding stock and increase pork production. Recipients were expected to assist other farmers once the animals began reproducing.
A fire damaged a house at West Watooka Hill Top, Wismar, Linden, destroying a bedroom and its contents, along with the PVC ceiling, the Guyana Fire Service said.
In a statement, the service said it received a report of the fire at approximately 3.52 am on Saturday and dispatched a water tender and an all-terrain vehicle with their crews, under the command of Leading Fireman Reynolds.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the front door of the single-storey building. They extinguished the blaze and prevented it from spreading to other sections of the house, according to the statement.
The destroyed bedroom was on the eastern side of the building. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
Deputy Police Commissioner Fizal Karimbaksh, who is accused of raping a female police officer, is refusing to go on administrative or pre-retirement leave pending the outcome of a probe because there is no Police Service Commission (PSC) to order him to do so.
“I further dispute your authority to place my client on compulsory administrative leave. On the legal basis presently disclosed, you have no lawful authority to impose such leave upon my client. No applicable statutory power or operative written delegation authorising that course has been identified or furnished,” lawyer Rizwaun Mohamed said in a letter dated October 10 in response to Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken’s letter to Mr Karimbaksh dated October 7.
Through his lawyer, Mr Karimbaksh is threatening to take legal action against the Guyana Police Force if he is forced out of office ahead of his retirement in April 2027.
“You are hereby placed on unequivocal notice that, should you seek to compel my client to proceed on pre-retirement or administrative leave without lawful authority, I am instructed to institute legal proceedings without further notice, seeking urgent interim relief where necessary, together with all other appropriate relief and costs,” the lawyer also said.
Efforts to obtain Mr Hicken’s letter to Mr Karimbaksh, who is the head of the force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) were unsuccessful.
The Guyana Police Force on on October 8 said Mr Karimbaksh was sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him. Additionally, the female police inspector, who made the report, has been transferred from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’’, the force said last week.
But the lawyer strenuously objected to the Police Commissioner “compelling” Mr Karimbaksh to proceed on pre-retirement leave and that he was eligible for 174 days of annualised vacation leave before retirement which should start on November 8, 2026. “For the avoidance of doubt, my client does not consent to compulsory pre-retirement leave on the basis presently advanced. He remains ready and available to discharge his duties and comply with lawful directions. His position must not be construed as acquiescence in an enforced absence, acceptance of the disputed leave calculation, or waiver of any right,” the lawyer said. Deputy Police Commissioner Karimbaksh is also disputing the duration of the annualised leave that he is entitled, saying that it is actually 118 days rather than 174. “The calculation and consequent commencement date are therefore expressly disputed,” the lawyer said on behalf of his client. He also told the Police Commissioner that including November 8, 2026 in his letter does not amount to an agreement to that date or “establish authority to compel the proposed leave.
At the heart of Mr Karimbaksh’s refusal to obey Mr Hicken’s instruction to proceed on leave is his ground that the Police Commissioner is responsible under the Police Act for command and superintendence of the police force while the Guyana Constitution vests disciplinary control over Deputy Police Commissioners to the Police Service Commission and delegation of directions in writing. The lawyer says not because the PSC is not constituted the Police Commissioner or anyone else takes over those functions.
“A general reliance upon command authority does not resolve the distinct question of the legal basis for compelling my client’s absence” and “any such vacancy does not, of itself, transfer its powers to you or another authority,” he said.
Caricom Rice Mills wishes to address recent public statements made on social media concerning specific parcels of land in the Somerset and Berks area on the Essequibo Coast.
1. Caricom Rice Mills is the Registered Owner
Caricom Rice Mills is the registered proprietor of the lands in question. Title has never been transferred to any other party.
2. The Transaction Was a Private Agreement That Was Never Concluded
In January, 2017 , the previous owners of Caricom Rice Mills ( Caricom)entered into private agreements of sale with certain individuals in order to quickly raise money. Those agreements expressly and impliedly provided that:
• the purchaser would pay a deposit;
• Caricom would retain possession of the lands;
• title would pass only upon payment of the balance within six months; and
• time was of the essence.
The balances were never paid. The agreements were never completed. Title was never transferred. No purchaser ever obtained possession. The Company was later sold.
3. No Steps Were Taken by the Purchaser for Nearly a Decade
For almost ten years, the individual now making public claims took no steps to pay the balance, to enforce the agreement, or to lodge any caution or prohibition against the land. Under Guyanese law, a purchaser who fails to perform and remains silent for such a prolonged period loses any right to enforce the agreement.
4. Caricom Has Acted in Good Faith
Although Caricom was legally entitled to forfeit the deposit, the Company has instead refunded the full amount paid. This reflects Caricom’s good faith and its desire to resolve the matter fairly, not any acknowledgment of the claims being made.
5. This Is a Private Legal Matter – Not a Government or Political Matter
This dispute arises from a private agreement of sale between private parties. It is governed exclusively by the laws of Guyana and the terms of the agreement itself. Neither the Government of Guyana nor any political actor has any legal role or authority in this private transaction. Any attempt to involve political institutions in a private contractual dispute is legally unfounded and would constitute an improper interference with the rights of a registered proprietor.
6. Caricom Will Protect Its Lawful Rights
Caricom Rice Mills will continue to rely on the established legal framework and, if necessary, the courts to vindicate its position as registered proprietor. The Company remains committed to the lawful development of its lands and to the growth of the communities in which it operates.
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Veteran Politician Eusi Kwayana died on Saturday at the age of 101 years old.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/ A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in a statement noted that Kwayana, born on April 4, 1925, entered the political arena as a youth, dedicating his life to the struggles and aspirations of the Guyanese people.
“Eusi Kwayana was more than a politician; he was a teacher, a chronicler, and a conscience for our nation. His life spanned generations of our political evolution, and his counsel, integrity, and unwavering commitment to principle earned him the respect of friend and adversary alike,” the party noted.
Kwayana was a founding member of the Executive Committee of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Kwayana served as Minister of Communications and Works before Britain suspended the constitution and reimposed direct colonial rule.
Following political divisions in the 1950s, he became associated with the People’s National Congress (PNC) under Forbes Burnham and later helped establish the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), where he worked alongside the late Dr Walter Rodney.
The PNC/R noted that he remained a fearless and principled voice on matters of governance, justice, and national development. As a historian, he dedicated himself to recording and preserving our country’s story, ensuring that future generations would know the journey of our people and the sacrifices made along the way.
The party extended sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and work.
“May his legacy of service, scholarship, and sacrifice continue to inspire us all.”
As the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) observes National Quality Week during October 11 – 17 and World Standards Day on October 14, it is most fitting to place the spotlight on a local company working to implement Standards – Gafsons Industries Limited (Gafoors). This company continues to strengthen its position in Guyana’s manufacturing sector through its commitment to quality and the application of Standards.
Over the years, Gafoors has worked to certify three of its locally manufactured products under the GNBS Product Certification Programme, with its most recent achievement being the certification of its 1,700-litre rotationally moulded polyethylene water storage tank.
The company has a long history in local manufacturing. According to Deputy Factory Manager, Mr. Jitendra Mishrah, Gafsons Industries began operations in 1953 and was incorporated in 1971. Under the leadership of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Sattaur Gafoor, the company has expanded its manufacturing operations significantly over the years. Today, its locally manufactured products include PVC pipes and fittings, polyethylene water storage tanks, shrink wrap, wallboard, silica board and construction buckets, among others. Mishrah indicated that the company is also pursuing several new manufacturing projects, including ultraviolet (UV) boards and Stone Plastic Composite products.
Mishrah explained that the company’s development as a local manufacturer was driven by a vision to produce more products in Guyana rather than relying solely on imported products, while simultaneously creating employment opportunities. He noted that this commitment to local production has allowed the company to expand its manufacturing capacity and contribute to employment in Guyana.
This commitment to local manufacturing has been complemented by the company’s longstanding participation in GNBS Product Certification Programme. Speaking about the importance of standards, Mishrah said, “You can’t have a counterfeit product coming to Guyana, and customers suffer for that. Like somebody is buying a pipe and a fitting, the fitting and pipe are not matching, so that is the reason why GNBS plays a very vital role in establishing production in this country, and that helps the customer; that helps the manufacturer.”
GNBS Head of Certification Services (ag), Keon Rankin, handing over the certificate to Deputy Factory Manager at Gafsons Industries, Jitendra Mishrah
Gafsons’ 4-inch concrete hollow blocks were first certified in June 2019 and are certified to GYS 215:2024 Standard. Meanwhile, its Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes, manufactured by its sister company Plastic Products Limited, have been certified by the GNBS since 2000 and currently conform to the GYS 107:2021 and GYS 99:2021 Standards.
Just last month, Gafsons Industries became the first Guyanese company to achieve certification for its 1,700-litre rotationally moulded polyethylene water storage tanks. The tanks were certified in accordance with GYS 588:2023 Standard, and the company was granted the right to use the National Standards Mark on the certified product.
For Gafsons Industries, product certification provides an important framework for maintaining the quality and consistency of its locally manufactured products. Mishrah described the requirements established by the GNBS as a ‘yardstick’ for manufacturers, adding, “The Bureau creates a yardstick for the manufacturer to follow. That makes us very stringent in following the standard. Once we follow the standard, that makes the product more qualitative to the customer, and they become very comfortable utilising the product.”
The certification process has also resulted in changes and improvements to Gafsons’ manufacturing and product identification processes. In the case of the certified water storage tank, Mishrah explained that the company standardised manufacturing parameters relating to areas such as the weight and quality of the tank to meet the standard’s requirements. Changes were also made to the product’s labelling, with information added to guide customers on installation, manufacturing requirements and other details.
Similar traceability measures are applied to the company’s certified PVC pipes. Certified pipes carry printed information identifying the applicable GNBS certification details, manufacturing date and time, and pipe size. These measures allow for greater product identification and traceability while providing customers with useful information about the certified products they purchase.
According to Mishrah, the GNBS Product Certification Programme has also strengthened customer confidence in locally manufactured products. Certification provides an added level of confidence because products bearing the GNBS certification mark have undergone an assessment process against the relevant standard.
Maintaining certification, however, requires an ongoing commitment from the manufacturer. “There is a constant effort being made to maintain the standard quality for the customer to get the benefit – we always try to improve”, Mishrah explained.
This commitment extends to the company’s plans to pursue certification for additional products. Mishrah said the company is working towards improving other sizes of its polyethylene water storage tanks as well as additional categories and sizes of PVC pipes. Where necessary, this may involve modifications to product designs and manufacturing parameters before the products are submitted to GNBS for certification.
Looking ahead, Gafsons Industries intends to continue improving its manufacturing processes and expanding the number of products that can satisfy certification requirements. Mishrah stated that his company would recommend the GNBS Product Certification Programme to other local manufacturers, noting that greater use of standards can create a more consistent marketplace for both manufacturers and consumers.
Businesses interested in becoming certified under the GNBS Product Certification Programme are encouraged to contact the GNBS Certification Services Department for guidance on the applicable requirements and certification process. For more information, contact the GNBS at 219-0064-66, WhatsApp 692-4627, or visit the GNBS website at www.gnbsgy.org.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali joined members of Men on Mission (MoM) and private sector representatives to rebuild the access bridge to the Save R Kids Children’s Home at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.
Working through Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the team worked to complete the project, which would normally take about two weeks.
The intervention reflects President Ali’s vision of mobilising men and the private sector to take greater responsibility for the well-being of communities, particularly where infrastructure is essential to vulnerable children’s care and protection.
The head of state said the exercise was intended to establish a model that communities across Guyana could replicate by joining forces to address practical challenges affecting institutions that provide vital services.
“What we want to do is to demonstrate this as a model. In every community where there is a children’s home, or where there are facilities, we want the community to come together…to work on fixing these infrastructures that lead to important facilities like these.”
He noted that while the government continues to advance road construction and major public infrastructure, stronger partnerships with businesses and service institutions can help resolve specific needs that directly affect communities.
At Save R Kids, the bridge reconstruction is a targeted intervention in support of the children’s home, which receives assistance through the First Lady’s A Home for Every Child initiative, including support for utilities and other operational needs.
By late Saturday evening, the work had advanced to preparations for installing the beams and decking.
‘Authenticity Over Algorithms’: Beterverwagting’s Alabama Balances AI Innovation and Originality in Guyana’s Dancehall Era
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
BETERVERWAGTING, EAST COAST DEMERARA — For prominent Guyanese dancehall and reggae recording artist Clifford Charles, widely known across the Caribbean diaspora as “Alabama” or “Bamma,” navigating the summit of local music culture required overcoming acute personal and systemic hurdles.
Deported from the United States at age 21, Charles faced what could have been a defining setback. Instead, he returned home to his native Beterverwagting (BV) on the East Coast of Demerara and turned to grassroots musical expression, building a discography centered on social commentary and working-class realities.
Now, as the inaugural 2024 Guyana Dancehall Monarch champion, Alabama weighs in on the rapid expansion of generative AI in modern production, arguing that while tools like Suno AI offer technical utility, human authenticity, distinct vocal identity, and lyrical originality must remain uncompromised.
Grassroots Roots: From ‘Dem Don’t Care’ to Jamaica’s Reggae Sting
Alabama’s emergence as a defining voice in Guyanese music developed through persistent live performance and conscious lyricism:
The 2006 Breakthrough: In 2006, Charles captured national attention with his hit single “Dem Don’t Care,” an acoustic social critique addressing youth disenfranchisement and systemic neglect.
Jamaica’s Reggae Sting (2008): Two years later, he represented Guyana on the stage of Jamaica’s famed Reggae Sting festival, testing his live delivery and stagecraft before one of the region’s most demanding dancehall audiences.
Major Regional Collaborations: Over his career, Charles shared stages and collaborated with prominent Caribbean stars, including Jamaican icons Buju Banton and Duane Stephenson.
“Well if the youths them is the future, why you shoot dem down… If you don’t give them the basic necessities… get with ease…” — Excerpt from “Dem Don’t Care”.
“If you do not have full control of the music you will not be able to grasp… As the music change, I still upgrade… to be different,” Alabama affirmed.
Generative AI and Music: Navigating Suno, Copyright, and Voice Cloning
As generative audio algorithms reshape song engineering, Alabama offered a candid perspective on how modern creatives should approach generative platforms like Suno:
Ethical Boundaries in Songwriting: Alabama explained that while he studies and adopts technological workflows to keep pace with global digital standards, he draws a hard line against delegating lyrical writing or synthetic vocal reproduction to neural networks.
Commercial Ownership vs. Free-Tier Traps: The BV-born artist warned that many casual users rely on free subscriptions, failing to realize they do not legally own the intellectual property or master rights generated by those engines. He urged serious producers to use paid tiers to secure clean commercial ownership of instrumentals, using the technology as a scaffold rather than a substitute for craftsmanship.
The Non-Negotiable Soul: Alabama cautioned that audiences immediately detect synthetic mimicry, warning that stripping away human vulnerability alienates listeners.
“I don’t really bash an artiste who is using, but I would consider how you using the AI…” Charles stated.
“We have to keep upgrading and have to be on the level of everybody in the world right now, but I would not use Artificial Intelligence to recreate my voice. I would not use it to help me write lyrics. I would use it to help me get a track together…”
“Most people use AI but not owning because they are on a free subscription… So you can own it,” he pointed out. “You cannot abuse AI. The people naturally want authenticity, and if the vocals is not you, the music is not you.”
Monarch Laurels and Preserving an Artistic Legacy
On the national competitive stage, Charles cemented his status in February 2024 by capturing the crown at Guyana’s Inaugural Dancehall Monarch Competition with his anthem “One Dan.” He returned to the national arena in 2025, securing joint second place alongside the late performer Lil Saint.
Looking ahead, the proud “Baronian” emphasized that Guyanese creatives must build strong self-marketing strategies, master copyright ownership, and pass professional tradecraft to the next generation of inner-city youth.
“We gotta make sure that we do the most that we have a legacy left,” Alabama concluded. “The country was not really facilitated to help us at that time… options before. And it ain’t saying the government is great, but I respect when I see a Minister trying.”
The sod-turning ceremony for Guyana’s first climate-controlled rice storage hub is set for Friday at Onderneeming, along the Essequibo Coast in Region Two.
Approximately 2,000 rice farmers will benefit from the initiative, which seeks to strengthen storage capacity, improve post-harvest management and support the rice industry’s growth.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha inspects rice field
During an interview last Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha told the Department of Public Information(DPI) that the contract has been awarded and the first phase costs $1 billion.
The investment follows the government’s 2026 Budget commitment to increase rice-storage capacity through climate-controlled silos over the next five years.
The agriculture minister said the undertaking will be a game changer for farmers there, especially since paddy prices are usually very low in Essequibo.
The new facility is expected to provide an intended 10,000 tonnes of storage capacity to help farmers store paddy until they can get a better offer for their produce.
With the Guyana Development Bank now on stream, Minister Mustapha believes the agriculture landscape will change, allowing rice farmers to access loans that no longer make them indebted to millers.
“These soft loans coming out of the Guyana Development Bank, instead of going to the miller to take these inputs, they will have a small loan like $1 million, $1.5 million without any collateral, without any interest.”
