Police are investigating an alleged robbery under arms at No. 2 Village, East Canje, Berbice, which occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, during which three masked men reportedly robbed a 57-year-old businessman of an undisclosed sum of cash.

The incident occurred at approximately 19:35 hours at the businessman’s beverage depot, located on the lower flat of his premises.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the businessman was in the cashier area when three masked males entered the establishment. One of the suspects was reportedly armed with a handgun, while the other two carried a baseball bat and a cutlass.

The suspects allegedly confronted the businessman and demanded money before escaping with a quantity of cash.

They reportedly fled the scene in a dark-grey motor car.

No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported during the incident.

Police have since obtained CCTV footage, which they are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

The new West Demerara Hospital is expected to open in late 2027, expanding access to advanced diagnostic and specialist healthcare services for residents of Region Three and surrounding communities.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, provided the update in a recent post on his Facebook page, following a visit to the construction site, where he noted that work on the modern healthcare facility is progressing steadily.

The new state-of-the-art hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in Region Three by bringing advanced medical services closer to residents, reducing the need for patients to travel to Georgetown for certain diagnostic procedures and specialist care.

The facility will be outfitted with advanced diagnostic technology, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, as well as cardiac catheterisation capabilities.

These services will strengthen the hospital’s capacity to diagnose and manage complex medical conditions, support timely treatment and improve patient outcomes.

For residents, the expanded services are expected to mean greater convenience, improved access to specialised medical investigations and a more modern environment for receiving care.

The hospital will also provide improved working conditions for healthcare professionals, supporting the delivery of quality patient care.

This hospital will add to the list of regional facilities constructed by the government, while advancing wider efforts to modernise Guyana’s healthcare sector by expanding infrastructure, strengthening diagnostic capacity and improving access to advanced medical services across the country.

Through investments in new hospitals, upgraded facilities and modern medical technology, the President Irfaan Ali-led Government is working towards its stated goal of establishing a world-class healthcare system that delivers accessible, efficient and quality care to all Guyanese.

While construction work remains ongoing, the anticipated late-2027 opening of the new West Demerara Hospital represents a significant step towards strengthening healthcare services for Region Three and easing the pressure on other major public health facilities.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Sixty-eight (68) houses were destroyed by fire in Regions Five and Six between January and September 2026. One of the fires led to the death of a woman at Blairmont.

Division Fire Officer Clive McDonald told reporters that the number of house fires was slightly higher than the 67 recorded in the corresponding period last year, when no fatalities were reported.

The lone fatality this year was Bibi Shafroon Ramprashad, known as “Zina,” of Lot 95, Number Two Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice (WBB). Ramprashad, who was wheelchair-bound, died on June 2 after a fire broke out at her home while she was alone.

McDonald also reported several other fire incidents across the two regions during the first nine months of the year. These included fires affecting one church, 10 government buildings, six businesses, two sheds, one stall, four bonds, one lubricant facility and one rice mill. Included in the total are 32 electrical fires along with 12 vehicle fires.

The division further recorded 92 garbage fires and 256 grass fires during the period.

Investigations revealed that 344 fires across some categories were deliberately set, while 46 were classified as maliciously set, McDonald said.

He attributed the increase in grass fires to people lighting fires and leaving them unattended, allowing the flames to spread across open fields and other lands amid the prevailing El Niño conditions.

“We are imploring on citizens of Regions Five and Six to follow our guidelines posted on our social media platforms as it relates to grass fires so that we can reduce it,” McDonald said.

He warned that grass fires not only place property at risk but can also affect nearby communities and reduce visibility for motorists, creating dangerous road conditions.

McDonald urged residents to report suspicious activities and fires at abandoned properties, while encouraging the public to follow fire prevention guidelines.

He added that the division has been conducting public sensitisation exercises to educate residents on fire prevention methods and techniques.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Guyana is aiming to end onion imports by the end of this year as the government expands local production, with Region Nine expected to lead cultivation alongside Regions Two, Five and Six.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said the country is targeting approximately 500 acres of onion cultivation as part of efforts to meet domestic demand through locally grown produce.

“At the end of this year we will not import any onions. Region Nine will produce all the bulk of our needs, plus Region Two, Region Five and Region Six,” the minister said.

Guyana began onion production as part of an integrated farming approach aimed at diversifying agricultural output, reducing reliance on imported produce and creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

The initial pilot project in Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, recorded a harvest valued at more than $15 million, demonstrating the potential for local onion cultivation to contribute to the country’s food supply.

Minister Mustapha said the initiative forms part of a broader crop diversification drive that includes corn, soya, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and lettuce, among other high-value crops.

He noted that farmers are embracing the integrated farming approach and encouraged interested persons to contact the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to explore opportunities to cultivate onions.

The government is prepared to support farmers who wish to enter the sector, including those with relatively small plots of land.

“I have already passed instructions that as long as they have an acre or two, we’ll work along with them. We will try as much as possible to provide the planting material, and we will give them all the technical guidance so that they can come on board,” Minister Mustapha said.

Through the expansion of onion cultivation and support for farmers, the government is seeking to strengthen domestic production capacity and move Guyana closer to meeting its onion needs without depending on imports.

This move forms part of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) target of reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Police are investigating the alleged murder of 28-year-old Romel Toney of Kairuni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The crime occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at about 21:00 hrs at Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Police said preliminary information revealed that Toney was involved in an altercation with another male, during which he sustained an injury to his neck. He subsequently died.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.

The Guyana Police Force did not indicate whether the suspect was known or is in custody; however, they promised an update shortly.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Aubrey Osmund Roberts, affectionately known as “Uncle Aubrey” or “Labba”, a longtime resident of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, has celebrated his 100th birthday, marking a century of life, family and community connections.

Roberts, a familiar figure in the village, has spent much of his life working hard and raising his 17 children, building a family legacy that has grown across generations.

To mark the milestone, representatives of the Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security visited the centenarian and presented him with a care package on behalf of subject Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud.

The ministry shared the occasion in a Facebook post, celebrating Roberts’ long life and his contributions to his family and community.

Persaud also extended birthday greetings, wishing Roberts continued happiness, love and many more cherished moments surrounded by his loved ones.

The visit forms part of the ministry’s efforts to recognise and celebrate senior citizens, particularly those reaching significant milestones.

Reaching 100 is a rare milestone that offers an opportunity to reflect on a life shaped by changing generations, personal experiences and enduring family relationships. Roberts’ story also highlights the important place older people hold within families and communities, where their experiences and memories connect younger generations to the past.

For Roberts and his family, the centenary marks not only a birthday but also a celebration of the many years, relationships and memories accumulated over a century.

The ministry’s visit brought official recognition to the occasion, honouring a Golden Grove resident whose life has been marked by hard work, family responsibilities and lasting community ties.

Source: Village Voice News

Source: Village Voice News

By the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC)

A pension is more than a monthly payment. It represents years of labour, sacrifice and contributions by workers who helped build Guyana’s economy. The right to pension, and the right to receive the correct pension, must therefore be treated as a matter of justice, dignity and accountability.

Workers cannot be expected to spend decades contributing to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), or serving in the public sector, only to encounter unexplained deductions, missing contributions, incorrect calculations, administrative delays or uncertainty about the benefits to which they are entitled.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) maintains that workers must be informed of their rights, protected by the law and able to challenge decisions that deprive them of their lawful entitlements.

The Constitution protects pension rights

Guyana’s Constitution provides an important safeguard under Article 149B, which states:

“Every public sector worker shall enjoy an absolute and enforceable right to any pension or gratuity granted to him or her under the provision of any law or collective agreement of any kind whatsoever.”

This constitutional provision makes clear that pension and gratuity entitlements granted to public sector workers under applicable laws or collective agreements are enforceable rights, not favours that an employer or government may grant or withdraw at its discretion.

The GTUC calls on public employers to respect these obligations, maintain accurate employment and service records, honour collective agreements and ensure that eligible workers receive the full benefits due to them.

Where disputes arise over pension calculations, qualifying service or the interpretation of an agreement, workers must have access to transparent explanations and effective avenues of redress.

NIS contributions must translate into correct benefits

The National Insurance and Social Security Act, Chapter 36:01, establishes Guyana’s National Insurance Scheme and provides for benefits including old-age, invalidity and survivors’ benefits.

Under the NIS’s published rules, an insured person generally qualifies for an old-age pension at age 60 after paying at least 150 contributions and having at least 750 contributions paid or credited. Those who satisfy the age requirement and have at least 50 contributions, but do not meet the pension conditions, may qualify for an old-age grant instead.

These distinctions matter. A worker’s entitlement depends on the applicable legislation, contribution history and qualifying conditions. Consequently, the accuracy of an individual’s contribution record is essential.

The GTUC urges workers to check their NIS records, retain payslips and other evidence of deductions, and promptly query missing contributions. Employers must fulfil their statutory responsibilities, while NIS must ensure that records are properly maintained and benefit decisions are accurately calculated.

A worker should not have to bear the consequences of an employer’s failure to remit contributions or of administrative errors beyond that worker’s control.

International labour standards and social protection

The International Labour Organisation’s Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) establishes international benchmarks for social security, including old-age benefits. However, Guyana has not ratified Convention No. 102, according to the ILO’s published records. It is therefore an international standard to which the country can look in strengthening social protection, rather than a ratified convention binding Guyana as such.

Guyana should continue strengthening its pension protections, improving access to information and ensuring that its social security arrangements respond to the realities of workers and retirees.

The right pension must be the correct pension

Receiving a pension is not enough if the amount is wrong. A pension calculated using incomplete contribution records, incorrect insurable earnings or an erroneous assessment can leave a retiree struggling to meet basic living expenses.

The NIS publishes a formula for calculating old-age pensions based on relevant insurable earnings and contribution history, subject to prescribed minimum and maximum limits. Its published guidance states that the pension rate must not fall below 50 per cent of the public service minimum wage or exceed 60 per cent of average weekly insurable earnings.

The GTUC calls for transparent calculations, accessible contribution histories and a clear process through which workers can request reviews and challenge errors. Where underpayments are established, the responsible authority must take appropriate steps to correct them and pay outstanding amounts in accordance with the law.

A call for accountability and pension security

The GTUC urges the Government, NIS, public sector employers and all relevant authorities to:

• Ensure that pension entitlements are calculated accurately and paid promptly.
• Strengthen the monitoring of employers’ contributions and compliance with the law.
• Provide workers with accessible records of contributions, qualifying service and pension calculations.
• Establish efficient procedures for investigating complaints and correcting underpayments.
• Protect pensioners from unnecessary bureaucratic delays and ensure that decisions are properly explained.
• Engage trade unions in reviewing pension policies, improving social security and protecting workers’ retirement interests.

Workers must also be encouraged to understand their rights before retirement, verify their records and seek assistance when discrepancies arise.

The GTUC emphasises that pension security is inseparable from workers’ dignity. Those who have given years of service to their country must not be left to fight alone for benefits they have lawfully earned.

Guyana’s development must be measured not only by economic growth, oil revenues or national budgets, but also by how it treats the people whose labour sustains the economy.

A pension is deferred income earned through work and governed by applicable law. The correct pension, paid at the correct time, is a matter of justice.

Workers built the wealth. Their retirement rights must be protected.

Source: Village Voice News