The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has firmly denied allegations of downgrading the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) rescue and fire-fighting capacity, refuting claims made in a recent report by Demerara Waves Online News. The GCAA stated that it does not disclose or discuss inspection findings with third parties, emphasizing that no official documents have been signed to indicate a downgrade from category 8 to category 5. However, Demerara Waves stands by its report, asserting that the airport’s fire-fighting capacity was indeed reduced following inspections in September 2025. The news outlet cited sources claiming that mechanical defects in firefighting appliances, such as air leaks and slow response times, led to the downgrade. Despite the controversy, the GCAA assured the public that CJIA continues to operate safely and efficiently, maintaining its commitment to aviation safety standards. Meanwhile, Fire Chief Gregory Wickham confirmed that remedial actions have been taken, including deploying additional firefighters and addressing mechanical issues. Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond also highlighted efforts to ensure the operational readiness of the Timehri Fire Station, which supports CJIA. The conflicting reports have sparked debate over the transparency and accuracy of information regarding the airport’s safety protocols.
标签： Guyana
圭亚那
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Chancellor Yonette Cummings resumes duty, Chief Justice George yet to occupy High Court Chambers
In a significant development within Guyana’s judiciary, Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings has officially resumed her duties following a period of vacation leave. This move has facilitated the return of Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire to her role as Acting Chief Justice. During Chancellor Cummings’ absence, Justice George-Wiltshire had temporarily assumed the responsibilities of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, while Justice Navindra Singh was elevated to the position of Acting Chief Justice. However, as of Thursday, October 23, 2025, Chief Justice George-Wiltshire has not yet reoccupied the Chief Justice’s Chambers, located at the north-western end of the High Court complex. Sources indicate that she has chosen to utilize the High Court’s conference room on the south-eastern end instead. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear, and Attorney General Anil Nandlall has not responded to inquiries regarding the matter. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the judiciary’s leadership, raising questions about the operational dynamics within the High Court.
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GCAA downgrades Cheddi Jagan Airport’s rescue and fire-fighting capacity but airport remains safe
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has downgraded the rescue and fire-fighting capacity of Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) from category eight to category five. Despite this reduction, GCAA Director-General Retired Lt. Col. Egbert Field emphasized that the airport remains safe, particularly when compared to other regional airports. Field declined to disclose specific details about the downgrade, citing confidentiality protocols related to inspections. However, sources revealed that the downgrade was due to operational limitations, including inefficient fire tenders and insufficient personnel. According to GCAA standards, category five requires 8,100 liters of water to assist Level A foam, which is used to extinguish hydrocarbon fires in a 2.8 square meter area. Previously, the airport’s category eight rating allowed for 27,300 liters of water. Fire Chief Gregory Wickham confirmed that remedial measures have been implemented, including deploying additional firefighters and addressing mechanical issues with firefighting equipment. Wickham stated that the GCAA and CJIA are now responsible for conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance.
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Vreed-en-Hoop phone store owner fatally shoots policeman
A tragic incident unfolded at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling on the West Coast Demerara, where a 34-year-old policeman, Lance Corporal Richard Haynes, was fatally shot by a local businessman. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Mr. Hussain, owns a cellphone store at the same location. According to the Guyana Police Force, the altercation stemmed from a dispute over the sale of a cell phone, which escalated into violence. Mr. Hussain allegedly used his licensed firearm to shoot Lance Corporal Haynes. The police have since seized the weapon as part of their ongoing investigation. This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about public safety and the escalation of disputes into fatal violence. Authorities are urging calm and assuring the public that a thorough investigation is underway to bring justice to the victim and his family.
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Guyanese among 10 foreigners arrested in The Bahamas with high-powered guns
A Guyanese national has been identified as one of ten foreign individuals apprehended in The Bahamas following the discovery of illegal contraband, including high-powered weapons, firearms, ammunition, and undeclared cash. The arrests occurred on Tuesday after a joint operation by the Alice Town Police Station and the Bahamas Customs Department targeted a vessel docked in Bimini. Authorities acted on intelligence and conducted a search of the vessel, uncovering three high-powered weapons, eleven firearms, a significant amount of ammunition, and a substantial sum of undeclared cash. The suspects, ranging in age from 21 to 62, include eight Americans, one South African, and the Guyanese national. All confiscated items are now in police custody, and investigations are ongoing. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal arms trafficking in the Caribbean region.
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US flagged Mohameds, other gold dealers for smuggling during APNU+AFC government- Former Natural Resources Minister
Former Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has disclosed that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) shared critical intelligence on gold smuggling activities with Guyana’s APNU+AFC administration. Trotman confirmed that prominent gold dealers, including Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, were flagged in these investigations, though they were not the primary focus at the time. The US authorities were primarily concerned about the proceeds of Guyana’s gold being used to undermine US national interests, rather than violations of Guyanese laws. Trotman emphasized that the briefings were highly confidential and did not involve specific requests for action from the Guyanese government. He also highlighted the APNU+AFC’s efforts to combat gold smuggling, citing a significant increase in gold declarations between 2015 and 2020. However, annual gold declarations have declined since 2020, influenced by factors such as weather conditions, taxation policies, and fluctuating international gold prices. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has recently called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged involvement of government officials in gold smuggling, with the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Police Force leading the probe. The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has already sanctioned the Mohameds for allegedly evading over $50 million in taxes and bribing government officials to facilitate illicit gold shipments. Despite these allegations, no Guyanese government officials have been charged in connection with the case.
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NAMILCO, govt discussing cassava flour production; company to invest GY$10 billion
In a landmark development for Guyana’s agricultural sector, the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), an American-owned entity, has unveiled plans to invest GY$10 billion in expanding its flour production capabilities. The investment includes the construction of a state-of-the-art processing mill, enhanced wheat storage facilities, and an upgraded wharf to meet both domestic and export demands. The announcement was made during a meeting between NAMILCO executives and Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali, alongside key government officials. The project, set to commence in early 2026 and operational by 2027, aims to bolster Guyana’s agri-industrial development and contribute to regional food security. Additionally, NAMILCO is collaborating with the Guyanese government to explore the commercialization of cassava flour, a move designed to diversify the country’s flour offerings and enhance agricultural innovation. This initiative aligns with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) recommendations on cassava as a strategic crop for food security. The company also highlighted plans to create significant employment opportunities and introduce advanced training programs to develop local expertise in milling operations. Beyond flour production, NAMILCO’s parent company, Seaboard Corporation, is evaluating opportunities in integrated pork production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution, signaling a broader commitment to Guyana’s economic growth. This investment builds on the success of NAMILCO’s Mixing Plant, inaugurated in 2023, which marked a significant step in value-added food production in Guyana. Seaboard Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, continues to reinforce its legacy of driving sustainable growth and food security through strategic investments and partnerships.
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Former Gold Board Chairman says US Embassy provided names of suspected gold smugglers
In a recent revelation, Gabriel Lall, the former Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), disclosed that the United States Embassy had provided a dossier containing names and photographs of individuals suspected of gold smuggling and other criminal activities. Lall, an American citizen who returned to Guyana, stated that he received the file during his tenure and promptly shared it with then Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman. The dossier reportedly included around 40 names, none of which were identified as Azruddin Mohamed or his father Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, prominent figures in Guyana’s gold industry. Lall emphasized that the information was shared confidentially and did not contain definitive evidence of gold smuggling, which is why the police were not involved. He also noted that the GGB lacked specific intelligence on gold smuggling operations, relying instead on rumors and speculation. Lall expressed support for a comprehensive investigation into alleged gold smuggling, urging the involvement of the US Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to ensure credibility. He also criticized Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for singling him out for potential investigation, calling it political persecution. The Mohameds were previously sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024 for allegedly evading over $50 million in taxes on gold exports. Lall’s revelations shed light on the complexities of gold smuggling in Guyana and the challenges faced by authorities in addressing it.
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Former APNU+AFC parliamentarian, other person arrested with marijuana in bus
In a significant law enforcement operation, former APNU+AFC parliamentarian Devin Sears was apprehended late Monday night after police discovered over 300 kilograms of marijuana in a bus he was driving. The arrest occurred on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway near Bamia, where the vehicle was intercepted during a routine patrol. Sears, a 39-year-old educator and political activist from Mackenzie, Linden, was accompanied by Albert Sandy, a 69-year-old farmer from Tacama Waterfront, Upper Berbice River. The bus, registered under the Region 10 Tourism Committee Inc., was subjected to a search after Sears exhibited suspicious behavior, including profuse sweating. Upon inspection, authorities uncovered 22 black plastic bags and four large brown canvas bags filled with suspected cannabis. While Sears remained silent during the arrest, Sandy admitted ownership of the narcotics, claiming he had paid Sears to transport him to Parika. Both men were taken into custody and are awaiting charges as the investigation continues.
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High Court grants bail to GECOM accountant on larceny charge
In a significant legal development, the High Court of Guyana has granted bail to Dikimbie Gittens, a 30-year-old assistant accountant at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), who faces charges of embezzling GY$5 million from the election management authority. Gittens, who had been in custody since his initial court appearance on September 25, was released on October 6 after his attorney, Brenden Glasford, successfully petitioned High Court Judge Jacqueline Josiah-Graham for bail. The bail was set at GY$500,000, with specific conditions attached. Gittens is scheduled to reappear in the Magistrates’ Court on November 5. Glasford argued that the magistrate’s earlier decision to deny bail was inconsistent with the provisions of the Bail Act 2022. Gittens, a resident of Onderneeming, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, is accused of larceny by a clerk or servant under the Criminal Law Offences Act. The alleged theft occurred between September 15 and 16, 2025, at the GECOM Secretariat in Georgetown. Police were alerted after discrepancies in funds intended for polling day workers were discovered. A total of 13 individuals were initially detained but were later released on station bail. The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the missing funds.