David Papannah

As the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) continues to pursue the goal of achieving reduced mercury use in mining, Commissioner Newell Dennison has signaled that complete eradication of the chemical in local mining activities may not be possible.

Fed up of medical staff and several severely ill patients being locked out of the Linden Complex Hospital (LHC) due to new COVID-19 vaccination requirements, over a hundred residents of Region Ten yesterday blocked the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge in protest.

A Hadfield Street businessman was riddled with bullets last night while in his vehicle on Regent Street, Georgetown, in an execution-style attack in which another man was wounded. 

The amendments to the Petroleum Act were yesterday passed by the National Assembly after a grueling five hours of debate during which the opposition questioned the urgency and recommended further consultation.

Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan and his family on Friday commissioned their multi-million dollar Amazonian Mall at Providence, promising both recreational and economic opportunities to residents of the East Bank and West Demerara, even as he encouraged young athletes to think about investments to secure their future.

As they continue to navigate the challenges of the floods which started back in May, families along the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Rivers yesterday said they are in need of potable water.

Rainfall compounded by poor maintenance of sections of the Linden to Bartica Road has left it in a deplorable state making it difficult for users from the logging and mining industries to traverse.

Turning the sod for a US$20 million Marriott-branded hotel at Timehri, President Irfaan Ali yesterday said that his government has forecast the need for 3,000 to 4,000 hospitality workers and this was why it has decided to invest in training persons.

As they count their losses from the “worst flooding” in their lifetime, Abary River rice and cattle farmers on Saturday renewed their calls for government to fulfill its promise to desilt and clear overgrown vegetation in the river to improve drainage.

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch says that the just concluded Tradewinds 2021 military exercise provide a unique opportunity for participating nations to improve inter-operability and effectively execute missions together.

With fields still inundated from recent heavy rainfall and water overtopping from the Canje Creek, the Albion sugar estate has been forced to postpone the commencement of its second crop by a month and around 30% of the canes are under severe threat.

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force are perfecting a range of skills, including close quarters combat, in the US Southern Command-sponsored Tradewinds 21 military exercise.

Communities along the Mahaica,  Mahaicony and Abary rivers yesterday reported that water levels have once again risen following hours of heavy rain.

“Some days all me and my husband eat is bare rice.

Upper Pomeroon communities are in dire need of potable water as they continue to battle the effects of severe flooding over the last three weeks.

Floodwater in the Middle Mazaruni, Region 7  has left “an unimaginable trail of destruction”, Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams said yesterday after spending four days in the district assessing the damage.

With severe flooding in regions 1, 7, and 8 ravaging mining camps, the  Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) is appealing to government to provide assistance to affected prospectors.

Despite a respite in some areas, floodwater remained at significant levels in most of the country’s regions yesterday as authorities continued to mobilise help for victims.

Flooding along the Mahaicony River continues to decimate the livelihoods of farmers and gardens that many families depended on to provide for their households.

Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Board Lionel Wordsworth yesterday dispelled the suggestion that there is a breach of the East Demerara Water Conservancy, which is suspected by residents of Mora Point, Mahaicony River, due to excess water on the land that is continuing to rise.