The warning comes as the Commission says the practice of persons selling, or attempting to sell, mining lands granted by the GGMC is now “seriously engaging” its attention.

In an advisory issued on Tuesday, the Commission reminded mining stakeholders and the public that mining lands and related tenures are granted for the specific purpose of carrying out mining activities, subject to Guyana’s laws, regulations and the conditions attached to those grants.

As such, tenure holders have been cautioned against selling, assigning or transferring mining lands where those transactions are not permitted under the relevant legal and regulatory framework.

Of particular concern to the Commission is the use of IPOAs in transactions involving mining properties.

“The GGMC is also discouraging the use of Irrevocable Powers of Attorney (IPOAs) as a means of effecting or facilitating the purported sale, transfer, or acquisition of mining lands,” the Commission said.

It stressed that an Irrevocable Power of Attorney, by itself, is not acceptable proof that someone owns or lawfully holds tenure over a mining property.

The GGMC is therefore urging persons considering the purchase or acquisition of an interest in mining lands to first verify the status of the property with the Commission before handing over money or signing agreements.

“Persons should not rely solely on private agreements, powers of attorney, receipts, or other instruments as evidence that an individual has the legal right to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a mining property,” the Commission warned.

However, the GGMC noted that legitimate avenues remain available for miners, investors and other stakeholders who want to work together to develop mining properties.

It pointed to properly structured Joint Venture arrangements and other lawful mechanisms which can allow parties to collaborate in mining operations. Such arrangements, the Commission said, should be properly documented and submitted to the GGMC for consideration and approval.

The Commission said it will continue monitoring the issue and could take regulatory or other action where necessary to protect the integrity of the mining sector and prevent persons from becoming involved in unauthorised or irregular transactions.

The GGMC reiterated that mining lands granted for mining purposes should not be sold or purportedly sold, while IPOAs should not be regarded as proof of ownership or lawful tenure.

Persons considering transactions involving mining properties are being encouraged to seek clarification directly from the Commission before making financial commitments.edited 13:47

In a letter published on Wednesday, the ministry described Mohamed’s claims as “false” and “misleading”, while accusing sections of the media of repeating the assertions without adequate verification.

According to the ministry, Swan, located along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, has access to the national electricity grid and residents are able to obtain formal electricity services.

It pointed to reports in which residents reportedly complained about being disconnected and sought assistance with having their electricity restored.

“How can residents be disconnected from an electricity service that supposedly does not exist, and how can they seek restoration of a service to which the community supposedly never had access?” the ministry questioned.

The letter stated that solar panels were also provided to households that were not yet prepared to transition to the formal electricity grid, allowing them to continue accessing electricity.

The ministry made a similar argument regarding water, stating that Swan has access to a formal water supply system.

It acknowledged, however, that individual households may face challenges related to connections, payments or other circumstances that could leave them without access to the service at a particular time.

According to the ministry, those individual cases should not be interpreted as evidence that the entire community lacks access to water.

“The Opposition leader has manipulated and repackaged the information to create the false impression that basic infrastructure has not been extended to Swan,” the letter stated.

The ministry said the government will continue working with residents to facilitate formal connections to electricity and water, adding that efforts are already underway to bring more households onto the existing systems.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two entities, approximately 0.97 acres of vacant land is expected to be conveyed to GPL for the construction and operation of a 69kV/13.8kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substation.

The transfer remains subject to the required statutory approvals and completion of the conveyance process.

The agreement will also see GPL and City Hall address outstanding monies owed to each other.

GPL is expected to determine outstanding electricity charges owed by the municipality for its buildings and street lighting, where applicable. At the same time, the M&CC will calculate rates and taxes owed by GPL for its properties and locations.

The State Valuation Department of the Ministry of Finance will determine the value of the Princes Street property. That amount will then be credited against the reconciled financial balance between the two entities.

The respective sums owed will be offset and GPL and City Hall will agree on a net settlement. Any remaining balance will be dealt with under terms agreed by both sides.

The proposed Princes Street facility forms part of GPL’s wider transmission and distribution expansion programme and is expected to strengthen the electricity network and improve grid reliability.

Head of GPL’s Executive Management Committee, Kesh Nandlall, said the location is considered important to the company’s infrastructure development within Georgetown.

“Princes Street is a central location where we want to establish a Substation, which will be interconnected with the existing New Georgetown Substation & Kingston Substation,” Nandlall said.

The MoU was signed by Nandlall and Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore. GPL Director Ryan Ross, Deputy Mayor Denise Miller, Town Clerk Candace Nelson and other representatives of the two entities were also present.

GPL has been undertaking investments across the country aimed at modernising and expanding its transmission and distribution network.

The 2026 Henley Passport Index gives Guyanese passport holders access to 88 destinations without obtaining a visa before travel, placing Guyana alongside Bahrain in 55th position globally. 

The ranking represents a slight decline from Guyana’s 2025 position, when the passport ranked 54th globally.

Within CARICOM, Barbados has the strongest passport, ranking 20th globally and providing access to 163 destinations without a prior visa. 

It is followed by The Bahamas, ranked 21st globally with access to 158 destinations, while St Vincent and the Grenadines ranks 22nd with access to 157 destinations.

St Kitts and Nevis is ranked 23rd globally, with access to 156 destinations, while Antigua and Barbuda ranks 25th with access to 154 destinations.

Grenada follows at 29th globally, with access to 147 destinations. 

Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago are both ranked 31st, each providing access to 145 destinations, while Saint Lucia is ranked 32nd with access to 143 destinations.

Belize is the closest CARICOM country ahead of Guyana, ranking 51st globally with access to 100 destinations.

Guyana, at 55th globally and with access to 88 destinations, is therefore the 11th strongest passport among the 14 independent CARICOM countries covered by the Henley ranking.

Below Guyana are Jamaica, ranked 59th globally with access to 84 destinations; Suriname, ranked 64th with access to 75 destinations; and Haiti, ranked 86th with access to 49 destinations. 

Montserrat is the 15th member of CARICOM, but it is a British Overseas Territory rather than an independent sovereign state and therefore is not included in this comparison of independent CARICOM passports.

While the Guyana passport trails those of the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean and Belize, it provides greater international mobility than the passports of Jamaica, Suriname and Haiti.

Guyana has a four-destination advantage over Jamaica, with Guyanese passport holders able to access 88 destinations compared with 84 for Jamaicans. 

The gap widens to 13 destinations when compared with Suriname and to 39 destinations when compared with Haiti.

On the global scale, Guyana shares 55th place with Bahrain in the latest Henley Passport Index, putting both countries ahead of several larger nations. 

Guyana’s passport ranks above China, India and Indonesia, highlighting its relatively strong level of international mobility. 

At the top of the global rankings is Singapore, whose passport provides access to 192 destinations without a prior visa. Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates share second place with access to 188 destinations, while Sweden ranks third with access to 187. 

At the other end of the rankings, Afghanistan is ranked 104th globally, making it the world’s weakest passport. Afghan passport holders have access to just 24 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa before travelling. 

Henley says the index covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations and is updated as visa policies and entry requirements change. Its data are based on Timatic information from the International Air Transport Association.

Guyana is also seeking to expand visa-free travel for its citizens, particularly to Europe and Canada. 

President Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed in 2023 that five European Union countries had agreed to support Guyana’s bid for visa-free access to the Schengen Area, which would allow Guyanese to travel throughout the bloc without securing a short-stay visa in advance. 

Guyana is also seeking visa-free access to Canada, where Guyanese visitors currently require a temporary resident visa.

The homes were officially handed over during a ceremony on Friday, with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha presenting the keys to the beneficiaries.

Among those receiving a new home is 42-year-old Sharmella Seetaram, who was living at Lot 28, Sisters Village, with her five-year-old daughter and other relatives when fire destroyed the property on October 21, 2024.

The blaze also spread to the neighbouring three-bedroom home belonging to 55-year-old Nazim Gani, of Lot 29, causing extensive damage to the upper flat. A third nearby house was also partially affected by the fire.

Following the incident, Seetaram said officials from the Edinburgh Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) contacted her and gathered information about her situation. She was later provided with a portion of land, while MOM took responsibility for constructing her new home.

For Seetaram, the completion of the house represents more than just a building—it is an opportunity for her and her daughter to rebuild their lives.

“It’s a great help out. This is a big start for me. I am thankful to Government, President Irfaan Ali and others who help me out,” she disclosed.

Gani, who also received support through the Edinburgh NDC, benefited from assistance to rebuild the upper portion of his house.

He expressed appreciation, stating that the assistance provided through MOM has enabled himself and Seetaram to move forward after the devastating losses they suffered nearly two years ago.

The President made the call on Tuesday evening while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s (CBU) 57th Annual General Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

With platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Netflix exposing Caribbean audiences to an increasing volume of foreign content, President Ali argued that the region’s response should be to strengthen and promote its own cultural products.

“The answer to globalisation is not cultural isolation. It is cultural confidence,” he said.

Pointing to the international success of West Indian artistes, President Ali said there is already clear demand for Caribbean culture and content. However, he questioned whether regional broadcasters are doing enough to capitalise on that demand.

He noted that the CBU was established in 1970 to ensure Caribbean people could see their own lives, language and music represented in the media. According to Ali, that responsibility has become even more important in an era where virtually anyone can publish and distribute content.

The President said the Caribbean’s strength lies not in the size of its market, but in the uniqueness of its identity. He argued that regional broadcasters should therefore focus not only on the amount of international content entering the Caribbean, but also on increasing the reach of Caribbean content globally.

Ali also stressed the importance of investing in skilled journalists and producers, contending that the region’s ability to tell its own stories will ultimately depend on its people rather than the platforms being used.

The CBU’s 57th AGA is being held from August 17 to 19 under the theme “Caribbean Media & AI,” bringing together media, communications and technology professionals from across the region.

It is the first time in more than a decade that Guyana is hosting the CBU’s Annual General Assembly.

In an update issued on Sunday, the water company said its technical team investigated the complaints and determined that the sediment temporarily affected the appearance of water supplied to some residents.

GWI said corrective measures were immediately implemented, including extensive flushing of the distribution network and increased water-quality monitoring at the treatment plant and affected areas.

“We are pleased to report that water quality has since returned to normal, with current monitoring showing clear water being supplied from the treatment facility,” the company stated.

According to GWI, monitoring will continue at an increased frequency to ensure satisfactory water quality is maintained throughout the distribution network.

The company, however, advised that customers may experience isolated instances of discolouration as flushing of the network continues. In such cases, residents are encouraged to allow their taps to run briefly until the water clears.

Customers experiencing persistent water-quality issues are also being encouraged to report their concerns to GWI.

The water company apologised for the inconvenience experienced by customers and thanked residents for their patience as efforts continue to maintain a reliable supply of good-quality water.

The projection is contained in GPL’s Development and Expansion Programme 2026–2030, which takes into account the expected growth of EVs as part of the company’s long-term electricity planning.

According to data provided by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), 659 passenger-sized electric vehicles, including cars and pickups, were imported into Guyana between 2020 and 2024.

GPL said that while EV use in Guyana remains at an early stage, import trends show a “steady upward trajectory” which warrants consideration in long-term planning.

Based on the growth recorded over the period, the national EV fleet is projected to reach approximately 2,276 vehicles by 2030.

The increased use of electric vehicles is also expected to place additional demand on the electricity system as more drivers rely on residential and workplace charging.

Assuming predominantly Level 2 AC charging and typical daily usage patterns, GPL estimates that EV charging could contribute approximately 7 MW of coincident system load by 2030.

Annual electricity demand associated with EV charging is projected at approximately 20.4 GWh by that time.

GPL noted that the estimates are based on conservative charging behaviour assumptions and are intended to measure the overall impact on the electricity system rather than effects on individual areas.

The company said the gradual adoption of electric vehicles represents a “new and distinct category of electricity demand,” primarily associated with charging at homes and workplaces.

Speaking at a press conference, Indar said the rapid expansion in the number of electricity customers has placed additional pressure on the system, with the hot weather further intensifying consumption.

He said GPL’s customer base has grown from approximately 204,000 in 2020 to 250,000, an increase of about 45,000 customers in five years. In addition, approximately 5,000 customers were added between the end of 2025 and July 2026.

Indar said the current weather conditions are amplifying the effect of that growth.

“What the weather is doing today is just maybe amplifying the problem more, as we have seen it in the numbers because of the heat,” he said.

However, he stressed that some outages are linked to work being undertaken to strengthen and expand the electricity network.

He said GPL must temporarily disconnect sections of the grid to replace ageing transformers, extend networks and change conductors.

The ongoing works include approximately 104 kilometres of network extensions and 55 kilometres of conductor replacement.

“When you change a transformer, we don’t have live maintenance. We have to take off the power to do it,” Indar said.

He explained that continuing to operate deteriorating equipment could ultimately result in more serious failures.

Transformers can degrade over time, while overheating detected on sections of the transmission network can indicate that conductors or other components need to be replaced.

“If you don’t, it trips the entire line,” he said.

Indar described these as “forced outages”, since power has to be deliberately interrupted to allow necessary maintenance to be safely completed.

He said GPL has been directed to provide advance notice whenever planned maintenance will result in an interruption, including the expected duration.

Unplanned outages can also result from damage caused by construction activity, according to the minister.

He said cranes, excavators and other heavy equipment operating near utility infrastructure can strike power lines and cause disruptions.

“If somebody goes with a crane and jam the line, and somebody goes on an excavator and jam the line, it causes an outage,” he said.

Indar said such incidents are difficult for GPL to control, particularly as construction activity expands across the country.

The minister’s comments come as the Government works to increase generation capacity while simultaneously upgrading the transmission and distribution network to accommodate rapidly rising electricity consumption.

He said the combination of increased demand, weather conditions, maintenance requirements and external damage means that the causes of outages are broader than generation capacity alone.

Phillips made the statement on Friday during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, where he was joined by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar and senior officials of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL).

The Prime Minister said unusually hot and dry conditions associated with the prevailing El Niño weather pattern have driven electricity consumption to unprecedented levels.

“We are enduring an unusual dry season, the temperature is a bit high, no rainfall or little rainfall during this period and the demand for energy, especially electricity, will normally go up. So, we have reached an unusual peak in demand for electricity, and that unusual peak has caused us to devise a plan to ensure the reliable supply of electricity, and also, at the same time, creating the necessary reserves, to not only provide for households but also for the business sector, the industrial sector.”

Peak demand on the DBIS reached a record 242.64 megawatts (MW) this week, compared with 221 MW in 2025.

Minister Indar said the system currently has approximately 256 MW of reliable generation, placing available generation above the current peak demand.

He explained that some power interruptions are being caused by increased electricity flows through sections of the network, where feeders, cables and other infrastructure are approaching their thermal limits. This can cause protective systems to trip and temporarily interrupt supply.

Government, through GPL, has begun interventions to redistribute electricity across feeders, strengthen substations and expand transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Demand is projected to reach approximately 266 MW during August, September and October, driven by hotter weather, new housing developments and increased commercial and industrial activity.

GPL’s customer base has grown from approximately 204,000 in 2020 to 250,000 in 2026, while electricity demand has also increased significantly.

Government is also working to boost generation and maintain adequate reserves. A 9.3 MW generating unit at Garden of Eden is expected to return to service by Monday, increasing available generation to approximately 265 MW.

Minister Indar said further generation is expected from the return of a 4.5 MW Hyundai unit, another 5.5 MW generating unit currently undergoing a major overhaul, and an additional 5 MW from the power ships before the end of August.

Government is targeting approximately 280 MW of available generation by the end of August.

As part of its immediate response, Government has also approved conservation measures aimed at reducing demand during peak periods.

Ministries and agencies will be required to switch off lights, air-conditioning units and other non-essential equipment when buildings are not in use. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will also ensure that high-intensity floodlights at community grounds are switched off when the facilities are not being utilised.

Large commercial and industrial consumers with self-generating capacity have been engaged to temporarily come off the national grid between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, when demand peaks.

Households and businesses are also being encouraged to minimise unnecessary electricity consumption while the unusually hot conditions persist.

The press conference also addressed electricity supply in Region Ten, which Minister Indar identified as the only area currently experiencing an actual generation shortfall.

Peak demand in Linden has reached approximately 15.1 MW, compared with about 14.1 MW of available generation from BOSAI. The increase has been partly attributed to growing economic activity, including the presence of approximately 32 sawmills.