Guyana Roundup: Land titles, Guyana-France joint working group, gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery

Open Day with Vice President

Around 700 attendees, including farmers and potential re-migrants, met with Guyana Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at an Open Day at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Guyana’s capital Georgetown. Participants were grouped based on their needs and concerns and had direct discussions with relevant ministers, according to local media Stabroek News. While some issues were not resolved on the spot, attendees were optimistic about receiving follow-up updates within a week. The event was praised as a move towards more responsive governance, providing people with the chance to interact directly with government representatives.

Residents receive land titles

Residents of Soesdyke-Timehri, a village located south of the nation’s capital Georgetown, received land titles marking a step towards formalising land ownership and community development. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali acknowledged the complexities of regularising communities along the Soesdyke Highway and announced additional support for beneficiaries, News Room Guyana reports. “Sometimes people believe this is a very simple exercise, but this is the complexity, and we are confronting this complexity in a way that is people-centred, where we can move you into value and improve your prospect of earning,” President Ali said. According to News Room, the government is dedicated to ensuring legal ownership for squatters, with alternative housing options for those who cannot be regularised. The area's growing potential, including mega tourism projects, has led to an increase in land applications.

First meeting of Guyana-France joint working group

The first meeting of the Guyana-France joint working group was held virtually on May 29, 2024, according to News Room Guyana. The discussions focused on cooperation in areas such as defence, regional security, climate change, food security, infrastructure, technology, and tourism. Both countries agreed to initiate programs in these areas and to meet again in the last quarter of 2024 to evaluate progress. The delegations committed to continued engagement to foster closer relations between Guyana and France.

Seized gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery

The Guyana Revenue Authority seized 240 ounces of gold disguised as silver-plated jewellery from three passengers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri, two of whom were US nationals and New York bound, Stabroek News reports. The gold, valued at over $560,000, was being smuggled out of Guyana without permits. The passengers were arrested and handed over to the police, with ongoing investigations to determine if they were part of a smuggling ring.

80 graduate from humanitarian mission classes

80 students graduated from Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc.'s classes, including Cake Decoration, Information Technology, Sewing, and Cosmetology, as reported by Stabroek News. A board member at Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc., Suresh Sugrim expressed pride in the graduates' achievements. “We are immensely proud of our graduating class and all that they have achieved,” Suresh Sugrim said.