Your five-minute briefing on everything happening in the Land of Many Waters. Served fresh, slightly spicy, and completely unsponsored.

GOVERNMENT TAKES 22 GEORGETOWN STREETS — CITY HALL CALLS IT ILLEGAL

In a move that has Georgetown politicians reaching for their lawyers, the government quietly gazetted 22 major city streets as public roads under central government control — transferring authority from the Mayor and City Council to the Ministry of Public Works, effective March 21. Regent Street, Robb Street, Camp Street, Lamaha Street, and the Eastern Highway are among the corridors now under Minister Juan Edghill’s portfolio. Mayor Alfred Mentore called it “unlawful governance” and “arbitrary centralisation of local assets by executive fiat,” noting there was zero prior consultation with the elected Council. The M&CC summoned an extraordinary statutory meeting today to deal with the matter, and Mentore has threatened legal action if the decision isn’t reversed. The government, for its part, has not yet offered a public explanation.

What to watch: Whether the courts get involved, and whether this is a revenue grab, a maintenance move, or both.

EXXON IS BUILDING OIL SHIP NUMBER EIGHT — WITHOUT GOVERNMENT APPROVAL

ExxonMobil has awarded contracts to begin construction on its eighth Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel for the Longtail project offshore Guyana — without formal government approval for the project. Kaieteur News columnist GHK Lall put it plainly: two questions are being asked by Guyanese — who is making decisions here, and who exactly is in charge? Separately, Exxon is also seeking approval to increase production at its fourth project, Yellowtail, from 263,000 barrels per day to a higher threshold. Guyana’s daily oil output is already past 900,000 barrels. Two Guyanese companies have also secured contracts on the US$6.8 billion Hammerhead FPSO — though critics note that on a $6.8 billion ship, Guyana got the handrails.

The fastest-growing economy in the world, and the big fish keep coming. Whether Guyanese are getting their fair share of the catch remains the standing question.

KRISTI NOEM VISITS STATE HOUSE — SECURITY COOPERATION ON THE TABLE

US Special Envoy Kristi Noem met with President Irfaan Ali at State House this week to discuss security cooperation between Guyana and the United States. No detailed communiqué has been released, but the visit follows a pattern of deepening US-Guyana engagement tied to both the Essequibo border situation with Venezuela and the country’s oil boom. The US Air Force’s LAMAT 2026 medical mission also concluded today after two weeks of providing specialised care alongside Guyanese health professionals — primary care, minor surgeries, dental, and ophthalmology across multiple sites.

$100,000 CASH GRANT — FINANCE MINISTER SAYS NO BANK ACCOUNT, NO PROBLEM

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh moved to address growing concern that Guyanese without bank accounts would be shut out of the government’s $100,000 cash grant programme, promising that alternative distribution mechanisms will be in place. The grant, announced in Budget 2026 and billed as part of the “Because We Care” initiative, is now entering its second distribution phase. How exactly those without accounts will receive funds has not yet been detailed.

BUILDING EXPO 2026 — GUYANA’S CONSTRUCTION FUTURE ON DISPLAY

The International Building Expo 2026 is set to showcase innovation, sustainability, and climate-resilient infrastructure as Guyana’s construction sector continues rapid expansion. The expo reflects the country’s growing appetite for housing, commercial development, and infrastructure investment driven by oil revenues.

CARIBBEAN LABOUR CONFERENCE OPENS IN GEORGETOWN

The 7th Caribbean Regional Conference of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF) opened in Georgetown with labour leaders from across the region calling for stronger worker protections amid AI, automation, and economic disruption. Labour Minister Keoma Griffith anchored his address in the legacy of Cheddi Jagan. GAWU, NAACIE, and CCWU all participated.

GUYANA OBJECTS TO SURINAME’S NEW CORENTYNE RIVER CHARGES

President Ali formally protested new charges reportedly imposed by Suriname for use of the Corentyne River, warning of threats to trade and cooperation between the two countries. Suriname’s Foreign Minister subsequently engaged Guyanese authorities. The Corentyne is a shared border river and a significant transit route for communities and goods.

CRIME BRIEF

A 16-year-old labourer is among four people in police custody following the theft of $7 million Guyana dollars from a businesswoman at Durban Backlands. Two police officers are in close arrest following the death of a 30-year-old man in custody — Haslington residents blocked a road in protest. A 33-year-old vendor received a 32-year prison sentence for the 2021 murder of a man he stabbed 17 times. The Mohameds’ extradition proceedings have been stayed by the CCJ following a dengue diagnosis that halted their local court hearing.

UNCLE RAMESH’S CORNER

Uncle Ramesh is a fictional PPP supporter who reads only the Chronicle and believes every road the government builds deserves a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Well, they take the streets, and you all vex. But who was filling the potholes before? Not City Hall, I can tell you that. And Exxon building another ship? Another ship means another payday. You think the handrails fall from the sky? Somebody Guyanese made those handrails. That is economic participation, not charity. And Kristi Noem come to State House — you see anybody from the opposition getting visits from American envoys? Exactly. Carry on.

Sources: Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, Demerara Waves | Friday, March 27, 2026