Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — Your morning cup of chaos, served hot.
FLOOD WARNING ISSUED — SOMEBODY TELL DE KOKER
The Civil Defence Commission is warning Guyanese to brace for “significant flooding” as heavy rainfall is expected to intensify through the week. The CDC issued the alert Tuesday night after rains already began battering parts of the country. Residents near low-lying areas are being urged to take precautions. The drains, presumably, have been warned too. We’ll wait and see if they got the memo.
— Demerara Waves
DIGITAL ID CARD LAW NOW ACTIVE — BUT WHERE DE DATA PROTECTION?
The Digital Identity Card Act finally came into force on March 31, 2026, more than two years after Parliament passed it. Prime Minister Mark Phillips issued the Commencement Order, calling it a milestone for Guyana’s digital future. However — and this is a rather large however — the Data Protection Act is still not operational. So Guyana now has a law that collects your biometric data, but no law yet telling anyone what they can and cannot do with it. Bold. Very bold.
— Demerara Waves
AFC: RELEASE THE $9 BILLION NOW
Alliance for Change member Jaipaul Sharma is demanding the government immediately inject $9 billion set aside in Budget 2026 to address the cost-of-living crisis. Sharma said food prices “far outstretch” official inflation projections and that 58 percent of Guyanese are living below the poverty line. He could not account for how over $20 billion in previous cost-of-living allocations was spent and challenged the government to “disaggregate it for us.” He also called for public sector workers to receive at least a 25% salary increase. The government has not yet responded. They were probably busy counting.
— Kaieteur News
U.S. AMBASSADOR: RELAX, EXXON IS DOING GREAT THINGS
U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot appeared on SOURCES and assured Guyanese that yes, absolutely, they are benefiting from the oil boom — pointing to community projects, an Exxon sponsorship of the Guyana Amazon Warriors cricket team, and a $100 million STEM agreement. She said she has “no doubt” that it has been “a win-win for both countries.” Critics who have spent years arguing that the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement gave Guyana the short end of the stick are presumably feeling very reassured right now.
— Kaieteur News
GUYANA JOINS CARIBBEAN DRONE SECURITY NETWORK
Guyana is now part of a Caribbean-wide drone surveillance and security network, according to a report from Demerara Waves. Details on the exact scope remain thin, but the initiative follows ongoing security cooperation with the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The drones, one assumes, will be monitoring things other than flooding kokers.
— Demerara Waves
CITY HALL GOING TO COURT OVER RATE ARREARS
Georgetown’s City Council confirmed it is “definitely” taking ratepayers to court to recover billions in unpaid municipal rates. Town Clerk Lelon Saul indicated legal proceedings are being prepared. The council has long complained of chronic underpayments by residents and businesses alike. Given that the roads look like they haven’t seen maintenance since independence, some ratepayers may feel they have a counter-argument ready.
— Demerara Waves
ALBERTTOWN FIRE DESTROYS MULTI-STOREY BUILDING
A fire of unknown origin destroyed a multi-storey wooden and concrete building on Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown on Tuesday evening, leaving at least several families homeless. The DHL/Guywillship facility nearby was reportedly not affected. Investigators are looking into the cause.
— Demerara Waves
GOVERNMENT: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ILLEGAL MINING (FOR REAL THIS TIME)
The Ministry of Natural Resources reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance position on illegal mining following the recent arrest and deportation of five Brazilian nationals caught mining illegally in Guyana’s interior. The four men appeared before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse via Zoom — yes, Zoom — were fined $30,000 GYD each and ordered out of the country within 24 hours. That comes to a cost of roughly one trip to the grocery store. We’re sure that’s a sufficient deterrent.
— Kaieteur News
SOLAR PUSH: GOT $1.2M? YOUR ROOF COULD PAY FOR ITSELF IN 3.5 YEARS
The Guyana Energy Agency announced a new grid-connected solar programme backed by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). A typical 5kWp rooftop installation costs about G$1.2 million, generates around 7,884 kWh per year, and reportedly pays for itself in 3.5 years. The government is inviting citizens to sign up. Folks who can afford the upfront cost of 1.2 million are warmly encouraged to reduce their electricity bills. Everyone else is warmly encouraged to remain hot.
— Kaieteur News
GBTI TO APPEAL RULING ON WIN PARTY ACCOUNTS
The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) says it will appeal a High Court decision that found it wrongfully closed the bank accounts of several members of the Working in Neighbourhoods (WIN) party. The court ruled against GBTI on Monday; the bank says it disagrees and is taking the matter higher. Whether this is about banking policy or political optics remains an open question.
— Demerara Waves
CARIFTA BOUND: 24-MEMBER TEAM DEPARTS TOMORROW
The Athletics Association of Guyana has wrapped its CARIFTA training camp and confirmed a 24-member squad will depart for Grenada on April 2 to compete in the 2026 CARIFTA Games from April 4–6. Officials say they are confident in an improved medal haul. The athletes, at least, are not worried about flooding.
— Guyana Times
The Guyana Daily Brief — because somebody has to read this stuff so you don’t have to.