The Evening News Friday, June 12th 2026

[00:00:00]Oh. [music] [music] Good evening and welcome to your Friday, June 12th, 2026 edition of the evening news. I am Misha Henry. Let's take a look at some of the lead stories tonight. Venezuelan arrested [music] as nearly two dozen AK-47 rifles over 500 ammo [music] seized. VP Jack assures 12,000 pre-qualified small [music] contractors of at least one job this year. We need your cooperation.

[00:00:47]President Ali urges as enhancement [music] works continues in Georgetown.

[00:00:52]Over 86,000 Gy children, adolescents undergo [music] health screening and EITI engages Guyana government as second validation gets underway. Now for the news in detail. We begin tonight's newscast by telling you that ranks of the Guyana Police Force and the Customs Anti-narcotics Unit have seized 23 AK-47 assault rifles and over 500 rounds of 7.62 62 39 mm ammunition earlier today at Skoonard Westbang Demorara. Law enforcement sources have confirmed that a Venezuelan national of Grove Eastbank Deara has been arrested in connection with the Cashache of Arms and Ammunition. Up to airtime, however, there were no formal reports from either the police force or CANU on the major seizure. This latest high-powered seizure comes on the heels of the recent discovery of 10 AK-47 rifles in Burbese on May 23. Already, three GY have been charged and are before the courts in relation to the discovery while police are looking for at least one other suspect in connection with the crime.

[00:02:11]With more than 12,000 small contractors from across Guyana now pre-qualified, Vice President Dr. Bar Dradu has assured that each one of them will get at least one contract before the end of this year. The vice president made this commitment earlier today during a public outreach in region 5 where a team of government officials engaged residents and addressed a host of issues raised.

[00:02:36]Andrew Carmichael joins us now with more.

[00:02:40]The government's small contractor program continues to expand with more than 12,000 persons across Guyana now pre-qualified to undertake public work contracts valued below $15 million.

[00:02:53]Speaking at a public outreach in region 5 on Friday, Vice President Dr. Barrett Jago said the administration had extended the pre-qualification period to ensure more people could benefit from the initiative. We had a pre-qualification notice for out for one month. [music] We extended it for 3 months just to get a chance so that everyone could have be pre-qualified. So if you're on that pre-qualified list, you are in good shape.

[00:03:28]It means that over the course of the year we will be seeking to allocate a contract at least one for persons on that list. Jagdo said the initiative had attracted thousands of gy and has become one of the government's most successful programs aimed at creating opportunities for small contractors. However, he noted that with a growing number of participants, contracts must now be distributed in a more structured and equitable manner. Now, if you didn't get in the first instance, which happened recently in this region, [music] you are on the list. So, your people who got in the first instance are not going to get immediately after. Again, we will go down the list of those who did not get who are pre-qualified. [music] So, if you come to me today and say, "I didn't get in the first instance, [music] but I'm on the pre-qualified list," then you have to wait your turn. [music] This is for contracts below $15 million.

[00:04:43]Meanwhile, Friday's public outreach attracted scores of residents from communities across region 5. Throughout the day, government officials met directly with members of the public, listening to concerns and providing updates on programs and services available through the various ministries and agencies. Representatives from the ministries of finance, public works, human services and social security, home affairs, natural resources, labor, local government and regional development and culture, youth and sports were among those participating in the exercise.

[00:05:16]Residents also received information on educational opportunities through the Guyian online academy of learning goal with officials assisting persons interested in pursuing scholarships or further studies. Senior Minister within the office of the president with responsibilities for finance Dr. Ashne Singh said the public outreach reflects the government's commitment to maintaining direct engagement with citizens and addressing issues at the grassroots level and there are many avenues and many vehicles through which we ensure that we bring government to the table.

[00:05:53]For example, we have our regular cabinet request that he has been leaving just in one region 7 and one is coming up very shortly.

[00:06:03]Another one is coming up very short in another region.

[00:06:08]We have multiple we have multiple hosted by vice president.

[00:06:17]We have one.

[00:06:21]We have one in Mexico. We have one in one.

[00:06:27]We have, like I said, multiple ministerial.

[00:06:31]We have on President Ali's instruction the establishment of citizen service centers or government service centers at which key government services are brought into the community and a center is established for the ongoing vision of those and all of these different approaches, different instruments of continuation.

[00:07:01]directly with citizens and ensure that we bring government services directly to citizens. The government outreach lasted several hours with residents seeking assistance on matters ranging from infrastructure and housing to employment, education, and social services. The exercise forms part of the administration's ongoing effort to bring the government's services closer to citizens while ensuring concerns raised at a community level receives direct attention.

[00:07:29]Andrew Carmichael, the evening news.

[00:07:34]>> As the Guyana government continues to roll out the urban beautifification project, President Dr. Uran Ali is calling on citizens, especially in Georgetown, to play their part in helping to keep the city clean and safe.

[00:07:48]Details in this report.

[00:07:51]Over the past few nights, extensive works have been undergoing in Georgetown to enhance drainage and upgrade walkways and carpets as part of efforts to beautify the city and create safer, cleaner, and more accessible public spaces. President Dr. Ali has been overseeing these works which were done at Camp Street and then at Waterlue Street. Here is what blue street from middle street going all the way to cross street. See the beautiful lights the uh people garbage bins and here you see the green from the drain to the road. You're now building the road carpet for parking so it will be smooth, accessible, safe, but we want these areas to not only bring the beauty of Georgetown for it to be safe and accessible. We're trying to do this in the night also so that we have least disruptions in traffic and least inconveniences. So, uh that that is the type of commitment that that we're having out there. However, the GY leader pointed out that while government is making the investments and doing the work, citizens also have a role to play in keeping the city clean and safe.

[00:09:14]>> But we also need the cooperation and collaboration of citizens to remove their derelicts from the carpets to remove uh the old trucks and old cars uh from the carpets to help in the cleanliness of the city. You see here you have a beautiful walkway. You have the drainage system. You have the park and this is of course the collaboration between the government of Ghana of course the office of the forest lady and the private sector here is where uh Kings family the girls hotel has helped us and partner with us in creating this beautiful environment. You see the quality of the benches the quality of uh the the garbage disposal system the carpets that we're building. We want us to take care of this together and we want to work with you. We want to work with the people in building this this beautiful city that we're going to create together.

[00:10:06]>> Moreover, these works are being executed by small contractors from vulnerable areas in the city creating much needed job opportunities.

[00:10:16]>> I did the work out here today so that you know I'm I'm trying to be a part of the one guy and I saw things would be changing so my life could be >> So you're one of the new contractors that came on board. I will say that yes I did I did came on board and this is one of my job that I'm >> the leinking >> yes >> we started that with you guys >> yes we did it >> this urban beautifification project will also be rolled out across all the townships and other urban centers throughout the country >> this is your government investing in the city so that it will uh be not only beautiful it will be welcoming it will be safe and secure and uh we're investing in this for the people from the city to the people of Ghana just like we will do for other areas uh across the country and you know after years of neglecting the city we hope that by now the people of the city are are are seeing a full demonstration of what we can do and our commitment to making the city the best city in this region. We're working with the Kings Foundation and that when the time comes they will give the People's Progressive Party Committee that chance to govern this city and to ensure that we secure the investments that we're making. We're making enormous investments in the city to make it uh something fantastic, welcoming, touristic and uh uh and pleasing to the eye. As part of these urban renewal initiatives, Gayan is working with the Kings Foundation out of the United Kingdom on the Georgetown restoration and revitalization program.

[00:12:00]Reporting for the evening news, Vanuum Manekt.

[00:12:04]>> More than 86,000 children and adolesccents across Guyana have undergone comprehensive health screenings under the Guyana Mount Sinai National Healthcare Initiative. A milestone that is helping to transform primary health care delivery and improve health outcomes for the country's younger population. Here is more in this report.

[00:12:26]These revelations were made during the second quarter steering committee meeting where President Dr. Uran Ali was briefed on the progress of the Guyana Mount Sinai National Healthcare Initiative at state house on Thursday.

[00:12:38]Key pillars of the project include the upgrading of digital health services, school health programs focused on child health screenings, and the expansion of cardiovascular and cancer treatment services. President Ali and members of the steering committee also assessed the implementation of future projects as Guyana continues its transition towards a modern healthcare economy. Speaking at the meeting, executive director of the Mount Sinai Guyana Health Initiative, Dr. Rachel Rayman, praised the country's achievements in child health screening.

[00:13:13]>> To date, over 86,000 children and adolescence in Guyana have received health screenings that are evaluating their [music] dental care, their vision, their hearing, their development, a full physical exam. I was [music] just telling the president and I tell everyone that Guyana's ability to [music] move forward this national child health screening program is unparalleled around the world. I have not seen a single country that has been able to move forward this kind of early childhood initiative with the speed and coverage that Guyana has. This is [music] going to transform what primary care looks like for the children of Guyana, what [music] it looks like for the health of the next generation and to have data and [music] to have the ability to respond to health issues in children and adolesccents at this level is incredible.

[00:14:07]>> Dr. Ryman reaffirmed Mount Sinai's commitment to partnering with the government of Guyana to transform the country's healthcare system. According to Dr. Ryman. One of the most significant achievements of the initiative has been the advancement of a national child health screening program.

[00:14:24]Looking ahead, Dr. Ryman noted that the next phase of the program will focus on expanding services for adolescents and young people.

[00:14:33]>> In the [music] next steps for the child and youth health related screening, we're working to expand services for adolesccents and youth. We're helping to grow the diagnosis and the therapies that are available for kids with challenges like autism. [music] We're working to help to equip Guyana's pediatricians to be the next [music] champions and to lead adolescent health into the future. This includes addressing [music] mental health challenges, addressing substance use issues, and growing [music] the screening programs and the health services that are available for children and youth across the country.

[00:15:08]>> Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony expressed satisfaction with the success the partnership has achieved in Guyana. Anthony highlighted the progress of the initiative noting that it has delivered significant results for the country.

[00:15:22]>> Yeah, we are happy to work along with Mount Sinai. [music] This partnership has been building a number of great results for us already. We can see in school health that we've been able to screen [music] more than 4,000 children and nursery, primary and secondary school [music] and based on the findings, we are able to help these children.

[00:15:44]>> It was also noted that work has been done in primary healthcare with the partnership developing new guidelines and training physicians to provide improved primary health care services for the population. Already [music] we are seeing because of these interventions that more people are complying uh with the [music] treatment that has been given that people are staying longer these treatments and so therefore we seeing less complications among [music] patient. We are now going to expand this into other areas of [music] chronic diseases such as respiratory care, kidney care and >> [music] >> uh and cancer care. So it's exciting time and we look forward to continue [music] working with this partnership.

[00:16:32]>> Misha Henry, the evening news. President Dr. Uran Ali on Friday morning joined his fellow regional leaders for a virtual meeting of the Caraccom Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations.

[00:16:45]The GY leader was accompanied by foreign affairs minister Hu Todd, Guyana's ambassador to Caracum George Talbbert and permanent secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation Sharon Rupchan Edwards.

[00:17:00]During the meeting at the 50th regular meeting of the conference of CARACM heads of government back in February, regional leaders had tasked the subcommittee on reparations with reviewing the revised CARACM 10point plan for reparations. The subcommittee is expected to advise the heads on priority actions for upcoming global engagements, including the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Antigua and Barbuda this November and other strategic forums in 2026.

[00:17:32]The 10-point plan endorsed by heads of government in July 2014 continues to serve as the guiding framework for negotiations with European nations.

[00:17:43]Developed by the Caraciccom Reparations Commission under the leadership of Professor Sir Hillary Beckals, the plan outlines a comprehensive path towards justice and healing for the Caribbean.

[00:17:56]With renewed energy and strategic focus, Caricam is amplifying its voice on the global stage and ensuring that the call for reparatory justice resonates across countries and generations.

[00:18:11]Coming up, EITI engages Guyana government as second validation gets underway and one communications to expand retail footprint Hinterland services across Guyana.

[00:18:28][music] [music] Heat up here. [music] [music] [music] >> [music] >> In today's tough driving conditions, every engine faces three powerful enemies: engine heat, pollutants, and frequent short trips. Each factor is a direct cause of engine sludge, a buildup of dirt that can block vital oilways.

[00:19:42]This triple threat demands triple protection.

[00:19:46]Castrol GTX's triple protect power is engineered to fight these three main causes of engine sludge.

[00:19:59]>> [music] >> Welcome back. You're watching the evening news. An international validation team from the Norway headquartered Extrative Industries Transparency Initiative is currently in Guyana conducting the country's second EITI validation. The validation process forms part of Guyana's ongoing obligations as an implementing country under the global transparency framework which assesses how effectively countries manage and disclose information related to their extractive sectors including oil and gas, mining, forestry and fisheries. Over the past few days, the EITI team has been meeting with the government, state agencies, and multistakeholder organizations regarding Guyana's oil and gas, as well as extrative sectors. On Friday, the visiting officials engaged a government parliamentary team for several hours at the Arthur Trunk Convention Center.

[00:21:05]During this interaction, the government ministers presented a voluminous body of information upon the request of the EITI delegation. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anel Nandl, who was part of the local team, says that this engagement is yet another demonstration of the Guyana government's willing embrace of international scrutiny and global reporting mechanisms. This position, he added, manifests itself in every important national endeavor.

[00:21:38]One Communications has outlined plans to expand its services into more Hinterland communities while rolling out a new standard for customer service and retail operations across Guyana, using its newly launched store at the Giflland Mall as a blueprint for future upgrades nationwide. Let's have a look. Our brand new sir, one communication.

[00:22:03]Give it a round of applause.

[00:22:06]Through the hard work, we have done it.

[00:22:09]>> In keeping with the government's push to advance digital transformation and improve access to services nationwide, One Communications has announced plans to expand into more hintterland communities. Speaking at the launch of the new retail spot located at Gifan Mall, One Communications Chief Operating Officer Randall Emerson Herit explained how the new space will set the tone for the vision the entity has to ensure Guyana is digitally equipped throughout its hinterland regions. So, this new store is our new blueprint of what we are going to be doing over all of our retail properties over the next couple of years to get a consistent look and feel and standard. Because at the end of the day, without you, the customer, we don't have a reason for being, right?

[00:23:02]Our reason for being is to wow customers every day and deliver on that expectation that high belief that you have with our service and products across the whole width, length and breadth of Guyana. Um, so we are not only a coastal service. We are expanding into the hintterland to get to more communities as we try to further the entire digitalization process which the government of Guyana has put forward and we actively will support. The Guyana government is accelerating a massive digital inclusion drive in the hinterland to bridge the coastal to interior divide by combining a national satellite network with direct submarine and terrestrial fiber optic expansions.

[00:23:57]The state has connected all 253 remote riverine and indigenous communities to high-speed internet. Meanwhile, president of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kathy Smith, welcomed the opening of the new One Communications Outlet, noting that its location at Giflan Mall will make it more convenient for customers to access services while carrying out their daily activities. I really want to take the opportunity to extend congratulations to the onecom family on yet creating an opportunity where gy can find easy access of doing business because many of times sometimes we as businesses might wait for the clientele to come to us or might want to think that what we are offering is essential. So they have to find us. But I'm always impressed and really supportive of um institutions and organization like onecom who would always find spaces for consumer to feel at ease because right here at Gland um office marks we know a lot of people come here for various things right and it's only easy that when a mother or father is doing some errand that they can stop in to do their own business. So this is what innovation look like. This is this is what supporting the business community looks like and also supporting gy.

[00:25:34]>> Mishal Henry, the evening news.

[00:25:37]The 48-year-old Canadian-based GY pilot who was detained at the Cheddar International Airport Terry last month in connection with the transporting of a quantity of raw gold has been fined. On May 28th, the pilot, who was an outgoing passenger destined for Toronto, was taken into custody after he was intercepted by police and customs officials during screening procedures at the CGIA. [clears throat] This was after some 0.563 o of raw gold was found in his luggage.

[00:26:12]asked for an update on the matter. Crime chief Wendel Blanham told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Thursday that the man had to pay a fine. Here is more of what he said on the matter.

[00:26:25]As far as I'm aware, he would have paid the necessary fine for attempting to leave the Chagan International Airport with that amount of gold. And as a result, the DPP recommended no further proceeding against him.

[00:26:44]>> So that kind of paid without passing through the court.

[00:26:47]>> The at the end of the day, we have to rely on the DPP. The DPP has the power to state to state who's to be charged and who's not to be charged. So the DPP having perosed the file which basically disclosed contents that the pilot paid the money or the fine decided that we should not proceed any further. The Guyana government is tapping into the expertise of key partners such as the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture to ramp up coffee production in the country. Find out more in this report.

[00:27:26]Agriculture Minister Zulfuka Mustapa says that Guyana is working with the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation on agriculture to scale up coffee production in regions 1 and two where the Arabica and Liberica varieties are being cultivated in relation to the cocoa.

[00:27:46]that we have that coffee and working have that idea that we must so we can work in area and the region so we can increase the Mustapa made these remarks during a recent engagement President Ali had with representatives from IICA and other stakeholders. Guyana has been eyeing largecale cocoa and coffee cultivation.

[00:28:18]In fact, ICA's representative in Guyana, Wilmer Garnet, says that it is a growing interest in the country's budding coffee industry.

[00:28:28]In terms of the coffee and the cocoa, we know quite a bit of investors are interested and so we are engaging because we want to move commercial scale. But it's interesting that they talk about the quality which is very important. So we also for example director was general we arrangement strategic reason one reason because it's a very market to enter This specialization is very important.

[00:29:12]>> Guyana's coffee industry is experiencing a governmentbacked revitalization with the aim of restoring region 1 as a prominent coffee producing area. Back in July 2025, Guyana inked a historic agreement with the Dominican Republic to commence largescale cocoa and coffee cultivation in region 1. This will see approximately 200 acres each of coffee and cocoa as part of Guyana's broader efforts to boost economic diversification and expand regional trade. At peak production, the project is expected to yield approximately 8,000 metric tons of cocoa benefiting nearly 3,000 GE. Misha Henry, the evening news.

[00:29:57]And now for a look at the bridge reports. The Burby's River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 15 hours 10 for a period of 1 and a half hours. West Indies search to victory in series opener against Sri Lanka and GSL partners with CWI for major promotional boost. These stories and much more coming up in this evening's sports cast.

[00:30:30]>> [music] [music] >> Business owners, it's time to level up with sylvvies online.com. Shopping with us is a breeze. Browse online and plan your purchase. Check realtime stock availability. Enjoy expert instore assistance. Whether you're on site or in the office, shop at sylvsononline.com.

[00:30:56]Visit sylvsonline.com today and make your next big upgrade easy.

[00:31:00]sylvviesonline.com, your partner in productivity. [music]