http://V-pacguyana.com/, https://forms.gle/2JeXHfx2UFgR6RUB6

VPAC Guyana, Georgetown (2026)

26/10/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭?

VPAC Calls For Stronger Driver Licensing, Mandatory Safety Training And Road Safety Reform

Guyana continues to lose lives on its roads, leaving families grieving and communities asking what could have been done to prevent these tragedies.

Recent accidents have once again raised questions about road safety, including lighting, speeding, dangerous driving and vehicle conditions. These concerns deserve serious attention. But we must also ask whether every driver operating a minibus, taxi, truck or other commercial vehicle has the necessary training, experience and competence to be on our roads.

VPAC has previously called for stronger road-safety measures, including better training for commercial drivers, (including hire-car and minibus drivers) stricter licensing requirements and effective enforcement. We have also seen the Government announce or agree to certain measures. That is a step in the right direction, but agreeing to a policy on paper and ensuring that it is implemented and enforced on the road are two different things.

VPAC is calling for mandatory certified defensive-driving training and practical re-testing at regular intervals for commercial drivers (including hire-car and minibus drivers). Speed governors should be required for appropriate categories of public transport and heavy-duty vehicles, supported by effective inspections and serious penalties for tampering. Drivers who repeatedly break the law must face meaningful consequences, and licences should not be renewed automatically without proper assessment.

We also need improved lighting, road signs, reflective markings and speed monitoring on dangerous stretches of roadway. A national road-safety education campaign must reach drivers, pedestrians and schoolchildren. The Government should publish a clear plan outlining the reforms to be implemented, the agencies responsible and the deadlines for delivery.

The Government should tell the public which measures have already been implemented, which remain outstanding, and when the remaining reforms will take effect. Announcements are not enough. Guyanese need to see these measures working on the roads, with proper monitoring and consistent enforcement.

These are not questions for one political party to answer. Road safety is a national responsibility, and both Government and Opposition should be able to support practical measures that protect lives.

VPAC will continue to press for these reforms, not simply to see policies announced, but to see them implemented and enforced. The measure of success must not be what is promised at a press conference, but whether fewer families have to bury their loved ones

25/10/2026

𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲 🎷

Last night, Francis traded words for music and let the saxophone do the talking! 🎶

24/10/2026

𝐊𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆$𝟏𝟗𝟗 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭?

VPAC is calling on the Ministry of Education to provide an update on the construction of the Kopinang Secondary School in Region Eight, a G$199,376,751 project awarded to Sheriff Construction Inc. The contract was recorded in the public procurement documents in May 2024, and construction officially commenced on July 2, 2024.

We also want clarity on how much has been paid so far and when the school is expected to open.

The school was intended to accommodate approximately 250 students and provide improved access to secondary education for children in Kopinang and surrounding communities. Yet VPAC has received reports from the community that the school remains incomplete, while photographs of the dormitory and kitchen extension show work that appears to have stalled at the foundation stage.

We are also being told that no contractor has been on site for more than six months. If that information is accurate, the Ministry needs to explain what has caused the apparent stoppage, whether the relevant contractors are meeting their obligations, and what arrangements are being made to complete the work.

VPAC is asking the Ministry to clarify the current status of the main school building, the dormitory and the kitchen. Are these being delivered under separate contracts? Who are the contractors responsible for each component, how much has been paid to date, what were the agreed completion dates, and when can the community expect the facilities to be ready for use?

Children in hinterland communities deserve the same attention to the delivery of public projects as children anywhere else in Guyana.

23/10/2026

$𝟏.𝟕 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐢 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥: 𝐕𝐏𝐀𝐂 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝

VPAC believes it is only fair to ask former Education Minister Priya Manickchand to help clarify what took place during her tenure, as questions continue to surround the G$1.7 billion Karasabai Secondary School project and concerns are also being raised about Cracrana Primary School, another school project in Region 9.

The contract was awarded in February 2023, when Manickchand was the minister responsible for education, with the school expected to be completed within two years. More than three years later, the project has faced delays, and the people of Karasabai are still waiting for the school they were promised.

We recognize that following the elections, ministers may be moved from one ministry to another. Sonia Parag is now the Minister of Education, and she has a responsibility to address the outstanding issues and ensure that the project moves forward. We are not suggesting otherwise.

But we must also remember that this is not a new government taking over from a different political administration. It is the same PPP government serving a new term, with changes in ministerial responsibilities. The contracts and decisions made during the previous term remain part of that government’s record.

That is why we believe Priya Manickchand should be willing to assist in clarifying what oversight was carried out, what was known about the project’s progress, and what steps were taken when delays became apparent. But this is about getting a complete picture of what really happened.

When a project of this size is delayed and our children are left without the proper facilities they were promised, the public should not have to piece together the answers on its own. The people deserve full transparency, and the children deserve to have their school.

VPAC is asking for answers. We believe that everyone who has relevant information has a part to play in helping the public understand what went wrong and ensuring that this project is finally completed.

23/10/2026

𝐕𝐏𝐀𝐂 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

Following the testimony before the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry, VPAC believes the Government must act now to verify the safety of every government-operated passenger ferry in Guyana.

Questions have been raised about maintenance, safety procedures, crew training, inspections and certification records. While the Commission must establish the facts surrounding the MV Barima tragedy, the Government has a separate responsibility to ensure that passengers travelling today are adequately protected.

VPAC is calling for an immediate, independent safety audit of the entire government passenger-ferry fleet, including physical inspections, verification of required certificates, checks of lifesaving equipment and an assessment of crew preparedness.

Any vessel found to have serious safety deficiencies must be restricted from carrying passengers until those deficiencies are properly addressed or its safe and lawful operation is independently established.

We are also calling for the findings to be made public, with a vessel-by-vessel safety report so that passengers and communities can have confidence in the transport services on which they depend.

We are not about prejudging the findings of the Commission or assigning blame before the evidence is established. It is about taking reasonable steps to prevent another tragedy.

The Commission must investigate what happened to the MV Barima. The Government must act now to protect the passengers still travelling on our ferries.

Guyana must not wait for another maritime disaster before addressing potential safety deficiencies.

22/10/2026

𝐆$𝟏.𝟕 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐢 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡: 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

Yesterday, VPAC raised serious concerns about the $1.7 billion Karasabai Secondary School project awarded to Avinash Contracting and called for the contractor to be blacklisted over the project’s delays.

Now, questions are being raised about Cracrana Primary School, another school project in Region 9. With concerns already surrounding the Karasabai project, the public has every reason to ask what is happening with other school projects in the region. Our children cannot be left waiting while millions and billions of dollars are spent on projects meant to serve their communities.

The issue cannot end with one contractor. The Ministry of Education has a responsibility to monitor these projects, ensure the deadlines are respected, and take appropriate action when commitments are not met.

So, what is the Minister of Education doing to ensure that these projects are completed? Who is monitoring the contractors, and what consequences follow when school projects are delayed?

Children in Region 9 deserve the same attention and commitment as children anywhere else in Guyana. Parents and taxpayers should not have to keep asking when the promised schools will be completed.

VPAC will continue to follow these projects and will demand answers. The public deserves to know who is responsible and what is being done to deliver the schools our children need.

21/10/2026

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫?

Following the CDC’s announcement of a potential oil spill risk involving a barge carrying approximately 8,000 barrels of waste oil at a private wharf on the East Bank of Demerara, VPAC is calling for answers.

We call on the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) to confirm whether the facility and its petroleum-storage operations are properly licensed and whether all required approvals are current and in compliance with the applicable Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations and other relevant laws.

VPAC also calls on the relevant authorities to confirm whether the barge and the facility comply with all applicable petroleum, maritime and environmental safety regulations, including whether all required licences, safety certificates, inspections and pollution-prevention measures are current and in place.

We also call on MARAD to clarify whether the barge meets applicable maritime safety requirements, holds the necessary pollution-prevention certificates and insurance, and has undergone the required inspections. What deficiencies, if any, were identified, and have they been corrected? The EPA and Guyana Fire Service should also confirm whether the necessary environmental approvals and fire-safety arrangements are in place.

VPAC also calls on the relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate oil-spill containment measures, including containment booms where suitable, are deployed around the barge as a precaution against any discharge into the Demerara River.

The questions are straightforward: Were all the required licences and safety certificates in place? Had the necessary inspections been carried out, and was the barge operating in compliance with the relevant regulations? These are questions the authorities should be able to answer.

21/10/2026

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐢 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥: 𝐕𝐏𝐀𝐂 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝

A $1.7 billion secondary school in Karasabai, Region Nine, was supposed to be completed within two years. More than three years after the contract was signed in February 2023, the school remains unfinished, and reports reaching the Vigilant Political Action Committee VPAC) describe children continuing to learn under inadequate conditions, including under a tree and a benab.

This is not just simply another delayed construction project. It is about our children whose education should not have to wait while contractors miss their deadlines and the country waits for answers.

The people of Karasabai have been waiting for years. In 2020 residents were assured that a secondary school and dormitory would be built, The $1.7 billion contract for the new school was signed in February 2023, with completion scheduled within two years. The Ministry of Education said the facility would accommodate 500 students in classrooms and provide dormitory space for 250 students from Karasabai and surrounding communities.

In April 2026, President Irfaan Ali acknowledged the delay and said the contractor had received a three-month extension because of weather and other issues, warning that liquidated damages would apply after that period. The public now deserves an update: Has the extended deadline passed? Have liquidated damages been imposed? What action has been taken to ensure that the school is completed?

VPAC believes the government must take a firm position on contractors who repeatedly fail to deliver public projects on time. We have also received complaints about unfinished projects and repeated extensions involving this contractors. Those complaints must be properly examined, and the public must be told what action is being taken where failures are established.

VPAC is calling for Avinash Contracting’s performance on this project to be formally reviewed, and for the company to be considered for blacklisting or debarment from future public contracts if the evidence and applicable procurement rules justify that action. This must be handled through the proper process, but it must not be allowed to disappear into another round of promises and extensions.

Where a contract has been breached, the government must enforce the penalties available under the contract, including liquidated damages and any applicable performance bond provisions. Public money comes from the people, and contractors are entrusted with that money must be held to their obligations.

The government cannot allow children to continue suffering because a school that was promised years ago is still not ready. Every additional delay has consequences for students, parents and teachers, especially in hinterland communities where access to secondary education is already a challenge.

VPAC’s position is, If a contractor cannot meet its obligations without valid justification, there must be consequences. Government must stop treating repeated extensions as a substitute for delivery.

The children of Karasabai deserve a proper school and not another deadline. Likewise the public deserves to know when this project will finally be completed.

21/10/2026

$𝟏.𝟕 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐢’𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲?

20/10/2026

𝐕𝐏𝐀𝐂 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝!

20 October 2026 | Georgetown, Guyana

The Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC) has written to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Finance Minister Dr Ashni K. Singh, calling for a review of the Guyana Development Bank’s eligibility rules to ensure that senior citizens are not excluded from accessing loans solely because of their age.

VPAC noted that the Government has committed G$20 billion to the programme, which offers loans of up to G$3 million to help Guyanese start businesses, expand existing enterprises and improve their livelihoods. With approximately 90,000 pensioners in Guyana, many of whom live on a monthly pension of G$46,000, VPAC believes older citizens should also have a fair opportunity to benefit from this initiative.

In its letter, VPAC proposed that citizens between the ages of 60 and 70 be considered for loans of up to G$1.5 million, while those between 70 and 80 could qualify for loans of up to G$750,000. Children or grandchildren could also be permitted to co-sign as guarantors, subject to appropriate lending requirements.

VPAC stressed that protecting public funds and creating opportunities for senior citizens are not mutually exclusive. Reasonable loan limits, proper assessments and suitable repayment arrangements could help achieve both objectives.

“Our senior citizens are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for a fair chance to remain productive, support their families and benefit from the development of the country they helped build,” VPAC stated.

VPAC is urging President Ali and Minister Singh to review the eligibility rules and ensure that the G$20 billion initiative creates opportunities across generations, rather than excluding citizens simply because they have reached the age of 60.

VPAC Guyana

26/10/2026

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