The opening day of Guyana’s 13th Parliament saw A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan submit a series of oral questions demanding answers from multiple government ministers on national security, justice administration, and transparency in public contracts.
Duncan’s submissions come a week after the October 26 Georgetown gas-station explosion, which authorities have classified as a terrorist attack. At approximately 7:36 p.m., a powerful blast tore through the Mobil Fuel Station at Regent and King Streets, destroying nearby vehicles and buildings. The explosion, which originated near stored propane cylinders, killed six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured four of her family members.
Police have since arrested several suspects, including Venezuelan national Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, who reportedly confessed to involvement. Investigators believe the device was smuggled from Venezuela and remotely detonated. The High Court has approved continued detention of multiple suspects, while the Guyana Police Force has urged citizens to report any suspicious activity.
In Parliament, Duncan cited Section 7 of the Police Act, Cap. 16:01, stressing that “the Minister’s overarching responsibility for national security makes the Minister accountable for intelligence preparedness.” He asked whether a national threat-assessment bulletin was issued between May and October and what intelligence, if any, was received “concerning the entry of Spanish-speaking nationals now implicated in the Oct 26 attack.”
Emergency Response and Victim Support
Duncan’s questions to the Minister of Home Affairs sought disclosure of “response-time logs for the Fire Service, EMS, and Police for the evening of October 26,” and details on the standard operating procedure governing inter-agency command at mass-casualty scenes.
To the Minister of Health, Duncan requested data on the medical response, including “the patient surge figure handled by GPHC within the first two hours following the blast” and whether “a post-incident medical readiness review” was completed.
He also questioned the Minister of Natural Resources and Public Works about oversight of the Sol (Mobil) branded facility, asking when the last “comprehensive safety inspection” was conducted, whether compliance licences and insurance were valid, and what “compensation framework has been negotiated or triggered for affected employees, customers, and nearby businesses.”
In a separate submission to the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Duncan noted that “families affected by the Oct 26, 2025, gas-station explosion report limited official contact and financial relief.” He called for details on emergency grants, victim compensation, and psychosocial support for traumatised minors.
The Minister of Finance was asked to clarify whether any disbursement was made from the National Disaster Risk Management Fund or Contingencies Fund “toward relief or investigation activities linked to the Oct 26 incident,” and to publish the relevant expenditure details.
Justice and Policing Concerns
Duncan also directed questions at the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the case of Kevon Lorrimer, who was convicted of fraud but “has not been committed to the Guyana Prison Service to serve his lawful sentence.” He asked the Minister to explain the delay, identify “which agency or official is responsible for executing the court’s committal order,” and state “whether any administrative or political intervention has delayed the enforcement of that order.” Duncan urged the Ministry to ensure “uniform application of the law in all convictions, irrespective of the offender’s political affiliation.”
On the issue of policing and protection in Indigenous and hinterland communities, the MP requested the current strength of the Guyana Police Force in Regions 7, 8, and 9, details of any staffing shortfalls, and plans to expand community policing groups or ranger units. He also asked whether police had received specialised training for “environmental, mining, or land-dispute offences relating to Indigenous territories.”
Technology and Transparency
Duncan further questioned whether the Guyana Police Force is using AI-driven crime-prediction software and, if so, “what specific system or vendor has been contracted,” as well as the safeguards in place to prevent bias, false arrests, or discriminatory profiling.
In relation to public accountability, he asked the Minister of Public Works / Energy to lay before the House the complete procurement record for the InterEnergy Group consultancy awarded to the Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL), including “the procurement method used, tender-board minutes, evaluation criteria, and justification if no competitive tender was held.”
Duncan also revisited oversight concerns regarding the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), referencing 2024 procurements valued at G$150 million. He sought confirmation of the categories of equipment acquired, the vendors involved, and what monitoring systems are in place “to ensure that these devices are used within the law and not in a manner that infringes on citizens’ privacy rights.”
The Government is expected to respond to the Opposition MP’s wide-ranging questions at the next sitting of the National Assembly.
