- President Ali emphasises that every investment is part of a clear strategic plan
- Agriculture Minister delivers crucial support to farmers ‘Self-reflection’ required ahead of consultations to update local content legislation - Minister Indar tells stakeholders, as some businesses continue to bend the rules
after initially querying whether he
UNIT ED Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, is set to champion a significant infrastructure deal aimed at boosting collaboration with British construction businesses while supporting the expansion of Guyana's primary international airport.
This was according to a release from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on the heels of Lammy’s first official visit to Guyana and the Caribbean since assuming his role as Foreign Secretary back in July 2024.
The British official of Guyanese parentage, arrived in Guyana last Thursday, and on Friday visited Ogle, East Coast of Demerara, where construction is ongoing on the country’s premier maternity hospital. The facility is being constructed using steel manufactured in Yorkshire.
This underscores how UK exports are improving Guyana’s healthcare provision, while creating jobs back in Britain to help build the foundations of a stronger economy.
Back in November, Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali had announced that there are some very exciting projects in the pipeline as trade between
Guyana and the UK was reaching new heights.
“We have some very exciting projects that are being examined now that we hope will be accelerated. There are some very exciting projects in the pipeline, not only in infrastructure, shipping and logistics, but importantly we have exciting news with British investment in agriculture, tourism, logistics and transport services, all of which are coming into place,” President Ali had said.
He added that with KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines)’s entrance into the Guyanese market, a lot of issues that are humbugging trade will be removed.
The airline will commence flights between Guyana and the Netherlands from June 4, 2025, offering customers connection to 21 destinations in the United Kingdom, and 142 additional destinations beyond Amsterdam.
“This is not a competition; this is creating and expanding markets. As we get more airlifts coming into Guyana, we need to look at the value-related chain. For example, what are the high-value products that we can get into British markets as close to fresh as possible,” he said.
- President Ali, emphasises that every investment is a part of a clear, strategic plan
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has emphasised the critical role of Guyana’s local content legislation and standardisation in the country’s development. His comments came on the heels of the commissioning of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Laboratory earlier this week, when Pres ident Ali stressed investments like these are being made done with a clear strategic plan.
He said: “It's an important aspect of the evolution of the local content [law], it's not accidental. Policy making is integrated into all aspects of national life, so local content is not in isolation of this. It complements each other.”
The Head of State pointed out greater standardisation and standards allow for greater productivity.
“We now come to the local content legislation, fully certified with the standard to take this forward," he said.
The new laboratory will carry with it - accreditation that allows local products to fit into international markets.
serves as a form of branding.
“When you have certain ISO standards attached to your product, its branding is telling you your product is consistent with any other global product in this line, because you carry the same branding,” Dr. Ali said.
He added: “If we are viewed as a destination, as a country that upholds the highest standard, then it helps our brand.”
According to Dr. Ali, the government is also simultaneously investing in the human-resource capacity of the GNBS.
The new facility, he further explained, will bridge the existing gaps businesses in Guyana face contend with, especially when assessing their capabilities to negotiating deals.
“We're investing in a facility that will allow you to bridge that gap
The Head of State said: “International marketplace requires this foundational investment. So the economy requires standards. We have to be able to set those standards, educate the population and investors about the standards.”
so that you will not be put at a negotiating disadvantage, or that you will not be placed in a position where you can lose partnership opportunity because you're operating at a different level. So international partnership, this is also an important aspect of the local content legislation," the President said.
He noted that the GNBS was among several key agencies that were necessary in the transformation, competitiveness and diversification of Guyana’s
economy.
“As we move into manufacturing, industrial development, agro-processing, we have to be able to have in-house capacity, in-country capacity, and capability to do the testing, to do the accreditation of the products,” the Head of State said, adding : “This lab at this facility will carry with it the international accreditation that allows our local product[s] to fit into international market[s] by having accreditation here locally.”
Testing will be a crucial component of the facility, as it ensures there are measurable indicators for validation. There is a need for a reliable method of verification, and the facility will support these verification processes.
Testing plays a significant role and when everything aligns, it provides products with a competitive advantage in the market. By adhering to top standards, obtaining certification will see the elevation of Guyanese products, which also
The new laboratory will be instrumental in supporting this diversification by providing crucial services to a range of industries.
The facility which was funded by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will see the verification of blood pressure monitors, MPG meters, and sound-level meters.
It will also provide testing services for construction materials, ensuring the strength and integrity of buildings, which is crucial for the country’s development.
Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva has been discharged from hospital after undergoing emergency surgery for a brain bleed, doctors said Sunday.
The 79-year-old appeared alongside his medical team at a news conference at the Sírio-Libanês hospital in São Paulo.
"This here is not an interview; this is simply a session to say thanks. To thank, firstly, God, who has looked after me in a very generous manner," he said.
‘Lula’ was taken to hospital last Monday after he had complained of a
severe headache.
Doctors performed a craniotomy on the president, a procedure in which part of the bone is surgically removed from the skull to treat the bleed and relieve the pressure. The bone is then replaced.
The brain bleed, or intracranial haemorrhage, was caused by a blow to the head he sustained when he fell in his bathroom at the presidential residence in October, according to a hospital statement.
"Thank you very much for the prayers," Lula added on Sunday. "And for those who only have hate,
you're forgiven. I am here, alive, whole, and with more desire to work."
Last Tuesday, doctors said the president was in a stable condition following the surgery and was conscious.
Lula was "lucid" and conversing with medical staff, they added. They also insisted that he had not sustained any brain injury, and was not experiencing after-effects from the surgery.
Asked when he would return to the capital, doctors had said that if everything went well, they expected Lula to be back in Brasilia "next week".
While Lula was in hospital, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin took on some of the president's commitments.
The doctors said the
bleeding was a result of the fall Lula had sustained in October.
They explained that it was not unusual for problems from a blow to the head to appear "months later".
Lula had slipped in the bathroom in the Alvorada Palace on 19 October and hit the back of
his head. On Sunday, he explained he had been cutting his toe nails at the time, and had been sitting down.
He went on to have five stitches. On his doctors' advice, the president cancelled his planned trip to Russia for a summit of the Brics countries.
He returned to full duties days later. Lula has been in power since January last year after narrowly beating the incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, in a bitterly fought election.
During the election campaign, he often joked that he had "the energy of a 30-yearold". (BBC)
after initially querying
LEADER of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes on Friday said that he has not yet conducted a review of the party's role in the attempts to influence the outcome of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
When asked by the Guyana Chronicle if the analysis was done, Hughes initially replied: "Did I undertake to do an analysis?"
However, after a brief silence, he recalled his commitment to conduct the analysis, and then blamed the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for not yet starting the process.
“We haven’t completed that as yet; no,” Hughes said during the party's press conference.
He said that the party is expected to do so, and further indicated that as part of this process they want to meet with the GECOM.
Hughes claimed that over the past four to five weeks, the elections commission has refused to meet with the party.
Further chiming in, the party’s chairman, David Patterson said that there are several “issues” that have to be cleared up by the Elections Commission and as such they are awaiting a meeting.
Hughes had noted that his party will have to conduct an investigation into
what it did during the 2020 General and regional elections, when he was asked some time ago if the party
is going to apologise for the role it played in attempting to rig the elections.
At the time, he’d noted that no apology would be forthcoming from his party for its role during that period until the party conducts a review of what it did during that period.
“An apology is premised on the fact that there is a fault. I'm not saying that we will not find faults, but when we have completed that process of reviewing what we did and didn’t do during the period in office, and similarly, what we did and didn’t do during the 2020 elections, then we can
have a discussion on that [apology],” he’d said.
Three former members of the AFC, Trevor Williams, Dominic Gaskin and Leonard Craig, and one current member Michael Carrington have all said, publicly, that the APNU+AFC had lost the 2020 elections and that there were attempts to change the results to deny the PPP its victory.
Hughes is, however, maintaining that he is unaware of any such involvement of the AFC, stressing instead that the party will have to conduct an investigation into what it did.
By Julie Carrington
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (GIS) – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is calling for greater collaboration among the 18 countries that have signed on to the Alliance for Security Justice and Development in the wake of the rising incidence of crime across the region.
Prime Minister Mottley warned that the region could lose the battle against perpetrators of crime if its leaders failed to put up a united front against criminal activity.
The prime minister was speaking during the launch of the Latin America and the Caribbean Alliance for Security and Development and the Alliance’s Caribbean Chapter: One Safe Caribbean.
This occurred on Day Two at the government of Barbados and Inter-American Development Bank’s Regional Security and Justice Summit at Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Mottley maintained that law-abiding citizens must see it as their responsibility to work with agencies involved in the crime fight, to work with the entities and the agen-
cies who may treat to this as a “frontline” responsibility.
“The efforts of one country fighting a battle on crime or on the illicit flow of guns or the illicit flow of money will never work. What is required is the level of cooperation and alliance which we have come here today to settle and that the Caribbean chapter will emerge from here is consistent with the decisions of the CARICOM heads of government three weeks ago.
If we do not resolve to ensure that we can work together as societies and as regional alliances, we will not make this journey together successfully,”
Mottley stated.
The prime minister said the Alliance’s goals were cohesive with CARICOM’s, as she cited her recent visit to Georgetown, Guyana, where the George Bridge Declaration was established to signal the collective response of regional leaders in tackling the problem.
Mottley also urged regional leaders not to allow crime to derail their efforts at tackling other pressing issues in their respective countries.
“There must be a de-
termined effort day by day, … to ensure that crime and violence do not disrupt our societies, and do not dislocate or distract from the very other difficult issues that we face in bringing development to our people. We have agreed, for example, that there are aspects of this multidisciplinary fight that must be treated at the regional level and the hemispheric level,”
Prime Minister Mottley said.
Meanwhile, president of the IDB, Ilan Goldfajn, said the bank was committed to assisting regional governments in fighting organised crime, considering the signifi -
cant losses annually.
“Every year in Latin America and the Caribbean, 3.4 per cent of GDP is lost to the impact of crime. That is a big number, a staggering cost that drains economies and disrupts lives. Organised crimes account for nearly half of all homicides in the region and they are getting more sophisticated,” Goldfajn said.
Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Lammy, in his address, stated that the British government will allocate £27 million in new funding to the region to build up law enforcement intelligence gathering capabilities in the Eastern
Caribbean to better equip law enforcers to “take on the criminals and to support public campaigns discouraging individuals from turning to violence.”
“We will give £5 million specifically to your vulnerable Caribbean Fund to strengthen institutions like CARICOM and the Regional Security System. Through these bilateral agreements and long-standing work of our diplomats and law enforcement officers, we are
making life hard for the criminal gangs,” Lammy underlined.
During the ceremony, there were also remarks from Attorney-General Dale Marshall; president of the alliance and minister of the interior in Ecuador, Mónica Palencia; and deputy prime minister and the minister of national security of Jamaica, Horace Chang.
(Caribbean Global News)
AS the 2025 General and Regional Elections approach, the Working People's Alliance (WPA) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) are scrambling to forge coalitions and partnerships in a bid to effectively challenge the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
This frantic pursuit is not merely a strategic manoeuvre; it reflects a deep-seated desperation stemming from their previous failures and the realisation that their individual platforms may not resonate strongly enough with voters. Ironically, these parties, which have vocally criticised their coalition partners during their time in office from 2015 to 2020, now find themselves in a position where they must reconcile their past
grievances with the necessity of collaboration.
The WPA's departure from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition in 2020 was marked by accusations of disrespect and unilateral decision-making by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the dominant party within APNU. The WPA cited repeated violations of coalition principles, including a lack of consultation on critical decisions, and the marginalisation of smaller parties like itself. The WPA's leadership lamented that they had been "bludgeoned" by the PNC/R, leading to their withdrawal from a partnership that had left them feeling voiceless and sidelined.
The AFC had similarly expressed dissatisfaction
with its treatment within the coalition framework, claiming that its contributions were often overlooked or dismissed. Both parties now seem to overlook these past grievances as they seek to unite against a common adversary: The PPP/C, which currently holds significant sway over Guyana's political landscape.
In recent months, the WPA, in particular, has made public statements advocating for a "grand coalition" of opposition parties. The WPA's Co-Leader, Dr. David Hinds, emphasised that they are not looking to rejoin APNU, but rather to form a new coalition where each party retains its identity and voice.
This shift raises critical questions about sincerity and strategic intent. How can these parties genuinely
advocate for collaboration when their leadership structures and underlying philosophies remain unchanged?
The desperation is palpable; as they face an increasingly formidable PPP/C, which has consolidated its power since regaining control in 2020, both parties are willing to overlook their previous criticisms in favour of electoral survival.
Their calls for unity seem less about genuine partnership and more about a tactical necessity driven by fear of electoral irrelevance. The contradictions inherent in this new coalition-building effort cannot be ignored.
The same parties that once criticised their partners for lack of consultation and unilateral decision-making are now
attempting to create a coalition without addressing the very issues that led to their previous discontent.
The leadership of both the WPA and AFC has not changed significantly since their criticisms were levied; thus, it is unclear how they expect to foster an environment of mutual respect and collaboration when past behaviours suggest otherwise.
Moreover, the philosophical underpinnings that guided these parties during their tenure in coalition government remain intact. They have not fundamentally altered their approaches or ideologies; instead, they seem to be seeking temporary alliances out of sheer necessity rather than a commitment to shared values or goals.
As we look towards the upcoming elections,
it is essential to recognise that the calls for coalition from opposition parties are steeped in desperation rather than genuine political evolution. Their past criticisms highlight significant flaws in their approach, yet they appear willing to repeat those mistakes in pursuit of power.
The upcoming elections will test not only the viability of these coalitions, but also whether Guyanese voters will accept a partnership born more out of necessity than from shared vision or integrity. In this political landscape, desperation may lead to temporary alliances, but whether these coalitions can translate into effective governance remains uncertain.
Dear Editor,
A LITTLE background to this letter - recently, a local tourism company, Wanderlust Adventures, came up with the long-overdue idea of a tour to the site of Jonestown.
Not only did the initiative spark local debate but it gained, and is still gaining, massive international attention.
In response to a letter by an attorney, Neville Bissember, vehemently shutting down the idea, I wrote a letter to Stabroek News, in which Bissember’s letter was written, which was published.
In response, Bissember responded claiming, among other things, that I misinterpreted what he said, and that Stabroek News facilitated that misinterpretation. I responded quoting not only the relevant paragraph
of his letter, but also a letter by Hamilton Green that had the same interpretation I did of that paragraph.
I also provided further evidence using actual Jonestown records, showing the culpability of the Burnham government as well as rebutting a claim made by Green in his letter. Now, not only was there no publication of my letter in response to Bissember, but an editorial appears today in Stabroek News arguing against the tour in extremely self-contradictory terms, supporting the genius idea from Bissember maybe a memorial marker be placed at the site (a marker already exists), and concluding essentially with the nonsense that:
”The factors which led to Jonestown are part of US history, particularly that of California, and are best told in that
setting. How the settlement functioned here is part of Guyanese history, but that is a topic for research, not a tour.”
It is clear that someone at Stabroek News is uncomfortable with the contemporary sociopolitical consequences of any revisiting of Jonestown here would raise. For example, in the editorial’s summary of how Jonestown got here, the cult’s entry in Guyana is reduced to “Jim Jones made his application to come to create a settlement in this country in 1973 through the agency of Claude Worrell, the honorary Guyanese consul in California.
According to the New York Times of December 24, 1978, he came here with four members of his Temple to argue his case.”
This is in stark contrast to my presentation of evidence that the actual entry into Jonestown
was via the firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby with a partner of that firm, Clarence Hughes, working with a PNC backbencher EHA Fowler to pass the legislation in a PNC parliament legally establishing the People’s Temple here. Also, no mention, as presented in my second letter, of the sort of arrangement wherein Jonestown religious propaganda was inextricably intertwined in PNC party and government propaganda.
The text of my second letter: Mr. Neville Bissember (“I never said that the gov’t of the day was critical to the facilitation of the Jonestown tragedy” – SN - Friday, December 13) says that my paraphrasis of part of his original letter to be interpreted to mean that the Burnham government of the 1970s played a central enabling role in what took place was erroneous and a
“literary feat of no mean order”.
I perhaps misunderstood the meaning of Mr. Bissember when he said the following in that original letter:
“If anything, Jonestown represented the frailty of the government of the day and the ease with which Jim Jones and his crew were able to manipulate key players in the administration to comply with their wishes, bend the rules and turn a blind eye to their shenanigans.”
In all fairness to my perhaps poor comprehension skills, that shortcoming seems to be shared by the venerable Hamilton Green, who cites, and disagrees with, that exact quotation from Bissember in his own letter, “The government’s decision on Jim Jones and followers was informed by the Cold War and US First Lady’s letter of recommendation" (SN – Thursday, Decem-
ber 12) calling that statement an ‘unfortunate’ remark and salvo.
With regard to what the learned attorney and legal academic refers to as the “defamatory implications” against the government of the day and the text of his letter, I must confess a further lack of comprehension, particularly when it comes to such high legal concepts as the “distinction between the causa causans of an occurrence and the causa sine qua non.”
I failed law in high school, and I dropped out of the University of Guyana after like three months, but I have – and I in no way present this as some sort of equivalency – researched Jonestown fairly extensively and in my letter I merely quoted what actual academics refer to as source material, and drew a perhaps erroneous conclusion
that the apparent deep integration between the PNC as a party and government, and the Peoples' Temple resulted in a situation in which Jones was able to establish an essentially semi-autonomous colony situated within Guyana’s territorial space leading to disastrous consequences.
I maintain that the available historical record – particularly the information available via the 2008 declassification of FBI information on Jonestown – shows that any assertion that what happened there was an overwhelmingly American tragedy divorced from Guyana and Guyanese is wrong.
For example, as evidenced in a letter Jones wrote to Forbes Burnham himself, on October 19, 1977, the extent of the functional cooperation between cult, party and government is clear:
"Staff members of our agricultural project met with Regional Minister [Fitz] Carmichael in Matthews Ridge on Monday, October 17th. Many things went well with Minister Carmichael and Mr. [W.D.] Wyatt. They praised the discipline and success of our agricultural project… We made many other overtures, including monetary
donations to the PNC... One person referred to us as being “isolationists.” This shows absolutely no knowledge of us or a willingness to learn. We have Guyanese living on our project, and only regret that under the conditions of our present development, we cannot have more so that our project could be fully co-operative… Please know that our loyalty to Guyana is complete. (I’m almost tempted to quote the old adage that “if you’ve got something working for you… leave it alone!”). We can and will produce for Guyana. This is our aim – to serve. You will not be disappointed by the faith you have shown us in the past, and we pledge to make good that faith in coming days and months.”
However, the relationship did not end at mere functional cooperation. In one transcript of a recording made circa September 1978, of a public meeting in which Jones is addressing the people of Jonestown, it is clear that partisan political indoctrination in favour of the PNC was as critical to the operations of Jonestown as was ‘religious’ indoctrination. As Jones is delivering his main address, an unnamed man complementing that address tells the gathering:
“…one of these questions throwed at you and sooner or later you will get all of these questions. You’ll have to get the right answer. If you don’t, then you’ll go to the back of the food line. This will continue till you can answer the question before you can get your plate. One of the questions is: What does PPP stand for? That’s the party of the opposition, and it stands for People’s Progressive Party. What does PNC stand por– for? That is our party, it’s People’s National Congress. Why are we against the PPP? It’s because of apanjhat, which means vote your own kind. Dr. [Cheddi] Jagan is the head person– is the person in charge or the head of the PPP, and Dr. Forbes Burnham is the Prime Minister and he is also in charge or head of the P– PNC. People’s National Congress.”
In addition to further explaining his “frailty of the government of the day” comment for the benefit of both myself and Mr. Green, Mr. Bissember might wish to take up his defamatory implications charge with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Jonestown Institute, the source of the original tapes and other primary source information that establish, in my humble opinion, a prima
facie connection between the operations of the PNC, both as a government and a party, and the impunity with which the abuses of Jonestown were allowed to take place, leading up to and including the massacre.
Speaking of which, I would also like to thank Mr. Green for his own intervention, particularly his revelation that:
“Reverend Jim Jones presented to us a letter from Roselyn Carter, wife of US President Jimmy Carter, recommending Reverend Jones and his followers who actually preached at one of our prominent churches in Georgetown.”
Again, I am by no means a credentialed historian in any way, but my recollection of the Carter Presidency was that it was from January of 1977 to January of 1981, with Carter becoming President-elect in November of 1976.
The process for the establishment of Jonestown, as initiated by Clarence A.F. Hughes of Hughes, Fields and Stoby – not known [publicly] to be a PNC government official at the time – was started in April of 1974, when Richard Nixon was still President. When Nixon resigned in August of 1974, the private member’s bill that was
to legally establish the Peoples Temple was already in its first draft and assigned to the PNC parliamentarian E.H.A. Fowler. With Nixon’s resignation, Gerald Ford would assume the Presidency, until losing the election to Carter two years later. When the Act establishing Jonestown was passed in the PNC-controlled Parliament on February 26th, 1975, it would be another year to the day before a relatively unknown Jimmy Carter, then governor of Georgia, would win the inaugural Democratic Primary in Iowa.
Rosalynn Carter’s first association with Jim Jones began two years after the PNC government and Hughes had first initiated the legal establishment of the cult in Guyana, a year after that Act establishing it was passed and assented to, and less than a year before her husband was elected to and subsequently assumed office making her First Lady.
American investigative journalist, David Conn, whose stories on the People’s Temple preceded the Jonestown tragedy, wrote of Rosalynn Carter’s association with Jones in a 2014 article:
“She became enthralled with Jim Jones when she visited
San Francisco with then-vice presidential candidate Walter Mondale during the 1976 campaign. She spoke from Jones’s pulpit, and also had a private dinner with him at a posh San Francisco restaurant. They continued to correspond by letter after that.”
In brief, it would have been impossible for Rosalynn Carter’s influence via letter as First Lady to be an establishing factor – I guess what Mr. Bissember might refer to as a causa sine qua non – in the Burnham government’s decision to accommodate the People’s Temple, something that had been, to use another fancy legal Latin phrase, a fait accompli a full two years prior to her becoming First Lady.
As can be said of so many chapters in our murky history, it is time that the Jonestown Tragedy be examined in the full light of newly available information, whatever the potentially ‘defamatory’ allegations against a long-gone dictatorship (a curious legal concept in itself) and the discomfort of those who might be negatively impacted by any new revelation.
Yours truly, Ruel Johnson
DECEMBER 21 will mark the anniversary of the Charandass Persaud’s vote of no confidence against his own government during a Motion piloted by then opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
For some background, please read my article of last Monday. As outlined in that column, the leadership of AFC was overly fascinated by the power and perks of office, resulting in severe and chronic political paralysis.
This political paralysis included neglecting and essentially disempowering the next tier of executives, leaders and rank-and- file activists. The AFC leadership rolled themselves into
a separatists Self-absorbed Cabal (SAC).
The SAC walled off themselves; there were no mentorship, no paternal care, no political development programme, and no political information sharing. The ramshackle led to severe disillusionment and despondency; even Nigel Hughes found the alienation untenable.
I believe Nigel took it harder than the other activists; he saw himself as the crème de la crème of the middle-class with a birthright to any inner elitist formation, but he miscalculated the intensity of power intoxication.
The SAC used State power to create an inner
circle, which placed Nigel on the outside. Nigel himself could not bear to be on the periphery with the second tier, so resignation was the natural course.
Ponder that if Nigel Hughes, with all his upper middle-class credentials and a wife who was a central figure in the SAC grew frustrated, just try to imagine the sojourn of ordinary activists.
I can confirm that AFC MPs, Charandass Persaud, Michael Carrington and Audwin Rutherford were all frustrated and extremely dissatisfied with the SAC. Trying to secure a meeting to discuss political strategy, the work of the government, or to get a project
done in their community was like pulling teeth without anaesthetic agent.
The parliamentarians complained of ministers visiting their regions and presiding over activities in their local area without a simple courtesy call, notification or invitation. In most cases, they read of activities through DPI releases.
This constructive alienation bred deep resentment for the SAC. Resentment was on a spectrum from mild to severe. Some folks simply withdrew themselves from active political life of the AFC, while others actively sought ways to cause a shakeup.
Just as an example, Gobin Harbhajan had for a few years disengaged from the AFC politically and focused his energies as a selfstyled “activist for development”. That was his way of coping with the alienation; this was representative of many otherwise strong political activists.
Versammy Ramayya was also representative of a group that resigned and criticised the SAC. Many others stayed and critically reviewed in the hope that they could effect a change in the SAC culture. There were others who wanted to strike a wake-up blow.
Charandas Persaud was in the latter group, so the ground was fertile for a no-confidence motion. Bharrat Jagdeo, being an extremely shrewd, effective and competent opposition leader, sensed and exploited this vulnerability. I was all the way in China, and two weeks before the NCM, I was alerted that Charandass was contemplating a vote with the opposition.
I immediately called key founding leaders of the
AFC who acknowledged receiving the same information, but they couldn’t decipher whether it was just rumormongering. I remember pleading with a particular founding leader to call Charandass to an intense one-on-one session and look him in the eyes from across the table. Use the acquired leadership tactics, if the ‘info’ was credible, Charandass must ‘blink’, a leader should discern in his spirit whether something is off, if uncertain, call for backup from another leader who is respected for having sharp political discernment. I believe that the meeting never occurred, because the leaders’ level of self-absorption created false invincibility.
A few weeks prior to that, I tendered a skeletal political proposal which advocated for, among other things, the reorganisation of the Ministry of Agriculture, and a role for Charandass Persaud as Junior Minister of Agriculture, or at least a well-paid spokesperson on sugar.
I also advocated for a role for Sasenarine Singh and Gerhart Ramsaroop to be unleashed in the Agri-sector with special emphasis on reorganisation or transition of the sugar industry.
At the time, many activists were calling for the head of Noel Holder; it was clear that the SAC was going to protect him, at all cost. I was attempting to strike a balance between both sides. My proposal would’ve caused Charandass to feel he had a stake in the apparatus of the party, and would have essentially killed any motivation to support an opposition NCM. The leadership had all the information, and
all the signs were there to observe, but, at the fundamental level, they believed they were under no obligation to entertain or accommodate SAC outsiders.
Charandass related an event that occurred mere months after the coalition took office. He was in parliament when he received devastating news of the death of his sister with whom he shared a close bond. The shock was visible on his countenance. To avoid bawling in the Chambers, he left his seat in the midst of a debate.
His first symmetrizer was opposition MP Irfaan Ali, who recognised something was off and rushed to inquire, totally oblivious to the AFC leaders. Talk about self-absorption.
The actions of the leaders were nothing short of betrayal of their activists, supporters, and, by extension, the electorate. The betrayal was severe, and was begging for an unorthodox demolition. I am fundamentally opposed to the concept of a NCM against any government that obtained a majority at the ballot box, but I would not sit in condemnation of Charandass, because, the organic motivation existed; constant neglect, insensitivity, lack of engagement and political exclusion could’ve only resulted in brittle political relations that engender some form of political implosion.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
LAST Monday, I titled my column “This Masquerade”. It was about the political masquerade of several political parties that literally do not have a leadership committee, much less members. There are no other Caribbean countries that have so many individuals that have formed political parties, and each individual is the only member of the party.
Why this country produces so many bizarre acts of politics?
Days after I wrote “This Masquerade”, we saw another manifestation of the pantomime. The Alliance For Change (AFC) is on an outreach programme to meet all political parties. So, last week it met an organisation named “Justice and Equality Party” headed by Jaipaul Sharma.
The AFC released a statement and photograph. There were four members of the AFC’s executive committee, including most of its ‘big wigs’, but only Sharma appeared in the frame. Something is wrong here, and the presence of Mr. Sharma only is a manifestation of a crowded street with
one-man organisations. Something has to be wrong that Mr. Sharma forms a party, and not one other person was there to meet with the AFC. Everybody knows that when an organisation is born, it comes about because a few persons met and decided on the formation.
After the birth, a person is identified as the leader, and there is always a deputy. Someone is chosen to head the area of finance, while another person is named to work on the publicity section of the entity. Is Mr. Sharma telling us he had not one other person available to meet with the AFC?
Is Sharma disrespecting himself? How do you explain Sharma going into a dialogue with another political party, and only he shows up? Surely, Sharma ought to behave more responsibly, because he was a former minister of the government just four years ago.
The other side of the coin is why did the AFC allow the masquerade to go on. Once the meeting was arranged and Sharma alone turned up, then
the AFC should have postponed the event until Mr. Sharma got his team to represent his outfit. The AFC will say it did not know that Sharma was a one-man band. If it didn’t know ,and it invited him, once he turned up alone, then suspicion should have given way to reality. And that reality is that the Justice and Equality Party is a one-man outfit.
Another Third Force party, ANUG, announced that it will be having dialogue with all political parties. But will the ANUG allow the masquerade to go on? Is ANUG going to meet with Sharma? Is ANUG going to meet with Keith Scott’s outfit, the National Democratic Alliance? That is a one-man show. Is ANUG going to meet with Rajendra Bissesar, “National United Front”? That is another one-man outfit. Is ANUG going to meet with Tabitha Sarabo-Halley’s “National Builders Movement”? That is another one-person entity.
Is ANUG going to meet with Craig Sylvester’s Democratic National Congress”? He is the only member in the
band. Is ANUG going to meet with Audreyanna Thomas’ “Project One People”? Her organisation is a one-person grouping. So, the A FC met with Sharma’s thing last week. Is the AFC going to have dialogue with all the other one-member bands listed above?
If ANUG and the AFC do embark on such a policy, people are going to laugh at them. In fact, people must have laughed at that image where there were four AFC leaders meeting with a political party that has only one member; the leader himself. Any Guyanese has the right to form an organization, but this one-man thing is
annoying, and it is unbecoming of the AFC and ANUG to willingly participate in this pantomime.
In the meantime, another organisation, the WPA, is seeking parliamentary seats through the back door. This three-man entity says it is in dialogue with the PNC to go into the 2025 election as a coalition. What the WPA is looking for is free parliamentary seats through the generosity of the PNC. Who is going to vote for the WPA? The voters who would like to vote for the WPA are going to give their votes either to the PNC or AFC.
The PNC leadership cannot be that stupid
to think that the election partnership with the WPA is going to bring in votes. If the PNC chooses to do a coalition thing with the WPA, then it knows it will be giving free parliamentary seats to the WPA. That is the PNC’s business, but surely no PNC leader can be that silly to believe that the WPA is an election asset. The WPA died a long time ago.
DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
By Shamar Meusa
WITH Guyana’s Local Content Legislation set to be updated soon, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar reminded stakeholders of President, Dr Irfaan Ali's commitment to upgrading the various categories and percentages established in the law.
He outlined the government's intention during his address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (GCCI) annual awards presentation at the Marriott Hotel, where he noted that since its enactment the Local Content Act has spawned immense benefits for the local private sector.
“A lot of folks, their businesses are benefitting from the very local content act, they’re benefitting from partnerships, they’re benefitting from preferred
services off of 40 different areas,” he said.
Against this backdrop, responding to comments raised in relation to updating the act, Indar noted that it was just days ago that President Ali himself who noted that there are things to be upgraded in the legislation.
“He spoke about that, there are things in the act that need to be upgraded, percentage-wise and there are different categories to be added,” he noted.
However, while noting that the President iterates that updates are needed, he added that self-reflection is needed in the private sector.
To this end, he added that the said act was drafted through consultation with the chamber and the leadership of the chamber along with the wider private sector.
Indar further detailed that the leadership of the chamber assisted in drafting the
residency rules, which was further put in place to protect the local private sector.
However, he said, “Yet some of us in the private sector sought to bend those very rules.”
With this, indar signalled that with updates imminent, the government and stakeholders
have to sit down at the table for further consultations.
“We got to go back to the table with the very same people that [sic] are causing trouble,” he affirmed.
Just last month, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo noted that companies that are not in
compliance with the Local Content Act have a lot to worry about in the future.
Dr Jagdeo signalled that amendments to the legislation will be enacted next year, thus ensuring that all loopholes are regulated effectively.
The Vice President
further added that the possibility of adding new sectors to the local content schedule is also being explored.
“It’s not just that sort of reform that will come but also, we are looking to close the loopholes here,” he said.
BASE Camp Seweyo recently came alive with a historic celebration as the Guyana National Reserve (GNR) hosted its inaugural Soldiers’ Day, highlighted by the first official visit of President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali.
The event, attended by Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, senior officers from across the Force, and distinguished guests, marked a milestone in the history of the base. The day blended military tradition with festive warmth, as troops showcased their talents through poetry, dramatic performances, and displays that captured the spirit of the season and the unity within the GNR.
In his keynote ad -
dress, President Ali commended the soldiers for their unwavering dedication. “Today’s celebration is a testament to the extraordinary commitment of our men and women in uniform. You are the highest form of representation of patriotism and what it means to be a national figure,” he said.
The President also announced a significant welfare package for military personnel. The $1.6 billion initiative benefits 12,000 servicemen and women, including a one-month bonus and a $100,000 cash grant. He further pledged his government’s commitment to developing Base Camp Seweyo, a declaration that was met with enthusiastic applause from the troops.
Brigadier Khan, in
role of the GNR as a military reserve, ready to support the regular army whenever required.
The day’s festivities concluded with a traditional Christmas lunch, providing an opportunity for camaraderie among ranks. Senior officers joined troops for shared meals and conversations, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect.
his address, highlighted the unique bond that defines the military community. “The GNR is not merely a military unit; it’s a family bound by shared purpose and dedication,” he said. He emphasised that the
troops’ service ensures that families across Guyana can celebrate the holidays in peace and security. “These celebrations strengthen the connections that enable us to serve effectively in both times
of crisis and peace,” he added.
Commandant of the GNR, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Souvenir, also lauded the troops, describing them as professionals and patriots. He noted the critical
This landmark Soldiers’ Day served as a powerful reminder of the balance between military discipline and the human connection that underpins the Guyana Defence Force. The event left the troops with cherished memories and a renewed commitment to their mission of serving the nation with pride and purpose.
IN a landmark initiative to empower and engage young people, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, inaugurated Guyana’s first youth-friendly space in Region 10 last week.
The project, executed in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), marks a significant step toward providing meaningful opportunities for youth development.
Minister Persaud emphasised that the initiative, long in the making, is designed to create a constructive and nurturing environment for young people. Speaking at the launch, she said, “Young people need to have the right influence and the opportunity to engage in activities that foster self-development and peer interaction in a positive and supportive setting.”
This youth-friendly space is the first of its kind in Guyana and a trailblazing effort in Region 10. Minister Persaud described it as a model for similar centres nationwide. “We want you to be the pioneers, so that the activities here can set the standard for future centres,” she told attendees.
A Space for Growth and Learning
The facility is equipped with resources
such as a computer, television, sports equipment, and board games, making it a versatile hub for various activities. Young people can use the space to complete school work, engage in sports, participate in art projects, or simply relax with peers.
The minister also proposed a community-driven initiative to establish a library at the centre.
“Reading is not just for school; it’s a gateway to understanding new ideas and perspectives. Let’s start a book drive to build a library for our young people,” she urged.
Dr Persaud envisioned the centre as a transformative space that combines mentorship, peer counselling, and guidance to prepare young people for the challenges of the modern world. “We want this space to be their own—a place they can visit regularly to grow, learn, and connect,” she added.
UNFPA Liaison Officer Adler Bynoe highlighted the significance of creating safe spaces for youth. “These centres are designed to provide guidance and support, helping young people develop as healthy and well-rounded individuals,” he said. The UNFPA’s youth-friendly model has been recognised as a best practice across the Caribbean, and the
organisation is eager to expand it throughout Guyana.
Clare Ann Rambaran, Manager of the Family Enhancement Services Section (FESS), noted that her organisation has been serving Guyana for nearly five years, specialising in youth and family work. FESS offers a range of services, including trauma counselling, grief counselling, reconciliation therapy, and marriage therapy. Rambaran encouraged youths to inform their peers and educators about the new facility, which provides access to these vital services.
This youth-friendly space represents the beginning of a broader effort to replicate the model across Guyana. Both the Ministry of Human Services and the UNFPA are committed to reinvesting in and expanding these centres, ensuring that more young people have access to safe, supportive environments.
“This space is not just a physical location; it’s a symbol of transformation and opportunity for the youth of Region 10,” Minister Persaud remarked. The initiative aims to inspire young people to embrace this resource as a catalyst for personal and communal growth.
IN a heartwarming tradition that dates back to 1978, the Gafoors Group of Companies celebrated the festive spirit with its grand Christmas fete on Sunday at the McDoom Mega Complex, East Bank Demerara.
This year, the event brought joy to nearly 2,000 individuals, including children and senior citizens, who were treated to delicious meals and generous gifts.
Attendees came from various villages, orphanages, and geriatric homes across the country, with the Gafoors transportation services ensuring their safe return home after the festivities concluded.
The event featured a special guest, Santa Claus, who was on hand to distribute an array of goodies, delighting the scores of children in attendance.
“Our annual Christmas event is a reflection of the Gafoors Group's commitment to spreading joy and giving back to the community,” said Dione Foo,
Philanthropist and business magnate, Sattaur Gafoor (seated) shared out monetary donations as children along with their parents or guardians collected gifts and snacks after having meals
Administrative Manager of Gafoors. “It’s heartwarming to see the smiles on the faces of children and senior citizens as we share meals, gifts, and the festive spirit with them. This tradition is not just about charity; it’s about creating meaningful connections and ensuring
that no one feels left out during this special time of year.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sattaur Gafoor, along with family members and dedicated staff, actively participated in the distribution of food and gifts, embodying the spirit of giving that the
company is known for.
In addition to providing meals, Mr. Gafoor presented cash donations to senior citizens, along with takeaway lunches, desserts, and warm blankets.
The Gafoors Group has long upheld a tradition of bringing cheer to the less
fortunate during the holiday season, feeding those in need for decades. Their commitment to charitable works extends beyond the Christmas fete, as the company continuously seeks to support various community initiatives.
This year’s event
not only highlighted the importance of community and kindness but also reaffirmed Gafoors Group’s dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those less fortunate, ensuring that the spirit of Christmas is felt far and wide.
The inaugural Women Who Lead Gala & Women in Business Awards took center stage on Friday evening at Jaigobin Hotel 2, Henrietta, Region Two, honouring the exceptional achievements of businesswomen from Essequibo and beyond. The event celebrated leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of women shaping their communities and industries.
• Excellence in Innovation & Technology Award: Falisha Hakh of Body Haven Essequibo
• Leadership Award: Wanica Persaud of Xi & Xy Enterprise
• Junior Entrepre -
neur Award: Koreshma Jaigobin of Jaigobin Hotel
• Businesswoman of the Year Award: Maywattie Ramrattan of Reya’s Cake Creation
Out of 57 nominations across various categories, five outstanding women emerged as winners, representing excellence in their respective fields. The winners were:
• Excellence in Agro-processing Award: Michellina Richmond of Centaur Holdings (Green Diamond Foods)
The gala featured congratulatory messages from influential figures. U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole D. Theriot joined the celebration virtually, commending the nominees for their pivotal role in advancing Region Two’s development. Ambassador Theriot reminisced about Essequibo’s special place in her heart as the launch site of the
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U.S. Embassy’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in 2021. Through 13 online courses and mentorship, AWE empowered 23 Essequibo women to launch businesses, with over 100 women trained across Regions Two, Four, Six, and Ten to date.
President of WeLead Caribbean, Mrs. Abbigale Loncke-Watson, delivered inspiring opening remarks, highlighting the resilience and vision of the awardees. “This evening celebrates progress achieved and the journey ahead for gender equality,” she emphasized.
Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva hailed the nominees as “phenomenal,” sharing her personal journey as a businesswoman. Mayor Devin Mohan echoed the sentiments, underscoring government initiatives aimed at fostering women’s success in business.
Award Highlights and Sponsors
Each award was backed by prominent sponsors who recognized the extraordinary contributions of women entrepreneurs:
• Excellence in Agro-processing Award: Sponsored by Jagsville, this award honored innovation and sustainability. The winner, Michellina Richmond, triumphed among notable nominees including Rosamund Benn (Pomeroon Rose Products) and Ulene Abiola Garraway (Abbies Agro Processing Factory).
• Excellence in Innovation & Technology Award: Sponsored by MCCG (Guyana) Inc., this category celebrated technological pioneers. Falisha Hakh of Body Haven Essequibo received the honor, surpassing contenders such as Hellen Thompson (Young Scholars Acade-
my) and Angelica Basir (Forget Me Not Boutique).
• Leadership Award: Sponsored by IPED’s Anna Regina Branch, this award highlighted impactful leadership. Wanica Persaud of Xi & Xy Enterprise emerged victorious, competing with women like Romesa DeSilva (The Glam Factor) and Coretta Brathwaite Walton (J5 Enterprise).
• Junior Entrepreneur Award: Sponsored by SureGig Inc., this category recognized entrepreneurs under 25 years. Koreshma Jaigobin of Jaigobin Hotel stood out among her peers.
• Businesswoman of the Year Award: Sponsored by Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd., this prestigious award celebrated phenomenal success and entrepreneurship. Maywattie Ramrattan of Reya’s Cake Creation claimed the title amidst a strong lineup of nominees, including Chandrawattie Ramnarine (Val’s Creative Cakes) and Divine Ross (Alpha Zest Empire).
Falisha Hakh, winner of the Excellence in Innovation & Technology Award, expressed her gratitude, emphasizing her commitment to customer satisfaction and urging fellow women entrepreneurs to practice excellence.
The gala was more than an awards ceremony; it was a platform for networking, collaboration, and inspiration. It underscored the critical role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and fostering community development. As the evening closed, the resounding message was clear: empowering women leaders is key to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
FARMERS from villages across the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region of Guyana will benefit from improved agricultural services aimed at boosting and expanding production in the hinterland.
Over the weekend, during a two-day outreach to several villages in the North Rupununi Sub-District, Agriculture Minister Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha handed over a Mavic Multispectral drone to the Regional Agriculture Department to assist with soil testing and analyses.
During the meeting at Yakarinta Village, farmers told Minister Mustapha that they were interested in expanding their production. While noting that the government has already committed to supplying cassava sticks and other planting materials to enhance production, many farmers require soil tests to determine what can be planted in the new lands they want to utilize.
One farmer stated that while many farmers benefited from planting materials in the past, they did not request soil testing, which resulted in low production levels.
Minister Mustapha said he is aware that many farmers in the hinterland region require a range of services.
He explained that the government wants farmers to increase production and will continue to provide the necessary resources and services to facilitate expansion and diversification within the agriculture sector.
“We want you to expand production. I know cassava is a staple here. While we want you to expand production, we also want you to diversify. Yes, we are making the planting materials available. We are also making resources and services available to support your production. If you want to expand, you have to cultivate more land. So, today I am handing over a drone to the region that has the capacity to do soil testing and many other things.
“With the introduction of this piece of equipment, you will be able to know what can be cultivated or what is needed to make these new lands suitable for cultivation. We’ve been investing heavily in technology for the sector. We want to increase production while making the sector less labor-intensive and more resilient,” the minister explained.
The drone, valued at approximately $3 million, was procured through funding from the Government of
Guyana (GoG) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the ministry’s Hinterland Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Development (HESAD) project.
The drone’s features will help with soil mapping in areas such as moisture, pH, and nutrient distribution; crop health monitoring; pest and disease monitoring; farm mapping and GIS data collection; aerial surveys for cattle and other livestock; and environmental monitoring and land degradation surveys.
Minister Mustapha also disclosed that cassava farmers from Massara and other villages would soon benefit from a $5 million grant to expand cassava production.
Farmers will also receive fencing materials, including approximately 60 rolls of barbed wire and chain link mesh, to assist with wildlife control on their farms.
To assist with boosting poultry and livestock production, Minister Mustapha announced that, through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), farmers will also benefit from assistance to enhance their poultry programs. Farmers will benefit from breeding animals for cattle, swine, and small ruminants as well as artificial insemination services.
While in Kwatamang Village, Minister Mustapha disclosed that officers from the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will visit the area to conduct agro-processing training exercises with members of the Kwatamang Purple Sweet Potato Farmers Group in the coming week.
Minister Mustapha also disclosed plans to develop mega-farms in the hinterland region.
He told farmers that plans are underway to commence agricultural surveys to identify lands for largescale cultivation of several crops.
“Soon, we’ll conduct several surveys in different parts of Rupununi to determine which areas we can develop into mega-farms.
“This is all part of our plans to diversify and expand production. This region has a lot of agricultural potential, and we will work with you to ensure you have the resources to cultivate a variety of crops on a large scale. Guyana is leading in agriculture in the CARICOM Region. We want to make Guyana a food hub. To do so, we have to ensure farmers from all
regions are producing. We are constantly working to secure new and lucrative markets for your produce. With challenges posed by climate change, we are also working to make the sector more technologically advanced and less labor-intensive,” Minister Mustapha said.
To assist with boosting
poultry and livestock production, Minister Mustapha announced that through GLDA, farmers will soon benefit from assistance to enhance their poultry programs. Farmers are also set to benefit from breeding animals for cattle, swine, and small ruminants as well as artificial insemination
services.
Minister Mustapha also distributed a quantity of seeds, seedlings, Acoushi Ants bait, garden tools, fertilizer, and other inputs to boost production in the villages.Minister Mustapha visited Annai, Rupertee, Wowetta, Kwatamang, Surama, Yakarinta, and Massara in North Rupununi Sub-District in Region Nine. He was accompanied by
Chief Executive Officer of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute Jagnarine Singh; Chief Executive Officer of GLDA Dr. Dwight Waldron; HESAD Coordinator Raymond Latchman; and other regional officials.
Minister Mustapha also distributed toys and other goodies to children from the villages as part of Christmas festivities.
TWO pedestrians tragically lost their lives in a fatal accident early Sunday morning on the Tuschen Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). The victims have been identified as 54-yearold Yvette Daniels and 48-year-old Vishnudat Mohabir, both residents of the Tuschen Housing Scheme.
According to a po -
sonnel arrived on the scene and pronounced both pedestrians dead. Their bodies were later transported to Ezekiel Mortuary, where they await post-mortem examinations.
Following the collision, Dhunao's vehicle struck a parked car, motorcar #PGG 5073, before coming to a stop approximately 100 yards from the scene.
lice report, the accident occurred around 02:00 hours on December 15, 2024. Investigations revealed that motorcar #PKK 9890, driven by 29-year-old Vickash Dhunao, was proceeding east along the northern side of the road at a high speed when it struck the two pedestrians as they were crossing the road from north to south.
The impact of the collision flung Daniels and Mohabir into the air before they landed on the roadway, sustaining severe injuries.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) per-
Dhunao reportedly fled but was apprehended by police shortly after.
A breathalyzer test conducted on Dhunao showed alcohol levels of .070% and .071% micrograms, above the legal limit. He is currently in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.
This tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence. Investigations into the incident continue as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
COMMISIONER of Police, Clifton Hicken, has announced significant infrastructural upgrades for the Central Immigration and Passport Office in Georgetown, slated to commence next year. This announcement was made during the Immigration Department of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) annual awards ceremony and Christmas luncheon,
held at the Central Immigration and Passport Office on Sunday. The festive event brought together immigration ranks from across Guyana, representing various regions and ports of entry. Commissioner Hicken addressed the gathering with a message of gratitude, commending the officers for their unwavering discipline, dedi -
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cation, and commitment throughout the year.
“You are stewards of justice, defenders of the law, and champions of national security,” Commissioner Hicken remarked, underscoring the critical role played by immigration officers in
sley (Immigration Lethem); Sergeant Bourne (Central Immigration and Passport Office); Corporal Jones-Roberts (Immigration Berbice); Corporal Mangru (Immigration Parika); Corporal Fiedtkou (Immigration Linden); Lance Corporal Collins (Immigration Timehri); Constable Dan-
safeguarding the nation.
During his address, the Commissioner highlighted the Force’s commitment to ongoing development, announcing the upcoming infrastructural enhancements and emphasising the importance of continuous training for immigration officers. These initiatives are part of the GPF’s broader transition toward modernisation and growth.
In a show of support for the department’s initiatives, Commissioner Hicken also donated $400,000 to the Immigration Department, a gesture that was warmly received by the ranks.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of plaques to outstanding officers for their exemplary service in 2024. The awardees included: Sergeant Pug-
iels (Immigration Essequibo), and Constable Foo (Immigration Ogle). Deputy Commissioners Ravindradat Budhram (Administration) and Wendell Blanhum (Law Enforcement), along with Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Stephen Telford, also attended the ceremony. They expressed their appreciation for the hard work of the Immigration Department and highlighted the importance of fostering camaraderie and celebration during the festive season.
The event reflected the GPF’s ongoing commitment to recognising excellence within its ranks while ensuring continuous progress for the Immigration Department in the coming year.
SUBLIME centuries from Maia Bouchier and Nat Sciver-Brunt led England to a strong position on the opening day of the one-off Test against South Africa.
Opener Bouchier made 126 on her Test debut, while all-rounder Sciver-Brunt's 96ball ton is the fastest ever in women's Tests as England posted 395-9 declared in 92 overs.
Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch calmly negotiated a tricky six overs at the close as South Africa reached 17-0, and will resume 378 runs behind.
The host’s bowlers had struggled for consistency on a slow pitch with short boundaries, as Bouchier and Sciver-Brunt added 174 for the third wicket in a ruthless display before the former was caught at slip shortly before tea.
Sciver-Brunt was unluckily run out while backing up for 128, and South Africa capitalised on the opportunity to expose England's lower order as five wickets fell for 38 runs in the evening session.
England was given a reprieve in the opening over when Tammy Beaumont was given not
out for an lbw call which looked plumb in front off Marizanne Kapp, instantly drawing attention to Cricket South Africa's decision not to use the decision review system (DRS) for this four-day Test.
It did not cost too much in the currency of Beaumont's runs, as she was first to fall for 21, but 53 runs were subsequently added for the first wicket which took the sting out of the dangerous Kapp and the new ball which allowed England to score freely at around five an over for the first two sessions.
Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout performer for South Africa with 4-90, extracting turn and bounce from the surface late in the day which will undoubtedly be brought into play by Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean on day two.
Nat Sciver-Brunt scored half of her runs down the ground.
After Beaumont's early life,
England already had South Africa on the back foot after just two balls and looked intent on keeping them there. For the first two sessions, the runs flowed with ease as England was gifted plentiful bad balls to dispatch, helped by the short boundaries where even a mistimed prod would race to the ropes once the ball was placed in a gap.
Beaumont was brilliantly caught by a diving Sune Luus at mid-wicket before Bouchier added a further 50 with Heather Knight, though the England captain struggled for fluency and was pinned lbw for 20 in the first over after lunch.
After that, Sciver-Brunt and Bouchier hit the accelerator and South Africa wilted in the face of their aggression, with Bouchier's 124-ball century holding the record for England's fastest in Tests for just 29 minutes. (BBC Sport)
(Monday December 16, 2024)
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Keemo Paul-13 wickets (7 matches) (2) Shakib Al Hasan-21 wickets (14 matches)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What is the highest score made by a WI batsman in a T20 Int’l against BANG to date?
(2) What is the highest score made by a BANG batsman in a T20 Int’l versus the WI to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
ENGLISH
RACING TIPS
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
TURFFONTEIN
08:35 hrs. Red Bomber
09:15 hrs. Dyce
09:50 hrs. Silver Sanctuary
10:25 hrs. Main Defender
11:00 hrs. Bakwena 11:35 hrs. Nazare
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
MAHONING VALLEY
Race 1 Half Birthday
Race 2 Cause Of Love
Race 3 Sorority Sister
Race 4 Visual Mission
Race 5 Goodluckchuck
Race 6 La Village Lumiere
IRISH RACING TIPS
NAAS
08:30 hrs. Slade Steel
09:00 hrs. Rightfolksplease
09:30 hrs. Bowenson Fire
10:00 hrs. Hearts And Spades
10:30 hrs. Karoline Banbou
11:00 hrs. O'faolains Glory
11:30 hrs. Kara De Thax
FORMER Guyana National cricketer, Calvin Burnett, who represented the country in the late 1980s, passed away on Thursday in Tennessee, USA where he migrated several years ago.
Burnett, who was 70, played eight First Class and three List A matches for
Guyana, registering three half-centuries in his short First Class career with 63 being his highest score. Burnett, who also served in the Guyana Police Force for most part at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), was also a prominent member of the force’s Case Cup team which featured the likes of
the late William Jeffrey, Herbert Carrington, Keith Cameron, Leonard McRae and the late Vibert Johashen.
In a Facebook post, Calvin’s brother Mark, who played in one First Class and four List A matches for Guyana, recalled his late brother visiting him on Thanksgiving day, which was celebrated on
November 28.
According to Mark, “we had the best time. I remember you came in the room and you were well dressed. I said brother you look sharp and you replied, this is what three scores and ten look like. It was such a great night. Who is going to visit me now?”
for
INDIA might have dominated the first hour of the day, dismissing Australia's top three but little went their way after that as Australia closed Day 2 with 405 runs, still three wickets in hand.
The dangerous pair of Travis Head and Steve Smith ensured the hosts dug their selves out of the hole they had fallen in. The duo went on to score centuries as Australia dominated the second day's play despite a lone wolf display from Jasprit Bumrah with the ball.
The Indian pace spearhead had removed both the Australian openers before Marnus Labuschagne was removed by Nitish Kumar Reddy, but Australia's fourth-wicket stand meant the hosts took control of Day 2 in Brisbane.
The duo took their time to settle the innings, playing smart cricket as India bowlers toiled uselessly. Neither fast bowling nor spin was effective against the pair.
Jasprit Bumrah's early dominance fizzled out and none of the other bowlers could create any openings. Both batters raced to their respective fifties.
Just before the end of the second session, Head brought up his ninth Test century, his second successive in the ongoing series. And Smith, who was content to play second fiddle to Head at the beginning came into his own and registered his 33rd Test ton in the third session.
It was the Australian talisman's 10th hundred against
India in the longest format, tying him alongside Joe Root for most Test centuries against them.
The massive 241-run stand was finally broken by Bumrah not long after the second new ball was taken. It was Bumrah's third wicket of match, a sharp catch at first slip by India captain Rohit Sharma, dismissing Smith for 101.
With the Australian middle-order duo settled in middle, having stitched together 231 runs for the fourth wicket, Bumrah got rid of both batters against the run play.
The 31-year-old went on to claim Mitchell Marsh to complete his five-wicket haul, his second in the ongoing series.
Earlier, Khawaja had fell after he nicked one to wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant off
the bowling of Bumrah, who then claimed fellow opener Nathan McSweeney, inducing his outside edge that was safely grasped by Virat Kohli in the cordon. Both batters fell in the extra scheduled time added to the morning session to make up for a rain-marred Saturday.
On Day 1, after losing the toss and being put in to bat, Australia moved to 28/0 before weather forced day one's abandonment, though early thoughts of Australia pressing on during early Sunday play were quelled by canny India fast bowling.
After struggling to find an ideal line on day one, Akash Deep asked more questions of his opposition, helping Bumrah in pressure-building morning.
Mohammed Siraj too
posed challenges for Australia's batters, though there are concerns for the quick, who limped off with a hamstring injury early in his 11th over. India and Australia are locked at 1-1 in the fivematch series, with both teams still to this point in the running for a World Test Championship Final spot, to be played at Lord's in June 2025.
After defeat in the first Test in Perth, Australia under Pat Cummins were emphatic in their reply, winning by ten wickets inside three days at the Adelaide Oval. After missing the Test through injury, Josh Hazlewood comes back into the Australian team for fellow quick Scott Boland. (ICC Media)
THROUGH an excellent bowling performance led by Matt Henry with a four-wicket haul and threefers by Mitchell Santner and William O'Rourke, New Zealand bowled out England for 143 before adding 136 runs for three wickets in their second innings on Day 2 in Hamilton. Will Young (60) and Kane Williamson who is unbeaten on 50* added to England's frustration towards the end of the day. The hosts currently lead by 340 runs.
Santner along with No.11 batter William O'Rourke were circumspect at the start of the day. The duo managed to add 32 runs in 15.1 overs before the impressive Matthew Potts castled Santner's stumps as the hosts eventu-
ally folded for 347. The English openers came out with some dashing stroke play as Ben Duckett cut Henry to the ropes in the first over. Zak Crawley then carted Tim Southee for four boundaries in the bowler's first over, and the visitors had raced away to 30 for 0 in just three overs.
But Henry got Crawley to find a leading edge as the bowler dived forward to take a good catch. It was also England's highest opening partnership in the series of 32. Henry followed it up a couple of balls later, trapping Duckett LBW as the batter played all around a fuller delivery which swung back in. Joe Root looked in fine touch during his knock of 32, scoring boundaries at will behind square on the
legside. Jacob Bethell, who was put under pressure by O'Rourke with a maiden earlier, was caught after slashing at a wide delivery. Suddenly things got worse for the visitors as top-scorer of the series, Harry Brook, chopped one on to his stumps first ball
as England succumbed to 77 for 4.
O'Rourke missed his hattrick but picked up the big wicket of Root as the batter played a late cut straight to the gully fielder. Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope, in an attempt to arrest the slide, put
on a 52-run stand and even managed to get O'Rourke to move away from his settled line and length. This forced Tom Latham to move to Santner who struck in his first over, poaching Pope as he spooned one to slip. The wily left-arm spinner then picked up Stokes in his second over, trapping him LBW of a missed sweep shot.
Henry and Santner then picked up the remaining three wickets as England collapsed to 143, having lost their last five wickets for nine runs.
Despite having a 204run lead, the hosts decided against enforcing the follow-on and Will Young received a gift on the pads to get the New Zealand innings underway. Massively behind in the game, the English
bowlers overcompensated on length and the opening burst of overs saw regular boundaries scored.
England had the rub of the green when Atkinson bowled Latham. Similarly, as the first session, Kane Williamson looked at his fluent best as he began with two boundaries. The hosts made use of the pristine batting conditions as they registered their 89-run stand in less than 18 overs.
Young repaid the faith of the selectors with a fine 50 but fell 10 runs later as he miscued a pull to deep mid-wicket. Nightwatchman O'Rourke didn't last long but Williamson brought up his 50 in the last over of the day, as the hosts now lead by 340 runs. (Cricbuzz)
By Sean Devers
Watched by a gathering of mainly parents and families of the players, Jason-Raj and Alex Arjoon won the Men’s Doubles title at the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup Squash tournament which climaxed yesterday with the Finals of the Doubles category at the National Raquette Centre.
Three-time defending Caribbean Doubles champions Ashley Khalil and Ashley DeGroot took the Women’s title.
After a break today and tomorrow, the tournament resumes on Wednesday evening with the Singles in which Caribbean Squash Queen and Guyana’s only
Jason-Ray Khalil reaches for the ball in the Men’s doubles final (Sean Devers photo)
two-time World Masters Champion, the evergreen Nicolette Fernandes will be playing in the singles.
The Final and presentation ceremony will be held
on Sunday at NRC from noon while Bar-B-Q will be on sale from 12:30 pm to 2 PM. In the feature match yesterday, the Men’s final was a battle of skill, attrition,
stamina and emotions in an epic contest.
Tempers flared from both pairs (Alex Arjoon and Jason-Ray Khalil who opposed Nicholas Verwey and Michael Alphonso) in their riveting battle which went to three games.
Alphonso and Verwey demonstrated excellent squash employing long rallies and good use of the larger court, specifically built for doubles by the Government and in a very close game as they upstaged their higher-ranked opponents to win 11-10.
The left-handed Arjoon and his partner Khalil increased the intensity in game 2 and won the fastpaced game, 11-7 to level the score at 1-all.
The deciding game was nerve-wracking and energy-sapping as the points fluctuated in short spaces of time,
There were verbal protests by players from both as some of the calls by Referee Deje Dais were questioned.
When the dust had settled, the pair of Arjoon and Khalil emerged victorious, winning the final game 1110 as the raucous gathering rose to their feet to applaud lustily both pairs.
In the Women's final Ashley Khalil and Ashley DeGroot continued their dominance in the Doubles with a clinical come-frombehind win to take the title 6-11, 11-5, 11-4.
Kirsten Gomes and
Mary Fung-a-Fat won one the opening stanza but Khalil and DeGroot who had won the doubles Caribbean title from 2022-2024, raced to wins in the next two games to take the doubles crown.
Sisters, Larissa and Akeila Wiltshire beat Victoria Arjoon and Taylor Fernandes-Henry, 11-5,11-5 in their third place Women’s doubles match.
In the Junior mixed doubles final Kaylee Lowe and Nicholas Verwey beat Michael Alphonso and Paige Mendonca 6-11, 11-8, 11-3
In the Junior Mixed doubles third-place match, Demitri Lowe and Safirah Summer defeated Blake Edwards and Rylee Rodrigues 8-11, 11-8, 11-7,
INDIA kicked off the T20I series against West Indies with a comprehensive 49run win in the first match in Navi, Mumbai.
Riding on half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana (54 off 33) and Jemimah Rodrigues (73 off 25), India were able
It wasn't as one-sided a run-chase as the scorecard suggests though, at least as long as Deandra Dottin was at the crease.
The 33-year-old hit 4 fours and 3 sixes in her 28-ball 52, keeping West Indies in the hunt. She added 44 runs for the
Once Dottin was accounted for, India tightened the screws with the help of its spinners, and crafted what felt like an easy victory towards the end.
West Indies's effort in the field earlier in the day was sloppy, with the visitors
Jemimah Rodrigues smashed 73 off just 35 balls
to post a massive 195/4 on the board, a total that Hayley Matthews admitted to being "15-20 runs too many" at the post-match presentation ceremony. But West Indies, clearly not at their best as a unit, fared a bit worse than that, managing only 146/7 in their run-chase.
third wicket with Qiana Joseph (49 off 33), and continued with her merry ways, even after Qiana chipped one to mid-off. India's efforts were hindered by two dropped catches off Dottin, but Titas Sadhu finally ended her innings with a catch at long-on.
dropping as many as three catches during the course of the innings. But it all started with conceding a 50-run opening stand that saw Uma Chetry play the aggressor early on, and Mandhana admirably catching up later, and even hitting a six off Dottin.
After Uma was bowled by Karishma Ramharack soon after the PowerPlay, West Indies weren't able to capitalise on the moment. Mandhana and Rodrigues went on to add 81 runs in only 7.2 overs, the pair picking 18 runs off a Matthews over at one point
in time. Rodrigues went on to make her 12th T20I fifty, getting to the milestone off just 28 balls.
Mandhana fell in the 14th over, holing out to cover, but Richa Ghosh walked in and wasted no time, finishing with a cameo of 20 off
14. Rodrigues, meanwhile, also kept at it, helping India add 56 in the final five overs. She stayed right until the penultimate ball of the innings, where she was run out, but not before she had done the job for her side. (Cricbuzz)
Olympic Kremlin stole the show by a comfortable margin in Sunday’s Metro sponsored Mile, the feature event of the Port Mourant Turf Club's Showdown of Champions.
Coming from 10 lengths back, the Slingerz Racing Stable Icon showed its full potency in the hands of Jockey A. Gulart by hunting 2023 Horse of the year Spankhurst (C. Paria) and Jagdeo Racing Stables Loyal Company (D. Khelqwan) in daunting fashion to win.
Spankhurst left the blocks like a rocket, pulling out just over 11 lengths to the rest of the field a quarter way through the race.
And as Loyal company caught Spankhurst, the duo had a short duel in the J's supermarket and Jumbo Jet sponsored event
But true to form, the Slingerz horse sliced through the field, taking down horse after horse in chase of the third win on the trot.
Spankhurst finished second ahead of Jagdeo Racing Stables duo of Loyal Company and Frontline Warrior (N.Patrick).
Meanwhile in the co-feature event, the Guy-
ana Star Sprint sponsored by SHI OIL, Slingerz Racing Stables Ritorna Vincentori had to dig deep to overturn the challenge of Jagdeo Racing Stables Oy Vey, winning by half a length.
Rounding the final bend neck in neck, the duo dueled down the stretch as the raucous crowd spurred them on; jockey A. Gulart finding a little bit more than his rival D. Khelawan aboard the close second.
The Simply Royal Stables pair of Stormy Victory (V. Ramnarain) and Morning Colors (R. Appadu) finished third and fourth.
In the opening race, the Sandeep Poultry J/K/L Maidens sponsored by Big G Lumber Yard, KP Jagdeo General Contractors and AJM Enterprise, Security Rock (Y.Drepaul) finished just ahead of Enemy Maker (K.Blake), Three D Movie (K. Pierreia) and Perfect Gold (V. Ramnarain).
Race two, the Archway Snackette K&L class sponsored by Laka Ramrich Rice Farmer, Rohan Auto Spares, ARMCO Construction and K. Haniff Construction, saw a blinding effort from Bin Landen and Jockey Blake to come from fourth to win.
Down the home stretch, Blake opened up Bin Laden who blazed past Princess Sasha (Z.Mahsood), Sarkar (Appadu) and late entry Kiss (Kishan).
The Permaul Trading and Distribution 2-yearold Juvenile Stakes saw another come from behind win, this time Irish Eyes (K. Razzak) upstaging the
field down the final stretch.
Second, third and fourth, sponsored by Orvin Mangru Construction, Satesh Liquor Restaurant and Tanna Rice Farmer of Black Bush was Ruff Time (R. Appadu), Miss Simron (V. Ramnarine) and Secret Traveller (Y. Kissonchand) respectively.
Red Ruby won the G Class and Lower SHI OIL
and OBL Lounge sponsored race with Jockey D. Khelawan holding off the challenge of Jagdeo Racing Stables mate Theory of Colors (N. Patrick)
Ruby's almost flawless ride broke the streak of come from behind victories down the homestretch as Stroke Of Luck (K. Paul) and American Traveller (C.Ross).
In the Guy America Construction sponsored H Class, Amicable Kate (N. Abrigo) followed suit in the same vein as the earlier runs, getting an average start but storming to victory around the outside of Blinding Lights (Y.Kissoonchand), Haley (N. Patrick) and Amazing Grace (Y. Drepaul).
BENGALURU, India, (CMC )– West Indies’ big-hitting allrounder Deandra Dottin was among one of the biggest purchases at the 2025 WPL auction, with the Gujarat Giants picking her up for Rs 1.7 crore.
The 33-year-old Dottin was the second highest purchase, with the Giants spending Rs 1.9 crore on the uncapped Simran
Shaikh, while India’s Under-19 wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini was sold to the Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.6 crore.
Dottin was the first player to go under the hammer this mini auction, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Notably, this isn’t the first time Dottin has been linked with the Giants. She was signed by the
team for ₹60 lakh before the inaugural WPL season, but in a controversial move, she was released days before the tournament started in 2023.
Dottin became the first woman to score a century in T20Is, and her 38-ball hundred against South Africa in the 2010 T20 World Cup still remains the fastest century by a woman in the shortest format.