Teacher arrested for allegedly raping 12-year-old student 40 new community policing groups for this year money’ used to acquire
VP Jagdeo tries to compare 75 acres of jungle lands Nigel Hughes wants to acquire with 35 acres of prime city lands sold
to Ed Ahmad and others
In a desperate bid to defend the People’s Progressive Party government’ssaleofover35 acres of prime land to convicted fraudster Edul ‘Ed’Ahmad, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday sought to highlight a bid by Attorney, Nigel Hughes to lease and purchase 75 acres ofundevelopedstatelandsin theEssequibojungle.
At his press conference, Jagdeo stated, “Imagine two days ago, he [Hughes] said we must pause, a legitimate government not a government in caretaker mode must pause on giving lands, and he secured for himself75acresoflandafter theCCJ[CaribbeanCourtof Justice] had ruled and after theelections.”
However,areviewofthe documents presented by Jagdeo during the press conference shows that Hughes was granted approval for leased lands intended for agricultural purposes. Two Provisional Leasedocuments,bothdated March19,2020,indicatethat Hughesreceivedatotalof50 acres of State land situated on the left bank of the Essequibo River, below the mouth of the Groete Creek. Both documents state that the land was approved for agricultural purposes at an annualrentof$800peracre.
Notably,atthebottomof the documents, it is stated, “Thisleaseshallnotsubletor givepermissiontoanyoneto occupy the land or part thereof.”
Athirddocument,aletter dated October 24, 2019, shows that Hughes, along withoneMs.NoreenGaskin, received approval for an additional25acresoflandat the left bank of the Essequibo River, below the mouth of the Groete Creek. These lands were allocated throughtheGuyanaLands& Surveys Commission (GLSC).
Under the laws of Guyana, a lease can be obtained for the cultivation on a large scale of rubber, limes or other citrus fruit, cacao, coffee, fibres, coconuts, and other permanent agricultural products, under the State
LandsAct.
In his response to Vice President, Hughes in a Facebookpostexplainedthe statusofhisleasedlandsand alleged that the PPP government has denied grantinghimafinallease.
Hughes explained, “In relation to 50 acres of heavilyforested landonthe leftbankoftheEssequiboat Groete Creek, in January 2016, I purchased 50 acres oflandfromSimonMunroe for the sum of 2 million dollars ”
Hedisclosedthatinorder forthelandtobetransferred to him, he was required to make an application to the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) which was done and other obligationslikeconductinga survey However, he stated that since the provisional lease was granted back in March2020,thegovernment has frustrated the process to grantafinallease.“Sincethe grantoftheprovisionallease in 2020 March, the GLSC has perisistently refused to issue a final lease. This has prevented and frustrated all attempts to transfer the property.”
According to Hughes, GLSC refused to accept his payment of rent. In addition to that he noted that despite sending four letters of r e q u e s t t o G L S C Commisioner for the issuance of the lease, he has not even received an acknowledgment to his letter
m y l e t t e r s A s a consequence, all investment plans for the project have
been intentionally frustrated,”Hughesstated.
Hughes claimed that be believes that only “the friends, family and the favoured”ofthegovernment are allowed to go forward and see their investments mature.
Addressing the latter 25 acres of land, Hughes said that this too suffered the same fate, with frustration fromGLSCtograntthefinal lease.
To this end, he said, “I welcome and urge a full investigation of this acquisition and the reason whyithasbeenfrustrated.”
Jagdeo speaking at his weekly press conference yesterday sought to defend lands sold to Ahmad, a convicted fraudster and his allegedcloseaffiliationwith Sherwyn Greaves who abruptly resigned from his post as Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority over the scandal surroundingthesaleoflands here.
This publication previously reported that Ahmadwasgiven12.5acres of land in Lethem for the cultivation of soya bean, another 30 acres of prime lands at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara for real estate purposes, six acres of landatDiamondontheEast Bank of Demerara, another five acres of prime lands on the Heroes Highway near MochaArcadia,and17acres at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
For his part, Hughes called for an investigation into all lands sold and acquiredatOgle.
He stated, “I invite the VPto name the companies I
Hecontinued,“Theyhad topaythe30million,thereis nothing wrong, nothing corrupt about it, same price they are paying Nigel Hughes questioning that price.”
New PAHO report on road safety highlights slow progress in reducing traffic deaths
A new Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) report on road safety reveals that in 2021, traffic accidentscausedjustover145,000deaths in the Americas, accounting for 12% of globaldeathsfromthiscause.
Despite some progress, the rate of reductioninroadfatalitieshasbeenslow and uneven, underlining the urgent need for stronger, more comprehensive national policies. The report, entitled “Saving lives by promoting a safe approach to road systems in the Americas”, is based on the most recent data available, collected in 31 countries andoneterritoryintheregion.Thisisthe fiftheditionofthereportsince2009.Due totheimpactofthepandemicin2020,the years2010and2021havebeencompared.
Accordingtothestudy,theroaddeath rate in the Americas fell by 9.37% between 2010 and 2021, reflecting the slow pace of progress, with only nine countriesmanagingtoreducethenumber of deaths. At sub-regional level, North America and the Caribbean saw an increase in mortality rates. By contrast, the Southern Cone and theAndean zone recordedsignificantreductions.
haveanyequityin.Whilehe is at it, he should cause a similarinvestigationintothe allocations of land along the Heroes Highway where the beneficiaries transferred property to the CEO in New York.”
“He has persistently refusedtoevenacknowledge
Regarding the lands given toAhmad at Ogle, the Vice President defended the government’s decision. He used land allocation by the previous APNU+AFC government as grounds to defend the government’s decision to sell prime lands toAhmadandothersfor$30 millionperacre.Jagdeosaid, “Imagine all the lands that we’ve given out so far for private development, not a single person has received title in these areas for housing development, not a single one, including Ed Ahmad. They all paid $30
“Road safety remains a major public health challenge in the region,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. “Despite the efforts made, the figures remain unacceptable. Road safety is not just a question of infrastructure or legislation,itisamatteroflifeanddeath for millions of people. It is essential that countries implement comprehensive
measures to protect all road users, especially themostvulnerable.”
Around 37% of traffic fatalities occur in high-income countries, even though they accountforonly41%ofthepopulation,57%of registeredvehiclesand49%oftheterritory By contrast, lower-middle-income countries, which account for only 5% of the population and 3% of the territory, concentrate 7% of fatalities,despitehavingonly1%ofregistered vehicles.Thefatalvictimsofroadaccidentsare mainlymen(79%)andyoungadultsaged18to 44(54%).However,theimpactisnotlimitedto fatalities. In 2021, more than 4 million people suffered non-fatal injuries in the region, including 638,620 serious injuries with permanentafter-effects.
The report also highlights the disproportionateimpactonthemostvulnerable users. Between 2009 and 2021, deaths of motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists rose from 39% to 47% of total road fatalities. By 2021, motorcyclists will account for 27% of fatalities, pedestrians for 17% and cyclists for 3%. This trend contrasts with the slight fall in fatalities among occupants of four-wheeled vehicles.
“Motorcyclist safety remains an urgent priority. To reduce this type of fatality, it is essential to improve road infrastructure, enforcestricterlawsonhelmetandseatbeltuse anddrivingundertheinfluenceofalcohol,and promote safer driving practices,” said Ricardo Pérez-Núñez,RegionalRoadSafetyAdvisorat PAHO. The report highlights the need to strengthen institutional management to improveroadsafety Although Continued on page 20 ...misleadsnationthattheAFCleaderhadacquired the lands
million per acre, the same price that they were selling thelandat…”
The PPP/C Government is in serious trouble. There is onemaninthepartyandgovernmentwhoknowsthismore thaneveryotherGuyanese. ItisthepartyGeneralSecretary andVicePresidentofGuyana,BharratJagdeo. Hetrieshard to coverup the corruptions in the government, but the corruptionsaresobad,sonowoutofcontrolnow,thatthey blow up in his face. The harder he tries to suppress the widespreadrealitiesofPPP/CGovernmentcorruptions,the quickerandbiggerhisfailures.
“EventheVicePresidentcalledmethathehear(sic)that Iamcriticisingwhatthegovernmentisdoing.Idon’thaveto praisenobodyifsomethingisnotgoingright.Myobjective hereistohelppeople…theVicePresidentcalledandsaidhe heard, this is what he told me, he heard that I bad talk the government, so he nah want nobody criticise nobody, and I’mnotgonnatakethat,becausethepoorpeoplearetheones whoaresuffering…foralltheyears,Iamhere-25plusyears whenIwaswithAFC,IdefendthepoorpeopleandIamfor the working class, so as a result of all these factors I talk about, the roads and everything, I think I had enough of everything.”
The words are those of Region Six Rapid Response Taskforce Coordinator, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya. They confirm many disturbing things. First, Dr Ramayya is a decades-longveteraninGuyana’spoliticalcircles. Hehas seencorruption,andheknowscorruption,fromtheroutine thieveriesfromthelocaltreasury,tothevariousschemes,to the chronic skullduggeries. In aggregate, a drain on the expectations of poor Guyanese, what drags them down. DuetohisextendedexperienceinpoliticallifeinGuyana,he knows from closeup experience, how bad local corruption canbe. Yet,hereisthisobservantGuyanesesayinginpublic thathehasneverseencorruptionsobad.
AccordingtoDr Ramayya,corruptionisatitspeak(the worst ever) under the present PPP/C Government. This mustbeunimaginabletomostGuyanese. Otherthanthose guzzling of the riches at the public trough, this is now past unacceptable to all other Guyanese. When comrades and croniesofthePPP/CGovernmentenrichthemselvesfroma million or a billion (it is more of the latter when added), it means that the poor in Guyana are forced to live on much less. Whatshouldbecomingtothemisdevouredbygreedy and crooked operators at all levels in the PPP/C Government. Thatisafittingsummaryofthemagnitudeof corruption by PPP/C Government hands, and the damage thatsuchinflictsonthehavenotsinGuyana.
ThisisthebackgroundthatpromptedbothPresidentAli andVicePresidentJagdeotoreachouttoDr Ramayya. It was not so much to get to the bottom of who in the PPP/C Governmentisinvolved,andhowacutethesituationis. It was a strong effort by both leaders to get Dr Ramayya to shut up. Instead of the two major leaders in the PPP/C Government being interested in cleaning up the corruption mess, they are seemingly more interested in the public relations aspects of Ramayya’s public exposure. Another thingthatRamayyarevealedwasthatJagdeodoesn’twantto hear any criticism of the government’s weakness, the long underbellyofdirtydealingsbyitsownpeople. Whenboth the president and vice president should be focused on the messageandwhattheyhavetodotocorrect,theyaremore agitatedatthedaringofthemessenger
Adaringmessenger,especiallyaninsiderwhoknowsthe way things are (very crooked, mostly corrupt), is the most unwelcomed of presences to a government gutted by corruption. Because the Region Six Rapid Response Taskforce Coordinator enlightened citizens about the state ofthepoliceandpublichealthfacilitiesforpatients,among other things, he rocked Ali’s and Jagdeo’s boat. Because theydon’twantsuchtruthstogetout,theyrushedouttoget Ramayya to stop. This is the real government, and the serious leaders who claim to be about clean governance. They show up to shutdown talk about PPP/C Government corruptions.
Plethora of allegations and admissions that call for a thorough investigation in what appears to be a cesspool of corruption at the CH&PA
DEAREDITOR
, The scandal-ridden CentralHousing&Planning Authority (CH&PA) is making the headlines with one explosive allegation after another (CH&PACEO quits after questions about NY property’, SN, Feb. 5, 2025; ‘New York doctor claims he doesn’t know investing money with Ed Ahmad is illegal’, KN, Feb. 5,2025;InterviewonFeb.3, 2025 with journalist Travis ChaseandDr PhilipBaldeo, and social media post on Feb. 5, 2025 by Melissa Atwellaka‘MellyMel’).
The Stabroek News’ article reported that the CH&PA’s CEO, Sherwyn Greaves tendered his resignation following reports that businessman Terrence Campbell had written to the United States’ Department of Justice requesting an investigation into his purchase of a oncevalued US$770,000 New Yorkhome.Specifically,the callfortheinvestigationwas basedonasuspicionthatthe saleoftheNYpropertywasa quid pro quo for favours to be granted in Guyana in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a US law that prohibits bribery of foreign officials. The transaction in question involved the acquisition of 30 acres of prime lands in Guyana.
Terrence Campbell suggestedthatintheinterest of transparency and accountability, President
IrfaanAli should call for an investigation, given the seriousness of the allegations and that because many believe that CH&PA w e r e d i r e c t e d t o accommodate the sales. I wholeheartedly endorse the n e e d f o r s u c h a n investigationandforawider one encompassing all lands soldpost-August2020inthe areas alongside the newlybuilt Heroes Highway and the Ogle-to-Eccles bypass road. Public disclosure of thisinformationiscriticalto assuage deep concerns of widespread corruption consideredtobeafeatureof thisadministration.Forgood measure the government may also extend the investigation to include CH&PAlandsalesunderthe Coalitionadministration.
The Kaiteur News’ article referenced a recent interview with journalist TravisChaseandNewYorkbased Guyanese Dr Philip Baldeoandborethesub-title ‘… as land sale scandal deepens.’
In the interview Dr Baldeo made several startling revelations. One of these is that apart from 30 acres that he purchased in 2013fromCH&PAunderthe nameLuxuryInvestment,he is engaged over the last two years in acquisition of properties being developed on Heroes Highway to the value of USD10 0 mln under the name Hari Development.
What makes this
revelationstartlingisthathe admitted to buying this land not from the CH&PA but from a Company, which would be a clear breach of the Agreement birthing the originalsalebytheCH&PA. WhenaskedbyTravisChase forthenameoftheCompany that he acquired these lands from, Dr Baldeo committed to furnishing same ‘within 72hours.’
What has caused me some distress, however, is the fact that in the interview Dr Baldeo twice stated that he was in contact with me regardingaproposalofhisto build houses to give to peopleinLinden.Onthefirst occasion,hesaidhe‘wentto Mr Trotman (former Minister of Natural Resources) and also to Mr Bulkan and asked them …’ and again said ‘I asked Bulkan ’ Though not accused of any improper dealings, Baldeo claimed to have ‘donated money to PNC/APNU.’
Why would this person seek to make such a false claim -being in contact with me-isbeyondme.Sincethe airingoftheinterviewwhich had 115,000 views within the first 3 hours, several persons reached out to me saying that ‘my name was called’ which has its own negativeconnotationlocally, especially given that I was the subject Minister for CH&PA for the period May 2015-July 2020. I wish to statethatIhavenevermetor spoken to Phillip Baldeo. I
donotknowhim,norhaveI ever had any dealings with him. Notably, Baldeo made nomentionofCEOGreaves or Minister Susan Rodrigues,bothofwhomare nowlinkedtohimincorrupt practices.OnlyBulkan!Isee this as a clumsy attempt to link me to his questionable conduct.
Finally, I wish to touch on the post on February 5, 2025 by courageous social mediaactivist‘MellyMel’in which she has levelled extremely damaging accusationsagainstMinister Susan Rodrigues, one being that she has laundered USD1.0 mln., same being proceeds of government lands improperly sold to Shareef, of Sheriff fame. Melly alleges also that Minister Rodrigues is involved in one of the three companies that Phillip Baldeo mentioned in his interview
Editor, there are a plethora of allegations and admissions that call for a thorough investigation in what appears to be a cesspoolofcorruptionatthe CH&PA. President Ali would do well to launch an investigation with reference to the aforementioned and makepublicallitsfindings.
Sincerely, RonaldBulkan
Former Minister of C o m m u n i t i e s (responsibility for local government and subject Minister of CH&PA and GuyanaWaterInc.)
The problem in Guyana is neither new nor unique and requires serious attention
DEAREDITOR, My friend and member and City Councillor of the Georgetown City Council, Mr Kyle Solomon was murdered in Durban Backlands by a young man alleged to be about 16 years old There is another instance where a man was feeding his dogs and was ordered into his house, tied up and robbed of all his earthlypossessions.
T
ese tw
incidents,
s fatal accidents involving five youngmen,themostrecent, a cyclist involved in an accident with a truck, in addition to reports meeting meofformsofviolence,not reported to the police. Then thereistheunfoldingsagaof what appears to be the sequesteringanddisposition
of prime state lands by the CH&PA. The above is a small sample of happenings inGuyana,signsofadecay
Some of us feel that President Dr Irfan Ali and all our experienced political leaders may very well have good intentions. However, the present structure and history of our society suggests that no one person can redeem us from the torn fabric of our society, as a consequence of crime, corruption, incompetence and a generation who fear neithermannorGod.
The problem in Guyana is neither new nor unique and requires serious attention It exists in different ways, in every corner of the globe However, in our case, with an abundance of natural
resources, no debilitating natural disasters, there is no reason why we cannot be as they say heaven on earth, a havenofpeaceandplenty
Frommyperspective,we need as a matter of urgency todothefollowing:-
1) Retool our education system. The purpose of educationinourcontext shouldbe
a To assemble the accumulated wisdom of our forebears.
b.Tokeepabreastwitha world of rapidly advancing scienceandtechnology
c. The classrooms and playing fields must help create an environment of togetherness.
d.Helpustothinkandbe creative.
e.The above contributes to producing a generation
with an attachment to the earth,watersandair
In other words, a cadre ofGuyanesewillingandable to face the rest of the world, whoseconfidenceareableto overcome the consequences ofthetortureofimperialism and the divisiveness of our colonial experience Our teaching of history must be to make us strong and to overcome the factors that earlier and still divide us. That education should be free from kindergarten to University
2) As a corollary, introduce a retooled National Service and People’sMilitia.
These two, would allow us as a people to embrace a concept articulated fifty yearsagoofDefencein (Continuedonpage06)
The media and development
DEAREDITOR
Thefirstthingwehaveto do is ask if any of the existing parties represents the interests of the working people or are interested in the unity of the working people or have acted to alleviatethesufferingofthe broad masses, or have they actedtofilltheirpocketsand pockets of their friends, croniesandfamily
Today more than ever before, we are witnessing how the mainstream media andthosewhocontrolsocial media exercise strong control of what is being d i s s e m i n a t e d a s demonstratedbytheUkraine and Israel war Three companies, BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard are the largest shareholders, 88%, of all SMP 500 companies. The amount of money in circulation in the world is about US$440 trillion. These three CEOs controlaboutUS$66trillion.
B l a c k R o c k a n d Vanguardarethetwolargest shareholdersinthesixmajor media companies that controlmorethan90%ofthe U.S. Media Landscape. I hope readers appreciate the connection.Theycontrolthe companiesandtheyexercise influenceoverourminds.
Theextremelyrichowns Twitter, Google Facebook
and the list is long. Most of the TV stations, publishing houses, newspapers, magazinesetc.areownedby thetop.01%ofthecapitalist class.Wemustalsoconsider theconceptwrittenaboutby Gramsci, “Cultural hegemony” where we are socialisedbytherulingelites to defend their interest. Bob Marleysangaboutliberating ourselves from mental slaverywhileothersinsistso many are colonial in their mentality
Karl Marx wrote extensively about ideology that we internalise and which defends and justifies the existing socioeconomic formation. Without this, the minority of exploitative eliteswouldnotsurvive.The House slaves, If Massa sick wouldsaywesick.
Todaywhenpersonslike me try to explain and educate as to the realities of thepresentsystem.Tryingto explain that this once progressive system that advancedtheworldhasnow become retrogressive and counter-productive they are attacked. Professors explain that free enterprise capitalism has been transformed into monopoly capitalism.
You have frequently read, heard of oligarchs Well, there exists a huge
number of oligarchies. And don’tforgettheoftenquoted examples of countries mentioned to prove how greatthissystemis,theG-7. But these countries colonised and enslaved to reach their greatness and dominanceovertheworld.
Today we see how PPPites and PNCites at the lower level of the socioeconomicladderwould attack even physically those whodarecriticisetheirparty Forthemtheirpartydoesno wrong.
The same dogmatic behaviourofdefendingwhat they know and considering any and everything that opposes what they know to bewrong.
It would be comedic if not serious how even the educated who know the concept of socialisation, indoctrination would argue stronglytodefendwhatthey know I saw this quote on social media, “You must always be willing to truly consider evidence that contradicts your beliefs and admitthepossibilitythatyou may be wrong. Intelligence is not knowing everything. It’s the ability to challenge everythingyouknow”.
The famous American Professor and writer, RichardWolfinavideosaid that during the 1930s
PresidentRooseveldtsolved the problems facing the working people by taxing the rich corporations not because he was a radical, as he was a conventional rich kid, but because he was pressured by “a coalition of communists and Socialists a n d U n i o n s T h e communists and Socialists also led the struggle for the righttotradeunions.
So, at the end of World WarIItheenragedcapitalists who knew this was because of this coalition went to work to destroy this coalitiontopreventthisfrom happening again. So, “the communist activists who were the leaders of the unions in many industries, and in the struggle against fascism in Italy, Germany Japan, became not leaders not heroes but demons, converted into agents of a foreignpower,theUSSR.
To be continued but you havetoaskyourselvesinthe meantime, if we should questionwhatwehavebeen taught over the years recognising what I wrote above about who controls the dissemination of information.
RajendraBisessar BscSociology,LLB PresidentialCandidate United Democratic Front(UDF)
GLDAstrengthening Region 5Ambulatory Services an exciting initiative
DEAREDITOR
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is forging ahead with impactful initiatives to enhance the country’s cattle industry, with Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice) emerging as one of the l
k production.
ItwaspleasingtoseeDr Joel Dilchand, Region 5 Livestock Coordinator and Veterinary Officer, the GLDA l
ambulatoryprogramme.
This effort focused on clinical examinations, sample collection, parasite treatment, and routine wellness checks for cattle herds, including breeding bulls and their offspring loaned to farmers through theNationalBovineGenetic ImprovementProgramme.
This is pivotal of the
Government of Guyana’s commitment to boosting beef and dairy production while advancing food security in line with CARICOM’s 25 by 2025 vision. Since its inception, the init
has demonstrated impressive results, particularly in Region5.
Ten Zebu breeding bulls loanedtofarmersinthearea have already produced over 100 calves in less than 14 m
y improving the genetic quality of herds. The twoweek ambulatory initiative further reinforces these gains.Byensuringthehealth and productivity of cattle, the program supports farmers in maintaining strong,resilientherds. It exemplifies GLDA’s dedication to providing hands-onsupportand (Continuedonpage09)
Spanish-speaking squatters create own village at Windsor Forest
DEARSIR
We are residents of Windsor Estates Within recentmonthswehavenoted with great concern that a group of Spanish-speaking individuals have set up a squatting area on the northwestern parapet outside of theWindsorwalls.
These individuals previously worked with the
contractor(s) who were tasked with expanding the Windsor Road. During their employment period, a rough shack was set up to house them on the parapet outside
of the said north-western corneroftheWindsorwall.
EventhoughtheWindsor roadisnowcompleted,these individuals have continued to squat in the said location andtheirnumbersseemtobe increasing. Attached is a photograph of the derelict open shack that has no windows There is a makeshiftoutdoorbathroom areathatcomprisesbasically azincsheetbarricadebehind which there is a standpipe andsomebuckets.
In constructing the standpipe,thesquattershave breached the water mains leading to Windsor, thus creating the threat of contamination of the Windsorwatersupply.
There are also makeshift clothes lines and clothing hanging everywhere The shack area is one of total squalor
Thesquattersurinateand defecate on the parapet and the stench that emanates
from over the wall is unbearable.Theydumptheir garbageandleftoverfoodon the parapet which has resulted in a serious rat infestation problem within theWindsorcommunity We have even had snakes crawling around the community from time to time What’s more, the squatters light a regular bonfire at night which creates a fire hazard, apart from the discomfort created bythesmokebillowingover theWindsorwalls.
Another major concern to the Windsor residents is that the shack is positioned exactlyatthejunctionwhere the eastern half of the dumpsiteroadconnectswith theWindsorroad.
It thus creates a severe obstruction of the view of driverswhenturningontoor coming from the dumpsite road. Also very worrying is that the squatters are now abletoseeintothebackyards
of the Windsor residents, now that a relatively high sidewalk has been constructed on the Windsor road.Theconstanttraversing of the squatters along this sidewalk day and night is of concerntoresidentswhofear thattheymightscalethewall intotheirpremises.
While we empathize with the squatters in their situation of homelessness, one would recognize that their squatting has created s e v e r a l s e r i o u s environmental concerns for theresidentsofWindsor We thus seek your urgent intervention in publishing thislettersothattherelevant authority can take the necessary action as we have exhausted all avenues with theNDCetc.
Thank you in advance foryourkindattentiontothis matter
Regards
ZaidaJoaquinonbehalf ofWindsorForestresidents
The problem in Guyana is neither...
Frompage04
Depth where Guyanese will occupy land along our borders. They say you lose whatyoudon’tuse.
Dear Editor, to make theseideasmentionedabove flourish, we need a Parliament constituted of Guyaneseonbothsideswho are true nationalists and unafraid to admit mistakes, particularly in dealing with the mighty transnationals who have come to harvest our natural resources, and because of its emotional interpretation, I did not say those who have come to exploit our natural resources.
At this crucial stage of our history, let us remember thewisdomoftheoldadageUnitedweStandDividedwe Fall. If the Government and
theOppositionfeelthatthere is any merit in the above, theyneedtoharmonisetheir thoughtsinastructuredway to produce a working documentthatwouldtakeus to the glorious mountain peak.
If we observe what is happening in the Middle East, Europe, India, the orient and theAmericas and just about everywhere else, wewillknowthattimeisnot onourside.
Why does intelligent mentalprocessseemsooften not to function?” - End of quote.
Guyana, my Dear GuyanaQuoVadis. Regards HamiltonGreen Elder
I end with this question posed by Barbara W Tuchman in her book ‘The March of Folly,’ (1984), when she observed that, I quote “A phenomenon noticeable throughout historyregardlessofplaceor period is the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interests.Mankind,itseems, makesapoorerperformance of government than of almost any other human activity In this sphere, wisdom, which may be defined as the exercise of judgment acting on experience, common sense andavailableinformation,is less operative and more frustrated than it should be. Why do holders of high officesooftenactcontraryto the way reason points and enlightened self-interest suggests?
Introduction of Fingerprint biometrics must be shelved until after elections - GECOM Chair
The introduction of fingerprint biometrics and any focus on such must be shelved until after the 2025 General and Regional
Elections This was disclosedbytheChairmanof the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)
Justice Retired Claudette Singh via a statement dated February4,2025.
Thestatementwhichwas posted via the Facebook Page of Commissioner Clement Rohee said “At the last meeting, I gave an undertaking that I will give thought to the proposal to introduce digital fingerprint capture as a component of theregistrationprocess.Inso doing, I have recognised that going in that direction is easiersaidthandone.”
The GECOM Chair said that in outlining her position on the digital fingerprint capture matter, she had
mentioned“Section9(1A)of the National Registration Act as amended byAct 14 of 2005 empowers
Commission to determine
acquisition and electronic processingofdata.” T
on, S
ngh highlighted that there is nothing in the law or otherwise that is currently preventing the system from being introduced where the fingerprints can be taken digitally, as it is the Commission that is empowered to determine such procedures. “This is still my opinion. However, I maintain apart from the necessary elements of implementingsuchasystem, such as procurement of equipment, training of personnel and education of the public, there is still the
need for the Commission to address other issues such as ensuring that there is adequate legislation pertaining to the security of prints,” the GECOM Chair said.
In the statement, she explained that although the technology exists to facilitate digital fingerprint capture to be introduced, it will be a new thing for GECOM and it must be ensure that all bases are covered It would be a necessity to hire a Technical Consultant to advise on the way forward if the Commission is to have this done in a comprehensive manner.
“In this regard, our first step would have to be in defining the objectives and scope to create the Terms of Reference to advertise locally and overseas for Expressions of Interest
(EoI),leadingtothehiringof such a consultant,” the Chair explained.
She further explained that, “The Consultant would then be required, based on research and analysis, to prepare a project taking all variables into consideration including technological, legal, financial and operational frameworks. In my view, this is what should be our first step in the direction of introducing digital fingerprint capture during the registration process.”
According to Singh, conceiving a project for capture of fingerprint digitally should not be done at the same time with preparations for the upcoming elections because there will be challenges in logistics, technical considerations, political and socialacceptanceissues,and
alsothecosts.
Additionally,shesaidthe preparations for the conduct oftheupcomingGeneraland Regional elections will require extensive planning and coordination among various stakeholders, therefore the introduction a new technology like digital fingerprint capture during those preparations, “will add another layer of complexity that could strain resources andpersonnel.”
“Therefore, there should be separation of these two projects which will facilitate more thorough planning, stakeholder engagement, procurement, testing and, willultimatelyleadtoamore secure and trustworthy data capture and storage process.”
She added: “Our foremost responsibility is to prepare for and conduct the upcoming general and regional elections with the strictest conformity with the extant laws and international standards. We must not be distracted from our constitutional responsibility with which the Commission ischarged,”shesaid. Taking this into consideration, “any focus on preparations for the introduction of biometric fingerprint capture must be shelved until after the upcoming elections. At that stage, we can take the first step towards digital fingerprint capture,” the Chairmansaid.
T h e i s s u e o f implementing biometrics and the digital capture of fingerprint before the upcoming elections has been extensively discussed in the public domain over the past few months. The political opposition has been calling for the implementation of biometrics at this year’s
elections. The government while saying it is not opposed to the system said the decision has to be made by GECOM and that voters s h o u l d n o t b e disenfranchised.
Late last year, the Joint Opposition had emphasized its support for the full i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f biometrics throughout the election process. The joint statement outlined the party’s support for the capture of fingerprints digitally in the registration process (to enhance the quality of fingerprints available to the Commission and aid in the prevention of multiple registration) and digitized fingerprint identification at the place of poll (to prevent voter impersonation or identity theft) “We express our preparedness to lend support to all the necessary stages to arrive at this outcome, i n c l u d i n g e n a c t i n g constitutional and statutory changes, if necessary,” the joint opposition said in statement back in November lastyear
The opposition said too that it stands ready to engage in all necessary discussions at the GECOM level, the parliamentary level, and/or at the inter-party level to resolve these concerns to the s a t i s f a c t i o n o f a l l stakeholders, including the Guyanese people “We recognise and support GECOM’s position that stakeholder involvement should be integral to the process,” the two parties added in the statement while calling on GECOM to p r o m p t l y e n g a g e stakeholders before finalising its internal discussions on the way forward.
Woman on bail for verbal abuse
A 23-year-old woman, was placed on $10,000 bail, on Wednesday, after she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’Courtonachargeofabusivelanguage. Latavia December of 60 Remus Street Agricola was charged for abusive language towards Thessa Monasar on January27,2025alsoatAgricola.
Decemberpleadednotguiltyafterthechargewasreadto herbyActingChiefMagistrateFaithMcGusty Monasar told the court that December continuously abused her and she is requesting protection. Additionally, MonasarsaidthatDecemberisrelatedtohersisterwholives on the lower flat of her house and she would visit her quite often.“Everytimeshe comes,she does cuss meout, and she doesdamageupmyproperty.”
Magistrate McGusty placed December on $10,000 bail and she was strictly instructed to have no contact with Monasar Failure to comply will be a breach of the bond to keepthepeaceandthebailwillberevoked.
What Guyanese leaders can learn from Donald Trump
Thereislittledisputethat Donald Trump knows how tomakeanentrance.Hedoes sowithoutpretense,without the usual trappings of a honeymoon period or the equivocating niceties that accompany the ascent of mostleaders.
From the very first day, hedidwhathesaidhewould do, issued executive orders with a strong hand. He did not waste time He immediately began by bulldozinghisway Itisthis kind of audacity that, for better or worse, marks his tenureandcementshisplace i n t h e p o l i t i c a l consciousness–falseorreal –ofhisardentsupporters.
Say what you will about the man, and indeed, many havesaidagreatdeal,buthe exemplifies a certain decisiveness that many leaders,particularlythosein Guyana, would do well to study His willingness to make hard decisions, his utter disregard for
bureaucratic inertia, and his ability to act with a s i n g u l a r i t y o f purpose—thesearequalities that, if applied judiciously, could serve Guyanese governancewell.
Guyanese politics is often defined by an inertia and early cautiousness. Our newly-elected leaders in Guyana waste precious months, if not years, before they begin making serious changes The assumption seems to be that there one hastobecarefulintheearly monthsofanewgovernment of not upsetting Opposition constituencies or making dramatic and draconian changes.
But what Trump has demonstrated, with an almost reckless clarity, is that political capital is at its highest in those first few momentsofleadership.
The ability to shape the narrative, to seize the momentum, and to dictate t h e p a c e o f
governance—thesearetools available only to those who understandthatleadershipis a performance as much as it isaresponsibility Guyanese leaders, by contrast, have a perennialfearofrufflingtoo many feathers too soon They are reluctant to offend t h e e n t r e n c h e d bureaucracies that have for decades dictated the rhythm of government Yet, as Trump showed, the most effective leaders recognize that their first moves set the tone for everything that follows. The lesson here is nottoembracerecklessness, but to understand the value ofimmediacy.
WhatweneedinGuyana are elected leaders who, when they enter office, act boldly to reform the oil sector, streamline government inefficiencies, and hold public officials accountable not through mere rhetoric, but through immediate action Such leaders would not only
GLDAstrengthening Region 5Ambulatory...
Frompage05 addressing challenges faced bylivestockfarmers.Region 5’s rise as one of Guyana’s premier cattle-producing zone reflects the success of G L D A’s t a r g e t e d interventions. These efforts not only enhance the quality and quantity of beef and dairy production but also
contribute to economic g r o w t h i n r u r a l communities Farmers benefit from improved herd genetics,healthierlivestock, and stronger connections with national agricultural programmes. GLDA’s initiatives in Region 5 are shaping a sustainable future for livestock farming in
Guyana With continued i n v e s t m e n t a n d collaboration, the region is set to play a vital role in achieving national and regional food security goals while cementing Guyana’s position as a leader in agriculture.
Sincerely AbdulYassin AresidentofRegion5
DEM BOYS SEH
Guyanese and stress-relief
Guyanese gat a w a y o f r e l i e v i n g stress. This method is the envyoftheworld.Wedoes mekupjokesaboutanyand every thing that stressing peopleout.
Right now, we have a lotofGuyaneseinAmerica wah under stress. Before demusedtogooutandhave agoodtime,gotoworkand go and party too. But now withICEpickinguppeople and deporting them, nuff Guyanesestayinglockedin dem house. Some of dem even frighten to peep through dem window Is a stressful situation with TrumpindeWhiteHouse. But you know we Guyanese,wedoeseasewe stress by mekking joke.
Dem boys come across de following joke about Trump and how de deport LittleJohnnyandhefamily
It goes like this: Trump decide fuh visit a primary schoolclass.Teacheraskhe fuh lead a talk ‘bout de word “tragedy.” So Trump tun to de pickney dem and askfuhexample.
Lil boy jump up and seh,“Ifmehbestfrienddeh pon de layin’ and a car knock he down dead, dat a tragedy.”
Trump seh, “Nah, dat nahtragedy.Databigloss, arealbigloss.”
Lil girl raise she hand and seh, “If a school bus wid 50 children drive off a cliff and all ah dem dead, dat a tragedy.” Trump seh, “Nope,datnahtragedy Dat
command attention but also establish the kind of authoritythatkeepspolitical opponents and bureaucratic inertiaatbay
Trump knows how to make an entrance But making an entrance is one thing Following through with conviction is another Trump, for all his polarising decisions, never shies away from making choices early that would define his administration. The wisdom ofthosechoicesisdebatable. But his willingness to act decisively is never in question. He does not hesitate to make the hard c h o i c e s , h o w e v e r contentious,controversialor confrontational. He is not seeking popularity He is pushinghisplans.
In Guyana, the great affliction of leadership has been the unwillingness to maketoughdecisions.
Too often, hard choices are deferred, postponed indefinitelyforfearoflosing public support. The result is acycleofhalf-measuresand unfinishedpolicies.Whether it is the issue of vendors, squatting, crime or corruption, Guyanese leaders have, more often than not, chosen the path of leastresistance.
Contrast this with Trump’s approach. There is no endless pontificating, no drawn-out committee hearings aimed at ensuring thateverysinglestakeholder was appeased He understands that leadership, at its core, is about making choices even unpopular ones.
A Guyanese leader with the same willingness to act decisively would do well to
s confronting those that
stagnate progress. It means being unafraid to tackle the d i f f i c u l t questions—questions about who benefits from the country’svastresourcesand who bears the brunt of its mismanagement.
The third, and perhaps most crucial, lesson Guyanese leaders can learn from Trump is the necessity of cutting through the bureaucratic morass that
s
understands that the public s
st, lumbering inefficiency, is more of an obstacle than a facilitator of progress. However misguided are his policies, his approach is nevertheless instructive in its attempt to reorient government spending and reallocate resources in ways hedeemsbeneficial.
Guyanese leaders, by contrast, have long been beholden to a system of public administration that is bloated, inefficient, and often resistant to change.
The machinery of government is riddled with redundancies, sinecure appointments and political patronage.
Y e t e v e r y administration,regardlessof party, finds itself entangled initsmechanisms,unableor unwilling to wield the axe whereitisneeded.
The problem is not merely one of inefficiency but of misplaced priorities. Public finances, instead of being directed towards meaningful development, are often squandered on maintaining this bloated bureaucracy which costs taxpayers more than 1 5 billiondollarsperday
There is not anywhere nearvalueforthatmoneyin
the delivery of public services.
IfGuyaneseleaderswere totakeapagefromTrump’s playbook, they would recognize that streamlining government, cutting unnecessary expenditures, and ensuring that resources aredirectedtowardstangible national development are not just options—they are imperatives.
Donald Trump’s administrationisnotamodel of perfect governance. His tenure is marked by c o n t r o v e r s y , unpredictability, and a level of political volatility that often overshadows his substantivepolicydecisions. Buttodismisshimentirelyis to ignore the valuable lessonsembeddedwithinhis leadershipstyle.
Guyanese leaders must understandthatleadershipis not a passive exercise. It requires decisiveness, making a strong entrance, executing hard decisions, a n d d i s m a n t l i n g bureaucratic inefficiencies. The question, then, is whether Guyanese leaders have the courage to take the hard decisions that leadershipdemands.
The answer to that question will determine the trajectoryofGuyana’sfuture far more than any single policy or manifesto ever could.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
a bad accident, a terrible accident.”
Class get quiet. Trump look round and seh, “So none ah y’all can tell me whaatragedyis?”
Finally,LilJohnnyatde backraisehehandandseh, “IfAir Force One wid you inside get hit by a missile and blow up, dat’s a tragedy.” Trump smile big and seh, “Yes! Dat’s a tragedy Dat’s a major tragedy A tragedy of all tragedies.Tellmewhy.”
LilJohnnyseh,“Well,it wouldn’t be no great loss, and it sure wouldn’t be no accident.”
And dat is how lil Johnny and he family get deportfasterthanyoucould blink.
Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
H@RD TRUTHS
VP Jagdeo on PPP comrades benefitting
ThereisanoldAmerican comic book character who wentbythenameofGeneral Halftrack. The name is the first giveaway, and the title made matters worse. The US Army was in deep, agh, trouble.
Guyana’s Vice President with full responsibility for the Local Universe, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, comes to mindasaparalleltoGeneral Halftrack.
What Guyanese get is halfthestorymorethanhalf of the time, which leaves them hanging halfway between consternation and confusion What is emphasized also are the
contradictions in Big Boss Bharrat. Take this issue of Guyanese benefiting from thegovernmentbusinessthat is available, up for grabs, as incleancompetition.
Accordingtoasliverofa Facebook post shared with me,Dr Jagdeowassternand unmoving: ‘all Guyanese must benefit from available opportunities.’ Ahem, well said,sir HowcanIdisagree with such a position? He went further, and this is the heart of the matter, the contentiousness generated bylocalcircumstances:‘PPP supportersmustbenefitfrom thoseopportunities.’
My first thought is why
shouldtheynot? Mysecond is that I wholeheartedly agree with Dr Jagdeo, and thatisneitherlipservicenor for the record. It is where I am and I say it again: PPP comrades should and must benefit from the many opportunities available in today’soilGuyana. Itisfair, itisright,andnobodyshould be apologizing for that position.
But the reason I made that reference to General Halftrack and connected Dr Jagdeo to it is that he fits so seamlesslyintothatuniform.
BecausewhatMr Jagdeoput b e f o r e G u y a n e s e represented only half the
story Therealstoryandfull storyaboutbenefitsandwho should participate is a little more tangled, and not as sweet. In other words, the Jagdeo posture about benefits and PPP loyalists start to fall apart, when the playingfieldisexamined.
PPPinsidersandhangers on must benefit, but only when the process of them winning those opportunities is free of taint, is lacking in what I call distinctive fixes. PPP favorites must benefit but it must be on a level ground. Benefit on the merits, i.e., meeting all the eligibility criteria. Benefit not through the setup of
prearrangement, but a clean and straight standard that is consistentlyappliedand whichnonecanchallenge. Toputdifferently,theremust be an absence of any unfair advantage. Howaboutthose my sanctimonious brother Bharrat for PPP cabals qualifying and benefiting? What can be said about the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board when it stands as a not-so-secret student of all that is scurrilous in Guyana relative to benefits and who are selected and preselected to reap those riches? PPP favorites benefit from improper awards (as have been seen) and PPP orchestrators and arrangers in the places of review and decision-making benefit from being part of a corrupt culture And when the Public Procurement Commissionreducesitselfto a study in stupidity and impotency,thenathirdsetof PPP workers earn their benefits by acting out an unconvincing imitation of beingdeaf,blind,anddumb. When benefits are doled out in this manner, then PPP contractors and donors win on each occasion. But they benefit to the unfair advantage of others, who may be lower down on the PPPtotempole,ornotofany PPP relationship at all Taking Dr Jagdeo at his word,howareall(all,toram home this point) Guyanese benefiting from the fruits of their land? I appreciate and accept that to the winner goes the spoils. But does it have to be all the benefits, Dr Jagdeo? Doesithavebe nothing left for others, outsiders and outcasts like me,Dr Jagdeo? IfIwereto bid for a project, or raise handforajob,wherewouldI
stand in the benefit line, Dr General Secretary? I can imagine the shock in PPP quarters, the waves of laughter and mockery Do I still count as a bona fide citizen, eligible to join the line, and be honestly consideredforanybenefitin this country? By any standards, I fail to meet the qualification of the rent-acitizen crowd So why shouldIbesidelined,kicked out of the order of consideration immediately, f r o m t h a t s
President?
I am for all Guyanese benefiting. I am just as insistent that PPP priority citizens (there is that kind, isn’t there) must benefit; must not should. But no Guyanese who measured up more ought to suffer improper disadvantage and loss. Dr Jagdeoknowswhat I am talking about, and to help him I point to those i n e x p l i
s involvingbigdollars. Some Guyaneselostoutthere,and in the most unacceptable manner
I am afraid that Dr Jagdeo’s posture about all Guyanese benefiting easily reads as all PPP Guyanese. Therecordstandsinsupport. Try something new, Mr Truthteller Jagdeo: give the people the whole story Wishes are extended for a blessedday
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Mother of four on malicious damage to property charge
A 38-year-old single mother of four was placed on $50,000 bail on Wednesday when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge of maliciousdamagetoproperty
NeiahFavoritefrom1350CummingsParkwascharged formaliciouslydamagingthepropertyofPetalRobertsthat took place on August 31, 2024 at Rose Mary Lane South Cummingsburg,Georgetown. Shepleadednotguiltyafterthechargewasreadtoherby Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty Favorite maliciously damaged a 32-inch television worth $65,998 and a showcase valuing $280,456 which were owned by Roberts. Magistrate McGusty placed Favorite on $50,000 bailandsetMarch5,2025ashernextcourtdate.
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
National Press Circus Day
Every Thursday is designated National Press Circus Day in Guyana. It is the day when a two-term former president and now the defacto chief executive of Guyana, holds an afternoon cuss down session at his party’s headquarters.
The media get an invitation saying it is a press conference. They know better, so most of the seasoned journalists avoid it like the plague.Yesterday was another round of the circus, starring Bharrat Jagdeo He was handed an honorary doctorate and he insists that he be addressed as doctor. So, the invitation comes out with Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and the State media operatives and the privately-owned State media all fall in line…Dr. Jagdeo, they call him. Full circus. Look out for it next week at 2PM.
$1.382 trillion budget passed tr
After hours of vigorous scrutiny, the National Assembly on Wednesday approved the government’s second trillion-dollar budget.
The Appropriation Bill No.1 of 2025 was passed at the 100th sitting, following five-daysofdebatesandfour daysofCommitteeofSupply deliberations, in which parliamentarians carefully scrutinised budgetary allocations for each agency SeniorMinisterintheOffice of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh presented the $1.382 trillion budget on January 17, under the theme ‘A Secure, Prosperous and SustainableGuyana.’
It is 20.6 per cent larger than last year’s fiscal
framework, which was $1 146 trillion, and is financed by no new taxes. It contains US$2.5 billion in oil and gas revenues
Notably, the framework is anchored by a suite of relief measures, intended to support hard workers, households and families, by placing additional disposable income into their pockets. For instance, with the passage of the budget, oldage pension will now increase from $36,000 to $41,000, injecting $4.5 billionintothehandsofover 76,000 pensioners nationwide. Persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable persons will enjoy an increase in their public assistance, from $19,000 to $22,000, placing
$1.4 billion into the pockets of40,000individuals.
A $10,000 universal health voucher is set to benefit about 500,000 Guyaneseatatotalcostof$5 billion, ensuring they live a healthier lifestyle Also, mothers with new born babiesareeligibleforaoneoff cash grant from the government, totalling $100,000.
To ensure greater financial empowerment of families, the Income Tax Threshold will now be increased from $100,000 to $130,000 monthly, adding $8.5 billion in disposable income and removing 22,000 persons from the tax net.Also,thosepersonswho earn overtime for work beyond their normal working hours, the first
$50,000 monthly of their overtime would be nontaxable. For those who have a second job in addition to their full-time primary job, the first $50,000 of income earned monthly from their second job would be nontaxable.
To further increase the disposable income of parents,thegovernmentwill introduce a provision whereby, for each child, one parent would be allowed to claim $10,000 monthly of their income as non-taxable. During the budget debates, Minister Singh outlined that these suite of tax measures ensures every family with two children is able to benefit from at least $1.8 million of tax-free income annually
The Because We Care education grant will also provide relief to parents and their children, as it has now increased from $45,000 to $50,000. Together with the BWC Student Grant, the uniform voucher allowance of $5,000, parents of over 205,000 schoolchildren will be receiving a total of $55,000 per child, with an estimated $11 billion being transferred to parents and
theirchildren.
Moreover, it contains crucial allocations aimed at modernising Guyana’s healthcare, education, and housingsectors,with$143.2 billion, $175 billion and $112.5 billion earmarked respectively
To secure a modern health care system, investments will be made to complete the modern Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and six other
nationwide. Provisions has also been made to expand telemedicine centres in additional remote, riverine and hinterland communities this year Under the education budget, $36 2 billion has been earmarked for construction and rehabilitation of schools,
$4.4billionforscholarships, and $5 5 billion for the National School Feeding programme.
Further, in keeping with its commitment, $13.1 billion has been approved to implement free tertiary education at the University of Guyana (UG) The governm
nt has also allocated $88 billion has beenallocatedtoadvancethe energy expansion and transition Guyana towards renewables. Majority of this allocationhasbeenallocated tothetransformativegas-toenergy project, that is set to bring significant relief to Guyanese and the business community
This project is the single largest investment in the electricitysectorandis
Continued on page 20
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh
-
40 new community policing groups for this year
Initsfightagainstcrime, theGuyanaPoliceForcewill establish for 40 new community policing groups across the country, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson
Benn disclosed on Wednesday
The Ministry of Home Affairs secured a $49 9 billion budget to strengthen security in 2025 The ParliamentaryCommitteeof
Supply approved the allocation on Wednesday Among other things, the funds will facilitate the refurbishment of several
b u i l d i n g s , t h e implementationofenhanced training opportunities and the acquisition of modern machinery and equipment across all branches of the joint services % the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Prison Service.
BenntoldtheCommittee of Supply that government intends to introduce 40 new community policing groups
in keeping with its commitment to protecting and serving at the grassroot
to be trained in intelligence gathering, other police functions
level. These groups will be t
fundamental elements to providepolicingfunctionsin t
communities He said thousandsofcivilianswillbe engagedunderthisinitiative, therebylesseningtheburden on police officers This f
government’s target of having 485 a
ive community policing groups in 2025. Policing groups near the border will also undergo specialised training insurveillance,useofdrones andtracking.
Substantialfundsarealso being poured into building the human resources of the Guyana Police Force
Utilising an allocation of $250 million, the Force will expand with 2039 trained police officers and 762 traineddetectivesthisyear Benn explained that the government is positioned to train these personnel in critical security areas. In addition to training, a whopping $6.7 billion in
capital expenditure was earmarked for buildings, e q u i p m e n t , a n d reconstruction and renovationof policestations countrywide. All of these allocations are aimed at lowering crime rates and drastically decreasing the number of murders The country’s correctional system will also be transformed in 2025 with an approved 2 6 billion for capitalexpenditure.
Meanwhile, amid concerns regarding prison officers trafficking drugs at the facilities, the home affairs minister firmly assured that “the law will take its course ” The government intends to ramp upthelevelofscrutinyinthe sy
frequency of searches conducted and install more s
ct individuals carrying drugs. Monies have also been put towards reconstructing the juvenile correctional facility andtremendouslyincreasing theoverallqualityofprisons inGuyana.Aspartofefforts
to promote rehabilitation among prisoners, resources have been designated to boost the prison’s agricultural efforts by building shade houses and providing necessary investments.
“We can’t fight fire anymoreasifwecouldsetup abucketbrigadetooutfires. So, the visits, the training, the professional expertise and the exchange of knowledge have to be at a high level,” Minister Benn said.Hefurtherdefendedthe $2.5 billion in capital expenditure, highlighting its role in constructing new buildingsandprocuringvital equipment for the fire service.
Over the years, the fire service has broken regional records by being the first to procure modern equipment like the Bronto Skylift used to reach fires in challenging locations and heights. The fire service also currently boasts a fleet of specialised equipment and cranes. With the newly approved budget, thisfleetwillbeenhanced.
A hefty sum was also allocated to maintain the operating capacity of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU). The budget will add to the agency’s current fleet of 22 vehicles, significantly upping its intelligence capabilities.
Each vehicle procured will matchthedemandofvarious types of terrain, broadening the agency’s access to reach difficult areas.Awide range of intensive training will be undertaken in various fields includin
rcotic investigation, cybercrime, intel
s, weapon training and crisis intervention training Stringent drug testing for officerswillbeconductedto e n s u r e i n t e g r i t y, transparency and efficiency in the system. Other key projectsaccountedforinthe overall budget are a new adminbuildingforCANU,a vocational training centre andtradeshops.(DPI)
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn (right) and team in the Committee of Supply on Wednesday
Ministry of Natural Resources still struggling to update oil data to website
The Ministry of Natural Resources is still struggling to update oil data to its website, despite claims of receiving realtime information from the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL).
The portal offers data regarding the number of barrels produced at the Liza One and Liza Two, Payara projects in the Stabroek Block, as well as the daily reported injected gas, flared gas and gas used for fuel. It alsogivesanoverviewonthe Brent Crude prices and the amount of water produced and injected. The Ministry’s Petroleum Management Programme website offers accesstopetroleumdatathat is usually updated midmonth for the preceding month.
For instance, production data should have been published on the website by January 16, 2025 for the monthofDecember,2024.
Bethatasitmay,thelast update on the website is dated November 30, 2024. Thefailurebygovernmentto provide timely updates on
the extraction of oil resources has been a sore concern for stakeholders, although repeated promises have been made to upgrade thewebsite.
Withbelatedinformation beingprovidedtothepublic, citizens have also complained about the manner in which the data is presented.Thegraphsarenot user friendly and pose challenges for the ordinary citizentointerpret.
Environmental and transparency activists have been relentlessly stressing the need for such data to be shared with the public and more so, be updated in a timely fashion to avoid altering of information
These key production data arecriticaltostakeholdersto keepthegovernmentandthe operator of the Stabroek Blockaccountable.
Lastyear,VicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo announced during his weekly press engagement at Freedom House Georgetown that the government now has realtime access to Exxon’s production data, which is updatedevery10minutes.
He said the operator of the Stabroek Block now has a dashboard which is monitored by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines
Commission(GGMC).
Inadditiontoproduction data, Jagdeo said government now also has access to Exxon’s drilling activities in the Stabroek Block.
Previously, VP Jagdeo had expressed discontent with the delayed production updates being provided by the Ministry of Natural Resourcestothepublic.
The failure by the Ministry of Natural Resources to update the
website defeats the purpose of the portal to keep Guyanese informed on the exploitation of the oil and gas resources and further brings the government’s commitmenttotransparency intoquestion.
Graph on the Petroleum Management Programme’s website, showing the last update on oil production
Speeding truck ploughs into house at Lusignan
A 28-year-old truck drivercrashedintoacarand house along the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast
Demerara (ECD) on Thursday morning leaving the driver and a woman injured.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the truck driver, identified as Atash Singh, of No. 71 Village,
Corentyne, Berbice, swerved into the wrong lane and crashed into the car and house.
Jameela Kelvin, a 31year-old woman from N o r t o n S t r e e t , Wortmanville, Georgetown wasinjured.Hervehiclewas struck by the truck before it ploughed into the house around10:45h.
Both Singh and Kelvin were transported in a conscious state to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment.
At the scene, Singh’s truck was lodged in the houseandawomanwasseen sittingonthepavementwith bloodoozingfromherbody
Alarge crowd had gathered, and a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) pole had also fallenontotheroad.
Police and emergency services responded promptly At about 11:30h, the injured driver was still seated in the front driver’s seatofthetruckaspoliceand
The damaged truck
Technicians (EMTs) were trying to remove him from the vehicle without causing furtherinjuries.
After extracting Singh, efforts were made to resuscitatehim.Hewasseen moving his hands briefly before being whisked away tothehospital.
Meanwhile, Kelvin who was visibly traumatized told Kaieteur News, “I can’t tell what happen. I just know I got knock. I was driving on thisside(westerndirection), and he came from the other sideintomycar Ijustseehe coming.”
Shetoowasexaminedby EMTs and taken to the
hospitalfortreatment.
Atash Singh being removed from the truck he was driving.
Owner of the damaged house, Bibi Naziha Shafeek, recalled the terrifying moment when the truck crashed into her home. She and other family members were at home when the accidentoccurred.
“Iwasupstairs,andIhear thissound,soIthoughtitwas something on the road. But thenIhearvibrationfromthe house, and everybody screaming I rush downstairs, and I see the truck in the house,” Shafeek toldKaieteurNews. Shafeek, who buried her mother on Monday, is now faced with the wreck of her home.
Police in a statement on Thursday a
on confirmed that Singh was traveling east along the northern carriageway at a fastratewhenhelostcontrol of the truck. The statement said that Singh’s truck first collided with a Guyana P o w e r a n d L i g h t Incorporated (GPL) pole in the center of the road before hitting Kelvin’s motorcar (PYY 6812), which was heading west along the southerncarriageway Following the impact, the truck veered further off the road and crashed into a house.
The accident is being investigated.
The damaged car belonging to Jameela Kelvin.
Countries of the Americas to have access to the HPV9 vaccine through the PAHO Revolving Fund from mid-2025
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has announced that the 9-valent HPVvaccinewillbeavailabletocountriesof the Americas via its Revolving Fund for AccesstoVaccinesstartingJuly2025.
In a press release PAHO said this will facilitate more affordable, efficient access to thevaccine,whichprovidesprotectionagainst 9strainsofthehumanpapillomavirus(HPV), associated with various types of cancer This initiativeisexpectedtoprovideimmunization programmes with more tools to protect their
populations against the most prevalent genotypes in cervical cancer and reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases: the 9-valent vaccinehas5morevalencesthanitsprevious version (quadrivalent vaccine) against these genotypes All vaccines included in the portfolio of the PAHO Revolving Fund are prequalifiedbytheWorldHealthOrganization (WHO) or a reference authority, seeking to offer quality, safe health technologies aligned withtechnicalcriteria
“The inclusion of the 9-valent HPV
vaccineinastepforwardinthefightagainst HPV-related cancers and an important tool for countries’ immunization programs,” SantiagoCornejo,ExecutiveManagerofthe PAHO Revolving Funds said. “By working together, we can make life-saving vaccines moreaccessibletoallandcontinueadvancing towards the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.”The 9-valent HPVvaccine is recommended for those between the ages of 9 and 26 years, depending on each countries’immunizationschedule.
VaccinationisakeyelementofthePAHO Elimination Initiative, which seeks to end more than 30 diseases by 2030, including cervicalcancer Thegoalistovaccinate90% of girls by 15 years of age with at least one doseofHPVvaccine.ThePAHORevolving Fund enables countries to combine their purchasing power to negotiate better prices andensureapermanentandtimelysupplyof vaccinesandrelatedsupplies.Thisapproach reduces costs and simplifies the acquisition processforparticipatingcountries.
$1.382 trillion budget passed
Frompage12
divided into five components % the laying of the pipeline to bring thegastoshore,theconstructionofthepowerplantandNaturalGas Liquid (NGL) facility, the installation of transmission lines, the construction of the control centre and the upgrading of the distributionsystem.
Guyana’sinfrastructuresectorissettoreceiveasignificantboost this year, with $252.8 billion allocated to the Ministry of Public Works This mammoth investment will fund a range of transformative projects, including major road upgrades and the enhancementoftransportationnetworksacrossthecountry Budget 2025isareflectionofthegovernment’scommitmentofsecuringa prosperous Guyana through investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, welfare and most importantly – increasing disposableincomeforworkers,familiesandhouseholds.(DPI)
New PAHO report on road safety highlights...
Frompage3 some countries have made progress in terms of policies and regulatory frameworks, there is still a lack of coordination and training in many cases. As far as infrastructure is concerned, while several countries have improved roads through measures such as pedestrian protection zones and better signage, further investment is needed, particularlyinruralareasandregions withahighincidenceofaccidents.
Withregardtosafervehicles,the report highlights the benefits of
international standards such as electronic stability control and airbags.However,implementationof these standards is still insufficient in somecountries,limitingtheirimpact.
The report also stresses the importance of reducing risky behaviors such as speeding, driving undertheinfluenceofalcoholandthe use of cell phones. It also calls for greater use of safety devices such as helmets and seatbelts. Finally, with regard to post-accident response, although several countries have improved access to medical and
rehabilitation services, disparities persist in response times and
PAHO calls
comprehensive “safe systems” approach that includes improving road infrastructure, strengthening traffic regulations and increasing vehicle safety In addition, the importance of cooperation between thepublicandprivatesectorstosolve this public health problem is emphasized.
More Kenyan police arrive in Haiti to boost security mission
NAIROBI, Feb 6 (Reuters) - A contingent of 144 additional Kenyan police arrived in the Haitian capital on Thursday, part of a U Nbacked Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission that aims to
battling powerful gangs, K
’s
announcedonX
Kenyan President William Ruto wrote on X that he spoke with U S Secretary of State Marco
Rubioandpraisedwhathe described as the specific exemption to MSS funding from a broader f r e e z e o n U S governmentassistance
Violent gangs, armed with weapons largely trafficked from the United States, have united in the Caribbean country’s capital Port-au-Prince under a common alliance and now control most of thecity
They have also been expanding their control to
nearbyareas
Earlier this week, the United Nations warned that over $13 million in U.S. funding for the security force had been frozen under President Donald Trump’s 90-daypauseonforeignaid.
TheMSSmission,while backedbytheU.N. SecurityCouncil,isnota United Nations operation and currently relies on voluntarycontributions.
The mission has so far made little progress toward helpingHaitirestoreorder
A Kenyan police officer adjusts the helmet of a colleague after arriving as part of a peace-keeping mission to tackle violence in Haiti, at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 18, 2025. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo
Israel minister tells army to plan for Palestinians leaving Gaza
BBC - Almost 70% of Gaza’s buildings are estimatedtobedestroyedor damaged following 15 monthsofwar
Israel’s defence minister has told its military to prepareaplanto“allowany residentofGazawhowishes to leave to do so”, in line with President Donald Trump’sproposalfortheUS totakeovertheterritoryand resettle its 2 1 million Palestinians elsewhere Israel Katz said Gazans should have “freedom of movement and migration” and countries critical of Israel’s war with Hamas were “obligated” to take themin.
Trump meanwhile said Gaza would be “turned over”totheUSbyIsrael“at theconclusionoffighting”.
But the Palestinian presidency reiterated its rejectionoftheplan,whichit has said would violate international law, and insisted that “Palestine... is notforsale”.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented crossborder attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 weretakenhostage.
Morethan47,550people havebeenkilledand111,600 injured in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-runhealthministry
Most of Gaza’s population has also been
displacedmultipletimesand almost 70% of its buildings areestimatedtobedestroyed or damaged Healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicineandshelter
Most of Gaza’s 2 1 million population has been displaced multiple timesduringtheconflict
The Israeli defence minister wrote on X on T h u r s d a y t h a t h e welcomed the US p r e s i d e n t ’s “ b o l d initiative”, saying it could “support long-term reconstructioneffortsina demilitarized, threat-free GazaafterHamas”
Katz announced that he had instructed the Israeli military to “prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willingtoreceivethem”
“The plan will include exit options via land crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air,” hesaid.
“Countries such as Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have falsely accused Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory Their hypocrisy will be exposediftheyrefuse ” He alleged that Hamas
was preventing people leaving Gaza and said that they should have “the right tofreedomofmovementand migration”.
Hamas official Basem NaimaccusedKatzoftrying to cover up for “a state that has failed to achieve any of its objectives in the war on Gaza” and said Palestinians wouldrefusetoleave.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Palestinian presidency assertedthat“Palestine,with its land, history and holy sites,isnotforsale”.
NabilAbuRudeinehalso said the Palestinians would “will not give up an inch of theirland”,whetherinGaza ortheoccupiedWestBank.
“The Palestinian people and their leadership will not allow the repetition of the catastrophes of 1948 and 1967, and will thwart any plan aimed at liquidating their just cause through investment projects whose place is neither in Palestine noronitsland.”
The 1948 “Nakba”, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic, saw hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee or driven from their homesbeforeandduringthe war that followed the creation of the State of Israel.
Many of those refugees ended up in Gaza, where they and their descendants makeupthreequartersofthe population Another 900,000 registered refugees
liveintheWestBank,which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war along with Gaza, while 3 4 million others live in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, according to the UN. Israel unilaterally withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005, though it retained control of its shared border, airspace and shoreline, giving it effective control of the movement of people and goods. The UN still regards Gaza as Israeli-occupied territorybecauseofthelevel ofcontrolIsraelhas.
O n We d n e s d a y, Jordan’s king expressed its “rejection of any attempts to annex land or displace Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank”, while Egypt’s foreign minister stressed the i m p o r t a n c e o f reconstruction “without the Palestinians leaving the GazaStrip”.
Hamas - which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the US, the UK and other countries - said Trump’s plan was “absurd” and would “only put oil on the fire”intheregion.
The UN human rights office warned that any forcible transfer in, or deportation of, people from occupied territory was strictly prohibited under international law
The UN’s secretary general also said it was “essentialtoavoidanyform
of ethnic cleansing” and stressed that Gaza would be an integral part of a future Palestinianstate.
Antonio Guterres told a meeting in New York that the world had “seen a chilling, systematic dehumanisation and demonization of an entire people”
Trump unveiled his plan for the US to take “long-term ownership” of Gaza and oversee its reconstruction during a visit to the White House by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday
The president said most of the Palestinians living in Gaza would have to be relocated to achieve his vision of creating “the RivieraoftheMiddleEast”, and that they would be housedinJordan,Egyptand othercountries.
“I hope we can do something where they wouldn’t want to go back,” he said, echoing earlier remarks in the Oval Office where he talked about r e s e t t l i n g p e o p l e “permanently”.
At the White House briefing on Wednesday, spokeswoman Caroline Leavittwasaskedtoconfirm whetherallPalestinianswho wanted to stay in Gaza wouldbeallowedtodoso.
“I can confirm that the president is committed to rebuilding Gaza and to temporarilyrelocatingthose
whoaretherebecause...itis a demolition site,” she replied, appearing to contradictthepresident.
SecretaryofStateMarco Rubioalsosaidtheideawas for Gazans to leave the territory for an “interim” period while debris was cleared and reconstruction took place. On Thursday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Gaza would“beturnedovertothe UnitedStatesbyIsraelatthe conclusionoffighting”.
A ceasefire in effect between Israel and Hamas has halted the war and aims toleadtoapermanentendto thefighting.
“The Palestinians would have already been resettled in far safer and m o r e b e a u t i f u l communities, with new and modern homes, in the region.They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe,andfree,”headded.
The president also said no US soldiers would be neededtomaintainstability
InaninterviewwithFox News on Wednesday, Israel’s prime minister called Trump’s proposal “ r e m a r k a b l e ” a n d something that should be “examined, pursued and done” Netanyahu also suggested that Gazans would be able to return, saying: “They can leave, they can then come back, they can relocate and come back,butyouhavetorebuild Gaza.”
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Teacher arrested for allegedly raping 12-year-old student
Kaieteur News on Thursday confirmed that a 26-yearold male teacher from Bartica, Region 7, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 12-yearold female student.
Sources indicate that there is sufficient evidence to support the allegations against the teacher.
The victim is reportedly residing in the female dormitory, which is in close proximity to the teacher’s quarters, where the assault allegedly occurred.
Police heard that the teacher who admitted that he had sex with the child lured her to his dorm under the pretext that ‘her assignment was late and that she needed extra help’.
Prior to this incident, the teacher had sent text messages to the child telling her that ‘she should skip classes and come over to the government quarters for work review’.s
A police file on the matter is being prepared.
Broadcasters must air clean content to safeguard children during ‘Mash’ - GNBA
The Guyana National Broadcasting Au thority (GNBA) on Thursday reminded broadcasters of the need to follow guidelines to safeguard children under the age of 18, especially during Mashramani celebrations.
In a statement, the GNBA urged broadcasters to air clean content and reiterated the importance of using dis-
claimers for songs containing alcohol.
“The GNBA understands the culture of our country and that certain songs and their lyrics are usually unavoidable during the celebration.
As such, it is most prudent that you make proper use of disclaimers for alcohol [related] songs,” the agency stated.
Further, the GNBA re-
minded that under existing guidelines labelled ‘Protection of persons under eighteen’ reasonable steps to protect persons under 18 must be taken and special attention must be given to child audiences.
“During prime time, that is between 06:00hrs – 22:00hrs.; programmes containing the following subject matters, must not be broadcast, such
as, but not limited to: illegal drugs, cigarettes, solvents and alcohol; dangerous and self-harming behaviour; violence and crime; offensive language; sexually-explicit material or language; nudity”.
An example of “harmful” lyrics for children cited by the GNBA is, “All day we drinking and we don’t need no chaser, rum in awi system. I’m a professional drinka.”
Looking for a Male companion, Muslim, Age 50-55 years old. Contact: 688-1352.
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Aracari
Bids open for supply of meter bases for GPL
During the recent reading of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, it was revealed that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) went out to tender seeking
the supply and delivery of meter bases (an important component in providing electricitytohouseholds) It was revealed that two companies applied for the contract:SkytechEnterprise International Inc. and Fixit Depot.
Greaves tells Govt ‘clean money’ used to acquire New York properties- Jagdeo
Vice President (VP)
Bharrat Jagdeo has said that former Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) Mr Sherwin Greaves has assured the government that funds used for the acquisition of two luxurious New York properties came fromlegitimatesources.
Jagdeo’s comments come days after documents purporting to show that Greaves acquired two propertiesinNewYorkeven as questions swirl over how large plots of prime lands in Guyana landed in the hands of two US based Guyanese realtors, Dr Phillip Baldeo andEdAhmad.
Baldeo a medical doctor basedinNewYorkhasbeen embroiled in a scandal over questionable sale of prime lands at Providence, Ogle and Heroes Highway Ahmad was convicted for fraud and money laundering inrelationtorealestateinthe US. Greaves had allegedly facilitated the sale of prime landsatbelowmarketvalue.
Greaves has since resignedfromtheentitywith immediateeffect,statingthat social media commentaries ontheissuehaveaffectedhis mental health and family According to the documents seen by this newspaper the New York properties acquired by Greaves once belonged to Baldeo and a RashaadAhmad.Andatleast one of the properties was acquired without mortgage beingissued.
Responding to questions at his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo who is also the General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive PartyCivic(PPP/C)toldthe press that his party will not be taking any strong actions against Greaves. He said that the former CEO has assured the government that he legitimately acquired the properties. “He [Greaves] has assured us and so far fromwhathehassaidtous,I consider it credible that he haslegitimatelyacquiredthe properties and so we will have to examine that but rightnowwearenotgoingto witch-hunt people on the basis of conjecture,” Jagdeo said.Henotedincomparison to the case of Assistant Commissioner Calvin
B r u t u s , G r e a v e s ’ transactionsdonotwarranta hard investigative approach. “InBrutus’caseIhadalotof detail. Lots of details were there in the documentation.
It was egregious, it was hundredsoftransactionsthat we saw and we were convinced that it warranted thatsortofinvestigation.So rightnow,itmayormaynot happen depending on what emerges [for Greaves] but wearenotgoingtorundown peoplebasedonsocialmedia post especially from people who are crooked,” Jagdeo posited.
The VP claimed nevertheless,thatifGreaves hasdoneanythingwrong,he hastofacetheconsequences. “Sherwyn Greaves would have to answer and give credible answers for the acquisition of any of his property,ifhebrokethelaw, andEdAhmadbreakthelaw, t h e y m u s t f a c e consequences, that is our position, but they have alreadywildlyvilifyandrun him down,” Jagdeo added.
The Vice President said he believesMr Greavesoffered to resign because of the negative public scrutiny However, questions have been raised over the source of Greaves’ income to acquirehomesvaluedatover USD$1.675million.
Sources close to this newspaperexplainedthatthe CEO’ssalaryatCHPAisjust about $1.5 M a month and basedonhiscontracthewas notallowedtodootherwork outsidehisdutiesasCEOof CHPA.
“Even if his salary increased and you add gratuity and allowances, it still wouldn’t add up,” the sourcenoted.
Accordingtodocuments seen by this newspaper, a propertywassoldtoGreaves at USD750, 000.00 on the 15th September, 2023 by Reliable Custom Builders Inc According to the documents seen by this newspaper, the transactions were by way of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). In one of the transactions, a
property was listed at the sale price USD925, 000.00
by Liberty Avenue Associates LLC, a company of which Philip R Baldeo is thesoleowner NewYorkproperties
Documents seen by this newspaperpurportedBaldeo had sold his property on March 25, 2024 to SML Management LLC, which was owned and represented By Mishana Greaves. That LLC later transferred the property into a Living Trust with Sherwyn Leon Naftali Greaves and Mishana Greaves as trustees. It is important to note that there was no mortgage issued for the purchase of the property anditwassoldbelowmarket value.
Greaves’ name is listed as the purchaser in a transaction for a property located at 115-30 142nd Street Jamaica NY 11436, USA.Thatpropertywassold at USD750,000.00 on the 15th September, 2023 by Reliable Custom Builders Inc represented by Rashaad Ahmad It is however unclear the connection RashaadhaswithEdAhmad.
Ed Ahmad has been acquiring huge plots of prime land in Guyana under questionablecircumstances.
Among the deals signed is a questionable agreement forthepurchaseoflandnear ExxonMobil’s new headquarters at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, to build an “upscale” residential complex Back in 2011, Ahmad acquired a huge piece of prime, seaside property to develop a valueadded wood processing operation, but instead convertedtheareaintohouse lots.
The conditions of sale were that the company would have set up a factory to create jobs for persons in the neighbourhood. This condition dictated the low
price he paid for the land which is $80M. There has been no factory to date. Instead, there is a multimillion-dollar housing development project The project, Leonora Mall and HollywoodGarden,isbeing managed by Leonora Projects which is owned by Shareef and EdAhmad.The latter is said to be a close associate of former President,BharratJagdeo. From factory to housing scheme
The conversion of the almost 17-acre plot to the Leonora Mall and HollywoodGardenhasbeen raisingeyebrowsasagain,it is the controversial National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) thatisinvolved.Inthemidst of the questionable transactions, Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC soughttodefendthedealsas aboveboard.
During his programme, ‘Issues in the News’, on Tuesday, he stated that the People’s Progressive Party Civic Administration had inheritedthelanddealsfrom the previous A Partnership For National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)government. He claimed “In 2020 when we got into Government, I received piles and piles of files of transactions that were done under the previous government; contracts were already signed for huge swathes of lands.”
He noted locations includingthesaleof30acres at $30 million per acre at Ogle, ECD, with the title vested, though no money waspaid.Henotedthatlands were sold at Le Resouvenir, Chateau Margot, Ogle, Providence, Georgetown, West Demerara and properties within the staff compounds at the Enmore, LindenandWalesEstates.
One of the New York properties acquired by Sherwyn Greaves
Sherwyn Greaves Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
Trump says Israel would hand Gaza to the US after fighting is over
JERUSALEM/WASHI
NGTON, Feb 6 (Reuters) -
U S President Donald Trump said on Thursday IsraelwouldhandoverGaza to the United States after fighting was over and the enclave’s population was already resettled elsewhere, whichhesaidmeantnoU.S. troops would be needed on theground.
A day after worldwide condemnation of Trump’s announcementthatheaimed totakeoveranddevelopthe Gaza Strip into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, Israel ordered its army to prepare to allow the “voluntary
departure” of Gaza Palestinians.
Trump, who had previously declined to rule outdeployingU.S.troopsto the small coastal territory, clarified his idea in comments on his Truth Socialwebplatform.
“The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting,” he said Palestinians “would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region.” He added: “No soldiersbytheU.S.wouldbe needed!”
Earlier, amid a tide of support in Israel for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Trump’s “remarkable” proposal,
DefenceMinisterIsraelKatz saidhehadorderedthearmy to prepare a plan to allow Gaza residents who wished to leave to exit the enclave voluntarily.
“I welcome President Trump’s bold plan. Gaza residents should be allowed the freedom to leave and emigrate, as is the norm aroundtheworld,”Katzsaid onX.
He said his plan would includeexitoptionsvialand crossings, as well as special arrangements for departure byseaandair
Trump’s unexpected announcement on Tuesday, which sparked anger around the Middle East, came as Israel and Hamas were expected to begin talks in Dohaonthesecondstageof a ceasefire deal for Gaza, intendedtoopenthewayfor a full withdrawal of Israeli
forcesandanendtothewar Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia rebuffed the proposal outright and Jordan’s King Abdullah, who will meet Trump at the WhiteHousenextweek,said on Wednesday he rejected any attempts to annex land anddisplacePalestinians.
Egypt also weighed in, sayingitwouldnotbepartof any proposal to displace Palestinians from neighbouring Gaza, where residentsreactedwithfuryto thesuggestion.
“Wewillnotsellourland for you, real estate developer We are hungry, homeless, and desperate but we are not collaborators,” saidAbdelGhani,afatherof fourlivingwithhisfamilyin the ruins of their Gaza City home.
“If (Trump) wants to help, let him come and
rebuildforushere.”
It is unclear whether Trumpwillgoaheadwithhis proposal or, in keeping with his self-image as a shrewd dealmaker, has simply laid outanextremepositionasa. Hisfirsttermin2017-21was repletewithwhatcriticssaid were over-the-top foreign policy pronouncements, many of which were never implemented.
DISPLACEMENT
What effect Trump’s shockproposalmayhaveon the ceasefire talks remains unclear Only 13 of a group of33Israelihostagesduefor releaseinthefirstphasehave so far been returned, with three more due to come out on Saturday Five Thai hostages have also been released.
Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel’s defence minister Katz of
Displacement of Palestinians has been one of the most sensitive issues in theMiddleEastfordecades.
Forced or coerced displacementofapopulation under military occupation is a war crime, banned under t h e 1 9 4 9 G e n e v a Conventions.
Details of how any such plan might work have been vague Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said different thinking was needed on Gaza’s future but that any departures would have to be voluntary and states would have to be willingtotakethem.
“We don’t have details yet, but we can talk about principles,”Saartoldanews conference with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. “Everything must be based on the free will of (the) individual and, on the other hand,ofawillofastatethat isreadytoabsorb,”hesaid.
A number of far-right Israeli politicians have openly called for Palestinians to be moved from Gaza and there was strong support for Trump’s push among both security hawksandtheJewishsettler movement, which wants to reclaimlandinGazausedfor
Jewish settlements until 2005.
Giora Eiland, an Israeli formergeneralwhoattracted wide attention in an earlier stage of the war with his “Generals’Plan”foraforced displacementofpeoplefrom northernGaza,saidTrump’s plan was “logical” and aid should not be allowed to reach displaced people returningtonorthernGaza.
Israel’s military campaign killed tens of thousands of people after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 cross-borderattackonIsrael touched off the war, and has forced Palestinians to repeatedly move around within Gaza in search of safety.
But many say they will never leave the enclave becausetheyfearpermanent displacement, like the “Nakba”, or catastrophe, whenhundredsofthousands were dispossessed from homesinthewaratthebirth ofthestateofIsraelin1948. Katz said countries that have opposed Israel’s military operations in Gaza should take in the Palestinians.
“Countries like Spain, Ireland,Norway,andothers, which have levelled accusations and false claims againstIsraeloveritsactions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow any Gaza resident to enter their territories,”hesaid.
Panama president to US: stop ‘lies and falsehoods’ about canal
PANAMA CITY, Feb 6
(Reuters) - Panama
President Jose Raul Mulino said on Thursday the U.S. was spreading “lies and falsehoods” after the State Department claimed US government vessels would be able to pass through the Panama Canal without paying.
The comments were likelytoexacerbatetensions between the two countries after the U.S. had cited progress on military cooperationandconfronting alleged Chinese influence overthecanal.
Later, Mulino added on social media that he would speak to U S President Donald Trump on Friday afternoon.
Panama has been in the White House’s crosshairs since Trump claimed the country’s vital waterway had effectively been taken overbyChinaandvowedthe U.S.was“takingitback.”
Speaking to journalists, Mulino expressed his “absolute rejection” that the two countries’ relations be “based on lies and falsehoods.”
T h e U S S t a t e
Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House also did not immediatelyrespond.
The Panama Canal Authorityissuedastatement lateonWednesday,rejecting the State Department’s claim that Panama’s
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino
governmenthadagreedtono longer charge crossing fees forU.S.governmentvessels, a move that would save the U.S. millions of dollars a year
Trump has accused the CentralAmericancountryof charging excessive rates to use its trade passage, one of thebusiestintheworld. U S military vessels
have priority of passage through the waterway, according to a 1977 neutrality treaty signed when the U.S. agreed to return the canal to Panama.
But all ships, regardless of origin, destination or flag, must pay tolls that vary dependingonsizeandtype.
“Why are they making an important institutional statement from the entity that governs the foreign policyoftheU.S.,underthe president of the U.S., based on a falsehood?” Mulino asked, calling the claim “simply and plainly intolerable.”
Mulinosaidheaskedhis ambassador in Washington totake“firmsteps”toreject the claims made by the
Trumpadministration.
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Mulino in Panama during a trip throughCentralAmerica.
After the visit, Rubio welcomed in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a vast global infrastructure plan led by Beijing, calling the move“agreatstepforward” forbilateralties.
On Thursday, Mulino said Panama had formally presentedadocumenttoexit the Belt and Road Initiative but denied the decision had been made at the request of the U.S., adding he was taking time to evaluate Panama’s relationship with Chinaandwhatwasbestfor thecountry.
Palestinians make their way along a road on a rainy day, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
ExxonMobil now using codes to identify oil projects in MARAD ads
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of Guyana’s oil-rich Stabroek Block seems to have employed a newtactictoavoidreleasingthenamesofspecificprojectsthe companyisdeveloping.
Thiscomesfollowingamajorblunder,whereExxonsaidit wasmovingtoconductdevelopmentdrillingatanoilprojectit neverannouncedasadiscovery TheMaritimeAdministration Department (MARAD) later took responsibility for publishing what it said was incorrect information. Instead of developmental drilling at the Banjo well site, MARAD explainedthatadrillshipwasatthelocationformaintenance activities.
ExxonMobil has now employed a new technique in the publication of advertisements relating to its offshore activities. The oil giant now uses codes, instead of project names,toinformthepublicofitsworkschedule.
Forinstance,inaMARADNotice,datedJanuary1,2025, Exxon stated that it will continue developmental drilling operation at the “WT_4i06 Well Site” within the Stabroek Block.WhileKaieteurNewswasabletodeterminethat“WT” referredtotheWhiptailproject,ExxononThursdaypublished an additional three Notices raising questions about its new modusoperandiinGuyana.
According to Notice 39 (2025), “On February 4, 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at PY_2i5 Drill Center within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Meanwhile, Notice 38 states “On February 2, 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at UA_2P05 Drill center withintheStabroekBlock...”
Another Notice, 36 (2025) informs the public that “On January29,2025ExxonMobilGuyanaLimited(EMGL)will continue developmental drilling operations at UA_1i05Well Site within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s Exclusive EconomicZone.”
Itisunclearwhattheseabbreviationsmean.Additionally, itisashiftfromExxon’susualcommuniqués.Itiscustomary for Exxon to indicate the name of the well sites in its advertisements in a transparent manner for the public. This usually aids in keeping the public informed about the company’s operations, since the project names are well known,comparedtoabbreviations,asisnowbeingused. For instance, in the advertisement that was recalled, the company had revealed the name of the site where developmentaldrillingworkswerescheduledfor ThatNotice stated,“OnDecember13,2024ExxonMobilGuyanaLimited (EMGL) will continue developmental drilling operations at Banjo-1 Well Site within the Stabroek Block of Guyana’s ExclusiveEconomicZone.”
CARIFORUM Director-General, Ms. Alexis Downes-Amsterdam (5th from left, front) and Mr. Paul Whittingham, Head of Trade for Development, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom (6th from right, front) with meeting participants.
The Caribbean
ForumofAfrican, Caribbean, and P a c i f i c S t a t e s (CARIFORUM) and the United Kingdom (UK) have reaffirmedtheircommitment to fully implementing and ratifying the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)signedin2021.
A Communique issued after the inaugural meeting of the CARIFORUM-UK Technical Sub-Committee
o n D e v e l o p m e n t Cooperation (TSCDC) from J a n u a r y 3 0 - 3 1 i n Georgetown, Guyana, notes thatofficialsfrombothsides discussed areas of mutual interest such as leveraging market access offers, tariff commitments, enhancing
trade in goods and services, and initiating regular tourismservicesdialogue.
The meeting, held at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters, also reviewed recent UK trade policy developments affecting the A g r e e m e n t , t h e Communiquestates.
Accordingtoastatement issued by the CARICOM Secretariat on Thursday, recognising the EPA’s importance to their economic and development partnership, the parties discussed high-priority market access challenges as wellaswhatneedstobedone to ensure the objectives of the agreement can be achieved.
In noting the EPA’s
potential to increase trade and investment, it was agreed that they would prioritise actions to overcome the obstacles hindering CARIFORUM States from effectively enteringtheUKmarket.The parties also addressed the UK'smarketaccessconcerns in CARIFORUM States, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Communique.
CARIFORUM and UK officialsexaminedtheEPA's role as a developmentfocusedAgreement,withthe UK reaffirming its commitment to financial assistance, aligned with CARIFORUM’spriorities.
Theyalsohighlightedthe significant milestones since the Agreement's provisional
application in 2021. These includeoperationalisationof Joint Institutions such as the Joint CARIFORUM-UK Council, the Special Committee on Services, and the Technical SubCommittee on Development Cooperation..
The meeting, chaired by the United Kingdom, was attended by representatives from Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Belize; The Bahamas; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; St Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia;SaintVincentandthe Grenadines; Suriname; TrinidadandTobago;theUK and Northern Ireland. Haiti was represented at the meetingasanObserver
NewscannerstobeinstalledatMazaruni, otherprisonstoaddresssmuggling- Min. Benn
The Ministry of Home Affairs will soon be installing new scanners at several prisons across the country, including the Mazaruni Prison to address thesmugglingofcontraband byofficersandcivilians.
This was disclosed by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn during the Consideration of Estimates and Expenditure before the Committee of Supply this week. Minister Benn was asked by Opposition MemberofParliament(MP) Geeta Chandan-Edmond what measures are being employed by his ministry to deter prison officers from smugglingcontraband.
“Will there be increased screening or random searches? Would there be additionaltrainingandmore integrity testing to prevent such incidents?” ChandanEdmondasked.
Inresponse,theMinister notedrecentincidentswhere prison officers were caught
smuggling marijuana and other items into the prisons.
Hedescribedthesituationas disappointing. “In spite of all the training, in spite of integrity testing and so on, that we have these occurrences. We intend to keepupthelevelofscrutiny searches, which we have at the moment increased, have them heightened, which the Prison Service was asked to do,”Bennsaid. Theminister explained that there have been two occurrences recently which civilians were a part of as well and officers need to keep an eye oncivilianswhotakefoodor thingstoprisoners.
“We are just now installing more scanners at the Mazaruni Prison itself, which will take away the humanelementrelatedtothe matter of the smuggling of things,” he said noting that similar measures will be implementedatotherprisons acrossthecountry
On January 21, Kaieteur
News reported that a 21year-old prison officer was jailed for three years after pleadingguiltytoanarcotics possession charge at the BarticaMagistrates’Court. Joel Johnson, a resident of Lot 1, Section ‘C’ Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara, was found in possession of 804 grams of cannabis on January 14, 2025,attheMazaruniPrison Checkpoint/Scanning Area. Hewasarrestedonthesame day and later charged with Possession of Narcotics for the Purpose of Trafficking, contrarytoSection5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ControlAct,Chapter10:10.
Appearing before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed, Johnsonpleadedguiltytothe charge.Hewassubsequently sentenced to three years in prisonandfined$30,000.
According to police reports, on January 14, at approximately 18:30hrs, a prisonofficerwasondutyat
t h e M a z a r u n i Checkpoint/Scanning Area whenJohnsonreturnedfrom a four-day leave. Upon his return,hewassubjectedtoa mandatory search. During the inspection, Johnson presented a green haversack for examination Upon searching the haversack, eight soap boxes and two Colgate toothpaste boxes were found, containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspectedtobecannabis,all wrapped in transparent plastic.
The other prison officer on duty identified the suspected cannabis and promptly arrested Johnson. The matter was reported to the police, and officers responded to the scene. The suspected narcotics were handed over to Corporal Yearwood, along with Johnson, who was escorted totheBarticaPoliceStation. At the station, the narcotics were weighed, totalling 804 grams.
Charles hits 36 off 20 balls to help Sharjah Warriorz defeat MI Emirates by six wickets in ILT20 eliminator
S
Sharjah Warriorz defeated the MI Emirates by six wickets in the International League T20 (
LT20) eliminator at the Zayed
Thursday St Lucian
JohnsonCharlesmade36off 20 balls including seven fours and a six to help the
Warriorsreach149-4in18.5 overs chasing down 147 for victory He shared in a 49runopeningpartnershipwith Tom Kohler-Cadmore that set the foundation for what ended up being a simple chase.
Kohler-Cadmore ended up making a run-a-ball 40 whileTimSeifertmadea20-
ball 40* to steer the team home, hitting five fours and apairofsixesintheprocess.
Jason Roy also chipped inwith26battingatnumber three Muhammad Rohid finished with 3-32 off four oversfortheEmirates.
Earlier, the Warriorz restrictedtheMiEmiratesto 146-8 from their 20 overs
after winning the toss and choosingtofieldfirst.
CaptainNicholasPooran was one of only two MI batsmen to pass 20 with his 42 off 22 balls including six foursandasix.TomBanton wasthenextbestscorerwith 29 off 25 balls. CaptainTim Southee took 2-24 from his fourovers.TheWarriorzwill now move on to Qualifier 2 against the Desert Vipers in SharjahonFriday
The winner of that game will take on the Dubai Capitals in the final on SundayinDubai.
Friday February 07, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Overall,theforecastfortoday is fairly good. The aspects seemtofavorfiguringoutthe meaning of all that's transpired over the past several weeks It's an opportunity for you to take a leisurely
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Have you felt somewhat lost forthepastfewdays?Thefog maylifttodayandenableyou to situate yourself at last. You'reprobablyeagertosettle a question that has nagged at you and interfered with your judgment.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
You may have been feeling somewhat disillusioned. Perhapsyoulostsightofyour goals or misplaced your faith in yourself. You'll feel some reliefbeginningtoday
CANCER(June21–July22)
Youmightbetemptedtosettle certain matters by radical means. The visionary part of you means you're painfully aware of the world's wrongs. You see no reason not to take actiontocorrectthem.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Today will be fairly calm in terms of outside events, but yourinnerworldislikelytobe in a rush of activity Today you wish you could find the solutiontoyourheartachesas well as your career predicaments.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
You have a lot of thinking to do about your professional goals, Virgo. You'll go over the elements to see if there isn't some way to approach thingsdifferently
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Youjustcan'tdoeverythingat once, Libra. How do you expect to reduce your stress and recuperate while at the same time continue to be a superstar performer in every areaofyourlife.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Thisisagoodmomenttoadapt your logic and reason to reality, Scorpio. If you don't, you're going to run into some
Everyone knows that you find newideasplentiful.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
It'sgoingtobealittledifficult t
y, Sagittarius. You, who can be easily influenced by others, will be listening to and criticizing everything that peoplesay
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Haveyoubeenreviewingyour
ely, Capricorn? Of special interest is your cultural background. What educational, social, and religious environment were you born into? What are its values?Intheend.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to elevate your senseofself,Aquarius.You're justasgoodasanyoneelse,so why don't you believe it? The problem is that you're very sensitiveabouthavinganego. Even though you know everyonedoes.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Today your intellectual and expressive abilities should receive a boost from the planets.It'sanexcellenttimeto organize your thoughts about presentingaproject.
Inclement weather forces BCB to halt cricket competitions in Berbice All matches fixed for this weekend are off
Duetopersistentrainfall in Berbice, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is advising all clubs and stakeholders that all cricket matches scheduled for this w
postponed. The postponement will affect matches in the
/LCSS ALUMNI Association U15 Inter Zone tournament.This tournament involves five
Corentyne, West Berbice, NewAmsterdam/Canje/East Bank Berbice, Upper
England suffer another disappointing...
Frompage30 laugh at his misfortune whenhemanagedtotoe-end Axar’slonghoptoshortfine leg.
The biggest positive for England was Bethell, who overcamehisearlystruggles to reach a second ODI fifty in 62 balls. But hopes of a late surge failed to materialise Liam Livingstone nicked behind and Brydon Carse was bowled swinging at the otherend.
Scores: India 251 for 6 (Gill 87, Shreyas 59, Axar 52, Rashid 2-49) beat England 248 (Buttler 52, Bethell 51, Jadeja 3-26) by fourwickets.
North Essequibo cart off ECB...
Frompage36 player-of-the-match and he receivedatrophyandacase ofBustadrink.
At the presentation ceremony, the victorious side North Essequibo collected a trophy and $100,000 while a trophy and $50,000 were given to thesecond-placedteam,the President’sX1.
Meanwhile,eightteams participated in the tournament for three consecutive days on a knockoutbasis.
President of the ECB DeleepSinghcongratulated thewinningteamandallthe sidesfortheirparticipation. He reserved special mention to Busta for coming on board and is looking forward to their continuedsupport.
Corentyne and a President XIselection.
AlsoaffectedistheLalsa County wide Second Divisioncompetition.
TheBCBisalsoadvising clubs that are listed to take part in first division competitions to submit their list of registered players to theBCBoffice.
They are expected to do so before the start of the BCB first division two (2) d a y r o u n d R o b i n tournament, which is scheduled to begin shortly (SamuelWhyte)
England suffer another disappointing defeat in India
BBC Sport - England
s u f f e r e d a n o t h e r disappointing defeat in Brendon McCullum’s first one-day international in charge as India won their series opener in Nagpur by fourwickets.
Onthebackofa4-1loss in the preceding T20 series, JosButtler’sEnglandwasted agoodstartwiththebattobe bowledoutfor248.
OpenerPhilSaltcrashed 43 from 26 balls, including 26 from one Harshit Rana over,buthiscalamitousrunoutbeganacollapseofthree wicketsfortworunsineight ballsfrom71-0.
Captain Buttler threatened a successful rebuild before miscuing on 52, leaving Jacob Bethell to batwiththelowerorder
The 21-year-old left-
hander started slowly and had just begun to open his arms when he was pinned lbw for 51. England were dismissedin47.4overs.
Indiafellto19-2inreply but Shubman Gill stuck a fine87from96ballstotake his side to the brink of victory
They stumbled late onGill’s dismissal one of three wickets for 14 runs with fewer than 30 needed - but India still completed their chase with 68 balls remaining.
The second ODI in the three-match series is on Sunday Familiar feelings for England
Afteraconvincingdefeat in theT20s, McCullum now hasthesethreegamestoturn around England’s 50-over
side before their Champions Trophy opener against Australiaon22February England come into this contest on the back of three consecutive ODI series defeats and this latest loss was littered with familiar struggles-thosewhichhave dogged England’s 50-over cricket since they won the WorldCupatLord’sin2019.
There was a collapse –Salt, Ben Duckett and the out-of-formHarryBrookfell inaflurry–beforethelossof regular wickets, including thereturningJoeRootfor19, meant they were unable to turnthetide.
They were bowled out for the 21st time in 44 ODI innings since the start of 2022.
When their turn to bowl came,JofraArcherconceded
onlytworunsandnickedoff
Jaiswal in his first three overs but his next two
cost 23 Despite Rohit Sharma chipping Saqib Mahmoodtomid-wicketfor two, India took 71 from the first10overs.
From there, England’s bowling was too often wayward and rarely threatening Shreyas Iyer capitalised to take 59 from 36ballsandapartnershipof 108 between Gill and Axar PateltookIndiatothebrink.
Axar was bowled by a fine leg-spinner by Adil Rashidwith28runsneeded, KL Rahul tamely chipped theleg-spinnerareturncatch and Gill’s mis-timed pull wenttomid-on.
That only made the scoreline closer look closer thanitshouldhave.England werewellbeaten.
Mix-upsparksEngland’s struggles
Little went right for England after they gifted India their breakthrough in
theninthover
After Salt cut behind point, Duckett ambled the first two runs and sent back hispartnerashesetofffora third. Salt was already midpitch and had no chance of recovering before Iyer’s returnfromthedeep.
Four balls later, Duckett was brilliantly caught by Jaiswal running back at square leg off Harshit, who then had Brook fending a short-ball down the leg side forathree-ballduck. Whereas England were spun out attempting big shots in the T20s, this was moreameekslide.
Root went lbw to a quicker one from Ravindra Jadeja before a partnership of 59 between Buttler and Bethell.Buttleraccumulated steadily,theEnglandskipper hittingonlyfourfoursinhis half-century Hecouldonly
(Continuedonpage29)
Yashasvi
Axar Patel and Shubman Gill stitched a century partnership. (AFP/Getty Images)
Shreyas Iyer came out all guns blazing. (BCCI)
Shimron Hetmyer hit a half-century but it not enough to propel his team the Khulna Tigers to the final.
SportsMax - A half-century from West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer was not enough to prevent the Khulna Tigers from missing out on a place in the 2025 BangladeshPremierLeague(BPL)finalafter atwo-wicketlosstotheChittagongKingsin the second qualifier at the Shere Bangla NationalStadiuminMirpuronWednesday TheGuyaneseleft-handerledthewayfor the Tigers with a 33-ball 63 including six foursandfoursixesastheymade163-6from their20oversafterbeingputintobatbythe Kings.
Hetmyer hits 63 but Khulna Tigers lose to Chittagong Kings by two wickets in second Bangladesh Premier League qualifier -KingstotakeonFortuneBarisalinfinal 2025 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 2…GHE vs. CCC Day 2
whileJasonHolderhitafourandasixinhis 12* off five balls Sri Lankan Binura Fernandotook2-27fromhisfourovers.
TheKingsthenusedall20overstoreach 164-8 and book their spot in Friday’s final against Fortune Barisal. Opener Khawaja Nafay led the way with 57 off 46 balls including four fours and three sixes while Hussain Talat made a 25-ball 40 including fivefoursandasix.
MusfikHasantook3-32fromthreeovers while Hasan Mahmud took 3-34 from four oversfortheTigers.
Woods pays tribute to ‘biggest fan’ as mother dies
Woods said none of achievements would have been possible without the support of his mother Kultida who was born in Thailand. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Tiger Woodshaspaidtributetohis “biggest fan and greatest supporter” after announcing the death of his mother, Kultida.
Former world number one Woods, 49, did not reveal the cause of death of his mother, who attended his TGL match in Florida lastweek
Woods said none of his personal achievements would have been possible without his mother, who
regularly attended his tournaments and was present when he won his fifth Masters title to end an 11-year wait to claim a 15th majorin2019.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” Woods, who lost his father Earl in 2006, said on social media.
“MyMomwasaforceof natureallherown,herspirit
was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none o f m y p e r s o n a l achievements would have beenpossible.
“She was loved by so many, but especially by her twograndchildren,Samand Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family Love youMom.”
Corbin century, fast-bowlers give CCC lead as champs face stern Day 3 test
Co m b i n e d Campuses and Colleges (CCC) ownedDay2thankstoKyle Corbin’s 102 coupled with some venomous spells from their pacers which left the GuyanaHarpyEaglesfacing a209-rundeficitastheyaim to regroup ahead of a tricky 3rddayatProvidence.
A majestic ton from middle-order batsman Corbin, who was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury; but not before leading his team with 102 not out (11x4
1x6), saw his team through a good first inningspassage
Captain Johann
J e r e m i a h ( 8 4 ) , Shaqkere Parris (56) and Demario Richards led the scoring on day one which inevitably helped lay the platform for CCC’s 375 all out
Harpy Eagles bowling unit struggled compared tothefirstmatchathome, despite three wickets apiece from speedster Ronaldo Alimohamed (356 from 24 overs), West Indies quick, Shamar
J o s e p h w h o w a s expensive upon his return from injury, for 115 runs and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (387).
Thechampswere166-6, 209 runs behind when played ended with captain Tevin Imlach looking solid on 58* with 6 fours and allrounder Richie Looknauth 21*, both with tons of work todotoday
Damage was done early by the fast-bowling duo of Akeem Jordan (233) and Ojay Shields (342), who rocked the Eagles batting order during the afternoon
sessionsonday2
Opener Tageneriane Chanderpaul (4) was trapped LBW by Shields followed by a double strike from Jordan which saw him knock over M
w N
(11) while trapping Kevlon A
wicketforarun-a-ball19. Off-spinner Avinash Mahabirsingh (1-39) then struck in his first over and the final before Tea, removing Raymond Perez (15)whopushedaflighted delivery to Damel Evelyn at forward short-leg to leave Guyana reeling at 53-4
After Tea, wicketkeeper/
in Kemol Savory (12) was caught behind by fellow g
Richards to give Shields his second wicket, while Kevin Sinclair’s return
lasted just 23 balls, as the Test all-rounder was caught attempting an expansiveshotoffShields. Imlach remained intact despite the cluster of wickets falling, notching upawelcomedreturnfifty which was aided by Looknauth who took some 19 balls to record his first run at the 4-Day level,
before actually settling in, as they look to dig the Eaglesoutoftroubletoday
Earlier, the 34-year-old Corbin who resumed on 62, b
eventually injury which curtailed his innings. His timing and patience paid off ashenotcheduphis2ndfirst class century before retiring hurt.
The Bajan, however, got help on his to a hundred, as the tail-enders Abijhai M a n s i n g h ( 1 4 ) , Mahabirsingh (33) and Jordan(16),chippedinwith useful scores before Joseph and Permaul teamed up to wrapuptheCCCinnings. Day 3’s action bowls off from 10:00h, weather permitting.(CliftonRoss)
a
Wilson among umpires selected for 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy
SportsMax - Trinidad & Tobago’s Joel Wilson was among the 12 umpires selected as the International Cricket Council (ICC)
confirmed the match officials for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 19March 9 Wilson has officiated 96 ODIs since his debut in 2011. He has also umpired at three ICC World Cups.
Richard Kettleborough, a veteran of 108 Men’s ODIs, and who stood in the final of the last edition played in the United Kingdom in 2017, is among six umpires who return for anotherChampionsTrophy
Chris Gaffaney, Kumar
Dharmasena, Richard Illingworth,PaulReiffeland
Rod Tucker, all members of theEmiratesICCElitePanel of Umpires, are others who alsofeaturedin2017.
Kettleborough and
Illingworth, who stood together for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad, are joined by Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Ahsan Raza, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Alex Wharf and Wilson, all of whom officiated at the World Cup inIndia.
David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle and Andrew Pycroft, all members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, comprise the three-member team of referees.
Boon was referee in the 2017finalwhilePycroftalso officiatedinthetournament. Madugalle returns after
officiatingthe2013final.
Sean Easey, ICC Senior Manager – Umpires and Referees:“Wearepleasedto announceourpanelofmatch officials for the upcoming Men’s Champions Trophy This is a credentialled officiating team whose expertise will be valuable in thishigh-profiletournament.
“We always try to name the most suitable and deserving officials for any event, and we are confident this group will do a fine job across the matches in PakistanandtheUAE.
“I wish them all the best and hope they have a memorabletournament.”
Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard
Kettleborough,Ahsan Raza,
Warrican, Ramharack shortlisted for ICC Player of the Month Awards
SportsMax-WestIndies spinnersJomelWarricanand Karishma Ramharack have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for January, following standout performances in recently concludedseries.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announcedthenomineeson Thursday, recognizing top performers from a packed monthofaction
Warrican’s exceptional Test series in Pakistan and
Ramharack’s matchwinning displays in the West Indies’ ODI triumph over Bangladesh have
earned them maiden nominations for the prestigiousaward.
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month
shortlist consists of
h Pakistan’s Noman Ali
h
joining Warricanincontention. Ali impressed with a historicTesthat-trickagainst the West Indies, while Chakravarthy’s dominant T20I performances against
England saw him climb to joint-second in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowler rankings.
Warrican, however, was instrumental in the
West Indies’ landmark series win in Pakistan, their first in 34 years.
The left-arm spinner claimed a series-high 19 wickets, including a career-
In the ICC Women’s Player of the Month category, Ramharack joins
Australia’s Beth Mooney and India’s U19 star Gongadi Trisha Mooney played a key role in Australia’s Ashes sweep over England, while Trisha wasnamedPlayerof the Tournament in India’s triumphant U19 Women’s T20WorldCupcampaign. Ramharack, making her first appearance on the shortlist, shone in the West Indies’ ODI series win againstBangladesh.
The off-spinner registered her first fourwicket haul in the format before bettering it with career-best figures of 4-12 in the series decider, a p e r f o r m a n c e t h a t secured her the Player of the Series award.
Fans can cast their votes at icc-cricket com/awards, while an independent ICC Voting Academy will also contribute to the final decision. The winners will beannouncednextweek.
Paul Reiffel, Sharfuddoula IbneShahid,RodneyTucker,
AlexWharf,JoelWilson. Match Referees: David Boon, Ranjan Madugalle, AndrewPycroft.
West Indies spinners Jomel Warrican (right) and Karishma Ramharack.
Trinidad & Tobago’s Joel Wilson
Powerlifting to kick off year with Novices/Juniors on February 16
Flashback! Novices/Juniors who competed at the 2024 edition of the GAPLF event.
The platform for
e m e r g i n g strongmen and women in the powerlifting arena will be locked and loaded come Sunday February16,2025,whenthe G u y a n a A m a t e u r Powerlifting Federation
(GAPLF) commences its 2025season.
Novices and Junior lifters will take center stage as they seek to commence successful careers in the sport.
Saint Stanislaus College Auditoriumisthevenuethat
The opening day of the BCQS
International SquashMasterstournament served up a thrilling spectacleattheGeorgetown Club on Wednesday, as local and international players battled fiercely across various categories. Guyanese competitors asserted their dominance with commanding victories in the Men’s 30-44, Men’s 55-64, and Women’s Over35divisions.
Men’s 30-44 Category
Among the standout performances was number threeseedAlexArjoon,who cruised past Michael Muir in straight sets with an emphatic 11-3, 11-1, 11-2 victory In other matches, Regan Pollard comfortably defeatedJasonvanDijk3-0, while Jason-Ray Khalil dispatched Lee Fung-a-Fat with a decisive 11-3, 11-2 and 11-1 win Steven
Xavier and Deje Dias also secured opening-round victories.
Adding to Guyana’s dominance, Peter DeGroot handed Barbadian Patrick Downieacrushing11-0,114, 11-1 defeat. Meanwhile, Trinidadian Leonel Sorrillo toppledGuyaneseJonathan Antczakinstraightsets.
Guyanese players continued their strong showingintheMen’s55-64 division. Lloyd Fung-a-Fat overpowered Jasen Sterry 3-0, while Narendra Singh emerged victorious in a grueling five-game battle against Barbadian Orson Simpson,winning7-11,119, 11-4, 12-14, 11-7 Likewise,Barbados’Sanjay Amin triumphed 3-1 over PeterAdams,RobEdwards dominated Eduardo Meira 3-0,andDeanStrakeredged pastDennisDias3-1.
IntheWomen’sOver-35 division, defending
will see the athletes showcasing their strength in the three lifts affiliated with the sport, squat, bench press anddeadlift.
This will be the first of four competitions that the Federationhosts,yearly
The Federation will be
champion Lydia Fraser suffered an early setback, fallingtoIndiraBarkerina five-game thriller. Barker mounted an impressive comeback to claim victory 5-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9
Another closely contested match saw Tian Edwards edge past Maria Munroe 3-2 in a gripping encounter
Meanwhile, top seed Alison Smith-Padmore demonstrated her resilience, recovering from a first-game loss to defeat AnnaPerreira3-1.
OverintheMen’s45-54 bracket, Trinidadians Gowkaran Bissoon and Brian Yong registered convincingwins,settingthe stage for an intense second dayofcompetition.
The tournament action continued yesterday at the Georgetown Club Stay tuned for detailed coverage inourupcomingedition.
seeking to ensure that the sport enjoys another successful year with a total of five (5) international competitions also on the Federationsradar
These are the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships (June 8-15 in Germany), World Classic and Equipped Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships (August 29 – September 7 in Costa Rica), South American B e n c h P r e s s a n d P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships – FESUPO
(September20-27inBrazil), WorldClassicandEquipped Masters Powerlifting Championships (October 12-19 in South Africa) and the World Equipped Open P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships (October 10-16inRomania).
Australia dominate on first day of Sri Lanka Test
Veteran Mitchell Starc took the only three wickets to fall to seam bowling. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Australia dominated proceedingsontheopeningdayofthesecond Test against Sri Lanka in Galle as the hosts slidto229-9.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon took the first threewicketsoftheinnings,includingthatof opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who is playing inhis100thandfinalTestandwasbowledfor 36.DineshChandimalbattledto74from163 deliveries before he was stumped by Alex Carey off the bowling of left-arm spinner MatthewKuhnemanntoleaveSriLanka1506. Namesakes Kusal and Ramesh Mendis added 65 for the seventh wicket, before Mitchell Starc had the latter caught behind
for 28 Starc then removed Prabath Jayasuriya with the following delivery, and Kuhnemann bowled Nishan Peiris a few overs before the close. Kusal Mendis sits unbeaten on 59 overnight, with Australia needingonewickettowrapuptheinnings. The visitors won the first match of the two-gameseriesbyarecordinningsand242 runs.TheyhandedaTestdebutto21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly, with the WesternAustraliangoingfor0-12inhisthree overs.
Scores: Sri Lanka 229 for 9 (Chandimal 74,KMendis59*,Starc3-37,Lyon3-78)vs Australia.
Construction progress of five New Stadiums, Palmyra leading the charge
As construction progresses on f i v e n e w stadiumsacrossGuyana,the multipurpose facility in Palmyra, Region Six, is making significant strides.
According to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the project is moving ahead swiftly,
r e i n f o r c i n g t h e government’s commitment
to expanding sports infrastructure.
The Palmyra stadium, designed to hold 10,000 spectators,brokegroundin March2023.
B u i l t t o r e a c h
International Cricket Council(ICC)standards,it will not only host cricket but also cater to other sports, concerts, and largescaleevents
Despite the overall project cost not being publicly disclosed, oil giant ExxonMobil has
pledged some $3 7 billion as part of its $20 billion “G
initiative
Theconstructionisbeing carried out by Owen Steel
C
Caribbean Green Building Inc.
Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Charles Ramson Jr reaffirmed
delivering at least five new stadiums by 2025,
Mackenzie, Bayroc, New Amsterdam, and Anna Regina. These facilities are exp
sports development and prov
community engagement across the country.
the government has plans to
that sports and recreation
Aerial view of region’s six
remain accessible at all levels
The rapid progress at Pa
t e s t a m e n t t o t h e administration’s dedication
development and sporting excellenceinGuyana.
Palmyra Multipurpose Stadium.
North Essequibo cart off ECB Busta-sponsored T20 trophy
North Essequibo carted off the 2025 Essequibo CricketBoard(ECB)Bustasponsored T20 trophy after beating a President’s X1 by 22runslastSundayatImam Bacchus ground, Essequibo Coast,Region2.
After winning the toss andoptedtotakefirststrike, North Essequibo reached a competitive 115-9 from the reduced 16-overs, while President’s X1 only responded with 93-8 from thefullquotaof16-overs.
The reduction of the overswasduetorain.
FormerEssequibosenior Inter-County batsman Narendra Madholall led the way for North Essequibo with a cameo, unbeaten 25 while good contributions camefromex-Guyanayouth
player Nathan Persaud and first-class quickie and Captain Neil Cadogan with 27and20respectively
Off-spinner J. Charles grabbed 3-10 from three frugal overs on an animated trackwhileoff-spinnerSahif Mohammed supported with 2-21fromhismaximumfour overs.
WhenthePresident’sX1 combination batted, young promising batsman Joshua Jonesscoredafighting22as Madholall returned with his off-break to snatch 2-20 in his four-over outing to completeanoutstandingallround effort. Another exGuyana youth cricketer Rocky Parsotam claimed 27withhismedium-pace.
Madholallwasnamed (Continuedonpage29)
The champion team North Essequibo strike a pose after the game.
Senior Squash player, AlexArjoon started well
PacerAkeem Jordan wins an LBW appeal against KevlonAnderson.
