Anyone appointed
governor of Essequibo will be charged with treason
-Min.Benn warns
Brothers charged for beating cops
Govt. calls court challenge over spending
of oil money a nuisance
During his address at CERAWeek by S&P Global onTuesday,PresidentIrfaan Alinotedthatwithinthenext four years, Guyana could have two of the top oil operatorsworkinghere.
Currently, oil is only being produced from the Stabroek Block which is operatedbyAmerica'stopoil producer,ExxonMobil,with oil production over 600,000 barrels per day from three developments in that block. World Oil reported that talk of large-scale data hub development was prominent across CERAWeek's daytwo sessions, and President Ali iterated that Guyana is pursuingthisavenueaswell. President Ali said, “We're striving to be a major player o n t h e t e c h n i c a l frontier and we are workingonusingnaturalgas to generate power to drive large-scaledatacenters.”
It was further stated that Ali does not shy away from the truth that oil and gas developments have been the main catalyst for propelling Guyana forward, although he made the distinction that
President Irfaan Ali and S&P Global Vice Chairman Daniel Yergin at Day Two of CERAWEEK in Houston, Texas
there is a wide array of economic strengths and goalsinsight.
The Head
of-State noted,“Wewanttobeknown as an economy that was propelled by revenue from oilandgasprojects,butalso an economy that is resilient and highly integrated,” Ali concluded,“Inthenextthree to four years, we'll have perhapstwoofthelargestoil operatorsinGuyana.Alotof opportunities will be unlocked.”
P r e s i d e n t A l i ' s comments about having two
Man placed on 60k bail for possession of 195 grams of ganja
An 18-year-old man was placedon$60,000bailwhen
he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on Wednesday on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Cornel Nicholson of Broad and Lombard Streets, Charlestownwaschargedfor possession of 195 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.Hewasallegedly found with the drugs on March 7, 2025 at Broad
Street, Georgetown Nicholsonpleadednotguilty after the charge was read to him by Acting Chief MagistrateFaithMcGusty
N i c h o l s o n w a s represented by Attorney Stacy Gooding who pleaded his case. She told the court that her client works at a car wash and on the day in question,hewasheadingtoa shop that is within close proximityofhisworkplaceto makeapurchase.
He was approached by
police officers at approximately16:00hrswho asked Nicholson to accompany them through an alleyway for a search to be
conducted which he refused and asked 'under what conditions' Attorney Gooding added that at the time, her client had no narcoticsinhispossessionor any knowledge of any suspected narcotics She further added that her client wasarrestedandtakentothe stationwherehewasgranted $50,000 station bail and the police instructed him to attend court on March 12, 2025.
The prosecution told the court that their officers were working on information given to them when they approached the said address and made contact with the defendant When they approached Nicholson at the time, he was holding a black plastic bag. A search was conducted in his presence whereseedsandstemswhich suspected to be narcotics were found. The defendant was made aware of the offenceandwasarrested.
Magistrate McGusty after listening to the arguments presented before her granted Nicholson $60,000bail.Thematterwas adjournedtoMarch26,2025.
of the largest oil operators workinginGuyanacomesat a time when he has voiced hissupporttohaveChevron, a major oil producer in the UnitedStates,joinAmerica's
o p o i l p r o d u c e r, ExxonMobil, in Guyana's prolific Stabroek Block Exxon is the operator of the Stabroek Block which is estimatedtohold11.6billion
– Pres. Ali tells U.S conference
barrels of oil. The other partners in that block are Hess,anAmericancompany, and CNOOC, both holding 30% and 25% interest respectively Hess Corporation is pursuing a US$53 billion merger with Chevron However, ExxonMobil and CNOOC have initiated arbitration, citing a right of first refusal onHess'sshareoftheblock. Despitethis,Hessexpressed confidence that the merger wouldproceedasplanned.
SpeakingattheGoldman Sachs Research: Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference earlier this year, John Hess, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, said that the Guyanese government
has strongly endorsed Chevron's anticipated entry into the Stabroek Block Hess said President Irfaan Ali has made it clear that maintaining a three-way partnership for the block is critical. “The government's beencleartheywantathreewaypartnershiptocontinue. They don't want a two-way partnership to own the asset,”Hessoutlined.Hehad said too, “So, President Ali has been very clear about that, he's gone public, he's been in the Financial Times speaking about that and he's very supportive of Chevron becoming the third party in thecountry.”Thearbitration hearing is set for May 2025, with a decision expected approximately90dayslater
‘Guyana’s access to info law is a farce’
Describing the current lawas“completelyuseless,” transparency advocate, Alfred Bhulai has called for a complete revamp of the AccesstoInformationAct.
Duringanepisodeofthe Kaieteur Radio programme, 'Oil Talk' with the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN),Bhulai,anEnergy Technologist, noted that in its current state, the law m a k e s a c c e s s i n g information from public entities,animpossibletask.
The OGNN member explained that while citizens' right to access to information is enshrined in the constitution, the Access t
Act empowerspublicauthorities to deny them that right. He notedthatin2002,therewas some international pressure to bring about improvement for public access to informationglobally Tothis end,heopinedthatthelawis a farce in place for international bodies and conventions to believe that Guyana is operating in conformity to global standards for transparency withoutactuallydoingso.
“In 2002, a lot of civil society organisations in the world got together and formed an organisation of Civil Society organisations It eventually became bigger with Civil Society bodies likethe Organisation of American States [OAS]
took up this thing
agreement
...transparencyadvocateurges revamptoremovebarriers
wassignedintheCostaRica where countries came together to sign an agreement for access to e n v i r o n m e n t a l information ” Bhulai pointedtoseveraloccasions where his attempt to access information from public officewasdenied.
He noted one particular experiencewiththeMinistry of Natural Resources for daily production and analysis of the oil and gas being produced offshore. I asked the Commissioner of Information, who is named in the Act but the information was never provided.
Bhulai stressed that this isduetothefactthatneither the public agency, Ministry nor Commissioner of Information is mandated to provide the information “The Commissioner of Information doesn't have to do anything because accordingtotheAct,hemay extend the period of sixty days for approval or denial and inform the applicant of thereasonstherefore.Where the Commissioner of Information fails to give access within the time specified, the information s h a l l b e d e e m e d inaccessible.”
“Therefore, the
C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information is not even obligated to respond to me after 60 days,” Bhulai said. He questioned the purpose of a law that has procedures
that the public can get nowhere. “A revamp of the lawwhichaddspenaltiesfor non-adherence for giving the information should be added.”
Additionally, the transparency advocate pointedtothelackofannual reports to the National Assembly As such, Bhulai believesthatcitizensshould raise their voices in calling forachangetothelaw.“We definitely can't look to the Government to change it because in its present form, the law basically serves them,”hesaid.
In one of his recent columns, Every Man, WomanandChildinGuyana Must Become Oil-Minded'
A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w
C h r i s t o p h e r R a m 'highlighted the impact of thisbarriertoinformationin an oil economy The lawyer accused the Commissioner of Information, Justice Charles Ramson of undermining transparency, through the use of complex languagethatcreatesfurther confusion rather than clarifies issues of importance, among other issues.
To p r e f a c e h i s arguments, Ram explained thepurposeoftheAccessto Information Act, passed in 2011. He said, “Guyana's Constitution identifies access to information as a right – not a privilege. Yet, for a decade and more since the Access to Information
Transparencyadvocate, Alfred Bhulai
Actwaspassedin2011,this right has been treated with contempt.”TheActprovides for the appointment of a C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information and the laying of annual reports in the NationalAssembly, no later than nine months after the endofeachyear Ram in his column told readersthattheOfficeofthe C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information's ongoing obstructionismreflectsmore than a question of competence, since he views thisasadeliberateaffrontto t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability The lawyer was keen to note that while these public demands were notmadeusingtheAccessto Information Act, they highlight the frustrations and obstructions in obtaining basic information onmattersofpublicinterest. According to him, “These letters underscore how the barriers to information accessextendbeyondtheoil sector to affect various aspects of civil society oversight and citizen engagement.”
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
Violenceagainstwomenbymeninoursocietycontinues unabated: molestations, beatings, rapes, maiming and murdersofwomenofallages,socialstrataandracesarenow practically daily staples of our media That the same pattern, which may be discerned in so many other social orders, does not in any way make the phenomenon any less reprehensible but, as a matter of fact, suggeststhatitscausesmayliedeepinthemalepsycheitself. Efforts by our authorities to deal with the problem of maleagainst-female violence – either in domestic settings or in more anonymous random and brutal encounters, unfortunately confront the consequences and not the deeper causesoftheacts.
Theresultisboundtobefrustratingforthepowersthatbe whiledeepeningthecynicismofwomenthatanythingcanbe done to resolve the situation. There are, of course, several theories about why men on the whole are more violent than womenandtheseareallessentiallyvariantsofthe“natureand nurture” arguments. Since it does not appear likely that geneticreengineeringofthemalehumanonthenearhorizon, we will have to revisit the “nurture” arguments – how the male psyche is formed and why it is so violence prone and misogynic.
Inotherwords,wewillhavetore-examineandhopefully come up with initiatives to alter our conceptions of what “manhood” ought to be. Going back to the hoary theories about the early specialisation of the stronger male in the violentartofhuntingotheranimalsforfood,wecontinueto inculcateinmenthebeliefthattheyneedtobetough,toprove theirphysicalstrengthandnevershowemotions.Thisisthe “machoman”ideal.InourownCaribbeansetting,thisideal was exacerbated in the brutal world of slavery and bonded labour. In the post-emancipation milieu, the best that we accomplished in modifying this image was to define “manhood” as a description of a man who was capable, managedhishouseholdandhadastrongsenseofrespectand respectability Men were expected to be the providers and protectorsandwhowereself-sufficient.
Thisorientationwasmostinculcatedinthemiddleclasses butofrecent,thescionsoftheseclasseshavemadeaU-turn and rejoined the underclass outlook that 'manhood' means someone who is tough; a player; competitive, acting as a protectorandavirilemale.Menlearntodenytheiremotions and focus all their needs regarding physical affection and nurturingintothesexact.
It is not surprising that, in the words of one researcher, theybecome“bothemotionallyincompetentandemotionally constipated.” “Manhood”, however, is still associated with power which, because of our oppressive past, is seen as capacity to dominate, to control, capacity to act in “masterful”ways–especiallywithwomen.
The bequeathed image of “woman”, unfortunately was that of a concubine, dedicated to serving the whims of the “master” – especially bearing and rearing his children.Any variancebythewomanfromherperceivedroleinthisscheme ofthingshistoricallybroughtdownthe“rodofcorrection”by the man. Very sadly, most women also inculcated this perspective and accepted her abuse as proper – some even s a w i t a s a n e x p r e s s i o n o f “ l o v e ” !
In Miguel Street, Naipaul recounted the story of the woman whooiledthecricketbatfromwhichshereceivedherweekly Saturday beating.As a society influenced by the patriarchal structure, we still unrealistically hang on to the traditional definitionofwhatitmeanstobeamanirrespectiveofthehigh unemployment rate and weakened traditional values, compoundedbytheincreaseofthenumberofwomenwhoare educated.Menturntoviolenceagainstwomenastheirsense of“manhood”isthreatenedbychangesinthestatusquo–and the latter process is occurring at an ever-increasing pace. In additiontoredefiningwhat“manhood”meansinoursociety, especially as it relates to women, we will however have to devise ways for men to maintain their masculinity and to sustaintheirself-esteem.
DearEditor, Following up on the debate about the use of finger print identification (biometrics) for voting purposes, it should be noted that the Government is seeking to use digitized biometric identification in every sphere of the conduct of public affairs except GECOM.
At GECOM, the PPP/C-
nominated commissioners, along with the chairperson, are the opponents to the use of finger print identification attheplaceofpoll. They manufacture every reason why it cannot or shouldnotbedone.
Ironically, GECOM has implemented finger print identification as the means b y w h i c h i t s employees/workers sign in
andoutfromwork.GECOM has researched, costed and implemented the use of finger print identification, y e t t h e P P P / C commissioners, in cahoots with the Chairperson, consistentlyandpersistently find every reason why the same universally and GECOM-tried-and-tested methodcannotorshouldnot be use
identificationinGuyana.
The unanswered question is “Why?”, since the reasons given are baseless and cannot be justified. Imagine what the ulterior motive must be in thecontextoftheconductof elections.
Yourssincerely VincentAlexander F o r m e r G E C O M Commissioner
DearEditor,
Guyanese performers won the hearts of the large audiencewithloudcheersat the Queens Borough
President Phagwah (Holi) Celebration on Tuesday evening at the Borough Office on Queens Blvd.The Borough event was open to thepublic.
The Borough President wasobservedmovingtothe beat It was a program of free cultural entertainment (dancers, singing, music), short speeches, ethnic foods, and award ceremony opened to the public; three community activists were
honored for their work There were also participants ofotherIndo-Caribbeanand Asian-Indianbackgrounds.
Holi is a joyful festival of vibrant colors that marks the advent of Spring that symbolizes renewal and unity
It is a celebration of renewal of life with family, friends, and community, a festival of love that brings people together, regardless of background and status in society
For the last couple decades, various New York politicians hosted celebrationsofHoli,Diwali
a n d o t h e r H i n d u observations, as well as Islamic festivals like Eid These celebrations helped Americans,non-Hindusand non-Muslims to understand Indian culture (from India andthediaspora) Queens has the largest Indo-Guyanese, IndoCaribbean and Indian communitiesinAmerica.
As the Borough President noted, they contributemuchtocultural and social fabric as well as in taxes, wherever they live Queensisalsothehome of the annual Phagwah
Parade as well as the annual Diwali motorcade and mela. This year, the parade is on March23.
The Bronx, Jersey City, and Schenectady also host Phagwahparadesormelas.
Every Queens Borough President and NYC Mayors, going back a few decades, h o s t e d P h a g w a h celebrations.
President Donovan Richards thanked all the participants and awardees for a memorable event It was indeed a celebration to remember
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
DearEditor, March 10, 2025, brings
back a memory no Guyanese,includingmyself, would want to relive, the brutalmurderofformerGDF officer, Courtney CrumEwing.Hewassimplyusing his voice to advocate for potential voters to reject the PPP/C in the May 11, 2015 elections.
March 10, 2025, marked
the 10th anniversary of his senseless killing in the quiet community of Diamond, EBD.Tothisday,hisfamily continues to hope for justice andthetruthsurroundinghis death.
Many high-profile deaths occurred under the PPP/C administration. The families of the late Satyadeow Sawh (April 2006), Ronald Waddell
(January 2006), and
Courtney Crum-Ewing (March 2015) are still waitingforjusticeregarding their loved ones' horrific murders. However, it seems thatthePPP/Cisunwillingto allow for any closure on thesetragicdeaths.
Like many Guyanese, I oftenwonderwhythePPP/C continuestoresistholdingan inquiry into these
assassinations, which have left deep, lasting wounds within the families and the nation.
Itismysincerehopethat the perpetrators, or those who orchestrated these crimes, will one day be brought to justice and that the families of the departed willfinallyfindclosure.
Yourstruly,
AnnetteFerguson,MP
The PPP/C achieved mission impossible when they embarked on the resurrection of Rose Hall Estate
DearEditor,
That the Coalition grossly mismanaged the Agriculture Sector is an understatement They deliberately 'scissored' (or chain sawed?) the national budgetary allocation for the sector and to add insult to injury, they placed at the helm, the most incompetent minister ever to hold that portfolio. It was the biggest single blunder ever made by a government and it did not only result in willful loss of billionsofdollarsinstanding canes, infrastructures, machinery and equipment but as karma would have, it costtheAPNU/AFCitsterm in Office This was the
unconscionable closure of four grinding sugar estatesestateswhichweretopsugar producers and which could have been rehabilitated with the timely and suitable capitalinjection.Instead,the entire GUYSUCO was intentionally starved of capital inputs to justify closure. Then, the horrific wage freeze which churned the stomachs of the sugar workers. The abandonment of the sugar workers was complete. The will to allow GUYSUCO's survival was grossly lacking. In addition, the Coalition Government sawanopportunitygivenby the EU price cuts, to put Skeldon,RoseHall,Enmore
and Wales Sugar Estates under the guillotine, thereby extracting its pound of flesh from the sugar workers whomtheysawassupporters of the PPP This perception by the Coalition would have eventually resulted in more and more sugar workers gravitating towards that party-their game plan failed miserably
In December 2018, the No Confidence Motion was theharbingeroftheeventual downfalloftheCoalitionand ironically it was voted 'yes' by a Coalition Member of Parliament,Mr Charrandass Persaud from Canje, where the Rose Hall Estate is located and which was
outrageously and spitefully closed by his government in 2017 Mr. Persaud had realized that the Coalition Government was in fact the enemy of the sugar workers and the promise to give the workers 20% increase and thepledgenevertocloseany s u g a r e s t a t e ( a s recommended by the costly CommissionofInquiry)was just empty rhetoric meant to deceive the masses and to gainpower,and-asthegame plan of the Coalition would haveit-theendhadjustified the means. It is important to note that in the year 1978, Rose Hall Estate was awardedtheMedalof... (Continueonpage5)
DearEditor
After nine years as a student athlete, thirty (30) years as a Physical Education and Sports teacher, and a teacher athlete, I now find myself absent from these hijacked Nationals With absolute dismay, I express my outrage at the blatant
destructionofwhathasbeen anintegralpartofGuyanese culture. For decades, school sports have been held in the first term, allowing athletes to train adequately while teachers and districts plan wellinadvance.
By June, championship dates are already set.Yet, in September, we were
abruptly informed that sportswouldberescheduled tofacilitateGuyanesecareer games selection.Why is the destructionofourcultureso importanttothoseinpower? This year, there was no p r i m a r y s c h o o l championship, leaving youngathleteswhohave...
(Continueonpage6)
FromPage4
Service and this estate had continued to perform creditablyuntilitsclosure.
This was poetic justice.
The Coalition government has fallen and Rose Hall Estate has risen from the ashes, from the pyre on which the Coalition had condemned it to be burnt.
The records will show that when the Coalition assumed Office in 2015, Rose Hall Estate produced 29,768 tons ofsugar.
This was mainly due to inputsmadebythePPP/Cin the years before. But as the hands of the Coalition came into the equation, the production started to fall. In 2016,itwas20,581tonsand in2017(theyearthedecision to close was made) production was 22,381 tons.
ThebudgetedTC/TSwas13 andtheactualTC/TSwas15 (tonscanepertonssugar).
Wasthereastrongreason to close? That is the reason why the Commission of Inquiry did not recommend closure.
Moreover, the financial records would provide the evidence and testify that capital expenditure allocation dwindled and despite this, the paltry sums allocated were not fully utilized; purchase requests and purchase orders were ignored.
The intention of the Coalition was laid bare in theserecords.
The PPP/C achieved mission impossible when they embarked on the resurrection of Rose Hall Estate. In 2020, I witnessed
first-hand, the beginning of thejourneytorehabilitatethe Rose Hall Estate and as the Estate Manager at that time, Mr Dukhia, had lamented it was'panoramicdestruction'everything that the eyes set upon were completely destroyed.
It was the work of monstrous proportions which could have only been carried out by utterly heartless monsters who did notonlydestroythetangible fixed assets but the most important assets of all- the people.
As is the tradition and modus operandi of the PPP, they once again set out to recreate what the PNC and its cohorts destroyed It happenedfrom1992to2015 and the again from 2020 to present.
Today, the Rose Hall Estate lives again, thanks to the Government, the ManagementofGUYSUCO andtheManagementofRose Hall Estate More specifically, thanks to the Honorable Minister Mr Zulfikar Mustapha, who nevergaveup.
Hewasunrelentinginhis pursuitofresolvingissuesas theyaroseandstooduptothe destructive elements of the Coalition, in and out of Parliament, to emphasized hissupportforGUYSUCO. He vowed never to stop supportingGUYSUCOuntil itbecomesviable.
Heisnotahypocritewho claimed to have lit candles for the sugar workers and then labelled them as 'raiders' of the Treasury He did not promise the sugar
DearEditor,
I am writing to express my sincere delight and appreciation for the government's $100,000 cash grant for newborn babies
Thisinitiativeisagamechanger for many families across our country and a step in the right direction towardsfosteringabrighter future for our youngest citizens
workers 20% on the campaign trail in 2020 and then scornfully referred to thesugarindustryasa'black hole',butheprovedtobethe true champion of the sugar workers. Today, the Rose Hall Estate has achieved its target and the workers will enjoy an extra day's pay Workerswillearnmorethan $1.8 billion this year in wagesandsalaries.
Just imagine the economicprogresswhenthe multiplier effect is considered.
Thereareabundantcanes inthefieldsandthefactoryis producing with great efficiency; it achieved TC/TSaslowas11.7.Thisis a remarkable achievement, giventhefactthatthefactory was rehabilitated using mostly porters/cleaners who weretrainedonthejob.
It is proven that, given the current mechanization program to convert the fields,theinputofmachines to bridge the labor shortage
uc
u
the factory efficiencieswillbeimproved and sustainedand Rose Hall Estate will live up to its formerglorydays.
In conclusion, the Coalitionisnowinterestedin the survival of the sugar industryandisboldlystating that baloney in Parliamentthey will put measures to improvetheIndustry
Butnoonebelievesthem anymore. This is Election year and no one is surprised by the multitudes of dreams thattheywilltrytosell.
Yourssincerely, HaseefYusuf
It can be a struggle for parents to make ends meet, particularly in those crucial first months when the expensesforanewborncan beoverwhelming
This cash grant will provide much-needed financial relief, allowing parents to afford basic necessities such as diapers, formula,medicalcheck-ups, and other essentials that
contribute to the health and well-beingoftheirbabies.
Beyond immediate financial support, this initiative has significant long-term social and economicbenefits.
By giving families a helping hand at the very start of their children's lives, we are investing in a healthier, stronger, and more secure future for our nation
Parents who are less burdened by financial stress, can focus on providing a nurturing environment, leading to better early childhood development
Additionally, this program will help boost local businesses, as parents will spend this money within their communities, supporting small retailers, pharmacies, and service providers Editor, in my view, this move by the current Government demonstrates a clear commitment to the wellbeing of Guyanese families and it shows that real progress is being made to improve the lives of our people
I feel confident that this initiative will remain a staple of our country's social policies and that we will continue to see more programsaimedatuplifting the most vulnerable members of our society Congratulations to the Government for taking this positive step, and I encourage them to keep prioritising the well-being ofourcitizens
Sincerely
SharonMcDonald
Voshuan, the brave fireman did not have to die; the system killed him
DearEditor, VoshuanManbodhmust be remembered as a national hero by all Guyanese.
The 27-year-old fireman braved the flames that engulfed Mae's School toensurelivesweresaved. During his selfless act of bravery in the line of duty, Voshuan sustained injuries;awallfellonhim.
He was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was recoveringwellbutthelack ofpropermedicalattention, care and other general medical negligence by the hospital saw him dead in a matterofdays.
To chronicle the horrendous circumstances and horrific events leading uptoVoshuan'sdeathatthat institution, may cause the Guyanesepeopletobecome so enraged that there may beunrestinGuyana.
Anywhere in the civilisedworld,ahero,who so bravely risked his life in thelineofduty,wouldhave
seen the Head-of-State payingthemanurgentvisit and ensuring that priority was given to their care and speedyrecovery
Voshaun's death could have been prevented if the long-knownsituationatthe GPHC was addressed and resolved.
Expectantmothershave been dying at that hospital atanalarmingrate.
Thesickaretreatedlike animalsandlefttodie-and thishasbeenbroughttothe government'sattentiontime andagain.
The fact is, the state of that institution has been
b r o u g h t t o t h e government's attention but the regime seems to have been more concerned with theirspankingnewstateof the art private hospitals that only the rich can afford Itisnotenoughtosayan objective investigation will beconducted.
We know what Guyana is like and how soon this matter, like others, will be forgotten.
Voshuan did not have to die The system killed him
Sincerelyyours NormanBrowne
MinisterofHomeAffairs
Robeson Benn has issued a stern warning that anyone who is appointed Governor of Essequibo and placed at AnnaReginawillbecharged withtreasonandlockedup.
Speaking at the Guyana PoliceForceInspectorsand S e rg e a n t s A n n u a l Conference on Wednesday, hetoldtheaudiencethatthe charges will also extend to any person who supports t h e m o v e m e n t b y Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro to hold elections and to appoint a governor as well “ any person, Guyanese or otherwise,ifit'saGuyanese who is appointed to be governor and be in place at AnaRegina,wewillcharge that person for treason and lockthemup
Each and every one of them, they're gonna be charged for treason, and
anybody who is supporting them will also be charged,” Benn said. “The issue of Essequibowassettledalong timeago…”
The minister said that currently, President Irfaan AliisintheUnitedStatesof America,havingdiscussions in relation to the recent incursion by Venezuela While he commended the ranksoftheGuyanaDefence Force for a job well done in the recent shooting during which, according to information received, three of the Venezuelan attackers lost their lives, Benn cautioned the ranks present at the conference that when out in the field, they should dotheirjobwell.“Theydon't havearighttocomeintoour place, take off the monitoring the AIS, so we don't know where they are andintimidatepeople. It is not innocent
passage,butwe(don'thave) warshipsandtheplanesand all these things to deal with theminthewaysthatshould bedone
So, we have to get support…while we try to build up our asset capacity and training and so on,” he said.
He charged the ranks of thejointserviceswhoareout attheborderstobeprepared to defend Guyana's territory untilhelparrives.
Benn said Guyana cannotgiveupEssequiboas the country will be nothing without that county, “as this is where all the mineral wealth,andforestsare.
It also holds ancestral wealth and deep historical value of the Guyanese people ”Hecontinued:“The first European settlement in thispartoftheGuiana's,was in Essequibo, and if you go and see the names of the
villagesandsoon,theDutch andtheFrenchnamesandall those,itwasEssequibofirst. DemeraraandBerbicecame later when the British and them did the settlement for establishing British Guyana.”
On March 7, this publication reported that Guyana has filed in the
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs
Anil Nandlall SC has described the recently filed legal challenge against the Government of Guyana's m a n a g e m e n t a n d transparency of the Natural R e s o u r c e F u n d a nuisance Speaking on his weeklyprogramme,Issuesin the News, Nandlall said, “These proceedings are not designedtoaddressanylegal issues you know, these are nuisance value in law, and theycannotsucceed.Butthey areintendedtomakepolitical milage, they are intended to gain public acclaim, they are intended to advance political causes and the Courts do not exist for the advancement of thoseobjectives.”
Nandallnotedfurtherthat “These are not matters of contention and worse yet, they are inviting the Court to make orders that will put the Courtinviolentbreachofthe separation of powers doctrine.They are asking the courttodirectspendingofthe Executive and the legislature'sapprovalofthose spending”
He noted that “They are asking the Court to interfere withandworseyet,usurpthe functions of both the executive and legislature, they are asking the court to direct the executive on mattersonwhatisofnational
development priorities, those aremattersthatarewithinthe domain of the executive.”
TerrenceCampbell,aNatural Resource Fund (NRF) Investment Committee member, on Thursday afternoon filed a judicial review application challenging the Government ofGuyana'smanagementand transparency of the Natural ResourceFund.
The application names the Attorney General of Guyana and the Senior Minister in the Office of the PresidentwithResponsibility forFinanceasrespondents. According to a press releasebyCampbell,thelegal action challenges the t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability of major withdrawals from the Fund, which have amounted to approximately US$2.61 billion or more than half a trillion Guyana Dollars over thepastthreeyears.
According to the application, withdrawals
totaledUS$607.65millionin 2022, followed by US$1,002.13millionin2023. In2024,withdrawalsreached US$850millionfromJanuary to September, with an additional US$153 456 millionwithdrawnduringthe year'sfinalquarter Campbell, appointed to theInvestmentCommitteeon July 8, 2024, demonstrates through official government records that these withdrawalsarebeingusedto finance regular government operations.
The National Estimates for 2025 explicitly show current expenditure deficits ofG$46,016millionfor2024 and G$75,929 million for 2025, confirming that Natural Resource Fund proceeds are being used to finance routine government operations instead of the specific purposes mandated by Section 16(2) of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021.
T h e a p p l i c a t i o n
highlights serious violations of the Santiago Principles, which are explicitly incorporated into Guyanese law through Section 4 of the NaturalResourceFundAct.
Thelegalchallengeseeks declarations that all withdrawals from the Fund must be exclusively used to financenationaldevelopment priorities, including green economy initiatives, and essential projects directly related to ameliorating the effects of major natural disasters.
The application provides evidence of the complete absence of comprehensive d o c u m e n t a t i o n o f withdrawals,clearcriteriafor “national development priorities,” robust tracking mechanisms, and regular detailed reporting to the National AssemblyIn his application, Campbell requeststheCourttoorderthe Minister of Finance to provideadetailedbreakdown ofallexpendituresfromprior withdrawals within 30 days and establish proper procedures for documenting futurewithdrawals.
This request is supported by evidence showing that none of the projects listed in the 2025 Public Sector Investment Programme explicitly identifies Natural Resource Fund financing, despite the massive withdrawalsfromtheFund.
and would inevitably be preceded by preparatory acts, including acts within Guyana's Essequibo region, affecting the Guyanese population and Guyana's sovereigntyoveritsterritory
As a result, in order to preserve its rights, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Guyana is requesting that the Court orders Venezuela to refrain from any acts within or affecting its sovereign territory, including the Essequiboregion
registry of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a request for provisional measures stopping Venezuela from electing a governorforEssequibo.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had noted that Venezuela, intentonannexinganarea,is in violation of the Court's Order of December 1, 2023 and the fundamental norms ofinternationallaw
According to the
Ministry, Guyana has informed the Court that the planned Venezuelan elections are scheduled to take place on May 25, 2025
Further, Guyana requested the Court to convene hearings on its request as soon as possible, to enable such provisional measures as might be indicatedbytheCourt,tobe issued before serious and irremediable prejudice to Guyana's rights occurs “Guyana's current request seeks confirmation of this by the Court, as well as an explicit directive to refrain fromanyelectoralactivities within or affecting this territory or its population, which consist of Guyanese nationals,” the statement outlined.
The undermining of Guyana's...
FromPage5 been preparing diligently without an opportunity to compete.
The reasoning? The careergamesdonotcaterfor thatagegroup.
This logic is flawed and short-sighted Even the uniforms worn by some teams now reflectAmerican basketball culture, with names like Lakers, Boston Celtics,andRockets,further eroding our national identity This decision blatantly disregards the development of grass root athletics in our country.The January-to-April school term is already packed with critical activities, including Marshall Manning competitions, the National Grade Six Assessment, and the start of CTEC exams practicals. Many of these athletes who would be competing at Nationals are the same ones participating in Marshall Manning competitions.
Additionally, the teachers best suited to accompany these athletes are those specialized in Physical Education, Sports, HomeEconomics,andother technical subjects, will be under immense pressure to complete grading and submissions of SBAgrades. Why are we once again
side
ining athletes' motivation for the sake of optics?Forcingstudentsand parents to choose between participating in Marshall Manning, school sports, or focusing solely on academics,reflectsalackof vision and respect for our cultural traditions This decision weakens our national celebrations, stifles youngtalent,andshrinksthe poolofathletesavailablefor careerselection.
Where in the world are athletes developed only in theirteams?Athleticgrowth must begin at a young age, and disrupting this system w i l l h a v e l a s t i n g consequences.
The national school's athletic swimming and cyclingchampionshipsmust be restored The athletic association of Guyana, AAG, must take full responsibilityfororganizing corrective trials and selectingtheteam.
The Ministry of Education should not be overstepping its role in this process. In government, we willensurethatthiswrongis corrected immediately I thankyou.
Sincerely Hon. Nima Flue-Bess, MP Shadow Minister of Culture,YouthandSport
The Government of Guyana, through t
Wa
Incorporated (GWI), is advancing its mission to provide sustainable, highquality water supply solutions by developing a state-of-the-art Surface Water Treatment Plant in Diamond, EastBankDemerara.
Under the Guyana Climate Resilient Water Supply Improvement Programme, this initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Japan International CooperationAgency(JICA).
GWI's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Shaik Baksh, led a team of technical experts in discussions with
GWI's Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, Of led a team of technical experts in discussions with representatives from IDB and JICA during an analysis mission focused on advancing this transformative project
representatives from IDB and JICA duringananalysismissionfocusedon advancing this transformative project, apressreleasefromGWIstated.
The engagement centered around creating a comprehensive project document, which outlines a financing strategy for complete operational and maintenance cost recovery, a detailed
implementation timeline, and key performance indicators aligned with internationalstandards.
Oncecompleted,thenewDiamond Surface Water Treatment Plant will significantly enhance water access for thousands of residents along the East Bank corridor, ensuring a more
(Continuedonpage16)
Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and
InternationalCooperationand Opposition Member of Parliament Amanza WaltonDesir has confirmed that the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relationswillbehandedover shortlytotheopposition.
In a telephone interview with this publication, she explained that there is an arrangement with the parliamentary sectoral committees, where specific committees are chaired for one year by the government andthenchairmanshiprotates totheopposition.
However, in order for the chair to be rotated “the government has to convene a meeting of the Foreign Relations Committee, and as you know, the government has failed to do so. So they undertook to convene a meeting soonest, not only for the purposes of the chair, but certainly to brief the sectoral committeeonallthathasbeen happening with Venezuela. But to date, I have seen no action in that regard,” she said.The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationHughToddisthe currentChairandtheonewho has to convene the meeting. However, it has been a week since the discussions were held during the meeting with the President and he is yet to dososhestressed.
Further probing revealed that she shares the same sentiments voiced by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton at his recent press conference in relation to the government committee members showing up at meeting for a quorum to be m e t Wa l t o n - D e s i r highlighted that this has also been “happening with the Public Accounts Committee, and it happens with several committees where the governmentbelievesthatthey should not be subject to scrutiny Becauseifyouknow
what the mandate of the sectoral committees is, the constitutionally mandated committees that will enable parliament to scrutinise and review the work of particular sectors ”“Therefore, when government members on these committees failed to show up, no quorum is met andtothatdegree,thereisno accountability and transparency provided to citizens, as meetings cannot be convened without a quorum met,” the Shadow ForeignMinistersaid.
On Friday at his weekly pressconference,Nortonwas asked if the committee was briefed on the Venezuela situation, and if that came up during his meeting with the President. He told the media thatwhileheindeedraisedthe issue, he permitted the Shadow Minister to speak on the matter “She spoke to it, and Minister Todd said, well, we're handing over… this is his exact word we're h a n d i n g o v e r t h e chairmanshipshortly Sothey neverrespondtotherealnonmeeting of it, but they say they'rehandingitover.”
Norton highlighted that handing over the committee does not remedythe situation as the government can very well do what they are currently doing with the Public Accounts Committee. They hand it over and then refusetoturnup;therefore,no meeting can be held as a quorumisnotmet.
In a previous column, I had opined that OFAC's sanctions explicitly block theMohameds'propertyand financialinterestswithinthe United States or in the possession of U.S. persons. Also, U.S. persons, entities, andfinancialinstitutionsare prohibited from engaging in transactions involving the sanctionedindividuals.
However, I noted that thereisnoexplicitprovision prohibiting the Government of Guyana or Guyanese businesses from engaging with the Mohameds, unless those transactions involve U.S. persons, U.S. banks, or the U.S. financial system. The secondary sanctions outlined in the OFAC statement focus on financial institutions and "other persons" engaging in "certain transactions" with the sanctioned individuals. I argued that the government ofGuyanahasadutytoseek clarificationfromOFACifit believes there is uncertainty astohowfarthesesecondary sanctionsextend.
It was my view that the PPPC government appears to be misrepresenting the scope of these sanctions, implying that all Guyanese or any association with the Mohameds could lead to sanctions This position, however,isnotsupportedby the OFAC statement. There is no indication that local individualsorbusinessesare automatically prohibited from transacting business withtheMohameds.
Furthermore,Ialludedto the fact that the secondary sanctions have not been
applied to the Government ofGuyana,aswasexplicitly done with Venezuela and Iran.Or,asImaynowadd,as was done via Executive Order 14024 (2022) and relatedOFACdirectivesthat had imposed sanctions on key Russian companies and oligarchs. Those directives had warned that any entity including the Russiangovernment—could face penalties for materially supportingthem.
There is no such explicit prohibition against the Government of Guyana doing business with the Mohameds.
This means the government is not outright prohibited from doing businesswiththeMohameds unless such transactions involve U S -linked financial systems US business, citizens, or US permanent residents. While the U S could later determine that certain dealings fall under secondarysanctions,thereis currently no blanket restriction on Guyana's governmentinrelationtothe Mohameds.
And I concluded that given the lack of specificity as to what constitutes “certain transactions of activities” in OFAC's paragraph on secondary sanctions, the prudent courseofactionwouldbefor the government to seek official clarification from OFAC, rather than making premature or misleading assumptionsabouttheextent oftherestrictions.
TheMohamedsandtheir
companieswerenottheonly persons and entities 'designated'byOFAC.There is another person who was alsodesignatedbyOFAC.A governmentofficialwasalso designated Is this government still dealing with that individual? Is the person still being paid a salary by the government, and if so, would this not constitute the government dealingwiththatperson?
Then there is a broader i s s u e o f n a t i o n a l sovereignty No one denies thatthegovernmentmustact in the national interest but foremostinthatisrespectfor nationalsovereignty–which concerns the right of the government to administer the affairs of the state without undue external pressure, interference or influence.
Thegovernmentalsohas a duty to its citizens and to ensure that they are treated fairly TheUnitedStateshas so far failed to advance any evidence of wrongdoing on thepartoftheMohameds.It may have such evidence but its failure to share that information with the governmentwhileseekingto impose sanctions of our nationalsiscontemptuous.
Vice President Jagdeo does not have to bow to any US pressure, especially when no evidence has been forthcoming. He also ought to know that secondary sanctions, which extend beyond a sanctioning country's jurisdiction, to penalize third parties engaging in lawful trade with sanctioned entities, are
Dem boys hear de Pee Pee Pee seh dem nah worried about de multi-ethnic crowd wah de businessman pulling all over de country Dem seh dem cool as a cucumber But at de same time, dem organizing communitymeetingalloverBerbice.Itlook as if dem trying to talk to people before de businessman arrive.Now, dem boys know a manwhosehhenahfraidsnake.Butsoonas heseeonelilgardensnake,heclimbontopa chair and start hollering Same thing happeninghere.DePeePeePeesehdemnah worried, but dem moving like if dem spirit leffdembody
De businessman been pon de Essequibo Coastanddemboyssehdecrowdwahmeet hebeenimpressive.
NowdebiggestfeardePeePeePeegotis dat he heading straight to Berbice. And BerbiceislikedemPeePeePeestronghold. Is like a man who always claim he wife faithful, but suddenly he start checking she phone and asking she nuff questions. If yuh nahworried,whyyuhactingsonervous?
Demboyssehdefirstsignoffeariswhen yuhstartovercompensating.Allofasudden,
illegal under international law.
These measures, which have extraterritorial reach, in
sovereignty of other nations
nonintervention.Nostatehasthe right to impose its domestic laws on another sovereign nation.
A
international law is the
sovereignty,enshrinedinthe United Nations Charter, which prohibits interference
intheinternalaffairsofother states. Secondary sanctions,
governments, businesses,
sanctioning state's policies, constitute an unlawful extraterritorial exercise of jurisdiction.
J
oblivious to the fact that the UN General Assembly has passedaresolutionaffirming that unilateral economic measures infringing on the sovereignty of other states violate international law
How therefore can a sovereign state, with any self-respect, accept that the actions of a foreign country dictate whom it can conduct businesswithamongitsown citizens?
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a
and d
n
t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
de Pee Pee Pee planning nuff community meetings. And de biggest joke is dat dem tryingtoconvincepeopledateverythingnice and dandy, even when people can't afford food and rent. One man seh he go to one of demmeetingsjustfuhseewahdemsharing out, cause right now he can't even buy a proper lunch. Dem boys seh de people getting fed up. De small man suffering. De big contracts going in one direction. De foreign people coming and setting up business,anddelocalmanstillsellingfrom he lil roadside stand. People seeing all dis, anddemgrumbling.ButdePeePeePeenah wantadmitit.
Dem boys seh dis story now start If de businessman reach Berbice and de crowd comeoutbiglikeEssequibo,dePeePeePee might just faint Cause dem like to pretend demincontrol,butdeepdown,demtrembling indemboots Demboyssehisonethingtoseh yuh nah worried, but actions always tell de real story And right now, de Pee Pee Pee actinglikeamanwhosehhenahjealous,but hecheckinghewifeWhatsAppeveryminute Talkhalf,leffhalf!
“Outrageous, vicious, anddistorted.” Theidentity of the speaker would surprise, coming up shortly It's obvious that someone is angry, agitated almost uncontrollably Something terrible has been done to them In recalling those sharp, piercing words, I think of Guyana's two chief governors, His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and the never-less-than-honorable Vice President.Considering
their own conclusions to variousquestionsatdifferent times about major developments, those flamefilledwordscouldbetheirs. Though different words have been used on different occasions that generated much heat, “outrageous, vicious,anddistorted”could closely represent their own angry postures- their supposedlyhurtfeelings, Both HEAli and the VP have gone on record
pretending to being the victim. They have been wronged, and a litany of injustices has been inflicted upon them. In working up a sweat and claiming innocence of any leadership misstep or, even worse, suspected calculated escapades that injure Guyanesetaxpayers,thetwo localleadersoftentimeshave crossed into righteousness. Maliciously wounded, they havebeen.
No one could be so boiling mad, if they didn't stand on the strongest, cleanest grounds. No one could be so barefaced as to go on the offensive, through taking public umbrage, at where he or she has been pushed, without proper basis. Relentlessly pushed and backed into a corner, then prompts that wrathful shower of words spat out in defiance.
Though I have lost track
ofthecommentary that accompanies European sporting combat, there is still some familiarity with what was a mainstay of popularAmericansports. It was that the best defense is a strong offense. In other words, do not standstill Do not allow others to think of a sitting duckthatcouldbepickedoff atwill. Go in the opposite direction. Take the fight to theenemies.
Take aim at those who torment, who get under the skin and rub nerves raw I invite my fellow citizens to recallthehighlightsofmany of President Ali's and the VP's whiplashes at the independent media of Guyana Sharp and savaging, both of them have been Like a wounded apparition in the dark, they comeapartattheseams,and lash out at the nearest, most convenient objects of their rage.Daretoaskoneasimple question that he doesn't like about his oil portfolio, the hopes and aspirations of poor Guyanese, and he transforms into the best representation of an angry god.
Despite being exposed frequently as one made of snowflakes, he persists with the farce of being a man unjustly picked upon, one leftwithnoalternativebutto smashwhoeverisinhisway It is his way of evading seriousquestions,andwhich has the added utility of gettingeven.
Make a straightforward inquiry of PresidentAli and he becomes all twisted into knots,amazeofhighvoltage electrical wires seemingly on the edge of electrocuting any offender in his vicinity
This much I can say with considerable authority: if there is one area in which there is transparency in President Ali's government and leadership style, it has been his willingness to engageinverbaldustupsand smashups. I regret to inform the Guyanese public that, in President Ali's mind, that is w h a t p a s s e s f o r accountability In this tiniest of snapshots of Guyanese twobulldogleaders,thishas been their verbal temperature and body language.
In the circumstances, I have one question remaining, only one: when all this is weighed and measured, who are the ones
that can be said, with justification, to be “outrageous, vicious, and distorted.”
For the edification of all Guyanese, the owner of those fateful words was a tragicAmericanbythename of Richard Milhous Nixon. Those three to four words convey the essence of how he raved and ranted, how he raged, against theAmerican media.
Not on just one backbreaking issue, but also on a second. I confess to beingselectivebutthenature of the two issues and their sordid histories speaks for themselves They speak enough, so that Guyanese can think for themselves as theyseekthetruthonwhois genuine, who is taking liberties with truth and the goodwill of all citizens. The first issue wasVietnam. An issue that was wrenching America apart; one that forced a sitting president to callitquits;onethatRichard Nixonrodeallthewaytothe White House and then his waitingfall.
He ordered the secret bombing of Cambodia, and then made heavy going of defendingthatmovewhenit cametolight.Intheinstance ofWatergate,hewaspartofa largecoverupofacrimethat went up to the presidential suite. And what did Nixon do? He stonewalled, deceived, and misled the media and the American people.
Thiswasthemanandthe leaderofthefreeworldwho coined those three words: “outrageous, vicious, and distorted”toblastthosewho were pushing him for clean answers- the full truth Balefulandbrazenhewasin his efforts to camouflage dangerousanddirtyreality
Guyanese now have a choice before them. It is to decide who is really “outrageous, vicious, and distorted”locally
Guyana's independent media and conscientious objectors- truth seekers- are onesideoftheequation.The publiccanfigureouttherest.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The new owner of the Oko West gold project, G Mining Ventures Corp. on Wednesday announced the commencement of site preparationactivitiesforthe project located in Region Seven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Back in January, GMIN announced that Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted an Interim Environmental Permit(IEP)pavingtheway for early construction. The EPA's approval follows GMIN's submissions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Oko WestGoldProject.
According to GMIN the IEP, which is valid for one
year, along with the “No Objection” letter from the G u y a n a F o r e s t r y Commission,allowsthemto initiate early construction activities sooner than expectedinQ1of2025. The company noted that these activities include the construction of a barge landingfacility,mainaccess and internal roads, airstrip,
permanent camp facility, water and sewage treatment plantsandpowergeneration and communication tower GMIN said, “The early works construction programmeisnowofficially underway, as a part of the total $200–240 million Oko West capex guidance for 2025 Site preparation (Continuedonpage18)
A new report by CIVICUS Monitor, a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists, has warned about the deteriorating press freedom situationinGuyanaandcited Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo's weekly press conferencethataregearedat criticising dissenting voices and President Irfaan Ali's penchant for hiding behind controlledmediainteractions andFacebooklives.
The report released on March 1, 2025, raised concerns over the administration's approach to media engagement CIVICUS conducted an in
activist,sheddinglightonthe challenges faced by local media outlets. The report emphasisedthatmanymedia organisations avoid critical reporting to shield themselvesfromharassment.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at one of his weekly news conferences
advertisementfundstomedia houses and social media commentators aligned with itsviews.
...cites significant increase” in
(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) TheUnited Kingdom Government has announced that, with immediate effect, all nationals of TrinidadandTobagowillnowrequireavisa to enter the UK, including for short visits. The decision, made public on 12 March 2025, comes in response to what the UK Government described as a “significant increase” in T&T nationals arriving as visitorsandthenclaimingasylum.
Accordingtoanofficialreleasefromthe UKGovernment,thenewvisarequirementis intended to address the misuse of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) systemandtoprotecttheintegrityoftheUK's immigrationprocess.“TheUK'srelationship with Trinidad and Tobago remains a strong and friendly one,” the statement said, but added that the decision “has not been taken lightly.”A requirement for transit visas will alsobeintroducedfrom00:01on13March. However, a six-week transition period has been implemented. Travellers who booked their travel and obtained an ETAbefore the changes will be allowed to enter the UK without a visa until 15:00 BST on 23 April 2025. Those already in the UK will not be affectedduringtheremainderoftheirstaybut willneedavisaforfuturevisits.BritishHigh Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago Jon DeansaidthechangealignsT&Twithmany othervisa-requiredcountrieswithwhichthe UKmaintainscloseties.“Weunderstandthat travel is important for families, businesses, and cultural connections,” Dean said. “The introduction of visitor visas is designed to supportsafeandsecuretravelwhileensuring theUK'sbordersremainprotected.”Trinidad and Tobago nationals must now apply for a
visa online through the UK government websiteandattendanin-personappointment attheVisaApplicationCentre(VAC)inPort of Spain, which will now open five days a week to accommodate demand. A standard six-month multiple-entry visa costs £115, with longer-term options available. The UK Government said it aims to process app
working days.Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs DrAmery Browne said the Trinidad and Tobago Government had expressed its disappointment and would continue engaging with UK officials. “This move is within their rights as a sovereign nation,”
Browne said, “but we do not see it as a proportionate response to what UK authorities conveyed to us, which was their observationthatarelativelysmallnumberof T&T nationals were misusing the UK immigration system by being processed for an ETA in the normal existing process and then suddenly applying for asylum after arrival.”“Wearenotoftheviewthatregular travellers to the UK should be negatively affected by a relatively small number of persons who have been trying to abuse the British immigration system,” he said AccordingtoTheTimes,asylumclaimsfrom T&T nationals rose from an annual average of 49 between 2015 and 2019 to 439 in the past year A UK government spokesperson told the newspaper the new requirement addresses the growing trend of people arrivingastouristsandthenclaimingasylum. The spokesperson added that the UK “will continue to warmly welcome visitors” and thatthevisarequirement“willbekeptunder review.”
The organization further noted that Guyana's position on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index has declined dramatically The report noted that while physical attacks on journalists are rare, they face substantial cyberbullying and efforts to discredit their work The organisationalsopointedout that the government has downplayed the significance of the index's decline by offering public relations positions to journalists and selectively distributing state
“The administration's approach to media engagement is particularly concerning,” CIVICUS stated. The organisation also highlighted the strained relationship between local r e p o r t e r s a n d t h e government, stating, “The President typically avoids open press interactions, preferring controlled interviews, while the Vice President uses lengthy weeklybroadcaststocriticise dissentingvoices.”
CIVICUS further underscored the escalating threats journalists have faced, particularly since the Guyanese government targeted the Guyana Press Association (GPA) in 2022.
“The situation took a concerning turn in 2022
when the government attempted to take over the Guyana Press Association, questioning its legitimacy andexcludingitfromofficial events,” CIVICUS stated The organisation detailed one occurrence where an investigative reporter's car was shot at, while a female journalist was forced to take leaveafterbeingthetargetof false personal allegations
“These tactics have created an environment of selfcensorship,wherejournalists often avoid critical reporting to protect themselves from harassment,” CIVICUS stated.
Thereportalsonotedthat civil society in Guyana is divided on the issue of press freedom While some organisations continue to advocate for press freedom and free expression, others including the government (Continuedonpage16)
Bell Textron Inc , a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT)
company and Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc, part of the Omni Helicopters International Group (OHI, Omni), Latin America's leadingairmobilitysolutions provider have announced a joint offshore operational evaluationprogrammeforthe Bell 525 helicopter, to be conducted over several monthsatOmni'shigh-tempo operation in Georgetown, Guyana.
Bell will operate the Bell 5 2 5 h e l i c o p t e r i n collaboration with Omni to
undertake a programme of offshore mission flights, a press release from Omi Helicopters Inc said The helicopter will be loaded to representative mission weights and will be fully integratedintothedailyflight planningprocessesandflight schedule.The helicopter will visit multiple offshore installationsintheregionand will be loaded, unloaded and refueled routinely to subject it to a sustained trial under actualfieldconditions.
“We're honoured to be working with Omni to leverage the advanced
Fire
technology the Bell 525 aircraft will bring to the industry This programme will enable the Bell 525 to demonstrateitsperformance, capabilities and reliability as the ideal offshore aircraft,” saidDannyMaldonado,chief commercial officer, Bell “The Bell 525 was designed foroffshoreoperationsinthe oilandgasmarket,andwe're thrilled to embark on this endeavor to showcase its revolutionary capabilities to theindustry.”
“We're thrilled to have devised this innovative and (Continuedonpage16)
On Tuesday, around 11:48hrs, a fire caused by illegal electricalwiring,destroyedthehomeof47-year-oldPremchand Singh, at Lot 2 Public Road Plantation Foulis, West Coast Berbice.
AccordingtoastatementfromtheGuyanaFireServicevia its Facebook page, “Four firefighters under the guidance of Leading Fireman Blair responded to the fire at 11:48hrs, and utilised one jet working from water tender 121 tank supply to extinguishthefire.”
Though the inferno severely damaged another unfinished concrete structure owned by one Mr Singh fortunately no life was lost. The Guyana Fire Service is urging citizens to desist fromusingillegalelectricityconnectionsasitcancauseafire, electrocutionandthelossoflifeandproperty
Recent events in our local politics have seen one of the two major political parties in panic mode.
The PPP , that has long relied on its hold over the electorate, particularly in its strongholds, is now faced with the unsettling prospect that its support is not as unshakable as it once believed.
The uproar in Lima Sands over the weekend when young businessman, Azruddin Mohamed touched down bears testimony to this fact.
The opposition PNC, too, must confront the reality that it is failing to capitalise on growing public frustration, instead appearing as an uninspired alternative rather than a credible challenger.
If there is one lesson from Guyana's political history, it is that when both major parties feel threatened, they will set aside their differences and close ranks against a common enemy.
Should an emerging force gain enough traction, it is not unthinkable that the PPP and PNC, longtime adversaries, would join forces to protect their shared monopoly on power.
The Ministry of Labour, through its Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department, has concluded
its investigation into the death 19-year-old Ezekiel Benjamin, an excavator operator who died last year
November at his Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, Region Tenworksite.
Wednesday, the Ministry said that following the
investigation was launched
Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Mr Ray
Dead, Ezekiel Benjamin
Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06 LawsofGuyana.
The Ministry stated that while the investigations revealed that there was noncompliance with certain sectionsoftheOccupational Safety and Health Act, Cap 99:06., it should be noted, however, that the Act does not address the issue of compensation.
Upon completing its investigation, the Ministry explained that several Occupational Safety and HealthPolicybreacheswere identified by its officer According to the ministry's release,theaccidentwasnot reported to the Ministry and aregisterfortherecordingof workplaceaccidentswasnot kept.“Therewasnoevidence that the company had an Occupational Safety and Health Policy and there was an absence of a programme fortheimplementationofthe SafetyandHealthPolicy.No onewasidentifiedasasafety and health representative,” theMinistryexplained.
The ministry further reported that, Benjamin operated an excavator in an u n s t a b l e w o r k i n g environment that caused the excavator to topple and pin him in the swamp. “There was also a lack of adequate supervision since the accident was not detected immediatelyandthedelayin responding could have contributed to the demise of the worker,” the Ministry added.
The Ministry continued, “The Employer failed to provide and maintain a safe, sound, healthy and secure workingenvironmentforthe deceasedinkeepingwiththe duties of an employer as requiredbySection46(2)O of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06,LawsofGuyana.”
Aftercompletingits
(Continued on page 16)
The Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced thatthecountrynowhasthe local capabilities to provide essential transplant testing throughtheestablishmentof aHumanLeukocyteAntigen (HLA)laboratory
In a release issued on Wednesday, the ministry noted the Guyana Human OrganandTissueTransplant
Agency (HOATTA) continues to build robust systems to strengthen both living and deceased organ
d o n a t i o n a n d
transplantation A significant milestone in this effortistheestablishmentof the Human Leukocyte Antigenlaboratory
According to the ministry, a key component
Dead: Youganand Chaitram Grantedbail: Moonie Ramnarine
A 6 5 - y e a r - o l d businessmanappearedatthe Mibicuri Magistrate's Court on Wednesday and was placedon$1millionbailfor manslaughter, following the death of a cane harvester in Corentyne,Berbice.
Moonie Ramnarine of Lot 14 Lesbeholden, South Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice is accused of shooting and killing 29-year-old
Youganand Chaitram of Lot 19, Alness Village, Corentyne, during an altercation at Ramnarine's bar in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder.Ramnarine was arrestedonthesamedayand was subsequently charged for the said offence. He appeared before Magistrate Tauna Hardy who read the charge to him. Ramnarine was not required to enter a plea Attorney-at-law, Bernard Da Silva, who represented Ramnarine, arguedbailforhisclient.Da Silva explained to Kaieteur Newsthathearguedforbail, noting that the charge was bailable and that Ramnarine is not a flight risk. He also stated that Ramnarine had been cooperating with the police and had previously been on $1 million station bail, which he had adhered to.
of a successful transplant programme is HLA testing, whichplaysacriticalrolein determining donor-recipient compatibility
“HLA markers help matchdonorsandrecipients more effectively, reducing the risk of organ rejection and improving transplant outcomes,” the ministry explained. Currently, HLA testingisperformedabroad, leading to high costs and delaysforpatientsinneedof transplants, the ministry revealed.
As a result, Ramnarine was placed on $ 1 million bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 1, 2 0 2 5 f o r f u r t h e r proceedings. According to policereports,thealtercation began when an argument occurred among several patrons at Ramnarine's beer garden The businessman told police that the dispute escalated when Chaitram and others started breaking bottles and threatening each other.Ramnarine attempted to close his gate when Chaitram and another man allegedly threw him to the ground, injuring his elbow While on the ground and allegedly being threatened withbottles,Ramnarinesaid he discharged two rounds from his firearm, striking Chaitram, who collapsed outside the bar Ramnarine then secured his business, reported the incident to the police, and surrendered his firearm and license. Upon police arrival, they recovered two .32 calibre shells—one inside the shop andoneoutsidenearthegate. Chaitram was taken to the Mibicuri Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body, found clad in a green jersey and brown 3/4 trousers, was examinedbyauthorities.
In establishing the testing locally and making the service more accessible and affordable for all Guyanese, the Health Ministry stated that it has since procured state-of-theart equipment to establish the HLA laboratory, including a Luminex machine, centrifuge and thermocyclerandreagentsat acostofUS$150,000.
“This investment
(Continuedonpage16)
One Welder, must have mechanical knowledge, free accommodation provided & 1 hauler/ low bed Driver. Call: 627-5043/ 639-1315.
Nanny wanted to do some housekeeping must be 3045 years old 8:am-4 : 30 pm at Nandy Park E.B.D. Contact : 626-4884
Wanted waitress to work in a bar & Live-in, must have an I.D and be 18 years or older. Call / Whatsapp- 6591930/ 221-2785.
Puri/ Roti Marker & Porters needed at Rabbies Snackette 266 Thomas & New Market St. Call : 6488279 / 231-6591.
Domestic to work in Campbellville. Call now624-746. $6,000.
Handyman to work 2 days per week. 621-5140.
Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.
Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.
For low cost repairs for AC units, refrigerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.
We repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call Omar: 654-9711/ 6838734.
Electrical Repairs- transformer, powertools, vaccum, water pump, air cooler, etc @ Friendship, EBD. WhatsApp: 659-5664, Call: 627-7835.
One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 6490956.
Aracari Hotel renovated rooms ,A/C, TV, Restaurant, bar, pool, gym Stay 7 nights, 1 Free! Call: 2642946.
From page 14 investigation, the Labour Ministry revealed that several recommendations were made in keeping with the findings and that the employer was duly informed. It should be noted that follow-up actions will be taken to ensure compliance with the recommendations which were made, the Ministry said.
“In addition, The Occupational Safety and Health Department is seeking legal advice from the Ministry’s At-
Vacancy exists for porter, driver, cashier Apply 16 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty Email: humanresource.survival@ gmail.com
One night Watchman needed. Call: 731-2125.
Maid for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.
Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.
Male cleaner for Eccles. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.
Male cleaner for yard in East Bank area, two (2) days a week, call 615-9132.
Enthusiastic, customer- focused sales rep for Georgetown , able-bodied sales driven. $90k / Month + benefits . Whatsapp : 688-6868
Desk staff, Receptionist, Supervisor, Room attendant @ 33 South Road Lacytown. 25-50 years old. Call: 2250198.
Handyman with knowledge of plucking chicken. C/Ville area $6,000 daily & Cashier/ Counter staff, $5000 Daily. Call : 227-5222 / 617-4662.
Vacancy for 3 experienced Pastry Maker @ Humphrey's Bakery & Farm Products,38 Ketly St Charles town.Tel:225-7864/227-8607.
General Domestic ,Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 4 day work
Family fun Aracari Resort! crystal clear pool, safe kids & adult sections, music & food. W.B.D. Call : 264-2946-9
House with one Bedroom, Kitchen & Living room, Single person 35 years and over. Tel : 234-0965 / 7284053 Call between 7am -4 pm. $40,000
torney-at-Law concerning this matter,” the Ministry announced. Regarding the incident, Kaieteur News had reported that Benjamin was employed by Dindyal Sookram for a sub-contracted job and was tasked with operating an excavator on the north-eastern side of the Kara Kara land.
His job was to dig a drain to allow lodged water to run out to the Kara Kara Creek. While doing so, the excavator sank in the swampy area.
“The excavator sank from the side and became submerged in the swamp, trapping the deceased (Benjamin) inside the cabin,” police had said in its report. It was also reported that operators from another company, BOSAI Minerals, discovered the submerged excavator and raised an alarm.
They rendered assistance by breaking the excavator cabin’s glass window and pulling Benjamin from the vehicle. Unfortunately, he was
already dead when he was freed from the excavator. Meanwhile, with a number of workplace deaths reported and being investigated by the Ministry, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, is reminding employers and workers of the importance and need for good safety and health practices in the workplace so that similar incidents/accidents that can result in the loss of lives of loved ones can be avoided.
From page 15 underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s transplant services and ensuring timely and accessible care for patients,” the agency reported.
Not only has the equipment been procured, but a number of local health personnel have been trained in handling the equipment and in performing the testing. “On February 24-28, 2025, 15 laboratory personnel were trained on HLA testing, gaining hands-on experience with the newly acquired equipment at
the National Public Health Reference Laboratory. The lead trainer, Dr. Karina Omari, HLA laboratory expert from One Lambda, a well-known laboratory and biotechnology company based in the United States that specializes in HLA typing and antibody detection for organ and tissue transplantation,” the ministry announced.
At an in-briefing meeting with Dr. Omari and team, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony emphasized the importance of this milestone for Guyana’s transplant programme. He noted that
“the establishment of the HLA laboratory marks a transformative step in our efforts to enhance organ and tissue transplantation in Guyana. With local HLA testing, patients will no longer have to bear the high costs of overseas testing, and results will be available much faster—ultimately improving the efficiency and success of transplants in the country.” It was reported by the ministry, that to date, the HOATTA has made significant strides in building the capacity of clinical staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
(GPHC) involved in the transplant process.
Notably, several healthcare professionals have received advanced training in Barcelona, equipping them with the expertise needed to improve organ and tissue transplant services in Guyana. Additionally, Standard Operating Procedure and Protocols were developed and in 2024, and that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation was assessed and certified as a transplant centre - the only certified transplant centre in the country.
From page 12 industry leading programme with Bell,” said Duncan Moore, Group COO at OHI.
“Omni is a company that embraces innovation and solves challenges for our customers, and one such challenge facing us is the selection of a future helicopter for medium and long-range offshore missions,” Moore continued.
“We’re confident that the Bell 525 will prove itself in this space, and Omni is delighted to facilitate the opportunity in the highly representative Guyana mission environment,” Moore concluded.
Gerry Gouveia, whose
Riverside land for sale in Wales next to the Gas Shore. Call Star Alliance Realty: 6863231, 929-355-7639.
Craig (20 acres) Friendship East Bank, Yarrowkabra and long creek Soesdyke Linden Highway. Contact Ray's Realty: 627-9685.
626-8918.
Providence (Public Road) Bent St, Queenstown, Princess street & Soesdyke. Contact Ray's Realty: 627-9685.
company Roraima Airways are partners in Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc., said “We’re delighted for our team and the wider aviation community in Guyana who will be amongst the first to get exposure to this next generation aircraft. Securing this project for Guyana underlines our dedication to developing Guyanese aviation and Guyanese Oil and gas capa-
From page 8 resilient, sustainable, and efficient water supply system. The project will also reduce groundwater abstraction and improve climate adaptability through modern infrastructure and non-revenue water (NRW) reduction initiatives.
As part of the broader Guyana Climate Resilient Water Supply Improvement Programme, the project will be supported by key infrastructure investments, including investment in water treatment and transmission, which seeks to construct a modern water treatment facility, raw water intake infrastructure, and 30km of new
bilities. It’s fantastic to see the Bell 525 in Guyana livery at Verticon 2025 representing Guyana on the global stage,” Gouveia concluded.
The operational evaluation will see Bell fly the 525 integrated with the 200 flight per month Omni flying programme. Loaded to representative operating weights, the aircraft will undertake the exact same sequences of
flights as the live operational fleet in Guyana, exposing it to the intensity and pressures of live commercial line operations. Special focus will be placed on operational resilience, supply chain robustness and durability when exposed to frequent ground handling activity, both on and offshore. Around 500 hours of flying is planned over a 6-month programme.
GWI partners with Int’l donors for climate-resilient... transmission mains. Further, a significant investment in a non-revenue Water Reduction Plan is expected to introduce smart metering, hydraulic modeling, and network upgrades to improve efficiency. Finally, GWI will strengthen operational management and revenue collection through modernized systems aiding digital transformation. GWI remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable water services while adapting to the challenges posed by climate change. GWI CEO Mr. Baksh reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering improved service quality to residents across the country, stating, “This partnership with IDB and JICA represents a major step forward in ensuring a sustainable and climateresilient water supply for our growing communities which we are witnessing through developmental transformation and expansion. The new Diamond Surface Water Treatment Plant is a key component in our vision for a modern and efficient water system.” Also present at this engagement was the IDB Country Representative in Guyana, Lorena Solorzano Salazar.
From page 11 minimise these concerns. “The government has ensured many people have access to resources, even through questionable means, and this has affected how they approach issues such as human rights and press freedom,” the organisation explained.
Despite this division, the anonymous activist, speaking through CIVICUS, emphasised the importance of international attention on the
“International attention has proven effective in pressuring the government to address these issues. Even when it doesn’t lead to immediate policy changes, global scrutiny can help deter further targeting of journalists and media organisations,” the activist stated. “This international support becomes even more crucial as we navigate this sensitive period in Guyana-Venezuela relations, where transparent and accurate reporting is essential for public understanding of do-
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) continues to advocate for journalists’ safety and working conditions, but CIVICUS emphasized that additional support from international and regional partners remains crucial. The association’s president, Nazima Raghubir, disclosed to this publication that the statement had been shared with the GPA to address the ongoing issue. However, she could not provide a further comment.
DeedsofCovenantwere disbursed to 27 community groups and organisations as part of the Banks DIH Limited’s commitment to communityimpact.
Delivering remarks at theeventwastheMarketing Director,Mr CarltonJoao,a well-known figure in the humanitarian community Mr Joao emphasised the importance of community and the positive work the organisations honoured do for communities throughout thecountry
According to a Banks DIH Limited press release,
organisations by Mr
f f o r d R e i s , Chairman/Managing
Director Theeventwasalso attended by Members of the Board; Mr Deonarain
Seepaul, Finance Director, Mohamed S Hussein, E
Director, and Mr Gavin Todd, Operations and Engineering Director, along with other senior executive staffmembers.
“We are proud of our ongoing efforts to support and uplift our communities, and we look forward to continuing this important work,”thecompanysaid.
This year’s ceremony was held at the company’s rotunda and the donations were disbursed to: Missionaries of Charity, St. Andrew’s Kirk, The Scout Association of Guyana, GirlsGuidesAssociation,St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, The Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA),
Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Uncle Eddie’s Home, The S a l v a t i o n A r m y , Gentlewomen’s Relief Association, St George’s Cathedral, St Joseph’s
Mercy Hospital, Guyana Red Cross Society, Guyana Society for the Blind, Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, St. Thomas More Conference- Society of the St Vincent De Paul, St Philip’s Parish Church, St. VincentDePaulSociety,St. G e o rg e ’s F i n a n c e Committee, Dharam Shala, Guyana Sanathan Dharma MahaSaba,Shaheed’sBoys and Girls Orphanage, St. John’s Bosco Boy’s Orphanage, Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre, Our Lady of the Mount RC Church, and Our LadyoftheMountCharities.
Access to the mining and logging village ofKwakwaniinRegionTen will improve greatly with a new$248millionairstrip.
The contract has been awarded to Associated Construction Services for the building and asphaltic paving of the facility. Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, last Saturday, said when the airstrip is completed, it will address existing concerns that deter or restrict some
airlines from operating withinthearea. He told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that similar to roads, a base will be laid before the asphaltic paving to strengthenthedurabilityand longevity of the airstrip’s surface Works on the 2,500-foot-long by 50-footwide airstrip is scheduled to spanfivemonths.
The public works minister said all community landingsandrevetmentfrom De Velde to Hururu will be
rehabilitated.The expansive projectisbeingimplemented through the Ministry of Public Works “Contracts will be executed in every riverineareatodealwiththe landings,”hedisclosed.
Concrete footpaths from the landings where boats dock, leading to schools, healthcentresandothermain facilities will be constructed The construction of these footpathswillbeexecutedby the residents of the various communities “Whenwesay we are giving you improved
livelihood, we are not just talking like the people who told you, ‘you are going to have a better life’ and you didn’t see it. I heard these days, people are saying ‘better must come,’so when they come around, tell them better come already,” he stated. Coupled with these initiatives, all the roads within Kwakwani are currently being executed by small contractors from the area. These projects are expectedtobecompletedno laterthanApril.(DPI)
A26-year-oldtaxidriver was on Tuesday shot and robbed of his phone and some cash while he was sleeping in his car at D’UrbanPark,Georgetown. Police identified the victim as Leroy Macey of Lot 464 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was shot in his right forearm The two suspects, clothed in dark-coloured hoodies and armed with a handgun, stole one Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, valued $80,000,oneSamsungGalaxy
A03, valued $40,000, and $56,000cashfromMacey
Macey told police that theincidentoccurredaround 04:00 hours while he was sleeping inside his gold
ToyotaFielderwagonmotor car bearing registration number HB 231 He detailed that he works as a taxidriverduringthenights and would often sleep at D’Urban Park, Georgetown On the day of the incident, around01:00hrs,Maceyhad finished working and went intoD’UrbanParktosleepin hiscar.
However, a
awakened by a loud noise of glassbeingbroken. “He then observed the twosuspectsusedabigbrick tobreakhisleft-sidedriver’s window Thesuspects,while standing outside the car, demanded that he hand over all his money,” police said.
Macey refused to hand over hisvaluablesandasaresult, oneofthesuspectswhowas armed with a gun, discharged a round at the vehicle’s right side passengerdoor,whichstruck thevictim’srightforearm. The suspects then took possession of his valuables and ran south into Hadfield Street, Georgetown, making good their escape. Macey then ran to CANU Headquarters where he reported the matter and the CANU ranks later contacted thepolice Fromthere,hewas rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by the police ranks for treatment and was later discharged “He sustained a
gunshot wound to his right forearm A metal fragment was extracted from the victim’s forearm and handed over to the police Same was later placed in an evidence bag, marked sealed and lodged to be taken to the ballistics section for analysis,”policesaid Police visited the scene andfounda9MMspentshell about 3 feet away from Macey’smotorcar.
The scene was canvassed for CCTV cameras which were seen and will be viewed. Several persons were questioned Checks were made for the suspects but they were not located. Investigations are ongoing.
Accesstopotable
Phillipai, Region Seven as construction works will commence soon on a new supply system benefitting almost1,500residents.
Even the satellite village of Amakokopai, which currently lacks an operational water system, will also benefit from the project.
Phillipai currently relies on the spring, river and rainwater harvesting for water due to the deterioratingstateoftheold pumpsystem.
The government will invest about $50 million to establish the new system. The works will be carried out by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in partnershipwiththeVillage Council.
GWI will provide and transport the relevant pipes andfittings.
The project’s scope of work includes the construction of a concrete catchment at the waterfall source, the installation of transmissionpipesfromthe catchment to Amakokopai and Phillipai, and service connections for the residents. It is scheduled to be
completed by July 2025. During a community engagement on Tuesday, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal assured residents that the government is investing to boost potable water access inthehinterlandregions.
The government has spent over $1 2 billion to construct, expand and upgrade wells and distribution systems in four years, supplying 13,000 households with increased access to drinkablewater
He revealed that contracts will be inked shortlyfornewsystemsfor several hinterland communities.
Since taking office in 2020, the government has exhausted more than $5 5 billion to improve access to potable water in the hinterland regions and riverine communities
Another $2.2 billion has been allocated for new water supply systems across the hinterland regionstoincreaseaccessto clean and safe water in 2025.
GWI’s Hinterland Services Director, Ramchand Jailal also delivered remarks at the communitymeeting.(DPI)
TheMinistry of Agricultureissetto
spend approximately
$275,597,250 on rehabilitating andconstructinganumberoffarm-to-market roadsinRegionsThree,FourandFive
This is according to the Agriculture Ministrywhorecentlyissuedatenderseeking bidsforfourroadprojects
According to the document, the ministry through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is seeking a contractor to undertake the rehabilitation to all-weatherroad from Esau and Jacob bridge to Mards CompoundatMahaicony(rightbank),Region Fivewhichisestimatedtocost$41,802,600 Also in Region Five, a tender is out for the construction of an all-weather-road from Phase 1 Road to Mora Pump Station at
Mahaicony Creek, which is estimated at $31,088,925 InRegionThree,contractorsare beinginvitedtoexecutetherehabilitationofthe WindsorForesttoPouderoyenfarm-to-market access road, West Coast Demerara for an estimated$117,980,100
Meanwhile,inRegionFour,theministrywill be constructing an all-weather-road at Ann's Grove Middle Walk, East Coast Demerara for $84,725,575 With $987 billion expended last year to support development of the agriculture sector,SeniorMinisterwiththeresponsibilityfor Finance,Dr AshniSinghsaidduringthebudget presentation that in 2025, $1046 billion is budgeted“tocontinueouraggressiveinvestment andsupportforthesector,recognisinghowcritical food security is for our country and for the CARICOMregionmorebroadly.”
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine resumed Wednesday, officials said, a day after the Trump administration lifted its suspension of military aid for Kyiv in its 'fight against Russias invasion, and officials awaited the Kremlin's response to a proposed 30-day ceasefireendorsedbyUkraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it's important not to “get ahead” of the question of responding to the ceasefire, whichwasproposedbyWashington.Hetold reporters that Moscow is awaiting “detailed information” from the U.S. and suggested thatRussiamustgetthatbeforeitcantakea position The Kremlin has previously opposedanythingshortofapermanentendto the conflict and has not accepted any concessions.
U.S. President Donald Trump wants to end the three-year war and pressured UkrainianPresidentVolodymyrZelenskyyto entertalks.ThesuspensionofU.S.assistance happened days after Zelenskyy and Trump argued about the conflict in a tense White House meeting The administration's decision to resume military aid after talks Tuesday with senior Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia marked a sharp shift in its stance.Trumpsaid“it'suptoRussianow”as his administration presses Moscow to agree totheceasefire.“Andhopefullywecangeta ceasefire from Russia,” Trump said Wednesday in an extended exchange with reportersduringanOvalOfficemeetingwith MicheálMartin,theprimeminsterofIreland. “Andifwedo,Ithinkthatwouldbe80%of the way to getting this horrible bloodbath” ended.TheU.S.presidentagainmadeveiled threatsofhittingRussiawithnewsanctions. “We can, but I hope it's not going to be necessary,” Trump said.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation to Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine consentedtotheU.S.ceasefireproposal,said Washington will pursue “multiple points of contacts” with Russia to see if President VladimirPutinisreadytonegotiateanendto the war He declined to give details or say whatstepsmightbetakenifPutinrefusesto engage.
TheU.S.hopestoseeRussiastopattacks onUkrainewithinthenextfewdaysasafirst step, Rubio said at a refueling stop Wednesday in Shannon, Ireland, on his way totalksinCanadawithotherGroupofSeven leading industrialized nations Trump's
Frompage11 activities are in progress for the barge landing on the Cuyuni River and the permanentcamparea,which arekeyinitialinfrastructures
t o s u p p o r t f u t u r e development.”
Concurrently, GMIN said it continues to advance permitting efforts toward s e c u r i n g t h e f u l l EnvironmentalLicencefrom t h e E P A “ T h e commencement of early works construction at Oko West demonstrates our commitment to expedite the delivery of another worldclass gold project, " commented Louis-Pierre Gignac, President & Chief ExecutiveOfficer(CEO).
“With site preparation activities rule, we are
special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel this week to Moscow, where he could meet with Putin, according to a person familiarwiththematterbutnotauthoris ed to comment publicly. The person cautionedthatschedulingcouldchange. Ukrainesaysceasefirewouldallowtime forplanningendtowar Zelenskyy said the 30-day ceasefire wouldallowthesides“tofullyprepareastepby-step plan for ending the war, including security guarantees for Ukraine.” Technical questions over how to effectively monitor a truce along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile)frontline,wheresmallbutdeadly drones are common, are “very important,” ZelenskyytoldreportersWednesdayinKyiv Arms deliveries to Ukraine have already resumedthroughaPolishlogisticscenter,the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Poland announced Wednesday The deliveries go throughaNATOandU.S.hubintheeastern PolishcityofRzeszowthat'shasbeenusedto ferry Western weapons into neighboring Ukraineabout70kilometers(45miles)away The American military help is vital for Ukraine's shorthanded and weary army, which having a tough timekeeping Russia's bigger military force at bay For Russia, the American aid spells potentially more difficultyinachievingwaraims,anditcould make Washington's peace efforts a tougher sell in Moscow The U.S. government has alsorestoredUkraine'saccesstounclassified commercial satellite pictures provided by Maxar Technologies through a program Washingtonruns,MaxarspokespersonTomi Maxted told The Associated Press. The imageshelpUkraineplanattacks,assesstheir successandmonitorRussianmovements. Russiastepseffortstoregaincontrol ofKurskregion
The developments came amid intensifying Russian efforts to push Ukrainian forces out of the Kremlin's Kursk region that have yielded breakthroughs in recent days, Ukrainian soldiers toldAP The fightinghasescalatedasceasefiretalkscome toahead,withMoscowintentontakingback itsterritoryandKyivdeterminedtoholdonto it as a bargaining chip in any negotiations. Ukrainianforcesmadeadaringraidintothe RussianregionlastAugustinthefirstforeign occupation of Russian territory since World War II. They have held on despite intense pressure from tens of thousands of Russian andNorthKoreantroops.
applying our extensive development expertise to ensure seamless execution whileupholdinghighsafety, environmental, and social standards. These early-stage activities lay the groundwork for potentially fast tracking the project construction, once we publish the Feasibility Study, secure financing and make a formal construction decision, all anticipated by the middle of 2025,” he added.For his part, Bjorn Jeune, Country Manager, noted, “We are proud to see tangible progress taking shape on the ground at the Oko West Gold Project, as construction activities begin to transform plans into reality.Thisimportantphase demonstrates our dedication
to building a world-class
development,environmental stewardship,andsafety
It also signals our longterm commitment to contributing positively to Guyana's mining landscape andnationalgrowth.”
The Oko West Project is currently considered an “advanced-stageexploration project”, and is expected to produce 353,000 ounces of gold annually from both open pit and underground mining.
The project is projected torecover4.5millionounces of gold over 12.7 years, according to its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)releasedinSeptember 2024.
ASheriffSecurityofficer andhisbrotherwerecharged andplacedonbailwhenthey both appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on Wednesday for assaulting two police ranks earlierthisweek.
The brawl was captured onvideoandsharewidelyon social media. Thirty-yearold Stephen Embrack and AntwonEmbrackofLot206 Meadowbrook Georgetown were jointly charged with two counts of damage to property of two police regulation shirts valued at $7,000 property of the GPF, and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm toofficersEltonGrahamand HubertAllicock.
Stephen was also
Charged, 30-year-old Stephen Embrack
Charged, 23-year-old Antwon Embrack
charged separately for damaging a body camera valuedat$147,000,property of GPF The incident took place on March 10, 2025 at Camp Street Georgetown. Thetwobrotherspleadednot guiltyafterthechargeswere readtothembyActingChief MagistrateFaithMcGusty
The defendants were represented by attorney-atlaw Dominick Bess, who told the court that the brothers were at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Camp Street to conduct some business. He said that when they returned to their vehicle, they saw that the wheels were clamped and they had an exchange of wordswithOfficerGraham. Accordingtothelawyer,
Stephenproceededtousehis cellphonetorecordthescene at which point Graham snatchedthephone. This he said, caused his client to retaliate and that
resulted in a physical altercation. The court heard thatAntwon then proceeded to defend his brother, and this resulted in officer Allicock hitting him in the
head with a motorcycle helmet.Attorney Bess made a bail application for his client, on the grounds that theyhavebeenincustodyfor twodays.
Magistrate McGusty placedAntwon and Stephen on $10,000 bail each for the damage to property charge, $20,000 bail each for assaulting officer Graham and an additional $20,000 for assaulting officer Allicock Stephen was granted $50,000 bail for his individual charge of damagingabodycamera.
Frompage23 victoryfromtheopeningday with a winning time of 4:23.90.
ChristChurch’sShaquan Shepherd (4:42 60) and Camille’sAcademy’s Corey Speede (4:44.52) completed thepodium.
In the Boys’ Under-20
category, Harmony
Secondary’s Timothy Smith (4:23 87) narrowly edged out Richard Ishmael’s Jonathan Bristol (4:28.10), while Leonora Technical’s Samuel Booker (4:36 58)
finished third in a fiercely contestedrace.
The Boys’ Under-15 400m saw an electrifying finish, with St Joseph High’sJoelStephen(55.71s) barely edging past Leonora Secondary’s Nehemiah Barton (56 04s) Dolphin
Secondary’s Shaquil Shepherd secured bronze in 58.07s.
Christianburg Wismar’s Kelerah Peters dominated the Girls’ Under-15 400m, finishing in 1:02 39 Bishops’ High School’s
Shania Thompson (1:06.53) edged Stewartville
Secondary’s Areanna Bart (1:06.54) in a tight race for second.
The Boys’ Under-17 400m was one of the day’s most thrilling events McKenzie High’s Dequan Farrel (48 90s) narrowly held off Brickd
Secondary’s Ade Sealy (48 93s), while Vryman’s Erven’s Ackel Henry (51.24s)securedthirdplace.
North Georgetown’s Danangelo Smith (51.79s)
finished just outside the medal spots McKenzie High’s Tiffiann David claimed the Girls’Under-17 Triple Jump titlewith a leap of 10.11m. Berbice High’s Anayah Jaundoo (9 78m) and Anna Regina’s Kiara Tyrell (9.71m) took silver andbronze,respectively In the Boys’ Under-20 Discus Throw, Mahaicony Tech’s Jamie Fraser secured gold with a massive 36.19m throw Presidents’College’s Shaqeem Peters (30.84m) took silver, while Wisburg S e c o n d a r y ’s A k i a Cumberbatch (27 57m) finishedthird.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Yourheightenedsensitivityis a powerful tool right now, Aries.Althoughbeingneeded canfeeloverwhelming,thisis yourmomenttooffersupport whereit'smostrequired.Trust your instincts you're uniquely equipped for this task.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Yourwarmthandgoodnature draw people to you like a magnet today, Taurus. You're usedtothis,buttodayit’seven more pronounced Your interactionswillbefulfilling.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Change is in the air, Gemini, and today marks the beginning of something significant. You've been waitingpatiently,andnowit's timetoseetheresults.Atfirst, the changes might seem subtle.
CANCER(June21–July22)
It'stimetoprioritizeself-care in its most genuine form, Cancer Focus on nurturing your well-being by paying attentiontothesmalldetails.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Feeling a bit anxious today, Leo? No worries—you're in control Engage in some physicalactivitytoeasethose nerves.Abriskwalkoraquick workout can do wonders. As afternoonrollsin.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Recognizewhenhobbiesturn into avoidance, Virgo. It’s greattohavediversions,butif they're becoming an escape fromresponsibilities,it’stime to reassess. Your intuition is strongnow
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Changeisdefinitelybrewing, Libra! It's easy to let disappointment cloud your vision, but remember, this is just a phase Those goals you’re aiming for? They’re closer than you think. While patienceistough.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Remember to prioritize yourselftoday!Yournurturing nature is a gift, but it’s important to balance that with self-care. Take some time to recharge and focus on your ownneeds.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Feeling overwhelmed by socialobligations,Sagittarius? Itmightbetimetoputyourself first. Your calendar doesn’t needtodictateyourhappiness. Take a moment to reassess whattrulyenergizesyou.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Luck is on your side with finances, Capricorn! Keep an eye out for opportunities that could boost your wealth Before diving in, use your sharp analysis to weigh the prosandcons.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)You're exploring a fresh side of yourself today, Aquarius, and it's exciting! Usually quite reserved, today you're drawn to clothes with bold details and luxurious fabrics.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Be on guard today, as some financial offers might cross your path. Whether through mailorasalespitch,theycould seemtemptingbutmaynotbe asbeneficialastheyappear
Girls’ Under-15 Discus Throw with a best effort of 22.65m. New Silver City’s JasminSultan(20.07m)took silver, while East Ruimveldt’s Jada Sampson (19.18m)securedbronze.
Christianburg Wismar Secondary demonstrated their sprint relay prowess, sweeping the Girls’4x100m titlesintheGrade7(59.60s), Under-15 (54 28s), and Under-17 (53 00s) categories The Under-20 event
w McKenzie High School
TheGirls’Grade7Long Jump saw Christ Church’s Kaley Jack (4.47m) emerge victorious over St. Ignatius’ Latika Ramlall (4.35m) and Tutorial High’s Keanna Archer (4.33m). On the boys’ side, Christ Church’s Timothy Springer (5.13m) claimed gold ahead of Bygeval’s Nickel Clarke (4.83m) and Christianburg Wismar’s Akeem Blucher (4.79m).
Bartica’s Athalia Simmons dominated the
Frompage23 swiftlybyanothergoalfrom #28,bringingthescoreto30bytheendoftheperiod.
Despite the growing deficit, Guyana refused to concede further ground Their biggest offensive opportunitycameinthe58th minute with a short corner, but they were unable to convert. Nonetheless, their determined defensive performance kept Puerto Rico from repeating their p r e v i o u s r o u t , demonstrating significant resilience and promise as a developingjuniorteam.
Guyana’s ability to withstand heavy pressure and defend effectively against a high-caliber opponent is a testament to their grit and potential. As the tournament progresses, theteamwilllooktobuildon thisexperienceandcontinue theirstrongdefensiveefforts while seeking offensive breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, Guyana went up against a strong Barbados side yesterday, details of that match will be feature subsequently All
triumph in 53.44s, ahead of Buxton Secondary (58.39s) and Mahaicony Secondary (59.48s).
On the boys’ side, M c K e n z i e H i g h dominated the Grade 7 (53 50s) and Under-17 (
clinched gold in the Under-15 (50 14s), while the GovernmentTechnical
victory in the Under-20 category with a time of 44 77s
channel.
Present at yesterday briefing were Petra’s Co-Director, Troy Mendonca (center), Asst Director of Sports Franklin Wilson (left) and Joel Gonsalves, MoE officer within the Allied Arts Unit.
In anticipation of the
1 1 t h A n n u a l
Milo/Massy Under18 Football Championship startingonSaturday(March 15), the organisers of the event, Petra Organisation met with the participating teams yesterday at the National Racquet Centre (NRC)forateambriefing. Officially launched on February 27, the onemonth-long championship has once again garnered enthusiastic support, with Nestlé Milo continuing its sponsorship of the highly anticipated schools’ tournament
This year’s edition will feature 24 teams, including nine from the Georgetown area,twofromRegionOne, onefromRegionTwo,three from Region Three, three from the East Coast (Region Four), two from Region Seven, and one f r o m E a s t B a n k Meanwhile, teams from RegionsFive,Six,andNine are yet to be confirmed due to inclement weather conditions
Speakingatthebriefing, Co-Director of the Petra
Organisation, Troy Mendonca, expressed excitement for the tournament’sreturn.
“The 11th Annual Milo/Massy U18 Football Tournament will kick off thisSaturdaywithmatches at the Ministry of Education Complex and Queen’sCollegegrounds.”
M e n d o n c a a l s o extended gratitude to the long-standing sponsors, M i l o a n d M a s s y
Distribution, along with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, for theircontinuedsupport.
“We look forward to seven weeks of exciting competition, and may the best team win,” he added, urging football enthusiasts tocomeoutandexperience the electrifying atmosphere ofthetournament.
The championship providesacrucialplatform for young players to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and build their profiles as they pursue future opportunities in professionalfootball.
Also present at the briefing was Assistant Director of Sports, Franklin Wilson, who commended the Petra Organisation for their dedication to youth football
“On behalf of the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission and the MinistryofCulture,Youth, and Sport, we extend our appreciation for your commitment to youth football over the past decade.” The tournament officiallykicksoffat12:00 noon on Saturday, following the traditional march-past, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Meanwhile an official list of participating teams will be issued today, following the conclusion of theyear’seliminationphase.
Football fans are encouraged to come out and support the next generation of football stars
Frompage25 who also copped the MVP match award, managed to give Upper Demerara some hope.
Georgetown completed a comprehensive bowling outingledbytheduoofoffspinnerRivaldoPereirawho snared 3-27 with help from fast-bowler Prince who returned2-20.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Apple finished with the awardfortheBatsmanwith the most runs in the tournamentwith204.
Most wickets went to Parmeshwar Ram who had 13scalpswhileMVPofthe competition went to Lomar Seecharran who racked up 188 runs and10wickets.
2025CWIRegional4-DayChampionships Round5….GHEvs.WWIVDay1 Rain interrupts opening day at Providence, as Solozano remains key for Windwards
Defending champs
Guyana Harpy Eagles had their return to Providence spoiled by rain as the Windward Islands Volcanoeswillbankonaset Jeremy Solozano to carry his bat come today when Day2actioncontinues,with oneeyeontheweather
Guyana welcomed both teams back to her shores with mixed weather, which set up a stop-start day of cricket which eventually ended after play was stoppedduetoheavyrain.
Ve t e r a n o p e n e r
Solozano carried his bat
throughout weatheraffecteddaytoendon43not out from 89 with captain Alick Athanaze (9*) by his side,withthetwolookingto commence repairs today withtheWindwardson77-2 after27overs.
Weatherforcedachange inplansforbothteamsover the next few days, with a much slower surface likely suitable for the spinners, as Guyana utilized five bowlers including a returningKeemoPaul.
Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair got the first breakthrough and ended on
1-28 from 12 overs, further making his spells today all themorecrucialforGuyana.
Leading Harpy Eagles pacerRonaldoAlimohamed was the pick of the lot, grabbing 1-15 as he, Nial Smith (0-6) and Paul (0-6) could have important roles shouldtheweatherchange.
Windwards opener Stephan Pascal (0) was bowled over by Sinclair after just four deliveries whileKavemHodgepushed a d e l i v e r y f r o m Alimohamedintothegloves of wicket-keeper /skipper Tevin Imlach after hitting 3 foursinhis17.
Solozano then kept his coolasaveteran,findingthe fence on five occasions to help carry his score into the 40’s,whilehelpinghisteam recover from a tense patch, asheandhisskipperbattled a number of rain delays throughthefirstdaysession. Action resumes today from 11:00h weather permitting.(CliftonRoss)
Caption - Windwards opener Jeremy Solozano willlooktocarryontodayas he battles a star-studded Eaglesbowlingunitandthe weather
Georgetownstormedtoa 104- run win over Upper Demerara inTuesday’s final of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) under -17 Inter-Association 50-over crickettournamentplayedat the Transport Sports Club Ground.
Windwards opener Jeremy Solozano will look to carry on today as he battles a star-studded Eagles bowling unit and the weather.
Taking first strike, Georgetown posted what turned out to be a winning 232-4 after 45 overs after fifties from Shamar Apple (56), Jonathan Mentore (50) with support from Trilok Nanan (40) and Emmanuel Lewis(33).
Narine (2-27) failed to stop their team from being knocked over for just 128 in 34overs.
Upper Demerara’s pair of spinner Rusco Anderson (2-64) and Balashankar
Only a spirited knock of 73*fromNathanBishop, (Continuedonpage24)
The Pepsi-sponsored Michael Parris U16 competition will return on SaturdayattheAndrew“Six Head”LewisGym,bringing together the crème de la crèmeofthecountry’sfuture boxingstars.
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) event will mark its fourth edition thisweekend,withPresident Steve Ninvalle highlighting that the aim is to host 24 editions of the competition thisyear
“This is an important programme for us, and the factthatseveralboxersfrom this competition have performed well at the recent Caribbean Championship makes it crucial to continue involving these young athletes,” Ninvalle said in a GBArelease.
The GBA president expressed gratitudenot only totheboxersbutalsototheir coaches, whom he praised for their dedication in keeping the athletes groundedandfocusedonthe sport. “We wouldn’t be here
without their support, and I’m glad that with each edition of the competition, we’re seeing growth and improvement from these boxers,whichmeansthey’re putting in the work,” Ninvalleadded.
He also emphasized that the GBA will continue to provide opportunities for
Young Chess wizard Aniyah
boxers to excel beyond the shores of Guyana, paving a positive pathway for their transition to professional boxinglaterintheircareers.
Meanwhile, at the last editionofthecompetitionin Albouystown, Ken Harvey of Andrew Lewis Gym (ALG)onceagainprovedhis dominance, securing an
impressive win over Josiah Thambaram and forcing the refereetostopthecontest.
His performance earned him the Best Boxer award for the second consecutive time, after winning it in last month’s inaugural edition for2025.
The night began with an unfortunate withdrawal in
Bout #1, asAaron Fileen of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) was unable to face Junior Madray (ALG). However, the remaining bouts delivered excitement andintensity InBout#2(4245kg), Isiah Ashby (ALG) overwhelmed Rose Hall Jammers’ Jiroeh Mannie (RHJ),forcingtherefereeto
stop the contest. The trend continued in Bout #5 (5357kg) when Lennox Lawrence(ALG)provedtoo muchforCortMahase.Isiah Nurse (RHJ) added to the stoppage streak, taking downSaheedGiddens(RHJ) inBout#6(52-55kg).
Other notable victories included Jadon Fileen (VBG), who outpointed Kevin Johnson (ALG) in Bout#3(48-51kg),aswellas Ronaldo Hunte (ALG), who securedawinoverNicholas Cameron (RHJ) in Bout #8 (65-69kg) Jofes Jackson defeated Chaka Stephens (ALG) in Bout #10 (7477kg) on points A particularly tough battle unfolded in Bout #9 (6770kg) between Simeon Haymer (ALG) and Jeremiah Aurthur (RHJ), with Haymer winning via unanimousdecision.
Andrew Lewis Gym once again stamped its authorityonthetournament, taking home the Best Gym award after several impressivevictories.
C o u c h m a n emerged winner of the 2025 Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) /Diamond Fire &
General Insurance-
sponsored National W o m e n ’ s C h e s s ChampionshipQualifiers.
Games were played in controlof90minutes,witha 5-secondincrementaddedto the clock following each move.
Supervised by FIDE Arbiter John Lee and National Arbiter Kim Shing Chong,Couchmanshinedon Sunday at the David Rose
Some 19 stars dazzled during the Swiss-format classic style tournament which ended this past Sundayafterafewweekends ofstiffcompetition.
Special School where the competition was hosted, eventually winning the 7 roundFIDE-rankedevent. Couchman racked up 5 5 points for her win after losing her only battle against Women’s Master
Champion, WCM Aditi Joshi also ended with
Couchman finished in a stalemate Third place went to Shariff who ended with 5 points with
2 c h a m p Kataleya Sam, coming in at 4th Meanwhile, nine females will be eyeing the 2024 National Women’s Champion and current
High Jump action at the National Secondary School Championship.
Thebattlefortheoverall titleattheinauguralNational Secondary School track and fieldChampionshipsissetto be a three-way contest between Mackenzie High School, President’s College, and Wismar Christianburg SecondarySchool.
After two days of competition at the National Track and Field Centre, in Edinburg, Mackenzie High School leads with 171 5 points, holding a 24.5-point advantage over President’s College(147).
Another Linden-based s c h o o l , W i s m a r Christianburg Secondary, sits in third with 117.33 points.
Thesethreeschoolshave
d o m i n a t e d t h e championship, as no other institution has even reached the 100-point mark heading into the final day of competition.
St. Ignatius of Region 9 is currently fourth with 86 points, while Mahaicony Secondaryroundsoutthetop fivewith68points. Meanwhile, on day two, in the Girls’ Under-17 1 5 0 0 m , U i t v l u g t Secondary’s Ester McKinnon dominated the field, clocking 5:18.40 to securegold.
North Georgetown’s Adanya Glen (5:24.15) took silver,whileVanessaFrancis of Mararunau Secondary (5:47 73) finished with
bronze.
Christianburg Wismar Secondary’s Akila Blucher emerged victorious in the Girls’Under-201500mwith atimeof5:40.79,edgingout Buxton’s Marissa Thomas ( 5 : 4 2 1 5 ) , w h i l e Mararunau’s Vannytta Francis grabbed third in 5:54.79.
Zeeburg Secondary’s AkroyDeSantosclaimedthe Under-15 1500m title in 4:50 76, holding off St Ignatius’ Rashad Changlee (4:55.11) and St. Nicholas’ NeilsonGordon(5:02.84).
McKenzie High’s Ebo McNeilcontinuedhisstellar run, adding the Under-17 1500mcrowntohis3000m (Continuedonpage23)
Guyana fell 3-0 to Puerto Rico despite defensive resilience.
(PAHF photo)
Despite a 3-0 defeat to Puerto Rico in their second matchofthe2025JuniorPan American Challenge, Guyana’s Junior Women’s Hockey Team showcased remarkable defensive resilienceagainstadominant opponent.
Puerto Rico, a squad featuringplayerswithtiesto the U.S. collegiate system, entered the match in strong formafteracommanding13-
0 win over Trinidad and Tobago They controlled possession for much of the game, relentlessly pressing Guyana’s defensive line However, Guyana’s disciplined backline and goalkeeperSarahHarryheld firm under immense pressure, successfully defending all 14 short c o r n e r s c o n c e d e d throughoutthematch.
Puerto Rico managed to
break through just before halftime,scoringinthefinal seconds of the second quarter Guyana responded with a stronger attacking presenceinthethirdquarter, creating opportunities in the Puerto Rican circle but unable to capitalize. Puerto Rico extended their lead in the 12th minute of the third quarter with a powerful strikefrom#17,followed (Continuedonpage23)
...but will face challenge from President’s College and Wismar Christianburg Secondary
