Kaieteur News

Taxes collected by Bahamas on Guyana’s oil will soon outweigh countr y’s total ear nings - Chr is Ram

...as Govt. remains locked in “unholy alliance” with ExxonMobil

As the Government of G u y a n a ( G o G ) r e m a i n s l o c k e d i n a n “ u n h o l y alliance” with American oil

m a j o r, E x x o n M o b i l , t h e Bahamas is set to benefit from tax payments that will soon outweigh the country’s

t o t a l p r o f i t a n d r o y a l t y earnings from the sector

T h i s i s a c c o r d i n g t o Chartered Accountant and prominent Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram In his m o s t r e c e n t c o l u m n published by the Stabroek News, the lawyer weighed into the recent revelation that ExxonMobil is paying taxes to the Bahamas and none to Guyana where it generates massive profits.

Ram argues that this development would almost be comical were it not so

d e v a s t a t i n g l y c o s t l y t o Guyana. To put the situation into context for readers, the columnist explained, “The Bahamas, a country with only sand, sea and shells, will soon generate more tax revenue from Guyana’s oil

i n d u s t r y t h a n G u y a n a itself!!”

H e p o i n t e d o u t t h a t Guyana’s government has r e f u s e d t o e x e r c i s e i t s sovereign right and power to

tax all income earned in Guyana. This is so as the 2016 Production Sharing

A g r e e m e n t ( P S A ) w i t h Exxon and partners waives the payment of corporate and other tax payments to the country

In the meantime, Ram in his explosive piece noted, “The Bahamas’ initiativet a k i n g a d o p t i o n o f t h

Guyana’s fiscal negligence and its leaders’ spineless subservience to ExxonMobil and multinational interests. The framework ensures that m u l t i n a t i o n a l e n t e r p r i s e s pay a minimum tax of 15%.”

About two weeks ago, Kaieteur News reported that the Bahamas enacted the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax Act, 2024 (the Act) on 28 November 2024. The Act

i n t r o d u c e s a D o m e s t i c

M i n i m u m To p - U p Ta x (DMTT) in line with the Organisation for Economic C o o p e r a t i o n a n d

D e v e l o p m e n t ’s ( O E C D )

Pillar Two Framework. The objectives of the OECD’s framework are to implement a global minimum tax at an effective rate of 15% on the i n c o m e a r i s i n g f r o m

multinational entities in each jurisdiction in which they operate.

W i t h t h e n e w t a x arrangements in place by the Bahamas, Exxon is there required to pay a corporate tax of 15% to the country since EMGL, formerly Esso Exploration and Protection Guyana Limited (EEPL) is a company registered in the Bahamas with ExxonMobil Global Holding Investment B.V being the 100 percent owner of that company

R a m b e l i e v e s t h a t Guyana’s refusal to adopt the OECD framework reveals an uncomfortable truth that the G u y a n a g o v e r n

n t h a s actively given up billions in revenue rather than even suggesting that ExxonMobil and its partners HESS and CNOOC should pay taxes on i t s h e f t y p r o f i t s f r o m Guyana.

He said, “No one should be fooled that Guyana’s refusal to join the OECD framework is an oversight -it is a manifestation of the c o u n t r y ’ s l e

d

r s h i p kowtowing to Exxon and HESS over the interest of their own people. They know that if they sign on, they must commit self-styled heresy by

charging tax on Exxon.”

The lawyer argued that this is not government’s only show of loyalty to Exxon as they have also refused to u t i l i s e t h e r e n e g o t i a t i o n clause in the 2016 Petroleum Agreement, to seek better fiscal terms. Ram noted that its refusal in this regard “stands as a glaring example

of fiscal surrender, with Guyana not only waiving its right to collect taxes but also reimbursing ExxonMobil for i t s t a x o b l i g a t i o n s a n d providing receipts for taxes EXXON and HESS, they never actually paid.”

T h e C h a r t e r e d

Accountant estimates that Guyana has already given up about US$3B in taxes which the oil companies should

Chartered Accountant and prominent Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram

have paid since 2020. “To put this in perspective, The

measures, applied across its entire economy Given the vast scale of ExxonMobil’s operations in Guyana, our potential revenue under the

dwarf this figure multiple times over,” he explained. Ram concluded that this is not about legal constraints

or contractual obligations, but a government that “has

ExxonMobil from taxation rather than safeguard the financial future of its own people.”

Mo

said, “To describe this as fiscal negligence is too kind. It constitutes a deliberate betrayal of national interests that transforms Guyana’s oil blessing into a case study of corporate colonialism in the 21st century.”

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: DR . GLENN LALL - TEL : 624-6456

Editor-In- Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Mash 2025

Fifty-five years as a Republic. Close to fifty-five annual c e l e b r a t i o n s o f G u y a n a ’s o w n n a t i o n a l h o l i d a y, Mashramani (Mash), with allowance made for the restraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the long period of national poverty, and now the creep of national prosperity, the mass of Guyana’s population has celebrated their own special day with beating their drums, tramping behind floats, and hoisting a glass in toasts to the nation. But should those be all there is to the national mood and national joy on Mash Day?

For 50 of the 55 years that it has been a Republic, Guyana’s name counted for nothing, Guyana’s people represented nothing but swarms of cheap labour in several parts of the world. Today, nobody thinks of African Ghana when Guyana is part of a discussion. More and more, locals and foreigners try their best to minimize, or cover down, the name Jim Jones, and the holocaust that he set in motion here. Today, there is optimism and rosy expectations in ruling political circles and their business confederates. The mentality of both groups is that in providing a few cheap jobs to those who want to have one, that’s all that is necessary Hard reality couldn’t be farther from that conclusion, because today Guyanese know that great riches have been found, and some of it should be shared with them. They want to be in a position to do more for themselves (and their neighbourhoods) than beat their Mash drums, walk and chant behind their colourful floats, while enjoying the company of good Demerara Rum.

After living through the experience of their parents and grandparents fighting a daily battle with poverty’s constraints, the mass of Guyanese wants better for themselves. They sense that that time is now, except that it has not been so. They should be living it up with a real Mash celebration, because they have the best reason of all: money in their pockets, except it has not been so. Money in hand, after all their needs and bills have been dealt with, no longer hangs over their heads like a hammer That kind of money has not been coming into their hands, despite increasing daily oil production here, and oil prices remaining high. Singly or in aggregate, these do not make for the kind of spirit that should saturate Mash celebrations, its native rejoicings.

Leaders are happy with themselves to dole out pittances to mostly desperate citizens in one of the most talked about oil country in the world. These same leaders know that Guyana can and must get more, but they cannot overcome their fear, their slave mentality, when dealing with the powers at ExxonMobil. Opportunities come and go in the expanding oil sector, without the PPP/C Government lifting one finger to change the 2016 ExxonMobil oil contract that they used to condemn in the worst terms. Today, now that these same local leaders are in the driver ’s seat, they get lead feet when renegotiation of that revolting oil contract is called for by more and more Guyanese.

Guyanese know what they are not getting, how much they are missing, from their oil. It casts a pall on their Mash energy, no matter the loud noises, the streams of human movement, and the hollow chatter of national leaders. Because leaders in both the government and the opposition have lost their backbones, they have become the best of dancers around calls for renegotiation of the nationally embarrassing ExxonMobil oil contract. When leaders lose courage, abandon the interests of Guyana, the poor in the population are among the worst of losers. They should be enjoying Mash every day, with Christmas thrown in as extra. Neither is happening, and that is the shabby reality behind the Mash fanfares, due to leaders failing Guyanese. When leaders should be stepping up with power over the people’s patrimony, they are so shameless as not to mind looking impotent.

When the big speeches of the leading political voices are done today, Guyanese are still where they are. Many hungry and unhappy, which is a bitter irony, considering that Guyanese number among the richest worldwide. Mash can be better, but only if Guyanese commit to making it so.

Public Confirmation Required from GRA on Minister of Natural Resources’ Tax Payments for ExxonMobil and its Partners

Dear Editor, Our letter entitled “Is ExxonMobil depriving the

News, February 16, 2025) raised important concerns about the issuance of tax

implications for Guyana’s oil revenues. One day before its publication, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira expressed concerns about the use of “non-empirical, non-

Waves, February 15, 2025).

Heartened by Minister

and scientific data, the Oil & Gas Governance Network Guyana (OGGN) writes to

Revenue Authority (GRA),

Commissioner-General Mr

G

Petroleum Agreement (also known as the Stabroek Block

P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement) to pay taxes on

b e h a l f o f E x x o n M o b i l

G u y a n a L i m i t e d , a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, along with its partners Hess

C o r p o r a t i o n , a n d C h i n a

N a t i o n a l O f f s h o r e O i l Company (CNOOC) using G u y a n a ’s s h a r e o f o i l revenues for the years 2020 to 2023.

T h i s m a t t e r i s o f significant public interest, given the critical role such p a y m e n t s p l a y i n determining the nation’s net oil revenues and overall economic transparency The Guyana Revenue Authority has not published any annual reports since 2016, meaning there is no public record

c o n f i r m i n g w h e t h e r t h e

M i n i s t e r o f N a t u r a l

Resources has indeed made these tax payments on behalf o f E x x o n M o b i l a n d i t s partners. Article 15.4 of the P e t r o l e u m A g r e e m e n t explicitly outlines that the Government of Guyana is responsible for remitting

t h e s e t a x e s , w h i c h , according to the agreement, are considered part of the c o n t r a c t o r ’s i n c o m e a n d corporate tax obligations.

T h e i s s u a n c e o f t a x certificates to ExxonMobil, H e s s , a n d C N O O C , a s stipulated in the agreement, raises serious concerns about

have actually been made and p r o p e r l y d

c u m e n t e d Furthermore, it is essential for the public to understand w h

s align with the nation’s best f i s c a l i n t e r e s t s a n d international tax compliance s t a n d a r d s E x x o n M o b i l Guyana, Hess and CNOOC have reported obtaining Tax Certificates from the Guyana

R e v e n u e A u t h o r i t y amounting to 2.8 billion USD for the years 2020 to 2023, further underscoring

payments.

G i v e n M

S

a t i a ’ s leadership of the GRA and the agency’s responsibility in o v e r s e e i n g t a x administration in Guyana, OGGN urges him to publicly clarify the following:

1. Has the Minister of Natural Resources made the required tax payments on behalf of ExxonMobil and its partners for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023? If this is indeed the case, which fund was extracted or which government budget code was

required by article 15.4 of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement?

2. Has the GRA issued c o r r e s p o n d i n g t a x certificates for these (Continued on page 06)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

The APA has betrayed the very people it professes to be representing

DEAR EDITOR, Long positioned as an

a d v o c a t e f o r I n d i g e n o u s r i g h t s , t h e A m e r i n d i a n Peoples Association (APA) does not reflect reality as it claims. In recent years, it has become evident that the APA is no longer a neutral body acting in the best interest of

G u y a n a ’ s I n d i g e n o u s

p e o p l e I n s t e a d , i t h a s become a political institution identifying itself with the

o p p o s i t i o n c o a l i t i o n (APNU+AFC).

P i c t u r e s o f a n A PA

e x e c u t i v e w i t h c o a l i t i o n

leaders at opposition-led outreaches clearly show that the group is now part of the

o p p o s i t i o n m a c h i n e r y , purposefully working against n a t i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t p r o j e c t s b e n e f i t i n g Indigenous people Although the coalition has a well-

d o c u m e n t e d h i s t o r y o f ignoring Amerindians, the APA was especially quiet throughout its tenure The A PA n o w a g g r e s s i v e l y

d i s s e m i n a t e s f a l s e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t

g o v e r n m e n t i n i t i a t i v e s , particularly the carbon credit scheme. The APA’s strategic

r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h

A P N U + A F C i s n o t

haphazard. The opposing coalition has traditionally

s e e n A m e r i n d i a n s a s political instruments rather

than equal citizens entitled to development. This helps to understand why APNU+AFC achieved nothing significant f o r I n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e throughout their tenure in government. Instead, they withdrew vital funds, halted efforts at land titling, and c l o s e d t h e C o m m u n i t y S u p p o r t O ff i c e r s ( C S O )

p r o g r a m m e , t h e r e f o r e

d e p r i v i n g t h o u s a n d s o f

Indigenous young people of work

T h e A PA w a s s i l e n t despite these overt assaults on Indigenous advancement. Now claiming to advocate Indigenous rights, they were quiet when the APNU+AFC established a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate Amerindian lands, a move generally regarded as an a t t e m p t t o u n d e r m i n e Indigenous land claims in favour of foreign interests.

T h e A P A’ s s i l e n c e following a top APNU+AFC

g o v e r n m e n t m i n i s t e r referring to Amerindians as “ a v a r i c i o u s ” t h a t i s , greedy—an absolute insult to Indigenous people—was even more shameful. Quick t o c r i t i c i z e t h e P P P / C government over unfounded allegations, the APA did not publish a single statement denouncing this provocative comment. This selective outrage validates what many

previously suspected: the APA is an extension of the opposition working against I n d i g e n o u s d e v e l o p m e n t while disguising itself as an advocate for Amerindians.

Apart from its political t

h e A PA’s

Amerindians to draw foreign financing The APA has perfected the skill of making outrageous and sometimes incorrect assertions about Indigenous conflicts to get funding from foreign NGOs, international agencies, and environmental campaigning groups. Their dishonesty operates as follows:

The APA consistently presents a misleading picture of Amerindian communities a

I

purposefully overlooks the enormous expenditures the PPP/C administration has m a d e i n I n d i g e n o u s development, including land t i t l i n g , e d u c a t i o n , healthcare, and economic empowerment initiatives.

T h e A PA v i g o r o u s l y opposes the carbon credit p r o g r a m , e r r o n e o u s l y asserting that monies are being squandered and that A m e r i n d i a n s w e r e n o t consulted. This money flows straight to villages where Indigenous leaders and the

Suggestions for efficient cash grant distribution

DEAR EDITOR,

Permit me to ask a question and to offer my unsolicited suggestions regarding the distribution of the cheques for Cash Grant 2024. I will also use this medium to register my belief that those in authority are not g e n u i n e l y i n t e r e s t e d i n h e l p i n g t h e vulnerable among us. The fantasy is “One Guyana” but the reality is far from this. The question: what happens if, for reasons beyond my control, I am unable to uplift this cheque at the designated location?

The suggestions

1. Disburse all cheques to work places for hassle-free, safe and efficient distributions.

2. Disburse cheques to areas where persons were registered, and have these p e r s o n s c o l l e c t i n g r o u p s , b a s e d o n surnames, in alphabetical order

3. Have those who were unable to collect their cheques via the means above, visit the Ministry of Finance, the nearest Police Station or the nearest Post Office on selected days. I believe that those in authority are not g e n u i n e l y i n t e r e s t e d i n h e l p i n g t h e vulnerable among us because there is no

people decide on community investments. Though many Amerindian leaders oppose the APA’s divisive strategy, the APA positions itself as the only “genuine” voice for Indigenous people; thus, using Amerindians as props f o r f u n d i n g b e c o m e s imperative. It appeals for f o r e i g n d o n a t i o n s u s i n g pictures of underprivileged areas, but there is little proof that these monies directly assist the people they claim to be helping.

When the PPP/C is in government, the APA loses relevance when Indigenous people grow prosperous and self-sufficient This is the reason it opposes governmentled development projects since these programmes empower Indigenous people and reveal

A P A d i s h o n e s t y APNU+AFC keeps attacking a n y p r o j e c t h e l p i n g Indigenous people while the APA gets foreign money u n d e r p r e t e n s e s Ta k e n

t o g e t h e r, t h e y c r e a t e a

h a z a r d o u s a l l i a n c e t o maintain Amerindians in a constant condition of political manipulation and economic dependency. Editor, let’s review the coalition’s history on Indigenous development:

1. Cut financing for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) during their t e n u r e , l i m i t i n g communities’ initiatives.

2 Discontinued the CSO initiative, leaving Indigenous young people unemployed

3. Refused to involve Indigenous leaders, therefore undermining the National To s h a o s C o u n c i l ( N T C ) ; s t o p p e d t h e l a n d t i t l i n g

p r o c e s s , s o p o s t p o n i n g legitimate land ownership for Indigenous people Now, in opposition, APNU+AFC uses the APA to highlight its erroneous narratives while posing as concerned about Amerindians One can see the h y p o c r i s y T h e P P P / C government is dedicated to a c t u a l , l o n g - l a s t i n g development for Amerindians w h i l e t h e A PA a n d t h e

c o a l i t i o n c a r r y o n t h e i r misinformation campaign

Editor, when the PPP/C assumed office in 2020, the following commitments to t h e A m e r i n d i a n s w e r e delivered: 1. Revived and e x p a n d e d t h e C S O p r o g r a m m e , g i v i n g t h o u s a n d s o f I n d i g e n o u s young people work.

2 A c c e l e r a t e d Amerindian Land Titling g u a r a n t e e s I n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e t h e i r r i g h t f u l ownership.

3. Made investments in infrastructure like roads, b r i d g e s , s c h o o l s , a n d h e a l t h c a r e f a c i l i t i e s t o enhance the quality of life among Indigenous people.

3. Offered scholarships and enhanced educational possibilities to guarantee Indigenous people access to more advanced knowledge.

4. Executed the carbon credit scheme to ensure A m

environmental preservation.

Unlike the APA and the opposition, which feed on p

Amerindian people.

The APA has betrayed the very people it professes t

I t s priority is not Indigenous development but political

Amerindians Guyanese,

have to start seeing this

A opposes Indigenous rights and does not stand for them anymore. It coexists with the same opposition alliance that

administration.

O

P / C government has committed to Indigenous development, generating possibilities and

experiencing development u

P P / C administration. It is time to

d coalition’s false information and advance with the PPP/C g

e s Indigenous people.

Regards, Hon Alister Charlie, MBA Indigenous Member of Parliament.

attempt to make the process of upliftment equally simple for everyone. Some residents of Region 4 have collected their cheques in Region 3 and vice versa Some have collected at their workplaces.

In my case, I was registered at a hospital in Region 3. I am/was slated to uplift this cheque at the West Minister Secondary School, the distribution centre for Parafaite Harmonie - a relatively large area. As a health worker, it is almost impossible for me to be at that location between the hours of 9:00a.m and 1:00p.m, reportedly, the best times to visit. The picture attached is from a visit to this location on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 4:11 p.m. Some had been waiting for hours, some with children in attendance. Therefore, why not simplify the process for everyone? Lawyer, judge, doctor, police, custodial worker, minister, teenager and pensioner alike?

Guyana is touted as a rapidly developing country I pray therefore that those in authority develop and adapt standards for equity, efficiency and effectiveness.

Ayanna Isaacs

As Guyana celebrates 5 5 y e a r s o f r e p u b l i c a n status, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) stands proud in honouring the tireless efforts of those who fought to break free

f r o m t h e s h a c k l e s o f colonial oppression The l

s e l fdetermination began long before February 23, 1970, when the final yoke of domination was broken. It traces back to 1763, when

t h e g r e a t C u f f y - o u r National Hero - led the rebellion against colonial

f o r c e s , e m b o d y i n g t h e resistance of the oppressed in their fight for freedom and dignity.

T h e d r e a m f o r a n independent and prosperous Guyana has been passed down through generations of workers, both unionised

and non-unionised, who have fought valiantly for the rights of all citizens. Our f o r e b e a r e r s k n e w t h a t

Happy 55th Republic Anniversary!

e c o n o m i c i n d e p e n d e n c e , social justice, and dignity were the pillars determination. Wo r k e country –teaching, sectors – have a t t h e f o struggle for only for themselves the nation

d e s p i t e generated oil-rich economy remains plagued

l

c l a s s a vulnerable society continue to struggle to achieve of living.

Wages/salaries

kept pace living and a n d b e inaccessible

I r f a a n A

d e s p i t e

booming shown little welfare o people. The economic not translated into tangible Day, Guyana!

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Squatting on our roads and government reserves

DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is on a great

old roads are being upgraded as well as newer roads are

country It is a massive u n d e r

h transitions Guyana, into a

f squatting and other forms of l a w l e s s n e s s W i t h t h e opening up of every new

r o a d o r h o u s i n g a r e a , squatters come rushing in to take up lodgment on every available land space there may be. This crazy ad-hoc arrangement must be curbed if not put an end to it.

I am also talking about

t h e i l l e g a l p a r k i n g o f vehicles on the newly built roads and parapets. These are supposed to be reserves open for the free movement of vehicular traffic and not public spaces for parking.

R o a d s h o u l d e r s a n d parapets is land earmarked for the laying down of water

and sewer lines as well as the p l a n t i n g o f p o l e s f o r

e l e c t r i c i t y a n d

t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n l i n e s These are the infrastructural works that one sees in a modern society Squatting or the illegal occupation of government

reserves takes away the beauty of any place, and this must not be allowed to c o n t i n u e I s p e a k f r o m experience of a growing problem in my area of West Canje, here persons have i l l e g a l l y t a k e n u p GuySuCo’s lands, dams and drainage channels. As time progresses, these very same people are looking out for roads, telecommuni

c a b l e s a n d t h e g e n e r a l ingress and egress comforts f r o m t h o s e l a n d l o c k e d places.

W e l l , w i t h t h e regularization of these areas, those comforts can be put in place, but the problem that looms ahead is the refusal of some of the squatters to remove from the direct path

(Continued on page 59)

DEAR EDITOR,

I’ve written two or three

results of the 2015 elections, which caused the PPP/C

APNU+AFC in what can only be described as another unfortunate episode in our country’s sordid elections history.

On 3rd October, 2024, I met Dr. Steve Surujballi at R e d H o u s e w h

r introducing myself, we had an interesting conversation regarding his recollections of the events leading up to h i s d e c l a r a t i o n o f t h e controversial results, and the statements I made in my letter to the press (printed in Stabroek News and Guyana Times).

At our encounter and brief discussion on what I had written, Dr Surujballi said that he was glad we met so that he could share what he remembered especially regarding the requests, by

diversity and peaceful co-existence remind of the extensive advances and resilience our people demonstrated and gained for five and a half decades as a Republic.

The Commission is unanimous that our cultural gains and freedoms have helped to shape what it means to be truly Guyanese. The Commission encourages all Guyanese to participate in the revelry of Mashramani or connect with friends and family to observe fifty-five years as a nation.

The ERC’s mandate to promote peace, respect and harmony augurs well for opening the way to exciting new possibilities on this anniversary and beyond for our young nation.

Happy Republic Day from the Ethnic Relations Commission!

Public Confirmation Required from GRA...

where is the

addressing these concerns in the interest of accountability and good governance.

Sincerely, Andre Brandli Janette Bulkan Kenrick Hunte Darshand Khusial

trust that capacity as Commissioner-General, will provide a public statement

Kaieteur M@ilbox

the PPP/C and especially P r e s i d e n t R a m o t a r , f o r recounts of the number of ballot boxes.

In my letter, I stated that the PPP/C first requested that twenty-two ballot boxes be recounted.

The Chairman initially a g r e e d t o c o n s i d e r t h i s request. After employing delaying tactics to do these recounts, the request was reduced to five boxes and then one box, all of which showed different numbers than the PPP/c’s SOPS.

The PPP/C stated that if any of these boxes showed numbers corresponding to G E C O M ’s n u m b e r s , t h e claims would be withdrawn. All these statements were made publicly and reported in the media.

T h e r e s u l t s o f t h e s e

e l e c t i o n s w e r e t h e r e f o r e disputed by the PPP/C and an election petition was filed.

The Chairman did not agree with the above stated (which was confirmed by Fmr President Ramotar).

I suggested, to have both

sides in the public domain, that the former Chairman should consider stating his recollections in the same media, as I had done. He said he would consider doing that. Since he hasn’t, as far as I can tell, I am left to rely on m y o w n a n d f o r m e r P r e s i d e n t R a m o t a r ’ s memories AND the media reports of the statements I made.

R e m e m b e r t h a t t h e PPP/C lost by one vote in Region Eight and even those votes were not recounted. Unbelievable that this would h a v e b e e n a c c e p t a b l e

a n y w h e r e i n t h e w o r l d , claiming to be “democratic”. In view of the above, I wish to propose that the following be done: Since there are election p e t i t i o n s g o i n g b a c k t o maybe the 1992 elections and all thereafter, which, it appears would never be heard and even if they are, would be of no benefit, other

t h a n a c a d e m i c , t h a t t h e PPP/C agrees to withdraw the election petition for the

2015 elections, if GECOM decides to recount the ballot boxes for which recounts w e r e r e q u e s t e d , o r alternatively, all the boxes used in those elections. That all previous and the subsequent 2020 elections petition be withdrawn. Such a decision would “free up” the ballot boxes for t

n d r e m a i n a t locations scattered across G u y a n a , p o s s i b l y b e i

“guarded” (?), while the nation has to pay massive

election. I know we seem to be “swimming” in oil, but

Gov t . ignores concerns, reappoints Director, members of Environmental Assessment Board for 3rd consecutive year

Dr Mahendar Sharma has been

r e a p p o i n t e d C h a i r m a n o f t h e

Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) by the Government of Guyana. Also reinstated to serve for a third consecutive year are Board members Mr Joslyn McKenzie and Dr. Garvin Cummings.

According to a Gazetted Order, dated February 10, 2025, Cabinet

c

M

M

P a r l i a m e n t a r y A f f a i r s a n d Governance, Gail Teixeira and approved the appointment of the Board of Directors for a period of one year, with effect from February 6, 2025 to February 5, 2026.

D r S h a r m a i s t h e C h i e f Executive Officer of the Guyana

E n e rg y A g e n c y ( G E A ) , w h i l e McKenzie is Permanent Secretary

o f t h e M i n i s t r y o f N a t u r a l Resources. Dr Cummings on the

o t h e r h a n d i s t h e C h i e f Hydrometeorological Officer

The EAB is a mandatory body, required by the Environmental Protection Act in Section 18. It tasks the members of this board

regarding Environmental Impact

A

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).

It also says the Board may recommend whether an EIA should be rejected, amended, or accepted, whether a Permit should be issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and what terms and conditions should be included in the Permit.

In summary, this Board plays a critical role in approving projects that may impact the environment.

G o v e r n m e n

subjected to the scrutiny of this process.

P

h e appointment of Dr Sharma and McKenzie to the EAB, citing conflict of interest issues with their respective jobs.

One activist, Simone MangalJoly had even brought her concerns t o t h e P r e s i d e n t I r f a a n A l i ’s

(From

left) Chairman of the EAB, Dr. Mahendar Sharma with EAB members, Dr. Garvin Cummings and Joslyn McKenzie.

attention in a letter dated March 10, 2023.

Given the individual functions of the appointed members in their respective state-owned entities, she told the Head of State, “It is d i s a p p o i n t i n g t h a t r a t h e r t h a n address the issues of conflicts of interest with government duties, y o u h a v e d o u b l e d d o w n a n d appointed a board with two of three members having direct conflicts of interest with th

duties.”

She went further to note that this decision is in fact a step backwards as the Board now lacks in its e n t i r e t y a n y m

protection, coupled with the fact that it is built with government representatives.

She reasoned that since the advent of oil production in Guyana,

most of the matters brought before the EAB have had to do with projects directly related to areas within Dr Sharma’s and Mr McKenzie’s remit.

Mangal-Joly highlighted that D r. S h a r m a i s c h a r g e d w i

overseeing the development of all types of energy projects in Guyana,

projects.

He was previously Chairman and Director of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL); meanwhile, Mr McKenzie’s Ministry has chief

petroleum development.

She was keen to note that while these individuals are no doubt

situation and government duties result in a glaring lack of separation of powers and present a high probability of conflict of interest in matters that come before the EAB. These concerns led to a Court case being filed back in 2023 by rights activist, Danuta Radzik. It was subsequently thrown out, due Continued on page 11

Crowds, chaos and complaints

The folly of the cash

g r a n t d i s t r i b u t i o n i s a

t e x t b o o k c a s e o f w h a t

h a p p e n s w h e n a government, eager to appear benevolent, stumbles into an exercise that is beyond its planning skills. It is a great deal easier to announce a cash grant than it is to distribute it. And yet, in the eagerness to dole out money, the administration failed to s e e w h a t l a y ahead—crowds, chaos, and complaints.

A t t h e h e a r t o f t h i s

m i s a d v e n t u r e i s a government that has never been known for its logistical

p r o w e s s T h e p r e s e n t situation should surprise no

o n e A n a t i o n - w i d e distribution of funds requires more than just announcing

d a t e s a n d l o c a t i o n s I t demands an understanding

o f h u m a n n a t u r e s o m e t h i n g policymakers often forget. When people have been promised money, they will show up in droves, not out of greed, but out of necessity,

o u t o f a d i s t r u s t o f

b u r e a u c r a c i e s t h a t h a v e failed them before, out of a deep-seated fear that their portion may somehow slip through the cracks or which

m a y s e e s o m e o n e e l s e collecting their cheque. And so, they come in numbers, pushing and jostling to get what has been promised, only to be met with a system

ill-prepared for the rush. Faced with crowds too l a r g e t o m a n a g e , t h e government has resorted to asking people to space out their visits. This is a request unlikely to be heeded. A person who has been waiting months for a grant will not risk another delay There is, too, the quiet but persistent fear that if they do not claim it today, it might vanish tomorrow Such is the nature

o f p u b l i c h a n d o u t s i n

s o c i e t i e s w h e r e t r u s t i n governance is fragile. It did not have to be this w a y A f e w s i m p l e a d j u s t m e n t s m i g h t h a v e

saved the exercise from devolving into a test of patience and endurance. The f i r s t , a n d p e r h a p s m o s t obvious, would have been to r e s t r i c t d i s t r i b u t i o n t o w e e k e n d s I t i s a n unnecessary burden to ask workers to take time off to collect a grant, particularly at a time when employers are reluctant to grant leave. With businesses already grappling w i t h s t a f f i n g s h o r t a g e s , losing employees to long, f r u s t r a t i n g q u e u e s i s a n additional inconvenience.

A s e c o n d , e q u a l l y practical, measure would have been to use school buildings for the distribution process. Schools, with their multiple classrooms, offer an ideal setting to organize r e c i p i e n t s a l p h a b e t i c a l l y, reducing congestion. Instead

of corralling people under a

y could have been directed into rooms corresponding to their last names. The process would have been orderly, the

comparison to the human

current disorder You should not be distributing a cash grant from one elongated table.

Beyond logistics, there is an element of exploitation

businesspeople have taken to cashing these government-

fee—$5000 per transaction, by some reports. This is

s t blatant, and yet it continues u

d

e c t i v e b a n n i n g s u c h practices could curb this s e c o n d a r y m a r

opportunism.

Had there been more prudence, the entire exercise could have been handled differently. The introduction of a digital identification card is in the making – or so

o n e h o p e s H a d t h e g o v e r n m e n t

process might have been far smoother A digital system w

DEM BOYS SEH

Sky Dash is now here!

Guyanese finally get the chance to skip the traffic and fly straight to the airport in ten minutes. Yes, you hear right—ten minutes. That’s less time than it takes to boil a good egg. If you blink twice, you done reach. But don’t get too excited, because this express air dash come with an express price tag. And if you ain’t got deep pockets, best you stick to the regular traffic jam and leave the chopper for the high-flyers.

Dem days done when a minibus driver could turn an hour drive into ten minutes. The minibus ride used to be like a free amusement park attraction—no seatbelts, no rules, just vibes and prayers. Back in the day, if you were late for your flight, all you had to do was hop in a Route 42 and tell the driver, “Big man, I running late.” Next thing you know, you clutching your chest, your life flashing before your eyes, and you at the airport before the flight crew even show up. But them days done. Now, minibuses can’t even get out the city traffic fast enough. And don’t think you could rely on them monster trucks that does fly down the East Bank like they competing in a Grand Prix. Not with 10,000 new vehicles clogging up the road in five months. Not with the roadwork that taking longer than some people marriage. Even a donkey cart moving faster than some cars these days.

now residing abroad. The grant could have been paid d

a c c o u n t s B u t t h e government, as is often the c a s e , c h o s e s p e e d o v e r p r u d e n c e , v i s i b i l i t y o v e r efficiency

The sheer number of r e g i s t r a t i o n s s u g g e s t s something amiss. We were told that more than 600,000 persons had registered. This raises red flags considering that in a country with a high voter turnout, fewer than 500,000 persons voted at the last general and regional elections.

Either some fraud is at p l a y, o r t h o u s a n d s o f recipients do not even reside in the country. A digital ID s y s t e m w o u l d h a v e

addressed both concerns, ensuring that only those genuinely eligible received assistance. But now, having r u s h e d a h e a d w i t h

u t guardrails, the government will find itself scrambling to i

after the fact, a task far more d

them in the first place.

And so, for now, the p

muddle. They must stand in the heat, shuffle through disorderly lines, bear the weight of inefficiency The

fundamentally resistant to external advice. It does not like to be told what to do unless the counsel comes from within its own circle.

The cash grant exercise

been merely about handing out money. It was a test of

planning, of foresight, of the ability to manage something more complex than a press release. On all these fronts, the government has faltered. The exercise, meant to bring relief, has instead become a

A government eager to be seen as generous has exposed itself as unprepared. The lesson, if anyone in power cares to learn it, is that g

organization is just another form of incompetence.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

opinions of this newspaper.)

But back to this new air taxi business. They say the chopper will get you to the airport in record time. They forget to mention that the price might make your head spin faster than the rotor blades. But who cares about money when you could be sipping coconut water at the departure lounge while other passengers still stuck in traffic, cussing and sweating?

Thing is, this not the first time we trying fancy air transport. Remember when they had the bright idea to fly people straight from Timehri to Berbice? That didn’t last long. After one flight, New Yorkers decide they rather take the road and soak up the grand welcoming committee waiting with a busload of relatives and enough curry and cook-up to feed a small army. Because what’s a trip home if you ain’t stop for at least three rounds of greetings, a trunk full of luggage, and somebody trying to fit a goat in the backseat?

So will this air dash take off or crash land? Time will tell. But Guyanese love convenience, and if the price drop, people might start booking choppers like how they used to book minibuses. Until then, we wish the air dash service luck. And if it don’t work out, maybe, just maybe, somebody might finally fix the traffic problem. But don’t hold yuh breath! Talk half. Leff half.

GuyaneseleadersbetterlearnfromUkraine

There is a picture that,

t h o u g h a g r e a t d i s t a n c e away, is playing out right under the noses of Guyanese. I hope that all citizens of this

m

e government and opposition, are paying close attention to what is going on in Ukraine, what has taken on a course of

company Before he could count from one to three, he

endangered. After all the partnering with American and sacrificing of blood and treasure, after believing that America had his back, Mr

Zelenskyy is now on his own, with segments of the EU for company

O v e r n i g h t , Z e l e n s k y y went from a friend and ally of America to a flawed man and a deadweight to his country and people. In recent years, there was no one who could have been tighter with America than Vo l o d

B

m

n Netanyahu, Zelenskyy was out there, rallying his troops and people, for a cause that was as much American as it was Ukrainian. Still is.

Then he found out that c h a n g e d c i r c u m s t a n c e s rendered he and his people into a pawn on a bigger

chessboard. His interests were now negligible, even expendable. Grand bargains

smaller issues. What do I think of all this? How to sum up the swift and startling turn of

from the United Kingdom to the NATO framework on which so much of Europe depends for its defense? In a

situations change. In a more e

assertion, the words of Lord P

the issues, project the visions, in

b e bettered:

“Therefore, I say that it is

a narrow policy to suppose that this country or that is to be marked out as the eternal ally or the perpetual enemy of England. We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and p e r p e t u a l , a n d t h o s e interests it is our duty to follow.”

T h e u n e q u i v o c a l position of the then leading global imperialist power, the B r i t i s h E m p i r e , i s n o w s o m e t i m e s q u i e t l y, o t h e r times proudly, claimed as its rightful inheritance by the s u c c e e d i n g A m e r i c a n Empire. In some respects, the US is a more benevolent imitation of the UK, but an imperialist and colonizing

power, no less. Ukraine is on the chopping block because of the games played between the Big Powers. There is a long history of such highl e v e l m a n e u v e r s , s u c h l e a d e r s h i p m a c h i n a t i o n s Still poor, and still puny, Guyana would exhibit more sense than it has in a long time to take note of Mr Zelenskyy’s fate and that of Ukraine.

I urge all Guyanese, p a r t i c u l a r l y o u r l e a d i n g political sensations, to look at Guyana’s own situation, and be on guard. I urge further that they look at the w i d e r c o n t e x t o f l o c a l circumstances, and to do so clinically, relative to the i m p l i c a t i o n s o f s u c h circumstances.

From my perspective, all the political groups and all the political leaders have cast their lot, wholly and solely, with America. They have gone too far, kept back nothing in reserve. It has been all for the good ole USA. I will not quibble nor object at this time. But what I put before everyone is the following. First, Venezuela has almost 30 times the oil that Guyana is reported to have presently Second, Venezuela has hundreds of billions of ramshackle oil infrastructure that is begging to be refurbished (up for grabs) tomorrow and not in the next decade. Third, Ve n e z u e l a h a s s e v e r a l hundreds of billions, if not more, of social, banking, and other infrastructure that cry o u t f o r r e s t o r i n g a n d enhancing.

Against this background of opportunity to be had and money to be made hand over fist, I take a fourth position. W h i c h r e d - b l o o d e d American leader would not retrace steps and decide that the time is now ripe to p r o c e e d i n a d i f f e r e n t direction with Venezuela? Or, to say this differently,

which American secretary of state, and his boss, would be i n s e n s i t i v e e n o u g h a n d unimpressed enough, not to relook at Venezuela and interpret the circumstances there as the moment

s t r i k e ? E c o n o m i c a l l y speaking is what I have in mind.

It is either that, or the Chinese keep on expanding t h e i r o w n e c o n o m i c footprint in Venezuela and

Because the Russians have interests beyond ideological ones in Venezuela, and have h a d t h a t l o n g - a w a i t e d meeting of the minds with America (Ukraine), another one could be worked out over Venezuela. It is not so

e unworkable or unacceptable. Everybody get to coexist with their own piece of the V

y loses. It is that, or what is the alternative?

Guyana would still be w

A m

Chevron is already there, with Exxon beating down doors in DC to get some

U SVenezuela freeze. Guyanese leaders may even be forced to work out a settlement with Venezuela; a temporary but l

result.

It is all business, nothing

much as pro-Venezuela. But unambiguously what is in the best interests of my fellow Americans. Let’s make a deal. I’ll take the odds.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

opinion of this newspaper.)

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

MONDAY – FEBRUARY 17, 2025

Corruption at work

T h e T r a n s p a r e n c y

International anti-corruption report hit the nail on its head when it comes to Guyana

The report stated what we have been saying at this paper for years. The political e l i t e i n t h e P P P / C

G o v e r n m e n t c o l l a b o

a t e with the business elite to rape and rob this country, with a common ingredient surging through both elite groups:

corruption.

T

b u s i n e s s e l i t e o w n corruption and have it under lock and key The political elite has the power of control over the people’s purse and the decisions related to its uses. The business elite has the money and reach to influence how the political decisions are made and who benefits, which means its members.

W h e n t e n d e r i n g a n d procuring are a maze of c o n t r a d i c t i o n s a n d

violations, with covering following, that is corruption. When the specifics of oil money withdrawals cannot be disclosed, and citizens are targeted and vilified because they press for transparency that is corruption involving billions of US dollars. When the US$2B Wales gas-to-

energy project is blanketed in secrecy, then that is an indication that corruption is at work.

TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 18, 2025

The debt trap Government continues to borrow its way to ‘develop’ t h i s c o u n t r y - s o m e t h i n g

which they have stoutly defended. Our external debt

h a s c l i m b e d t o a r o u n d

U S $ 6 B a n d V P B h a r r a t

Jagdeo believes because we are earning from oil it is okay to borrow more.

The thing is, Guyana’s reliance on oil exposes it to economic catastrophe. When oil prices tumble, as they i n e v i t a b l y w i l l , t h e government will be forced to lean on non-oil revenues to sustain its activities. Herein lies the debt trap: if non-oil revenues are siphoned off to service external debt, the result will be devastating cuts in public expenditure.

H o s p i t a l s w i l l s u f f e r , infrastructure will decay, and s o c i a l s e r v i c e s w i l l b e

g u t t e d T h i s i s t h e inescapable consequence of Jagdeo’s foolish bravadomortgaging Guyana’s future for the mirage of immediate growth.

A downturn in oil prices w i l l i n e v i t a b l y l e a d t o depreciation of the Guyanese d o l l a r, m a k i n g f o r e i g n -

d e n o m i n a t e d d e b t m o r e expensive to service. This will trigger inflation, further e r o d i n g a n y s u p p o s e d economic gains. The GDP

f i g u r e w i l l b e c o m e meaningless as the cost-ofliving spirals out of control.

A t t h a t p o i n t , t h e government will have only two choices-either to default on its obligations or to impose draconian austerity measures.

WEDNESDAY –FEBRUARY 19, 2025

Hiding information and corruption

Guyana is a country with a government that says it is clean, yet it hides troves of v i t a l i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m citizens.

The PPP/C Government insists that it is accountable, but when citizens ask for details on huge economic p r o j e c t s ( Wa

g y , E x x o n M

b i l expenses, oversight of the oil c o n s o r t i u m o f f s h o r e operations, and more), they are slammed and mocked for being against progress

T

y International identified what G

journalists have been abused and degraded

Govt.ignoresconcerns,reappoints...

From page 8 to an error in the claim. Kaieteur News understands that Radik’s Lawyers were preparing to resubmit its claim.

This newspaper reported that High Court Justice, Fidela Corbin, upheld objections to the case which was filed for Judicial Review She essentially agreed with the contention that the case could not stand since it was directed to Sharma and McKenzie in their individual capacities instead of the EAB. Lawyer for Sharma, Arudanauth Gossai argued that the claim was misguided in that

Judicial Review cases can only be brought against the decisions of public bodies or an officer performing a public function. Mr McKenzie who was represented by attorney

submission to the Court.

The attorneys reasoned that neither Sharma nor McKenzie can be called officers performing a public function since they are members of the EAB. According to Gossai the matter should have been brought against the EAB which is the public body that makes the decisions as a collective.

government that has much to hide operates in that manner

The TI report recorded that Guyana now ranks at 92 in a population of 180 countries i n i t s m u c h - f o l l o w e d Corruption Index, having slipped by one point, from 40 to 39, in TI’s latest score, this means that Guyana is very close to the bottom half of countries where corruption is concerned.

THURSDAY –FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Authoritarianism at work

As the 2025 General and R e g i o n a l E l e c t i o n s

a p p r o

witnessing a deliberate and sinister attempt to strangle democracy

Even before the official election campaign season begins, an environment of fear and intimidation is being cultivated - an environment d e s i g n e d t o d i s c o

Opposition candidates from participating in the political process. We have already heard the declaration by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to go hard against detractors and opponents of the PPP this year

The tactics are as old as

threats, public humiliation, character assassination, and

operatives to silence dissent.

knowledge that there will be no consequences for their

declared their intent to ‘deal’ with anyone daring to step

against the ruling party Others have set to work

launching smear campaigns against those who have been critical of the government.

Youths locked out of Wales Community Centre ground after asking Team Mohamed to help fix a section

A coach and his squad of U-13 footballers were locked out of their own Community

Thursday

Mohamed had pledged to

Roberts and the youth squad

afternoon. He had planned to make the donation there.

However, Kaieteur News learnt that the coach and the players were the ones who wanted the businessman to visit the ground.

Speaking with Kaieteur

News on Saturday, Coach

Roberts said that ground is not in a suitable condition to play football or cricket and t h e y w a n t e d t h e businessman’s help to fix a

s m a l l a l l - p u r p o s e p l a y i n g

a r e a a t t h e f a c i l i t y u n t i l

g o v e r n m e n t c o m p

rehabilitation.

He clarified th

t there w a s n o p o l i t i c a l a g e n d a b e h i n d t a k

businessman to the ground.

“ W

( M o h a

h e explain to me he don’t want to get into the sports minister thing but I tell there is a piece

t h e r e t h a t c o u l d d o a l l purpose court for we,” the coach said before adding, “That is what I was taking him to see”.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, w h e n

t h e y a r r i v e d a t t h e

community centre the gate was chained and padlocked. T h e s e c u r i

d i s c l o s i n g t h a t h e w a s instructed to keep it locked.

The coach said he later understood that one of the grounds-men had given the instructions. He said too that it is first time he experienced that as the gate is always open until 19:00h.

“Sometime the gate does j u s t c h a i n a n d h o o k a n d anyone can go in but this t i m e i t p a d - l o c k e d ’ , h e explained.

Asked about the arrived, Roberts said they arrived at the facility close to 18:30 hours.

The coach said that it is

n o t t h e f i r s t t i m e h e requested help to make the community ground suitable f o r t h e y o u t h s o f h i s community

Coach Roberts disclosed that he had first approached Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson, before Local Government

E l e c t i o n s T h e m i n i s t e r reportedly promised to look into the situation but to date the facility is still not suitable for playing.

The coach explained that m u d w a s t h r o w n o n t h e ground making it difficult for the youth to play football or use the ground.

F u r t h e r , t h e f o o t b a l l coach said he approac

President Irfaan Ali about the s t a t e o f t h e c o m m u n i t y ground when he visited the Track and Field Centre at L e o n o r a , W e s t C o a s t Demerara (WCD). He said promises were also made there but to date, nothing has been done.

R o b e r t s t o l d K a i e t e u r

N e w s t h a t h e i s n o t complaining or trying to rush the government into action as he is aware that there may be plans to rehabilitate the facility He explained that he wanted Team Mohamed to fix an area of the ground until w o r k s o n t h e g r o u n d i s finished.

M e a n w h i l e , M o h a m e d told Kaieteur News that he v i e w s t h e l o c k i n g o f t h e community centre’s gate as

The government, through the Ministry of Education, is preparing to use a portion of a l o a n f r o m t h e Wo r l d B a n k t o f u n d t h e construction of a new industrial block at the Annandale Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

This is according to a request for bids issued by the Education Ministry

According to the notice, the government received financing from the World Bank

t o w a r d t h e c o s t o f t h e G u S t r e n g t h e n i n g H u m a n C a p i through Education Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards payments u n d e r t h e c o n t r a c t f o r t h e ‘ C o n s t r u c t i o n o f N e w I n d u s t r i a l B l o c k a t t h e Annandale Secondary’.

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n understands that the ministry has been building industrial blocks/ departments at secondary schools part of its efforts to enhance technical and vocational education at these facilities.

“politically motivated” and advised that “politics must n o t b e m i x e d w i t h y o u t h development.

“On the East Coast we don’t need a new school, a new secondary school that is, we just opened, two years ago, the Good Hope Secondary, but we are also expanding the H o p e S e c o n d a r y, e x t e n d i n g a s w e l l a s rehabilitating, and Annandale Secondary and putting in facilities they did not have before,” she disclosed.

At the recent sod-turning ceremony for a s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l o n t h e E a s t B a n k o f

D e m e r a r a , M i n i s t e r o f E d u c a t i o n , P r i y a

Manickchand, in a live broadcas t on her Facebook page, disclosed that the Annandale a n d H o p e S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l s w i l l b e rehabilitated and extended to accommodate facilities they did not have before.

In August 2022 the government signed a US$44 million loan agreement with World Bank through that project title. It was reported that the project focuses on the expansion of access to quality education at the s e c o n

and vocational training (

textbooks for Grades Seven to Eleven. It will also see the development of a new TVET sector policy for 2022-2030 and improve the delivery of TVET at secondary and postsecondary institutions.

Coach Kelvin Roberts

Retur n Engineers’ Bill to National Assembly

W i t h t h e g o v e r n m e n t

w i t h d r a w i n g t h e c o n t r o v e r s i a l

Engineer ’s Bill from the National Assembly, Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul is calling on the government to have the Bill return to the House and placed before a Special Select C o m m i t t e e f o r t h o r o u g h deliberations.

On Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that their concerns about the Bill’s provisions were raised by President Irfaan Ali.

“ We b e l i e v e t h a t i t w a s prematurely tabled. I am going to say that it was prematurely tabled It h a d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e opposition concerns, that is why we removed the bill from the Order Paper, “ Jagdeo told reporters.

Jagdeo said that the government believes that the bill should be dealt with in greater detail, as they want a bill that would enhance quality but would not become a humbug for persons practicing their craft.

“So that was the simple reason the President himself, long before this matter came up, he expressed some concern about that, but I think it may have been tabled before those concerns were expressed,” he explained.

Mahipaul, in a press release on F r i d a y s a i

government should have sent it to a Special Select committee to be thoroughly scrutinized.

“ W i t h r e f e

Engineers Bill, Bill No. 21 of 2024, we have learned that the bill was completely withdrawn from the

according to Vice President Jagdeo, it was prematurely tabled in the first place,” Mahipaul said.

He argued that from the outset

Engineers’ Bill, as it is a piece of legislation that is needed and had been called for by the Guyana

University of Guyana Faculty of Engineering and Technology (UGFOE&T).

Mahipaul said that when a Bill is tabled, it must first be rigorously debated before it is approved by the C

( E x

f government). As a result, he said it

is clear that Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill was given the all-clear to table the proposed legislation.

The Opposition MP said that having learnt that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the Bill was tabled before its time means that Edghill was thrown “under the bus”.

“This is, in fact, the fourth time the bishop has been embarrassed and forced into silence,” Mahipaul s

ng, Jagdeo’s infantile attack on the Bishop, an action that appears driven by envy, ignores the fact that the Engineers Bill should have been

Committee. In such a committee, the Government and Opposition could have worked together, as they did with the Single Windows Bill, and within one or at most two months, Guyana could have had an Engineers Bill passed unanimously by the National Assembly, awaiting the assent of the President.”

The MP said too that the current “inaction on bills in Special Select Committees is the result of a callous government that does not want to

should reflect contributions from

Continued on page 14

Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

BOG war ns against use of unregulated pre-paid VISA Cards

The Bank of Guyana ( B O G ) h a s i s s u e d a c a u t i o n a r y s t a t e m e n t

r e g a r d i n g t h e i n c r e a s i n g number of digital pre-paid VISA cards being offered by unregulated businesses.

According to a public

n o t i c e , p u b l i s h e d i n t h e Saturday, February 22, 2025 edition of the Kaieteur News, Governor of the Bank, Dr Gobind N. Ganga said the cards, which are not subject to the oversight of the BOG, like those issued by local commercial banks, may pose risks to consumers who use them.

As a result, the BOG said customers who choose to use the pre-paid online services do so at their own risk.

“ T h e r e f o r e , b e f o r e engaging in any offering of

strongly advised: Ensure that

Retur n Engineer s’ Bill to...

From page 13 a

perspective.”

He said that the amendments submitted by him and former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, were developed and decided upon after consultations were held with GAPE, UGFOE&T and a number of engineers internationally and domestically

“I, therefore, call on the Cabinet to return the bill to the National Assembly and allow us, through a Special Select Committee, to craft a well-considered and comprehensive Engineers Bill that can be passed in the National Assembly in the shortest possible time,” Mahipaul urged.

On February 18, 2025 Kaieteur News reported that the debate of the controversial Engineer ’s Bill has been deferred by the Government of Guyana amid concerns raised by the opposition.

Minister Edghill said that efforts are being made to address issues.

acquiring and using these

advised.

Additionally, Dr Ganga

Guyana, understand the risk involved and what options are available for recues if needed and be aware of all

said that “resellers of these types of cards should be aware that they can be used by money launderers and

themselves.”

Kaieteur News reached out to Edghill for a comment, but he was unavailable. He was however quoted in the D

commentaries that I have received, as the custodian of the Bill, that I’m discussing with my colleagues and a course of action would be taken that is most appropriate to ensure that the concerns that are raised are weighed for their proper place, so I don’t think there will be a debate on the Bill ” he said

Upper Mazaruni District Council calls on Gov t . to stop illegal mining at Jawalla Village

Map showing Jawalla Village titled lands (in light green) according to the description in the absolute grant of 1991 compared to maps from GGMC/GLSC database (purple) – two completely different maps. (Photo courtesy, the Upper Mazaruni District Council)

The Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC) of Region Seven

i s c u r r e n t l y c a l l i n g o n t h e government to intervene and stop ongoing threats and illegal mining activities on the titled Indigenous lands of Jawalla Village.

The UMDC in a press statement said it is representing the collective interests of the eight Indigenous v i l l a g e s i n t h e d i s t r i c t , w i t h Jawalla, an Akawaio community being one of them.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e C o u n c i l , Jawalla is facing severe rights

v i o l a t i o n s a n d t h r e a t s f r o m government-sanctioned mining on t h e i r c u s t o m a r y a n d l e g a l l y recognized lands.

“Those threats have increased over the last months, with outside miners operating under a permit issued without the knowledge or consent of the village, bringing in h e a v y m a c h i n e r y d a n g e r o u s l y close to the homes of our people. The intention of this glaring threat

is to forcefully remove residents f r o m t h e l a n d s t h e y l e g a l l y occupy,” the Council reported.

R e c a l l i n g w h e n t h e i s s u e began, the UMDC stated that on July 2, 2021, a woman by the name of Juel Hinds visited Jawalla

Village where she claimed villagers were invading her mining claims in Apupai and Suwaidai.

“The situation intensified over several months, with key events occurring between September 2024 and February 2025. The issue

escalated when Jawalla resident Mr Moore James, engaged in subsistence mining and farming in the area, received an eviction order on September 14, 2024 to vacate a mining permit (A-1150/MP/000) issued to one Ayub Asad. The order, i s s u e d b y t h e M i n e s O ff i c e r

Wi n s t o n G e o r g e s t a t i o n e d a t Imbaimadai, required Mr James to leave by September 17, 2024, under the provisions of the Mining Act and Regulations,” the Council detailed.

It was explained that despite James’ attempts to inform the G u y a n a G e o l o g y a n d M i n e s Commission (GGMC), through a formal letter on November 18, 2024, that his family’s home and farms are within the permit area, no response or acknowledgment was provided.

The UMDC said instead, James and his nephew on January 18, 2025, received separate summons t o a p p e a r i n t h e E s s e q u i b o M a g i s t e r i a l D i s t r i c t C o u r t o n January 20, 2025, after being accused of breaching Regulation 181(1) of the Mining Regulations.

Pertaining to James’ matter, the

Council revealed that a second order to remove from the permit area was delivered on February 3, 2025.

“This time the permit was stated to be the property of Ivor Dexter Chan. The threats have continued, with persons stating they work for Dexter Chan warning Mr Moore on February 1, 2025, that excavators would be used to force his family off the land. R e s i d e n t s r e p o r t t h a t t h e s e e x c a v a t o r s h a v e s i n c e m o v e d dangerously close to his home. Dexter Chan is not the permit holder, yet he has been acting with full authority over the mining o p e r a t i o n s , f u r t h e r e s c a l a t i n g tensions in the area,” the release reported.

Having been made aware of the issue, the Jawalla Village Council, i n r e s p o n s e c o n d u c t e d a n independent verification of the village title boundary using a sworn surveyor Following this, UMDC said that the findings confirmed that the lands in question fall within the legal land title of Jawalla.

n m e n t agencies have refused to certify these findings, instead providing various justifications for allowing mining to continue, highlighting a lack of coordination and failure of

Indigenous rights,” the Council related.

Council, “Section 80 of the Mining A

exercising their rights within 200 meters of any village or land designated for village extension without the written consent of the Minister.”

They noted that the Village was

determination and Free, Prior, and Continued on page 62

One of Moore James farms.

Image of Mr. Moore James farm at the supposed boundary of Ayub Asad’s permit.

Singh’s Farm Airbnb

Safiya Wills

Beauty of the week: Safiya Wills descr ibes herself as a God-f ear ing young woman who aspires to be a nutr itionist. T his charming beauty has a love f or creativity, f ashion and the perf orming ar ts. Safiya enjoys helping to make a diff erence in any little way she can. Her f avour ite Scr ipture is Psalms 46:5, NKJV “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.”

Guyanese youths shine in Chinese Embassy leadership contest

By: Christal Yong

The Chinese Embassy was abuzz with excitement

a n d p r i d e a s t w e n t y

e x c e p t i o n a l G u y a n e s e youths stood tall, having earned their place as winners of the fourth China-Guyana

F r i e n d s h i p Y o u t h

L e a d e r s h i p D e v e l o p m e n t Competition. These young leaders were celebrated for

t h e i r a c h i e v e m e n t s i n a

c o n t e s t t h a t c h a l l e n g e s s t u d e n t s n o t j u s t a c a d e m i c a l l y, b u t a l s o creatively and physically,

w i t h a n e m p h a s i s o n

c o m m u n i t y i m p a c t T h e award ceremony was held on February 14 last.

The competition, a joint effort between the Ministry

o f E d u c a t i o n a n d t h e

C h i n e s e E m b a s s y, h a s become a highlight on the calendar for students across all 10 regions of Guyana. But

t h i s i s n ’ t j u s t a n o t h e r

a c a d e m i c c o n t e s t I t ’s a celebration of well-rounded

s t u d e n t s w h o e x c e l i n multiple domains: from their leadership skills and artistic

t a l e n t s t o t h e i r p h y s i c a l endurance and commitment to their communities.

T h i s y e a r , t h e competition kicked off in March 2024 and spanned nearly a year, with students working diligently on four key areas: a communitybased project, a critique of a Guyanese work of art, a physical fitness challenge, and an oral presentation.

T h e s e a c t i v i t i e s w e r e designed to develop and showcase the participants’ ability to think critically, c o m m u n i c a t e e ff e c t i v e l y, and engage in meaningful community projects.

The winners were not chosen lightly. Each region put forward its top eight students, who were then

e v a l u a t e d b a s e d o n a rigorous set of criteria. From there, two winners per region

e m e r g e d , e a c h h a v i n g

leadership and a genuine commitment to improving

their communities These winners received a prize of US$1,000 for their hard work and dedication.

At the award ceremony, Nicholas Fraser, the Head of the Ministry of Education’s

U n i t o f A l l i e d A r t s , addressed the gathering with passion and purpose.

“We wanted to cultivate trustworthy and safe spaces for children to operate and we wanted to offer the y o u t h s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o

e x e c u t e m e a n i n g f u l

community projects, that will impact there unities and meaningfulness,” he said. The projects themselves were a testament to the hard work behind the scenes

Students had to conduct surveys, analyze data, and present their findings to the public, demonstrating their ability to tackle real-world challenges.

They also critiqued local w o r k s o f a r t , a d d i n g a cultural component to the competition. Each student had to produce a creative work of their own, which could be a dance, a song, or even a visual piece of art.

The fitness challenge, a c r u c i a l p a r t o f t h e

c o m p e t i t i o n , t e s t e d t h e s t u d e n t s ’ e n d u r a n c e a n d

d i s c i p l i n e , w i t h e a c h participant performing the same set of exercises. As they stood on stage in front of their peers, the youths didn’t just showcase what t h e y h a d l e a r n e d t h e y demonstrated the strength of c h a r a c t e r t h a t t h e c o m p e t i t i o n s o u g h t t o cultivate.

A s F r a s e r s p o k e , h e u n d e r s c o r e d a l a r g e r mission. He related, “The parties are treated as equal partners, as they engage in communities, as they engage in schools, with their peer groups, their colleagues and the youth leaders that we h a v e a m o n g u s t o d a y e x e m p l i f y m o r a l v a l u e , intelligence, sports, artistic values and community

(Continued on page 47)

1st and 2nd place winners pictured with Chargé d’Affaires Huang Rui and DCEO Marti De Souza (front centre) and Unit of Allied Arts Head, Nicholas Fraser (right) (photo from Ministry of Education)

Why the U.S. Should Strengthen Strengthen Trade

B Y S I R R O N A L D SANDERS

A r u l e s - b a s e d international trading system has long been a foundation

o f g l o b a l c o m m e r c e , providing stability, fostering

investment, and ensuring

fair competition Though imperfect, it has helped to underpin economic growth worldwide, benefiting major

e c o n o m i c p o w e r s particularly, but with some benefits to smaller states as well.

O n e o f i t s k e y

a d v a n t a g e s h a s b e e n predictability - a crucial factor in business planning, trade expansion, and dispute resolution.

This system, particularly through the World Trade Organization (WTO), has

h i s t o r i c a l l y p r o v i d e d a negotiated framework for

resolving disputes rather than resorting to unilateral action that could lead to

r e t a l i a t i o n , e c o n o m i c instability, and geopolitical friction.

It is against this backdrop

t h a t t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s

I n t e r n a t i o n a l T r a d e

C o m m i s s i o n ( U S I T C ) i s

n o w r e v i e w i n g t h e Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) - a trade programme that has been a cornerstone of U.S.Caribbean relations since its enactment in 1984. Given the economic ties between the U.S. and the Caribbean, and the region’s strategic i m p o r t a n c e , t h i s r e v i e w comes at a pivotal moment

for shaping future trade relations.

A Strong and Reliable Trade Partnership

D e s p i t e g l o b a l t r a d e d e f i c i t s , t h e U S consistently enjoys a trade

s u r p l u s w i t h C a r i b b e a n nations. In 2023, the U.S. trade surplus in goods with

t h e 1 4 i n d e p e n d e n t

C A R I C O M n a t i o n s c o l l e c t i v e l y w a s $ 7 4 billion; in 2024, it stood at $5.8 billion. The Caribbean has proven to be a loyal and valuable market for U.S. goods. The U.S. surplus in trade

w i t h l i t t l e A n t i g u a a n d Barbuda alone was $960.3 million in 2023 and $550

m i l l i o n i n 2 0 2 4 . T h e s e figures reflect an economic reality - CARICOM nations are not competitors to U.S. i n d u s t r i e s ; t h e y a r e consumers of U.S. products,

services and tourism-related industries.

Ties with the

The recent reduction in the overall U.S. surplus with CARICOM is largely due to its essential importation of oil and gas from Guyana. In 2024, Guyana’s trade surplus with the U.S. rose to $4 billion from $1.9 billion in 2023—a reflection of the U.S.’s need for secure and reliable energy sources.

c o n

i c a c t i v i t y i n t h e

r e g i o n w o u l d l e a d t o : r e d u c e d d e m a n d f o r U S

g o o d s a n d s e r v i c e s , a f f e c t i n g r e v e n u e s f o r

A m e r i c a n b u s i n e s s e s ; i n c r e a s e d e c o n o m i c instability, raising the risk of irregular migration to the U.S; and a greater foothold

for drug traff icking and

o r g a n i z e d c r i m e , w h i c h

d i r e c t l y t h r e a t e n s U S security

H i s t o r y h a s s h o w n t h a t

e c o n o m i c d o w n t u r n s i n

t h e C a r i b b e a n t r a n s l a t e

i n t o s e c u r i t y a n d

m i g r a t i o n c h a l l e n g e s f o r

t h e U S T h e b e s t w a y t o

p r e v e n t t h e s e r i s k s i s n o t

t o w e a k e n t r a d e t i e s , b u t t o

s t r e n g t h e n t h e m i n a

m u t u a l l y b e n e f i c i a l

m a n n e r

A M o d e r n i z e d

A p p r o a c h : E x p a n d i n g

C B E R A t o I n c l u d e

S e r v i c e s T h e C a r i b b e a n

e c o n o m y h a s e v o l v e d s i g n i f i c a n t l y o v e r t h e p a s t f e w d e c a d e s - s e r v i c e s

n o w a c c o u n t f o r m o r e t h a n

7 5 % o f e m p l o y m e n t a n d

6 6 % o f t o t a l o u t p u t T h e

U S i s a l r e a d y a d o m i n a n t p r o v i d e r o f s e r v i c e s i n f i n a n c e , h e a l t h c a r e , t e c h n o l o g y, e d u c a t i o n , a n d t o u r i s m - r e l a t e d i n d u s t r i e s H o w e v e r , C B E R A currently does not include trade in services - a gap that, if addressed, would benefit both U.S. businesses and Caribbean economies In 2024 alone, U.S. exports of services increased by $81.2 billion to $1,107.8 billion, highlighting the strength and g r o w t h o f t h i s s e c t o r. Including services under CBERA would allow U.S. firms to expand their market s h a r e i n t h e C a r i b b e a n , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n f i n a n c i a l services, digital industries, and tourism.

The Caribbean, in turn, would gain greater access to the U.S. market, ensuring more stable trade relations a n d p r e d i c t a b l e arrangements, such as in c o r r e s

services, which are vital to

region.

The Unresolved WTO Dispute: A Test for RulesBased Trade

D

ring my testimony before the USITC, I raised the case of Antigua and B a r b u d a ’s l o n g s t a n d i n g WTO dispute with the U.S. Despite strictly adhering to W TO r u l e s s

n c e 1 9 9 5 , Antigua and Barbuda has yet to see a resolution to the 2004 WTO ruling, which a w a r d e d t h e c o u n t r y compensation for losses in t r a d e i n s e r v i c e s A s Ambassador to the WTO at the time, I led the case.

The WTO authorized a compensation mechanism allowing Antigua to sell U.S. intellectual property rights without paying the fees until the U.S. settled the matter

Caribbean

H o w e v e r , A n t i g u a a n d Barbuda has refrained from doing so, choosing instead to p u r s u e a g o o d - f a i t h settlement, not least because a criterion for benefiting from CBERA is the none x p l o i t a t i o n o f U S intellectual property

This unresolved issuew h e r e a s m a l l n a t i o n rightfully won its case at the highest trade dispute bodyremains a blemish on U.S. global trade leadership, and I u r g e d t h e U S I T C t o recommend that the matter should be addressed as part of its findings on the future of CBERA.

A Clear Opportunity for U.S. Policymakers

T h e U S a n d

C a r i b b e a n h a v e l o n g s h a r e d a c l o s e e c o n o m i c a n d s t r a t e g i c

r e l a t i o n s h i p A t a t i m e o f

s h i f t i n g g l o b a l t r a d e

d y n a m i c s , C B E R A i s n o t

j u s t a b o u t e c o n o m i c

p o l i c y ; i t i s a b o u t reinforcing U.S. leadership, s t r e n g t h e n i n g r e g i o n a l

security, and maintaining economic stability with a

g r o u p o f i t s c l o s e s t neighbours.

T h e c h o i c e b e f o r e

U S p o l i c y m a k e r s i s

c l e a r : c o n t i n u e t o

s t r e n g t h e n t r a d e t i e s w i t h a r e g i o n t h a t i s a l r e a d y

c l o s e l y l i n k e d t o U S

e c o n o m i c a n d s e c u r i t y i n t e r e s t s , o r r i s k losing influence to external actors seeking greater engagement

w i t h t h e C a r i b b e a n

CARICOM nations do not

see trade relations as a choice between one partner or another

T h e r e g i o n h a s

r e m a i n e d f a i t h f u l t o i t s t r a d i n g p a r t n e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e U S , f r o m w h i c h i t p u r c h a s e s n e a r l y 7 0 % o f i t s i m p o r t s , i n c l u d i n g f o o d a n d

e s s e n t i a l g o o

BY SIR RONALD SANDERS

o n c l u s i o n : c ontinue the terms of trade in goods under CBERA; expand CBERA to include trade in services, aligning with the changed C a

i b b e a n e c o n o m y a n d opening new opportunities for U S businesses; and r e i n f o r c e

security for both sides.

i o n s p o i n t t

a c l e a r

WEEK- IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

Oil in Liza 1, 2 and Payara to be drained in less than five years 20-year project life shortened as…

The 20-year lifespan of the Liza One, Liza Two and Payara projects, all currently producing oil above the daily

a v e r a g e o u t l i n e d i n respective project plans have been reduced to less than five years.

Field Development Plans

( F D P ) , w h i c h p r o v i d e intricate details of a planned project were submitted by

E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a

L i m i t e d ( E M G L ) t o t h e

G o v e r n m e n t o f G u y a n a (GoG) for each of the three oil producing projects.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e

d o c u m e n t s , w h i c h G o G refused to make public, the

L i z a O n e p r o j e c t , w h i c h commenced oil production

in December 2019, has a

r e s e r v e o f 4 5 2 m i l l i o n barrels of oil (MBO).

The Liza Two project, according to the FDP has a reserve of about 570 MBO.

T h a t p r o j e c t c o m m e n c e d

p r o d u c t i o n i n F e b r u a r y 2022.

Meanwhile, the Payara

p r o j e c t , w h i c h commemorated first oil in N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 3 , i s estimated to hold some 600

m i l l i o n b a r r e l s o f o i l resources.

This week, ExxonMobil

r e v e a l e d i t h a s a l r e a d y produced 100 MBO at the third development- Payara. This means that the project

n o w h a s 5 0 0 M B O

r e m a i n i n g A t t h e c u r r e n t rate of production of about 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 b a r r e l s p e r d a y (bpd), the oil in Payara will be drained in 5.4 years.

At the Liza One project, approximately 211,960,000 barrels were produced as at the end of January 2025. As such, 240,040,000 barrels w e r e r e m a i n i n g b u t considering Exxon’s average rate of production- 130,000 bpd – the resources could be depleted in five years.

Likewise, ExxonMobil has already produced about 223MBO at the Liza Two development. The remaining r e s o u r c e s , a t t h e c u r r e n t production capacity of about 250,000 bpd, can be depleted in 3.8 years.

agreement.

F u r t h e r , A r t i c l e 1 5 4 states that the sum equivalent

to the taxes owed by the company will be paid by the M i n i s t e r r e s p o n s i b l e f o r

P e t r o l e u m t o t h e

launched a new bond to raise at least US$250 million and EUR 50 million to help fund the country’s participation in i t s f i r s t o i l p r o j e c t , t h e GranMorgu offshore oil field in Block 58.

I t c a n t h e r e f o r e b e deduced that the resources in t h e t h r e e p r o j e c t s , w h i c h each have a lifespan of 20 y e a r s , c a n b e d r a i n e d i n

Table showing the oil produced to date and remaining reserves at the Liza One, Liza

under five years. R a m p e d u p o i l production

To date, all three of the projects in operation have been pushed to produce more than the design rates of the r e s p e c t i v e F l o a t i n g P r o d u c t i o n S t o r a g e a n d

Offloading vessels (FPSOs), a s o u t l i n e d i n t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t

Assessments (EIAs).

F o r i n s t a n c e , t h e

Prosperity vessel, according to the EIA was designed to pump 220,000 bpd but is p u m p i n g a r o u n d 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 bpd.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e L i z a

D e s t i n y F P S O ( w h i c h

o p e r a t e s L i z a O n e ) w a s designed to safely produce at peaks of 120,000 bpd but is now producing as much as 165,000 bpd.

L i z a U n i t y , w h i c h produces oil from the Liza Two project, was designed to produce 220,000 bpd is now p r o d u c i n g a n a v e r a g e 250,000 bpd.

B e f o r e i n c r e a s i n g production at the vessels,

E x x o n M o b i l r e c e i v e d

regulatory approvals from

t h e G o G a n d t h e

E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n Agency (EPA).

Presently, the oil giant is seeking permission to further optimize the Prosperity and U n i t y F P S O s w h i c h w i l l

r e s u l t i n h i g h e r d a i l y production.

ExxonM does not deny paying taxes in Bahamas but tells K/News to focus on how the oil deal is delivering money to Guyana

E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a

L i m i t e d ( E M G L ) , t h e operator of the resource-rich

S t a b r o e k B l o c k h a s n o t d e n i e d t h a t t h e c o m p a n y pays taxes in the Bahamas. Kaieteur News reported on February 11 that EMGL, formerly Esso Exploration

a n d P r o t e c t i o n G u y a n a

L i m i t e d ( E E P L ) i s a company registered in the Bahamas with ExxonMobil Global Holding Investment

Two and Payara projects

B.V being the 100 percent owner of that company

W i t h n e w t a x arrangements put in place by t h e B a h a m a s , E x x o n i s required to pay a corporate tax of 15% to the country while it does not pay a cent to the government of Guyana (GoG) where the resources h

revenue for shareholders.

and I’m not gonna get into w h a t i s t h e d i f f e r e n t c o r p o r a t e s t r u c t u r e s t h a t s p e c i f i c a l l y s u p p o r t

E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a affiliate but it works both w a y s I t ’ s a w a y t h a t r e v e n u e s g o b a c k t o t h e corporation but it’s also how t h e c o r p o r a t i o n f e e d s investment dollars into the country and so it serves both purposes.”

While the Exxon boss did not deny paying taxes in the Bahamas, he suggested that Guyana should be focused on how the contract delivers revenue for the state.

attempted to skirt around the i s s u e H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t

t h e r e m a y b e “ s o m e confusion” in the use of the word taxes, since Guyana is essentially receiving taxes through royalty and profit p a y m e n t s t o t h e N a t u r a l Resource Fund (NRF).

H e s a i d , “ T h e r e a r e

d i f f e r e n t f o r m s o f agreements that are used in the oil and gas industry. The o n e t h a t i s b e i n g implemented in Guyana is

t h e P e t r o l e u m S h a r i n g Agreement so it’s literally a sharing agreement where the i n v e s t o r s i n v e s t , t h e government doesn’t have to m a k e a n y i n v e s t m e n t u p front but it shares in the p r o f i t a n d r e c e i v e s a royalty.”

As such, he continued, “In effect, that profit-sharing royalty is tax…while it is not called tax in the Petroleum Sharing Agreement in effect

t h a t ’ s w h a t i t i s I t i s payments to the state in lieu o f t h e r e b e i n g a t a x agreement.”

F o l l o w i n g a l e n g t h y explanation, this publication then pointed out that there w a s s t i l l n o c l a r i t y a s t o w h e t h e r E x x o n M o b i l Guyana was paying taxes in the Bahamas. Consequently, Routledge n o t e d , “ I t s n o r m a l f o r international companies to h a v e c o r p o r a t e e n t i t y structures across the world that feed up into the master corporate structure, which is Exxon Mobil Corporation

Commissioner General of the GRA. It should be noted that the contract also allows for the issuing of a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicating that i t h a s m e t t h e l o c a l t a x

requirements to avoid the burden of double taxation.

Though the fiscal terms of the contract have been c o n d e m n e d b y G u y a n e s e

politicians, the incumbent administration has blatantly r e f u s e d t o e n g a g e t h e company for changes to the contract.

P r e s i d e n t I r f a a n A l i

during his end of year press conference on December 31, 2024 made it clear that he has no interest in writing U.S. oil m a j o r , E x x o n M o b i l t o

A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , “What’s important though ultimately for the investment decisions for the country and for the partnership is, how do the contract deliver money for the country, it’s what the PSA is all about and do we comply with all the local taxes which we do.”

S i n c e o i l p r o d u c t i o n

c o m m e n c e d i n D e c e m b e r

2 0 1 9 , G u y a n a l o s t o v e r

U S $ 1 0 B i n t a x e s t o t h e

S t a b r o e k B l o c k p a r t n e r s , E x x o n M o b i l , H e s s a n d CNOOC.

PSA and taxes

T h e 2 0 1 6 P r o d u c t i o n

Sharing Agreement (PSA) states in Article 15.1 that the Contractor (EMGL) as well as its affiliates shall not be subjected to tax, value-added

tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge, or impost in respect o f i n c o m e d e r i v e d f r o m

p e t r o l e u m o p e r a t i o n s , property held or transactions except as specified under the

e n g a g e t h e c o m p a n y t o renegotiate the oil deal. He explained, “What we committed to was to respect the sanctity of contracts and that the international law, that has implications for us as a country. Other investors are looking on but what we said was that future PSAs would not have these fatal flaws and future PSAs would not have the type of lopsided a r r a n g e m e n t s t h a t E x x o n had, and we have made those adjustments to future PSAs.”

B u t e v e n a s G u y a n a continues to refuse to engage the company, the country is losing more revenue than it is gaining from the production of oil, as pointed out earlier in this article.

Monday

Surinamese given options to invest in first oil project …locals can invest as little as US$100

Staatsolie Maatschappij

S u r i n a m e N V, t h e s t a t eo w n e d o i l c o m p a n y h a s

The official launch of the bond issuance took place on 31 January 2025. T

available in both US dollars and euros, takes effect on 23 M a r c

eight-year term. The interest rate is set at 7.75% for the US$ bond and 7.25% for the EUR bond.

L o c a

s c a n participate from as little as U S $

accessible to as many people

Suriname, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten, a denomination of US$ 30,000 is available. The subscription period r u

February 25, with allocation on 10 March. Payments can be made from March 10 to March 18. A c c o r d i n g

S

“Subscribing is made very accessible and can be done o n l i n e o r a t a n y b a n k i n Suriname. The subscription form and all relevant details c a n b e f o u n d

i

m. De Surinaamsche Bank (DSB) is the lead arranger for this bond issuance. The b o n d

w i l l b e p u b

c

y t r a d a b

h e D u t c h C a r i b b e a n S e c u r i t i e s Exchange (DCSX) and the Suriname Stock Exchange (SSX).”

In its production-sharing contract with TotalEnergies, the operator of Block 58, it was agreed that Staatsolie will take up to a 20% stake in

GranMorgu.

The name “GranMorgu” means both “new dawn” and “Goliath grouper” in Sranan Tongo, the local language.

The total investment for the project is estimated at U S $

Staatsolie’s share amounting to US$ 2.4 billion.

T

issuance will help Staatsolie finance its portion, reducing the need for bank loans. The company has also set aside cash reserves for the Continued on page 23

From page 22

G r a n M o r g u i n v e s t m e n t

Another key objective of this bond issuance is to refinance the Staatsolie Bonds 20202025 and 2020-2027, which previously raised US$ 195 million to support the 20202 0 2 7 i n v e s t m e n t programme.”

The GranMorgu project will develop the Sapakara

a n d K r a b d a g u o i l

d i s c o v e r i e s , o n w h i c h a successful exploration and

a p p r a i s a l c a m p a i g n w a s completed in 2023.

T h e f i e l d s a r e l o c a t e d

1 5 0 k m o ff t h e c o a s t o f

S u r i n a m e a n d h o l d

r e c o v e r a b l e r e s e r v e s estimated at over 750 million barrels. First oil at the project

i s e x p e c t e d b y 2 0 2 8

To t a l E n e r g i e s s a i d i n i t s Final Investment Decision (FID).

T h e p r o j e c t i n c l u d e s 220,000 barrels of oil per day Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit.

To t a l E n e r g i e s i s t h e operator of Block 58 with a 50% interest, alongside APA Corporation (50%).

S u r i n a m e ’ s o i l d e a l includes a 6.25 % royalty; a p r o f i t s p l i t f o r m u l a t h a t allows the country to benefit from higher oil prices and a stable tax rate of 36%.

G U Y A N A V S SURINAME

G u y a n a ’s o i l d e a l h a s been compared to the new-

c o m e r i n t h e p a s t b y

M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r Staatsolie, Annand Jagesar, w h o h i g h l i g h t e d t h e l o w returns Guyana accepted in i t s P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g

A g r e e m e n t ( P S A ) w i t h

ExxonMobil and partners This includes a measly 2% royalty, no taxes and 50%

p r o f i t s p l i t a f t e r 7 5 % i s deducted by Exxon for costs.

Jagesar made it clear that Suriname’s position is that “…everybody has to survive in this partnership.”

I n t h e m e a n t i m e , Guyana’s Chief Policymaker for the oil and gas sector, Bharrat Jagdeo previously admitted that Suriname has b e t t e r t e r m s i n t h e i r a g r e e m e n t t h a n G u y a n a ’s 2016 agreement.

Jagdeo in laying blame on the former administration for the 2016 oil deal noting that his government fixed the deal by addressing the nonfiscal terms so that Guyanese can benefit more from the sector

“We sought to fix this by getting more benefits from t h e c o n t r a c t t h r o u g h t h e Local Content Law, the Gas-

to-Energy project so that we can claim other non-fiscal benefits from the contract a n d w e h a v e h a d E x x o n agree with that from the time we got into office, but this is great and I am happy for Suriname, very happy for them they have worked very hard at this,” he reasoned. It should be noted that Guyana does not have a stake i n t h e m a s s i v e p e t r o l e u m

p r o d u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s

o n g o i n g o f f s h o r e i n t h e

S t a b r o e k B l o c k ExxonMobil has increased its daily production capacity to almost 700,000 barrels at the three projects – Liza One, Liza Two and Payara.

Guyana’s leaders have refused to implement a ring-

f e n c i n g p r o v i s i o n w h i c h

w o u l d h a v e a l l o w e d t h e

country to receive higher profits today, since the cost of these three developments have already been recovered by Exxon Since February 2024, President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge revealed

t h a t E x x o n h a d a l r e a d y recovered some US$19B in expenses.

It should be noted that the three oil projects currently producing oil, the Liza One, L i z a T w o , a n d P a y a r a projects collectively carry a price tag of about US$19B. This means that the country could have been receiving higher profits this year from the three projects; however, i n t h e a b s e n c e o f r i n gfencing, Exxon will use the revenue to invest in other developments and even fund its exploration programme. Essentially, ring-fencing means that profits from one p r o j e c t m u s t c o v e r t h e expenses for that initiative.

In the absence of such a p r o v i s i o n , a c o m p a n y i s allowed to use profits from

one project to cover the costs of another

Oil-rich nations struggle with corruption …Guyana, others score below 50 on global corruption index

S e v e r a l o i l - p r o d u c i n g nations, including Guyana, h a v e s c o r e d b e l o w 5 0 i n Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

The CPI ranks countries o n a s c a l e o f 0 ( h i g h l y corrupt) to 100 (very clean), a s s e s s i n g p u b l i c s e c t o r corruption based on expert and business surveys. It is a perception-based index that

aggregates views from 13

s o u r c e s , p r o v i d e d b y 1 2 i n s t i t u t i o n s d e e m e d appropriate by Transparency International.

The latest rankings show that many current and former

o i l - p r o d u c i n g n a t i o n s remain in the lower half of the index. Countries with substantial oil reserves, such as Iraq (26), Venezuela (10), Nigeria (26), Mexico (26), Russia (22), and Libya (13), recorded some of the lowest scores.

Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, received a score of 1 0 , p l a c i n g i t a m o n g t h e

w o r s t - r a n k e d n a t i o n s

Transparency International noted that the country faces w i d e s p r e a d c r i m e a n d human rights abuses.

I n S o u t h A m e r i c a , Colombia, another key oil p r o d u c e r s c o r e d 3 9

Transparency International

s t a t e d , “ We a k i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d l a c k o f t r a n s p a r e n c y allow criminal organizations to control wide swathes of t h e r e g i o n , w h e r e t h e y e x p l o i t n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s

w i t h n o c a r e f o r t h e

consequences.” Brazil, the largest oil producer in South America scored 34. Peru, a large oil producer in Latin America scored 31, as well a s P a p u a N e w G u i n e a , a modest oil producer located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

I n t h e C a r i b b e a n ,

T r i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , a historic oil producer, scored 4 1 G u y a n a , w h i c h h a s e m e r g e d a s a m a j o r o i l producer, received a score of 39. Kaieteur News reported that Guyana’s CPI score fell slightly from 40 points in 2023 to 39 in 2024, placing the country at 92 out of 180 nations.

The state of Guyana has b e e n c a p t u r e d b y t h e economic and political elites h e r e , f o s t e r i n g m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f resources, illicit enrichment and environmental crimes, the global coalition against c o r r u p t i o n - Tr a n s p a r e n c y International said.

“In Guyana, state capture by economic and political e l i t e s f o s t e r s m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f resources, illicit enrichment

a n d a n e n v i r o n m e n t a l

c r i m e , ” t h e Tr a n s p a r e n c y International report said. It a d d e d : “ A l t h o u g h t h e

c o u n t r y h a s c r e a t e d a n t icorruption institutions and laws, transparency and law enforcement are very low,

v o i c e s , a c t i v i s t s a n d

j o u r n a l i s t s i n c r e a s i n g l y common,” the body stated in its report.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer scored 26, while Angola (32) and Libya (13) remained at the lower end of

producing nations. Russia,

major global energy player, scored 22. O

and

noted that while

industry itself. T

International recommended, “To effectively combat the climate crisis, we must place corruption at the centre of the global debate. Governments,

prioritize the integration of

projects Transparency and accountability are essential

protected, policies deliver on their objectives, and projects reach the communities that need them most. Addressing

and drive

sustainable world.”

Tuesday

Guyanese soldiers ambushed, shot by Venezuelan gang …six injured, two critical in Eteringbang shootout

Several soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force were

opened fire on them Monday

Region Seven area.

The Sindicato has been allowed to roam freely in

and killed Guyanese.

provides the framework for Continued on page 24

Managing Director Staatsolie, Annand Jagesar (right) and other Staatsolie officials

From page 23

t h e r e s o l u t i o n o f t h e controversy that arose out of Ve n e z u e l a ’ s u n i l a t e r a l attempt to nullify the legality

o f t h e A r b i t r a l Aw a r d o f

1 8 9 9 , w h i c h d e f i n i t i v e l y

e s t a b l i s h e d t h e l a n d boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

Shot in the head

The Guyana Police Force

i n a s t a t e m e n t l i s t e d t h e i n j u r e d a s : S e c o n d

L i e u t e n a n t A n s e l M u r r a y, w h o s u f f e r e d a g u n s h o t wound to the right of his head; Sergeant, Kevon Davis who was shot in the right foot and ankle; Corporal, Andrew

F r a s e r , w h o s u s t a i n e d gunshot wounds in the left of his abdomen and shoulder; Corporal, Kevin Henry, who was shot in the left arm and

shoulder; Lance Corporal,

Tr a v i s Yo r r i c k , w h o w a s injured in the right thigh; and Private Ezron Samuel, who was shot in the right his a b d o m e n . D e s p i t e t h e i r injuries, all of the soldiers

w e r e r e p o r t e d t o b e conscious and stable, police said in a statement. Medical treatment was administered b y G D F m e d i c L / C p l Melville at the Makapa GDF Observation Post.

Police said the shooting

o c c u r r e d a b o u t 1 5 : 4 5 h r s , involving members of the

G u y a n a D e f e n c e F o r c e (GDF) and suspected armed individuals believed to be associated with Sindicatos.

The incident took place near Black Water Mouth in the Cuyuni River, while a GDF boat was en route from the Eteringbang GDF main

base to the Makapa GDF Observation Post to deliver supplies. The GDF team was u s i n g a t h i r t y - f o o t c a n o e p o w e r e d b y a 1 8 5horsepower Yamaha engine. During the journey, the GDF boat was intercepted by two

w o o d e n b o a t s c a r r y i n g heavily armed, masked men.

The assailants circled the GDF boat and opened fire, prompting the GDF ranks to

return fire The exchange r e s u l t e d i n t h e a t t a c k e r s r e t r e a t i n g , b u t n o t b e f o r e m u l t i p l e G D F m e m b e r s sustained gunshot wounds.

M e a n w h i l e , i n a statement last night the GDF

s a i d t h a t o n M o n d a y a resupply patrol en route from E t e r i n g b a n g t o M a k a p a came under fire from a group of armed men positioned on the Venezuelan bank of the Cuyuni River

The patrol immediately responded to the attack and engaged the assailants with

r e t u r n f i r e “ D u r i n g t h e exchange, several members

o f t h e p a t r o l s u s t a i n e d gunshot injuries. Immediate

e f f o r t s a r e u n d e r w a y t o ensure their safe extraction and medical treatment,” the statement read.

“ T h e G D F h a s b e e n

mobilised to reinforce its

p r e s e n c e i n t h e a r e a , ensuring the security of its personnel and safeguarding the territorial integrity of G u y a n a , ” t h e s t a t e m e n t

c o n t i n u e d T h e G D F s a i d that it remains committed to protecting its borders and

w i l l t a k e a l l n e c e s s a r y

m e a s u r e s t o a d d r e s s a n y threats to national security

“ T h e G D F i s c l o s e l y monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more i n f o r m a t i o n b e c o m e s available.

At this time, the safety and well-being of our troops remain our highest priority,” the statement concluded.

Sindicatos

T h i s n e w s p a p e r h a s frequently reported on how

members of the Sindicato gang have harrassed miners and residents of Eteringbang Community located in the U p p e r C u y u n i - M a z a r u n i District, Region Seven. Back i n 2 0 2 3 r e s i d e n t s d u r i n g

i n t e r v i e w s w i t h t h i s newspaper pleaded for the Government’s intervention and possible solution to the “ a b u s e ” a n d “ o u t r i g h t robberies” they are facing at the hands of the Venezuelan N a t i o n a l G u a r d a n d t h e notorious sindicato gang.

Residents had detailed

t h a t t h e r e a r e f o u r

c h e c k p o i n t s b e t w e e n

Akarabis and Eteringbang ( o n e N a t i o n a l G u a r d a n d t h r e e S i n d i c a t o s ) T h e residents explained that at all four checkpoints, they have to stop and allow the armed g u a r d s a n d S i n d i c a t o s t o check their boats, and added to that, depending on what they are transporting they are also required to pay, about $2000 per drum of fuel at all f o u r c h e c k p o i n t s T h e y added that they also have to pay when transporting food and other supplies.

“There have been many i n s t a n c e s w h e r e w e a r e robbed by these people or have part of our stock seized by them. There is great risk if we choose to not stop since gunshots would come our way,” they added.

It was further stated that as a result of the extended p e r i o d o f e x p l o i t a t i o n s , many persons moved out of the area, while those who

remain are finding it difficult t o k e e p t h e i r b u s i n e s s e s a f l o a t “ T h e n e g l e c t a n d closure of the Eteringbang

Airstrip has compounded the situation since we are forced to use the river exclusively and face these criminals even more,” they said.

ExxonM to build new pipeline from 7th project to connect to Gas-to-Energy project

E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a L i

Block will be constructing a new pipeline to transport gas from the seventh projectHammerhead- to support the G a s - t o - E n e r g y ( G T E ) project.

This is according to the E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t Assessment (EIA) submitted b y t h e d e v e l o p e r t o t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n Agency (EPA). According t o t h e 4 2 3 2 - p a g e s t u d y, c o n d u c t e d b y E x x o n ’ s consultant, Environmental R e s o u r c e s M a n a g e m e n t

r e c o m m e n d e d d u e t o t h e associated air emissions and because it would not meet regulatory expectations in Guyana nor be consistent with GIIP, so this option was not considered.

O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , associated gas re-injection was evaluated as an option to maintain reservoir pressure and improve oil recovery, but w a s n o t s e l e c t e d f o r t h e Hammerhead field Exxon explained that this is due to the likelihood that injected g a s w o u l d m o v e q u i c k l y through the reservoir back to t h

resulting in significant gas c y c l i n g , w i t h n e g a t i v e i m p l i c a t i o n s f o r o i l production. “Use of Project-

Location of the Hammerhead Project in the Stabroek Block

(ERM), the pipeline will be about 13-kilometers and will b e a t t a c h e d f r o m t h e

H a m m e r h e a d F l o a t i n g

P r o d u c t i o n S t o r a g e a n d Offloading vessel (FPSO) to the existing GTE pipeline. In its project description,

E x x o n s a i d H a m m e r h e a d w i l l d e v e l o p t h e o ff s h o r e

r e s o u r c e b y “ d r i l l i n g

a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 4 t o 3 0

d e v e l o p m e n t w e l l s

(including production and

w a t e r i n j e c t i o n w e l l s ) ;

i n s t a l l i n g a n d o p e r a t i n g

Subsea Umbilicals, Risers,

a n d F l o w l i n e s ( S U R F ) equipment; using an FPSO to process, store, and offload

t h e r e c o v e r e d o i l ; a n d installing an approximately 1 3 - k i l o m e t e r g a s e x p o r t pipeline from the FPSO to a tie-in on the Gas to Energy Pipeline.”

E x x o n h a s a l r e a d y completed a 220-kilometers long pipeline that connects to the Liza One and Liza Two

p r o j e c t s i n t h e S t a b r o e k Block and ends at the Wales Development Site, where the government plans to utilize

t h e r e s o u r c e s f o r p o w e r

g e n e r a t i o n a n d o t h e r monetization options.

T h a t s t r u c t u r e i s estimated to cost US$1B and is expected to be operational

b y t h e e n d o f 2 0 2 5 T h e pipeline, according to its EIA

w i l l b e t r a n s p o r t i n g

a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5 0 m i l l i o n standard cubic feet per day

( M M s c f d ; 1 4 m i l l i o n

standard cubic meters per day [MMsm3/d]) of rich gas.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Hammerhead EIA, several alternatives were considered for the associated gas in the project, including flaring or burning of the gas. Exxon

s a i d , “ A k e y u s e o f t h e associated gas is fuel for gas

t u r b i n e s u s e d i n p o w e r generation on the FPSO. Gas

n o t u s e d a s f u e l i s t h e n

a v a i l a b l e f o r a l t e r n a t i v e u s e s T h e t h r e e p r i m a r y alternatives considered for m a n a g i n g a s s o c i a t e d g a s include flaring, re-injection, and transfer.”

T h e s t u d y s a i d

c o n t i n u o u s f l a r i n g o f a s s o c i a t e d g a s i s n o t

increase sweep of reservoir oil,” the EIA stated. It added

strategies, resulting in uplift in recovery M e a n w h i l e , t h e s t u d y n o t e d t h a t a s s o c i a t e d g a s transfer options were also c o n s i d e r e d “ T h e P

other fields, to send to the Gas to Energy Pipeline to h e l p s u p p

o n s h o r

d e m a n d g r o w t h T h e selected Project’s associated gas utilization plan is to first use associated gas for fuel in

generation on the FPSO. The

will be transferred to the Gas to Energy Pipeline and either

to enhance Liza oil production.

Hammerhead and Liza fields to fulfill potential onshore gas demand and eliminate routine flaring,” according to the Hammerhead EIA.

connect this new project to the GTE pipeline is linked to the fact that the Liza One and Liza Two resources are Continued on page 48

Interesting Creatures... Golden-Handed Tamarin

Guyana’s smallest primate might be w o r l d ’ s b e s t jumper

G u y a n a ’ s s m a l l e s t ‘ m o n k e y ’ ( p r i m a t e ) , t h e

G o l d e n - H a n d e d Ta m a r i n , measures less than a 12-inch (30 Centimeter) ruler but can jump a distance of over 60 feet (18metres) from the top of a tree to the ground with no sign of injury

T h e y a r e e x c e l l e n t climbers too, probably even better than spiderman.

The primate can also leap a fair distance upwards and are very agile creatures who despite their size can be very aggressive and intimidating. This creature truly lives-up to the saying that small animals and short people are t h e m o s t c o n f i d e n t , aggressive and fierce.

As the saying goes, they m i g h t j u s t b e overcompensating for their small stature. A trip to the G e o r g e t o w n Z o o l o g i c a l

Park and Rescue Center, located at the Botanical

Gardens might be the only place you can get a close-up encounter with a GoldenHanded Tamarin.

Getting too close to them in the wild will be at your own risk because according to scientists, “they live in cooperative groups of 4 to 15 m e m b e r s w i t h l i t t l e

c o m p e t i t i o n a m o n g themselves” and are very territorial.

O n c e t h r e a t e n e d , defence mode is top priority and they will rush to battle w i t h s h a r p c a n i n e s a n d claws.

Yes, they are not like

o t h e r p r i m a t e s w i t h fingernails and toe nails on their hands and feet. They have the ability to bite and claw a threat to d e a t h , o r i n f l i c t s e v e r e damage and flesh wounds.

S o , t a k e c a u t i o n w h e n approaching them in the wild.

A golden-handed Tamarin’s intimidating stare

If you don’t believe The Waterfalls, then visit the “ G e o r g e t o w n Z o o l o g i c a l Park and Rescue Center to s e e f o r y o u r s e l f h o w intimidating their stare can be. Two of them are kept there. During a recent visit, one of them looked at The Waterfalls reporter dead in the eye without moving or even flinching.

The creature showed no f e a r a n d p e r h a p s a f t e r making sure the reporter was no threat to him/her It leaped away and went about its

The primate displaying its superb jumping capabilities.

business displaying a bit of the quickness and agility it possesses.

Description

Like the name GoldenHanded suggests, its hands are covered in a goldencolour hair, while the rest of its body is black.

The face is hairless, b l a c k a n d r e m a r k a b l y smooth.

Reproduction

G o l d e n H a n d e dTamarins also known by t h e i r s c i e n t i f i c n a m e Saguinus midas Can live up

to ten years in the wild and 1 6 i n c a p t i v i t y. T h e y become sexually matured between 16 to 20 months and when living in groups there is no competition or fight between males for females in the group.

Also, the females respect and understand that only one of them is allowed to breed p e r s e

n g instinct until it’s their turn.

The gestation period is 140–170 days and mothers typically give birth to two

offspring.

Fathers are the ones who take full responsibility of taking care of the young, would only hand them over to their mothers to nurse.

Diet

T h e s e p r i m a t e s a r e omnivores and would feed on leaves, plant exudates, fruit, flowers, eggs, insects and other arthropods, frogs, spiders, lizards, and nectar

( E x c e r p t s w e r e t a k e n f r o m , https://www.inaturalist.or g/t axa/43387-Saguinus-midas)

Fraser, EGO capture winning titles in 2025 Calypso competitions

Ke n i s h a F r a s e r a n d Q u i n c y L a c o n w h o s e stage name is EGO secured the winning titles of this year ’s Ministry of Culture, Y o u t h a n d S p o r t s competitions.

T h e t w o c o m p e t i t o r s took the top spots in the junior and senior categories, respectively

T h e f i n a l s f o r t h e

s e n i o r a n d j u n i o r c a l y p s o

c o m p e t i t i o n w e r e h e l d l a s t

T h u r s d a y o n t h e M a i n

S t r e e t t a r m a c , w h e r e a t o t a l o f 2 3 f i n a l i s t s p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t w o c o m p e t i t i o n s ; e i g h t f i n a l i s t s i n t h e j u n i o r

c a t e g o r y a n d 1 5 i n t h e s e n i o r T h e c o n t e s t h a d

s e v e r a l t e c h n i c a l d i ff i c u l t i e s b u t t h i s d i d n o t

s t o p t h e p e r f o r m e r s f r o m

d e l i v e r i n g

T h e j u n i o r c o m p e t i t i o n h a d m a n y n e w c o m e r s T h e y n e v e r t h e l e s s d i d n o t l e t t h i s s t o p t h e m f r o m d e l i v e r i n g a n d i m p r e s s i n g t h e j u d g e s K e n i s h a F r a s e r w h o c o m p e t e d f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e c a

The senior competitors came out and delivered an

unforgettable performance l e a v i n g a l o n g - l a s t i n g impact on their supporters as well as the judges.

Quincy Lacon who goes by the stage name, EGO, secured the winning title with 271 points followed by Roger Hinds who goes by the stage name Young Bill Rogers and gained second with 250 points, coming in third and gaining best new comer title with 243 goes to Vinel Hinds and fourth place went to Osei Clark also known as OKC with 242 points.

Several members of the a u d i e n

o l d T h e Waterfalls that they were

not pleased with the judge’s decision as well as how disorganized the event was “I mean, the competition was great

The performances were fairly done by some and by others; it was excellent I don’t agree with all the judges’ decision ” They went on to add that the government should look do a bit more when it comes to the culture of its people and the performing arts Despite their views, they expressed that they had a wonderful time jamming to a

p

categories

Quincy Lacon, whose stage name is EGO, captured the winning Calpyso title

Junior Calypso winner

Kenisha Fraser

West Bank schools unite to put on on Mashramani Float Parade Spectacle

or the first ever time ever, schools l o c a t e d a t L a

Parafaite Harmonie School u

Mashramani Float Parade spectacle for children in the area. The parade which took place of Friday was led by

School.

The participants of the Westminister Float Parade

P

S c h o o l ’s M a s h a n d F l o a t

P a r a d e

T h e r o u t e f o r t h e

p a r a d e r e q u i r e d a l l t h e

s c h o o l s t o m a s h f r o m

t h e i r l o c a t i o

GEMS Theatre Productions to stage “A Pleasant Career” celebrating

Mittleholzer at the National Cultural Centre on March 1st & 2nd 1st

Alandmark event

celebrating the life and legacy

o f E d g a r M i t t l e h o l z e r , Guyana’s first professional novelist, will take place at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, on March 1st and 2nd.

T h i s m

production, titled A Pleasant Career, is inspired by the life, works, and achievements of M

C

writers.

M

literature, is known for his contributions to the literary world, paving the way for other Caribbean writers to have their works published. With over 20 books to his n

, essays, and short stories, Mittleholzer ’s influence on

profound.

H i s w o r k s , i n c l u d i n g

Creole Chips, My Bones and My Flute, The Kaywana B l o o d , S h a d o w s M o v e Among Them, and Sylvia, have been regarded as vital cornerstones of Caribbean literature.

The play, A Pleasant Career, written by the late Dr Michael Gilkes, is a tribute to Mittleholzer ’s life

a n d l i t e r a r y

a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s F i r s t staged in 1992, the play won the inaugural Guyana Prize for Literature in the drama category

T h i s p r o d u c t i o n i s directed by veteran Ron Robinson, with dramaturgy

and set design by Sir Henry M

pected figure in the performing arts. T h e c a s t b o a s t s n o t a b l e performances by Michael Ignatius, Rovindra Persaud, Mark Luke-Edwards, Derek Gomes, and other talented a c t o r s , i n c l u d i n g S o n i a Yarde, Latiefa Agard, and Dwayne Hackett.

The play will be staged for the first time in Guyana on Saturday, March 1st at 8 :

y, March 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at the National Cultural Centre’s Small Theatre.

Ti

GNBS IN FOCUS QUALITY, COMPLIANCE, SUCCESS

Ac h i e v i n g I S O

9 0 0 1

c e r t i f i c a t i o n

g o e s b e y o n d s i m p l y producing a product in a

s t a n d a r d i s e d m a n n e r, i t ensures that an organisation consistently meets customer

e x p e c t a t i o n s , e v e n i n changing conditions.

The Guyana National

B u r e a u o f S t a n d a r d s (GNBS), certified ISO 9001 since 2018, is committed to helping businesses adopt, develop, and implement an

e f f e c t i v e Q u a l i t y Management System (QMS) through the provision of expert training and technical assistance.

A well-structured QMS

e n h a n c e s e ff i c i e n c y a n d effectiveness, focusing on

the entire system rather than just the product or service.

W h e n a n o

o n implements a system that is driven by quality processes

a n d c o n t i n u o u s improvement, it produces and provides quality goods and services consistently

O v e r t h

international standard has increased exponentially

Today, the Standard is

quality, helping thousands of companies across the globe

The Standard outlines several clauses that guide

Operation and Performance

Evaluation Together, these clauses provide a structured approach to achieving and

compliance

regulatory requirements

complaints and improved

p r o f i t a b i l i t y a n d

productivity The GNBS’ ISO 9001 c e r t i f i c a t i o n u n d e r s c o r e s its dedication to quality

and best practices, setting a benchmark for businesses in Guyana By aligning its p r o c e s s e s w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d s , G N B S e n s u r e s g r e a t e r

efficiency, accountability, and customer satisfaction in its services W i t h i t s e y e s w e l l focused on quality, GNBS

satisfaction

p r o v i d e s s p e c i a l i s e d

s u p p o r t f o r b u s i n e s s e s p u r s u i n g I S O 9 0 0 1 a n d o t h e r k e y c e r t i f i c a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g I S O 4 5 0 0 1

(Occupational Safety and

Health), ISO 22000 (Food

S a f e t y M a n a g e m e n t Systems) Our team of Technical O f f i c e r s o f f e r s e x p e r t guidance through training o n t h e Aw a r e n e s s a n d I n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f t h e Standard, Implementation, Internal Auditing and PreAssessment Audits to help

b u s i n e s s e s m e e t a n d m a i n t a i n c e r t i f i c a t i o n require

Rain didn’t dampen the excitement that culminated Republic Bank’s Panorama 2025

The West Dem Steel Orchestra is the winners of the Panorama steel pan competition for the youth category

By Francwa Fortune

The rain was not enough to stop steel pan enthusiasts who flocked the Kingston

B e a c h t o w i t n e s s t h e

c u l m i n a t i o n o f R e p u b l i c

B a n k ’s 2 0 2 5 s t e e l p a n competition on Wednesday

For the finale, a total of 12 steel orchestra bands

w e n t h e a d - t o - h e a d t o winning the Panorama titles. Seven bands competed in the young band contest and five in the large band but only two from each category was able to gain the winning spot.

D e s p i t e t h e r a i n s , attendees stood at the venue with their umbrellas to show support for their favourite bands.

The young band which had a total of seven entries did not fail to deliver an unforgettable performance

h o w e v e r o n l y t h r e e orchestra groups managed to

The glimpse of sea of

wow judges. In the youth category, the West Demerara Secondary School secured the firstplace title with a total of 256 p o i n t f o l l o w e d b y t h e B e r b i c e H i g h S c h o o l capturing second place with a total of 248.5 points and gaining the third spot was the B u x t o n P r i d e S t e e l Orchestra with 245.5 points. The large bands entered the competition with two intentions one being to win and the other being to deliver an exceptional performance

w h i c h s u r p a s s e d t h e expectation of their supports and the judges.

Capturing the winning title for the large band was the Kunjaz Steel Orchestra with a total of 281 points, gaining second place was the Ansa McAl Parkside Steel Orchestra with 274.5 points and coming third was the 2 0 2 4 s t e e l o r c h e s t r a

winners, the Guyana Police Force Steel Band with 268 points. Of note was the Panamanics Steel Orchestra g r o u p c o m p e t e d

competition for the first time despite their failure to place

performance.

T h e c o a c

Franklin told The Waterfalls that this year ’s competition was the best he had ever seen in years. He added that his band started preparing in m

competition because they

finding members to join so

compete in the large band category

Franklin said he decided to take the band idea to the school where he teaches and t h e r e , h e s u c c e s s f u l l y acquired enough members to enter the competition. He

reassured this publication that they will be entering the competition again next year, “coming bigger and better.”

Panorama saw several special other performances from Guyana’s very own S a m u e l M e d a s , C a r l v i n Burnett, OKC, the artiste and the Guyanese Soca Princess Omaiah Hall.

Hall shared that as a past orchestra player, she was impressed by the amount of work and dedication the groups put into their craft. She told the magazine that this year was bigger than she expected.

“Being on that stage and

seeing my Guyanese people sing and react to my song means a lot for me”. She added that her long-term goal in panorama is to have o n e o f t h e l a rg e b a n d s p e r f o r m o n e o f h e r h i t singles as their competition entry

The 2025 Soca Monarch, Diana Chapman was also present at the event but not to perform. She was there in support

M

who spoke to this newspaper shared the view that they w

judge’s decision as well as how this year ’s competition

citizens.

“I had a wonderful time at panorama, everything was truly amazing. I was backing Kunjaz all the way and I was super excited when they won. I love how on time everything was despite the weather,” a member of the audience said.

Orchestra, who took part in the large bands category by playing her winning song ‘ M y H o m e ’ S h e w a s nevertheless proud of them even though they did not place.

umbrellas as steel pan enthusiasts attended the finals of Panorama 2025

How to glow up (and sweat proof) Car nival

Make-up artist Atarah Samaroo creates this shimmery blue look for Carnival. Photo Credit Atarah Samaroo, founder of A.Nichelle and Co. anichelleandco.com

By: Monique McIntosh

Thanks to today’s fully packed calendar of Caribbeanstyle carnivals around the world, the fete never stops for true die-hards.

But no matter where you go, the weather is almost never kind to our make-up looks, from blazing sun rays to random showers. Ahead of next weekend’s Miami Broward Carnival (October 5-7), make-up artist Atarah Samaroo gives us the beauty lowdown for the carnival season all year round. The founder of A. Nichelle & Co. Image Consulting Services, and a native Trini herself, Samaroo knows her way around a killer carnival look. Check out her tips and tricks for the best carnival glow-up, from holistic skincare to the wonders of glitter

What should we use to make our make-up look last all day in the sun?

Be sure to do proper application of makeup where you have layers of face powder and setting powders. I also love Ben Nye Final Seal setting spray, which was especially formulated for stage makeup so performers and actors don’t sweat their face makeup off. It sets the look in place. I’ve tested it for Trinidad Carnival and it lasted over 12 hours.

What should we bring with on the road for touch-up?

This is part of the service I offer when I do makeup. With my carnival makeup fee, I provide a touch up pouch, small enough to not weigh you down and filled with the essentials — a mix of blot powder, sponge applicator, a lipstick in the color used for your carnival makeup and antibacterial wipes. What skincare tip should we do to get that extra natural glow?

Your skin is a reflection of your insides physically and mentally Physically by being hydrated always with water, taking the right multivitamins, using the best skin products to exfoliate and add moisture and mentally..just having a happy mentality, a positive vibe and always smiling. Sounds scientific but self care is the number 1 way to glow A temporary fix will be your highlight palette (Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild glow kit is my fave because the highlights are in various hues from blue to purple, green or pink) where you swipe upwards from cheeks to temple, bridge of nose, Cupid’s bow of the lips (the v area of the top lip) FAVORITE EYE-LOOK FOR CARNIVAL

The best eye look will depend on the person, but Carnival is about color, so I love a variations of glitter, gems, metallic, matte, bright shimmers. My favorite will always be glitter There’s something about the sun hitting your eyes, giving you that extra shine of color

Best way to coordinate your make-up with your costume?

Depending on the arrangement of colors in your headpiece and costume, I would either use the non-dominant color or all the colors, or a color that’s opposite to the dominant color For instance, for an orange costume, I would do bright blue eye makeup. For a green and pink costume with gold trimmings, I would do a gold glitter smokey eye to bring out the gold on the costume. If the costume is purple, I’ll do a lavender cut crease eye look, where the lid is lavender and above the lid is purple, or I might do a green gradient eye look. It depends what speaks to you the most.

RAMADA AN AND SAL A AH TIME CHART

For Ramadaan March 1st to 30th 2025

Beloved Muslim brothers and sisters please note the changes for the different localities:

Skeldon to Letter Kenny minus 4 min.

Bloomfield to New Amsterdam minus 3 min.

Rosignol to Golden fleece minus 2 min.

Paradise, WCB to Buxton minus 1 min.

WBD & Vreed-en-hoop to Dekinderen, WCD add 1 min.

Zeeluft, E.B.E to Essequibo Coast & Islands & Pomeroon add 2 min.

It is recommended to stop eating 10 minutes before the stated time for Fajr and Break Fast at Magrib.

TIMINGS FOR THE GEORGETOWN AREA

Date

Vicadi Singh retains crown as Chutney Monarch 2025

D e f e n d i n g C h u t n e y

King Vicadi Singh retained his crown, performing his Chutney hit song, “Let Him Go” on Sunday last.

T h e a n n u a l C h u t n e y Soca Monarch competition was held on the tarmac of the Classic Hotel in Corentyne Berbice The competition saw 12 contestants from all across Guyana of all races.

Thousands of persons

g a t h e r e d t o l e n d t h e i r support to their favourite artistes as they performed with colourful props and w e l l p u t t o g e t h e r choreographed dances. The Waterfalls spoke to some the contestants as they exited the s t a g e a f t e r t h e i r performances.

Paul Perry, a fisherman

f r o m A b a r y M a h a i c o n y performed his piece ‘Curass is a Boss’ The musician who has been singing for years told this publication that he decided to try his luck this year at a competition as he has been encouraged by his fans and family

When he was asked how he came about the song, he explained that he does odd

jobs Currently, he is a fisherman and a farmer and going out to sea, he always s i n g s “ F i s h e r m a n d o e s always advise me, Perry you gotta sing a fish song. So a day while I was on sea, the lyrics just come to me, meh went pon the wharf, meh went pon the wharf, meh throw out meh line and me ketch a curass.”

Perry told this publication that the Chutney Monarch was a really good experience for him because he had waited 35 years to make a big stage so giving up was not an option.

Vicadi Singh explained that 2024 was different due t o t h e c h o i c e o f s o n g ; however, his performance this year was no different.

“It’s the same vibe, same energy we bring in. We

b r o u g h t f r o m 2 0 2 4 t o 2025...the choice of songs and the topics of the songs were different, but it’s no

d i f f e r e n t i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e ” S i n g h explained that he was just

Defending

Chutney King, Vicadi Singh

fortunate to have a great song, even though he did not think that it was the one he would be performing with.

“ T h e m e s s a g e t o b e delivered with this song b

being dependent, and take a s t a n c e a g a i n s t d o m e s t i c violence and abuse,” he said.

Singh highlighted that these are issues plaguing society and as an artiste, it is his duty to highlight them.

Artists OKC told The Waterfalls that going backt o - b a c k i n t w o n a t i o n a l competitions was not easy It took money, a lot of support and multiple teams coming together to make one big team. “I would like to say a big shout out to everyone who would have assisted me, you know, shout out to our management, shout out to End Goal for producing this song. You know, shout out to stage steppers, shout out to unique parts. It was an entire team. You know, many teams came together to make one team,” he said.

The talented young man explained that it was his third year competing in contrasting genres and he had to learn to isolate each performance to suit. He had learned to balance his energy a s e a c h g e n r

different things.

“Well, for me personally, you know, just like a lot of our holidays, you know, I don’t see Chutney music as just Indo-Guyanese music I see Chutney music as Guyanese music. I see Chutney music as music for all Guyanese,” he explained.

The evening was packed

crowd As things wound down to the end, Vicadi Singh was crowned Chutney King for 2025, OKC secured the s e c o n d p l a c e , t h e s

positi

s in the Soc

Monarch in Linden, Arjiv Singh secured the third spot and AW Lyrical, the Jaray Boss secured fourth position

From page 24 likely to be drained before

t h e e s t i m a t e d 2 0 - y e a r

l i f e s p a n K a i e t e u r N e w s reported on Sunday that the 20-year lifespan of the Liza One, Liza Two and Payara

p r o j e c t s , a l l c u r r e n t l y producing oil above the daily

a v e r a g e o u t l i n e d i n

r e s p e c t i v e p r o j e c t p l a n s , have been reduced to less than five years. During a press conference last week,

E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a

P r e s i d e n t , A l i s t a i r Routledge, said he hopes that

t h e H a m m e r h e a d p r o j e c t would receive the blessings of the GoG by mid-2025.

Wednesday

Several Venezuelan gang members wounded during ambush of Guyanese Soldiers - 3 have reportedly succumbed

Several members of the Venezuelan gang who were involved in the ambushing

a n d s h o o t i n g o f s i x G u y a n e s e s o l d i e r s o n Monday were injured while a t l e a s t o n e h a s b e e n confirmed dead.

H o w e v e r , r e p o r t s

r e a c h i n g K a i e t e u r N e w s suggest that two other gang members also died.

T h e G u y a n a D e f e n c e Force (GDF) ranks were on patrol duties in the Cuyuni

R i v e r , R e g i o n S e v e n ,

b e t w e e n E t e r i n g b a n g a n d

Makapa, when they came under gunfire from masked gunmen, suspected to be part of the notorious Sindicato gang.

The soldiers returned fire and it resulted in a shoot-out

during which six of them were shot Initial reports were that the gunmen had escaped.

O n Tu e s d a y, K a i e t e u r News learnt that the gang

m e m b e r s d i d n o t e s c a p e u n h u r t I n f a c t , t h i s newspaper understands that

t h e r e w e r e s i x s h o o t e r s

S o u r c e s d i d n o t s a y h o w

m a n y w e r e w o u n d e d b u t revealed that multiple were hit.

R e p o r t s h a v e s u r f a c e d

t h a t t h e g u n m e n w e r e

a r r e s t e d b u t Ve n e z u e l a n a u t h o r i t i e s a r e y e t t o confirm.

T h e V e n e z u e l a n g o v e r n m e n t h a s i s s u e d a statement on the shooting but did not clarify if the gang members are in their custody “Venezuela se encuentra

i n v e s t i g a n d o l o s h e c h o s (Venezuela is investigating

Some of the injured gang members who reportedly shot at Guyanese soldiers injured

the incident)” the Bolivarian g o v e r n m e n t s a i d b e f o r e adding that so far it has learnt t h a t t h e s u s p e c t s a r e i n d i v i d u a l s w h o p r a c t i c e i l l e g a l m i n i n g i n t h e “Essequibo Territory” under the protection of the same soldiers they shot. Nothing else was said on the matter except for the usual Venezuela propaganda that it owns the Essequibo territory

I n v e s t i g a t i o n s a r e ongoing.

Govt. unbothered by Trumps’ drill-baby-drill campaign impacting oil prices – VP Jagdeo …says Exxon still investing in Guyana

Vice President Bharrat

Jagdeo during a questionand-answer segment on day

o n e o f t h e 2 0 2 5 G u y a n a

E n e r g y C o n f e r e n c e a n d Supply Chain Expo made it

c l e a r t h a t G u y a n a i s n o t w o r r i e d a b o u t t h e n e w United States-administration policy in relation to ramping up oil and gas production there.

I n 2 0 2 5 , a l t h o u g h Guyana’s daily production

i s e x p e c t e d t o c l i m b , t h e country will see a decrease in earnings from the sector, as oil price is likely to come down by 10.9%. This was d i s c l o s e d b y G u y a n a ’ s Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh. He had explained that this decline in oil prices is p r i m a r i l y d u e t o s l o w i n g global demand, particularly i n C h i n a O i l p r i c e s w i l l decline this year as global s u p p l y i s e x p e c t e d t o outgrow global demand.

U S President Donald Trump has stated that the new administration will be supporting new oil and gas production and exploration.

Senior Vice President of G l o b a l E n e r g y a n d International Affairs at S&P asked the Vice President on Tuesday, “…You have now P r e s i d e n t o f t h e U n i t e d States that says, drill baby, drill. More oil. It’s going to c o m e o n t o t h e m a r k e t Chinese demand is tailing off, and market is going to be absorbed by somebody else worried about it.”

I n h i s r e s p o n s e , Vi c e

P r e s i d e n t J a g d e o s t a t e d , “I’m not, I’m not.”

J a g d e o s u p p o r t e d h i s u n b o t h e r e d c o m m e n t b y s t a t i n g t h a t A m e r i c a n o i l

g i a n t , E x x o n M o b i l

C o r p o r a t i o n , w h o i s operating in Guyana through its subsidiary ExxonMobil G u y a n a L i m i t e d ( E M G L )

has recently submitted its plans to have a seventh and eight project approved by the Guyanese government.

EMGL is the operator of the prolific Stabroek Block which is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrels of oil. To d a t e , E x x o n h a s r e c e i v e d government approval for six projects in that block, and has the aim of producing 1.3 million barrels of oil daily by 2 0 3 0 C u r r e n t l y , o i l production offshore Guyana is over 600,000 barrels per d a y ( b p d ) f r o m j u s t 3 projects. The fourth project i s e x p e c t e d t o s t a r t production later this year Jagdeo further explained why he’s not worried about Tr u m p ’s p o l i c y, “ b e c a u s e E x x o n h a s j u s t s t a r t e d , submitted the documents for the approval process to start our seventh and an eighth p r o j e c t T h e y w e r e expanding capex in Guyana, t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f America, in spite of what President Trump has said, and I’m sure that they intend

t o m a k e t h e r e g u l a t o r y

e n v i r o n m e n t m o r e favourable to the growth of the oil and gas industry in the United States of America, but we believe that you’re not going to have a major supply response to that.”

H e u n d e r s c o r e d t h a t investment in oil and gas p r o d u c t i o n a r e m a d e b y private companies.

To this end, he reminded that Exxon is a “very big and complex corporation.”

He went on to state that Exxon studies the oil market.

“They probably know the oil markets more than any g o v e r n m e n t o f f i c i a l , a n d they’re willing to expand their production here, clearly t h e y s e e i n t h e f u t u r e a demand for fossil fuel, and they believe that in Guyana, w e h a v e a u n i q u e opportunity to supply that market, low break-even cost, the quality of our food is great, so I’m not worried about it,” the Vice President said.

Moreover, Jagdeo said t h a t h e b e l i e v e s t h a t t h e demand for fossil fuel will remain “relatively high” as the growth in demand for f o s s i l f u e l w i l l n o t b e displaced in a “major way” by renewable energy

“So, I’m not worried too m u c h a b o u t t h e n e w

e n v i r o n m e n t o r t h e U S position in relation to the oil and gas industry and whether it would flood the market with cheap oil,” Jagdeo said, adding, “And if the prices

c o m e d o w n , a s P r e s i d e n t Trump wants the price to come down, then it would a l s o m a k e s o m e o f t h e existing operations in the

United States, particularly with fracking, it may make them not feasible.”

Nevertheless, the Vice President expressed support for the growth of the industry

on three main elements to progress its understanding and to try to materialize a plan for gas development.

The proposed gas plan, according to Exxon will see the utilization of more than 120 million cubic feet of gas per day at the facility H e s a i d , “ G i v

fluids that exist there we will a

e r F P S O f o r t h e upstream development but that has been part of the first element of studies that have been ongoing- is what are the concepts for developments of the deepwater resource. Underpinning that has been all of the exploration and a p

i n G u y a n a H e a l s o attributed this to the rate at which the government has been approving projects. However, he highlighted that the government will not put all of its eggs in one basket.

Thursday

ExxonMobil proposes new pipeline to transport gas to Berbice …new fertilizer and alumina plants to be constructed

By: Davina Bagot

T o s u p p o r t t h e

G o v e r n m e n t o f G u y a n a ’s (GoG’s) gas utilisation and monetisation plan, its energy p a r t n e r, E x x o n M o b i l o n Wednesday unveiled a draft

p l a n w h i c h i n c l u d e s t h e

c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a n e w

p i p e l i n e t o t r a n s p o r t t h e resources to shore.

T h e d r a f t p l a n w a s

r e v e a l e d b y P r e s i d e n t o f

E x x o n M o b i l G u y a n a

L i m i t e d ( E M G L ) , A l i s t a i r

Routledge during this year ’s Guyana Energy Conference, hosted at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown It includes a fertilizer plant, alumina plant and a Data Center in Berbice.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e proposed development seen by this newspaper, the gas

w i l l b e s u p p l i e d t o t h e

o n s h o r e f a c i l i t y f r o m a Floating Production Storage

a n d O f f l o a d i n g v e s s e l

( F P S O ) o p e r a t i n g i n t h e

Southeast of the Stabroek

Block. The gas will be fed to an offshore gas processing

a n d L N G e x p o r t f a c i l i t y, which appears to be located in a shallower portion of Guyana’s waters.

I n h i s r e m a r k s , R o u t l e d g e e x p l a i n e d t h a t over the last few years, the company has been working

resource…”

Beyond appraising and exploring, he pointed to the need for a market which he s

G

currently have.

To this end, Routledge s a

about Guyana does not today have a market. We started t h a t w i t h

s development but there are

s, that could be onshore, and particularly the most likely origin or location will be in t h e B e r b i c e R e g i o n t h a t we’ve heard earlier Anand (Jagesar) himself mentioned b a u x i t e d e v e l o p m e n talumina production is a good use of gas.”

W h i l e t h i s i s o n e component being explored by the developer, it is also assessing the potential of harnessing the resources to support Data Centers.

Routledge told delegates o f t h e c o n f e r e n c e , “ T h e President himself, President A l i y e s t e r d a y m e n t i o n e d D a t a C e n t e r s We ’ v e h a d c o n

potential investors. We’ve all heard in other parts of the world, the huge demand for e n

rg y t o s u p p o

t h e A I growth and build out in the w o r l d a s w e g

h r o u g h another evolution of digital, t o s u p p o r t s o c i e t y ’ s development. Well why not use gas in Guyana as part of distributed data centers in AI around the world?”

A

l y, t h e

giant highlighted the existing potential for investment in a f e r t i l i z e

p l a n t H e e x p l a i n e d , “ W h i l e i t s potential that in the Wales development there could be a f e r t i l i z

p l a n t t h a

c o u l d supply the fertilizer needs of Guyana, Northern Brazil, Continued on page 49

From page 48

C A R I C O M , w i t h i n t h i s region there are significantly

higher needs for fertilizer

a n d s o w e f o r e s e e t h e potential for development of

a d d i t i o n a l f e r t i l i z e r (facilities) in the country.”

Finally, the Exxon boss

s a i d t h a t w h i l e l a y i n g a pipeline to transport gas to Trinidad and Tobago may not be feasible there are other options being investigated.

“There is still the possibility of using Liquefied Natural Gas technology to connect us to global markets and so that is a further option that is on

t h e t a b l e a n d b e i n g investigated,” he outlined.

As ExxonMobil works with the Guyana government

t o s o l i d i f y t h i s p l a n , Routledge noted that there are key considerations being looked at.

These include the option that delivers the most value to the country in the long term from the development of the resources. Another key element to the discussions is

t h e p o t e n t i a l t i m e l i n e t o

b r i n g t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s o n stream.

A c c o r d i n g t o h i m ,

“We’ve been starting these d i s c u s s i o n s t h e

g o v e r n m e n t h a s b e e n working strategies, we have

b e e n w o r k i n g s t r a t e g i e s t r y i n g t o b r i n g p l a y e r s together so that we can start to understand what is your investment timeline, when might you develop a bauxite

f a c i l i t y, w h e n m i g h t y o u develop a data center All of t h a t i s c r i t i c a l t o understanding volume offtake, timing, price so that we can pull all of those together into a development concept and roadmap that will enable a significant investment both offshore where we’ve been making the investments but also in shallow water and onshore.”

P r e s e n t l y, t h e G o G i s working to complete phase one of its first gas project, which seeks to bring gas to shore from the Liza One and Liza projects in the Stabroek B l o c k , t o t h e W a l e s Development site. The gas is e x p e c t e d t o b e u s e d t o produce 300 megawatts of

e l e c t r i c i t y a n d o t h e r b yproducts, such as cooking gas to drive further earnings for the country

Meanwhile, Phase Two of the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project is also likely to come on stream in the future where

p r i v a t e d

c o n s t r u c t a n o t h e r p o w e r plant and Natural Gas Liquid

( N G L ) f a c i l i t y, u s i n g g a s f r o m t h e e x i s t i n g 2 2 5kilometers pipeline, built by E M G L P h a s e T w o i s currently in the procurement stage.

Jagdeo slams shoddy management of public works projects says “they don’t think about the thousands of people who are discomforted every day,”

Vice President Bharrat

J a g d e o o n T u e s d a y e x p r e s s e d d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n with the Ministry of Public Wo r k s ’ m a n a g e m e n t o f construction sites, citing the l a c k o f o r d e r a n d t h e i n c o n v e n i e n c e c a u s e d t o citizens.

The Vice President made these remarks on the first day of the 2025 Guyana Energy C o n f e r e n c e a n d S u p p l y Chain Expo. Jagdeo noted t h a t u p o n r e t u r n i n g t o

G u y a n a , h e i m m e d i a t e l y raised concerns in a Cabinet group chat about the state of t h e c o u n t r y ’ s r o a d construction projects. “I came back yesterday from abroad, and from the time I came down the East Bank road, I posted in the C a b i n e t g r o u p m y d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h t h e Ministry of Public Works They are not managing these sites well. There are people all around you know, just they don’t think about the thousands of people who are discomforted every day,” he said. Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill was in t h e a u d i e n c e a t t h e t i m e Jagdeo made the remarks.

According to the Vice President, the issue is not just about ongoing projects but also the lack of coordination

a m o n g v a r i o u s a g e n c i e s i n v o l v e d i n i n f r a s t r u c t u r e development. “They just go a n d t a k e t h i n g s u p everywhere. And so, I see the m i n i s t e r h e r e , a n d I w a s really angry The President got on their case last week. It’s like everywhere, I know we’re building lots of things at the same time. We have to d o i t , a n d i t ’ s c a u s i n g discomfort. But for Christ’s sake, just let’s do it with s o m e o r d e r , ” J a g d e o stressed.

H e l a m e n t e d t h e r e c u r r i n g i s s u e o f n e w l y paved roads being dug up soon after by other agencies

l i k e t h e G u y a n a Wa t e r I n c o r p o r a t e d ( G W I ) d i s r u p t i n g p r o g r e s s a n d f r u s t r a t i n g c i t i z e n s “ Yo u can’t express the amount of

frustration that we express every day with these guys. They dig up a road that says, we just paved a road. They come, and then GWI will come and dig up the road a g a i n , ” h e s a i d J a g d e o indicated that if regulations c o u l d h e l p i m p r o v e t h e s i t u a t i o n , t h e g o v e r n m e n t would take necessary action. “So, if regulation will help tomorrow, then I’m doing all the regulations. We do every bit of regulation,” he said. On the topic of quality control in construction, he a c k n o w l e d g e d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f a d d r e s s i n g c o r r u p t i o n a n d inefficiencies. “Yeah, so that is precisely why we made those amendments. Now, we have a debate going on in our society…they said that we m u s t n o t s p e n d o n infrastructure,” he said. He

infrastructure spending does not benefit the public and

i e v e s c o n t r i b u t e d t o G u y a n a ’s poverty

T h e V i c e P r e s i d e n t f u r t h e r e m p h a s i s e d t h a t p r o p e r i n f r a s t r u c t u r e i n v e s t m e

national development. “So, there is a group who says in Guyana, ‘Oh, share out all of the oil money You can’t eat i n f r a s t r u c t u r e ’ B u t t h a t ’s short sighted. You have to build the power plants, you have to build the ports, you have to build highways, you h a v e t o b u i l d t h e h e a l t h facilities or the schools so that you can prepare for the future. And so, that’s where the money is spent,” he said. W h i l e a c k n o w l e d g i n g t h a t t h e r e i s r o o m f o

construction sector, Jagdeo

y addressing.

“I agree that sometimes

H o u s e i n G e o r g e t o w n , Jagdeo praised the initiative b u t w a r n e d o f t h e r i s k s involved, especially for the local investors. When asked t o s h a r e a c o m m e n t o n Suriname’s approach to the o i l p r o j e c t a n d i f t h i s initiative is something that can be introduced in Guyana, Jagdeo stated, “I think while it’s a laudable thing, they have to raise a lot of money, let’s see if it’s going to be subscribed to in Suriname

regulations would help with that, but often it’s people you deal with. And we’ve been public about corruption in Guyana We have not we s aid, here is some of, or here’s some of the things that h a v e h a p p e n e d We h a v e seen multiple companies,” he said.

Friday

Jagdeo lauds Suriname for allowing citizens to invest in first oil project …says Guyana can do same in fertilizer plants, offshore service vessels

By Shania Williams

Amid concerns over his government’s management

o f t h e o i l s e c t o r , V i c e President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday lauded Suriname for giving its citizens the options to invest in its first oil project, although warning of the risks involved.

O n t h e 3 1 s t J a n u a r y 2 0 2 5 , S u r i n a m e s t a t e o i l

c o m p a n y , S t a a t s o l i e

o f f i c i a l l y l a u n c h e d t h e Staatsolie Bond 2025-2033

t o r a i s e a t l e a s t U S $ 2 5 0 million and EUR 50 million. The bond is set to take effect on March 23, 2025, with an eight-year term. The interest rate is set at 7.75% for the US dollar bond and 7.25% for t h e e u r o b o n d Wi t h t h e minimum investment set at US$100 or EUR 100, local investors in Suriname are

encouraged to participate, w i t h l a r g e r i n v e s t m e n t s a v a i l a b l e f o r t h o s e i n Suriname, Curaçao, or Sint M a a r t e n , s t a r t i n g a t

US$30,000. Local investors can participate from as little as US$100 or EUR 100, a s t r a t e g y t h a t m a k e s i t accessible to as many people i n S u r i n a m e a s p o s s i b l e

S t a a t s o l i e s a i d f o r l a rg e r

i n v e s t o r s r e s i d i n g i n Suriname, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten, a denomination of US$30,000 is available. Speaking at his weekly press conference at Freedom

but you also have to tell people about that risk, that when you put your money, an o r d i n a r y p e r s o n , y o u ’ r e dependant on what happens with the oil and gas sector in the future, you may not get back any return if the project

d o e s n ’ t d o w e l l v e r s u s investing in a bond.”

Jagdeo further explained

t h e d i f f e r e n c e s b e t w e e n

S u r i n a m e ’s a n d G u y a n a ’s a p p r o a c h e s t o o i l p r o j e c t f i n a n c i n g . H e s t a t e d , “ S u r i n a m e i s t a k i n g a

d i f f e r e n t a p p r o a c h , t h e y h a v e a n o p t i o n i n t h e i r project development to take equity in the project so when you take equity in a project, you have to raise the money So at the national level given the constraints Suriname has now, I think there’s a limit to its borrowing because of the s t a t e o f t h e f i n a n c i n g i n Suriname. So it has to raise money.”

W h i l e J a g d e o a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t t a k i n g

equity offers potential for g r e a t e r r e t u r n s , h e a l s o e m p h a s i s e d t h e r i s k s involved. He explained, “If you take equity in a project, then you have the possibility of getting a greater reward at t h e e n d B u t r e m e m b e r , equity is remunerated only after you’ve cleared costs, i n c l u d i n g t h e c o s t o f borrowing.”

Jagdeo also outlined how this initiative may be used in other projects in Guyana, particularly in sectors like fertilizer plants or offshore service vessels. He stated, “If we build a fertilizer plant in Guyana, maybe we could have people take equity in the project or invest through bonds [Additionally], the vessels supplying offshore so if we structure some of those in a way that provides multiple opportunities for Guyanese. If you invest in a bond, you know the bond will state the rate you’ll get 10% for the year, you might get higher than the interest rate you are getting in the b a n k , b u t y o u k n o w y o u g e t t i n g t h a t d e f i n i t e l y

because that is paid in the first order, it’s above the line, it’s part of the cost of the project ” However, Jagdeo warned about the risks of equity investments, stating,” If you invest in equity now, you take ownership of the project, you buy your share, you have to wait until all those costs are cleared and t h e n y o u h a v e t o d e c i d e whatever the profit is so if you don’t make profit for the year, assuming say the oil prices and you don’t make profit in a year, you are not getting a return in an inequity

profit. So it sounds good but you also have to look how you manage your money.”

Guyana vs Suriname

G

s been compared to Suriname i n t h e p a s t b y M a n a g i n g Director Staatsolie, Annand Jagesar, who highlighted the low returns Guyana accepted

This includes a measly 2% royalty, no taxes and 50% p

7 5 % i s deducted by Exxon for costs.

Jagesar had made it clear that Suriname’s position is t h a t “ e v e r y b o d y h a s t o survive in this partnership.” I n t h e m e a n t i m e , J a g d e o p r e v i o u s l y a d m i t t e d t h a t Suriname has better terms in t h e i r a g r e e m e n t t h a n Guyana’s 2016 agreement Jagdeo in laying blame on the former administration for the 2016 oil deal noting that h i s g o v e r n m e n t f i x e d t h e deal by addressing the nonfiscal terms so that Guyanese can benefit more from the sector

“We sought to fix this by getting more benefits from t h e c o n t r a c t t h r o u g h t h e Local Content Law, the Gasto-Energy project so that we can claim other non-fiscal benefits from the contract a n d w e h a v e h a d E x x o n agree with that from the time we got into office, but this is great and I am happy for Suriname, very happy for them they have worked very hard at this,” he reasoned. It should be noted that Guyana does not have a stake in the m a s s

p

t r o l

p r o d u c t i

c t i v i t i e s o n g o i n g o f f s h o r e i n t h e S t a b r o e k B l o c k ExxonMobil has increased its daily production capacity to almost 700,000 barrels at the three projects – Liza One, Liza Two and Payara. Guyana’s leaders have Continued on page 50

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

From page 49 refused to implement a ring-

f e n c i n g p r o v i s i o n w h i c h

w o u l d h a v e a l l o w e d t h e

country to receive higher profits today, since the cost of these three developments have already been recovered by Exxon Since February 2024, President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge revealed

t h a t E x x o n h a d a l r e a d y recovered some US$19B in expenses.

It should be noted that the three oil projects currently producing oil, the Liza One, L i z a T w o , a n d P a y a r a projects collectively carry a price tag of about US$19B. This means that the country could have been receiving higher profits this year from the three projects; however,

i n t h e a b s e n c e o f r i n gfencing, Exxon will use the revenue to invest in other developments and even fund its exploration programme.

E s s e n t i a l l y, r i n g - f e n c i n g means that profits from one p r o j e c t m u s t c o v e r t h e expenses for that initiative.

In the absence of such a

p r o v i s i o n , a c o m p a n y i s allowed to use profits from one project to cover the costs of another

‘Completion of Wales gas plants further delayed to 2026 …final cost still unknown - Winston Brassington

The first phase of the

U S $ 2 B G a s - t o - E n e r g y ( G T E ) p r o j e c t h a s b e e n further delayed to 2026. This is according to Head

o f t h e G T E T a s k f o r c e , Wi n s t o n B r a s s i n g t o n O n Wednesday, while providing local energy updates at the Guyana Energy Conference, h o s t e d a t t h e G u y a n a Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, B r a s s i n g t o n p r o v i d e d delegates of the conference with a progress report on the various components of the project.

I n h i s 3 0 - m i n u t e - l o n g presentation, he explained that while the project has a contractual timeline of the second quarter of this year, r e a l i s t i c a l l y, t h i s c a n b e delayed to the first half of 2026.

Brassington noted that

t h e p i p e l i n e e l e m e n t , constructed by ExxonMobil G u y a n a L i m i t e d ( E M G L ) has been completed, with

nitrogen pumped into the s t r u c t u r e a s i t a w a i t s c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e o t h e r components. W i t h r e g a r d t o t h e Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)

A table used in Brassington’s presentation showing the progress/ delays to the gas project

a g e n c y o f f e r s i n Georgetown, right here in t h e i r c o m m u n i t y, a n d w e have opened another branch in the Port Kaituma subdistrict as well. That agency offers a number of important l e g a l a n d q u a s i - l e g a l s e r v i c e s t h a t w e r e n e v e r accessible in this region prior t o l a s t y e a r , ” N a n d l a l l explained.

Persons would have had to travel to Georgetown and the Essequibo Coast to have access to the services.

“The point I am making is all the services that are available in Georgetown and in the other regions of our country are also available to y o u i

edifice, which we are here to celebrate, and which we will

Head of the GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington making his presentation at the Guyana Energy Conference

a n d 3 0 0 - m e g a w a t t p o w e r p l a n t h e e x p l a i n e d , “ C o n t r a c t u a l l y t h i s i s scheduled to be delivered in the second half of this year but we have seen a schedule that suggests this is going to take longer- so contractually this year, realistically we’re looking at some delays and a lot of this is, some of these matters are in dispute and therefore I can’t speak about it at this point.”

According to his visual presentation, the final cost of t h e t w o p l a n t s i s “ t o b e determined,” in light of the ongoing disputes with the j o i n t v e n t u r e c o n t r a c t o r, Lindsayca/CH4. Although the cost is still to be finalized, Brassington maintained that the project will deliver more reliable and cheaper electricity to the country at a selling cost of US12 cents, down from US 24-30 cents. He revealed that e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, C a b i n e t approved a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the Guyana Power and Gas Inc (GPGI) and the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL)

at US 5 cents per Kilowatt hour (KWh).

With the completion of

the two gas plants, being constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara, not likely to come on stream before the end of this year as promised

b y g o v e r n m e n t , t h

d u c e electricity costs by 50% this year is also delayed.

In a separate presentation at the Energy Conference, President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge confirmed that the company is ready to deliver g a s o

pipeline.

Meanwhile, with regard to the transmission lines and

expected to be completed in the first and second quarter

of this year, respectively Some 85 kilometers of 230

KV and 69 KV lines are

b

three new substations are being built, and two being upgraded. To date, he said 8 7 % o f t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n lines are completed, while

62% of the work has been d o n e o n t h e s u b s t a t i o n s Additionally, work on the National Control Center is also expected to wrap up by the second quarter of 2025.

Deliverables

U p o n c o m p l e t i o n , Brassington explained that G u y a n a w i l l b e e a r n i n g revenue from both the NGL and power plant “In this p r o j e c t w e h a v e t w o k e y areas of revenue- one is the NGL plant, what we call the liquids, the cooking gas, so the butane, the pentane plus. We’ll have for the liquids over 63 million gallons per annum- that’s about 4,100 barrels of liquids per day,” he said, adding that the country c u r r e n t l y u s e s l e s s t h a n

1,000 barrels daily These products will therefore be exported as a “key revenue earner” according to him.

On the power plant, he noted that all of the gas from phase one will be used for p o w e r g e n e r a t i o n , w h i c h w i l l r e d u c e t h e c o u n t r y ’s reliance on fossil fuels and n e e d f o r h e a v y f u e l o i l (HFO) for power generation,

thereby saving the country revenue.

Saturday

$277.9 million Mabaruma Magistrates’ Court commissioned at Mabaruma

T h e $ 2 7 7 9 m i l l i o n

M a b a r u m a M a g i s t r a t e s ’

Court, located in Region One w a s o n F r i d a y commissioned During the c o m m i s s i o n i n g c e r e m o n y, the Judicial Flag was hoisted there for the first time.

T h e c o m m i s s i o n i n g

ceremony was chaired by

Acting Chief Justice Roxane

G e o r g e a n d a t t e n d e d b y

P r i m e M i n i s t e r B r i g a d i e r (Ret’d) Mark Phillips who, was performing the duties of president; acting Chancellor o f t h e J u d i c i a r y, Yo n e t t e

C u m m i n g s - E d w a r d s ;

A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l A n i l

N a n d l a l l , S C ; M a y o r o f

M a b a r u m a , Tr e v i L e u n g ;

R e g i o n a l C h a i r p e r s o n Brentnol Ashley; Registrar

o f t h e S u p r e m e C o u r t o f

Judicature, Sueanna Lovell; Principal Magistrates Faith

M c G u s t y a n d J u d y

L a t c h m a n ; S e n i o r

Magistrate Clive Nurse and o t h e r j u d i c i a l s t a f f a n d regional officials. The Attorney General in h i s r e m a r k s s a i d t h a t t h e courts at Mahdia and Port Kaituma can be compared to any urban facility as they contain all modern facilities.

“So late last year, we

l a u n c h e d a D e e d s a n d

C o m m e r c i a l R e g i s t r y

A u t h o r i t y h e r e , a b r a n c h w h e r e t h e r e s i d e n t s o f

Region One in particular, this sub-district can access

a l l t h e s e r v i c e s t h a t t h a t

undisputed illustration of our

judiciary to ensure that all of

have access to equality in our justice system,” the AG said. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Madame Justice Y o n e t

C

m m i n g sEdwards, said that as an arm of the State, the judiciary must craft a system that has services and facilities that a

h a s currently the country has the fastest growing economy in the world.

“ S o , w h a t y o u ’ r e witnessing here today, ladies a n d g e n t l e m e n , i s a m o d e r n i z e d j u d i c i a r y, a m o d e r n i z e d s y s t e m o f dispensing justice that seeks to meet not only the needs of the community or the needs o

also the commitment or the c o

justice,” she said.

J

Cummings disclosed that the court house sports a smart

magistrates and the staff. “ I

h e names of all the communities of this area, but it will take so much time to call all of them and you are fully aware of all

e today, and this facility here is for all of you. So, whether you be in the hinterland or in the capital city, the judiciary Continued on page 51

From page 50 extends the services of a high s t a n d a r d a n d q u a l i t y t o match the needs of each and every society.”

M e a n w h i l e , P r i m e

Minister Phillips said that the government is committed to ensuring access to and equal

t r e a t m e n t b e f o r e t h e l a w while reminding that this is enshrined in the country’s constitution.

“ O u r g o v e r n m e n t i s

d e e p l y c o m m i t t e d t o ensuring that these rights and freedoms do not exist on paper only, but are realized by our citizens It is for this reason that our government

invests billions of dollars a n n u a l l y i n o u r j u s t i c e sector in order to advance the rule of law and ensure our people have access to j u s t i c e s y s t e m t h a t i s c o m p e t e n t , e f f i c i e n t a n d impartial,” he said.

T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r reaffirmed the government’s c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e o v e r a r c h i n g p r i n c i p l e s o f justice.

H e s a i d , “ N o l o n g e r s h o u l d a n y o n e h a v e t o endure, as you heard, before l o n g , c o s t l y j o u r n e y s t o urban centers in search of justice. The same facilities t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e i n o u r towns are also now being m a d e a v a i l a b l e i n o u r hinterland regions.”

Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse will be presiding over m a t t e r s a t t h e M a b a r u m a

C o u r t , w h i l e o t h e r magistrates will visit from time to time to assist.

Meanwhile, for the first time since its existence, the judiciary has its own flag, which was hoisted at the

c o m m i s s i o n

c o m p r i s e s h o r i z o n t a l r e d , cream and black bars and features the image of Lady Justice.

I t w i l l s e r v e a s a p r o f o u n d s y m b o l o f t h e court’s mission to uphold the rule of law, and its vision to e n c o u r a g e a n d m a i n t a i n public trust and confidence

t h r o u g h a n i n d e p e n d e n t , e ff e c t i v e a n d a c c o u n t a b l e justice system.

Each element of the flag embodies the principles and t h e a s p i r a t i o n s o f t h e

Judiciary, with the colors also representing the three levels – the Appellate, High and Magistrate’s Courts.

Min. Indar scolds contractors over unsanctioned works days after VP Jagdeo called out ministry’s shoddy management of construction sites

Days after Vice President

B h a r r a t J a g d e o e x p r e s s e d frustration over the Ministry of Public Works’ handling of construction sites, Minister within that ministry, Deodat

I n d a r , r e p r i m a n d e d t w o contractors for unauthorized work along Princess Street, Georgetown.

On Friday, the Ministry of Public Works posted on its F a c e b o o k p a g e t h a t t h e contractors had carried out excavation work without the a p p r o v a l o f m i n i s t r y ’ s engineers.

M i n i s t e r I n d a r , u p o n visiting the site, gave the

Inside of the new Mabaruma Magistrates’ Court (DPI)

c o n t r a c t o r s a 2 4 - h o u r deadline to revet sections of the reserve that had been c o m p r o m i s e d d u e t o i m p r o p e r e x c a v a t i o n a n d

recent heavy rainfall The statement further noted that utility poles in the area were now at risk, prompting the P u b l i c Wo r k s M i n i s t e r t o instruct the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to intervene

t o s t a b i l i z e t h e g r o u n d surrounding the poles.

On the first day of the 2 0 2 5 G u y a n a E n e r g y

C o n f e r e n c e a n d S u p p l y Chain Expo, Vice President

J a g d e o c r i t i c i z e d t h e management of public works p r o j e c t s , h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e d i s o r d e r a t v a r i o u s construction sites and the i n c o n v e n i e n c e c a u s e d t o citizens.

He said, “From the time I came down the East Bank Road, I posted in the Cabinet g r o u p m y d i s s a t i s f a c t i o n with the Ministry of Public W o r k s T h e y a r e n o t managing these sites well. There are people all around you know, just they don’t think about the thousands of people who are discomforted every day.”

J a g d e o a d d e d , “ T h e President got on their case l a s t w e e k . I t ’ s l i k e everywhere, I know we’re building lots of things at the same time. We have to do it, and it’s causing discomfort. But for Christ’s sake, just let’s do it with some order.”

The Vice President also p o i n t e d t o t h e r e c u r r i n g p r o b l e m o f n e w l y p a v e d roads being dug up soon after by other agencies like the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), further exacerbating the issue.

“You can’t express the amount of frustration that we express every day with these guys. They dig up a road that says, we just paved a road. They come, and then GWI will come and dig up the road again,” he said.

He stressed that better coordination and regulation w e r e n e c e s s a r y t o a v o i d d i s r u p t i o n s a n d inefficiencies.

Students of the Mabaruma Primary School join Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips to cut the ribbon to commission the Mabaruma Magistrates’ Court

Guyanese youths shine in Chinese Embassy...

From page 19 service.”He noted that for the youths, it was a chance to step outside their classrooms and apply what they had l e a r n e d i n r e a l - w o r l d situations. They were tasked not only with creating solutions but also with communicating their ideas effectively Their oral presentations at the

ceremony revealed a group of young people ready to take charge, not just in academics, but in leadership r o l e s w i t h i n t h e i r communities.

Since its inception in 2 0 2 1 , t h e C h i n a - G u y a n a F r i e n d s h i p Y o u t h L e a d e r s h i p D e v e l o p m e n t Competition has grown year after year Each contest has seen increasing numbers of participants and a greater v a r i e t y o f c o m m u n i t y projects.

“ W e b e g i n b y

r e c e i v i n g a p p l i c a n t s a t t h e l e v e l o f t h e r e g i o n s , a n d s o

process where head teachers,

But it’s the deep-rooted c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e Ministry of Education and the Chinese Embassy that have made the competition possible.

Singh’s Farm Airbnb

Guyanese retreat

of f ers adventure seekers a tr uly ‘fr uitful’

Almost every day, just before the sun rises above the lush groves of fruits and vegetables on Singh’s Farm located at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, Mr. Jeyaram Singh, a dedicated farmer is already up and, in the fields, tending to his crops.

The farmer, who has over five decades of experience is on a constant mission which is to ensure his acreage of fruits and vegetables are well maintained.

His goal is to guarantee vendors and consumers of the local marketplace their desired quality and freshness. This kind of careful and consideration is evident when visitors embark on a tour of Singh’s Farm Airbnb.

For Mr Singh and his wife Diane, the farm is not just a source of livelihood but a testament to tradition and the legacy The rural gem located some 12 miles away from Georgetown welcomes visitors almost weekly

Mr. Jeyaram Singh, a dedicated farmer who has over five decades of experience

M r S i n g h t o l d T h e Waterfalls that the land which has helped to feed hundreds, if not thousands of Guyanese families, has been part of his lineage for more than 100 years.

Mr Singh explained that he did not just inherit the land but the relationship his fore parents had with the land.

“This farm has been in my family for generations, it was passed to grandparents, then my parents then to me, I planted every tree on this land except for four of them which were there from the inception, those trees are more than 100 years old,” he said.

The seasoned farmer has been working the soil since he was a boy For him, tilling the ground is not just produce has helped to provide his school but today, along with his a new way of preserving the

Singh’s Farm Tours—a domestic tourism magnet- complete with an Airbnb. The venture welcomes heaps of visitors and tourists seeking an adventure in the quiet countryside of Canal Number One, almost every week. Mr Singh told The Waterfalls during a visit that he takes absolute pride in his role as a tour guide and the opportunity to share his expansive knowledge on farming.

Upon entering the area, visitors are greeted by a warm welcome by the Singh. The scent of fresh cane juice being ground through a processor is palpable, and visitors are treated to a glass of the delightful beverage or a selection of freshly harvested fruits that were organically grown on the farm itself.

Mr Singh said that the farm is never without harvest as the crops. According to him, the variety of citrus and tropical fruits and vegetables grown on Singh’s farm are seasonal and are harvested in rotation. “Every crop has its season, but we have a variety of plants here so when one set is out of season, the others are in.”

He explained that most of the crops are harvested and sold at the local markets. “My handles that part of the work, I plant

Continued on page 62

Mr. Singh stands under a star apple tree that is in existence for more than a 100 years on the farm.

Royal Int’l Hotel officially opens at

Mandela Avenue

Bu s i n e s s m a n

Jason Wang has opened the Royal

I n t e r n a t i o n a l H o t e l o n

M a n d e l a A v e n u e , G e o r g e t o w n T h e international hotel has 241 rooms and currently has 50 persons in its employ, most of whom are Guyanese.

T h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t

c u r r e n t l y h o u s e s a s u p e r m a r k e t , a g y m , a conference centre, gaming facility and lounge and a

conference hall that can accommodate more than 500 persons.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and M i n i s t e r o f T o u r i s m , I n d u s t r y a n d C o m m e r c e , Oneidge Walrond attended the opening of the hotel.

The Prime Minister said the opening of the hotel is a m i l e s t o n e i n G u y a n a ’ s d e v e l o p m e n t , w h i l e emphasizing its significance i n b o l s t e r i n g b u s i n e s s , tourism and investment.

The Office of the Prime M i n i s t e r q u o t e d h i m a s saying that it is “an example of how strategic investments

c o n t r i b u t e t o e c o n o m i c growth. Beyond the bricks

a n d m o r t a r , t h e R o y a l I n t e r n a t i o n a l H o t e l

r e p r e s e n t s j o b c r e a t i o n , business opportunities, and economic diversification.”

T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r elaborated on the project’s local impact, adding that the

local hospitality industry plays a critical role in the e c o n o m y H e s a i d t h e opening of the hotel alone will create numerous direct

and indirect employment opportunities for Guyanese, from hotel management and

c u l i n a r y s e r v i c e s t o maintenance and logistics.

“ T h e p r e s e n c e o f

international hotel brands like Marriott and Aiden by Best Western, along with d i s t i n g u i s h e d l o c a l establishments like the Royal International Hotel, signals our readiness to welcome the world,” Phillips said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Waldron, s a i d t h a t t h e R o y a l International Hotel further s t r e n g t h e n s G u y a n

s p o s i t i o n a s a p r e m i e r e destination for business and leisure travelers.

According to a release

f r o m t h e m i n i s t r y, t h e m i n s t e r r e l a t e d t h a t t h e

g o v e r n m e n t c o n t i n u e s t o place significant emphasis on boosting the country’s room stock because this positions Guyana as a strong c o n t e n d e r f o r m a j o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l e v e n t s a n d conferences.

She added that the major events being hosted in the country have significantly increased visitor arrivals, a figure she anticipates will exceed 400,000 in 2025.

“The presence of hotels such as this, creates greater o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r c o m p l e m e n t a r y s e r v i c e s , i n c l u d i n g

n s p o r t

providers, tour operators, and local artisans, all of whom stand to benefit from t h e s p e n d i n

said.

The minister encouraged the hotel’s management team t o u p h o

emphasising

the

Destination Guyana.

“You

excellence will determine the experiences and perceptions o

expressed.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond alongside businessman Jason Wang and other officials on Friday evening as they cut the ribbon for the official opening of the Royal International Hotel at Mandela Avenue.

The Royal International Hotel. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce)

‘Fo r de culture’ Hairstylist creates unique African hairstyles to express cultural identity

Hairstyles, over the years

h a v e e v o l v e d t o u n i q u e s t a t e m e n t p i e c e s t h a t embody culture, art, and creativity

F

hairstylist, Donnelle Griffith from Plaisance, East Coast

D

known for creating intricate

culture.

Griffith, who has been practising hairstyling for six years, finds joy in her hat c

q u e hairstyles brings her joy and

a way to keep her African culture alive.

W

e r f a l l

, G

i f f i t h expressed her inspiration by s o c i a l m e d i a i n f l u e n c e r s who styled their hair and wore it with pride and grace. She said, “Apart from being blessed with the gift of hairstyling, I was inspired to d o t r a d i t i o n a l A f r i c a n hairstyling from a content

c r e a t o r / i n f l u e n c e r , @kristline__(ig), who has always confidently worn her

h a i r s t y l e s a n d a l s o @ m i n d l i k e m a g i c ( i g ) who creates unique African hairstyles.”

Wa l k i n g t h r o u g h h e r

creative process, Griffith

to her African roots. S h

embracing and embodying m y

(African hairstyling) of it.”

S p

hairstyles, Griffith is wellversed in popular styles such as locs, braids, twists, and

Some of Donnelle Griffith’s creative works during black history month

detailed how she crafted one of her most intricate designs.

“All of the hairstyles I have done so far, requires w e a v i n g h a i r , w e a v i n g thread, weaving needle and sometimes binding wire

H o w e v e r, f o r m y m o s t intricate hairstyle, I used

b r a i d i n g h a i r , w e a v i n g

t h r e a d a n d n e e d l e a n d decorative pearls for extra d e t a i l i n g I b r a i d e d t h e weaving hair into single plaits, and then delicately sew them together using the weaving thread and needle into my desired style,” she said.

F o r G r i f f i t h , t h e s e hairstyles are more than just a craft; they are a connection

traditional African hairstyles that allow her to express her most creative side. “I love the art of African hairstyling and all aspects of it, but the traditional hairstyles bring out my creative side more,” she shared.

Griffith also embraces

incorporating elements of

designs while adding her

fabric or another material to create the styles is already

elements of African culture. I love creativity, so I do styles that are not within the norm of hairstyling, anything that calls for detailing.

“This also allows me to challenge myself. I love to talk about how beautiful and unique Guyana is to persons living outside of Guyana, so Continued on page 62

Netanyahu playing 'dir ty games' to sa bota ge Gaza tr uce deal: Hamas

The Palestinian group that governs Gaza says the Israeli government is not engaging in negotiations for phase 2 of the deal due to end on March 1.

Aljazeera- Hamas has a c c u s e d I s r a e l i P r i m e M i n i s t e r B e n j a m i n Netanyahu of sabotaging the Gaza ceasefire agreement,

s a y i n g t h e I s r a e l i government is not engaging i n n e g o t i a t i o n s f o r t h e second phase of the deal due to end on March 1.

Details of the second and t h i r d p h a s e s o f t h e a g r e e m e n t , t h o u g h understood to be agreed to in principle, were supposed to be negotiated during the sixweek first phase, which has seen the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the partial withdrawal of Israeli t r o o p s f r o m G a z a a n d delivery of aid into the enclave devastated by the 15 months of non-stop Israeli bombardment. Per the deal, which started on January 19, t h e s e c o n d p h a s e , i f finalised, would see the release of all the Israeli captives and a permanent ceasefire.

“We believe that again,

Hamas group releases Israeli captives (L to R) Elia Cohen, Israeli Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wankert in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, as part of the seventh captive-prisoner release on February 22, 2025. [Eyad Baba/AFP]

these are dirty games from the right-wing government to sabotage and undermine the deal and to send a message of willingness to go back to war,” Basem Naim, a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, told Al Jazeera on Saturday H e s a i d t

g o v e r n s G a z

e m a i n s committed to the agreement, a n d h a s a b i d e d b y i t s obligations under the deal. He accused Israel of violating the terms of the deal.

“Over 100 Palestinians have been killed in the first phase, m u c h o f t h e a g r e e d humanitarian aid was not allowed into Gaza, and the w i t h d r a w a l f r o m t h e

N e t z a r i m C o r r i d o r [ t h e militarised zone that divides Gaza into north and south] was postponed,” Naim said.

Earlier this month, Israeli officials confirmed to The N e w Yo r k T i m e s t h a t H a m a s ' s c l a i m s a g a i n s t Israel's violations of the deal were accurate. But the Israeli government has officially denied them.

As part of the ceasefire agreement Israel had agreed t o a l l o w 6 0 , 0 0 0 m o b i l e homes and 200,000 tents i n t o G a z a , b u t t h a t requirement has not been met. More than 90 percent of G a z a ' s 2 4 m i l l i o n P a l e s t i n i a n s h a v e b e e n displaced and large swaths of the enclave have been

turned into rubble.

Israel has killed more than 48,319 Palestinians since it launched its offensive on O c t o b e r 7 , 2 0 2 3 T h e Government Media Office in Gaza says more than 13,000 people missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed and some 240 people were taken captive in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.

‘Netanyahu not interested in phase two' Netanyahu has threatened to resume the war on Gaza and has said he is “committed” to a United States proposal to “take o v e r ” t h e e n c l a v e a n d d i s p l a c e i t s P a l e s t i n i a n r e s i d e n t s T r u m p n o w

appears to have backed away from that plan.

The Israeli leader has repeatedly said that he is committed to fulfilling the aims of the war in Gaza, including destroying Hamas's m i l i t a r y a n d g o v e r n i n g capabilities in the region His cabinet is also yet to vote on whether the conditions for the first phase of the Gaza truce d

phase.

On Tuesday, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu has appointed his Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to lead negotiations on phase two of the ceasefire deal with Hamas Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Mossad chief Dedi Barnea led the previous round of talks.

Political analyst Xavier Abu Eid told Al Jazeera that the assignment of Dermer, a l o n g t i m e c o n f i d a n t o f Netanyahu, to lead the Israeli negotiating team makes an important difference for the future of the talks

“It makes a big difference because Dermer is someone who works for Netanyahu, not for the [Israeli] state,” he said Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh said: “This is the pattern we have seen over the past weeks:

Israel negotiates with the US, and then comes to Doha or Cairo to speak with the mediators and see what can be worked out

“On March 1, phase one of the ceasefire ends Without a commitment from both sides t o c o n t i n u e t a l k i n g a n d maintaining calm, everybody is left wondering whether the ceasefire can survive,” she said from the Jordanian capital Amman

A l o n P i n k a s , f o r m e r a m b a s s a d o r a n d c o n s u l general of Israel in New York, told Al Jazeera that the fact that the first phase held does not necessarily bode w e l l f o r t h e m o r e challenging second phase.

“ T h e r e a s o n i s t h a t Netanyahu is not interested in phase two. This phase will i n c l u d e I s r a e l i f o r c e reduction in Gaza on day 42, which is a week from now. On day 50, it includes not just a force reduction, but a withdrawal,” Pinkas told Al Jazeera from Tel Aviv

He said the ceasefire will turn from a cessation of hostilities, as it is known now, to an end to the war, which is not something the I s r a e l i p r i m e m i n i s t e r favours.

Spiritualit y is an essential qualit y of all human beings

By Roy Paul B.A.

It is now more important that we Guyanese make a conscious effort to develop spirituality in ourselves and others in our society

With the abundance of material resources that are becoming more and more available to all our fellow Guyanese, we must now realise that it can be to the detriment of our personal

unnecessary that they live their lives according to the s p i r i t u a l p r i n c i p l e s w i t h which we have all been gifted from birth. This will naturally result i n m a n y o f o u r p e o p l e becoming more materialistic in their approach to progress in their lives as well as in our national affairs, which will

undoubtedly lead to a more unjust and troubled society

I

y necessary that we not only strive to adopt this quality in

s, but also accept the responsibility to reach out to all our relatives, friends and associates to educate them and encourage them to make this effort in every aspect of their living.

Yo u r s p i r i t u a l a s p e c t

Squatting on our roads...

From page 06

o f , l e t ’ s s a y , a r o a d , w a t e r , o r telecommunication routeway The squatters are now looking forward to the government to rectify their position, that is, forcing legal title holders of lands to remove their boundaries to facilitate the establishment of such features.

That is not going to happen, in that occupancy of government reserves cannot be accommodated by legal title holders when there is land available for that purpose, let the illegal occupiers of government reserves realign themselves either by removal or by relocation. What I find hilarious is that some of the squatters who are in that web of illegal occupation are threatening the authorities that if they are to be removed, they would not vote for the PPP/C, and some officials of the

party seem to be accommodating of this foolishness and bow to this kind of pressure. I am saying in the interest of fairness and transparency, I am of the view that every Guyanese irrespective of race, religion, status or whatever his political persuasion, has a right to have his piece of this homeland called Guyana, but this has to be done by legal means. Squatting under illegal terms the likes of which I have explained above cannot be allowed to continue. There is a simple solution to this problem and this has to be worked on immediately

I have spoken to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Region 6 of this development. I am looking forward to resolution of this matter

Respectfully submitted

Neil Adams

coordinates all the others, so that they all work together to develop the others to their maximum. You are a unique and important person with y o u r s p e c i a l t a l e n t s , a b i l i t i e s , p o t e n t i a l a n d consciousness as any other person on earth. It is left to you to use your spiritual powers to make the best of these.

Try always to be at peace with yourself and others. Look into your soul and you will find the power to go f o r w a r d a n d i m p r o v e everything with which you come into contact. Look upward to the Lord and things around you. There you will find the answers to a l l y o u r q u e s t i o n s , t h e s o l u t i o n s t o a l l y o u r p r o b l e m s , a n d t h e inspiration you will need to give your life purpose and energy

To grow spiritually you must first build a foundation. You may want to adopt a new l i f e o f k i n d n e s s a n d

c o m p a s s i o n , b u t t h e foundation is first necessary One of these is emotional awareness which requires

commitment and courage. You also need to keep acting a c c o r d i n g t o w h a t y o u r conscience dictates, and this will always guide you to make the correct choices in all aspects of your life.

Spiritual growth requires an open heart, looking past your defences and caring for people. What is appropriate and natural for you will emerge with your awareness of yourself as a powerful and c r e a t i v e , l o v i n g a n d compassionate spirit.

Your emotional health

a n d y o u r s p i r i t u a l

d e v e l o p m e n t c a n n o t b e separated. You cannot be angry, resentful, jealous and judging negatively and be compassionate and kind at the same time. These latter describe the skills you need to develop, and awareness of your emotions will facilitate this.

Anybody who is not sure of his belief in a Creator can still manage to find peace in his life by tapping into the spiritual resources of his mind. For a little time each day, even in the middle of his workday, he may retire to a

quiet place and forget any problems. First, he can think of a peaceful scene, such as a lonely spot in a garden, park; or being near a gentlyflowing stream.

Then he can think of people in this scene - all l i v i n g h a p p i l y a n d peacefully together If he had any problem with any person, he could imagine both himself and that person in this tranquil scene getting on well together and with everyone else.

What is recommended here is for the person to unite himself spiritually with all other human beings.

This would help him to g e t r i d o f a l l n e g a t i v e thoughts of hi

d others and give him the confidence and courage to react on a positive note afterwards.

Practice the use of the spiritual powers that are a v a i

a b l e t o y o u b y meditation and prayer, and you will be able to do your part in continuing to improve your personality, and make our nation a peaceful and progressive one.

Hannah loved to draw more than anything in the world. She could spend hours with her crayons, sketching castles, animals, and dreamlike landscapes in her notebook. But one rainy

something that would change everything.

Tucked away in an old wooden chest was a paintbrush, covered in dust. It had a golden handle that shimmered under the dim attic light,

between her fingers.

Curious, Hannah grabbed the brush and a scrap of paper She dipped it in a tiny paint pot she found nearby and painted a bright red apple. The moment she finished the last s t r o k e ,

dropped onto the floor with a soft thud!

H annah gas ped S he reached dow n, picked up the apple, and took a small bite. It was real! Juicy, sweet, and delicious.

Excited, she painted a small butterfly The moment her brush left the paper, the

butterfly flapped its delicate wings and fluttered around her

“This is amazing!” she whispered, her heart racing. J u s t t h e n ,

Kids Craft:

Paper F lowers Paper F lowers Mandy Beyeler

s

s h , Hannah.”

“ S p e c i a l ? ” H a n n a h asked, wide-eyed.

“

“Whatever you paint comes to life! But remember, the magic only lasts until the sun sets. Then everything disappears.”

Hannah's mind swirled with possibilities. She had to try it out!

A Day of Magical Help…

T h e n e x t m o r n i n g , H a n n a h r u s h e d outside with her paintbrush. She wanted to help people in her neighborhood.

First, she met her friend Noah, who was searching f

Hannah quickly painted a talking dog. The fluffy pup wagged its tail and sniffed the air

“I smell a tiny kitten under that bush!” the dog barked.

Noah ran over and, sure enough, there was Whiskers! “Thank you, Hannah!” Noah cheered, hugging his kitten.

Next, at the park, Hannah noticed a broken slide. Kids were sad because they couldn't play on it. She dipped her brush into blue paint and drew a giant rainbow bridge. Instantly, the rainbow shimmered into place, connecting the top of the slide to the ground. The children cheered as they slid down the colorful arc, laughing with joy

Hannah beamed Helping others felt wonderful!

But her biggest challenge came later that afternoon.

At school, she saw her classmate Mia being bullied by two older kids. Hannah

YOU WILL NEED:

Paper

Scissors

Paper straw

Hot glue (adult supervision required)

STEPS:

1. Cut a strip of yellow paper Cut fringe all along the long edge. Roll up the strip and secure roll with hot glue. Fluff out fringe.

2. Cut petal shapes, size as desired.

3. Pinch/slightly fold the bottom of petal, use hot glue in the fold. This will create dimension and shape.

4 C u t a n

bottom.

5. Using hot glue along the angled edge, attach the petal to the rolled center Repeat for all petals.

6. Attach paper straw to the back using hot glue.

The best feeling I get by Uncle

I feel so nice when I eat

Ice cream, cookies and fruit cake, Chocolate, candy and other sweets, As well as burgers, pizza and milk-shake.

I also get very happy When I celebrate my birthday Go to the park, seawall and creek, And enjoy Christmas and other holidays.

But the thing that makes me feel the best, And makes me proud indeed, Is when I try to help someone, Or give them something they need.

Roy

I start by doing more work at home, Then try to make my family feel good; Next I am kinder to all my friends, And help my neighbours in any way I could.

d i d n '

The dragon puffed out

little

and the bullies shrieked and ran away

Mia smiled. “That was

Hannah!”

Hannah felt proud. She

good!

Trouble Begins… J

unexpected happened.

A

Hannah thought it would

monkey She carefully drew a furry, playful creature with big brown eyes and a curly tail.

As soon as the monkey came to life, it snatched the paintbrush from her hands and bolted down the street!

To be continued

Any person who wants to progress in all aspects of his/her life needs to make sure that he/she makes a special

e f f o r t t o g a i n t h e r e s p e c t a n d cooperation of all those, apart from their family members, with whom they share their lives.

Of course, we all realise that the way we react to our immediate family members is of utmost importance in this effort. They are the people who will be helping you to succeed in all your endeavours, as well as looking to you for cooperation and friendship for your entire life.

Try always to maintain Healthy Relationships with everyone

Next you will need t o e n s u r e t h a t y o u always act in such a way as to be an example to those who may be looking up to you. I am sure you can identify younger persons in your family and neighbourhood, and some related to you or your friends, who are looking to you for some guidance.

If in no other way, you can just be an example in proper behaviour to them, and this can go a long way in helping them, even developing new friendships, as well as get to add more value to your own life.

Apart from this you will need to make this effort with those who are not close to or acquainted to you. See the

Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thr u 7. T he heavy lines sur round areas (called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result shown in the clue, with one of 4 ar ithmetical operations (+, -, × or ÷). Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.

importance of smiling at strangers, being polite to everyone with whom you come into contact, respecting your elders, and generally developing a cheerful disposition in all situations. You can never tell when someone you meet on the street will have to help you in some way at some later time.

Even without this, courtesy and a happy attitude will get you liked by everyone and make you develop a good mood always. It will also make you feel at peace with the world, and make your life more worthy in your character

Make an effort in the coming time to develop this happy disposition and you will undoubtedly see an improvement in your personal relationships with all.

Keep C onnec ted

by Roy Paul (Uncle Roy) from his book: Shape up Your Personality

In this modern age of expanding technology, Where we are more and more communicating electronically, We oft forget that our foremost priority Is to our family and the wider community; We therefore must accept an increasing obligation To nourish and maintain our personal connections. Be always cognizant of what is necessary, To keep your relationships active and healthy –Extend courtesy, care and kindness to all, Respect each person as a unique individual, Keep your promises, and build a reserve of trust, Showing concern for others' feelings is ever a must; Listen with an empathic ear and respect their point of view, Extend love without condition and always be true. Believe in people's potential to always improve, So never condemn or give up at another's negative move; If you must criticise, then do so objectively, Always leaving the door open for an attempt at remedy There will be times when you yourself will slip, And face the prospect of endangering a relationship, Whether this be through insensitivity or other weakness, You will need to seize this opportunity for redress. Never shirk from your duty to admit and apologise, This will oftimes lead to a closeness revitalised. So take the time and care to keep your connections strong, And derive much joy from your relationships all life long.

The

amount of time and energy that you expend towards maintaining good relationships will always be alwa rewarded by personal benefit to

yourself.

Solutions to last week’s

KR YPTO KA KURO

WANTED VACANCY

Job openings: Truck drivers, project manager & Civil engineers. To apply send application via Whatsapp: 638-5303 / 608-2114.

1- Excavator Operator, 2 Concrete Mixer Truck Driver. Contact : 652-0251 / 632-9929 / 655-3880.

One Hauler Drivers needed . Attractive Salary Offered. Call : 623-0479.

Experienced male cooks and camp attendants wanted for mining operation. Call: 6886575.

Experienced Utility operators ( excavator, bulldozer, ADT) and mechanic wanted for mining operation. Call: 688-6575.

Handyman wanted to work 4 days per week. Call: 621-5140. Domestic wanted to work 3 days per week. Call: 6247436.

Armed security with experience, 6 days per week, $6k per day. Contact: 603-5140.

Driver / Yardman -Mon- fri age 40-55 years old. Call: 656-2819.

SERVICES

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 Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918

One Nissan Double cab pickup, fully off road setup ; -5 Million Negotiable. Call: 626-8919 / 661-3030.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.

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General Domestic, Cook , iron, clean house ECT. Apply Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 3day work.

One Driver to make purchases in Georgetown. Contact: 701-4000.

Desk staff, Handyman/ Licensed driver 21-45 years old, Receptionist, Supervisor, Room attendant. 233 South Road Lacytown. 2250198.

Vacancy exists for porter, driver, cashier Apply 16 Vlissengen Rd, Kitty Email: humanresource.survival@ gmail.com

One night Watchman needed. Call: 731-2125.

Vacancy for one General Cook, Must know about creole food especially roti, Puri & Bake, Mon- Fri. Call : 6962520.

Counter clerk, Must have a sound secondary education and a decent handwriting. Email: bentleysagency @yahoo.com

Skilled Contractors needed. Call: 708-3618. Email: firstchangeinc@gmail.com

Vacancy for Elderly care Worker. Please Call or WhatsApp Karen: 6561875/ 233-5160/609-6952.

FOR RENT

Prime business area at Affiance, Essequibo Coast for rent bottom flat- Office 600 sq ft, industrial 1400 sq ft. Call: 670-2554.

LAND FOR SALE

Bent St, Friendship EBD, Soesdyke, Yarawkabra & Long Creek highway, Mahaicony & Plantation Foulis WCB. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Roadside Heroes Highway Land for Sale, Garden of Eden 3.8 or 6 acres, 65 Mil per acre Neg. Contact : 6211139 / 712-4020

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Providence (Public Road) perfect for business, Norton St, Bent St, Queenstown, Soesdyke public rd. Contact Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

EDUCATION

Enroll Now! Classes 29th Jan, 2024. cookery, cake & pastries and cake decoration. Contact Sharon: 612-4193/ 672-8768.

Upper Mazaruni District Council...

From page 16 Informed Consent (FPIC), as well as section 80(2) of the Mining Act.

Additionally, the Council revealed that Section 80(1)(b) requires written consent from the lawful occupier for mining within 200 meters of inhabited or occupied buildings or within 50 meters of agricultural lands.

They noted that since James has farms and buildings on the land encompassed by the mining permit, these requirements were clearly violated. Meanwhile, attributing to the Amerindian Act under

Section 48, the UMDC further explained that it requires that any miner seeking to operate within Village lands must first obtain permission, provide information on their activities, attend consultations, negotiate in good faith, and receive the consent of at least twothirds of the community present at a Village General Meeting.

Taking these requirements into consideration, the District Council declared that none of these legal requirements were met, and that “the GGMC never notified the village before issuing permits on

its titled lands, as mandated under Section 53 of the Amerindian Act.”

It was claimed by the Council, that the maps used by GGMC to justify these mining permits are incorrect.

“The maps in their system misrepresent Jawalla’s lands, and GGMC claims that the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) generated these maps, leading to a blame game between agencies rather than accountability,” they noted.

With these issues yet unresolved, the UMDC in its release is urging for action to

uphold Indigenous land rights, prevent violence, and ensure legal protections are enforced.

The Council is calling on the government to intervene to prevent forced displacement of residents. The Council is also calling for the, “immediate cessation of all mining activities by non-residents within Jawalla’s titled lands, accountability for agencies enabling violations of Indigenous rights, (and), amendments to the Amerindian Act to strengthen land and governance protections.”

Hairstylist creates unique African hairstyles...

From page 58 for this month, hairstyles that I’ve created, I added a touch of Guyana to my creations, repping our flag and map,” she said.

Despite the joy she finds in her work, Griffith admitted that creating these hairstyles isn’t without its challenges. “For the most part, it’s therapeutic creating the styles. However, figuring out how to adjust some of the styles of my head was a little challenging, but a quick prayer and pep talk does the trick,” she said. Reflecting on the evolution of appreciation for African hairstyles, Griffith noted that the trend has grown internationally. “Yes, definitely. I observed on social media (TikTok) that people of other cultural background enjoy watching African hairstyling.

In interracial marriages, you find mothers, specifically of a different ethnicity, intentionally learning how to do African hairstyles for the benefit of their mixed child/ children. This also happens in adopted families too,” she explained.

To stay creative and continue innovating, Griffith makes it a point to keep up with current trends and experiment with new techniques. “I try to keep up with what is trending. Trying different techniques and incorporating things that typically do not go with hair,” she said. Griffith believes African hairstyles play a vital role in expressing one’s identity, both personally and culturally. “In African countries, it may signify age, marital status etc., but here in Guyana, I

find that it builds confidence in oneself. Walking through the streets of Georgetown and having people stare at me, built my confidence and helped me to embrace my African culture a lot more. I believe that wearing one of my works will boost your self confidence in your appearance regardless of what others might say or think,” she shared. One of her most memorable projects involved celebrating Black History Month 2025 through traditional African hairstyles. “Because of my love for African hairstyling, I have decided to do traditional hairstyles with a twist every day for the month of February, celebrating black history through my hairstyles and what I do professionally. Doing these hairstyles every

day, excited to see the outcome of each style is rewarding for me, each style and the details put into them. Seeing how creative I can get made each moment special for me.” Looking towards the future, Griffith envisions her talent taking her to greater heights. “My devotion to African hairstyling and hairstyling in general will open doors for me to host hair shows locally, regionally, and internationally.”

Excited about the possibilities ahead, Griffith is driven to keep creating and sharing her artistry. “I’m excited to see what else I can create. I’m confident that I can execute styles that might seem difficult. But mostly, I’m driven to create and share these hairstyles with others who may be interested.”

Singh’s Farm Airbnb...

From page 56 and harvest the crops and she handles the market aspect,” he explained while taking members of this publication along a delightful tour of the farm. The farmer explained that usually visitors have the options of going on a tractor/ trailer ride through the path of the vegetation.

“We usually give people the option of taking a ride in the tractor since not everyone may want to walk the distance…and then some folks are older and may have mobility issues,” he explained.

The trailer was not in operation, when this publication visited, so the reporter was treated to a slow trek into the vegetation. Luckily for the team, the farmer engaged the team in an animated and educational conversation of how the various groves of crops came to be.

“When you look at my hands, you can see cuts and bruises. It shows the type of stiff work that goes into the

ground,” he said. Despite the stiff work, the farmer wouldn’t have any other way. He revealed that although he has farmhands, he is the only one allowed to plant the crops.

“If you look here, we have tania that many locals call ‘bagee’ … then there are some papaya, pineapples, whitey, mango, grapefruit, sugar cane, oranges, tangerines, star apple trees, soursop, banana, plantains, fivefinger or what some people call carambola (star fruit) and so many more,” the farmer pointed out as he guided the team along the route. “I am the only one allowed to plant on this land; the labourers can help with the cleaning, maintenance and other work,” he said. The farmer said the hard work does not deter him because apart from his love for farming, he is aware of the importance of agriculture and is determined to play his part in contributing to the food security in Guyana. “I would not sell my land even if an oil

company offers me millions to buy it,” he added proudly.

Mr. Singh said that during the tours, visitors are allowed to pick and enjoy the fruits during the tours. Besides touring the thriving rows of crops, Mr. Singh said visitors upon request can request meals. He explained that the standard tour is $15,000 a person, children are half price and those below age five are free.

“We get mostly people from overseas but then the Guyanese that come here are because the visitors from overseas. Most persons come here to experience a unique way to spend the day; to relax in some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It is a hidden gem located just 12 miles from Georgetown,” Mr. Singh said.

He explained that at Singh’s Farm, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities designed to reconnect them with nature and learn about agriculture. “We have tradi-

tional backdam bush cook. We prepare soup and make beverage and everything is made fresh from the fruits and vegetable grown right here on the farm, some persons choose to relax in the hammocks under the tree while other engage in a game of cricket…” he added.

In some cases, persons get the opportunity take home their own harvest of tropical fruits, which they picked straight from the trees.

The tour experience is ideal for families, couples, and even solo adventurers. Singh’s Farm Tours which was recently certified by the Guyana Tourism Authority also boasts of a cozy Airbnb facility that offers visitors a space to unwind in a truly Guyanese countryside experience.

The Airbnb is equipped with modern amenities that provide a cozy and peaceful retreat, ensuring that visitors are well-rested and ready for another day of adventure.

SixunclaimedbodiesatGPHCmortuary

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) said there are six unclaimed bodies at its mortuary, while issuing a call for relatives of the deceased to make urgent contact.

In a public notice published in the Saturday edition of the Stabroek News, the hosp

deceased is a 13-year-old.

The 13-year-old was identified as Roweila Torres, who resided in the vicinity of the Pomeroon River, Region Two. Her Date of Death (DOD) was given as January 23, 2025. A contact

listed for her next of kin is, “721-3491.”

Another unclaimed body is that of 2 8 - y e a

Gonzalves died on December 3, 2024, and she lived in Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Her next of kin is her sister-in-law, Victoria Lacruz, whose contact was listed as 721-0095.

Hopkinson, who resided at Lot 489 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown is yet to be claimed. The deceased died on January 3 1 , 2 0 2 5 N o o t h e r r e l e v a n t information was provided on him. T h e b

hospital.

In November, 2024, Kaieteur News reported that Dr Navindranauth Continued on page 64

Additionally, 57-year-old Dharam Singh died on January 27, 2024. GPHC stated that no next of kin information was been provided. Another, unclaimed body identified only as Ramdat is at the mortuary Ramdat died on January 1, 2025. No other relevant information has been provided for the deceased. F

The public notice issued by GPHC in Stabroek News Saturday edition

Pope Francis in critical condition after health deteriorates, Vatican says

VATICAN CITY, Feb 22

(Reuters) - The Vatican said

d deteriorated over the past 24 hours and for the first time described his condition as “critical”, reporting he had

transfusions.

The pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital o n F e b r u a

1 4

f t

e x p e r i e n c i n g d i f f i c u l t y breathing for several days, a n d w a s s u b s e q u e n t l y diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

I n a s t a t e m e n t o n

S a t u r d a y e v e n i n g , t h e

Vatican said the 88-year-old F r a n c i s h a d s u f f e r e d a “ p r o l o n g e d a s t h m a - l i k e respiratory crisis” during the morning that had required the administration of “highflow oxygen”.

“ T h e H o l y F a t h e r ’s condition remains critical,” the statement said “The Pope is not out of danger.”

It added: “The Holy Father remains alert and has spent the day in a chair, though he is suffering more t h a n y e s t e r d a y. A t t h e m o m e n t , t h e p r o g n o s i s remains guarded.”

Besides the additional oxygen, the Vatican said he h a d a l s o n e e d e d b l o o d transfusions because tests showed he had a low platelet count, which is associated with anaemia. A U.S.-based doctor said the Gemelli team w a s p r o b a b l y u s i n g t h e transfusions to raise the pope’s levels of both red blood cells and platelets, w h i c h a r e s m a l l c e l l fragments in the blood that help form clots and stop or prevent bleeding.

through the Vatican’s public statements.

“It seems it is under control, but his body is showing signs of difficulty to overcome (the) situation,” he said.

OUT OF SIGHT

Dr Andrea Vicini, a Jesuit priest and professor at Boston College, stressed he only knew of the pope’s case

The Vatican announced earlier on Saturday that the pope would not appear in public on Sunday to lead prayer with pilgrims, the second consecutive week he will have missed the event.

Russia, U.S. r epr esentatives to meet a gain within

(Reuters) - A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov

Moscow and Washington held their first talks on ending the nearly three-year war in Ukraine on Tuesday, aimed at restoring relations and preparing to conclude the conflict.

The meeting will take place in a third country and the specific location is being agreed upon, Ryabkov told RIA in an interview, without naming who would attend from the Russian or American sides.

Ryabkov said there was “principled a g r e

consultations to work out “the entire block of so-called irritants.”

‘Vice President Vance was discussing something deeper identity, democracy, a freedom of speech. In short, It is believed to be the first time he has missed two consecutive Angelus prayers for health reasons After u n d e r g o i n g i n t e s t i n a l surgery in 2021, he led the Angelus just one week later, a n d s k i p p e d o n e p u b l i c S u n d a y p r a y e r i n 2 0 2 3 following another operation.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

The Vatican has described t h e p o p e ’s i n f e c t i o n a s “complex,” saying it is being caused by two or more micro-organisms.

In a briefing on Friday, two of his doctors said the pope was highly vulnerable due to his age and frailty D r S

Gemelli staff, said there was a risk the lung infection c

am and develop into sepsis, which “could be very difficult to overcome”. Francis, who has been p o p e s i n c e 2 0 1 3 , h a s suffered bouts of ill health in the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung

young adult and had part of one lung removed.

Six unclaimed bodies at GPHC mor tuary...

From page 63

R a m b a r a n , D i r e c t o r o f Medical and Professional

S e r v i c e s a t G P H C , confirmed the hospital has a system and policy in place to deal with unclaimed bodies. This system mandates the employment of a series of procedures if a deceased body remains unclaimed for one week.

It was explained that once this timeframe has p a s s e d , t h e r e c o r d s department is notified, and they, in turn would reach out to the Public Relations (PR) D e p a r t m e n t T h e P R department then publishes

the necessary information t o h e l p i n d i v i d u a l s recognise if the deceased is their relative.

“…after a reasonable period usually up to two weeks, we will consider the body unclaimed and move towards a consideration… (of) burial (Burial by state / G P H C ) , ” D r R a m b a r a n told Kaieteur News.

The director stated that there are always challenges in establishing contact with the families of deceased individuals.

He explained that the h o s p i t a l ’s S

Department makes every effort to track down the

although there are instances

limited, particularly when patients arrive unconscious

injuries. I

e hospital does its

information is available, including photographs of

identification. However, for

of relatives, there are often difficulties in reaching out to the families.

People pray the Rosary outside Gemelli Hospital, where Pope Francis is admitted for treatment, in Rome, Italy, February 22, 2025. REUTERS/Vincenzo Livieri

AG raises concer ns about cr iminal cases being heard vir tually while defendant overseas

Attorney General (AG)

a n d M i n i s t e r o f L e g a l Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC has raised concerns about magistrates hearing criminal c a s e s v i r t u a l l y w h i l e defendants are outside of Guyana.

The Attorney General raised these concerns while delivering remarks at the opening of the Mabaruma

M a g i s t r a t e ’ s C o u r t o n

Friday

He explained that the criminal jurisdiction of the court is territorial, which means that it cannot exercise jurisdiction over persons that are outside of its jurisdiction, that is to say, outside of Guyana. It is for this reason

t h a t h e c o n t e n d s t h a t conducting criminal cases

w h i l e t h e d e f e n d a n t i s

o v e r s e a s i s n o t l e g a l l y permissible.

- invites Chancellor, Chief Justice to urgently review the situation

accommodate e-litigation. “ I j u s t

territorial.”

The AG added that the facility is there and can be used, in particular when the circumstances demanded.

In an invited comment, the AG gave several reasons as the rationale for this legal principle. For instance, if the defendant is found guilty, the court’s ability to impose and e x e c u t e a j u d g m e n t o r sentence is affected if the d e f e n d a n t i s o u t s i d e i t s jurisdiction.

“For example, if a term of imprisonment is to be imposed and a person is to be sentenced, how would that sentence be executed when

“We have to carefully look at this situation, as it continues to occur in the magistrate’s court,” he said, directing his remarks to the Chancellor and the Chief Justice, who were present at t h e e v e n t N a n d l a l l e m

the person is not within the jurisdiction of the court for him to be delivered to the prison authorities for the sentence to take effect?” he questioned.

Further, he pointed out that if the defendant is to be remanded, enforcing that order becomes problematic

jurisdiction.

The Attorney General explained that it is for this reason that persons charged with a criminal offence must seek permission from the C o u r t t o l e a v e t h e jurisdiction.

“That permission should only be granted between court dates, in respect of the c r i m i n a l p r o c e e d i n g s t

ensure that the defendant returns to the jurisdiction for

criminal case,” the Senior Counsel emphasised.

The AG’s clarification comes on the heels of the wife of former Assistant C o m m i

appearances in court. T h e

laundering and misconduct

totaling approximately $800 million.

Meanwhile, the AG said the government is investing heavily in software to ensure that there are platforms to

c e i v e d a notification on my phone that in Saint Kitts, they have just launched an AI program to help the public access help in understanding the laws of Saint Kitts, I did read the story So, these are important

region,” he underscored.

Jamaican Winston Anderson to be appointed CCJ President

Jamaican jurist, Justice Winston Anderson, as the new president of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Justice A

rth president of the CCJ, replacing the St Vincent and the Grenadines jurist, Justice Adrian Saunders, who retires later this year

The CCJ was established on February 14, 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s highest court, and while most of the regional countries are members of its Original Jurisdiction only Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana and St L u c i a a r e m e m b e r s o f i t s A p p e l l a t e Jurisdiction. Under the original jurisdiction, t h e Tr i n i d a d - b a s e d c o u r t s e r v e s a s a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r i b u n a l i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e

Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement.

“I want to also say that we took a decision t o a c c e p t t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n o f t h e R e g i o n a l J u d i c i a l L e g a l S e r v i c e s Commission for the new president of the Caribbean Court of Justice to be appointed, and that is Justice Winston Anderson, and we congratulate him on the agreement of heads to his appointment to the highest position of the R e g i o n a l Tr e a t y I n t e r p r e t a t i o n B o d y, ” Barbados Prime Minister and CARICOM chair, Mia Mottley said.

Justice Anderson, 65, was sworn in as a judge of the CCJ on June 15, 2010.

He is a graduate and former lecturer of The University of the West Indies (UWI) as well as Cambridge University, where in 1988 h e r e c e i v e d a D o c t o r a t e i n P h i l o s o p h y majoring in International and Environmental Law Also, in 1988, he completed a course of training at the Inns of Court School of Law in London and was called to the Bar of England a n d Wa l e s I n 1 9 9 6 a p p o i n t e d S e n i o r Lecturer, whilst on Fellowship Leave from t h e U W I , a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f We s t e r n Australia; and in 1999 became UWI Senior Lecturer in Law

Justice Anderson was appointed General Counsel of the Caribbean Community on secondment from UWI from 2003 to 2006, and in 2006, UWI Professor of Law

P

Faculty of Law in 2006 and was called to the B

Caribbean Law Institute Centre, in 2007, a position he held until 2010.

He is the author of numerous publications i n c l u d i n g T h

h e Caribbean, Caribbean Private International Law and The Law of Caribbean Marine Pollution.

The move comes amid a raging debate in Jamaica over whether the country should accede to the CCJ’s appellate jurisdiction or establish its own final court to replace the Privy Council. In January, Anderson asserted that Jamaica has a legal obligation to adopt

tribunal, noting that the country has had ample time to consider its accession.

“Jamaica is under a legal obligation to join the court, so that there’s continuity of government because the government is not represented by one party, it is an institution which endures whichever party’s in power,” he told The Gleaner

“When Jamaica signed on to the CCJ

Jamaica, whichever party is in office, to fulfill that obligation,” he said.

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party has argued that there is no consensus while the

declared support for the CCJ.

CMC contributed to this report.

Jamaican jurist, Justice Winston Anderson

Curry makes history as Warriors beat Kings

BBC - Stephen Curry became the first Golden

State Warriors player in NBA history to reach 700 20-point career games after helping his side to a 132-108 win against the Sacramento Kings.

Curry was one of four players to get 20 points or

Moody combining for 43 while Buddy Hield had 22.

T

h e Warriors above the Kings in t h e We s t e r n C o n f e r e n c e standings into ninth. Curry’s tally of 20 meant he als

NBA legend Michael Jordan for the most games with 20 or more points by a guard after turning 35.

We s t e r n C

e n c e leaders the Oklahoma City Thunder returned from the All-Star break to beat the Utah Jazz 130-107 in Salt Lake City

S

Alexander scored 21 points and Chet Holmgren got 20 as T

eighth win in nine outings.

C

claimed a dominant 142-106 victory over the New York Knicks to tighten their grip on the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks have won 46 of their 56 games so far

The Milwaukee Bucks e

Brook Lopez claiming 18 points and nine rebounds.

The Miami Heat won 1 2 0 - 111 a t t h e To r o n

Sunday February 23, 2025

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today you will have all the energy you need to deal with long-term family problems. Indeed, you'll probably clash with some of your relatives. But this situation won't cause any serious issues.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

You enjoy caring for others and you intervene regularly in their lives to guide them. Ironically, today you're the one who needs advice. You'll probably need to get away from it all in order to get a clear view of your own life.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

W e a l l h a v e t o m a k e compromises in order to live in contemporary society. You may have strong beliefs, but it's difficult to combine your ideals and a social life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You've always felt the need to free yourself from society You need to feel independent at any cost. You may need to f a c e c e r t a i n r e l a t i o n s h i p problems at this time.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

You may feel annoyed about the attitude of some of your group of friends. Unlike these people, you're very openminded and you can deal with s i t u a t i o n s a s t h e y a r i s e Indeed, you have a natural

ability to adapt to every situation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

To d a y, Vi r g o , y o u ' l l b e submerged under a lot of emotions. In a way, you'll be revisiting your childhood

You may be very edgy This is a good disposition in which to analyze your life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Yo u r e a l l y k n o w h o w t o seduce, Libra. There is a spark inside of you that spreads naturally to those around you. You have a big reservoir of sensitivity and emotion that could grow today

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

You're a very active person, S c o r p i o , b u t t o d a y y o u ' l l probably be disappointed. If you ask those around you to help with your activities, they most likely won't understand your needs.

SAGIT (Nov 22–Dec. 21)

Nothing much is happening today, yet you seem worried and tense. You'll have to use this day to your advantage. Think about your life. You'll also think about the needs of your relatives in the years.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

You often need to thrive on personal emotions. Today will be no exception to the rule. For instance, you could try to c a p t i v a t e t h e a t t e n t i o n o f people you admire.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You shouldn't try to fight the feelings that run through you today Don't even try to r a t i o n a l i z e t h e m T h e s e feelings are probably related to emotions dating back to your c h i l d h o o d Yo u s h o u l d n ' t avoid or analyze them.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You'll be lost in your thoughts today, analyzing your life and relationships. You'll be asking yourself if your existence is meeting your standards. You will ponder what to expect from the future and from the people around you.

G

Delroy Tyrrell etched his n

a University’s history books o n F

school record in the 100yard backstroke at the 2025 S U N Y A C - A M C C Championships.

Competing at the Burt Flickinger Aquatic Centre, T y

o Raptors to end a four-game losing streak, the Detroit Pistons beat the San Antonio Spurs 125-110, the Dallas Mavericks saw off the New Orleans Pelicans 111-103 and the Houston Rockets b e a t t h e M i n n e s o t a Timberwolves 121-115.

individual title and further cement his legacy as one of Oneonta’s standout athletes.

Gayle produces season’s best and meet record 8.34m to take long jump crown at Gibson McCook Relays

S

PC’s Tajay Gayle produced an excellent performance to win the men’s long jump in the morning session of the 2

Saturday The 2019 World Champion flew out to a meet record and season’s best 8.34m in the sixth and round to take the win.

H e o p e n e d t h e competition with a foul in the first round and had distances of 7.82m, 7.62m and 7.69m in the next three rounds before another foul in

round five, after which he produced his winning effort.

Shawn-D Thompson of SprinTec was second with a season’s best 7.88m while A u b r e y A l l e n o f S w e p t Track Club was third with a wind-aided 7.69m

G a y l e ’ s c l u b m a t e

Tissana Hickling took the w o m e n ’ s e q u i v a l e n t comfortably with a season’s best 6.61m.

Utech’s Canniga Powell was second with a personal best 6.06m while Bethlehem Moravian College’s Analisa Redmond was third with 5.70m. G C F o s t e

Wilson cleared a season’s best 2.20m to win the men’s high jump ahead of JC’s Chavez Penn (2.10m) and Wo l m e r ’s B o y s ’ K a b i k i Thomas (2.00m).

S t A n d r e w H i g h ’ s

Shanniqua Williams cleared a season’s best 1.75m to win the women’s event ahead of H

Cheyenne Cooper was third with the same height as Longmore, also a personal best.

The battle lines are d r a w n O n e Guyana Racing

Stable is here to make

h i s t o r y. W i t h t h e p o s t positions set for the 2025 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold

C u p , a l l e y e s a r e o n Guyana’s rising force in Thoroughbred racing as they prepare to take on some of the biggest names in the sport.

Armed with the current leading trainer in North America, Saffie Joseph Jr., the Guyanese are ready to face Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and four-time Eclipse Award winner Chad Brown but make no mistake, this is no underdog story

O n e G u y a n a R a c i n g Stable is here to win.

P o s t P o s i t i o n s & Trainers for the 2025 Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup

1. Jerry The NipperPletcher T 2. Show The MoneyLovell R.

The Goddess NikeO’Brien J.

Portfolio CompanyBrown C.

Vividly - Williams C.

Public Sector - Joseph JNR S.

Smokin’ T - Brown C. The Battle for Gold: One Guyana vs. The Best in the Game T h e S a n d y L a n e Barbados Gold Cup is a battleground where the best of the best collide. Chad

defend his title. Brown, a four-time Eclipse Award-

dominated the biggest races

Preakness Stakes, and the Arlington Million. Standing alongside him is Todd Pletcher, a Hall of F

Kentucky Derby wins, four Belmont Stakes victories, and over 5,600 career wins. His horse, Jerry The Nipper, has been prepared for a fierce fight on race day

But the Guyanese fears no one.

They have the hottest trainer in North America, Saffie Joseph Jr., fresh off

Barbados native who has conquered Gulfstream Park, is leading Harrow into battle

ng Stable. Back up ammunition for trainer Saffie is Public Sector

Bringing homegrown

confident to win.

The Gold Cup is Coming Home – The Time is Now!

This is more than just a race. One Guyana Racing Stable is on

horse racing.

Wi t h G u y

mission to

’s h o r s e racing industry set for a major boost with upcoming legislation, this is the perfect moment to stake their claim on the world stage.

As the countdown to the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup begins, the message from One Guyana Racing Stable is loud and clear: “We are here to dominate. We are here to win. And we are bringing the Gold Cup home to Guyana!”

Tajay Gayle

Leeds-born Inglis leads Australia to victory over England

BBC Sport - England’s

C h a m p i o n s T r o p h y b i d

b e g a n w i t h a d a m a g i n g defeat as Australia pulled off an epic chase of 352 to counter Ben Duckett’s 165 in Lahore.

O p e n e r D u c k e t t t o o k

England to 351-8 - the highest score in Champions Trophy history - only for

J o s h I n g l i s t o h i t a sensational 120 not out from 86 balls to complete the chase with five wickets and 15 balls to spare.

It was the highest score

E n g l a n d h a v e f a i l e d t o

d e f e n d i n o n e - d a y internationals, made worse by the fact they had their old rivals 136-4 at one stage.

F r o m t h e r e I n g l i s , Australia’s number five born and raised in Yorkshire, put on 146 in 116 balls with Alex Carey to drag his side back into the contest.

C a r e y, h a v i n g b e e n dropped on 49, was caught for 69 with 70 runs needed from 51 balls and Inglis took charge. He flogged England for six sixes - the third bringing up his first ODI century in 77 balls and the sixth sealing the highest successful chase in a global 50-over tournament.

I t c o m p o u n d e d f e a r s England failed to capitalise fully on being 200-2 after 30 overs on a fine batting pitcha surface that only improved under the lights.

Jos Buttler ’s England now have little room for manoeuvre in their final two group-stage fixtures, against Afghanistan on Wednesday

a n d S o u t h A f r i c a n e x t Saturday, if they are to finish in the top two and reach the semi-finals.

A body blow to England

If England’s confidence was low given their form coming into the tournament – four series defeats in a row and losses in 10 of their past

14 ODIs – this will feel like a body blow Duckett batted in t h e r e s p o n s i b l e f a s h i o n many have asked of this side but Inglis punished them for failing to kick on to an even bigger score.

While the arrival of a dew under the lights made batting easier, England did not help themselves.

Brydon Carse was hit for 69 in seven overs, exposing England’s limited bowling options, and Jofra Archer dropped a simple catch to dismiss Carey

At that point 104 runs were needed from 73 balls, the match still in the balance,

b u t A r c h e r ’s e r r o r w a s compounded when he took the next over and was hit for consecutive fours.

The England quick also had Glenn Maxwell, who ended 32 not out from 15, caught late on only for the decision to be overturned because of a waist-high noball, but by that point the game was done with 11 runs needed.

E n g l a n d r e m a i n i n

L a h o r e f o r We d n e s d a y ’s match against Afghanistan, who were thrashed by South Africa on Friday The loser

will likely be eliminated.

Yo r k s h i r e m a n I n g l i s ’ knock for the ages

Inglis, who scored a century on Test debut against Sri Lanka last month, lived in Yorkshire until just shy of his 15th birthday

He took little sympathy on the country he used to call home, having come in with England well in control.

Archer dismissed Travis Head caught and bowled for two, Mark Wood nicked off Steve Smith for five and spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short respectively after their partnership of 95.

T h e c l o s e s t E n g l a n d came to dismissing Inglis w a s a d e l i v e r y f r o m Livingstone that squeezed between bat and pad and narrowly missed leg stump when he had 29.

He began with classy, textbook strokes but by the end was ramping the ball over third man – fellow Yorkshireman Joe Root’s trademark shot.

Duckett shows the way Duckett’s knock should not be overlooked. It was England’s highest in any

the powerplay but were 53-2 in the sixth over after Carey brilliantly caught Phil Salt diving one-handed at mid-on and took a simpler catch in the same position after a chip from England’s new number three Jamie Smith.

Afterwards Duckett put away his sweeps and limited risks. Only 31% of his shots

percentage when reaching the landmark in his ODI career

A partnership of 158 with Root, who was similarly composed and looking close to his best for his 68, built a p l a t f o r m a n d s t e e r e d England from early danger

global 50-over event – World Cup or Champions Trophy, beating Andrew Strauss’ 158 against India in 2011. They looked to attack in

When Root went lbw to Adam Zampa, Harry Brook sliced the leg-spinner for backward point for three and c

swept to deep mid-wicket for 23, Duckett dug in to ensure England’s innings did not fall away

H

straight and the quicks with cuts and pulls, he reached three figures in 95 balls, p

a

battling cramp by the time he was dismissed lbw on the sweep by Labuschagne in the 48th over Afterwards Buttler said he was happy with his side’s

position of strength, they could have had even more.

Scores: Australia 356 for 5 (Inglis 120*, Carey 69, Short 63, Rashid 1-47) beat England 351 for 8 (Duckett 165, Root 68, Dwarshuis 36 6 , L a b u s c h a g n e 2 - 4 1 , Z a m p a 2 - 6 4 ) b y f i v e wickets.

Josh Inglis celebrates his century. (Associated Press)

T&T, Haiti star t Concacaf U-20 Women’s

Qualifiers on a high

SportsMax - Caribbean representatives Trinidad and

To b a g o a n d H a i t i w e r e among the teams that kicked off their Concacaf Under-20

W o m e n ’ s Q u a l i f y i n g campaigns with contrasting victories, setting the tone for their respective groups.

Across the tournament’s three groups in action on Friday, 39 goals were scored as teams began their quest for a place in the Concacaf

U - 2 0 W o m e n ’ s

C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d , ultimately, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Host nation Trinidad and Tobago secured a 3-0 victory over Bermuda in Group E

a c t i o n a t A t o B o l d o n Stadium.

After a goalless first half,

Orielle Martin broke the deadlock in the 66th minute before Maddison Campbell doubled the lead with a longrange free kick in the 78th. Martin then converted from the penalty spot in stoppage time to seal her brace and Trinidad and Tobago’s first win of the campaign.

G

e g i s t e r e d h a tt r i c k s J

E

C h u k w u ( 3 7 t h , 4 5 + 3 ) , Sienna Gibson (9th), Ava

G r e c o ( 3 6 t h ) , a n d I b a Oching (73rd) got the others.

b

M e a n w h i l e , H a i t i

FA Technical Center A n t i g u

Haiti responded with goals from E l

( 1 7

) , Dominique Desert (31st), and Dalanchy Pierre (52nd) to claim maximum points.

Over in Group C action at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, Panama blanked Cuba 2-0 courtesy of goals from Sherline King (31st) and Alison Onodera (90+3).

In the feature contest, host Dominican Republic registered an 8-0 win over Bonaire. They were led by Renata Mercedes (3rd, 54th, 5 8

B

r k e r ( 2 3 r

, S o p h i a Espinal (46th), and Jaylen Vallecillo (72nd) also got in on the act.

The six group winners will advance to the Concacaf U - 2 0 W o m e n ’ s Championship, where they will compete for one of four spots in the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago secured a 3-0 victory over Bermuda in Group E action.

Henr y stars again with joint fastest 50 as UP joint UP

Warriorz exact revenge on Delhi Capitals in WPL

West Indies all-rounder

Chinelle Henry delivered another stellar performance.

SportsMax - West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry

d e l i v e r e d a n o t h e r s t e l l a r performance with both bat

a n d b a l l t o a s s i s t U P

Warriorz to a commanding 33-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday Much like her unbeaten 33 in a losing cause against t h e

We

n e s d a y, H

y

n c e again stood tall, this time blasting a sensational 23-ball 62, including two fours and eight sixes, to propel UP Warriorz to 177-9. She then c

Goud’s four-wicket haul and

Grace Harris’s last-over hattrick as the Capitals were bowled out for 144.

The victory marked UP Warriorz’s first win of the season and made them the first team to successfully defend a total in this year ’s tournament. S

a n d a n o t h e r v a l u a b l e

p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h Ta h l i a

M c G r a t h ( 2 4 ) , w h o w a s t h e n e x t - b e s t s c o r e r D e l h i C a p i t a l s ’

b o w l e r s h a d t h e i r

m o m e n t s , w i t h J e s s

J o n a s s e n ( 4 - 3 1 ) l e a d i n g t h e a t t a c k , w h i l e

A r u n d h a t i R e d d y ( 2 - 5 2 )

a n d M a r i z a n n e K a p p ( 2 -

1 8 ) a l s o m a d e

c o n t r i b u t i o n s

I n r e s p o n s e , t h e

o u n t e r a t t a c k S t r i k i n g a t a n a s t o n i s h i n g 2 6 9 5 6 , s h e

e q u a l e d t h e r e c o r d f o r t h e

f a s t e s t f i f t y i n W P L

h i s t o r y , r e a c h i n g t h e

l a n d m a r k i n j u s t 1 8 b alls.

H e r l a t e b l i t z f e a t u r e d

a c r u c i a l 5 7 - r u n s t a n d w i t h

S o p h i e E c c l e s t o n e ( 1 2 )

j u s t 1 4 r u n s , s l i p p i n g t o 111 - 7 and ultimately falling short.

Niki Prasad (18) and Shika Pandey (15 not out) tried to salvage the chase, but U P Wa r

attack proved too strong.

G

impressive figures of 4-25, while Harris wrapped up the innings in style with 4-15 in just 2.3 overs.

C a p i t a l s l o o k e d s t e a d y a t

9 7 - 3 , a n c h o r e d b y

J e m i m a h R o d r i g u e s ’ s f l u e n t 5 6 o ff 3 5 b a l l s , w h i c h i n c l u d e d e i g h t f o u r s a n d a s i x , a n d S h a f a l i

Ve r m a ’s 2 4 H o w e v e r, a

d r a m a t i c c o l l a p s e s a w t h e m l o s e f o u r w i c k e t s f o r

Berbice Cricket Board names 15-man squad to par ticipate inInter Count y U15 cricket competition

The Junior Selection Committee of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) met recently and named a 15-man squad to represent the county in the upcoming GCB under15 inter county Cricket Competition. A standby list of five players has also been named.

The inter county tournament begins on Tuesday 25th February in Demerara.

The team will be captain by Richard Ramdehol, who is the only player returning from last year Tameshwar Deonandan is the Vice-Captain.

The rest of the squad is Trevor Reynolds, Luke Amsterdam, Arif Bacchus, S a i a d

y, A

, Nathaniel Ramsammy, Leon Reddy, Rafael McKenzie, Vito Gomes, Ravendra Persaud, Asgarallie Nabbie, Altaf Ali and Lemuel

Dejonge.

The standbys are Brandon Grimmond, Tyrese McPherson, Balraj Narine, Akash Ramdewar and Joshua Thomas. These players are asked to continue training.

The BCB has named an experienced duo

participating in the tournament.

The veteran coach Leslie Solomon has been appointed the coach, while Floyd Benjamin will serve as the Manager

preparations in the Ancient County, with The LCSS ALUMNI inter zone competition

suspension of all cricket activities with practice sessions being curtailed to tarmacs.

(Samuel Whyte)

Raja Pooran inspires Everest Masters to victory in Costa Rica

Pooran, produced an excellent all-round performance to lead Everest Masters to a commanding, 57-run win over a Costa Rica team on Friday on their tour of Costa Rica.

Pooran struck a quick fire 15 to help Everest Masters reach a competitive 110 all out in 19.4 overs while the hosts were dismissed for 53 in the penultimate over Troy Dudnauth made a top-score of 43 for Everest Masters.

Pooran returned with the ball to take 4-7 from four medium-pace overs.

Only A. Patel scored 15 runs for the Costa Rica team, while Pooran got good support from fellow ex-Guyana youth players Ucil Amstrong and Lookeshwar Mohabeer with two wickets each.

Seamer Marlon Haider picked up three wickets for the home-team who lost the toss. He conceded 13 runs during his four-over spell on a responsive pitch.

The Guyanese were back in action y e s t e r d a y t o p l a y t h e i r s e c o n d a n d penultimate game.

Raja Pooran collects his man of the match prize.

Pooran was named the Most Valuable Player for his brilliant, all-round display and he received a trophy

BCB saddened at the passing of the late Lennox Phillips, extends condolences

By Samuel Whyte

B e r b i c e , G u y a n a a n d

West Indies cricket has lost a f o r m e r s t a l w a r t

a d m i n i s t r a t o r i n s p o r t s especially in the world of

c r i c k e t T h e p a s s i n g o f Lennox Edmond Phillips has left a void which will be hard to fill, he was 94.

The President, executives and members of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed deepest sympathy

o n h i s p a s s i n g Phillips, who was a former President of the BCB, acting President and Vice President

o f t h e G u y a n a C r i c k e t Board, died last week in Florida, USA.

A former Deputy general

m a n a g e r o f t h e B e r b i c e Mining Enterprise (Bermine), Phillips, hailed from the Berbice River He relocating to New Amsterdam and was a household name in sports and sports administration in Berbice. Phillips was the longest serving President of the BCB. Apart from sports administration, Phillips was also a multitalented sports man His work life was spent with the Bauxite Company, the once powerful Bermine.

H e m o v e d f r o m a t u g

C a p t a i n t o a G e n e r a l Foreman to the position of Deputy General Manager

H e a l s o r e p r e s e n t e d t h e company at sports.

A p a r t f r o m administration, Phillips was an outstanding sportsman. He represented Berbice at Table Tennis and Football and played first division

cricket apart from other sports. In cricket, he played

cricket was of such that d

P

Airlines team, Phillips and G e o r g e w

o r c e d t o mortgage their properties to cover the expenses.

The county during that period also produced some

as an opening batsman and l e g - s p i n n e r f o r t h e Youngsters Cricket Club in t h e D a v s o n s C u p F i r s tDivision Competition.

H e c o n t r i b u t e d significantly in his long and distinguished career in the advancement of cricket in Berbice His association with cricket began in the 1940’s until 1985 when he migrated.

H i s a d m i n i s t r a t i v e exploits with the BCB began in 1970 In 1972, he was elected President of the BCB and V i c e - P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Guyana Cricket Board, a position he held until June 1985 when he migrated. A record period of 13 years, 6 months. He served as a BCB Selector for 10 years and was credited with opening a BCB office in 1974.

H e a c t e d b r i e f l y a s President of the GCB from M a y 1 9 7 9 , a f t e r f o r m e r President Barkley Gaskin, passed away

He also served as Vice President of the Berbice Football Association.

Phillips along with other s t a l w a r t s i n c l u d i n g Mortimer George, the late Leslie Amsterdam, Ancel Hazel and Maurice Haniff were in charge of Berbice Cricket when five ODI’s were played in Berbice, including the first one day International played in the West Indies.

T h o s e m a t c h e s w e r e played at the once famous Albion Community Centre. During that time, the BCB hosted a number of international cricket teams.

H i s c o m m i t m e n t t o

Baichan, Sew Shivnarine,

Lambert and the Etwaroo

Phillips was among the first batch of inductees when the

initiative in 2018, he was

made a life member He was also inducted into the BCB Administration Hall of Fame and was honoured with the Tribute to Hero’s Award.

During that ceremony, He had stated that “serving Berbice Cricket was one of the highlights of his life and

always put Berbice Cricket

The BCB and its members joins with the rest of the c r i c

y i n extending condolence to the family, relatives, friends and former colleagues of the late Lennox Edmond Phillips.

T yrrell breaks 12-year-old school record to claim SUNYAC-AMCC title

Delroy Tyrrell following his record-breaking swim at the 2025 SUNYAC-AMCC Championships.

Stephen Curry is the 21st player in NBA history to reach 700 20-point career games. [Getty Images]

Raja Pooran inspires Everest Masters to victory in Costa Rica

The Guyana horseracing connection is looking to make their mark first on the regional circuit.

Raja Pooran collects his man of the match prize.