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High Court bars GRA from seizing Team Mohameds’ luxury

vehicles

…tellsTrump:“Wearenotyourenemy;weareyourfriends” ‘Tariff war’ spells grave danger for the region - CARICOM Chair Mottley Guyana received

…Azruddin Mohamed claims PPP going after his vehicles over fear of him entering 2025 elections race capping

Supporters turned up at Mohamed’s Houston residence yesterday when GRAarrived to seize vehicles

BusinessmanAzruddin Mohamed speaks with a police officer outside his home.

Team

High Court bars GRA from seizing Cour Team Mohameds’ luxury vehicles

…

Azruddin Mohamed claims PPP going after

his vehicles over fear of him entering 2025

HighCourtjudgeGinoPersaud on Saturday afternoon granted an interim injunction barring the GuyanaRevenueAuthority(GRA) from seizing several luxury vehiclesbelongingtobusinessman AzruddinMohamed.

Justice Persaud granted the injunction pending the outcome of the legal challenge relating to Mohamed’s alleged failure to pay additionaltaxestotheGRAforthe high-endvehicles.

TheGRAispursuingover$900 millionintaxesfora2020Ferrari,a 2023 Land Rover Range Rover, a 2023 Rolls Royce, a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster, and two 2021ToyotaLandCruisers,nearly fiveyearsafterthevehiclesarrived inGuyana.

The GRAin a statement to the media following the court hearing said that Justice Persaud issued an order temporarily restraining the Authority and their servants or agents from detaining and seizing Toyota Landcruiser PAB 3000, Toyota Landcruiser PAB 4000, LamborghiniAventador PZZ 4000 andFerrari488PAD5000.

“Atafurtherhearingat3:30pm the learned Judge further extended the Order until Thursday April 10th, 2025, within which time the GRA must file responses to Mr Mohamed’s Application for a Judicial review, and a full Injunction,”GRAsaid.

“Accordingly, the Revenue Authority will continue to act in accordance with the Order of the Honourable Court and the laws administered Officers of the Authority were instructed to discontinueitsoperationsaimedat the possession of the said vehicles forthetaxesowedandbreachesto the remigrant agreement(s) pendingthedecisionofthelearned Judge,”thestatementsaid.

elections race

Further,theRevenueAuthority saidthattheseizureandpossession of vehicles for taxes and breaches to remigrant and duty-free agreementsarenothingnew

“Matter of fact, hundreds (100’s)ofsuchcasesarecarriedout yearly when there are breaches by re-migrants, public servants, breaches to Investment Agreements and even when Tax Exempt Agencies and Diplomats do not abide by the agreements by which such vehicles are entered free of cost, or subject to reduced duty Thisparticularactivityresults inhundredsofmillionsofdollarsin taxcollectionsonanannualbasis.”

TheGRAsaiditadministersthe laws in “a fair and consistent manner, regardless of who the taxpayermaybe”.

“In the cases in question, the Authority by letters and email on three occasions over one month invited the Mohameds to make arrangementstosatisfyitsdebtsto

the Authority The Authority further intimated to them of the alternative actions for such breaches, should the taxes due not be settled or satisfactory arrangements be made to do so. Theyfailedtoinitiateanydiscourse hence the action carried out by the Authority

The Authority has irrefutable evidence of the breaches for the action taken, and the understated value(s) of the other vehicles, and

will vigorously defend the said cases presently before the Court,” thestatementconcluded.

Meanwhile, on Saturday morningplansbytheGRAandthe Guyana Police Force (GPF) to seize the businessman’s vehicles were halted after supporters of Team Mohameds surrounded his premisesinprotest.

Theauthorities’attempttoseize thevehiclessparkedpublicoutcry, with protestors voicing deep

frustrations over perceived injustices against the Mohamed family, who moved to the court to challengetheGRA.

“Stopfightingthemandown… why y’all fighting he down, he looking out for poor people, y’all lowhe,”onesupportershouted.

Another protester said, “Sugar raising, rice raising, oil raising… when rice gon drop, sometimes somechildrendon’teveneat

Continued on page 12

Guyanese businessman,Azruddin Mohamed

GRAand police officer retreating

GuyanareceivedUS$605Moilmoneyinfirstquarterof2025

Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF), the country’s oil account, received payments totaling US$605,462,893 during the firstquarterof2025.

This is according to an NRF Receipt published in the Official Gazette on Saturday The payments relate to all petroleum revenues made during the period January 1, 2025 and March 31, 2025. During the period, seven profit oil payments were made and one royalty payment, a m o u n t i n g t o US$84,167,953.

Notably, the royalty payment was made for the fourth quarter of 2024 Additionally, two of the profit oil payments made in thefirstquarterof2025were also related to lifts made in December2024.Thismeans that Guyana only received US$375,411,909.46 in total for its oil produced in the first three months of this year

In accordance with the

2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana receives 2% of oil produced soldintheStabroekBlock.It also receives a profit share, equivalent to 12.5% after ExxonMobil deducts 75% monthly towards expenses and takes another 12.5% as itsprofit.

In 2025, although

Guyana’sdailyproductionis expected to climb, the countrywillseeadecreasein earningsfromthesector,asa result of a projected 10.9%

declineinoilprice.Thiswas explained by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during the presentation of thisyear’sBudget.

He said, “Oil prices contracted by 2.3 percent to average US$80.7 per barrel in 2024, primarily due to slowing global demand, particularlyinChina.”

TheMinisterwaskeento note that this trend is expected to continue this year as “crude oil prices are forecasted to decline by a

further 10 9 percent to US$71.9 per barrel, with global supply expected to exceeddemand.”

This is particularly troubling for Guyana, since policymakers have refused to implement a ring-fencing provision to ensure the country benefits early on from the wealth generated. Not only has Guyana been urged multiple times by various international financial institutions to do so,butitisalsonotforbidden by the oil contract to implementthismechanism.

Itisanticipatedthatthere

will be 246 lifts of profit oil from the Stabroek Block in 2025- each lift is equivalent to one million barrels of oil. Within this, Government is projected to have 31 lifts of profit oil from the three Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) currently producing, along with the OneGuyanaFPSO,whichis e x p e c t e d t o b e commissioned in the second halfoftheyear

Be that as it may, Dr Singhpointedout,“Withthe averagepriceofBrentcrude expected to decline to an

average of US$71 9 per barrel, Government’s petroleum revenue deposits are projected to be 2 6 percent lower than in 2024. Government is projected to earn an estimated US$2.2 billion in profit oil and US$340 6 million in royalties.”

In 2024, an average of 225 4 million barrels of crudeoilwasproduced,with the sector recording 57.7% growth that year With the price of oil averaging US$80.7 per barrel in 2024, Guyana earned US$2 6B fromoilproduction.

Kaieteur News

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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EDITORIAL

PPPC Govt. operating like a secret society

It is sickening and embarrassing to present the contradictory and hypocritical postures of the PPPC Government. Promises are made at the highest political levels, orders emerge from the government's bureaucracy, again at the top levels, and Guyanese still remaininstatesofwaitingandignorance.

Theabnormalisnownormal.

Oneglaringexampleofthisnewnormalinvolvesthe US$7.3BauditoftheexpensesofExxonMobilfor201820. The final report should have been with citizens long ago, but is not. The secrecy surrounding the US$7.3B audit report is but one of contradictions that would humiliate any head of state committed to serving the people with transparency and accounting on how the country's business is conducted. Guyana's PresidentAli is unfazed, content to reside in his own world, while the worldaroundhimunravels,ridiculeshisleadership.

It is expected that when a leading public servant, one with the title of Commissioner General of the Guyana RevenueAuthority (GRA) issues an order, that that final audit report will be followed through forthwith. Four months after the GRA head gave that go ahead for the release of the report, it remains a standing mystery, almostaforbiddendocument.

To compound this matter, the Minister of Natural Resources, also promised that the audit report compiled by the local consortium VHE Consulting would be in public hands. Like the GRA boss, the minister assured thatthereleasewillbedonewithinaweek. Guyaneseare stillwaitingfourmonthslater

This triggers a few questions. What could be responsible for the delay onVHE's part? Who is behind the tying of VHE's hands may be the more proper question? Itisalreadypublicknowledgethatthequality of the audit, the areas covered by the local audit consortium leaves much to be desired, so what other well-tailored deficits could there be? And, so we blend all of this into one question: is the PPPC Government reallyaboutitsmuch-parrotedtransparency,orisitatthe coreoperatinglikeasecretsociety?

Secret societies are characterized by webs of deception,websthatseektodeflectaccountability,webs that try very hard to camouflage reality If anything, the record of the PPPC Government has been a compilation of all three webs. There was the web surrounding the mystery of the initial US$214M in audit findings of the British firm, IHS Market, that dropped all the way to US$3M.

From that timebomb, the usually commanding political presences in Guyana rushed to distance themselves. Awillingscapegoattethereddeepinsidethe MinistryofNaturalResourceswasfoundtotakewhatwe believe was a bum rap. He was all patriotic smiles, maybefoolinghimselfthathedidhisdutytohiscountry. Wasitreallyfiercedutyonbehalfofcountry?” Or,more likedubiousdutytoagovernmentledbyapoliticalparty that is now seen for what it is, a secret society? Two oil audits involving billions of US dollars, and the public is left to cut through the mysteries and secrecies. If those were all, Guyanese may have been tempted to be understanding,patient,andadoptawait-and-seeattitude. But there is something else that lines up even more rancidly and ominously, which strengthens the convictionthatthePPPCGovernmentisasecretsociety, andmostpleasedthatitsconcealmentsflourishwithage. Accesstoinformationrepresentsrottedeggonthefaceof governmentleaders,thentheentiregovernment.In2011, the Access to Information law came into effect. Now considerthefollowinglongstandingrealities.

Forallintentsandpurposes,accesstoinformationis inaccessible, the Office of the Commissioner of Informationisinnoman'sland,andtheCommissionerof Information is in recess, a state of perpetual wintry hibernation. Inthevocabularyofsports,theOfficeofthe

OGGN calls on the President to act in the best interest of the Guyanese people

Dear Editor,

Over the past seven weeks, the Sunday Editions of Kaieteur News has published a series of letters

highlighting the lopsided

Agreement (PSA) between the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd., along with its affiliates Hess Corporation and CNOOC As previously reported by OGGN and others,the2016PSAheavily favours the oil companies at

Government and the people

acknowledged repeatedly by the current administration, including President Irfaan Ali.

Under the agreement, 75% of oil revenue is

specified categories of allowable oilfield-related

costs. The remaining 25%, referred to as profit oil, is shared equally between the Government and the oil companies, with the latter paying just 2% royalties on overall oil sales. A central focus of our recent advocacy is the PSA's questionable tax provisions, which require corporate and income taxes owedbytheoilcompaniesto bepaidoutofGuyana'sshare of profit oil. We also noted a conflict between the 2016 PSA and the 2021 Natural Resource Fund Act regarding tax payments on behalfoftheoilcompanies. Our attempts to obtain public clarifications on these issues, especially the flow of money from the Natural Resource Fund to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Consolidated Fund, have been largely ignored. Specific questions wereaddressedto:

Mr Godfrey Statia, Commissioner-General of the GRA (February 23,

2025)

The Hon Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources(March2,2025)

Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President for Finance and Public Service (March 9, 2025)

The Hon. Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance (March16,2025)

The Hon. Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs (March23,2025)

The Hon Bharrat Jagdeo, Vice President overseeing Finance, Natural R e s o u r c e s a n d t h e Environment (March 30, 2025) While OGGN and the public await responses, we wish to emphasize the President's constitutional role in governing the oil and gassector

According to Articles 89 and 183 of the Constitution oftheCo-operativeRepublic of Guyana, the President holds supreme executive authorityandmayexerciseit directly or through subordinates. As both Head ofStateandGovernment,the President wields significant influence over Guyana's executive, legislative, judicial and military branches through the powers andobligationstoappointto, and/or dismiss, from highlevel government positions. While the Constitution does not spell out specific duties of the President toward the people, it specifies a variety of government duties to act in the public interest, ensure citizen welfare, and uphold constitutionalrights.

November 2024 marked five years since Guyana became an oil-producing nation. The transformation has been economically dramatic.Oneclearindicator is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the total value of allgoodsandservices (Continue on page 6)

Vote for a political party that will renegotiate the oil contract

Dear Editor,

Asournationapproaches yet another critical election

later this year, the responsibility on the shouldersofvotershasnever been heavier We are a country blessed with vast natural resources, yet many of our citizens continue to struggle with poverty,

unemployment, and inadequate public services. One of the most significant factors contributing to this paradox is the current oil contract, which has failed to deliver the fair share of

benefits that should rightfully belong to the peopleofGuyana.

Our oil resources are a

national treasure, an inheritance that belongs not to a select few, but to every citizen Yet, for several years, we have watched foreign companies and private interests reap enormous profits from the extraction of our natural resources, particularly oil, while our communities remain underdeveloped and neglected. The terms and conditions of the existing oil

contract are deeply unfavourable to our country. The agreement that was criticized heavily by Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo- now 2nd Vice President- citing that

t h e c o n t r a c t w i t h ExxonMobil was not in the best interest of Guyana, and who promised the electorate in 2020 to renegotiate the oil contract, reneged on his commitment. It has resulted in a situation where the bulk oftheprofitgeneratedbythe oilgoesintothepocketofthe investor/shareholders and notthepeopleofGuyana.

This is why it is imperative that, in the upcoming elections, we as voters make a conscious and deliberate choice. We must only cast our votes for a political party that has made a clear, public, and u n c o m p r o m i s i n g commitment to renegotiate the oil contract. Nothing less will suffice. Any party that

refuses to address this issue, orthatoffersvaguepromises with no clear plan of action, doesnotdeserveoursupport.

Renegotiating the oil contract is not just about economics, it's about justice and fairness It's about ensuring that the wealth derived from our natural resources is used to build better schools, modern hospitals, reliable road networks and infrastructural development,andcreatejobs for our people. It's about breakingfreefromacycleof dependencyandexploitation that has held our country backforfartoolong.

Some may argue that renegotiating international contracts is a difficult and complex process, and they wouldberight.Butdifficulty does not mean impossible. Countries around the world h a v e s u c c e s s f u l l y renegotiated similar agreements when they realized that the terms were unfair to their people. It requirescourage,leadership, and above all, the political willtoputtheinterestsofthe

nation first We should expect no less from those seekingourvotes.

The time for empty rhetoric and broken promises is over This election presents an opportunityforustodemand accountability and genuine action.

We need to ask ourselves: who is willing to fight for the rightful share of ournationalwealth?

Who has a concrete plan to renegotiate the oil contract in a transparent and fairmanner?

Who will ensure that the benefits of our resources reach every citizen, rather than being siphoned off by foreign

c o m p a n i e s a n d t h e privilegedelite?

Ourvoteisourvoice,and we must use it wisely Let us not be swayed by temporary handouts,grandspeeches,or short-term promises Instead, let's look at which political parties are truly committed to protecting our nationalinterestsand (Continue on page 7)

Simple solutions seem to require the mental gymnastics of advanced calculus for those tasked with planning

Dear Editor, The recent traffic chaos along the East Coast of Demerara is but a preview of the gridlock that threatens other parts of the country if we do not get serious about trafficmanagement.

I never thought I would live to see the day when traffic congestion would become a daily occurrence along the Corentyne Highway But this is now the reality, particularly between Tain and Rosehall Town

d

afternoon peak hours. What used to be a smooth commute has now turned

into a frustrating crawl, sometimes taking up to 30 minutes to traverse a stretch of road less than two miles long.

The causes are not hard to identify: an increase in the numberofvehicles,roadside vending that spills onto the public road and a surge in traffic due to all secondary schoolsinCentralCorentyne being located in Rosehall

To

congestion, frustration, and delays.

And yet, despite these realities, the government is pressing ahead with plans to

expand the Corentyne Highway to four lanes. We already know what will happen once that expansion reaches Rosehall Town. Just like in other parts of the country, those additional lanes will not ease congestion they will simply become parking spaces. What was meant to be a four-lane highway will effectively become a twolane corridor choked with stationary vehicles and chaos.

There is, however, a practicalandstraightforward alternative.Anewbypass

(Continue on page 7)

OGGN calls on the President to act...

From page 4

acountryproducesinayear In 2019, Guyana's GDP (nominal) per capita was approximately USD 6,540, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e International Monetary Fund (IMF). By 2024, it had soaredtoUSD30,650-more than quadrupling in five years - driven primarily by oil production. In 2023, oil exports accounted for 70% of Guyana's GDP, and that share is expected to grow The World Bank reclassified Guyana as a high-income country in 2023. But do ordinary Guyanese feel like they live in a high-income country? In 2019, the World Bank calculated that 48.4% of the population lived

belowthepovertyline.Since then, there has been no updated data to assess

decreased.

GDP per capita figures can be misleading The majority of Guyana's oil wealth is captured by oil companies, their contractors and subcontractors, and thus remains largely overseas.As OGGN outlined in our February 16, 2025 letter, total oil sales from 2020 to 2023 amounted to USD 25 billion, of which Guyana's share was only USD 3.6 billion (14.5%), including USD 2.8 billion for taxes

M

affiliates Over 80% of

revenue remains abroad, while Guyana's demand for foreign currency continues to rise due to infrastructure imports and rising consumer demand. Local businesses have repeatedly reported difficulties sourcing US dollars.TheBankofGuyana has had to inject foreign currency into the marketUSD 80 million in June 2024, and another USD 35 million last week - as announcedbyVicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo. These are symptoms of Dutch disease, and the foreign currency sh

inequitable 2016 PSA Guyana'soilsalesabroadare nottranslatingintosufficient

domestic foreign exchange. Therefore, the 2016 PSA must be amended to ensure that a greater share of oil profitsstaysin-country

Given the President's

c o n s t i t u t i o n a l responsibilities to promote the well-being and rights of the Guyanese people, OGGNasksthefollowing:

1. W h y h a s t h e President not appointed an independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the signingofthe2016PSA?

2. W h y h a s t h e President not hired international tax experts to assess the legality of the tax arrangements in the 2016 PSA, including the issuance of foreign tax certificates for

t a x e s p a i d b y t h e Government on behalf of oil companies?

3. W h y h a s t h e

President not directed cabinet members to respond to the issues raised by OGGN, such as the conflict between the 2016 PSA and theNRFAct?

4. What steps has the President taken to address the shortcomings of the AccesstoInformationActof 2011, which the UN Human R i g h t s C o m m i t t e e highlighted in its 2024 report?

5. Why does the President reject calls to amend the 2016 PSA? What prevents him from invoking Article 32 of the PSA to

bring ExxonMobil and its partners to the negotiation table?

OGGN firmly believes that the long-term prosperity of current and future generations of Guyanese depends on fair oil contracts a n d r e s p o n s i b l e management of the Natural Resource Fund. We urge President Ali to act without delay

Sincerely,

Andre Brandli

Alfred Bhulai

Janette Bulkan

Kenrick Hunte

Darshanand Khusial

Joe Persaud

For the Oil and Gas

Governance Network

Guyana (OGGN)

Vote for a political...

From page 5 road should be constructed behind the villages, south of the Public Road, from Tain toWilliamsburg. The land is available. This r o a d w o u l d a l l o w traffic—headingeastofTain orwestofWilliamsburg—to avoid the bottleneck of RosehallTownentirely Thisisasimplesolution. But in Guyana, simple solutionsseemtorequirethe mental gymnastics of advanced calculus for those taskedwithplanning. Wemustdobetter.

The future efficiency and sanity of our roadways dependonit.

Sincerely, Rupnauth Hardyal

Simple solutions seem to require...

From page 5 securingabetterfutureforall ofus. We owe it to ourselves, and to future generations, to make the right choice. Vote

only for a political party that is ready and willing to renegotiate the oil contract. Ourfuturedependsonit.

Sincerely, Ricky Ramsaroop

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, Dr. 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.

Sunday – March 30, 2025

What a sad nation we've become

What a sad nation we have become, sitting on so muchoil,yetkeptinthedark likebats.

Nine years of oil discovery, five years of pumping, and all of those nine years was met with complete silence. Not one meaningful word of hope, prosperity, or a proper plan from any of the so-called leaders in the three political camps.

When they do open their mouths, it's all about what benefits the foreigners' bank book. Instead of vision, we getvaguepromises.

Instead of leadership, we get lies, six for nine, and a pig in bag, wrapped up as

press conferences And while they wine and dine with the foreigners, we—the rightful owners of this wealth—are left begging for cash grants, struggling to pay bills, and watching our future being sold off in oil projectafteroilproject.

Monday – March 31, 2025

Confidence and contradictions

L e a d e r o f t h e

Opposition, Aubrey Norton said he senses a victory for his party at the upcoming polls. Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo has often dismissed the opposition expressing confidence of another victoryforhisparty Jagdeo would have you

believe that the PPP's confidence is unshakable, thatitsrecordingovernment will deliver another term. And yet, the party's recent actions betray a nervous energy, a defensive crouch. The aggression directed at Azruddin Mohammed and hisfamily—onceallies,now targets suggests a party that knows its grip is not as firmasitpretends.

And the funny thing is that Azruddin has not announced that he is contesting the elections; he i s m e r e l y h a v i n g conversations with the people.

Tuesday – April 1, 2025

Freedom of Information is dead

If the Government of

G u y a n a w e r e t r u l y committed to openness, we wouldn't need a Freedom of InformationAct and citizens would not have to protest in thesunforthis.

The irony is that the very existence of such an Act suggests that information isn'tfreeatall;it'ssomething youhavetobegfor,andeven then,youmightnotgetit.

Instead of wasting time on a law that serves as little more than decorative wallpaper, we should be fostering a culture where transparencyisthenorm,not theexception.

Until then, if you really want to know what's going on in the corridors of power, your best bet remains the old-fashioned way: listen carefully at the rum shop, pay attention to the security guards who overhear everything, and always, always, check who just boughtabrand-newmansion onapublicservant'ssalary

Wednesday – April 2, 2025

Citizens against suppression of public information

“As a citizen, I am concerned about where we are in terms of being unable to access information that is necessary for the citizens of thiscountrytoknow

TheLawwasenactedfor thispurposebuthasnotbeen operationalised. It is there anditsdeadweight.

Its sitting on a shelf somewhere and it means nothing because you follow all the procedures stated in thelawandyougetnowhere.

He certainly has not delivered in the position whichhehasheldforseveral years now and I think if I am in that position and this is what is coming off the ground, then my self-respect would prompt me to do something about that, which is either to deliver information or depart ” GHKLall

Thursday – April 3, 2025

A shambolic bunch

The scramble to put together the APNU+AFC Coalition is proof of how shambolic they have been both as a government and now in opposition. The coalition was never a partnership it was a h o s t a g e s i t u a t i o n Whichever party held the presidency wielded absolute power, sidelining the other partyatwill.

The AFC, once a promising third force, was reduced to an obedient lapdog, barely able to whimper as APNU dictated the terms. Their demise was inevitable, not because of external forces, but because their arrangement was always untenable The lesson should have been learned: when political parties unite out of desperation rather than principle, their fate is sealed fromthebeginning.

This must not be our hour of humiliation

Dem Boys Seh...

Yuh cyah build greatness by brukkin

Demboyssehabigmandon'tgot to bruk down a lil man fuh feel tall. But wha we see happenin' now,isdebigshotsinAmericatryin'tomek demself look mighty by punishing de same countries who been holdin' hands wid dem allalong.

Trump come wid he hat and he slogan: Make America Great Again. But dem boys want know—great at what cost? Yuh can't build greatness pun the backs of partners, friends, and allies. A real great nation does not bully, it inspires. It does not punish; it leadsbyexample.

Now Trump deh trying to reshape de global order like is some chessboard, wid everybody else deh like pawn. He bring in dem “baseline tariffs” and “reciprocal tariffs,” like is some kinda fancy economics,butdemboyswonder—isreally trade balance he want, or power dominance?

Because if yuh watch close, is not just about taxes and percentages. Is about reassertin' control. Is like de old days when empiresusedtodivideupdeworldlikewas

down people

candies—“onefuhme,onefuhme,andtwo fuhmeagain.”

Dem boys seh is wah next? We gon see new colonies? New vassal states? De man want people to bend de knee not negotiate,butsurrender.

And yuh know who feelin' it? Is countries like Guyana. We got mango, peppersauceandliloil—butnowdepepper saucecan'tevenenterwithout38%tax.

Dem boys seh is not liberation. Is modern-daymercantilism.

Atruly great nation don't need to stomp pun others to feel powerful. If yuh big, be magnanimous. If yuh rich, be generous. Andifyuhwise,don'ttryruledeworld—try uniteit.

Dem boys seh greatness ain't greediness. Greatness ain't a zero-sum game. But Trump playin' like is musical chairs, and when de music stop, is only America supposed to get a seat. Leh we hope we leaders don't make a deal that will cost us our oil reserves. We done lose enoughalready Talk half. Leff half

H@RD TRUTHS

Security – Guyana needs it, pays for it

There is that timeless saying: Timecatchesupwith everyone The watchword today is security National security Security of Guyana's property Peace and security in our time I watchonastwoleadersinthe governmenttumbleovereach other to be Captain America and Mr America It is my duty to present my brothers: President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo Today, they jostle each other for pride of place to be more American than me and Mr Alistair Routledge It is all good, until I bring back yesterday. There was yesterday, remember that, and there was that national m a t t e r o f s u p r e m e significance Itwasthe2016 Exxonoilcontract

The public record will showthatIhadproblemswith that contract and questioned its cheap pricing But said that though it is not wellreceived, it is understood I used words like steep 'insurancepremium'paid,and 'bloodmoney'and,atitscore,

d protection Dirt-cheap oil that will leave dirt-poor people poorer, if that can be contemplated From the side of the PPP, then the opposition, the reactions were strong and sharp and nonstop To hell with security, where is the money for this high-quality commodity? The mockers and scoffers came in waves Damn the Exxon contract (it should be) Damn the Coalition (so let it be) Who gives a damn about the price of protection rackets run at thecorporatelevel,withtheir silent national backing!

Today, there is this spectacle of tongues that were curled in scorn, now heralding and serenading security A once dirty word is revisited, looked at radically differently It's cleaned up, and then perfumed for the benefit of Guyanese who can't see through the deceptions, the double standard and new standard inspired by the need for security Before, it was that too much was surrendered

fornext-to-nothinginreturn. Today, the PPP can't surrender enough swiftly enough for security (and littleenough).

When Guyanese start being about country and not comrades, there could be a better Guyana When politicianscanbehonestwith themselves for once (just once) and put the people and their patrimony first, then Guyana may be able to get to some better place Look at the PNC and AFC, publicly battling over premature division of spoils before they even lift a single finger to lift the people Similarly, when the PPP (government and group)palaveraboutsecurity, it is not so much about security, as about making the right call forAmerica, so that its players have continuity in power Power is personal profit Power signifies being first at the trough, then controllingtheguzzlingofits riches I say it again The same thing that the APNUAFC Coalition Government barteredtheoilcheaplyfor,it is the exact same thing that

the PPP bargained all of Guyana for: security National identity National existence TheCoalitionsold oil to Exxon, and Guyanese prosperity with it The PPP sold Guyana toAmerica, and with that liberty, identity, and destiny all collapsed ignominiously Like Otis Redding, passionate soul legend of old, 'I want security' Butnotatthisprice As much as I want security and America here more than any other, I want and I need the personal pride of being a trulyfreeGuyanese,onewho has some hand in selfdetermination and both the prosperity and destiny of this country Too much has been relinquished for too little; so little as to be negligible A wayhadtobefound,withthe matching courage to link the political and geopolitical and the strategic with the commercial Guyanese want security, but Guyanese also need and want more from Exxon for their patrimony Forthosewhosit on their fannies and lecture about how the world doesn't

workso,Ihavethisterse messageforthem: Geta new head. Find some guts. Be a real man and woman. Beapatriotwith some flicker inside. Of wisdom But more of courage, and care for those over whom they have been givencharge.

They are not one kind of people, and then a small subset of them They are the rank and file of Guyana up anddownthelocaloilladder

The mere consideration may be recoiled from as rankness by the empty suits in the PPP

Government calling themselves leaders Every Guyanesewantsecurity,butit must not be on the condition of a new slavery, a new order inthelocaldomain Political shells serving as national frontsforAmerica Elections are coming up, and my point will be proved, regardless of whoemergesasthewinner

WhenIhearthePPPflash andflareaboutsecurity,Ihear the PNC and AFC of several years before In 2016, security's first demand was oil, and the Coalition s ubmitted too quickly, too easily In 2025, security has one refrain: America wants Guyana America has gotten Guyana President Irfaan 'Captain America' Ali dances his joyful jigs, all too pleased with the flimsiness of his paltry return, while he served up a whole country on a platter And, there is Bharrat Jagdeo, the new Mr USA, sweetened into ecstasy by visions of victory, for selling that he is the better local political partner to the Americans Both Ali and Jagdeo are now willing selfenslavers to the old Monroe Doctrine now being reengineered into the New Trump World Order A country, a country, for security AndtherewasAli (The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the

Reg.9 RDC to spend $38M to upgrade roads leading to new Massara & Karasabai Secondary Schools

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine is preparing to spend approximately $38 million from its $7 billion budgetary allocation, to upgrade the roadways leading to the new Massara and Karasabai Secondary Schools.

This is according to an invitation for bids issued by the regional administration who is currently seeking contractors to

undertake the works. It should be noted that the projects will be opened at the Regional Tender BoardlevelonApril17.

Accordingtothedocument,the regional administration will be upgrading a section of the road to the Massara Secondary School which is in the North Rupununi at an estimated cost of $14 million.

The RDC is looking to upgrade approximately 2 km of roadway

there At Karasabai, which is located in the South Pakaraimas, the project was divided into two lots.Lot1willsee3kmofasection oftheroadatKarasabaiSecondary school upgraded at an estimated cost of $14 million, while Lot 2 which is another 3km of road will be upgraded for $10 million. This brings the total account of the engineer'sestimatesto$38million.

Additionally, the regional

contractorstoconstructtrestlesand install storage tanks at the Tabatinga, Massara and Nappi Secondary Schools for a total estimated cost of $28,200,000 (each project is estimated at $9.4million).

This publication understands that all schools identified for these projects are new schools currently underconstruction.

Education Ministry turned the sod fortheconstructionofa$1.7billion secondary school at Karasabai. In October 2024, the ministry then turnedthesodforthe$182million TabatingaSecondary,inNovember 2024 the construction of the $215 million Nappi Secondary School commenced, which was then followed by $182 million Massara SecondarySchool.

UN says 100 children killed or injured in Gaza every day since war resumed

Aljazeera - The United Nations says at least 100 children have been killed or injured every day in Gaza since the strikes resumed on March18,evenastheUnited Statesunderscorescontinued supportforIsrael.

“Nothing justifies the killingofchildren,”Philippe Lazzarini, chief of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), posted onXonSaturday

He said Israel was turningthebesiegedterritory into a “no land” for children and lamented that “young lives” were being “cut short in a war not of children's making”.“This is a stain on our common humanity,” Lazzarinisaid.

UNICEFsaidatleast322 children were reported to have been killed since Israel renewed its offensive on March 18, shattering a twomonth shaky ceasefire that

tookeffectonJanuary19.

UNICEF Executive

Director Catherine Russell onMondaysaidtheceasefire had “provided a desperately needed lifeline for Gaza's children and hope for a path torecovery”.

“But children have again been plunged into a cycle of deadly violence and deprivation,”shesaid.

'Eachnumber representingalife'

Marking the Palestine Children's Day, observed annually on April 5, the Palestinian Ministry of Education on Saturday said children are among the most targeted victims of Israeli aggression, with more than 17,000ofthemkilledinGaza sinceOctober2023.

The “figure reflects the depthofthetragedychildren are enduring, with each number representing a life, memories, and experiences

lost”,theministrysaid.

Palestinian group Hamas also condemned what it said was Israel's policy of “deliberate killing, detention, and torture of children, as well as the deprivation of their basic humanrights”.

It warned that Israel's “impunity encourages further escalation of crimes against Palestinian children” “Approximately 1,100 children have been detained by the Israeli army since October 7, 2023, and about39,000othershavelost oneorbothparentsduetothe violence,” Hamas said in a statement.

The Israeli occupation “continues to target children through systematic crimes, including using them as human shields, depriving them of education, and attempting to sever their national identity in the

occupied territories of 1948 through manipulation of curricula, the spread of crime,andthedestructionof values”,itadded.

Data published in a joint statement by the Palestinian Commission for Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners Society, and the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights AssociationonSaturdaysaid Israel detained 1,200 Palestinianchildrenfromthe occupied West Bank since October7,2023.

The statement said child detainees are subjected to “torture, starvation, medical neglect, and systematic deprivationonadailybasis”.

These conditions recentlyresultedinthedeath of the first child prisoner since the beginning of the Gazawar,17-year-oldWalid Ahmad from the town of (Continuedonpage57)

High Court bars GRAfrom seizing Team Mohameds’luxury...

Frompage2 nothing and go to school and get black out.”

Some directed their anger at multinational corporations, stating, “ExxonMobil they have to go and harass…theytakingallthemoney,they ain't doing nothing. ExxonMobil, they havetogoto.”

Othersshouted,“Wewantachange. We need a change; we want a better system,forGuyana…Abettersystem,a better tomorrow for the ghetto youths, right now we punishing dawg, we punishing.”

For his part, Azruddin said that the entirematterispoliticallydriven,tiedto fears he may run for office at the upcomingelections.

“They said they come to seize the vehicles,soIdon'tknowallofasudden you come to seize the vehicles. They should have seized the first day they arrivedinthecountry,”Mohamedsaid.

Hedisclosedthathewillbemaking public statements in the near future to show that officials of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) government were aware of the vehicles even before theywereimported.

“VerysoonIhavealotofthingsthat Iwillputinthepubliconwhoinstructed the release of these vehicles it came fromhighupwhenthevehiclesarrived inthiscountry,”hesaid.

Mohamed added, “But before I released the post on Facebook what Bharrat is talking about… that's a lie. The reason I released that post is becauseamonthpriortothatJagdeoand Nandlalltoldmethattheyarecomingto seize the vehicles if I don't release a statementthatI'mnotrunningforoffice, sothisispolitical.”

According to Mohamed, “We already moved to the court that's why I wanna know how GRAarrive here this

morning cause the matter is being addressedveryshortlythroughthelegal system.Wealreadysentalltheemailsto GRAshowingthemthatwehavemoved tothecourtsoIdon'tknowiftheywant tobullymenowforthevehicles.”

He insisted that he has evidence proving the vehicles were legally approved. “We are not giving up the vehicles because the vehicles were approved, everything went through the legal process at GRA so why seize the vehiclesnow4yearsafter.”

Moreover, his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed,said,“Iknowit'stheirjobbut youcannottakeillegalinstructions,you cannot take illegal instructions… come with the legal documents and we will give you the vehicles. Go to the court orderandIwillreleasethevehicle,Iwill ensurethevehiclesarereleasedinyour custody.”

He continued, “These vehicles passed through the system, this man didn't thief them off the wharf… went throughallthesystem,youaretheones whosupposedtotakeustocourt.”

ShellalsocriticizedGRA'shandling oflegalcorrespondencestatingthatthey hadwrittentotheAuthoritybutreceived noresponseinrelationtotheirconcerns raised only to receive a letter that they must surrender the vehicles within sevendays.

In June 2024, the United States the U.S.Treasury'sOfficeofForeignAssets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Mohameds over allegations of tax evasion, corruption, and gold smuggling, while Permanent Secretary oftheMinistryofLabour,MaeThomas is accused of misusing her position to grant government contracts and other benefitstothebusinessmen.

GRARESPONDS

In a statement on Saturday afternoon, GRA said that its officers

were blocked by an angry mob while attempting to seize the luxury vehicles belongingtotheMohamedsfamily

AccordingtotheGRA,officershad madethreepriorrequestsforMohamed andhisfamilytosettleoutstandingtaxes or surrender the vehicles in question. With no compliance forthcoming, officers wearing body cameras visited Mohamed's residence in Houston to enforcethedemandnotices.

However, the GRA said its officers were denied entry and faced threats from a growing crowd summoned by Mohamed himself The Revenue Authority said Mohamed then called a crowd from his yard and nearby areas, which“startedtogetviolentandangry, threateningtheofficialsintheexecution oftheirduties.”

The confrontation forced the GRA officers to abandon the operation and seekpolicesupport,citingfearsfortheir safety

It was stated that the vehicles are linked to breaches of re-migrant tax concessions and false declarations of value, amounting to more than $800 millioninadditionaltaxes.

Theagencyfurtherstated,“Itisclear based on the preparedness of Mr Mohamed that he was so informed and his intention was not to comply, but rather to obstruct the officers in the performanceoftheirduties.”

Moreover, GRA said that despite assertionsmadebylegalcounselforthe Mohameds, there is no court order preventing the enforcement of its tax claims. “The mere filing of an action is not law until the Court so determines and instructs the Authority otherwise,” theGRAnoted.

The Revenue Authority said it is workingwithpolicetoproceedwiththe operation and reaffirmed its commitmenttoactingwithinthelaw

‘Tariff

war’ spells grave danger for the Region

–CARICOMChairMottley

…tells Trump: “We are not your enemy; we are your friends”

The Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Barbados

Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, has issued a stern warning about the looming globaleconomicchallenges, highlighting the potential dangers a tariff war poses to theCaribbean.

InastatementonFriday, Mottley spoke about the severe impact a global trade conflict would have on the region, underscoring how

e Caribbean economies are withinternationaltrade.

The CARICOM Chair warned that rising tariffs would lead to higher costs foreverydaygoods. Shesaid,“OurCaribbean economiesarelargelyreliant on imports. Just go to the supermarketorvisitthemall or the hardware shop or the electronicstore,andyouwill see that most of the things therearenotproducedinthis

Region Many of those commodities are either purchased directly from the United States ofAmerica or passed through the United States of America on their waytotheCaribbeanregion. That,myfriends,isalegacy ofourcolonialdependence.”

Mottley noted that while several Heads of State and Heads of Government, have been working to diversify the region away from this dependencetobecomemore

self-sufficient,thereisstilla longwaytogo.

“This trade war and the possibilityofaUS$1million to $1.5 million levy on all Chinesemadeshipsentering US harbours will mean higher prices for all of us at the corner shop, higher prices at the supermarket, hig

electronic store, higher prices for us at the shop, higher prices for us at the restaurant, higher prices for

us at the current dealership andbeyond,”sheexplained.

Mottley highlighted that whilemanyintheCaribbean may believe tariffs imposed on other countries won't affect them, the reality is quite the opposite, as Caribbean nations rely heavily on imports for food, electronics, clothing, and otheressentialgoods.

The CARICOM Chair explained, “So, we are, and have always been, at the

of the

whims of global prices. If Europe and China and the U.S.andCanadaandMexico (Continuedonpage56)

Chair

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley

Lusignanwomandies inEastCoastaccident Police find 880 rounds of ammo at Buxton house

A 54-year-old woman, identified as MohandaiPersaudofLusignanPasture,East CoastDemerara(ECD),lostherlifeonFriday inanaccidentontheLusignanPublicRoad.

Accordingtoastatementfromthepolice, the incident involved “Motor Lorry #GAC 7708, driven by a 46-year-old man from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; and pedestrian Mohandai Persaud (now deceased).”

It was revealed during enquiries that, at the time of the accident, the lorry was stationaryatthetrafficlight,facingeastinthe centerlaneofthenortherncarriagewayofthe LusignanPublicRoad,behindamotorcar.

“As the traffic light signal changed from

redtogreenandthetrafficbegantomoveoff, the now-deceased woman attempted to cross theroadfromnorthtosouthandwalkedinto the path of the motor lorry, which collided withher,”policesaid.

Persaud fell onto the road, and the left front wheel of the lorry ran over her. Publicspirited citizens picked her up in an unconscious state and rushed her to the Georgetown Public Hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit, where she was pronounced deadonarrival.

Abreathalyzer test was conducted on the lorrydriver,andnotraceofalcoholwasfound on his breath. The driver remains in police custody,assistingwiththeinvestigation.

Police have discovered 880 rounds of ammunitioninahouseatBuxton,EastCoast Demerara(ECD)onFridayafterranksofthe Guyana Police Force responded to a domesticviolencereport.

Accordingtoastatementfromthepolice viatheirFacebookpage,“Therankswereat the time responding to a report of alleged threatsrelatedtoDomesticViolence,during which they proceeded to the home of the suspect, a 26-year-old Security Officer and met the suspect's 22-year-old wife, who is alsoaSecurityOfficer.”

Upon arrival at the couple's home on LibraryRoad,Buxtonchecksweremade,but the suspect was not on the premises.Acting

oninformationreceived,furthercheckswere madeandtwosmallbottleswerediscovered, withwhatappearedtobe.22rounds.

The ammunition was collected by the ranks and taken to the Vigilance Police Station,wheretheywereprocessedforlatent printsinthepresenceofthesuspect'swife.

“Thereafter, the ammunition was counted, amounting to 880 rounds,” police said.

The rounds were photographed and lodged and statements were taken from the suspect'swife.

Checks were made in the area for the suspect,buthewasn'tlocated.

Investigationsareongoing.

OilspillwillhitGuyana’sshoresbefore cappingstackarrivestoplugleak

An oil spill that occurs in the Stabroek Block could hit parts of Guyana’s shorelines before the cappingstackarrivesattheblown-out welltoplugtheleak.

Accordingtoinformationpublicly available and recently confirmed by an ExxonMobil team, the 93,000pound piece of equipment will take “several days” to arrive at its destination. Permits issued to date by theEnvironmentalProtectionAgency (EPA) indicate that Exxon has up to nine days to ensure the capping stack isdeployed.

The renewed Liza One Permit states at Section 9.13, “The Permit Holdershallmaintainaccesstoatleast one (1) subscription service, in a location outside of Guyana, to allow mobilizationofaCappingStacktothe Liza Phase 1 Project location within nine (9) calendar days or less of an uncontrolledwellevent.”

Asimilar provision is included in the five other projects approved to datebytheregulator

Environmental Impact

Assessments (EIAs) conducted by

Exxon’sconsultantindicate,however, thatanoilspillcouldhittheshoresof this country before the capping stack arrives at a blown-out well. Notably, thisheavypieceofequipmentisused to stop or redirect the flow of hydrocarbons, allowing engineers to permanentlysealthewell.

Oil spill modeling, according to Exxon’s most recent EIA conducted for its seventh project, the Hammerheaddevelopment,statesthat anoilspillcouldhitRegionOneinas littleasaday,dependingonthetimeof theyeartheeventoccurs.

Thestudysaidmodelingpredicted thatsurfaceoilwouldgenerallytravel toward the northwest in all scenarios during both modeled seasons -June through November, and December throughMay

Itstated,“FortheMaximumWCD (Worst Case Discharge) scenario, the modelpredicteda5-10%probability ofoilcontactingtheRegionOnecoast during the June to November season. The minimum time to reach the shoreline predicted by the model was 5to15days.”

Meanwhile, with regard to the December to May season, it was explained, “The model predicted probabilitiesof5-20%and5-70%of oil reaching the coast of Region Two and Region One, respectively The modeled minimum time for oil to reachtheshorelineforthisscenariois 5to15daysforRegionTwoand1to 10daysforRegionOne.”

See more information on the oil s p i l l m o d e l s h e r e :

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com /2025/02/26/oil-spill-from-7thproject-has-70-chance-of-hittingregion-one-shorelines-eia/ CAPPINGSTACK DEPLOYMENT

During a public disclosure meeting for the Hammerhead project atDiamondonFriday,KaieteurNews asked ExxonMobil to say whether there was a standard time for the capping stack to be transported offshoreandeffectivelyplugawell.

Exxon’s Projects Environmental and Regulatory Manager, Mariya Skocikexplained,“Itrequiressome

Continued on page 56

Eusi Kwayana

A Milestone of a Legendary

Life

'Leche

'D' Luxe’ for delicious, sweet tres leche cakes

President'sCollegehosts‘RunforDavidRose’ hosts‘RunforDavid Celebrates100thBirthday: Baba

SpecialSchool,raisesover$1.2million

Some of the mini

tres

leche cakes which are available at

Leche 'D'

Young entrepreneur and owner of Leche 'D' Luxe, Omeisha Ifill

Meet thegorgeous, TytheonJames, an18-year-oldtrailblazerfrom BarticaRegion#7.Tytheonisthe reigningMissBarticaEmancipation andadelegateoftheMissBartica Regatta2025competition.

Aformernationalfootballplayerfor Guyana,thisweek’sbeautyisdeeply committedtoculturalpreservation,youth empowerment,andsocialdevelopment. Beyondheradvocacy,Tytheonhasmade significantstridesinsports.Shehopesto inspireotherstoembracetheirheritage, pursueexcellenceandcontributetothe growthoftheircommunities.

A Call for US to Revisit new Tariffs on CARICOM Countries

By Sir Ronald Sanders

For decades, the 14 independent nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have helped sustain American prosperity by collectively importing far more from the United States than they export, creating an enduring trade surplus in Washington'sfavour

Yet, they have not escaped the tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on all countries of the world Thirteen of the 14 CARICOMnationsnowface a 10% tariff on all their exports to the U S Guyana –a relatively large oil exporter –confrontsatariffof38%

Because CARICOM nations consistently favour U S goods, American industries, farmers, and manufacturers have long found profitable markets in our small economies Meanwhile, our own exports remain modest and pose no threat to U S producers, as confirmed by the U S trade representative's annual reportstocongress.

Ensuring U.S. Energy Security

There are, of course, exceptions that illustrate another form of partnership Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago -two of our member states which do have trade surpluses with the U Sprovide vital supplies of oil and gas This is not simply a commercial arrangement; it meets a core U.S. need for secure, dependable energy sources. These exports have strategic importance. They ensurethattheUnitedStates

has nearby, friendly suppliers in times of volatilityandhostility

Impact on Haiti's Path to Recovery

One especially delicate case for the CARICOM groupnowisHaiti,wherethe social and economic fabric remains under strain from political uncertainty and armed groups disrupting daily life Imposing further tariffs on Haiti's exports

u n d e r t h e c u r r e n t circumstances, risks inhibiting the very progress the country so urgently needs Deterioration in H a i t i ' s e c o n o m i c circumstances will only increasetheHaitianimpetus toseekrefugeintheU.S.

Undermining the Spirit of CBI and CBERA

Since 1983, under President Ronald Reagan, the U S has recognised the importance of supporting

Caribbean developmentand, by extension, U S security interests - through measures like the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act ( C B E R A ) T h e s e programmes opened new opportunities for our countries to participate more fully in international trade, while benefiting American exporters seeking markets for their products. Today's tariffs, however, threaten to undo those gains by treating CARICOM countries as though they imposehighbarriersonU.S. goods or run large surpluses atAmerica'sexpense.

Strengthening the Case with Data

We do not have to look far for evidence of CARICOM's consistent supportoftheU S economy For instance, data from the US Census Bureau shows that, in 2024, the United Statesrana$5 8billiontrade surpluswithCARICOMasa whole For a tangible illustration, Antigua and Barbuda's imports from the U.S.exceeded$570million, while its exports in return were a mere fraction of that total - demonstrating a deep tradesurplusinfavourofthe U S The same story is repeated across our member states, underscoring our loyaltytotheU.S.market. The Human and Economic Costs

While the new tariffs, announced by President Trump on April 3, will raise the cost of CARICOM products in the United States - and very likely reduce exports and revenues for already challenged Caribbean economiesAmerican consumers will also feel the effects. Increases in duty rates often translate to higher prices on store shelves. Thus, while Caribbean exporters lose potential income, U S buyersfacehighercosts. Given limited resources in the majority of CARICOM countries, any drop in export earnings can hit local communities hard This complicates broader recovery efforts for nations battling economic hardship However, decline in the economic circumstances of these countries will also deprive U S firms of markets where they have historicallythrived.

Why CARICOM Will Not Retaliate

imposed by these tariffs, CARICOM countries are unlikely to respond with reciprocal duties for one fundamental reason: we import 60 to 70 per cent of our consumer products from the United States Matching U S tariffswithequallyhigh barriers would only push up thecostoflivingforourown populations.Oureconomies cannot afford to engage in a tit-for-tat scenario that might escalate into a larger trade conflict, undermining stability in both our region andthebroaderhemisphere.

Avoiding a Global Trade War

The last thing our region wants is to exacerbate a global trade war When powerful nations escalate

e consequences ripple out to vulnerable communities worldwide -including our own CARICOM'spriorityis a stable environment that benefits all, including the United States, by sustaining trade relationships that have proved beneficial over manydecades.

A Constructive Path Forward

As the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and Dean of Ambassadors of Western Hemisphere countries (including CARICOM nations),Irespectfullyurgea thoughtful review of the tariffsplacedonourmember states We have faithfully supported U.S. economic interests by purchasing American goods and we

m

ng Am

can investors, and we stand ready to continue doing so.

Reviewing these tariffsparticularly where they compromise CBI and CBERA objectives or burden countries striving to buildresiliencetodisasterswould be a constructive move that strengthens our shared commitment to prosperityandsecurity

FortheAmericanpeople, upholding strong trade ties with CARICOM delivers accessible, high-quality products and reliable export markets that, in turn, protect and create jobs within the United States For CARICOM's part, we remain committed to buying American, as we have done for decades. I believe that, together, we can preserve and enrich the partnership that has brought so many benefits to both sides. This will help strengthen America and ensure that the

Caribbean remains a cornerstone of regional stability, economic growth, and goodwill ultimately benefiting all, including the United States.(Thewriteris Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the US and the OAS He is also the

D e a n o f t h e

Ambassadors of the Western Hemisphere Group accredited to the U S The views expressed are entirely his own Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Sir Ronald Sanders

TalkingDollars&MakingSense:

The Trade Policy Showdown –

U.S.

Tariffs vs. China's Dumping in Guyana

By Rennie Parris

Welcome back

to Talking

Dollars & Making Sense. Today, we're diving into the complicated world of international trade, specifically,howrecentU.S. tariff policies and China's dumping practices are impacting Guyana. Let's break down what these policies mean for our local businessesandeconomy

China's Big Problem: Too Much Stuff

To fully grasp why China's trade policy is causing trouble, we need to

u n d e r s t a n d w h a t ' s happening within China itself. Right now, China is dealing with three major problems: a consumption

crisis, a real estate meltdown, and massive overproduction Back in 2020, China's real estate

m a r k e t c o l l a p s e d , devastating investors and significantly reducing people's home equity As a result, Chinese citizens are now cautious spenders, choosing savings over shopping.

Five years after this crisis, consumer spending remains lower than prepandemic levels.With fewer buyers at home, China now has huge surpluses of everything from cheap consumer products to luxury goods.

China's Solution: Export the Problem

To kickstart its economy, Chinahasrampedupexports dramatically Exports now represent about 20% of China's massive $19 trillion GDP, giving China a whopping $1 trillion global trade surplus. How is China

achieving this? By aggressively pushing cheap goods onto foreign markets, often selling at prices much l o w e r t h a n l o c a l manufacturers and retailers canmatch.

Additionally, China extends loans to countries like Guyana, requiring these nations to hire Chinese workers for major projects. This helps China export not only its excess products but alsoitsexcesslabour

T h e C h i n e s e government further supports this approach through subsidies, making their products cheaper abroad

Countries worldwide, from Indonesia and Brazil to Canada and India, have accusedChinaof"dumping" these products, undermining their local businesses and economies.

Guyana's Struggle with Chinese Dumping In Guyana, this dumping is causing severe harm Local businesses simply cannot compete with prices that low Imagine being a

Chinese-owned stores selling items priced below your production costs Initially, this might seem great for consumers who enjoy low prices, but over time, local businesses fail, workers lose jobs, and entire industriescollapse. M a n y G u y a n e s e businesses have already closed their doors or drastically reduced operations because of this intense pressure Local entrepreneurs are urging the Guyanese government to intervene,citingexamplesof anti-dumping actions taken by other countries. Yet, so far, the government has not taken steps to protect local businesses.

Learning from Other Countries

CountrieslikeIndonesia, Brazil, Argentina, and even larger economies like the United States and the European Union have responded by implementing anti-dumping duties Indonesia banned TEMU, a major Chinese e-commerce platform, from operating within its borders. Other nations imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese textiles, apparel, footwear, steel, aluminium,electriccars,and solar panels These protective measures are designed to ensure local industriessurviveandgrow Guyana could learn from these examples. Even as our gas-to-shore project promises cheaper energy, boosting manufacturing potential, our local producers will still fail if forced to compete against heavily subsidized Chinese imports.

A m e r i c a ' s Ta r i ff Troubles Now, let's

America's recent trade policy Under President Trump, the U.S. introduced massive global tariffs aimed atcorrectingAmerica'strade imbalances. While the intention was to protect U.S. interests, these tariffs have hurt all countries, including Guyana.

Here's how the U S calculatedtariffsonGuyana: In 2024, Guyana exported around $5.5 billion worth of goods, mainly oil, to the U S , but imported only about $1.3 billion from the U.S. This left Guyana with a $4.2 billion trade surplus.

Following

re calculation, the Trump administration imposed a significant38%tariffrateon G

U S excluded oil exports, which account for approximately 90% of Guyana's exports, from tariffs But this exemption also underscores a strange irony: our oil exportscreatealargesurplus that triggers higher tariffs on non-oilproducts.

The Direct Impact of U.S. Tariffs

Even tho

majorityofourexportstothe U S won't face tariffs, certain local companies will still be affected. Firms like DDL, Banks DIH, and various food manufacturers

companies do not rely heavily on the U.S. market, reducing the immediate impact.

Nonetheless, these tariffs create uncertainty and higher costs, complicating businessoperations.

The Risk of a Global EconomicSlowdown

Perhaps a more serious concern from U.S. tariffs is the broader economic impact. History shows us tariffs can trigger retaliatory measures, leading to global trade slowdowns or even recessions.

About 95 years ago, the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 worsened the effects of the Great Depression.

If the global economy slows due to these trade wars, oil prices would likely drop significantly We've already seen Brent crude oil prices fall sharply to around

$65 per barrel, threatening Guyana's main revenue source. A global recession could severely impact Guyana's overall economic stability, especially in nonoilsectors.

Comparing Threat Levels: Chinese Dumping vs. U.S. Tariffs

Both U S tariffs and China's dumping policies pose significant threats to Guyana'seconomy C

immediate and direct danger b

undermininglocalindustries and businesses. This can lead to lasting economic damage, weakening the foundations of Guyana's economy Ontheotherhand, U.S. tariffs negatively affect Guyanese exporters by r e d u c i n g t h e i r competitiveness in the U.S. market. Moreover, if global economic growth slows, Guyana could experience a substantial reduction in oil revenue, which would further slow economic activity in the non-oil sectors.

In simpler terms, China's policies risk permanently h

G

structure, while U.S. tariffs threaten to disrupt exports and

economicgrowth.

StepsGuyanaMustTake

Given these challenges, it's essential for the Guyanese government to act decisively and swiftly. Introducing anti-dumping duties on imports from China is crucial. Examining successful strategies employed by countries such as Brazil, Canada, and India can provide valuable insights and practical guidance.

With respect to the United States, Guyana should avoid retaliatingwith reciprocal tariffs, as this would essentially impose additional taxes on its own citizens Instead, Guyana s h o u l d e n g a g e diplomatically with the United States, clearly commun

c

why removing tariffs serves America'sstrategicinterests.

Highlighting that most of Guyana's current oil production is managed by major U S companies, ExxonMobil and Hess, illustrates that Guyana significantly contributes to

U S energy objectives

Indeed, it is primarily due to these substantial oil exports that Guyana maintains a tradesurpluswiththeUnited States.

Moreover, Guyana must diversify its economy beyond the oil sector Streng

industries and forming strategic partnerships with other international trading partners can reduce the country's vulnerability to e x

c disruptions, especially those arising from decisions made bymajorglobaleconomies. Making Sense and Taking Action At the end of the day, understanding trade policies and their implications helps us demand better decisions fromourleaders.BothChina and the U S present challenges. The government must step up and safeguard ourlocalindustries.

Together, let's keep the conversation going Stay informed, ask questions, and push for policies that protect Guyana's economic future. As always, feel free to share your thoughts. Until next time, keep thinking critically

As s o m e o n e

deeply engaged in researching education solutions for mostly vulnerable children of Guyana, I find myself increasingly concerned about an assumption that is gaining too much ground; that technology alone will transform our education system. Specifically, AI platforms, simply by being digital, will solve our

nation's educational challenges. But let me be clear, they will not.AI is not a p a n a c e a Wi t h o u t engagement, even the smartest technology falls flat.

The truth is, many of the people developing AI solutions for education are brilliant technologists but not educators, not education

researchers, and not practitioners familiar with the theories of how children learn.

T h e y o f t e n l a c k grounding in the rich,

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

AI Alone Will Not Save Guyana's Students, engagement is the missing ingredient

empirical research, built overdecades,thathasshown us what really helps children succeedintheclassroom.

A good teacher, we know,isnotjustatransmitter of information A good teacherengages. A good teacher draws students into learning, sparks curiosity, and keeps them motivated through challenges. In fact, decades of educational research have made this clear; engagement is one of the single most critical factors in improving a c a d e m i c o u t c o m e s (Fredricks, Blumenfeld, & Paris, 2004). When children are engaged, they learn better, retain more, and are morelikelytopersevere.

This is where the promiseandthelimitationof AI both come into sharp focus Scaling a great teacher to every classroom, every learning pod, and everyhomeacrossGuyanais logistically impossible. We simply don't have enough

master educators (or good master educators) to go around. That's where AI can and should play a vital role, by helping to scale the personalized, responsive, and engaging experiences thatgoodteachersprovide.

But here's the catch, not all AI solutions are created equal. In fact, many of them fail precisely because they are not engaging. They treat learning like a mechanical process, input information, output answers, while ignoring the human factors that keep children interested andmotivated.

Just because something is online or digital does not automatically make it right for students I've seen platforms that boast about their adaptive algorithms, yet the lessons are dull and uninspiring. I've tested tools that provide real-time feedback but completely missthemarkwhenitcomes to capturing a child's attention or sparking their

imagination. I've even heard it directly from the students in our own Learning Pods, who told me plainly, "Miss, thisappboring."

They were referring to the first version of our PathwayAI platform, which we had deliberately kept bare and functional in its initial design. But that honest feedback from the learners was invaluable. It pushed us to rethink and refine, leading to the muchimproved version 3 of the platform that we have today

The reality is, most technology innovators do not receive this kind of direct, early feedback, they only hear it after their solutions are completed and deployed,whenit'softentoo late to make meaningful changes.

Without engagement, these AI tools become little more than expensive digital textbooks, and as we all know,eventhebesttextbook isuselessifitstaysclosedon

thedesk.

additional barriers like unreliable internet or shared

learners engaged becomes even greater This makes the role of AI-powered but educator-informed design absolutely crucial. Solutions mustnotonlydelivercontent but must spark curiosity, celebrate effort, and connect emotionallywithlearners. My research, rooted in Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000),

Learners thrive when they e

relatedness. AI can support autonomy and competence by allowing learners to progress at their own pace

and providing instant feedback But relatedness, thathumanconnection,must be thoughtfully designed into these tools or supported

through facilitators and communityengagement.

So while I firmly believe in the power of AI to extend learning opportunities across Guyana, I equally believethattechnologymust serve pedagogy, not the other way around. The goal isn't to replace teachers but to amplify their reach, informed by what we know trulyworksineducation.

Our children deserve solutions that honor the science of learning. They deserve tools that do more than deliver information, they deserve experiences that ignite their curiosity, engage their minds, and encourage their growth. If we commit to designing AI solutions with these principlesatthecore,wecan build not only a smarter future but a more just and hopeful one. Because in the end, engagement is not a luxury It is the bridge between technology and transformation.

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

Sunday

Nationyettosee ExxonMobil’sUS$7.3Bfinal auditreportfourmonthsafter GRAinstructeditsrelease

Although Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, orderedthereleaseofthefinalaudit report for ExxonMobil’s US$7.3B expensessinceNovemberlastyear, Guyanese are yet to see the document.

Since November, Statia informed this publication that the localconsortium,VHEConsulting, has been instructed to release the finalised second audit for the company’s expenses, incurred betweentheperiod2018to2020.

At the time, the Commissioner General said, “The final audit will bereleasedwithintheweek.Ihave alreadygiventhego-aheadtoVHE forthemtodoso.”

Subsequently, it was reported that Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat assured that the report would be made public the following week. The second audit wasconductedbyVHEConsulting, aregisteredpartnershipcomprising Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting &ConsultancyInc.

Ananalysisofthesecondaudit report reveals missing details on key expenditures that were covered in the first oil audit that was done by British firm, IHS Markit, of the company’s 19992017expenses.

The first report, commissioned by the Coalition government, provided comprehensive data on significant costs, such as those for supply vessels, drill rigs, SURF, helicopter services, and waste management, while these details are notably absent from the audit report by the local consortium.

Currently, citizens can access VHE’s“InitialAuditReportforthe Stabroek Block Cost Recovery Audit – 2018 to 2020” on the Ministry of Natural Resources website That version was published onApril 12, 2024 and is 135pages.

Notably, VHE was recently awardeda$312millioncontractfor the third oil audit of Exxon’s Stabroek Block expenses for the period2021to2023.

As the nation awaits the publication of the final report, citizenshaveembarkedonaprotest against the lack of information in Guyana, complaining of the stone walls they continue to face when attempting to access information thatshouldbepublic.

Itshouldbenotedthatauditsare criticaltoensuringthatthecountry isnotcheatedbytheoilcompanies through the procurement of goods and services from the company’s

contractors.

This process is particularly important since the oil contract with ExxonMobil and its partners provides for the operator to deduct 75% of the monthly revenues generatedtoclearitsexpenses.The remaining25%isthensharedwith Guyana as profits. The reports provideasummaryofkeyfindings and recommendations by the audit team.

In the most recent Guyana ExtractiveIndustriesTransparency Initiative (GYEITI) report, the country’sfailuretocompleteanyof thetwocostoilauditsconductedto datewashighlighted.

In its Report for the year 2022, the transparency watchdog explained that the EITI Standard states,“implementingcountriesare expected to disclose final cost and tax audit reports, or summaries of those reports, including costs deemed as non-recoverable and costs deemed non-deductible and any additional revenues to be collectedasaresult”.

Consequently, the document notes, “At the date of this report, two such audits have been carried out by separate teams, but agreementhasnotbeenreachedon any potential adjustments to be made.”

Govt.suspendsMohamed’s securityservicelicence …havetohandintheirguns

TheGovernmentofGuyanahas suspended the security service licence of Mohamed’s Enterprise SecurityService,acompanyowned by United States-sanctioned businessman, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed.

The decision was outlined in a letter dated March 26, 2025, from Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken to Mohamed, citing violations under the Private Security Service Act No. 32 of 2009. According to the letter, the suspensiontookeffectimmediately andwilllast30days.Mohamedhas beengiven15daystoshowcauseas towhythesuspensionshouldnotbe extended until a determination is

Thecompanyisalsoprohibited from using its emblem, logo, and badge.

While the letter does not disclose specific details on the alleged violations leading to the suspension, Mohamed now faces the possibility of an extended suspensionoroutrightcancellation of his security service licence, depending on the findings of the ControllingAuthorityfollowinghis response within the given timeframe.

action once enough evidence was available.

Monday

ExxonMandCNOOCsticking to11Bbarrelsfigurein StabroekBlock,butHesssays estimatehigher

made on the possible cancellation ofthelicence.

The suspension was enacted under Section 10(2) of the Act, which allows for temporary suspension of a private security service licence if the Controlling Authority deems it necessary, pending a final decision on revocation. The reasons cited for the action include violations of Subsection(1)(c),whichstatesthat the licence holder has violated other laws, and Subsection (1)(i), which pertains to unlawful acts posing a threat to national security ornationalintegrity

As a result of the suspension, several measures have been mandated in accordance with Section 10(4) of the Act. These include the immediate cessation of security services provided by Mohamed’s Enterprise Security Service, the surrender of all firearms and ammunition to the Guyana Police Force, and informing all clients of the suspension.

Additionally, it was stated that securitydetailsofthecompanyare prohibited from wearing uniforms, and all personnel processing and training must halt. All firearm licencesandtheappointmentofall supernumerary constables have beenrevoked.

Notably, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C. recently disclosed thattheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF) andtheGuyanaRevenueAuthority (GRA) believe they have gathered enough evidence to proceed with actions concerning the sanctions imposed on Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, as wellasPermanentSecretaryofthe MinistryofLabour,MaeThomas.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, at his recent press conference, had noted that this is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the Mohameds. Nazar Mohamed had accused the members of the government of misrepresenting the sanctions to stiflehisbusiness.

Todate,theMohameds’cambio licence has been revoked and their cabotage permission was not renewed. It was also reported that they are facing issues with authorities in relation to their mining operations. GRA has also initiated a process to go after over $900millioninowedtaxesforfour high-end vehicles owned by the Mohameds.

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) hadsanctionedtheMohamedsover allegations of tax evasion, corruption, and gold smuggling, while Thomas was accused of misusing her position to grant government contracts and other benefits to the businessmen. Since the sanctions, the Guyanese governmenthassoughtinformation from U S authorities and committed to taking appropriate

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) the operator of the Stabroek Block, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) a 25% partner in the block have both declared that their total recoverable Stabroek Block estimate falls below 11 billion barrelsofoilequivalent(boe).

Meanwhile, Hess, a 30% partner in the block, had disclosed that their figure exceeds the lessthan-11-billion-barrels-of-oilequivalent figure shared by the operatoroftheblock.

In its 2024 Annual Report, CNOOC highlighted some progress that were made in the Stabroek Block last year The company stated, “Made a onehundred-million-tons new discovery of Bluefin, further expanding the resource base in southeastern portion of the block. Total recoverable resources of approximately11billionboe,and8 projects will be in production by 2030, with total production expected to be 1 3 million barrel/day and capacity to be 1.7 millionbarrel/day.”

The Stabroek Block, renowned for its vast oil potential, has been thesubjectofglobalattentionsince oil production commenced five yearsago.ExxonMobil’sPresident, Alistair Routledge, had stated that the company’s estimate remains below 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent, despite eight new discoveries in the block since the previousupdatein2022.

Notably, similar to Bluefin, CNOOC had revealed that one of theeightdiscoveries–Lancetfish–averaged 100 million tons In January, this publication reported that Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess, disclosedthathis company’s estimateofdiscoveredresourcesin Guyana’s Stabroek Block exceeds 11billion.

At the Goldman Sachs Research: Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference, Hess said, “Yeah,theoperator,andwe’vehad talks with Exxon about this as operator, the very conservative, theyhaven’tupdatedthe11billion barrels equivalent, greater than 11 billion barrels equivalent of discoveredresource.Ournumberis higher.”

In August 2024, Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, announced that the Stabroek Block’s resource estimate had increased by 600 millionbarrelsto11.6billion Continued on page 25

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Godfrey Statia

Nazar “Shell” Mohamed (left) and his sonAzruddin Mohamed

Frompage24 barrelsofoilequivalent.“Wehave had a minimal increase in resources.Ithinkwehavemovedto 11.6billionnow,”Bharratstated.

Routledge during ExxonMobil Guyana’s October 2024 press conference, noted that estimates can vary depending on the methodology and assumptions used. Routledge had explained, “The government released a number of 11.6B oil equivalent barrels, ExxonMobil’s estimate is lower than that number our number remains a little under 11 billionoilequivalentbarrels.”

He had also explained the variation between Exxon’s figures compared to the reserves announcedbythegovernment.The Exxon official said that the state conducts independent studies, althoughitissuppliedwithdataby thecompany

Moreover, Hess Corporation is pursuing a US$53 billion merger with Chevron However, ExxonMobil and CNOOC have initiatedarbitration,citingarightof first refusal on Hess’s share of the block.Despitethis,Hessexpressed confidence that the merger would proceedasplanned.

‘Guyanaisoneofthemost excitingplacestobe’-Rubio …saystheU.S.wantsto bethecountry’spartner fortransformation forgenerationstocome

UnitedStatesSecretaryofState MarcoRubiohasdescribedGuyana asoneofthemostexcitingplacesin the world, outlining Guyana’s unique opportunity to undergo transformativechange.

Secretary Rubio made these remarks during a press conference at State House in Georgetown on Thursday, where he reaffirmed the United States commitment to supporting Guyana’s development and be part of the country’s transformation.

“I think and to the people of Guyana, thank you for welcoming us. I hope you fully appreciate and understand this is one of the most exciting places in the world to be right now, because you have the opportunity, at this moment, to transform this country for generations,andwewanttobeyour partner Wewanttobeyourpartner in making that possible. We think it’s of mutual benefit to see that happen,”Rubiostated.

In his address, the Secretary of State,whohasbeeninofficeforjust nine weeks, said that while many nationsarefocusedonstabilization orincrementalprogress,Guyanais poised for a complete transformation. “This country has an opportunity to transform. And that’srareinthehistoryofnations, to have an opportunity for transformative change.And what I mean by transformative change is

not simply oil and gas fields. And that’s very important – natural resourcesarecriticalbutthatisjust the basic ingredient that allows prosperity to happen,” Rubio explained.

He highlighted Guyana’s potentialinmultiplesectorsbeyond oil and gas, including technology, agriculture, and ecotourism. Rubio pointed out that with reliable and affordable energy, Guyana could position itself as a major player in the global digital economy, includingartificialintelligenceand datacenters.Healsoacknowledged theneedforsecurityandstabilityto protect the country’s growing prosperity

Rubio’s comment comes at a time when American oil giant ExxonMobil operates the oil-rich Stabroek Block Since oil production began in December 2019, Guyana’s economy has expanded significantly An upcomingarbitrationcasebetween ExxonMobil and Hess, a U.S. companyholdinga30%stakeinthe Stabroek Block, is also on the horizon. Hess has agreed to a US$53 billion merger with American oil major Chevron, which would see Chevron acquiring Hess’stake in the block, estimated to hold 11 6 billion b a r r e l s o f o i l However, Exxon and CNOOC, another partner in the block, are challenging the merger, asserting their rights to first refusal over Hess’shares.

The agreement governing the Stabroek Block provides oil companies with significant tax exemptions, allows for 75% cost recovery, and splits the remaining

25% of revenue equally between Guyana and the oil operators and Guyana receives 2% royalty on its r e s o u r c e s

The terms of the deal which was signed by the previous administration has faced heavy criticism for favoring oil companies more than the country. While calls for renegotiation have persi

administration has defended its decision to uphold the agreement, citingthesanctityofcontracts.

Tuesday

Foreigncompanies dominatebidsforPhaseII ofWalesgasproject

TheGovernmentofGuyanahas received seven proposals for the design,financeandoperationofthe secondphaseoftheGas-to-Energy (GTE)Project.

Thebidswhichwereopenedon Monday at the National Procureme

Te

Administration Board (NPTAB) office saw companies and consortiumsfromcountriessuchas the United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates, Guatemala, Puerto Rico,andalonefirmfromGuyana allvyingforthecontract.

According to the tender opening, the bidders are: Karpowership Global DMCC (United Arab Emirates); consortium – ENKA UK Construction Limited and Onex Holding SCS (Luxembourg); AndalusialEnergy(UnitedStates); J&L Supplies Guyana Inc (Guyana); CXL Solutions LLC, and LSI Group SociedadAnomina (Guatemala); CH4 Systems LLC and Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico);

andconsortium–LSEngergiaInc., Controlmatik, ESE Servicios Electromecanicos and Carlos Caballero(Florida,USA).

Theprojectisbeingundertaken by the government through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) This publication understands that the prime minister’sofficehadissuedatender for the project last year, but discarded that notice and issued a newandupdatedtenderearlierthis year

In the new tender, the government revised the number downwardswithrespecttogasthat will be available daily for the project, as well as the expected Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) to be produced It has, however, increasedtheelectricitygeneration expected to be produced from PhaseTwoofthegasproject.

Accordingtothedocument,the government will be securing from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), 70 million cubic feet (MMCFD) of rich gas which it intendstouseinanotherIntegrated Power Plant and NGLfacility.The previous RFP indicated that an additionalfivemillioncubicfeetof gas per day would have been available.

Nevertheless, it noted that interested firms will be required to design,constructandoperatea300 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant to deliver 2,600 gigawatt hours (GWH) of electricity per annum. The power will be sold to the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) via a 20-year PowerPurchaseAgreement(PPA). In its previous RFP, government requesteda250MWpowerplant.

Additionally, phase two of the GTE project includes the design, construction and operation of an NGL facility to produce at approximately 5,800 barrels per day (bpd) of NGL products (propane, butane, and C5+), utilizing70MMCFDof“richgas”. Thisisareductioncomparedtothe previous RFP, which anticipated 6000bpdofNGLs.

Thecontractorwillbeexpected totransfertothegovernment,atno cost,excess“leangas,”estimatedat upto20MMCFD,forutilisationin downstream industries, for example, fertilizer production, to belocatedatWales.

Accordingtotheoffice,“phase twowillbelocatedonnomorethan 100 acres of land, immediately adjacent to the existing 300 MW integrated facility.The project will beownedandfinanced100percent by the private sector, under a project finance structure, which will design and construct the integrated facilities, to a standard andspecificationthatmeetsandor exceedsthatofphaseIoftheGTE.” It noted too that investors will recover their investments from the saleofelectricityviaa20-yearterm

Continued on page 26

The Stabroek Block

United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio

Frompage25 PPA at a price per KWH and monetisation of the NGLs. At the end of the PPA term, the facilities willreverttotheGOGatnocost.

Concernsgrowover impactsofExxonM’s operationonfishingindustry

American oil major, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), is continuing to face questions about the impact of its operations on the local fishing industry, with fishermen complainingaboutlowcatches.

During a public scoping meeting for the Longtail projectExxon’s eight planned deep water development- a citizen asked the operatorwhetherthereisanydirect impact on fishing that can cause reduced catches. To this end, the company’sProjectsEnvironmental and Regulatory Manager, Mariya Skocik, explained that studies conductedsofarforthevariousoil projectsinGuyanapointtonatural fluctuationinfishstock.

She noted that since 2019, ExxonMobilhasbeenconductinga number of fish studies in Guyana. One of those assessments- on fish stock-includesvisitingthemarkets to measure the weight, size, and overall health of the fish. Another study that the company has been rolling out is specific to fisherfolk.

“The parallel piece of work that’s happening is around the general fisherfolk, so we have team members that go to the landing areas, interview fishermen (on) what are their fishing practices, how far do they go, what are they seeing.So,allofthattogetherdoes show that there is natural fluctuation in fish stock,” Skocik informedthegathering.

Further, she explained that Bank of Guyana reports have also made similar findings where fish catch is concerned. The Exxon representativealsonotedthatsince data prior to the startup of oil production was limited, Exxon could not compare the information collected so far to earlier data to makeaconclusion.

Meanwhile, with regard to statistics recorded in other countries where Exxon operates, thecompanynotedthatitispractice for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be conducted for each project. According to the Environmental Ma

n

Impact Assessments are one of the practices that we always implement.Wementionthatweare committed to safety and environment, and it’s one of the fundamental ways to assess the impacts, ensure we have all the mitigations to minimize those impacts.”

As such, Exxon was asked whetherthetrendhere,withregard tolowercatches,isconsistentwith

the company’s operations in other countries.Fortheoilgiant,making suchaconclusionwasnotpossible.

“It’s all location-specific I would really speculate if I try to compare one location to the other There are so many factors, sensitivity of the fish, fishing practices,whatelseishappening,if there’s natural fluctuation, so it’s notappleforapple.Ican’tsay,”the Environmental and Regulatory Managerrelated.

ExxonMobil operations and fish

Consecutive studies conducted byExxonMobilhavewarnedofthe imminentdangertomarinespecies, including fish Recently, this newspaper reported that another study done by Exxon confirmed thatmarinelife,includingfish,can beaffectedbypoorwaterqualityas a result of the planned petroleum activities.

The EIA for the Hammerhead project- Exxon’s seventh development- states, “The project might affect marine fish due to the degradation of water quality as a result of the permitted vessel discharges described above, through acoustic impacts, through localized changes in distribution, and habitat usage due to altered bottomhabitatsandthepresenceof Project infrastructure, through

attraction to artificial light, and through the potential to entrain (suck in) fish eggs and larvae at coolingwaterintakes.”

Discharge from the project includes ballast water, produced water (which, according to the study, may contain oil, grease, and other chemicals), domestic and sanitarywaste(containingchlorine andbacteria),aswellasbilgewater (which may also contain oil and grease) These discharges are expected to be treated by ExxonMobil to meet certain standardspriortobeingdischarged overboard.

Wednesday

Canadianminingcompany betsbigonGuyanato beitsnextgrowthengine ...goldprojecttopush company’sannual productionbeyondhalf millionouncesmark

Louis-Pierre Gignac, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of G Mining Ventures (GMIN), a Canadian mining company operating in Guyana, recently stated that the firm’s next phase of growth will be driven by the “world-class” Oko West gold project located in Region Seven

(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

During the company’s fourthquarter and end-of-year earnings call, Gignac stated that in 2024 GMIN was able to successfully execute all phases of its build, operate strategy One of the highlights of 2024 includes GMIN acquiring the Oko West project in July 2024 through a business combination with another Canadian mining company, ReunionGold.

“Ournextphaseofgrowthwill bedrivenbyOkoWestinGuyana,a large scale high- grade project that was acquired through the transformational merger ” Gignac said. He added that the strong economics outlined in the project’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) that was completed last year solidifies the Oko West as one of the top developmentprojectsglobally.

The CEO said, “Once in production,itissettopropelGMIN above the 500,000 ounces per year mark.” The Oko West Project is currentlyconsideredan“advancedstage exploration project”, and is expected to produce 353,000 ounces of gold annually from both open pit and underground mining. The project is projected to recover 4.5millionouncesofgoldover12.7 years,accordingtoitsPEAreleased

inSeptember2024.

However, GMIN is advancing workswithafocusonextendingthe mine life and assessing underground mining potential for the project. The Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement (ESIA) for Oko West were

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November 2024. Earlier this year, GMIN received an Interim Environmental Permit for theproject,pavingthewayforearly construction activities and the company has advance permitting efforts toward securing the full Environmental Licence from the EPA.

InMarch,GMINinitiatedearly works at Oko West, including site preparation for a barge landing on the Cuyuni River and the construction of a permanent camp tosupportfuturedevelopment.The company is also expected to execute works on main access and internal roads, airstrip, permanent camp facility, water and sewage treatment plants and power generation and communication tower

Last year, a 49,000 meter definition drilling program was completedtosupportthefeasibility study It was disclosed that the company has allocated an US$8 millionexplorationbudgetfor2025 to expand the mineral resource estimate, explore underground mineralisation in Blocks 5 and 6, and identify additional deposits across its land package. In anticipation of making a full construction decision for the project in the second half of 2025, Gignacstatedthatthecompanyhas budgeted US$200M to US$240M to advance the project. “The Oko West project in Guyana is clearly our next growth engine that will allowGMIN’sproductionprofileto reach500,000ounces,”henoted. He added that the feasibility study remains on track for completion this month, and the company will also present an updated Mineral Resources Estimate (MRE) and a maiden mineral reserve for the project.

“With an interim environmental permit in hand, we’ve already initiated early construction, which is progressing nicely We are targeting to complete the barge landing, access road upgrades, permanent camp facility and constructionsupportinfrastructure, allowing us to ramp up the workforce during the course of the year,” Gignac said noting that the company hopes to complete all of thisworkbytheendof2025.

Moreover, in September 2024, the company reported a positive PEA which outlined an after-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of $1.4 billion, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR)of21%,andapaybackperiod Continued on page 40

An artist’s impression of phase one of the GTE project

Acitizen questioning ExxonMobil about the impact of its operations on local fish catches

President’s College hosts ‘Run for David Rose’ Special School, raises over $1.2

BY:CHRISTALYONG

In the spirit of camaraderie and support, President’s College hosted its annual run for David Rose Special School and raisedatotalof$.1,201,500. Thechequewashandedover to a representative of the schoolonThursdaylast.

Willon Cameron, the Physical Education and Sport Teacher at President’s College, who also serves as the Coordinator of the run, told The Waterfalls that the fundraiser is rooted in the vision of the late former presidentandFounderofthe school.

Burnham aimed to produce elite students of servicethroughtheschool.

According to Cameron, the tradition known as the’ Run for David Rose,’which began in the late 1980s, has grownfarbeyonditshumble origins, bringing together students, teachers, and local organizations to support a causethatcontinuestomake a meaningful impact in the community.

David Rose Special School, located on Thomas Road in Georgetown, is the only special needs school

most people in the community know about. It was here that the idea was

born: students from President’s College would run on behalf of those students who, due to their disabilities, are unable to participateinsuchactivities.

Over the years, this fundraiser has become a key part of the school’s ongoing efforts to give back, and a testament to their commitment to voluntarism This year’s runhasevolvedasthemost significant fundraiser ever for the David Rose Special School as record-breaking 113 students and 21 teachers participated in the fundraiser

Typically,studentsfrom Grades 8 and 10 are most involved, but in a bid to make the fundraiser more inclusive,theentirestudent body was encouraged to participate

“As of last year we told ourselves that the $200,000 or$500,000thatweusually giveisnotenough,afterwe realized in 2023 that you know the school was using the money for a feeding programme,thenwearenot giving nowhere near enough,soasoflastyearwe set a goal to give no less than $1 million,” Cameron said

Principal of President’s College, Samantha Success, (Middle) Daniels (right) the Deputy HM at David Rose Special School and a teacher of David Rose receiving the cheque from the fundraiser

He said the strategy to meet this lofty goal was simple yet effective. The school involved the entire student body in the fundraising efforts. Instead oflimitingtheruntojusttwo grades, every student contributed in some way, w h e t h e r t h r o u g h fundraising, organizing events or coming up with creative ideas to raise money

“Wesayokaywellifit’s 500 students well we know then at least $2000 from eachchildwillgiveusthe$1 million target,” Cameron explains.

But students were not expected to dig into their own pockets. Instead, they worked together as classes, each tasked with raising a certainamount.

Whetherthroughhosting movie nights, selling popsicles,orreachingoutto local businesses for donations, the students embracedthechallengewith enthusiasm.

The efforts were n o t h i n g s h o r t o f remarkable

In just three months, the school surpassed its g o a l , r a i s i n g a n impressive $1,201,500, the largest sum ever collected in the history of the Run for David Rose This achievement was a culmination of hard work, creativity, and a strong senseofcommunity

The grand finale of the fundraiser took place with thehandingofthefunds,a touching moment that brought the students,

teachers, and local supporterstogether

On Thursday, the students of President’s Collegeranthedistanceto the school, bearing with them a donation that would make a tangible difference in the lives of thestudentsthere

At the conclusion, the donation was officially p r e s e n t e d t o representatives of the David Rose Special

School

A special thank you was extended to the Guyana Police Force, particularly the Covent John branch and Eve Leary head office, as well as the Guyana Defence Force(GDF)

Additionally, local

Limited (DDL) and Banks DIH have been invaluable partners, donating water to help rehydrate the participants during the run

As President’s College continues its legacy of service, this year’s fundraising achievement serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when students, teachers, and the wider community come together with a sharedpurpose

In the end, the Run for David Rose is more than just a fundraiser It’s a celebration of service, compassion, and the power of community a legacy that will inspire generations of students to come

Million

President’s College students on their annual run in support of the David Rose Special School, turning each step into a meaningful act of service and community

Sexual assault survivor stories get spotlight during “Asking for It” exhibition at Umana Yana

ByShaniaWilliams

Oneofthemostsensitive and emotional topics to talk about is sexual assault. For many particularly women and children, it’s a struggle, an internal battle between speaking out and staying silent.

This past week, as Guyanajoinedtherestofthe world in marking April as Sexual Assault awareness month, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SO&DVPU) has partnered with The Imperial House to host a powerful seven-day exhibitiontitled“Askingfor It” The exhibition opened onApril1attheUmanaYana in Kingston, Georgetown and will run until April 7, 2025, from 10:00 hrs to 18:00hrsdaily

The exhibition is an important part of the awareness initiative, featuringstoriesofsurvivors about the impacts of sexual assault.

The Waterfalls visited the exhibition, where students across Georgetown were actively engaged in powerful lessons about sexualassault.

At the time, students from Grades 7, 9, and 10 f r o m Q u e e n s t o w n Secondary and St. Joseph’s High school participated in essentialdiscussionsontheir rights and boundaries, contributing to the theme of “Building Connected Communities.”

The students were encouraged to create placards raising awareness about sexual assault. Many of them spoke passionately about the importance of the topic.Onestudentshared,“I think it’s a good discussion. It is nice outreach to bring awarenessforuswhoarenot fully educated about it Someofusdidn’tknowthat some activities would be consideredassexualassault. Ithinkitwasreallygood.”

A Venezuelan migrant student shared her first-time experience at an exhibition onsexualassault.

“Icameherein2023,the exhibitionwasnice,Iwould comebackhereagain,itwas my first time learning about this,“shesaid.

The students also shared amessageofencouragement for survivors of sexual assault, urging them not to be afraid to speak out. “If you don’t want to do it for

The outfit one of the victims,

yourself, do it for someone else,”onestudentsaid. UnderstandingSexual Assault

Sexualassaultisdefined as any form of sexual violence inflicted on an individual without their consent According to officials from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, sexual assault encompasses unwanted sexual activity, including sexual touching, coerced touching, or indecentassault.

Consent is an essential component of any sexual activity Ifaperson’sconsent changes from “yes” to “no”—thatdecisionmustbe respected immediately If the activity continues despite a change in consent, it is considered sexual violence, which could be classifiedasrape.

Sexual assault often occurs at the hands of someone the victim knows, and it can take place within the home. However, reports of male victims of sexual assault are rare due to societal biases and norms that often depict men as perpetrators,notvictims.

Survivorstories

The exhibition also presented 15 powerful stories of survivors, along with the clothing they wore during the assault, challengingharmfulsocietal misconceptions.

Some victims were depictedinschooluniforms, work attire, and casual clothing, showing that sexualassaultcanhappento anyone,anywhere.

To protect the identities of the victims, names were changed, and some details were summarized, but the essence of the stories

Adisplay of the sheet 7-year-old Shanique wore to play the Virgin Mary for a Christmas concert at Church when she was assaulted

exhibition aimed to shed light on the trauma caused by sexual assault, with each survivor’s story evoking strong emotions in visitors. Hereareafewofthestories sharedattheexhibition:

Assaultedatschool Mikayla, 15yearsold.

“It was a Friday afternoonafterschool,Iwas attending Secondary School;theroutewasawalk alongcampStreettothebus park. I wasn’t alone it was me and some friends, there weresomeolderguysin5th form that were behind us, theywerewalkingbehindus and one of them had a reputation for touching y o u n g e r g i r l s inappropriately but the school never did anything, so on this afternoon he got closer behind me and grabbed my breast My instant reaction was to slap him,andwhenIdid,hespat onmeandwhispered“don’t behave like you’re all up there”.

The next day at school I brought my mother with me tocomplain,theschoolsaidI was wrong for slapping him and instead of speaking to him I was suspended for threedaysbecauseIslapped the guy who sexually assaultedme.”

Mikayla shared a message for other victims: “Don’t ever feel guilty; it was not your fault you were sexuallyassaulted:-youare loved, you are special, and youdidn’tdeserveit.Youare not defined by what happened to you, you are more than your trauma, you are still beautiful, and you arestillvaluable.”

Rapedbymyspouse

Amanda,31yearsold.

“For four years, I

bruises. But the worst part was what happened when I saidnowhenhewantedsex; because who wants to have sex with a person who abusesthem?Thosefeelings went away a long time ago. He didn’t care. He’d force himself on me, over and over

Itdidn’tmatterthatIwas crying, scratching him, begging him to stop. He’d justignoreme,andtakewhat hewanted.Itriedtoleavethe relationship, but he always found a way to bring me back, manipulating me, stalkingme,andmakingme believeIhadnowheretogo.

endured a nightmare with mycommon-lawpartner At first,itseemedlikejustafew angry outbursts that any couplewouldhave,butthen thephysicalabusestarted. He’d hit me for the smallest reasons, grabbing me by the throat or pushing metotheground.Ilearnedto keep quiet, to hide the

After my mother passed away, I thought I could get some peace, by staying on herproperty

Buthefollowedmethere too. He won’t leave. I’m scaredtoevenbealonewith him. I’m here now, asking forhelp.Ineedtogethimout of my life for good. I can’t liveinfearanymore.”

Assaultedatchurch

Shanique, 7yearsold.

Iwaspromptlypushedto thefloorwhilehepulledthe sheet up my legs and stuck hisfingersbetweenmylegs. I remember freezing up like mybodycouldn’tmoveand my voice wouldn’t come out.

Whenheranhishandup my chest while the other stuck a finger into my vagina, I started crying loudly and ended up peeing myself.

Someone had knocked on the bathroom door and that’s when he scrambled to getoffofme.Hethreatened thatifItold

(Continuedonpage39)

“Itwastwoweeksbefore my birthday. We were having a play at Church about the birth of Jesus. I played “Mary’ where I was dressed in a white sheet and only my underwear underneath.After the play I left to use the washroom where l was cornered by a deacon from a visiting church. I didn’t recognize him from my church but his name tag read, “Deacon Randolf”.

Mikayla wore during the attack

IMPLEMENT THE ISO 45001 STANDARD TO PROTECT YOUR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS

Asafe and healthy workplace is v i t a l f o r productivity and quality

Beyond preventing injury or illness, a safe working

e n v i r o n m e n t s h o w s employers care about their

employees, reducing absenteeism, boosting morale and saving the companytimeandmoney

As Guyana joins in the observance of Occupational Safety and Health Month in April, the Guyana National

Bureau of Standards (GNBS)isurgingcompanies

t o i m p l e m e n t t h e international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) –ISO 45001:2018 Occupational

H e a l t h a n d S a f e t y Management Systems –Requirements with guidance for use. With support from the Government of Guyana, theGNBSofferstrainingand technical assistance on this important standard to help

employers implement measures to ensure their workersaresafe.

The ISO 45001 standard specifies the requirements

for an OH&S Management System which prevents injury and ill-health towards employees and customers alike.

The document requires that top management take ownership and demonstrate commitment to ensure that workers are appropriately trained and that effective controlsareputinplace. It also recognises the valueofworkerinvolvement and consultations to develop and apply better safety practices.

Using the Plan-DoCheck-Act (PDCA) model, it addresses all necessary elements to ensure the system is working in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h requirementsofthestandard. It is applicable to any organisation regardless of its size,typeandactivities.

The GNBS offers training to persons who are interested in understanding the requirements of the standard. In 2024, a total of fifty-seven (57) people from various organisations were trainedonthestandardwhile twelve(12)participantshave

signed up for a similar training course this month. With the use of practical activities, technical officers of the business development department

p the participants to better understand the requirements of the standard and how to implement the various clausesattheirworkplaces.

Meanwhile, technical assistance is offered to companies looking to attain certification. Acquiring ISO 45001 C

company's management system complies with the international standard and validates the capability of thebusiness.

Further,ithelpstobuild trust and brand integrity, especially for companies looking to supply the oil and gas industry which is highly committed to safety Currently, the GNBS is w o r k i n g w i t h f i v e c o m p a n i e s i n telecommunications, marketing, transportation and academia, to help them acquire certification to internationalstandard.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), some 2.3 million women and men aroundtheworldsuccumbto work-related accidents or diseaseseveryyear

This, along with more sick days, contribute to significantlossofproductive hours and can affect the overall output of a business o r o r g a n i s a t i o n

Implementing the ISO 4 5 0 0 1 : 2 0 1 8 O H & S requirements is a critical

approach companies can taketoremedythissituation.

Let this Occupational Safety and Health Month motivate you to pursue training and technical assistance to implement the ISO 45001:2018 Standard

Protect your workers and customers so they can better c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e development of your company or organisation

The theme this year is: “Revolutionising health and safety: the role of AI and

digitalisation at work.” It aims to highlight how the digital transformation of work can foster safe and h e a l t h y w o r k i n g environments.

For technical assistance and training support based on the ISO 45001 standard, do not hesitate to contact the GNBS today on telephone numbers: 219-0064 or 2190065, or visit the GNBS website: www gnbsgyorg You can also WhatsApp us on+5926924627.

From Guyana to The Voice…

Jay Ammo is Guyanese talent on the rise

BY:CHRISTALYONG

At 30 years old, Jay Ammo is living proof that dreams, no matter how big, are within reach when you have the talent, resilience, and determination to chase them. A rising star with a soundasdiverseashisroots, Ammo is quickly making a name for himself on the globalmusicscene.

With a show-stopping blindauditiononTheVoice, afour-chairturnfromallthe judges, and the opportunity to work with the legendary John Legend, his journey is one of remarkable p e r s e v e r a n c e a n d undeniabletalent.

Born in Berbice, Guyana, Ammo’s story beginsinaplacefarremoved from the bright lights of Hollywood. Raised in the small town of Rose Hall, Corentyne,hespentthefirst 12yearsofhislifeimmersed in the sounds of the Caribbean However, the path to pursuing music professionally wasn’t paved with encouragement or resources. In a culture that

dancehall and soca music, Ammo’s passion for a more eclectic, genre-defying s o u n d w a s

f t e n misunderstood.

“The support system in the way that my music was back then, it wasn’t really looked upon as something that people want to get behind because it’s not their style of music, because you are in the Caribbean for the most part and everybody is focusing on dancehall or socamusicorsomethinglike that,” the singer told The Waterfalls. Despite these early challenges, the ambitious and optimistic young man never stopped believing in his craft. From the age of 14, when he first picked up a guitar, music was more than a hobby, it was a lifeline. He said, “Music has always been a solid part of what I have done, you know in the past and what I do now, I have been singing for a lot of years.”

His style is hard to categorize, but Ammo

describesitas“worldly.”His refusal to be confined by a single genre is part of what makes his music so unique. Headded,“Imakeallkindof music, music for everybody really, so because I want to notbestuckinaspecificarea orgenre,Iwanttobeableto branch out and connect to people.” When the singer moved to the United States ofAmerica(USA),thedoors thathadoncebeenclosedto him in Guyana began to open. He released over 26 songs, three albums, and a number of singles that connected with listeners far beyondhisnativeshores. His music resonated not only with Caribbean audiences but with listeners of all backgrounds. Still, Ammo knew that in order to truly make his mark, he neededabiggerstage That’s whenTheVoicecameintothe picture Entering the competitionwasn’tjustabout gainingexposure;forAmmo, it was a chance to take his career to the next level. He said, “It is something I always wanted to do, I wanted to shine the light on myself, little bit as an artist andthatwasthebestwayto doitso,Ialwayskepttrying andkepttryinguntilIfinally, after two years of waiting thenIfinallygotit.”

His performance immediately captivated the judges, earning him a fourchairturn,anhonorthatmost contestants only dream of His musicality, authenticity, and heartfelt delivery won over not just the judges but also the hearts of millions of viewers “It was a phenomenal experience,” he says WhilehistimeonThe Voice was undoubtedly a milestone in his career, Ammo’srisetothespotlight didn’thappenovernight.The path to success, especially for an artist from Guyana, has been filled with obstacles.

He told The Waterfalls, “I never really sang any musicwhenIwasbackhome in Guyana, because I didn’t

Sexual assault survivor stories get spotlight...

Frompage29 anyone he would find me after service and kill me. I never said a word growing upevenwhenIbegantoselfharm.In2016,Ihadattended afamilyreunionandhadtwo beers above my alcohol tolerance.

I fell asleep in one of the rooms in my grandmother’s houseandwokeuptofeeling

sore between my legs and salivaonmyknee. Unfortunately,that’s whenrepressedmemories resurfaced. From there I suffered continuous nightmares, panic attacks, paranoia and became reclusive. I never ventured into crowds, l avoided the opposite sex, I hated intimacy of any kind

haveanymeanstodoit,and everybody was really expensive, it was all about the money then and not helpingoutanybodyachieve theirgoal.”

Andthough,hehassince been eliminated from the competition, the singer’s resilience shines through in his work, and his experiences continue to shape the way he views his career He explained that TheVoicetaughthimhowto approach his music career

further, and the quality of work he produces, Asked about his most memorable moment so far? Without hesitation, the former contestant points to his experience on The Voice.

“That was the most memorable moment in my career.ButIknowthere’sso much more to come,” he adds with a sense of quiet confidence. Looking ahead, the singer sees himself performing on stages with thousands of fans, singing

along to his lyrics. “In the next five years I see myself performing for a crowd with over a thousand people and theyaresayingmylyricsback atmeandIwon’thavetosing asingleworditwouldbethe kind of concert that everybodycametowatchthe personthatseeontelevision,” he related. As Jay Ammo continues to carve his own path in the music world, his storyisoneofperseverance, passion, and the power of stayingtruetooneself.

and simple actions would trigger me to the point of overreacting.

Ijoinedtherapyin2020, got better and was recommendedatherapydog. I now take diazepam when the insomnia hits or when things become really bad, I drink heavily I am not healed but I am doing better.”

The young artist singing one of his songs at a location in the US

JayAmmo captivating the audience, while performing a breathtaking performance on The Voice

Frompage26 of3.8yearsusingabasegoldprice ofUS$1,950perounce.

Costoflivingup,sinceoil production–GuyanesetellCNN …Exxondefends‘lopsided contract’asgloballycompetitive

Guyana’s destiny changed in 2015 US fossil fuel giant, ExxonMobil, discovered nearly 11 billionbarrelsindeepwatersoffthe coast of this tiny, rainforestcoveredcountry

It was one of the most spectacularoildiscoveriesofrecent decades. By 2019, Exxon and its partners,USoilcompanyHessand China-headquarteredCNOOC,had started producing the fossil fuel. They now pump around 650,000 barrels of oil a day, with plans to morethandoublethisto1.3million by2027.

Guyana now has the world’s highest expected oil production growththrough2035.

Thiscountry—sandwichedby Brazil,VenezuelaandSuriname— has been hailed as a climate champion for the lush, wellpreservedforeststhatcarpetnearly 90% of its land. It is on the path to becoming a petrostate at the same time as the impacts of the fossil fuel-drivenclimatecrisisescalate.

While the government says environmentalprotectionandanoil industry can go hand in hand and that low-income countries must be allowed to exploit their own resources, critics say it is a dangerouspathinawarmingworld, and the benefits may ultimately skewtowardExxon,notGuyana.

Since Exxon’s transformative discovery, Guyana’s government has tightly embraced oil as a route to prosperity In December 2019, then-President David Granger said in a speech, “Petroleum resources willbeutilizedtoprovidethegood life for all Every Guyanese will benefit.”

It’s a narrative that has continued under the current President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whosaysnewoilwealthwillallow Guyana to develop better infrastructure, healthcare and climateadaptation.

Oil’s economic impact has already been enormous The country,ofaround820,000people, is now the world’s fastest expandingeconomy.ItsGDPgrew more than 33% in 2023 and more than40%in2024.

Critics, however, accuse the country of squandering its climate leadership by throwing its lot in with fossil fuels, especially given Guyana’s huge vulnerability to climatechange.Sealevelrisecould claim its capital, Georgetown, by 2030,accordingtooneassessment.

“Youhaveagovernmentthatis reckless about what is going to happen to Guyana,” said Melinda Janki, an international lawyer in

Guyana who is handling several lawsuits against Exxon It is pursuing “a supposed course of development that is actually backwardanddestructive,”shetold CNN.

And while plenty of Guyanese people welcome the new oil industry, some say Guyana’s startling economic statistics do not reflect a real-world prosperity for ordinarypeople,manyofwhomare struggling with the higher prices accompanying the oil boom.

Inflation rose 6.6% in 2023, with prices of some foods shooting up muchmorerapidly

“Sincetheoilextractionbegan inGuyana,wehavenoticedthatour cost of living has gone sky high,” said Wintress White, of Red Thread,anon-profitthatfocuseson improving living conditions for Guyanese women. “The money is not trickling down to the masses,” shetoldCNN.

CNN contacted President Ali, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Finance for commentbutreceivednoresponse.

Guyana, a former Dutch then British colony, which gained independence in 1966, is one of onlyahandfulofcountriesthatare a “carbon sink,” meaning it stores more planet-heating pollution than it produces. This is due to its vast rainforest; trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as theygrow

The country has protected its biodiversity when others have destroyedtheirs,PresidentAlisaid in a BBC interview last year In 2009, the country signed an agreement with Norway, which promised Guyana more than $250 million to preserve its 18.5 million hectares,ornearly46millionacres,

offorests.

Ali insists the country can balance climate leadership and fossilfuelexploitation.Thenewoil wealth will allow Guyana to develop,includingbuildingclimate adaptations such as sea walls, he said. He has also pointed to the continued failures of wealthy countries, already grown rich on theirownfossilfuels,tohelppoorer countrieswithclimatefinance.

But there are concerns Guyana could fall victim to the “resource curse,” in which vast, new wealth can actually make life worse for thosewholivethere.

“That foreign money and that sudden rush of opportunities, combined with very limited manpower and government capacities,doesoftenresultinalot of corruption,” said Michael Ross, a political science professor at UCLA.

Ross pointed to Guyana’s neighbor Venezuela, where a large oil windfall led to a dramatic decline in government accountability and an increase in authoritarianism. The oil has also upped tensions between the two countries, with Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro laying claim to the oil-rich Essequibo regionofGuyana.

Newly wealthy countries also find themselves suddenly interactingwithforeigncompanies “whose own infrastructure and access to information just dwarfs anything that’s happening in the country,”Rosssaid.

Critics say this power imbalance is clear in the 2016 contract Guyana signed with Exxon Under the agreement, Exxon can recoup up to 75% of its investment from profits until costs

impact on the country, including employingmorethan6,200people, investingmorethan$2billionwith local Guyanese businesses since 2015 and spending more than $43 milliononcommunityprojects.

But Red Thread’s Wintress White says people are struggling withsky-highrentsandfoodprices thathavedoubledortripledinsome cases.

“Therealityhereisthattheoilis not a blessing, it’s a curse and it’s only polluting our environment,” shesaid.

Janki believes Guyana can move swiftly to renewables. It is a country of sunshine, wind and rivers for small-scale hydropower, she said. She fears the country’s rushforoilhascomemuchtoolate and will trap the country into an industrywithoutalongfuture.“It’s toolatetodooil theonlypeople whoaregoingtomakemoneyfrom this are Exxon and the oil companies,”shesaid.(CNN)

Thursday

are recovered. The remainder is split 50% between Exxon and partners and 50% to the government,whichalsotakesa2% royalty

“It was a bad deal,”Ali said in the BBC interview, but he has rejected the idea of unilaterally changingtheagreement,whichwas signedbythepreviousgovernment. He says the next contract with Exxonwillbeondifferentterms.

An Exxon spokesperson said the contract is “globally competitive for countries at a similar stage of exploration,” addingthatGuyanaisaveraging$1 billion a year in “oil profits” and $6.2 billion had been paid into its naturalresourcefund.

Exxonhasalsofacedanumber of lawsuits over its potential environmental impact, many filed by Melinda Janki, a Guyanese international lawyer, who drafted the country’s Environmental ProtectionActbackinthe1990s.

A big victory for Guyana’s people and environment came in 2023, when the court ruled Exxon should have unlimited liability for thecostsofanyoilspill.Exxonhas since appealed the ruling and has posteda$2billionguaranteewhile itawaitstheappealoutcome.

Exxon said this commitment supplements “its robust balance sheets andtheinsurancepolicies they already had in place.” Janki saysthisisn’tenough.Offshoreoil spills can be extremely expensive to deal with, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill cost nearly $70 billiontocleanup.

The push and pull between those who say oil offers Guyana a brighter future and those who fear theindustry’simpactwillcontinue. Exxonsaidithashadapositive

Trumpslaps38%tariffs ongoodsfromGuyana …saysthiscountrycharging US76%tariffsincurrency manipulation,tradebarriers

UnitedStatesPresident,Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed a 38% rate of tariffs goods from Guyana as he unveiled a sweeping new trade policy, which targeted some of that country’s biggest tradingpartners.

TherateimposedonGuyanais thehighestforLatinAmericanand Caribbeancountriesandcomesjust days after President Irfaan Ali vowed to stand by Washington amid threats to impose tariffs on Chinese-builtvesselsduringanews conference last week with US SecretaryofState,MarcoRubio.

AccordingtotheUSnewtariffs policy Brazil, Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Barbados, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St Vincent have all been charged10%tariff.

Trinidad and Tobago has been slapped with 12% and Venezuela 29%.Inreactingtothemovebythe US,theGovernmentofGuyanaina statementsaidthatithastakennote of the reciprocal tariffs announced bytheUSGovernment.

“Our government is Cosely engaged with our US partners to better understand the issue and have it addressed as appropriate,’ thestatementconcluded.

Trump and the White House shared a series of charts on social mediadetailingthetariffratesthey say other countries impose on the U.S.Thosepurportedratesinclude the countries “Currency ManipulationandTradeBarriers.”

Under the currency manipulationandtradebarriersthe USmeasuredGuyana’srateat76%

Continued on page 41

ExxonMobil, Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources, Global Energy Monitor, Energy InformationAdministration Graphic: Lou Robinson, CNN

Frompage40 andinanadjacentcolumnitshows the new U.S. tariff rates on this country, which is put at 76%.

AccordingtoaCNBCarticlethose rates are, in most cases, roughly half of what the Trump administrationclaimseachcountry has“charged”theU.S.

The reciprocal rates are not necessarily the only U.S. tariffs these countries will face.CNBC said The White House told CNBC’sEamon Javers on Wednesday that the newreciprocalrateonChinawillbe added to existing tariffs totaling 20%,meaningthetruetariffrateon Beijingis54%.Trumpsaidhisplan willseta10%baselinetariffacross the board. But as his charts make clear,manycountriesaresettoface significantlyhigherrates.”Wewill charge them approximately half of what they _are and have been charging us,” Trump said in an announcement in the Rose Garden attheWhiteHouse.”So,thetariffs will be not a full reciprocal,” he said. But that halved figure Includes “the combined rate of all their tariffs, nonmonetary barriers and other forms of cheating,” he said.

Greatfriend

Meanwhile,justlastweekwhile acknowledging the looming economic impacts stemming from Trump’s proposed tariffs on Chinese-built ships, Ali vowed to stand by the U.S., “a great friend” of Guyana. At a press conference followingtalkswithRubio,heldat State House in Georgetown, both officials were asked whether their discussionsfocusedontheimpacts the tariffs could have on the Caribbean.

Responding first, Secretary RubiocontendedthattheU.S.aims to reduce dependency on Chinese shipbuilding.

He,however,acknowledgedthe potential economic consequences forGuyanaandtheregion.

“The goal the President has in doing so is we need to have an ability to build ships in this world that don’t just come from China. I think it’s just dangerous that one country in the world is building all theships.

Iassureyouthatwedon’twant awar ButImean,they’renotgoing to build ships for us if we get in trouble,right?So,weneedtohave alternatives to Chinese and we’re trying to create a market and then demandforalternativestoChinese ship construction,” Rubio explained.

Secretary Rubio admitted that he could not make any guarantees about exemptions or policy changes,astrademattersdonotfall underhisportfolio.

However, he assured that he would relay the region’s concerns toU.S.tradeofficials.

“So,Ican’tmakeacommitment tothoseexempt,becausethat’snot

somethingwehavewiththepartner State.WhatIcancommittoisthatI will most certainly raise this issue as a recurring issue in multiple places, that it would have a real detrimental effect on economic development.

Maybe in 10 years, it won’t be anissuebecausethere’sbeensome diversification maybe in five, but rightnow,itwouldbeproblematic. That message I’ll take back to Washington and to my colleagues thatarehandlingthetradeportfolio, and we’ll see how the President decides to proceed But rest assured, we will take that message back,”Rubiostated.

For his part, PresidentAli took comfort in Rubio’s statement that he will relate Guyana and the region’sconcern.

He said, “But Secretary Rubio is,ashesaid,willtakethisbackand to see whether there can be any special initiative for the region, givenourspecificcircumstances.”

To this end, Ali made it clear that Guyana has a responsibility to itsfriends.

“The U.S. is a great friend of ours. The U.S. has made it very clearthattheyarereadytostandby us in our development, in our economic expansion, in our security and in our defence.And I will say very boldly that such friends must have some different andpreferentialtreatment,because afriendwhowilldefendmewhenI needafriendtodefendme,mustbe a friend that enjoys some special place in our heart and in our country, that will be the case,” he said.

President Ali had also recently voiced his concerns over the impactsTrump’stariffswouldhave ontheregion.AlisaidthatGuyana, Suriname,andTrinidadandTobago would need to assess the implications for tankers and other vesselstransportingoilandgas.

WorldBankandtheGovernmentof Guyanaandexecutedbycontractor Shandong Hi-Speed Dejian Group Co.Limited.

Set to accommodate some 200 students, the modern facility is equippedwithalecturetheatreand several laboratories (biometric touchless labs) such as skills laboratory, an anatomy laboratory, biochemistry laboratory, histopathology laboratory, hematology laboratory, research laboratory,powerplant,andawater treatment plant, among other amenities.

The project is part of the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the education sector, and will prepare more persons to be medically trained before entering the healthcaresystem.

President Ali said the conceptualisation of the project dates back to 2013. After several setbacks and engagements, he said his government is pleased to see it cometofruition.

“That, of course, can have effectsonthecostofgoodscoming intotheregion,thecostoftransport coming into the region… this is a policythatwasalludedto,sothere aresomediscussionsthatwillhave to occur so all of these things are key regional issues that we are discussingtogether,”Alistated He said that while the policy is not yet implemented, “we have to have early conversations to mitigateorminimizetheimpact.”

WorldBank-funded US$4.5MMedicalSciences buildingcommissioned

President Irfaan Ali alongside other government, health and education officials on Tuesday officially commissioned the new US$4.5millionCollegeofMedical SciencesbuildingattheUniversity ofGuyana(UG).

The project, which was undertaken by the Ministry of Education, was funded by the

The President said the government’s investment in such a state-of-the-artfacilityistoprepare and produce students to work at a world-class level in every field. Having invested some $13 billion in the University of Guyana this year, and making it a tuition-free institution, the President said Guyana and its people will be positioned as leaders in the global network.

“The medical college must be able to produce high-quality papers;mustbeabletobeapartof an international network in which we can position ourselves as a leader So, these investments are not just another piece of investment,weareinvestinginthe bestbecausethereisavisionbehind it, there is a strategy behind it,” he declaredduringhisfeatureaddress.

The Head-of-State has continuously relayed his government’svisionofprovidinga world-class healthcare system for all. As such, the administration is

investing in building human capacity and investing in the cutting-edge equipment, technologyandmodernfacilitiesto providetheseworld-classservices.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony,duringhisremarks,noted that the medical school, which startedin1985,wasfacedwithalot of constraints over the years; one being a space to properly accommodate students With limitedspaceavailable,itsawonly asmallnumberofpersonsentering theschool.

He said the new building is important for the country and the continuation of medical education. “Iamextremelyhappythatwehave made such progress with the College of Medicine, and the students will no longer have to be nomadic,buttheywillhaveaplace where they can call their own home.”

Withsixnewhospitalsexpected to be commissioned this year and new technology and equipment being acquired, the Minister said moremedicalprofessionalswillbe neededtomanthesefacilities.

Meanwhile, UG’s Vice Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohammed-Martin expressed gratitude for the completion of the modern building. She said the project is the culmination of decades of long-standing needs fulfilled,anditisaprivilegetoseeit tofruition.

Dr Mohamed-Martin said that with more modern classrooms and laboratories, the new edifice will allowthecollegetotakeinabout40 percentmorestudents.

“So,thissinglestructurebrings together in perfect synergy, all the hopes, dreams and aspirations of 1000s across time, space and disciplines. Our purpose is fueled by sacrifice and promise; our dreams were too powerful to be denied.Theworkoftheschooland the university is too impactful and criticaltobeunsupported.Those Continued on page 42

U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio and President IrfaanAli

The new US$6.9M College of Medical Sciences situated at the University of Guyana. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Education)

Frompage41 who enter these doors as hopefuls

leave accomplished and burnished,”sheexpressed.

To those currently enrolled in the programme, the Vice Chancellor added, “Remember howfortunateyouare,notonlyfor thesegifts,butalsothestateofour beautiful country which is now paying your fees. We hope that you’llrememberandpayitbackfor onewellcaredpatientatatime.”

Further, to those who are coming to the school, she announced that the university will be opening the application process atmidnightonApril2nd.

Speaking also was Director of Human Development for Latin America and the Caribbean of the World Bank, Dr Jaime Saavedra, who said that the facility symbolises the government’s

relentless commitment to advancing health and education. “We’re not merely integrating the state-of-the-art facility, we are integrating a vibrant hub of learning, discovery and innovation that is integral to building human capitalinGuyana,”hementioned.

Friday

PritipaulSinghexportsdrop totwocontainersmonthlyfrom 20,ascatchesreduceoffshore …callsonGovt. tointerveneurgently

ByDavinaBagot

General Manager of Pritipaul Singh Investments (PSI), Pritipaul Singh, is fearful of what the future holds for the fishing industry in Guyana, given a 77% decline in catches and revenue recorded by hiscompanysince2019.

The businessman, in an interview with Kaieteur News on Monday, detailed what he described as a reduction in profits andcatchessincetheoperatorofthe Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil

Guyana Limited (EMGL), commencedoilproductionin2019.

PSI started the harvesting and processing of seabob (shrimp) in the year 2000 The company quickly discovered a huge demand in the foreign market for the produce and commenced exporting.

The General Manager recalls enjoying “extensive exports” between 2000 and 2010. He said, “We started exporting from one container to two containers, to 10 containers, to 20 containers per weekinthepeakyearsfrom2000to 2010.Wedidextensiveproduction because the shrimp was there and we saw the opportunity to fish and export because the demand was thereforit.”

Despite the demand still being presenttoday,thebusinesshasbeen faced with challenges that has resulted in PSI failing to meet its customers’demand.

Workers check seines for damage and conduct repairs to prepare for another trip offshore

Singh explained, “When they started that oil exploration from 2015 to 2020, we had seen a slight decline, we are all apprehensive about this. We never thought it would have been to the extent where it is today, where from a production of 20M pounds to 5M poundsannually.”

The General Manager said that after the 5M raw materials are processed,theproductfallstoabout 2.5Mpounds.

Currently, PSI exports most of its produce, with 99% being shippedtodifferentcountriesinthe Caribbean and even the United States and Europe A small percentage is also used to supply thelocalmarketsincethedemandis not as high, according to the company

Pritipaul Singh Investments owns about 107 fishing vessels whichareequippedwithfood,fuel and other supplies for the fishermen, who spend about 7-8 days offshore, depending on the volumeofcatchrecorded.

Prior to oil production, the General Manager said fisherfolk spentthreetofourdaysoffshorebut thishasincreasedtoasmuchas15 daysatsea.Thishasalsocausedan additional strain on the establishment, with operational expensesgrowing.

“We are spending more time, we are being less productive, we have to put more groceries on board, so it’s more expense, less returns,”thebusinessmansaid.

Accordingtostatisticsrecorded by the company over the past five years, catches have declined significantly “From 2019, these represent numbers of catches, and from2019rightonto2024,youcan see a complete decline in the number of catches that are coming in. It reflects a 77% reduction, approximately both in raw materials and revenue generation for the company,” PSI said in explaining a data chart seen in this

article.

Futureoffishing

Although Singh has seen dwindling catches and profits, the businessman said he is reluctant to turn his back on the industry To offset his expenses, he is now exploringotherbusinessoptions.

“Because of my extensive expansionandmycommitmentsto the bank, I cannot jump out of it. I havetofindsolutions,”hestressed. Consequently,Singhexplainedthat PSIisenteringtheconstructionand retailofconcretepilesandconcrete blocks,amongotherthings.

Todate,Singhhasinvestedover US$50Mintohisbusinessandstill has outstanding loan payments to thebank.

“I have to continue hoping that something would change in the years to come, but my diversification can eventually put me in a different direction, which canendwithmeoutoftheseafood business, depending on my potential in this field of investment,”hesaid.

Importation

As an exporter, Singh said he may even have to consider importing stocks to keep his processingfacilityinGuyanaalive. This,however,alsohaschallenges, given global competition, tariffs andothertaxes.“Whenyouimport these raw materials, they have to process,sothat’sacost,andthento re-export it may be uncompetitive, so it may not make sense, but it is something for us to consider,” the businessmansaid.

Guyanatravelpackages

Besides the seabob production, PSI’s business also includes fish, which is supplied by artisanal fisherfolk. The General Manager explained, “We buy fish from the whole country, so other than the shrimp business, there is still a percentageoffishwhichis25%of thebusiness,sotocombinethetwo, wearetryingtostayafloat.”

Govt.notconcerned

Singh told this newspaper that he has raised his concerns with the government. In fact, this has been done repeatedly, according to the businessman “Everything was shared, and it’s something continuous that we keep doing because of the difficulty with the business,” an almost desperate entrepreneurrelated.

Accordingtohim,“Wewroteto the Minister of Finance seeking assistance with financing, lower interest rates, because of the position we are at, we cannot meet our financial commitment to the banks.Wealsosharedthiswiththe Minister of Agriculture, the President and everybody who can helpusbutwegotnoresponse.”

“We were looking to see what help we can get to survive in this business.Wehaveinexcessof1000 employees; they would be out of jobs if this place is to close down. Indirectly, we have 10,000 people that could be affected because the fishermen have families and those persons depend on that revenue to spendintheshops,ifthey(vendors) don’t have the revenue, their sales would automatically reduce,” the businessmanadded.

Singh noted that his efforts to engage the government on the situation commenced around 2023 when PSI faced difficulties with meeting its commitments to the bankandpayingwages.

Henoted,“Wearerightnowin arrears with payment for NIS, payments for PAYE.You go to the government to ask for help but we are being pressured to pay up. If not,youhavepenaltiestodealwith, but nobody is concerned about this.”

The businessman complained that even though the government has been furnished with statistics, the leaders seem more concerned abouttheoilsector

Since oil production commenced, two of Pritipaul Singh’s competitors have left the

; Gopie

Investments Inc. and Noble House SeafoodsLimitedhaveclosedtheir doors, with PSI fearing that his business may be heading in the samedirection.

“Asaresultoftheclosureofthe twocompanies,Iamtheonlyonein existence.Asaresult,Ishoulderall expen

everything that relates to get scientists,data,peoplegoingonour boats.Welookafterallthisandthe business is in a dire state,” he shared.

The businessman told this newspaper that while meetings are held occasionally where concerns about the industry are discussed, the commitments to address these havesofarfailed.

With the oil and gas sector expanding, resulting in more frequent vessel movement offshore, Pr

h Investments is still hoping that offshorefishingdoesnotdie.

“Rightnow,allIcandoishope tostayinbusiness. Ijusthopethat it doesn’t change drastically to wherewewouldnotseeanyfishing takingplace,”hesaid.

VPJagdeourges exportersnottopanic SaysGovt.toclarifytrade surplusdatawithU.S.Govt. whichtriggered38%tariff

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has assured Guyanese exporters that the government will work to clarify differences in trade surplusdatawiththeUnitedStates government, which he believes playedaroleinthe38%reciprocal tariffonGuyaneseproducts.

UnitedStatesPresidentDonald TrumpannouncedonWednesdaya 38% tariff on goods from Guyana and stated that this country is charging the US 76% tariffs in currency manipulation and trade barriers.

However, at his press conference on Thursday, the Vice President explained that the move was not unexpected, given that Trump campaigned on addressing trade imbalances between the US and various countries “So, President Trump’s announcement yesterdaydidnotcomeasasurprise to us here in Guyana, this was anticipated, this was expected,” he said.

Further, he noted that in Guyana’scase,theUStradefigures suggest a substantial trade surplus thatGuyanaexportsmoretotheUS than it imported, while Guyana’s data differs significantly As a result, he assured Guyanese exporters that the government will seektoclarifythedifferenceinthe trade surplus data with the aim of potentiallyloweringthetariff. DifferenceinData Guyana’sVicePresidentsaid Continued on page 43

Frompage42

that the government’s understanding of the reciprocal tariff is that countries exporting moretotheUSthanimportingface highertariffs.

Guyanatravelpackages

He said, “A number of people thought that it was based on our own trade barriers, that is, higher tariffsratesforgoodscomingfrom the US, that caused us to be in the bracketorinthecategoryofhigher reciprocal taxes. From what we lookedatandhaveread,itseemsas thoughallofthecountriesthathave had higher reciprocal tariffs are countries that have been exporting more into the United States of America than they’re imprinting fromtheUnitedStatesofAmerica, that is countries that have a trade surplus with the United States of America…it seems as though that isthebasisnotindividualizedtariff barriersineachcountry.”

Using information from the United Nations COMTRADE, Jagdeo pointed out a significant difference between Guyana’s trade surplus figures versus the figures reported by the US. For 2024, Guyana’s report to UN COMTRADE states that the countryexportedUS$3.3billionto the US and imported US$2.56 billion, leaving a trade surplus of US$799 million. However, the US report to the UN COMTRADE presents drastically different figures, showing Guyana’s exports to the US for 2024 were US$5.5 billion and imports were only US$1.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplusofUS$4.1billion.

“So,clearlythereisroomforus to work with the US partners to clarify this information,” Jagdeo said.

TheVice President stated, “We are still to work with the US governmentonthenumbersandto see if that is what is applicable in ourcase,soclearlywewouldwant to point out to the United States of America, cause we have good import data that we are importing muchmorefromtheunitedstatesof AmericathanisreportedbytheUS to the UN COMTRADE, and so thatisoneareawherethatcanlead to a significant reduction in the tradesurplus.”

Guyanatravelpackages

Moreover, Jagdeo highlighted thatanotheravenueofengagement with the US could show that the surge in Guyana’s trade surplus withtheUSoverthepastfouryears is mainly due to oil exports According to US COMTRADE data,in2020thetradesurplusfrom Guyana was US$69 million, in 2021itwasUS$1.3billion,in2022 itwasUS$1.7billion,in2023itwas US$2 billion, and in 2024 it was US$4.1billion.

“So,youwouldseeclearlythat ourtradesurplusislargelybecause of our export of oil in the last 4 years, that is why we have a major

surplus with the United States of America, so we can clearly make thatcaseandwecanmakethecase that the majority ownership of the exportersofoilthecompanyhereis an American company Hess and Exxon, because they’re the majorityownersfortheventurethat they have in Guyana that’s producing oil and gas,” Jagdeo explained.

Formula

Based on his understanding on the formula that was used to calculatethereciprocaltariffusing thetradesurplus,Jagdeoexplained that the trade surplus of US$4.1 billion, is divided by the by total exports US$5.5 billion, and this figure is then multiplied by 100, arriving at the 76% which is then divided by two to determine a reciprocal tariff of 38%. “The bigger the surplus is in percentage terms, the higher the reciprocal tariff will be…and it’s across the boarditisforfriendsandfoealike, the United States applied this right acrosstheboardonthebasisofthis formula that we think they applied,”henoted.

He explained that the government’s discussions with the UnitedStatesgovernmentwillhave to show the points he made earlier that there is no inbuilt discriminationagainstUSproducts comingintoGuyanesemarketsand that there are no barriers to US products.

“So, we are looking forward to having that engagement with the USgovernment,”hesaid. Exemptions

Further, he noted that, according to the executive order i s s u e d b y t h e Tr u m p administration, some items are exempt from the reciprocal tariff. Jagdeo shared that the government reviewed Guyana’s top 10 exports totheUS,whichincludepetroleum crude,aluminumore,fresh,chilled, or frozen fish, gold, molasses, sugar, honey, alcoholic beverages, measuring and checking instruments, prepared fish and crustacean products, wood, and woodmanufactures.

He noted that according to the annex of the executive order petroleum,aluminumore,andgold areamongtheitemsexemptedfrom thehighertariff. Donotpanic

Further, he assured exporters thatthegovernmentwillworkwith them to mitigate the impact of the tariffandnotedthatthereisnoneed topanic.

Hesaid,“Iwanttoassureallof our exporters that we’ll work with themaswelearnmoreoftheissue. We will be meeting with them, working with them to ensure that they can continue to access the US markets and other markets in the world and they will have the full support of the government of Guyana and so that we do not lose economic, welfare, or welfare

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

associated with the loss of economicoutput,thisislikepeople losing jobs etcetera in the export industries.”

Saturday

Exxonadmitstooperating aboveproductionratesinEIAs …saysimpactassessed usingseparatefigure

ByDavinaBagot

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL)hasadmittedtoproducing oil above the design rates of the various Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessels (FPSOs).

The company, during a disclosure meeting on Thursday at theDiamondPrimarySchool,East Bank Demerara, for the Hammerhead development- its seventh planned project-, was askedbythisnewspapertoexplain why its projects are designed to produceataspecificrate,yetdaily productionexceedsthisfigure.

Sofar,allthreeoftheprojectsin operation are producing oil above the design rates, outlined in the respective Environmental Impact Assessments(EIAs).

Exxon’s consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), in response, explained that while the company provides the planned production rates,ERMfactorsinanincreaseto ensure it accounts for future production rates, which may be higherthantheinitialestimate.

Meanwhile, Exxon’s Projects Environmental and Regulatory Manager, Mariya Skocik, revealed that conservative production rates areusedintheEIAsratherthanthe actual rate the company would operateat.

She said, “When the projects aredesigned,weusethebestdesign basisthatwehaveatthattime.For the purpose of the EIA, we use a very conservative production rate to be sure that we can estimate the worst possible environmental

government of Guyana have, however, assured that the optimization of production is conducted after rigorous assessments to ensure the increase inproductionisdonesafely.

This newspaper confirmed that the Liza One EIA states that the FPSO was designed to produce safelyatsustainedpeaksof120,000 barrels per day (bpd) The document also states that potential impacts were based on a potential peak production of 144,000 bpd. Exxon is producing approximately 145,000 bpd currently at the project.

impact. So, the production rates that we supply to the consultants, such as ERM, they’re generally more conservative than what we intendtooperateat.”

Skocik was keen to note that debottlenecking is a standard practice across the oil and gas industry Additionally, she assured that if Exxon intends to produce above the estimate used to determineimpactsfromtheproject, then it would reassess the associatedimpact.

She could not say whether the company would re-engage the public when it reassesses the impact. According to her, “That might be an EPA process question and likely depends on the deltahowmuchofanincrease.Sofar,we have not had to go through the entire process all over again, just because we have been able to accountforthatintheEIA.”

Although officers of the EPA were present at the meeting, a response by the regulator was not provided.

Meanwhile, EMGL Projects Manager, Rebecca Cvikota, assured that the debottlenecking exercise is only conducted after an analysisisundertakentodetermine the potential impact of those activities.

She said, “We actually go through what we call a hazard analysis and that would look at all typesofpotentialimpactsofdoing those activities, including safety, environmentalandwewouldbring inourprocesssafetyexpertstolead us through that process as well to ensurethatbeforeweevenconsider making any changes that those are allevaluatedproperly.”

Increaseproduction

The increase of oil production by the company, beyond the EIA design rates, have sparked concern among Guyanese, who often argue thatthecountryisputatgreaterrisk of an oil spill by the operator pushing the equipment beyond its capacity

ExxonMobil and the

AccordingtotheLizaTwoEIA, that project was designed to produce 220,000 bpd, but production today has reached approximately 250,000 bpd. The study also states that 300,000 bpd was used to assess potential impactsfromtheProject.

Additionally, the Payara EIA notesthattheprojectwasdesigned to operate at a capacity of 220,000 bpd That project has been producing above 250,000 bpd, accordingtodataontheMinistryof Natural Resources’ website. The EIA, however, states that 264,000 bpd was used to assess potential impactsfromtheProject.

Oilsinkstopandemic lows;metals,soybeans slumpasChinaretaliates againstU.S.Tariffs

LONDON/CHICAGO April 4 (Reuters) – Oil prices plunged nearly 8% on Friday to the lowest level since 2021, while copper, soybeans and other commodities alsofellasChinaretaliatedagainst U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressivetariffs.

Safe-havengoldwasdownfora second day, swept up in a broader market selloff as major equities indexes plunged and recession fearsswelled.

The Reuters Tariff Watch newsletterisyourdailyguidetothe latest global trade and tariff news. Signuphere.

Beijing put forward a 34% additional levy on all U.S. goods, hittingbackafterTrumpannounced a10%minimumtariffonmostU.S. imports, with significantly higher duties for dozens of countries includingChina.

“This is the first very explicit escalationfromChina,theyarenot backing down, they are upping the game,” said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB. Schieldrop expected further retaliation from Trump, who said on Friday that China “played it wrong” and vowed not to change hispolicies.

The accelerating tensions further drove fears that the tariffs could lead to a global trade war, weighing on economic growth and curbingdemandforkey Continued on page 46

The Secret of the Golden Egg

The town of Willowbrook buzzed with excitement It was Easter morning, and children filled the streets, baskets in hand, eagertocollectcolorfuleggshiddeninevery corner Butthisyear,therewasanextrathrill intheair.LegendhaditthataspecialGolden Egg was hidden somewhere in town. The child who found it would receive a magical Easter surprise No one knew what the surprisewas,buteveryonewantedtobethe luckyone to find it.Emilyand Danielstood attheedgeofthetownsquare,lookingatthe giantbannerthatread:

FINDTHEGOLDEN EGG—FOLLOWTHECLUES!

Daniel grinned. “Are you ready for an adventure?”

Emily nodded eagerly “Let's go! But wheredowestart?”

Justthen,themayorofWillowbrook,Mr Thompson,steppedforwardandrangasmall bell. “Attention, everyone! The first clue to finding the Golden Egg is hidden inside the biggestchocolatebunnyintown!”

Emily and Daniel exchanged excited glances “To the bakery!” they shouted together

TheFirstClue…

Thebakerysmelledlikewarmsugarand melted chocolate. Mrs.Appleby, the owner, smiled as they rushed inside. “Ah, looking forthefirstclue,areyou?”Shepointedtoa huge chocolate bunny displayed in the window

Daniel spotted a tiny note stuck to the bunny's ear He carefully pulled it off and readaloud:

Tofindtheeggthatshinessobright, Gowherebooksbringstoriestolife!

Emilyclappedherhands.“Thelibrary!”

TheSecondClue…

At the library, they hurried past shelves stacked with books until they reached the children's section. On a small table sat an open storybook with another note tucked inside:

Touncoverthenextclue,don'tdelay,

Findtheplacewherelittlelambsplay!

Daniel's eyes lit up. “That must be the pettingfarm!”

TheThirdClue…

AtWillowbrook'spettingfarm,theysaw fluffy white lambs bouncing in the grass.A friendly farmhand handed them a note attachedtoatinycarrot:

You'regettingclose,don'tstopnow,

(Continuedonpage45)

Flower LED String Light Wreath

BrightenupyourhomethisSpring withthischarmingLEDlight-up wreath.Featuringdelicatefloral accentsandglowinglights,itaddsa cheerfulandinvitingtouchtoanyspace. Perfectforcelebratingtheseasonand creatingawarm,vibrantatmosphere,this wreathisbothdecorativeandilluminating.

SUPPLIES:

LEDlights

Circularwreathorcardboard

Pasteltissuepapers

Glue

Instructions:

1.Beginbypreparingthetissuepaper

ballsbytearingoffsmallpiecesoftissue paperandrollitinyourhands.

2.Onceyouhavepreparedenoughtissue paperballstocovertheentirecraftwreath usePVAgluetostickthemdown. Remembernottocovertheholeinthecraft wreathsoyoucanthreadthestringthrough later

3.Oncetheglueisdrybegintowrapthe FlowerLEDstringlightsaroundthe decoratedcraft wreath.

4. Tofinish,threadyourstring throughtheholeandmakeaknotinthe stringsothatthewreathcanbehung.

byUncleRoy

Iusedtothinksomeworkwastoohard, Andsodidnoteventry; ThisisbecauseIhadtriedbefore, AndgaveupwhenIcouldnotgetby

ButthenIlookedaroundmyclass, Andsawothersdoingswell, WhenIthoughtIwasbrighterthanthem, AndfeltIcoulddojustaswell.

SoIdecidedtonevergiveup, AndtoalwaysfeelIcoulddobetter; Iputmywholemindtomywork, Andsooneverythinggotsomucheasier. easier

Develop the faith that you have what you need to succeed in your life WHAT IT TAKES

Young people are the stage when they have to determine what they need todotomakeasuccessoftheirlives.

The first step to launching out in yourlifeistodevelopthebeliefthatyou have what you now need to make a successful start to your life

Understanding your full potential as a humanbeingwilldemonstratethatyou havewhatittakestoeventuallyachieve whateveryousetyourmindto.

Whenyourealiseyourtruenature–thatyouareauniquehumanbeingwith so many natural talents and endowments–thenyouwillfinditeasy and just as natural to develop confidenceinyourself,andusetheseto yourbestadvantage.

Firstofall,youneedtorealisethat

allofushumanbeingshavefourassets which are our birthright – body, mind, heartandsoul–whichenableustofulfil ourbasicneedstolive,tolearn,tolove, andtocontribute.

By these assets we can survive, grow and develop, foster good relationships with others, and add to whatever brings good to the world for thebenefitofourselvesandothers.

Apartfromthese,youwillalsoneed to consider the unique human qualities whichyoupossess,andtrytomakethe best use of these so as to get the maximum benefit from what you will bedoing.

Each of us human beings has a combinationoftalentsandskillsthatis unique among all others, and making full use of these will make you most

The Secret of the Golden...

Frompage44

You're getting close, don't stop now, Findthetallesttreeandlookdownlow!

Emilygasped.“Thetallesttreeisin thetownpark!”

TheSecretoftheGoldenEgg…

The park was filled with children searching for eggs, but Emily and Daniel sprinted toward the tallest tree—agreatoakstandinginthemiddle of the grass. They searched around its base,brushingawayleavesandtwigs.

Then Daniel saw it—a golden shimmerundertheroots!

“We found it!” Emily cheered, pullingoutashinygoldeneggfromits hidingspot.

Just then, Mr Thompson arrived, clapping his hands. “Congratulations, Emily and Daniel! You found the

GoldenEgg!Butdoyouknowwhatthe realtreasureis?”

Daniel looked at the egg. “Is it chocolate?”

Mr Thompsonlaughed.“No.Open itandsee!”

Emily carefully twisted the egg open. Inside was a small rolled-up letter Shereadaloud:

The greatest treasure isn't gold or s w e e t s , It's friendship, kindness, and joyful t r e a t s !

You two worked together with laughter a n d c h e e r , So your special surprise is a party this year!

Behindthem,musicstartedplaying, andthetownspeoplecheered.Aspecial Easter party was set up just for them,

successful as an individual and as a memberofyourorganisation.

Firsttrytodeterminewhatareyour own unique talents, and then make the continuous effort to utilise these to make the most of any efforts in which youareinvolved.

You can do so by identifying the things that you find come naturally to you, those that you feel confident that you can do, and, moreover, those that youexcelin. Thesetalentsaregiftedto you for the specific purpose of making themostofthemandusingthemforthe betterment of yourself and your environment.

Take some special time to think about your natural endowments, and howyoucanmakeuseofthemtofulfil all you need to lead a life that is beneficial and satisfactory to both yourselfandtheworldaroundyou.

with games, treats, and a giant cake decoratedlikeanEasterbasket!

Emilybeamed.“Therealtreasureis celebratingwithfriendsandfamily!”

Daniel nodded. “This was the best Easterever!”

Astheyjoinedthecelebration,they realized that the legend was true—the GoldenEgg'srealmagicwasbringing everyonetogetherinjoyandfriendship.

TheEnd!

Follow-UpQuestions:

What was the first clue, and where didEmilyandDanielfindit?

What did Emily and Daniel discoverinsidetheGoldenEgg?

What do you think is more important finding treasure or spendingtimewithlovedones?Why?

YouhavewhatittakestosucceedYouhavewithinyoueverythingyouneed tobecomeanythingyouwanttobe, andthezealtoapproachyourtasksenthusiastically; Youhavethepowertoapplyyourselfenergetically, andthewisdomtodosowisely; Youhaveallwithinyoutoanswerthecall tobewhateveryouwanttobeinthisworld; Youhaveimaginationwithinyoutoseeclearly whatyouwantmanifestedfruitfully; Youhavelovewithinyoutobelovingalways inallyouractionsandmethodsandways; Youhavelifewithinyoutomakeright thehappinessthatisyourbirthright; Youhavestrengthwithinyoutoholdandpursue theideasyouknowareevergoodandtrue; Youhaveintelligencewithinyou torenounceeverythoughtandactionthatisbadforyou; Youhavefaithwithinyoutofulfilyourdestiny andmakethemostofyourselfforalleternity

The finished puzzle should be filled with Xs, Os, and Is. Rows, columns, and diagonals should never contain three-in-arow of any one symbol. Each row and column should contain an equal number of each symbol. There is a unique solution.

Whether or not you practise a religion, a firm belief in your Almighty Creator will help you to develop the faith that He has endowed you with all you need to make a success of your life.

Interesting Creatures...

AKomondor

Komondor is a

big, white dog with Hungarian roots. They are livestock guardians with distinctive long, corded coats The plural for Komondor is “ k o m o n d o r o k ” i n Hungarian, but this is not a term commonly used by Englishspeakers.

Due to their long coats and hairy body, they are often referred to as “mop dogs”.

K o m o n d o r s a r e

protectiveandvigilantdogs. They are also friendly, social, and trainable dogs withhighgroomingneeds.

Komondors are large dogs with profuse whitecolored cords adorning their bodies. Their size and build make them popular protectivedogs. The average Komondor sizeformalesis27.5ormore inches in height and 25.5 inchesforfemales.

Male Komondors weigh around 100 pounds or more,

and females weigh 80 pounds or more The estimated Komondor lifespanis10to12years.

Komondors have a powerful body, as they used to be the guardians of Hungarian flocks Their largebodyiscoveredinlong white cords. You can also identify them by their heavy bone structure, deep chest, andmanymuscles.

Komondors are lightfooted and agile in spite of theirsize.

Frompage43 commodities. The levies by the U.S. excludedenergy,buttheretaliatorymoveby ChinaencompassesallU.S.goods,aswellas exportcurbsonsomerareearths.

The U.S. is a major energy exporter and sellsoilandLNGtoChina,accordingtodata from analytics firm Kpler and the U.S. EnergyInformationAdministration.

Wall Street benchmarks sold off heavily, withtheDowJonessettoreachacorrection whiletheNasdaqwasontracktoenterabear market.Brentfuturesdived$4.53,or6.46%, to $65.63 a barrel by 2:41 p.m. ET (1841 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down $4.93, or 7.36%, to $62.02.The oil benchmarks were set for the lowestclosesincethemiddleoftheCOVID19pandemicinApril2021.

SOYBEANS,GRAINS

SoybeanfuturesontheChicagoBoardof Tradefellmorethan3%onFridayasChina’s tariffs on U.S. goods were expected to bring tradeintheoilseedbetweenthecountriestoa halt. China, the largest soybean buyer, was

seen accelerating purchases from rival supplierBrazil.CBOTsoybeansendeddown 3.4% at $9.77 a bushel, the lowest since late December

Oilpricesfell6%onThursday

CBOTwheatfell1.3%to$5.29abushel while corn bucked the broader weakness to close up 0.6% at $4.60-1/4 a bushel as top importerMexicowasexcludedfromTrump’s sweepingtariffsthisweek.

Demand for U.S. agricultural products alreadycameunderpressurefromatradewar during Trump’s first term in 2018. Beijing raiseddutieslastmonthon$21billionworth ofU.S.productsinresponsetoWashington’s earlierroundoftariffsonChinesegoods.

Basemetalssoldoff,withLondonMetal Exchange three-month copper down 3%, its biggestdailyslidesincetheearlydaysofthe pandemic in 2020 Aluminum, already subjecttoa25%U.S.importtariff,wasdown 3%atitslowestsinceSeptember

Spot gold was down 3% as traders liquidated their bullion positions following widermarketselloffs.

PNCR calls on govt. to have a holistic response plan to Trump’s 38% tariff on Guyanese goods

The opposition People’s National Congress Reform and the A Partnership for National Unity (PNCRAPNU) in a statement on Saturday called on the government to devise a holistic response plan to address the 38% reciprocal tarif imposed on Guyanese goods by the Donald Trump administration.

On Wednesday, Trump announced a 38% tarif on goods from Guyana and stated that this country is charging the United States (U S ) 76% tarif s in currency manipulation and tradebarriers.

The PNCR-APNU accused the government of failingtoadequatelyprepare for the new trade measures and neglecting critical diplomaticengagements.

“ T h e T r u m p administration’s recent announcementofa38%tarif for most Guyanese goods

h a s e x p o s e d t h e unpreparedness and negligence of the PPP regime,”itwasstated.

The Opposition party notedthat,despiteclaimsby Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo that the government anticipated the move, there was “no evidence that it engaged in any diplomacy with the US government, in anyscenarioplanning,andin any risk assessment and management.”

The opposition noted their concern about the absence of discussions on the tarif during the recent visit of the U.S Secretary of State, Marco Rubio They suggested that the government was instead preoccupied with unrelated matters “We are not surprised that the PPP governmentdidnotraisethis matterduringtherecentvisit oftheUSSecretaryofState, as it was more enthusiastic about receiving the dossier

of evidence on the Mohameds,”itwasstated.

As such, the PNCRA P N U u r g e d t h e

…warns of economic fallout

governmenttotakeswiftand strategic action to shield the country’s economy from the possible fallout. They said,

“Given the urgency of the matter, we call on the government, in its last r

response plan that includes sensible financial and other measures to cushion these impacts.”

The opposition further argued that any ef

to address the tarif must go

historicaltradedataand Continuedonpage56

PNCR and Opposition Leader,Aubrey Norton

Ajourney fueledbytalent, creativityand mom’ssupport… mom’

Tucker celebrating with friends as he proudly holds his first book.

Boy 8, publishes first book

ByChristalYong

At just eight years old, Jeziel Andre Tucker has already made a markintheworldofliterature. On March23,2025,theeightyearold launched his first book at the University of Guyana’s (UG) Education Lecturer Theatre. He aptlytitledit‘MyFirstBook.’

For many, this would be a dream come true, but for him, it’s just the beginning. The Grade Three student of the New Guyana School’s journey to becoming a publishedauthorwassparkedbya schoolproject.

“My school project helped me write my book because I had to makeastorybookwithstoriesIdid

JezielAndreTucker andhisteacher whoassistedhim throughouthisjourney ofwritinghisfirstbook

it in class and I combined those storiestogether[for]myfirstbook.

I got my ideas because I had to do creative writing, which is also calledthecomposition,”theyoung childtoldTheWaterfalls

He said it took him three monthstocompletetheprojectand publishthebook.YoungJezieldid not face any challenges along the way, thanks to his dedication and theguidancefromhismother,who helped him stay on track throughouttheprocess.

While writing is a passion of the young student, he has other interestsaswell.Heenjoysplaying thedrums,drivinghislifesize(toy) vehicles, and dreaming about flyingplanes.

Hisfascinationwithaviationis d e

edintimespentwithhisuncle,who was a pilot.Tucker recalls how he was captivated by the cockpit and the control panels the pilots use to fly,whentravelingonplanes.

“I want to be one of those peoplewhocontrolthebuttonsand flytheplane,”hesayswithhiseyes sparkling at the thought of his aspirations.

The Grade Three student’s sense of accomplishment is palpable He describes feeling happy,smart,anddiligentabouthis writing.

“IfeellikeIamagoodperson,” he said proudly Looking ahead, Tucker has big plans for his writing. He intends to write more books,exploringtopicsbeyondthe storieshe’swrittensofar Hisnext project will focus on Guyana, llowed by another about Jamaica.

connectionstothem,havingvisited both and interacted with people, who call them home. This firsthand knowledge will allow him to incorporate authentic details into hisfuturestories.

Tucker’s enthusiasm for both writing and learning shines through as he looks to the future, already planning his next literary endeavors With his mother’s support and a clear vision for his creativepath,there’snotellingjust howfarthisyoungauthorwillgo.

AMOTHER’SSUPPORT

Latoya Arthur-Tucker, mother of the young author, admits that while she feels an immense sense of pride, she has a tinge of guilt at herson’searlyliterarysuccess.

book was published before her, so as their mother, I am deep down feeling, I did her some amount of injustice.”

Jayne, who is currently in Grade Six, had been focusing on her exam preparation, which led Latoya to pause her writing endeavors temporarily This, she feels, may have caused her to unintentionally overlook her daughter’s creative ambitions in favor of her son’s newfound success.

However, she asserted, “I am happyforhimandIamexcitedfor his accomplishments in terms of guidinghimwhenhebroughthome the project. Before bringing home theproject,Iknewthathehadthese abilitiesandIsensegreatnessinhis writing.”

He chose these countries ecause of his personal

She told The Waterfalls, “While it is a proud moment, I think I am pretty much dismissing mypridebecauseJayne,whoishis older sister, writes as well and she started writing before him but his

Reflectingonhiswriting,Mrs. Tuckerwasquicktopraiseher Continued on page 56

book

Tucker along with family during the launch of his

Origin casting calling and selection

‘Origins’ Guyana Fashion Festival gets underway with casting call for local models

Guyana Fashion festival dubbed ‘Origins’ is set to commenceonMay2to4,2025atRailwayCourtyardalong LamahaStreet,Georgetown

Organizers of the event hosted a casting call for local models on Saturday at the Railway Courtyard. Tourism, Industry&CommerceministerOneidgeWalrondwasonsite asadiversegroupingofmodelspresentedthemselvestothe selectioncommitteetobepartofthefestival.

EventDirectorAlexGrahamtold The Waterfalls thatthe fashionfestival

Continuedpage75

‘Mai’turns104

HighCommissionerDr AmitTelangand Dr Deepali Telang visited the residence of Smt.SumintraSarjucalled‘Mai’inhernative village in Corentyne and extended greetings to her on her recently celebrated 104th birthday

‘Mai’ is among the oldest surviving members of Indo-Guyanese community whose ancestors came to Guyana from India intheearly20thcentury

Born in 1921, ‘Mai’, despite her age is

alertandactiveandquotedhervegetariandiet as a secret of her health. She shared that BainganChokhaandRotiwithfriedOkraare amongherfavoritedishes.

High Commissioner thanked her for her melodious rendition of a Bhajan, which she sent to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modiji when he had visited Guyana a few months back. ‘Mai’ continues her daily chores and maintainsanactiveroutine,aninspirationfor usall.(Source:IndiainGuyana)

Sumintra Sarju Called ‘Mai’(2nd from right) is joined by India High Commissioner to Guyana Dr.Amit Telang and other well wishers at her village in Corentyne, Berbice. (India in Guyana)

‘Leche ‘D’ Luxe’ for delicious, sweet tres leche cakes

ByAllyiahAllicock

“Young entrepreneurs are driving the digital revolution, advocating for social change and contributing to a more diverse and dynamic economy We’re not just building businesses; we are creating movements that connect people and ideas worldwide.”

Growing up in a family of professional chefsandbakersandbeingsurroundedbythe art of cooking and baking has truly left a tremendousimpactonthelifeof21-year-old OmeishaIfill.

So much so, Ifill turned this love for baking and cooking into a notable business called‘Leche‘D’Luxe’.

Now you may be wondering, what is Leche ‘D’ Luxe and what does it have to offer? Well, for those who may not be familiar, Leche ‘D’ Luxe is all about indulgence, versatility and creativity The businessspecialisesinhandcraftedtres-leche styledessertsthatcombinerichflavourswith elegantpresentation.

Giving us a brief insight into her flourishing business, Ifill in an exclusive interview with this magazine, revealed that Leche ‘D’ Luxe was officially launched on January 6, 2025. The date is a personal one. Ifillsaiditishergrandmother’sbirthday;the personwhofirstintroducedhertothekitchen sinceshewaseightyearsold.

“If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have developed my skills in cooking and baking thatInowhavetoday,”sheexpressed.

“Mygrandmothertaughtmetheropesin the kitchen from a very young age, which gave me the confidence to develop my cookingskillsearlyon.However,bakingwas a skill I had to work on over the past few years, and through dedication and faith, I turned it into something I now love,” she furtherexplained.

Noting that her journey into entrepreneurshiphasalwaysfeltdestinedand thatfromayoungage,sheknewshewanted to be her own boss. Ifill shared that part of what inspired her to introduce Leche ‘D’ LuxewasGuyana’srapideconomicgrowth.

“With more diversity and a rising Spanish-speaking population, I saw an opportunity to introduce something that felt inclusive Dessert could bring people together Tres Leches is a well-loved treat with roots in LatinAmerica and I wanted to re-imagineitwithlove,makingitaluxurious experience for everyone to enjoy,” she told thispublication.

Young entrepreneur and owner of Leche ‘D’Luxe, Omeisha Ifill

In launching her business, she recalled she started with her signature Tres Leche Cakes, which remain the heart of her business.Itshouldbenotedthat‘TresLeches’ translates to ‘three milks’ in Spanish, referring to the cake’s signature creamy finish. She explained that tres leches cakes areabelovedLatinAmericandessertknown for their rich, moist texture. Soaked in three (3) special milk mixtures, it becomes incrediblysoftandindulgent.

With this being her first treats, she noted that over time, she began to introduce new variations based on customer demands, ensuring each one maintains the same highqualitycraftsmanship.

Providing something new to the local market,theyoungbakercommentedthatthe support she has received thus far has been incredible. “I’m beyond grateful for every person who has contributed to my journey, whetherthroughpurchases,sharingmywork or simply believing in my vision and consistently motivating me with their amazing experiences with every cake,” she added.

Notably,shesaidthatthejourneyhasnot been an easy one, since she had to balance a growingbusinesswithherfull-timecareeras a researcher She stated too that time management, sourcing the right ingredients and maintaining consistency, all required strategyandadaptation.However,through Continued on page 54

The cinnamon flavour tres leche cake.

The strawberry cream tres leche cake.

The fruity pebbles tres leche cake.

Some of the mini tres leche cakes which are available at Leche ‘D’Luxe.

Baba Eusi Kwayana Celebrates 100th Birthday

ByShaniaWilliams

Guyana’s renowned historian, educator, political activist, and cultural icon,

Baba Eusi Kwayana, formerly known as Sydney King, marked a remarkable milestone on Saturday—his

100th birthday The celebratory event took place in his hometown village of

Buxton, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday a place that has witnessed much of his journey as a trailblazer in Guyana’s history

Kwayana was born in Lusignan, but his family relocatedtoBuxtonwhenhe was just seven years old.At the tender age of 15, he became a primary school teacher His career in education continued to thrive, and in 1956, he

founded and became the principal of County High School, later renamed Republic Cooperative High School,inBuxton.

ALifeShapedbyPolitical Activism

Kwayana’s political activismbeganinthe1940s, when he was still known as Sydney By 1947, he had solidified his political stance, becoming an active supporter of Cheddi Jagan’s bid for a seat in the

Legislative Council He eventually joined the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the precursor to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP),andquicklyascended the ranks. As a Member of Parliament, he was appointedMinisterofWorks in1953.However,histenure was cut short when the British government

A Milestone of a Legendary Life

suspendedtheconstitutionin 1954, leading to his detention alongside other PPP members for nearly threemonths.

It was during this period that Kwayana made the infamous declaration to the then governor: “This confounded nonsense must stop.” These words became part of popular folklore in Guyana Later, in 1955, when the PPP split along ethnic lines, Kwayana remained with the Cheddi Jagan faction. However, he soon departed over disagreements concerning theparty’sstanceontheWest Indies Federation After a briefandunsuccessfulrunas

an independent candidate, KwayanajoinedthePeople’s National Congress (PNC) in 1957andwentontobecome General Secretary, later expelling himself from the party in 1961 due to disagreements over ethnic issues.

AChampionfor EthnicEqualityand CulturalPride

In 1961, Kwayana cofounded theAfrican Society for Racial Equality (ASRE), an organization aimed at promoting cultural awareness and advocating for ethnic equality in Guyana Despite the country’s growing ethnic tensions,Kwayanaproposed

a p o w e r - s h

i n g arrangement between the leaders of the two ethnic parties Alth

gh his proposal was rejected, he continued his activism In 1964, he co-founded the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), a movement dedicated to promotingAfricanprideand cultural identity among African Guyanese It was during this period that Kwayana adopted the name EusiKwayana,whichmeans “Black Man of Guyana” in Swahili.

While he never returned to the PNC, Kwayana supported the party’s rise to power in 1964 and held several influential positions, including head of the National Land Settlement Committee and chairman of the Guyana Marketing Corporation He was also instrumental in shaping Guyana’s foreign policy, particularly in relation to Africa.

continued to influence the nation’s discourse In the 1970s, after breaking with the PNC over government corruption, Kwayana became an outspoken critic of the regime and aligned himself with radical antigovernment groups like the Working People’s Alliance (WPA),wherehealsoranfor presidentin1985.His

Continued on page 57

Patentia family seeks help to bury grandmother

A Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD) family is seeking assistance to help bury a 95-year-old mother and grandmother who died

recently at the West

Demerara Regional Hospital.

Sharon Samshudeen, the deceased’s granddaughter told Kaieteur News that she

doesnothaveenoughmoney toburyhergrandmother Samshudeen works in a canteen and her income is barelysufficienttotakecare of herself, family and the funeralexpenses.

The Ministry of Human Service and Social Protection has contributed $50,000 towards the burial

butthecheapestofferbythe Ezekiel Funeral Home is $365,000.

Unable to source all of the cash Samshudeen has been left with no choice but toturntothepublicforhelp.

“We did want to bury Monday but we had to push back fuh see how much money we could get,”

Samshudeensaid. The funeral has to be rescheduled because the body cannot be removed from the funeral home until shepaysup.

Persons desirous of helping the Samshudeen family can make contact with Sharon on mobile number592-637-6858.

OPR probing allegations of missing cocaine from TSU Armoury

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched a probe into the disappearance of a quantity of cocaine from the armoury of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

In a statement to the media on Saturday police said an investigation has been launched, “Relative to queries from theMediaandreportscirculatingonSocialMedia.”

Thepolicehavealsocommittedtoprovidinganupdate tothepublicassoonasdetailsareavailable.

Therehavebeenreportscirculatingonsocialmediathat alargequantityofthedrugswentmissingandwerereplaced withalook-alikesubstance.Accordingtothesereports,the discovery was recently made when a handover of the unit wasbeingdone.

TheGuyanaPoliceForcehasbeensilentonthematter, withnosubstantialinformation,butthataninvestigationhas beenlaunched.

‘Leche‘D’Luxe’fordelicious,sweettresleche...

Frompage51

discipline,faithandastrong vision, she continues to refine her process and elevateherbrand.

Speaking about her brand, the entrepreneur told this magazine that her ultimate goal is to expand Leche ‘D’ Luxe into a full bakery and café, so as to create a space where people can enjoy high-quality, handcrafted desserts in a welcoming atmosphere while staying true to the brand’s essence of luxury andversatility

Already impacting societythroughherbusiness, the young woman is of the v i e w t h a t y o u n g entrepreneurs are making a powerful impact on society by bringing fresh ideas, innovationandawillingness topushboundaries.

She said with their deep u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f technology,socialmediaand the digital landscape are reshaping industries and

creating new opportunities that previous generations couldnothaveimagined.

“Our global exposure to diverse cultures, trends and markets allows us to build businesses that are not only relevant but forwardt h i n k i n g Yo u n g entrepreneursaredrivingthe digital revolution, advocatingforsocialchange and contributing to a more diverse and dynamic economy We’re not just building businesses, we are creating movements that connect people and ideas worldwide,”sheelaborated.

With the ability to significantly impact society, Ifill believes more can be done locally to help small business grow and be successful.

According to her, small businesses can benefit greatly from increased visibilityandintegrationinto larger sectors, especially in Guyana’s growing oil and gas industry. “Creating

opportunities for small businesses to supply goods, provide services and be part of corporate networks can elevate the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem,” shesuggested.

Meanwhile, in a simple messagetothosewhoaspire to start a business, our featured entrepreneur said, “To those who dream of entrepreneurship and those already on the journey; never place limits on what you can achieve The road may not always be smooth, buteverysetbackisalesson and every challenge an opportunity to grow God hascarriedmethroughevery stepofthisjourneyandwith faith, I know anything is possible.”

With a deep love for baking and cooking, you should also know that Ifill also has a deep passion for helping others, especially in the field of psychology She related that her goal is to become a certified

counseling psychologist by age 30, with the intention of merging that passion with herentrepreneurialjourney

“Alongside psychology, Ialsohavealoveformakeup and interior decorating, which I believe can contributetobringingbeauty andconfidenceintopeople’s lives. I aim to merge that p a s s i o n w i t h m y entrepreneurial endeavours within my journey,” she revealed.

For persons looking to indulge in these sweet delicacies, Leche ‘D’ Luxe is located at 124 D’AndradeStreet,Kittyat Small Bu

ness Hub Guyana, a newly founded collaborativespace.

Cakes are stocked weekly for delivery and pickup.

Forordersorenquiries, you can reach out via WhatsApp on telephone number (+592) 653-2438, or via TikTok, Instagram andFacebook.

WANTED VACANCY

Selling your house lot or unfinished building, give us a call : 216-0671 / 692-8464 or WhatsApp 622-0267.

Press man to operate offset printing machine in Campbellville. Call: 6215140.

One experienced Domestic/ Cleaner to work in the West Minister area, one day per week. Call: 683-3417/ 6467400.

Experienced Salesgirl to work at a boutique at Hydronie Market on Saturday and Sunday (attractive salary). Call: 658-2980/ 6856796.

Employment on cruise Boat! Jobs for manager, receptionist, clerk, restaurant helpers, housekeeper, cook & assistants. Call: 757-8231.

Male/ Female Workers to work in Mahdia. Call: 6887067/ 688-9506.

Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4,600 /day: $5,400/ night. Workers paid weekly. Call: 611-7839 (GTT)/ 637-0983 (digi).

GLC Transport hiring : Dump Truck Mechanic & Drivers & Part-time parts Sale Position at Farm EBD. Tele : 652-9744 / 752-7511

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 6490956.

Leyland DAF truck for sale. Contact: 676-6165 / 693-9843

LAND FOR SALE

Roadside Heroes Highway

Land for Sale, Garden of Eden

3.8 or 6 acres. Contact: 6211139 / 712-40203

General Domestic, Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 4 day work.

One (1) painter needed. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2. Call: 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com

Kitchen assistant needed. For more info Call: 676-5534 / 618-3696.

Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 645-8443.

Handyman to work 2 days per week. Call: 621-5140.

Males & Females to work at a wash bay in Campbellville, 8am-5pm. Shift available 10am-7pm. Call: 604-1980/ 669-4676.

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Sales Representatives. Tel# 226-2621.

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Factory Workers. Tel# 226-2621.

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Experienced Accounts Clerk to assist in administrative function that company may require. Email: bakshwork @gmail.com / 662-0469.

Handyman to work in Eccles area, driver expeditor & Workers to live & work in Hauraruni. Call: 231-0363.

Maid for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132.

Vacancy exists for bodywork men & Arc welder. Call: 716-9989.

One skilled Driver to make purchases in G/Town. Contact: 701-4000.

Desk staff, Receptionist, Supervisor, Room Attendant @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.

Vacancy for Elderly Caregiver @ Republic Park. Please Call or WhatsApp: 656-1875/ 233-5160/6096952.

SERVICES

We repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call Omar: 654-9711/ 683-8734.

Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.

House plan drawing, Estimates, Grubbing of land and Sand filling K.Lakeram Building Contractor. Call 216-0671 / 692-8464 or Whatsapp 622-0267.

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge,air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, tv, microwaves & freezer. Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

TOURS

Suriname Tours- Easter weekend tour to Suriname. WhatsApp/ Call: 639-2663 / 673-2348 for more info.

757-8231.

FOR RENT

Spacious botton flat apartment, 40ft X 12ft in Mon Repos, ECD. Single person over 30 years, $55,000. Call: 234-0965/ 728-4053 7am7pm.

4 bedrooms, 3 baths, self contained master house. Fully furnished. Call : 6504000 for more information.

WBD, New 2/3 bedroom fully furnished apartments, minutes away from the bridge, includes Gym & Pool. Call: 650-4000.

FOR SALE

100 acres of land at Western Hogg Island, 5 mins from the stelling. Ideal for crops and vegetables. Call: 227-1813.

Small Farmers mini Tractor, complete plows - coutock plows. Cantact : 624-0646.

Machinery tools, materials for manufacturing and repairs of machinery spares. Call: 227-1813.

For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918

One well equipped mobile food truck. Facilities for cooking, washing, freezing, music & lighting, etc. Call: 227-1813.

PNCR calls on govt. to have a holistic...

From page 47 instead factor in future economic developments, including oil revenues, LNG exports, and new industries. They stressed the need for the government to seek alternative arrangements with Washington and rely on expert advice.

The PNCR-APNU warned that if the tariff remains in place, it could deal a severe blow to Guyana’s non-oil economy, potentially trigger-

ing higher unemployment, weakened consumer demand, and broader economic instability.

For their part, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has assured Guyanese exporters that the government will work to clarify differences in trade surplus data with the United States government, which he believes played a role in the 38% reciprocal tariff on Guyanese products.

In Guyana’s case, he said the US trade figures suggest a substantial trade surplus that Guyana exports more to the US than it imports, while Guyana’s data differs significantly.

As a result, he assured Guyanese exporters that the government will seek to clarify the difference in the trade surplus data with the aim of potentially lowering the tariff.

Boy, 8, publishes first book...

From page 48 son’s natural talent. “His writing was always pointed and purposeful,” she says. She highlighted that her son will take a long time to complete a task, but when it is done, it is properly executed.

When young Tucker brought home his school project, which would eventually become his first published book, his mother didn’t expect to do much editing.

She explained, “I knew I hadn’t much work to do in terms of correcting, adding to the fact that the teachers said she didn’t want the parents to do any correcting because the parents might change the rest of the child’s writing and the concepts, so all we were asked to do was to type it

up.”

However, Mrs. Tucker did question whether the stories truly sounded like her eightyear-old son’s work. “There were times when I paused, and I asked Jeziel ‘Is you write this story?’ And he was like, ‘yes mom, I did it in class’ and I reached out to the teacher and I was like, I am not doubting my child’s ability but the stories ain’t sound like them do it out of their head, and she’s like yes,” she said.

Further, as she continued to type out her son’s work, she realized that his story could reach a different level. Mrs. Tucker then reached out for illustrations, and when she sent the manuscript for publication, the publisher was shocked to learn that her son, who was seven at that

time, wrote the book.

Mrs. Tucker believes strongly in the power of communication with children.

Mrs. Tucker said, “I do not believe in speaking to a child in baby language. Simply put, since my children were in my womb, I spoke to them like I will speak to any right-thinking human. I do not believe in lowering your language to accommodate a child, I speak to my children on the level like if we are all adults, [mind] you, there are boundaries, I do believe in age-appropriate conversations.”

In her eyes, clear communication and mutual respect are essential in nurturing her children’s talents, and the results of that approach are evident in her son’s success.

‘Tariff war’ spells grave danger...

From page 13 are all putting tariffs on each other, that is going to disrupt supply chains, that is going to raise the cost of producing everything, from the food you eat, to the clothes on your back, to the phone in your pocket, to the car you drive down the road, to the spare parts that you need for critical infrastructure. That means higher prices for all of us to pay, and sadly, yes, this will impact all of us, regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do.”

Furthermore, she stressed that the Caribbean

leaders must re-engage urgently, directly, and at the highest possible level with the United States of America. She also suggested that regional leaders diversify its global partnerships, noting the vulnerability of the region’s small economies.

Mottley suggested, “We must build our ties with Africa, Central and Latin America, and renew those ties with some of our older partners around the world, in the United Kingdom and Europe, and in Canada.”

Further, in her message the Donald Trump administration Mottley said, “To the

United States, I say this simply. We are not your enemy. We are your friends…I say simply to President Trump; our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way.

They are too small to have any negative or distorted impact on your country.

So, I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours.

And look to the Caribbean, recognizing that the family ties, yes, are strong. Let us talk, I hope, and let us work together to keep prices down for all of our people.”

Oil spill will hit Guyana’s shores before...

From page 16 logistics like we have to put it on the ship, take it offshore to the location, lower it down to the sea bottom...generally speaking several days to be able to deport...our production license says nine days so it would definitely be within that timeframe.”

Meanwhile, EMGL Projects Manager, Rebecca Cvikota, assured that in addition to mobilizing the capping stack, ExxonMobil would activate its emergency response team immediately and start working towards addressing the situation

through various methods, including the use of dispersants.

Cvikota added, “Many countries have to wait for the capping stack to arrive from a different destination, which can take time for it to get here in country; ours is here already, so it’s a matter of accessing it (and) assembling it because there is some assembly required. We preserve it properly, but we need to assemble it to send it offshore.”

The In-Country Projects Manager was also keen to note that there are instances where the capping stack may not be required to stop a spill. She explained that the tool is only used in specific situations.

“In some of our previous presentations, we talked about subsea trees and those sit on top of the wellhead...and that tree has all kinds of wells attached to it that we would close immediately in the event we would have any kind of oil leak. However, if the tree wasn’t working or if there was something wrong with that tree, that’s when the capping stack would be deployed,” Cvikota stated.

Overnight boat cruise to Bartica Regatta. All inclusive of room & food on board. Call to book:

Baba Eusi Kwayana Celebrates 100th Birthday:...

Frompage52 activism during this period mentored a new generation of political leaders, many of whom continue to serve Guyanatoday

In addition to his politicalwork,Kwayanahas m a d e s i g n i f i c a n t contributions to Guyana’s cultural life He is a celebrated playwright, and his playThe Promised Land wonthe“BestPlay”prizein the Youth Category at the British Guiana Drama Festival of 1965 His extensive writings have covered everything from race and ethnicity to governance and cultural freedom, offering insight into the evolving social and politicalfabricofGuyana.

Personal Life and Legacy In 1971, Kwayana

married Tchaiko Kwayana, formerly Ann Cook, a panAfricanist and civil rights activistfromGeorgia,USA. Their ma

age was grounded in shared ideals andamutualcommitmentto organizationaldevelopment. After retiring from p

o California He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, wherehecontinuestoinspire others through his writings and enduring legacy of politicalactivism. Kwayana has four children, one of whom, Kwame Manu, is deceased: Kofi, Kwame Alaf, Iyabo, a n d K w a m e M a n u (deceased).Healsohasfour granddaughters Afriye, Ama,Yaa,andIna—andone great-grandson,Asa.

Reflections

Inanexclusiveinterview

with The Waterfalls, Kwayana expressed his thoughts on reaching this significant age “This milestone, as you call it, is really scary,” he shared. “I cannotpretenditisnot.Ihad no idea I would see such a day Itreallyscaresyoutobe 100.

I hope it can go by uneventfully as we live through it I’m looking forward to reuniting with a lot of acquaintances, especially younger people. Manyofmycontemporaries are gone, and I’m left with youngergenerationswhoare very generous and helpful. I’m forever grateful for them.”

When reflecting on the monumental changes in

Guyana’s history, Kwayana emphasized that while big events and international recognition are important, the real progress he cares about is the shift in human objectives, particularly around freedom, equality, andthequalityoflife.

“ThechangesIammost concernedaboutaretheones that lead towards greater freedom, satisfaction of material needs, and environmental safety,” he said. “Changes in how we treat each other, how we handle our resources, and how accountable our governments are—those are the changes I find most impressive.”

Championforsocial change

When asked about his secret to long live and longevity, Kwayana responded,“Oneofmychief interests in life is health, good health. As a child I sufferedmanyillnesses,and fromtheageof21in1946,I was able to make a change, rather profound change in my what is now called a lifestyle Unfortunately, these are not things I brush about.Ispeaktothem,speak about them to people who arereallyinterestedbecause the knowledge I rely on is not exclusive to any person orgroup.”

Despite his age, K w a y a n a r e m a i n s

passionateaboutavarietyof causes. “There are many projects I feel passionate about. They all have to do with human development, freedom of expression, and improving the quality of life,” he said. “I stand with those who are being repressed Freedom of expression is not just a slogan; it is the nutrient of the human being.When it is withheld,thereisanattempt to starve those deprived of it.”

Looking to the future, Kwayanaexpressedhopefor thenextgeneration.“IfIcan give any advice to young people striving for social change,Iwouldsay:Discuss withotherswhatyouwantto do. Don’t try to bully others into your opinion. Listen, come to a common agreement, and work towardsagreedgoals.That’s howmovementsgrow.”

Kwayana’s centenary is not only a celebration of a longlifebutalsoareflection of a legacy that has shaped the history and culture of Guyana.Hisworkcontinues to inspire future generations of activists, educators, and thinkers who will carry forward his commitment to freedom,equality,andsocial justice.

WPAremarks

The Working People Alliance (WPA) showed appreciationforKwayanaat

reaching his milestone. The partyexpressedgratitudefor the good works Kwayana hasdonefortheparty

“The Sage of Buxton, as he is fondly known, is a living testimony to the promise of a humane Guyana. He is one of the finest products of our country—aselflesscrusader for justice and dignity in every aspect of our collective national journey Hiseightdecadesofpolitical and social activism have allowed him to experience and influence the twists and turns of our socio-political, economic and cultural decolonization and postcolonization,” the WPA stated.

They emphasized that Kwayana is a persistent example that human beings are by nature moral beings destined to live in a state of freedom.

“Our party owes a lot to Kwayana’s activism, wisdom and leadership. But he transcends parties or a party HeisGuyana’sunique gift to itself and the world. WPAviews his longevity as a special blessing from God and the ancestors. We thank himforhiscontributions.We thank his family for sharing him with us We look forward to his continued guidance and blessings. We love you, Bro Eusi,” WPA said.

UN says 100 children killed or injured in Gaza...

Frompage12

Silwad, northeast of Ramallah,whowaskilledat Megiddo Prison in northern Israel,itsaid.

More than 9,500

Palestinians, including women and over 350 children,arecurrentlyheldin Israeli prisons under harsh conditions,accordingtoboth PalestinianandIsraelihuman rightsreports

Meanwhile, UNRWA said more than 142,000 Palestinians have been

displaced between March 18 andMarch23,andwarnedof another humanitarian catastropheinGazafollowing the collapse of the ceasefire

“SincethewarinGazastarted, around 19 million people –including thousands of children – have gone through repeated forced displacement amid bombardment, fear, and loss,” a statement issued by UNRWA on Palestine

Children’s Day said Israel has killed more than 50,600 Palestinians in Gaza since

October 2023, most of them womenandchildren.

The International CriminalCourtissuedarrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahuandhis former Defense Minister YoavGallantforwarcrimes andcrimesagainsthumanity inGaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave

‘Origins’Guyana Fashion festival gets...

Frompage49

Event Director Alex Graham told The Waterfalls that the fashion festival is a new initiative and partnership between the Government of Guyana and the Fashion industry He added that it will help to develop opportunities for Guyanese designers and Guyanese influenced designs to see bigger and better stages across the world.

He said the festival will demonstrate to the international fashion industries that Guyana has products and designers who are worththeirwhile.

Graham added the origins fashion festival will create a platform for the experienced international designers from across the world to share their experiences, skills and knowledge with upcoming designers. Thethreedayeventwilltakethe

form of, a ceremony, workshops and other practical activities. The festival and its workshop will showcase the history behind the designs, the entrepreneurial aspect of fashion, the clothing, the models and how Artificial Intelligence is in cooperated in today’s fashion creations According to Graham, the event will be divided into three platforms allowing prominent local designers to showcase their work, new designers who will be given an opportunity to showcase their craft and international designers whose work earned themawards. Grahamsaidthatthefestival canbedescribedasaproductofcrosssector development. He told The Waterfalls that the Guyana fashion festival was inspired by the recent recognition that one sector can impact growth and create opportunities for othersectorsinGuyana.

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move closer to 2025 title

Charlestown, Dolphin, Waramuri advance into Milo/Massy U18 Football C/ship

Chase’s Academic

Foundation,

Charlestown

Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, and Waramuri

Top Secondary are the first fourteamstoadvancetothe quarterfinals of the Petraorganised Milo/Massy

Under-18 Football Championship, following dominant performances yesterday at the Ministry of Education(MoE)ground.

The highly anticipated Secondary Schools Football Tournament is set to narrow downtothefinaleighttoday While only the top eight teams will move on in the knockout stage, they will also qualify for the upcoming Republic Bank (RBL) U-18 League Thereafter, the top two teamsfromthatleaguewill go on to represent Guyana i n D e c e m b e r ’ s

International Goodwill Series, which features elite U-18 school teams from b o t h l o c a l a n d international backgrounds With a lucrative cash prize also at stake, the competition promises high-intensity matchups ahead.

The round-of-16 kicked off with four exciting matches.

Defending champions

Chase’s Academic Foundation were first to punch their quarterfinal ticket, thrashing Bartica S e c o n d a r y 7 – 0 Remarkably, the side securedthewinwithouttheir captain and tournament top scorer,BryanWharton.

Chase’s took early control of the game, with NeeiazBakshopeningthe scoring in the 17th minute Tyrell Walcott doubled the lead with a stunning goal in the 22nd, followedbyquickfirestrikes from Kemron Pellew and Isaiah Ifill to close the first halfat4–0.

Sunday April 06, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Don'tactlikeyouhaveallthe answers today, Aries. This attitudewillgetyounowhere. Rememberthateveryoneyou encounter has something to teach you, so don't disregard that homeless person on the street.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

There's a special power to yourwordstoday,Taurus,and an internal confidence that rarely comes around this strongly

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Break open any door that seems to block you today, Gemini. It won't take a great deal of effort on your part to accomplishthis.Thekeyisto be more flexible in your approach and merge with the group effort instead of trying tofightagainstit.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Ifyoufeellikeyou'rerunning on reserve battery power, Cancer, remember that you always have a reserve tank ready to kick in Don't disregardthis.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Addabitofsparktoyourday, Leo.Getyourselfintogear It might feel like there's a great deal of anticipation in the air, but don't get ahead of yourself.Enjoythedayyou've beengiven.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Fire up your energy today, Virgo, and demonstrate your power to conquer Create a bonfire of activity that gives off a great deal of heat to the people around you Some mightnotbeabletostandtoo closenow

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Get out of "gimme" mode, in whicheverynewtoyorgadget you see calls out your name, Libra.Ifyoukeepthinkingthat youneedthesematerialthings in order to be happy, you will never be truly satisfied no matterhowmuchyouhave.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

It's important to turn your attention to more spiritual matters now, Scorpio

Consider enrolling in a yoga classthatcombinesmeditation with the physical practice. It's vitaltolinkyourmind.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Reachouttothosepeopleyou knowwillmakeyoufeelbetter today, Sagittarius. There's no reasontositinyourroomalone anddepressedwhenyouknow there are people who would lovetohearfromyou.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Don'tgetboggeddownbypast events today, Capricorn. It's time to move forward. Leap out of bed as if it were your firstdayontheplanet.Realize how lucky you are to be alive and how much power and influenceyouhave.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You shouldn't try to fight the feelings that run through you today Don't even try to rationalize them These feelingsareprobablyrelatedto emotions dating back to your childhood You shouldn't avoidoranalyzethem.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)People may have missed your company lately, Pisces. Make an appearance where youknowitwillbenoticedand appreciated. points.

venue. Action begins at 12:00 noon withThree Mile Secondaryfacingoffagainst AbramZuilinmatch#41.

At 1:30 pm, Bush Lot Secondary takes on Yarrowkabra Secondary Later in the afternoon, WestRuimveldtwilllookto halt Hope Secondary’s campaign,whileSantaRosa Secondary aim to preserve their unbeaten record in a high-stakes clash against

President’sCollege.

The tournament is sponsored by Nestlé Milo and Massy Distribution, with additional support from MVP Sports, the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission, and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

It is coordinated by the Petra Organisation and sanctioned by the MinistryofEducation

Ifill continued his scoring spree in the second half, completing a superb hat-trick with goals in the 43rd, 50th, and 58th minutes, sealing an emphatic fourth straight win in the tournament.

In the second fixture, Charlestown Secondary

o v e r c a m e N e w Amsterdam Secondary 3–1, thanks to goals from Malcolm Hendricks, Nicholas Nieuelder, and MalakaiGowen

H e n d r i c k s g a v e Charlestown the lead in the 18th minute, and Nieuelder added another in the 30th. Though Feaad Hussein pulledonebackforNAinthe 50th, Gowen netted in the 58thtoputtheresultbeyond doubt.

Dolphin Secondary also advanced with a confident 4–2 win over Ann’s Grove Secondary

GoalscorersforDolphin included Collin FrankDavid (29’), Seon Grant (58’), Ezekiel Frank-David (62’), and Jomal Williams (65’), ensuring their team remained in contention for thechampionship.

Intheday’smostintense battle, Waramuri Top Secondary edged South Ruimveldt 3–2 in a nailbiting contest Dezell Abrams (15’) and Erwin Booker(35’)gaveWaramuri a 2–0 lead before Carlon Robinson and Devonte Gaime equalized for South inthesecondhalf.

However,OrwinAbrams deliveredthematch-winning strike in the 68th minute, sending Waramuri through tothenextround.

Four more Quarterfinal spotsupforgrabsToday

Another four teams will secure their quarterfinal spots today at the MoE

DCB Under-19 Inter-Association 50-Over tournament… GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins

Action in the D e m e r a r a Cricket Board

(DCB) U19 Inter-

Association 50-Over tournamentsawGeorgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and East Coast Cricket Association (ECCA) romp tobigwinsyesterday At Transport Ground, GCAbeatEastBankCricket Association (EBCA) by a

whopping191-runmargin.

GCAposted 328-9 in 50 overs after Man-of-thematch Riyad latif led the assault with 94 (5x4 1x6), while Ryan Latif, 71 (5x4 1x6) and Jayden Dowlin 60 (7x4 3x6) along Shiloh Adam (35) helped propped theruns.

Bowling for East Bank, DeonarineDindialgrabbed549whileAltafRahimpicked

up2-39,astheirteamfolded for137off29.2overs.

Dovind Duncan (42) and DevinRoopnarine(28)failed to stop likes of Georgetown WavellAllen(4-22).

Over at Meten Meer Zorg, West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) suffered 6 wickets lossatthehandsofECCA.

WDCA were blown away for 108 in 37.4 overs

with Sachin Balgobin (24), JoshuaKisshundial(16)and Navindra Sankar (14) the top-scorer ECCA match MVP Nityanand Mathura, snared 3-27asEastCoastrompedto 111-4in19.2overs.Vickash Wilkinson44(16x41x6)and Moin Persaud 42 (5x4 2x6) madelightworkofthetotal. Only Navendra Sankar who grabbed 3-38 and Udesh Seetaram 1-29, managed to make inroads. Action continues with more mouthwateringbattles.

Riyad Latiff collects his MVPaward from an official.

2025 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 6….GHE vs. LIH

Louis second innings fifty saves match for Hurricanes

A brave second innings half-century from opener Mikyle Louis, instrumented a rescue job as the Leeward Island Hurricanes pulled off a draw versus the defending champs Guyana Harpy Eagles, yesterday at Warner Park. Round six proceedings bowled off with the In-form Kevlon Anderson scoring 77* in the first innings to help stabilize Guyana who were bowled out for 193 in the first innings, after some

Hurricanes opener Mikyle Louis struck half-centuries in both innings to help his team secure a draw

good bowling by Hurricane skipper Rahkeem Cornwall wholedwith3wickets. Hurricanes then had a string of scores in their first inningsasLouiscracked73, while Keacy Carty (92) and Jahmar Hamilton (80)

helped their team post 335 all out. The champs then took full advantage of their opportunity to score big in thesecondinningsandstack a lead, as hundreds from Tevin Imlach 123* and Anderson who returned to finish the job with his gritty 101.

Kevin Sinclair (62) and Matthew Nandu (66)

alongside Raymond Perez (42) gave the Eagles a solid platform with a decent three figure lead heading into the lastday Louisthendoubledupas heduginforhis101-ball61, whichkepthisteamaliveon the final day His opening partner, Kadeem Henry scored a vital 36 as they added98.

While Hamilton (23*) and Carty (19) dropped anchor as they resisted the Eagles bowling attack, despite two wickets from veteran left-arm spinner VeerasammyPermaul.

Meanwhile,Guyanawill play the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on Wednesday at the Queen’s ParkOval.(CR)

GFF,Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners Workshop to boost football operations in Guyana

GEORGETOWN-The Guyana Football Federation (GFF),incollaborationwith Concacaf, is hosting its Match Commissioners Workshop at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence.

The two-day event, takingplaceonApril5thand 6th, 2025, is designed to strengthen the operational capacity of competition officials by enhancing their knowledge and skills in match organization and oversight.

The initiative is part of

management of football competitions across the country

Dayoneoftheworkshop opened with an official w e l c o

introductions, and an overview of the role and responsibilities of a Match Commissioner.

Participants delved into topics such as the profile of the Match Commissioner, departmental functions, and the critical duties they

overseeing prematchprotocolsandstadium

inspections to monitoring compliance and submitting officialreports.Thedayalso

walkthrough and concludes with a live football match, which will be used as a practical case study for analysis.

Theworkshopreinforces the GFF’s core values of unity,fairness,integrity,and professionalism.

Match Commissioners serve as the Federation’s official representatives at games and are expected to embody these values in every aspect of their work. With an emphasis on ethical conduct, impartiality, and effective coordination, the training ensures that match officials can confidently

Participants and officials at the GFF and Concacaf Match Commissioners Workshop.

execute their duties while maintaining the highest standards.

With participation from across GFF Member Associations and the Executive Committee, the workshopisanessentialstep in building a pool of qualified, disciplined, and account

h Commissioners.

The GFF President, Wayne Forde attended the workshopandwaspleasedto giveafewremarks. He said, “Our match commissioners play a vital role in managing and overseeing every aspect of football competitions, ensuring that we adhere to regulations and uphold the higheststandards.”

H

s workshop aims not only to expand our commissioners’ expertise and increase the number of certified professionals but also to pave the way for more Guyanese to participate in C

ca

m

CFU

s We are committed to elevating the quality of football from grassroots to professional levels, because our players, fans,andpartnersdeservean exceptional competition experienceateverylevel.”

As the local football landscapecontinuestogrow, the GFF is ensuring that its foundation of competition management is robust, efficient, and aligned with internationalbestpractices.

‘One Guyana’ 3x3 Quest Basketball opens with local teams in mixed results

-Action concludes today

In a historic occurrence for Guyana’s Basketball fraternity the ‘One Guyana’ 3x3 Quest opened yesterday, Saturday, morning at the CliffAnderson’s Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch,Georgetown.

The first FIBA- sanctioned 3x3 tournament to be hosted in the Englishspeaking Caribbean; Mexico’s Ball so Hard pulled off the first victory of the weekend, deafeatingGuyana’sUntouchables20-9.

On the other hand, Guyana’s Renegades werethenextteamtojointhewinners’circle, thumping Bermuda’s Hamilton 20-10 in a PoolBmatchup.

Guyanese National player Travis Belgrave later described the encounter as intense, also addressing their home court advantage.

Belgraveexpressedtothemedia,“Itwas a bit intense; it was a bit physical as per normalbutwe’reexperiencedinthiskindof 3x3playso,Ithinkweadaptedquitewelland we’reverygratefulforthisvictory.”

TheGuyaneseNationalplayerwentonto, “Definitely, we’re home, we’re accustomed to these conditions so, I think we will do well.” In other results yesterday, Cayman StormoftheCaymanIslandssuffereda15-21 loss at the hands of Suriname’s Team Paramaribo.AnovertimecontestresultinSt.

Kitts and Nevis’ SKN Sugar Boys walking awaywiththewinoverBVIElites13-11,St. Lucia’s Elite Blazers downed Trinidad and Tobago’s Quarters United 19-15, Guyana’s Georgetown got pas Guatemala’s PSN 13-8 and USA’s NY Soundview got the better of theNetherlands’TeamPhilipsburg21-8. As the afternoon progressed, Trinidad’s Maloney Pacers got the better of Ecuador’s Fit Storm 21-17. Puerto Rico’s Carolina cruised to a comfortable 21-13 win over Mexico’s Ball so Hard, while Guyana’s Renegades faltered against Switzerland’s Lausanne 15-21 The , Dominican Republic’s Distrito Nacional got past Cayman Storm 21-17 Maloney Pacers pickedupanothervictory,thistimedefeating USA’sNYSoundview21-12. Carolinakept theirrecordcleanwithanotherwin,thistime againstSKNSugarBoys18-13.Inashocking twist,St.Lucia’sEliteBlazersdownedteam Lausanne 15-13 while Distrito Nacional outplayed Guyana’s Georgetown 21-11. NY Soundviewreboundedwitha21-5thumping of Ecuador’s Fit Storm and Guyana’s Untouchables went on to register their 3rd lossoftheday,thistimeatthehandsofBVI Elites8-18.The‘OneGuyana’3x3Questwill continue this morning with the anticipated finalscheduledfor18:30hrsthisevening.

National Chess champions off to Trinidad and Tobago Tobago

National Chess

C h a m p i o n s ,

Candidate Master

Taffin Khan and Woman

Candidate Master Jessica Callenderwillparticipatein theupcoming2025Subzone 2.3.3 Absolute & Women ChessChampionshipsinthe vibranttwinislandnationof TrinidadandTobago.

The Trinidad and Tobago

Chess Association (TTCA) will host the

competition at the

Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre in St Ann’s from April 11th to April18th,2025.

C M K h a n w i l l compete in the Absolute category, while WCM Callender will compete

against her female

counterparts in the Women’scategory

Khan, with an ELO

rating of 2023, is Guyana’s top-rated player and the reigning National ChessChampion.

Khan will compete against the Caribbean’s best for a chance to win, improve his game, and earn rating points Khan has proven his mettleover theyearsinGuyana,bothin the classical and rapid competitions.

Hewillnowplayinthe Swiss competition with a timecontrolof90minutes

with 30 30-second increments per move, his strongestsuit

Callender, who has an ELO rating of 1568, will also have the opportunity to elevatehergameandaccrue rating points as she faces formidable competition from the Caribbean’s elite female chess players Callender, who reigned as National Women’s

Champion for 2023 and 2024, was selected in January 2025 to represent Guyana.

Cash prizes amounting to3000USDand2250USD are up for grabs in the Absolute and Women’s categories, respectively Eligible players can gain titles and norms per FIDE regulations.

The 2025 SUBZONE 2 3 3 Absolute & Women Chess Championships are open to players who represent national chess federations from Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Ned. Antilles, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and the U.S.VirginIslands.

The winner in each c a t e g o r y w i l l automatically qualify for thenextFIDEWorldCup.

CM Taffin Khan and WCM Jessica Callender now proceed to Port of Spain with the full support and confidence of the Guyana Chess Federation that they woulddousallproud

The GCF’s President, Anand Raghunauth, continues to advocate for players to improve their gamesthroughinternational competition.

The opportunities afforded to players who excel in chess continue to grow as the GCF strives to build an environment c o n d u c i v e t o t h e advancement and progress ofchess.

Three Miles Secondary make clean sweep of Jagan Windball cricket titles

Secondary Schools,

both girls and boys, was given the opportunity to compete in Windball cricket as MCYS NSC Sports Officer

A. Munroe organised, Janet & Cheddi Jagan memorial tournament shifted to Bartica.

PlayedattheDaggPoint

Ground, a few miles from the town of Bartica, Three Miles Secondary made a clean sweep, winning both competitionsinadaywhich sawraindominating.

In speaking with the students,theywereallhappy for the MCYS NSC and the teamofofficialstravellingto Bartica to give then this opportunitytoplayWindball

Cricket.IntheCheddiJagan Boys - Bartica Secondary after been sent in to bat made 24-6, Travis Da Silva took 2-1 Three Miles Secondary 25- 0 off 2 1 overs with Ishmel Williams 11leadingthewin.

In the Janet Jagan Girls

segment - Bartica Secondary batted first and scored 46-4, Athalia

Simmons 14, Kamandra Tracy 11, while Rennea Fordycetook2-6 Three Miles Secondary rompedto50-0off3.4overs, with a solid knock coming fromLatifaCornetwith36. Meanwhile, on Monday April 7, the curtains is expected to come down on the Region 3 tournament at theParikaSalemGround.

Teams gather at the start of the event. (ASTP)

The winning Three Miles Secondary female team. (ASTP)

WCM

Jessica Callender

CM Taffin Khan

Action on opening day at the FIBA-sanctioned 3x3 Basketball tournament at the CliffAnderson Sports Hall.